Hunter School of the Performing Arts

Hunter School of the Performing Arts
Performing At Our Best
www.hspa.nsw.edu.au
PO Box 1 Broadmeadow 2292
Term 2 Newsletter
Principal’s Report
Starstruck 2015 A-Maze-ing!
Congratulations to all our staff, students and
parents for another successful showcase of
the talent that exists in public schools across
the Hunter Central Coast. Over 3500
students participated.
HSPA was, as usual, strongly represented.
Our teachers were choreographers, segment
directors and ensemble leaders. Our current
students featured in all three of the
performing arts as well as providing
backstage technical support as part of their
vocational studies.
Congratulations in particular to Imogen
Bamback, Kacie Bourke, Emily Gardner,
Cosmo
Gelzennis,
Thomas
Hamilton,
Nicholas Hamilton, Tasharna Hardy, Elyssa
Hawkins, Lily Lewis, Yasmin Ling, Alexandra
Riorden, Chris Shanko and Connor Wink who
were Starstruck featured artists.
Sharp Short Theatre
Congratulations to Mr O’Callaghan and the
Sharp Short Theatre ensemble for their
outstanding result in this annual competition.
Three student devised plays were submitted
and performed at Riverside Theatre
Parramatta.
The ensemble received three awards:
Best Production for the Elephant in the
Room by Jordan Warner, directed by Taylor
Reece and performed by Sofia Nolan, Jordan
Warner, Emma Ure and Camden Aglio.
Nicholas Thoroughgood won Best Actor and
Sofia Nolan won Best Actress.
Congratulations to Grace McLachlan, Rory
Pollock, Kirralee McAlpine and Alexander Pitt
for making it through to the Finals.
Hunter School of the Performing Arts
7-12 Ph. 4952 3355
K-6 Ph: 4952 3297
Fax. 4956 2428
th
DATE 26 June 2015
MindPlay
Sponsored by the Hunter Institute of Mental
Health this annual competition requires
students to research, write and perform a 15
minute piece on a mental health topic.
Supported again this year by Dr Leahy, our
students have continued the tradition of
success in this competition and as this
newsletter goes to print the ensemble has
once again made the finals.
Congratulations to Charlotte Abell-King,
Grace Elkin, Adam Grossenbacher, Elijah
Innes, Jazzlyn Innes, Imogen Mahony, Noah
Martin, Joselyn Morgan, Maxine Mueller,
Amelia Noble, Emily Painter, Chelsea
Rothery, George Stewart, Tamzin Tassell and
Emily Williams.
Reporting and Assessment
Semester one reports are in the process of
completion and all students will receive them
before the end of term.
Once again, both Parent Teacher nights were
well attended and the new system of online
booking has received overall positive
feedback despite a few hiccups.
Performing Arts Showcases
The Hunter Theatre has been extremely busy
this term with Year Assemblies, Drama,
Dance and Music Showcases in secondary
and a Primary Music showcase.
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Rehearsals have been underway for the lead
casts in this year’s secondary production
directed by Mr Kavanagh.
Despite some delays in receiving the scores,
the orchestra is now in rehearsal and the full
casts and ensemble commence rehearsals
during sport next term.
Page 1
Tickets for the show are already on sale
through the Box office on the school’s
website.
Higher School Certificate 2015
Year 12 students will commence HSC Trial
practical exams in Dance and Drama in week
one of Term 3 and all students will complete
their HSC Trial written exams commencing
week 2.
During Term 2, students studying practical
subjects or subjects requiring submission will
be required to meet the BOSTES timeframes
in Dance, Drama, Music, English Extension 2,
Society and Culture, Textiles and Design,
Visual Arts and Industrial Technology
(Wood).
Best wishes to all Year 12 students to
perform at their best.
Subject Selection
Students in year 7, 8 and 10 will be required
to select subject for study in 2016 during
weeks 2 and 3 of Term 3.
•Student Voice & Choice - Students make
some decisions about the project, including
how they work and what they create.
•Reflection - Students and teachers reflect
on learning, the effectiveness of their inquiry
and project activities, the quality of student
work, obstacles and how to overcome them.
•Critique & Revision - Students give,
receive, and use feedback to improve their
process and products.
•Public Product - Students make their
project work public by explaining, displaying
and/or presenting it to people beyond the
classroom.
This is an opportunity to develop the skills in
critical and creative thinking, collaboration
and communication through authentic
experiences which make learning significant.
Also being offered for the first time are Big
History and STEM.
Big History is a BOSTES endorsed coursed
funded by the Bill Gates Foundation and
Macquarie University.
This year the Z elective line in Years 8 and 9
will have a focus on Project Based Learning.
Project Based Learning is a teaching method
in which students gain knowledge and skills
by working for an extended period of time to
investigate and respond to a complex
question, problem, or challenge.
It has the following features:
•Key Knowledge, Understanding, and
Success Skills - The project is focused on
student learning goals, including standardsbased content and skills such as critical
thinking/problem solving, collaboration, and
self-management.
•Challenging Problem or Question - The
project is framed by a meaningful problem to
solve or a question to answer, at the
appropriate level of challenge.
•Sustained Inquiry - Students engage in a
rigorous, extended process of asking
questions, finding resources, and applying
information.
•Authenticity - The project features realworld context, tasks and tools, quality
standards, or impact – or speaks to students’
personal concerns, interests, and issues in
their lives.
Hunter School of the Performing Arts
Big History teaches students to examine their
intuition, looking at the authority, evidence,
and logic of claims across disciplines and
scales. Students learn to apply a thoughtful,
consistent, and rigorous approach to
engaging with new ideas and information and
using evidence to construct effective
arguments.
All
course
content
and
assessment is online.
Students considering studying Big History will
need access to BYOD and internet access at
home.
STEM is a new course offered that
incorporates the disciplines off Technology,
Science, Mathematics and Engineering. This
course too, will focus on using authentic
learning through problem based activities.
Page 2
Storm Damage
The school is almost fully recovered from the
damage caused by the recent storms. All
fallen trees have been removed and mulched
and damaged guttering and flashing have
been replaced.
Carpet which has been removed from many
rooms will be replaced soon and contractors
have been onsite to measure and quote.
Many thanks for the understanding shown
during what was a difficult time for many
schools in the area. HSPA was nonoperational for two days until the site was
made safe for staff and students. Many staff
and students were unable to travel safely to
the school during that time due to damage to
their homes and or road closures in the area.
Those parents who did not lose electricity or
internet coverage were able to maintain
contact with the school’s status via our
website, Skoolbag app and our Facebook
page which proved invaluable.
Thank you to the staff who came into school
to assist with the clean-up. The school may
have been closed longer had it not been for
their generous assistance.
Parents who are applying for Extended
Leave – Travel need to refer to our website
for current information.
Richard Jennings
Principal
Deputy Principals’ Report
Subject Selection Time Again
Subject selection time for
our current Years 7, 8 and
10 is here again. In the last
week of Term 2, students
were given an invitation for
their parents to attend the relevant Subject
Information Evenings. See below. At the end
of each evening, Head Teachers will be
available for information on specific subjects.
Electives booklets will be uploaded to the
school website (Downloads) during the July
holidays. Students will receive a hard copy at
special year assemblies about electives in
Term, 3 Week 1.
Yr 8 & 9, 2016 Electives Information Evening
Date: Tuesday 21st July, 2015
Time: 7.00 pm to 8.30 pm
Venue: Hunter Theatre.
