principaL's addres
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Welcome back to Term 2, which as always, is a busy term for all concerned. We had OLNA early in the term, our Year 12’s are finishing the Externally Set Task Exams (“EST’s”) this week, and we will be finishing Mindful in May activities this Friday.
Exams for Year 11 to 12 will begin on 29 May and Year 10 exams will follow on from 12 June. Special thanks to the HASS learning area and the Year 7 group for organising and participating in our ANZAC Day Assembly on the first day back this term.
As occurred in 2022, the Semester One Report will have a grade and attributes but no comment. Staff have increased the amount of contact with parents and feedback provided on assessments throughout the semester. Semester Two Reports will contain comments for Year 7 to 11. Year 12 students will receive a Statement of Results.
A big thank you to the P&C. The P&C staff are doing a wonderful job keeping the Canteen and Uniform Shop open. Also, thank you to the P&C for their ongoing support of the school. The P&C needs more members. If you have the time, only two meetings per term, our next meeting is on Wednesday 24 May at 7.00 pm in the Board Room. Please contact the P&C via email on lshspandc@gmail.com. Without a viable P&C, the school will lose all these extra resources, the Canteen, and the Uniform Shop.
D. Atthowe, Principal
Please find below a link for online resources to support you and your family on the safe use of the internet both at school and at home.
French Film Festival
On Friday 24 March 2023, French students in Years 10 and 11 went to see a French movie called "Sugars and Stars". This is a special event during the French Film Festival in Perth every year which gives our students the chance to practice what they learned in class. We shared the excursion with Corpus Christi College French students. This gave our students the opportunity to share thoughts, ideas and their experience on their journey as Upper School French students.
To finish up the French experience, all the students enjoyed a baguette and a macaron for lunch before going backs to school.
This year the film was a big hit. It was a true story of a young man with a passion to become the number one Chef pâtissier chocolatier in France and the teachers were very reaction during the movie, when they all applaused at the scene where the French team wins the "Patisserie competition". Great experience for students and teachers.
Madame F. Spears and M. Robert - French Teachers
MUSIC CAMP
Music Camp 2023 was held at the Serpentine Camping Centre over 3 days in Week 2 with 94 Music students from Years 7-12.
Students were excited and for most, it was their first music camp experience. After unpacking the coaches and the truck with all the luggage and musical equipment, students quickly got settled in. Serpentine and the surrounding areas began to hear the music, and they loved it!
Students rehearsed throughout the day and were rewarded with fantastic games in the afternoon and the legendary Games Night, all organised by our Chaplain, C. Hough.
More rehearsals followed the next day, concluding with games in the afternoon and a short walk up to see the surrounding landscape, flora, and fauna. We had a wonderful movie night, watching “Back to the Future”, which was kindly organised by Mr. G. Ryder.
It was great to see everyone get into the spirit of wearing a wig to the movie night and laying back on the beanbags, munching away on popcorn, watching the movie together. Music camp was lots of work but also heaps of fun.
The progress made over the three days was very pleasing and helps prepare our ensembles for all the upcoming performances in Term 3.
Huge thanks and congratulations to all our fabulous music students for being so positive and for embracing the Music Camp to push yourselves to play music with excellence in order to hear the harmony.
Many thanks to all our school staff - C. Geiles, R. Swaine, M. William, C. Hough., M. Pavlovic., E. Brooks, and A. Radics, as well as the support of our IMSS staff - I. Robbie, M.Cole, S. Lobbia, , T. Simpson, N. Kostourkov.
It was a combined team effort and we couldn’t have done it without you!
Looking forward to doing it all over again next year!
Thank you for a great 2023 Music Camp!
SENIOR RECITAL
We are looking forward to working with this wonderful group of enthusiastic students for the remainder of the year. We have just got started!
M. Damos and G. Ryder - Music Teachers
A CHAT WITH TIM MINCHIN
The Olivier Award-winning, Grammy and Tony Award-nominated Tim Minchin took the time to have an hour-long chat with our Year 11 & 12 Music students studying the Arts Industry.
Tim Minchin is one of the most successful performers/composers in Australia, involved in big projects internationally. Many might have heard of Matilda the Musical, which is currently on its 12th year running straight on Broadway, with Music and Lyrics by Tim Minchin.
