Principal’s Report
Year 12 Valedictory Ceremony
Tom Price SHS held their 2020 Valedictory Ceremony in the Performing Arts Centre on Friday 23rd October. The students looked fabulous in their graduation gowns and it was wonderful to see so many parents supporting their final school function. Despite the COVID 19 restrictions there were still a number of special guests who attended from local businesses and community organisations, many of whom sponsored awards on the day.
We wish all the students the very best with their aspirations into 2021 and beyond, with a number of students already accepting Universities and State Training Provider positions, others having applied for apprenticeships both locally and wider afield with some already being successful in gaining employment.
Student Enrolment Information 2021
The school is well into planning for the 2021 school year. Under the Department of Education’s Student Centred Funding Model, all state schools are funded based on student enrolments.
Year 6 enrolment packages for 2021 are being sent out this week and we would appreciate the prompt return to the front office. Our projected numbers for 2021 are tracking towards 300.
Fogarty EDvance
One of the key strategies that Tom Price SHS (as well as both Tom Price primary schools) has researched through the Fogarty program is Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI). Three staff from the High School completed an EDI “masterclass’ program in 2019, with a further 11 staff currently completing the program. We have high expectations the impact of this strategy (with others) will increase student outcomes.
Tactical Teaching
All staff have commenced (or revising) Tactical Teaching Reading and Writing. The course resources aim to help teachers maximise effective teaching and learning techniques across a range of learning areas. The teaching activities and practices will support and challenge students and explores different ways of supporting students in their reading and writing. Thank you to Teliah Turrill, who has taken the opportunity to complete the Train the Trainer course to provide the professional learning to staff.
Mobile Phones
The State Government has announced a Student Mobile Phones in Public Schools policy to take effect from the start of 2020.
There were changes made to Tom Price SHS’s mobile phone policy with the key aspects being, students;
- Can have a mobile phone in their possession during the school day, however
- Must have their mobile phones turned off and out of sight during the school day.
- Smart watches on ‘flight mode’,
- No listening accessories such as headphones and earbuds.
There are exemptions for students;
- to monitor health conditions as part of their documented health care plan,
- specific purposes directed by the teacher.
CoRE
The Core Showcase is being held on Wednesday 25th November in the PAC, acknowledging the students hard work and many achievements. This year the program expanded into Year 9 as well as in both Tom Price primary schools and Paraburdoo primary school will be participating in 2021.
In addition, CoRE creator and science educator Suzy Urbaniak won the 2020 WA Local Hero award. Suzy Urbaniak wants young people to understand how to apply science to the real world. The former Newcrest geoscientist, WA science teacher and mentor developed and leads her own earth sciences program, the Centre of Resources Excellence (CoRE). An innovative science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) program, CoRE brings together education, industry, community and government to create meaningful careers in the resources industry.
Year 5/6 Transition
We have currently commenced having two days of transition with year 5/6 classes from each of the primary schools. We welcome the students and will also be having an Information Evening for Year 6 parents whose children will be attending Tom Price SHS in 2021 during Week 8 – Thursday 3rd December at Tom Price SHS commencing at 6.30pm
OLNA Testing
We have had some very positive results from our most recent tests with the following statistics showing the number of students who have passed this test (Category 3) very close to passing (Category 2) and requiring support (Category 1);
| Year 9 – Totals | Numeracy | Reading | Writing |
| Category 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Category 2 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
| Category 3 | 27 | 28 | 28 |
| Year 10 – Totals | Numeracy | Reading | Writing |
| Category 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Category 2 | 13 | 8 | 7 |
| Category 3 | 30 | 34 | 33 |
| Year 11 – Totals | Numeracy | Reading | Writing |
| Category 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Category 2 | 12 | 6 | 4 |
| Category 3 | 30 | 35 | 37 |
| Year 12 – Totals | Numeracy | Reading | Writing |
| Category 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Category 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Category 3 | 32 | 30 | 31 |
Andrew Jack
Principal
Ceremony in the Performing Arts centre on Friday 23rd October. The students looked fabulous in their graduation gowns and it was wonderful to see so many parents supporting their final school function. Despite the COVID 19 restrictions there were still a number of special guests who attended from local businesses and community organisations, many of whom sponsored awards on the day.
