NEWSLETTER Monday, 25 March 2019

RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, SUCCESS

In celebration of the 2019 International Women’s Day

On Friday the 8th of March, the world celebrated International Women’s Day. International Women’s Day is an important day all over the world to celebrate the significant social, political, cultural and economic achievements and impact of women.

Campbelltown Council partnered with Eagle Vale High School to deliver a unique motivational event for senior female students of Campbelltown, focusing on their aspirations, goals and achievements for International Women’s Day. At this event, students came together to hear from a collective of inspiring women in our community, each with a varied career path and story to share. Students also had the opportunity to ‘speed meet’, network with each of our speakers, and participate in an interactive and collaborative workshop designed to build self-confidence, self-worth and self-belief.

The Master of Ceremony and musical performance of the day was Mirrah, a Sydney hip-hop and soul artist. Mirrah dons a multiple of hats as a musician, radio host, poet, rapper, vocalist and a graduate in youth work services. Another guest speaker was Eagle Vale High School alumni, Samia Halabi who is now a film maker, video editor, writer, director, actor and photographer who has just completed her first short film as the writer and director called ‘Tip of my Tongue’.

Each student in attendance received a gift bag on the day. Feedback following the event was extremely positive, with all girls walking out with smiles on their faces and an increased positive attitude. The Eagle Vale High School Year 12 Hospitality Class, under the expert guidance of their teacher Mr Keith Budden, undertook catering for the event. Guests and students enjoyed a delectable assortment of fruit platters, homemade sausage rolls, cake platters, wraps and noodle boxes.

NEWSLETTER Monday, 25 March 2019

RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, SUCCESS

Meet Mrs Donna Sarcia Deputy Principal

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as one of the new Deputy Principals of Eagle Vale High School. I have been very privileged to have undertaken a number of leadership positions across a number of schools and have passionately led the direction of the Technological and Applied Studies key learning area for a large proportion of my teaching career.

I would like to thank the school community for welcoming me so warmly. I have visited many classes over the last few weeks and have been impressed with the teaching and learning that is occurring. The feel of the school is caring, aspirational, and future focused. I am delighted to contribute to the leadership of a school that is proactive in educating students to thrive in our exciting, yet challenging world. As a parent myself, I am extremely proud to be a part of a school that embraces cultural diversity and respects the different backgrounds and life experiences of staff and students.

I am looking forward to supporting and collaborating with staff to maintain our school’s strong focus on student learning and improvement and I am committed, together with all staff, to making a positive difference to each student’s life. I strongly believe that the key to a happy and successful education is the quality of the relationships that are formed between all members of the school community.

My number-one priority every day is to ensure that every student feels safe and happy at all times so they can focus on their learning and enjoy all the experiences school has to offer.

Education is a partnership between parents, teachers and students and I look forward to working with you for the benefit of your children.

Mrs D. Sarcia Deputy Principal

Term 1 Key Dates

Thursday 21st March Harmony Day

Thursday 28th March Year 7-8 Fisher Zone Gala Sports Day

Thursday 28th March Taronga Zoo Meet a Keeper Day

Friday 29th March Year 7 Immunisation

Tuesday 2nd April Middle School Assembly (Induction of Year 7 Leaders)

Monday 8th April Year 12 Semester 1 Reports Issued

Tuesday 9th April Parent-Teacher Meetings

NEWSLETTER Monday, 25 March 2019

RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, SUCCESS

Staff and parents were delighted to hear from Hugh van Cuylenburg,

the founder of The Resilience Project, during an afternoon talk in

which he shared his own personal story and useful insights, whilst

talking about the engaging programs delivered by The Resilience

Project.

The Resilience Project uses evidence-based approaches to build

resilience and develop mental health, focusing on three themes:

gratitude, empathy and mindfulness. Gratitude is the ability to pay

attention to what you have, as opposed to worrying about the things

you don’t have. Empathy, or kindness, is when you put yourself in

someone else’s shoes.

