Our Mission: To provide a quality comprehensive and inclusive educational environment where all students can achieve Newsletter also on the web at www.cowra-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Principal: Charles Gauci B.Ed., Dip.T. Deputy Principal: Paul Bullock B.Sc., Dip.Ed. Deputy Principal: Ian Pattingale B.App.Sc., Dip.Ed.
Volume 2014 Issue 13
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT Congratulations to Caitlin Devery & Drew Johnstone and Laura Rowston & Matthew Rowston our new Captains and Vice Captains elect. I am looking forward to working closely with these fine young people. I also pass on my congratulations to all the Year 11 Prefects who put themselves forward for these leadership roles. When I saw the list of candidates, I knew regardless of who was elected, I would be working with outstanding young people.
Friday 5 September, 2014 move into the HSC exam period, it is important students maintain balance. There will be many distractions over the next few weeks and it is vital students maintain their study routines while still allowing for down time. Physical activity such as a walk or organised sport is an ideal way to de-stress and refocus. Similarly Year 11 students are moving into their examination period. The same advice as above is also relevant, though it is time to really knuckle down and increase the study hours. I pass my congratulations on to Mr Hughes & his Year 12 music class. On Tuesday night, the Year 12 students put on a wonderful performance of their HSC major works. Students sang, played piano, guitar and saxophone. It was fantastic and a great insight into the variety of talent Cowra High has. I look forward to these students receiving well deserved HSC results ~ best of luck in your upcoming performance exams. The school has had a report of chicken pox with one of our students. At this stage we have only had the one case reported, but it is important to keep an eye out for symptoms and to seek medical advice if you believe your child could be infected. Please do not send your child to school until a doctor has given the OK if you believe he/ she might have chicken pox.
Matt Rowston, Drew Johnstone, Mr Gauci, Caitlin Devery & Laura Rowston
As mentioned in the last newsletter, the CKC Cup ran over the last fortnight. This initiative is designed purely to promote sportsmanship and good relationships between the three schools involved. I am pleased to report these goals were fully met, with students & staff indicating all games were played in good spirits. Last week Year 12 Industrial Technology Timber and Drama students completed the practical component of their HSC exams. Although marks won’t be known until all HSC results are released, I know all students are relieved to have one part out of the way. As we
The Cowra Show is just around the corner. We consider our involvement in the Show to be an important part of our involvement in the Cowra community. It has been our practice for all students to attend a school excursion to the Show. In order for students to attend, it is vital the permission note is returned. I take this opportunity to encourage you to visit our stall at the Show. Our team has been hard at work developing something special. Have a great fortnight. Charles Gauci
Better education for all young and old, big and small
PO Box 72 • Dowell Street • Cowra 2794 • Telephone: 02 6342 1766 Facsimile: 02 6342 1578 • Email: cowra-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au We value risk taking ~ we learn by trying something new
Page 2
COWRA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER BREAKAWAY PROGRAM
The Year 9 & 10 students who have been involved in the interagency TVET Breakaway Program this year are nearing the end of their 2014 course. They have been attending every Thursday from mid Term 1. The students & their parents are invited to attend the Presentation Ceremony which will be held on Thursday 18 September at The Knoll Restaurant situated at Cowra TAFE, starting at 10am. While the boys & girls have largely followed separate programs, a few units were common to both, such as excursions to the local Police Station, an Aboriginal heritage walk at Wentworth Falls, the RAGE Anger Management Program and presentations by local Aboriginal community members. Both groups have also produced digital stories using photographs taken during the year which will be shown at the Presentation Ceremony. The focus of the boy’s program has been working on restoring both the engine and body of a Holden one-ton ute under the guidance of TAFE Automotive teacher, Tony Graham. They also prepared & painted a didgeridoo with Dean Murray and were rewarded with a special excursion to Canberra where they enjoyed ten pin bowling and go-karting. Meanwhile the girls have completed an art project under the guidance of artist Nyree Reynolds and basket weaving with Aleshia Lonsdale, plus sessions on skincare, makeup and hairdressing. They enjoyed an excursion to Black Fella Hands near Lithgow and travelled to Orange TAFE to have their hair cut, styled & coloured by apprentice hairdressers. They also have completed units on women’s health and the Core of Life program which covered pregnancy and birth. Particular thanks goes to Sue Willoughby of Cowra TAFE who has co-ordinated this year’s program and to Cowra High’s Robyn Coffey & Rod Eastwood who have supervised, accompanied and greatly helped the students with all activities.
