25 August 2015

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal's Desk

High Achievers' Dinner

As we head into the pointy end of the year for our ATAR bound Year 12s, we took the opportunity to recognise some of the real excellence being demonstrated by our upper school students. Year 11 and 12 student demonstrating outstanding achievement in first semester from both the ATAR and VET pathways were invited to bring their parents/care givers along to our annual High Achievers' Dinner. Held at the Bentley Pines Restaurant, we all enjoyed the culinary delights offered and our keynote speaker was Rhys Williams, Young Western Australian of the Year. Rhys is the Chief Executive at The Makers Inc., a not for profit charity that enabled Rhys to count promoting healthy lifestyles via the Youth On Health Festival (YOHFest) among his many achievements. Rhys was an ambassador to the One Young World Leaders Summit and shared some of the stories from that event to send a clear message that, for the most part, we live in a country of privilege and have an obligation to give back to the community to help keep it strong. Thanks are extended to Mrs Susan Lees for coordinating this event and congratulations are extended to all of the Kent Street students who were formally recognised for their fine efforts. I take this opportunity to wish our Year 12s great success in the coming exams which are held during the term three break.

CoRE

Another excellent event held recently was the official launch of the Kent Street Centre of Resources Excellence select entry program. Hosted by Iluka Resources, Kent Street staff and students attended an event in the Granite Room of the Perth Arena and were joined by over 120 representatives from industry and education to celebrate working together and to launch CoRE, an initiative driven by Ms Suzy Urbaniak.

Professor Lyn Beazley, WA's Australian of the Year and past Chief Scientist, is our proud patron of Kent Street CoRE and gave of her time to provide the keynote for the event. Kent Street students showcased the wide variety of opportunities that they engage in as part of their Science curriculum – ranging from women in mining to Aboriginal perspectives to the Chevron Powering Careers in Energy endorsed program – and the summit ended with Suzy Urbaniak leading the students in the tectonic plate dance. It was a sight to behold for sure!

Effective as of 2016, CoRE will feature in the Kent Street curriculum as a STEAM-based program for years 7 to 10. That is integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. Whilst the focus is to cater for those interested in pursuing a pathway in the resources industry, this excellent program provides extension opportunities via hands-on, real-life project work and field trips. I encourage anyone with a passion for developing an understanding of our earth and its resources to apply.

PROMOTING KENT STREET

The executive team at Kent Street have decided to partner with Como Secondary College and the Rotary Residential College by attending the rural field days to promote our Approved Specialist Programs and the opportunity for young rural students to reside at Rotary whilst gaining access to those programs. I am at the Dowerin Field Days in week six of this term, and in September Mr Currie will be travelling to Newdegate and Mr Lynch is attending the one in Mingenew. We expect that this will increase an awareness of the excellent opportunities available to Western Australian students.

PERIMETER FENCING

Kent Street has been vying for perimeter fencing for some years now and we are finally progressing towards this becoming a reality. We are very excited at the prospect of gaining this fencing to better safeguard your children and the school's facilities. Surveyors recently met with me and our Business Manager, Merilyn Harvey. We expect that the plans will arrive in the school before the end of this term and community consultation will commence once the plans are available for viewing. It is hoped that the fencing will be erected during the summer holiday period.

Kath Ward
Principal

From the Business Manger

PAYMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS AND CHARGES

Thank you to those families who have paid their 2015 Voluntary Contributions and Charges.

School Contributions enable the school to purchase essential resources to assist in the best possible educational outcomes for our students.

Please also be reminded that Senior School Charges (Year 11 and 12), Specialist Program Charges (Year 7 to 12) and Elective Charges (Year 9 and 10) are compulsory as per Department of Education Policy. Charges should have been paid by the end of term 1, 2015 unless a payment plan was arranged. It is disappointing to note that our collection rate for charges is currently only 57% (67% for Year 7 – 10 Voluntary Contributions). Reminders of outstanding billing items were sent out recently. Please ensure you pay compulsory charges as soon as possible. Deposits will soon be required to secure places in 2016 specialist Programs and elective subjects.

The school offers a variety of payment options:

1. Cash, cheque, EFTPOS including credit card facilities (credit card payments are also able to be phoned through).
2. Direct deposit to our bank account: BSB: 066128 A/C No: 00900195
   (Please ensure that the following format is adhered to, this will ensure the correct account is credited: (EG: If you are paying contributions & charges please enter Joe Smith Yr 8 CC)
3. Arrange a payment plan

Please be advised that the School Board has endorsed the services of a Debt Collector for the collection of any unpaid compulsory charges.

