News Headlines from Bunbury Senior High School

From the Principal

Building Success

At Bunbury SHS, student wellbeing and academic success are seen as being totally inter-related.  Students who feel valued and connected are more likely to achieve their personal best.  The balance of activities provided at Bunbury SHS develop the student’s full academic, social and emotional potential.  While our students do achieve academic excellence we focus on a rounded education. “Skills for Life Long Learning” are shown in research and reports like Future of Work report as being vital for success in the future.  The many activities in this newsletter and in our social media posts shows the range of innovative activities and stimulating excursions that our teachers are providing.  When coupled with high quality buildings and infrastructure we are building success.

We were delighted to have received a visit from the WA Education Department Deputy Director General Stephen Baxter.  The Deputy Director General was accompanied by the Regional Executive Director General Neil Milligan and Regional Executive Director General Alison Ramm.  The group toured the school and discussed the future directions of the school.  When speaking with students the Deputy Director General was impressed by how well the students spoke about the school and their future.  We are grateful to the Deputy Director General for taking time out of his busy schedule to visit the school.

On the topic of visits, the Honourable Premier Mark McGowan will visit Bunbury SHS to review the progress of the new cafeteria.  He will also meet staff and spend some time talking with students.  The visit coincides with the announcement of Bunbury SHS receiving WA Recovery funding. The WA recovery funding has netted a $3.1million refurbishment program for Bunbury SHS.  The funding is earmarked in two lots for the refurbishment of our Sports Hall and Performing Arts.  Detail about how the funding can be used is still pending but we will prioritise the funds to raise the quality of facilities for student.

We are excited to welcome Mr Andrew Healey to the Executive team.  He has a wide range of experiences in various school and a wealth of knowledge.  What a great asset he will be to the team and the school.  Along with Mr Healey, board elections have concluded and we welcome two new parent members;  Mr Paul Lever and Ms Justine Brett to the school board.  Mr Tim O’Byrne was returned to the position of Chairman. I am genuinely excited by the new injection of personnel into the school.   

Since my appointment in April, I have not had the opportunity to stand in front of the whole school until our assembly this term. It was a great sigh of relief and signal that things are almost back to normal – in WA at least. These unusual times with COVI19 have impacted greatly on the opportunities for our students.  A number of our interstate and international visits unfortunately can’t occur this year.  It is disappointing that Darcy Reid Premier’s ANZAC student tour winner, will not be able to enjoy his reward this year.  You will however notice the number of local activities listed throughout, our newsletter is starting to increase.  From the academically stimulating Mathematics activities to our nurturing Wellbeing Day activities and Cross Country competition success.  Thank you to all the teachers and volunteers who have made these activities possible, you are truly building success at Bunbury SHS.

Finally, following the events of this last week which you may have read about, I’d like to assure you that it is my expectation as principal that Bunbury Senior High school staff behave ethically and act with integrity at all times. I have spoken with staff about this matter and reminded them to follow the code of conduct while at school and out in the community.

En Avant. 
Mike Sinagra

New Deputy Principal Andrew Healey

Kaya and hello. Thank you to our students and staff, and even parents for welcoming me into the Bunbury SHS community. I know that it has only been three weeks since arriving but the warmth of the school is very evident. Students have interacted with me with such positiveness and I need to say thank you to the Year 12 students in particular. I have sat with a few of them during prefect interviews and I have been very impressed. Their enthusiasm for this school was evident in the maturity of their conversations ensuring the next group of prefects has that same thirst to support their peers and promote the school positively in the community.

I must admit it is taking me some time to adapt to the size of the school. Having come from a small Wheatbelt school where the total population is the same size as our current Year 8 cohort. Slotting into Bunbury SHS has been interesting, especially with the whole school evacuation on Wednesday; a good baptism of fire to meet everyone on the oval.

Special thanks to Adam McGill who has really helped with my move into the Deputy Principal position. Adam's support has been wonderful and a true testament to his professionalism. And the last thank you is to the engine room of the school – the Front Office. At this point in time, they are starting to get used to my interruptions with a multitude of questions of ‘what happens here’ or ‘where do I find this’. I am definitely looking forward to the challenges ahead and meeting more of our wonderful students.

