NEWS - Toormina High School

NEWS
LE T TER
TERM 1 | WEEK 4 | FEBRUARY 2015
T OOR M I N A
HIGH SCHOOL
CREATING OUR FUTURE
Senior Student
MENTORING PROGRAM
The new Crest Senior Mentoring Program is off to a
flying start at Toormina High!
Staff and students have embraced the program with
over 30 students applying and 14 already involved
in both the 1:1 tutoring and the online Edmodo
group.
This new initiative offers Toormina High
School students in years 11 & 12 the
opportunity to join a program, with the
aim to improve student’s writing and study
skills, across all subjects as they prepare for
the HSC.
Mentoring is booked through a roster system,
where students book in for face to face mentoring
during their study periods. This offers flexibility to
suit individuals and allows for personalised tuition.
The Edmodo group also allows students to interact
online, post questions, upload drafts of work for
feedback and support each other in their studies.
Julie Roberts
Head Teacher - Teaching and Learning
Jake Window signs up for the Crest program with
Julie Roberts.
If you are interested please see Ms Roberts in her
office or the science staffroom.
Principal’s Column
Dear Parents,
We welcomed the new P&C parents and elected office bearers this week. I encourage any interested parents to join us for our
monthly meetings on the third Wednesday of the month from 5.30pm in the staff common room. There are fundraising plans
ahead and we also value parental input to our school’s policy development during the next year.
As a parent, please encourage your children to be prepared for school, with equipment ready, as well as homework and
assignments completed on time. Engagement will be enhanced with good preparation – as we all know, it is good to be aware
and on the front foot in life – and our students all benefit from prior preparation and planning in their work and in their lives.
Please note as an early reminder that the Coffs Harbour Race Day will occur on Thursday, 6th August this year when our school
will close at 11.30am.
Please contact me if I can be of help in any way.
Best wishes,
E. Donnan
ARMSTRONG DRIVE, TOORMINA NSW 2452 026653 3077
toormina-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.au
NEWS
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T OOR M I N A
HIGH SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
TERM 1 | WEEK 4 | FEBRUARY 2015
CREATING OUR FUTURE
We gave some of our SLSO’s - School Learning Support Officers (teacher’s aides) our questionaire...
Name.......Amanda-Jane Clifford
THS Position......SLSO
The high school I attended was...Bidwill High.
On weekends I enjoy...reading, cooking & spending time with my family.
I love... to laugh and, of course, GLITTER! and Tinkerbell!
I don't like.....ironing or snakes.
When I was a teenager I wish someone had told me... to take the time to think of at least five things
that I can be grateful for every day because it helps you to have a positive focus.
Name...Roderick (Rick) Black
THS Position...SLSO
The high school I attended was...Kinross Wolaroi College.
On weekends I enjoy...dragon boat paddling.
I love... playing the guitar.
I don't like... anything.
When I was a teenager I wish someone had told me... I had to talk to females on an emotional level.
Name...Kim Carter
THS Position...SLSO
The high school I attended was...Bellingen High.
On weekends I enjoy...creating - art, craft, cooking.
I love...beading and creating unique jewellery.
I don't like...people who say ‘I can’t’.
When I was a teenager I wish someone had told me...that one day i would have a daughter who loves
horses so start saving NOW!!!
Name... Mrs Susan Harwood
THS Position...SLSO
The high school I attended was...Carey Baptist Grammar in Melbourne.
On weekends I enjoy... working on my farm.
I love... the beach.
I don't like... swearing.
When I was a teenager I wish someone had told me.....to listen more to my very knowledgeable father.
Name...Henry Wekesa Wabwile
THS Position...SLSO
The high school I attended was...Kimilili Boys High School, Western Kenya. Kimilili means the crossing
bridge across a river.
On weekends I enjoy...gardening.
I love...my job and learning from people.
I don't like...being idle, I like to be busy.
When I was a teenager I wish someone told me... how to be a better person, and given me a chance to
go to a school with great facilities like Toormina High.
ARMSTRONG DRIVE, TOORMINA NSW 2452 026653 3077
toormina-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.au
NEWS
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T OOR M I N A
HIGH SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
TERM 1 | WEEK 4 | FEBRUARY 2015
CREATING OUR FUTURE
We will continue to introduce the Toormina High Support Staff over the next few newsletters.
