coomealla high school issue 12

23rd August, 2013

Issue 12

Inside this issue:

Principal’s Report 2/3

Important Parent Info 3

Rural Fire Service Cadet Program Graduation

4/5

Sam Clyne — After Coomie

5

School on Tour 6/7

Order School Mag Now Community Notices

8

Community Notices Hot Chip Day - Yr 11

9

Calendar 10

Recipe Corner 11

Absence Notes

Quotable Quote

12

Coomealla HIGH SCHOOL Principal: Mr Rob Scotton

Deputy Principals: Ms Jo Crowley, Mr Neil Plumridge SIPs

Address: Silver City Highway, Dareton NSW 2717

Phone: 03 5027 4506 Fax: 03 5027 4837 Email: [email protected]

NEWSLETTER

LEARN TO LIVE

School on Tour Rides Again

Hot Chips

30th August

Year 11

Fundraiser

Updated on our Website this fortnight:

School on Tour

Story and more pics on pages 6/7.

Coomealla High School Newsletter

Principal’s Report

Last week our Director of Public Schools, Trish Webb, presented me with a certificate to mark my 30 years in education. It started me thinking about how education has changed in the last 30 years. I began teaching English in 1983 at Murray High School in Albury. What was different then from high schools today?

The most obvious change has been in technology. There were no computers. The office would have a couple of ladies whose job it was to type up anything official that the school needed to produce. Photocopiers were expensive to use and most copying for class sets of work was done on purple stencils.

I can remember my first introduction to computers in education was at Windsor High School and working with an Apple 2E with a start-up floppy disk, no internal memory and a green screen. Things moved quickly after that and it wasn’t long before the technology revolution had taken full hold and there were computers in every staffroom. Timetables, newsletters and school magazines were being produced on computer and we were all of a sudden very reliant on them.

Two innovations have made computers an essential part of school technology. Firstly the development and implementation of the Smartboard in classrooms has opened up a whole new world of digital freedom for teachers and students. With prices coming down they have become more available, more reliable and most classrooms now have a Smartboard.

The second development has been the DER laptops distributed to all students when they reached Year 9. This forced teachers to rethink lesson delivery and question how they could use the laptop and the consequent student enthusiasm in their classroom and their subject. It also brought a whole new range of student excuses about not having completed work. My laptop was flat, it won’t work, I can’t find the file etc., etc.

Unfortunately, just as this innovation was really taking shape the federal government will no longer continue to fund them and our current Year 9 has seen the last of the DER devices. Educators will look to a new set of challenges in the post-DER world. Who knows, we might go back to the purple stencils!

What hasn’t changed in thirty years of education? The most important constant in education

Issue 12

Important Parent Information

If you need to contact your child please do so before 3pm. If you ring after 3pm there is no guarantee that the message will reach your child.

Friday Afternoon Sport

If you need to contact your child please do so by 12.30pm. We will not be passing any messages on after this time.

has always been, and will always be, the qualities that the teacher brings to the classroom. Smartboards, laptops and all of the technology in the world will not make a difference if the teacher cannot engage students in their education. Technology is a tool that a teacher can use. It is not a substitute for effective and quality teaching. Technology should never be a child minder but a method of engaging students with their work.

The essence of teaching is still the same as it was 30 years ago. A teacher needs to build a rapport with their students. There must be respect on both sides. Teachers must still prepare lessons with interesting content which cater for the diverse nature of learners under their tutelage. Teachers still need to care about their students and be prepared to put in that little extra to get the best results.

Thankfully at Coomealla High School we have the best of both worlds. We are well set up to utilise technological advances in education. The majority of our rooms have Smartboards and staff are skilled in their use. I have witnessed some interesting innovations in our classrooms using various forms of technology. We have an excellent teaching staff who are experienced, know their students and are always looking at fresh ways to engage them in their learning. We also offer non-traditional educational environments to involve those students who function better with a more flexible learning style.

All in all Coomealla High School is well set up to embrace the changes that will come in education over the next 10, 20 and 30 years.

Mr R Scotton

Chocolate Making - YUM!


