LEEMING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL vOLume 4, 2 July 2025

Attendance communications will be going to all families who have unexplained absences or have low attendance rates/concerns this term. Please ensure that communications about absence from school are communicated to the Attendance Officers, using the Compass app where possible.

Leeming Drama Production Relaunch

After being away for a few years, we’re thrilled to welcome back our Drama production led by Ms Pritchard, Mr De Sousa and our amazing Year 12 students, who are eager to share their hard work and passion on stage.

This year, they bring George Orwell’s Animal Farm to life in a bold, high-energy adaptation by Ian Wooldridge. Through physical theatre and gripping ensemble work, our students explore themes of power, control, and corruption. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to support our students and experience a performance that showcases their dedication, talent, and creativity — at no charge.

Join us at the Leeming Senior High School Performing Arts Centre. Parking is available at Strikers Recreation Centre via the rear entrance. Tickets are available here or by scanning the QR code on the image below.

Mr M. Williams, HoLA The Arts

Junior Music Shines to End Term 2 on a High Note

In Week 9, we had the Junior Music Recital, which was an absolutely fantastic evening! Our wonderful Year 7 -9 students performed to a full house, supported by family and friends. Congratulations to all our brilliant students for having the courage to stand up, perform and shine through with your excellent performances. Your dedication, enthusiasm, and musical growth was evident for all to see and hear and we are incredibly proud of your achievements! It was a wonderful evening to celebrate our talented Junior Music students!

The Year 9 STEAM projects were also displayed at the Junior Music Recital and all who viewed them were in such awe of the incredible work and effort that students have put in during the term. Congratulations to our Year 9 students. Some built electric guitars, synthesisers and created wonderful electronic music using launchpads and new music software. The students were enthusiastic from the get go, and it was wonderful to witness the problem solving and perseverance throughout the project. Students applied themselves and thought outside the box. They networked and collaborated in their learning to generate and consolidate their understanding in building new and exciting instruments. The plan now is to continue the musical journey and make some really cool music!

Congratulations to Our Senior Guitar Ensemble and Jazz Band!

We are thrilled to announce that both our Senior Guitar Ensemble and Jazz Band ensembles were selected to perform in the prestigious Opus Concert!

Since 1974, the Instrumental Music School Services (IMSS) has presented this annual celebration of musical excellence, showcasing the most outstanding instrumental and choral performances from public school students across Western Australia. Being selected is a true honour, and we are immensely proud to have had not one, but two ensembles representing our school at this year’s concert.

This incredible achievement is a testament to the talent, dedication, and hard work of our students and IMSS staff collectively—and to the inspiring leadership of the ensemble directors, Mr Kostourkov (Senior Guitar Ensemble) and Mr Ryder (Jazz Band). We extend our heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to both directors for the outstanding music education and opportunities they continue to provide to our students.

Festivals and Performances in Term 3!

The Night of Musical Excellence is our main music performance for the year! This is for all students involved in music ensembles. Please diarise the date: Wednesday 10 September. More information will come next term.

Several of our music ensembles will also be participating in a number of Western Australian School Music Festivals during Term 3. The participating ensembles are:

• Leeming SHS String Ensemble – WA School’s Senior String Festival
• Leeming SHS Junior Guitar Ensemble – WA School’s Junior Guitar Festival
• Leeming SHS Senior Guitar Ensemble – WA School’s Senior Guitar Festival
• Leeming SHS Choir Ensemble – WA School’s Choir Festival
• Leeming SHS Junior Concert Band – WA School’s Junior Concert Band Festival
• Leeming SHS Senior Concert Band – WA School’s Concert Band Festival

All students in these ensembles are expected to attend and perform at their designated festival. Music ensembles function much like sports teams however unlike a sport team, there are NO RESERVES in a Music Ensemble. Every student is an integral member of the ensemble and plays an important role.

It is essential that all ensemble members remain committed, continue to practice diligently, and contribute fully to their ensemble. The success of each performance depends on every student working together and playing as one cohesive unit.

