26th February, 2016 - Lithgow High School
Transcription
26th February, 2016 - Lithgow High School
Lithgow High School NEWSLETTER th 26 February 2016 Pau Street Lithgow 2790 PO Box 296 Tel 6352 1422 Fax 6353 1081 email [email protected] Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 1 PRINCIPAL Gonski @ Lithgow High School 1. What is Gonski? Gonski refers to the review of the funding of schools led by businessman David Gonski. The review team recommended to the Federal and State Governments that schools should be funded according to the needs of students. The notion of ‘a fair go” and “equality of opportunity” underpins the funding formula. The NSW Liberal Government introduced needs-based funding from 2014. The additional funding arrives at schools as loadings allocated for equity, Aboriginality, students from non-English speaking backgrounds, students with disabilities and schools in Rural and Remote Areas. The allocation of funds to each school is based on enrolment data gathered from schools. 2. How has Gonski assisted Lithgow High School? Lithgow High School has received substantial amounts of additional funding. This funding is being used in the following ways: To purchase an additional 4 Learning and Support Teachers, who work with students who require assistance, assist in the Transition to High School and from School to Work; To purchase our Community Liaison Officer, who runs our Attendance Program and manages Community Partnerships and Parent Communication Programs; Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 2 To purchase important learning resources, such as Software Programs Mathletics, VIVO, Click View, and Wheelers elibrary, and hardware such as Data Projectors, Computers, Laptops, Screens and to update School Learning Environments; To subsidise the cost of buses to important excursions including to CSU HSC Study Day, RYDA Road Safety; To deliver Literacy, Numeracy and Culture and Heritage Programs for our Aboriginal Students; such as Wiradjuri Language Workshops, Sistaspeak, Brospeak, and the Aboriginal Garden Project; To support students and families suffering financial hardship by using equity funds to provide access to Devices, Uniforms, Equipment and Excursions ensuring students do not miss out; Developing innovative Welfare Programs – The Listening Program, OCTEC, Music Therapy, Woolies Workshops, and Financial Literacy to reengage students in learning; Providing additional Professional Learning for Staff around Technology in Education and Higher Order Thinking and Learning and effective Classroom Management. 3. What happens after 2016? Currently there is uncertainty about the continuation of the funding which comes primarily from the Federal Government. The project was designed to see an additional amount of money to continue to flow to schools with substantial needs, whether Public or Private. Schools need certainty, and all young people in Australia need to access an excellent Education System regardless of their family circumstances. 4. What can you do? If you believe in “a fair go” for our kids, register your support at www.igiveagonski.com.au. You can also email the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, the Federal Education Minister and Shadow Minister for Education and tell them you support the full six years roll out of needs-based funding. [email protected] [email protected] https://www.pm.gov.au/contact-your-pm http://billshorten.com.au/contact Federal Member for Calare Federal Minister for Education The Prime Minister Leader of the Federal Opposition Ann Caro - Principal Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 3 DEPUTY PRINCIPAL This term the school has introduced an exciting new reward system. Many of you may have heard your child come home and talk about VIVO. Here is a summary of the program and the reasons for the switch: Reasons for the switch: Meeting at the end of last year with students and teachers indicated that the I Card system was not as effective with our Senior Students. It was difficult to consistently reward large numbers of students. We needed to renew our current approaches in line with PBL. Summary: VIVO is an online reward system that allows teachers to allocate reward points to a large number of students in a short time. VIVO allows the school to reward students for positive behaviour in the classroom and in the playground. The school can easily identify students that are achieving based on the number of VIVO points issued. The program generates data that is converted into league tables that assist the school in identifying high achievers, behaviours that need to be promoted and comparisons across year groups. How do we do this? Students were issued with username and log in details at the assembly on Tuesday. They were also guided through the VIVO app and the computer platform. Students are able to access their progress at Home or at Recess and Lunch. Teachers have been quietly allocating points since the beginning of the year. Students may already have points in their accounts. How do we reward? Students will still be able to move their way through the Commendation System of Bronze Silver and Gold. At this stage Bronze is worth 250, Silver is worth 500 and Gold is worth 1000 VIVO points. The students accumulate points that can be spent in the Online Shop. The Online Shop has products by VIVO. The school also has placed items in the shop that can be purchased by Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 4 the students. Mrs Luchetti has been enthusiastically contacting local businesses to assist us with rewards. Things to think about If you spend your points, the total accumulated points for the year will still be available. If you forget or lose your password please contact one of the VIVO team for assistance. At this stage they are: Mr Conroy, Mrs Cross, Mr Dingle, Mrs Turnbull, Mrs Bell, Mrs Luchetti, Miss Kenneally and Mr Quirk. Thank you to our valuable Vivo Rewards Local Sponsorship partners: Anytime Fitness, Sportspower, Eve Lithgow, Aqua Blitz - Lake Lyell, The Edge Cinema - Katoomba, Bunnings, Pizza Hut, Subway - Main Street, Cruze Driving School, Michel’s Patisserie, McDonalds Lithgow and Red Rooster If