Term 1 | Week 10 | 6 April 2018

Principal’s WelcomeIt has been an extremely busy term for students, staff and families, and yet, it is hard to believe that the term is almost over.

The term began with a targeted focus on those behaviours that support successful learning. Students participated in year level orientation and pastoral care programs to support transition to their new year level. As well, our new Year 8 students participated in a day at Unley pool and a camp to Woodhouse Activity Centre.

Parents and caregivers were also invited to attend year level information evenings to meet Care Group teachers and to learn about the learning and wellbeing support we provide students so they can be successful in achieving their personal best.

Students soon settled into their learning programs, completing a variety of assessment tasks to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and understandings. Along the way, teachers provided support and feedback to inform student progress and next steps for learning.

This week the Mid-Semester 1 reports have been given to students to take home and share with parents/caregivers. I hope there are ‘no surprises’ in the reports as I would expect students to be aware of their achievements across the term and to have kept families informed of progress. Parents/caregivers can also access information about their child’s learning and progress through the Daymap Parent Portal.

Next week parents/caregivers and students will also have the opportunity to discuss student learning and achievement at the Parent - Teacher interviews which will take place from 1.30pm on Tuesday 10 April and Thursday 12 April. Information about how to book interviews with your child’s teachers was included in the report package. I strongly encourage students to attend the interviews with their parents/caregivers so they actively participate in the conversation about their learning and contribute to strategies that will support them to achieve their personal best.

2018 Governing Council The Governing Council AGM was held on Tuesday 6 March. Congratulations to the following parents/caregivers who have been elected to join the Governing Council for 2018/19:Michael Clark Allan Munulai Gerald Westbrook

The following parents/caregivers will continue on the Governing Council for one more year:Di Edwards Helen KeenBertram Ostendorf Michael ShanahanSarah Tucker Jacinta Walton

Election of Office bearers will occur at our first meeting early next term.

2018 – 2020 Site Improvement PlanThe 2018 - 2020 Site improvement Plan has been finalised and will be presented to the new Governing Council next term. The overall outcome for our new Site Improvement Plan is for ‘High expectations and the achievement of excellent outcomes for all students’.

Four key priorities have been identified as the foci to achieve this outcome:• Whole School Performance and Development

Processes• Quality Pedagogical Practice• Improved Literacy Outcomes• Improved Numeracy Outcomes

Our first Student Free Day held on Friday 9 March focused on assessment task design and pedagogical practice so that staff:• develop a shared understanding of inquiry-based

learning and intellectual stretch at Blackwood High School

• think differently about assessment task design and the level of ‘thinking’ required by students

• redesign the next set of summative assessments using feedback from multi-discipline perspectives

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Open NightThe school’s annual Open Night was held on Monday 19 March. This was my first Open Night at Blackwood High School and I was amazed by the attendance – over 700 people visited the school participating in tours, attending information sessions and performances. Feedback from visiting families was extremely positive with our visitors enjoying the welcoming and friendly environment and the opportunity to chat at the BBQ or over a coffee in the courtyard. A special thank you to all staff involved and to our student tour guides and assistants who were such wonderful ambassadors for the school.

Principal TourOn Tuesday 27 March we held our first Principal Tour for the year. Although only one week after the school’s Open Night over 40 people attended, which is outstanding. As this tour occurred during the school day, families had the opportunity to see the school ‘in action’. Once again, we received positive feedback about the range of learning and co-curricular opportunities offered at Blackwood High School, the school facilities and the behaviour of our students. Furthermore, our student tour guides were excellent.

Jason Loke, Deputy Principal, facilitated the day with leadership support from Curriculum Leaders and identified teaching staff. The learnings from this day have challenged staff to consider how we design authentic student learning opportunities for ‘challenge and intellectual stretch’. This day provided a wonderful opportunity for staff to collaborate, think deeply and share their own practices.

