Urrbrae Agricultural High School 505 Fullarton Road, Netherby 5062

Ph: (08) 8274 7455 Fax: (08) 8274 7499

Email: dl.0798.admin@schools.sa.edu.au

http://www.urrbraehs.sa.edu.au

FROM THE PRINCIPAL SEPTEMBER 2020| 6

Principal Report

This is the final newsletter for term 3, and normally this edition is jam-packed with all our achievements from the Royal

Adelaide Show. This is the highlight of our agricultural year, and both students and staff are extremely sad at missing out

in 2020. We are hopeful that next year will see us back at the showgrounds to showcase our wonderful school once

again. In the meantime, we have taken part in two show events, even though they have taken a totally different format.

One involves the Stock Journal Steer Showdown, where cattle judging took place via video with students putting the

animals through their paces, followed by sending them off to be judged on their meat quality. The second event was a

pared back version of the annual Merino wether competition. As usual, it took place at the showgrounds, but only two

teams of 3 sheep, 6 students and one teacher were able to attend.

Urrbrae on Show

We are very excited to announce that Urrbrae will offer an alternative to the Royal Adelaide Show on Friday October 30 th for our students. COVID

restrictions mean we are unable to open it up to the wider school community, but you can celebrate with us by sharing the experience through our

Facebook page. This will be an opportunity for students to experience a 2020 Agricultural Fair, although at Urrbrae and not the showgrounds, and

it will include a variety of entertainment options and activities including animal handling, an animal nursery, sporting activities, live music,

wheatsheaf tossing, following the Urrbrae Green Brick Road, science demonstrations and technology displays. So many of our annual school

events have had to be cancelled this year and this is an opportunity to celebrate everything that makes Urrbrae unique.

COVID Evacuation Plan

Urrbrae, like every other school in South Australia, now has a COVID Evacuation Plan should a positive case of COVID-19 be identified from our

school population. Parents will be immediately notified via both text and email that the school has been closed. If the shutdown occurs during

school hours, students will be placed in Home Groups ready for immediate collection by parents. Please be assured that we wil l be guided at all

times by advice from SA Health.

Course Counselling

The subject selection process is now complete, with all students from years 8-11 selecting their preferences for 2021. The next stage in the

process is constructing the timetable for next year, and students can expect to receive completed timetables early next term. We do the best that

we can to ensure that students get their highest preferences as a matter of priority, but factors such as student numbers, teacher availability and

room allocation all play a part in determining our final timetable.

School Sport

Winter sports come to an end this week and a number of teams will be taking part in the finals. After our COVID break it has been fantastic to see

school sports back in full swing. Our term 4 sports season is about to start and Urrbrae will field teams in basketball, badminton, volleyball and

futsal.

Year 12 Students

This has been a challenging year for Year 12 students, who are now coming to the close of their studies. The SACE Board has assured us that

students will not be disadvantaged in 2020, and a range of strategies have been released throughout the year to support both students and

teachers in their delivery of individual subjects. This has ranged from the reduction of summative assignments, flexibility around deadlines and

other negotiated interventions. It is important for both parents and students to realise however, that any special provisions are reliant on work

being submitted in the first instance. It has been reassuring also to note that universities have created unique entry pathways for this year,

ensuring that tertiary pathways still remain a viable option for the majority of our students. The Formal and Presentation Nights are both still

scheduled to occur, and we look forward to celebrating the end of year with our graduating students.

National Science Week

We were very fortunate to be able to run a modified version of our Kids Teaching Kids event this term. We hosted a number of Primary Schools

with the students participating in a range of workshops focusing on our Wetland area. Many thanks to our Environmental Focus Group students

along with their teachers who were a credit to our school. More information around these days can be found further on in this newsletter.

Joslyn Fox, Principal

MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS

SENIOR SCHOOL NEWS

Our Year 8s have been busily preparing for their much anticipated ‘Lip Dub’, which will be choreographed to the tune ‘Sunday Best’ by the group Surfaces. This involves every student showcasing their first year Urrbrae experiences and will be a wonderful memory for

years to come. I’m sure this this year’s Year 12 cohort will enjoy reflecting back on theirs.

During Pastoral Care our Year 9s have been involved in a University of Queensland trial in delivering a ‘Sleep Study’ program. This has involved Year 9 home group teachers delivering resources prepared by the researchers and students collaborating and reflecting on their own habits. Feedback generated during this trial will help support the refinement of this program and has helped students learn about the

importance of sleep for overall wellbeing.