Yr 11, 2016 Electives Information Evening
Date: Wednesday 22nd July, 2015
Time: 7.00 pm to 8.30 pm
Venue: Hunter Theatre.
Uniform Thanks
It is great to have such strong support from
so many parents in sending their children to
school in full school uniform. A reminder that
black jumpers/cardigans and black jeans are
not part of the HSPA uniform. All parents are
asked to continue to strongly support the
school’s uniform policy every day (at least on
school days).
Year 11 and 12
Another reminder that NO students are
allowed to leave the school grounds before
the completion of their last timetabled lesson.
Fast food outlets are off limits during study
periods, recess and lunchtimes.
Term 3 for Year 12
Early in Term, 3, Year 12
students will be given a letter,
and parents will receive a letter
in the mail, with important
information about Term 3, their
final term of lessons at HSPA
(genuine sniff).
Details will
include graduation, the formal, the final week,
and the sign out process. Please take the
time to read it carefully.
Year 12 Trial Examinations – July 20-31
Yr. 12 students have been emailed their Trial
exam timetable. Trials take place in Term 3
weeks 2-3. Thanks to Mr Pettett and Mr Rees
for putting the timetable together after much
consultation with students and staff.
Students are encouraged to talk with their
teachers about how to best prepare for the
Hunter School of the Performing Arts
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Trials, if they haven’t done so already. There
are many excellent resources on the
school’s website around how to study and
prepare for exams.
Other great sites:
• Past HSC papers with marking
guidelines
• BOSTES multiple choice practice
questions
• ARC site – real student answers to past
papers.
• NSW Students Online
Auditions for 2015: Auditions are currently
available for students who will be in Years 26, 2015 (for Dance, Drama and Music) and
students who will be in Year 11, 2015 (for
Assistant Dance Teaching, Entertainment
Industry - Theatre and Music Industry).
Please
visit
www.hspa.nsw.edu.au/enrolments.php
for
audition application information.
Please
spread the word about our great school?
Khalil Khay, Bree Harvey-Bice and Marcus
Neale
On behalf of the staff, I would like to wish all
of you a restful mid-year vacation. This
semester, as always has been very busy and
I know that both the staff and students are
both tired and content from their dedication to
both school activities and extra-curricular
performing arts. My gratitude extends to our
supportive parent community, our dedicated
students and all staff for their tireless efforts
this semester, particularly their efforts in Star
Struck, State of Dance, last night’s inaugural
Primary Music Showcase, today’s regional
combined Schools Opera House Rehearsal.
The pace does not abate over the next two
weeks, as staff are busy preparing for
another busy semester of quality teaching
and learning programs, along with the
Regional Dance Festival, Festival of
Instrumental
Music,
Primary
Drama
Showcase and Year 2-6~2015 Auditions, just
in Term 3 alone. These experiences are all
outstanding examples of how our staff
provide diversity and range of opportunity for
our 165 Primary students. This is in addition
to the quality educational provision in all
subject areas, and follows a range of sporting
carnivals, welfare initiatives, ANZAC, Chess,
Public Speaking, Student Leadership, Health
and External Assessment activities.
Hunter School of the Performing Arts
Student Reports: Semester One, 2015
reports have been issued today. If your child
was absent today and you are reading this
newsletter online, reports will be available to
collect from the Primary Office next term.
Peer comparison will be available from the
Primary Office
VALID Science Assessment: Our Year 6
students had the opportunity to preview the
future
of
state
and
national-based
assessments with the trial of VALID 6. Mrs
Joanne Sim form the NSW Department of
Education’s (DE) High Performance and
Accountability unit was in attendance to
observe what worked well and not so well
about the online science and Technologybased assessments. A variety of information
Page 4
was presented digitally via text, audio and
video stimuli, with students able to respond
via drag-and-drop, sequencing, multiple
choice, picture-word matching, short answer and
extended response. This reflects the
multimodal nature of 21st century English and
the English Syllabus. I will run a short
session on the VALID Assessments for
parents to experience a taste of what Year 6
encountered.
HSPA P&C Music Trivia Night: The Music
Trivia Night was a great success last
Saturday Night with over $4000 in proceeds.
Thank you particularly to Mr Mark Stevens,
Mrs Sandra Longworth, and to Mrs Lynne
Kentish and Mrs Kim Lowry along with
members of our P&C Sub-Committee for their
support. Thank you to Mr Pickles and Mr
Khay for their organisation of their AudioVisuals, the quiz and the running of the night.
As we have indicated to our community and
students previously, the VALID 6 assessment
(and the VALID 8 and VALID 10 measures to
follow are a diagnostic instrument for
students to provide feedback to the DE.
Some student data will be provided back to
students and parents/caregivers and staff, but
the central purpose of the measure was to
‘Six Hats’ or refine the process before the
actual measures are rolled out state-wide.
This information is also being sought by
ACARA and BOSTES as they begin to
develop their online measures for both
NAPLAN and the HSC within the decade.
School Accounts: Please remember that
school accounts should have been finalised
by the end of term. Please contact the school
if you need another copy.
State of Dance: What a wonderful and
quality celebration of dance Monday evening
was. A full house was glued to a dazzling
array of clever choreography, effective
costuming and brilliant themes. The dancing
was spectacular. Thank you to Miss Cowell,
Mrs O’Brien, Mrs Bone and Mrs Wilson, along
with Miss Ambrose, Mrs Fleming, Mrs
Vimpani and Mrs Thorn. Your dedication to
the performing arts, to student opportunity
and passion for creativity was well in
evidence.
Primary Music Showcase: I am extremely
proud of the efforts of nearly 100 Music,
Dance and Drama students, who were
involved in last night’s inaugural Primary
Music Showcase. The range of talented
performances across 16 individual primary
groups/individuals, with 25 separate items
performed was amazing. It was wonderful for
the seven staff involved: Mrs Mikhaela AdamTickle, Mrs Chris Stewart, Mr Marcus Neale
(Year 6’s Secondary Deputy for 2016-2021),
myself, Miss Elena Morris-Britten and Mrs
Helen Kearney to share in the joy and
satisfaction of students loving music. Thank
you to Mr Gavin Pickles, Mrs Sandra
Fitzgerald; and Connor Crowe, Marcus
Johnson and Ballyn Teagle (all ex-Primary
students) for their assistance with backstage,
production and performance last night.
Hunter School of the Performing Arts
Festival of Instrumental Music: Tickets
went on sale yesterday at 9:00am for this
wonderful event. They do sell out very quickly
and sell out very quickly and you are advised
to purchase tickets tonight. Please book for
the Mimosa concert on Thursday, 6th August.
Bookings
are
available
online
at
www.sydneyoperahouse.com or by phoning
02 9250 7777. Ticket prices are $41 for
Adults and $34 for Concession with an $8.50
booking fee per transaction. There is a limit of
4 tickets per transaction. Best wishes to Miss
Morris-Britten for her work with the Primary
Wind Group and to Mrs Kearney/Mrs AdamTickle for their work with the Primary Strings.
Congratulations to Mr Khay and his Year 1012 who will be performing an a Capella solo
item on the main Concert Hall stage, during
the same performance.
