SEFTON NEWS Term 2 2019 Sincerity , Scholarship, Service Welcome to the Sefton News for Term 2. PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE I have now had the honour of being at Sefton HS for just over 12 months and I must say it has taken all this time and more to absorb the culture, the values and the traditions of this fantastic school. People always ask me how is it going? Or they may say “What is it like working at Sefton HS?” My answers I suspect, always seem the same – extremely busy and extremely rewarding. It is always gratifying at the end of every week to reflect on what has occurred across Sefton HS and then to look forward into the next week’s calendar to see and experience the industrious activity of staff and students working in partnership to achieve our vision of Excellence in Education for All of our Students. Our number one priority remains quality learning. The classroom maintains primacy in all that we do. By the same token, it is often the things that occur beyond the classroom that students, staff and parents enjoy. It builds connection to the school and to the world around and I am grateful to a committed staff who go above and beyond the call of duty to provide students with holistic learning experiences in so many domains. In no particular order let me touch on a few issues. PARENT TEACHER EVENINGS Every school in NSW does these from K-12. These evenings are critical for student learning as they provide parents and staff the opportunity to collaborate to ensure that there is an effective partnership between the school and the home. These nights are not put on for the benefit of staff. It is done purely for the parents and the student. At Sefton HS, in an attempt to draw parents into the school we hold back Mid-Year student reports so that they can be distributed to parents on the night. We also confirm currency of contact details including email addresses. Staff have high expectations placed on them for this evening including being available for the duration of the evening and ensuring that they know their students and their learning progression intimately. We write to every family in the week or so leading up to Parent Teacher night to ensure that they know that it is on and that we want them to come to the school. It is the same night every year. It is extensively promoted in each class with your child, and advertised on our website and Facebook page. We have interpreters booked and paid for ready to support parents. To have so many parents therefore not attend is beyond my comprehension. Our parent teacher night for Years 7-10 will be held at the school on THIS ISSUE INCLUDES Principal's Message Granville School Spectacular Sporting Prowess – Table Tennis and Lawn Bowls Debaters Student Wellbeing History Happenings English Engagements Mathematics Faculty News The Inaugural Sefton High School Public Speaking Challenge results Year 11 Legal Studies Sports Report Term 2 Knockouts Visual Arts News Photography Club And In Other News Anzac Day Clubs Year 12 news Premier’s Reading Challenge Write for Fun comp Student Representative Council Driving safely in and around school zones
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SEFTON NEWS
Term 2 2019
Sincerity , Scholarship, Service
Welcome to the Sefton News for Term 2.
By Humayra Autoshi Year 10
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
I have now had the honour of being at Sefton HS for just over 12 months and
I must say it has taken all this time and more to absorb the culture, the values
and the traditions of this fantastic school. People always ask me how is it
going? Or they may say “What is it like working at Sefton HS?” My answers
I suspect, always seem the same – extremely busy and extremely rewarding.
It is always gratifying at the end of every week to reflect on what has occurred
across Sefton HS and then to look forward into the next week’s calendar to
see and experience the industrious activity of staff and students working in
partnership to achieve our vision of Excellence in Education for All of our
Students. Our number one priority remains quality learning. The classroom
maintains primacy in all that we do. By the same token, it is often the things
that occur beyond the classroom that students, staff and parents enjoy. It
builds connection to the school and to the world around and I am grateful to
a committed staff who go above and beyond the call of duty to provide
students with holistic learning experiences in so many domains.
In no particular order let me touch on a few issues.
PARENT TEACHER EVENINGS
Every school in NSW does these from K-12. These evenings are critical for
student learning as they provide parents and staff the opportunity to
collaborate to ensure that there is an effective partnership between the school
and the home. These nights are not put on for the benefit of staff. It is done
purely for the parents and the student. At Sefton HS, in an attempt to draw
parents into the school we hold back Mid-Year student reports so that they
can be distributed to parents on the night. We also confirm currency of contact
details including email addresses. Staff have high expectations placed on
them for this evening including being available for the duration of the evening
and ensuring that they know their students and their learning progression
intimately. We write to every family in the week or so leading up to Parent
Teacher night to ensure that they know that it is on and that we want them to
come to the school. It is the same night every year. It is extensively promoted
in each class with your child, and advertised on our website and Facebook
page. We have interpreters booked and paid for ready to support parents. To
have so many parents therefore not attend is beyond my comprehension.
