26 March 2018

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Parents/Carers

Cyclone Marcus

Henbury School had no structural damage from Cyclone Marcus. As we have only been on site for 18 months, our tree damage consisted of lots of small trees leaning over and tops of these trees having broken limbs. Thank you to Ange, Morg, Leanne, Roger, Janelle, Gina, Nic A, Peter and Damien who either helped clean up the trees that had tops blown off them, pruned these trees and staked the trees to an upright manner and put a new shade over the chicken coop. Your help was greatly appreciated. There was also one large tree in the front playground that had limbs fall down. Thanks to the members of 1st Brigade-Australian Army 1 CSR and 1st Combat Engineer Regiment who came and made quick work of cutting tree branches and making this area safe.

School Council

At the AGM on 8 March, new parent members were elected.

School Council Chair: Jenny Dignan
Secretary: Dee-ann Vahlberg
Treasurer: Mandy Trezise
Parent Members: Patrick Berends, Deb Ellison and Paula Callaghan
Principal: Carolyn Edwards
Staff Members: Brenda Moore and Lauren Hofmeyer
Invited Member: Lauren Moss

School Council will next meet Wednesday 4 April, parents are welcome to attend these general meetings.

Director of OSHC

The School farewelled Denholm as Director on 14 March. Denholm had been Director for two years and coordinated the move across from the old school to the new site. I wish Denholm all the best in his adventures. Ange Newton is the new OSHC Director.

Duress Alarm

The school after 18 months has a functioning duress system. The teething problems have been minor and STS have been working with us to smooth and rectify these small problems. The system installed is a state of the art electronic monitoring and is a Protrac system. The staff only have the one fob and the notification of where in the school the alarm has been activated, is excellent.

PossABILITIES Expo

What a great Expo that was organised at Henbury School, as a community event promoting services, organisations and opportunities for people with a disABILITY. There were 42 stalls for parents and community members to attend. A big thank you to all stall holders who attended. The Breakout sessions were well attended as well. A big thank you to Melissa who greeted everyone who came, to the Coffee Crew for serving coffee and home baked goods and finally to Lauren Hofmeyer who coordinated this event.

Harmony Day

Henbury celebrated the day with many students and staff wearing orange clothing in recognition of Harmony Day as a way of celebrating Australia's multiculturalism. Many students designed a hand that reflected them and these were 'planted' in the amphitheater to celebrate all our differences.

Carolyn Edwards
Principal

GREETINGS FROM BLUE 1

We have had a wonderful 8 weeks back at school this year. Everyone has settled in to their first, second and even last year at Henbury very well so far. In just 8 weeks we have been very busy learning about pets and different animals in our class science lessons. We have been working very hard so we can enjoy our down time and fun activities like spending time in the Engine Room.

We also like to go out on Community Access each Friday morning around Darwin.

Have a lovely weekend from Blue 1.

TEACHER/STUDENT COMMISSIONERS

Henbury School collaborated with other schools around the Northern Territory in partnership with the team at “Education Change makers” in creating positive change by actively listening to our students’ voice to make meaningful improvements within our school system. Our teacher commissioners, Joan Ocampo and Janine Inggs together with our Principal, Carolyn Edwards attended the 2-day conference last 23rd of February at Oaks Elan Hotel. The conference established strong partnership and connection between educators around the Casuarina Education Precinct which provided opportunity to share reflections and ideas in relation to the Change Maker Journey below.

Student commissioners composed of Jayden B, Robbie H, Andrew KN, Nadia K, Kate C, Justin F, Banjo I, Alexander A, Jack A and Melissa K joined the conference together with other student commissioners from various NT schools at Charles Darwin University on the 13th of March. This event connected participants with the seven three steps of the Change Maker Journey above as they established the challenges and opportunities they wished to respond in their own context. Maddi from Education Changemakers conducted a school visit on the 14th of March wherein students gave her a tour around the school and had a meeting about their next steps forward. The team prototype two of their favourite ideas and formulated their action plan. At the moment, the learning commission aims to increase school awareness of the purposes and goals of the team and they are planning to create posters that will be displayed across the school which contains information and photos about the team. They also planned on creating a suggestions box that will encourage students’ to share their ideas, comments and suggestions. Everyone is so just excited to share the change maker journey and are looking forward for the next steps ahead.

STAFF PROFILE – JULIE HOWELLS

My name is Julie Howells and I’m in my sixth year of teaching at Henbury School. I grew up in Melbourne until 8 years old when my parents, my 2 younger brothers and I moved to Darwin. I went to Parap Primary School for 5 years, then Cyclone Tracy hit and our house was badly damaged. We moved to a 5 acre block at Howard Springs where my parents re-built and I had a place to keep my horses. My teaching career began later in life after having children of my own. I worked at Nemarluk School for 7 years before moving to Henbury, so I have worked with many current Henbury students since their primary years.

I like having fun with my students and believe quality relationship with students and parents is important to successful teaching. I enjoy playing guitar, reading, swimming and travelling.

STAFF PROFILE – PAUL DREWITT

I began my journey at Henbury School in 2006 as a classroom teacher and am currently the senior teacher responsible for curriculum, assessment and reporting. I enjoy working with children and their teachers to ensure quality outcomes are met across the school. In my spare time I enjoy writing educational articles and general fiction.

STAFF PROFILE – ROD MCKAY

Hello Everyone

My name is Rod McKay and I have been a SESO at Henbury School for 6 years. In my time at Henbury I have worked in classes at CSC Outreach and Darwin High.

I really like supporting students in programs out of the classroom like work experience, VET courses, work skills training and School Choir.

I also live in the Henbury School House with my fiancé Yuffie. We support senior students in the Stepping Stones Program where they buddy up and come and stay with us through the week to learn independent living skills and house-sharing. It’s very rewarding and lots of fun.

My hobbies and interests outside of school are travelling, soccer, yoga, and playing music and singing with friends. Living la vida divertida!

PLASTIC BOTTLES NEEDED FOR OUR GREENHOUSE

The Horticulture Skill Sets are building a greenhouse out of soft-drink bottles. We require a large amount of 1.25L and 2L plastic bottles. If families and friends could kindly donate them to the school that would be very much appreciated.

NDIS PLANNING FORUM

The NDIS full roll out begins in the NT in July 2018.

NDS is holding pre planning forums for families who may be eligible for an NDIS plan with disability supports.

The Forum with be held on Wednesday 4th April from 6 – 7:30pm. Henbury School Hall.

See flyer below for more information.

SUPPORT HENBURY SCHOOL AND YOU WILL BE REWARDED!

We are raising funds for Henbury School and you can help. In 2017 we raised $420. Order the NEW 2018 | 2019 Entertainment Book or Entertainment Digital Membership and you will receive hundreds of valuable offers for everything you love to do, and you will also be supporting Henbury School. PLUS, order now to receive up to $200 of bonus Early Bird Offers (hurry, these sell out quickly).

UPCOMING EVENTS 2018

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MARCH

Bradin BA – 22nd
Desbina – 23rd
Amanda – 26th

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