CAPTURING THE ATMOSPHERE/SPIRIT OF OUR LITERACY/NUMERACY WEEK 2024

For everyone who dressed up in their creative outfits and participated one way or the other, you have cheered us all up and have made HIGHVALE an amazing school for all of us. Special mention to the ARTS & TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT for always going out of its way, this year creatively dressing up as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! Not to be outdone, a big surprise this year, the ENGLISH DEPARTMENT came out with their own impressive cast of Macbeth!

STAFF AND STUDENTS DRESSED UP IN THEIR CREATIVE COSTUMES TO ALSO WELCOME SPRING!

WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY, SAFE AND RELAXING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS!

GREAT NEWS! Our LNW celebration raised $503.65 for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Huge thanks to around 20 staff members who donated books to the ILF fundraising. Confirmed competition winners receiving canteen vouchers: Most Popular Costume, Zeina M. (7B); Most Creative Bookmark Design, Senuli T.(7A) and three runners-up; Sudoku Challenge, Chloe C. (7A); Wordsearch, Amelie P. and Anna H.(Y8); Kahoot Quiz, Stella M. and Teagan M. (Y9); Short Story, Reilin T. (9.8); Poetry, Freya H. (Y10).

WHAT HIGHVALE TEACHERS ARE READING

MR CHRISTIAN D’ADEMO (Year 9 Coordinator/VCE Biology Teacher)

I am currently reading “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall. This book has an incredible sense of awe as it delves into a hidden Mexican running tribe and the journalists and runners who plan to create an incredible ultramarathon race with them. After being repeatedly injured as a runner himself, the author Chris McDougall marvels at the tribe's ability to run ultra-distances (over 100 miles) at incredible speeds, without getting the routine injuries that most American runners have had. The book also explains several mysteries and secrets of the Tarahumara tribe in the Copper Canyons of Mexico while delving into historical run-ins with Americans that the tribe has had in their journey of being the best long-distance runners on earth. An absolutely fascinating book that I would recommend to anyone interested in running, athletics, ancient tribes or the history of such tribes. One of my favourite books of all time, a real page-turner that will keep you hooked in each and every chapter!

MRS AMANDA NAIDOO (Year 9 Coordinator/Business Management teacher)

If you like thought-provoking stories, “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a great read. It’s about Hester Prynne who is shamed for having a child outside of marriage and has to wear a big scarlet "A" for everyone to see. What I found interesting is not only how the book deals with judgment and guilt, but also Hester’s strength in standing up to the people who judge her. It’s pretty deep, and it really makes you think about how society treats people for their mistakes. Definitely worth reading if you like something a bit more serious!

EXCITING ADDITIONS TO OUR MAIN COLLECTION, plus more!

RESOURCES FOR LOTE (LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH) STUDENTS, check these out!

EXCELLENT STUDENT CONTRIBUTION TO OUR HIGHVALE WRITERS CLUB SEGMENT!

Thank you Rayan B. (8.2) for contributing a creative piece to our HSC Writers Club, recommended for publication by his English teacher, Ms Anita Grandy. Here is an excerpt from Rayan’s work:

“Mum, what happened?” Mohammed’s voice quivers. She looks up, eyes red, and stammers, “Y-Your grandfather… he’s dead.” The word echoes in his mind like a relentless drone, circling in a relentless pattern. Dead. Dead. Dead...

Mohammed’s face pales, his breath catching as if a sharp pain has pierced his heart, leaving him hollow and bleeding. The world seems to slow, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. Overwhelmed, he collapses onto his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Hours pass as he lies there, lost in a daze, replaying fragmented memories of his grandfather. The once vivid moments now feel distant and meaningless. He blinks, trying to grasp the reality, but all that remains is a void of confusion and sorrow.

For a complete copy of Rayan’s imaginative piece, please click the attachment: d:\Users\msm\Downloads\Mohammed A journey through grief and resilience - Copy 1 Rayan.docx

WHAT’S ON IN MELBOURNE DURING THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Experience fun during the school holidays with the whole family at the 2024 ROYAL MELBOURNE SHOW from September 26 to October 4. There will be no shortage of family entertainment, delicious foods, incredible attractions and farm experiences with loads of free activities for the whole family including spectacular fireworks!

For more fun on the school holidays, please access these links:

https://royalshow.com.au/

https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/things-to-do/this-weekend

IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR VCE STUDENTS

Two weeks after the school holidays, October 18th will be the final day for Year 12. The end-of-year VCE Exams starts on October 29.

Please start getting ready to return Book Hire textbooks/novels/calculators as soon as you are finished using these. Book Hire Refund Forms will be available in the Library in due time.

With hectic study times ahead, try to find time to rest, relax, recharge.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR UPCOMING VCE EXAMS!

WISHING HIGHVALE STAFF AND STUDENTS A FANTASTIC SCHOOL HOLIDAY!

Mobile Phones - Student Use