Deputy Principal Matters by Nathan Lawler - St Ives High School
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Term 3 Week 7 27 August 2021
Deputy Principal Matters by Nathan Lawler
Stop Press
Today’s announcement from the Premier revealed a number of updates.
At this point, it is planned that students will return to face-to-face learning on the following dates:
- Year 12 students are planned to return in a full-time capacity on 25 October
and the start date of the HSC examinations has been moved to 9 November.
- Year 11 students are planned to return on 1 November.
- Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 students are planned to return on 8 November.
If cases in certain areas LGAs increase significantly, learning from home will resume for that LGA
until case numbers drop. There will be a communication to follow early next week. Please know
that we will accommodate all students as much as possible as we realise everyone’s situation
is unique.
Year 12 Assessments
Since last week’s update from Mrs Bodley, we have had a further 24 online assessments. All of our Year 12 teachers
designed tasks to suit an online learning environment. Some assessments were open-book meaning students could
access printed reference material, while other assessments were closed-book. When leading up to the assessments
we tried to think of the various ways that assessments could be compromised. The list was long. We designed proto-
cols to try and ensure the integrity and academic rigour of courses were upheld. The response from our Year 12 stu-
dents was amazing. They transformed bedrooms into their own online exam rooms. When delivering assessments,
we tried to be consistent, so students remained calm. Our misadventure process was adjusted for an online format
and arrangements were made for those students who were not able to sit their assessments at home. We set up a
‘hot-line’ that students could call if having technical issues or feeling particularly overwhelmed during an assessment.
Thankfully the phone hardly rang over the two weeks. All written responses, whether undertaken in an open or closed
book format, were scanned and uploaded. All of this was done while teachers supervised over Zoom. Students were
all provided with return envelopes for each course and as a final step they have posted their responses back to
school for marking. Now at the end of the two weeks I can report that students and staff came together to make this
happen. Students put trust in their Year 12 teachers and staff made the unthinkable possible. We are very proud.
Year 12 students are encouraged to enjoy a well-earned break over the weekend. On Monday we will resume online
classes. Next step …. the HSC exams.
Student Survey
Ms Paterson has been instrumental in providing ways for students to provide feedback to us during this online learn-
ing phase. Earlier today, the most recent student survey went out to students. Students have been surveyed twice
already this term. Once the data comes back, our welfare team respond by contacting students who are needing ad-
ditional support. Trends in the data are also responded to. This has led to wellbeing initiatives, a reduction in workload
for some courses and specific interventions from our team. Many thanks to the students for their honest feedback and
Ms Paterson for organising the surveys and data sorting that follows.
Wellbeing Activities
We know from our recent student surveys that online learning can lead to a different type of fatigue not necessarily
experienced before. In order to help students recharge for the remainder of the term, those in Years 7-11 were given
some time off regular classes for the first half of the week. The wellbeing website guided students through a num-
ber of activities that they could navigate. There was a range of different activities for students to try. Students were
encouraged to get active and try their hands at various thinking challenges – many tried the different science exper-
iments. Others took the time to begin learning a new language or musical piece, while many took the time to catch
up on outstanding classwork. See some of our competition winners later in the newsletter, more to follow next week.
At the time of writing this newsletter we have only 3 weeks left of term. We encourage all students to stay engaged,
keep learning and continue to build positive routines while in lockdown.
Respect ~ Perseverance ~ Growth
Year 11 Assessments
Following the success of the Year 12 online assessments, our Year 11 students will undertake a similar format in
week 10. Students this week were sent a communication outlining the nature and timing of each assessment. We
encourage all Year 11 students to start their revision and to contact relevant teachers if needing clarity about an as-
sessment task.
Parent Information Session
We are in the initial stages of planning an information session for parents. A communication will go out to year 7-10
parents next week. At the time of writing this newsletter (Thursday evening) we are waiting on announcements from
the Premier in regards to school operations next term. If wanting to contact a teacher and you’re not sure where to
start you can contact the relevant Deputy Principal for guidance. All staff email addresses are on the Parent Portal.
