Proposed new start and finish times for 2020 school day

As part of looking at improving systems and structures to support student learning at Renmark High School we have reviewed our school day.  We have reworked the lesson times throughout the day to maximise the learning time.  While this new timetable proposal includes some internal realignment of lesson times, the noticeable change for parents is that the day will begin for students 10 minutes later, starting the day at 8:50am, and finish ten minutes earlier, finishing at 3:20pm. This proposal is supported by staff, the governing council and the bus committee.

If you have any feedback, questions or concerns about this proposal can you please ring or email the school to let us know by next Wednesday, 27^th November.

RHS Bring Your Own Device Program

We held an information night recently for a BYOD opportunity through the school.  Essentially we have 4 options (including a Mac) that are school recommended and that parents can buy outright (or through a payment plan).  For more information, please download the attached PDF brochure, or collect a hard copy from Reception.

Parent Opinion Survey

As part of our ongoing committment to school improvements, we encourage parents and caregivers to complete a Parent Opinion Survey. Your feedback is valuable and has a significant influence in the choices we make as a school community by helping us to identify our school strengths and more importantly, where we focus our resources.  Surveys are available online via the link below. hard copies are also available from Reception.

https://www.schoolsurvey.edu.au/s/2019RHS

This year's Remembrance Day ceremony at Waikerie again included 420 Australian Army Cadet Unit members. (420 ACU) 

The catafalque party performed very well using the Unit Lances which involves traditional but more complex steps. 

This year,  Cadets MITCHELL, OOSTERBROEK & HALL from RHS were involved.  

The Waikerie 420 ACU appreciate the schools our cadets are involved at giving them the opportunity to be an important part of this event.

In the attached photo 420 ACU members are with 4 local veterans from the Waikerie area. 2 are from WW2 (aged 96 & 104 years respectively) 1 from the Malaya/ Borneo and 1 from Vietnam conflicts. 

Nigel "Digger" CAMPBELL

2Lt, (AAC)  2IC - QM

420 ACU WAIKERIE 

"RYT Podcast" is a collection of short stories, improv comedy skits, and personal accounts created by young people living in the Riverland.

Written and performed by RYT participants, including RHS students Penn O’Brien, Angus Walters, Nikita Petricevic

Available on the RYT website wwe.ryt.org.au

 Here is a link to episode one https://www.podbean.com/eu/pb-vkfhv-c58f17

“RYT Podcast” is searchable on the iTunes podcast app or any podcasting app.

Episodes will be released each Wednesday until Christmas.

Chris Bond, RYT’s artistic director

As a recipient of the Year 10 Best All Rounder Award in 2018, I was given the opportunity to attend the ‘Rotary Health of The River Forum 2019’. This camp was held in Week 3 and was a week-long camp. I participated in a variety of activities that were both informative and fun.

The purpose of the camp was to show how much of an impact the river has on the local environment, how the river system allows for the community to thrive and what a career in ecology can look like. 

On Tuesday we completed a branching activity which is where ‘Hop Bush’, a native woody weed, is removed and the cut branches are then arranged on the flood plains. This experiment is to see whether the branching improves animal habitat, plant growth, topsoil and soil moisture levels. We also surveyed Black Box trees to see how healthy the trees were. This was done by looking at the crown cover of the tree and how dense the leaves were. This grading of the tree was used to determine when water needs to be pumped into sites to water the vegetation.

On Wednesday morning we conducted pit fall trapping. This is were buckets are dug into the ground and a small fence runs over the middle of the buckets. This allows small animals to fall in. We found Geckos, Mallee Dragons, Breaded Dragons, Scorpions and Spiders. This was one of my favourite activities. In the afternoon we went on a cultural aspect of the river walk and saw canoe trees and lots of other amazing cultural places. We were also filmed by the ABC news crew.

Thursday, we went to Lock 5, Paringa paddock and Olivewood. We were told all about how the river system influences the town and how the salt is damaging the environment.  We also saw two koalas in the same tree at Paringa Paddock.

