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Hello Everyone,
It is wonderful to be back at school with things slowly and cautiously returning to a more normal way of doing business. Whilst it is still a parent choice to keep students at home, we are seeing most of the student body returning and it is wonderful to have the school full of students again. Strict cleaning regimes are still in operation and staff are still mindful of social distancing. In the meantime, we are still asking parents and visitors to keep off site. I am expecting an easing of some of these restrictions in the near future and will keep you updated as always.
I would like to acknowledge the huge amount of support we have received from parents during these difficult and unprecedented times. It has been heart-warming to receive the many messages of support and gifts for staff that parents/carers have given. Similarly, the outstanding contribution our staff made in the final weeks of term to ensure that online and hard copy packages of work were available to students was remarkable. Whilst this was a Departmental expectation of staff, the willingness and “can do” attitude that staff demonstrated was above and beyond. Sincere thanks to all.
SCHOOL COUNCIL
I am hopeful that we may be permitted to have a School Council meeting in the near future, and ask parents/carers and community members to consider being part of this group. In restriction free times, the Council meet once or twice a term at 4:00pm in the School Library. The Council have a real and valuable role and I have attached information on this to this newsletter. Please have a read and consider joining the group.
Having spent the last 15 years in the Kimberley, I am finding the cold weather a forgotten challenge! One of the things that I have noticed is the lack of heating in the Student Common Room. As a result, I have prepared a submission to the Department of Education to have some heating installed in this area. In these economic times I am not sure how successful we might be but I consider this a much needed improvement to our school, so let’s keep our fingers crossed.
Expressions of interest have been sent out to a number of local businesses and service clubs to see if there is any “appetite” to provide a lunch service to students and staff once a week. It would be wonderful if students and staff could have this option. I have asked that the pricing be kept reasonable and that healthy choices of hot and cold food be included on the menu, I remain hopeful that someone may be able to take up the challenge. Expressions of interest close in a couple of weeks so I will let everyone know the outcome.
We are currently seeking enrolments for Year 7, 2021. However, due to restrictions, we are sadly unable to offer a transition program or parent face to face tours/meetings, packages will be sent out to prospective Year 6’s in the near future. Bridgetown HS is a wonderful choice of school in your local community and I look forward to welcoming many new students and families to our school next year.
Until next time,
Mrs Thorsby
Please note; both students and parents will be notified when the new uniform items arrive.
A timely reminder to all parents/carers and students that the possession or use of illegal substances will not be tolerated on school premises.
Please be vigilant in monitoring your child’s behaviour and the contents of their school bags for any signs that your child may be involved in any risk taking behaviours.
Serious consequences, including suspension and police involvement, will result if students choose to engage in these behaviours on school grounds.
As a parent you can have a significant influence on your child’s attitudes and decisions about drug use. It is important to open this kind of dialogue with your children from an early age since your influence on their attitudes and decisions about drugs is greatest before they exposed to drugs or to people who might use them.
Giving your children accurate information about drugs including methamphetamine, sharing your attitudes about drugs and talking openly on this topic lets your children know that you are happy to have conversations about a range of subjects, including the ones that might seem harder to talk about. This can reassure them that no questions or issues are off limits.
If your child is engaged in school drug education, ask them about what they are learning and use this as a guide to extend their learning in the home environment.
While most young people will not have problems with alcohol or other drugs, providing a supportive family environment where issues of concern can be raised and talked through fosters resilience, and can reduce the risk of problems arising. Establishing a pattern of open discussion also reassures young people that you will be there for them even if they do end up in a difficult situation.
This information is from the SDERA (School Drug Education and Road Aware) website. SDERA provide schools with up to date, evidence based drug education for students.
For more information read the Fact Sheet:
Talking with your children about drugs
By following this link https://www.sdera.wa.edu.au/media/2430/talking-with-your-children-about-drugs-nov-2017.pdf
For any questions or queries regarding any health issues please don’t hesitate to contact me by leaving a message in the front office or email: felicity.lukins@heatlh.wa.gov.au
Felicity Lukins
COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE
Year 10
Maths and Science in the school have experienced history in the making with the CoVid Pandemic. The 10.1 class have been completing a section of work in statistics which we have based our learning around lots of the data being generated by Covid and also the different types of graphs being seen in the media and whether they are infact skewed or misleading. Students have also looked at conducting surveys and learned how bias can easily be introduced. In Year 10 Science we have started a term of Physics with a review of forces leading further into the study of motion with speed and velocity as well as acceleration. The 10.1s started with a groan as they already seen this in maths! The 10.2 class has made balloon rockets to discuss how forces act and viewed and indoor skydiving video. Many of us wanted to give it a go but were not sure how well we would do.
Year 9
The Year 9s have been completing a huge unit of work on Measurement. Mr Schrama's flags of the world assignment asked students to explore the flags of Pantouloni, Edville and Schramaland as well as some of the more conventional countries of Japan, Thailand and Sudan in terms of Area and Perimeter. Students have now moved on to the harder concepts of Volume and Surface Area and will learn Trigonometry as a connected topic later on in the year. In Science students have started with a review of cells and organelles within cells. We will move onto photosynthesis and respiration next. The Year 9 will be writing an essay comparing the two processes. This is not an easy task so they will be well supported and the task stepped out clearly for them.
