Principal’s Report

Night of the Notables

Congratulations and special thanks to Ms Ind, Ms Green, Ms Tehan, Ms McQueen, Ms Craig, Mr Maloney, Ms Touvoli, Ms Apostolou, Ms Andrews, Ms Goodwin, Ms Starbuck and Mr Hamley for an absolutely superb Night of Notables.

Also thanks to all the other staff who assisted and supported on the night. It takes enormous work on the part of the staff and I really appreciate the superb effort made to support our students in their preparations for this night.

 Special thank you to the parents of our Year 7 students, who put in so much effort by supporting and helping our students with costumes, table settings, posters, give-aways and a myriad of other things which culminated in the fantastic evening we all enjoyed on Tuesday night.   Some more photos taken on the night are on the gallery on our homepage.   

 Well done to all the Year 7 students.  You all did a superb job.   I always look forward to this event on the school calendar. It is a marvellous night where the students really showcase their passions, interests and talents. Well done to all involved.

“Not So Big Day Out”

Recently the SRC staged an event called the “Not So Big Day Out” at BHHS, to raise money for a school in South Africa, where ex-student Kevin Hawkins (class of 2008) is currently working as a volunteer for one year.

This is an excerpt of a letter sent to me from Kevin in appreciation of the funds raised on his behalf at this event.....

“I would like to personally thank the staff and students for their efforts in organising the fundraising events which raised $482.10 for the St Mark’s College instrumental music program. In particular I wish to commend the work of Troy Larkin and the Student Representative Council for their support and enthusiasm towards this project.

Thank you also to the Stage Band and any other musicians who performed during the ‘Not So Big Day Out’, as well as the ever-reliable tech-crew. I’ve heard that the concerts went well, in spite of some weather problems.

To all the students, teachers and parents who contributed financially, I thank you for your generous donations. The money in which you have donated has gone towards purchasing musical instruments for an under-funded school in rural South Africa.

The $482.10 (roughly R3000 ZAR) has gone towards the following items:              

• 1 x new classical guitar                                       R   430
• 2 x second-hand classical guitars                    R   798
• 1 x Panasonic keyboard                                    R 1200
• 1 x Tambourine                                                   R   100
• 2 x Djembe drums                                              R   240
• 2 x Traditional African drums                            R   200
• 6 x Plectrums                                                       R     30  
• TOTAL                                                                   R 2998

Thus far the instrumental music program has been a success. Weekly guitar and keyboard lessons – both of which I teach – have consistently been well attended by the St Mark’s College students. Furthermore a few regulars, who have been learning from scratch, are on their way to becoming confident musicians, able to read and perform music. Some students have even displayed a talent for song writing, an ability that showcases both their enthusiasm and creativity”. > read more of Kevin's letter

Congratulations to the SRC on this wonderful effort in raising these much needed funds at the “Not So Big Day Out” event. 

Mrs Kate Mitchell, Principal

End of Year Activities Reminder

A reminder that Friday November 6 is the time that all students in Years 7, 8 and 9 should have signed up for the
End of Year Activities Program.  This is a compulsory program for those students who are not taking part in the Camps Program.

Spare forms can be obtained from the General Office or here.

Mr Neil Davis, Assistant Principal

FOPA Rises Again to Help the School

BHHS would like to gratefully acknowledge the assistance of: Elizabeth Giddings, Steven Giddings, Peter Giddings, Tony Burton, Lucienne Noontil, Michael Joyce and a “lateish” appearance from Rod Buncle who all came to help me reorganise the Assembly Hall to accommodate all our Year 12 VCE students for their examinations. The tidy up was fantastic and has allowed the examinations to commence effortlessly. Thank you all once again.

Mr Neil Davis, Assistant Principal

Spring Concert

 The Spring Concert was performed on Wednesday 14^th October to a very supportive audience.  The concert involved all school ensembles; Wind Symphony, Concert Band, Year 7 Band, Stage Band, Guitar Ensemble, VCE choir, School Choir and “Shady Lewis and the Jazz Pelicans”. “Shady Lewis and the Jazz Pelicans” are of course a student run ensemble but deserved to have their own spot on the program.  Congratulations to all students who contributed to making  a very pleasing concert.  All ensembles played to a very high standard and thanks must also go to the staff who rehearsed with the ensembles every week to present some very fine performances. The concert was the last of its type for 19 Year 12 students who were presented with a gift and a few words were said about their wonderful commitment to the program over the years. 

 Congratulations to Jack Scanlan (Music Captain), Rebecca Farr (Music Captain), Von Torres, Evan Wallace, Thomas Keating, Josh Sommerfeld, Angus Roche, Sarah McBride, Andrew Groszek, James Eggington, Adam Joyce, Alex Giddings, Apurva Nargundkar, Sabha Dehgani, Elise Wallach, Kimberley Woods, Miriam Bradbury, Jessica Yuen and Ashley DeNeef (School Captain).  We wish the students well with their future endeavours and we hope music will continue to be a very important part of their lives.

MrTroy Rogers, Director of Music

The Pitch

Box Hill High Produces Brilliant Results

The 2009 Victorian State Athletics Championships were held last week at Olympic Park in Melbourne. Students needed to have won 3 different rounds of their event (school, district and zone) to qualify and were competing against the best students from all over the State. Box Hill High School sent 7 students out on the day and all performed very well.

