17 February 2016

Editor: Jenny LeSouef
Technology: Alex Mellor

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

What outstanding results our students achieved last year! In some measures, it was our best year ever. Congratulations to all involved, this includes students, their families and of course our talented, hardworking staff. Comments made by students in their exit survey showed how much they, as well as the adult school community appreciated the efforts made by staff on their behalf. A summary of Year 12 results appears further on in this newsletter as well as on the school web www.willettonshs.wa.edu.au.

Thanks to our Operations Team, led by Deputy Christine Petersen, for the smooth start to the year. Our administration is challenging and to have student timetables, classrooms and teachers organised for 2277 students, ready to start lessons on the morning of day 1 is a tribute to their efficiency. Many thanks also to the front office team especially enrolment officer Penny Lindley for their calm handling of the rush of enrolments in the week before school commenced.

We will be experiencing disruption again this year with Stage 2 of our building project. A substantial portion of the middle of the school is fenced off, which presents a challenge for student movement and access. In their inimitable style our students and staff are rising to the challenges and we know 2016 learning outcomes will again be positive. We look forward to completion of the new buildings late this year.

Our school community welcomes new staff to Willetton as well as staff who have changed their role. Introductions are further in the newsletter. We are particularly pleased with the number of alumni joining our staff.

This year heralds the second of the external reviews we will be experiencing as an Independent Public School. The panel reviews documentation submitted by the school, then spends a couple of days interviewing staff and students on aspects pertaining to targets which were set for 2014 – 2016. Last time, the reviewers gave a glowing report and we anticipate similar feedback the time. We work constantly to improve student outcomes and any advice from the panel on further improvement will be appreciated. Our targets are shown in our school reports and Business Plan and are further presented in this newsletter.

We hope you are well informed by our updated web site. Pages are being gradually introduced by our liaison team (jennifer.lesouef@education.wa.edu.au and alexandra.mellor@education.wa.edu.au). Please feel free to contact them with comments or suggestions.

Chris Booth

2015 YEAR 12 RESULTS

Willetton Class of 2015 continues our record of outstanding results

Awards

99 CLUB

(for students achieving an ATAR of 99 or more)

Willetton Senior High School's 97 Club

(students attaining an ATAR of 97 or higher)

LEAGUE TABLES

TOP WACE TABLE

(based on the number of students with at least one 75+ scaled score)

• Ranked 17th overall
• Ranked 3rd for all public schools
• Ranked 8th for all coeducational schools

TOP 50 MEDIAN ATAR TABLE

• Ranked 17th overall
• Ranked 3rd for public schools
• Ranked 8th for all coeducational schools

BOARD CHAIR REPORT

I hope all families had a great holiday break and join me in looking forward to a busy and successful 2016. On behalf of the Board, I welcome new parents, students and teachers to the Willetton learning community.

Those of you who have visited the school will notice that much of the yard is fenced off. This signifies that Stage 2 of the building project is underway. This building will complement those already completed and will provide first rate facilities for our students.

2015 was another excellent year for Willetton students. All learning areas performed very well, but the results achieved by Mathematics and the Vocational Education and Training areas were outstanding. Congratulations to all students, staff and families involved.

The School Ball for Year 12 students is on February 26. The day involves a dress up parade for charity followed by the ball. I look forward to attending the festivities and seeing all the Year 12 students in their dress ups and later in their finery.

The election for Board membership is approaching and I encourage you to become involved in the governance of the school to serve our students. You can make a worthwhile contribution to the school community and the experience is also enjoyable.

This will be my last report as Chair of the School Board as I will be stepping down to make way for a new person to assume the role and carry the Board forward. I thank current and past Board members for their support and assistance over my last three years as Chair, as well as all the staff for their ongoing commitment to the school and Board. I wish you all the best for the future.

Lindsay Holland

GENERAL REPORTS

WILLETTON SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT TARGETS 2014 - 2016

1. At least 85% of each cohort will show consistent achievement from Semester 2, Year 7 to Semester 2, Year 10 in learning areas of continued study, as judged against the Student Grade Summary data.
2. Results in all NAPLAN literacy tests will show less than 2.5% of students below the national minimum standard (benchmark).
3. Judged against the mean scores of the stable cohort from Year 7 to 9, students will show at least a 35 point increase in the mean NAPLAN scores for reading and writing and at least a 55 point increase in the mean NAPLAN score for numeracy.
4. a. 75% of Gifted and Talented (GT) students will achieve at least 6 A grades across the year in GT courses (Mathematics, English, Science and Humanities and Social Science) and all GT students will achieve at least 2 A grades in GT courses by Semester 2.
   b. In the study of Languages 75% Gifted and Talented students will receive an A grade in the Semester 2 Report.
5. Year 12 Gifted and Talented Program students will achieve a median ATAR of 94 for internal comparison and a mean ATAR of 92 for like school comparison. Each year 65% of these students will achieve at least one final scaled score equal to or above 75.
6. Each Year 12 course (excluding those with an enrolment of less than 10) will have a minimum of 20% of students attain an A grade and the school average of A grades across all courses will be equal to or above 30%
7. In each Year 12 ATAR Examination course (Stage 3 for 2014/5) at least 15% of students who sit the WACE course examination will achieve a scaled score equal to or above 75.
8. By 2016 95% of students will attain either an ATAR score of 55 or above or a full qualification of certificate II or higher by the end of their Year 12 studies.

Culminating

Willetton will consolidate its place within the top 20 highest performing Western Australian schools calculated from the scores of students who sit four or more WACE course examinations and in the top 50 VET schools as calculated from the student achievement data.

LOWER SCHOOL AWARDS DECEMBER 2015

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

YEAR 12 BIOLOGY 2015 ACHIEVEMENT

Congratulations to Jasmine Sidhu who has been awarded a scholarship at Oxford University, England. She has been accepted into Biological Sciences.

