murray bridge high school newsletter · 4 murray ridge high school newsletter 2 november 2020 by...

Murray Bridge High School

NEWSLETTER

Term 4: Issue 2 2 November 2020 Excellence Respect Working together Principal: Ruth Mussger 8531 9500 Chairperson Governing Council: Cathy Smith 0408 336 469

Principal’s page It is always disappointing when events are cancelled due to poor weather conditions and Sports day was no exception. Unfortunately, the weather forecast predicting thunderstorms and gusty winds was definitely not conducive to the safety of students participating in athletic events. As always, the PE learning area have a plan C and this will involve middle years students taking part in track and field event during lesson times over the coming weeks, and the best weather day in the last week of school being set aside for the team events as well as the fun and highly competitive student vs staff events. As we think about weather, it is also timely to focus on your family Bushfire Action Plan. From the lessons learned last year, our kids are vulnerable to high levels of anxiety when they don’t know what the family plan is, or their involvement in it. Before the busy-ness of the festive season takes over, please sit down with your children (even the 16-18 year olds) and talk about what you will all do in the event of a bushfire near your home. A few tips:

It may not be possible to reach each other via phone, so where is the designated family meeting place? Everyone should be able to rank in order at least three places they will go if they cannot go home. ( during a school day buses will not run to a fire affected area and students will always stay and be cared for at school until collected by a designated family member)

Make and publish a family list of items to collect in the event you need to leave home in a hurry. What is each person’s top 5 personal items? (don’t forget medications, phone chargers, significant items that are irreplaceable)

Keep a box of important documents ready to go, especially birth certificates, immunisation records and ID information that your child may need to use in the coming months (ie. for drivers licences, part time jobs etc)

I hope we never experience the catastrophic events of last year’s fire season, but ‘plan for the worst and hope for the best’ is a good motto to use. The building program is still on track and moving closer to stage one (Tech Studies / Ausco building relocation) completion in mid- November. Stage two, the refurbishment of Art spaces, conversion of the old Technology Studies facility into an Entrepreneurial Hub, along with a new roof on the gym/music suite are all starting now and due to be complete by the start of the 2021 school year. Since the start of the STEM upgrade in 2018, every learning area in our school has needed to relocate for works to be done. I am so grateful for the resilience of our teaching staff in adapting and being creative to ensure curriculum needs are met for every student, often without the usual resources at their fingertips, and the general staff who make sure relocation happens in a structured and safe way.

Lohmann Street, Tel: +61 8 8531 9500 Email: [email protected] PO Box 1584, Fax: +61 8 8531 9595 Website: www.mbhs.sa.edu.au Murray Bridge SA 5253

Entrepreneurial Specialist School and Music Focus School

mailto:[email protected]://www.mbhs.sa.edu.au/

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Murray Bridge High School Newsletter 2 November 2020

by Kathryn Reedy

On 23rd and 24th of September a group of enthusiastic Outdoor Ed students ventured to Mount Crawford Forest with staff members Kathryn Reedy, Aaron Pratt and Jessie Heidenreich. Students were given the opportunity to showcase their navigation knowledge and outdoor living skills they had learnt during the course. The group remained in high spirits despite the inclement weather experienced. We walked the Warren Tower Hike located within the Warren Conservation Park from our campsite which was a challenging 14.5km walk. During the walk students were allocated different roles such as group leader, front marker, back marker and navigator which really tested their knowledge and skills. It was awesome to see the group working closely together and supporting each other as the terrain experienced was quite hilly and physically demanding. The students were required to camp in a tent, sleep on a roll mat and cook on a camping trangia, a small, lightweight cooking stove. Throughout the trip students also learnt about the local flora and fauna, the difference between a Conservation Park and National Park and some of the impacts caused by logging.

Unfortunately, the second day walk was cancelled due to the large amount of rainfall expected (up to 20mm) and cold temperatures. Students instead enjoyed a small bus tour exploring the Mount Crawford area, the Herbig Tree at Springton and Mount Pleasant on route back to school. Overall, it was very enjoyable trip. Students represented the school with pride, showed great determination and teamwork for the entirety of the trip. Well done team.

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by Aaron Pratt

On the 16th of October Ethan Cooper entered the School Sports XC Mountain Bike Championships. He competed in the Under 15 classification and finished 9th out of 69 competitors. Amazing result Ethan. We all congratulate you on your result.

On Thursday and Friday 15th and 16th of October; 18 Year 10 students embarked on their Outdoor Education two day bushwalk at Mount Crawford. Students used their knowledge learnt about outdoor recreation activities to successfully set up camp amongst the forestries applying minimal impact camping strategies. The students trekked through planted forestries and native vegetation, completing 14kms on Thursday, and another 9kms on Friday. Both the students and staff enjoyed the experience, seeing the views and the wildlife.

