Royal Adelaide Sheep Show
Congratulations to our Agriculture team who won the 'Most Developed Show Team' at the Royal Adelaide Show recently with our wether sheep. This is a terrific recognition for the huge effort students put in during the year, and then during their time at the show. Well done! 

Parent Teacher Interviews
This term we are focusing on our reporting on Daymap and teachers will not be providing evening face to face sessions in the normal parent teacher format. Please check Daymap for your child’s progress in their assessments, and if you have any questions or want to clarify their progress, please contact the subject teachers to have a learning discussion.

Student Free Day

During the Student Free Day last week staff were engaged in a busy day of professional development including planning with the Australian Curriculum, cyber security, and Positive Behaviour for Learning. We appreciate the alternative arrangements that families make for a student free day, your support enables the continued improvement of our school.

R U OK? Day
Recently it was national R U OK? Day, a good chance to remind us of the importance of checking-in. Please don’t forget that we don’t just need a 'day' to check in on our families, friends, students, colleagues and ourselves we can do this anytime! You don't need to be an expert to reach out - just be a good friend and a great listener. Use these four steps and have a conversation that could change a life:

1. Ask R U OK?
2. Listen
3. Encourage action
4. Check in

Don’t forget that we have many staff who can support student wellbeing at school, including Wellbeing Leader Ben Files, our full time Social Worker Alicia Thackray, Aboriginal Secondary Transition and Education Officers Daniel Giles, Chloe Shorrock and Uncle Barney, Pastoral Worker Maria Dowzard, and Engagement SSO Kyla Wade. Please refer to them for student support as required.

Student Self Care
It is the end of term 3 and, with only 9 weeks to go until the last exam. The next few weeks are an essential time for year 12 students. It is important to set a good study plan, make the most of the time remaining, and take the opportunity to work with teachers to assist in preparations for final assessments. However, having a balance between work and fun is extremely important. Ensure that you also take time over these holidays to relax in between your study. Throughout the two week break, your usual support structures may not be as readily available. With this in mind, here are some excellent resources you can utilise anytime - whether it be during school holidays or not:

Phone Counselling

• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
• Headspace 1800 650 890
• Beyond Blue 1300 224 636

Online Counselling

www.kidshelp.com.au
www.headspace.org.au

Enjoy the break!

Mat Evans
Principal

Year 10 Work Experience

Week 7 saw our year 10 cohort venture out into the community and taste a week of working life. From local council and primary schools to media and the service industry and much more, year 10 students enjoyed this opportunity to be exposed to possibilities that are available in our community. Congratulations to the large group of students that have been able to secure a level of ongoing work as a result of their successful week. The feedback received by the school and our students and families was extremely positive as year 10 students not only worked with a great attitude and demonstrated strong skills, but also upheld the school’s respect value. Renmark High School would like to take this opportunity to thank local businesses for the continued support of our students and the wider community in engaging with the work experience program and offering the year 10 group a taste of employment.

Year 12 Trial Exams
While many year 12 subjects are well into exam practices, week 1 of term 4 will be a trial exam week. Students will still attend all classes during this week. Most exams will occur during the double of that subject. Staff are currently reviewing a trial exam draft timetable and this will be ready to publish in week 10 and will also go home with reports. The trial exam week is an excellent opportunity just a few weeks before the exams to trial not just how to undertake the exam and get feedback of the performance, but also to trial preparations and habits.

We encourage students to be prepared in the lead up to their exam period. We have listed a Headspace link to assist with the preperation process in such a crucial time of their schooling. Preparing for Exams: https://headspace.org.au/explore-topics/for-young-people/prepare-for-exams/

Good luck to all involved and stay tuned for the published trial exam timetable in the next week. 

SATAC Applications
The window to register for SATAC applications is fast closing. The later the application is lodged, the more expensive the fee will be. If you have not yet lodged your SATAC application, do so and if you need help, please come and ask myself or any senior teachers. We are more than happy to help!

Elevate Education Sessions
Last week our year 11 students participated in a Study Sensai session delivered by Elevate Education in the Elaine Balfour Ogilvy Library. Students looked at a variety of study habits and techniques and explored different ways in which you can be effective with your habits and engage in study more meaningfully. Year 12 examinable subject students also were able to attend an exam session presented by Elevate Education later in the day. Students were exposed to a variety of ways to prepare for and undertake exams, how much time to spend on each section of an exam and ways to write effectively in the exam. These sessions were very helpful, presented enthusiastically and student feedback was very positive.

Flinders University Rural Health Day
On Monday of Week 9, ten year 11 students were able to attend the Flinders University Rural Health Day at the campus in Renmark. Renmark High School students mixed with students from Loxton, Waikerie and Berri Regional high schools and met with Flinders representatives and students. The presentations offered allowed students to get a feel for life at Flinders in Adelaide and what university is like, while also exploring the courses offered at the Renmark campus, including nursing, physiotherapy, speech pathology and occupational therapy. These were very informative sessions that proved to be useful for students who are interested in studying allied health.

