Newsletter 3 2016 - Gilgandra High School

Newsletter 3
10th March 2016
Term 1 Week 7
Court Street
GILGANDRA
NSW 2827
Phone: 6847 2276
Fax: 6847 1288
EMAIL: gilgandra-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
www.gilgandra-h.schools.nsw.edu.au
Quote of the week
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to
change the world.
Nelson Mandela
Principal’s
Message…..
PRINCIPAL
Mr Neal Reed (rlg)
DEPUTY
Mr Steven Schier (rlg)
HEAD TEACHERS
English
Mrs Fiona Lambell
Mathematics
Mr Harry Langes (rlg)
Science
Mrs Suzie Frost
HSIE
Mr Dylan Smith (rlg)
TAS
Mrs Joan Staggs
YEAR ADVISORS
Year 7
Mrs Jess Reed
Year 8
Mrs Nikke Foran
Year 9
Ms Kristen Skewes
Year 10
Mr Dylan Smith
Year 11
Ms Sheryn West
Year 12
Mrs Joan Staggs
P&C President
Mr Paul Alchin
AECG President
Ms Kimm Naden
ARCO
Mrs Meredith Schier
Ruby Schembri, Olivia Gale, Dakota Santilli & Caitlin Carlow
Have you ever thought about what makes a ‘good school’? Have you ever
thought about what makes ‘good teaching’? Do you ever think of your ‘favourite
teacher’? I think the common link in the answer between these questions is
relationships, and a fundamental aspect of good relationships is communication.
We are working hard to improve not only how we communicate but the
messages we communicate to students and to our broader school community.
Conversations are an important part of this process and I, along with our staff,
value the opportunity to talk with you about learning and about our school.
Together we can, and are, making a difference to the quality of opportunities
available at our school.
One recent example of this is in Science. I would like to acknowledge the work
of the Science faculty in leading students at the most recent Science and
Engineering Challenge held in Dubbo. Miss West and Mrs Frost were blessed
with the quality of students who attended from our school, placing third overall in
the district. Interestingly, we received feedback about the commencement of our
Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) initiative this year – we
are one of a handful of schools in our region who are developing this part of the
school curriculum and it will set our students up well in the future to better meet
the needs of industry and business; it will, essentially, give our students the
edge in the workforce.
When I think about our school, the first thing which springs to mind is students,
and after that, their future. Our job is to prepare our students for a rapidly
changing world. But, for all of that change, being able to work together, to
communicate and to talk with each other are still fundamental to who we are and
what we do. If you feel the need to meet with our staff, please do so – the
relationship with school must always be transparent and open. The relationship
is about trust.
Lastly, when I think about good teaching and my own favourite teacher as a
student, the relationships were there because I was engaged with what I was
doing. What they taught me had me in hook, line and sinker. In this vein, we
continue to refine our Respectful Achievers Program and we are always looking
for ways to teach students how to work together. By working together we
support one another and we grow. Not just as an individual but as a team, and
with teamwork, come the fruits of success which turn a ‘good school’ into a
‘great school’.
Mr Neal Reed Principal (rlg)
FROM THE DEPUTY’S DESK...
This year we have been doing a lot
of work with students and families
about managing mobile phone
usage whilst at school. The
improvement many students have
made with using their mobile device
appropriately at school has been
tremendous. Remember, no phones
during lessons - only breaks - and it goes without
saying that students are not allowed to charge their
phones at school.
There have been, however, several students who
have not picked up on the blanket ban of using
mobile phone cameras at school. I have been having
discussions with students about the need for not
using cameras on the way to school, at school or on
the way home. The department is very clear on its
instructions about cameras and school. Every
student’s carer has either given or denied permission
for publication. The school has this list, the student
body does not, this means it is imperative students
respect this rule, and there are very good reasons for
it.
The reasons people do not wish their image or details
to be given out are varied and it is sensitive
information. Some years ago a former member of
staff, later featured on the ABC show Australian
Story, left our town because his whereabouts were
sensitive and were somehow made known to the
wrong people. This was before mobile phone
cameras were invented. If you have a phone or
device with a camera don’t use the camera whilst at
school. You don’t know who’s story or life you might
impact.
Mr Steve Schier Deputy (rlg)
Dance Group…
A new dance group has started on Fridays with Mrs
March and Miss Graham. The dance group is an
initiative to engage students of all years into a range
of skills, dance and music genres and fun activities.
Student voice is strong and our learners are
experimenting with new and exciting techniques
thanks to the wonderful Miss Graham.
News from D1...
On Friday the 26th February, D1 hosted a
morning tea for students, teachers, parents and
community members for the students in our
class. This morning tea was attended by many
and was a great way for parents/carers to meet
those important to our room and students
positive learning environments.
We are so very grateful for those that attended
this morning tea and hope to get even more
parents/careers for our next event. We must
remember that fostering relationships between
the community, parents and students is crucial
for the success of our students!
News from the Support Unit...
The Support Units this year have been getting
social and getting active. Our classes have
joined forces to provide some of the backdrop for
the Annual School Production “Olivia” next term.
We have been busily making a variety of graffiti
tags at the request of Director Mrs Reed. We
also take turns to share an afternoon of games
and activities and to provide the snacks. Social
skills are honed through card games, sharing the
Play Station and acting as hosts; not to mention
the continued production of tags.