you have any questions about this great program, please contact one of the team members or Mr Quirk Matt Quirk - Deputy Principal Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 5 My name is Christopher Birkhahn and I'm here for One Year on Exchange at Lithgow High. I will spend my year in Year 11 until December 2016. I come from Lübeck, Germany. My school is a Comprehensive School, which has 13 years of schooling. I left my school in the first half of Year 11 and when I go back I will continue in Year 11. The school system is a bit different to the Australian one, we have for example, more kinds of Secondary Schools, and we have 13 years of school to complete (when we want to achieve the best graduation) and other subjects. School starts normally at 8.00am and finishes at 3:20pm. We can't elect our Subjects and we don’t have any Major Exams like Half Yearly and Yearly Exams. We have Assessment like Works that are written at least twice a Semester. We have firm classes which are the whole school day together in one class. The difference between my school and the school in Australia is that the school starts at 9.00am and that you can elect different courses. The main difference is that we have different types of schools and different graduations. I really enjoy being here at the school for ten months and I'm sure that I will have a good time, everyone has been really friendly. So if you see me around, say “hello I would be happy to meet you” In my free time I play European Handball in a Local Club. We train three times during the week and have games on the weekend. I have played Soccer and Tennis in the past, but Handball is my passion. Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 6 Hello! I’m Ayana Shiobara. I have come from Japan as an Exchange Student and I will attend Lithgow High School for 10 months. I hope to make many friends and spend a wonderful 10 months. This time, I’m happy to write a short article. I will try to explain the differences between Australian School and Japanese School. First, what I’m most astonished is Recess! Many Japanese schools have only one lunch break for approximately 45minutes after 4 classes, and students eat lunch in their own classrooms. Now I feel good because I’m not hungry in Period 4 and I can refresh myself every two hours. Secondly, the style of class is quite different from Japan. In Japan, basically every student (almost 40 students) looks to blackboard in the same direction and take notes. So they seldom discuss the subject with each other. As for subjects, in Australia, it’s easier for students to choose subjects that they are interested in than that of Japan. In most Japanese School’s subjects are more simple for example, Japanese, English, Mathematics, History, Science, Physics and so on. Being Year in 11, I can have some interesting subjects and they’re so exciting Thirdly, I’m also surprised at the free bus. It is really economical and helpful! Actually, on my first day of catching the bus I missed the bus, but many people helped me and the bus driver took me to my house! As I have written, there are many differences and it’s so nobel for me. I’m just starting learn English now so sometimes I don’t understand you, but you are friendly and kind. I’m really grateful for people helping me. And I’m so happy to be spoken to by students from other Years (sometimes, in Japanese) so please speak to me when you see me. Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 7 “The hardest Fun You Will Ever have” These words came from Tyler, a NASA Engineer visiting from America who worked with Lithgow High Schools Robotics Team on the first two days of school this year. This was when our team began designing and building our robot, when completed the robot will weigh to 50kg and stand 1.3 metres tall. The robot will compete on a field with five other robots in the FRC Competition which is the flagship competition of FIRST®. FIRST® brings together students and mentors to build robots that perform in a competitive but gracious environment against teams from all over the world. The name of this year’s competition is ‘FIRST STRONGHOLD’, the competition is played on a 9m x 18m field which made up of Towers, Defences, and a ‘Secret Passage’. Each FIRST STRONGHOLD match begins with a 15-second autonomous period in which robots operate independently of human control. During the remaining two minutes and 15 seconds of the match, called the teleop period, robots are controlled by student drivers from behind their castle wall at the end of the field. Teams score points by crossing elements of their opponents’ outer works, scoring boulders in their opponents’ tower goals, and surrounding and scaling their opponents’ tower itself. Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 8 Building the robot and doing all the other things that go with the FIRST® Robotics Competition, students learn valuable Life Skills like Collaboration and Team Work, Public Speaking, Technical Science and Engineering Skills, Professionalism and much more. For more information check out https://firstaustralia.org/programs/first-roboticscompetition/ The team is made up of students from all years each bringing their own strengths to the team, while also various aspects of the process including Programming Skills, Metal Fabrication, Graphic Design, Media and Business Management Skills. Every student is welcome and encouraged to attend. All students have something to offer that will make our team better. The robotics team also has to Design, Build and Manage a Pit Area, produce a Media Campaign, a Business Plan and Marketing Material. On the 23rd of February building the robot has to stop, it will be bagged and sealed with a security tag before being shipped to Sydney. The competition will be held at Sydney Olympic Park Centre on 17th, 18th and 19th March featuring 50 teams from USA, Taiwan, India, Singapore, China, and Australia. This is fantastic opportunity for our students and it is only possible due to an Establishment Support Grant from Google, Macquarie University and Ford. Central to our success and ability to compete has been the support from EnergyAustralia. EnergyAustralia has provided a fantastic