9090

Richard

Brunel Drive Modbury Heights South Australia, 5092 Ph: (08) 8263 6244 Fax: (08) 8263 6072 Email: dl.1430.info@schools.sa.edu.au WWW: http://www.theheights.sa.edu.au

NEWSLETTER No. 15

24 September 2014

Diary Dates 13/10 First day of Term 4 21/10 Governing Council 6:30pm 27/10 R-5 Swimming 3-5/11 Specialist Cricket Trip (Mt Gamier)

This week students in year 3, 5, 7 and 9 received their NAPLAN results to take home. The Individual Student Reports provide information about their skills in aspects of Literacy (Reading, Writing, Spelling, Language Conventions) and Numeracy. If your child is in year 5, 7 or 9 reports will also give an indication of their growth in subsequent tests and their progress through bands 1-10. While the band level is useful, and particularly bands that place them above national benchmarks, it is their growth that indicates that they are learning the skills required in each aspect of literacy and numeracy. If parents would like to get a better understanding of NAPLAN results-how to read and interpret the results in order to form a clear picture of their child’s skills, growth and next learning, and a summary of the school’s results and how teachers will use the information to celebrate and target specific areas of improvement, an invitation is extended to attend the next Governing Council meeting when Roy Page, Deputy Principal, will present information about what we are doing well, what we will focus on in our teaching in 2015, what this means for your child and new online test developments. NAPLAN is one indicator of literacy and numeracy skills and is a snapshot in time. Other assessments and reports of skills in other areas of learning in addition to literacy and numeracy, such as school reports, interviews, competitions, participation in activities, provide a picture of the whole person. Our Year 8 and Year 9 State Medal Winners in the ICAS Writing and Spelling Competitions also demonstrated achievement in literacy. Selection of our guitar ensemble as solo performers for the Primary Schools Festival, selection to the Aussie Sparks Softball Team to tour the United States and Taiwan, High Distinction in the Big Science Competition and the Prize Winner of the Oliphant Science Award demonstrate skills and achievements in other aspects of an holistic education in Music, Sport and Science. Participation in RU OK? Day reminds us that personal and social capabilities are valued essential learning of the Australian Curriculum. NAPLAN provides us with valuable information and we are pleased that the results indicate that all Year 3, Year 5, Year 7 & Year 9 students are well above the expected growth in Numeracy in 2014. Term Reports that students will take home this week have been improved to provide better and clearer information about how the individual student approaches their learning. We are seeking feedback from parents about this change and also the effectiveness of the Y8-11 Course Counselling process. Please let us know what worked well for your child and family. This week concludes a term of focussed learning, activities and opportunities at all year levels and sub schools that make life at school rewarding, enjoyable, challenging and demanding and that contribute to a well-rounded education. While you are relaxing and spending time together as a family in the holidays please take some time to review the term with you child, read through the newsletters together that feature life at The Heights, and plan some goals for success in term 4 that your child can achieve with your support.

OUR SCHOOL VALUES

‘A Fair Go’ - difference, diversity

‘Have a Go, Go Hard, Keep Going!’

- doing your best, hard work, persistence,

curiosity, confidence

‘Go Together’ - community, continuity, respectful relationships

DISMISSAL FRIDAY 26th SEPTEMBER

2014

2:05pm

A quote from Dr Seuss “The more you read, the more things you

will know. The more that you learn, the

more places you’ll go.”

KEEP THE DATE FREE!

CELEBRATION IN THE

COURTYARD

9th DECEMBER 2014

LETTER OF EXPLANATION - TERM 3 REPORTS Dear Parents and Carers, The report this term has a slightly different format. We hope the information in this report provides greater detail about attitudes of your child towards their learning and achievement.

We have replaced effort, attitude and behaviour with a single selection of Attitude Towards Learning.

This is graded in four levels:

Excellent : Active and engaged learner Good : Engaged learner Satisfactory : Learner who requires support Improvement required : At risk learner

Teachers in the Middle and Senior Schools have used criteria to make these judgements which are included on the back of your child’s report. This will provide opportunities for parents to ask questions in future interviews and should provide greater consistency amongst staff in applying these grades.

