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This week is Reconciliation Week and, to acknowledge that, our Aboriginal Education Teacher, Mr Josh Jenner and ACEO, Julie McNamara, organised a whole school gathering in the warming sun this morning. Students from Balaklava and Auburn Primary Schools joined us for a digeridoo performance by Tadjawara and, with students dressed in red, yellow and black we created the outline of the Aboriginal flag. After this, most of the high school students returned to class while our Aboriginal students brought a friend and joined the Primary School students to listen to a talk from Aunty Angelina before doing some painting and enjoying delicious pizzas and scones topped with native ingredients. It was a great celebration of culture and our school yard was abuzz with excited students.
Performing Arts
Last week our Year 9 Drama students hosted students from surrounding primary schools for three short plays with some drama activities and a sausage sizzle as well. Thank you to Mr Adam Collins who stepped in on the day and ensured the show still went on when Miss U was out sick that week. Tonight and tomorrow night, Miss Suriya Umapathysivam’s senior Drama students will present two performances of The Marvellous Mellow Melodrama of the Marriage of the Mislaid Minor. Tickets are still available for purchase via this link https://www.trybooking.com/CHKRI or at the door of the BHS Performing Arts Theatre. Shows start at 6.30pm each night. In Week 8 of this term, Mr Josh Jenner’s Year 7 Performing Arts students will put on their production and information regarding this will be sent home to parents soon.
School Uniform
The cold and wet weather has arrived and it has sent us all searching for warmer clothes. Students are expected to wear a navy or white school polo top, navy bomber jacket, navy rugby top or plain navy hoodie, all of which are available for purchase from TADS as are the navy spray jackets that are very popular with students. Shorts and trousers are to be navy or grey and trackpants are to be navy or grey with no stripes or large logos. School beanies are available from the school bookroom. A final reminder that black tops and pants, jeans, leggings and jeggings are not part of our uniform and, therefore, are not appropriate to wear to school. If meeting our uniform expectations is a concern for families, please contact your child’s homegroup teacher or a member of the Leadership team to discuss this as we want to support you to show school pride and for students to have a sense of belonging at school.
A reminder that we have a Student Free Day on Tuesday 13th June where staff will undertake Child Protection Curriculum training. As this day is immediately after the June long weekend, we hope families all enjoy this extended break.
As always, I invite parents to contact me at the school if you would like to discuss any aspect of your child’s learning. I can be contacted via DayMap or email Sonia.Pringle235@schools.sa.edu.au or you can phone the school on 8862 0600 to speak to me directly or to make a time to come and see me.
Sonia Pringle
Principal
Please see attached the updated Mobile Phone Policy that has been ratified by Balaklava High School Governing Council last week.
YEAR 8s CREATING CELL MODELS
Year 8 classes have been learning about the building blocks of life - cells and their organelles. Students created a cell model from either a pizza or a cake and then explained what the parts represented. Well done Year 8s. Delicious!
YEAR 10s STUDY GENETICS
Students in Ms Brookes and Ms Manuel's Year 10 Science classes have been studying genetics. They separated the DNA of strawberries and studied it under the microscope. The DNA becomes unravelled from its chromosomal arrangement allowing the long strings of the DNA double helix to be visible under the microscope. Students did a superb job of safely following the method and preparing stringy slides of strawberry DNA.
The quotes below are some of the students' written observations:
The results in the practical were easy to collect, once the ethanol was added to the mixture the DNA was separated from the strawberry mixture. The colour was a pale pink and you could see the little strands of the DNA. Once observed under the microscope you could see little spheres that weren't visible but you could also see the DNA strands which looked like little short strands similar to hair.
Rihanna Zanker
Once the ethanol was poured in with the strawberry solution all the DNA started separating from the strawberry mix and rising to the top of the mixture forming a layer of DNA at the top, making it easier to extract the DNA from the rest of the solution. Once the extracted bit was put under the microscope, the inner works of the DNA could be seen more closely. They looked like little strands of string surrounded by air bubbles I wasn't able to see before.
Krystal Tait
When the ethanol is poured into the tube containing the strawberry remains and mixed with the DNA extraction buffer a white gooey substance emerges known as the Strawberry's DNA, the DNA strands keep to itself and binds with other DNA, thus creating a chain of DNA.
When this DNA strand is taken out of the tube and is introduced to the air (oxygen) the strands of DNA are solidified to a level and becomes harder to an extent.
Sebastien Hughes
When the ethanol was added to the strawberry buffer mixture the substances separated with the colour turning deep red at the bottom to clear and bubbly at the top, (where the DNA had risen to). The longer it sat the more DNA rose to the top.
Once the DNA was extracted out of the test tube and spread on the black paper, the colour was white with a gooey texture. It also liked to stay attached together.
