October 2012 7th - 10th Prefect Camp 8th

All Staff & Students return for Term 4

12th Prefect Induction 14th - 16th State Choir - Opera House Sydney 15th - 9th Nov

Year 12 HCS Exams-THS Hall

14th-16th

State Choir-Opera House-Sydney 24th 2013 Year 7 Orientation Day - Library 31st 2013 Year 7 Orientation Day - TBA

November 2012 9

th Year 12 Formal-Wests League Club-6.30pm

13th ESSA Online Tests - Year 8 14

th-16

th Years 7 & 8 Aussie Bush Camp-Tea Gardens

21st-23

rd Years 7,8,9 Exams-THS Hall

23rd

-24th

School Spec-Entertainment Centre-Sydney 28

th-30

th Bandlink Workshop-Narrabri

December 2012 4th Sports Assembly - THS Hall - 11am to 1pm 11

th Presentation Evening-6.30pm-THS Hall

19th

Last day of Term 4 for Students 20

th-21

st Staff Development Days

Date Issued 20/9/2012

Tamworth High School

THE BUZZ Willis Street, Tamworth NSW 2340

Telephone: 6765 7888

Fax: 6762 1264

Email: tamworth-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Website: http://www.tamworth-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

THE BUZZ

Set In Plaster at Ag Quip The day at Ag Quip show near

Gunnedah turned out a great

success for all students and

staff.

There was genuine excitement

on the trip over with much

discussion on what to buy, see

and eat. Once there, it was a

race to enjoy the displays,

events and collect free

giveaways. The U.N.E won

over our students by

plastering their arms and the

green Aliens were tough to

capture but our student over

came them.

The drinks and food were

thoroughly investigated with

the overall opinion that the

steak sandwiches were the

best, along with hot chips.

There’s just one complaint,

it’s a long wait until next year

for us all to go again.

Tamworth High School is a caring community that promotes safe respectful learners

Tamworth High School P & C Association Inc. L .Courtney Secretary ( thsp_and_c@yahoo.com.au)

P & C Meeting – 6:30pm Third Tuesday of each school month, 16th October and 20th November are meetings for term 4. We welcome all new and returning families. Meetings go for approximately an hour, so mark the dates on your calendar so you can come along and have a cuppa whilst we meet. School Uniform – We have a great uniform if it’s worn by all correctly, P & C appreciate parental support with this matter. Congratulations to all who wear our uniform with pride every day. Canteen –A big thankyou must go to Cheree and her regular helpers which enables us to deliver the canteen service to the students and staff at THS. We are looking forward to having the canteen fully operational as a cafeteria serve yourself and pay at the cash register. Canteen exterior – Learning Space - More improvements are rolling out which is great for the students and staff at THS. Meetings have been continuing each Tuesday for all interested staff and community to get the plans out to tender. Uniform Shop – Near the Hall - Open Thursday lunch or by prior arrangement. Thanks to Leanne for her organisation and manning of this. Thanks go to Mrs Black and front office staff who help the P & C out here too. Struddy’s Sports Brisbane street will also be stocking sports uniform requirements for THS next term. Country Music Camping - January 2013- Can you help out with cleaning of amenities during Country Music Camping. A roster is drawn up so no one is over burdened. This activity raises between $7,000 - $11,000 for the P & C and school. Many hands make light work. We have 2 female and 2 male prefects helping each afternoon , but we need parents too. So, if you can help email Marg margphelgydavis@gmail.com or thsp_and_c@yahoo.com.au with your contact details. Departing Year 12 – Congratulations and best wishes for your upcoming HSC examinations. We wish you all well for your chosen paths in study and work. You are fine examples of community minded young people who care. We look forward to hearing about where your life takes you.

Healthy Schools Healthy Futures Tamworth High School NEWSLETTER ARTICLE

The Healthy Schools, Healthy Futures program is directed towards students in Years 7

to 10 and aims to decrease the prevalence of health risk behaviours (such as alcohol

consumption, smoking, other drug use, physical inactivity and inadequate nutritional

intake) by enhancing the resilience of students through resilience interventions.

These resilience interventions aim to increase the internal and external resilience of

students. Internal resilience factors refer to the personal skills and traits of young

people. Internal resilience factors include empathy, self-esteem, self-awareness,

effective help seeking, communication and cooperation, and goals and aspirations.

External resilience factors refer to positive influences within the young person’s

environment and surroundings that protect them from engaging in health risk

behaviours. External resilience factors include school connection, community

connection, family connection, and pro-social peers.

As part of the Healthy Schools, Healthy Futures program, School Project Officers and

Principals are pressing ahead with the Curriculum and Community workshops, both

essential elements in planning resilience interventions for students. Most of the schools

have now completed these workshops, and the remaining schools are expected to

have completed their workshops in the next few weeks.

