Principal:  Phil  Fitzsimons  8532  1788  –  Chairperson  Governing  Council:  Robert  Smissen  0403  284  019  

 Murray  Bridge  High  School  

Excellence,  Respect  and  Working  Together  

FROM  THE  PRINCIPAL  Phil  Fitzsimons    Welcome  to  this  week’s  newsletter  

Miss  Fawn  –  Our  new  therapy  dog  Last  Friday,  the  Regional  Disability  Unit  welcomed  Miss  Fawn  to  the  school.    Miss  Fawn  is  a  trained  therapy  Labrador  donated  to  the  school  by  the  South  Australian   Guide   Dogs   Association.     Through   the   dedicated   work   of   Dr  Christine   Roberts-­‐Yates   and   Christopher   Roberts-­‐Yates   the   idea   of   Miss  Fawn  attending  the  Regional  Disability  Unit  is  to  provide  a  calming  effect  for  the   students   in   the   classroom,   whether   that   be   through   the   students  reading  stories  to  Miss  Fawn  or  by  having  her  calming  presence  nearby.    The  school   is   very   fortunate   to   have   such   an   opportunity   as   programs   of   this  nature  are  quite  common  in  the  United  States  but  this  is  the  first  of  its  kind  in  Australasia.     Images  of  Miss  Fawn’s  arrival  to  Murray  Bridge  High  School  will   be   available   through   the  Regional  Disability  Unit’s   page   on   the   school  website  very  shortly.    Student  Free  Day  The  focus  for  the  Student  Free  Day  held  last  Tuesday  was  literacy  mapping  across   all   learning   areas   and   curriculum   development.     A   select   group   of  Literacy   Leaders   worked   with   Ruth   Pfeiler,   Curriculum   Consultant   for   the  Murray   and   Mallee   region.     This   group   focused   their   attention   on  broadening  their  skills  towards  further  implementing  the  schools’  approach  towards   literacy   improvement   across   all   learning   areas.     These   skills   will  then  be  shared  with  all  staff  through  the  relevant  learning  area  meetings.    Staffing  Update  The  school  has  recently  appointed  Laurice  Braithwaite  to  the  acting  position  of  Year  11  Coordinator.    Laurice  has  responsibility  for  overseeing  all  matters  pertaining  to  Year  11  and  will  be  a  valuable  asset  to  the  school.      On  behalf  of  the  staff  and  students  I  welcome  Laurice  to  this  leadership  position.    We  also   welcome   Julie   Mariner,   who   is   currently   filling   in   the   role   of   Maths  teacher  while   John   Dunbar   is   on   extended   sick   leave.       Julie   fills   this   role  until  the  end  of  this  term.  

It  is  through  working  together,  with  respect,  that  we  can  reach  excellence  

Term  2,  Week  8  –  20  June  2011  

CALENDAR        Week  8      Tue,  21  Jun   Finance  Committee  7pm     Dance  Showcase  7pm      Thu,  23  Jun   Cyber-­‐Safety  parent  workshop       -­‐  6.30pm      Fri/Sat/Sun  24-­‐26  Jun   SAASTA  Power  Cup        Week  9      Tue,  28  Jun   Parents  &  Friends  6.30pm     Governing  Council  7pm        Week  10      Wed,  6  Jul   Youth  Opportunities  Graduation      Fri,  8  Jul   Last  day  of  Term  2,  2pm  dismissal        JULY  SCHOOL  HOLIDAYS      Mon,  11  Jul  –  Fri,  22  Jul        TERM  3  STARTS  -­‐  MONDAY  25  JULY.    

Cultural  Diversity  Celebration  On   Sunday,   19   June   Murray   Bridge   High  School   hosted   the   Cultural   Diversity   in   the  Murraylands   day,   celebrating   Refugee   Week  2011.     Distinguished   guests   including   Sharon  Secker,  Councillor  of   the  Rural  City  of  Murray  Bridge,  George  Fomba,  representing  Hieu  Van  Le   –   Lieutenant   Governor   of   SA   and   Danny  McAteer,   Deputy   Director   of   Department   of  Immigration  along  with  families  from  a  diverse  range   of   cultures   celebrated   a   wonderful  afternoon   of   food   and   entertainment.     It   is  through   events   such   as   this   that   the  community  can  celebrate  the  cultural  diversity  that  is  alive  and  well  within  our  region.    