Rural Fire Service Cadet Program Graduation

Ten Year 7 students received their graduation certificates from Assistant Chief Commissioner Stuart Midgley and Mr John Williams, our local member in a brief ceremony held in the Library on Friday 9 September 2013.

Also present from the community were Mr Peter Koslowski, General Manager of Wentworth Shire, Mr Steve Walker from the Rural Fire Service and volunteer Rural Fire Service Officers Jim Porker and John Whitchurch.

Scott Conner from the Rural Fire Services ran the program during Term 2 with all the boys not only enjoying themselves, but learning a lot at the same time.

Guest speakers emphasised the point that communities rely on volunteers in many areas and the boys are to be congratulated for their commitment to the program.

It is hoped the school can offer more of these types of programs in the future.

Congratulations to: Sam Carter, Cameron Cullinan, Jack Cullinan, Ashley Farnsworth, Nayte Ladson, Rupert Mackie, Jaidyn Ruhs, Riley Saunders, Adam Wakefield and Jake Wright.

Issue 12

Sam Clyne - After Coomie After completing Year 11 here at Coomealla High School, Sam accepted a Sports Scholarship to St Pat’s College in Ballarat to continue his schooling & his football career. Sam’s school team, St Pat’s, won the Herald Sun Shield preliminary final by defeating Essendon Keilor College at Craigieburn by 28 points. He was also part of the grand final team playing as the curtain raiser to the Richmond V Brisbane game at the MCG on August 10. St Pat’s won the grand final for the fourth consecutive year - by 49 points. Congratulations to Sam for his success thus far with his aspirations. Sam is signed on with North Ballarat Football Club (Roosters), which is affiliated with North Melbourne Kangaroos, for his weekend games.

Sam Clyne at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.


A little late for Education Week, but in the continuing spirit of the week Coomealla High presented ‘School on Tour’ to our local primary schools for a third year. In a one day extravaganza we visited Gol Gol, Wentworth and Dareton primary schools.

The idea is to entertain the students and enlighten them as to some of the activities that await them once they graduate to high school. Emcee for the day was Stephanie McCarten, the rock band consisted of Shenae Tilley, Eli Kervin, Rachel Alderton, Teagan Allen and Meg Richardson and Mr Scotton once again enjoyed a chance to play his bass guitar. Mr Robinson conducted the steel drum ‘Cool Drummings’ group of Derek Smith, Bill Murray, Kenny Nicholls, Rhys Christian, Brodie Dalzell, Nikita Dalzell, Jade Cicak and Georgia McKay.

Ms Crowley’s entry for the day was ’Peter Pan in 5.5 mins’ featuring Eli Kervin, Mikayla Martin, Matthew Mathison, Jessica Mazey, Patrick McMahon, Stephanie McCarten, Lottie Sapuppo, Emily Smyth and Dylan Watson. Mrs Tilley teaches recorder to groups of students at Gol Gol and Wentworth schools and we were entertained by the two groups at their respective schools during the concert.

Mr Gee drove the bus and a huge thanks to Mr McCarten for being on hand to transport the steel drums to each venue with his roadies.

“The ‘Tourists’ worked as a cohesive team,” said Mr Scotton, “everyone helped with set-up and pack-up at each venue. Thank you to the staff and students at all the schools for making Coomealla High so welcome.”

School on Tour

Issue 12


Well, it’s that time of year folks and once again the school magazine is in full production.

The magazine will go to the printer in October. Cost to print is approximately $25 per magazine. This price is offset by our loyal advertising sponsors, allowing us to reduce the price to $20 per magazine for students.

School magazines are a truly unique experience, a snapshot of student life and a nostalgic trip down memory lane for the future.

Wentworth Junior Football Netball Club

Presentation night for Junior Football and Netball will be Friday 30th August. Evening commences at 6:30pm, with a BBQ tea at 7:00pm.

Each player must bring a plate of food as follows:

U10, U13, U16 football, U11 netball to bring a sweet U12, U14 Football, U13, U15 netball to bring a salad

Please let your coach know if you are unable to make it.

The Butterfly Foundation is dedicated to bringing about change to the culture, policy and practice in the prevention, treatment and support of those affected by negative body image

and eating disorders.

