15 August 2014

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Many thanks to Christine Petersen who has again stood in for me whilst I took some long service leave. Christine’s knowledge of school operations and her willingness to step into the breach are much appreciated by the whole school community. I am particularly grateful for her organisation and efficiency during the first week of this term when school was cancelled. Everyone was informed and kept abreast of developments as they happened, which was important under the circumstances.

I would like to thank students and parents for their patience and understanding during the closure of our school due to the discovery of some asbestos residue.

The Department of Education has confirmed that the material initially found was asbestos residue. Following this discovery, the decision was taken to close the school as a precautionary measure so every room could be thoroughly cleaned and air-tested. We now have a certificate for all 200+ classrooms assuring us that qualified experts have thoroughly cleaned and tested them and they are safe for staff and students.

The decision by the Department to close the school was not taken lightly, but was made with the safety of all students and staff in mind. I have been assured by the Department of Health that the risks from exposure in the past and thus the associated health issues are very low.

I am also assured the Department is taking steps to ensure that all contractors working in schools are reminded of their responsibilities when working with asbestos.

Deputy Principal Dave Bonner has retired after 36 years with the WA Department of Education, 24 of which have been at Willetton Senior High School. We will all miss Dave; he has been instrumental in determining the path our school has taken. His dedication to the school is unsurpassed and his absence will leave a gap which will be a challenge to fill. The good news is that he is already returning to do relief when staff are absent. Perhaps he will miss Willetton as much as we will miss him!

Our school Board has established a scholarship in the name of Ros Davis who recently passed away. Ros was a long serving member of the parent body at this school. For many years, her service was voluntary and was much appreciated. Ros also served the wider community in the area of drug education.

Our new buildings are progressing well. The inconvenience to staff, students and parents will fade into oblivion when the buildings are complete.

I hope all parents and students have found the first semester reports a just reward for student effort. If there are issues with course results, please contact the year coordinator or teacher concerned for support and advice. Selection for courses for 2015 and beyond are contingent on those results and parent information evenings, particularly for senior school courses are a vital component of getting it right.

Many thanks to the Willo Parent Group for a series of outstanding seminars they have organised. One parent’s impression of one of the talks is available further on in this edition.

Our student who was injured by the car which mounted the footpath is well on the road to recovery. I am gratified to be part of a school community which has rallied to support both the boy and his family. It is in these moments of crisis that the true worth of a community can be judged and by all counts, staff, students and our parent groups have shown outstanding kindness to both the boy and his family.

Chris Booth

BOARD CHAIR REPORT

I was proud of the Willetton school community in the manner to which they reacted to the asbestos situation in the first week of the term. The certification that all is clear is a relief to all and school has swung back into full operation. I know that support has been offered to any members of our community who still have concerns, but my assessment is that most issues have been addressed adequately. Thanks to the administrative team for their hard work.

It is with much regret that we farewell Dave Bonner on his retirement from his position as Deputy Principal. Dave is an outstanding educator who has made an exceptional contribution to our school over a number of years and will be much missed. My spies tell me Dave is back this term as a relief teacher, perhaps he just can’t stay away from this magnificent school!

It is with pleasure the Board is establishing a scholarship in memory of Ros Davis, a long term contributor to the school and to the Willetton community. The school is the heart of our community in part due to the great community support it receives.

The building project is proceeding in a very satisfactory manner. What magnificent facilities our students will have when the work is completed. In the meantime, the discomfort and general disruption must be measured in terms of the final outcome.

We have had the pleasure of speaking to politicians from both sides of the political spectrum. They have been pleased to respond to our invitation to attend one of our meetings and answer our questions as well as hear our comments on various issues. Every member of the Board is happy to ask about any issues of concern for you.

I attend all to the Awards Ceremonies on August 13. Congratulations to all award winners for their industry and achievement.

I hope the term is positive and fruitful for you and your family. Best wishes to the Year 12 students in their last few weeks at school.

Lindsay Holland

At a recent Board meeting Lindsay Holland, member for Riverton, Mike Nahan and Chris Booth

HEAD BOY AND GIRL REPORT

As we come back from our extended holiday we find we are drawing closer and closer to exams. Most of us drive cars now, and depending on how lucky or employed we are some of us even own them.

These weekends mark the beginning and end of the university open day season and a lot of us are hoping that this year will be the year we bring home from them a fool-proof plan as well as a few pens, canvas bags and stress-balls. But regardless of whether we do end up sorting out our future on any of these sunny Sunday afternoons, we'll still have to study when we get home for that in class essay on Monday.

It's a kind of grounding, being made almost painfully aware of all the future has in store for us while our teachers remind us what it takes to get there. Each day we find ourselves with our eyes on the horizon and our hands out in front of us, either with a pen and paper in them, studying hard and making more progress than we would have thought was possible four years ago, or bracing for the impact of tests, assignments, and outside commitments. And we're getting there.

Last term Amberly and I hosted a school-wide symposium. Amongst the 40 or so volunteers, councillors and committee-members more ideas were played with in a two hour span than I think I have ever encountered. Students like Carly Stokes, Reggie Anilkumar and James Dow have taken home some of these ideas and begun leading their own discussions on how to give them momentum. To see so many students sitting in the same room and not only resist the urge to divulge into inside jokes and doodling but actually set in motion some long-term plans was inspiring. And its activities like these that remind us to keep up the good work. To grip the pen and paper tighter and power through these next few weeks, aware not only of our futures, but also the futures of the students around us, and the impact we're leaving when we go.

This is a strange time for Year 12s. We have to stay aware, grounded, disciplined and reminded not to let all the stress go to our heads. But we're getting there. And the rewards are beginning to show for it.

Speak only to improve on the silence - Spanish Proverb

Amberly Kilmartin and Mark Brisbane

SCHOOL MUSICAL UPDATE

In 2015, the Arts will be opening with new facilities, it will have been four years since Willetton students performed a musical and the Arts Learning Area is very much looking forward to performing Joseph and His Amazing Techicolour Dreamcoat.

The Arts is happy to announce that we have found our cast, our dancers, our musicians, our backstage crew, the teachers and now we finally would like to hear from any parent volunteers who would like to assist with any part of the musical.

Please email Stefan Brand at stefan.brand@education.wa.edu.au 9334 7254 if you would like to help out.

