HSIE - Rouse Hill High School

ROUSE HILL HIGH
NEWSLETTER
DARE TO EXCEL
MARCH 2012 / ISSUE 1
Principal’s
Report
Dear Parents/Carers
What a fabulous start to the year!
Welcome back to all of our 2012
students and families. To our Year
7 students and their families, a
warm welcome to the Rouse Hill
High community. This welcome is
also extended to our newly enrolled
students in other years. For 2012,
our student numbers are
approximately 570, with 40
teaching staff and 8 SASS.
Year 7 students have transitioned
beautifully from primary school to
high school. They have already
shown engagement with their
studies and have also
demonstrated they have the skills
and initiative to make a very
positive mark at Rouse Hill High
School. Well done Year 7!
Year 1.1 students getting into the House spirit of the carnival –
Goolagong, Irwin, Dunlop and Walton all represented by Rachel,
Brittany, Harriet and Nathan – well done guys!!!
Swimming Carnival 2012
On Tuesday the 14th of
February, Rouse Hill High
celebrated Valentine’s Day with
our annual swimming carnival.
Along with all the flowers being
given between friends and
couples, Irwin House was busy
winning the carnival. There was
great participation in all of the
teams. Irwin had an excellent
team of Year 7 cheerleaders.
Dunlop had an awesome chant.
Goolagong and Walton had new
chants which impressed both Ms
Chapman and Mrs Yates.
By Brittany Gard and Asim
Fahiz
continued on page 2
HOSPITALITY STUDENTS COOK UP A
STORM
Read more on page 8
RHHS'S NEWEST STAFF MEMBERS
Complete list on page 4
RECORDS BROKEN
Read more on page 6
Principal’s report continued
With the increase in student numbers we have
students to complete all classwork and assessment
many new staff. On behalf of the school
tasks to the best of their ability to ensure they do
not put their progress in jeopardy.
community I welcome them to Rouse Hill High
School and look forward to the contribution they
are going to make to student achievement and the
school community. A list of new staff is found later
Term 1 is very busy in the sporting arena. We
have already had our very successful swimming
in this newsletter.
carnival, and later in the term the athletics
A special acknowledgement goes to the Year 1.1
students. They are the first HSC students at RHHS
carnival and the cross country will be held. It is
great to see so many students participating in
sport, particularly in grade sport and the
and as such, are a very special group of students.
They are studying under a compacted curriculum
Macquarie Zone competitions.
model and finish their preliminary course at the
We have already held our first P&C meeting for the
end of Term 1. They then begin the HSC course of
study in preparation for sitting the HSC in October.
year and I encourage you to attend the next P&C
Meeting on March 19. As well as the AGM and
normal P&C reports, we will be discussing
As you would be aware, Year 10 or 1.0 students no
NAPLAN. Hope to see you there.
longer sit the School Certificate external exams at
the end of the year. Students, who satisfactorily
Kim Chapman
complete Year 1.0 studies, will be eligible for the
RoSA (Record of School Achievement) to be issued
Principal
by the Board of Studies when a student leaves
STUDENT WELLBEING
school. To be eligible for RoSA students must
satisfactorily complete all work otherwise an ‘N’
determination may be issued. I encourage all
Learning Support Team
Mrs Yates
Head Teacher Student
Mrs Wilson
Engagement (MS & SS)
HEAD TEACHERS
ly
Science Mr Kel
horne
HSIE Ms Kempt
Ms Rodd
English/Drama
s Zacharia
Mathematics M
Mr Claxton
PD/H/PE/Sport
Medcalf
Music/Art Mr
Mr Anderson
Computing/TAS
ng Ms Brown
Mentor – Beginni
teachers
ent Mrs Wilson
Student Engagem
Student Leadership Coordinator
Mrs McPhie
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Resilience Coordinator
Mr Brady
Well-being Coordinator
Mr Brown
Transition Coordinator
Mr Duggan
SENIOR SCHOOL
Connections Coordinator
Mrs Lal
Curriculum Coordinator
Ms Laurence
Deputy Principal’s Report
by Mrs Yates
•••
The 2012 school year has begun with much
anticipation and excitement. A warm welcome
smart with their black leather shoes, white and
grey socks, carrying all equipment in their back
to our Year 7, 8, 9, 1.0 and 1.1 students. It has
been a smooth transition to the new school year.
packs.
Our new Year 7 students have now settled into
the new high school routine – I have spoken with
quite a few Year 7 students and their comments
The school uniform shop is open every Tuesday
and Wednesday from 8am – 10 am and on
Thursday afternoon from 2-4pm.
have been “awesome” and “it’s great”. Wonderful
to hear!