International Baccalaureate (IB) ConferencesJason Loke and I attended two IB conferences in Singapore during Week 8 and 9 of this term:• Heads of School - Implementing the Middle Years

Program (MYP) – 21 - 23 March• IB Heads World Conference – 25 - 27 March

The first conference targeted leaders new to the IB providing extensive information to assist leaders’ overall knowledge and understanding. This was very timely as we have an IB Evaluation visit later this year. The learnings from this conference will assist staff to prepare for the evaluation with leadership support from our IB Leader, Kate Young.

The second conference provided an opportunity to listen to several international speakers and attend a range of workshops facilitated by leaders and teachers from IB schools throughout the world. Approximately 1800 educators attended the conference.

School UniformThank you to parents/caregivers for your support of the school uniform this term. We certainly have improved our overall appearance as a school and look very smart. I have written in previous newsletters about the importance of wearing school uniform. However, another reason is that first impressions are very important. All our students are ambassadors for Blackwood High School and I expect them to wear the uniform with pride and contribute positively to the reputation of the school.

Also, a reminder that Term 2 is the beginning of the ‘winter term’. I ask that families ensure their children have correct winter uniform in readiness for the new school term. Acknowledging that it can be very cold at Blackwood, and the need to ‘layer up’ to keep warm, we have introduced a long sleeve polo to the uniform items. The jacket component of the school tracksuit is also available as a separate item and can be worn as part of the school uniform. Both are available from the school uniform shop located at Blackwood Primary School or directly from our uniform supplier, Devon Clothing located at 84 Daws Road, Edwardstown.

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Parent / Teacher Interviews are scheduled for Tuesday 10 April and Thursday 12 April, the last week of Term 1. Interview times will be available from 1:30 pm to 7:00 pm.

Reports and Parent/Teacher Interview information were sent home with students on Wednesday 4 April. An email was also sent on Wednesday 4 April with details for parents/caregivers to book appointments.

We wish to remind parents/caregivers that students will be dismissed at 12:50 pm on Tuesday 10 April and Thursday 12 April, to accommodate Parent/Teacher Interviews. We understand that early dismissal causes difficulty for some families who require their children to be supervised until 3:10 pm. Students who remain at school will be supervised by teachers who are not required for interviews to do personal study. Please note that school bus times will remain unchanged.

Parents/caregivers can make appointments using the new Parent Teacher Online (PTO) booking system found on www.bhs.sa.edu.au > Portal > Parent Teacher Online. Parents/caregivers needing assistance to book appointments are able to call the Student Wellbeing Centre on 82780900.

A positive partnership between parents/caregivers, teachers and students is vital in supporting your child’s learning. We thank you in anticipation for meeting with the subject teacher(s) to support your child’s academic progress.

Mark Flynn, Assistant Principal Information Systems, Learning Technologies and School Operations

Parent/Teacher Interviews

Student Behaviour on busesAt Blackwood High School we are proud of our students, the great majority of whom exhibit the school values of care, achievement and respect and are great ambassadors for the school. This reputation is on public display at all times when students travel on public transport. At times, I receive reports about student behaviour on buses that has the potential to impact on the reputation of the school, despite it involving only a small number of students. This is unfair for the majority of students who do the right thing. I want to assure students and families that we take such matters seriously and do our best to follow up. We remind students often about the behaviours expected when travelling on public transport. However, I seek the support of parents/caregivers and ask that, if your child is a regular bus traveller, you speak with them about respectful and considerate behaviour on buses. The following link on the Adelaide Metro website provides travellers’ tips and may be a useful reference. https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/Using-Adelaide-Metro/Travel-behaviour-tips

If parents/caregivers have concerns about the behaviour of students when travelling on public transport, or in the community, please contact me at school. Blackwood High School is a great school with mostly respectful and considerate students. As a school community, it is important that we work together to enhance the school’s reputation which reflects on the integrity of our students.

