We are farewelling two staff who finish at the end of semester 1. I would like to acknowledge Nate Clark and Sophie Cocci for their work with our students this year.

Samantha Topperwien will be joining us from this week supporting in Student Services and the Middle School team. At the start of semester 2 on 26 June, Ms Mami Matsunaga be joining us to teach Japanese. The start of term 3 will see Dillon Taylor and Alicia Dean teaching Health and PE. We currently have a leadership position Coordinator: Wellbeing Male Only advertised and are looking forward to the announcement of a new leadership appointment to the school.

As part of the South Australia State Budget our school has been allocated some funding towards roof, gutter and downpipe replacement. We have also been allocated $10,000 for the next 12 months as part of the government’s plan to prevent violence in schools. Our school’s focus will be on restorative practices which will involve whole school staff professional learning and the opportunity for parents/caregivers to know about the principles and practices of restorative processes.

Our next Student Free Day is on Monday 24 July, the first day of term 3. The focus for the day will be the completion of the four day Berry Street Education Model (BSEM).

The end of semester 1 is approaching quickly. Year 7 to 11 students will start the new semester on 26 June. Semester 1 and term 2 achievement reports for year 7 to 11 and year 12 respectively will be available on the last day of term, 7 July. The process to access the achievement reports will be emailed later in the term.

As a staff we are looking forward to celebrating with our year 12 students on 30 June at their Formal. As always, I expect that we will receive compliments about our student’s behaviour from staff at the Intercontinental Hotel.

In the interests of staff and students safety it is important that student’s bring their devices fully charged for the school day. Having students with charging cords in classes’ poses a trip hazard to other students and our staff.

Mobile Phone Ban in South Australian Schools

The current mobile phone policy has been updated to reflect the Government’s expectation that phones are off in schools. The redraft policy is going to the Governing Council for the 20 June meeting. It is anticipated the update policy will be provided to the families by 14 July including on the school’s website. The main change is that the smart watches will need to be put in Yondr pouches, the same requirements for mobile phones.

As a staff, there are random checks of students meeting the mobile device requirements. This sees subject teachers required to ask students to put their phone pouches out at designated lessons and on particular days.

Whilst there are issues with the Yondr pouches with some students and parents/ caregivers informing us of how easy they are to open, on the whole we see very few phones out in the school day. Where a student has not secured their phone/smart watch in a pouch, they are directed to Student Services to resolve the matter. In the event a student refuses to secure their phones/smart watch in a pouch, a leader will work with the student to meet this expectation.

We have continued to see the benefit of the new requirements in the focus on learning, increased interactions in classes and in the schoolyard. Family support in meeting the Government requirement is much appreciated.

Further information about the phone ban can be found at https://www.education.sa.gov.au/mobile-phones

Access to Toilets

From 26 June, students will need their Student ID to access the toilets. The chip in the ID card has been activated and can be used to open the toilet doors. The toilets under the Senior Floor, General Digital Building and Bitondi will remain locked except for recess and lunchtime when a yard duty teacher is present. This is to monitor the use of toilets including the number of students in a toilet at any one time.

This term continues to see many opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning and achievements. This has included:

Year 7 Camps
Year 9 Drama performance
Year 10 PLP roundtable
Year 10 Drama
Middle School Band Night
Senior School Dance Showcase
SACE ensemble and solo performance

There has also been a plethora of co-curricular opportunities and excursions. Our Student Voice is involved in planning Wellbeing Week which will occur from 26 to 30 June. This will see different days have planned activities including:

Social Health – giant games in the Middle School courtyard
Spiritual Health – yoga in the Dance Studio
Mental Health – kahoots, board games and origami
Good Vibes - tunes, board games, drawing and snacks
Wellbeing BBQ breakfast on 30 June in the Middle School at 8.00am

We know that learning is supported by good wellbeing where people feel valued and have a sense of self-worth. Young people also need skills in dealing with some of the unexpected events that occur in our lives. Our Wellbeing for Learning Program incorporates aspects of PERMA+. PERMA+ means:

Positive emotions
Engagement
Relationships
Meaning
Achievement
Sleep, nutrition, exercise and optimism

The elements of PERMA+ has been identified as having a significant impact on wellbeing. The other aspects of our Wellbeing for Learning Program includes:

Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum
Transition
Career Education

Each year level has a different emphasis on the four strands of our program to reflect the age and stage of development of our students. Term 3 will have an emphasis on Career Education with the school staging the 2023 Career Expo. More details about the Expo are included in the newsletter.

Shortly parents and caregivers will receive a letter about changes to the way we will follow up student absences from school in years 7 to 10.

Students who are found to have vapes at school will have consequences. Under the Tobacco and E-cigarette Products Act 1997 teachers are 'prescribed people'. This means that where we are aware of E-cigarettes or vapes, we will confiscate them and notify parents/caregivers. Students found to be using vapes at school will be suspended.

Year 8 Debating

Mr Matt Froese, Teacher