Issue 15 “Our community strives to provide all students ...€¦ · four canteen vouchers drawn at assembly. Here with Principal, Mr Rob Scotton. Coming Up ... are all working on

22nd October 2010

Issue 15

Newsletter

Inside this issue:

Principal’s Report 2

Yr 6 Orientation Program

3/4

P&C Uniform Fittings 4

100% Attendance 5

Library News 6

Recipe Corner Community Notices

7

Absence Slips 8

Coomealla High School

“Our community strives to provide all students with the foundations to develop skills and values enabling them to be positive contributors to society.”

PBL Re-Launch

Year 7 student, Makinley Blows, entering the weekly PBL draw to win one of four canteen vouchers drawn at assembly. Here with Principal, Mr Rob Scotton.

Coming Up

Monday, 25th October First PBL Canteen Voucher Drawer

25th October — 5th November HSC Continues

Wednesday, 27th October HSC Examiners—Art Practical

Advance Notice

Monday, 8th November School Certificate Commences

Tuesday, 9th November School Council—6.30pm in Common Room

Page 2 Coomealla High School

Principal’s Newsletter

HSC

Last week saw the beginning of the Higher School Certificate. Year 12 students across the state are sitting these exams which are the culmination of over twelve years of schooling. For students who are aiming to attend university next year the HSC provides them with an ATAR or Australian Tertiary Admission Rank. This is a score out of 100 which allows the universities throughout Australia to provide cut off points for various courses.

There are many external sources, such as the media, that put extra pressure on students and their families during the exams. My advice to our students is to balance your routine, take time for some relaxation within your study program and try not to put too much pressure on yourself. So good luck Year 12 with all of your exams and your future lives and careers. I wish you all the best.

COGs Program

Teachers of 7J have introduced a new approach to learning. They are working on a COGs (Common Outcomes Group) program. What this means is that students are being taught a common theme across a range of subjects. English, Science, Maths, History and Geography are all working on ‘The Living Land’ which looks at the local river system and the land around it.

I am very impressed by the commitment and enthusiasm shown by both staff and students undertaking the COGs program. I have visited the class on a number of occasions and have been most impressed with the work being done. I have seen the class working on how to calculate how many fish are in the Murray River, write stories about their own adventures around the river and working on posters. Later this term the class are going to be helping their local ‘land’ environment by planting native trees and shrubs for which the school has received an environmental grant. Well done to the staff and students for this initiative and we will be supporting and developing this concept next year.

PBL

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) has been reintroduced this week at Coomealla High School. We started with educating the students about showing respect in their playground environment. The target was to encourage students to pick up litter and to make sure rubbish was placed in the bins. Students are given ‘purple slips’ when they are seen doing the right thing in the playground. The slips go into the PBL box in the foyer. Every Monday, during assembly, four slips will be drawn out and those students drawn will win a $5 canteen voucher.

We will be continuing with PBL in the playground throughout the term. It is a good opportunity to remind the school community about our core values, always DO YOUR BEST, show RESPECT for everyone and everything, be HONEST in words and actions and work and play SAFELY. Positive Behaviour for Learning is being encouraged in all Western Region schools and is an excellent way of improving the tone of the school and teaching and rewarding desired behaviours.

Rob Scotton

Principal

Page 3 Issue 15

YEAR 6 INTO 7 TRANSITION PROGRAM

The Transition Program for Year 6 students who will be starting high school next year has begun. At the beginning of this term groups of Year 7 students accompanied by Miss Nisha Francis visited six local primary schools to talk to Year 6 students about life at Coomealla High School while members of the Transition Team met with their teachers. The visits also provided an opportunity for some students to meet their Year 7 Advisor, Mr Phil Gee.

The Year 7 students participating were chosen as ambassadors for Coomealla High in recognition of the excellent start they have made to their high school careers.

The Coomealla High School Transition Team has been established to develop a more co-ordinated approach to transition at key educational points, including the move from Year 6 to Year 7 and from Year 10 to Year 11. The team’s members are Deputy Principal Robyn Lynch, the Head Teachers Welfare Ms Diane Snow and Mr Duncan Driscoll and Careers Advisor Mrs Pauline Smith. The Transition Co-ordinator is Ms Jo Crowley. The relevant Year Advisor is also involved as required.