We wish all the students the very best with their aspirations into 2021 and beyond, with a number of students already accepting Universities and State Training Provider positions, others having applied for apprenticeships both locally and wider afield with some already being successful in gaining employment.
Student Enrolment Information 2021
The school is well into planning for the 2021 school year. Under the Department of Education’s Student Centred Funding Model, all state schools are funded based on student enrolments.
Year 6 enrolment packages for 2021 are being sent out this week and we would appreciate the prompt return to the front office. Our projected numbers for 2021 are tracking towards 300.
Fogarty EDvance
One of the key strategies that Tom Price SHS (as well as both Tom Price primary schools) has researched through the Fogarty program is Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI). Three staff from the High School completed an EDI “masterclass’ program in 2019, with a further 11 staff currently completing the program. We have high expectations the impact of this strategy (with others) will increase student outcomes.
Tactical Teaching
All staff have commenced (or revising) Tactical Teaching Reading and Writing. The course resources aim to help teachers maximise effective teaching and learning techniques across a range of learning areas. The teaching activities and practices will support and challenge students and explores different ways of supporting students in their reading and writing. Thank you to Teliah Turrill, who has taken the opportunity to complete the Train the Trainer course to provide the professional learning to staff.
Mobile Phones
The State Government has announced a Student Mobile Phones in Public Schools policy to take effect from the start of 2020.
There were changes made to Tom Price SHS’s mobile phone policy with the key aspects being, students;
- Can have a mobile phone in their possession during the school day, however
- Must have their mobile phones turned off and out of sight during the school day.
- Smart watches on ‘flight mode’,
- No listening accessories such as headphones and earbuds.
There are exemptions for students;
- to monitor health conditions as part of their documented health care plan,
- specific purposes directed by the teacher.
CoRE
The Core Showcase is being held on Wednesday 25th November in the PAC, acknowledging the students hard work and many achievements. This year the program expanded into Year 9 as well as in both Tom Price primary schools and Paraburdoo primary school will be participating in 2021.
In addition, CoRE creator and science educator Suzy Urbaniak won the 2020 WA Local Hero award. Suzy Urbaniak wants young people to understand how to apply science to the real world. The former Newcrest geoscientist, WA science teacher and mentor developed and leads her own earth sciences program, the Centre of Resources Excellence (CoRE). An innovative science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) program, CoRE brings together education, industry, community and government to create meaningful careers in the resources industry.
Year 5/6 Transition
We have currently commenced having two days of transition with year 5/6 classes from each of the primary schools. We welcome the students and will also be having an Information Evening for Year 6 parents whose children will be attending Tom Price SHS in 2021 during Week 8 – Thursday 3rd December at Tom Price SHS commencing at
OLNA Testing
We have had some very positive results from our most recent tests with the following statistics showing the number of students who have passed this test (Category 3) very close to passing (Category 2) and requiring support (Category 1);
| Year 9 – Totals | Numeracy | Reading | Writing |
| Category 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Category 2 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
| Category 3 | 27 | 28 | 28 |
| Year 10 – Totals | Numeracy | Reading | Writing |
| Category 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Category 2 | 13 | 8 | 7 |
| Category 3 | 30 | 34 | 33 |
| Year 11 – Totals | Numeracy | Reading | Writing |
| Category 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Category 2 | 12 | 6 | 4 |
| Category 3 | 30 | 35 | 37 |
| Year 12 – Totals | Numeracy | Reading | Writing |
| Category 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Category 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Category 3 | 32 | 30 | 31 |
Andrew Jack
Principal