If you have any queries or would like to set up a payment plan, please contact either the Business Manager – Merilyn Harvey or Finance Officer – Bev Davis on 9262 0500.

New Phone App Coming Soon !

I am pleased to advise that Kent Street will soon be offering families the option of paying for camps and excursions by the Qkr! phone application. Qkr! (provided by Mastercard) is a convenient way for families to view what payments can be made for their children, pay securely by Mastercard or Visa and sign (online) any required consent notes for the activities. Additionally, the intention is that in the future all contributions and subject charges will be able to be paid by Qkr! More details will be provided soon. In the meantime, you can download the free app from the App Store or any android app centre by searching for Qkr. There is a fully functioning demo school that you can register with, to see how the application works. You can register fictitious children and play with the app - obviously without fear of actually making a payment.

Merilyn Harvey
Business Manager

Variety Show 2015

THE VARIETY SHOWS ? What are they? A Kent Street tradition and we are heading towards our Seventh – based on Time Lines in History and lots of fun, as usual.

The 1st Variety Show - The Poet Pirates - 2009 - and its sequel, the 3rd - Frankenstein meets Rocky Horror 2011 were based on the same story of two pirates one of whom became a king (Jackson Tuttle) and took over the island. The second pirate (Zach Searle) came back as a skeleton (as in Pirates of the Karri-bean) who had rescued Frankenstein's monster from his boat in the ice …(you'll have to read the story for the rest.) Rocky Horror music and a Year 8 choir, made this a memorable and crowded dance finale.

The Whizz Kids of Oz in 2010- we were at the South Perth Church of Christ and many primary schools joined us to watch, play in their bands and listen to the rather energetic selection of old fairy stories ably supported by our rappers and rockers. The cast was large, included witches, wizards, and of course, Dorothy and her faithful companions.

The 4th Variety Show - Captain Sparkles in Outer Space 2012 and our 5th Variety Show – A Tribute to Hollywood 2013 were energetic and colourful, with a fairly large drama component and lots of music provided by Mr Sanderco's excellent students. The Hollywood theme was inspired by Media and Mrs Green's Hollywood school trip earlier in the year. Captain Sparkles – well – he found the love of his life after help from Dr Who (again!) and various space detectives. "I Clean" from the robot cleaner was a memorable phrase which lingered amongst the students for some time.

Then, our 6th Variety Show last year – 2014 – well, Phantasmagorical Illusions gave every Learning Area a great theme and produced some amazing photos and projected illusions. We were joined by zombies (all makeup and costumes prepared by the Year 9 students who did a great job), two dance groups, great drumming and guitar work from Tom and his fellow muso's, plus solo singing and keyboard. The visual effects and media films kept audiences entranced from start to finish. Our students have diverse skills and a great sense of camaraderie and fun. Backstage and makeup crews did a grand job too.

Sixth Variety Show – Phantasmagorical Illusions 2014

Sixth Variety Show – Phantasmagorical Illusions 2014

The SEVENTH VARIETY SHOW – Timelines of History.

The venue will be our Gym Theatre (entry and parking via Kent Street), showcasing music, media, art, photography and drama as we meander through the various historical and hysterical moments that have gone before in our sometimes Crazy World. Refreshments will be provided at the evening performances by our Home Economics students.

WHEN? 2ND AND 3RD SEPTEMBER 2015
WHAT TIMES? 11am Matinee and 6.30pm Evening
entry and parking off Kent Street.
WHAT COST? $10 adult, $7 concession and 12 – 18 years

$2 gold coin donation students under 12
and classes accompanied by their teacher to Matinees
Family deals available on entry

WHERE TO BUY? Reservations by phone to school 9262 0500, envelope order, or at the door.

The annual Kent Street Variety Show is fast approaching. This year it is entitled 'Timelines of History' as we explore different periods in time through acting, singing, photography, dancing and media with help from loyal student volunteers (past and present) who just want to be involved, and staff.

Please come and be a delightful audience. Thank you.

Design and Technology

Students work from the design and technology department is now being used throughout the school.

