Margaret River Senior High School NEWSLETTER

August 2008 Issue 5

From the Principal’s Desk Congratulations and GOOD LUCK to our talented Year 10 Netball girls who have played their way into the State Grand Final to be held on August 13th. A very special thank you to their coach, Tracy Cameron, who has committed so much personal time and energy in support of their success. Term 3 is always a ‘buckle down and work hard’ time of the year. This is particularly so for our Year 12 students and their teachers who are working hard to consolidate the learning program before final examinations, which commence the second last week of this term. Thank you to all staff involved in the Wednesday after school tutoring program. These sessions are much appreciated by and beneficial to our

WA High Schools Netball Cup Congratulations to the girls that participated in the recent Elimination Finals in Perth on Friday, 25 July. All players participated with excellent skills and sportsmanship throughout the day. The Year 9 girls were very unlucky not to make the finals, losing games by only one or two goals. Thank you very much to Darcy Mathews for coaching the girls and for Amy Lindsay who did a great umpiring job. Congratulations to the Year 10 girls for making the semi finals against John Forest High School who they defeated. The girls played with great determination and endeavour throughout some very tight matches. They will now be competing against Nagle Catholic College from Geraldton in the Grand Final on Wednesday, 13 August, at Arena Joondalup at 1:15pm. A bus will be departing at 7:30am and returning at approximately 7:00pm. Spectators including parents and students are welcome to travel on the bus at the cost of $15.00. Please contact Mrs Cameron at school on 9757 0761 if you are interested or have any queries.

Lying in front: Coco Adrian.

Front Row (L to R): Olivia Payne, Ingrid Co-lyer, Britney Curtis, Jess Cameron, Maddy Giralt, Ellie Williams and Sophie Noske.

Back Row (L to R): Paris Bedford, Kate Ryan, Pauline Dohring, Marianne Campbell.

I would also like to thank Donna Williams, Wendy Leech and Simone Bedford for their coaching and umpiring throughout the campaign. As usual, Margaret River Netball Association has provided us with great support through personnel and uniforms. Well done everyone. Regards. Tracy Cameron

Year 10 students will commence intensive one-on-one counselling for upper school course selections this week. Many thanks to Year 10 parents for the strong turnout at the two recent parent information nights leading up to this event and to Mr McKillop and his well informed counselling team. The support of both will contribute significantly to ensuring our students make the right decisions about their important upper-school pathways. Mary Jane McNeil Principal

senior students.

August 2008 Issue 5 2

Inside this issue Margaret River Little Athletics Club

3

Year 8 Interform Competition 3

Winter Sports 3

Arts 4-5

Computer Technician 5

News from Student Services 5

Career Development Centre 6

Expression of Interest - Cleaner 6

Year 12 TEE Art Studio Day 7

Parent night & Yr 11 subjection selection process

7

Lower School Coordinator’s Project

8

Transition to High School 8

2008 Year 10 Mountain Bike Time Trial Series

9

Languages: Indonesian 10

Languages: French and German 11

International Year of Languages 11

2008 ICAs for Schools in Science 12

Welcome to our new exchange student

12

Tree vandalism at MRSHS 12

Phone: 9757 0700 Fax: 9757 2253 158 Bussell Highway Margaret River WA 6285 Email: MargaretRiver.SHS@det.wa.edu.au Website: www.margaretrivershs.det.wa.edu.au/

WA Science and Engineering Summer School

Students in Year 10 or 11 interested in attending this six day residential school at Murdoch University between Sunday, 18 December and Friday, 23 January 2009, should contact Mr Cameron in the Science office for further details. B. Cameron (HOD Science) 9757 0763

Attention All Year 11 and 12 Students The Curriculum Council requires permission from students to release information. This relates to three areas: ⇒ A student’s result may warrant the granting of an award. ⇒ An organisation may request a student’s name and address from the

Curriculum Council so that they can send career information. ⇒ The Curriculum Council, organisations and/or committees may wish to

use a student’s answers to TEE questions in an educational publication.

This information needs to be recorded on the school data base. A note has been given to all Year 11 and 12 students regarding the Curriculum Council’s requirements and all students will be considered granting permission unless indicated otherwise.

