21

Johnson Avenue, SEVEN HILLS 2147. Phone 9624 3329

Email: sevenhills-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au Website: http://www.sevenhills-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/

Seven Hills High School A member of the Nirimba Collegiate group of schools

Newsletter

February 2018

Welcome to 2018 I would like to welcome back students in Years 8 to 10 and their parents, and extend a warm welcome to our incoming students and their parents, who join us in 2018.

During the school year we will continue to focus on raising the academic standards and expectations for our students. There will be many opportunities for the community to support the staff in their endeavours and positively contribute to the achievement of the school’s targets, identified in our new school plan, which will be published on the school’s website by the end of Term 1.

Upcoming Events February

14th SRC Valentine’s Day 19th – 21st Year 7 Camp to Kincumber 21st P&C Meeting, 7.30pm in the library 22nd Zone Swimming Carnival 23rd School Leaders Investiture 28th Meet the Teacher BBQ (Year 7) March 1st Open Night – Year 7 2019 7th Sydney West Swimming Carnival 13th Subject Information Night – Wyndham

College Fast Forward – Year 10 Taronga Zoo – Year 7 14th P&C Meeting, 7.30pm in the library

At the end of last year, members of the 2017 and 2018 Student Representative Council were asked to provide their views on how the school could continue to improve classroom learning, the types of additional resources that could be purchased to enhance student achievement and ways to encourage a harmonious school environment. It was a pleasure to discuss with these students their ideas as well as talk about those ideas presented by staff and parents as part of developing our strategic directions for the next three years.

As a result of the meeting, I anticipate that refurbishments to our basketball courts, the provision of seating in the canteen area and other measures to make the classrooms more conducive to learning, will all occur this term, with many other of their suggestions to be implemented over the next 3 years.

I would also like to thank those parents who responded to the survey distributed in December. The results of the questionnaire indicate very high levels of satisfaction across all areas on which information was sought.

These included; quality of communication between school and home in terms of notifying parents of a student’s academic and social and emotional development at a personal and system level, staff expectations of, and support for, high academic achievement

P&C Meeting Wednesday, 21st February At the meeting: * Mr Maclaren will be outlining the school merit scheme and the school’s Anti-Bullying Policy * Mr Erwin will be showing parents how to access the parent portal * Mr Johnstone will be discussing parent control apps for phones and other devices

All parents, carers and community members are welcome!

achievement by students; and the school’s responsiveness to academic and behavioural issues.

I look forward to our staff, parents and students working together in achieving great things in 2018 and urge our parents and community members to join our current parents at our first Parents and Citizens meeting for 2018.

Greg Johnstone

Principal

Deputy Principal Welcome to all members of the Seven Hills High School community as we start another exciting year for our school. For those new to Seven Hills, it will be a year of expectations as you get to experience first-hand, the exceptional educational programs that our school has to offer.

We are first and foremost a school focused on developing the many gifts and talents our students have been given so that they can go on to live successful lives.

Therefore, we require all of our students to come into Seven Hills High School with attitudes that are positive and conducive to achievement.

Students who have the right attitude can be clearly identified when they are prepared each day, are attentive and willing to contribute to class learning, seek to be involved in the broader life of the school and wear their uniform with pride.

Year 10

RoSA

For Year 10 students, 2018 will be an important year, as they complete their studies towards the Record of School Achievement (RoSA). On Thursday 15th February Year 10 students will receive their RoSA Handbook. It has been developed to assist Year 10 with time management and planning ahead for assessment tasks. The booklet is a summary of the nature of tasks set, their due date and assessment weighting. As parents or carers, please ask your child to share with you this document so you may familiarise yourself with the processes, procedures and expectations for assessment this year. A copy of the handbook will also be published through the parent portal. Also this week, students received assessment schedules for the year. This schedule outlines when all tasks are due or completed for each of the school terms. A copy of the schedule has been placed on the student and parent portals. Students should continually refer to this schedule to plan their time accordingly to ensure all tasks are completed and submitted when outlined.

The Year 10 RoSA Handbook contains vital information regarding procedures and practices which must be adhered to in order to complete Year 10 successfully. It is important to remember that the granting of the Record of School Achievement involves meeting course requirements, completing all assessment tasks on time and applying oneself with diligence and sustained effort to all set tasks and experiences.

