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 5
Thursday 2 April, 2015
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT I am amazed at how quickly Term 1 has come to an end, but that is often the case when there are so many things happening. Since our last newsletter there has been a plethora of outstanding sporting successes: Western Region Team selection: Netball ~ Maddie Johnson Rugby Union ~ Sam Apps, Mitchell Budge, Sean Simpson, & Jake Cannard Girls Football ~ Tayla Tarrant & Chloe Lanham Boys Football ~ Toby Baker 16 years 100m Breaststroke ~ Lucy Wilson 5th 14 years 100m Breaststroke ~ Jade Browne 10th 15 Years 100m Breaststroke ~ Georgia Lewis 10th Girls 15 Years relay team ~ Georgia Lewis, Jade Browne, Jade Te Weehi & Meg Downey swam personal bests to come 5th in the State NSW Team selection: Combined High Schools & All Schools Cricket First XI ~ Jacob McNaught Western Area Stroke Play Girls’ Champion and All Schools Golf ~ Laura Cummings Combined High Schools Cricket First XI ~ Amy Edgar Captain Combined High Schools Cricket Second XI ~ Alana Ryan I congratulate each and every competitor for their dedication, hard work and determination. I also thank all the coaches and parents who put in countless hours to give our students the opportunity to shine. Best of luck to all these sporting champions as they move on to their next challenge. We had the first school social for 2015 last Wednesday which was a great success with students thoroughly enjoying themselves. School socials are a great way for students to enjoy a night of safe fun. I encourage all to take part in the next social in Term 2. Thank you Ms Childs and her SRC team for all their work in making the socials so successful. The end of this term also sees Cowra High bid farewell to two of our teachers. After 38 years of dedicated service to the students of Cowra High, Mr Phillip Tapscott retired on Friday 27 March. I can confidently say his contribution to the education of countless Cowra students has been outstanding.
I believe it is the deep appreciation for Australian, and in particular, local Cowra history which Phil instilled through his teaching that will be remembered by many generations of Cowra students. We all wish him a long and enjoyable retirement. We also say farewell to Mr Ted Killeen, who is transferring to Tamworth. Although only being part of the Cowra High community for a relatively short period, he has made a dramatic impact while here. In the classroom he has engaged his students with his enthusiasm and energy. We have also come to appreciate the value he has added outside the classroom, having an Industrial Arts teacher create superbly decorated cakes was unique enough, but topped off with his willingness to share his laser tag knowledge and equipment has been a great bonus for the school. We wish him all the best at his new school. Cowra High loves to celebrate the success of our students and to acknowledge the great things that happen every week. As part of this acknowledgement we try to share photos of our students involved in the many activities that occur throughout their time at Cowra High. For this to happen, we need parental/carer
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
permission to publish photos in our newsletter, on our website or Facebook page. Early in Term 1, and again this week, we have sent home a Permission to Publish form with your child. I ask that you please complete this short form and return it as soon as possible so we can continue to share these photos. Year 12 have organised a working bee for the last Saturday of the school holidays. We will be establishing a new garden at the front of the school and revitalising some of our outdoor seating with a coat of fresh brightly coloured paint. If you would like to put in an hour or two, please join us. We will be starting at 8am at the front of the school. Lunch & morning tea will be provided ~ just bring a hat, gloves and gardening equipment. For catering purposes, please email the school if you are intending to participate. Just a reminder that elective subject fee invoices were mailed home earlier this term ~ students will not be allowed to take part in practical lessons until payment is made. Have an enjoyable and peaceful break ~ see you in Term 2. Charles Gauci
NAPLAN In May the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) will be completed by students in Years 3, 5, 7 & 9. The results of the test will provide important information to schools about each student’s capabilities, and will be used to support teaching & learning programs. The literacy and numeracy tests for Years 7 & 9 will be on: Tuesday 12 May Spelling, punctuation & grammar Wednesday 13 May Reading Thursday 14 May Numeracy
WORK EXPERIENCE AT COWRA HIGH SCHOOL IN 2015 Participating in work experience provides students with a better understanding of employment opportunities, helps them evaluate their prospective career choices as well as develop a greater awareness of values & expectations relating to work ~ it is valuable for student’s transition to the work force. Work experience at Cowra High operates in one week blocks, but can be conducted in other formats ie. one day per week. The employer/business has to agree to the placement dates as well. Work experience is not permitted during exams, major assessment tasks or school holidays (unless approved by the Principal). Before organising work experience, it is strongly recommended that student’s research occupational interests. Useful internet addresses are: www.wirl.com.au (user name: cowrahs and password: giant23) and www.jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au. For students who are not sure what they would like to do for work experience, it is highly recommended that they register and complete the quizzes provided in www.jobjump.com.au (login: student’s preferred email address and password: co). Cowra High subscribes to these websites to assist student and parents. If a student wishes to undertake work experience they must fill in a Work Experience Application form available from the Careers Room and return it at least four weeks prior to undertaking work experience. Celia Klinger & Prue Williams Careers Advisers
Arrival at school on time is important because: Your child needs to attend muster so they can be marked present & hear the roll notices. This ensures your child does not miss out on important learning activities. It helps students learn the importance of punctuality & routine. It gives students time to greet their friends before class; and It allows the students to begin their school work with everyone else in their class therefore decreasing disruption.