Included in this cycle of reports is a request for feedback on this change, and comments on other information parents may like included in future reporting in 2015 as well as your feedback on the recent Course Counselling process for 2015. http://goo.gl/RJ97xk

Please take the time to complete this feedback either online, or by paper (included in the pack) Please complete and return the survey by Monday 13th October 2014

If you have any further questions about this please contact the Year Team Leader or Sub-school Leader for your child. Kind regards Roy Page Deputy Principal

ATTITUDE TOWARDS LEARNING

Description Criteria

Active and Engaged Learner

(Excellent)

Arrives on time to lessons and settles immediately. Fully equipped for lessons. Determined to learn and achieve to best of ability. Progress is in line with or above expectations. Always cooperates with teacher and other students. Works independently and displays high levels of motivation. Homework is always completed and handed in on time. It is completed to an excellent standard and reflects the student’s best effort.

Engaged Learner

(Good)

Normally on time to lessons and attentive when addressed. Majority of work indicates they will achieve expected rates of progress. Works independently when required but may need to develop higher levels of self-motivation and mostly wants to learn. Homework is usually completed and missed deadlines are a rarity. Is cooperative and does not disturb the learning of others.

Learner who requires support

(Satisfactory)

Occasional lateness, personal organisation of equipment and books may be an issue. At times lacks commitment and motivation but will usually respond when challenged. Progress is below potential. Some deadlines may be missed though work is usually completed following teachers’ reminders. Sometimes disrupts the learning of others, but responds when reminded.

At Risk Learner

(Improvement needed)

Regular lateness which affects themselves and others. Slow to settle, frequently distracts others from learning and often refuses to learn, or participate in the lesson. Satisfactory levels of commitment and motivation are rarely evident. Sees learning as something forced upon them. Homework is rarely/never completed. Any work submitted is rushed, poor quality and below staff expectations. Ability and potential of the student, progress is significantly below expectations.

September 2014

Dear Parent/Caregiver,

Yr 12 Holiday Revision Program As the Year 12s approach their end of year exams and the conclusion of formal lessons, subject teachers are offering a number of sessions in the upcoming school holidays to support students. The times, dates and locations of the sessions are listed below. These sessions provide a valuable opportunity to revise important material, complete outstanding assignment work and seek support from subject teachers. We wish your son/daughter all the best in their end of year exams and preparation, Daniel Quinlivan Roy Page Yr 12 Team Leader Deputy Principal

Bob Powell (Research Project) Tuesdays 30th September and first Wednesday 1st October in the library all day

Sam King (English Studies) Wednesday 8th October 9am-1pm in Middle School

Paul Vanner (Specialist Maths and Maths Applications BF10 From 10.00am on Tuesday 30 September (first week) and 10.00 am Tuesday 7th October (second week) for the full day if needed.

Ian Pfitzner (CAD/CAM & Metalwork) Monday September 29 and Tuesday September 30th. 8.00 am to 4.00 pm in Tech area

Kym Crocker (Creative Arts) Tuesday 7th October from around 10:30am/11 – 3pm in Art area

Khara Rogers and Daniel Quinlivan (English Communications) Tuesday 30th September in Senior School- all day 9am start

Sharon Tibbits (Society and Culture) Wednesday 1st October 11am-4pm in Senior School

David Eglinton (Psychology) Thursday 9th October 9.30am-12.30pm/ Biology 12.45pm-3.45pm

Nick Pizimolas (Stage 2 Legal Studies) Thursday 2nd October 10am - 1pm - Senior School

Arthur Roubanis (Stage 2 Chemistry) Monday 6th October (Public Holiday) - 10:30am - 4pm

Dick Glacken (Food & Hospitality) Thursday 9th October - 10am in the CAD Room

Congratulations to Candice Kennedy (903) who has been selected to join the Aussie Sparks Tour for Softball, going to Taiwan, San Francisco, Los Angeles, leaving on September 23rd and returning to Australia on October 8 2014. “Being selected to play softball overseas is more than just a chance to receive world class instruction and gain valuable experience learning to compete internationally. It also provides a tremendous identity building experience for young people in our softball community, helping to keep players and families involved with the sport for a lifetime.”

Have a wonderful trip Candice.

