9090

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Brunel Drive

Modbury Heights

South Australia, 5092

Ph: (08) 8263 6244

Fax: (08) 8263 6072

Email: contact@theheights.sa.edu.au

WWW: http://www.theheights.sa.edu.au

NEWSLETTER No. 12

29 September 2011

OUR SCHOOL VALUES

We work hard to learn

We respect ourselves and

each other

We value acts of

generosity

IN THIS ISSUE ICAS Results

Student Achievement

Junior School Sports Day

Arts week…continued

DIARY DATES

20/10 Yr 12 Dress Up Day

26/10 Yr 12 Breakfast

28/10 Casual Day

(whole school)

31/10 R-5 Swimming

all week

15/11 Volunteer Training

6pm

DISMISSAL ON LAST

DAY OF TERM 3

2pm

FIRST DAY OF

TERM 4

MONDAY

17 OCTOBER 2011

YEAR 12 FORMAL

SUNDAY

26th

NOVEMBER

6:30pm

Junior School Assembly Dates:

Friday 30th September

Activity Room 9:00am

STUDENT PLACEMENT 2012 &

PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR

Due to ongoing refurbishment

of our facilities and increased

demand for enrolments this

year, we ask you to please let us

know by 24th

October 2011 if

you are leaving the school, or

know of someone who would

like to enrol with us for next

year.

If your child(ren) will be on

extended holiday when school

resumes on 30 January 2012,

please put this in writing along

with the expected date for

return to school. This is

important information for our

enrolment census which

determines staffing allocations

for 2012.

Out of School

Hours Care

Phone Number:

8395 6879

Observatory Phone Number:

8263 6384

Middle School and Senior School Reports and NAPLaN

Individual Results for students in Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 will be

sent home to parents on the last day of term. This

information provides a summary and a snapshot of progress

in learning. These reports however do not fully describe the

programs that students are involved in on a daily basis or

the many enrichment activities and events that students

participate in, not only to ensure high levels of learning

academically, but also to develop them as successful and

healthy individuals socially and emotionally.

There have been lots of articles in our newsletters that

indicate the breadth of the many programs that students at

The Heights are involved in and that will help parents and

the community to get a fuller picture of what education

looks like at our school. And there is more this week.

We had the opportunity to get feedback on Tuesday from

groups of parents, students and staff about the quality of

education at The Heights and to test our beliefs that The

Heights is a great place to work and learn. All DECS schools

undergo an external Site Validation every three years. The

process involves Regional Personnel and peer Principals.

The school is required to provide evidence that they are

focused on improving aspects of the educational program

and that improvement is happening. A part of this process is

talking with parents, students and staff. At this stage we

have been given some observations from the Validation

Panel, a formal written report will be provided next term.

The panel reported that parents were clear about the

quality and dedication of teachers at the school, the time

they put into ensuring that each student is successful and

achieves highly. They commented on the responsiveness of

teachers when they contacted them about concerns about

their children –only one phone call was needed. Students

talked about the support they got from teachers, they felt

that teachers expected them to do well and went out of

their way to help them. In answer to the panel’s question

“Do you feel safe in the school?” students all said that they

feel safe and comfortable in the school and were confident

that, if they didn’t, they could go to a teacher for help.

These comments are certainly comforting for the many

teachers in our school who operate as described.

On first reading of our NAPLaN results two sets of data

immediately stand out: the growth rate in reading (for

students who sat the test in 2009 when they were in year 3

and these same students now in Year 5) indicates that 40%

have progressed at a high level when compared to students

nationally of similar ability; 100% of our Year 7 students

achieved the national minimum standards in numeracy.

This is a great way to finish the term. I trust that you enjoy

the holiday break with your family and look forward to

continuing our successful journey next term.

Helen CalvertHelen CalvertHelen CalvertHelen Calvert PPPPrrrriiiinnnncccciiiippppaaaallll

The Heights OSHC

Car Boot Sale Fundraiser Help us to fundraise to buy our

children a new television for OSHC

Saturday 19th

November 2011

From 9am – 12pm

(8am start for families

selling goods)

Sausage sizzle!!

