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 5
Friday 4 April, 2014
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT This will be the last newsletter for Term 1, so I thank students, staff & parents for a great start to the year. Year 7 have settled particularly well into our school and are getting a reputation for being a wonderful group of students and I look forward to watching their progress. We have also seen a revitalised P&C start the year. I hope this continues into the future, with even more new members. Tuesday night saw our first Parent/Teacher interviews for the year. It was great to see so many interested and supportive parents present. It proved to be a great opportunity to discuss how well students have settled back into school and any areas where improvement can be made. ANZAC Day will again correspond with school holidays. As is our ongoing practice at Cowra High, we will commemorate this important day with two events. Cowra High will march with the community on ANZAC Day ~ I encourage all students who are available to meet at the Services Club on ANZAC Day to march with their fellow students. We will conduct our solemn commemorative assembly on Wednesday 30 April. Cowra High has been approached by a group of Cowra Christian churches regarding the introduction of scripture lessons for Year 7 students. Legislation allows approved providers the opportunity to deliver scripture lessons in all State schools. As such, if you indicated your child’s denomination to be Australian Christian Churches, Anglican, Baptist, Roman Catholic, Christian Outreach Centre, Presbyterian, Salvation Army or Uniting, he/she will start scripture lessons in Week 2 of Term 2. If you do not want your child to participate, please indicate in writing to the school. Similarly, if your child’s denomination is different to those listed and you want your child to participate, please do so in writing. An outline of the curriculum covered by the scripture lessons can be found at: www.genr8.org.au/portal/Genr8_SRE_Curriculum_Outline_201307101.pdf
Our annual Athletics Carnival will be held on Friday 11 April (last day of Term 1). Please encourage your students to participate in this great event. Every year those students who get involved have a great time ~ of course parents are always welcome to come down to the park and support their children. Have a peaceful and relaxing holiday. Charles Gauci
B E F O R E
Congratulations Daniel White Year 12 for taking part in the World’s Greatest Shave, a fundraising event for the Leukaemia Foundation. He raised almost $3,000 ~ well done.
A F T E R
DATES TO REMEMBER Friday 11 April Athletics Carnival Monday 28 April School Development Day ~ students not required to attend Tuesday 29 April Students return for Term 2 7/8/9 May School Musical 13/14/15 May NAPLAN Testing
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 continuous improvement ~ we can get better
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COWRA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
WYANGALA DAM UPGRADE PROJECT On 18 March 40 Geography & History students went on an excursion to Wyangala Dam to see the new upgrade project. Michael Tree from State Water & Mark Eastwood from John Holland Construction began with an interesting PowerPoint presentation on the history of the dam and the current upgrade. This was followed by an ‘up close and personal tour’ of the project and concluded with a scrumptious BBQ hosted by John Holland Construction.
JO CLANCY ABORIGINAL DANCE WORKSHOPS For the last three Wednesdays, Wiradjuri dance teacher ~ Jo Clancy, has been teaching a group of girls from Years 7 to 10 at Cowra High plus others from Cowra Public and Mulyan Public some new Aboriginal dances. These workshops have been funded by Arts OutWest. Jo has selected a group of girls from the workshops to perform at the opening ceremony of the Catapult Festival in Bathurst next week. This will be held in Heritage Park on the banks of the Macquarie River on Tuesday 8 April at 7pm and will see the girls perform a Clearing dance, a River dance and the Duck & Platypus dance. It is a real honour to be chosen to perform at this prestigious event.
It was an amazing day! Lexi Holland & Joshua Tarrant ~ Year 10
QUANTUM LEAP in BOUNDLESS
Students had a close up view of the dam’s 8 spillway gates
Thalia Nelligan of Year 11 & Hope Martin-Edgar Year 9 have successfully auditioned for the QL2 performance of Boundless. It is a triple bill, with three related but contrasting short works. Thalia & Hope travel to Canberra every Sunday to collaborate and rehearse with other students under the expert guidance & tuition of Artistic Director, Ruth Osborne, and specialised choreographers Danielle Micich, James Batchelor & Dean Cross. Our students are very fortunate to be able to access such high order artistic works and choreographers. We wish Thalia & Hope all the best for the performance and encourage everyone to come along and support them. The performance is on at the Playhouse Theatre in Canberra on Thursday 31 July, Friday 1 & Saturday 2 August 2014.
