Principal’s Report

50 Year Reunion

Last Thursday I was delighted to be part of the 50^th Reunion of the Box Hill High School “Old Boys” who undertook Matriculation in 1959 and Leaving Studies in 1958 at Box Hill High School. There were about 60 old boys present, and a great afternoon was had by all.  They chatted, reminisced and shared stories about the old days at Box Hill High School.

They obviously really enjoyed their school days and had many exciting and interesting stories about the staff, students and Principals to share. I heard amongst other things about the baseball team, housing bikes for over 500 students, pictures of the Queen in every room, pranks played by the boys and stories about the dedicated teaching staff. Great speeches were made by several old boys and we toasted absent friends, the teaching staff, and the Queen.

We sang all verses of the school song “The Road to the Hills” and then “Fifty Years On”.  We were accompanied on the piano superbly by Geoffrey D’ombrain who wrote the school song. The boys sang with much gusto.  I now understand why the boys performed Gilbert and Sullivan at concerts as the quality of the singing was really good!  Bruce McGregor convened the event and I thank him for his hard work in organising this great occasion.

Year 12 Camp

The Year 12 exams continue this week and the Year 11 exams will soon be starting. I would like to remind all Year 11 parents about the importance of the Camp that is to be held for all Year 11 students doing Year 12 next year, on November 25 - 27. It is important that all 2010 Year 12 students attend this camp. The goal of this camp is not only to have a good time and get to know each other better, but more importantly to get all our Year 11 students off to a flying start for their Year 12 studies in 2010. Many year 12 teachers will be attending the camp to set the students up for their studies for next year. Students will also be given support about study, time management and other skills crucial for a successful Year 12.

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

Technology Hits Instrumental Music

Technology expert Steve Vertigan, (pictured left) has helped in the Instrumental Department setting up a recording program called “Cubase 5”.  All Instrumental staff will have access to the program many times during the year and be able to record their students.  Students will hear themselves play a piece of music and with help from their teacher self-analyse their progress.  Many different musical concepts can be discussed such as phrasing, articulation and sound, to help students gain a better understanding of music in general and the instrument on which they are learning. 

Another use for the program will be to record all school ensembles and possibly concerts throughout the year and produce a CD at year’s end.  The recordings will be kept in the school archive and then passed on to students to have something to remind them of their musical experience at Box Hill High School.

We look forward to using the new technology and begin producing our first CD.

Troy Rogers, Director of Music

Year Ten ACE

“Alcohol is a safe drug because it is legal”

“Teenagers are going to drink anyway – it’s a rite of passage!”

The implications of these statements are explored in an informative and interactive program delivered to Year 10 students at Box Hill High School over the next week.  The aim of the program is to provide students with the latest information and research regarding the associated risks and harm resulting from drinking alcohol, with a focus on binge drinking.

Creatively developed and delivered by Warner Group’s, Awareness Education Division, the program explores with the students:

• The myths and realities relating to alcohol consumption
• The possible teenage harm and risks of drinking alcohol 
• The likely immediate and short term effects of alcohol on a teenager’s body, matched to the levels of alcohol consumed 
• Exploration of individual harm reduction strategies that can be adopted in social situations

Incorporating acting, visuals and hands-on activities, the content is based on researched experiences and potential experiences of this age group.

How we can work together on the healthy development of your student

It is important that parents contribute to their student’s understanding and attitudes towards the use of alcohol. Your support and involvement can result in positive experiences for you both.

We suggest you start talking about alcohol and its immediate and short term impacts NOW to prepare your child for potential future exposure. The activity below will assist you with this process.  Have fun doing this Quiz Activity.  Good Luck!

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

Thank you to the parents who have already volunteered to help at the Second-hand Book Stall.   If anyone else would still like to volunteer, it’s not too late.  Many hands make light work, and the more volunteers we have the better.   The confirmed dates will be advised very soon.   

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 

Canteen Roster

For week beginning Monday November 9

Monday:                 Susie Bellairs-Walsh
Tuesday:                Lynda Lu
Wednesday:        
Thursday:              Jennifer Wait
Friday:                    Denise Taylor

Uniform Shop - PSW

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.

Community Announcements

Saturday 14 November 2009, 10am – 4pm, FNCV Hall, 1 Gardenia St, Blackburn 
Gala Book Sale – New and used books relevant for children to learn about the natural environment we live in. Visit www.fncv.org.au for more information.

Manningham Park Primary School, formerly Manningham Primary School, has been an integral part of the Manningham community since 1966. However the time has unfortunately come for the doors to close. We're looking for past students, teachers, parents & families to join a final reunion and giant assembly (3pm) to say thank you & farewell to an old and much loved friend.  Catch up with old schoolmates and teachers and enjoy an afternoon of reminiscing. Please spread the word!    Thankyou on behalf of the Manningham Park PS Last Hurrah Committee, Roslyn Mackie, (Past Student)