QUIRINDI HIGH SCHOOL

Newsletter

QUIRINDI HIGH SCHOOLHill Street, Quirindi, NSW, 2343 Phone - 02 6746 1177

Fax - 02 6746 2648 E - quirindi-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Term 2 -

Week 7

Friday 9th June 2017

YR 9 - CSIRO SCIENCE DAY

CAPTAINS’ DINNER

EQUINE EXCELLENCE

Last week we welcomed on board two new members of the Quirindi High School Team - Lauren Maybury and Sally Alden. Both are long time locals and will be working with the school as part of our promotions and media team. There are so many things happening at Quirindi High School, we need a specific team to make sure students are recognised within the broader community for their outstanding efforts. You will be seeing a great deal more of the outstanding achievements of our students throughout all of the local media.Year 10 have this week launched into their first week of Work Experience. Mrs Saunders has been working with students to make sure they have placements. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to start thinking about their career paths. Getting a taste of the world or work helps many students finalise decisions about electives for their senior years or make decisions about the highly successful pathways through school based apprenticeships or traineeships. Mrs Saunders is able to assist any students who would like more information about these pathways.Mrs Saunders has been working with Year 12 students in relation to completing early entry information for university.

This is a chance for students to submit applications to the universities and potentially be accepted before sitting the HSC. Any student in year 12 wishing to go into tertiary study should avail themselves of this opportunity.Tuesday night saw us host the Captains’ Dinner. This is a first for QHS. The opportunity for our school leaders to meet with the leaders from all of the Tamworth schools, both public and private is invaluable. The night was a standout thanks to the catering expertise of our P&C. QHS is extraordinarily lucky to have such a dedicated group of parents will to assist at every turn.Mrs Batho will be heading off on leave next week and Mrs Giffiths, qualified Science teacher. Mrs Griffiths has spent the week with Mrs Batho getting to know her classes to make the transition very smooth. Ms Lees will also be heading off on leave in the near future as well. Mrs Pursehouse has been taking over Ms Lees’ classes. It is great to have another subject specific teacher of such high quality coming into the school to make the transitions as smooth as possible. Mrs Craswell will be taking on the role of Head Teacher Administration during this period of time.

Ian Worley

Opportunity

TASTER DAY

Mrs Emma Craswell and Miss Lee Wall achieved proficiency with NSW Education Standards Authority. This recognises achievement of the Australian Professional Standard for Teachers.

Learnin

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Standing: Deputy Principal, Catherine Loughrey and Kamilaroi man, Corie Taylor. Front: Megan Outerbridge, Aboriginal Education Officer, students - Georgie Auld, Lillie Clark, Georgina Riley, Student Support Leaving Officer and Tyra Nean.

Year nine students from Quirindi High School are taking part in a state-wide project engaging Indigenous students for in-class leadership roles in the field of Science.

The program, called Inquiry for Indigenous Science Students is one element of the wider Indigenous STEM project run by the CSIRO, funded by the BHP Billiton Foundation.This week, students and school representatives joined Kate Shackleford, Inquiry for Indigenous Science Students coordinator from the CSIRO ‘On Country’, for a first-hand experience of learning in the natural environment.Also present, Corie Taylor, Kamilaroi man, Peter Roberts, Quirindi High School Science Teacher and Michael Clark and Nathanael Slater from the Quirindi Clontarf Academy encouraged the students to create a controlled scientific experiment to test their scientific skills.Quirindi High School is the first High School in the region to pilot an ‘On Country’ excursion with local community members leading the teaching of the Indigenous Science that is specific to the Kamilaroi PeopleCorie Taylor, led the students on Indigenous stone tool production and the Aboriginal history and significance of the region on the Mooki River near Pine Ridge. “Granite stones and axe heads were found in the area, which means they were traded into the area as this region does not have any naturally occurring granite,” said Corie.Year 9 student, Brennan Nean said he enjoyed the interactive learning experience.“It’s a great way of learning in the natural environment from our local respected Indigenous leaders and our teachers,” said Brennan.

^ Kate Shackleford, Inquiry for Indigenous Science Students coordinator from the CSIRO, Brennan Nean, students, Mick Clark, Director of the Quirindi Clontarf Academy, Kobe Riley, student and Kaine Rolfe, student.

> Peter Roberts, Science teacher presents to students on the pilot program created in partnerships with the Quirindi High School, the CSIRO, the Quirindi High School Clontarf Academy and members of the local Indigenous community.

 

          

 

INDIGENOUS  EDUCATION  

Aboriginal Summer School for Excellence in Science and Technology (ASSETS) 

APPLICATIONS OPEN from 22 May to 16 June 2017 

Summer school programs for year 10 students are held each year in Townsville, Newcastle and Adelaide. Students are then supported through years 11 and 12 with an ongoing leadership and support program. 

HOW TO APPLY The application process involves students answering questions around their interest and enthusiasm for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and providing a copy of their most recent academic transcript.  A supporting teacher also needs to be nominated to answer a series of questions about the applicant.   

For more information on the ASSETS program and the application process visit www.csiro.au/Indigenous‐assets/apply.    

ASSETS is part of a broader Indigenous STEM Education Project  funded by BHP Billiton Foundation and delivered by CSIRO. 

Each summer school has cultural, academic and personal development strands. 

Cultural: Each summer school has a Cultural Patron, who is a local leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education and oversees the cultural strand. Students participate in workshops and discussions exploring cultural identity and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges while recognising that western and Indigenous science knowledge go hand in hand. 

Academic: The focus is on the science inquiry process, with students working with two academic providers from the local area, this can include: CSIRO, local universities or other research organisations. After a day of activities with each academic provider, students work in teams to develop and conduct an open inquiry project which they present on the final day of the program. 

Personal development: Students participate in leadership workshops and explore pathways to further study and careers. Students also have the opportunity to develop networks meeting STEM professionals from various fields. 

 

ASSETS is a nine‐day summer school for Year 10 students who are interested in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics and who identify with their 

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage. 

2017/18 SUMMER SCHOOL DATES 

Townsville: 11‐19 December 2017 

Newcastle: 3‐11 January 2018 

Adelaide: 12‐20 January 2018  

As first-time participants in the regions’ annual ‘Captains Dinner’, Quirindi High School was pleased to welcome over forty representatives – and their partners.Hosted at the elegant Quirindi Royal Theatre, participants were greeted by student representatives from Quirindi High School, as Jackson Worley played an enchanting medley on the cello.Captain Sari Hamblin, officially welcomed guests and presented the Acknowledgement to Country.Canapes provided by the Quirindi High School P&C – who provided all meals for the evening, assisted by Year 11 Hospitality students from the host school – were enjoyed as student representatives from Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School, Oxley High School, Peel High School, Tamworth High School, Calrossy Anglican School, Carinya Catholic College and McCarthy Catholic College, Tamworth High School and hosts Quirindi High School gathered.

Wade Clarke, Quirindi High School, Captain introduced the evenings Guest Speaker, Liverpool Plains Shire Council Mayor, Andrew Hope spoke on his own educational experience – attending over thirty schools due to his father’s role on the Airforce, before leaving school as Dux in Year 10 - and on that of his three sons – who all attend/ed Quirindi High School. “As leaders of the future, I encourage you to take every opportunity presented to you. Don’t ever give up on your goals, determination will get you anywhere you want to be,” encouraged Mr Hope.Ben Hope, Quirindi High School, Vice-Captain introduced fellow Vice-Captain, Lucy Crane who performed a moving rendition of the Leonard Cohen classic ‘Hallelujah’. Ben also introduced Wollemi Director from the Department of Education, Mark Young.Mark Young - Wollemi Director for the Department of Education - who oversees 34 schools in the region, presented on some of the core values that underpin his Department. “Integrity, excellence, respect, responsibility, cooperation, participation, care, fairness and democracy are just some of our core values. As leaders of the future, I encourage you to think about your core values, because these will drive you through your lifetime,” said Mr Young.

Ian Worley, Principal, Quirindi High School, thanked guests for attending and the volunteers for their dedication in ensuring the success of the event. “Tonight students have had a chance to meet with other students from public and private schools across the region who are also sitting their Higher School Exam this year. Teachers from fellow schools in our area have had the opportunity to catch up and reconnect and our Guest Speakers have enriched all our lives. A big thank you to all, especially our P&C and Hospitality students,” concluded Ian.

Creating Connections

Richard Sears, Captain, Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School, Catherine Loughrey, Deputy Principal, Quirindi High School and Katherine Sleiman, Captain, McCarthy Catholic College.

Quirindi High School student Zara McCarthy and Kim Lawlor from the Quirindi High School P&C with some of the delightful canapes served at the official event.

Lincoln Williams, Vice-Captain, Oxley High School, Sari Hamblin, Captain, Quirindi High School and Brad Goward, Captain, Tamworth High School.

Jack Awad, Captain, McCarthy Catholic College, Ian Worley, Principal, Quirindi High School, Naomi Cant, Captain, Calrossy Anglican School.

Offering students across the region the unique opportunity to connect and enhance relationships with others undertaking the Higher School Certificate, Quirindi High School presented the 2017 ‘Captains Dinner on Tuesday evening.

Liverpool Plains Shire Council, Mayor, Andrew Hope spoke on his own educational experience

Hospitality students from Year 11 at Quirindi High School assisted with catering and hospitality. Jasmin Fisher, Dakota Saunders, Inaya Van-riet, Brooke Johnson and Nikita Johnson.

