School Happenings:

29 June Central Coast Careers Expo 2 July Last day of T 2 19 July Staff Devt. Day: pupil free 20 July Students return for start of Term 3 21 July P&C meeting 23 July Junior reports distributed 26 July Y10 Decision Week 29 July Erina LC NAIDOC celebrations 29 July Y10 into 11 Information evening

Erina High SchoolErina High SchoolErina High SchoolErina High School

Erina News

28 June 2010

Issue 9

WHAT A PRODUCTIVE SEMESTER! Our school community has had an extremely productiv e and successful second term due to the hard work, enthus iasm and commitment of our students and their teachers. Learning has been celebrated with one thousand reports being completed for students from Years 7 to 12; teams and individuals have achieved some outstanding sports outcomes; and students have participated in a diverse range of activities designed to broaden their horizons both in and outside the classroom. Involvement, “personal best” commitment and a sense of belonging have been a key focus of the work of our school in term 2. Representation with distinction has occurred in a variety of team and individual sporting and cultural activities at district, area, state and national levels due to the enthusiasm of teachers and students and with the support of families. As well, large numbers of students have competed in our own swimming, cross country and athletics carnivals; academic competitions; and elective programs. A greater number of cultural activities in dance, d rama, music and the creative arts have enriched the experience of students. Others have participated with pride and success in debating and in student leadership activities at local, regional and state levels. Students have worked towards achieving syllabus lea rning outcomes across seven Key Learning Areas and in the senior years students are approaching achievement of stage 5 and stage 6 benchmarks - the School Certificate and the Higher School certificate. A broad range of excursions and fieldtrips have supplemented classroom learning across the semester. We have welcomed parents into our school for six curriculum evenings; our Erina Learning Community open evening, parent-teacher-student conferences for Years 11 and 12; Plan It Youth mentoring meetings and graduations; HSC Music Performance Evening; Aboriginal Education and P&C meetings. Academically our Year 10, 11 and 12 students have completed half yearly assessments, work placements and sessions of work experience and Year 7 and 9 students sat NAPLAN tests assessing progress in literacy and numeracy. Letters of congratulation for semester one learning have been sent to more than 240 students. Enjoy a wonderful winter break. Marj Kong Principal

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AUSTRALIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE PIERRE DE COUBERTIN AWARD 2010 Congratulations to Benjamin Manners of Year 12 for being nominated and successfully accepted by the AOC to receive a 2010 Pierre de Coubertin AOC Award. Baron Pierre de Coubertin who was the founder of the Modern Olympics stated:

“The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part; just as the most important thing in life Is not the triumph but the struggle”.

These prestigious awards are offered by the AOC to celebrate the Olympic spirit. NSW schools are able to nominate students who are active participants in sport, displaying the Olympic ideals of fair play and sportsmanship and who have been involved in school sporting representation, citizenship and mentoring of junior students. Nominees, identified by the School Sport Committee, were required to submit an individual piece of work (literary or artistic) which demonstrated/depicted an appreciation of the Olympic ideals. Then an internal process decided upon the successful candidate to go forward to state level. Congratulations go to fellow Year 12 students Michelle Wrench and Hannah Frankham who were nominated for the award at school level. Benjamin Manners was presented with his award at an official ceremony on Friday 25th June at Sydney Olympic Park where he attended tours of the facilities, meetings with Australian Olympics and enjoyed a formal luncheon. Well done Ben!

HELPFUL CAREERS RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES Australian Job Search (Employment Service) http://www.jobsearch.gov.au Courses for TVET http://www.det.nsw.edu/vetinschools/tvet/ School Based Traineeships and Apprenticeships https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/vetinschools/traineeships/sbt/index.html 2010 JOB GUIDE www.jobguide.dest.gov.au My Future http://www.myfuture.edu.au Hunter (Central Coast) TAFE www.hunter.tafensw.edu.au Going to University? http://www.goingtouni.gov.au

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CENTRAL COAST CAREER PATHWAYS EXPO 2010 The Central Coast Career Pathways Expo 2010 will be held on Tuesday, 29 June at the Central Coast Youth Club, Washington Ave, Niagara Park. The Expo allows Years 10, 11 and 12 students to talk to personnel about career pathways, courses of study and employment opportunities. Parents and carers are invited to attend the 1.30 to 2.30pm session where they can talk to the many representatives about opportunities available to their children.

