School Newsletter—Contact Volume 13 Edition 1 Term 1 April 2013
Bombing of Darwin
From the Principal
Welcome to the first edition of Contact for the 2013 school year. It will provide parents and guardians with an indication of how busy the beginning of the school year has been for all staff and students. 2012 NTCET Results Darwin High School’s 2012 Year 12 results were outstanding:
95% of all Year 12s successfully completed their Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training. Our Dux, Sophie Philip, achieved an ATAR of 99.95 and was the top student in the Northern Territory. Our top Indigenous student, Jamie Collins, was also the top Indigenous student in the Northern Territory. Eight of the top ten students for the Northern Territory were from Darwin High School and 15 in the top 22 were from Darwin High
School.
45 perfect scores and 30 merits were achieved in a range of subjects. 57 students achieved an ATAR over 90, 92 students achieved an ATAR above 80, and 121 students an ATAR above 70.
The Northern Territory School Based Apprentice of the Year was from Darwin High School. These results are only possible when we have dedicated, outstanding teachers, high expectations of all students and an orderly, supportive, structured learning environment - which encompasses our five values: Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Co-operation and Achievement. I congratulate the 2012 Year 12 students and thank the Darwin High School staff for their commitment to the students – ensuring they all achieve their personal best. Term 1 Progress Reports Term 1 reports are included with this edition of Contact. These interim reports are formative. That is, they are designed to let parents and
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students know what needs to be done during Term 2 to either maintain or improve grades. There is still ample time to rectify problems and I urge parents to contact relevant staff to discuss any concerns. To those students who have done well, keep up the good work. Our students face some very real pressures in their senior secondary years. Courses become more difficult and expectations escalate. Once again, it is far easier to overcome problems at this stage rather than later in the year when it becomes increasingly difficult to salvage a situation. Dress Code Sincere thanks to the students and parents of Darwin High School who have embraced the Dress Code. Unfortunately we have had to inconvenience a small number of parents whose children have not complied with the Dress Code. As a staff, we will continue to work to ensure that the application of the Dress Code is as consistent as possible.
Parent Teacher Night Parent teacher night will be on 29 April (3pm—7pm) for all year levels. Interviews will be a maximum of eight minutes duration. We are once again using the internet-based booking system called Parent Teacher On-Line (PTO). Please access the system as follows:
Go to the School’s home page
http://www.darwinhigh.nt.edu.au/
Click the PTO icon as shown here
Click Obtain PIN/Password and enter your email address.
Your PIN will be emailed to you. If you encounter any problems using PTO please contact the school office by phone on 89991263, or by email to shannon.foy@ntschools.net. Please note that PTO will be available for bookings from 5 April
Assistance If you require clarification or assistance with any matter whatsoever, you may wish to contact some of the following people:
Course Reimbursements and Voluntary Parent Contributions If your child has enrolled in a course where there are consumable costs met by the School on your behalf, I urge you to reimburse the school as soon as possible to ensure the ongoing viability of these courses. Thank you to parents who have made Voluntary Parent Contributions. Your assistance allows the School to offer quality educational programs. Parents can use the credit card facilities by calling on 8999 1283 or by visiting the Finance Office attached to the School Library. Hours are 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
Mr Aaron Dalgleish
Year 10 Coordinator
89991234
Mr Kevin Northcote
Assistant Principal Year 10
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Ms Annette Pedersen
Year 11 Coordinator
89991230
Ms Patricia Cryer
Assistant Principal Year 11
89991203
Mr Michael Loftus
Year 12 Coordinator
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Mr Marty Isaksen
Assistant Principal Year 12
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Ms Meg Davis
Careers Practitioner Year 10
89991280
Ms Jodie Matthews
Careers Practitioner Year 11
89991267
Ms Janine Watt
Careers Practitioner Year 12
89991269
Ms Anne Donnelly
NTCET Coordinator
89991245
Ms Anne Hosking
School Counsellor
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Darwin High School Council Congratulations to the following members of the 2013 School Council elected at the AGM held on Tuesday 13 March.
