KOJONUP DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL Blackwood Road, Kojonup, WA, 6395 Phone: 9831 2300 Fax: 9831 1643 Canteen: 9831 1403 Email: marcelle.howe@education.wa.edu.au Web: www.kojonupdhs.wa.edu.au

SCHOOL EXPECTATIONS

Show Respect - Be Safe - Follow Instructions - Have Pride

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

14 Southern Edge Theatre Hip/Hop Street Moves Early Close 2:30pm

15 Kindy Day School Psychologist

16 Canteen: Belinda Marsh

17 Kindy Day

18 Jack and the Jumping Beanstalk 9:50am Canteen: Virginia Baker

21 KINDY DAY Early Close 2:30pm Year 8/9 Camp Kindy Open Day 2:30pm to 3:30pm

22 Kindy Day School Psychologist

23 24 Kindy Day Newsletter

25 Canteen: Sam O’Halloran

KDHS P&C ART SHOW AND AUCTION – THANK YOU There are so many people that we need to thank for all of their help with the P&C Art Show and Auction, rather than mention everyone by name (as we would probably forget someone) we would like to say THANK YOU to you all. The hall looked absolutely amazing, filled with beautiful pieces of art work and lots of fun and laughter was had by everyone that attended. THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN, P&C Committee.

There is some art work that has not been purchased, if you would like to purchase your child/rens art work please do so by the end of the term. These could make wonderful Christmas presents for family.

NEWSLETTER

10TH

SEPTEMBER 2015

FROM THE PRINCIPAL – Peter Callaghan Welcome to spring! Although there is a forecast change coming, currently the weather is very nice after the harder days of winter.

It was wonderful to see so many people make the effort to visit the school on Monday night for our Learning Journey’s program. As I am sure you saw, children love to share their school work with parents and grandparents, uncles and aunties. Almost every child had at least one adult come to their classroom to see their work and this is a very powerful validation of what they are doing, so thank you for the effort.

Second Breakfast - We are fortunate to be able to offer a second breakfast on Monday and Thursday mornings courtesy of Food Bank and the Chaplaincy committee volunteers. We have a great many students who, because of their bus pick-up times, have breakfast hours before the start of the school day as well as any number of town kids for whom a late start to the morning can mean skipping some or all of breakfast. It’s simple – hungry kids don’t learn! Please encourage your children to take advantage (on Monday and Thursday) of the chance to have a second breakfast in the Chaplains room before the start of the day. And thank you to all those adults who make the effort to provide this invaluable service.

Professional Development Day - For the previous three years as Western Australian schools were working towards the implementation of the Australian Curriculum, we were given one extra PD day per year and last year that day was taken on the Albany Show Day. For 2015 that extra day has been withdrawn and when we published our Term Four Planner this year I had overlooked the inclusion of that extra day. We will still have Monday 12

th October (first day of

Term 4) as our PD Day and we will be analysing our NAPLAN results. We will NOT be having a PD Day on 13th

November, the Albany Show Day. If you have a copy of our Term Planner up on the fridge, please change it!

Parenting 101 - Some more from my ‘cheat sheet’ on this most vexing of issues. Parenting is an extremely complex task and is also highly individualised – there is no ‘one way’ to go. However, some things can be useful to hear or share so I will risk making these suggestions.

1. Catch her being ‘good’. This simply means that when your child is behaving in a way you like, you can give her some positive feedback. For example, ‘Wow, you are playing so nicely. I really like the way you are keeping all the blocks on the table’. This works better than waiting for the blocks to come crashing to the floor before you take notice and bark, ‘Hey, stop that’. This positive feedback is sometimes called ‘descriptive praise’. Try to say six positive comments (praise and encouragement) for every negative comment (criticisms and reprimands). The 6-1 ratio keeps things in balance. Remember that if children have a choice only between no attention or negative attention, they will seek out negative attention.

2. Get down to your child’s level. Kneeling or squatting down next to children is a very powerful tool for communicating positively with them. Getting close allows you to tune in to what they might be feeling or thinking. It also helps them focus on what you are saying or asking for. If you are close to your child and have his attention, there is no need to make him look at you.

FROM THE PRIMARY DEPUTY PRINCIPAL – Jayde McIvor Learning Journey What a success! It was so pleasing to see and take so many wonderful pictures of parents, grandparents and students enjoying and showing off their learning. Thank you to everyone who came along to support this great event. Please remember to return your feedback form to your child’s classroom teacher.

Hip Hop Week Week 9 is Hip Hop Week and we are lucky enough to have Southern Edge Arts here once again to bring us this fantastic event. Please make sure your child has returned their permission slip.

Jack Flash and the Jumping Beanstalk Incursion On Friday 18

th September we have an incursion to be presented by New Zealand Playhouse called Jack Flash & the

Jumping Beanstalk. It will cost $4.50 per student to attend for students PP to Year 6. Notes will be sent home this Friday 11

th and are due back to your child’s classroom teacher by Thursday 17

th of September.