Festival of Choral Music: Today, our 36
Year 5-6 Opera House Choir singers enjoyed
a wonderful regional workshop with two
experts in choral music from the NSW DE’s
Arts Unit. Our Stage 3 singers workshopped
their 11 festival of Choral Music pieces, along
with students from Belair Public School,
Bolwarra Public School, Grahamstown
Public School, Mayfield West Public School
and the regional Year 3-6 choir Hunter Kids
Sing. Thank you to Mrs Kearney, Mr Stewart
& Mr Khay for their organisation.
Hunter Dance Festival: All primary dance
ensembles will be performing at Hunter
Dance Festival in Week 2 of next term. There
is no cost for this event but a permission note
will be coming home and needs to be
returned to school by Wednesday 15th July.
Tickets are available from Panthers
Newcastle. Students are to wear school
Page 5
uniform to the rehearsal, costumes will be
provided.
Mr Khay DP 3-12
Mathematics Faculty Report
MoneySmart:
Watch Dr Catherine Attard in her interview
from Sunrise on ‘Making “cents” of Finances
for Kids’: http://yhoo.it/1FmQJId
Also
MoneySmart Women: May’s MoneySmart
newsletter was all about finances for the
ladies. http://bit.ly/1cWZCNk
Start Smart
Caroline from the Commonwealth Bank
Foundation presented Start Smart to Years
10 and 11 on June 4th. Some Year 12
students listening from the study area
upstairs in the library expressed regret at not
being given this opportunity when they were
in Year 10. Caroline presented an interactive
session on getting a first job, making sure you
are paid right, saving by watching the little
purchases closely and spending more wisely.
Mathematics Competitions
Both the Australian Mathematics Competition
and the Year 10 5.1 competition are running
early next term. Watch this space for results.
The Creative, Collaborative Classroom
(C3)
This term students have been learning about
fractions in C3. They have been completing
passport tasks and earning points with skill,
effort and diligence.
Young Mathematicians at the University
During Term 2, talented Year 9 and 10
students have been invited to the University
to see Mathematicians solve real world
problems, and to have a go at solving some
themselves. One Year 12 student, Elijah
Moore, has been working with the University
as a teaching assistant.
Hunter School of the Performing Arts
‘Maths and Milo”
Almost 20 students a day have attended
Maths and Milo this term. Thanks to Mr
Hudson, Mr Niddrie and all the University
volunteers who have made this a valuable
time for our young Mathematicians.
Calculators
Calculators can be purchased from the front
office for just $20. All students are required to
have one for Mathematics.
Page 6
Cassandra Portelli
Head Teacher Maths
HSIE Faculty Report
Refugee Week
During week 9 of term 2, Yr. 10 International
Studies students organised an awareness
campaign, involving an interactive installation
in the main quad. The installation was a
visual representation of a boat used to
transport asylum seekers. Students were
able to visualize the restricted space and food
available on such vessels. This activity also
managed to raise $105, this money will be
donated to the UNHCR.
Bond University Mooting competition
3 students from HSC Legal Studies, Hannah
Duque, Annika Atley and Alexandra Riordan
participated in the 2015 Bond University
Mooting Competition. This competition is a
legal debate where teams apply points of law
to a specific case. The students representing
HSPA comprehensively out mooted the team
for Knox Grammar School.
MUNA
Yr. 10 International Studies students, Avalon
Anderson and Luisa Amosa represented the
school in the Model United Nations Assembly
held in Muswellbrook. The girls upheld the
school’s reputation for polished and informed
participation in the regional assembly. Thanks
to Mr Anderson and Miss Miller organising
HSPA’s participation in this event.
Hunter School of the Performing Arts
Ecowarriors do the Throsby Creek
Challenge
The Ecowarriors, the environmental action
student group participated in the Newcastle
City Council’s Throsby Creek Challenge. This
involved some hands on learning about
marine waste and actions that can be taken
to reduce this problem. The goal of this
competition is to create an effective publicity
and education campaign. The winning entry
will be shown on NBN news next term. We
are looking forward to some creative entries
from the ecowarriors.
Major Works
HSC Society and Culture have their major
work, the Personal Interest Project due early
next term on Monday 27th of July. Most
students have already completed a full draft
of their project and are now responding to
marking feedback. HSPA has a long history
of high levels of achievement in this major
work.
Aboriginal Studies Major projects have
already been completed and submitted.
These have been marked at the school by Ms
Miller and visiting marker Mr Warwick Horner.
Students have utilised a range of formats to
present their projects.
Page 7
Millabah once again represented our school
at Starstruck, making a considerable
contribution to the Indigenous dance
component of this year’s performances. The
students in Millabah recently performed at
Tighes Hill Public School and lead
workshops, teaching the primary students
cultural competencies.
The all-boys Didge group has become a very
successful initiative, with the boys being
mentored by members of the local Aboriginal
community. Thanks to Mr Douglas and Mr
Collins for the organisation and Jonathan
from the Worimi community.
HSC Trial exams
Best wishes to all our Yr. 12 students about
to sit exams in week 2 and 3 next term.
Students have been given written notification
of what will be examined in each subject and
the HSIE staff is happy to provide guidance
and support in preparation for these exams.
David Rees
Head Teacher HSIE
Languages Faculty Report
Year 7 Chinese & Italian classes
Year 7 students have completed their
speaking task in their first semester of
language study. We are currently creating a
Cultural Diversity calendar, we working on the
topic of School Life and completing a film
study.
Year 9 Elective Italian
Year 9 is in the final stages of completing an
ICT task on the topic of daily life which will be
shared on Edmodo with schools in the region
and hopefully overseas. Students prepared
and shared the pasta dish, gnocchi and the
sweet treat of granita.
Year 11 Preliminary French Beginners
Year 11 have learnt language related to
describing a typical day and are currently
studying clothing and colours. These students
are very committed and are working very
well.
Year 12 HSC French Beginners
Year 12 have been preparing for their Trial
Speaking exam and will continue to revise all
topics for the Trial Written exam next term. A
well-earned treat is planned for next week.
Year 11 and 12 students will learn how to
Hunter School of the Performing Arts
make French pastries with renowned local
pastry chef Christian Breton.
Pam Burns and Daniela Phillips
Music Faculty Report
Congratulations to the Senior Concert Band
for coming first in Junior B Grade at the
Concert Band National Band Championships
during Easter in Sydney. Junior Concert Band
competed and placed a creditable 6th in a
large competitive field.
.
Congratulations to Emily Vickery for being
named Hunter Region Young Band Person of
the Year.
Thanks to Miss Rae for organising “A Choired
Taste” which was at the regional museum
and was very well attended and received by
all.
The marching band is working hard and
playing regularly at sporting events, the
Scone Horse Festival, the 63rd International
Lions Club Convention and a very memorable
performance at the 100th ANZAC march.
The Stage Band was well received at this
year’s Morpeth Chapel Jazz festival and is
preparing to perform at the annual HRATA
awards to be held at Western Suburbs
Leagues club on the 26th of June.
We would also like to welcome back Miss
Reeve to resume the helm of the music
department and thanks to Miss Rae for an
outstanding effort over the past year. We
wish everyone a safe and relaxing mid-year
break.
Kim Pink
Head Teacher Music (Relieving)
Library News
NOT
Page 8
Year 5 and Purinina (Tasmanian Devil)
A momentous day!
On Friday 12th June HSPA Library went live
to the new Library Management System,
Oliver.
Training for Library staff took place all day
Wednesday 3rd June using Adobe Connect,
which was an interesting instructional
experience that went very well.