PARENT SURVEY

Willetton Senior High School conducts annual surveys to determine the level of satisfaction with the service our school gives to the Willetton educational community. Survey results are used to focus on areas for improvement and growth.

Our next survey will be on line September 8 - 19. Survey results are valid only if a significant number of responses are received. We strongly encourage you to respond to the survey questions so that the information we gain is truly representative of the opinions of the whole community.

Complete survey results will, of course, be available to all members of our school community.

INTERESTING ARTICLE We thought parents would be interested in this recent research.

ROAD SAFETY REMINDER

Parents and family members are reminded to stay alert especially when driving in the vicinity of schools. Road safety is a priority.

Our students are precious and irreplaceable!

SECOND HAND UNIFORM SHOP

The second hand uniform shop has relocated to the undercover area, opposite the second hand bookshop until further notice.

Hours for term 3 are 10.15am to 11.30am every Wednesday.

Karen Plumridge

Congratulations

Congratulations to the following high achieving former Willetton students who were recognised at the 2014 Curtin University Engineering Annual Prize Giving Ceremony

Andy Tjoeng
Ankit Khare
Chien Foo
Ishan Abeywickrama
John Iskra
Kalam Ciantar

UNITED NATIONS INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY

The United Nations International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is celebrated every year on August 9. In 2014, the theme is bridging the gap: implementing the rights of Indigenous peoples.

For more information on this please have a look at www.reconciliation.org.au

DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD

This month Emma Pass, Development Officer for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Office attended a Year 8 assembly. As the Year 8s begin to turn 14, they are eligible to join the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program. We welcome Year 8 students and any other students in Years 9 – 12 into the program at any time. Application forms are available in Student Services.

Program participants are gearing up for some exciting Adventurous Journeys and Residential Projects. In October, Bronze participants are invited to join our annual Caving Camp to Margaret River. Silver participants are off to Walpole on a six day hike and next year in July, Gold participants are planning a Residential Project in Laos. Beside these school based opportunities, many other participants are planning exciting projects or journeys of their own including Leeuwin voyages, working with pandas in China and diving courses in Asia.

One of the benefits of doing this international award is being able to include it in a resume. The Award is a huge asset when it comes to applying for jobs, programs, courses and even scholarships for university. Achieving a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award demonstrates that an individual is motivated and able to set and be persistent with achieving goals.

Congratulations to the following students who have achieved awards in the past few weeks. We hope to see you continue onto the next award level.

Bronze Awards

Year 11 – Marcus Wong
Year 10 - Courtney Della, Heather Thomlinson, James Dow, Nic Sereda
Year 9 – Chloe Tucek

Students are reminded that it is primarily up to them to maintain a current online record book. Students should see their award coordinator immediately if they have problems with their record book or award progress. We can all be found in Student Services or contacted by email. Ms Gauci also offers weekly support each Tuesday at recess in D14.

Judy Gauci - School Coordinator, Award Coordinator Years 10 – 12
Colleen Hayes - Award Coordinator, Year 9
Stefan Brand - Award Coordinator, Year 8

Lift the Lip Referral Options

Tooth decay can start as soon as the first tooth appears in the mouth. Early signs to look for:

• White lines along the gum line
  • decay process can be reversed by the use of fluoride
  - make a dental appointment
• Brown or yellow spots that don’t brush off
  • advanced decay which will become a ‘hole’ that will need to be filled
  - make an urgent dental appointment

Public Dental Health Services

Private settings

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule

For further information please call Dental Health Services on 9313 0555 or the Australian Dental Association on 9211 5600.

INTERACT CLUB

Interact is a club for 12-18 year olds who want to join a group and approach issues in their community that they care about. Every year Interact supports two service projects, one that assists our school or community and one that promotes understanding of international issues.

This year marks the third year that Interact has been at Willetton Senior High School and although we started Interact this year slightly later than usual, students who have joined the club have proven themselves to be dedicated, decisive and very enthusiastic, which has allowed us to quickly gain success. We are currently under the supervision of Mrs. Lievense and Mrs. Wong and are administered by our elected executive team, comprising of Suthish Rathakrishnan (President), Molly Brann and Genevieve Earl (Co-Vice Presidents), Georgina Earl and Siobhoin Ialacci (Co-Secretaries) and Jesse Naylor Zambrano (Treasurer).

We decided that we would like to begin this year with a community based project and the group chose to sponsor a local charity called Act for Kids, an organization that specializes in the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. They provide services such as therapy, family support and safe houses to children who are in neglectful and abusive situations.

In term 2, we had our first fundraiser and it was a raffle draw in which the winner received a basket full of cosmetics and beauty products, valued at $400. This was completely organized and executed by Interact Club’s lower school students (whilst the senior school students were having their first semester exams). This was a tremendous feat, considering that many of them are new to Interact this year.

We currently have one more fundraiser to complete for our local charity before moving onto our international project – it has been a successful year for us this far and we are all dedicated to keeping on fundraising and being actively involved in improving our community.

Thank you to all the staff and students for supporting us.

Suthish Rathakrishnan
Interact Club President

FOLLOW THE DREAM: PARTNERSHIPS FOR SUCCESS

MT LAWLEY OUTREACH

Nathan Barrow (AIEO Willetton SHS) Katherine Little, Nic Natainui (WCE) Tylah Beacham and Zarni Littler.

Follow the Dream: Partnerships for Success Mt Lawley Outreach is a program for aspiring, high-achieving, aboriginal students. This program is available to students who meet the selection criteria across metropolitan schools. Currently, there are 30 students from ten Outreach host schools in the 2014 program. The program supports and mentors these students to continue to achieve excellent outcomes at school, complete Year 12 and obtain university entry.

On Thursday July 3, sixteen of the most aspiring Aboriginal students from the Mt Lawley Outreach program came together at Kurongkurl Katitjin, Edith Cowan University, to listen to some words of wisdom from Nic Natainui (West Coast Eagles) and explore the opportunities available to them post school at ECU.

As the coordinator of the program, it was wonderful to witness the coming together of this amazing group of students. Although Nic took centre stage to start the proceedings, the ECU staff were just as engaging as they spoke about the possibilities that await the students, if they so desire, from the huge array of under-graduate courses to the endless career paths through WAAPA.

Many thanks to the supportive staff and families, as well as Graham Farmer Foundation, BHP and ECU, for making this possible.

