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PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Welcome to the new age! We, like you, have been trying very hard to ensure that everyone’s needs have been met over the last few weeks. We have had a small number of students at school daily and please always know that the school is open in normal hours for you or your student to access school resources and teachers. Term 2 will see us moving into a longer term strategy, as current advice is that we will be running schools in a Distance Learning Model for all of Term 2. We have developed a timetable below to help us all out. The idea here is that work will be delivered on Google Classrooms or if needed via printed work packs. There is a single 2 hour timeslot for each subject. There will be a teacher online to answer student questions for this subject, via the Google Classroom. Teachers will also take time outside of this timeslot to contact students who require extra help. Assessments and examinations will be delivered differently. Teachers will be attempting to work through this next term, starting with our Staff Development Day on 27th April. Please do not be concerned around examinations or school reports. These will be addressed in Term 2 and you will be notified in plenty of time.

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

I would first like to congratulate all of our students and families who have embraced their strengths of Courage, Persistence, Hope and Love of Learning as they have approached the new model of learning that we have undertaken during these uncertain times. Learning has continued to be delivered through a mixture of online models and traditional hard copy learning. Our staff have been reaching out to connect with students and their families over the past weeks to gauge how our students are coping with the work and with life in general. As a result, we have learnt that there is certainly no ‘one size fits all’ solution but that our students are showing their resilience and continuing to forge ahead. I would like to remind our community that in these unusual circumstances we still have access to our school counsellors. If your child would like to engage with a school counsellor please contact the school via text or email scone-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au and a school counsellor will respond to you as quickly as possible. Have a wonderful and safe holiday and we look forward to working with you all again next term.

SCONE HIGH SCHOOL

NEWSLETTER 2

9TH APRIL 2020

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YR11 & HSC STUDENTS I have been given the authority to change all assessment schedules. In most cases, courses are on time and Term 3 Assessment Tasks are being re-designed to assist us in assessing student outcomes in this model. No student will be disadvantaged ATAR – Current advice is that the HSC and the ATAR will be running as usual with adjustments being made in how each student will be assessed in these examinations. I am waiting on more clear advice from NESA on this. Major projects – Drama, Design & Technology, Visual Arts, Music – all will have adjustments that will need to be made. We are awaiting more decisions by NESA on all of this. At this stage the Drama Group Performances have been cancelled. All Head Teachers have agreed that Year 12 reports will be published as usual and sent home in week 2.

WHOLE SCHOOL CLASSROOM I have created a Google Classroom for all students. Can I please encourage all students to engage in this? I have been using this to gain feedback from students and this has allowed me to change our processes to support students. They have been sent an invitation in Google Classroom. You may also like to become linked with your child’s various classrooms, please email their teacher directly – emails are listed on the school website: https://scone-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/news/2020/3/google-classroom---online-learning.html MOVING FORWARD

Term 2 will take on a more formalised structure as we have been advised that the current conditions will be in place until the end of term 2. As a result, it is expected that students will continue to engage in their learning EITHER electronically through Google classrooms or via hard copy through a weekly mail out of classwork. Laptops have been made available at school for students who require one. This remains in place. If your child requires access to a laptop please contact the school via text or email scone-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au and we will accommodate your request as efficiently as we can. This is on a case by case basis. If you have already nominated to receive hard copies of work, or would like to, please advise the school via text or email scone-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au and your name will be on the mail out list. Mail outs will occur once per week only, a different day for each year group. Students are required to attempt all work assigned to them by their teachers. Work should be returned via email or online submission. (Teacher emails are advertised on our school website www.scone-h.schools.nsw.edu.au) Alternatively work can be returned to school via mail: Scone High School, PO Box 285, Scone NSW 2337, or simply dropped off at the main office.

