FROM THE PRINCIPAL
After a great start to the term our students were settled into routine this week, delving deep into learning. Term 2 On Country Learning kicked off this week, we held a Project RockIt Incursion for our Years 7 & 8 students and a number of our students attend a CIT Coffee Course today (and for the next three Fridays) - we look forward to testing their skills!
Our students are not the only ones busy learning with our fantastic staff always committed to continuous education and improvement.
This term we are devoting the majority of our meeting time to building our Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). PLCs involve small team collaboration, sharing and ongoing critical interrogation of teaching practices in line with professional standards. Our PLCs are learning-oriented and promote the growth of our teachers and students.
This week we also had a number of our Learning Support team members offered a place in the Education Support Cert IV course at CIT, congratulations to Jen, Nathan and Sophie.
Our amazing Deputy Principal, Trish Marton, is on leave for the next four weeks so we welcome Kellie Williams to the role and wish Trish and family a happy holiday!
Have a great weekend.
Steve
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Monday 31 July
Tuesday 1 August
Wednesday 2 August
- Breakfast Club
- First Aid course
- Australian Mathematics Competition
Thursday 3 August
- Homework Club, Break 2 and After School
Friday 4 August
- Breakfast Club
- CIT Coffee Course
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2023 SCHOOL SATISFACTION & CLIMATE SURVEY
Each year, the Education Directorate surveys all parents and carers, school staff and students in Years 4 to 12 about their experience of public education. The 2023 School Satisfaction & Climate Survey will be available online from 18 August to 8 September. The survey results will help us to continue to make quality informed decisions about how to improve our school. No personal identifying information will be provided to any school.
For each child in their family who attends an ACT public school, parents and carers will receive:
- A letter about the student survey outlining the reasons for collection and privacy provision for the data; and
- An email about the parent survey, including a unique link to access the survey. Genuine survey invitation emails will have the title 'The 2023 School Satisfaction & Climate Survey is now open!' and will be sent from EDU Surveys & Evaluation with 'from' address EDU@qualtrics-survey.com.
If you do not receive the survey invitation, please check your Junk/Spam email folder; if it is not there, please contact your school. If you do not have an email listed with the school, please contact the Front Office. The Parents and Carers Survey will be available online in other languages: Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Urdu, Vietnamese, Punjabi, Bengali, Spanish, Telugu, French and Italian. Respondents can select their preferred language when they start the survey. A shortened paper-version of the Parents and Carers Survey is also available in the following five languages: Dari, Dinka, Farsi, Karen and Mon. These surveys are available at the Front Office.
For the results to reflect the opinions of our whole school community, we need as many parents and carers, staff and students as possible to complete the survey. Your feedback is important, and we hope you will take part.
For more information, visit: https://www.education.act.gov.au/public-school-life/school-satisfaction-and-climate-survey
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CAPITAL FUTSAL COMPETITION
On Tuesday 25 July, we headed to Lyneham to compete in the Capital Futsal High School’s Competition. As the only south side school, we were entered into the north side division and came up against some heavy competition.
While it was a tough start for the team against Lyneham, every player rallied and were very unlucky not to come away with a win in our last two games against Harrison and Radford.
It was a tough day in the office for Zen as our goal keeper but this did not stop him from making some incredible saves throughout the day and keeping us in the game against some solid opponents.Tari and Tashi were absolute workhorses at the back, never giving up and winning the ball more times than not.
Although it was a senior competition, Deyarmi in Year 7 and Blaik in Year 8 did not give an inch all day, surprising and impressing spectators and the opposition. Despite it also being a senior boys competition, Arijana held her own in every game – coming away with a goal for all her hard work and persistence.
Our goal scoring powerhouse was Max, scoring four goals against Harrison and coming away with five of our team’s eight goals for the day. Darvin rounded out the team, dominating in attack, hustling in defence and putting away some impressive shots.
Last but certainly not least, Phillip was our super coach in lead up to the competition and on the day, running trainings and warm ups and leading the team from the sidelines due to being injured. The team should be incredibly proud of how they handled themselves and I look forward to building on what we’ve created and coming back stronger next year!
