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Gundagai High School
NEWSLETTER
Strive to Serve
We acknowledge the Wiradjuri people who
are the traditional custodians of this Land. Page 1
Principal’s Message
ANZAC DAY - Friday 25th April, 2014
Gundagai High School had a great
representation of students and staff who
attended the ANZAC Day March.
Our School Captains, James Petty and Holly Ingold gave heartfelt
speeches on the day while Leadership Team Members helped with the
Wreath laying. James’ and Holly’s speeches are at the end of this
newsletter.
Thank you to RSL Sub-Branch President Jim Sharman, for his time and effort in leading the Gundagai High School assembly to mark ANZAC Day on Tuesday 29th April.
School Development Day
On Monday 28th April the SASS staff were at Batlow Technology School
looking at changes to school administration operations. The teaching staff
were at Gundagai High School actively engaged in professional learning
activities around 21st Century learning strategies, and Work Health and
Safety.
WELCOME to Mr Finley Guinness our new Mathematics teacher.
Mr Guinness was successful in the Merit Selection process to fill the
position left by the retirement of Mrs Joy Patterson.
Excursions
Excursions and sporting events are organised to support classroom
learning and give students the opportunity to compete for the school at
Riverina or State carnivals in many sports. The organisation of these
events are very time consuming as it is not just writing a permission
letter that needs to be completed, so I would request that:
a) Parents please encourage your child to return the permission
notes as soon as possible. There is a cut off time for numbers
prior to the excursion, which determines if the excursion will go
ahead.
Friday, 9 May 2014
Gundagai High School PO Box 107
157 Hanley Street
GUNDAGAI NSW 2722
Phone: 6944 1233
Fax: 6944 2180
Email:
Website: www.gundagai-h.schools.nsw.edu.au
Principal: Jennifer Miggins
DATES FROM THE CALENDAR:
2014 Term 2: Monday 12
th May
AFL in Cootamundra
Riverina Dance Camp starts Tuesday 13
th May
NAPLAN starts
Open RL gala night in Gundagai
Wednesday 14th
May
NAPLAN Thursday 15
th May
NAPLAN
Business Studies Competition Friday 16
th May
Volleyball Gala Day - Albury Monday 19
th May
P&C Meeting 7pm at the Gundagai High School
Tuesday 20th
May
Riverina Drama Camp starts Thursday 22
nd May
Youth Council Meeting Friday 23
rd May
Yr 7 English Excursion to Junee
Yr 11 Business Studies Excursion to Junee
Strive to Serve Page 2
b) For Sporting Events – encourage your child to return permission notes and attend. If students don’t
attend, these competitions will eventually not be organised and students will miss out on a valuable
opportunity.
c) Excursion non-attendance – if possible please notify the school one week prior to the date of the
excursion. Refund of monies paid is not automatic, as deposits, administration and increased costs
associated with a change in numbers attending need to be considered. We don’t want to be asking
for extra money to cover the costs from the students who do attend. Therefore, please note that a
refund may not be possible. It is recognised that emergencies do occur and we will treat each case
individually.
Medical Information
It is important that parents keep the school up to date with any medical issues with your child so that we can
correctly deal with situations that may arise and that the school can accommodate missed learning through
non-attendance.
Congratulations to our many Sporting Participants
Zone Athletics competitors
Swan Shield AFL Team
Girl’s Soccer
League Tag Team
School Cross Country Carnival – Well done to all our Age Champions!!!
These sporting competitors have taken up these valuable opportunities and participated to their very best
ability and have demonstrated behaviour as exemplary role models for Gundagai High School. WELL DONE!!
A big THANK YOU to those parents have been able to help with transport for such events. The School and
the students are so very grateful for your time and support.
Congratulations to Year 7 Camp Participants.
Their participation in camp activities and exemplary behaviour has been
acknowledged by the staff who attended and the camp organisers.
Congratulations to Nikki Smart and Elle Sheahan who attended the Dobell Drawing
School at the National Art School in Sydney during the last holidays. The students
had a fantastic time and were exemplary representatives for Gundagai High School.
Jennifer Miggins
Principal
Gundagai High
is a PBL School
(Positive Behaviour for Learning)
Strive to Serve Page 3
Deputy Principal’s Message
Printable planners for homework and study
School A to Z has printable monthly planners which include school holidays and the numbered weeks of each
Term (for example Monday 19 May is the start of Week 4, in Term 2). Print one for each child to stick on the
fridge or on their noticeboards. It’s a great way to teach them how scheduling their time means they’ll to fit
in the fun activities as well as their other commitments and responsibilities. Download May 2014 at
http://bit.ly/UbmQz8
Too sick for school?
As the cold weather hits, so do the winter bugs. It’s often hard to know whether
to send your child to school or let them stay home to recover, especially when
that means an adult cancelling work. For safety's sake, if your child seems unwell
you should always keep them home from school and seek medical advice.
School A to Z and the NSW Health have created an at-a-glance chart to help
answer your questions about common childhood illness and how long sick kids
need to miss school. Find it by typing this link into your web browser www.bit.ly/1hytn2E
Is your child’s backpack damaging their spine?
