PDF, 1.61MB - Coonabarabran High School
Transcription
PDF, 1.61MB - Coonabarabran High School
1 COONABARABRAN HIGH SCHOOL and P&C NEWSLETTER 21 November 2014 PO Box 3 COONABARABRAN NSW 2357 Phone: 02 6842 1099 www.coonabarabranhigh.com M Johnston, Principal Sydney University Campus Visit Twelve Year 12 students were extremely fortunate to be hosted by the University of Sydney English Department last week. The invitation was extended as part of the University's outreach program and, together with Bankstown Girls High School and Blacktown Boys High, our students attended creative writing lectures and workshops and also received a guided campus tour led by academics and current undergraduate and postgraduate students. Overall, the outreach program encourages students to consider Sydney University when selecting their path for tertiary study. Week 8 Mon, 24 Nov Event Year 10 Work Experience continues Peer Support Training P&C meeting Fri, 28 Nov Year 6 Science Orientation Orientation at Baradine Year 10 Work Experience concludes Week 9 Wed, 3 Dec Thu, 4 Dec Event Girls Softball, Narrabri Awards Night—6.45 for a 7pm start Week 10 Mon, 8 Dec Event School network upgrade commences Year 6 Orientation Day Canteen Red Day Junior Report distributed Fri, 12 Dec Week 11 Wed, 17 Dec Thu, 18 Dec Fri, 19 Dec Event Last day of term for students Staff Development Day Staff Development Day Return dates for 2015 Tue, 3 Feb Staff Development Day (Pupil Free) Wed, 4 Feb Years 7,11 & 12 Thu, 5 Feb Years 8, 9 & 10 Events are subject to change, so please check the school’s website for updates. The website has a new format, which allows for bigger and better photos. Next P&C Meeting Monday, 24 November @ 5.30 pm School Library ALL WELCOME We‘re on the Web! View online at www.coonabarabranhigh.com Fax: 02 6842 2267 M Fosdick, P&C President 2 Principal’s Report The International Feast capped off a wonderful week of cultural learning for our school. The Chatswood Intensive English Centre visit to our school gave our students the opportunity to interact with 20 students who have arrived in Australia as migrants or refugees. The group stayed for 3 days and attended a range of activities including Dandry Gorge, Pilliga Pottery, an Indigenous performance by our students and several of our classes. I was very impressed with a workshop for our senior English students which addressed the themes of study: journeys and discovery. Our students were enthralled by the story of 17 year old Freden who escaped Afghanistan as a refugee. On Friday evening around 300 people came to the school to enjoy the foods of other countries. Students, teachers and community members prepared meals from around the world. The exotic flavours and smells made for a special community event. I thank everyone who worked to make the International Feast such a success, particularly our P&C. While we aim to raise funds through the Feast, our goal is to bring the community to the school and this is the measure of success. The feedback from our HSC students and teachers has been very positive. Fourteen students have already been offered places in the course of their choice through the Principal's Recommendation scheme. These students have impressed the universities with their performance at our school. They have received the recommendation of our teachers and been successful in gaining a position in a participating university. Quite a few students must wait for their HSC results and UAC responses to finalise their tertiary education futures. I wish them all the best. On Tuesday 18th November, I met with the parents of Year 6 students as they prepare for the transition to our school. We have a larger than average cohort coming next year which is very good news for the school. We can plan for broader student support programs funded by a larger resource base. We look forward to our Orientation Day on 12th December where Year 6 students will spend the day with us at High School. Year 10 students are currently undertaking Work Experience in workplaces around the state. Mrs Nancy Doolan has done a remarkable job to coordinate this program and the students are very fortunate to have the opportunity to experience real work environments over the two-week event. Thank you to the businesses that have taken on our students. Strategic Planning is gaining momentum with the school community. Recent surveys of parents and staff have reinforced our strategic directions. They are: Student Achievement, A Culture of Learning and Teacher Capacity. The central theme of each of these directions is learning - learning of students and learning of teachers. In 2015 I have the opportunity to travel and study. While I will miss the students and school community enormously, I am very excited about the chance to explore education systems and programs in other places. Mr Enks will relieve in my position and Ms Mary Doolan will relieve as Deputy. I am very confident