Bridgid Lafferty
Follow the Dream Outreach Coordinator – Mt Lawley

Learning Area Reports

English

AUDIO BOOKS RECOMMENDED

Jayden Choo, Mr Carbon and Anne Hughes show the books they are currently reading.

The leaders in the Year 8 section of the Reading Promotion in first semester were Anne Hughes with 38 books and Jayden Choo with 26, but it’s not just books that parents can sign for on the inside of school diaries.

Laptops can be used for a variety of learning activities, a major one of these being reading. Students are encouraged to read websites as background to the topics studied in all learning areas.

There are many free apps such as Audiobooks that allow students to listen to audio books completely free on their laptops. The thousands of titles include classics such as Pride and Prejudice, Treasure Island and Anne of Green Gables. The library has audio books that students can request at the counter.

If a book is interesting but difficult to read, look to an audio version of the book for the solution. Students can unlock skills like spelling, punctuation and grammar by following the written version of a text while listening to the spoken version. Audio books are also a good way to absorb information by a different process. As modern technology advances, students should take advantage of the opportunities given to them.

Maryse Green Year 9 with Mr Carbon English Teacher

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT Language Perfect TRIAL

Year 9s Maryse Green and Deanntha Iyalu and English HOLA Mr Munro show the Language Perfect website.

The English Learning Area has accepted a free trial for term 3 for all Years 8, 9 and 10 students with the online learning provider Language Perfect.

Students may already know Language Perfect from their foreign language studies, but the user friendly exercises in spelling, punctuation, grammar and comprehension could help students with their general English skills and preparation for NAPLAN and OLNA testing.

“The Language Perfect trial should be a useful adjunct to students’ classroom studies,” said English HOLA Mr Munro.

Students can google Language Perfect and use the login available from their English teachers or the school library front desk. They can set their own password when they first log in.

Language Perfect has provided a Code of Conduct to protect student privacy, and this is available on request at the school reception.

The Language Perfect Company has also set us up our own competition where students can see their progress and print out progress certificates. There will be an IPod Shuffle for the top student and Eagle Boys pizzas for the best class.

Health and Physical Education

2014 AFL GIRLS FOOTY IN REVIEW

The 2014 AFL girls’ team was one to be remembered, as Forsyth’s 2006 victory was there to be defended.

With Mrs Wheeler passing the reigns to Miss Davy, we thought, pfft this season will be gravy.

Round one came around, the girls were more than prepared, round one forfeited, Carey Baptist, scared.

One from one, a good start to the season, we continued winter training, fingers freezing.

We found an opponent to put up a fight, Willetton out firing, a coach’s delight. Peter Carnley was too strong on the day. A home game we needed, but always away.

Several more teams ran afraid, forfeited before facing the mighty Willetton escapade.

Bus trips to matches were always a blast, much help with directions got us there at last.

Everyone had a role to play, lucky the first aid kit didn’t go astray. With busted fingers and ankles rolled, thankfully eskies kept the ice cold.

A wonderful season in the end, with fantastic teammates on which to depend. With Hugget in the ruck and the Earl twins running amuck, Cymon busting through packs, Francis and Maja reliable backs, Michaela a sneaky goal scorer and steadfast defender found in Laura.

We finished third on the ladder, in the end good times were had and the results didn’t matter. New friends were made, tackles were laid and raw talent was displayed.

Thank you to all the 2014 AFL Girls for a memorable season.

Amber Davy
Health and Physical Education teacher and coach

Kar Yun Choo, Chloe Tucek, Natasha William, Michaela Flynn, Frances Ewen, Nicky Soon, Cymon Burton, Grace Liu, Rachel Wong, Vanessa Mtakula, Lydia Williams, Tiffany Mitchell, Srayna Nuon, Karen Adams, Megan Adams, Genieveve Earl, Georgina Earl, Laura Bullock, Rachael Choo, Maja Maric, Sadie Kenyon, Zoe Hugget

Languages

FAREWELL FROM OUR FRENCH EXCHANGE STUDENTS

Thank you very much for welcoming us so kind-heartedly to Willetton Senior High School. We have spent eight unforgettable weeks, filled with wonderful memories. We would like to take the opportunity to say a special thanks to the teachers who taught us during our stay and looked after us beyond our expectations. A big thank you to our host families who spoilt us too, taking us to places we never thought we would go to such as Albany, Geraldton, York, Cervantes and Mandurah. We realized then how big Australia is and how much more we need to discover about this country! So, rather than Adieu, we would prefer to part from you all in saying A bientot.

Jean-Baptiste Garcia & Quentin Ventelon, of le Caousou college – Toulouse – France

From left - Quentin Ventelon, Jean Baptiste Garcia

HELLO TO ANITA SALA, ITALIAN LANGUAGE ASSISTANT TEACHER

Anita was recently spotted in the Sunday Times Magazine!

HYOGO EXCHANGE GROUP WELCOMED

From August 8 - 20, we welcome a group of 20 exchange students and 2 teachers [Koya Maeda and Naomi Higashida] from our sister school in Japan, the high school of the University of Hyogo. The exchange group will attend full days of classes from Monday the August 11 and will have a very busy itinerary featuring excursions to sights around Perth and the opportunity to experience Australian life while staying with host families. A big thank you to those families supporting our school’s exchange program and hosting the inbound students.

Our Year 11 students participating in the exchange to Japan in September can look forward to staying with the family of the student they will soon host. The exchange group will visit many Japanese classes of all Year groups while attending our school, and when you see our guests, don’t forget to say こんにちは！

Previously welcomed but not pictured, Mr. Toshi Okuzaki, and Mr. Michael Rosa

Science

YEAR 8 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES - CLASSIFICATION

As part of this topic on classification,Year 8 students studied the baby squid.

Most were surprised to learn that a squid is a mollusc in the same group as a snail and slug as it has a soft body.

Students learnt about the functions of different structures including the;

• mouth which resembles a bird’s beak.
• mantle a soft internal shell and provides support.
• ink sac which releases ink which is pushed through the siphon in time of danger.
• water siphon which allows the squid to move by jet propulsion.

Students dissected the squid and found the ink sac and mantle. They wrote their name with the ink using the mantle.

Well done to the Year 8 students for carrying out this dissection with such enthusiasm.

What’s for dinner? Yummy Calamari!

