South Grafton High School Excellence and Innovation

Principal: Brian Heath

Address: Tyson Street, South Grafton

Email: sthgrafton-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au Telephone: 6642 1466

Website: www.sthgrafton-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Facsimile: 6643 2027

Issue No 2 – Term 4, 2012 19 October 2012

HSC Exams To date the Higher School Certificate exams are progressing well. I wish every year 12

student the best in the HSC examinations, that they encounter fair examinations and

students must remember that hard work pays dividends. It is important that all students study to the best of their ability and

complete all exams to the best of their ability. Remember that teaching staff are

available at the school at all times throughout the examination period to help with any problems, queries and revision. Staff, along

with the students and parents are wanting students to achieve as best they can.

Congratulations to Ms Outteridge This week, Miss Christine Outteridge,

(science teacher from our school) was congratulated by Janelle Saffin MP (Federal

member for Page) on being named open female club champion at Yamba Surf

Lifesaving Club's 2012 Presentation Day. Ms Outteridge was also congratulated on being awarded a gold medal at the Australian titles

and a gold and bronze medal at the New South Wales State titles. The South Grafton

High School community would also like to congratulate Ms Outteridge on these achievements.

Mathletics

As has been mentioned in the newsletter previously, a number of years 7 to 10 students at our school have been classified as

“High Achievers” in the Mathletics competition. This is an excellent

achievement and once again highlights the hard-working nature of many of the students at our school. These achievements were

recognised this week on the formal school assembly where 20 students who gained

more than 3000 points in the Mathletics competition were awarded a certificate and present.

Aboriginal Dancers Anybody who has been privileged enough this year to have seen some of the excellent

performances by students at our school will know that we have a great depth of talent.

Students have performed at various arenas around the State. One of these excellent performing groups is the Aboriginal Dance

Group – “Guja Murra” who have performed at the Sydney School Spectacular and at the

NSW State Deputy Principal’s Conference. Two members of this group, Keanah Scholes and Blake Roberts are now helping with the

instruction of Aboriginal dance to local primary school students.

New Syllabuses for English, Maths, History and Science.

The NSW Minister for Education, Adrian Piccoli, has launched new NSW syllabuses for

the Australian curriculum for English K-10, Mathematics K-10, History K-10 and Science

K-10 (incorporating Science and Technology K-6). The new syllabuses will be implemented in NSW schools from 2014. For

Years 7-10, the new syllabuses will be implemented in Years 7 and 9 in 2014, with

Years 8 and 10 the following year. The syllabuses can be viewed online or downloaded from the Board of Studies NSW

website. The NSW syllabuses for the Australian Curriculum provide an exciting

opportunity for schools to review their teaching and assessment practices to ensure we meet the learning needs of students in

the 21st century.

New Online Tool for Students A new online search tool makes it easier to find out about eligibility for student

payments, including Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY. The site offers a new

quick and simple interactive tool where students can answer up to six short questions

South Grafton High School Newsletter 19 October 2012

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to find out about their eligibility for student payments.

There is also information about scholarships and government student loans that help cover the cost of study.

Recent upgrades now make it easier for students to access the Study Assist website

on a range of electronic devices as well as share information using social media. Visit the Study Assist website at

www.studyassist.gov.au or view the new interactive search tool at

http://studyassist.gov.au/sites/studyassist/studentincomesupport/studentincomesupportsearch/pages/student-income-support-search

Jacaranda Day

The majority of our students will be involved with the Jacaranda Festival on Thursday, 1 November 2012. Therefore, this day will be

a Festival Holiday.

Uni-Bound High School Outreach Program The UNI-BOUND High School Outreach Program is a tailored program that currently

partners with 15 high schools from the Gold Coast to Kempsey. South Grafton High

School is one of these partner schools. Participating school students are offered a small-group, experiential program designed

to assist them to overcome real or perceived barriers to attending tertiary education.

University staff and student outreach mentors work together to facilitate the

program, visiting the high schools and hosting visits to the University. The program focuses on providing a 'personal' experience,

featuring small group activities and opportunities for school and university

students to meet and interact. Year 8 students and their Year Adviser, Mrs Fraser, will be participants in this program at the

National Marine Science Centre at Coffs Harbour on 13 November 2012.

Stacks of Stuff The school shop is located at the bottom of C block. We are open Monday to Thursday from

11.00 am till 11:25 am (except Fridays). New arrivals:- sport shirts and shorts. Sizes

are 12's, small, medium, large, extra large and 3XL. We have been given a student made ceramic

mini house - price $10

If you do make something that you would like to try to sell through the shop, talk to Mr

Pobjoy or Mrs Fisher and we will see what we can do. Thank you to Josh Gorman, Sarah Preston and Seb Young for working in the

shop every recess. We look forward to seeing you there.