Boys and girls with PCYC officers after the RAGE program
PO Box 72 • Dowell Street • Cowra 2794 • Telephone: 02 6342 1766 • Facsimile: 02 6342 1578 • Email: cowra-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
COWRA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
Page 3
STUDY SKILLS TIP FOR SEPTEMPER MULTI-TASKING
to 59% longer to read the passage – and that was with the time spent messaging subtracted!
Even though parents & teachers tell students that multi -tasking is not an effective way to work, sometimes students just don’t believe them! They think they are different, they think it is just something parents & teachers say with no evidence. So here are some academic research studies to demonstrate to students where the proof is coming from to show that multitasking personal activities and schoolwork just doesn’t work.
Research Study 4 Fried, C. B. (2008). In-class laptop use and its effects on student learning. Computers and Education, 50 (3), 906914. Students in a psychology course completed weekly surveys on their use of laptops during class. The study found that the more students used their laptops in class the lower was their performance and their understanding of the lectures.
Research Study 1 Ellis, Y., Daniels, W. and Jauregui, A. (2010). The effect of multitasking on the grade performance of business students. Research in Higher Education Journal, 8http://www.aabri.com/ manuscripts/10498.pdf In this study, 62 university students were taking an accounting course. During a lecture, half were allowed to text and half had their phones turned off. After the lecture there was a quiz and those students who did not text scored much higher marks than those who were texting at the same time that they were trying to listen to the lecture.
Learn more this year about how to improve your results and be more efficient and effective with your schoolwork by working through the units on www.studyskillshandbook.com.au. You can download blocking software from the Dealing with Distractions unit.
Research Study 2 Kraushaar, J. M. and Novak, D. C. (2010). Examining the affects of student multitasking with laptops during lecture. Journal of Information Systems Education, 21 (2), 241-251. In this study 97 students were using laptops during a 15 week management information systems course. A spyware program had been installed on all laptops to track what students did on their laptop looking at productive work versus distractive software (games, instant messages, web browsing, social media). Students who tried to listen to the lecture while using these distractive windows had significantly lower scores on homework, projects, quizzes, final exams and final course averages. The researchers also found that students under reported the extent of their multitasking – this means they were actually multi-tasking much more than they even realised.
