Phone:    4393  7000      FAX:    4393  1157 Website:    http//www.gorokan-­h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page    1      

Community Newsletter Term 3 Week 7 August 2011

FROM THE PRINCIPAL ATTENDANCE AND ROLL CALL We   have   been   contacted   by   a   number  of   parents   questioning   the   absence  letters  we  have  sent  out.  Some  parents  have   queried   why   their   children   have  been   recorded   as   absent.   Unfortunately   we   have  found  that  some  students  were  deliberately  missing  the  ten-­‐minute  Roll  Call  period  at  the  start  of  the  day  and  then  attending  classes  as  usual.  Our  official  roll  is  based  on  tan   extra   ten  minutes   of   free   time   are   recorded   as  absent.    These  students  put  themselves  at  risk    they  are   not   in   the   school   grounds,   they   are   not  supervised,  and  in  the  case  of  emergencies,  we  have  no   record   of   their   attendance.   Please   ensure   that  your   children   are   aware   of   their   responsibility   to  attend  roll  call.  

TRADE TRAINING REFURBISHMENT Finally!     The   Trade   Training   Centre   facilities   are  almost   completed.   They   will   be   handed   over   on  September   1st   and   we   will   no   longer   resemble   a  construction   site.     The   new   facilities   include  upgrades   to   Construction,   Metals   and   Hospitality  

-­‐

concerns  regarding  the  number  of  toilets.    The  bistro  incorporates   the  old   senior   toilets   and   is   large,   airy  and   pleasant.     We   have   accepted   demountable  toilets   as   a   temporary   measure   in   order   to   meet  student/toilet   ratio   requirements.   The   old-­‐hall  change-­‐room  showers  are  targeted  for  conversion  to  toilets   in   the   future.   The   demountable   toilets   have  been  installed  adjacent  to  Art  Room  4.  

PRIORITY  SCHOOLS  FUNDING  PROGRAM  The   Priority   Schools   Funding   Program   has   provided  Gorokan   High   School   with   additional   funds   and  

staffing   over   four   years   (2009-­‐2012).  We   have   one  more   year   on   this   program   which   focuses   on  increasing   student   literacy   and   numeracy   skills   and  participation  rates.  A  new  survey  is  due  to  take  place  in  March  2012  for  the  next  funding  period.  We  have  benefited  substantially  from  this  program  and  the  P  &   C   has   endorsed   our   participation   in   the   next  survey.  Lorraine  Chaffer  will  coordinate  the  survey  of  all  Years  7  and  8  students.    The   PSP   Biennial   conference   was   held   on  Monday,  22/08   and   Tuesday,   23/08.     It   provided   reports   on  activities   in   PSP   schools   and   challenges,   ideas   and  research   findings   from  academia.  A  team   from  GHS  attended,   including   Lorraine   Chaffer,   Shanie  Singleton,   Kim   Twyford,   Lesley   Armstrong   and  myself.                                                                                                              Continued  page  2    

 

Events,  2011  

12  September   Year  11  exams  commence  

19  September   School  Certificate  Trials  commence  

20  September   Year  11  exams  finish  

23  September   Year  12  Presentation  

Term  3  concludes  

10  October   Term  4  Students  return  this  day  

HSC  exams  commence  

31  October   Years  7,  8  &  9  Exam  Week    

3  November   Year  7  Immunisation    

7  November   School  Certificate  exams  begin  

14  November   Year  9  Gold  Coast  Excursion  

16  November   Year  12  Formal  

   

Phone:    4393  7000      FAX:    4393  1157 Website:    http//www.gorokan-­h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page    2      

ENGLISH    FACULTY  NEWS    SENIOR  DEBATING  2011  The  Senior  Debating  team  have  been  very  successful  

four   out   of   five   zone   debates,   defeating   Lisarow  High,   Brisbane  Water   Secondary   College  Woy  Woy  and  Whitebridge  High  and  became  zone  champions.  After   Merewether   High   defeated   Gosford   High,  Gorokan   went   up   against   Merewether   in   the  regional  final.  Merewether  ended  up  winning  on  the  day,   however,   it   was   a   close   debate   and   Gorokan  performed   very   well.   Congratulations   to   the   team:  Aidan  Chalmers,  Darcy  Milne,  Grant  Browne,  Lalitha  Plumb  and  Melissa  Elvins.    