Stephanie Johnston, Senior Leader – Middle School

Year 11 News

With the easing of many COVID-19 restrictions, it has been exciting to once again be able to host guest speakers as part of the Year 11

Pastoral Care program throughout Term 3. The students have enjoyed presentations about topics such as university and hospitality

pathways, as well as an extremely valuable mental health workshop hosted by Headspace. The workshop provided students with advice on

how to identify mental health concerns in their peers, as well as equipping them with valuable strategies for coping with the many stresses

associated with being a high school student.

As we now approach the end of term and prepare for the Term 3 school

reports, it is important to acknowledge the encouraging results from Semester

1. Under circumstances that were quite disruptive for many students with the

COVID-19 restrictions, anyone who achieved to the best of their abilities should

be proud of themselves and deserves to be congratulated. Five Year 11

students in particular achieved outstanding results that deserve

acknowledgement, with Annabel Hart, Balin Hampton, Wei Dix-Manley, Jessica

Armstrong and Jemma Cobb all receiving academic achievement awards for

achieving 6 ‘A’ grades on their Semester 1 report.

Ben Wallis, Year 11 Coordinator

Year 12 News

With just five weeks of regular lessons officially left for our Year 12 students, the pointy end of what has been a difficult year is upon us.

Many students are starting to feel the strain of impending final deadlines and the thought of exams. As parents your support of your child’s

education is vital to their success as they finish out this year. Please encourage your children to communicate with their teachers, and

ensure that they attend every lesson so that they gain the full value of their best resource for revision and final assignments – their

teachers.

There are a few key events that will still be happening this year, Year 12 students will have their final day on Friday 23rd October, with the

Stage 2 Exams beginning on Monday November 2. The Presentation and Graduation night will occur on November 25 and the Year 12

Formal will occur on November 26 – more information about these events will be sent out as we get closer. The Year 12 students will

receive their final school report at the end of Term 3, with their final report coming from the SACE Board once all the exams and final

results are calculated.

Another key date that is approaching is the SATAC application submission date for the $45 fee on 30th September – after this date the

application fee rises to $185. Flinders University have also just announced that they will be making offers based on Year 11 results, similar

to Adelaide University. If your child is interested in using their Year 11 results to apply to Flinders, please check out this website https://

www.flinders.edu.au/study/pathways/year-12-entry/year-11-grades-admission-pathway . Applications need to be made through the link,

however students will need to give their names to Ruth in the Senior School Centre so that we can supply Flinders with the official grades.

Finally, at the end of Semester 1, we recognised the outstanding academic achievement of a number of Year 12 students – with the

unprecedented events of 2020, the following students have not wavered in their academic rigour and endeavour and for that we

congratulate them – Audrey Tredrea; Zoe Shepherd; Louis Sheppard; Seb Rogers; Katie Porteous; Anastasia Machtoub; Mary Jones;

Dakota Griffiths and Erin Faulkner – who all achieved grades in the A band for all of their subjects.

As the Year 12s come to the end of their time at Urrbrae, we hope that they will leave us with positive memories and we wish them every

success in their future endeavours.

Michelle Rowe, Senior School Coordinator

SEPTEMBER BARN MARKET

ATSI UPDATE

The Barn Market was a huge success on Saturday 5th September with approximately 24 stalls, one of our biggest ever. Jewellery, candles,

handmade soaps, flowers, crafts and books were on sale, along with our stock-standard Urrbrae produce including olives, olive oil, wine,

eggs, bread, plants and pork. The atmosphere was awesome, with the year 12 music students performing throughout the morning.

Another highlight was Bev Manthey from String Things who came along and gave a demonstration on weaving grass, encouraging

students to have a try.

Students from our Environmental Focus Group, under the leadership of Ms Greenslade, have been invaluable at the 2020 markets. They

have helped out in all areas, although a particular strength has been in talking with the public around the plants they have on sale.

Our next market is during the school holidays on Saturday 3rd October from 9am – 12 noon. Mark it in your diary or phone and come along

to start some early Christmas shopping.

Here’s another suggestion. Use the first week of the holidays to de-clutter your home (remember one person’s junk is another person’s

treasure). For just $20 you can book a site, sell your items and make a fortune . Please ring Gayle on 8274 7470 and book a site.

Looking forward to seeing you there. Gayle Squire, Canteen Manager

In week 6 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students along with Ms Hida and Laiya Lochowaik

(ASETO) visited the APY Arts Centre Collective. Students had the important opportunity to learn

how the Arts Collective has established a community enterprise between artists across the APY

lands in North Eastern South Australia. The APY Art Centre Collective is a group of 11 indigenous

owned and governed enterprises who work with a united vision and voice on strategic business initiatives and collaborative art projects

which then enables one of the only non-government sources of income in the communities.

