principaL's addresS
As the academic year draws to a close, it’s a time of reflection and celebration - a moment to express gratitude to all our hardworking staff.
A special shout out to the P&C and School Board for their efforts this year.
Looking ahead, our Board are seeking two dedicated parent members to join the committee for 2024. This support from parents is invaluable.
Term 4 has been filled with exciting excursions to conclude the year:
Year 8’s explored French cuisine in the Swan Valley, Year 9 enjoyed a River Cruise, Year 10’s attended a dance at Thompson on Swan.
Currently, our Japanese Specialist students are immersing themselves in the culture of Japan on a 11-day exchange. Details of their adventures are on our Social Media channels.
To the graduating class of 2023 you’re standing on the verge of a new chapter. As you reminisce over the past six years, remember the friendships forged, the perseverance shown, and the blend of emotions that shaped your journey.
Your time at Leeming SHS has been marked with dedication, laughter, tears, and learning moments that have shaped you into the individuals you are today.
Thank you to all parents and carers who attended the Valedictory ceremony at Curtin University on 1 December to celebrate the Year 12s. It was a truly memorable event to mark the end of the Class of 2023’s school journey. We wish you all the best for your future endeavours.
As we approach school holidays, our school office will close Friday 15 December reopening Wednesday 24 January 2024.
Students will commence Wednesday 31 January 2024.
I extend my well wishes for a safe and happy holiday. Let us continue to support each other as we move forward.
Mr M. Paton , Principal
COMPASS PUSH NOTIFICATIONS
It is important that you have Compass downloaded on your phone to receive all school notifications.
If you haven't updated your Compass app to receive push notifications on your phone for upcoming events such as excursions, please follow the steps below.
TERM 1 PARENT PLANNER 2024
Uniform Shop
Before the start of the 2024 School Year opening times:
Thursday 25 January 2024 – 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
Monday 29 January 2024 – 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
Tuesday 30 January 2024 – 8:30 am -3:00 pm
First day of Term opening times:
Wednesday 31 January 2024 – 8:00 am – 1:45 pm
French Club
Last week the students at French club participated in an Escape Room activity where they had to solve a puzzle using their vocabulary knowledge skills, complete French proverbs, answer quizzes and match facts related to French Art and History.
The students had a lot of fun and learnt some facts about French culture along the way.
Leeming Primary School Visit
Our Year 10 Japanese Specialist class visited Leeming Primary School to attend their Japanese classes.
In preparation for the visit, students planned and prepared the Japanese lessons and accompanying resources to deliver to small groups of Leeming Primary students.
Introduction to Psychology
Ms Murray's Year 10 Introduction to Psychology students have used their knowledge of Forensic Psychology to create Who-Dun-It? Mysteries.
Game Theory
The lucky Year 9s also had the opportunity to go to Murdoch and see what University students do, having lectures in Game Theory, Criminology and Global Security which are such growth career clusters and inspired our students to aim high. It has truly been a wonderful term of exploration for the Year 9s, getting ready to select their subjects in Year 10.
In the Game Theory workshop students were presented with The Prisoner’s Dilemma. Two students played the role of prisoners and were faced with the dilemma of implicating their friend in a crime or remaining silent. The players were given the following rules:
If you implicate the other person your friend will get 10 years jail sentence and you will go free.
If you implicate your friend and your friend implicates you, you both will go to jail for 7 years.
If you both stay silent, you both will go to jail for 2 years.
If you both stay silent, you both will go to jail for 2 years.
Hayley could not believe it when she heard that her friend Milla had implicated her in the crime! Milla probably had a lot of explaining to do after the excursion!
Mrs N. Bunch, HASS Teacher
Have SUM fun online
STA students from Years 7, 8 and 9 have been problem-solving.
Competing with top brains across the state with one of the Year 7 teams narrowly missing a place on the league table!
We appreciate their efforts and talent.
Mrs S. Kalra, Mathematics HoLA
World Of Maths Incursions
Monday 5 December the Year 7.1 and 7.4 mathematics classes participated in an incursion hosted by World of Maths.