Andrew Healey
Deputy Principal

Gifted and Talented

William Shakespeare. Tennessee Williams. Oscar Wilde. Samuel Beckett. Maybe Darcy and Ethan will be the next famous playwrights as Year 10 Gifted and Talented students experienced life as a theatre critic and playwright. To really get into the spirit of the dramatic arts, students viewed a Sydney Theatre Company production of ‘Away’ by Michael Gow and wrote a review. They also were given the opportunity to write a new scene for the classic Australian text, or rewrite an existing scene.

Visual Arts Specialist Program

VASP students are engaged in a Creative Enterprise project where they will be making and marketing products for sale. They have been attending workshops at Maker + Co with Deanna Mosca, a local artist/educator/business person and Maker facilitator, learning about becoming a creative entrepreneur. On Monday, students travelled to the ECU learning hub and worked creatively on ideas for initial branding.

Shedworks

Shedworks is an off-site school program that focuses on practical skills and hands-on experience. This program is targeted toward students who are challenged by the traditional academic setting and is essentially a school for students for whom "normal school is not making sense anymore"

One student currently learning at the Shed is Ben, who recently had one of his projects up for sale. Program Coordinator, Paul McKenzie, shared his pride for Ben's work "Being at the Shed has given Ben the flexibility to try new things in an environment where initial failure is accepted as part of the process of 'learning by doing'. He has developed the resilience to overcome obstacles and challenges to his project goals, and has been supported in experiencing the frustrations and rewards of sustained effort, in completing projects that have required planning and organising, skills acquisition and refinement, problem-solving, decision making and teamwork."

Ben is enrolled in a Certificate III in Horticulture at South Regional TAFE and attends Shed other days. He finds working with plants and being in nature relaxing and hopes to undertake work experience in a nursery and eventually have a career in horticulture.

How did you come up with the project? The table was a joint project with me and Jaxon who had made other tables, which I liked the look of. He was showing me how he made his. Jaxon went to another program and I was left to finish it.

How long did it take you to build? The table took just over a term because of the interruption by the COVID shutdown. I was doing other projects at the same time as the table.

Did you enjoy this project? I enjoyed making the table overall, but there were lots really annoying times where I wished I hadn't started and felt like giving up and letting someone else finish it. In the end, it felt very satisfying putting the last two bits in and it was one of the biggest, if not THE biggest thing I've ever completed. I never thought I would get it done.

Where did the inspiration for the project come from? The design was inspired by the size of the pallet frames that made the base and the top was inspired by my first attempt at making a table, and the different types of off-cuts that I had to use. It's quite surprising how many different colours pallets get painted by the companies that use them. Paul made me stick to a certain thickness and width of the pieces, and I had to include a 45-degree mitre join as part of the challenge.

Where did the materials come from? The materials for the table, apart from the glue, nails and varnish, were from donated pallets from Reece plumbing and from the off-cut box. Some of the jarrah pieces came from slats salvaged from the benches that used to be in the High school quad.

What did he learn from the project? I learned to be patient and accept my mistakes and put them right instead of just leaving them because it would spoil the finish. I learned to measure and cut more accurately than before and that it's good to have a system so that you don't keep cutting pieces that were already cut to go somewhere else.

How does it feel to have your project purchased by BSHS staff member Sally? It feels good to know someone likes what you have done enough to buy it. I was very surprised and pleased with the price Sally paid. Some of the money will help me continue with my bonsai projects at the Shed. Thanks very much.

Surfing Champions

The Bunbury SHS Surfing Team braved the cold south-westerlies and inconsistent wave conditions recently at Bunbury Back Beach. Both the bodyboarders and surfers performed exceptionally well with Bunbury High victorious in the overall points tally taking home the Champion School Trophy.

Koby Tanner took out the ‘wave of the day’ prize along with an impressive body boarding score. 

Special mention goes to the division winners and runners up: 

Izaac Slatter and Angus Oddy – Junior boys surfing winners 

Koby Tanner and Jai Martindale – Junior boys bodyboarding winners 

Brooke Edwards and Darcy Wallace – Junior girls body boarding winners 

Lexie Edwards and Lily Gray – Senior girls surfing runners up 

Zac Trigwell and Will Allen – Senior boys surfing runners up

FIRE FIRE!

On Wednesday, 19 August, the school experienced an electrical fire in one our math classrooms. Due to the quick thinking of a number of staff, the area was safely evacuated, emerency services contacted and damage was minimal.

