BALGAZETTE
The Newsletter of Balga Senior High School
2 Markham Way Balga Tel: 9247 0222 Fax: 9342 0944
Principal: Mr G Harris
September 2013
Deputy Principals: Ms M Gillett & Mrs K Thomas
Principal’s Report
Term 3, 2013 has been extremely busy with many
events including Literacy and Numeracy weeks, The
Arts week, the school ball, house athletics and finals of
school winter sport programs of football, netball and
soccer.
Planning 2014, 2015
In 2015, Year 7 students will be enrolled in secondary
schools. This means that next year we will be planning
for two entry groups in 2015 - Year 6 students coming
into Year 7 and Year 7 coming into Year 8. The school
will be conducting parent information sessions
commencing next term and planning for student
transition activities to assist students in making the best
transition.
Our school model in 2014 will change in planning for our
final model in 2015. Next year, Year 10, 11 and 12
students will combine to form our Senior School and
Year 8 and 9 students will be in our Middle School
Programs. In 2015 we will have a Year 7 to 9 Middle
School Program and a Year 10 to 12 Senior School
Program. These changes will give the best opportunity
for students in Year 7 to 9 to be supported in their
growth and in achieving the necessary skills for Senior
School. With Year 10 students being included in Senior
School they will be supported in developing University,
Training and Workforce Career skills, whilst also
becoming familiar with WA Certificate of Education
(WACE) graduation requirements.
WACE 2016 Literacy/Numeracy Test Pilot
Year 10 Balga SHS students have been involved in the
new WACE Literacy/Numeracy Test Trial during Term 3
with results being available Term 4.
In the new WACE, to be introduced for Year 11 students
in 2015 and Year 12 in 2016, all students must achieve
a minimum literacy and numeracy standard in order to
graduate with a WACE. Students will be able to achieve
the standard if they have high Year 9 NAPLAN results or
by completing online literacy and numeracy Tests,
commencing in Year 10. The final details will be
published by the Schools Curriculum and Standards
Authority (SCASA) when the trial is complete.
Year 12 Students
Year 12 students aspiring to go to University next year
completed their final practice exams this week. I’d like to
wish all Year 12 students well in completing their
courses over the next few weeks as it will be a very busy
time for them.
Finally, I’d like to wish all students, staff and families a
safe and happy school break and thank staff for their
continued fantastic effort in bringing opportunities to
students.
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Business Breakfast and “Commitment to a
Career” Ceremony
Years 11/12 Food Science & Technology and also
students from Years 11/12 Certificate 1 Hospitality
helped prepare and serve breakfast.
support and it was an opportunity to highlight the range
of innovative projects provided by each school program.
The “Commitment to a Career” Ceremony was opened
dramatically by SNSEP dancers accompanied by Shane
Garlett on the didgeridoo. Yao Kpeda and Jayden
Nannup gave a polished performance as MCs. Guest
Speaker, Kim Smith, founder of PurPURE explained her
seven steps for every student to “Believe in You” and be
successful in life.
All Year 10 students, guests and teachers signed the
Beacon Foundation charter board to affirm in a public
forum their “commitment to further education, training or
employment”. At the conclusion of the ceremony all year
10s enjoyed a morning tea with teachers. Mr T Long
Science Week
Ms O’Keefe and Ms Bagshaw with the Beacon
Ambassadors.
Making Hovercrafts
During Science week this year, students made small
hovercrafts in science classes, some of these were
extremely successful. Mrs R Evans
SNSEP students at “Commitment to a Career
Ceremony” assembly.
YOH Fest
Principal, guests and Beacon Ambassadors cut the
“Commitment to a Career” cake.
Once again the Western Endeavour Rotary Club held
their September meeting at Balga SHS and supported
our Business Breakfast with a generous donation
towards the cost of catering.
The Business Breakfast enabled the school to show our
community partners just how much we appreciate their
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On Wednesday 28 August, the Senior School Drama
class competed in the Youth On Health Drama festival
at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre. The theme for
this year's YOH Fest was “Lifestyles”. The students
represented the school very well and performed to the
best of their ability. After the performance they stayed
overnight at the Atrium hotel in Mandurah and they
all conducted themselves in a very respectful manner. A
wonderful time was had by all.
Ms J Broadhurst
Late News: Our YOH Fest team have made it to the
final, Saturday 26th October 2013. Congratulations!
Health Centre Garden
The Health Centre garden is bursting with a variety of
delicious vegetables and herbs; many ready for harvest!
The City of Stirling, Bunnings, Balga Senior High School
and the Health Centre have funded the garden, and the
Health Centre staff attends to it daily. The aim of the
project is for the produce to go to the canteen for making
free healthy lunches three times a week. It is hoped that
students can get involved in the project to ensure its
sustainability and provide a valuable learning
experience.
Mitting and Mr G Harris attended the opening at Perth
City Town Hall and were extremely proud to see the
student’s work on display, which also gained recognition
from a variety of
people at the exhibition. On the night four students sold
their artwork totalling $490, with 100% of the profits
being received by the students. I look forward to working
with Relationships Australia next year and with the
students to participate in the 2014 exhibition. Perhaps
we can aim to double our entries and profits!
A happy customer with the first sale of the nightwell done Noreena!
Big congratulations to all the students involved: Noreena
Bero, Aleisha Bynder, Winton Yarran, Trae Riley, Tyler
Roe, Keenan Indich and Chris Dickie. Well done!
Ms B Mitting
Ed Support Sausage Sizzle
The Senior School Education Support Mathematics
class has been involved in a rich learning enterprise. It
was our goal to organise, purchase and cook a sausage
sizzle for the whole school.
We have already picked the broccoli, cabbages and
some herbs with some lucky staff enjoying the fresh
vegetables to taste test for us. Soon we will be
harvesting the other vegetables and replacing them with
a new crop.
Mr C Webster
Moorditj Yarning Exhibition
This year, was the first time students from Balga Senior
High School entered original artworks into the yearly
Moorditj Yarning Exhibition, funded by Relationships
Australia. Over eight weeks the students participated in
weekly workshops supported by Debbie Singh and
Annette Dickie from Relationships Australia in order to
create a painting based on a theme of their choice. The
majority of the images that were produced
communicated issues around culture and identity. In
particular, one artwork by Tyler Roe was titled United as
one and incorporated flags from different countries that
are largely represented within Australia in the 21st
Century. When speaking with Tyler, he spoke about his
personal reflections about different cultures working
together and thoughts about what this means for the
youth
of
today
now
and
in the
future.
On
18
July
Ms B
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The students brainstormed the idea and worked out the
costing, using their Maths skills. Students then produced
advertisements, identified target consumers, wrote
emails, created flyers and posters and promoted the
event over the PA system.
We are very thankful to the Mirrabooka Woolworths,
Morley Coles, Princi Butchers and Barbaro Brothers who
donated meat, bread rolls and sauce after the students
asked for their contribution.
The lunch the students provided was very successful.
We raised $321.00 and learned a great deal about
Well done everyone. We are very proud of our work.
Mrs S Mathews
Athletics Carnival 2013
budgeting, catering and customer service.
Congratulations to Beach – Winners of 2013 Athletics Carnival
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