Expectations

Seven Hills High School always endeavours to prepare Year 10 students for their place in society. Appropriate and respectful behaviour, compliance with the school dress code as well as attending school and class on time are the requirements to ensure success in learning.

Year 10 will have had the following standards explained to them during their Year meeting:

Full school uniform must we worn every day. Three uniform transgressions from the beginning of this term may mean that a student will forfeit the right to attend the end of year formal.

Persistent lateness disadvantages students with their learning. Those students who regularly arrive late will be monitored, counselled and expected to change their ways. If the problem persists, the right to attend the end of year formal and graduation may be forfeited;

Poor attendance disadvantages students with their learning. Those who regularly do not attend school will be monitored, counselled and expected to change their ways. Additionally, if non-attendance is frequent, their RoSA may be in jeopardy. If the problem persists, the right to attend the end of year formal and graduation may be forfeited;

Working hard and completing all set tasks is expected as a minimum. Students who persist in not making an effort or not completing tasks will have a Non-Award Warning Letter sent to parents. This means that a student may be in jeopardy of not receiving a Record of School Achievement, if the problem persists;

It is reasonable to expect Year 10 students to behave well, particularly as they are role models for younger students in this school. Students who are suspended have breached reasonable behaviour codes within our school and our society. Any student who is suspended will be monitored and counselled. In addition, that student’s right to attend the formal and graduation may be forfeited.

The standards of behaviour and application that are expected of our students are not difficult to achieve nor do they represent unreasonable requests.

David Erwin

Deputy Principal

Swimming Carnival School Swimming Carnival was held on Wednesday 31st January. The carnival was a great success with increased participation and house spirit displayed by all the participants. It was a tight contest between the houses which saw Freeman house came out as the overall winner this year.

Congratulations to all the participants and especially to the winning House and their Sport Captains.

House Points

Freeman 402

Bradman 381

Thorpe 360

Ellis 252

Age Champions

12 Years Girls April Gannon

13 Years Girls Paige Williams

14 Years Girls Jessica Sands

15 Years Girls Sophie Commissione

16 Years Girls Rachael Mcdermott

13 Years Boys Alex Warnecke

14 Years Boys Kyle Cavanagh

15 Years Boys Tevita Kabuyawa

16 Years Boys Jeremy Frary

Jimmy Joseph

Sports Organiser

Welcome to Year 7 BBQ and Meet the Teachers Night

Wednesday, 28th February at

6.00pm in the Library

Bring the family along as there will be plenty of sausage sandwiches for all.

Looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday 28th February.

Student Leaders

It is with great pleasure that we announce our student leadership teams for this year

Student Representative Council

Year 10: Amneh Chaker (Captain), Alanna Kaufmann (Captain), Rachael McDermott (Vice-Captain), Lewis Schmid (Vice-Captain), Jeremy Frary (Prefect), Mariah Saipele (Prefect), Hasan Zaidi (Prefect) and Peter Davies

Year 9: Stacey Brown, Kyle Cavanagh, Jasmine Clarke, Annie Kereopa, Richard Lee, Jaden McManus

Year 8: Kayla Alfred, Teneal McDermott, Jessica Sands, Peter Schmid, Caitlin Sinclair

Year 7 representatives will be selected at the end of Term 1.

Sport Council – House Captans

Freeman - Shantay Meisake, Marko Stojanovic and Peter Davies

Bradman - Paige Corsiatto, Rebecca Godbee and Jack Bradlee

Thorpe- Shikorah Way, Kupa Puloka and Jaidon Walsh

Ellis - Jeremy Frary, Hasan Zaidi and Mariah Saipele

Homework Centre Seven Hills High School will start its after-school Homework Centre on Tuesday the 13th of February to assist students with their coursework and assessments.

The Homework Centre will run every Tuesday and Wednesday and from 3:10 – 4:00 pm in the school library and will provide students with an opportunity to receive more hands on assistance from staff with their course content, homework, assessments and examination skills, whilst utilising the resources of the school library. There is no charge for attending the Homework Centre. Students should bring their books, and any supplies needed to do their work for the session.

