HT Highlights
Posted May 18 2012
Click here to view pdf of HT Highlights
May 18 2012 | All | No Comments » | 
Message from the Business Manager
Posted May 04 2012Last night I heard a talk by Brigitte Muir. In 1997 Brigitte became the first Australian woman to conquer Mount Everest. Her motto is, ”we must live our dreams, not dream our lives’ which she has tried to stay true to. Her dream was adventure and when not climbing she was finding ways to finance her next climb. It made everyone in the audience reflect on what “mountain” they should tackle; be it their next sporting event, school homework task or the career they should shoot for. To climb Everest Brigitte first scaled the highest mountains of seven continents plus another 8000m high peak giving her the confidence to make an assault on Everest. Again this impressed on us the necessity of taking the small and preparatory steps to reach your goal. This might be mastering Maths Methods to open a path to that Aviation Engineering degree to open the way to building planes, for example. It took Brigitte four attempts over 9 years to reach her final goal. During that time she lost colleagues and friends to Everest. Undeterred she finally sat atop Everest. What does one do when you have conquered your dream? Well Brigitte looked out from the top of Everest and saw millions more peaks; millions more “mountains” to conquer. Brigitte is now running expeditions and fundraising trips to Nepal to assist groups like the Sunrise Children’s Association – an Orphanage in Katmandu in which several from the HT community are involved and 2 of our old students have worked (Rob Paton and Christie O’Loughlin).
Brigitte Muir First Australian woman to climb Everest First Australian, to climb the highest mountain on every continent, First Australian woman to walk to the South Pole, Australian Geographic Award for Excellence, Australian Achiever Award, Australia Day Council.
In no a small way, hearing Brigitte’s story, reminds me of Paul Williamson, the school’s IT Manager. I cycled 120km with Paul in 2009 to raise money for the Flowerdale community after the devastating fires. He then participated in several trips to Africa with the Simunye Project and beyond taking his practical and IT skills with him to assist schools and communities there. He then headed off earlier this year to conquer Mt Kilimanjaro and to visit schools in Tanzania. Just recently he and Tammy-Lee Little did the 100km Oxfam Walk. In two weeks Paul will leave HT to take a year off to volunteer in a school for 1500 students in Tanzania. There he will set up their IT systems. Paul will take with him all the attributes and skills he has learnt here at HT, in the courses he has studied and the trips he has undertaken. Paul commented that his best times at HT were not unraveling a major network fault, but helping on the Year 9 Cycle Programme, helping rescue the school from the 2007 floods and working on building projects in Africa.
Thanks Paul and all the best.
May 04 2012 | All and Principals Message | No Comments » |
The PTA Page
Posted May 04 2012ENTERTAINMENT BOOK 2012/2013
We have a limited number of the 2012/2013Entertainemtn Books still available.
This book offers discounts to the best restaurants, attractions, hotel accommodation ,travel and much much more. Cost of the book is $65.00 and is valid for 12 months. Forms are available at the school office or use the following link. With Mother’s Day next week this makes a great gift.
https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/187r881
MOTHER’S DAY STALL – JUNIOR SCHOOL
The Mother’s Day Stall this year is on Wednesday 9 May, and the Junior School will have the opportunity to purchase especially selected gifts for their mums. Gifts will be $5.00 and exact money would be appreciated. All Junior School students will be escorted to the Junior School Science room to select a special gift for their mums. From 1.00pm-1.30pm Senior school students are welcome to visit the Junior School Science Room to purchase any remaining gifts. Many thanks to Vanessa Pengelly & Melinda Langdon for organizing the stall.
FETE – STALL ALLOCATIONS
Our annual Fete will be held this year on Saturday 10 November. Over the past few months, Representatives (Reps) have stepped forward offering to manage class stalls. I am very pleased to advise that most classes now have Fete Reps. However we do not yet have a ‘rep’ for, Year 8,and 4yo Pre Prep, The 4 yo PrePrep stall this year iS Kid’s Craft. Always a favourite! The year 8 stall this year will be Hot Dogs and Nachos. Always popular and fun to run. If you can help please contact Cathie Bradweel – bradwellp@optusnet.com.au or Lili Chen – lili3chen@yahoo.com.au. Remember the role can be shared with other parents.
