Proactive Wellbeing strategies – Mental Health Practitioner

I am pleased to welcome Mariani Lim to the school who has joined us in the Mental Health Practitioner position (MHP). The MHP’s main role is to develop whole school proactive strategies to improve wellbeing.

Proactive mental health strategies refer to activities, programs, and interventions that aim to promote positive mental health and prevent mental health problems. Several studies have shown that implementing such strategies in schools and communities can have a positive impact on teenage mental health.

For instance, one study found that a school-based mental health program that focused on building coping skills and resilience in teenagers reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among participants. Another study found that a mindfulness-based program for high school students reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression and improved emotional regulation skills.

Proactive mental health strategies can also help prevent the development of more serious mental health problems. For example, a study that examined the long-term impact of a school-based mental health program found that participants had lower rates of substance abuse, suicide attempts, and hospitalisations for mental health problems compared to non-participants.

Our THRIVE program’s main aim is to support students to develop their social and emotional skills which are essential to all aspects of life. Mariani will support the THRIVE team to further develop this important program, as well as developing inspiring new activities for our students.

We look forward to Mariani collaborating with the school community to improve mental health in our school community.

Mariani will be at the school two days a week. Week 1, Tuesday and Friday, Week 2, Thursday and Friday.

Annual Implementation Plan (AIP)

The AIP supports the school to achieve its strategic plan’s targets. Below are some of the key activities the school will undertake to support all students in 2023 and beyond.

• Provide ongoing support and resources to implement and embed the Positive Matrix school-wide
• Develop and implement high-quality Tier 2 (non-funded students with a learning or behavioural disability) Individual Education Plans
• Document and implement guaranteed and viable curriculum

• Guaranteed-each student has access to the same content
• Viable-enough time is given for students to learn the guaranteed curriculum

• Embed the FHS Instructional Model in all learning environments
• Develop school wide evidence based numeracy and literacy practices

Respectful Behaviours in Schools

One of our school’s primary missions is to nurture a safe, caring, and orderly learning environment that supports all students. In keeping with that goal, we would like to remind everyone of the importance of fostering and maintaining healthy, respectful relationships in the school community.

Our aim is to foster a culture of respect and acceptance, which means that everyone in our community should feel heard and valued. We urge parents/carers to talk to their children about treating others with kindness (respect in action), understanding and empathy. If we explicitly model our values and expected behaviours it will help our students recognise the importance of positive actions (being an Upstander) that promote cooperation and mutual support.

A web page has been created for parents/carers, linking Respectful Behaviours within the School Community Policy and with additional information and resources to support parents to engage positively with school staff, including the appropriate pathways for raising concerns or complaints with schools and other useful resources for parents.

The laws introduced by the Andrews Government in 2022 strengthen protections for school staff against parent and career aggression by empowering authorised persons, such as principals, to issue School Community Safety Orders in response to harmful, threatening, abusive or disruptive behaviour at work. The School Community Safety Order scheme was introduced to all schools in mid-2022.

Violent and aggressive behaviour has no place in today’s society, particularly in an educational setting such as Fairhills High School. Staff should not feel that being subjected to violence and aggression is part of the job and are encouraged to report any risks or incidents of violence and aggression to a member of the Principal class.

The vast majority of our school community Shows Respect (school value) on a day to day basis to the amazing staff at Fairhills High School. We are pleased that the Department has taken a strong stance on unacceptable behaviours.

Ian Van Schie
Principal

Fairhills High School Open Night

Fairhills High School Open Night will be held on:

Thursday 23 March 2023
Sports Stadium – 6.30pm

Our Open Night is a great opportunity for prospective students and parents to hear from our Principal, teachers and current students and to find out about our programs.

Register today:

https://www.trybooking.com/CGBYE

Please register your attendance today and you will go in the draw to win a Play Station 5, and a chance to win a $100 gift voucher.

Please note: The winners of the draw must be present on the night to collect their prize, otherwise there will be a re-draw.

We look forward to seeing you on the night.