Ms Kerry Williams
School Counsellor
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Ms Linda Sanders
Home Liaison Officer
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Mr Paul McConnell
Defence Liaison
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Ms Barbara Tapsell
AIEW
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Parent Executive Mr Hully Liveris Ms Kathy Hamilton Ms Diem Tang Ms Wendy Strawhorn Parent Representatives Mr Colin Browne Dr Janice Warren Mr Wally Mauger Mr Craig Reid Mr Wayne Krook Ms Sally Hodgson Mr Michael Duffy Ms Kaye Henderson
(Chair) (Deputy Chair) (Treasurer) (Secretary) Staff Representatives Mr Marty Isaksen Ms Penny McIntyre Ms Jackie Dupe Ms Anne Donnelly Principal Mr Trevor Read Business Manager Ms Penny Beissbarth
The next Darwin High School Council meeting is on Tuesday 17 April at 7:00 pm in the main Staffroom. Aerosols For health and safety reasons aerosol spray cans are not to be used at Darwin High School, during School functions and/or when travelling on School transport. Some staff and students are allergic to the chemical propellants in the aerosols and their heath is endangered if an aerosol is sprayed near them. Bombing of Darwin Once again our students were outstanding in representing Darwin High School at the Bombing of Darwin Ceremony on February 19. After the Ceremony, students were invited by the Chief Minister, Terry Mills, to Parliament House to
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share morning tea with Veterans and other dignitaries. Again and again members of the public and officials complimented the students on their presentation and manner. Thanks must go to Judy Boland who manages this important event in our School Calendar. Email Communication Email provides an easy and effective way to contact staff about student issues. All staff endeavor to respond quickly to these email enquiries, but this is not always possible due to teaching commitments, classroom preparation demands and other necessary tasks around the School. Email has its limitations, so please consider that it may be more efficient to arrange a face to face meeting to discuss your child’s performance. Staff will suggest this if they believe it is appropriate. Please contact our Home Liaison Officer, Linda Sanders (linda.sanders@ntschools.net) or 89991205, if you have not been receiving email communication from the School and we will add you to the year level parent email list. Trevor Read A/Principal
From the Home Liaison Officer Darwin High School has had a positive start to Term 1 2013, student attendance is sound with the majority of students attending every day. I would like to thank parents and guardians who consistently contact the school when their child is absent. Darwin High School closely monitors student attendance. The Home Liaison Officer, Year Coordinators and Assistant Principals meet each week to plan and follow up student absences. Concerns about attendance will generally be followed up with a phone call, email to the parent/ guardian or letter. Darwin High School offers parents and guardians several ways to notify the School when a student is absent:
email dhs.attendance@ntschools.net
webpage www.darwinhigh.nt.edu.au click on student absence button
phone call to the front office 89991222
parental note handed into the front office by student or parent.
Darwin High School would like parents and guardians to actively support students to arrive on time for school. However, we understand that there are legitimate circumstances when students may be late for school. If your child is going to be late for school, please provide your child a parental note or alternatively, telephone the front office to notify their late arrival. Students who are late for school should sign in at the front office before going to classes ensuring the time of arrival is recorded in the student’s attendance records. If your child needs to see a doctor and is absent from school as a result of a medical condition please ask your GP to write a Medical Certificate. This certificate will be held in the student’s file for any future reference. If parents and guardians have any concerns about their child’s attendance at school please contact the Home Liaison Officer, Linda Sanders on 89991205, or email linda.sanders@ntschools.net HLO Linda Sanders
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Keeping Parents in the Loop
Year 12 News Already we have come to the end of first term which means that our Year 12 students have completed about 30% of their courses. The pace of the courses and the depth of material increase for Stage 2 courses and most students have realised this and responded accordingly. There are still some who are yet to step up. Year 12 Coordinator I would like to welcome Michael Loftus to the team as Year 12 Coordinator. He is taking over from Wade Davies who has moved interstate. He is available by phone on 8999 1256 or by email michael.loftus@ntschools.net. Year 12 Jerseys Year 12 can be ordered by paying $75 at the Book Room and then presenting the receipt to Mr Loftus. Marty Isaksen
We send regular emails to parents on our year level mailing lists advising them of career opportunities, university information and general information about what is happening in the school. If you are not receiving these emails and would like to, please email dhs.emaillist@ntschools.net and request to be added to the relevant year level mailing list. Students may also request to be added.