Darcy  Milne,  Lalitha  Plumb,  Grant  Browne  and  Aidan  Chalmers    

Shanie  Singleton,  Head  Teacher  

 From  the  Principal  (cont)  SCHOOL  CAPTAINS  /SENIOR  LEADERS  Our   new   School   Captains   and   Senior   Leaders   have  been   elected   after   addressing   the   staff   and   their  Year  11   peers.   Staff  members  were   very   impressed  

speeches.   Congratulations   to   new   captains,   Jordyn  Tomba   and   Jazmin   Rather;   vice   captains,   Aiden  Chalmers   and   Lalitha   Plumb;   senior   prefects,  Gary  Field  and  Kim  Whittaker.    THE  GATS  PROGRAM  Our  LMG  (Local  Management  Group    the  principals  of   the  two  high  schools   -­‐  Gorokan  and  Northlakes   -­‐  and   the   principals   of   our   partner   primaries)   has  

funded   an   initiative   for   Gifted   and   Talented  Students.  The  high  schools  have  invited  six  students  in  Year  5,  from  each  primary  school,  to  be  part  of  the  program.   The   program   is   run   separately   although  both  high  schools  combined  to  develop  the  program.  The   Gorokan   Public,   Toukley   Public   and   Kanwal  Public  students  meet  at  our  school  for  four  half-­‐day  sessions,   one   full   day   session   and   a   final  presentation   evening  when   the   student   groups  will  present   their   findings   to   parents,   friends,   families  and   teachers.   The   program   is   based   around   the  ecological   footprint   of   the   school   and   involves  science,   HSIE,   mathematics   and   English   skills  development.   The   first   session   took   place   on  Tuesday  of   this  week.  Seven  of  our  Year  7  selective  students   are   acting   as   mentors   to   the   Year   5  students.  Congratulations   to   Dr.   Silvia   Rudmann   for   her  dedicated  work   on   developing   the   project   booklets  and  running  the  program  at  Gorokan  High.        STRONGER  SMARTER  ANNUAL  CONFERENCE  The    Annual  Conference  was   held   on   Monday,   22/08   &   Tuesday,   23/08   in  Brisbane.   Deputy   Principal,   Sam   Ricketts,  represented   Gorokan   High   School.   The   Stronger  Smarter   Institute   looks   at   innovative   ways   to  increase   Aboriginal   students   achievement   of  outcomes  and  retention  rates.    

and  Northlakes  Primary   schools   and  Northlakes  HS.  Our   major   projects   this   year   are   funding   Stage   3  students  in  didge  and  dance  (using  some  of  our  own  senior  students  as  tutors)  and  funding  a  mini  version  of  the  Connecting  to  Country  training  for  some  staff  from  each  school.    The   Norta   Norta   tutoring   program   for   senior  Aboriginal  students  is  undergoing  an  evaluation  and  Gorokan   was   selected   as   one   of   the   schools   to   be  evaluated.   This   took   place   on  Monday   22nd   August  and   involved   interviews   and   focus   group   sessions  with  students  and  tutors.  Marie  Grant  did  a  fine  job  in  planning  and  coordinating  for  the  day.  

 New   School   Leaving   Age.   Sharon   Jenness  volunteered   to   coordinate   this   survey.   Once   again  Gorokan   was   selected   to   provide   three   groups   of  

Phone:    4393  7000      FAX:    4393  1157 Website:    http//www.gorokan-­h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page    3      

students   from  Years  10,  11  and  12   to  participate   in  focus   group   discussions   with   Professor  Groundwater-­‐Smith   around   the   changes   to   the  school  leaving  age.  Thanks  to  Sharon  for  a  fine  effort  in  finding  articulate  students    the  Professor  said  our  students   had   been   the   best   that   she   had   worked  with.    Cyber   Bullying.   Thanks   also   to   Leah   Ingram  who   is  currently   coordinating   another   group   of   students  who   are   being   surveyed   on   their   experiences   and  knowledge  of  cyber-­‐bullying.  This  survey   is   focusing  on  Aboriginal  students.    

