Jun 18, 2012 - sponsored by i98FM and hosted by high profile patron, former Australian Cricket Captain, Steve. Waugh. On
Warilla High School Newsletter 18 June 2012
Keross Avenue Barrack Heights NSW 2528 T: 02 42963055 F: 02 42972817 E:
[email protected] W: http://www.warillahs.nsw.edu.au
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE I had the pleasure of meeting many parents of our Year 12 students at the parent teacher meetings held last Tuesday afternoon. Parents were keen to discuss student progress and to put in place various supports as our kids move towards what will no doubt be a very exact assessment and testing regime in the months ahead. I would like to remind both students and parents that there is a simple recipe for success in the HSC; consistent and sustained hard work - it’s that simple! There is no alternative to making sure tasks are done; study routines are in place; homework is completed with commitment; past papers are accessed and scrutinised in terms of what form the testing will take and more importantly, what constitutes a Band 6 response. Perhaps the hardest lesson is the self discipline needed to drive this to its conclusion and to ensure the distractions such as part time work, socialising and worrying about the “formal” are kept in check. The school executive have been vigorously pouring over HSC data and HSC monitoring considerations to ensure everything is as tight as it can be and that students are being exposed to a best practice regime. To this end, several of our staff will be involved in a regional professional learning exercise called Team Leadership for School Improvement, with a targeted focus of improved HSC performance…..watch this space! I would also ask parents of Years 7-11 to ensure they have their child book meeting times with teachers for the Term 3 meetings ASAP after booking sheets are sent home early next term. The staff has endorsed a new Portfolio Structure to operate across the school from the beginning of Term 3. This will allow staff to become more intimately involved in the decision making processes and expose them to best practice methodologies utilised at other schools as we make informed decisions about the systems and practices that best suit our particular needs and students. This structure will see the school align more closely with both regional and state operations with a view to accessing quality support.
Our School’s Core Values:
Issue 4 – Term 2 – Week 9
It was pleasing that this structure was unanimously supported by the P&C at its June meeting. We are in the process of establishing anticipated Year 7 enrolments for 2013. Demand for places at the school is very high. Unfortunately, there will be some who will be disappointed, but I would refer those in this category to the school’s enrolment policy which will be stringently applied in each case. As this will be the final newsletter for this term, I would like to take the opportunity to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday break. With my best wishes, Mr John Hambly Principal
Local Hero Awards It was with much pleasure and great pride that I attended the Local Hero awards last Friday, sponsored by i98FM and hosted by high profile patron, former Australian Cricket Captain, Steve Waugh. One of the categories was “Teacher of the Year” which was won by our own Mr Michael Stanizzo. Michael was nominated by students, which makes this award take on even greater significance as it was the student body that recognised Michael’s unwavering commitment to supporting young people and making a real and tangible difference in their lives. Congratulations Michael on a job well done! Mr John Hambly Principal
Deputy Report Year 12 Parent Teacher Afternoon – This important afternoon was held on Tuesday 12 June. Thank you to the parents who attended and had very valuable conversations with staff regarding the progress of Year 12 students. Thank you to Mr Williams for his organisation. During Term 3 there are a number of major works and projects due, these dates are set by the Board of Studies and cannot be altered. Students should ensure that they are aware of these dates and have completed the necessary work to the very best of their ability. We encourage Year 12 to utilise the assistance and Care for your environment Embrace honesty Respect others and value yourself Seek knowledge
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Issue 4 - Term 2 - Week 9
18 June 2012
advice of their Year 12 teachers, Year Adviser, Head Teachers and the Deputy Principals as they work through this important time. Year 9 Technology Program – Congratulations to the Year 9 students who have completed the technology program run at school on the 13 June and 14 June. During this program Year 9 participated in workshops relating to their laptops, technology and learning. Thank you to Mr Jones, Mr Spooner, Mrs Glasgow and Ms Fotheringham for their organisation of this program. School Uniform – During the past few weeks most students have been arriving at school in the correct uniform. However, with the colder weather now upon us some students have been wearing jackets and jumpers to school that are not school uniform. The correct colour for jumpers and jackets at Warilla High School is navy blue. Please ensure all students wear the correct uniform for colder weather. The school has a number of options including school polar fleece jumpers and jackets, along with our school tracksuit top. If students cannot wear items with the school