Our Mission: To provide a quality comprehensive and inclusive educational environment where all students can achieve Newsletter also on the web at cowrahigh.net 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 2015 Issue 10
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT It’s hard to believe we are half way through 2015, but as they say ‘time flies when you’re having fun’ and Term 2 has been full of delights. The students have been involved in numerous sporting, artistic, community & academic events throughout this semester. I have been proud of our students on so many occasions I have lost count. For the last two weeks Year 12 has been busy completing their trial HSC examinations. I hope all will receive the results that reflect their hard work. It is important for students to utilise these examinations and the related feedback as an assessment of their strengths & areas for improvement. Cowra High students are lucky to be able to benefit from a team of teachers with a combination of substantial experience & innovative practice. Our final week of Term 2 corresponds with schools’ NAIDOC Week celebrations, with the theme, We All Stand on Sacred Ground: Learn, Respect and Celebrate. We commenced the week with the raising of the Aboriginal flag in the company of Aboriginal Elders & parents; Cowra Shire Counsellor, Ray Walsh; Maree Angus, Director Public Schools; Principals from our partner primary schools; approximately 130 primary students; and our own Cowra High Koori students. We were privileged to be Welcomed to Country in Wiradjuri by local Cowra Public School teacher Mr Albert Murray. This was followed by the unveiling of a plague which will be found in all Cowra public schools acknowledging that we stand on Wiradjuri land and then the viewing of our latest school mural. The mural created by Miss Lucy Vaughan and her Wednesday Art group symbolically depicts the connection of the Wiradjuri people with their land. Today will see the entire school engage in the celebrations with a concert highlighting student talent, followed by a BBQ and activities to involve everyone. Traffic matters ~ please be aware that the front of schools at the beginning and end of the day are particularly hectic
Friday 26 June, 2015 and hence increase the risk of accidents. Drivers should always show extreme caution when dropping off or picking up students. The bus zone located at the front of school is strictly a no stopping area from 8am to 9.30am and 2.30pm to 4pm. There have been a number of parents who have recently received fines for parking in this area. I have also noted the Highway Patrol regularly checking Cowra school zones. Please keep in mind that fines and demerit points during nominated School Zone times are substantial. Similarly, the school car park located at the western end of Dowell Street is strictly for staff use ~ this area is not to be used to drop off or pick up students. Have a relaxing and safe two weeks holiday. Charles Gauci ΩΩΩ WEBSITE We have recently added the due dates for all known Assessment Tasks to the calendar section of our Cowra High School website. This initiative came out of discussion at a recent P&C meeting with the aim to provide parents/ caregivers with information that will allow them to support their children to ensure that Assessment Tasks are submitted on time & that they are adequately prepared for any in-class tasks. The dates have been obtained from information provided by each of the Key Learning Areas in the school and will be updated and added to frequently. If you have any doubts or questions about the dates please ask you child to confirm with their teacher or contact the school. Go to http://www.cowrahigh.net/calendar and have a look. You can use the “Categories” drop down menu so that you only see the assessment dates. ΩΩΩ
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 celebration & humour ~ we feel good about ourselves
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COWRA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
NSW YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
COMMERCE CLASS ENJOYS COURT AND CARS
On Thursday 4 June, at 3am Tobie Gilmore & Clover Riches-Farrell travelled to Sydney with Mrs Meiklejohn to attend the NSW Youth Leadership Conference ~ many students from all over state attended but we had to travel the longest distance.
Stage 5 Commerce students recently had the opportunity to see Cowra Local Court in action. On the same day they also received some valuable tips on buying a car from Mr Ron Hattenfels, proprietor of Cowra Toyota.
They had the pleasure of taking a guided tour of Parliament House by the Cootamundra electorate leader, Ms Katrina Hodgkinson, whom they had met many years before. After they had finished watching a Legislative Council debate, Tobie & Clover walked through Sydney to Government House where they were given a guided tour of the magnificent mansion. After the guided tour had finished the students & Mrs Meiklejohn had the honour of meeting and having a long & interesting chat with his Excellency, Mr David Hurley, & his wife who is related to a Cowra citizen! The day was fantastic and very educational according to Tobie and said that he’d gladly do it again.
