news letter - toormina-h.schools.nsw.gov.au · the first full weekend i had in france was in a tiny...

ARMSTRONG DRIVE, TOORMINA NSW 2452 026653 3077 [email protected] www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

TERM 1 | WEEK 4 | FEBRUARY 2015

NEWSLE T TER

CREATING OUR FUTURE

TOOR M I N AHIGH SCHOOL Senior Student

MENTORING PROGRAMThe new Crest Senior Mentoring Program is off to a flying start at Toormina High!

Staff and students have embraced the program with over 30 students applying and 14 already involved in both the 1:1 tutoring and the online Edmodo group.

This new initiative offers Toormina High School students in years 11 & 12 the opportunity to join a program, with the aim to improve student’s writing and study skills, across all subjects as they prepare for the HSC.

Mentoring is booked through a roster system, where students book in for face to face mentoring during their study periods. This offers flexibility to suit individuals and allows for personalised tuition. The Edmodo group also allows students to interact online, post questions, upload drafts of work for feedback and support each other in their studies.

Julie RobertsHead Teacher - Teaching and Learning

Jake Window signs up for the Crest program with Julie Roberts.If you are interested please see Ms Roberts in her office or the science staffroom.

Principal’s ColumnDear Parents,

We welcomed the new P&C parents and elected office bearers this week. I encourage any interested parents to join us for our monthly meetings on the third Wednesday of the month from 5.30pm in the staff common room. There are fundraising plans ahead and we also value parental input to our school’s policy development during the next year.

As a parent, please encourage your children to be prepared for school, with equipment ready, as well as homework and assignments completed on time. Engagement will be enhanced with good preparation – as we all know, it is good to be aware and on the front foot in life – and our students all benefit from prior preparation and planning in their work and in their lives.Please note as an early reminder that the Coffs Harbour Race Day will occur on Thursday, 6th August this year when our school will close at 11.30am.

Please contact me if I can be of help in any way.Best wishes,E. Donnan

HIGH SCHOOL

NEWSLE T TER TERM 1 | WEEK 4 | FEBRUARY 2015


CREATING OUR FUTURE

TOOR M I N AHIGH SCHOOL

We gave some of our SLSO’s - School Learning Support Officers (teacher’s aides) our questionaire...

Name...Roderick (Rick) BlackTHS Position...SLSOThe high school I attended was...Kinross Wolaroi College.On weekends I enjoy...dragon boat paddling.I love... playing the guitar.I don't like... anything.When I was a teenager I wish someone had told me... I had to talk to females on an emotional level.

Name.......Amanda-Jane CliffordTHS Position......SLSOThe high school I attended was...Bidwill High. On weekends I enjoy...reading, cooking & spending time with my family. I love... to laugh and, of course, GLITTER! and Tinkerbell!I don't like.....ironing or snakes.When I was a teenager I wish someone had told me... to take the time to think of at least five things that I can be grateful for every day because it helps you to have a positive focus.

Name...Henry Wekesa WabwileTHS Position...SLSOThe high school I attended was...Kimilili Boys High School, Western Kenya. Kimilili means the crossing bridge across a river.On weekends I enjoy...gardening.I love...my job and learning from people.I don't like...being idle, I like to be busy.When I was a teenager I wish someone told me... how to be a better person, and given me a chance to go to a school with great facilities like Toormina High.

Name...Kim CarterTHS Position...SLSOThe high school I attended was...Bellingen High.On weekends I enjoy...creating - art, craft, cooking.I love...beading and creating unique jewellery.I don't like...people who say ‘I can’t’.When I was a teenager I wish someone had told me...that one day i would have a daughter who loves horses so start saving NOW!!!

Name... Mrs Susan HarwoodTHS Position...SLSOThe high school I attended was...Carey Baptist Grammar in Melbourne.On weekends I enjoy... working on my farm.I love... the beach.I don't like... swearing.When I was a teenager I wish someone had told me.....to listen more to my very knowledgeable father.

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We will continue to introduce the Toormina High Support Staff over the next few newsletters.

Name.......Annabel SpeightTHS Position......SLSOThe high school I attended was... The Barclay School, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England.On weekends I enjoy...garage sales, throwing the ball for my dog on the beach, DIY home renovating.I love... chocolate and native wildlife/birds.I don't like.....litterbugs.When I was a teenager I wish someone had told me...that one day I really would wish I’d paid more attention at school!!

