National Reconciliation Week 2019 - Eagle Vale · Vale High School students led the Reconciliation...

NEWSLETTER Tuesday, 11 June 2019

RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, SUCCESS

National Reconciliation Week 2019

National Reconciliation Week occurs on the 27th May – 3 June and is a chance for all Australians to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Straight Culture. The 2019 National Reconciliation Week theme was Grounded in Truth Walk Together with Courage.

On Tuesday 28th May, Eagle Vale High School held their Term 2 Assembly focusing on Reconciliation Week. Eagle Vale High School students led the Reconciliation Week celebrations, talking at the assembly providing an opportunity for students to learn and reflect on the vibrancy of the Aboriginal culture, the struggles faced and the role everyone plays in the journey ahead. At the heart of reconciliation is the relationship between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. To foster positive race relations, our relationship must be grounded in a foundation of truth. Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Greater Kindness Challenge

There was also information on the Great Kindness Challenge the EVHS House Coordinators have set for students. The Great Kindness Challenge was created to encourage individuals to perform good deeds or charitable acts of kindness. The Great Kindness Challenge is a proactive and positive bullying prevention initiative that improves school climate and increases student engagement. The challenge is to perform as many good deeds as a student can in one week. These can include deeds such as complimenting five people, patting yourself on the back, assisting a teacher, holding the door open for someone... and lots more. Stay tuned for when the Great Kindness Challenge begins at Eagle Vale High School.



Meet Mrs Maureen Zielinski Deputy Principal

I am very pleased to have joined the teaching and learning team at Eagle Vale High School, as it is a school which has much to offer students, academically, as well as through sporting, cultural and wellbeing experiences.

I have come to the school having taught in south western Sydney throughout my 30 year teaching career as an English and History teacher. I am excited to begin a new chapter of my teaching career at Eagle Vale High School.

Having attended and taught at public schools all my life, I am a strong advocate of a public education system which offers all students the opportunity to develop their academic abilities and tap into and pursue their personal interests and talents. A strong, well rounded education is the key to empowerment. It gives students greater opportunities for their future, as well as contributes to lifelong positive wellbeing.

My personal career goal is to contribute to the school’s provision of an education for all students in a supportive, caring and mutually respectful environment where the love of lifetime learning is fostered. Learning never stops, for students or staff, and every day at Eagle Vale High School is filled with many and varied learning opportunities, of which I would urge all students to take advantage, by setting themselves their own short and long term goals.

As we move through Term 2, I look forward to continuing working with students and staff to strive for and celebrate individual success and success as a whole school community in all areas, be it academic, sporting or the creative arts.

Mrs Maureen Zielinski Deputy Principal



Wellbeing Term 2

Roll Call

Eagle Vale High School is running a new Roll Call program. As well as completing their daily GEM activities in the student diaries, students will also be participating in lessons during roll call. The program runs for 10 weeks and each day has a different focus. The focus areas are Mindfulness and Mental Health, Resilience and Self Esteem, Global Citizenship, Kindness and Gratitude and Fun Friday Challenge.

These lessons expose students to a range of different topics and discussion areas to further increase their wellbeing and coping strategies.

Roll Call is a mandatory part of the school day and begins at 8:45 am.

The Resilience Project lessons have started at Eagle Vale High School. Students have been engaged in lessons surrounding gratitude, empathy and mindfulness during their wellbeing lessons. School diaries/journals are directly linked to The Resilience Project program.

Students need to ensure they are bringing their school diaries to school with them each day. The diaries have daily reflections which are designed to help each student explore the concepts of gratitude and empathy. Gratitude is the ability to pay attention to what you have, as opposed to worrying about the things you don’t have and empathy (kindness) is when you put yourself in someone else’s shoes.

The Links to Learning program is continuing to run at EVHS. During Semester One, the focus was on Year 7 & 8 boys,

supporting the students to re-engage with school and reach their potential. The program is aimed at students who

are facing barriers to participation in mainstream education and supports them to improve their engagement with

learning. Through personalised support and innovative activities, the program empowers students to achieve their

goals and improve their education and employment prospects. Links to Learning is delivered within schools each

Semester by MTC Australia Youth Advisors. Students attend group workshop sessions with fellow participants to re-

engage with group learning, learn life skills and build social confidence. Group sessions allow students to learn in a

supportive environment and discuss real-life issues covering a wide range of topics whilst also building knowledge

and strategies to overcome barriers that they identify. Students also participate in individual support sessions with

a dedicated Youth Advisor to discuss barriers they are facing, identify their goals and create a plan to achieve them.



Wellbeing Term 2

SHiFT Anti Bullying Program – In Term 2 and early Term 3, Eagle Vale High School is taking part in a pilot program called SHiFT designed to reduce student conflict.