mentoring and technical support, Ben Hawkins who has worked tirelessly in guiding students and staff, in their designs and implementations. EnergyAustralia has provided that key industry link which is central to developing a successful team. Thank you EnergyAustralia it has been invaluable to the success of our team. Peter Brownlow – HT Computing Studies Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 9 Distinguished Achievers for 2015 Lithgow High School is celebrating the success of all our Year 12 students who received their HSC and final ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) ranking in 2015. Of the cohort of 120 students, 40 University Offers were made. Congratulations to all of our Year 12 students on their fine achievements in the 2015 Higher School Certificate Results. Outstanding results include Courtney Clarke, Krystelle Zuanic, Jessie Luchetti, Jessica Lawson, Louis Long-Jaccoud, Emily Thompson and Kerensa Cleaver all achieving Band 6 performances in one or more subjects. Eight students achieved Band 6 results and 33 students had a range of results in the top two bands. We wish Year 12 all the best for their future Distinguished Achievers Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 10 Visual Arts Impressive Record! The selection of the 3 HSC Artworks for the 2015 HSC Artexpress Exhibition has an impressive record for Visual Arts at Lithgow High School, the faculty has now had 53 works chosen for the exhibition in the last 16 years (an average of more than 3 works per year). Artexpress is an exhibition of about 150 outstanding artworks chosen from a field of over 9000 works from the HSC Practical Examination. The 3 Visual Arts students selected for this year’s Artexpress exhibition are Jessie Luchetti, Louis Long-Jaccoud and Sophie Beale. The students all worked in different forms: Painting and Sculpture. Recently Jessie Luchetti’s HSC Artwork entitled “Mor Far” was opened at the prestigious Margaret Whitlam Galleries in Western Sydney. Louis Long-Jaccoud and Sophie Beale’s artworks will be featured at the Sydney Olympic Park Armory to be opened later this month and will feature in the next newsletter. Jessie Luchetti - “Morfar” The 3 Bodies of Work will be displayed at a number of Artexpress Venues throughout 2016, including The Armory Sydney Olympic Park, Margaret Whitlam Galleries, and the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre in Katoomba. The Creative and Performing Arts faculty would like to extend congratulations to the 3 students on their selection, and wish them every success for the future. Mr Bawden – HT CAPA Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 11 DEPUTY PRINCIPAL School Website, Facebook and Millennium Parent Portal Lithgow High School uses a range of online communication tools that assist with providing information to parents and community. These online tools include: Lithgow High School Website Lithgow High School Facebook Millennium Parent Portal The school website is a great site to access for a range of items. The website is regularly updated with the School Newsletter and School Calendar of Events. It also holds helpful material for each of the school years in High School and further DoE material on policy. Click on the ‘quick links’ tab across the top of the homepage to access the current resources for 2016. This includes the Assessment Schedules for each year group, Student Handbook and policies including our School Uniform Policy and School Plan. The school Facebook page reflects the happenings at Lithgow High School. This is where posts are placed regarding learning that is taking place in classroom and the many excursions and sporting events that students are participating in. We also post reminders for upcoming events and special events that are taking place. Go on and ‘like’ the page to gain regular reports in your feed. Millennium Parent Portal is a very good resource for parents. In here you can view your child’s Attendance and see what Assessments are coming up for classes. Parents can also track their child’s progress through courses and access School Reports when they become available. Karin Mawhood – Deputy Principal HELP REQUIRED If you have any old school uniforms and would like to donate them our clothing pool, please hand in to the front office. Year 11 in particular, we need junior uniform Many students benefit from these donations. Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 12 A warm welcome to LHS our New Teachers Jessica Leffley Norta Norta Learning and Support Teacher Since graduating from Lithgow High School in 2008 Miss Leffley has received a Bachelor of Visual Arts and a Bachelor of Teaching in Secondary Education allowing her to teach High School Visual Arts on the Central Coast for the past two years. Miss Leffley spent time teaching in India, Painting Murals in Nepal and has travelled throughout Europe visiting various galleries and schools. As an Aboriginal Woman she has developed a passion for Indigenous Education, giving speeches at Sydney University’s Great Hall and designing for the Sea of Hands Installation. Miss Leffley is excited to join Lithgow High School as a member of the Teaching and Learning Faculty as well a Norta Norta Tutor, where she hopes her skills and sense of humour will have a positive impact on student learning. Annaliese Jones - English My name is Annaliese Jones and I am an English Teacher at Lithgow High School. I went to the University of Canberra and graduated with a Bachelor of Education in Middle School Teaching, with a Major in English Language and Literature. I was born in Griffith, NSW and spent most of my schooling life there, until I went to boarding school in Victoria. I love spending time with my friends, pets, family and looking after my nephews. I also enjoy Reading, watching Independent Films, Travelling, and playing Basketball and Netball. Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 13 Rebecka Hotham - English My name is Rebecka Hotham and I am teaching English here at Lithgow High School. I was born in Bathurst and went to both Primary and Secondary School there. When I finished High School I moved to Sydney to go to University. I graduated with a double degree in Education and Arts, majoring in English Literature and Film, along with Modern History from the University of Sydney. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, playing Netball, Watching Films, Reading and Travelling Overseas. Peter Woof - Mathematics Hello, my name is Peter Woof. I am happy to be teaching within the Lithgow Community and the Beautiful and Amazing Scenery it reminds me of the many years I spent Bushwalking in the nearby Blue Mountains. My family lives in Mollymook (near Ulladulla), where I built my house some years ago. My teaching experience includes teaching overseas in Bangladesh, Indigenous Canada and China, offering many interesting Cultural Perspectives. Although I am a Mathematics, Science, Physics, Chemistry type of guy, I also really enjoyed teaching Drama in China so that my students could really learn to speak English. Since returning from China, I have had a few temporary teaching contracts in NSW, including Bourke, Tumbarumba and Wilcannia. What is the mathematician's favourite food? (Hint: 3.1415...) "No Roman lost his life because he was absorbed in the contemplation of a mathematical diagram" - A. N. Whitehead Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 14 Year 7 & 12 Parent Teacher Night The Year 12 and Year 7 Parent/Teacher Evening for 2016 is scheduled for Tuesday 15th of March. This time has been organised to give teaching staff an opportunity to meet with New Year 7 Families and for Year 12 to evaluate progress after the Midcourse Exams that will be held from the 29th February to 11th of March. The night will commence at 4.00pm and conclude at 6.30pm. The Millennium Online Booking System was introduced for parents to book their own appointments, this will be the same procedure for 2016. Millennium is an Online Data Base we use to Mark Rolls, Record Student Behaviour and Awards. Using Millennium will allow parents to access and view your child’s information. If you don’t already have access to Millennium to book your Parent/Teacher Appointments when the Appointment Times ‘Go Live’ please provide the school with your current email address. We will send you a Unique Login Code, Username and Password via email to enable you access to the Millennium’s System. You will be able to track you child’s progress in Classes, Behaviour and Attendance, which are just a few of the benefits of the Millennium System and Print Timetables and Reports as you require. Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 15 Lithgow High School is continually striving to provide our students with Academic Enrichment Opportunities. Today we welcomed Maki from Elevate Education to present to students from Years 12, 11 and 7. Elevate Education has developed a different approach to Study Skills. Having carried out an exhaustive process of benchmarking the study habits of thousands of past students, Elevate Education have identified a number of areas where the practices of the top students differ from average or lower performing students. It is their Belief and Experience that any student can improve their marks by tapping into, replicating and using these Study Skills and Techniques. Over 160 students elected to participate in these Interactive Workshops. Maki shared many tips and tricks to improving personal performance at school. Mrs Cross our Teacher Librarian would like to congratulate all students who attended, their behaviour and participation was excellent. We would also like to thank our parents who supported this initiative. At Lithgow High we are continually striving to provide opportunities for students to achieve their personal best. Lithgow High School will welcome back Elevate Education on the 6th May 2016. Year 12 will complete their final session of the Six Part Program and Year 11 will complete sessions three and four. Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 16 IMPORTANT NOTICE 40km/ school zones Please do not pick and drop off students in staff car park, the congestion creates an unsafe environment. Children’s safety to and from school is an important road safety issue. Please remember on school days that 40km/h speed zones operate between 8am and 9.30am in the morning and 2.30pm - 4pm in the afternoon. The speed limit in school zones is 40km/h during these times. Lithgow Highway Patrol and Lithgow City Council Rangers shall be conducting patrols of school zones in our area. If you fail to travel at 40km/h during these times it could cost you a minimum fine of $177 and a minimum of 2 demerit points. A road safety message brought to you by Lithgow City Councils local government road safety program Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 17 2016 Year Advisers Abigail Cases Year 7 Ross Guihot Year 8 and Debbie-Lee Reilly Year 8 Lindsay Dunn Year 10 Brodie Alexander Year 11 Erich Mantei Year 9 Nicholas Dingle Year 12 Year 7 Welcome Barbeque The Welcome to Year 7 BBQ was a very enjoyable evening for everyone who attended. The students chatted together and have already showed a great sense of cohesion. For the adults, it was a wonderful chance to meet parents of other students and catch up with old friends. A warm thank you to parents for attending the afternoon and making it so successful. Please if you have a spare hour on the first Monday of the month come along to our lovely P&C meetings from 6.00pm in the Hall Foyer. Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday 7th March. Did you know at the LHS P&C there isn’t any fundraising the Canteen is our fundraiser.....hope to see you at our next meeting. Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 18 COMMUNITY LIAISON OFFICER I would just like to take this opportunity to welcome all the students back to a new School Year. I hope you have had a fabulous holiday break and are refreshed and ready for another year of learning. On behalf of the Whole School Community I would like to also welcome the new families to our school. The newsletter is a way for the school to inform families of events within the school, provide some guidance regarding educational matters so we can work together to ensure all students learn, both academically and socially, in a Safe Caring Environment. Our school will continue with the Absentee Call Out Program. It has proven to be a great success, talking to many parents when their children are absent from school, so if your child is away you can expect to get a phone call from me. Check out our Facebook page! Stay up to date with Notifications, Announcements and Organisation of our School. Please like and share our page with anyone who has children attending Lithgow High School. We will endeavour to build a Facebook community to ensure that school information is quick and effective for all parents. Sam Luchetti Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 19 Congratulations to our Year 7-10 Award Recipients Presentation Day Ceremonies - 2015. Above: Academic Excellence Awards 1st in Year. Overall Highest Ranked Marks all Subjects Combined. Year 10 Amy Muir, Year 9 Emma Cross, Year 8 Ethan Pringle and Amber Shaw, Year 7 Ryan Bird. Below: Consistent Endeavour 2nd in Year. Year 10 Kaitlyn Trounce, Year 9 Dylan Sheaves, Year 8 Miranda Swift , Year 7 Ashleigh Kitchner. EnergyAustralia Award for School Citizenship Year 10 Eli George and Amy Muir, Year 9 Chloe Anelzark and Zac Arklely-Smith. Below: EnergyAustralia: Year 8 Ebony Seymour and Lachlan Roach, Year 7 Kory Pringle and Ashleigh Kitchner, Year 10 Maritime, Mining and Power Credit Union Scholarship and Quota Club Special Service Award for Outstanding School Citizenship - Sarah Adnum, Crowe Horwath Award for Business Studies, for Textiles - Arie Zuanic. Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 20 Below: Grace Horton - View Club Award for Textiles, Bridget Pate - Lithgow Garden Club Award for Outstanding Results in Agriculture, Kaitlyn Trounce - Barry F Cosier & Associates Award for the Most Outstanding Results in English and Mathematics and Musical Society Award, Alyah Lincoln - A P Diehm Award for Outstanding School Citizenship. Above: Kaitlyn Trounce, Sophie Inzitari, Tayla Coleman and Aminah Baker - P&C Encouragement Award. Jayde Lutschini, Lachlan Roach and Shae Bradford - Visual Arts Award. Zac Arkley-Smith - Kelvin and Robert Loundar Memorial Music Award Lithgow High School would like to congratulate all of our award recipients, your hard work has been recognised, keep up the good work. Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 21 Lithgow Woolworths is once again supporting our school by hosting an innovative Healthy Eating Program for all of our Year 7 students. The students will participate in a two hour Healthy Eating Program and behind the scenes tour of the store in Mort St Lithgow, and provides a unique learning opportunity. The healthy eating component will involve food preparation and choices of healthy food items that students can prepare and consume on the day. Woolworths endeavours to provide foods that some of the students may not have had the opportunity to try before, as well as other healthy favourites. The behind the scenes tour will inform students of how a large retail outlet operates distribution of stock throughout the store, storage options and safety controls, food display procedures and stock preparation for sale. They will also have the opportunity to work in the checkout area and experience the sales operation of a large retail store. This excursion will take place throughout the year in groups of 10 at the convenience of Woolworths availability. All students will be notified in advance their day of attendance. Students are reminded that it’s not too late to hand in their notes to B26T or the HUB and if you have lost your note please ask for another at the Front Office or from the HUB. Photo: Woolworth’s staff received a thank you from Year 7 - 2015 - Karen Holland and Blake Coleman Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 22 Panic! at the Disco is a pop punk band formed in the mid-2000’s. They released their first album in 2007, called ‘A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out’. Since then, their sound has evolved from punk, to pop, to jazz as they’ve lost members and gained new influences. Panic! at the Disco has been a personal favourite of mine since their last album ‘Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die’. ‘Death of a Bachelor’ is the fifth album from Panic! at the Disco. It was started by lead singer Brendon Urie in April 2015 who says the album was inspired by his wife and other aspects of his life. Most of this fun and energetic album was written and performed by Urie, who played guitar, drums, piano, bass guitar and vocals on the album. The album was released January 15th 2016, and reached the number one spot on the US Billboard Top 100, and 3rd on the Australian Album charts. In interviews concerning the new album, Urie claimed much of the album was greatly inspired by jazz artist, Frank Sinatra, and Queen singer, Freddie Mercury. This shows through in much of his vocals and lyric composition, particularly in songs ‘Impossible Year’ and ‘The Death of a Bachelor’. My favourite song on the album is ‘Impossible Year’. It is one of the more smooth jazzy songs on the album, and in recent Panic! at the Disco fashion, ends the album in a soft and emotional way. My other favourites include ‘Golden Days’ and ‘Death of a Bachelor’. Taylah Harrington – Press Club Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 23 Wheelers Online Library Wheelers Online Library is a recent addition to our School Library, it offers an opportunity for students to borrow books from any PC, laptop, iPhone, iPad, android device etc. We currently have 600+ titles ready to be borrowed with more to come very shortly. Every day we make advances in technology and finally reading has been made easy and free to access for students of Lithgow High School. For those students that do not like to come into the library and borrow physical books they now are available on a platform that most students possess. To log on to Lithgow High School online library all you need is to either find the link on the email that Mrs Cross has sent you, or simply search up Wheelers Log in using your DET username and student for your password. Books such as ‘Will Grayson, and many more familiar titles are now available to read. So if you are reluctant to visit our library in person, log on and please enjoy reading! For further information see Mrs Cross in the library. https://lhs.wheelers.co Kasey Cross – Press Club Next P & C Meeting is at 6.00pm on Monday, 7th March in the Hall Foyer You are all very welcome to attend, Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 24 RIDDLES 1. With pointed fangs I sit and wait; with piercing force I crunch out fate; grabbing victims, proclaiming might; physically joining with every bite. What am I?.......................................... 2. What kind of coat is always wet when you put it on? ………………… 3. What has 13 hearts but no other organs?....................................... 