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 3
Friday 6 March, 2015
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT Congratulations to all the students who participated in our annual Swimming Carnival at the Cowra Aquatic Centre. The weather was only matched by the great school spirit displayed by the students present on the day. We had a wonderful balance of serious competitors flying through the water and those just giving it a go. Every single person who involved themself on the day can be proud ~ well done.
to have two fine students working hard to represent our school. I also wish the many Cowra High students representing other community organisations good luck in the competition. Regardless of which organisation you represent, Cowra High is proud of each of you. I would also like to encourage as many Cowra High students to join us on Saturday at the Aquatic Centre so we can march to Brougham Park and show our support for our community. Have a great fortnight ~ Charles Gauci
Whilst acknowledging groups, I congratulate Year 12 on the completion of their mid-course exams. These represent a significant milestone towards the HSC. Reports indicate (as expected) that all students have approached these exams in a positive and well prepared manner ~ best of luck with the results. As most people would be aware, this year we have introduced a number of structural changes to our school to enhance curriculum choice and school spirit. One such change has been the introduction of a whole school roll call / muster first thing in the morning. This was done to improve a number of school focus areas ~ communication to students & staff, student uniform and as a means of promoting our PBL focus areas. Although still in its teething stage, I will say that after six weeks this has proven to be very successful. We have seen a marked improvement in the wearing of uniform, with students starting the day in a positive and settled manner. I have and continue to pat students on the back for the terrific way they have taken this on board. Keeping to this theme, I will remind parents and students that sport uniform (including blue shorts), is only to be worn to school on Wednesdays and shoes need to be black with leather uppers for safety. With the Festival of International Understanding kicking off this week, I take this opportunity to wish our two Youth Ambassadors, Alan Read & Maddison Johnson, the best of luck in their competition. It is great
8A Geography’s Festival of International Understanding shop window display
Just a reminder that the Department’s request for updated information that was sent home last week is to be returned to the office as soon as possible. Please note that both sides must be filled in ~ it’s imperative that we have the most current information particularly regarding the publishing of your child’s photo.
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 collegiality ~ we’re working on it together
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COWRA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER FAREWELL FROM YOSHI Hello everybody. For those people who don’t know about it, I’m just about to finish my one year exchange program and am heading back to Japan next weekend. I cannot believe that already 340 days are gone since I came here. I’d like to thank all my friends and teachers for being so kind to me.
Cowra High was a really comfortable place for me because it’s not as strict as my school back in Japan, Seikei High. And in Japan Years 7-9 and Years 10-12 are separated but Cowra High is not, so I could make friends much easier. That made me feel so comfortable as well. So basically, I felt that Cowra High is a completely different school compared with mine but I still love it. I enjoyed all the classes here too. I’ve been learning English since I was three years old but I’ve never done another subject in English before so everything was fresh and new for me. It wasn’t easy for me but my friends are so reliable and helped me out doing class works & assignments so I was really appreciative with that. I especially liked music but I liked all subjects.
BREAKAWAY PROGRAM A group of 16 boys & girls from Years 9, 10 & 11 have recently began the TVET Breakaway Program for Aboriginal students. 2015 is the thirteenth year of operation for Cowra’s unique interagency Breakaway program, which is a collaborative effort between Cowra High School, Cowra TAFE, PCYC & Western Health. This year will also see the involvement of Central Tablelands Local Land Services who are planning a one day excursion for the participants. The program will operate each Thursday until the end of Term 2. So far the boys have been concentrating on completing the theory aspects of Work Health & Safety which was necessary before they could begin work in the auto workshop on the vehicle two previous groups started restoring. The boys have also had some cultural sessions, including traditional dance, with Steven Taylor. Meanwhile the girls have tried their hand at archery and have begun working on a mural at school, under the direction of Aboriginal artist Nyree Reynolds. The girls have also visited the Police Station and started work on their journals. The students are proudly wearing their special red, yellow and black Breakaway polo shirts they have just received.
