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walchacentralschool A JOURNEY OF LEARNING FROM K TO 12 K-12 NEWSLETTER

WALCHA CENTRAL SCHOOL

154E North Street Ph: 02 67772777 WALCHA NSW 2354 Fax: 02 67771009 PRINCIPAL: Mr Mark Hall P&C School Pesident: Mr Cameron Hayton Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.walcha-c.school.nsw.gov.au

CANTEEN ROSTER - Week 6 Term 3, 2019

26/08/19

Emma

Warneminde Green

27/08/19

Charmaine Partridge

Kerry Carey

28/08/19

29/08/19

Kylie Dunn

30/08/19

HAPPY AND SAFE STUDENTS 23 August 2019 NEWS AND VIEWS OF YOUR LOCAL CENTRAL SCHOOL

Aunty Sue’s Story

Because of her, we can, the 2018 NAIDOC theme, resonated powerfully as I reflected on the women in my

own family. As a school we chose to run with this theme and develop authentic learning opportunities for

our students. To do this we knew we had to spend time and develop a project that would allow our students

to contribute to a community legacy of because of her, we can.

To this end, we approached Aunty Sue Green, a respected elder

in this community, and asked if she would consider sharing a story.

Twelve months later Aunty Sue’s story has seeded the inspiration

of a student-created illustrated book, dance, sculpture, film and much more. On Monday 9 September, the school will host its

2019 NAIDOC Week assembly where students will present the fruits of their learning through Aunty Sue’s Story. Marrunga Dhanag, welcome everyone.

Learning and Curriculum

How can we develop a model of learning that best supports

students to develop the capabilities they will need to thrive in the future? This is a question we constantly ask ourselves at Walcha Central School, being open to new learning and taking informed

action.

We know the importance of including deep and rich content in each of the curriculum learning areas. Literacy, numeracy and

critical and creative thinking must feature heavily along with creating a supportive environment where students are encouraged to believe in themselves; have opportunities to

explore independent interests; develop skills through learning from mistakes; and celebrate success. Learning needs to be holistic; reflexive; experiential and relational; involve patience and

time; recognise the role of indigenous knowledge and provide a range of pedagogies and formative assessment opportunities designed to support the individual learning needs of all students.

Innovative Teaching and Learning

The introduction this year of FLEX project-based learning

electives in Yrs 7-10 and Investigative Learning in K-2 is making a difference with our evidence, indicating improved learning outcomes in writing and numeracy skills. Importantly our students

have told us that they enjoy learning in these classes.

As we look toward 2020, we have learnt that as a staff we work well as part of a team and that scheduling curriculum team

meetings so that teams can work together helps support planning. Recent investigations into the similarities between the learning outcomes across all of our syllabi has revealed

opportunities for interdisciplinary learning hubs.

Our collective understanding of what works best has been

supported through staff exchanges with schools across NSW and Victoria as we compare and contrast different models of learning and teaching.

Students like choice, they also need structure. In Stage 6 (Years 11 & 12) we are delivering in excess of 24 subjects over two years. That’s not bad given that we have 35 students. Student

elective choice in Stages 4 & 5 (Yrs 7-10) will offer an additional FLEX 2 subject that is student directed. This time will also allow us to address additional student learning support needs.

Our K-6 curriculum model will allow for greater collaboration to support learning. At present, K-6 teachers are planning and delivering an integrated Stage 2 & 3 history unit on Explorers and

People.

Meanwhile the links between K-6 and secondary continue to grow with hospitality and cooking resources combining with

investigation into countries of the world.

For photos, notes, information and more, visit our school website http://www.walcha-c.schools.nsw.gov.au

Mark Hall, Principal

K-12 NEWSLETTER 23 August 2019

Dr David Townsend school visit

David is a renowned educational leader from Alberta Canada. This week he again joined us as a critical friend working with several teams to investigate evidence of progress and school

improvement. David uses a model he developed known as Generative Dialogue.

I would like to commend all recipients at Education Week and

congratulate those students that gained selection into the North West Athletic Carnival.

Education Week Morning Tea

Finally can I thank the Walcha P&C for their kind gesture in hosting a morning tea in thanks for the work of our teachers

and the staff at Walcha Central School. I know I speak on be-half of all staff when I say it was greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Our NAIDOC Week Assembly is not only the culmination of the 12-month long Aunty Sue Project ‘Because of her, we can’, that was completed by interested students from Years 5-11, but will also

feature the presentation of various student awards and the launch of Walcha Central School’s very own publication ‘Aunty Sue’s Story of the Dhulawang Girin’, a copy of which will be held in the National

Library of Australia.

The students are very proud of their work and are looking forward to sharing their experience with you.

