Term 3 | Week 9 | 22 September 2017

Principal’s WelcomeIt seems almost daily that we are reminded of the dangers of cyber bullying to young people. Most of us have experienced bullying at some time and in various forms. Whilst it is not acceptable in any form, Blackwood High School has clear processes to manage, reduce and even minimise several forms of bullying.Our school policy on harassment and bullying can be found in the student diary on pages 14 to 16 and on the school’s website. Across the next term we will be reviewing this policy to update and expand to combat cyber-bullying, which is, in many ways, more insidious, covert and viral than other forms of bullying.With the ever changing technological platforms of social media, it is difficult for parents/caregivers and schools to not only keep up to date about these, but to put processes in place to limit and manage the intimidation, bullying and potential defamation that one click of a button can cause.School staff and parents/caregivers need to work together to educate and support our children to understand the impact and viral potential of comments put on the myriad platforms of social media. It is our shared responsibility to ensure that our children understand what ‘adding fuel to the fire‘ looks like in any of the multiple levels of relationship issues and work with them to find constructive alternative ways to build bridges rather than destroy them.A useful resource to support our work is the Office of eSafety Commissioner. The role of this office is to help young people have safe, positive experiences online and their website provides a range of resources to support our collaborative work. The article below is one of many resources available on this website which I encourage families to explore at https://www.esafety.gov.au

Cyberbullying – supporting your child onlineChildhood bullying used to be face-to-face physical and verbal behaviour in the playground, classroom and on the way to and from school. Now online technology and constant connectivity has allowed bullying to harm children through often anonymous contact or actions. Cyberbullying can happen at any time and leave a child feeling unsafe and alone.Cyberbullying commonly occurs through:•Comments posted in an open online environment

such as Facebook.•Direct text, email or instant messages online or on

a mobile phone.•Private features on social networking services such

as Snapchat and Facebook Messenger.Children can manage cyberbullying with your support by taking the following action:•Blocking the person cyberbullying and changing

privacy settings. Retaliating or responding to the perpetrator only gives them the attention and power they want.

•Reporting the bullying. Most websites have online safety centres and reporting facilities. Online abuse is in violation of the Terms of Use of most social networking sites. The Office of the Children’s eSafety Commission can take complaints and provide assistance in relation to serious cyberbullying material that is directed at a particular child with the intention to seriously embarrass, harass, threaten or humiliate.

•Collecting the evidence. Keeping mobile phone messages and printing emails or IM conversations.

•Talking to someone they trust like parents or a teacher.

•Visiting iParent for a list of sources of professional support including the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, eheadspace on 1800 650 890 or parentline.

•Taking the cyberbullying quiz. There is also a quiz for parents.

•Watch the “Chatterbox” video and listen to the podcast about cyberbullying.

Sharon Goldman, Princpal

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Blackwood High School high achievers• Congratulations to Amy Clark, in Year 8, who participated in the Jump Rope Nationals on the Gold Coast

from 15 to 19 September.

• Congratulations to Tori Wright, in Year 10, who has participated in the National Swimming Championships in Canberra from 20 to 30 September.

• Congratulations to Jamie Lunn, in Year 8, who has been selected in the 2017 South Australian U15 Female Diversity State All Nations Team. Jamie will be representing SA at the 2017 AFL National Diversity Championships in Byron Bay, New South Wales from 9 to 13 October.

• Congratulations to Mila Dowling, in Year 8, who will be participating in the National Championships of Irish Dancing in Adelaide from 25 September to 1 October.

Parent/Teacher interviewsReport Distribution Friday 22 SeptemberInformation has been previously provided about changes to our report distribution procedure. These changes include distributing Mid-semester Reports to students at a special Care Group at 3.00pm on Friday 22 September. The report pack will include a letter to parents/caregivers with a reply slip to be returned to Care Group teachers to acknowledge the report has been received.