Its been a busy few weeks in the Middle School. Our Year 7 students headed down to Phillip Island for their annual Year 7 Camp.
Students enjoyed the chance to get to know staff, make new friends and try a range of different activities.
The flying fox, high ropes and team building games provided many wonderful memories, while swimming, a visit to click and climb and amaze n things were highlights.

Having settled in well, we wish our newest students the best for the year ahead.

A very big thank you to our Year 7 Team Leader Sarah for all her hard work in organising the camp and to our support staff , Emma, Klaus, Edmund, Jesse, Ian and Ellen.

Once again this year the Year 9 Connect students participated in the Basketball Victoria Wheelchair clinic program.

The program aims to raise awareness of the sport and the importance of inclusion and accessibility for people with a disability or impairment in sport and recreation activities, whilst giving participants a real experience of Wheelchair Basketball.

The year 9’s sincerely and respectfully embraced the opportunity.

Silvana La Leggia
Middle School Leader

Year 7 Maths Scavenger Hunt

Last week, we designed a maths scavenger hunt activity for the year 7 cohort. We hid 30 maths problems in the middle school classrooms. The goal for the students was to find and answer as many questions as possible. Students worked in small groups and helped each other throughout the activity. Ardy, Adaya and Leo were the winners of this challenge. Excellent work! And big shout out to the year 7 maths team who worked super hard to put this together and made maths a lot more fun and engaging for all students!

Year 7 Camp

Egg Drop Project in 7/8 Machine Masters

The Year 7/8 students designed and built an egg drop device – a device that protects the egg when it’s dropped on the ground. Students brainstormed and researched ideas for the design, sketched their design on paper, brought the materials from home, and built the devices in class with the help from others. We tested the devices as a class, and most eggs survived the drop test! Impressive work!

It has been a busy few weeks for our Senior School students. Our Year 12 students attended a two day conference in Week 4. The first day was spent at Swinburne University (Hawthorn Campus) and the second day was spent at Deakin University. I was very proud of our students who attended the conference. They were polite and courteous at all times. I won’t say too much more about this fantastic event, as Ameisha, our Senior School leader, has provided some more detailed information for you below.

In other news, our Year 12 Biology students attended an excursion at KIOSC, to undertake practical work for their Unit 3 study. Additionally, our Year 11 and 12 Physics students attended an excursion to Luna Park on the Thursday 9 March, to gain some hands on experience of force and motion. Apparently, one of our students saw a neutron asking how much it was for a cold drink. The person behind the counter replied that for them it would be no charge!

Finally, a reminder to please check Compass ‘Learning Tasks’ for any upcoming assessment (Common Assessment Tasks – CATs and School Assessed Coursework – SACs). A reminder that ‘Coursework’ talks are a requirement for students studying Unit 1 & 3 and must be completed at least 48 hours prior to SACs. Please contact either Mr Hitchman (Year 10 Team Leader) Ms Henderson (Year 11 Team Leader) or Mr Stokes (Year 12 Team Leader & VCE Improvement Leader) if you have any questions regarding assessment.

Bill Exton
Assistant Principal Senior School

Year 12 Conference Thursday 23 and Friday 24 February

The Year 12 students had the chance to visit Deakin University (Burwood) and Swinburne University (Hawthorne) on 23 and 24 of February. We, students, had two days to explore the campuses of these local universities and come up with ideas for what might come next at the end of the year, and more specifically, where.

We had the opportunity to visit Swinburne University on February 23 and look at the various degrees and career paths they offered. We had the chance of touring the university campus and experience what it was like to be students there for a day. We gathered at Swinburne University to commence the day, where we heard from a presenter about the different programs the university offers. During our break for recess, during which we all indulged in the café Swinburne provided, we had the ability to explore the campus with a Swinburne University student. We enjoyed the well-being sessions with Mr. Stokes and Ms. Rundle, as well as team-building exercises, to wrap up our day.

We were given the opportunity to tour Deakin University on 24 February. Firstly, We were given a seminar by Elevate on exam strategies and how to maximize our time in Year 12. Ben, the presenter, encouraged many pleasant interactions among the students and provided us with a multitude of helpful information for the long term. We also visited a variety of places on Deakin University’s expansive campus with the aid of its students, which many of us found enjoyable.

