Welcome to the Governing Council News post. The link below will provide access to regular updates about items discussed at Governing Council meetings.

/governing-council

Are you interested in becoming a host family to students involved in the South Australian Government Schools International Student Program?

���ϲ����� is offering local families the opportunity to be part of the South Australian Government Schools Homestay Program for International students. Host families welcome international high school students into their homes and provide accommodation in a safe, welcoming and supportive environment.

For more information please try /homestay

Some of our best dressed staff and students during our Book Week celebrations.

Students have shared their favourite quotes and excerpts from books they have enjoyed.

Does your child have a talent and need help to realise their dream?

Would you like up to $3,000 to help out?

Variety helps children with an existing talent, who are disadvantaged or living with a disability, to achieve their full potential and follow their dreams.

 If this sounds like your child, or someone you know, the Variety Heart Scholarships

Program could be for you.

Applications are now open to children aged between 8 and 17.

Whether it’s a dream to compete at a higher level in sport, or wow a crowd on stage – Variety Scholarships can help with equipment, coaching, uniform, costumes, competition fees, accommodation and much more.

To find out more about the program and apply, go to our website

Or if you have a question, send us an email at grants@varietysa.org.au.

Be quick - applications close 30 September!

One of the most important contributing factors to enhancing students' academic growth and achievement is motivating them to want to do well and believe they can do well. In order for most students to achieve great success in school, the students must be motivated to do well and to believe in themselves. Belief in one's own ability can lead to many accomplishments great and small; it can push a struggling student to persevere or a gifted student to overcome a new challenge.

The ���ϲ����� Site Improvement Plan describes a focus on high achieving students to continue to strive for improvement. The teachers have been asked to facilitate learning that builds improvement for all learners with a sharper focus on engaging our “top” learners. Recently, Mr Bennett (Assistant Principal) and I invited the top 15% of students (40 in total) in years 8 and 9 to have lunch with us where I presented them with a Principal’s Award which acknowledged their high level academic accomplishments. These students consistently display outstanding learning skills, capabilities and character including determination, persistence, punctuality, motivation, initiative, problem solving, goal orientation and organisation.

The teachers, ancillary staff and I are very proud of their achievements (some of which have extended beyond pure academics) and we look forward to the group expanding next semester. I cannot wait to see what academic greatness the year 8 and 9 students will accomplish in second semester.

Amanda O’Shea, Principal VHHS

The attached article regarding Digital Nutrition will hopefully be a useful discussion starter for families to look at checking or setting clear boundaries regarding allocating screen time. Students need to have a good balance of all things in their lives. The most important impact that we see on student learning at present is around students not getting enough uninterrupted sleep.

Our new handbook is available on our school website. Click here.

For information about this event please check the link below: 

Farewell to our amazing International Students and Jo Lines our IES SSO- we will miss you all. Warmly welcoming Michelle Sweet to the SSO role as we welcome 12 new international students to our school community in Term 3. Such a fantastic program and always sad to see these smiling faces depart. Safe travels. Thanks to the ongoing support from staff, particularly Mr Milne (as pictured here about to board the Big Duck on the farewell boat tour 26th June- where 3 whales were spotted!) and big thanks to our fantastic host family community- if you are interested in hosting in future- please contact Angie Prime angie.prime913@schools.sa.edu.au

 Happy Holidays and bon voyage!

In 2018 some students from years 8-10 were involved in a subject called ELF (Entrepreneurial Learning for the Future). In this subject, students explored the topic ‘War on Waste’.  Under this topic, Miranda, Lachy and Koda explored the ‘waste of paper’ within the school. Once this group had defined and researched their problem they designed a solution. This came in the form of ‘digital art’. Working closely with Mrs Boyle, the students wrote a proposal and pitched their idea to school leadership. Their proposal of buying some Wacom devices to create digital drawings was accepted and they have finally arrived!! Well done Miranda, Lachy and Koda on making a lasting positive contribution to our school community. 

Click image for more information.