Jasmine will be an excellent ambassador for this subject and Willetton SHS.

Jasmine was also awarded a Certificate of Distinction in Biology in 2015 WACE.

This means that she achieved in the top 0.5% of students in the state who completed this course.

G. Wynhorst: Science Teacher

SCIENCE CAREERS EVENING

Murdoch University welcomes prospective students on South Street campus to meet our Academics, and learn about Undergraduate course opportunities and careers in Science at Murdoch University, from working with animals to protecting and managing the environment.

Undergraduate courses covered include:

• Animal Science
• Biological Sciences
• Biomedical Science
• Chemistry
• Crop and Pasture Science
• Conservation and Wildlife Biology
• Environmental Management and Sustainability
• Environmental Science
• Forensic Biology and Toxicology
• Laboratory Medicine
• Marine Science
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Molecular Biology
• Physics and Nanotechnology
• Veterinary Science

Event Details:

Date

9th March 2016

Time

6:00 PM - 07:30 PM

Location

Kim Beazley Lecture Theatre, Bush Court, South Street Campus (see Lecture Theatres listing here). Recommended Parking: Carpark 3, off South Street.

For further details and to RSVP: Email enage@murdoch.edu.au

AUTISM ACADEMY FOR SOFTWARE QUALITY ASSURANCE (AASQA)

Coding Class for Student with Autism Spectrum Conditions

• The Autism Academy for Software Quality Assurance (AASQA) at Curtin University is an initiative with the aim of developing the special talents of people with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC).
• The mission of the AASQA is to enable individuals with ASC to develop their skills through training, educating and mentoring programs, so as to create pathways to valued, long-term employment.

• With funding from the Willetton Rotary Club, AASQA is piloting an outreach program at Willetton Senior High School for students with high functioning autism or related conditions. The program will start in February 2016 and will deliver weekly after school activity-based classes in computer coding/programming.
• Year 7 to Year 10 Willetton SHS students who are on the high functioning autism spectrum or have related conditions (e.g. ADHD, anxiety and etc.) are eligible by nomination for the program. The program will appeal to students with an interest in technology and how it works. We would like students who are passionate about coding/programming and will stay for the duration of the program.
• To find out more, please email Associate Professor Tele Tan at t.tan@curtin.edu.au with WSHS Coding Class in the email title. Please include the name of the student and the cohort year. As the pilot student intake number will be small, please register your interest as soon as you can. If you have already submitted your interest last year, you are not required to send another email.

CITY OF CANNING – SAFETY IN SCHOOLS

NEW TEACHING STAFF TO WILLETTON SHS

Kate Hare

I am Kate Hare and I am have been working for the Instrumental Music Schools Services as a flute teacher for last eight years, in which time my two baby boys have grow up enough for me to now begin to teach in the class room again. Before the boys I was teaching in London for four years then came back to Perth to be the Music Coordinator at Seton Catholic College.

I thoroughly enjoy being a mum of boys and love to spend the weekend with my family, usually at the beach, river or outdoors.

Pip Peake

Hi! My name is Pip Peake and I've joined the wonderful Arts Department teaching Music and Media. I've taught in both regional and Perth high schools. I have three primary-aged children, so it's in rare moments of peace that I enjoy playing the piano, guitar or flute, or watching foreign language films or Hollywood blockbusters. I'm excited by what a great school Willetton SHS is, - what a privilege it is to teach here, to learn here.

Angela Scott

I have joined the mathematics team at Willetton SHS and finally embarked on a teaching career, something I have wanted to do since I was very young. My past teaching experience was in two Catholic Schools. Before that I worked at KPMG and Ernst & Young and also in a start-up business. I enjoy being active outside with family and friends. I am happiest going to the beach, boogie boarding, bike riding and walking. I also love snow skiing and wish I could do more of it. As a new teacher at WSHS, thanks to all those lovely people who have kindly supported me or given me something to have a chuckle about during the day.

Kevin Perkins

As a newly appointed English teacher at Willetton SHS, I am excited at the prospect of building constructive relationships with my new colleagues and students alike. Always partial to a spot of trivia, a dash of indie music or film, and most things model railway related (HO scale that is). Above all, I am keen to foster a lifelong passion for literacy amongst my students. I have enjoyed success across a number of industries before knuckling down in academia, yet I must confirm that there is no substitute for hard work. To borrow some words from Jewish poet, Hayyim Nahman Bialik:

I didn't win light in a windfall,
Nor by dee of a father's will.
I hewed my light from granite.
I quarried my heart.

Jacquilyn Ahern

A former student of Willetton Senior High School, I have returned as a graduate teacher in Mathematics. After finishing Year 12 at Willetton, I attended Curtin University where I studied a Bachelor of Science majoring in Chemistry and Applied Mathematics and a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education. While studying at Curtin I was also employed as a sessional academic and ran tutorials and chemistry laboratories for first year science students. While I have only been teaching secondary school for a short period of time, I have taught at Kalamunda SHS and Rossmoyne SHS in the areas of Science and Mathematics.

I look forward to a long and happy career at Willetton.

Donna Gardiner

I am very pleased to be welcomed into the Willetton community. I have worked in education for over twenty years and in Student Services teams for most of those years in a variety of roles as a Year Coordinator, Learning Support Coordinator, Student at Educational Risk Coordinator, and as a manager. I enjoy these roles as it enables me to help students on a one to one basis where we can gain great successes. I also enjoy managing a team of committed teachers who care about the students they work with and aim to get best possible outcomes for students.

Amie Yost

I relocated from the North West of England to Western Australia in 2010 with my husband and three daughters. I have just qualified as a teacher having spent over twenty years working in the construction industry as a Chartered Quantity Surveyor.

