Adelaide High School
News
Edition Number 5: August 2020
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
IN THIS EDITION From the Principal
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Calendar
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Entertainment Book
2
Debating
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Westcare Excursion
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I have listed the six elements of a thriving learner as reflected in the SACE Board’s Strategic Vision below:
#FHF 4 Music Night Promotion
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Pastoral Care Worker Report
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Premier’s Reading Challenge
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The Arts Update
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Sport Update
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Student Pathways Report
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Live @ The Gov
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I want to keep you informed of some recent developments in education in South Australia. At Adelaide High School students engage and embrace diverse experiences, activities, and learning opportunities, both within and outside of the formal learning environment. These conditions for learning help them to build the skills, qualities and capabilities that will enable them to thrive, not only for school, but for life. Capabilities including problem solving, creativity, resilience and teamwork will equip each student for a dynamic and unpredictable future. Further, building in our students the belief that they can change the world and make it a better place by their actions is central to supporting students to achieve their potential and beyond.
Canteen orders should be placed via the Qkr! app to ensure food availability and avoid disappoinment. Information available @ https://www.adelaidehs.sa.edu. au/portal/canteen/canteen Adelaide High School West Terrace, Adelaide South Australia Phone 61 8 8231 9373 Facsimile 61 8 8212 7827 office@adelaidehs.sa.edu.au www.adelaidehs.sa.edu.au
It is a landmark time in education in South Australia. As we prepare for year 7 students in high school settings, we see significant reform underway in the senior years. “Young people will need a broad base of skills, values and knowledge to become successful lifelong learners. Our senior secondary schooling system must continue to adapt to fulfil this modern role.” National Review of Senior Secondary Pathways | Shergold Review, June 2020
The SACE Board has just released their Strategic Vision https://www.sace.sa.edu. au/thrive/ and I could not resist sharing with you an excerpt from this vision, describing the elements that comprise a thriving learner. The vision aligns with the heartbeat and soul of Adelaide High School and our commitment to create the conditions for learning to stretch every learner.
Human connectedness Here is some food for thought. ‘When there is human connectedness, there is a place for everyone at the table.’ ‘Fostering human connection, fosters learning.’ ‘It’s the opposite of individualism.’ What is human connectedness to you? Is it the glue that sticks all the elements of a thriving learner together? Agency Having agency means participating in active learning rather than passive learning and trying to work things out for yourself. It is also being willing to experiment, learn, fail, and then try again. What is agency to you? Do we foster it in the SACE? Belonging Belonging is about being included and feeling included. A person with belonging says, ‘we will do better if we work together.’ It can draw a person towards where they can make the most effective contribution. Without a sense of belonging, can anyone really thrive in this world? Ability to transfer learning Transfer can be defined as the ability to adapt prior learning and apply it in new situations and circumstances. Is embedding transfer in students’ core business for educators in the 21st Century? Deep understanding and skilful action Some teachers say that deep understanding and skilful action happens when classrooms are student-centred, where they can take charge of their learning and make connections to their world outside of the classroom. How do we reach a deeper level of understanding? And can you see the connections with the other elements of thrive? Zest for Life (lifelong learning) Zest for life and lifelong learning go hand in hand. Some phrases used to characterise a person with a zest for life include ‘being PTO
3 CALENDAR DATES August
SACE Board – Strategic Vision
Wed 19 Year 8-10 School Photos Thurs 20 Year 11 RAP Presentation Fri 21
FROM THE PRINCIPAL (cont) curious, asking questions, engaging with the head and the heart, seeking connections.’ Is zest for life intrinsic in a thriving learner?
