Our Mission: To provide a quality comprehensive and inclusive educational environment where all students can achieve Newsletter also on the web at www.cowra-h.schools.nsw.edu.au 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 2014 Issue 8
Friday 6 June, 2014
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT As you read this, sporting & cultural students from Cowra High are battling Camden High in our 43rd inter-school exchange for the Robert Montgomery Shield. The benefits of the sportsmanship and genuine friendship that has endured between our two schools for so many decades should never be taken for granted. It is unique in the annals of school sporting exchanges and highly valued by all involved. I’m sure I’m not alone in wishing our competitors, “best of luck”. The P&C met on Wednesday evening ~ along with many important things regularly discussed at these meetings, we also saw a new President elected. I congratulate Trish Long in her new role. I know Trish will bring a sense of commitment and direction to this important voice in our school community. Again we celebrate the wonderful success of our performing artists. During the Cowra Eisteddfod we had school groups competing in Senior Drama (1st place), Year 7 – 10 Dancers (1st place) & Open Dancers (Highly Commended). I had the great pleasure of watching the dancers perform and was spellbound by their beautiful performances. I will also get the pleasure of watching our students perform in the Eisteddfod’s Grand Concert tonight. Last week Cowra High students participated in the Central Western CWA Public Speaking competition. Congratulations to Joanna Treasure of Year 11 being awarded second place for the Senior Division. Olivia Perkins of Year 8 & Banyette Bohman of Year 9 were also great ambassadors for Cowra High and gained a great deal from the experience. Thank you to Mrs Keefe for giving the students the opportunity. Our Year 10 debaters continue their progress through the Central West, coming out victorious against Canowindra High last week ~ all the best in your upcoming debate against The Henry Lawson High School. As a way of rounding off the variety of opportunities Cowra High students received at our school in the last fortnight, on Tuesday we had the CSIRO Science show in the school. This gave junior students fun exposure to the sciences through a professional scientist from the country’s leading scientific research body. Senior students then had the opportunity to investigate forensic sciences with the visiting specialist. Exposure to such high levels of expertise is an invaluable educational tool and of great benefit to all the students involved. Have a great fortnight. Charles Gauci
Our Seikei exchange student, Yoshi Kondo, was the lucky winner of the Bushmans Boots and All voucher in the recent PBL draw.
MEDICARE NUMBERS It is a Departmental requirement that Medicare numbers be written on excursion permission notes as the notes are photocopied before heading on excursions. Staff need to have access to these numbers just in case an incident happens while on excursion. By providing the number on the permission note, staff will have this information while away from the school.
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 you
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COWRA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
On Thursday 22 May, all Year 7 students were involved in their Welfare Day which was based on the theme Celebrating Differences. The aim of the day was for all students to understand that everyone is unique and we should respect and value individual differences amongst all people. Students were involved in presentations that involved guest speakers and student leaders. Topics covered included Safety and the Law (from the Police), Understanding Autism (Beck Halls, a school district consultant from Orange), and Healthy Relationships (from Relationships Australia). The Cowra High Captains & Peer Support Leaders also provided assistance and mentoring to the students throughout the day, discussing Team Building and Bullying Issues with the younger students. The face painting and other Aboriginal cultural activities were also very popular. An evaluation at the end of the day indicated that most presentations and topics covered were well received by the students. This is the third year that the Celebrating Differences Day has been provided to the Year 7 cohort. Thanks to Mrs Hambly and the other staff members who assisted in the successful running of this welfare event. Di St Clair
Don’t complain, don’t whine Always come to school on time
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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COWRA EISTEDDFOD SUCCESS
CANOWINDRA COMMUNITY READING DAY
On Tuesday 20 May, Year 11 Drama competed at the Cowra Eisteddfod. We entered in the Open Group Skit section, where we performed our 10 minute devised piece called Twisted Tales which we’d made up and worked on as a group during class. We were awarded 1st place for our efforts and won the Cowra CWA Evening Branch Shield. Our trophy can be found in Mr Gauci’s office! The biggest honour was being asked to perform at the Grand Concert tonight. We will also be taking this piece to the Western Region Drama Festival in Orange next term.
On Friday 23 May, twelve members of the Wagambirra Dance Group participated in the Canowindra Community Reading Day for young children co-ordinated by the Cowra, Canowindra & Weddin branch of Home-Start Australia.