Outside of work I enjoy needlework and watching various sports. I have a particular interest in football (soccer) having played for many years and I am currently a coach at the Beckenham Angels Soccer Club. For those who also follow football, my favourite football team is Liverpool FC.

Stephen Winter

A Civil Engineering graduate, I worked on bridges and structures, mostly in the United Kingdom. I completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Education before emigrating to WA from Perth, Scotland.

I have been teaching Mathematics, Physics and Science in high schools, and working in Project Management for Civil Engineering on and off over the years and feel very fortunate to be teaching at Willetton

I endeavour to cycle the 25 km round trip to school four times a week to maintain fitness. I have a passion for topological puzzles and world football.

Monika Abrol

My name is Monika Abrol and I am a Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS) teacher. I have been a teacher for 11 years. I have been relief teaching at Willetton SHS. Prior to coming to Australia, I taught in India for six years. I have taught different year groups including graduate and post-graduate students. I have an excellent academic record, having twice received the Gold medal for highest marks, in Bachelor of Education and the Post -Graduate Diploma in Marketing Management respectively. I am currently enrolled in CPA Australia Professional Program, which helps in my continuous professional development in Business Management, Accounting and Economics.

My many years of teaching experience have helped me develop a set of beliefs about how I can best help my students learn and grow. I believe that students should take an active role in their learning. My students will spend very little time listening to me talk at the front of the classroom. They will instead be active participants in all of the activities we do in the classroom. I look forward to working in partnership with you throughout the coming years.

Joel Day

I have been teaching Humanities and Social Sciences at Willetton Senior High School since April 2015. Prior to teaching at Willetton, I taught and managed Design and IT subjects at Curtin University for 15 years and taught Multimedia at Central TAFE for a few years before that. Prior to coming to Australia, I studied Geography and established a successful photography business in the United States.

When not working for the school, I enjoy travelling, and spending time outside mountain biking and paddling. I even occasionally find myself in big races like the Augusta Adventure Race and the Avon Descent.

Khalin Driver

I have come to Willetton as part of the EAL/D teaching team. I have taught EAL/D in both the mainstream classes and Intensive English Centre at Cyril Jackson Senior Campus. As a Level 3 Classroom Teacher and past President of the Western Australian Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages Association, I bring a wealth of experience in curriculum writing, the delivery of professional learning, and advocacy for EAL/D students.

In my free time, I enjoy bushwalking and cycling and spending time with my family.

Rachele Cantaluppi

I am one of the Italian Assistants at Willetton Senior High School. I graduated in September 2014 in English and French at the Catholic University of Sacred Heart in Milan and I am at present a Master's degree student in French as a Foreign Language at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Lausanne (Switzerland).

I put my knowledge into practice by giving private Italian language courses to French speaking students, who are eager to learn this language for numerous motivations, such as professional and study-related ones or just for pleasure. This kind of job allows me to try out my skills as a teacher and also to increase my interest for this challenging but extremely rewarding profession. My passion for teaching is also confirmed by another working experience at the University of Lausanne, where I took part in a project supported by this University as an expert in French language with foreign students, who mostly used English as a means of communication and were taking their first steps in learning French. The reason I decided to apply for this job is that it would enable me to gain a concrete working experience as a teacher in a school. I strongly believe that the courses I took at the University of Lausanne gave me the necessary skills and also the confidence to give my best in this field. Furthermore, the fact that WAATI, Western Australian Association of Teachers of Italian, is a non-profit organisation, whose aim is to promote the studying and teaching of the Italian language and culture in schools, universities and learning institutions at all levels, caught my interest and my will to take this challenge. In addition to this, one of the main reasons that contributed to this choice is the fact that an international environment provided by a native Italian speaker could contribute letting students in school be more aware that they live in a globalised world, in which multiculturalism is essential, especially in a country full of diversity such as Australia.

Davide Gottardi

Hello!

My name is Davide and I am an Italian teacher assistant at Willetton Senior High School. I was born in Brescia (a small city, 100 km away from Milan). Foreign languages and history are my passions, so I studied English and Spanish at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Brescia. Last year I got a Master's degree and I moved to London to improve my English. Once there, I worked for almost a year in the hospitality sector (London Hilton Hotel on Park Lane) but that was not what I really wanted to do. I felt I needed to change my job and city, maybe even the continent! I applied for this internship because it is a great chance to learn from experienced teachers how to teach Italian in high school. At the same time, it is a unique way to get to know the Australian lifestyle.

Since the first day of school,I have appreciated how teachers hold the classes, interacting with the pupils and stimulating their interest. At the same time, I have noticed that many students have a genuine commitment. So, when Rachele and I were asked to organise an Italian after-school club, we accepted enthusiastically. At the Italian club we are planning several activities: karaoke, treasure hunt, Willetton's Got Talent, crosswords and more!

Your ideas and suggestions are welcome!

PRONTI? (Ready?)

ANDIAMOOOO!!!!!!! (Let's goooo!!!!!!!)

Edith Moreau РAssistante de Fran̤ais!

Edith Moreau

My name is Edith. I am French and I come from a little town near Cognac in the South West of France, 1h30 minutes drive north of Bordeaux.

I have a bachelor degree in English language and I did my final year at the University of Kent in England.

I am currently finishing my Master's degree in teaching French as a foreign language.

Six years ago I was a language assistant in Spain. Three years ago, I taught French and Spanish in Slovenia and last year I did three internships for my master's degree in Azerbaijan, Peru and Argentina.

I have also been working with children and teenagers for eight years in summer camps and school trips.

Australia is a new adventure. I did not choose to come to Australia to see kangaroos and koalas… like every time I live in a new country, I am interested in meeting with locals and discover their culture. But ok, I wouldn't mind seeing a kangaroo or a koala!

As I come from a wine-growing region I would really like to visit vineyards of WA.

I love hiking, swimming and dancing, especially salsa.