A recent Australian study has shown that approximately 25% of school-aged children suffer from back
and/or neck pain at any one time. It’s believed to be due to a combination of factors such as poor posture,
everyday load carrying and the use of computers.
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead suggests young people should:
not carry more than 10% of their body weight
use a backpack with the straps over both shoulders and a waist strap
load gear so that the heavier objects are nearer to the spine, with the
lighter objects towards the front of the pack
lift a backpack properly- bend at the knees and lift the pack with both
hands
More tips at http://bit.ly/1iB4OBo
Gundagai HS P&C have lockers available for hire to help reduce the weight students carry during the day.
See front office for details.
Teenager’s seeking more independence
Knowing how much freedom and responsibility to give your teenager is difficult, especially if they’re your
eldest or only child. To become capable adults, teenagers need to learn to make good decisions on their own
and have opportunities to show you they can. The Raising Children Network website has a wealth of expert
information and guidance for parents of teens and younger children. If your child is testing the boundaries
and pushing for more independence, you may find the article ‘Shifting responsibility to your child’ worth
reading. Go to www. bit.ly/1jCxKhe
Strive to Serve Page 4
Study help for high school
It’s often quite difficult parents to assist their children with their high school homework and study. Even if
we have professional experience in the subject area, children tend to find it difficult to take parental advice
when it comes to school. (Don’t feel bad, teachers’ own children do exactly the same thing .)
www.khanacademy.org is an excellent, not-for-profit website which may help your child study and revise
tricky concepts in science, maths and the humanities.
Teacher Professional learning
In the last fortnight and up until the end of term the following courses/activities have been attended or
participated in by GHS staff:
Work Health and Safety Updates
21st Century Learning
School to Work
Grant writing workshop
Zone Athletics
Simon Bridgeman
Deputy Principal
Mathematics Competitions
In 2014 we are entering students in two Mathematics competitions. The first is the ICAS Mathematics
Competition run by the University of NSW. The cost of this competition is $8.00 and the entry fee is due on
Friday 23rd May with the date of the competition Tuesday 12th August.
The second is the Australian Mathematics Competition run through the University of Canberra. The entry fee
for this competition is $6.00 with a minimum of 5 entries needed. The date of the competition is Thursday
7th August and the entry fee is also due on Friday 23rd May.
If students are interested in taking part in either of these competitions payment of the fee should be made
to the school front office by the closing date.
Mathematics Junior Assessments
Just a reminder that all Junior Mathematics students have assessment tasks due in Week 3 and in Week 5.
The closeness of the assessments is due to the term only being 9 weeks long and reports are due before the
end of the term.
Strive to Serve Page 5
Thank you to everyone who ordered bulbs in our current fundraiser. Bulbs will be delivered to the school next week and will go home soon after. This fundraiser has earned approximately $300.00 towards P&C funds for our school. Thank you Lynda Petty
In Week 1, most of the Year 7 students attended a three day excursion to the Great Aussie Holiday Park on the banks
of Lake Hume, near Albury. On the way to the park we stopped at the Albury Art Gallery, where our Mr Rake showed
our students exhibits from the Archibald Prize.
Our Year 7s, accompanied by Ms Appleby and Mr Palmer, enjoyed a range of team building and fun activities,
including archery, rock wall climbing, animal feeding, the flying fox and exploring the shoreline of the lake. The Albury
Astronomical Society also brought their telescopes in so that our students could view the sun during the day and some
of our solar system’s planets at night. See photos at the end of the newsletter.
It was a great excursion. Well done year 7!
A big welcome back to year 8 students!
A great start of term and also a reminder to all parents that the Year 8
geography task has been handed out and emailed to all students. If any
parent would like an electronic copy of the task please contact Miss Turner.
Strive to Serve Page 6
2014 Gundagai High School Cross-Country Age Champions
Boys Girls
12 Ethan Coleman 12 Leonie Rolfe Lanyon
13 Andrew Smith 13 Karleigh Bower
14 Jake Elphick 14 Shae Smith
15 Tylor Rolfe 15 Kassie Owen
16 Benjamin Salmon 16 Jeana Bell
17+ James Petty 17+ Lori Young
House Points for the x-country carnival were:
1st Kimo- 108 points
2nd Parnassus – 101 points
3rd Reno – 78 points
Good morning all. My name is Holly Ingold, and I am here today to speak on behalf of my
peers at Gundagai High School.
We’re all gathered here today to acknowledge ANZAC Day, and pay our respects to the
sacrifice of our soldiers, past, present, and future. All over Australia, people gathered for
their local ANZAC Day marches, to acknowledge and appreciate the great gift we have been
given.
When you search my great grandfather, Neville Regan, on the World War II Nominal Roll, it
simply says “date of birth: unknown”. This is because, like thousands of other young men at
the time, he lied about his date of birth to hide his age, so he may go off to fight in the war.
He was 17, the same age I am right now, when he was sent to fight in the Kokoda Campaign.
The Kokoda Campaign has become one of the ANZAC soldier’s most awe-inspiring battles,
due to the extraordinary conditions these everyday men and women faced.
