Our Mission: To provide a quality comprehensive and inclusive educational environment where all students can achieve 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 11
Friday 29 July, 2016
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT We have now completed almost two weeks of Term 3 and Cowra High is moving ahead at full steam. This term is traditionally a busy time of year with many important events for our students. This past Wednesday night we held our information evening for parents and students in Years 8,9 & 10 to look at subject selections for 2017. With over 25 subjects on offer for Stage 5 and 45 subjects for Year 11 the choices can be overwhelming, but I am confident that with our extensive experience & expertise in guiding students through to the HSC, all students will be well catered for. If you missed the evening and have questions, I encourage you to contact the school and discuss the many options on offer for 2017. Two very exciting events will happen next week in the performing arts: On Wednesday night Cowra High will be putting on a dance spectacular, ‘Synchronicity’ at the Cowra Civic Centre at 7.00pm. This will be a night of dance that will highlight the amazing talent Cowra High Dance students have with a special surprise ensemble that will bring out emotions not usually associated with the grace of our Cowra Dancers Come along also on Thursday or Friday night to experience performances of a different genre. Our Stage 5 (years 9 & 10) Drama students will be putting on their original composition ‘The Twits’ which is an opportunity to experience entertaining live theatre! After a number of late night break-ins & acts of afterhours vandalism, the Department of Education has made a significant investment in the security of Cowra High. I am pleased to say that our alarm system has been upgraded and will now integrate to a new CCTV system. This will provide real time security for the school through the Department’s security branch in Sydney which means any unauthorised entries onto school grounds will be noted by security, their images recorded in high resolution for legal action and police instantly contacted. Our hope is that this will act as a real deterrent to would be offenders and will aid in their apprehension should they choose to break the law. Have a great fortnight Charles Gauci
DANCE!
DRAMA! Live Theatre! It’s all happening at Cowra High School!
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 lifelong learning ~ learning is for everyone
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COWRA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER NAIDOC WEEK
Cowra High School Koori students were recognised at the recent community NAIDOC Awards. Acknowledged for their success, 26 nominations were received across a broad range of categories. Longtime staff member and Cowra High Aboriginal Education Officer (AEO), Rodney Eastwood, was also nominated for a Community Leadership award for his commitment to the students and Cowra Senior & Junior Rugby League Clubs. Congratulations to the Cowra High School winners in the following categories: Kyesha Ingram Junior Academic Award (Secondary) – Kyesha Ingram & Imajen James Junior Arts Award – Imajen James after receiving Junior Sports Award (Secondary) – Jai Doolan their awards Junior Leadership Award – Jaylee Dunn Girri Girri Students A number of students within the Girri Girri program conducted a session on Traditional Indigenous Games at Mulyan Public School in the final week of Term 2. Approximately 120 Kindergarten to Year 2 students were involved during Infants sport. Cowra High students were excellent representatives of our school and it provided them with valuable leadership skills and an insight into the organisation, group management and communication skills needed in the education field. All these students were highly deserving of Service Eagles: Jayda Pollard, Jessica Collett, Jaylee Dunn, Blake Williams, Lowanna Murray, Telisha Beale, Jay Link, Tayah Burns, Maegan Carroll and Brooke Graham. Our thanks to Mulyan staff members Mrs Beatrice Murray and Mrs Bronwyn Johnson for their assistance in coordinating the afternoon.
NAIDOC Concert A talented array of students showcased their abilities in the Arts with a NAIDOC concert. Aboriginal and contemporary dancers, singers, artists and poets combined to celebrate the 2016 theme Songlines: The Living Narrative of our Nation. Our heartfelt thanks to all performers and entrants in the art and poetry competitions with the winners Leeteia Butler (Senior Art), Niar Collett (Junior Art), Cambell White (Poetry) and Emily Denison (Poetry) presented with vouchers for their efforts. Following the concert students were treated to hot food and also participated in emu egg painting and Traditional Indigenous Games. The Aboriginal Programs Team would like to thank all staff and students who contributed to the success of the day. A Year 8 Art class designed mural depicting this year’s NAIDOC theme was unveiled and will be mounted on the wall outside the Koori Staffroom. Thanks to Miss Lucy Vaughan for overseeing the project. 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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STAGE 5 BRONZE CLASS EAGLES ENGLISH Our first assembly for Term 3 saw a raft of Stage 5 students awarded for their fine efforts in English classes. Consistent effort, positive attitudes and respectful behaviour towards peers & staff are all valued at Cowra High and these individuals have displayed these characteristics in their classes throughout Term 2. Congratulations and keep up these fine efforts people! Debra Henry-Smith Head Teacher - English
CAPA Congratulations to the following Stage 5 CAPA students who received Bronze eagles in week 7 of Term 2. These students received eagles for displaying respect and responsiblity through academic achievement and outstanding effort in Drama, Dance, Music, Photography and Visual Arts. Back Row - Chloe Fricker, Millie Casey, Georgia Lewis, Courtney Chambers, Olivia Perkins, Billy Eldridge, Bronson Gatt, Summer White, Nicole Lowe-Tarbert, Xavier Gauci, Isaac McFarland, Rebekah Johnson, Tasmin Bohman, Nicole Saxby and Shania Ambachtsheer. Front Row – Brigette Healy, Victoria King, Jemima Sullivan, Airi Nashihiri, Janae Hinderager, Kate Hodges, Maisie Thompson, Erika Sullivan, Maddie Cooper, Maddy Jones, Nicola Carter and Belinda Mitchell. MATHS Congratulations to the Stage 5 Maths students who received Bronze eagles at this weeks’ assembly. Mr Howard’s combined Year 9 & Year 10 Maths Class all received awards for academic achievement and a number of other students in Stage 5 Maths for outstanding effort.