SAFETY AT SCHOOL
Students have already had the opportunity to be
priority at our school. All students are required
to wear a helmet if they ride a bike, scooter or
involved in extra curricula activities – the school
swimming carnival held at Riverstone Swimming
The safety of our students continues to be a
skateboard to school. It is also expected that
Pool was a fun-filled day for all. Years 7, 8 and 9
have had year assemblies, with white level
students follow the road rules - walk on
footpaths, cross safely at the lights. Students are
merits being presented. The Senior School (1.0
not to play on the road.
and 1.1 students) also had a Parent Teacher
Evening in Week 3 this term.
Just a few reminders.
ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL
Students are to remain in the canteen/
quadrangle area when they arrive at school.
Minimal supervision is available from 8.15 am
each morning.
LATE TO SCHOOL
It is an expectation that all students arrive at
school by 8.45am, on time, in class, ready to
begin the day’s activities.
• If students are late they need to sign in at the
front office to receive a late note for admission
to class
• Students are expected to have a note of
explanation about the lateness
• Students with unexplained lateness will be
required to do a detention
SCHOOL UNIFORM
Students look fantastic in their uniform. A big
thank you to parents and students for your cooperation in supporting the school on our
uniform policy. The students look particularly
Thank you to the parents who are using the
Bruce Purser car park to drop and pick up
students. We ask that the school car park not be
used as a drop off/pick up area.
I am looking forward to a successful and exciting
year where all students embrace the Rouse Hill
motto of being Dynamic, Accountable, Resilient
and Engaged learners.
Mrs Yates
Deputy Principal
HSIE
by Ms Kempthorne
Head Teacher HSIE
•••
The 2012 school year has seen the
HSIE. faculty grow considerably, with
Mr Cauchi and Mr Brady joined by
Head Teacher, Ms Kempthorne, Mrs
Lal and Miss Issa. We look forward to
an exciting year ahead, with Mr
Cauchi and Mrs Lal taking charge of
our first 1.1 class, Business Studies,
and guiding them through the
challenges of HSC study.
STORMWATER PROGRAM
EXCURSION
On Monday 13 February, Mr Brady’s
10D Geography class followed up their
Year 9 work by visiting the Lend Lease Office
in Rouse Hill and ‘doorknocking’ homes in the
local area to inform residents of the actions
they can take to avoid polluting Caddies
Creek and our local waterways. They handed
out ‘door hangers’ produced by Lend Lease
and based on the students’ own designs, using
the slogan “Rubbish down the drain causes
Caddies Creek pain!” The day was a great
success, as you may have seen the Rouse Hill
Times was there to cover it.
10D students were terrific ambassadors for
our school as they doorknocked, greeted
residents and discussed environmental issues
with them in a mature and logical way. Well
done to Mr Brady and 10D on their
community spirit and commitment to
demonstrating active citizenship!
ASX SHAREMARKET GAME
Commerce and Business Studies students are
about to get a taste of what it feels like to ‘ride
the waves’ of the sharemarket as they
prepare to compete in the Australian Stock
Exchange’s Sharemarket Game for secondary
students. They will work individually or in
teams to invest an imaginary $50,000 in
shares and there are lots of prizes to be won
by the most successful student investors in
Australia. This activity also gives students a
valuable insight into the benefits and perils of
different types of financial investment. Thanks go to Mr Cauchi
for registering the students who want to be involved. Good luck
everyone!
MANDARIN STUDIES IN YEARS 7 AND 8
Mr Lee reports that Years 7 and 8 have made a great start to
their studies of Mandarin Chinese in 2012. Currently, the
students are learning how to combine words and gesture in
ancient cultural greetings. They have also embraced the new
Mandarin dialogues they are learning with vibrant energy!
Taking their language learning to a new and challenging level,
students are also learning
how to write Chinese
characters, or ‘Hanzi’, then
transcribe them into the
Pinyin system that enables
2012
them to pronounce the
Miss Buckley
words. Well done to all of
English/VA
M
rs
Hicks
the Year 7 and 8 students
PDHPE
who are making such
Miss Issa HSIE
terrific progress in class.
Ms Kemptho
ne
Mr Lee would also like to
HT HSIE
Mrs Lal
pass on his special
HSIE
thanks to all parents for
Miss Reid
Visual Arts
their support of
M
rs
R
iz
al
Mandarin Chinese
Maths
studies at Rouse Hill
Mr Theys
TAS
High School.
New Staff
Ms Leyton
Science
English
TEXTS
by Ms Saville
English Teacher
•••
Welcome back to a brand new year!
Students have made an exciting
start to the year in English,
returning to classes and engaging in
interesting studies with a literacy
focus.
Students in Year 7 have been learning
about their own life in a unit called ‘Me,
myself and I’. They are working on
developing their writing skills through
the use of their own experiences. At the
end of week five, students submitted
their first assessment for English. This
task included a published copy of their
best autobiographical piece and an
evaluation of their own writing. Well
doneYear 7 for making a great start to
your high school studies!
