Heard on the Hill Term 4, Week 9
Notes from the Principal’s Desk
Internal and external conversations that purport to inform our community about the cultural health of our place are invariably informed by recent events. The Department of Education has its Media Unit and we have Ellie Mackay. She is a skilled communicator with the contacts to make certain that our “best” is at the forefront of the Bunbury community’s knowledge of our place. My advice, flood her with good news stories. Our customers want to hear them.
Tina Nottle has been at Bunbury SHS for a very short time, however, her influence is significant. At a case conference I attended, recently, Director of Education, Sue Cuneo, was glowing in her recognition of the risk management and support mechanisms put in place by Tina and her team to manage the extremely challenging behaviour of one of our students. The impact of quality leadership, in student services, as everyone knows, is a major contributor to student wellbeing and staff morale. Thanks team!
Important Ed-e-Mail articles:
- Mandatory COVID vaccination – operating guidelines and expectations of staff – the online confirmation of your vaccination is now available on HRMIS and easy to do. I’ve done mine!
- Professional learning to support the K -10 curriculum.
To access last weeks leadership minutes, please click the link below:
New Position
Career Practitioner
I would like to announce that the new Career Practitioner for Bunbury SHS is Peta King. Peta is an experienced VET Coordinator from a neighbouring school. She is well known in the area for her outstanding work ethic and her knowledge of career pathways. Peta will be a valuable addition to our team. I would like to officially welcome her now, even though she won't commence until next year.
Peta will be undertaking some intensive training this week for all CPs. The Career Practitioner role is a permanent position.
Welcome to Bunbury SHS, Peta!
Follow the Dream Coordinator (Bunbury SHS Hub)
I would like to welcome to our team the new Follow the Dream Coordinator for the BSHS Hub, Asharie Bradshaw. Asharie started with us on 15 November.
Asharie is the coordinator for a new FTD Hub that has been established to support aboriginal students in the South West. She will be working across several schools in the Bunbury region. Asharie is an experienced teacher who will bring her energy and enthusiasm into this new role. She is based in the Kingia building and will love it if you introduce yourself and have a chat.
If you are interested in supporting the Follow the Dream program in 2022, Asharie would love to hear from you.
Welcome to Bunbury SHS, Asharie!
Asbestos Removal
Asbestos removal is being carried out Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 December.
NO STAFF ARE PERMITTED ON SITE DURING THIS TIME.
Country Week Coordinator 2022
Expressions of Interest are sought to identify the Country Week Coordinator for 2022. This is a significant leadership opportunity and requires the management of 15 staff, 150 students and a budget of approximately $90,000. The role will be line managed by the PC Health & Physical Education and attracts an SRA Band 4 allowance.
See the below information for job related requirements.
Protocols for welcoming visitors to Country have always been a part of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Boundaries were clear, and crossing into another group’s Country required a request for permission to enter.
When permission was granted the hosting group would welcome the visitors, offering them safe passage and protection of their spiritual being during the journey. Visitors had to respect the protocols and rules of the land owner group while on their Country.
Today, while these protocols have been adapted to contemporary circumstances, the essential elements remain: welcoming visitors and respect for Country. Welcome to Country is delivered by Traditional Owners, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have been given permission from Traditional Owners, to welcome visitors to their Country.
Whereas, an Acknowledgement of Country is an opportunity for anyone to show respect for Traditional Owners and the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country.
An Acknowledgement of Country can be offered by any person and like a Welcome to Country, is given at the beginning of a meeting, speech or event. There is no specific wording for an Acknowledgement of Country, just be sincere and, if possible, do some research on the Country you are acknowledging.
Credit: Reconciliation Australia
Birak (December - January)
The Noongar Season ‘Birak’ is represented by the colour red as it symbolises heat, sun and fire.
During Birak season the rain eases and the warm weather really starts to take hold. The afternoons are cooled by the sea breezes from the south west.
Traditionally this was the fire season. An almost clockwork style of easterly winds in the morning and sea breezes in the afternoon meant that this was burning time of the year for Noongar people and they would burn the country in mosaic patterns.
There are several reasons for this, including fuel reduction, increasing the grazing pastures for animals, to aid seed germination and to make it easier to move across the country.
There are many fledglings venturing out of nests in Birak, though some are still staying close to their parents such as magpies and parrots. Reptiles will also be shedding their old skin for a new one.
With the rising temperatures and the decreasing rainfall, it's also a time for the baby frogs to complete their transformation into adulthood.
Credit: Kurongkurl Katitjin, Centre for Indigenous Australian Education and Research at Edith Cowan University
BUNBURY SHS INSTAGRAM
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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 9
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Greg's Calendar
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