TERM 4 | WEEK 6 | November 2019

N E W SLETTER Safe Respectful Learners

ARMSTRONG DRIVE, TOORMINA NSW 2452 l 026653 3077 l toormina-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au l www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

CRICOS Provider Name: NSW Department of Education CRICOS Provider Code: 00588M

My year 10 English students were challenged to bring in an item of their choosing as a stimulus for their writing last Friday. An eclectic collection of items were brought along for the lesson including sentimental items and random pieces found in the bottom of their bags.The end result was a room of chatter and anticipation on the potential of their chosen objects, some excellent creative compositions were presented. I look forward to their choices next week!Bree Taylor, English Teacher

HIGH SCHOOL

N E W SLETTERTERM 4 | WEEK 6 | November 2019

ARMSTRONG DRIVE, TOORMINA NSW 2452 l 026653 3077 l toormina-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au l www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

CRICOS Provider Name: NSW Department of Education CRICOS Provider Code: 00588M

Safe Respectful Learners

Anonymous notes, posters and presents! We have some photos of journals left on seats with notes attached, what a wonderful idea - whoever it is!!!!

The last couple of weeks with the fire situation has been very challenging for everyone. I received some calls from concerned parents after some schools in Coffs Harbour were closed last week and Toormina was not, asking why we were not closed. It is my understanding that the decision to close the schools west of the Pacific Highway was made by the RFS as there was a risk of fire activity in the worst case scenario for these schools. At no time was Toormina High School considered to be at risk of fire danger. Some parents were concerned that they received text messages from the school on Tuesday and Wednesday last week. It was important that parents who had sent their child to school were made aware whether they had or had not arrived.Currently we are monitoring air quality and wind direction constantly during the day and are taking the necessary steps to minimise the impact of smoke on students and staff.• We are keeping the students indoors when the air quality rises above 100 on the Air Quality Index Scale• We are cancelling sporting events, excursions and unnecessary outdoor activities • Using air conditioned rooms (filtered air) as much as possible• Having students avoid vigorous exercise.The smoke and fires have also had an impact on examinations for Year 7 – 10 which will need to be considered as were are currently finalising reports for 2019.Last night I met with the Senior Student Executive Team (School Captains, Vice Captains and Leaders) and they presented some student led initiatives for 2020. These varied from recycling bins around the school, supporting students who are under academic stress, to a Big-Bike Ride to improve school connectedness and sense of belonging. It was amazing to listen to these passionate students talk about these initiatives. It will be great to see these things eventuate in 2020.Last week, I met with the Bongil Bongil Community of Schools Principals and developed a model for staff professional learning for 2020. Staff across our schools will be able to elect from a range of courses offered outside of school hours targeting aspects that are identified by our schools as needed. We will be able to provide improved targeted professional learning in 2020 for our staff.We recently held a fund raiser for Malakhi Donovan who has travelled to England to play Rugby League as part of the Country NSW representative team. We would like to take this opportunity to wish him well.Paul Humphrey

Principal’s Column

MYSTERY at THS!

There have been ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ going on around our school!

ARMSTRONG DRIVE, TOORMINA NSW 2452 l 026653 3077 l toormina-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au l www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.auCRICOS Provider Name: NSW Department of Education CRICOS Provider Code: 00588M

N E W SLETTER Safe Respectful Learners

TERM 4 | WEEK 6 | November 2019

The Support Unit bought 500 books thanks to the funds raised through our coffee shop! We have both of fiction and non-fiction books on a range of topics to encourage all students to pick up a book and read! Thank you to all those who support Coffee Shop, your patronage not only helps our students with work experience it also allows us to purchase extra resources for the Support Unit!

Baringa Private Hospital is generously donating their waste plastic water bottles to the Support Unit to fund new resources including literacy and numeracy teaching and learning aids. The first donation saw us cash in 780 bottles!

Gav Vanderkly, Support Teacher

You areinvited!Parents are welcome to our concert and exhibition showcasing the talent of our Music, Drama and Visual Arts students in Years 7-10.

Tuesday, 26th November 1:10pm - 3:10pm, THS Library.Tickets on sale now for a gold coin from the Visual Arts Staffroom.

Woohoo!

