25 March 2024
School Motto
From the Principal
NAPLAN and other assessments
Year 7 and Year 9 students have completed NAPLAN testing online throughout week seven and eight of this term. Information on student performance in these assessments will be provided to the school and parents during Term 2.
There were some changes to the reporting format in 2023 and the new format will be used again in 2024. The individual student reports will be passed on to families when they are received by the school later in the year.
Teachers in all classes have also been completing assessments in the past two weeks. You will be able to go onto Compass and see the grades and attitudes to learning assessments made by teachers this week. This information will also be collated and used to guide the teaching and learning program for the upcoming units of work.
Harmony Week
Last week we celebrated Harmony Week at the school with a number of activities in Home Rooms and in classes. There was also a shared lunch on the Wednesday that brought students together during lunchtime. It is important that we take the opportunities that we have to highlight the ways in which we are influenced by people and cultures from all around the world in these modern times. We are often unaware of the origins of the food we eat, the routines we follow and even the way we speak until it is made explicit during an event such as Harmony Week.
School Photos
Last week, we had The School Photographer Alliance in the school to take individual, class and group photos. While this made for a day with interruptions to classes and routines, it will be worth the effort when the finished products are available and distributed to families. Thanks to those who were able to get orders in on or before the day. If you would like to make additional orders, you can go online and seek more information and place orders.
Certificate 2 in Cookery
We were fortunate to have Chef Anthony from Quality Service Skills at the school during Week 6 and 7 delivering a Certificate 2 in Cookery course. This was the first two of eight weeks of the program which will equip students to be able to cook a range of dishes and manage themselves safely and hygienically in a commercial kitchen. There next training block will be Week 4 and 5 of Term 2 and it is important that students maintain their commitment to attending and completing the program in those weeks. Apart from the life skills being learned and NTCET credits being achieved, students are also setting themselves up to be able to take advantage of many employment opportunities in the future.
LEaD Committee
The NHS Gunyangara LEaD Committee met again on Tuesday of Week 7 with community members coming to the school to see some of the classes and programs that are on offer. It was great to see students recognizing their family members and being proud to show them the work that they were doing at the time. Through discussions at the meeting, it was decided that the next meeting in Week 3 of Term 2 will be held at the Gunyangara Community Centre and will involve a school lesson for students followed by a community lesson by the students for the teachers.
Year 7 introduction to NHS
It is an exciting time when you are new to high school with new friends, new classes, new teachers and new routines being the new normal. In addition to this, we have had immunisations, NAPLAN testing and Friday Night Fun Night which has made for a very busy start to the year. It has been great to see that many students have thrived on being involved in lots of these learning opportunities and are feeling very positive about their high school experience. We have school holidays and a number of weeks coming up that will have public holidays so the chance for some extra rest will help to keep students fresh for what lies ahead.
Year 10 opportunities in Term 2
Students in Year 10 also have busy times ahead at the start of next term. In Week 3, all students will be involved in Work Experience as part of their PLP subject. Miss Ewing has been guiding students through the process of finding a placement and this should be quite advanced by now. Following that week on Tuesday May 7, 20 students randomly selected will be involved in the National Assessment Program for Civics & Citizenship. This is a nation wide assessment aimed at finding out about the level of learning in the two domains of the Australian Curriculum Humanities Learning Area. Students will be notified in advance if they are involved and there is no preparation required prior to the day.
Parent teacher interviews and student led conferences
On Tuesday of last week, parents met with their children’s teachers to discuss progress throughout this term. For senior students, this was in the form of individual interviews with each teacher. For middle school students, this meant discussing reflections of pieces of work from each class.
Thanks to all those families who made time to come along and be involved. It is very important for the progress of students throughout secondary schooling to have parents who value their education and are actively involved in the process. There will be another set of interviews and conferences on Tuesday August 13.
If you have anything you would like to discuss with your child’s teacher, please feel free to contact them via the school office or on Compass.
School Council AGM
On Thursday March 21, the School Council held its Annual General Meeting at 6:00pm in the Administration Building. We now have some new councillors and plans to move forward but still have opportunities for more parents to get involved. Please contact me at the school if you would like more information on what it takes to be a part of this important decision making body.
School Holidays
We are approaching the end of Term 1 which will be on Friday April 5. Prior to this, we will have the Good Friday Public Holiday on March 29 and the Easter Monday Public Holiday on April 1. With these short weeks interrupting some of the planned learning, it is important that students are at school on all the other scheduled days for the remainder of the term.
Please ensure that students have a relaxing holiday and return to school ready to learn right from the start of the term which will be on Tuesday April 16. We have established some new routines and habits during this term and it is important that the good habits are continued after the break.
