7 March 2016

Newsletter Articles

Principal's report

Dear Parents/Carers

School Review

The school will have a school review on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 March. School Reviews take place every four years as part of the Strategic Improvement Plan under the School Accountability and Performance Framework. School Reviews are designed to determine the progress, development and achievement of a school so that improvement is intentional and focused. School Reviews are an opportunity for the school Principal, staff and community to receive quality feedback about key aspects of the school. The process ensures the school is moving ahead and identifies priorities to guide future direction. It supports the Principal, leadership team and community in sharpening the school's focus and informing strategic planning.

The Regional Director and two Principals will spend two days gathering evidence against the School Review Framework. This evidence is gathered by conducting a desk audit of relevant programs and policies, interviewing the Principal, a range of staff members, School Council Representatives, visiting classrooms and talking to staff and students.

Following the School Review, the school is provided with a report relating to their progress against system expectations and accountabilities for school improvement. Evidence that has been collected against the criteria is used to determine the school's level of development.

The report includes:

• commendations (exemplary practices);
• affirmations (areas of effective practice); and
• recommendations (areas for development).

The Principal is responsible for sharing review findings with staff and school council.

SACE (South Australian Certificate of Education)

Henbury is approved to be a SACE provider. For many years students at CSC and Darwin High Outreach have used the mainstream schools to enable students from Henbury to undertake modified subjects in the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training. With the introduction of Modified NTCET subjects the school is able to write modified units of work and have these subjects delivered by our teachers. Having a SACE number will also enable all students who undertake VETiS courses to be credited with completed competencies. The modified subjects that could be offered to students will be Business and Enterprise Modified, Cross Disciplinary Modified, English Pathways Modified, Mathematics Pathways Modified, Health Modified and Personal Learning Plans Modified. There is an Annual Strategic Improvement Plan (ASIP) staff working group, who are designing and implementing this component.

Henbury Youth and Disability Expo

Thursday 25 February saw the Henbury Youth & Disability Expo in the Hall. There were 31 stall holders who came and shared what supports and services are available for families. Henbury also had 13 stalls showcasing what supports and services we offer students and families.

Sarah Corry said that, "It was our biggest expo yet and we received many positive comments. The room was a buzz with lots of great networking happening."

I would like to thank Sarah Corry and staff who assisted to ensure this event was a success.

Augmentative Communication Professional Development Day

This was an informative day with presenters contributing to the collective knowledge of the school. Staff will continue to use knowledge gained about Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), using multimodal strategies, what is the evidence Based Practice (EBP) in AAC, how to choose the right switch systems and looking at the benefits of Light V High Tech systems. How this knowledge is used within the school will be worked on over the year by staff.

School AGM and School Council Meeting

Henbury School AGM and School Council Meeting happened last night. Congratulations to the following people:

Chair – Robyne Jhowry
Secretary – Jenny Dignan
Treasurer – Dee-Ann Vahlberg
Parent member – Patrick Berends
Parent member – Paula Callaghan
Parent member - Vacant
Teacher member – Brenda Moore
Teacher member – Lauren Hofmeyer
Principal – Carolyn Edwards

New School Update

All classroom blocks and Administration have external cladding with internal work occurring. Blockwork continues on the VET buildings. The pool has been reinforced and concrete poured. The Hall has a roof on and the external walls are being clad.

Carolyn Edwards
Principal

B2

Our class has 5 members, Hugo, Emily, Michael, Roxanne and Banjo. We have been working hard to get to know each other and learning routines associated to Henbury. Our year 8 students have been great role models in showing the year 7 students how we make great choices and about being independent. Our classroom is working as a team and developing our teamwork skills.

C1

The C1 class has had a very busy start to 2016! See below for some of the things Sammy, Abigail, Georgiah, Katie, Samantha, Jypsey-Lee and Amanda have been up to:

Work training has kicked off and we have students attending the RDH Laundry, The Henbury Op Shop, HPA and Coffee Crew.

Samantha at the Op Shop

We started a small class cooking business in which we provide a lunch service to staff once per week. Students are also involved in the school Sensational Designs work training group.

Students have been attending Margy's Fun Fitness Gym once per week as well as school based fitness.

We have visited the Casuarina Library and NT Museum as part of our Community Access and enjoyed having the other C Block classes join us for some fun games and puzzles on Friday afternoons

Darwin Entertainment Book Fundraiser

Coming Soon! The new 2016 Darwin Entertainment™ Books and Entertainment™ Digital Memberships with 20% going towards our fundraising for Henbury School! For only $60 Entertainment™ Memberships are packed with hundreds of up to 50% off and 2-for-1 offers for the best local restaurants, cafés, attractions, hotel accommodation, travel, and much more!

More details will be available in our next newsletter.

World's Greatest Shave

My name is Annemarie Davis and I am a SESO at Henbury School. I will be having my hair cut off for the World's Greatest Shave on Thursday 10th March 9:45am at school. There will be morning tea and a sausage sizzle! Everyone is welcome to come and have a giggle and any donations on the day would be great!

As part of the day students are welcome to come to School with crazy hair to support Annemarie. Any hair spray colours has to be done at home due to health concerns of other students. NO hair spraying of colours will happen at school.

If you are unable to attend but would like to sponsor please click on the link below.

Upcoming Events

Happy Birthday

March

Byron M – 2nd
Samantha M – 6th
Marina K – 7th
Jeremy DM – 7th
Peter J – 8th
Bradin B – 22nd
Omri – 23rd
Desbina – 23rd
Amanda T – 26th