Edition 7 Term 4, Week 5
This has not been the start to our final term that we had hoped for this year, with our school associated with negative stories in the media. It’s so disappointing that the actions of a small group of young people have impacted the reputation and legacy of our current and past students. I can reassure you that I have reviewed all information and images available to me and I have no confirmation that any Bunbury Senior High School students were involved in the inappropriate scavenger hunt activities. However, if you do have any information, please come forward. I will continue to make sure that the wider community knows that this behaviour is not representative of our students, staff, or the Bunbury Senior High School community.
Our students’ excellence continues to shine; no press can dull that or take it away. Our students represent the state in their field of choice, we have Fogarty Scholarship winners, we have young students leading in the community, our music students are accepted into courses straight from school that are reserved only for the best from around our county and our student achievement data continues to be recognised by the Department of Education. A quick look through this newsletter and our Facebook page will show the excellence that our students achieve on a regular basis. We know and will continue to shout, so that others also know, what we stand for. We are Bunbury Senior High School.
It is difficult to segue from this into other news as it is overpowering, but a lot has been going on and school life continues. In an exciting development for 2022 Bunbury Senior High School will be offering two Senior School Scholarships; one for students studying an ATAR pathway and one for students studying a VET pathway. The description of the scholarships and how they will be awarded to recipients is set out below. A judging panel from the Alumni, School Board, P&C and School Executive will make the selection. As the Alumni gathers momentum, more scholarships are planned for 2023.
No doubt you will have noticed the upgrade to the bus embayment. The result was a joint venture by the School, PTA, Bunbury City Council and the Department of Education. It looks fantastic and I am really pleased to give the students the facilities that they deserve. The final piece of the puzzle will still be a little while away. It involves an elevated walkway down the bank to deliver the students to the new hardstand. This is very timely as the work for the gym, and arts refurbishment gets underway. The 39-week project will deliver refurbished change rooms and a gym foyer containing a lift for equal access. It will involve a second storey to the gym storerooms and deliver a weights/activity room, a new HPE classroom, a music lab, HPE staff offices and new student toilets with access from the oval.
WACE exams have started and our students have been preparing madly. Complicating matters for some students this year has been the difficulties they have had to face with interruption to their physics course. Despite the opportunities for catching up, it was always going to put pressure on them to be able to do this while studying other courses. I really feel for them, and wish them the best given the circumstances.
I will be taking more leave from the 16 November due to ongoing knee problems and will hopefully join everyone for the Year 12 Presentation Night on the 6 December with a new knee. Mr Greg Slavin the previous principal of Australind SHS will again lead the staff at Bunbury Senior High School until my return.
En Avant
Mike Sinagra
Principal
Senior School Scholarships
ATAR Pathway
This scholarship is awarded to a Year 10 student for academic excellence, upholding our School values and showing commitment to positively contributing to the life of our school.
VET Pathway
This scholarship is awarded to a Year 10 student planning a VET pathway who has been accepted into a Cert III or high course. The successful recipient will demonstrate, our School values and show commitment to positively contributing to the life of our school.
What is Provided
This scholarship covers the compulsory charges, optional charges and stationary items (laptop) for Years 11 and 12 up to value of $1500 for each year. Scholarship funds are paid retrospectively (where applicable) for the successful applicant. The scholarship fee is in addition to any other VET certificate course costs scholarship
How to Apply
To apply for a 2022 Scholarship, please complete the Scholarship Application Form and include the following documents:
- Student composed letter of introduction which details current interests and achievements as well as future ambitions. The letter should not exceed a typed A4 page (1-sided).
- A copy of the latest school report.
- Interview with the Principal
Students will not be required to sit an entrance examination, however, a Panel will award the Scholarship based on the student's comprehensive application form, school report, personal letter and Principal's assessment of the interview.
Application Forms, school report and letter are to be emailed to Michael.sinagra2@education.wa.edu.au by 9.00am Monday 22 November 2021.
