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Rossmoyne Senior High School
an Independent Public School
Keith Road Rossmoyne Western Australia 6148
Telephone (08) 9259 2100 Facsimile (08) 9354 3945
Email Address: [email protected]
Website: www.rossmoyne.wa.edu.au
Rossmoyne Senior High School
Welcomes Year 8s in 2015

Update from the Year Coordinator

Orientation Day

Welcome from Associate Principal

Contacting the school

Meet the Transition Leaders

Taster courses – more details

Facilities focus

Checklist and calendar of events
Update from the Year Coordinator
Welcome to the second edition of Rossmoyne
Senior High School’s transition parents’
newsletters. This newsletter will update
prospective Year 8 students and their families
on recent and forthcoming events in the leadup to the commencement of the 2015 school
year.
At the end of this newsletter I have provided a
checklist that covers all the things you need to
have attended to at this point in time. Please
make sure you also check out the link to the
uniform shop on the school’s website, as the
uniform shop is no longer on the school
campus.
The Transition Leaders’ training for 2015 took
place in September and was a huge success.
The students participated in a range of
activities and learned strategies to assist
incoming Year 7s and 8s in developing
personal and social awareness skills, and to
foster student wellbeing, in a high school
context.
My third and final newsletter will have all the
details about the Orientation Day, plus some
information from this year’s Year 8s about what
to expect in the first few weeks and months of
high school. Information regarding Day 1, 2015
will also be provided.
In the week beginning 27 October, the Year 7
Coordinator, Associate Principal and I visited
our feeder primary schools to meet with Year 6
and 7 teachers. We aimed to discuss individual
students’ needs and interests to ensure a
transition process that is as smooth as
possible. While we were there, the students
received information about the Australian
School of the Year Scholarship at Rossmoyne
Senior High School.
As that day approaches, I am sure your child
will be feeling as excited as I am, in anticipation
of the great experiences and contributions they
will offer the Rossmoyne school community.
Please contact me with any questions or
queries you have that may not be covered in
this newsletter.
Ms Amanda Anderson
2015 Year 8 Coordinator
[email protected]
Welcome from Associate Principal
Our
school
is
a
fantastic
place
to
complete
secondary
studies, with terrific
teachers
and
enthusiastic
students
working together to
create a friendly and
respectful
learning
environment.
I have had a most
enjoyable time at the
beginning of this term visiting neighbouring
Primary schools and talking to the Year 7
students about Orientation Day on Friday 28
November, and other matters. It was great to
get feedback from the students that they are
looking forward to come to Rossmoyne Senior
High School to begin their secondary school
life.
While each child has their own ideas on what
High School life will be like, I hope that they will
come to our school with a friendly and positive
attitude, as this will help them have a rewarding
experience here. In addition to the new High
School teachers, there are many people on
staff to help your child. One key person is the
Year Coordinator, Ms Amanda Anderson, who
has already been working hard to make sure
there is a smooth transition from primary
school, which includes meeting new friends. All
Rossmoyne teachers are looking forward to
meeting the new students for the first time on
Orientation Day. I also look forward to speaking
with you on that day and getting feedback from
you as to your impressions on our transition
program.
The curriculum that has been developed for
Year 8s covers the eight learning areas in the
WA and national curriculum. We have also
included exciting Taster courses in the Arts and
Technology Learning Areas (more information
on these courses can be found in this
newsletter).
I recommend that you encourage your child to
take advantage of the many opportunities
presented to them during their Rossmoyne
journey, as this will lead to memorable
experiences and hopefully see them achieve
their goals.
Mr Peter Klifunis
Associate Principal
Phone: 9259 2100 ext 203
[email protected]
Transition Leaders’ Training for 2015
Last term the lower school Student Services
team ran the Transition Leaders’ training
workshop for 127 enthusiastic and highly
motivated Year 9 students. The workshop was
designed to teach the skills to next year’s
Transition Leaders that will assist them in
providing support to the Year 7 and 8 students
of 2015.
The training covered areas such as
communication skills to facilitate making
friends, and conflict resolution strategies to deal
with any potential bullying. Positive thinking and
supportive, positive peer interactions were also
covered through a series of discussions and
small group activities. The training also covered
time management and organisation - another
important aspect of high school that the
Transition Leaders will be able to pass on to
their Transition students next year.
A survey of the participating students revealed
that wanting to help the Year 7s and 8s
become happy and confident high school
students was one of the main reasons for
signing up to the training workshop. The
students felt they are now well-equipped to be
effective and confident leaders, able to offer a
high level of peer support to the transitioning
students of 2015.
From the Student Services team’s perspective,
the trainee transition leaders showed amazing
commitment to the program. The maturity with
which they all applied themselves to the often
challenging activities and discussions is a credit
to them all. The incoming Year 7s and 8s for
2015 can be assured that they are in very safe
hands, under the guidance and leadership of
these excellent Transition Leaders.
Above: Students working in groups on various
ice-breaker, team building and organisational activities
Below are messages from three of our Transition Leaders:
The Year 9s that were interested in becoming
Transition Leaders were lucky enough to go on a
“Transition Camp”. On the camp, we participated
in many games and talks in our transition groups.
These activities helped us understand the
overwhelming feeling that many go through in the
transition to high school. We had so much fun
doing the activities in our groups and we’re so
excited to do them with the Year 7 and 8s. I hope
they enjoy it just as much as we did. The great
thing was creating strong bonds with the other
members of our group. I look forward to hopefully
having the same strong bonds with the Year 7s
and 8s. I can’t wait to meet them and help them
realise that high school isn’t as big and scary as
people make it out to be. In all honesty, I think
they’ll have an amazing time at Rossmoyne!
We learnt many techniques such as ice-breakers,
leadership abilities, teamwork, social skills and
responsibility. Even though that seems really
boring it was one the best experiences I’ve ever
had, Not only did we learn how to be better
Transition Leaders, we had a blast and made and
strengthened friendships. I hope the skills we
obtained through this amazing camp can be put
to good use when the Year 7s and 8s come to
Rossmoyne. Hopefully, I as a Transition Leader
can help and guide them through the
overwhelming procedure of switching from
primary school to high school and make the
experience fun and comfortable. I know high
school seems really scary but don’t worry, we’ve
got your back!
Aufa Moosa, Ex Riverton Primary School Student
Arijana Jumar, ex Iona Primary School student
Year 9 students, eager and excited to become
leaders, started the day with little knowledge of
what being a Transition Leader was all about. We
were all clueless however exhilarated; ready to
become people who would later change the high
school experience of the incoming Year 7s and
8s. At the end of the two exciting and fun days,
filled with many educational and leadership
activities, all of us returned to our homes and
began our usual school routine the next day.
However, we had all left the venue with new