The program aims to make the school the best place it can be for all students – where no student is made to feel excluded, embarrassed or bad about themselves.

This program is student-led – students identify conflict areas they would like to see improve in the school; students generate the solutions and then put these solutions into practice. This is called a pilot program as the NSW Government would first like to test the program in a few schools to see what areas need to be improved the program is more widely implemented across NSW schools.

The student committee (selected Year 8 & 9 students) will take part in 5 two-hour training sessions during Term 2 and early in Term 3. During these sessions, students will work together to identify what they would like to change about the way students in the school interact with each other. They will then work together with the program facilitators to find ways to change these interactions and encourage all students in the school to do the same.

SKWAD – The Mission Australia SKWAD program (Skills, Knowledge and Wellbeing for Adolescent Development) aims to empower high school students aged 12-17 years with information, skills and self-help strategies in order for them to better address the challenges and issues they may face in their transition into adulthood.

This term, Year 7 girls have the opportunity to participate in the program. The SKWAD workshop is facilitated by Mission Australia Adolescent and Family Case Managers who work out of Claymore Youth Centre, who are also able to offer one on one support. During these individual sessions we may provide assistance with goal setting, resume development, school work and providing access to allied health services and more.

The SKWAD workshops involve discussions and interactive activities and will run over eight weeks, covering the following topics:

Introduction to Emotions Emotion/Anger Management Coping Skills Rock & Water Healthy Relationships Bullying Social Acceptance & Diversity

School starting time

A reminder that school begins at 8:45am every morning and that all students are expected to be in roll call by this time. It is important that students are on time as the roll is marked, important notices for the day are read out and wellbeing activities take place. Students late to school without cause will be recorded as an unexplained partial absence.



Careers News

2019 has once again been a busy time for Careers Education at Eagle Vale High School.

The Smart Start Program facilitated by the Commonwealth Bank is a program designed to help our students think about their mathematics studies in a practical light and consider spending their hard earned money wisely. Years 9 and 10 students participated in this valuable program.

Students in Year 10 went to Taronga Zoo for Meet a Keeper Day on 28 March. This wonderful program is designed for students who wish to be zoo keepers or who are considering working with animals.

On 4 April many of our Year 11 and 12 Pacific Community and Aboriginal students participated in the PATHE program, a program facilitated by Western Sydney University which aims to encourage our students to consider tertiary education as a possibility in their future endeavours, with advise on how to achieve their goals.

Some of the programs for Term 2 2019 include:

Master Trade talks 16 May where interested students heard from the Master Builders, the Master Plumbers and the Master Painters and the opportunities that they have on offer.

Macarthur Careers Expo on 6 June, Menangle Park Paceway, where a vast array of University, Tafe College and Private providers including Trades and Traineeships were on hand to speak about the various things they offer. This day was targeted at our Year 10 cohort.

The Western Sydney Careers Expo on Thursday 27 June – Year 11 and 12 students are encourage to attend the largest Careers Expo in NSW.

Eagle Vale High School is running the In2Uni Program facilitated by the University of Wollongong. Events included Year 12 Roads to Success on 21 May and Year 10 Future Finder Day on 3 July.

Please encourage your child to attend school regularly and make the most of all the programs that are available to them.



Welcome to our Community Liaison Officer

I am delighted to be the new Community Liaison Officer for Eagle Vale High School. I have enjoyed meeting the students and staff of EVHS and look forward to meeting all the families of our community. I have previously held roles in Learning Support, Mathematics, and Community Projects and my passion has always been to help families feel valued and welcome within the school environment.

Having children in high school can be overwhelming. Apart from managing all the changes happening within your child, families can find it difficult to understand all the terms and jargon used by the school, understanding the homework or assignments, or connecting with the services needed to provide assistance. My role is to engage with families so that they can smoothly navigate through the high school experience.

I look forward to supporting and collaborating with our community so that all students are able to reach their potential. As a parent of teenage children I understand how important it is to create a strong connection between students, families and our school. I would love to be able to work with all our families to build a strong foundation for students to build a positive future.

Please call our Front Office and ask to see me. I always have a kettle ready and snacks on hand. Come in and have a cuppa and a yarn, let’s get to know each other and make education an inclusive partnership.

Mrs Danielle Reid Community Liaison Officer (CLO)

Term 2 Key Dates

Friday 14th June Creative Careers Expo Years 10-12

Thursday 20th June Start Smart Program (Incursion)

Tuesday 25th June Assembly of Excellence

Thursday 27th June Western Sydney Careers Expo

Tuesday 2nd July Parent – Teacher Afternoon 3:30 – 5:30 pm

Compulsory School AttendanceInformation for parents

Education for your child is important and regular attendance at school is essential for your child to achieve their educational best and increase their career and life options. NSW public schools work in partnership with parents to encourage and support regular attendance of children and young people. When your child attends school every day, learning becomes easier and your child will build and maintain friendships with other children.

What are my legal responsibilities?

Education in New South Wales is compulsory for all children between the ages of six years and below the minimum school leaving age. The Education Act 1990 requires that parents ensure their children of compulsory school age are enrolled at, and regularly attend school, or, are registered with the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards for homeschooling.

Once enrolled, children are required to attend school each day it is open for students.

The importance of arriving on time

Arriving at school and class on time

• ensures that students do not miss out on important learning activities scheduled early in the day • helps students learn the importance

of punctuality and routine • gives students time to greet their

friends before class • reduces classroom disruption.

Lateness is recorded as a partial absence and must be explained by parents.

What if my child has to be away from school?

On occasion, your child may need to be absent from school. Justified reasons for student absences may include

• being sick, or having an infectious disease • having an unavoidable medical

appointment • being required to attend a

recognised religious holiday • exceptional or urgent family

circumstance e.g. attending a funeral.

Following an absence from school you must ensure that within 7 days you provide your child’s school with a verbal or written explanation for the absence. However, if the school has not received an explanation from you within 2 days, the school may contact you to discuss the absence.

Principals may decline to accept an explanation that you have provided if they do not believe the absence is in the best interest of your child. In these circumstances your child’s absence would be recorded as unjustified. When this happens the principal will discuss their decision with you and the reasons why.

Principals may request medical certificates or other documentation when frequent or long term absences are explained as being due to illness. Principals may also seek parental permission to speak with medical specialists to obtain information to collaboratively develop a health care plan to support your child. If the request is denied, the principal can record the absences as unjustified.

Travel

Families are encouraged to travel during school holidays. If travel during school term is necessary, discuss this with your child’s school principal. An Application for Extended Leave may need to be completed. Absences relating to travel will be marked as leave on the roll and therefore contribute to your child’s total absences for the year.

In some circumstances students may be eligible to enrol in distance education for travel periods over 50 school days. This should be discussed with your child’s school principal.

NSW DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT WWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU

NSW DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

My child won’t go to school.What should I do?

You should contact the principal as soon as possible to discuss the issue and ask for help. Strategies to help improve attendance may include a referral to the school’s learning and support team or linking your child with appropriate support networks. The principal may seek further support from the Home School Liaison Program to develop an Attendance Improvement Plan.

What might happen if my child continues to have unacceptable absences?

It is important to understand that the Department of Education and may be required to take further action where children of compulsory school age have recurring numbers of unexplained or unjustified absences from school.

Some of the following actions may be undertaken:

• Compulsory Schooling Conferences

You may be asked, along with your child, to attend a Compulsory Schooling Conference. The conference will help to identify the supports your child may need to have in place so they attend school regularly. The school, parents and agencies will work together to develop an agreed plan (known as Undertakings) to support your child’s attendance at school.

• Application to the Children’s Court - Compulsory Schooling Order

If your child’s attendance at school remains unsatisfactory the Departmentmay apply to the Children’s Court for a Compulsory Schooling Order.

The Children’s Court magistrate may order a Compulsory Schooling Conference to be convened.

• Prosecution in the Local Court

School and Department staff remain committed to working in partnership with you to address the issues which are preventing your child’s full participation at school. In circumstances where a breach of compulsory schooling orders occurs further action may be taken against a parent in the Local Court. The result of court action can be the imposition of a community service order or a fine.

What age can my child leave school?

All New South Wales students must complete Year 10 or its equivalent. After Year 10, and up until they reach 17 years of age, there are a range of flexible options for students to complete their schooling.

Working in Partnership

The Department of Education recognises that working collaboratively with students and their families is the best way to support the regular attendance of students at school.

We look forward to working in partnership with you to support your child to fulfil their life opportunities.

NSW DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT WWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU

If a student misses as little as 8 days in a school term, by the end of primary school they’ll have missed over a year of school.

Further information regarding school attendance can be obtained from the following websites

Policy, information and brochures

http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/studentsupport/programs/attendance.php

The school leaving age

http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/leavingschool/index.php

For further advice contact

Educational services

T 131 536

Learning and Engagement

Student Engagement and Interagency Partnerships

T 9244 5356

www.dec.nsw.gov.au

Do you need an interpreter?

If you need help with English and would like further information please call the Telephone Interpreter Service on 131 450 and ask for an interpreter in your language. The operator will get an interpreter on the line to assist you with your conversation. You will not be charged for this service.

©May 2015NSW Department of Education



National Reconciliation Week 2019 - Eagle Vale · Vale High School students led the Reconciliation...

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