Looking forward to meeting you all!

Stephanie Hill

My name is Stephanie Hill. I recently graduated from Edith Cowan University with a Bachelor of Secondary Education with my specialist area of Home Economics. I am very excited to be working at Willetton, and look forward to working in such a dynamic department, which allows me to broaden my knowledge and skills further.

Brad Curran

I am Brad Curran. I was formally a chef and have now joined the great team here at Willetton. With a commercial kitchen on hand I can't wait to cook up a storm with our developing hospitality students.

WE WELCOME OUR ALUMNI WHO HAVE RETURNED TO WORK AT WILLETTON

SCHOOL PHOTOS

Academy Photography is taking individual student photos in Week 5 of this term.

Tuesday March 1 and Wednesday March 2

Students will be given a photo envelope to take home and orders can be done online or envelopes completed and returned to the Registrar's office for collection and processing by Academy. There is no compulsion to order photos which the school uses for the attendance system.

The school does not receipt the envelopes.

Year 7s who missed having their photos taken earlier in the year will have their photo taken during these days. These students will be reminded through the daily notices.

Alex Mellor: Coordinator

SURF ONLINE SAFE

Our Year 7 students were presented a talk by Paul Litherland, the owner of Surf Online Safe.

Paul is a former WA Police Officer who worked in a diverse range of fields during his career, spending five years with the Technology Crime Investigation Unit. He is also deeply involved in voluntary community work as well as sports coaching.

His talk focussed on educating our students for appropriate internet usage.

Deputy Principal of Student Services, Phil Sherwood, said that he learned a lot and hopes to get Paul back to present to other year groups as well as parents.

SENIOR SCHOOL INVESTITURE CEREMONY

In keeping with our tradition, the Senior School Investiture Ceremony was combined with the recognition of our outstanding Year 12 students from 2015.

Year 12 2015 outstanding achievement with Year Coordinator Paul Hogg

Elected 2016 Year 12 Councillors:

James Dow - Molly Brann
Campbell Fist - Sonia Bouska
Lachlan Holling - Emma McLean
Mitch Hayward - Madelaine Shehade
Ben Madlener - Carly Stokes
Mark Markovich - Simran Vijayakumar
Josh Tan - Brianna West

2016 School Councillors

We wish the group well for their endeavours as leading student representatives in 2016 and look forward to their participation in the management of our school.

Head Boy and Girl Carly Stokes and James Dow

Elected Year 2016 Year 11 Councillors

Chloe Tucek
Lingyun Zhao
Kody Smith
Hannah Page
Tom McDonald
Carmel Palan
Niklesh Warrier
George Whitebrook

Year 11 Councillors

LANGUAGES

Welcome to the Year of the Monkey. This is said to be one of the luckiest years in the Japanese zodiac. Let's hope that is the case for all of Willetton's languages students, particularly our many Year 12s who are embarking on a very important year.

We welcome four additional staff to our learning area this year. Mrs Marie Anthony, who worked for us in Term 3 last year, has returned; Mrs Gloria Alkins will be teaching French, as well as maintaining the Relief Coordinator role; Mrs Elaine Thong from the Resource Unit joins us as a language assistant in EAL/D; and Mrs Khalin Driver is introduced in more detail below.

Parents often ask us what is the best way for students to practise their language outside of school. We have provided some suggestions in this edition of the newsletter.

For parents, the best thing you can do is to be positive about language learning and encourage your student to always aim for personal excellence.

Nathan Harvey: Head of Languages

PAST STUDENTS SPEAK TO YEAR 12 LANGUAGES STUDENTS

The languages department provided an after school session for all of our Year 12 languages students. High performing past Year 12 students, as well as other languages experts, were invited to talk to our students about success in Year 12, and post-school opportunities.

Some of the best tips presented were:

• Plan your essays; the time spent doing this is worth it
• Be courageous
• Make mistakes – that's the only way someone will notice them
• Don't just make language learning study – make the most of it
• Use friends and apps to help you
• It is such as satisfying process of learning, achievement and being able to use skills that are developed
• Proof read your writing for errors

..and the top tip

• Learning your chosen language is not just for an exam; it is learning to improve your life.

Thanks to Mrs Onishi and Mr Heimel for organising the seminar.

TEACHER DEVELOPMENT SCHOOL

Willetton SHS has been a Teacher Development School (TDS) for Languages for the last four years. We have been selected again for 2016-2017.

The Teacher Development Schools (TDSs) initiative acknowledges teachers learn best from other teachers. TDSs share their expertise and classroom innovation across schools, networks and professional learning communities. Teachers and schools can access a range of practical support for whole school planning, teaching, learning and assessment.

In 2016–2017, Willetton Languages TDS will provide tailored professional learning to best meet the needs and context of teachers across schools, networks and regions.

We provide state-wide support to:

• implement the Western Australian Curriculum
• improve teaching and learning practices in Kindergarten to Year 12languages classrooms, including explicit instruction of literacy and numeracy
• support the successful transition of students into secondary schooling
• cater for multi-age classrooms
• maximise the number of students who leave school eligible for university or having completed vocational qualifications
• meet the requirements of WACE 2016.

The TDS managers for 2016 are Mrs Marilyn Onishi, Mrs Haruko Nomoto and Mr Nathan Harvey.

YEAR 6 JAPANESE ACADEMIC EXTENSION PROGRAM

In 2016 Willetton SHS is again offering the opportunity for Year 6 students to join the Japanese Academic Extension Program. The program is a full year course and takes place on campus at Willetton SHS where students can access our specialist facilities and the expertise of the Japanese language teachers. Selected Year 6 students from Burrendah, Rostrata and Willetton primary schools come to WSHS for one hour each week to take part in the academic extension program.

