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 12
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT In many ways Term 3 is the pivotal term for the year. During this time we are completing our delivery of Year 12 HSC courses, while starting our preparation for the following year’s courses. This year is proving to be no different. On Tuesday afternoon I had the great pleasure of giving a tour of our school to the class of 1955. I love having the opportunity to show off our great school and to boast about my students and staff. So it was very apt that as I’m speaking of my staff’s dedication and experience, we come across Mr Cameron Donnelly & Mr Robert Cain working with our Year 12 Industrial Technology students after school completing their major works for HSC marking. We then came across Mrs Melinda Rowston preparing her students for their HSC Drama performances later that night. Two random occurrences that highlighted the many extra hours put in by teachers at this time of the year. Speaking of HSC Drama, the performances were outstanding. It amazes me every year that we can produce such a diverse range of HSC successes. The performances lead the audience through humour, sadness, regret and insanity. What more can be asked of a dramatic performance? Wednesday & Thursday last week also saw the Lachlan Valley Learning Community’s Education Week Concert and Art Exhibition. This was a great showcase of the musical, dance and dramatic talent that exists in the public school system in Cowra, Canowindra and surrounding districts. It was fantastic to watch Cowra High students working so closely with students from our partner primary schools. I believe the experience was of exceptional benefit for all. I congratulate the 300 strong students and staff who were involved in this fantastic event ~ another example of the great benefits of a strong public education system in Cowra.
Friday 7 August, 2015 WUDHAGARAGARRA AWARDS Cowra High School featured in the annual Wudhagaragarra Awards held in Dubbo last week. Highly respected Wiradjuri Elder, Robyn Coffey, was recognised for her outstanding contribution to education together with Year 12 student Christopher Colemane for Academic Excellence in an HSC course. Robyn started at Cowra High School in 2008 as an In-class Tutor and now acts as the Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer and Aboriginal Student Attendance Officer, fulfilling both roles with distinction. She is a passionate & inspiring individual and a strong advocate in the school for Aboriginal children. An invaluable, motivated staff member, Robyn is committed to Cowra High School & public education in general and stands firm in her belief that education is the key to a successful future for everyone. Christopher’s committed approach has seen him achieve A Grade in the Industrial Technology course. He has set a solid platform for the HSC and was commended on his ability to apply himself consistently & work independently.
Finally ~ best of luck to our Year 12 Dancers who will have their HSC performances marked next Monday. Have a great fortnight Charles Gauci
Robyn Coffey & Christopher Colemane
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 moral ~ we can collaboratively make moral judgements to guide decisions and behaviour
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COWRA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
Last Wednesday week, Education Week 2015 was celebrated with the launching of the Lachlan Valley Learning Community (LVLC), a new initiative which aims to strengthen ties between public schools in Cowra, Canowindra and the surrounding area. The first official event following the launch was the Lachlan Spectacular held at the Civic Centre on Wednesday & Thursday evening ~ a concert of music, dance and drama featuring students from Canowindra High, Canowindra Public, Cowra High, Cowra Public, Holman Place, Holmwood Public, Koorawatha Public, Mulyan Public & Woodstock Public schools. The large crowds in attendance were treated to a fabulous night of entertainment which showcased the wide range of talent that exists in the local public schools. The program was co-ordinated by Cowra High’s Head Teacher of Creative and Performing Arts, Kerrie O’Dea, with proceeds of the concert going to CareFlight and Stewart House. Cowra High students featured in the combined band, dance, musical and drama items and the combined choir. Congratulations to all students involved on their fantastic performances and a big thank you to the Cowra High staff members who prepared and accompanied them ~ Kerrie O’Dea, Alison Buckley, Rachel Elwin, Douglas Hughes & Melinda Rowston, as well as community members, Amanda Burrell & MaryAnn Wright and Beatrice Murray from Mulyan Public who prepared our Aboriginal dancers.
Sacred Sharing dancers
Performers in Bills
Predator & Prey dancers
Musicians in Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’
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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LVLC ART AWARDS As part of the launch of the Lachlan Valley Learning Community (LVLC) last week, an exhibition of student artworks from the various schools in the group has been mounted at the Cowra town library. Stopping to have a look at the outstanding art on display is highly recommended ~ there are obviously a lot of talented artists in the LVLC. Well done to all our students and a big thank you to their teachers, Linda Chant & Lucy Vaughan and Head Teacher CAPA, Kerrie O’Dea.