Migration of data was initiated on Thursday
11th and Go live successfully took place on
the 12th.
The first book processed in OLIVER
A successful test on the Go live day.
Year 5 undertook an in depth study of the
Purinina (the Aboriginal name for the
Tasmanian Devil). In different groupings and
with the guidance of Mrs Forbes’ Year 8
leadership students Year 5 undertook
research, brainstorming, note-taking, listened
to a story and learnt about the Devil Ark
program.
The previous OASIS Library system had
been in operation since 1980. So, high time
for a change by the NSW DEC.
During Terms 1 and 2 the Library collections,
systems and data were rigorously reviewed
so that all data transferred was “clean” and
reflected
streamlined
collections
and
integrated with new cataloguing protocols.
Students and teachers use their NSW DEC
Portal and then the icon to access My School
Library.
The dynamic interface provides a lively and
informative window to the user’s borrowing
profile and the many resources held at HSPA
Library. Soon links and interfaces with other
Libraries and information resources will
appear on the HSPA Library homepage.
Year 3/4
The Year 3/4 students have had an excellent
term in the Library. They have been learning
about the basics of fiction and non-fiction
resources, reading, the basic research
process and keeping their PRC logs up-todate on the computer.
The students’ workbooks showcase their
work, hint at their interests and have a record
of their reading.
Year 3/4 was part of the NSS (National
Simultaneous Story time) on Wednesday 27th
May with 500,000 children who shared in this
event around Australia.
The book this year was The Brothers
Quibble.
The first batch of books using z-cataloguing
which is a marvellous thing!
Hunter School of the Performing Arts
Page 9
Filming
Each student who participated received a
NSS Certificate.
Seminars on StartSmart and Surveying
Two successful seminars, organised by Mrs
Portelli, HT Maths, were held in the Library in
Week 8 for Year 10 and year 11 students.
Year 12 students
Choosing props
performance
ready
for
a
clowning
Teacher-Librarian conferences in 2015
An event in Term 3 – Book Week
Activities in the HSPA Library
Susan Hannigan
Teacher-Librarian
TAS/VET Report
Semester one has come to an end and
students are looking forward their break.
Time for all students to recharge their
batteries.
Hard at work in the midst of the rainy morning
crowd!
Hunter School of the Performing Arts
Year 12 Industrial Technology Timber and
Textiles & Design students are very busy at
work on their Major Projects; don’t forget the
supporting folios that go with them. These
projects make up a considerable amount of
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their HSC mark for each subject and the
students have been working well to try and
complete them before the due dates in early
August.
Stage 4 (7 & 8) Technology Mandatory have
finished their first rotation of content area and
will be changing to a new content area for the
remainder of the year. Students have
completed some excellent work this
semester.
Stage 6 PDHPE students participating in real
life learning on the last Monday of term!!
We welcomed Mr Hoole to the faculty as Mrs
Boyd takes leave for the duration of 2015. We
wish her well in her leave and will miss her
guidance and support. Ms Ellis and Mrs
Maher are now covering the Year 11 CAFS
and PDHPE classes respectively.
Entertainment Industry students have had the
opportunity to work backstage at Star Struck
as part of their work placement. They were
supporting the performers, supervising
tunnels, working with props, assisting audio
and operating follow spots to name a few.
The Industry experiences the students
received was a great insight into possible
careers in this industry.
The first group of Café crew students will
finish up this term. They have been learning
how to plan, prepare, bake and sell food for
the Hunter Café. The scrolls and brownies
sold out in record time at the canteen as a
testament to the quality of the food they can
produce.
Safety is always a major factor for this
department and it is great to see students
with the appropriate school uniform shoes in
the classrooms. As it has got colder a lot of
scarves and loose jumpers are appearing.
These need to be stored in the student’s
bags during practical lessons for their own
safety. A common-sense approach to correct
safety by the students makes for a positive
learning experience for all.
Have a well-earned break
D Lambert
Head Teacher TAS (Relieving)
PDHPE News
Well what an action packed Term 2!!! Our
focus has been on the value of physical
activity and strategies to understand and
boost mental health and along the way we
have rolled and tumbled, completed beep
tests, tracked our physical activity patterns,
choreographed original 60’s dance routines,
directed sporting competitions and played our
own World Cup! Bumper Balls was by far the
highlight of the term with over 85 PASS and
Hunter School of the Performing Arts
Congratulations to all students who
maintained their change of uniform for
practical lessons and ensured class activities
are completed by the due date.
All PDHPE classes have an Edmodo Class
Group to help manage work submissions and
parents are encouraged to utilise the parent
code associated with their child’s account to
help them develop better organisation skills.
This code can be found on the right hand
side of the student login screen and will allow
you access to their calendar of events and
due dates.
Term 3 will see many outdoor classes and
students must ensure they pack a change of
gear, including suitable shoes.
Year 12 Trials will be held Term 3, Week 2-3
and students are encouraged to participate in
Page 11
online study group and study day sessions
during the school holidays as organised by
Mrs Maher. The PDHPE wish them well in
their preparation for this exam period and the
upcoming HSC Practical Exams!
Michelle Maher
HT PDHPE/Administration (Relieving)
Aboriginal Community Liaison
Officer News
Day celebrations at Civic Park earlier this
term.
Our SSE has also compered a number of
information evenings, year assemblies and
smaller representative functions. They meet
regularly before school to discuss student
issues and work towards realising a
comprehensive set of goals they devised at
the start of their term, with the view to make a
positive difference for our school community.
They mentor year leadership teams and
model effective communication and planning
skills to help their charges realise their own
school projects and fundraising goals.
As we move into the final term of this SSE we
should commend the team on their efforts
and encourage potential leaders in Yr 11 to
follow in their footsteps. It has been a great
privilege to work with such a highly motivated
and invested group of young people!
Hi, my name is John Lionel Schultz.
I am an Aboriginal man from Worimi tribe.
I am currently employed as the new
Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer at
HSPA.
In my role at HSPA I will be helping all
Aboriginal kids by directing them in the right
areas to find help, to better themselves in
school and out of school
I will be working to further develop links with
the Aboriginal community, services and
opportunities for our students.
PS I like to say I am a nice guy.
Senior Student Executive
The Senior Student Executive must be
commended on their efforts and actions to
express the needs and concerns of the
student body, the Yr. 12 cohort and represent
the school with distinction at a range of social
functions.
Highlights include our Captains Zoe and
Jessica’s visit with the Governor of NSW and
Arlo and Damian reading a series of poems
and letters from the front line at the
Newcastle RSL Memorial Ceremony. In
addition, four of our leaders joined the
Primary Captains at the Newcastle Anzac
Hunter School of the Performing Arts
Michelle Maher
Student Leadership Coordinator
SRC and Leadership Teams
Student Leadership Teams at HSPA work
hard to plan projects to reflect the interests
and concerns of their year group. They work
with a pair of Senior Student Executive
members, along with their Stage Leader (Mrs
Taylor in Yr 7 and 8, Ms Hudson in Yr 9 and
10 and Mrs Maher in Yr 11) and Year Adviser
to bring their plans for positive change to
fruition.
While some groups are still working towards
larger scale projects, Yr 8 should be
commended on the work they have done to
raise our awareness of endangered animals
and the need to protect our environment for
the future. The money raised at Tassie Devil
Day will make a difference to the plight of this
uniquely Australian animal. A big thank you
must go to Damo, Hannah and Mrs Forbes
who encouraged our leaders to step up and
take on a project they were passionate about!
