Term 3 | Week 5 | 24 August 2018

Principal’s WelcomeIn April last year, the Public Education Statement was launched. This statement describes the ‘essence’ of public education in South Australia and helps the community to recognise the unique characteristics of public education. These include Quality, Equity, Diversity and Cohesion, Collaboration and Trust, Community and Democracy. At Blackwood High School, we enact these characteristics through our focus on ‘high expectations and the achievement of excellent outcomes for all students’. Teaching staff work tirelessly to provide high quality teaching and learning that engages and connects with students allowing them to demonstrate what they know, can do and understand in authentic and meaningful ways. We continuously reflect on and share our teaching practices to improve the way we work with students. There is greater emphasis on student inquiry and collaboration with the teacher as the facilitator rather than the didactic model of ‘teacher as expert’.

Our personalised approach to learning ensures all students have the opportunity to engage and be successful learners. For some students this requires a collaborative, targeted approach. Key Blackwood High School staff work with individual students and families and, when necessary, Departmental staff and/or outside agencies, to identify and implement strategies to support individual student learning and wellbeing. Key staff available to support the range of students at Blackwood High School include:• Student Wellbeing Leaders – Argie Buesnel and

Michael Winter• Year Level Leaders – Shauna Thompson (Year 8 and

9), Ben Dening (Year 10) and Luke Northcote (Year 11 and 12)

• Personalised Learning and Pathways Leader - Adelle Matthews

• Aboriginal Education Teacher – Renee Daish

Students and families can also seek support from Sam Thomson, our Pastoral Care Support Worker, and through the Inschool Psychology Service - further information about this service is available from our Student Wellbeing Leaders.

Blackwood High School is renowned for its highly successful International Student Program. This program enriches our community’s intercultural understandings and respect through the sharing of language, culture and perspectives. Many local families host international students who have chosen to participate in short and long term study programs at Blackwood High School. Local students also have the opportunity to be involved in the Himeji Cultural Exchange Program in Japan.

The World Challenge is another highly successful program at Blackwood High School that promotes international mindedness. Students in Year 10 and 11 have the opportunity to travel to a developing country and live and work in a local community supporting a sustainable community project.

Staff at Blackwood High School care deeply about the students we work with every day. We understand the importance of working with families and the community to develop shared responsibility and positive partnerships to achieve high standards, excellence and success for students. We value the positive and affirming relationships developed with families and actively encourage parents and caregivers to be involved in their child’s education through membership of the school’s Governing Council and attendance at the many school events across the school year. Also, we welcome feedback about how we support your child ‘to be the best they can be’. Positive feedback is always welcome and if you have concerns or suggestions for improvement, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Inspiring Achievement and Respect2

Blackwood High School high achievers• Congratulations to Brie Medder, in Year 10, who has recently excelled in Indoor Cricket and Snowboarding.

Brie competed for South Australia in the Indoor Cricket National Championships in Toowoomba for 17 and Under Girls. The team finished third. Brie has also been selected in the State Interschools Snowsports Championships for Snowboarding in Perisher, New South Wales. The competition is in September and competitors needed to finish in the top 15 to qualify for their state. Brie finished second in her division. She will have appreciated a week’s practice on the Year 10 school Snow Trip in Week 5.

• Congratulations to Jamie Lunn, in Year 9, who has been selected in the 2018 ILHSA Junior Women’s State Team for Inline Hockey. She will be participating in the Inline Hockey Nationals in Adelaide from 29 September to 6 October 2018.

At Blackwood High School we aspire to be the ‘school of choice’ for secondary education throughout the Blackwood community. Staff continuously reflect on teaching, learning and organisation practices to inform improvements so we can offer the highest quality public education to students and families in the local community and beyond.