We really appreciated the days, but more importantly, it made us consider what might be the most crucial next step in our higher education. We are all very fortunate for the chance we were given, especially considering that Covid hindered this excursion from taking place in prior years. We are additionally extremely grateful to Mr Stokes and the other teachers who helped make the conference possible.

Ameisha – Senior School Student Leader

Careers follow up from the conference – Individual pathways interviews.

Every student in year 12 will have a one-on-one interview with Careers and Pathways in term 1.

The purpose of these discussions is to establish goals and start researching the next step beyond the school gate. Students will be allocated a time.

All notes from these discussions will be emailed to students for use in planning open days, expo’s and personal research and planning.

Year 9 Insights – Morrisby profiling

The year 9 students will be undertaking their Careers profiling quiz in their Connect class on the 22 March.

This fantastic program is provided free of cost by the education department and is a brilliant way to start a career conversations and planning. The profile provides students with a detailed report of their attributes and strengths in a positive way – and makes links to Career possibilities.

This program requires Parent consent and this can be completed on Compass in events.

I would urge you to register your student for this amazing opportunity. Once the online quiz is completed students are provided with a comprehensive profile report and this report is unpacked in a one on one interview with a Morrisby trained Practitioner.

Dates:

Wednesday 22 March – Students undertake the online quiz – in Connect classes.

Once they completed their quiz Interviews will be scheduled on 22 and 23 May.

For more information please click on the links below

Morrisby Profile – Information for students – Bing video

Up coming Careers events – Term 2

School Tours

To book a School Tour go to: https://www.trybooking.com/CXMGH

We look forward to welcoming you and showing you around our great school.

2023 Term Dates

Year 7 and 10 Immunisations

As part of the National Immunisation Program, Knox City Council’s immunisation team will be visiting your child’s school to provide free Meningococcal ACWY vaccine to all Year 10 students.

Meningococcal disease is rare but very serious and can quickly become life-threatening. Older teenagers and young adults are most likely to carry the bacteria and spread it to others.

In 2023, the recommended doses for each vaccine offered in Year 7 are as follows:

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) – single dose

Diphtheria/Tetanus/Whooping Cough – single dose to boost previous child doses

Please open following link to Year 10 Secondary School Vaccine Program consent form. Please complete, sign and submit form by 5pm Friday 17th March.

Year 10 – Fairhills High School – Vaccine Consent Form

Year 7 – Fairhills High School – Vaccine Consent Form

The consent form must be completed and submitted electronically, regardless of whether the child is being vaccinated or not.

The Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019 authorises secondary schools to provide their local council with parent/guardian contact information for any student scheduled to receive a vaccination. This information assists local councils to follow-up parents/guardians of students with incomplete or missing consent cards. Your school may provide this information to local council upon request.

If you have any questions, please contact Health Services on 9298 8165 or email immunisation.services@knox.vic.gov.au or visit https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/immunisation-in-secondary-schools

2023 Parent Payments

2023 student charges are now listed on Compass under Payment Centre.  Parent payment contributions can be made through this area at any time.

General Office

The General Office hours are: 8.00am-4.00pm

Telephone: 9758 5022
Email: fairhills.hs@education.vic.gov.au

Parents, contractors, visitors and volunteers should always make contact with the General Office first when visiting the school or requiring to make contact with their child.

Appointments with teachers must be made via telephone or email.

Compass

Compass is the communication portal for Fairhills – https://fairhillshs-vic.compass.education/

Parents/carers are provided with log in details. For any questions or trouble logging in please contact the office. Using Compass allows parents/carers to have access to up-to-date information and the following features:

• Monitor attendance, and enter an explanation for absence or lateness
• Communicate with teachers
• Update contact details
• View their child’s timetable and the school calendar
• Monitor homework and assessment tasks
• Download and view semester reports
• Book parent-teacher-student interviews each semester
• Pay and provide consent for events and school contributions

Compass Events / Payment Centre / Course Confirmation

Please check Events regularly as these need to be consented/paid by the due date for your child to attend.  Also check out the Payment Centre and Course Confirmation sections.

