Diary Dates Term 4

Last day for students Term 3

23 September

Students Return Term 4

11 October

Year 8 Vaccination

11 October

Valedictory Ceremony

24 October

ATAR Exams 31 October - 23 November

Year 11 Exams

7-11 November

Year 10 Ex-ams ACE/Maritime

14-18 November

Year 8 Exams ACE/Maritime

21-15 November

Year 6 Orientation Day

2 December

Last day for Students

15 December

Last day Year 12 Students

21 October

NEWSLETTER Issue 3, Term 3

2015

Dear Parents, Students & Staff

Kon’nichiwa from Japan. I am currently with the students on the Japanese tour and meeting with our sister schools here. It is a fantastic opportunity for me to see first hand the cultural and historical opportunities that our students get to experience when being a part of this trip. Last month we welcomed students from Takarazuka-Kita Senior High School to Rockingham. It was a wonderful experience for our students. I would like to thank all the families who hosted visiting students. With the support of our school community this highly successful program provides our students with amazing opportunities.

Term 3 has been extremely productive for everyone, with many exciting classroom activities and school events being held. We celebrated Science Week and Mental Health Week this term. We celebrated the successes of some of our staff and we celebrated the academic achievement of many of our students. Congratulations to our Year 7 Rugby League team who won their grand final this month, it was a terrific accomplishment.

Rockingham Senior High School once again was the venue for the Senior School Choir for the local primary schools, after holding the Junior School Choir Festival in Term 2. The quality of the music and the behaviour of the students was a credit to the primary schools and their music teachers. It gives me great confidence that students moving into high school over the next few years will be both talented and motivated.

To recognise the talent of our own students within the school, you may have noticed a change to our front office and a celebration of the work our students are creating down in the Arts and D&T learning areas. We have created a display in the front office for the work being completed by our students to be on display to the public. It is a wonderful opportunity for the community and the public to celebrate the talent of our students in these areas. It is amazing to see the quality of the work which is being produced by the students with the support of their dedicated teachers.

Term 4 will see all of our Year 10 students given the opportunity to apply for a scholarship with Acton Realty for the first time. Students will be carrying out this process in their English lessons as an in-class assessment task. Acton Realty will select from these application the successful recipient of this scholarship. This is an exciting partnership with a local business which will be presented at the Scholarship Assembly at the commencement of 2017. Thank you to Acton Realty for their support. Also thank you to another community group who once again has supported the School Breakfast Club . The Palm Beach Rotary Club has presented the school with a donation of $500 to ensure this vital resource is available to those students who need it.

As we finish the term and prepare for term 4, I wish the Year 12 students the very best for either their examinations or the finalisation of their courses. All students must finish their courses of study by handing in all of their assessment tasks by the due date to successfully pass. We are also well into finalising the planning for 2017. Student courses have been a focus in the last few weeks and the preparation of student timetables shortly will enable parents to receive their booklists in due course. Some staffing changes will occur as we farewell Mr Jeff Smith, Mrs Michelle Dirksz, Mr Graeme Lindstedt and Mr Paul Weston who will be going on long service leave, and Lelaine Boardman who has a promotional opportunity as Acting Deputy Principal at Pinjarra High School. I would also like to congratulate Mrs Tamara Nurse who has won the position of Associate Principal at our school.

Have a wonderful holiday break and return safety and refreshed for the final term of 2016.

Stan Koios Principal

NEWSLETTER Issue 1, Term 3

2016

Our Vision: Opportunity - Unity - Community

Achieving Goals and Passing the Torch This term has seen the student leaders continue their hard work in achieving their year goals of creating a vibrant school community, and raising the profile of the program. With the help of Ms Dirksz and Mr Smith the program has seen a massive growth from merely twelve student leaders at the start of the year to now, over fifty students across all years. With the Year 12 student leaders at the forefront of the activities, hopefully we have inspired the following years to continue the hard work and make the number of participants even larger. This term we saw all year groups in action during week eight’s Mental Health Week. The student leaders ran their own activities throughout the week to include their respective year groups and ensure they were practicing the principles of Act, Belong, Commit. Highlights included the Year 11’s volleyball tournament in the gymnasium, which was a huge success in bringing out the friendly competitiveness of the school, with pizza as a reward for great efforts. The Year 12’s held the return of Rockingham’s Got Talent in the drama room, giving the students an opportunity to bravely perform in front of their peers. Even some teachers were convinced to stand up and display their talents. The next big step for the student leaders is the selection of the School Captains for next year. We are hoping that they can not only perpetuate the positive attitude we’ve helped to create amongst the student leaders and the school throughout the year, but also build it even further; run even more events and get even more students involved. With the

help of Ms Dirksz and Mr Smith we feel we have successfully cultivated a positive and enthusiastic culture amongst the school extending to all year groups.