Year 8 had the opportunity to put on
their creative and analytical hats to
study ‘Picture Books’. The focus has
been on visual literacy, where students
are learning to ‘read’ a picture book.
This requires an understanding of
colour, symbolism, angles, size, line and
many other terms. Students have been
able to understand that images and
words have equal value in making
meaning. They are able to apply their
understanding to their assessment
where they have composed their own
picture books and evaluated their choice
in the use of visual literacy techniques.
Year 9 are working their way through an
area of study about ‘Persuasive
Language’. A focus on media and the
persuasive power of language has
engaged much discussion in the
classroom and has seen a development in
student’s evaluative skills.
Advertisements, newspaper reports,
letters to the editor, magazine and
newspaper front covers, feature articles,
CD covers and many expositional texts
are being closely studied to allow a deep
understanding of the power of
persuasive language.
Year 1.0 is studying a film director, Tim
Burton, with a focus on his style and
influences. German Expressionism,
1920s horror films and Vincent Price are
just some of the influences that lead to
the creation of many popular films.
Students have applied their
understanding of film techniques to
analyse films such as Edward
Scissorhands, Alice in Wonderland,
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and a
short film called Vincent.
Year 1.1 made an encouraging start to
their new curriculum approach in
Standard English. Students have
engaged in a study of ‘The Institution and
the Individual’ with a focus on the text
Raw by Scott Monk, to explore the
nature of emotional development for
young people. In addition students also
consider an Area of Study on ‘Change’.
This allows for a sophisticated
consideration of the relationship in and
amongst such texts as Remember the
Titans and The Devil Wears Prada. Most
students are working solidly to enhance
their skills in writing extended
responses and keeping up with the
increased Senior English demands.
Sports Update
by Mr Claxton
Head Teacher PDHPE
•••
SWIMMING CARNIVAL
REPRESENTATION
The day was absolutely fantastic for our swimming
carnival. A total of 33 new records were set including
27 records broken and 6 new ones in the Open Boys.
Both staff and students had a great day and it was
excellent to see both high levels of participation as well
as some inspiring swimming from the usual suspects.
We were very lucky with the weather as apparently it
poured down for 15 minutes at school which is only a
few kilometres away.
Congratulations to Joel Dyer and Jordan Lindsay of
Year 1.0 who were selected in the Sydney West Open
Boys Baseball team. The boys will compete in the CHS
Baseball Carnival during Week 5 of Term 1.
Congratulations also to Rachel Pace of Year 9 who was
awarded Rouse Hill Times Young Achiever and Junior
Sports Star for 2011.
These students will form part of a 44 strong team that
will represent the school at the Macquarie Zone
Swimming Carnival at Blacktown Pool on Tuesday 6
March 2012.
Students in Year 7 do sport on Wednesday mornings. In
the first three weeks, students went through a 6 sport
rotation which included dance. Every student in Year 7
is given a taster lesson in Dance and from that they are
able to choose Dance as their option for sport. I am
happy to report that a large group of boys and girls
have signed up for dance. This group, together with the
Year 9 Dance class will audition to represent the school
at the Sydney West Dance Festival.
Congratulations go to the following students who were
this year’s Age Champions.
12 Years Boys
12 Years Girls
13 Years Boys
13 Years Girls
14 Years Boys
14 Years Girls
15 Years Boys
15 Years Girls
16 Years Boys
16 Years Girls
17 Years Boys
Blake Meyer
Vicki Sternaras
Ryley Bray
Tara Fumberger
Mitchell O’Brien
Abbey Cooper
Aiden Cowling
Kate Fumberger
Daniel Felstein
Sarah Andrews
Luke Richardson
YEAR 7 SPORT
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday 14 March 2012 -School Cross Country
Monday 2 April 2012 - School Athletics Carnival
WELCOME MRS HICKS
WEDNESDAY SPORT
Grade sport has commenced for the year and it is great
to see the enthusiasm at Rouse Hill High School with all
of the grade teams being filled.
We have commenced our trial of offering Recreational
Sports to Year 1.0 students. Four sports were offered to
Year 1.0 students after they were surveyed at the end
of 2011. Sports are run on popularity and the first ones
for the year are Ice Skating at Norwest and Fitness at
Fit ‘n Fast at Rouse Hill. These sports go for 5-6 weeks
and initial reports have been very positive from both
students and teachers.
And finally … can I extend a warm welcome to Mrs
Hicks who has joined the PD/Health/PE faculty. Mrs
Hicks is an experienced PD/Health/PE AND Dance
teacher and she has taught both subjects to HSC level.
She has been warmly received by students and her Year
7 and Year 9 Dance groups are especially excited about
upcoming dance events which are planned for 2012.