VET Certificate Support
In addition to the scholarships planned for 2022, any student studying a certificate course with the Bunbury Regional Trade Training Centre will be eligible for up to $1000 towards a Certificate course. The subsidy will be paid retrospectively after any balance for the certificate course has been paid.
D'Arcy Slater & Foundation Cup
Well done to two Year 7 students Elise Andrews and Eamon Ramsay who recently competed at the D'Arcy Slater and Foundation Cup.
Elise placed third in the women's singles while Eamon placed fourth.
Read more about the tournament in the Bunbury Mail.
Year 8 artwork selected for exhibition
Congratulations to Year 8 VASP student Auri Mahar for having her painting, "The Side You Never See" selected for display in the "Walk in my Shoes" Mental Health Exhibition at BRAG (Bunbury Regional Art Gallery).
Her artwork is the painting hanging in the below position.
The exhibition includes many adult works. Auri is to be commended as a student, on taking up this challenge and getting her art out into the community.
Well done Auri.
OzKids Competition Winners
Five of our VASP students have won awards in the OzKids Art and Literature Competition online.
Year 9 students Allie Bourke, Nikita Godfrey and Saskia Divall along with Year 8s Auri Mahar and Talita Botha have all won awards in the competition.
The results were:
Allie Bourke - 2021 Commonwealth Bank Art Award in the Painting Senior category
The following students were runner-ups in their sections and will also receive a gold medal award.
Nikita Godfrey for her artwork Macaw and Night of Life
Talita Botha for her artwork Metamorphasis
Saskia Dival for her artwork An Interview of a Life Time
and also to Indy Duffy (former Bunbury SHS student) for her artwork Princess.
Congratulations to all our students who entered the competition.
Shorelines Writing for Performance
Four Bunbury SHS students performed at the Shorelines showcase at the BREC on Sat 30 Oct.
Year 7 students Michaela Williamson, Isabella Chalker and Jhulainne Buncul, and Year 8 Kira Mowday (not pictured), were each shortlisted in the annual writing competition’s Secondary School category.
Year 10 Criminology
Year 10 Criminology students had a recent visit to The Escape Room in Bunbury.
The students were placed in themed rooms with a scenario and clues to help them 'escape' the room. The Year 10s had to use problem-solving skills, collaboration and leadership to solve the clues allowing them out of the rooms.
All students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and challenge.
Soccer Selections
Congratulations to Year 9 students Chase Baillie, Demi Osborne, Rafferty Mullens, Liesl Elemans and Lilanie Preedy and Year 10 Logan Hayward who were all selected for the Football West WA State Country Teams who recently competed at a Football West tournament.
Also congratulations to Year 10 Lucy Hope who was selected in the Goldfields U16 State female soccer squad. The team would usually compete against other states at the FFA National Youth Championships, but due to COVID restrictions, this year they will not be attending. Instead, the team will play in a tournament held in Perth against the Northern Territory and other select metropolitan and regional teams.
WorldSkills National Championships Medal Winners
A big congratulations to our three medal-winning students who competed at the WorldSkills National Championships in August.
Year 12s Sky Burgess and Jessica Cherry both won silver medals at the event and Year 11 Imogen Hunt received a bronze.
Sky and Imogen both competed in the Vocational Education and Training in Schools (VETiS) Food and Beverage event while Jessica participated in the VETiS Hairdressing category. The students competed against other school-aged opponents in their divisions from across Australia.
TeamWA also came out on top winning the VETiS Shield for the second time running. The VETiS Shield is awarded every two years for outstanding performance by secondary school students at the national championships.
Well done to all the competitors across the challenging championships.
For a full list of results, click here.
Farewell Class of 2021
On the last days of Term 3, we farewelled our Year 12 students.
The day started early for our students who indulged in a cooked up breakfast complete with a coffee van. The staff said their farewells to the students, many of whom had seen the students grow over their time at Bunbury SHS.
The whole school then came together for a final assembly in the amphitheatre. The School Captains Kade and Lexie gave their graduating speeches while the teary-eyed Class of 2021 watched on from the front row. The traditional jacket handover was then performed with the Prefects handing over their formal jackets to the next year's prefects.