State Waters & John Holland employees joined the students for lunch
For more information and bookings contact QL2 on: 6247 3103 or email admin@QL2.org.au.
Thalia & Hope
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 MILLENNIUM PARENT PORTAL Millennium Parent Portal is the gateway for students & parents, allowing for the improved learning, attendance monitoring and sharing of resources & information. From home, or on the way to school, students can review their daily timetable, and examine lesson plans in preparation for class. Parents can monitor their children's attendance and welfare issues, as well as review reports, commendations & awards. Staff can also create Lesson Plans and a scope-and-sequence for students to review and plan for.
Proudly pres ente Cowra High S d by chool at the Cowra Civic Centre Wednesday 7 May @ 7pm Thursday 8 May @ 7pm Friday 9 May @ 7pm
Tickets $10 av ailable Be quick as se at the school office ats are limited !
• • • • • •
Student Timetable Real-time Attendance Summary Welfare & Achievement Summary Student Classes & Teacher Assessment Marks linked to related Resources Semester Reports
The Millennium Portal will be available from Term 2 to any parent who has paid the voluntary contribution for their student/s and has supplied Miss Heilman with their email address. HARMONY DAY Friday 21 March was Harmony Day ~ a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home, from the traditional owners of this land to those who have come from many countries around the world. This year’s theme, Everyone Belongs, was aimed at furthering understanding of how all Australians from diverse racial, cultural & ethnic backgrounds equally belong to this nation and enrich it. To celebrate Harmony Day, Cowra Neighbourhood Centre organised a morning tea for people from the many different cultural groups living in Cowra, with each group asked to supply food from their culture. Cowra High School sent representatives of the Aboriginal community ~ student Jesse Murray and staff members Robyn Coffey & Lynda Coe. They took yummy orange & wattleseed muffins which joined an array of wonderful dishes from many other countries.
In all, there are 73 students who make up the actors, musicians & dancers. Tickets will be on sale at the start of Term 2.
Jesse Murray & Lynda Coe with Orange & Wattleseed Muffins
Seats are strictly limited so it’s best to get your tickets early!
PO Box 72 • Dowell Street • Cowra 2794 • Telephone: 02 6342 1766 • Facsimile: 02 6342 1578 • Email: cowra-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
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COWRA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER P&C MEETING
An interesting meeting of the P&C was held on 5 March at the Services Club. We had a good attendance and Paul Bullock read out the Principal's report & answered any questions. He spoke about the new Millennium Parent Portal - an internet based program providing parents with a number of key areas relating to their child. Areas that will be accessible include reports, attendance & incidents. This system is still being developed at the moment and it is hoped will be available soon. Mr Bullock also talked about the draft Reporting Policy and Procedures. This policy articulates how reports are to the completed by teachers for added consistency and appropriateness. It removes the variations of reporting for students in Years 7 to Year 10 with all using an A to E scale as per primary school, with Life Skills and Vet courses having a "Working Towards" type comment. The Board of Studies however stipulates that all Year 11 & 12 students must have a ranking system, so rankings will appear on their reports. Importantly it should be noted that school numbers are down. As this dictates staffing levels, this has impacted staffing numbers. In an attempt to minimise the impact, the school is trying to limit the effect to temporary staff only. Let’s hope that numbers increase in the future.
Congratulations to Maddison Brooks of Year 7 who won the first $50 voucher supplied by new PBL sponsor Bushmans Boots & All
The P&C also organised a stall for the Festival of International Understanding and a number of keen people on the night volunteered - thank you to all! Gai ~ Secretary
These students received their Gold Card at a recent assembly PBL winners from Wednesday’s assembly were Matthew Booker of Year 7 with a $50 voucher from Bushmans Boots & All + Kiesha Williams of Year 7 with a $50 Visa Card from Mr Embroidery
SOCIAL Wednesday 9 April 7 - 10pm Theme: Tropical Tickets on sale in A3, Lunch 1 ~ $6 No tickets sold on the night
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
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CAMDEN VISIT ORGANISATION Preparations are well under way for Cowra’s visit to Camden High on Wednesday 4 June and returning on Friday 6 June to contest the 43rd running of the Montgomery Shield. Students will be billeted for the duration of the visit. Most teams are currently finalising their selections ~ it is hoped that all teams will be organised before the end of term. All students selected to travel to Camden need to collect an excursion package from Mr Johnstone. This has several forms that need to be completed including a parental permission form, commitment to billet Camden students in 2015 form and an optional sport shirt order form which closes on 16 May (Mr Johnstone has sport shirts to try on for sizing if required). All notes and money need to be returned to the front office by 26 May. Students who do not meet note return deadlines may be culled from the trip. Any student requesting a particular Camden student to billet them must formally request this in writing to Mr Johnstone. Note that we do not accept billet requests to stay with another Cowra High student as these are too difficult to match up with host families. A program of events is included in this newsletter. Any queries should be directed to Mr Johnstone.
