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 7
Friday 15 May, 2015
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT As I write this report Year 7 & 9 students are currently sitting the NAPLAN Literacy and Numeracy tests. As a result, at this time of year there is much debate regarding NAPLAN and its educational value so I thought I would explain how Cowra High uses the results. NAPLAN is designed as a diagnostic tool for individual students. We utilise the results to assess the literacy & numeracy needs of students. I particularly highlight that this is one tool, which only reflects the performance of a student completing a single test at a set time. This means that we use it in conjunction with ongoing classroom assessment, specialist in-school assessments and very importantly teacher professional judgment. Based on all this knowledge we are then able to target resources specifically where they will generate the best results. So in the end, NAPLAN is a useful tool, but we must be careful not to inflate its importance and hence always ensure we support our students in what can be a stressful time. Last Friday the Cowra High SRC ran a fundraiser for Stewart House. I doubt there is a person who has attended a NSW public school and not been aware of Stewart House. Each year 1,800 public school children in need go to Stewart House from many parts of NSW and the ACT. During their stay, children are provided with optometric, dental and medical treatment as well as emotional support. This is balanced with health and educational programs and out of school activities to boost their self-esteem and to promote a healthier lifestyle. It was great to see the students get behind this and raise over $500 ~ well done Cowra High. Congratulations to the Cowra High Futsal teams ~ 14 boys, 14 girls, 16 girls & open boys who have all qualified for the state titles in Term 3. All students played and behaved exceptionally well. I look forward to hearing more next term. Have a fortnight full of learning. Charles Gauci
CHS KNOCKOUT GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Congratulations to the girls who were part of the girls volleyball team that defeated Canobolas High on Thursday 7 May in Cowra. Our girls served well and demonstrated great teamwork to defeat the Canobolas girls in straight sets. Special mention is made of our Seikei exchange student Rie Kamiyasu who served brilliantly in her first competition for Cowra High. Well done to all students for a fantastic result ~ Skye Lanham, Olivia Perkins, Goldie Oliver, Sally Cooke, Erin Bates & Rie. Di St Clair Girls Volleyball Coach
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.
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 support ~ there’s always someone there to help
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COWRA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER WORK EXPERIENCE
Belinda Mitchell of Year 9 has just commenced work experience at the Cowra Japanese Garden. This placement was organised with the support of the Girls in Trades Program (Office of Women NSW) and Pulse HR, who contacted employers and organised for Belinda to receive a pair of work boots to help her at work. She is gardening there one day a week during the rest of Term 2.
PARENTS TALKING CAREER CHOICES ~ PART 1 ~ As a parent, you play an important role in helping your child to make educational choices and career decisions. This role begins when your child is young—as they watch you and others around them take part in working life. As they grow older, you can play an even greater part in guiding their career development and fostering their optimism, enthusiasm, energy and curiosity. A lot of this relies on good communication.
Think about your child’s experiences. Have they helped with your business? Do they have a creative hobby, special skill or talent that could lead to an occupation? Have they worked as volunteers, held casual jobs or done work experience? How did they feel about these? Learning what they don’t want to do can be as important as learning what they do want to do. So even if they didn’t enjoy an experience, it is good to talk about why they didn’t enjoy it. You can take this further by helping them to fully understand their interests, likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, skills and what is important to them. Be sure to discuss the importance of gaining employability skills eg. communication, team work, self-management, problem solving & initiatives. Be encouraging and supportive ~ be positive about their ideas and chances of finding a satisfying career path. Let them know you believe they are a capable and resourceful person. This kind of parental influence can help to boost your child’s confidence, maturity and desire to succeed. Remember the school’s Career Advisers, Ms Klinger & Ms Williams, are able to help you and your child plan their career. Visit them in the Careers Room in the Library during lunchtime or phone 6342 1766 to make an appointment. STEWART HOUSE
Start talking Take advantage of all opportunities to talk to your child about possibilities for their future. Most young people respond well to casual conversations about careers, so be ready when they ask questions about life after school. Your child probably wants to know how you made decisions about your career. Be ready to tell them about your own work and life experiences and the paths you took to get where you are. They’ll gain from knowing about your different jobs, how you found them and whether you liked them. They may also like hearing about experiences of other family members and friends. It’s quite possible you know someone who works in a job or industry that interests your child. See if they are willing to tell your child more about their work, and its positives and negatives. Be ready with questions too. Ask your child if they have thought about different types of further learning. Find out what their friends are planning to do. Ask if they have talked to their school career adviser. Ask if they know other ways to find out more about careers or if they would like to attend career expos. Expos are a great way to find the education and training providers in your area, and meet potential employers.