The next step is for Tamworth High School to create an Action Plan. This plan will list

selected resilience interventions for each school to implement over the next couple of

years. Strategies in this plan may include activities from MindMatters and SenseAbility,

rewards and recognition programs, student empowerment programs, and plans to

increase links between the school and the community. The Action Plan will be

produced by the School Project Officer and the Core Team.

School workshops and Action Plans are two important milestones of the Healthy Schools, Healthy Futures program and we encourage all teachers, parents and students to contribute to the planning of Tamworth High School’s resilience interventions.

NAPLAN Results

Most Year 7 and Year 9 students participated in the National Assessment Program –

Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) in May this year.

Aspects of literacy including reading, spelling, punctuation, grammar and writing, as

well as numeracy were assessed.

Students were given their individual parent reports this week.

The reports show skill bands which indicate levels of achievement.

The School will use the NAPLAN results to inform whole school literacy and numeracy

teaching. The NAPLAN results will also be used by teachers to assess individual

student performance and to take action to improve their literacy and numeracy skills.

Please contact the Learning and Support Teachers (LaSTs) at the School if you have

any queries regarding NAPLAN or your child’s performance in the NAPLAN.

Mrs J O’Sullivan,

Mrs E Buckland,

Mrs S Rixon

CHACE Graduation at Tamworth TAFE

Students from THS, Oxley and Peel High Schools recently attended the special graduation

ceremony at Tamworth TAFE for the Stage 5 CHACE Program. These Year 10 students have

had the opportunity to experience the adult worlds of TAFE and the workplace and gain AQF

accreditation earlier than their peers. Some will continue to pursue and further their TAFE

qualifications next year either whilst working toward their HSC at school or full time at TAFE.

Others have decided that the areas they initially chose are now not for them and have the

opportunity to change their career paths.

During the ceremony, Brooke Morter reflected on the program from a students’ perspective,

while Timyka Verning received the award for best Childrens’ Services student and Georgia

Bradley received a Workplace Communications Award. Congratulations to all involved!

Keeping your kids safe online is easy with a few simple

precautions.

1. Nothing replaces parental supervision and education for kids about

cybersafety.

2. Set a technology curfew.

3. Remind your child to never give out identifying information such as your

home address, school name or telephone number in a public message such as

chat or newsgroups.

4. If your child posts photos online, use privacy settings to limit access to people

they know well.

5. Remind your child that people don't always tell the truth online, and they can't

take anything at face value.

6. Reassure your child that they can tell you anything, without fear of losing the

laptop or internet access.

7. If they get a message or email that's threatening or rude, they should 'STOP,

BLOCK, TELL'. First step is to tell your child to stop responding to the

abuse and then block those people sending threatening or rude messages if

they continue. Let your child know that if they are being bullied, or know

someone else who is, they should tell a trusted adult.

8. Never click on any links that are contained in emails from people they don't

know. As well as sexual content, they could contain a computer virus.

9. If you suspect your child has been contacted by a predator, try to save a copy

of the chat log (or whatever form the contact takes) for evidence. Call Crime

Stoppers 24-hour line 1800 333 000 to make a formal complaint.

10. Your child will be using computers and the technology for the rest of their

lives – you're in the great position of being able to get them off to a safe,

positive start.

For more information go to: http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/technology/

cybersafety/cybersafety-tips-every-parent-should-know

NSW CHS GIRLS HOCKEY The THS girls hockey team have just returned from competing in the State Finals series in

Newcastle. They qualified for the finals after defeating Duval High School in the North West

regional final and then beating Camden High School in the round of 16. Both of these games

were tight with both being level at full time, THS getting over Duval in a penalty shootout

and then beating Camden in extra time.

In Newcastle the THS girls were confronted by much older and more experienced teams. Our

team contained ten girls in Year 9 or below. Despite this they performed admirably, losing

their quarter-final to eventual third placed Taree High, and then backing up later to play a

very strong Grafton High team that won 4-1, but not before the THS girls put up a great fight.

In the final game THS

lost to Murwillumbah 1-2,

though a clear goal from

THS was disallowed.

Throughout this game the

team gave it their all and

dominated the second

half.

The team can be proud of

their efforts, they never

gave up and showed that

they are a team of the

future.

The team members were:

Emily Owen (c), Hannah Moxon, Clare McCulloch, Michelle Wayte (Walcha), Courtney

Hathway, Sam Moxon, Brittany King, Steph Fulwood, Amy Watts (Walcha), Natalie Willis,

Sofie Langenbaker, Yolanda Handsaker, Monique Guy, Sarah Willis, Steph Worpel, Meg

Whitten.