Booking Parent/Teacher Interview Appointments on SOBS from Friday 22 SeptemberSOBS opens on Friday 22 September at 4:00pm and closes on Wednesday 27 September at 11:59pm.• www.sobs.com.au/pt/parent.php • click Parent access • type in Keywords box: Blackwood High School • select Parents click here• insert your Email, Name, Contact, Child’s Name and select Child’s Year Level • click Book Interviews, select Child’s Subject Teacher(s)• select Teachers for Interviews• select Time Slot for each Teacher and SAVE• choose to either Email or Print ScheduleParents/caregivers needing assistance to book appointments are able to call Student Services at 8278 0910 or 8278 0927.

Parent/Teacher Interviews Thursday 28 September 2017Time: 1:30pm to 8:00pmVenue: Senior Learning CentreParents/Caregivers and students meet with subject teachers for 10 minute interviews to discuss students’ learning and areas for development. Teachers will be seated in alphabetical order so they can be easily located. The process includes a chime to signal when the interview needs to be concluded in order to allow the next interview to commence on time.

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Year 8 update

Year 9 update

The Year 8 students have been engaged in a program called Bullying No Way involving them in a variety of classroom activities around identifying the difference between teasing and bullying/harassment and identifying who to talk to at school or at home if they are experiencing any type of bullying.

They were also introduced to the concept of by-stander bullying and given some strategies that may help them to take action and/or support any victims against any acts of bullying that they may witness.

The students also participated in a quiz about the Blackwood High School Bullying Policy where all the answers could be found in the school diary.

Some students made their own anti bullying posters that we will display around the Year 8 area.

Shauna Thompson, Year 8 Leader

The Year 9 students have been heavily involved in a Positive Education course where they have engaged in a variety of sessions around Gratitude and finding good things about every day. Teachers have worked on presenting students with tools to reflect and appreciate the things that are good in their lives.

They have investigated what is meant by Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning and Accomplishment as well as the positive effects of exercise, nutrition and sleep and how these impact on their wellbeing.

Year 9 students will continue to work through these sessions next term and identify what they need to do in order to be their best possible selves.

Shauna Thompson, Year 9 Leader

We request that students attend all interviews and parents/caregivers bring the student report and a printed copy of their interview times with them.

Early Student Dismissal Thursday 28 September 2017Further to the letters sent home with students dated 12 September, we wish to remind parents/caregivers that students will be dismissed at 12:50 pm on Thursday, 28 September to accommodate parent/teacher interviews.

We understand that early dismissal causes difficulty for some families who require their children to be supervised until 3.10 pm. Please note that school bus times will remain unchanged. Students who remain at school will be supervised by teachers who are not required for interviews and will do personal study. To assist our planning, we request that you return the REPLY SLIP which is attached to the letter sent home with your child’s report if your child requires supervision.

A positive partnership between parents, teachers and students is vital in supporting your child’s learning. We thank you in anticipation for meeting with subject teachers to support your child’s academic progress.

David Garrett, Deputy Principal

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Semester 1 Middle School AwardsRecently at Year Level Assemblies it has been my pleasure to distribute awards to students in the Middle School which recognise their achievement, improvement and positive attitude during Semester 1 of this year.

The awards presented were:Academic Achievement Awards – awarded to students who achieved a Grade Point Average of 85% or more

Excellence in an Accelerated Subject – awarded to students who achieved an IB 7 or 8, or a SACE A in a subject studied above their Care Group year level.

Improvement- awarded to students demonstrating a 20% growth in Grade Point Average from Term 1 to Term 2.

Demonstrating a Growth Mind Set – awarded to students nominated by Care Group teachers who have demonstrated persistence, determination or problem solving when encountering challenges academically, socially, through sport or service.

Outstanding Academic Achievement - awarded to the student who has achieved the highest Grade Point Average in their Year Level.