Our program is the only one of its kind in WA and supports federal goals of increasing the number of students graduating from secondary school with competence in an Asian language. The positive outcome for students is that they gain additional intellectual stimulation and have the benefit of an accelerated pathway to excellent results in Year 11 and 12 Japanese. This will give students advanced standing compared with those students who are not offered this opportunity.

I am really pleased with the students' motivation and successes so far.

Mrs Erina Araki: Japanese language teacher

TECHIE TIPS FOR LEARNING LANGUAGES

There is no single 'correct' way of learning a language; everyone is different and it's just a matter of finding your style. A good idea when learning a new language is to link it to something you already like to do! For example, if you like listening to music you can surf the net for songs and lyrics in that particular language and learn pronunciation through music!

Using technology to learn a language can increase your child's engagement, participation and excitement and enables anywhere, anytime learning! Here are some ideas to involve your child in their language studies;

• reading comics and newspapers
• downloading an application on your mobile phone.
• watching cartoons
• watchingTV news/advertisements
• watching movies
• If you are learning Japanese or Korean, you can add the language bar to be able to word process in that particular language.

WEBSITES FOR LANGUAGES LEARNING

Here are some websites your child can visit to improve their language studies.

Japanese

• http://jpfsyd-classroomresources.com/ Great resources for the learning and teaching of Japanese
• http://www.kanagrams.com/ Excellent tool for learning hiragana and katakana Years 7-9
• http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/index.html
• http://www.asiaeducation.edu.au/sites/readers/main.htm
• http://www1.curriculum.edu.au/nalsas/explorers/japanese/index.html

Italian

• www.onlineitalianclub.com
• http://www.uvm.edu/~cmazzoni/ Years 11 & 12
• http://www.oneworlditaliano.com/esercizi/frase_idiomatiche_italiane/frasi_idiomatiche_bocca.htm Years 9-12
• http://highered.mheducation.com/sites/0073535265/student_view0/index.html Years 11 & 12

French

• http://www.francaisfacile.com/exercices/exercice-francais-2/exercice-francais-46649.php
• http://www.frenchtutorial.com/en/learn-french/toc
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/
• http://www.laits.utexas.edu/tex/

Korean

• http://rki.kbs.co.kr/learn_korean/lessons/e_index.htm
• Korean sites2see live on TaLe
• http://lrrpublic.cli.det.nsw.edu.au/lrrSecure/Sites/Web/woori_noori/

All languages, including EAL/D

• http://www.education.vic.gov.au/languagesonline/italian/italian.htm Years 7-9
• https://www.duolingo.com Years 7-10
• www.lls.edu.au – Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian
• https://start.languageperfect.com/ all Willetton students have a log on for language perfect.
• http://www.languagesonline.org.uk/ Years 7-12

MY ITALIAN EXCHANGE

During the Australian summer holidays I spent two months on the Italian island of Sicily, in a town named Siracusa. The point of the exchange was to improve my Italian speaking, listening, writing and all around comprehension skills - but I gained so much more from the experience than just that.

I met lots of new friends; of course, Italians, but also other exchange students from Chile, Honduras, Japan, China, Belgium, Turkey and America, as well as many other nations. I created new friendships with other Australian students who went on exchange, who I have caught up with and talk to even in the three short weeks I've been back. I also gained a new family, who were incredibly accommodating and loving from the beginning to even past the end of my experience, and whom I talk to most days just to see how each of them are going.

I've become more knowledgeable and appreciative of the Italian culture, which has a beautiful and rich history, filled with many traditions and customs unlike those of Australia. I experienced an Italian Christmas and new year, which was amazing.

And I think most importantly of all, I ate lots and lots of delicious Italian cuisine, which we all know about and have tasted, but is so much more incredible to eat the food in its country of origin!

My appreciation of languages, culture and amazingly good food has improved so much more because of my exchange. Grazie mille to Willetton for providing me with the opportunity!

Anelle Angus: Year 12

MATHEMATICS

The maths department will be running the after school help classes again this year. Any student is welcome to attend for all or part of the classes. There will be two maths teachers available to help students with any maths problem they may have.

Classes will be held in F15 and will start week 5, term 1 and continue throughout the year until the end of week 6, term 4. They will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 3 to 4pm.

Please note that these classes will not run when there is a staff meeting or parent/teacher interviews.

For more details, students can check the notice on the door of the maths office.

LIBRARY ILLUMINATIONS

Day One of term 1 and I arrive to open the library at 7.30 a.m. The Library Officers, Deb U'Chong and Trisha Grzelka have already put in a week's work preparing the Library for the new term. And the place is looking welcoming. I simply do not know how they manage to accomplish everything that they do, particularly covering all those class sets of books for different departments - without looking - while dealing with returned computer parts, or checking out borrowers' books or organising the students' lockers. The place is awash with busyness. And each day brings a class of new students who need instruction about the library and its works. For those new parents and teachers who want to help their children and students to get to know how the library runs, I offer the following information.

The library opens at 7.30 each morning for those wishing to read, do homework or research. The same applies after school, when we remain open after school until 5 pm except on Fridays, when we close at 3pm. Also, except for Friday recess, the library remains open for students at recess and lunchtime each day. Don't forget that we ban computer games anywhere in the school. Playing computer games in the library means exit from the library.

To maintain a good working atmosphere in the library, we encourage students to avoid standing around chatting. Moving to the OPAC catalogue and shelves, or to the desk to borrow, rarely causes any fuss. Students need to carry their Smartrider cards at all times. From time to time teachers require students to borrow from the library to read in their classroom, so they always need to carry their cards. We advise students to keep their cards in their pencil cases. This means that, even if they never catch a bus to school, they always carry their library card. And please remind them not to lend their cards to their friends, as many problems arise, mainly for the lender. Some kind-hearted teachers, in the past, have allowed students to borrow using the teacher's card. We now have had to ban this as some students, despite promising to return the books, did not, thus leaving the teacher to foot the bill for the replacement book.