Please save the date, and join us for our NAIDOC Week assembly and experience the Aunty Sue Project through different mediums

Parents and community members are invited to join our celebration of NAIDOC Week



MONDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2019

11:00am Artwork Display 11:30am Assembly and Book Launch Guided walk to Sculpture and Vegetable Gardens

Because of her, we can

On Friday 2 August, 20 secondary students attended the North West athletics carnival in Tamworth. It was a stunning day which provided great conditions for competing. Our students represented themselves and the community well. Teraia Marsters, Maylen Schmutter Morris, Emily Powell and Joscisca Matapakia made it through to the final of the 100m. Angus Weise and Maylen made the final of the 200m. Anastasia Haling came in third in the 400m and the15 years girls came third in their relay.

There were lots of students competing in field events, the competition was tough and it was a high achievement to get into the top 6 and gain an extra throw or jump.

Off to the state athletics carnival held at Sydney Olympic Park in early September are Emily Powell, Charlotte Mooney, Marlee Wall and Kiralee Murphy in the 13yrs girls relay and Teraia Marsters who finished first in his 100m age race and second in the high jump.

Congratulations to all involved, I would like to thank all of the parents who transported and supported their children at

the carnival.


PSSA Athletics On Friday 3 August, Walcha Central sent 30 competitors to the PSSA Armidale District Athletics Carnival.

Students competed in both field and track events on the day, showing great skill and sportsmanship.

Around 15 students, including multiple relay teams, have qualified to represent Armidale district at the PSSA North West Athletics championships to be held in Tamworth later in the term.

Touch Knockout competition August 1

saw a boys and girls team compete at the

touch knockout gala day in Armidale. Both teams

played 2 games, both coming out with a win in their first game.

The girls won their second game, meaning that they are now moving on to play Warialda Public School in the next round of the knockout competition.

A huge congratulations to all students and a big thanks to parents who assisted with transporting the students.

Hockey Knockout Gala Day

At the end of last term Walcha Central School fielded a girls hockey team to attend the PSSA hockey knockout gala day held in

Tamworth. The girls all played extremely well, losing their first game and winning their second game. The team displayed great sportsmanship and teamwork.

PSSA Cross Country State Championships On Friday 29 July, several Walcha Central School students attended the NSW Primary All Schools Cross Country Championships. Held annually at Eastern Creek just south of Sydney, the championships see students from across the state compete for the opportunity to represent the state at nationals.

Jemma Warden, Harriet Crawford, Stephanie and Emily Blake competed in the primary section. Stephanie who ran in the 10 Years girls 2km race placed 17th out of 78 competitors, finishing in a time of 8m 15s, which was less than 30 seconds behind the overall winner of the age group. Emily Blake competed in the 11 Years girls and ran the 3km course in a time of 15m 21s. In the 12/13 Years girls 3km race, Jemma Warden placed 21st with a time of 13m 18s, and Harriet Crawford in a time of 14m 50s.

NW PSSA Gymnastic Gala Day

Approximately 116 young gymnasts from schools across the North West competed at the NW PSSA Gymnastics Gala Day held in Armidale on Monday 12 August.

Micah and Wyatt Hayton from Walcha Central, braved the cold conditions to compete in the event. Both students tied for first place in their category, resulting in each coming away with a medal.



During Mentoring, students have been identifying and evaluating their plans for their future. This week, the students worked in groups to build a balloon tower. Each group was given resources, based on their varied levels of attendance and engagement at school, to support their ability to build the tallest free standing tower.

The group then analysed the difference in success of the groups, identifying the importance of regular attendance and a high level of engagement in school, to building the skills and resources necessary for happy and successful lives.

Walcha Central School had a very special visitor in Week 3 of this term.

Selva Montealegre Mendoza, a former exchange student who came to Walcha Central School 10 years ago, came back to visit her old stomping ground. Selva was an exchange student to Walcha from Mexico in 2009-2010 for one whole year through a rotary exchange program.

Selva was so surprised to see her mural that she painted while at the school, was still in place.

Year 6 into 7, 2020 Transition Program

Each year, Year 5 & 6 students from the Walcha district have been participating in high school Taster Days. These Taster Days allow students to experience the types of lessons they will have when they go to high school and are designed to make their transition to high school as smooth as possible.

On Wednesday 28 August 2019, in conjunction with Science Week, Walcha Central School will hold the third Taster Day for this year incorporating science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities.

In the morning Cameron McFarlane, a fully qualified Senior Aquatic Lifeguard and a Royal Life Saving Society trainer, will conduct a CPR Awareness Program. Students will participate in sport in the afternoon.