- Co-Captain, Ashlea Tunbridge

On Wednesday August 3 2016, Rockingham Senior High School celebrated Semester 1, Student Academic Success, both individual and across Learning Areas. Due to the number of students, the Lower School Awards were held in the gym at 9:30 am and our Senior School Awards were held at 11:00am. Students who achieved Academic Excellence for different Learning Areas were recognised by staff and parents for their individual success. Those students who performed outstandingly well across the four main learning areas (Maths, English, Science and HASS) were awarded the Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence. Also at these awards, students who have performed well in their Semester 1 reports were recognised for their achievements with the Gold, Silver and Bronze sub-school award badges. Fides badges were awarded for the very first time at the Lower School Assembly, where 12 Silver and 83 Bronze medals were given out to students in Year 7 - 9. The Senior School Assembly saw 6 Gold, 29 Silver and 41 Bronze badges awarded. We would like to recognise these students for working to achieve their personal best.

ENGLISH - Academic Excellence

Year 7 Olivia van Kapel Year 8 Stephanie Banovic Year 9 Leah Lowenstein Year 10 Jessie Voitkevich Year 11 Aolani Taylor Year 12 Ashlea Tunbridge

MATHS - Academic Excellence Year 7 Warsame Warsame Year 8 Jade Hyde Year 9 Lucy Knoll Year 10 Inigo Ortile Year 11 Corey Hislop Year 12 Joel Pearson

HASS - Academic Excellence Year 7 Emily Phillis-Vidler Year 8 Jade Hyde Year 9 Leah Lowenstein Year 10 Pyae Pyae Thu Year 11 Jack Tasker Year 12 Weilin Chen SCIENCE - Academic Excellence Year 7 Brittney Sutherland Year 8 Jade Hyde Year 9 Leah Lowenstein Year 10 Inigo Ortile Year 11 Melissa Devon Year 12 Weilin Chen

ROCKINGHAM SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT LEADERS REPORT

WHOLE SCHOOL ACADEMIC AWARDS ASSEMBLY

THE ARTS - Academic Excellence

Year 7 Selena Mikulandra Year 8 Latesha Capelinha Year 9 Kaitlyn Turner Year 10 Laura Ballantyne Year 11 Aira Escototo Year 12 Caoimhe Grimley T&E - Academic Excellence Year 7 Cody Grier Year 8 Beau Brand Year 9 Christian Lawless Year 10 Bianca Tuddenham Year 11 Todd Campbell Year 12 Teece Ninyette HEALTH & PHYS ED - Academic Excellence Year 7 Hannah Zaidi Year 8 Alexandra Theunissen Year 9 Trinity Huta Year 10 Joshua Craig Year 11 Ethan Poole Year 12 Joel Pearson LOTE - Academic Excellence Year 7 Robin Simon Year 8 Blake Reading Year 9 Courtney Rossi Year 10 Joshua Gray MARITIME STUDIES - Academic Excellence Year 7 Ella Henry Year 8 Alexandra Theunissen Year 9 Casey Pell Year 10 Joshua Gray

PRINCIPAL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Year 7 Emily Phillis-Vidler Year 8 Stephanie Banovic Year 9 Leah Lowenstein Year 10 Inigo Ortile Year 11 (ATAR) Melissa Devon (VET) Jemma Hall Year 12 (ATAR) Ashlea Tunbridge (VET) Luke Bain

