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Page 1 of 18 T1 Week 11 Week 11 (B) Starting 8 April 2019 Thursday 12/04/19 Year 12 - Mid course examinations Year 9 – International Studies Task Year 8 – Spanish/French In-class Task AFL Boys Knock-out Competition Friday 13/04/19 Year 12 - Mid course examinations Year 11 – Society and Culture and Mathematics Extension 1 – Assessment Tasks Year 8 – Spanish/French In-class Task Merit Excursion Easter Show T2 Week 1 Week 1 (A) Starting 29 April 2019 Monday 29/04/19 Staff Development Day Tuesday 30/04/19 All students return Year 7 and 10 - Peer Support Session Wednesday 01/05/19 Year 9 and 10 – Top Blokes – Selected boys Year 8 and 9 – Girls Shine Program Thursday 02/05/19 Year 12 – Geography Mandatory Fieldwork Excursion Year 11 – ANZAC Ceremony – Wollongong RSL Annual SRC Conference Excursion (Year 7-12) Friday 03/05/19 Year 11 – Visual Arts and Drama Performance Assessment Tasks Year 7 and 10 - Peer Support Session South Coast Touch Football Trials T2 Week 2 Week 2 (B) Starting 6 May 2019 Monday 06/05/19 Year 12 – Society and Culture Assessment task Year 11 – Studies of Religion Assessment Task Year 9 and 10 – Elective History Excursion – Police Justice Museum Year 9 - Transport Safety Program Year 8 and 9 – Science Practical Assessment Tasks Tuesday 07/05/19 Year 12 – Aboriginal Studies Project and Society and Culture Assessment tasks Year 10 – Transport Safety Program Year 9 – PDM Submission Task and Science Practical Assessment Task Year 8 – Science Practical Assessment Task Year 7 – Maths Assessment Task Wednesday 08/05/19 Year 10 – Visual Arts Assessment Task Year 9 and 10 - Top Blokes – Selected boys Year 8 and 9 – Science Practical Assessment Tasks Year 8 and 9 – Girls Shine Program Year 7 – Maths Assessment Task Aboriginal Poetry (Years 7-11) Years 10 and 12- Illawarra Schools Career Expo at Unanderra Hockey Stadium Thursday 09/05/19 Year 12 – Society and Culture Assessment task Year 10 – Visual Arts Assessment Task Year 8 – Science Practical Assessment Task Year 7 – Maths Assessment Task Friday 10/05/19 Year 12 - Society and Culture Assessment task Year 11 – PVD Assessment Task Year 8 and 9 – Science Practical Assessment Task Year 7 - Year 12 – AIME UOW Years 7-12 Zone Cross Country – Kembla Joggers T2 Week 3 Week 3 (A) Starting 13 May 2019 Monday 13/05/19 Year 9 – History Assessment Task Tuesday 14/05/19 Years 7 and 9 NAPLAN Wednesday 15/05/19 Year 10 – Science – Half Yearly Exam Years 9 and 10 - Top Blokes – Selected boys Years 9 and 10 – PASS Laser Tag excursion Years 8 and 9 - Girls Shine Program Years 7 and 9 NAPLAN Thursday 15/05/19 Year 12 – Geography Excursion Years 7 and 9 NAPLAN Friday 16/05/19 Years 7 and 9 NAPLAN Year 12 Purple Year 11 Olive Year 10 Blue Year 9 Red Year 8 Green Year 7 Orange Thoughts from the Principal Term 1 has been a buoyant and fruitful term at Figtree High School. Year 7 are now an integral part of the school while Year 12 are half way through their HSC courses. Year 7 Meet and Greet It was great to see so many parents take the opportunity to attend the Year 7 Meet and Greet afternoon in Week 8. The partnership between parents/carers, teachers and the students is crucial and we must continue to strengthen these relationships as the school journey progresses. Thank you to Ms Lawson, Ms Murphy and Mr Thomas for their planning of this event. SCHOOL NEWSLETTER Term 1 Week 11, 11 April 2019 Address: 2 Gibsons Road, Figtree NSW 2525 Phone: 02 4271 2787 Email: [email protected] Fax: 02 4271 6626

Term 1 Week 11, 11 April 2019 - figtree-h.schools.nsw.gov.au · Year 11 – Visual Arts and Drama Performance Assessment Tasks Year 7 and 10 - Peer Support Session . South Coast Touch

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Page 1 of 18

T1 Week 11 Week 11 (B) Starting 8 April 2019 Thursday 12/04/19

Year 12 - Mid course examinations Year 9 – International Studies Task Year 8 – Spanish/French In-class Task AFL Boys Knock-out Competition

Friday 13/04/19

Year 12 - Mid course examinations Year 11 – Society and Culture and Mathematics Extension 1 – Assessment Tasks Year 8 – Spanish/French In-class Task Merit Excursion Easter Show

T2 Week 1 Week 1 (A) Starting 29 April 2019 Monday

29/04/19 Staff Development Day

Tuesday 30/04/19

All students return Year 7 and 10 - Peer Support Session

Wednesday 01/05/19

Year 9 and 10 – Top Blokes – Selected boys Year 8 and 9 – Girls Shine Program

Thursday 02/05/19

Year 12 – Geography Mandatory Fieldwork Excursion Year 11 – ANZAC Ceremony – Wollongong RSL Annual SRC Conference Excursion (Year 7-12)

Friday 03/05/19

Year 11 – Visual Arts and Drama Performance Assessment Tasks Year 7 and 10 - Peer Support Session South Coast Touch Football Trials

T2 Week 2 Week 2 (B) Starting 6 May 2019 Monday

06/05/19 Year 12 – Society and Culture Assessment task Year 11 – Studies of Religion Assessment Task Year 9 and 10 – Elective History Excursion – Police Justice Museum Year 9 - Transport Safety Program Year 8 and 9 – Science Practical Assessment Tasks

Tuesday 07/05/19

Year 12 – Aboriginal Studies Project and Society and Culture Assessment tasks Year 10 – Transport Safety Program Year 9 – PDM Submission Task and Science Practical Assessment Task Year 8 – Science Practical Assessment Task Year 7 – Maths Assessment Task

Wednesday 08/05/19

Year 10 – Visual Arts Assessment Task Year 9 and 10 - Top Blokes – Selected boys Year 8 and 9 – Science Practical Assessment Tasks Year 8 and 9 – Girls Shine Program Year 7 – Maths Assessment Task Aboriginal Poetry (Years 7-11) Years 10 and 12- Illawarra Schools Career Expo at Unanderra Hockey Stadium

Thursday 09/05/19

Year 12 – Society and Culture Assessment task Year 10 – Visual Arts Assessment Task Year 8 – Science Practical Assessment Task Year 7 – Maths Assessment Task

Friday 10/05/19

Year 12 - Society and Culture Assessment task Year 11 – PVD Assessment Task Year 8 and 9 – Science Practical Assessment Task Year 7 - Year 12 – AIME UOW Years 7-12 Zone Cross Country – Kembla Joggers

T2 Week 3 Week 3 (A) Starting 13 May 2019 Monday

13/05/19 Year 9 – History Assessment Task

Tuesday 14/05/19

Years 7 and 9 NAPLAN

Wednesday 15/05/19

Year 10 – Science – Half Yearly Exam Years 9 and 10 - Top Blokes – Selected boys Years 9 and 10 – PASS Laser Tag excursion Years 8 and 9 - Girls Shine Program Years 7 and 9 NAPLAN

Thursday 15/05/19

Year 12 – Geography Excursion Years 7 and 9 NAPLAN

Friday 16/05/19

Years 7 and 9 NAPLAN

Year 12 Purple Year 11 Olive Year 10 Blue Year 9 Red Year 8 Green Year 7 Orange

Thoughts from the Principal

Term 1 has been a buoyant and fruitful term at Figtree High School. Year 7 are now an integral part of the school while Year 12 are half way through their HSC courses.

Year 7 Meet and Greet

It was great to see so many parents take the opportunity to attend the Year 7 Meet and Greet afternoon in Week 8. The partnership between parents/carers, teachers and the students is crucial and we must continue to strengthen these relationships as the school journey progresses.

Thank you to Ms Lawson, Ms Murphy and Mr Thomas for their planning of this event.

SCHOOL NEWSLETTER Term 1 Week 11, 11 April 2019

Address: 2 Gibsons Road, Figtree NSW 2525 Phone: 02 4271 2787 Email: [email protected] Fax: 02 4271 6626

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Induction of Student leaders

Our Student Representative Council and School Captains and Vice Captains were inducted at a formal ceremony in Week 6. I would like to congratulate these motivated students who are looked upon as the student leaders of our school. Thank you to Ms Tasker, Ms Murphy and Ms Harlor for their organisation of the morning and coordination of the SRC.

Enrolments up

Last week the teachers met for a before school breakfast to celebrate the impressive increase in student enrolments. This has enabled us to confirm extra teaching and administrative support staff as well as a Head Teacher position. Thank you to all of you who promote our school in the local community. The best advertisements for a school are happy parents and happy students.

CAPA Committee

I wish to acknowledge our CAPA Committee (CAPA Co) who are a large group of arts students dedicated to raising the profile of Creative and Performing Arts at Figtree High School. They are working hard to enhance our communication via social media and are supporting the school 50th Anniversary.

Premier’s Sporting Challenge

Congratulations to all the students from our Community of Schools (CoS) who participated in the NSW Premier’s Sporting Challenge. In particular, I would like to thank Ms Karin Harlor, the 20 Year 10 students and the two Year 11 students for their participation as the coaches as well as the CoS teachers who attended on the day. It was a great success for all students involved.

School Management

We have finalised our School Plan Strategic Directions for 2019 that will ensure success for every student, every teacher and every leader at our school. We are also drawing together the Annual Report for 2018 to highlight our areas of success and areas for development. Both documents will be uploaded to our website during Term 2. I hope parents will take the time to glance at these and feel reassured that the school is heading positively and proactively into the future.

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‘Every student known, valued and cared for’

Recently the Director, Educational Leadership - Mr Bill Field - asked me to write an outline of our philosophy that at Figtree HS every student is known, valued and cared for.

Here is an excerpt of what I wrote:

To learn, adolescents need to feel safe and supported. At Figtree HS we create a healthy, safe, and supportive classroom and school environment. Our teachers are caring adults who create an atmosphere of sincere individualised support for their students' wellbeing and academic success. At Figtree HS we endeavour to foster a bond between students and school. Every student in this school is known by name by at least 6 teachers, every student has at least 6 adults that they can trust and go to talk to about any problems they might have either academic, personal, in school or out. At Figtree HS wellbeing and learning are inseparable.

The amazing initiatives and programs at Figtree HS that help us to make this philosophy a reality are:

A well-established support team

• Two Year Advisers in every year group • Head Teacher Wellbeing • Aboriginal Education Coordinator • Aboriginal Teacher Mentor • A large number of Student Learning Support

Officers (SLSO) • Head Teacher Teaching and Learning • Head Teacher Special Education • Supervisor of Girls and Supervisor of Boys • 2 x School counsellors • Senior Psychologist Education based onsite • 2 x Deputy Principals

Some examples: Learning Plans; PLP - All indigenous students; IEP - Student with specific leaning needs; EAL/D - Students with English as a second language; HSC Success Plans; Health Care Plan - For any students with any health issue; Wellbeing Plans - Any student with specific wellbeing needs; Behaviour Plans; Out of homecare plans.

Programs • Top Blokes • SHINE program • Young Women’s forum • AIME - Australian Indigenous Mentoring

Experience • Youth Frontiers • Links to Learning • MacqLit – reading intervention program • HSC Mentors • Subject Selection interviews • Premier’s Sporting Challenge • SRC and Prefects • Cultural Programs e.g. NAIDOC week activities • House Captains • Various extra-curricula activities catering for

specific student interests • Student Success Assemblies • Positive letters to parents • Merit Recognition Program • Positive Behaviour for Learning program • Peer Support

As the amended proverb says: ‘As the twig is bent so grows the Figtree.’

Staff Farewells

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Austin Brooks who has accepted his dream position as teacher at the Observatory Environmental Education Centre, positioned in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, for the remainder of 2019. Mr Brooks is an outstanding classroom teacher and the students will miss his commitment to their learning, his fantastic technology skills and his great sense of humour.

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We also farewell Stephanie Thompson and Karen Knight - wonderful SAS staff who have kept the engine room of the school ticking over, supporting both teachers and students. All the best and thankyou both.

Early next term, I will have news to share about staffing changes as positions such as Head Teacher Administration and TAS teacher will be filled through merit selection.

Wonderful service

Finally, I would like to make special mention of two long standing and wonderful members of our P&C - Jackie Brown and Chris Ryman. Jackie has been our P&C President for the past two years and has done a stellar job. She relinquishes this position as her son Jayden completed Year 12 last year. Chris has been the P & C Treasurer for a number of years and his time and effort in balancing the books and proficiency with financial decisions has been incredibly valued at Figtree HS. The Figtree High School community sincerely thanks Jackie and Chris for their commitment to improvements for the students at our school. We wish them well in future endeavours.

I would like to recognise the new P & C Executive team

President – Bronwyn Gibson

Secretary – Trish Davis

Treasurer – Tracey Newman

Our P&C meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm – new members are always welcome. P&C is one way to show your children that you care about their education while at the same time, learning more about the school’s programs.

Enjoy the Easter break. There is so much to do in the local area: http://www.visitwollongong.com.au/things-to-do/attractions

….. A great school in a great location!

Daniel Ovens Principal

Expectation of the Week

WEEK 11: BE RESPECTFUL - Technology Communicate using appropriate

language

WEEK 1: BE SAFE - Technology Keep passwords safe

WEEK 2: BE SAFE - Technology Keep personal information private

WEEK 3: BE A LEARNER - Technology Charge and maintain a device

Deputy Principal Report Years 7, 9 and 11

As the end of term nears, can I wish every student and their family a safe holiday period. It has been a great term of learning for students at Figtree High School.

Year 7 students went to Wet and Wild in Sydney on Friday 5 April. The students were super excited and continued to build on the positive peer relationships that they had developed at their camp. It was a beautiful day for the excursion and students were accompanied by Mr Thomas, Mrs Murphy (Year Advisers), Mrs McCarthy, Mr Hudson, Ms Pulham and Ms Bonacina who also enjoyed the day with the students.

Figtree High School has worked with Lowes to make arrangements to have the new ‘blocker’ shorts embroidered with FHS, for those parents who bought these shorts from Lowes earlier this year. This will be at no cost for parents/carers.

The shorts need to be taken to the Figtree Grove Lowes store by Sunday 14 April 2019. When the shorts are taken into the store, staff will obtain contact details and place the name inside the zipper pockets. This is so when they are returned back to store from being embroidered, Lowes know which shorts belong to which student. Lowes will endeavour to have the shorts back in the store for collection by the 26 April, 2019. Please note this is during the school holiday period.

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New blocker shorts with the FHS emblem should now be available from Lowes at Figtree Grove, if new school shorts need to purchased.

Year 9 students have been working on their semester one tasks. Students are given a task notification which outlines the criteria and marking rubric where applicable. If students are away when the notification is handed out it is the student’s responsibility to ask the teacher for the assessment task information.

The Preliminary Course Assessment Procedures and Schedules 2019 Booklet is available on the school’s website. Students have signed to say that they have received this booklet where ‘submission of an assessment task’, ‘Failure to complete or submit an assessment task’ ‘Computer or printer breakdown..’ and ‘Consequences for breaching school assessment rules’ sections were explicitly discussed during the Year 11 meeting when the booklet was distributed. Students are encouraged to review these procedures regularly to ensure that they follow the correct procedures, especially when illness or misadventure occurs.

Trish Morgan Deputy Principal

Deputy Principal Report Years 8, 10 and 12

Attendance Attendance at school is compulsory. We had 136 students who achieved 100% attendance this Term – which is a fantastic achievement! Congratulations to those students, and their parents and carers for setting high expectations for school attendance. We also have a number of students who are absent from school on a regular basis. Students should only be absent from school if they are too sick to attend, or are on approved leave. The school sends an SMS for whole day absences to the primary mobile contact number provided to the school. The parent/carer who receives this message can respond to the message to explain their child’s absence. If a response to the SMS is not received, a letter will be sent home to seek an explanation. This occurs for unexplained partial absences, usually a late arrival, as well. This is a legal requirement.

While we understand the busy nature of a household in the morning, we expect that students will be at school by 8:30am each morning. Punctuality is an important life skill, employability skill and also ensures that students are fully engaged in learning experiences. N Warning letters – Year 10 and 12 If you have received an N Warning letter this term regarding your child not meeting the course requirements due to incomplete classwork, homework or assessment task/s, it is essential that your child completes the tasks listed on the N Warning letter as a matter of urgency. The N Warning letter includes a due date for the work to be completed. If a student receives 2 N warning letters in the same course, and does not complete the tasks listed on the N Warning letters, they place themselves at risk of receiving an N Determination in that course. An N Determination in a core subject in Year 10 will mean that the student is not eligible for the NESA Year 10 Record of School Achievement, and would need to repeat Year 10. An N Determination in an HSC course could make the student ineligible for the NSW Higher School Certificate, and an ATAR. As such, completing the tasks listed on the N Warning letters as a matter of urgency is the best way for students to ensure that they are not placing themselves at risk of consequences like this. Before School Library Access Does your child need additional help with assessment tasks, homework and/or classwork? If you answered YES – then an early morning visit to the school library is just what they need! In Term 2, the Library will be open from 7:45am – 8:30am on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for students to seek additional personalised support from Mrs Sue Clifford, one of our Learning and Support Teachers. Please encourage your child to attend if you think they would benefit from this extra assistance. Any questions about the support available can be directed to the school on 42712787. My best wishes to students and their families for the two week school holiday break and I look forward to seeing students at the start of Term 2 on 30 April. Ellie Donovan Deputy Principal

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English Faculty Report

Welcome to Term 1. This term we have been busy with our focus on writing across all stages. As part of the Craft of Writing module we have been getting our students to do Snap-Shot writing, every Friday. This is an English initiative which allows our students to gain new skills and the ability to reflect on their own compositions. Year 11 students are now on their way, being taught the new syllabus for English. This has been a successful transition to senior English with students being exposed to a range of texts. Each student has a writing portfolio which will be used throughout the year. In Year 10, students have been working on their Detective Fiction creative compositions and Snap-Shot writing on a Friday. Here are a number of extracts from Mrs Bartlett’s Year 10 class. I gazed out into the dark street, taking in the dishevelled appearance that stared back at me in the glass. My curly, coffee coloured hair stuck up at odd angles. My chiselled jaw was coated in a light layer of stubble. My thick brows framed two piercing blue eyes. My well-built body filled out my suit which complimented my almond coloured skin. The hum of the coffee machine finally quietened, then stopped, bringing me back to reality. As I brought the steaming liquid to my lips, I heard the sound of a car pulling up out the front of my building. I quickly glanced out the window, noticing my UBER, a black Nissan Sentra, waiting on the curb two storeys down. I quickly swallowed the entire coffee and set the empty cup on the kitchen bench, the drink scalding my throat and tongue on the way down. I slipped out the window into the thick New York air and clambered down the fire escape, the homeless man sleeping by the dumpster down the alley grunting at the racket. I opened the car door and climbed into the fresh leather interior of the vehicle. The driver said nothing as he hit the accelerator and we zipped through the maze-like streets of Queens, and across to Long Island. Jessica Buffett

As the morning sun unravels from the sky, the rays of lucid dreams beam the gentle atmosphere . Birds on the horizon flicker throughout the morning as their beautiful notes twinkle and tease my ears. The colour of yellow and pink platter and paint the sky as the soft and cosy clouds gently move. A soft push of the awakened and mint fresh breeze open the eyes to a new begging, as the sounds of roosters scream their morning journey. The brittle noise of trees slightly dancing makes my skin bristle into bumps as the fluorescent morning light smirks in my eyes. No sight of unpleasantness was nowhere to be near as the existence of life brings the soft heart of my joy. Beautiful rings through my mind at this site as I ache to leave such a luminous and luxurious sky. Nina Graovac The afternoon sun peeks eagerly through the dense canopy. Tiny particles of dust floating through the golden rays. The sound of withered leaves under my heavy footsteps mingles with the soothing sounds of the Australian bush. The resonating buzz of cicadas. The cheerful squawk of the native parrots. The subtle trickle of fresh rain water down the rocky creek bed. Each sound fading into another, the perfect balance between silence and sound. A serene oasis separated from the modern world. A pot of nature suspended in space and time. Forever changing, yet always the same. Liam Smith The lush greenery filled the air. An audience of bushes low and an orchestra of trees towering high. Every breath filled the lungs of the curious little boy with Deja-vu. He had visited this heavenly lending once before, but destroyed. Wrecked. Filled with colours of red and shades of grey splattered everywhere, painted an empty canvas, but the artist was a dull, empty man. The bodies of a cavalry, fighting for their land and once upon a time, bub left there painting over the lush, green portrait. The aftermath of a great war. The curious boy in the blue vest and white undershirt stopped in his tracks. He observed, up, down, then around him. He then looked at the shovel in his hand. What it were used for. His own father burying his comrades into the soil with dignity. A convention of lost souls in blue and white, floating around in a bodement of dirt and rocks. Helpless and obsolete. Without mind of thought, body of strength, sense of greatness lived here. Not one spot of it. All the convicts banded together in conversation for their break from pain. Jamie Micallef

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Year 12 English Assessment Preparation with Mrs Young To prepare for their upcoming essay assessment task, Mrs Young’s Year 12 Standard English class engaged in a ‘Study Buffet’. After viewing their feedback from their practice task, students were presented with a number of stations around the room with various activities.

Students independently moved across stations to address their own needs and weaknesses with essay writing. The ‘menu’ consisted of preparing visual study aides, suggestions at unpacking essay questions and advice on how to develop effective thesis statements. At the conclusion of the lesson, students had a set of notes tailored to their own study needs.

Mrs Young’s Year 12 class

Get Ready to Own Writing

In Year 7 we have introduced the GROW writing portfolio which will be used across all KLA’s. The importance of the writing portfolio is to allow students to set writing goals. With these writing goals students are able to challenge themselves through PLANTING, GROWING, BLOOMING and THRIVING in spelling, punctuation, cohesion, paragraphing and sustaining ideas through a piece of writing. All Year 7 students have set their writing goals in consultation with their English teacher. They are now Ready to Own Writing. Thanks Angela Mintzas Head Teacher English/Drama

WELLBEING REPORT

YAM program During Weeks 2, 3 and 4 all Year 9 students were involved in the YAM program. This program discussed mental health and strategies to cope with problems. Year 9 students completed an evaluation on the program: ‘The 3rd session was fun as they actually called the Kids Helpline. This was worthwhile because there was no teacher from the school in the room and it was quite interesting’ – Ciara ‘It was interesting as Isaac and I did heaps of role plays. It was worthwhile as it taught us more in depth about drugs and mental health.’ – Lachlan ‘From the YAM program I learnt the helpline number and who I can talk to if I need help.’ – Zoe ‘It was a worthwhile program because we got to talk freely about anything’ – Isaac ‘They talked about getting a lift with your drunk friends sister, and what you would do’ – Mitchell ‘YAM was a worthwhile program as it taught us how to help people and to help ourselves’ – Eliisha ‘The most interesting thing was how open it was’ – Jake ‘I learnt from the YAM program. 1. How to contact kids helpline; 2. How to communicate with people in regards to

asking for help or helping someone;

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3. Don’t keep secrets if you think someone could harm themselves!’ – Erin

‘The advice that I would give people that don’t want to participate is that you need to talk to people’ - Logan Digital Citizenship Teenagers can spend a lot of time online — instant messaging, sharing photos and videos, playing online games and using online chat and voice chat through social media services can be a big part of their social identity. It can be a great experience but there are risks. You can help equip your child with the skills to manage these risks and deal with negative situations. For teenagers, it is important to:

• Keep things open. Have an ‘open door’ policy when devices are used in bedrooms, and check in with them regularly to see what they are viewing.

• Stay engaged. Ask about their online experiences, who they are talking to online and whether they are having any issues.

• Reinforce the importance of protecting their personal information and privacy. Remind them to create screen names or IDs that do not indicate gender, age, name or location and are not sexually suggestive.

• Equip them to use social media responsibly. Terms of use for each service cover the rules for using the site, the type of content that can be posted and any age requirements. Go through these with your child to make sure they understand what is expected of them.

• Explain that linking social media accounts can make it easier for strangers to learn about them, so it is best to keep accounts separate.

• Encourage them to think before they post. They should ask questions like: Who might see this? Could it be misread by others? Am I creating the right image for myself socially and for school and work opportunities?

• Remind them that they could expose themselves to risk by sharing sexually suggestive or intimate images of themselves or others.

• Keep building self-respect, empathy and resilience. In particular, be aware of the impact of social media on self-esteem.

Continue to review your rules as your child grows older:

• Be clear about where and when devices can be used — not at mealtimes, for example, or not until after chores or homework are done.

• Agree on a plan that fits into family routines — perhaps more screen time on the weekend when they have less schoolwork.

• Refer to the e-safety website below to find more advice about time online and online gaming if these are of concern.

Technology tips for parents of teenagers:

• Use parental controls appropriately for the age and experience of your child

• As they grow more independent and resilient, good open communication becomes more important than blocking or filtering content — realistically your teenager will become increasingly adept at getting around such parental controls anyway.

(Excerpt from https://www.esafety.gov.au) As parents and carers, you know your child better than anyone and have the best opportunity to support and guide them to have safer online experiences. The e-safety website covers some of the key online safety issues for young people and includes a range of practical tips and advice on what to do if things go wrong. You can also find a list of important services that can offer extra support. More helpful information At the back of this newsletter an information page has been attached ‘Where to go for support’. These numbers will assist students when they are vulnerable and are seeking assistance. Also included at the back of this newsletter is a flyer from Black Dog Institute’s BITE BACK. This is a free, self-guided online positive psychology program aimed at improving the overall wellbeing and resilience of young Australians. It is appropriate for young people aged 12-18 years old, evidence shows that as little as 30 minutes spent using BITE BACK per week over a six week period can decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety and increase wellbeing. Wishing all students a relaxing break and looking forward to seeing their smiling faces in term 2. Jemma Lawson Head Teacher Wellbeing

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GIRLS BASKETBALL On Monday 18 March the Open Girls Basketball team travelled to Bomaderry to participate in the South Coast Final. Our first game was against Mulwarre High School, who had won this competition in previous years. Figtree won 36-31. In the second game we defeated Woonona High School 41-10. The third round was against Ulladulla High School and we won 52-32. As winners of our pool, Figtree High will represent South Coast region with the other pool winner - Wollongong High. Congratulations to the entire team for their fantastic attitude, behaviour and enthusiasm. A big thank you to Mr Powell who transported students and Jakiah Bailey who refereed our games. Jakiah has been asked if he would represent the South Coast region to referee for the State titles in Minto.

Referee: Jakiah Bailey

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INTERSCHOOL MOUNTAIN BIKING CHAMPIONSHIPS AT THREDBO A small number of students from Figtree High School participated recently in the Mountain Bike Interschool’s Championships at Thredbo. The results were: Flow -

• The Figtree High School Team (Male Division 3) entry of (Kohan Laird, Kaylen Craft, Kaide Pratt & Samuel Buffett) achieved a terrific result of 2nd place bringing home a trophy for their efforts. With over 140 entrants in this division it’s a great result.

• The Figtree High School Team (Male Division 2) entry of (Reegan Laird, Clinton Wax, Alex Carlisle & Max Giobbi) put in a top effort but due to mechanical issues were not able to finish, but they gave it their all and never gave up.

Down Hill - • Figtree High School Team (Male Division 3)

entry of (Kohan Laird, Kaylen Craft, Kaide Pratt & Samuel Buffett) achieved another great result of 3rd place bringing home a trophy and again with over 140 entrants - a top effort!

• The Figtree High School Team (Male Division 2) entry of (Reegan Laird, Clinton Wax, Alex Carlisle & Max Giobbi) put in a massive effort in one of the biggest categories with over 200 entrants, placing 4th just out of contention for a podium, but an outstanding effort none the less.

There were over 650 entrants from across 100 schools with a 25% increase in participants over last year.

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SAILING Jake Morgan and Grace Bunyan have been sailing with each other for 3 years. They sail a flying ant, boat number 575 with the name Kamikaze. They participated in the Nationals in January and came 4th overall out of a fleet of 23 boats which came from WA, Victoria, Central Coast and the Illawarra. They are also competing in the State Titles with one more round in April and are currently leading. They will be representing Figtree High School in the NSWCHS competition which is a 4 day regatta. There will be about 120 boats across different classes. This is happening from the 15 - 18 April. We wish Jake and Grace the best of luck.

Grace Bunyan and Jake Morgan

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