Vision issue 02 -- 2011
From the Principal... Janette Scott
I am pleased to report that the
vast majority of students in
each year level have made a
great start to 2011. In particular,
I was very pleased when I
analysed the summary of Term
1 grades achieved by our Year
12 students: 77 A grades, 102
B grades, 111 C grades, 34 D
grades and 11 E grades. (A
grade was not given for the
new Year 12 subject, called the
SACE Research Project this
term.) Staff will be following upor daughter’s Care Group
students who achieved those D
and E grades in Year 12 and at
each year level.
Well done Year 12 students
and Mr McCurry for the design of the Admin team, if you are
of the senior top this year
(featured in the photograph).
It’s stylish and looks great.
I can’t wait to see their
windcheater!
Year 8 students’ attendance
has been excellent in term 1, at
just over 92%! I am concerned
about the overall attendance
of Year 9 students, which was
much lower at around 85%.
Other year levels were between
these two rates.
Regular attendance is vital for
students to make progress in
their learning. Each student
should aim for at least a 90%
attendance target for the term,
which means they will be away
for less than Inside this issue >>
half a day a 1 From the Principal
week. Students 2 Amalgamation with Para Hills
should be West Primary School
absent only for Sleep Hygiene
serious and Sports Report
Luke’s Perspective
unavoidable
3 Year 8 Camp
reasons.
No student 4 Harmony Day
absences 5 Harmony Day
should be for 6 Sports Day 2011
trivial reasons. 7 Sports Day 2011
Please contact your son • We have just ordered another 8 Community Corner
120 computers for students
Teacher, our Student to use. 30 of these are super
Counsellors (Leonie Roberts fast PCs that will be used by
Design and Tech students Term dates for 2011
and Craig Kennedy), our Year Term 1 31/01/11 -- 15/04/11
Level Managers, or members in the new space. The Term 2 02/05/11 -- 08/07/11
remainder are 90 laptops for
Term 3 25/07/11 -- 30/09/11
concerned about attendance use in Maths, English, S&E, Term 4 17/10/11 -- 16/12/11
Dance & Drama classes.
issues. Poor attendance makes
it very difficult for students to Lastly, I would like to thank all Diary Dates
make real progress. staff for their hard work with Term 2 Starts 2/05/11
their classes and in supporting Yr 9 NAPLAN Tests 10 - 12/05/11
Two quick updates about major whole school events, such Yr 7 - 8 Open Day 18/05/11
improvements to our school as Sports Day and Harmony NASSSA Common Closure 27/05/11
Reconciliation Week Assembly 3/06/11
and our resources: Day, and other major activities
Queen’s Birthday 13/06/11
• the renovations in the such as the Year 8 Camp, the SACE Exams 20-24/06/11
Technical Studies area are Orientation Day for all VET Start Semester 2 27/06/11
going very well. The builders students, and the introduction Report Collection/Interviews 6/07/11
Last Day Term 2 8/07/11
expect to have completed of the compulsory new Year
their work by the end of April. 12 subject, called the SACE
A considerable amount of Research Project. I wish Ms
Meth and Mr Sapinski all the
additional work will be done
after this, such as cabling best when they are on leave in 90 Beafield Road
and the installation of new term 2 and thank Mr Carmine Para Hills
machinery. We hope that staff Morante for filling in for Mr South Australia 5096
Twartz, who will return from tel (+61) 8 8258 5466
and students will begin using
leave at the beginning of term 2. fax (+61) 8 8250 9527
these new high tech spaces info@phhs.sa.edu.au
late in term 2 or early in term 3. Happy and safe holidays. www.phhs.sa.edu.au
South Australian Department of
Education and Children's Services
T/A South Australian Government
Electronic versions of the newsletters
Schools
are available on our website.
CRICOS 00018A
Vision issue 02 -- 2011
Amalgamation With Para
Hills West Primary School
For Your Information & Comment
At the last meeting of the Para Hills
High School’s Governing Council, held
on Wednesday 16 March, the topic
of amalgamating with Para Hills West
Primary School was discussed. Our
Council members noted that the primary
school’s Governing Council were not in
favour of the proposed amalgamation.
Our Council’s discussion focussed on
two main issues:
• the benefits of amalgamation and
• the effects on school size of amalgamation.
Council members concluded that they
could not identify any advantages to
be gained for our students and their
families. Also, Council members felt that
the majority of parents, who enrolled
their sons or daughters at Para Hills
High School, did so because they were
looking for a medium sized school. As
amalgamation would increase the size of
the school significantly, Council members
agreed that it would not be supported
by the majority of parents. The Council
concluded that it would not support the
proposed amalgamation with Para Hills
West Primary School.
Governing Council members would
appreciate hearing from parents about
this issue. Please ring Janette to discuss
your views, write a note to Keith as
Chairperson (you can leave it with Mrs
Stam Levendis in the Front office) or
send an email to info@phhs.sa.edu.au
Janette Scott Keith Cameron
Principal Chairperson
Governing Council
Sleep Hygiene
Last newsletter I write a little about Sleep
Hygiene: Helpful Hints to Help you Sleep,
and I continue here.
Your Sleeping Environment
• Use comfortable bedding
• Find a comfortable temperature
setting for sleeping and keep the room
well ventilated
• Block out all distracting noise and
eliminate as much light as possible
• Reserve the bed for sleep, let your
body “know” that the bed is associated
with sleeping.
Getting Ready For Bed
• Try a light snack before bed
• Practice relaxation techniques before
bed
• Don’t take your worries to bed
• Establish a pre-sleep ritual such as a
few minutes reading
• Get into your favourite sleeping
position.
Con Apostolopoulos
Assistant Principal
Senior School
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Sports Report Luke’s Perspectives
Sports Day 2011
This year we had another fantastic
school Sports Day. Despite early worries
with the weather we ended up having a
perfect day. There were a large number
of competitors across all events. In the
lead up events we once again broke the
record for the number of competitors
in both the boys’ and girls’ 1500m
Principal’s Challenge. Thanks to Ms
Scott for donating muffins and a fruit box
to competitors.
On the day, the standout event was
the whole school 600m walk, with an
approximate 98% participation rate
from students on the day. It was a very
colourful sight to see! Congratulations to
Zoe Lynch for breaking the only school
record on the day- the Year 8 girls 400m
run by nearly 4 seconds!
A big “Thanks” to the Brahma Lodge
Fitness Centre who donated a free 3
month membership to the top Senior
Athlete of the day. Congratulations to
Victor Thach who was awarded this.
Congratulations to all competitors and
spectators who made a very fun day!
...continued pages 6 & 7.
Vista Athletics Carnival
Congratulations to all competitors in the
2011 Vista Athletics Carnival. While we
didn’t win any overall positions, it was
still a very positive day with a number
of students winning ribbons for their
individual events. Another fantastic
aspect of the day was that nearly
every event was filled with a Para Hills
competitor who tried their absolute best.
Ice Factor Tournament
The Para Hills Outlawz are once again
back in their finest form, taking out the
Term 1 Tournament in an undefeated
run. All team members participated
well, with a couple of players scoring
their first goals in a tournament. There
was a standout performance from
David Dicmanis who won the fastest
skater award in the individual Skills
Challenge during the half time break.
Congratulations to everyone on the team!
Senior Boys Indoor Cricket
Congratulations to the Senior Boys
Cricket team who came runner-up in a
recent cricket carnival. The boys worked
well as a team to ensure all players were
involved throughout the day and their
teamwork paid off!
Ever had a bad day?
Maybe a bad week?
Or even a bad year?
I had one last year. There were so many
bad things I could point out, like deaths
and other un-pleasantries, but I’ll save
you the details. The point is, it was not a
good year for our family.
Sometimes it’s like life can just crush us
down and seem so hard hey? But this
year I made a decision - I was going to
let go of the past, move on and choose
to be happy - and you know what? It’s
actually working!
I’ve decided to let go of the things I can’t
control - and I must say, it’s most freeing!
When we realize that we just can’t
control everything - a big weight drops off
our shoulders.
People don’t like you? You can’t control
that - so let it go!
Someone’s done something to you that
hurts? It may not have been your choice,
but you can choose how to react. I’m
choosing to forgive those who hurt me
and move on - can you?
People will always have issues. If it’s not
you - it will be someone else they hunt
down and be bitter towards (and more
than likely they are anyway) so why don’t
you journey with me this year and make
it a life of freedom from their opinions?
I’ve chosen this year to be a good year,
and it’s amazing when you choose a
positive outlook how even bad situations
can turn out good! Sure some things are
harder and take longer to deal with, but
hey, there’s too much of life to be lived to
have the past chain us down!
But if you ever need a chat I’m always
here to help! And there are plenty of
others in the school who can too!
Just remember that you’re a champion
no matter what others think!
Luke Greaves
Christian Pastoral Support Worker
OPEN DAY
We will be having our Open Day
for Year 7 students and their
parents on Wednesday 18th May.
There will be tours of the school
from 4:00pm to 6:30pm and
information sessions at 5:00pm
and 6:30pm.
 Vision issue 02 -- 2011