Other week’s see us getting physical at the
Youth Centre’s gymnasium facilities. Everyone
enjoys working up a sweat and having success
on the equipment.
Science and Engineering Challenge….
Year 12 Information Night
The Year 12 information evening held on Monday
29th February was a huge success. Students and
parents were welcomed by staff and enjoyed a
barbeque before the evening commenced.
The group then moved to the Library for
information on the best ways to succeed in the
Higher School Certificate. Mr Reed welcomed all
those present.
Mrs Staggs outlined her expectations (in the Year
12
advisor
role)
as
95%
attendance,
prioritising assessments, homework, study, friends
and family.
Miss Hayley Ford (Careers Advisor) spoke of her
role
Mrs Shepherd (Principal Mentor) outlined the
process of interview that will take place to assist
students in a smooth path to their goals.
ATTENDANCE: A successful strategy at GHS
Last year staff participated in a “buddy program”
where teachers and support staff chose to
personally encourage targeted students to attend
school EVERY day. Due to the success of this we
have decided to continue with the program this
year.
The RESULT? In 2015 62% of students involved
in the program improved their attendance over the
previous year. WELL DONE to those students and
staff involved in our program.
Monday 7th March, thirty two Gilgandra High
School students from Year 9 and 10 participated in
the annual Science and Engineering challenge in
Dubbo. The aim of the day is to involve students in
mini challenges that get them to problem solve,
work as a team and to apply their Science,
Technology, Engineering and Mathematic skills to a
real life situations.
Full day mini challenges included making a
designing, creating and testing a bridge, hovercraft,
catapult and a mars rover
Half day mini challenges included design and build
cost-effective artificial fingers and a thumb for a
bionic hand, to make a profit by providing electricity
to the city’s infrastructure at the lowest possible
cost, creating two towers which are strong and
resistant to shaking and that can withstand static
and seismic testing and to develop a high-speed
railway network to connect the new cities and towns
in the most efficient way possible
The Science and Engineering Challenge is a greatly
anticipated day in the school calendar, with each
year Gilgandra being very competitive. This year
Gilgandra High School competed against Dubbo
College Delroy Campus, Wellington, Dubbo
Christian School, St Johns, St Matthews in Mudgee
and Dubbo College South Campus.
The students from Gilgandra consistently came in
the top three for each of the mini challenges and
this gave them an overall 3rd result in the
challenge. The students should be commended on
their innovative designs, team work and their
problem solving skills. Gilgandra High School would
also like to thank Rotary and the University of
Newcastle for supporting and organising a great
day.
Dates to remember
Canteen Roster
March
Tuesday 15th
Touch Football - High School Oval
Thursday 17th
Science Enrichment Day
Questacon Science
Monday 21st
Tuesday 22nd
March
Monday 14th
Damaris Holgate-Gorton
Claudina Ryan
Ag excursion to Sydney - Royal
Easter show
Tuesday 15th
Damaris Holgate-Gorton
Tanya Mallison
Ag excursion to Sydney - Royal
Easter Show
Year 7 Immunisations
Wednesday 16th
Damaris Holgate-Gorton
Leanne Herbert
Thursday 17th
Damaris Holgate-Gorton
Volunteer needed
Friday 18th
Damaris Holgate-Gorton
Volunteer needed
Monday 21st
Damaris Holgate-Gorton
Volunteer needed
Tuesday 29th
Iron & Clay Band performance
Thursday 31st
Junior Judging (school practice)
April
Friday 1st
Junior Judging Show
Tuesday 22nd
Damaris Holgate-Gorton
Volunteer needed
Tuesday 5th
P & C meeting
Wednesday 23rd
Damaris Holgate-Gorton
Amanda Bunter
Thursday 24th
Damaris Holgate-Gorton
Pat Lummis
Friday 25th
Good Friday
Wednesday 27th School Production
Thursday 28th
School Production
Attendance - The importance of arriving on time
Arriving at school and class on time:
• Ensures that students do not miss out on important learning activities scheduled early in the day.
• Helps students learn the importance of punctuality and routine.
• Gives students time to greet their friends before class.
• Reduces classroom disruption.
ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE Term 1
Due
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Year 10
Year 11
Week 8
History ASG
Visual Art CPW
Geography ASG
Science ICT
Visual Art CPW
Ag ASG
Maths ASG
Drama AST
PDHPE SRP
Ag AS
Maths ASG
Drama AST
Science SRP
Visual Art CPW
Metal ASG
English
Standard AST
Drama AST
Biology AST
Week 9
History ASG
Visual Art CPW
Geography ASG
Science ICT
Visual Art CPW
Ag ASG
Maths ASG
Drama AST
PDHPE SRP
Ag AS
Maths ASG
Drama AST
Science SRP
Visual Art CPW
Metal ASG
English Standard
AST
Drama AST
Biology AST
Maths ICT
English AST
LOTE AST
Maths ICT
Science ICT
PDHPE SRP
Tech CPW
Maths ICT
Maths ICT
English AST
Science SRP
PDHPE SRP
Week 10
English Studies
AST
English
Advanced AST
Year 12
HALF YEARLY
EXAMS