We acknowledge that we are on the land of the First People of the Murray and Mallee.

We pay our respects to the Elders both past and present and honour the laws and customs that cross this traditional country, the ancestors who taught and still teach the knowledge that is embedded forever with the Aboriginal people today.

Welcome back to staff, students and parents. I hope students had a great holiday break to recharge ready for term 4. 

 Year 7 Transition

It has been terrific to see the year 7 primary school students visiting our school and participating in some lessons as part of their transition program.  It is always exciting to be part of a student’s introduction to school life in their secondary school journey.  These visits are as much about our staff getting to know students as they are getting to know us and our school.  We are looking forward to their next visit in week 7 when they return for two full days of high school. 

 Building Works

It is exciting to see the changes that are happening every day with the renovations at Renmark High.  Our new administration, front of the school, library and student services are well underway, with the landscaping beginning to take shape.  New air-conditioning in C block is being installed in the next two weeks and will be ready for term 1 2021.

 World Teacher's Day

With World Teacher's Day being celebrated this Friday, I would like to take the opportunity to publically recognise the fantastic teachers we have at Renmark High School and their commitment to student outcomes. Teaching is a demanding profession that requires not only in-depth knowledge of subject content, but also how to teach it, so that every student can experience success. Our teachers use their varied skills such as patience, leadership, creativity, innovation, organisation, preparation, and are technology enthusiasts to name a few. On behalf of the Renmark High School community - Thank you teachers, your efforts are truly appreciated!

Yr 6/7 primary school students visiting Renmark High today as part of their 2021 Transition.

Congratulations to all the students who received an award at our school Award Ceremony held on Friday 16th October.

Magazine Design

Our year 9 designers have been given a brief to design a magazine cover and editorial spread of their choice using the design process, Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator apps. The outcome was a highly creative range of magazine covers and editorial spreads that incorporated various Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator techniques, with thoughtful consideration of design elements and principles. Well done designers!

Mrs Atsaves and Miss Long

Created by Emily T

Created by Maddison M

Created by Jack R

Created by Angelo O

Created by Jenna L

Students can now search the library catalogue from outside the school network. The link is at the top of the Quick Links box on the Renmark High library website and students can login using their B0794 (including all the numbers) barcode from either their diary or ID card. There is no password or PIN required. Search for books and other resources, make reserves and check out what you have on loan and what is due back to the library under my borrowing details located under your name in the top right hand corner of the page.

Mandy Smith - Librarian

Plane Crash written by the Yr 8 PA Class

On the 22^nd of September, the year 8 Performing Arts class performed in front of two year 8 classes. The class had created and rehearsed the play over a 5 week period.

"I enjoyed acting on stage and being a part of something that I’ve never done before" Sophie

"I enjoyed doing the set design by putting up a huge tent in the background held up by a tarp, rope and the lighting rails. Putting on a performance is a lot of work with set design" Kayla

"I learnt how to do sound FX in only a short amount of time" Cameron

"I really enjoyed making up the play as a group and doing the final play. I learnt how to remember lines and that you can’t laugh even when something funny happens. Stick to your role!" Rachel

"Cooperation between fellow classmates is crucial which helps the play come to life. There is also a lot of preparation that goes on behind the scenes" Penny

"I learnt how to memorise lines, work with others, throw ideas around and how to have fun while working and learning at the same time. A performance is more than just acting. There is team work, trust, as well as sound, set, lights, props and costumes" Alana

"I learnt a trick to take control of the situation when people forget their lines. It is better to help those who have forgotten their lines in the play through “saving them” than to be annoyed at them" Kyia

Admin staffing update

Sonja our Finance Officer commenced maternity leave at the beginning of week 2 this term. We wish Sonja well with the birth of her baby and look forward to her return in term 3, 2021. In the meantime we have had a few staffing changes around the office.

We welcome Amanda Hartley to the position of Administration Officer, Stacey Lambert to the Student Services role and Carli Burnnard as our Finance Officer. If you have any general, student or finance queries please don’t hesitate to contact one of our friendly staff members.