National School Services Officers (SSOs) weekLast week was National School Services Officers (SSOs) week. During this week the important role that SSOs play in educating Australia’s children and young people is recognised. At Blackwood High School a thank you morning tea was held for all support staff. Teaching staff, students and families are extremely fortunate to be supported by such an amazing SSO team, Pastoral Care Support Worker and Canteen staff. On behalf of the Blackwood High School community thank you to:• Caroline Armstrong • Karly Baum • Sonia Bawden • Luke Beenham • Peta Clasohm • Josh Deakin • Cherie Earles • Wendy Galbraith • Sharna Granpre-Moliere • Matt Hood • Emma Hunt • Lucas Johnson• Sam Kotz-Peters • Nick Kusmanoff • Katheryn Langmaid • Kerrie Leong • Kellie Lord • Veronica Lowe • Chris Plummer • Daryl Zilm • Brenton Ward • Louise Williamson • Ranae Porter-Westphalen • Annie Sundqvist • Rachel Taylor • Sam Thomson

School Sport Australia Service AwardCongratulations to Peta Maher who has been awarded a School Sport Australia 1O Year Service Award for her continuous involvement within the school netball community. Peta has been recognised for her outstanding contribution and leadership that has positively influenced school, state and national levels.

Sharon Goldman, Principal

The Department for Education has provided the following information in regard to Year 7 students moving to high school:• South Australian Year 7 public school students will be taught in high school from Term 1, 2022. • There will be no change for year 7 students in 2019. • Consideration is being given as to our approach in 2020 and 2021.• More information around timing will be provided by the end of 2018.

Year 7 to High School

3

On Thursday 9 August, Ms Buesnel and six Blackwood High School students were invited to be part of a ‘Visioning Workshop’ at the Blackwood Community Centre. The focus group met up with the Project Team staff from the City of Mitcham, architects from Brown Falconer, and landscape architects from Outer Space, to discuss plans for the new Blackwood Community Hub. Conversations around the landscaping plans for Waite Reserve and the precinct master plans for the building were discussed such as integrating library and community centre into one multi-story building, incorporating cafes, addressing car parking issues to create a stimulating, engaging and contextual place with a village and family friendly feel. As a group, we are particularly eager about the unique play spaces and large and small entertainment spaces that have been planned, while at the same time protecting and enhancing the environment for future generations. We are looking forward to this exciting project, hopefully with financial support from both Federal and State Governments. On behalf of the students at Blackwood High School we would like to sincerely thank The City of Mitcham in particular Ulus Fuat, Youth Development Officer, for valuing and engaging student voice in the planning of this multifunctional community space.

Harriet Cooling, Ben Curry and Mya Drakos, Students

Blackwood Hub Visioning Workshop

The World Challenge program has kicked off again entering its sixth season of expeditions at Blackwood High School. This year’s teams are making preparations to travel to Vietnam and Cambodia in November and December of 2019.

To support our team’s community project, the Challengers will be holding a Quiz night on 14 September at the Goodwood Community Centre.

The theme for the night is “The best of the 80’s” so guests will be encouraged to dress to impress with individual and door prizes up for grabs.

This night has been very successful in the past and has provided funds to support past teams on their community projects in country. This was highlighted last year with our challengers contributing $4000 through their fundraising efforts to support the construction of enclosures at a Free the Bears facility in Laos. A Silent Auction and Bar will be available on the night, with doors opening at 6:30 for a 7pm start. All tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at https://www.trybooking.com/413430

If you have any queries, donations for the silent auction or would like to help out on the night please feel free to contact Dan Smith (Daniel.smith@bhs.sa.edu.au; 82780938)

Dan Smith, World Challenge Coordinator

World Challenge news

Just a friendly reminder that the staff car park and side of the busway are only for the staff members of Blackwood High School. Parents/caregivers that are visiting the school for meetings or collecting unwell students are required to park in the visitor’s car parks located near the Student Wellbeing Centre. Parents/Caregivers are also reminded not to park in the Blackwood Recreation Centre car park as this is reserved for their visitors only.

Inspiring Achievement and Respect4

Year 11 Visual Art Students were invited to exhibit their paintings in this year’s Rotary Art Show, which is held annually at Blackwood High School.

Anisa Setyowati gained first prize in the Student division this year. Anisa is to be congratulated on her painting which was inspired by a family trip to Bali. Other students exhibited their work; some of them are below.

