Vincentia Vibe - The voice of our school Term 1 Week 2B 05/05/2016

Parents and Carers

Stevie Wonder once said that, “music is a language we all understand”, and never have truer words been spoken than these this week at Vincentia High School. I spoke at assembly on Tuesday of music being the language of friendship; it encourages harmony, fun, listening and through music we can hear the importance of working together and respecting one another. These were just some of the many qualities exemplified this week by, ‘Ubuntu’, the young men and women who formerly made the African Children’s Choir and now stand together with hope of spreading their musical joy to raise money for their tertiary studies.

As soon as ‘Ubuntu’ took to the stage, I know they made an impact on our student body who stood in awe of their energy, enthusiasm and talent. I think what really struck a chord with me, more so than their musical brilliance, was their fight for the right to an education. Hailing from Uganda and Kenya in Africa access to further education is difficult but like anywhere is essential if young leaders are to make a difference. We often can forget how privileged we are to have our schooling compulsory and have a relatively easy pathway to further education if we choose. It is something that we cannot take for granted.

How can you help make a difference in these young students’ lives? It’s easier than you think! On Thursday evening, Vincentia High School will be hosting the ‘Ubuntu’ choir performance in our school hall from 7pm. It’s a spectacle for the eyes and a symphony for the ears and we would love to see as many of our school community as possible present for this event. Tickets are available online at www.kwaya.org or can be purchased at Vincentia High School office, Boo Book Huskisson or at the door. The Vincentia High School choir will also be making their singing debut. Do not miss out! While on the subject of ‘Ubuntu’, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the Choir to our school and thank them for sharing their talent with us and thank Ms Toni Smith and Mrs Karen Cunningham for all of their work behind the scenes in making this event happen and organising billeting, community experiences and work shadowing for the duration of the stay. You guys are hitting the right note by us! Thank you!

As I type about young people making a difference a group of our Year 11 students are on their way to Nowra to take part in the Shoalhaven Youth Advisory committee meeting. These students will be advocating on behalf of our school community and giving the Bay and Basin youth community a voice. Thank you to all involved. This week Ms Ryder took a group of students to participate in SeeChange Sculpture workshops. What a fantastic opportunity for students to be involved with our arts community in the lead up to the festival in Huskisson from the 20th May.

Students in Year 8 commenced the Youth Frontier’s Mentoring Program facilitated by Workplace Learning. These students will be working with members of the community on a project of interest in areas such as Youth Mental Health, Centenary of ANZAC and Environment and Conservation. I would like to thank all volunteers for their time – after our first breakfast this morning – I can tell there is a lot to be excited about!

Next week we will complete the NAPLAN examinations. NAPLAN is the National Assessment for Literacy and Numeracy and is completed by students in Year 3, 5, 7 and 9. As a school this information is significant in informing how we support student learning and will be essential in our reflection and implementation of our school literacy program. These examinations will take place in English class groups on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of Week 3. An opportunity for catch up examinations will be arranged for students who are absent. Additional information can be found at www.nap.edu.au/NAPLAN/Parent_Carer_support/index.html I want to thank our students for their settled return to school this term; classrooms are a buzz and learning is the focus.

Renee Gilbert

Deputy Principal, Stage 4

ANZAC Day Service Many of our students helped commemorate ANZAC day at the march and ceremony at Huskisson and Sussex Inlet last Monday. Thank you to the staff, students and parents who attended for your commitment to acknowledging the work of service men and women past and present. Lest we forget.

“We Will Remember Them”

On a clear bright April morning, staff and students from Vincentia High School gathered to commemorate ANZAC Day at Voyager Park, Huskisson. We are very proud of our school’s involvement in this service and were honoured to have Shakeela Williams begin the commemorations with ‘Welcome to Country’ and our School Captains Ellie Strange and Louis Cameron read the prologue. Jenna Goodman and Jasmine Klimiuk also represented Vincentia High School by laying a wreath on ANZAC Day at the Sussex Inlet Memorial.

On Thursday 28 April Vincentia High School held its annual ANZAC Day Assembly in the school hall hosted by Ellie Strange, Louis Cameron, Liam Dooley and Meg Anderson. Many special guests attended this assembly including Commander Paul Johnson from HMAS Creswell, Lieutenant Commander Dominika Czaja from HMAS Albatross and Mr Graham Quinton from Sussex Inlet RSL Sub-Branch. Representatives from Huskisson RSL Sub-Branch, Club Jervis Bay, Sussex Inlet RSL Club, the Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia, Huskisson RSL Women’s Auxiliary, Sussex Inlet Sub-Branch Women’s Auxiliary, the Australian Red Cross (Vincentia Branch) and the Veterans Motorcycle Club (South Coast Chapter) also attended.

