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Term 3 2022 Newsletter LEARNERS TODAY ~ LEADERS TOMORROW

From the Principal's Desk

Dear Parents, Carers, Students and School Supporters

It has been fantastic to see our students enjoying the many activities that staff have provided for them over this term, a situation vastly improved since first Semester.

Just in the past few weeks we have seen guest speakers visit, school camps conducted, excursions to universities, inter-school debating competitions, athletics carnivals, a Year 11 Dinner Dance, after-school clubs, the annual Chess tournament, and farewell events for the Year 12 students including the traditional “Dress-Up Day” and the spectacular Colour-Run being held today on the school oval.

I sincerely thank my staff for their energy and commitment in providing these opportunities for all our students, and I acknowledge the way that students have so constructively supported these events and each other with enthusiasm and a sense of fun.

As always, these events continue to reinforce how strongly the Lynwood Senior High School community embraces our school values, particularly inclusivity, respect, creativity and achieving our personal best.

Our Building Program has reached the exciting stage of having something that is visible from the street. The raising of the concrete tilt panels on the Performing Arts building facing Metcalfe Road is a fabulous milestone, and the gym at the back of the school has a metal roof structure and some brickwork has commenced. Moving into warmer weather provides a perfect opportunity for the building program to continue at a steady pace, hopefully meeting the timelines for completion during next year.

To remind you, the upgrade will consist of a performing and visual arts centre, a new gymnasium, and some classrooms. As a result of this project, there will also be some refurbishing or re-purposing of some other rooms. It is not envisaged that there will be much, if any disruption to students during the rest of the building phase.

The Year 12 students have almost finished – just some events at the beginning of Term 4, and again we say farewell to a group of young men and women who have become such a special part of our school. I know that you will join with me in wishing each and every one of our Year 12 students, success, and happiness as they prepare for WACE Exams, and start the transition into further study or training or the world of work.

I wish all students and their families a happy and relaxing school break, and I look forward to working with our community in Term 4.

Geraldine Hardy, Principal

Some of our wonderful Year 11s embracing the team spirit at the recent Athletics Carnival

Debating

Rounds One and Two of the Interschool Debating Competition for 2022 were held at Rossmoyne SHS and Leeming SHS respectively this term. Four Lynwood SHS teams competed in both rounds – Year 7, 8, 9 and 10.

Huge congratulations go to the Year 7 team who won their debate against Leeming SHS in Round One with the topic ‘Children need to be provided with free food at school’, arguing the affirmative side. Well done to the Year 7s and their coach, Mrs. Frijas! This is an amazing achievement for their first ever debate.

Congratulations also go to the Year 9 team who also won their debate against Leeming SHS in Round Two with the topic ‘K-Pop music is the best pop music’, arguing the negative side. Well done to the Year 9s and their coach, Mr. Leon!

The Year 8s debated well but have not been successful with a win yet, and after a BYE in Round One, the Year 10s lost by only 1 point in Round Two. We wish them better luck in Rounds Three and Four next term! Great effort by all Lynwood SHS teams!

We would like to wish all Year 12 students all the best for the future as they prepare to leave school and embark on the next chapter of their lives. Good luck to those who will be sitting exams over the next few weeks! We wish them every success.

Enjoy the school holidays!

The English Team

And they are off and planting!!

The rain came and all our planned planting days had to be postponed. However, since then there has been great weather for baby plants. Our LEAF students had two planting days and over the course of the planting days the Year 11s planted 560 plants and the Year 12s planted 600. Magnificent work LEAF students!

This year’s Year 9 volunteers were comprised of Ms Volaric’s English Environmental and Life Science (EaLS) class, Mr Capes’ HASS class, and Mr Willis’ HASS EaLS. We were also lucky enough to have Year 7 and Mr Capes’ Business Management Enterprise Year 11s. A wonderful team effort and together these classes planted 1040 plants.

Lynwood SHS has been assisting with the revegetation of Bannister Creek for over ten years. Many years ago, the creek was completely cleared of all vegetation and the creek was turned into a drain. A lack of vegetation along water courses enables excess nutrients from home gardens to run into the Canning and Swan Rivers, which in turn, causes algae blooms.

This year our students planted many rushes and sedges which filter nutrients, slow run off, and provide habitat opportunities. Monitoring of Bannister Creek has shown that animals are increasing in diversity and numbers every year. Water quality is improving, however, there are still some major pollution events from the Canning Vale industrial area.

