newsletter - maclean high · pdf filenewsletter message from the principal’s ... mrs...

Dates to Remember1 - 11 April - Year 12 Half Yearly Examinations

3 April - School Social

6, 7, 8 April -NSW CHS Swimming Championships in Sydney

9 April - Maclean High School Cross Country

10 April - North Coast CHS Rugby Trials in Kempsey

11 April - Anzac Day Ceremony

11 - 28 April - School Holidays

28 April -Staff Development Day

29 April - Students Return to school Year 8 Intensive Literacy commences

2 May - UNE Open Day

7 May -Half Day Maclean Show Day Holiday

13 May - NAPLAN Yr 7 & Yr 9 English Language/Writing

14 May - NAPLAN Yr 7 & Yr 9 Reading

15 May - NAPLAN Yr 7 & Yr 9 Numeracy Yr 10 Drama Night

16 May - NR Cross Country at Lismore

19 May - P&C Meeting, Yamba Bowling Club at 7pm

APRIL 2014

MACLEAN HIGH SCHOOLNEWSLETTER

Message from the Principal ’s Desk

At the recent P&C Meeting/AGM, office bearers for 2014 were elected. They are: President - Mrs Lorraine White; Vice President - Mrs Sarah Armstrong; Secretaries - Mrs Edwina Cameron, Mrs Sally Gilbert; Treasurer - Mrs Ellen Moloney; Canteen Committee - Mrs Kaye Smith, Mrs Lisa Mitchell, Mrs Julie Coulter; Finance Committee - Mr Peter Harrison, Mrs Sally Gilbert.

It was pleasing to see a number of new faces at the meeting as the P&C always does very valuable work in supporting the students and the school.

Please be aware that the area in front of the school in Woombah Street is for bus drop off and pick up only. This is an extremely high traffic area between 8.15am and 9am and 3.20pm until 3.55pm. At times there are 4/5 buses loading or unloading. Please do not drop students off in this area at these times as it is extremely dangerous. I have personally witnessed vehicles weaving in between buses on numerous occasions. If this practice continues, it is only a matter of time before a serious incident occurs. Please drop your children off at the top of Woombah Street.

Maclean Show Day has now been gazetted by the State Government as a half day public holiday. Consequently, on that day, Wednesday 7th May, the school will only be operational in the morning. See attached letter for further information.

■ CREATING OPPORTUNITIES, ACHIEVING SUCCESS

■ WOOMBAH STREET ■ MACLEAN NSW 2463 ■ 02 6645 2244 ■ www.maclean-h.schools.nsw.edu.au


APRIL 2014■ CREATING OPPORTUNITIES, ACHIEVING SUCCESS


CAREERS NEWSYear 11 and Year 12

The Careers Department is organising an overnight excursion to Armidale University for their Open Day on 2nd May. This excursion is offered to both Year 11 and Year 12 students who are qualifying for an ATAR. There are approximately 40 positions and it is a very worthwhile excursion for students who still have no idea of a career choice. The cost is minimal at just $40.00 as it is heavily subsidised by the University. Food is included and no spending money is needed. Please be definite about your commitment to attend as no refunds can be given. We have to book lodgings and food. Places are limited and we need definite paid participants by Friday, 11th April. It is always a fantastic excursion. Excursion notes are available from the Careers Office.

Year 10Late this term or early next term classes will be held for Year 10 to prepare them for Work Experience. Work Experience happens during the last week of Term 2 (23rd - 27th June). All Year 10 students participate. Please discuss with your child where they will be going for that week. Placements are the responsibility of the student and their families. During that week there are no school classes for Year 10. This is a most valuable week for students who are about to choose their senior subjects. This is a time when students need to take a serious look at what careers might interest them. We are fortunate at this school to still be able to offer such a program and it is only workable due to the many small businesses in the area who willingly take on our students for the week. This week is an opportunity to test a career.

SES Volunteering As this newsletter goes to print 22 Year 10 students are partaking in a week’s course with the local SES. They will be learning valuable survival, communication and team work skills.

(continued from previous page)On Tuesday 13th, Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th May, the Naplan Literacy and Numeracy Tests for Years 7 and 9 will take place. Further information to parents will arrive home shortly in a separate letter.

In 2010, Maclean High School introduced a Mobile Phone/ElectronicDevices Policy. That Policy is still current. it has been successful in reducing disruption in the classroom, and in reducing other inappropriate behaviours around electronic devices. The key word is appropriate.