CHS KNOCKOUT GIRLS TENNIS Last Tuesday four senior girls travelled to Orange to play Round 1 of the Girls Tennis Knockout Competition against Orange High School. The competition was one that displayed great sportsmanship and friendly rivalry. It was held at the Indoor Tennis Centre and although our girls played their best, we were generally outclassed on this occasion. Milly Boland managed to hold on for a win in her singles match (7-5), however the other Cowra High girls were not so successful. Orange High now goes on to play Parkes High in Round 2, and we wish them well in their endeavour.
Milly Boland, Laura Cummings, Sam Nicholson & Monique Gillespie with coach Ms St Clair
CHS STATE SWIMMING Next week Sydney Olympic Park hosts the annual Combined High School (CHS) State Swimming Championships. Once again Cowra High will be well represented by a number of dedicated swimmers. The Cowra High swimming squad performed exceptionally well in the recent Regional Trials in Dubbo, resulting in 11 swimmers qualifying for the State Titles. Swimming is a tough sport demanding constant training. These results are testament to all the hard work put in during the past six months. All the best to Jade Browne, Lucy Clements, Meg Downey, Matt Dun, Taniesha Kurtz, Georgia Lewis, Bede Leyland, Paddy Ryan, Jade Te Weehi, Lochie Wilson & Lucy Wilson ~ give it your best shot! I would like to thank the local coaches Kerry Lewis, Di Browne & Jane Gillham. Thank you also to all the parents who made the trek to Dubbo to support our swimmers ~ I look forward to seeing you all poolside next week in Sydney. And lastly I wish to thank outgoing Year 12 swimmer Finlay Rowston for his efforts over the years. Well done mate ~ a great team man. Good luck in the future! Sean Leyland
Congratulations to the girls who represented Cowra High and who were outstanding in playing with the core values of respect and responsibility clearly displayed in their behaviour on the day. Thanks to Milly Boland, Laura Cummings, Sam Nicholson & Monique Gillespie. Di St Clair Girls Tennis Coach
PO Box 72 • Dowell Street • Cowra 2794 • Telephone: 02 6342 1766 • Facsimile: 02 6342 1578 • Email: cowra-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
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COWRA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER FUTSAL CHAMPIONS
COWRA JUNIOR SOCCER
Recently Cowra High School sent two teams to the Regional Championships in Bathurst ~ Under 16 Boys and Open Boys. As ever the competition was fierce and very physical. It is a demanding sport, non-stop action and not for the faint hearted.
Registrations for Saturday morning junior soccer will be at Edgell Park on: Friday 4 April, 5-6pm Saturday 5 April, 9–12 noon (a late fee of $10 will apply after this date) Registration & payment can be done online through myfootballclub.com.au
Both teams played extremely well and managed to win their respective competitions. Cowra High is quickly forging itself an excellent reputation in this sport. This means that both teams now travel to Sydney during Term 3 to compete in the NSW State Titles. This is an excellent result for Cowra High and the boys who deserve all the praise they get. A big thank you to the parents who came along to help with travel and offer their support on the day ~ it was greatly appreciated. I am looking forward to the State Titles in a few months time. Sean Leyland ~ Coach
Cost: 5s to 8s ~ $60 9s to 16s ~ $90 A discount is available for families registering more than 3 children For any enquiries email registrar@cowrasoccer.org.au PCYC COWRA Laser Tag Laser Tag runs on Wednesday nights at the Young Road complex commencing at 5.30pm. Cost is $5 per player and you must be a PCYC member to attend.
