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July 22, 2022 | News
KHS Newsletter : 22 July 2022
22nd July 2022
Welcome back to all our students and families. The second semester promises to be full of opportunities for learning and well-being growth as we continue with high quality classroom programs and our vibrant co-curricular program.
We started the term with a wonderful demonstration of commitment by our staff to the school values of excellence and sustainability through their participation in professional learning to further develop positive learning environments in Year 7. All teachers of Year 7 students are working together to implement consistent expectations and routines for learning, and we look forward to seeing how these impact on student achievement and success.
Term 3 is always a significant one for senior school students’ course work and assessment. We encourage them all to work hard to achieve their best. Staff are on hand to guide and support students and we understand that much of the success of this stage in the year comes from being organised and consistent. Please contact our Year Level Leaders, Emma Nelms for Year 11, and Julie Carter for Year 12, if you would like to discuss support for your students. We have Parent Teacher Meetings scheduled for Tuesday 16th August.
This term starts with some very important pathway planning for students. The Careers & Pathways Team have commenced with Year 10 into 11 subject selection this week, followed by Years 11 into 12 next week and Years 8 and 9 the following week. We encourage parents and carers to engage in this process by having a look through the subject selection handbooks as they are distributed, and of course by having conversations with your students about their subject preferences.
We are excited to welcome two new teachers who are joining our team this term. Mr Lucky Perera is teaching Year 7 STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and Mr Noel Dunstan is teaching Mathematics and VCAL Numeracy.
Finally, we wish everyone a safe and productive term.
Ana Rees – Principal
Year 7 STEAM
Year 7 STEAM classes have been busy competing in team challenges to practise their problem solving skills. One of the challenges was to build the tallest tower from only spaghetti and mini marshmallows.
Pictured is Curtis, Indigo and Jack with their winning design.
Year 7/8 Swimming
Year 7 students in the past have attended the same program in their Primary school years. Those who participated showed enthusiasm and eagerness resulting in great progress in their stroke development and those not able to swim on the day have completed the written task sheets thoroughly.
Last term Year 7 & 8 students participated in the AquaAware Swimming Program at Kyneton Toyota Sports & Aquatic Centre, as part of their P.E. session.
Stroke assessment and development was covered in the six week program along with survival scenarios with life jackets, clothed survival swims and rescue techniques.
Marie Noonan, (AquaAware Facilitator, K.T.S.A.C) said the staff at the centre would like to congratulate all students who participated in the wet and dry components of the program and hope to see the students return for more aquatic fun and lap sessions in the future.
Ms. Cox
Year 8 students increased their rescue skill knowledge with contact tow rescues, rescuing their buddies in the water and towing them for 25m, then placing them into the recovery position on pool deck. Their last challenge saw them swim fully clothed, treading and floating for over 5 minutes in a survival sequence. They acquired and practiced these skills as a team and will now feel confident in knowing they are equipped to deal with life’s unexpected emergencies.
School For Student Leadership
On Saturday 18th June, the six School for Student Leadership 2021 students completed their Community Learning Project.
They did this by hosting their Family Fun Day at the Kyneton District Soccer Club. Between 9am and 4pm, 15 soccer games were held on the pitch in perfect sunny conditions and the students worked hard to keep them fuelled with a BBQ and cake stall. There was also live music played by some of the Kyneton High students. There were hundreds of people in attendance from families and friends to those that travelled from Bendigo and Castlemaine for their soccer matches. A group of students from the Leadership camp also came from Gisborne and Melbourne to support their camp friends. Everyone was extremely generous in buying raffle tickets and bidding in the silent auction which all raised money towards the Black Dog Institute and men’s mental health.
“We were lucky to receive a $500 donation from the Kyneton Soccer Club which helped us reach a grand total of $4000, which was four times our initial fundraising goal!” Ava said.
“It was an awesome day. Thank you to everyone for their support, especially our sponsors; Bourkies Bakehouse, Chiropractic Life, The Redesdale Hotel, Campaspe Family Practice and many more businesses.” Jen said.
The students would like to thank teachers Mr Hill & Mr Swan for their support both on the day and in the planning of the event, along with the staff and students from Kyneton High who attended on the day. The students are all extremely grateful to the local businesses who donated raffle prizes, the families who baked for the cake stall, and to the wider community who attended on the day.
Year 11 Science
Year 11 Chemistry students conducting experiments to identify mystery compounds: The reagents are organic compounds and potentially hazardous, so everyone practised their safest protocols: gown up, mask up, fumehood on. Lots of meticulous measuring, recording of data, and cool colour changes were seen.