As part of the Music curriculum, students have to interview and report on professionals in the music industry. Interviewing Tim was an outstanding opportunity to hear from an accomplished musician and students did such a great job that Tim was sad to have to leave the interview at the end of the hour!
We thank Tim for giving his time to share his invaluable knowledge with our Music students.
Term 1 saw some of our Senior School students dive into the world of work as they began their work placements in industries such as education, childcare, and electrical as a part of their certificate qualifications, gaining valuable insight and knowledge into the day-to-day operations of the industry. We would like to congratulate our students on their smooth start and wish them continued success as they complete their ongoing placements throughout the year.
We also had some Year 10 students embark on work experience opportunities with the Department of Defence, getting a taste of what life in the air force is like. One of our Year 10 students, Nathan C., had very positive feedback following his participation in the Air Force Careers Day. Some of the activities students participated in included physical training, a visit to the base fire station, lunch in the Airmens Mess, and exposure to the flight simulator and training aircraft. Nathan said: "I thoroughly enjoyed the experience as it gave me the opportunity to gain knowledge of what it's like working at a military base. I would recommend anyone to take up the opportunity to attend this work placement as it will provide an insight of whether you would like to pursue a job in the defence force" .
The recent school holiday break saw a couple of Senior Schools students attend work placements in the fields of electrical, fabrication, and heavy diesel, where they gained some practical experience to help them with their future pathway planning. The employers had very positive feedback about our students, and we congratulate them on their maturity and successful completion of work experience.
There are more exciting opportunities coming up this term for students. Organisation is underway for some of our Year 9 students to attend a Try a Trade course at TAFE in a few weeks' time, along with work experience placements in a variety of industries throughout the exam break and in the Term 2 school holidays.
C. English, Workplace Learning Coordinator
REGIONAL VIRTUAL CHESS TOURNAMENT
The Leeming Chess Club won their Regional Tournament on 30 March. They played teams from all over Australia and won convincingly.
It was a great effort by the students with several Year 7 newbies joining in the fun and learning lots of new strategies. Congratulations!
PREMIER'S READING CHALLENGE - Reading can take you anywhere!
Leeming SHS students are entering the Premier's Reading Challenge again this year!
There are heaps of prizes to be won and all you have to do is relax and read at least 12 books by Friday 8 September.
Come to the Library and check out some of the fantastic books you could read - or choose your own off the shelves in the Library or choose from books you have at home.
REFERENCE LISTS - Scribbr - AND PLAGIARISM
Through Digital Literacy, all Year 7s are learning the importance of providing a Reference List with all of their research.
Students have the advantage of using online bibliography generators (Search - Scribbr- APA) where they can add their book title/authors and websites and the site will then build their Reference List for them.
We are practising this process regularly in Digital Literacy so that it becomes second nature to the students.
PLAGIARISM
Copy and pasting isn't acceptable and students need to write assignments in their own words to show their understanding of the topic.
Note taking is also being focussed on by encouraging students to:
- Read the question.
- Find the answers.
- Jot down short notes.
- Close the original source.
- Add to their notes - relating back to the questions.
- Write out their assignment expanding their own notes.
MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!
May the 4th once again overtook the Library with lots of different Star Wars reading adventures borrowed.
Many students also worked together to generate an amazing Lego Yoda who sat proudly on the Circulation Desk.
C.Steel , Teacher Librarian
Under the threat of rain, we had a sombre ANZAC ceremony on our first day back to school, with out students involvement with music, poems, and family stories. We observed a minute of solemn reflection and silence for our fallen soldiers.
One of our students who is in the Air Cadets laid the wreath.
Year 12 Visual Arts students had the opportunity once again this year to attend a drawing workshop with artist Andy Quilty. Students learned practical drawing skills as well as building confidence in the value of taking artistic risks to produce tangible artworks.
Their drawings explored mark-making techniques and observational drawings - with some fantastic outcomes!
Through the month of May with have taken time to quieten down our busy minds and focus on the here and now.
Students have participated in walking, meditation,
and mindful colouring, among many other activities focused on helping students and staff slow down our minds.
In the spirit of collaboration, we worked together with Leeming Education Support Centre on a fantastic mural with local Noongar artist Justin Martin,
The results are spectacular!
Year 12 Murdoch Flexittrack High Program students attended a taster day at Murdoch University.