leadership skills that would help us all throughout
our lives, and especially for becoming the best
Transition Leaders for 2015. Being a leader is all
about being confident, organised, fun and
cooperative, and those are exactly the qualities
we gained and hope to share with the incoming
year groups.
As Transition Leaders, we hope to not only aid in
the Year 7s and 8s transition to high school, but
to also support them throughout their whole high
school experience. It is our pleasure to make sure
that they will feel safe, happy and excited to be at
Rossmoyne Senior High School. There is no
doubt that, as current Year 9s (who successfully
survived the first two years of high school) we will
provide new students with the best possible
advice based on our previous experiences. We
are aware that their feelings could very well be
congested in pools of anticipation, nervousness
and diffidence. Therefore, as their Transition
Leaders, we will definitely apply our best efforts
and leadership skills in order to bring out the best
in all of them.
Ariuka Altangerel
The entire program was really fun and did more
than just train us for the new Year 7s and 8s. It
brought us as a year group closer, and we even
developed ourselves as individuals more. In just
two days, we made dozens more friends, learnt
how to deal with new pressures and difficult
situations, got taught how to cope with almost
anything life throws at you and even learnt how to
fit ten people onto a yoga mat. And all this stuff,
we’re now going to pass on to hundreds of
nervous and scared new high school students, so
that we can make them as comfortable as
possible coming into this new chapter in their
lives.
There were tons of applications to a become
transition leader this year because all of us just
thought back to our first day of high school and
thought about everything that went through our
minds. For example: “where are the toilets?”,
“what class do I have next”, “when’s break, I’m
hungry” and “that teacher looks mean…” It’s
those weird thoughts that (I hope) we all had, and
what we want to prevent for the new students in
2015.
It’s our jobs as leaders next year to make the new
students smile, calm down, and are confident in
themselves and their new school. It’s our job to
reassure them that the things they see in movies
only happen in Hollywood, and that real-life high
school is way more fun to be in.
Farhan Bhada, ex Campbell Primary School
student
Facilities Focus
On the Orientation Day on 28 November,
prospective students will experience a day at
high school, when they will participate in some
“taster” lessons and take a tour of the school. It
may be of interest to you to learn of some of
the school’s facilities that your child will have
access to when they attend school here:
extracurricular facilities that add value to the
student experience and are available for all
students’ use and enjoyment.
Café: The school café has a wide range of
drinks, snacks and Health Department
approved meals, including breakfast. The café
has a very popular student indoor seating area,
and opens out into the plaza and amphitheatre
where students from all year groups can mix
and mingle at break times. Prospective Year 8
students will have an opportunity to order their
lunch from the café and eat there on
Orientation Day.
Soccer Pitch: At the west end of the school
campus is the new soccer pitch. This is used
for PE lessons and during break times by
students from all year groups.
Swimming Pool: Rossmoyne is one of a very
few public schools with its own swimming pool.
The pool is 25m, heated to 23degrees and is
used in Terms 1 and 4. The Year 8 Swimming
Carnival, held in Term 1, is always a great day
of fun and good natured competition, as well as
a perfect opportunity to keep your cool. The
school does not have a swimming costume as
part of the uniform. Parents are encouraged to
support the school by ensuring their child’s
swimming attire is appropriate for a high school
environment. The pool is not used for free
swimming during or after school hours. Contact
the Head of Physical Education, Mr Barry
Paveling, if you have any queries about the use
of the school pool.
Sports Facilities: The school also has a
gymnasium, where our excellent and highly
successful volleyball students train. A variety of
physical education classes are run in the
gymnasium, such as basketball and badminton.
The gymnasium houses the school’s weights
room, which can be made available to older
students who like to pump iron before and after
school and during break times. The school has
outdoor basketball, netball and tennis courts
and a beach volleyball court is due to be
constructed adjacent to the New Year 7
building. Direct any enquiries about access to
any of the school’s sports facilities to Mr Barry
Paveling or your child’s physical education
teacher.
Dance Studio: We are fortunate to have our
own dedicated dance studio at the rear of the
gymnasium where students practise and
perform all manner of dance styles and routines
across all year groups.
Well-Being Centre: The Robyn Fittock WellBeing Centre was officially opened late 2013. It
provides students and staff with a large multipurpose open space. This space is used for a
variety of physical activities such as Pilates and
yoga.
Library: Our school Library is a treasure trove
of books, magazines, DVDs, resource books,
and computers with internet access. The
Library provides printers for student use as well
as space for quiet reading or study before and
after school. All Year 8 students will be given a
Library card with their school photo on it. They
are allowed to borrow up to 10 items from the
Library. Their Library card also doubles as a
SmartRider and will be distributed early in Term
1.
Taster courses – more details
In the last newsletter I told you that our Arts, Design and Technology staff were busily preparing
the taster courses that will be offered to our Year 7 and 8 students from 2015 - and they haven’t
failed to deliver. Over the two year period, students will be given the opportunity to experience a
wide range of taster courses in both the Technology and Arts learning areas.
Technology
 Craft
 Food
 Graphics
 Information Technology
 Metalwork
 Robotics
 Textiles
 Woodwork
Arts
 Dance
 Drama
 Media
 Photography
 Visual Arts
The intention of the taster program in Year 8 is to expose students to a broad and relevant range of
curriculum in the creative and performing arts, media and technology related subjects. Each
program will be practical, creative and challenging. The taster courses provide students with
important knowledge and skills, giving them the opportunity to perhaps discover previously hidden
talents or interests that broaden their horizons or further develop their capabilities.
Contacting the school
Who do I contact if…?
My child is ill/has an
appointment and won’t be
in school
Absentee line
Ms B O’Reilly
08 9354 7301
I am concerned about my
child’s performance in a
particular subject
Classroom
teacher
Click here to visit the Staff Contacts page
Head of Learning
Area/Teacher in
Charge
Click here to visit the Staff Contacts page
I would like to follow up
contact that I have made
with the teacher
I would like some
feedback about my child’s
overall progress in school
I have a complaint to make
Year Coordinator
Associate
Principal
http://www.rossmoyne.wa.edu.au/Contact.aspx
http://www.rossmoyne.wa.edu.au/Contact.aspx
Mrs Amanda Anderson
[email protected]
08 9259 2107
Ms Pat Young
[email protected]
08 9259 2202
General concerns…
In the event you have a concern or wish to notify the school of anything regarding your child’s
emotional wellbeing,
then please don’t
hesitate to contact me directly at
[email protected]. I work closely with the Student Services team, including
the School Psychologists, Learning Support Coordinator, School Nurse and Chaplains. It is
important that we are kept in the loop to do what we can to support all students. The teaching staff
and Student Services team work together to be fully informed regarding individual students’
progress. In this way we strive to prevent your child from “falling through the cracks”. Your
assistance is an invaluable part of our goal to make every child feel supported at high school.
What’s next...?
Check now