Ms Quynh
Hands On Learning
Hands on Learning is a Save the Children practical school program that builds wellbeing, engagement, and attendance by creating opportunities for students to discover their talents and experience success through significant and authentic hands-on projects. The Hands on Learning program revolves around 4 pillars: a Place to belong to, People to belong to, Meaningful projects and a Chance to give back.
Kyneton High School’s Hands on Learning (HoL) program started during Term 2, facilitated by Gareth Rowe (Chaplain) and Rob Wallace (local volunteer) and coordinated by Jonathon Swan (YR 10 Coordinator). This program has been financially supported by a generous grant from School Focus Youth Services. This grant has allowed KHS to purchase the HoL program, to provide breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea, and to buy tools to facilitate future projects.
During this term we have worked hard in creating our own space. HoL has claimed one of KHS’s storage sheds. We spent the first few weeks sorting and clearing the shed of broken tables and chairs, old carpets, couches, and a skip worth of rubbish. As you can see in the photos, we have now finished insulating and cladding two walls of the shed.
Our goals for term 3 include creating two spaces within the shed. First a kitchenette/dining/classroom area, and secondly a workshop area. We will be also tackling some side projects: helping Roger (KHS Maintenance) with gardening projects around the school and learning how to make small projects (birdhouses, toolboxes, boot stands, stools, etc.) using pallets.
For the students who are involved, HoL on Friday has become a highlight of the week. They have been stepping up to the challenges and expectations. They have treated one another with respect and patience.
Stay tuned for future updates!
Gareth Rowe
Soccer
The junior team battled the cold weather and schools in the region playing like champions. Unfortunately we didn’t come away with a win but there was some highlights with a magnificent free kick goal into the top corner by Aaron Canning and a corner goal from Samson Briscomb.
Our intermediate team also played well. Beating Sacred heart in their first game and playing valiantly in their next game against Hume Grammar but not quite getting the win. James Parnis captained the boys showing great leadership and support for his team. Well done both teams!
Mr Rickwood
Year 10 Formal
From drab…
…to FAB!
Year 10 Winter Disco Celebration 2022
As is our tradition reflecting our value of sustainability, on Friday the 17th of June, the Student Leadership Team organised for Year 10s to celebrate their ‘formal’ entry into the Senior school. This was done by ensuring we have our Winter Disco Celebration in our school hall. This has been difficult to maintain the past few years. The Year 10s of 2020 were unable to have this celebration and rite of passage due to COVID and last year the Year 10s were only able to just squeeze this in once restrictions had eased toward the end of the year. So this year was so important to keep this tradition alive and try to provide the students with some normality and things to look forward to during their school life.
As always it was a great night and it was just brilliant to see everyone enjoying getting together to have fun after hours. Drinks and snacks were provided in the ticket price. Entertainment was music by DJ Dylan Haber, who is a Melbourne and festival DJ who previously grew up in the area, but loves coming back to our school year after year to give our students an experience many of them have not had together before. The students were able to provide song requests prior to the night via a google form and that way DJ Haber was able to provide a selection of beats and tunes to keep everyone happy.
Everyone had a fantastic night, dancing and socialising their mid-year blues away! It was one of our best turnouts for such an event with almost 70 students from Year 10 in attendance.
Mr Hill on behalf of the Year 10 Student Leadership Team
Year 12 Chemistry Excursion
The Year 12 chemistry class went to Melbourne for a chemistry excursion. We went to Melbourne using public transport and the first stop was the Bio21 Institute at the University of Melbourne. At Bio21 students went on a tour of the Mass spectroscopy facility, the tour was given by Associate Professor Nick Williamson and Mr David De Souza.
Students were fascinated by the imaging mass spectrometer which was analysing small molecules in mouse testis. In the afternoon students attended the organic chemistry workshop in the Chemistry department at Melbourne Uni. This was an opportunity for students to use Infrared spectroscopy and NMR to identify organic compounds.
Ms Ford
Careers And Pathways
Open Days and Early Entry schemes
Students in Year 10-12 are encouraged to attend Uni and TAFE Open Days. Visiting now can be fun and very helpful with pathway planning!
Additionally, Year 11 and 12 students should look at access, early entry and guaranteed entry programs for places they are interested in attending. Some places offer programs for Year 11 and most Uni and TAFE institutions have a program for Year 12 students. Some are listed in the attachment but for some institutions students will need to visit individual websites.