During the camp we had delicious food made by a ‘Chef Andy’ whose boss is George Calombaris from MasterChef. We made presentations to the group on what we learnt and also participated in Rotary activity’s at night like talent contests, quizzes and a circus performance.

This camp has improved my leadership skills massively and it has given me more confidence. I believe this is due to being put in an unfamiliar environment and not knowing people. Being put in this situation forces you to talk to people you don’t know which leads to you making new friends, working as a team and stepping up to meet challenges.

I would highly recommend the camp for anyone who has a passion in the environment or is looking for a career in ecology. It really opens your eyes to how important it is to think about the impact we are having on our environment and why we must preserve our river for future generations.

Rachel Humble - RHS

MATH

The annual Math Olympics was held at Glossop High School in Week 4. Eight teams of 3 students from years 8, 9 and 10 spent the day competing against Loxton, Waikerie, Swan Reach and Glossop high schools.  Students, tackled four different rounds, including a maths and general knowledge section, beat the buzzer, a STEM challenge and a logic relay.  I was really impressed with the way students competed on the day, demonstrating their critical and creative thinking skills to tackle problems in thoughtful ways. Two teams were particularly successful with Sakina, Lachlan and Tyrone winning best Year 8 team and Kyle, Charlee and Dylan winning best Year 10 team.  Congratulations to all students involved.

 Michael Young

 Best Year 8 team: Sakina, Lachlan and Tyrone

Best Year 10 team: Kyle, Charlee and Dylan

ARTS

COMING SOON….

10 PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION

Year 10 Photography students are currently in the process of curating their own exhibition at the Chaffey Theatre. We are fortunate to have resident photographer/science researcher Charles Tambiah assisting students throughout this process. The exhibition will be held at the end of this term. Watch this space…

Darija Atsaves, Photography Teacher

SCIENCE

STEAM Week

The school will be running STEAM week across Week 9. Students’ ability to problem solve and work collaboratively will be put to the test through a number of challenges and activities. During the week students will sign up for a range of sessions including battle bots, rollercoasters, drone photography, mouse trap cars, canoeing and water quality testing and forensic murder mysteries. Friday will be our usual visit to the pool to celebrate the end of another school year. Please keep your eyes open for any consent forms regarding off site visits.

HEALTH/PE

Nicole and Jordan head to Singapore

Recently Nicole Pavlomanolakos and Jordan Gadaleta travelled to Singapore as part of the Football Federation South Australian regional teams. Along with playing many games throughout the week against teams from Singapore, Western Australia and the Northern Territory they experienced many cultural/tourist sites (including various Temples and light/water shows).

A highlight for Nicole included the 10-0 win over the Singapore Academy team to finish off the competition, while Jordan enjoyed a goal from half way along with playing in the Quarter Finals.

Overall they both highlighted that it was a great experience and they look forward to other opportunities in the future. Well done to both Nicole and Jordan for your commitment and efforts.

From Pammy Your PCW

Week 5 and we are halfway through the last term of 2019!

Our year 12 students had their exams this week and they will benefit from all their hard work this year.

I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful sunshine especially after last week’s  storm which for some left in its wake a lot of devastation.   I am part of the States Disaster and Recovery team, working alongside Red Cross in conjunction with PIRSA.  We have been visiting Riverland growers hit by the storm and supporting them in their losses.  In talking to a lot of these growers I was struck by their resilience and the way they pull together and help each out during hard times.   The Riverland community is truly a wonderful group of people.

I would like to share the following with you all – It challenged me, see what you think.

Life can be challenging, often difficult and sometimes uncertain.  How we react to events creates our mood.  We all have choices.   Take a moment to reflect on these affirmations. 

I choose compassion instead of violence.  I choose tolerance an understanding instead of hatred.  I choose peace instead of rage and anger.  I choose faith instead of fear.  I look for the peaceful and beautiful things that are all around.  I look for the good in other people and for the good inside of me.  I am kind to people even when they don’t deserve it.  Instead of waiting for things to happen to me, I go out and try to make a difference in the world around me.

When I read this, I was quite challenged and I will continue to challenge myself..  Have an awesome week and keep smiling.   Cheers, Pammy