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 17
Friday 30 October, 2015
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT I received great news on Tuesday night that three Cowra High students have been selected to participate in the launch of Dance the Dream in collaboration with the United States and other countries. THE DREAM@50 is a worldwide ongoing arts tribute to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr’s I Have a Dream speech. This is great recognition for Chloe Fricker, Nicola Carter & Hope MartinEdgar’s talent as dancers and Mrs Buckley’s outstanding success with her students. The choreographer, Jason Winters, will be the artistic director for the project. Jason has been a choreographer for SYTYCD Australia, Grammy Awards, Academy Awards and Superbowl halftime shows with Madonna, Eminem, Elton John, NSYNC, Aerosmith, Mary J Blige and The Blue Man Group, as well as being a faculty member of the Broadway Dance Centre in New York. An amazing opportunity for our dancers ~ congratulations! The November meeting of the Cowra High P&C will take place at the Cowra Services Club next Wednesday ~ I encourage all parents to attend. This is Gonski Week, an opportunity to reflect on the positive impact the Gonski funding model has had for the students of Cowra High. The following article outlines what the funding model has meant for our students ~ it directs funds based on the needs of individual students. I encourage you to read the article and share the message with others. Have a great fortnight Charles Gauci THE COWRA HIGH SCHOOL GONKSI STORY In the past, Cowra High has received significant funding under the National Partnerships agreement which directly improved the educational opportunities for our students. The needs based model of funding recommended by the Gonski Report and agreed to by the NSW Department of Education has been significant in addressing the needs of our students. This model recognises that the needs of rural students, Aboriginal students and those from economically disadvantage regardless of the school system have a higher level of need to achieve the same educational outcomes of others. The Gonski model has already provided Cowra High with many opportunities to improve the learning outcomes for all our students. As such it is vital that the full plan which
guarantees the vast majority of the funding in the final two years is implemented. This will give Cowra students educational opportunities never before seen in our community and will directly benefit all. So if given the opportunity, please make sure that the importance of this funding model to students in NSW is shared with others. Programs and initiatives implemented at Cowra High through the Gonski Needs Based Funding Model Cowra High received additional funding this year of about $400,000. This has made a real difference to what we can offer our students. Programs and initiatives directly linked to this funding include: An attendance team employed specifically to work with Indigenous and NonIndigenous students and families. The Homework Centre is now available to all students. Funding for a Technical Support Officer (TSO) to maintain IT hardware for 2-3 days per week. Employment of a Head Teacher, Bring Your Own Device to professionally develop teacher understanding of Information Technology skills. Ability to lease a school bus to provide highly subsidised educational excursions.
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
The provision of assistance funds to our most needy students to access curriculum, uniforms and food. Targeted literacy program (Multi-Lit), designed to improve junior students’ literacy. Extra funding paid for costs associated with the program, training and additional staff. Targeted numeracy program (QuickSmart), designed to improve numeracy for junior students. The cost of the programs, training and additional staff involved was paid for with the extra funds. Improvements so far Increased funding has made significant differences. Our school bus has taken students far afield. Senior Geography students have travelled to Sydney, the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area and the Macquarie Marshes to carry out valuable fieldwork at a reasonable cost to students. Closer to home, the school bus has taken our students to the local Courthouse, to observe local businesses and to sporting events. The school bus is an indispensable tool in the daily operation of our school. With a TSO on-site at the school for five days per fortnight, the school’s computer network is more reliable and more accessible for students. Multi-Lit and QuickSmart are both making an immediate impact on meeting the learning needs of students in a one-to-one environment. The school has been able to fit out a classroom, employ extra qualified teaching staff and aids to ensure success.
PARENT/TEACHER EVENING FOR YEAR 11 STUDENTS When: Tuesday 3 November 2015 Time: 4-7pm
P&C NEWS The next monthly meeting for the P&C Association will be held on Wednesday 4 November, 7pm at the Services Club. Please come along to our meeting ~ new faces are always welcome.
SAFER DRIVER COURSE Preparing you for your Ps Become a safer driver and earn 20 hours of bonus log book credit by enrolling in a Safer Drivers course. When: Saturday 7 November Time: 9am – 12pm Where: Waugoola Rural Fire Brigade, 28 Airport Road, Cowra Cost: $140 Book: Call Skillset on 6330 1400 or Email cevans@skillset.com.au
BOOK FAIR It’s on again ~ thousands of quality books for sale. When: Friday 13 & Saturday 14 November Friday 20 & Saturday 21 November Where: St Johns Anglican Church Hall For book donations or offers of help please contact Bruce Pietsch on 0427 722 810 or bpietsch28@gmail.com
Where: A Block The Careers Adviser will be available to answer any questions. Students have a booking sheet which enables teachers to allocate an interview time.
You have to learn if you want to earn
PO Box 72 • Dowell Street • Cowra 2794 • Telephone: 02 6342 1766 • Facsimile: 02 6342 1578 • Email: cowra-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au