VTAC applications (for Victorian university and some TAFE entry in 2023) open on the 1st of August. Timely applications close on 29th of September. All students applying through VTAC, should also consider a SEAS application (special entry and access scheme). These also open on the 1st of August and close for good on the 8th of October.
Check out VTAC now! https://www.vtac.edu.au/
Further updates will be made on Year level google classrooms.
Ms Trembath
Building Program
Going Up!
The BIG CRANE was brought in on July 18th to move something large and mysterious.
A short flight around the work site showing first walls and the lift well on June 27 and 1st floor going up on July 19.
Video : Kevin Tootell
COOKERY SCHOOL
Miss D. Downing, sister to Dr. J. H. Downing, of Kyneton, has been appointed to the Kyneton High School to take charge of the classes in domestic economy. As soon as the fittings arrive the cookery centre at the High School will be in full swing. It is hoped to make the school dining room pay its way. It will probably be open three days a week, and the public will be admitted at a small charge. Pupils will also be supplied at a moderate cost. The dinner will be a three-course one. Miss Downing will also teach sewing and hygiene to the High School and to the senior girls at the State School. Should sufficient inducement offer, a class for adults in cookery will be established, and it is practically certain that arrangements will be made for classes for the senior pupils of outlying schools.
Kyneton Guardian 28th February 1914 (via Mal Closter)
Going waaaaay back to…
1914
From Lucy King – Alumni Coordinator
Visit from Liam Hedge
Class of 2006
What a treat Kyneton High School Legal Studies students had a few weeks back, when Lawyer Liam Hedge, class of 2006, visited to talk about a career in the legal field.
Liam is a Lawyer and Assistant Director in the Parliamentary and Government Liaison team with the ACCC, and spoke to students about his post-school journey, career pathway and role working with the government on proposed competition and consumer law reforms – and what life is actually like working as a lawyer (not as glamorous as Suits apparently!)
Much discussion took place about transitioning from school to university, learning to be independent, managing studies and workload, plus the importance of managing your finances during this time.
Liam shared how a law degree opens opportunities for various jobs, pathways and careers other than just law, and a key attribute for working within the legal field is developing good people skills.
“The practice of law is more about people, than law. You’re dealing with people, resolving disputes, empathising and negotiating – whilst using the law as a framework”.
The class was treated to a morning tea, kindly supplied by Ben Hill and the Student Leadership team, providing students the fuel to ask Liam a heap of questions!
A very big warm-hearted “Thank you” to Liam for coming back and talking so openly to students, and we hope you enjoyed being back on campus and supporting your old school.
KHS Co-Curricular Activities Schedule
| Day | Time | Activity | Who | Where | With who |
| MONDAY | RECESS | Boxing Club and Gym | All interested students 7-12 | Gym Shed | Mr Merret Mr Hill |
| Chess Club | All interested students 7-12 | B7 | Mr Rickwood | ||
| LUNCH | AFL Match | All interested students 7-12 | Oval | House Captains Jason C. Year 11 Maverick K. Year 9 Mr Hill | |
| Book Review Team | All interested students 7-12 | Library | Francesca | ||
| Drama Club | All interested students 7-12 | Performing Arts Studio | Ms Turpie Year 11 Performing Arts Captain Lana H. | ||
| Gaming Club | All interested students 7-12 | B8 | Staff TBA Year 12 Gaming Club Captains Zoe P. & Aris A. | ||
| Magic The Gathering Card Game | All interested students 7-12 | B8 | Ms Matthews | ||
| Pride Crew (fortnightly) | All interested students 7-12 | B3 | Gareth | ||
| Volleyball | All interested students 7-12 | Grass area between Oval & our School Kitchen Garden | Year 12 School Vice Captain Lizzie B. Year 12 House Captain Charlotte K. |
| TUESDAY | RECESS | Boxing Club and Gym | All interested students 7-12 | Gym Shed | Mr Hill |
| Literature Club | All interested students 7-12 | SL3 | Ms Nelms | ||
| LUNCH | PC Building Club | All interested students 7-12 | B3 | Tom | |
| Dungeons and Dragons Club | Main Group 1 | B7 | Ms Daws | ||
| Dungeons and Dragons Club | Main Group 2 | B8 | Ms Matthews | ||
| Singing Club / Choir | All interested students 7-12 | Music Room (Rm 26) | Ms Frank | ||
| Soccer Match | All interested students 7-12 | Oval | Year 12 House Captains Adi & Charli | ||