The schools ultimate goal of moving the school population to our muster point in a quick, orderly and safe fashion - where all students and staff are accounted for was achieved because of our wonderful staff. Staff went above and beyond to help where they could and students behaved beautifully in what was quite a stressful end to the day.

Regional Executive Director Alison Ramm dropped into our morning tea this morning.  She came to thank the whole staff for the orderly manner in which they evacuated the school. 

“We are very appreciative of the quick reaction and smooth operation that ensured everybody was safe”

While a number of staff members acted in the place of first responders it was the action of the whole staff working as a coordinated team that really shone through.  Special thanks to Ms Erica Silk who quickly responding locating a fire extinguisher and getting it to the fire.  On seeing Ms Silk hurtling down the veranda one of the students commented “I reckon Ms Silk could outrun Husain Bolt”.  While at morning tea Ms Ramm met Ms Silk and Mrs Mason.  She was also hoping to meet Geoff Kinter and Neil Johnson who also featured in responding to the immediate threat of the fire.

Bunbury SHS is also very appreciative of the support received from our school community via our Facebook page acknowledging staff efforts and communication during a very worrying time for Parents and Guardians. On a lighter note, one of Facebook followers pointed out, "ironic timing given the restoration of the water tower that was once upon a time installed in case of a fire!". 

Cafeteria Build

It's hard to believe but we are halfway through the build of the new cafeteria. Currently the roof sheeting is being installed as well as the steel framing for the insulated panel wall system. The cafeteria is scheduled to be ready for the start of the school year in 2021.

Spotlight on Student Services

Tim Fry 

Years 7 & 9 Academic 

I work with a fantastic Student Services team and love coming to work each day.  I help support staff and students in making their journey at BSHS as positive as it can be.

Life is not always easy or fair and I try very hard to be an advocate for students and support them when times are difficult.

I have been saying to many students of late, “The sun will come up tomorrow!”.  My hope is that they can understand that tomorrow can always be a better a day even though today might not have gone to plan!

I love my job!

Cameron Allan

Years 8 Academic, 11 & 12 ATAR

I monitor student progress towards WACE achievement and support the transition from Year 10 to Senior School. I also provide information to students and parents on post-secondary education pathways and mentor students from Years 10-12 to ensure they keep on track towards their academic achievement and future aspirations. 

Gary Walker

Years 10 Academic, 11 & 12 VET 

My roles in the school include managing the Vocational Education and Training programs for Year 11 and 12 students as well as supporting the pastoral care of all non-ATAR Senior School students. I also work with the Year 10 cohort, supporting student academic and pastoral care progress and the transition from Year 10 to Senior School. I also provide information and support to students and parents on post-secondary and alternative education pathways.  My other roles include overseeing the Workplace Learning program and HOLA of the Arts. 

Darren Austin

Years 7 and 8 Behaviour Student Support Officer

I work with Tim Fry who is the Year 7&8 Program Coordinator.

I work with students in the areas of Social/Emotional issues, help with well-being plans and activities, help students with their academic progress, deal with behavioural situations and regularly monitor student attendance.

I also help with the Year 7’s orientation days and their activity day in Term 1.

Danelle Field

Years 9 and 12 Behaviour Student Support Officer

I work in Student Services alongside Mr Fry (Year 9s) and Mr Allan (Yr 12s), along with the rest of the support team. Together we work to support our students socially, emotionally and academically.   We get to know the students really well, and what they each need. Students and their parents are welcome to phone or pop in for a chat with me to discuss individual progress.

Gina Newport

Years 10 and 11 Behaviour Student Support Officer

I work with Cameron Allan who is the Program Coordinator for 10,11 and 12.  I identify and support students in the areas of mental health, social & emotional, behavioural and academic wellbeing.  I get to know the students in those year groups and they come to me if they are worried or upset or need some advice.

Cindy van der Wal

Psychologist

At Bunbury Senior High School I provide support to the school at the individual, group and systemic level in three main areas. Firstly, in the area of Mental Health and Wellbeing, I assist schools and children to maximise the development of positive mental health and wellbeing. Secondly, I work with students, parents and their schools to identify and change target behaviours. Thirdly, I support schools to make appropriate curriculum adjustments for students in order to enhance their learning outcomes.

Inga McQueen

Learning Support Coordinator

I work with the Student Services team to develop student plans and in particular, support students with diagnosed disabilities or learning difficulties. I deliver some Literacy and Numeracy testing and I work with small groups of students who are struggling in English and Maths. I am a specialist in Literacy and Numeracy support. In this role, I support English and Maths teachers to deliver the curriculum effectively to their classes. I work extensively with students who need to pass OLNA, in both group and one to one situations, with a focus on extended support for the Year 12 students.