 

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Murray  Bridge  High  School  Newsletter   20  June  2011      

AGRICULTURE  UPDATE  –  ROYAL  ADELAIDE  SHOW  By  Jo  Jennings,  Farm  Manager    We  now  have  all  our  show  stock  on  site  ready  to  start  the  process  of  training  and  feeding  them  ready  for  September.    This   year   we   are   competing   in   a   new   class   with   merino  whethers   to  be   judged  on  hoof  and  hook  as  well  as  boer  goats   and   a   led   steer   as   we   have   entered   in   previous  years.    Students   in   Year   11   and   12   Agriculture   are   involved   and  will   train   them   under   the   guidance   of   Ann   Ruckert   and  myself.     They   will   work   with   them   over   the   next   few  months,   and   groups   allocated   to   each   animal   will   follow  them   to   the   Adelaide   Show   to   take   care   of   them,   in   the  case  of  the  led  steer  and  the  boer  goats,  will  lead  them  in  the  ring  to  be  judged.    Fingers  crossed  all  goes  well.    We   have   just   found   out   our   breeder   cow   ‘Spider’   is   3  months   pregnant  which   is   very   good  news.    We  hope   all  goes  smoothly  and  a  healthy  calf  is  born  around  Christmas  time.  

2011  NATIONAL  LEGACY  JUNIOR  PUBLIC  SPEAKING  COMPETITION  By  Patti  Williamson,  English  Teacher  

Congratulations   to   Year   10   student  Michaela  Zadow  on  advancing  through  to  the  State  Final  of  the  Legacy  Junior  Public  Speaking  Competition.    South   Australian   heats   were   held   in  Adelaide  on  Friday  3rd   June  2011,  where  Michaela   competed   against   contestants  from  Adelaide   Colleges.     This   is   the   first  time   a   Murray   Bridge   High   School  student  has  entered  the  competition.  

 The   competition   is   conducted   nationally   through   Australian  Secondary  Schools  and  Colleges  and  seeks  to  contribute  to  the  student’s   personal   development.     Criteria   to   enter   the  competition  included  Michaela  preparing  a  speech  of  5  minutes  duration   on   a   topic   relating   to   at   least   one   of   the   ideals   of  Legacy:  voluntary  service,  social   justice,  caring,  personal  effort,  personal   sacrifice   and/or   mateship   and   the   need   for  remembrance.     Michaela   spoke   about   ‘the   need   for  remembrance  in  today’s  society’.    Contestants  were  also  asked   to  deliver   a  2-­‐minute   impromptu  speech   on   the   topic   “I   will   never   forget”   with   5   minutes  preparation   time   allowed.     The   intent   of   this   speech   was   to  reveal   the  competitors’  ability   to  develop  a  point  of  view  on  a  general   topic   and   to   organize   a   presentation   within   limited  preparation  time.    Michaela   will   compete   in   the   State   Final   to   be   held   in   mid  August  when   two   finalists  will   be   selected   to   represent   South  Australia  in  the  National  Final  to  be  held  in  November.    Michaela   said,   “It   was   a   great   experience   competing   in   the  competition  and  meeting  and  witnessing  other  students’  public  speaking  styles  and  topics.     I  would  definitely  recommend  it  to  other  students  for  future  years.”    

Jasmin,  Danny  and  Nikky-­‐May  meet  the  led  steer  

 

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Murray  Bridge  High  School  Newsletter   20  June  2011  

GLOBAL  LEADERSHIP  CONFERENCE    By  Peter  Stewart,  Coordinator  S&E    Would   you   be   excessively   greedy   and   gather   as  many   resources   for  yourself  and  deprive  others  to  the  point  of  starvation?    Your  answer  is  probably  “No”  just  as  Michaela,  Elizabeth,  Darcy  and  Cody  thought  as  they   commenced   a   role   play   on  World   Needs   through   history.     The  result   was   not   what   they   expected   though.     Despite   attempts   to  develop   “World   Peace”,  many   countries  were   unable   to   provide   the  resources   their   peoples   needed   and   communities   starved   as   other  countries  “won”  the  resources  ‘game’  and  became  wealthy.  

