Presentation Event - information update

Dear Families 

In regards to our up and coming Presentation event, we empathise with families in relation to the level of restrictions placed on family attendance.

 Please be assured that as a site we have researched and investigated numerous options. The current plan enables us to still celebrate the achievement of our students while maintaining and working within the guidelines of both SA Health and Department for Education.

 As the current COVID situation emerges in SA, we will continue to monitor and communicate what may or may not be possible.

 We are grateful for your understanding in these challenging times.

Beyond School free webinar series - Mas National

Link to Webinar 1 registration

Link to Webinar 2 registration

School Dental Service Information

2020 VHHS Yearbook Orders

Dear Families

These are the days that students will want to remember forever. Buy a 2020 Yearbook to make it unforgettable! To secure your copy, please place your order by Friday 6 November.

At over 90 pages, the Yearbook is well designed and professionally colour printed and bound. It includes class photos, subject areas, events, Year 12 student formal (subject to COVID-19) and profile pages, and much more!

The Yearbook is excellent value at $25.00 and gives you a record of school memories to cherish forever.   Remember all the best things about your school days, your friends and classmates, teachers and teammates.

If you choose not to order your Yearbook, please don’t be disappointed if you miss out!

Expected delivery for the Yearbook is the final week of the school year.

Yearbook Committee

Payment Options

Phone: call Finance Office on 8551 1907

Online: use BPoint through our website www.vhhs.sa.edu.au

QKR app

Bank transfer: BSB 065 511 Account 1019 8362 (For Reference – use Student ID)

In person: EFTPOS, cash or cheque (made payable to Victor Harbor High School)

Parent Forum for Parents and Carers of children with disability

Webinar on Children’s Behaviour Support

Parents and carers of children with disability are invited to take part in the webinar to be held on Wednesday 4tNovember 2020 from 11:00am to 12:00 noon.

If parents have any questions about Children’s Behaviour Support they can email prior to the webinar to our mailbag Education.ParentForumConference@sa.gov.au or log in to the webinar on the day and join in the chat line.

Instructions for the webinar link visit the SERU website http://web.seru.sa.edu.au

The webinar will be recorded and posted after the event on the SERU website “Parent Forum” link.

Congratulations VHHS Year 8/9 Girls Zone Volleyball Winners

Winners of Zone round at Seaford yesterday. Well done to Kelsey, Amelie, Astrid, Raya, Jordyn, Maya and Charlie. The girls are off to the SA finals very soon.

City of Victor Harbor Arts Grants for VHHS

Our school has been fortunate in securing two Arts grants this year. Thank you to those who spent time putting together the applications and to the City of Victor Harbor for the opportunity to go forward with these two projects.

Student Murals ($2,000)

The grant money from VH Council will be used to create a mural for the school grounds. This will be a reproduction of an artwork that was created and displayed in either the VH SALA Art Show or the South Coast Youth Art Show in 2020. On its completion the mural will be located in a central space in the Victor Harbor High School grounds.

Ngarrun Quilt ($1,500)

The funding received will support the development of a community quilt, called the Ngarrun Quilt and will be produced collaboratively with local artists and students, enhancing the profile of our school Research Centre in conjunction with our Public Library and the wider community of Victor Harbor.

Year 6/7 Basketball Coaching at PEPS

Port Elliot Primary School thanked Abbi and Sophie from Victor Harbor High School for their great work coaching the Year 6/7 basketball team this week.

'Welcome - We Are One" - regional art competition

During the recent school holidays, work from three of our students, Georgia, Shanesia and Brooklyn was exhibited at Yankalilla for “Welcome - We Are One“ regional art competition by Fleurieu Refugee Support Group.

Congratulations to Shanesia who won second place for her piece: ‘Giving thanks to the Earth and Water’

There is an exhibition of their art work currently at City of Victor Harbor foyer until the end of this week.

2021 Materials & Services Charges meeting - 28 Oct 2020

Dear Families of students attending Victor Harbor High School in 2021

Proposed 2021 Materials and Services Charge

You are invited to attend a special meeting of the Victor Harbor High School Governing Council.  This meeting will take place on Wednesday, 28 October 2020 at 6:30pm and will be held online via Webex, you will receive an email notification of the meeting. The day before the meeting you will receive details of how to connect.

NOTE: (To successfully take part in the Webex online meeting, you will need to have a device with microphone and speaker capabilities)

The Governing Council has proposed that the 2021 Materials and Services Charge be set at $623 for Years 8 and 9 and $664 for Years 10 to 12. Governing Council have recommended that they remain the same as last year with additional levied subjects. Details of the proposed charges are outlined in the Department for Education approved notification via the links below.

At this meeting Governing Council will vote for the approval of the proposed 2021 Materials and Services Charge.  Before taking a vote the meeting will be opened up for discussion and all parents connected online are invited to participate. 

