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.. Issue 16, December 4th, 2017

Year 6 Transition

weewaa-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au | 02 6795 4477 | http://www.weewaa-h.school.nsw.edu.au/ Principal: Annabel Doust | Deputy Principal: Allan Tame

Final Year 6 Transition day for 2018 42 Students a ended the third and final Year 6 Transi on day held on Thursday 30th November.

2018 Year 8 Advisor Sarita Mallinson organised a full day of rota on class sessions for the stu-

dents to par cipate in. Subjects included: Ge ng to know each other, Timber and Metal Work,

Physical Educa on, Maths, Art, Japanese and Music.

Three transi on days have been held this year to help primary students build their confidence

before undertaking the huge jump into senior studies. Students from Wee Waa and surrounding

schools a ended the transi on day, with many students u lising and familiarising themselves

with the local school bus system, recess social interac ons, the daily rota on of different class

periods and organsing new uniforms.

Emily Shearin Winner of Lions Club Youth Of Year Award

Five contestants participated in a daunting competition last week trying to gain experience, improve and establish their public speaking skills. An audience of 25 peers, adults and judges congregated in the Library to battle for the title of Lions Club Youth of the Year. Emily Shearin was triumphantly named the Public Speaking Winner and the Overall Winner for 2018. Students were interviewed by a panel of three community members asking questions about themselves and general knowledge.

They were also required to answer two impromptu questions and present a prepared speech on a topic of their choice to the audience. A special thank you to Judges Conrad Bolton, Anna Madden and Emily Colless and Lions Club member Noel Holland. Emily will progress to District level competing against peers from Moree, Narrabri, Gunnedah, South Tamworth and Quirindi on March 10th 2018 in Wee Waa.

Elizabeth Horne, Alice Haire and Georgia Dickinson-Graham have recently returned from Schools Spectacular in Sydney. The Schools Spectacular has been going for over 30 years and for the past 2 years has been held at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney Olympic Park. There are 4 performances with the 5500+ cast, with Alice and Georgia performing in the choir of approximately 2700 students. Elizabeth has performed at Schools Spectacular for the last 6 years in the D'Arts Ensemble. This is a group of approximately 230 primary and high school kids with a range of disabilities. This year the group danced to the song 'Everybody Needs Somebody to Love' from the Blues Brothers movie. Their costume was unmistakably from the Blues Brothers, with shades, hats and suits similar to those worn in the movie. The Premier of NSW, Gladys Berejiklian, also made a visit backstage, greeting most of the D'Arts Ensemble with High 5's. Well done to all three girls who participated.

Year 10 Work Experience

32 Year 10 Students participated in compulsory work experience on 20-24 November. Students were scattered locally and interstate learning what life after school is all about. Personal presentation, timeliness, work ethic, communication, teamwork, problem solving, and working autonomously were just a few of the common experiences the students have reported back from their time away. The Year 10 Work Experience program was organised by Stephanie Blewitt, and she would like to personally thank each business for taking the time and effort to host our students.

Parents and students gathered together on Thursday 30 November to officially unveil the new hand painted Indigenous mural at Wee Waa High School. Aboriginal Education Officer Helen Wenner and Principle Annabel Doust spoke proudly about the students commitment, talent and traditions the mural represents.

The mural was completed as part of Wee Waa High Schools 2017 NAIDOC Celebrations by students Trekiah Cochrane, Tihana Williams, Jason – Lee Trindall, Aboriginal Education Officer Helen Wenner and Heritage Conservation Officer Steven Booby. This mural also features Trekiah, Tihana, Jason-Lee and Helen’s hand prints, a snake design and Steven’s signature.

The mural displays the landscape of Wee Waa, all of its colours, including the Namoi River and Lagoon system at the top and bottom of the painting. The centre design shows the traditional Kamilaroi meeting place as well as the current township. Pathways are also displayed to

demonstrate people travelling to Wee Waa via the waterways connected to the Namoi River.

The opening of the mural was followed by a social morning tea with family, friends, teachers and students, freshly baked in the Schools state of the art hospitality kitchen.

I would just like to say congratulations to Leslie Toomey for receiving a Community Service Award at the Year 12 Formal 2017; this award was for helping out at the formal. I would also like to congratulate Maxwell Smith for being selected to participate in the upcoming ASSETS summer school program in Adelaide.

Our last Weeronga visit will be this Friday 8th December, I would just like to say thank you to the students for participating in helping our Elderly community members and making them happy when we visit.

I’d like to say thank you to the Aboriginal community for their positive involvement visits to our school and also supporting our events over the year. On behalf of Naomi, Kristy and myself, have a happy Christmas and a safe holiday, see you all next year.

Aleisha Middleton named North West Cricket Captain

Aleisha was selected and named North West Girls Cricket Captain at the CHS representative carnival in Tamworth earlier this Term. The trials had students rotating as batswomen, wicketkeepers and fielders. Aleisha will lead her team to compete at the Hawkesbury/Windsor/Sydney region representative competition in February 2018.