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NEXT TERM We will be trialling a new timetable structure in line with the delivery of distance education. Students are to engage with their work (either online or via hard copy) throughout the week. The proposed timetable indicates blocks of time (2 hour blocks) when teachers of particular subjects will be available to discuss the current learning and respond to student questions or concerns. The current version of the timetable is included here for you. It will also be emailed to families. Please note that sport sessions have been indicated as suggested time periods for students to get out and be physical. ATTENDANCE Students are currently being marked as present at school as a flexible enrolment. From the start of next term a student will be considered ABSENT if they are not engaging with the classwork or have not made weekly contact with their teachers (either through online platforms, email or phone). It is the expectation of the Department of Education that ALL students will continue to engage with their education throughout these measures. For students in Year 10, 11 and 12 failure to engage with the set course work may result in N notifications that will restrict their academic achievement. Worst case scenario students may fail their course and not receive an HSC.

WE WANT EVERYONE TO SUCCEED The measures that we have put in place appear to be allowing all of our students to engage with their education. We will continue to monitor and review how we operate to ensure that each of our students have the opportunity to continue to grow through their learning and experience success. If you have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact the school via text or email scone-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

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Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12

Monday

session 1

10am-12

noon

HSIE

CAPA-

Art/Music

PDH/PE

Science

English- all

courses

Maths – all

courses

Monday

Session 2

1 pm –3

pm

SPORT

PDH/PE

Science

Electives

English-all

courses

Tuesday

session 1

10am-12

noon

Technology

Mandatory

English

SPORT

SPORT

*Biology

*EEC

*Legal studies

*Metals/Eng

Tuesday

Session 2

1 pm –3

pm

Language

Maths

* Ancient

History

*SDD/ITD

(VET)

*Design and

Tech

*PDHPE

* Investigating

Science

*Music

*PDHPE

*SDD

*PI (Vet)

Wednesday

session 1

10am-12

noon

Maths

Electives

Maths- all

courses

*Entertainment

Wednesday

Session 2

1 pm –3

pm

English

Technology

Mandatory

Maths

* Agriculture

* Music

* SLR

Thursday

session 1

10am-12

noon

Science

HSIE

PDH/PE

* Industrial

Tech- Timber

*Biology

*Engineering

Studies

*EEC

*Agriculture

*CAFS

*Design and

Technology

*Drama

Thursday

Session 2

1 pm –3

pm

SPORT

SPORT

English

Maths

* Community

and Family

Studies

*Investigating

Science

*Chemistry

*PI (VET)

*Chemistry

*History-

Modern

*SLR

*Visual Arts

Friday

session 1

10am-12

noon

PDH/PE

Science

HSIE

English

*Entertainment *Extension

Maths

Friday

Session 2

1 pm –3

pm

CAPA-

Art/Music

HSIE

*Extension

Maths

*Extension

English

Q&A TIMETABLE TERM 2

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HELPING YOUR TEEN THROUGH COVID-19 Given the current state of pandemic, it is normal that your teen will be experiencing some uncertainty or anxiety around the unpredictable nature of COVID-19. Normally, they would turn to the adults in their life for answers in times of uncertainty, however, no one really knows how the next six months will play out and this will heighten their feelings. It is a scary time for them. Everything that is ‘normal’ in their life is currently disrupted: schools are operating mostly online, they aren’t getting to see their friends or even play their weekly sports. Here are 5 steps to helping with your teen’s anxiety:

1. Learn about anxiety, how it operates and why its normal: For instance, anxiety kicks

up physical responses like a racing heart, feeling tearful or angry – fearing this creates a

vicious cycle. Anxiety also kicks up unpleasant thoughts and feelings and our natural urge

is to try and analyse and reason with these. But perhaps counter intuitively that actually

makes them worse. Knowledge is the first step to addressing anxiety.

2. Social support is critical: Especially for teens who are at a point in life which depends on

their peers more than any other. This is obviously difficult with the measures that are

currently in place. The temptation for teens will be to reach for social media in order to stay

connected, but research points to this making anxiety worse. It may be a good idea to sit

down and talk to your teen about this and come up with a strategy. You don’t have to stop

them from using social media, but help them to understand that talking on the phone or via

facetime is far healthier. They really need to speak to friends, but how they do that matters

to their mental health.

While teens are working it can feel comforting to have the radio on or listen to music. The different voices will make them feel less isolated.