Anisa Setyowati Alyssa Hancock

Ama Ratanayke

Hayley North Evan Wright Jenna Zeman

Rose Craig Colm James Isabelle De Young Laina Conte

Arts interesting fact: Yvonne East who is an Artist whom I was lucky enough to be introduced to 5 years ago, consented to paint the large murals on the Stairwell overlooking the Visual Art Centre. As a result, I organised Yvonne as an ‘artist in residence’ to mentor some of our Blackwood High school students during the development of these murals.Yvonne was a finalist in this Year’s Archibald Prize held in Sydney. She exhibited this painting in The Art Gallery of NSW; a portrait of The Honourable Chief Justice Susan Kiefel AC.

Jeanette Beadnall, Art teacher

Rotary Club of Blackwood Arts Show 2018

5

Year 8 and 9 updateOn Monday 6 August we continued our celebration of excellence with our Year 8 cohort receiving awards at the Year Level Assembly.

The assembly was successfully planned and run by our guest hosts Teja and Paige, both from 8G. These two students, along with several others that form part of the Assembly Committee, met with me regularly to organise the assembly. The students have been involved in contacting and arranging presenters, writing scripts and running sheets, preparing PowerPoints and technical set up. It is great to see a dedicated group taking such a keen interest in the focus of assemblies and I look forward to working in partnership to guide both the Year 8 and 9 Assembly Committees over the next couple of terms.

The following Year 8 students received awards for Semester 1:Excellent Achievement - Ebony ScanlanAcademic Achievement - Ebony Scanlan, Charlie Scutchings, Nicole GreenekleeAcademic Improvement – Tejaswini NalluriExcellence in an Accelerated Subject Year 8 – Marcus BeckwithGrowth Mindset - Aurelia Neave, Ari Morandin, Harry Johnson, Lily Whitcombe, Kade Elliot, Aretha Byrne-Ockerby, Charlie Scutchings

The Year 8 and 9 students have also participated in the online Wellbeing and Engagement survey during Pastoral Care lessons.

In Pastoral Care over the next term the Year 9 cohort will have a focus on Positive Education primarily looking at gratitude and empathy and the Year 8 students will complete a “Respect it Don’t Wreck it” booklet and then participate in a questionnaire to identify their individual skills and abilities.

All Middle School students have recently been involved in subject selection for 2019.

I hope that you have enjoyed this opportunity to touch base with your child about his/her learning and what may be suitable choices for them as individuals, moving forward in their schooling.

Shauna Thompson, Year 8/9 Leader

Order to support Blackwood High School raising funds for the 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. Click the photo below to support us!

Blackwood High School raising funds for Himeji TripSharna Granpre-Moliere

08 82780929sharna.granpre-moliere@bhs.sa.edu.au

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Inspiring Achievement and Respect6

Using the Imagination CentreOn 7 August 2018, 8A and 8F embarked on a challenge to represent the ancient European Feudal system by using an assortment of materials. This colossal event was held in the new Imagination Centre where both classes would be able to spread out and get into a zone of work. To achieve such triumph, the two classes needed to form groups of 3 or 4.

The challenge was simple; 15 minutes to present a draft and 65 minutes to create and present a visual representation of the hierarchy of the Medieval Feudal System. The final copy needed to incorporate some of the following materials - Paddle Pop sticks, Pipe cleaners, Pegs, Assorted range of coloured paper and Textas. Many groups were bogged down in thought while some bustled down and started cracking. The epiphany of what colour or what materials you would use drained the minds of indecisive groups. Groups made decisions about what they would do. These ideas included a piece of land that went from the rich being by the water and the poor being in land working the fields; another group made a train that represented the system and had peasants coal fuelling the train. Some groups were going full force while others had to start making the final touches in the dying minutes.

At the end of the day on a Wednesday the two classes met together in GLC5. Our guts churned in curiosity. When Mr Philips brought out two bags of snakes an uproar in the crowd was felt – we knew the prize would be worth it. All the winners were gathered at one end of table. We were all very excited to see who won the top three prizes, awarded by Mrs Richards and Mr Johnson. It was a great lesson to show our understanding of Feudalism.