• David Rankin                        1 Gold Medal &  4^th Place
• Maree Tunnecliffe                1 Bronze Medal &  4^th Place
• Roy Gao                                 4^th Place
• Ben Porteous                        6^th Place
• Julia Skowronska                 6^th Place
• Andy Nguyen                         7^th Place
• Brigitte Wolhuter                   8^th Place

Congratulations to all these students who competed and especially to David who is the 2009 17 Years Victorian Shot Put Champion!

Cricket Results

Our Year 7 and 8 Cricket teams have also competed over the past week in our district competition. The Year 7 Girls and Year 7 Boys both finished 3^rd, the Year 8 Girls team finished 2^nd and our Year 8 Boys won their competition to progress to Eastern Zone finals played this week. Good luck to those boys and well done to all teams that competed.

John Middenway, Sports Coordinator

Camps Information

Final payments for all End of Year Camps are to be paid by Friday November 6. If you have any problems concerning this matter, please don’t hesitate to contact me, by email francis.sonia.s@edumail.vic.gov.au or by phone on 9875 9133.

Medical and Permission forms (when handed out in Camp Meetings), must be completed and returned as soon as possible.

Sonia Francis, Camps Coordinator

Absences Information

Students are reminded that Monday November 2 (day before Melbourne Cup Day) is a normal school day and students are expected to attend classes as usual.

When students go on holidays during the school term, they must inform the following staff members prior to their absence: - their Year Level Coordinator, their class teachers and the Student Absences Coordinator. These staff members must be advised before they begin their holidays, not during or after.

When students are absent due to illness or alike, they must bring an absence note on the first day following the absence. Students who have to be constantly reminded to bring absence notes may incur a detention.

Your attention and cooperation to the above details is much appreciated. I can be contacted by email on francis.sonia.s@edumail.vic.gov.au or by phone on 9875 9133 when your child is absent.

Sonia Francis, Student Absence Coordinator

Second-hand Book Stall – Parent Volunteers required

As in previous years, we will be holding a Second-hand Book Stall during the last few weeks of the school year.  This service is provided for parents by parents, to assist with both purchasing books for the following year at a reduced price, as well as providing the opportunity of selling books from this year. 

However, in order to do this, we need the help of parents.   If you are willing and able to volunteer a day or two of your time during early-mid December, please email me asap to register your interest in contributing to the organisation of the book stall this year.  The book stall will not run without the help of parents.  Your help is greatly appreciated, and greatly needed. 

 Ms Sue Cooper, Business Manager
cooper.susan.g@edumail.vic.gov.au

Planning on Leaving?

Please note: - If you’re leaving Box Hill High School this year, you will need to obtain an Exit Form. The Exit Forms are available from Ms Dianne Trengove, Room 102.

VSN

Introduction of the Victorian Student Number.  Our school is working with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to allocate a Victorian Student Number (VSN) to each student at the school.

The VSN is a student identification number that is being assigned to all students in government and non-government schools, and students in Vocational Education and Training Institutions. The number, which is unique to each student, will be used as a key identifier on a student’s school records, and will remain with the student throughout his or her education, until reaching the age of 25. The VSN is nine digits long, randomly assigned, and tied to stable information about the student (name, gender, date of birth).

The introduction of the Victorian Student Number will provide the capability to accurately detect patterns of student movement through, and departure from, the Victorian education and training system. It will greatly improve the collection and analysis of timely and accurate data about education in Victoria. The Department collects information to track improvements made to the education system, identify areas that require further improvement, and to analyse trends and identify future needs. The VSN will improve the accuracy, reliability and completeness of this information, providing a better basis for assessing needs and developing policies to meet them.

You will see the VSN appear on student report cards, enrolment confirmations, and exit confirmations.  If you want to know more about the VSN please see http://www.education.vic.gov.au/management/governance/vsn/overview.htm 

Monday 2 November – School as normal

This year Melbourne Cup Eve is not a curriculum day.  Monday 2 November will be a normal school day.

Uniform Shop - PSW

Please note: The Uniform Shop will be closed on Monday November 2.

The normal operational hours of the Uniform Shop are: 
Mon: 12.20pm - 3.30pm
Thurs: 8.15am -10.45am
Contact Number: 9809 5477
Please note these times are subject to change.        > more uniform information                                                                                                            

Canteen Roster

For week beginning Monday November 2

Monday:
Tuesday:               Melbourne Cup Day
Wednesday:         Carole Byron
Thursday:              Donna Lee & Dani Balon
Friday:                    Jane Wiles

Community Announcements

Manningham Spring Festival

Sunday 15 November, 2009
12pm – 6pm
Ruffey Lake Park, George Street, Doncaster

For program updates and further information on the Manningham Spring Festival, please visit www.manningham.vic.gov.au

Yarra Valley Railway’s Halloween Ghost Train 

Friday 30^th & Saturday 31^st Oct.  Trolley rides $22 or $18 conc. Dinner & Trolley ride $38 or $34 conc.  Friday - Dinner 8pm with ride at 9pm. Ride only at 8pm, 10pm, & 11pm. Saturday - Dinner at 8pm with ride at 9pm.  Ride only at 7pm, 10pm & 11pm.  8pm Friday and 7pm Saturday Ride Only suitable for families with younger children.  Not recommended for U5 yo. Take the Ghost Train if you Dare - For bookings or more information call Patricia on 0400171657