3. Physically addressing anxiety:

• Mindfulness - Done properly, mindfulness helps to develop the connections between the frontal lobe and the emotional centres of the brain making it easier to manage anxiety. Suggested mindfulness apps for teens are below.

• Breathing – slowly and deeply. In through your nose while counting to 3 drawing the breath right down to your tummy, hold for 1 then out through your mouth counting to three. It works by activating the bodies relaxation response.

• Exercise – anything that raises the heart rate also releases GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) a ‘calm down neurochemical’ which helps rebalance everything in the brain.

• Sleep – a routine bedtime and good sleep is essential to managing anxiety. Sleep expert Littlehale advises the athletes he works with ‘no tech for 90 mins before bed’. A difficult one to enforce but really key.

4. Focus on strengths: anxiety focuses us onto the negative. It’s great to help teens to look at their positives. Get them to write down what they’re passionate about, what their strengths are and how they can make use of them in everyday situations.

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5. Listen – while teens would rather do anything than speak to their parents they need to air

their thoughts and feelings – to help get them in perspective and to learn how to reframe their thinking when it is overly negative. We need to take the lead on talking even if they throw it back. It’s not OK for them to be dismissive of your feelings but perhaps helpful to know that as adults the connection between the frontal lobe of our brain and the emotional centres is stronger. This makes it easier for us to step back from worries, concerns and emotional reactions than it is does for adolescents whose brains are still developing.

6. Finally let them know that – Thoughts are thoughts. They are not predictions. If they gently let come and let them go they will pass. If they try too hard to understand them or force them to go away they will get bigger.

Mindfulness apps for teens:

• Smiling mind

• Stop, Breathe, Think

• Insight Meditation Timer

• Headspace This information adapted from https://fionamurden.com/2020/03/21/helping-teens-deal-with-anxiety-covid-19/ I would also like to leave you with a quick guide to approaching your children with a growth mindset during this time of worldwide crisis. This will assist the way that children think about and throughout COVID-19, embrace the concept that change is possible and help them maintain positive thought structures, which is vital particularly in the current time. Amanda Johnston Wellbeing Teacher

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Bianca Garling Science How long have you been teaching? This is my 4th year teaching What was your favourite subject as a student? That would be a tie between maths and biology What are your top 5 character strengths? Perseverance, Fairness, Kindness, Teamwork, Honesty Who is your favourite author? I love the fantasy genre. I don't have one favourite author. The authors I have really liked include Cassandra Clare, Tamora Pierce, David Eddings, J.R.R. Tolkein, J.K. Rowling, Emily Rodda, Robert Jordan and Philip Pullman. What is your favourite movie? I don't have one favourite movie - it really depends on what sort of movie I feel like watching. I do have a favourite tv show though; Firefly. What is your favourite holiday destination? In Australia: The Entrance is always nice. Overseas: the Greek islands or Rome. Rebecca McNiel HSIE/LOTE How long have you been teaching? 6 Years What was your favourite subject as a student? History What are your top 5 character strengths? Persistent, Kindness, Honesty, Calm & Respectful Who is your favourite author? J K Rowling What is your favourite movie? Harry Potter What is your favourite holiday destination? Spain Shane Goodwin TAS How long have you been teaching? 8 years part time at TAFE, 3 years in other private training organisations and 16 years in Public High Schools in NSW. This is my 5th year at Scone High What was your favourite subject as a student? Cabinetmaking and electronics What are your top 5 character strengths? I can only remember my top character strength of Judgement Who is your favourite author? J.R.R.Tolkien (Hobbit) and Douglas Adams (Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy) What is your favourite movie? Lots & lots but DeadPool 1 & 2 is right up there, but too many to mention What is your favourite holiday destination? Wherever I happen to be when I get to have a holiday is good enough for me