Sharon Goldman, Principal

Blackwood High School high achievers• Congratulations to Ben Burbridge and James

Hackett, in Year 9, who are competing in the Australian Little Athletics Championships in the Gold Coast from 28 to 29 April 2018.

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Many parents/caregivers may be aware of Blackwood High School’s partnership with the School of Psychology at the University of Adelaide. The partnership aims to facilitate the development of healthy, active, and involved young people who have the personal resources they need to thrive at school and in life beyond school.

Over the past 5 years, Amber Halliday and I, Victoria Branson, have worked with the staff at Blackwood High School to survey the student body regarding their wellbeing. This information has been valuable in understanding the needs of the students at the school (for our latest work, please see Amber’s recently published journal article here: https://doi.org/10.1080/09650792.2018.1436079). Continuing in 2018, the annual wellbeing data collection will occur during Term 2. Information and consent forms will be sent to parents/caregivers in the coming weeks.

In my time at the school, my focus has been on the role of stress in adolescents’ psychological success. Over the course of my PhD, Blackwood High School students have helped me to create a new questionnaire that measures stress as how adolescents really experience it. This year I plan to use this measure to examine the impact of stress on adolescent wellbeing.

This year, we also have two exciting Honours students joining our team:Nicole Tape will be conducting research at the school this year looking at the impact of student wellbeing on their academic success. These results will help us to better understand the impact that wellbeing has on students’ success at school and the ways we can help students to flourish. Nicole will be using wellbeing data collected in 2017 and linking this to students’ 2017 academic achievement grades, attendance, and elective subject choices. The school will compile this information and provide it to the University in a de-identified form to ensure individual student identity remains anonymous in the study. Parents/caregivers wishing for their child to participate in this research gave their consent as part of Amber’s study last year. We ask that any parent/caregiver who no longer wishes for their child’s wellbeing and academic data to be linked, please contact Blackwood High School’s Data Manager, Kerrie Leong.

Jonathon Wirth will be completing a systematic review of the literature around bullying in adolescents. In particular, this study will focus on cyberbullying and the ways in which previous studies have looked at preventing it. The aim is to identify patterns in the literature, which may help to guide the way in which cyberbullying is approached in schools. Cyberbullying can negatively affect both victims and perpetrators in a number of ways and the prevention of this would help to provide students with an environment more conducive to achievement.

Contacts for Further InformationBlackwood High School Contact Shauna Thompson

shauna.thompson@bhs.sa.edu.auUniversity of Adelaide Project Supervisor Professor Deborah Turnbull

deborah.turnbull@adelaide.edu.auPhD/Masters of Psychology (Clinical) Candidate victoria.branson@adelaide.edu.au

(08) 8313 5007Honours students nicole.tape@student.adelaide.edu.au

jonathon.wirth@student.adelaide.edu.au

Wellbeing at Blackwood High School

NAPLAN test dates are 15 – 17 May, Week 3 Term 2. A letter for our Year 9 families outlining the purpose and procedures of this assessment will be sent home via your child. The information gathered from NAPLAN will assist us to improve our teaching and learning programs and support us to implement appropriate and targeted strategies for individual students.

Mary Hodson, Assistant Principal Senior School

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Year 8 and 9 updateIt seems like so much has happened in the Middle School since the last newsletter went out and I can’t believe the end of the first term is getting closer.

The big event we had in the last month was the Year 8 Camp. This year has seen a few differences from the last few years as far as our camp goes. Our Year 8 Camps went across two days each with 8D, 8E, 8F and 8G going to the first camp and 8A, 8B and 8C to the second. Woodhouse Activity Centre was the perfect venue with a range of activities to keep our students busy. Students did geocaching, disc golf, team building activities and the Challenger Course. We also had a few night time activities such as the trivia quiz. The students had a great time and overall the behaviour was excellent. There were some pretty tired students at school on the Thursday after camp which was a sign of a such a great time.