The APY Art Centre in Adelaide showcases artists’ works across a wide range of mediums including painting, wood carving, weaving,

digital photography, and jewellery. Currently, exhibiting as part of the 2020 SALA exhibition ‘Boss Ladies’, these artists invited our

students to come and talk with them and watch them work.

We also visited the The University of Adelaide where we were given a guided tour of the site by a student from Wirltu Yarlu (Aboriginal &

Torres Strait Islander Education Service) and learnt about the different opportunities students have to be involved in university run

programs to support and encourage their continuing education. A highlight was seeing the new Kaurna Learning Circle built at the entrance

of the university.

This excursion was a valuable chance for our students to get to know each other better, talk openly about culture, and reflect on the ways

they can have an active role in promoting Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander culture, language and knowledge at Urrbrae.

Bec Hida, Special Education

YEAR 11 & 12 OUTDOOR EDUCATION

12 Outdoor Ed Walk Expedition

In August the year 12 Outdoor Education class headed to the hills for a 3 day walk in Mt Crawford forest. They planned their meals and

equipment in the lead up knowing that it was likely going to be wet. After weighing the bags to make sure they were less than 20kg we

starting walking. Students were practicing their navigation, leadership and lightweight camping skills to prepare them for an expedition later

in the term. After a sunny first day they made it into camp with good spirits and cooked up a storm around the camp fire. The second day

saw the weather change, which was a good opportunity to see how well the students could waterproof their bags. Once the rain started it

kept going till the sun went down. With everyone wet we bunkered down in the shelters, eating and playing games. After walking out in

more rain, the students were able to reflect on their journey and use the experience in the planning for their last camp in week 9. This time

they will plan everything and spend time on their own applying all the skills they have learnt from many years of Outdoor Ed at Urrbrae.

Neil Muggleton, Health, Home Economics and Physical Education Coordinator

11 Outdoor Education Canoe Expedition

This semester Mr Brook’s year 11 Outdoor Ed class headed to the Riverland to canoe the creeks and Murray River. They spent a few

weeks in class preparing by paddling on the wetlands and cooking on Trangias. After the drive they packed the canoes and paddled up to

Woolenook Fruits where they toured the packing shed. They were told about new technologies used in the picking and packing of fruit.

Thanks to Ben Haslett for the tour and tasty mandarins. From there they hit the water again and paddled into a strong headwind until they

found a nice spot for camp. After some fishing and relaxing the students cooked up a storm. The next morning the winds were still strong

so after they visited a POW camp on the river used to supply wood to the passing paddle steamers and had a hit of cricket on the old pitch,

we set sail and let the wind take them down river for a bit. While paddling through the creeks they saw lots of birds, lizards and heard the

frogs in the reeds. The last camp site was the where the biggest fish ever seen got away as it broke the line on one of the rods. It was a

great 3 days of paddling on the river. Well done team.

Neil Muggleton, Health, Home Economics and Physical Education Coordinator

NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK

National Science Week Kids Teaching Kids Event

Thursday 27th and Friday 28th August 2020

We were thrilled to host our annual Kids Teaching Kids Event to celebrate National Science Week here at Urrbrae.

This year we hosted primary students from Mitcham, Glenelg, Marryatville, Westport, and Uraidla Primary Schools. They participated in a

range of environmentally themed workshops run by the Environmental Focus Group students at the Urrbrae Wetland including:

Waste and Recycling

Soil Science

Native Plants

Native Fish

Wildlife

Aquatic Macroinvertebrates

Water Quality

Birds

The visiting students were also treated to a special Urrbrae Trails tour showcasing our farm.

A big congratulations to all the students involved who gave up their time to design and prepare the workshops and attend both days. As

teachers we are always blown away by the high quality of the workshops, the professionalism of our students, how they interact with the

younger people and the way they modify the information and activities to suit the differing age groups. The students were thoroughly thrilled

and engaged with the workshops, with the visiting teachers and parents singing the praises of our students.

A big thank you to

The Environmental Focus Group students for running the Wetland workshops

John Marriott for setting up and monitoring the fish aquariums for the Native Fish workshop

Wes Parker and the Urrbrae Trails students for conducting specialised tours of the farm

The Nature Education Centre for supplying and setting up live and static animal displays for the Wildlife Workshop

It is always a wonderful event and we look forward doing it all again in 2021!!!!