Mrs Gloria Wynhorst Science Teacher

YEAR 11 BIOLOGY EXCURSION TO THE PERTH HILLS DISCOVERY CENTRE

Have you ever touched a Stimson’s python or felt the spines on an echidna? Do you know what a woylie is and why woylies are important in the jarrah forests of Western Australia? Have you heard of the Western Shield program and its importance in preventing the extinction of our native animals?

On a beautiful sunny day at the end of July, the Year 11 Biology classes went to the Perth Hills Discovery Centre in Mundaring. The centre provided the Biology students with an opportunity to develop their field work skills in analysing the natural vegetation found there by using quadrats, identifying local flora and looking for signs of the animals that are found in the hills.

Students practised setting traps for population studies and attended a talk on the management processes and strategies being used to help in the recovery of threatened animal species through the Western Shield program. This is the breeding program for endangered species of animals run by the Department of Environment and Conservation.

After lunch we were fortunate to have a guest speaker from the Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (which is a not-for-profit organisation that assists in the nursing and feeding of sick and injured native animals). Not only were the aims and practices of Kanyana in helping our unique wildlife explained, but students were also given the rare opportunity of seeing up close an echidna, a woylie (a small marsupial important in the cycling of nutrients on the forest floor), a ring tailed possum, a Stimson’s python and an orphaned joey currently in care.

Hopefully, our excursion to the hills has helped our Biology students appreciate how knowledge of our unique Western Australian flora and fauna can help to conserve populations of these wonderful animals and beautiful plants for all West Australians to enjoy in the future.

In addition, we received the following message from the staff at the centre. We are very proud of our students!!

Mrs Smith and Mrs Wynhorst
Year 11 Biology teachers

Society and Enviroment

National History Competition

During term 2, sixty-two of our Year 10 students were selected to participate in the Australian History Competition. This is a national competition and in 2014, 20 000 students from over 350 schools participated in the Year 10 section of the competition.

The competition requires students to complete 50 multiple choice questions based on a variety of source material that tests their historical knowledge, skills of interpretation, knowledge of terms and concepts, historical context, chronology and cause and effect.

This was the fourth year of this competition and the third time Willetton SHS has participated. In 2014, 97% of our students passed the test and 36 or 58% of our students achieved either a high distinction or distinction certificate, which was an improvement on previous years. Students who participated in the competition will have received one of the following certificates – high distinction (84%+), distinction (76%+), credit (72%+), merit (62%+) or participation.

The following students are congratulated on achieving a high distinction certificate:

James Dow (94), Nicholas Berryman (88), Elizabeth Charlton (88), Christopher Jong (86), Darren Lee (86), Wallace Maillot (86), Tom Robinson (86), Ganesh Young (86), Rohit Kannachel (84), Miroljub Markovic (84), Alexandra Godage (82), Shiya Huang (82) and Kirtenaa Prem Kumar (82). James Dow deserves special acknowledgement for achieving the highest mark at Willetton SHS, with a score of 94%.

No students received a perfect score, but one student from Western Australia scored 98%, and 82% of all students who participated in the Year 10 competition gained a mark of 50% or greater. We look forward to the competition in 2015, when we will strive to improve on our 2014 results.

John Maxwell
Head of Humanities and Social Sciences

The Arts

Europe Cultural Tour

In the Term 1 holidays, a group of 19 students and three teachers travelled to Europe to study some of the art and music culture on offer in Paris and Vienna. The tour started in Paris where we visited numerous Art Museums to view the works of the masters at Musee D’Orsay and the Louvre, as well as a tour of Montmartre to get a brief insight into the bohemian lifestyle of the art world.

Paris also provided students with one of their tour highlights – going to the top of the Eiffel Tower. There were also visits to other landmarks such as the Arc di Triomphe, the palace and gardens of Versailles, Notre Dame Cathedral, Champs Elyssee, and conquering the Paris Metro. The students loved soaking up the atmosphere of the city by walking through markets, attending the theatre to see Beauty and the Beast, and enjoying the culinary delights ranging from escargot, duck confit and Croque Monsieur, through to éclairs and macarons.

Vienna offered a more musical slant to the tour. Students visited the home of Mozart and walked the streets trod not only by this composer but also Beethoven, Strauss, Mahler and a host of others. The featured concert was the Vienna Sinfonika at the Music Verein which is the venue of the famous Viennese new year’s Eve concert. The added bonus was that the conductor was Australia’s Simone Young who is a pioneer for international female conductors. The street musicians were also a highlight of Vienna and they performed everything from contemporary music through to opera arias and chamber music.

The tour was a huge success and the students were an absolute delight to travel with. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them for being such great company and also offer a huge thank you to Mrs Cheryl Venter and Mrs Mandy Clarke for the work they did on the tour. Who knows, we may go back one day…

Brad Oversby Head of Learning Area-The Arts

DRAMA UPDATE

Stage 3 Drama/Stage 3 Dance Camp

The Year 12 Dance and Drama camp at Point Walter this year was a magnificent experience for all involved. If we weren’t bound together watching The Lion King or learning how to pretend to beat the… joy out of each other in the stage combat workshop, we were separated into either Dance or Drama receiving specialised workshops from industry professionals that we can apply to many elements of our fields of study. It was a great mixture of work and play and as many of us discovered, learning in an environment away from school can be extremely valuable. Finally, a quote from our teacher Brando (Mr Brand), and literally the one thing we knew about Point Walter before showing up… the food is great.

Luke Binetti Year 12 Drama student

Stage 3 Drama

The Stage 3 Drama students are heading towards their WACE September practical exams. Their final performance will be their original solo performance night. As this is their last performance at Willetton Senior High School it would be fantastic to see students, parents, friends and the community coming along to see the talent that these students have to offer.

Date: Wednesday September 10
Time: 6:30pm-9:30pm
Venue: Rossmoyne Senior High School Theatre
Tickets available: At the venue on the night. Ticket price to be confirmed.

Lower School Drama

Due to the building program all lower school performances will be in the quadrangle as both the theatre and studio will not be in use for the rest of the year.

Congratulations to Ms Kotai and the Year 10 performance extension class who executed the scripted performance of The Lesson by Sean Tobin in Term 2.

Scheduled lower school performance dates for Semester 2 (these may be subject to change)

Year 10 Performance extension class

Date: Thursday 6 Nov and Friday 7 Nov
Time: 7:30pm - 10:00pm Little Red Riding Hood
Tickets on sale: Monday October 27 from the Business Manager’s office

Lower School Dance/Drama Showcase - this date will be confirmed and advertised in the next newsletter.