Specific performance dates and times will be provided as soon as they are confirmed by the festival organisers. In the meantime, the festival dates are listed on the whole school calendar as a guide.

Congratulations to all our students for a wonderful term 2! We wish you a happy and restful holiday break and look forward to picking up where we left off in Term 3!

Happy Holidays!

Mrs M. Damos & Mr G. Ryder, Music Teachers

Celebrating Noongar Culture Through Art and Learning

Our Year 7 AEP HASS students recently had the unique opportunity to learn from local Aboriginal artist Sally Gamble, who visited our school to share her rich knowledge of the six Noongar seasons and their deep cultural significance.

Sally’s inspiring presentation gave students valuable insight into the connections between Country, seasonal changes, and Aboriginal ways of knowing. Her visit also marked the launch of an exciting design competition, where students are invited to create artwork inspired by the Noongar seasons.

The winning designs will be transformed into permanent plaques for display in the HASS quad, joining our existing Rainbow Season Benches. These new additions will further reflect our school’s ongoing commitment to honouring and celebrating First Nations culture, perspectives, and history within our learning environment.

Miss G. Day, HASS Teacher

Year 11 Politics & Law Students University Learning

Earlier in the term, our Year 11 Politics & Law ATAR students took part in an exciting and immersive day at Murdoch University’s Law School. Hosted by the university’s academic staff, the visit offered students a valuable opportunity to deepen their understanding of the legal system through hands-on learning.

The day began with an exploration of a real-world criminal case, where students examined evidence, developed case theory, and prepared arguments. They then stepped into a simulated courtroom to participate in a mock trial—bringing their legal knowledge to life in a practical and engaging setting.

Guided by a senior law lecturer and other academic experts, students also explored future pathways into law and criminology, gaining firsthand insight into what studying these disciplines at university involves.

Congratulations to all students involved for their enthusiasm, curiosity, and professionalism throughout the day!

Mr M. Mortera, HASS Teacher

Stick with it !

As we approach the halfway mark of the year, it's a timely reminder of the importance of persistence. Regardless of the challenges we face, there's always an opportunity waiting for those who persevere.

Consider the journey of renowned author Stephen King.

Before finding success, King navigated through a series of low-paying jobs until securing a teaching position at a local high school. Despite his obligations, he remained steadfast in his passion for writing, continuously crafting short stories and developing novel ideas.

Reflecting on his early struggles, King recalls pinning rejection slips on a nail in his room until they overflowed, necessitating the substitution of the nail with a spike. Despite facing numerous rejections and personal setbacks, he refused to abandon his writing ambitions. Even when his novel "Carrie" was rejected 30 times, he was on the verge of giving up, but the unwavering support of his wife kept him going. Her encouragement serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of having someone in your corner during tough times.

King's journey underscores the value of persistence. Despite setbacks, he persisted, leading to eventual triumphs. So, when life knocks you down, remember that persistence is the key to achieving your goals.

Carl the Chaplain

Dear Parents/Guardians,

It has been a busy term with students doing exams and staff marking papers and they have all managed well. I wish students all the very best in the exam results and a safe, healthy and relaxing holiday to students and families.

See you next term all rejuvenated and rested.

Flu Season

Winter is here, and I am sending out a friendly reminder and advice that will help get us all through winter in top shape!

With the changes in weather, there has been an increase in ‘flu like’ illnesses in and around the community. There has also been an increase in the number of reported students and staff that are presenting with respiratory illnesses.

Cold vs Flu vs RSV

The cold weather is especially dangerous for older people and people with pre-existing or chronic health conditions. People with heart conditions, autoimmune conditions and respiratory (breathing) problems are more at risk during these spells. Most viruses are airborne diseases (RSV, Influenza, Covid19 and Whooping Cough). The virus spread when people talk, cough and sneeze. Wearing a face mask can help lower your chance of catching the flu if you have any pre-existing conditions.

So, this winter please remember:

Get vaccinated. If you are unaware of your vaccine status, you can see your GP. There are many community services now offering free vaccines or bulk billing.