The Transition Program began when Year 6 students from all the local schools visited Canberra at the end of Term 3. Ms Jo Crowley accompanied the group. Transition continues throughout Term 4, with a number of orientation visits by the Year 6 students and a parent information evening in early November. Dates can be found below, please mark your calendar. Follow up visits will be made by members of the Transition Team over the next few weeks to develop personalised plans and programs for students who need additional support in the transition to high school.

Members of the P&C are currently visiting the feeder schools to provide information about uniforms and arrange uniform purchases.

Thursday, 11th November—PM Year 6 Orientation Visit to CHS—half day

Tuesday, 16th November, 6.30pm—7.30pm

Coomealla High School Library—Parent Information Evening & collection of completed forms

Tuesday, 23rd November Year 6 Orientation Visit to CHS—full day

AMENDED—Orientation Dates

These supersede dates in enrolment packs

Year 6 at the snow Cont…...


P&C—UNIFORM FITTINGS

Uniform fitting times on the following days at school - lunch time at canteen rear door.

Monday 1st November

Monday 8th November

Tuesday 9th November

Open to all at Dareton Scout Hall—22 Scout Road (at back of high school)

Saturday 6th November—10am to 1pm

If you have any queries please phone Ros Hehir 5027 4866

FULL PAYMENT MUST ACCOMPANY THE ORDER

Orders Close Wednesday 10th November, 2010

…. Cont: YEAR 6 INTO 7 TRANSITION PROGRAM

Primary Schools visit: Front: Natalie Wescombe, Makinley Blows, Thomas Christensen, Hannah Murdoch

and Morgan Hopcroft

Back: Brendan Hann, Louis Fasolino, Natalia Radloff, Billy Ives,

Kylia Sloane and Jesse Martin, absent: Stephanie Russell

YEAR 7

ADVISOR

2011

Mr Phil Gee Mr Gee is our music teacher here at Coomealla High and he is looking forward to taking on the position of Year Advisor in 2011 and working with our new Year 7 Students.

Page 5 Issue 15

Coles Sports for Schools With our Australian sporting heroes soon to compete at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, we

believe it's the perfect time to get all Aussie kids more active at school and invest in our

sporting champions of the future.

So what would get our Aussie kids moving? New soccer balls or hockey sticks? What about an

indoor ten pin bowling or cricket set? Or perhaps a juggling kit for beginners or even a school visit from a real professional coach to inspire the team?

From Thursday 2 September until Sunday 31 October 2010, every $10 spent at Coles

Supermarkets will earn customers a Coles Sports for Schools voucher worth 1 point. For as little as 85 points schools will be able to get some brand

new sporting equipment!

Regular attendance at school is paramount to success in the school arena; work is not missed and continuity is not lost. At CHS we encourage regularly and committed attendance in our student body and as such we recently acknowledged those students who completed Semester 1, 2010 with an impressive 100% attendance.

Above with Mr Scotton and Mrs Lynch are:

Paige Ketting Yr7, Samantha McLean Yr8, Demi Hewett Yr7, Joshua Fawdry Yr10, Koko Dove Yr12, Jack McLean Yr12, Natalie Wescombe Yr7, Cameron Brander Yr7, Hannah Murdoch Yr7, Ronnie Moore Yr7, Laura Bysouth Yr9 and William Andriske Yr9 (not in photo).

100% ATTENDANCE ACKNOWLEDGED


Chess Resumes

Robyn Heaysman joined us again at lunchtime recently to recommence our learn to play and tutoring sessions. These sessions will continue fortnightly—finishing in Week 8. A mini tournament will again run later in the term to give students the opportunity to use their skills in tournament practice. Next year there will be three Inter-School competitions and it would be great to have a team to take to these competitions.

The Great Reading Race

It is wonderful to see many of 7M entering into the spirit of the race and gaining large numbers of points through their efforts. Students have exposed themselves to some fiction styles they might not have otherwise attempted. Wide reading is linked significantly to academic success.

