Dear Parents and Carers
We have reached the middle of Term 3, and our school is a buzz with learning activities. Students are working hard on achieving their personal learning goals across all subject areas.
In the next few weeks information will be coming out about our upcoming Parent Teacher Nights. These nights are a great opportunity for you to meet your child’s teachers and a great way to learn of your child’s progress.
This term also sees our school calendar is filled with school and community events. These include Dripstone MS Science Fair, CDU Science Fair, Dripstone MS School Band performing in a range of events in Darwin, RSPCA Cup Cake Fundraising, World Music Day, RUOK? Day, Japan Excursion, Tournament of the Minds and the Water Projects in partnership with Power and Water. Look out for the upcoming posts on our Facebook page.
This semester will also see the upcoming school community consultation as Dripstone Middle School changing from a middle school to comprehensive high school as part of the Secondary Review. Consultations phase with staff and students is continuing.
If you would like further information on the Review of Secondary Education in the Northern Territory, please click here.
Our School Review has concluded, and the final report has been presented to the Department. This review was an opportunity to reflect on current practices and progress made towards improving the quality of teaching and learning and subsequently, student learning and wellbeing outcomes. Thank you to all the parents, staff and students who participated in this!
Community of Achievers
Science News - Science Fair Today
Today our Science Staff and students will showcase a range of major projects across all year levels at our annual Dripstone Middle School Science Fair from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Dripstone Middle School.
Dripstone Middle School Science Fair is an excellent opportunity for all our talented students across the school to showcase their scientific inquiry skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. Students have been working relentlessly since couple of weeks to showcase their work to the wider community. The Dripstone Middle School Science Fair will feature a diverse range of projects and exhibits, including experiments, models, and presentations.
We look forward to seeing our students and families there!
2024 NT SCHOOL SURVEY
The annual School Survey collects the opinions of staff, students and their families about Dripstone Middle School’s performance, culture and services. Your responses will help guide our Leadership Team and staff to improve schooling for your child/ren.
Your opinion matters on these subjects.
Please take the time to think about our school and answer your questions with great thought.
You can participate online by clicking on to: 2024 Parent Survey - Dripstone Middle School
The results of the survey will help inform and improve our school.
For further information or to request assistance in completing the survey, please contact Nektaria Pikoulos, Principal on 89837777 or email nektaria.pikoulos@education.nt.gov.au
Enrolments For 2025 - Parent Information Evenings
Thank you to all interested parents and carers attend the Year 6 Parent Information Evenings and School Tours. We hope you enjoyed the presentation and tour of the school! Our school received many positive comments from those who attended, and they felt well informed about their child’s next stage of schooling.
If you missed the Information Evenings and would like a tour, please make contact with our school.
We are encouraging parents of Year 6 students to complete and return their enrolment packages to the school. Students wishing to apply for a LEAP or RISE class in 2025 should return their form to the office by the end of the term. Please be aware that there are limited positions available in this program.
For more information on enrolments, please visit our website.
CANBERRA TRIP
Thirty-eight Dripstone Middle School Year 8 and 9 students have recently undertaken an educational tour of the national capital. Students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy. Some of the highlights of the trip were a tour of Parliament House where students had the opportunity to ask questions about Australia’s political system. The visit to Government House to learn about the role of the Governor General, a guided visit at the Museum of Australian Democracy where students had undertaken a role play debate in the chamber. Students also had the opportunity to participate in the National Electoral Education Centre program.
Students were also privileged enough to visit the Australian War Memorial, where they had a guided tour. While visiting, students had the opportunity to find their family names on the Roll of Honour and lay a poppy on the Roll of Honour. Students were also privileged to observe the Last Post Ceremony. Two students presented a wreath on Dripstone Middle School Community’s behalf.
The very little down time students and staff had in Canberra was filled with many adventures such as a day in the snow at Thredbo Snow Resort snow skiing and enjoying snow play. The evenings were filled with fun activities such as laser tag and ice skating.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff who made this excursion possible. Assistant Principal and Humanities Senior, Irini Pikoulos for all her organisation for the excursion, Nurse Mary Burnell, Karen Newman and David Crowley for their ongoing support and supervision of students.
JINGILI SCIENCE EXPO
Earlier this week, some of our Year 9 students had the fantastic opportunity to participate in the 12th Annual Science Expo at Jingili Primary School.
Our students proudly showcased their innovative projects and models to the curious and eager young minds to the Jingili Community.
This event not only provided a platform for our students to display their work but also play a significant role in fostering a love for learning and teaching science.
Thank you to Jingili Primary School for providing this opportunity to our students!
RADICAL WRITERS FESTIVAL
Dripstone Middle School hosted the Young Writers Festival that saw students across Darwin participate in the day long program where they developed their writing skills. The students were privileged to work with Barry Jonsberg, Sandra Kendell, Sean Guy, Emma Long, Sara Storer, Leonie Norrington, Rachel Barnett and Poppy Kypreos.
HUMANITIES NEWS
Students from the Year 7 Humanities classes have created artefacts from ancient civilisations to display in the Dripstone Museum, as part of their ancient studies.
All students have had the opportunity to view the museum and vote for their favourite artefacts.
Year 7 Humanities students have created a museum as part of their ancient studies in the Humanities Open Area. The Dripstone Museum showcased their knowledge of Ancient Civilisations and creativity all year 7 projects.
All staff and students had the opportunity to vote for the best projects. The winners will be announced at the assembly.
