Term 2 Week 4 Issue 2 May 2021

From the Principal

This has been a big fortnight for the school. We’ve sent athletes to the Zone Cross Country Carnival, year nine students to the Sydney Jewish Museum and our Clontarf boys have gone to Bunnings in Narellan and to Doolan Plumbing to learn about employee roles and employment opportunities. This fortnight also saw our half yearly exams commence for years 7,8, 9 and 10. For some students this is their first taste of a major examination in high school and we wish them the best of luck. We also hosted a White Card accreditation course for interested students. Peter Sidgreaves, Member for Camden, visited our school to see the new playground area that his funding through the Camden Community Grant made possible. A group of our Duke of Edinburgh students went on a hike from Otford to Bundeena, the weather held for them and they had a great time. The Captains went to NSW Parliament House and Government house to meet with the Premier and Governor on a leadership day. What a wonderful opportunity for the Governor and Premier to meet such amazing kids from across Sydney. Next week is reconciliation week, this years focus is that ‘more than a word.

‘Reconciliation takes action.’ At EMHS we work in collaboration with our Aboriginal students through programs such as Sista Speak and with the Clontarf Academy to support these student with our actions as well as just our words. Kylie Hedger Principal

38 Waterworth Drive, EMAIL: Elizabeth-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

NARELLAN VALE NSW 2567 WEB: www.elizabeth-h.schools.gov.edu.au

PH: 4646 1899 FAX: 4647 1569

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Elizabeth Macarthur High School @elizabethmacarthurhigh

Social Science The Social Science International Studies class have been studying Chinese cultural identity by investigating the role of religion, cultural norms and traditions on individuals personality and behaviour. Students compared Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism to determine the varying levels of influence on modern Chinese society. This included designing posters of Confucius' quotes that most resonated with them. In Geography, students have been exploring the schools grounds for edible plants and thinking of potential areas for gardens to be built. Field sketches and soil testing allowed students to determine the type of soils and features of the environment. Julie Rolando Social Science Teacher

Elizabeth Macarthur High School

P & C Meeting

Monday 31 May

7pm—Library

ALL WELCOME

Duke of Ed Hike

The Duke of Ed class successfully hiked the Otford to Bundeena track last week. The weather was beautiful, the packs heavy, and everyone had big smiles on their faces as we hiked north with the ocean by our side. After 9km of walking, we reached North Era campground, where the students set up their tents and began prepping for dinner.

At the beach, Mr Ware and the students began investigating the rock pools while the footy was chucked around. Day two provided glorious weather for the 18km hike. The students worked as a team and put their navigating skills to the test. With energy levels low, students challenged themselves to keep going and finished the track. Well done to all that participated and gave it their best!

Julie Rolando, Teacher

Agriculture News

The Year 7 students have been busy caring for young layer chicks. The students have been

monitoring the weights of the chicks. Each lesson the student collect the chicks, bring them up to the

classroom, weigh them take photos and complete the Scientific report.

Class 7L working on the project.

Year 9 have taking on the challenge to be the Project Managers, along with Year 11 students being

involved in the establishment of the Hydroponics systems. The system will be used to enable the

students to use Hydroponics to grow a vegetable crop. Year 8 students will be involved in working on

various areas within the school and the school farm.

Students and staff interested in being involved are welcome to come along and join the various

workshops that we will be holding and to aid in the project. The project will involve developing an

aquaponics system. Contact Ms Westerhof or Ms Rico in the Science Staffroom.

On the Farm

The maternity ward is in full swing, with the arrival of twin lambs, Percy and Priscilla on the 1

st

May and Pimms on the 2

nd May.

Agriculture News cont….

The Lizzy Mac Garden: This garden was worked on by the current year 11 students pre Covid and post Covid. The garden is a mix of edible plants and ornamentals. There are a range of herbs including Sage, Thyme and Mint that staff are welcome to harvest. The passionfruit are starting to grow, so feel free to come along and grab a nice fresh passionfruit.

History Year 9 students enjoyed an excursion to the Sydney Jewish Museum on Monday of Week 6. Students were lucky

enough to hear from two Holocaust Survivors: Tom Fleming & Peter Reisman. Tom shared his experience as a six

-year-old sent to Theresienstadt Ghetto & Concentration Camp and recalled the oppressive rules, the changing

cast of prisoners and the brutality of the camp guards. Whilst Peter told a compelling story of his life as a four-

year-old hiding, and sometimes misbehaving, in an underground bunker as well as sharing stories of his father’s

escape from a cattle wagon bound for Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp.

Students then explored the Sydney Jewish Museum’s permanent exhibition, The Holocaust, as part of a guided

tour that traces the history of the event using documents, photographs, original artefacts, film, maps,

interactives, and audio and video testimony. As well as taking a particular interest in the Children’s Memorial

that commemorates the 1.5 million children who were murdered during the Holocaust, students were

fascinated by the notion that many of the artefacts on display were donated by the Holocaust survivors who

immigrated to Australia after World War II.

We are very proud of the Year 9 students that represented our school as they demonstrated empathy and a

maturity beyond their years when asking questions of the two survivors. They also engaged with the tour guides

and expanded their understanding of the Holocaust in relation to World War Two – their current topic for study.

Wellbeing The wellbeing team have been running a number of lunchtime activities in the past few weeks including cookie making, card making and other creative activities. These run most days and are open to anyone to join in. Talk to Mrs Thomas in Wellbeing for more information.

Around the Grounds

Under 15 Boys Basketball:

On Friday, the Under 15 Boys Basketball team competed in the Sydney South West Tournament.

Our students were a credit to the school in their sportsmanship, effort and excellent gameplay.

They won all three games against Punchbowl (43-6), Mount Annan (76-13) and Ashcroft (47-33)

They have now qualified for the Super 8's Tournament in July.

They also have one very proud coach!

Mr. Wilson Head Teacher PDHPE

Deadly Homework Centre Elizabeth Macarthur High School

Library.

Monday afternoons

Time: 3.15pm-4.45pm

Breakfast Club

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

8:10am—8:40am

Near Life Technology Staffroom

Proudly supported by:

Teaching and Learning

COVID Intensive Learning Support Program (CILSP) Report 2021 The ongoing COVID intensive learning support program has intensified at Elizabeth Macarthur High School, resulting in students receiving small group tuition specifically tailored to their individual goals. The program was developed in 2021 after extensive analysis of our student’s needs and government support. The program at EMHS is having very positive outcomes, with students being supported across literacy, numeracy and creative problem solving. Mr L. Buchanan HT Teaching and Learning

Miss Colefax, CILSP tutor working with Year 9 students

receiving small group tuition

Please note: There is no Homework Club or Breakfast Club on Monday 14 June 2021

ATTENDANCE Let us know why your child is absent from school! You may have noticed that our attendance message to parents has changed. We are asking parents to respond to the text message they receive when their child is absent with the reason why their child is absent. It is a requirement that all non-attendance is acknowledged and a reason provided by parents and this must be done within two weeks of the absence or the absence remains unjustified. The Department of Education has set attendance at 90% for every student which equals about 4 days absent a term. Of course, if your child is sick we want them to stay home and get better but we need parents to let us know about why they are away from school. Lateness to school is also required to be justified by parents. If you receive a text message in regards to your child’s lateness then please respond if there is a reason for them being late. Ms Harris is following up at school with lateness and spoke on assembly this week about checking in with her during lunch 1 if students are late to school. By doing this we are checking in on our students’ wellbeing and seeing if there is a reason for the lateness that we can assist with as a school. Thank you for your continued support with the attendance of our students. Kristie Harris Head Teacher, Wellbeing

COVID—19 SAFE UPDATE

Students with flu like symptoms will need to provide a copy of a negative

COVID-19 test result, and be symptom free before being permitted to return to

school.

Health Clarification Update AISNSW September 2020

In a situation where a parent/carer is unable to have their child undertake a COVID test or provide the

school with a negative COVID-19 result, the student is to be excluded from school for 14 consecutive

days. Additionally, the student must have been symptom free before returning to school. When your

child receives their negative test result, please provide the following prior to their return to school:

• A photo or copy of the SMS or paperwork

• Yours child’s name (first and last) and roll call

• This information is to be forwarded via email elizabeth-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Thank you for helping to keep Elizabeth Macarthur High School community safe.

Future Skills’ Leadership Training, Interface Australia, Sydney May 7

Senor Prefects and the Student Representative Council engaged in their inaugural Leadership Training

Day event at INTERFACE Global Headquarters (Australia and New Zealand), Surry Hills, Sydney.

Students learnt about 21st Century Future Leadership Skills through

engagement and presentation by INTERFACE Senior Management

and Young Change Agents. The significance of organisational values

and evidencing how that plays out within the organisation and within

global community engagement projects was profiled.

Our School Captains, Connor Beale and Zahra Pope said “Interface

has adopted an environmentally friendly approach to producing its

carpet. By becoming carbon neutral, Interface has not only improved

the longevity of their company and customers, but is making a

difference worldwide. They collect plastics from various ecosystems

and transform it into yarn which produces not only carpet, but toys for

poorer communities in Thailand. Their contributions to the local

community and other societies around the world have made Interface

a well renowned company for the right reasons.”

Post the presentation Young Change Agents (YCA), a not for profit

social enterprise, facilitated a workshop on the Ideation, Problem

Solving Process, one which equips young people with an entrepre-

neurial mindset, skills and tools necessary for 21st Century

contemporary leadership.

The YCA training was designed to give students an opportunity to explore issues of youth mental health and

wellbeing. The process explicitly demonstrated how to empathise, reframe these issues as opportunities,

develop and validate solutions.

Students were encouraged to record a video pitch of their collaborative vision for School Executive consideration. Students are now working during lunchtime meetings to develop their ‘make it happen’ leadership plans for roll out once approved, Term 2 and 3. Student Wellbeing Project interest is in the areas of Vaping, Self Regulation (Phones, Gaming), Multiculturalism, COVID Youth and Family impact.

After lunch, the EMHS team ventured by tram to the Muse-

um of Contemporary Art at Circular Quay for an afternoon

viewing of the National 2021. A first experience in an Art

Gallery for some students and one which inspired creative,

critical thinking and comment.

Elizabeth Macarthur High School would like to acknowledge

the generosity of Interface in providing the location and

training resources and Young Change Agents for the

leadership training workshop.

“The School Industry partnerships and collaboration with teachers, Ms Thomas, Mr Binney and Ms Drakefield, have collectively created a very exciting Leadership Training event with forthcoming projects designed to support Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing within Elizabeth Macarthur High School and the broader community.” said Sue Thomas Student Support Officer “one wellbeing focused, fun day of leadership and learning”.

Ms Thomas

Welfare Update

The school Prefects have been hard at work with raising money for charity this year. Connor Beale, School

Captain, organised a boys sporting night to raise money for Beyond Blue. The night was a great success with

Year 12 students coming together along with staff to play a range of sports and build positive relationships in an

effort to create an open dialogue around mental health. Both sides won two games apiece on the night,

Staff winning

indoor soccer 12-2

basketball 35-26

Students winning

volleyball

dodgeball 2 sets to 1.

The halftime serving of pizza barely lasted with the boys demolishing all that was on offer. Following the night

both teams voted for the most valued player on the opposing team.

Most Valuable players were:

Staff: Mr. Whittington

Student: Jason Liyanarachchi

The night resulted in $250 being raised. The Year 12 boys who attended on the night would like to thank the

staff who turned up to make the night a great time for them. Congratulations everyone!

To help build the capacity of our student leadership teams our Student Support Officer, Ms. Thomas organised

a training session with Young Change Makers in partnership with Interface. The school’s SRC and several Year

12 Prefects attended the day to learn how to identify and tackle

welfare concerns within our schooling context and local community.

The training provided:

upskilling in communication

leadership skills to strengthen our school leaders in improving the

school.

We would like to thank Interface for hosting the event and catering the

day for our students. The day ended with a trip to the Museum of

Contemporary Art to broaden their cultural and social understanding of

our diverse communities.

Masuma Akram of Year 10 showed all of our student leaders the

meaning of charity by purchasing and donating food a struggling

member of the community at the end of the day. Year 12 is continuing

their charity drive with Tahlee Van Gool and Rebecca Byles leading the

prefects in creating a trivia night for Year 10, 11 and 12 students. They raised $600.00 for The Big Yellow

Umbrella. Well done all!

Mr Binney

EMHS Literacy Alert: No. 1 What is Comprehension? There are two main components of reading: 1. Decoding: Working out what the words

‘say’ 2. Comprehension: Working out what the

words ‘mean’ Our student’s ability to comprehend information allows them to access more complex texts, and it also allows them to understand language based mathematical problems. To reinforce student learning, parents are encouraged to utilise the following strategy at home when reading with their child: Mr L. Buchanan HT Teaching and Learning