alstonville high school newsletter

Alstonville High School Newsletter

Developing future citizens and leaders of the community – life long learning!

Cawley Close Alstonville Phone: (02) 6628 5222 Web: www.alstonvill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

Fax: (02) 6628 1223 Email: [email protected]

Issue 2 21 February 2018

W0rd 0n th3 5tr33t Last week we commenced one of our whole school literacy

strategies aimed at highlighting the importance of literacy and

numeracy in all subjects. We will run the W0rd 0n th3 5tr33t

program for Term 1 and assess its impact at the start of Term 2.

Staff throughout the school are wearing W0rd 0n th3 5tr33t

badges and they draw attention to some simple aspects of literacy

and numeracy that apply to most areas of life. This week the

literacy focus has been on:

There

they’re and

their

The numeracy focus reminds students that a number is divisible by

3 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 3. Over the next two weeks,

we will be reminding students of the information below:.

Numeracy

1st week

A number is divisible by 2 if the last digit is 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8. 168 is divisible by 2 since the last digit is 8.

Values

We value and support:

A positive, healthy and safe

learning environment

Respectful attitudes and

actions

Diversity

Pursuit of personal excellence

Service to community

Team work

Quality learning and teaching

Initiative, leadership and self-

discipline

Learning

We aspire to be:

Life-long learners

Creative and critical thinkers

Effective communicators

Skilled in literacy and numeracy

Independent and organised

Competent and innovative with

technology

Environmentally, socially and

culturally informed

Caring and compassionate

Alstonville High School

Our community values integrity

in all aspects of life

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

21 Feb Wed Alstonville High School Swimming

Carnival – Alstonville Aquatic

Centre (Postponed – Advise date as

soon as possible)

26 Feb Mon Northern Rivers Zone Swimming

Carnival – Lismore

28 Feb Wed P&C Meeting – 7pm

– Common Room

5 Mar Mon Vaccinations – Year 7 and catch up

Year 8 Gardasil (HPV)

6 Mar Tues North Coast Swimming Carnival

Yr 5/6 Information Evening –

5:30pm – 7:00pm

29 Mar Thurs AHS – Cross Country

30 Mar Fri Public Holiday - Good Friday

2 Apr Mon Public Holiday – Easter Monday

http://www.alstonvill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/

Alstonville High School Newsletter: Issue 2, 21 February 2018

2nd week

The Rule for 6: The prime factors of 6 are 2 and 3. So for a number to be divisible by 6, it must also be divisible by 2 and 3. Therefore, we need to check if a number is even and then check if the sum of the digits is divisible by 3

Literacy

Remember the 'I before E except after C' rule applies in most cases... unless there's beauty in between...

For example: ‘Receive’

(and NEVER mix your metaphors)

This strategy does not aim to replace the more detailed literacy support and explicit teaching we provide in classes. Our goal is to

simply emphasise the fact that we can all work to improve our literacy and numeracy skills and knowledge. We hope to pique

student interest and link this to the more structured programs that we deliver to classes and individual students.

Pre and Post Testing Some of your children may have come home over the last week or two and spoken about short tests that they have been doing in

classes. For example, in Year 7 students have been taking short spelling tests in a number of subjects. These tests touch on some

of the key vocabulary for each subject and give a quick indication of what concepts students may have been exposed to. Later in

the term teachers will ask the students to undertake the same spelling activity and compare growth. This pre-test, post-test

process is a formative assessment exercise and is just one of the ways we are looking to monitor student growth in literacy and

comprehension. The information will complement other class assessment and is designed to be relatively low key. We are also

talking to students about the importance of adopting a growth mindset and the importance of the phrase ‘not yet’. Our Steps to

Success program will also look to supporting students to reflect on their own progress using evidence to guide them.

Year 7 Welcome BBQ Last night we held our Year 7 welcome BBQ. Year 7 have settled into the high school routine really well and the BBQ was a

wonderful opportunity to meet with families and build the relationships that will contribute to powerful partnerships for the

future.

School Musical This year Alstonville High School will be presenting Annie Get Your Gun. The planning team is meeting already and building

partnerships with students, staff and the wider community. Students will have a chance to show their talents in singing, dance,

instrumental, back stage and a range of very important areas of skills and knowledge. Stay tuned for more information.

Feedback from Families Last year we provided a link for families to ask questions and provide feedback. We will be continuing this practice this year with

our next newsletter.

One of the questions that came up at the end of the year was about us possibly looking at the last week of the school year and

seeing if we could offer a different program that was educationally productive as well as being something a little different to keep

students more engaged. We have had some initial conversations about this and will be presenting some ideas for a different

approach to our last week of term.

We also had a question about streaming or grading of classes. In Year 7 this year students will be in either the HP class or in mixed

ability classes. When students move into Year 8 classes will be streamed in English, Maths and Science. Students can be placed in

different classes for each subject based on their performance in each subject – they are not automatically placed in the same

stream for every subject.