Year 9/Year 10 Drama Club

A group of approximately 30 students have been involved in drama club this year; we have been meeting every Wednesday at 7:30am.

We have been working on two different projects this year; the first is the Youth on Health Drama Festival. This festival involves the students devising a 15 minute performance based on the theme Our Community. The students will be performing on Monday September 1 at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre. If you would like to support them tickets are available on 9550 3900 or www.manpac.com.au

Please contact Stefan Brand on Stefan.brand@education.wa.edu.au or 9334 7254 if you have any questions.

V.E.T.

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Students and staff involved in Vocational Education and Training have recently been recognised for outstanding achievement. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate both students and staff.

Congratulations to Taylah-Jayne Goodes who was recently presented an Australian Vocational Student of the Year VET in Schools 2013 prize. Taylah completed a Certificate III in Aviation (Cabin Crew) completing work experience at both the Parmelia Hilton and Cobham Aviation. She competed against students Australia-wide to win this award and we are delighted with her success.

TAYLAH-JAYNE GOODES

Another of our VET students from last year, Lauren Stirling, was also nominated for the 2013 Central Institute of Technology's VET in Schools Student of the Year for her studies in her Certificate III in Education Support. Again this was not announced until this year. Whilst Lauren didn't take home the major award, she was in the top four in her category - a huge achievement that we are also very proud of!

LAUREN STIRLING

Last but by no means least, we are pleased to acknowledge that our Sport and Recreation school VET program recently underwent a very successful audit by the WA VET governing body, the Training and Accreditation Council (TAC). This involved all aspects of the delivery of the program, including a visit to the school by TAC where teacher Diane Tuxford (supported by Jacqueline Bogunovich) was put through her paces. Diane Tuxford was recognised for running an outstanding program, and our appreciation goes to both her and Jacqueline Bogunovich for their professionalism and team work. Thanks also to our wonderful students - Brooke Weaver and Brooke Stehn who agreed to be interviewed by TAC - you made us very proud! Also deserving of a special mention for their assistance and continued support is our VET Auspice partner Central Institute, and in particular lecturer Claire Middleton. Lastly, we must acknowledge our Hospitality teachers and their Certificate II Hospitality students, for providing an impressive and delicious morning tea!

All aspects of this audit just reinforce the best aspects of our school community: professionalism, respect, teamwork and success!

Sue Holland
Vocational Education and Training

CAREER AND ENTERPRISE

Getting the goss! about Work Alternatives

Students of Career and Enterprise attended the Careers Expo to gather information about possible education and training alternatives. It can be a puzzle to work out a possible first career and then to learn about the education and training required for that first career. We live in a paper qualification world and being able to speak with TAFE and University advisors is a valuable opportunity for students preparing to graduate from Willetton. Contacts are made and these can be followed up for future information or interview.

Jess Nelson, Ranul Ranasinghe, Brandon Kane, Syabil Mohamed Ali

Jivain Sathiasalan, Matthew Summerton, Priya Murali Raj

Jozette Jansen van Vuuren, Anna di Stefano, Samantha Williams, Jessica White

Careeer and Enterprise students attending the Career Expo

Getting the “real” goss! about a career

During the recent exam break and the July holiday break some Career and Enterprise students participated in Work Experience with employers including:

Charter Plumbing	Universal Industrial Supplies	Burrendah Primary School	Subway Stirling	Bullcreek Primary School
Clubs WA	Big W Livingston	Good Samaritan Industries	Southern Cricket	Denmark Bakery
Willetton Asian Cuisine	Pet City Willetton	Foot Locker	Best and Less Southlands	Little Stars Childcare Centre
Rostrata Primary School

On visits to speak with students and employers, the positive and encouraging feedback was overwhelming. Employers shared that our students had worked with endeavour and enthusiasm, comparable to University and TAFE internees. Students spoke with confidence about what they had learned in the workplace; some sharing that they had found their first career and could then work towards meeting the education and training entry requirements.

Congratulations to the students who represented themselves and our school so well. Thanks to the employers who willing took our students for this experience.

Lakeiya Flynn at Clubs WA

Samantha Williams at Rostrata Primary School

Ranul Ranasinghe at Southern Cricket

Imogen Craigie at Bullcreek Primary School

Brooke Stehn at Burrendah Primary School

Jerome Amrutha Raj at Subway Stirling

Aidan Zeveron at Pet City

Andy Teh at Willetton Asian Cuisine

Corey Wise at Best and Less Southlands

Syabil Mohamed Ali at Big W Livingston

Chloe Crowley at Little Stars Childcare Centre

Getting the goss! about changing careers in working life

Career and Enterprise students welcomed the opportunity to listen to the story of the working lives of Ms Peta Hayward and Mr Emerson Lievense. Students learned that a working life may start in one place and end in another because of a change in interest, job opportunities, a desire to develop a small business, to realise dreams and goals or changes in personal circumstances. With thanks to Peta and Emerson for their time and for sharing generously personal aspects of their working lives.

These are some of the student’s thoughts on the presentations:

• Jerome: Peta has a “can do” attitude and took all the opportunities she got. Her original pathway didn’t work and she got back into it and found another
• Matthew: For Peta, there was a focus on “ there is always something else out there”
• Samantha: It is important to be adaptable and resilient.
• Jerome: Peta’s commitment to her work showed her employers that she was the “stuff” worth keeping
• Imogen: Your destiny is your own and you have to work hard to what you want
• Matthew: Emerson explained that it was important to find our opportunities because they would not be coming to us

Emerson Lievense, Peta Hayward (Front) + students Emily Johnson and Lakeiya Flynn

Ruth Barratt
Teacher in Charge: Career and Enterprise

Year Group Reports

YEAR 8

Towards the end of Term 2 was a busy time for the Year 8s.

I am very impressed with the great start that the students have made overall. Congratulations also to the Year 8 students who received academic awards at the recent special assembly.

Information will be coming out in the next parent email on how Student Services is planning assist those students who have been struggling academically.