On Thursday 11 June, the class attended a trial conducted in the Heritage listed court house. Magistrate, Mr Dare, was very accommodating taking time to explain the finer points of the trial itself, as well as the role of local courts in our community. 95% of all court cases in NSW are heard at a local level and in our morning session, Mr Dare dealt with two matters. This was followed by a short trip to Cowra Toyota. Mr Hattenfels explained details on finance to buy a car, which will assist students in the completion of their current assignment and they gained valuable insight into the operation of a local business. Students also had the time to check the new & used cars for sale ~ this will really help with their schoolwork. Students were well engaged in the activities at both venues and their behaviour was a credit to them and their school. Many thanks go to: Mr Hamer who drove the school bus. Miss McAlister who joined us to take the photos for this story. The Magistrate & staff of the Court House, who always make a great effort to ensure our students get the most from their visit. Mr Hattenfels for providing the opportunity to study Cowra Toyota. Glenn Johnson Class Teacher
Above: Clover & Tobie with Ms Katrina Hodgkinson Below: Tobie & Clover outside Government House
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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NAIDOC WEEK
IN PROMINENT COMPANY
Cowra High School kicked off this year’s NAIDOC Week celebrations on Monday.
Year 9 student, Jaylee Dunn, recently had the opportunity to meet two prominent Aboriginal leaders in Professor Mick Dodson, AM and Mick Gooda, who were in Cowra to attend the Justice Reinvestment Forum, where Jaylee delivered the Acknowledgement of Country.
Mr Albert Murray welcomed in Wiradjuri language the gathering of schools from across Cowra & surrounding areas together with dignitaries before Mr Rod Eastwood raised the Aboriginal flag. A new plaque that will adorn the walls of all public schools in the area recognising the Wiradjuri people, who are the traditional custodians of the land, was then unveiled. Those in attendance witnessed the public unveiling of the 2015 mural. Standing proudly in the foreground on the banks of the Lachlan River is a goanna (the Wiradjuri totem) or ‘googa’. The mural, produced by Miss Lucy Vaughan together with students during sport, epitomises the NAIDOC theme We All Stand on Sacred Ground: Learn, Respect and Celebrate which highlights Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples’ strong spiritual & cultural connection to the land & sea.
Professor Dodson, who is the Director of the National Centre for Indigenous Studies at ANU in Canberra cochaired the forum with Councillor Ruth Fagan. He was the Australian of the Year in 2009. Mick Gooda is the current Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner. Cowra is the site of exploratory research being led by Dr Jill Guthrie from ANU to test how Justice Reinvestment could be a possible policy approach. Justice Reinvestment aims to address the underlying causes of crime in order to improve the lives of individuals and communities by redirecting funds from the criminal justice system into prevention and early intervention programs.
Morning tea, featuring a beautifully decorated NAIDOC cake, followed. The NAIDOC concert and activities will take place today.
Cake
Mick Dodson, Jaylee Dunn & Mick Gooda
ΩΩΩ HEADSPACE FUNDRAISER
Plaque
During the Camden exchange, Cowra High’s Prefects decided to raise money for Headspace. We did this by selling Gatorade & water during sporting events and collected gold coins at the social. In total we raised $600 to go towards saving Cowra’s Headspace.
Mural
We thank everyone who contributed and donated to this great cause. Year 11 Prefects ΩΩΩ
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 DEBATING 2015
COWRA YOUTH COUNCIL
The Year 9/10 team, Lucy Wilson, Jackson Oliver, Banyette Bohman, Jemima Sullivan & Olivia Perkins, have just finished their run in the Premier's Debating competition. Despite some excellent arguments in all three of their debates they lost to Forbes High (two teams) & The Henry Lawson High Schools.
Olivia Perkins of Year 9 has been elected Chair of Cowra Youth Council which is a group comprising of Year 7-12 students from Cowra High School & St Raphaels Central School. The Youth Council meets monthly to promote activities & the achievements of Cowra’s youth.