Click here for the Compass Parent Guide

Student Absences

If your child will be absent or late due to illness or for any other reason, parents/guardians are able to:

• Mark their absence on Compass / or
• Send an email to the school: fairhills.hs@education.vic.gov.au / or
• Phone the absence hotline on 9758 5022. Leave a message after the prompt. The absence hotline is operational 24hrs a day, 7 days a week for your convenience.

Student’s arriving to school late should report to the General Office to receive a late pass.

If a student is required to leave school early for any reason they should bring a note from their parent/guardian and record this on Compass. All students are required to sign out from the General Office.  If they need to call home, they should come to the office.  Students should not use their mobiles.

COVID

If your child has COVID, please ring or email the school so we can record their absence accordingly.

Students who are family close contacts, must wear a mask whilst indoors and onsite and test regularly.  If you require RAT tests, please contact the General Office.

Parent Carpark – pick up and drop off

If you drop/pick up your children please ensure you:

• use the parent car park – not the staff/guest car park, except for those with a disability parking permit
• pull into a parent parking spot to let your child out/pick them up
• when exiting turn left onto Scoresby road (as per the sign)

Uniform Shop

The purchase of School Uniforms are now through Dandy Schoolwear in Dandenong.

Dandy Schoolwear

Factory 8, 169 Cheltenham Road, Dandenong
(03) 9792 0424

Monday to Friday – 9:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday – 9:30am to 2:00pm

Click here for the Uniform details and  Price List

Click here for the 2023 Fairhills High School Student Dress Code

Sustainable School Shop

Looking to buy or sell second hand books or uniforms?  Visit: www.sustainableschoolshop.com.au 

You can also find the following items:

• Calculators
• Sporting items
• Musical items
• Electronics & DVD’s
• Stationery

2023 Bell Times

Two different bell times run during the week:

• Monday, Wednesday and Friday
• Tuesday and Thursday (includes House Group)

2023 Team Leaders

CONGRATULATIONS to the following students who are the successful applicants for both our Year Level Leadership positions and our House Leader positions. We look forward to working with you this year.

YEAR LEVEL LEADERS
Year 11 Leaders – Karylle and Taylor
Year 10 Leader – Hayden
Year 9 Leaders – Jessica and Rylee
Year 8 Leader – Cooper
Year 7 Leaders – Adaya and Sebastian

HOUSE LEADERS
Green House – Ben and Mitchell
Red House – Bailey and Cooper
Yellow House – Annaliese and Zane
Blue House – Olivia and Codey

Fairhills High School Red Cross Lifeblood Team

Did you know that (thanks to our own Suzi Beasley) Fairhills High School has a Red Cross Lifeblood team?

This means that once you have registered as a member of this team, any blood, plasma, or platelet donation you make at any Red Cross Lifeblood Centre around Australia will not only save lives, but add one to our team tally. Anyone in our school community (over 18) can register to be a part of the Fairhills High School Lifeblood team.

To register:

• Log on to your donor profile
• Click on My Details, then Manage Preferences
• This will bring up a screen where you can join the Fairhills High School Team

Alternatively, you can just ask to join our team the next time you go in to donate.

For more details about being a Red Cross Lifeblood donor: https://www.lifeblood.com.au/lifeblood-of-australia?gclid=CjwKCAiArY2fBhB9EiwAWqHK6n7ZGId8ngjLSJ4_aJJaFYYEoTDCeV6LmXQFy7QHn4kfQjfBlOu4rxoCIQUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Saver Plus – helping take the stress out of back to school time

The Saver Plus community program has helped over 55,000 Australians take the stress out of back to school time. It’s free for eligible people to join.

At Saver Plus, we pair you with a savings coach while you budget and save over the next 10 months. You attend online workshops to learn tips, tricks and information to grow your budgeting and savings skills. Once you reach your agreed savings goal, ANZ matches your savings dollar-for-dollar, up to $500. You can use that money towards education costs such as uniforms, text books, laptops or extra-curricular activities such as sport or music.

