ROUSE HILL HIGHNEWSLETTERDARE TO EXCEL MARCH 2017 / ISSUE 37

SYDNEY WEST AFL

Page 9

HARMONY DAY

Pages 7-8

LOTE

Page 2

con$nued  pages  7-­‐8

RHHS celebrates multiculturalism

2.

INTER-SCHOOL CHINESE LANGUAGE LINK WITH MURRAY HIGH SCHOOL

Mrs Wang Teacher LOTE

Year 7 students at Rouse Hill High School were excited to receive their "red packets" from Murray High School in the last week of March.

These little red packets were hand-made by year 7 students from Murray High School in Lavington, NSW. They signify the first round of a special Language project between our two schools.

Students from each school have been "buddied up" and will be given the chance to build friendships through their Chinese language study. Students will use Chinese to communicate with each other in written notes, emails and video blogs. We hope some classes will even be able to link up live via connected classroom.

马 瑞 中 学 生，谢 谢 你们 !愿 我们 两 个 学校 的 有意 源远流长！

Strong educational leadership and dedicated teachers create a supportive, dynamic learning environment

3.

Duke of Edinburgh Mr Williams Teacher Library

As a part of the school’s commitment to offering opportunities for our students to challenge themselves in rewarding and enjoyable ways, Rouse Hill is proud to deliver the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.

An internationally recognised and prestigious award for young people aged between 14 and 25, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award encourages students to develop initiative, resourcefulness and determination.

While employers and universities have looked favourably upon students who have completed the Award, its greatest benefits to future Australians are undoubtedly intrinsic. To complete the Award, students must, of their own direction and volition, complete a certain amount of time in the areas of physical recreation, community service and skill development. The opportunities and possibilities are vast, and extend through the Bronze, Silver and Gold levels of the award. The final section of the award involves students completing an adventurous journey. For the Bronze level this means a challenging 2-day expedition. At the end of Term 1, 14

students from Rouse Hill will be undertaking such a journey in the Blue Mountains, trekking through the rugged Grose Valley and camping overnight. 2016 saw two students recognised with their Bronze level Duke of Edinburgh’s award. This is a significant accomplishment that reflects the dedication, perseverance and character that these students have developed. Congratulations to Lucy Knight and Mitchell Olbrich for their achievement.The award is open to all students aged over 14.

Leadership and engagement programs that build confidence, resilience and success

Figure 1 - Term 1 Tent Practice: Students were hard at work in preparation for a night in the wilderness

4.

Chess Club Mr Williams Teacher Library

Chess participation has seen a significant increase in 2017 with several new strong players entering the competition scene.

The Semester 1 Open Tournament drew entries from each year group across the school. Despite the busy nature of Term 1, the tournament has progressed through to the semi-finals. Along the way, new contenders for the position of top player have made themselves known on the boards. Similarly, we have seen shock upsets and the resurgence of past champions.

As the competition draws to a climax, the winner’s name will be published in the newsletter.

For students looking for a challenge, there are competitions once a term. For students looking for a more casual style of play, the boards are available recess and lunch, with no shortage of potential opponents.

! ! ! Puzzle! ! Mate-In-One (White to move)

The PRC is on again!The Premier’s Reading Challenge is an initiative aimed at promoting a positive reading culture in our students, with all the benefits that accompany it.

The many positive impacts of reading cannot be understated. From the development of analytical thinking and empathy, improved concentration and stress reduction, enhanced memory and imagination, to the simple pleasure of exploring new worlds of knowledge, everyone can benefit from regular reading.

The PRC is open for students from Years 7-9. Registrations are online through the Department of Education student portal. For assistance see the school librarian.

Modern, innovative and specialist teaching environments for dance, music, and drama

Premier’s Reading Challenge Mr Williams Teacher Library

5.

Library Happenings Mr Williams Teacher Library

YOUNG WRITERS’ CLUB

Students with an affinity for writing are invited to participate in a short-story competition hosted by the Fellowship of Australian Writers. The 2017 Hilarie Lindsay Young Writers Short Story Competition allows students to indulge their literary aspirations and write!

Students in years 10, 11 & 12 can write up to 2500 words with a prize of $175 going to the best entrant. Students in years 7, 8 & 9 can write up to 2500 words with a prize of $125 going to the best entrant.

The closing date for this competition is the 31st of August, 2017.

The library will be hosting writing workshops in Term 2 for students interested in developing their creative writing skills.

TECH NINJAS

The RHHS Student Technology group, the Tech-Ninjas, have been experimenting, learning and creating in Term 1 with robots. Students have learnt basic programming and robotic skills with the aid of Lego Mindstorms.

