Stop preSSCGHS has been invited to the Expanding Horizons Student Exchange Tour of China in September. 300 students from the Region will be on this tour for 10 days. We have been selected to take a Dance ensemble and a Wind ensemble as part of the tour. If you would like your daughter to have this unique opportunity to tour and perform in China, please contact Sue Holden, Principal or Sylvia Kovanis, Tour Convener, on 9718 1805.

Congratulations to:n ThemanyYear12,2011students

who returned on AcademicRecognitionDaytocelebratewithustheirachievements.2011SchoolCaptain, Chloe Smith, spokeeloquently regarding survivingbeing a teenager and the HSC.56% of the class of 2011 have

takenupUniversityplacementsinahuge rangeofcourses.We lookforwardtofollowingthecareersofmanyofthem!

n Scout Eastment, Year10studentselectedintheNSWPerformingArtsUnitChoir.

n Jamile Kibby,Year8selectedintheNSWPerformingArtsUnitJuniorDramaEnsemble.

n 2012SportHouseCaptains: Adelaide:Jennifer Khan

Vice: Leni Loueizi Brisbane: Adriana Vlachos

Vice: Abigail Tangatapoto Moana Canberra:Maja Skundric

Vice: Lauren Brett Darwin: Bulou Waiqaliva

Vice: Tara Brettn 2012AgeSwimming

Champions:12yrs-Anna Vo

13yrs-Jenny Nguyen 14yrs-Ellie Cott 15yrs-Vicky Nguyen 16yrs-Tara Brett 17yrs+-Lulu Lucasn ZoneSwimmingfinalistswhowill

swim at the Regional SwimmingCarnival:Bao Ngyuen,Year7andJenny Ngyuen,Year8.

n Alice poster designer Lucy Lee,Year9–Winner,Yasmin Atwani,Year8wasRunnerupandpartofYasmin’sdesignwasincorporatedintothefinalversion.

n Students selected in the 2012Debatingteams:

Year 7 Speakers: IvyNehl,PortiaMcMullin, Tilly Goslett; Team

Public and Proud

March 2012Newsletter

GHS

Lead the ChaLLenge • Leadership • exCeLLenCe • aChievement • diversity

visit: www.canterburg-h.schools.nsw.edu.au1

CoNteNtS

STOPPRESS!Congratulations............ 1

ThankYou,StudentWelfareNews............... 2

StoriesfromYear7.....4-7

PoemsofInnerConflictfrom9E2........ 8

LessonsAfloat,SwimmingCarnival2012............... 9

Year8Excursion,CleanUpAustralia,CanteenAreaUpdate................ 10

InternationalWomen’sDaySpeech................. 11

PrefectNews.............. 12

MusicEnsemblesNews.......................... 13

U@UNSWProgram,ParentSupport........... 14

Parentreminders,P&CMeetings,SchoolFees.. 15

EducationTaxRefundfactSheet................16-17

Alice-TheMusical.... 18

Above: 2012 High Achievers Assembly.

Vaccinations – Years 7 and 10March 29 – May 31 – NoveMber 8 Theseare the3dates theNSWHealthnurseswillbe in the school to offer HPV (cervical cancer),Hepatitis B and 3-in-1 dTpa (whooping cough,tetanusanddiphtheria)toallYear7students.Year10 can get a booster dTpa at the May 31 visit.Varicella(chickenpox)boosterwillalsobegiventoYear7onthefinalvisit.

Permission notes for all vaccinations will arrivehomeintheweekbeginningMarch19.GototheNSWHealthwebsiteformoreinformation:

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/immunisation/school_prog/index.asp

I know some students find the idea of gettinga needle at school a bit daunting, however thenurses areVERY experienced and KIND.We willlook after all of you and get it done as quickly aspossible.Itreallydoesn’thurt.Ihadafluvaccineandawhoopingcoughboosteratthedoctor’syesterday(oneineacharm)–Ihardlyfelteitherofthem.

Bebraveandsupporteachothertomanagethesedays without tears. If you talk about being scaredabout it too much beforehand, you just makeeveryoneelseworried too.Talk toyour familiesorcomeandseemeifyoufeelnervousaboutitsowecansupportyou.

Zonta International Women’s Day BreakfastBigcongratulationstoLuluLucas(ourZontaClubawardee), Jade Lo (SRC) and Annie Edwards andCherry Saballa (Prefects), who represented us atthe annual IWD breakfast. It was the day of thebigwet,March8,yetparentsstillbravelyventuredout to transport theirdaughters there.Thankyou.The girls proved themselves to be independentand resourceful, participating enthusiastically inthe surveys (narrowly defeated by Strathfield Girlswhowonalltheraffleprizes)andbravedthereturnjourney with only a broken umbrella for shelter

in and out of the cab.They were entertained andinformed at the breakfast by a guest speaker whotoldthestoryofGemmaSisia,whoopenedaschoolin Northern Tanzania in 2002, growing over 10yearsfromanenrolmentof3,to1,500in2012.

Bythetimeyoureadthis,ourownInternationalWomen’sDayassemblywillhaveoccurredatschool– the result of the combined efforts of SRC andPrefect bodies lead ably by their coordinators MsKovanisandMsSalakas.

Year CampsYear 8 have returned safely from MowbrayPark, again surviving the big wet but still ableto participate in whip cracking and horse ridingaccording to our last update. Look out for photosand reports next newsletter. Next week Year 7 areofftoMilson’sIslandandYear9toCanberra.Year10and11Campsoccurlaterintheyear.TheYearAdvisersandaccompanyingteachersput inagreatefforttomaketheYearcampshappen–manythanksto all who take on this task, and to the studentsattendingfortheirsupportandcooperation.Campsareawonderfulsocialexperienceforeachcohortandallowgroupoutdooractivitiesandachange in theusualsocialdynamics.

Families please note, non-campers have a fullprogramof lessonsat school;normalattendance isexpected.

MentoringFinally a big thank you to all students in Years 9and10whodidsuchwonderfulworkinwelcomingYear7throughthefourmentoringworkshopsoverweeks1-5thisterm.Eachstudentmentorreceiveda certificate acknowledging their efforts, andtheir contribution is recorded for progress to theirRecognitionBadges.

MentorTrainingDays forYears8and9willbeofferedinTerms3and4,forstudentsinterestedinthisimportantleadershipprogram.

Julie Ronayne, Head Teacher, Student Welfare

Adviser(s)KarinaScholl,ImogenTwo. Year 8 Speakers: Yasmin Atwani,

Vituja Chandrilingam, NafisaTrisha,Team AdviserJaveiraScarrat.