Year 10, Year 11 & Year 12
Assessment Schedules Available on our Website under Curriculum
As usual, the Darwin High School Round Table starts off its fundraising drives by holding the World’s Greatest Shave in the first term. To help the Leukaemia Foundation continue with their amazing work in supporting Australian families afflicted by blood cancer that claims a life every two hours and to aid in further research, a group of students and some staff members rallied together to hold their very own event at Darwin High School on the 15 March. It was met with great support and success from the students, staff, parents and members of the community to raise over $2,500. Two staff members and six students bravely ‘bared’ all with the help of two deft hairdressers, Mrs. Linda Low and Ms. Samantha Deacon. Mr Marty Isaksen evoked tremendous interest in most people, especially the year 12 students as he has not had short hair for almost 25 years. Some students went to unusual lengths so that they could get to cut off his signature ‘pony tail’. The day would not have been such a success without the support and help of so many people. To them I want to place on record my heartfelt thanks for everything they have done. Premilla Naidoo 4
OzClo Computational Linguistic Olympiad Darwin High entered 11 teams into the OzClo competition this year. This is the first time the competition has been run in the Northern Territory and Darwin High students were keen to be
Dates for the Diary Parent Teacher Night 29 April Subject Selection Year 10 & Year 11 29 April — 13 May Year 10 Work Experience Week 29 April—3 May Stage 1 Examinations 6—14 June Stage 2 Mathematical Applications 6 June Year 10 CDU Discovery Day 7 June Mid Year Holidays 24 June—19 July
involved. The competition involves students working in teams to solve complex language analysis problems, analyzing features of languages from around the world, most of them unknown to the students. Following the territory stage of the competition, three Darwin High teams were selected to compete in the national round on March 26.
Year 12 Final Examinations 4 — 20 November Year 12 Last Day 25 October
Students selected to compete in the National Round: 1st place in NT senior competition: Jami-Louise Fan, Teresa Pham, Madalee Visser and Becci Smith 1st place in NT junior competition: Chetan Ganesh, Lauren Northcote, Jackson Ranasinghe and Matej Bisevac 3rd place in NT senior competition: Tarun Ponneri, Justin Hurley, Christopher Jong and Liam Lu Congratulations to these students. Congratulations also to the other students who participated in the competition, many of whom were awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze certificates for their team’s results. Darwin High teams received a total of 4 Gold, 2 Silver and 5 Bronze certificates. Marnie Foster, Mariko Ruzsicska, Ilaria Tomassi and Darren Clayton LOTE/IT/Business Faculty
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Year 12 Graduation and Formal 25 November
Darwin High School Presentation Evening 9 December
C4E Singapore Trip In early December 2012, 14 Darwin High School Centre for Excellence students undertook the annual trip to Singapore. The visit, aimed at Year 11 students, also included a three day diversion into Malaysia to visit the highland resort town of Genting and the historical city of Malacca. Organised by Ms Tan, the trip is not only designed to allow students to visit a range of educational facilities, but also seeks to promote independence and responsibility as well as developing supportive friendships and fun. During the trip students toured the NeWater facilities at Marina Barrage where salt water is converted into Singapore’s fresh water supply. Students were particularly impressed by how the Barrage was able to adjust for different tide levels and conditions. Centre for Excellence students also visited NeWater’s waste water treatment facilities where safe, pure drinking water is recovered from sewerage. A full day was spent exploring the activities at the Singapore Science Centre. For the prize of free popcorn, a few students braved the Tesla Cage. Other highlights include a visit to the Singapore Discovery Centre and Military Museum, a Night Safari at Singapore Zoo, watching the Broadway musical Jersey Boys, a scream around Universal Studios and tubing at Snow City. “On behalf of the other students and teachers who participated in the 2012 Centre for Excellence Singapore Trip, I would like to thank all the parents, teachers and students who took part in the planning and fundraising required for this trip. Without your generous contributions of time and effort, this trip would surely not have been possible. All of us will agree that this trip was an amazing experience and are grateful to be part of this opportunity.” Frank Huang
