Cunderdin District High School

What a year 2024 has been, it is hard to believe that the year has now come and gone. Thank you to all our families and community members for your support this year, together we have achieved so much in what is a short period of time. Thank you to our wonderful staff, School Board, P & C, but most of all the families that make up this great school.

QUALITY TEACHING STRATEGY

The Quality Teaching Strategy (QTS) has been a key focus this year as we continue to build a culture of teaching excellence and refine our classroom practices. As part of this, we have been working closely with our lead school, South Halls Head Primary School. Cunderdin District High School (CDHS) Educators had the opportunity to visit and observe their approach to explicit instruction, which has become a focus this year. Explicit instruction is a structured and systematic approach where teachers clearly model and explain concepts to ensure all students understand the material. By bringing these strategies back to our school, we’ve been able to refine our practices, incorporating explicit lessons and daily reviews to reinforce learning and help students retain key information. This collaboration with South Halls Head PS has been invaluable in enhancing our teaching methods, and we are committed to continuously improving our approach to ensure the best outcomes for our students at CDHS.

PBS  (Positive Behavious Support)

CDHS is continuing to further develop and refine our Positive Behaviour Support approach across 2024 and look forward to gaining further momentum in 2025. This year saw the PBS shop opened for secondary students, acknowledging positive student behaviour by utilising our great Expectation Tickets as a form of currency, allowing students to purchase incentives. We greatly appreciate the support we received from the Cunderdin DHS P & C committee and the Cunderdin Lion Club in assisting in making this initiative a reality.

In the Primary space, students are utilising the Great Expectation tickets to tally class totals, working towards incentives and acknowledgement activities. This is proving to be effective and create a sense of belonging in each classroom for each child. We continue to use the Play is The Way program in assisting our students to demonstrate self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and social management and have seen progress and improvements across the school.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those involved on the PBS committee for their dedication and assistance across this year.

WHEATBELT BALL

On Friday, 22 November,  31 Cunderdin students attended the Wheatbelt Ball hosted by York DHS at the York Racecourse. York,  Beverley, Brookton,  Quairading and Cunderdin District High Schools all had a fun filled evening, students danced the night away and engaging with students from other Wheatbelt schools. With a “Barbie” theme, students dressed to impress and had a fantastic time. Thank you to York DHS for organising this event and inviting us to take part.

YEAR 7/8 TRY A TRADE – Western Australia College of Agriculture Cunderdin (WACoA)

On Friday, 25 October,  Year 7/8 students were invited to participate in the WACoA try a trade day. Students participated in hands on learning from WACoA staff in woodwork, metalwork, and automotive workshops. This was an invaluable experience for our students to gain insight into potential coursework available to them for Year 11 and 12 studies.  On behalf of Cunderdin DHS, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to WACoA Cunderdin for the opportunity to participate in this great initiative.

KINDERGARTEN INDUCTION

Our 2025 Kindy Induction was held on Monday, 25 November. It was terrific to meet parents and discuss what occurs in Kindergarten, clarify questions and start to develop a relationship with new families. It was great to see our new Kindy students enjoying their time in the classroom and in the playground.

2025 STAFFING

This time of the year is always full of mixed emotions and with many much-loved staff members moving on, this year is no exception. On behalf of the staff, students and school community we would like to acknowledge Mrs Maddelin Lee, Mrs Rosalie Packham, Mr Benjamin Air and Mrs Taytum Harvey for their considerable contribution to our school. We wish you all the very best for the future and whatever it may hold.

The process for the High School Maths/Science teacher is now complete and we can welcome Mrs Renee Tozer to the position. Our Primary Specialist Teacher position is now filled by Miss Lucy Gibson, both new staff will be moving to Cunderdin in the new year. We look forward to welcoming them to our school in 2025. Ms Emma Linton will be returning from long service leave and will be picking up the Physical Education and Health portfolio.

We will also be welcoming back Mr Jonathon Arnott as Principal and Mr Paul Jasper will move back to Secondary Deputy and Mr Cameron Hill will move back to Year 5/6 teacher. We thank Mr Hill for all his hard work and dedication to the role of Secondary Deputy for 2024.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

Congratulations to the outgoing Student Leaders on their achievements this year and the positive manner in which they lead the student body. We hope they have developed a range of skills that will assist them in the future and they enjoyed their time as a leader.

The election of the 2025 Student Council and the 2025 Faction Captains was held during Week 9 of Term 4. Prior to voting taking place, Student Council and Faction Captain nominees were required to prepare and present an election speech to the Year 4-9 student body and staff. We had 15 Student Council and 10 Faction Captain nominations and the students are to be congratulated on the quality of their speeches and their sound preparation.

They presented their pitch on Monday, 2 December and voting took place in the classrooms straight after. The quality of nominees was indeed outstanding this year. Each and every one of them is to be acknowledged for putting themselves forward and being the ‘best they can be’.