Open Boys ~ Jasper Dezorzi, Bede Leyland, Brad Wright, Alex Lazarou, Walker Carter, Brad Napoli & Lucas Hayes
A Laser Tag Gala Day will be held on Saturday 5 April with 45 minute sessions commencing on the hour from 10am, with the last session commencing at 3pm. You must book your place as spaces are limited to a maximum of 12 players per session (6 players per team). Cost will be $5 per player per session. This is an opportunity to get a group of friends together, form a couple of teams and book a timeslot to battle each other with tactics, stealth and teamwork. Junior Basketball The junior basketball will again be offered on both Monday & Wednesday afternoons in Term 2. This will consist of coaching sessions & games to develop and improve the skills of the younger players. The cost for junior basketball will be $30 per player per term for those attending once a week, or you can book for both days for $50 for the school term. Mens Basketball PCYC is hoping to start a regular Mens Wednesday night basketball competition on 7 May. Nomination forms are available at the Young Road complex, so start organising your teams now as nominations close on 29 April. Competition fees are $60 per player aged 18+ & $45 per player aged U18.
U16s ~ Oliver Carter, Toby Baker, Sean Leyland, Will Baker, Ethan Willis, Jarrod Proctor, Cameron White, Gidail Bakini, Brandon Dickerson & Angus McFarland
PCYC Membership You must be a PCYC member to participate in any of the PCYC activities ~ yearly membership is $5 for U18s & $10 for ages 18+.
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
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CAMDEN – COWRA PROGRAM 2014 WEDNESDAY 4 JUNE 2.00 – 2.15
Cowra Arrives
2.15 – 2.50
Welcome Assembly / Billets Distributed
6.00 – 7.00
Junior Rugby League – Kirkham Park
7.00 – 8.15
Senior Rugby League – Kirkham Park
THURSDAY 5 JUNE TIME
ONSLOW NARELLAN DANCE OVAL TURF STUDIO Roll Call Normal Rooms (Cowra in Library) (Camden - Snr Girls Soccer, Jnr Boys Basketball & Jnr Debate go straight to venue) Assembly
OVAL
HALL
LIBRARY
9.00 to 10.10
Senior Girls Soccer
Junior Boys Basketball
Start 8.40am Junior Debate Preparation
10.10 to 11.20
Junior Girls Soccer
Senior Girls Netball
Junior Debate
11.20 to 12.30
Junior Boys Soccer
Junior Girls Netball
12.30 to 1.40
Senior Boys Soccer
Open Girls Volleyball
Senior Debate Preparation
1.40 to 2.50
Open Girls Softball
Open Boys Volleyball
Senior Debate
8.30 – 8.40am 8.40 – 8.50
Girls Super 8 Cricket Onslow Oval
Open Boys Hockey Narellan Turf 9:30 – 10.40 Open Girls Hockey Narellan Turf 10.40 – 11.50
Dance Showcase
Start 11am Boys 20 / 20 Cricket Onslow Oval
3.00-4.00
Teacher / Year 12 Soccer/ Volleyball – school oval / courts
7pm – 10pm
Social – Camden Civic Centre – Villains and Superheroes theme
FRIDAY 6 JUNE TIME 8.30 – 8.40am 8.40 – 8.50 9.00 to 10.10 10.10 to 11.20 11.20 to 12.35 12.35 – 1.15 1.15 – 2.00
OVAL
HALL
LIBRARY
CAMDEN SOUTH TENNIS COURTS
DANCE STUDIO
Roll Call Normal Rooms (Cowra in Library) (Camden - Snr Mixed Oz Tag & Jnr Girls Basketball go straight to venue) Assembly Senior Mixed Oztag Junior Mixed Oztag Open Boys Softball
Junior Girls Basketball Senior Girls Basketball Senior Boys Basketball
Senior & Junior Chess Junior Super Quiz Senior Super Quiz
Junior & Senior Boys & Girls Tennis
Lunch – Cowra Students to Hospitality Rooms (B Block) Farewell Assembly & Cowra Departs
Theatre Sports (2 points) 10 – 11am Dance Performances & Musical Performance (no points)