Cowra High students’ exhibits
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 CAREERS NEWS
TAX RETURNS
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Teacher Education Scholarships Get paid while you study to become a teacher of a high-demand subject area. Up to 220 Teacher Education Scholarships are available for future teachers of mathematics, science (with physics), selected Technological & Applied Studies subjects or special education (K-12). Up to 80 Teacher Education Scholarships are available for Aboriginal people & Torres Strait Islanders to train as primary or secondary teachers. Teacher Education Scholars receive: $5,000 per year up to a maximum of five years a permanent teaching job in an agreed location on completion of studies $3,000 on completion of studies. teach.Rural scholarships Get paid while you study to become a primary or secondary teacher in a rural or remote NSW public school. Up to 50 teach.Rural scholarships are available to HSC students. teach.Rural scholars receive: $6,000 per year up to a maximum of five years a permanent teaching job in a rural or remote NSW public school on completion of studies $5,000 on completion of studies. Great Teaching, Inspired Learning Cadetships Get paid to work part-time in a school while you study to be a secondary or special education teacher with a Great Teaching, Inspired Learning Cadetship. GTIL Cadets gain valuable knowledge and skills under the guidance and supervision of experienced teachers. Up to 25 GTIL Cadetships are exclusively available to HSC students. GTIL Cadets receive: A part-time job as a paraprofessional in a NSW Public School while you study Support and mentoring from experienced teachers A permanent teaching position on completion of studies.
MyTax is the fastest way to lodge is easy to access (via tablet, smart phone or computer) already includes some of your personal information (pre-filled from employers, banks, government agencies and more). Most pre-fill information is available in the last week of July, so it’s easier to wait until then to lodge ~ then you only need to review the information, add any missing details and submit. How to Lodge Get your tax file number and your birth certificate, passport or citizenship certificate ready. Create a myGov account at my.gov.au Phone the ATO on 13 28 61 and press 5 at the prompt to get your unique linking code. In the myGov Services page, link to the ATO with the unique linking code. Lodge your return through myTax by 31 October.
SCHOLARSHIP The Central West Branch of the Australian Federation of Graduate Women NSW Inc is seeking applicants for the Cowra-Canowindra HSC Scholarship which is for Year 12 females with university acceptance in 2016 (may be deferred to 2017). The value of the scholarship is $2,000. Interested students can see the Careers Adviser for the criteria and are invited to submit a CV & letter of application by Friday 29 January 2016. Further information is available from www.afgwnsw.org.au.
HOMEWORK CENTRE OPERATING Cowra High’s Homework Centre operates on Monday afternoons from 3:30pm - 5pm in the school library. The centre is supervised by teaching staff across a range of Key Learning Areas and all students are welcome from Years 1 to 12. Students will be required to complete school work, so bringing homework or assignments to the centre is essential. An afternoon snack is provided and a bus is available to drop students home within town limits.
Apply now via www.teach.nsw.edu.au/getpaidtostudy ~ applications close 18 September 2015.
COWRA HIGH SMS ATTENDANCE TRACKER
If you're not sure if teaching is the right career for you, or you haven't decided what type of teacher you'd like to become, explore what it's like to be a teacher at www.teach.nsw.edu.au/exploreteaching.
Cowra High School will be starting to SMS parents/ caregivers when their child is absent from school. Parents can respond to the SMS or ring the school to explain their child's absence. Please ensure that the school has your latest contact details ~ thank you.
Scott Carpenter ~ Head Teacher Administration
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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BYOD Next year our school will be implementing a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy. BYOD refers to technology models where students bring a personally owned device to school for the purpose of learning. A personally owned device is any technology device brought into the school and owned by a student (or the student’s family), staff or guests. Put simply, BYOD is a solution where students quite literally bring their own device to school in order to access the internet and/or school network by Wi-Fi, be it a smartphone, tablet, laptop or other device. In order to best implement this within our school, we feel it is important to gather information from all involved. We ask that you, as parents, go to the link provided below and complete the survey. This data will then be analysed and used to formulate a policy suited to our school and community needs. Your assistance is appreciated. Click here for Cowra High School BYOD survey http://goo.gl/forms/ AmestokZWH For more information please contact the school.
Why is regular attendance at school important? Regular school attendance will help your child to succeed in later life. Attending school every day makes learning easier for your child and helps build and maintain friendships with other children.
Your prompt attention to the payment of outstanding subject fees would be greatly appreciated.
PO Box 72 • Dowell Street • Cowra 2794 • Telephone: 02 6342 1766 • Facsimile: 02 6342 1578 • Email: cowra-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au