On Friday 1 July the Specialist Program students from Year 7 to 10 took part in the Rockingham Senior High School ‘Try-A-Thon for Telethon’. This event required every student to seek pledges for every try they might score or a donation towards the event. The aim of the event was to give at least half of the raised money directly to Telethon and the rest to go towards the funding of the weights gym

for all students. Alternatively, sponsors could choose for all money to go to the charity of their choice, either Make a Wish Foundation or Telethon. Upon seeking pledges, the students were then required to score as many tries (100m length of rugby field) as possible in a 6 hour time frame. Throughout the event a number of parents came to support the students in their effort. Thank you also to the wider school community, including Student Services for all their help in organising everything in the lead up to the day (including moral support and food on the day), parents and the PE department for helping on the day. The VET Business students and Ms Tapping for their amazing work to tally tries on the day and sort books beforehand. Thank you so much to everyone who helped. With the combined effort of everyone involved, the number of blisters, chaffing and groaning from the students participating, the students were able to raise over $25000 towards Telethon. A huge thank you to Isaac Thomas for his continuing effort in the organising of this event. Mr Thomas could not be prouder of every student for their efforts on the day and how the event was undertaken.

For the first time, students in the Year 7 - 10 ACE and Maritime programs competed in an Australian wide on-line Science quiz. Our students were part of 200 participants competing against each other with our students performing well. 1 High Distinction, 11 Distinctions and 32 Credits were awarded to students, with all participants passing the quiz. The Science team is aiming to have our students participate in next year’s competition. Feedback from the students involved was that they all enjoyed the opportunity of competing on the national stage. Congratulations to our students who achieved their personal best with this opportunity.

SPECIALIST PROGRAM STUDENTS - TRY-A-THON FOR TELETHON

BIG SCIENCE QUIZ

In the week leading up to Science Week this year, students were asked to find the hidden robots around the school. When Science Week commenced in full force in Week 5, both students and teachers were ready to get involved in this year’s topic - Robots, Droids and Drones. Throughout the week a number of activities were run with students at recess and lunch time. These included: water bottle rocket competitions; robot spider battles; robot fire ant races; the Top Gear challenge, with a light following robot; robot karaoke and a number of hands-on robotic displays were set up for students in the Science rooms and the library. Despite the weather, students were engaged in all the activities run during the week, and it was a great opportunity for our Science teachers to share their love of this subject. As an added opportunity, our Year 9 ACE program students attended a biotech conference at Sci-Tech which covered topics such as gene mutation, leading edge biotechnology and research opportunities. It was a revealing look into the future of Science.

Kwinana Industries Council (KIC), in partnership with Murdoch University, presents a program that provides Year 10 students with the opportunity to explore and understand the breadth of industry in the Kwinana Industrial Area (KIA) and the broad range of science based career options available. The program highlights the commitment Kwinana industry has to engaging students in the workforce and provide an opportunity for students to see what industry looks like from the inside. Students were able to gain valuable information and awareness of Science, Math and Technology courses at Murdoch University and the opportunity to meet their lecturers and students. Workshops on preparing a professional resume, interview techniques, social media and personal and presentation skills were also taught to the participants. This Project is for Year 10 students who are intending to follow ATAR bound Science, Math and Technology subjects during Years 11 and 12 and who may be considering going onto University at the end of Year 12. Four Year 10

students, Nathan Johnson, Jonathan Blackmore, Kyle Chamberlain and Inigo Ortile, were a part of the 28 students who participated in the program from the local Public and Private Schools; the highest number of students from any school. Feedback from Nathan, Jonathan, Kyle and Inigo was that their experience was beneficial and has encouraged them all to continue their studies in different fields of Science. As stated by one of the students: “the program allowed us to meet new people, understand the workforce and learn important things that we might need for our future. We visited places such as Murdoch University and BP oil refinery were we learnt what types of jobs or courses are available for us in the future.” Students achievement was recognised by KIC and Murdoch University through a Graduation Ceremony on the evening of the last day of the project. Eight scholarships were awarded on this evening, with Nathan Johnson being selected as a recipient of one. These Scholarships are awarded to encourage the development of our young people, helping them identify their opportunities and fulfil their potential.

The Bright Sparx Club is a program that will be commencing in Term 4 in partnership with Kwinana Industries, CSBP, Kleenheat and Murdoch University. The program will provide twenty Year 8 - 9 students, the opportunity to raise their confidence and aspirations while building awareness of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) careers. Over 10 weeks, students will participate in a range of STEM based activities including excursions to CSBP and Murdoch University. It will provide students the opportunity to work together and share experiences, whilst raising their awareness of future technologies and STEM careers.