FUNDRAISING

An important part of Student Services activities is fundraising initiatives and the Year 8 cohort, with the help of the fundraising committee has made a great start. Our first focus has been The Guide Dogs WA where Sean Miller is running blindfolded in the 2014 City to Surf Marathon. His goal is to raise $30 000 to sponsor a guide dog, giving a person who is vision impaired the chance of a better life. In all, the students have raised over $1700, the largest donation given to this cause. Thank you to the students and parents for this great contribution to this charity which does not get any sponsorship from the government and therefore relies on community support.

Thank you also to Chris Kelly (Year 12 Coordinator) and the Year 12 councillors in the support for raising funds on the free dress day where students wore free dress, put on a bake sale and sausage sizzle.

FIRST SCHOOL SOCIAL

Thank you to the Year 8 social committee and to the 170 students who attended the first social event for the Year 8 cohort. General feedback was that the students had a great night. I have included photos in this newsletter. Thank you also to the staff who attended as without them these events would not be possible. Information concerning our next social event is the Year 8 river cruise which will be held on Wednesday September 17. Information should already have been given you by your child.

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Congratulations to some of the Year 8 drama, music and dance students who performed at the end of the semester. It is great to see such a strong arts focus in the Year 8 cohort. I encourage all students to continue to pursue such creative subjects which are important in life.

Congratulations also to the Year 8 Boys AFL for reaching the grand final, the School Board for funding the Cyber Busters performance which was viewed by all Year 8 students, the Year 8 tutor teachers for being professional and welcoming in the Year 8s first semester of high school.

The following students have received 25 points or above in our merit system. The students listed have been recognised for positive work in and outside of the classroom by their teachers:

Sarah Musumeci
Jasmin Ely
Amber Saxton
Josephine Santosa
Taylor McDowell
Herman Yeung
Divya Raj
Toby Flanders
Thye Shan Ng
Lara Scarcella
Eric Lau
Linh Khanh Nguyen
Divya Nandhini Angusamy

Please keep the communication channels open as much as possible between me, your child and their teachers. Please email me Stefan.brand@education.wa.edu.au or phone on 9334 7254

YEAR 10

There is definitely a charged atmosphere amongst the Year 10s with impending Year 11 Course Selection interviews. Students have been collecting teacher signatures and debating the merits of the subject choices available to them. Thank you to all of the parents who attended the Year 10 to 11 Information Evening on July 29. Having supportive parents is an incredibly powerful asset for our students and coupled with the support received through teachers and course counsellors at school, the Year 10s really do have a strong chance at being successful in their future studies. I would like to thank Ms Sorrell, Ms Holland for the leading role they have had in planning the Decision Time schedule. Thanks also to the staff involved with presenting at Decision Time sessions and undertaking the role of Course Counsellors on top of their usual teaching and administrative duties.

Ruth Barratt, Jacqui Bogunovich, Ina Boxshall, Stefan Brand, Judy Gauci, Natalie Greenham, Nathan Harvey, Julie Hind, Jenny Hood, Sue Holland, Rachel Miller, Marie Munro, Christine Petersen, Lee Pyke, Sally Russell, Phil Sherwood, Maura Sorrell, Cheryl Venter, Lana Warner-Gillon

Celebrating academic success is a long time tradition at Willetton and it is with great pleasure that we will be presenting certificates to students who have received 7, 8 and 9 A grades in semester one. Also, for the first time, students who have received 6, 5 and 4 A grades will receive a letter of commendation. Congratulations to all students who are the recipients of a certificate or letter of commendation. I extend this congratulations to many Year10 students who have put in an excellent effort during semester one and achieved their best possible results and more importantly, positive comments regarding attitude, behavior and application.

The prospect of selecting senior school courses is all consuming. However, there are still plenty of fun activities going on at school. The year group has been learning formal dance as part of their Physical Education program. As usual, the students initially had reservations about this module, but it has been proven to be a great success with many students discovering a hidden talent for jiving and waltzing! Well done everyone. Most students are into their second semester of yearlong options and starting to get their teeth into some serious projects. Technology and Enterprise and Arts teachers have given some glowing feedback about the talents and workmanship amongst their Year 10 classes.

As we have two incoming cohorts in 2015, the Year 10s were invited to apply for a second turn at Peer Leading. Congratulations to following students have been appointed as Peer Leaders for the incoming Year 7s for 2015. The quality of applications was outstanding.

Ocean Anand, Annelle Angus, Kezia Antahputri, Shree Aravindhan, Hudson Bliss, Georgia Brown, Bo Davie, Campbell Fist, Natasha Gould, Chantelle Harper, Jasmine Harris, Shiya Huang, Siobhoin Ialacci, Ashvin Kaur, Kara Lawford , Sean Lee, Ann Matthew, Elyse McBeath, Nikita Miller, Vanessa Mtakula, Puvanish Perumal, Joshua Peter, Kirteena Prem Kumar Eda Pui, Rachel Reed, Tom Robinson, Corrine Rudman, Beth Russell, Georgia Sharkey, Madeleine Shehade, Heather Thomlinson, Liahna Warren

Judy Gauci
Year 10 Coordinator

YEAR 11

Dear Year 11s

The first semester has finished and you are well into the second. A lot of lessons have been learnt by you - some good and some not so good.

You have survived your first lot of exams. Many have realised that you have relied on your brains to get this far with your education and that brains alone are not enough for success at senior school. Achievement in senior school is a direct reflection of how much effort you put in to your studies.

It is very pleasing to see a big shift in your maturity in attitude towards your studies. You are now understanding how important Year 11 is for you future. With that in mind, you need to stack everything in your favour. While one little thing might improve your marks by only one percent, by doing lots of little things, all of those add up to a lot more precents and … better grades.

So here are some things that you can do to stack things in your favour:

• Set yourself realistic goals
• Manage your time.
• Study hard when you are studying
• Take breaks to remain fresh
• Work out your priorities of what you need to do and stick to them
• Look back on what you have done and how you can improve
• Reward yourself for doing well
• Eat a healthy diet
• Exercise every day
• Enjoy time with your family and friends
• Don’t procrastinate.
• Practice, practice, practice.
• Outline and rewrite your notes for study
• Make a schedule you can stick to
• Work out your learning style and use it to your advantage
• Set up a study area with good light and fresh air
• Have an effective filing system to keep your notes in order and safe
• Get to bed early and have lots of good sleep
• Pack you bag the night before
• Avoid distractions. (delete Facebook and games)
• Don’t eat sugary things before tests and exam
• Learn to relax
• Don’t be too hard on yourself
• Ask questions of your teachers and keep asking until you understand.
• Make the right friends
• Worker smarter

While these tips seem easy, it takes effort to make new habits. Try them out and see how they work.