FETE – DONATIONS FOR THE BOOK, GAMES & TOY STALL
With the Fete in mind we are now able to accept your unwanted books. games and toys that are in good condition. Please leave them in the shed (back of school) Monday to Thursday all day and Friday mornings. Please ensure they are in a watertight bag, ie garbage bag.
CLASS REPS
Classlists should now all be finalized and each class should be aware of who the class reps are, should you have any queries on this please feel free to contact Cathie on bradwellp@optusnet.com.au
TRIVIA NIGHT
As previous mentioned we are planning a Trivia Night and the date has been confirmed as Saturday 16 June, this night will be lots of fun and a great way to meet other parents or make up your own table and test your knowledge. More details will be sent via the Class reps.
CADBURY CHOCOLATE DRIVE
This year we will be running the Cadbury Chocolate fundraiser, parents will be sent a letter with all the details in the next few weeks. Chocolates will be distributed on Wednesday 30 May and Thursday 31 May.
May 04 2012 | All and PTA | No Comments » |
Music Notes
Posted May 04 2012HUNTINGTOWER ORCHESTRAS/CONCERT BAND
All groups have now settled extremely well into the rehearsal schedule and are making wonderful progress. Full attendance is required at every rehearsal please so it would be extremely helpful if parents could remind students of the rehearsal times. Your help is much appreciated.
Rehearsal Schedule
Mondays 7.45am String Orchestra
Tuesdays 7.45am String Orchestra
Wednesdays 8.25am Junior Orchestra
Thursdays 7.50am Concert Band
Fridays 7.50am Senior Orchestra
Fridays 8.25am New Wind Ensemble
Fridays 12noon Middle School Orchestra
Fridays 12.40pm Brass Ensemble
Other smaller ensembles will rehearse at various times and individual players will be notified. Little Symphony (Years Prep, 1 and 2) will commence in mid Term All these instrumental ensembles (plus smaller groups such as string orchestras, brass ensembles, stage band and chamber groups) are a great source of enjoyment, fun, social interaction between students of all ages and intellectual stimulation creating a sense of belonging and self worth.
It is not too late to join!! If you are interested in learning an instrument and would like to investigate the possibility please don’t hesitate to contact Lynley Bramble (BH 9807 8888 AH 9803 7701 or email lbramble@huntingtower.vic.edu.au) These coming holidays may be a great time to arrange to come and have a try out of some instruments – looking forward to seeing you!
You may like to try a bassoon, tuba, trombone or oboe (these instruments would suit older students from Years 6 to 12) or double bass (Years 3 to 12). Please speak to Lynley Bramble if you are interested in any of these instruments as a special deal may be available.
SOLO CONCERTS
At least one solo concert and sometimes two are held for each year level throughout the year. There are also special concerts for players in Years Pre-Prep, Prep, 1 and 2. Short solo concerts are also held for players from any year level throughout the school. These are especially useful for students who are preparing for exams, eisteddfods or auditions and would like more opportunities to perform.
During Term One our first solo concerts were our wonderful House Music Festival Solo Concerts held several weeks ago where we heard 90 amazing performances from students in Years 7 to 12 over four concerts. The next solo concert was for Year 5 and 6 String Players (concerts for piano and wind players are held later in the year.) The array of talent was wonderful and we also enjoyed two entertaining items played by the Year 5 and 6 Orchestra. We also enjoyed another wonderful solo concert officially for Year 10 students who were joined also by Year 8, 9 and 11 performers.
Last week the busy Term 2 concert season commenced with a recital and presentation by Year 11 and 12 music students. The audience thoroughly enjoyed the fascinating performances and information presented by both Performance and Investigation students.