You could be eligible to join Saver Plus if you:

• have a Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card
• are at least 18 years old
• have some regular income from work (you or your partner) including casual, part-time, full time or seasonal (we also accept child support and carer’s payment as income)
• have a child at school or attend vocational education yourself.

If you’re eligible, start now and we’ll help take the stress out of next year’s back to school.

To find out more, or to apply, go to www.saverplus.org.au or call 1300 610 355

Regional level school representation

Congratulations to some flute, clarinet, voice and trumpet students who have been nominated to represent Fairhills High School at a regional level. Mr James, Ms Turner and Mrs McAlister will prepare the students prior to the first rehearsal by learning the music in their weekly lessons.
Participation involves 2 full day workshops with other students in the North Eastern Regional Schools, in preparation of a performance at the renowned Hamer Hall in Melbourne.

Ted Talk

Please visit the following link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0JKCYZ8hng as it is an insight into the benefits of your child learning a musical instrument.

Discovery Night

Our first performance of the year is at Discovery Night. Some selected students will be invited to perform. Instrumental Music Teachers will directly discuss this with the student’s concerned.

Year 7 program

All year 7 students are now enrolled in an instrumental music lesson. Please see below photos.

Ensembles

All music ensembles are now beginning to rehearse during lunchtimes.

Instrumental Music Staff

Mr Luke James Trumpet, Trombone, Guitar, Percussion
Ms Nicole McAlister Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Guitar, Percussion
Ms Erica Sykes Violin, Guitar
Ms Jessy Turner Voice

If you have any queries regarding the instrumental music program please do not hesitate to contact me via email nicole.mcalister@education.vic.gov.au

Senior Volleyball

Senior Girls and Boys Volleyball took place Monday 27 February. The Senior Girls lost their first match, but then rallied together to win the rest of their pool matches which placed them in the Grand Final against Rowville West. The girls played exceptionally well and won the Grand Final, coming from behind to win after losing the first set. Great team effort!

The Senior Boys played really well and won four out of the five games they played. As the day progressed the boys improved but unfortunately just missed out on the Grand Final.

Intermediate Volleyball

On Thursday 9 March, three intermediate volleyball teams went out to Dandenong Volleyball Centre. We had two boys teams and one girls team. With all teams competing in B grade, it was a mostly successful day. We saw good communication and teamwork throughout the day leading to lots of wins. Great work.

It is hard to believe that we are already more than half way through Term 1!

We are really excited to now have our full wellbeing team in place with our new Mental Health Practitioner, Mariani Lim, having started with us this week. Mariani comes to us with some great schools experience and we look forward to her stepping into mental health promotion and education at Fairhills. Mariani will also be available for 1:1 counselling work with students. Referrals for students to see Mariani will follow existing wellbeing referral processes.

As a team we look forward to supporting our students and families in 2023 through counselling, groups, in-class wellbeing and mental health education and whole school awareness raising and mental health promotion campaigns and activities. Watch the wellbeing space!

Please see information below for accessing wellbeing support and check out lots of local and online supports for families and young people.

Peta Cartwright | Student Wellbeing Coordinator

The Team

Student Wellbeing Coordinator – Peta Cartwright/ Social Worker (3 days per week – Mon (Wk2), Tues Thurs, Fri)

School Chaplain – Gail Ackroyd/ Counsellor (2 days per week – Mon/Tues)

Mental Health Practitioner – Mariani Lim (2 days per week)

Counselling Intern – Eliza Wade (2 days per week- Tues, Thurs)

Counselling Intern – Sarah Ardiente (2 days per week – Tues, Fri)

Local and Online Services and Supports for Families and Young People

This webinar will give parents strength, tools and strategies to navigate the platform with your child or teen safely.

Thurs March 23rd 8pm Visit Tik Tok Webinar (parenttv.com) to sign up. Cost $19

The Ricci Marks Award recognises the individual achievements and aspirations of young (16-25) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in training, education, arts, sports, culture and community leadership. In 2004, the Award was named in honour of Ricci Marks, a proud Wotjobaluk man who, in his short life, made an outstanding contribution to his community.

