Findon High School “Start with a dream. Finish with a future”

FinNews

Date 31 July 2018 2018 Issue 11

Inside this issue:

From the Principal

1/2

Diary Dates 1

Pupil Free Days 3

ICT Report 3

Doing Schools

Differently

3

Principal’s Tour 3

Absences 3

Beacon Engineering 4

Art Exhibition 4

Sport 5

Wellbeing Update 6

Wellbeing

Conversations

6

Carly Ryan Foundation

Visit

6

Community Notice

Board

7/8

Phil Fitzsimons Principal

Findon High School

Drummond Avenue

Findon SA 5023

Ph: 08 8445 7944

Fax: 08 8345 5401 Email:

dl.0805_info@schools.sa.edu.au

Web: www.findonhs.sa.edu.au Welcome to this week’s newsletter. I trust all families and friends had a relaxing winter break and enjoyed some quality time together over the two weeks. We are now back into the swing of things and the term ahead promises to be another busy and productive one with a broad range of learning and fun events taking place. Acknowledgements I would like to begin this week’s newsletter acknowledging the selfless work of Prefect Ilario Albanese in painting the newly created Graduate Room. Ilario painted this new space over the course of the school holi-days, giving up around five days of his own time to decorate this space on behalf of all the students at Findon High. Ilario brought in some friends and family to help out and in doing so took immense pride in completing this work. On behalf of everyone at Findon High, well done Ilario. Over the ensuing months the Prefects will be further decorating this space and taking full ownership with the intention that the Graduate Room will become their dedicated learning and relaxation space. If fami-lies have any unwanted lounges, microwaves, toasters, kettles, cushions lying around at home that they would like to happily donate to the school, please let Sandy know at the front office, and the school will hap-pily come and collect. I would also like to acknowledge Pastoral Care Worker Kathy Pivetta, who recently was successful in the review of her position at Findon High. A key requirement of Kathy’s position is that she presents an overview of the work she has undertaken to the Schools Ministry Group and the local church associations. The review identified that the well-being support and guidance that Kathy provides to staff, students and families is pivotal and highly valued by the entire school community. Kathy is to be com-mended for the tireless effort she puts into her role on a daily basis, and I know that all staff and students are particularly grateful for her efforts. Celebration Assembly Last week students across all levels were acknowledged for their aca-demic efforts throughout semester one. I was particularly pleased to see a large number of families and friends witnessing this assembly and join-ing in the celebration of the students’ efforts. Included within this news-letter are photos from the assembly. At the assembly I shared with students and families the planned building works for Findon High School. The first key priority is the creation of the Advanced Manufacturing Centre (AMC) to be located on the existing ten-nis courts at the front of the school. The AMC will be a new facility creat-ed to deliver Certificate 2 in Electrotechnology and Certificate 2 and 3 in Advanced Manufacturing. Students will be able to obtain hands on learn-ing opportunities to work with advanced manufacturing equipment such as laser cutters, 3D printers, routers, etc. The learning-by-doing approach will enable our students to carve out new entrepreneurial opportunities that in turn supports the new learning they will require to successfully transition into the changing world of work.