Sell your goods!!

Be on the lookout for further

information in the coming weeks.

Well done to the following students who received Junior School PE Awards recently.

Sam Parry

Samuel Leventis

Jared Watson

Carlos Buccini

Mayan Panchol

Joshua Mullens

Charlotte Curl

These people show excellent leadership skills, good sportsmanship and great physical talent.

Mrs Rothery

The International Competitions & Assessments for Schools 2011

University of New South Wales – English Competition Australian Competition Students from The Heights School achieved outstanding results when they participated in ICAS this year.

Those students whose achievements were outstanding were rewarded with Certificates of Credit, Distinction

and High Distinction. ICAS are developed for students in Years 3 to 12 and are sat annually. All students

from The Heights School are to be congratulated on their significant achievements.

High Distinction Samuel Wallis (Year 4)

Distinction Eric Zhou (Year 4) Credit Euan Coles

(Year 3)

Angelina Modra (Year 4) Lianna Retnaraja (Year 3)

Scott Carnie-Bronca (Year 5) Cameron Fellows (Year 5)

Smriti Singh (Year 8) Erin Carnie-Bronca (Year 7)

Wilson Taylor (Year 8) Liam Stephens (Year 8)

Kaitlin Withers (Year 8) Uyen Nguyen (Year 8)

Nikita Mickan (Year 9) Isabelle Jackson (Year 8)

Fergus Dall (Year 11)

Participation Jessica Johnson (Year 3) Ashleigh Lake (Year 6)

Jaimee Lake (Year 4) Liam Mickan (Year 6)

Marc Maslov (Year 5) Kynan Herbert (Year 8)

Dylan Grivell (Year 5) Erica Howarth (Year 8)

Isabella Tsimeris (Year 5) Nikil Kathiravan (Year 8)

Chelsea Williams (Year 5)

Jordan O’Doherty has been successful in being selected as part of the final squad of sixteen players

for the U14 State Soccer Team travelling to Coffs Harbour in October. He will be representing the

State at the National Tournament being held there.

Amanda-Jade Wellington (904) has been selected in the Australian Under 19’s Girls Indoor

Cricket World Cup Team to compete in South Africa on the 3rd-17th October. This is an

Australian honour at just fourteen years of age.

JUNIOR SCHOOL SPORTS DAY

The Junior School had their annual Sports Day on

Friday 23rd September.

The weather was glorious with no wind, lots of sunshine and

cool conditions.

The day started with Ms Denee's opening speech. This was followed by enthusiastic

children yelling out the Sports Day Team Chants and dancing to Dynamite in the

Health Hustle. Classes then were involved in tabloid events and finished after lunch

with sprints and relays.

There were plenty of families and friends enjoying the day along with the students.

Students all showed great sportsmanship and fair play all day.

The behaviour of all students was fantastic. I am extremely proud of each and every

one of you.

Well done to all the team captains who showed outstanding leadership with the

Health Hustle, leading the chants, assisting with organisation and packing up as well

as being good role models for younger students.

A lot of effort went into organising the day and a big thank you goes to all teachers,

SSO's and parents involved.

Finally I am pleased to say that the Dingoes were the winning team on the day.

Hooray!

Mrs Rothery

Health Hustle

Dylan & Tom

Charlee in a sack

Egg and spoon race

Eric & Keaton in green

ADVANCE NOTICE

BREMAN TOWN MUSICIANS

There will be a performance next term at

school by a professional theatre group on

Friday of week 2, for all students from

Reception to Year 7. Further details and

invoices will be sent home on

Monday, week 1

Nikkita

Rhyley

JUNIOR SCHOOL SPORTS DAY STORIES……. On Friday it was Sports Day. I was in the Sharks. Sharks are blue. I did the parachute and I did the Health

Hustle. I was with Will, Brock, Mitch and Chalang. My mum and dad and grandma came and watched Josh

and me. Josh fell off the monkey bars in the obstacle course and banged his head really hard and had to go

lay down in the sick room. I had a fruit box and a hotdog for lunch. I had fun on Sports Day.

