coonamble high school...p a g e | 1 of 7 coonamble high school care respect pride friday, 17 may...
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COONAMBLE HIGH SCHOOL CARE RESPECT PRIDE
Friday, 17 May 2013
PO BOX 27 Aberford St COONAMBLE NSW 2829
T 0268221522 F 0268222313
Issue 7 - Term 2 - Week 3
PRINCIPALS REPORT The Coonamble High School communication strategy has this week moved to a new level with the launch of our Facebook page. The response has been very positive and has allowed families to be updated on events and receive information in a new format. The link is on our website, which has experienced a huge increase in people visiting the site. Our design of the new website is also progressing so changes are definitely well underway to improve communication with families and the wider community. I would ask that you spread the word and encourage families and the wider community to update their emails addresses so they can receive the newsletter directly. This support will help us reinforce that the information from the school is available in a number of formats and will encourage people to use them. Thank you to the staff who supported the school display at the Coonamble Show. Congratulations to both staff and students who were enthusiastic and often successful competitors. Well done everyone! Our recent parent teacher night was a very successful event with an increase in attendance this year. We will continue to have high expectations that families attend and work towards further increasing engagement of more members of our community. Thank you to those who attended, to Clontarf for providing the barbecue and to the staff who set up the display of student work. Our Girls Academy is up and running and will hold its official launch as part of our Reconciliation Week events on May 30. Please mark your diaries and come along to join in this celebration. Details are on our website.
Calendar
Week 4
Tuesday, May 21st
ASPIRE visit
Friday, May 24th
Girls U14’s Hockey
Week 5
Monday, May 27th
Year 7 and 8 exams begin
Tuesday, May 28th
Year 7 Booster Immunisations
Wednesday, May 29th
Clontarf engagement
excursion
Thursday, May 30th
Girls academy opening and
Moree 9’s Clontarf excursion
Friday, May 31st
Staff development day (school
closed)
Week 6
Monday, June 3rd
Year 9 and 10 exams begin
Tuesday, June 4th
Public speaking
Thursday, June 6th
Premiers debating challenge
Week 7
Monday, June 10th
Queen’s birthday holiday
(school closed)
Week 8
Tuesday, June 18th
Youth council meeting
Wednesday, June 19th
Single cup sports day at
Gilgandra
Thursday, June 20th
Clontarf Sydney camp
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Friday, 17 May 2013 Issue 7 - Term 2 - Week 3
There was great excitement this week with the arrival of our new classrooms for the Castlereagh Learning Centre. They are in position and the next step is the connection of services. It is planned that they will be operational in about 3 weeks. This is the first step in the upgrade of our facilities. An exciting step forward in our Connected Communities strategy occurs this week with the advertisement in the Coonamble Times for the Leader: Community Engagement position. This position is a very important one for the continued success of our vision and I ask that you alert your networks that the position has been advertised with the closing date May 29, 2013. The position is also online via Jobs NSW with information packages available from the school. The local Connected Communities School Reference Group will also be established in coming weeks. The function of this volunteer group is to work collaboratively with the Executive Principal in the development, planning and shared decision making of the school‟s Connected Community strategy. There are two positions for Aboriginal community members in this group and we are inviting people from the wider community to submit an expression of interest for these roles. Other members are drawn from the AECG and P&C together with the Leader: Community Engagement. Further details of the terms of reference for the group are available on our website and again I ask that you use your networks to raise awareness of this opportunity for involvement. Margaret Mulcahy Executive Principal English As relieving Head Teacher English, English is proving to be an exciting and busy term with lots of great work being produced in all classes. Thank you to all the parents who came to parent teacher night last Thursday. Please, if you have any queries about English,feel free to contact the English staff here at school who are more than willing to help. Year 11 Standard and Advanced students this week
have also had the opportunity to attend a writing skills
workshop in Brewarrina Central School. Feedback from
the day to come.
ICAS English competition is coming up. Please find
attached further information.
Naomi Barton
Stage 4 English
Classes are focusing on picture books and developing
visual literacy skills. They are analysing a range of
picture books and determining how meaning is made
through the interaction between written texts and
graphics. Students will commence work on producing
their own picture book that conveys an experience of the
world and can draw inspiration from their own life, the life of another person, a significant world event or a
specific place. The next unit of work this term is poetry
and students will apply their understanding of visual
design skills (colour, layout, symbolism and graphics)
with descriptive language for the COGS task to design a
brochure for a specific location.
Ms Adria Hertel (Red), Mrs Rebecca Collins (Orange)
and Ms Deborah Russell (Yellow).
Stage 5 English
This term students are studying the works of William Shakespeare. Violet and Blue classes are studying the text 'Macbeth' and Indigo class are studying 'Romeo and Juliet'. Students will be receiving their assessment task for this topic in week 6 and it will be due for submission in week 8 of this term. In the lead-up to their English examinations, stage 5 students are encouraged to practise their extended writing skills under timed conditions. If parents and carers have any questions or comments about the upcoming assessment or examination please contact your child's English teacher by phone at school. Ms Deb Russell (Blue and Violet) and Ms Corrine Nield (Indigo)
Preliminary Standard English
This term students are studying the play “Away” by
Michael Gow. The play is about three families. One is
making the most of their time with their terminally ill son,
Tom. Another is dealing with the loss of their only son in
Vietnam and the third is trying to cling to their daughter
who is beginning to embrace her own independence and
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Friday, 17 May 2013 Issue 7 - Term 2 - Week 3
womanhood. Their assessment will involve writing and
essay and will be issued in the next couple of weeks.
Ms Deb Russell
WAP Advanced English
This term are studying Othello. In true Shakespearian
dramatic form, the play deals with varied and current
themes of racism, love, jealousy, and betrayal. Their
assessment for this unit involves the students using
technology to present to the rest of their “virtual”
classmates and will take place in June.
Ms Deb Russell
HSC Standard English
Students are studying the Module: Texts and Society by looking at how individual‟s mature and move into the world. The set text is: The Story of Tom Brennan which students have been reading. The text is about the Brennan family where the older brother, Daniel, causes a drink-driving accident that kills two teenage friends and paralyses his own cousin. The angry community blames the whole Brennan family and they are forced to leave, seeking sanctuary with Tom‟s grandmother. Tom and Kylie have to brave a new school, a new community, because of their brother‟s actions. They are working towards writing a speech for their assessment task which is due in Week 9.
Ms Adria Hertel
Stage 6 English Studies
Last Term the English studies class decided to work
smarter not harder and form a committee to steer the
direction of their assessment task to develop an
advertising Campaign. Congratulations to the students
voted into executive positions: Codie Welsh as
President, Dale Johnson as Vice President, Jack Kelly
as Treasurer, Stevie Thurston as Chairperson and Emily
Albert as secretary.
This term the class is studying the topic digital worlds.
The class will look at the way the internet has shaped and is shaping our lives. The assessment this term will
consist of an e-portfolio of 5 pieces created digitally over
the course of the unit.
Photo show the executive being welcomed to their
positions by President Codie Welsh.
International Competition and Assessment for Schools is
a testing opportunity for students to sit external
examinations and receive feedback on their progress in
a range of learning areas.
Each student will receive a full colour examination
paper, certificate and information regarding their
progress which will be provided to parents, classroom
teacher and any gaps in their learning can be addressed
through additional tasks.
ICAS Order form
Student Name:
Year:
Science (Tuesday 4th June) - $8.00
Writing (Tuesday 18th June) - $16.70
Spelling (Yr 7 Only) – Tuesday 18th June) - $12.00
English (Tuesday 28th July) - $8.00
Maths (Tuesday 13th August) - $8.00
I would like my child to complete this assessment on the
above dates after school in the library.
Signed:
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Friday, 17 May 2013 Issue 7 - Term 2 - Week 3
New blood for the BAC at Coonamble Show
Twenty students braved the darkness at 5am
Wednesday morning to prepare a large team of steers
and heifers for the Coonamble Show. The team,
although containing some experienced members, largely
consisted of fresh faces keen to get their animals into
the ring after weeks of preparation.
The day was an extremely steep learning curve, as they
had no input from Team Leader, Emily Ryan who was
judging for the first time. Aspiring leaders within the
remaining group were challenged by the organisation
skills required to get cattle and team members ready for
judging in an environment where deadlines are non-
negotiable.
New team members were exposed to the stress of this
environment for the first time, and some fared better
than others!
All eleven animals made it into the ring and claimed
some excellent results. The highlight coming in the
commercial section, where a two year old heifer bred by
the BAC, beat home over a dozen others to win the two
year old replacement heifer class. This was the biggest
class of the day, and included cattle from Outwest
Angus, and several other respected commercial cattle
breeders.
Other handy results for the BAC were: winning the
middleweight steer section with a steer prepared by
Sharna McNamara and Leevi Baker and Cameron
Markey claiming second in the Junior Judging.
Most importantly, the team got a great taste of what to
expect in Brisbane and will be ready for the challenge
when it arises.
In other news from the farm, students from the CLC
have harvested their first crop of herbs which were
keenly purchased by the staff. The students have been
working with Ms Sheralee Player, from TAFE Western,
establishing a small orchard, vegetable and fruit garden
and windbreaks at the front of the CHS farm.
The garden has a lot of work to go, but has already had
a significant impact of the appearance of the farm on
King St.
Adam Macrae
Cross Country
Coonamble High held its annual Cross Country carnival
on Thursday 2nd
of May, with a large number of students
participating and putting in a good effort.
Several records were broken on the day, with Mitchell
Browne beating the previous record for the 13 years
boys group, Teresa Smith breaking the 13 years girls
record, Kevin Greenaway managed to slightly surpass
the record for the 14 years boy‟s record and Dylan Ryan
broke the 15 years boys record. Greg McEwen was
unlucky not to break a record, as he was just 4 seconds
off the Open boy‟s record.
Congratulations to all students who participated on the
day and gave it their all. The Cross Country turned out to
be a big success as always, with people breaking
records and getting involved.
Jake Buckley
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Friday, 17 May 2013 Issue 7 - Term 2 - Week 3
Lost Property
A number of lost property items have been gathering at
the school – some uniform and some other items of
clothing. Approximately 20 school jumpers have been
found with no names on them. If your child has lost a
jumper please contact the school office. The jumpers
can now be named as tags have been sewn on. Other
clothes include –
a supre bag containing skirt, shirt and shoes
navy tracksuit pants
black board shorts
a red and black Kawasaki racing jacket, size
small
grey Slazenger track pants, size 16
a green and white „hoodie‟; a grey and black
„hoodie‟.
Please contact the school to claim these clothes or they
will be given away.
Parent teacher Interviews Thank you to the parents who attended the parent teacher interviews last Thursday evening and thank you to those parents who expressed they could not attend. Please feel free to contact any of the teachers if you missed the interviews or if you would like further information regarding your child‟s progress.
Year 12 Half Yearly Examinations Well done to all Yr 12 students who have just sat their Half Yearly Examinations. The majority of students were exceptionally well organised and arrived to exams on
time and eager to perform their best. Teachers will be marking and handing back the exams in the next week and I encourage all students to be attentive and listen carefully to all feedback given by your teachers. Such feedback is extremely valuable and all students should take notes or keep copies of feedback along with their actual exam papers for future revision. Year 12 Reports Teachers will also be writing the Year 12 reports shortly and parents and carers can expect to receive more information regarding your child‟s progress and work output in the HSC year. 2013 HSC Examination Timetable The 2013 HSC Examination Timetable has been released by the Board of Studies and is available to view online at the Board of Studies “NSW Students Online” website. http://studentsonline.bos.nsw.edu.au/go/myhsc/hsc_exams/2013_HSC_written_examination_timetable/ The above “NSW Students Online” website is an extremely useful site to find all information relating to the HSC for both parents and students and if you haven‟t already explored it I suggest you do so. I have surveyed all Year 12 students asking them to express interest in attending the HSC Enrichment Seminars in Dubbo on June 6
th & 7
th. I now need to
know which students would definitely like to attend this course. There is a possibilibilty that we will only attend one day but it will depend on the numbers of students interested. Please refer to the attached schedule which outlines the subject seminars that will be offered. Students please come to see me if you would like to attend this excursion. Attendance With the introduction of our new record keeping database “Millennium” all students should be aware that the school and teachers are able to precisely track all students‟ attendance records. Unfortunately there are some Year 12 students who need constant reminding to attend class regularly. Parents and students must understand that if they do not provide a written letter to explain all absences students are at serious risk of not receiving their HSC. Year 12 Jumpers After much debate and many weeks waiting for students to bring their money in, the Year 12 Jumpers were ordered at the end of last term. The jumpers are expected to arrive in two weeks time.
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Friday, 17 May 2013 Issue 7 - Term 2 - Week 3
PBL Certificates Congratulations to the Year 12 students who received PBL certificates. Please know that these certificates will now be handed out during our wellbeing year group meetings which are held every Friday after recess. Athletics Carnival Special congratulations to all the Year 12 students who participated in their last Athletics Carnival. It was a great day had by all and I was very pleased to see so many year 12 students having a go in a variety of events. Not long to go now… Lastly I would like to say well done on your achievements in the Half Yearly Examinations, keep your heads down and remain committed to your school and to your subjects. There truly is not long to go now and I want you all to feel proud of what you are able to achieve. Catherine Goldsmith, Year 12 Adviser
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Friday, 17 May 2013 Issue 7 - Term 2 - Week 3