Students showed both remarkable affinity and rapid skill development over the course of a few weeks.

Term 2 looks to bring new challenges and technological opportunities for students with the aptitude and desire to learn new skills in a fun way.

Our students, staff and parents are part of a strong, sharing community

6.

International Womens Day Sufiya Naqvi Year 1.0

A while ago, I had the opportunity to go to the Penrith campus of the Western Sydney University with Miss Devine and with some awesome gals to hear an awesome speech from Dr. Kakenya Ntaiya. Her speech was inspiring as she told of her struggles as a female striving to get the right to receive a good education.

At the age of seven, Kakenya made a bargain with her father: she would undergo female genital mutilation if he agreed to let her finish her education. Now, she has set up a school where parents must agree that their girls will not undergo mutilation and will not be married before they finish school. The Kakenya Center for Excellence has so far transformed the lives of more than 230 young women in Kenya through education. Every step of the process was difficult for Kakenya but she continued to pursue her dreams of helping others.

"If I can help one person, and that person can help another person, then it becomes a change"

In Australia, we are very lucky to get education and some of us take this blessing for granted. Everyone in Australia has the ability to feel free to be themselves and to enjoy going to school or uni. We get the chance to realise who we are as an individuals and as an Australian and that we belong to a place that some people only dream of.

Challenging and diverse learning programs providing excellent opportunities for individual success

7.

Harmony Day Year 1.0 Leadership

Harmony Day was celebrated on the 21st of March. It is a day to celebrate our diverse and multicultural society. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.

To celebrate Harmony Day, we had an assembly where Ms Rizal wowed us in her traditional costume and performing a dance from her culture of Nepal. Kavishay Prasad, Anthony Radic, Sufiya Naqvi and Barnabas Chiriya also shared some inspiring stories surrounding their thoughts on why this day is so important.

Year 1.0 Leadership also organised a mufti day where everyone was encouraged to wear the colour orange to show their support for an inclusive Australia. Orange is the colour chosen to represent Harmony Day as traditionally, orange signifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect. We raised $769.30 to support our sponsor child Birikti Berhe our sponsor child and her community. We will be providing her with access to clean water, healthcare and education.

We also asked every member of the school to come to the quad at lunch to create a paper crane which we are in the process of stringing together. In Japan it is believed that if one folded 1000 origami cranes, one’s wish would come true. Our wish and hope is that everyone at RHHS feels that they belong.

To finish the week Year 10 got a special treat with ‘Drum Beats’. This was a musical performance based around African Drumming. Every student got their own drum, which we played to African rhythms. There was a lot of noise, music and dance. We had heaps of fun and got to learn about different languages. It was a definite highlight to our week.

Strong educational leadership and dedicated teachers create a supportive, dynamic learning environment

8.

Harmony Day cont. Year 1.0 Leadership

Leadership and engagement programs that build confidence, resilience and success

9.

Sydney West AFL Trials Mr Minahan Teacher Science

On Monday 27th March, trials were held for the Sydney West AFL team at Blacktown International Sports Park. Each year these trials are very competitive with most students trialling having experience playing AFL competitively outside of school. A number of students are also GWS Academy players.

Liam McGregor and Tom Fishburn of Year 9 represented Rouse Hill High School at these trials and both were successful in making the Sydney West team. These students will now represent Sydney West early next term against teams from Sydney East and Sydney South West for a spot in the Sydney Brumbies squad.

We wish to congratulate Liam and Tom on their excellent performance at the Sydney West trials and all the best at the Sydney trials next term.

Modern, innovative and specialist teaching environments for dance, music, and drama

10.

Community Notices Mr Kelly Deputy Principal Middle School

ATTENDANCE  Education in New South Wales is compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 years and below the minimum school leaving age of 17. Once enrolled, children are required to attend school each day it is open for students. It is important that students arrive at school and class on time. This:· Ensures that students do not miss out on important learning activities· Helps students learn the importance of punctuality and routine· Gives students time to greet their friends before class· Reduces classroom disruption If a Middle School student misses 10 days in each school term, by the end of Year 10 they’ll have missed almost a year of school. If a Year 1.1 or 1.2 student misses 10 days in a school term they will miss 20% of their course work which can lead to students not satisfactorily meeting course requirements.

Lateness to school is recorded as a partial absence and must be explained by parents.

