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 2016 Issue 10
Friday 1 July, 2016
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT Today we are holding our annual NAIDOC celebrations and we acknowledge the substantial contribution Aboriginal culture plays in our school. It has been very exciting listening to the buzz from the students preparing for this occasion. Indigenous and non-indigenous students have been excitedly rehearsing for the student concert, while others have been producing wonderful pieces of visual art and poetry which reflects this year’s theme, Songlines: The living narrative of our nation. I know with the very cold weather we are enduring, everyone is looking forward to the old time stews and Johnny cakes on offer for lunch. The day will be memorable for all involved.
NSW PUBLIC SCHOOLS ABORIGINAL DANCE COMPANY Congratulations to Imajen James and Jesse Murray who have again been selected as members of the prestigious NSW Public Schools Aboriginal Dance Company for 2016. Some of the many opportunites they will receive include working alongside Bangarra Dance Company and featuring at Schools Spectacular 2016.
Earlier this week our school’s debaters took on West Wyalong in the Zone Championship and I’m pleased to announce they were victorious. They now move to the Regional Championships. Congratulations to our great debaters and Mrs Elwin. On the 27 July we will hold our Subject Selection Information Evening for Year 9 and Year 11 2017. I encourage all parents & caregivers of students in the current Year 8 to come along at 6.00pm and Year 10 at 7.00pm. During the evening you and your child will have the opportunity to speak with teachers about the variety of subjects offered at Cowra High so you may develop an understanding of the requirements for Stage 5 (Years 9 & 10) and for the HSC. I hope to see many parents, caregivers and students present at the evening. I wish all our students and families a relaxing and safe holiday.
Charles Gauci
REMINDER!! Term 3 for students commences on Monday 18 July
SUBJECT SELECTION EVENING Wednesday, 27 July 2016 in the school hall for Year 8 and Year 10 students in the Cowra area, and their parents/caregivers. Year 8 Year 10
6.00 ~7.00pm 7.00 ~ 9.00pm
A reminder note will be sent home early next term
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
WESTERN NSW DANCE FESTIVAL On Wednesday 15th of June, 32 Cowra High School dance students travelled to Bathurst for the Western NSW Dance Festival. It was an extremely long but rewarding day which began at 9am with a Tech rehearsal followed by a 1pm matinee performance and finally the 7pm night show. All students were a credit to our school on and off the stage. They assisted primary school students with hair, make up and costuming and were role models for all to aspire to. Special thanks to Mrs Prue Williams for all her support and assistance backstage, Mrs Melissa Thompson (Cowra High's hairstylist) and Mrs Amanda Hindmarch for driving the bus. A special shout out to all parents, family and friends for always supporting our dancers. Alison Buckley Dance Teacher
CRACKING CODES LIKE ALAN TURING! This week, students in the Stage 5 Elective History class were presented with a unique opportunity. The school has recently invested in a puzzle activity from Breakoutedu. As a class, these extraordinary students were pushed to their mental limits in the pursuit of their goal. The group was given the challenge of opening a locked box by solving a series of puzzles. This involved students working together as a class to hunt down clues found throughout the classroom, including a memory stick, 7 QR codes and a locked brief case. Using their research, collaboration & communication skills, students explored the life of Alan Turing, cracked codes and removed locks, which allowed students to experience the exhilaration & frustration of code breaking & investigation. It was a wonderful experience to watch these students work together. Their willingness to work through their frustration and the camaraderie displayed during this adventure shows just how caring and academically focused students at Cowra High School are!