During the Presentation Ceremony run by the 2024 Student Councillors, the Student Council and the Faction Captains’ Handover was held whereby the outgoing Student Leaders presented the 2025 Student Councillors and Faction Captains with their badges. 

Congratulations to the Student Councillors for 2025:

Ethan & Ella  (Yr 9/10 Representatives)

Leon & Zavier  (Year 7/8 Representatives)

Jacinta & Mitchell (Year 6 Representatives)

Congratulations to the Faction Captains for 2025:

Secondary:    Avah & Lukas (Blue Bombers)  Shaynae & Tealah (Red Barons)

Primary:    Rivers & Archer (Blue Bombers) Sam & Lily (Red Barons)

Duties for the 2025 Student Councillors and Faction Captains commence on Wednesday, 5 February 2025.

SCHOOL BOARD

We would like the opportunity to thank our outgoing School Board members Mrs Lisa Jasper and Mrs Jaimee Tindal. These two parent positions are open for the parent community to nominate/re nominate for, with  nominations being called for early in 2025. Thank you to the board for their support with the new business plan for 2024-2026. This plan helps direct and shape the education of our students at Cunderdin and we are already on the path to achieving many of the outcomes set forth in this document.

CUNDERDIN DHS P & C

We would like to thank the P & C for their ongoing support of our students and the school. This year they continued to fundraise and support our school. They have supported the school community in setting up our PBS support across the school as well our C-Pen scanning tools. We thank the school community for your ongoing support of our school and P & C and look forward to many exciting opportunities for 2025, including the reopening of the school canteen.

YEAR 6 TRANSITION TO SECONDARY SCHOOLING

In Week 8 and 9, CDHS Year 6 students and incoming Year 6 students from feeder primary schools became ‘Secondary students’ as they experienced three days in the life of a Secondary student. 

On the first morning, the Year 6 visitors undertook a tour of the school by Secondary Student Councillors. Year 6 students met with Principal Paul Jasper and Associate Principal Cameron Hill and discussed what secondary schooling looks like.

The students attended formal secondary lessons in Science, English, Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS), Physical Education, Digital Technology, Language Other Than English (LOTE) and Mathematics taught by Secondary teachers in their particular cohort. Time was also allocated for the students to spend recess and lunch with all the secondary students and attend Form as normal next year.

During the three days’ students had the opportunity to learn the following:

•           Differences and similarities between primary and secondary schooling

•           Diary use/Homework/Study

•           Secondary Assessment Policy

•           Expectations of secondary students

•           Understanding a secondary timetable

•           Extra-curricular activities

•           Requirements of their year level in all different courses

It was an exciting learning journey for them which allowed them to bond as group and be ready for secondary schooling in 2025. 

INTERM SWIMMING

We are in the process of finalising Swimming Lesson for the Pre-primary to Year 6 students in Term 1, 2025. They will run from Monday, 17 February through to Friday, 28 February 2025. Hopefully this will mean the weather is warm and the students would have had an opportunity to build their swimming fitness prior to the Faction Swimming Carnival on Friday, 7 March 2025.

Finally,we would like to thank everyone that has supported the Administration Team this year. We are confident that the school has taken many fantastic steps in the right direction to strengthen the quality of teaching and learning at CDHS. We wish everyone a safe and festive holiday season and look forward to seeing what 2025 has in store for us.

            Primary Awards Years 3-6                                                                      Secondary Awards Years 7-10

Room 6 has been very busy throughout Term 4! We have worked hard to improve our learning throughout the school setting and ensure we uphold the class and schools expectations and values.

Our Class Focus:

This term we have been focusing on being respectful! We have created some posters of green and red choices in the classroom and ways we show respect. We have been participating in class discussions, focusing on ways we can uphold the school’s values.

Writing:

In writing this term we have focused on a narrative text called “Morgan and his Magical Underpants”. This text is part of the Talk for Writing program which has helped us to produce narrative stories using tools such as alliteration, similes, the power of three, and extra information we need to create an ideal main character. We are beginning to learn about persuasive writing, using the text Adventure World.

Reading:

This term we have read a class novel, the BFG by Roald Dahl, which students have really engaged in. We have also been completing comprehension activities based on the novel to strengthen our knowledge of texts.

Mathematics:

Throughout this term we have explored addition strategies, shapes, and place-value. We have also discussed topics such as time, area, length, money, and probability and chance. We have continued to revise concepts that we have learnt through fun games such as sheriff, speedy maths, Mathletics, and maths-based crafts.

Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS):

This term in HASS we have been focusing on Geography, particular Australia. We have revised what natural, managed and constructed local places are, and have discussed the states and territories, continents and community places in Cunderdin and their significance.