During Week 8 and 9 all Middle School Care Groups had a presentation from students from Flinders University as part of their Pastoral Care Program. The presentations focused on making the most out of opportunities and looking at pathways beyond schooling. The Year 8 and 9 students engaged really well with the presenters and I believe they got a great deal from the program. As a follow up we will be taking 50 Year 8 and 9 students to Flinders University on Monday 9 April for them to take part in a range of workshops designed to expose them to University life.

Reports have recently been handed to the students and this is a great opportunity to reflect on their first term. Please take the time to look at the report with your child to see how they have progressed this term. The Parent/Teacher Interviews being held next week will give you a chance to chat directly with your child’s subject teachers and get feedback on how to make further improvements going into next term. It would be great to see as many parents/caregivers as possible get along to the Interviews.

Enjoy the last week of term and please have a safe and happy holiday.

Ashley Robinson, Year 8 and 9 Leader

Pre-order to support Blackwood High School Raising funds for Himeji Trip!We are raising funds for our School and you can help. Order the NEW 2018 | 2019 Entertainment Book or Entertainment Digital Membership and you will receive hundreds of valuable offers for everything you love to do, and you will also be supporting our School. PLUS, order now to receive over $150 of bonus Early Bird Offers (hurry, these sell out quickly). Click the photo below to support us!

Blackwood High School raising funds for Himeji Trip

Sharna Granpre-Moliere08 82780929

sharna.granpre-moliere@bhs.sa.edu.au

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

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Year 10 updatePLPAs you will be aware the SACE Personal Learning Plan (PLP) is the backbone of the Year 10 Pastoral Care Program. The PLP which is a prerequisite for SACE completion is divided into 4 equally weighted tasks.Students are currently working towards completing PLP 1.

PLP 1 - My WorkplaceStudents have the opportunity to develop an understanding of the SACE Capabilities as well as Workplace safety practices. This is to assist in keeping them safe in any current or future part time work or work experience. Completion of PLP 1 will also enable students to undertake Work Experience in Term 2.

PLP 1/Workplace Preparation ActivitiesThe activities required to be undertaken as part of PLP 1 are:• SACE Capability Task • Workplace Scenario Activity• Orientation Day WHS Presentation and Quiz • Passport to Safety/Safety Check

All students should by now have submitted their SACE Capability Task, Orientation Day WHS Presentation Quiz booklet and Workplace Scenario Activity Presentation. The final section is the online Safety Certificate tasks, students are to complete the Safety Check and Passport to Safety and upload the certificates to daymap by the conclusion of Week 11. In order to complete PLP 1, and also be signed off to undertake Work Experience in Term 2, students must undertake all sections. Any students who miss activities should speak with their Care Group Teacher to negotiate catchup opportunities. All PLP tasks are compulsory for all Year 10 students regardless of their desire to complete work experience or not.

Assembly Report - Giving Back for WellbeingAt the recent Year Level Assembly the topic of service and giving back was discussed with a few opportunities presented. It is widely known that giving back by doing things for others greatly enhances wellbeing. Taking up opportunities to give back taps in to each part of the PERMA Model for wellbeing - Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning and Achievement. Students were reminded that there are always opportunities to give back positively and in a meaningful way.

Two opportunities presented on the day were the school’s World Challenge Program, where students fundraise and travel overseas to undertake a community project, and also on a local level, we were joined by Melanie Tate from Puddle Jumpers. Puddle Jumpers is a non profit, non-government organisation committed to responding to the social development needs of society’s most vulnerable children and young people. One of the opportunities presented was for young people to participate and act as mentors on one of the Puddle Jumpers camps or activity days. We hope students will think more about how they can give back on a small or large scale and take opportunities that arise in the future. Students interested in taking up opportunities with Puddle Jumpers are encouraged to get in contact with the organisation https://www.puddlejumpers.org.au/ and those interested in applying for the 2018/19 World Challenge Program should ensure they put their name forward as soon as possible if they missed signing up on the day.