The day then ended with the Class of 2021 'hat toss' on the front lawn. The students then said their goodbyes to staff and peers as they left the school, some for the last time.
Our ATAR students were then back this term to receive exams results and sit their ATAR exams.
We wish all our students sitting ATAR exams currently all the best and well for the future.
Shedworks Program Graduates
Congratulations to our Shedworks Program graduates who on Wednesday morning attended their graduation ceremony.
The presentation was held in our cafeteria and included family and friends of our students along with prominent staff members watching on as they received their certificates.
The students also acknowledged key staff members who helped them throughout their journey at school with a certificate of appreciation.
Well done to all our Shedworks students this year for their hard work and participation in a challenging year. We wish you well on your journey outside of the school environment.
Workplace Learning
Reporting closes on Fri 26 November 2021.
Workplace Learning is an accredited course so the hours may be eligible for WACE units.
Work experience which has been done during school time and correctly documented in a logbook with a skills journal for every 55 hours may be credited.
All VET students are encouraged to discuss this with Ms Chambers at school.
WPL evidence is required by 22 November for assessment.
Well done to all VET and Workplace Learning students for another successful year.
We understand that now more than ever, it’s essential for our school to have effective and efficient communication channels available to our school community - accessible anywhere, anytime. Our new communication platform "Schoolzine" offers that and more! We encourage you to download the SZapp so that you have access to the latest news and events as well as important links in one convenient app.
Please follow the instructions below to install.
Staffing Matters
We would like to welcome our new Student Services Manager Tina Nottle.
Tina joined us at the beginning of Term 4 and we are very excited she has added to our amazing staff. Here is a little bit more about her below:
My name is Tina Nottle, I'm the new Student Services Manager - Lower School at BSHS. I have the great privilege of working alongside our Head of Senior School, Heads of Year, Student Support Officers, Student Services Officer, Workplace Learning Officer, School Psychologist, Chaplain, Community Health Nurse, Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer and Learning Support Coordinator....... aka our dedicated Student Services Team.
I've worked in primary school, middle school, high school and district high school settings during my 20-year career to date, both in country and metro schools. I qualified originally as a Health and Physical Education teacher and spent a big part of my career as a HPE Head of Department. I moved into a Student Services role in 2016 at Woodvale Secondary College, which I found both incredibly challenging and rewarding. I'm looking forward to applying my Student Services experience to contribute to the ongoing improvement in the level of service we provide to our students and families here at BSHS.
I'm thrilled to be living and working in the South West, this has been both a personal and professional goal of mine for some time. I feel very fortunate to be working with an amazing Student Services team in an outstanding school, and I look forward to getting to know all of our staff and students in the coming weeks. (I can't complain about the view from my office either!!).
2021 Iluka Visions Winners
Congratulations to our Class of 2020 graduate Saoirse Torr for taking out the top prize at the prestigious high school Iluka Visions exhibition with her piece titled 'Social Distancing'.
Congratulations also to Year 9 Allie Bourke for winning the Year 9 category and the Framers Choice Award for her piece titled 'Forrest Made of Mist'.
National Bandanna Day
Our 2022 Prefects held their first-ever school fundraising event on Friday 29 October.
During lunch 1 and 2, the prefects sold bandanna as part of National Bandanna Day, a fundraising and awareness campaign for Canteen - an organisation to assist young people living with cancer.
The school's senior rock band also played during the breaks in the amphitheatre providing entertainment for students and staff.
All the funds raised during the event will go to Canteen.
Thank you to all who participated and donated to this great cause.
URGENT NEED OF CAFETERIA VOLUNTEERS
Our cafeteria needs volunteers!
Volunteers are required to run our school cafeteria and our lovely staff are in desperate need. Volunteers are required any day from 9am-11.45am and from 11.145am-2.15pm.
If you can spare any time, please contact our Cafeteria Manager Debbie McGinley via email: debbie.mcginley@education.wa.edu.au or call 9797 8900.
