Cunderdin District High School

Term 2 2024 Newsletter

"STRIVE TO BE YOUR BEST'

From the Admin Team - Mr Jasper, Miss Hoskins and Mr Hill

What a way to finish off what was a long term with some unusually warm weeks, but the end has arrived. The students and staff have worked hard this semester and I am pleased to say that their reports reflect their perseverance and hard work, with each student striving to be their best. The students should all be congratulated on their efforts and carry this rigor through to Semester 2.

STAFFING UPDATE

Due to various circumstances, there will be some changes to our staffing for Term 3.

Miss Rachel Subhaya will be departing our school and transferring to a permanent position at Northam Senior High School. Miss Subhaya’s experience in explicit instruction and the coaching she has done with our primary students and staff will be sorely missed. Miss Subhaya has been at Cunderdin District High School (CDHS) on and off since 2016. Her last day at CDHS will be Friday 26 of July. We are currently in the process of acquiring a new Secondary English/HASS teacher to commence as soon as possible.

Miss Dalena Reynders will be replacing Mrs Kate Jenzen in the Year 1/2 class while she is on maternity leave. Miss Reynders will work alongside Mrs Jenzen for the first half of Term 3, with Mrs Jenzen taking leave midterm. This process will allow our year 1/2 children a smooth transition between staff. Miss Reynders has recently completed her final practicum in Kindy/Pre-Primary here at CDHS and has a real understanding of our students and culture, returning as a teacher and previously a student. We wish her all the best in this position as Year 1/2 teacher.

Miss Chloe Kirk has been appointed the primary DOTT provider for the primary school. She will teach 3 days a week and has also recently completed her final practicum here at CDHS in Year 2/3. We congratulate Miss Kirk on her appointment and wish her all the success as she continues to provide evidence-based, high impact teaching practices.

Mrs Amy Freind has extended her teaching days. She will continue as Kindy pre-primary teacher and will extend an extra day to be our Year 1/2 DOTT provide. We are extremely fortunate to have a teacher of Amy’s experience and quality supporting our students as they continue their early childhood education.

Mr Terrence Chivers will return as our Design and Technology Teacher in Semester 2. Our Year 7 and 8 students will have woodwork in both Terms 3 and 4, allowing for a more continued development of their woodwork skills. We welcome Mr Chivers back to CDHS.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY

We thank the parents for being so understanding and accommodating with the change of the Staff development day from the 15 of July to the 12 of August. Our School is lucky enough to have been selected to partner with South Halls Head Primary School in our as Quality Teaching Strategy partner school. This initiative allows CDHS to strengthen our teaching pedagogy and further embed whole school evidence-based, high impact teaching practices that are aligned with the Teaching for Impact tool and the Western Australian Curriculum.

REPRESENTATIVE CARNIVALS

During Term 2 Cunderdin DHS had the pleasure of participating in a number of representative carnivals, including the Primary and Secondary Winter Carnivals and West Coast Fever Netball Carnivals. It is always such a joy to hear that on each of these occasions the students do a great job of representing our school. The feedback from our own school community and also those of other schools is that the students of Cunderdin are always well-behaved and well-mannered. They always display great sportsmanship and are known for always trying their best. Congratulations to all our students for positively promoting the name of Cunderdin DHS and well done to our winners of the primary netball cup. Goodluck to the cross-country competitors on Friday also.

REPORTING TO PARENTS

It is that time of the year again. Student reports went home Friday 21, June. The reports were emailed home, please ensure you have downloaded your report as per the email instructions. Please take the time to share in your child/ren’s successes and future goals. Every student has a positive aspect to their report and should be proud of their achievements and work towards their focus goals for Semester 2.

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)

PBS is a collaborative (team-based), educative, proactive, and functional process to promote positive behaviour and develop effective interventions for inappropriate behaviour.

As part of our PBS Framework, across the school, we are implementing a practical methodology, Play is the Way. Using this program, we aim for our students to develop independence, self-motivation and management, empathy, create a safe learning environment where they can pursue their personal best.

In recent weeks, staff have been engaging with classes playing a variety of games during morning fitness times. These games allow students to develop necessary skills in self and social management and awareness. It has been wonderful to see so many smiling faces, laughter and fun being had in these sessions and staff engaging with students outside of their own classrooms.

Mr Hill 

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS

What has been happening in the K/P with Mrs Chant?

This term has been long and busy for everyone down in Kindy/Pre-Primary. 11 weeks is a long time but we have done some amazing things and completed some great activities.