Year 9 Speakers: Tania Durham,Eliva Andriamora, JuwayriyyahAsim,Team Adviser ElishaMaher.

Year 10 Speakers: Lily Darke, LyLien, Leni Loueizi, Team AdviserRachelBroe.

Year 11RosieSchofield,LuluLucas,KaseyClarke,SarahJeffrey.

n Some of our talented writers whohaveworkpublishedinthisedition.

Thank you to:n Year 12 2011 whose generous

donation of $4000 which will payfor theStudentKitchenarea intheupgradedcanteenarea.

n Prefects and SRC whoputtogetherawonderfulcelebrationforInternationalWomen’s Day – well done girls.$500 was raised for the STARTTSorganisation. The closing studentsspeechisonpage11.

n ExstudentKimberly De Visserwhois volunteering time to support andmentorourTheatresportsteams.

n Two Families who have recentlydonatedapianoforaMusicpracticeroomandafreezerfortheCanteen.

n The Parents and Citizens Association who have donated$15,000 towards the SchoolCanteenupdateproject.

n Parents Vanessa Worrall andPatrick WalshforthesupportgivenonYear6OpenNight.

n All those families who have madedonations to the P&C fund, aswell as the several generous cashdonationsdirectlytotheschool.

telephone 9718 1805 • Fax 9718 3501 • email: canterburg-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au2

March 2012

For Further inFormation visit: www.canterburg-h.schools.nsw.edu.au 3

News from Student WelfareWelcome to Ms Matos as Year 11 Year Adviser, replacing Ms Strachan while she is on leave.

WoW is coming – Week 2 of term 2ThisyeartheDay of Well BeingwillbeupgradedtoaWeek of Well Being.Overthecourseofweek2inTerm2,allYearswillparticipateinarangeofwellbeingactivities.OnWednesdayaspecialguestspeakerAvrilHenrywilljoinusforawholeschoolassembly–shehasalreadybeenseeninactionbyourPrefectswhoabsolutelylovedhermessagesaboutresilience,leadershipandmakingthemostoflife.AllstudentswillalsoseetheMotivationalMediamultimediapresentationonthebigscreen.Thisyear’sthemeis“RISK–it’sasmallwordwithalotofpower,becausethemomentwedisrespectitcouldbeourlast”andincludesmusicbyMahala,FooFighters,LifehouseandBirdsofTokyo(tonameafew).

In keeping with the idea of well being involving physical,emotional and social good health and happiness, this year weareincorporatingasessionofZumbaforallstudents(andstaff!!)ElevateEducationwillcontinuetodelivera studyskills sessiontoeachYear,andperformancesfromYoungAustralia’sBambooTheatrewillalsobeattendedbyeachYeargroup–Years7&8“ThePack”(aboutbeinganindividual),Years9&10“CrisisofaFemaleKind”(aboutself-respect)andforYears11&12“Proud2BMe”(aboutacceptance).AnewadditiontoWellBeingWeekin2012willbeworkshopsforallYearsfromtheAustralianFederalPoliceyouthliaisonofficersonthethemesofcyberbullyingandcybersafety–aconstantconcerninthedigitalageofsocialmediaandnetworking.

Letters will be sent home to all families before the end ofterm1–$25per studentwill thenbepayable toOfficeC (andpermissionnotesreturnedtoYearAdvisers).

premier’s Student Volunteering programMsTyralinherroleasLearningCentreCoordinator,deliveringseniorstudentsupport,hasbeeninstrumentalinpullingtogetherthisyear’sWeekofWellBeingprogram–thankyouMsTyral.WealsowelcomeyoutotheroleofPremier’sStudentVolunteeringProgram Coordinator, taking over from Ms Kadri who hassuccessfully established this important community service andcitizenshipprograminourschooloverthepasttwoyears.Years9and10–thisisaprogramforyou,solistenoutforannouncementsandaDEARmeetingoutliningtheprogramverysoon.

telephone 9718 1805 • Fax 9718 3501 • email: canterburg-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au 4

March 2012

For Further inFormation visit: www.canterburg-h.schools.nsw.edu.au 5

peter the potato poetOnceuponalime,inagalaxynottoofaraway,therewas a shop. Its owners, Lemon and Lemon, hadgonebrokeaftersellingalltheirmagicalgrapefruit,sotheshophadnotbeenopenforquiteawhileandto the public eye, seemed uninhabited. But it wasinhabited.TheGreatPotatoPrinceofPoetryLandlived in there, spending time writing truly greatsonnets and epics about decay, Sunday roasts andscarecrows,allthewhilebeinginvitedbythepopularvegiesandfruittothemostspectacularofparties.

Orsohewished.In truth, he was just lowly Peter the Ponderous

PoetPotatowhotriedashardashecouldbutcouldnotwritegoodpoetry.Hehad triedeverythinghecouldthinkoftosimplygetthatartistictemperamentrolling.Then, after tryingwheatgrass shots, fallingpurposelyoffthetableandfeelingthathehaddoneeverything,hegotabrainwave.Bzzz.

“I am the Great Potato Prince and I will writepoetry!”Peterexclaimedtono-oneinparticular.“IwillwritetrulygreatsonnetsandyarnsabouttheonethingIknowtrulywell–failure!”

So inspired was he about the idea of writingmelodiouswordsaboutnothavingtheartistictalenttodoso,PeterlosthissensesandrolledhimselfoffhiswritingdeskandoutthewindowtogostraighttothevegiepatchandmeettheCauliflowerKing.

AlittlebitabouttheCauliflowerKing–inVegieLand thereof courseneeded tobe royalty tokeepeveryvegie incheck,andthat royaltyhappenedtobe a Cauliflower King. He was nice enough buthad no time for vegie time-wasters and Peter was,unfortunately,atimewaster.

PoorPeterPotatoPoetallbutgocutintochips.Itwasdepressingtowatch,itreallywas.BythetimetheCauliflowerhadcalledPetera.apotatowannabe,b.notworthyoftheskinonhimandc.moronicandsalty enough to believe in deluded fantasies abouthavinganartisticdestiny,Peterhadhadenough.Hejustgotoutofthere,ignoringtheaudiencethathadgathered,whichconsistedofthefourbroccoli,twonastylookingcarrotsandabeetroot.

Backhome,sittingonhistablewithitsperfectlypositionedpotofinkandthebestcornhuskpapera

potatocouldbuy,Petercouldnothelpfeelitwasallfornothing.“Wannabeindeed,mutteredthefailedvegetable,“Ialwaysknewmonarchieswerestupid.”Itdidseemthatthiswastheend.“Allthoseyearsoffeelingsuperiortomyfellowonionsandmybrotherthesweetpotato(who,incidentally,isn’tsweetatall)andnowtheyallknowthetruth–Iamnotapoet!”whimperedthesadandsorrypotato.

