Principal’s Report

As we near the end of Term 1, I would like to take this opportunity to thank both the teaching and non-teaching staff for their commitment throughout the term. I recognise that every role has its increasing demands and genuinely appreciate the work that is taking place to ensure Donnybrook District High School is student focussed and striving to meet the expectations that are placed upon the school.

The Primary and Secondary students are benefitting from the high level of collaboration that is taking place from Kindergarten to Year 10. Primary teachers have formed effective clusters that are supporting each Phase of Schooling (K/P, 1/2, 3/4 and 5/6), and Secondary teachers have built on their cluster by creating links with colleagues from Senior High Schools. This is particularly pleasing as these collaborative teams are crucial if Donnybrook District High School is going to address the priority areas within the school’s Business Plan.

Our three priority areas are:

1. Excellence in Teaching and Learning;

2. School Community Partnerships; and

3. Learning Environment.

Importantly the majority of our students are continuing to strive to improve in all learning areas. A large number of students have certainly impressed their teachers with significant progress made since the end of last year. This can be attributed to their overall approach to their schooling, which includes in class work, homework and study. I sincerely urge them to continue this throughout the remainder of the year.

A special thank you to the parents and wider community for the support they have given the students and staff during Term 1. This support is appreciated, highly valued and pivotal to the achievement of our goals. I know the staff and students look forward to this continuing throughout the remainder of 2016.

Parents and carers are reminded that I will be on Long Service Leave for the duration of Term 2. In my absence, Jeff Brown will take on the role of Principal, Garry Davis will fill the Associate Principal role at the Junior Campus and Neil Robertson will be appointed as Deputy Principal, Senior Campus. The school will welcome Ms Tiffany Leeder to the staff as she fills the Humanities and Social Science position that Neil is vacating on a temporary basis.

The school also welcomes Mrs Susan Pember. Susan has been appointed as an Education Assistant and will support students and staff at the Junior Campus throughout Terms 2-4. There are a few other minor staff changes that parents and carers need to be aware of and these are mentioned in the Junior and Senior Campus articles.

I hope everyone has a relaxing school holiday. Stay safe and I look forward to seeing you all in Term 3 when I return from Long Service Leave. School commences for students on Wednesday 27 April. Monday of Week 1 is ANZAC Day and Tuesday of Week 1 is a scheduled School Development Day for staff.

Attendance

Attendance directly impacts on academic achievement and when a student falls below 90% attendance they are considered to be at risk of not achieving their individual potential. To fall below 90%, a student only needs to miss approximately 5 days of school in a term. I ask that parents and carers please take this into consideration and look to minimise the time their child/ren are absent from school.

DONNYBROOK DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL 10 Bentley Street, DONNYBROOK, WA 6239

PHONE: (08) 9731 1060 FAX: (08) 9731 1919

WEBSITE: www.donnybrook.wa.edu.au

Volume 135 NEWSLETTER - Issue 3 31 March 2016

Newsletter - Term 1 Issue 3 2016 Page 2

Principal’s Report (continued)

At this point in the school year, three quarters of our students are attending school regularly (90% and above), which is pleasing as this will most certainly have a positive impact on their academic progress.

Parents and carers are also reminded that they are required to provide an explanation as to why their

child/ren are absent from school and there needs to be a reasonable explanation for the absence to be authorised.

ANZAC Service

The school will be holding an ANZAC service on Wednesday 27 April for all Primary and Secondary students. This will be held at the Apex Park War Memorial commencing at 9.30am. Parents, carers and community members are most welcome to attend.

Voluntary Contributions

Donnybrook District High School relies on parents and carers to contribute towards their child’s schooling through payment of Voluntary Contributions. As part of our financial planning each year we budget to receive voluntary contributions. With these funds, we are able to deliver the programs and supply the resources that ensure the students of our community are provided with an array of opportunities during their schooling at Donnybrook District High School.

I ask that you please make payment this term to support the students and the school. I can assure you your contributions will be used to address our three priority areas as outlined in the school’s Business Plan.