We are now looking forward to concerts for our Junior pianists, a solo concert for Year 3 and 4 musicians and our very entertaining Little Choir and Little Symphony Concert (Years 1 and 2). A new concert for Years Pre-Prep and Prep students will also be held (date TBC) so by the end of Term 2 almost all our Junior musicians will have performed for us.
Year 11 and 12 musicians will also perform this term and other Senior soloists will perform throughout Terms 3 and 4.
HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS…
- To the students who performed so magnificently at the solo concerts which were held during the holidays. There were 3 concerts and many of the musicians were preparing for exams, eisteddfods or auditions so the performances were vital and invaluable for their successful preparation plus being a source of joy for the audience!
- To the String Orchestra who performed so beautifully at the Anzac Assembly this week. The players had prepared for this moving occasion at the end of last term and put the finishing touches on the works for performance at the start of this term.
- To Rachel Ko who received a High Distinction in the recent AMEB exams.
- To all the students who recently did AMEB exams and all received High Distinction, Honours or Credit – wonderful results!
- To Matty Serelis who was awarded an Honourable Mention in the South Eastern Arts Festival 14 y and under Australian Composer section.
- The “new” Citizenship Ensemble who performed once again at a Citizenship Ceremony. The small group consisted of students from Years Prep to 3 with four “helpers” from Years 5, 6 and 7. The question was asked whether the usual group had been put in the wash as they had all shrunk!! The children performed and behaved beautifully and the audience loved them. They, in turn, loved the copious amounts of sandwiches, biscuits and juice provided on this very special occasion. They have been asked back for a special return appearance next week!
HUNTINGTOWER STRING ORCHESTRA EUROPEAN TOUR
The members of the Huntingtower String Orchestra are extremely excited to be giving a concert tour of Europe in July. We are extremely privileged that principal players from the MSO, flautist Prudence Davis and oboist Jeffrey Crellin will be accompanying us on the tour as soloists. They have performed with the orchestra on tours to Tasmania and South Australia in 2008 and to New Zealand in 2010 and audiences at all the venues were ecstatic to hear such outstanding world class soloists.
The orchestra will be departing for Munich at 2.35am on Friday 29 June and will return early on Monday 16 July ready for school and Year 9 Ski Camp the following day! Plans for the tour are near completion and 7 concerts will be given in Munich, Salzburg, Lake Garda (Italy) and Paris including performances at the Chartres Cathedral and Disneyland Paris. Money raised from all String Orchestra tour concerts is given to local charities.
HUNTINGTOWER STRING ORCHESTRA EUROPEAN TOUR CONCERTS
1. Munich, Germany
Sunday 1 July 5pm
Dietrich Bonhoeffer Kirche, Germering
2. Salzburg, Austria
Tuesday 3 July 7pm
St. Sebastian Church, Strasser Linzergasse
3. St. Gilgen, Austria
Wednesday 4 July 4pm
St. Gilgen Concert Bowl
4. Sirmione, Italy
Friday 6 July 9pm
Viccolo Porto Bianchi, Sirmione
5. Vattaro, Italy
Saturday 7 July 9pm
Vattaro Concert Bowl
6. Chartres, France
Wednesday 11 July 4pm
Chartres Cathedral
7. Paris, France
Thursday 12 July 12noon
Disneyland, Paris
SPECIAL DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
1. Junior and Senior Orchestral and Choral Concert
Thursday 21 June at 7.00pm in the Performing Arts Centre. All choirs, orchestras and Concert Band (involving students from Years 3 to 12) will perform so please keep the date free and enjoy a fantastic evening!
2. NB. CHANGE OF DATE – The Waverley Eisteddfod dates have just been released and there is a CHANGE.
Waverley Eisteddfod Ensemble sections which usually involve every player from Years 3 to 12 on now SATURDAY 18 AUGUST which is the mid-term break.
3. Huntingtower Camerata Gala Concert
Sunday 14 October at 2.30pm. There will be many more details to come but once again all players (Years Prep to 12) and choristers (Years 3 to 12) are involved in this extremely important event.
TERM 2 2012
1. CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY ENSEMBLE TWO
Wednesday 9 May 6pm Monash Civic Centre
2. CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY ENSEMBLE ONE
Wednesday 16 May 6pm Monash Civic Centre
3. JUNIOR PIANO CONCERT (Years Prep to 6)
Wednesday 23 May 6pm Orchestral Room
4. SOUTH EASTERN ARTS FESTIVAL – Rosanove Auditorium, Berwick
Thursday 24 May Time TBC – Junior/Senior Ensembles
5. YEAR 3 and 4 SOLO CONCERT
Tuesday 29 May 6pm Orchestral Room
6. LITTLE SYMPHONY and LITTLE CHOIR CONCERT
Thursday 7 June 6pm PAC
7. ELANÉE ENSEMBLE CONCERT (for Junior School)
Friday 8 June 11.30am Junior Music Room
8. CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY ENSEMBLE TWO
Wednesday 13 June 6pm Monash Civic Centre
9. ELANÉE ENSEMBLE CONCERT (for Middle School)
Friday June 15 11.50am Orchestral Room
10. JUNIOR and SENIOR ORCHESTRAL and CHORAL CONCERT
Thursday 21 June 7pm PAC
11. STRING ORCHESTRA EUROPEAN TOUR
Friday 29 June 2.35am Depart for Munich
Monday 16 July 1.05am Return from Paris
May 04 2012 | All and Music | No Comments » |
Sporting News
Posted May 04 2012EISM Senior Summer Sport All Stars Team
The EISM has ‘All Star Teams’ that are selected for each EISM sport in the summer and winter seasons based on individual performances during the season. Players are nominated by each school coach and the number of players that a coach is allowed to nominate from a school team is based on final ladder positions.
An All Star Team is selected for each sport from each senior boy’s and senior girl’s competitions. The following students are congratulated for their selection in the EISM 2012 Summer Sport All Star Teams:
Alistair Huett – Boys Cricket
Adam Bunting-Sylivris – Boys Hockey (Co-Captain)
Michael Keating – Boys Hockey (Co-Captain)
Darryl Ding – Boys Tennis (Co-Captain)
Long Nguyen – Boys Tennis
Julian Kitchingman – Boys Tennis
Mitchell Rees – Boys Volleyball
Annie-Rose Field – Girls Soccer
Eloise Verbeek – Girls Soccer
Katherine Barker – Girls Softball
Aparna Attawar Girls Tennis (Captain)
Meuni Dassanayake – Girls Tennis
Iris Liang – Girls Volleyball
House Athletics Carnival
Wednesday 18 April was a glorious autumn day for the Senior House Athletics Carnival at Duncan McKinnon Reserve. Students and staff were busy all day competing in and officiating at track and field events for the Houses. After a short preparation period and a break for the holidays, competition was pretty close right up until the last events of the day – the relays. The following students are congratulated for breaking records in their events:
1) U13 Girls- Ashleigh Morley 9:79m Shot Put (Record Broken by 1.09m)
2) U15 Boys Long Nguyen 11:77m Triple Jump
3) U16 Boys- Jamie Moody 11.87 100m
4) U17 Girls- Eloise Verbeek 4:30m Long Jump (record broken by 1cm!)
5) U17 Boys- Jamie Kerr 11.68 100m
6) U17 Boys- Jamie Kerr 23.96 200m
7) U17 Girls- Celeste Astorino 2:45.07 800m
Special thanks to Miss Neal, Mr Walkerden for their hard work in organising and running the trainings and the carnival. Thank you also to the Heads of House and House captains for organising and encouraging the students in their endeavour to compete to the best of their ability and with such great spirit. Congratulations to those athletes who were awarded age champion. The Carnival results and Age Champion Details are as follows.
Athletics Age Championship Points
EISM Athletics Carnival
This year, the EISM Athletics Carnival moved to the new home of Victorian Athletics – Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park. Despite the cold weather that we experienced on ANZAC Day, the day prior, we had ideal conditions for the Division 1 Carnival. Thank you to the parents who came to watch and supported the team. The team performed marvellously alongside teams from schools at least twice the size in student numbers. Our 2012 Athletics captains are Eloise Verbeek, Mitchell Rees and Daniel Di Fede. Eloise Verbeek is congratulated for yet again breaking the school Under 17 Long Jump record – this time by another 4cm – she jumped 4.34m. Well done, Eloise! The competition results are as follows:
Summary list for Athletics Age Champions and House Results 2012 (Click link to open attachment).