While Peter’s imaginary friend played sad andbitter-sweetmusic,Peter thePotatoPoet tearedupinseveralofhiseyes.AndthecurtainfinallyclosedonPeterthePonderousPotatoPoet.

ORSOWETHOUGHT!Do you really think a potato deluded as Peter

would give up that easily? No. He just needed acareer move. A few days later, Peter, clutching anovernight bag, turned up at the most surprisingplaceforapotatotobe–TheVegieBake-Off!Everyyear vegies from all over the country came to trytheirluckatwinningtheVegiePatchCup.Sowhatif Peter had previously preferred wallowing in hismisery to baking? He was here now and going toblowthemallaway.

Even if he himself had no cooking experience,helikedtoeathisfavouritessuchasdirtcakewithsoil icing,sunlightslushieandmoisturesalad.Andafterall,ifyoucouldeatyoucouldcook…it’sjustcommonsense.

TherewasahugebuildinginfrontofPeter,whichmade him think he was in the wrong place. Hethoughthewastheonlyonecompeting…sowhydidhejustseeazucchiniwalkthroughthedoor?

Insideitwasdarkandcool.“Welcome!”yelledthepresenter, a senior citizen by the name of GrannySmith. “Please form a circle,” she continued “it’sgreat to see such a turnout.”Peter rolled forwardandcrashedintoaneggwhosnarled“Watchit!Youcouldhavecrackedmyshell!”

“What a rotten attitude.” Thought Peter,continuing forward. He soon found out that hewouldbe competing against other vegetables (plusthe nasty egg who had snuck in) and that therewouldbethreerounds:thetryout,thetestandthefinalcook-off.Peterthoughhewouldownthis.Hewaswrong.

The try out meant getting into groups andinventinganewrecipe.ThepotatowasputwithMrOnion,MsPeachyand–ohno!–theegg.Horror.

“Wemightscrambleeachotherup”thoughtPeterdesperately.

Surprisinglythedaypassedwithoutanyincidents.Ifyoudon’tcountEggbert theEgg saying thathisfavourite meal was potato chips, that is. Peter justknewhehadfoundhiscalling.Itwasveryexciting,really it was. He had nailed the try out! Chanceswere,hewouldwin!

****************“Thistime,”boomedGrannySmith’svoice,“it’s

abitdifferent.Youhavetotryandtagyourfellowcompetitors,poking themwith theblunt endof aknife.Thenyouhavetogivethemachallenge.Thelasttwonottaggedmoveontothefinalround.”

“Sorry I’m late,” squealed Peter, rolling in fast,“thebroccoliwerebeingdifficult.”

Eggbert though “Hmm … I could use hislateness to eliminate him from the competition.Mwaahaahaa!”

Peterhadcomeinfairlyconfidentbutnowhewasjust confused. For instance, everyone was runningaround crazily, instead of having scintillatingconversation. “Run for your roots!” screamedEggbertfrombehindhim.“Iwillmashyou!”

“Whatishedoing?”thoughtPeter.“Don’tgetpoked!”yelledGrannySmith.“Run!”Peter was good with ‘run’. For the whole half

hourtheeggchasedPeterandPeterrolled,bumpedand crashed until the presenter yelled time andtheyrealisedtheywerethelasttwostill–sortof–standing.

“Wearemovingon.”saidtheegg.“Yep.”saidPeter“Ihavefoundmycalling.”BackathomePeterwasthinkinghappythoughts.

“Iwillwinthecompetition!Iwillbeverypopular!Imean,before,theturnipshatedmeasdidtheapples.Thetomatoes,ofcourse,justseeredateveryone.”

The next day while standing on stage waitingfor instructions Granny Smith hurried on lookingvery grave. “I have some shocking news. It seemssomeonehasbrokentherules.”

The audience all gasped loudly.Their presentertookadeepbreath.“ItseemsthatEggberttheEggisactuallyan…EGG!Eggbert,youareeliminated”decidedGrannySmith.

“Noooo!” Eggbert cried while being led off thestage.Peterlookedoninawe.Hecouldnotbelieveit.GrannySmithsmiledanduttered the followingwords. “Peter the Potato, you have won the VegieBakeOff!”Cuestreamers,balloonsandothersafetyhazards.

That is the story of how a potato achievedsomethinginlife.

Eggbert spent his remaining days in the eggasylum,havingfinallycracked.GrannySmithhadalotofknittingcontestswithherrival,FujiDelicious.Peterspenthistimepolishinghistrophyandhidingfrom McDonald’s workers. And the tomatoes stillsawredateveryone.

Lizzie, 7A

to Be eaten, or Not to Be eatenI rolled in excitement, my head spinning inanticipation(andbecauseoftherolling).AllmylifeIhadheardstoriesofwhatitwasliketobeeaten.Theinsideofthemassivecaveintowhichallpotatoes lmustgo,wasfilledwithkilometres andkilometresofdirt!ThereIwouldlivetheremainderofmylifeinhappiness,maybeevenputdownroots!Iwouldattendbe famous!Successful!Maybe Iwouldevenwrite an autobiography. And today would be theday,Iknewit!Icouldfeelitinmy…um…skin.Forweeks Ihadbeen at thebottomof thepotatobag,slowlyrisingtowardsthesurfacelikeabubbleunderwater.AndnowIwasrightatthetopofthespudbag,allthepotatoesthatbeenontopofmehadalreadybeeneaten,andtodayitwouldbemyturn!

Roastspud, come here immediately” came theshrilltonesofMummyspud.

“Coming” I called. Mummy spud wasn’t reallymymum(duhpotatoesdon’thavemums),shewasjustanolderpotatowhowaslookingaftermeuntilI was eaten. I rolled over to where Mummy spudwas sitting, quickly, because it doesn’t do to keepMummyspudwaiting.

“Well you took your time”, she huffed, “Youshould come straight away when I call for youRoastspud,learnsomemanners!

“SorryMummyspud”,Imumbled.“Andspeakup,doyouwantnoonetohearyou?”“NoMummyspud”,Isaidclearly.