 The  Making  Educational  Goals   Sustainable   (MEGS)  program   involves   Years   6   and   7   students   visiting  TAFE   and   the   university  with   their   parents   in  order  to  broaden  the  career  and  further-­‐study  horizons  of  families.   Families   from   low   SES   areas   often   have  little   experience   of   tertiary   education.   Newcastle  University   is   seeking   federal   funding   to   embed   this  program   into   schools   in   a   partnership   that   will  encourage   a   greater   up-­‐take   of   tertiary   studies.   An  evaluation  of  the  program  will  be  made  by  surveying  staff  and  students  in  the  near  future.  

P  AND  C  SUPPORT  Improving   the   school   grounds     we   are   looking   at  providing   additional   shade   areas   for   students   by  installing  shelters  (like  the  one  in  front  of  the  Visual  Arts  staffroom)  directly  behind  the  Language  Centre  and  main   quadrangle.   The   P&C   has   kindly   donated  $15  000  towards  this  project.  We  will  be  consulting  with  has   also   kindly   donated   $5,000   towards   an  additional  Interactive  White-­‐Board.    Yours  in  Education  

Les  Clark  

Principal  

 

HSIE FACULTY NEWS YEAR 10 ASSESSMENT TASKS  Congratulations  to  Year  10  on  the  great  response  to  the  Year  10  Geography  Assessment  Task  worth  25%.  Most   tasks   were   handed   in   on   time   to   the   library,  

and  a  copy  was  emailed  to  Mrs  Chaffer  as  a  part  of  the  ICT  requirement  of  the  task.  The  quality  of  tasks  is   very   pleasing   and   students   should   be   proud   of  their   efforts.   The   task   highlighted   the   need   for  students   to   be   organised,   to   start   their   tasks   early,  and  to  check  that  they  are  able  to  use  their  laptops  as   required.   Thank   you   to   Mrs   Chaffer   who  coordinated   the   task   and   staff   who   supported   the  students.    A   reminder   that   year   10   have   their   Trial  examinations   in  Geography  and  History   in  Week  10  of   this   term   and   students   should   be   starting   their  preparation  for  these  exams  now  by  organising  their  notes  and  preparing  study  summaries.    Those   Year   10   students   who   had   purchased   study  planners  from  Mrs  Chaffer  were  the  most  organised  for   their   recent  assessment   task  and  many  of   those  students  were  able  to  hand  in  their  tasks  before  the  due  date.    This   is   a   convenient   reminder   for     those   students  who   do   not   as   yet   have   a   study   planner   they   are  available   from   Mrs   Chaffer.   Pay   $5.50   to   the  accounts  office  and  an  additional  $2  if  you  require  a  pen.   These   planners   are   recommended   for   all   HSIE  students   in   Years   10,   11   and   12.    YEAR 11 GEOGRAPHY Year   11   Geography   students   are   currently  completing   their   Senior   Geography   Projects   (SGP).  Many   interesting   local   topics   are   being   researched  including   coastal   erosion,   weed   levels   in   Tuggerah  Lakes,  public  use  of  local  parks,  the  impact  of  people  on   the  natural   environment,   local  waste   issues   and  pollution   in   our   streets.   The   methods   used   by  students   to   collect   their   data   included   taking  photographs,   recording   observations   over   a   period  of   time,   taking  measurements,   surveying  people  on  their   opinions   about   the   issue,   and   conducting  background   research   in   the   media   and   on   the  internet.   In   class,   the   topic   on  Development  Challenges  facing    

Phone:    4393  7000      FAX:    4393  1157 Website:    http//www.gorokan-­h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page    4      

the  world   is   proving   interesting   and   very   topical   as  the   world   watches   the   tragic   events   occurring   in  Somalia.   YEAR 11 LEGAL STUDIES Year  11  Legal  Studies  students  have  completed  all  of  their   in   class   assessment   tasks   and   are   now  completing   their   final   topics   ready   for   the   Yearly  examination  in  week  9  of  this  term.  Students  are  to  be   congratulated   on   their   Law   Reform   Issue   task.  Erin   Blanchfield's   excellent   Prezi   on   Animal   Rights  Law  and     the  drama  presentation  on  Discrimination  against   Women   in   Sport   by   Lalitha   Plumb,   Aiden  Chalmers   and   Chelsea   Rummens   were   memorable,  while   other   students   presented   excellent   written  reports   on   issues   ranging   from   sexual   assault   to  violence  in  sport.  Well  done.    YEAR 10 MAITLAND GAOL EXCURSION