In order for your child to gain the benefits from this day, please ensure that your child is dressed in full sports uniform and brings:

water bottle recess and lunch or an order for the canteen pencil case

The day will be structured as if it were a regular day at high school. Students will be divided into groups for the day and given a timetable to follow. There will be five separate lessons. They will spend their recess and lunch breaks with other high school students.

The Year 6 into 7 Orientation Day is scheduled for Year 6 students and their parents during Term 4 on Thursday 28 November 2019 – parents will be invited to attend the morning session. To enhance this experience we will hold an additional day for students only on Friday 29 November 2019 where students will engage in workshops and activities to prepare them for high school.

For more information and any queries regarding this program, please contact Simon Warden on 6777 2777.



The P&C have introduced a meal

deal to the canteen’s menu.

It was trialled during the Dorrigo

Interschool visit and will now be

extended through Term 3

Please see attached the winter

meal deal.

Order forms are available either

from the canteen or the school

website.

On Wednesday 7 August 1/2R began their country cooking program taught by Miss Danielle Gaynor and assisted by Jacob Hamlin.

The students extended their cultural understanding of Italy by cooking pizzas. The class had a wonderful time experimenting and

preparing food, while linking this to classroom learning.

We look forward to the next cooking experiences. Can you guess our next country? Sand, jewels and jackals.

To help build childrens’ knowledge, skills and confidence to act in times of adversity, Red Cross runs a disaster resilience education program, called the Pillowcase Project.

The Pillowcase Project was originally inspired by events during Hurricane Katrina in the United States. While evacuating campus, students of a local university used pillowcases to carry their cherished and basic possessions. After hearing this, Red Cross staff developed the concept of using a

pillowcase as an emergency kit.

3/4L were very fortunate on Friday to participate in this amazing project with four volunteers from the red cross coming to present to the children.

The Pillowcase Project


Livestock Team The Livestock Team are busily preparing their steers and heifers for the upcoming Scone Beef Bonanza in October.

Our livestock team has had an enormous amount of support with all cattle for this show being kindly donated by various families from the Walcha district. This includes Mark and Dee Morowitz, Bill and Michelle Wake, Murray and Tracey Worth, Wendouree Grazing Co, Aspinall Family, Swanton Family, Mackaway Pastoral Co, and Larissa and Simon Wall. We are very grateful for this support of our program.



FLEX class - Livestock buyers Last week, the Livestock buyers FLEX class was fortunate to have a visit from Angus Carter of Landmark

to talk to them about fleece judging and merino sheep judging.

This has helped develop their understanding and skill to select merino sheep for a fine wool enterprise.

We thank Angus for his time, knowledge and expertise.

Merino Mob The Merino Mob students will be attending the Schools Wether Challenge in Dubbo at the end of this month. Students have been preparing the Merino wethers donated to the school, which will be judged on wool value, meat value and production. This is our first time entering this competition and we wish them the best of luck.

UNE Farming Futures A group of students attended the UNE Farming Futures day earlier in the term. The students learnt about the various avenues of study available to them at UNE involving an agricultural focus, also hearing from students undertaking current study.

Students sampled various meat samples for morning

tea, learning about meat science and were able to see new technologies being developed. After this, students took part in the careers expo, being able to talk to various industry representatives about possible job opportunities for their future. A bonus in this was all the freebies they came home with.

CALENDAR See website for more details http://www.walcha-c.schools.nsw.gov.au

28/08/2019 - 30/08/2019

Aussie Bush Camp Years 2-4

02/09/2019 - 03/09/2019

Trial HSC examinations

03/09/2019 ICAS Assessment - Digital Technologies

06/09/2019 Musica Viva visit - K- 6

09/09/2019 NAIDOC Week Assembly - Aunty Sue’s Project

09/09/2019 - 13/09/2019

NAIDOC Week celebrations

10/09/2019 ICAS Assessment - writing

11/09/2019 Year 7 Immunisation program

16/09/2019 - 19/09/2019

Stage 5 Coffs Harbour Excursion

25/09/2019 Year 12 Farewell Assembly

26/09/2019 Year 12 Farewell Dinner 5:30 - 10pm in the MPC


For all the latest updates and information follow us on Facebook.

A reminder that the second dose of the Year 7 immunisations is on Wednesday 11 September 2019.

Please encourage students to have breakfast on the morning of the vaccination and to wear clothing that is loose enough so that the upper arm can be fully exposed.

Year 7 Immunisation 2nd Round

*Students who missed out on HPV dose 1 last visit can be administered dose 1 on Wednesday if they wish. Contact the community nurse to organise this.


news and views of your local central school · 100m. angus weise and maylen made the final of the...

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