Our   Year   10   students   were   attending   the   Global   Leadership  Convention,  run  by  World  Vision,  at  Seaton,  on  Monday  6  June  2011.    The   role   play   highlighted   how   countries   have   become  poor,   and   are  unable   to   provide   the   basic   resources   for   a   sustainable   lifestyle   for  their  people.  

Timor-­‐Leste,   or   East   Timor,   the   newest   country   in   the  world,   is   also  the   poorest,   with   over   half   its   people   regularly   experiencing  starvation.     The   country   has   a   “hungry   season”   lasting   for   3   to   6  months,  where  the  only  food  is  Akar,  the  pulped  bark  of  the  Sago  tree,  with  very  little  nutritional  value  and  only  some  bulk.  

Through   the   40   Hour   Famine   Youth   Ambassador,   William   Menzies,  students   learned   of   Lily,   a   Timorese   girl  who   is   poor,   living  with   her  grandmother  in  the  mountains,  unable  to  afford  school  and  hungry  all  the  time,  teased  by  others  for  ‘being  different’  by  not  having  parents  and   unable   to   go   to   school.     Will   met   Lily   and   made   her   happy,  “because   you  hugged  me,   even   though   I  was  dirty.”   Lily   is   typical   of  over  half  the  children  of  Timor-­‐Leste.“R  U  for  Real?”  

World  Vision   is  working   in  Timor–Leste  this  year  to   improve  the   lives  of   children   and   adults,   to   enable   them   to   live   lives   that   are  healthy,  happy  and  sustainable.    Organisers  empowered  the  student  leaders  to  go  back  to  their  schools  and  run  the  40  Hour  Famine  for  this  year  to  make   a   difference   to   the   lives   of   Lily   and   her   peers.     Students   who  earn  $200  or  more  can  apply  to  be  Youth  Ambassadors  for  next  year  

Will   YOU   be   a   leader   and   give   up   something   to   share   your   good  fortune  with  others?  

In  the  foyer  with  a  Timorese  child’s  photo  

(Left)  Elizabeth  at  the  role  play.    (Right)  With  40  Hour  Famine  Youth  Ambassador,  Will.  

Darcy  and  Cody  at  the  role  play  

 

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Murray  Bridge  High  School  Newsletter   20  June  2011  

CULTURE  AND  MULTICULTURALISM  PROJECT  By  Jing  Liu,  IESL  teacher    During   Semester   1,   one   of   the   main   focuses   of   the   Intensive  English   as   a   Second   Language   (IESL)   class   has   been   to   deepen  their  understanding  of  their  own  cultures  and  also  further  their  understanding   and   appreciation   for   multiculturalism   in  Australia.    The  IESL  Middle  Year  class  consists  of  students  from  a  diverse   range   of   backgrounds   including   Chinese,   Thai   and  Congolese.     They,   of   course,   have   lived   very   different   lives  compared   to  most  of   the  Australian  students  of   the  same  age.    Through   their   studies,   students   have   not   only   developed   their  English  language  skills,  but  also  have  had  a  chance  to  share  their  life   experiences   and   cultures   with   other   students,   and   have  themselves  gained  a  sense  of  what  it  means  to  live  as  a  part  of  Australian  society.    Last   term,   three   guest   speakers,   Murray   Bridge   High   School  teachers   Ms   Clark,   Ms   Daddow   and   Mr   Kalloniatis,   all   with  distinctly   different   migrant   backgrounds,   were   invited   to   the  class   to   talk   to   the  students  about   their  experiences   in  coming  to   live   in   Australia.     Each   of   them   shared   fascinating   stories  about   their   family   and   their   journey   in   coming   and   living   in  Australia.  Ms  Jo  Clark  shared  the  life  of  her  grandfather  coming  to  Australia  from  a  small  town  in  England  over  a  hundred  years  ago   while   Ms   Daddow   talked   to   the   students   about   her  experience   in   coming   to   Australia   from  Germany   as   a   student  almost   thirty   years   ago   and   Mr   Kalloniatis   discussed   how   he  came   to   Australia  when   he  was   seven   years   old   from  Greece.    The   students  were   able   to   appreciate   the   significance   of  what  the   guest   speakers   had   to   say   and   found   the   experience   very  worthwhile.    The   students   have   also   undertaken   research   regarding   their  own  cultures  and  issues  specific  to  their  own  country.    Through  their  research,  they  have  also  held  discussions  with  each  other  and   myself   to   explore   issues   within   society   such   as   the  inhumanity  of  genocide.        For   their   final   assessment   piece,   students   presented   Power  Point   displays   to   the   class   to   share   their   research.     Congolese  students   talked   about   life   in   Rwanda   during   the   genocide   and  their   subsequent   lives   in   Congo   as   refugees   before   coming   to  Australia.   They   expressed   their   appreciation   for   living   in  Australia   and   being   able   to   study   here   at  Murray   Bridge   High  School.     Chinese   students   talked   about   Chinese   festivals  including   the   Chinese  New  Year,  Mid  Autumn   Festival   and   the  impact   on   Chinese   culture.     Dong,   an   exchange   student   from  Thailand,   made   a   presentation   about   the   importance   of  Mother’s   Day   in   Thailand,   as   it   is   an   opportunity   to   show  respect  to  mothers  and  acknowledge  their  importance.  

