Deputy Principals' Reports
Ms Belinda Hunter (Years 7, 9, 11)
Term 2 at Evans High School has already seen a variety of events take place, including the school athletics carnival, NAPLAN online (for students in Years 7 and 9), as well as Year 11 half-yearly examinations. We’ve had another visit from our friends at Taloodles, and the therapy dogs definitely bring smiles to our faces and make sure that we are in a very happy and positive mood. I’d like to give a big thank you to Ms Rosemary Innes (Head Teacher-Learning Assistance Faculty) for her organisation of these visits, as well as the other wellbeing activities taking place within the school.
Our Student Leadership Team (SLT) have organised lunchtime activities that take place on Wednesday each week. The aim of these activities is not only to increase the amount of physical activity of our school community, but also to engage all members of our school in activities that enhance the rapport between students and teachers. These activities provide our SLT with the opportunity to showcase their leadership skills in yet another aspect of school life, and they are doing a wonderful job!
Year 11 Sports Coaching students have been working extremely hard in supporting the new integrated sport model that was implemented at the beginning of this year. They have been planning their coaching sessions very carefully, ensuring that activities are not only fun and competitive, but also making sure that they are following health and safety guidelines. Their assistance during school sport and carnivals has resulted in a number of invitations from local schools, for our students to assist with their school carnivals and activities. They are certainly showcasing our school in a positive manner throughout the local community, and I could not be prouder of this group of students.
Another reminder in relation to uniform, as over the last week the weather has started to cool off. All students are expected to wear full school uniform, at all times. The uniform shop is open each Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8am, and there is a link on our school website to assist with purchases and organising collection. Hooded jumpers/jackets are not uniform items and should not be worn to school (including underneath school shirts). Also, all students should be wearing black leather shoes, to ensure that they are able to safely participate in all learning opportunities. Sports shoes should be carried in school bags and worn during sport/PE practical lessons as needed. If you require any assistance in relation to uniform, please contact the front office.
Mrs Kerry Doyle (Years 8, 10, 12)
Term 2 is moving along fast and as always time is flying at Evans High School. I encourage all students to continue to listen out for opportunities and programs that are promoted on a regular basis and to get involved in as much as you can. I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate a team of Year 10 students who have made it into the finals of 'Innovation Nation'. Students will be working on a project titled “This Is Us”. It is one of the many opportunities given to students at Evans High School in 2019.
Uniform:
As we come into the winter months please remember the school uniform includes jumpers and that the sports uniform is only to be worn when we have PE or sport. Students are expected to change their shirt after a PE lesson. Black track pants are not part of our school uniform and we have worked very hard with our suppliers to ensure well priced uniforms are available. There will be further information in the newsletter including price lists to assist in the purchase of these. There is a lost property box located outside of Student Services, please ask your child to look there for any missing uniform pieces. In addition, please label all uniform items so they can be returned when found.
Bike Helmets:
Please ensure if you are riding to school you have an appropriate, well fitted helmet on. Bike related injuries are increasing and brain injuries are not something any parent wants to see their child experience, especially when preventable. Please note that students without helmets will have their parents called and asked to collect their child’s bike from school.
School Reports:
These will be available for collection from the school at our parent teacher evening on Wednesday 24th July. Reports will be issued to students not attending that night on the Thursday 25th July. Please contact the school if you have any enquiries regarding school reports. Please also remember to store these in a safe place when receiving them, you may need them for a range of reasons in the future. Printing of these at a later date will require a small fee.
Year 10 Work Experience:
Year 10 will be undertaking work experience in Week 9 of this term. Letters have gone home with your child regarding the organisation for this and we would like to reinforce that all students are expected to engage in this activity. The value of learning work skills and trying your future career is vital. Identifying where students want to complete their work experience as well as assisting in making calls to workplaces with your child will assist in this process. Year Advisors and classroom teachers have also been assisting students, if they want to attend a specific work experience which is not available during that week, please contact Ms Jansen to discuss an alternate organisation.
Intensive English Centre Deputy Principal
Mrs Mee Liau
Amidst the changing colours of autumn, Evans Intensive English Centre is blooming. Enrolments continue to grow; current at 15 classes with 175 students and 23 teachers.
This term sees the launch of a new partnership with Ernst & Young, facilitated via Australian Business Community Network (ABCN). 17 Stage 5 and 6 Level 3 students supervised by Ms Taufique, are attending sessions at E & Y at Circular Quay every fortnightly, being mentored in small groups by managers and project leaders on employment soft skills and opportunities in the corporate world.
Fifteen high school and IEC teachers would successfully complete their Teaching English to Language Learners (TELL) by the end of this term, with many planning to take on facilitator training in future so they could deliver TELL to teachers in 2020.
The IEC with high school EAL/D faculty is planning an exciting oratory/performance event on 26 June to commemorate and welcome the arrival of refugee families in Australia, more of this to come in the next issue of the newsletter.
To wrap up Term Two's full on calendar, the whole IEC would be spending a day at Rouse Hill House and Farm with educators of Muru Mittigar, on 28 June. Students would be learning about Aboriginal history, culture, traditions, art and craft and personal stories and teachers are designing rich tasks to integrate English language learning in a fun and authentic way.
So much to look forward to and so much work to be done before the winter break!