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FinNewsFinNewsFinNews “PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS”
March 3, 2016 Volume 2, Issue 1
Inside this issue:
From the Principal
1
Pupil Free Day 1
Communication Update 1
Fees 1
Senior School Report 2
ICT Report 2
Premiers Reading
Challenge
2
Attendance 3
Year 8 News 3
Principal’s Tour 3
Sue Burtenshaw Principal
Important Dates
Sports Day Friday 11 March Week 6
Adelaide Cup Public Holiday Monday 14 March Week 7
Easter Public Holidays Friday 25 March & Monday 28 March
Open Day Wednesday 6 April 3.30pm—6.30pm students dismissed at 2.30pm
Findon High School
Drummond Avenue
Findon SA 5023
Ph: 08 8445 7944
Fax: 08 8345 5401 Email:
Web: www.findonhs.sa.edu.au
2016 has got off to a great start! Firstly, welcome to our new students and their families. We are glad that you have chosen to join our Findon School Community. In the last four weeks we have held our Splash Carnival, commenced Primary School visits in preparation for 2017 and undergone an External Review. All schools in South Australia are being reviewed every four years to elevate student performance and effectiveness. The overarching question is “How well does the school improve achievements, growth, challenge, engagement and equity”? The outcome of our review will be provided in due course and will be available on our website. Mrs Natalie Stanco is on long service leave this semester and Ms Jenna Bonavita is our Music teacher for this period. Ms Karla Huffa has taken up a one year leadership position at Aberfoyle Park. Mr Tom Dawson is back with us again teaching English.
Recently you would have received a letter from the Minister for Education Dr Susan Close, about the importance of parent / school partnerships. With this in mind I encourage you to attend our School Council AGM, Monday 21 March at 6.30pm and consider becoming a member.
From
The Principal
Communication Update Following on from information last year Findon High School will be
moving towards electronic communication. Effective from edition 2 (Term 1 week 8) FinNews will only be sent via email and available on our website ( [email protected] ) unless you request a hard copy be sent home. Please ensure the school has your most current email contact to ensure you are kept up to date with what is happening around Findon High School. If you need to update your email or phone contacts please call the Front Office on 8445 7944 or email [email protected]
PUPIL FREE DAY Our first Pupil Free Day for 2016 will be on Monday 16 May. All staff will take part in the Inner West Partnership Day with a Professional Development day on Transforming School Culture
Fee Payment
By now everyone would have received invoices for school fees (Materials and Services Charge), Book Deposit (new students) and FinMag. Book Deposit is a charge all students of Findon High School are required to pay, which will be refunded in full when your child/children leave and all books and resources have been returned. FinMag, our school magazine, is not compulsory. If you are unable to pay your Materials and Services Charge before the end of first term April 15, 2016, please contact Jen Dawes or Nat Murray and we will arrange either a payment plan or alternative payment scheme to assist you. All SCHOOLCARD applications need to be submitted by this date. If you have not received an invoice please contact us immediately and we will post all invoices to you.
Please ensure you contact us by April 15, 2016, as all out-
standing amounts that have no explanation will be sent to
Debt Collection for further action.
Students in Years 8 to 12 can continue to take part in the Premier’s Reading Challenge. The Challenge requires students to read twelve books before 9 September. Years 8 and 9 students select at least four books from the Challenge booklists and eight of their own choice while Years 10 to 12 students select twelve books of their own choice at an appropriate literacy level. Students are encouraged to keep reading once they have completed twelve books. All you need to know about the Challenge can be found at www.prc.sa.edu.au.
Page 2
Senior School Report As we begin the journey for 2016 it is also a time to reflect on the year that was for our senior students of 2015. Findon High School broke away from tradition by not naming the Dux for 2015 until the final Year 12 results were released. After much discussion amongst Year 12 teachers and leadership, it was decided that the school would acknowledge Nominees for Dux of 2015. Five students whose results throughout the year were outstanding were nominated and they were also recognised at the school’s Valedictory Evening. It was also pleasing to report that the five students who were nominated for Dux figured in the top six results for our school in 2015. The Nominees for Dux of 2015 were, Masuma Parveen, Riley Woods, Jessica Valcic, Taylah Williams and Mohammad Hijazi. I am pleased to report that The Dux of Findon High School for 2015 is Masuma Parveen with an ATAR score of 98.20, an excellent result. Masuma achieved five As across five subjects. A special mention should also go to Riley Woods who achieved a Merit 20/20 for Research Project and Daniel Bridges who achieved an A+ for Workplace Practices. It was pleasing to report that our overall SACE completion score for Year 12 came in at 77.1%. As for 2016, the Year 12 students, parents and guardians have participated in “Elevate Educate Seminars”. In the school ef-forts towards continual improvement for student learning and outcomes, all Year 12 students were presented with two seminars that focused on Student Elevation and Time Management. The seminars were followed up with a parent/guardian workshop that expanded the skills covered with students and looked at ways to refine strategies at home.