that Mr Enks and Ms Doolan will manage the school well and keep the focus of our efforts on the learning and achievement of students. Our school evaluation processes are underway at the time of writing. The magnificent ORION publication is bursting with news from the school year. The achievements of the school are being collated for our Awards Night ceremony to be held at 6:45pm on Thursday 4th December. I encourage you to attend and celebrate the achievements of our school with us. As this is our last formal newsletter of the year, I would like to wish all of our families a safe and enjoyable Christmas and New Year. Mel Johnston International Feast Here is a sneak peek of the evening. Go to our website to view a video of the International Feast. International Feast Hamper Winners: Charnelle Crossingham Janice Howard Sue Murphy Chockie Lane Judy Over Narelle Armstrong This will be the final newsletter for 2014. For news and photos over the coming weeks, please visit our website. We‘re on the Web! View online at www.coonabarabranhigh.com 3 P&C President’s Report The second International Feast, held on Friday 14th November 2014, was another outstanding success. The organising committee, led by Nick and Angela Karagiannis and Tammy Samuel, did a fantastic job once again. Apart from the fact it was a great night, with over 300 people attending, gross returns of about $5000 were achieved. The Feast is now our second biggest fund raising event, behind the canteen at the NW Equestrian Expo and plans are already underway for next year‘s event. On Monday 18th November the 2015 Year 7 students and parents and carers were welcomed and introduced to school staff and the school program by Dan Stewart, the 2015 Year 7 Advisor. I encourage all new parents and carers who are interested in being involved in the school to join the P&C and attend the monthly meetings held on the 4th Monday of every month during the school term at 5.30 in the library. Well, the year is drawing to a close and the School Awards Night, on Thursday 4th December 2014, is the next and last big occasion scheduled at our school. It‘s always a good night and a positive way to end the school year. On behalf of the P&C I would like to thank everyone who has participated in any of the meetings or functions throughout 2014, particularly our Secretary, Mandy Sulter and Treasurer, Angela Karagiannis. Have a great break over the summer, a merry Christmas and happy new year. Treasurer's Report COONABARABRAN HIGH SCHOOL Parents and Citizens' Association Statement of Receipts and Payments as at the 27 October 2014 BALANCE Opening Cash Balance as at 25 August 2014 $12,049.92 Add Receipts Receipt No 55 Orana Mutual-Community P'ship donation 56 Warrumbungle Shire Council Total $1,372.53 $500.00 $13,922.45 $13,922.45 Less Payments Cheque No 645 Coona High donation (Whiteboard) 646 Coonabarabran Pony Club - $5,500.00 $250.00 647 CHS - Canteen - Expo 648 P & C Federation - Insurance $1,294.00 $883.45 Total $7,927.45 Cash book balance as at 27 See you on Monday, Mark. $5,995.00 Bank Statement Reconciliation Balance as per statement 30 Receipt No $7,289.00 Add deposits since 30 September 2014 Total $- Less unpresented cheques/ Cheque No payments since 30 September 2014 P & C Federation Insurance 648 Total $ $7,289.00 1,294.00 $1,294.00 Reconciled total as per cashbook 27 October 2014 $5,995.00 ASPIRE 2014 On Tuesday 28 October, Mrs Kenny, Mrs Hawkins and Mrs Stanton took a group of Year 9 students to Dubbo to participate in a ‗Year 9 we‘re doing just fine‘ program that was run by ASPIRE people from UNSW in Sydney. The day was set up so we did three workshops out of the six faculties which were: Engineering, Health Services, Indigenous Studies, Performing Arts and Chemistry. The ASPIRE people bought their solar powered car that currently holds the World Record for the fastest solar powered car to go 500kms. Overall the day was great. We now have a better understanding of these faculties and the day has us thinking about University. We‘re on the Web! View online at www.coonabarabranhigh.com 4 Coonabarabran High School P&C Meeting Minutes Monday 27th October, 2014 Meeting Opened: 5.40p.m Present: Mark Fosdick, Tammy Samuels, Geoff Gasior, Col Mercer, Angela Karagiannis, Nick Karagiannis, Anita Tighe, Leesa Kelly, Graham Enks, Mel Johnson, Ansie Van Schalkwyk, Philip Van Schalkwyk, Kellie Nash, Narelle Pfeiffer, Mandy Sulter. Apologies: Skye Lambert, Natasha Milford. Moved: Leesa Kelly Seconded: Tracee McHugh Previous Minutes: Minutes of Monday 25th August 2014 – moved and accepted. Motion minutes be accepted Moved: Angela Karagiannis Seconded: Mel Johnson Business arising from Previous Minutes: Year 12 guernsey‘s decision making and management of this process to be looked at for 2015. 