Have you received your Acceptance of Enrolment pack?


Have you received your GAT/ Specialist Course Acceptance letter?
Have you received your Orientation Day information letter? (And
completed the lunch order?)

Have you received your invitation to the Principal’s Reception on 28
November?
If you have not yet received any of these information packs please contact
[email protected]
Other items for
your checklist

Uniform please check the information in this link as the uniform shop
is no longer on the school site.
(http://www.rossmoyne.wa.edu.au/AboutUs/Policies/SchoolUniform.aspx)

1:1 Computing program
(http://www.rossmoyne.wa.edu.au/Programs/Year7Program.aspx)
28 November
Year 7 Orientation Day
On 28 November, all Year 7s enrolled at Rossmoyne Senior High School
for 2015 are invited to visit the school for a whole day. On this day your
child will meet their Peer Transition Leader and experience a day in the
life of a Rossmoyne student. They will attend a range of lessons, visit the
school’s café, spend time with their Transition Leader and attend specially
arranged performances by our dance/drama students.
28 November
Principal’s Reception
On the same day that your child attends Orientation Day, you will be
invited to attend a Reception with the Principal, Mrs Leila Bothams;
Associate Principal, Mr Peter Klifunis; members of staff; and
representatives of the P&C and the School Board.
2 February 2015
Students’ first day of 2015