And finally, the Annual School Report is now available on the school website and by hard copy at the school office. This report is a far more detailed and comprehensive description of the life of Maclean High School in 2013 than other more superficial accounts.

Congratulations to Year 11 student Madeleine Smith who has been selected to attend the UBS Young Women’s Leadership Academy for a week at Sydney University. This is extremely prestigious and only 20 young women from across the State are selected. Here she will be mentored by a diverse group of contemporary women leaders. An exciting opportunity!

Tony Carr, Principal.

Madeleine Smith Year 11


APRIL 2014

Sport AttendanceSport is a mandatory subject like Mathematics, English, Science, PDHPE, Geography and History and thus needs to be attended at satisfactory levels to enable a student to complete their education in an appropriate manner.

The current NSW Department of Education and Communities Policy relating to sport and physical activity, Section 3.1 states that:

“Schools are required to include two hours per week for planned physical activity, including in Years 3-6 a minimum of one hour for sport.

In each of Years 7-10, 80-120 minutes per week is allocated.”

Thank you to the 90% of students who do the right thing each term concerning sport.

These students:1. Choose a sport that they are happy with during the selection process.2. Return their signed permission note on the selection day.3. Turn up each week to their sport prepared with equipment and

money if required.4. Be on time.5. Participate to the best of their ability.

There are, unfortunately, a small number of students who are not attending sport at the required levels determined by the NSW Department of Education and Communities. This may be by not turning up to sport at all OR signing out on a regular basis for family commitments or appointments.

Parents and Carers, please be aware that unless you child is EXEMPT (this is a special form that requires certification and the Principal’s signature) from sport, students are expected to attend at the prescribed levels. Attending appointments, illness or family commitments do not constitute an exemption from sport. A child, who has a minor illness or injury but can still attend sport, is to do so and be part of their sport commitment through alternative activities such as refereeing, scoring or playing in a position that is more suitable. Appointments and family commitments should be made at alternantive times outside of school hours wherever possible.

If your child has not attended sport satisfactorily to date, a warning letter will be issued before the Easter Holidays and a noted improvement must occur immediately so your child will not be deemed ‘unsatisfactory’ for their sporting attendance. A child who has an unsatisfactory sporting attendance may find this will impede their ability to progress to the following year as they have not met the requirements of the sporting subject and in turn have not met Department of Education and Communities attendance requirements.

Eftpos PaymentsParents and Carers are able to pay for fees, excursions, etc using the EFTPOS facility if preferred. EFTPOS payments can be made in person at the front office or over the phone. If payments are made over the phone, the information will remain confidential and destroyed immediately after the transaction has been processed. Alternatively, payments may be made using cash, cheque or money order.




APRIL 2014

Deputy Principal’s Report This term, so far, has been very busy with activities for all years. The Year 7 group has been extremely busy having just completed their Cultural Tours that saw them visit many significant Aboriginal sites at Brooms Head. They and their parents were also invited for an informal ‘Getting to Know You BBQ’. Week 10 will see the teachers of Year 7 students meeting in class core groups and discussing class placements and progress. As a result of these meetings teachers will be in contact with home to let the parents/caregivers know how each Year 7 student has settled into high school.I had the pleasure of officiating at both the Zone and Regional Swimming Carnival in the past weeks and was very proud of the efforts put in by the students from our school. As a result fifteen students will progress to Sydney for the State CHS Championships. Last week also saw our students represent in the CHS Rowing Championships with great success once again.As the end of the term draws closer, Year 11 students will be involved in the annual Heron Island excursion and Year 12 should be preparing for their half yearly exams.Once again we encourage parents and caregivers to contact the school to discuss any issues that may arise. If your student is experiencing problems or you just wish to keep up to date with their progress, their Year Advisors, Deputy Principals or Boys and Girls Supervisors are always happy to discuss issues. Remember, if we don’t hear we assume everything is progressing without a problem.We hope you all have a happy and safe school holiday and Easter break and return safe and refreshed for Term 2.

SRC News

Close the Gap Day

Volunteers urgently needed to work in the Canteen. Please phone Kaye Smith if interested on 6645 2443.