From The Principal

PUPIL FREE DAY

Term 3 Monday, 03 Sept

STUDENT FREE DAY

Term 3 Tuesday, 04 Sept

Important Dates

Year 8 & 9 Rivers Journey Flinders Uni, Fri 3 Aug

SATAC Presentation Mon 6 & 13 Aug

Year 10 & 11 Parent Course Information Even-ing Wed 8 Aug

Ski Trip Mon 13-Fri 17 Aug

Year 11 Subject Selection Day Wed 15 Aug

School Council Meeting Thu 16 Aug

Stage 1 WPP Work Experi-ence 20-25 Aug

Year 12 Flinders Uni Presentation Mon 20 Aug

Year 10 Subject Selection Day Wed 22 Aug

Year 12 Uni SA Presenta-tion Mon 27 Aug

Mon 3 Sep School Closure Day

Tue 4 Sep Student Free Day

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Award Recipients

Pg 1 Cont… Located next to the AMC will be a newly built ThincLab facility where our students will have the opportunity to learn and study in collaboration with staff and students from the University of Adelaide. This is an excit-ing new venture that will bring futures thinking and a clearer pathway for our students to identify potential tertiary pathways. SCL Presentation at Valley View Secondary School Last week I was invited to present a discussion of our journey into Stu-dent Centred Learning at Valley View Secondary College. In collaboration with Karla Huffa (Senior Leader in Curriculum Development) and Pre-fects Michael Ivanov and Caitlin Tieman-Koster, we spent around an hour discussing the benefits of SCL with their staff. Valley View Secondary School is a fellow Future Schools Alliance member and is keen to transfer some of Findon’s learnings into their school. I was particularly pleased that Michael and Caitlin were very well received and the staff appreciated their insight into SCL. Travis Burrough’s School Visit Last Friday, Travis Burroughs from Templestowe College visited staff at Findon High School. Travis is a Canadian Tech Whiz at the cutting edge of all kinds of design and tech in schools. He coordinates the VEX Robotics Competitions in Victoria. VEX is an awesome cost effective and manageable way for a school to get into robotics with a new challenge set every year. Building a connection with Travis and his colleagues is the plan for our staff at Findon High. The cost effectiveness of purchasing VEX robotics is an ideal entry point for our students, which in turn builds the opportuni-ty for our students to create networks with the students from interstate. More information on the purchase of VEX Robotics will appear later this year in our newsletter. PISA This year students from Findon High, along with 14,500 students from 800 schools, have been selected to represent Australia in PISA. PISA is the Programme for International Student Assessment. Internationally, it is the world’s largest student assessment with around half a million par-ticipating students in 80 different countries. PISA is run every three years. PISA asks what young adults around the world are capable of do-ing, how they can apply what they have learnt in school, and what they think about school. The answers also identify areas in which the Australi-an education system needs to improve. PISA will take place at Findon High on Wednesday, August 29 beginning at 8.30am. The students identified to undertake PISA will encompass all of our current Year 10 students. The test will take place in the Resource Centre. The length of the PISA assessment, including administration and breaks is approximately 3 hours and 45 mins. Further information on PISA and the assessment day will be forthcoming via Year 10 students in the next week.

Enjoy reading this week’s newsletter.

Award Recipients

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ICT Report Findon uses the skoolbag app for quick access to essential information. Through this app you will be able to access notices, events, newsletters, and DayMap. To register follow the steps below. If you already have the app for another child, you can just add Findon High School. Once registered you can apply to become a member of specific groups that will provide you with information spe-cific to your child. Please feel free to contact the ICT Team at the school and we will be happy to discuss any query with you. Our number is 8445 7944 and we can be contacted between 8.30am – 4.00pm on school days or email us at dl.0805.ictadmin@schools.sa.edu.au

STEP 1 Access via playstore or appstore depending on device

STEP 2 Search for skoolbag

STEP 3 Install the App

STEP 4 Search Findon High School

Dr Richard Leach

Doing Schools Differently Conference At the beginning of May, Karla Huffa and I received the exciting news that we had been successful in our application to attend the Doing Schools Differently 2018 conference, to be held on the Gold Coast. Over three days we participated in a range of workshops, learning about the neuroscience of trauma, the impact of early trauma on adolescent development, approaches to Flexible Learn-ing Options (FLO) around Australia and Student Centred Learning pedagogies including Project Based Learning and embedding Work Experience in all areas of the curriculum. During the confer-ence we networked with FLO Coordinators and leaders from South Australia, establishing im-portant connections that will enhance the experi-ences of FLO students at Findon High School. We look forward to sharing our learning with staff and students upon our return to school and building on the excellent work that is already happening in the FLO space at school to ensure FLO students are maximising their learning and working towards exciting futures. Jess Dutschke & Karla Huffa

Absent from school? Parents are advised that if their child will be absent or late for school for any reason, they are asked to contact the school by 9.30 am. Phone: 8445 7944. Student Records To ensure that all student records are accurate and up to date, could you please ensure that the school is notified of any changes to address, phone number, emergency contact, etc.

Principal’s Tours 2018

Open Day is every day

Contact us for your

personalised tour.

Findon High School will also

be holding Principal’s Tours

on the following dates.

