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Principal: Phil Fitzsimons 8532 1788 – Chairperson Governing Council: Sue Horsnell 0413 866 666
Murray Bridge High School
It is through working together, with respect, that we can achieve excellence
Excellence, Respect and Working Together
From the Principal Phil Fitzsimons
Mobile Phone Task Team Initiative
In 2012 Murray Bridge High School introduced the mobile phone task team initiative
designed to address the inappropriate use by students of their mobile phone.
Extensive evidence already existed within the school that the misuse of mobile phones in class was having a detrimental effect on the ability for students to learn
and teachers to teach. Furthermore, it was becoming increasingly obvious that
mobile phones were being used for the purpose of bullying and harassment.
The Mobile Phone Task Team comprised 4 staff members. Their role was to work with students, parents and staff on identifying strategies that could minimise the
detrimental impact the misuse of mobile phones was having on the effective teaching
and learning taking place in the classroom.
In term 1 a survey was undertaken which identified 418 issues relating to mobile
phone issues in one week.
In response, the Mobile Phone Task Team addressed the whole school through
ongoing year level assemblies outlining the school policy on the correct use of
mobile phones; visited pastoral care classes on a weekly basis speaking with students as a class or individually and addressed staff on a regular basis at staff meetings on
developing common approaches.
By the end of term 4 the number of mobile phone issues in the classroom dropped
considerably to less than 20 per week. Further outcomes saw student awareness of responsibilities with mobile phones increased, significant reduction in conflict
between teachers and students over mobile phones and clear support from the
majority of parents and caregivers provided.
Further review of the initiative uncovered broader issues facing many of our students, which has now seen the conversation shifting towards a supportive one. Particularly
as the team was regularly working with students faced with regular conflict in their
lives.
It is clear that the Mobile Phone Task Team made significant inroads into this issue however there is still more ongoing work required, particularly as the phenomenon
of social media expands and the levels of accessibility to mobile phones increases.
As a result the school has made the decision to continue with the current structure
of the Mobile Phone Task Team for the foreseeable future, as we believe the
positive outcomes achieved thus far outweigh the costs attached to the initiative.
I would like to thank Darren O’Connor, Brendan Watts, Laura Latz and David
Berresford for their work in 2012. The team in 2013 welcomes Supriya Panjwani as
Laura moved to another school at the end of last year.
TERM 1, Week 6 - 4 March 2013
CALENDAR
TERM 1
Week 6
Fri, 8 Mar Standards Day
Week 7
Mon, 11 Mar ADELAIDE CUP HOLIDAY
Tue, 12 Mar STUDENT FREE DAY
Sat, 16 Mar CENTENARY STAFF DINNER
Week 8
Tue, 19 Mar Finance Committee – 7pm
Thu, 21 Mar Harmony Day
Week 9
Tue, 26 Mar Governing Council AGM – 7pm
Fri, 29 Mar EASTER FRIDAY
Week 10
Mon, 1 Apr EASTER MONDAY
Week 11
Fri, 12 Apr Last day of Term 1- 2pm dismissal
TERM DATES 2013
Term 1 - 29 Jan – 12 Apr
Term 2 - 29 Apr – 5 Jul
Term 3 - 22 Jul – 27 Sep
Term 4 - 14 Oct – 13 Dec
STUDENT FREE DAYS – 2013
Tue, 12 Mar - Staff T&D
Mon, 20 May - Australian Curriculum (please note amended date)
Tue, 11 Jun - Staff T&D
Mon, 28 Oct - Australian Curriculum
SCHOOL CLOSURE
Fri, 6 Sep - Show Day
Murray Bridge High School Newsletter 4 March 2013
2
Jim and Luke Stephanie and Lotta
Lucas Ina
Staff Profile by Class 8X
Each fortnight in the Newsletter we will be including a section
called Staff Profile. The students in 8X will interview different
staff members and ask them questions relating to their goals and
favourite things. This week we introduce Stuart Kenny, Kara
Stevens and Jacqueline Heaney.
Name: Stuart Kenny
Teaching area/s: Student Counsellor
No. of years teaching: 12 years
Goals for 2013: To continue striving for excellence in
delivery of the Health and PE curriculum.
To support staff and students regarding
their health, welfare and safety at school
and do whatever is in my power to help
them enjoy their school life.
To continue enjoying my life and have as
much fun as possible.
Favourite Food: I like a lot of different types of food;
Asian, Italian, Mexican, but I’m
particularly fond of bacon and egg
toasties with cheese and tomato sauce.
