principaL's addresS
Dear students, parents and guardians,
Welcome to our Final Newsletter for 2024
As we conclude another great year at Leeming Senior High School, it is a perfect time to reflect on our achievements and express our gratitude to those who have supported us throughout this journey. I am happy to advise that I will continue as Principal in Term 1, 2025.
Highlights for the End of Term 4
The final weeks of Term 4 have been filled with exciting moments. Orientation Day, in Week 7 was where we warmly welcomed our future Year 7 students. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to explore the school, meet their peers, and begin their transition into high school life. We also celebrated the culmination of our Year 12 students’ journey at the Valedictory Ceremony on 29 November. This memorable event was a fitting tribute to the accomplishments of the graduating Class of 2024.
Acknowledging our Community
A special thank you to our P&C, whose contributions this year have been instrumental. Their generous support has enabled the additional furnishings of our new STEM room, the installation of Indigenous seating, and ongoing support of our chaplains which has enriched our school environment.
We also extend our gratitude to the School Board for their dedication in guiding the strategic direction of Leeming Senior High School. Their efforts continue to benefit the school.
Welcoming 2025 School Captains
It is with great excitement that we introduce our 2025 School Captains, Lukas Z. and Hannah A. Congratulations on this well deserved achievement. The quality of all the nominations was outstanding, and it was a privilege to interview such talented individuals.
End of Year Celebrations and Farewells
As the year draws to a close, our end of year excursions are underway, offering some students and staff a way to celebrate the year and create unforgettable memories.
We also bid farewell to several teaching staff who are leaving at the end of term:
- Mr Brendan Evans
- Ms Miriam Ducat
- Mr Ed Lee
- Mr Darren Myer
We thank them for their dedication to Leeming Senior High School and wish them the very best as they embark on the next stages of their careers.
Looking Forward
To our Year 12 students, we wish you every success as you embrace the next chapter of your lives. Celebrate your achievements and the lasting contributions that you have made to our school over the last 6 years. Embrace the next chapter, filled with new opportunities and exciting challenges.
Wishing our entire school community a safe and merry holiday. May this break be filled with rest, reflection, and excitement for the year ahead. Enjoy your well-deserved break, look after yourselves and I look forward to welcoming you all in 2025 refreshed.
Mr D. Atthowe, 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, 2025 DATES TO REMEMBER
STA Dryandra Camp 2024
At the start of September this year, a group of twenty STA students set off from school for a two and a half-hour bus drive down to camp at Dryandra. We were all so excited at the opportunity to learn more about our Australian wildlife. We drove past the rolling canola fields and farmlands, before arriving in the heart of the Dryandra forest.
When we arrived, we set down our bags and had a look around the campsite, a short walk away from the dorms there was a big wide-open paddock where we could see kangaroos feeding and racing around on the grass. Soon after that, we went for our first walking trail down to the Old Mill Dam. The bush was different to what I had expected. There were more trees than ground bush, which we learned later, was better for the smaller marsupials to live in. As we walked, Mr Mackenzie spoke about the history of Dryandra, and how the sandalwood species and others were some of Western Australia’s first industries. We got back to the dorms that night exhausted but happy, as we laid in our sleeping bags, we heard the possums on the roof scraping their claws and hissing at each other.
Bright and early the next day, we headed out to another area close by the camp to do a transect across forty meters and recorded the various species of flora and fauna it crossed into our booklets. It was an interesting activity because I had no idea there could be that many different variations and species all in one place.
The trip to Barna Mia was my favourite part of the trip. Barna Mia is a sanctuary for endangered species in Dryandra and WA, and it was located a short drive from our campsite. We listened to an expert talk about the species in the area and the threats of wild cats and other invasive predators on the natural populations. After that, we went out to one of the logged sitting areas to watch the animals be fed where we saw two bilbies, possums, woylies and quendas. It felt so special to be close to the animals and watch them in their natural habitat.
Another highlight of the trip was the spotlight walk we went on during the second night of the trip. It was very windy that night and we walked down to the Old Mill Dam and around the campsite. We learnt how to recognise the eyes of a spider when we shone our flashlights into their eyes, and we saw the possums scaling up the trees and kangaroos in the paddock.