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander News Congratulations to Year 11 student Jayde Hopkins who has been selected to participate in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Careers Development Program “Pathways Alive” seminar in Canberra 10-15 April 2013. Thank you to Chloe Howard-Graetz, Karlene Cardona and Hannah Bottomley for taking the time to apply for the “Pathways Alive” and were unsuccessful. Congratulations to Year 10 students Esmerelda Marimowa and Eileen Pollard who were successful in gaining a place in the Young Indigenous Leadership program IMPACT. This program is jointly managed by the Department of Education and Children Services and the Foundation for Young Australians. IMPACT is a three year long program where students develop their skills and capabilities in leadership, as well as identifying future opportunities and career pathways. Thank you to Jane Laughton, Travis Tambling and Leslie Parry who did a great job in applying for IMPACT. Over 40 NT students applied for IMPACT with only 12 placements available. A quote from Eileen Pollard’s graduation report reads “The IMPACT group is like school, but instead you are working on who you are in general, teamwork, communication, judgement and resilience but mainly what it takes to be a good leader. Throughout this week I have been working hard to maintain these personal skills which I can use for my future pathway or career." Barbara Tapsell IMPACT students at Mica
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The Simpson Prize Jessica Bloom (Year 10 ) was a runner up for The Simpson Prize. She was invited to Canberra to receive her award along with the recipients from the other States and ACT. It was an eye opening experience for Jess who was thrilled to meet all the very bright students from around the country. They were taken to the War Museum and the National Archives. Jess also got the chance to view the primary source that she had used in her essay, a diary of a young soldier who ended up being killed at the age of 20. The trip included a formal dinner at Duntroon and a wreath laying ceremony. They also visited old Parliament House.
Defence Transition Mentor News Chief Minister’s Anzac Spirit Study Tour Award. The then Chief Minister, the Hon Terry Mills MLA announced the winners of this award at a special ceremony at Parliament House on 12 December 2012. Congratulations to Shannon Hunt and Lauren Northcote, Year 11 and Year 10 students respectively, who will represent the Northern Territory at the 2013 Anzac Day Ceremony at VillersBretonneux, France in April this year. To enter the competition students had to submit an entry in any medium that addresses the influence of the Anzac Spirit on 21st Century Youth. Bombing of Darwin. Approximately 50 DHS students participated in the 71st Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin ceremonies in Darwin recently. Students met and assisted veterans, government representatives and politicians at the launch of the Ceremonial Wall at the Lee Point Military Museum. They also parTamara West (Kormilda College), Lauren Northcote and Shannon Hunt ticipated in the Bombing of Darwin Ceremony (both from Darwin High School) are off to France in April. on the Esplanade and again at the ceremony at the Adelaide River Cemetery. The feedback on the contribution of DHS students has been excellent concluding with the Lord Mayor providing lunch for the students as a gesture of thanks. Education Assistance Scheme A reminder that if your child requires tuition assistance with their studies at DHS, the Department of Defence may be able to help. An application form is available from the DTM. The ‘Top Ender’ Magazine. This is a great magazine and a valuable resource for knowing what services are available for ADF families and partners. If you are not receiving the Top Ender magazine, you can organize delivery by emailing: thetopender@aapt.net.au Helpline. The Defence Family Helpline is the first point of contact for ADF members, their partners, children and relatives who seek assistance with managing during deployment, posting and relocation, support for partners’ employment and education, transitioning to civilian life and a range of other issues that may affect ADF families. The number to call is: 1800624608. VVCS – Veterans and Veterans’ Families Counselling Service Darwin Programs Guide April –June 2013 The VVCS will be conducting a number of programs between April and June, designed to help participants cope with a range of issues. Topics include: Engaging Adolescents, Life after Deployment, Pain Management and many others. For more information contact VVCS on 1800011046 or 89279411 or visit their website at www.dva.gov.au/vvcs . Paul McConnell Defence Transition Mentor (DTM) 7