STAFF PROFILES

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Matt Harman

Captain

Georgia Hinde

Captain

Daniel Officer Vice Captain

Lucy McGrath Vice Captain

Brad Orlowsky

Prefect

Miranda Thompson

Prefect

Ashley Flaherty

Prefect

SRC Members

Eloise Fisher

Year 7

Sienna Brown

Year 7

Charlotte Brown

Year 7

Taylah Maxwell

Year 7

Xena Whitby

Year 8

Luc Bates

Year 8

Taya Fitzgerald

Year 8

Reagan Taylor

Year 8

Campbell Munn

Year 8

Zane Welsh

Year 9

Indi Welsh

Year 10

Dylan Denley

Year 10

Bowen Partridge

Year 10

John Butt Year 10

Liam Kennedy

Year 10

Riley Brooks

Year 10

Mikayla Farley

Year 11

Emily Rose

Year 11

2020 STUDENT LEADERS

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DEFENCE FORCE CAREERS TALK

Defence Force Recruitment Careers talks ran in the Scone High School Library on Friday 28th

February.

Students from Year 9 to Year 12 registered to attend and the defence force representatives were very impressed with the student interest, particularly from those who remained behind in their lunch time to ask further questions.

Written by Tony Borg

EXCURSIONS & NEWS

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OPEN GIRLS NETBALL REPORT

Our Open Girls Netball Team played 3 games of hotly contested netball at the Upper Hunter Netball gala day on Thursday 12th March.

We played Muswellbrook in the first game and won by 15 goals. In the second game we played against a very strong Merriwa outfit and won by 2 goals. The third game against Singleton proved too tough for our girls. Singleton went on to win the carnival and will proceed onto the carnival in Newcastle later this term.

Written by Loren Heath

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PINK SHIRT DAY On Friday the 13th of March, the Student Representative Council (SRC) held a Pink, Purple and Orange day to raise money for epilepsy research and to raise awareness about bullying. Pink represented Pink Shirt Day, which our school supports every year to symbolise taking a stand against bullying. Orange was worn to support the National Day of Action against bullying and violence in NSW schools (Bullying. No Way! campaign). Purple represented Purple Day, a day dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy in Australia and around the world. As an SRC group we felt it was important to continue to promote anti-bullying at Scone High, but to also show our support for epilepsy awareness and to raise money for this cause. The SRC ran a lollies and soft drink stall, along with a barbeque and sausage sizzle. It was a great day and many students showed their support for these great causes in epic fashion! Together Scone High School raised an amazing $750.20 for epilepsy research. Well done everyone! The SRC would like to extend our gratitude and thanks to all students and teachers for their support on the day, and we look forward to continuing to work with you all in 2020. Written by Salote Hukehuke

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REGIONAL SWIMMING We had a small team of Super Fish take on the swimmers from the entire Hunter area at the Regional Swimming Carnival on 2nd March at Lambton Pool. Our team consisted of Mikayla Farley, Anekah Bettens, Zane Welsh, Caitlyn Coady, Jack Foley and Emily Rose. Well done to all our competitors. Written by Loren Heath

HSC VISUAL ARTS ARCHIBALD EXCURSION On Wednesday 4th March, our Year 11 and 12 students studying Visual Arts were lucky enough to travel to Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre to experience the amazing Archibald Portrait Prize exhibition. The Art Gallery of NSW explains that “The Archibald Prize is awarded annually to the best portrait, 'preferentially of some man or woman distinguished in art, letters, science or politics, painted by any artist resident in Australasia'. This open competition is judged by the trustees of the Art Gallery of NSW” Our students viewed some incredible works of art; portraits of famous celebrities such as actor David Wenham and NRL player Greg Inglis. Some notable artists such as comedian/ author Anh Do’s painting of George Gittoes blew us all away, as did the work

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of local Murrurundi painter David Darcy who won the People’s Choice award. The winner of the Archibald Prize for 2019 was Tony Costa’s portrait of artist Lindy Lee. All students were excited, gobsmacked and very grateful to have this opportunity so close to home. Thank you to Ms Berry for organising the excursion for us and Mr Borg for driving the bus on the day. Written by Rebecca Hopkins

EVACUATION/EMERGENCY/LOWKDOWN DRILLS We are required to hold training in all of the types of emergency drills in the school at least twice a year. On Thursday 27 February we held our first for the year, an evacuation drill. Students followed all instructions very easily and were outside, away from buildings within 4 minutes. The next drill will be a lockdown drill, where students will stay inside their classrooms, or be sent to the nearest classroom, until safe to continue. These drills are critical to the safety of your children and we provide support for them throughout the whole procedure to ensure a positive outcome. You might like to discuss these events at home to help give some relevance to the drills.