Stories from Year 7

telephone 9718 1805 • Fax 9718 3501 • email: canterburg-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au6

March 2012

For Further inFormation visit: www.canterburg-h.schools.nsw.edu.au 7

“Good,nowlet’sgetyouallfixedupforyourbigday”.AsMummy spud stated bustling aroundmesuddenlytherewasashoutandthenaroarofangrynoise.Iswivelledinitsdirection,curiosityaroused.Foreventhoughtherewereoftenviolentgangfightsinthepotatobox,Ialwaysfoundtheminteresting,itwaspartofmypotatonature.Icouldn’tseeanythingovertheheadsoftheotherspuds,butMummyspudwas acting very strangely. She was quivering withwhatseemedlikeanger,andwaspushingmeawayfrom all the commotion. As we shoved throughthe gathering crowd, I caught glimpses of an old,witheredlookingpotatoonaraisedboxshoutingatanangrymob.

“It’snotlikewethinkitis!Beingeatenwillbethedeathofyou!Please,listentome!”Thepotato’sold,shakytonesechoedthroughmymindandmademewonderifthiswasanordinarygangfight.Itcertainlydidn’tlooklikeone.ThenMummyspuddraggedmeaway,mutteringangrilytoherselfaboutblasphemyandothergrownupthingsthatIdidn’tunderstand.Angryvoicescouldbeheardscreamingtheirabuse.SomeofthewordsIdidn’tevenknowthemeaningofandtheotheroneswerehorrible,theywere:mouldy,spotty, wrinkled and even inedible. Mummy spudtriedtoblockmyearswhenonegangsterspudyelledthatout.Butalackofhandsmadeitabitdifficult.

After much rolling around we finally made itto the edge of the crowd and we were just aboutto make our way to our corner of the potato bagwhen suddenly the bag was flooded with a brightunearthly light,thatsearedmyeyesandgavemeaheadache.Thepotatobaghadbeenopened.

Then coming from the great, bright light cameahand,agianthand!Itwasasbigasthreepotatoesandaboutaslong.Fightsforgotten,afeelingofgreatexcitement welled up inside of me like a fountainandIstretcheduptothegraspinghand,readytobetaken.Becausethiswasthehandoflegend,thiswasthehand thatbroughtpotatoes tobeeaten.Long,fleshy fingers close around my waist, I realized Iwouldnevercomeback to thepotatoboxagain, Iwasmovingon.Iwavedtoalltheotherpotatoesstillawaitingthedaywhentheywouldbechosenasthegreathandpulledmeoutofthepotatobasket.

Iwas placed roughlydownon a boardof somekind, and then left.There was two other potatoeschosen,bigbruteswith lotsofbruises and scars. Idon’tknowwhytheywerechosenoveralltheotherspotlessspuds.Ididn’tspeaktothembecause,oneIfeltabovethemandtwo,Ididn’twantthemtobashme up.The board we had all been placed on wasgrubby and several cutmarks in it. Itwas startingtomakemealittlenervous.Thelong,sharpbladesthatlookedlikeinstrumentsoftortureweren’treallyhelping either. Then the ground started to shakeand the knives started rattling and me and theotherspudsweresentrolling.Thenamassiveformappeared. It had long shaggy fur hanging from alumpoffleshonanotherlongbonypieceextendingfromagianthunkoffat.Itwasbeautiful.

Thethingstompedswiftlytowardsthetoweringstructureweweresittingon.Onceagainitextendedits hand toward me. It wrapped its long, hadtentaclesaroundmeandpickedupasheetofsilverpaper.Iwasentrancedbythis.

“Sparkly”,Imurmured.Then,thelumpwrappedme up into it! It wasn’t so bad really, just hard tobreathe.ThenIfeltmyselfbeingmovedandplaceddownagain.IwasonarackbecauseIcouldfeeltheemptyspacesbetweenthebars.Iwonderedwhatwasbeneaththerack,somevast,emptyvoidorashelf.Iwriggledaround,itwasreallyhotinhere,andImeanreallyhot.Iwasevenseatingandpotatoesdon’tseat.I could feelmyselfburningup, and shrivelling, allthewaterinsideofme,evaporating.Iscreamedandscreamed.Untilmythroatwentallcroaky.

Howdoyoudescribehoursoftorture?Thepainwasunbearable,itfeltlikemyskinwaspeelingoff!ThenwhenIthoughtthatIwoulddiefromagony,thedooropenedandagreatrushofcoldairfloodedmysenses.Ipromptlyfaintedinrelief.

Iwokeuponwhatfeltlikeaceramicsurfacethatwas coldonmyback. I couldn’t remember gettingthereorwhathadjusthappened.Idismisseditfrommymindandwenttoexploremynewsurroundings.It was a jungle!Veggies everywhere and what evenlookedlike…meat!Ihadheardtalesofmeat,itwasdead,(unlikespuds)rippedfromthebodiesofgiantlumpsofwalkingflub,perhaps like theones Ihad

seen.IlovedexploringnewplacessoIrolledmyselfbetweentwobeansandstartedlookingateverything.

I was rolling my way around, examining somestillcarrots.Theyweren’tmovingsoIdecidedtheywere asleep. I was just about to roll away when Ihearda low,anguishedmoan.Atfirst I ignored it,thinkingmyselftohaveimaginedit,butthenIhearditasecondtime,unmistakeninitssorrowfulness.Ipeered behind a pile of moss green broccoli, andnearlythrewup.Thereinfrontofmewasamoving,moaningmoundofmush, that smelt like a rottenbrussel sprout (everyone knows how bad sproutssmell before they’ve gone rotten!). The much wasquiveringslightlywhichmeantitwasalive,andthefactthatitwasemittinglowmoans.

“Um … excuse me, are you alright?The mushshookandutteredsomethingunintelligible.

“Ahh…sorry?”“I said, what does it look like!” I ignored this

commentandaskedshyly,feelingalittlenaïve.“Whathappenedtoyou?”Themush’seyeslooked

upintomine.“Iwaseaten”.I was silent for a few seconds, thinking, then I

burstout,“Butthatcan’tberight,beingeaten’sthebestthingthatcaneverhappentoyou!That’swhatI used to think too, kid. Then I went inside themouth.Itwashorrible,wetandpinkandhotwithwallsclosing inonyouandwhite rockscrunchingonyou.AnddidImentionthatitwasashotasanoven?”

“What’sanoven?”Iasked,curious.Ididn’tbelievethiscrackpot,butitwasinterestingtolistentoit.

“Anoven’saplaceoftortureanddeath.Itburnswith blue fire and you can’t do anything about itbecauseonce thedoor closes your stuck, and thenyouburn”.

ThenIremembered.I remembered theblueflamesanddoorclosing.

I remembered the shrivellingup and thepain, theagony,thetorture!

“Thenhelpme,pileofmuchIneedtogetoutofherefast!”

