For this edition of the Ambargram it gives me great pleasure to

introduce to you our new Deputy Principal, replacing Ms

Mckenzie following her retirement. Congratulations and well

done to Ms Simone Arts, who began as our new substantive Deputy Principal at the start of this Term 2.

If the name seems a bit familiar to you, it’s because it is! Ms Arts was our Head teacher HSIE

and has been relieving as Deputy Principal for approximately a year prior to her

appointment.

The system used to select our new Deputy Principal is known as the Merit Selection

process. An advertisement was distributed state-wide and suitably qualified applicants

applied. A panel, including a parent representative (thank you Mr Bryant!) and a Deputy

Principal from outside our school, assessed applicants by application, referee and interview.

Ms Arts was an outstanding applicant and we are very excited that she is now a permanent

part of the Senior Executive team that lead our school.

Principal’’s Report

39

Year 10 Geography: Garie Beach

On Wednesday Week 2, our Year 10 students conducted geographical coastal management field work at Garie Beach. Students drew sketch maps, conducted environmental measurements using anemometers, clinometers and light meters, and built models of sustainable dune management systems. They saw the impact of human activity on the coast first-hand and engaged in creative and collaborative activities to measure and solve erosion in the environment. It was a highly interactive and engaging day!

Welcome, Ms Simone

Arts, Deputy Principal,

Ambarvale High School.

20th March 2019

Federal Member for Macarthur

AHS Uniform Policy As the weather begins to cool, we wish to give parents and students a friendly reminder about the AHS Uniform Policy, which is attached to this edition of the Ambargram. Please take the time to read this policy, in particular the need for students to be wearing appropriate pants as we enter winter.

Students and family members are able to contact relevant Year Advisors if student assistance would benefit members of your family in accessing the Ambarvale uniform.

Year 9 Fast Forward Program Welcome to Western Evening

In the final week of Term 1 Year 9 students who were successful applicants for the Fast Forward Program at Western Sydney University attending their first formal event- the Welcome to Western Evening.

Students and their families were joined by Principal Ms Barnott-Clement, Year Advisor Ms Phillips and Assistance Year Advisor Ms Nicoll. AHS students were formally welcomed into the program by WSU staff, and were presented with a special memento from the university team- the book ‘Letter To My Teenage Self’.

Congratulations to all students who attended the evening, and represented the school with the utmost pride whilst looking superb in their school uniforms.

University Medallist established Language Exchange program to help students practice their skills.

Christopher Khatouki tries to speak to almost anyone – literally. He knows three languages and dabbles in many more, believing in the power of communication and its capacity to effect change.

Christopher yesterday (Wednesday 24 April) received the University Medal for the School of Humanities and Social Inquiry for his outstanding academic achievements, but it’s his work with the wider community of which he is most proud.

With Lebanese and Greek heritage, Christopher grew up multilingual and realised early on that being able to speak to people in their own language opened the door to cultural exchange.

“I love to learn and speak other languages because it allows you to see into the culture of other people,” Christopher said.

He wanted to combine his love of language with his passion for politics and completed a Bachelor of International Studies (Dean’s Scholar), double majoring in Mandarin and International Relations before doing an Honours’ year in political science. He graduated from the University of Wollongong (UOW) yesterday, alongside his fellow students from the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts.

“I am really interested in that intersection between history and politics and especially how stable political institutions react to external stress,” he said.

To that end, Christopher wrote his

thesis on the Gwangju Massacre in South Korea in 1980 to better understand how rapid economic, social and cultural change affects the internal dynamics of political systems.

“This is a moment in history that was relatively overlooked in Western scholarly attentions so it was very rewarding to study it,” he said.

Teaching the next generation about the importance of international relations has been an integral part of Christopher’s journey through his tertiary studies. During his time at UOW, Christopher has put his studies into action and volunteered with United Nations Youth programs, organising and running an annual forum for high schools throughout the Illawarra.

“We run workshops and interactive activities to cultivate the new wave of leaders and get them interested in the affairs of the world,” he said.

“I like to get students to think beyond Australia and to think globally, notifying them and empowering them of their potential to make global change and to be prepared for the challenges we face as a nation in the future.”

He has achieved academic success and is still helping shape the minds of tomorrow’s leaders, but Christopher says the thing he is most proud of during his time at UOW is the Language Exchange program, which he established in his second year of study.

“It started off as a small idea three or four years ago with a small grant from the University and has turned into something bigger,” he said.

“The program is twofold. Language students meet with native speakers to practice the language they are learning, and international students come to make new friends and share their culture.

“We have exchange sessions that run weekly and also hold special community events. The idea behind this is that as students we learn a language in the classroom but there is little opportunity to practice it outside of the classroom.