These will be reported on in future newsletters.
Carnival results
IRWIN
431 points
Second place: Third Place: WALTON
337 points
DUNLOP 299 points
Fourth Place: GOOLAGONG
248 points
First place: Photograph by Michelle Stedman
The CAPA Showcase
VISUAL ARTS
2012 is shaping up to be a productive year
with four new elective classes and our first
group of Stage 6 students. Over the year
students will participate in a range of
activities that will allow them to develop
and showcase their skills. We also welcome
Miss Buckley and Miss Reid to the team
and look forward to the exciting lessons
that they will be generating over the year.
This term the Year 9 Visual Arts elective
classes will be creating a mural on the
electrical substation at the front of the
school. The theme for their design has
been based on cultural landscapes, featuring
the school, Sydney Harbour and the four
house patrons (Walton, Dunlop, Irwin and
Goolagong). Students have just begun so
you will have to keep an eye out for the
developing project.
Also a special thanks to all the parents and
caregivers that collected Woolworths
vouchers that enabled us to purchase some
exciting new supplies for the Art
Department.
MUSIC ENSEMBLES
With the return of many familiar faces and the addition of Year 7, 8
and 9 students, the RHHS music ensembles have resumed in an
outstanding manner. The woodwind and percussion section of the
concert band has grown and immediately had an impact on the
volume and complexity of the band. New members are working hard
to learn 2011 repertoire for our upcoming performances. We are still
in need of brass players so please make yourself known if you want to
become part of the team.
The vocal ensemble is quickly mastering new material and will
perform at the Week 5, formal assembly. This is a very popular
ensemble with a lot of talented Year 7 singers joining to take the
numbers over thirty.
The stage band continues to rehearse on Thursday afternoons and
have largely retained the talents of our 2011 members. This group is
producing seasoned performers and will once again feature
throughout the year, representing RHHS in public events.
The newest ensemble on offer is the percussion ensemble. In it’s
early stages this ensemble is exploring rhythms and working on
original compositions.
REHEARSAL TIMES
Vocal ensemble Wed 7.30am
Concert band Thurs 7.30am
Stage band Thurs 3.00pm
Percussion ensemble Fri 7.30am
UPCOMING PRIMARY SCHOOLS TOUR
The ensembles will be visiting Beaumont Hills, Ironbark Ridge and
Rouse Hill primary schools to perform for Year 6 students. This will
be a great opportunity to showcase the talents of the ensembles and
students of RHHS.
Expect a full report in
the next Rouse Hill
In the
High newsletter.
spotlight
Hospitality – Café
Introducing Rouse Hill High
School’s first Year 1.1 Hospitality
Café Skills class.
Harriet creating her masterpiece in
the RHHS kitchen
Hospitality Café Skills is a
practical based VET course
which includes skills that are
transferable across all career
paths. Skills in following
Workplace Hygiene Procedures,
Health, Safety and Security
Procedures, Working with
Colleagues and Customers and
Participating in Environmentally
Sustainable Work Practices.
Our students have been
developing their skills making
café style foods in preparation
Hospitality students
hard at work
for the opening of Café D’aRe
in Term 2. They have made
Chocolate Chip Cookies,
Chocolate Caramel Brownie’s,
Penne Pasta and a variety of
Scones including, cheese,
macadamia nut, chocolate
swirl and chocolate chip – all
of the students own
invention.
These students will be partaking in
their first Work Placement during
Week 6 of this term. In Week 7, they
will be using their new found
knowledge and experiences to start
developing menu’s, food ordering
systems etc. for Café D’aRe where
they will also learn how to use a
commercial coffee machine to
produce a number of hot beverages.
ANYONE HUNGRY?
The students
of
H O S P I TA L I
TY
sh ow o ff th
ei r
skills
Careers news
by Ms Henson
Careers Advisor
•••
The Careers room is located in the Library. Ms Henson, the Careers Advisor, is available to speak with students
before and after school, during recess and lunch.
CAREERS INTERVIEWS ~ YEAR 1.0
PART-TIME JOBS
This term all the students in Year 1.0 will have
participated in a career interview with the Careers
Advisor Ms Henson. This is to be held in the Careers
room in the Library from Weeks 3-7.
This interview has given them the opportunity to:
Many students in Year 9 will be contemplating getting a
part-time job. Part-time work is an excellent way to
start developing on the job skills that can be
transferred to any occupation later in your career. They
are also a good source of income for those of you that
like to buy technical gadgets, clothes and other teenage
necessities. When thinking about getting a part-time job
you need to think about the following:
✦
✦
✦
✦
✦
✦
✦
✦
Outline their goals and discuss career plans for the
future
Review their current interests and skills
Consider options and pathways to Tertiary study
Understand the importance of research in planning
these pathways
Become more familiar with Career resources
available to support their Career planning
Discuss their present Work Experience
Develop an awareness of the importance of
employability skills and how to build upon these
Consider school subjects as foundations to Tertiary
study
UAC (UNIVERSITY ADMISSION CENTRE)
schooling, recreational and home activities as well as
a part-time job? It’s a good idea to discuss this with
your parents
✦ Transport: will you be able to get to and from your
work place safely and cost effectively?