Work ExperienceA reminder that the opportunity for Year 10 Work Experience is Week 8, Term 2 (18 - 22 June). Workplace Learning Agreement Forms are available to collect from the Student Wellbeing Centre.

We understand that arranging placements is not possible for everyone and while it is an outstanding opportunity that we believe makes a large impact on a young person, participating in workplace learning is not compulsory. For those unable to find a place or deciding not to take up the opportunity, regular classes do continue on site during Week 8 and attendance is required as usual. Workplace Learning Agreement forms need to be completed and lodged through the Student Wellbeing Centre by the end of Week 3 Term 2.

If you have any queries, please contact either myself Ben Dening, Year 10 Leader or Luke Northcote, VET/Careers Leader through the school on 8278 0900.

Ben Dening, Year 10 Leader

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On Thursday 1 March the Year 12 Tourism class, along with Miss Renee Daish and Ms Katrina Constantopolous, attended the Adelaide 500. This was in relation to their first practical activity for their Year 12 course. Students collected primary and secondary sources in regards to irresponsible tourism in ‘Mad March’. They took photos, collected data, and interviewed employees, all of which was included in their Practical Activity reports. Students represented Blackwood High School well as they spoke to patrons who also attended the event. A fantastic day had by all who attended.

Renee Daish, Year 12 Tourism teacher

Adelaide 500 Tourism excursion

Year 11 and 12 updateWhite Card for Work ExperienceAll students not undertaking a VET Course who would like to do any type of Work Experience placement in the construction industries is legally required to have completed White Card Training. This compulsory safety training is delivered by TAFE SA and no Work Experience placements will be agreed to without having been completed.

The school is offering White Card Training to students on Thursday of Week 1, Term 2 (3 May). The training costs $130 and students must be able to attend for the full day from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.

Interested students must see Mr. Northcote and return their permission forms before the end of this term.

Year 11 and 12 ReportStudents have been discussing with teachers the importance of careful planning, effective study habits (including homework) and keeping up with all work. A key to students remaining successful this year will be their willingness to communicate with teachers in a timely and open manner. This is particularly important when due dates for tasks are approaching and when extra assistance might be needed.

Parents/caregivers are able to check deadlines, student progress and attendance through Daymap. If you are unsure of how to proceed, please contact the school via your child’s Care Group teacher for further information.

Luke Northcote, Year 11 and 12 Leader

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Whole School Athletics CarnvialThis year’s Athletics Carnival was on Friday 2 March. The house spirit and rivalry was strong again with students dressing up in the ‘Commonwealth Games’ theme and proudly wearing their house colours. Student leadership was again a feature of the day with House Captains and Vice Captains taking on a range of roles both in preparing for and during the carnival.

Congratulations to the following student leaders for their leadership roles:RUSSELL MILLSCaptains: Dylan Scarborough, Taylah Charlton Captains: Jack Kirby, Ashleigh StainVice Captains: Jackson Hughes, Maddie McDonald Vice Captains: Darian Dragun, Kirralee West

ASHBY MADIGANCaptains: Kingsley Rosman, Rihanna Manfield Captains: Cooper Smith, Jess MeldrumVice Captains: Jules Marjanac, Lily Conlon Vice Captains: Ben Curry, Kimberley Dean

The day started with the 100m finals of all age groups. Throughout the day, there were a number of incredible team and individual performances. There were six records broken on the day including five individual events and one relay.