Kathy Anketell, Sustainability Program Coordinator

IEC News

Throughout term 4, the Intensive English Centre students have been experiencing the expertise of some outside presenters from the Settle In Program. Anne and Mahdi have been coming in on Mondays and helping the students with some life skills.

A highlight of the term was the excursion to the Old Fremantle Prison followed by a lovely walk down to the Maritime Museum. The students really enjoyed the nostalgic feel of the prison and came to understand the deprivation endured by the inmates. They thrilled at the museum and really enjoyed the various displays. Following this adventure, the students also spent half a day with the students at Corpus Christi College, socialising and conveying their life stories. They also enjoyed a game of soccer on the oval.

In Week 10, St. John Ambulance Australia came to school with their colleagues (ten mannequins) and the students learnt about DRSABCD and Basic First Aid. Many thanks to our presenters throughout the term.

Lower School Deputy's Report

Blink of an eye! If there was a short phrase to describe this term, I think it would be captured by those opening words. ‘Eventful,’ ‘fast,’ or ‘a blur’ would be other words to describe the term that has just been. We were only coming back from the July school holidays and already we are staring the September break right in the face!

In the lead up to the next cohort of Year 7 students coming in 2022, we had another successful Year 6 Parent Information Evening. Mrs Narducci, Mr Pottinger, and I, have been out to the local primary schools to meet and discuss the incoming Year 7 students. A big thankyou to Brookman, Bannister Creek, and Parkwood Primary schools for opening their doors to us once again.

The Intensive English Centre students have been to visit the old Fremantle Prison and the Maritime Museum and thoroughly enjoyed their time visiting these iconic establishments.

I wish everyone a safe, relaxing, and productive two weeks away, and look forward to seeing everyone back for the final term of 2022. It will go super-duper fast. I for one am really looking forward to these holidays and taking a break with my family. I will be spending some time in Busselton once again enjoying the beach and the delights of family, close friends, and people that I have not seen for a while. I would again encourage all parents, if they are able to do so, to get out of the city and experience the countryside, especially if you are able to get up north a little and see the wildflowers which are absolutely, stunningly beautiful. Do something different and enjoy the opportunity to bond with your family in the time ahead. Enjoy!

Andrew Symington, Lower School Deputy Principal

As this busy term ends, we have a lot to celebrate in the Girls’ Soccer program.

Senior Girls Futsal

We began the term with the Senior Girl’s Futsal Tournament. We spent a full day at the Pro Futsal Centre in Bibra Lake where the Year 10 and 11 girls played against various schools from across the Southern Region in the School Sport WA Inaugural Tournament. Our girls were outstanding and won the tournament beating Safety Bay Senior Girls in the final. Finishing first ensured entry into the State Finals where the top four schools in the State competed for the title. The girls had to step up and coach themselves as Mrs. Gourley was in isolation! They certainly did an excellent job, getting through to the final, but unfortunately, they lost 4-2. What a superb effort by all the girls involved, they can be proud of this achievement, especially Anne and Natalie, our Year 12s. It was special for them to graduate on a high.

Senior Girls Outdoor

In Term 2 the Senior Girls (Years 10 to 12) played in the group stages of the Champions Schools Cup. They had a good run and qualified for the quarter finals. The quarter finals were a tough gig, and we were pitted against Woodvale SHS. The game was interesting and went right to the wire. The team were two goals down at half-time and winning was going be a big ask, but the girls dug in and came back to get two goals to even the score. The game was nerve wrecking, but the players all kept their heads while taking penalties and scored every one. Our goalkeeper was amazing and saved one of Woodvale’s penalties. We won penalties, and this got us a spot in the semi-finals. In the semi-finals we met a strong John Curtin team. Our Year 10 girls were not as strong as their Year 11 and 12 girls and their team had three young Matildas playing against us. We got a lesson in elite football, and we lost the game but to finish top 4 in the State is certainly a great achievement.

Junior Girls A, B and C

The Junior girls’ teams had a great season. Our 7s have settled into the program well and are a very responsive group. They make up the C team, with the year 8 and 9s making up the A and B teams. The group stages were positive with year 7 and the A team winning all their games and topping their respective leagues. The B team unfortunately got knocked out as they met John Curtin in the quarter finals. The 7s won the Southern Regional Champions title gaining them a place in the semifinals of the WA Schools Shield. The A team won all their games and topped the Specialist Schools group earning a berth in the quarter finals of the Champions Schools Cup.

