Closing the Gap

Last week we held a family evening for Aboriginal students for Closing the Gap day. The national Close the Gap campaign arose in response to Professor Tom Calma’s Social Justice Report (2005) which challenged governments to bring about health equality within a generation. The aim is to “close the gap” between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in “life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity”. For our school it meant finding out from families the strengths and challenges to a successful education at Renmark High School. Thank you to everyone that attended and gave us valuable insights that we can use to further improve the engagement, access, teaching and learning for our students. 

Sports Day and Riverland Secondary Schools Sports Day

On Friday of week 6, it was a terrific day for our sports day. Congratulations to Sturt for their win and well done to all students who participated on the day. We are looking forward to Interschool Athletics this week. Go Renmark!

Governing Council AGM

Last week we held our AGM. Thank you to our retiring treasurer Scerina Rasheed and to Governing Council member Kerry Thompson for your service to our school. We welcome our new parent member Kerril Vowles. Our 2023 membership includes:

Chairperson – Darren Bussenschutt
Deputy Chair – Sean Leesue
Treasurer – Kimberley Wegner
Secretary – Andrea Logos
Parent Representatives – Kerril Vowles, Karen DiCerbo, Deanne Flaherty, Sally Kroemer, Laura Strout and Megan Petersen
Renmark Paringa Council Representative – David Sims
Staff Representatives – Jasmine Sotiroulis and Wayne Elliott

Positive Behaviour for Learning

Renmark High School has been selected to be part of a pilot program to implement the school-wide Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) framework. PBL is an evidence-based framework that supports equity and improved learning outcomes for all students. The school-wide PBL framework will be piloted in 41 public schools over a period of three years. You will hear updates from us on how we are implementing the PBL framework at our school and the outcomes and benefits for your child/children. 

The PBL framework brings together the whole-school community to contribute to developing a positive, safe and supportive learning culture. Our school will:  

• develop school-wide behaviour expectations 
• explicitly teach these expectations and establish clear and consistent boundaries  
• acknowledge positive student behaviour 
• consistently address behaviour of concern  
• monitor student outcomes and use data to inform decision making. 

The PBL framework helps schools teach behaviour skills proactively, and address behaviours of concern without immediately resorting to exclusionary discipline, such as office referrals, take home and suspension. The PBL framework and resources will consider the needs of neurodiverse learners when implementing the PBL practices and any adjustments that might be required for individuals. 

School Values

One of our first steps through our PBL program is to review our school values that will form the foundation of our positive, safe and supportive learning culture. If you have suggestions on what these values could be, please keep an eye on our Facebook posts, information at parent teacher interviews, correspondence via SMS or send them to us using the contact details at the top of this newsletter. 

Reminder: No phones in canteen

Please remember that from the beginning of next term students will need their bank card or cash when purchasing items. Phones will not be allowed to make purchases at the canteen.

Uniform

As the weather gets cooler, please dig out the uniform items you may need or make a visit to Tristate Graphics or Yates to purchase our winter uniform. Please remember that firm fitting pants (e.g. active wear, leggings) and hoods are not school uniform, neither are non-uniform colours visible under your t-shirt (e.g. a red long sleeve top under your uniform t-shirt).  If finances are a barrier to your student being in school uniform, please contact our wellbeing team for support.

COVID reminder

As we head into the cooler months and with increasing amount of illness around, we ask that you please keep students home when they are sick to help restrict the spread of the illness.

You can find your nearest COVID-19 testing centre here.

If your child tests positive, you must inform Renmark High School immediately.

It is recommended positive COVID-19 cases stay home until acute symptoms have cleared and take steps to protect others. Siblings of confirmed positive cases are considered a close contact and should follow the advice from SA Health.

People who have recovered from COVID-19 will not be considered a close contact for 28 days after testing positive.

The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff are paramount. As such, we will continue to work closely with SA Health to ensure that all necessary health advice is closely followed, and all necessary precautions are taken to minimise the risk of further transmission within our community.

On the 11 April, there will be a flu vaccination clinic at Renmark High School for staff and students. More information will be provided to parents and caregivers soon. 

Kind regards,

Mat Evans
Principal