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

Great weather, enthusiastic participation and a memorable day was had by all at our annual athletics carnival held at Adcock Park on Friday June 11th! Seniors set a positive example in competition and good sportsmanship was evident throughout the day. Thanks must go to Mr Crawford and his carnival team for excellent organization. It was great to see families and friends cheering on the athletes and I know teachers enjoyed the chance to see students in a different light in track and field events. Students who did not attend the athletics carnival and have not provided an explanation for their absence, have had the absence listed as ‘unjustified’ as required by Department of Education and Training rules. No courtesy note about unexplained student absence will be sent for this day.

PROUDLY PURSUING PERSONAL BEST Congratulations to Jim Whelan (10) who attended the State Gymnastics Titles and in Level 7 - Open achieved 1st on Rings, 3rd in the Vault and 5th on Floor. An amazing effort Jim - well done! Congratulations to Robert Walton (12) for being selected in the NSW CHS Open Boys Soccer Squad. Whilst competing in the All Schools competition on the 7th and 8th of June, Robert was selected for the NSW All Schools Shadow Squad. Well done Robert!

Congratulations to Billy Crosland (10) for being selected for the Open Boys Sydney North Hockey Team. Well done Billy!

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GLOBAL LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE On Friday 28th of May, three Year 11 students - Bianca Slocombe, Bethany Matheson and Annie Vanderheul attended the premier state leadership seminar for girls held at the Women’s College of Sydney University. The day began with us catching a very early train to Newtown station and walking to the university with lots of undergraduate students and other seminar attendees– a real experience! Once we arrived at the seminar, we were greeted by the lovely residents of the Women’s College, and we made our way into the main hall to listen to some motivational speakers talking about organisations that they have created to help young girls in Nepal. This involves mostly educational programs and raising money for new schools and equipment. After a delicious morning tea, where we chatted with students from other schools we headed back to the hall to listen to speakers from all over the world via Skype - this included a girl from Canada and an Australian girl living in South America. Ahh, the wonders of modern technology! We also watched a very informative video on the difficulties faced by women in Third World countries and how these women are being helped by women from more wealthy countries. Our group leaders then took us on a tour of the college and fed us a delicious lunch in the college dining hall. We once again had a chance to talk to girls from other schools. The most enjoyable part of the day, was creating a video on something we cared about e.g. Animal cruelty, children or women’s rights. These were then posted on YouTube for the rest of the girls at the seminar to watch. The main focus of the day was highlighting women who have been successful in all areas of their lives, and showing how they are passing on their knowledge and skills to the younger generation. It was a wonderful opportunity for us, a very enjoyable day, and we highly recommend it to year 11 girls next year. Bethany Bianca Annie

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EXCITING TIMES FOR OUR YEAR 10 STUDENTS! Erina’s “DECISION DAZE” PROGRAM allowing students to prepare for entry to our senior school commences in the last weeks of this term. We will be conducting an information program for Year 10 students to prepare them and to support their families to make decisions concerning subject selections for Year 11, 2011. This is an exciting time when a great deal of information is provided for students to absorb and consider. In addition to the content of the various courses on offer, we will also be looking at such things as: � The commitment required for senior school success; � Support systems to allow students to be successful in senior study; � Goals setting and the decision-making process; � Eligibility requirements of the HSC; � Vocational education (VET) at school and TAFE; � School based apprenticeships and traineeships; and � Post secondary pathways. The Decision Daze program will be as follows: Week 10 Term 2 students provided with Erina course information booklet and line sheet. Week 1 Term 3 faculty talks on courses offered during class time Week 2 Term 3 Decision week culminating in an information market night for students and parents on Thursday July 29th and individual subject selection interviews and selection sheet handed in (signed by parent) on July 30th.

Parents and students are cordially invited to our p arent information evening on Thursday 29th July, where teachers and guest speakers will present a variety of talks and displays associated with choices you and your child will need to make in preparation for Years 11/12. The evening will run from 6.00 – 8.00 pm in the Multi Purpose Centre. Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you have any questions or require further information. We look forward to seeing as many families as possible on the 29th July.

ERINA LEARNING COMMUNITY CELEBRATES NAIDOC

On Thursday July 29th primary and secondary students from the Erina Learning Community of Schools (ELC) will come together at Erina to celebrate the indigenous culture and heritage of our students.

Groups of students from Years 3-10 will work with community tutors and older students to investigate aspects of Aboriginal culture including art, dance, music, bush tucker and dreamtime stories. This is the forth annual ELC NAIDOC day of celebration and each year the opportunities are expanded for students to experience and learn about indigenous culture and community.

NAIDOC Week celebrations will be held in the local community and around Australia between the 4 th and 11 th of July F ind out more at www.naidoc.org.au

ADVERTISING/COMMUNITY NOTICES

• Private lessons by an experienced qualified teacher in a relaxed and friendly environment located just around the corner in Dalgety Crescent, Green Point.

• Catering to the individual student’s talent.

• Waiting room for parents and siblings.

• Ages 5+.

PIANO LESSONS

contact Wendy Love on 4365 2275 www.wendylove.pianotuition.com

LEARN

TAE KWON DO • Confidence • Fitness • Self Defence

Tuesday and Thursday nights 6-7pm

Erina Fair Hall (near Library)

Families welcome Call Steve 43693600 www.shimjang.com

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NSW Communities Sport & Recreation will be conducting Scooter/Skate and Freestyle BMX Clinics in the July school holidays. For more information or to make a booking call 43623184 or visit: www.dsr.nsw.gov.au

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END OF TERM ARRANGEMENTS – SCHOOL OFFICE: Parents, please note: As usual, the office cash register closes promptly at 11.30am on the last day of Term 2 (Friday, 2 July 2010). Unfortunately no payments can be accepted after this time.

Parent Line NSW is a free professional telephone counselling service that is available to parents and carers across NSW for the cost of a local call. Our counsellors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are happy to support parents in the community. To discuss any parenting issue , call our team on 1300 1300 52 or visit our website www.parentline.org.au for information and tip sheets.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY – SHOES Most students are doing the right thing with regards to the OH&S laws and fully enclosed leather shoes (including the shoe’s tongue). There are a small group of students who are continuing to wear incorrect footwear and our only alternative is to prevent them from engag-ing in ALL practical work (often a compulsory part of the course). Students not able to en-gage in practical work will instead have to complete alternative text work. If you are buying new school shoes during the winte r break please purchase black full leather lace-up shoes. This is the only style that will meet practical class safety require-ments. Parents purchasing school winter outerwear for their children are reminded that: � Junior students must wear navy blue sweatshirts, jumpers or jackets with the school

logo or no logo at all. � Seniors (Years 11 and 12 only) wear black jumpers or jackets.

Internet safety: Get a filter! Internet filters can help block inappropriate sites for children. You can download a free filter at www.netalert.gov.au. These aren't completely reliable and it's best if you talk about what websites are appropriate with your child so they understand and make the right choice on their own. More tips at www.schools.nsw.edu.au/click Sexting - what every parent should know Did you know that there are legal and personal repercussions of children/teenagers sending sexual images to each other? The NSW Public Schools website has a podcast with child psychologist Kimberley O'Brien talking to James O'Loghlin about sexting. Listen at www.schools.nsw.edu.au/news/technology/cybersafety/yr2009/sexting.php

DATE CLAIMER FOR MID YEAR PARENT EVENINGS

Semester one reporting is also nearing completion with reports out to the families of Year 7-10 students on Friday 23RD July, week 1 of term 3.

Parent evenings will be held on August 4 th and 10 th.

A caring community committed to excellence in education

If you don’t receive a paper version of the newsletter, you can find the newsletter and other important information on the Erina High School website. Visit: www.erina-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

152 The Entrance Road ERINA NSW 2260 http://www.erina-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/

Phone: 4367 7353 or 4367 7246 Fax: 4365 3086 E-mail: erina-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

E r i n a H i g h S c h o o l

BRISBANE WATER ZONE CROSS COUNTRY TEAM REPRESENTATIVES 2010

Ben Manners Brett Small Luke Martin Caitlin Georgia Maskell McEnearney 16 girls Champion

Keegan Harper Alex Reid Hannah Frankham Jameson Flynn Craig Cameron 17 boys Champion

Kurt McGowen

We applaud these students who were selected in the Brisbane Water Zone Cross Country team that competed at the Sydney North Carnival in mid June .