Friday 31 August 2018

Week 6 @ 9.15am

Please phone Natalie Murray on 8445 7944 for book-ings or further infor-mation.

Award Recipients

Following the success of the industry partnership between HASS teachers Brenton Kovaleff and Scott Hill, and Environmental Planner, Craig Hughes from Port Adelaide Enfield Council in the development of an inquiry based approach to coastal manage-ment, Jane Logan was inspired to work in the Beacon space in Semester 2. Jane, alongside Jacobs Project Manager and Engineer, Dan Mollison and Andy Yan, will deliver a unit on the environmental impacts of the mining process, that places students in the centre of their learning as they solve a real world problem grounded in 21st Century engineering approaches. Jane participated in an intensive one-day planning workshop, facilitated by Beacon’s Mandy Rossetto, with Mollison and Yan drawing on their industry knowledge and merging it with her skills as an educator to ensure meaning-ful and engaging learning opportunities for students. The planning phase The team then showcased their work with the broader group of Beacon schools, collaborating with peers to illicit feedback, enhancing the plan for co-delivery and ensuring maximum student outcomes. Jane is excited about the real world learning opportunity this work with Beacon will afford her students and firmly believes that they will be inspired to consider a range of STEM careers into the future as a result.

The showcasing phase Jane will share her journey with staff later this year. Should you as a parent

or part of the wider community be interested in hearing her success story,

please contact the school early in Term 4 for further details.

Karla Huffa

Year 9 Art Exhibition

At the end of last term, work by Year 9 art students was includ-

ed in an exhibition. In alignment with the new focus of Student

Centred Learning, the students took on the challenge of organ-

ising the evening, including making food, curating and advertis-

ing the event. On the night, parents and friends came and

viewed the work and stayed for snacks and conversations.

Many were impressed by the high standard of the work and it

was a very successful evening. Plans are afoot to create a stu-

dent run exhibition every year and next time to include all year

levels.

Kate Missen

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Engineering Experts Engage Findon High Education

Aboriginal Basketball Academy

Findon High School students Juanita Calyun and Rusty Ferguson have now

been attending the Aboriginal Basketball Academy (ABA) for two terms.

Last weekend they participated in the Bearcats Mid-Year Carnival, where

they had the opportunity to showcase the skills they have developed

through the academy. All ABA students also received a pair of signed bas-

ketball shoes by NBA star, Patrick Mills. Some amazing experiences that

our students won’t forget! Karina Pierre

2018 Issue 11

Crows Cup 9-a-side Carnival

Last term, a group of enthusiastic young women from Findon High School participated

in the Crows Cup 9-a-side carnival. Mother Nature certainly put on a show for us, mak-

ing it a perfect day to have a kick. This is the first time Findon High School has sent a

female football team into competition- and it was a great day. For many of our girls, it

was their first time playing a full game of football. This didn’t stop their determination

or excitement; the girls had a lot of fun and also had some success out on the field. Hope-

fully this is the first of many carnivals ahead for our AFLW Academy. Karina Pierre

Stage 2 Aquatics (Kayaking) Over three days the Year 12 PE class participated in their kayaking practical which was held at West Lakes Aquatic Centre. The practical involved learning how to get into, and out of, a kayak properly, practising various strokes and stops used in kayaking, as well as activities such as capsiz-ing and performing eskimo rolls which involves falling into the water. The first day was the coldest and most difficult of the three days, with rain and wind making it difficult to kayak. The second day was warmer and involved kayaking seven kilometres around the lake which proved to be tiring but helped our class to work as a team and use our leadership skills. The last day involved playing an adrenaline filled kayaking version of tag with a ball which saw the capsizing of two students, who were helped back into their kayaks by their peers. The last day also involved the final markings

towards our grades which pushed us to all give our best. Overall, the aquatic-based practical was a fun and exciting experi-ence with each student learning new skills and improving them over the three days. Lakeisha Watkins