• Alternatively you can find a vaccine provider National Health Services Directory - Service Finder Widget.

Wash your hands. Keeping your hands clean is the best way to get rid of germs. Make sure you wash your hands often with soap and warm water, or an alcohol-based rub (hand sanitiser).

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Cover coughs and sneezes. It is important that you use disposable tissues rather than your hands or a handkerchief when you cough or sneeze. Make sure you always:

• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use your inner elbow.
• Put the tissue into a closed-top bin as soon as possible.
• Then wash your hands with soap and warm water, or use hand sanitiser.

Stay home. Viruses can be very serious for some people including young children, older people, pregnant women, First Nations people and people with chronic medical conditions – so it is especially important to keep your distance.

• A very simple way to reduce the spread of germs is to stand or sit away from people when you or they are coughing or sneezing (at least 1 metre – about an arm's length).
• If you are sick, stay home.

Keep surfaces clean. Clean your home and work surfaces regularly to help get rid of germs.

• You can use warm water and detergent to do this. Avoid using antibacterial cleansers (disinfectants) as these can make germs resistant to them.
• Surfaces include phones, door handles, toys, books, keyboards etc.

Where to get help:

• Find a GP/doctor.
• Search a GP urgent care practice (external site).
• Visit healthdirect (external site) or call 1800 022 222.

If you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact the School Health nurse or have a look at the links below:

• Staying healthy in winter.
• Flu (influenza) – influenza A and B, symptoms, vaccine | healthdirect.
• COVID-19 (coronavirus).
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
• Whooping cough (pertussis).

Colds

Upper respiratory tract infections or colds are everywhere, especially in winter, so it is almost impossible to stop children from catching them. Here are some points which may help:

• Teach your child to cover his/her nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, and to wash hands straight afterwards.
• Hands should be washed after blowing noses and before eating.
• Use tissues once and then throw them in the bin (avoid using handkerchiefs).
• Keep your child home from school if they have a cold, cough, fever or pain.
• Make sure that your children eat a balanced diet of plenty of healthy foods.
• Keep children away from smoke – it irritates their eyes and nasal passages, making it more likely that they will catch a cold.

What to do if your child gets a cold. No treatment will cure a cold or make it go away more quickly, but you can help your child feel more comfortable:

• Rest. This doesn't always need to be in bed.
• Provide extra drinks. If your child doesn’t want to drink much, try giving lots of small sips of water, milk or juice, or ice blocks to suck for older children.

Hand washing. Washing hands is the easiest way to protect ourselves from contagious diseases, like colds, influenza and gastroenteritis. Hands should be washed before and after eating or preparing food, after going to the toilet and after nose blowing. When teaching your child to wash their hands make sure they;

• Use clean water and soap, making sure they cover their hands and wrists.
• Use a brush to clean under nails if they’re dirty too.
• Dry their hands with something clean (like a paper towel).

Alcohol based sanitisers are useful when soap and water is not available. Use a half a teaspoon of the product and encourage your child to rub their hands together until they’re dry. If you can see dirt on their hands, it is better to use soap and water. This information has been shared from The Raising Children Network - a great and valuable resource.

Influenza (Flu) Vaccine

The National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia's peak body for health advice, recommends annual vaccination for anyone six months of age or older who wants to reduce their chances of becoming ill with the flu. It takes up to two weeks for protection to develop after vaccination against flu and protection lasts about a year.

The seasonal flu vaccine is available. For more up to date information is now available on the HealthyWA website or contact your GP or chemist.

Why should you get the influenza and Covid-19 booster vaccine.

Influenza is a potentially serious respiratory illness, especially concerning for young children and older adults with underlying health conditions. By getting vaccinated against influenza, you not only protect yourself but also help in the fight against other viruses such as Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, safeguarding our students, colleagues, families and loved ones. Receiving a Covid-19 booster will help you stay protected from the Covid-19 virus, increasing immunity and reducing severity.

