inside this issue parent newsletter issue 4 2021

Inside this Issue

Principal’s Message

Deputy Principal

Student News

Extra Curricula Events

Events and Organisation

Attachments

Community Messages

Welcome to Menai High School.

We are a proud comprehensive high school with a tradition of outstanding academic results. Our school values are based around Care and Commitment where we create a learning environment driven by student wellbeing. Our school vision encompasses the development of Skilled Learners, Skilled Citizens who are Skilled for Life. Our wide ranging curriculum caters for the diverse learning needs of all students, with opportunities to succeed academically, creatively, socially and emotionally. We develop students who are equipped to thrive living in the twenty first century, willing and able to make valuable contributions to our society.

Coming Up

Reconciliation Assembly—Friday 28th May

Year 8 Swim School—Monday 31st May to Wednesday 2nd June

Year 12 Trial Exams—Monday 19th July to Friday 30th July

Contact Us

Phone Number 9543 7000

Fax Number 9543 5513

Email [email protected]

Website menai-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MenaiHS/

Parent Newsletter Issue 4—2021

Menai High School

Principal’s Message

Menai High Science Student Places First in International Competition Sarah Hens who completed her HSC at Menai High School in 2020 has just been announced as a Grand Award Winner achieving first place for her HSC Science Extension project in the 2021 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) held this month. ISEF can be considered to be the Olympic Games of high school science competitions!

Last year Sarah’s HSC project that tested the efficacy of a number of herbal supplements on spatial learning and memory in mice won second place in the Science Teacher’s Association of NSW Young Scientist Awards and was selected as one of the top 9 projects overall to be part of the NSW delegation which competed at the International Science and Engineering Fair this month. It is with great pleasure and pride that I offer huge congratulations to Sarah Hens and her Extension Science teacher Ms Ann Hanna for such a phenomenal and illustrious achievement. To give some indication of the scale of the ISEF competition, 1,850 finalists from 64 countries competed in this year’s event. For one of our own to be named as a Grand Award Winner (including prize money of $5,000) is just sensational and a truly amazing achievement. GRAND AWARDS First Award of $5,000, BEHAVIOURAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES Sarah Hens, Menai High School — A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Differential Efficacy of Ginkgo biloba, Ginseng, Curcuma longa Linn. and Vinpocetine on Spatial Learning and Memory in Mice (Science Extension project – Young Scientist team) I know the whole Menai High School community will be as proud as I am and join me in congratulating Sarah and Ms Hannah on this sensational achievement. Mr Kerry Sheehan, NESA Science Curriculum Inspector, has passed on his congratulations to Sarah, Ms Hannah and the school. In his message of congratulations to the school Mr Sheehan stated “This is an outstanding feat for a comprehensive school.” Menai High School has taken on the best in the world and won!! We are very proud of you Sarah. CONGRATULATIONS!! Principal’s Recognition Alex Manea—represented the Sydney East Association in the Girls Basketball team who

competed at the NSWCHS Championships at Maitland on 4th-6th May, 2021.

Barney Ellevsen 27/5/21

Student News

Student Attendance

Dear Parents/Carers, Menai High School has a core responsibility to encourage regular attendance of all students. Regular attendance at school is essential to assist students to maximise their potential. This includes students attending school on time every day for the duration of the school day. Students are expected to attend sport each week on a Thursday and all external medical appointments must be made outside of school hours. If you are required to attend an unavoidable appointment during sport time then you must seek permission from your Deputy Principal two days prior. It is an expectation that these appointments on a Thursday afternoon be kept to a minimum and they will be monitored very closely by the Deputy Principal. The Department of Education requires all students to have an attendance above 85% and we encourage all parents to monitor the parent portal to view student attendance rates including lateness to school. Students must be at school by 8:55am each day and remain at school until 3:20pm. Please provide medical certificates for prolonged absences. Thank you for working with us to support the education needs of our students and to improve student attendance at Menai High School. Please refer to the Department of Education’s ‘Compulsory School Attendance’ flyer on the following pages. Ms B Stone Head Teacher, Welfare

Student News

Student Attendance—continued

Student News

TAS Faculty Ms Rozga commends Bree Clark, Aidan Tambimuttu, Sarah Loughlin, Amelia Domrow and Hannah Soper (Year 10) for providing continuous support and demonstrating positive role modelling to Year 6 students undertaking the Transition Program. Learning Support Faculty Mrs Cooper commends Alexandra Melicher, Chloe Robertson and Joshua Walters for supporting Year 7 students during their NAPLAN examinations. Year 11 Welfare Day Mrs Ryan and Mr Bean (Year 11 Advisers) write—On Tuesday 4th May, guest speakers Brent Sanders and Tom Reynolds addressed our Year 11 students during their Welfare Day. Brent, an ex-police officer spoke in depth about how to identify, prevent and eliminate all forms of harassment, bullying and discrimination. Brent also discussed sensitive topics such as assault, consent, personal safety, conflict psychology and life skills. Tom, the founder of Independent Drug Education Australia spoke about decision making, alcohol use and the consequences of drug use. An invaluable day for the Year 11 cohort. Year 9 Feel Good Friday Year 9 kept the Feel Good Friday fun going with some spicy handball games under the Cola at lunchtime. Spicy Handball is a large scale game of handball with new and exciting rules, such as, playing with your left hand only, hopping on one foot or doing the macarena while playing! Teachers and students from all year groups were able to come together, listen to music and play in the handball tournament with prizes given out to the winners and best and fairest. There was fun had by all! Ms Northover and Mr Staines would like to thank the following Year 9 students for their assistance and fantastic organisational skills – Paige, Eliza, Jessica G, Sienna, Skye, Meriema, Ella, Hayley, Maxine, Dalia, Kallie, Lily, Hana, Eve, April, Joshua and Maria-Zoe.

