BACKCHAT IN BRIEF Week 5, Term 2

Parent and Student ‘Sex, Consent and Staying Safe’ SeminarAsquith Boys High School has purchased a licence to enable all of our parents to view an online seminar by well renowned Dr Justin Coulson on ‘Sex, Consent and Staying Safe’. This will be held on Wednesday 26 May from 7.30pm, and includes his live presentation on this important topic for 45 minutes followed by 15 minutes for Q & A.The link to Dr Justin Coulson’s webpage is below where you can read more about him, see a short video regarding the upcoming seminar as well as a page with FAQ’s. https://happyfamiliesfamilyeducation.ac-page.com/consent-schools. The link for the live seminar is on the bottom of the attached flyer for you to register. If you are unavailable on the evening, or you wish to view the seminar again, it will be accessible for you to watch for 7 days after the live presentation.This is a topic and issue that we as an entire community are confronted with. While this topic is extensively covered across your son’s educational journey at Asquith Boys High School in Health, Personal Development Year 7-10, ‘Walk the Talk’ presentations for Year 10, Respect Relationships - Prefect presentations (Year 7 – 10), Year 11 Life Ready course, and the Year 7 and 8 non-scripture Well-being programs, the focus for participating in this seminar, in the privacy and convenience of your home, is to provide you as a parent with an open platform to share, discuss and answer any questions that your son may still have on this topic.

NAPLANCongratulations to all of our Year 7 and 9 students for their efforts in completing the NAPLAN examinations last week. This was the first time that ABHS has completed these examinations online, and despite having some minor technical issues all went to plan.Some students have been completing their NAPLAN examinations this week if they were absent in week 4.Thank you to Ms Howe for the coordination of this major examination period and supporting the staff and students from Years 7 and 9. All student results will be sent to you as soon as they are received at school.

Ban on Knives in SchoolsFollowing the recent serious incident at a metropolitan high school involving a knife carried for religious purposes, the Department is currently working with community representatives and government agencies to discuss how best to support students to meet the needs of their faith while adhering to school safety policies. In accordance with the Summary Offences Act 1988 (NSW) it is not illegal to have a knife at school for the preparation of food (which is relevant to our Hospitality and Food Technology classes) or where possession is for genuine religious purposes.

However, until the Department can ensure that knives can be safely carried at schools, they are banned from being brought to school, and Asquith Boys High School will continue to maintain our current practices in lessons requiring the use of knives. Parents were emailed on Wednesday a letter the Department of Education requested to be communicated to all schools as well as Fact Sheets regarding information on knives at school.Winter UniformAll students should have acquired their winter uniforms by this stage of the term. As the mornings become colder it is important to remind students that they are allowed to wear extra layers under their school uniform to keep warm. However, there are restrictions on what they can wear:

• no student is to wear a hoodie underneath their school jacket or blazer,• students who wish to layer underneath their uniform or blazer are

required to purchase from LOWES at Westfield Hornsby either:- a maroon polycotton jumper (not wool) for senior students, or - a school pullovers (or jumper) for juniors that will fit neatly

under their jackets and keep them warm,• students may wear a white long/short sleeve undershirt that has no

marking or branding, in case they decide to remove their jackets or blazers throughout the day.

All students and parents are requested to assist with these requirements and comply with our school uniform policy, which includes all students wearing a tie and for Seniors to wear their blazer before jumpers.We are very lucky to be in such a wonderful community that is so supportive of the need to identify with our school and proud to have their son’s represent themselves in the best and most distinguished manner, at all times. Students wearing their school uniform not only represent the school in a positive light in and around the community, but distinguish themselves as being proud of the school that they attend.

Principal’s ReflectionsI hope that everyone who read the previous reflections was able to identify with the ‘take the washing off the line’ story and possibly encountered a similar situation with their sons. In reflection, and by implementing a different approach, I hope this has assisted you communicating with your son.Continuing on with my reflections on the importance of looking after your sons, not only to maintain good health but to also actively engage their minds on the tasks, in and out of the classroom, and to maximise their learning. I have a few more thoughts to share.As an adult we are aware that if we ‘sleep well, then we can think better!’ Our brain is in a constant battle between sleeping and staying awake, and often this is around the same time each day. When you sleep, your brain is not resting, in fact it is highly active, replaying what you experienced that day and helping you commit these things to memory.While we all require differing amounts of sleep it is common knowledge

that lack of sleep is detrimental to your performance, ability to concentrate throughout waking hours, and to your memory.Turning off all electronic devices, and better still removing them from your son’s room altogether in the evening is a proactive strategy for ensuring that they can maximise their rest and sleep habits. A regular as possible sleep pattern (eg.10pm-7am) and preparation for bed such as brushing teeth or reading, are proactive steps towards maximising their learning and enhancing their ability to concentrate in the classroom throughout the day.Sleep patterns and dietary intake, are two definitive areas that as a parent you can make a substantial difference to your sons learning and effectiveness in the classroom, on a daily basis.