Geoff McManus, Principal, McCarthy High School, Melanie Hodges, representative and English Teacher for Oxley High School, Rod Jones, Principal, Peel High School and Clint Gallagher, Principal Farrer Memorial High School.

First-time participants in the regions annual ‘Captains Dinner’, Quirindi High School hosted over forty representatives – and their partners - from schools across the region.

Lucy Crane, Quirindi High School Vice-Captain, flanked by school representatives from Carinya Christian College, Angus Richards and Amelia Dunlop.

Ojaswi Shilpakar, Oxley High School Captain and Wade Clark, Captain of Quirindi High School host school of the 2017 Captains’ Dinner.

Catering was provided by representatives from the Quirindi High School, P&C, including: Kathy Redgrove, Kim Lawlor, Krystal Bowley and Natel Bradfield.

Last week, Year 8 student, Charlie Parsons from Werris Creek and his thirteen year-old Australian Stock Horse ‘Lorson’ were awarded a blue rosette and champion horse-rug at this year’s North West Equestrian Expo.Held at Coonabarabran, the annual event which attracted over 460 riders and their horses ran over four days and saw riders from as far away as Yamba and Sydney as well as locals participate.“Lorson and I took out the prize in the Combined Training section of the event. It’s always great to represent my school doing something I enjoy. It was a fun experience to be with other riders and I look forward to next year’s event. I have to say thanks to my Grandma Denise Leonard for taking us to the event,” said an elated Charlie.

Talented horseman Sport ReportAthletics Carnival

There will be a full Athletics carnival report

in the next Newsletter due to the results not

quite finalised at time of print...

Taster Day

Sport Report

Taster Day

satisfiesOn Tuesday May 30 a large number of smaller students were welcomed into the QHS grounds. QHS played host to Grade 3 and 4 students from the regions Primary Schools including; Spring Ridge, Willow Tree, Werris Creek, Quirindi, Nundle, Wallabadah and Murrurundi. The successful day designed to transition students from Primary to Secondary Schooling was a great success - satisfying many eager students tastebuds. The menu included: Metal work where they created their own pet tags, Pizzas in Home Science, Indigenous dot painting in Art, Putting a halter on a steer in Ag Science, Gymnastics for P.E. followed by creating rainbows in Science, not to be outdone by Symmetry in Maths... Thank you to the Year 8 and Year 10 students who were on hand to lead the groups of students throughout the day!

QHS Journalism ClubThe QHS Journalism Club has created a brand new radio

podcast. It features news items, music and feature stories

from the QHS Newsletter. New episodes are available

every Wednesday and can be found in the news section of

the Quirindi Highs School website.

To directly listen to this great new initiative at QHS,

search extra10.squarespace.com

Tuesday 13th - Wednesday 14th ETA HSC English Study Day at Sydney UniWednesday 14th Joblink Plus Transition to work Yr 10-12 Special Ed StudentsWednesday 21st CHANGE OF DATE - Whole School PhotosWednesday 21st Joblink Plus Transition to work Yr 10-12 Special Ed StudentsMonday 26th - Friday 30th Work Placement BlockTuesday 27th - Thursday 29th Visit to BellingenWednesday 28th Joblink Plus Transition to work Yr 10-12 Special Ed Students

Wednesday 19th Joblink Plus Transition to work Yr 10-12 Special Ed StudentsTuesday 25th Year 11-12 Parent Teacher EveningWednesday 26th Joblink Plus Transition to work Yr 10-12 Special Ed StudentsMonday 31st - Friday 4th August Year 12 Trial Exams

What’s on...June

July

Term 2 - 2017Wk 1 A = April 24th - 28th Wk 2 B = May 1st - 5th Wk 3 A = May 8th - 12th Wk 4 B = May 15th - 19thWk 5 A = May 22nd - 26th Wk 6 B = May 29th - June 2nd Wk 7 A = June 5th - 9th Wk 8 B = June 12th - 16th Wk 9 A = June 19th - 23rd Wk 10 B = July 26th - 30th

ASCA – TRY SOMETHING NEW THIS YEAR!Are you interested in developing your

communication skills? Give ASCA a try this year!

Australian Speech Communication Association - ASCA - PROMOTES COMPETENCE, REWARDS EFFORT

AND ENCOURAGES EXCELLENCE

The ASCA program has been running successfully at QHS since 2003. Participating in ASCA is a great way to promote your communication

skills, it’s a great certificate to include in your resume and at the highest level, ASCA is also recognised by some universities, who

award extra ATAR points. GET INVOLVED – IT IS WELL WORTH THE EFFORT!

ASAC Examinations will be held in Week 5, Term 3. SEE Mrs Owen in the Library for more information.

Athletics carnival results next edition