Favourite Hobby: I love building Lego, playing PS3 games
(Lego and Batman), puzzles, Sudoku and
watching movies.
Favourite Quote: Dream, Believe, Create, Succeed. I also
like “Me, We”. (Muhammad Ali)
Name: Kara Stevens
Teaching area/s: English and Drama
No. of years teaching: 3 years
Goals for 2013: To encourage all students to apply
themselves and achieve their goals.
Favourite Food: I love pretty much all food, but nothing
beats lemon cheesecake or lemon tart!
Favourite Hobby: Reading, shopping and playing netball for
Imperials.
Favourite Quote: ‘Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it
is the courage to continue that counts’.
(Winston Churchill)
Name: Jacqueline Heaney
Teaching area/s: Science
No. of years teaching: 23 years
Goals for 2013: I hope all my students achieve the best
grades they can. I also hope to see
more of South Australia and its beautiful
beaches.
Favourite Food: Irish Stew with dumplings.
Favourite Hobby: Reading and Crochet.
Favourite Quote: “To err is human to forgive, devine”
Welcome Exchange Students by Helen Peake
In term one Murray Bridge High School has been fortunate to welcome three new exchange students as well as to welcome back
an exchange student who has been in Australia for over 6 months
now.
Jim Eckhardt and Lotta Oswald have both arrived from Germany
(under the SA German Exchange Program) and are being hosted by
the families of Luke Johnson and Stephanie Dadivas.
The SA German Exchange Program works on the German student
coming to Murray Bridge High School to study for one term and
then, at the end of the year, our students go to Germany to study
at the school of their host buddy.
We have also welcomed Lucas Ragazzo from Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Lucas is here for 12 months and is being hosted by the Rotary Club of Tailem Bend.
Ina Brunbauer is being hosted by the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge.
Ina is from Austria and certainly appears to making the most of the many opportunities extended to her.
To all the exchange students we extend a very warm welcome and trust that their stay is an exciting and educational one.
School Leaders Induction by Helen Peake
During the Assembly on February 18th the new Student
Representative Council were inducted. We were pleased to
welcome Don McLean, President of the Rotary Club of Murray
Bridge to induct both the Prefects (Year 12) and the Year Level
Captains (Years 8–11). Congratulations to all these students on
being selected by their peers to represent them this year. Thank
you to Don McLean for giving up his time to induct the SRC.
Murray Bridge High School Newsletter 4 March 2013
3
Year 12 Aquatics by Isaac McEvoy
With equal parts trepidation and excitement, our Year 12
Physical Education class set off to the Murraylands Aquatic
Centre for their three day aquatics practical. Upon arrival at
the Aquatics Centre it was decided that our students were to
undertake the sport of ‘Sailing’ for their assessment. With only
a handful of students ever sailed before, it promised to be a
very exciting and fulfilling time.
Within the three days, students learnt how to rig the boat,
tack, gyb, and one of the more enjoyable aspects of the
course, capsizing.
All students took to sailing like a ‘duck out of water’, so to
speak, and enjoyed the three days of beautiful weather on the
river. This has been reflective on the grades that the students
were able to achieve. I would also like to thank Mrs Bone for
her involvement and support while on the river with the
students.
Do you want to study medicine?
Students interested in pursuing medicine and other health
courses need to sit the UMAT test on 31 July 2013.
MedEntry is a government accredited Registered Training
Organization specialising in UMAT preparation. A
pamphlet regarding this is available from Mrs Hodge or
visit www.medentry.edu.au
Acquaintance Evening by Ruth Hicks
On Wednesday 20th February parents, students and families
were invited to a sausage sizzle and acquaintance evening.
The evening was well attended, with all enjoying the sausages
and vegie patties cooked by staff. The evening was an
excellent opportunity for families to mingle with Pastoral Care
and subject teachers in an informal setting and be able to
connect names to faces. Over 300 listened to tips for
supporting students to be successful academically and socially
in the Middle School and meeting the requirements for SACE
in the Senior School.
All parents are encouraged to make contact with individual
teachers either by phone or email by ringing the Front Office
and asking for their email address. The strong message is that
we want to work together with families to get the best
outcomes for each individual student.
Staff work together to cook for the Acquaintance Evening
Patti Williamson meets with parents and students on the night
Murray Bridge High School Newsletter 4 March 2013
4
Year 9 Fabric Technology by Ruth Shakes
The Year 9 Fabric Technology class has just completed their
first piece of work in textiles. The task was to create and sew 2
designs suitable to be placed on a tea towel or pillow slip using
two techniques of machine applique and hand applique.