In 2023, the winners will each receive a $5,000 grant with another $1,500 being granted to the winner of the Rising Star Award.

Link to more info: https://www.firstpeoplesrelations.vic.gov.au/ricci-marks-award

Nominations close 29 March 2023

Accessing support through Wellbeing: Students

The Wellbeing Team can support students to navigate challenges that may be impacting on their ability to engage in learning or general feelings of wellbeing. This can include: transitions and adjusting to change, family or relationship difficulties, grief and loss, mental health concerns, drug and alcohol concerns, and many other challenges that young people encounter.

An initial appointment with a member of the wellbeing team will be an assessment of need with the student or family which will help to decide the best support option for the student. Support options available through the Wellbeing Team are:

• Individual short term counselling, psychoeducation and skills development
• group programs
• referrals to external support agencies.
• students may also be encouraged to access self-help strategies or resources.

Referrals to see someone from the team are made through year level leaders. Parents, students or teachers with concerns are encouraged to speak to their year level leader. Students or parents can also make an appointment directly with someone from the Wellbeing Team by attending the Wellbeing Centre, calling the school office or contacting us via email at wellbeing@fairhillshs.vic.edu.au

Year level leaders who are made aware of concerns by a teacher will always endeavour to make contact with parents before referring a student to the Wellbeing team.

All counselling sessions with students are confidential and information is only shared if a student is deemed to be at risk of harm.

If you or anyone you know needs immediate support, please contact kidshelpline or lifeline on the numbers at the bottom of this page.

What’s on in Wellbeing?

The Wellbeing Centre is open at recess and lunchtime for students who need a quiet, safe place to regulate or access support. The centre is also used for lunchtime group programs which are advertised through compass or on notice boards.

Q-Squad, our LBGTQIA+ group runs every Thursday lunchtime.

More groups to come!

Accessing Support: Families

Most families, at some stage, need a little extra support to manage the normal challenges of life as well as the more difficult situations that arise. If you are experiencing hardship, stress or circumstances that are impacting on the wellbeing of your family life or your ability to cope, the Wellbeing Team can help to connect you with community services that can provide support. Please contact the Wellbeing Team via the school phone number or via email at wellbeing@fairhillshs.vic.edu.au

Breakfast Club

With the support of volunteers from local churches- Knox Baptist and Hillsong Church we are able to provide a breakfast club 5 days a week for our students, including a Pancake Breakfast every Thursday morning. All students are welcome.

Food Support for families in need

Each fortnight on a Tuesday after school from 2.48- 3.08pm we have food support available for families who may be in need, for whatever reason. We have a selection of frozen meals and pantry items that families can collect from the former school canteen area without question or judgement. We know that access to food can be a real challenge for some families and we feel strongly about supporting the basic needs of our students and families. Watch out for compass posts each fortnight.

External Food Support Options

Recently we received a wonderful donation of new books for our Library from Your Kids Next Read (YKNR). YKNR is an online guide for teachers, students and parents about children’s literature. Run by Librarians and Teachers, YKNR has both a website and a Facebook page as well as provides regular podcasts with Children’s Authors. Recommendations cover board books and picture books, to junior fiction, middle-grade novels and Young Adult books. If you are looking for your next read or a recommendation for your child, access YKNR and its many resources. We look forward to sharing these donated books with our students.

Ebara High School Japanese Students

Fairhills High School is hosting four Japanese students from Ebara High School in Tokyo during Term 1. We have held off telling you about them until we could report on their experiences first hand.

The students have been attending regular classes with Fairhills students, and helping out in Year 7 Japanese classes. This has been an amazing opportunity for our students to learn Japanese in a practical, authentic way. The Year 7s have demonstrated their enthusiasm by greeting their Japanese teachers in Japanese in the yard, and extending their knowledge way beyond what is expected. すごい！ (brilliant!).