Name.......Annabel Speight
THS Position......SLSO
The high school I attended was... The Barclay School, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England.
On weekends I enjoy...garage sales, throwing the ball for my dog on the beach, DIY home renovating.
I love... chocolate and native wildlife/birds.
I don't like.....litterbugs.
When I was a teenager I wish someone had told me...that one day I really would wish I’d paid more
attention at school!!
Name...Lee Knight
THS Position...SLSO
The high school I attended was...Orara High School.
On weekends I enjoy...learning new skills, playing music, working on computers.
I love...my job, my family, friends, music and technology and cold weather.
I don't like...hot days, moving house.
When I was a teenager I wish someone had told me...slow down, take your time when making life
choices.
Name...Trish Mackay
Position...SLSO
High School I attended...Jetty High.
On weekends I enjoy...walking my dog, catching up with my family.
I love...my family, my dog and chocolate !
I don't like...negativity.
When I was a teenager I wish someone would have told me...to follow my passion!
Name....... Calvin Wigg
THS Position......SLSO
The high school I attended was...Eden Marine High School (a long way from here).
On weekends I enjoy...going to the beach with my dog, Baxter, and hanging out with my fiance at
home.
I don't like....traffic, rainy days and bullies.
When I was a teenager I wish someone had told me......to start saving for a house then maybe I might
have enough by now!
Name...Barb White
THS Position...SLSO
The high school I attended was...Catherine McAuley, Westmead, Sydney.
On weekends I enjoy...gardening, exploring the great outdoors.
I love...spending time with family, music and travel.
I don't like...people littering our beautiful country.
When I was a teenager I wish someone told me...life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look
around once in a while you’ll miss it.
ARMSTRONG DRIVE, TOORMINA NSW 2452 026653 3077
toormina-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.au
NEWS
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T OOR M I N A
HIGH SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
Viva la France!
TERM 1 | WEEK 4 | FEBRUARY 2015
CREATING OUR FUTURE
Greetings from our Rotary Exchange student in France, Grace Richardson
Hello Everyone!
The first two weeks over. January has been an amazing month. I have been having random moments during my first
two weeks where the overwhelming thought arises that I am in France, living here for a YEAR and my family are on the
other side of the world. In that moment I realised how lucky I am and how crazy I am!
Never have I been more grateful for my family and proud of myself than when I saw the ‘Welcome to Paris’ sign. All the
hard work finally welcomed me to the sign of my dreams! I had to wait for nearly 600 people to pack their belongings, get off the plane
and exit the hallway. Worth the wait.
My beautiful host family was waiting for me with a big sign reading ‘GRACE’. Complete joy.
We left the airport and it was 0 degrees and definitely the coldest I have ever been.
It is a 3-hour drive from Paris to La Châtre. La Châtre is the most beautiful little town. It is all very old brick buildings, including my home.
Everything is so classically French.
French food. I love French food. In each meal we have 3 courses; main, cheese and bread then desert. It’s amazing. The cheese is incredible
and the bread is the best I have ever had. They (I) eat so much cheese and bread. My family eat pieces of cheese close to the size of my fist.
The butter has chocolate pieces in it! I have also tried cow’s tongue. Yum.
The food is really rich, especially the chocolate cakes and yogurt. I can only eat a small amount of chocolate cake at a time but intend to
get some practice so I can manage a whole slice. The hard life of a Rotary student.
My amazing French councilor, Français, and his wife, Dominique, have taken great care of me, including supplying me with more warm
coats from their daughter. Français works at my school, which is wonderful because I can talk to him everyday and always have access to
help. He has my life organised better than I do!
On Thursday nights, my neighbour, Marine (14), and my host sister, Manon (17), and I participate in Zumba. It was very different than I
expected. I did NOT expect old, fat women dancing to “Uptown Funk”, but nonetheless I had a wonderful time! They are super enthusiastic
and are always shouting and cheering and clapping with the beat! Its great!