The C team met the Safety Bay B team and beat them convincingly and gained a place in the finals against Balga SHS. They played well against a Year 9 cohort, with our girls being the victors and winning 1-0. What an achievement for the Year 7s in their first year in the competition - making history by winning both the league and shield titles! This holds well for the future of the Lynwood Soccer Academy.

Junior A Girls

The team had a great run in the Cup, providing some heart stopping moments in the semi-finals against Lake Joondalup Baptist College. This was a tight game and was never going to be easy.

After struggling to score early on, we fought on and scored twice to come back at them, only to concede with three minutes to go. Scores were even at 2-2. Penalties were looking ominous but a quick ball across the box from Mali on the wing and a cheeky flick from Charlotte saw the ball trickle into the net! 3-2 was the score and with a few minutes left we held on for the victory, again making Lynwood history. We were bound for the WA Champions School Cup Finals! We knew then it would be John Curtin as our opponents, but we were confident we would be competitive in the game. We did bring it to them on the day, the difference being they finished their chances on goal and we were not clinical enough in front. We had our chances but could not convert. It was an exciting final and even game. We came away 2nd in the State - another great achievement for our girls.

We would like to wish Kaitlyn Mohan the absolute best of luck in the National Youth Championships in Coffs Harbour these holidays. Kaitlyn will be one of the goal keepers representing Western Australia in the under 14 State girls in the tournament. Best of luck to her.

Overall, we have had a great season having four out of four teams reach WA Champions School Finals stages. We would like to acknowledge the effort of all the girls in the Academy and the support they receive from parents and teachers. We look forward to term 4. We have Futsal tournaments, the World Cup, and the Year 9 Cape-to-Cape camp - exciting times ahead for our girl’s academy. Have a happy and safe holiday. Thank you for all the support.

Mrs Gourley, Soccer Academy Coach

Technologies Learning Area

Digital Technologies students are learning about current and predicted skills shortages and job opportunities in Information Technology and particularly Cyber Security. With rapid advances in technologies in all industries students are learning about computer networks, control systems, user interface design, coding, automation and mixed reality (AR and VR) to help prepare them for the future of work.

Year 7 -10 STEM classes are being renamed to Principles of Engineering (STEM) to create a pathway to senior Engineering studies. In those classes students learn electronics, Computer Aided Design (CAD), 3D printing, Laser Engraving and engineering principles and careers.

Our Year 12s have worked hard this term completing their coursework in Applied Information Technology, Building and Construction, Hospitality, Woodwork, Food Science Technology, Caring for Children and Family and Technical Graphics. We wish those fine young adults all the very best as they complete ATAR exams, prepare for their next stage of study or enter the workforce.

Home Economics are in the garden. Staff are working with LEAF Permaculture staff and students to create kitchen garden beds for Home Ec students to grow and use food plants in their cooking classes.

Our Year 12 Technical Graphics students have completed their work on Restaurant/Art Gallery 3D printing projects with excellent results. Year 11 students have been learning CAD skills in designing clocks and Year 10 students have designed and built Infinity Mirrors.

Robotics

Students in Years 8-11 FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Team – The Lynwood Tech Tips competed in the WA Robotics Playoffs in August and won the Safety Award, bringing home a trophy. Students learned great resilience dealing with technical issues all weekend under time and performance pressure competing against 21 other school teams from WA. Now our students from year 7-11 in two FIRST Lego League Challenge teams are working hard each week after school preparing for their regional competition at Armadale SHS in November. The teams are working on Innovation projects about renewable energy and designing building and coding Lego robots to compete against 20 other school teams. If either team do well at regional competition they will progress to the Perth FLL District Finals at Curtin University in December.

THE ARTS SHOWCASE 2022!!

It's that time again!

The Arts Showcase will be held at a NEW VENUE this year - Caroline Payne Theatre located at Corpus Christi College in Bateman (off Murdoch Drive).