One evening we went trapping with staff from DPaW. We set off around 4pm to set traps, for which we had prepared the universal peanut butter bait, hiding them in the bush. The following morning we had to wake up very early to check our traps and we were lucky enough to have trapped six woylies, some of the females had their young in their pouch. After having taken measurements to monitor the health of the population, the animals were released back into the bush.
On our last day, we went for our final trail in the bush, then we packed up our bags and hopped onto the bus leaving all the cute little animals behind. We really enjoyed our trip and learned so much about our environment, and the animals and plants who call the area of Dryandra home.
Akal K., Year 10 Science
GOLD Inbound Japanese Exchange Program 2025
Hi everyone, we’re excited to welcome 22 Japanese students from Chikuyo Gakuen Junior High School in February 2025. This visit offers a unique opportunity for your child to become a cultural ambassador by hosting a visiting student for an 11-night exchange.
Hosting simply involves including the student into your daily routine while enjoying the benefits:
- Expand your child’s perspective
- Build cross-cultural leadership skills
- Create lasting international friendships
Staying with a local family is the highlight for visiting Japanese students, this simple act of kindness creates lifelong memories and gives them a chance to experience our Aussie way of life.
Program details:
- 🗓️ 20th February – 3rd March (11 nights)
- 🙎🏻 Year 9 students
- 🙌 $605 host payment to assist with expenses
- 📞 24/7 bilingual support from our partner, Gold Educational Tours.
Register now at goldeducationaltours.com.au/schoolcommunity to get involved.
Year 10 Japanese Specialist Visit to Leeming Primary School
The Year 10 Japanese Specialist class recently visited Leeming Primary School, where they engaged the Year 2, 3, and 4 classes in festive Christmas activities and fun hiragana games. In preparation for this visit, our students planned and created interactive lessons along with engaging resources to help the young learners explore the Japanese language in a lively and enjoyable way.
During the visit, the Year 10 students introduced Christmas vocabulary and traditions, incorporating games that focused on hiragana recognition and usage. The activities not only made learning enjoyable but also fostered a sense of cultural exchange, allowing the Leeming Primary students to experience the joy of learning Japanese during the holiday season.
It was a rewarding experience for both our students and the children at Leeming Primary, and we look forward to more opportunities to share our language and culture in the future!
Japanese Specialist Badges 2024
250 points or more:
Year 7
- Amelia L.
- Ryu N.
- Edward C.
- Kai S.
- Logan E.
- Shuto E.
- Mitchell F.
- Carey H.
- Charity S.
Year 8
- Avelyn G.
- Ruby D.
- Kay Lee O.
- Aqisha D.G.
- Nicolas N.
- Bodhi C.
- Amber M.
- Sarah C.
- Shasta M.
Year 9
- Kai L.
- Zay K.
- Jemima Y.
- Zachary B.
Year 10
- Aiden E.
Year 11
- Joshua O.
Japanese Specialist Points Explained
10 points is the equivalent of approximately one hour’s participation in extra-curricular and extension activities.
Sample Point allocation by activity:
Keep track of the points you earn over the year in your Japanese notebook.
Farewell & Thank You – ありがとうございました
As we bid farewell to Mr. Lee, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for his invaluable contributions to Leeming Senior High School over the past several years. Since joining us in 2019, Mr. Lee has not only been a fantastic Japanese teacher but has also played a vital role in enriching our school community.
His participation in the 2023 Japanese Exchange Program was a highlight, allowing our students to experience cultural exchange firsthand and fostering connections that will last a lifetime. Mr. Lee's commitment to education extended beyond the classroom; he dedicated countless hours to after-school workshops, inspiring students to deepen their understanding of the Japanese language.
One of the most cherished parts of Mr. Lee's time here at Leeming SHS has been his Friday afternoon Dungeons and Dragons gaming sessions. These workshops not only fostered creativity and teamwork but also provided a fun and inclusive environment for students to connect with one another and enhance their computer skills.
Mr. Lee’s contributions to the Languages Program have left a lasting impact, and he will be greatly missed by both students and staff. As we say さようなら (farewell), we wish him all the best in his future endeavours. We are confident that he will continue to inspire and make a difference wherever he goes.
