Page 1

Thomas Reddall High School Newsletter

Focusing on our Future

19 March 2018 Issue 2 Term 2

Principal’s Report Mrs J Fuller (Principal)

Open Night Our Open Night was a resounding success and we sincerely thank all of the parents, carers and community members that attended our Year 7 Meet the Teacher and our Open Night. Our staff and students were so proud to showcase their talents and achievements to far this year. We hope to build on the success of this event over the coming years.

School Plan 2018-2020 At Open Night all parents, carers and community members were given the opportunity to contribute towards our three strategic directions for the next three years. Our directions are wellbeing, teaching and learning and community engagement. We thank all parents, carers and community members for their input and look forward to the opportunity to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure that Thomas Reddall High School is meeting and exceeding your expectations for your child and your chosen school. Should you have missed the opportunity and would like to have your say please contact me on the school line. We will be holding focus groups in the coming weeks with our students for them to have their say in what happens in their school over the next three years.

Our staff will be having their first twilight session this week on the School Plan and their input will also help to define what each of the strategic directions will look like over the next three years.

Staffing We have a number of positions that are currently being filled by a number of excellent temporary teachers. The Head Teacher Mathematics position has been approved for advertisement and we hope to run the panel before the end of term. We will be seeking a parent representative from our P&C for this panel. We have also requested a reclassification for the Head Teacher Administration position vacated by Mrs Gerg to a Head Teacher Welfare position. We believe that our students need a Head Teacher Welfare more than a Head Teacher Administration. We hope to have this reclassification completed soon with that position also advertised before the end of the term, if not, early next term. The four classroom teacher positions in Science, HSIE, Support and CAPA have also been submitted and we await confirmation of the next steps to permanently fill these positions. We are hoping that the permanent appointments will provide a degree of stability across our school.

Page 2

19 March 2018

Issue 2 Term 2

Parent Behaviour We understand that parents and carers are the advocates of their children. However, that does not give parents and carers the right to act and behave in a manner that is unacceptable towards staff. We will not tolerate aggression or abuse. As Principal, I will always support my staff and use my authorityunder the Inclosed Lands Protection Act to warn parents when their behaviour in unacceptable, and should the behaviour continue, then I will issue a ban notice that stays current for a period of 12 months, generally. This prohibits parents and carers from coming on to school grounds and will mean they will miss out on events such as assemblies and celebratory days as they are not permitted on site. This is not something that we want. We want parents, carers and community members involved in our school, but we absolutely will not tolerate unacceptable behaviour towards staff. It saddens me to say this, but I want all of our community to know that we have high expectations of them, as well as our students.. We all need to respectfully model how to resolve conflict to our students. We appreciate and value your support and thank our parents who always do the right thing under trying circumstances. Should you have a complaint or concern, we are only too happy to hear about your concerns so that we can improve what we do. Please remember to first consult, in an appropriate manner, the class teacher, then the head teacher, then then deputy principal and finally, the principal. This will ensure that your complaint or concern gets addressed promptly and efficiently. We always achieve more when we are working together rather than working against each other.

Road Safety We have received several complaints from members of the public about our students on scooters and bikes and general road safety.. I cannot stress the importance of all students acting in a safe and lawful manner when riding to and from school, including wearing helmets. Please ensure your child understands the law and the road rules if they are riding bikes and scooters to protect themselves and a potential accident from occurring.

Thanks Thomas Reddall High School is an excellent school. I could not be prouder lead a school that places student learning and wellbeing at the centre of all that we do. Thanks to all parents and carers who send their children to school every day, on time, in full school uniform, prepared with all of their equipment. We really appreciate it, it makes learning so much easier when the students are prepared and ready.

Page 3

19 March 2018

Issue 2 Term 2

Celebrating Success in QuickSmart Mrs K McCarthy (QuickSmart Coordinator)

On Friday the 9th of March, the QuickSmart Team held a morning tea to celebrate the success of our 2017 QuickSmart students. The students were presented with a graduation certificate and enjoyed some delicious food. Our Principal, Mrs Fuller & Deputy Principal, Mr. Abboud, along with the QuickSmart Team, were all in attendance to recognise the achievements of our students. Congratulations to the following Year 9 students who received graduation certificates:

Shannon Aniston

Aron Lewis Sylvan Senio

Chelsea Cachia Raymond Lole Candice Stone

Sarah Corby Sulia Maseafa Henry Tuipea

Tamara Katic Saul Rodriguez Cullen Williams

Congratulations also to the following Year 9 students who were involved in the QuickSmart Program during Term 4 and received a Merit Certificate:

Seth Dillon Blake Dryden Tagi Brita Tuipea

We are very proud of our first group of QuickSmart students, who have all achieved excellent growth in their numeracy skills. The University of New England recently sent through a school report, showing that our students experienced substantial improvement in the areas of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, as well as problem solving, which equates to approximately 2 years growth for our students. This substantial growth has resulted in our students having greater confidence and success within their maths lessons. This year a new group of Year 8 students have commenced the program and we are already starting to see improvements. I am looking forward to seeing similar results for our 2018 QuickSmart cohort at the end of the year.

From the Music Faculty Ms M Collison (Music Teacher)

Stage Band is underway again in 2018. We started lessons and rehearsals on Wednesday and are looking for new members to start in Term 2. If you're interested in joining please see Ms Collison in the Music staffroom.

Page 4

19 March 2018

Issue 2 Term 2

Deputy Principal’s Report Mr P Abboud (Deputy Principal)

Already at week 6 and many exciting events have already occurred at Thomas Reddall. The Swimming Carnival was a huge success with students and staff all enjoy the festivities of the day. Mrs Calvert and her team did an exceptional job co-ordinating the day that every student had the opportunity to contribute to their house. Congratulations must go to Bradman as they were the winning house on the day. Let’s see if they can maintain the dominance at the Athletics Carnival on the last day of term this term – Friday 13th April. As we head our way into Autumn the weather is beginning cool. It is imperative that we work together to ensure our students remain in uniform through the cooler months. It has been a great start to the year by the majority of our students and we would like to see this positive start continuing. School jumpers are available at Lowes for purchase if you don’t already have one, and plain maroon jackets that are weather proof, are also available at Lowes. Students are permitted to wear plain maroon hoodies or jumpers, as long as there is no writing or branding on the item. Students in Years 10 -12 have been receiving ALARM training from me over the past couple of weeks and I have been very impressed with the maturity the students are showing in completing the training. Alarm is a strategy we use to develop students extended writing. The process will be of benefit to students all the way up to their Year 12 HSC exams. Feel free to discuss with your students what they have been doing on ALARM, as it may serve as a refresher for them when revising their work. Have a great second half of Term 1.

Welcome to High School Day

Thank you to the Year 5 and 6's from Ambarvale and Thomas Acres Primary Schools for joining us on February 28 for the Welcome to High School Day. These students had the opportunity to attend lessons and experience what it is like to be in high school.

Well done to our SRC representatives, Boyz to Men group and performers for all the effort you put in on the day.

School starts at 8:20am EVERY day. Be on time! Every minute

you are late is a minute of learning you miss out on.

Page 5

19 March 2018

Issue 2 Term 2

English Faculty Report Ms E Miller (Teacher)

The year has begun very productively for students in English. Year 7 are completing a novel study, which involves them reading a novel in class and then discussing it through a persuasive exposition. This gives our newest high school students an opportunity to read for both pleasure and purpose and to build on the persuasive writing skills they have acquired at their Primary schools. Persuasive writing is also being practised by our Year 9 students who have been exploring the concept of sustainability through non-fiction texts. Students have had the opportunity to examine a variety of non-fiction texts as they explore the issue and are now busily preparing a persuasive speech which they will deliver in Week 9. Of course, both of these groups will also be sitting NAPLAN in term two. Our senior classes are also moving forward at the moment. Year 12 have begun the first of their HSC modules having completed Area of Study term one last year. They are working on creative narratives and essays, preparing for our half-yearly examinations. Year 11 are settling well and will also be working on creative narratives over the next three weeks. Finally, Year 10 are studying a variety of texts through the concept of conformity and will be completing a creative narrative for assessments. It is a busy start to the year and students are, on the whole, rising to the challenge.

Maths Faculty Report Mr M Sambucco (Relieving Head Teacher)

Over the last 2 weeks we have seen Year 7 and 8 submit their respective assignments. These tasks required students to construct pieces of work which displayed their full understanding of the content being delivered over the first part of the year. It has been encouraging to see so many Year 7 students submitting their first high school assessment task

on time and to a high standard. It was equally impressive to see that Year 8 submissions have improved from the effort shown last year. I remind all students and families to ensure students start all assessments as early as possible to ensure it is completed to the highest standard and that if assistance is required, enough time is spared for teachers to provide the necessary help. This year we have moved away from Mathletics and started up with Mathspace. This is an online mathematics program designed to support the work being done in class and encouraging ICT use with our students. Every student in 7-10, along with some seniors, have been given access to this program. Students are reminded that they can access their account anytime to continue to study and support their mathematical development, on top of what they cover in class. Can parents please support their child’s learning by asking about their efforts in class, checking book work and supporting homework tasks that are given out. All students are strongly encouraged to own and bring to class a scientific calculator every day. These can be purchased from the Front Office or from retailers such as Officeworks and cost just under $20.

Page 6

19 March 2018

Issue 2 Term 2

News from the Support Unit Ms T Ellem (Teacher)

The Support Unit are currently busy preparing for our ‘Ancient Greek Day’ which will take place on March 21st. Students and staff will be dressing up on the day and taking part in a range of activities based on Ancient Greece such as a mini Olympics and a Greek feast. We also have a guest speaker who will be talking to the students on the day. Students are currently busy in their Art classes making Greek theatre masks. In Music students are learning about Ancient Greek Musical Instruments and are making instruments such as the Kithara, Aulos and Pan Pipes as props for the day. Ancient Greece has also been a focus in History lessons. The Ancient Greek Day is the culmination of work being completed by students across a number of Key Learning Areas and provides the opportunity for students to bring their classroom learning to life! Our senior students in Lions and Jaguars have been placed in three work crews for Work Experience which started on March 8 with students attending AFFORD Industries in Ingleburn and Coles and Woolworths at Macarthur Square. Work Experience provides students with the opportunity to become work ready and to develop work associated skills such as travelling on public transport, teamwork, communication and using initiative. Students who attended for the first time reported enjoying the experience and are looking forward to their next visit to the work site. Project Based Learning on Tuesdays is progressing with all groups now well underway with their learning projects. The Bicycle Restoration Group is currently working with Mr Abboud to recondition a number of bikes and have practiced their bike handling skills. The Sales and Marketing a Product Group, with Mr Edwards, have written and conducted surveys with staff. The Claymation group have been using plasticine to make figures for their movies under the guidance of Ms Dodds. The Catering group, with Ms Wilson and Mrs Kaur, have been busy surveying potential customers. An artistic group of students are working with Ms McKee and Ms Ellem to create a mural for the support area.

Students are enjoying the opportunity to work collaboratively on their chosen project and we look forward to seeing each group present their final products at the end of the Semester. A big thank you to the students in the support music group who stayed on open night for a practice session to demonstrate the process involved in preparing for a musical performance. Fortnightly rehearsals for the Support singing/music group have resumed for 2018. Any students in the Support Unit who would like to be involved in this group should speak to Ms Ellem. The group performs at school events such as Multicultural Day, Presentation Night and community events. Parent and student IEP meetings are currently taking place. Parents have been or will soon be contacted to organise meeting times. During these meetings students, parents and teachers will collaborate to establish academic, personal and social goals for each student for 2018. We encourage all students to think about their own personal goals for the year ahead, prior to their meeting.

Thomas’

Claymation Characters

Javon’s

Claymation Character

Page 7

19 March 2018

Issue 2 Term 2

Support Unit PBL

Support Unit Project Based Learning continued with the BMX restoration group torecondition two bikes.

They are working cooperatively and collaboratively in restoring bikes to ride. Today we also had a go on a completed bike and worked on our bike handling skills.

SCIENCE Faculty Report Mrs A Kumar (Head Teacher)

Year 7 students have been working on safety in the laboratories and learning about the different types of equipment used in the Science Labs. Students were very excited to get their Bunsen Burner Lcenses this week.

Year 8 and 10 students are busy working on their first assessment task, which is the Student Research Project. In this project, students are required to conduct an investigation of their choice over a 7-week block and present their findings Year 9 students are currently experimenting with the forces of Physics by exploring properties of the electromagnetic spectrum and applying them to real world situations. Year 11 Chemistry students conducted an experiment that involved making an indicator from red cabbage and then testing it on different substances to find out the pH.

Year 11 Biology students have conducted an experiment on diffusion to replicate how cells in our body absorb their nutrients.

A reminder that all students should be wearing enclosed upper leather shoes everyday otherwise they are not be permitted to participate in Science experiments. This would mean that they would be missing mandatory hours set for practical work and hence not meeting NESA requirements.

Page 8

19 March 2018

Issue 2 Term 2

TAS Faculty Report Mrs C Edwards (Head Teacher)

I would like to start by saying a huge congratulation to our Year 12 Hospitality student, Siaa Toloa on her nomination for MWLP (Macarthur Workplace Learning Program) Work Placement Student of the Year! This is an amazing achievement as the nomination comes from her host employer. Siaa completed her work placement at Bar Centrale, Campbelltown. She has completed the next phase of the awards process by undertaking an interview with MWLP, and we are looking forward to attending the awards ceremony on March 28th to recognise this wonderful accolade. We wish her the best of luck in the rest of the awards process. Students in Year 7 and 8 had the opportunity to attend the University of Wollongong’s Festival of Stem on the 21st February. What a pleasure it was for Ms Maher and myself to take along this wonderful group of students. Workshops involving Lego Robotics where they designed and coded a robot to help clean their rooms, Sustainable Living where students became dementia patients and looked at the struggles of day-to-day life, designing solutions to help with the challenges encountered, and App Design where they looked at the design process followed when developing a new children’s app. Selected Year 11 and 12 Hospitality students have been putting their practical skills into practice and have catered for a Regional LST meeting being held

at our school on the 6th March. I would like to say what a wonderful job this catering team has done and how impressed our visitors were with the standard of food supplied. Well done to Ms Maher and her Yr. 11/12 catering team!

Stage 5 Food Technology and Stage 6 Hospitality

classes have the Royal Easter Show excursion

coming up on the 29th March. Students will have the

opportunity to develop knowledge in Agriculture

and Food Production by attending the excursion, and

students are reminded to have their money and notes

returned ASAP.

Finally, the TAS faculty would like to wish the best

of luck to Mrs Feeney who will be taking maternity

leave from Friday 9th March until the end of 2018.

We hope that everything goes well with the

upcoming arrival of little feet in the Feeney

household. Ms Ashley Jaen will be replacing Ms

Feeney in TAS during this time.

Breakfast Club every Wednesday

morning in the kitchen from 7.50am till

8.10am.

See you there.

Page 9

19 March 2018

Issue 2 Term 2

Sport Report Macarthur Zone Swimming Carnival Mrs Kim McCarthy (Team Manager)

On Friday the 2nd of March, I had the pleasure of accompanying our Thomas Reddall Swim Team to the Annual Zone Swimming Carnival held at Camden Pool. This year we only had a small number of students representing our school. We also had 3 staff members help out as officials on the day, with Miss Mesba assisting with judging and Mr Martin & Mrs Feeney as timekeepers. Congratulations to the following students who were all wonderful ambassadors for our school:

Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10

Tara Greening

La-Tisha Teuhema

Michaela Dalrymple

Lachlan Greening

Gena Yashmanov

Kristin Glumac

Zackary Laugesen

The majority of our students competed in the 50 metre freestyle events, with many also competing in 100 metre races including freestyle, breastroke or backstroke. Competition was tough, but our students can hold their heads up high for getting in and having a go. Special congratulations must go to La-Tisha Teuhema of Yr. 8 who finished 2nd in 50m Freestyle & 100m Freestyle and 3rd in 200m Freestyle. La-Tisha has been selected in the Zone Team to compete at the Regional Carnival on Monday 12

March. Congratulations on a wonderful achievement & we wish you all the best at Regionals. A special thank you to all the parents and grandparents, who were able to stay all day to cheer on our students. Thank you also to the parents who made special arrangements to transport their child to & from the carnival. It was a wonderful day & I look forward to doing it all again next year.

Open Girls’ Basketball Mr M Sambucco (Coach)

On Thursday March 8, I was lucky enough to take 9 of our talented girls to play the first round of the Knock Out Basketball competition. The girls have made a great commitment to training and preparing for this match over the last couple of weeks and were eager to be competitive and ultimately get the win. The girls displayed immense skill, determination and team work to finish victorious in what was an utterly dominating performance. We won 45-6 and gave Condell Park HS no chance from the first minute. A great effort and now full of confidence, the girls will eagerly await their opponent for round 2 in the next month or so, knowing they are very capable of winning more games. Super effort girls, well done.

Page 10

19 March 2018

Issue 2 Term 2

S⚽ccer Mrs J Calvert (Coach)

Congratulations to both the Girls and Boys Knockout Soccer teams for defeating Airds HS last week. The girls team won 7-0 with Malina taking a hat trick and the boys’ won 4-1. Good luck to both teams as they progress to the second round.

Career News Ms R Kennedy (Careers Advisor)

APPRENTICESHIPS AND TRAINEESHIPS

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT NEW HIGHER APPRENTICESHIPS INITIATIVE A new and valuable career pathway enabling individuals to undertake a National Vocational Qualification at Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree level while being employed in a professional environment. “Higher Pathways” is open to all students (with a particular focus on female student participation) to increase career opportunities www.myskills.gov.au (‘Real Skills for Real Careers’) The NSW Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act has changed and Laws governing the NSW Apprenticeship System announced. Information at www.training.nsw.gov.au/apprenticeships_traineeships/act_changes/index.html www.training.nsw.gov.au

There are over 500 occupations across Australia that offer Apprenticeshipshttps://myfuture.edu.au/career-insight/apprenticeships

Australian Industry Group – Engineering Pre Apprenticeship Commencing May -June 2018. Also current Apprenticeships and Traineeships available. View the list of vacancies atwww.aigroup.com.au

WPC Group – Apprenticeships: Automotive Light Vehicle, Heavy Vehicle, Spare Parts Interpreter, Spray Painting and Panel Beating. Hospitality Chef. Horticulture Parks and Gardens, Sports Turf Management, Landscape Construction. Traineeships: Business, Information Technology www.wpcgroup.org.au ‘Start your career, earn an income, open the door to continued employment as well as further training and education. WPC can find you the Apprenticeship or Traineeship you really want, enrol you in training, provide you with ongoing support through mentoring, pay you while you work and connect you to renowned organisations that offer potential future opportunities.’ 1300760099

Page 11

19 March 2018

Issue 2 Term 2

Heavy Vehicle Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship – Service Fitter / Crane Mechanic. Cover Letter and Resume to leannesuffolk@aigroup.com.au (Australian Industry Group www.aigroup.com.au)

My Gateway – Current Vacancies – Traineeships in Business Administration, Childcare, Engineering, Sales Administration. Apprenticeships in Automotive Electrical, Boiler Maker, Carpentry, Electrical, Fitting and Machining, Green keeping, Horticulture, Landscaping, Painting and Decorating, Panel Beater, Plant Mechanic, Warehousing www.mygateway.org.au

Australian Training Company – Apprenticeships: Flooring, Air Conditioning, Parks and Gardens, Wall and Floor Tiling, Boilermaker, Chef, Mechanic, Landscaping, Plumbing, Electrician, Mobile Plant / Earthmoving Equipment Mechanic. Traineeships: Aged Care, Sport and Recreation, IT, Lifeguard / Swim Coach / Swim Instructor, Business http://austrg.com.au/job-vacancies Employment – ARC Pathway Program and current available jobs www.arcgroup.com.au

Hotel Careers Expo – Sydney www.hotelcareerexpo.com.au

HSC and Careers Expo http://www.hscandcareersexpo.com.au

Indigenous Students – Year 11 – School Based Traineeships available. Contact Robert Dickerson 0428687585 robert.dickerson@aes.org.au Students, Parents, Teachers – 2018 Skills Show Australia – June 2, 3, and 4 018, International Convention Centre Darling Harbour, Sydney – Talk to Industry Leaders, Experts and Top Education Providers. An opportunity to discover future careers through interactive events, demonstrations and competitions. Young Australians will be equipped with the knowledge to make an informed choice about their future career options. Students will be networking with hundreds of industry and educational experts all under the one roof and participating in the interactive and inspiring world

of trades and skills opportunities. A best head start to a trade and skills career – World Skills National Championships, Skills Pathway Expo, Robotics Competitions, Smart Start Workshops, Skills and Thrills Show, Get Hands On with ‘Try a Skill” and more. www.skillsshow.org.au www.worldskills.org.au TAFE NSW Career Guide 2018 https://www.tafensw.edu.au 131601 Year 10 – Subject Selection – UAC (Universities

Admissions Centre) Year 10 Booklet – Information

to help students choose their HSC courses –

available in May 2018. You can view the 2017

edition at

http://www.uac.edu.au/documents/publicatins/yea

r10-booklet-20.pdf

Year 10, 11, 12 – University Open Days

http://www.uac.edu.au/documents/undergraduate

/opendays.pdf

Year 11 and 12 – Online Journalism Units

www.jschool.com.au

Year 11 and 12 – Steps to Uni for Year 11 and 12

Students

http://www.uac.edu.au/documents/publications/ye

ar11-12-booklet.pdf