School diaries are directly linked to The Resilience Project program,

therefor it is essential that each student brings their diaries to school

with them each day. The diaries have daily reflections which are

designed to help explore the concepts of gratitude and empathy.

The daily reflections ask students questions such as ‘what is

something you do well?’ or ‘what made you laugh today?’ Research

has shown that after six weeks of practising gratitude, a whole range

of things start to happen; students become more optimistic, more

attentive, levels of anxiety and depression decrease, and we enjoy a

better quality of sleep.

The full The Resilience Project program begins in Term 2 during

Wellbeing Lessons. We strongly encourage parents to support their

children by developing a daily practice of sharing daily reflections. If

you have any questions, please contact your child’s House Coordinator.

NEWSLETTER Monday, 25 March 2019

RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, SUCCESS

Junction Works Youth Team is an organisation that runs at Eagle Vale High School. They have their own office and offer

a variety of services for students at Eagle Vale High School. Their working days at the school are Tue (8am – 3pm) and

Wed (7am – 2pm). Below are the services and programs they currently have on offer at EVHS.

Junction Works Mentoring/Case Management Available on Tuesday and Wednesday at EVHS

The Youth Case Management service provides individualised support to young people aged 12-17. The friendly,

supportive youth team is available for a simple chat, but can also provide information, advice and assistance to young

people experiencing difficult issues. The team can also provide advocacy and refer young people to appropriate

services where required.

Breakfast club 7:45am – 8:40am Every Wednesday morning outside EVHS school hall, 7:45 – 8:40am

Run by Youth Team and student volunteers. The team offers food such as toast, juice, cereal, milo plus many other

delicious and nutritious foods.

Youth Clicks Tuesday 2:00pm – 3:00pm

Youth Clicks is Social Inclusion Program aimed at Young People aged 12 to 18 who attend EVHS and who are interested

in social activities that lead to personal growth meet every Tuesday of school term in ROOM 211 2pm– 3pm

SPARK (Student Volunteer Camp) This camp runs from Tuesday to Friday in October

Since 2017 TJW Youth team take up to 5 student either in year 9 or 10 who attend Youth Clicks, and have shown great

leadership skills. The young people volunteer at a creative arts festival for adults with a disability. The Spark festival is

organised by TJW.

NEWSLETTER Monday, 25 March 2019

RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, SUCCESS

Our Young People given a Voice

On 28th February, 10 student representatives from

Eagle Vale High School participated in the Advocate for

Children and Young People Conference, at NSW

Parliament House. The day was a significant day that

promoted engaging children and young people in all

organisations, not just in the school environment. Our

students spent the day working with other students

from schools across NSW, brainstorming what could be

done to improve their education, and it gave them the

opportunity to have a voice and become aware that

their opinions matter just as much as any other person.

On the day, Margaret Mulcahy, our very own Principal,

presented to the other educators on involving children

and young people in all aspects of schools and the

education system, and how this looks in a school

environment.

The Our Local website was also launched on the day.

It is a directory website co-designed with children and

young people under the age of 24 in NSW to help them

find local and statewide opportunities, activities,

services and events.

They day was about promoting and empowering young

people to not be afraid to get involved and to realise

that their voices deserve to be heard.

www.ourlocal.nsw.gov.au

Every Tuesday

We Wear Our House Shirt

NEWSLETTER Monday, 25 March 2019

RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, SUCCESS

Keep Hydrated All Year Round @EVHS

You need to drink more on hot days or if you’re

exercising. Make sure you drink plenty of water before,

during and after physical activity to put back what you

lose through sweat. We often don’t feel thirsty even

when we’re dehydrated, so it’s a good idea to drink water

regularly even if you aren’t thirsty.

To ensure students have access to clean water, the school

has installed water stations that provide filtered water.

All students are encouraged to fill their water bottles

during break time so that water is close at hand

throughout the day.