By Emma Beck (Year 2 - CF3)

On Friday the 23rd September our school had Sports Day. I was in Crocs. My mum came to watch me and my

sister do events. My mum saw me do the sack race but I nearly fell into a hole. I did vortex with Jessica, Tia,

Abbie and Margaret. Other events we did included egg and spoon race, parachute and sprints. After recess

we watched year 4 and 5's do the sprints and relays. Margaret did the batons. She came third. Then we had

to sing our team songs again. This time Dingoes won. That was their first time winning. My favourite event

was parachute even though I bashed into Caleb when we were going under it. It was a fun sports day. Our

team came second. We were in Crocs.

Lorinda Whiteford-Hall (Year 2 - CF3)

Ms Meatheringham/Ms Rothery’s class

AFTER SCHOOL SPORT – TEEBALL &

BASEBALL Matches resume on Saturday 22nd

October (first Saturday of Term 4).

Training for all players is Tuesday after

school from 3-4pm on the Middle School

oval (near OSHC).

New players (girls and boys) from Year 2

to Year 7 are welcome.

Please contact Lyn Albury at the school

on 0488 027 346 or

Robyn Davis (coach) on 8263 3018 if

interested.

INDOOR SOCCER Congratulations and well done to The

Heights 11 and Under Indoor Soccer Team

who won the

Grand Final.

Heights United defeated Tyndale Silver 2-1.

Was a fantastic game which had all the

parents on the edge of their seats!

Thank you to everyone for their support,

MILO in2CRICKET Program

MILO in2CRICKET is a fun introduction to the game of cricket for boys and girls in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. It provides

children with an enjoyable and safe environment where they can learn skills and play games.

Your nearest Centre will be run at The Heights School, starting Monday 24th Oct at 3:15pm

The cost of the Program is $60 per participant. Every registered child receives an in2CRICKET Pack including bat, ball, t-shirt,

bucket hat, backpack and some other goodies

To find out more details about your nearest Centre and to register for this season log on to www.in2cricket.com.au

<http://www.in2cricket.com.au/> and type in your post code.

INDOOR SOCCER 13 and UNDER

Well done to The Heights United 13 and under Indoor Soccer Team

on a great season. Unfortunately we were beaten in the Semi Finals

by RP Legends, 4-3. It was a very exciting game and our players

fought hard to the very end. A big thank you to Lachlan Anderson

and Liam Welch, who came to the games each week to coach our

kids. Also well done to all players, some had never played soccer

before, y the end of the season we had really started to work

together as a team and improved out of sight!

MOVIE MARATHON MANIA ARTICLE On the 2nd of September, 2011, 6/7 04 held a movie night called ‘Movie Marathon Mania’. The reason we

held ‘Movie Marathon Mania’ was to support Mr Costello’s marathon run in Sydney for the Neurosurgical

Research Foundation (NRF) and also for our Year 6/7

Certificate. The NRF helps people with diseases and

conditions such as spina bifida, strokes, Alzheimers

disease and many more.

The two films we showed on the night were

‘Despicable Me’ and ‘Harry

Potter and the Deathly Hallows,

Pt. 1’. At the door you were able

to choose a goodie bag and a

drink. There were a few left over

so we sold them at our candy bar

along with chocolate and lolly

bags, chips, popcorn and drinks.

The first movie started at 5:45pm

and ended at 7:15pm then we held an intermission game called the ’30 Second

Basketball Shoot-out’. Congratulations Adam McLarty-Rogers (Ms Weniton’s class) who

won with a total of 25 baskets! As a prize, Adam got to choose one thing from the

candy bar for free.

The second movie started at 7:35pm and finished at 10:05pm. We then announced the

winner of the raffle we held, which was Caleb Bond (6/704)- NOT rigged!!