Dong,  exchange  student  from  Thailand  

Ms  Clark  and  Ms  Daddow  speak  to  the  class  

 

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Murray  Bridge  High  School  Newsletter   20  June  2011  

KNOCKOUT  NETBALL     By  Helen  Partridge,  PE  teacher  

On  Friday,  10  June,  the  Year  8/9,  10  and  Open  Girls  knockout  netball  teams  ventured  to  Imperials  Netball  Courts  to  take  on  Unity  College.    All  three  teams  have  been  training  in  preparation  for  the  games  and  were  all  willing  to  go  out  and  put  in  their  best  efforts.      The  first  game  was  the  8/9  team  which  was  led  by  their  Captain  Emily  Gommers.    The  girls  went  out  strong  and  converted  the  first  few  centre  passes.    Unity  was  strong  in  the  defence  and  was  able  to  make  many  turnovers  despite  the  hard  work  from  the  Murray  Bridge  High  School  centre  court.    Both  teams  worked  really  hard  and  created  many  turnovers.    It  was  a  well  fort  out  game  with  Unity  winning  with  the  final  score  43  to  27.      The  second  game  was  the  Year  10  game.    This  was  a  very  tight  match  and  was  even  throughout.    The  girls  worked  extremely  hard  to  ensure  they  converted  every  centre  pass.    They  ran  out  victors  with  the  final  result  being  Murray  Bridge  High  School  33  to  Unity  30.      The  final  game  was  the  Open  and  this  game  began  fast  and  fierce.  Lexi  Blight  led  the  team  as  Captain  and  did  a  fantastic  job  with  plenty  of  voice  on  the  court.    The  girls  worked  extremely  hard  and  converted  the  intercepts.    Unfortunately  Unity  were  the  stronger  team  on  the  day  but  the  Open  girls  showed  great  team  work.      It  was  a  fantastic  day  by  all  the  students  of  Murray  Bridge  High  School  as  they  represented  the  school  well  displaying  the  core  values  of  excellence,  respect  and  working  together.      

Year  10  winning  team  

Open  Girls  team  Nikki  in  action  

Lexi  in  action  on  the  court  

 

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Murray  Bridge  High  School  Newsletter   20  June  2011  

STAR  IN  THE  MAKING  AT  MURRAY  BRIDGE  HIGH  SCHOOL  By  Adam  Sullivan,  Music  teacher    Students  at  Murray  Bridge  High  School  have  been  ‘WOWED’  by  Year  11  Music  student  and  performer  in  this  year’s  musical,  Andrew  Thomas.    Andrew  has  been  busy  busking  around  the  school  during  break  times  and  has  had  an  overwhelming  response  from  students  who  have  been  eager  to  watch  his  performances.    So  keep  an  eye  open  for  Andrew  at  recess  and  lunch  times,  join  in  the  fun  by  bringing  a  song  request  and,  of  course,  your  best  karaoke  voice.  

Andrew  performing  for  his  audience  

COMMUNITY  MENTORING  PROGRAM    

Schools  in  the  Murray  and  Mallee  region  are  seeking  volunteers  to  assist  in  the  Community  Mentoring  Program.    Develop  a  relationship  with  a  child  (10-­‐14  years  of  age)  through  a  range  of  activities  that  you  and  your  mentee  would  like  to  do  together  -­‐  playing  games,  art/craft  and  chatting  etc.    