Our parent teacher night for Years 7-10 will be held at the school on
Wednesday 3rd July from 3,30pm until 7.30pm. Please set this date into your
calendars.
TH I S I S S U E
I N CL U DE S
Principal's Message
Granville School
Spectacular
Sporting Prowess – Table
Tennis and Lawn Bowls
Debaters
Student Wellbeing
History Happenings
English Engagements
Mathematics Faculty News
The Inaugural Sefton High
School Public Speaking
Challenge results
Year 11 Legal Studies
Sports Report Term 2
Knockouts
Visual Arts News
Photography Club
And In Other News
Anzac Day
Clubs
Year 12 news
Premier’s Reading
Challenge
Write for Fun comp
Student Representative
Council
Driving safely in and
around school zones
It shocked me at our recent Year 11 and 12 Parent Teacher evening just how many parents did not
engage in this process. I know many of our parents place high value on education and of the work of
staff. But parents, we want and need you at school for these evenings. A parent teacher evening
simply does not work if one of the two central players is not in attendance.
Our parent teacher night for Years 7-10 will be held at the school on Wednesday 3rd July from 3.30pm
until 7.30pm. Please set this date into your calendars.
TWICE A TERM STUDENT PROFILE REVIEWS
Our wonderful Deputy Principals, Mr Blaker and Mr Dimopoulos, and I get together twice a term in
Weeks 5 and 10 to review the learning and behaviour profiles of students. This systematic process
identifies areas of concern, and students are then assigned a response level letter. Level 1 simply
involves a letter of concern goming home. At Level 2 the relevant Deputy Principal intervenes and
interviews the student. This interview is very much a mentoring meeting designed to identify issues
and get students on track. At Level 3 the letter requests parents to come to the school to discuss what
strategies we may work on, in partnership with parents, to achieve the best possible outcomes for the
student. It is disappointing to see, with students at risk of not meeting course completion requirements
particularly in Years 10, 11 and 12, that often we are not hearing from some parents. I very much
thank the parents that do respond to this communication and ask that when these letters come home
that you touch base with either Deputy Principal so as to partner them in your child’s development as
an effective learner.
ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS YEARS 10, 11 AND 12
This segways into this next important matter. In Year 10, the first real systemic expectation for
minimum levels of performance and achievement are placed on students in the form of the RoSA –
Record of School Achievement. Mr Blaker, Mr Dimopoulos and I are working with staff and students
alike to ensure that we are raising our already high expectations in terms of what we consider to be
satisfactory participation in learning. Using the language of the NSW Education Standards Authority
this involves students demonstrating sustained and diligent effort towards the set learning
experiences of each course and that they are achieving some or all of the course outcomes. We are
making it abundantly clear that academic credentialing for the RoSA and the HSC must be earned. It
is not sufficient to simply orbit the sun for one year to progress. Progression from Year 10 into 11
must be earned. Similarly eligibility for an HSC will be stringently monitored and unless a student
has a satisfactory level of attendance, engagement and achievement then they will be at serious risk
of Non Completion. Please call either myself, Mr Blaker or Mr Dimopoulos if you receive a Non
Completion Course Warning Letter home so that we may ensure you understand what the issue is and
how to move forward.
A MESSAGE TO YEAR 12 STUDENTS AND PARENTS
As we move ever closer to your ultimate test – the HSC exams - what you are doing daily is laying
the groundwork and foundations for success. I have worked extensively with HSC cohorts for a very
long time and the elements of success remain constant. Here are my top ten tips.