My school is awesome. My first day was such a great experience. Everyone greeted me and most people can talk very basic English! Many
people already knew who I was. My teachers are very helpful. I had a massive group of escorts taking me from class to class. Two things I
noticed were that everyone was friends with everyone, which is such a lovely environment to be in, but on the subjects of environment…
most people smoke. It is insane how many teenagers all smoke on the school property and nobody cares. The teachers are often smoking
with them!! There is a supervisor at my school called Emma who is from England who is lovely. When she started to talk perfect English to
me in an accent I could comprehend, I started to cry because it was the first time in 4 days I could understand someone and they could
understand me!
After a self-serve, 5 course meal at school that was completely FREE! I had four more hours of school and then went home. I spend 10
hours a day at school. Let me repeat that. I spend 10 hours a day at school. Do you want that repeated? 10 HOURS.
I have met all my host families and their children! I am super lucky to have such amazing people to live with for a year! All families have a
daughter who attend my school, which is wonderful!
Sometime I do not have class, so I take walks through my beautiful city and take photos and try local cuisine. One time I was walking
alone and a friend from school saw me so we had a hot chocolate and then she showed my all the interesting places in La Châtre and
where to find the best views! We visited the museum and the church, castles and farms and cute little shops! The cemetery also was very
interesting. There are people there who died before Anglo-Saxons colonised Australia!
The first full weekend I had in France was in a tiny town near La Châtre that hosted all the rebounds, outbounds and inbounds from my
area! There were so many of us from all ends of the earth! We had a marvelous time! I met all the kids who I would be doing my Barcelona
(which in a few weeks yay!!) and Euro tours with!
There was one girl who had just returned from Glouster and one girl who is coming to district 9650 this year! Her name is Lucie and which
ever town gets her, they are very lucky because she is a wonderful girl! She is super excited!
My French has definitely improved. I never realised how hard it is to learn a language. I understand a lot better than I can speak. I find
reading French very easy because there is no accent to decipher! I can express my self in French, which is good!
To be completely honest, there have been a few hard times. Last Friday, I was expected to do my presentation about Australia but due to
extreme tiredness, I was excused. I was quite sick over the weekend but I am feeling a lot better now due to rest and relaxation.
There is so much to write! Overall, an amazing two weeks! I am having a surreal and incredible time! Thanking you :)
Grace Richardson
ARMSTRONG DRIVE, TOORMINA NSW 2452 026653 3077
toormina-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.au
NEWS
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T OOR M I N A
HIGH SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
TERM 1 | WEEK 4 | FEBRUARY 2015
CREATING OUR FUTURE
SPIRIT OF
TOORMINA
AWARDS
Congratulations for showing
a fantastic attitude that
embodies the Toormina
High School philosophy of
caring, sharing and
participating...
Jaime Leigh Scrimshaw
Kayla Bridges
Brodie Elkins-Baker
Coby Wilson
Elizabeth Ross
Young Adult Workshop
On Tuesday 10th February, Year 11 and 12 students attended a workshop presented by the
School Police Liaison Office, Senior Constable Snow. Students learnt about issues relating
to their changing legal obligations and responsibilities as they turn 18 and become young
adults in our local community.
Laura Ryan - Head Teacher Welfare
Jasmine Winter
Abby Tidswell
Ben Sonter
THS Uniform Shop Update
UNIFORM SHOP HOURS
Monday, 8:30am -12:30pm
Thursday, 1:30pm - 5:30pm
Shop closed Thursday, March 20
THS Uniform Shop 0468436217.
Please leave a message.
The THS Uniform Shop will be getting a shipment of shorts in early March. The sports polo
shirts will be delivered in April. All other items will be fazed in. I apologise to any students
missing out on their uniform. As soon as items come in I will send notices out.
Thanks again for your patience.
It's been a real pleasure working with the students and their families. Everyone has been
very polite.
Thank you.
Michele
PS P&C flyer attached, hope to see you there. This will be another
productive, fun year!!
ARMSTRONG DRIVE, TOORMINA NSW 2452 026653 3077
toormina-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.au
NEWS
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T OOR M I N A
HIGH SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
CREATING OUR FUTURE
TERM 1 | WEEK 4 | FEBRUARY 2015
VALENTINE’S DAY CHARITY FUNDRAISER
On Friday 13th February,
Year 12 students embraced
the spirit of Valentine's
Day to fundraise for the
National Heart Foundation
of Australia. The organisation
saves lives and improves
health through funding
world-class cardiovascular
research and assisting people
with cardiovascular disease.