Students who received awards for their efforts in Semester 1 were:

Year 8Academic Achievement Awards 8B Gwen Lau, Jordan Rowley 8C Bella Davison-Bennett, Lara Keen, Alice McGinn8D Mia Blackmore, Brianna Rosman 8F Isabelle Augur8G Lily McLoughney, Tom Cooling 8H Mikayla Heddle, Riley Newall, Joshua Paice, Arabella WaiteImprovement 8B Jacob Koop Demonstrating a Growth Mindset 8A Declan Cram, Mila Dowling 8B Dylan Ling, Claudia Cock8C Annabell Kathiniotis, Josh Palamaris 8D Jonathan Chigwidden, Ruby Farmer8E Jaxon Rippon, Tara Edwards-Johnson 8F Belle Brown, Lachlan Gould8G Jamie Curry, Cameron Mills 8H Megan Haskins, Laura Fewster.Outstanding Academic Achievement 8H Laura Fewster

Year 9Academic Achievement 9A Glyn Ellis 9B Olivia Smith 9D Noah Brown 9E Allie StoccoImprovement 9F Jake OliphantExcellence in an Accelerated Subject 9A Emily Fischer (Year 10 Japanese) 9C Olivia Burgess (Year 10 Japanese)9F Matthew Driver (Year 10 German) AIP Troy Wallace (Year 10 Maths)Growth Mindset 9B Olivia Smith and Lucy Boehm 9C Kasan Calmettes – Syed and Henry Beenham9E Scarlett Partridge-Powell 9G Cameron Worsley, Jazmin Harmston9H Mitchell SladeOutstanding Academic Achievement 9B Bayan Sobhani

I would like to extend my congratulations to each of these students on their consistent hard work, courage and determination in the face of the setbacks and speed bumps that they have faced. Well done to all, and best of luck to all Year 8 students and 9 students for their achievement in the Semester 2 reports.

Cassie Dickeson, Assistant Principal Innovation in the Middle School, 8-12 Student Wellbeing.

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PLP UpdateYear 10 students have continued the PLP through our Pastoral Care program in Term 3 and we are now onto our final task. Following Course Counselling in Week 6 and the completion of PLP 3 the Year 10 cohort is moving onto PLP4 - My Reflection. As part of this task, students are compiling a folio of their PLP work from the year and completing a reflection on goals and capability development across the year. Students will use the extended Care Group sessions to complete this task with all components needing to be submitted by Week 6 Term 4.

It is important to remember that all 4 tasks of the PLP are equally weighted and that completion at a C grade or higher is required to achieve SACE. Any students who have not completed any of PLP 1,2,or 3 are advised to discuss ways to meet the required standards with their Care group teacher and or the Year Level Leader.

Power to End’ - PresentationAt the beginning of Term 4 Blackwood High School is glad to host the Power to End Violence Against Women program. This was developed by Power Community Limited partnered with Centacare Catholic Family Services and the South Australian State Government. The program aims to provide young men the opportunity to discuss the issue of disrespect against women and explore respectful relationships. In doing so, the program provides the information and skills necessary for young men to make informed choices to prevent violent and questionable behaviours in society. We thank the Port Power Football Club and their Power Community Ltd arm for working with us.

Ben Dening, Year 10 Leader

Year 10 update

Homestay families wantedBlackwood High School enrols overseas students who select our school as the place they wish to study for longer periods of time; from six weeks to five years. These students also stay with local homestay families, who are remunerated $280 per week (from 2018) to host a student. International Education Services - IES (a part of the Department for Education and Child Development) manages the homestay placement of these longer term students and is always looking for quality homestays in the area. If you are interested in more information about hosting an International Student, please contact me or IES https://www.internationalstudents.sa.edu.au/en/

Karyn Jones, International Student Programs and LOTE Leader

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Year 10 Snow TripAt 11:00pm on 19 August 2017, Year 10 students and teachers alike were armed with sleeping bags and pillows to disembark from Blackwood Primary School. The Year 10 students made the long journey to the annual Year 10 snow trip at Falls Creek, Victoria.

At Falls Creek, students were given opportunities to either ski or snowboard. Students had lessons from instructors every morning for the five days. Next, students went off with their groups and teacher to explore the slopes, but not before having a hot chocolate in the café, Cloud 9.

