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.

SSO Week – Thank you

Last week was Support Staff Week, an opportunity to recognise the importance of our support staff and thank them for their fantastic efforts.  On behalf of the Renmark High School community, we would like to acknowledge our support staff for all of the fantastic work that they do. Our valuable staff support our school in a multitude of ways, including in the classroom, administration, library, IT, pastoral care, and grounds. Without your support staff couldn't offer the high quality learning environment and opportunities that we do to help support young people to achieve their potential. Thank you to Liz Beech, Carli Burnnard, Tara Camilleri, Joanna Catalano, Tracey Chapman, Dani Coombs, Brooke Durdin, Daniel Giles, Tom Gregurec, Amanda Hartley, Ashlea James, Karina Lambert, Stacey Lambert, Uncle Barney, Pamela Main, Sonja Modlinski, Samps Okholm, Kerrie Pyers, Anthony Rothe, Connie Schrapel, Alicia Thackray, Kyla Wade and Leanne Weigall.

Parent Survey

We encourage you to complete the parent opinion survey before it closes this Sunday.  The survey measures the level of engagement parents have with our school.  The survey asks families about how you perceive our school, including how well our school supports your child’s learning and wellbeing and how we communicate with students and families.  Survey results will help us understand what we are doing well, where we can improve, and what is important to parents and caregivers.  Please check your email for the link emailed or text to you by the Department of Education or use https://educationsa.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8oi3YL6pkNAPlf8?RID=CGC_Vh7hHqWFFLbIOjV&Q_CHL=email

Staffing

Director of Inclusion, Amy Evans, is working on a project at Banksia Park International High School for the rest of this term.  Congratulations to Danielle Weeks who is undertaking Amy's role while she is away and to Damian McCarthy, who is covering Danielle's Student Support Coordinator role.

Our Pastoral Care Worker, Pammy Main, is on leave for the next few weeks and will return at the beginning of term 4.

Afghanistan

As we have watched the situation unfold in Afghanistan we are aware of the possible impact on students and families. This may include families who have relatives and friends involved, families of returned service personnel, or students who may be anxious over what they have seen and heard. Please contact the school for support from our well-being team for students.

Renmark High School

With our current attention on student pathways and subject selection processes for 2022, it is a timely opportunity to reflect on the learning environment provided for students at Renmark High School.

Renmark High School is large school offering a wide range of subjects to students.  In 2021 we are delivering 35 different Year 11 subjects and 30 different Year 12 subjects from all 8 Learning Areas in the Australian Curriculum and SACE.  Students at Renmark High School are able to choose from a superior suite of subject offerings, particularly when you consider the practical subjects available including the range of PE options and the very successful outdoor education programs, digital technologies, and hands-on practical technologies. Furthermore, we offer a diverse range of academic subjects which includes the Sciences, Psychology and Legal Studies. Students are also fortunate enough to be able to choose from three languages, Greek, French and, in their senior years, Beginners Spanish.

Vocational pathways are also strongly supported.  Through the Riverland Secondary Alliance, Renmark High Students have access to 18 different vocational education and training (VET) courses.  This availability enabled 22 Renmark High School students to achieve Certificate 3 or above in 2020 in a wide range of training options from Agriculture and Automotive, to Hair Dressing and IT. We also have a wide range of extra curricula options available to students including camps and excursions.

While we are large enough to offer real options to students, we continue to be a country school that has that small school knowledge of the individual student and their learning needs.  Our dedicated staff team are committed to supporting the learning of our students and building a solid foundation for student success.   To strengthen the Wellbeing of our students, so they are able to make the most of the opportunities on offer, students also have the support of our on-site Well-being Team.  This team includes our Well Being leader, Ben Files, Social worker, Alicia Thackray, Aboriginal Secondary Education Transition Officer, Daniel Giles, Student Engagement Support, Tara Camilleri and our Pastoral Care Worker, Pammy Main.

The opportunities at Renmark High enable students to experience high levels of success and transition to strong pathways for their futures.  In 2020 Dana Hansen achieved an ATAR of 97.8.  Overall, 6/10 of our year 12 student grades were either an A or a B.  Each year, most of the Renmark High students who apply for university are accepted, with most of these students gaining entry to their first preference.  These courses cover a range of disciplines including Law, Criminology, Engineering, Engineering (Civil and Architectural), Chemical Engineering, Robotics, Teaching, Business, Design, Aviation, Health and Medical Science, Behavioural Science, and Psychological Science.

It is an exciting time for Renmark High School as we complete some significant building works to continue our improvement of  the learning environment provided for students.  We are enjoying the use of our $2.5 Million STEM works building program and are in the final completion of the most recent $5 million of funding which includes upgrades to our Library, Front Office, Student Services, our new Learning Hub, and air conditioning, lighting and new ceilings throughout the school.

As you are making your subject choices and deciding on your pathways, take a moment to reflect on the fantastic school community that you are part of, and then how you are going to make the most of the opportunities we offer so that you have the best foundation for future successes!