The SRC are certainly getting into the spirit of different events in the calendar, they held a St Patrick’s Day fundraiser and were really pleased that they raised $295.00. They are now busy preparing for the Teddy Bears’ Picnic for Bandaged Bear Day to support the seriously ill children at the Childrens’ Hospital, Westmead. We are going to have a massive ‘Pass the Parcel’ (Year 12); egg and spoon races; sack races and three-legged races; and lots of delectable food to be sold at recess time. Hopefully the majority of the school will get behind the SRC in their bid to assist with such a great cause.

Year 9 Aboriginal Studies students engineered a Close the Gap Day with Years 5/6 students from Maclean Primary School. It is very important that the importance of ‘closing the gap’ is publicised and that everyone is educated about the gap in health and life expectancy between Indigneous and Non-Indigenous people in Australia. It was a mammoth effort and thank you to Mrs Wicks for the dampers; Leesa Kilduff for organising the primary school end; Mrs Sandra Armstrong for supporting the day; Aboriginal Medical Services for providing the fruit (and Mrs Bowes’ passionfruit); Olivia Skinner-Speirs, Britney Ackerman and Mekeely Heron for the design and painting of the banner, title page and find-a-word; and the PE staff for supplying sporting equipment.


APRIL 2014

SPORTS NEWSSwimming Carnival ResultsCongratulations to each of the following students who all made it to NSW CHS Swimming Championships to be held in Sydney from 6th April until 8th April.

Alexandra Anderson-Bylos - girls 12-19yrs 6 x 50m Free Relay.Bronte Beresford - girls 14yrs 50m Freestyle and 12-19yrs 6x50 Free Relay.Erica Brown - girls 17-19yrs 200m Free Relay.Zoe Brown - girls 12yrs 50m Freestyle, girls 12-19yrs girls 6 x 50m Free Relay, girls 12yrs 100m Breast Stroke, girls 12yrs 100m Freestyle.Chianna Dane - girls 16yrs 6x50m Free Relay.Penny Elvery - girls 17-19yrs 200m Free Relay, girls 12-19yrs 6x50m Free Relay.Rory Frazer - boys 14yrs 200m Free Relay.Isabella Gilbert - girls 12-19yrs 6x50m Free Relay.Nathan Hollis - boys 14yrs 50m Freestyle, boys 14yrs 200m Free Relay.Zoe King - girls 12yrs 100m Back Stroke.Ashleigh Murphy - girls 17-19yrs 200m Freestyle, 17-19yrs 200m Free Relay, 17-19yrs 100m Back Stroke.Caitlin O’Mahony - girls 17-19yrs 200m Free Relay.Lucas Pirona - boys 14yrs 200m Free Relay.Darcey Woodward - boys 12yrs 200m Freestyle, boys 12yrs 50m Freestyle, boys 12yrs 100m Butterfly, boys 12yrs 100m Back Stroke, boys 12yrs 100m Breast Stroke, boys 12yrs 100m Freestyle.



CHS RowingSix of Maclean High School’s best rowers competed in the CHS State Rowing Regatta at the Sydney Olympic Regatta Centre recently. Penny Elvery, Teagan McFarlane, Marnie Evans, Chianna Dane, Ashley Pilcher and Grace Bolton travelled to Penrith with coach Harold Kratz and their parents. The girls competed against 300 students from all over the State, but mainly Sydney schools. Between them they won a total of 12 medals and they dominated the Open Girls Division with the following results:

Championship Quad - 1st place (Penny Elvery, Teagan McFarlane, Marnie Evans and Chianna Dane).Championship Double - 1st place (Teagan McFarlane and Chianna Dane) 2nd place (Penny Elvery, Marnie Evans).Championship Singles - 2nd (Penny Elvery) and 3rd (Teagan McFarlane).U17 Girls Singles - 2nd (Chianna Dane) and 3rd (Ashley Pilcher).

Grace Bolton rowed in the U16 Girls Single Scull Final as well as partnering Ashley Pilcher in the Open Double Final. Chianna Dane was awarded the prestigious “Outstanding Female Rower” for the whole regatta. As usual, the girls did themselves and our school proud. Coaches and students from the other schools commented on our girl’s ability and achievements. Thanks to the parents who made the long trip to support our crews.

Stewart House Donation Drive 2014Your donation supports the 1,800 children who attend Stewart House each year from public schools across NSW and the ACT. Please place a $2 coin or equivalent in the envelope attached, complete entry details on the back and return to your school to be eligible for the draw. Submit your entry on Stewart House Day, 9th May 2014.

ALL ENTRIES MUST REACH STEWART HOUSE BY Friday, 23rd May, 2014 to participate in the draw.


