Newsletter Page 1

WWW.MODELFARMS-H.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU

Model Farms High School

NEWSLETTER ISSUE 13 Term 2 – Week 4 Monday 14 May 2012

Gooden Drive, Baulkham Hills Telephone: (02) 9624 3133 Facsimile: (02) 9838 8407 Email: modelfarms-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE…

Student Successes Just before and during the Easter holidays Jayden Vickery participated in two very difficult yet

rewarding challenges as part of the Army Cadets. The Chief of Army Challenge saw Jayden and 70 Cadets from all over Australia converge on Gallipoli and Kokoda Barracks, Queensland. The CA’s Challenge is the most prestigious award cadets can win. The cadets had their endurance, teamwork and field skills tested over a continuous 36 hour period when they worked their way through several army activities and an Army confidence obstacle course. Jayden and the New South Wales team took out the RSM-A Trophy for the Drill Competition.

Jayden also participated in the Adventure Training Award at the Majura Military Training Area near Canberra where 96 Army Cadets and 10 Air Force Cadets successfully completed the week-long activity.

Jayden marched an average of 70 kilometers during the week and completed two activities each day. The ATA is the toughest competition Jayden will face during his time in the cadets but despite the hard physical nature of the ATA, the activity was a highlight for him. Well done Jayden. Ashleigh Mannix in Year 11 has just returned from Orlando, Florida

where she was representing Australia with her dance group for the International Cheerleading Union and Dance World championships. Ashleigh’s trip was an exciting one and even though she returned home with a slight injury which she sustained while dancing, she did Australia proud by dancing two dances in the semi-finals and two dances in the finals. Her troupe did very well being placed 7

th in the Jazz and 9th in the Hip

Hop sections. They then competed in the International All Star Federation World's Championship with 90 other countries. In this competition they placed 10th for Jazz and 11th for Hip Hop. Well done Ashleigh.

Newsletter Page 2

WWW.MODELFARMS-H.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE…(Cont.) Alessandro Di Donato of Year 8 plays the trumpet with Castle Hill RSL Youth Wind Orchestra and during the last school holidays he competed in the Australian National Band Championships in Melbourne. Alessandro’s band got 2nd place in the Junior A grade. Other Model Farms students, Matthew and Mitchell Hannah, James Norcott, Katrina Swavley and the Campbell children play with Community Hills Band and they got 3rd place in the Junior B grade. Well done to all. NAPLAN The NAPLAN tests will take place on the 15th, 16th and 17th of this month for students in Years 7 & 9. As usual, Year 7 tests will be conducted in the old hall while Year 9 will be held in the English classrooms. Most students should be used to NAPLAN testing by now but if for any reasons your child is stressed about sitting for them please contact the school and speak to a Year Adviser or Deputy Principal and we can ensure that we allay any fears they may have. I have no doubt that our students will perform as well if not better than they have in the past and look forward to the positive results they have achieved previously. P&C Trivia Night What a fantastic night! Thank you for your support of this important event. The hall was packed, it wasn’t as cold as last year and everyone got into the full swing of things to the point of challenging not just each other but the adjudicator as well! Congratulations to all who won the auctions and took home some terrific prizes that were generously donated by the community. On behalf of the entire school may I thank the P&C for their generous time and energy in making this event such a tradition on the school calendar! Earn and Learn

Woolworths has started its Earn and Learn 2012 program and once again I am asking you to help support the school by collecting your stickers when you shop at Woolies. Last year we were fortunate enough to get some resources for our Exploring Early Childhood students and it would be terrific if we could replicate the same this year. From Wednesday 9th May, simply start collecting stickers at the checkout to place on your child’s sticker card. There’ll be one sticker for every $10 spent, excluding purchases of liquor, smoking/tobacco products and gift cards. Sticker cards can be found at the front office and once completed, simply drop the sticker card into the collection box and we will take it from there. Alternatively, send the stickers to school and we will put them on cards for you as they will not be accepted by Woolworths unless attached to a sticker card. Thank you in anticipation. Christina Bennet Principal