| Table Tennis | All interested students 7-12 | Hall | Ms Nguyen |
| WEDNESDAY | RECESS | Boxing Club and Gym | All interested students 7-12 | Gym Shed | Mr Oliveri Mr Hill |
| LUNCH | AFL Match | All interested students 7-12 | Oval | House Captains Jason C. Yr 11 Maverik K. Yr 9 Mr Hill | |
| Craft | All interested students 7-12 | Library | Ms Matthews Ms Sharpe | ||
| Dungeons and Dragons Club | Year 7 | B7 | Year 11 D&D Club Captains Zoe P, Liam G. & Liam McK. | ||
| !!!Surprise Your Eyes!!! Mystery Video | All interested students 7-12 | Library | Stephen |
| THURSDAY | RECESS | Boxing Club and Gym | All interested students 7-12 | Gym Shed | Mr Ryan Mr Hill |
| Craft Club | All interested students 7-12 | Library | Ms Sharpe & Ms Matthews | ||
| LUNCH | Dungeons and Dragons Club | Main Group 1 | B7 | Ms Daws | |
| Dungeons and Dragons Club | Main Group 2 | B8 | Ms Matthews | ||
| Girls Only Gym | All interested female students 7-12 | Gym Shed | Ms Smith Year 12 House Captain Elise P. | ||
| Student Leadership Team Meeting | Year Level Captains Values Captains Events & Promotions Captains SLT Photographer | SLT Lounge | Year 12 School Captains |
| FRIDAY | RECESS | Boxing Club and Gym | All interested students 7-12 | Gym Shed | Mr Feng Mr Hill |
| LUNCH | Dungeons and Dragons Club | Year 7 | B7 | Year 11 D&D Club Captains Zoe P. Liam G. and Liam McK. | |
| Marimba Ensemble | All interested students 7-12 | Instrumental Music (Room 7) | Andy Rigby & Sue Morris Woodwind Teacher | ||
| Netball Match | All interested students 7-12 | Netball Court on Bus Loop | Year 12 School Captain Thea Year 12 House Captain Tahlia | ||
| Staff vs. Year 10 students Basketball Match | Year 10 students | KSAC Stadium | Mr Swan and an all-star lineup of other KHS Staff | ||
Head Start
The Victorian Government have recently announced that the HEADSTART Apprenticeships and Traineeships program will continue for another 4 years and will be available to all Government Secondary Schools across the State. Since the program began in 2019 HEADSTART staff have supported over 1900 students statewide.
HEADSTART is a pathway allowing students to undertake a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship whilst also progressing towards the completion of their Year 12 qualification.
BENEFITS OF THE HEADSTART MODEL
• Suitable students are matched with a suitable employer who will mentor students throughout their apprenticeship or traineeship
• We aim for all students to undertake a work trial with the employer to ensure this is a good fit before commencement of an apprenticeship or traineeship
• Students receive ongoing one-on-one support from the HEADSTART Coordinator both at school and in the workplace
• We focus on priority industries that may lead to genuine long-term employment opportunities
• A flexible school timetable that will allow students time on the job and time to continue with their school studies
• HEADSTART staff work with schools to ensure the student is being supported to achieve their goals
• A students time within the workplace and training can increase each year in order to support significant progression through the apprenticeship or traineeship
If you would like to know more about the HEADSTART Apprenticeships and Traineeships program, or if you are an employer wanting to know more information about offering an opportunity to a student please contact your schools HEADSTART Coordinator below or speak with the careers team.
Kelli Hewton | Cluster Director (Acting) | Head Start Coordinator
M: 0428 998 261 E: kelli.hewton@education.vic.gov.au
SCHOOL NOTICES
KHS Yearbook
Last year’s KHS Yearbook
COLUMNS 2021
If you paid for your yearbook last year (Columns 2021) and did not collect it at the end of the year, we’ve kept it for you! Just drop over to the Library and ask for your copy.
If you forgot to pay for the yearbook and have been kicking yourself ever since, don’t fret! We have extra copies for sale at the discount price of $20. You’ll need to arrange payment through the school office, but it’s as simple as rocking up to the front door with your shiny $20 note (or shiny money card if you prefer) and taking a copy home with you.
COLUMNS 2022
2022 will be the 99th year of the KHS Yearbook.
Don’t miss out on your piece of KHS history!
Cost of the Yearbook: $25
If you ticked “YES” to receiving the Yearbook this year, don’t forget to also pay at the Office.
Please have a look at our short video promo for Columns 2022. It’s a dazzling dive though the pages of KHS history, and we hope you’ll agree your family won’t want to miss out on your glossy souvenir of the year at KHS.
