Dear Parents and Carers
Community of Achievers
We have had a very busy start to Term 2 with a wide range of events that our school community has been involved in. This week there will be two newsletters to catch up on our events.
Science News
A group of our Year 9 Science students were lucky enough to be invited to hear a speech by Dr. Karl, a renowned science communicator, author, and broadcaster. Dr. Karl is well known for his work in popularizing Science and promoting STEM Education. During his speech, Dr. Karl covered the five main areas in future careers in the sciences: genetics, engineering, physics, computer science, and environment. He discussed how these careers are becoming increasingly important and how they will affect lives and careers in the future. Dr. Karl’s speech was incredibly inspirational and provided our students with valuable information about the future careers and opportunities that lie ahead of them. We are incredibly proud of our students for taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity and look forward to seeing them excel in their future careers in Science.
STEAM Centre Update
We recently toured our STEAM Centre and were excited to see great progress. We are getting closer to the completion of our maker-space style environment which will allow students to work collaboratively, developing their creativity and critical problem-solving skills through project-based learning.
Parent Contributions & Technology
As we approach the completion date for our STEAM Centre, we would like to express our gratitude to all the families who have contributed towards their child's education. So far, we have raised an impressive $11,291, which has been utilized to purchase iPads and other technology resources. We encourage all families to contribute, as these funds directly benefit our students' learning experiences.
Humanities News
Year 9 Humanities this term has focused on learning about World War 1 and exploring the ‘Big Question’ – Is there ever just a war? Students participated in reading and discussing primary and secondary sources that focussed on Australian soldiers’ contribution to WWI, propaganda, Australian women in war, Indigenous perspectives of war and Turkish interpretations of war.
Art News
Congratulations to Ms Kim Boardman and her students who numerous entries in the Art Competition at the Seabreeze Festival at the Nightcliff Foreshore.
Congratulations to Tye Beer who has been chosen as Northern Territory Representative Captain of the Under 12 Team who will participate in School Sports Australia Cricket Championships in South Australia.
Stars News
Mecca Darwin recently visited our Stars girls as part of a deportment program. This was an opportunity for our girls to learn about skin care and basic makeup. This initiative aimed to enhance their knowledge of skincare and basic makeup techniques. Mecca is a proud partner of the Stars Mentor Program across the Northern Territory.
Anzac Day
Dripstone Middle School Community commemorated Anzac Day with an assembly acknowledging the service and sacrifice of all Australians who have served in war or on peacekeeping operations. The assembly, organized by our staff and DMS Ambassadors, featured music, poetry, and speeches by special guests from our Armed Forces. Additionally, our Defence Students baked Anzac biscuits for our community. A special thank you to Sergeant Wade Petersen for coming to speak at our assembly.
Enrichment Program in Media
This term as part of our Transition Program for Year 6s, Mr Tim Webb, our highly experienced Media Teacher, ran a Media Enrichment Program. This special program saw 25 Year 6 students from our feeder area primary schools participate in learning camera techniques. Students also had the unique opportunity of creating a video in our Green Screen Room.
Seabreeze Festival
Congratulations to our students who showcased their artistic and musical talent at the Seabreeze Festival recently. This community event allowed our students to demonstrate that Dripstone is a community of achievers.
Dripstone Leaders Mentoring Others
This term our Dripstone Ambassadors had the opportunity to mentor the Learning Commissioners from Nakara Primary School. Nakara Students spent the day at Dripstone Middle School where Dripstone Ambassadors worked with Nakara Commissioners on Student Voice and Transition Activities. We extend our gratitude to Mr Rose and the staff from Nakara Primary School who supported this event.
Debating Teams
Our Dripstone Middle School Debating Teams are up and running. Each Wednesday the teams will compete against other school teams in this after-hours competition. Thank you to Mr Darcy Fitzgerald and Ms Lauren Green who are assisting the students. We wish the teams the best of luck in their upcoming competitions and hope they defend their title from 2022.
Communication
Dripstone Middle School has joined Instagram as another means to better engage families and students in school community events. Our handle is @dripstonemiddle please feel free to follow us.
Car Park Safety
Please be mindful of other students and vehicles when dropping off or collecting students from school. Like most schools pick up and drop off times can be quite busy and require everyone to take care and be patient. The car park on the hospital side of the school is a staff car park only and we ask parents not use this area as a drop off or pick up zone. Students can be dropped off at the front of the school or at the far car park.
Cyber Safety
Children of today are growing up with the widespread use of media and digital technologies. Many of them need new skills and knowledge to know how to navigate the online world to keep safe. Now, with so many children owning a mobile phone or having access to one via their friends, the focus for parents is on how to build knowledge and skills about cyber safety. Online issues often include cyberbullying, sexting, cyberstalking, sharing personal information publicly, sharing passwords and accessing videos that incite or glorify harmful behaviour. All of this can impact on our young people’s mental health and wellbeing. We support parents to put rules in place to keep children safe such as limiting access to phones, knowing all passwords, monitoring social media sites, setting limits, turning off the internet at night and talking with their children about cybersafety. The www.esafety.gov.au/parents website has information and resources specifically for parents and carers as well as students and teachers.
Having a phone at school can have benefits for class learning. However, students who misuse their phone or do not follow the School Mobile Phone Policy, will lose this privilege of having their phone at school.
ATTENDING SCHOOL EVERY DAY
We have been working with the Attendance Team to ensure that all students are attending school every day, five days a week.
If your child is sick, they are to stay home. Please contact the school if your child will be LATE or ABSENT from school by calling the Home Liaison Officer Mr Laqui Papalii on 89837758 or 0437202001; Ms Karen Newman the Aboriginal Education Officer on 89837759, Compass, email or text message. Please feel free to leave messages on our answer machine.
Please contact the school with the reason for their absence. If your child /student is sick for 3 days or more consecutively, the Department requires a medical certificate to cover the period of absence.
Early Departure
Just a reminder that permission for early departure will not be obtained unless the school has authorisation from a parent/caregiver. Parents/caregivers should notify the school, either through a note, Compass notification, email, or telephone call to the school on 8983 7777. When students leave the school, they need to sign out at the Front Office before leaving the grounds.
Events in our Community
Credits:
Created with an image by Felipe Sanchez - "School Street Sign with Blue Background"