First Aid

in Schools The Australian Curriculum sets out the core knowledge, understanding, skills and general capabilities important for all Australian students. It describes the learning entitlement of students as a foundation for their future learning, growth and active participation in the Australian community. It makes clear what all young Australians should learn as they progress through schooling. First aid is the provision of immediate care to a victim with an injury or illness, usually provided by an unprofessional person, and performed within a limited skill

range. First aid is normally performed until the injury or illness is satisfactorily dealt with (such as in the case of small cuts, minor bruises, and blisters) or until the next level of care, such as a paramedic or doctor, arrives. As a volunteer officer I am passionate about helping people gain skills that could potentially save a life. The introduction of the St John First Aid in Schools Program to The Heights School is a result of connecting this passion with the Australian Curriculum. The St John First Aid in Schools Program aims to deliver FREE first aid training - at no cost to schools or parents. What the students learn and how it integrates within the ACARA framework in the following areas is below: Years: Reception, 1 and 2 Learning Area: Health and Physical Education Protective Behaviours: Safety near road, at home, near water, with medicines. Basic Emergency Response Procedure: Seeking help, dialling 000 Years: Reception, 3 and 4 Learning Area: Health and Physical Education Develop effective problem solving strategies. Propose strategies to reduce risk and manage situations where an injury may have occurred. Years: Reception, 5 and 6 Learning Area: Health and Physical Education Situations that require them to take more responsibility for their own health and personal safety. Know steps to take to manage these situations effectively, seeking adult assistance when necessary and understand basic emergency care procedures. Years: Reception, 7 and 8 Learning Area: Health and Physical Education Situations that require them to take more responsibility for their own health and personal safety. Know steps to take to manage these situations effectively, seeking adult assistance when necessary and understand basic emergency care procedures. Some of the students have already participated in the program and have enjoyed learning about the different facets of First Aid. The program will continue in Term 4 and hopefully in following years so that the students are able to broaden their skills and knowledge. Dick Glacken

Students being instructed how to do the recovery position

Students doing a scenario using the recovery position

Instructors Melissa and Robyn

“I AM” POEM

I wonder if anyone has noticed my disappearance I hear nothing but silence and the sound of the Westertoren Clock reassuring me of the time every quarter of an hour I see a time when life was so perfect and simple… I miss it dearly I want to take a stand and stop this commotion but then I remember that I am only a thirteen year old girl incapable of such a thing I am Anne Frank

I pretend that everything is alright but deep down I fear for our entire race I feel so lonely, not even my family understands me I touch the dull window sill wishing I was not trapped in this horrible place I have to call “home” I worry that the Germans will find our secret annexe I cry for help but the words don’t seem to come out, leaving me alone once again I am Anne Frank

I understand the situation we are in even if it doesn’t seem fair I say, “I’d rather be sentimental on my own” but really… I would love for my family to accept and understand me I dream that one day in the near future we will live in unity even with the Germans I try to stay positive and keep a smile on my face but I truly am terrified of what may become of this world I hope for freedom and a life where I don’t have to live in complete and utter fear I am Anne Frank By Brooke Sparks (903)

THE HEIGHTS SCHOOL TERM 4 13/10-12/12 2014

Volunteer

Luncheon Stage 2 Catering Assignment

As part of a Food and Hospitality SACE Stage 2 (Year 12) assessment, the students have to do a group catering activity. Each year they create a luncheon for the volunteers in our school. This year on Friday 5th September, 2014, ten Year 12 Food and Hospitality students organised and hosted the event – Thomas Bampton, Braden Cranwell, Joni Hassan, Harpreet Kang, Jacki Marie, Jeremy Nieass, Skye Parella, Lachlan Roberts, Adam Sims and Gemma Street (Absent: Anne-Marie DeVizio and Sophie Shipton). As a team the students worked collaboratively to plan, organise, and implement the luncheon. This assignment not only gives the students an opportunity to showcase their culinary skills, but also to support the school in saying thank you to the many valued volunteers for their efforts over the year. This assignment allows the students to apply management, organisational, and problem solving skills that demonstrate an understanding of contemporary issues in the Food and Hospitality Industry. These include the implementation of safe management practices, organisation and management of time, techniques and resources, and the generation and maintenance of quality control in preparing and serving food. The class this year designed a menu that they thought would cover all food tastes, provided table service, and endeavoured to cover all special dietary needs. After reading the feedback sheets filled out by 47 volunteers who were able to attend, the students evaluated their efforts and gave themselves a well-deserved pat on the back. I am sure that most meals were to the clients’ satisfaction and I am extremely proud of all the students for all the extra time and effort they put into making their restaurant look and feel inviting. Well done to all and again a big thank you to all the truly valued volunteers at The Heights School. Dick Glacken Food & Hospitality Teacher

