May 10, 2013

Issue 6

Inside this issue:

Principal’s Report 2

Yr 6 Parent Evening 3

Cert II in Skills for Work and Training NSW Rural Fire Service Thinking of Uni?

4

Monash & Charles Sturt Uni Info sessions

5

Anzac Day 6/7

Community Notices 8

Vaccination Program

Photography at School

9

Calendar

Girls Football picture

10

Recipe Corner—Anzac Biscuits 9/10 Food Tech

11

Absence Notes

Quotable Quote

12

Coomealla HIGH SCHOOL Principal: Mr Rob Scotton

Deputy Principals: Ms Jo Crowley, Mr Neil Plumridge SIPs

Address: Silver City Highway, Dareton NSW 2717

Phone: 03 5027 4506 Fax: 03 5027 4837 Email: coomealla-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

NEWSLETTER

LEARN TO LIVE

Anzac Day 2013

Cross Country Monday 13th May

from 12noon.

Lions Park, Dareton

Updated on our Website this fortnight:

Anzac Day 2013

Local Activity Plan for the ‘Write It Right’ Project

Coomealla High School was once again represented at the Anzac Day Commemorations in Wentworth. A contingent of students and staff participated in the march and school captains Dylan Darby and Sarah Watts placed the wreath on behalf of Commealla High School. Pictures Page 6

Winter is Coming

Page 2 Coomealla High School Newsletter

Principal’s Report

On the first Thursday back from the holidays we commemorated ANZAC Day with a special ceremony at Coomealla High School. It was a well run assembly and a credit to the staff involved and the students who ran it. What was particularly impressive was that this group of Year 10 students ran the whole event themselves and did a commendable job. All the students involved gained confidence and leadership skills for their future.

Student leadership is a very important part of the learning experience at any school. When thinking about student leadership it is natural to concentrate on the elected captains. Captaincy is a great opportunity to gain and to demonstrate real leadership skills. The captaincy allows students to represent their school in a range of activities, run formal assemblies, prepare and make speeches and in general find out what it is to be a leader. Indeed, Coomealla High School actively seeks to develop the leadership skills of this group of students. They are our community leaders of the future.

However, there are more opportunities to be a school leader than being elected captain. The Student Representative Council gives students the opportunity to have a say and improve their school and students from Years 7 through 12 can be involved with the school council.

Positive Behaviour for Learning also offers the potential to be a school leader. PBL promotes values throughout the school. There is always an opportunity for a student to lead their peers in applying the values to school life. These behaviours never go unnoticed and can often lead to more opportunities for students.

Being a leader takes courage. It is easy to follow others and not take the initiative. The skills that a student develops by taking on some form of leadership will help them in many ways, from improving their schooling to gaining employment to achieving life goals. Leadership allows you to explore what you are capable of, to delve into who you are and who you wish to be. Self-confidence will grow from taking up leadership opportunities.

To re-cap - whether you are in Year 7 or Year 12 there are leadership opportunities to take advantage of. The SRC always requires active, interested and motivated students. Each year House Captains are elected to assist in running swimming and athletics carnivals. If you are in Year 11 put your hand up to be elected as a School Captain for next year. Become part of a sports team or take on another role within the school environment. There are many possibilities, just waiting, for a student to make a real difference to themselves and to their school.

Leadership not only helps your school it also helps you. Self-confidence, self-worth and a belief in your abilities all come from pushing the boundaries a little. Become a leader and a positive role model and see what a difference it makes.

Mr R Scotton

Page 3 Issue 6

21st MAY 2013

6.30pm

Page 4 Coomealla High School Newsletter

Certificate II in Skills for Work and Training

A keen group of students go to Coomealla TAFE each Wednesday and Friday, undertaking a Certificate II in Skills for Work and Training. Friday is the practical day with the group choosing between Automotive and Hospitality (held at our new kitchen with the assistance of Mr Johnston).

Both groups have enjoyed the course thus far and are looking forward to this terms activities.

NSW Rural Fire Service

A small group of boys have undertaken a course on fire awareness with the NSW Rural Fire Service.

The boys meet with Scott Connor from the NSW Rural Fire Service on a Friday for two hours and are enjoying this different engagement opportunity.

Page 5 Issue 6

Page 6 Coomealla High School Newsletter

Our Student Participants:

Captains: Sarah Watts, Dylan Darby, Ashlee Cameron, Riley Riordan, William

Andriske. Also Laura Bysouth, Rupert Mackie, Alex Smith, Charlotte McLean,

Abby Taylor and Imogen Smith, plus staff members.