So close to home and in such terrible terrain, it’s an incredible tale of bravery and mateship,
true to form with all other ANZAC battles. Any Australian can appreciate the guts it took for
these soldiers, and learn important lessons to be incorporated into everyday life. Strong ties
of friendship, loyalty and standing up for any cause you have a passion for are values that
are relevant to every Australian. The legacy of soldiers just like my great grandfather proves
that we are all capable of more than we think.
While celebrating ANZAC Day, we must consider what it really means to us as Australians. At
times my generation may find it harder to understand than those that came before us. We
have not lived through the World Wars, or the storied ANZAC battles. When I think of the
sacrifice of our soldiers, I only have to appreciate my country as it is now to see the great
gift they have given us as Australians. To me, ANZAC Day goes much further than sparing a
few moments to consider the brave actions of our soldiers. ANZAC Day is about
incorporating the values of our past and present servicemen and women into our everyday
lives as much as possible. Respecting and remembering with our actions and appreciating
and utilising our freedom are the best ways to honour the sacrifices and courage of our
ANZACs.
James Petty
Time dims the memory of ordinary events, but not great events. In a nation’s history, great events -
whether in peace or war – live on in our memories regardless of time. They are deemed great not
necessarily for what they achieved, nor for whether they were victories or successes. Rather, great events
are distinguished by the quality of the human endeavour they called upon, by the examples they create for
ordinary men and women, and by the legends they inspire, and so it is with ANZAC day.
We meet here to think about all those who have served our country during war, conflict, crisis and peace-
keeping operations since this nation was formed. We especially remember those who have given their
tomorrow for our today – over 102,000 Australian soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen have died in the
service of our great nation. We remember past and present members of the Australian Defence Force and
we also think about ADF members currently on operations serving Australia’s national interests at home
and overseas.
Coming just fourteen years after the Federation of Australia, the Gallipoli campaign was one of the first
international events that saw Australians taking part as Australians. As such, it has been seen as a key event
in forging a sense of national identity. While the ANZAC’s withdrawal from Gallipoli was brilliantly planned
and executed, the campaign cannot be described as anything but a defeat. However, in the words of
Confucius “Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall”. The achievements of
the ANZACs can be measured in ways other than strategy, tactics and battles. Their true achievements
were in their courage, determination, mateship and sacrifice. These were achievements that set the
standards that continue to inspire their countrymen for generations to follow.
We must ask ourselves, if the ANZACs were to see their country today, to see what they fought and died to
protect would they be proud of how far our nation has progressed or would they feel that their efforts
were in vain? I for one believe that they would look back with a sense of pride, knowing that the effort they
went to was not in vain because the spirit of the ANZACs lives on forevermore. Not only members of the
defence force but anyone who volunteers or makes sacrifices for a cause greater than themselves are
responsible for preserving the ANZAC spirit.
The men and women who forged the ANZAC spirit made sure that those who led them earned their
respect. They all understood the values of independence, freedom and fairness and - above all - possessed
a willingness to defend these things if need be. Because freedom only survives as long as people are willing
to defend it. That is the spirit the ANZACs handed down to us. If we lose that ANZAC spirit, we lose all.
So here we stand today, along with thousands of others to honour great men and women and a great
tradition. We gather, as we shall always gather, not to glorify war, but to remind ourselves that we value
who we are and the freedoms we possess, and to acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of those who
contributed so much in shaping the identity of this proud nation, and those that continue to do so.
It will always remain important that we understand and respect our history however as JFK said “Change is
the law of life, those who look only into the past or the present are certain to miss the future.” We must
also constantly be looking forward, making sure that we do continue to live by the spirit of the ANZACs and
unite in time of crisis and never give up the freedom handed down to us.
COMMUNITY NEWS Who’s up for a night away with the girls? Shopping Anyone?
Gumnut is planning a shopping trip to Melbourne for a weekend of shopping and
fun. We will be heading off at 5pm on Friday 8th August 2014 heading to
Melbourne for some rest before we head off for a full day of shopping on the
Saturday, Saturday night you are free to do what you want, dinner and movie,
show etc. We will then be off to the markets on Sunday and then head on home
around lunch on Sunday.
We would love for you and your friends to come along and support our trip.
Please spread the word. More information regarding warehouses to follow.
Important Information-
Date: Depart: Friday 8th August 2014at 5 pm
Return: Sunday 10th August 2014 at around 6 pm.
Cost- $ 300 per person
Inclusions: Bed and breakfast @ Miami Motor Inn in Melbourne
Return Coach travel with Makeham coaches.
Breakfast both days (light on Saturday, cooked Sunday)
Lunch on Saturday
Saturday: Around 10 Warehouses with more information to follow.
Sunday: Melbourne Markets
If you would like to come along please let staff know. A non-refundable deposit of
$50 is needed when putting names down with remaining money due by 13th June
2014. Hoping you will be able to come along! Looking forward to having some fun
with you all! ( And yes we are known for having loads of fun on our trips)!Please
let us know who will be travelling with you, or we can find a friend for you to bunk
in with and any dietary requirements when putting name down and paying
deposit. Kim.