The Ebara students have also had the amazing opportunity to attend VET Dance classes on Wednesdays. They have worked with Zoe Coppinger, who has just come off stage in the professional production of ‘9-5, the Dolly Parton Musical’. Thank you to Mr. Edmund Chow our wonderful International Student Coordinator who has driven them to and from Fairhills every Wednesday.

While here Maiko celebrated her birthday with cake and Tim Tams. The students love Tim Tams!

Thank you also to all staff and students who have welcomed them into our community. A special thank you to Elissa and Mimi who have acted as student buddies, and Makalya and Angelina from Year 7 who have written them lovely notes in Japanese.

Jessica Winstone, Learning Area Coordinator – Languages

Japanese language assistant

Fairhills has been fortunate enough to be part of the Language Assistant Program run by DET. This has brought us the wonderful Shione Fukumoto for one day a week.

Shione has been helping our students learn Japanese in an authentic way. Being a native speaker she has taught students to pronounce Japanese correctly. Our Year 7s in particular have amazingly correct pronunciation thanks to Shione. In a pre-test Winstone sensei could not fault one of them; an amazing achievement.

Shione has also been working with Year 8s in small groups to extend their knowledge. This has provided opportunities for extension activities which have benefited the students so much.

Shione is also helping one of our senior students in her VCE studies. Shione’s expertise in current culture will be invaluable in preparing this student for her oral exam in particular.

Our Japanese exchange students have also benefited from Shione’s advice on transitioning into Australian daily and school life.

To have a native speaker assistant is an amazing opportunity for our school.

Host Families for Japanese Students Needed Urgently!

We are still in urgent need of host families for Japanese students. The students will attend school from Monday March 27 to Wednesday March 29. They will go to classes with their host student. They will then go on independent excursions on Thursday 30 March and Friday 31 March.

If possible we would ask host families to host from Monday 27 March to Friday 31 March. There would be a payment of $235 per student to provide 3 meals a day and any transport to and from school.

All members of the host family 18 and above need to have a Working With Children Check. A copy needs to be provided to the office. If you don’t have a Working With Children Check you can apply for one here. Please apply as a volunteer in which case there is no fee.
https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/

The students range in age from 13 to 17. You don’t have to be studying Japanese to host. It’s a great opportunity to make a new friend and learn about cool Japanese culture.
Please consider hosting for this short time. The group was due to be hosted in New South Wales, but their stay was cancelled at short notice. Fairhills is helping them out. KSKK is the organisation we have organised our school trips to Japan through, so who knows; in the future maybe you can travel to Japan and meet the student you hosted!
Please contact Jessica Winstone the Languages Leader for more details and a hosting application form.

Calling all Fairhills High School former students who’ve followed a legal career pathway…

You are invited to an exclusive cocktail event and fundraiser bringing together alumni from all Ourschool’s partner schools, studying, or working in the legal field, as well as other Ourschool friends.

Very kindly sponsored by Herbert Smith Freehills, the evening features a fabulous Q&A panel with esteemed special guests, canapes, and refreshments, all included in the ticket price of $20pp.

All proceeds go towards ensuring Ourschool continues our work building powerful alumni communities in government public schools, inspiring current students and strengthening the whole school community.

Please see below for timings and to book your tickets today – be quick they’re going fast! (*Don’t forget to bring a friend also connected to the legal world – it’s a great networking opportunity!).

Save The Date – Fairhills is 50!

In 2023, Fairhills High School Knoxfield celebrates 50 years of history-making, a significant achievement for any school or organization.

Our 50th anniversary will be a memory to hold for all current and former students, staff, parents, and the community. As an amazing school, we want to share our experiences of the last 50 years and look back to see how the school has changed from 1973 to now, 2023, and see just how far it has come.

Across Friday 6 and Saturday 7 October, Fairhills High School Knox is delighted to play host, and invite you to join us celebrating the people, the stories, and the growth of the school over the last half-century and looking ahead to the next 50 years…

Planning is underway on a terrific line-up of exciting events and activities across the two days for all members of the Fairhills High School family- and we hope that all our staff, students, parents and community members – both past and present – will be able to join us in celebrating our fantastic school!

The future is bright for Fairhills, be part of it!