FREE GRADUATED LICENSING SCHEME WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS OF LEARNER DRIVERS
Research Study 3 Bowman, L. L., Levine, L. E., Waite, B. M. and Dendron, M. (2010). Can students really multitask? An experimental study of instant messaging while reading. Computers & Education, 54, 927-931. Students in a psychology course had to read on their computer screen a 4000 word document. There were 3 groups. One used instant messaging before they started reading, one used instant messaging while they were reading, and a third group just read the document with no instant messaging. The group who did instant messaging while they were reading took between 22%
Our school’s access details are: Username: Password:
cowrahs 174results
Young drivers are three times more likely to be involved in casualty crashes. That's why the RMS has introduced a new licensing scheme, with more supervised driving practice for learner drivers. To help parents in supervising learner drivers, the RMS has set up a free 2 hour workshop for parents and offers practical advice on how to help learner drivers become safer drivers. The free parents' workshop will be hosted by David Riches on Wednesday 22 October at the Cowra Services Club from 5.30 – 7.30 pm. Early bookings are essential: Phone ~ 0434 964 764 now to reserve your place, or Email ~ saferlearnerdrivers@gmail.com
PO Box 72 • Dowell Street • Cowra 2794 • Telephone: 02 6342 1766 • Facsimile: 02 6342 1578 • Email: cowra-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Page 4
COWRA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER LITTLE ATHLETICS Little Athletics 2014/2015 season is about to begin. Registrations will be held at Twigg Oval on: Saturday 13 September from 10am-12 noon Saturday 20 September from 10am-12noon Thursday 9 October from 4pm-6pm Or online at laansw.com.au Fees are: $85 per athlete from U6 - U17 $80 for 3rd and subsequent athlete $75 for Tiny Tots group (child must be born before 1 October 2011)
Join us for our open day: Saturday 6 September! 9am ~ 2pm Student Offer: $150 for 3 months*
Curves Cowra ~ 6341 4140 80 Kendal Street
The season will begin on Thursday 16 October at 5pm. Athletes are to gather near the Little A's shed. Registrations will also be taken on the day. If an athlete has an IGA badge on their shirt from last season, the badge is to be removed. Spikes are only to be used by athletes in the U10 to U17 groups. Shorts must be plain black (no white material or brand name).
* Student membership must be pre-paid * Offer valid for Cowra High School students on 6 September 2014
NSW SPORT & RECREATION CAMPS The best holidays happen at camp ~ from $45 per day you can choose from over 30 exhilarating camps at 10 locations across NSW these school holidays for students aged 5 to 16 years. Have fun experiencing fishing, mountain biking, kayaking, abseiling, crafts, cooking or flying fox.
«
For more information go to www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/ kidscamps or phone 13 13 02.
KIDS CAMPS
The school welcomes a new sponsor of our PBL prizes ~ Eagle Boys Pizza ~ who have donated two pizzas available from their Cowra or Parkes stores.
«
Congratulations to Paige Ellis who picked up one of this week’s prizes.
PO Box 72 • Dowell Street • Cowra 2794 • Telephone: 02 6342 1766 • Facsimile: 02 6342 1578 • Email: cowra-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
COWRA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
Page 5
\
Available Daily Mini Quiche ~ $1.00 Chicko Roll ~ $2.00 ½ Salad Wrap ~ $2.50 Noodle Cup ~ $2.50 Sausage Roll ~ $2.50 Ham & Cheese Croissants ~ $3.00 Fresh Sushi ~ $3.00 Chicken Salad Roll ~ $4.00 Hot Dog ~ $2.50 Hot Dog w/ Cheese ~ $3.00 Chicken Burger ~ $3.50 Chicken Gravy Roll ~ $3.50 Breakfast Menu 8:30-8:55am Daily Assorted Toasted Sandwiches Toast Pizza Roundas ~ $2.50 Toasted Ham and Cheese Croissants ~ $3.00 Bacon and Egg Quiche ~ $1.00 Milo, Tea and Coffee ~ $1.00
See the Canteen for Daily fresh baking... Cookies, Muffins, Slices, Cupcakes $1.00 Banana Bread, Donuts $1.50
Drinks Poppers ~ $1.00 Water ~ $2.00 Small Juice ~ $2.50 Large Juice ~ $3.50 Plain Milk ~ $1.80 Small Flavoured Milk ~ $2.50 Large Flavoured Milk ~ $4.00 Milkshakes ~ $4.00 Dare Iced Coffee ~ $4.50
Available for order every day
Assorted Sandwiches Plain Beef Burger $3.50 Beef Burger w/ Salad $4.00 Chicken Burger w/ Salad $4.00 Chicken Caesar Salad $4.00 Sweet Chilli Chicken Wrap $3.50 Wedges w/ Sweet Chilli & Sour Cream Soup of the Day w/ Roll
Nachos Pizza Single Pizza Roundas 5 Chicken Nuggets 10 Chicken Chips
$3.00 $2.50 $2.50 $2.00 $2.00 $3.00 $3.50