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ARTS
Visual Arts
In art, our Year 7s have started exploring colour, creating their own colour wheel. Our Year 8s have started the yoga/dance pose assignment, exploring the sculptural work of an artist to gain insight and inspiration. Year 9 and 10s have started their adventures with clay, creating plans for a maker's stamp to stamp their future work.
Meanwhile in the digital world, Year 8s have started learning how to use Illustrator, and Year 9 and 10s have started learning to use Blender, both powerful and exciting computer programs.
Years 9/10 Photography
In Years 9/10 Photography, students have been working through the exercises regarding the Introduction to Photography. These exercises involve labelling the parts of the camera, their functions and researching the History of Photography.
With practical lessons coming up in the next few weeks, the students are excited about getting behind the camera and expressing their creative side with Thursday's lesson establishing the protocols around handling the camera and the responsibility of taking it outside the classroom.
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Drama
Drama classes have had a great start this term with students in Year 7 and Year 8 jumping in with enthusiasm. However, some students are hesitant 'I don't want to be an actor, so why should I do Drama?'
The Drama curriculum is focused on many skills that are useful for students' development. While engaging in small group improvisation activities and short scripts, students in Drama develop empathy, communication and self-confidence. These transferable skills will help students work with others, explain their point of view and solve problems... all of this while having fun, and, like the Year 7 class in the photos below you may also get to dress up as a cowgirl or a banana!
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Music
In Music, new groups of students have been working on their performance skills to begin the semester. In Year 8, we have started examining Rock n' Roll and Elvis's career. Our Year 9/10 music students have started new electives this semester.
In Music in the Media, students are examining video game music and how technological advances have improved the industry's ability to make immersive games.
In Music Projects, students have been choosing a passion project for the semester based on the music they listen to. Students will have a number of performance opportunities throughout Terms 3 and 4 with assessment and our end of year Arts Extravaganza.
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Dance
Dance classes this term are focusing on storytelling through Dance. Our junior students are exploring expressive intention this semester, looking at how to use choreographic devices and performance techniques to choreograph a dance that explores a storyline, theme or character. Our senior classes are looking at how to use abstract stimuli, such as existing artworks, to inform a dance work. There’s lots of great group work occurring within class, we’re looking forward to seeing what dances they all develop.
These units tie in nicely with our performance opportunities coming up this Semester, with all Dance classes also working hard towards their storyline Dance Festival performances. Junior students excitedly started learning their pieces last week, choreographed and taught to them by the senior Choreography class, with one junior class doing a Winnie the Pooh dance piece and the other group doing a Hansel and Gretel piece. We’re looking forward to developing these Dance Festival performances ready for our performance early in Term 4.
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MATHEMATICS
I would like to extend a warm welcome back, to our Calwell High School families and give you some updates on the happenings in Mathematics for this coming semester. Firstly there have been a few staffing changes in Mathematics as Ms Robyn Pearce has accepted a position at a primary school leading their Japanese program. As such I would like to extend a warm welcome to Mr Martyn Call who has accepted a position here from Canberra High School. Along with co-leading the English & Humanities Faculty, he is also an experienced Maths teacher and will be taking on a Year 7 and Year 9 Maths class.
Soon you will all be receiving a welcome email from your child’s teacher explaining, in more detail, the curriculum plan for Mathematics which will be accompanied by a Course Outline. Please take the time to read through the information to help plan for the semester ahead and give you greater understanding of the assessment plan/criteria.
In classes we have hit the ground running and immediately moved into course work for our first units. Year 7s are starting with Probability, Year 8s are discovering the Index Laws, Year 9s are exploring Linear Relationships and Year 10s are applying Pythagoras’ Theorem and Trigonometry to real world problems.