2014 guernsey‘s to be followed up. Correspondence In: Parent & Citizen Journal, Term 3 Vol. 66 No.3. Orana Mutual Arts - $1372.53 Moved: Mandy Sulter Seconded: Tammy Samuels Correspondence Out: Nil Treasurer’s Report: Tabled by Angela Karagiannis. Motion report be accepted. Tabled current balance $5995.Thank you letters to Orana Credit Union and Warrumbungle Shire Council, Mandy Sulter and Angela Karagiannis to draft. Need to follow up invoice for the Agriculture Banner. Moved: Angela Karagiannis Seconded: Tammy Samuels Canteen Report: September and October reports tabled. Structural improvements to be made at the canteen. Moved: Anita Tighe Seconded: Nick Karagiannis Environment & Grounds Committee Report: Working bee Friday 7th - focus on preparing the grounds for the international feast, front garden and north wall. Indigenous students and elders will be maintaining the garden area. Principal’s Report: Survey provided to discuss, after feedback more general survey to be prepared for the new school planning for 2015-17, available on the website and provided with Newsletter. Information sourced from survey will assist in strategic directions for 2015 – 2017, areas covered include – Student Achievement, a Culture of Learning and Teacher capacity. Looking at BYOD – Bring our own device for students opening up to technology. Congratulations –to Harley Wood for the gold medals won at the State Championships and to all those in the team. Open boys cricket won, one student got a century. Cattle leading at Scone , all great achievements. Jessie Doolan won Mudgee writer‘s competition. Prefect induction and Year 12 farewell all went well. Deputy Principal’s Report: Follow up on guernsey‘s – still not available Graham Enks to follow up and advise parents. Commitment to organise for these to be distributed to students in Term 3, 2015. NAPLAN – coaching and practice are not our policy, CHS used NAPLAN as diagnostic tool. CHS achieved below the state average, however CHS do monitor the students individual growth from Yr 7 to Yr 9. Numeracy has improved in the last 2 years, the Multilit and Quicksmart group have demonstrated significant improvement, also very worthwhile statistically. Executive will liaise with staff to ensure all students are encouraged to improve, need also to look at timing of school events to ensure NAPLAN does not interfere with these. Considering streaming year 9 and having female and male classes, particularly in English, formal discussion on this can be organised with Mr Enks. Questioned how to make Yr 7 to Yr 10 more formal, as School Certificate no longer offered, Mr Enks, Head or classroom teachers can be organised to discuss any ideas. Tammy raised issue of single sex classes, what are the particular reasons behind this, some gender specific texts in English for example, still in discussion phase, not for all subjects, requesting class teacher to give feedback. HSC students all going well, some unexpected question. Year 11 reports were distributed, discussed HSC assessment booklet Year 10 ‗Love bites‘ program discussed, Narelle Pfeiffer gave overview, only for Year 10 boys and girls, workshops on facilitating discussion regarding inappropriate behaviour, domestic violence and cyber bullying, parental consent required. Year 6 orientation, CPS will be provided with access to flight stimulator then. Mentoring and exchange program, Tuesday 11th November from Chatswood, Cultural visits and school events, sharing their experiences, assembly in covered area African drum presentation. Mr Enks requested a packed lunch be provided by P&C for all visiting students on the last day, canteen to provide, dietary issues to be checked, all in favour. General Business: Narelle Pfeiffer spoke about changes to the funding of chaplaincy program. Whole new project for 2015, change to funding process, is likely CHS will be eligible. Generate is the main provider, Cornerstone board has agreed to change. Requested the school and P&C vote on this issue, Narelle left the room for voting process. Minuted – P&C supports the position of the chaplaincy within in the School. All in favour, Seconded: Tammy Samuels. Tammy raised issue of Year 8 awards seem to get less than other years, Graham and Mel to look at, could be due to the streaming. Committee to organise floats for the feast night. Meeting closed: 7.25pm Next Meeting 24th November, 2014, 5.30pm, School Library. We‘re on the Web! View online at www.coonabarabranhigh.com 5 Farewell from Year 12 On the 13th of October, 49 Year 12 students of Coona High sat their first HSC exam, and on the 5th of November Bradley Watts was the last member of the Coona High cohort to complete his final HSC examination. Throughout our time at Coona High, this cohort has been regarded as the class that said thankyou; whether it was at the end of a class or thanking the canteen ladies. Whether or not we deserve this title, we would like to say one last thankyou. Thankyou to the school. From the incomparably dedicated staff to the enthusiastic and positive students, our time at Coona High has been