I’ve done a lot of great activities in Cowra. The most impressive activity I’ve done was probably Youth Ambassador for Cowra Breakout’s 70th Anniversary. Because I love history, I was really interested about what happened in the Breakout and after WWII. I had a chat with lots of great people from both Japan & Australia and heard lots of precious stories. It was one of the best few days in my life. I’ll never forget the appreciation for Australians making & keeping our soldier’s cemetery and I’ll tell everybody about this great friendship between Japan & Australia. I also love going out to Wyangala Dam to do the water sports. I liked skiing the most. It was hard but I can do double ones pretty easily now. I also liked going on the biscuit too. It was good fun. If I summarise this one year, it’ll have been an unbelievable fun and meaningful year. One of my biggest dreams was going on an exchange program and live in an English speaking country so this year made my dream come true. And I want to be an international person when I am grown up so I think this is going to be a good start. Thank you again for all your kindness. My Cowra life was full of your support. I promise you I’m going to come back someday. See you later, until the day we meet again. Yoshi Kondo 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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GOLD CARDS Students from Years 8, 9 & 10 who achieved Gold Medallions in last year’s Merit Scheme were presented with their 2015 Gold Cards at a recent assembly. Students enjoyed a morning tea afterwards. They may use their Gold Card to access various privileges throughout the year. These include free entry into school socials and concerts, preference with school sport selection, free school related photocopying, may go to the front of the bus lines and invited to attend free BBQs & pop-up shops for treats. We are looking for more suggestions of rewards for these deserving students. If there are business owners who would be interested in providing a discount or something similar for these students on presentation of their Gold Card we would be delighted to hear from you. Congratulations to the following students: Year 8 ~ Tegan Ashlin, Emerson Baratto, Maddison Brooks, Alana Bush, Nicola Carter, Luke D'Elboux, Matthew Dun, Lillee Felton, Brodie Graham, Rebekah, Lazarou, Samuel Long, Nicole Lowe-Tarbert, Shiayn Newham-Gregg, Ginger Oliver, Maddison Proctor, Noah Ryan, Erika Sullivan, Matthew Thompson, Jayden Traves, Lochie Wilson & Leo Wright
Year 8 students with their Gold Cards
Year 9 students with their Gold Cards
Year 9 ~ Shania Ambachtsheer, Tasmin Bohman, Glenda Brien, Samantha Davis, Jaylee Dunn, Sarah Gardiner, Kyesha Ingram, Georgia Lewis, Olivia Perkins, Chantell Rhodes, Jemima Sullivan, Jade Te Weehi & Montana Walker Year 10 ~ Banyette Bohman, Meg Downey, Joseph Hodges, Erin Johns, Isabelle Lloyd, Jackson Oliver, Emma Rowston, Maddi Tucker, Daniel Watson & Lucy Wilson Special thanks to Kristy White of Cliff Dykes Photography who produced the Gold Cards. The cards have the students name and photo identification and are similar in size to a credit card. Cliff Dykes Photography donated their services & the cards and we wish to thank Cliff, Kay & Kristy for their ongoing support of Cowra High School. It is greatly appreciated. Our senior Gold Medallion students will be awarded their Gold Cards after the completion of the Year 12 mid-course exams.
Year 10 students with their Gold Cards
Missing school leaves gaps in your education
Mary Bullock Merit Scheme Co-ordinator
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
S W I M M I N G C A R N I V A L
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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Mr Embroidery Cowra CHS Winter Uniform ORDER FORM NAME: _______________________________ GARMENTS
SIZE
PHONE: ________________ QTY
PRICE
Skirt 6-12
$53.10
Skirt 14-20
$55.80
Navy Hoodie 10-16
$37.80
Navy Hoodie S-3XL
$41.40
Grey Cargo Pants Oz Surf 4-16
$34.20
Grey Cargo Pants Oz Surf S-3XL
$36.00
Wetseal Girls Pants 4-18
$39.10
Girls L/S blouse, Boys L/S shirt 4-8
$24.30
Girls L/S blouse, Boys L/S shirt 10-18
$25.65
Girls L/S blouse, Boys L/S shirt 20-26
$27.00
Microfibre Trackpants 4-16
$34.20
Microfibre Trackpants S-3XL
$36.00
Navy sports shorts microfibre
$20.00
2 pack white knee high socks
$11.65
3 pack short grey/white socks
$14.35
Royal, Sky, White polos 4-16
$20.00
Royal, Sky, White polos S-3XL
$22.75
Tie
$22.50
Sports Shirt 8-3XL
$27.00
Navy Tights Ladies tights
$11.65
TOTAL
TOTAL
$
One lucky shopper will win their total order FREE. Return form by the 1 April 2015 to be eligible
Please return order forms by 1 April 2015 to 119a Kendal Street Email: mrembroidery@cowra.net.au Phone ~ 6341 3163 All form prices are reduced by 10% Orders cannot be picked up before 13 April PO Box 72 • Dowell Street • Cowra 2794 • Telephone: 02 6342 1766 • Facsimile: 02 6342 1578 • Email: cowra-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au