T: (08) 8987 0844 E: nhulunbuy.high@ntschools.net PO Box 1096

W: http://web.ntschools.net/w/nhs/Pages/Home.aspx Nhulunbuy NT 0881

Newsletter 18 June 2013 Issue 7

FROM THE

PRINCIPAL’S DESK

As the semester draws to an end it is important for all of us to stop and reflect on our progress, whether we are a student or adult (staff member or parent). As a school we are looking at the evidence of our students’ attendance, their achieve-

ments in learning, quality of work and student well-being. We are looking at our programs and questioning what’s worked or not and why? How can we do it better? You will soon receive a report on your child’s achievement across all learning for semester one. Please consider the grades and comments from your child’s teachers, based on the evidence of learning, and make contact with us, if there are any aspects you wish to clarify, question or comment on. It would be good to hear your thoughts. For students it is especially important to reflect on the habits of mind that make learning possible. Are they coming to classes well organized? Are they ready to have a go at learning (problem solving, creativity and critical thinking takes effort as well as inspiration!). When students return after the school holidays we are hoping to see many are well rested and ready to learn. Last week we had a ripper of a Cross Country event with five student records broken! Congratulations to all participants and many thanks to Denise Marrable for organizing us all. This week we will be waving off our students, staff and parents on the Over The Top Tour to Europe which promises to be a wonderful experience. We wish them safe travel and look forward to lots of great pictures and stories of their adventures on their return! We are also saying farewell to a number of staff this week. Best wishes to Michael Stimpson who has

successfully completed his teaching prac this term and Sam Lines who will be returning to university next semester. We wish good luck to them both. Peter Cusbert will retire after a substantial teaching career in the Territory, much of which included teaching Indigenous students in a range of remote schools in the NT, as well as his most recent years at Nhulunbuy High School. We thank Peter for his work and commitment to Territory kids and wish him the very best in his next stage of life. We are also very sadly saying goodbye to Marianne Constantine, our SAMS Operator who has been in Nhulunbuy for many years (over 26), and who has been with DECS since 2004, much of which has been at our school. Marianne is legendary in terms of her knowledge of students and their families as well as staff (past and present). She has always worked extraordinarily hard to ensure that infor-mation about enrolments, attendance, timetabling and reporting on student achievement, was as accurate as possible. She will be a huge loss to our school community. We wish both Marianne and her husband, Ian, the very best in their future, as they commence their great grey nomad adventure around Australia. A number of other teachers are lucky enough to be taking some much deserved long service or study leave, including: Leeshay Marsh, Lawrence Walker and Linda Barrett. Enjoy! Have a great semester break everyone. Your sincerely

Sabina Smith

The Cross Country Race was held on Wednesday 12 June. The overall house results were: 1

st Roper (230 pts)

2nd

Giddies (212 pts) 3

rd Latram (150 pts)

There were some very close races and a total of five previous records broken. Jordin Ritchie, Jean-Paul Gilmore, Caleb Epiha, Savanne Canobie and one of the highlights of the day was Alex Parfitt smashing the previous overall school record of 15.11mins with a time of 14.44mins! Age Champions and Runners up:

Cross Country Race

Girls House Boys House

Open Champion Meagan Morris 20.18m

Giddies

Alex Parfitt 14.44m

Roper

Runner Up Emily Hughes

Roper Joshua King Latram

Under 16 Champion Savanne Canobie 18.37m

Roper Keven Mitchell 17.45m

Roper

Runner Up Jacintha Misob Roper Nathan Thomson-Finn

Roper

Under 15 Champion Molly Osborne 25.39

Roper Caleb Epiha 15.35

Giddies

Runner Up Maggie Nash

Latram Finn Russell Latram

Under 14 Champion Zali Fuhrmann 22.14

Roper Wally Willis 16.46

Giddies

Runner Up Gabrielle Davidov

Giddies Matthew Wolfaardt Giddies

Under 13 Champion Jordin Ritchie 19.11

Giddies Jean-Paul Gilmore 17.32

Giddies

Runner Up Shanae Piddick

Roper Leigh Trost Latram

Above—Sabina Smith (Principal) with open record holder Alex Parfitt Left—Presentation of medals

School Uniform

Left Top– Under 14 start Left Bottom—Winners and runners up for each age group.

The adoption of the changes to the Nhulunbuy High School uniform has been implemented and it is pleasing to see with the majority of students wearing the uniform. We are now fully stocked with shorts and shirts. By the beginning of Semester 2, it is expected that all students will be in school uniform. As a reminder, board shorts and tights are no longer permitted as they are not a part of the school uniform.

Please note that students should have a PE uniform and they are encouraged to shower and change after physical activity. As part of the uniform advice provided in the Student Diary, parents/guardians and students are reminded of the following: deodorants should be pump action or roll-on; no pressurised cans for safety reasons and out of consideration for others. Spray deodorants will be confiscated.