Athletes Foot James Stanmore from the

Athletes Foot kindly presented our school with a cheque for $120 at the

formal assembly held on Thursday. This money was raised from a program operating in their stores to try and “Give Back” to their

local communities. For every pair of school related footwear that was purchased at The

Athletes Foot, $5.00 was donated back to the school.

Hope everyone had a

relaxing holiday. Below are the winners of our Zoombinis

Mountain Rescue challenge and Rush Hour Challenge. Well done winners.

Our Term 3 Djehuti Smart and QuickSmart attendance

draw was won by Dane Irwin, Jessica Franklin and Hayden Robb. Congratulations.

Date for your Diary…… Djehuti Smart Presentation Evening. Library 5.00pm – 6.30pm, Week 9

Tuesday 4 December 2012.

South Grafton High School Newsletter 19 October 2012

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SRC

Christmas Boxes – The SRC has contributed

20 shoe boxes filled with gifts for children in Cambodia. Many thanks must go to Karlie Chevalley who raised $180 to pay for freight

for delivery. Karlie Chevalley and Isabella DiMattia and Rachel Wade generously gave

their time and energy to this very

worthwhile project.

Bandanna Day –

Bandannas will be on

sale for $4.00 next week in aid of ‘CANTEEN’ – supporting young people living with cancer. Bandannas are on sale in the library or from

SRC members.

South Grafton High School Shines at Coraki Regatta

The rowing season formally started for South Grafton High School Rowing Club with five

students competing at the Coraki regatta over the weekend. Kiara Hankinson was our most successful rower with a first place in

both the U15 single scull and the U15 double scull with Emily Van Dalsen. Aidan Hankinson

rowed very strongly to win the men’s open single scull; an outstanding result for a 17 year old. Essie Duray and Chloe Burgess

joined Kiara and Emily in the quad but had to be content with a second place to arch rivals

Maclean. Overall there were many placings and the team can look forward to many more good results as the season progresses. Many

thanks to the coaches for all their time, effort and words of wisdom during their early

morning training sessions. Hopefully we will be able to field a

bigger team for the next

regatta in two week’s at Maclean.

Year 12 – Formal Assembly

Year 12 verse teachers netball and soccer

games

South Grafton High School Newsletter 19 October 2012

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Community News

Classical Music Concert Saturday 20 October 2012

Grafton is proud to host a concert of classical music on Saturday 20 October at 2.00 pm in

Christ Church Cathedral, featuring the North Coast Performing Arts Association’s 65-member Choir & Orchestra.

In addition to Ravel’s Pavane for a Dead Princess, distinguished violinist David

Matthews performs Beethoven’s Romance for Violin & Orchestra, and gifted cellist Sarah Matthews presents Faure’s Elegy for Cello &

Orchestra. Young Edward Condon performs the premiere of Richard Charlton’s Concertino

for Trombone, Strings & Timpani. Schumann’s Mass in C minor provides an exhilarating choral climax to this afternoon of

fine music. Tickets: $17 Adult, $14 Concession, $7

Student, $37 Family. Vocal & instrumental students free, when accompanied by a paying adult. All pre-purchased tickets attract a $2

discount. Tickets from Buckley’s Music, Clarence Valley Conservatorium and at the

door. Contact Helen Tucker 6643 3456 or www.ncpaa.info

Graphic Design Course This course is being run over two days at

Designworks College of Design, 19 Tallebugera Creek Road, West Burleigh on 27 and 28 October 2012 from 9.30 am to

4.00 pm. Cost is $180 includes materials and lunch. To book your place email

drew@designworks.edu.au or phone 07 5535 0298

Canteen Roster Monday

22 October:

HELP PLEASE

Tuesday

23 October:

Colleen Hankinson

Rayanne Finlay

Wednesday

24 October:

HELP PLEASE

Thursday

25 October:

HELP PLEASE

Friday

26 October:

Tina Bultitude

Monday

29 October

HELP PLEASE

Diary Dates

Monday

22 October

Casli Puppet performance

Yr 10 Art mural painting

HSC continues

Tuesday

23 October

Southern Cross University

student information expo

Wednesday

24 October

Sydney Drama Excursion

U14 girls cricket, Woolgoolga

Friday

26 October

Year 11 reports issued

Wednesday

31 October

Yr 11 Advance English creative

writing day

Thursday

1 November

Jacaranda Thursday

Tuesday

20 November

Year 7 2013 orientation day