4. What do you break before you use it?............................................ 5. What starts with a P and ends with an E but has thousands of letters?..................................... 6. Which month has 28 days?..................................... 7. I met a man on London Bridge who tipped his hat and drew his cane in this limerick I’ve said his name. What is it?...................... 8. Pronounced as one letter but written as three, Two letters there are but only two in me. I’m double I’m single, I’m black blue and grey, I’m read from both ends and the same either way. What am I?......................... A: Stapler, paint, deck of cards, egg, post office, all of them, Andrew, eye Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 25 Harry Potter has always held a special place in the hearts of readers and watchers alike. The wizarding world and all the magic of Diagon Alley, Hogwarts and Platform 9¾ has been brought back along with the mesmerizing illustrations of Jim Kay. On the 10th of October, 2015 a new edition of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone was released to the world, a collector’s edition, hardcover version of a classic story of magic and evil now brimming with awesome illustrations. For those readers who do not know the story of Harry Potter here is a quick recap. Harry Potter has never really acknowledged the existence of magic. After the death of his parents he was dropped on his aunt and uncles doorstep and he grew up with a less than favourable life. Always clad in hand me downs and forced to live under the stairs Harry didn’t have an ideal childhood. That was until everything changed forever. Mysterious letters begin to show up at his house, glass just disappears in front of him and that is all topped off with a visit from Hagrid the half-giant caretaker of a school named Hogwarts. Harry has no option but to be dragged into the world of evil and magic scar-first. We give this book Harry Potter is a timeless classic that we would recommend for children, teens and adults alike. Kasey Cross and Mia Michell Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 26 Lithgow High School’s Wiradjuri Language Program is proving to be a huge success. 14 students from Years 7, 8 and 10 are enthusiastically learning the challenging language. The students had their second lesson in the Gawaymbanha Ngurambang Garden. The students learned the Wiradjuri greetings and started designing the Wiradjuri signs that will soon decorate the garden and the school buildings. We would like to thank Uncle Stan Grant of the Wiradjuri Elders for this fantastic learning opportunity. Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 27 Year 11 Parent Information Evening 2016 This year’s Year 11 students have been settling into Senior School and adjusting to the new changes that come with putting on a white shirt. The Assessment Tasks for Year 11 have now commenced. Lithgow High provided a Parent and Student information Evening. This took place on Wednesday the 10th of February, where students and their parents gathered at the school library to attend this Information Night. The evening entailed very interesting talks by the Principal, Deputy Principal and Careers Adviser who spoke in detail about the transformation into Year 11 and the expectations that come with it. The Assessment Schedule was talked about in length and how being organised is one of the keys to successful HSC. Assessment canExaminations be downloaded from the LHS Disability Provisions for Booklets the HSC website under the quick links tab. If you don’t have access to internet and require a hard copy please contact the school. http://www.lithgow-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/ It was a successful night which left both parents and students very informed about subjects and the year ahead. There was some interesting statistics about attendance and expected ATAR results. These statistics, printed below, reinforced the importance of students attending school each day. Mean UAI (now ATAR) based on unexplained absences: Average unexplained absences 20 days per year 15 days per year 10 days per year 5 days per year Average ATAR 52 62 70 88 Source: Information provided to Home School Liaison Officers. * The above shows just some of the statistics that were shown to inform parents and students about the Preliminary Course. Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 28 Information for Year 12 Students and Parents The Board of Studies has a program to help students with practical support in their Higher School Certificate Examinations. This practical support, known as provisions, assists students to read examination questions and to write their answers. Provisions include rest breaks and extra time. The use of any provision is not written on the student’s results. Students may need provisions for: a permanent condition, such as diabetes or reading difficulty a temporary condition, such as a broken arm, or an intermittent condition, such as back pain when sitting for long periods. It is not embarrassing to apply for or use provisions. More than 5000 HSC students apply for provisions each year. Provisions help students to show the markers what they know and can do. To apply for provisions, the school submits an online application to the Board of Studies. This application tells the Board of Studies which provisions the student is requesting and includes recent evidence. Evidence may include medical reports, reading results, spelling