“Yeskid,believemeyoudo.Listenthere’sasafehavenforveggiesI’veheardtellof.Itliesunderneath

alargesoftstructure.Youhavetorolloffthetable,thenyou can’tmiss it.Thismagicalplace is calledunderlounge.”

“Thank you pile of mush, thank you!” Nowthat I had remembered the oven, I wanted to getout of here as fast as possible. I was feeling prettyupset though, all my beliefs had just been throwndownthedrain!SpeedilyIrolledmyselfthroughthemaze of still vegetables that I now realised weren’tsleeping,theyweredead.FinallyIreachedtheedgeof thecold,ceramicslab, Ihalted, toafraid torolloff.Then the ground started shaking, and I knewthat this heralded the arrival of the great lumps. Irolled off the edge and again over the edge of thetableandontotheground.ButfirstIfell.

I seemed to fall forever, and all the time I wassilently screaming. Then I hit the ground andbouncedalmost twicemyownheight.WhenIhittheflooragainIbracedmyselfanditdidn’thurtasmuch. I looked around for the large soft structurethe unfortunate pile of mush had told me about.There! Justaboutninetycentimetresaway. I rolledandrolledas fastas Icould, faster thanIhadeverrolled before. Finally my head whirling I made it.There in front of me was a large, black, squishylookingthing.SlowlyIrolledunderneathitintothedarkshadowcastbyitsloomingbulk.

AtfirstIcouldseenothing,thenasmyeyesslowlyadjusted, I could begin to make out the shapes ofotherveggies.Therewerecarrotsthathadbitmarksintheirskin,batteredlookingSwedes,long,ganglybeans and even the super veggie, broccoli!. Thereamong the crowd, I saw the only other potato. ItwastheoldwitheredpotatoIhadseentalkingtothecrowd,tryingtoconvincethemthatbeingeatenwasabadidea(hehadhadasmuchofachanceasaflyinthekitchen).NowthatIhadseentheoldspudIhadafeelingIwouldbesafehere.

Madeleine Smith, 7A

Stories from Year 7, continued.

the dogThe saddest moment was when

he lay still at my feet.My eyes matched his red coat.He has gone somewhere happy,

but has left me sad.My world has suddenly become empty.

1… 2… 3…. Lift.

IndependenceDependence,

A comfortable cosy old loungeThe cosy flowerpot

That confines my roots.Get up!

Independence,A breath of fresh air

Like standing on the edge of a waterfall.

The isolation of freedomSo many choices,

Appearance,Diet,

Activity,Independence – Control.

the worst feelingLike being squashed between bricks!No answer being shouted at my face!

The worst nightmare ever.My life is a black hole.

GO AWAY!It’s a trouble I must face alone,

an endless horror moviestuck at the climax.

I take the plunge and run.I’d rather run away!

povertyIt brings me sorrow to think

that they are without food and water.Rich in heart, poor in life.

Happiness is rare in the eye of the storm.

Love is the apple of their eye.Fetch water from the oasis.Their golden hearts are pure

as white doves,Broken souls like shattered glass

Overridden with anger!With music the mind is at peace.

telephone 9718 1805 • Fax 9718 3501 • email: canterburg-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au8 For Further inFormation visit: www.canterburg-h.schools.nsw.edu.au 9

poems of Inner Conflict by 9e2

Year 7 Visual Arts Lessons AfloatOn Friday the seventeenth of February I had thepleasureofbeingoneofthestaffescortingourYear7studentsas theywere introducedto thewondersofourbeautifulharbour.Year7hadtheopportunityof joining ‘LessonsAfloat’aneducationalboattriparound the harbour which gave our students theopportunitytoextendtheirartisticabilitiesastheysketched Luna Park, The Blues Tower, Sydney’sindustrialheritageandallowedthemtosketchandlunchatSharkIsland.

Asidefromthebeautifulweathertheconductandbehaviour of more than one hundred and twentyYear Sevens, as they moved en masse through ourneighbouring streets and public transport systemwas exemplary.The conduct andbehaviourofourYear Sevens reflected all that is wonderful aboutPublicEducationandyoungpeopleasawhole.Thestaff aboard ‘Lessons Afloat’ were warmed by theexcellent manners and were inundated with thankyou after thank you. The artistic response fromstudents showed their enjoyment and interest indiscoveringtheirharbour.Theirinitialsketchesandphotographswillnowbuildtowardsproducingworkfor exhibition. It was a wonderful opportunity forYearSevens toget toknoweachotherbeyond theclassroom and to look again at their environmentand see and record the beauty of their surroundsthroughtheirartisticexpression.ThankyoutoourArt teachers Ms Texier and Mrs Caprin for theirwonderfulorganisation.

Ms Barry, Head Teacher Creative and Performing Arts

Swimming Carnival 2012

Wehad fabulousweatheryet again for theCGHSSwimming Carnival in 2012. It was great to see alarge number of students participate in multipleevents throughout the day. Big congratulations toall of our Age Champions and Zone SwimmingCarnivalRepresentatives.

WithanewHousePatronthisyear,MsFlanneryled Darwin to victory in the overall House PointsScorewithanamazingnumberofstudentsenteringraces to win points for their House. A specialmention goes out to Brisbane for their fantasticcheeringeffortsandsupportiveteamspirit.CateringforallstudentsandtheirlevelofabilityisimportantatCGHS.Throughoutthedaymanygirlshadtheopportunity to get their hair wet in the NoveltyCompetitionsand25mraces.TheYear12Prefectsdid an amazing job fundraising and providingsustenance toour swimmerswith theirBBQ.Thisyear’s dress up theme was ‘Something Beginningwith S’. Many students and teachers added to thewonderfulatmospherewithanarrayof spectacularcostumes.Welldonetoeveryoneonagreatdayatthepool.

March 2012

excursion to the Wild Life World and Aquarium Year eightOn the second of March,Year 8 studentswent toWildlifeWorldandtheAquariumforArt.FirstwewenttotheWildLifeWorldandsawthebutterflies,wallabies,bilbiesalligatorsandbugs.

The butterfly enclosure was very warm andtropical, with many different colours and sizes ofbutterflies. One of the students had a butterfly sitonthemforaverylongtime!Therewasalsoafroghabitat in the butterfly enclosure. The Outbackwas full of kangaroos with bright red sand and adeserty environment. It started to rain as we wereapproaching the Outback so I didn’t get a chancetogoin.

There was a massive alligator which frightenedmany,especiallyme!It’senvironmentwasverymuchlike a forest, wet and green. On the same day wewent to the Aquarium which had sharks, jellyfish,fish, crabs, lobsters, stingrays and dugongs. TheAquariumisdarkandcool.

