Term 4 Week 3 2016 (JW)

St Ives High School - where choices create infinite possibilities

Deputy Principal Matters by John Walker

This has been a relatively quiet week from a school activities point of view, largely because of the examination preparations that are occurring. We have had an excursion and assessment free week for Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 to assist teachers in providing final instructions before the yearly examinations. This will be followed by a busy time of marking and report writing for teachers.

Year 7 to 10 Yearly examination rosters Examinations will take place for the next three weeks. Rosters of examinations have been emailed to parents of Years 7, 8, 9 and 10. If you have not received the emailed roster please contact the school office and update your preferred current email address for future communications. The Yearly examinations will be used to assist placing students in some classes for 2017. Thank you to Ms Morante for constructing the rosters. Good luck to all students!

Year 12 Clearance Day: The library and school office staff have set Friday 4 November aside to assist Year 12 students with their final clearance from St Ives High School. Students are required to return text and library books to the library and pay any outstanding course fees to the school office. Best wishes to all Year 12 students as you enter the next exciting phase of your lives. References: Teachers are currently reviewing comments from class teachers and compiling school references for Year 12 students. If any student has not yet notified the school that they would like a reference, they must contact Ms Wang as soon as possible.

Year 11 2016 HSC Assessment Policy and Schedules Our current Year 11 cohort has commenced their HSC studies. Students have been issued with booklets from the BOSTES explaining the HSC rules and procedures. Students have also been given the first section of the St Ives High School 2016-2017 HSC Assessment Policy and Guidelines booklet explaining the school’s procedures for HSC assessment tasks and course completion. The full version of the booklet, including the schedule, weighting and nature of assessment tasks for each of the courses is available on the school website. The link is found on the homepage. I highly recommend that parents read the first section to familiarise yourselves with HSC procedures. Students should download the booklet and record assessment tasks for their courses. We have tried to reduce the number of assessment tasks to assist student wellbeing, however, this will mean that each task has a greater weighting. At the end of the HSC course the school will provide the BOSTES with a mark for each student in every course. This will be moderated by the BOSTES and used to form 50% of their final HSC mark. An information evening for parents will be scheduled shortly.

Mathematics and Geography Competitions .

Term 4 Week 3 28 October 2016

Certificates were given to students at Tuesday’s Assembly.

St Ives High School - where choices create infinite possibilities

Term 4 Week 3 Page 2

ICAS Mathematics - Congratulations to all the students from Years 7 to 11 who sat the ICAS Maths Competition this year. There were many excellent results including five High Distinctions (top 1% nationally), 39 Distinctions, 26 Credits and five Merits. High Distinction: Year 7 Luke B, Will G; Year 8 Raymond Z; Year 10: Nick B, Laura G. Distinction: Year 7 Zoe B, Valentino F, Nina K, Kathy K, Lehan K, Pip R, George R, Edward R, Isaac S; Year 8 Mathew B, Liam C, Nathan C, Elise C, Lauren C, Leo D, Hugh J, Paul K, Lizzie M, Gavin R, Lochie S; Year 9: Angelo C, Kate F, Amin H, Kasra P, Arvin R, Hilary R, Kris S, Maverick T, Nick T, Felix W, Winston Z; Year 10 Henry C, Michael C, Elia P, Jeremy S, Mathew T, Andrew T, Tom W, Mini X, Barton Y. Australian Geography Competition - Congratulations to the students who received High Distinctions, Distinctions and Credits. The four students who received High Distinctions - Nina K, Nathan C, Liam C, Henry C are in the top 1% Australia-wide. Farewell St Ives High School “Out with the old and in with the new”. It has been a very rewarding twelve years serving the St Ives High School community. It has been an honour to have had input into the lives of so many students over the years. We all have different ideas about what success in life is; however, I hope that in their six years of high school SIHS students learn the importance of the decisions they make, the friendships they keep and the relationships they form. Hopefully St Ives High School has been a happy and memorable experience for students and parents. I have been so impressed with staff members (teaching and administrative), many of whom have been amongst the best I have worked with over my 36 years of teaching. I am thankful for the small but highly dedicated group of parents who have worked so hard to support our school. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to have a career surrounded by so many wonderfully talented students. I can honestly say there is still no better feeling than teaching a lesson that students have really engaged with, knowing that they have enjoyed their learning experience – good luck to my Year 12 Chemistry class for Thursday’s HSC exam! Thank you to parents who have entrusted us with the education of your children. I wish you all the very best. In my absence Mr Lawler will be relieving as Deputy Principal. Best wishes John Walker Deputy Principal (Retired)

SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ VOCAL FESTIVAL On Tuesday 25 October the school choir attended the Secondary Schools’ Vocal Festival at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts. The popular acapella group The Idea of North led a choral workshop for the students where we all learned some valuable tips and skills for singing in an ensemble. Each school choir then performed two songs for the other students to listen to, appreciate and learn from. The Idea of North gave individual feedback to each group to encourage growth and skill development. Our students performed a beautifully sung mash-up of the Jessie J songs Pricetag and Flashlight, as well as a rockin’ rendition of Abba’s Dancing Queen. Megan Bond and I were so proud of their efforts and courage. Kim Lovell did not get to see the fruits of her labour but I’m certain she would have been equally proud! What a super group of kids! I’d like to thank the parents who came to the evening concert. This concert included items by the top three student groups of the day, songs by The Idea of North and a stirring arrangement of the Sting song Fragile sung by all the students with The Idea of North. Kathryn Hawkins TAS Teacher


TACO TUESDAY Well actually it was burritos, but I enjoy alliterated headlines. For the Year 7 Spanish class this week we took the lesson to the kitchen (thank you to the TAS staff for helping to make that happen!). In honour of the impending Día de los Muertos, one of Mexico’s most famous celebrations, I decided we ought to enjoy a tasty Mexican treat - homemade! Everyone was given a list of ingredients and from there all the students chose their work station. Some were making guacamole, some the chilli con carne mix, others were chopping and stir frying vegetables and still more were creating the two different salsas. In record time were wrapping up our burritos in the tortillas and making a lot of mess! It has to be said though that 7X turned out to be both excellent cooks and cleaner uppers! ¡Feliz Día de los Muertos, amigos! Julie Baxter Spanish, French, English & ESL teacher

GAME TRAINING WORKSHOP

On Thursday 27 October the team from Game Training returned to St Ives High School to present a two hour workshop for interested Year 7 students in creating commercial quality video games using Unity software. Some of the skills they learned from the workshop were how to create a virtual 3D world, creating mountains and importing objects such as trees, grass, water, clouds and vehicles. It was a fantastic learning experience for the kids and with more practice, they are on their way to becoming future multimedia and game developers! Ben Yuen TAS Department

YOUNG WOMEN'S CONFERENCE PARLIAMENT HOUSE

Last week Francesa Smee and Eleanor Edwardson from our new Year 12 cohort, represented St Ives High at State Parliament. The focus was on women's leadership and they heard from a number of interesting speakers. Following this they attended a session of the Legislative Assembly, which was most informative. Patricia Gettens Gats and Student Leadership Coordinator Visual Arts Teacher


CAREERS UPDATE STA Heavy Vehicle Mechanics Apprenticeship - 00004SO5 State Transit is currently recruiting for their full time 2017 Apprenticeship Program. They are offering eight Heavy Vehicle Mechanic apprenticeships throughout the Sydney metropolitan area commencing in January 2017. Further information, including application details, can be found at iworkfor.nsw.gov.au (enter reference number 00004SO5) http://iworkfor.nsw.gov.au/job/sta-heavy-vehicle-mechanics-apprenticeship-48415 https://jobsnsw.taleo.net/careersection/sta_eoi/joblist.ftl Application closing date: 11:59pm on Sunday 6 November 2016. Year 10 Work Experience Term 4 Week 8, 28/11/16-2/12/16 It is important to decide on your work experience employer and complete the work experience forms and return them to Careers. I have sent the forms to your school email but you can collect forms from my office. I have also sent to your school email a work experience journal with instructions, to be completed during the week. Applying for university timeline Early term 3 - UAC Guides and disadvantage (EAS) forms arrive in schools - see Mr Holmes to collect. August - 4 digit UAC PIN number sent to students. You will need this to apply for university so keep it in a safe place or take a photo of it on your phone. Wednesday 3 August - Online applications open through UAC on Wednesday 3 August. Wednesday 3 August - SRS (Early Offer) applications open. Friday 30 September - On-time applications close. Monday 5 December - SRS applications close Friday 9 December - Most SRS offers made Friday 16 December - ATARs released and year 12 luncheon at 12pm Wednesday 18 January 2017 - Main round university offers are made NS5 UAC Parent and Student Information Evening for 2017 Year 12 HSC Students Monday 7 November at Killara High School, Koola Ave, Killara from 6:00pm – 7:00pm The Universities Admission Centre (UAC) will be presenting on the ATAR and how to apply through UAC. This is designed to inform and assist students whom wish to gain an ATAR and entry into University following school. RSVP by 1st November to Sophie Allen (Killara High School Careers Adviser) [email protected] Honeywell Engineering Summer School (HESS) 2016 Year 11 students interested in a career in engineering are eligible to apply for the HESS program. HESS will run from Sunday 11 December to Friday 16 December 2016. The cost to attend HESS is $750 and this fee covers accommodation, catering and the week’s activities. Payment should only be made after the student has been notified of their acceptance. Students must be studying Mathematics and one science. Visit www.engineersaustralia.org.au/hess UNSW Mining Summer School Unique opportunity to get inside the Mining Industry as part of the three day residential UNSW Mining Summer School (UMSS). You'll get the chance to learn about study, careers, lifestyles and opportunities in the Australian minerals industry, hearing first hand from professionals, recent graduates and current students. UMSS will kick off at the UNSW campus in Sydney, where you can experience university life, including lectures, labs and the School's 3D Virtual Reality Mine Simulator and headsets. You will then travel to the Central West area of NSW to visit underground and surface mines, learn about how minerals are extracted and processed, view mine rehabilitation sites, dine with industry representatives and alumni and have fun with an awesome bunch of new friends. When: Wednesday 18 - Friday 20 January, 2017 Eligibility: Students currently in Year 10 or 11, interested in Science or Engineering and studying/planning to study subjects such as physics, mathematics (advanced) and engineering. Cost: $200; Closing date: 30 October 2016; More info: unsw.to/summer-school2017

For more information on any of these or other careers matters visit the Careers Adviser or email Mr Holmes at [email protected] or call the school on 9144 1689 ext 116.

Visit my free careers website at http://www.careeradvicensw.com to view career videos, take career tests, view subject selection resources, links to all universities on bonus points, scholarships, elite athletes schemes, alternate entry to university, the job market,

SRS and more. The site is available 24/7.


IMPORTANT CALENDAR DATES

Term 4

13 October—4 November Higher School Certificate

31 October—18 November Years 7 - 10 examinations

10 November P&C Annual General Meeting 7.30pm

25 November PAU End of Year Showcase 7.30 pm

12 December 9.00 am Presentation Day

16 December Last day Term 4 for students

UNIFORM SHOP HOURS

Uniform Shop email: [email protected]

TUESDAYS 8.30—11.30 am

Wednesdays

8.30—9.30 am

THURSDAYS 10.40 am—12.40 pm

P&C ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The P&C AGM will take place on Thursday, 10 November in the Multi Function Space at 7.30 pm.

All positions on the Committee are up for re-election.

Agenda attached to this newsletter.

Please contact [email protected] for more information








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Term 4 Week 3 2016 (JW)