Nate Brown and Jye Lemmers, Year 8 students

At the end of the day it was better then doing text book work that’s for sure - Jayden Allsop.

Humanities news

7

Year 10 update

Year 11 and 12 update

PLP UpdateYear 10 students have continued the PLP through our Pastoral Care Program in Term 3 . PLP3 My Career has focused on Career Development and Subject Selection for Year 11. To research this students have visited the ISCA Career Expo and undertook the Vocation Interests Questionnaire prior to creating a Career Action Plan. A real focus for this task has been helping the students identify the skills needed for their future, not just the subjects and courses to study. Following Course Counselling and delivering their discussion/presentation in Week 6 completing PLP3, the Year 10 cohort are moving onto PLP4 - My Reflection. As part of this task, students are compiling a folio of their PLP work from the year and completing a Reflection on goals and capability development across the year. Students will use the extended Care Group sessions to complete this task with all components needing to be submitted by Week 6 Term 4.

It is important to remember that all 4 tasks of the PLP are equally weighted and that completion at a C grade or higher is required to achieve SACE. Any students who have not completed any of PLP1 or PLP2 to a passing standard or are at risk with PLP3 are advised to discuss with their Care group Teacher and/or the Year Level Leader ways to meet the required standards.

Power to End Violence Against WomenDuring the beginning of Term 3 Blackwood High School was pleased to again host the Power to End Violence Against Women program. This was developed by Power Community Limited partnered with Centacare Catholic Family Services and the South Australian State Government. The program aims to provide young men the opportunity to discuss the issue of disrespect against women and explore respectful relationships. In doing so, the program provides the information and skills necessary for young men to make informed choices to prevent violent and questionable behaviours in society. For 2018 we were proud that two members of our Year 11 cohort who participated in the course in 2017, took on a leadership role and assisted in delivering the course to our Year 10 boys. Congratulations to Kye Dean and Jules Marjanac for stepping up. We once again thank the Port Power Football Club and their Power Community Ltd group for working with us.

Ben Dening, Year 10 Leader

Year 11 Awards AssemblyOn Monday of Week 4, Term 3 we once again celebrated the ongoing success of our Year 11 students during our Awards Assembly. We would like to congratulate all of the award winners on their success, and encourage all Year 11 students to achieve to the best of their ability.

Culture of Respect Award WinnersSalma Alex Leiane Doyle Lachlan Gillespie Natalie Hughes Qianru Yan

Academic Achievement Award WinnersGiorgia Bravi Joel Keen Alexander Lauritsen Maddison McDonaldLucas Milsom Sean Mueller Noah Osmond Melanie RuddKatie Turner

Academic Excellence Award WinnersLily Conlon Kimberley Dean Isabella DeYoung Leiane DoyleNatalie Hughes Emma Nathanson Emma Potter Ama RatnayakeAlina Tairli Elijah Tlauka Kirralee West Olivia WheelerJenna Zeman

Students also heard from Philip Guerin from Flinders about pathways to university – which included an overview of the many different roads a young person can take to University, be it through an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR), Adult Entry, TAFE Link, Dual Offers and also Foundation Studies Courses.

Inspiring Achievement and Respect8

Year 12 Tourism trip to McLaren Vale

Careers and Planning AheadOver the last 4 weeks, students in Years 8 - 11 have been involved in the process of preparing to choose their subjects for 2019. For some it will be their first foray into elective subjects, for students entering Senior School or Year 12, there is the possibility to choose subjects almost entirely individually.

Students have been encouraged to engage with a wide variety of resources to help make these decisions, such as:• The Curriculum Prospectus• The Blackwood High School Careers website – now available through the ‘Portals’ tab on the Blackwood

High School Website or at www.blackwoodhighcareers.com• Career Quizzes and tests• The Inner South Schools Career Expo (Year 10)• University talks (Year 11 and 12 students)• VET and Career counselling sessions

There are also some excellent supporting guides for parents and caregivers available, one of which is ‘Helping Your Teen with their Career Planning’ available in the ‘For Parents’ Tab on the Careers Website, at https://www.careertools.com.au/resources/career_coaching_parent_guide_aug_18.pdf

Vocational Education and Training (VET Courses)Additional supporting resources for parents /caregivers wanting to know more about the world of Vocational Education and Training, and who missed our recent parent/caregiver evening can be found on the school website at: https://www.bhs.sa.edu.au/curriculum/vocational-education-training/ if you scroll to the bottom of the page.

Students planning to apply for a VET Course are also encouraged to apply for a Unique Student Identifier (USI) which is a requirement for any person undertaking Vocational training. This number can be applied for through the Student Portal on the school’s careers website. I encourage students to get their USI as soon as possible and make sure that they log the number in their secure student area, as this number will be theirs forever.

Luke Northcote, Year 11 and 12 Leader

It was a beautiful winter’s day for our Year 12 Tourism excursion to McLaren Vale. Students collected primary information for their second practical task with a focus on sustainable tourism in the area.

The first location we visited was Gemtree vineyard, a biodiverse vineyard that incorporates a bush tucker garden and a walking trail with over 50,000 natives. Kate, our tour guide, spoke to the Year 12 students about the economic, environmental, and sociocultural sustainability of the region.

9

We visited the beautiful Wirra Wirra Vineyard and Winery where Simon showed us around. Harry, one of our Year 12 students, had the title of bell ringer, which when rung at the right time of year indicates the beginning of vintage. Students were shown the process of wine making and were able to look over the vineyards as Simon spoke about their use of solar panels, use of grey water, and their watermelon throwing catapult.

At the Tourism Information Centre Cathy provided positive and negative impacts of businesses in the McLaren Vale area. She explained the various events that are held, future economic ideas and how the Tourism Information Centre is also environmentally sustainable.

After lunch at the local McLaren Vale Bakery, our final stop was the Menz Fruchoc Factory. After trying samples of the delicious chocolate covered apricots, Lisa spoke to students about the history and heritage of Menz as well as awards they have won. We all enjoyed a 10% discount from the store and a group photo on the FruChoc Photobooth.

Renee Daish, Year 12 Tourism Teacher

Sports newsYear 8/9 Boys Knock Out Netball On Wednesday 15 August Blackwood High School hosted Round 1 of the Boys Year 8/9 Knock Out Netball. We played Eastern Fleurieu first and, in a very even tussle, we lost by one goal, 20 – 21. Scotch College then defeated Eastern Fleurieu 26 – 18. With a slim possibility of progressing to the Finals, Blackwood came out strongly and were only down by two goals half way through the third quarter. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make the most of our possessions and lost 13 – 20. Best players on the day were Riley Jones in GA and Harry Lemmey in defense. Congratulations to the rest of the team on a great effort on the day; Dylan Brown, Jenson Brown, Erik Cokara, Josh Fazial, Aiden Grayson, James Hackett, Nathan Housten, Harry Johnson , Dylan Mountford and Toby Russell.

Janet Bradley, Coach

Year 10 Knock Out Netball A quick congratulations and good luck to the Year 10 Girls Knock Out Netball Team who have made it to the State Finals to be played at Priceline Stadium on Tuesday 28 August.

They have defeated Immanuel and WIllunga in the first round held at Blackwood High School in late Term 2, they then faced Cornerstone on 9 August and had a comfortable win of 18 goals.

The state final appearance will be the first in 8 years by Blackwood High School, we are the only non private school in this age group. We will face Tennison Woods College, Mercedes College, Westminster College, Trinity College and Concordia College.

Peta Maher, Coach

Inspiring Achievement and Respect10

During the Term 1 school holidays students from the Year 11/12 Spanish class were finally able to begin their journey to Spain, after months of planning and anticipation.

Upon arrival, students were told of their freedoms to explore the small and safe city of Salamanca which did not disappoint.

After quickly settling into the host family apartments, students were able to absorb first hand the lifestyle of Spain by touring around the city with its modern and traditional restaurants, architecture, stores, and people. In addition to the discoveries made by individuals and small groups, the class travelled to numerous historic sites and tourist attractions outside of Salamanca, including: the 2000 year old aqueduct of Segovia, the Alcázar which inspired the iconic Walt Disney logo, along with the medieval fortress town Ávila. The opportunity to personally witness these astounding historic monuments definitely transformed the students’ perception of history and historical cultures and civilizations. An impressive feature of modern-day Salamanca, Seville and Ávila; the almost flawless interaction of old and new.

Students were split into groups of 3 or 4 and placed with a host family, most of whom were living close to the Salamanca School of Language, so that we could walk to school every morning. However, the host families did not speak English at all, which forced students to further develop Spanish speaking skills.

School started at 9am with one break and ended at 1:30pm in the afternoon. On the first day of school we were welcomed by the teachers with some classic Spanish finger food such as tortillas. Close to the school we were able to buy snacks during our break at the many cafes and restaurants. As school finished at 1:30pm we were able to return to our host families to have lunch followed by a siesta, another feature of Spanish life.

The Spanish culture of having a siesta meant that shops were often closed until 5pm. This allowed time for students to complete their homework early. After the siesta, students went out shopping and/or discovered Salamanca, until dinner time, which was around 9pm. This sounds really late, however it is the norm for the culture in Spain. Even after dinner, going out until the early hours of the morning was not unusual.

Byron Drage and Misa Hirahara, Year 12 students

Spanish Trip 2018

11

The Gifted and Talented Children’s Association of

South AustraliaAnnual General Meeting

Please join us• Glenunga International High School

Staffroom• 3.00pm on 1st September 2018. • Saturday Club session 3 scheduled so

students catered for• Guest Speaker - Mrs Wendy Stewart on

Counselling Gifted Students

Wendy has worked continuously in gifted education for twenty years, being one of the longest serving teachers at the Gifted Education “Chalkface” in South Australia. Wendy holds a Masters in Gifted Education and has presented at national and international conferences on gifted education. Her most recent presentation was at the 2015 International Conference on Thinking, held in Bilbao, Spain. Our committee numbers have dwindled in recent years and it has been up to a small number of passionate volunteers to bring a phenomenal program to gifted children, their carers and teachers.

GTCASA is always looking for energetic volunteers who understand giftedness and believe in helping to unlock the potential of these special needs children.Please email us at giftedsa@gtcasa.asn.au if you have a couple of free hours to assist us with our plans! Or contact us if you wish to observe at one of our meetings perhaps with a view to joining us!

If you would like to see GTCASA continue, please consider nominating yourself, or a member of your staff.

Calendar DatesTerm 3 2018Monday 27 AugustYear 10 and 11 Subject Counselling Days by appointment

Wednesday 29 AugustYear 6 HEIT Program

Friday 31 AugustSTUDENT FREE DAY

Monday 3 SeptemberSCHOOL CLOSURE DAY

Tuesday 4 SeptemberPrincipal’s Tour 9am

Wednesday 5 SeptemberYear 6 HEIT Program

Tuesday 11 SeptemberGoverning Council Meeting 7pm

Wednesday 12 SeptemberYear 6 HEIT Program

Friday 14 SeptemberSRC Casual Day

Wednesday 19 SeptemberDance Choreographic Matinee 11amDance Choreographic Performance 7pm

Thursday 20 SeptemberYear 6 HEIT Presentation

Friday 21 SeptemberWhole School AssemblyImagination Centre Opening TBC

Monday 24 to Tuesday 25 SeptemberYear 11 Aquatics

Wednesday 26 SeptemberYear 6 HEIT Program

Thursday 27 SeptemberYear 8 ImmunisationsStudent/Parent/Teacher Interviews

Friday 28 SeptemberLast Day of Term 3

Term 4 2018Monday 15 OctoberFirst day of Term 4

Friday 19 OctoberVET Dance Matinee 11:30amVET Dance Performance 7pm

Tuesday 23 OctoberYear 12 Graduation

Friday 26 OctoberWhole School Assembly - Year 12 Farewell

Tuesday 30 OctoberPrincipal’s Tour 9amGoverning Council 7pm

Monday 5 November to Friday 20 NovemberStage 2 Exams

Wednesday 7 NovemberMiddle School Dance Matinee 11:30amMiddle School Dance Performance 7pm

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