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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RIVER DREAMING
SNAKE TAILS
A leisurely canoe trip down the Lachlan River took on cultural significance last week for the members of the Breakaway group and accompanying staff.
On Monday 23 March, Snake Tails came to Cowra High School bringing with them a variety of deadly snakes and some friendly lizards.
Departing Forbes and coasting 12kms downstream from Nine Mile Reserve to Yellow Belly Point, students developed an appreciation of the spiritual and environmental aspects about Kalari so vital to Wiradjuri people. This was thanks to the indepth knowledge of Land Management Cultural Heritage Advisor, Larry Towney; Local Land Services, Shaley Allen; and Cowra’s Steve Taylor.
The students learnt about classification of reptiles and all of the misconceptions about them. They enjoyed holding some of the lizards and even got up close to an olive python. Some of the students in the front row of the show were frightened when the presenter held the lizards and python close to them, and there were some screams heard across the school.
In a new association with Local Land Services, this was Breakaway’s first adventure in what is hoped to be an annual event. Many thanks to our learned guests, canoe support crew and congratulations to the attending students on their exemplary behaviour and interest shown.
Students also learnt about first aid and how to avoid being bitten by reptiles. Emerson Baratto & Nikita Frappell both volunteered to get up close to the friendly blue-tongue lizard. Jarrod Hodgson volunteered and had the bearded dragon placed on his shirt. Students & teachers watched as the bearded dragon climbed up his shirt towards his ear. It was a great presentation and fun was had by all.
Emerson Baratto with a blue tongue lizard
TERM 2 DATES Monday 20 April School Development Day ~ students are not required to attend
Tuesday 21 April Students return
PARENT / TEACHER EVENING Monday 27 April 2015 4 - 7pm Students have a booking sheet which enables teachers to allocate a time for interview.
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 SCHOOL SOCIAL
SWIMMING CARNIVAL 2015 AGE CHAMPIONS Boys 12s Finbar Smyth 13s William Keliher 14s Matthew Dun 15s Jem Smith 16s Jesse Murray 17-19s Bede Leyland Girls 13s 14s 15s 16s 17-19s
The first social for 2015 was held last week - the theme was to dress in something starting with A, B or C.
Jaylee Dunn went to the social dressed as a Beauty Queen
Chelsea Apps Jade Browne Georgia Lewis Lucy Wilson Lucy Clements
RECORD BREAKERS Jade Browne 14yrs girls 50m freestyle ~ 29.00 14yrs girls 100m freestyle ~ 1.07.16 Georgia Lewis 15yrs girls 200m IM ~ 2.45.63 Jade Te Weehi 15yrs girls 50m butterfly ~ 32.79 Lucy Wilson 16yrs girls 50m breaststroke ~ 36.13 HOUSE POINT SCORE Wandoo 1271 Kurrajong 1076 Brigalow 844 Myall 753
Aden Day was disguised as Batman
NETBALL NEWS On Monday I had the pleasure of escorting a wonderful team of 15's girls to Dubbo to play Dubbo South in the Western Area final. Whilst they made our heart stop at times, they ended up victors, winning 36-31.
BOOK FAIR
A huge congratulations to Kodee Chilstone, Julia Moore, Georgia Lewis, Emilie Browne, Lucy Pattingale, Maddison Proctor, Maddison Brooks, Jade Browne, Bree Moodie & Alannah Knight. This team will now be off to State Championships next term.
It’s on again ~ thousands of quality books for sale. When: Friday 8 & Saturday 9 May Friday 15 & Saturday 16 May 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
Elizabeth Pattingale ~ Netball Coach PO Box 72 • Dowell Street • Cowra 2794 • Telephone: 02 6342 1766 • Facsimile: 02 6342 1578 • Email: cowra-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au