On Wednesday night students enjoyed a unique experience of night skiing on one of the familiar slopes, Wombats Ramble. The following night the Year 10 students marvelled in another treat of watching their instructors along with their fellow colleagues put on a snow show before enjoying a spectacular firework show.

The trip could not have been enjoyed as much if not for the wonderful accommodation at Halley’s Lodge. Students bunked in with friends, played plenty of UNO, enjoyed cooked breakfasts and the two course meals. This trip would not be possible without staff members, Mr Gleeson, Ms Bradley, Mr Kusmanoff, Mr Rabanus-Wallace, Mr Robinson and the tour leaders, Ms Beadnall and Sam Thomson.

Apart from a few bumps, bruises and breaks, the Year 10 students returned home unscathed on 26 August at 7:00 am where the common opinion was, “the ride home was much quicker than the ride there.” The year 10 students were successful, whether they were skiing or snowboarding in having a memorable week where they learnt something they wouldn’t have learnt at home.

Katie Turner, Year 10 student

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Thank you to all of the students who have already returned their VET Course Application Forms for next year. So far, these applications have been for courses run through our network of local schools. Course information can be found at https://isca.eschoolsolutions.com.au/

Students hoping to apply for courses held at TAFE or other private training organisations will be supported through this process in the coming weeks.

If you have any questions regarding VET Courses for 2018 or would like more information, please contact Luke Northcote through the school or at luke.northcote@bhs.sa.edu.au

Luke Northcote, Leader Year 11 and 12

2018 VET course information and applications

The closing date for SATAC Applications is Friday 29 September 2017. Although students can still apply after this time, there will be a significant late fee. Please also be aware of the following:

Friday 29 September 2017Final closing date for Creative Arts (Drama) at Flinders University, and for Medicine/Surgery (including Bonded Medical place), Dental Surgery, Oral Health and Veterinary Bioscience at the University of Adelaide. Late applications are not accepted for these courses.

Luke Northcote, Leader Year 11 and 12

SATAC application information

Sammy D FoundationOn Monday 18 September, Neil Davis from the Sammy D Foundation came into the school to do the Impact Presentation on alcohol-fuelled violence to our Year 11 students. The message that Neil, the creator of the foundation, delivers to students is to make sure that when attending parties they should look after themselves and their mates. Most importantly, this should include walking away from a fight. Neil believes that if he can stop one family from losing a child to one punch violence as they did, they have done their job; but if he can stop five families experiencing such pain, then they have done their job and are happy.

We believe that the best message to come out of the presentation is, in Sam’s words to his dad, that “you don’t have to be everyone’s best friend, but you can be friendly with everyone”.

Daniel and Jesse Whitaker, Year 12 students

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Congratulations to all the students who participated in the Southern STEM EXPO at Tonsley TAFE campus on Wednesday 16 August.

We had 3 inspiring tables showcasing a variety of STEM projects at Blackwood High School.

Year 7 students from our Mitcham Hills Partnership Primary Schools who participated in our Year 7 STEM program showcased their bottle rockets and portfolios. Using the IB Design Cycle, these students had designed, built and tested water rockets using advanced technologies, including laser cutting, 3D printing and trajectory tracking software.

Our Year 10 Extension Science class were close runners up in the Peoples’ Choice Award at the expo. They showcased their all-terrain vehicles, which will be used as part of a collaborative project with Professor Ostendorf from the School of Ecology and Environmental Science at Adelaide University. Through this collaboration, we will support doctoral research on the habitat and numbers of wombats in the Swan Reach area near the Murray River. We will be making and designing an all-terrain vehicle that will allow us to see and record information from inside the wombat holes.

The final Blackwood table displayed work by our Year 8 Materials Technology students, who produced innovative and ground-breaking laptop and phone stands to help with back pain and skyping on your phone. The stands were produced using both 3D printing and laser cutting. Year 8 students also gave out lots of free phone stands to the primary school students who attended on the day.