✦ Job Suitability: make sure you find a work
environment that suits you and your needs. i.e.: don’t
apply for a job at Red Rooster if you’re a vegetarian
and can’t stand the sight of meat. Try Boost or a
coffee shop where handling meat products are kept to
a minimum
✦ Employability Skills: Do think about the skills you
GUIDES
These are available for all students to read in the
Library outside the Careers room. They are the
handbook for entry into University in 2012 and contain
all University and course information. They also include
the expected ATAR for course entry for this year.
Students are to see Ms Henson the Careers Advisor if
they would like to borrow a copy to take home.
A GOOD STARTING POINT TO SEARCH AND
✦ Time Management: will you be able to manage your
need and those you will develop on the job
✦ Resume: Do you have a resume and have you updated
this with your current skills and qualifications. (If
you need assistance see Ms Henson Careers Advisor
in the Careers room)
✦ Savings Plan: plan to save some of your hard earned
cash for something really rewarding. Many students
start saving for a car as soon as they start working.
APPLY FOR PART-TIME JOBS IS ONLINE:-
www.mcdonalds.com.au www.colesgroup.com.au(Coles,Target,B
i-Lo,Kmart)
www.kfcjobs.com.au
www.juniorjobs.com.au
www.Jobsforteens.com.au
www.gloriajeanscoffees.com.au
www.mycareer.com.au
www.seek.com.au
www.wowcareers.com.au(Woolworths
)
Alternatively you can Google the comp
any and most have a Careers section whic
h gives directions on how to
apply for employment.
When applying online make sure you:
✓ Spell everything correctly and check your
contact details
✓ Take your time to read all the questions prop
erly
✓ Ask someone to be a referee for you before
writing down their name/contact details
✓ Only apply for part-time/casual jobs
✓ Don’t give a private web address that is offen
sive or inappropriate
Alternatively, get your resume together
and start visiting local shopping centres
and have copies of your
resume to leave with store managers. Neve
r be afraid to ask if there are any jobs and
to keep going back.
Managers like to see initiative.
World Vision
Sponsorship
Middle School
Report
by Mrs Dunne
by Mrs Wilson
English/Drama Teacher
•••
Head Teacher Student Engagement
•••
RECENTLY, YEAR 1.0 RAISED FUNDS TO SPONSOR A
DISADVANTAGED CHILD VIA WORLD VISION.
The fundraiser was a huge success raising over $700.
We had well over the amount required to sponsor a
child for an entire year. The funds were divided
between various initiatives supported by World Vision.
1. $565 went to sponsor Mihiret Bereta who is turning
6 years old in April. She lives in Ethiopia and her
favourite game is playing with dolls. She is an only
child and lives with both of her parents. Her mother
is a housewife and her father is a farmer. She will
provide us with annual updates on her progress, but
extra letters can be posted to her via the school.
2. $144 was allocated to Child Rescue which rescues
children from situations of child slavery, trafficking
and sexual exploitation. This donation supports the
involvement of Rouse Hill High School for a year.
3. $73 was allocated to the East Africa Emergency
Appeal. This area has been hit by severe drought and
the focus for this appeal is to provide food and
nutrition for children and lactating women,
immunisation and medical support, agricultural
support and water trucking.
This event will be a tradition at Rouse Hill High School
and will provide ongoing sponsorship to Mihiret and
other initiatives where possible. It is planned to occur
in Term 1 of each year to coincide with Multicultural
Week.
EACH LEADERSHIP YEAR GROUP AT ROUSE HILL
HIGH SCHOOL HAS BEEN GIVEN A FOCUS AREA
FOR FUNDRAISING INITIATIVES. THE YEAR 7 FOCUS
AREA IS SELF AND SCHOOL COMMUNITY.
Each Leadership Year Group at Rouse Hill High School
has been given a focus area for fundraising initiatives.
The Year 7 focus area is Self and School Community.
In 2010, the Year 7 Leadership Group conducted a
student survey to find out what positive contribution
they could make for the students and school
environment.
As a result of that survey, the 2010 Year 7 Leadership
Group initiated a fundraising campaign to purchase
football posts for the school oval. They organised and
ran a Black and White themed mufti day and held a
sausage sizzle lunch to help raise money.