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“Just don’t dream but keep your dream alive.” From one of the poorest families in one of the poorest villages in one of the least developed countries in the world, Milan Dawoh is now dedicating his life to help others so that they too can have basic human rights. Our SIEU students, some who have experienced the horrors of war themselves, know what it is like to try to adapt to a new culture and way of life. They were spellbound by Milan as they were taken on his life’s journey from a poverty stricken village to the slums of Sierra Leone at the time of the Blood Diamond War, into the ministry and then on to jobs in the United Nations which took him to Afghanistan, Pakistan and East Timor. They learnt how his illiterate parents tried to help his education in the only way they knew how – hitting him if they saw a red ‘X’ on his school work; how he had promised his mother that he would build a school in his village; and about the turning point in his life, when he watched a film about Nelson Mandela at his school, a 26 kilometre walk from home. He is a man who is not afraid to dream big. As a CDU graduate in political sciences and international relations, he is now aiming for Harvard and, in the near future, a life in politics. An encounter with Milan Dawoh leaves a permanent mark on one’s soul. Our students will remember his message - that a combination of aiming high, a positive attitude and a willingness to keep going leads to success. He told them to “Aspire to inspire before you expire,” and inspire he certainly does.
The inspirational Milan Dawoh motivates students to keep focussed on their dreams and avoid distractions
World Challenge Fundraiser On Sunday 24 February the DHS World Challenge team held a fundraiser at Bunnings to raise money for their expedition to Costa Rica and Nicaragua. With dark clouds gathering and rain falling as we were setting up, the day started off slow, but by mid morning the sun was out and the car park was full. The sausages were being sold faster than we could cook them and it was soon apparent I had miscalculated the potential for the wet season heat to induce dehydration. A trip to the shops to buy more onions and drinks was required before lunch. Two more trips to get yet more drinks and top up our supplies of bread and sausages indicated we were having a good day. By 3:45 all our sausages were sold out and, with only a few drinks left in the esky, we packed up early with money falling out of the money tin. The students did a fantastic job selling the sausages and a big thanks to the parents who helped out as well. We raised just over $1500, a fantastic effort by all. A huge thanks also goes out to Michael Gunner who donated 40kg of sausages to the cause and Nightcliff Brumbies who provided the bread free of charge. World Challenge is a personal development program where students learn about themselves, how to work as part of a team and about the wider world by leading their own expedition to a developing country. Whilst they are there they undertake at least two challenging treks and work on a volunteer project in a developing community. The trip will leave late in November 2013. There are still a couple of places left on the trip. If your child is interested please check out the World Challenge website at www.worldchallenge.com.au and contact me on aaron.dalgleish@ntschools.net. Aaron Dalgleish 10
Here’s your chance to be part of history! As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, a time capsule will be sealed on 16 September 2013. It will be opened on 16 September 2063 as part of the centenary celebrations marking 100 years of occupancy of the Bullocky Point site. Friends of Darwin High School are invited to lodge a message for their descendants. The message may be a letter, a diary, a family history or photographic prints. Conservators have advised against the use of staples or other metal fasteners such as bulldog clips or paper clips, as the metal will corrode over time. They also warn against depositing CDs or USBs, because in all probability the technology to read such devices will no longer exist. (How many of us have 3½ inch floppy discs barely 10 years old that can no longer be read?)