When students find themselves without their cards and wish to borrow, they can place their books on the Reserve shelf (near the Return Books Here slot) where they remain for at least 24 hours before being returned to the shelves, thus allowing students to bring their Smartrider the following day to borrow. (In the event that a student loses their card, they need to pay $5.00 to the Registrar's Office, take the receipt to Student Services and order a new card.) New students automatically receive a new card within a short time of their registration. They may apply to the library officers to borrow before the card arrives.

Hopefully, that gives you the basics about the library. Please contact us on 3347200 and ask for the Library if you want any further information. Meanwhile we will continue reviewing our books, buying new ones and providing support for our wonderful students and their teachers. Although we rarely have time to 'blow our own trumpet', we wish to pass on a comment made this week by staff member and teacher of music, maths and languages, Dr Rosemary Cassidy: As a school Library, it is outstanding, and what it offers students are opportunities to expand their thinking. And they use it. It's always alive with students.

Annie Girard: Acting Librarian

SCIENCE

FINDING 'g' BY USING AN INCLINED PLANE AND A SPHERICAL MASS

Year 12 Physics students used equations of motion and their practical skills to calculate the value of acceleration due to gravity in their classroom.

Left to right: Emma McLean, Sonia Bouska, Wendy Lan, Simran Vijaykumar and Ying Zhang

M. Munshi Science Teacher

ALL STUDENTS – 2016 UNSW-ICAS Science Competition

Interested students please collect an information sheet from the Display Stand outside the Science staffroom J Block or see Mr Ta during recess to register.

Hao Ta: Science Teacher

TECHNOLOGIES

NEW COURSE 'CREATIVE DESIGNERS' LAUNCHED

Technologies brand new subject Creative Designers has proved very popular, with seven classes running throughout the lower school. Creative Designers allows students to express their ingenuity, creativity, intellectual skills and abilities through design and production. Students are given the opportunity to use the power of digital technology to bring their ideas to life. The program will develop design drawings using software like Adobe Illustrator, Google Sketch up and Autodesk Inventor to produce prototypes and finished products using 3D printers and digital transfer machines.

We are currently working on the following design briefs:

• Creative Designers Foundations (year 8) – Bookmarks
• Creative Designers Intermediate (year 9) – Mouse matts
• Creative Designers Advanced (year 10) – Coasters

THE ARTS

Welcome to all the Arts students, parents and the Willo community

The Arts staff and students have had a smooth transition into 2016 and are excited about the creative learning that will happen over the semester 1 and 2.

We are fortunate to have experienced and passionate staff and some new enthusiastic teachers joining our team. Our mission is to nurture creative ideas, viewpoints and develop enquiring minds.

The Arts department encourages the students to participate in the many performances, competitions, excursions and attend the many productions.

Our first performance is the Star Search competition, organised by the Youth Community Development, Metropolitan Resource Centre Inc, on the Thursday 25 February. This is a competition where students are encouraged to perform their talents, during lunch to external judges. Registration forms can be collected from outside the Arts office.

The Creative Arts Team, are busy finalising the school production for early 2017, so stay posted for the announcement.

The senior orchestra will be performing on Sunday 3 April at the Canning Community Fair. We look forward to seeing you there.

An exciting year ahead.

Enjoy learning in the Arts disciplines.

The Arts team

YEAR GROUP REPORTS

YEAR 7

Welcome to all year 7 families who are reading our newsletter for the first time. The students have made a great start to the year and adapted extremely well to the transition. I hope that students are beginning to settle in and feel like they are part of the Willetton Senior High School community.

Year 7 first day whole school assembly

I have been astounded by the fantastic response to connect from both parents and students. This year is the first year we set all Year 7s up with logins on their first day. This has enabled me to keep in touch with you all on a regular basis.

The school managed to obtain the services of Mr Paul Litherland, an expert on cyber safety. We believe it is important that all incoming Year 7 students have the latest information regarding the use and dangers of the Internet. The talks received great feedback from the Year 7s. I hope students are putting this new information and advice into place.

Every Tuesday we have our assembly in the theatre. The Year 7s come together as a whole cohort to reflect on how the week is going, find out all about the numerous activities going on around the school, and announce the student of the week. We award a Student of the Week to the student with the most merit points. A raffle is also drawn which presents a movie pass to a student who has achieved merit points that week.

Congratulations to our first week's winners:

Student of the Week - Keshvinderjit SINGH
Raffle Winner - Emily KIRK

I think it is very important to give recognition to all students who have recently received any awards or achievements. There will be several assemblies throughout the year congratulating these students. Students or parents please email me this information.

I look forward to seeing you all at the new families welcome BBQ on March 16.

Rachel Harrington: Year Coordinator
Rachel.harrington@education.wa.edu.au

YEAR 8

After a long summer break it was great to get back to school and see the (mostly) happy faces of my Year 8 students. What a difference to the same time last year! They are confident, know what they have to do and where to go and have started the year in good spirits.

As usual, the school calendar is very busy and now that I have 211, and climbing, of the 355 families registered with connect I will endeavour to send reminders of upcoming events and where possible attach the appropriate forms.

At the end of last year, I established a group of Year 8 Councillors. It was a very difficult process for me as everyone was of an excellent standard. For this year only, the councillors will hold their position for a semester so that as many people can have a turn as possible. Application forms for semester two will be available later in term two.

Year 8 Councillors

Back row L to R: Elise Maidment, Tiffany Allen, Ifoema Anyoku, Agi Bakshi, Mitchell Bell, Matthew David, Felicity Dureau, Emma Boyd

Back row L to R: Jack Killoh, Arushi Katti, Louis Jones, Sourish Agarwal, Taine Mitchell, Kate Donovon

This semester's councillors have been split into three main groups. The media committee will help me with photos and news articles. The next newsletter will have an article written by them about what has been happening.

