R e s p e c t , R e s p o n s i b i l i t y , C a r e - O u r C o r e V a l u e s .

COMING EVENTS

4/4/18

Year 12 Exams start

NAPLAN trial

6/4/18

Year 7 Science

Excursion

13/4/18

Merit assembly

Last day Term 1

2/5/18

First day Term 2

P & C

MEETINGS

Our P & C Meetings

are held on the

3rd & 7thTuesday

of each Term

at 6.30 pm in the

Common Room,

Administration

Building.

We look forward to

seeing you.

Closing the Gap , Working Together for a

Brighter Future

We acknowledge the traditional owners of this land,

past, present and future, for they hold memories,

traditions and dreams of Aboriginal Australia .

STEM workshop - inspiring students

On Friday, 23rd of February, 50 students from Year 7 and Year 8

attended a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and

Mathematics) workshop at the University of Wollongong. The

UOW is committed to collaborating with High Schools to

increase awareness in students, particularly females, about STEM

& Entrepreneurial education programs.

Australian Businesses of the future will require people with STEM skills, and

those without this knowledge will likely struggle.

The festival aimed to inspire students to pursue a future in STEM and the

innovation ecosystem. Our OFHS students were exposed to a range of

hands-on workshops, activities in the STEM facilities on campus such as

Science Space and the Illawarra Flame House, plus entrepreneurial start-ups in

iAccelerate. It was designed to empower, educate and increase their

self-confidence, thus preparing this next generation with the tools to succeed.

The students performed very well over the day with a number

of challenges being solved. These included programming ro-

bots to complete everyday chores, with the idea of being able to

assist people who may have mobility challenges, constructing

hydraulic arms to perform tasks, and analysing forensic

evidence from a “crime scene”.

Overall, it was a fun filled learning day that introduced our students to futures

in STEM Careers.

R e s p e c t , R e s p o n s i b i l i t y , C a r e - O u r C o r e V a l u e s .

It has been a whirlwind twelve months at Oak Flats High School, full of amazing memories and some of

the most rewarding events and initiatives that I have had in my thirty years as an Educator. I cast my

attention to the development of the new School Plan and the work done with parents and the School

Community in developing the plan. Events such as “Suessical - the Musical”, the ‘Clean Up Oak Flats

High School’ day, the Community of Schools Professional Learning twilight session on Evaluative

Thinking, the Development of Strategic Direction Teams and a Professional Learning focus to all

meetings, evaluating and re-writing the Wellbeing Policy and the support structures available to Students

and Teachers through the Learning Support Team. Most recently, I would like to celebrate the success of

our Pathways to Employment and LEAP program in transitioning students to University, Apprenticeships,

Traineeships and meaningful employment.

I am proud of the staff at Oak Flats High School and strongly believe they are the best and most

hardworking, caring and passionate team that I have had the pleasure to lead. My aim over my last weeks

as Principal of Oak Flats High School is to ensure a seamless and smooth transition to Angela Byron’s

leadership.

I would like to thank the School Community, parents and carers, students, staff and the executive of the

school for the support that I have received over the last twelve months and I look forward of supporting

Oak Flats High School in my role as Director Educational Leadership in the future. I believe that OFHS is

transitioning to be an excelling school and the opportunities that students have here will lead to them

being valued contributors to our ever-changing society.

Stephen Heslop

Principal

PRINCIPAL’S FAREWELL MESSAGE

TAS

Oak Flats High School has been recognised with two awards from the University of Wollongong, Faculty of

Engineering and Information Sciences. After submitting Engineering reports written by Year 10 Engineering

students, Jemma Shepherd (two reports), Sachar Kelly-Wiseman (two reports), and Giwangallani Mendez,

OFHS was judged as the winner of the "Excite and Educate" and the "Historical Aircraft Restoration

Society" (HARS) overall school awards.

R e s p e c t , R e s p o n s i b i l i t y , C a r e - O u r C o r e V a l u e s . 2

CAREERS’ NEWS

Work Experience During the past couple of weeks, a large number of our students have been participating in a variety of ‘Work

Experience’ placements. Through all forms of Work Experience, students gain valuable skills in searching for

their Career aspirations. A number of students have secured full time employment through the work

experience program.

Connor Pringle Jake Ralph Masen Booth

Careers EXPO

Soon I will be issuing all students in Year 10 and Year 12 with a permission note for an excursion to the

Illawarra Schools’ Careers Expo, on Tuesday8th May. This event is a vital Career planning exercise for

students and a chance to engage with over 100 exhibitors including tertiary education providers (Universities,

TAFE, private colleges), employers and apprenticeship recruiters – all students are encouraged to attend.