This year, Darwin High School celebrates 50 years on the Bullocky Point site. In August we will be having a number of community and school functions to celebrate this historical occasion. On our website you can register your interest to be part of the celebrations. Below is a price list for the School Tuck Shop. We are unsure of the exact year. If you have old photos or artefacts from Darwin High Schools’ history that you would be willing to share, please send them to Judy Boland, at Darwin High School. ‘A Block’ 1963—Gerry Sawn
Specially printed envelopes will be available for purchase from the School. They will be in 3 sizes – Large, Medium and Small. Depositors are urged to register their interest by emailing dhs.timecapsule@ntschools.net and so reserve an envelope, as space will be limited and allocated on a ‘first-come-first served’ basis. Further information may be obtained from Judy Boland at Darwin High School on: 8999 1260 or through judy.boland@ntschools.net.
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Student Career Development Faculty What a great start to the year with all our students showing their commitment and dedication to their studies. It’s great to see so many students with clear goals about their personal pathways. For those parents and students new and returned to the school, I wanted to introduce our team and outline what services and assistance we provide to your child/children. Our aim is to ensure that all students have the tools, resources and knowledge to ensure that they can manage a positive and informed pathway. This includes working with you and your child to help them facilitate and explore opportunities that help them create their own positive and meaningful pathway. Specifically, this means we can:
direct you and your child to useful resources to help them make career related decisions (hint: try our website – it has great resources)
suggest ways that your child might like to start thinking about their career provide assistance with information assist with exploring subject selection and short and long term impacts help your student check their NTCET pattern provide job search strategies including templates for letters, interviews and resumes meet with your child formally and informally to ensure that planning is taking place and that it is realistic, timely and informed
SIEU Living in Australia Class A very vibrant group of students, who are new to school life at Darwin High School and learning in English, discovered the beauty of our local environment whilst participating in a community volunteer activity. After
provide opportunities and information to all students about opportunities both within, and upon, leaving school. We can’t do the following for your child:
tell them what to do with their lives tell them what job they should do get them a job, but we may have strategies to help your child find one get them an Apprenticeship but we may have strategies to help your child find one
learning about this unique community event, Clean Up Australia, and Year 12 how it has spread across the world, Year 12 interviews are well underway and no doubt many discussions about futures are occurring at the students walked along the beach home. Students are well informed about choices and it’s great to see them coming to interviews havand around Lake Vestey to gather ing undertaken considerable research into the next step in their lives. Students are considering differ- any rubbish they could find. They ent opportunities including university pathways and having considered ‘Plan B’ if their first choice falls discovered that the most common over. Additionally, a number of universities are visiting Darwin High School and the students are taking form of rubbish was plastics, and they were disgusted by the cigarette advantage of this great opportunity to find out more about particular pathways. Interviews and inforbutts around the picnic tables. mation sessions are all advertised through emails and/or on our Facebook page. make decisions for them.
Year 11 Year 11 formal interviews started at the end of the term. The interviews allow us to introduce Jodie Matthews to the team as the Year 11 Career Practitioner and VET Coordinator. Jodie comes to us with a strong background in careers, VET and alternative education. Year 10 Meg Davis is our Year 10 Career Practitioner this year and is coordinating the PLP Program. Interviews have commenced with Year 10 students via their PLP classes. Work Experience All students in PLP classes this semester are expected to participate in the Darwin High School Work Experience Program from 29 April to 3 May. The most successful work experiences occur when students select workplaces that reflect their future career plans. Therefore, careful planning is necessary prior to selection. To ensure the widest number choices students are advised to begin as soon as possible. The Process for Work Experience is as follows: Students arrange their own position by contacting prospective employers. They collect the School Work Experience Application Form from their PLP teacher and have it completed and signed by the prospective employer and their parents (no later than Week 1 April 19th) They then return form to PLP teacher. Attendance at school will be compulsory for those students who choose not to be involved in the Work Experience Program. For further information contact Ms Meg Davis on 8999 1280 or meg.davis@ntschools.net 12
Students were surprised to find a lake so close to our school and were sure that a crocodile was resident in the creek. Most students reflected that the best part of the community event was being able to do something for Australia, getting to know each other better and having lots of laughs.