It is vital that the Governing Council has an indication of people attending this online meeting. Therefore, if you would like to take part, please complete the form below by Monday, 26 October 2020.

In lieu of attendance at this meeting, parents/students can express their views in writing to the Chairperson (Lyall Hankey) of the VHHS Governing Council via email dl.0799.govcouncil@schools.sa.edu.au

Yours sincerely

Amanda O’Shea (Principal) and Kate Burdett (Business Manager)

Year 8 and 9 proposed charge

Year 10 to 12 proposed charge

Successful grant application for VHHS

Today we have received confirmation of our successful application for $40,000 to promote intercultural understanding via Internationalising Schools Aspiring Global School program.

Thank you to Reena for her effort in applying for this opportunity.

Our objectives to implement this program include:

• To continue to enrich and develop our international program by continued online and face to face contact with our Indonesian sister school

• To establish a sister school relationship with the Indonesian school in Kuala Lumpur

• To enrich our Global Studies curriculum to incorporate units about Malaysia, Indonesia and the home countries of our international students

• To further incorporate Indigenous Perspectives for our study abroad international students.

Therapy Dog program - Term 4

During Term 4, we will be introducing a pilot Therapy Dog Program. The purpose of this letter is to provide guidance to the Victor Harbor High School community around working with a Therapy Dog to enhance wellbeing and engagement. The Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies which can be developed through having a Therapy Dog are linked to the Australian Curriculum general capability, Personal and Social Capability. As Engagement and Wellbeing Leader my Therapy Dog, Archer will assist in one on one counselling sessions every Friday.

Currently, I am studying, ‘Loss, Grief and Trauma Counselling: Human-Animal Interactions’ at Flinders University. Therapy will include goal directed interactions with clearly defined outcomes, the dog’s role to assist in lessening the impact of physiological and psychological trauma. Some of the benefits of animal therapy include: increasing self-esteem, social skills, willingness to join in activities, improving interactions with others, reducing anxiety because of the calming effects, helping students learn empathic/nurturing skills and improving the relationship between student and counsellor.

Prior to students engaging in the program, a consent form will be provided and need to be returned before the counselling session. If you have any questions or would like your child to be considered in this program, please contact me at the school (08) 8551 1900 and I will be happy to provide more information.

Sarah Wilson - Wellbeing and Engagement Leader

Therapy dog, Archer

School Canteen closed - Sausage Sizzle available

Our student leaders will be holding a sausage sizzle fundraiser on Friday 25 September 2020 in the Canteen shelter.

$5 meal deal - 2 sausages and a drink

$2 soft drink

$2 sausage (vegetarian options available)

Year 8/9 Girls Knockout Football

Congratulations to the Year 8/9 Girls K/O Football team for making it to the State-wide Knockout Football grand final. Unfortunately, the girls were unable to quite get it done on the day going down by 22 points in a tight affair.

The school is very proud of their achievement of getting to the grand final game. Best Players: Alissa, Maya, Indi, Nakeisha and Latisha

Forums for parents and carers of children with disability

Forums for parents and carers of children with disability

Parents and carers of children with disability are invited to attend a range of free online and face-to-face forums during September.

Presentations include:

• Interoception and an activity booklet for parents to support their children (online webinar)

• Post School Options (face-to-face workshop)

• Social Skills (face-to-face workshop)

When: September 2020
Register online at the SERU website.  

This free online event for parents is presented by the Disability Policy and Programs team.

Contact: Special Education Resource Unit, phone 8235 2871

Wellbeing and Engagement Collection 2020 update

Dear Parent/Guardian

Wellbeing and Engagement Collection

Students in our school have been invited to take part in a survey being conducted in Term 3 2020.  This letter provides key information about the survey. 

In Term 1 2020, some schools participated in the Wellbeing and Engagement Collection. However, not all students were able to participate in or complete the survey due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Our school will participate in the Term 3 Wellbeing and Engagement Collection which will be open during Weeks 7 to 9 (Monday 31 August to Friday 18 September 2020).

Purpose of the collection

Young people’s sense of wellbeing is an important part of how they learn at school. The purpose of the survey is to seek students’ views about their wellbeing and their engagement with school.  Students in year levels 4 to 12 across the State will be invited to participate in the Wellbeing and Engagement Collection. The information collected will help the education system and broader community to support young people’s health and wellbeing.

What is the survey about?

The survey asks students about their social and emotional wellbeing; school relationships and engagement and learning in school; and physical health and wellbeing and after school activities. Students’ answers will be kept confidential – no one (including school staff) will use the results to identify individual students.

What is involved in project participation?

Teachers will arrange for students to undertake the survey during class time. Students will be asked if they would like to participate and will be free to withdraw at any time. If you do not want your child to participate, please contact the school as soon as possible after receiving this letter.

Will students’ information be kept confidential?