Influencer Tour

Australia's armed forces comprise of three highly developed services and tens of thousands of men and women in the Navy, Army, and Air Force. The work each service undertakes is challenging and complex, and at times it seems the work and facilities are a mystery. To try and 'lift the veil' and help the community gain a better understanding, Defence Force Recruiting recently hosted 28 guests for a tour of the Enoggera (Gallipoli) Barracks in Brisbane, and the Oakey Army Aviation Base near Toowoomba.

The group of 28 career advisors, community leaders, liaison officers, and youth workers from all around Australia, toured through the bases and engaged with various serving personnel to gain a better understanding of life in the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

The guests were able to hear from currently serving personnel, who shared their story about their exciting career, and the incredible opportunities that it has provided. The Royal Australian Regiment Memorial Walk resonated with the whole group; the guests gaining a thoughtful insight into the significant history of the Australian Defence Force and the important role that the armed forces plays in Australia, both in the past and for the future.

At Oakey Army Aviation Base the group visited the School of Army Aviation (SAA), the Army Helicopter School (AHS), and the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Aircraft Maintenance School (RAMS).

The guests were able to see the rotary wing aircrafts, including the ARH helicopter, MRH-90 and OH-58 Kiowa, and were also given the exciting opportunity to sit inside the MRH-90 helicopter, getting up close and personal to learn more about their operation.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is now recruiting for various roles in the Navy, Army, and Air Force. For more information on military training or careers in the ADF visit:

defencejobs.gov.au or call 13 19 01.

Aboriginal Girls Group – Residential Workshop

25 Aboriginal girls headed off to The Vines Resort to participate in an intensive W.I.S.D.O.M in Your Life program. The girls participated in an intensive 2-day Residential workshop facilitated by Roslyn Snyder and Shaun Nannup. The workshop engaged students in Healing Through the Map and Becoming the Captain of Your Own Ship. The program engaged students in a comprehensive non-threatening framework, a common language, experience of how simple, practical activities can connect, integrate and expand the mind and simple processes for self-care.

The workshop also included the seven fundamental wisdoms for living, loving and learning. Each wisdom is a 3 hour program teaching a fundamental skill for living, loving or learning using Music, Movement, Song and Art to embed these wisdoms into your mind. The Wisdoms include:

1. a way through – a process for dealing with emotions
2. being captain of your own life – if you control your life nobody else can
3. mind/body connection – the energy patterns between the mind and body
4. going with the flow – does not mean doing what others want you to do.
5. loving relationships – connecting and deepening relationships
6. the responsibility of life – when we understand that we are part of the bigger picture, our life becomes easier
7. living in perfect harmony – having real lives not perfect lives.

By connecting to their own wisdom deep within people have an anchor, they also need to connect with other people, they need to learn and grow and they need to live in the moment, not in their past or in their future. The entire experience was very worthwhile and very much enjoyed by students and staff. We thank Janine Nannup for her efforts in providing our students with this very special experience. Further information about the program can be found at www.wisdominyourlife.com.au

Japanese Exchange student visits Kent Street

From the 28 July through to 15 August we had a small group of Japanese students visiting from Tokyo, Japan. Some of these students were from our sister school in Tokyo, which was very exciting.

I am very grateful to the parents who opened their homes to the Japanese students and made them feel part of their family.

I was also very impressed with the hosting student's willingness to communicate in Japanese and use the language they had learned in the classroom. The students all said this was a valuable and fun experience and that it helped them understand and appreciate the culture of Japan.

A special thanks to all staff at Kent Street for enabling the Japanese students to see the wonderful subjects we have to offer at Kent Street Senior High School.

Indigenous Cultural Day

Last week the Indigenous students organized a special cultural day for our Japanese visitors. The day included various activities such as; Aboriginal dance, didgeridoo, dot painting, story telling and then we ate a delicious flag cake. It was an outstanding show for our overseas visitors, which they enjoyed immensely.

Thank you to all the students involved and a special thank you to Clare and Lennon for organizing this special event.

Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience

(AIME)
Curtin University

AIME provides a dynamic educational Program that gives Indigenous high school students the skills, opportunities, belief and confidence to finish school at the same rate as their peers.

Across the country, AIME delivers a range of different programs. This is our third year with AIME and in week 4, our Aboriginal students in Years 9, 10, 11 and 12 will spend a full day at Curtin University engaging in a range of hands-on, challenging and motivating activities designed to inspire educational aspirations and University pathways.

