Students ‘Stand Up, Speak Out’

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Victor Harbor Students were a part of the ‘Stand Up Speak Out’ panel event at Brighton Secondary School last week, focused on respectful relationships and diversity. Chaired by Corey Wingard MP, student panellists explored what it will take to create a community free of violence, racism and sexism.

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The panel discussed and answered audience questions on a range of topics including; Domestic Violence to coincide with White Ribbon Day, Racism, Student Leadership, Drug and Alcohol abuse.

Pictured: VHHS Students Emily, Lily and Kayhla with MP Corey Wingard and MP Katrina Hildyard.

STEM Works at VHHS

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STEM is the integrated learning of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Victor Harbor High School is excited to be a part of the STEM Works redevelopment project, a $250 million investment by the State Government to provide 139 schools with modern STEM facilities to enrich teaching and learning.

These contemporary facilities will support cutting-edge teaching and learning approaches to help prepare students for future jobs in a range of industries.

To keep up with the latest STEM Works developments, please refer to the following link:

https://www.decd.sa.gov.au/sites-and-facilities/stem-works

Importance of STEM skills

75% of jobs in the next 10 years will require STEM skills.

The STEM Works program will give our teachers the specialist facilities they need to:

  • inspire innovation and creativity
  • stimulate imagination
  • challenge students

Yr 9-10 Subject Counselling

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In the week beginning Mon 18 Sept (Week 9), a specialist counselling team will assist all Year 9 students in making their subject choices for 2018.

A letter has been sent home with each Year 9 student detailing their appointment time. 

Families are strongly encouraged to attend this interview so there is an opportunity for discussion and final approval of student subject preferences. You are welcome to contact us on 8551 1900 if you need to change the appointment time.

For successful transition into Year 10 it is crucial that students choose an appropriate program of subjects that aligns with their intended future pathway.  Prior to Subject Counselling we ask that students inform themselves about the subjects on offer and consider these in context with advice and guidance on their particular situation and future aspirations.

Further information about specific Year 10 subjects can be found in the 2018 Senior School Handbook.

All interviews will be held in A1 – the Heritage Building, enter from courtyard veranda. 

The NDIS is coming to Victor Harbor

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The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a new way of delivering services and support for people with permanent and significant disability in Australia.

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For more information, visit the NDIS Victor Harbor community expo. The event will include a presentation about the NDIS and expo with information from disability service providers as well as training organisations:

·         Tuesday, 19 September 2017

·         11:00am to 4:00pm with presentations at 11:30am and 1:45pm

·         McCracken Country Club, McCracken Drive, Victor Harbor.

You can register online to attend these free community expo at the NDIS South Australia website.

For telephone advice on how to register online call 1800 952 962 (9:00am to 5:00pm).

Sensory Garden grant

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VHHS is working on a project to develop a Sensory garden which will form a space where students and staff can self-regulate their emotions and behavioural responses.  

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We have just received the exciting news from Leon Bignell that we were successful in receiving a grant for $21,000 from the Country Cabinet Fund My Idea program, which was awarded based on popular vote. 

This grant will go towards the total estimate total cost $150,000 for the project and soon, people will also be able to vote for this initiative in the ‘Fund My Neighbourhood’ program.

A sensory garden is a garden environment that is designed with the purpose of stimulating the senses. Sensory gardens are user friendly and encourage garden guests to touch, taste, admire and listen.

Year 12 Self–Reliant Outdoor Journeys

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Year 12 Outdoor and Environmental Education students at the school put their skills of planning, risk assessment and navigation to test last week as they completed their three day self-reliant journeys. 

Four small groups of students spent many weeks planning their final summative assessment journeys. Two groups completed bushwalks on sections of the Heysen trail between Tapanappa lookout and Waitpinga Beach. The other two groups cycle toured the Fleurieu Peninsula, camping at Strathalybyn, Kuitpo Forest, Normanville and Deep Creek. Pedalling up to 160km on Mt bike, students pushed hard up the many steep hills and enjoyed the wind in their hair on the long decents.

We are proud of all the students involved for planning and conducting safe, enjoyable journeys.  They have had an experience and developed skills and friendships that will remain in their memories for a lifetime.

Happy Camping

Adam Foot/ Ken Puckridge
Outdoor Education Teacher

Experiencing life as a student with vision impairment

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On Wednesday 23 August, VHHS welcomed Karen and Kirby from Kilparrin Teaching and Assessment School and Services.

Kilparrin provides on-site preschool and school programs and a state-wide support service for students with sensory impairment (vision and/or hearing) and additional disabilities.

Staff from our Special Education Sub School had the opportunity to work with and learn from Karen and Kirby as they provided orientation and mobility training, allowing staff to experience life as a student with vision impairment.

