it’s news to me · good luck to lauren finch, amelia wakefield and caitlin mccormack who have...

Nowra High School ‐ It’s News To Me

It’s News To Me

Nowra High School PO Box 183 NOWRA NSW 2541

Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.nowra-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Phone: 02 4421 4977 Fax: 02 4421 3284

Principal: Ms Angela Byron Deputy Principal: Mr Gerald Buckley Deputy Principal: Ms Kate Forbes

This week Nowra High School received a Silver Award from the Premier’s Sporting Challenge – what a great achievement! Thanks to our wonderful PDHPE staff for coordinating our participation, and to our students for their outstanding efforts. Congratulations to James Lindsay from our graduating Year 12 class, who has been nominated for DesignTech, an exhibition showcasing outstanding Major Design Projects by HSC students. James also won the top award for Year 12 Design and Technology and a $500 cheque at the recent UOW

Engineering and Information Sciences NSW Senior High School Technology Competition. I know his teachers, Mrs Woods and Mr Wong, are incredibly proud of James. Our Sports Awards Assembly was a great success, with the whole school gathering to celebrate the accomplishments of our best and fairest athletes. Congratulations to all of the recipients and thank you to Miss Little and Miss Quigley for organising a great event to acknowledge our students. One of our award recipients, Adam Ison, has been selected in the Combined High Schools Open Boys Cricket Team. Congratulations Adam on this wonderful achievement – we’re all very proud of you! Congratulations to our Junior Boys Cricket Team who made the final of the Hassett Cup. Unfortunately, they were defeated on the day but we are incredibly proud of their efforts in making it through to the final. Well done boys! Good luck to Lauren Finch, Amelia Wakefield and Caitlin McCormack who have entered the 2014 Youth Week Design Competition. It's great to see Nowra High represented in this prestigious national competition, and we wish our talented young designers every success. One of my highlights this week was attending 7Y’s History lesson with Miss Robinson while they mummified one of their classmates. There was a lot of improvisation when removing the organs, and they used toilet paper for bandages and Freddo Frogs for amulets, but what they lacked in authenticity they made up for with enthusiasm! It was wonderful to see 7Y so engaged with their study of Ancient Egypt. Thanks Miss Robinson and 7Y for sharing this amazing lesson with me! The other highlight was the Staff Vs Year 12 (our Year 11s have now become Year 12) Netball game in the hall. It was the fastest and most rough and tumble game I’ve ever seen – who said netball was a non contact sport? The staff were very well represented, with Mr Reminis looking menacing in his black headband, Miss Secomb shooting goals from all angles and the secret weapon … Mr Dowdell, who certainly had the height advantage! Mr Blakeney (un)reliably claims the final score was 57-13 to the staff, but that wasn’t even close. It was a testament to how much fun was had that no one remembered to keep score. My thanks to all of the staff and students who played and came to watch and cheer – it was great fun!

On Friday night I attended the Schools Spectacular at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. This show brings together more than 4000 students from 400 public schools across the state, including a group of talented dancers from Nowra High School. The show was truly amazing, and another great example of what marvellous opportunities public schools offer. Congratulations to our dancers and thanks to Miss Buikstra for accompanying them to Sydney. Well done also to Miss Evans and Mr Copeland, who were part of the production team.

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PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE


The 2013 MADD (Music, Art, Dance and Drama) Week kicked off with an exhibition of student art in the hall on Sunday 1 December. There were some truly inspirational pieces, and I was pleased to present the awards to our most talented artists. Well done to Jack Tuckerman who received the 2013 Artist of the Year. See details in this edition of the newsletter for dates and times of the Music, Dance and Drama evenings. I encourage you to come along and see our talented students performing.