The students attended sessions about their fields of interest and a talk about demystifying university, a big quiz and a pizza lunch!
Our Year 11 Politics and Law students triumphed at the Mock Trials on 9 May. Working as the defence team in a criminal case, they won both the case and the trial against Rossmoyne SHS.
The Senior Recital was held in the PAC on Monday 15 May and it showcased our students' amazing talent.
Our Year 9 AEP students enjoyed an excursion to the Francis Burt Law Education Program at the Supreme Court in Perth.
Students took park in a scripted mock trial in the Law Museum (Perth's oldest building) and enjoyed enacting the parts of Judge, Accused, Witness, Jury, Prosecution, and Defence Lawyers. They also went to the District Court and listened to the testimony from a witness of a real case.
Students had the opportunity to attend the Aviation Motivation Program run by the RAAF.
During school hours, STA students attended presentations and had the opportunity to use air force high-tech 3D flight simulators.
After school, all students had the opportunity to experience flying manoeuvres conducted only by the most skilled of pilots and learned about careers in aviation.
Over three days in Week 3, Music students from Year 7-12 enjoyed a long-awaited Music Camp.
Music students embraced everything the Music Camp could offer, they bonded in their ensembles and made created progress for the upcoming performances.
Year 11 & 12 Biology students and STA students attended a talk by Amanda, a marine biologist specialised in sharks.
HEALTH EDUCATION
Curtin Nutrition Lecturer and chef, Dr Rebecca Russell, was invited to Leeming Senior High School to present on ‘Healthy Eating for Exams’.
The presentation to Year 11 students was held on Monday 8 June and four student nutritionists assisted Dr Russell with the presentation.
The interactive presentation focussed on:
- Positive body image
- Why each of the core food groups are important and relevant to exam performance, and who is ‘better’ at meeting the recommendations of each food group (teen girls vs teen boys, and teens vs parent)
- ‘Swaps and adds’ to help reduce some of the intake of discretionary foods (also known as ‘junk foods’) and increase core foods (with some great suggestions coming from the Year 11 students)
- Sugar in drinks and some ‘swaps and changes’ they could make to reduce some of the intake (also with some great suggestions coming from the Year 11 students)
- The importance of eating well in the lead up to exams (not just the day before!)
- Food and drink considerations on the day of the exam, including the time of day of the exam, snack suggestions if you're not feeling hungry (with suggestions coming from the Year 11s), avoiding the awkward rumbling stomach during the exam, and hydration and caffeine considerations.
The presentation finished with some information on studying nutrition and dietetics at Curtin, including entry requirements and where Curtin nutrition graduates are working. Information can be found on the Curtin Universty website in the link below:
Dr Russell and the student nutritionists are looking forward to returning to Leeming Senior High School on 12 June to present to the Year 12 students, which will extend on the topics covered in the Year 11 presentation, including body image, regular healthy eating, and energy drinks.
Health Centre
Hi parents,
Welcome back to term 2. I hope you had a relaxing holiday with your children and family. I wish you all a great productive term We are almost halfway through the term and the students are busy with preparations for tests/exams.
Unwell students
I strongly advise you to please keep your child home if they are unwell with flu like symptoms and do a RAT Test for COVID – 19.
COVID is still in the community.
Anyone with symptoms, even mild, should get tested!
Fever, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, runny nose, headache and loss of taste or smell.
Please stay at home rest, drink plenty of water treat the symptoms and do a RAT Test. If you need any RAT tests, please come to the school Administration and we will be happy to give you a box.
Backpacks
It has come to my attention that students (particularly Year 7’s) are carrying heavy backpacks to school. Year 7 students please get a locker to put your school books in.
Carrying a backpack can injure your/child’s back if care is not taken.
Here are some helpful tips for protecting young backs:
• Make sure that your child’s backpack does not weigh more than 10% of his/her bodyweight.
• Choose a backpack with broad shoulder straps that are well padded and adjustable so it sits comfortably on the shoulders. It should have waist and chest straps to keep the load in place and help evenly transfer the load to the hips and pelvis.
• Encourage your child to wear both straps at all times to distribute the weight.
• Choose a padded back-support that allows the pack to fit ‘snugly’ on the back.
• Adjust the straps so the backpack fits close against the child’s back.
• Choose a backpack which fits the child. The size should be in proportion to his/her body.
