Menai High School
Principal
Welcome Back Students
It has been wonderful to be able to welcome our students back to full time learning onsite since Monday last week. It is great to have our students back at school and to be seeing them every day. Students are now following their normal timetable, attending their normal classes with their usual teachers.
We have all enjoyed catching up with our students and seeing the joy our students have felt by being able to attend their school, seeing their friends and teachers again. Being able to engage in these familiar ways is great for the mental health and general wellbeing of our students. As successful as our online learning program was, learning face to face is certainly much preferred.
Teachers are working very hard with their classes to ensure no child is disadvantaged due to any challenges they may have experienced whilst working remotely from home.
The school day is running very much as usual with some significant differences which are now our new normal. I have listed these below for your information. It is unclear at this point how long our “new normal” will be necessary. I will put out updates as they come to hand.
School Activities Not Allowed
There are still some things we cannot do yet due to COVID–19 restrictions. I have listed these below for the information of families and students.
- There will still be no excursions or incursions until further notice
- Interschool visits and events are not allowed
- We are not holding our full school assemblies yet
- We are limiting the number of visitors to the school. We are encouraging parents to phone in rather than visit the school at this point in time
- Parent teacher meetings and P and C meetings are still not running
- Whilst we are running Thursday afternoon sport, no grade or competitions sports are operating
- Information evenings and showcase evenings are not running
- Our school production of “A High School Musical” will not be staged this term. We are waiting to see what we may be able to do in relation to this later in the year.
We Are Keeping Up Some Social Distancing and Hygiene Practices
- Whilst the Government has indicated that social distancing measures need not apply in schools, Menai High School is implementing a range of social distancing measures to ensure everyone stays safe at this time
- Hand sanitiser is available in every classroom and students are required to use it when entering the classroom
- Markings have been placed on outdoor seating indicating where students can sit to ensure social distancing is observed
- Students are not to be hugging, shaking hands, touching or having any other physical contact with each other whist at school
- Arrows have been placed onto walkways to indicate the direction of foot traffic throughout the school to avoid overcrowding in corridors and walkways
Supports for Year 12
We are very mindful that this has been a particularly challenging year for our Year 12 students. I would like to encourage Year 12 to keep working hard as they have been doing and reassure them that we will support them in any way we can. I have listed some things we are doing to support Year 12 below. Please let us know if there is anything else we can do to support your Year 12 child.
- Thursday afternoon sport time has been set aside for Year 12 students to do additional work on their HSC major works. This will continue throughout Term 2. Students can access this time by negotiation with their teachers. Social distancing and hygiene practices will apply
- Additional tutoring is available to Year 12 students in the library during Thursday sport time
- Assessment tasks and schedules have been modified where necessary to ensure students are not disadvantaged by any disruptions caused by COVID - 19
In closing I would like to again thank our staff and our community for working so cooperatively to ensure our students get the best possible deal under difficult circumstances. I am hoping we are through the worst of it and we can all settle into our new normal and enjoy the rest of our school year.
Stay well everyone!
Deputy Principal
Mrs R Allen – Years 7 and 9
Welcome Back to School
It has been very impressive to see how students, teachers and parents have managed this very difficult and unusual time. Thank you to parents and caregivers for your ongoing support. It has been quiet humbling to have so many positive messages, phone calls or interviews with parents who have expressed their appreciation of the work the teachers and school have provided their child.
Uniform
As the weather has become colder I remind parents that the Menai High School uniform shop has all the required items. Students must be wearing the green/red jumper or school jacket purchased from the uniform shop. Compliant black shoes (leather or suede) must be worn each day. Students are not to wear hoodies or jumpers of any other colour. If extra layers are required students are encouraged to wear a plain white long sleeved t-shirt. If parents have any issues with purchasing items from the uniform shop, the school does have a second hand uniform shop. Please contact the school to arrange a visit to purchase items. If your child is out of uniform for a day, a letter explaining this must be provided to their roll call teacher or Deputy Principal. Your child’s diary has a uniform section where the letter can be written.
The uniform shop has plenty of school jumpers and cardigans available for purchase. A reminder that a black jumper is NOT school uniform. Thank you to the families who have organised uniform needs for your child. We do understand that some families are finding it difficult but remember the second hand uniform shop has items available. It is open Fridays from 11.45am to 12.15pm for parents. Parents are required to come to the office.
Mrs E Sayed-Rich – Deputy Principal Years 8 and 12
It is fantastic to see students returning to school and highlight how essential attending school is for optimum wellbeing. Whilst there is an adjustment period expected, students are back into a good routine as they attend face to face classes. Please contact your child’s year adviser or the relevant Deputy Principal if there are any issues.
Year 12
Assessment Schedules
Updated assessment schedules have been issued to all Year 12 students. Year 12 students are responsible for checking the schedule and for being aware of any changes.
HSC Examinations
The HSC written exams will start later than originally planned to provide more support for our students in the lead up to the exams. The Department expects that the additional week provided prior to the written exams is used by schools as teaching and learning time to support students in their preparation for the HSC. It is expected that Year 12 students will continue to attend lessons on site up to 19th October, 2020.
NESA Confirmation of Entry forms were issued to Year 12 this week. Students are required to check the form for any changes to their personal details and patterns of study.
The HSC examination timetable is available to Year 12 students through students online. Students can view their individual timetables by logging in at https://studentsonline.nesa.nsw.edu.au/
Head Space and Support Information Throughout the COVID-19 Period
Parents and caregivers please be aware of the following support services and information for young people through Head Space https://youtu.be/EKg1S6p44I4
E Head Space – eheadspace provides free online support and counselling to young people 12-25 and their families and friends. If you are based in Australia and going through a tough time, eheadspace can help.