“We have a lot of international students at the University, and I thought setting up language exchange sessions not only helps language students practice but it also helps those international students to meet new people and make friends in a non-threatening environment.

“Since the program started it has skyrocketed. I never expected it to become so big.”

Christopher currently serves as a councillor at the Australian Institute of International Affairs NSW but is about to embark on the next chapter of his life, teaching English in Korea.

“I plan to stay in South Korea for a few years and get some international experience then come back and do a PhD,” he said.

“I don’t want to live a life where I am not making an impact in my community. I firmly believe the more you put out, the more you get back. I have always had a strong passion for giving back, and leaving a place somewhat better than when I arrived.

“I want to make sure that I make a positive contribution in any place I live and in any community in which I work.”

A love of languages inspired Christopher to

give back to community Written by Keeli Cambourne Published on the UOW Website

Chris graduated AHS in 2015

and is our FIRST ever University

medal recipient.

Previous AHS student receives medal and changes lives!

Year 12 Business Studies and Year 10 CJM - Luna Park

Week 10 in Term 1, Y10 CJM!! (Crime Justice & Money) joined with our Year 12 Business Studies students to attend a Business Excursion at Luna Park. Students attended a Seminar where they conducted a situation analysis of Luna Park and were able to discuss the Marketing Strategies that Luna Park use to successfully operate in a competitive environment. Both student groups were able to apply the information learnt to linked assessment tasks, with Year 12 having to complete a comprehensive marketing plan for a similar business ... so I am sure we are to be forgiven for having some fun along the way!!

Year 9 WWI Immersion Day

In the midst of NAPLAN exam week, Year 9 students engaged in a World War I immersion day to allow their brains to refresh and refuel. Students were joined by historical experts including a 'Paddy' and his light horseman. Students tried their hands at making hard tack and maconochie stew, as well as learning training drills such as bayonet charges and grenade throwing.

Students learnt about the hardships soldiers faced living in the trenches at Gallipoli and the Western Front and the role of animals, first-aid and censorship during wartime. Another fantastic immersive experience was had by staff and students!

Year 11 Geography Biophysical Interactions Camp

As part of their study of biophysical interactions, Year 11 Geography students attended their first camp to Killalea State Park where they engaged with the local environment. They discussed how the earth's four spheres interact with one another to form ecosystems and the management strategies used in the area as a result of urbanisation and recreational use. Hard to always achieve from the shoreline, we jumped into canoes, kayaks and onto paddle boards to make our way up the river to various fieldwork locations, even fishing and catching yabbies along the way before jumping back into the buses to make our way to Kiama to observe the famous blowhole and tuck into some ice cream! Students had a great time and Ms Sinclair and Mr Devlin were extremely proud of the work they achieved.

Year 11 Modern History: American Civil War Incursion

During Term 1, Year 11 Modern History students

studied the American Civil War as their case study. As part of their studies, a historical enactor and expert was brought into the school to explain key turning points in the war, the daily life of both Confederate and Union soldiers and lead training drills with our students. Students were able to understand the hardships faced by both sides during the war, trying their hands at grinding coffee beans and cooking a stew over the open fire.

Emmanuelle: Excellence in Retail

Year 12 Student Emmanuelle Ashby has been completing the subject

Retail Services as one of her HSC subjects which will result in a nationally recognised qualification of Certificate III in Retail Services. A requirement of the course in for all students to engage in 70 hours of mandatory work placement, where students get on-the-job training whilst building on their theoretical knowledge which is learnt in class with her teacher Ms Arts.

Earlier in the year, Emmanuelle was nominated by her work placement host employer- Lowes Macarthur Square, for her impressive work ethic and maturity. She was amongst over 6000 students from across all school sectors who are nominated by 500 host employers for the Macarthur Workplace Learning Awards. Emmanuelle was a finalist in the Retail Services category, and went on the WIN the overall category. Since this amazing achievement, Emanuelle has also been nominated for the 2019 Macarthur Young Champions Awards for the category of ‘Academic Achievement- Senior Student’ and wish her every bit of luck. As a school community, we are exceptionally proud of Emmanuelle and all of her hard work representing both her school, and her family.

Wombeyan Caves

Year 8 Geography: Wombeyan Caves Toward the end of Term 1, Year 8 students attended a Geography excursion to Wombeyan Caves as part of a immersion experience to see how humans interact with landscapes and landforms. The day was full of fun, climbing ladders, squeezing through tight sections of the caves and observing some unique rock and crystal for-mations. "It was an experience that students will never forget.” (Mason McLeod, Year 8)

This is an article from an education journal outlining a presentation given by the Principal, Ms Barnott-Clement

and Deputy, Ms Arts in Melbourne.

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