Ø Make  a  difference  in  a  young  child’s  life  Ø Make  new  friends  Ø Make  a  real  difference  to  the  future  of  your  own  community  Ø Learn  new  skills  

 Life  experience  is  the  only  qualification  you  need.    

Would  you  like  to  know  more  about  the  program?  

Information  Session  Monday,  4  July  2011  DECS  Murray  and  Mallee  Regional  Office    

20  Beatty  Tce,  Murray  Bridge.    

Contact  Luke  Wilson  on  0457  764  318  Email:  luke.wilson4@sa.gov.au  

 

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Murray  Bridge  High  School  Newsletter   20  June  2011  

ATTENTION  PARENTS  AND  CAREGIVERS  

 COMMUNICABLE  DISEASE  CONTROL  BRANCH  (CDCB)  HAS  A  NEW  TELEPHONE  NUMBER    1300  232  272  (1300  CDCB  SA)    The  CDCB  has  changed  its  telephone  number  from  (08)  8226  7177  to  1300  232  272,  effective  immediately.    For  the  cost  of  a  local  call,  school  personnel,  parents  and  caregivers  can  now  call  1300  232  272  from  anywhere  in  South  Australia  or  across  Australia  for  information,  resources  and  advice  about:    • Infectious  diseases  • Immunisation  • Infection  Control  • HIV  &  Hepatitis  C,  relating  disease;  policy  and  

programs  

 

POSITIVE  PARENTING  SESSIONS  FOR  TERM3,  2011  

Effective  Living  Centre,  26  King  William  Rd.  Wayville    Wed  3  August  –  Managing  Anger  in  Children.    Discover  how  we  can  teach  children  to  recognize,  understand,  and  express  their  anger  in  constructive  ways.  

Wed  17  August  –  Talk  so  your  kids  will  listen…    Learn  new  ways  of  effectively  communicating  with  children  so  that  misunderstanding  and  conflict  are  dealt  with  constructively.  

Wed  31  August  –  Dealing  with  Competitiveness.    While  children’s  temperament  and  self-­‐confidence  contributes  to  the  way  they  respond  to  competition,  in  a  positive  environment  they  can  also  be  quick  to  learn  new  social  skills.  

Wed  7  Sept  –  Developing  Independence.    Secure  relationships  contribute  to  a  strong  sense  of  self,  enabling  children  to  feel  confident  in  making  sound  decisions,  relating  to  others  and  being  independent.    Cost:    $15  /  $10  conc.  /  $20  per  couple  Bookings:    8271  0329  or  office@effectiveliving.org    

PARTNERS  IN  DEPRESSION    Partners  in  Depression  is  a  FREE  six  week  group  program  that  aims  to  address  the  information  and  support  needs  of  those  who  live  with  or  love  someone  experiencing  depression.    The  program  covers  a  range  of  topics  including:  

-­‐ what  is  depression  -­‐ Treatments  for  depression  -­‐ Suicidality  and  self  harm  -­‐ How  do  you  best  support  someone  with  depression  -­‐ Communication  strategies  

The  program  is  run  by  health  professionals  and  provides  a  forum  in  which  to  receive  information  and  ask  questions  about  depression  and  your  support  role,  with  others  with  similar  experiences.  

Partners  in  Depression  is  now  available  in  your  local  area  –  register  your  interest  today!  

Session  Dates:  7,  14,  21,  28  July,  4,  11  August  2011  Venue:    Carers  SA,  South  and  East  Country  Commonwealth  Respite  and  Carelink  Centre,  Murray  Bridge  Facilitators:    Anna  Schmidt  and  Fiona  Telford-­‐Sharp  Cost:    Course  is  Free:    however  a  one-­‐off  Carer  contribution  of  $10.00  would  be  appreciated  to  assist  with  the  provision  of  afternoon  tea  throughout  the  course.  Register  your  interest:    Anna  Schmidt,  Program  Manager  of  Education  and  Training  at  Carers  SA  on  08  8291  5600.    Please  be  aware  there  is  a  brief  assessment  process  that  is  required  when  registering  your  attendance.