Congratulations to the following students who are now in the Blackwood High School History Books.U/14 4x100m Relay Ashby 1:01.30 Old Record 1:02.60 Russell (2015)U/15 200m Kelsey Murrin 30.44s Old Record 30.56s Hiromi Hill (2015)U/15 Long Jump James Hackett 5.78m Old Record 5.33m Tynan Carney (2015)U/15 High Jump James Hackett 1.70m Old Record 1.61m Brett Turner (2011)U/15 Triple Jump James Hackett 11.44m Old Record 10.76m Tynan Carney (2015) U/15 Javelin Ben Burbridge 28.20m Old Record – New Event (700gm) – No Old Record

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Congratulations to the following students on winning their respective age group trophies:U/14 Girls Charlie Scutchings AshbyU/14 Boys Xavier Poole RussellU/15 Girls Kiera Mueller MadiganU/15 Boys James Hackett MillsU/16 Girls Lucy Boehm AshbyU/16 Boys Jordon Cock RussellU/21 Girls Ocea Cheek RussellU/21 Boys Saxon Burnard Mills

The House Competition this year was extremely close. The participation by students was again very high with students taking advantage of earning a point for their team by simply having a go and earning extra points for a top eight finish. For the first time in history, the result was a draw with only 18 points separating the four teams.

1st Ashby and Russell 1,246 pts3rd Mills 1,239 pts.4th Madigan 1,228 pts.

Congratulations to all students and staff for making the day enjoyable and successful. Students are now preparing to compete in A2 Division in the annual interschool athletics carnival held at SA Athletics Stadium on Thursday 12 April.

Glen Little, Leader Health and Physical Education

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Sports updateTerm 1 has been a busy time as it always is at Blackwood High School for Sport. Our first season of Southern Zone Sport Competition (Afterschool) is finishing at the end of term with all of our teams doing very well. Our Year 8/9 Boys Basketball teams currently sit in 3rd and 4th positions on the premiership table while both our tennis and indoor soccer teams are going well with some great results throughout the season. Our Twilight Cup 8/9 Boys 9 a-side football teams have also performed well in the competition so far with Maroon team playing off in the grand final and our Green team playing off for third place in the final matches of the competition. Our second season of the Zone Sport Competition starts in Week 4 Term 2 and concludes Week 4 Term 3. There are numerous sports that are offered in this season including Boys and Girls Soccer, Boys and Girls Badminton, Boys and Girls Volleyball, Girls Netball, Boys Basketball, Girls Football and Mixed Table Tennis. Nominations have already been sent out however if you require a form please collect from the Student Wellbeing Centre. The final day to nominate is Wednesday Week 1 Term 2, however nominations before the end of term would be most appreciated.

The Knockout Competition for Term 1 has gone well. Our four cricket teams did very well with our Year 10 Boys and our Open Girls T20 Teams making the State Finals at Park 25 on Monday Week 9. Both teams came up against some great opposition and performed admirably. Our boys finished 3rd in the State and our girls finished 4th. A special effort by the girls considering we had no one older than Year 10 in the team and we are very hopeful the girls can go one step further next year. Members of our Year 10 Boys T20 team were, Henry Beenham, Bailey Black, Tyson Clark, Josh Faizal, Declan Henty-Smith, Oscar Hodge, Nathan Houston, Harry Lemmey, Emil Nachazel, Hartley Nobes, Alex Strauss, Charlie Whitfeld and Tyler Warren. Our Open Girls T20 team members were Kelsey Clare, Charlotte Cock, Willow Homersham, Taylah Jayne, Brie Medder, Johanna Moore, Kiera Mueller, Brianna Rosman, Charlie Scutchings, Alex Smith and Olivia Smith.

Even though the term may be coming to a close sport certainly does not as we are ramping up our trainings and preparations for the annual Interschool Athletics Carnival held at the SA Athletics Stadium on Thursday 12 April, Week 11. Blackwood is competing in the A2 Division against some of the best sporting schools in the state.

If there are any enquires regarding sport please contact Mr Steve Aulert, Sport Coordinator or Mr Luke Beenham, Sports Officer on 82780938 or come to the Physical Education Office located in the Recreation Centre.

Luke Beenham, Sports Officer and Steve Aulert, Sport Coordinator

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Special Interest Girls Football updateOver the past few weeks we have had some visitors to our class. Over two double lessons, Andrew Crosby from SANFL umpiring delivered a Basic Umpires Course to the Year 10 Football girls. This consisted of reinforcing the rules, practicing boundary throw ins, goal umpiring and using the whistle in a game situation with appropriate hand signals.