The Yr 11 Leaders, under the guidance of
Adam Grossenbacher, led a wonderful
remembrance campaign for Anzac Day. They
encouraged many students to stop, think
about the contributions of our soldiers while
they created 3-dimensional poppies which
they planted under our flag pole as a symbol
of respect and remembrance.
Page 12
Mrs Hudson is currently working with the
Fundraising Group to promote World Vision.
HSPA have traditionally played a major role
in the Hunter’s fundraising and awareness
raising efforts and 2015 will be no different!.
Yr 11 and Yr 10 Student Leaders engaged in
the 2015 Youth Leaders Conference at City
Hall earlier this term, and along with Ms
Hudson and planning our World Vision
Initiative for 2015.
Other projects for 2015 include the launch of
the school radio station, wear it purple day,
daffodil day and the addition of a fundraising
box for less well known charitable
organisations.
Our next SRC and Leadership Day will be
Thursday July 16, periods 1-4.
If you would like to play a bigger role in
leadership at our school, nominations for the
2016 teams will be issued in Week 6 of Term
3.
As an ensemble we have learnt so many
new skills and experienced so much with this
group. Through countless workshops with
award winning playwright Caleb Lewis, and
through hundreds of drafts, emails and
rehearsals we came out of this with three
brilliant plays and a new ensemble filled with
so many talented new friends.
We would like the thank so many people for
this amazing opportunity, especially Mr
O’Callaghan who made all this a reality for us
and supporting us from the very start with all
our crazy ideas and helping us shape them
into phenomenal short plays.
Michelle Maher, Natalie Hudson and Jennine
Taylor
SRC and Leadership Team Coordinators
Short Sharp Theatre Review
Over the past term and a half, Mr
O’Callaghan’s ensemble competed in The
Riverside Theatre’s annual competition,
Sharp Short Theatre. It involves schools and
drama groups writing, directing and acting in
plays that are under 10 minutes for a number
of prizes.
Three groups from our school competed (The
Librarian, The Elephant in the Room and A
Woman’s World) in the second heat. Two of
our groups (The Librarian and The Elephant
in the Room) went through to the final and
both performances took home various prizes.
Nicholas Thoroughgood and Sofia Nolan both
took home Best Actor and Best Actress for
the night, and The Elephant In The Room
(Written by Jordan Warner, directed by Taylor
Reece, featuring Camden Aglio, Sofia Nolan,
Jordan Warner, Emma Ure) won best
performance overall, earning them a spot to
perform at the Wharf Theatre in Sydney.
Hunter School of the Performing Arts
We’d also like to give a big thanks to Miss
Harvey-Bice, Mr Jennings, Riverside Theatre,
Caleb Lewis, and everyone else who
contributed to and supported the group.
“I am incredibly proud of the commitment,
effort and achievement of this extremely
talented group of drama students. They
thoroughly deserved this success in the
finals.”
– Andrew O’Callaghan, coordinator of the
ensemble.
Page 13
Written by HSPA’s Sharp Short Theatre
Drama Ensemble
(Lucy Scott, Kirralee McAlpine, Camden
Aglio, Nicholas Thoroughgood, Jordan
Warner, Emma Ure, Sofia Nolan, Taylor
Reece, Jack Doran, Edward Smit, Sonjia
Glen, Alex Pitt, Rory Pollock, Grace
McLaughlin and Jake Nye).
Sport News
Year 7 and 8 Sport
Year 7 and Year 8 have been competing in
the prestigious House Sport Competition
trophy, The Byrne Cup. Year 7 has been
focusing on Netball and Year 8 on European
Handball. There have been a number of year
9 and 10 students who have taken on the role
of coaches and referees to assist staff in the
running of the competition. Thank you to
staff, students, coaches and referees. Thank
you also to Ms Wotherspoon and Mr Fletcher
for the overall organisation and running of the
two competitions. What a fantastic effort.
At this stage the last two weeks have been
washed out and we are looking forward to
playing the finals. Year 7 will be Ice Skating in
week 10 and will have to wait until the start of
term 3 for an eventual winner. Year 8 will
play their semi-finals and final in week 10.
Results will be announced early next term.
Year 7 will be starting a new sport for term 3,
indoor soccer, and Year 8 will be focusing on
Touch Football.
Zone Cross-Country
Once again the Zone Cross-Country was held
at the Newcastle Jockey Club and our
students participated really well in an effort to
make it through to the Regional Carnival. We
had 54 students selected to attend the
carnival and 13 of these were chosen to
represent the City Zone at the Regional
Carnival. These students were Brianna
Budden, Ella Haveband, Lucinda Middleton,
Tori Marland, Keira Bainsfair, Victoria Lee,
Joel Budden, Isabella Bilton, Theo Mangoes,
Jazlyn Evans, Henry Gibson, Aiden Cope and
Teagan Gee. Well Done team.
Athletics
The Hunter Region Athletics carnival will be
held on Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd
July. The school will be well represented with
12 individual and two relay entries. These
students are Sophie Bradbury, Jazlyn Evans,
Madison Ford, Teagan Gee, Henry Gibson,
Hunter School of the Performing Arts
Siera Leyshon, Jessie Little, Sophie
MacDonald, Taylor Mansfield, Tori Marland,
Verity Norris, Tessa Tamplin and the girls in
the 17 Years and 14 Years 4 x 100 relay
teams. The 14 years relay members were
Tessa Tamplin, Madison Ford, Aphra
O’Brien-Slade and Jasmine Phipps. The 17
Years Relay team members were Taylor
Mansfield, Annabelle Hughes, Verity Norris
and Sonjia Glen. Taylor Mansfield was also
the 17 Year Girls Age Champion at the Zone
Carnival. Congratulations to all our students
and good luck at the Regional Athletics
Carnival next term.
Gymnastics
Our students have also been very busy in the
sport of Gymnastics. A number of girls have
competed with distinction and have been
rewarded with selection in the Hunter Region
Gymnastics Team. They are Jamie Byrne,
Aphra O’Brien-Slade and Tahlie Park.
Regional Trials
Date
30th July
25th August
Sport
Trampoline Sports
Boys 16 yrs Tennis
Please remember these trials are to
represent the Hunter Region and you need to
participate in your sport at a high level to
compete at these trials. If interested in
attending any of these trials please see Mr
Byrne in the PDHPE staffroom.
Richard Byrne PDHPE
Boys Hockey
On Tuesday 9 June 2015, the Open Boys
Hockey team competed in Rounds 2 and 3 of
the State Knockout. Merewether High started
out strong scoring early in the first half of the
first game. The boys remained strong
throughout however, scoring an equalising
goal in the opening minutes of the second
Page 14
half. With spirits high and a great deal of
camaraderie, things quickly deteriorated from
this point. Merewether were impressive with
their goal scoring, with HSPA playing a very
strong defensive game to hold the final score
at 5-1. It could easily have been a much
higher score. Similarly, in the second game,
Tomaree proved too strong with a clear
defeat of 5-2. Overall, all boys played
extremely well, demonstrating excellent
sportsmanship and support for each other.
accolade. Congratulations to both girls, whilst
it was Olivia who got to take home a
medallion award recognising her top finish.