Careers

The Careers focus for Term 3 has turned to the Year 9 students, who are undertaking a Career Taster Program as part of their Work Studies course. The program saw the students complete the Course in Early Career Discovery, before attempting some virtual work experience through dedicated software that enables them to explore activities in up to 24 workplaces. Students have been following engineering principles to construct bridges from Gummy Bears and toothpicks, working with hairdressing models to learn braiding, taking pulses, and applying bandages in a nursing exploration and learning how to lift fingerprints as part of a forensics course.

In addition to the study component, the students can attend a variety of ‘career taster’ activities, ranging from game design and nursing to bricklaying and homecare. Earlier in the term a group visited the Construction Futures Centre and were amazed to learn just how varied this industry is, and in Week 10, the entire Year 9 cohort attended Murdoch University for a series of workshops where they learned about the workplaces of veterinarians, tv and radio personalities, criminologists, and graphic designers.

We hope that the Year 9s are enjoying these taster experiences and getting a little more information about the world of work beyond school.

Of course, it is also a particularly momentous time for our Year 12 students as they prepare to leave Lynwood SHS. They have been busy putting finishing touches on their resumes, preparing TAFE and university applications, and firming up some decisions for where they hope to be next year. We wish our Year 12s all the best for the bright future ahead of them.

Janine Guidera, Career Practitioner

Lynwood SHS became an Act Belong Commit school in 2017. Act Belong Commit provides a framework to protect and improve the mental health and wellbeing of all students, staff, and the wider community.

Being mentally healthy is essential for overall wellbeing. It means being able to deal with life’s challenges, maintain relationships, contribute to the community, and take pleasure and satisfaction from life.

Life is full of difficulties, especially when you are young! Every day we experience minor hassles that can stress us, impact our mood, or cause us minor anxiety. These can include time pressure from school and home, juggling schoolwork, part-time jobs and outside school activities, trouble relaxing, social media issues or worrying about the environment.

At some point we will also face more challenging life events – a relationship break-up, serious sickness, unemployment, or the death of a loved one. People with higher levels of mental health are better equipped to cope with these life stressors, as well as life’s smaller hassles.

While many things in life are beyond our control, when it comes to our mental health, there are known and trusted things that we can do to help keep mentally healthy. Being proactive and prioritising our mental health and wellbeing is key. The most effective way to promote and support your mental health is found in the principles of Act Belong Commit.

Visit the Act Belong Commit website to find ways to put these three words into action.

Being active, having a sense of belonging and a purpose in life all contribute to good mental health.

Senior School Deputy's Report

As I write this article, the Year 12 students are approaching their final days at school. The last assessments are being submitted and the final VET competencies are being completed; school shirts are being signed and there is talk of what happens next. Finishing Year 12 always brings mixed emotions – the excitement that school is finally over but with that comes the uncertainty around the future. For the past term in Essential Skills, students have been preparing their portfolios, containing their resume, qualifications and certificates and it was pleasing to see the pride being displayed by individual students on what they had accomplished over their high school years: 12 school reports, award and participation certificates and workplace learning reports.

As our Year 12s prepare to leave, our Year 10s and 11s are approaching their final term and their transition to the next year. For most students, there is the expectation that they will be returning next year to continue or complete their secondary education. But for some there are pathways to TAFE, apprenticeships/traineeships or employment being considered. Year 10, 11 and 12 students do have the opportunity to leave school if the alternative leads to further training or employment. In Year 10s, students apply for an Exemption, while in Year 11 and 12 it is a Notice of Arrangement (NOA). Reach out to the school through your child’s Year Coordinator or Mr Bayliss if an alternative pathway is being explored.

Looking ahead to Term 4…we will receive the OLNA results on the 17 October; our Year 12 ATAR students return for their revision workshops prior to their exams; and we officially say farewell to the Year 12 cohort on Monday, 24 October at their Presentation evening. Another busy term!

Robyn Cleaver, Senior School Deputy Principal

Year 11 Coordinator's Report

Term Three was a busy one for the Year 11 students! With COVID-19 restrictions easing and the weather warming up, it allowed for more events and activities to take place. We started the term with the Interview 2 Impress program, which saw sixteen students workshop interviewing skills with mentors from the Hall & Wilcox law firm. They looked at how interviews are conducted and refined their verbal and non-verbal techniques to help for future opportunities.

A few weeks later we had the much-anticipated Dinner Dance. Being the only social event on the calendar for Year 11, it was a night not to be missed! The students were exceptional as always, with the dance floor and photobooth both proving to be popular throughout the evening.