Wesawhugestingraysandsharkshoveringintheglasstunnel.Itwassoscarywhenthesharknudgedthe glass. I screamed! MsTexier had a great laughwhen Ibumpedmyheadon theglasswall!Whenwewenttovisitthedugongs,theydecidedtohidefromus,whatashame.Wewouldliketothankalltheanimalsthatputonashowforus.

Simmy Hussein

Clean up AustraliaGreenDeargirlsofCanterburyGirlsparticipatedinClean Up Australia Day on the 2nd March 2012.Wetookresponsibilityonbehalfofthewholeschoolto clean up our environment.The school premisewasoursiteforcleaningandwewereproudtoseethe end result of a clean school.Though the rainhamperedour initiative tocleantheschooland itssurroundings,ourspiritswerehigh.Wecleanedupthecanteenarea, theA,BandCblocks.Thegirlswere very enthusiastic and this was an excellentopportunitytodemonstrateourroleinkeepingtheenvironmentcleanandhealthy.

GREEN Dear Group

Canteen Area updateTheupgradeof the schoolCanteen areabegins inearnest during the next school holidays. Whenstudents returnnext termconstructionwill stillbeunderwayofthemainarea,sowhilethisisashorttermrestrictionwehopetohavereopenedtheareabyweek5ofterm2.

Studentswillvotesoononthecolourschemeforthearea.Theprojectwillnotbetotallyfinisheduntil2013, but will significantly improve the amenitiesforstudents,especiallywhenitrains.

telephone 9718 1805 • Fax 9718 3501 • email: canterburg-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au10

Thank you to our guest speakers, whohave shared with us their stories,whetheritbetheirstruggles,successes

or future goals. They are both inspirationalwomenwhoareproactiveintheircommunityanddoingsomeamazingthings.Hopefullywewillemulateyourstrengthandcourageandwe,too,asyoungwomen,willbeabletoovercomeobstaclesandchallengesthatwillundoubtedlybe thrown across our path as we journeythroughlife.

We can certainly start here and now bystrivingtoimproveouracademicperformanceevery day we’re at school because as we allknow“knowledgeispower”anditisthrougheducation thatwewillbeable toharnessourstrengths and talents and direct them as wewishinordertosucceedinallourendeavours.Wehavetheability,wehavethechoiceandwetheSRCandPREFECTbodiesknowthatwerepresent thewhole studentpopulationwhenwedeclarethatWECHOOSESUCCESS!

As capable, powerful future young womenof the world, we can proudly celebrate thehonour that it is tobeawoman.AsKiaandSusan mentioned earlier, women in the pastcarved thepath forwomens’ rights, struggledandfoughttobefreeofdiscrimination,lackofchoice,andstereotypes,andrefusedtofollowtheconventionsofbeing justhousewivesandchildbearerswithnootherchoices.

Today we have the choice to be mothers,

career women, caregivers, astronauts,politicians, pilots, surgeons, plumbers andanything we want to be! We are proud toacknowledge not only these heroines long

gone who accomplished much in terms ofshapingourworld and changing thepathofhistorybutalsoallthewomenoftheherenowthataremakingadifferencetousduringourmost formative years like our mothers, ourteachers, our female politicians and headsof state, women who are CEOs in hugecompanieswhoarebreakingthatglassceilingmoreandmoreeverydayandareteachingustopersevereandtoreachoutandfightforourchoices. Every generation has influenced thenext, one after the other, and it is our turnto have an impact on the next generation.It is in fact our duty to heed the examplesof our predecessors learn well the lessonstaughtandgoafterourgoalswithconfidenceand conviction knowing that by succeedingourselves,wesetstrongfoundationsforfuturegenerationsofwomentobeabletomaketheirownchoicesandpursuetheirdreamstherebyensuring and bequeathing a better world tofuturegenerations.

As spoken by Christabel Pankhurst, a co-founder of the Women’s Social and PoliticalUnion,” “Remember the dignity of yourwomanhood. Do not appeal, do not beg, donot grovel. Take courage, join hands, standbeside us, fight with us.” As women we cando that. With better education and moreinformedchoicesaseducatedwomenwedon’thave to appeal, grovel or beg anymore.Witheducationcomesacertainpowerthatallowsustohavecourage,tostandtallandfightforwhatwewant.

Weleaveyouwithafinalmessageasto“whoruns the world?” and I’m sure you will agreethat“Girlsdo!”

March 2012

For Further inFormation visit: www.canterburg-h.schools.nsw.edu.au 11

International Women’s DayClosing Speech by School Captains Helen Wang, Jade Doyle and SRC member Sarah Armed, Year 11.

prefect NewsThe prefects have had an extremely busy butrewardingstarttothenewschoolyear:

They hit the ground running on Day 1 withnotonlytheirownlessonsbutalsotheirwonderfulefforts to ensure that our Year 7 students had asmoothandpleasantcommencement to theirhighschool journey.Theprefectsescortedthemtoclasseveryperiod,gavedirectionsandansweredamyriadofquestionsandmentoredmanyabewilderedYear7student,particularlyoverthetimetableandthedailyroutine!

The Prefects also took up the organisation andrunning of the weekly Monday Assembly whichensures the successful exchange and imparting ofnews, announcements and general informationbetweenallmembersofourschoolcommunity.

Inweek3theychairedandassistedwiththeHighAchievers’ Assembly which is an annual source ofpride for our school and our ex students but alsoa foreshadowing of imminent success on the partof the Prefects as they reflect on the numerousopportunities the role has afforded them in termsof leading, serving and succeeding in a range ofsituations as they approach the last phases of highschool.

During Open School Night the Prefects onceagain welcomed and escorted the many groups ofvisitors around the school, responded to queriesandchairedtheformalpartofthenightimpressingvisitorsandstaffalikewiththeirconfidenceaswellastheirpleasantandpolitemanner.

The Prefects’ many talents were also on displayattheSwimmingcarnivalwheretheysinglehandedorganised a BBQ, cooked for and fed a crowd ofover600hungryswimmers,spectatorsandstaffandorganisedandrananumberofcompetitionsintheirattemptstofundraisefortheirschool.

In week 6 and 7 they threw themselves furtherinto the foray of fundraising with zeal anddetermination and in week 8 along with the SRCthey chaired and welcomed special guests to ourformalAssemblytocelebrateInternationalWoman’sDay.Thepreparationtime(DEARandlunchtimes)culminating to this assembly saw two groups ofschool leaders - Prefects and SRC - collaboratingsuccessfully, exchanging ideas, putting them to

practice and ensuring a successful outcome viateam work, cooperation, delegation and successfulexecution-skillstheywillbeabletodrawoninthefuture as they navigate through life, relationshipsanddifferentworkingenvironments.