1. Your teachers are your new best friend. Partner them. Use them. Listen to them. Question them.
2. Know thy syllabus. Pin it to the bedroom wall. It is the only thing you can be examined on.
3. Have a weekly to do list that incorporates all that you do inside and outside school in a week.
4. Take care of yourself physically. Sleep, exercise, diet and routine matter.
5. Turn OFF and remove from the room all devices when you study. Stop kidding yourself on this.
6. If you need help, ask. Do not ignore the problem.
7. Attend EVERY lesson. Be present both physically and mentally.
8. Holidays are now study vacations that must incorporate a balance of study and downtime.
9. Success is not a number. It is goal driven personal best, characterised by continuous
improvement.
10. As would an elite athlete, practice specificity. Study by doing what the subject requires you to do.
PARENT AND COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES ON TEACHER SELECTION
PANELS
From time to time we are required to form panels to select teaching staff based on Department of
Education merit selection procedures. In every instant we have to have a parent representative on the
panel and in most cases a second person, often a parent who acts as a representative of a language or
ethnic community due to the cultural diversity of the school. Presently we have six people we call on
for this purpose and we would love to have two or three more. The only requirement is a bit of time
and a fluency in reading and listening in the English language. Please consider being a part of this
vital school work. If you have questions please give me a call to discuss.
UPCOMING EVENTS – SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday 26 June – Beyond Year 10 Parent Information Evening (Year 10 Parents)
Wednesday 3 July – Parent Teacher Evening and Reports Available – (Years 7-10)
As always – to keep up to date – like us on Facebook.
Mr K Humphreys
Principal
GRANVILLE SCHOOL SPECTACULAR
As it has been a number of years
since Sefton High School has
participated in the Granville
School Spectacular program, it
was suggested we combine
Stage Band, Vocal Group and
Dance Troupe to submit a
performance, with the hope of
performing at the Sydney Opera
House later this year. It is a
unique opportunity to showcase
our school’s talents in the
Performing Arts, and our
students jumped at the
opportunity.
The theme this year is
“Seasons” and our school chose
to perform the song “Seasons of
Love” from the musical Rent. Our Stage Band and Vocal group have worked hard under the tutelage
of Ms Frugtniet, while our dancers were given the task of putting together original choreography,
which told a story of the song and related to the theme. Ms Kacopieros & Ms Zadro oversaw morning
rehearsals to put the performance together.
On Wednesday 29 May, the program’s
audition panel arrived at our school to view
our piece. The students performed it twice,
with some feedback given in between the
two performances. The feedback received
was positive, with some constructive
critiques given to polish up the
performance. On Friday 31 May, our
school received an email that we had been
successful and were to be included in the
concert on Thursday 29 August. We
congratulate both students and staff for this
fantastic and rare opportunity to perform in
one of the most prestigious venues in the
world, and we know that they will proudly
represent Sefton High School.
SPORTING PROWESS
TABLE TENNIS SENSATION
Celine Chen (Year 7) was in Singapore at the end of March representing Australia in U13 for the
Junior Hopes Invitational Table Tennis Tournament. She was quarter finalist in the U13 Single event
and won the 2018 Oceania Hopes Challenge.
She represented Australia to compete in Oceania Hopes events hosted in Hamilton NZ at the end of
April.
2018 Australian National Junior competition, Celine won Gold and Silver medals in the U11 and U13
events. Celine is currently U13 Rank 2, U15 Rank 4, U18 Rank 12 in Australia. An extraordinary
effort for a great sportsperson.
KNOCK OUT LAWN BOWLS
The Sefton High School Knock Out Lawn Bowls team have been hard at work for the past two weeks,
hitting the green for the past two Fridays and facing off in some epic matches.
The team, consisting of
Jason He, Victor Huynh,
Christopher Predic and ably
led by team captain Thomas
Lam, impressed in the first
round of the competition –
winning two of their pool
matches. This first round
was a great display of
immense concentration, calculations of bowl bias and
aggressively attacking the jack. With consistent rotation
and strategic plays, all four members of the team chipped
in to ensure a lock on a second-round seeding.