with  staff  and  students  again  this  year.  The  students  were   well   behaved   and   were   again   convinced   by  their  tour  guides  that  gaol  is  not  a  place  they  want  to  be.   The   walking   tour   of   Morpeth   is   always  interesting   with   students   enjoying   the   lunch  provided   at   this   location.   Thank   you   to   the   Miss  Madigan   who   undertook   the   mammoth   task   of  organising   the   excursion   and   all   the  HSIE   staff  who  supported   her   before   and   on   the   day   of   the  excursion.    Students   who   did   not   attend   and   came   to   school  completed  an   in   school  virtual   site   study  and   those  who   have   not   done   either   risk   their   School  Certificate   Award   as   this   is   a  mandatory   section   of  the   History   Syllabus.   Students   should   see   Miss  Madigan   or   their   History   teacher   to   get   the  appropriate  assignment  to  complete.  

YEAR 12 TRIALS AND HSC Yr   12   has   recently   completed   their   trial   exams   and  staff   are   busily  marking   to   get   their   results   back   as  soon  as  possible.  The  HSC  exams  will  creep  up  very  quickly   on   students   and   we   want   them   to   be   as  prepared  at  possible  by  using  their  recent  trials  as  an  indication  of  how  they  are  performing  at  this  point  in  time.  All  students  should  have  a  study  plan  in  place  so  that  all  their  subjects  are  adequately  prepared  for.    

We  wish   all   the   HSIE   students   (and   the   other   HSC)  students   the  best  of   luck   in   the  HSC  and  hope   they  get  questions  that  suit  their  preparation.      The  HSIE  Staff  Erica  Burge  Head  Teacher  HSIE  

GATS UNIT NEWS  Term  3  is  a  particular  demanding  time  for  the  GATS  Unit.      Everything   is   going   well   for   all   our   selective   and  enrichment   classes.   Students   are   busy   in   their  classrooms   and   many   of   them   participate   off-­‐campus   in   excursions,   leadership   camps   and  debating.    The   Science,   English   and   Mathematic   competitions  are  done  and  soon  results  are  going  to  be  sent  to  the  participating  students.    We  have  18  year  5   students   from  Gorokan,  Kanwal  and  Toukley  primary  schools  taking  part  in  the  LMG  GATS   year   5   program   for   6   weeks.     This   project  focuses   in   studying   and   analysing   the   local   school  environment.   Each   year   5   group   will   become   an  expert   in  one  area  of   the  environment   such  as,   the  atmosphere,   human   impact,   soils   or   plants   and  animals   to   finally   create   a  multimedia   presentation  to  be  shown  to  parents  and   teachers.  We  welcome  year  5   to  Gorokan  High  and  we  hope   that   this  high  school   experience   becomes   a   productive   one   for  them.    Teachers   who   are   going   to   teach   the  selective/enrichment   classes   next   year   are   starting  

over   four   sessions.   In   this  workshop   teachers   learn  about   the   characteristics   of   the   gifted   student,  curriculum   differentiation   and   classroom  management.      

Finally,  on  the  20th  August  students  who  want  to  get  a  place  in  year  8  and  9  selective  classes  2012  will  sit  

numeracy,   literacy   and   general   abilities.   The   test  

Phone:    4393  7000      FAX:    4393  1157 Website:    http//www.gorokan-­h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page    5      

runs   for   more   than   an   hour   at   the   school   library  from   9.30am.   Students  with   the   highest  marks  will  be   joining   the   selective   classes   next   year.   Parents  will  be  informed  of  the  results  late  in  September.  All  the  best  for  the  remaining  of  this  Term.    