Success never comes easily. You need to try and try again. If you never quit then you will surely succeed.

All the best for the remainder of the year and work as hard as you can.

Take care,
Mr Hogg Year 11 Coordinator

YEAR 12

YEAR 12 NEWS

Unbelievably the year is coming to an ever hastening end. It is amazing to think that this wonderful group of young people was in Year 8 just a few short years ago. Their maturity and growth over the last five years has been impressive and each and every one of them should be proud of the progress made both in classes and in the wider community.

Their list of achievements is almost endless – they have participated in every challenge and opportunity offered them – sporting events to charity fundraisers, social events and leadership forums. I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Mark Brisbane and Amberly Kilmartin, Head Boy and Girl, for the leadership symposium they organized and conducted, involving councillors from each of the year groups. Their mission was to initiate a think tank whereby students could discuss issues that affect them both now and in the future. The results were impressive and touched on aspects of school life in 2015 and beyond when the school population will increase significantly. Their ideas for transition programs for Year 7 students have impressed staff and will be actioned. Mark and Amberly have been incredible leaders and well deserve their positions. They were also both participants in Living Below the Line – an Oaktree Foundation initiative to help raise awareness of World Poverty. Students lived on $2 a day for a week and together with a sausage sizzle and bake sale, raised almost $700 towards the cause. A spectacular $ 2700 was raised in collaboration with the Year 8 fundraising group the last week of term. This was an incredible feat and funds will go towards Red Kite Foundation and Guide Dogs Australia.

Metro’s social function wasn’t as well supported as usual but students who attended had a great time and it was terrific to be able to celebrate a successful end of semester and the last social function.

At present there is a wonderful group of Year 12 students assisting with the year book – they have taken on this challenge with great gusto and enthusiasm and I look forward to a wonderful publication. Particular thanks to Lowenna Clemmence who has worked tirelessly on this project since last year and is leading this group very capably.

Congratulations to Tom Bennett who represented Western Australia in the Under 18 AFL competition last term and Aidan Zeverona who was selected in the Under 18 Basketball side to compete over East.

All the very best for a great semester 2. The 12s have all become so proficient at self-management that I feel a little superfluous – their journey into adulthood has started and they have well and truly embraced it.

Chris Kelly
Year 12 Coordinator

School Board News

SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS

The next Board meeting will be held on Wednesday September 17 2014 at 5.30pm in the school conference room. A list of Board meetings for the remainder of the year can be found on the school website, under the School Board information. All are welcome.

WA EDUCATION AWARDS

Nominations for the prestigious 2014 WA Education Awards are now open. This is an opportunity for parents to nominate a teacher or staff member you think are deserving of recognition, celebrating any outstanding achievements and contributions that such a person has made at the school.

Several categories are available for nomination, including:

• WA Premier’s Secondary Teacher of the Year
• WA Secondary Principal of the Year
• WA School Support Staff Member of the Year
• WA Secondary School of the Year

As part of the WA Education Awards, parents can recognise the work of staff by downloading a copy of the Merit Certificate from, fill it in and hand in to the School Board office by August 15, 2014.

Willetton Senior High School was awarded the inaugural WA Secondary School of the Year Award for 2011/2012, and Mr Chris Booth was shortlisted to one of four finalists for the Secondary Principal of the Year award last year.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOK FUNDRAISER

For the second year running, the Entertainment Book will be available to Willo parents and friends to purchase through the School Board. Only a few copies of the Entertainment Books are left, and available for immediate collection from the School Board office. For enquiries, please contact Helen Wong on 9334 7217 or helen.s.wong@education.wa.edu.au or make a purchase at https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/904a46

A choice of the hard copy or a digital membership are available.

Profits raised from the sale of these books will go towards a Student Leadership Development Program initiated by the School Board. Your support is much appreciated.

DISCOUNTED HOYTS MOVIE TICKETS

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

Unfortunately, there is an unavoidable price increase for the Child/Senior tickets. This is the first increase in six years, and has been kept to a minimum. However, these prices still provide excellent savings.

Pricing as follows:

TYPE	PRICING	BOOK OF 10
Child/Senior	$10	$95 (price increase)
Student	$12	$110
Adult	$14	$120
Family Book (6 child/senior + 4 adult)	$115 (price increase)
La Premiere –single pass	$30	N/A
La Premiere – double pass	$58	N/A

Tickets may be purchased from the bookshop on Wednesday during term, or by arrangement with the School Board office.

SECOND HAND BOOKSHOP

Under the auspice of the School Board, and run by a team of dedicated parent and community volunteers, the second hand bookshop is open every Wednesday 9.00am to 12 noon. Located next to the canteen, the bookshop has a good range of Year 11 and Year 12 textbooks, lower school resources, calculators, language dictionaries and upper school revision books and exam papers.

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

The office is closed Thursdays.

Willo Parent Group

The Willo Parent Group meets approximately twice 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.

Events for Term 3 & 4

Friday September 26	9.00am-10.30am	Coffee morning Topic : Youth Focus	Staff Room
Friday November 7	TBA	Social Excursion – Kayaking	TBA
Friday December 5	12 noon – 1.00pm	Willo parents and community members Christmas lunch	Staff Room

For further information on these events, please contact Helen Wong on 9334 7217 or helen.s.wong@education.wa.edu.au

LIFE SKILLS – EMOTIONAL QUOTIENT SEMINAR

Thank you to Mr Roger Tan for facilitating a very successful series on the Emotional Quotient last term. Over the five well attended sessions, parents gained valuable insight to themselves, and how best to interact in relationships with their significant others. Here are a few comments from participants:

• I learnt about how to process my feelings, manage relationships.
• Understanding the emotion of children is very important before we try to take any decisions/pressure on them. It’s really important to see who/what influences them.
• How to know myself first so that I am able to communicate with others and my child. We always look at our angle as always right, so we should self-check first.
• How to better “judge” the emotions/feelings of others.
• How to empathise with my significant other, and to try to stay positive.
• I learnt that people will not remember you for what you did or said, but they will remember how you make them feel.
• What makes me tick, and what ticks me off.
• Emotional monitoring.
• How to live a better life, be a better parent, and how to let go.
• Knowledge to deal with teenagers.
• Life is short. Learn to forgive and untie the knots.
• To listen to my heartbeat and tools to self manage and resolve conflicts within myself and also with my significant others.
• Responsible parenting.
• I learnt to think about how I think.
• Interpersonal skills, relationships with my children.
• To better manage my emotions and have better relationships with family, friends and colleagues.
• Always be kind and considerate to people – you never know when you might meet them again and under what circumstances.