がんばってね！
Ms J. Sgro, Japanese Specialist Teacher
Australian Maths Competition
Students at Leeming SHS had the chance to showcase their mathematical prowess in Australia’s longest-running, largest and most well-known maths competition for school students-the Australian Maths Competition. This year, approximately 190 students from Years 7 to 12 engaged in this prestigious event. The competition presented unique problems designed by leading educators, pushing our students to extend and refine their problem-solving skills.
We are proud to announce the following results:
- 4 students achieved High Distinctions, showcasing exceptional mathematical prowess.
- 27 students earned Distinctions, placing them among top-performing students.
- 87 students received Credits, reflecting their solid understanding and competence in Mathematics.
- 37 students were awarded Proficiencies, acknowledging their commendable effort and skills.
- 11 students received Participation Certificates, demonstrating their commitment and courage to take on challenge.
Award Winners
High Distinctions:
- Ryu N. - Year 7 - Best in School
- Yeji Y. - Year 8
- Caleb V. - Year 10
- Rivinu S. - Year 10
Distinctions:
Year 7:
- Moongi C.
- Pei Shan L.
- Douglas L.
- Jack J.
- Carter H.
- Millie H. T.
- Ella B.
- Cindy G.
Year 8
- Ashley S.
- Amber M.
- Brianna M.
- Ellie M.
- Ishaan M.
- Felix F.
- Luke W.
- Takumi L.
Year 9
- Zay K.
- Janice J.
- Ethan S.
- Nathan C.
Year 10
- Alex K.
- Anna C.
- Taj E.
Year 11
- Jack R.
- Eric Jr T.
Year 12
- Lucas K.
- Aldine V.
Have Sum Fun Online Competition
In Term 4, Year 7, 8 and 9 STA students had the opportunity to test their skills against some of the top mathematical minds in the state by participating in the Have Sum Fun Online competition, organised by Mathematics Association of WA. Our students tackled a variety of challenging mathematical puzzles and problems, showcasing their problem-solving abilities and teamwork.
We are thrilled to recognise the outstanding efforts of our students who participated in these competitions. While our students did not score a top three position this time, their participation and perseverance were commendable. One of our Year 7 teams made an impressive showing, achieving 4th place in the league tables. This is a fantastic accomplishment, considering the high level of competition from schools across the region.
Mrs S. Kalra, HoLA Mathematics
It has been a wonderfully busy Term 4 for Music with lots and lots of performance opportunities for everyone, a snap shot of each is below:
Pre-Term 4 - Over the school holidays, our Year 9 and 10 Music students attended the ‘A Night at the Symphony” music excursion at the Perth Concert Hall to see the West Australian Symphony Orchestra perform.
Week 1 - The Senior Concert Band performed for the Year 12 Graduation Assembly.
Week 3 – Arts Night - Chamber Strings Ensemble together with some very talented saxophonists and pianists performed background music for the collective Arts Night. We also hosted the IMSS Year 6 Band Workshop where we had 80+ primary school students come to our school for the day to participate in a fantastic workshop and finished off with a concert for family and friends.
Week 4 - Junior Music Recital for our music students in Years 7-9. A fantastic opportunity for students to perform solo or in small chamber-like groupings for family and friends.
Week 5 & 6 – We held our IMSS incoming Music interviews and we had again some lovely performances for the Year 6 Orientation Day by our contemporary rock band, percussion marimba solo and a trumpet performance by our three Year 8 trumpeters.
Week 8 – Our Jazz Band performed for the Year 12 Valedictory. They were professional and set the tone for a truly special evening for our farewell to our Year 12 students, family and friends.
Week 9 – Our Choir sang Christmas carols at St. John of God Hospital, Murdoch – a perfect way to start spreading the Christmas cheer. The Junior Concert Band held a final ‘Open Rehearsal’ for family and friends and performed at the final whole school assembly.
Week 10 – Education Support Music Students performed their traditional Christmas Carols around our school!
It has been a full and vibrant term, we would like to thank everyone who has contributed to making and sharing our music within our school and wider community in which we live. Congratulations and thanks to all our music students for playing with Excellence to hear the Harmony!
Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and may the New Year be simply wonderful!
Mrs M. Damon and Mr G. Ryder, Music Teachers
Christmas in the Library - Borrowing Books Over the Holidays
We have a lovely big Christmas tree with Surfing Santa close by and the Christmas Book Tree has lots of lights to brighten our day. If you are keen to relax and enjoy reading a book over the break – come in and borrow before school finishes.
Student Work on Display
Students have produced some beautiful artwork and creative pieces this year. At the moment we have Year 7 Visual Arts Food Tic Tac Toe which are fantastic and look absolutely delicious.
Chess Club News
Tournaments are all done for the year so the Chess Club is 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 when we have a few new Year 7 students.
STUDY SKILLS HANDBOOK and STUDY SAMURAI LIBRARY - Get a Head Start for Next Year.
Just to let you know, our school is a subscriber to the combined study skills and well-being website (see link below):
This is a website that 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, and brain and memory. This is inclusive of topics like managing stress, growth mindset, goal setting, motivation and positive thought habits.
To access the online library, go to studysamurailibrary.com or studyskillshandbook.com.au and login with these details:
Leeming’s Username: leemingshs
Leeming’s Password: 77success
Year 6 Orientation Day
We had the Year 6 students complete a Library Scavenger Hunt as well as get photos taken for their SmartRiders for 2025.
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 or your phone (log in with your school username using the password '1library').
Have a safe and happy break.
Ms C. Steel, Teacher Librarian
Grateful Hearts, Giving Hands: Leeming SHS Finds Meaning Through Food Drive for Grateful November
During our Grateful November wellbeing month, Leeming Senior High School embraced the spirit of giving by running a successful food drive in support of FoodBank. This initiative, led by our dedicated Year 8 HASS students, was part of their exploration of the PERMAH wellbeing focus area 'Meaning and Purpose.'
With the festive season approaching, our students were inspired to make a tangible difference in the lives of those in need. Over the course of the month, the Leeming SHS community rallied together to donate an impressive 100 kilograms of non-perishable food items. These donations will be delivered to FoodBank, ensuring that families and individuals in need have access to essential supplies and meals this Christmas.
The food drive not only exemplified the values of empathy and generosity, but also provided our Year 8 students with an opportunity to see how their learning can create positive outcomes beyond the classroom. The experience reinforced the importance of community connection and also the profound impact even small actions can have when combined with a shared sense of purpose.
A heartfelt thank you to all students, staff, and families who contributed to the success of this initiative. Your generosity has made a real difference and embodies the spirit of gratitude and giving that we celebrate during Grateful November.
Miss H. Britton, HASS Teacher
Reset and Recharge!
We are at the end of the year, and what a year it was. As we lead into our school holidays, think about what we can do to have an awesome break. Our diet is not only what we eat - it’s what we watch, what we listen to, what we read and the people we hang around with. Be mindful of the things you put into your body… Emotionally, spiritually and physically!
Have a wonderful Christmas and happy new year and see you all in 2025. Blessings.
Carl the Chaplain
Christmas/Holiday Wishes
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all students and families a very merry Christmas with your family and friends. May you have a happy, safe, healthy, restful and enjoyable holiday. I hope to see all students in 2025.
For the students that are leaving, I wish you all the very best in your new school and future plans. Good luck to the Year 12’s waiting for their ATAR results.
Dental Services
The School Dental Service (SDS) provides free dental health check-ups to students attending a Department of Education recognised school from 5 to 17 years of age or to Year 11, whichever comes first. For more information please call 9313 0555 or visit:
Students are encouraged to attend their primary school dental service. This is:
Raising Children Network
Children are as individual and as different as their parents, and making decisions about what’s best for raising children is very personal.
The Raising Children Network provides information that can help parents with the day-to-day decisions of raising children. It also provides information to help parents and carers look after their own needs. The information is based on the best science in parenting, child health and development, presented in language we can all understand.
The Raising Children website offers up-to-date, research-based material on more than 800 topics spanning child development, behaviour, health, nutrition and fitness, play and learning, connecting and communicating, school and education, entertainment and technology, sleep and safety.