Wednesday, 8 May we excitedly invited the MAGIC people in our lives into our classroom for a morning of pampering and love. Mother’s, aunties, grandmothers and important carers all came in to join the fun. There was lots of fantastic hair styles and manicures. We also made bracelets and biscuits together. It was a wonderful way for us to share our love of these people.

Literacy

During our literacy learning this term, the Pre-primary students have been very busy learning the sounds that letters represent. We are then using this letter sound knowledge to blend sounds together to create words for both reading and writing. Recently started testing ourselves out with some dictation. In our grammar lesson, we have been learning about sentences and how to make them interesting. We know that to make sentences more interesting, we can include, who, what, where and when.

Our Talk 4 Writing story this term has been The Very Hungry Caterpillar. We have had lots of fun exploring caterpillars and butterflies while also learning the story and innovating on the story to create our own characters. We enjoyed the felt pictures, the flower garden and the resin insects.

Mathematics

Our Mathematics focus this semester has been about learning teen numbers. We practise counting every day and are getting very good at it. Pre-Primary students have also been learning about addition. We are getting very good at adding small collections.

This term we were very lucky to have Miss Dalena Reynders in our classroom to complete her final practicum as a student teacher. We enjoyed having Miss Reynders in our classroom we wish her all the very best in her teaching career. 

The last day of this term will be our Faction Cross Country afternoon. The Kindy and Pre-primary students have been very busy practicing running during our sport lessons. We look forward top seeing you all on the day.

Mrs Chant

Kindy / Pre-primary activities

Year 1/2 Class with Mrs Jenzen

It has been a very busy term in Room 6!  We have had many fun learning opportunities and we have been working very hard to improve in our learning both in and out of the classroom.

Our Class Focus:

This term we have been focusing on being our best, both in and out of class. Each week the students have come up with different goals on what they would like to work on. Some examples of these have been keeping our hands and feet to ourselves, using kind words to others, showing respect by listening when others are speaking.

Writing:

In writing this term we have focused on a recount text called “Our Trip to the Farm”. This text is part of the Talk for Writing program which has helped us to produce recounts based on real life events including weekend and holiday recounts.

Reading:

This term we have read two class novels, which students have really engaged in. We have also been continuing our reading groups program with small group rotations of independent reading, reading games, and shared reading.

Mathematics:

Throughout this term we have explored place-value, time, and measurement. We have continued to revise concepts that we have learnt through fun games such as maths bingo, speedy maths, Mathletics, and interactive maths games.

Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS):

This term in HASS we have been learning about the past, present, and future. We have discussed the differences in families, communication, and toys of the past and the present.

Indonesian:

We are Indonesian number geniuses in this classroom, and we are now starting to learn numbers to 30. We have learnt about Indonesian colours and some simple greetings including introducing ourselves.

Mrs Jenzen

Year 1/2 classroom activities

Year 2/3 Classroom happenings with Mrs Packham

Term 2 in Year 2/3 has been filled with exciting learning experiences and adventures, thanks to the support of Miss Kirk, Mrs. Harvey, and Mrs. Tindal.

English

In English, we delved into various writing genres, including Procedures and Narratives, while exploring the intricacies of language through the study of nouns, adjectives, verbs, and adverbs. We also experimented with poetic forms like Limericks and Shape poems, exploring literary devices such as alliteration and similes to enhance our writing.

Our reading journey expanded with the introduction of Reading Groups, where we engaged with Aussie Decodable Readers on iPads, tackled Reading comprehension and Grammar activities and enjoyed Reading Games all providing opportunities for independent and collaborative work in small groups, supported by teacher guidance.

Mathematics

In Mathematics, our focus encompassed a range of topics including place value, addition with regrouping, money, time, bar graphs, tallies, and measurement using centimeters and meters. Through hands-on activities like sorting packs of skittles and creating bar graphs, measuring lolly snakes in centimeters, and engaging in various games to grasp place value and multiplication tables, we developed a deeper understanding of these mathematical concepts.

Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)

In HASS, the students have been exploring the history of communities, examining how they have changed over time and understanding our role in local communities. In Civics and Citizenship, they've discussed rules and consequences, learning about the necessity and importance of rules in society and evaluating whether rules are fair for everyone. They also engaged in a ballot voting process to decide which is tastier, Skittles or Lollipops! Skittles won and we all enjoyed a yummy pack to eat.