Roger has kindly donated one of his books Understanding Wisdom, which is available for members of the school community to borrow on a two week loan basis. Please contact the School Board office for details.

Thank you to Touchpoint Community Services for their support and assistance with the running of this seminar.

EQ seminar photos

INTERNET SAFETY AWARENESS

Held on June 20, Ms Kerry Jarvis from Cybersmart gave an informative and engaging presentation to over 40 parents. A range of topics were covered, including online gaming, the ways children use the internet and emerging technologies, and tips to help children stay safe online.

Cybersmart is a national cybersafety and cybersecurity education program managed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). ACMA carry a host of valuable resources available through their website www.cybersmart.gov.au Parents are strongly encouraged to access these resources.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Over the years, the Willo Parent Group has assisted our chaplains with Operation Christmas Child, a worthy project that can make a difference in the lives of many young people. It is now time to start bringing in your donations of gifts to fill the Christmas shoe boxes. Items needed include soft toys, toys, colouring pencils, crayons, puzzle books, toiletries and clothing. All items need to be new. Please drop off your items at the chaplain’s office, located in the demountable at the front of the school. More details on this project can be found on www.samaritanspurse.org.au Volunteers are also needed to assist with wrapping and packing the shoe boxes. If you are able to assist, please contact Heather Gare in the chaplains’ office on 9334 7242 (Tuesdays and Wednesdays).

Parent E-News

If you would like to be included on a parent email distribution list to be kept informed of Willo parent activities and sent information relevant to parents, please provide your details to helen.s.wong@education.wa.edu.au

You may request for your details to be removed from the list at any time.

REFLECTIONS ON THE EMOTIONAL QUOTIENT SEMINARS

presented by Roger Tan, hosted by Willo Parent Group and Touchpoint Services

Most would know of the saying: You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink

Perhaps that horse was not thirsty or was a very stubborn creature!

It wasn’t until Roger’s second seminar that I actually started to realise what he was beginning to teach me. Maybe I am the stubborn one? Yes and some of my significant others (SO) are perhaps more stubborn, but am I not just as stubborn to keep banging my head against their unbreakable bricks and mortar?

In our first session, Roger talked around emotions and touched on many ideas which made me think Yes, I know that. I know I should do that. I understand that I want to help my significant other, but I don’t know how. This is, of course, because few of us are taught how. Yet after the second session I began to appreciate Roger’s wisdom and heed his advice.

When we discover our own emotions, we gain control of our lives and are better equipped to help our SO. Our SO could be a child, partner, parent, relative or friend. With this control we can attempt to chip away at the mortar of those brick walls, without submitting our loved one to an uncontrolled emotional onslaught, which emanates from our own fears and anxieties. Put simply, emotions often get in the way of solving a problem, rather than assisting a resolution. For example, to say in haste, something that you ordinarily would not, to embarrass or insult will if anything, make the situation worse. For Roger the most important lesson we all have to learn is this: Feelings are extremely powerful. A person may not remember what you said, did or achieved, but they will always remember how you made them feel.

Relationship issues with teenage sons seemed to be a recurring subject of discussion. Having a son myself, I know exactly how they feel. Though, if I try to analyse my son, I find it hard not to get emotional, I don’t understand him! How could I? I have never been a teenage boy. My daughter probably received better help from me through her teenage years because I had been through it myself. But let’s not give our boys such bad press. Let’s start to understand that they have little control over the influence of the male hormones which invade our them as they grow up, testosterone to create strong hunters, aggressive fighters and fierce protectors (as nature intended). To put all these hormonal feelings inside a young inexperienced boy and expect him to be able to deal with them, is that fair? No, but then life isn’t fair. Life is to live and enjoy (as much as is safely possible).

In Roger’s words you have to let them have space and hope you have taught them well in their earlier years to make the right choices in friends and advisers. After all, adolescent boys have their own wall built for them, each brick held together with hormones far stronger than mortar!

So why bang your head against it? Isn’t it better to peep over the top once in a while and throw over a few gems of wisdom? In my experience, whilst fighting my emotions and regrettably losing control sometimes, I have found that my son will usually pick up the most important gems and put them away to use later.

Whether your SO is your child, partner, parent or friend, remember you can lead them but cannot force them to do what is best for them (not to be confused with what you think is best for them)! They have to want to do this and the time might not be right now. All you can do is guide and encourage and of course love them unconditionally.

To be able to do this we all require support, or a release from all the emotional junk we all carry around. Some may find this through meditation, religion or a professional, but most just need a trusted friend with whom they can share in confidence. In Roger’s words you need to find someone to trust and confide in, before you get to the stage of needing professional counselling.

During the final three seminars, Roger led us through the skills we could utilise in our attempt to better support ourselves and our significant others:

• Understanding emotions; using our emotional intelligence to let people know how we feel as well as empathising with the emotional state of others.
• Ways in which we deal with the emotional baggage we all carry around.
• How to slow the heartbeat of impatient youth sufficiently to guide and nurture our children.
• Know your emotional triggers (what ticks you off) and try to resolve them.
• Know the emotional triggers of your SO and try to avoid them.
• Learn what interests/enthuses your SO (what make them tick) and use it as an entry point for discussion.
• Listen carefully for the real reason for any difficult behaviour traits and try to empathise/understand. Remember kids are people and not projects.
• Encourage your SO to come up with their own solutions/ways to help
• Get your SO to discuss the likely consequences/goals of their actions. Is their current course going to lead to the desired goal? Chose the consequence they want so they can see the reason to change.
• An introduction to emotional profiling and how it aids understanding
• Utilise Gary Chapman’s Five Love languages; gifts, quality time, words of affirmation, acts of service, and physical touch to encourage self esteem and feelings of security. If our children do not get this from us, they will get it elsewhere.

I certainly feel I have gained valuable information being a part of this program and thank Roger, Touchpoint Community Services and Willo Parent Group for bringing this opportunity to our school community.

Sarah Jeffries