results, writing samples and teacher comments. Much of the evidence can be collected by the school, but the parents’ role is welcome and needed. Parents help by talking with the school, describing the student’s needs, and providing the school with medical or other reports. Applications for provisions should be submitted by the school to the Board of Studies by the end of Term 1. Late applications are accepted for an emergency, such as a broken arm, until the time of the examinations. Once the Board of Studies has made a decision about which provisions are approved or declined, a decision letter is provided to the school. The school will provide the student with a copy of the letter. If you or the school are not satisfied with the Board’s decision, it is possible for the school to lodge an appeal. Appeals must state why the Board’s decision is unsuitable and must include new evidence to support the appeal. If you think that you or your child may require support in completing the Higher School Certificate examinations, please discuss the matter with the school’s Year 12 Adviser, School Counsellor or Careers Adviser. Rebecca Hamment– Careers Adviser Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 29 Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 30 VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED IN OUR CANTEEN We need Volunteers to help in our Canteen. You can put your name on the roster once a month or just when you have a spare few hours. The hours are 10.45am - 1.45pm. Our volunteers don’t have to handle the money or know the price of our items. All profit is donated by the P&C back to the school. If you can help, please ring Debbie or Evonne on 6351 2308. Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 31 Gate Passes If your child needs to leave school with parents’ permission during a school day, this is the information required by the school. Student’s Name, Year and Roll Class at the top of the note Date of the Gate Pass The reason for the Gate Pass. The time the gate pass is for. Parent / Carer’s signature and contact number. Please Note: Gate passes are issued to students at the SRC desk from 8.40am until roll call every morning. Library currently has a subscription to the ELES Online Study Skills Handbook, once again free of charge to students and available 24/7 this wonderful resource covers all the study skills required for success at High School. Year 7 students will be shown through this great resource as part of their fortnightly Study Skills program. Parents and students in other Year groups are encouraged to log in at home to explore and utilise this fantastic resource. Log in details have been provided on the next page. Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 32 Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 33 Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 34 Reminder, Senior Tuition is available daily during Student’s Study Periods in the Library, providing assistance with Assessment Tasks and Study Techniques in all subject areas. Our survey has shown that HSC results improved for students who studied effectively in the Library last year. In response the library will be supervised from 3.30pm - 4.30pm on Mondays and now on Wednesdays in addition to Thursdays afternoons. We are here to provide Support, Motivation and Stress Management during the Senior Years. A variety of resources are available for students to borrow. Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 35 VACCINATION PROGRAM Vaccinations Friday 1st April 2016 Each Year NSW Health works with school to offer the vaccines recommended for adolescents by the National Health and Medical Research Council Conformation of Vaccination Clinic details are as follows: Friday 1st April 2016: Year 7, 1st dose - girls and boys HPV Year 7 dTpa Tuesday 26th July 2016: Year 7, 2nd dose - girls and boys HPV Year 7, Varicella Monday 21st November 2016: Year 7, 3rd dose HPV girls and boys As the date gets closer Parent Information and consent kits will be sent home with students Rebecca Hamment - Student Welfare Co-ordinator Please note: Lithgow High School only facilitate the venue. We have no records of each student’s personal immunisation. School immunisation is part of the Sydney Western Area Health Service Program. At Lithgow High School we are: RESPECTFUL RESPONSIBLE SAFE LEARNERS Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 36 UNIFORM Alinta Apparel is open for purchasing the School Uniform and accessories. An added advantage to purchasing your uniform from the Uniform shop is the financial benefit that the school receives. This allows the school to help many struggling families, providing them with the necessary uniform. The on-campus shop provides the benefits of the latest in retail service and technology including a full range of payments and on-line shopping options and an on-line appointment booking system. The Uniform Shop’s phone number, email address, opening times and information on how to make a fitting appointment will be advertised in future newsletters. Please check online at www.alintapparel.com.au for updates on stock arrivals and to view the price The Uniform Shop (02) 6352 3494 Uniform Shop business hours during school terms are: Tuesday and Thursday Mornings 8.00am – 10.00am The uniform shop can be contacted outside of business hours by email - [email protected] . Payments can be made direct to Alinta Apparel on the day of purchase. Alinta will take payments in the form of cash, credit card, or debit credit card. Uniform price list & online shopping available at: www.alintaapparel.com.au Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 37 Lithgow High School’s Important Dates to Remember Friday 26th February 2016 Year 11 - RYDA Road Safety Day Mt Panorama Bathurst Monday 29/2/16 - 11/3/16 Year 12 Mid-Course Exams Begin Every Wednesday School Musical Rehearsal - 3.30pm - 5.30pm School Hall Monday 7th March, 2016 P&C Meeting - Hall Foyer - 6.00pm All welcome to attend. Tuesday 15th March, 2016 Year 7 and Year 12 Parent Teacher Evening 4.00pm - 6.30pm Hall and Z2 Corridoor Friday 25th March, 2016 Good Friday Monday 28th March, 2016 Easter Monday Friday 1st April, 2016 Newsletter Issued Monday 4th April, 2016 P&C Meeting - Hall Foyer - 6.00pm All welcome to attend. School fees may now be paid on line direct debit to: Westpac, Lithgow High School, BSB No: 032-001 Account No: 15-3857. It is imperative that you put your student’s full name, Student ID number or both when paying fees in this manner. Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 38 In the Community VOLUNTEER AWARD - YOUTH & OPEN CATEGORIES Sport and Recreation are again holding the Central West Summer Sport Volunteer Award. It’s getting close to the end of the Summer sporting season, but its not too late to recognise the efforts of the outstanding volunteers who keep sport going in our communities. The Award has separate categories for Open and Youth (25 years and under) to recognise the importance of all aged volunteers in grassroots sport. In 150 words or less tell us how your volunteer is worthy of being nominated. All nominees will receive a certificate, with the winner and runner up being awarded $250 & $100 (respectively) to spend on approved sports development programs. It’s a great way to say thank you to a Coach, Committee Member, Official or Manager. It’s a simple process that wont take long, but will make the nominee feel valued as a volunteer. Nominations can be made online via the Sport and sportandrecreation.nsw.gov.au/volunteeraward or call 6362 6623. Recreation website Nominations close Friday 1st April 2016 SUBWAY MAIN STREET SPONSORSHIP DEAL COME IN YOUR SCHOOL UNIFORM OFFERING LHS STUDENTS BETWEEN 3.20PM - 5.00PM BUY ONE SIX INCH SUB AND A LARGE DRINK AND GET ONE SIX INCH FREE Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 39 IRONFEST Ironfest will be held at Lithgow Showground on 16th & 17th April 2016. Aiming to educate through entertainment, Ironfest features historical events over these days jousting and other events depicting accurately extremely interesting periods in history. The re-enactments are very dramatic, featuring Artillery, Cavalry and Infantry, and there is a fully authentic Military Encampment, Hospital and Blacksmith’s Workshop. Lots of Roving Entertainers, Music, Dance, Woodturning Demonstrations, Birds of Prey, as well as Australian made goods on sale at the stalls. Saturday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm and Sunday 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. For more information you can visit the Ironfest website at: www.ironfest.net AT GATE DURING IRONFEST: One day - Adult $40; Concession. $30; Child $25; Family $95. 2 Day Weekend - Adult $55; Concession. $45; Child $35; Family $140 FAMILY TICKET includes 2 adults and 3 school age children. Any extra children over the age of 6 are to have their own ticket. Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 40 FREE Online Parenting Program Empowering parents to make sense of adolescence and parent their teenager with confidence. As children become teenagers, it can be hard for parents to know the best way to stay connected with their child. Parents can play an important role in increasing resilience in their teenagers and protecting their mental health. Researchers from Monash University and the University of Melbourne have recently developed a new online parenting program that offers practical strategies parents can use to manage the challenges of adolescence and stay connected with their teenager. If you are a parent or guardian of a child aged 12 to 15, you may be eligible to participate in a free trial of the program. Participation will take a few hours of yours and your child’s time, over 3 months. Both you and your child will be reimbursed for your time. Find out more or register at: http://www.parentingstrategies.net/depression.brief.intervention/ Or contact the researchers at [email protected] or on (03) 9905 1250 Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 41 Need some driving lessons? Cruze Driving School is available for lessons, contact Gabby on 0404 644 089 to book your lesson now! We are now an approved club. 16 & 17 year old’s welcome Enquire about a 7 day free trial in club or call us on 63514251. 1 Naomi st Lithgow (opposite Woolworths) Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 42 LITHGOW SHOW, Friday 11th and Saturday 12th March, 2015 The Lithgow Show Society would like to invite students of Lithgow High School to showcase some of their outstanding work. Please have a look through the schedule at www.lithgowshow.org.au for some great opportunities to enter and receive prizes. Several classes have incorporated additional age criteria in order to make the judging process fairer and to give young people more chance to be recognised for their work. Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 43 For your fridge – Term 1 Calendar Lithgow High School Calendar - Year 2016 TERM 1 Month/ Week Feb Week B Feb Week A Feb Week B March Week A Monday Wednesday Thursday Friday 9 11 School Photo Day 12 15 16 18 19 22 School Photo Catch up Day 23 10 Year 7 Welcome BBQ 5.30pm Year 11 Assessment Night 7.00pm School Musical Rehearsal 3.30pm 17 Elevate Education Year 7, 11 & 12 School Musical Rehearsal - 3.30pm 24 School Musical Rehearsal 3.30pm 25 29 Year 12 Mid Course Exams begin 1 Year 12 Mid Course Exams 3 Year 12 Mid Course Exams 7 Year 12 Mid Course Exams P&C Meeting Hall Foyer 6.00pm 14 8 Year 12 Mid Course Exams Yr 7 & 9 Vaccinations 2 Year 12 Mid Course Exams School Musical Rehearsal 3.30pm 9 Year 12 Mid Course Exams School Musical Rehearsal 3.30pm 26 RYDA Road Safety Day - Year 11 Newsletter Issued 4 Year 12 Mid Course Exams 10 Year 12 Mid Course Exams 11 Year 12 Mid Course Exams 16 School Musical Rehearsal 3.30pm 23 School Musical Rehearsal 3.30pm 30 School Musical Rehearsal 3.30pm 6 17 18 24 25 Good Friday 31 1 Newsletter Issued 7 8 Last Day of Term 1 3 4 5 6 March 7 Week B March Week A 8 March Week B 9 March Week A 101 April Week B Tuesday 8 21 11 15 Year 7 &12 Parent Teacher Evening 22 28 Easter Monday 29 4 P&C Meeting 6.00pm – Hall Foyer 5 Year 12 Reports Distributed Please note Dates and times may be changed without notice, the dates below are only a guide to planned school activities Lithgow High School – Excellence In A Caring Educational Environment 44