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Staff experienced walking around the school grounds blindfolded, reading and writing while wearing custom glasses that simulated being legally blind, and solving a simple puzzle with no sight.

Karen said “You really need to experience the loss of vision to understand the needs of students with low vision. Activities like this highlight just how important concept understanding is, as well as background noise, planning and consistency.”

School Services Officer Lynette Wheatley said “It was interesting to experience how much longer it took to do things. I had to be continually focused and could only concentrate on one task at a time. Having this experience has definitely changed the way that I will work with students with vision impairments.”

Teacher, Lauren Height said “I was surprised how much I instantly focused on my hearing. I became so aware of everything that I was hearing and it seemed so noisy. This experience has made me more mindful of even simple things like saying people’s names first before you start talking.”

Applications now open for SA Space School

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Are you in Year 10 and interested in a career in science, especially space science, engineering, physics or astronomy?

The Centre for Australian Space Education (CASE) invites applications from Year 10 students for the 21st annual residential South Australian Space School (SASS) from 9 October- 11 October 2017.

Students at the South Australian Space School will be accommodated at the Warradale Urban Camp School:

  • Take part in science investigations including building and launching model rockets at Hamilton Secondary College
  • Undertake tours of the Flinders University Physics Laboratories
  • Visit the Defence Science & Technology Group (formerly DSTO)
  • Hear inspiring talks about careers in space science, physics, engineering, life sciences and more – previous guest speakers have included an Australian working at NASA in planetary science, an Australian neuroscientist who was a finalist for selection in the European Space Agency’s astronaut corps, and NASA and European Space Agency astronauts
  • Visit the RAAF Base at Edinburgh and be escorted through various testing facilities and aircraft
  • Visit the Planetarium at the University of SA
  • Visit PIPEHENGE
  • Have a great time, and of course, make many new friends!

Please find application forms at www.spaceschool.com or click on the link below:

SA Space School Application Form

Applications close September 1st, 2017.

Keeping students cyber safe

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Please read the following information and complete the survey:

At VHHS, we're exploring ways to keep our students cyber safe - at school, at home, when mobile.

We are proposing to implement Family Zone's innovative cyber safety platform. We encourage you to take the time to watch a short video and read through the Family Zone brochure.  This explains the features and benefits of the Family Zone cyber safety platform and how it can keep your students cyber safe.

Please then complete a brief survey for our school.  Thank you.

Click here for more information.

STEM@Fleurieu Summit

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For National Science Week 2017, students from Fleurieu schools have been looking at the theme of FUTURE EARTH and what it means for the Fleurieu Peninsula.

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August 23rd 10am - 12pm

Signal Point Goolwa

Students will share the solutions for Future Earth sustainability in the Fleurieu Region. Posters will be displayed and teams of students will talk about their learning and have the opportunity to talk with the Chief Scientist of South Australia, Dr Leanna Read.

PLEASE COME AND BE A JUDGE and help decide who has the most INNOVATIVE ideas!

RSVP
sam.pearse@sa.gov.au
0457 755 394

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability

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VHHS is taking part in this National Data Collection. Please read on for further details and opt out options.

The Collection is aimed at providing all Australian schools, education authorities and the community with a clear picture of the number of students with disability in schools and the adjustments they require to enable them to participate in education on the same basis as other students. 

Please click here for more information.

Involvement in the Collection is optional. If you do not want our school to provide de-identified data about your child to the Australian Government Department of Education, you can ‘opt-out’ by contacting the school by Thurs 3 Aug on phone 8551 1900 or by email dl.0799_info@schools.sa.edu.au

If you have any questions about the data collection please contact Lindsey Cowper on 8551 1900. Further information about the Collection can be found at:

http://www.education.gov.au/nationally-consistent-collection-data-school-students-disability.

Yr 11 - 12 Subject Counselling Interviews

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Information is being sent home today with students about the Year 11 to 12 Subject Counselling Interview process and their scheduled appointment time.

In the week beginning Monday 7 August (Week 3), a specialist counselling team will assist all Year 11 students in making their subject choices for 2018.

For successful transition into Year 12 it is crucial that students choose an appropriate program of subjects which align with their intended future pathway.  Prior to Subject Counselling we ask that students inform themselves about subjects on offer and consider these in context with appropriate advice and guidance on their particular situation.

Further information about specific Year 12 subjects can be found in the 2018 Senior School handbook. This provides the most up-to-date information about each subject, and their particular requirements, as well as outlining compulsory SACE patterns. 

Information has been sent home with students, including their appointment time. Families are welcome to contact us on 8551 1900 if adjustment is required to the appointment time.

All interviews will be held in A1 – the Heritage Building, enter from courtyard veranda.  Families are strongly encouraged to attend this interview so there is an opportunity for discussion and final approval of student subject preferences.