The Heights School

A CONVERSATION COULD CHANGE A LIFE… www.ruokday.com

On Friday 12th September (Week 8) our school celebrated RUOK? Day. Everyone was encouraged to wear

something yellow to show their support. RUOK Day is about bringing attention to the mental health and

wellbeing of ourselves and others. It’s about asking each other:

1. RUOK?

2. Listening to their answer without judgement

3. Encouraging them to talk to an adult about it

4. Follow up later to see if things are better.

On RUOK? Day, which was organised by the school Student Leaders (Junior, Middle and Senior School), our whole

school joined in free activities at recess and lunch, including music and free ice blocks. Middle School SRC

students also organised free face painting for all students. All students also received free RUOK? Day stickers.

We are also learning about wellbeing in our classes. Junior School classes were working to define wellbeing and

will be participating in Assertiveness training soon. Middle School students participated in lessons about how to

recognise when our friends need help and how to help them.

The activities, stickers and ice blocks were funded through the $1000 grant our school won at the beginning of the

year to promote student wellbeing and authentic student voice.

“We should have music every day at

school. It makes people so happy.”

- Senior School student “This has been the best day I’ve had

at school!” – Middle School Student

Ms Wilks and Mr Roubanis' Year 8 Science classes have been busy making models of atoms which depict protons,

neutrons and electrons. Atoms are the foundation of chemistry. They are the basis for everything in the

Universe.

AN EXCURSION TO THE LOCAL

CREEK

Science classes recently travelled to a local waterway to observe microscopic organisms in water. They listed the different types of organisms they saw, stated whether it was unicellular or not and described its characteristics.

They saw bacteria, tiny animals like rotifers which belong to the Kingdom Animalia and of course protozoans and algae which belong to the Kingdom Protista.

BIG SCIENCE COMPETITION RESULTS - CONGRATULATIONS Recently The Heights School received their results from the 2014 Big Science Competition which is an Australia wide competition. The competition tests the critical thinking, problem solving and science literacy skill of students

Test items in the Big Science Competition are aligned with the Australian Curriculum - Science. 1. Science inquiry skills: including identifying and formulating questions and hypotheses for testing; making predictions, collecting, analysing and evaluating data and drawing valid conclusions; interpreting and communicating information through appropriate representations and media.

2. Science as a human endeavour: including the development of science knowledge and processes across cultures and over time; its application in areas of human endeavour; its significance in informing personal and societal decisions and actions; and the influence society has on science.

3. Science understanding: core concepts relating to Biological, Chemical, Earth and Space Sciences, and Physical Sciences that are designated at each stage.

The Senior paper is aligned with the Year 10 Science Understanding strand and sub-strands but with increased emphasis on the Science Inquiry Skills and Science as a Human Endeavour strands.

Congratulations to the following students:

HIGH DISTINCTION

Casey Boller David Hin Tejas Hegde Abdullah Sallam

DISTINCTION

Liam Cameron-Smith Scott Carnie-Bronca Erin Carnie-Bronca Abe Cebulski

Iurie Ciobanu Joonghoon Park Stephanie Park Rajat Sukhja

The following students achieved a Credit - Congratulations!

Liam Blake Kiara Boyd Tom Ducker Ella Genrich Antony Georgaras

Dylan Grivell Justin James Marc Maslov Brayden Schutz Tara Shirlock

Cole Garcia Tayla Gunn James Hague Braden Haronen Zayn Hearn

Alexander Kerin Megan Pearson Brayden Schroeder

OLIPHANT SCIENCE AWARDS The Oliphant Science Awards are South Australia's largest Science competition with thousands of students from R-12 entering many categories including Models, Experiments, Posters, Essays, Multimedia and Photography. Erin Carnie-Bronca has been successful in the Photography section for the last six years and she is a prize winner again this year. Scott Carnie-Bronca has also achieved a Highly Commended in the past. The award ceremony will be held Friday 19th September where the place winners are announced. Erin’s photograph of the moon.