Keepingupwiththeirmanyobligationsincludingtheir academic responsibilities which take priorityand their multi-faceted involvement in all aspectsof school life is what makes this group of girlspraiseworthy leaders and excellent role models toouryoungerstudents.

Sylvia Kovanis, Prefects Co-ordinator

telephone 9718 1805 • Fax 9718 3501 • email: canterburg-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au12 telephone 9718 1805 • Fax 9718 3501 • email: canterburg-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au12

March 2012

For Further inFormation visit: www.canterburg-h.schools.nsw.edu.au 13

It is proving to be another exciting year forensembles and it begins with our first majorperformanceALICE–The Musical from24th–26thMay.Thisensembleismadeupofadedicatedgroupofmusicians fromband, stringensemble, chamberensembleandelectivemusicclasses.

Wehavebegunexpandingourrepertoireandfinetuningmuchlovedworksfromlastyear,toensurewecancompetesuccessfullyatEngadineBandFestivalin June. This is something we feel is importantfor the overall development of the ensembles andinvaluableperformancepractice.

Wearealsolookingfornewstudentsforarangeof instruments. We have a training Band thatrehearsesduringLunchonThursdaysanditrangesfrom complete beginners to students wanting togain a little more confidence before moving on totheBand.Instrumentswewouldliketofindownersfor our Cello, Double Bass, Trombone, Trumpet/Cornet,FrenchHorn,ClarinetandFlute.

If you are interested in finding out moreinformation about our extra-curricular musicprogramsdonothesitatetocallmeon97181805oremaillouise.flannery@det.nsw.edu.au.

Ilookforwardtohearingfromyouorseeingyouatourperformancesthisyear!!

Lousie Flannery, Music Ensemble Co-Ordinator

Alice the musicalWearepleasedtoannouncetheresultsofourschooldesign competition to find our designs for ourT-Shirts for the forthcoming production of Alice.Congratulations to Hafiro Santoro for her amazingwinning design and to Imogen Smith for herwhimsicalhangingcat.

All students who entered showed amazingimagination and inspiration. Contributing designsappropriate for display on our Production T shirt,posters and programs demanded that the year nineshad an understanding of the use of colour, theintendedpurposeandtheabilitytocomeupwithaneyecatchingdesign.Congratulations toourwinnersbutalsotoallthoseYear9VisualArtsstudentswhocontributedtheirdesignsandlogosforAlice.

Rehearsalsarewellunderwayandjustareminderthat students in the main dramatic cast will berehearsing from 10am – 4pm on Saturday 24thMarchintheMPC.

Alice - The Musical Thursday May 24th

Friday May 25th uSaturday 26th

TickeTs on sale shorTly from office c - $10 each

Gardening

working beeTo all green thumbs out there

Saturday 24.3.12 from 2pm – 5pm

Entry via the Church Street Gates.

Work to be done includes a new garden near

the basketball court and other general maintenance

and mulch spreading.

All welcome.

Music Ensembles News

U@UNSW ProgramThe U@UNSW program was piloted in 2011to enable a small number of students from equitybackgrounds an opportunity to potentially gainup to ten extra ATAR points towards a course atthe University of NSW by undertaking a series ofseminarsandpre-entryexaminations.

CanterburyGirlswasfortunatetohavebothYear11andYear12studentsparticipateinthispilotin2011andoneYear12student–BarbaraPekorava–wasofferedaplaceintheUniversityasaresultofhersuccessfulparticipationintheprogram.

A number of Year 11 students potentiallyearnedextraATARpointsasaresultofcompletingUniversityofNSWseminarsattheendof2011,anditishopedthatthiswillpositivelyimpactuponanyofferstheyreceivetoattendtheUniversityofNSWin2013.

Ms Matos and myself recently met with KerryFielding, the Officer from the University ofNSW coordinating the program, and a formerstudent of Canterbury Girls High School, tofinalise nominations for Year 12, 2012. This wasa verydifficult process aswehad somanyworthynominations,andtheprogramwaspopularwithsomanystudents.HoweveranadditionalfivestudentswerefinallyselectedandaddedtothenominationsfromYear11,2011.

Shortly,MsMatosandIwillmeettodetermineYear11studentstoentertheprogram.Thisissuretobeanothercompetitiveprocess,butweareconfidentthatwe can selectfifteenoutstandingnominationstoparticipateintheU@UNSWprogram.

Students who miss on being selected for theprogramshouldnotethatthereareotherprogramswhich can assist entry to University, and studentsshould approach Ms Matos for informationregarding these programs if this information isrequired.

Request for Parent SupportIwouldliketoaskallparentsandcaregiverstoassistmewiththreeissues:

Firstly, can students please leave all valuables athome wherever possible?There have been a smallnumber of reports of valuables being taken whichunderstandably cause great distress to studentsandtheirfamilies.Ifthereisanyevidenceoftheft,Ashfield Police will be contacted immediately.However, students would assist by not bringingvaluablestoschoolandnotbringingmoneyexceptasmallamountneededforrecess/lunchetc.Parentsand caregivers canpay for excursions etcby creditcardoverthephoneandshouldavoidsendinglargeamountsofmoneywiththeirdaughters.

Secondly,whileuniformisonthewholeexcellent,there remainsan issuewith somestudentswearingincorrect shoes, or the incorrect jumper / jacket.Blackleathershoesmustbewornbyallstudents7-12as an Occupational Health & Safety requirement.Studentsmaywear aplainnavyblue jumperonly,oraplainnavy/grayorwhitecardigan.Patternsetcarenotallowed.

Finally, can parents please support all studentsto be at school by 8.35am each day? Roll Callcommencesat8.40amyetthereareasmallnumberof students who are repeatedly late. Students havebeen asked to catch an earlier bus if their currentbus cannotbehere for the startof the schoolday.Students shouldnotbe attending local eateries forbreakfastandthencominglate.

Andrew Anderson,Deputy Principal

telephone 9718 1805 • Fax 9718 3501 • email: canterburg-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au14

March 2012

For Further inFormation visit: www.canterburg-h.schools.nsw.edu.au 15

88 pAreNtS AND CItIZeNS ASSoCIAtIoN2012 executive:President:KarinBadartV-Presidents:IanFlowersandDimityFlowersSecretary:JoSchofieldAssistant Secretary:TanyaJackson-VaughanTreasurer:KarenGoesAssistant Treasurer:SueParedes

2012 MeetING DAteS: CantabrianHall7.30p.m.(entryviaChurchStreet)28th March 22nd August23rd May 24th October27th June 28th November25th July

reMINDerS for familiesChange of Contact Details: Please ensure thatifyouraddressorphonenumberhasbeenchangedschool administration is informed. A Change of Contact Details FormcanbecollectedfromOfficeA.