Coming up…
Some dates for the diary
| Monday 25th July – Friday 29th July | Morrisby interviews |
| Monday 25th July | Year 11 into 12 Subject selection opens |
| Thursday 28th July | School council |
| Monday 1st August – Friday 5th August | Year 10 course counselling |
| Wednesday 3rd August | Australian Maths Competition |
| Wednesday 3rd August to Friday 5th August | Ski camp |
| Monday 8th August | Year 8&9 into 9&10 Subject selection opens |
| Wednesday 10th August | Year 12 Post-secondary pathways – Webinar for families 6.30 pm. |
| Monday 15th August – Friday 19th August | Science week |
| Tuesday 16th August | Parent teacher interviews 10.30 am. – 6.30 pm. |
| Thursday 18th August | Studio art excursion |
Kid x Plus is a free youth leadership project delivered by Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health in partnership with Sunbury Aboriginal Corporation and with support from Hume City Council’s Community Grants program and Sunbury Downs College.
Kid x Plus hosts an annual youth-lead event, where young people (9-25 years of age) are provided a platform to speak out about the issues that matter to them.
Further information about Kid x Plus can be found at: https://sunburycobaw.org.au/kid-x-plus/
Study Club is an initiative by Squishy Minnie Bookstore, Kyneton Community House,
and the Victorian Government. It is open to all high school age students from the
Macedon Ranges.
It is held at Squishy Minnie on Thursdays from 3:45pm to 6pm during term times.
Study Club is a place for young people to do their homework or study. They are invited to do
their own thing or work together. It is an opportunity to find a quiet place to study, to get
extra help, share skills, strategies, and ideas or simply access the internet.
Also starting in term two, Kyneton Community House, with the support of the Victorian
Government, is running Folio Cub. It is open to all year 10 and VCE students from the
Macedon Rangers. It will be run at KCH’s new location, 35 High Street, Kyneton, on Tuesdays
from 3:45-6pm, starting May 10th, also during term times.
Folio Club is a place where young people have an opportunity to work on their art folio.
They will have access to some art materials and the internet. They can share skills, and
bounce ideas off each other. We aim to provide students with opportunities to visit galleries
and have local artists drop in and discuss their practice.
In term two, Study Club and Folio Club will be facilitated by me, Jacquilyne Smith. I am a
retired teacher and a local to the Kyneton Community. I have a bachelor’s degree in Fine
Arts and a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education. I have also studied English Literature,
Archaeology, Sociology and Film Studies at the Australian National University. I have taught
Art (7-12), Humanities, Textiles, and Literacy at Kurunjang Secondary College and Kyneton
High School. I am now a practicing artist.
Youth Leadership Opportunities
Macedon Ranges Shire Council Youth Services is launching a remodelled Youth Ambassadors Program in 2022. It is a great leadership opportunity for young people in the shire to expand their skills, be a voice for young people and have projects they care about made into a reality. Below is some information about the Youth Ambassadors Program. More information is available on the website at www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/leadership
YOUTH AMBASSADORS PROGRAM 2022
The Youth Ambassadors Program is a youth leadership initiative that amplifies the voices of young people, and supports projects that young people are passionate about. The program helps young people to realise their leadership potential by building their leadership skills and peer to peer and community connections. Young people aged 15-25 who live, work or study in the Macedon Ranges are eligible to participate in the program.
In 2020/21 we reviewed and remodelled our Youth Ambassador program to ensure the activities it offers are relevant, and useful for young People in the Shire. In 2022, there are two main ways young people can participate in the Youth Ambassadors program: GREEN MEANS GO and LEADERS IN THE LOOP.
GREEN MEANS GO
Got a passion project you want to get started, or one you want to keep go, go, going? GREEN MEANS GO gives dollars and project support to young people looking to do just that.
• Supports young people in pursuing projects they are passionate about
• Offers financial support of up to $1000 for selected projects
• Offers worker time and skills support through a series of project ‘cluster’ workshops
• Participants can apply by pitching their projects through our Green Means Go ‘Pitch’ Portal
LEADERS IN THE LOOP
Know what young people want and want to tell us? LEADERS IN THE LOOP gives young people a seat and a say at the Council and community consultation table.
• Supports young leaders by bringing them into consultation and decision making loops
• Enables young leaders to feedback directly to decision makers in the community
• Offers remuneration to young leaders for their time and input, into consultations
• Participants can apply by registering their interest through the Leaders in the Loop portal
Applications are now open for Green Means Go and Leaders in the Loop: www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/leadership
KYNETON HIGH SCHOOL