During this incursion, students broke up into groups of four or five, combining their brain power bringing some of the brightest mathematicians in the school to work through some interesting practical challenges.
The students had to really put on their thinking caps and embrace teamwork as some of these puzzles were super challenging!
In their groups the students had to use geometric reasoning to determine what shapes were possible by interpreting the reflections.
They had to get into musical mode, using fractions to help figure out how to play a song.
Put on the overalls of a rectangle obsessed farmer and his need for perfect rectangular pens for carrots and chickens.
Hunt down a friend who has given really bad directions to their house.
Embrace the life of a train driver, fixing the mistakes of colour blind workmates.
Finally and possibly the most insidious and challenging task, determining how long someone will have to wait in peak hour traffic… the horror!
These are but a few activities that were on show for the students.
Overall, the students participated eagerly and a lot of mathematical discussions were had over how to best complete these tasks.
The students really showed the spirit of Harmony and Excellence.
It was brilliant to see the gears turn and challenges completed!
Mr C. Nowers, Mathematics Teacher
Christmas in the Library - Borrowing books over the holidays
We have a lovely Christmas Book Tree in the Library with lots of new books on display. If you are keen to relax and enjoy reading a book over the break, come in and borrow before the school finishes.
STUDY SKILLS HANDBOOK AND STUDY SAMURAI LIBRARY
Get a head start for next year.
Our school is a subscriber to the combined study skills and well-being website.
This website helps students develop essential skills for academic success and a positive mindset. There are units of work such as improving time management skills, how to study, research skills, summarising, technology use, brain and memory as well as topics like managing stress, growth mindset, goal setting, motivation and positive thought habits. Have a look at the attached handout.
Embroidered Blankets on Display
Leeming SHS students have produced beautiful artwork and creative pieces this year.
At the moment we have Year 10 Child Development’s embroidered blankets displayed in Library.
These pieces are absolutely stunning and very reflective of days of old.
Chess Club News
Tournaments are all done for the year so the Chess Club has been meeting casually each day at recess in the Library.
For anyone who is interested in playing a game or learning how to play chess. Students are improving their chess skills with an inter-house tournament set to happen early next year.
Wheelers E-books Over The Break
Don’t forget to take full advantage of the fiction eBook collection, which can be accessed from home on your devices.
Logging in using your school username
Password: 1library
Year 6 Orientation Day
Year 6 students visited Leeming SHS in Week 7 for their orientation day. and visited the Library to have photos taken for their Smart Riders for 2024.
Whilst in the Library students completed a Scavenger Hunt.
A few of the students even managed to coerce the Principal into playing Connect 4.
OUR NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Chaplain's Chat
Drawing closer to the end of the year, we can reflect on what a year it was!
Leading into the school holiday’s think about what we can do to have an awesome break.
Our diet is not only what we eat, it is what we watch, what we listen to, what we read and the people we spend time with.
Be mindful of the things you put into your body… Emotionally, Spiritually and Physically!
Have a Wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year.
See you all in 2024 blessings.
Carl H. Chaplain
Apprenticeship and Job Opportunities
What an exciting time of the year it is, with lots of apprenticeship and job opportunities coming up.
For Year 10 students and above make sure you look on Connect as this term there have been adverts for a variety of apprenticeships in:
- Metals
- Mechanics
- Electrical
- Avionics
- Painting and Hairdressing apprenticeships with local family-owned businesses
- Plus others through the ASA, MTA, Auto masters, and ATC
A variety of traineeships with:
- Botanic gardens
- Bakers delight
- IT
- Mediterranean Shipping Company
There are also Summer holiday jobs with Adventure World and with the Dolphins in Monkey Mia.
Excursions
There are also a significant number of courses online and in person to help with pathway preparation and experiences which can be accessed on Connect.
Remember to keep checking in!
Beyond that, our students have been incredibly busy with Year 9s completing excursions to TAFE and Murdoch University and incursions with the MPA, year 10s doing work experience and year 11s doing ‘See it to be it’ courses.
