Kana KaresKana Kares Kanahooka High School Email: kanahooka-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

PO Box 302, Dapto NSW 2530 Web: www.kanahooka-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

Phone: 4261 4011 Fax: 4261 4700 Term 3 - Week 6 21 August 2015

KANAHOOKA HIGH SCHOOL IS A PROUD MEMBER OF THE DAPTO LEARNING COMMUNITY

Support Unit News In the Support Unit we have been working on

creating artworks to enter into the ‘Annual Artists

with Autism’ exhibition run by Autism Spectrum

Australia and exhibiting artists across the Illawarra

both in and out of school. The teachers and

students worked together to select 7 artworks to

run in the exhibit, which was held at North

Wollongong SLSC on 15-17 August. Successful

entrants included Denni Mitrevski, Sky Ramsay,

Isaiah Vidler, Ty Shaw-Worthington, Maninga

Clulow, Isabella Hussey and Micheal Thomas. Below

are some students recounts on the process and the

result. Congratulations and well done to everyone

for an amazing group effort!

Jessica Sifter I

enjoyed doing my

abstract face in

dots, lines, in

textas, pencils

and highlighters. I

am proud of my

work.

Isabella Hussey We had to draw our own face and

cut it out and place it on a large piece of paper and

colour in bright colours. I thought it was fun

rearranging my face in abstract form. I was so

proud at mine being picked for the competition.

Denni Mitrevski My

first chance at

entering an art

competition. It is

colourful and a

different way of

seeing myself.

Jeremy Johnstone

Something that was exciting and fun to do for the

competition. The way that I coloured in the picture

is colourful.

Ms M Cairns

Head Teacher Support

UPCOMING EVENTS Monday 24 August Stephen Jones MP Visit Tuesday 25 August Year 5 & 6 Taster Activities Wednesday 26 August Southern Stars Rehearsal Beyond the Goal Posts Incursion Thursday 27 August Southern Stars Rehearsal UOW Elevate Friday 28 August Southern Stars Friday Writing Group Saturday 29 August Southern Stars Tuesday 1 September Year 5 & 6 Taster Activities Friday 4 September Friday Writing Group

Japanese Student Exchange Program Another fantastic time was had by all involved in the Japanese Student Exchange program for 2015.

This year we had twenty students from Okazaki Josei Senior High School, which is located in the city

of Nagoya, on the main Island of Honshu.

They arrived at Kanahooka High School on Friday 24 July at 4pm, bright eyed and bushy tailed! Then

they were off with their host families to get settled in and ready for the huge week that was ahead of

them.

Once again this year they visited the same tourist destinations as last, but were treated to something

extra special at KHS on their first day. Through the wonderful organisation of Ms Burns and the

support of the Koori kids, Okazaki were immersed into Aboriginal Culture through acknowledgement of

country, videos and traditional dot painting.

Their timetable also allowed for cultural exchange lessons with Year 12 Japanese, which was a

wonderful experience for our HSC students about to sit their exams. 7K were also lucky enough to

have the opportunity to discuss Japanese and Australian menus.

Miss Morris, Mr Higgins and their classes were rock stars, giving up their time to incorporate Okazaki

into their lessons.

Once again Ms Burns and the Koori team shone as they invited Okazaki to a BBQ

tasting of kangaroo and emu. A big thanks to Mr Carney for cooking up the

Aussie sangers! Special mention to Graham Carpenter whose didgeridoo

performances were once again spectacular. This was all topped off by a fantastic

performance by the mesmerising Illawarra Flame Trees. Formal thank yous and

gift exchanges were then completed.

This year marked an important milestone at KHS, through the signing of a

binding agreement with Okazaki Joshei and their cultural exchange program. This

means that they will be visiting our school every year, for the next 5 years! Congratulations everyone.

A huge advancement for KHS, as we move towards developing our Asian Literacy and our

communications with Japan.

The students left very early at 6am on Monday 3 August.

A big thanks to Sharna Haywood, James Cheesewright, Mr Higgins and their families for each hosting

a student this year. Something that I am sure that they will have as pleasant memories for the rest of

their lives, alongside the new friendships and opportunities that have arisen from their hospitality to

their visitors. It truly is an unbelievable experience.

We would also like to take this opportunity to commend the ongoing enthusiasm and voluntary time of

Alicia Charles, Jasmine Gauci, Tarryn Billington, Matthew

Young and Maya Manning who acted as ‘buddies’ for

students for the second year running! On board for the first

time this year were; Year 12 Japanese, Isaac Payne, Kevin

Mansell, Jennifer Neall, Victoria Southall, Aleah Goodwin,

Paige Hillard, Ella Sabey, and Naomi Garvan. Fantastic and

life-long friendships were made through these efforts and I

am extremely grateful for their ongoing help with this

amazing experience for KHS.

Mrs Ursino and I, personally would like to say a big thank you and a well

done to all of the students and staff at KHS, for once again ensuring that

our new sister school felt welcomed and comfortable in your presence.

Please consider hosting an Okazaki student next year.

Hoyn Sensei

LOTE

Breakfast club is open every Tuesday.

All students welcome! Open: 7:30-8:20 am

Location: Room 301 Banana Pancakes, Cereal, Juice & more

Stage 4 What another exciting term Stage 4 has had! The Wellbeing Day, as recounted by Mr Philpot in the last

newsletter, was a great success. The Wall of Hearts (to be displayed outside the Deputy Principal’s area)

will be up soon (thank you Mr Ivatt) and the hearts designed by the students (with Mrs Truslove’s help)

will be a splash of colour for everyone.

Year 8 have been very keen to choose their Year 9 electives and enjoyed the Expo in the library. They

enjoyed seeing the turtle (Aquaponics), robotics and 3D printers (IST), musicians from Year 12 (Music)

and many other wonderful displays. I’m sure everyone is looking forward to finding out if they got their

first three choices!

As part of the transition program, Year 5 and 6 from our local primary schools came up to the first Taster

Activities afternoon. These are being held every Tuesday afternoon (starting from about 3.15pm until

4.20pm) for the next 4 weeks. The Mathemagicians Maths club put on a great afternoon - the paper

plane challenge! This was attended by over 30 students. Prizes were awarded to those students who

could get their plane through a hoop, fly the furthest and for the most creative designs. A BIG thank you

goes to the Maths teachers who helped out and to Graham Carpenter and Jordain-Rian Lightowlers, who

were fantastic ambassadors for Kanahooka High School. Thank you also goes to the Music maestros (see

article below) for a marvellous afternoon last Tuesday. I look forward to hearing from the Science

Burners, PE Athletes and the Dynamic Drama groups.

Mrs K Lowis

Stage 4 Manager

Year 5 and 6 Taster Activities - Music On Tuesday 18 August, Year 5 and 6 students from Primary Schools around Dapto participated in the

Music Taster Activity. The students split in to four different groups, each group at different instruments.

The instruments that were played included;

Acoustic drums, taught by Kiana Elford

Keyboard, taught by Tamarah Walton-Issa

Launchpad, taught by Adam Lake

Ukulele, taught by Chelsea Hoyn

Thank you to Ms Dedini for letting the students get involved and have a taste of what music is like!

Tamarah Walton-Issa and Kiana Elford

Canteen News Black tights (to wear under

school tunic) are now available from the canteen

for $5.

Popular New Books in the Library The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the

same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She's even started to feel

like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. 'Jess and Jason', she calls

them. Their life - as she sees it - is perfect. If only Rachel could be that happy. And

then she sees something shocking. It's only a minute until the train moves on, but it's

enough. Now everything's changed. Now Rachel has a chance to become a part of the

lives she's only watched from afar. Now they'll see; she's much more than just the girl

on the train.

Unbroken by Alex McKinnon

Rugby League was Alex McKinnon’s life. Born into a football family, from five years old

Alex played junior football with the Aberdeen Tigers at McKinnon Oval, a ground named

after his grandfather. A talented and committed young player Alex made his NRL debut

at 19. Having captaining the Junior Kangaroos, and establishing himself as an NRL

player at 22 - Alex was clearly one of the leading players of his generation.

However in the 39th minute of the Newcastle Knights vs Melbourne Storm game at

AAMI Park in March last year Alex’s life changed forever. A tackle gone wrong damaging

his spinal cord leaving him paralysed. In the days that followed Alex was told not only

was his football career over, but he would likely never walk again. Like any young person in this situation -

let alone a professional athlete – this was devastating.

In UNBROKEN, Alex talks of his thoughts and feelings during those fateful moments on the field. With raw

honesty he takes us through the painful first days and weeks in hospital, including his learning the tragic

ramifications of his injury.

These books have also been hugely popular series

with many students making reservations with

library staff. Graphic novels are a favourite with

Year 7 & 8!

NAPLAN Results NAPLAN results were handed out to Year 7 and 9 students yesterday, 20 August 2015.

P&C News At our last meeting the P&C agreed to help fund items for the welcome bags to be distributed to the Year 7 students who will be attending Kanahooka High in 2016. It was also agreed that a letter be sent to the new President of the NSW P&C Federation, Jason Vials, concerning comments made by him which appeared in the Illawarra Mercury regarding our school uniform. At no time did Mr Vials contact our P&C and therefore his comments should be ignored as they were made without any knowledge of the circumstances regarding the issue. I would have presumed that it would have been polite to contact myself as President of Kanahooka’s P&C to discuss the matter and obtain the facts but obviously not.

The next meeting of the P&C will be held on Wednesday 9 September in the Common Room commencing at 7.00pm. Judy Bertinato P&C President

Year 11 Biology - Australian Museum Excursion On 16 July, our Year 11 Biology class went on an excursion to Sydney as part of our early Australian

Fauna topic. Following a lengthy train ride, we arrived at Central Station and proceeded to the Australian

Museum. It was there that we were able to engage in exciting and informative activities within the

Mega-Fauna exhibits, which were in their own right, a wonder to behold. Following that the class made

its way to the botanical gardens where we were allowed an interactive, hands on experience, in which

we petted and analysed snakes, possums and echidnas while comparing them to their ancient relatives.

Following this, we listened to an intense and thorough botany lecture, before ending the day with a nice

walk through the gardens themselves. Overall it was a great day and further demonstrated why biology

is both incredibly fun and interesting.

Matthew Young

Year 11 Biology

BEYOND THE FRAME Southern Stars 2015 Rehearsals for Southern Stars 2015 Beyond The Frame are in full swing with students taking part in a wide range of dance and vocal rehearsals around the state. The buzz around the show is growing daily and tickets are selling more quickly this year than ever before so we encourage you to buy your tickets through Ticketmaster (Adult $48, Pensioner and student over 12 $38, Student/Child under 12 $27 and Family pass $140) as soon as possible to make sure you don’t miss out. Beyond The Frame, featuring 3000 public school children, will take place over four performances at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong on Friday 28 August (10am and 7pm) and Saturday 29 August (2pm and 7pm). To keep up with all the news about Beyond The Frame including recent media stories and picture galleries, as well as profiles of performers and teachers involved in the show, visit the Southern Stars – The Arena Spectacular Facebook site. Like us and share with your friends and family!

UOW Early Admission The University of Wollongong has opened its Early Admission Application Process. This allows students to apply to UOW for up to two UOW degrees. The website contains all necessary information for the process and the criteria for application. Outcomes for UOW Early Admission applications will be emailed by 11 October, before you sit the HSC. If students are successful, they will receive an offer to study at UOW in the UAC December round on Wednesday 3 December. Visit the website for further information: http://www.uow.edu.au/future/early-admission/index.html

Kanahooka High School

After School Tutorial Centre

All welcome and it’s FREE!

Held in the School Library with Teacher supervision.

Refreshments provided.

Every Tuesday & Wednesday

from 2.30 to 3.30pm

Come along and get help with your homework, assignments and

assessments.