School Photography Day Unfortunately our School Photo Day had to be postponed. The new date scheduled will be Wednesday, 10 September 2008. All students will be receiving photo packs from Academy Photography soon, where parents can pre-order school photos. Mrs Vicki Williamson Deputy Principal

School Uniform A reminder to parents/guardians and students regarding the School Uniform, especially now that the colder weather is upon us. Students are not permitted to wear coloured hooded jackets underneath their school shirts or jumpers. Students will be sent to Student Services and asked to remove these garments. We do urge parents/guardians to support our School Uniform Policy. Thank you. Mrs Vicki Williamson Deputy Principal

Dates for your Diary 17-24 Aug National Science Week 22 Aug Interschool Regional Surf Competition 22 Aug Yr 9 Protective Behaviours 25-27 Aug Upper School Hiking/ Navigation Expedition 2 Sept Dress Rehearsal 3-4 Sept Cabaret (night only) 5 Sept Yr 12 Cave Speleology Fieldwork 9 Sept Drama Mock TEE 10 Sept School Photos Day Visual Art Diaries P&C 11-12 Sept Yr 9 High Ropes 12 Sept Yr 12 Leavers Seminar 15-26 Sept Yr 12 SWL 19-26 Sept Yr 12 Mock TEE

August 2008 Issue 5 3

Margaret River Little Athletics Club 2008

Over the last 5 years there has been growing community support for the re-establishment of a Little Athletics Club in Margaret River. In order for an associated club to be formed in the region much groundwork needs to be done. Rural based recreation clubs rely on the goodwill of the community to assist in the organisation and running of their programs.

Several interested parents are therefore holding a public forum at the Margaret River Senior High School Auditorium on Wednesday, 13 August, at 7pm to gauge whether or not there is a genuine interest in forming a Little Athletics Club in the region. The meeting will provide opportunities to discuss venues, equipment, funding opportunities, specialist coaching and general administrative duties associated with the formation of a club. If you are interested please attend the meeting to enable your valuable input to be heard. Should you wish to discuss it further you can contact Janine Keall or Paul Beecham at the High School.

Year 8 Interform Soccer Competition The Year 8 Interform Soccer competition has come to an end. The grand final was between Form 8.2 and 8.4 (after production of this newsletter). Thanks to the participating students, but a very special thank you to the dedicated sports teachers Belinda Anderton and Stuart Kupfer-Hollis for organising and running the event. The games were played in at times challenging conditions: water-logged grounds, rain, and crowding by fellow students.

Winter sports Year 9 sports fun! Rain, puddles, freezing winds, wet, wet, wet!

August 2008 Issue 5 4

Arts Semester One was a busy term for all Arts students with Vintage Stomp, the Year 12 Drama Production, Visual Art Studio Day, Bunbury Achper Dance Festival, Music Soirée’s and the Year 10 Play. Students have continued to display amazing talent and creativity and worked incredibly hard in their classes. Achper Dance Festival The Margaret River Year 10/11/12 Dance students have again represented the school with class, talent and amazing theatre etiquette to perform fabulously at the Bunbury Dance Festival. Both performances were polished and presented like true professionals. Well done to all the students involved. You should be very proud!!! Semester Two brings many more opportunities with Cabaret involving all Art students, Year 12 Monologue performances, Creating Identity (Visual Arts/Design/Photography), Margaret River Agriculture Show and the Year 10 play ‘Hating Alison Ashley’. Stay tuned to find out more details. Vive le Cabaret!!!! This year our major Performing Arts event will be the Cabaret being held on the 3rd and 4th of September in the Cultural Centre. The evenings have a French theme and you will be fed French cuisine by the Year 11/12 Catering Chefs while the dance, dramatic and music performances WOW! and dazzle you. The foyer of the Cultural Centre will also have our Visual Art and Photography students work on display. Tickets will be on sale at the front office from the 18th of August in tables of 8. Get a large group together or join and meet with some new parents. We will also have some exciting news in our next newsletter as our first Arts Scholarship recipient will be announced after the selection process has finished. I hope you have a chance throughout the semester to witness the artistic talent of the MRSHS Arts students. Kara Beecham (Teacher in charge of Arts)

More picture continued on page 5

Year 10 Semester One Dance Girls - Achper Dance Festival

Year 11 & 12 Dance Students - Achper Dance Festival

August 2008 Issue 5 5

Continued from page 4

Computer Technician Information Technology Support Officer

Our school is seeking to employ a suitable computer technician

on a contract basis who has the following attributes.