To attend, a student must provide a signed permission slip with can be attained from the Administration Office.

Daniel Way

Acting Head Teacher Science

Please ensure the safety of our students I would like to remind all parents not to drive into the school car parks to drop off or pick up their children. These car parks are used by those students receiving assisted transport, staff and contractors and for students entering and leaving the school due to building construction.

The only exceptions to this are those parents on school business between the hours of 9.00am and 2.30pm or after 3.30pm.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Greg Johnstone

Principal

National Benchmarks from NAPLAN Literacy and Numeracy Year 10 completed NAPLAN examinations in Year 9 last year. This was the first year where students were required to obtain a National Benchmark of Band 8 or higher in Reading, Writing and Numeracy. Students not meeting these benchmarks, including those students who did not complete NAPLAN examinations, are required to sit a National Education Standards Authority (NESA) examination in these areas. Examinations are online and will be conducted at school during two timeframes – Term 2, weeks 6 – 8 and Term3, weeks 4 and 7. Students can only undertake examinations twice a year leading up to the Higher School Certificate. Specific details of the examinations will be provided later in the term however. Students who do not meet the minimum standards prior to completing their Higher School Certificate, will not receive this credential. More information can be found at http://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/hsc/hsc-minimum-standard

If there are any questions, concerns or issues regarding Year 8 or Year 10 students and their progress, please do not hesitate to contact me at school

Seven Hills High School Mobile Phone Application Seven Hills High School has its own Skoolbag iPhone and Android App to help us communicate more effectively with our parent and student community.

The Skoolbag app provides key school information via one single communication centre delivering school notices directly to parent and student smartphones.

Features:

Push Notification Alerts

Any content can be “pushed” as FREE instant push notification messages, such as news, events, newsletter posts, last minute cancellations, etc.

Notifications can be categorised with push alerts to targeted year groups. Parents and students can set filters on the app to only receive notifications applicable to their year group(s) of interest. Notification of all school formal assessments for all year groups will be included in this feature.

Please note: This Skoolbag app will not be used for absent or late student notifications. SMS messages will continue to be sent for absent or late student notifications.

School events calendar

School calendar events are displayed in list format month by month, and calendar format. Parents and students can add school events listed in the calendar to their own personal iPhone and android calendar at the click of a button. Notification of all school formal assessments for all year groups will be included in this feature.

Access to documents

Along with notification, school documents such as newsletters, school annual reports and permission notes can also be accessed through the Seven Hills HS Skoolbag app.

We are asking parents and students to install our Skoolbag App. To install it, just search for our school name "Seven Hills High School" in either the Apple App Store, or Google Play Store.

Once you have installed the app, select the “more” option at the bottom right of the screen and then “setup” to apply year group filters. The app is intuitive in its use, however, if you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact the school.

A Message from the Collegiate Deputy Principal Hello Seven Hills High School Parents, Students and Community for the first time.

My name is Ross Dummett and it is a tremendous honour to be the Collegiate Deputy Principal in 2018.

Robotics Club Robotics club is running again in 2018 and this year looks to be a very exciting year for the club. We have been extremely fortunate to be awarded a Google grant to enter the First Lego League, thanks to a video submission put together by students Jack Laing and Dylan Kent (both currently in year 10). The grant will provide the school with additional equipment, mentoring and cover the competition fees.

We are also planning on improving our results in the RoboCup Junior competition and Everybody Dance NAO competition, in which the students were state finalists last year. Students have already been busy since the competitions last year, planning, designing and testing ideas for this year’s competitions.

Robotics club is open to all students and no experience is necessary and we look forward to new students joining the club.

Mrs Howell

Mathematics/Robotics Teacher

Seven Hills High School Parent Portal Seven Hills High School has both a student and parent portal, to provide both students and parents discreet information about each student's progress in our school.

Information accessible from the portal includes student timetable details, daily notices for the student access, attendance details, important school documents relative to each year group and the school, school newsletters, details of N Awards for Years 9 and 10 students, non-completion of work for Years 7 and 8, current and past academic reports including semester and RTA reports, and past NAPLAN results.

In addition, parents/carers will be able to inform the school of updated contact and medical details through the portal. For parents/carers with more than one student at the school, the one portal account will have access to all. Students can access the student portal using their current DoE logon details (username and password) and are not required to register.