Name....... Calvin WiggTHS Position......SLSOThe high school I attended was...Eden Marine High School (a long way from here).On weekends I enjoy...going to the beach with my dog, Baxter, and hanging out with my fiance at home.I don't like....traffic, rainy days and bullies.When I was a teenager I wish someone had told me......to start saving for a house then maybe I might have enough by now!

Name...Barb WhiteTHS Position...SLSOThe high school I attended was...Catherine McAuley, Westmead, Sydney.On weekends I enjoy...gardening, exploring the great outdoors.I love...spending time with family, music and travel.I don't like...people littering our beautiful country.When I was a teenager I wish someone told me...life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while you’ll miss it.

Name...Lee KnightTHS Position...SLSOThe high school I attended was...Orara High School.On weekends I enjoy...learning new skills, playing music, working on computers.I love...my job, my family, friends, music and technology and cold weather.I don't like...hot days, moving house.When I was a teenager I wish someone had told me...slow down, take your time when making life choices.

Name...Trish MackayPosition...SLSOHigh School I attended...Jetty High.On weekends I enjoy...walking my dog, catching up with my family.I love...my family, my dog and chocolate !I don't like...negativity.When I was a teenager I wish someone would have told me...to follow my passion!

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CREATING OUR FUTURE


Viva la France! Greetings from our Rotary Exchange student in France, Grace Richardson

Hello Everyone! The first two weeks over. January has been an amazing month. I have been having random moments during my firsttwo weeks where the overwhelming thought arises that I am in France, living here for a YEAR and my family are on theother side of the world. In that moment I realised how lucky I am and how crazy I am!Never have I been more grateful for my family and proud of myself than when I saw the ‘Welcome to Paris’ sign. All thehard work finally welcomed me to the sign of my dreams! I had to wait for nearly 600 people to pack their belongings, get off the plane and exit the hallway. Worth the wait.My beautiful host family was waiting for me with a big sign reading ‘GRACE’. Complete joy. We left the airport and it was 0 degrees and definitely the coldest I have ever been. It is a 3-hour drive from Paris to La Châtre. La Châtre is the most beautiful little town. It is all very old brick buildings, including my home. Everything is so classically French. French food. I love French food. In each meal we have 3 courses; main, cheese and bread then desert. It’s amazing. The cheese is incredible and the bread is the best I have ever had. They (I) eat so much cheese and bread. My family eat pieces of cheese close to the size of my fist. The butter has chocolate pieces in it! I have also tried cow’s tongue. Yum.The food is really rich, especially the chocolate cakes and yogurt. I can only eat a small amount of chocolate cake at a time but intend to get some practice so I can manage a whole slice. The hard life of a Rotary student. My amazing French councilor, Français, and his wife, Dominique, have taken great care of me, including supplying me with more warm coats from their daughter. Français works at my school, which is wonderful because I can talk to him everyday and always have access to help. He has my life organised better than I do! On Thursday nights, my neighbour, Marine (14), and my host sister, Manon (17), and I participate in Zumba. It was very different than I expected. I did NOT expect old, fat women dancing to “Uptown Funk”, but nonetheless I had a wonderful time! They are super enthusiastic and are always shouting and cheering and clapping with the beat! Its great!My school is awesome. My first day was such a great experience. Everyone greeted me and most people can talk very basic English! Many people already knew who I was. My teachers are very helpful. I had a massive group of escorts taking me from class to class. Two things I noticed were that everyone was friends with everyone, which is such a lovely environment to be in, but on the subjects of environment…most people smoke. It is insane how many teenagers all smoke on the school property and nobody cares. The teachers are often smoking with them!! There is a supervisor at my school called Emma who is from England who is lovely. When she started to talk perfect English to me in an accent I could comprehend, I started to cry because it was the first time in 4 days I could understand someone and they could understand me!After a self-serve, 5 course meal at school that was completely FREE! I had four more hours of school and then went home. I spend 10 hours a day at school. Let me repeat that. I spend 10 hours a day at school. Do you want that repeated? 10 HOURS. I have met all my host families and their children! I am super lucky to have such amazing people to live with for a year! All families have a daughter who attend my school, which is wonderful!Sometime I do not have class, so I take walks through my beautiful city and take photos and try local cuisine. One time I was walking alone and a friend from school saw me so we had a hot chocolate and then she showed my all the interesting places in La Châtre and where to find the best views! We visited the museum and the church, castles and farms and cute little shops! The cemetery also was very interesting. There are people there who died before Anglo-Saxons colonised Australia! The first full weekend I had in France was in a tiny town near La Châtre that hosted all the rebounds, outbounds and inbounds from my area! There were so many of us from all ends of the earth! We had a marvelous time! I met all the kids who I would be doing my Barcelona (which in a few weeks yay!!) and Euro tours with!There was one girl who had just returned from Glouster and one girl who is coming to district 9650 this year! Her name is Lucie and which ever town gets her, they are very lucky because she is a wonderful girl! She is super excited! My French has definitely improved. I never realised how hard it is to learn a language. I understand a lot better than I can speak. I find reading French very easy because there is no accent to decipher! I can express my self in French, which is good! To be completely honest, there have been a few hard times. Last Friday, I was expected to do my presentation about Australia but due to extreme tiredness, I was excused. I was quite sick over the weekend but I am feeling a lot better now due to rest and relaxation. There is so much to write! Overall, an amazing two weeks! I am having a surreal and incredible time! Thanking you :) Grace Richardson

