From the Principal
Year 12 Exams
The final VCE exams were held last week after beginning in October. Our Year 12 students have worked hard all year and will be glad that the final step in their secondary schooling is over. We hope the results they gain will allow them to successfully move into their chosen pathways, and in the meantime they enjoy a well-deserved break. Thank you to Silvana La Leggia (Year 12 Coordinator) for the smooth running of the VCE exam period, as well as the Performing Arts team who had to vacate the Performing Arts Centre for the duration of the exams.
Exams, VCEStart and GradStart
As one year finishes another academic year begins. The current Year 11 and Year 10 students have also finished their exams. We were very pleased with the students approach to their study over the exam period. Thank you to Julie Cox (Year 11 Coordinator) and Jenni Oliver (Year 10 Coordinator) for their organisation and guidance over the exam period. Thank you to the C Block teachers who had to move out of their classrooms for the exam period, as well as all the junior students who had to follow room changes every day for weeks.
The Year 10 and Year 11 students have now selected their subjects for next year and have had introductory classes in the new VCE and VCAL subjects. The aim of these classes is to outline expectations for each subject, give them a feel for the topics to be studied and the assessment tasks that will be completed. They will have received a specific homework task for each subject (that can be found on Compass), as well as having to read all their English texts at least once. These subject selections will be confirmed during the interview process over the course of November and early December.
SmartStart
SmartStart begins for all students in Years 7, 8 and 9 on Monday 5th December. They will move into next year’s classes and begin 2017 work with their new teachers. We spend a good deal of time planning for this changeover and teachers will have new topics for them to begin, as well as a specific homework task.
Visit from our Japanese Sister School Students
Three students from our Japanese sister school, Eisu Gakkan, in Hiroshima returned home after staying with us for four weeks. The three girls joined classes and stayed with host families to gain a taste of Australian life. This sister school relationship, is one of a number of links we have with Japan and Germany that benefit our students and families.
We thank Jessica Winstone for all her hard work in organising and managing the visit, as well as the Language Faculty for their support. These programs wouldn’t be possible without the support of a number of Fairhills families who continue to host overseas students, and we appreciate their generosity and commitment to the program.
Congratulations to Andrew Potter
Congratulations to Andrew Potter - Director of Basketball Academy at Fairhills who has been appointed to the position of Coach with the School Sport Victoria (SSV) State Basketball 18 years & under Girls team for 2017-18.
The 18 years and under Girls team will be participating at the School Sport Australia - 18 years Boys & Girls Basketball Championships in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory from 12th-18th of August 2017.
We wish Andrew and his new team well with the Championships in August.
Ace Awards
Students across Years 7, 8 and 9 are regularly nominated by their teachers for displaying behaviors that exemplify our school values.
Congratulations to the following students who were the recipients of our monthly ACE Awards. These students receive a $10 canteen voucher.
OCTOBER
Year 7 Persistence
Rebecca Hurd
Year 8 Persistence
Imogen Jackson
Year 9 Persistance
Jess Ribchester
NOVEMBER
Year 7 Integrity
Jessica McDowell
Year 9 Responsibility and Integrity
Denzel Howard
2016 Australian Helloworld School Championships
The largest event on the Australian Junior Basketeball Championship calendar has become even bigger in 2016 with a record 154 teams set to compete when the 2016 Australian Helloworld Schools Championships (ASC's) are held in Melbourne from December 4-9.
Fairhills High School along with the State Basketball Centre in Wantirna South and Knox Basketball Stadium will host the games. For more information visit: http://www.basketball.net.au/category/school-championship/
Paul Donaldson
Associate Principal