Year 11-12 School Photos
Tues 25 Catchup School Photos
Early Dismissal 1pm
Parent Teacher Interviews
Wed 26 Live @ The Gov Thurs 27 Year 10 Meningococcal Vaccinations Mon 31 Athletics Carnival
SATAC’s CEO Stuart Mossman is working in partnership with the SACE Board and key universities to begin discussions regarding identifying and capturing the skills, capabilities, achievement, and qualities that learners could demonstrate prior to their transition to universities and other pathways. Currently the ATAR determines pathways to universities. The strategic vision of the SACE Board, the discussions ‘beyond ATAR’ and the design of learning that builds the skills, capabilities and qualities in every learner, throughout high school, places our students in good stead, to thrive. Stuart Mossman | Chief Executive Officer, SATAC
This newsletter shows Adelaide High students thriving as developing citizens. Kind regards, Ms Cez Green | Principal
DEBATING SA COMPETITION This semester, our Adelaide High students have braved the winter nights to participate in a turbo-charged Debating SA competition, which has thankfully continued in 2020 with necessary revisions in the wake of COVID-19. Adelaide High School has always proudly valued debating as an important cocurricular initiative, empowering students to flourish in a collaborative context. Our Middle and Senior School teams have applied their organisational skills, critical analysis, and teamwork in responding to a wide range of engaging socio-political topics. The purpose of the school program
is centred upon the idea of promoting student agency, and it has been an absolute privilege to witness all students involved encapsulating the quintessential values that are aligned with Adelaide High School. I would like to pass on my appreciation to the passionate students participating in the program, as well as their parents and caregivers, plus Mr Xavier Manning-Bennett for his ongoing assistance and support. Stay tuned for more debating news as we progress further in the competition! Mr Scott Macleod | Debating Leader
September Fri 4
Premier’s Reading Challenge ends
Barton Bunch Music Event
Mon 7 - Tues 8 2021 Prefect Information Sessions Thurs 10 Student Free Day Fri 11
School Closure Day.
WESTCARE EXCURSION For a comprehensive list of upcoming events, log onto the searchable Calendar and Events database on the website (http://www.adelaidehs.sa.edu.au/ About/Calendar-and-Events).
Follow Adelaide High School on Social Media https://www.facebook.com/ adelaidehighschool/
Entertainment Book Purchase your Entertainment Book from Adelaide High School today and support student-led initiatives in the school.
https://www.instagram.com/ adelaidehighschool1908/
During this term, students from Stage 1 Society and Culture have been studying homelessness, and as part of this unit had the opportunity to be part of an excursion to Baptist Care SA’s WestCare Centre. Students were given the opportunity to witness the work done to support people experiencing homelessness and to be involved in discussions about important issues relating to homelessness. With an estimated 6000 people experiencing homelessness in South Australia each year, this is an important social issue for students to be exploring. During the excursion, students were given a brief introduction which included a discussion about the different ways people may experience homelessness, some of the influencing factors, and some of the support services available. This also included the impact COVID-19 has had, and the changes that have had to occur to protect clients
during these times, such as only serving takeaway food. Following the introduction, students moved to the centre’s courtyard where they worked in small teams to serve takeaway tea, coffee, soup and packed hot lunches for clients. This provided them with an opportunity to briefly interact with clients as they served them. The students were professional and courteous, and it was clear that even the smile from the students as they served had a positive impact on the clients’ day. Once service had finished, our group moved back inside where we enjoyed lunch together, partaking of the same meals that we had been serving. We then listened to a lived experience of homelessness from a Centre staff member and were able to ask questions. It was a valuable experience for all students involved. They learnt about the variety of support services provided, such as the Community Food Hub - a small market at
the front of the centre which sells food items at a highly discounted rate and is available to anyone with a concession card (including student cards!). It was clear that it challenged the students to think about ways they can make a difference too; whether that be through volunteering in the future or through donating items or food to the Emergency Food Relief program, and importantly by being informed, making good decisions and raising awareness about this key societal issue. Ms Rebecca Burfitt | Pastoral Care Worker For more information about the work of Baptist Care SA, or to get involved through donating or volunteering, visit the centre’s website at https://baptistcaresa.org.au/service/ homelessness-services.