Students were able to send
chocolate roses, cupcakes and
messages to other students
for a small donation, these
were delivered by Year 12
throughout the day.
Over $130 was raised for the
National Heart Foundation.
Laura McRae, Head Teacher
Welfare
Coffs Coast Tigers Football Club
Coffs Harbour & District Baseball Association
taking registrations now. Register online
at www.myfootballclub.com.au or at
Polwarth Drive sporting fields on Sat
14th/ 21st Feb from 1-3pm or Thursday
26th Feb from 4-6pm
Further Information please contact
Mellesa Bennett 0437579528
Players of all ages and abilities are invited to come and try baseball at the annual sign
on days.
New and returning players can register at the sign on days to be held at the Bray
Street Sports Grounds in Coffs harbour on March 14th, 21st and 28th between 9am
and 12pm.
The season will commence on Saturday 11 April at the Bray Street grounds and then
will shift to the Stadium Drive fields in early May 2015.
For further information, please contact Bill Langler on 0421 553 093
IMPORTANT DATES
Boambee Football Club
FRI
27/2
Zone
Swimming
Carnival
Registration can be completed online for 2015 season www.boambeefc.com.au
Registration days: Saturday 14, 21 & 28 February, 9am- 1pm at Toormina Gardens
Shopping Centre.
THURS
5/3
Regional
Swimming
Carnival
North Coast Football
MON
16/ 3 - Yr 12
20/3
Assessment
Moratorium
MON
23/3 1/4
Examinations
Yr 12
Registrations for all North Coast Football players open this week.
These days, registrations are taken online at www.myfootballclub.com.au
North Coast Football sign on days for every club are listed on the link below.
http://www.northcoastfootball.com.au/uploads/media/NCF_Club_Registration_
days_2015_01.pdf
Sawtell and Toormina Netball Club
Registration days: Saturday 7th and 14th February, 8am- 1pm at Toormina Gardens
Shopping Centre.
ARMSTRONG DRIVE, TOORMINA NSW 2452 026653 3077
toormina-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.au
NEWS
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T OOR M I N A
HIGH SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
TERM 1 | WEEK 4 | FEBRUARY 2015
JACK’S A WINNER
CREATING OUR FUTURE
TOORMINA HIGH SCHOOL
2015 SWIMMING CARNIVAL
After a postponement due to rain the 2015 Toormina High School
Swimming Carnival was held in perfect conditions on Monday,
February 9 at Sawtell Pool. A great day was had by all, Barramundi
was the winning house on the day!
Last year Jack Briggenshaw became the Club
Champion in his age division for the Coffs Harbour
Motor Cycle Club. Jack won in the 150cc/4 Stroke
Standard Wheel Dirt Track Division. Congratulations
Jack!
ARMSTRONG DRIVE, TOORMINA NSW 2452 026653 3077
2015 Age Champions
12 years - Brodie Elkins-Baker & Aleigha
Bentley
13 years - Ryan Gilchrist & Tahnee Fuller
14 years - Thomas Anderson & Kate Bowles
15 years - Liam Taylor & Catarina Gordon
16 years - Jarod Reeves
17 years - Cody Bland, Elizabeth Ross
& Nikki Stacey
MORE SWIMMING PHOTOS OVER PAGE AND ON OUR SCHOOL
WEBSITE www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.au
toormina-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.au
NEWS
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T OOR M I N A
HIGH SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
TERM 1 | WEEK 4 | FEBRUARY 2015
ARMSTRONG DRIVE, TOORMINA NSW 2452 026653 3077
toormina-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
CREATING OUR FUTURE
www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.au
NEWS
LE T TER
T OOR M I N A
HIGH SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
TERM 1 | WEEK 4 | FEBRUARY 2015
ARMSTRONG DRIVE, TOORMINA NSW 2452 026653 3077
toormina-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
CREATING OUR FUTURE
www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.au
NEWS
LE T TER
T OOR M I N A
HIGH SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
CREATING OUR FUTURE
TERM 1 | WEEK 4 | FEBRUARY 2015
Rotary Youth Exchange
Applications are now being sought from eligible high
school students to apply for a long-term overseas
youth exchange.