Curriculum Years 7-10: At the end of Marcha Scope and Sequence Summary of all topics andassociated assessment information will be on thewebsiteforfamiliesofstudentsinYears7-10.

excursions: The school is more than happy forstudents to pay overnight excursions off acrossthe year as long as a $50 deposit is paid prior todeparture.Onedayexcursionsmustbepaidinfullbeforedeparture.

School performance ensembles: A reminderto all families who have a student in either theorchestra, strings ensemble, percussion ensemble,dramaensembles,choirordanceensemblesthatcostsare involved for these activities and that these willappearoninvoicesmailedattheendofthismonth.

Newsletter by email: AllfamilieswillreceiveanSMSwhenthenewsletterisavailableonthewebpage.Thiscomesouteachmonthandissuedatesareonthecalendaronthewebsite.Thenewsletterisemailedtoallstudentsaswell.IfyouwishtohaveahardcopyyourstudentmustcollectthisfromOfficeA.

School Calendar: Please check the studentcalendar on the school website for excursiondates, upcoming events, and rehearsal times:www.canterburg-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

Holiday Dates: Please note the last day of firstterm is Thursday 5 April with school resumingon Tuesday 24 April. Easter public holidays runfrom6to9April.

2011 Annual School Report is now available on the school website

www.Canterburg-h.Schools.nsw.edu.au

School FeesInvoiceshavebeensenttoall familiesforthe year.Thank you to all those familieswho have begun to pay off fees andexcursions.Pleasenotethatwegenerouslycover the cost of camps by allowingstudentstoattendafteronlypayinga$50deposit.

The expectation is that families thenpaythisoffacrosstheyear.Unfortunatelyinasmallnumberofcasespeoplearenotpayingoff thebalance,ever. Ifyouknowyou have outstanding camps costs fromprevious years please remedy this as amatterofurgency.

Students will not be able to attendthisyear’scampsiftheyhaveoutstandingbalances fromprevious years.Pleasenotethatyourdaughter’scostsinmostinstancesare taxdeductable -details regarding thisareintheinformationfollowing.

PLEASE CONTACT US if any personal contact

details have changed - see our email contact below:

canterburg-h.School@det.nsw.edu.au

Eligible expensesFor the purposes of the ETR, eligible educational expenses are:•

laptops, home computers and associated costs (including repair and running costs of computer −equipment, lease costs, printers and paper),

home internet connection; −

education software; −

school textbooks and material (including prescribed textbooks, associated learning materials, study −guides and stationery); and

prescribed trade tools. −

Eligible expenses that have been incurred by a parent or guardian with more than one child with an ETR •entitlement can be pooled and claimed against the children’s combined ETR entitlement, provided that the children all have access to the purchased items.

Education expenses in excess of what can be claimed in a financial year (that is, expenses over $1,500 per •annum for a secondary school student or $750 for a primary school student) are able to be carried over in the following financial year. Eligible expenses that are not utilised for the purpose of claiming the ETR in the financial year that they occurred or the subsequent financial year will automatically lapse.

The ETR can not be claimed for educational expenses if a tax deduction is allowed or a Commonwealth •Government payment/subsidy is payable in respect of that expense.

Commencement of the ETRThe refundable tax offset applies to eligible expenses incurred from 1 July 2008. Parents cannot claim the •offset in their 2007-08 income tax return, but they should start keeping records after 1 July 2008 to enable their ETR claim to be made in their 2008-09 income tax return.

Claiming the ETRParents can simply claim the refund against eligible education expenses incurred from 1 July 2008, when •they complete their 2008-09 income tax return.

Parents and eligible independent students who do not ordinarily lodge an income tax return can also claim •the refund through the Australian Taxation Office.

For those who are not required to complete an income tax return, a separate form will be available – from 1 July 2009 to allow the refund to be claimed for the 2008-09 financial year.

Evidence to support an ETR claimClaimants are expected to retain receipts for the purchases of items for which they intend to claim the ETR.•

For further information about the Education Tax Refund please visit www.educationtaxrefund.gov.au or phone the Australian Taxation Office on 13 28 61.

EDUCATION TAX REFUND FACT SHEET

telephone 9718 1805 • Fax 9718 3501 • email: canterburg-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au16 For Further inFormation visit: www.canterburg-h.schools.nsw.edu.au 17

OverviewThe Education Tax Refund (ETR) aims to help families, with children undertaking primary or secondary •school studies to meet the costs of school education through assistance with certain education expenses.

Under the Government’s ETR, eligible families will be able to claim:•

a 50 per cent refundable tax offset every year for up to $750 of eligible expenses for each child −undertaking primary school, (that is, a refund of up to $375 per child, per year); and

a 50 per cent refundable tax offset every year for up to $1,500 of eligible expenses for each child −undertaking secondary school (that is, a refund of up to $750 per child, per year).

EligibilityThose entitled to Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A in respect of children undertaking primary or secondary •school studies for the relevant financial year are eligible for the ETR.

Generally, eligibility is also extended to parents with school children undertaking primary or secondary •school studies who would be an eligible child for FTB Part A purposes, but for the fact that they, on the child’s behalf, or the child receives certain payments or allowances, for example:

Youth Allowance; −

Disability Support Pension; −

ABSTUDY Living Allowance; −

payments under the Veterans’ Children Education Scheme; and −

payments under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004. −

School children undertaking secondary school studies and who are independent of their parents may also •be eligible.

For families who share the care of a child, the ETR entitlement for the child will be shared similarly to the way •FTB Part A is shared.

The families of students who enter or leave school in any school year will be eligible to claim the ETR for the •half of the financial year that the student attended school.

For students who transition from primary to secondary school in a single financial year the full ETR, based •on the secondary-school rate, can be claimed.

Families with home-schooled students can also claim the ETR. To be eligible, students must be registered •with the relevant State/Territory Government.

EDUCATION TAX REFUND FACT SHEET

EDUCATION TAX REFUND

FACT SHEET

telephone 9718 1805 • Fax 9718 3501 • email: canterburg-h.school@det.nsw.edu.auvisit: www.canterburg-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

18

The MUSICAL

She’s not your ordinary Alice...

A IL C E

Time: 7pm Where: Canterbury Girls High School MPCWhen: MAY 2012, Thurs 24th, Fri 25th, Sat 26th Book tickets at o ce C or by calling 97181805

Story by Lewis caroll, adapted by Sarah Marquet