In 2011, a new group of Year 7 Leaders continued the
endeavour. They also held a sausage sizzle lunch and
organised a lolly jar guessing competition.
The two year plan was successful and the money was
raised by the Year 7’s for football posts. The posts were
erected over the Christmas break. Students in all
years have been making good use of these posts,
whether it is rugby, soccer or AFL.
Well done to all those Student Leaders whose valuable
contribution to Rouse Hill High
School is appreciated by both
students and staff. Thank you.
What will the Year 7 Student
Leaders for 2012 initiate? We are
all looking forward to the next
challenge.
Learning @ the Library – for Senior Students
Welcome to the Rouse Hill High School Library! The Library is a communal space with its
primary function being to support students and teachers by providing the resources,
equipment and space to facilitate teaching and learning and to promote reading for pleasure.
COLLECTIONS
• Fiction: includes novels, picture books, graphic novels
• Non-fiction: includes dictionaries, atlases etc and
subject/topic specific texts
• DVD and audio files
• Vertical File: includes articles, brochures NEW 2012
• Past exam papers – HSC
• Journals – both print and on-line
Library opening hours
Monday 8:00am to 4:15pm
Tuesday 8:00am to 3:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am to 3:00pm
Thursday 8:00am to 4:15pm
FACILITIES
• 2 seminar rooms for group work or quiet study
• TV and DVD player for viewing school related movies
or documentaries
• Recreational games e.g. chess (good for stress relief)
• Printing and photocopying
• Computer access via 9 desktop computers
Friday 8:00am to 3:00pm
The Library may some=mes be closed due to conferences or workshops
COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS
What your Librarian can do for you!
By becoming a member of Baulkham Hills Shire Library
Service students have access to all their on-line databases
as well as other resources http://www.thehills.nsw.gov.au/library.html
Your Teacher Librarian can:
State Library of NSW – join the State Library and use
their comprehensive range of resources and facilities http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au
•
Provide assistance with research
•
Provide help with essay writing
•
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2012 is the National Year of Reading!
“The National Year of Reading 2012 is about children learning to read and keen readers finding new
sources of inspiration. It's about supporting reading initiatives while respecting the oral tradition of
storytelling. It's about helping people discover and rediscover the magic of books. And most of all, it's
about Australians becoming a nation of readers.” We've identified three goals which will help us turn
Australia into a nation of readers and encourage a reading culture in every home:
1. For all Australians to understand the benefits of reading as a life skill and a catalyst for wellbeing;
2. To promote a reading culture in every home; and
3.
To establish an aspirational goal for families, of parents and caregivers sharing books with their
children every day
(From: National Year or Reading http://www.love2read.org.au/about-us.cfm)
Rouse Hill High School will be promoting the “National Year of Reading” via participation in and
promotion of the following:
1. Participation in the 2012 Premiers Reading Challenge
2. Whole school Wide Reading program
3. RHHS Short Story Competition
4. Sydney Writers Festival 2012 (excursion)
5. State and National Writing competitions e.g. “WriteNow”
Rouse Hill High Schools “National Year of Reading” participation is a joint venture between the
school Library and the English Faculty.
Enrol to Vote
by Ms Laurence
Curriculum Coordinator
The Australian Electoral Commission is seeking to encourage senior students to enrol to vote. An important aspect
of the AEC’s work focus is on ensuring that the Australian Community, including schools, are well informed about
electoral matters and the accuracy of the electoral roll is maintained.
The right to vote is one of the privileges of living in a democracy – having a say in who runs our country. We would encourage Year 1.1 students to enrol before they commence the busy HSC year in 2012. Australian
citizens who are over the age of 16 are eligible to enrol and will be able to vote as soon as they turn 18. The AEC is
more than happy for students, parents or teachers to contact them with any questions regarding this process.
Forms will distributed to all Year 1.1 students in the coming weeks. Completed enrolment forms can be either
posted free of charge to Division of Mitchell, Australian Electoral Commission, Reply Paid PO Box 533, Castle Hill
NSW 1765 or forms can be returned to the school’s Curriculum Coordinator (Ms Sharon Laurence) who will return
them to the AEC. All enrolments are confirmed in writing within 21 days of receipt at an AEC office. Note:
provisional or learner licences are accepted as proof of identification. The New South Wales Local Government Election will be held in September 2012 and a Federal Election must be
held by the end of November 2013.
Student Wellbeing Structures
The Middle School Team and Senior School Team operate to ensure students are being supported and
developed while at school. Although each team member has a specific responsibility, they work across
years and across areas. Any team member is able to support students if they have any concerns or
issues. The team meet once a week to share information and co-ordinate events.
The Middle School Team (MST) and Senior School Team are part of the Learning Support Team.
Students may be referred to the Learning Support Team (LST) if more specialised support is required.