Indonesian

In Indonesian, the students were introduced to counting from Satu to Sepuluh (1-10) in Indonesian. The entire class practiced diligently, especially during number snap games! They then compared birthday celebrations in Australia and Indonesia, with students observing significant differences in traditions. In the final weeks of the term, the students have been working on the unit "Off to School," identifying classroom resources and equipment and practicing using the new LanguageNut program on the iPads.

Enjoy your holidays with your families.

Mrs Packham

Year 2/3 Classroom

Year 4/5 Classroom with Miss Couper

Term two has been an action packed term! From our assembly to an excursion to the Cunderdin Police Station, but of course the Year 4/5 class has worked hard and been flexible! 

Literacy

Throughout the term we have been exploring both narrative and discussion texts. We dived into using Talk 4 Writing this term, where we were internalising a text through actions and memorisation. This led to lots of great writing with complex sentence, descriptive language and the use of setting the mood. We are still exploring the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, this term we have looked at the Famous Bay in South America and the Northern Lights. 

Mathematics

This term we have been enjoying the challenge of exploring multiplication of two digit and three-digit numbers. We have also been experimenting with area, perimeter, time and measurements. We have been enjoying our fast-paced interactive daily reviews, where each student gets competitive with themselves to beat their previous score. 

Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)

We have had a busy term for HASS! We have been learning about rules and laws, which we presented our assembly based off them. We also were lucky enough to have a virtual tour of the Parliament House in Perth and to walk to the police station to learn more about laws. For the rest of the term we will be learning about Citizenship.

Indonesian

This term we have been experimenting with the new Language Nut app, which all the students have been enjoying. We have been learning numbers above thirty and learning about describing our peers appearance and personality.  

Year 4/5 Excursion

The Year 4/5 class was lucky enough to take a trip to the Cunderdin Police Station, we were greeted by Officer Dan, Sargent Chris and Marilyn, who were polite enough to give us a tour of the station. During our tour we were lucky enough to see the old cells, look through the police car, try on parts of the police uniform, do fingerprints and ask the police lots of questions. The Year 4/5 class are super grateful for the opportunity to see what’s happening in the police station and make connections to our HASS unit. 

Miss Couper

Year 4/5 Excursion

Year 5/6 Class with Mr Air

Term 2 in Room 3 has been a big one; camp, reports, West Coast Fever Primary Netball Cup, Primary Winter Carnival, the list goes on and on. That hasn’t stopped us from getting stuck in, though. 

Mathematics

In Mathematics, we have been solving problems with fractions, decimals and percentages, and looking at the relationships between them.  Students have delved into measurement concepts, such as area, perimeter, capacity and volume. Nearing the end of the term, we are bringing them all together with everyone's favourite, MONEY! 

Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)

This term in HASS we are studying Economics which is also all about money and how we spend it.  Year 6 students are learning about the roles of business and Year 5 students are learning about resources and the way they interact to get us the thing we want and need , with a couple of reminders about the difference.

English

In English,  we are working on some new spellings and affixes, and using some more complex punctuation. The spelling words have been going up on Connect, so parents can check what the students are currently are up to with their spelling at https://connect.det.wa.edu.au/. Talk 4 Writing is all about discussion texts and learning to see both sides of an argument; an invaluable skill that will help everyone get along, both in and out of school. 

Mr Air

Year 5/6 Camp

Our Year 5/6 students had an incredible camp filled with exciting adventures and learning opportunities. Over the week, students immersed themselves in a variety of activities that fostered teamwork, resilience, and personal growth. 

Students unleashed their creativity by making colorful kites, learning about aerodynamics and design principles while enjoying the thrill of flying their creations against the backdrop of clear blue skies.

At the WA Museum, students embarked on a thrilling adventure of code-cracking and historical discovery, exploring exhibits that brought Western Australia's rich heritage to life. This interactive experience challenged their problem-solving skills and ignited their curiosity about the past. 

A standout highlight of the camp was the visit to Scitech, where students engaged in hands-on science experiments and explored exhibits that sparked wonder and curiosity.

The camp also included adrenaline-pumping activities such as facing fears on the towering big swing, where students cheered each other on to conquer personal challenges and build trust within their teams. The archery session provided an opportunity for precision and focus, as students aimed for bullseyes under the guidance of experienced instructors, honing their concentration and aiming skills.

Our evenings were filled with fun and laughter as students participated in a variety of engaging activities. One night featured a lively quiz where students demonstrated their knowledge across various subjects, fostering camaraderie and a sense of achievement. On another occasion, we organised Spotlight, encouraging teamwork and outdoor exploration. Additionally, 'Escape The Night' offered a thrilling team-based scavenger hunt across the campsite, challenging participants to work together to find hidden objects while navigating the watchful eyes of rangers. These activities not only provided enjoyment but also promoted collaboration and strategic thinking among the students.