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CREATING OUR FUTURE


SPIRIT OF TOORMINA

AWARDSCongratulations for showing

a fantastic attitude that embodies the Toormina

High School philosophy ofcaring, sharing and

participating...

Jaime Leigh Scrimshaw

Kayla Bridges

Brodie Elkins-Baker

Coby Wilson

Elizabeth Ross

Jasmine Winter

Abby Tidswell

Ben Sonter

UNIFORM SHOP HOURS

Monday, 8:30am -12:30pmThursday, 1:30pm - 5:30pm

Shop closed Thursday, March 20

THS Uniform Shop 0468436217.Please leave a message.

The THS Uniform Shop will be getting a shipment of shorts in early March. The sports polo shirts will be delivered in April. All other items will be fazed in. I apologise to any students missing out on their uniform. As soon as items come in I will send notices out.Thanks again for your patience. It's been a real pleasure working with the students and their families. Everyone has been very polite. Thank you.Michele

PS P&C flyer attached, hope to see you there. This will be another productive, fun year!!

THS Uniform Shop Update

On Tuesday 10th February, Year 11 and 12 students attended a workshop presented by the School Police Liaison Office, Senior Constable Snow. Students learnt about issues relating to their changing legal obligations and responsibilities as they turn 18 and become young adults in our local community. Laura Ryan - Head Teacher Welfare

Young Adult Workshop

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CREATING OUR FUTURE


IMPORTANT DATES

FRI 27/2 ZoneSwimming Carnival

THURS 5/3 Regional SwimmingCarnival

MON 16/ 3 - 20/3

Yr 12 Assessment Moratorium

MON 23/3 - 1/4

Yr 12 Examinations

North Coast FootballRegistrations for all North Coast Football players open this week.These days, registrations are taken online at www.myfootballclub.com.auNorth Coast Football sign on days for every club are listed on the link below.http://www.northcoastfootball.com.au/uploads/media/NCF_Club_Registration_days_2015_01.pdf

Sawtell and Toormina Netball ClubRegistration days: Saturday 7th and 14th February, 8am- 1pm at Toormina Gardens Shopping Centre.

Boambee Football ClubRegistration can be completed online for 2015 season -www.boambeefc.com.auRegistration days: Saturday 14, 21 & 28 February, 9am- 1pm at Toormina Gardens Shopping Centre.

Coffs Harbour & District Baseball AssociationPlayers of all ages and abilities are invited to come and try baseball at the annual sign on days.New and returning players can register at the sign on days to be held at the Bray Street Sports Grounds in Coffs harbour on March 14th, 21st and 28th between 9am and 12pm.The season will commence on Saturday 11 April at the Bray Street grounds and then will shift to the Stadium Drive fields in early May 2015.For further information, please contact Bill Langler on 0421 553 093

Coffs Coast Tigers Football Club taking registrations now. Register online at www.myfootballclub.com.au or at Polwarth Drive sporting fields on Sat 14th/ 21st Feb from 1-3pm or Thursday 26th Feb from 4-6pmFurther Information please contact Mellesa Bennett 0437579528

VALENTINE’S DAY CHARITY FUNDRAISEROn Friday 13th February, Year 12 students embraced the spirit of Valentine's Day to fundraise for the National Heart Foundation of Australia. The organisation saves lives and improves health through funding world-class cardiovascular research and assisting people with cardiovascular disease. Students were able to send chocolate roses, cupcakes and messages to other students for a small donation, these were delivered by Year 12 throughout the day. Over $130 was raised for the National Heart Foundation.