ADFR Breakfast Forum

On Wednesday 7th March, two of our senior female students attended the Australian

Defence Forces’ Breakfast forum, “Leave No Woman Behind”, as part of International

Women’s Day. The forum included a High Tea held at the Novotel Wollongong

North Beach with three guest speakers. “Leave No Woman Behind” aimed to inspire

young female students in the Wollongong area to become leaders in their chosen career

and/or community. The guest speakers each had 15 minutes to address the group and

share their insights and leadership experience, which was followed by a panel discussion

with questions from the attendees. This event provided an opportunity for aspiring young

women to hear and interact with some inspirational female leaders in the community.

Photo: Shari Hinz, Nikita Penisione

Weird Jobs That Pay Well – Submarine Cook

In Australia, a Senior submarine cook with a number of years of

experience can earn over $100,000 per year.

The base pay is about $65,000 but there can be an additional

$40,000 in allowances.

R e s p e c t , R e s p o n s i b i l i t y , C a r e - O u r C o r e V a l u e s . 4

JAMBEROO CENTRE

The Jamberoo Centre is extremely proud to have ALL of our Year 9 students begin their Community

Engagement Program this Term. This has been a great opportunity to have the students represent our school

and achieve numerous life skills for their futures. Jan Coulson (Student Learning Support Officer) and I

have been assisting some students at the “Hope Centre – Food Barn” at Warrawong. This has been a great

achievement for the Jamberoo Centre, providing our students with real life experiences and connecting

them to our local Illawarra Community.

Well Done, Year 9 JC Students!

Mrs Heyman

Special Education Teacher

Jamberoo Centre

JAMBEROO TRANSITION TO WORK PROGRAM AND

UNIVERSITY PREPARATION SUCCESS

As the Jamberoo Transition to Work Coordinator, I am delighted to announce the success of Jamberoo’s

Transition to Work Program. This Program, in collaboration with the Flagstaff Group, has and will continue to

unlock the potential of our Year 12 Jamberoo Students to reach their educational and post-school goals.

Over a five week period, all students from JC2 will be attending the Flagstaff Staff Group Taster Days. This

Program has and will continue to provide our students with Life Skills that create independence, confidence

and opportunities to work and live the life they choose. While attending Flagstaff our students will have access

to Life Choices Programs, which will provide unique training and support across Employment & Skills

Development, Social Inclusion, and Independence Building Pathways.

Furthermore, the Jamberoo Team would like to congratulate both Jack Pabis and Thomas Staples for being

accepted into the University Preparation Program. I would like to thank all the staff (especially Sandy

Templeton, School Learning Support Officer) who have supported the boys in getting one step closer to their

goal of attending University in the near future.

Mr.Farmer

R e s p e c t , R e s p o n s i b i l i t y , C a r e - O u r C o r e V a l u e s .

CAPA

On Thursday 15th March, Year 11 Visual Arts students were given the opportunity to attend an event called

“In Conversation with Ai Weiwei” at the Sydney Opera House. Ai Weiwei is China's most prominent living

artist. He is an activist, filmmaker, sculptor and so much more. He has charted topics including human rights

violations, personal risk and political freedom. His current works comment on the refugee crisis around the

world, including "Law of the Journey", which students will see at the 21st Sydney Biennale Excursion in

May. Students were also given a sneak peak of the Biennale at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

This excursion supports the course work they are currently undertaking in Visual Arts for the Art History

component of the course.

Levi Efaraimo said of the talk, "The gravity of being 100m from a man who is making such an impact on

the world we live in was unreal."

Thank you to the parents and carers who supported the students in attending this amazing opportunity.

Ms Barty

SPORT

Southern Illawarra Boys’ Open Basketball Tournament

Ten Oak Flats High School students participated in the tournament at the Illawarra Sports High School on

Wednesday 7th March. Our Basketball team is very strong and we had two wins and two losses for the day,

narrowly going down to Warilla High School and Illawarra Sports High School. Unfortunately, this does not

allow us to progress through to the next level of competition. All the boys did Oak Flats High School proud

by competing well and exhibiting a high level of sportsmanship.

Oak Flats High School was represented by: Mitch Brown (Yr 12), Jaiden Butfield (Yr 12), Mitch Riley (Yr

12), Boshko Gojkovic (Yr 12), Jackson Gilbert (Yr 12), Ryan Shimwell (Yr 12), Jake Thomas (Yr11),

Joel Scott (Yr 11), Levi Efaraimo (Yr 11) and Dave Gooden (Yr 11).

Tim Lawson

Manager

R e s p e c t , R e s p o n s i b i l i t y , C a r e - O u r C o r e V a l u e s .

