26 May 2015

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal's Desk

You may already be aware that I took some long service leave at the start of this term because my husband and I had tickets in the ballot to attend the ANZAC Centenary commemorations in Gallipoli, Turkey on 25 April 2015. It was an honour to be part of the 10 000 strong crowd at ANZAC Cove for the dawn service. I understand that the school community also held an excellent service on the Friday before ANZAC Day. It is important to be respectful of our history whilst not glorifying war and I am impressed by reports that this was the best service ever – I am almost sorry to have missed it.

I would like to thank Ismiralda Iskandar for her participation in the Town of Victoria Park's ANZAC Day Dawn Service. The Town has formally acknowledged how exemplary Ismiralda's speech was on the day and how it truly encapsulated the ANZAC spirit.

Principal Kath Ward and husband John at ANZAC Cove, Gallipoli.

As you will see from the articles which feature in this edition of our newsletter, I was not the only one overseas during the term one break. Enormous thanks are to be extended to the teaching staff who gave of their personal time to ensure that some of the students with a passion for rocks, media or fashion could have their own experiences of a lifetime. The coordination of an overseas tour is a complex task requiring a great deal of time and effort. I know that many other schools have either cut back on or totally ceased their field trips so it is testimony to our teachers' genuine desire to provide authentic learning opportunities that makes them persevere. Parents and volunteer mentors joined the groups in a support role and their contribution is also greatly appreciated. Congratulations to the students for being excellent ambassadors for Kent Street and Australia – your conduct was impeccable as usual.

This term our Year 7 and 9 students have sat their NAPLAN tests and we congratulate them for the serious attention to the tasks at hand. The testing went smoothly and we expect to receive the results later this year. The OLNA (On-line Literacy and Numeracy Assessment) testing happened last term and the data for our current Year 10 and 11 students was made available to schools last week. We are happy with the percentage of students who have achieved the desired category 3 in Year 11 and will be providing support classes during upper school study skills to the individuals who would benefit from a dedicated program. This is the first time that the Year 10s have sat the test and a majority of them reached category 3. Those who reached category 2 are likely to pass in the next opportunity in September simply by remaining engaged in their learning. Others may need a little more help. It is important to remember that the OLNA target is a Year 12 target so there is still plenty of time to work on any reading, writing or numeracy gaps in learning. Passing the OLNA is a requirement for successful completion of the Western Australian Certificate of Education at the end of Year 12 – the WACE.

We have been doing some work with the Year 7 students on resilience this term. Claire Eaton, creator of the ROC Days (Resilience, Optimism, Confidence) ran some excellent introductory workshops with the Year 7 students in week three. Claire also presented to parents who joined us after the P&C last Tuesday. Her messages about 'above the line' and 'below the line' thinking was coupled with some great strategies for parents of teens. We intend to continue to work with Claire and are also introducing a Drumbeat Quest program which will help to foster good decision making in our young people. This will be reported on in more detail later in the year.

Finally, we are not far from upper school exams so I trust that our senior schooling students are doing the right things – eating well, sleeping well, getting some exercise and following a strategic study plan. The people from Elevate have visited the study skills groups to provide some great ideas about what a good study regime looks like. It would be good if parents of Year 11 and 12 students asked to see the booklet completed during this session. I wish our students every success – which is borne from every effort made.

Kath Ward
Principal

Avalon Tour

The Aviation tour to Avalon was a great success. Twenty two students, two staff and two parents participated in the tour and everyone enjoyed themselves.

The students visited AirServices Australia at Tullamarine Airport, where they learnt about Air Traffic Control and had the opportunity to try out the en-route simulator and the Tower simulator. They also learned about the other roles of AirServices, such as Rescue and Firefighting at airports and maintenance of radar and navigation aids all over the country.

Our anticipated visit to the Airways Museum at Essendon, which showed the history of air routes, radar, navigation and air traffic control in Australia, was cancelled at short notice. However, the group went to see a one-day international cricket match at the MCG (Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh) instead which was a most enjoyable experience.

The Avalon airshow itself was a special one, commemorating 100 years since the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli. Because of this there was quite a historical emphasis throughout the show, including eleven replica/restored World War I biplanes. Some of these were even using restored engines almost 100 years old! There were many displays of equipment and re-enactments of land battles from the various conflicts that have involved Australian troops, with genuine equipment from the various eras including some World War II German tanks.

Three F-18's in close formation with Airbus MRRT Refuelling Aircraft.

The tour group outside the MCG

The Australian Defence Force gave a particularly interesting display of many different aircraft and ground units from the Army, Navy and Air Force acting in coordination as they would in a modern conflict. This involved a Wedgetail overflying and coordinating the display, an Orion attacking a "submarine", paratroops being dropped from 3 Hercules aircraft and a C17 landing armoured cars on the airfield, 2 army attack helicopters and 3 F-18s attacking ground targets, as well as a simulated "dogfight" between F-18s that was over in seconds. The display was fascinating, educational and ear-shattering.

The group also visited the RAAF Museum at Point Cook. This was a rather nostalgic part of the tour for Mr McKenzie as it was at Point Cook that he first learned to fly on RAAF CT4A training aircraft almost 30 years ago! We even saw some CT4A's taking off and practicing their display for the airshow. The museum itself contained a very interesting display of many of the aircraft operated by the RAAF including the iconic F111 and Mirage supersonic fighters and older aircraft from WW2 and WW1. There were also displays of uniforms, missiles and of course the souvenir shop was well patronised by the group.

We also visited some other of Melbourne's cultural attractions including the Shrine of Remembrance, and did some shopping at the Queen Victoria Markets and experienced the nightlife of Lygon Street.

As expected, the group was very well behaved throughout the tour, as evidenced by the Qantas crews inviting the students into the cockpit for photos after each flight had landed. This is quite a compliment for the group and the way in which they represent their school.

John McKenzie
Aviation Teacher

RAAF CT4A Basic Trainer at Point Cook

Army Tiger Helicopter

Gingin Field Trip

Visiting the Gingin Discovery Centre was an outstanding educational experience for us Year 12 Physics students, as we were able to explore modern scientific theories about the Big Bang and the evolution of the universe. Through the numerous practical activities conducted on this field trip, we learned about how science influences our everyday lives and has led us to amazing discoveries. At the AIGO (Australian International Gravitational Observatory), we had the opportunity to discover more about the various celestial phenomena of the universe, such as the birth and death of stars, nebulae, black holes, quasars, supernovae and extrasolar planets.

The exhibition centre provided us with many engaging hands-on activities, and we were able to understand the scientific concepts behind these with the help of our tour guide who explained all of them in detail. We conducted a freefall experiment similar to Galileo's on the Gingin leaning tower, physics experiments using large equipment and explored Einstein's general theory of relativity. Various other exhibits like the ion drive lifter, 4D cube, magnetic levitation and the NASA space capsule were just as fun and interactive. We also learned about the origins of the Universe and the evolution of our Earth at the Cosmology Gallery which showcased these concepts. There was a 65 metre timeline history of the Universe on the walls, art exhibits, space junk and history of the AGIO research facility.

At the final stop, we were able to learn more about the amazing gravitational wave research conducted at the Gravity Centre. We learned about how sensitive lasers were used to detect small movements of the ground as gravity waves originating from the Big Bang passed through the earth. These new developments in the scientific world will allow us to explain the the formation of the Universe, stars, planets and galaxies. Altogether, the visit here was exceptionally fascinating, informative and inspiring.

Ben Locke
Year 12 Physics Student

Aboriginal Programs at Kent Street

Aboriginal Girls Group - Residential Workshop

During week 3 of this term, 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

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.

Kent Street Rocks the Land of Fire, Ice and Vikings - Iceland and Norway 2015

Four weeks following the successful Earth and Environmental Science Yilgarn Craton Field Trip, a group of 16, including 3 Curtin University geology students (former Kent Street students) experienced the geological wonders of Iceland and Norway. It is difficult to put into words the geological marvel that we studied. Each stop was better that the last, the geology was different at each location and consequently the landscape it supports was just as contrasting. We stood where the Mid Atlantic Ridge beaches onto land, we snorkeled through the rift, climbed its basaltic cliffs, chased dykes and sills, studied pillows and columns of all sizes and shapes, we examined ignimbrites, rhyolites, porphyritic and picritic basalts, there was Aa'aa and pahoehoe, marvelled at the infamous Laki Lava field and the world's largest pseudo crater site, not to forget the 'Dark City' near Myvatn. Some ten different waterfall sites were examined, as was the Eyjafjalljokull Glacier and its outlet glacier. We undertook glacier hiking and stood in awe as we understood the erosive power of these features and the landscape they produce. So many other aspects were experienced including zeolites, geothermal power and pools, Iceland Spar, norites, anorthosites, trocolites and 100% ilmenite sills near Norway's Titania Mine and, my favourite, the Krafla Fires and Crater Row.

The list is endless, the experience will never be forgotten, nor will the authentic learning. We were very privileged to observe Aurora Borealis, otherwise known as 'The Northern Lights.' The only thing we missed was a volcanic eruption.

We undertook just about every physical endeavour including climbing sheer rock 'fjord' faces in Norway on the Via Ferrata, hiked up glacial valleys, over lava fields and over glaciers, stood in the North Atlantic Ocean and some of us joined the 5 Ocean Club by swimming in the Arctic Ocean. Walked through snow storms, rolled through underground opening 40 cm high as we meandered through ancient lava tunnels and 'snowbagged' down ski slopes. The list of experiences is endless and as our Deputy Principal, Mr Currie puts it "I am so glad I did a full year of gym work to prepare for this extreme tour of Iceland."

If you haven't been to Iceland or Norway as someone who loves and enjoys the environment and marvels at the processes which has formed them, I strongly recommend it as a bucket list item. "Incredible places, incredible people what a privilege to have been able to share this adventure with 15 other amazing individuals who also have the sprite to explore new boundaries." Suzy

As a geologist and educator, I describe this experience as a career highlight and one which will be hard to surpass. Kathleen Booth, one of our new members of staff and also a geologist confirms this notion by stating "A good geologist is as dynamic as the Earth they explore. The sphere of our world has no beginning and no end, just as our opportunity to learn and chase knowledge."

Like our Facebook Page - Kent Street Earth and Environmental Science to see more of the adventures we engaged in and follow us as we undertaken the Kalbarri Field Trip in 6 weeks time.

Suzy Urbaniak
EES Teacher

Kent Street Rocks the Land of Fire, Ice and Vikings – Iceland and Norway 2015

Media and Fashion Tour to Los Angeles and New York

Following the successful inaugural Media Tour to Hollywood in 2013, a group of Media students, this time joined by Fashion students, embarked on a 3 week tour to the USA. This tour included Los Angeles and New York. Five very brave parents came with us as chaperones, Mr & Mrs Kingsley, Mrs Singh, Ms Walker and Ms Liedel – we thank you very much for your assistance.

Our tour took us to many exciting venues and students were exposed to the worlds of media and fashion and how they are intertwined. From Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and Fifth Avenue in New York, Fashion students were exposed to a wide range of street fashion and high end fashion. They were also exposed to the world of costume at Disneyland, Universal studios, on stage at Broadway and in Hollywood at the museums.

Disneyland – Tour group photo

Universal Studios

The Media students examined all aspects of media production and design – from the History of the media at The Paley Centre and the Hollywood Museum through to the live taping of a TV sitcom at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, to the high tech at the Sony Technology Wonder lab in New York.

Some students even recorded a song in the famous Quad studios in Times Square in New York whilst others were interviewed on a TV shoot in Central Park!!

We were all lucky enough to do some serious celebrity spotting – from Jerry Seinfeld, Whiz Khalifa, Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Stephen Spielberg and many, many others. The whole experience was most enjoyable and we dubbed it "the Fast & Furious Tour!!!

Mrs Green
Media Teacher

Empire State Building at night

Flying over beaches in California

On our first couple of days in L.A we got to be young children again at Disneyland and California Adventure Park. On our trip we were able to visit the media capital of the world, Hollywood and were lucky to have been there during the premiere of the "Fast and the Furious 7". We also saw the location of where the movie Jaws was shot and a lucky few got to personally see Steven Spielberg a famous movie producer/director from afar. During one of L.A's fine sunny days we went to Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach, where we saw the best of L.A culture. Driving past Beverly Hills and walking down Rodeo Drive we got a look at the life of the rich and famous and some of the beautiful designer clothes in the shop windows.

We later made our way to the fashion capital of the world, New York. Whilst in New York we had the opportunity to see the Lion King, a Broadway show. We walked the Brooklyn Bridge on a lovely day from New York to Brooklyn and got to see a show being shot on the streets of Brooklyn (which involved Jerry Seinfeld). We were honoured to go to the 9/11 Memorial where we paid our respects to the innocent people who lost their lives on that horrendous day.

We embarked on a lovely night cruise on the Hudson River and saw New York at its best lit up and got close to the Statue of Liberty. We also went to the top of both the Rockefeller and the Empire State buildings and enjoyed remarkable 360 degree views of New York City. Some of us walked and others rode around Central Park, located in the heart of New York and home to many squirrels which caught the attention of many of the students.

On behalf of the students who were privileged enough to travel to New York and Los Angeles, I would like to thank all parents who took the time to join us on the trip and I would also like to personally thank Ms M Green and Mrs L Diver who organised our once in a life time journey.

Neha Singh
Year 11 student

United Nations Young Leaders Forum 2015

Kent Street students were given the opportunity to attend The UN Youth's Young Leaders Forum on the first of May at St Catherine's College, UWA. This was a day-long forum which was open to all students from the year's seven to ten. The forum's theme was 'Urban Revolution' which encouraged delegates to contemplate and discuss the environmental consequences of urban development.

Delegates from a variety of schools in Perth were sorted into groups upon arrival, and after a quick welcoming and introductory speech, began the day by introducing themselves to their group members and performing a couple of bonding exercises.

After this we participated in peer-delivered workshops, Model UN debate sessions, interactive problem solving simulations and many more.

The topics of these workshops included the UN system, Asia and Australia's Engagement in Asia, war and Peacekeeping, contemporary conflicts, economics and development and justice and civic participation.

All in all, it was a valuable experience where we learned about environmentalism, the United Nations organisation, the development of human society, and the future of urbanism around the world, as well as both global and local issues important to us.

Zea Timperley
Year 10 student

Conference – What is UN Youth?

UN Youth WA facilitators are known as experienced peer-to-peer educators with each individual receiving extensive facilitation training. This facilitation believes each young person has the potential to understand and explore their civic rights on a local, national and global level by demonstrating these through programs in which they set up occasionally. These programs include peer-delivered workshops, UN debate sessions and interactive problem solving in certain situations. Along with a variety of other programs which last an hour for each session, these events are usually prolonged for the whole day.

About the Conference – Urban Revolution

The conference that our HASS class attended was run by the UN Youth WA and based around the topic of Urban Revolution. This forum was created to help encourage students like us to think about the environmental implications that are happening in our urban development. This topic gives us an insight into the education of environmentalism, the development of human society and the future of Australian urbanism, as well as urbanism around the world.

What I Learnt

Throughout the time I was at the conference, I had learnt about urbanisation, how countries coincide to contribute to one another's needs by negotiating and holding conference meetings, what rural and urban areas are, how population can affect a certain area, ways in which you can help improve urbanism in the future and how certain countries have more resources and accessibility than others. All these topics mentioned were explained and demonstrated to me in a period of hours as I did not attended the whole conference. The fact that I had learnt this much information in the given time frame shows how much time these young leaders put into this conference to ensure we, as students, have learnt as much as possible about urban revolution.

Danielle Miaris
Year 10 student

Something fishy is going on at Kent Street

This term at Kent Street Martin the Chaplain organised Andrew "Fishtail" Fisher of The Jesus V8 Ute Racing Team to come out and give a presentation to our upper school students.

Andrew talked to us about being courageous and resilient and the importance of Life Choices.

He covered issues including Alcohol, Drugs, Safe Driving, Social Media, Smoking, Spirituality and Sexuality all of which were well received by the students.

Afterwards the students viewed his race car, asked him questions and received personally autographed posters from Andrew.

Andrew and his team did a great job. Our heartfelt thanks to Fishtail and the Jesus Racing team!

From the Business Manager

Congratulations to Andrew Stok from 11.06 who won the incentive prize, $200 refunded to his account for having paid the Charges & Contributions by the end of term 1. Ethan Bately from 11.04 and Celest Ong from 8.02 came second and third winning movie tickets.

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.

The school offers a variety of payment options:

• Cash, cheque, EFTPOS including credit card facilities (credit card payments are also able to be phoned through).
• 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)
• 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. Statements will be posted to families in the near future. Thank you for your continued support.

The 2015 Voluntary Contributions and Charges Information Booklet is available on our website.

Interschool Swimming Carnival

The Interschool Swimming Carnival was held at HBF Stadium on the 11th of March. We had a fantastic day in the water and all the students gave 100% effort, we simply couldn't ask for anything else so thank you to the students who came to the carnival. We finished 3rd out of 7 Schools with a total of 662 points which was only just behind Como and just ahead of Kalamunda; because of how close the points race was we had to give a huge effort in the relays, which are worth double points. Our last three races which were the Year 10 Boys, Year 11 & Over Girls and Year 11 & Over Boys all won their relay which was enough for us to hold onto third position.

A massive congratulations to the Upper School boys who won all the races they competed in except for 1 race, in which we finished 2nd. A special mention to James Sandford (Year 12) & Hayden Vogels (Year 10) who were named Interschool Champions for their respective years. A very special mention to Catherine Frehner (Year 7) who not only won Champion Girl for her year but she broke two records in the process, the 50M Breaststroke which she broke an 18 year record by 0.62 seconds and also she demolished the 50M Backstroke record previously held for 13 years by 1.52 seconds. Well done to all competitors!

David Aldridge
Physical Education Teacher

Hayden, James and Catherine

Student News

Year 10 cricket students Hayden Vogels and Rhys McVeigh have been selected to represent Western Australia in the 2015 State Cricket Team in Darwin during June 2015. Congratulations boys !

Year 11 aviation student Shivangi has gone solo for the first time in a powered aircraft.

Congratulations Shivangi !

Students in the Tower Simulator at AirServices Australia

Year 8 Aircraft Controls Project - Lachlan, Bridgette, Matthew

Year 9 Engines Project - Horizontally Opposed Engine

Upcoming Events

26/05/2015	Girls Group (Aboriginal)
26/05/2015	English & Drama Incursion - Hamlet
27/05/2015	Photo Day - Specialist and Year 12
28/05/2015	Year 7 Lightning Carnival
1/06/2015	Western Australia Day
2/06/2015	Girls Group (Aboriginal)
2/06/2015 – 10/06/2015	Year 11 & 12 Exams
2/06/2015 – 5/06/2015	Year 10 Exam Week
5/06/2015	Year 8 Immunisation
5/06/2015	Year 9 & 10 Badminton Tournament
9/06/2015	Girls Group (Aboriginal)
9/06/2015	P & C Meeting
11/06/2015	Year 10 Lightning Carnival
15/06/2015	Year 9 Japanese Restaurant
15/06/2015	Upper school Netball Cup Interzones
16/06/2015	Girls Group (Aboriginal)
16/06/2015	Year 9 Science Excursion
17/06/2015	Hyogo Excursion
17/06/2015	Cert II Sport & Recreation
18/06/2015	Men in Mining
18/06/2015	Year 10 Lightning Carnival
19/06/2015	Mining Challenge
23/06/2015	Girls Group (Aboriginal)
24/06/2015	High Achievers Dinner
24/06/2015	Year 8 Immunisation
25/06/2015	Year 8 Immunisation
25/06/2015	Parent Night Years 10 - 12
26/06/2015	Year 10 - Get into Resources
29/06/2015 – 3/07/2015	NAIDOC Week
29/06/2015	Year 12 English Conference
30/06/2015	Parent Night Years 7 - 9
30/06/2015	Girls Group (Aboriginal)
2/07/2015 – 3/07/2015	Year 11 EES Fieldtrip
3/07/2015	Whole School Awards and NAIDOC Assembly
3/07/2015	Last day of Term 2
6/07/2015 – 7/07/2015	Year 11 EES Fieldtrip
21/07/2015	Students return