Newsletter Page 3

WWW.MODELFARMS-H.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU

FROM THE DEPUTY …

Uniform: You know things are looking good in uniform when the only gripe I have is about socks that are not white or not above the ankles. It is essential that students do wear socks that are plain white and appear above their ankles. Yes we are nit picking a bit but uniform is uniform- the same. Anything that makes a student’s uniform stand out as different is going to attract attention. If your child comes home in a pair of white socks that you know you did not buy it is probably a gift from me. Students who I see wearing incorrect socks are given a pair. Names on clothing: Please ensure that your student’s name is written clearly in their jumpers. This time of year is cold in the morning then often warms up enough that the students take their jumpers off- and then leave them in the playground. Without names in them the chance of getting them back is close to zero. Any jumpers that end up in lost property and have no names are washed and then “claimed” by jumperless students. I am guessing that many “claimers” are not the original “purchasers”. NAPLAN testing: The annual National Assessment Program testing for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 takes place from 15-17 May. Students are tested nationally in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. For more information including FAQs, a parent brochure and past results, go to: www.nap.edu.au/.

Stewart House Day (11 May): The Department of Education and Communities’ official charity, Stewart House, provides support for children who are in need of a break from their everyday life. Each year 1,800 public school children in need come to Stewart House from many parts of NSW and the ACT. During their stay, they are given optometric, dental and medical treatment as well as emotional support. This is balanced with health and educational programs and out of school activities to boost their self-esteem and to promote a healthier lifestyle. This year, 11 May is Stewart House Day. We encourage you to make a donation to Stewart House to help support the great work that this charity provides. www.stewarthouse.org.au

Mark Anderson Deputy Principal

Awards Year 7

Liam Munroe, 1 Bronze Mitchell Da Silva Pereira, 1 Bronze

Christopher Eshou, 1 Bronze Brandon Chow, 1 Bronze

Year 8

Vivienne Wang, 1 Bronze, 1 Silver Emily Duncan, 1 Bronze, 1 Silver, 1 Gold

Madeline De Gioia, 1 Bronze Amy Faulkner, 1 Bronze

Laurence Gendron, 1 Bronze

Year 9 Ritwik Misra, 1 Silver

Jack Walker, 1 Bronze

Newsletter Page 4

WWW.MODELFARMS-H.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU

Term 2 Calendar

Week 4 Mon 14/5 Yr 11 vs Yr 12 Debate Pds 2-4 Tues 15/5 NAPLAN (Yrs 7 & 9)

Yr 12 Maths Assessment Yr 12 Maths Assessment Task 2 Yr 12 General Maths Assessment

Wed 16/5 NAPLAN (Yrs 7 & 9) Thurs 17/5 NAPLAN Yrs 7 & 9

Yr 12 Ext Maths Assessment Yr 12 Extension Maths Assessment Task 2

Fri 18/5 Yr 10 WOW Info Session Yr 11 SDD Assess 1 Yahtzee due Yr 7 Matter Test in Science

Week 5 Mon 21/5 Yr 12 Study Skills “Elevate” P3&4

Yr 9 Maths Half Yearly Paper

Wed 23/5 Yr 12 Std & Adv AOS Yr 12 Std & Adv AOS Task 2, Pd2

Fri 25/5 Yr 7 Geography Excursion Yr 10 Surveying Excursion

Week 6 Mon 28/5 Yr 12 Society & Culture task due

Yr 8 & 9 Japanese Excursion

Tues 29/5 Athletics Carnival

Thur 31/5 Yr 10 Half Yearly Maths Exam

Fri 1/6 Prelim Adv English Listening Task World Vision Convention – Luna Park

Newsletter Page 5

WWW.MODELFARMS-H.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU

FROM THE ENGLISH AND DRAMA FACULTY . . .

Congratulations to the following star students whose hard work earned a Faculty

Merit this week:

Year 7: Taylor Daniel, Jacob Herrera, Simon Roughley Year 8: Timothy Martin Year 9: Chris Lomberg Year 10: Jessica Cuelho Year 12: Bria Auzins, James Barnes, Caroline Bourke, Kathleen Burns, Cassie Charlton, Lyndon Cheney, Scott Frappell, Jessica Clarke, Tara Fitzsimons, Vanessa Graves, Maggie Gu, Madolyn Hollins, Amy Kennett, Kristy King, Alexander Lawless, Belinda Leabeater, Madeline McGinty, Anna Rowe, Elizabeth Silk, Elise Teale, Alexander Barnett.

