FROM THE PRINCIPAL`S DESK

Newsletter
15 August 2014
Issue 17
FROM THE
PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Welcome back to Term 3!
We have kicked off the term really well with teachers and students focused on
consolidating their learning and with our Senior School students focused on
approaching deadlines for assessment items and later, their final exams. On top of this
we have a full calendar of activities and events, including many students participating in
the Youth Forum at GARMA and our annual athletics carnival (always a highlight!)
followed by the 2014 Careers Expo and a visit from Motivational Media.
We have quite a few new staff members to introduce, including: Senior Teacher
Cameron Adams, teaching PE and Wellbeing and leading our team in the Middle Years;
our new Careers Advisor is Donna Davies, predominantly based in the Senior School;
and Middle Years teacher Lyle Passfield who is ‘back-filling’ for Cassie Duykers who is
on personal leave till the end of Term 3. On the Admin side we have Peter Duncan as our new Lab Technician, Kim
O’Brien in the SAMS Administrator role, Tammy Ahshay as a new ISA, Michelle Benn as NTOEC Admin Support and
finally our new School Secretary Donna MacMahon, who commences 1 September. Welcome to you all! We have a small
number of casual roles that also need filling so please contact Rhoda Shine on 8987 0822 or via email
rhoda.shine@ntschools.net if you would like to know more about these roles.
We had our Parent/Teacher Interviews last week which was attended by approximately 20 parents. We know that life is
busy and not all parents can join us on these evenings and if that is the case, we do encourage you to make contact with
us and arrange an alternative time to discuss your child’s program.
We had a great turnout of parents/guardians to our Futures information evening during Term 2. Among much positive
discussion and constructive feedback (which we are using to inform our future planning), we had requests for more
information about the Senior Years, to help them understand the NTCET, the way we use distance learning, school based
apprenticeships etc. and we are planning to hold another information night for parents/guardians of students in the Senior
Years this term. Students have also asked that they be a part of similar conversations to provide their perspective on our
futures planning. The Student Representative Council will be an important group in facilitating this sharing.
Good mental health of young people is a very significant issue for all of us, and the truth is that students who are
experiencing mental health issues may be less able to engage in their learning. On our professional learning day at the
beginning of the term, all teaching and support staff participated in a “Safe Talk” workshop delivered by staff from
Anglicare. As a result we are more aware of those risk factors that may be impacting young people’s mental health, and of
those behaviours which may indicate that a person is contemplating suicide. With this knowledge we are better equipped
to respond, in the first instance, to ensure that the student has the necessary professional help as soon as possible. We
are also finalizing our school policy for keeping students safe with suicide prevention strategies, and will be providing more
intensive training for those staff in our school who are responsible for coordinating our Wellbeing initiatives across the
school.
There are a number of important reviews underway which will have significant impact on our school and community, with
the NT Government currently considering recommendations from the Indigenous Education review ,and consultations are
still underway for both the Middle Years review and Changes to the Education Act. The NT Government also wants to
hear your views on the configuration of holiday breaks in government schools – when each break occurs, and the length of
each of the breaks over the school year. For more information, and to complete the survey, please click here.
http://www.education.nt.gov.au/students/at-school/term-dates/survey-on-school-holiday-dates .
Sabina Smith
T: (08) 8987 0844
E: nhulunbuy.high@ntschools.net
W: http://web.ntschools.net/w/nhs/Pages/Home.aspx
PO Box 1096
Nhulunbuy NT 0881
Careers Expo 2014
The Skills, Employment and Careers Expo is an annual event that travels across the NT. On
Monday 25 August 2014, students in Years 9, 10, 11 and 12 are invited to attend the Skills,
Employment and Careers Expo which will be held at Nhulunbuy Town Hall.
The Careers Expo offers a unique opportunity for our students to engage with leading training
providers, higher education institutions, employment agencies, employers, service providers and
community organisations, all on the one day, under one roof.
Students will be attending the Expo from 10.30am to 2.00pm.
Middle School
Welcome to Term 3! It is great to see so many students back at school keen to learn. We have had some
new enrollments in Years 7, 8 and 9, and it is great to see those students settling in well to their classes.
Letter to Parents/Guardians
All parents/guardians of students in Middle School would have received a letter during Week 3 that
outlines some of the expectations of students in Years 7 - 9, and provides contact details for each of your
child’s teachers. We encourage parents/guardians to contact individual teachers or the senior teachers at
any time if they have any questions or concerns about their child’s progress.
Homework Help
A ‘Homework Help’ session is available to all students at Nhulunbuy High School every Tuesday afternoon
from 2:35pm - 3:30pm. Teachers will supervise the sessions and be able to provide assistance where
required. All students are welcome; some students use the time to work independently on their
homework, others work in small groups, and some use the time to obtain support to understand key
concepts. All students in Middle School will have some form of homework or study to do each week and
homework help is a great opportunity for students to begin developing their own skills in time management
before they move into Senior School.
Heather McGee and Cameron Adams
Senior Teachers Middle Years
heather.mcgee@ntschools.net
cameron.adams@ntschools.net
Earthquake Disrupts 7B!
Nhulunbuy High School students in 7B were excited to see the school seismograph erupt into life during their first
lesson on Tuesday 29 July. The school seismograph unit, which is connected to the National network and
monitored in Canberra, recorded not one, but two earthquakes in Papua New Guinea. The first was at 8.17am
and was 4.9M and the second was in the same location but a larger 5.8M quake.
Both were 10km underground and inland.
Senior School
Welcome back to all our Senior Students and families for Semester 2. This is a busy time of year for Senior Students in terms of
completing academic work and exploring pathways for the future.
We welcome Donna Davies to our Senior School team. Donna is our new Careers Counsellor and I would encourage all students and
families to contact Donna to have a conversation about future school and career pathways.
Our Year 12 students essentially have 12 weeks of formal learning time until all assessment tasks are finalised, marks are determined
and the formal examination block begins. An organised and dedicated approach to attendance, effort and completing assessment and
study requirements will be key for successful completion of Year 12.
Students needing assistance with time and workload management, emotional health, feelings of stress etc should speak to a teacher