Year 8 Camp
Toc H - Victor Harbor
The Year 8 Camp was held at Toc H
again this year. We had a fantastic
group of 80 students and 9 Peer Support
Leaders, who involved themselves in
every program.
We visited Urimbirra Wildlife Park, where
many students fed kangaroos and koalas
for the first time. We walked to the
beach where the Peer Support leaders
held a Sand Castle competition. We had
a Penguin Tour on Granite Island; before
settling in for a Quiz Night back at camp.
The next day was just as busy, beginning
with an anti-bullying session led by our
Student Counsellor Mr Craig Kennedy
and the Peer Support Leaders. We then
walked to Greenhills Adventure Park for
the day. That evening there was a talent
quest, our best one yet!
We had an early start to Friday, leaving
on the bus at 7am for Middleton Beach,
where we were met by our Aquatics
instructors, who went through a surf
safety lesson. The girls were then taught
to Surf and the boys to Boogie Board –
they were all terrific!
After a snack and a rest, the groups
swapped and learnt another skill! The
conditions were cold, rough and murky
but extremely safe and much fun! This
was a highlight for most students!
Thanks to Mr Kennedy, Mr French, Ms
Fantinel, Ms Roubanis, Mr Greaves and
Ms Mercurio for giving up their time to
go on the camp. We were really proud of
our Year 8 students!
Mrs Roberts
Student Counsellor