Tess Rana
TITRATION
Year 12 Chemistry students, Hayden Booker, Codey Jamieson, Abbey Bigg, Brooke Michalanney, Tylah Arthur and Olivia Allen, conducted a titration to measure Vitamin C concentration in orange juice. They were investigating which juice is the best to drink to maximise Vitamin C intake. Turns out, it is the long life "Just Juice" variety. However, when evaluating their findings, students noted that not all juice brands were tested and the presence of pulp and sugar effects the Vitamin C. Fresh oranges were second best and knowing that all the other juices are made from reconstituted juice with additives, fresh is best. Especially if you have an orange tree.
Merridy Manuel
Lead Science Teacher
GIRLS FOOTBALL
On Thursday the 18th of May, 19 students ventured to Riverton Oval to take on Riverton/Burra/Eudunda and Clare in Round 1 of the Girls Football Competition. Sasha Branson was named Captain for the day and was well support by Vice Captains Jenaya White and Abbey Fagan.
The day started well with Captain Sasha winning the toss. It was raining goals with Charlotte Moore and Nicola Tiller kicking three apiece while Amber Day, Maylea Carpenter, Jenaya White and Sasha Branson chimed in with one goal each. The team were ferocious in their work rate and followed Coach Parson's directions to a tee. Best players in the win against Riverton/Burra/Eudunda were Sasha Branson, Jenaya White, Maylea Carpenter, Nicola Tiller, Charlotte Branson and Charlotte Moore.
In Game 2 the girls fought hard against a competitive Clare side. Despite having plenty of inside 50s in the first quarter, the team couldn’t apply any scoreboard pressure. Clare used the breeze to their advantage in the second quarter and rolled on to a comfortable win. It was pleasing to see the ‘never say die’ attitude, especially from a brave Chelsea Michalanney who continually put her head over the ball for the team. Best players in Game 2 were Sasha Branson, Abbey Fagan, Alexa Young, Maylea Carpenter, Lily Tiller and Tori McMillan.
A special mention to our Year 7 representatives who showed incredible pride and courage to play against older students. They not only held their own but featured in the best players, well done to Tahlia Zerk, Ruby Lemon, Brianna Young, Tori McMillan and Alexa Young.
Thanks to Mr Parsons for driving the bus and coaching the team and to Emmalee Bentley for taking photos and providing First Aid assistance.
Mr Noack
Kellie van Elk, our School Mental Health Practitioner has extensive experience in supporting young adults who may be experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems. This service is designed to intervene early in the development of more serious mental health concerns and can provide the following support
- assessing student mental health needs and concerns
- supporting students to develop strategies to manage distress and maintain their mental health
- contributing to referral and case management processes for students with more complex mental health presentations
- supporting referrals and linking to external support services as required
- developing the mental health literacy of school communities
- Supporting families and carers
No Mental Health care Plan needed and no GP appointment required. If you would like to know more or have your child access this service, please contact Kimberly Walker to discuss a referral.
CASUAL CANTEEN ASSISTANT
The Balaklava Schools’ Canteen is looking for an on-call casual Canteen Assistant to backfill when our Canteen Manager or Canteen Assistant are unable to work a shift.
Being a casual position we are unable to commit to set/minimum hours per week, as the hours and days will vary depending on staff availability. A suitable candidate must be willing to work Monday to Friday between 9am to 2.30pm on any given day. At times this position will get minimal notice of shifts available when staff are unwell, however where possible we will provide notice of any upcoming shifts.
We are looking for someone with basic food handling skills, good number skills and experience working in a fast paced environment. Previous experience preferred, but we are willing to train for the right candidate. Must be willing to obtain a Working With Children Check and complete the RRHAN training.
If this sounds like it’s for you, please forward a cover letter with resume to peta.solomon697@schools.sa.edu.au by the end of day 23rd June 2023.
Please contact Peta on 0497 652 731 for further information.
AG GROUNDSPERSON
5th June to 24th December 2023 GSE3 for 30 hours per week
We are looking for someone to join our team and work on our farm for the rest of the year. The position is currently temporary but there is a likelihood of permanency in the future. Details of how to apply are on the Department for Education website. Use the following link https://jobs.education.sa.gov.au/page.php?pageID=786
Scroll to the bottom to Advertised Ancillary/Support Positions.
The Australian Government: Department of Education has released a survey which provides an opportunity for students, teachers, parents and carers to contribute their perspectives and help shape the future of education in Australia.
Participants will be asked about student mental health and wellbeing, teacher recruitment and retention, and funding transparency and accountability.
The Expert Panel for the Review will use the results to help draft a consultation paper which will invite submissions from all stakeholders. Results will also inform the development of recommendations for the final report, which will advise Education Ministers on what targets and reforms should be included in the next National School Reform Agreement.
If you would like to have a say about the future of Australian Education, see below:
