Winmalee High School News

On Monday, Year 12 students resumed regular classes after a 2 week examination period. Year 12 started the day with a debrief in their period 1 class, followed by a BBQ breakfast. The Dance HSC Practical examinations occurred last week and Drama and Music are coming up soon. It is a challenging time for year 12 students and we want them to know that we are all here for them. 

We will be meeting with Year 12 this week to talk about plans for their Graduation Ceremony and we will soon share plans with families. 

The school is working on a gift for Year 12 and we will share details of  plans when things get started. If any members of the community do happen to have any contact for hiring companies for the use of a Elevated Work Platform (scissor lift) or contacts for companies that may be willing to donate exterior paint or undercoat paint, we would be appreciative of any support. Please contact Voula Facas at the school if you think you might be able to help. 

            

Year 7 students, Isobelle Winsor, Claudia Thomas, William O'Connell and Anya Thomson, along with their peers, participated in the Settling into High School program at the end of Term 2. They have worked collaboratively to share with us details of some of the program workshops. Thank you to these students for their leadership and for taking the time to write this engaging summary of the program.

Isobelle Winsor on the Conflict Resolution Workshop

The Conflict Resolution class was taught by Mr Kingston during the Settling Into High School program. The session taught us about conflict, how to go about it maturely without resorting to violence and how to manage and accept consequences for our actions. We also learned about the difference between ‘aggressive’, ‘passive aggressive’ and ‘passive’ ways to go about dealing with a confronting situation. The class helped me learn how to calm a heated argument down and how to let things go when they are unimportant or when others refuse to let it go.

Claudia Thomas on the Abseiling Workshop 

I found that the abseiling activity (taught and supervised by Mr MacCormick, Mr Booth, Ms Macqueen and Mr Schulz) was a very effective way to get kids to step out of their comfort zone, and be more comfortable with their peers and teachers. The teachers were very helpful and understanding, which made the activity a lot less nerve racking. A lot of kids were expressing how nervous or scared they felt before they had their turn (especially me), but after the hard part was finished, we all really enjoyed the activity. During the slightly scary bits, the other students and teachers were all cheering each other on and being overall really supportive. Walking away from the abseiling site, we all felt accomplished, fearless and like experts. I found abseiling an awesome experience that helped a lot of us to overcome our fears. 

William O’Connell on the Study Skills Workshop

In the settling into high school program Study Skills was a lesson I particularly enjoyed. This class was taught by Mr Garret and not only helped us learn how to study for year 7 but also prepare for later years. In the class we looked at different ways of breaking up study and making sure we don’t leave study for a test until the last minute, an assignment to finish in the last few days (something I have had personal experience with.) This class helped us learn some fundamentals of studying in a not too time consuming way; something I really enjoyed.

Anya Thomson with an overall summary of the program

The Settling into High School program is a way to allow students to learn valuable skills and step outside their comfort zone whilst spending time with their fellow classmates and peers. We participated in a variety of classes and activities that would teach us important skills and knowledge. Whilst this program was in term two, a time when most students are generally ‘settled’, it was important to come together to participate the program after the disruption we experienced during the lock-down period. Each session focused on a new topic that will help us - not only for this year - but will be something we can refer to in future years as well. Abseiling was popular with the students and a great activity to bring students together and help boost their confidence in a field that might seem intimidating at first. We participated in a range of activities designed to help with  time-management and studying practices and projects that were focused on co-operation and resolving conflict. This program took two school days and finished with a sausage sizzle. Each group had its own student leaders from year ten who helped out and contributed to the lessons. Overall I found settling into high school a convivial way to learn different life lessons and skills and I believe that it teaches students that from here on, we can take creative risks in a trusting environment. 

             

The school was delighted to hear from the Mosman Library informing us that Ellen Henderson of Year 7 had been shortlisted as a finalist in the 2020 Youth Awards in Literature. Congratulations to Ellen! We look forward to watching the live awards presentation later this month. We've asked Ellen to she some information about the award and talk about what inspires her writing - enjoy reading!

The Mosman Youth Awards in Literature is an annual short story and poem competition which is run by the Mosman Library Service. I learned about this competition through a family friend who helped establish the competition and was a former judge. She had been trying to get me to do it for many years and I finally decided to give it a go this year, especially since I had a bit more time on my hands due to Covid. I never expected to get a place, I mainly entered for the writing experience and so I was very surprised and delighted to find out that I was shortlisted.

The poem I submitted, Moonlight, is about a witch who finally gets her revenge on the witch hunters who had killed someone dear to her. 

I was inspired by the many fantasy books I’ve read such as Harry Potter, The School for Good and Evil and the Medoran Chronicles. I love how fantasy can take you into another world, so different from our own, so I decided to recreate that in my poem.

I also submitted a short story, Family Secrets, which is about two siblings who happen to be working for opposing spy teams. In my short story they discover each other's secrets when the older brother is appointed to capture a spy from the opposing team, little does he know it’s his own sister.

I was inspired by the many bike rides I went on during the Covid-19 lockdown. My brother, dad and I would usually go down to a lookout near our house. As you got off the road and onto the gravel path it would become silent except for the rustle of the wind through the trees and the constant crunch of gravel under the bike tires. Every ride I began to brainstorm ideas about what would happen when the main character arrived at the lookout. I had never written or read too many stories about spies so I decided to give it a try.

The awards presentation is on the 26th of August where I will find out which piece was shortlisted and my placing.
(image: a photo of the trial which was Ellen's inspiration for the short story)

On Tuesday afternoon, Year 12 Drama students showcased their Individual Performance. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we couldn't have parents and families on site, but a small group of lucky staff had the opportunity to view the performances. All students did a tremendous job - they moved us, made us laugh, made us cry and overall impressed us with their talent and hard work. Congratulations to all students; Michaela, Tayla, Matilda, Holly, Joshua, Caleb, Jack, Kasey and Carla. We wish them all the best for their upcoming Practical Examination for the HSC. Thank you also to their fabulous teacher, Mrs Sheehy.

Watch the video that was live streamed via Facebook! Thank you Mr McGown for filming the performances for the school community.

 The weather has been cold recently and we understand that warmer options for school uniform has been an issue. The school is working with Daylight, our uniform provider, to bring in additional items for next winter. These include a puffer jack and school every day track pant. The P&C have been supportive of the new items we are looking to introduce. We will keep students and the wider school community informed of progress. In the mean time, it is important that students work within the school uniform dress code and represent our school by dressing appropriately.