Years 10 and 12 - Nathan.lawler6@det.nsw.edu.au
Years 7 and 11 – Nathalie.bodley@det.nsw.edu.au
Years 8 and 9 – Claire.cartwright@det.nsw.edu.au
St Ives High P&C – Transport, Traffic and Road Safety Working Group
The Group has been working closely with Council and the most recent development is the construction of a new
fence along Yarrabung Road. The new fence is much safer and has been extended. It’s hoped that the fence will
funnel students towards the existing crossing on the southern side of Yarrabung (near Waterhouse Avenue) and a
new crossing on Yarrabung that will be installed near the Kelvin Street intersection.
Thankyou
Finally, a thank you to all of our parents, caregivers and in some cases grandparents that have helped support,
encourage and motivate our students so they have remained engaged with online learning throughout the term.
We know that without you, we wouldn’t have the high attendance rates that we currently do. Our approach to online
learning is rigorous, with students expected to engage in classes during normal school hours. So thank you for the
background work you’re doing each day to help make this happen. Your efforts are not unnoticed.
Best Wishes
Nathan Lawler
Deputy Principal
P&C President and Treasurer positions
will become available in November
The President and Treasurer will be stepping down from their positions at the P&C Annual
General Meeting on 4th November. They have supported the P&C and our school com-
munity in these positions for the past 3 years.
At the Annual General Meeting all positions became vacant, however the President and
Treasurer cannot be elected again as they have held their positions for 3 consecutive
years (this is a by-law requirement).
The President and Treasurer positions help guide the successful functioning of the P&C
and support the activities of the school.
If you are interested and want to know more about these positions and other P&C activi-
ties, please attend our next on-line general meeting on 9th September (meeting details
will be provided in the school newsletter). You can also contact the current President
Libby Cameron at president@stivespandc.com or Treasurer Jan Ewert at treasurer@
stivespandc.com
Thank you.
Term 3 Week 7 Page 2
SIHS MOVIE NIGHT INFORMATION
The four movies chosen are: Shrek, Harry Potter, Ratatouille and Jumanji.
SRC will be running one of these at different times. Please make sure you check the time of the movie. The zoom
links for each movie are:
TOPIC: SRC SHREK MOVIE TOPIC: SRC RATATOUILLE MOVIE
Time: Aug 27, 2021 04:30 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Time: Aug 27, 2021 06:30 PM Canberra, Melbourne,
Sydney Sydney
Join Zoom Meeting Join Zoom Meeting
https://nsweducation.zoom.us/j/61903444842?p- https://nsweducation.zoom.us/j/67115906127?p-
wd=eGsxbVJ4WTNqSVIzTnhQRWc4VXJDQT09 wd=UVlLb1NzUGpkTnFxK1VmcFljeDRMQT09
Meeting ID: 619 0344 4842 Meeting ID: 671 1590 6127
Passcode: 915725 Passcode: 916083
TOPIC: SRC HARRY POTTER MOVIE TOPIC: SRC JUMANJI MOVIE
Time: Aug 27, 2021 05:00 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Time: Aug 27, 2021 08:00 PM Canberra, Melbourne,
Sydney Sydney
Join Zoom Meeting Join Zoom Meeting
https://nsweducation.zoom.us/j/68506656106?p- https://nsweducation.zoom.us/j/67044640628?p-
wd=a3h6M0plMlhhekNOMlV5ZnhOMSs2dz09 wd=c0E4cEw1RWV6RlU2NWJXandoNDBKZz09
Meeting ID: 685 0665 6106 Meeting ID: 670 4464 0628
Passcode: 481036 Passcode: 298995
We look forward to you joining us at the movies!!
Your Student Representative Team.
Term 3 Week 7 Page 3
SOME OF OUR WELLBEING COMPETITION WINNERS
The Great St Ives Bake Off - thanks to our Guest Judge - Ms S Carbury
First Place: Eleanor R (yr 8) Second Place: Camelia C (Yr 7) Third Place: Cameron T (Yr 7)
Garden Makeover Challenge
First Place: Amelia B (Yr 10) Runner up: Sergio Q (Yr 7)
Food Art Competition
First Place: Julianne G (Yr 9) Runner up: Cadyn C (Yr 7)
MORE WINNERS TO BE REPORTED IN NEXT WEEKS NEWSLETTER
Prizes will be mailed to competition winners in the coming week.