A large number of our Year 7 and 8 students were also were tour guides and guided the primary school and secondary school students around all the exhibits and were an invaluable help with the organisations of the day.

Lucas Johnson, Laboratory Manager

Southern STEM Expo

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Girls Open Volleyball Pool B State ChampionshipsWe were very excited to win through to the Pool B State Championships in Open Girls Volleyball on Wednesday 13 September. The event was held at Unley High School and the structure of the day meant that we played two minor round games before progressing to finals. We won both these games against St Peters Girls School, 2 sets to 1 and Cornerstone College, 3 sets to nil. We then played against the second placed school from the other side of the draw; Booleroo Centre. After drawing one set all we unfortunately lost the third set by two points. This put us into the play off for third and fourth position against St Peters Girls again. We beat then again to place third in the State.

Congratulations to Bella Homes, our star player and coach on the day. She was assisted by the awesomely reliable Alina Tairli and strong team mates; Hannah Goldman, Mariah Logronio, Jess Meldrum, Madi Davies and Emily Moore. Great result girls!!

Janet Bradley, Health and Physical Education Teacher

Sports news

Boys 8/9 Knock Out Netball State ChampionsCongratulations to our Year 8/9 Boys netball team for winning the State Championship on Tuesday 12 September. This amazing group of boys went through the day unchallenged. They defeated Modbury High School in Round 1, Golden Grove High School in Round 2 and Scotch College in Round 3. They had a 13 goal win against Golden Grove in the Semi Final that set them up for the Grand Final against Scotch College. Scotch College challenged them briefly in the first half and they led by five goals at half time but we extended our lead to 14 goals by the final whistle.

Congratulations to the super goalies, Oscar Hodge and Taine Mitchell. The midcourt rotation was very even and included Reegan Frick, Tyson Dyer, Declan Henty-Smith, Steven Walton, Jordon Cock and Noah Brown. The invincible defenders for most of the matches were Nathan Beenham and Cooper Gilbert.

It was the end of an era on Tuesday with four sets of brothers – Year 9 and 12 – competing. While the seniors were disappointed to lose the Grand Final by three goals, it was wonderful to see all these brothers in action, loving playing netball!Nathan and Henry Beenham D’Arcy and Taine MitchellBailey and Cooper Gilbert Bailey and Tyson Dyer

Janet Bradley, Health and Physical Eduaction Teacher

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Two Year 8 Health and Physical Education classes were recently visited by the performing arts group, ACT Now. This Government funded organization gives a strong anti-bullying message through drama. The four-person group engaged the Year 8 HPE classes by including them in a mini play that re-created a bullying scene. They gave opportunities to students to halt the scene and become one of the characters. This powerful idea enabled students to see how scenarios can pan out depending on reactions by bystanders in these situations. Our students performed very well and benefited from the positive interactions.

Janet Bradley, Health and Physical Education Teacher

On Friday 8 September, the SRC hosted Blackwood High’s first pyjama themed casual day for 2017. Students were encouraged to wear pyjamas, sleepwear, and animal onesies to help raise money to support our three chosen charities; Fauna Rescue (who care for sick, injured, and orphaned local wildlife), the RSPCA (who provide animal care and protection services), and Sea Shepherd (who work to end the destruction of habitat and wildlife in the ocean to conserve and protect marine ecosystems). SRC members also organised a photo booth for those dressed up, as a further initiative to raise money for these organisations. We would like to extend a huge thank you to all students’ contributions on the day; due to your generosity, we were able to raise an incredible $400! All proceeds will be donated to the supported organisations. Students with suggestions for future themed casual days are encouraged to pass on their ideas to Mrs Aulert, or an SRC member.

Amanda Aulert, SRC Leader

SRC pyjama day fundraiser

Year 8 HPE visiting performance

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From 15 – 26 August Blackwood High School hosted the fifth Study Tour visit by students from Toyo University Ushiku High School in Japan. The group of 8 boys and 6 girls stayed with families from our school community and enjoyed a wide range of activities both at school and after hours with their homestay families.

