The Marella Muse

| York Rd, Kellyville NSW 2155 | (P) +61 2 8824 5955 | (F) +61 2 8824 9755| |www.kellyville.h-schools.nsw.edu.au | (E) kellyville-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au |

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VOLUME 15 – EDITION 6 28 May 2018

Kellyville HS We are a vibrant and innovative learning community that is committed to delivering excellence within a rich and diverse learning environment. Every student has the opportunity to achieve their personal

best through engaged, active learning in a safe, respectful and supportive school. Page 1 | 7

CALENDAR CHECK

2018 | Term 2

W5A Tue 29 May ICAS Science _________________________________________________________________________________________________

W6B Tue 5 Jun P&C Meeting 7pm (Library)

Thu 7 Jun Recognition Assembly

Fri 8 Jun SEC Fundraiser – Pyjama Day _________________________________________________________________________________________________

W7A Mon 11 Jun Public Holiday – Queen’s Birthday

Wed 13 Jun ICAS Spelling

NAPLAN Stronger Standards – Writing

Thu 14 Jun NAPLAN Stronger Standards – Reading

ICAS Writing

Thu 14 – 15 Macquarie Zone Athletics

Fri 15 Jun NAPLAN Stronger Standards – Numeracy

Sun 17 Jun P&C Bunnings BBQ @ Rouse Hill _________________________________________________________________________________________________

W8B Wed 20 Jun Drama Performance Evening

Fri 22 June Yr 7 LOTE Restaurant Excursion

Business Studies Incursion _________________________________________________________________________________________________

W9A Tue 26 Jun Subject Selection Evening

5pm – Year 8 / 7pm – Year 10

Wed 27 Jun Captains Speeches

Thu 28 Jun Yr 8/11 Vaccinations

Fri 29 Jun Yr 7 LOTE Restaurant Excursion

Wizard of Oz Trivia Night _________________________________________________________________________________________________

W10B Tue 3 Jul Yr 8/9/10 Parent Teacher Evening

Thu 5 Jul Leadership Induction

Fri 6 Jul Last day of Term 2 _________________________________________________________________________________________________

2018 | Term 3

W1A Mon 23 Jul School Development Day (staff only)

23 Jul - 3 Aug Year 12 Trial HSC Exams

Tue 24 Jul #Second2Days

Wed 25 Jul #Second2Days _________________________________________________________________________________________________

W2B Tue 31 Jul ICAS English

1 – 3 Aug Yr 11 Urban Challenge _________________________________________________________________________________________________

CELEBRATING SUCCESS

RELAY FOR LIFE | Congratulations to all the staff and

students involved!

FINANCE COMMITTEE | It was great to have four

student representatives attend our most recent

Finance Committee Meeting!

The Marella Muse Vol 15 | Ed 6 28/05/18

Kellyville HS We are a vibrant and innovative learning community that is committed to delivering excellence within

a rich and diverse learning environment. Every student has the opportunity to achieve their personal best through engaged, active learning in a safe, respectful and supportive school. Page 2 | 7

Emerald City Success

On Monday the 21st of May, we held a fundraising day for

KHS’s 2018 Musical – The Wizard of Oz! This day was a HUGE

success - more than $2100 was raised on the day! We had a

BBQ, cake stall and fairy floss. Thanks to all the staff, students

and Mrs Szybowski and her fairy floss team for working so

hard to make this day so successful.

Other fundraising dates:

On Sunday the 17th June we are having a Bunnings BBQ at

Rouse Hill to raise further funds for the musical. Please let the

CAPA staff know if you can help us out.

On Friday the 29th June we are having a Trivia night held in

the school hall. Come and join in the rainbow fun and support

the students at KHS!

Mrs B Smith

Teacher, Music

Year 12 Connect

Hello Class of 2018! It has been

great seeing all of you working

hard this term and taking part in

various activities representing the

school. I have recently had

amazing feedback about the

maturity and commitment that this year group put forth in

providing feedback about our school during our recent Year

Meeting. This data is invaluable as most of you have been at

KHS for nearly six years and know our school the best.