This week, all Year 7 new families will receive a letter in the mail explaining how to register for an account as well as a family key to link to their child’s details. For all existing families who do not have access to the parent portal or have misplaced their access details, please contact the school so we can get you set up and access to your child’s information.

David Erwin

Deputy Principal

I have been a Deputy Principal for the past 8 years. The first two (2010 – 2011) were spent at Sarah Redfern High School under the National Partnership Funding model and more recently I was the Deputy Principal at Endeavour Sports High School since 2012.

I have extensive experience in community engagement and implementing Teaching and Learning strategies, in particular, Direct Instruction, Feedback and Teaching for HSC Success. I believe that education works best when the teacher, student and parents all work together to achieve the best possible outcomes for their child. This is best achieved with open lines of communication between the family and the school.

I am very much looking forward to working with the staff, students and parents of Seven Hills High School and fully intend to use my experiences to continue and promote the great work being done on a daily basis at Seven Hills High School.

Active Kids The NSW Government is helping kids get active with the new Active Kids program.

From 31 January 2018, parents, guardians and carers can apply for a $100 voucher per calendar year for each student enrolled in school.

The voucher may be used with a registered activity provider for registration, participation and membership costs for sport, fitness and active recreation activities.

The voucher can be used at any time during the calendar year it was issued.

To use the voucher, give your voucher details to an approved Active Kids Provider.

The program runs year-round, so kids can get active at any time!

You are eligible to claim the voucher:

• If you’re a parent, carer or guardian, the student will be eligible if they are:

• a NSW resident • aged between 4.5 and 18

years, and • enrolled in school (from

Kindergarten to Year 12, including those who are home-schooled or enrolled in secondary school education at TAFE NSW).

To apply for a voucher go to: https://sport.nsw.gov.au/sectordevelopment/activekids

Science in 2018

The Science faculty is very excited to be back developing the next generation of young scientists. We have many exciting and interesting things planned for the year. To be able to ensure that all students have the equipment they need and are correctly attired to conduct experiments in a safe manner, we have prepared a list of equipment that all students are required to bring to their science classes:

Equipment: Exercise book (preferably A4), black or blue pen, red pen, pencil, eraser, ruler, glue, calculator and a highlighter.

Safety Precautions: Closed in shoes and Hair ties/elastics for students with long hair.

Students in 10A will be participating in an online homework resource called STILE and will be receiving their log-ins shortly. Any additional students interested in using this resource can see Mr. Way in the Science staffroom.

Thanks,

Daniel Way

Acting Head Teacher Science

Community Partnerships

Seven Hills High School implements a number of strategies designed to provide you with greater knowledge of what your child is studying at school and enable you to be more actively engaged with your child’s education at home.

‘What Students Will Be Studying’ information sheets can be found on the Sentral parent portal. Course information is available for all courses offered each term. As well as providing a summary of course content, the sheets reinforce that there are activities to be done by students, on a regular basis, in addition to assigned homework and assessment tasks, that develop their knowledge and skills in a particular subject as well as promote effective note-taking and studying techniques.

Literacy Activity Sheets: These have been given to students and will be available, along with the answer sheet, through the Sentral parent portal. Each activity sheet should take between 30-45 minutes to finish. Each fortnight the completed sheets are to be returned to the Library. These will go into the draw to win one $20 itunes voucher per stage group - Stage 4 (Years 7&8) and Stage 5 (Years 9&10).

Library Assistants I am proud to announce that we have 13 students who have continued-on or joined the Library team this year. These students are giving up their time to help support our valuable school resource, whilst learning new skills along the way.

Bruce Stewart

Librarian

SHHS Reading Challenge: For a student to improve their ability in reading comprehension, and get the most out of each lesson, they must read outside of class time. Each ‘Monday A’ students will be given a ‘SHHS Reading Challenge’ card. We are asking you to spend time each day listening to your child read, as reading aloud enhances fluency, strengthens comprehension and develops critical reading skills.

All you have to do is initial the card to indicate that the books listed on the card have been read over the two-week period (noting if they are worth 5 or 10 points) and the days on which your child read to you for between 10-30 minutes non-stop. Then sign the finished card.