Purple Bee Party

Year 7 students won the most recent

Purple Bee Party with the highest rate

of receipt of purple bee awards for the

second half of Term 3.

Students enjoyed the fun and games

and, of course, the food.

Congratulations Year 7 and thank you

to staff and students who helped out

with the event.

Art Gallery Performance

Ex-student of THS, Loren Ryan performed

recently at the opening of the new exhibition for

the Premier’s Aboriginal Art Prize.

Loren performed a modified cover and an

original piece, both incorporating local

Aboriginal language. Her performance was

widely applauded from the audience.

CHS ATHLETICS GOLD

Nick Price of Year 8 struck gold at the recent

NSWCHS Athletics Championships held at

Sydney Olympic Park. Competing in the 13

Years Discus event Nick’s throw of 38.97

metres was ahead of the competition and gave

him the gold medal. Nick also competed in the

Shot Put, but discus is his specialty. After

completing a recent tour of Canada to hone his

skills Nick certainly achieved a memorable

goal by winning in Sydney.

Also taking part at Homebush was Jamie

Blackler of Year 7 who competed in the 13

Years Long Jump. Jamie performed well, but

is looking forward to next year when she can

compete in her favoured Triple Jump event.

Year 9 Food Technology Bushwalk During week 7, all three Year 9 food technology classes united to embark on the annual

Flagstaff Mountain bushwalk. Accompanied by Mr Van Doesberg, Mr Druce, Ms Orchard

and Mrs Walters, Year 9 set off on a gruelling 6km trek to the summit. Along the way,

students kept their energy levels up by eating muesli cookies that were prepared in class.

Despite the challenging terrain, most of the students reached the summit to enjoy the

breathtaking views of the Moonbi ranges. Most students enjoyed the bushwalk, as some of

them had not experienced the views of the Tamworth area before.

Year 9 embarking on their journey View from flagstaff lookout

Year 9 students enjoying the view

OZ TAG GALA DAY Tamworth High again had a large contingent of quality players contest the annual Oz Tag

Gala Day in Tamworth. Nine teams competed in four divisions (7/8 boys 7/8 girls 9/10

boys 9/10 girls) with three teams making the finals. The 7/8 boys Green team were our

only winners, defending our win from last year, by beating Quirindi 5-1. Daniel Kaluza

was the captain of this team and lead by example, playing fast and furious all day. Brayden

Jerrard was outstanding receiving the MVP award for the final. Other boys on the team

were Brody Peak playing outstanding in defence making excellent tags, Lachlan Colgate

using his fine league skills, Tom Ison replicating Michael Ennis’ niggling and annoying

the opposition with his relentless presence, Brandon Parry displaying skill and finesse,

Travis Stevens and Anthony Austin’s determination to win.

The 9/10 Green girls were undefeated all day until the final, going down one try to Oxley.

The girls displayed outstanding skill and sportsmanship all day and were a credit to the

great uniforms they wore.

While the 9/10 Snake Skin Boys were beaten by Oxley, having no substitute players did

not help their cause on the extremely windy day that it was. A little controversy

surrounded the 9/10 final with our other THS Green side lead by Raymond Nean just

missing out on the final by a countback of one point.

All the other teams played hard and were very competitive throughout the day. They

should be congratulated on their conduct and effort.

A special mention of thanks goes to Zarayn Knight who refereed for the whole day. He

excelled in a difficult and demanding job.

Mrs Broderick, Mrs Ernst, Mr Sampson, Ron & Zeta Knight were all very proud of the

students attending the Gala Day and we look forward to Tamworth High upholding their

excellent reputation next year. It was also great to see parents and family on the sidelines

supporting our teams.

9/10 Green Girls back row left to right: Kate

Rich, Bromlie Nankivell, Emily Warner,

Jessica Berman, Lucy Davis, Stephanie

Fullwood.

Front row: Susan Sayabath, Brittany King,

Kelly Abrahams, Kate Robinson, Shania

Forrest, Grace Endacott (C)

7/8 Green boys left to right,

Tom Ison, Lachlan Colgate,

Brandon Parry, Daniel

Kaluza, Anthony Austin, Jake

Taggart, Travis Stevens.

Absent Brayden Jerrard and

Brody Peak.

MINDZONE NEWS The Year 10 Mindzone group have been running a number of activities within the school to

promote better awareness of mental health and well-being. This included a fund raising Blue

Day on R U O K Day to increase the resources in the Library, a poster competition and a

mental health quiz. The activities will conclude with a School Fair inviting local youth

services, and an afternoon of fun.

The Mindzone group have also been recognised by the State Minister for Health, the Hon.

Kevin Humphries, with a State Award for their work on Mental Health promotion and

prevention.