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Vision issue 02 -- 2011

Para Hills High School continued its

tradition of celebrating its cultural
diversity by holding an assembly for
Harmony Day.
Harmony Day is celebrated around
Australia on 21 March each year. It’s a
day where all Australians celebrate our
cultural diversity. The day is also the
United Nation’s International Day for the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Harmony Day is managed by the
Department of Immigration and
Citizenship and gives people the
opportunity to celebrate what makes
each Australian unique and share what
we have in common.
The continuing message for Harmony
Day in 2011 is that Everyone Belongs,
which means all Australians are a
welcome part of our country, regardless
of their background. It’s a time to reflect
on where Australia has come from,
recognising the traditional owners of this
land.
It’s also about community participation,
inclusiveness and respect – celebrating
the different cultures that make Australia
a great place to live.
The assembly enjoyed the number of
dances, both traditional and modern,
western and eastern, particularly when
students dressed in traditional costumes
performed dances from Afghanistan and
‘Bollywood’.
Many thanks to Mrs Surman and Mrs
Mercurio for organising the assembly
and also to the students who performed
magnificently.
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Vision issue 02 -- 2011

5
Vision issue 02 -- 2011

Sports Day 2011

6
...a Super Day
Vision issue 02 -- 2011
Sports Day Winners 2011
Year 8 Girls
1st Zoe Lynch 90 points

for all participants

Equal 2nd Tamika Maraldo 80 points
Equal 2nd Jaci Gibson 80 points
Year 8 Boys
1st Alireza Solhjou 67 points
2nd Tyson Okello 66 points
3rd Brodie Doig 62 points
Year 9 Girls
1st Jasmine Harvey-Onsworth 76 points
2nd Maddie Jamal 42 points
3rd Brooke Groth 38 points
Year 9 Boys
1st Sakhi Nader 84 points
2nd Ali Mirzaiei 62 points
3rd Jian Posadas 60 points
Year 10 Girls
1st Tiffany Hayford 84 points
2nd Nikki Phillips 80 points
3rd Adeline Wilson 60 points
Year 10 Boys
1st Tyson Rigney 76 points
2nd Dylan Harnas 65 points
3rd Shane Faulkner 54 points
Year 11 Girls
1st Laura Withers 90 points
2nd Renee Dale 84 points
3rd Jessica Gardner 70 points
Year 11 Boys
1st David Dicmanis 82 points
2nd Daniel Mason 80 points
3rd Daniel Whitehead 68 points
Year 12 Girls
1st Laura Pinnuck 80 points
2nd Sophie Havlis 78 points
Equal 3rd Jamie Dennis 50 points
Equal 3rd Alana Holdsworth 50 points
Year 12 Boys
1st Victor Thach 80 points
2nd Elias Campbell 76 points
3rd Timani Timani-Seve 74 points
Care Group Trophies
Year 8 M102-Fantinel
Year 9 M202-Sapinski
Year 10 S302-Dmochowska
Year 11 S405-Osepciu
Year 12 S502-Hastings
Principal’s 1500m Challenge
Boys: Daniel Mason
Girls: Renee Dale
Bike Race Champion
Zac Stewart
Fastest Male over 100m Joel Chadwick
Fastest Female over 100m Diamond Banks
Novelty Event Winners
Year 8: M102
Year 9: M203 and M204
Year 10: S302
Year 11: S404
Year 12: S502
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Vision issue 02 -- 2011

Breast Cancer
Community Corner Learn About Yourself Para Hills Knights
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Your Say
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FREE Training Opportunities

May 2011 - August 2011

Do you want to increase your confidence to get back into the workforce?

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Would you like to train in a fun and supportive environment?

Are you currently looking for work, or planning to in the next six months?

If the answer is YES to any of the above, the following FREE training opportunities may be for you!
Food to Go
The ‘Food to Go’ program will give you a range of skills and theoretical knowledge to work in the food industry. Areas covered
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Discover the Artist Within

Are you an Indigenous Australian wanting to find the artist within? This program will give you the opportunity to discover your
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Both programs will will be held at Pooraka Farm Community Centre and will run for 14 weeks with two sessions per week.

For enquiries and enrolments contact Zoe on 0432 487 611 or Heather on 8262 5544

*Crèche may be available, please discuss this when enrolling.

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An initiative of the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology through the South Australia Works program.

c t , L e a r n , L iv e
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