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by Kathryn Reedy

On 21st to 23rd of October, the Year 11 Outdoor Ed class ventured to the Murraylands Aquatics Centre for their 3-day kayaking camp with staff members Kathryn Reedy, Aaron Pratt and Jessie Heidenreich. Students participated in a 2-day basic skills course which was run by fully qualified Flatwater kayaking instructors from the Murraylands Aquatics Centre. This is a nationally accredited course where paddlers demonstrate the fundamental skills of kayaking. They showcased their skills with an 11.5km day paddle from Avoca Deli Reserve in Murray Bridge to the Murraylands Aquatics Centre. This experience really tested the student’s resilience, patience and teamwork. During the camp students learnt about the importance of the River Murray and a range of local environmental issues. Furthermore, students learnt valuable life skills such as how to cook using a Trangia stove and independently plan a suitable healthy and nutritional menu for 3 days. Really looking forward to 2021 when we see the introduction of the new Year 12 Outdoor Education program at Murray Bridge High School.

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by Alex McFarlane

Music at Work is an exciting new program piloting contemporary music industry pathways in South Australian high schools. It will provide hands-on learning in areas including sound technologies, music event management, performance skills and artist brand development.

Music at Work will maintain specialist skills and knowledge within South Australia, whilst unearthing and developing the next wave of talent and expertise. It is funded by the Department of Innovation and Skills and facilitated through Carclew.

by Tiahne Rowe

This year, I was lucky enough to be accepted into the

Governor’s Leadership Foundation Program. The

program runs over 10 months, and participants engage in

immersive learning experiences including a rural retreat,

learning about innovative ‘growth’ industries in S.A. and

hearing about a range of issues including homelessness,

challenges faced by refugees and the criminal justice

system through hearing individual’s powerful stories. We

studied the Adaptive Leadership framework and tools

and discussed how we can make change in our

community. Participants include CEOs, CFOs, Principals

and other leaders from a range of industries, not just

education.

The Bedford CAP Group (L-R): Kat Clinton (SA Health), Kevin Mant (OZ Minerals), Craig Swan (Swan Brothers), Rachel O’Halloran (Nyrstar), Tiahne Rowe (MBHS) and Danielle James (SAPOL).

Tiahne Rowe (MBHS) thanking His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AC, Governor of South Australia for sharing his story.

An integral part of this program is the Community Action Project (CAP) where leaders work together to tackle an adaptive challenge for a not-for-profit organisation. I was fortunate to work collaboratively to apply the learnings from our course by facilitating a workshop for leaders of The Bedford Group. We will present our learnings from this process to the Leaders Institute Board next week. Over the course of this program, I have learnt a lot about the South Australian community, different leadership styles and strategies and I have learned the most about myself as a leader. I have made new connections and formed friendships with leaders from across our state. I am excited to apply what I have learnt through this course in my role as a teacher and Leader of Entrepreneurial Learning across the school and in sharing our work with other schools.

Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni says the program will offer students a bridge between an interest in music and the real career opportunities on offer as they develop their skills and knowledge.

This year, we have been lucky to have Music Industry mentors work with our Sound Production and Year 10 Special Interest Music students. This term we have new mentors coming to Murray Bridge to run a 2-day workshop at The Station on Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th December.

Any student from Years 8–11, with an interest in the Music Industry, can be involved. Just need to fill out the following google form bit.do/MBHSMusicAtWork. Places are limited so get in quick.

http://bit.do/MBHSMusicAtWork

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The VET Certificate II Kitchen Operations and Certificate III Hospitality (Combo) students delivered an outstanding table service assessment - sit down lunch for 20 Murray Bridge High School staff guests on Friday 23rd October.

Half the class worked back of house under the guidance of TAFE lecturer Chris Imgraben preparing the most delicious dishes which included a starter of frittata, caesar salad, lentil and goat cheese salad and an antipasto plate. This was followed by a roast chicken in lemon and garlic sauce with roasted capsicum served with broccolini. Under the watchful eye of TAFE lecturer Mary Fiora the other half of the class worked front of house with the set up and pull down, meeting and greeting guests, assisting with seating and attentive table service.

by Helen Wilden

The sit down lunch concluded with freshly made donuts dressed with chocolate fruit and delicate pansy decorations served with barista coffee made to your liking. The perfect end to a beautiful luncheon.

Part of the proceeds of the lunch will go back into the community as a ‘pay it forward’ gesture. Congratulations to all the students with the assessment. Staff were very impressed and grateful for the opportunity to see the students shine through their VET course. Students catered for their families on Friday 30th October in reverse groups.