logo, plain navy jumpers or jackets are the only acceptable option. Please contact Mrs Raison or Mrs Fallo-Cranney if support is required with regard to uniform. Year 10 Subject Selection – Over the next few weeks, Year 10 will be involved in the first phase of their subject selection for Stage 6 courses for 2013. It is important that students take the time to discuss all options with parents and staff to ensure they make informed choices at this important time. This year’s subject selection for Year 10 into Year 11 will be completed online; more information will follow regarding this process. A parent information night will be held on Wednesday 18 July, information will be distributed in the coming weeks regarding this evening. Students who are ill – If any student feels unwell during school time it is school policy that the student gets a note from their classroom teacher or Deputy and then comes to the front office. The front office will contact parents or emergency contacts to pick up the student. At no time should students contact their parents directly to pick them up. Mrs J Fallo-Cranney and Mrs J Raison Deputy Principals
Canteen News Wacky Wednesday Wednesday 20 June Selling Coke, Chocolates, Caramel Slice, Custard Tarts and Assorted Lollies
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Our School’s Core Values:
Late Arrival to School
2010
During the last two terms, a growing number of students have been coming late to school, that is after the bell rings for the end of roll call, without a note from a parent or caregiver. Warilla High School is required under the Education Act 2009, to record and report on all absences, be they whole day, or partial day absences. This includes students that are only five (5) minutes late to school. Parents are responsible under the act to explain the absences of their children from school with either a note or a verbal notification in person or on the telephone. Any late arrivals to school without this notification will be recorded as a partial absence, and will be reported as an ‘Unexplained Partial Absence’ on the students report card, and on the official record of student attendance. Please discuss this matter with your child, and reinforce the need to have a good record of attendance on their reports, for when they want to move into the part time or permanent workforce. If you have any question regarding your child’s whole day or part time attendance patterns, please feel free to contact me at the school. Mr S Kershaw Head Teacher Student Administration
Coming Events Week 9A 18 June
HSC Business Studies Lecture Day Year 11 Biology Minnamurra Field Trip Year 12 Relaxation Workshop Year 10 OH&S Course
19 June
Year 12 Good Report Morning Tea Brick & Block Course
20 June
Gold Awards Assembly in the hall Year 11 EE Science field study at Killalea Year 12 EE Science field study at Killalea Brick & Block Course
21 June
Brick & Block Course
22 June
Year 9 ‘Save a Mate’ workshop Year 11 New Voices, New Laws presentation in the hall Select Years 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12 Photography students Shades of Grey field trip to Sydney Year 8 Marine Studies Sydney Museum Excursion Brick & Block Course
Care for your environment Embrace honesty Respect others and value yourself Seek knowledge
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Issue 4 - Term 2 - Week 9
18 June 2012
Week 10B 25 June
Year 12 Relaxation Workshop Pd4 Year 12 Hospitality Aria Excursion Support Unit Canberra Excursion
26 June
Year 11 Marine Studies Whale Watching Jervis Bay
27 June
Support Excursion IPAC Wollongong
29 June
Year 9 ‘Save a Mate’ Workshop Shades of Grey Periods 1 – 4 Years 7-11 Half Yearly Reports and Semester Awards issued End of Term 2
Term 3 Week 1A Staff Development Day – staff only 16 July 17 July
All students return
2010
PREPARING FOR THE HSC Save the date for an exciting event for HSC students, teachers and parents! ‘HSC English – Belonging’ Presentation with Head English Teacher, Senior HSC Marker, and author of numerous HSC and preliminary guides including the Excel series. The 'talk' will cover all of Paper 1 Belonging (both Standard and Advanced) including the Extended Response (essay), the Writing Task and Short Answer Comprehension as well as study and exam tips. Students are encouraged to bring and ask questions as the session is for them. · Tuesday 10 July, 2012 · 6.00pm -7.45pm, Warilla Library · Free! Bookings essential, ring 4297 2522
HSC in the Holidays – Workshops
Warilla High School NAIDOC JUNE 25TH – JUNE 29TH SPIRIT OF THE TENT EMBASSY: 40 YEARS ON NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Day Observance Committee) held annually in the first week of July to celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. This year we are holding NAIDOC week at the end of June. NAIDOC Week is a celebration of survival of Indigenous culture and the Indigenous contributions to modern Australia. Monday 25 June: Mosaic workshop with Miss Lloyd in school all day with Year 7 students, support classes and senior students. Morning tea and BBQ lunch provided Tuesday 26 June: CHOOPADOO – traditional games with feeder schools and Warilla High students. Morning tea and lunch provided Wednesday 27 June: NAIDOC week schools Koori Touch Footy Knockout at Kanahooka High School. Lunch Provided Friday 29 June: Staff Bush Tucker morning tea. Seek knowledge
Careers
Our School’s Core Values:
Held throughout the July Holidays, our Lecture program will enable you to learn essential content and methods from the most qualified teachers in NSW! This is the most effective way to prepare for the HSC Trial exams and boost your internal mark. Why this is a good lecture program: - The presenters are recognised as the best in their field. - Opportunity to revise and learn the most important details. - Gain an insight into the secrets of the marking process. - Ongoing support and advice leading into the trial exams. - Detailed handouts and practice questions/solutions. - Lectures at the University of Wollongong Campus. Call 1300 677 336 or look at website http://hscintheholidays.com.au/lectures/
UOW Links Visit The University of Wollongong conducted talks with both our Year 10 and Year 12 students on Monday 18 June. Each talk was specific to the Year group. For Year 10 the focus was on what University is like and information to assist students with subject selections for the HSC. The Year 12 talk focused on the ‘Selective Entry’ process, Scholarship applications and the UOW College Options. Congratulations to: The following students who were successful in application to TAFE Pre-Apprenticeship Courses: - Liam McNamara – Brick-Laying - Aleisha Hedges – Hairdressing Care for your environment Embrace honesty Respect others and value yourself Seek knowledge
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Issue 4 - Term 2 - Week 9
18 June 2012
Tegan Watson for gaining a School Based Traineeship at City Beach Surf Shop Shellharbour Square studying a Certificate II in Retail. Tegan Mongta for gaining a School Based Traineeship at Warilla Sports Club Bistro studying a Certificate II in Hospitality. Coby Watts and Jordan Field for being selected for filming and production for an Educational Video on Indigenous School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships for the NSW State Training Services.
YEAR 9 TECHNOLOGY WORKSHOP Last week all of Year 9 participated in Technology Workshops to enhance their knowledge and skills with their School Laptops. Students learnt how to look after and care better for their devices; features and functions of the Department’s Student Portal; how to organise their digital files; and tricks and tips with Microsoft Word. To participate in this course, students had to access the school Moodle site and complete specific tasks that were then submitted as assignments on Moodle. From the survey completed by students at the end of the course – students found the course not only enjoyable but beneficial in learning new skills. It is the aim of our school and the Technology Committee to not only provides professional learning opportunities for staff but to provide educational opportunities for students to support them in becoming confident and capable 21st century learners.
YEAR 12 TRIAL EXAMS The Year 12 Trial Exams will take place in Week 4, Term 3 (6 August – 17 August, 2012). These exams are the final school exams before the Higher School Certificate. All students are required to attend these exams. If a student is unable to attend due to illness, they are required to have a Doctor’s Certificate covering the time off, as per Warilla High School and Board of Studies assessment policy. Year 12 students will be receiving their exam timetables before the end of Term 2 to assist in their preparation for the exam period. Could you please support the school in discussing the importance of these exams, and reviewing the Exam Room policy on the back of their timetable.
2010 Girls’ Stingrays School Holiday Clinic Join top Illawarra Stingrays players from the NSW Women’s Premier League and work on your skills this July School Holidays. The 2 day clinic will boost your knowledge of football and develop your ability while having lots of fun and playing new games. Coaching focuses on passing, shooting, game play, defending and playing as a team. If you’re a girl aged between 7-14 years come along and learn new tricks from some of the best players in the Illawarra. Enrol now before the clinic books out! Date: Monday 2nd July and Tuesday 3rd July 2012 Time: 9.30am to 12:00pm each day Venue: JJ Kelly Park (Outer Fields), Swan St, Wollongong Cost: $40 per person - includes coaching from current Illawarra Stingrays players BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL Phone Call 131302 and have your credit card ready (Visa, MasterCard) For more information please ring – (02) 4228 5355
Did you know teenagers are 20-30 times more at risk of being harmed in a crash once they get their P’s? The keys2drive program aims to reduce this risk by helping learner drivers gain the necessary decision making skills to stay safe on the road. Funded by the Australian Government, the program provides learner drivers and their parents/supervisors with a FREE driving lesson by an accredited keys2drive instructor. Call 1300 728 205 to book your FREE keys2drive lesson with NRMA Safer Driving School *Some conditions apply and are available at www.nrmasafedriving.com.au/keys2drive.htm Lessons are subject to availability. The learner driver must hold valid Australian learner licence. A parent or supervisor with a current Australian full drivers licence must also attend the keys2drive session.
If you have any concerns regarding the Trial Exam period, please feel free to contact the school. Mr S Kershaw Head Teacher Student Administration
Seek knowledge
Our School’s Core Values:
Care for your environment Embrace honesty Respect others and value yourself Seek knowledge
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