Heard on the Hill Term 1, Week 2

From the Principal                  

Kaya, Wanjoo,

Welcome back, I hope that your holiday was filled with rest and relaxation. I really enjoyed watching your engagement in the School Development Day. I had some feedback that indicated that the SDD presentations were a little “operational” and lacked the excitement of the vision and big presentation of last year. The second year of a business plan can be a little like that. Rest assured past results show that our vision and commitment to it is yielding the best results for our students. I will try harder to keep that excitement going throughout the year.

This week the newsletter comes out. Please take the time to read it. Our world is in a precarious position. I have always loved my job for the part we play in shaping the next generation – creating leaders in all fields: politics, business, human rights, and active community members. As an educational institution, it is our responsibility (and privilege) to make sure that we are not creating mindless citizens unable to question the status quo; we can change the world for the better. World politics presents a great context to develop critical thinking in all learning areas, Science, Politics, Finance, Society, and Media. Use this to show our students how the knowledge we impart can be applied to the current situation.

En Avant

Mike Sinagra

Nuts and Bolts

Currently, we are working on finalising numbers and our count for 2024 is on its way to over 1000 students. As usual, our lower school is full, and even our senior school has had new enrolments. However, some students still move from Bunbury SHS to take advantage of the pathways from other schools. 

Kelly Anderson is having an operation this week and will be away for 6 weeks on sick leave. We all wish her well and a speedy recovery.  From Week 3 Tina Nottle will be acting in the DP – Student Services role, Peta King will be acting Student Services Manager (Lower School) and Phil Ghasseb will be in the HoY 9 and 10 role.

Positive Learning Environment

Our focus at BSHS when managing behaviour is to prevent misbehaviour, teach students the behaviours we want and expect to see, and reinforce these by providing positive reinforcement (ie rewards).

You will see the Positive Behaviour expectations clearly outlined in large posters in every classroom. These link to our school values and outline the behaviours we expect of students. The start of the school year is a good time to remind the students of these expectations. Recognising those “doing the right thing” by giving them a merit point or a letter of commendation (see in Chronicle), rather than focusing on those making poor choices, can set a positive tone in your classroom.

Preventing Misbehaviour in the Classroom

There are some low-key strategies you can use to decrease the likelihood of misbehaviour occurring in your classroom. Most experienced teachers use these, but for many staff new to teaching or still early in their career, or staff who haven't undertaken the CMS (Classroom Management Strategies) professional learning, these strategies may be new. These strategies are great because they really require very little effort but can yield great rewards. Here are a couple to get you started:

Winning Over
This strategy is all about building a rapport with your students.
You can do this by greeting them with a friendly tone when they arrive at your class, using their names regularly, smiling (when you don't have a mask on!), using manners when asking them to do something (please, thank you), showing a personal interest in their life outside of school (sports/hobbies are pretty safe topics).

When you build this connection, students are more inclined to comply with your requests and instructions both in and outside of the classroom. Even if the student has been difficult for you in the past, try this strategy and see if you can turn things around.

With-it-ness
This strategy is all about your awareness of what is happening in your classroom. The more aware you are, the quicker you can pick up any slight behaviour issues that need to be nipped in the bud.

You can do this by scanning the room regularly to check for student attention, making regular eye contact (especially with any who seem distracted), pausing (if someone is talking when you are giving instruction), using student names to refocus them on you, and using proximity - go closer to any students who are talking too much or not paying attention.

We have many staff trained in CMS. If you would like support with trying these strategies, ask your line manager who could be a good mentor for this and who might be good to observe in action, or who could observe you and give feedback. If you are interested in doing the CMS training, please contact Adam McGill, as we send staff to this DOE-funded training every year.

Aspirant Leaders Program

We offer an in-house Aspirant Program to any staff interested in developing their leadership skills. This is a professional learning program, heavily based on Brene Brown's book, Dare to Lead. We will meet each fortnight for an hour (sometimes less) to explore what it means to be an effective leader. The program goes for the whole year. You can attend as you like, but it is more effective if you attend as many sessions as possible. There is also an expectation that you will read Dare to Lead (or listen to the audiobook) as part of the learning. There are hard copies available for staff engaging in this program.

The Aspirant Program's first session will be in Week 4. Please email Tina Nottle to express your interest in this program. Tina will let everyone know the specific time and place closer to Week 4.

Cultural Inclusivity Committee

Calling for members! Are you passionate about celebrating diversity? Do you care about creating a school that is culturally responsive? Can you offer a diverse perspective? You should join the CIC!

We meet every few weeks - sometimes more regularly if we have a big event to prepare for. This term it will be Harmony Week in weeks 7 & 8.
We are keen for you to bring your ideas and energy to our current committee, comprising of Tina Nottle, Billie Larkman, Jenny Byatt and Rosemary Fisher.

Our first meeting will be in Week 3. Let Tina Nottle know if you are interested in joining our crew by the end of Week 2, so she can include you in the meeting.

Performance Management

There is currently a Union directive in place for teaching staff regarding Performance Management, which is respected by the Executive and Leadership Teams.

In saying that, anyone can choose to participate in Performance Management processes should they wish to, and the necessary documents are available in the School Templates folder on your device desktop.

Any queries about Performance Management should be directed to your line manager, in the first instance.

Executive Team Structure

With Adam's appointment into a new Deputy Principal role, we have reviewed and clarified the roles for each member of the Executive Team. This has also resulted in some changes to the line management structure (who reports to who). Please see the attached documents for this information.