Cafeteria Online Ordering
Our Cafeteria has recently moved to a new online ordering system called Spriggy Schools. The app is user friendly and can be downloaded onto your phone.
For more information about Spriggy Schools and to download the app, head to their website:https://www.spriggyschools.com.au/
The ITC Fremantle Theatre Company are proud to present:
Bankwest Shakespeare in the Park - A Midsummer Night's Dream
The Performance will be held at our Amphitheatre! Tickets are now on sale here!
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
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 fill in the online form using the link below and you might be featured on our Facebook page or in our newsletter in the near future.
SPECIAL REPORT: Managing Overwhelm
Due to the pandemic, the world we now live in is a very different place. The hyper connected nature of our current environment means that we are constantly being reminded of the challenges we face via numerous media and social media channels. Our connectivity to the digital world exposes us to a barrage of messages that can leave us feeling overwhelmed. As a result, many children and their parents are reporting higher levels of stress and anxiety.
Unfortunately, our brains have not evolved fast enough to adapt to this digital landscape. The combination of constant access to information and having little control over the situations presented, can be stressful and overwhelming. It is therefore important for adult carers to check in with their children and be aware of what information they may have been exposed to. It may not necessarily be the information itself that is harmful, but more their inability to process and make sense of it. Providing children with the skills and strategies to cope will enable them to flourish and thrive, socially, emotionally and academically.
The blueprint for parenting, based on our own experiences, is no longer fit for purpose in raising kids as citizens of tomorrow. This can be inherently stressful and overwhelming, not only for parents and carers, but children alike. If left untreated or unmanaged, constant stress and anxiety can lead to a number of behavioural issues or health consequences.
This Special Report suggests a number of strategies to help manage any feelings of overwhelm that you or your child may be experiencing. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to your special report https://bunburyshs.wa.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-managing-overwhelm
Busy times as we head to the end of the school year.
P&C Activities
The P&C has been busy supporting the school with a number of initiatives.
- The HASS department's Year 7 $20 Boss day is coming up and the P&C is providing the cash for students in their creative enterprise efforts.
- At our last Executive meeting, we approved a donation of $1,500 towards a new scholarship initiative for Year 10 students going onto year 11.
- The P&C has also donated $400 towards Year 12 Graduation awards this year.
- We have recently Auspiced a Drug Aware Regional Cultural Grant of $4,000 from the Regional Arts WA, WA Drug & Alcohol Office Department of Health and Healthways, for the school’s Art Department for a project to paint a mural on Jetty Road.
Cafeteria
On Wednesday this week, the Cafeteria hosted the Shedworks Graduation Presentation. It’s a fantastic facility for bringing people together for special functions like this. I would like to thank our Cafeteria staff and volunteers for their hard work this term. Our wonderful Cafeteria cooks and prepares a variety of yummy meals for students every school day. We are always looking for volunteers to assist Cafeteria employees. If you would like to gain some experience and fellowship with staff or would just like to enjoy the ocean views, please contact cafeteria Managers Deb on 0409 219 281 (Mon to Thurs) or Louise (Fridays) on 0439 922 697 if you can give some time. You will need a Working With Children Check and the P&C will cover this cost.
Uniform Shop
The uniform shop has made 2022 stock orders that will be available from December and the Year 7 Orientation Day. Please download the new order form from the school website as it has just been updated for 2022. As always Marianne is happy to accommodate your uniform needs.
1000 People Project - Date change to 12 March 2022
The P&C will be supporting the newly formed Bunbury SHS Graduates Society -Alumni Association as they plan their launch event. For more details please refer to their Facebook page. We are looking for singers who would like to meet with fellow singing ex-students to attend some singing rehearsals in preparation for the event.
Fundraising Initiative
We are fundraising in 2022 by providing a donation option via the School Charges and Contributions accounts. We hope to raise approx $10,000 through voluntary contributions. These funds will be allocated by the P&C to small funding projects provided by the school that would not normally be met by Education Department funding. If you would like to be involved in these spending decisions you are always welcome to join the P&C now or in 2022.