Students are to return the signed card to Mr. Stewart, our librarian. All students who return a signed card (with a value of 40 challenge points or over, including a minimum of 30 points for reading out loud) will go into a prize draw to win one $20 itunes voucher per stage group - Stage 4 (Years 7&8) and Stage 5 (Years 9&10). All students who achieve 400 or more points by the end of the term will go into the draw for one of four $50 dollar itunes vouchers.

Greg Johnstone

Principal

Library Matters Welcome Back! Welcome back to school New books on the way Keep an eye out on our New Book display. We have new exciting titles about to hit the shelves including the new John Green novel “Turtle All the Way Down”, the next in the wimpy kid and Tokyo Ghoul series as well as the much talked about Nevermoor, The Trials of Morrigan Crow” , breathtaking, enchanting new series by debut Australian author Jessica Townsend. Along with new graphic Fiction including Wonder Women, Lumberjames, and Nimona. Come and check out what's new!

NEW BOOKS to the library

Title • Almost Midnight Two Short Stories by Rainbow

Rowell • Bad Dad • Batman Nightwalker (DC Icons series) • Carve the Mark (Carve the Mark, Book 1) • Frogkisser! • Lumberjanes 1 • Magnus Chase and the Hammer of Thor (Book 2) • Magnus Chase and the Sword of Summer (Book 1) • Nevermoor The Trials of Morrigan Crow • Nimona • Runaways 1 • See You in the Cosmos • The Getaway Diary of a Wimpy Kid (BK12) Diary of

a Wimpy Kid Book 12 • The Hate U Give • The Sun and Her Flowers • The Upside of Unrequited • Tokyo Ghoul 10 • Tokyo Ghoul 9 • Tower of Dawn • Turtles All the Way Down • Warcross • Wonder Woman 1 • Wonder Woman Warbringer (DC Icons Series)

An exciting new year begins in English and HSIE at Seven Hills High School. In the faculty, we welcome back Mr Jones, Mr Burgess, Ms Walker, Ms Keogh and Mr Stewart and extend a warm welcome to Ms Farrugia, returning from maternity leave and Mrs Soni and Ms Wilk, joining the faculty in teaching English, HSIE and Literacy. A special thank you to Ms Luscombe, Ms Moran and Mr Harper, who were a part of the English and HSIE Faculty last year.

The English and HSIE faculty has planned many quality teaching and learning experiences for this coming year. To assist your child in their preparation for learning, it is important to make sure that they have the following in readiness for each lesson:

• A positive approach to learning and achieving

• A diary to organise scheduled tasks and homework

• A novel to read during wide reading time

• A USB to save work and files electronically

• An exercise book (covered in contact and labelled clearly with name and class)

• Pencil case containing pens, pencils, sharpener, eraser, ruler, glue and scissors

In English and HSIE, we strive to assist students to reach their potential in their understanding, skills and values. An important part of this approach is being organised and ready for learning, being prepared to learn and having the resources to undertake the learning. The R.O.A.D (Respect, Organisation, Application and Determination) approach has been explored with all students in English and HSIE and allows all students to work towards their best.

2018 will see the continued implementation of programs and resources, new novels for class study and new field experiences for students studying History and Geography. Opportunities to debate with our school teams and other schools, will be available for our debating teams. Our Drama students will again be inspired with our extra-curricular Drama program. Our Year 7 and Year 9 students will be prepared and ready to undertake Naplan testing early in Term 2. All of these opportunities will allow students to explore and grow as learners.

Each year group has begun their first unit of study. In English, Year 7 have begun the year with the topic ‘In My World’, an introductory unit which explores autobiographical writing and prepares students for the study of English at high school. Year 8 are building upon their knowledge of novels and fiction in a reading unit which explores the human condition. Year 9 are commencing with ‘Dystopia’ which includes the study of novels with a view to explore society and its connections. Year 10 are taking on the role of preparing for Senior Study in English by learning about characters in the unit titled ‘Raw’.

In HSIE, students begin the year with a study of History. Students are eagerly looking into ’Exploring the Ancient Past‘, ‘The Vikings’, ‘The Industrial Revolution’ and ‘Post World War II in Australia’. During Semester Two, students will undertake their study of a brand new course in Geography, a part of the new Australian Curriculum.