• Pack the heaviest items closest to the body and the lighter items further out.
• Make sure your child is carrying only what she/he really needs to carry.
• Take notice of how your child is carrying the backpack – if your child is leaning forward to carry the backpack, tighten the straps or lighten the load.
• When packed, ensure the backpack doesn’t sag or pull backwards.
• Clip on the waist straps to keep the load in place when walking or cycling.
• Do not carry the backpack for long amounts of time, take regular breaks.
Screen time - Limit your child’s use of TV and Computer Games
Children and adolescents should not spend more than two hours a day on screen-based activities. Excessive screen time often leads to poor health, poor fitness and overweight. Activities like surfing the net, social networking, watching TV and playing screen games can be educational and fun, but all involve sitting still for long periods of time. Set family rules around screen time and encourage your child to try a range of active pastimes. For more information check the website on the link below:
World No Tobacco Day, 31 May 2023
The Theme is Grow Food NOT Tobacco! Tobacco growing harms our health, the health of farmers and the planet’s health. The tobacco industry interferes with attempts to substitute tobacco growing, contributing to the global food crisis.
This campaign encourages governments to end tobacco growing subsidies and use the savings to support farmers to switch to more sustainable crops that improve food security and nutrition.
Smoking
What’s in a cigarette?
Cigarettes are made from the dried leaves of the tobacco plant after they have been treated with many different chemicals. Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, and many of these cause cancers. Some of the chemicals found in cigarette smoke include:
- Arsenic (also found in white ant poison);
- Hydrogen cyanide (the poison used in gas chambers in World War II);
- Benzene (also found in petrol), and
- Acetone (also found in paint stripper and nail polish remover).
Facts About Smoking
- Approximately 80% of Australian adults don’t smoke.
- Most Australian adults who do smoke say that they wish they had never started smoking and that they would like to stop.
- Around 80% of Australian smokers have tried to quit at some point.
- Almost 93% of young people aged 12 to 17 years do not smoke.
- People who start smoking in their teen years are more likely to become regular smokers, smoke more heavily, have difficulties quitting and are at greater risk of getting smoking related diseases.
Smoking is the largest cause of preventable death in Australia and about 245 Western Australians have body organs partially or completely removed because of problems caused by smoking each year. For more info on smoking, go to www.oxygen.org.au and www.quit.org.au
VAPING
Vaping is no safer than smoking because vapes are relatively new and haven’t been studied over a long period of time, it is impossible to say they are safer than cigarettes. The health risks associated with vaping remain uncertain, but they cannot be considered safe. Both vapes and cigarettes have health risks. The safest approach is to not use either.
Help your child to be a Non-Smoker/ Vaper
Set a good example by being a non-smoker. If you have found quitting difficult and are still a smoker, tell your child how you feel about it.
Reinforce the non-smoking messages. Make your house and car smoke-free zones. Don’t send your child to buy cigarettes or allow them to light cigarettes for yourself or others. If there are smokers in the house, keep cigarettes where children cannot access them. Discuss the issue of smoking with your child when you see others smoke.
Educate your children about the dangers of smoking. Explain the long-term risks but emphasise the immediate risks to their health and wellbeing (for example, bad breath, stained teeth and fingers, and less money in their pocket). Explaining the long-term risks may not have much of an impact, as young people can find it difficult to imagine 20 or 30 years into the future. For more information on smoking, go to www.quit.org.au and www.oxygen.org.au.
Ms D.Kitak, School Nurse
Today we hosted Australia's Biggest Morning Tea in the Staff Room to support the work of the Cancer Council. One of our staff members has shared her journey with Cancer, the support she has received from Cancer Council. She encouraged everyone to take the time to get tested and always be your strongest advocate when it comes to your health.
We appreciate her willingness to share and hopefully motivate us all to take action.
Thank you to our Home Economics students who have prepared a wonderful morning tea.
Credits:
Created with images by thodonal - "Network safety concept on different devices" • Keitma - "Beginner French language learner writing words in French for homework on a notebook" • bellakadife - "music notes, shallow dof, color effect added" • Angelov - "Construction worker with helmet and tool belt." • MarekPhotoDesign.com - "library word in metal type" • everythingpossible - "Medicine doctor hand working with modern computer interface" • dizain - "Community word cloud, heart concept"