Ann-Louise Breeding, Urrbrae Wetland Manager

AGRICULTURE NEWS

Term 3 has certainly has been very different for Urrbrae compared to previous years particularly in relation to major agricultural activities,

such as the Royal Adelaide Show being cancelled. Regardless of these challenging times, our Agriculture staff have ensured that ‘show

type’ programs have been maintained as part of agricultural subjects and clubs therefore maximising 2020 ‘show’ experiences for all our

students.

SA School Merino Wether 10th Year Anniversary Competition

After much deliberation and consideration of COVID restrictions, the Merino SA Committee and the

Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of SA decided to host the School Wether Competitions 10th

Annual Competition this year (Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th September) under modified conditions.

The School Merino Wethers Competition is an event encouraging young people to become familiar

with, and possibly pursue, a career within the Merino Industry. It also provides opportunity for students

to have contact with many aspects of the Merino sheep industry from stud and commercial breeders,

stock agents, wool buyers through to processors. It aims to practically educate and engage students

on the commercial production of Merino sheep by giving them a memorable hands-on experience covering a broad scope of sheep and

wool production skills. The 2020 competition saw the most ever entries with 70 teams of 3 sheep (total of 210 merinos) entered.

In the preparation of sheep for the competition our students experience numerous key components in good sheep management that include; sheep selection based on subjective and objective assessment, show preparation for competition, nutrition requirements, husbandry requirements, handling (both sheep and wool) and an understanding of profit

drivers in Merino sheep production.

Urrbrae achieved some excellent results with Team 1 competing in the final line up of the top 10 teams (out of a total of 70 teams in the competition). In addition, Year 12 student Georgia Powell was selected to compete in the Junior Handlers Competition and performed extremely well under high level competition standards. Carcass judging will take place over

the third week of September with the final results to be released by the end of this month.

AGRICULTURE NEWS

STUDENT ART AWARD

Horticulture continues to grow at Urrbrae

Later this term our glasshouse will undergo some significant renovations

such as a new climate control system and roof ventilation. This will allow

continued use of the glasshouse over Term 1 and 4 of each year thus

doubling the utilisation of this very important facility.

The Plant Club and Year 10 Agriculture Production classes have been busy

propagating a range of plants such as tomatoes so that they are ready for

sale over the spring period. The plant sales have been excellent, particularly

at the Barn Market, where we usually sell out of our quality plant stock!

New entrance to the school farm underway

The farm entrance is undergoing a ‘facelift’ to better represent our unique

farm resource to our community and visitors alike. The works include new

fencing, gates, signage and footbath for improved biosecurity measures.

Realignment of the pedestrian access will allow for a more ‘picturesque’ and

practical entrance.

Urrbrae Pig Mascot for the 7th Battalion of the Royal Australian Army

During Term 2 Officers from the Royal Australian Army approached Urrbrae

to see if we would continue to support their major parades and marches

through the provision of a young pig that would be recognised as the mascot

for the 7th Battalion. Thank you to the three Year 9 students, Henry Gill, Lakin

Elliott and Shayla Lepse, who have been regularly training one of our piglets

so that it is ready for leading the parades of the regiment over the coming

weeks.

Vince Fleming, Assistant Principal, Agriculture

This year Urrbrae took part in the SALA festival with a virtual exhibition which showcased a diverse range of very creative and exciting

student artwork.

This year the Student Art Prize has been awarded to Lucy Head, Year 11.

Lucy had 3 pieces of work on show in this year’s exhibition. She is a very talented and imaginative art student who is highly skilled across a

range of media from painting to sculpture and digital technologies.

Congratulations Lucy!

Suzanne Grist, Art & Design Teacher

Private Joshua Marschall and Private Ethan McCormick

with students Henry Gill, Lakin Elliott and Shayla Lepse

and, of course, the Urrbrae Pig Mascot!

Tuesday 15th September School Council

Wednesday 23rd September Year 8 Immunisations

Wednesday 23rd September Music Evening—CANCELLED

Friday 25th September Last Day of Term 3

Saturday 3rd October Urrbrae Barn Market

Monday 12 October First Day of Term 4

Tuesday 20 October Casual Day

Friday 30 October Urrbrae On Show Day (School event

only)

Tuesday 3 November School Council

Saturday 7 November Urrbrae Barn Market

DIARY DATES AND COMMUNITY NEWS

The Variety Scholarships Program is open now until 30 November, 2020.

Variety offers scholarships in sports and the arts to talented children

who are sick, disadvantaged (socio-economically or geographically)

or have special needs of up to $3k per annum.

Applications are now open - https://variety.smartygrants.com.au/

scholarship2020