GUNNEDAH HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

Find us at: Marquis Street, Gunnedah NSW, 2380 Phone 02 6742 0155 Fax 02 6742 4429 Website: www.gunnedah-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Email: gunnedah-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au Issue 2 21.02.2015

Dear Parents/Caregivers

The new school year is up and running. Year 7 have

settled in well. We did have them in the area next to

the oval shaded by the trees to start with but they are

now making their way out into the rest of the school.

From the conversations I have been having with then

and the feedback from Year Advisor, Rowena

Singleton, they understand the layout of the school

and are adjusting to moving around at the change of

periods. They are also enjoying the variety of

different subjects with different teachers.

Students undertaking TAFE courses have started this

week; this includes the new initiative of the Stage 5

Vocational Education class. At Gunnedah High we

offer a variety of patterns of study to best suit all

students to achieve their goals. I would remind

students undertaking TAFE courses, however, if they

are studying a course at TAFE that takes up part of

the day, the other part of the day they should be

attending school and in class.

I am meeting this week with Alinta, the company that

provides our uniform. We are discussing what the

final version of the new winter jumper will look like

and then trying to get the order in so we can have

new stock here for the cooler months. I have been

explaining this regularly on the morning assembly.

This year there will be a big drive on supporting

uniform. We are working with the community and

have developed a new Uniform Policy which has

been endorsed by the P&C and AECG. A uniform

committee is in operation to update the uniform. We

are establishing a clothing pool and uniform

assistance is available, so please contact us if there

are any issues about getting students into uniform. It

is certainly my aim as the Principal, and the staff are

committed to this, that we raise the bar and have a

uniform and school the community can be proud of.

Some upcoming dates and activities to be aware of:

The school swimming carnival is 20th February. To

me, the swimming and athletics carnivals are two of

the highlight days of the year. I encourage all

RESPECT

RESPONSIBILITY

DO YOUR BEST

SPORT CAPTAINS - 2015

Issue 2 21.02.2015

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students to come, participate, get in the carnival spirit

and enjoy the day.

Clean Up Australia Day will be 27th February I

believe our senior school leaders and Year 7 are

going to clean up a targeted area near the school. A

very worthwhile afternoon that will count as a

community service activity in the new well-being

system which we are about to start trailling. This new

well-being system will complement the discipline

system that was introduced last year. Another

improvement in efficient systems operating at

Gunnedah High since the Review in late 2013.

Shane Kelly, Principal.

VALENTINE ’S DAY

Student Representative Council,

along with teacher, Miss Lyndsay

Scheitel, organised and sold heart

shaped balloons for Valentine’s Day.

The balloons were delivered to

students during morning assembly. Funds raised by

the sale of the balloons will go towards a worthy

cause.

.

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GUNNEDAH ABORIGINAL EDUCATIONAL CONSULATIVE

GROUP

AECG MEETING

Gunnedah Public School

Thursday 26th February 2015 - 4pm

All Welcome.

TAFE/WORK LINKS PROGRAM

The TAFE/Work Links Program has been developed

as an initiative of Gunnedah High School Senior

Executive, TAFE and the Tamworth Department of

Education and Communities personnel. The program

offers students an alternate pathway for learning and

the opportunity to still qualify for their RoSA. This

will be achieved through structured school lessons,

attendance at a TAFE course and a series of activities

coordinated under the Links to Learning model.

The Links to Learning activities have been developed

through an association with The Careers Network.

Facilitator, Nicole Harding, will coordinate the

Gunnedah Links to Learning program with activities

such as:

Health and Wellbeing Workshops

Cultural Awareness

Employability Skills

Resume Writing

White Card Course

First Aid Certificate

Work Experience and Industry Tours.

UNIVERSITY SUMMER CAMP

During the holidays Gunnedah High School students,

Taylar and Breanna Mancer and Abby Gordon

travelled to Sydney to attend the Wingara Mura –

Bunga Barrabugu Summer Program held at the

University of Sydney. Abby and Taylar participated

in the Natural Science course, while Breanna chose

Get Scientific and Promote Change.

The Wingara Mura - Bunga Barrabugu Summer

Program is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander students who are in Years 9, 10, 11 and 12.

Students stay on-campus, have access to the world-

class facilities of the University of Sydney, and have

the chance to speak directly with leading academics

and industry figures.

Abby Gordon Breanna Mancer Taylar Mancer

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Practical Support for Higher School Certificate Examinations

Information for Students and Parents

Dear Parents/Carers, The Board of Studies has a program to help students with practical support in their Higher School Certificate examinations. This practical support, known as provisions, assists students to read examination questions and to write their answers. Provisions include rest breaks and extra time. The use of any provision is not written on the student’s results. Students may need provisions for: • a permanent condition, such as diabetes or reading difficulty • a temporary condition, such as a broken arm, or • an intermittent condition, such as back pain when sitting for long periods. It is not embarrassing to apply for or use provisions. More than 5000 HSC students apply for provisions each year. Provisions help students to show the markers what they know and can do. To apply for provisions, the school submits an online application to the Board of Studies. This application tells us which provisions the student is requesting and includes recent evidence. Evidence may include medical reports, reading results, spelling results, writing samples and teacher comments. Much of the evidence can be collected by the school, but the parents’ role is welcome and needed. Parents help by talking with the school, describing the student’s needs, and providing the school with medical or other reports. Applications for provisions should be submitted by the school to the Board of Studies by the end of Term 1. Late applications are accepted for an emergency, such as a broken arm, until the time of the examinations. Once the Board of Studies has made a decision about which provisions are approved or declined, a decision letter is provided to the school. The school will provide the student with a copy of the letter. If you or the school are not satisfied with the Board’s decision, it is possible for the school to lodge an appeal. Appeals must state why the Board’s decision is unsuitable and must include new evidence to support the appeal. If you think that you or your child may require support in completing the Higher School Certificate examinations, please discuss the matter with the Year Adviser, School Counsellor or teacher. Please contact Mrs. McInerney by the end of Term 1 Week 6 if you would like your child to apply for these provisions on (02) 67420155.

Special Provisions Are Available For Students in Years 7 To 11

For Further Information Contact

Mrs. Emily McInerney, Head Teacher Welfare Phone 67420155

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Gunnedah Junior Rugby League was formed in 1958 and is still going strong! We are a Non for Profit

organisation who put all money back into our club. Our club is always looking for more players to

expand our numbers. Age groups 5/6, 7/8, 9/10 and 11/12’s 13-16’s which also includes girls.

Footy is NOT just for boys!

Our commitment to our players is to encourage a fun filled game of footy whilst ensuring the safety of

all involved who abide by a strict code of conduct..

What can our club offer you?

• Fully qualified coaches

• NRL accredited First Aid Officers always at game day

• A committee that is committed to ensuring all families have a fun filled experience with

Junior League

• Accredited referees

• Saturday afternoon game days

• LOW registrations fees which include Shorts/Socks and

insurance.

• Club Shirts and Jumpers at reduced prices

REGISTRATIONS– Are open now online and registration date is on the 28th February 2015. Early bird

fees apply so get in quick for a reduced registration fee. Please contact Peter Lennox – 0418 952 649

for further information OR like our FB page https://www.facebook.com/GunnedahJuniorRugbyLeague

OR visit http://www.playrugbyleague.com/

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NORTA NORTA

Norta Norta Tutor, Mrs. Karen Cunningham, will be

supporting senior students with assessment tasks

again this year. Gunnedah High School has a senior

study room that is opened Monday to Friday from

8:00am to 3:30pm. All senior students are welcome

to attend.

NORTA NORTA

A power point presentation outlining the Norta Norta Tutoring program was shown to

parents last week followed by a tour of the Senior Study room.

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ROTARY PUBLIC SPEAKING

Best wishes to Kassidy

Lamey who will

compete in the Zone

Rotary Public Speaking

competition at Walcha

on Saturday.

The school is very

proud of Kassidy’s

achievements and

wishes her all the best

at the weekend.

VACCINATIONS

Year 7 students Julian Morgan and Zane Hicks,

put on brave faces as Gunnedah and District

Hospital staff members Mrs. Ruth Pope and Mrs.

Melba Turner administer

dTpa vaccine

varicella vaccine

human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine

FRIENDSHIPS BOOS T YO UR CHIL D’S

LEARNING

If children are happy socially they tend to be more

engaged in their learning. So teaching your child

about the importance of making friends is as vital as

learning their ABCs.

Find out more:

http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/wellbeing/develop

ment/how-friendships-boost-your-childs-learning

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Congratulations to our last year’s Year 12 students

who have started their orientation at university this

week.

Courtney Brandon is studying Biomedical Science at

University of New England. Also attending UNE are

Hayley Kemp, Brandi Megson and Matthew Martin.

Hayley is undertaking teaching; Brandi will study

Agriculture and Business while Matthew will be

studying Media/Communications. Former student

Nick Suter, is commencing his Engineering studies at

Newcastle. The school extends its best wishes to

these students for their journey through tertiary

education.

Several students have decided to take a gap year and

are employed locally, others are attending TAFE. The

newsletter will profile their path in future editions.

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

Many students now use Year 11 and 12 to get a head

start on a traineeship or an apprenticeship, or to gain

other valuable industry experience.

Find out more:

http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/homework-and-

study/planning-for-the-future/vocational-education-

at-school

Issue 2 21.02.2015

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APOLOGY ANNIVERSARY

On the 13th February 2008, Prime Minister Kevin

Rudd nationally apologised to the Indigenous

Australians who were forcibly removed from their

families by past Australian Federal, State and

Territory government agencies from the late 1800’s

to the 1970’s.

The children were removed and separated from their

families and were placed in homes or institutions,

growing up without an understanding of traditional

culture and without a sense of connection to the land

and country where they were born.

Students watched a short video clip of Mr. Rudd’s

apology speech which was a major step in Australian

history to “bridge the gap”.

Welcome to Country was delivered by Travis

Beasley Year 12 and Taylar Mancer Year 11. After

the video presentation, Travis and Taylar spoke to the

assembly of the significance of the anniversary and

its importance to the Indigenous people of Australia.

YEAR 10 SUBJECT SELECTION

How can you help your teen decide on subjects for

Years 11 and 12? These tips talk about balancing

choices based on your teen’s strengths, while keeping

their options open.

http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/zh/homework-

and-study/planning-for-the-future/year-10-subject-

selection

HOUSE CAPTAINS

2015 Gunnedah High School Sports Captains

Jackson Kemp, Brioney Childs, Lianna Block

Samantha Turner, Izaak Merlehan, Paris Morley,

Tyler Mills, Sarah Hardy (absent).

Kaputar-Green Moonbi-Yellow

Illawarra-Blue Nandewar-Red

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