The social/fundraising committee will help me with the organising and running of our social events. Both events this semester, to be announced later, will be attached to our fundraising endeavours.

The initial fundraising focus is for the ongoing support of our sponsored child, Priya.

Priyadharshini lives with her father and mother. Her duties at home include carrying water, buying or selling in the market and cleaning. Her father occasionally works as a labourer and her mother occasionally works as a labourer. Due to low income her family struggles to survive. For fun, Priyadharshini enjoys playing a musical instrument, art and walking. She attends church activities and vacation Bible School regularly and is in high school where she is finding learning difficult. Your love and support help Priyadharshini to receive the assistance she needs to develop her potential.

We will also be raising funds for communities in Vietnam. Later this year a group of senior school students will be taking part in an adventure run by a company called Antipodeans Abroad. Their aim is to take at least $6,000 in order to help communities with many of the projects that are needed in order to provide clean water, sanitation, agriculture etc.

The last group is the assembly committee who help me run our weekly assemblies and actually present the assembly each Thursday.

I am looking forward to another exciting year with this great bunch of young people.

Kimberley Atkinson: Year Coordinator

YEAR 9

Welcome back to a very hot 2016. As I write this newsletter the temperature has just hit 42 degrees! It was great to see all the happy smiling faces at our first assembly last Friday. The Year 9 group has 20 new students which takes us up to 345 overall, the smallest year group believe it or not!

2015 finished on a high note with the fantastic Adventure World excursion, Zero2hero day and an outstanding dance performance from the dance class during one of the last assemblies for the year. I also took the 24 Year 8 students who scored the most merit points to a movie in Fremantle in early December.

At the end of last year I asked all Year 9s (then year 8s) to identify some aspect of school where they felt they had improved or done well. While many students mentioned improved academic results, others mentioned the friends they had made and the way they had settled in at Willetton. While our core work is academic, to be able to educate and learn in a friendly and happy environment certainly makes a difference both for teachers and students.

The Student Services team is in the process of looking at the grades from semester two 2015 and will be interviewing students who have not achieved satisfactory results across a number of subjects. We will be looking at areas where they can improve and support them in setting goals for the year ahead. I will be contacting parents as part of this process.

Upcoming events

• Thursday March 10 is the Year 9 swimming carnival at Riverton Leisureplex. This is part of the school calendar and all students are expected to attend whether they are swimming or not. School sports carnivals are one of the few opportunities students have to socialise as a whole year group. Although there are no Big Day Out activities this year, the carnival incorporates lots of fun based relays and novelty events for those students who do not wish to compete in the traditional swimming events.
• NAPLAN will be held during Term 2 Week 3, May 9-13. I am encouraging parents not to place undue pressure on their children and recommend these two tips from Steve Rushton, a Brisbane psychologist.
  Discuss a try your best attitude to exams in your home if NAPLAN is mentioned – be clear to your children you are proud of the effort they put in, and you are less concerned about the outcome (i.e. the marks they get and how they compare with others – as many factors out of your child's control affect these).
  Explain how exams are at least a little bit stressful for everyone – maybe share an appropriate story about a time when you had to complete an exam and found it stressful, but you just tried your best and got through it (this normalising of stress is helpful for many students)

The reality is that students need Band 8 in the four NAPLAN tests by Year 12 in order to achieve the WA Certificate of Education (WACE), but there are at least four more opportunities for students to achieve the standard required in Years 10, 11 and 12 doing OLNA (on-line literacy and numeracy assessment). OLNA is a medium that suits some students better than NAPLAN. Students only do OLNA in the components where they have not achieved the required NAPLAN band. The school provides additional classes to support those students who need to sit for one or more of the OLNA tests. For more information see the following link:

The beautiful panorama picture of the Year 8s at the River Cruise Social last year is still available from the registrar's office for only $5. It is a great memento of a great night.

The best way to contact me is by Email if parents have any queries. I am looking forward to a successful year with the Year 9s

Andrea Wheeler Year 9 Coordinator

YEAR 10

IMPORTANT DATES

Tuesday March 1/Wednesday March 2

School Photos

Tuesday March 8

Year 7 Swimming Carnival and Big Day out (peer leaders will be assisting on this day)

Tuesday March 8 -Thursday March 10

OLNA

Thursday March 10

Year 9 and invited Year 10-12 Swim Carnival

Friday March 11/Monday March 14

OLNA catch up

Tuesday March 15

Study skills session for Year 10 students to assist in exam preparation

Friday March 18

National Young Leaders Day

Thursday April 7

Year 10 River cruise

The Year 10s started the new year very well. This is such an important year and it is imperative that all Year 10s work on their goal setting and study time-tables. Please get in touch concerning your child.

Email is best for me stefan.brand@education.wa.edu.au or 9334 7254.

Stefan Brand: Year 10 Coordinator

YEAR 11

Congratulations to all our Year 11 students on a smooth start to the year. You are all looking very smart in your white shirts and most of you are already acting and behaving like senior school students.

A warm welcome to all our new students and families to Willetton. We have had many new enrolments and the number of Year 11s currently stands at 412. With so many students it is imperative we all work co-operatively and considerately around the school. Joining extra curriculum clubs and teams is a great way to meet new friends.

All parents should have received via email a calendar of events. Please refer to this closely. It is very important that students aim for 100% attendance and no holidays are booked during term time.

Many students have made appointments through Student Services to make course selection changes. It is good that you are not leaving these changes until too late. Please continue to monitor subjects and make changes if needed. The deadline for changes is March 24.

Congratulations to all students who have successfully started their FLiS programme. I wish you luck in your training courses and future work experience.

Please keep me informed on how you are progressing.