School Magazine

The school magazine will be available in mid November. Surf Crew have kindly donated some discount vouchers to be distributed to students ordering and paying for the first 50 magazines.

Businesses who may not have received a sponsorship request letter, but would like to support the magazine production, please contact the school—your support would be much appreciated and acknowledged in the magazine.

Year 7 Student Book Reviewers

Review 1— Anon

Title: Saltwater Moons by Julie Gittus

Brief Synopsis: Sunday is infatuated with Tycho but ends up with Mark her best friend’s ex-boyfriend who cheats on her.

Star Rating

If you like stories about romance and betrayal you will enjoy this book.

Review 2 - Abbey Patterson

Title: Tomorrow All Will Be Beautiful by Brigid Lowry

Brief Synopsis: This is a collection of short stories and poems written to remind us that everyone is worthwhile and beautiful in their own way.

Star Rating

If you like reading inspirational stories you will enjoy this book.

Review 3— Shanae Tilley

Title: The Long Walk by Kerry Greenwood

Brief Synopsis: When Isa’s mother becomes ill she embarks on a difficult journey with her siblings to find her father. The book is set on the Great Ocean Road.

Star Rating

If you like reading adventure stories where the characters have to be brave and resourceful you will enjoy this book.

Review 4 - Lauren Fraser

Title: The Pact by Jodi Piccoult

Brief Synopsis: Chris and Emily are childhood friends who when older develop a relationship.

When Emily dies Chris is jailed for her murder. This starts a complicated series of events before Chris is proved innocent.

Star Rating

If you like reading romantic mystery stories you will enjoy this book. More suitable for mature readers.

LIBRARY NEWS

Page 7 Issue 15

Boys born in 2002 & 2003 looking to play in the summer

basketball Under 10 competition please call Adam Tarr on

5023 2241. Adam Tarr

General Manager

Mildura Basketball Association

Phone (03) 50232241; Fax (03) 50213908

[email protected], www.mildurabasketball.com.au

BECOME A HOST FAMILY IN 2011: Opportunities exist with two Exchange Student organisations to be part of their programs:

1. Student Exchange Australia New Zealand—visit www.studentexchange.org.au for information

2. World Education Program (WEP) - http://wep.org.au/info/ - students from Italy, Chile and The Netherlands are looking forward to experiencing life in Australia.

Unlock the door to your mind before opening the door to the world - John Liepa

MILDURA R.J. SHIELD CHESS TOURNAMENT October 31st, 2010—Red Cliffs Secondary College—1.00pm—5.00pm

Everyone welcome.

Complete an entry form or enter online at www.sunraysia-chess.com or

contact Robyn Ph: 0427 092 404

RECIPE CORNER — White Christmas

Ingredients: 250g copha

3 cups rice bubbles

1 cup coconut

3/4 cup icing sugar

1 cup full cream powdered milk

30g glace cherries, red and green

1/2 cup sultanas

30g glace apricots

30g glace pineapple

Method:

1. Line a 28cm x 18cm lamington tin with

baking paper.

2. Melt copha. Add to all other ingredients

combined in a large bowl and mix

thoroughly.

3. Press mixture into tin and refrigerate

until firm.

4. Cut into serving size pieces.

(Wrap in red or green cellophane and

tie, for a Christmas gift).

Newsletter

Principal: Rob Scotton Silver City Highway Dareton NSW 2717 Phone: 03 50274506 Fax: 03 50274837

email: [email protected]

Issue 15

ABSENCE NOTES: Please keep handy on the fridge for student absences

Coomealla High School—Absence Note

Student Name: ___________________________ Year: ________Roll Group: ______________

My child was absent from school: Date/s ____________________________________________

Reason: ____________________________________________________________________

Signed: __________________________________Parent/Guardian




Reason: ____________________________________________________________________





Reason: ____________________________________________________________________





Reason: ____________________________________________________________________


Documents

Issue 15 “Our community strives to provide all students ...€¦ · four canteen vouchers drawn at assembly. Here with Principal, Mr Rob Scotton. Coming Up ... are all working on