precious and we have enjoyed our time here. We‘ve learned a lot of things along the way, and in our leaving we have been asked to offer some words of advice; here‘s one tip to help you through any stage of school. Take every opportunity you are offered. Coona High has a high reputation for extra-curricular activities and a dedicated staff. The students from every year group are offered all types of chances to excel and explore in a diverse range of fields, from horse sports to chess, and as veteran captains we would suggest that any student would be mad not to grab such opportunities with both hands. That is, #YOLO. Enjoy every moment of your school life. Too much emphasis is placed on how adolescence is a time of inner-turmoil and stress. From two HSC survivors who crammed as much into their daily schedules as possible, your teenage years are amongst the best years of your life, so spend them to the limit and fill your days up. In the words of Tim Minchin, ―Put your head down and work with pride on whatever is in front of you… you never know where you might end up.‖ So from two retired captains, on behalf of the class of 2014, adiós, enjoy your Christmas holiday, and thankyou for everything you have done for us. Samantha Smith & Clayton McKinnon RDA Awards Pictured with Mrs Young are Mark Watton—Reserve Champion Boy Rider; Will Clarke—Champion Boy Rider; Daniel Kenyon—Highly Commended. Brittany Abberton— Champion Girl Rider—is missing from the photo. Coonabarabran Aero Club Year 9/10 Media Publishing students Maddie Hincks, Lydia Harris and Lockie Hadfield worked closely with and interviewed Colin Mercer and Geoff Gasior from the Coonabarabran Aero Club last week and had an opportunity to operate the Flight Simulator, which was recently purchased for the school via an NAB grant. These students will be taking this video interview and transcribing it into a written interview piece, which will then be published in the Australian Aviation magazine. Maddie, Lydia, Lockie and I would like to thank Mr Mercer and Mr Gasior from the Aero Club for their time, patience and expertise in putting together this interview and we look forward to the finished piece. Stay tuned for the interview! Emma Rankmore Go to the school’s website to view a slideshow of the Keeping Place & Aero Club. Keeping Place On Friday 14th November 2014 our school was invited to the Opening of the Coonabarabran Lands Council Keeping Place at the Tourist Information Center. The significance of the Keeping Place was the return of a breastplate which belonged to Tommy of Bungabah. The breastplate has been part of Museum Victoria. Bungabah was actually a large parcel of land south of Coonabarabran. Further research had discovered there was a mission established on Bungabah Station in the early 1900‘s. We‘re on the Web! View online at www.coonabarabranhigh.com 6 Year 8 ZoosnooZ On 6th and 7th of November, Year 8 along with Mr Moffat, Mr Graham, Mrs Rankmore and Mr Holden went on an overnight visit to Taronga Western Plains Zoo. We visited the zoo because we are learning about the importance of zoos in protecting and conserving endangered species. We were lucky enough to camp in tents in the middle of the zoo and could even hear the lions in the middle of the night! Once we arrived at the zoo on the Thursday afternoon, we listened to a talk about the dingos and the zookeepers told us a lot about their habits and personalities. Back at the camp site we had a lovely BBQ for dinner. The zookeepers then took us on a night walk where we saw many animals including koalas, emus and kangaroos. Afterwards we stopped in at the education centre which had all different types of animals some of which we were allowed to touch including blue tongue lizards, snakes, a baby crocodile and a stick insect. We returned to the camp site and were treated with chocolate and strawberry milk and biscuits. Then off to bed. (No one really slept). The next morning we had to get up at 6.00 in the morning to have breakfast. We were treated to a morning walk where we saw two different types of Gibbons and the Sumatran tigers. We returned to the camp site and loaded the bus with our gear. We returned to the entrance of the zoo and then went on our last walk through the entire zoo. We saw Giraffes, Rhinos, Buffalos, Zebras, Przewalski‘s Horses, Elephants and Hippopotamus. We would like to thank all the teachers that were involved in planning this excursion and all the teachers that put up with us on the bus and at night when no one went to sleep, we all had a great time. Ale Van Schalkwyk Christmas Hampers Each year the school community donates items to make up hampers for people who need them at Christmas. That time has come around again, so please look through your cupboards or buy an extra item when you go shopping to help make Christmas a little cheerier for families in our town. It would be lovely if each family could donate one item. Ideas