Congratulations to our new Year 11 counsellors, Tom McDonald, Hannah Page, Carmel Palan, Kody Smith, Chloe Tucek, Niklesh Warrier, George Whitebrook, and Lingyun Zhao. They are a small but very efficient group.

I am looking forward to working closely with this group who will reflect the interests of the entire cohort.

If there are any questions or concerns please continue to contact me and I will endeavour to assist in any way possible.

Colleen Hayes: Year 11 Coordinator

YEAR 12

This the speech delivered by the Year Coordinator at the Investiture Ceremony held February 12, 2016

Undoubtedly Year 12 can be an incredible experience. And we have the dynamic within this group to be one of the biggest and best to ever come through Willetton. We are represented by exceptional talent in every possible area; sport, performing arts, languages, academia, citizenship, technologies and vocational skills. Not only that, I suspect (and this will be confirmed at the ball), that you are also by far the best looking group to ever grace Willetton's campus.

In all seriousness, from conversations I have had with many of you in the last two weeks and feedback from your teachers, everything seems to be coming together just at the right time. Your maturity, work ethic and attitude seem to be peaking just when these things are crucial. You need to sustain these attributes and let them motivate and drive you towards success this year. Over the years at assembly, we have talked a lot about maintaining balanced lives, resilience and perseverance and this year all of these attributes will surely be put to the test. No matter what your course, ATAR, General or VET, three terms of hard work and a bit more for those of you who will sit tertiary entrance exams are ahead of you.

During the holidays I was lucky enough to visit Cambodia. I had plenty of rest and relaxation during my travels, but as is often the case, I was curious to find out about the country's education system. When an opportunity came to visit a school I jumped at it. Last Monday at assembly, I showed you an image of a classroom I visited. This particular classroom was a base for around 25 students aged 6 - 14 in a farming district. It had no power source at all – which means no lighting, air conditioning or technology. There are very few resources apart from a few teacher-made posters on the wall and no running water to the school itself. The classroom was not secure against nature or the elements. When I compared it to this amazing school I have worked in for 17 years it was a very humbling experience.

Education in Cambodia is compulsory until 16. All students are given a uniform which they care for, which like you, they wear with great pride. Despite extreme poverty and hardship the attendance rate for all school aged children is excellent and many students walk, run or cycle great distances to get themselves to and from school twice a day. Similar to other developing countries, very few Cambodian students have the opportunity to continue their education.

So many bright students around the world have compromised potential for success. Now that you are maturing I hope you can truly and fully appreciate this and understand just how privileged you are with the opportunity before you this year and beyond. This starts with supportive parents and homes and this fantastic school with teachers who care very much about your education and success and the resources to compliment and support your learning.

Please take this year and make it yours. I challenge you to give Year 12 your best shot. I'm sure if you take this challenge you will be justly rewarded. Please make every moment count – not only assessments and exams, but each lesson, day out at work experience, sporting team, excursion or camp. After all, this is also your last year to study and socialise alongside the peers who have grown up beside you. Leave with no regrets and a headful of fond memories. We have every confidence in all you.

SCHOOL BOARD NEWS

SCHOOL BOARD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)

The School Board AGM will be held on Monday March 21 2016, 5.30pm in the staffroom. This will be an opportunity to meet members of the new 2016 School Board. The Chair's Annual Report and the Annual Financial Report will be presented at this meeting. A list of Board meetings for this year can be found on the school website, under the School Board information. All are welcome to attend.

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION

Information on the School Board elections for parent and staff representatives was recently sent out. There are three vacancies for parent representatives, and two vacancies for staff representatives. Nominations close 3.00pm on Wednesday February 17. If you require further information or seek clarification, please contact Helen Wong, Board Executive Officer on 9334 7217 or helen.s.wong@education.wa.edu.au

Voting forms will be emailed before the end of February. We strongly encourage all parents and staff to participate in the voting process to select your respective representatives. Voting will close at 3.00pm on Friday March 11.

SCHOOL BOARD COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES

Two members of the local community may be appointed by the School Board in June each year. Terms of appointment are for 12 months. Expressions of interest from the local community are now open and should be forwarded to the School Board office.

DISCOUNTED HOYTS MOVIE TICKETS

Discounted Hoyts movie tickets are available for purchase through the School Board, and are valid Australia wide. Profits from the sale of these tickets go towards funding projects around the school, which enhance our students' learning outcomes.

Pricing as follows:

Tickets may be purchased from the bookshop on Wednesday mornings (9am-11.30am) during term, or by arrangement with the School Board office. Please contact the School Board office for an order form to be emailed to you.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

From time to time, the school is in need of volunteers to assist in various parts of the school such as the bookshop, canteen, parent information evenings, or grant applications. If you would like to put your name on a Volunteers' List, or have a special skill you would like to offer to the school, please leave your details with the School Board office.

HOW TO CONTACT THE SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE

To find out more about the School Board or how you might get involved, please contact Helen Wong, School Board Executive Officer on 9334 7217 or email helen.s.wong@education.wa.edu.au

SCHOOL BOARD SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

The Ros Davies endeavour Award for 2015 was presented to Marnie McKenna (Year 9) and Niklesh Warrier (Year 10)

WA Secondary School of the Year Scholarship 2016 was award to Jack Killoh (Year 8)

Jack Killoh with Principal Chris Booth

WILLO PARENT GROUP NEWS

WILLO PARENT GROUP MEETINGS

The Willo Parent Group meets two to three times a term, coming together for parent information sessions or meeting socially over morning tea, lunch or dinner. This is a great way to meet with members of the school community and find out what is happening around the school. Suggestions for meetings are always welcome, and we especially invite you to attend our first meeting for the year on Friday March 4, to help plan events and topics for the year – come along with your ideas.

Events for Term 1

For further information on these events, please refer to the detailed flyers found in the newsletter or contact willoparent@gmail.com