⇒ Interpersonal Skills ⇒ Ability to fix computer workstations. ⇒ Ability to install and maintain network systems in Windows Server 2003 / Windows XP environment ⇒ Ability to work with minimum supervision.

Please contact Vicki Williamson on 08 9757 0703 to discuss this contracted position.

Year 10 Semester One “Villa McKilla” Production

News from Student Services ⇒ Student Services would like to appeal to Parents/Guardians and students for donations of outgrown or

unwanted School Uniforms. Items may be dropped off in the Student Services Office.

⇒ While undergoing extensions, the Student Services Office will be located in the old Time-out room, opposite the staff room. Apologies to all for the inconvenience, but hopefully by the end of this term the new look Centre will be available for use.

⇒ Staff are busy assisting students with Subject Selections for next year. Any person requiring help, please contact the office on 9757 0795.

Thank you. Lee Pike Student Services Manager

August 2008 Issue 5 6

Career Development Centre - Now Open

Margaret River Senior High School Career Development Centre is now open for all your enquiries regarding future planning and career pathways. Come visit our friendly team and collect all the information you need to make great future choices.

The centre is open: Lunchtimes – (1.45 - 2.15pm)

and After school Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (3.30 - 4.30pm)

Please make a booking for individualised attention Phone: 9757 0777

Parents are welcome.

Expression of Interest Margaret River Senior High School is seeking expression of interest for the position of part time cleaner. Please note a Police Clearance and Working with Children Check will be required. For more information, please contact the Cleaner-in-Charge, Raymond Bacich on 9757 0708 or email Raymond.Bacich@det.wa.edu.au

August 2008 Issue 5 7

Parent night and Year 11 subject selection process Thanks to the one hundred parents of Year 10 students who attended the second Parent Information evening last Wednesday. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive and many parents commented on the high quality of information delivered. It was even cosy and warm on the new, soft chairs in the school library! Career counselling interviews will commence Tuesday, August 12th and will be completed by Week 5. Parents that have not been contacted by a career counsellor, please contact Patrick Marzohl ASAP on 9757 0786. The career counselling team is made up of the following staff members:

Merv McKillop, Deputy Principal - 9757 0702 Bruce Darby, Deputy Principal - 9757 0746 Janine Keall, HOLA Maths - 9757 0746 Lee Pike, Student Services Coordinator - 9757 0720 Vicki Williamson, Deputy Principal - 9757 0703 Bev Doig, Coordinator VET - 9757 0776 Michelle Miller, Career Education Centre - 9757 0776 Patrick Marzohl, Lower School Coordinator - 9757 0786 Jo Dorrington, Participation Officer - 9757 0718 Finding the right educational pathway is crucial for a successful completion of Upper School. The school has extensively analysed student data from Years 9 and 10 and a particular pathway has been recommended. History has shown that students will not fundamentally change their study habits from Year 10 to Year 11.

Year 12 TEE Art Studio Day

On the last Monday of Term 2, the Year 12 TEE Art Class spent the day in the studio at MREC finishing off final pieces and working on their Visual Diaries. This is the second end of term studio day we have had and it has been valuable working time for a course that is hugely demanding of the students’ time and energy. We all enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere where instead of less than an hour work time, we could spread out, make a mess and not have to worry about cleaning up until the end of the day. The day was highly productive and good fun. Caroline Juniper Art Teacher

August 2008 Issue 5 8

Lower School Coordinator’s Report

Semester 1 was a very busy time at Student Services. The vast majority of students have a positive behavioural record, strong school attendance, achieve great results and participate well in class and school activities. This is testimony of the fantastic work by the classroom teachers at MRSHS as well as the positive community partnership with the school. Peer mediation has proven an effective anti-bullying strategy. Numerous students were honoured with letters of commendation at the end of semester 1 for collecting 20 or more Reward Points or attending 100% in Term 2. The following Forms have won the Term 2 Interform competitions and were invited to a Pizza lunch: 8.2, 9.1 and 10.3. Congratulations to these forms! Well done! The overall Lower School attendance has improved from last year, and with most students back from holidays, keeps improving:

75

80

85

90

95

100

W1W2 W3W4 W5W6W7 W8W9W10W11W12W13W14W15W16W17W18W19W20W21W22

Year 8Year 9Year 10

Student Services is undergoing a major redevelopment with the old school entry being upgraded. More office and storage space and meeting rooms in an open and bright building extension will be very much welcomed by students and staff. Services available to students will be delivered more effectively. Student Services offers amongst others:

Pastoral care Health information and programs, delivered by the school nurse and counsellor Student profiling (attendance, participation, achievement, behaviour) overview and analysis and intervention programs Peer support and mediation services Chaplaincy Mentoring Participation officer (alternative career pathways) Classroom support through Education Assistants

If you want to know more about Student Services, please contact Lee Pike, Student Services Manger on 9757 0720.

Transition to High School The transition process Year 7 to Year 8 has commenced last term with a first visit to all eight local Primary schools by Vicki Williamson, Deputy Principal, and Patrick Marzohl, Lower School Coordinator. Enrolment forms were handed out. Most enrolment forms have now come back to MRSHS. The front office staff will enter the data into the school’s computer system during Term 3. At the beginning of Term 4, a second visit to the Primary school is planned. Year 8 students will talk about their transition experiences and daily High School routines. In Term 4, the 2009 class lists will be produced. When the Year 7 students come to the Orientation Day on Wednesday, 3 December 2008, they will already be put into the Year 8 Form classes. Parents are invited to accompany their child during the Orientation Day to gain an insight into the school. Parents that wish to make an early appointment are invited to contact Patrick Marzohl on 9757 0786. Thank you to the students that have submitted an application form and work for the 2009 MRSHS Maths and Visual Arts scholarships. The applications are presently viewed and the students will be contacted. The Maths students will be invited to sit a test, and the Visual Arts students’ portfolios will be analysed. All candidates will be notified of the success of their application later this term, and they will be able to pick up the work they have submitted.

August 2008 Issue 5 9

2008 Year 10 Mountain Bike Time Trial Series Life skills such as leadership, interpersonal skills and group cohesion to achieve goals, as well as fostering and developing healthy leisure pursuits are all beneficial outcomes students take away from the Outdoor Education courses on offer at Margaret River Senior High School. The Year 10 Mountain Biking program is no exception.

Throughout Term 2 an in-class ‘Mountain Bike Time Trial Series’ was conducted over a number of lessons. Students gained progressive points based on personal placing for each trial. The final placing of the students is as follows: By finishing first and second respectively in the time trial series, Charlie Smith and Harry Hick have won a $100 and a $50 voucher to spend as they like at Margaret River Cycles, a long term supporter of the high school program. Since its inception into the timetable at Margaret River Senior High School in 2003, mountain biking has maintained its popularity as a Year 10 elective, which leans towards a healthy alternative for teenagers in the Margaret River region. With the quality and quantity of tracks a short distance from town, particularly around the Wharncliffe Mill area, it is no surprise that a lot of local youngsters (not just Year 10’s) are blazing the trails. For more information regarding mountain biking in the region, speak to Shane Hadley of Margaret River Cycles. Stuart Kupfer-Hollis (Outdoor Education)

NAME Final Placing

Total Pts

Charlie Smith 1st 159

Harry Hick 2nd 151

Sonny Beruldsen 3rd 102

Sollee Morris 4th 87

Jordan Williams 5th 75

Dean Hulston 6th 67

Zak Gunn 7th 59

Matt Gozzi 8th 47

Xavier Suares 9th 40

Daniel Raymond 10th 35

Riff Keys 11th 32

Stephanie Wintle 12th 0

Payton Evans 13th 0

Charlie Smith prepares for the next run.

Harry Hick checks out the next section.

Sollee Morris

August 2008 Issue 5 10

Welcome Ibu Suci (Maria Suci Wuryanti), our new Indonesian Language Assistant. Ibu Suci has spent her first semester at Perth Metropolitan schools and she is very keen to meet our students at MRSHS and encouraged them to practice speaking their Indonesian language with her. Congratulations to Year 9 students on their Term 2 “Rumah Makan” competition. The winners are Brennan Abbs and Joshua Nelson (McBrennan); 2nd place winners are Candise Adamson, Jessica Palandri, Shianaha Roseman and Ruby Snow (Ninga McCoy); and 3rd place winners are Melissa Mohr and Katherine Evans (Yum-Yum Restoran) and Beau Christie, Jack Osborn, Eli Sutton and Joshua Dorigo (Pizza). HEBAT!!