The Year 7/8 team, Rebekah Lazarou, Erika Sullivan & Maddy Niven took on Orange High's two teams and came away with a win and a loss. They still have one debate left against Canowindra and they are keen for more success. Cowra High also competed in the annual NAIDOC debating challenge held at Cowra Public. The team consisted of Imajen James, Jackson Oliver, Lucy Wilson & Jaylee Dunn. Cowra High had won the local Lachlan round for the past four years so the team were very keen to keep up the tradition. Unfortunately they came up against a strong team from Forbes High (who won the state title last year) and they ended up winning on the day. However, we did defeat Henry Lawson High and as runners-up the team goes through to Regionals in Dubbo. The topic for the debate was All sacred lands should be handed back to traditional owners. The team had to prepare both sides of the argument and they were commended for their research and strong and thoughtful points. They are very keen to debate the topic again next term and hopefully experience further success. Inala Childs Debating Coach
As Chair, Olivia will fulfil the role of leading the team to discuss and make decisions to promote the youth of our town. A wonderful achievement Olivia ~ well done and congratulations. Jill Dunk Year 9 Adviser ΩΩΩ SEMESTER 1 REPORTS Cowra High School teachers have been busy writing and finalising Semester 1 Reports for students in Years 7 to 11. These reports were issued to students at Year Meetings yesterday afternoon. Reports will also be made available electronically via the Millennium Portal. If you do not have Millennium access please contact the school with a current email address and access will be provided. ΩΩΩ
TERM 3 DATES Monday 13 July 2015 School Development Day ~ students are not required to attend Tuesday 14 July 2015 Students return
CHANGE OF DETAILS ΩΩΩ
Be cool
Just a reminder how important it is to advise the school of any change of details. This includes change of address, phone numbers, emergency contacts and newly diagnosed medical conditions.
Go to school 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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TALKING CAREER CHOICES
PAYMENTS TO COWRA HIGH SCHOOL
Useful Job Skills Employers always look for a ‘little bit more’ in their employees. This ‘look’ usually goes beyond the technical skills needed to do the job and encompasses aspects known as ‘employability skills’. Employers have told us their top eight employability skills are communication, teamwork, problem solving, initiative & enterprise, planning & organisation, selfmanagement, learning and technology.
Payments to Cowra High School can now be made in three different ways, with the introduction of $Make a Payment, a Westpac operated service for payments using Visa or MasterCard debit or credit cards.
The High Five Principles of Career Development 1. Change is constant. Recognise that the world around you is constantly changing. Be open to change and remain alert to new opportunities. 2. Learning is ongoing. Strive for continuous personal improvement. Stay motivated by learning new skills and developing new talents. 3. Focus on the journey. Don’t focus on one destination only. Recognise that your career journey will be throughout your lifetime. Appreciate and value each experience along the way. 4. Know yourself, believe in yourself and follow your heart. Pursue your passion to find fulfilment. Discover ways to combine your interests with career opportunities. 5. Access your allies. Rely on the support of your family, friends, mentors, colleagues and peers. Career success can be a team effort.
2. $Make a Payment ~ this is our preferred method for taking online payments as we receive more details about the payment (exactly who and what the payment is for). For more detailed information see our website at http://www.cowrahigh.net.
The three methods are: 1. Pay in person at the office using cash, cheque or EFTPOS.
Remember the school’s Career Advisers, Ms Klinger & Ms Williams, are able to help you and your child plan their career. Visit them in the Careers Room in the Library during lunchtime or phone 6342 1766 to make an appointment.
3. Direct Debit ~ to make a payment straight from your bank account use BSB 032-001, Account Number 154075 and Account Name Cowra High School. If using this facility please ensure that as much information as possible is added, eg Brown S, fees, Canberra, etc. Please remember we have many students with the same or similar names. Please note that students going on excursions still need to bring in signed permission notes to the office ~ for legal reasons the permission notes must be on paper and contain a parent/caregiver’s signature. Students will not be able to attend excursions unless their notes are in and the funds have been cleared two days prior to the excursion to allow for organisation of the excursion, so if making an online payment it must be made in advance. If you need to make a payment close to the two day limit it will be best to either use $Make a Payment before 6 pm the day before, or pay in person at the school office.
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HOLIDAY FUN Sylvan Skateboards
Cowra Skatepark
LABELS Please remember to clearly label your child’s belongings so that if found they can be returned.
Saturday 4 July 10am to 1pm Demos and giveaways with a competition Sausage sizzle run by Cowra Family Day Care ΩΩΩ
PO Box 72 • Dowell Street • Cowra 2794 • Telephone: 02 6342 1766 • Facsimile: 02 6342 1578 • Email: cowra-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au