Jenny Jenkinson
Driving to School Thank you to those parents and students who have had their vehicles registered with us. The response has been excellent. There are still some students who are leaving the school grounds with other students in their vehicles who do not have parental permission. Year 11 students are not permitted to leave the school grounds at all during the day. Year 12 students who leave the school grounds for whatever reason are asked to sign in and out at the Front Office. A reminder that the speed limit in the school grounds is 25kph and on Atkins Drive it is 40kph. When leaving the school, students should not use the bus lane. Other support Don’t forget that we are continually updating careers and future education information plus online links within the Careers section of the Darwin High School website http:// www.darwinhigh.nt.edu.au/careers.html. You can also “like “us on Facebook, https:// www.facebook.com/DHSCareersCentre?ref=ts&sk=wall The jobs board is up and running again. Students looking for work should check the board regularly. It is at the bottom of B Block. Tax File numbers: Student’s need a TFN for employment, scholarship applications and university applications. TFN application forms are available in the Careers Office (bottom of B Block). Term 2 Dates for your diaries Friday 1 April — Work Experience Application for PLP students to be given to PLP teacher April – Registrations open for UMAT Test - ACER Monday 15 April Bond University visit. Mentor time Tuesday 23 April Parent workshop - Supporting your child with career decisions 5:00pm Theatrette Monday 29 April – Visit by WA Universities in Mentor time 29 April -3 May Year 10 PLP Work Experience Wednesday 1 May – Rural Health Network visit in Lesson 5&6 Saturday 4 May— NIE UMAT Training Friday 7 June—CDU Year 10 Discovery Day 22 and 23 June—MedEntry UMAT Training Wednesday 31 July – UMAT Test (Term 3) Janine Watt Year 12 Career Practitioner and Senior Teacher
Hanging Around The focus for Outdoor Education this term has been Rock Climbing. Stage 1 students have had been learning climbing knots and developing their climbing skills on the indoor walls at the Rock Centre, Doctors Gully. In addition to brushing up on their knots and climbing skills, Stage 2 students have started setting up anchor systems as preparation for the Hayes Creek Climbing Camp early next term. So far, both classes have taken up the challenge and are having a great time.
The educational benefits of rock climbing are three fold. In the first instance students develop strength and fitness. It is my hope that some may even develop a passion for the sport and take it up outside of school time. Secondly students learn all about the importance of risk management and working safely at heights. These skills are essential for rock climbing but are also used in a range of industries including mining, construction and the emergency services. Finally students learn about themselves and their peers as they face challenges and fears and work together to keep each other safe. These benefits of have been recognised by INPEX which has kindly sponsored the outdoor education program to the tune of $3000, most of which will be used to purchase new ropes and other climbing equipment which must be regularly replaced. We really appreciate the support Peter Hassing climbing a as it helps reduce the cost of the course rope using prussic loops for students and makes it more accessible for all. All students, whether they are doing outdoor education or not, have the opportunity to participate in the interschool climbing competition on 22 March. Interested students should email Aaron Dalgleish at aaron.dalgleish@ntschools.net to nominate for the team. To assist with training for the competition Darwin High School students have been offered a great deal at the Rock Centre. Any Darwin High School student who wants to climb after school or on the weekend can do so for just $5.00 (normal price would be $20). Right: Montana Taylor belaying with Ashleigh Beaumont back up belaying
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BRAVE Wows Audiences Year 10 and Year 11 students from Darwin High School along with students from other secondary schools witnessed another magnificent production form the Darwin High School Dance /Drama Department. BRAVE sends the message that “ Everyone has the right to live, work, study and play in an environment free from bullying, harassment, discrimination and violence.” Congratulations to the cast and crew and particularly to our teachers, Sarah Calver, Julia Quinn and Katie Cawthorne. Below is some of the feedback from the public and other schools.
Thank you for a beautiful show with such an important message.
Beautiful and emotive.
Should be compulsory viewing.
The level of professionalism from the dancers and the quality of the show has blown me away. Inspirational. Breath taking and outstanding you have no idea how this has changed my life. You should all be immensely proud of yourselves. Truly amazing people conveying such a strong message.
And from politicians
National Class Clowns
Every student in Australia should see this. We need to road show this performance . The cast were brilliant. Please let us know how I can help to have this production on a road show.