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 BREAKAWAY PROGRAM WRAPS UP FOR 2016 Another group of Cowra High School students have recently completed the interagency TVET Breakaway Program. The girls, all from Year 9 thoroughly enjoyed the program and learnt a lot about themselves and getting along with each other. Breakaway has now been operating for 14 years and is aimed at achieving positive educational outcomes for Aboriginal students and extending knowledge of their heritage & culture. Some of the highlights from this year’s program were mural painting with Aboriginal artist Nyree Reynolds; having their hair and makeup done by Lisa Jeffries; job seeking skills which included learning how to dress appropriately for an interview and participating in a mock interview with Shane Jeffries; learning about the environment with Shaley Allen from Local Land Services; participating in RAGE, an anger management program with Senior Constable Janine Robinson of Cowra PCYC and units on women’s health, including Core of Life which covered pregnancy and birth. Certificates for completing the Breakaway Program were presented at a function held at The Knoll, Cowra TAFE on Thursday 16 June. During this function the digital stories completed by each participant were shown, with these providing an interesting overview of the activities undertaken. The girls would particularly like to thank Sue Willoughby, Cowra TAFE and Cowra High’s Jo-Anne Williams who co-ordinated and supervised this year’s program, the other presenters & Breakaway Committee members.
Page 3 Expression of interest for Assisted Travel Support Officer (ATSO) position The Assisted School Travel Program (ASTP) often provides additional support to students with disabilities on transport. Assisted Travel Support Officers (ATSOs) aid students with complex health or behaviour needs to ensure their safe travel to and from school. If you are interested in temporary part-time work as an ATSO the following website contains information on how to apply for the position. www.schools.nsw.edu.au/studentsupport/ programs/astp/index.php For further information please contact ASTP on 1300 338 278 or email ASTP at atso.astp@det.nsw.edu.au
UNITED FUSION SCHOOL HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS FOR DANCE, SET & COSTUME DESIGN Excitement is building and preparation is well under way for the United Fusion performances of Mystique. During the July school holidays there will be dance, set and costume design workshops to help create the show. Mystique is a show about innovation, mystery & creativity and will include music, song, dance & drama. It will be different to any other show you have seen in Cowra before and if you are aged 5-18, you can be part of it! All workshops are free, although United Fusion membership will cost $5.50. Key Dates: Set & Costume Design Free
Prue Williams, Cheryl McAllister, Sue Willoughby, Robyn Coffey, Janine Robinson, Darkyha Collett, Tiarna Williams, Kiesha Williams & Iesha Reed at the presentation morning tea.
Iesha Reed, Darkhya Collett, Kiesha Williams & Tiarna Tarrant
4th ~ 8th July Cowra High Hall 12-18yr olds 10am-4pm
Creating Dance Workshop Free 4th ~ 6th July Cowra High Hall 5-11yr olds 10am-12noon Mystique Performances: Oct 14th & 15th For more information and to register please visit our Facebook page or contact unitedfusioncowra@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
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COWRA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
WESTERN NSW NOW HAS THE CHANCE TO SNAP UP JUST RELEASED SCHOOLS SPECTACULAR TICKETS Western NSW now has the chance to snap up seats at the 2016 Schools Spectacular, Australia’s most popular annual variety show, with tickets just released to the public on the www.ticketek.com.au website. Last week it was announced that 31 Western NSW feature 2300 dancers; a 2700-strong choir; an 80-piece along with a select number of outstanding solo
schools will be part of the amazing show that will symphony orchestra; a world-class stage band performers.
For a taste of the quality & diversity of performances, visit the Schools Spectacular Facebook page, where a series of clips from the 2015 show are posted on a regular basis: https://www.facebook.com/schoolsspectacular/ Where: When: Prices: Bookings:
QUDOS BANK ARENA Sydney Olympic Park Friday 25 November 11am & 7:30pm, Saturday 26 November 1pm & 7pm Category 1: Adults $55, Concession $45, Family Pass (2 adults + 2 children) $175 Category 2: Adults $38, Concession $30, Family Pass (2 adults + 2 children) $120 www.ticketek.com.au or phone 132 849
STOP PRESS!!! PLEASE TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY OVER THE HOLIDAYS TO LABEL YOUR CHILD’S BELONGINGS. PLEASE PAY ALL OUTSTANDING SUBJECT FEES. OUTSTANDING INVOICES WILL BE SENT HOME EARLY TERM 3
PO Box 72 • Dowell Street • Cowra 2794 • Telephone: 02 6342 1766 • Facsimile: 02 6342 1578 • Email: cowra-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au