Linked below is a website for Australian mothers, fathers, grandparents and anyone else who has responsibility for the care of children:
Sun Safety with the Hot Weather Approaching
It is important to talk to your children about sun safety and teach them good sun protection habits. Below I have listed some good tips for how to stay safe from the heat and sun:
- Slip on some sun-protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
- Slop on broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30+ sunscreen. Put it on 20 minutes before you go outdoors and every two hours afterwards. Sunscreen should never be used to extend the time you spend in the sun.
- Slap on a hat that protects your face, head, neck and ears.
- Seek shade.
- Slide on some sunglasses. Make sure they meet Australian standards; and
- Extra care should be taken between 10am and 3pm when UV levels reach their peak.
For more information visit the Cancer Council website:
16 Days in WA
16 Days in WA reminds us of the importance in raising awareness and taking action to end violence against women.
For 16 days in November and December, the community is encouraged to play their part in stopping family and domestic violence. The annual 16 Days in WA campaign takes place from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day.
This year’s campaign theme is Stopping Family and Domestic Violence: Play your part, which encourages everyone to take action to increase awareness of family and domestic violence, call out disrespectful behaviour and help stop the cycle of violence.
This year’s campaign theme is Stopping Family and Domestic Violence: Play your part, which encourages everyone to take action to increase awareness of family and domestic violence, call out disrespectful behaviour and help stop the cycle of violence. For many others, the starting point of getting help is having someone to reach out to who is able to provide support in a non-judgmental manner. This can be through actively listening and assisting in accessing support if, and when, it is needed
People experiencing family and domestic violence can call the:
Mental Health Tips for the Holidays
Help Lines and Websites for Adolescents
How do I get help?
Sometimes, when you’re worried about something or feeling down, it feels like you’re all alone. It can seem like your other friends and family members have ‘normal’ lives, and they don’t understand why you’re worried.
Besides the phone lines and websites below, there are some people that you can talk to who may also be able to help you and refer you to the appropriate place for help. These are: the school psychologist, the school nurse, your GP, your nearest local hospital or health centre. There is always someone that you can go to for help so please don’t feel like you have to face things alone.
A website for young people to improve their mental health. Also provides information and opportunities to connect with other young people.
It is a national, independent organisation working to address issues associated with depression, anxiety & substance misuse disorders for young people. You can talk with others, share your story and read about other people’s experiences.
Has an online chat and support or you can call the closest centre to you to make an appointment for free counselling.
Offers web counselling, email counselling or phone counselling.
Phone Numbers
Youth Line (Suicide) – 1800350670
Samaritans (Suicide) – 1800 198 313
Mental Health Direct- 1800 220 400
Mental Health Emergency Response Line – (24 hr) 1300 555 788
Health Direct – 1800 022 222
Domestic Violence Helpline – 1800 656 463
Mission Australia Helpline – 1300 886 999
Headspace – 93356333 (Fremantle office)
The Young Carers Program
This program provides support to young carers who might be at risk of not completing their education or the vocational equivalent. There are a range of support options, and also funding to give them a break.
The program can help young carers under the age of 25 years who are providing significant care and support for a parent, child, partner, relative or friends who have a disability, are frail aged or who have a severe mental or physical condition. Their contact information is listed below:
- Call Carer Gateways – Carers support 1800 422737 & press 1
- Email - yc@silverchain.org.au
Free Mobile App
The App is developed by Victorian Legal Aid, with the help from interstate legal aid commissions, the "Below the Belt: Sex, Selfies and Cyberbullying" app will provide legal information for every state and territory. This app will help young people understand the law about three major issues facing them: sexting, cyberbullying and the age of consent.
Below the Belt: Sex, Selfies and Cyberbullying contain fun and interactive tools to help young people learn about the law and support their friends. Users can send an e-postcard to their friends to ward off unwanted requests to send someone a selfie. The app explains the legal consequences of consensual sexting and also what to do if someone distributes an image of them without permission or sends them an unwanted sext. The app also allows young people to quickly resolve any questions that they might have about the age of consent. If you have an Apple device, you can have a look at the app content by linking through to the following webpage: * sex and consent.
Mrs D. Kitak , School Nurse
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.