The most recent Study Skills session was about University

early entries and scholarships. Mrs Dolan (Careers Advisor)

and I were able to meet up with Year 12 students and discuss

which universities offer early entry and how to locate the

different types of scholarships. There is an abundant amount

of information on the web of what each university has to offer

students. Year 12s were given time on the computers to

complete their own research and utilise the different hard

copy resources on university programs that Mrs Dolan had on

offer. It was wonderful to speak to students one-on-one about

their future aspirations. If you missed out on the session and

would like to some information about early entry programs

and scholarships, please come see me in the staffroom. Mrs

Dolan is available in her office and more than happy to discuss

your options for the future.

Remember, if at any time you want to have a chat about your

goals or if you have any concerns in general, please feel free

to come see me or any other staff that you connect with. We

are in this together.

Class of 2018 – you’ve got this!

“The victory of success is half won when one gains the habit of

setting and achieving goals”. ~ Og Mandino

Mrs A Yurkowski

Year 12 Adviser

Faculty Focus (CAPA)

Shriya D of Year 7 has

been playing the piano

since she was in Year 2.

Q: Do other members

of your family play

music? Is it a big part of

your everyday life?

No one in my family

plays an instrument but

music is definitely a big

part of my everyday life.

Q: Do you participate in music activities outside of school?

Yes, I have piano lessons every week.

Q: What has motivated you to continue music in your high

school years?

Singers who sing and play an instrument have motivated me

as well as my wonderful and inspiring piano teacher.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your music making?

I enjoy playing along to popular songs in my spare time.

Mrs B Smith

Teacher, Music

The Marella Muse Vol 15 | Ed 6 28/05/18

Kellyville HS We are a vibrant and innovative learning community that is committed to delivering excellence within

a rich and diverse learning environment. Every student has the opportunity to achieve their personal best through engaged, active learning in a safe, respectful and supportive school. Page 3 | 7

Faculty Focus (LOTE)

Some exciting events and opportunities coming up in the next

few weeks!

Education Perfect World Championships

It will be held between the dates of 21st May to 31st May. All

language students are eligible to participate in the

competition. This is separate to the Language

Perfect/Education perfect activities that students have paid

for. There is no cost for participation in the competition.

Individuals are encouraged to log on at home in order to

contribute to the total marks of their class. There would be

one or two occasions where the whole class has the chance to

complete activities during the school day. At the end of the

Kellyville High School class competition, the winning class will

be decided based on the average number of points gained by

their group. There will be a grand prize of pizza to the value of

$100, to be shared one lunchtime.

Although KHS is conducting its own competition, we are part

of the wider community of state and international schools.

Points earned are automatically added to that competition as

well. EP awards participation certificates to students, who

individually achieve more than 500 points.

Restaurant Excursions

For Japanese students, the day includes lunch at the Japanese

teppenyaki (iron and grill) restaurant, Okori, in Granville, as

well as a visit to the Auburn Japanese Gardens. The French

students are going to “The Little Snail” restaurant in the city.

Please return permission notes as soon as possible.

Years 7H and 7K on Thursday 22nd June, leaving school after

period 1, and returning before the end of school.

Years 7E, 7S and IEF students on Friday 29th June, leaving

school after period 1, and returning before the end of school.

Years 7R, 7A and Year 11 Japanese Beginners on Friday 29th,

leaving school after period 1, and returning before the end of

school.

Half Yearly Exams

Japanese and French Yr 7 students are scheduled for Week 4,

Thursday, or Week 5 Monday. Revision and practice of

language patterns should refresh some of the earlier speech

sequences.

Mrs M Goldie & Mrs A Yurkowski

Japanese Teacher | French Teacher

Matthew S is headed to Phoenix, Arizona!

Matthew’s Hip Hop Dance ‘crew’ received a SILVER Medal in

the Nationals to qualify for the World Hip Hop Championships

in Arizona this August! The crew are representing the

Australian team. They have started a Go Fund Me page, if you

are able to assist, please click on the link:

www.gofundme.com/noflex-journey-to-worlds

Alumni 2016 - Congratulations Adam!

On a beautiful, sunny but breezy day in Goleta, at the

Sandpiper Golf Course, the Reedley Tigers played in the 2018

Men's Golf State Championships. The tournament consisted

of 60 total players, 4 teams and 6 individuals from each region

Adam Nelson finished as the Overall Tournament Medallist,

shooting a score of 69-72 = 141 (-3), making him the 2nd Tiger

golfer in school history to take home the Individual honours at

the State Championships!! The Tigers had a very successful

season, winning the Central Valley Conference, the Northern

California Regional Championships, and finishing in the Top 3

in the State, and best of all the Northern California teams.

There are many talented young Tigers returning for the 2019

season, and the future is extremely bright!

The Marella Muse Vol 15 | Ed 6 28/05/18

Kellyville HS We are a vibrant and innovative learning community that is committed to delivering excellence within

a rich and diverse learning environment. Every student has the opportunity to achieve their personal best through engaged, active learning in a safe, respectful and supportive school. Page 4 | 7

Hills Relay for Life

Congratulations Kellyville! On Saturday 19th May through to

Sunday 20th May for 24 hours, Kellyville High was represented

at the annual Hills relay for life. Over the 24-hour period our

staff and students kept our relay tag going, achieving over 200

laps, all in the support of the Cancer council. The purpose of

the event is to rally together as a community and support

those impacted by cancer. As a team we raised over $3300.

Considering this is our first time entering, this is an amazing

effort. Over the duration of the event we had lots of fun

chatting, eating food, watching the entertainment, and

enjoying the comradery between all the people attending.

I would like to thank all staff and students who were involved.

A big thank you to parents who made it possible for their

children to attend, especially those in the early hours of the

morning. A special congratulation to Trent T of Year 12, raising

over $610, a huge effort Trent. Another big thankyou to

Johnny’s Pizza and Pasta at West Pennant Hills who donated

some pizza to some very hungry staff and students in the

middle of the night. Tristan Smith from the front office, your

Orana delivery, participation and support helped to make this

event possible, thank you.

Throughout the relay the staff and students had plenty of time

to talk about how we can go bigger and better next year as it

was such an amazing atmosphere, and one that Kellyville

again wants to be involved in. Stay tuned for next year as we

plan to beat the amount raised this year and have a lot more

staff and students involved.

Mrs J Gentle & SEC Students

SEC Coordinator | Teacher, PDHPE

Sydney West Netball

From the 29th to the 31st of May I competed at the NSWCHS

Netball championships as a part of the Sydney West team. The

past three days have been 3 of the greatest days in all of my

netball experiences.

Day 1 of the tournament Sydney West won 3 out of the 4

games played. Day 2 of the tournament Sydney West won all 4

games played. Day 3 of the competition Sydney West won

their final 2 games played.

Overall Sydney West came away with an equal first! Being one

of only a couple of girls not from a sports high school, I was

very happy with the way I played.

Being chosen to be a part of the Sydney West Team competing

at the NSWCHS was a reward itself. To end the tournament

with a win was even better with a score of 28-24 against

Sydney South West, who have been undefeated for many

years.

Miss Indianna G

School Captain | Yr 12 Student

COMMUNITY NEWS

… … … Parenting Ideas: Children on the Autism Spectrum

… … … Studio Artes – Music for people with Disabilities

The Marella Muse Vol 15 | Ed 6 28/05/18

Kellyville HS We are a vibrant and innovative learning community that is committed to delivering excellence within

a rich and diverse learning environment. Every student has the opportunity to achieve their personal best through engaged, active learning in a safe, respectful and supportive school. Page 6 | 7

When you think about advocacy for a child on the autism spectrum, what springs to mind? Is it the lobbying on the television by interest groups? Is it signing a thought-provoking petition online? Is it a carer trying to push for support at school when life is spiralling out of control for their child? Or is it working with a therapist to try and access a new school/service?