The department takes measures to ensure students’ personal information and their identities remain anonymous when participating in the survey.

Participating schools with fewer than 5 students undertaking the survey will not receive a school report in order to protect the confidentiality of students.

What will happen if a student is distressed during or after the survey?

Whilst the survey questions are not expected to distress students, the survey includes questions that ask about topics such as students’ happiness and experiences of being bullied. Teachers will inform students that:

• if they find the survey uncomfortable or distressing, they should leave the survey screen immediately

• that it is not compulsory to take part in the survey as a whole, and

• students may also skip individual survey questions if they wish.

Students who may want to speak to an adult about concerns or issues and will be supported to do so.

Where can I get more information?

Further information on the Wellbeing and Engagement Collection can be found at www.education.sa.gov.au (search:wec) or can be collected from the school.  For questions or concerns, or to view the questions, please email Education.WECSA@sa.gov.au.

Yours sincerely

Amanda O’Shea, Victor Harbor High School Principal

19 August 2020

2020 Year 12 Formal - update

The Year 12 Formal at the Intercontinental Hotel was re-scheduled to Friday 25 September due to COVID-19 restrictions. This date is approaching fast and we are aware that many students and families will be preparing to spend a significant amount of money for this important occasion.

In light of the current COVID-19 SA Health advice we would encourage you, if possible to delay any expensive purchases as there still is the potential for this event to be cancelled.

We will continue to monitor COVID-19 developments and any further restrictions in South Australia that may affect the running of the Formal. By week 6 – (the week beginning 24 August) we will be in a clearer position to confirm the running of the 2020 Year 12 Formal, and any further information will be issued at this time.

We are aware of the frustration and disappointment that our students are feeling and sincerely hope that a cancellation does not eventuate. However, we feel it is important that you are made aware of this possibility before a significant amount of money is spent on an event that may not eventuate.

Please do not hesitate to contact Nicole Muller on (08) 8551 1900, if you have any further questions or concerns.

Yours sincerely

Nicole Muller (Stage 2 Senior Leader) & Amanda O’Shea (Principal)

School Surfing and Soccer results - 31 July 2020

Final round of school surfing was held at Middleton point on Friday 31 July in clean 2-3ft conditions. Congratulations to Charlie for taking out top spot on the day which also made her the overall winner of the U16 girls division for the year. All VHHS students were awesome on the day with many standout heats by Hannah and Poppy.

On Friday, the 31 July our open boys’ soccer team played two games against Seaford Secondary College and Wirreanda Secondary School. Our first game was very competitive with late drama to finish the game. With minutes left, Victor Harbor was able to equalise the game, bringing the score to 2-2. Unfortunately for us, with the last kick of the game Seaford was able to score again to win the game 3-2. Goal scorers included Landyn and Logan , with a man-of-the-match performance by Hugo.

In the second game, Victor started strong but was unable to capitalise with a goal. The first half finished with Wirreanda up 2-0. After a strong half-time team talk the players worked hard and were able to win the game 3-2 with all 3 goals scored by Mitch.

Thank you to Seaford and Wirreanda for your sportsmanship and strong competition. Congratulations to Seaford who move through to the second round after drawing 2-2 with Wirreanda in the final game.

Flinders University Assessment Centre at VHHS - 31 August 2020

Attention: Year 11 Students

Once again this year Flinders University will be visiting us to run their Assessment Centre on Monday 31 August.

This full day assessment course runs students through several activities and may lead to a course offer at Flinders (providing SACE is completed). This opportunity is limited strictly to 48 participants.

If you are interested in applying, please see your House Leader for an application form

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)

Dear parents, guardians and carers

Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019).

Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:

• year of schooling

• category of disability: physical, cognitive, sensory or social/emotional

• level of adjustment provided: support provided within quality differentiated teaching practice, supplementary, substantial or extensive.

This information assists schools to:

• formally recognise the supports and adjustments provided to students with disability in schools

• consider how they can strengthen the support of students with disability in schools

• develop shared practices so that they can review their learning programs in order to improve educational outcomes for students with disability.

The NCCD provides state and federal governments with the information they need to plan more broadly for the support of students with disability.

The NCCD will have no direct impact on your child and your child will not be involved in any testing process. The school will provide data to the Australian Government in such a way that no individual student will be able to be identified – the privacy and confidentiality of all students is ensured. All information is protected by privacy laws that regulate the collection, storage and disclosure of personal information. To find out more about these matters, please refer to the Australian Government’s Privacy Policy (https://www.education.gov.au/privacy-policy).

Further information about the NCCD can be found on the NCCD Portal (https://www.nccd.edu.au).

If you have any questions about the NCCD, please contact me at the Victor Harbor High School on (08) 8551 1900 or email Lindsey.cowper657@schools.sa.edu.au

Yours sincerely

Lindsey Cowper, Assistant Principal Inclusion