Term 3 Week 7 Page 4
BOOK WEEK 2021 A slightly different kind of Book Week celebration than we had planned this year but thankful our students and staff were able to celebrate in some way from home. The theme for this year’s CBCA Book Week was Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds. Students and staff participated in a variety of competitions throughout the week and as part of their well-being days with bookmarks, book faces, book nooks and photos of reading with their furry friends. We were delighted to offer students who had finished the Premier’s Reading Challenge and our top borrowers the opportunity to participate in a live author zoom with 5 Australian Young Adult Authors: Will Kostakis, A.J. Betts, Wai Chim, Alison Evans and Claire Zorn. The students thoroughly enjoyed listening to the authors writing process and discussing coming of age in YA. Our students had presubmitted some great questions and it was great to see them actively participating in the zoom. Many of the students who joined said it was the highlight of their day on Monday. The recording of the author talk is available in the library google classroom (2zgzte4) for all students to watch. Transfiguration Thursday saw our students and staff become book characters for their zooms and we look forward to sharing more photos next week, highlights were Groot, Grug, Holly Golightly, The Cheshire Cat and James Bond. If you haven’t seen Ms McMullen’s video on the school facebook page or library instagram creating her Groot costume then be sure to check it out. Congratulations to all the staff and students for getting involved and we look forward to announcing the winners of the competitions next week (and an even bigger and better book week together in 2022)! Sam Rojas, Teacher Librarian Term 3 Week 7 Page 5
Term 3 Week 7 Page 6
STRING ENSEMBLE - IN THE ZOOM
Strings have been getting together on Wednesday mornings this term to play together in the virtual space. We are
honing our skills for recording some of our pieces in the near future. Not having to travel has meant we are starting
up a little later than when we are at school. This has been a fun time, with our playing in rooms together to nut out our
parts. If you are wanting to play with us, come along with your orchestral string instrument, all are welcome.
Genevieve Andresson
Music Department
SUPPORTING CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH DURING THE PANDEMIC
AND BEYOND
The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged all of us, including our kids. So, we want to help! Our
Facebook Live session from Wednesday 25 August 2021 brought together an expert panel to dis-
cuss this important topic, with lots of practical advice, and you can watch the replay here. Hosted
by Dr Anthea Rhodes (Paediatrician) with special guests Dr Ric Haslam (Director, Mental Health),
Dr Alice Morgan (Clinical Psychologist) and Prof Harriet Hiscock (Paediatrician).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1DizMUOeng
Emmy Druce
School Counsellor
Term 3 Week 7 Page 7
CREATIVE ARTS MASTERCLASSES – THE MUSIC EDITION
Over the past two weeks, Year 7 students participated in the very first Creative Arts Master-
classes and what a success!
Our special guest, Connor Malanos (professional musician and music educator), introduced
students to some cool string techniques and taught us some beatboxing basics.
There were many surprised and amazed expressions on all of our screens as Connor created
some amazing sound effects and impressed us with his own beatboxing skills.
Students (and teachers!) also gave it a go as Connor taught us
how to imitate different sounds from the drum kit. We learnt little
tricks like whispering “Sicka Ticka” quickly to create the sound of
cymbals.
Guessing mystery sounds was another firm favourite and students
even impressed Connor as they created their own sound effects
for a scene from the movie “Monsters Inc”. A huge thankyou to
Connor for his entertaining sessions with all of the year 7 classes.
Who knows, maybe we will have some rising stars come out of
lockdown with some newly discovered beatboxing skills!
Kristen Bergesen, Music Teacher
Term 3 Week 7 Page 8
CLOSE
31 AUG
BREAKOUT
BRAINTEASER
Friday 3rd September
7:00pm - 10:00pm
JOIN US FOR SOME PANDEMIC
PANDEMONIUM AS TOGETHER
WE TEASE OUR BRAINS IN AN
St Ives High School
Trivia Madness
ONLINE TRIVIA TOURNAMENT!
Register a TRIVIA TEAM of up to six
different households, fly solo or we can
matchmake you a team.
Proceeds will help build our new COLA.
Visit stivespandc.com for more info
OUR HOST
THERE WILL BE PRIZES FOR
THE WINNING TEAMS!!!
Term 3 Week 7 Page 10
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