Erin writes: “On the 1st August 2014 I captured this photo of the International Space Station transiting the Moon. It was taken as a video and then the individual frames stacked to create one image. The whole event took about half a second so a single photo is impossible to take. This was the first time I tried this and I am happy with the results. This image was also published in the September Astronomical Society of South Australia's (ASSA) Bulletin." The Oliphant Awards Ceremony was held on Sunday 21st September 2014.

Congratulations to Erin who was awarded 2nd Place for her photo.

Scott Carnie-Bronca also had one of his star trail images in the ASSA Bulletin in June: He writes:

"I took this photo at the Astronomical Society of South Australia's Stockport Observatory. It consists of 200 x 30 second exposures stacked together to show the rotation of the stars."

CHEMISTRY The Tollen’s test is used in organic chemistry to test for the presence of aldehydes. In this reaction, an aldehyde is oxidized to a carboxylic acid while the Silver Ion is reduced to silver metal, which deposits as a thin film on the inner side of the glass. Pictured in Mr Roubanis' Chemistry class are some of the students with their silver bottles. Student work in Science is always celebrated and displayed for other students and staff to see. The newly acquired poster boards in the Lecture Theatre were filled up with some

excellent work from Year 9 Science Students on particular animals of the wild.

SCIENCE EXCURSION Recently a group of year 10 students attended the Careers – Science Alive exhibition at the Showgrounds. There the students saw over 50 science-related organisations on display which offered hands-on activities, spectacular chemistry science shows, wildlife shows and careers talks.

PHYSICS A group of students in Ms Verdon’s Stage 1 Physics

working on a practical on force, mass and acceleration. They are taking multi-exposure pictures

of a glider on a linear air track.

WORK EXPERIENCE Earlier in the Year Scott Carnie-Bronca and James Hague chose to undertake their 1 week Work experience placement at The Heights School Science laboratories assisting the laboratory technician, Ms Christine Docherty.

Ms Salaria’s class investigated some chemical reactions including a demonstration on Hydrogen gas production. The chemicals used were concentrated Hydrochloric acid and Magnesium strips. The chemical reaction was carried and monitored in a fume cupboard all the time. The chemicals were mixed in a

flask and the gas produced was collected in an empty egg shell. The egg shell was then ignited by one of the students each time the gas was collected in a new egg shell. It is interesting to know that Hydrogen gas is burnt with a popping sound and this is used as an indicator of presence of Hydrogen gas in various experiments. But Hydrogen is not a great explosive itself. There has to be a sufficient amount of oxygen present along with hydrogen to have an explosion. And to facilitate the mingling of two gases, an additional energy may be supplied further in form of a flame. As the temperature rises in the egg shell, the pressure is increased which results in an explosion. Archana Salaria

Twenty two students from Wiltja attended The Heights Observatory for a viewing night on the 20th September. Thank you to Karman Sawhney, Andrew and Maddi Cool and Terry

Wardle and Blair Lade for hosting the students.

Exploding

Eggs

PRIMARY SCHOOLS FESTIVAL 2014 Each year The Heights prepares a “Festival Choir” that participates in the South Australian Public Schools Festival of Music, which is a series of concerts held at the Festival Theatre in September. The South Australian Primary Schools’ Music Festival started in 1891 as the Thousand Voice Choir; the festival has been part of South Australian life and now stands as an official state Icon. Reaching over 23,000 primary children with choral music as its core the Festival assists schools achieving excellence in student outcomes

As in previous years, The Heights has supported this prestigious Festival. Our main contribution is our Festival Choir. All in all the festival is one of the highlights of the year for the choir and culminates with the choir performing with over 400 other students in the Primary Schools’ Festival at Festival Theatre. Being a member of this prestigious choir requires commitment, dedication and a love of singing. This year The Heights Choir consisted of 34 Yr 5/6/7 students who worked hard in the preparation and rehearsal of the songs for the Festival. Prior to the actual Festival Theatre event an earlier rehearsal was held at “Magic Millions” at Morphettville Racecourse with over 400 students and the Orchestra. This year their concert was a matinee performance on a Sunday and the choir was cheered on by 51 parents and friends from the Heights who were in the capacity audience at Festival Theatre. Another performance opportunity linked to the Festival is for students to audition as supporting artists and our Guitar Ensemble for the fourth year in a row performed in the Festival as supporting artists. The

ensembles members are Dianne Banks, Dion, Turner (Yr. 12) Seamus McIIduf, Jason Ducker (Yr. 10) Kane Lehman (Yr. 8) and their Director is Ian Seaborn (IMS). Dion also performed as a soloist in the final concert. Congratulations to the Yr. 6/7 Festival Choir and the Guitar Ensemble for their efforts and final performances in the three different concerts of this year’s festival. All Concerts had capacity audience and our students represented the school with dignity and pride.