Some of the students’ comments included:The highlight was the memories of every day. Fish and chips was so nice and my host family was so kind.I want to take home a koala, Tim Tams, chocolate and a kangaroo.My buddy is my best friend.I learnt that Australian school is freedom and Blackwood students are very funny and kind. I liked learning Aussie slang.My host family had many kindness persons and their Aussie food was delicious. BBQ is my highlight and sausage sandwich is very yummy. I want to take cute fireplace home.My highlight was communication with my host family, eating lunch with my buddy and buddy’s friends.Family is very good…so kind, so crazy, so funny.

Thank you to the families who opened their homes and hearts to the young visitors and made their stay such a memorable experience. Without our quality homestay families, we wouldn’t have an international program.

The next opportunity to host a short term visitor will be in March next year, when we welcome our seventh group of visitors from Morioka Chuo HS. Please let me know if you are interested in hosting a student from this group.

Karyn Jones, International Student Programs and LOTE Leader

Ushiku Study Tour

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C.A.S Hawker ScholarshipsThe 2018 C.A.S. Hawker Scholarships open on Monday 4th December and close on Friday 5th January 2018.C.A.S. Hawker Scholarships are one of the most generous privately funded scholarships available to undergraduate students in Australia. Each residential scholarship is valued at up to $50,000 over three years.

Information about the C.A.S. Hawker Scholarship and an application form are available at www.hawkerscholarship.org or by contacting the secretary to the Trustees on 08 8127 1654.

The Charles Hawker Scholarship perpetuates the memory of scholar, soldier and pastoralist Charles Allan Seymour Hawker and commemorates the achievements of one of Australia’s most respected statesmen.

C.A.S. Hawker Scholarships have been presented by Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC, Australia’s Chief Scientist Professor Ian Chubb AC, South Australian Premier Hon Jay Weatherill MP, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Hawker family member Hon David Hawker AO and former Governor-General The Hon Major General Michael Jeffery AC.The scholarships are available to all Australian students. The majority have been awarded to students entering their first year of university study.

Selection is largely based on personal qualities and demonstrated leadership as well as academic ability. Undergraduate Hawker Scholars are able to attend a range of Australian educational institutions.

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Calendar DatesTerm 3 2017Monday 25 to Tuesday 26 SeptemberYear 11 Aquatics

Tuesday 26 SeptemberYear 8 Immunisations

Wednesday 27 SeptemberStep Out Production: Drama/ Dance Matinee 11amPerformance 7pm

Thursday 28 SeptemberParent/Teacher Interviews - Report Collection 1:30 - 8pm

Friday 29 SeptemberLast day of Term 3

Term 4 2017Monday 16 OctoberFirst day Term 4

Wednesday 18 OctoberSenior Music Showcase TBC

Friday 20 OctoberVET Dance Performance TBC

Tuesday 24 OctoberYear 12 Graduation 7:30pm

Thursday 26 to 27 OctoberYear 10 World Outdoors Aquatics Camp

Thursday 26 OctoberPink Stumps Day SRC Fundraiser

Friday 27 OctoberLast day for Year 12 students

Tuesday 31 OctoberPrinicpals Tour 9amGoverning Council 7pm

Monday 6 to 17 NovemberStage 2 SACE Exams

Wednesday 8 NovemberYear 11 Outdoor Ed RockclimbingBlackwood Overboard

Friday 10 NovemberRemembrance Day Assembly

Monday 13 to 17 NovemberYear 11 exam week

Monday 13 NovemberYear 9 aquatics and ice skating

Tuesday 14 NovemberYear 8 aquatics

Wednesday 22 November to 19 DecemberWorld Challenge

Friday 24 NovemberYear 6 cluster sports day

School ContactsStudent Absences: student.absence@bhs.sa.edu.auStudent Services: 8278 0900 or see website for staff email contacts