Year 8
The Year 8s have been exploring space through Tessellations and the drawings of MC Escher. We have been really pleased with some of the designs students have done and hope to feature some of these in a later newsletter. Ournext topic is Measurement followed by good old review of FDP (Fractions, Decimals and Percentages).
Year 7
The Year 7s have been also been completing work on space in mathematics. They have been exploring everything on angles and have now started looking at polygons with a focus on Triangles and Quadrilaterals. They have started their first steps in Algebra as part of this. In science Year 7 students have started with an introduction to safety. Some of them even wrote a safety song to show their understanding. For here we will be further developing our understanding of Chemistry. They will get to practice their skills in using a bunsen burner to look at phases of matter soon.
For those of you who don't know much about our Australian mammals the brush-tailed phascogale is a small often shy mammal. They live mostly in the tree tops nesting in hollow tree limbs.
Mostly they eat insects but they are known to also eat nectar and small mammals and birds. They are due to start breeding in the next few weeks. The males have the unfortunate experience of dying by the end of the mating period. It is thought that this benefits the females and offspring by reducing competition. The females generally only live for about 3 years.
A weird fact is that they can turn their hind limb 180 degrees. This makes them very agile. They are very cute and we are all very excited that we have seen one at school.
Lesley Smailes
I have an English Staffy called Rosie she is my fur baby and she is 14 years old. I love watching and analysing movies. I enjoy Yoga, walks in nature with my dog and in summer I love swimming laps. I enjoy to cook a variety of things and I have been perfecting my spice blend for curries. I love curries.
My favourite colour is blue, green, pink, orange ...yes, I can’t choose. I enjoy a wide variety of music including but not limited to Talking Heads, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Rodrigues, Blondie and then there’s classical. I enjoy all different types of food and I find it hard to choose a favourite but eating Chilli Crabs would be right up there at the top of my list.
Camille Sinagra
I feel very lucky and excited to be joining the Bridgetown High School community.
I have lived in Balingup for nearly 20 years – so not quite a local – and have worked in school’s for approximately 16 years – first as a part time school officer at Balingup Primary School where I also learned aspects of the “Registrar” role, and relieved Balingup’s Registrar over a number of years.
Our family moved to Wickham in the Pilbara at the beginning of 2014 with my husband’s job, and I secured the full time Manager of Corporate Services role at Wickham Primary School – a school of just over 300 kids. We spent 4 years in the Pilbara, returning home to Balingup at the end of 2017. Since returning, I picked up relief work as a School Officer and MCS in a few different schools, including Bridgetown High back in 2018.
I would like to thank the staff at Bridgetown for the warm and friendly welcome, and look forward to working with this great team to achieve great outcomes for our students.
The Student Forum hosted its first Cake & Slice Stall for the year on Wednesday 13th May, 2020.
Thank you to everyone who donated an item but also to everyone who purchased from our stall.
The next fundraising event will be a PYJAMA DAY on Friday 22nd MAY (end of Week 4). We encourage all students and staff to wear their pyjamas and donate a gold coin for this privilege. If students would prefer not to their pyjamas, they are welcome to wear FREE DRESS instead.
Here is the delicious selection that was on offer.
Can you spot what's wrong with the doughnuts?
The Library is open during Break 1 and 2.
The only difference is unfortunately I have had to put the cards and board games away for the time being as we are unable to sanitize them appropriately between playing sessions.
We are following a similar procedure to as the Town Library. When a book is returned the cover and back are wiped with disinfectant and the books are quarantined for 4 days before going back on the shelf.
Thank you to all the students who have returned their class text and library books that have been at home during the last few weeks.
If you are now attending school and still have resources at home can you, please return them to the Library.
Our Feature Author at the moment is Paul Jennings. Some of you may remember him for his “Around the Twist” series. He appeals to readers who like humour with a fair bit of quirkiness. His short stories are fabulous for the reluctant reader. Come in have a browse- grab a book to read. -Yes, books can be taken home to read.
Regards
Janet and Ange
National Careers Week Australia FREE Webinars
We have assembled industries that are currently experiencing skills shortage and have strong employment opportunities moving forward.
The Webinar Series will run from Monday 18 - Friday 22 May 2020 for 60 minutes.
We have assembled leading international presenters to present topics that focus on each of the sectors that are represented by the CICA Member Associations.
These sessions have been designed for career practitioners and those working in the wider sector of career development. To register please visit www.careersweek.com.au/events
2020 South West Virtual Arts Spectacular
Thanks to a Quick Response Grant from Regional Arts WA and financial support from Shire of Capel, City of Bunbury, Bunbury Regional Art Gallery, Satterley and Inkind local sponsors, we have recently been able to create an "Online" Art Event called the 2020 South West Virtual Arts Spectacular.
This Online Art Event initiative, is to support all our amazing South West Artists & Students who have had all their after school classes, Art Events, Galleries, Exhibitions, Competitions or Makers Markets cancelled during the Covid-19 Lock-down period.
FACEBOOK PAGE - INFO, WORKSHOPS & EXHIBITION
Please LIKE our newly created Facebook page www.facebook.com/southwestvirtualartsspectacular
BOOKING FREE ART WORKSHOPS
Go to: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/d/online/south-west-virtual-arts-spectacular/
REGISTERING TO ENTER ART COMPETITION