from previous years are shortbread, lollies, tins of fruit and vegetables, packets of jelly, bonbons, tea. Think of something you would like in a hamper and give that – you know it will be giving joy to someone at Christmas. Thankyou to everyone who supports this each year, and to those who have already donated items for this Christmas. Please leave your donation at the high school office. Summer Holiday Reading No Christmas holiday is complete without a stack of books by your bed and a talking book in the car. So come up to the library and get yourself organised with books that will take you to different worlds, different countries and into someone else‘s shoes. Go to the school’s website to view a slideshow of the ZoosnooZ excursion. We‘re on the Web! View online at www.coonabarabranhigh.com 7 COONABARABRAN HIGH SCHOOL SCHOOL BLUE AWARDS, 2014 "Nomination Forms" for the Coonabarabran High School P&C Blue Awards can be obtained from the receptionist at the High School. Nominations close Wednesday, 3.00pm, 26 November 2014 and can be returned to the High School Office. To be eligible the person nominated must be a student at Coonabarabran High School. Teams may also be nominated. The criteria for consideration for an Award is for outstanding achievement in a school-based or school-related activity, in any of the following areas: 1 ACADEMIC - HSC ATAR Result 95 or higher Top 10 in HSC State Subject List (HSC Awards will apply to students of the previous years HSC) A minimum of 3 High Distinctions in National or International Competitions in different subject areas 2 SPORTING 3 OTHER FIELDS OF ENDEAVOUR 1st, 2nd or 3rd at State/National level or attainment of excellence consistent with the rigor above eg Whitlam Institute National Writing Competition, HSC Selection for participation in ArtExpress State tour, Design/Industrial Technology display Powerhouse Museum and Music Encore Concert at the Sydney Opera House. - 1st, 2nd or 3rd in State Competitions State or National Individual or Team Representative Note: Consideration will be dependent on the number and quality of competitors in the nominated field of endeavour, and provided such achievement also reflects positive attitudes and participation in the school community. 60 seconds…. My name is… Ben Yarnold My nickname is… Benny Babes My friends tell me… you used to be so innocent My favourite movie is… Zombie Land My favourite song is… Mama Ain‘t Proud—Guy Sebastian with 2chainz It scares me, but I‘d love to… fly a jet The best advice I‘ve been given was… I want no mediocre My favourite place other than Coona is… home in Newcastle My funniest memory is… when I was little I had pants we called ‗bubba pants‘ and I came off a slide and got them all muddy If I could change one thing in the world, it would be… to give pigs wings I have never understood… hash tags I am happiest when… I‘m playing games I would cry if I lost… my xbox The hardest thing I‘ve done was… sending my ipad away for 2 weeks If I was Prime Minister I would… wear a cape and be ‗Mr Minister‘ If I was reincarnated I would come back as a… zombie, just to shake things up. School has been… too long When I grow up I want to be … the fuzz Year 7 Discover the ‘Puzzle the Warrumbungles’ Miss Moore‘s very lucky Year 7 Science class ventured out into the Warrumbungles for a day of trekking and geological discovery with the aim of figuring out how some of the geological features of the Warrumbungles formed those many, many years ago (around 14 million). The students were also provided the opportunity to test out their skills in the ancient art of napping (making stone tools). They got to use their tools to peel some oranges and there were some very impressive results. Any words of wisdom?… ‗nothing is true, everything is permitted‘ We‘re on the Web! View online at www.coonabarabranhigh.com 8 2014 Australian Mathematics Competition Results YOUR TIME STARTS NOW… The Australian Mathematics Competition was held last term and the following students achieved some very sound results: My earliest memory is… playing in the snow at our farm—Breeza ‗64. Proficiency Certificates Brittany Doolan (Year 7) Angus Lambert (Year 7) Daisy Andrews (Year 9) My school report usually said… needs to apply himself more. My first relationship was… with a horse (plutonic of course!) I don’t like talking about…. Dying. My most treasured possession is… my health. My mother always told me… stop picking on your sister. In the movie of my life, I’d be played by… Paul Hogan. I wish I had… the GT Falcon I didn‘t buy for $4000—now worth $250,000. I wish I hadn’t… got so sunburnt when I was a kid (Melanoma is a curse) Credit Certificates Hannah Deshon (Year 7) Sam Edwards (Year 10) Sara Hincks, Stephen Sanders & David Tighe (Year 11) Kevin Lee and Clayton McKinnon (Year 12). Congratulations to all these students as well as the other students who participated in this competition. My most humiliating