Good News Reports

Good News Reports (continued)

Student News—continued


L.O.T.E. Faculty Mrs Ferraro would like to congratulate Shayla Gonul and George Theodorou on achieving their black belts in their Hiragana tests. Both students have demonstrated the ability to accurately write all 46 hiragana characters in 5 mins. YOKU DEKIMASHITA! Science Faculty Ms Hanna congratulates the following students—Marieta Van der Merwe on her selection as one of the top 55 students out of 550 in the State in the Brain Bee Neuroscience Competition and now moves into the next round. Also Sarah Hens who has just completed her judging at the (Virtual) International Science and Engineering Fair for her 2020 HSC Science Extension Research Project. We wish her all the best as she awaits the results. T.A.S. Faculty Mrs Ryan commends Laualis Faulks, Maximos Papaconstantinou, Jonathan Parsons, Elyssa Quach and Olivia Stojanovski (7TAS.6) who have been working exceptionally well in Mate-rials Technology—Textiles this semester. Well done! Also Aron Johnston and Brendan Marshall (Year 12 Food Technology) for producing the best cupcakes during a Product Development cooking challenge. These students have vastly improved their culinary skills and are encouraged to continue on this positive pathway.

School Leadership Team

Captains Capri Ireland

Jared Dean

Vice Captains Sally Gordon

Amelia Lamotta

Marcus Petrovski

James Peach

Student News—continued

C.A.P.A. Faculty Congratulations to Grace Nesbitt and Tim Roberts (both Year 11) for being accepted to participate in the NSW Public Schools Symphony Orchestra. Grace and Tim attend weekly rehearsals at the Arts Unit in Lewisham to engage in this initiative and must be playing at a Grade 6 level or higher to be accepted to this group. The ensemble's first concert of the year was held at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music on Sunday 23rd May 2021, and Tim was featured in a number of solos in the concert. An amazing achievement! Congratulations to Grace Nesbitt, Tim Roberts, Dalia Libman and Kallie Thompson who applied successfully for the NSW Senior State Music Camp. This camp gives students the opportunity to make music with the best students and musicians from around the state. These students, along with Ms Masi, will be attending the full week residential camp at the Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation during week 10 of Term 2. Congratulations to Paul Nesbitt who has been accepted as a member of the NSW Millennium Marching Band. This ensemble rehearses one weekend a month and performs regularly at outdoor events. In addition to this, Paul is attending the Sydney Southeast Symphonic Winds Camp during Week 6 of Term 2. Well done Paul!

Ms Masi Teacher


Extra Curricula Events

Thursday Senior Study in the Library

Remember the library is open for year 11 and 12 students only every Thursday afternoon from the start of lunch until 2.30pm. This is offered specifically for our senior students to access extra support, study time and tuition. Don’t let this be you the night before assessments are due or near exam time!

We are very fortunate to be able to offer the assistance of two tutors on a permanent basis: Mr Redman, a former MHS Maths head teacher and Mrs Dounas, an English, History and Learning Support teacher. Additionally, until week seven we have Mrs Summerfield from HSIE and Mr Bean from Science to assist seniors in those areas. So effectively, FREE TUTORING!! We also offer help with organisational planning and summarising of your subject notes. To make the study time more welcoming, we are again offering (Covid safe) light refreshments such as tea, coffee and biscuits. We strongly urge all our year 11 and 12 students to make use of this wonderful opportuni-ty on Thursday afternoons.

#Improvement Movement #Improvement Movement

Extra Curricula Events—continued

VET News

Mrs L Blanche Head Teacher VET

Events and Organisation

Administration Trial Exams The Year 12 Trial Exam timetable was distributed to students at a year meeting and via email on Monday 24th May (Week 6) this term. The trial exams take place from Monday 19th to Friday 30th July 2021 (Weeks 2&3 of Term 3). Students only attend school when they have an examination and are required to arrive at the exam location at least 10 minutes before the start time of each exam. The exams will be held in the HALL for the first week and in rooms 5/6 in the second week. All students and caregivers should familiarise themselves with the Rules and Procedures document that is printed on the reverse side of the timetable and is also attached to this newsletter. In particular, please ensure you take note of the procedure for applying for Illness or Misadventure. Students and caregivers are advised that holidays must not be taken during the exam period and that that appointments must be made outside of your child’s scheduled exams. All students should have a study timetable in place that supports their preparation for these important exams. They should be utilising the 2 week holiday period to consolidate their notes, practice past HSC/Trial exam questions and review the feedback offered by their teachers on past assessment tasks. Mrs L Ferraro Head Teacher, Administration

Events and Organisation—continued

Administration—continued

Community Messages

inside this issue parent newsletter issue 4 2021

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