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WELCOME BACK
Welcome to Term 2, and welcome back after a difficult time of uncertainty. I offer a huge thank you to parents, families, students and staff for your support through these difficult times. We have appreciated your flexibility, patience and cooperation.
We are extremely fortunate to live in Australia and South Australia in particular in so many ways. We do however need to be cautious and continue to abide by the guidelines given by Health and Education. Our increased cleaning of surfaces is being maintained, we have a good supply of soap and sanitiser for student and staff use, and student excursions are under review with each update. In order to keep both students and staff safe at Renmark High School we are also continuing to only permit essential visitors/services at this time.
We are pleased to have most students return to school for face to face classes, enjoying the range of learning activities we offer each day. We have a few students remaining on a "learning at home" arrangement and for these students we ask that you continue to refer to Daymap for all subject information.
We do need to continue to report on attendance of all students, including students learning at home who must check into Daymap each day. With the latest update to the Daymap software last week we can now see each day if students have logged on to Daymap. We can also see an activity log of what students have been accessing online in Daymap over the last three months. This new function identified many students "learning at home" who weren't actually accessing much of the learning required, despite having reassured their parents and teachers that this was happening. We encourage parents who have students learning at home to check in with students and teachers about their learning progress.
Building Projects
Our fence has now been completed and looks great. This was a big project and we are pleased to have been able to support a local business, Creative Pools and Landscaping, who undertook the work.
Our $5 million capital works project, including air-conditioning and the new school frontage, is also still in progress and we are expecting construction to begin in July.
Website
We are excited to be finalising some details in readiness to launch our new website. More information will be out soon.
Stay safe, be kind
Mat Evans, Principal
As part of the Renmark High School “Strong Futures” class, students watched the film ‘In My Blood It Runs’. The story focuses on a young Aboriginal boy named Dujuan from remote Northern Territory. Despite his high level of intelligence, Dujuan struggles to perform well in a school surrounding, largely due to discrimination from teachers who believed traditional Aboriginal learning was irrelevant for the next generation.
Some quotes gathered by students after watching the film:
“I couldn’t understand why the teachers didn’t want to learn from the Aboriginal children. It was their land and their story”
“Bush learning - it does count - and it helps people learn”
“Every time I’m in class, I feel stupid even though I’m not. Even though I’m trying to build my self- confidence, I only show my smartness sometimes. I can only be smart in a place I feel confident and valued in.”
Josh Goody - Aboriginal Student Voice
Striving for Success
Year 12 English students have been working hard over the school holidays to ensure that they stay on top of their learning as they make their way through the course. Collectively, the students in this class are motivated and have demonstrated that they will do what it takes to gain the best results that they are capable of. They have consulted heavily with our Teacher Librarian Mandy Smith and teacher Mrs. Elliott to gain ideas during their journey.
The Year 12 students have been busy reading books of their choice that have literary merit over the school break and well into the early part of this term in order to complete their 30 per cent external component, known as the Comparative Task. Students have also been spending their time watching films, Netflix series and reading short stories to gain some inspiration for the task.
Independent reading at school and at home has placed the Year 12 students in the ideal position to tackle this SACE assessment task. Students have developed positive habits related to reading and given that they have read and been exposed to a range of books, their selection of choices is much broader. I can’t express enough how important it is to read on a daily basis, both at home and at school. It not only helps to build vocabulary but just as importantly assists in building reading stamina-meaning how quickly you can read. This is a life - long skill required of us all. Year 12 English students are currently creating their own texts and will then develop a Writer’s Statement.
Biljana Elliott - Senior Leader, Literacy and Global Perspectives
CROSS COUNTRY
With much excitement it has been announced that the annual RHS Cross Country event will take place this Friday 15th of May.
All Year 8 students, Advanced PE students and Year 12 House Captains and SRC members are expected to take part. We are also pleased to see a large number of other students putting their names down to participate.
For many students, this will be the first sporting event they've been able to participate in for quite a while so excitement levels are running high!
Stay tuned on Facebook for results.
Aaron Camplin - Health and PE Coordinator
FROM THE MUSIC ROOM
As Term 2 commences, it is great to have another group of enthusiastic Year 8 students participating in Music. Students are keen to get going, and start playing the variety of instruments Renmark High School has to offer.
It is also an exciting time to be a student studying Music at Renmark as we have just began our RHS Band. It currently consists of Year 8 and 9 Instrumental Music students who are meeting once a week with band leader Alan Geddie to start playing together as an ensemble. The students are ready to get in there and make some music, as well as improve their group work and performance skills. Keep your ears open, as we hope to be sharing some music with you in the future.
We are also opening the Music room every Wednesday during lunch for students to come in and learn some new skills with the instruments. These sessions aim to give students a taste for Music, and even if you have never picked up an instrument, all are welcome to come along. As a plus, we already have some students who want to share their knowledge and musical know-how with others.
I will keep you updated on how our new musicians are going throughout the term. If your student is keen to be a part of instrumental lessons, or wants to be considered for the band (we are in need of a keyboard/piano, and bass player/s) please let me know.
