SEFTON NEWS NEWSLETTER OF SEFTON HIGH SCHOOL FROM THE PRINCIPAL This will be the final printed version of the Sefton News. The price of printing and posting for this newsletter costs the school large sums which can be redirected to learning programs. The printed version also does not do justice to the pictures and photographs which showcase student work. Copies will still be uploaded to our website, and will be available for emailing if you email or ring the school to confirm your email address. We are currently working on an official Sefton High School Facebook page and will advise when this is up and running so that you can “Like” us and receive reminders for upcoming events (eg vaccinations, Gala days, Sports carnivals etc) and timely reports on events at the school. ` Mr K Humphreys Principal Sefton High School SEFTON NEWS NEWSLETTER OF SEFTON HIGH SCHOOL TERM 2 JUNE 2018 2/2018 FROM THE PRINCIPAL distracted by mobile phones at school and her May I begin my first report for Sefton News by beautification of grounds and expansion of play and thanking the staff and students for the very warm sporting facilities. This has left a legacy for many reception and the patience they have afforded me in students for years to come. Congratulations Sandra my first few days as Principal of this wonderful, high on an outstanding career dedicated to public functioning school. I have quickly come to see just education. how settled the classrooms and the playground are and how professional and committed the staff are to One other observation linked to mobile phones. I ensuring that every student is successful in their have come from a situation where students carry learning and has opportunities to engage outside of mobile phones with them always. It was and is a very the classroom whether it be through excursions, real problem in schools. Despite my previous school sport, debating or other competitions. and many others world-wide taking a hard line on students and mobile phones at school, we still I have also been struck by the visual appeal of the experienced theft, breakage, interruption, outbreaks Sefton HS grounds and buildings. Sefton HS is a of cyber-bullying increasing anxiety in students and very attractive school and I can speak with authority constant improper use. Students were literally in on this, having worked in four other schools and many instances on their phones constantly and it was visited many others. I have commented on this with clear that learning was not optimal or in some a number of students in the hope of getting them to instances non-existent. Further, students would appreciate their surrounds and thereby be committed often spend lunch and recess on their phones rather to maintaining the physical environment including than engaging and talking and playing with others as gardens, ovals, corridors and classrooms all of which frankly kids are meant to do. It has been so refreshing look immaculate. to come to Sefton High School and walk around at recess and lunch and see kids playing games, playing I was also very impressed by the quality of the Year cards and most of all sitting and conversing with one 11 and 12 Parent Teacher Evening. The hall layout, another. Consequently there will be no change to the professionalism of staff and the exuberance and mobile phone policy. Mobile phones are not to be at toil of our Hospitality and SRC students set this school. Students who do not follow this will continue event as a yardstick that other schools would do well to find their phones being confiscated, disciplinary to emulate. action occurring and parents will be required to attend a meeting with the relevant Deputy Principal I would like to pay tribute to outgoing Principal in order to secure the return of the phone. Sandra Coombes. The current students and past students are the beneficiaries of her outstanding Staff Congratulations service and vision. Sandra has led the school to be focussed on the foundations of a quality education To Ms Pollock and Ms Wood for not only for all. Her unwavering belief in ensuring high coordinating regional sporting teams at carnivals but standards of literacy and numeracy development and also coaching the Sydney South West teams to her particular passion for developing the reading and victory in Netball and Basketball respectively. writing capabilities of all students permeates all To Ms Burns and Ms Konstantaras for being aspects of the school. It is the students who benefit recognised by the Department of Education for 20 from this vision and leadership action. years of excellent service. Sandra has also left her legacy with her insistence on To Ms Roberts for her outstanding leadership of the the highest standards of uniform, her insistence hospitality students on parents teacher night. (correctly so in my view) that students not be To Mr Dimopoulos for his outstanding leadership of to do so on the correct Department of Education the school throughout this principal transition period. forms. The Principal has discretion in this matter and the major criterion in granting leave the To the many staff busy taking groups of students on various sporting and tournament events in what is Principal is required to consider is whether the always a busy time of year. absence will be in the student’s best interests. Generally, it is not in a student’s best interests to I look forward to serving the Sefton High School miss any school. Even if approval is given, the Community in the months and years ahead. student must be recorded as absent (Leave). This is a national policy. Excellence Award If you make an application for extended leave for Last year, our school was involved in a research your child you must attach a letter of explanation project led by the Centre for Education Statistics and or write on the back of the form. The explanation Evaluation (CESE) within the NSW Department of should include Education. The research involved a case study about the purpose of the leave; how our school, and other schools from across the state, have created a culture of excellence. why this leave must be taken during school term time rather than school vacation time. The Creating a Culture of Excellence case study details of where the student will be staying and outlines how our school has implemented and who will be supervising the student. embedded quality practices to improve teaching and learning outcomes. details of any movement or travel at the destination ie an itinerary. To read our school’s case study, visit the CESE This is Department of Education Policy. website https://www.cese.nsw.gov.au/publications- Principals are expected to discourage leave during filter/creating-a-culture-of-excellence-case-studies. school time in order to promote attendance and learning and in order to fulfil Child Protection To have Sefton High School acknowledged for its obligations. Whilst you have rights as parents to demonstrated excellence across the public education take family holidays during school time, the school system is testimony to the excellence in learning, retains the right to determine how the absence will excellence in teaching and excellence in leadership be recorded. that permeates this wonderful school. If the period of leave is approved your child is Congratulations to Sandra Coombes and to all staff responsible for catching up on missed schoolwork. and students at Sefton High School. Teachers are not able to provide future work to be taken before the absence begins. Student Sick Leave All student absences must be verified in writing by Mr K Humphreys the parent/guardian within seven days of the Principal absence, whether or not the parent has verbally advised the school of the student’s absence. SHINING WORLD LEADERSHIP FOR COMPASSION LAUREATE The Principal or delegate will ensure that written I would like to acknowledge Nirvan Saint, Year 7, explanations for absences are recorded within seven who recently hosted a documentary on supreme days of the occurrence of the absences. Explanations Master Television. that have been accepted by the Principal which are provided after the seven-day period should be Nirvan applied and was successful in gaining this retained. position which saw him host a documentary on Laureate Campbell Remess (father of Project 365 – Student Extended Leave Teddy Bears for Kids). This is a great example of Department of Education Policy is that students an SHS student who demonstrates the school motto should not take holidays or be absent due to of Sincerity, Scholarship and Service. travel outside of school vacation times. If a parent believes there is an urgent and/or essential reason He is also scheduled to host a range of upcoming for holidays or travel outside of vacation times, documentaries in the future. We wish him all the he/she may apply for the student to be granted leave best. Please see the attached link Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 (7 days / 24 hours) http://suprememastertv.com/en1/download/p.php?f www.kidshelpline.com.au =0212-SWL-Campbell-Remess-700 Youthbeyondblue 1300 224 636 (7 days) www.youthbeyondblue.com SCHOOL BLAZERS (3pm–12am) Students wishing to purchase a school blazer should Reachout au.reachout.com go to the uniform shop on a Monday to be fitted. Headspace Headspace Helpline 1800650890 Please note, blazers must be paid for either online (7 days; 9 am–1 am) before the fitting (and the proof of purchase taken www.eheadspace.org.au to the uniform shop) or at the time of fitting when (7 days; 9 am–1am) a receipt will be given.