Term 2 Zone Sport

Overall it has been another successful term of Western Zone after school sport. All teams competed in great spirits with their heads held high during the seven week season. Unfortunately, no teams made the finals however, they played each round demonstrating great sportsmanship and team work. A special thank you to all the staff and students who gave up their time Wednesday afternoons: Mr Asikas – Soccer Coach Miss Pierre – Netball Coach Mr Pisani and Mrs Campbell – Basketball Coaches Miss Gee – Basketball Umpire Taylor Leis – Soccer Umpire Shannon Durnell – Netball Umpire Matthew Spencer, Andy Wooden and Brenton Kovaleff – Bus Drivers

Name % Final Placing

Woodville 62.5 1st

Mt Carmel 58.6 2nd

ASSOE 41.8 3rd

Findon 41.5 4th

Henley 38.4 5th

Name Premiership

Points

Final Placing

Underdale 9 1st

Le Fevre 5 2nd

Findon 4 3rd

Woodville 3 4th

Seaton 1 5th

Junior Girls Netball

Senior Boys Basketball

Name % Final Placing

Le Fevre 72.6 1st

Oceanview 70.6 2nd

Seaton 56.4 3rd

Henley Red 50.9 4th

Findon 47.9 5th

Henley Green 47.8 6th

Underdale 34.5 7th

Woodville 34.1 8th

Mt Carmel 33.9 9th Karina Pierre

Junior Boys Soccer

Page 6

Wellbeing Update Welcome to Term 3 and I hope everyone had a safe and healthy holiday. In Term 3 there are a number of events on the Calendar for Wellbeing. In Week 3, Thursday August 9, all our Year 8 and 9 students will participate in the Department for Education’s Survey of Engagement and Wellbeing. The spe-cific details regarding this state wide survey have been issued by our Skoolbag App, so if you are not a member yet please ask our front office staff or sign up via Skoolbag. In Week 5, August 22, families and carers are invited to come along and attend a Cyber Safety parenting workshop here at Findon High School. The flyer for this event is included in this week’s newsletter and provides a follow on from the Carly Ryan Presentation late last term. The workshop will be led by Legal Services SA and all are welcome. Week 6, Monday August 26 the Dental For Schools will be available at school. This means your child’s dental visit can be conduct-ed at school, convenient for you, by seeing a dentist during school hours. The treatment/visit may be covered by the Medicare Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). To find out more and book an appointment please pick up a flyer from the front office. Finally, I would like to acknowledge the hard work of the Life Long Learning team who have used the end of term 2 to plan, create and start the implementation of a new Student Centred Learning Life Long Learning program in Term 3. The below students are off to a great start by seeking staff and student feedback and in Term 3 will be running three electives for stu-dents across the school. Well done and I will ensure I share some photos and student up-dates in our next Newsletter. LLL Planning Team: Students: Heather Reyes, Alex McWhirter, Yayha Giire, Ali Ozturk, Leah Monaghan, Ryan Hennig, Amani Faraj, Josh Vause, Fanta Kenneh, Adele Skelton, Abdikafar Ibrahim and Kylia Fyffe. Staff: Alice Gee, Kathy Pivetta and all Home Group teachers.

Kiah Craig Wellbeing Leader

Carly Ryan Foundation Visit

On Thursday 5th July, week 10 last term, we were fortunate enough to have the Carly Ryan Foundation present to our school. Carly Ryan, who was a teenage girl, had met who she thought was a teenage boy online and had spoken to him for 18 months. In 2007, at aged 15, Carly agreed to meet him in person. Unfortunately for Carly, it was a 50 year old man who ended up killing her. In my opinion the Carly Ryan presentation was very helpful because they talked about how to keep ourselves safe in online platforms. The range of guest speakers specifically spoke about keeping our profiles private and how to block people who were not actually our friends. It was very interesting and I hope everyone took something from the presentation. I certainly have learnt how to keep myself safe when using social media. Leah Monaghan – Year 10

Support Findon High School’s fundraising efforts.

All funds from each ticket sold is returned to the school.

https://www.peopleschoicecu.com.au/findon-high-school

Findon High School are selling Entertainment Books again this year, in both digital and hard copies. You are able to purchase the books by credit card via the following link: https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/16p1655. A sample book is available to look at in the front office. Please tell family and friends that our

school is selling them to help our fundraising.

For further information please contact:

Melissa.Campbell502@schools.sa.edu.au.

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