SCIENCE WEEK

ISCIENCE AWARDS

ICAREERS - BRIGHT SPARX CLUB

At the end of July this year, 14 students from one of our sister schools in Japan, Takarazuka-Kita Senior High School, came to Rockingham. They stayed 5 days with host families from Rockingham Senior High School and spent one and a half days at Rockingham Senior High School with their Year 10 buddies. They attended regular classes and enjoyed a taste of our version of school life in Australia. We had a culture lesson during our Japanese lesson on the Tuesday of their visit. The boys showed our Year 10 Japanese class some traditional Japanese dancing and the girls helped us make origami Samurai helmets out of newspaper and paper aeroplanes that actually fly. There was a competition to see whose plane flew the furthest! We also organised a day trip to Fremantle where the students visited Fremantle Prison in the morning and then went to the markets for lunch. On the tour around the prison, they were able to use the translation facilities available, making it possible for them to understand all that they were being shown and told about Australian history. They were clearly fascinated. At the markets, they filled up on doughnuts and bought T-shirts. A good time was had by all.

The Takarazuka-Kita visit was a great success. Our students enjoyed the company of Japanese students and the Japanese students were able to practise their English and learn something of life in Australia. Our Year 10 students will be heading off to Japan soon and most of them will be staying at the home of the student their family hosted in Rockingham. It will be great to catch up with them again and to have a taste of school and family life in Japan.

Drones, Droids and Robots is the school theme for National Science Week 2016. It was chosen specifically to highlight STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) by focusing on autonomous systems technology. What's more, it takes us on a fascinating journey between science fiction and science fact. The Library Resource Centre is running an Activities Club after school on Thursdays from 2.45pm to 3.45pm. The Cub started Week 4 of Term 3 and has eleven students playing Yu-Gi-Oh the trading card game. Year 12 students playing table tennis every recess and lunch in the Library Resource Centre.        Mrs Clunning’s Year 10 Learn to Live textiles display in the Library.   

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE LIBRARY

VISIT FROM TAKARAZUKA-KITA SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

The focus for the Student Services team during Term 3 was Mental Health. As well as facilitating six different evidence based programs, we also ran a Mental Health Week. We had the pleasure of hosting Jade Lewis who gave a very powerful and heartfelt presentation to students about her personal journey into the drug world and the detrimental impact it had on her, her friends and her family. Jade gave away almost 100 copies of her book and encouraged students to share her anti drug message. We also had presentations by Headspace and a Mental Health Expo which was attended by several external agencies. Our Senior School students also facilitated a magnificent interactive Health Expo which was enjoyed by staff and students.

On Friday we hosted a free dress day and sausage sizzle. We raised almost $600 for Make A Wish Foundation. By the end of the week, students were very aware of the importance of keeping physically and mentally healthy by following the Act, Belong, Commit philosophy. Special mention to our wonderful student leaders who ran activities during recess and lunch. Their initiative and enthusiasm added a great vibe to the week.

Our Student Services team are keen on taking a proactive, preventative approach to supporting optimal mental health at Rockingham Senior High School. All Year 9’s recently completed a questionnaire in class which helped us identify those students who may benefit from some psycho education in the context of group work. Six structured small group sessions were held over six weeks between 2nd August and 6th September. These groups were facilitated by experienced members of our Student Services Team. When we measured students’ mental health at the end of the course we were thrilled that a majority had improved. Our team really enjoyed these highly successful groups and hope to continue this initiative into the future.

Gillian King

STUDENT SERVICES

YEAR 9 STRENGTHS AND DIFFICULTIES QUESTIONAIRE

Term 3’s coming to an end and what a busy term it has been! I have been very lucky to have the school arrange for me to complete a teaching and assessing course, so that I could join the team to deliver the Certificate IV in Nursing program here at RSHS. Therefore, every Wednesday morning starting from Term 3, I have been working with the Nursing students and the wonderful teaching staff, talking about the different body systems and even having a practice at taking blood pressures. For the last few weeks we have also been able to deliver the program in our new purpose built Trade Training Centre in the school grounds, which is amazing. It gives the Nursing students a more realistic feel of being in a hospital ward based environment. However, the program is almost at an end as the students hope to graduate and move on into a Nursing career. Who knows, I might end up working alongside them one day! I can only hope and wish them all lots of luck for the future! I have also been working alongside our Health teachers in their classes this term, delivering some topics such as contraception and drugs and alcohol. This included providing information and also looking at ways for students to keep themselves safe and where to go for help and support, for themselves, their friends and family. We also continue to offer support via our Student Services team, either in groups or on an individual basis. We have worked closely with the families of students and also with local agencies where we refer students for extra support out of school. Well, we are all nearing the end of Term 3 and are ready for a well-earned break, to recharge ready for a busy Term 4. Thanks to everyone for working with us this term and we look forward to the next one. Have a fun, safe holiday!

Jane (Community School Health Nurse)

Rockingham Senior High School aims to celebrate outstanding staff achievements and as such the School Board has nominated 2 staff members for the WA Education Awards, 4 staff members for the National Excellence in Teaching Awards and 1 Administrative Staff member for the WASSRA Outstanding Administrative Support Officer. Staff nominated for the National Excellence in Teaching include: Kerry Chipchase for Leadership, Isaac Thomas for his work with the Rugby League Program, Julie Tapping for her work with the School’s Business Program and Jana

Majoski for her work in the English Learning Area and Literacy Program. Congratulations to these staff on their nominations. The school will be notified if any of these applications for recognition for our outstanding staff are successful.

Congratulations to Isaac Thomas who was nominated for the WA Premier’s Secondary Teacher of the Year in the Western Australia Education Awards in 2016. Isaac is pictured with his certificate which recognises the outstanding contribution that he has made to Public Education in Western Australia through the very successful Rugby League Program at the school. Isaac is a wonderful mentor to our students and works tirelessly to inspire and motivate them to achieve their personal best.

As well as Isaac being nominated for an award at this event, we would like to recognise Kerry Chipchase who was nominated for the WA Premier’s Principal of the Year in the Western Australia Education Awards in 2016. Kerry was recognised by the School Board for her outstanding contribution to the school and Public Education over the past 14 years. Kerry is currently working at Central Office as a Principal Consultant for the Quality Teaching Team. Congratulations to these staff members. Thank you for the work and support that you have given to the students, staff and parents of Rockingham Senior High School.

On Wednesday 24 August, 2016, 16 finalists for the WASSRA award were invited to attend the annual PD day to be recognised and honoured for their dedication, loyalty and commitment to the school, its staff, its students and parents as a testament to their outstanding service. Of the 16 finalists, three Administrative support officers were shortlisted for the prize and Diane Nicholls, Principal’s Assistant at our school, was one of these. The school would like to congratulate Diane who was runner up and thank her for her work and effort throughout her years at the school.

WASSRA AWARDS

SCHOOL NURSE

WA EDUCATION AWARDS 2016

STAFF AWARDS 2016

Congratulations to Teah Taylor who recently played her 50th game of AFL. Teah started playing football in Grade 6 in the school team at Cooloongup Primary School. This is Teah’s third season with the Rockingham Rams. Teah kicked 3 goals in the game, which they won. Teah will be trying out next year with the Peel Thunderbirds, a girls AFL team. Teah is very passionate about her football and is hoping to play Women’s AFL in the future. She has been privileged to spend time with her idol Emma Swanson who has been drafted to GWS for the 2017 first season of Women's AFL.

TEAH TAYLOR PLAYS HER 50TH GAME

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD

Who makes a difference at our school? As part of the WA Education Awards 2016 we’re asking students and parents to vote for staff who make a difference in our school and give them a chance to win $1000. The People’s Choice Award recognises dedicated and talented staff in WA public schools. The staff member who receives the most votes will be awarded the People’s Choice Award at the WA Education Awards 2016 presentation event on Monday 28 November. All school staff who receive a vote will be acknowledged in The West Australian on World Teachers’ Day on Friday 28 October. You can vote for more than one staff member. To vote, visit education.wa.edu.au [link to: http://www.education.wa.edu.au/home/detcms/navigation/about-us/programs-and-initiatives/wa-education-awards/people-s-choice-award/]. Voting closes at 5.00pm on Friday 23 September. For more information about the WA Education Awards, visit education.wa.edu.au. It would be great for students and parents to nominate teachers from our school that should be recognised by the community for the effort that they put into their classes and the programs run in the school.

Rockingham Senior High School is proud to be working in partnership with local business and industry to improve educational opportunities for

students