14 Annual Newsletter 2012 Week 50 [pdf, 10 MB] - Kelso High ...

THE ENGLISH PAGE
ENGLISH 2012
“That is part of the beauty of all literature. You
discover that your longings are universal
longings, that you're not lonely and isolated from
anyone. You belong.”
― F. Scott Fitzgerald
Another year has passed us by with the usual hustle and bustle.
This year has been both rewarding and challenging. We had
students participating in the CWA Public Speaking, Lithgow
Festival of Speech, NAIDOC Debating and Premier’s Debating
Challenge. All of the students in these competitions experienced
highs and lows. Many of these competitions require students to
give up their free time to prepare. Our teams and individual
participants continue to improve in a wide range of fields. I am
always heartened by the enthusiasm that students demonstrate
in these extra curricula activities. Special congratulations are due
to the Year 8 debating team who were Zone Winners in the
Premier’s Debating Challenge. The same students also achieved
success at the Festival of Speech where one of the two Kelso
High teams was undefeated and only missed the final on a count
back. At this point I would like to acknowledge the hard work of
one of our ex-students Mr Rohan Fahey who work tirelessly with
our debating teams. I would also like to express my thanks to
Mrs Cole, Ms Tucker and Ms Payne who helped coordinate and
prepare students for various speaking & debating competitions.
As always I ask that students consider joining the Premier’s
Debating Challenge, Premier’s Reading Challenge or the MS
Read-a-thon in 2013.
The English faculty has continued to see an influx of new
teachers. Our ranks were swollen by the arrival of Ms Tucker
and Mr Halls-Corbett. It is enough to put a spring in the step of
this old war horse. Youth and enthusiasm do wonders for the
spirit. It is certainly something we will need over the next four
years as the new English Syllabus 7 – 10, based on the
introduction of a National Curriculum, begins to be implemented
across the state starting in 2014.
Don’t forget that the key to building skills in English is reading. I
encourage both parents and students to consider books as an
option for their Xmas stockings. A good book will never abandon
you! As Fitzgerald suggests you will never be alone when you
surround yourself with imagined worlds.
I would also like to give a heartfelt thanks to all the members of
my faculty. A special thanks to Mrs Williams who has filled in for
me while I was Relieving Deputy.
Happy reading! Be safe and happy everybody!!
Robert Bartulovich
Head Teacher English
SUPPORT FACULTY
Kelso High is proud to be an inclusive school setting with a diverse
student body. Kelso High supports students with additional needs in
the classroom, playground and on excursions and at sporting events.
It is the role of the School Learning Support Officer (SLSO), formerly
known as teacher’s aide, to provide additional support to identified
students. Our students are very fortunate to have such a supportive
team of SLSOs, who always go the extra mile to support them in the
classroom and playground.
The Support faculty run some fantastic programs throughout the year
and they continue to be popular with students. ‘Boys’ Group’ runs four
lunchtimes a week and provides a space for students who find it
difficult to be on the playground at lunch time. The boys can play
games, cards, play on the computer or just have a chat. ‘Look Good,
Feel Good’ program continued this year, which received a wonderful
response from students. Students were rewarded for positive
behaviour and were treated to a haircut and even highlights. Students
are also rewarded with ‘cooking periods’ for achieving set goalsand
demonstrating positive behaviour.
Support also runs a ‘Study Group’ to assist students with assignments
and develop their study and research skills. Students in Years 9 -12
are able to access the Work Placement program coordinated by Lisa
Whittaker, Christina Honeyman and Saranne Gorman, Itinerant
Transition Support Teacher. Students are able to experience the work
environment for 1 day per week over an 8-10 week period or for a one
week block. Employees are always impressed with Kelso High
students, giving them glowing work reports and some students have
been offered further employment.
The Support Team continues to grow and we now have nine SLSOs
and seven support teachers all with varying roles. Karah Logan works
closely with students experiencing learning difficulties and implements
individual reading programs and has been using Multilit, which has
produced some fantastic results. Christina Honeyman and Meg
Windsor are Support teachers for Year 7, 8 and 9 Christina also
provides additional support to older students with additional learning
needs. We also have a wonderful team of Itinerant teachers who
come into Kelso High and work with students for a variety of reasons.
The Support Faculty also welcomed Deb Barrott and Lizz Baker to the
team this year as additional Learning and Support Teachers (LaSTs).
Deb and Lizz are experienced Itinerant Behaviour Support
Teachersand bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Deb and Lizz will be supporting students referred to them by the
Learning Support Team. Another new addition to the team is
Josephine Driver, who is the teacher of Kelso High’s new Autism class
in I3. The class has been a wonderful addition to Kelso High, allowing
students with ASD to access mainstream classes with additional
support and resources.
My role as Learning Support Team Coordinator is to case manage
students who receive Funding Support across all areas of their
schooling experience and also students referred to the Learning
Support Team by staff or parents who are experiencing difficulty
whether it be social, emotional, physical or academic.
Lisa Whittaker
Support Coordinator