My sincere thanks to the parents and carers who have settled their accounts this year, your contribution is most appreciated. Jamie Milne

Deputy Principal’s Report - Senior Campus- Week 9

Agrifood Operations Certificate 1 – Update

We have already seen a remarkable improvement in the landscape at the Senior Campus. The old southern basketball court is being converted into a large kitchen garden. Life has been breathed back into the school quadrangle. Six new timber planters and eleven new colourbond planters have recently arrived and Ms Seton and the students have been busily converting some of the planters into wicking beds and filling them with fruit trees and various other plantings just in time for Autumn. Aside from the green visuals, Ms Seton is guiding the new students on their academic pathway into Agrifood Operations. Rachel is a dynamic and highly motivated teacher who has established a strong rapport with the students. She has also organised the excursion to the Wagin Woolarama which was a huge eye-opener for the students that attended. The Wollarama showcased a variety of career opportunities and exposed the science involved in all aspects of farming to the students. Ms Seton’s experience in the wheat farming industry was also on display and she must be congratulated on setting such a high standard.

Interim Reports

Progress Reports were sent out last Thursday 24 March to give parents and carers a guide on their child/rens academic progress during Term 1. The report gives an overview of key attributes that drive success. Where there is an area of concern, the teacher has indicated that an interview is requested by ‘ticking’ the box. Please note that Mrs Helen Gamble has requested a parent/carer interview for each of her Mathematic students to personally meet everyone.

Welcome back to Mrs Chantelle Wood

In Term 2 we welcome Mrs Chantelle Wood back to Donnybrook District High School to teach Mrs Anthea Horton’s English and Sewing classes in Week 1 and every Friday for the rest of the term.

Newsletter - Term 1 Issue 3 2016 Page 3

THE ARTS - ARTISTS OF THE MONTH

The Year 7 and 8 students are preparing and designing their POP art inspired paintings at present. The students will use their shoe drawings from Project 1.

Students were asked to submit three viewpoints of their shoes showing texture changes and value.

Both Zac and Chloe produced an outstanding effort with not only their drawings but also their presentation. Both students received little assistance too! Well done.

All Year 7 and 8 students need to bring a canvas to Art as soon as possible. Thank you.

Deputy Principal’s Report - Senior Campus (continued) - Week 9

Year 10 Parent and Carers Interviews

During Term 1 I have had interviews with many parents and carers of Year 10 students. The key theme for the majority of the earlier interviews was to talk to the parents and carers of students who need guidance to get on the right track with their Secondary education. I would like to express my sincere thanks to all who have taken the time to meet with me. Any identified issues relating to student work rate or application were discussed and advice provided in areas where a student needs to improve. The majority of those students have already made solid improvements. At the interviews a high number of students who are unsure of their future careers were identified. In some cases, work experience was suggested and several students have now commenced workplace learning. Where possible, I have asked parents and carers to closely monitor their child/ren for any areas of interest that may form a future career or school pathway. I will make contact with the rest of Year 10 parents and carers over the next week to arrange an interview.

Year 7 Parent and Carer Interviews

The Principal has already spoken with most of the Year 7 parents and carers this term and would personally like to meet the remainder before he takes long service leave. Please contact 9731 1060 or visit the Senior Campus Front Office to arrange an interview.

Junior Campus Term 2

I’m looking forward to acting in Mr Jeff Brown’s Associate Principal, Junior Campus position in Term 2. I did a stint at the Junior Campus back in Term 1 in 2014 and really enjoyed working closely with the staff and students. It will be great to catch up with the students, staff and the parents and carers during Term 2.

I take this opportunity to wish you all a fantastic school holidays and to those of you who are travelling, stay safe. Garry Davis

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

Artwork by Chloe Wallace

Artwork by Zac Trigwell

Newsletter - Term 1 Issue 3 2016 Page 4

Associate Principal - Junior Campus

As we rush towards the end of Term One, I would like to thank all parents and carers for their support during this busy term. By adjusting some of our implemented changes, there has been improved opportunities for all students.

Year 5s and 6s going to the Senior Campus to use the specialist facilities and Secondary Teachers coming to the Junior Campus to support Sport and Art. It has also been great seeing the Secondary Horticulture students working in the Kitchen Gardens at the Junior Campus.

All teachers have settled in well and classrooms are looking like places of engaging and constructive learning. We anticipate further developments in ICT delivery and purchase of additional new ICT hardware (laptops and iPads). The Loose Parts Project has faltered a little and we have plans in place for storage solutions to help Loose Parts become a predominant activity at Recess and Lunch.