Middle School Team – Years 7, 8 & 9
Team members
Mrs Wilson – Head Teacher Student Engagement
Co-ordinators:
Mr Duggan: (Transition & general Year 7 enquiries)
Mr Brady: (Resilience & general Year 8 enquiries)
Mr Brown: (Wellbeing & general Year 9 enquiries)
Mrs McPhie: (Leadership)
Mr Theys: (Transition Support)
Ms Reid: (Resilience Support)
Ms Thach: (Well Being Support)
Senior School Team – Years 1.0, 1.1
Mrs Lal: (Connections & general 1.0 enquiries)
Ms Laurence: (Curriculum & general enquiries)
Learning Support Team includes the MST and
Senior School Team:
Mrs Yates – Deputy Principal
Ms Henson - Careers
Mrs Rutherford – School Counsellor
Senior School Concerns
Ms Lal, Ms Laurence
Careers Advice: Ms Henson
IF YOU NEED HELP?
Area
General concerns abou
t
overall academic progres
s
(including progress rep
orts)
Behaviour issues
Contact
Mr Brady
Mrs Yates
Bullying issues
Mr Brady
Attendance
Arrange for work to be
set
during a period of exten
ded
sick leave
Mr Brown /
Mrs Yates
Mr Brown
Adjusting to high schoo
Mr Duggan
General welfare/wellbein
g
issue
Mr Brown
l
Uniform
Seminar
Leadership
Curriculum, timetable
or
subject choice
Newly enrolled student
progress
School contributions &
fees
Mrs Yates
Mrs Wilson
Mrs McPhie
Mrs Yates
Mr Brown
Mrs Spiteri
Please note: Any subjec
t specific issues need to
be
discussed with the class
teacher or head teache
r.
P&C news
by Karren Newbert
P&C President
•••
WELCOME
HOW CAN I FIND OUT P&C INFORMATION?
The Rouse Hill High School P&C Executives
committee would like to welcome all new families
to our school community and hope you will be able
to join us for our upcoming meeting.
• Log on to www.rousehill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au
The Rouse Hill High School P&C Association was
established in 2009 and has been actively
involved with the rapid development of the Rouse
Hill High School.
Your current P&C Executive Committee Members
for 2011 are:
Karren Newbert
Lyn Poncini
Nicole Theissen
John Stephenson
President
0407 665 630
Vice President 0412 962 708
Secretary
0416 265 042
Treasurer
0417 067 081
The P&C Meetings for 2012 will be:
Monday 19th March - AGM
Monday 21st May
Monday 18th June
Monday 20th August
Monday 17th September
Monday 15th October
Monday 19th November
Meetings commence at 7.00pm and are held in the
Staff Common Room. All parents are welcome to
attend.
and click on the P&C tab.
• If you would like to be added to the P&C email
list, simply send an email to the Secretary at
Karren.Newbert1@det.nsw.edu.au.
• Simply call one of the Executive Committee
Members.
GUEST SPEAKERS
At the 19th March meeting, one of the staff
members will explain the NAPLAN Test. It is very
informative as many of our students will be sitting
the NAPLAN Tests again this year.
The P&C would like to host guest speakers at most
of our meetings. If you have any suggestions for
guest speakers or topics please email Karren
Newbert at Karren.Newbert1@det.nsw.edu.au
AGM
The meeting on 19th March is our AGM. All
positions will be declared vacant and nominations
will be taken for the 2012 Executive Committee.
To be eligible to vote on any P&C decisions, you
will need to become a financial member of the
Rouse Hill High School P&C. The cost is $1.00 and
can be paid at the AGM.
P&C Fundraising for 2012
The P&C again this year will be fundraisi
ng with the money going towards our Air
Conditioning Fund. As you can image,
to air condition a school of this size it will
take a
considerable amount of money.
TRIVIA NIGHT
ED
D
E
E
N
P
L
E
H
After our last successful Trivia Night,
we are planning to hold another, this year
, in Term 2. We
are now looking for prize donations and
helpers to assist on the night or before.
If
you able to
donate or volunteer please contact Nico
le Theissen at nicoletheissen@optusne
t.com.au
IGA ROUSE HILL
Customers of IGA Rouse Hill (formerly
Franklins) will receive a new loyalty card
when
shopping at IGA. When you register your
card online, simply select Rouse Hill High
School as
your chosen school and we will receive
the benefits of IGA’s Community Chest.
P&C Executive Committee
by Karren Newbert
P&C President
•••
Below is a brief overview of the various positions of the P&C; more information is available from the
present committee members. All positions will become vacant at next month’s AGM and a new
committee elected for the next twelve months.