immediately. Help can also be sought from our counsellor – Kasey Lloyd. Assistance with university applications and future pathways
can be provided from our Careers Counsellor – Donna Davies. An information evening will also be held to discuss the university
application process.
Year 11 students have begun their Semester 2 subject courses. Successful completion of these courses is vital for students to obtain
compulsory requirements for their senior NTCET (Norther Territory Certificate of Education and Training) and for future subject
choices. The Year 11s have been given the booklet – ‘Achieve’ - that provides information for students moving into Year 12. Further
information is available from the links: www.sace.sa.edu.au/news/achieve and www.education.nt.gov.au/parents-community-ntbos/
ntcet.
Important dates for Senior School:
Dates/Times
Details
Term 3
Week 3
Tuesday 5 August
Ongoing/finalizing assessment requirements
Year 10 ABC Media Workshops
Week 4
Tuesday 12 August
Parent-teacher Interviews
Week 10
University/VET/Training applications due
Term 4
Week 1
6 — 10 October
Assessment/Trial Exam Block – Stage 1 and 2
Adjusted timetable for Assessment Block.
Normal school attendance and expectations are required for Mon/
Tues/Thurs/Fri – no privileges.
Wednesday 8 October will be a study day.
Students may attend as per normal school day to study/access help
in Block 21/Computer Lab 3.
Students may also sign in and out throughout the day combining both
home and school study.
Week 2
date TBA
Senior School Information Evening Years 9 — 11
Week 4
Friday 31 October
Final day scheduled classes Year 12 - Stage 2
Weeks 5 — 7
3 - 20 November
Week 8
FINAL EXAM/ASSESSMENT BLOCK – Year 12 Stage 2
All assessment requirements completed
EXAM/ASSESSMENT BLOCK – Year 11 Stage 1 subjects
We hope that our Senior Students that attended the Garma festival and our Year 10 students that participated in the ABC Media
workshops enjoyed their experiences and made the most of these unique and positive learning opportunities.
Please feel free to contact me for further information.
Jodie Beauchamp
Senior Teacher Senior Years
jodie.beauchamp@ntschools.net
New Teacher on the Block Cameron Adams
I have had a great introduction to Nhulunbuy High School. I have particularly enjoyed getting to know students from
many year levels across the school. I officially teach Wellbeing to Year 7 students and Health and PE to Year 8 and
9 students. I have also caught up with other students before school and at the recess and lunch breaks under less
formal conditions. I must say how excited I am to be teaching the Year 7 Wellbeing class! The students in this class
have all engaged really well in the learning experience and we have all enjoyed learning about the different areas of
our individual health, and how they are all connected.
I am also impressed with some of the athleticism of some of the Year 8 and 9 students as they prepared for their
sports carnival last week. All of them are giving it their best effort despite the fact that some of the running events in
particular are a true test of their physical and mental endurance.
I have also had an opportunity to ‘touch base’ with some of the indigenous students and families at the Cultural
Centre within the school and I am truly inspired by the hard working team of staff and support workers who provide
assistance with wellbeing and academic support. It is also great to see these students enjoying their classes.
Cameron Adams
Senior Teacher Middle Years
Duke of Edinburgh
On 16 - 18 June, 14 students and three staff members took part in a hiking expedition as part of the Adventurous
Journey section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. The hike took place in the Giddies-Wonga area, and students were
responsible for navigation (under the experienced eye of Mr Don McKinnon), as well as carrying their own supplies,
cooking, collecting water and entertaining each other through charades and extravagant shadow puppetry on the side
of their tents.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is an internationally recognised program for young people between the ages of 14 and
25. Participants are required to undertake a number of activities (in the areas of Volunteering, Physical Recreation,
and Skill) for a set period of time, as well as participate in Adventurous Journeys. If you’re interested in the program,
please see Don McKinnon or Kasey Lloyd for more details.
$100 Sports Voucher Scheme
Sport and recreation activities are a fantastic part of the Territory lifestyle.
Encouraging children to participate in sport, recreation and cultural pursuits can help foster teamwork and build
personal endeavour and skills, as well as being good fun and keeping active.
The Sports Voucher Scheme aims to help Territory families cover the cost of their child’s participation in sport,
recreation and cultural activities. The Government announced in April this year that the scheme has been expanded to two $100 sport vouchers issued twice a year for every school-aged student in the Territory.
Parents will receive the first voucher after July 1, sent home with their child through the school. The second
voucher will be distributed in January next year.
In a change to the previous scheme, the vouchers can now be used for recreation and cultural activities such as
swimming and music lessons, girl guides and scouts, as well as sporting activities.
Each voucher is redeemable at sport, recreation and cultural organisations registered with the Department of
Sport, Recreation and Racing. Vouchers cannot be redeemed for cash or transferred to another child. Only
one voucher can be used for each registered organisation.
Homework Help
is up and running in
22E
each Tuesday, 2.35pm - 3.30pm.
Everybody welcome.
SMS
SMS
Here at Nhulunbuy High School we use Mobile Phone Short Message Service (SMS) to send text messages to
Parents/Guardians notifying of unexplained absences. Parents/Guardians are informed by SMS each morning if
their child is away from school or was late without being notified. At Nhulunbuy High School, student attendance is
a high priority and we know that students who attend regularly are more likely to be successful. To improve our
attendance procedures, we inform Parents/Guardians about any unexplained absences for their child. The school
expects parent/guardian to contact the school in advance if they know their child is to be absent.
SMS text messages are automatically sent at approximately 9.45am each morning to the mobile phones of Parent/
Guardian explaining that our records show that your child is absent from school. The message reads as follows:
Nhulunbuy High School records show John is absent MON 11/8/14. Pls reply SMS or Ph 89870844 student
name/reason/abs date.
The message will arrive on the phone displaying the number, “0428 937 348“. Parents/Guardians should store this
number in their mobile phone under “Nhulunbuy High School” so that when the message arrives, the Parent/
Guardian is aware the message has come from the school. Parents/Guardians can then reply by phoning the Front
Office, sending a diary note with their child on return or simply press the reply option on your mobile phone when
you receive a message from the school and add your Son or Daughter’s Name, Year, Date of Absence and the
reason they are absent or late.
If your child is absent and a reason has been provided, then you will not receive an SMS.
We believe there are many advantages for Parents/Guardians and the school since adopting this system and they
include:



Improved ability to reach parents
Faster communication
Personal, Confidential and Discrete
Thank you for your assistance and co-operation and we look forward to improving our communication with you. If
you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the Front Office on 8987 0844.
2014 Annual University Information Night
On Tuesday 2 September 2014 Nhulunbuy High School is conducting the
2014 Annual University Information Night
for Year 12 students, parents and guardians.
The event will be held in 21C with a brief presentation
and an opportunity to ask questions of the staff present
and/or make a time with the Careers Advisor,
for an appointment.
Cross Country
Cross Country
Cross Country Race
The Cross Country was held on Wednesday 18 June. The overall house results
were:
1st Roper (99 pts)
2nd Giddies (96 pts)
3rd Latram (88 pts)
There were some very close races and a total of 7 previous records broken.

Tayla Dowzard, Jubilee Weo, Harrison Parfitt, Ashleigh Ogg, Dakota Priestly,
Savanne Canobie and Keven Mitchell all broke records.

It should also be noted that Gabrielle Davidov – runner up in the under 15
age group also broke last year’s record and

Angus Ross – runner up in the Open age group was only 6/10ths off the overall school record.
A highlight of the day was Keven Mitchell’s effort to break the overall school
record previously held by Alex Parfitt (14.44) with a time of 14.37 seconds.
Open
Champion
Runner Up
Under 16
Champion
Runner Up
Under 15
Champion
Runner Up
Under 14
Champion
Runner Up
Under 13
Champion
Runner Up
Girls
House
Boys
House
Savanne Canobie
19.09m
Jacintha Misob
Roper
Keven Mitchell
14.37
Angus Ross
Roper
Ashley Verrall
22.18
Tyler Lombaard
Latram
Ashleigh Ogg
23.09
Gabrielle Davidov
Jubilee Weo
19.12
Madison Epiha
Tayla Dowzard
18.53
Ashleigh Epiha
Roper
Giddies
Roper
Giddies
Latram
Giddies
Latram
Giddies
Latram
Dakota Priestly
16.16
Lachlan Frick
Giddies
Casey Dooley
16.25
Cameron Stiff
Latram
Harrison Parfitt
16.27
Leigh Trost
16.51
Mitchell Wise
26.43
Jack Collins
Roper
Giddies
Latram
Latram
Giddies
Roper
Move More — Sit Less
“Good to see the footy in action!”
Make your move – Sit less
Be active for life!
For hints go to….
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/
F01F92328EDADA5BCA257BF0001E720D/$File/brochure%20PA%20Guidelines_A5_Families.PDF
2014 Athletics Carnival
1
Giddies
2
Roper
3
Yirrkala
st
nd
rd
Homelands
4
Latram
5
Yirrkala
th
th
School
Stayed tuned for all the day’s action and champions
in our next issue!
WATCH THIS SPACE
FOR ALL THE
HIGHLIGHTS
in our next issue!