The recent Athletics carnival highlighted the camaraderie and spirit of the cohort, with many students nominating to participate on the day. Taking part in events such as the 100m race, vortex throwing, and tunnel ball, the Year 11s worked together to gain points for their team and had fun while doing so. Congratulations to Brodie, Jazzmyn, and Fay who were named ‘champions’ over the day.

In addition to all this, we are now in the final stages of acquiring our Leavers’ Jackets for 2023! After what seems like forever, we are currently in the process of ordering, with the jackets to be delivered by the start of next year.

I wish all the students a relaxing holiday break.

Nicole Volaric, Year 11 Coordinator

Year 12 Coordinator's Report

This is a bittersweet newsletter article. I am so excited that the Year 12s are enjoying their last days at Lynwood SHS, but I am sad to see this chapter come to an end. This will be the last newsletter article for the class of 2022. What a privilege it has been to be a part of their journey through high school. This year has been a whirlwind of events and through all the chaos, I am constantly reminded that there are some truly inspirational, compassionate, empathetic, and beautiful young adults in the cohort. They make it all worthwhile and this newsletter is about celebrating them.

This term the students got to know the ins and outs of Year 12 Birthdays, received their Student Portfolios and for some, drafted their first reference and CV. They completed a variety of surveys and listened to many talks about achieving WACE. Through their hard work and dedication, some students have already met the achievement standards for their WACE and others are very close to crossing the line.

The turnout for their final Athletics Carnival was impressive and the dedication to costumes was even more so - from inflatable dinosaurs to a coordinated Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and everything in between. One group even bought their own Esky to get them through the day. The positive attitude and level of participation was impressive and no doubt there were some sunburnt students after the weather took a surprising turn for the day! Congratulations to all the students who participated including Emmanuel for being Runner Up Champion Senior School Boy, The Seven Dwarfs for being awarded the 'Spirit of Lynwood Team' and Kudzaishe Samuel Kwerengwe for taking out the prestigious 'Spirit of Lynwood Individual' Award.

I was lucky enough to see the hard work of the Health Studies class come together in the form of the Year 12 Health Expo. The variety of topics being addressed was impressive, ranging from sleep, to nutrition, stress, and wellbeing. Their commitment was evident in the presentation of their booths and the thought that went into their activities. This week saw students begin signing the wooden tabletop and it will not be long before the table is complete and ready to be donated to the school as their parting gift. Another example of the thoughtful and generous students we have in Year 12.

Week 10 is the final week at school for many of our Year 12s and to make it memorable we organised a Dress Up Day themed as 'What I wanted to be when I grew up'. Wow, I was blown away by how many students committed to the theme and went all out with their outfits. The primary school students formed a guard of honour on the oval and lined up along the fence to high-five them and cheer them on. The atmosphere was vibrant, and we managed to award the prizes before the rain set in.

Next up was the Colour Run on Friday 23 September. It was wonderful to see the Year 12s running around, taking their best shot at covering each other, and their teachers, in colour powder and enjoying their last hour of the term together. The final, messy, photo together will accompany the whole cohort photo we coordinated last week. The photo is amazing! The most entertaining part, was watching everyone try to get into a line based on height order. There was some extra tall hair on the day.

It has been a remarkably busy term but what a way to bring it all together!! All that is left will be the Year 12 Breakfast, their final assembly, and the Presentation Evening. Our final events as a group to celebrate their achievements and the well-rounded young adults they have become. I will do my best to not cry but I cannot make any promises. There will definitely be tears of happiness as I reminisce on the highs and the lows of their journey as a cohort, and I cannot wait to see their Year 7 photos transform into their Year 12 ones at the Presentation Evening.

Enjoy the time that remains, regret nothing, give it your all and bring on the final weeks of high school!

Ms. McClelland, Year 12 Coordinator

Important Dates Term 4 2022

  • Term 4 - 10 October to 16 December
  • Pupil Free Day Monday 10 October & Friday 16 December
  • Year 12 Breakfast & Final Assembly - Wednesday 19 October
  • Year 12 Presentation Evening - Monday 24 October
  • P&C Meetings - 6.30pm Tuesday 25 October & Tuesday 29 November
  • Year 6 Welcome BBQ - Tuesday 29 November 2022

Credits:

Mark Hardeman Adam Janali