The school has a new plan in place which includes a focus on building our students’ “Grit, Growth and Determination”. It is a long

term goal aimed at building our students’ resilience and will include a range of strategies implemented over the next few years. One

strategy already implemented includes changes to roll call. Roll call is now known as “Check and Connect” and the focus is on

building positive relationships between students and staff. Extended “Check and Connect” sessions will be scheduled throughout the

year where students will engage in a series of workshops on Grit, Resilience, Growth Mindset and Goal Setting.

Our first focus has been on Grit. Grit is having passion and perseverance for something over the long term. One way to think about

grit is to consider what grit isn’t. Grit isn’t talent. Grit isn’t luck. Grit isn’t how intensely, for the moment, you want something. In-

stead, grit is about having a goal you care about so much that it organises and gives meaning to almost everything you do. And grit

is holding steadfast to that goal over time. Even when you fall down. Even when you screw up. Even when progress toward that goal

is halting or slow.

Talent and luck matter to success. But talent and luck are no guarantee of grit. And in the very long run, grit may matter at east as

much, if not more, in what you achieve. So students have been involved in testing their grit by using the Grit Scale by Angela Duck-

worth, available for anyone to try at https://angeladuckworth.com/grit-scale/. Our aim is to build OFHS students’ awareness of their

own grit and hopefully increase their determination and grit in the long term.

Our next step has been to improve our students’ goal setting practices by introducing the WOOP strategy. WOOP stands for Wish,

Outcome, Obstacle, and Plan. It's a practical, accessible, evidence-based activity that helps students find and fulfil their wishes. In

character development terms, WOOP builds self-control. In “Check and Connect” students have been encouraged to set WOOP

goals for their schooling and personal lives. We encourage our school community to communicate with students about these goals to

further improve their effectiveness.

If you have any questions about our “Check and Connect’” sessions or “Grit, Growth and Determination” goals please contact the

school and ask for Miss Thomson. If you have a question about your students’ WOOP goals or progress, it’s best to contact their

“Check and Connect” teacher at school and speak with them directly.

CHECK AND CONNECT

R e s p e c t , R e s p o n s i b i l i t y , C a r e - O u r C o r e V a l u e s .

CYBER SAFETY WORKSHOP

Calendar Reminder

At the start of Term 2 there will be two staff development days. School will commence for students on

Wednesday, the 2nd May, 2018.

At the start of Term 3 there will be no staff development day so students will commence school on Mon-

day, the 23rd July , 2018. If you require your child who attends High School to look after younger siblings

on the pupil free day please find alternative arrangements so that your child can commence their learning

Oak Flats High School will be holding a Cyber Safety Workshop on Monday, the 9th of April for our

Jamberoo students and their parents. The day will be organised into:

Workshops focusing on social media, texting, gaming and accessing internet sites.

Sessions where experts in this field speak to the students and parents.

A parent information afternoon to give parents knowledge in how to best support and monitor their

child’s cyber safety.

A barbecue and informal gathering to continue conversations and offer further support.

Mrs. Opie

R e s p e c t , R e s p o n s i b i l i t y , C a r e - O u r C o r e V a l u e s .

Here are links to organisations within our Community which would like to advertise services and current

events:

Kiama Library has TWO events:

1. Reveal your talents at our Open Mic Night to celebrate Youth Week 2018! Acoustic performances,

drama, comedy, singing – you have 10 minutes in the spotlight.

From 5.30 - 7.30pm Thursday 19 April at Kiama Library.

http://www.library.kiama.nsw.gov.au/index.php/hsc-help-2018

2. HSC help for Year 12 students

http://www.library.kiama.nsw.gov.au/index.php/hsc-help-2018

Lifeline safeTALK is a three hour presentation aimed at increasing suicide alertness

http://www.lifelinesouthcoast.org.au/page/safetalk

Football South Coast – School holiday clinics for football (soccer)

http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-4704-0-0-0&sID=317596 AND

http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-4704-0-0-0&sID=317602

Albion Park Crows – Junior AFL club needs players

http://www.albionparkcrows.com.au/

KISS Arts Fest 2018 - a celebration of the spectacular, the silly and the sublime. Returning to Kiama from

Friday 27 April - Sunday 29 April.

https://www.kissartsfest.com.au/

Essential Employment and Training is a not for profit organisation, dedicated to the support of people with

a disability.

http://eetgroup.com.au/

Surfing camp—Thirroul

http://www.sportscampsaustralia.com.au/surfing/sca/SCA-Barton-Lynch-Philosophy-Camp-at-Thirroul-

Beach/

FROM OUR COMMUNITY...

CONTACT OUR SCHOOL...

Phone: (02) 4256 1888

Email: oakflats-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Address: The Esplanade, Oak Flats, NSW 2529