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Phone: (02) 6343 1390

FAX: (02) 6343 2377

henrylawso-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Volume 4, Issue 6

13 November, 2015

You may have heard Kia Handley on Central West ABC talking with Mrs Jillian Reidy and Bridget Baker on Tuesday morning about our Archibull entry. Our project is a finalist in the sculpture and blog sections. Mrs Reidy and three of the team: Bridget Baker, Isabelle Hunter and Marie Knight are off to the finals on Friday. As Mr Robinson headed off to Sydney for HSC physics marking, you may have seen Bullseye, our Archibull entry, carefully packaged and tied down into his ute. Mr Robinson will be joining the others at the final judging and presentations.

Our school captains have been busy. They represented the school at the community Remembrance Day service. Clare Hunt, Bailie Pursehouse and Ciaran Thomson-Jones remembered the experience of women in World War I and Ryan Baldwin led the cadets of Jack Cooper, Kurtis Meier and Heather Walker in the catafalque. Maurice Simpson, President of the Grenfell Sub-branch of the RSL, was very complimentary of the all the students’ input, saying that these community events in the future will rely on the next generation to keep it alive and relevant. Clare, Ciaran and Bailie joined Rotary at their meeting, each speaking on their roles and perspectives as young leaders. The Rotarians were very impressed with what they said and how they said it and commented on how at the same age they could not have addressed an audience as these young leaders did. Meanwhile, Ryan in his role as sergeant with in the Australian Defence Force Cadets, was carrying out his duties at the RSL’s Remembrance Day dinner. At this dinner Claira McAway was presented with the sword and certificate as cadet of the year.

The assessment of science skills test, now known as VALID was completed by Year 8 this week. The students were assessed online on specific knowledge as well as scientific skills and communication. As part of the new cycle of science assessment, Year 10 completed the VALID earlier in the year, as a follow to the Year 8 ESSA (Essential Science Skills Assessment). In all areas: extended responses, knowledge and understanding, working scientifically, and communicating scientifically the mean score was above state average, particularly in working scientifically. The growth from Year 8 to 10 was substantial. This continues to reflect the quality of learning and engagement of students in science.

The U15s girls netball team faced very strong competition when they played Cowra this week. The team admired the skills of the Cowra team, but Mrs Griffiths said that even though the difference in score was great, the players never gave up until the final whistle, evidence of our teams’ strong sportsmanship and team skills.

Year 7 geography visited the Weddin Community Native Nursery during the week. They learnt about bush foods, were shown the process of propagation and went on a treasure hunt to identify different types of plants. To top the experience off, they were each given a plant to take home and grow. Mrs Griffiths said it was a great learning experience that the students thoroughly enjoyed.

A large group of students were rewarded for attaining their silver award with a delicious lunch prepared by the hospitality students and Ms Crossley. These students had received a least five merits to gain the silver. Mrs Lynch, who coordinates the silver rewards said the students love the special treat as an added bonus for doing their best.

Year 9 and 10 are completing their yearly exams this week. On Friday students will have the opportunity to complete their White Card training, an essential credential for students who wish to do work experience or work placement in a range of industries.

Year 12 have completed their HSC exams and it has been good to see their relaxed, happy and excited selves as they complete their signing out of school. Some have work, others are anticipating a bit of down time till results come out and decisions need to be made.

A big thanks to the P&C. New sporting equipment is arriving in the school after a generous donation including some new table tennis tables, plus a television screen for one of the few classrooms without an interactive whiteboard. It will act as a monitor for a whole range of learning activities. We all appreciate and value the work our parents do for us in so many ways.

Margaret Carey

Principal

CONGRATULATIONS TO JAN EASTAWAY, WINNER OF THE P&C RAFFLE AT THE

STREET STALL LAST WEEK!

Canteen Roster Week commencing 16 November

Monday Barb Perrot Tuesday Kelly Nealon Wednesday Tristen Matthews Thursday Danny Kotel

Friday Shirley Mawhinney

Year 10 Crossroads Excursion

A reminder to those students going to Lake Burrendong for

Crossroads in December, that the next payment of $100 is

now due. We would appreciate it if this amount could be paid

as soon as possible. The balance of $75 is now due. Students

should have received a note this week regarding the medical

consent form which needs to be completed online by 13

November. Information regarding what to take will follow

closer to the date of the excursion. If any parents or students

have any questions, or require a new note, please contact Mrs

Nicola Mitton at school.

Work Experience

Year 10 will be out on work experience next week. If you see one of our students out in the community, make sure you say hello. Thank you to students and parents for your support in getting work experience organised and students ready to go. Work experience is a valuable experience where students can learn the values and expectations of the work environment, explore possible careers, look for options for part-time work or traineeships and learn new skills. Many students will be working within the Weddin Shire, and a comprehensive list will be provided next week, thanking our employers.

NOTE: STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT SUBMITTED THEIR PAPERWORK CANNOT ATTEND WORK EXPERIENCE ON

MONDAY.

Years 7 & 8 Careers Excursion

Years 7 & 8 have the opportunity to visit Canberra Institute of TAFE on Thursday 6 December. Students will leave at 6am and return to school at 6pm.

We will be visiting Reid Campus where students will complete four workshops, then on to Fyshwick markets for lunch; bring money for lunch or bring our own lunch. We will then go to Fyshwick Campus. At this campus, students must change into their long pants and have enclosed leather footwear to complete the planned activities.

Bring your own morning and afternoon tea and water. We will stop in a park but there will not be a venue to purchase food.

Year 7/8 tech have been honing their wood work skills this term making a variety of wooden boxes.

Rain stopped play!

The girls cricket team take cover after rain stopped play during their game against Blayney High School on Thursday.

Swimming club news

We commenced our Friday night meet with a drill session on freestyle technique which was well received by the swimmers, both senior and junior.

Our data entry team (who welcome new members) are confidently getting things organised ready for our 6pm start. Thanks to our swimming families who are adhering to the 5pm cut-off time for nominations. We really do need this last hour to check nominations for accuracy and then seed and print event sheets.

It is really exciting to see how fierce competition has become in the final heat. Welcome back to our swimming club ‘veterans’, Lachlan Martens and Toby Anderson, who are making a big splash. They have been heroes and mentors to many of our swimmers, some are all grown-up themselves. Welcome, also, to Nathan Dennis – his speed in the water is well known from his appearances in the business house relays. No one can be complacent about their last heat position now.

Our Friday night raffles are well supported. Thanks for that – the funds go straight back to the kids. Donations of raffle prizes are gratefully accepted!

Stroke Correction classes are available for all ages, for anyone, non-club members welcome, $5 per person at 4.30pm on Mondays.

Storm/wet weather cancellations will be notified via email, possibly as late as 5.30 – 5.45 on Friday nights. We will usually proceed if it is just showering but electrical storms require cancellation.

A reminder to forward your Working With Children Check information to Jen Bell or Leann Logan to add to our data base.

Next week’s timekeeper/raffle roster for 13 November is:

Berry, Martens, Hughes (Elissa), Glanville, Martin, O’Byrne, McMahon

Year 7 Geography – Bush

Tucker at the Native

Nursery

Last Tuesday Year 7 geography ventured to the

native nursery. We learnt about native plants and

different types of bush tucker. We are currently

working on implementing a bush tucker garden at

the school. Thank you to the ladies and gents at the

nursery, we learnt a great deal.