COMING EVENTS Monday 11th May Year 12 Students return Start of Phase 1 return to school

SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

70-92 Brae Street, Inverell NSW 2360 Ph: 02 6722 3777 Fax: 02 6722 5829

Principal: Miss P. Colley Relieving Deputy Principal: Mr C. Drake

e: inverell-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au w: www.inverell-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Term 2 Week 2Thursday 7th May 2020

TERM 2 - WEEK 3 WK A

A belated welcome to an unusual Term 2. As the Relieving Principal I would like to take this opportunity to thank students, parents and caregivers for their ongoing support during these difficult times with the everchanging environment related to Covid-19. It has been pleasing to see the response to the pick up of the supplied work packages for students to engage in remote learning. Pease return completed work to the school so that students can receive relevant feedback.The staff welcome the return of students to school from 11th May on a more regular basis for Phase 1 and we are looking forward to the time when Inverell High can return to normal. The plan for the students returns for Phase 1 is attached to this newsletter. It is also published on the school’s website and on the school’s Facebook page. Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you have any issues or concerns with the planned return of students.There have been some staff changes made

since the end of Term 1. Savannah Grills (Art) is currently on maternity leave and we welcome Emma Dewhirst. Jacqueline Hahn (Art) has taken leave pending retirement and we have been fortunate to have Clea Townsend appointed to Inverell High in her position. Michael Watton has taken a promotion at the Moree Clontarf Academy, we would like to thank Michael for all his work at Inverell High and wish him the best in his new position.Thank you to Linden McGrady for stepping up to run the Academy in the interim until a new manger is appointed. Kevin Wright is our new school counsellor and replaces Danni Schreck who has been promoted. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Yvette Crowther for her work as a counsellor during the interim period.It is important that as students return to school we all follow the appropriate social distancing measures proportionate to the health advice being provided. Our school will continue to implement good hygiene practices and will encourage the students to follow these practices for everybody’s safety. Please ensure that students bring their own food and a refillable drink bottle as the canteen remains closed. Borrowing of equipment will be discouraged. A reminder that students are required to wear appropriate school uniform at all times. On the day that students return to school they will be required to bring their work packages so that all students continue to complete the one body of work.

Mr Chris DrakeRelieving Principal

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YEAR 12 ABORIGINAL STUDIESCongratulations to Year 12 Aboriginal Studies class for submitting their Major Projects. This is only a small collection. We had a significant variety of projects which explored a number of different aspects. Students investigated health, political activism, the role of sport, fashion and the perception of beauty. The students research was presented in a variety of mediums which were engaging and informative.

SCIENCE WITH MC1The MC1 class had been busy in Science in Term 1. Year 9 enjoyed the evolution unit and exploring how bird beaks have changed. Using tweezers and paper they had to design a beak to pick up smarties (seeds) and string (worms). The pincer shaped worked best.Year 10 in their Motion unit designed parachutes and dropped them to analyse design and the effect of air resistance and velocity. They also made a Rube Goldberg machine with Lego, trains, marbles and other bits and pieces.We also experimented with Agar and cultured some bacteria. Sadly Mrs Fentons' desk was the most germ ridden place of all, followed by the computer keyboards and the least amount of germs were found on the toilet itself. According to research the average office desk houses over 10 million organisms, along with door knobs, coffeepots, microwaves and refrigerators, significantly more than found on toilets.We continue to do experiments from home in our I-energy unit including sound waves with vibrating rulers, waves with dripping taps and blowing paper across books. There are lots of great experiments online and sites like Khan Academy and Bill Nye, for the students to utilise.

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WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING

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The school has been busy upgrading and maintaining its infrastructure during the COVID-19 outbreak. The opportunity has been taken with less students and staff on site to do the jobs that are often hard to get to during school hours. We have contracted out most of the work to local companies to help maintain cashflow in our local community. Classrooms, halls & stairwells have been painted and we have also painted visual aids for any sight impaired students attending school. Asbestos has been removed from some older demountables and we have performed comprehensive electrical testing throughout the entire school. We have implemented an enhanced cleaning program to reduce the risk of infection throughout the school. Social distancing signage is currently being organised to help students whilst they are here at school. We want our community to know that we do take this very seriously and that we have been working tirelessly to better prepare our school for the future needs of our students and their families.Mr Darren Moore

BUSINESS MANAGER REPORT

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INVERELL HIGH SCHOOL 70 – 92 Brae Street, INVERELL NSW 2360

Phone (02) 6722 3777 - Fax (02) 6722 5829

Email Inverell-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au Website www.inverell-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

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Information for Term 2 and the return of students to school (Information from NSW Department of Education Term 2 2020 Guidelines for schools)

For the first two weeks of Term 2 until Friday 8 May, schools will remain operational for students who need to attend. Where practical, parents are encouraged to implement learning from home.

To support the continuity of education for students and increase face-to-face teaching in NSW, a staged return to school model will be rolled out across Term 2. A staged approach allows school communities to balance the needs of students and staff, their families, personal circumstances and workplaces during the pandemic.

(Stage 4 Years 7 & 8 Stage 5 Years 9 & 10 Stage 6 Years 11 & 12) .../2

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-2- Information for Term 2 and the return of students to school

NSW schools are safe, clean and secure places for students and staff.

NSW public schools are regularly and professionally cleaned. Enhanced cleaning is being implemented across all NSW public schools.

Schools will continue to implement appropriate social distancing measures proportionate to health advice at the time.