The following week, after intense strategising, training and
preparation, Team Sefton went up against Camden High
School. They dug deep, pulled out all the stops, and
displayed all the skills of a seasoned lawn bowler … but
came up short in what was an extremely close contest given
the conditions and opposition.
Congratulations goes out to the team and we all look forward to the continued growth of the Sefton
High School lawn bowls culture.
The SHS Lawn Bowls Team
DEBATERS
History Debating
History Debating is back for 2019 at Sefton High School and the Year 10 and Year 11 teams continue
the long traditions of success that our school has in this competition. This year, Sefton High School
is part of two history debating competitions – the JA Thompson Competition and the Les Gordon
Competition. Both teams are being assisted by Ms Brown and Mr Elley through both competitions,
but the whole History Faculty often manages to find an excuse to help out and advise in their areas
of expertise.
Our school has a long and successful history with the JA Thompson Competition, successfully
winning the Year 11 tournament in 2017. This year, both Year 10 and Year 11 teams look to go far
while also learning a thing or two along the way.
The first round for the Year 11 team saw them argue the affirmative to the topic ‘That the attempts
of the US Government to solve the issues of the Great Depression did more harm than good’ against
St Benedict's Catholic College. In what was a very close contest, Sefton was unsuccessful in getting
the win. However, the team is still well and truly in the hunt for a place in the second round, with
their next pool debate against The King’s School coming up, arguing the negative to the topic ‘That
the Spartans should have retreated rather than fight the Battle of Thermopylae’.
The first round for the Year 10 team was also against St Benedict's Catholic College with the topic
‘That the use of atomic bombs against Japan to end WWII was justified’. Sefton High School’s team
proved up to the task and won the debate with very good feedback from the adjudicator. Their next
debate is against Good Samaritan Catholic College and they will argue the negative to the topic ‘That
the collapse of the League of Nations was inevitable’. Hopefully a win in their second pool debate
will see them move through to the second round with a strong position in the quarter finals.
The Year 10 team is also part of the Les Gordon History Debating Competition. This competition is
a knock-out competition – you lose and you’re out! Sefton High School had their first debate against
Menai High School to the topic ‘That Australia Day must change or die’, arguing the affirmative.
After a passionate and strong debate, Sefton came out the winners! The team has now progressed
through to the second round, with a debate against the Emanuel School, and will argue the negative
to the topic ‘That Kokoda was more significant than Gallipoli’.
Congratulations to both teams, and we’re all cheering on your continued success!
The History Debating Teams
STUDENT WELLBEING
From the Student Wellbeing Team
Semester 1 has been busy with a great range of activities addressing student well-being for all Year
groups. Students in Years 7 to 11 have been engaged in a broad range of activities organised by their
Year Advisors. Years 7 and 11 have attended well organised camps by their Year Advisors, Ms
Wood and Mr Lu, and Ms Kacopieros is currently in the midst of organising the Year 9 camp.
It is pleasing to see so many students being involved with fundraising during 2019, with year 9 having
run their ‘Beat the Blues’ day during term 1 , and Year 8 (Term 4) and Year 11 (Term 3) is the midst
of planning a range of fun activities to raise money for fantastic causes.
Students in Year 10 who have volunteered for the Student Assistant Squad have had an action packed
semester 1, assisting Mr Wolter and Head Teachers with a series of little jobs that make a massive
contribution to the smooth running of Sefton High School.
In other Student Wellbeing Team news, the School Prefects are currently working busily on their next
fundraiser, which is held annually in Term 2, Week 9. This event is known as SEMPH, which stands
for Social, Emotional, Mental and Physical Health. The event aims to raise awareness and provide
the platform for open discussion about topics that are still so hard for many to talk about. This year
all money raised by the Prefects will be donated to ‘Youth in Motion’, hence making SEMPH
fundraising an important day for the school year.