On Tuesday 10 December we will gather for the Annual Presentation Night, celebrating the wonderful achievements of our students across all areas of the curriculum and extracurricular endeavours. This will be a wonderful event and I hope parents and community members can join us to acknowledge the outstanding performances of students at Nowra High School. As this is our last newsletter for 2014, I will take the opportunity to say a few farewells and thank yous. Mr Ian Daley from the Mathematics Faculty retires at the end of this year after 39 years at Nowra High School. Mr Daley is a much loved teacher and is held in the highest esteem by the staff for his professionalism, dedication to his students and strong sense of collegiality. Before coming to Nowra for his first teaching appointment Mr Daley had also been a student at Nowra High School. Our school will certainly feel his absence on the first day of 2014. On behalf of the whole Nowra High School community I wish Mr Daley a happy and healthy retirement, and trust he will continue to be part of the NHS family. Also retiring is Ms Lynette Upton, Head Teacher English. I know the English staff are already missing Ms Upton, with the loss being amplified by the recent retirement of Mrs Montgomery from English. I have greatly appreciated Ms Upton’s role as part of the school executive, and her passion for the teaching of English. Best wishes for a wonderful retirement filled with travel adventures and long lunches! Mr Nick Vellis from Mathematics is also retiring this year. Mr Vellis has been a dedicated teacher of Maths at Nowra High School, and has also contributed more broadly to the school culture through coaching the school soccer team. This year the team made it to the finals, a fitting farewell to their coach. Congratulations on a great career, and best wishes for your retirement. I would like to thank all of the exceptional teachers of Nowra High School for their work in 2013. I am always astounded by the wonderful opportunities they provide for our students and their willingness to arrive early, stay late, and work on weekends and in holidays to ensure the best possible education for your children. They are an amazing bunch and we are incredibly lucky to have them at Nowra High. Thank you also to the SLSOs who work in our classrooms supporting students with their learning. Your hard work makes a significant difference to the learning outcomes of our students, and all of the teaching staff greatly appreciate your support. A huge thank you to our SASS staff. These hard working ladies always have a friendly smile for anyone who visits the school, and really are the engine room keeping the school running. Most importantly they keep me in line! Thank you ladies – I couldn’t do it without you! Thank you to our R/General Assistant, Michael Aryal, who has worked tirelessly to get the school grounds looking great and make the school a wonderful working and learning environment. Thanks to our parents and community members, particularly the P&C for their ongoing support. Our school is a community and we highly value the role you play at Nowra High School. And last but certainly not least, thank you to our students. Every day you give me a new reason to be proud to be the Principal of Nowra High School! I wish everybody a happy and safe holiday and look forward to seeing you bright and eager for the new year in 2014.

Angela Byron - Principal


WEEK 10 ‐ BETA Monday 9th December: Assembly in period 2 PBS Meeting - 3.30pm - SCR Head Space Art Workshop Yr 7&8

girls Yr 12 HSC Agriculture - Assessment

Task 1 Tuesday 10th December: Yr 10 Marine Studies - Currarong excursion Presentation Evening - from 7.30pm HSC Physics - Assessment Task Wednesday 11th December: Paddys Market excursion - Special Ed Yr 12 Aboriginal Studies Assessment Thursday 12th December: Activities Day on Back Oval Yr 12 English Assessment Tasks MADD Performance Showcase - 6pm - Drama Friday 13th December: MADD Performance Showcase - 6pm - Dance

WEEK 11 ‐ ALPHA Monday 16th December: Yr 11 Hospitality Assessment Task Yr 12 Ancient History Greek Day MADD Performance Showcase - 6pm - Music Tuesday 17th December: Luna Park Rewards excursion Wednesday 18th December: Last day of Term for all students Thursday 19th December: Staff Development Day Friday 20th December: Staff Development Day

PLEASE NOTE: Staff return to school on Tuesday 28th January Years 7, 11 & 12 return to school on Wednesday 29th January Years 8, 9 & 10 return to school on Thursday 30th January

WEEKS 10 and 11 - 2013


PARENTS PLEASE NOTE: Please inform the school if you have had any changes to your family details

recently. The school is always upda ng their family informa on, especially changes to your email

addresses. Thank you.

NOTE TO PARENTS/CARERS

Please be advised that the SCHOOL MAGAZINE, notice board and Nowra High School’s Newsletter and website:

http://www.nowra-h.schools.nsw.edu.au print student names and photographs.

