FROM THE
DEPUTIES

MS SOMERVILLE, MRS ST HILL , MS WILSON & MRS EDWARDS

Mrs Somerville Years 7 & 10

This term has been quite the challenge for everyone.

We started the term with Year 12 completing their Trial HSC examinations at the TAFE and with their return to the school, many students were applying themselves to the completion of the major projects and the performance elements of their courses which was to be the next step in the journey to the HSC. With the COVID restrictions coming into place, it meant that both students and staff had to get creative when finalising assessments and continuing to complete essential revision for the examinations. Despite this our experiences last year with remote learning put us in a strong position to transition easily without as much impact on student learning compared to other schools.

NESA have made some adjustment as a result of the impact of Level 4 restrictions with the cancelling of external markers for, at this stage, Dance and Music while the HSC written examination have been rescheduled to begin a week later. Emails will be sent to keep you informed as NESA continues to release more information about support for Year 12 students and any possible changes. What is important is that Year 12 students continue to engage with their teachers, complete revision and ask for help if they need it. The purchasing of the online program Edrolo by the P& C has also been an essential resource for our senior students during this time as they can access videos, quizzes and summaries to help consolidate knowledge for their HSC topics. Don’t forget that students can also access past HSC papers through the www.educationstandards.nsw.edu.au website which is also a valuable part of preparation for the examinations.

Year 10 have completed their subject selections and have started making decisions about their future in preparation for the start of their senior school journey. They will get confirmation of their subjects later next term and will have the opportunity to make changes at the start of next year if they wish. Some Year 10 students have already started their journey through the accelerated program by completing one Year 11 course this year and it has been exciting to watch them extend their learning and take on this challenge. I am confident as they move into Term 4 and begin their preparations for the HSC, they will continue to apply themselves and work diligently towards achieving their goals. We have plans in the works for Year 10 as we close in on the end of the year which involves them participating in real life activities and work placement – watch this space as we are hopeful that these will still go ahead.

Year 7 embraced the class norms we were introducing early this term with a focus on being ready to learn by coming to school with bags, laptops charged and ready, having phones away during lesson time as well as being in uniform. When we return to face to face learning, this will continue to be a focus. Year 7 transitioned to online learning very smoothly during the lockdown period reflecting their confidence in completing work on Canvas which they have using in class all year. What was particularly pleasing for me was hearing of the responsibility many took in helping others log on to Teams meetings with their teachers. This reflects the positive and collaborative way of learning that we have embedded into our Hubs.

Hoping that everyone is staying safe and I am looking forward to catching up with our students when we return to school

Mrs St Hill Years 8 & 11

I would like to congratulate our KKHS students who have embraced and engaged with the online learning being delivered through Canvas. Our students and teachers already had the skills and used this as our preferred learning platform, long before Covid-19. Each student is expected to use their existing timetable as the guide as to when their teachers are online, delivering their lessons and able to be contacted using email. Each class has been designed to have a submittable task per fortnight that students need to submit this task to show their engagement and to demonstrate their understanding. Teachers are noting students who are not submitting work and parents and carers are receiving emails to notify them if this is occurring. The best way to seek assistance is for students to email their teacher. Each class on Canvas has their teacher’s email address on the homepage.

Our IT team have created lots of video guides that are embedded into our KKHS Website. Many students and parents have found this very useful to help them to navigate the use of Canvas, especially how to find the Calendar option on the lefthand side of the page to join in the online lessons.

Just remember that teachers are working from home and logging on to deliver their lessons in the same manner that students are. We are all in this together.

YEAR 8

At the time of writing this report, I can proudly say that Year 8 were out in front of the whole school ‘Let’s Get Moving’ challenge created by the Lifestyle faculty to encourage us all to do some physical activity. Well done Year 8.

During this time of lockdown and using online learning, remember that it is important that students are submitting tasks online to show the engagement with their learning and demonstrating to the teachers that they are understanding and able to use the skills being taught.

There are lots of people to support students, this includes the classroom teachers, year advisors, the Wellbeing Team and learning and support team. Students can use their portal email or alternatively parents and carers can contact the front office during normal school hours to be directed to the best person to help.

Year 8 completed their elective choices earlier this term and we are now processing the selections to see what electives can be offered for Year 9 2022. This is a very challenging task, juggling the specialised teachers, the timetable and the rooms available. Students will be notified early next term of their 2 electives and unfortunately not every subject displayed during the “expo” manages to be offered for 2022.

YEAR 11

As we head into week 8, all Year 11 students will be aware of the upcoming exams. Information and the timetable was sent via student emails and each classroom teacher is providing a digital way to officially notify students of the assessment, requiring students to acknowledge the receipt of this. It is even more important that students are engaging with their teachers during online lessons as they often provide information to support students in preparation and revision for these assessments and exams. Remember that the Year 11 assessment policy still stands even during these learning from home times. Misadventure and grounds for appeal are very clearly outlined in this policy. Failure to attempt and submit the exam due to poor engagement and time management issues will result in a zero mark and an N warning being issued.

With this newsletter being the final one before the end of term, it is exciting to acknowledge that students returning next term will be heading into their first term of Year 12. Even more amazing is that there remain 4 solid terms of learning, in preparation for the pathway of choice for your future. Seize this opportunity to always submit your best work, ask clarifying questions, seek guidance and manage your time wisely.

You are in control of your mindset because,

“Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re right.” -Henry Ford

Ms Wilson Years 9 & 12

Term 3 started with a focus of High Expectations for every student every lesson. Students transitioned positively into the new NORMS of the school: ready to learn (bag, books, pens, fully charged laptop), phones off and away in bags and school uniform. Then COVID hit, seeing us return to at-home online learning.

Year 12 and Year 9 have moved seamlessly into the at-home online learning space using Canvas, due to this being one of the other ‘norms’ at KKHS where students are provided with engaging lessons through the Canvas online platform. Congratulations to all students and a big thank you to the fabulous teachers who are working tirelessly to provide outstanding learning opportunities for you all. Another special mention needs to go to our parents, who are supporting our students learn from home. Thank you for continually working in partnership with us.

Year 12, in the lead up to your HSC in these unpredictable times, it is vitally important that you look after your health and wellbeing, and reach out if you need support. Ms Somerville is doing an amazing job keeping us all up to date with information and changes happening in the HSC space, and I would like to thank her. Parents, if you would like further information relating to supporting your child's wellbeing, there is some valuable information to access here:

https://education.nsw.gov.au/parents-and-carers/wellbeing?q=

There has been an addition to the Year 9 Advisor team. Ms Amy Stewart is now joined by Ms Marnie Twyford, as Miss Samantha Golding has been appointed to Head Teacher English. Ms Twyford is just as committed and passionate as Ms Golding and together with Ms Stewart, it remains a formidable support team for Year 9 students.

I would like to personally thank Mr Hope for his guidance and mentorship, certainly huge shoes to fill. It has been an absolute privilege and pleasure to relieve in the deputy principal role and to support Year 12 and Year 9 students to thrive and succeed at KKHS.

Mrs Edwards - Studio School and Kuta Kaya

While these times are certainly challenging for us all, I am extremely proud of the genuine support of each other that I have seen from our students in the Studio School and Kuta-Kaya. Joining the Studio School students of a morning during their check-ins has become the highlight of my day. In every Check-in I have attended, the students have warmly welcomed me and included me in their activities, and often providing me with a laugh to start my day. This has really shown me the importance of constructive interactions to begin my day as often it can be quite a long one when you are sitting in front of a computer all day! The genuine support and relationships between the Advisors and the students will be important in the coming weeks of lock down as we are restricted in our contact with others. Check-in are occurring at the beginning and the end of the day so I am encouraging you to get online regularly as this will help you to foster a feeling of social connectedness as you interact with your classmates. Similarly, the staff in Kuta-Kaya are interacting with their students online and I have heard that Mr Davis has become somewhat of a tech whizz with Canvas and most of the Pintu class has logged on and are interacting with their new source of learning well. Teachers will continue to support our students through a regular online presence. Please remember the importance of checking in and asking for assistance if needed, whether it is with your schoolwork, wellbeing or otherwise.

Enrolment procedures in the Studio School have changed from this term onwards. Students in Years 9 through to Year 11 will have the opportunity to submit an application at any point in the term, however, there will be a cut-off date for each term. If you apply after the date provided, you will have to wait until the following term. While our process has been slightly delayed due to lockdown, I will be calling those parents of students who have applied in the following week. Students will need to prepare a presentation to the Advisors, detailing why they believe Big Picture Education would work for them and goals they would like to achieve. The Advisors will determine the suitability of each candidate and all students will be informed via a phone call and/or letter of the outcome. A student may try again in the following term if they are not successful, and they will be provided with feedback to improve upon.