Languages: Indonesian

Yr 9: Josh Dorigo, Beau Christie, Eli Sutton and Jack Osborn

Yr 9: Blake Glover and Duke Hewitt Yr 9: Darcy Ewing and Ashley Tusak

This Term, Year 8 and Year 9 Indonesian Language students have started their new projects. Year 9s are filming their Indonesian culture simulation for movie clips project called “Different Pond, Different Fish (DPDF)” and Year 8s are preparing their animation project on “Hari Saya/My Day”.

Angela McCoy

Yr 9: Tashi Moody and Jasmine Lee Yr 8: Brodie Keen and Erica Lucas Yr 8: Jasper Leggett and Damian Elson

Yr 8: James Pruvis Yr 8: Ashden Garrett Yr 8: Christie Daniels and Aimee Nash

August 2008 Issue 5 11

Year 8 French student visited the MRPS pre-Primary classroom in July to learn about preparing and eating snails, and to teach the four year olds how to count to ten in French. Each High School student was a buddy to a pre-Primary friend, and all students enjoyed the experience a lot. Thanks very much to Helen Busetti, her team and the pre-Primary school students for welcoming the Year 8 French learners.

Languages: French and German The languages classes are steaming ahead. Thank you to all parents that have responded to the Email link-up. Every week, I send out lesson plans, all worksheets, audio files featuring the vocabulary that needs to be learnt, and internet links for further studies. The response by parents has been phenomenal with many parents learning the language alongside their child now. If parents want to participate in this program, could they please send me an email, stating who their child is? My email address is: patrick.marzohl@det.wa.edu.au. Consequently, the engagement of the students has improved, and the progress of both German and French learning students is outstanding.

Quel est ton numéro de téléphone encore?

C’est le quatre-vingt-dix-sept cinquante-deux vingt-trois soixante-seize.

The Year 9 German classes are learning about animals. As part of the course, several students brought in their pets. The class welcomed and cuddled rats and Emily Daniels’ pet snake. The students will never forget how to say ‘snake’ or ‘rat’ in German! Just ask them!

International Year of Languages

In August, MRSHS like all schools will celebrate the International Year of Languages. The school will produce a survey to find out the cultural and linguistic backgrounds of the student population.

Languages are cool!

Die Ratte ist kuschelig. Aber sie ist nicht stubenrein.

Wie niedlich! Ich mag Schlangen!

August 2008 Issue 5 12

2008 International Competition and Assessments for Schools in Science

Students from Margaret River Senior High School won awards for their academic achievement when they participated in the recent competition. From the 55 students who participated, 3 Distinctions and 16 Credits were achieved.

Distinction: Placing students in the top 10% of the state were achieved by:

Ashley Biddulph Liam Keys Jayde Roberts

Credit: Placing students in the top 25% of the state were achieved by:

Calypso Barber-Magyar Kim Guthrie Sam Bloxam Dylan Johnson Elouise Buchanan Chris Kovacs Jess Cameron Kelly Kneebone Marianne Campbell Erin Muste Annique Challis Rose Paley Asha Dilkes-Hoffman Sacha Rudd Matthew Elliot Bowen Weightman Congratulations to all students involved! B Cameron (HOD Science)

Welcome to our new exchange student

French speaking Claire will stay at MRSHS until January and is here on the AFS student exchange program. Claire is looking forward to the Australian experience, and is currently helping out in the French language classes Helping the Year 9 students with pronunciation and speaking tasks.

The Year 11 cohort welcomed the new exchange student from Tournai, Belgium, Claire Boulongne (right) last week, here featured with Brazilian student Stéfanni Fernandes Nunes da Silva (left).

Tree vandalism at MRSHS

Students and staff alike were saddened by the senseless cutting down of trees on the school ground. These trees were very valued gathering points in the school yard, particularly in summer. If you have any information on the culprits, please contact the school on 9757 0700.