A special thanks to Mr Air for organising and participating in the camp. We also extend a huge thank you to Tyrone Farrar for generously giving up his time to join us as a parent helper for the week.

Miss Hoskins

Year 5/6 Camp

Primary Winter Carnival

On Friday 24th May the Year 4-6 students travelled to Dowerin to participate in the Primary Winter Carnival. CDHS were represented by two netball and two football teams who competed fiercely throughout the day, showing excellent sportsmanship and camaraderie. Well done to all students who participated on the day!

Miss Linton

Primary Winter Carnival

West Coast Fever Primary Netball Cup

We are thrilled to share that our school took three teams to compete in the West Coast Fever Primary School Netball Cup in Northam. These teams were made up of Year 4 to 6 students. Each team showcased exceptional skills and sportsmanship on the day, representing our school with pride.

A special congratulations goes to the Year 5/6 Green Team, who emerged victorious in their division by winning the Grand Final against Beverley. Well done to all participants for their outstanding effort and commitment on the day. It was excellent to see so many primary students involved! 

Miss Hoskins

West Coast Fever Primary Netball Carnival

We are thrilled to share that our school took three teams to compete in the West Coast Fever Primary School Netball Cup in Northam. These teams were made up of Year 4 to 6 students. Each team showcased exceptional skills and sportsmanship on the day, representing our school with pride.

A special congratulations goes to the Year 5/6 Green Team, who emerged victorious in their division by winning the Grand Final against Beverley. Well done to all participants for their outstanding effort and commitment on the day. It was excellent to see so many primary students involved! 

Miss Hoskins

West Coast Fever Primary Netball Cup

Secondary Science with Mrs Lee

Year 7/8 Science

This term is Chemical Sciences!

Our year 7/8 students have been focusing on the particle model including the relationship between atoms, elements, and compounds. More recently they have been exploring in the lab conducting investigations to identify whether a change is physical or chemical. 


Year 9/10 Science

This term is Chemical Sciences!

Our year 9/10 students have been focusing on atoms, elements, and the periodic table. They have learned about isotopes, ions and radiation. Below are some photos from the students creating their own element using edible subatomic particles. Most recently they conducted an investigation to see the effects of a chemical reaction and to explore Conservation of Mass.

Mrs Lee

Secondary Science

Secondary Health

This term in Year 9/10 health students have been learning some basic first aid skills as preparation for their Keys for Life course next term. Students have enjoyed the practical aspects of these lessons, and all demonstrated a responsible attitude toward learning these important skills!

Miss Linton

Secondary English

This has been a busy term for the high school students. Students studied for their exams, demonstrated their understanding of short story learnt this semester and wrote a character analysis essay. They were also introduced to Visual Literacy to study viewing techniques. 

Year 7/8

Year 7/8 students had the opportunity to study the deeper meaning of pictures and images using picture books in Visual Literacy. Students studied ‘Home and Away’ picture book. These books are written and illustrated by Australians. Pictures in these books tell a story and hidden in those pictures. They evoke sympathy and empathy. Students learnt visual literacy techniques through these picture books:  colours, shapes, juxtaposition, motifs, camera shots, angles, shades, symbolism, allegory, foreground and background. They created their own picture books with a focus on one of the themes: friendship, love, family, survival, loneliness. 

Year 9/10

Year 9/10 students studied short stories and created a short story using their author’s style. They learnt to write short answers using analytical structure. Currently, students are viewing and analysing a Film ‘Mulan’ PG. They use film codes and conventions to analyse and write extended answers. 

Miss Subhaya

Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)

Year 7/8

In HASS, Year 7/8 students focus on Civics and Citizenship. Topics such as: federation, the structure of the Australian Government, Levels of government, separation of powers, federal election, and the Legal system. Students selected a topic and worked in pairs to research and collect information. They created posters with pictures and information to present the topic to the class. 

Year 9/10

Year 9/10 students learnt about the different forms of government. They then chose to research and collect information to create posters of the government and legal system of different countries. Students enjoyed writing information and collaborating with each other. 

Miss Subhaya

Secondary Art

Year 9/10 students preferred to create art pieces of their choice. Some students created Dot painting while others created 3D whale and goanna using papier mâché, paint, pop sticks and cardboard. Their end product exhibits their artistic skills and talents.

Miss Subhaya  

Cunderdin District High School