TAFE lecturers Mary Fiora (left) and Chris Imgraben (centre) helped guide the students with their assessment

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by Michael Pater

On Friday October 23 Christine Willersdorf, Employment Facilitator for the Murraylands, addressed the Year 11 Workplace Practices Class. She explained the vast number of jobs and businesses she has run in her working life and showed the students several resources to help start a career. She also provided one on one guidance for several students assisting them to take the next step in their working career. Further information can be found at: https://yourcareer.gov.au/school-leavers-support/

The Lower Murray Trade Training Centre and TAFE SA Murray Bridge were pleased to offer

a short course to showcase the exciting careers and skills in the world of Engineering, Fabrication and Machining. The course was offered to Year 10 and 11 students who are thinking about their career pathways and possible VET courses for 2021.

The introductory course over 3 days provided students with the skills to competently prepare materials, carry out routine welds and learn a little about fabrication, metal work and used a variety of tools in the workshop.

Over the three days the students made their very own Hibachi Oven as a completed project to take home.

https://yourcareer.gov.au/school-leavers-support/

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by Fiona Rabone

In Biology, Class 9XW has been learning about the interdependencies between biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components of ecosystems. To really appreciate how ecosystems work, and transfer energy, students work in teams towards developing a model of a self-sustaining ecosystem in a bottle column. Learning and applying their knowledge of how ecosystems and different components of an ecosystem change as they interact with each other and the environment work becomes necessary to complete the challenge. The specific objectives include:

select the kind of biome to create,

research the plants and animals which thrive in that biome,

design each section of their bottle ecosystems,

create a detailed list of materials needed,

gather materials and construct the ecosystem,

monitor and record observations (e.g. temperature, plant growth) in

journals, and

draw conclusions about why their ecosystem is struggling or how the plants and animals continue to survive

It is satisfying to see students go straight to the windows to crowd around their bottle ecosystems and see what changes have occurred at the start of each new lesson. They excitedly point out to each other the snail that is cruising around or the seedlings that sprouted from a seed they planted.

We would like to thank Professor Ecosystem (aka Mr Watts) for joining us to advise on aspects of the design.

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The watermarked “Notice” below indicates the Materials and Services Charge for 2021.

You are invited to attend an upcoming Governing Council meeting to be held on Tuesday, 3 November at 6pm in the Conference room where this charge will be discussed prior to approval being sought.

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Mon, 2 – Fri 12 Oct Year 12 Exams

Tue, 3 Nov Governing Council – 6pm

Mon-Thu, 9-12 Nov Year 8 Aquatics

Wed, 11 Nov Remembrance Day – 11am

Thu, 12 Nov Uniform Fit Night 3.30-6.30pm

Fri, 13 Nov SCHOOL CLOSURE (NAIDOC)

Mon, 16 Nov Year 12 Formal Dinner

Tue, 17 Nov Presentation Night

Wed, 18 Nov Year 11 Drama Production - DW

Wed-Fri, 18-20 Nov SAASTA Power Cup

Fri, 20 Nov Last subject day for Year 11

Tue, 1 Dec Year 7 Transition Day

Finance Committee – 5pm

Tue, 8 Dec Governing Council – 6pm

Fri, 11 Dec Last day of Term 4 – 2pm dismissal

Earlier this year Murray Bridge welcomed our own ‘Foodbank Food Hub’ this is a great addition to the community and assists in ease of delivery and communication for the programs that Foodbank supports within our school, such as the Breakfast Club and the food hampers that go out fortnightly. Murray Bridge High School is proud to be involved with Foodbank

Foodbank describes the hub below.

“Foodbank Food Hubs offer your clients a dignified shopping experience. They are set up to resemble a general store. We encourage people to choose healthy food options by providing free fruit and vegetables. Affordable recipe packs and ready-made meals are available for those willing to learn how to cook or unable to cook. Our aim is to assist local welfare agencies to provide more food to people requiring emergency food relief. We understand that issues such as lack of storage space, time, volunteers or refrigeration can often limit the amount and type of food that you can offer your clients. We hope that this distribution model will at least partly address some of these issues.”

Murray Bridge High School as a registered agency of Foodbank SA can provide families with vouchers that can be redeemed at the Foodbank Food Hub. Families must present their valid voucher and provide identification each time they visit. The Foodhub offers pantry foods, meat, frozen foods, personal hygiene products and household cleaning products at a fraction of retail cost while vegetables, fruit and bread are offered free with a voucher. MURRAY BRIDGE Foodhub OPENING HOURS 209 Adelaide Road Mon/Tue 9.30am to 2.30pm Murray Bridge SA 5253 Thu/Fri 9.30am – 2.30pm (CLOSED PUBLIC HOLIDAYS)

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murray bridge high school newsletter · 4 murray ridge high school newsletter 2 november 2020 by...

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