https://www.entertainmentbook. com.au/orderbooks/165k098 ** Please note: Entertainment Books are now sold only in digital form
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Adelaide High School Newsletter
Edition Number 5: August 2020
5 #FHF Over the past two months, the Media Club, in collaboration with the Street Band, have worked hard to create a music video for the Street Band’s rendition of ‘Full Heart Fancy’. Production planning started in May, when a myriad of diverse ideas were brought to the table, and the final concept was storyboarded after five weeks. After a week of planning schedules, lighting layouts and shot logistics, we were ready to start filming the video. For six days over Week 9 and 10 of Term 2, we took over Studio 1, the hall and various locations around the school, spending long hours after school gathering the various shots that would soon all come together. After countless hours, four drafts and many notes from me, Eleftherios Ninnes, our chief editor, was able to create a final raw cut, the bare bones of the final product. This was then sent off to our colourist Wilson Ha who transformed the flat footage into an infinitely times more visually appealing result. Jackson Standen, our remarkable animator and VFX artist, took it home and his magical craftsmanship and vibrant animations complemented the energy of the Street Band members. It was during this process that the idea of the promotional campaign arose. We wanted to expose the school to something that had not been witnessed before. Thus, over 700 paper origami hearts were crafted by Faith Fitton-Gum and myself, and one day of the school holidays was reserved for our team to tag every corner of the school. The feeling of knowing a secret the rest of the school didn’t was incredibly powerful, and we loved seeing everyone’s reaction
to the spectacle, and hearing everyone’s theories as to what #FHF stood for and what would happen on 31/07. The video has been out for over two weeks now, and we are completely overwhelmed by the positive response and interest that it has gained. It currently has amassed over 5.8k views and counting across all platforms, with the Department for Education catching wind of the video and sharing it on their social media page. I cannot mention every single person who has contributed to this project because I would fill up the entire newsletter, but I would like to take this moment to sincerely thank every single person who played a role, large or small, in this production, from the Media Club and Street Band members who contributed great amounts of their time to make this video come to light, to the teachers who trusted us to create something great, despite our insane ideas and demands. Your continual support is greatly appreciated by me and the entire team. The video is out on the AHS social media platforms and the Vimeo page for all to watch: https://vimeo.com/443276438 We would greatly appreciate it if you could check it out and share it around. A ‘Behind the Scenes’ series, as well as an alternate video and mix will be out in due course. We thank everyone for their support of this project.
COMMUNITY IN MANY FORMS Community is an important component of wellbeing, and through my role as Pastoral Care Worker, I look for ways to build community within our school and with the wider Adelaide community. Thursdays continue to be a highlight of each week, starting bright and early with Thursday Morning Breakfasts - an opportunity open to all students to join us before school for breakfast. This is a program facilitated by volunteers, including student volunteers who have chosen this as a community service activity. During recent times we have adapted to help maintain social distancing, providing takeaway food and drink. The hot chocolates and pancakes continue to be a hit, along with students also enjoying toast, cereal and juice. Additional hot options of spaghetti and baked beans have also been well received. What I enjoy seeing are the conversations between students, the connections they make and the community that is developed during this time. Then at lunchtimes there is Table-Top Games Club in Room 111. This is a space for students to play board games, card games and other novel table-top games. There is a wide selection of games on offer, with new games to learn and other games that have become constant favourites. Bluff, Coup, Love Letters, Blockus and Peach Snaps have been some of the games enjoyed by the group. There are opportunities for students to get to know each other and make wider connections, often across year levels.
We had the opportunity recently to share these activities - and much more – with the wider Adelaide community through a radio broadcast on a local community radio station, 107.9Life. It was a great opportunity to promote the distinctiveness of our school and highlight the different aspects and opportunities afforded to our students. Different members of our community spoke about different aspects of the school, including students who shared their experiences of being part of our school community. Finally, I have been encouraging staff and students to collect their bread tags from home and bring them to school. Why? Because we can donate them to an organisation who recycles them and uses the money to buy wheelchairs for individuals in South Africa who cannot afford them. Bread tags are little pieces of plastic that can make a big difference and I look forward to seeing how many we can collect as a community! Ms Rebecca Burfitt | Pastoral Care Worker Bec is the Pastoral Care Worker at Adelaide High School. Her regular times at the school are Monday (mornings), Tuesday and Thursday. Her office is in the HIVE office in the back of the Library. She can be contacted by email at: rebecca.burfitt@adelaidehs.sa.edu.au.