Stunning artwork by the Vincentia High School Art Club framed the stage as our Defence Force Cadets escorted the official guests into the hall. The National Anthem, played by Rebecca Malby, Tyra Markowsk and Jamie Merriment, set the tone for this special service. Principal, Steve Glenday addressed the assembly highlighting our valuable ties with local community groups and also HMAS Albatross and HMAS Creswell. Guest speakers CMDR Johnson and LCDR Czaja spoke of the heroic deeds of everyday men and women who fought not just for their country, but also for each other.

Other special items featured in our school’s assembly were Year 12 Music Class’s, Rebecca Malby, Tyra Markowska, Jamie Merriment, Joshua Byrnes, Hamish Donoghue, beautiful performance of Triumph, a Power Point presentation documenting an excursion to the official opening of the ‘In Memory’ exhibition attended by Victoria Cross recipient Mr Keith Payne, and the generous donations given to our school by Mr Graham Quinton on behalf of the Sussex Inlet RSL Sub-Branch.

Lest We Forget.

Bay and Basin Youth Awards Congratulations to the following students who received awards at the ‘Bay and Basin Youth Awards’ at the end of last term: the Environmental Eagles - Initiative and Innovative Group Award, Liam Dooley - Leadership and Inspiration Award, Jeremy Head - Unsung Hero and Quiet Achiever Award and Nina Fisher-Brown - Everyday Achiever/Perseverance Award. Well done, we are proud of you all.

Year 7 Celebrate the end of Term 1! with 120 eager students heading out to get a taste of the skills of archaeology and enjoy a BBQ to wrap up Term 1. Led by the inspiring Miss Norman, the Year 7 contingent walked down to Plantation Point. On arrival they dived into three different workshops involving ceramic reconstruction, application of typology (organising artefacts from basic to sophisticated to show civilisation development) and conducting their own archaeological dig. Furthermore, students also had a chance to learn to fly the school drone.

The day was rounded out with a BBQ and quick swim in the stunning Jervis Bay. I'd like to thank Mr Crossman for organising a fantastic and unique outing for Year 7 as well as the HSIE staff, Miss Gilbert and Mr Sauvao for facilitating it. Overall the day was a huge success, with students gaining many new skills, whilst forming as a successful team in their first term of High School. Well done Year 7.

James von Stieglitz Head Teacher HSIE (rel)

Vincentia High School Alpaca Show Team

would like to say a Big Thank You

to Club Jervis Bay, Huskisson Since we have had Alpacas at Vincentia High School we have gone from strength to strength attending many shows including Camden, Nowra, Goulburn, Royal Canberra and The Royal Easter Show. Our success is due to the continued support from Club Jervis Bay, Huskisson who have donated funds for our show uniforms and also for a shed which is to be built when we reach the required amount needed. Our team has performed extremely well at these shows coming 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Supreme Champion, Reserve Champion and Royal Easter Show 2016 Champion School. Our student’s look very professional in their show uniforms thanks to Club Jervis Bay for their fantastic support.

Below Photos: Vice President Mr Bob Roach with a few of our Alpaca team members BJ Hawkins, Eden Roszkeiwicz, Georgina Jones, Penny Holloway. Issy Boyse & Max

Cheetham

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Stay up to date with Vincentia High School's

wonderful achievements

Defence Coffee Morning (DCM) The next DCO coffee morning will be on

Tuesday, 10th May 10.30am

at the Tea Club, Nowra ( 46 Berry St)

DCO Nowra will be paying for morning tea (a drink and a cake/muffin) to celebrate Mother’s Day.

Please RSVP to 4423 3855 by 4pm, 9th May.

School

Photo

Day Wednesday, 18th May 2016

(Term 2, Week 4)

The photo envelopes will be handed out to the students the 1st week back in term 2.

Envelopes are to be returned with the correct money in it on the photo day.

Full school uniform must be worn.

All students will have their photo taken whether they are purchasing a pack or not - this is so every student is in their year group photo.

Celebrating our school spirit!

The values of Vincentia High School are

Respect, Responsibility

& Personal Best

Tickets have been donated to the school by

Integrity Real Estate in recognition of our school values.