EISM Winter Sports Trainings
Now the winter sport competition season is upon us. Students need to be aware that there are compulsory trainings for all students representing Huntingtower in the EISM Weekly Winter Sport competitions. Details are as follows: EISM Winter Sport Term 2 Training Dates
|
Place |
Girls |
|
|
School |
Score |
|
|
1 |
Luther |
1906 |
|
2 |
Aquinas |
1764 |
|
3 |
Mount Lilydale |
1678 |
|
4 |
Tintern |
1631 |
|
5 |
Huntingtower |
1617 |
|
6 |
Oxley |
1563 |
|
7 |
Emmaus |
1364 |
|
8 |
St Joseph””””””””””””””””s |
0 |
|
Place |
Boys |
|
|
School |
Score |
|
|
1 |
Luther |
1787 |
|
2 |
St Joseph””””””””””””””””s |
1727 |
|
3 |
Aquinas |
1648 |
|
4 |
Mount Lilydale |
1624 |
|
5 |
Huntingtower |
1580 |
|
6 |
Oxley |
1541 |
|
7 |
Emmaus |
1525 |
|
8 |
Tintern |
1343 |
|
Place |
Overall |
|
|
School |
Score |
|
|
1 |
Luther |
3693 |
|
2 |
Aquinas |
3412 |
|
3 |
Mount Lilydale |
3302 |
|
4 |
Huntingtower |
3197 |
|
5 |
Oxley |
3104 |
|
6 |
Tintern |
2974 |
|
7 |
Emmaus |
2889 |
|
8 |
St Joseph””””””””””””””””s |
1727 |
Second Hand Huntingtower Heat Uniforms
If you have an HT Heat uniform that you no longer use or that you have out grown, please bring it in to Ms Savage. There are students who need to purchase second hand basketball uniforms in order to play with the Huntingtower school teams.
Ms Savage
Head of Sport
May 04 2012 | All and Sport | No Comments » |
Year 8 Digital Citizenship
Posted May 04 2012The end of term saw a very valuable parent and student discussion session based on the impact of technology on our students and safety in the digital world. The session allowed the opportunity for a greater understanding of how both students and parents are using current technologies and how they would like to be used in the future. A sample media agreement was also distributed, as a starting point for families to discuss how iPads and computers will be used in the home.
We were lucky enough to obtain press coverage of this event in The Monash Weekly, the link of which is below.
Please note that the documents that relate to this event are linked to the ‘forms’ section of the school website.
Safety in the online world is a topic that we will be pursuing throughout the term and the link about creating safe passwords is a valuable lesson to us all.
http://www.explania.com/en/channels/technology/detail/how-to-choose-a-safe-password
Meredith Lawson
Middle School Coordinator
May 04 2012 | All | No Comments » |
HT Swimming Club
Posted May 04 2012The Huntingtower Swimming Club celebrated the end of the Swimming Victoria year with an awards night at HSAC on Friday 27 April. The evening commenced with various races, enabling club members and friends to try to beat their own pb””s. After some fun in the pool, everyone headed upstairs for some well earned pizza. Jim Carroll, Club President, noted the successes the club has enjoyed in its first 8 months and thanked the school in particular for its help and support in setting up the Club and allowing the Club to be housed at HSAC. A particular thanks went to our coaches Helen and Jeremy, who are at every Club event regardless of what day of the week it is and whether it””s at HSAC, MSAC or Bendigo! All inaugural members of the Club (all 60 of them) were presented with medals to commemorate our first year. We encourage everyone to go to our Club””s brand new website at www.htswim.com and join up/rejoin for the 2012/13 year.
May 04 2012 | All and Sport | No Comments » |