If you object to your student’s name or photograph appearing, please contact the school immediately in

writing.

CLOTHING POOL

Please note that there is a second-hand clothing pool in operation through the front

office.

We have very reasonable prices on clothing and would also be very grateful for any

second-hand clothing contributions to the school.

SILVER AWARDS ‐ Claire Anfruns, Robert Coleman, Taylor

McCoy, Amelia Wakefield, Erin Carney, Karley Brodie, Zac

Merange

BRONZE AWARDS ‐ Shanelle Thomason, Rhiannon Brown,

Lachlan Morris, Jaxon Forrester, Sarah Hamilton, Katarina Bullock, Ryan Adams, Brooke

Beehag, Rhiannon Smith, Grace Ayscough, Rohan Sims, Jade Taunton, Tegan Baldwin,

Emily Bawden, Sian Gilmour, Ma lda Field, Ri ka Baral, Bri any Hindman, Ryan Ebzery‐

Alexander, Jack Chessher, William Clarke, Lucia Edwards‐Villalta,

Lauren Finch, Natasha Ke lewell, Lily Lauder, Kye

Riepsamen, Bethany Standen, Isabelle Thompson,

Charnie Burke‐Merchant, Cooper Lange, Jordan

Stephenson and Libby Randall


HOURS FOR THE UNIFORM SHOP

December 2013 - Thursdays only

- last day is 12th December

8.00am - 11.30am

1.00pm - 5.00pm

Thurs 23rd/Fri 24th January: 8am - 4pm

Tues 28th/Wed 29th January: 8am - 4pm

Thursday 30th January:

8.30am - 11.30am

1.00pm - 5.00pm

then

Thursdays only: 8am-11.30am and 1-5pm

Social Networking and School Most students use Facebook and other micro-blogging sites responsibly and safely. However, there are times when students are cyber-bullied or they post material that is of concern. Resources and information for students and parents is available at the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). Materials can be located at http ://www.cybersmart.gov.au/ What will happen when a student reports to staff that they are being harassed on Facebook? 1. Staff will ask to view the transcript of what has been posted. 2. Staff will identify the person who has posted the material. 3. If it is school related, is threatening or inciting violence, staff will notify local police and the School Safety and Response hotline. 5. Staff will retain a copy of the comments page (if possible). 6. Staff will contact parents of the students concerned. Should students from other schools be involved, staff will contact the Principals of those schools. 7. After speaking with the Police (where the incident has been reported to them) staff will instruct the student who has engaged in that behaviour to remove the posting. 8. Staff will advise the student who has complained to block the offender. 9. The school’s anti-bullying policy will be used, where appropriate. This could include taking appropriate disciplinary action against the offender(s), if it is school-related. 10. The victim should report the harassment to Facebook. 11. The school will provide support for the victim through the Welfare team. Advice for students who are attacked on Facebook or other sites 1. Don’t respond. Bullies like getting a response. 2. Tell someone. Use Facebook’s Trusted Friend tool to send a copy of the abuse to someone you trust and who can help. This also generates a report to Facebook. 3. Document (via a screen shot) or save the content as it may be needed as evidence. 4. If the student is feeling upset – s/he should talk to someone about how they are feeling. This can be done anonymously via Kids Helpline. Facebook provides the following advice 1. Send a message to the person responsible for posting (ask them to stop) 2. Unfriend the person to remove them from your friend list 3. Block the person from contacting you 4. Report the person if their behaviour is abusive 5. Use privacy settings

P & C MEETING DATES FOR TERM 1 - 2014

Week 4 - Tuesday 18th February Week 8 - Tuesday 18th March

FOR TERM 2 - 2014

Week 4 - Tuesday 20th May Week 8 - Tuesday 17t June

FOR TERM 3 - 2014

Week 4 - Tuesday 5th August Week 8 - Tuesday 2nd September

FOR TERM 4 - 2014

Week 4 - Tuesday 28th October Week 8 - 25th November

All welcome in the Library at 7.30pm

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