In week 4, I returned from leave and wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to Mr. Dylan Reid for his exceptional dedication in fulfilling the Head Teacher role during my absence. It has been a pleasure to return to school and work with such dedicated staff and enthusiastic students. I look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts in the programs planned for Semester 2 and enhancing the skills of our students.
Additionally, I would like to thank Zac Moore for back-filling Mr Reid’s classroom teacher role. Mr Moore, who has not previously worked in a Support Faculty, thrived in the role and will continue in a casual capacity with the faculty.
In other staffing news, as many people already know, Stephanie Earl was successful through Merit Selection and is now supporting many schools in her new Department role. Stephanie has worked within the faculty for more than ten years and has made a significant contribution to supporting staff and students, both culturally and educationally. Stephanie has not only supported our faculty and whole school but also contributed to cultural education in many of our local feeder schools and beyond. Stephanie will be missed at Mount View High School; however, it is comforting to know she is still within the Department of Education, doing what she loves, keeping culture alive, and supporting schools with the future in mind.
SLSO Kristy Knipe who is in her fourth year of a Diploma of Education Primary/Special Education recently returned from a two-week study tour of Vanuatu. She was placed in a Primary classroom in Port Vila and thoroughly enjoyed this unique educational experience. She participated in classroom activities and enjoyed being immersed in the local community and culture.
Each semester, I have the privilege of proofreading our faculty reports. It is clear that many of our students continue to go from strength to strength, with improvements across each KLA. Staff are continuously reviewing teaching and learning programs to meet the learning needs of our students, and we are witnessing the results. Congratulations to both staff and students.
Awaba
Awaba has been taking part in lessons with Ms Conn in the Science labs this semester. They have been doing experiments on chemical reactions, using Bunsen burners, making plaster fossil moulds and using microscopes to observe living and nonliving things. This has aligned with our Science program this semester, of making predictions and recording results as part of Scientific investigations.
Jilliby
Jilliby students (Levi, Kirsty, Ash, Sean, Jack and Holly) have all worked well together this term. With the addition of new student Holly at the beginning of the term, Jilliby students continue to be caring and welcoming to one another.
This term, they engaged in music (playing ukuleles!), History (Vikings), Science (the Living World), Maths, PDHPE and English. English has involved exploring poetic techniques such as metaphors and imagery through the lens of Australian music which has also complemented the students’ music lessons.
Our musical journey began with listening to two Australian songs: "I Am Australian" by The Seekers and "From Little Things Big Things Grow" by Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody. These songs not only serve as narratives and imagery of Australia's history and identity but are also excellent examples of lyrical poetry. Students also explored “Land Downunder” by Men At Work and various other songs of their choice which served to highlight how poetic techniques can evoke emotions, convey powerful messages and add layers of meaning to language. Activities involved lyric analysis, creative expression and group discussions which not only enhanced our students' literary skills but also fostered a deeper connection to their cultural heritage.
Thank you for your continued support in your child's learning journey. We look forward to sharing more updates on our classroom activities next term.
Mambo
The overall focus for this class is to offer students a Life Skills pattern of study that prepare them for life after school and provide post school opportunities.
In English, Mambo students have been enjoying learning about sport in small communities, particularly sports specific terminology and community mateship. We have been reading the J.C. Burke novel, The Story of Tom Brennan and discussing related issues.
The students have been exploring different types of communication and their appropriate uses in both CAFS and Work and the Community. They engaged in role play situations such as a social media text and job interviews.
Olney
This term we have been focused on Music, specifically learning how to play the Ukelele. Olney displayed their inner folk star, learning chord progressions of, “Someone You Loved” and “Sunflower”. Some students even showed off their vocal talents, confidently singing along in class and using Garage Band to record their hard work. Olney has also spent the term learning about musical notation, musical dynamics such as crescendo, and performance qualities. The students showcased cross curricular knowledge, embedding poetic techniques learnt in English this term to write their own lyrics for an original song.
At the beginning of term one, our students constructed the KuNarr faculty fruit and vegetable allotment to support their learning in science. Students have used their newly acquired skills in botany and horticulture to maintain and nurture the variety planted. We are pleased to report that all are thriving, and we look forward to incorporating them into some of our fabulous dishes prepared and served by our students in the KuNarr Cafe in semester two.
Watagan has also been enthralled in all music lessons this term, learning chords on the ukelele and learning beat patterns and rhythm on the bongo drums. Thanks to the special tutorials made by the Ukelaliens, and the KuNarr music program developed by classroom teachers, Watagan has learned many popular songs and tunes and can play the songs throughout.
Woko
On the 20th of June, Mr. Townsend took 7 students to a Come and Try Football Day organised by Inclusive School Sport held at the Speers Point Regional Facility. The school was represented by Stephen, Mitchell, Lochlain, Katie, Tyler, Quade, Harrison and Brayden.
The group displayed remarkable sportsmanship for the entirety of the day and their efforts were commended by many.
Yengo
Yengo has spent the term learning the ukelele in Music. The class demonstrated their enthusiasm and dedication to the instrument by learning chord progressions, musical notation and dynamics. Yengo recorded and sang along to “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi but also played along to “You Are My Sunshine”, “Roar” and “Ho Hey”. The students also demonstrated their knowledge of poetic techniques in English, identifying metaphor, similes, repetition, imagery and hyperbole in Australian music lyrics.
Boccia
Taylor Wells, Quade Sands, Harrison Sault, Joshua Henry, and Stephen Goode represented MVHS at the School Sport Unit Boccia competition in Maitland.
Their achievements, efforts and sportsmanship were remarkable on the day.
The team should be proud of their efforts as they made it to the final, coming in second place overall.
Food Technology
Students across the faculty have been engaging in an array of theory and hands-on cooking experiences including independent class cooking, cooking with Mr. Means in the Food Labs, and KuNarr Café.
It has been challenging for Mr. Dylan Reid returning to being the Food Technology teacher as there were very big shoes to fill with Mr. Zac Moore going above and beyond in KuNarr Café with Mr. Means, leading the students, and teaching many life skills in the kitchen.