ARMSTRONG DRIVE, TOORMINA NSW 2452 l 026653 3077 l toormina-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au l www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.auCRICOS Provider Name: NSW Department of Education CRICOS Provider Code: 00588M

N E W SLETTER Safe Respectful Learners

TERM 4 | WEEK 6 | November 2019

15 students recently completed their Oh&S Whitecard Induction Course, which we run twice a year at Toormina High School. Some of the comments from the students: “The course is really informative","This will be beneficial when I look for a job", "We learnt how to identify hazards and risks""I wish every class was like this"Thanks again to Maurice Tate for delivering the course to our students. The next course will be in May 2020.Robyn West, Careers Adviser

ARMSTRONG DRIVE, TOORMINA NSW 2452 l 026653 3077 l toormina-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au l www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.auCRICOS Provider Name: NSW Department of Education CRICOS Provider Code: 00588M

N E W SLETTER Safe Respectful Learners

TERM 4 | WEEK 6 | November 2019

Last week our Year 9 boys and Years 10 and 11 girls attended TomorrowMan and TomorrowWoman workshops. The student workshops focus on breaking stereotypes and developing a positive version of self to live by. Students develop the capacity to talk with gravity, depth and emotional intensity, unpacking of internal and external pressure and pop culture topics, social media and relationships. Students all develop a strengthened resilience through this program.Scott Gale, Rel. Head Teacher Wellbeing

TomorrowMan and TomorrowWoman

ARMSTRONG DRIVE, TOORMINA NSW 2452 l 026653 3077 l toormina-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au l www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.auCRICOS Provider Name: NSW Department of Education CRICOS Provider Code: 00588M

N E W SLETTER Safe Respectful Learners

TERM 4 | WEEK 6 | November 2019

Our Year 10 Visual Art students have been participating in the "Overwintering" art project. Lead by significant local artists and organised by Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery, the students have explored the art making practice of lino printmaking in a series of workshops and have created a beautiful series of prints inspired by the migratory shore birds of the Coffs Harbour area. This is a great opportunity for students of Toormina High School to be part of a national collaborative art making project. You are invited to attend the exciting road roller print making event and the official opening of the exhibition at the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery.

Nicole Browning, Art Teacher

You are INVITED!

ARMSTRONG DRIVE, TOORMINA NSW 2452 l 026653 3077 l toormina-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au l www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.auCRICOS Provider Name: NSW Department of Education CRICOS Provider Code: 00588M

N E W SLETTER Safe Respectful Learners

TERM 4 | WEEK 6 | November 2019

IMPORTANT DATESFRI 22/11 - 26/11 Dance Rites Sydney Excursion

FRI 22/11 Junior State Debating Training Day

FRI 22/11 Philosothon Excursion

SAT 23/11 FIRST Lego League competition at THS 7:30am 0 5:30pm

MON 25/11 WEEK B

TUES 26/11 Extension Class Year 7 2020 Orientation

TUES 26/11 Junior CAPA Showcase

WED 27/11 Teen Mental Health First Aid course

THURS 28/11 University of Queensland Excursion

FRI 29/11 Maths Olympics

FRI 29/11 Goori All Stars Sport Gala Day, Orara High

MON 2/12 - 6/12 WEEK A

TUES 3/12 Financial Services Certificate 1

TUES 3/12 Year 7 2020 Orientation Day

WED 4/12 Teen Mental Health First Aid course

WED 4/12 P&C Meeting, 5:30 - 7:00pm, all welcome!

P&C NewsI would like to thank everyone who helped at the P&Cs Bunnings BBQ on the 2nd November. It was very successful.I would also like to thank Toormina Hotel, Woolworths Toormina Gardens, Coles Toormina Gardens, Bakers Delight Toormina Gardens and Woolworths Park Ave for their support and donations.We are holding our last P&C meeting of the year Wednesday 4th December, 5.30 at the Toormina Hotel. Please RSVP Sandra on 0409647050 if you are able to attend.RegardsSandra Jeffery, P&C President

WELCOME to THS!We have Pre-service Teachers at school this term. Nathan Beal, Josh Wilcher, Jake Hardy and Samuel Cocking, all from the University of Newcastle.

HIGH SCHOOL

N E W SLETTERTERM 4 | WEEK 6 | November 2019

ARMSTRONG DRIVE, TOORMINA NSW 2452 l 026653 3077 l toormina-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au l www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

CRICOS Provider Name: NSW Department of Education CRICOS Provider Code: 00588M

Safe Respectful Learners

Wow! What a fantastic Drama Set Design submitted by Year 10 Student, Amy Newcombe, photo above. This individual project shows her vision for the staging of Nick Enright’s play, Property of the Clan, which Year 10 Dama have been studying. It is built on a revolving stage that spins around to a second set design. Fantastic work, Amy!Photos from Year 9 Drama show the class working on set design and individual projects for Lockie Leonard, Human Torpedo by Tim Winton.Brock JanssenDrama Teacher

Drama Set Design

ARMSTRONG DRIVE, TOORMINA NSW 2452 l 026653 3077 l toormina-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au l www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.auCRICOS Provider Name: NSW Department of Education CRICOS Provider Code: 00588M

N E W SLETTER Safe Respectful Learners

TERM 4 | WEEK 6 | November 2019

Year 10 Work Experience Liam Beard and Ella La Macchia on the job in photos below.

HIGH SCHOOL

ARMSTRONG DRIVE, TOORMINA NSW 2452 l 026653 3077 l toormina-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au l www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

CRICOS Provider Name: NSW Department of Education CRICOS Provider Code: 00588M