We also have had a number of queries regarding adding dance to our curriculum. We do not currently have a qualified dance

teacher on staff so it is difficult to offer this on the curriculum without being able to provide the assurance to families that we can

deliver a quality course. It is also a challenge appointing a teacher to staff if we are not sure that we have enough of a load to

guarantee their position. Keeping these factors in mind, we will look at our options as we plan our curriculum for 2019. We have

been able to successfully support students who have pursued dance qualifications external to the school in the past, and this has

had the added advantage of broadening the range of qualifications students can gain by the end of Year 12.


Student Safety Updates Last week there was some social media comment that implied that a student had been abducted from Alstonville High School.

These reports caused some concern in the community, particularly regarding students walking to and from school. We can report

that no student was abducted from Alstonville High School and that students who observe the normal safe practices for travelling

to and from school should continue to travel safely.

Care on and around roads is one very important consideration for all of our students as they make their way to and from school.

Last week two of our students were involved in an accident involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. Fortunately, neither student

suffered any significant injuries. The response from students, individuals and organisations who witnessed or were called to this

accident was very impressive and we are very grateful for the level of support provided. We have spoken to all students since this

event, impressing upon them the need to be careful.

Parking and Driving around Alstonville High School Further to the issue of safety around school, we would like to take this opportunity to remind all students, staff, family and the

wider community that the state government introduced new laws regarding road traffic offences near schools. Fines for a number

of existing offences such as speeding and parking have increased considerably and the points that can be lost have also increased

in some instances. Ballina Council Rangers have been active around the school from the start of the school year and are fining

people who park on reserves, too close to residents’ driveways, or who stop in no stop areas. We appreciate that parking close to

the school is limited, particularly whilst our building projects are ongoing but would encourage everyone to be patient, show

consideration of other road users, our students and our neighbours. There is alternate parking one or two minutes walking

distance from the school.

Please volunteer for our school canteen. We need you – our students need your support!

Important P&C meeting – Can you imagine our school without a school canteen? Our next P&C meeting is on 28 February. At this meeting the existing executive have indicated that because of changes to their

work and home situations they will be standing down.

Our students desperately need a functioning P&C for no other reason than keeping valuable resources such as the canteen and

uniform shop operational. The P&C also provides representation for things like interview panels for executive vacancies,

consultation for major building projects and significant policy decisions.

Working on the P&C is a big commitment but it is also hugely rewarding.

David Silcock

Principal

Student and Parent Portal All families should now have received an email with a key to access the student and parent portal.

This site provides information such as school newsletters, excursion information, student timetables, examination and assessment

information and class based notices from your teacher. This site will also allow you to book parent teacher interviews when the

sessions become available. You can notify the school of a student absence in advance or explain an existing absence.

If you have not registered you may do so by going to:

http://web1.alstonvill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/portal/register

There is also an app that is available through either the apple store or the android store. This app is free to download.

If you are having trouble please contact Mrs Chapman.

http://web1.alstonvill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/portal/register


Sport

Volleyball

Alstonville High School had five students selected into Northern Rivers Zone Volleyball teams to travel to ‘Sportz Central’ at Coffs

Harbour on Tuesday 13 February to compete at the North Coast Regional Volleyball Trials.

Alstonville students: Sarah Bransgrove yr12, Olivia Kerry yr12 and Charlotte Yager yr12, played in the girls’ team, with Scott Fleming

yr12 and Gabe Vidler yr12 playing in the boys’ team.

The North Coast trials involves a round robin between the four zones that make up the North Coast Region. After playing the

round robin and possible / probable games the North Coast Girls and Boys teams are selected. Sarah Bransgrove played very well

and was named as shadow reserve. Congratulations to Sarah and all our students that represented the Northern Rivers Zone at

Coffs Harbour.

Northern Rivers Zone Trials for Selection into Representative Zone Teams

The following Zone Trials will be held over the next couple of weeks. If you are of a representative standard and wish to trial for

one of these teams please see Mr Francis and nominate at the PDHPE Staffroom. Please remember students must arrange own

transport as no Alstonville High School teacher will attend these trials. Students must ensure that all permission notes are

completed correctly and returned to Mr Francis by the required date.

1. Football (Soccer) Open Girls and Boys Zone Trials: To be held in Lismore on Thursday 1 March. 2. Basketball Open Girls and Boys Zone Trials: To be held in Lismore on Friday 2 March. 3. Open Boys Rugby Union Trials: To be held at Evans K-12 school Monday 5 March. 4. Open Boys and 15 Years Boys Rugby League Trials: To be held at Kadina on Monday 12 March. 5. Open Girls Netball Trials: To be held at Goonellabah on Tuesday 13 March. 6. Open Girls and Boys Zone Hockey Trials: To be held at Goonellabah on the Monday 19 March.

Paul Francis / Sports Organiser

Year 7 First Week Comments and Reflections “Enjoyed the first week because the days go quicker and you are moving about more.”

By Rachel John

“Starting high school was very exciting. The first week was full of different classes, meeting new friends and getting lost quite a bit.

By the end of the week we knew our way through the corridors and had mastered the lockers. We finished our first week happy and also quite tired.

Overall it was a great first week.”