Dental Health Services for School Children

Remember the importance of accessing dental services for your child’s teeth annually or as needed. School holidays is a great time to access and make an appointment for your child.

• The School Dental Service is a free, public, dental health program available to all children of eligible age in Western Australia, whether they are enrolled in a public or private school. The service is funded by the Department of Health.
• Treatment is limited to general care and there are several exclusions, for example, specialist services such as orthodontics and oral surgery. Treatment outside the scope of the School Dental Service is referred to other providers and any costs are the responsibility of the parent or guardian.
• Children are eligible for the School Dental Service from the year they turn five until the end of Year 11 or 17 years of age whichever comes first.
• Community Health Nurses can refer children to the School Dental Services by direct phone call to the clinic or via the parent who will be required to attend the first visit with their child.
• To find out where the local School Dental Service is located, call 9313 0555 or visit North Metro Health Services . Community health staff, parents and teachers can visit the website to access dental health resources.

The closest Dental Service to Leeming SHS are:

1. Leeming Dental Therapy Clinic. Located at 15 Meharry Rd, Leeming, they can be reached on 9332 3194 Monday - Friday, between 8:15 - 4:30pm.
2. South Lakes Dental Therapy Centre. Located at 62 Mason Crt, South Lake. They can be contacted at 9417 3242 Monday - Friday between 8-4pm except for Tuesdays. Please note they are open in first week of school holidays but not the second.
3. Willetton Dental Therapy Clinic. Located at 14 Woodpecker Ave, Willetton. Bookings can be made at 9457 4241 Monday – Friday between 8-4pm. School holidays hours are as follows: Week 1: Monday -Friday, 8-4pm. Week 2: Monday and Tuesday only between 8-4pm.

• Students in Year 12 and 17-year-olds with a health care card are eligible for general dental care at a Public Dental Clinic.
• To assist children, carers and parents to understand services and dental treatment being provided, Dental Health Services can arrange interpreters at no cost to families.
• Interpreters are available by appointment and their use must be authorised by Dental Health Services staff.
• An after-hours emergency service operates 7 days a week between the hours of 6.30pm - 8.00am and can be reached on 9313 0555. This service is only to be used for immediate and urgent dental attention.
• The Oral Health Centre at the University of WA is part of the Western Australian public dental system. General dental services are provided to eligible public patients. Public dental services are available Monday to Friday from 7:30 am - 4:30 pm by calling 6457 4400.
• The Child Dental Benefits Schedule provide financial support for basic dental services for children aged 2 – 17 years, who receive (or their family, guardian or carer receives) certain government benefits such as Family Tax Benefit Part A. For further information, visit Services Australia.

Mrs D. Kitak, School Nurse

Celebrating NAIDOC Week: Honouring Culture, History and Unity

NAIDOC Week is a time to recognise and celebrate the rich history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Held each July, it’s a significant occasion for all Australians to deepen their understanding of Indigenous culture and reflect on the past while looking toward a more inclusive future.

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee, which originated from the 1938 Day of Mourning — a protest held on Australia Day by Aboriginal Australians to highlight the injustices and mistreatment they faced. Since then, NAIDOC Week has evolved into a national celebration featuring a wide range of traditional and contemporary activities that honour the resilience, strength, and contributions of Indigenous communities.

At its heart, NAIDOC Week is about building respect, fostering reconciliation, and creating meaningful connections between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. It provides a valuable opportunity for students and families to engage in learning, reflection, and celebration.

We encourage families to take time to explore the meaning behind NAIDOC Week and to support young people in understanding its importance. A SchoolTV special report is available with ideas on how families can get involved and celebrate together.

As we honour this important week, we hope it sparks conversations, learning and unity within our school community. If any of the topics raised during this time bring up concerns for you or your family, please seek support from a trusted professional.

Access the SchoolTV - Celebrating NAIDOC Week article by clicking here.

Acknowledgement of Country

We respectfully acknowledge the past and present traditional custodians of this land on which Leeming Senior High School stands, 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.

Disclaimer

Leeming Senior High School does not endorse any of the products or services on our community board.