Congratulations to Year 11 – The cohort’s first senior exam performance was overall very promising! Well done and work hard in your new module. Remember – Year 11 is a critical foundation year where you are building so many important skills and knowledge which will support you in Year 12.

And the results are in . . . Kar Lei Young won the Year 9 So You Think You Can Spell

Competition and Nick Lagos was runner up. Well done and be proud! Premier’s Reading Challenge Any student interested in undertaking the Premier’s Reading Challenge should see Miss Broadbent in the library as soon as possible to register. Go for it! NAPLAN – To all our students in Year 7 and 9, give it your best this week. Take all those skills you have developed over the past years into the test. Remember – you usually know the correct answer or correct punctuation or correct spelling when errors are pointed out to you. We know you know, you just need to be very conscientious on the day. Good luck! Year 7 and 8 – The Complete English Basics text is still available for purchase. Order forms are available from the English Faculty and you can pick up your text from Mrs Coffey. Remember – use the text to help you address literacy areas in which you need to particularly develop skills. The comprehension tasks are quick worthwhile exercises which will build your reading skills.

Year 12 Excursions

Year 12 - please ensure you pay for the excursion promptly. Friday is the final payment date. Remember

ALL Year 12 Standard and English Studies are out on 5 June 2012. Every student is expected to attend the

excursion or in school seminar day (Advanced students)

Newsletter Page 6

WWW.MODELFARMS-H.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU

Drama at the Farms…

Drama students have had great success over the past term. There have been some

entertaining and highly engaging performances from all Drama students. Our

Drama students are all getting ready for upcoming festival auditions. We wish

them the very best of luck! Here is a snapshot of our talented actors in action!

Newsletter Page 7

WWW.MODELFARMS-H.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU

Well the registrations are in!

40 singing acts +16 Band acts + 16 Dance acts + 2 Gymnastic acts + 6 Drama acts

= 80 acts

BUT there is only room for 36 – 40 acts in the show

Make sure your act has the WOW factor at the audition

THERE WILL BE NO CALL BACKS!

Audition Schedule

SINGING acts Week 5 Music rooms Tuesday & Thursday

3.10 – 5.00pm

DANCE acts Week 6 Drama room or dance

studio

Lunch time

Monday, Tuesday and

Friday

BANDS Week 7 Music room Tuesday & Thursday

3.10 – 5.00pm

DRAMA Week 8 Drama room During class

(Tuesday after school)

Booking sheets for audition slots will be posted outside the English Faculty the week before each audition

week. It is your responsibility to book a time slot.

No show, no go! Good luck!

Newsletter Page 8

WWW.MODELFARMS-H.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU

From the faculty that counts!

Year 7

Melanie Nowakowski, Cameron Sage.

Year 10

Jessyca Cuelho x 2

Year 12

Alicia Harris, Rachel Robinson, Nahal Saberian.

This week’s news

NAPLAN for Year 7 and 9:

On Thursday 17th May the Numeracy test will be held. It will consist of one calculator test (40 minutes) and

one non-calculator (40 minutes). Numeracy includes number, space, algebra, function and pattern, measurement,

chance and data. Please ensure that your student has completed the Mathletics NAPLAN tasks that have been

assigned to all Year 7 and 9 students as part of their preparation for the NAPLAN numeracy tests.

Please ensure that your Year 7 or Year 9 student brings their scientific calculator to school on Thursday

17th May. They are available for purchase for $35 from our Uniform Shop.

Half Yearly Exams:

Term 2 is our Half Yearly Exam time for Years 7 to 10. Please make sure that your student is aware that they

need to be preparing for their examinations during their home study time.

Year Paper 1 Non Calculator Paper 2 Calculator

9 Monday 21st May Tuesday 22nd May

10 Week 6 – dates to be advised

Please make sure that your students bring their calculators and geometry sets to the Half Yearly Examinations.

Calculators:

Please make sure that all students have their own calculator. The Casio fx-82AU is sold at the uniform shop for

$35. Students need this calculator from Year 7. It is vital for their progress that students are familiar with their

calculator and know how to use the different functions.

