RESPECT PERSISTENCE RESPONSIBILITY CONFIDENCE

newsletter 06 | 09 April 2015

A 40 Mary Elie Street Port Pirie SA 5540 P (08) 8632 0400 F (08) 8632 3195 W www.jpss.sa.edu.au

REPORT A very successful Parent/Teacher interview evening was held last night with many parents and caregivers attending to gain valuable feedback on their child’s learning during Term 1. Events such as this play an important role in strengthening the partnership between school and families to support young people in their learning. I have received many comments from staff on the positive discussions that they had with families throughout the evening.

Reports have been distributed or can be collected from the front office if parents/caregivers did not make the interviews.

Attendance has been a major focus during Term 1 and it is pleasing to see that there has been a significant improvement so far this year. In comparison with the previous 5 years, this term has had a significantly higher attendance rate across all year levels, resulting in an overall increase of 7.9% compared to Term 1 2014. While some absences are unavoidable through illness, students must attend as many school days as possible to maximise their learning outcomes and provide a greater choice of future pathways. Parents and caregivers play a vital role by ensuring their child is encouraged and supported to attend school each day. If your child is absent from school, the school must be advised of the reason for their absence.

In Week 2 of next term we will hold a Celebration Assembly where students who have had an attendance rate of over 95% for Term 1 will be recognised, as well as those students who have achieved at a high level academically. With a strong link between attendance and academic results, I expect many of the students who receive academic awards will also be recognised for their attendance.

I hope everyone has a safe and relaxing break; see you back on the 27 April, 2015.

MICHAEL GAUNT (DEPUTY PRINCIPAL)

Coming Events

This week:

April 10 Last Day Term 1

Dismissal 2.25pm

Thereafter:

April 27 Term 2 Commences

April 30 Year 8 Immunisations

May 6-13 Op Flinders Boys

May 11 Governing Council Meeting

June 3 Year 11 RAP Driver Ed Seminar

June 4 Year 8 Immunisations

June 5 Student Free Day

June 8 Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday

Leadership Team

Principal: Roger Nottage

Deputy Principal: Michael Gaunt

Assistant Principals: Kim Bennett Graham Hoile Rachel Gray Kate Greenhalgh Lisa Key

School Links

Forensic Work Shop

J O H N P I R I E S E C O N D A R Y S C H O O L | s t r i v i n g f o r e x c e l l e n c e

A 40 Mary Elie Street Port Pirie SA 5540 P (08) 8632 0400 F (08) 8632 3195 W jpss.sa.edu.au

Year 8 Immunisations

Year 8 Immunisations are on Thursday April 30. Students who

have not returned their forms are asked to do so as soon as

possible.

Middle School Assembly

On Wednesday April 1, the Middle School Team held its first

official assembly for 2015. The purpose of the assembly was to

acknowledge students who have shown positive behaviours

throughout the term. Awards were given for outstanding diary

use, exceptional punctuality to school and class, fantastic

participation in school activities such as yard clean up and Skills

for Success lessons and to those who have shown leadership

skills within their classes. The Middle School Achievement Award

winners Nikki Monogios, Cameron Curtis and Mackenzie Atkins

were awarded their canteen vouchers. A new award, called the

Middle School Qualities Award was given to students who were

nominated by staff for demonstrating one or more of the new

school qualities – Respect, Responsibility, Persistence and

Confidence. Hosts Maddisen Boothby, Natasha Chary and Bella

Milgate did a fabulous job of running the assembly. The Middle

School also said farewell to Miss Woodmore who is leaving at the

end of this term. It was a fantastic way to finish the term,

acknowledging students who are continuing to strive for

excellence.

Kate Greenhalgh

Assistant Principal

SSSA Athletics

39 John Pirie athletes competed in F Grade Athletic

Championships at SANTOS Stadium on Monday March 30. We

had a very early start, leaving JPSS at 6am and arriving in

Adelaide for a 9:45 start against 6 other schools in our division.

There were a number of terrific individual performances from

the girls and the boys.

Jazzy Lloyd 1st

OG 100m, 1st

Open Girls (OG) Long Jump, 2nd

OG

200m, 2nd

OG Triple Jump; Brooke Waldhuter 3rd

OG 400m; Kim

Harvey 1st

U16G 400m; Nikita Chilcott 3rd

U14G 800m, 3rd

U14G

Javelin; Amy Street 3rd

OG 1500m; Olivia Maywald 3rd

U14G

Hurdles, 2nd

U14G Triple Jump, 3rd

U16G Triple Jump; Rachel Dall-

Afford 2nd

U15G Shot Put; Marlee Biddell 1st

U14G Shot Put;

Chelsea-Rose Meyer 3rd

U15G Discus; Chelsea Meyer 2nd

U14G

Discus.

Mark Skipper: 1st

Open 400m, 2nd

Open Boys 100m; Kirby

Gadaleta 1st

U16B Discus, 1st

U16B Javelin, 3rd

U16 100; Decklan

Gray: 1st

U14B 400; Brenton Binell 2nd

U16B 800m, 2nd

Open

1500m; Dylan McGregor 2nd

U15 B 1500m, 3rd

U16B Long Jump;

Austin Gregory 3rd

Open boys 2000m Steeple Chase; Joe

Pruetisan 1st

Open Boys Hurdles; Taran Bignell 3rd

Open Triple

Jump; Chris Stuckey Open Long Jump 3rd

; Westley Wyatt 2nd

Open Boys (OB) High Jump; Brodie Harvey 1st

U15B High Jump;

Mitchell Alchin 3rd

U14B High Jump; Adrian Chivell 2nd

OB Javelin,

3rd

U14B relay.

On the team front John Pirie was by far the most vocal and

supportive group in the stadium. The individual scores resulted

in the boys finishing third overall trailing 2nd

by only 6 points.

The girls finished 6th

and JPSS as a team finished 5th

overall. This

is an improvement on last year’s 7th

place overall performance.

It was a privilege and pleasure to be a part of such a wonderful

team effort. All the participants should be very proud of their

individual performances as they represented the school,

themselves and their families to the highest degree.

Thank you to Mr Wait, Mrs Loizeau and Miss Glen for their

support and supervision on the day.

Maciej Jankowski HPD Co-ordinator

Closing the Gap

This year the Events and Fundraising Group identified National

Close the Gap Day as the first important event for the SRC to

support in 2015. This event is about raising awareness and

support for the Australian Government's commitment to Closing

the Gap for Aboriginal people in relation to health, well-being

and education, and specifically the 17 year difference in life

expectancy. A non-Aboriginal person can expect to live

approximately 17 years longer than an Aboriginal person and we

believe this is a very important issue that needs to be addressed!

To raise awareness, we decided to hold an assembly followed by

activities in Care Groups. Four students identified an interest in

being involved:

• Breeanna Warne prepared a PowerPoint highlighting the

major health, education and well-being concerns for

Aboriginal people. She also spoke powerfully at the assembly

about this information and the importance of Closing the

Gap.

• Angus Knight spoke the Welcome to Country, continuing a

family tradition!

• Alex Giles took on the role of introducing the other speakers

and thanking them. He also encouraged students to get

involved in this event by taking part in the "30 for 2030"

campaign".

• Amerikaz Smith shared information about the importance of

the event, as well as important facts alongside the

PowerPoint.

Following the assembly, students across the school worked with

their Care Group teachers to make "Chatterboxes" containing

quiz questions and facts about Aboriginal health, education and

J O H N P I R I E S E C O N D A R Y S C H O O L | s t r i v i n g f o r e x c e l l e n c e

A 40 Mary Elie Street Port Pirie SA 5540 P (08) 8632 0400 F (08) 8632 3195 W jpss.sa.edu.au

well-being. The aim of this activity was to raise awareness and

get people talking about Closing the Gap! Students were

encouraged to take on the "30 for 2030" challenge - a pledge to

collect 30 names and contact details in support of Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander health equality by 2030.

