Notices
13 Reasons Why Season 2
13 Reasons Why, Season 2 commenced last week. Season 1 of the show depicted a number of confronting topics related to adolescent mental health in the context of suicide. Netflix and Headspace have released a resource for parents to discuss the content of Season 2 with their teens. The resource can be found here:
https://13reasonswhy.info/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/AUSTRALIA-PARENTS-13RY-Headspace.pdf
There is also a discussion resource for young people here:
https://13reasonswhy.info/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/AUSTRALIA-YOUNG-PEOPLE-13RY-Headspace.pdf
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or are concerned about someone you know, please arrange to see a School Counsellor by visiting the Student Support Suite, or call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.
Rebecca Anderson
School Counsellor - Registered Psychologist
Traffic Safety at KWS
I am writing to ask (plead really) for the cooperation of all drivers in making traffic safety in and around our school a personal priority.
On Thursday 24th May the afternoon traffic queue of cars with prep parents picking up children stretched (as always) back past the Stop sign towards Cox Ave. This is to be expected. As a teacher who was walking from the main bus bay area adjacent to the Gym down to Sally Kennett Oval behind the Gym walked past the first car he observed the driver chatting away on her phone. By the time he reached the end of the queue he had counted 14 out of the 19 cars in the queue where the driver was either talking on, texting or reading their phone whilst driving.
This behaviour is well-recognised as being a significant factor in increasing the risk of injury or death to pedestrians – particularly children. Aside from anything else, using a mobile telephone in anything other than hands-free mode while in control of a motor vehicle is unlawful. Just because you are inside the gates of the School does not alter this fact.
As a final comment, we highlighted the use of mobile phones as one of the safety rules on campus in the video prepared by our Prep School students in late 2017. I would ask all drivers to remind themselves of the rules by taking a few minutes to re-watch the video, which can be found here: https://vimeo.com/253348293
In the end, the safety of your own children is at risk. It requires a conscious effort from all drivers to prioritise pedestrian safety.
Thank you for your attention.
Greg Alderson
Business Manager
Orange Youth Forum
Headspace Orange is partnering with CAHMS to present the 2018 Youth Mental Health Forum for youth 12-25 year olds, parents, caregivers, family and friends.
The forum proposes to increase peoples knowledge about mental health by sharing lived experiences, collaborating with services and professionals.
The Forum will also have two guest speakers, Dan Hunt, former NRL player, having played 150 games for the St George Illawarra Dragons over 9 years. Dan will be sharing his life story, including growing up, his NRL career, injuries, addiction, his mental illness journey with bi-polar, and the strategies he found helpful in overcoming these difficulties.
Chris Fitzpatrick, suicide survivor. When Chris's life was just about to take off, he had a false start which left him with a life altering disability. Since then he has been working hard on becoming someone that he can be proud of. It hasn’t been an easy road, but it has been worthwhile. Chris will share his story with us and some of the best lessons he's learned so far, in a very raw and honest way.
The forum will also host a Q&A Panel for participants to ask questions on the day as well as presentations from headspace, CAHMS and other service professionals.
Headspace staff will be available on the day should any one feel the need to chat with them on any of the content presented on the day.
For more information or to register contact Sharna Lord on 0428 299 158 or email hs.orange@marathonhealth.com.au
Tickets are free and can be booked through Eventbrite, https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/youth-mental-health-forum-tickets-45961434889
Rebecca Anderson
School Counsellor - Registered Psychologist
International Exchange
Boys wishing to apply for exchange to Timaru School are reminded that applications are due Monday 28th May.
Applications are now invited for girls wishing to travel to NZ to exchange at Christchurch Girls High School between mid August and September. Applications for the CGHS exchange are due to Mrs Litchfield on the 4th June.
There is now an opportunity to apply to visit Scotland and attend Strathallan school in 4th Term. One boy and one girl in Year 10 will be chosen to go to Strathallan school and exchange partners from Strathallan will come to KWS next year.
Applications for the Strathallan exchange are due 18th June.
Application forms, information booklet and links to schools can be found on FROG on the student exchange site.
Catherine Litchfield
Student International Exchange Co-ordinator
Language Exchanges:
Host Family Expressions of Interest
As the school builds upon its International Exchange Program to include a Language Exchange Program, we are seeking expressions of interest for volunteer host families to welcome some of our international visitors. Students participating in this program a likely to come from France, with a good level of English, but may also be from New Zealand or Scotland and, in the future, Wales, England, India or Japan. Students are 15-16 years old and would be in Year 10, attending KWS for between 4 and 6 weeks and participating in all aspects of school life as well as other cultural excursions. This is an excellent opportunity for students to get to know a culture other than their own, and would be particularly beneficial to students of French, though this is not a requirement. If you and your family would be interested in participating in the program, please forward expressions of interest to either Mrs. Catherine Litchfield (clitchfield@kws.nsw.edu.au) or Ms. Holly Young (hyoung@kws.nsw.edu.au). Any such expression would not commit you to the program and an information session and package will become available at a later date.
Holly Young
Lost and Found
Bree Rouse left her school uniform (dress, shirt and tie ) in the gym change room on Friday afternoon before leaving for Hockey and unfortunately it had been moved when she went to find it on Saturday. If you have seen Bree's uniform could you please let her know or hand in to Reception.