As was the case last semester, the bulk of learning will take place on Education Perfect which will set itself up nicely to work with our Flexible Learning Time on Wednesday afternoons. It is vitally important to encourage the students to make sure work is completed from class and EP has made access to the work easy. Our biggest hurdle is having all students remembering to bring their Chromebooks charged and in working order. As such we would ask you to encourage your child to bring their charged Chromebook each and every day. If your child is experiencing issues with their device, please contact the school or Mr Alex Tandy (alexander.tandy@ed.act.edu.au) to arrange an assessment of their device and potential replacement if needed.
The key to success in Mathematics is completing the course work that is set. It was very evident from last semester that those students who did complete the work were far more likely to achieve at standard or above than those that only partially completed the work. Again please encourage your child to make sure all course work is up-to-date on a weekly basis. This can be tracked through the emails from Google Classroom and EP. If you are not receiving these, please check Junk/Spam folders first and then contact your child’s Maths teacher if you are not receiving these updates.
As always we are here to assist and help your child progress through the curriculum and all staff are willing and eager to work with families for the best outcome for each and every student. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s Maths teacher.
We wish all our students a successful semester and look forward to helping them achieve their academic goals in Maths.
Mr Deans/Mr Rodriguez
2023 AMT Mathematics Competition
This year, Calwell High School is again providing an opportunity for students to participate in the Australian Mathematics Competition which is run by the Australian Mathematics Trust. The AMC has been run every year since 1978 and is now one of the largest of its kind in the world.
The AMC is for students of all standards. The problems are designed to test mathematical thinking, and questions are designed without need for a calculator. The level of difficulty increases throughout the competition, and later problems are challenging to even the strongest students
The competition will be held on Wednesday 2 August 1.30–3.00pm. The cost is $5 for entry and would ask that notes be handed to the front office no later than Friday 28 July. Notes are available from the Maths Staffroom.
Mr Plenty
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LEARNING SUPPORT UNIT
Dear Parents and Community Members, we are delighted to share with you the exciting subjects and engaging topics that our students will be exploring in LSU classes this semester:
Maths: Sports Maths with a Focus on Statistics and Data Collection
In this sports-themed maths unit, our young learners will discover the fascinating world of statistics and data collection in various sports contexts. They will participate in interactive activities that apply mathematical concepts to real-life scenarios, making maths both enjoyable and relevant.
English: Understanding Audience Perspective and Purpose in Writing
Our junior and senior students will develop their communication skills by understanding the importance of audience perspective and writing with a clear purpose. Through a variety of reading materials and creative writing exercises, they will become effective communicators in different situations.
Hass: Junior LSU - Structure of Governments; Senior LSU - Biomes and the Environment
Junior LSU students will explore the structures of governments and the decision-making processes that influence our society. Meanwhile, senior LSU classes will delve into the wonders of biomes and their impact on the environment, encouraging an appreciation for our planet's diversity.
Science: Junior LSU - Forces and Simple Machines; Senior LSU - Journey to Space and the Universe
Our junior scientists will engage in hands-on experiments to understand forces and simple machines better. In contrast, senior LSU students will embark on an exhilarating journey through space, exploring celestial bodies and the vastness of the universe.
Health: Personal Hygiene Practices
In health class, students will learn the importance of personal hygiene practices for their overall well-being and to prevent the spread of illnesses. Emphasizing healthy habits will empower them to make positive choices.
PE: Sports Skills Development with a Focus on Gross Motor Skills, Striking, and Ball Sports
Physical Education classes will actively involve students in sports skills development. They will enhance their gross motor skills, striking techniques, and performance in various ball sports while fostering teamwork and sportsmanship.
The Inclusion Support Team
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SCIENCE
Year 7 Science slime experiment
Slime is classified as a non-newtonian fluid, meaning it is neither a liquid nor a solid and has properties of both. Slime is made up of polymers, which are made of long chains of molecules that bind together when the ingredients blend.
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Year 8
Year 8 Students are learning to analyse, identify and classify various living things based on morphology, structure, and physical characteristics. Students analysed and identified specimens of snakes, lizards, birds, scorpions, insects and various plants.
Special thanks to Aki for supporting and arranging the specimens for this science practical.