Karina Lambert - Business Manager

Each Monday of term 4 the FLO students are giving up their time to volunteer at Olivewood. On arrival the students obtain an overview of all the different things they can do to help out for the day. Students then choose what they would like to be involved with. So far the students have had a detailed tour of the museum, shed and buildings, have learned about the mechanics of old vehicles, devised questions for an up and coming interview with a historian, helped to move various museum items, weeded the gardens, swept paths and developed relationships with the retired volunteers. Not only is this time each Monday great for our students' resumes, it is building their confidence and giving them an opportunity to be involved in something completely new. Thank you so much to Wayne Howell and his group of volunteers at Olivewood for warmly welcoming our students. We look forward to each Monday and all the new and different things our students can be involved in. 

Lori Sandland - FLO Coordinator

Interschool Debating

A successful day was had by all participants during our interschool debating between Renmark and Loxton High School. The day saw students from year 8-12 speak in front of an audience over the course of one day.  It was highly evident that all teams researched, planned and rehearsed their speeches prior to the day. Facts, anecdotes and statistics were used to engage the audience and to persuade adjudicators Mrs. Schier and Mr. Telfer into believing that their arguments were true and accurate. Both adjudicators provided feedback to the students and the audience and followed up with announcing the results for each year level.

Overall results were:

• Year 8 Renmark High School defeated Loxton High School
• Year 9 Loxton High School defeated Renmark High School
• Year 10 Renmark High School defeated Loxton High school
• Senior Division Loxton High School defeated Loxton High School

Mrs. Elliott - Leader of Literacy and Global Perspectives

Students researched and used their learning from and with Aboriginal peoples and/or communities to undertake their creative presentation. They chose an Australian animal that they personally connect to. They researched their chosen animal making links from a cultural, family or life experience perspective and explained their connection. They were able to present their evidence of learning in a creative way and produced a presenter’s statement explaining the intention of the creative presentation.

Long Journey

The river feels like home, it’s hard to explain but I will miss it if I move away from here.

I prefer drawing over painting. Drawing is relaxing and calming and you can lose yourself in it. You have no care in the world about what is going on around you because you are in a completely different world, not in reality anymore, somewhere else. Not all Aboriginal artists use dot painting, many people think all Aboriginal artists paint the same way but that’s not true. You try to find your own way of doing it, what style suits you. I chose colours that were realistic to the water and the fish and the tree, the stones, the river environment.

The fish represents me. I used to go fishing a lot for older family members that couldn’t go places that they used to go. I would fish for them because they no longer could. I can just see the smiles on their faces when I brought the fish back for them. The feeling was out of this world.

I want to go places but I can’t, not really. Even though I want to go and try something new, I don’t last, I need to come home.

Growing up with your cousins and brothers, being with family, watching the young ones grow and seeing the old one’s faces, it brings me home. I don’t want to stay in the one spot. I want to fly away but I can’t, the pull of home is too strong. The bird I drew is like that, it represents what I want but can’t have. I want to fly free and fly high, fly away, try new things, go somewhere different….. but the call of home is too strong.

Andrew Lindsay

Kelpie Farm Dog

When I think of this dog, it brings back good memories. When I was young, I would always sit on my motorbike with the dog. My Pop would drive around while my brother was always helping out in the shearing shed. When I was old enough to ride all by myself me and my Pop would spend all day long riding, trying to bring the sheep around, cleaning wool and racing to not let the sheep out of the gates. It brings back good and sad memories. I will never forget my Pop and my dog Fly. They will always be in my heart forever. I named her Fly when I was little because she was fast and she would round up the sheep really quickly too. My nan would always have the BBQ going with a heap of food; they were good times and I wish I never had to let them go so quickly.

I have chosen this piece of artwork because it relates to me and my family. I made it by using a bit of wood. I asked Mr. Cresp if he could help me do my art. When he said yes I went to the wood station and got a large piece of wood. I then went on the internet and selected a photo of a Kelpie dog that looked like how I remember Fly looked like, and then put it on a program called ‘V Carve.’ I saved it onto a USB and plugged it into a machine called a ‘CNC router’ that then carved it into my wood and then there was a dog on my wood. I then stained it with varnish and let it dry on the table. I wood burned my name into the wood and then I let it cool.

I’m proud of it and that I didn’t give up when things went wrong. Next time I create something I like this, I might make it stand up.

 

                        Written by Lachlan McGee 

Welcome back to Renmark High School.