Brad Madden
Principal
2024 School Calendar
The school calendar is available on Compass and parents can see what events the school is holding daily. This Term’s Big Calendar items are:
Term 1
Week 9 – Friday 29 March – Good Friday Public Holiday
Week 10 – Monday 1 April – Easter Monday Public Holiday
Week 10 – Friday 5 April – Last day of School
Term 2
Week 1 – Tuesday 16 April – First day back for students
Week 2 – Thursday 25 April – Anzac Day Public Holiday
2024 Back to School Vouchers
Remember 2024 Back to School Vouchers expire at the end Term 1. Please make sure you come into the office and utilise your $200 on school stationery or uniforms before the 5 April.
Youth Voice Peak Group
The Nhulunbuy High School community congratulates Sophia Rogers and Suraya Van Beelen for their selection to participate in the 2024 Youth Voice Peak Group.
18 Student were selected from government and non-government schools to be part of the 2024 team and provide student voices on matters of policy development and program delivery to the Department of Education.
The group kicked off with a productive two-day meeting in Darwin, getting to know one another and contributing valuable insights on priority policy areas.
Middle School News
Schoolwide Positive Behaviours
A number of Middle School students have received acknowledgement of positive behaviour which aligns with our school values of Creativity, Pride and Respect. Certificates have been presented at assemblies and our top “Schoolwide Positive Behaviours” Compass points recipients have been rewarded with a special lunch. I encourage all students to do their very best to abide by our values to ensure we can be part of a creative, proud and respectful school community.
Year 7 Activity Night
The Year 7 Activity Night was a great success. The Year 7s had a go at the Jaws of Life and the fire hoses with the Nhulunbuy Fire Brigade, played sport in the Gym, participated in a drumming circle with Anglicare, had dinner in the VET kitchen and then played glow soccer on the oval. Thank you to Callum Williamson, Chris Middleton, the teachers and senior students who helped organise and run the night along with the Nhulunbuy Fire Brigade and Anglicare for a fantastic occasion.
NAPLAN
Year 7 and 9 students have recently completed NAPLAN testing which is completed by all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 in Australia during this time. NAPLAN is an assessment of learning and individual reports will be delivered to parents and carers when available.
Jane Utting
Senior Teacher, Middle Years
8B Humanities News
Embarking on a thrilling voyage through time, Year 8B students have recently concluded an epic exploration into the world of the Vikings. Over the past few weeks, our young historians immersed themselves in the rich tapestry of Viking society, uncovering the secrets of their social dynamics, economic prowess, political structures, and the environmental landscape that shaped their legendary exploits. They stood witness to the political intrigues that played out within the Norse realms through hosting our very own Viking ‘Thing Assembly’, gaining insight into the governance and leadership that defined this seafaring civilization.
But the adventure did not end there! As custodians of both knowledge and creativity, our young Historians capped off their expedition by forging their own tangible piece of Viking history. Armed with passion and imagination, they undertook the challenge of crafting their very own Viking shields. Each shield a unique reflection of the student's interpretation of Viking symbolism, blending ancient aesthetics with modern flair.
Stay tuned for more tales of discovery and creativity from the halls of learning! Until then, may the winds of knowledge guide you on your own extraordinary journeys.
Middle School English
Students in the middle school have been working hard in the English classroom in Term One. Students in Year 7 English are currently studying Jandamarra. After previously learning about the well-known figure Ned Kelly, they are now exploring the story of Jandamarra and discussing why he is famous and recognised in Australian folklore. Year 8’s and 78’s have completed their News Articles on Tomorrow When the War Began and Artemis Fowl. They will soon delve into persuasive speech writing, exploring ethical issues in both texts. Year 7s have also been spending Friday afternoons making the most of our library. It's been a great start to the year.
Oliver Friedmann
English Teacher
Art News
Amelia Adams recently was a finalist in the NT Year 12 Exit Art Exhibition at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT). Amelia's piece was a beautiful collection of Tea Bowls hand made using a range of researched Japanese Ceramic techniques. The link below takes you to some of the highlights of the exhibition and there is a link where you can VOTE for the people choice award (do this!)
Congratulations Amelia!
After School Art Help
Ms Joyce is offering after school Art help in the Art room every Thursday from 2.30pm-4.00pm
NT Music School
Hi all, The NT Music School/NHS Program is off to a flying start. Students are still requesting to join up although I am at capacity at the moment. New signed up students will go on a waiting list and placed when a position comes available.
We have a mixed group of students covering percussion, guitar, bass guitar, saxophone and vocals. Percussion students do drumming as well as keyboard and other tuned percussive instruments.ie xylophones and untuned percussive instruments.ie tambourine, congas etc. Keyboard is a tuned percussive instrument.
We are always working toward performances and will be on stage sometime soon.
Thanks for your support.
Bob Pearse
NT Music School. NHS