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ON COUNTRY LEARNING
Term 3 On Country Learning kicked off on Wednesday of Week 2 with a spectacular day spent getting familiar with Birrigai, discussing what we all wanted to get out of this program, setting some goals and cooking some damper!
We arrived in the morning with a beautiful blue sky which really set the mood for our first day. With an on Country and in Language acknowledgement, we spent some time talking about Birrigai being a place of learning not only since the establishment was built, but for tens of thousands of years before that. Students then spent some time setting themselves a S.M.A.R.T goal for the term.
After a yummy sausage sizzle, which was cooked and cleaned by the students, we learnt and practiced setting fires and cooking damper. This was a wonderful time to slow down, tend to the fire, cook the damper and just get to know each other. A fantastic day, spent in a fantastic setting, with fantastic students. Looking forward to next weeks team building activities and crate challenge!
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OUTDOOR EDUCATION
Outdoor Ed 2 has started with a great visit out to Erindale PCYC's climbing gym. Line 3 outdoor Ed boarded Maui (our school bus) with anticipation and excitement, ready for a fun little adventure.
On arrival, students were instructed on harnesses, safety equipment and belaying in order to set them up to climb away for the remainder of the session. All students engaged wonderfully and represented Calwell High school proudly. Looking forward to heading out again in a fortnight's time.
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P&C NEWS
Hello Parents, Carers and Friends
Our next P&C meeting will be at 6.00pm on Wednesday 9 August in the school’s main staff room.
Please put it in your calendar and join us for some up to date info on a number of great initiatives that the P&C is going forward with as we continue to support our school.
Cheers, Geoff Puleston, Calwell High School P&C President
calwellhighpandc@gmail.com
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The Calwell High School P&C will be running a BBQ stall at the monthly Calwell Markets, on Saturday 19 August and we need your help!
Volunteer opportunities are now open.
Please click on the following web link (or copy it into your web browser if clicking doesn't work) to go to the signup sheet:
volunteersignup.org/JTEH8
To sign up, just follow the instructions on the page. It only takes a few seconds to do.
Thank you for volunteering!
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STUDENT PATHWAYS & CAREERS
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IMAGINE MORE - OPENING OPPORTUNITIES CONFERENCE REPLAY
Imagine More are offering an online replay of the Opening Opportunities Conference, which was about exploring employment opportunities for people with disability. It featured speakers, including families, young people with disability and professionals from Australia and overseas. The presentations will be released gradually from Monday 3 July until Sunday 3 September 2023. For more information and free access visit Replay event: The Opening Opportunities conference - Imagine More.
Contact Imagine More on 02 6108 3681
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CANBERRA CAREERSXPO - HELPING YOUR TEENAGER WITH CAREER PLANNING
As part of the Canberra CareersXpo, the ACT Education Directorate will present a workshop for parents and carers to support National Skills Weeks 2023.
During the workshop on 9 August, experienced career practitioners will present useful career information, resources and strategies to start career conversations with young people.
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ACT PUBLIC STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The Public Education Foundation has a range of scholarships open for public primary, high school and college students in the ACT. All scholarships are for the 2024 school year.
A list of scholarships, eligibility requirements and application due dates is available on the Student Scholarships - Public Education Foundation website.
Attachments:
Contact Public Education Foundation on 02 7814 2806 or info@publiceducationfoundation.org.au
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ACT CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE COMMISSIONER RIGHTS IN ACTion JULY 2023 NEWSLETTER
The Rights in ACTion newsletter July 2023 edition has a range of interesting information for children and young people about their rights. This edition explains children’s right to play and relax. It includes a fun word search, some tips and tricks for plastic free July and it also shares four ways to celebrate the International Day of Friendship on the 30 July.
Children and young people can send contributions in any format they like about anything they want. They can also send messages to the ACT Children and Young People Commissioner on Instagram @actkids_CYPC, call on 02 6205 2222, send an email to actkids@act.gov.au or go to Young Thinker Forum to upload files.
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