Applicants need to be 15 years of age and no older
than 17 years & 6 months at time of departure 16th
January 2016.
Application forms are
available from
www.rotaryyouthexhange9650.com.au
Applications close 15th May 2015
ARMSTRONG DRIVE, TOORMINA NSW 2452 026653 3077
toormina-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.au
NEWS
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T OOR M I N A
HIGH SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
TERM 1 | WEEK 4 | FEBRUARY 2015
Vaccination Program 2015
Nurses from the North Coast Area Health Service will deliver
the following Vaccinations at Toormina High School in 2015:
Term 1 - Monday 23rd March: Year 7 HPV and Boostrix
Term 2 - Monday 25th May: Year 7 HPV and Varicella and Year
11 and 12 Measles Mumps and Rubella
Term 4 - Monday 26th October: Year 7 HPV
Parent Information Kits have been given to students to take
home. To consent to vaccination, parents are advised to read
all the information provided, complete and sign the Consent
Form and return to the Front Office as soon as possible.
For further information please contact Laura McRae, Head
Teacher Welfare.
Careers
OH&S Whitecard - Friday 1st May, $100
UNE Excursion - Friday 1st May, $20
University Roadshow - Thursday 5th March - 11.30
am, no cost
Soccer Referee Course - Sat 7th and Sun 8th March,
$80 contact Jason Hillier on 0419215970
School-Based Traineeships - available in Business
Administration and Hospitality
See Mrs West in Careers Office for more details
ARMSTRONG DRIVE, TOORMINA NSW 2452 026653 3077
CREATING OUR FUTURE
The Tell Them From Me student feedback
survey
I am delighted that this term, our school, like many others in
the state, will participate in a Department of Education and
Communities initiative: the Tell Them From Me student feedback
survey. The survey aims to help improve student learning
outcomes and measures factors that are known to affect
academic achievement and other student outcomes. The focus of
the NSW-wide survey is on student wellbeing, engagement and
effective teaching practices.
More information about the survey is available at: http://surveys.
cese.nsw.gov.au/information-for-parents
The survey is a great opportunity for our students to provide
our school with valuable and quick feedback on what they
think about school life, how engaged they are with school and
the different ways that teachers interact with them. Schools in
Australia and around the world have used the Tell Them From Me
survey to help improve how they do things at school.
I want to assure you that the survey is confidential and school
staff will not be able to identify individual students from their
responses. The survey is conducted online and will typically take
less than 30 minutes to complete. It will be administered during
school hours between 9 March and 2 April. Participating in the
survey is entirely voluntary.
A consent form and FAQs for parents/carers about the survey is
being sent home with students. If you do not want your child or
children to participate, please return the form to school by Friday
27 February. Copies of the form and FAQs are available from the
website above.
toormina-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.au
HIGH SCHOOL
Would you like to be involved in the decision making at Toormina High School?
Would you like a greater understanding of how a secondary school operates?
Do you have a passion for fundraising and enjoy making a difference in the community?
The P & C would like to welcome new members.
You don’t need to take a position, just get involved, your child will
reap the rewards of having a GREAT P & C !
In 2014, the P&C raised more than $2500 for the school through various fundraising
activities. In 2015 we would like to increase this amount by holding regular Bunnings BBQ’s
and holding a trivia night plus many other activities and events. Your support, even in small
amounts, would be greatly appreciated.
Please come along to one of
our P&C meetings held on
Wednesdays from 5.30pm in the
Teachers Staffroom at school.
..
For further information, contact
P & C President, Michele Bake on
0417 542 849 or talk to Liz Donnan,
our Principal on 02 6653 3077
ARMSTRONG DRIVE, TOORMINA NSW 2452 026653 3077
Upcoming meeting
dates for 2015
18th Feb
18th Mar
20th May
17th June
19th July
toormina-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
19th Aug
16th Sep
21st Oct
18th Nov
16th Dec
www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.au