DRIPSTONE MIDDLE SCHOOL · buddy program with Nakara Primary. A group of 20 girls walk to Nakara every afternoon to do a range of activities with a transition class such as reading

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DRIPSTONE MIDDLE SCHOOLDelamere Street, Tiwi NT 0810, PO Box 41370, Casuarina NT 0811e: [email protected] p: (08) 8920 2299 f: (08) 8920 2298www.dripstonemiddle.nt.edu.au

28th March, 2013 ISSUE 2

F R O M T H E P R I N C I PA L

IMPORTANT DATES

Are your contAct

detAils up to dAte?

If you have moved house, changed your job or phone numbers

recently, please contact the school on 89202299 or email admin.dripshs@

ntschools.net so that we may update our

records.

reMinder - BAcK to scHool VoucHers

Back to School Vouchers expire at the end of Term 1. Vouchers can be redeemed at the Bookroom for a variety of items including uniforms, stationery and excursions.

Dear Parents, Carers and Students

Over the last few days we have had our Parent Teacher meetings. It has been wonderful so see so many parents attending these meetings and having productive conversations with teachers about their child. We continue to have positive feedback from parents on how well the online booking process works.

I am pleased to announce that our Student Representative Council (SRC) election has concluded. The following students were elected as the 2013 SRC Representatives. Congratulations to those students and I look forward to working with them this year.

yeAr 7 yeAr 8 yeAr 9Nikolas Dakis Dayne Grant Zain Lopez Vendel Gomes Jay Jordan Douglas Lee Rachel Skultety Katherine Rideout Jemma Stanley Amanda Bush-Blanasi Teegan Avery Kirstie Park

SRC members represent all students in the school and organise ways for students to participate in school life. The SRC works democratically to represent the student body in school decision-making. Students work together, with assistance from Ms Boardman and Ms Andreou, to improve school life and to contribute students’ ideas. Over the coming week students will also participate in House Captain elections.

Student attendance continues to be a major priority at Dripstone. Overall our whole school attendance is at 91%. Across the year levels: Year 7 – 91%; Year 8 – 92% and Year 9 – 89%. Our goal for 2013 is to maintain attendance above 90%. If you child is away from school please notify us on ph: 89202299 or email: [email protected] .

School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) continues to be implemented across the school. S.O.A.R. articulates our expected behaviours and values.

Safety is looking after yourself, others and property by making the right decisions

Ownership is taking responsibility for all your choices and actions

Achievement is working to your full potential in every possible way

Respect is showing consideration for all people’s rights, cultures and individual needs

I would like to formally announce that I have been appointed as the Principal. I am thrilled to take up this opportunity and I look forward to my continued work with the school community. I would like to take the opportunity to sincerely thank staff, students and parents who have welcomed me. Dripstone is a fantastic community to be a part of.

I wish you and your families a safe and enjoyable Easter.

Kind RegardsJodie GreenPrincipal

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TasTe of Trades – CdUIn Week 6 of this term, five of our Year 9 students, along with Mr Cantrill travelled to Charles Darwin University, Casuarina Campus to participate in the Taste of Trades Program. The Taste of Trades Program is an interactive Worldskills Australia Initiative aimed at Year 9 students considering education and training in schools (VETis) and/or school based new apprenticeship or traineeships.

The Taste of Trades Program gives students a better understanding of careers, the study pathways, entry level requirements and how English and Maths directly relate to employment opportunities, whilst enabling them to be better informed prior to them having to make decisions about VETis, Work Ready programs, Apprenticeships, Traineeships and goal setting plans.

Our students successfully completed Part A of the program which comprised of an introduction to how to use plumbing hand and power tools which allowed them to make some wind chimes.

More Year 9 students will have the opportunity to gain some of these “hands on” experiences when CDU run the Taste a Trade Program again later on in the year.