Page 7 Issue 6

Anzac Day Ceremony at School

Mr Peter Atkinson and

Mr Rob Scotton Matt Mathieson Bill Murray Shanae Tilley

Lauren Fraser and Stephanie McCarten

Abbey Patterson

On the 2nd of May 2013 Mrs Alderton and a few Year 10 students ran the annual Anzac Day Ceremony. Beforehand, there were a few meetings held to organise the theme and who was doing what on the day. The theme chosen for the ceremony was ‘Women of the War’. We were lucky enough to have Russell James and the cenotaph party, involving seven cadets, visit. Abbey Patterson was the MC and Bill Murray kindly gave the welcome to country. Lauren Fraser and Stephanie McCarten read out an account of the contribution of women in the war, written by Ellen Andriske. Matthew Mathieson recited the lyrics of “The Rose of No Man’s Land”. The National Anthem was sung by Rachel Alderton and accompanied by Shanae Tilley. After the ceremony all guests and students, Russell James and his cadets, went to the staff common room for morning tea.

A big thank you goes to Mr Peter Atkinson for his presence at the ceremony, Mr Russell James and his cadets, for adding to the spirit of Anzac Day. We also thank Mrs Hansen and Mrs Batchelor for providing morning tea, and Mr Gee for organising the technical side of the ceremony.

Page 8 Coomealla High School Newsletter

GIRL GUIDES have vacancies

for girls aged 5 – 18 years.

Guiding offers activities designed to meet

personal challenges, to learn team building

and leadership skills, and to make new friends.

For more information of units in your area

contact District Leader Amanda McNabb

0437706296.

Three Colours SC Under 6 to Under 10 training began Wednesday 24th April 5.30pm - 6.30pm at Soccer Park. All new & existing players welcome. threecolourssc@live.com.au www.threecolours.com.au

LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF ! As Marcel Proust, a late 19th century novelist wrote: “the real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes”. Volunteer to host an international high school student in July 2013 through Southern Cross Cultural Exchange and prepare to be amazed at the way this unique and rewarding opportunity helps your family to become closer, to understand themselves better and to see the world in a new light.

Carefully selected students will arrive in July for one term, one or two semesters from France, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Spain. They will attend a local secondary school, arrive with their own spending money and comprehensive insurance cover – all arranged by Southern Cross Cultural Exchange. Visit us at our website www.scce.com.au, email scceaust@scce.com.au or call us toll free on 1800 500 501, request our international student profiles, and capture the spirit of family and friendship.

TERM 2 AUSSIE HOOPS PROGRAM

Commences Monday May 6th at

the Toyota Hothouse. Program

for Boys & Girls Aged 5 – 7

For more details please call the

Mildura Basketball Association on 5023 2241

Page 9 Issue 6

STUDENT PRIVACY, PHOTOGRAPHS, MEDIA and OUR NEWSLETTER / WEBSITE

There are strict rules regarding “disclosure of personal information” under the Freedom of information and Privacy Act. “Personal Information” is defined broadly and includes photographic images where an individual is identified or his or her identify is reasonably apparent from the photograph. Thus taking photographs can constitute a collection of personal information.

The position of this school, in complying with ACT is as follows:

1. INFORMATION/IMAGES IN SCHOOL NEWSLETTER and WEBSITE

All parents/carers are advised that this school will continue to highlight the achievements and activities of students of this school in the newsletter/website, both in photographic and written form. If a parent/carer DOES NOT want a students name or image to appear in the newsletters, written advice of this should be sent to the principal.

2. INFORMATION/IMAGES IN LOCAL MEDIA –Newspapers, Radio, TV

As a general rule consent of a student’s parent/carers will be sought when an individual student or small group of students will be identified by name, interviewed or otherwise featured in local media.

3. VIDEOTAPING OR PHOTOGRAPHING SCHOOL EVENTS

Where school events (eg concerts, sports carnivals, etc) are to be video taped by the school, parents and carers will be advised in advance and given the opportunity to not have their child included in the video.

There is, however, nothing to prevent parents or other family members or friends of students taking photographs or videos of school events.