We raised a total of $681.95 from our movie night. Thank you to everyone who supported us, Mr Costello

and the NRF. It was a great night, enjoyed by all!

Tayla Gunn (6/7 04 SRC) and Paul Blyth (6/7 04)

Andrew Costello with

his son Liam

SOME PHOTOS FROM THE FUNDRAISING WALKATHON TO SUPPORT ANDREW COSTELLO

The amount

raised will be

published in the

next newsletter

Through Music and Performing Arts

Visiting Performers Marryatville High

school Baroque ensemble and

Instrumental Teaching Services Rock/

Jazz Band entertain our Junior and

Middle School students

Tribal Belly Dancing Workshop for Girls

And the Winners are

Junior School Kane Lehman (Yr 5) Middle School Christine Liu and

Courtney Spence (Yr 6/7)

Senior School-Ryan Smith (Yr 11)

Members of The Heights Wakakirri State

Winning Team with their Awards

The Baroque Ensemble – Kaitlin Withers (807)

On the 19th August 2011, the Baroque Ensemble from Marryatville High

School came to the Senior School Drama Space at The Heights School. The

Baroque Ensemble is a part of Marryatville High School’s music program,

and they were made up of six players and a conductor. The Baroque

Ensemble plays only Baroque music – Western classical music from 1600AD

to 1750AD.

The performance by the Baroque Ensemble had two purposes – educational and

entertainment. As for educational, the Baroque Ensemble showed the roles of all of their

instruments – bassoon, harpsichord, violin, viola and recorder – and provided information

on Baroque music itself. The information they presented was unique and interesting, one

in a million.

As for entertainment, there was never a dull moment. The Baroque Ensemble varied their

styles frequently and the music was very layered and intricate. You didn’t have to be a

classical music fan to appreciate the beauty and complexity of their music.

Altogether, it was an unprecedented show that was both very educational and

entertaining. I strongly recommend it to anyone who has even a slight interest in music,

or just wants to try something new.

Arts Week continued…..

LIBRARY MONITORS’ LUNCH Throughout this year The Library has been assisted by a reliable team of

students who give up time either before school, at recess or at lunchtime to

serve on the counter and put away books. In acknowledgement of their help

The Library hosted a lunch this month to say “Thank You” for the efforts and

great company provided by this team.

News from the Finance Office…..

Materials & Services Fees for 2011 are overdue. The Finance Office will be open every day during the school

holidays from 9:00am to 3:30pm.

Please note new regulations in credit card payments now require the CVV number (the last 3 digits on the

back of your credit card) to be entered otherwise we will be unable to process the payment for you.

Alternatively you can use our Bizgate online payment system found on our school website. If you require a

School Card form please contact the Finance Office 8263 6244 and we will be happy to post one out to you.

A reminder that submissions of School Card applications close November of every year.

Thank you and Happy Holidays.

Teacher Professional Learning Program

Monday 2.45-3.30pm

Week 9: Reporting and assessment

Week 10: Litter Management and Curriculum

In response to feedback about the length of sessions enabled by the 2.30pm closure on Mondays, the ½ hour

Professional Learning session was extended to 45 minutes. Teachers continue after 3.30 until 4.15 to extend this

professional learning opportunity and from 3.30-4.30 on Wednesday in faculty and cluster learning teams.

Chess club Most Thursday afternoons after school a group of enthusiastic students can be found in the Library playing chess. Numbers vary, but

usually at least 8 to 12 students stay behind to enjoy a game or two and snacks. Teachers often stop and enjoy watching the games

or assist students new to the game. In all, it is very informal and friendly and it provides students with the opportunity to mix with

others who are not normally in their immediate circle while offering a chance to improve skills and compete. I would like to thank all

staff, students and parents who have attended Chess Club this year and hope to see them back again in 2012.

Ms Potts

Students enjoying a friendly game in the Library are Reece Rolland,

Damien Eadha, Latasha LoSapio, Lianna Retnaraja,

Ms Potts, Tristan Rolland, Kaija Draiska, Ben Sakovits