There will be a few staff changes in Term Two; I will be based at the Senior Campus taking the place of Mr Milne who will be on long service leave. Mr Davis will take over the helm at the Junior Campus and Mr Robertson will replace Mr Davis. In addition Mrs King will be replacing Mrs Cann who will be on leave for the first 8 weeks of Term Two. Michelle Harris will be working in place of Mr Horton who will be on leave during Week 1 and Mrs Bowden will be replacing Ms Pearce for the first two weeks.

Jeff Brown

ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL

AGRIFOODS CLASS DISPLAY - BALINGUP SMALL FARM FIELD DAY

Saturday 23 April - Gates open to the public 9.00am close 4.30pm

Balingup Sports Oval

The new Certificate1 Agrifoods class is holding a display at the Balingup Small Farm Field Day. We cordially invite parents, carers and friends to visit the stall. You will meet Ms Rachel Seton who is the new teacher guiding this innovative course. She has had a wonderful start to the year guiding the Year 9s and 10s in the Agrifood’s class. On display will be a sample of the exciting Agrifood’s projects undertaken to date.

We invite you to come and discuss, view the Agrifoods Certificate 1 with Rachel and the students who are really enjoying the challenges, the science, the techniques and job prospects this valuable project develops.

· Adults $15:00 - Children under 16 FREE when accompanied by a parent. No concessions.

· Free parking available in the paddocks either side of SW Highway adjacent to the main entrance.

· NO DOGS or SMOKING at the event grounds.

Newsletter - Term 1 Issue 3 2016 Page 5

Junior Campus Faction Athletics Carnival 2016

Champion

Girl

R/up Champion

Girl Champion Boy

R/up Champion

Boy

Yr 1 Eliza Powell Lily Martindale Alby Smith Ruben Clarke

Aiden Behan

Yr 2 Zoe Galliot Tahlia Khan

Erin Gray Jack Worsfold Oliver Thomas

Yr 3 Adelaide Young Imogen Smith Deagan McNally Simon Hussaini

Yr 4 Sally Kettle Kirra Jackson Beau McBeath Samuel O’Hara

Yr 5 Millie Anderson Emily Ryan Beau Wallace Bryn Bursill

Yr 6 Keira Dronow Chloe Rogers Brock Terace Adam Bowers

New Records 2016

Event Name Faction Time / Distance

Yr 6 Girls Shotput Shontay Armstrong Gold 9.11m

Yr 6 Girls Vortex Throw Shontay Armstrong Gold 33.27m

Faction Athletics Shield

After the throwing, jumping and 800m events on Tuesday, the progressive point scores were:

Blue 185 Gold 168

Green 145 Red 185

The final points results for the Faction Athletics Shield after two days of competition were:

Blue 596 Red 516

Green 531 Gold 480

Thank you to the parents who helped over both days, the Donnybrook/Balingup Shire

and the Donnybrook Football Club.

Newsletter — Term 2 Issue 1 2016 Page 6

TERM PLANNER - TERM 1 2016

Start and End of Term Public Holidays School Holidays (students) School Development Days

9 28 Mar

Easter Monday

29

Easter Tuesday

30

Primary Assembly

9.00am 6TF

JC 2.35 Early Close

SC 2.45 Early Close

31

School Board 4.30pm

NEWSLETTER

1 April

Senior Campus Faction

Athletics Field and Track

Events

10 4 April 5

Primary Interschool

Athletics Carnival

6

JC 2.35 Early Close

SC 2.45 Early Close

7 8

Students last day

H 11 April

12 13 14 15

H 18 April 19 20 21 22

Wk

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

1 25 April

Anzac Day

26 Teachers resume

School Development

Day

27

Students Start

Anzac Service 9.30am

28

29

2 2 May

3 4

JC 2.35 Early Close

5 6

Inter school Athletics

Hay Park Yrs 7-10

3 9 May 10

NAPLAN Yr 3, 5, 7 & 9

11

NEWSLETTER JC 2.35 Early Close

12 13

4 16 May 17

Secondary Assembly

9:00am

18

JC 2.35 Early Close

19 20

5 23 May 24 25

JC 2.35 Early Close

26 27

TERM PLANNER - TERM 2 - 2016