The Outreach Program extends the AIME experience to Indigenous high school students from further afield through a more intensive full day format. The following is a snapshot of what the students receive:

Year 9 'Interactive' Core Program: Mentoring sessions at Curtin University requiring students to step outside their comfort zone for sessions such as Art, Drama, Respect and Hip Hop.

Year 10 'Leadership' Core Program: The Year 10 Leadership Program includes sessions on Racism, Year 11 and 12 Subject Selection, Résumé Building and Writing your First Speech as Prime Minister.

Year 11/12 Leadership and Development Core & Outreach Program: 2 Full-day sessions delivered at Curtin University offering a range of interactive facilitated sessions the focus is on Year 12 completion and transition/connection to the next chapter of life.

We also welcome back our fantastic AIME Tutor Squad mentors work with our students after school on a one to one basis providing mentoring and tutoring. This year we are very fortunate to have 11 volunteer students from Curtin University joining us.

Recent Article in Virgin Australia Inflight Magazine

High School Aviation program - Virgin Australia Scholarship

VARA is proud to be associated with Kent Street Senior High School (KSSHS) KSSHS boasts an enviable record of students gaining employment within the aviation industry soon after graduation, in fact 10 past students are employed with VA alone. Virgin Australia is also proud to offer $3000 worth of scholarships annually. Aviation students are appraised on academic rigor, results gained during the aviation testing program and personal attributes as detailed by the teachers. This year, six Kent Street Senior High aviation students were awarded $500 each. The money can only be used for flying training, air experience flights or to assist in purchasing aviation related textbooks.

Kent Street student competes at Australian Junior Ski and Snowboard

Lachlan Mason year 8 student has been selected by Ski and Snowboard Australia to attend a two day training camp called Futures during August in Perisher. Lachlan will have the opportunity to train with several winter Olympians and train under the Australian coaches. This is a wonderful opportunity for Lachlan and is a real honour that he has been selected, in particular being from WA!

Lachlan also competed in the Australian Junior Nationals during August for snowboarding. Well done Lachlan !

Mining Challenge

Recently the 3rd Curtin University - Kent Street Mining Challenge occurred. The event continues to grow with an increased number of school and student participation from the CEC primary schools. This years winner was Kensington Primary School judged by a collection of mining industry professionals led superbly by Diversity Network Director Kristy Krebs Young. The event was keynoted by two former WASM Graduates. Firstly, Keith Ross from Keith Ross Mining and secondly by a former Kent Street student Matthew Herbert - Resources Superintendent for FMG both of who delivered the important message to students to work to their best and that within our community there is a strong pipeline which will support their educational needs as they transition from primary, through secondary school into university and eventually out into the workforce.

The Mining Challenge is about educational competition. Primary school students, lead effectively by Kent Street year 9 mentors engage and learn about mining industry processes and its importance to the development and growth of Western Australia's economy through a series of games. The games are undertaken on the Kent Street hockey oval where the competition is 'hot', engaging the students for 4 hours of physical activity supported by problem solving in a collaborative environment. The Teams have to think 'outside' the box to win the activity. The Mining Challenge is a STEM based event that since its inception in 2013 continues to grow and is now recognised as an important Curtin Education Community activity.

Kent Street student selected to represent the state.

Year 7 student Catherine Frehner has been selected to represent Western Australia in the 2015 Swimming Team competing at the National Schools Championships in Adelaide later in the year. Congratulations Catherine !

Kalbarri Field Trip 2015

The Year 11 Earth and Environmental Science field trip comprised the largest contingent to undertake this learning experience since its inception in 2006. In fact this was also the first time since 2006 and thirty four field trips later that Kalbarri was the centre of the real classroom experience. Twenty one students from across three year levels and seven teaching staff travelled north to Kalbarri to learn about the geological history of the Perth Basin. Our Earth's biological evolution preserved in the rock, climate change evidence and integration of biogeochemical cycles as presented and observed in the current environment or fossilised in paleoenvironments.

In addition to the new knowledge that the students acquired, for many it was their first time, they hiked for extended periods of time in the Australian outback. They watched the sun setting over the Indian Ocean, driven on 4WD tracks, pitched tents and sat around a campfire toasting marshmallows.

The field trips are open-ended learning experiences where students utilised their technology using apps such as Skitch and Fieldmoves to record and interpret data. Their field trip books will be their own creation founded on the daily stops which also includes the 'sponty' – these are spontaneous learning opportunities !

