Heard on the Hill Term 4, Week 3
Bonjour à tous.
“Teachers are the second most influential factors in a child’s life”.
We know from John Hattie’s research that what the teacher does in the classroom accounts for 30% of the variance of students’ achievement.
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”
Benjamin Franklin
On Saturday night I went to my 40-year high school graduation reunion. Over the years, the focus of discussions between old school mates has evolved. Early reunions focused on what you were doing. Previous ones on kids and what “things” you had accumulated and this latest was a much more retrospective look at our lives, marriages and hope for the future. Each one, however, did not pass by without talk of our previous teachers.
As a teacher, this is an important fact to always keep in mind. Like a sports star or a TV personality, we have no choice in being role models. Further than being role models, we are the original “influencers”. Our job is very important. Hence working on our job is as important as working in our job. Like all other influencers, we have a great responsibility. It is incumbent on us to stay relevant, be supportive and realize that you may well be inspiring/enabling the next Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey or Neil deGrasse Tyson. Whether you inspire the next great mind or not in 40 years’ time there will be a generation of people at some high school reunion talking about you and your teaching practice.
I haven’t included my reading list for a while but here is something on that subject.
Seven Questions That Guide the Work of Inspired Teachers - ASCD
Nuts and Bolts
BELL TIMES
I understand the reason for good time management with period 1 and period 3 lessons. You need to have your lesson wrapped up ready for the students to go to the next class. However, there is no need to be packed up early for the end of period 2, period 4 and the end of the day.
Having students packed up early, or standing at the door increases the likelihood of behaviour incidents. Leaving early puts pressure on your colleagues. During Period 2, Period 4 and Period 5 please keep the students working up until the siren. Thank you for your assistance with this.
CONGRATULATIONS
Year 12 teachers, congratulations, your job is complete. Students will head into exams next week and the job is complete.
VACCINATIONS
Mandatory vaccinations for staff will come into effect for the 2022 school year. Please make sure that you get along to the clinic to have your shots. If you fit into the medical exemption category please see your GP as soon as possible to have the certification for your exemption. A DoE census will come out soon to collect information on your immunisation status
As part of the state government plan for vaccinating 12 -16 year olds, schools will soon be supporting the program by assisting students to attend the vaccination centres.
Instructional Leadership - Peer Observations
So you’ve begun Peer Observation. You’ve had a session or two. Research into professional learning supports the rhythm of regular sessions, ideally with a repetitive, cyclic structure. 2022 will be the time for us to embed this process firmly into our regular school structures
Map out a Cycle
Within a time frame, map out when each session will take place. This will give you and your peer the opportunity to work through the necessary steps of the observation process
Identify the priorities
As much as this is a professional learning opportunity for the teacher, it is important to focus the activities around the learning challenges that your students have. What skill do you need to develop to solve the learning problems of your students?
Plan for review
Include a review of your previous session into your schedule of peer observation activities. It can either be as part of your learning area meeting, with your peer or individually. Sharing helps continue the process and gain peer support.
Seek Evidence and further inputs
Your feedback sessions should ideally have some or all of the following features
- Relevance to the learning challenges you are seeking to tackle
- Have evidence, an analysis of assessment information or samples of student work
- Active modelling of strategies
- Opportunities to debate and question the alignment of learning models.
Plan the next step
Consider the detail of your next step. Continue to practise the new learning. It is useful to make some form of commitment so as to approach the next cycle with a sense of purpose.
To access last week's Leadership minutes, please click on the link below:
Coffee Machine for sale
Bunbury SHS has an automatic coffee machine that we are offering for sale by tender. The machine was supplied with the new cafeteria and does not meet the needs of school operations. The machine is in as new condition, having only made a few coffees and will be sold as is. It comes complete with all manuals and accessories. It is worth over $3000 as a new machine.
Note that the Kalerm K90L machine can be plumbed to a water supply or operated manually. It requires a 15amp power point.
More information regarding the coffee machine is available here. Contact Tonya via email to arrange a viewing (tonya.ince@education.wa.edu.au)
Please submit your tender by 4pm on Friday 29 October 2021 using this Tender Form.
STAFF WELLBEING - WORKLOAD ISSUES
Staff Wellbeing is a priority in our business plan and Wellbeing is one of our school values. It is important that staff communicate wellbeing or workload concerns to their line managers and to the Executive team so that we can provide assistance.
Our school has a Workload Advisory Committee. This committee meets as needed, usually once a term, to discuss submissions from staff regarding workload issues.
Submissions are made via an online survey - see link below, or you can fill in the form and submit it to Kelly via email or, if you must, in a hardcopy format (please avoid printing if you can).
WORLD TEACHERS' DAY - FRI 29 OCTOBER
Please come along to a special morning tea in the staffroom this Friday 29 October to celebrate our awesome teaching staff! All staff are welcome to come along at Lunch 1 and have a bite to eat and raise a cuppa to say thanks to our teachers.
ASBESTOS REMOVAL
Asbestos removal will be conducted over the weekend of Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 October ahead of the gymnasium refurbishment commencing Monday 3 November.
NO STAFF ARE PERMITTED ON SITE DURING THE ASBESTOS REMOVAL.