On Tuesday 27 March, AFLW player, Rachel Killian, visited the class. Rachel spoke to the girls about her journey in women’s football, her approach to games, her out of football life and the state of women’s football and sport. This was followed by a training session, after which Rachel showed the girls her inaugural AFLW Premiership medal from 2017.

Later in the week a group of girls from the Football class helped at an AFLW skills clinic at Belleview Heights Primary School. They helped teach the skills of handball and kicking to Years 3 to 7 girls.

Janet Bradley, Special Interest Girls Football Leader

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Special Interest Football ProgramAFL Umpiring CoursesDuring recent weeks the Year 8, 9 and 10 Football students have undertaken a range of umpiring courses. The students have been fortunate to have Andrew Crosby, SANFL Umpiring Recruiting Officer and SANFL league umpire conduct the courses. Each year level completed the following courses: Year 8 students Introductory Umpiring Course, Year 9 students AFL Basic Umpiring Course and Year 10 students AFL Refresher Course. The courses have allowed students to clarify their own understanding of the rules of the game as players, develop their umpiring skills and to develop their leadership skills.

Students will now continue to develop their umpiring skills during lessons and during a range of extracurricular activities. In particular, the Year 10 students will be umpiring the Southern Heights SAPSASA trials, the Year 8/9 Zone Twilight Cup Competition and the Southern Zone Year 8/9 9-a-side Carnival to be held on Thursday 3 May (Term 2, Week 1). Our students’ involvement in these umpiring roles is essential in allowing competitions such as these to be held.

Auskick CoachingAs part of the Specialist Football Program, the Year 8 class recently conducted Auskick coaching clinics at Blackwood Primary School. The clinics were run on a large scale with 120 junior primary students attending each clinic. With such a large number of students participating it was essential that our coaches were well planned and that they used activities that were suitable and relevant to the participants.

Congratulations to all students who coached during the clinics. Our students demonstrated and developed their coaching and leadership skills, promoted football to the local community, enabled junior primary students the opportunity to participate in fun physically active activities and helped improve students’ football skills.

Adelaide Oval TourOn Monday 26 March the Year 9 Specialist Football class visited Adelaide Oval. The tour consisted of a behind the scenes look at all aspects of the ovals operational procedures and facilities. The class enjoyed gaining an understanding of the enormity and complexities of managing a sporting stadium.

In particular, they enjoyed visiting the iconic scoreboard and viewing the simplicity of its operations. Another highlight was gaining a perspective of what happens on an AFL match day.

The tour also outlined the many different careers that are involved in the elite sporting environment ranging from media, hospitality, tourism, grounds staff, curator and some of the sport related fields (professional athletes and coaches, medical staff and support staff).

The tour concluded with a self-directed viewing of the Sir Donald Bradman Collection.

Glen Little, Health and Physical Education Leader

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A new season of the World Challenge program at Blackwood High School is set to begin with our Year 9 and 10 students eligible to apply for this once in a lifetime experience.

What is World Challenge you may ask?The World Challenge program has run at Blackwood High School for 10 years taking teams to developing countries such as Cambodia, Zambia and Borneo. Once there, students spend a month acclimatising to new cultures, engaging with local communities on a project and hiking in naturally beautiful environments. The expedition is student directed with each challenger taking on roles such as budgeting, booking accommodation and leader in order to make the day to day things happen. Through meetings and a training camp, students are prepared for expedition life, as well as involving themselves in fundraising events to support their project and offset their costs.

By the end of this term, both year levels will hear from ex challengers and view footage from last year’s successful expedition to Laos and Vietnam in assemblies and be asked to indicate their interest in the program. This presentation can also be viewed on our school website in the ‘Student opportunities’ section. Interested students will be asked to prepare a five minute interview for positions in the program which will be held in Week 4 of next term.