Laura McRae, Head Teacher Welfare

JACK’S A WINNER

Last year Jack Briggenshaw became the Club Champion in his age division for the Coffs Harbour Motor Cycle Club. Jack won in the 150cc/4 Stroke Standard Wheel Dirt Track Division. Congratulations Jack!

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CREATING OUR FUTURE


TOORMINA HIGH SCHOOL 2015 SWIMMING CARNIVALAfter a postponement due to rain the 2015 Toormina High School Swimming Carnival was held in perfect conditions on Monday, February 9 at Sawtell Pool. A great day was had by all, Barramundi was the winning house on the day!

2015 Age Champions12 years - Brodie Elkins-Baker & Aleigha Bentley13 years - Ryan Gilchrist & Tahnee Fuller14 years - Thomas Anderson & Kate Bowles15 years - Liam Taylor & Catarina Gordon16 years - Jarod Reeves17 years - Cody Bland, Elizabeth Ross & Nikki Stacey

MORE SWIMMING PHOTOS OVER PAGE AND ON OUR SCHOOL WEBSITE www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

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Rotary Youth Exchange

Applications are now being sought from eligible high school students to apply for a long-term overseas

youth exchange.

Applicants need to be 15 years of age and no older than 17 years & 6 months at time of departure 16th

January 2016.

Application forms areavailable from

www.rotaryyouthexhange9650.com.au Applications close 15th May 2015

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CREATING OUR FUTURE


Careers OH&S Whitecard - Friday 1st May, $100

UNE Excursion - Friday 1st May, $20

University Roadshow - Thursday 5th March - 11.30

am, no cost

Soccer Referee Course - Sat 7th and Sun 8th March,

$80 contact Jason Hillier on 0419215970

School-Based Traineeships - available in Business

Administration and Hospitality

See Mrs West in Careers Office for more details

Vaccination Program 2015 Nurses from the North Coast Area Health Service will deliver the following Vaccinations at Toormina High School in 2015:

Term 1 - Monday 23rd March: Year 7 HPV and Boostrix Term 2 - Monday 25th May: Year 7 HPV and Varicella and Year 11 and 12 Measles Mumps and RubellaTerm 4 - Monday 26th October: Year 7 HPV

Parent Information Kits have been given to students to take home. To consent to vaccination, parents are advised to read all the information provided, complete and sign the Consent Form and return to the Front Office as soon as possible.

For further information please contact Laura McRae, Head Teacher Welfare.

The Tell Them From Me student feedback surveyI am delighted that this term, our school, like many others in the state, will participate in a Department of Education and Communities initiative: the Tell Them From Me student feedback survey. The survey aims to help improve student learning outcomes and measures factors that are known to affect academic achievement and other student outcomes. The focus of the NSW-wide survey is on student wellbeing, engagement and effective teaching practices.

More information about the survey is available at: http://surveys.cese.nsw.gov.au/information-for-parentsThe survey is a great opportunity for our students to provide our school with valuable and quick feedback on what they think about school life, how engaged they are with school and the different ways that teachers interact with them. Schools in Australia and around the world have used the Tell Them From Me survey to help improve how they do things at school. I want to assure you that the survey is confidential and school staff will not be able to identify individual students from their responses. The survey is conducted online and will typically take less than 30 minutes to complete. It will be administered during school hours between 9 March and 2 April. Participating in the survey is entirely voluntary.

A consent form and FAQs for parents/carers about the survey is being sent home with students. If you do not want your child or children to participate, please return the form to school by Friday 27 February. Copies of the form and FAQs are available from the website above.

HIGH SCHOOL


Please come along to one of our P&C meetings held on

Wednesdays from 5.30pm in the Teachers Staffroom at school.

Would you like to be involved in the decision making at Toormina High School?

Would you like a greater understanding of how a secondary school operates?

Do you have a passion for fundraising and enjoy making a difference in the community?

The P & C would like to welcome new members.

You don’t need to take a position, just get involved, your child will

reap the rewards of having a GREAT P & C !

In 2014, the P&C raised more than $2500 for the school through various fundraising activities. In 2015 we would like to increase this amount by holding regular Bunnings BBQ’s and holding a trivia night plus many other activities and events. Your support, even in small

amounts, would be greatly appreciated.

..

Upcoming meeting dates for 2015

18th Feb 19th Aug 18th Mar 16th Sep 20th May 21st Oct 17th June 18th Nov 19th July 16th Dec

For further information, contact P & C President, Michele Bake on

0417 542 849 or talk to Liz Donnan, our Principal on 02 6653 3077

news letter - toormina-h.schools.nsw.gov.au · the first full weekend i had in france was in a tiny...

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