Michelle Jean, VETis Coordinator and Doug Cantrill

'a CommUniTy of aChievers' - ConGraTULaTions

Trey Crowley represented the NT 12yrs Touch Football Championships

Brayden McLennan represented the NT Track and Field Championships

seeKinG donAtions Please donate to assist in the production of Grease the Musical. We are

seeking support to purchase costumes and material. If you can help us, please contact the Front Office on 89202299. Any donations greatly appreciated.

At Dripstone Middle School we celebrate our students' achievements in all fields. In this newsletter we celebrate the following achievers.

Sevasti Karavas represented Darwin in the Gondwana Children's Choir in Sydney this year as well as achieving a High Distinction in Theory of Music in Musicianship.

If your child has achieved in extra curriular activities please let us know by contacting the school on phone 89202299 or email [email protected]

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Initial Design Kiara Russell Year 8

Pencil drawing Alexandra Fangonil Year 9

from The arT deParTmenTYear 9 Art have spent the term studying portraiture and this week they will be analysing the 2013 Archibald Prize. They will have their own Dripstone Archibald Prize, which can be done in any medium. These are the first couple of entries, drawn in charcoal. All portraits are due by the end of term.

Kim BoardmanArt, Design and Digital Photography

Andrew Johns by Jack Dixon and Michael Clarke by Aron Summers

Oil Pastel, Jemma Stanley, Year 9

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rUGby LeaGUe – TUesday 5Th marChA fantastic day was had by both competitors and coaches. Mr Bader completed a great coaching effort getting all boys on the field and allowing all the boys to thoroughly enjoy the day. The 13 and Under team went through undefeated and took out the title which was a huge effort and the 14 and over team only lost the one game in a closely fought match with Darwin Middle and finished second to them. I would like to thank all the boys for the exemplary behaviour and representing their school so well.

Nick Etherton

Gems neWsGEMS have had a jam packed term so far beginning with a Year 7 Introductory Breakfast. The girls have been busy each week with soccer training on Tuesdays with an average of twenty six girls in attendance each session. The training session leads into an Intra-Academy Challenge every Thursday against Nightcliff Emeralds and Sanderson Rubies. Week 7 was the championship week in which our girls (Sapphires) played Emeralds in the Grandfinal, winning 1-0.

Homework Centre this term has been a been a great success. Running every Wednesday we get an average of 16 girls each week.

For Friday afternoon activities GEMS have been participating in a buddy program with Nakara Primary. A group of 20 girls walk to Nakara every afternoon to do a range of activities with a transition class such as reading books, helping create stories on the computer, colouring in and fun games. The children at Nakara Primary look forward to our visits and the GEMS girls have developed great relationships with them.

Tamara Duggan

year 9 neWsOver the past few weeks, Year 9 students have begun the first round of transition to Casuarina Senior College. With their Personal Learning teacher, the students have toured the campus with Senior Teachers, getting familiar with the structure and organisation of the school. Throughout the year there will be other opportunities for students to visit the campus and familiarise themselves with courses on offer and completing enrolments for 2014. This should guarantee a smooth and stress free transition for our Year 9 students from Middle School to Senior College in 2014.

On the 5th of April, the last day of Term 1, Casuarina Senior College has invited all Year 9 students and their Peronal Learning Teachers to attend their 30th Anniversary Celebrations at the college. Students will travel with their teachers to Casuarina Senior College by bus and enjoy a wonderful day of fun activities, food and entertainment. More information to follow in the next Newsletter.

On Thursday 21st March, all Year 9 students attended the Darwin High School production of ‘Brave’ at the Darwin Entertainment Centre. The production was a thought provoking and heartfelt performance that tackled the challenging issues of bullying through innovative dance theatre interwoven with a powerful soundscape and multi-media. The cast of forty two performers, ranging from the ages of 8 to 41 presented the many inspirational stories and experiences that young teenagers face with bullying. The performance was supported by the Department of Health, the Northern Territory Government, EPRINT and SLIDE.

Chrissie Battalis Year 9 Coordinator