Flood Appeal Concert
Yr 12 student Sam Perry has gone into the National Class Clowns competition after winning the Northern Territory heat in March at Brown’s Mart. He will perform as the only representative from the NT in Melbourne on April 19 at the Melbourne Town Hall in front of an audience of 1500 people. This coincides with the Stage 2 Arts Trip to Melbourne so Sam will have 15 supporters in the crowd cheering his name – Go Sam! 14
Sports News Netball A win for Darwin High at the City Cluster Netball Day Darwin High School sent two teams to the NT Schools City Cluster Netball Championship in Week 5 of Term 1. Despite a very wet week leading up to the competition, wet season seemed to dry up on this Tuesday morning at Marrara. Mother Nature must have felt like watching some netball, as she delivered us an incredibly hot and sunny day without a cloud in the sky. The girls persevered through these tough netball conditions with gutsy performances to have a very successful day. Our teams were evenly matched, winning the majority of their round robin matches with a few close games against Casuarina Senior College (CSC) and Essington. Towards the end of the round matches the hot weather and a few niggling injuries took a toll on our player numbers, so we combined our teams to be able to field a full team on the court. Having a few subs on watching could have guessed this was the first time Stella had played the sideline seemed to give us just the boost we needed, finishing netball. second in the round robin competition and setting up a highly anticipated final against CSC. Darwin High finished the day as Netball City Cluster Champions for 2013, defeating CSC 12-3 in the final. A big congratulations and The final was an exciting game to watch, with the end score not rethanks to all the girls. Particular thanks to those who assisted by umflecting the great competition that it was. The girls pulled together for a piring or scoring throughout the day. Their efforts and team spirit are real team performance led by some of our experienced netballersto be commended both on and off the court. Bronte Pearson, Lisa Roscarel and Bella MacDonald, who did an exAlicia Ryan Coach/Manager cellent job of supporting the team. Following their lead (no netball pun intended) all of the girls rose to the occasion. Their willingness to try out different positions, in particular Tilly-Clare Bassham in centre and Knysha Bunnet as a utility player, paid off for the team. The stand-out performance of the day must be given to Stella Hagemeyer, our German exchange student. Stella’s defence was the key and no one
Darwin High Netball Team Tilly-Clare Bassham, Knysha Bunnet, Che-Louise Cockatoo Hannah Garland, Stella Hagemeyer, Lillian Hinton, Colleen Lo Bella MacDonald, Bronte Pearson, Eileen Pollard, Lisa Roscarel Rachel Thomas, Tyra Thompson, Adelaide Todd
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Darwin High School 50th Anniversary Events August 8 – 10, 2013
Darwin High School Students - Thursday 8 August 2013 – 1pm to 2:30pm Our students and staff will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Darwin High School at Bullocky Point as a whole school event. The celebration will commence with a whole school assembly that includes student performances, Principal’s address and an invited former student as our guest speaker. The assembly will be followed by a barbecue and anniversary cake to mark the occasion. Community Event - Thursday 8 August 2013 – 4:30pm to 6:30 pm Darwin High School is hosting a community event open to the public. A showcase of Darwin High School’s history and achievements since 1963 will be present in a historical exhibition in the Tank. Current students will also showcase their talents with live performances in the Amphitheatre.
Inaugural Ball SKYCITY Darwin - Saturday 10 August 2013 – 7pm to 12pm 500 people will attend the Inaugural Ball at SKYCITY Darwin to conclude the Darwin High School Anniversary celebrations. There will be live entertainment, with former and current Darwin High School students providing additional performances on the night. To register your interest in attending the Darwin High School 50th Anniversary Ball please go to our website www.darwinhigh.edu.gov.au or see us on Facebook Darwin High School 50th Anniversary. The Darwin High School 50th Anniversary Committee is seeking sponsorship to support these events. Interested persons can contact Linda Sanders on 89991205, 0434586492 or email linda.sanders@ntschools.net for more information about sponsorship packages.
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