Following an absence from school parents or carers must ensure that within 7 days they provide the school with a verbal or written explanation for the absence. However, if we do not receive an explanation within 2 days, we may contact home to discuss the absence. Ongoing attendance issues will be referred to the Home School Liaison Officer who is in place to assist students and families to improve school attendance. If you have any concerns about attendance please contact the school for advice.

Our students, staff and parents are part of a strong, sharing community

11.

Community Notices Mr Medcalf Deputy Principal Senior School

"Whether you are a parent of a returning student or your first child has just entered high school, I’m sure you would have heard almost every day in January and February how unbearable the conditions were. What you may not know is that the P&C, in partnership with the High School, has an Air Conditioning Appeal.

We’re already on our way with $30,000 in the bank (in partnership with the school) but we still need to raise more and we can’t do it without you. Please read further details about the appeal and payment options in the attached document or select "Make a payment" on the school website home page to make a tax deductible contribution today.

Thank you in advance for your support,Greg KnightP&C President"

Challenging and diverse learning programs providing excellent opportunities for individual success

12.Strong educational leadership and dedicated teachers create a supportive, dynamic learning environment

13.Leadership and engagement programs that build confidence, resilience and success

14Modern, innovative and specialist teaching environments for dance, music, and drama

3 Columbia Court, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153 PO Box 7064, Baulkham Hills BC 2153

Phone 02 9843 0555 Email council@thehills.nsw.gov.auFacsimile 02 9843 0409 www.thehills.nsw.gov.au

When it comes to the safety of vulnerable road users like school children, drivers found breaking the law will be met with zero tolerance. :KHQ�DQ�RIIHQFH�LV�GHWHFWHG��\RX�ZLOO�EH�oQHG��

DRIVEWAYS

You must not park your car over or block access to a driveway. You can stop in a driveway to drop off or pick up passengers BUT only for less than 2 minutes AND the driver must stay with the car.

SCHOOL ZONE Penalty from $180 and 2 demerit points

NO PARKING

You can stop only to drop off or pick up passengers or goods and you must not stop for more than 2 minutes and The driver must stay within 3 metres of your vehicle. Stopping includes when the vehicle is not moving but the engine is still running.

SCHOOL ZONE Penalty from $180 and 2 demerit points

BUS ZONES

You must not stop your vehicle in a Bus Zone unless you are driving a public bus. Stopping includes when the vehicle is not moving but the engine is still running.

SCHOOL ZONE Penalty from $325 and 2 demerit points

NO STOPPING

You must not STOP at any time. Stopping includes when the vehicle is not moving but the engine is still running.

SCHOOL ZONE Penalty from $325 and 2 demerit points

Parking Rules

& Penalties&RXQFLOV�&RPSOLDQFH�2IoFHUV�HQIRUFH�parking signs at your school.

15.Our students, staff and parents are part of a strong, sharing community

16.Challenging and diverse learning programs providing excellent opportunities for individual success

17.Strong educational leadership and dedicated teachers create a supportive, dynamic learning environment

18.Leadership and engagement programs that build confidence, resilience and success

19.Modern, innovative and specialist teaching environments for dance, music, and drama

20.Our students, staff and parents are part of a strong, sharing community

21.Challenging and diverse learning programs providing excellent opportunities for individual success

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23.Leadership and engagement programs that build confidence, resilience and success

THE ROUSE HILL HIGH NEWSLETTER EDITORS:

Denise Cox

Shaun Minahan

ROUSE HILL HIGH SCHOOLDARE TO EXCEL

PO Box 6120Rouse Hill NSW 215598361890www.rousehill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

NOTICEBOARD

UPCOMING EVENTS

7 April Last Day of Term 1

24 April Staff Development Day

25 April ANZAC Day

26 April First Day Term 2

9-11 May NAPLAN

see school website for more details

FROM THE EDITORThank you to all the staff, students and community members who have contributed to this edition of

ADVERTISING IN THE ROUSE HILL HIGH NEWSLETTERIf you are interested in advertising your business or community group in the next edition of this newsletter please visit www.rousehill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/our-school/rules-policies/rouse-hill-high-school-policies and download a newsletter policy for requirements and procedures.

P & C NEWSThe next P & C meeting will be held on Monday 15 May. All parents and carers are welcome to attend.

If you would like to be added to the P&C email list, simply email the Secretary at nicoletheissen@optusnet.com.au or log on to www.rousehill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au and click on the P&C tab for information.

ADVERTISINGRouse Hill High School’s newsletter contains paid advertisements which assist with the cost of production.

The publication of such advertisements does not imply endorsement of any product or service by the NSW Department of Education and Communities or Rouse Hill High School.

24.Modern, innovative and specialist teaching environments for dance, music, and drama