JAPANESE NEWS
Year 8 Japanese students learnt about the cultural importance of ikebana (flower arranging) and took part in an ikebana session!
Dripstone Middle School welcomes our exchange students from our partner school in Japan, Kibi Junior High School! Students from Kibi High are currently experiencing life as a Dripstone student and living in the Top End with a range of classes and activities scheduled for their trip.
AMBASSADOR NEWS
The Dripstone Community Ambassadors recently celebrated World Ocean Day by heading down to Casuarina Beach to complete a beach clean-up. Students picked up over 570 pieces of rubbish off of the beach helping to keep Casuarina Beach clean.
Well done to our Dripstone Community Ambassadors for their work in our community!
CLONTARF NEWS
This term, the Dripstone Clontarf Academy have hosted two AFL games between Nightcliff Middle and Sanderson Middle for the Rex Barra Cup.
The first two games have been played on Dripstone Oval.
Round 1 – Dripstone Middle (54.3.57) v Nightcliff Middle (6.3.9)
Round 2 – Dripstone Middle (18.4.22) v Sanderson Middle (6.3.9)
Well done to our Dripstone side! Stay tuned for further updates for the Rex Barra Cup!
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Congratulations to Dripstone students, brothers Harlen and Jabari, and Ella, who have started their sailing journey with Cullen Bay Marina Youth Scholarships, in cooperation with Darwin Sailing Club!
They will receive five days of training on the keelboat yachts from Cullen Bay Marina and have the chance to take Assistant Instructor Courses in 2025!
Well done, team!
Dripstone Yearbook 2024
This year, Dripstone Middle School is producing a yearbook. The yearbook will showcase our student’s activities and achievements throughout the year and will provide your family with a memento of your child/ren’s school year.
The 2024 Yearbook will cost $26.00 and orders can now be taken via the Bookroom. Full payment is required at time of order. The books are due to be delivered at the end of Term 4. Order cut-off date will be Friday 20th of September 2024 (end of Term 3).
At time of enrolment, parents and carers would have nominated on the enrolment forms whether they give permission for their child/ren's photo and name be used in a yearbook. To check whether you have given permission for your child/ren to feature in the yearbook, or to change your preference, please call the Front Office on 08 8983 7777.
CALLING OUT TO DRIPSTONE ALUMNI!
We want to hear about how you have been making your mark on the world since leaving our Dripstone Community!
Be a part of our Dripstone Alumni Series that will showcase the achievements of former Dripstone Middle/High School students and to inspire the current and future generations of Dripstone students!
If you have an exciting and inspiring story to share, please email nektaria.pikoulos@education.nt.gov.au for more information on how to be a part of the Dripstone Alumni Series.
Mobile Phone Policy – Off and Away All Day
As you may already be aware student mobile phones are not permitted to be used in Northern Territory Government schools and are to be off and away all day. This policy applies to mobile phones, smart watches and all other devices that allow electronically based distractions.
At Dripstone Middle School students are not permitted to have mobile phones in their possession during the school day. Smart watches must be placed on flight mode so phone calls and messages cannot be sent or received during the school day.
Mobile phones owned by students at Dripstone Middle School are considered valuable items and are brought to school at the student’s or parent’s risk. Please note that Dripstone Middle School does not have accident insurance for accidental property damage or theft of personal items. Students and their parents are encouraged to obtain appropriate insurance for their personal items.
The only exemption that is available under this policy is if a student has a health condition and their phone is used to monitor it and the student has a medically approved documented Health Care Plan.
Please see our policy.
HOMEWORK CENTRE
The Homework Centre is available for Year 8 and 9 students to use on Wednesdays after school from 3.00pm to 4.00pm.
Students who are wanting to use the Homework Centre will need to pick up a consent form from the SWAN’s Room and have it signed by a Parent/Carer.
Early Departures
Just a reminder that permission for early departure will not be obtained unless the school has authorisation from a parent/caregiver. Parents/caregivers should notify the school, either through a note, Compass notification, email or telephone call to the school on 8983 7777. When students leave the school, they need to sign out at the Front Office before leaving the grounds.
Communications
Dripstone Middle School uses the Compass Manager App to communicate important information, messages and newsletters to parents and families. Parents and carers can also report student absences, view reports and attendance, and contact teachers directly via the Compass app.
To set up your account, parents/carers should have received a notification via the email address supplied to the school. This notification contains your username and password. Download the Compass app and log in using the details listed, then follow the prompts. If you have changed your email address or phone number, please contact the school to update these details.
If you have any issues logging in, please be in touch with the Front Office on 8983 7777.
ATTENDING SCHOOL EVERY DAY
We have been working with the Attendance Team to ensure that all students are attending school every day, five days a week.
If your child is sick, they are to stay home. Please contact the school if your child will be LATE or ABSENT from school by calling the Home Liasion Officer, Mr Laqui Papalii on 8983 7758 or 0437 202 001; Ms Karen Newman the Aboriginal Education Officer on 8983 7759, Compass, email or text message. Please feel free to leave messages on our answer machine.
Please contact the school with the reason for their absence. If your child / student is sick for 3 days or more consecutively, the Department requires a medical certificate to cover the period of absence.
If you have any comments or questions, please get in touch with the corresponding public health nutritionists/dietitians for your region.
Darwin email – NutritionDarwinUrban.DoH@nt.gov.au
Katherine email – NutritionBRR.DoH@nt.gov.au
Alice Springs email – Urban.NutritionCA@nt.gov.au