Term 3 Student

Planning

We ask parents/guardians to

advise the school as soon as

possible if your child will not be

returning to Nhulunbuy High

School for Term 3. Please call

the Front Office on 89870844 or

email

nhulunbuy.high@ntschools.net .

Woolworths Earn and Learn Stickers

The Earn and Learn program has now finished, but it is not too late to return any outstanding stickers. Stickers can still be placed in the box at Woolworths (no need to be placed on the sheet), or alternative-ly have your child place them in the box in the school front office.

Thank you one and all for your participation and we look forward to receiving some valuable resources for our school as a result!

Our Precious Water Photographic Competition

Earlier this month Jasmine Body won the Senior Category of the Our Precious Water

Photographic Competition.

The competition was to help raise awareness of the importance of valuing our water, the need to protect our water source and be water wise. The competition attracted a wonderful variety of stunning photos.

The winning photos were featured in an exhibition at the Tropical Garden Spectacular held at the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens and proudly supported by Power and Water.

Congratulations to the winners!

Right—Jasmine’s winning

photograph.

Students resume school for Term 3 on

Tuesday 23 July 2013 at 8.10am.

Please meet in the Gym for an assembly.

Cert I and II Information, Digital Media and Technology

Certificate I and II Information, Digital Media and Technology students in Yrs 10 and 11, accompanied by teacher Linda Barrett, visited the Pacific Aluminium Mine on Friday 7 June. Everyone enjoyed the visit and was able to take away a better understanding of how the mine is run and managed. Many thanks goes to Michelle Heard and Dudley Miller for organising the field trip along with the excellent presenters, Jimmy Winaulin (Engineer) and Jona-than Piper-Green (Surveyor) as well as the tour bus driver. After arriving at the mine site we were escorted to the training room and given two presentations that explained mine safety and operations and gave an in depth look at programs and systems that are an essential part of mine planning and survey work, including an advanced knowledge of Excel and Word and knowledge of scripting and macros. Programs used at the mine include the following: SURPAC – CAD based program (Survey/Geological Program) ARCGIS – Geographic information system XPAC – Block Modelling program for long term mine planning

The mine provided the appropriate PPE, with students ensuring that they wore long pants, long sleeved shirts and closed in shoes. On the bus tour of the mine we saw lots of ‘dirt’ being shifted in very large trucks. After being placed in the trucks, the dirt was transported to the stockpile and hoppers. Rehabilitation sites and ongoing operations were observed.

Lillian Nash, Hannah Reardon, Brody Miller, Jake O’Neil, Craig Mangwende, Sam Matthews, Joshua Davidov, Ryan Randle, Joshua King, Callum Barnes, Tyrell Forbes, Keven Mitchell, Luan Jongedyk, Matthew Groom, Dane Thom-son and Jason Spivey.

INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS—Bush Blitz

Cassie Duykers from Nhulunbuy High School was one of five teachers from around Australia chosen to participate in an innovative science-based nature discovery program called Bush Blitz TeachLive. Miss Cassie worked alongside some of Australia’s top scientists carrying out a nature-discovery Bush Blitz on a remote station called Henbury, located two hours south of Alice Springs at the foot of the picturesque McDonnell Ranges. “I was very excited and a little apprehensive at what lay ahead,” Cassie said. “Over the next ten days, I was getting some hands-on experience helping some of Australia’s top scientists carry out their field work. “From laying pitfall traps, collecting plant specimens, and documenting a whole range of animals including spiders, dragonflies, frogs, insects, reptiles and mammals. I even discovered a new species or two. “A really special part of the Bush Blitz TeachLive program is that I could share it all with students. I could ‘teach live’ back to the classroom via Skype, video blogs and lessons plans. “It allowed me to link the theory I teach the students in the classroom with the practical on-ground work that scientists do in the field. “Hopefully via the Bush Blitz TeachLive program we will inspire the next generation of Australian scientists. “This was such an exciting opportunity for me. Staying on a remote reserve working with scientists on some really amazing discoveries. It was hot and dusty, and the conditions were pretty basic. While it was hard work, it was also so much fun,” Cassie said. Bush Blitz TeachLive is coordinated by Earthwatch Australia and the Australi-an Science Teachers Association. To follow the teachers at the Henbury Bush Blitz go to www.bushblitz.teachlive.org.au

Outdoor Education—Bukadal Homeland

The Stage 2 Outdoor Education class has

recently had the very enjoyable experience of

spending three days at Bukudal Homeland.

Students experienced many cultural activities

including singing, dancing and hunting.

Bukudal is a stunning and pristine place and

the local family was extremely hospitable and

accommodating of the group. Students gained

invaluable insight into Indigenous beliefs and

culture.