moment was… asking Year 2s how to use a computer. My guiltiest pleasure is… driving fast cars, while eating chocolate. My happiest moment was… the birth of my two sons. At home I cook… only when I can‘t con my wife into it. My last meal would be… mum‘s roast lamb. My favourite gadget is… TV remote. I am very bad at… computers. When I was a child I wanted to … grow up. The book that changed my life is… How to hot-rod a chev 350 V8 by Smokey Unick If I could live anywhere I’d choose… Coona—love it here! It’s not fashionable but I love… burning fossil fuel (racing) My worst trait is… forgetting things. My best trait is… waking up and remembering things at 2.30am Friends say I am… handy. If I wasn’t me I’d like to be … Hugh Jackman (mans got it all) The song I’d like played at my funeral is… Monty Python‘s Bright Side of Life or AC/DC Highway to Hell—depending on my mood at time of my passing. It scares me, but I love to… play practical jokes on my wife. If I could change one thing in the world it would be… poverty. My greatest fear is… speaking to an audience or in public. If only I could…make it rain. The hardest thing I’ve ever done was… comfort my wife at childbirth (I needed the gas) I relax by… watching sport. What I don’t find amusing is… advertising. I’m always being asked… to fix things. My favourite place in the world… with family. At the moment I’m listening to… the ceiling fan! Must fix that! My favourite work of art is… the latest drawing by my 8 year old granddaughter, usually stuck on the fridge. My most rewarding job was… teacher‘s aide—special kids. Kevin Keeler is our General Assistant. North West Tennis – Third at CHS Jack Masman travelled to The Illawarra Tennis club in week 5 as a member of the North West Boys Tennis Team and came home with a bronze medal. The team contested the Combined High Schools interregional carnival where teams representing all 10 sporting regions play off to determine the champion region. Playing in Pool A North West defeated Sydney West, Hunter and Riverina and lost to eventual winners Sydney North. This meant that they finished second in their pool and qualified for the semi finals. Their semi final match was against Sydney South West which they lost putting them in to a play off for third and fourth. In this game they came up against Sydney East and after all matches were completed each region had won six sets. This meant the result was decided by the number of games won with North West finishing on top by 54 games to 49 Winning a CHS medal is an outstanding achievement and Jack was a part of North Wests best performance for a number of years. We‘re on the Web! View online at www.coonabarabranhigh.com 9 Indonesian language competition winners Earlier this year, students from Coonabarabran High school participated in an annual writing competition organised by the Indonesian Language Teachers Association of NSW and the Australian Indonesian Association in conjunction with the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia. The competition was open to all students of Indonesian in NSW schools. The judges were very impressed by the high standard of entries submitted by Coonabarabran High School. I have it on good authority that the Consul General of Indonesia, who was a judge in this competition, was particularly interested with the rural aspect of our students work. The work itself was an electronic storybook entitled ‗Sekitar Kota Saya‘ which means Around My Town. I am really delighted to announce that Jackson Sulter won 1st place, Brodie Draper won 2nd place and Kate Masman received a High Commendation all in the Stage 4 category. I would also like to congratulate Mackensie Newton, Charles Knight and Jarrod Lambert for their participation in the competition. Terima Kasih semua MERRY XMAS FROM THE CANTEEN In the first weekend of November a small choral group travelled to Sydney. Accompanied by Miss Suthons and Miss Sullivan, the four girls joined a massed choir of Secondary School student choirs and Adults‘ Choirs to participate in an annual music performance at the Sydney Town Hall. The CHS girls were Rhiannon Robinson, Annabelle Park, Hayley Martin and Gabrielle Webster. A larger number of students had started to participate in the choir but found the lunchtime rehearsals did not suit them. The girls in the Choral Ensemble worked diligently over two terms as there was a lot of challenging music to learn. Included in the program were: The Polovstian Dances by Borodin, Communion – a movement from Peter Sculthorpe‘s Requiem, and six Gospel Songs. We also sang the traditional carol O Come All Ye Faithful as the final piece. This song was accompanied by the Town Hall organ, an 80 piece orchestra and the entire audience, so we certainly tried to lift the roof off the Sydney Town Hall! The program also included SaintSaen‘s Organ Symphony which many people would recognise as one of the themes in the movie Babe. The concert