Maya Calderhead was only half a point away
on 4/7 and produced yet another of her
consistent fine tournament efforts. 4/7 was
also the score our Year 5 first-timer Freddie
Stafford was able to produce – a truly
sensational effort! Another notable Year 5
first-timer was Tim Anderson with a fantastic
3.5/7.
Ros Murton, Coach
Congratulations to all our Secondary and
Primary Chess students for their wonderful
work over the board and for their genuine
enthusiasm for the game – HSPA Chess is
certainly looking vibrant and healthy in 2015.
Thank you! Tom Bonjekovic (HSPA Chess)
Primary Department Report
Choralfest
On the 30th of April the HSPA choir and vocal
ensemble went to Choralfest 2015 at Lake
Macquarie Performing Arts Centre. We
competed against many other talented choirs
from different schools. Our choral ensemble
performed two pieces, ‘Riversong’ and
‘Empires Message’ taking home 1st place for
our division. The vocal ensemble performed
‘Always Hope’, ‘Turning of the Tide’ and
‘Coming Home’ and was also awarded 1st
place for their section. The adjudicator of the
competition gave us some very helpful advice
and lovely feedback for the Choir and Vocal
ensemble such as ‘You were lovely-beautiful
smiling faces.’ ‘Lovely vocal tone with unison
very well blended-Harmony work is excellent.’
’Looking great, very well disciplined.’ Overall,
Choralfest was an enjoyable experience with
successful outcomes ~ by Brianna Dagwell
and Naomi Orange (choristers).
Chess News
Record numbers of Chess students from all
around our region checked into our HSPA
2015 NSW Interschool Chess Challenge heat
in the Bini this term. With such a strong field
in the Primary Division – and our record 12
player Primary Team sporting 8 debutants,
winning proved difficult. Nevertheless, we can
be proud of a midfield finish from an 11
Primary Schools field – our team score of
17.0 being only 3.5 points short of a podium
3rd place finish. The experience gained in all
cases will be invaluable looking forward –
well done team!
Olivia Sala and Lily O’Callaghan both
recorded excellent 4.5/7 results – with a tie
break needed to determine who would win
the best performed HSPA Primary player
Hunter School of the Performing Arts
Public Speaking
Congratulations to the following public
speaking school finalists:
Stage 3 - Olivia Calverley-Haack, Zamika
Grant, Gemma Liddell, Leilani Faasisila,
Imogen Bamback, Sameh Duncan-Neal,
Maya Heath, Nicky Mangos, Claudia Crofts,
Zoe Monohan and Caitlin Stevens;
Stage 2 – Josephine Craig, Shania Doran,
Lily Hardy, Ruby Fitzgerald, Vivelle Kenzler,
Tynisha Faasisila.
Student Success
Well done to Emily Gardner who is a member
of the NSW Public Schools Junior Singers
who rehearse weekly at The Arts Unit studios
in Lewisham. On Tuesday 19th May the choir
was involved in the Public Education
Foundation Award ceremony held at the
Sydney Town Hall. The choir performed a
newly commissioned Anzac piece by
Australian composer Gordon Hamilton called
“An Empire’s Message”. The choir will also be
recording this piece and two other Anzac
songs at Studio 301 with a full symphonic
accompaniment.
Star Struck
Congratulations to our wonderful staff team,
who have all played a significant role in the
development of and rehearsals for Star
Struck 2015: a Mazing! Your work with the
140 Primary and 260 Secondary students is
deeply appreciated. Many thanks to our
wonderfully supportive parent and caregiver
community. There are many hours of love,
cooperation and overtime being showed by
this staff and community team. Having one
Page 15
third of our school population involved shows
HSPA’s dedication to the cause.
Auditions for Years 2-6 in Dance, Drama
and Music – 2016
Round One of the Audition Process for 2016
Year 7-11 students in Dance, Drama and
Music, and Year 11 students for Assistant
Dance Teaching, Music Industry and
Entertainment Industry have been completed.
Thank you to both Primary and Secondary
teachers, and to our Admin teams for their
support of this process. Round Two of
Auditions will be for 2016 Year 2-6 students,
and Year 11 VET auditions. This will occur in
September. We would love you to help
spread the word about our great school!
Chess News
Record Numbers Check into HSPA Chess
Competition
Record numbers of Chess students from all
around our region checked into our HSPA
2015 NSW Interschool Chess Challenge heat
in the Bini on friday May 1st. This event saw
our HSPA Secondary students finish in 1st
Place with an unchallenged team score of
18.5points – (not withstanding other reasons)
we’d like to think because we have scared off
most of our local Secondary School rivals
with our successes over the past few years??
In fairness, Hunter Christian (Secondary)
School did put their hand up to play – but
they were politely declined - beaten to the
140 available spots by a surge in Primary
School entries, a record 123 of them taking
part on the day!!
With HSPA being the only Secondary
Division entry, all top 5 individual
achievement awards went to our students –
as well as the Digital Chess clock prize for
hosting and the 1st Placed Team trophy.
Thank you to Mr Jennings for doing the
honours in presenting them and for already
considering a larger trophy cabinet for the
foyer.
With such a strong field in the Primary
Division, and our record 12 player Primary
Team sporting 8 debutants, winning proved
difficult. Nevertheless, we can be proud of a
midfield finish from an 11 Primary Schools
field – our team score of 17.0 being only 3.5
points short of a podium 3rd place finish. Our
regular Yr6 ‘veteran’ girls performed most
Hunter School of the Performing Arts
admirably – with two wonderful 4.5/7
accomplishments. One of our five Yr. 5 boys,
all Chess Tournament first-timers, was even
able to debut with a sensational 4/7. The
experience gained in all cases will be
invaluable looking forward – well done team!
Congratulations must also go to Coal Point
Public School (21.5) who won the Primary
Division and respectively tied runners up –
New Lambton South Public School and
Tighes Hill Public School, both on 20.5.
Of the 18 HSPA Secondary students who
participated 5 went away with individual
achievement trophies. Benjamin Anderson
(Yr8) who was playing his first tournament for
us took out 5th place with an excellent 4.5/7.
Anneliese Menday (Yr8) and Harri Miller (Yr7)
finished 3rd and 4th respectively (on tie break)
with outstanding 5/7 scores. Anneliese
securing a draw (and oh so close to a win)
from HSPA Senior Representative player
(and captain) David Gioia – and Harri rolling
top seed favorite Elijah Moore in the final
round to spoil a perfect ‘picket fence’ finish for
Elijah – sensational! David Gioia clung on to
a half point advantage over the two girls to
finish outright second on 5.5/7 and Elijah
Moore, who had the field beaten going into
the final round, found his 6/7 sufficient to
prevail as tournament number 1 and
Champion! Other notable performances came
from Simon Gordon (Yr7), Harman Burgess
(Yr8) and Tom Traynor (Yr10) all completing
the tournament with excellent 4/7 finishes.
Having now qualified a second time for the
semi-final
stage
of
this
state-wide
tournament, we will be now taking and
additional 5 students (so 10 all up) to
represent HSPA as we try to qualify for our
3rd consecutive finals appearance (in Sydney)
later this year.
Olivia Sala and Lily O’Callaghan both
recorded excellent 4.5/7 results – with a tie
break needed to determine who would win
the best performed HSPA Primary player
accolade. Congratulations to both girls, whilst
it was Olivia who got to take home a
medallion award recognising her top finish.