Students in Year 11 have almost completed the Life Ready program. This program is a compulsory
one, and is completed progressively through engaging lessons at school, Year 11 Camp and the B
Street Smart Excursion to be held in September. The program is designed to prepare and support
senior students as they encounter situations related to health and safety as they become more
independent and gain more responsibilities. Please note, the B Street Smart Excursion is at times
filmed and photographed by media outlets and there is some chance that we may be included in
footage taken on the day. If you have any concerns about this, please contact me directly.
Brainstorm Productions
Students in Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 are all involved in a series of Brainstorm productions during
semester 1 that promote the importance of mental health, in regards to bullying, anxiety, depression
and the pressures of secondary schooling. These are important productions to highlight to students
the importance of recognising and seeking help should they be going through any of these issues.
Each relevant Year Advisor will have a brief follow up session with each grade, to further consolidate
the importance of Mental Health to our students.
NSW Health Vaccination Program
The NSW Health Vaccination Program for students in Year 7 has been initiated with stage 1 being
completed in February. The 2nd Year 7 vaccination will occur in Term 3, completing the vaccination
program for this grade. Ms Kacopieros has just successfully organised the Year 10 Meningococcal
vaccines. A valuable and free service offered by the NSW Public Health System. If your child has
recently enrolled at Sefton High School and has not received a vaccination from their previous school,
please do not hesitate to contact me as there are systems in place to catch up any missed vaccinations.
Mr Beggs
Head Teacher Student Wellbeing
Year 7 Camp
Stepping into Year 7 can be a daunting experience for any student, which is why in Term 1 we gave
students the opportunity to get to engage with their peers on a whole new level. In Week 9 of Term
1, Year 7 packed their bags and took a one and a half hour journey towards Gosford for their first
overnight high school camp experience. While they were there, they had the chance to develop new
friendships, to foster positive Teacher/Student interactions, as well as establish rapport with their
groups and to develop and implement leadership skills through fun challenge based activities. Overall
it was a fun and exciting two days that allowed all students to step outside of their comfort zone.
Pictures of the activities were posted on our Facebook page while the Year 7s were still on camp.
They engaged in a range of fun activities which focused on developing teamwork, cooperation and
communication, some of which included:
Flying fox – Students were able to race each other in a 150m metre long track which bursts out
over the campsites dam before finishing in a net on the other side.
Archery – They could test their hand eye coordination and even attempted to build a ‘cake’ based
on the points they were able to score.
Giant Swing - Standing at 12m high, students were strapped into a full body harness and a helmet
and then lifted to the top by their groups. They then had to build up the courage to release
themselves from the top and fly through the air in an adrenalin pumping ride.
High rope - Challenges consisted of tight rope wires, ropes, bridges and hanging obstacles. This
helped students in developing cooperation, decision making, self-confidence, positive risk-
taking, trust, self-esteem, leadership and teamwork.
Bushwalking - year 7 were able to go for a leisurely stroll through the local bush, while
experiencing some initiative exercises aimed at building team work and cooperation.
Gala Day
In Term 1, Year 7 started training hard in their PE lessons for their very first Sefton High School gala
day. Throughout the lessons they had the chance to develop skills, knowledge and strategic
understanding of Softball and Cricket in a team based setting. They were taught the foundational
skills and slowly built up their ability so that they could play each game successfully in their chosen
sport and team. Unfortunately, as the big day finally arrived we were struck by some wild weather
that forced the cancellation of our highly anticipated gala day. Luckily, we were able to reschedule
the gala day for Week 10 … but would you believe it, only to be rained out again halfway through
the day! Hopefully we have better luck in Term 3 as Year 7 get to partake in their second gala day.
Brainstorm Production
In Week 8 of Term 1 Year 7 got to watch the live production, ‘The Hurting Game’. It was a short
play which focused on the issues of cyberbulling, dieting and the pressures that we students are often
faced with in high school which was quite an eye opening experience for Year 7. In the following
weeks they will get to engage in a follow up session as a Year group that will readdress the concepts
covered and ensure all students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to maintain their safety
and wellbeing.