Samoda Silva | Media Club
PREMIER’S READING CHALLENGE As mentioned in previous newsletters, students at Adelaide High School have been involved in the Premier’s Reading Challenge. The Challenge requires students to read 12 books between the beginning of the school year and early September. The Challenge finishes on Friday September 4 (Friday Week 7). Record sheets should then be sent to library@adelaidehs.sa.edu. au or handed in at the Library desk so the data can be entered on the PRC database. Participation in the Challenge also accrues points for the SJ Dowdy House Cup so students should make sure they get their record sheet in. Record sheets have been emailed to all students. Further information about the Premier’s Reading Challenge can be found on the library website: https://meet.adelaidehs.sa.edu.au/index.php/ reading/ Ms Julie Ralph | Library Manager
Adelaide High School Newsletter
Edition Number 5: August 2020
7 NEWS FROM THE ARTS It was with much excitement that the Street Band were able to perform at Rundle Mall on July 28. Interestingly, as we were getting ready to start, the students were feeling quite nervous and we thought they might bolt, especially when they realised exactly what they were doing. However, when they started moving through the Mall, they warmed to the whole experience and we could not stop them. The crowds loved what they saw and heard, and many shoppers and city workers asked what school we were from, and we were so proud to say Adelaide High. A moment that resonated with me was when the students gathered at Gawler Place. The band was playing, the students were smiling and enjoying themselves. Onlookers stopped, watched, clapped and danced. What a wonderful way to bring joy to so many. A huge thanks to Mr Moors for his initiative and foresight to create this innovative band and give our students yet another learning opportunity Anna Steen, professional actor from the State Theatre Company of South Australia, visited Adelaide High School to do a workshop with our Year 11 Drama students as they prepare for their performance later this term. The students are learning about verbatim theatre and how to perform real people’s words incorporating physical theatre. This workshop supported this theatre style and also assisted the group to collaborate and work as an ensemble. We have also had Adrienne Siemens, a dance practitioner with experience working across the arts, education and community sectors, choreograph a work for a group of Indigenous dancers who are preparing for their Year 12 performance examination. Born in Adelaide, Adrianne is a descendant of the Barkindji People of North Western NSW and a graduate of NAISDA Dance College and Adelaide College of the Arts. We look forward to sharing this with the community in Week 9 this term. Aidan Munn has also worked with some boys on a dance piece. Aidan trained at the Australian Ballet School and was a professional dancer with the
Adelaide High School Newsletter
Australian Dance Theatre. He has choreographed a work that blends contemporary, hip-hop and breakdance. Our students have embraced these opportunities and their engagement in learning is heartwarming. Our lunchtime concert series has continued and this term we are looking at showcasing original work created by the students. Sharing one’s own composition with others is very confronting and we have been so inspired by these young people, their capacity to create and their desire to share with others.
SCHOOL SPORT UPDATE It has been a busy start to Term 3 with school sport starting back up for both after school and the State-wide Schools (formerly Knock Out) competitions. The winter season is finally underway with 27 different teams participating across eleven different sports. So far this term Adelaide High has participated in fourteen of the Statewide Competitions across a range of sports including; hockey, volleyball, soccer, football, badminton, table tennis, netball, indoor cricket and indoor soccer.
Congratulations to the Open Girls and Boys Volleyball, Open Boys Soccer, Open Girls Indoor Soccer and Open Boys and Girls Indoor Cricket who will all proceed to the finals to be played later this term. Congratulations also to the Open Table Tennis team who finished fourth at the state finals. Mr Glen Little | Director of Sport Mr Jeremy Appleton | Sports Manager
We are constantly looking at ways to make the Arts curriculum relevant to real life. To that end, our Year 10 Music Explorations class have teamed with Radio Adelaide this semester. Programs Manager, Niki Marcel, has been working onsite with our students to show them how to create podcasts and the art of ensuring they are fit for purpose. The students also visited the radio station and learnt operations and explored how technicians manage the complexity onsite of doing a program live. Stay tuned as our students continue to develop their podcasts and later this year they will get to play them over the airwaves and get feedback from listeners. This is truly an exciting, innovative program. It would be remiss of me if I did not promote the Barton Bunch performance. I am always impressed by the students, but this group of young people have worked hard preparing for an event that truly epitomises complete student agency. The group have learnt to write risk assessments, work through obstacles and be flexible as they navigate the extra demands placed on event organisation. Without exception, they have shown they are more than capable. Please see the promotion flyer in the newsletter and know this event has been totally student driven and we encourage students to attend. Please note, there will be staff supervising the event. Ms Kerry Skinner | Leader: The Arts
Edition Number 5: August 2020
STUDENT PATHWAYS REPORT 2020 VET courses Students undertaking VET courses this semester are progressing well, which is wonderful news, given the Semester 1 challenges we all faced. For those VET students who need to undertake compulsory Structured Work Placement, the coming October school holidays will be an opportune time to complete the required hours / shifts to be able meet those requirements. Thursday 10 and Friday 11 September, both being Student Free Days, would also be additional opportunities. I would like to receive the completed paperwork by the end of Week 9, Friday September 18, at the latest, to allow sufficient time for final approval and processing. I also need to remind VET students to check their emails regularly and to meet all due dates, as stipulated by their trainers, as failure to adhere to these dates may result in extra fees being charged by the Registered Training Organisations (hereafter RTO), which will need to be met by families.