Overview of Positions
PRESIDENT
Duties: The President is responsible for the successful functioning of the Association, the attainment of its
objectives and the responsibility to foster the fair participation of all members. The President chairs all meetings of
the Association and the Executive Committee. The President may represent the Association at official functions
and act as the Association's spokesperson when public statements or actions are appropriate. The President, as
well as being the convenor of the Executive Committee, is ex officio a member of all sub-committees.
VICE PRESIDENT/S
Duties: The Vice-Presidents are required to take on any of the Presidential duties defined above when invited to do
so by the President or when the President is, for reasons of illness or alternative commitments, unable to
undertake those duties. If, for any reason, the President's office falls vacant, one of the Vice-Presidents should act
as interim President until a new one is elected.
SECRETARY
Duties: The Secretary is the principal administrative officer of the Association. The Secretary prepares, in
consultation with the President, all meeting agendas. The Secretary maintains a list of financial (voting) members.
The Secretary is also required to take notes of the meeting discussions in order to produce a set of minutes for
subsequent distribution to members. The Secretary is also asked to receive and table all incoming correspondence
and write and send all outgoing correspondence. The constitution for P&C Associations stresses that the Secretary
is responsible for the handing over of all records and minutes to the incoming Secretary on vacating the position.
TREASURER
Duties: The Treasurer is responsible for the sound financial management of the Association. The Treasurer
receives and deposits monies, maintains records, draws cheques and presents accounts, in the form of a report, at
each general meeting. The Treasurer presents all records for auditing each year and ensures that the audited
accounts are tabled for adoption at the Annual General Meeting. The Treasurer is responsible for the handing over
of all financial records, to the incoming Treasurer.
MERIT AWARD RECIPIENTS
Merit awards recognise students who are dynamic, accountable, resilient and engaged learners.
The following students have successfully progressed to the burgundy and charcoal levels. Riley
was the recipient of the lucky dip prize, a Reading Cinema gift card, when these awards were
presented at the week 5 formal assembly.
BURGUNDY
CHARCOAL
Farrah Nouri
James Cutler
Riley O’Donnell
Rachel Pace
Joshua Irving
Tahnja Smit
NOTICEBOARD
SOUTHERN CROSS STUDENT all arranged by Southern Cross
Cultural Exchange. Visit us at
EXCHANGE – VOLUNTEER
HOST FAMILIES BEING
SOUGHT!
our website www.scce.com.au,
email scceaust@scce.com.au or
call us toll free on 1800 500
UPCOMING EVENTS
5 - 9 Mar
Hospitality work placement
501, request our booklet of
international student profiles,
6 Mar
Zone swimming carnival
voyage of discovery consists not
and capture the spirit of family
and friendship.
8 - 9 Mar
Primary schools band tour
in seeking new landscapes but in
having new eyes”. Volunteer to
BRICKS WANTED!!
12 Mar
Year 7 meet the teacher night
DER Laptop information night
LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF
As Marcel Proust, a late 19th
century novelist wrote: “the real
host an international high school
student in July 2012 through
Southern Cross Cultural
Exchange and prepare to be
amazed at the way this unique
If you have any unwanted
house bricks please contact Mr
Garry Charters, our school site
manager, to arrange collection.
14 Mar
RHHS Cross Country
These are needed to create
and rewarding opportunity helps edging around some of the
schools new and existing
your family to become closer, to
garden beds. Please phone Mr
understand themselves better
16 Mar
School Photos
and to see the world in a new
light.
Charters on 9836 1890 if you
can assist.
2 April
RHHS Athletics Carnival
Carefully selected students will
SECOND HAND TEXT
BOOKS
3 April
Formal assembly
If you are interested in
purchasing some second hand
see school website for more details
arrive in July for one or two
semesters from France, Italy,
Germany, Austria, Sweden,
Norway, Denmark and Finland.
They will attend a local
secondary school, arrive with
their own spending money and
comprehensive insurance cover
text books suitable for Years 9
and 10, please contact John
Stephenson on 0417 067 081.
There are many subjects
available.
21-23 Mar
Year 7 Camp
FROM THE EDITOR
Thank you to all the
staff, students
and community memb
ers who
have contributed to
this edition of
the Rouse Hill High Ne
wsletter
To provide prac,cal advice about
 New laws for L and P licence holders
 Supervising Learner drivers
 Comple,ng the Learner Driver Logbook
 The benefits of supervised on road driving experience
The next workshop in your area will be held on:
Wednesday 7 March at 6.30pm at The Hills Shire Council, Castle Hill Bookings essenAal Ph: 9843 0145
THE ROUSE HILL HIGH SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER TEAM:
ROUSE HILL HIGH SCHOOL
Denise Cox
PO Box 6120
Rouse Hill NSW 2155
98361890
www.rousehill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au
Sharon Laurence
Richard Medcalf
Please see Mr Medcalf if you would like to join the team
DARE TO EXCEL