Indonesian:

In Indonesian, we have been revising our numbers, colours, and simple greetings. We are starting to learn about familiar animals, such as pets and farm animals.

Special Events:

On Thursday, 7 November we were lucky enough to go to the park for Good Standing.  We had the chance to eat our lunch on the lawn and had fun playing on the obstacle course, the swings, slides, and the trampoline. 

This term has been packed with exciting learning experiences and memorable adventures! The Year 2/3 class has been striving to achieve their very best in all areas of learning. A key focus has been reinforcing the importance of being a good friend and classmate, continuing to uphold the class promise we created earlier this year. It’s been wonderful to see students trying their best to support each other and working together both in the classroom and in the playground. Each student has continued to grow, shine, and strive for their personal best. What an incredible group of Superstars! 

English

In English we have been hard at work revising the elements of narratives, focusing on how to make our stories more captivating and exciting for readers. We explored ways to add descriptive language, build suspense, and create engaging characters. Following this we have read a report about a sighting of a Sapphire Unicorn at a school down south and delved into the enchanting world of unicorns ourselves. The students researched their traits and characteristics before designing their own magical and mythical creatures. Each child has brought their unicorn to life with imaginative features and backstories. We are now producing reports on these unique creations, combining creativity with factual writing skills. It’s been a magical journey of learning, imagination, and fun!

Mathematics

In Mathematics we have been exploring a variety of mathematical skills through fun, hands-on activities. The students have been learning about two-dimensional shapes and creating models of three-dimensional objects, describing their features in creative ways. They have also been developing their map skills by interpreting simple maps of familiar places and creating their own grid maps to show pathways and positions. In our chance and probability lessons, the class has explored everyday events, describing outcomes as ‘likely,’ ‘unlikely,’ ‘certain,’ or ‘impossible,’ and even conducted experiments to see how results can vary. We’ve also been busy collecting and organizing data, creating graphs and tables to represent information. Finally, the students have been practicing their number skills, focusing on addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in a variety of practical activities. It’s been wonderful to see them apply their learning to real-life scenarios while building confidence and understanding in mathematics!

Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)

In Geography, we have been learning about the world around us and how places are connected. The students have explored the unique features of our local community and compared it to other places across Australia. They’ve developed their mapping skills by reading maps, and practicing how to use symbols, keys, and grid references. We also explored some of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, learning their significance and history. As part of this, we discussed the traditional Aboriginal names for these areas and the cultural importance they hold. Students have gained an appreciation for the deep connection First Nations peoples have with the land and how these perspectives enrich our understanding of Australia. It’s been wonderful to see their curiosity and enthusiasm grow throughout the term!

Indonesian

In Indonesian, we have been exploring the vibrant culture and traditions of Indonesia. The students have had a fantastic time learning the names of zoo animals in Indonesian and describing their features. We then looked at some incredible animals native to Indonesia, like orangutans, komodo dragons, and birds of paradise, and discovered what makes them so unique and important. We also delved into the delicious world of Indonesian food! The students learned about traditional dishes such as nasi goreng (fried rice) and explored the ingredients used in Indonesian cooking and how meals are shared with family and friends. It’s been fantastic to see the students so engaged and curious as they have learned about Indonesia’s amazing animals, food, and traditions. They have gained a deeper appreciation for this fascinating country and its rich culture.

Thank you everyone for the amazing year that has been in Year 2 and 3.

I wish you all a Happy Christmas and a wonderful relaxing time with your amazing children over the holidays. ENJOY!

This semester has been a whirlwind! It arrived quickly, threw everything into motion, and is now nearly over, leaving us with plenty of memories. Our class has been a little fuller than usual with the addition of Miss Hill. Miss Hill is a teacher from the Western Australian College of Agriculture Cunderdin who is currently studying, and she has joined us to gain experience in a primary school setting.

We have had some exciting events this term, including Rewards Day at O'Connor Park, where our students looked after younger children and Games Day at the Cunderdin Resource Center for Senior’s Week, the Year 6 dinner, adjusting to the new timetable, and getting ready for the presentation ceremony. It's been a busy time!

In Mathematics, Miss Hill has been taking us through statistics and probability and English has seen us writing some very informative texts. We have learned to play Congklak in Bahasa (that’s languages) and learned about the way humans effect the environment and some of the diverse cultures of the world in Humanities and Social Sciences. 

We are on the home stretch now, and Room 3 is still putting in big efforts.  

Health and Physical Education

I’ve had a blast being back in HPE this term! Students have been exploring various sports and gaining confidence in using skills and tactics to gain success. Year 3-10 partook in a golf clinic, learning skills and applying them. As part of the Year 9/10 Sport and Rec Certificate they have been and will be running sessions with the primary students.

In Health we have been tackling important health topics such as wellbeing and safety and creating promotional material aimed at younger students to ensure everyone in society has the information and tools to live safe and healthy lives.