Alistair Ward - Music Teacher
BEYOND TOMORROW
Kieran Johnson, local paramedic, presented an online session to the Year 11 care groups. He covered a wide variety of topics including paramedic careers, safe driving and accidents, and the current Covid pandemic.
We thank him very much for once again giving up his time.
Marina Pater - Director of Operations
AGRICULTURE
Late last term some of our Year 9 Agriculture students started their own veggie garden. Just look how much it has grown!
From this......
LIBRARY ACTIVITIES
Students can get involved in a number of extra-curricular activities in the library. These include Game Design every Wednesday lunch time and Creative Writing held every Friday at lunch time, both run by Mr Tubb. Book Club is held twice a term on a Wednesday run by Mrs Smith.
Details on these events are regularly updated in the Daymap Bulletin.
New Books in the Library
If you would like to see the new books, particularly fiction, the library has purchased this year, please visit the Renmark High School library webpage, select the Reading and Books tab, then select New Books.
Mandy Smith - Teacher Librarian
ART SUPPLIES
The Art department has a selection of ink jet papers and other specialty ‘papers’. If you are at all interested please contact the school to arrange pick up.
Heidi Stanojevic - Art Teacher
SCHOOL BUSES
There are many families needing to use the school bus service. Renmark West / South bus is managed by Renmark High School and is at capacity. Currently we are unable to allocate seats to students who are in need. If you no longer require your seat, can you please call the school on 85 866 974 and speak with Stacey in the Front Office, so we can offer this service to other families.
Term 1 Awards
Sadly due to restrictions put into place late last term we were unable to hold our Awards Ceremony to celebrate the Term 1 successes of our students.
We congratulate the students who received Effort and Academic Awards (see attached) and in particular, the following students who received a Merit Award, achieving an A grade in every subject:
Year 11 award recipients
NSW STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Late last term Year 10 student Jasmine Brine, along with her horse companion My Own Resolution, fulfilled a lifelong dream by competing in the 2020 Appaloosa Nationals followed by the NSW State Championship, held in Mount Hunter in NSW.
The lead up to these events was intense for Jasmine. She travelled to Mildura after school once or twice a week for lessons and improved her skills by participating in show events throughout South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. Her hard work and dedication was evident as she achieved incredible results in most of her classes. Along with winning the SA State Awards High Point Junior Youth and SA Runner Up Performance Horse, she also won the following:
NATIONALS RESULTS
1st Place – Youth 14-18yrs Hunter Under Saddle
1st Place – Trail
1st Place – Youth 14-18yrs Showmanship
1st Place – Youth Barrels
2nd Place – Youth Horsemanship
2nd Place – Youth Ranch
Results from above led Jasmine to be awarded the High Point Youth 14-18yrs award.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS
1st Place – Youth 14-18yrs Trail
1st Place – Youth 14-18yrs Showmanship
2nd Place – Youth Dressage
2nd Place – Hunt Seat Equitation
2nd Place – Youth Ranch
2nd Place – Youth Horsemanship
2nd Place – Senior Horse Horsemanship
Jasmine was also awarded State Champion Youth 14-18yrs High Points award.
Congratulations Jasmine on your fantastic achievements!
Above photos courtesy of Ace Photography by Nicole Wilson
Welcome, Welcome, Welcome. Here we are in Term 2 when so many of us thought that we would not be back at school at all. How good it is to be back, seeing the smiling faces of students and teachers? We must however, keep in mind the safe distancing, and washing and sanitising of hands. I am using lots of hand cream because my hands are so dry, but it is so worth it.
Things are and will slowly get back to "normal", whatever that is. We have made a few changes in our lifestyle and are enjoying them...we are not as busy and are appreciating what we have at home....my garden and chooks and the peace and quiet of it all. I have found that you can always find some positives even in the most difficult of times. I really hope everyone can find some small things to be grateful for. It makes me feel so much better inside my head when I focus on small things to be grateful for.
Today I am very grateful for living in the Riverland, with lovely sunshine and beautiful places to visit - the river is so beautiful to look at and enjoy, especialy kyaking or out in a boat.
Have a wonderful week everyone and please stay safe and look after each other. Big smiles to all of you.
Pammy Main - Pastrol Care Worker
IMMUNISATIONS
The immunisation programme will continue Week 5, Friday 29th May for students in year 10 only.
Year 10 Students will receive the following vaccination
- One dose of Bexsero
(Meningococcal B vaccine)
Please note that if your child did not receive their immunisations last term they will not be able to receive it this term. Renmark Paringa Council will hold a clinic on Wednesday 20th of May for students who missed their immunisation. Please contact them direct on 8580 3000.
If your child is unwell on the day of the immunisations they should advise the nurse before receiving the vaccine.
Students are also encouraged to eat a small healthy breakfast, avoid sugary snacks and drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.
For more information please visit
and search School Immunisation Program
The school canteen, operated by Grab n Go, has become a hugely popular option for recess and lunch! Why wouldn't it be when the food looks so delicious?
With weekly specials on offer, the students can warm up on a cold day with some scrumptious hot food.
Don't forget to download the Qkr! app to pre-order your lunch so you don't miss out.