School Development Day School will commence on Monday 12

th October, 2015 for staff at KDHS. During this day staff will be analysing School &

Student data. Students will commence on Tuesday 13th October.

Sports Carnival The Sports Carnival will once again be held in Week 1 of Term 4, however the Jumps & Throws component will be held on Thursday 15

th October and the Track & Field Events will be held on Friday 16

th October. This year students aged 8

years old and 7 and under (Year 1) will be included in the carnival and have points go towards faction and individual points. If you are available to help on the day please contact Derek Ringrose on 9831 2300 or email at derek.ringrose@education.wa.edu.au

Presentation Night Presentation Night will be held on Tuesday night 15

th December at the Kojonup Memorial Hall. This year the Pre

Primary students will also be presenting an item and receiving their book awards presented to all students on the stage.

FROM THE SECONDARY DEPUTY PRINCIPAL – Bob Trouchet Thank you to the many parents who attended the school Learning Journey on Monday evening. It gives everyone an opportunity to see what is happening in all of the classrooms rather than just one small section of the school. I looked at each of the class displays and I was very impressed by the work our students are doing. A special thank you to Cole Miles for all his expertise and time on the barbeque. He was working before the advertised start time and was still working after parents had left! Students in Year 10 have now finished their OLNA testing. This is a West Australian initiative in which students have to demonstrate their competence in Literacy and Numeracy before leaving school in Year 12. The questions involve a lot of calculation or interpretation of signs, labels and notices, which is the area of literacy and numeracy rather than English or Mathematics. Students can show their competence either in the Year 9 NAPLAN tests or in one of the six opportunities in Years 10 – 12. Year 8 and 9 students are working towards the Year 8/9 camp which takes place in the final week of this term. Parents who have any questions about the camp or its program should contact Malcolm McDonald at the school. I will be taking some Long Service Leave for the first half of Term 4 and Mrs Kate Fleay will be taking my position as Secondary Deputy Principal. She successfully worked in that role for a term and a half in 2014 and I wish her all the best for Term 4. And finally a quote from Alvin Toffler. “The illiterate of the future will not be the person who cannot read. It will be the person who does not know how to learn.”

HAPPY 60

TH BIRTHDAY MR TROUCHET - From all the staff and students,

we hope you had a fantastic day.

2016 KINDERGARTEN ENROLMENTS Applications are now open for 2016 Kindergarten enrolments for children turning four by 30

th June 2016. Please contact

the School Front Office, for an enrolment form, 9831 2300. Alternatively you can go to our website www.kojonupdhs.wa.edu.au and download the enrolment forms. If your child will be catching the school bus you will need to register at www.schoolbuses.wa.gov.au. For any queries you may have regarding enrolling your child please contact the school, 9831 2300.

BIRTHDAYS UP TO THE 10

TH SEPTEMBER 2015

Abby Rodda Isobelle Venn Cleo Dihm Ebony Levis Fred House Tamati Potaka Elyssa Sutcliffe

MERIT AWARD WINNERS Alexander Mills Holly Hinds Josh Pexton Henry Simpson Joseph Retallack Bonnie Norrish Isobelle Venn Terehia Potaka-Osborne Beau Baker Tahlia Schinzig Annabelle Trezise Jamaine Weazel Edward Riley

YEAR 4/5 CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES The Year 4/5 class has been very industrious up at the school farm and in the Home Ec room, particularly over the past fortnight. Many of their parents may be aware that we had a small amount of time to spend on building some boats, as we have been discussing the early explorers and their voyages of discovery. The boats had to be: No more than 30cm high, 30cm wide and 50cm in length, have input from every member of their team, be able to complete it in 2x 1hour lessons, have a sail of some description and be able to float. We tested the later ability up at the farm with some excellent results and lots of fun. Maybe sailing the world in small boats wasn’t as easy as it sounds?! We have explored the Dreamtime teachings and used the meeting place at the farm as a visual reference for our learning. We have looked at all seasons, lifestyles and discussed some of the stories of the Aboriginal people and looked at Australia’s timeline in reference to the populating of this country. In conjunction with all of this, The Stephanie Alexander Programme has allowed the 4/5 class to plant, grow and harvest, predominantly vegetables and then use our produce to cook delicious meals in the kitchen. In term 2 and 3, so far, we have made, Pumpkin Soup with Wheat Tortillas (from scratch!), Cauliflower and Broccoli Tikka Masala, Stewed Rhubarb with Greek Yoghurt and Honey, Cauliflower Soup, Fritters, Pumpkin Scones and Coleslaw. Each week we finish our cooking session with a sit down meal, full table settings and best table manners. It is a fantastic opportunity and environment to raise questions on nutrition, community and etiquette. At the farm the students have not only harvested their produce but created a greenhouse using poly pipe and plastic to grow some vegetables outside of the season, built pea and bean frames for newly planted seedlings, weeded, created new garden beds and helped cement the chook pen. I am so proud of the maturity this class has displayed and excited by the programmes we have ahead. I hope you enjoy the snapshot of our class time.