Professional Learning

If you have Professional Learning you would like to attend, please complete the PL form below or located in School Templates Folder, and hand in to me at least two weeks prior to the PL. Decisions on approval is made by the School Executive Team, in relation to the Business Plan and Staff Absence Planner.

Changing Classrooms 

If you have changed your classroom and it is different to what is on your timetable, can you please let me know so that our rooming timetables can be updated.

Don’t forget, if you move rooms just for one period or go to the Library, please leave a note on the door so that Student Services can find the class.

Duty Roster

There was an updated Duty Roster sent late last week. Included in the email is the Responsibilities description for each duty area. Please check this so that all teachers have the same expectations for students.

Thanks also to those who did duty last Wednesday, thinking it was actually Monday!!!

Compass – Mobile Phone Violations

As requested, we have added another template for Mobile Phone violations that don’t generate an email home to the parents. This should be used for information only, to save on the student's record.

If you have confiscated the phone, or request support to have the phone confiscated, please use the Mobile Phone Parent Collection template.

Please make sure to lock the door of the Staff Resouces Hub every time it is used. 

School Psychologist – Ida Steyn

• I have been teaching in South Africa many years ago before moving to this beautiful country in 2003. My initial background is Sport Science. I have been a school psychologist for 14 years and I have been working at Belridge Secondary College in the Northern suburbs of Perth for the last few years. During my first two years as a school psychologist in 2010 and 2011, I have been working at the one-and-only Bunbury Senior High School.
• I enjoy running and competitive sport. A bit of gym-work and a 5 km Parkrun on Saturday mornings is what I stick to at the moment. I also enjoy camping, spending time at the beach around Busselton which I now call “home,” gardening, and just being outside.
• I enjoy working with young people and learning from them. Being a safe and trusting adult to young people where they can be themselves and receive the support they need in difficult times, is the favourite part about my job.
• I have been made to feel very welcome here at Bunbury SHS and enjoyed my first few days. Thank you to everyone and I look forward to meeting all of you!

Robert Barnes - Mathematics Teacher

My name is Rob Barnes and I have just started at BSHS teaching Maths. Up until now, I’ve been at Australind Senior High, and Harvey before that, but am really looking forward to getting started here!  In my spare time I like to play guitar (badly) and travel as much as I can. If you’ve been at BSHS for a while, yes – my mum is Vicki Barnes…she’s definitely going to be pestering me for all the school updates and goings on!

Thanks to everyone for being so welcoming and kind so far, and I look forward to getting to know you all.

Cara Van Schalkwyk - Student Support Officer

My name is Cara,  I have worked at Bunbury Regional Community College and Bunbury Primary School for a few years. I also ran Athletics and Swimming programs across primary schools in the South West through Sporting Schools.

Last year I took a break from the schools to pursue other opportunities from Youth Worker, Career Advisor and HR administrator.  I missed working with young people so am happy to be back in a school working with students.

Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my family, gardening and keeping active.

Lydia Hemson - HASS Teacher

My name is Lydia and I am a new graduate in the HASS department. I was able to work last year at Dalyellup College as a pre-service teacher and graduated from Notre Dame University at the end of the year. 

I love anything to do with the ocean, usually swimming or surfing on weekends and am currently re-watching The Office for the 7^th time. 

I feel very lucky to be at Bunbury High as everyone has been so helpful and welcoming. I really enjoy teaching as every day is so different and I love trying to spark some passion from students for my subjects. I look forward to meeting everyone!

Whitney Hough - HPE Teacher

My name is Whitney Hough and I have just returned to teaching after having two beautiful boys. I teach Health and Physical Education and enjoy all things outdoors. I love to play sports and currently playing basketball socially. 

My two young kids keep me very busy when I am not teaching, and we love going out on the boat looking for dolphins together. 

Allyce Sewell - HPE Teacher

• I have previously worked at BSHS in HPE, over the past 2 years I have been completing study to become a Financial Planner.
• I play hockey in the community and spend the rest of my time with my family fulfilling their sporting commitments.

Chloe Patulny - HASS Teacher

I have been a HASS teacher for just over two years now. I am originally from Perth and have moved to Bunbury for 2024 with my partner.

I have 2 dogs, Ollie and Kobe, who take up most of my time. I love taking them for walks, going to the beach, and finding new favourite places to eat.

Thanks to everyone at BSHS for being so supportive and welcoming!

Jonelle McLoughlin - Technologies Teacher

I was born in Bunbury but lived my whole childhood in Balingup. I went to Balingup Primary School, then Donnybrook DHS then BSHS for years 11 and 12. I then had a gap year and enjoyed a year of lots of travel to many places. Been to Bali 33 times!

Been teaching for 15 years, 14 at Donnybrook DHS and 1 year I spent living in a Kalumburu at the north of Western Australia, where I taught in an Aboriginal community of 400 people. The only way in and out was via a very small shaky plane. I then chose to come back to settle in Bunbury and had my beautiful son 4 years ago. I made a move to Bunbury as teaching Home Economics is a dream job for me and living closer to my family and being able to spend more time with family friends is a priority for me! 

I have 2 sisters, I am 37 yrs old and I do dye my hair red. I have one dog 4 chickens and a duck as my pets and I love to spend time at the beach, fishing, crabbing, swimming, running and I love cooking when I have time.

Media and Marketing

We love seeing students in action, whether in a classroom setting, in an incursion or off-site for an excursion or camp.

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.

If you have taken photos on your phone/iPad and are unsure of how to transfer these to me, please send me an email or come and visit me and I can assist you.

Submit your Facebook post using the link below.

FACEBOOK POST https://bunburyshs.wufoo.com/forms/z11e20yz19m4foz/