Cowra High’s SRC held a Mufti Day to raise money for Stewart House last Friday and raised a huge amount ~ $501.65. It was a great effort by the students and staff. Stewart House provides short term respite care for children who need a much needed break from their current circumstances & provides dental, optical, hearing and medical screening & treatment. Children participate in educational programs & excursions designed to develop their social & emotional skills, build self-esteem and improve their overall wellbeing. It’s a rewarding feeling to know we have made even a small difference in the lives of the children who need it. Bec Lynch Stewart House 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
COWRA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
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IT’S ALL ABOUT ATTITUDE
GIRLS KNOCKOUT TENNIS
When students start secondary school, they are usually very positive and optimistic about school. Then things can start to get harder, a bit more challenging, maybe they get a bad mark and become discouraged, or maybe their friends start to influence their attitude. Some students are able to overcome these challenges, while others let it affect their attitude and application at school.
On Thursday 30 April, Cowra High girls tennis team played against Henry Lawson High at Cowra. Although the Cowra High girls played well as a team, we were outclassed on this occasion by the girls from Henry Lawson who now progress to the next round against Lithgow, Blayney or Oberon.
Take the time to determine reasons to put in effort into your school work. Think about which of the following reasons might be motivating for you:
To achieve the best mark you are capable of at school. To give you lots of options for what subjects you can choose in the senior years. To give you lots of options of what you can choose to do when you leave school. To have a personal sense of satisfaction about doing your best. To show your gratitude to your parents for giving you an education. To avoid getting in trouble from your teachers. To avoid getting in trouble from your parents. To avoid getting a detention or other negative consequences from not working. To avoid disappointing your parents. So you don’t feel bad about wasting your parent’s time and money giving you an education.
We often talk about ‘carrot’ and ‘stick’ people. If you want a donkey to move forward, you can either lead it forward with a carrot (a reward) or whack it with a stick (punishment). Some students are motivated by working towards rewards, positive consequences of doing the right thing, while others are motivated to avoid negative consequences. Which do you think you are?
Congratulations to the Cowra High team who demonstrated great teamwork and sportsmanship. Their responsible attitude and respectful behaviour was a credit to them. The next competition will be against Camden High School later this month. Well done to Kate Lewis, Kristen Mikoda, Katie Clements, Danielle Wright, Ellie Hampton, Tahli Holmes & Talitha Brown. Di St Clair Girls Tennis Coach
P&C NEWS With the Camden visit approaching we are looking for people to help in the Canteen on Thursday 28 & Friday 29 May. Any donations of home baking would be greatly appreciated. Please phone the Canteen on 6342 1561 if you can assist in any way.
Understanding what motivates you and what affects your attitude can make it easier for you to make positive changes. Learn more this year about how to motivate yourself and deal with distractions and procrastination by working through the units on www.studyskillshandbook.com.au. Our school’s access details are: Username: Password:
BOOK FAIR It’s on again ~ lots of quality books for sale. When:
Friday 15 & Saturday 16 May
Where:
St Johns Anglican Church Hall
cowrahs 174results
PO Box 72 • Dowell Street • Cowra 2794 • Telephone: 02 6342 1766 • Facsimile: 02 6342 1578 • Email: cowra-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au