4. PHOTOGRAPHY AT SCHOOL BY TEACHERS/SUPPORT STAFF

The school has implemented guidelines for students being photographed at school events such as socials, excursions, sport carnivals and the like. Generally, a student must agree to have their photo taken. Agreeing to pose individually or in a group will be taken as consent. Action photos of sport activity will be taken eg races.

Adolescent Vaccination Program The first dose of the Adolescent Vaccination Program began last term. Consent forms with information packs were sent home with students at the end of February. Year 7 Girls: 59% of consent forms were returned Year 7 Boys: 54% of consent forms were returned. Year 9 Boys: 35% of consent forms were returned. Since the HPV vaccination program began 6 years ago, there has been a remarkable de-crease in the number abnormal pap smear results being reported. Now this vaccination is be-ing offered to Year 7 and Year 9 males, we expect there will be also a remarkable decrease in the incidence of HPV in males that can cause penile warts and cancer. Parents who would still like their child vaccinated and have not returned a consent form, will have to contact Dareton Primary Health on 50217200 and arrange for their child to be vac-cinated at the health centre. Vaccinations against Hepatitis B, Chicken Pox and Whooping cough/Diphtheria/Tetanus are also offered to Year 7 students. Fiona Weir. Primary Health Clinical Nurse Specialist/Immuniser.

Page 10 Coomealla High School Newsletter

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

13/5 B Week 3

School Cross Country

14/5

NAPLAN

15/5

NAPLAN

16/5

NAPLAN

17/5

20/5 A Week 4

21/5

P&C Meeting Public Speaking Competition

Yr 6 Parent Evening 6.30pm BBQ

22/5 23/5

District Cross Country

24/5

Newsletter 7

27/5 B Week 5

Year 11 Exams

Year 9 Camp

28/5

Year 11 Exams

Year 9 Camp

29/5

Year 11 Exams

Year 9 Camp

30/5

Year 11 Exams

Year 9 Camp

SATAC Rural Tour (Yr12)

31/5

Year 11 Exams

Year 9 Camp

Try-A-Trade—Yr10 P2&3

3/6 A Week 6

Yr 10 Work Exp (All week)

4/6

Yr 10 Work Exp

5/6

Yr 10 Work Exp

6/6

Yr 10 Work Exp

7/6

Newsletter 8

Yr 10 Work Exp

10/6

QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY

11/6 B Week 7

12/6

NAIDOC Week Celebrations

13/6 14/6

Netball Jnr & Snr

17/7 A Week 8

VET Work Placement (Yr 11)

Trial HSC

18/6

P&C Meeting Trial HSC

19/6

Snr Netball & Basketball

Trial HSC

20/6

Trial HSC

Next Step Social-Coomie Club

21/6

Newsletter 9

Trial HSC

24/6 B Week 9

Trial HSC

25/6

Trial HSC

26/6

Trial HSC

27/6

Trial HSC

Term 2 Formal Assembly

28/6

1/7

Winter Holidays

2/7 3/7 4/7 5/7

8/7 9/7 10/7 11/7 12/7

15/7 A Week 1

Staff Development Day

16/7

P&C Meeting 17/7 18/7 19/7

CALENDAR

Members of the Girls Football

Team

More photos and a write-up next

newsletter

Page 11 Issue 6

Recipe Corner:

9/10 Food Tech Class - Practical - Anzac Biscuits

Coomealla High Newsletter Issue 6

Coomealla High School—Absence Note

Student Name: ___________________________ Year: ________Roll Group: ______________

My child was absent from school: Date/s ____________________________________________

Reason: ____________________________________________________________________

Signed: __________________________________Parent/Guardian

Coomealla High School—Absence Note

Student Name: ___________________________ Year: ________Roll Group: ______________

My child was absent from school: Date/s ____________________________________________

Reason: ____________________________________________________________________

Signed: __________________________________Parent/Guardian

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING ABSENTEE NOTES The DET Attendance Policy PD20050259 states that:

Parents are responsible for explaining the absences of their children from school promptly and within seven days to the school. (from Responsibilities, 2.1 point 3); and

A hard copy of the electronic record is to be generated weekly for the previous two-week period. The principal or delegated school executive must endorse this hard copy, certifying its accuracy. Once signed, this hard copy becomes the record of attendance and must not be amended. (4.2 Electronic Attendance Registers, 4.2.2)

Please send absentee notes to school promptly and, if you are going on

holidays, please inform the school in advance.

Quotable Quote: 

  

We can never see ourselves as others see us; even the mirror shows us in reverse.

- P.K. Shaw