Valinda Sabourne

Community Health Nurse

My office is located in Student Services.  I have specialist health training and work for the Department of Health.  Students can either drop in and see me or ask staff at student services to make an appointment. 

Students can see me to talk about anything.  Sometimes people talk to me about their health issues, problems at home, bullying, stress, anxiety, sleep, friendship problems, sex and contraception.  I can listen while students talk, I can give students information.  I can help them solve a problem or I can refer students to other services that may be able to help.  What students tell me is kept confidential except on rare occasions I may need to tell someone to keep you safe.

Deon Throne

School Chaplain

I am part of the pastoral support team in Student Services to be a support to students, staff and parents & carers.  I am a listening ear and encourager. I help people to reflect on what’s happening in their life. I sometimes make appointments with students if they want to talk about something that is troubling them and I refer some on to other staff in Student Services if they need extra help.  I also help out around the school. I hand out Student Services appointment slips for students. I show students around the school if they are unsure where their classes are. I also like to join in some class activities as well so that students see me as a familiar face.

I coordinate our School Breakfast Program which operates in Room 17 before school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Anyone can come along for a toasted sandwich or just to have a chat.

I try to get to know students and have lots of informal chats around the school. I do this so students and staff know I am here to help and available if they want to talk to me.

Mrs Ann Deighton

School Officer for Student Services.

I support the students when they present at Student Services in making sure they receive the correct support they need.

I also support students when they are late to school or require a leave pass for appointments.

Louise O’Hare

Relief Student Support Officer and Library Officer

I work in Student Services and in the Library. I help students when they come in for any query or not feeling very well, always with a smile!

You can always see me around the school on various missions!

Greg Hiscox

ICT Department Co-ordinator

My role is to ensure that students and staff have access to technology within the school. Another part of my role is to resolve issues that may arise, helping students and staff with navigating the technology.  I also provide support with accounts, internet access, printing, etc.  I am located in Student Services.

OLNA - YR 10, 11 & 12 - Round 2

Some students in Years 10, 11 and 12 are about to sit the OLNA - Round 2 in week 7. OLNA stands for the Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment.  In order to demonstrate the required literacy and numeracy standards for the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), some students are expected to sit this assessment. The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (Authority) awards the WACE at the end of Year 12 to students who have met all the requirements. You can find more about the requirements on the Authority website at www.scsa.wa.edu.au.

The OLNA has three components—reading, writing and numeracy. The reading and numeracy components comprise 45 multiple‐choice questions; the writing component is an extended response of up to 600 words. Students are allowed 50 minutes for the reading and numeracy components and 60 minutes for the writing. 

Students who do not demonstrate the literacy and numeracy standard by the time they exit senior secondary schooling can apply to the Authority to re-sit the OLNA at any age. If you want to know more, go to the Authority’s website and look under Years 11 and 12 > Assessment > OLNA. There you will find more information, answers to frequently asked questions and a brief video. You can also send questions to olna@scsa.wa.edu.au.

Mrs Kylie Ward, Manager Education Services

Schoolzine App

Riding the Corona Coaster

Across Victoria, students and their families are experiencing challenging times with the state being in various stages of lockdown yet again. However, this second wave of the pandemic is now also beginning to impact other areas of Australia and New Zealand. Riding this corona coaster and navigating the ups and downs of the current reality is proving to be confronting for many people. The coronavirus has turned our lives upside down with some students returning to remote learning and parents continuing to juggle the home environment.

The uncertainty of not knowing what will happen next may have an impact on many students and their families. There is a concern that mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse, will increase, especially amongst young people. In the coming weeks, it will be vital for adult carers to reduce the stress levels at home and make life seem more manageable.

