Heard on the Hill Term 4, Week 7
From the Principal
Bonjour à tous, and Wanju
There is a significant amount of planning going on this week with the General Staff Meeting this afternoon, the leadership planning morning on Wednesday and then the School Development Day on Friday. We often complain about the lack of time in school to get the review, planning and preparation done. This week we will have plenty. I hope that you use it well and that you get much accomplished.
We do get a lot accomplished in a year. Sometimes our focus is so tight on the work that we have in front of us that we forget to enjoy the fruits of our labour. It was just this time last year that the West Australian newspaper had us on the front page for being in the top 10 schools in the state.
I know that I keep reiterating the need to focus on the 1%ers but in Term 4 it's easy for things to slowly slide away to the summer vacation. Please add to the previous list - to keep students engaged in meaningful work. If your program is coming to an end, now is the time to investigate real world problems.
- Provide real-life contexts ...
- Never be afraid to go back to basics and dig deeper ...
- Look for cross-curricular or partnership opportunities with our business and industry partners...
Here are some links to get you started
Have a great week, soak up the sun and recognition of a job well done.
En Avant
Mike Sinagra
Nuts and Bolts
Congratulations to Craig Bourne and James Keillor, their team and the P&C, on the success of the First Lego League Competition. It was a great event that the team worked hard to coordinate and present. Six schools from across the region competed to complete robotic tasks and present on innovation to a panel of judges. One of our teams won the innovation section of the competition. The real winners were the students of the region. I am really excited by our leadership in this area and am looking forward to watching it grow.
To access last week's leadership minutes, please click below.
House Leader EOI
We are looking for two House Leaders for 2024. See the Expression of Interest below.
If you would like to contribute to student leadership opportunities at Bunbury SHS, whilst also promoting wellbeing and positive school culture, the House Coordinator role is a fantastic opportunity.
A massive thank you to Mark Longbottom, Safron Young, and Cas Jacobs for their contribution to the House Program at Bunbury SHS.
Don’t hesitate to chat with Rory Stewart or James Duncan if you would like to learn more about the role.
There is an SRA Band 4 allocation to the House Leaders to recognise their dedication.
Survey My Class
A final reminder the class survey opportunity is set to conclude this Thursday 23 November.
https://www.research.net/r/BunburySHSNov2023
School Development Day – Last day of the year
I am currently putting together the agenda for the last day – School Development Day. Whilst there are some activities already planned, there is the opportunity to run some staff wellbeing activities in the morning.
If you would like to volunteer to run a session or have something in mind, please chat with me so I can devise a plan. Approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours at the start of the day.
It should be a nice way to begin unwinding on the morning of the last day of the year!
Thanks to those staff members who have already put forward ideas and volunteered to run a session.
Thanks!
Adam McGill
Senior School Update
Course, Certificate counselling & application processes have now been completed for Year 10 students. Thank you to all staff involved: Danelle Field, Andrew Healey, Liz Chambers, Adam McGill, Peta King, Ellie Horsfall, Anne Deighton & Toni Hotchin.
Currently, we have:
- 15 Shedworks students
- 42 3-day grid students
- 36 5-day grid students
- 50 ATAR students [4+ ATAR courses]
- Total Year 11 students expected to commence 2024 - 143
Of the 93 non-ATAR students, only 12 students are not enrolled in a VET certificate!
Timetables were distributed to these students for a final review of course selections. The next stage is to review class lists and finalise ready for commencement in 2024! There is still a little bit of work to do but well in control – we think!
There are two key events coming up.
University Tour: Tuesday 21 November 2023
Students enrolled in ATAR English courses have been invited to attend an excursion to Curtin University and the University of Western Australia [UWA]. Visits will also be made to St Georges and Uni Hall residential colleges. Involvement in this excursion supports student transition into their Senior School journey at BSHS.
VET Parent Information Evening: Thursday 7 December 2023 (5pm-6pm, School Library)
Students (and their parents) who are commencing their first certificate qualification in 2024 are invited to attend this event. Important information supporting the successful completion of VET certificates and programs will be provided. All current Year 11 students (and their parents) completing a second certificate in 2024 are also welcome to attend if desired.
Year 11 Senior School Update
Year 11 VET students have now finished!
Year 11 ATAR students finish on Friday 1 December (Week 8). I will complete a final review of academic progress over the next two weeks and update parents and students.
A number of course changes have been completed so class lists may look a little different for some next year. There will likely be minimal changes made from this point.
- 25 3-day grid students
- 27 5-day grid students
- 17 ECU Prep students
- 31 ATAR students (4+ ATAR courses)
- Total Year 12 students expected to commence 2024 - 100
Of the 69 non-ATAR students, only 7 students will finish Year 12 without any certificate! Many will have two or more. 11 students enrolled in Certificate IV and 16 students enrolled in Certificate III.
It has been a successful year. And from me to the Senior School Team, Executive Team and all staff involved in supporting Senior School Students…THANK YOU!
Tim Fry
Manager Senior School
Workload Advisory Committee
Workload is often the main cause of staff stress or anxiety. Our school has a workload advisory committee, which was set up as part of our focus on Staff Wellbeing in our previous business plan, and which we continue to support through the new Staff Wellbeing Committee.
Staff Representatives for this year (continuing their 2 year tenure) are: Renee Chapple, Luke Marinoni and Adam McGill.
If you have workload issues, please discuss them first with your line manager, as many of these can be resolved quickly and easily.
If you have an issue that cannot be resolved, please submit it via either the survey link provided here, or on the document below (which can also be found in the School Templates folder on your desktop.
Social Media Content
If you are conducting any activities you think are suitable for our school's Facebook or Instagram pages, please submit your content through the link below.
Please contact me with prior warning if you would like me to attend a session, lesson, activity etc if you would like me to take photos/videos to accompany your story.
Submit your Facebook post using the link below.
Schoolzine
Keep up to date with all the latest news for staff and parents via the schoolzine app. You can access Heard on the Hill, the school's website, Facebook page, calendar, Connect, and more via the homepage of the app.
This easy-to-use app also sends you notifications when newsletters have been published.
See below for how to download the SZapp.
What’s OnTerm 4, Week 7
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Wednesday |
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Thursday |
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Friday |
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Mike's Calendar |
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