There were six 4WD's which transported us from location to location to observe and analyse the geological beauty of the Kalbarri region. Each vehicle had a name: Lead Eagle, Nae-nae, Albedo 1, Wolfpack, Wilson and Carbon Tax and as a convoy we turned heads, answered questions and evoked interest in the general public as we glided into each stop.

It was an excellent field trip and our students did our school proud. Thank you to all the teaching staff who gave of their time; Chris Broom, Oisin McFadden, Kerry Hardes, Kathleen Booth and Paul and Jennifer Currie. To our supporters, the Australian Institute of Geoscientists WA Branch and Earth Science Western Australia, their continued financial contributions greatly assist in the development of these unique learning events.

As a final note, if you ever go to Dongara-Denison choose the Big4 Tourist Park as a destination, they are wonderful supporters of our field trip experiences.

NAIDOC DAY 2015

Last term we celebrated our NAIDOC week assembly. The day began with one of our students Odessa Cox addressing our whole school Assembly about the remembrance of Indigenous peoples and the significance of NAIDOC to the Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander and the Non Indigenous people. Odessa then invited 2 of our other younger Indigenous students Malachi Humphries and Brenai Ugle to further inform staff, student and parents about Reconciliation and the true meaning of what NAIDOC stands for.

Shaun Nannup one of the elders of the Whadjuk Noongar people shared a moving welcome to country and shared some very heart touching personal stories and some Dreamtime stories to connect everybody as one.

After the Assembly our Year 7 and 8 students participated in a series of traditional Aboriginal activities such as arts/craft (dot painting, boomerangs and ceramics). Cathy from Bunnings Belmont kindly gave her time to work with our student to create two large mosaic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags.

Our students then attended a series of workshops facilitated by elders, Ken Hayward and Josie Boyle. Josie Boyle shared some personal stories about her childhood, her family and community.

Ken Hayward described the different Aboriginal tribes and Language groups and how they all connected.

Two West Australian Archaeologists provided students with an archaeology incursion which included hands on activities such as small and large excavation lessons, artefact observations and interpretation.

Janine Nannup cooked up a traditional indigenous lunch of kangaroo stew and damper for staff, elders, students and families. We then enjoyed a delicious cake of the Indigenous flag made by a few of our helpful student Rachael, Malachi and Amanda.

After lunch everybody participated in some fun activities that were created by student Alistar Chadd and teacher Eddie Mearns. The students also enjoyed some sporting games with our AIEO Lennon Marlin and Deputy Principal Craig Lynch.

The day was a huge success thanks to everyone involved we would like to extend our gratitude to our Year 11 student Odessa Cox for organising this amazing day.

Written by Brian Travis Penny

Girls AFL - Kent Street V's Darling Range

Upcoming Events

25/08/2015	Girls Group (Aboriginal)
26/08/2015	Deadly Dreaming Event Year 11 & 12 Aboriginal
26/08/2015	Dowerin Field Day
28/08/2015	Athletics Carnival
31/08/2015 – 4/09/2015	Variety Show Week
1/09/2015	Year 11 Geography Excursion
1/09/2015	Girls Group (Aboriginal)
2/09/2015 – 3/09/2015	Newdegate Field Day
3/09/2015	Indigenous Literacy Day
4/09/2015	Athletics Carnival Back-up
7/09/2015 – 10/09/2015	Chevron Camp
8/09/2015	Girls Group (Aboriginal)
8/09/2015	P&C Meeting
9/09/2015	Year 7 2016 Parent Information Evening
10/09/2015	R U OK? Day
14/09/2015	Year 12 Human Biology Excursion
15/09/2015 – 18/09/2015	Cert II Outdoor Recreation Expedition - Year 11 & 12
15/09/2015	Politics & Law and Business Management Year 11 Excursion
15/09/2015	Girls Group (Aboriginal)
16/09/2015	Year 10 Japanese Excursion
17/09/2015	Year 8 Lightning Carnival
17/09/2015 – 18/09/2015	Mingenew Field Day
22/09/2015	Girls Group (Aboriginal)
22/09/2015	Table Tennis competition - staff v's students
23/09/2015	HASS Year 9 Excursion
23/09/2015	AIME
25/09/2015	Whole School Assembly
26/09/2015 – 12/10/2015	School Holidays
28/09/2015 – 2/10/2015	WACE Practical Exams
5/10/2015 – 9/10/2015	Year 12 Exam Week
13/10/2015	Students return