By Ally Wenban

“As I got ready for my first day of high school I flicked though my empty books and wondered what new and exciting things would fill the pages...and more importantly how was I going to carry them around every day? Like everyone on his or her first day, I had a crisp, clean slightly too big uniform on...it felt real, and I was in high school now.

I got my timetable and was excited to see I had cooking as my first subject. Even though I had been worried about it, I did

manage to find every class and managed to figure out how to open my locker.

I finished my first day with a huge smile on my face and I was looking forward to the adventures the rest of the year

would bring.”

By Lucy Trease

The first few days were good with very different types of school work and people. It was very unlike primary school. I liked English and enjoyed the library and Steps to Success classes. I have met lots of new people and made a new friend. By Joseph Gardiner


“The 31 January was my first day of high school. As soon as I walked in the school gates I felt nervous starting at my new school. All of my friends were waiting around the corner. As I stood with them I looked around at all the new faces, my nerves faded and I suddenly became excited with the thought of meeting these people and making new friends. I thought the older students might intimidate me, but I have not found this an issue because I know so many of them. I have also become friends with many Year 8 students and other Year 7 students that I did not know before coming to Alstonville High. It has been a week since I started at this school and I feel comfortable here and enjoy the flexibility to move between classes.” By Connor McKnight

“My first week at school was good. I like TAS, cooking, science and sport the most because you get to do hands on stuff and have a bit of fun as well. I also like it because you cannot get bored, as you change subjects every hour. I have good friends in my year, and most of the teachers are friendly and realistic. The school is not that confusing, and no one has been really rude or unfriendly to us. Most people work as a team to get things done and the teachers are pretty organised. I think my first week was pretty good overall, and I look forward to it just getting better.” By James Ford

“Starting High School On January 30, we began a new chapter in our lives. For some of us it was scary but for others it was exciting because it

was the day Year 7 started high school.

It first started with the teachers giving us our timetable. Then we went to our first class. When we got to our classes, we

all got to know our classmates and teachers.

For the first couple of days I could tell by people’s faces that they were so tired and really lost, but it soon got better.

When the bells went, we found a spot to sit and ever since the first day, we have always sat there.

On the second day, it got even harder because all the other kids came to school so there was so many more new faces.

So far, I like all my teachers and I can’t wait for what the year brings to us.”

By Mahalia

“I was a bit nervous at first but after a while I found it fun and I was like really excited for my next classes and we also get a bit more homework than primary school but it’s not hard as I expected so yeah.” By Kaitlin

“My very first day of high school was great, I was so excited to be starting high school with lots of my friends and was looking forward to all the challenges. So far, in high school, I have met many people, and gotten used to where all the classes are and how everything works. I am looking forward to continuing my journey at Alstonville high school. “ By Lucinda

Ben Holmes / Year 7 Adviser


Agriculture We have been very lucky to receive a number of donations from the local and regional agricultural community. I would like to

thank Terranova Seeds for their very generous contribution of a wide range of vegetable seeds for our year 8 vegetable production

and cropping activities with year 9 and 10. Riverina Stockfeeds have once again supplied the school with feed for our Beef Week

steer program.

Year 10 students are establishing the Mother’s Day Chrysanthemum crop.

Year 9 are propagating cuttings for a native plant bonsai project and an ornamental display for the Alstonville Show later in the year.

Year 12 Primary Industries students are using Integrated Pest Management techniques to control weed issues along the oval paddock.

Year 11 Primary Industries students are completing their Work Health and Safety program which includes a new rotating series of compost bays.

Ben Holmes / Agriculture

Student Footwear at School It is timely that we must mention a school wide safety issue that is mandated by the Department of Education Work Health and

Safety Directorate and endorsed by our P&C. That is the wearing of protective footwear while at school.

This is not only for the Industrial Arts workshops or Science laboratories, but everywhere in the school environment. Schools can

present many hazards to students during the school day and we must ensure that our risk management regarding footwear is safe

and consistent in all areas.

Students are to wear fully covered leather or leather like footwear during the whole of the school day. Mesh top or fabric top

footwear is unsafe.

Help us to maintain a high standard of safety across the school by equipping your son/daughter with the appropriate footwear.

Teachers are left with the only option of alternative work in high-risk areas if they present with inadequate footwear.

If you have any concerns please contact Mr Groves for a discussion. Thank you for your cooperation.

Craig Groves / Head Teacher TAS

Year 7 Vaccinations – Monday 5 March The first lot of vaccinations for Year 7 will be on Monday 5 March. All students have their consent forms or can get another one

from the Maths staffroom.

Kerri Crethar / Vaccinations Co-ordinator

Peanut grass for pasture

improvement and weed control.


Careers Communication Corner REMINDER - University,TAFE and QTAC visit to Alstonville High School will be in the

school hall on Thursday 1 March during Period 5 : 2:20pm - 3:20pm. It is expected

classes will be cancelled and ALL year 12 (and their timetabled teachers) will

attend for awareness raising. Parents are also welcome to come along and gather

information. Notes with more details was distributed to Year 12 last week.

Karen Horne / Careers

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