Joe Dix Memorial Lecture
This Friday in Beyond Tomorrow, year 10-12 students will attend the Joe Dix Memorial Lecture presented by Rotary Club of Renmark in the Chaffey Theatre. Renmark High School graduate Cody Milne will provide the 2023 lecture and explain to students the pathway he has taken to being a very successful and important member of the Renmark Paringa community.

On a personal level, I am very proud to be involved with the lecture this year, helping to present Cody’s story. I remember Cody’s time at school very fondly and greatly enjoyed being his teacher across a number of years. Cody represents a real role model for all Renmark High School students to learn from in their pursuit of connection, respect and achievement.

Apprenticeship, Traineeship and Employment Opportunities
There has been a high amount of communication to the school in the past few weeks around offered apprenticeships and employment. This is a great opportunity for year 11 and 12 students to seek assistance in the application stages in applying for these local careers. Career opprtunities are listed in our student bulletin and communicated in Care Group daily. If you would like to know more information on positions advertised in this week's newsletter, or there is a trade you are interested in, come and see me or send me a Daymap message to organise a time to discuss.

Ben Files
Acting Assistant Principal & Wellbeing Leader

This week a group of year 11 students attended the Flinder’s University Riverland Campus for an immersive experience where the students were able to meet and interact with Flinder’s University students in the areas of Medicine, Nursing and Allied Heath. The students completed different activities from the different fields and participated in a Q&A session with local GP Dr. Hamish Eske about the benefits of studying and working in rural areas.

Alicia Thackray
Social Worker

During week 8, the Stage 2 Outdoor Education class ventured off on their last expedition for their schooling. The experience was a self-reliant canoe trip which commenced at Customs House and concluded at the Jane Eliza Tower Tavern lawned area in Renmark. The group paddled down sections of the Murray River while also exploring various creeks along the way, travelling approximately 55km.

The group was very fortunate as the flow was moving in the same direction and the weather was absolutely perfect. It was also an eye-opening experience as we were able to view the impacts of the recent floods along with the many environmental benefits developing.

The group worked collaboratively during the planning stages and utilised past experiences with minimal input from the teacher. This also occurred throughout the trip which required the group to make some decisions and not rely on the teacher. At times it was challenging and tested everyone’s ability to work together but overall it was a really rewarding and a fun experience.

Charlize - Although we were pushed to our limits at times, we thoroughly enjoyed being outdoors with each other and viewing the beautiful scenery.

Toby – I really enjoyed spending time in the outdoors being away from usual routine. It has encouraged me to get out and explore the outdoors.

Steph – Paddling with the flow was a bonus but overall it was a great trip.

Harry – Overall, I really enjoyed the camp and having the ability to make our own decisions as a group.  

Aaron Camplin
HPE & Sports Coordinator

Renmark High School students competed against Loxton High School students in a highly charged debates based on a variety of topics. Our year 7-12 students researched, rehearsed and prepared their formal speeches with their team mates hoping to convince their audience and adjudicators using high quality preparatory and persuasive skills.

Year 7 Junior Team - Sarsho, Maria and Emily defeated Loxton.

Year 9 Junior Team - Grace, Michael and Adem were defeated by Loxton.

Year 10 Senior Team - Stephen, Hassan and Myah were defeated by Loxton.

Year 12 Senior Team - Zoe, Lachlan and Sakina defeated Loxton.

Congratulations to all students involved in this highly rigorous competition!

Biljana Elliott 
Leader of Literacy and Global Perspectives

Our Deadly Mob's Connections

Our stories are unique and valuable to each of us and so are our Elders. They are all important and special, different for each one of us. Our artwork expresses the definition ‘For Our Elders’. NAIDOC Week 2023 was to recognise and acknowledge the role Elders play in our lives and the impact they have on our lives. Elders are entrusted with passing down stories and cultural knowledge. The artwork expresses the knowledge that has been passed down to each student as individuals. Each with their own story, each from their own country. That connection may show in a symbol, a colour or a pattern.

Martine Turnbull
Science, Mathematics and Aboriginal Education Teacher

Let's Lunch Locally

Year 8 Food Technology students designed their own lunches based on the local foods of the regions of South Australia. Each group had their own region to focus on and designed their own lunches for two, centred around two local foods from their chosen region. Students were creative when designing their lunches. The ingredients ranged from seafood, chicken to fresh fruit and vegetables. Students organised, prepared and cooked their own dishes in groups of two or three.

An amazing outcome for our young chefs!

Wendy Matulic
Food Technology Teacher

Each year Renmark High School receives a government fund for each female identified student to put towards sanitary products. This year each female identified student will receive a small pack filled with sanitary products that they can keep in their bags or lockers. There is always sanitary products available in the Learning Hub, Student Services, and Alicia's (Social Worker) office.