Mr Atsalas Assistant Principal and Senior School Coordinator
ICT Report
2016 is shaping up to be a very exciting year for Findon High School. It has seen the realisation of the BYOD Program. So far over 50% of students have had their devices certified for use at Findon High School with more devices coming in every day. Any laptop that runs Windows 7 or higher or MacOS and has a battery life of at least 5 hours is acceptable for use at school. Currently iPads, Chromebooks and Android devices are not supported as part of the BYOD program. More information can be found on our website (www.findonhs.sa.edu.au). All students need to bring a fully charged device to school every day (unless specifically told not to). Due to Health and Safety Regulations devices cannot be charged at school. Another exciting development this year for Findon High School will include the rollout of Windows 10 across the school. We are currently waiting on DECD to finalise an agreement with Microsoft to provide Office 365 to all students which should include online storage, further enhancing access to documents and other files both at school and at home. We are also currently investigating the use of SMS messaging to parents and students for both attendance and important announcements. Please ensure that you have provided the school with current contact details.
If you have any questions about the BYOD program or the schools ICT please contact the school. Dr Richard Leach Assistant Principal
Page 3 Volume 2, Issue 1
Principal’s Tours
2016
Findon High School will
be holding Principal’s
Tours on the following
dates.
March 4, Term 1 wk 5
April 1, Term 1 wk 9
9:15am – 10:30am
Please phone Ms Kate Gow on 8445 7944 for bookings or further information.
2015 Attendance Findon High School is pleased to announce that in 2015 our school attendance again improved. For the third year running our overall school attendance rate has improved - Well done everyone! Regular attendance is vital to school success and we urge parents and guardians to please work with us by contacting the school if your child can not attend. Please either ring the Front Office on 8445 7994 or email [email protected] if your child is not going to be at school ASAP after 8:30 am. Perfect Attenders and Outstanding Attenders from 2015.
PERFECT ATTENDERS 2015 (no days absent)
Year 8
Josh Negruk
Year 11
Jack Hillard
Fergus Keppel
Year 12
Dee Rajopadhyaya
OUTSTANDING ATTENDERS 2015 (no unexplained absences)
Year 8 Year 11
Hayden Barron Nicole Fernandes
Ryan Foran Emily Pedersen
Caitlin Lucas Ross Plessnig
Paige Purcell Declan Quinn
Tia Robson-Hanley Jake Reid
Jaymee Stavrides Year 12
Mathew Williams Tonni Stephens
Year 9 Taylah Williams
Shannon Durnell Chloe Bushell
Year 10
Matilda Eime
Maddison Barron
Taylor Hampton
Room 11
Carlo Borillo Josh Rogers
Georgia Brown Kevin De Laine
Brandon Robertson Louis Williams-Hardy
Reden Rodriguez
On Wednesday 10 February
Year 8 families had an opportunity to come and meet home group teachers and other school staff members who will be working with the students throughout the year. Families and staff enjoyed dinner together, followed by an informative session with the home group teachers. As well as Acquaintance Night, the Year 8 students enjoyed and benefited having their first day where only Year 8 and 12 students attended. A session on the first day allowed the
Year 8 and 12 students to work together. The Year 12 students shared some of their experiences at Findon High School. A parent morning tea was also held. It was pleasing to see so many parents attending . W e d o appreciate our parents sup-port and interest in their child’s education. In Week 2 the Year 8 students also participated in the Splash Carnival. It was a successful day, with all students in good spirits in both competitor and supporter roles. These activities are all an
important part of helping students develop their sense of belonging. Reports and observations indicate that our new students are settling in well. On behalf of the Year 8 support group, I would like to thank all involved for their continual support of our students. Lyn Meynell Junior School
Coordinator
Year 8 News
Connecting Spirits
2017
It’s not too late
to be part
of the experience!
Contact Ms Kate Gow
8445 7944 or email
for more information or to
register your interest.
FINDON HIGH SCHOOL Uniform Washing Instructions
Washing instructions for school garments
for maroon and white
Colours should be washed separately eg. Do not
wash white garments with maroon garments and
visa versa, also wash in cold water.
Warm water makes dyes move more quickly
To remove any excess dye you put a handful of
salt in with the wash and it will remove any excess
dye
Absent from school? Parents are advised that if their child will be absent or late for school for any reason, they are asked to contact the school by 9.30 am. Phone: 8445 7944.
Student Records To ensure that all student records are accurate and up to date, could you please ensure that the school is notified of any changes to address, phone number, emergency contact, etc.
Keep your kids smiling SA Dental Service
Have you received a letter from Medicare about the Child Dental Benefits Schedule? The School Dental Service is a Child Dental Benefits Schedule provider.
Dental care is FREE for ALL babies, pre-schoolers and most children un-der 18 at the School Dental Service. Please call now for an appointment. Hendon School Dental Clinic Phone: 8268 1712