Dr  Silvia  Rudmann  GATS  coordinator  

MATHS FACULTY NEWS  

On  the  3rd  August,  Mr  Galt  took  a  team  of  10,  Years  9  and  10  students  from  Gorokan  High  School  to  

interschool  Numeracy  tournament.  This  competition  focuses  on  the  content  and  application  of  mathematical  and  numeracy  skills  up  to  School  Certificate  level.    Schools  competing  were  Northlakes,  Gorokan,  Lake  Munmorah    and  Wadalba  High  Schools.    

R.  Philp,  Head  Teacher    

HOST FAMILIES WANTED  Students  arriving  Feb  2012.  Southern   Cross   Cultural   Exchange   Program   has   a  wonderful  opportunity  for  you!    

Each   year   Southern   Cross   Cultural   Exchange   brings  students  from  many  different  

countries   to   have   an   educational   cultural  experience   and   become   a   part   of   our   country.    

These  students  need  a  place  to   live  where  they  can  become   a   part   of   an   Australian   Family   and   have   a  place   they   can   call   home,   (this   could   be  yours?)    

Choose  a  student  for  3,5  or  10mths!  Help  them  fulfil  their  dream  of  studying  in  Australia  and  experiencing  our  unique  lifestyle.  

 Call:    Dianne  0429  406  126  to  request  an  application  Kit,  or  for  further  details  

LAPTOPS IN THE CLASSROOM CODE OF PRACTICE

Laptops are to be fully charged Laptops are to be closed and in their cases

when entering the class room Laptops opened only on TEACHERS

INSTRUCTION Unless instructed to by teacher, there is to be:

no bluetoothing

no emailing no internet use

CLASSROOM PRACTICE

Put laptops away when told Laptops turned to the front when told Lids shut at end of session Ear buds are not to be used or visible unless

instructed by Teacher DISCIPLINARY ACTION HAPPENS WHEN

Students do not follow teachers instruction Students are not on assigned task Laptop used for non-classroom work Photographing a person without

their permission Inappropriate material on show

Development an efficient filing system Back up your work using a USB or MyLocker

CONFISCATION OF LAPTOP

Teacher defiance Abuse of the Code of Practice

Students are to ask 3 others around them how to solve a problem BEFORE they ask their teacher From Laptop User Charter Signed by You & Your Parent/Caregiver:

downloading unauthorised software, graphics or music that is not associated with learning, is not

     

 

Phone:    4393  7000      FAX:    4393  1157 Website:    http//www.gorokan-­h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page    6      

Phone:    4393  7000      FAX:    4393  1157 Website:    http//www.gorokan-­h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page    7      

BLACK LEATHER shoes are an OH & S requirement of Gorokan High School

 

Absent  from  School?  Please  help  us  stamp  out  truancy!  

 

4393  7039  (attendance  only)  

 

If  your  child  is  absent  from  school  you  can  phone  the  Attendance  Line  to  provide  an  

explanation  

Blue Gum Smash Repairs

for Excellence in Smash Repairs 1 Blue Gum Close, Tuggerah

4352 1964

Tuggerah Towing 0421 928 794

All work guaranteed      

Please ensure your child wears the correct

uniform and foot wear.

The uniforms shop is open on Tuesday & Thursday mornings

- - - - - - Thank you - - - - - -

RT Hair

Design &

Beauty 60C

Tenh Ave,

Budgewoi 2262 Phone: 02 4399

2090

Butterfly Wings& TeenAngels Hippie Disco

Fundraiser for Relay for Life

Calling all hippie chicks (girls 7 17) to join us for a fun filled evening of fancy dress, disco, activities.

Pre-­purchased tickets only. $10 each Ph 0407 686 838 Gold coin activities, prizes, drinks & snacks available for sale Sat 17/9 6.30pm Tuggerah Community Hall

Gorokan Dental Surgery & Cosmetic Centre

T el: 4392 3706 4392 3999

99 Wallarah Rd, Gorokan

SPE C I A L O F F E R: F ree check up with any further treatment. Private Health Fund Members NO G AP for scale & cleans for families with 3+ people that book within one appointment. 10% off for non private Health fund - EPC Medicare vouchers accepted Veteran Affairs accepted Medicare TEEN Dental Plan accepted. 1 Hour Teeth whitening. Extended Hours

O F F E R E NDS 30 Sept. 2011