Website found at - http://thebutterflyfoundation.org.au/

Body Image Awareness Week 1—8 September

Issue 12

HOT CHIP DAYS — Year 11 Fundraiser

$4.00 per bag—sauce/gravy free

Orders into canteen by the preceding Wednesday.

Student Name: _____________________Year: ___________

Please support Year 11.

No:_____ @ $4

Total: $ __________

Friday 30th August


MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

26/8 A Week 7

AZAI Visit

27/8

AZAI Visit

28/8

AZAI Visit

LaTrobe Uni Visit P1 (Yr 12)

29/8

AZAI Visit

30/8

AZAI Visit

HOT CHIP DAY

2/9 B Week 8 3/9 4/9 5/9 6/9

Newsletter 13

Senior Formal 10, 11, 12

9/9 A Week 9

Regional Athletics

10/9 11/9 12/9

Mildura Base Hosp-Nursing Careers Day

13/9

Year 11 Exams

16/9 B Week 10

Hockey

Year 11 Exams

17/9

P&C Meeting Year 11 Exams

18/9

Year 11 Exams

19/9

Year 11 Exams

Term 3 Formal Assembly

Yr 7-10 Interim Reports Issued

20/9

Newsletter 14

23/9

Spring Holidays

24/9 25/9 26/9 27/9

30/9 1/10 2/10 3/10 4/10

7/10 8/10 A Week 1 9/10 10/10 11/10

14/10 B Week 2

Table Tennis – junior

Basketball – junior

HSC Begins

15/10

P&C Meeting 16/10 17/10 18/10

Newsletter 15

21/10 A Week 3 22/10

Cricket - junior boys & girls

23/10 24/10 25/10

28/10 29/10 30/10 31/10 1/11

Newsletter 16

4/11 5/11 6/11 7/11 8/11

CALENDAR

Reminder: Thongs or canvas

shoes are NOT to be worn at school for

Issue 12

Recipe Corner:

Quick Cheesy Potato Bake

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon olive oil

4 potatoes washed, peeled and thinly sliced

1 onion peeled and sliced thinly

1 rash of bacon diced

grated cheddar cheese

½ cup cream

¼ cup milk

1 teaspoon mustard powder

Chopped chives/parsley

Method:

Heat pan and add oil. Add sliced onion and cook until transparent

Add diced bacon and cook until bacon and onions begin to brown

Remove from heat

Put sliced potato in a bowl with a tablespoon of water, cover with gladwrap and microwave in 3 minute bursts, 3 times. Leave to rest for 3 minutes

Mix together the milk and cream then add mustard. Season with salt and pepper

Layer potato in a greased baking pan

Sprinkle cheese between layer with onion and bacon mix and parsley and/or chives

Pour over the combined cream, milk mustard

Top with grated cheese and bake in 160 degree oven for 20 minutes, sprinkle with chives

Year 8 Food Technology Class

Coomealla High Newsletter Issue 12

Coomealla High School—Absence Note

Student Name: ___________________________ Year: ________Roll Group: ______________

My child was absent from school: Date/s ____________________________________________

Reason: ____________________________________________________________________

Signed: __________________________________Parent/Guardian

Coomealla High School—Absence Note

Student Name: ___________________________ Year: ________Roll Group: ______________

My child was absent from school: Date/s ____________________________________________

Reason: ____________________________________________________________________

Signed: __________________________________Parent/Guardian

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING ABSENTEE NOTES The DET Attendance Policy PD20050259 states that:

Parents are responsible for explaining the absences of their children from school promptly and within seven days to the school. (from Responsibilities, 2.1 point 3); and

A hard copy of the electronic record is to be generated weekly for the previous two-week period. The principal or delegated school executive must endorse this hard copy, certifying its accuracy. Once signed, this hard copy becomes the record of attendance and must not be amended. (4.2 Electronic Attendance Registers, 4.2.2)

Please send absentee notes to school promptly and, if you are going on

holidays, please inform the school in advance.

Quotable Quote:

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.

Live the life you have imagined.

Henry David Thoreau

coomealla high school issue 12

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