Maya Calderhead was only half a point away
on 4/7 and produced yet another of her
consistent fine tournament efforts. 4/7 was
also the score our Yr5 first-timer Freddie
Stafford was able to produce – a truly
sensational effort! Another notable Yr5 firsttimer, who was very much a wildcard entry
Page 16
(confirmation arriving only that morning!), was
Tim Anderson with a fantastic 3.5/7.
Congratulations to all our Secondary and
Primary Chess students for their wonderful
work over the board and for their genuine
enthusiasm for the game – HSPA Chess is
certainly looking vibrant and healthy in 2015.
Thank you!
First Ever HSPA Chess State Title Defence
– Flawless ….. So Far!!
In March of this year our top four HSPA
Chess representatives embarked on the first
ever HSPA Chess State Title defence. As
defending Grand Champions of the NSW
Junior Chess League’s prestigious state-wide
Country
Secondary
Schools
Teams
competition (2014) we were successful in
claiming a first round Home win with a score
of 4-0 against the visiting St Paul’s High
School team. A great start!
Yesterday, Wednesday 6th May 2015, having
travelled a round trip of some 5 hours or so to
Gloucester High School – we managed to
defeat our second round opponents 0-4 –
continuing a perfect run for the four individual
Yr12 boys in our team. Acknowledgement is
appropriate here too for Gloucester’s four
Yr10 boys did very well nonetheless, putting
up a considerably stronger resistance than
our pre-match research had suggested.
On Wednesday 17th June our representative
HSPA Chess team encountered an old foe in
the third round of the NSW Junior Chess
League’s NSW Country Secondary Schools
Teams Knockout Tournament. As defending
Grand Champions of this prestigious
tournament – having won it last year – we
aimed to continue our first ever State Title
defence against the only local School to have
ever won this tournament previously (twice!).
We had beaten Merewether High School last
Hunter School of the Performing Arts
year (3 – 1) and knew they would be primed
for revenge.
David Gioia (YR12), slightly behind on Board
4, was able to capitalise on a miscalculation
by his (Yr11) opponent to recapture the
initiative and march on to victory with a
technically sound endgame. On Board 2
Tasman Fell (Yr12), playing against the same
young lady (now Yr9) that had beaten us on
Board 4 last year, masterfully secured a
second win for us with a delightfully crafted
queen-capturing combination. This proved to
be the most comfortable of our wins. But
things were deteriorating hopelessly on Board
3 (Arlo Alexander-Meylan (Yr12)) and
(pending correct play) we were looking at
losing in a tough one on Board 1 (Elijah
Moore (Yr12)) too! Both opponents were Yr9
students. This scenario, played out, would
spell disaster for HSPA. A 2-2 result would
become subject to a count-back rule that
would eliminate the Board 4 results as the
first tie-break measure – the new score would
become 1-2 in a HSPA loss!! The nail-biting
began.
On Board 3 Arlo’s position was lost, his
Queen had gone cheaply and he had a knight
hanging (about to be taken – no escape) –
his pawn structure was poor and his king an
easy target for a sequence of checks that his
opponent set about making in the knowledge
if it didn’t finish Arlo’s King off completely, he
would always be able to take that hanging
Knight freely. During the checking sequence
Arlo’s opponent had moved his rook up off
the bottom rank to avoid capture by one of
the few active pieces still available to Arlo (a
second Knight) – his Rook was pinned and
couldn’t move unless the Queen pinning it
moved away. However, noticing that the
removal of the Rook from his opponent’s
back rank offered a million-to-one chance Arlo accurately set up for the only possible
trap he could produce. It relied on a long
shot, the temporary cessation to the checking
sequence AND that bothersome opposition
Queen releasing Arlo’s Rook from the pin.
That rook would be as critical a component of
the trap as Arlo’s now strategically positioned
retreating second Knight was. I held my
breath. The move came – the Queen
captured the now poisonous hanging
Knight?? – Arlo’s Rook was released to
Check on his opponents now unprotected
back rank and following a forced (Queen)
interposing move Arlo recaptured with his
Rook (on a square covered by his only other
Page 17
major piece – a Bishop) and CHECKMATE!
What
a
Lazarus-like
comeback
–
congratulations on an amazing, incredible
comeback Arlo.
Perhaps inspired by Arlo’s win, Elijah was
able to turn things around on Board 1 to a
point where his position suggested at least a
draw (or more possibly) – but since his polite
offer of a draw was declined and we had won
the tie already, Elijah generously resigned.
HSPA wins the tie 3 – 1.
Good luck to the young Merewether side they will be very hard to beat for the next 3
years at least – and a very big
congratulations to our HSPA boys – the Title
defence continues!
Tom Bonjekovic (HSPA Chess).
Uniform Shop
NEW OPERATING HOURS
The Uniform Shop will now be opening on
Mondays and Wednesdays starting Term 3.
Monday
Wednesday
8.30am – 3pm
8.30am – 3pm
Kate Roth
Nosh Pit News
Can you believe we have been in the new
canteen for almost a year? On the 1st August
we’ll celebrate our first birthday!
Have
you
registered
at
ouronlinecanteen.com.au
this
ordering
system is gaining popularity. You can place
recess/lunch orders up to 2 weeks in advance
and not have to worry about giving your child
money to take to school. – No more lunch
orders forgotten in their school bag…no
sneaking to McDonalds with their lunch
money before school starts…
The winter menu is being enjoyed by
students and staff alike. Oven-baked wedges,
nachos, butter chicken, triple C wraps and
fried rice are firm favourites. Our pastas are
so filling, yet so cheap! Even on cold days our
carrot/celery
sticks
sell
well
with
hummus/salsa.
We have re-introduced Sushi to our Winter
menu. We have a new Sushi supplier: Big
Hunter School of the Performing Arts
Crunch Sushi. Same great price, but bigger,
fresher and so much tastier! If you haven’t
tried it, you’re missing out. The sushi is gluten
free and gluten-free soy (with a yellow lid) is
also available.
After snooping around other local school
websites, we have come to the realisation
that our menu is a stand-out – no other
school offers the variety of foods at such
great prices. Please continue to support your
canteen, as all money raised stays in the
school…unlike money spent at the local fast
food outlets.
EFTPOS will be available at one line in the
canteen next term. This is VERY exciting
news, especially for the senior students that
have been begging for it. As soon as it is
installed, we’ll let the students know at
rollcall.
Thanks again to our fabulous band of
canteen volunteers. Volunteers are essential
to the successful running of the canteen. We
are so lucky to have such great help in the
canteen and really appreciate them giving up
a day a month to help prepare food, stock
fridges and serve students.
If you’re visiting the school for any reason,
feel free to pop over to the canteen to say ‘Hi’
and see what our canteen offers your
children. – We’d love to meet you.
Stay safe over the holidays. See you in Term
3,
Fiona, Emma & Lynne
Year 9 Adviser’s Report
Year 9 has had a fantastic year so far. It’s
hard to believe we are half way through the
year. As I mentioned at our last year
assembly, in twelve months’ time Year 9
students will be choosing their senior
subjects. Hasn’t time flown!
This semester, Year 9 students have excelled
in performing arts, academic and leadership
areas.
Cosmo Gelzinnis, Tashana Hardy and
Yasmin Ling all sang in lead roles at
StarStruck and I was privileged to have sat in
the audience and watched them perform.