The students created their designs, selected their fabrics and
after some practice started sewing. They discovered that the
simpler the design the easier it was to sew. All students were
able to successfully complete the task. The hand applique took
the longest time to complete along with a lot of concentration
and for some, frustration. Students learnt that quality crafts
take time to complete and it can be fun listening to music or
chatting with friends while doing the work.
The completed products have demonstrated some excellent
practical skills with some good hand/eye coordination shown.
Feedback by people observing the works has been very
positive.
Please see below samples of students work.
Doorways 2 Construction by Greg Fulwood
Last week saw the Doorways Plus trainees doing a controlled
demolition of one of the timber framed structures at the back
of the Skill Centre. The object was to salvage as much of the
timber as possible in good condition so that it can be reused by
the new trainees this year. Controlling costs by salvaging
materials will be a valuable skill in the careers of these budding
builders.
The new trainees began their first project for the year in each
building a saw horse using some of the salvaged material.
These saw horses are extremely well built and if anyone is
interested in purchasing one or more I’m sure we may be able
to accommodate.
Civil Construction by Greg Fulwood
Continuing on from a project initiated by D2C last year is the
completion of the retaining wall behind the grounds shed. The
trainees spent time getting levels correct and working out
materials needs to complete this very worthwhile project. Skills
in Civil Construction will be further developed with other
projects around the school as the year progresses.
Year 10 Automotive by Chris Afford and Will Blight
This semester in Year 10 Automotive we have been able to
bring in our remote control cars. We have a mixture of
electric and combustion engine cares. Will has a Toyota Supra
which we successful tuned and is running much better than
before.
The Automotive Department has their own remote control
cars which we will be disassembling and rebuilding through the
year to learn more about their construction and operation.
We hope we can be successful in keeping these cars running.
Murray Bridge High School Newsletter 4 March 2013
5
Documentary Filmmaker visits Murray
Bridge High School by Lachlan Miles
On Thursday 21st February Nara Wilson, a student film maker
currently studying at Flinders Uni, and her film crew visited our
school to interview and film some students and staff about
racism in schools. Nara was particularly interested in a subject
recently added to our curriculum called Cultural Studies. Her
intention is to include an episode in her documentary about our
Aboriginal curriculum.
The final product will be used as a classroom resource and
Nara will be marketing her work to several TV networks
including ABC, SBS, and NITV. We look forward to seeing the
program when it has been edited and are proud that once again
Murray Bridge High School has been recognised as a school that
lives up to its values of Excellence, Respect and Working Together.
Reminder School Fees are due
Material and Services charges (School
Fees) are to be paid in full by the end of Term 1 – Friday 12th April 2013.
To make arrangements to pay by
instalments or information on how apply
for School Card, please contact Helen Wilden – SSO Finance on 8532 1788.
Pedal Prix by Gilbert Tuazon, Pedal Prix Coordinator
Murray Bridge High School will once again compete in the
Australian HPV Pedal Prix series in 2013. With the successful
performances from 2012 still fresh in our minds, we look
forward to bigger and better things in 2013!
At this stage I have registered two riding teams, therefore
there will be openings for approximately 20 riders. The team
will also be seeking support crew members (Non riding).
Team/staff/parent/helpers meetings will be organised and
announced very soon. Riders’ trainings will also commence
soon in order to get the riders fit before the events.
For all information relating to Pedal Prix events, please take the
time to visit and read the Pedal Prix notice board in ‘A Block’
foyer (Next to the Counsellors’ offices).
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR UPDATES ON THE NOTICE BOARD
If you have any questions or queries please see me.
2013
Year 8 Immunisations – Term 1 2013 by Liz Hodge and Stuart Kenny, Student Counsellors
The District Nurses will be visiting Murray Bridge High School
on Wednesday 20th of March to administer free vaccinations to
Year 8 students.
All students will receive a vaccination for Hepatitis B and
Varicella (Chicken Pox). All female students will also receive
the first of three HPV (Human Papillomavirus), Gardasil’
injections (the second and third will be administered later in the
year).
Your child would have received an Immunisation Information
Pack containing an envelope to put immunisation records in, a
letter of information and a return form/consent card which
needs to be returned to school (through your child’s’ Pastoral
Care teacher) no later than Friday 15th of March.
Students must have returned the appropriate consent card to
receive the vaccinations. If you do not wish for your child to
receive the vaccination(s), you must still return the consent card
but you must indicate that you do not wish for your child to be
vaccinated.