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YEAR 7 & 8 WELLBEING ACTIVITIES

On Friday 6th March Year 7 and 8 students participated in a County Fair as a part of their Wellbeing Week activities. Students formed groups to run various stalls such as bowling, dress ups, footy toss and tic-tac-toe.

They had County Fair Cash to 'spend' at the stalls and had a ball participating in the variety of activities on offer. It was great to see students utilising their character strengths of teamwork, creativity and leadership.

We finished up with a BBQ lunch, which was cooked by Mr Johnston and some Year 12 students. A big thank you to Miss McNiel and Miss Nicolas for organising this activity - a lot of fun was had by all.

Written by Rebecca McNiel

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FORMAL ASSEMBLY

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COMMUNITY EVENTS & NEWS

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Principal: Deputy Principal:

Mr Brian Drewe Mr Adam Johnston

Street Address: Postal Address: School Email: Webpage: Phone: Fax: SMS:

9 Gundy Road, Scone NSW 2337 PO Box 285, Scone NSW 2337 scone-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au www.scone-h.schools.nsw.edu.au 02 6545 1455 02 6545 3269 0427 016 460

P & C Association Meets 7.00pm in the School Library, fourth Tuesday in the month. For further P & C information contact the President – Katherine Meier on 0429 326 168. Canteen Supervisor – Mrs Belinda Field Please call the front office on 6545 1455 if you need to contact the canteen.

SMS Text Messaging

Daily attendance of your child is sent to your family mobile number. This can also be used for important information regarding parent teacher meetings, issue of reports etc. The school SMS number is: 0427 016 460. Please add this as a contact in your mobile phone. You CANNOT phone this number, please phone using 02 6545 1455. You may send a text message at any time to this number to explain your child’s absences. Please let us know if you have any problems with this texting service.

Millennium

https://millenniumschools.net.au

The Millennium website contains all of your child’s school information. This includes attendance, school reports, assessment tasks, timetables and behaviour information. Families are able to see the whole family at a glance with your private login. This will be sent to you via an email if you have one listed with us. If not, please phone the office with a current email address. Students can also access this site through a separate login.

www.scone-h.schools.nsw.edu.au The school website holds a great deal of information, and is a useful place for you to find out what

is happening at school.

facebook.com/SconeHighSchool

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

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MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

WEEK 11

6 APR 2020

7 APR 2020

8 APR 2020

9 APR 2020

10 APR 2020 Good Friday Public Holiday

13 APR 2020 School Holidays

14 APR 2020 School Holidays

15 APR 2020 School Holidays

16 APR 2020 School Holidays

17 APR 2020 School Holidays

20 APR 2020 School Holidays

21 APR 2020 School Holidays

22 APR 2020 School Holidays

23 APR 2020 School Holidays

24 APR 2020 School Holidays

WEEK 1

27 APR 2020 Staff Development Day

28 APR 2020 Students Return to School

29 APR 2020

30 APR 2020

1 MAY 2020

WEEK 2

4 MAY 2020

5 MAY 2020

6 MAY 2020

7 MAY 2020

8 MAY 2020

WEEK 3

11 MAY 2020 Year 12 Reports Issued

12 MAY 2020

13 MAY 2020

14 MAY 2020

15 MAY 2020

WEEK 4

18 MAY 2020

19 MAY 2020

20 MAY 2020

21 MAY 2020

22 MAY 2020

WEEK 5

25 MAY 2020

26 MAY 2020

27 MAY 2020

28 MAY 2020

29 MAY 2020

WEEK 6

1 JUN 2020 2 JUN 2020 3 JUN 2020 4 JUN 2020 5 JUN 2020

WEEK 7

8 JUN 2020 Public Holiday

9 JUN 2020 10 JUN 2020 11 JUN 2020 12 JUN 2020

SCHOOL CALENDAR