Welcome to the Port Lincoln High School's website for 2011
The 2012 Subject Handbook is available for download.
Principal's Welcome
Welcome Year 8’s
Apart from the impact of some extreme weather on the first day, the start to the 2011 school year was positive and energising. A special welcome was given to our Year 8 cohort of students who are new to the Port Lincoln High School this year. It was pleasing to meet this group of young people as they seemed happy and genuinely excited about attending high school.
In Week 2 they attended an Aquatics camp where they had the opportunity to forge positive new relationships, both with other students and with their Year 8 teachers. This was a new initiative and thanks must go to Ms Susan Doyle and Mr Todd George for their outstanding coordination of each of the three camps.
New Staff
We also welcomed a number of new staff this year, further consolidating our balance of experience and youth. A number of these young people are locals who have returned to work in Port Lincoln. They include:
- Ms Johanna Tokarski – PE Coordinator
- Ms Desiree Mason – Tech Studies
- Ms Holly Turner – English
- Ms Luisa Virgara – PE/Outdoor Ed
- Ms Karina Borthwick – PE
- Mr Novi Palmer – PE
- Mr Bruce Martin – Tech Studies
- Ms Amy O’Brien – Science/Maths
We look forward to the energy, passion and new ideas that these people will bring to our school community. Of course, we value the skill and wisdom of our established staff identities.
2010 Results
2010 was a landmark year for the Port Lincoln High School. We can all be well pleased with the achievements of our young people and take comfort in the knowledge that our community will be enhanced by the current group of graduates. Of the 33 students who applied for University, 27 students were successful in being offered placements in the first round of offers in the areas of their choice. A further 4 students gained entrance into TAFE in the first round of offers, from 5 applicants.
More specifically, we achieved:
- more students receiving merits (perfect scores)
- more students achieving ATAR scores in the 90’s
- more A’s and B’s across all subjects
- a record number of Indigenous students receiving their SACE
- 80% SACE completion (includes those who left school for apprenticeships and work placements)
Elke Smith and Lucy Powell both achieved A’s for 4 subjects and an ATAR of 96.8 and 95.7 respectively – both outstanding achievements. Mendy Ellis and Lucy Clutterbuck both achieved A’s for 3 subjects and ATARs of 90.8 and 86.4 respectively – also outstanding results. Overall, our students gained 51 A’s. Three students achieved 20/20 for individual subject including: English Communications, Instrumental Music and Arts in the Community. Furthermore, three of our Year 12 Art students, Claire McQuillan, Zoe Mundy and Jasmine Woldt have had their artwork selected for the 2011 SACE Art Show.
Our Nunga students performed exceptionally well, with 12 students achieving their SACE in 2010. Two of these students applied for university entrance and were successful in gaining entry into courses through the first round of offers. Another student applied for university entrance through the Indigenous University Entrance Scheme. This is a particularly pleasing outcome for our Aboriginal community and signifies that our programs are meeting the needs of our diverse school community.
We are also very proud of our students who have participated in our School-Based Apprenticeship, Vocational Education and Community Mentoring programs. Over the past couple of years a number of our students have been successful in obtaining full-time apprenticeships, or have left school during their final year to take up employment opportunities directly attributable to their education program.
The school takes great pride in the achievements of those students who may not have received high scores but were able to show determination and commitment to doing their very best. They have completed twelve years of schooling despite finding the work difficult and challenging. These students should be satisfied that despite their personal and learning issues, they gave it their best.
PLHS Parents
In Term 1 we ran a number of Open Nights to provide information to parents of students at the various year levels. Those in attendance were provided with the opportunity to meet staff, tour the facilities and learn about various policies and procedures.
We intend to offer similar events throughout the year, and invite all interested parents to attend, whether new to the school or a veteran of many years. Our School Governing Council AGM was held on Wednesday March 2nd with all vacancies duly filled.
New Initiatives
A number of new initiatives and projects will impact upon the school this year. These include:
- a new daily timetable (6 lessons per day)
- the implementation of new SACE Stage 2 subjects
- the implementation of the Research Project at Stage 2
- an expansion of the Aquaculture Centre
- refurbishment of the Home Economics centre to commercial cookery standard
Information & Communication Technology
We will continue to develop our ICT capacity in 2011. Our ICT network now features well over 500 computers, 15 interactive whiteboards, a high-end suite of multimedia computers and assorted peripheral devices such as printers, projectors and cameras. Our whole system is wireless, providing huge flexibility and mobility across the campus. Further, every Year 12 has been allocated a laptop computer to assist them in maximising their learning outcomes.
School Sport
Congratulations to Peter Tokarski and his staff for their commitment to school sport at the Port Lincoln High School. Our school gained first position in the state-wide Howard Mutton Shield (for all country schools), and eighth place in the overall state rankings. These awards are based on participation and success rates and our achievement is testimony to the commitment and talent offered by our staff to our students. Equally, our achievements are a reflection of the sporting talent and skills of our students and the commitment they make to the opportunities they are given through our program. Our sport program is an integral part of the development of our young people and we are justifiably proud of this achievement.
There is no doubt in my mind that 2011 will be a busy, fulfilling and challenging year. I am very confident that we will continue to provide our students with choice within a broad set of pathways, in a safe, inclusive and caring school environment.
Regards,
Tony Green
Principal