If your child has not yet received the Immunisation Information
Pack you need to get in touch with your child’s Pastoral Care
Teacher or Stuart Kenny at the school on 8532 1788.
If your child misses this first round of vaccinations you are able
to catch up through your local GP or you could visit the Murray
Bridge Library on the second Wednesday of the month from 2pm – 4pm.
Murray Bridge High School Newsletter 4 March 2013
6
HAVE YOU RECEIVED THE SCHOOLKIDS BONUS?
Do you know about the Schoolkids Bonus? It is a new cash
payment to help eligible families and students with the costs of
primary and secondary school studies. Around 1.2 million
families have already benefitted from the first wave of payments
in January 2013 – have you?
If you receive a family or income support payment, including
Family Tax Benefit Part A, you could be eligible to receive $410
a year for each primary student and $820 a year for each
secondary student, with half paid in January and half paid in July.
The Schoolkids Bonus replaces the Education Tax Refund (ETR)
and is a much simpler system. You no longer need to collect
receipts and payments are made automatically so you don’t have
to wait months to make a claim via your tax return. Unlike the
ETR you can choose how you use the payment to best support
your children’s education – whether it be school books,
stationery, uniforms, school fees, or excursions.
Check your eligibility by visiting australia.gov.au/schoolkidsbonus
and if you think you might have missed out on the January
payment, contact Centrelink – either in person at a Centrelink-Medicare Office or by calling 132 468.
TAKING RESPONSIBILITY Personal responsibility is the mark of true leadership. However shirking responsibility or shifting the blame to others is a national sport in many western countries. “Its not my fault” can be heard in court rooms, political rallies and in sporting tribunals everywhere as blame for a transgression is shifted away from the individual and placed on a scapegoat. It is little wonder that many children are experts at shirking personal responsibility. Lack of personal responsibility is shown when children find excuses or blame others for their misbehaviour. Siblings are blamed for starting fights, parents for children’s school lateness and classmates for misbehaving at school. Anything or anyone but themselves is to blame! “It’s not my turn” is another way of shirking responsibility. Most parents want their children to be responsible for their actions. Taking responsibility means that a child sees a problem and fixes it. A child who takes responsibility helps out regardless of how many times they have helped before or who causes a situation. When a child complains that the toilet roll is empty then he or she can be invited to take responsibility for it. Similarly, if the bread bin is empty, the fire is out or the living room floor is a mess then the message could be that they should ‘do something’ about these situations. When a child is late for school, forgets to hand in homework or deliberately hurts a classmate even though some teasing occurred then he or she needs to shoulder the blame and take responsibility for their actions. Sounds tough but this is the approach to take if we are to promote a true sense of responsibility, initiative and accountability. In families some children become adept at ducking their responsibilities. It is smart management to share the load using rosters and other organisational strategies. But in the myriad of informal situations around the house where someone needs to take responsibility then it is helpful to take the “don’t tell me, please fix it” approach. Next time a child responds to your request for help with that classic line “but it’s not my turn” look them straight in the eye and say, “You know, you may be right but isn’t it lucky that you are so willing to help” and simply walk away. No buts, no arguments. Try this...Put it into practice
To promote personal responsibility in your child:
Make sure they have some jobs at home so that others rely on them.
Use a roster for jobs and place responsibility on children to do tasks without being reminded.
AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CADETS
MURRAY BRIDGE
622 Squadron AAFC Murray Bridge is holding an Interest Night
open to the community on Friday 15 March 2013 from 7.30pm
to 9.30pm at our Head Quarters – 19 Caroline Street Murray
Bridge. Everyone is invited to come along and see the
challenging and fun activities we offer in our training and survival
camps, field craft and navigation, flying, water activities, abseiling,
caving and much more. How exciting to be able to learn to fly
at 15. Our program is accredited for SACE and Duke of
Edinburgh Awards.
622 Squadron is a premier youth development organisation in
Murray Bridge, established in January 2010 by our local youth
from the Murraylands, Mallee, Angas, Bremer and Strathalbyn
regions.
The AAFC is the leading Australian youth development
organisation for girls and boys from ages 13 to 18 years of age.
Cadets come from all backgrounds, form bonds and lifelong
friends with cadets at State and National levels via our National
Accredited Development Program. They learn life skills,
leadership, initiative, self-confidence and discipline, teaching
skills, loyalty and fun in a military environment.
For more information about the AAFC log onto www.aafc.org.au or contact 622 Squadron on 0417 203 196.