Year 9 Maths Bronze Eagle award winners
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 PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
NSW PUBLIC SCHOOLS STATE DANCE FESTIVAL Stage 5 dancers have been selected to perform at the NSW Public Schools State Dance Festival 2016 "transcendence" on Wednesday, 14 September, 2016. The following students are to be congratulated: Nicola Carter Chloe Fricker Lucy Jones Maisie Thompson Brigette Healy Victoria King Jemima Sullivan Erika Sullivan Millie Casey
Last term a selection of students took part in an in school photography workshop. The Moran Workshop Program is an ideal way to foster creativity amongst school students. The workshop was designed around ‘Visual Storytelling’. Students were guided by professional photographer Sally Mayman who taught students the fundamentals of photography, cameras as well as the conceptual meaning behind some of her own photographs. Students spent the day capturing aspects of our school grounds and printed a selection of their best prints to take home. The student’s photographs were also automatically entered into the Moran Contemporary Photography prize.
ROCK BAND CAMP By Dylan Riley During Term 2 I had the opportunity to go to Rock Band Camp in Wagga Wagga. It was a fantastic opportunity as I had lots of workshops on my instruments with tutors. This also meant that I was able to learn new techniques on how to be a better musician. One of the coolest things I did was learn how to produce music in the studios and also made a CD. Overall it was a great experience and I made a heap of new friends. I look forward to going again next year! Dylan Riley – Year 9, at the Rock Bank Camp
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 A YEAR IN JAPAN – CALLING ALL STUDENTS! If you are currently in Year 9 or 10 and would like a year off normal school – adventure beckons! We are currently calling for nominations to be the 2017 Exchange Student to our sister school Seikei High, in Tokyo. This exchange has been going for nearly 45 years. It offers a scholarship which pays airfares and insurance to the value of $3000. Most other expenses are covered by the school in Japan or host families. The successful student will live with 3 or 4 different host families and attend school for the year. If you would be in Year 10 next year, you complete your Year 10 equivalent at Seikei and come back to Year 11 with your friends the following year. The exchange is from January 2017 to January 2018. It is not necessary for you to be studying Japanese to gain the scholarship. What is needed is a keen interest in experiencing another culture and learning the language and customs. This can have great advantages later in many areas of employment.
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Are thoughtful and have considered how they would handle some of the difficulties they might face in their time in Japan (eg. language difficulties, making new friends, eating different food, getting homesick) Are strategic planners and have ideas about how they might overcome these difficulties (eg. getting really involved in various activities so they have no time to be homesick, keeping a notebook to write down important new words etc.) Have considered the pros & cons of a year away (eg. pro – heaps of new friends and extended family; excellent Japanese – most students come home and do HSC Japanese while they’re still in Year 11; enhanced job prospects) Note: You don’t need to be academically gifted or terrific at Japanese to go to Seikei – you just need to be willing to learn and to try your best. Megan Perkins Seikei Coordinator
So if you are an outgoing person who likes the idea of making new friends and having many experiences not available in Australia, this exchange may be for you. NOMINATIONS ARE NOW BEING SOUGHT FOR OUR 2017 STUDENT. If you would like to know more, please see (or ring) Megan Perkins at school, pick up some information sheets and/or nomination form. I am happy to discuss and explain the process to you and your parents/caregivers. WHAT MAKES A SUITABLE EXCHANGE STUDENT? The Committee looks for people who: Are adventurous and keen to try new experiences Are trustworthy, honest and reliable and so will be good representatives of their community in Japan Are outgoing and will take the initiative in approaching people and trying to make new friends 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
Stage 5 Drama Presents ‘The Twits’ Stage 5 Drama are busily rehearsing for our 2016 production. We are very excited to be presenting ‘The Twits’, our own take on Roald Dahl’s much beloved book. Performances will be held in the th performance workshop on Thursday 4 & th Friday 5 August starting at 7pm. Tickets are limited so get in quick and buy your tickets from the front office at the cheap price of $5 per person. See you there!
COWRA HIGH DANCERS PRESENT
SYNCHRONICITY Dance at Cowra High School encourages students to pursue their passion and step outside their comfort zone opening up the world of dance. Since 2007 local students and others from within our region have studied the dance course under the direction of Dance Teacher, Alison Buckley. Cowra High School has successfully received ‘Call back’ nominations in all areas of the HSC course with numerous achievements and State Dance Selection since 2010. Students are given opportunities to apply for Regional & State Festivals, Camps & Ensembles. ‘Synchronicity’ is a night of our talented dancers sharing their passion of dance in styles from Contemporary, Jazz, Tap and Musical Theatre WEDNESDAY 3 AUGUST 2016, 7PM COWRA CIVIC CENTRE, TICKETS $5 AT THE DOOR All ticket sales are a fundraiser for CHS dances for this years Schools’ Spectacular. A special thanks to the CHS P&C for covering the costs of hiring the Civic Centre. PO Box 72 • Dowell Street • Cowra 2794 • Telephone: 02 6342 1766 • Facsimile: 02 6342 1578 • Email: cowra-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au