It is all those things and so much more.

If you have a child or adolescent on the autism spectrum, advocacy is something that you may be very experienced in. However, even if you are new to this situation, being able to be effective as an advocate in meetings is essential when supporting your child at school.

Advocacy can be incredibly draining. Depending on the meeting, there may be instances where you hear about every one of your child’s challenges while on the inside you are yelling, “But you can’t see all the good things!” You may be called in to help make decisions on reduced attendance or to hear the outcome of funding news. At secondary school, the need to communicate with each teacher individually often intensifies as they may not have the same communication system as existed at primary school. This requires additional advocacy efforts.

So, what can you do to advocate well for your child or adolescent in a meeting situation?

Understand the purpose of the meeting. If it is not clear, ask the reason for the meeting at the time it is called. It can be incredibly hard to think logically and recall information when surprised or shocked. Emotions can make us feel so unsure or overwhelmed that we struggle to respond well. By knowing the purpose of a meeting in advance, you can potentially think through some ideas, plan and problem solve in advance.

Know your rights. This is a big one. It is good to be clear, before you enter a meeting, what support you can ask for or what the processes are when a major decision is made. If your adolescent has had their school hours reduced, is there a plan to reintroduce those hours and a timeline for that? Other carers who have had similar experiences may be able to assist by sharing their experiences. The education department in your state will have a document outlining their program for students with disabilities. Download, print and read this thoroughly. If you have therapists supporting your child or teen, you could ask them for advice.

We're a Parenting Ideas school parentingideas.com.au/schools

How to better advocate for your child on the autism spectrumby Kate Johnson

insights

POSITIVE PARENTING

Understand your value. Your voice matters, so don’t see yourself as ‘just the carer or parent’. You are not ‘just’ a parent/carer but an important part of your child’s village of support. You see the impact of positive strategies and some that need to be assessed. As the carer, you support your child in various environments and can describe approaches that may work well, are supportive and provide for sensory regulation.

Be proactive and attend with ideas. When you know the purpose of a meeting, you can come armed with ideas and strategies to discuss. Is your adolescent’s anxiety overwhelming them? Could they benefit from regular sensory or movement breaks using a discrete card so as not to draw unwanted attention? Does the work need to be broken up into sections? Does your child need support to navigate the playground or could the school look at establishing a lunch time club or activity group?Your ideas are valuable and deserve to be heard.

Take a support person. Sometimes, having a support person in a meeting can change the dynamic, especially if there are additional barriers to receiving support. This may be a partner, a supportive friend, an advocate or your therapist – anyone who could add value to the meeting.

Take notes. After the meeting you might need to think about the approach you will take to further advocacy. You may need to engage additional therapy for your child or adolescent. You may need to seek advice and support if you feel something seems a bit ‘off’ and is not in line with the responses you receive at home. Having notes to refer to at a later stage can help trigger your memory, make follow up calls and track progress.

You may have had an amazing meeting experience, or it could have rocked you to the core. Regardless of how you go in a meeting, it can emotionally drain you. There is something to be said for the therapeutic cry in the car to release emotion. Give yourself space to process and feel it all. Let it out and chat to a supportive and understanding friend. Be kind to yourself!

For more ideas on advocating well for your child, you may like to check out our new resource from Spectrum Journeys called ‘The Advocacy Project – a parent’s guide to becoming their child’s best advocate’ and learn from the women who have shared their advocacy lessons and triumphs.

Kate Johnson

Kate is the Founder and Director of Spectrum Journeys Inc, a not for profit Autism service that equips and empowers families and educators as they support children on the Autism Spectrum to flourish. Kate leads an amazing team in the Outer East of Melbourne and focuses on practical Autism education as well as community projects and supporting carers. Kate is married to Joel and they have 4 beautiful children (their eldest being on the Autism Spectrum).

We're a Parenting Ideas school parentingideas.com.au/schools