APRIL 2014

SPORTS NEWS(Continued)

Water PoloRecently two teams of Maclean High School Open Water Polo players travelled to Grafton to compete in the North Coast CHS Zone Water Polo. Both boys and girls teams played representative teams from Melville High School (Port Macquarie Region) and Alstonville High School (Northern Rivers Region). Maclean teams had two excellent games against the Melville teams winning both games. Unfortunately, they were both beaten by the experienced Alstonville teams who train and play in their local competitions every week. Such a wonderful experience for these students, and they all demonstrated an outstanding level of sportsmanship on the day. Well done, Maclean High School!

Touch Football 15 years boys and girls touch football teams travelled to Woodenbong for three trial games to assist in selection for the Northern Rivers Zone 15 years touch teams. The boys faced some strong opposition, but with a young Maclean team, the leg length and experience all proved to be the difference. The girls team came out winners and gained confidence and developed their skills with each successive game. Congratulations to Mekeely Heron, Brianna McFarlane and Charlotte Williams on their selection into the Northern Rivers Zone team.

AFL 15’s 9-A-Side Gala Day and Far North Coast and Richmond Zone TrialsRecently a team of AFL players travelled to Saunders Oval in Ballina for the 15’s 9-A-Side Gala Day combined with the Far North Coast and Richmond Zone selection trials. The boys won all of their games by a large margin and all players played at a very high standard. There were four players chosen for the Regional team to play their first match at Sawtell in April. Congratulations to all players and especially to the following four students who will represent our school: Thomas Kerr and Lachlan Glover (Year 10), Max Hoffman and Mitchell Johns (Year 9).

Yamba Football Club Registrations for 2014Sign on opens on-line from Saturday 1st February. Visit the club website on www.yambafootballclub.com for a link to the myfootballclub webpage, or go direct to www.myfootballclub.com.au to register, or contact Audrey Harradine on 6646 8081.




APRIL 2014

Year 7 FrenchYear 7 French students have been engaged in a variety of cultural activities this term. St Valentines Day, for example, is celebrated in a town in France which holds a kissing festival. Not that the students did that, but they did create cards for what is essentially an Italian event in honour of a christian priest, Valentino. Claudius the emperor had ordered that no marriages could be performed as it distracted the men from his army. Valentino conducted marriages in secret and was subsequently punished. Another cultural event, Carnaval, is celebrated by making masks in honour of a festival which is celebrated in many countries throughout the world during February. Recently students celebrated Shrove Tuesday, traditionally the day when foods forbidden during the coming Lenten season were eaten. For students it was a time to have a break from the routine of their classroom by turning it into a kitchen for the lesson. The first term will end with colourful activities and preparations for Easter celebrations.

Book Reports are Back!Book reports are back in fashion and 7O are ferociously leading the trend. It all began as a simple English assignment designed to improve the literacy and vocabulary of its students. But now it has exploded into a battle of the books with the chance of winning coveted prizes, like a free book voucher and celebrity fame as a published reviewer.“Book reports have turned into serious business in this classroom” explained 7O English teacher, Miss Thomspon. “There’s stiff competition to be number one and I’ve had a lot of students giving me drafts in order to better their chances.” Earlier in the term, Miss Thompson witnessed a paperback war, which saw Diary of a Wimpy Kid face off with Charlotte’s Web, and The Hunger Games go head-to-head with Harry Potter. In the end, there could only be one winner, and it was Paige Morrison with The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. “She was like a silent assassin,” Miss Thompson said. “Paige flew in under the radar and just knocked out the competition.” Paige received a 99/100 for her book report and is already onto her next novel. But will she maintain her position as number one? Only time will tell...



Calling all Public Speakers and DebatersHave you got the gift of the gab? Well, why not join the Public Speaking/Debating Team? Ms Cameron and Miss Thompson are on the lookout for speakers and debaters to compete in competitions and in-school debates. Everything kicks off in Term 2, so if you think you have what it takes, or know someone who would be perfect, come and sign up at the English faculty as soon as possible.


APRIL 2014■ CREATING OPPORTUNITIES, ACHIEVING SUCCESS


Faculty in FocusLearning Support

The Learning Support Faculty has grown yet again. There are now five Specialist Classes in the school to accommodate students with a broad range of disabilities. Additional to long standing classes the first Multi Categorical Class (MCC) began in 2013 and the second MCC was established in 2014.