This weeks recipients are:

Tay‐lah Edwards ‐ late last term, Amy Oesterheld, a student in support was leaving the hall, and was visibly upset, displaying animated stressed behaviours. Tay‐lah went out of her way to help se le her down, and direct her towards the Support unit.

Tyrone Sheather ‐ Another Support student in Year 9, has over the last 2 weeks shown on mul ple occasions behaviour we thought worthy of recogni on. In Woodwork (mainstream) he remains focussed and commi ed to comple ng his project, in an otherwise noisy classroom, Tyrone is remaining on task. In the Café yesterday he was confronted by a pile of dishes, while he would've preferred an alternate task, he knuckled down and completed the pile of dirty pans.

These values can be shown in many ways within the school community.

It is these actions of our students we, as a school,

are proud of and wish to acknowledge.

Each week a student/s from the school, in any year, will receive a FREE movie ticket to the Huskisson Theatre as recognition of their Vincentia High

School spirit.

Congratulations to our winners!

What’s happening at Vincentia High School

Wednesday 04/05/16

African Youth Choir Ms Smith

Seechange Sculpture Workshop Tomerong yrs 7 - 10 pds 2 to 6 Ms Ryder

Thursday 05/05/16

African Youth Choir Ms Smith

Yr 12 Taste of Transition to Work Support Greenacres Nowra all day Mrs Clark

African Youth Choir Community Performance in hall at Night Ms Smith

Seechange Sculpture Workshop Tomerong yrs 7 - 10 pds 2 to 6 Ms Ryder

Friday 06/05/16

African Youth Choir Ms Smith

My School My Responsibility Nowra Christian School Mr Fellows all day

Monday 09/05/16

Links to Learning YWCA Nowra Yr 9 all day Mrs Taylor

Tuesday 10/05/16

Yr 11 Biology/Senior Science/EES Study Killalea State Park 2 days Ms Gehrels

NAPLAN

Wednesday 11/05/16

Yr 11 Biology/Senior Science/EES Study Killalea State Park 2 days Ms Gehrels

NAPLAN

Thursday 12/05/16

NAPLAN

Yr 12 Taste of Transition to Work Support Greenacres Nowra all day Mrs Clark

Woodwork Trade Excursion at Vincentia High School yrs 11/12 Mr Warner

Friday 13/05/16

Zone Cross Country

Monday 16/05/16

Links to Learning YWCANowra yr 9 all day Mrs Taylor

Yr 11 Retail Workplacement

Tuesday 17/05/16

Yr 11 Retail Workplacement

Your School Contacts

S Glenday Principal

P Hogan Deputy Principal Stage 6 (Yrs 11 & 12)

M Meehan Head Teacher Teaching & Learning Literacy/ Numeracy

R Gilbert Deputy Principal Stage 4 (Yrs 7 & 8) (Rel)

P Greyling Head Teacher WellBeing

P Taylor Deputy Principal Stage 5 (Yrs 9 & 10)

H Pastor Head Teacher Teaching & Learning 21st Century

J Oxley School Administration Manager

M Swanson Head Teacher Admin (Rel)

J Still Head Teacher Admin (Rel)

G Keogh Head Teacher English (Rel)

B Sauvao Head Teacher Sport

G Smith Head Teacher Mathematics

T Borg Head Teacher Science

L Ryder Head Teacher CAPA

J von Stieglitz Head Teacher HSIE (Rel)

A Newton Head Teacher TAS

P Raftery Head Teacher PDHPE

S Clark Head Teacher Support

J Scott Head Teacher Gumbari Unit

A Glenday Head Teacher Learning & Support

K Lane Head Teacher Ganya Garindja Unit

K Walker School Counsellor

G Brown Aboriginal Education Officer GanyaGarindja

Leadership and Social Engagement Contacts

T Mason & J Norman Year 7 Adviser

C Ryan & L Brooks Year 8 Advisers

M Morris Year 9 Adviser

G Keogh & L Swieringa Year 10 Advisers

J Powter Year 11 Adviser

J von Stieglitz & H Pastor Year 12 Advisers

Term Dates 2016

Term 2 Wednesday 27/04/2016 ‐ Friday 01/07/2016

Term 3 Tuesday 19/07/2016 ‐ Friday 23/09/2016

Term 4 Monday 10/10/2016 ‐ Tuesday 20/12/2016