The students mentioned above, as well as others from the Events

and Fundraising SRC Group gave out stickers, temporary tattoos

and balloons at lunch time. All students involved were fantastic

representatives of both the school and the SRC and we thank

them for their efforts!

We are very pleased to report that six completed pledge forms

have been returned to the school to be forwarded to the "30 for

2030" campaign. We would like to encourage our whole school

community to visit the National Close the Gap page at

http://www.oxfam.org where you will find lots of information as

well the link to sign the petition electronically.

Thank you for participating in our event!

SRC - Events and Fundraising Group

Dress Code

As the cooler weather commences it is important to clarify the

school dress code. This can also be found in the front section of

student diaries.

The wearing of a school uniform results in a sense of belonging,

increased pride and improved self-esteem and ensures student

safety. Well done to the large number of students who have

consistently worn the correct school uniform during Term 1.

Below is a reminder of the approved School Dress Code and we

appreciate your support:

MALE AND FEMALE DRESS CODE:

• Shirt - White or maroon school shirt, or "polo"

shirt.

• Scarf - Maroon or Black

• Shorts - Grey or black shorts (at a modest length).

• Long pants - Plain grey or black long pants, plain grey

or black jeans (no stripes)

• Windcheater - Hooded maroon

• Jumper - Knitted maroon school jumper

• Jacket - Maroon zippered jacket

• Shoes - Covered shoes or sandals

• In addition females may choose to wear the summer school

dress or the winter tartan skirt, which is available in two styles.

Students involved in specialist programs (SAASTA, Allied Health

and Hospitality) within school are permitted to wear approved

tops on program days.

The school has available all items with school logo, but other

brands are permitted should they fit the requirements of the

school dress code with their logo being no larger than palm size.

Rachel Gray Assistant Principal

New Web Address

The school has recently changed the web address and is in the

process of having the previous address redirected. To access the

school website, head to http://www.jpss.sa.edu.au

Rachel Gray Assistant Principal

Glen Skein Print Workshop

On Monday March 30 2015 artist Glen Skein ran a one-day

mono-printing workshop at John Pirie Secondary School.

Students took part in an artist talk, showcasing Glen’s works and

influences. Students were also instructed in monotype printing

techniques and were able to combine elements of collage and

cut out stencils. These techniques are the same processes used

by Glen in his studio practice. The process allowed students to

explore textures and surfaces in print.

New Teachers

INTRODUCING ALEX GLEN

Hi my name is Alex Glen and I am enjoying my first year of

teaching at John Pirie Secondary School. I have previous

experience at Henley High School where I taught English and

History to the middle years. During my time at John Pirie I will be

teaching English to years 8, 9 and 10. Although I am only here for

a semester I hope to encourage students to get the most out of

their learning and develop an enthusiasm for English. I am

originally from Port Augusta so I am familiar with the area and it

is extremely rewarding to be able to give back to a very

supportive community. John Pirie has so far been an excellent

and positive experience and I hope to learn just as much from

the students as they learn from me.

INTRODUCING SARAH WECKERT

Hi, my name is Sarah Weckert and I am very excited to be

teaching at John Pirie Secondary School this year. I am currently

teaching Mathematics and Science to years 8, 9 and 10, and have

a year 9 Care group. For the past two years I have been teaching

a variety of year levels and subject areas at a remote area school

on the Far Western Eyre Peninsula. Growing up in the Clare

Valley, I have many fond memories of Port Pirie. I look forward

to making more positive memories at John Pirie in the terms to

come.

J O H N P I R I E S E C O N D A R Y S C H O O L | s t r i v i n g f o r e x c e l l e n c e

A 40 Mary Elie Street Port Pirie SA 5540 P (08) 8632 0400 F (08) 8632 3195 W jpss.sa.edu.au

SSSA ATHLETICS

FORENSIC WORKSHOP