Relaxing before the event

Guitar Ensemble backstage at Festival Theatre

SAPSASA NETBALL On Thursday 18th September, 23 students from Year 6 and 7 participated in the SAPSASA Netball Carnival at Golden Grove Netball Courts. We had a mixture of experienced players and players who had never played before. Both teams were very competitive and the sportsmanship shown on the field between the players was fantastic. In the end the girls team came 3rd in the Division Three competition, and the boys team came 2nd (jointly with two other teams) in a hotly contested Division Two competition. A massive thank you to Cassie Searle and Amber Ownsworth who umpired for our school all day, and to Josh Lake for coaching the boys team. Thank you also to the

parents who assisted with transport and scoring, I am extremely grateful for your support. Mrs Rothery

Players in the girls SAPSASA netball team were Taylah, Ainsley, Paige, Jaimee, Brooke, Teagan, Emilie, Indeya, Charlotte, Brittany, Skyla and Abbey.

Players in the boys SAPSASA netball team included Rylee, Pasqual, Mitchell, Josh, Jordan, Nathan, Aidan, Justin, Cameron, Lachlan

and Awal. Josh Lake (the one at the back who is a lot taller than the others, did a fantastic job as the team coach).

SPORTS RESULTS U14s BASKETBALL 16/9/14 The Heights Players defeated St David’s Tigers 41-29. Well done!

Heights School Walking Club Below are the walks for the Term 3 school holidays for the Heights School Walking Club. I would love to see some new families coming along to the walks. You are welcome to bring extended family members or friends. If you are interested in any of the above, or need more information, email me at cherie.rothery898@schools.sa.edu.au or text 0438 084 187. Bring a hat, sunscreen, water, good walking shoes and snacks for your kids to all the walks. If the weather is hot or there is constant or heavy rain, I will have to cancel the walk. I will text those families who had already told me they were intending to come. Mrs Rothery

Sunday 28th September at 1.00pm – Devils Nose Hike - Parra Wirra Recreation Park This walk of about 4.4km takes us to a stunning lookout upon some rocks called Devil’s Nose. You can enter Para Wirra Recreation Park via Humbug Scrub Road, One Tree Hill.

Friday 3rd October at 1.00pm – Carisbrooke An easy walk through walking trails of Carisbrooke Recreation Park, stopping midway at a play at one of the playgrounds. Parking is opposite the Old Spot Hotel – meet at the lower car park (near main playground).

Tuesday 7th October at 1.00pm around Cobbler Creek (Golden Grove). Meeting at corner of Persimmon Street and Satsuma Crescent This section of Cobbler Creek is one our walking club has not done before. We will meet at the corner of Persimmon Street and Satsuma Crescent and will be walking along the creek trails. Please note that the Heights School Walking Club events are not an official school event. Students who participate in

the walks must have a parent or caregiver with them and the safety and wellbeing of the students is the full responsibility of the parents or caregivers.

W ATJUNIOR

SPRING COMPETITION The Heights School

Ladywood Road Modbury Heights

FREE! Come & Try Night Wednesday 15

th October, 4pm -

8pm Contact Matt 0430 230 840

matt@sanfl.com.au

INTRODUCTION TO ORIENTEERING Wednesday 8th October 2014

(during school holidays)

Wadmore Park, Athelstone.

9:30-10:00am Reception & Registration at the

Foxfield Oval

Cost $20

If you are interested, please email Adrian Craig by Sunday 5th October

2014 on

coaching@sa.orienteering.asn.au

Phone: 8263 4784

ADELAIDE GEM & MINERAL CLUB

INC

Presents its

ANNUAL GEM & MINERAL SHOW

OCTOBER 11TH & 12TH 2014

AT THE

Payneham Library Complex,

corner OG Road & Turner Street,

Felixstow