Celebrating National Agriculture Day

On Tuesday November 21st, seven Wee Waa High School students and Teacher Verity Gett travelled to the University of New England Armidale for the inaugural National Agriculture Day workshop. The day was a fabulous program put together by the Animal Science team at UNE and included practical hands on sessions on a range of cattle production topics. Students learnt about the science of animal breeding including a practical demonstration of ultra-sounding a bull for EBV’s including fat scores and muscle readings, it was very interesting to see live bulls in a lecture theatre.

Students participated in a taste testing demonstration of various cuts of meat. The day involved a session on feed and nutrition, analysing and understanding feedback results from carcase results and how genetics, traits and nutrition can assist in improving market requirements. Students also had a hands on demonstration on working safely with cattle in yards. It was a day thoroughly enjoyed by students from Year 8 right through to those beginning Year 12 studies. Participants all came away with new knowledge and experience to assist not only the Wee Waa High School Cattle Production Team and studies but also an insight into future careers in animal science at UNE.

Parent and teacher information session Twenty-one families attended the 2018 Year 7 Parent Information Enrolment Session held at the School Library on Thursday 30 November at 5:30pm. 2018 Year 7 advisor Sarita Mallinson organised and hosted the session, alongside her colleges. Parents had the opportunity to ask questions, meet and greet and discuss face to face with teachers what opportunities 2018 and the School will hold for their children. Wee Waa High School enrolments have increased by 3.5% year on year, over the last 3 consecutive years and 2018 numbers are once again looking strong.

Approximately 50% of students for 2018 have officially enrolled. Enrolment deadline is now overdue, and parents who are yet to submit paperwork need to contact the School Office so as soon as possible. The Information session was catered for by Hospitality staff member Lisa O’Shea utilising the Schools Hospitality kitchen Trade Training Centre.

Enrolments 2018….

We have a strong number of Year 7 enrolments for next year, however if you know of anyone who is intending to enrol at Wee Waa High School for 2018, and haven’t yet done so, please ask them to call in at the school office for an enrolment pack.

This is the last newsle er for 2017. I would like to commence this newsle er by thank-ing family and friends who last week a ended the official opening of our new mural. I sin-cerely thank Mr Steven Booby for working with our staff and students to create such a beau ful artwork, that tells the story of Wee Waa as a mee ng place for Aboriginal peo-ple. How fi ng that we can celebrate this achievement in a public school which is itself a mee ng place, a coming together of students from all cultures, backgrounds and talents.

By the me you read this, we will have had our final Year 7 2018 Transi on Day. This is always an important event in the transi on calendar and I thank the many staff that have made the days a great success. I want to especially thank our Year Adviser, Sarita Mallin-son for her great work coordina ng the program. We look forward to welcoming Year 7 on 6 February 2018.

This week we will hold our annual Presenta on Evening on Wednesday 6th December. Students will need to wear full school uniform with light refreshments available from 6:00pm in the School Courtyard, formali es will commence in the Hall at 6:30pm sharp.

On Wednesday and Thursday next week, students will par cipate in 'Ac vi es Days', with a variety of ac vi es on offer to choose from. I encourage everyone to take the opportuni-ty to learn a new skill and enjoy these 2 days at school.

There will be some new faces in the school for 2018. This year we will be saying fare-welling to Lindy Widauer, Rachel Legge and Deputy Principal Allan Tame as they all head off for extended periods of long service or maternity leave. Our hear elt congratula ons to Mr & Mrs Legge on the birth of their baby, and our best wishes to all for the next 12 months and beyond.

Finally, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the whole school community for the wonderful support they have provided the school and myself in 2017. We have a terrific school because we have terrific, dedicated staff who go above and beyond to make sure our students have quality educa onal experiences and a wide selec on of extra-curricular opportuni es, in a suppor ve environment.   Annabel Doust,  Principal. 

Principal's Message 

Issue 16, December 4th, 2017

What’s on…

5 December Gold Day Activities

6 December Presentation Night 7 December Yr 7, 8, 9, 10 Reports is- sued 10 December WW Community Carols 12 December Pool day 13 December Activities Day 14 December Activities Day 15 December End of Term for Students

Merry Christmas & have a happy New Year

 

Term 1—2018 6 February Staff development day 7 February Yr 7, 11 & 12 return 8 February All students return

Issue 16, December 4th 2017

Wee Waa High School ‘Bush Bots’ Robotics

Team Cherry Fundraiser

By ordering some freshly picked Roth Family Orchard cherries from Mudgee, you

will be helping our Robo cs Team par cipate in the 2018 FIRST Robo cs Compe -

on in Sydney. This year we made it to the Final Round of the compe on and on

the back of this success, we are hoping to add to the number of students in our

team to give more people the opportunity to learn about robo cs and engineer-

ing. Please help us with some of our accommoda on and travel costs by ordering

some cherries.

Cherries are picked only once they reach the point of perfec on and delivered to

Wee Waa with 48 hours. Delivery is expected to be Tuesday 12th Dec (the date

depends on the season as they will be here only days a er picking.) We will let

you know delivery date closer to the me and cherries will need to be collected

that day as the school does not have cool room capacity to store them longer.

Please return your order to the Wee Waa High School front office with payment

by Tuesday 5th December 2017

Name………………………………………………………. Ph Number………………………………………..

Thank You for Your Support

Box Size Number of Boxes Price Per Box Total

2kg $30.00 $

5kg $60.00 $

Total Boxes Ordered: Total $

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