These programs of study are designed to be engaging, accessible and interesting and promote skills and understanding for each student. We hope that your child will enjoy all of these experiences.

If you have any concerns regarding your child’s progress in English or HSIE during the school year, please feel free to contact myself or your child’s class teacher. We are looking forward to an exciting, and successful 2018.

Teresa Rodd Head Teacher English/HSIE/Literacy

Other Interest Groups • Ukulele group will meet every Tuesday at lunch in

the music room (Ms Zadravec)

• School Dance runs every Tuesday 3:03pm - 4:30pm. It will start week 3. Permission notes and sign up in the PDHPE staffroom (Mrs Luscombe)

• Basketball training Thursday lunch. Permission notes and sign up in the Science staffroom (Mr Way)

• Futsal (indoor soccer) Tuesday morning 7:30am - 8:30am and Wednesday afternoon 3:15pm - 4:15pm. Permission notes and sign up in the English/HSIE staffroom (Mr Burgess)

• Gym (weight training) every Wednesday lunch. Permission notes and sign up in the PDHPE staffroom (Mr Joseph)

Careers

YEAR 10

Subject Selection Booklets On Thursday, 15th March, ALL Year 10 students will receive their Subject Selection booklet for Year 11 2019 at Wyndham College. Parents and students need to read this document to become familiar with the procedures for the Higher School Certificate.

Students need to select 6 main subjects and 3 reserve subjects. I will conduct a subject selection interview with all Year 10 students prior to subject selections closing.

Platinum Club at Wyndham College Year 10 students who are interested in applying for the Platinum Club MUST do so by 31st March. Applications are available in the library outside the careers office. All supporting documents can be photocopied at school and subject selections can be discussed with Mrs Slater. Subject Information Night at Wyndham College

SAVE THE DATE: TUESDAY 13th March. 6:15pm for a 6:30pm start.

All parents and students are invited to attend. Enrolment packages will be distributed and the on-line subject selection process explained. Parents and students will be able to talk to subject experts at a market stall featured around the hall.

FREE FIRST AID COURSE The course is available to 20 Year 10 students. Modules are completed on line at home. Then students sit the practical exam at school. If successful, in passing both the theory and practical components of the course, students will receive two certificates. Please see Mrs Slater if interested.

WHITECARD course The White card course will be offered to any student over 14 years. Students require a USI number to enrol in the course. The course will run if we have a minimum of 10 students who pay $50.00 for the course. See Mrs Slater for a permission note.

YEAR 9

The Helmsman Project. Once again Seven Hills High School has been offered the privilege of participating in the Helmsman Project. The program will be offered a little differently this year. It is open to any student in Year 9. Please see Mrs Slater if you are interested. YEAR 7 ‘Aim Higher’ performance - Year 7 will attend an in-school performance by Western Sydney University on Thursday, 29th March, during session 1. The performance is FREE. Students are encouraged to consider different career pathways post-school, such as attending a University.

Tonnie Slater

Careers Adviser

Canteen Menu and Price List

Term 1 2018

Hot Food Chicken burger with lettuce and mayo $4.00

Hamburger with salad $4.00

Hot dog $3.00

Sausage and Onion on a roll $2.50

Pizza $1.00

Ham and cheese toastie $3.00

Various meals in a container (changes daily):

Fried rice/pasta with bolognaise sauce/pasta

with mushroom and ham sauce $4.00

** Special lunch orders are taken before school or at recess**

Wraps and Sandwiches

Wraps with various fillings (salad, ham, chicken) $4.00

Sandwiches with various fillings

(tasty cheese, ham, egg) from $2.00

Chicken sandwich $3.50

Salad tubs $4.00

Snacks

Chips (Red Rock Deli) $1.20

Mixed Fruit in a tub from $2.00

Fruit $1.00

Popcorn $1.00

The canteen follows the NSW Healthy School Canteen strategy.

Frozen Treats Fruit sticks 0.50

Ice blocks from $1.00

Drinks Water 600ml $2.00

Flavoured Milk 330ml $2.20

Fruit Juice $1.00