Schools will also continue to implement good hygiene practices, including:

• Washing hands frequently with soap and water before and after eating and after going to the toilet.

• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, preferably into their elbow • Avoid touching your face. • Limit physical contact when greeting people. • Limit physical contact in the playground.

Parents and carers are encouraged to send their child to school on the allocated time or day/s for that student’s cohort.

If a parent or carer deem there are personal circumstances preventing their child/children attending school on their allocated day/time, this is to be discussed with the school principal.

If you are keeping your child at home due to an underlying health condition, please advise your school to ensure the student is able to continue learning from home.

Students who are participating in learning from at home or school will be marked as being present at school.

Students are not expected to participate in learning if they are unwell and as such will marked as being on sick leave pending advice from parents or carers that the student is unwell.

Students who are not at school and unable to be contacted by the school to determine their whereabouts will be followed up using normal processes and marked as on unapproved leave.

Parents and carers of children and young people with complex medical needs are encouraged to seek medical advice from their health practitioner. The school will work together with parents and carers and the student’s health care team to ensure they have an appropriate plan in place to support the student at school or home.

It is critical that any student who feels unwell does not attend school until they are well in order to minimise the spread of any virus

If a student falls ill while at school, the department’s current health care procedures apply including contacting the student’s parent or carer to attend the school to collect the student.

If the student’s parent or carer is not available to collect their child, contact is to be made with the student’s emergency contact who should be asked to collect the child.

Students should not return to school until they are well and symptom free.

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-3- Information for Term 2 and the return of students to school

Inverell High School Plan – Phase 1

Students at school at least 1 day per week from Monday 11th May (Week 3 Term 2)

This plan will run while schools are directed to operate under Phase 1. Dates displayed are only for the first two weeks of the plan.

Please note that the canteen is presently closed. Students will need to bring their recess, lunch and a refillable drink bottle.

Year 12

Year 12 students will return to school on Monday 11th May. The expectation for Year 12 is that students will attend school each day and attend their timetabled classes.

Mondays will have 6 x 50-minute periods to accommodate Year 11 subjects.

Monday Week B (18th May) 12 Auto Period 5 will move to Period 6

Students may sign in and out of school if they do not have classes and during the lunch break. The library will be open for students at school during the day but there may be restrictions on entry (at times) to maintain social distancing.

Year 11

Year 11 will attend school only on Monday’s starting from 11th May.

Mondays will run 6 x 50-minute periods. The students will follow their Monday timetable.

Additional periods allow for each subject line to occur each Monday (A/B)

Week A - Period 6 11Auto, 11Chem, 11Geog, 11Metl, 11Timber, 11Vart2

Week B - Period 5 11Abst, 11Busn, 11Cons, 11Phys, 11Vart1

- Period 6 11AHis, 11CFS, 11Leg, 11PDPE, 11SLR

Year 8

Year 8 will attend on Tuesdays only starting from 12th May. The timetable for Week A and Week B is

Week A (12th May) Week B (19th May)

Period 1 HSIE Period 1 English

Period 2 English Period 2 Science

Period 3 Maths Period 3 PDHPE/Music (8-2)

Period 4 Science Period 4 Maths

Period 5 PDHPE/Music (8-4) Period 5 Art/Tech

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-4- Information for Term 2 and the return of students to school

Year 9

Year 9 will attend on Wednesdays starting from 13th May. The timetable for Wednesday Week A and Week B is

(13th May & 20th May)

Period 1 English

Period 2 Maths

Period 3 HSIE

Period 4 Science

Period 5 Elective/PDHPE

Year 10

Year 10 will attend on Thursdays only starting from 14th May. The timetable for Week A and Week B is

Week A (14th May) Week B (21st May)

Period 1 Maths Period 1 PDHPE

Period 2 Electives Period 2 English

Period 3 Science Period 3 Science

Period 4 Geography Period 4 Maths

Period 5 English Period 5 History

Year 7

Year 7 will attend on Fridays only starting from 15th May. The timetable for Week A and Week B is

Week A (15th May) Week B (22nd May)

Period 1 Maths Period 1 Science

Period 2 HSIE Period 2 TAS/Art (1&2) Music/LOTE (3&4)

Period 3 TAS/Art (3&4) Period 3 Maths

Music/LOTE (1&2)

Period 4 English Period 4 English

Period 5 Science Period 5 PDHPE

Students at school but not in Year group attending will be supervised in the MPU by casual and designated staff.

Students will continue with the one unit of work either at home or at school. Staff will be able to assist students with their work when at school.

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-5- Information for Term 2 and the return of students to school

Students will need to bring their booklets to school to work on in their timetabled classes. Students will also need to bring their own equipment to work with. Students who have borrowed laptops are required to bring them when they attend school.

There will be no borrowing of equipment between students or from staff. If students require support with resources they should speak to their Year Advisor. A reminder that the School Office does have a stock of NESA approved Scientific Calculators priced at $20.

There will be no practical classes or sport for Year 7-10 during Phase 1.

I would like to remind parents and students that antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated.

If students are unable to follow instructions in a reasonable manner, fail to either attend their timetabled periods on the day or comply with social distancing requirements then they are putting both staff and students at risk. Parents/carers of uncooperative students will be contacted and may need to collect students from school.

As the Relieving Principal I would like to thank parents/carers for their patience and cooperation that has been displayed in these difficult and challenging times.

If you do have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact the school. regards,

Christopher Drake Relieving Principal