Mat Evans- Principal

Magazines and Editorial Spreads

The year 9 Digital Media students have been designing magazine covers and 2 page editorial spreads using a variety of complex tools in Adobe InDesign. They selected a theme of their choice and creatively arranged their imagery and text, with careful consideration being placed on balance and hierarchy.

Jodi Long - Digital Media Teacher

Plyometrics

Mr. Clark’s Year 9 Volleyball class has been undertaking Plyometric training every Thursday. Plyometrics is a type of exercise training that uses speed and force of different movements to build muscle power. Plyometrics training can improve your physical performance and ability to do different activities. By participating in this program, it is hoped that students will see an improvement in their power and jump, allowing them to be more successful when playing the game.

Mr Clark - Physical Education Teacher

Since the beginning of term 3, we have been undertaking a skills task, aiming to develop a better understanding of three elements of photography including basic camera controls. The skills were Lighting, Exposure and Composition as well as a variety of photographic techniques. Using these elements not only strengthens our creative mind but also develops a knowledge of camera controls. The basic form of controls feature Aperture, Shutter speed, ISO, and White Balance.

As a class we were instructed to let our creativity shine even during lockdown, it didn’t stop us from venturing out and capturing the world through our lenses. Once we returned to school it was time to further experiment with the digital cameras. As a group we went on three walks outside the main school campus; the first journey was to the Ian Tolley Agriculture Block, the second to the Renmark riverfront and the third to the St Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. These local excursions, gave us all the creative freedom we needed away from school to let our photography shine.

Colby, 11 Photography Student

Organisms

This term in year 8 science students have been learning about multicellular organisms. As part of the topic, students have learnt about the different types of cells, tissues and organs that work together to create organ systems, and their job in keeping organisms alive. Ms Schiller’s students had the opportunity to participate in the dissection of a sheep’s pluck with the help of pre-service teacher Miss Bor, so that they could see real examples of each of the organs and tissue types in mammals. Students were able to identify the different organs shown and could answer questions relating to each of the organs and make comparisons between body systems in sheep and humans.

Students are now completing an assignment where they have to re-design an organ or system that could allow humans survive in the harsh conditions of a post-apocalyptic world. Students will use this experience of seeing organs up close to help them when designing their modified organs.

Ms Schiller - Science Teacher

Last week, Wednesday 11^th August, we had the opportunity to attend the Graduation to celebrate the completion of Certificate II in Construction Pathways Course for our Senior Learning Hub students Ashley Watkins and Kaleb Pryor. The course was run by the Glossop High School and their training partner, Carey Training and we were extremely lucky for our Renmark High Students to be able to participate in this program. 

During term 2, Both Kaleb and Ashley attended Glossop High 3 days a week for weeks 1-9, and then 5 days in week 10. The boys were delivered information through a Powerpoint and textbook theory, around important on the job rules and responsibilities while working on a job site. Students worked with the assessor observing the techniques for each building and construction to help with their final assessment.  

As the boys worked through the course, they became more confident and their courage grew to help complete the set construction tasks, which included paving, cement pad and shed, and a shower alcove. On completion, both boys successfully passed. 

This qualification provides a pathway to the primary trades in the construction industry. The Certificate II is designed to introduce learners to the recognised trade callings in the construction industry and provide meaningful credit in a construction industry. 

This was a great achievement by all the attending students! Congratulations to you both on successfully completing your Certificate II in Construction Pathways, you should both be very proud of yourselves! 

Lori Sandland - Alternative Learning

Transition

We were very excited to welcome year 6s and 7s back to Renmark High School on Thursday for the second of their three ‘Come and Try’ Transition Days. Students were once again grouped with others from all of our feeder schools. Each group attended two lessons, a Care Group session and a recess break before returning to their primary schools.

Students had the opportunity to participate in lessons including: Wood Technology, Food Technology, Performing Arts, Music, HASS, English, PE and Science. We would like to thank the staff who came along to support their students. The students were all very engaged and enthusiastic; it was a fantastic day!

Many students commented on their enjoyment of the sessions:

I like the games in Drama – Harry

I got to meet new people – Will

I liked seeing people I haven’t seen for a long time – Kaleigh

Science was pretty cool because we got to do experiments – Emme and Skye

I liked PE because we got to play lots of games – Ali

I liked discovering the new colours in Science – Devlin

I liked writing stories; it was really fun – Amy

I liked making pizzas because we got to eat – Sukhraj

We liked making things in tech because we haven’t done that before – Maddi and Courtney

We look forward to hosting our year 6s and 7s again in week 2 next term.

Danielle Weeks – Director of Inclusion

Renmark High School has been notified of a number of school based and full-time positions in:

• Carpentry
• Panel Beating
• Horticulture
• Dental Assitant
• Real Estate - Administration

Students who have interest in finding out more about these positions should contact our SACE/VET Coordinator -  Marina Pater.