VET and Subject Selection for 2021 All proposed VET courses are based on training packages from the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF), the national set of standards which assures nationally consistent, high-quality VET training and assessment services. It is wonderful to see several Years 9–11 students considering VET for 2021. I have started counselling and enrolling them so that their place can be secured. VET information appears on pages 176 – 177 of the 2021 Curriculum Guide, located under Curriculum on the school’s website. Interested students are invited to make a time to see me to access more recent information about those courses and additional opportunities, which have since become available. This is just one of the courses that is available for purchase through our membership of Eastern Adelaide Schools Vocational Alliance (EASVA). Visit https://www.easva.sa.edu.au and then ask your child to see me to discuss further if they see something of interest. Our students are able to access courses from other alliances and private RTOs, so our discussion will enable me to work out the best fit for your child in terms of course length, location, cost, meeting prerequisites if stipulated, etc.
Semester long VET courses can be a good taster for some students, so that they can start to become familiar with an industry of their choice, they can begin to develop entry-level skills and earn SACE credits. However, only complete Certificate III courses (as stated on the SACE Board’s VET Recognition Register) can be used to assist with ATAR generation. Due to the need to meet all requirements to a satisfactory level, including completion, if stipulated, of considerable Structured Work Placement, these courses are often best tackled by seniors, rather than Year 10 students. Students are able to apply to do a 2021 VET course during all of Semester 2, and in some fortunate cases, even as late as the start of the new school year if there are vacancies. Courses that have insufficient numbers are cancelled early on. Therefore, I advise enrolments to occur as soon as possible to avoid disappointment, as applications are processed on a ‘first in, first served basis” and this helps courses stay viable. I prefer students who wish to do short courses next year to see me then, when I will be able to inform of accurate details, such as dates, times and cost. However, if there is interest amongst current Years 10-12 students to undertake a short course, I am only too happy to assist now. I also disseminate School Based Apprenticeship opportunities as they come to hand. The requirements vary, depending on the industry, but many stipulate that a driver’s licence is essential or preferred and some state that previous VET training, even if currently being undertaken, is advantageous. I remind any interested students to sign up to The Naval Shipbuilding College’s Workforce Register. Lots of people have already signed up nationally online. Two registration benefits are increased access careers advice on the training they need to pursue (in IT, Engineering, the trades etc) and networking with potential future employers. Contact me if you have any questions at all. Ms D’Aloia | Student Pathways Leader livia.daloia@adelaidehs.sa.edu.au
LIVE @ THE GOV: WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26 We are excited to be able to provide our students with an opportunity to perform at the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel (The Gov) in 2020. The Gov focuses on allowing our co-curricular ensembles the opportunity to replicate a “gig”. To ensure we abide by COVID guidelines, the performance will be divided into two Acts. This will allow us to keep the numbers of people in the venue at the correct level at all times.
Act 1 – 5.30pm start String Ensemble Quintet Junior vocal ensemble Greek band Rock band (Madd Doggz) Rock band (Four by Four)
Act 2 – 8.00 pm start Stage band Jazz band Big band Rock band (Know Eye Deer) Rock band (Locked Out) Senior Vocal Ensemble Tickets for this event are $10 (GST inc) for Adults and $5 (GST inc) for students and children to attend a single Act. Adults who attend both Acts will be charged $15 (GST inc). Student and Child tickets remain $5.00 (GST inc). Tickets are to be purchased electronically via the link below:
Please call the Governor Hindmarsh, Ph: 8340 0744 to book a table for the evening if you wish to dine during the Act. Note – As this is an external venue to the school, the COVID safe plan for The Gov will apply for this event. Phone numbers and names will be available to The Gov if required for contact tracing purposes. In the event of any change to SA Health COVID restrictions which means the event will not proceed, refunds will be possible.
https://www.trybooking.com/BKZVP
Department for Education T/A South Australian Government Schools | CRICOS provider number 00018A © Adelaide High School 2020
Edition Number 5: August 2020