Creative Writing ClubThe Write Club creative writing group has hit the ground running and it’s students couldn’t be happier. Officially launched this term, The Write Club, provides talented young writers with the opportunity to perfect their skills and to promote their work through competition submissions and sending manuscrits to potential publishers. At present, its club members are hard at work putting the finishing touches to two short story competitions. If successful, students would win their choice of an Xbox 360, Playstation 4 or Xbox One, or a cool $8,000. Interested in joining, you are more than welcome to come along to the class, held every Wednesday in E14 during Senior Periods (8.30am-9.15am).

Coastal Clarence Cheerleaders

The Cheerleaders are travelling to Sydney this year to perform their dance at the West Tigers NRL match.If you are interested in joining the squad, training is on every Tuesday from 4.30 till 6.30pm at the Raymond Laurie Sports Centre. School buses go to the sports centre after school. Cheerleaders will also be performing at local sporting events throughout the year. This is a great opportunity to keep fit and have fun within a group of amazing athletes.For more information contact Mallika on 0403 208729 or Coastal Clarence Gymnastics on 6646 8822.

Boe Biddle-Coxell is a Year 9 student who has a love of music and dance. Consequently, Boe selected Dance for Wednesday afternoon sport again in 2014. There is ONE major difference; Boe has found her dancing legs this year. How? Through a wonderful mobility device called a Meywalk. Boe usually negotiates and explores in a wheelchair, but when the DEC approved and funded the application for a Meywalk, Boe’s world was about to change. The Meywalk has given Boe a new perspective. She can now stand, walk, turn, play in the gym, look you in the eye and of course DANCE! The look on her face says it all. AWESOME!

A new face to our faculty is Ms Donna Watts who is working on three of our support classes. The faculty welcomes back Mrs Janna Welch who is returning from 6 months leave. It is so wonderful to have her warmth and expertise as part of our team again. Also Keala Goggin, who is currently on leave, will be returning part time in Term 2. Also returning this year are existing staff members: Mr Mark Ramsey, Mrs Linda Martin, Mrs Carol Willis, Mr Nathan White, Mrs Rachel Healy and Ms O’Brien (Head Teacher). We also extend our welcome and thanks to our casual relief teachers, Mrs Nancye Green and Ms Amie Forrester.The success of our team is due to the hard work and expertise of our teachers as well as our Learning Support Officers (LSOs), Nancy Johnson, Judy O’Callaghan, Fiona Whitehouse, Annette King, Lyn Styles, Mel Davies, Jacinta Wray, Steve Woods, Geraldine O’Sullivan, Regan Howarth, Don MacPhail, Brett Martin, Jo Lewis and Maria Fernance. With changes in programs and funding some LSOs who worked so diligently in previous years have moved on. A big thanks to Jill Shephard, Alison Kelly, Anjanette Warburton, Deb Breckenridge, Krystal Randall and Jo Randall. We wish them all the very best.This year the TAFE Peer Tutor Reading Program is operating again; 24 Year 10 students are tutoring 24 Year 7 students in improving a range of essential skills in reading. Their commitment is greatly appreciated by the broader school community.The Learning Support Faculty works collaboratively with staff, parents and students to implement inclusive practices for students with disabilities. These include providing learning adjustments to accommodate individual and group learning needs so that students reach their potential in a safe and happy setting. As students’ confidence, independence and abilities to generalise skills develop, it is an affirmation to staff, parents, students, and the broader community, of the effectiveness in working together.


APRIL 2014

Easter Holiday Sports Camp 2014

Sports to be played include tennis (racquets available), basketball, futsal,

volleyball, netball, table tennis and finishing with a swim and pizza party

on the last day.

New activities this year are mini gymnastics and face paitning!

Canteen facilities available at pool & indoor centre. Venues to be used - Yamba

Swimming Pool, Tennis Courts and Raymond Laurie Sports Centre.

Tuesday 15th, Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th April.

Pool Tennis Courts Angourie Road, Yamba

9.30am - 1.30pm $100.00 (day rate $40.00)



Clare’s Place Hair Studio

6 Palm Terrace, Yamba 6646 1214

Open Tuesday – Saturday by appointment only.

All hair services available including facial waxing and tinting. Competitive prices.

Reliable and personal.

Award winning colourist. Blonde hair specialist

newsletter - maclean high · pdf filenewsletter message from the principal’s ... mrs...

Documents