Whytalla

Secondary News

Senior School Happenings

Welcome back to 2020! It has been a fantastic start to the year and the students in the Senior School have really “hit the ground running”!

 

There have been some significant changes for the Senior School (SS), which occurred over the holidays. The BER building is no longer part of the SS, but rather is our new Library, which is looking fantastic with a little bit more room to move. Our senior students have instead moved into where the old library used to be, with the Year 12s having their own learning and study space for them to utilise during their study periods to complete work.

 

The Year 11s have their study periods with one of their existing teachers in a separate space so that they can ask questions, seek any extra help they need and/or have a quiet room to work in to get their work done.

 

The VCAL students have also been relocated into a brand new classroom (S5), which was once the other half of the old library. They have their lockers with their year level peers and are encouraged to spend time with them during break times.

 

I have also come back into my role (Head of Senior Pathways) after taking some maternity leave to have my second child and working part-time last year. As well as teaching senior English and a Geography elective, I am really looking forward to working more closely with our senior students. I am passionate about working with our senior students in order for them to reach their learning potential and I look forward to working with you, their parents/guardians, in order for us all to come together and allow these young men and women to step into their future with confidence.

 

These changes, while significant, have been embraced by the students and they are enjoying their new spaces and learning opportunities.

 

Our VET students started their courses last week and are settling into the different learning opportunities offered externally. If you have any questions about VET, please speak with Victoria Heffernan.  

 

And just a final note on camp. We will be running a Years 11 and 12 camp to Adelaide at the end of this term. The dates scheduled are from Sunday 22nd March – Friday 27th March. More details will come very shortly about the camp and parents will be asked to make a firm commitment and pay a deposit to secure a place on the camp. Please look out for this letter in the coming days.

 

The Year 10s will have a camp at a different stage during the year.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to make contact with myself, or any other member of our staff at any stage.

 

 

 

 

Jen Altmann

Head of Senior Pathways

Fit2Drive 2020

On Tuesday 4th February, the Year 11 students were involved in undertaking the Fit2Drive Program at the school. We were also joined by four students from Goroke.

 

The students learned all about the road rules and what to do if they are in “tricky” situations involving alcohol, drugs or peer pressure. They watched video clips, undertook active learning and activities, question and answer time and acted out scenarios that they may find themselves in when they are behind the wheel. This was all to aid them in their driving journey and to get them to think about what they are doing before they drive, rather than suffer the possible consequences.

 

As well as having a guest facilitator, the students were also able to hear from a local policeman, who was able to provide some personal examples and situations that made the students really think about their own skills and abilities and what they need to do, or not, when they are driving.

 

 

The students took with them a list of strategies and phrases they could use to keep themselves and others safe. They also all set a goal for their own personal driving plan.

 

The students gained a great deal of knowledge and key information from the program and were thankful that they had the opportunity to participate in such a crucial area of learning for all rural students.

 

Jennifer Altmann

Head of Senior Pathways

Secondary School vaccinations in 2020

The Secondary School Vaccine Program offers free vaccines to Year 7 and 10 students. These vaccines provide protection against:

  •  
    • Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) – one dose for year 7 students
    • Human Papillomavirus (HPV) – two doses for year 7 students
    • Meningococcal A,C,W,Y – one dose for year 10 students

Parents/guardians of year 7 and 10 students should look out for the vaccine consent card booklet coming home from school with your child. You need to read the information, complete and return the card regardless of whether your child is being vaccinated at school.

 

Schools are authorised to provide basic parent/guardian contact details to local councils for this purpose. Contact the school by 28 February 2019 if you do not want your contact details given to the West Wimmera Shire Council immunisation service.

 

To learn more about the Secondary School Vaccine Program, the vaccines, the diseases they protect against, or how you can prepare your child for vaccination, go to betterhealth.vic.gov.au

 

Additionally, the Commonwealth government is funding vaccinations for all children under 20 years of age who missed any scheduled vaccines, including a catch up program for Meningococcal ACWY vaccine for adolescents aged 15-19 years of age who have not already received the vaccine in school. If students have missed vaccines, either in childhood or adolescence, and require catch-up vaccines, they should speak with their immunisation provider. (ie. local council or GP).

 

If you haven't already, please ensure your Immunisation form is returned as soon as possible.

Outdoor Recreation Elective Years 8-10 

The Outdoor Recreation Elective have learnt some new throwing games this week including Finska and Bocche.

Life Skills Elective - Years 8-10 

Students in the Life Skills Elective have been practising their culinary skills by preparing ingredients for and making fried rice.

Year 7 Noorla Yo-Long Camp

 

More photos and reports to follow in the next edition of Whytalla but the Year 7 students spent most of Week 3 with Miss Wallace, Mr Sanders and Mr O'Leary to the Noorla Yo-Long Outdoor Adventure Camp.