How Head Space can help young people if they are:
- Feeling down
- Feeling stressed
- Being bullied
- Concerns about drugs and alcohol
- Getting along with your family and friends
- Romantic relationships
- Getting advice about helping a friend
- Anything the young person wants to talk about!
Click here for more information.
Have a great week.
Good News
Student Good News
LOTE Faculty
Mrs Ferraro commends her Year 12 Japanese Beginners and Year 11 Japanese Continuers classes on being engaged in every lesson and completing all of their work in every lesson.
TAS Faculty
Mrs Ryan also commends Peter Barreiro, Christian Costi, Jessica Parsons, Samuel Soper, Tamzin Sturt (7TAS12) and Mark Feltaous (7TAS6) who have been working hard in Technology and Applied Studies so far this term. They have been completing tasks and turning them in early. Well done!
HSIE Faculty
Ms Wearring would like to congratulate the following Year 11 Society and Culture students: Phoebe Allsop-Guest, Hannah Bunyon, Lauren Carey, Alyssa Talakovski, Phillipa Yeung, Emma Burrows, Isabella Myring, Alyse Hewitt, Rhianna MacRitchie, Victoria O’Sullivan, Siena Barnett, Rachel He, Mackenzie Cole, Jasper O’Shea, Phoebe Seretis, Lara Stroner and Anais Commons for outstanding Family Research Assessment Tasks; Phoebe Allsop-Guest, Siena Barnett, Hannah Bunyon, Jasmine Burnard, Emma Burrows, Lauren Carey, Karlea Davies, Rachel He, Darcy Lynch, Rhianna MacRitchie, Isabella Myring, Victoria O’Sullivan, Phoebe Seretis, Lara Stroner, Alyssa Talakovski, Janice Lau, Natalie Prentoski and Rahela Stojanovski for Excellent Media Files.
Senior Study – Dealing with Changes and ideas for taking care of yourself and manaqging the challenges of senior studies - click here for more details.
Miss B Stone
Head Teacher, Welfare
Administration
School Photos Update
Academy Photography have advised us that our School Photo orders have been held up due to the social distancing restrictions encountered as a result of Covid-19.
They have estimated that they should arrive in the school in around 2-3 weeks.
HSC Timetable
Year 12 students have been advised via email, Sentral and through their ‘students online’ account of the 2020 HSC Timetable.
All students should check their ‘students online’ account to see their personalized HSC timetable and inform either Ms Sayed-Rich or myself if they have any questions or queries.
Trial Exams
Year 12 have also been advised that due to Covid-19, the Menai High School Trial Exam period has been moved to Weeks 4 and 5 of Term 3 (10th Aug – 21st Aug). Students will receive their trial exam timetable in Week 10 of this term.
Parents and students are reminded that holidays and appointments must not be made during the trial exam period and should also familiarize themselves with the Illness and Misadventure process which was printed in the assessment booklet students received at the beginning of Year 12.
Mrs L Ferraro
Head Teacher, Administration
Science Corner
National Youth Science Forum – Year 11 applications now open
The NYSF Year 12 Program is a 10-day residential program designed to give students a broader understanding of the diverse study and career options available in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and to encourage continued studies in these fields. At the NYSF Year 12 Program run in January each year, participants will:
· visit science and technology related laboratories and facilities,
· go on site tours,
· listen to lectures,
· take part in workshops,
· go to social events, and
· participate in group activities that improve communication and presentation skills.
The NYSF is run by youth for youth, with a certain number of participants being selected each year to come back and participate in our Student Staff Leadership Program (SSLP) in preparation to help run the program the year after they first attended. For more details or to apply please visit https://www.nysf.edu.au/programs/year-12-program/
Ms A Hanna
Head Teacher, Science
Creative and Performing Arts
When popular Nickelodeon TV kids TV show READY SET DANCE returned to Nick Jr in May, eagle-eyed viewers might have noticed a few familiar faces. Alexandra Kis from Year 8 is a Dance and Drama student at Menai High School. To access the article please use the link below:
https://www.theleader.com.au/story/6756862/local-kids-star-in-tv-show/
Ms J Almond
Relieving Head Teacher
Creative & Performing Arts
Extra Curricular
VET News
Last term, NESA advised schools that the 70 hours of compulsory work placement was no longer a requirement for the current Year 12 only. Any student in Year 12, who would still like to go on industry work placement, are encouraged to contact me to discuss and arrange a suitable placement. This is particularly relevant for those students wishing to obtain an apprenticeship in 2021. Work placement gives students the opportunity to see what it is like to work in that industry and help them make choices for their future.
Work placement is usually organised through Southern Sydney Business Education Network (SSBEN) and Year 11 will recommence their compulsory work placements from Term 3 2020. Suitable placements are often difficult to find in some industries, especially Business Services click here. If you or any of your family may be able to offer a suitable work placement for any of our students in the Business Services industry, please contact myself at the school or Ziad Mutasim at SSBEN on 0415 437 740.
Ms L Blanche
Relieving Head Teacher VET
Edrolo – an online resource to assist students in Years 11 and 12 with preparation for HSC examinations and revision of coursework.
Our school’s teachers and students now have access to this resource for many HSC and Preliminary HSC courses. Students have been sent details of how to access their accounts with Edrolo. Please view this quick video to see the support Edrolo offers to students:
Mrs D Cooper
Head Teacher, Learning Support