Year 9 students also danced at Starstruck
Page 18
and worked back stage to help put the show
together. What an amazing show.
Year 9 singers, dramatists and dancers have
also performed at year assemblies, school
assemblies, showcases and community
events. We’ve also had sporting success in in
soccer, hockey and basketball.
I have been reviewing all Year 9 reports and,
as always, the academic and behaviour
standards of Year 9 students is very high.
The group of Year 9 students successfully
selected for school service activities have
continued to perform conscientiously in Peer
Mediation, SRC and school leadership teams.
The Year 9 leadership team has worked on
several important civics initiatives and have
hosted school and year assemblies. I’ve
enjoyed working with the leadership team and
I look forward to our regular meetings.
We have a busy semester 2 coming up as
students complete Year 9 studies and begin
preparing for Year 10 next year.
I’ve read every report. I can see some real
improvement from last semester’s reports for
some of you. Well done. If you’ve slipped a
bit, I’m sure you’ll realise that and improve.
To the students who have left us, good luck
with your new schools and future studies.
Stay safe. To our new students, hello and on
behalf of the entire Year 9 cohort, we
welcome you to Hunter School of the
Performing Arts.
Enjoy the holidays.
Mark Anderson,
Year 9 Advisor.
Hunter School of the Performing Arts
Page 19
HUNTER SCHOOL of the PERFORMING ARTS
Lambton Road BROADMEADOW NSW 2292
Ph: 4952 3355 Fax: 4956 2428
Email: huntperfor-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability
Notification for Parents and Carers
From 2015, all Government and non-Government schools across Australia are required to participate
annually in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD).
All Australian schools will collect data on their students who are receiving adjustments to meet
additional learning and support needs in accordance with their obligations under the Disability
Discrimination Act 1992 and Disability Standards for Education 2005. This data will be
provided to the Australian Government to assist in the development of a consistent, national
picture of the education needs of students with disability.
The data provided to the Australian Government by the NSW Department of Education and Communities is
provided in such a way that it cannot be used to identify any individual student or school.
General information about the national data collection can be found on the Australian Government
Department of Education and Training website at http://education.gov.au/fact- sheets-nationallyconsistent-collection-data-school-students-disability.
Privacy Protection
The NSW Department of Education and Communities follows the requirements of the Privacy and Personal
Information Protection Act 1998 and the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002. Schools will collect,
record, store and use data about individual students in line with these requirements. Data security and
protection is a priority and students’ personal details will be kept confidential.
Under Clause 52 of the Commonwealth Australian Education Regulation 2013, data collected by the NSW
Department of Education and Communities for the NCCD must be provided to the Australian Government
Department of Education and Training. This includes the number of students at each level of education, the
number in each category of disability and the number at each level of adjustment. The information is
provided to the Commonwealth as a series of number sets that cannot be used to identify any individual
student or school.
The Australian Government Department of Education and Training follows the requirements of
the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988 when handling any data provided by NSW Department of
Education and Communities in connection with the national data collection. A privacy notice
has been developed to by the Australian Government to provide students, parents and carers
with important privacy information in relation to the data collection. This notice is available on
the department’s website at http://education.gov.au/notices
If you have any questions about the data collection please do not hesitate to contact John Matthews LAST via email
john.matthews11@det.nsw.edu.au or phone on 49523355.
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WHAT IS THE NATIONAL DATA COLLECTION?
The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (the national data collection) is an annual
collection that counts the number of school students with disability and the level of reasonable educational adjustment
they are provided with.
The national data collection will count students who have been identified as receiving an adjustment to address a
disability under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (the DDA). The DDA can be accessed from the ComLaw website at
www.comlaw.gov.au.
what is the benefit for my child?
The aim of the national data collection is to collect better information about school students with disability in Australia.
This information will help teachers, principals, education authorities and families to better support students with disability
to take part in school on the same basis as students without disability.
The national data collection is an opportunity for schools to review their learning and support systems and processes to
continually improve education outcomes for their students with disability.
WHY IS THIS DATA BEING COLLECTED?
All schools across Australia collect information about students with disability. But the type of information currently
collected varies between each state and territory and across government, Catholic and independent school sectors.
When implementing the national data collection, every school in Australia will use the same method to collect
information. Therefore, a government school in suburban Sydney will collect and report data in the same way as a
Catholic school in country Victoria and an independent school in the Northern Territory.
The information provided through the national data collection will enable all Australian governments to better target
support and resources to benefit students with disability. The data will help schools to better support students with
disability so that they have the same opportunities for a high quality education as students without disability.
WHAT ARE SCHOOLS REQUIRED TO DO FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY?
All students are entitled to a quality learning experience at school.
Schools are required to make reasonable adjustments, where needed, to assist students with disability to access and
participate in education free from discrimination and on the same basis as other students.
These responsibilities are outlined in the DDA and the Disability Standards for Education 2005 (the Standards). The
Standards require educators, students, parents and others (e.g. allied health professionals) to work together so that
students with disability can participate in education.
The Standards can be accessed via the ComLaw website
at www.comlaw.gov.au.
WHAT IS A REASONABLE ADJUSTMENT?
A reasonable adjustment is a measure or action taken to help a student with disability access and participate in
education on the same basis as students without disability. Reasonable adjustments can be made across the whole
school setting (e.g. ramps into school buildings), in the classroom (such as adapting class lessons) and at an individual
student level (e.g. extra tuition for a student with learning difficulties).
What information will be collected?
Every year your child’s school will collect the following information for each student with a disability:
•
the student’s level of education (i.e. primary or secondary)
•
the student’s level of adjustment
•
the student’s broad type of disability.
The information collected by schools will be provided to all governments to inform policy and programme improvement
for students with disability.
WHO WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL DATA COLLECTION?
The definition of disability for the national data collection is based on the broad definition under the DDA.
For the purposes of the national data collection, students with learning difficulties such as dyslexia or auditory processing
disorder as well as chronic health conditions like epilepsy, diabetes or asthma, that require active monitoring by the
school, may be included.
Who will collect information FOR THE NATIONAL DATA COLLECTION?
Teachers and school staff will identify the number of students with disability in their school and the level of reasonable
adjustment they are provided based on:
•
consultation with parents and carers in the course of determining and providing reasonable adjustments
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•
•
•
the school team’s observations and professional judgements
any medical or other professional diagnosis
other relevant information.
School principals are responsible for ensuring the information identified about each student is accurate.
How will my child’s privacy be protected?
Protecting the privacy and confidentiality of all students and their families is essential. Personal details such as student
names or other identifying information will not be provided to local or federal education authorities.
Further information about privacy is available from www.education.gov.au/notices.
IS THE NATIONAL DATA COLLECTION COMPULSORY?
All education ministers agreed to full implementation of the national data collection from 2015. This means that all
schools must now collect and report information annually on the number of students with disability in their care and the
level of adjustment provided to them.
Information about the arrangements that may apply to your school in relation to this data collection is available from your
child’s school principal and the relevant education authority or association of impendent schools.
Even if your child’s information is not included in the national data collection, the school is still required to provide support
to your child with education needs.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Contact your child’s school if you have further questions about the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School
Students with Disability and how it may involve your child.
You can also visit www.education.gov.au/nationally-consistent-collection-data-school-students-disability.
An e-learning resource about the Disability Standards for Education 2005 is freely available for the use of individuals,
families and communities at http://resource.dse.theeducationinstitute.edu.au/.
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