We would like to thank the people of Bukudal

and Lirrwi Tourism for organizing, transporting

and accommodating our group.

Walk Safely to School Day

During Week 7 Nhulunbuy High School participated in the Walk Safely to School Day. You may have noticed a lot of students and staff doing it every day! Students during this week were rewarded for walking or riding to school safely with a ticket into a prize draw. Apart from the obvious health benefits of walking or riding to school, the week provided social time to chat with friends and my discovery of several potential urban developers. Some of the students had great ideas to improve usage of the crossing with suggestions of; two crossings, maybe a bridge or a tunnel?? Thanks to all who participated and the police for their positive reinforcement. We could only reward a few for their diligent participation, and the winners are: $20 iTunes vouchers Y9-Tom Lewis 8A- Gabby Davidov The double pass milk shakes 7A- Bree Smith 7A -Kaneesha Wagg 7B- Wally Willis 10- Callum Barnes

Nhulunbuy High School advises that unauthorized persons are not

permitted on school grounds during the following vacation break:

22 JUNE 2013 to 21 JULY 2013

TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED

Direct access to Nhulunbuy Community Library only.

Department of Education and Children’s Services

Dear Parent/Guardian Under the Northern Territory Education Act, it is compulsory for all Territory students to complete Year 10 and then participate in education, training and/or employment until they turn 17. As of 1 January 2010, a young person under the age of 17 years must: 1. complete Year 10 of secondary education, and 2. then participate, full-time in one of the following eligible options:

approved education or training or if the young person is of or above the age of 15 years

- paid employment ** or - a combination of approved education, training and paid employment.

Penalties under the Education Act apply for failure to comply with these requirements and parents, guardians, employers, trainers and young people must therefore ensure that they are aware of and comply with these requirements. All young people must remain at school until they complete Year 10. Then, until they turn 17, they must continue to participate full-time (**25 hours per week) in further e ducation, approved training courses or employment, or a combination of these. If your child completes Year 10, is 15 years of age, and decides to exit school into an eligible option, the eligible option must be arranged before your child can leave full time education, and the school must be notified by you of the details of that option. For more information please refer to http://www.det.nt.gov.au/parents-community/beyond-school/learn-or-earn-for-15-17-years or call Manager Learn or Earn, Engagement Programs on 08 8944 9274.

Our local Navy Cadets struggling to stay afloat

The region’s Navy cadet program—a pathway for young adults to gain knowledge and skills into the defense

force—will be cut if more volunteers and cadets cannot be found to take part. A meeting was held in Gove last

Saturday, where it was revealed the organization needs at least double the number of cadets already enrolled

for the program to remain viable in the region. There are currently 10 cadets enrolled. To join the Navy Cadets

you must be 12.5—20 years old.

To get involved in the program, as either an adult volunteer leader or a cadet, contact TS Mevielle Bay Com-

manding Officer Grahame Deppeler on 0439 033 688.

Navy Cadets meet every Tuesday 6– 9pm.

Thanks to all who pur-chased scones we raised $316 for cancer research, prevention and support services. BIG thanks to Marlene Organ and her VET team for their cooking and the SRC for their assistance.

Up to Date Personal Details

If your personal details have changed recently could you

please ensure you notify the Front Office? Communica-

tion is important to us and it can be very difficult to contact

parents/guardians if we don't have the correct details.

Please ensure we have your correct postal address,

phone contact, emergency contact and email address.

You can call the Front Office on 8987 0844 or email

nhulunbuy.high@ntschools.net .

Biggest Morning Tea

Cyber Bullying

With the widespread use of social media in Australian society, and particularly amongst adolescents, incidents of

cyber bullying arise at home and at school. Nhulunbuy High School does not allow the use of mobile devices at

school for students in Years 7-10. This has certainly lessened the impact of cyber bullying at the school as

students cannot be interacting with social media whilst at school.

Parents may be interested in the Australian Government cybersafety website (see link below) that provides

teachers, parents and students with easy online access to cybersafety information and assistance available in

Australia. It offers counselling, reporting and educational resources to assist young students to deal with online

risks including cyberbullying, unwanted contact, scams and fraud, and offensive or inappropriate material.

http://www.cybersafety.dbcde.gov.au/helpandadvice

Another useful site to access is:

http://www.thinkuknow.org.au/

Keeping yourself and others safe is a priority for Nhulunbuy High School as reflected in our 4Bes: Be Safe, Be

Respectful, Be Ready and Be Kind. Cyber bullying is an issue for adolescents and therefore educational pro-

grams and useful links such as those above help everyone work towards minimization of the harm that inappro-

priate use of social media can cause for our students.

There is quite a col-

lection of lost property

in the Front Office. If

you are missing any-

thing please come to

the

Front

Office

and

have a

look.