As an adult carer, it will also be essential to look after your own wellbeing during this time. Ensure you make time to de-escalate your own nervous system and maintain your sleep routine, healthy eating habits, get some regular exercise and reach out virtually to friends and family.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Chaplain's Corner

Hi Everyone,
I hope you are going well this term. It was great to be able to use our school amphitheatre for an all-school assembly and the Mental Health Awareness Day activities run by our Yr 12 Prefects so far this term. It is exciting to see some of the restrictions being lifted allowing us to do that.
Unfortunately, that is not the case elsewhere, and World Vision have cancelled their annual 40 Hour Famine challenge this year and are focusing their efforts on helping countries around the world coping with COVID-19.
If you are interested, you can still do a 40 Hour Famine or Backpack challenge and collect donations from your family and friends and donate them online via World Vision's website: https://www.worldvision.com.au/
It would be great to help such organisations who are helping at a time like this.
Feel free to contact me if I can be a help to you or your child.
I'm looking forward to so many exciting things coming up before the end of this term.
All the best,

Deon Throne (BSHS Chaplain)

Student Recognition & House Points

Join us on Facebook! We regularly update our page with notifications of school and community news & events. Bunbury SHS Facebook 
Parents of students in Specialist & GAT Programs, please follow our Facebook page for each of these programs:

• VASP -Bunbury SHS VASP Program
• BEST - Bunbury SHS Best Program
• GAT - Bunbury SHS Gifted & Talented Program  

Student Recognition and House Point Application
We want to get to know our students and school community better and hear all about your life out of school. If you have been kicking goals out in the community - whether you've had sporting success, are volunteering somewhere fun, or have an interesting or unusual hobby we want to know about it. Please use link below HOUSE POINT APPLICATION and you might be featured on our Facebook page in the near future.

Many students at Bunbury Senior High School are selected to represent their region, WA or Australia in various fields of endeavour, or they participate in significant competitions/events out of school. The school seeks to acknowledge these achievements within our House System through awarding of House Points. The specific categories are as follows:

NATIONAL REPRESENTATION/RECOGNITION: Representing Australia in an International Competition.
STATE REPRESENTATION/RECOGNITION: Representing Western Australia at a national level.
REGIONAL REPRESENTATION/RECOGNITION: Representing an organisation at a State competition.
OUT OF SCHOOL EVENT: Significant representation/participation in a non school organised competition/event.

In order to be awarded House Points, students can apply for recognition by completing the an application on the link below.  Please attach evidence to support your application. Points gained by students, contribute to the totals of their respective House.

 Mrs Kylie Ward, Manager Education Services

Where are they now? Amber Ramage

After graduating as head girl Bunbury SHS last year, what have you been up to? After I graduated from BSHS, working and saving money became quite a focus of mine, as I’m planning on moving up to Perth to study next year. I have picked up more shifts at the South West Sports Centre, but I’ve also started a second job at Eco Warehouse, which has been a really incredible opportunity. I have a huge passion for minimising the waste we create and the toxins we use in everyday life, both of which are the main focuses of the business. I’m learning so much about lifestyle changes I can make to minimise my impact on the environment, low toxic home-made recipes, and I’m even learning a lot about the workings of a small local business. 

Last year, you started the Coat Donation Program in Bunbury, how is the program going? I have recruited 2 new organisations to house a coat rack, Accord West and Anglicare. Both organisations have values that align really well with the project, and I am really excited to be working with them! Since starting at Eco Warehouse, one of the original businesses who joined the project last year, I have also been able to contribute to the project in even more ways and see it in a new light. Witnessing people benefit from it on a daily basis is really special! 

You were nominated for some awards, can you tell us about them? I was nominated for 2 awards by Tyril Houghton, the previous Head of Mathematics, for my work as Head Girl last year. These were the 7News Young Achiever Award, of which I have reached the Semi-Finals, and the Zonta Young Women’s in Public Affairs award, which I won for the Bunbury district. It was an incredible honour to be recognised by such an admirable organisation that does so much work for women and girls both nationally and internationally, and I will be meeting some of the women behind these incredible initiatives in a few weeks. 

We know you decided to have a gap year between studying, have you been able to do travel? In March I did a little bit of travelling, visiting one of my best friends on the Cocos Keeling Islands. I was very lucky to experience this before travel was impacted too much by COVID-19. It was such a fulfilling trip, with lots of adventures and lots of time to clear my head and think about what I want to focus on in the next few years. It also reminded me of all the simple pleasures in life and inspired me to make more time for the things I love in amongst working towards my goals. 

What piece of advice would you give to the current students at Bunbury SHS? My biggest piece of advice is that, although it’s crucial to put in the work at school because you will get out what you put in, it’s so important to find a balance and look after yourself too. It can be hard to find time for everything, but if you work towards maintaining a balanced lifestyle, it will create the best environment for you to achieve your goals.