Mid Year Exams
Very shortly Year 7 will be entering the school hall to sit their mid-year exams for the very first time.
Whilst we understand this can be a stressful and daunting time, please don’t forget to remind your
children to take the time to look after themselves so that they can give their absolute best as they
attempt each exam. Healthy eating, positive stress relief and taking time to do something fun, with an
adequate balance of study and school work is all very important. All the best to Year 7 as they enter
this exam period!
Year 9 Leadership Committee - Fundraising in 2019
‘Life is about taking chances, trying new
things, having fun, making mistakes and
learning from it.’
Early this year, Year 9 raised money for
Beyond Blue - a mental health
organisation aimed to address issues
associated with depression, suicide and
other related mental health disorders.
We believed that issues such as these
were not getting adequate recognition in
our society, and considered it our
responsibility to contribute to an
important cause. We strived towards
making a difference as young people,
while encountering this new experience
as students. Creating an enjoyable fundraiser for both ourselves, our peers and our teachers was the
perfect way to do so.
In three months, we orchestrated our
grade fundraiser, including a variety of
entertaining stalls such as the photo booth,
a gourmet food stall, a frozen yoghurt
station, Bing Su, a cold drinks bar, a DJ
Party area as well as a raffle. In doing this,
we developed several essential skills such
as multitasking, creativity,
communication, organisation and
cooperation as well as taking this as the
perfect opportunity to learn about each
other. Being first timers (including our
Year Adviser Ms Kacopieros) we made
some rookie mistakes, however, with the
help of our team we were able to
persevere and continue with our preparations. After a term of weekly meetings, intense planning,
organising and advertising, we were finally ready to bring our fundraiser to life.
The anticipation and nervousness were among all of us on the day of the fundraiser. We had so many
questions. What if it rains? Is the food enough? Would we be able to have everything done in time?
What if we don’t make a profit? Our minds were churning with all kind of worries and fears. Despite
this, when the bell rang for lunch, our entire team was ecstatic and ready to savour the day they had
been planning for the last few
months. As the first few teachers
and students approached us, we
could feel the excitement building
in the air, ready to burst out like a
cork from a bottle of champagne.
And to our surprise...THE DAY
WAS A SUCCESS. We raised a
whopping $1200, which we were
happy to donate to Beyond Blue.
On behalf of the fundraising
committee, I would like to take a
moment to thank some of our
school staff for allowing such a
fantastic day to occur.
Ms Kacopieros - The BRAINS behind this fundraiser. Without her brilliant organisational skills
and her constant supervision and coordination with our committee, we wouldn't be able to pull
this day off.
TAS Faculty, Ms Unwin and Mr Lu - for assisting us in preparations on the day as well as taking
their time out especially to supervise and support us.
All the students and teachers who purchased from our stalls, and therefore contributed towards a
larger cause.
This experience was both entertaining and informative, and we look forward to making our next
fundraiser bigger and even better.
By Zara Khan
Ms Kacopieros (Year 9 Year Advisor)
HISTORY
Year 7 Mummification Process
High School has been such a new experience for Year 7. It has also been so much fun, especially in
history, where learning is so engaging, fun and easy to understand. Recently, we were learning about
Mummies, and the mummification process, the Egyptians performed on the dead. I found myself
wanting to learn more, do more, engage more. In one of our lessons we got to re-enact the
mummification process by wrapping our classmates up in bandages (aka toilet paper), and made them
into living mummies!
We formed groups, brought in toilet paper, then had the joy of wrapping them up. After lots of laughs,
my group won the best-mummy contest! All in all, History lessons are times when you have fun,
grow your knowledge and you always leave the room having learned something new!
Want to make sure a body gets reunited with its spirit in the afterlife? See how the Ancient
Egyptians made their mummies!
1. First wash the dead body in wine and Nile water. Make a cut in the side and take out the organs.
To get to the brain, shove a hook up the nose and jiggle it about. Then pull out this useless