The ‘See it to be it’ course took 3 of our Year 11 students out to see Western Power’s training facilities to learn all about the different pathways the company offers. Students got to experience what it might be like to be an apprentice with Western Power and how to access that opportunity. One of our students is now going in to work experience with them and begun creating his network of contacts ready to apply!
Our Year 9 students loved getting a taste of what it would mean to be a childcare educator. Without a doubt, the making of playdough to take home and cuddling of some very lifelike baby dolls were the winning activities of the day. There were certainly some naturals at the nappy changing, and perhaps some who need to work on that skill. What an amazing way to start thinking about pathways and preparing for the decision-making process next year!
The Early Career Discovery course also saw 13 of our Year 9s graduating with a certificate I. They got to see what it was like to be a TAFE student (apparently you can go to the toilet when you like!) They even had the opportunity to drive a crane.
Challenge yourself to think about your futures and try things out and remember to see Ms Bunch for help with CVs and WPL opportunities.
Ms N. Bunch, Workplace Learning Coordinator
The Better Health Program is running throughout 2024 with thanks to funding by WA Department of Health.
The 10 week course is delivered online and in person at a local community.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for the Better Health Program participants must
Be aged 6-12 years old
Be classified as ‘above a healthy weight’ based on CDC growth charts (>85th percentile for age and gender) at program commencement.
Be living in Western Australia
Have informed consent from a parent/guardian
Good Mental Health Tips
Eat Well - Some studies suggest that what you eat affects your mood. A good balanced diet will make sure you have all the essential nutrients needed for your brain to function well, helping to keep you both physically and mentally healthy.
Get Involved - Do volunteer work, get a hobby, join a club or committee, play sport, join a meditation group, go snorkelling with a group of people, socialise or do a short course. The more things you do, the more connected you feel to the world around you.
Give a Compliment - Allow yourself to feel good for making someone else feel good.
Build friendships- Keep in touch, invite a friend to lunch. Encourage new friendships-ask your friend to bring someone you have never met.
Share and Create Positive Relationships - Close relationships have a huge impact on how we feel daily. A phone call, a couple of emails or a few texts, can help us feel connected to those we love Sharing thoughts and feelings with friends, family, or a counsellor. Talking your problems through as soon as they appear can really help relieve stress and anxiety.
Reduce Harmful Effects of Alcohol and Drug Use - Some people make the mistake of thinking that taking drugs can help get them through tough times. Drugs including alcohol, can contribute to, or trigger, mental health problems in people. Mental illness linked to drug use includes anxiety, depression, paranoia, panic attacks, and psychosis.
Help Others - Do something to help someone else. Acts of kindness help other people but also makes us feel good. We are often happiest when doing something for others.
Practice Skilful Conflict Resolution - Conflict is difficult for most people. There are times where it may not be possible to avoid. Practising skilful conflict resolution can make a difference and, with the skills gained, may have additional benefits. Conflict does not have to be aggressive, discussing and talking through issues can benefit your own well-being.
Play - This is important for staying mentally healthy. Devoting time to just having fun can recharge your battery, revitalise your social networks, and reduce stress and anxiety.
Helpful phone numbers
Kids Help Line - 1800 551 800 (free call from a land line; 24 hours)
Lifeline - 13 11 14 - Crisis Support, Suicide Prevention (cost of a local call; 24 hours)
Mental Health Emergency Response Line – (24 hr) 1800 676 822
Health Direct – Health Concerns 1800 022 222
Domestic Violence Helpline – 1800 737 732
Headspace – 9431 7453 (Fremantle office)
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all students and families a very Merry Christmas, may you have a safe, healthy, restful, and enjoyable holiday.
For the students that are leaving I wish you all the very best in your new school and future plans.
Mrs Deb. Kitak, Nurse
Acknowledgement of Country
We respectfully acknowledge the past and present traditional custodians of this land on which we are meeting, the Whadjak/Noongar people.
It is a privilege to be standing on Noongar country. We acknowledge the contributions of Aboriginal Australians to the education of all children and people in this country we all live in and share together – Australia.