You are welcome to attend our next General Meeting on 24 November where we will be discussing our 2022 Business Plan. You can contact us through our Facebook page if you require any further information or email our Secretary Penny with any enquiries at bunburyshspandc@gmail.com
Geoff Ogden
P&C President
The school Board is refocusing on our community engagement which was a particular topic of discussion at our last meeting. We heard how the school is engaging in the new year with some local industry to have students participate in real world projects. An example of this is using the school’s underwater drone granted to us from Tronox, to conduct an underwater seabed study in conjunction with the Dolphin Discovery Centre aiding their research programmes.
Fostering these important local business relationships, the school will look to host some ‘business after hours’ events with the local Chamber of Commerce in the new year.
The Independent Public School review has been handed down by the Deputy Director General, and pleasingly Bunbury High has scored very well with positive feedback and commendation in all areas. Of significant note, the review team highlighted the school staff commitment to maximising student success, evidenced further through our WACE achievements and TER rankings.
You may notice more changes happening around the school by way of upgrades and new works. Firstly, the new bus shelters have been installed on Upper Esplanade which addresses safety and interaction aspects between students and the busses. Then secondly you may notice activity on the oval at the gym area where Perkins builders are already commencing our gym upgrade works. The roof has already been removed from parts of the existing building and the upgrades will be constructed on a quick paced schedule due for completion around mid 2022.
BUNBURY SHS GRADUATES SOCIETY (ALUMNI)
The 1000 People Project.
Are you a former Bunbury SHS student?
BSHS Alumni is introducing a first-ever event designed to get YOU to come back to school, connect with like-minded former students and staff who all want to give back to the school that gave them so much.
Let’s perform together in the spirit of learning that pays forward the wisdom and unity you gained from your time at BSHS.
On Saturday 12 March 2022 bring your voice, or your guitar, or your drums, or brass, or your triangle to bang out a musical classic that, like us, has stood the test of time. Don’t Stop Me Now By Queen.
Numbers are capped at 1000 (and there are 72,257 likely contenders), register and you will receive your lyrics and/or music sheet to practice.
Register for the event here or visit our Facebook page: Bunbury Senior High School Alumni.
BSHS Alumni need you to join, grow our school and connect with your friends.
Yours sincerely
Interim Alumni Council
James Jarvis (1985)
Sarah Henderson (1985)
Sam Goodlad (1994)
Kristy Narkle (1996)
Peter Martinson (1961)
Wayne Hayres (1981)
I hope you are going well during this busy time of year.
I noticed our students have all been doing lots of assessments and our upper school students doing exams, and teachers are doing lots of marking of those tests.
And at home, some families are getting into the festive season putting up Christmas lights, Christmas trees and presents to go under the tree. There is great excitement in the lead up to Christmas and the Summer holiday break.
I also know that some families do it tough over Christmas and the Salvo’s try to provide Christmas hampers to those who are struggling.
If you would like to help the Salvo’s in their Christmas Appeal we have collection boxes in Student Services and the staff room.
They are looking for any non-perishable items that would brighten a family’s Christmas, including tinned goods, pasta, toys, etc .
I will deliver our collection boxes to the Salvo’s on the last week of term.
It is great to be able to help those who are struggling in our community.
Deon Throne
BSHS YouthCARE Chaplain
| WACE Exams | 15 - 19 Nov |
| ECU Uni Prep Course Info Night | 16 Nov |
| BEST Yr 10 Camp | 16-19 Nov |
| Yr 10 Roelands Mission Excursion | 22 & 23 Nov |
| P&C General Meeting | 24 Nov |
| Yr 10 ATAR Uni Excursion | 24 Nov |
| Yr 8 & 9 BEST Camps | 1-3 Dec |
| Yr 12 Presentation Night | 6 Dec |
| Yr 6 Orientation Day | 7 Dec |
| Yr 10 VASP Camp | 8-10 Dec |