was quite wonderful as the music mentioned took up only the second half of the program. The first part of the concert was given to a massed primary schools‘ choir interspersed with excellent items which included a string orchestra, and choral ensemble and a virtuoso performance on a traditional Chinese instrument. The concert was quite inspiring and good fun for all involved. Although rehearsals took up a large part of Saturday (at Chatswood High School) and Sunday (in the Sydney Town Hall) we still managed to visit three different shopping centres, walk along the path looking at the ―Sculptures by the Sea‖ and enjoy a dinner out before the concert. Thanks go to Jenny Sullivan for her wonderful driving in Sydney, and sharing the driving with Di Suthons to and from Coona. The Concert is organised by a team of music teachers led by Mal Hewitt. This is a non-profit organisation which uses the small ticket prices and raffle tickets sold in the evening of the concert to raise money for Westmead Children‘s Hospital. This year we have managed to raise over $20,000 for the Music Therapy unit at the hospital. This is a lovely result when we have worked diligently and consistently in rehearsals and had the fun of performance. Di Suthons Julie, Sue, Belinda and Vicki and the canteen committee would like to wish all the volunteers who have given their time and valuable culinary skills throughout the year in the canteen, a wonderful Christmas full of health and happiness. We really appreciate our volunteers who help to make our canteen run smoothly and help create a healthy canteen menu for the staff and students. Our 2015 canteen roster will be available on line before the end of term with rosters also being sent home. We are looking forward to the new year in the canteen with lots of new volunteers putting their hand up to come and work with us to assist in making our canteen a gastronomical Centre of Excellence. Go to the school’s website to view a slideshow of Celebration Sing Out. We‘re on the Web! View online at www.coonabarabranhigh.com 10 RFS School Cadet Program Throughout Term 3, the Rural Fire Service ran the RFS Secondary School Cadet Program here at Coonabarabran High School. This program was open to students from Years 9, 10 and 11 who had an interest in the Rural Fire Service. Eighteen students took part in the ten week program which involved briefings, group discussions and practical exercises which were coordinated by RFS volunteers from surrounding Brigades. The core of the program was delivered in a practical environment, without the use of live fire and covered the following areas of training: • Basic Safety • Understanding and appreciation of fire behaviour • Communication • Identification, use and care of equipment • Basic techniques in fire fighting • Developing leadership, teamwork and initiative skills • Fostering qualities of community responsibility and service Students enjoyed the opportunity to learn new and valuable skills as they participated in interesting and challenging training. Go to the school’s website to view a slideshow of the Cadet Program & Chatswood High visit. Chatswood Intensive English High School On Tuesday, 25 November 2014, 20 students from the Chatswood Intensive English High School arrived for a three day excursion. They were warmly welcomed by Year 10 students with an afternoon tea and a tour of our school. Our visitors were from a variety of non-English speaking backgrounds and are a combination of international students and refugees. Mr Draper, with support from staff and Year 11, joined Chatswood students for a tour of the Sculptures in the Scrub. That evening at the Warrumbungle Mountain Motel, Donna Burton provided a most informative slide show and telescope viewing, following a BBQ dinner. The following morning, our visitors shared their experiences with Year 11 English students by providing accounts of their lives and an understanding of why people might need to seek refuge from their countries of origin. This seminar supported the HSC students with the new Area of Study, Discovery. Our students were also enriched by receiving lectures from Chatswood teachers in Chinese, German and Japanese. Additionally, our guests were treated to enriching hands-on activities with Coonabarabran students, including Indigenous art and culture provided by Paddy Chatfield, abseiling with Phil Draper, agriculture with Mrs Hawkins, sport with Ms Crossingham, and an African drumming workshop with Ms Suthons that was subsequently presented at our farewell assembly. The final evening was spent at Pilliga Pottery with Maria‘s generous hospitality and providing our visitors with a tour, demonstration and delicious wood fired pizzas. This visit, although very short, made a significant impact upon our students and staff and we look forward to visiting Chatswood students in Sydney next year. We‘re on the Web! View online at www.coonabarabranhigh.com