Mr Bryce Grant Principal 21 May, 2021

ENROLMENTS FOR YEAR 7, 2022If you have a child who is starting high school next year and you would like them to attend Asquith Boys High School please contact Lauren Simms in the office either on 9477 3508 or lauren.simms@det.nsw.edu.au and request an expression of interest form for 2022. Children currently enrolled in a NSW government school would have received these forms from their primary school in Term 1 this year.

ABHS Calendar of Events - Term 2 2021 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SAT/SUN

ABHS P&C ASSOCIATIONThe Mother’s Day Breakfast held on Monday 10 May was very successful with all the mothers, grandmothers and boys enjoying themselves. Congratulations to the lucky door prize winners.Thank you to the following helpers:

Lucie Leslie and son MaxGreg CullenSean Kilkelly and son Patrick Pam & Margaret from Library

The next P&C meeting will be held on Tuesday 25 May at 7.30pm in the school library or via Zoom. If you wish to attend via zoom, please email Dawn on president.abhspbc@gmail.com for link details.At this meeting we will be discussing:• Options for our 60th Celebrations and the Community Day to be held in

September. • Allocated jobs/responsibilities for each year group in preparation for the

event. • Funds to be approved for future spending within budget guidelines. Looking forward to seeing some new faces at this month’s meeting.Dawn KilkellyPresident ABHS P&C Association

SYDNEY NSW June 2021 Concerned about Drugs or Alcohol use in your family?

Are you at a loss as to what to do? Feeling helpless and isolated?

Drug and alcohol use places immense emotional and practical strain on family members. With support, they can improve their own wellbeing, those of other family members, and improve outcomes for everyone.

Family Drug Support presents a 2 weekend course ‘STEPPING STONES’

Winner of National Drug and Alcohol Award for Excellence

“The course was a life saver! It provided skills for me to survive. It opened up new ways of seeing and dealing with myself and the drug user. It was a great relief and support to be with others.” – Joan*

“I can now support my son in a way that will lead to positive outcomes. I have skills to support and love him without needing to control. I have also taken back my life and value myself as a person.” – Peter

* *names changed for confidentiality

There are no rights or wrongs You don’t have to do it alone, nor do you have to remain helpless.

Learn new skills to help cope better and survive this journey intact. WHEN: June 19th & 20th, 26th & 27th (over 2 consecutive weekends)

TIME: 9:30am to 4:00pm (all four days)

COST: FDS members $40(course workbook) The course itself is free.

Non-members $70 ($30 annual membership subscription plus $40 workbook)

VENUE: Holiday Inn Parramatta, 18 - 40 Anderson Street, Parramatta

CALL: Amy 0457 260 079 or Head Office (02) 4782 9222

Limited spaces Bookings are essential.

FOR INFORMATION AND SUPPORT 24/7 CALL 1300 368 186 or

NATIONAL HEAD OFFICE (02) 4782 9222

A Seminar for Sydney High School Parents26 May 2021 | 7.30pm

ABHS has purchased access to the ‘Sex, Consent and Staying Safe’ live webinar for all ABHS families. This is a difficult topic to discuss, however it is one that we all need to be aware of and be proactive in our support of our sons/students.

How are we supposed to talk to our children – our teenagers – about consent, respect, staying safe, and all of the risks our teenagers face? Between us not knowing what to say, or when or how to say it, and our kids not willing to hear it, we’re in a tough spot. But we have to have the conversations. We must. So where do we start?Dr Justin Coulson, one of Australia’s leading parenting experts and father to six daughters, has put together Answers, designed specifically for parents of Sydney and New South Wales high school students. In this seminar, you’ll hear:

• What Sydney’s teenagers are getting up to in terms of sex, pornography, alcohol and drugs

• Why they think they know everything (and why it’s so hard to teach them anything)

• Simple ways to have the conversations your teenager needs to have in a way that invites them to want to listen

• The critical things every parent must do to reduce the risk that their child will be either a perpetrator or a victim of non-consensual sexual activity (assault)

To attend the webinar parents need to register using the link below:https://happyfamiliesfamilyeducation.ac-page.com/asquith-boys-high-school-consent

Note – this is a live webinar, but the link will be available for 7 days after the event in case of timetable clashes so you can catch up and watch it later.