Gymnasium Building Works
The gymnasium refurbishment works will commence Monday 1 November. Please note the following:
Setup and access
- Site offices and fencing are currently being installed.
- Access to the change rooms will be via back entry from the cafeteria roadway.
- Access to gymnasium will be via a tunnel through the worksite.
- There will be no access to the gym foyer, staff offices, storerooms or stairs.
Fire safety tanks:
- are being installed between bottom end of oval and staff car park.
- Earthworks commence 2 November to install retaining walls
- 7 car park bays will be quarantined for the duration of these works (remainder of the term).
Staff offices:
- HPE staff will temporarily relocate to the online learning room for a couple of weeks while the old WPL, Project Room works are finalised
- Once these works are complete HPE staff will be housed there for the duration of the build.
Storage:
- The entire western section of the gym needs to be vacated by Friday 29 October.
- A sea container has been hired for the duration and will be arriving Monday 25 October. It will be located on the other side of the roadway to the HPE shed, next to the basketball rings
- Removalists will be assisting with the movement of large equipment on Thursday 28 October
The build is expected to be finalised at some stage during Term 3 2022.
Year 7 Immunisation
Wednesday 27 October Period 1 & 2.
Some Year 7 students will receive their second dose of SBIP on Wednesday 27 October during Period 1 and 2. Students will be collected from class and escorted to the Library by a support worker. You will not be required to take your students.
WA Education Awards – EOI to attend
Bunbury SHS would like to offer staff interested in representing our school at the upcoming WA Education Awards the opportunity to do so! Your spot on a table of 10 Bunbury SHS representatives will be funded by the school, however, travel and accommodation will be at your own expense.
AWARD DETAILS:
Date: Monday, 29 November 2021
Time: 6.30am for a 7.00am start, celebrations finish at 9am
Venue: Optus Stadium, River View Room
You can register your EOI on the following link if you would like to be part of this prestigious event. All staff are invited to apply. WA EDUCATION AWARDS EOI
Please note relief will be provided on the morning of the 29 Nov however, you would be expected to return for duties on arrival back at school.
School Celebration – morning tea
For staff not attending the awards, please join us in the staff room at Lunch 1 on Monday 29 November to share in the celebration of winners. Morning tea will be provided.
VACANCIES 2022
Staff wanting to apply for permanent vacancies are encouraged to keep your eye on the jobs board over the coming weeks.
SEQTA/COMPASS WORKING GROUP
As the DOE move further away on a solution for a suitable SIS replacement, it is time that work gets started on a suitable platform that meets the needs of our school. Staff interested in becoming part of a working group to investigate alternative solutions are encouraged to email me with an EOI. A representative from each Learning Area, Leadership and Support staff would be ideal to gain a broad perspective on school needs. Please email me direct: Kylie.ward3@education.wa.edu.au
21 DAY ONLINE MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING WORKSHOP WITH AMY COOMBE
This is a program designed to help you and those around you feel happier, healthier, mentally stronger and more resilient & overall self-empowered. When life is so busy and demands so much from us, how the heck do we find the time to look after ourselves? How do we actually feel better, happier, more positive; within our minds, within our bodies, within our day to day life? And how do we help those around us at the same time?
Over 21 days Amy Coombe will share content, simple strategies, easy little tips, and tricks that you can use daily, to help improve your overall Mental Health and Wellbeing, Resilience and Body Image.
The content will be delivered to you via:
- Videos
- Private Facebook Group
- Facebook Lives
- Anonymous Q&A (where your questions are private but the answers are public)
It's all online so it can be done in your own time when it suits and when you feel like it. Watch and read a little every day, all in one week, or all in one day - whatever inspires you the most.
This program isn't therapy or counselling. It hasn't been designed to assist with mental illness. It's been created to help inspire you to make small, simple and effective changes within yourself and your life to help you feel happier and healthier and increase your resilience using practical and easy tips, tools and strategies. Please register your interest on the following link to secure your fully funded spot with Amy: ONLINE WELLBEING WORKSHOP. Once you have registered your interest, I will email a code for you to sign up directly in with Amy’s workshop. The workshop starts on Monday, 1 November.
Kambarang
Wildflower season (season of birth) October - November
This season sees an abundance of colour. The Banksias, Kangaroo Paws and Orchids show their amazing colours along with the Balgas that start to flower. The most prominent show of colour are the Moojas (Australian Christmas Tree).
As you may have seen already, snakes are out and about! They have come out of their hibernation looking for food to increase their energy levels. The Koolbardies (magpies) are also nesting and protecting their young…. so there’s still some swooping but should finish around the end of October.
There are longer warmer days and less rain! Bring on the sunshine!
BUNBURY SHS INSTAGRAM
BUNBURY SHS FACEBOOK
Something interesting happening in or around your classroom? Having an incursion or excursion this term? Please let me know! We love to share updates from the school with our community and would like representation from each area of our wonderful school; no matter how big or small.
Please submit stories for our Facebook page via the wufoo link below and include as much information as you can, plus a few images to accompany the article. If you are having trouble with the wufoo form, you can email the information to me directly.(ellie.mackay@education.wa.edu.au)
Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and check out what our students and staff get up to.
What’s OnTerm 4, Week 2
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Principal's Calendar
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