For interested parents/caregvier there will be a parent/caregiver meeting in Week 2 on Thursday 10 May from 6:30pm – 7:30pm.

If you are interested to gaining more information about this opportunity our staff will be on hand to answer questions and inform you of what can be expected from this experience.

Dan Smith, World Challenge Coordinator

World Challenge news

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On 22 March we farewelled a group of 16 Japanese students from Morioka Chuo High School after a very successful 12 day study tour program. Once again we extend a heartfelt thank you to the families who opened their homes and hearts to the group of visitors. Thank you also to the school buddies who made real connections with our Japanese guests. Without our quality homestay families and friendly students, we wouldn’t have an international program.

Here are some of the comments made by the students at the end of the tour:

The highlight was going to the beach. My host family was so kind and funny.I loved seeing the stars.Students at Blackwood High School are very friendly and active.My favourite food was a sausage roll.BBQ and chips are very delicious.My homestay was very good, because I have many reasons. My host father is kind. And they take me many places. I think go to shopping and beach is good things. Bad things is nothing. I saw a very beautiful night view. It was the more beautiful than I have seen view in Japan.Australian people were very kind to whoever. It is a very good point and we have to learn that. In Australia the food is bigger and have a good taste. The school schedule is very short and I like that, because I want enough time to do my hobbies. The highlight was my buddy’s birthday and bush craft. I could enjoy eating and talking with people on his birthday and it was my first time to make fire by myself.

And from the accompanying teacher, Ritsuko Sato: I am also deeply grateful to all of the host family’s kindness. One of the students told me that his host father was worried of his health and lent him a jacket. This is just to mention one, but I can imagine there would be many more mindfulness to the students from host family.

I am confident the students have all grown as individuals and made memories that will stay with them forever.

USHIKU STUDY TOUR 14-25 AugustThe next opportunity to host a short term visitor from Japan will be from 14 - 25 August, when we welcome a group of sixteen from Ushiku High School. It will be the school’s sixth visit to us. Ushiku is in a rural setting in Ibaraki Prefecture, about three hours by car from Tokyo. A homestay payment of $440 will be made to families to help defray costs. Please let me know if you are interested in hosting a student from this group or would like more information.

Karyn Jones, International Student Programs Leader

Morioka Study Tour

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Calendar DatesTerm 1 2018Tuesday 10 AprilParent/Teacher Interviews1:30pm - 7pm

Thursday 12 AprilInterschool AthleticsParent/Teacher Interviews 1:30pm - 7pm

Friday 13 AprilLast day of Term 1

Term 2 2018Monday 30 AprilFirst day of Term 2

Tuesday 1 MayPrincipal’s Tour 9am

Friday 4 MaySchool Photos

Monday 7 to Tuesday 8 MayYear 11 Aquatics

Friday 11 MayCatch up photos

Monday 14 to Wednesday 16 MayYear 11 Outdoor EducationCamp Deep Creek

Tuesday 15 to Thursday 17 MayNAPLAN

Tuesday 15 MayPrincipal’s Tour 9amGoverning Council Meeting 7pm

Wednesday 16 to Friday 18 MayYear 12 Aquatics Camp

Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 MayYear 10 Football Camp

Tuesday 29 MayPrincipal’s Tour 9am

Monday 4 to Friday 8 JuneYear 11 Exam Week

Monday 11 JuneQUEEN’S BIRTHDAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY

Tuesday 12 JuneSTUDENT FREE DAY

Monday 18 to Friday 22 JuneCanberra TripYear 10 Work Experience Week

Tuesday 19 JuneGoverning Council Meeting 7pm

Tuesday 26 JunePrincipal’s Tour 9am

Wednesday 27 JuneSACE Dance Matinee 11:30amSACE Dance Evening 7pm

School ContactsStudent Absences: student.absence@bhs.sa.edu.auStudent Services: 8278 0900 or see website for staff email contacts