Today we had the year 7 students in for Transition and it was wonderful seeing them enjoying new things. I especially enjoyed meeting them all at the BBQ that we had at recess time.   A huge thank you to Blake, Stevie, Heath and Brock who helped me cook all of those sausages,  you all did so well.   I went into Home Economics and helped a few of the year 7 students make some savoury scones. They appeared to enjoy the making and the cooking and especially sampling their finished product. I then visited our music room and had a very interactive lesson on the Drumbeat diembes with Martine and another group of year 7s.  We had lots of fun doing the drumming and I learnt quite a few new things in the area of drumming.

I hope you all had safe and happy holidays and trust that this term will be a really good finish to a somewhat difficult year. Take Care and keep smiling to lots of people. Until next newsletter.

Pammy - Pastoral Care Worker

Given the school year we have had, you will not be surprised to hear the annual school magazine will be a bit light on. We’d like to celebrate the various talented students of our community with a bit more of an in-depth look at the journey their passions have taken, be it sporting achievement, environmental championing or volunteering. We’d like to share all their successes with the school community. If you'd like to contribute, please put together a short piece (preferably something that hasn’t been put in print before) and collect some photos you think would accompany your article.

Please create the written piece in Word. The photos need to be jpeg format and with captions. Email these to heidi.stanojevic779@schools.sa.edu.au by no later than the end of week 4 Friday November 6^th. Please don’t hesitate to give me a call at school if you have any questions or need help.

Thanks in anticipation, Heidi

MATERIALS AND SERVICE CHARGES FOR 2021

You are invited to attend the Governing Council meeting on Wednesday the 28th of October at 7pm in the STEM space. The meeting will give the opportunity for parents, caregivers and students to discuss and comment on the Materials and Services Charges for 2021.

Please note: The Renmark High School Finance Committee and Governing Council have recommended to keep the charge at the minimum Department for Education standard rate of $325 for the 2021 school year.

Karina Lambert - Business Manager

AC CARE

More foster carers are needed in the Riverland to support young people in need of safe homes and positive relationships. Foster carers help provide support and care to our region’s most vulnerable children and young people. They play a significant role in welcoming young people from the local area into their homes and families to ensure they have access to familiar schools, sporting activities, friends and relatives. Carers can choose to provide long-term, short-term, respite or occasional care. By joining ac.care’s network, carers also have ongoing support from a team based in the Riverland, providing specific training and 24/7 on-call support services. It takes many different people to provide sustainable placements for children of all ages, from infants through to teenagers. Foster carers can be of any gender, single or in a relationship, with or without children and there are options to balance working with foster care. If you would like to find out more about how to become a foster carer, don’t hesitate to call ac.care Riverland foster carer recruitment, assessment and training officer Brenton on 8580 5303, visit our website at www.accare.org.au and keep up to date with activities on Facebook at www.facebook.com/accarecommunity

HAWKER SCHOLARSHIPS

The 2021 C.A.S. Hawker Scholarships open on Monday 7th December and close on Friday 8th January 2021.

C.A.S. Hawker Scholarships are one of the most generous privately funded scholarships available to undergraduate students in Australia. Each residential scholarship is valued at up to $60,000 over three years. The scholarships are available to all Australian students. The majority have been awarded to students entering their first year of university studies.

Selection is largely based on personal qualities and demonstrated leadership as well as academic ability. Undergraduate Hawker Scholars are able to attend a range of Australian educational institutions.

The Charles Hawker Scholarship perpetuates the memory of scholar, soldier and Charles Allan Seymour Hawker and commemorates the achievements of one of Australia’s most respected statesmen. 

C.A.S. Hawker Scholarships have been presented by Governors-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC and Major General Michael Jeffery AC, Australia’s Chief Scientist Professor Ian Chubb AC, South Australian Premier Hon Jay Weatherill MP, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon David Hawker AO, Australian of the Year Dr Richard Harris SC OAM and Director of the Australian War Memorial Dr. Brendan Nelson AO.

I respectfully request you inform your year 12 students of the potential life changing opportunities offered by the C.A.S. Hawker Scholarship and suggest they go to the website www.hawkerscholarship.org for information about the scholarship and download an application form. The Secretary to the Trustees can be contacted on 08 8127 1654.