Year 11 Drama
Our group’s brief was to demonstrate story telling through traditional Aboriginal dance, which we did by performing the kangaroo dance, then teaching the little children the dance and getting them to perform it with Wagambirra. This activity was repeated six times in Memorial Park for the six different groups of children who rotated through the various workshops on offer. The children came from Canowindra Pre-School, Canowindra Public, St Edwards Catholic School, Family Day Care and Playgroup. During the lunch break Wagambirra performed a number of dances for the crowd’s entertainment. At the end of the day the group had a session with Wiradjuri storyteller, Larry Brandy from Canberra, who had also been conducting a workshop. Congratulations to the students involved, particularly as a number in Year 7 are new to the group and were performing in public for the first time.
ATTENDANCE MESSAGE
Good attendance helps kids succeed in school and builds self-esteem
Avoid medical appointments and extended trips during the school term, where possible
Being late to school may lead to poor attendance
Students who participated were Josephine Browne-Wood, Ashleigh Doolan, Bryana Field, Jamaica Prouse-Mallie, Iesha Reed & Kiesha Williams (Year 7); Jessica Collett & Jaylee Dunn (Year 8); Ian Simpson & Dylan Thompson (Year 9) and Nicollette Regan & Niomi Williams (Year 11). Thank you to Ms Patterson who drove the bus and assisted on the day. Cheryl McAlister Wagambirra Dance Group Co-ordinator
Help Your Child Succeed in School ~ Build the Habit of Great Attendance!
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
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
VACCINATION CLINIC
Last Sunday 1 June, four of Cowra High’s Aboriginal dancers had the honour of performing before their biggest audience so far, when they were part of the opening entertainment at the 105th Rotary International Convention held at Allphones Arena at Sydney Olympic Park. To cater for the over 20,000 people attending the convention, the opening session was held twice, one on Sunday morning and one Sunday afternoon. Sydney Olympic Park was teeming with international visitors.
Due to unforeseen circumstances the second Vaccination clinic that was organised for Friday 30 May did not run as planned. Friday 20 June is the new date for the second HPV injection.
Twenty three Aboriginal dancers representing metropolitan, rural & regional NSW performed Gathu Maluwa, which they had first performed in the 2013 Schools Spectacular. The dancers were trained by Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Chantal Kerr & Kirk Page. Our four students had a busy time as they had many hours of rehearsal on Friday & Saturday and then were at Allphones very early on Sunday for a show run before their first official performance. Congratulations to Imajen James, Jared Burns, Jesse Murray & Ian Simpson, not only for their outstanding dance performances but also for their impeccable behaviour over the three days in Sydney. Imajen James had an even busier time last week as she also performed with the NSW Public Schools Aboriginal Dance Company on the Wednesday evening at the Arinex International Fertilizer Association Conference at Australian Technology Park at Eveleigh in Sydney. A highlight for Imajen was seeing Jessica Mauboy who was also performing at the same event.
Some Year 9 boys were able to get their injection so they won’t be required to attend this new date. The remaining Year 9 boys and all Year 7 students, boys & girls will be required to be at school on this day. Please be sure to have a good breakfast.
ATHLETICS CARNIVAL RESULTS Age Champions 12 years Emerson Baratto & Danieka Williams 13 years William Murphy & Victoria King 14 years Janama Lambshead & Chantell Rhodes 15 years Jesse Murray & Tayla Garratt 16 years Toby Baker & Shania Craig Opens Sean Simpson & Claire Thirkell Record Breakers Sean Simpson Open boys long jump ~ 6.24m Open boys triple jump ~ 12.23m Tayla Garratt 15 girls shotput ~ 11.34m 15 girls discus ~ 33.62m Olivia Perkins 14 girls shotput ~ 12.83m Champion House 1st ~ Myall 945 points 2nd ~ Brigalow 905 3rd ~ Wandoo 865 4th ~ Kurrajong 799
ADULT SURVIVORS OF CHILD ABUSE If you know or live with someone who has been abused as a child, you need to understand the impact it has on their lives and on your life, and how you can better support them whilst caring for your own self. Come along to a one day workshop for carers and supporters of adult survivors of child abuse provided by health professionals and trainers.
Jesse Murray, Jared Burns, Imajen James & Ian Simpson
Where: Canowindra CWA Hall, Blatchford Street When: Saturday 21 June Cost: $10 Register online at www.itmatters.com.au or for further information call 0458 698 460.
PO Box 72 • Dowell Street • Cowra 2794 • Telephone: 02 6342 1766 • Facsimile: 02 6342 1578 • Email: cowra-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au