Thank you to all parents/caregivers/guardians who are informing classroom teachers or the front office when your child/ren are absent from school. As the graph shows we have 22% unexplained absences which the Department will request Kojonup DHS to explain why. It is imperative that when you receive a text or absence from school letter please complete and return to the classroom teacher or ring the front office. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

LIBRARY NEWS The pick for Lower/Middle Primary REMARKABLY REXY By Craig Smith Rexy is a cat who thinks very highly of himself. And then along comes Pamela Pussycat and Towser the dog and suddenly Rexy isn’t quite so sure of himself….funny story… and ends with an unexpected twist!

The pick for Middle/Upper Primary KIDGLOVZ By Julie Hunt and illustrated by Dale Newman Kidglovz is a musical genius. His gift is so precious that he’s kept under lock and key. But when a young thief helps him escape, Kid must embark on a perilous journey through which he will discover the terrifying nature of his talent. A spellbinding graphic fable about friendship and freedom.

BOOKCLUB Please ensure that your orders reach me by the return date specified on the brochures. Late orders will be returned to you. If you have any questions, please come and see me - or call 9831 2300.

Sonya Koster

NEW FOOTY GOALS FOR PLAYGROUND Secondary and Upper Primary students are busy enjoying their new sets of footy goals. These football posts were funded by the Kojonup DHS P&C Association. Our thanks to Mr Derek Ringrose for his organisation and to Mr Warren Porter for the installation. This is yet another example of how our P&C strives to make Kojonup DHS a better place to be for all our students.

DATES TO REMEMBER: Friday 11

th September – Year 7/8 Whole School Assembly 2:30pm

Monday 14th

September – Friday 19th

September – Southern Edge Theatre – Hip/Hop Street Moves Friday 18

th September – Jack and the Jumping Beanstalk Incursion 9:50am

Sunday 20th

September – Friday 25th

September – Year 8/9 Camp Friday 25

th September – LAST DAY OF TERM 3

Tuesday 13th

October – STUDENTS RETURN TO SCHOOL TERM 4

KATANNING JUNIOR BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GENERAL

MEETING AND REGISTRATION NIGHT Wednesday 16

th September, 2015, 6.30pm at Katanning Leisure Centre.

The KJBA AGM will be held at 6.30pm and once all positions are filled registrations for Junior Basketball will be taken. *This will be the one and only chance to register. Boys and Girls born 1999 – 2008 are eligible to register. Fees are $30.00 half season and $60.00 full season – same structure as last season. If your child is eligible for Kidsport please be sure to bring a copy of current Health Care card and Kidsport form filled in correctly and signed by parent/guardian. All committee positions need to be filled at the AGM before registrations will be taken.

STATEMENT FOR HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTERS Important message for parents and students about coming changes to alcohol laws. Secondary Supply Law - 2015 Parents and students should be aware that new legislation, referred to as the secondary supply law, is currently before the WA Parliament. When passed, it will mean adults can be fined if they supply alcohol to children under 18 years of age without parental or guardian consent. What are the reasons for this legislation and why is it so important? One of the main reasons, that many parents and young people may not know, is that drinking alcohol may cause real damage to the developing brain in young people. Different parts of the brain develop at different rates as people grow, and depending on whether they are male or female. The part of the brain that controls rational thinking does not begin to mature until about the age of 19 and only fully matures around the age of 21 in women and 28 in men. Alcohol damage to this and other parts of the child’s developing brain can impact on their problem solving skills and performance at school, as well as potentially affecting their body, mood and mental health. Research has also shown that drinkers under the age of 17 are much more likely to take part in risky behaviour, such as drinking to excess, than are older drinkers, making them much more likely to be injured. So for under 18 – no alcohol is the best choice. The secondary supply legislation was a key recommendation of an independent review of WA’s liquor laws released in January 2014 and will bring WA into line with many other states in Australia. Once passed adults face hefty fines of up to $10 000 if they supply alcohol to anyone under the age of 18 without their parent or guardian’s permission. The Hon Colin Holt, Minister for Housing; Racing and Gaming, said it was not the Government’s intention to reach inside the private homes of families, but to tackle those people who disregard another parent’s wishes or do not place any importance on responsible supervision practices. Minister Holt’s full release can be read at: https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Barnett/2015/08/Secondary-supply-law-goes-before-Parliament.aspx Further information about the effects of alcohol on under 18’s can be found at: http://alcoholthinkagain.com.au/Parents-Young-People/What-Parents-Need-to-Know

LEARNING JOURNEY