Edition 3 Term 3, Week 10

Kaya and Bonjours a tous in the Bunbury Senior High School community.

It has been a busy term with many significant achievement milestones in sports, academia and the arts for many students. None is more significant than the completion of formal schooling for our Year 12 students. With just the final submissions of data to SCSA, WACE examinations and the presentation ceremony to go.

As time goes by the purpose of our newsletter has been significantly influenced by our other social media platforms. We are much more able to celebrate our students' achievements instantly with our school community via our Facebook and Instagram platforms. Here is a list of some of what we have shared already this term.

• Matthew Mulligan refereed at the Kanga Cup and was awarded two medals for his high standard of refereeing soccer.
• The prefects raised money by undertaking a Sleepout for the Homeless event which took place in our library
• Keagan and Kayleigh Lynch competed at the National Indoor Cricket Championship. Kayleigh’s U14 team was runners up and Keagan’s U18 team won. Keagan was selected for U22 National Development Squad and U18s boys team who competed in World Series.
• Year 10 Annabelle Behan competed at WA Regional Gymnastics Championships. The Bunbury team won Gold and she won numerous medals. Year 9 Samara Cocking also competed at the championship in level 6.
• Year 7 Nicola Brown competed at the National Cheerleading Competition. Her team came second.
• International French/Canadian singer Etienne visited Bunbury SHS for the second time where two other schools also attended.
• SSWA Cross Country Carnival – Overall Champion School. Won Years 7, 8 and 10 age divisions and 4x1km mixed relays. With stand out performances by India Murphy-2^nd, Lily Sands-3^rd, Cohen Tappenden-2^nd, Salome Woodland-1^st, Ella Morris- 2^nd, Maddie Edwards-1^st, Alex Brook-1^st, Neil Phillips- 3^rd, Lucas Andrews- 2^nd.
• Bunbury Schools Surfing Championships was held at Back Beach. 26 students competed and Bunbury SHS was crowned Winner for the South West Region.
• NAIDOC Week at BSHS
• Year 7/8 Lightning Carnival & Year 9/10 Winter Carnival
• Following students selected for the Fever in Time Netball Program. They will compete at the Netball WA State Cup: Mikayla Edwards, Charlotte Kampen, Georgia Melvin, Margaux Ramsay, Lauren Bayliss, Maddie Edwards, Mikayla Williams and Koopa Evans (umpire).
• Our diversity club hosted Wear it Purple Day.
• Setagaya student's visit to Bunbury SHS had many of our students involved in cultural exchange. Particularly the student members of the Japanese club.
• Once again, our students stood out at the Iluka Visions 2023 Art Awards. Mimi Greenham won the Farmer's Choice Award.
• R U OK? Day was hosted. Prefects held games in the quad, sold cupcakes and baked food for staff and students.
• Year 12s had their farewell breakfast and assembly on the last day.
• Music Tour
• WA Robotics Playoffs and Innovation Challenge team placed second.

That is an impressive list, to say the least.

Therefore, the purpose of our newsletter has been changing with the times to provide our school community with the inner workings of the school, its vision and the issues affecting the decision-making. 

This time last year, I spoke to you about the impact of a federal report called the Shergold Report. The school responded with innovations to the range of pathways, senior school flexibilities and teaching approach to providing real, relevant learning experiences. I mention this to highlight the outstanding work by staff this term continuing our reforms by leveraging our school partnerships with ECU, Cinefest Oz, and others to make education for your children connected to the world. The Shergold Report is a driving force behind the current senior school review being conducted by the Minster for Education, which has been a focus for us this term. This report has and will continue to motivate and influence decisions at school for our students.

Education is not immune to the staffing issues gripping Western Australia now. Bunbury Senior High School’s reputation for student wellbeing, high quality teaching and tradition of success coupled with staffing strategies to build in teacher relief to the school budget has put us in a better position than most other schools. We will always strive to have contingency plans in place as this issue evolves.

This term we also hosted our NAIDOC celebrations across a week of activity. Our Aboriginal Advisory Committee have been instrumental in providing cultural advice for our celebration and guiding the school to develop a greater culturally responsive approach. During the NAIDOC week we opened the Koorlangka Kadadjiny Wardarn Hub (the old conference room in the Library). A dedicated cultural learning space. You may also notice other aspects of our Reconciliation Action Plan popping up with the Uluru Statement from the Heart now hanging in the school reception area. You can find out more details here.

Uluru Statement from the Heart

Our staffing strategies, student support programs and effective operations would not be possible without support from our school community in paying their fees, charges and voluntary contributions. I cannot thank you enough for your financial commitment to our school.  Voluntary charges have also supported the P&C to actively support several projects at the school. The P&C has a lot of momentum and recently just completed a fund-raising sausage sizzle at Bunnings. Their efforts are really appreciated. If you would like to join the P&C, please contact Geoff Ogden at bunburyshspandc@gmail.com

As Year 12 students wind up their studies it is a time for cautious celebration. One moment of inappropriate celebratory behaviour caught on camera or video can follow a person for a lifetime. Given the inappropriate behaviour of some students from other schools in the past around this time of year, I urge all parents to talk with their children about appropriate behaviour during the celebrations post-school. 

October holidays are a chance to refresh for most of us – but please spare a thought for our ATAR students who will be attending revision seminars and attempting Semester 2 Examinations. Please support them where you can, it can be a stressful time in this period and the lead-up to the WACE examinations.

Have a safe relaxing break,

En Avant

Mike Sinagra