Fun with Maths

Some numbers can be written as the sum of two integers squared such as: 13 = 2² + 3² or 26 = 1² + 5². Find all of the positive integers less than 50 that cannot be written as the sum of two squares.

Question from last week:

Two numbers differ by 54 (ie: – = 54) and they are composed of the same two digits reversed.

Find the numbers: There are three possible answers. The numbers could be 93 and 39, 82 and 28 or 71 and

17

Have a Mathematical week,

From Jackie Dalton and the

Maths Faculty Staff

Newsletter Page 9

WWW.MODELFARMS-H.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU

STUDENT EXPRESSION OF INTEREST – YEARS 8 , 9 AND 10 GIFTED AND TALENTED PROJECT

Do you believe you have the capacity to perform at a level significantly beyond most others in the year in a

particular area? If so, you are able to apply to undertake a gifted and talented project during Term 3.

Details

A project can be anything that deepens your understanding/knowledge of an area of study. The project

may be research based, and/or creative, but we will be flexible in allowing a broad range of projects to

be undertaken

Your application will be considered by a panel of teachers

If successful you will develop a project proposal of interest to you. You will be able to nominate a

teacher mentor to assist you in this process.

The project will be mostly undertaken during Term 3. While some time will be provided during normal

lessons, you will need to also work in your own time.

The project will include a presentation component

______________________________________________________________________________

Nomination

Name________________________________ Year__________

I would like to undertake a project in _________________________(subject)

I should be considered for the project because _________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

What ideas do you have for your project? ____________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Signature_____________________________ Parent Signature___________________________

HAND COMPLETED FORM TO MS WARD OR MS BROADBENT (by the end of

week 6 Term 2)

Newsletter Page 10

WWW.MODELFARMS-H.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU

Newsletter Page 11

WWW.MODELFARMS-H.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU

Newsletter Page 12

WWW.MODELFARMS-H.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU

Newsletter Page 13

WWW.MODELFARMS-H.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU

Newsletter Page 14

WWW.MODELFARMS-H.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU

Newsletter Page 15

WWW.MODELFARMS-H.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU

Winston Hills Soccer club is looking for a couple more players in the under 17’s. Players need to have some experience as Division 1 team .

Call Pete (coach) to have a chat if you are interested on 0408367361

Newsletter Page 16

WWW.MODELFARMS-H.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU

For further information refer to www.defencejobs.gov.au

Newsletter Page 17

WWW.MODELFARMS-H.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU

SPORT BUS PASSES CAN NOT BE PURCHASED ON WEDNESDAYS

Sports Bus 052-001

Please indicate preferred pass:

A 5 trip pass for $37.50 No. of passes ______ Total $________

A 10 trip pass for $75.00 No. of passes ______ Total $________

Name of Student/s _______________________________________Year/s____________

Payment by: CASH CHEQUE

PAYMENT BY MASTERCARD OR VISA SLIP Please circle the appropriate card

Please debit my Mastercard / Visa Account No: / / / 4 digits 4 digits 4 digits 4 digits

Amount in figures _____________________________ Expiry Date: _______________ CCV: ___________ Name of Credit Card Holder (as shown on card) _______________________________

Signature of Credit Card Holder: ____________________________________________

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Newsletter Page 18

WWW.MODELFARMS-H.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU

The office may need to contact you urgently please complete the form below and

detach from newsletter and return to the front office.

CHANGE OF CONTACT INFORMATION MODEL FARMS HIGH SCHOOL

Name of Student: ____________________________________ Year ___________

New Address: ________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________ Postcode: ______

Correspondence: ______________________________________________________

___________________________________________________ Postcode: ______

Email Address: _______________________________________________________

New Home Phone No. __________________________________________________

Mother Mobile: ________________________________________________________

Mother Work: _________________________________________________________

Father Mobile: ________________________________________________________

Father Work __________________________________________________________

Emergency Contact if changed: _________________________________________

Phone No. ____________________________________________

Any change in Medical Condition e.g. Allergy, Asthma etc.

Details _______________________________________________________________

Bus Pass: YES / NO

Newsletter Page 19

WWW.MODELFARMS-H.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU