Coomealla HIGH SCHOOL Issue 18— 2010

Principal: Mr Rob Scotton NEWSLETTER 3rd December, 2010 Deputy Principals: Mrs Robyn Lynch, Mr Neil Plumridge SIPs

Address: Silver City Highway, Dareton NSW 2717 LEARN TO LIVE Phone: 03 5027 4506 Fax: 03 5027 4837 Email: [email protected]

e re or Inside this issue: co nc En Fairytale High E Principal’s Message 2 National Youth Leaders

Fairytale High 3 T4 Performance Night 4

Mungo National Park 5 Excursion

Evaluate Education 6 Go Green For Our River Rising Generations 7 Community Notices Wagga Wagga Netball 8

Library News 9

10 Week Calendar 10 NATIONAL YOUNG LEADERS DAY Recipe Corner 11

Music Program Aims to: Absence Notes 12

- Inspire students to make an immediate positive impact on their school; Annual Pres Day - Challenge students to consider the size 7th December, 2.10pm and shape of their own impact on the world; —————— - Encourage students to seek opportunities Formal Assembly Yr 10 to develop their skills and potential; 9th December, 2pm - Educate students on the mechanics of Our 2011 Captains, Jacqui Gray and leadership and influence; James Burrows at the National Young Leaders Day in Melbourne. - Promote a model of leadership that emphasises goal achievement of behalf of others as well as the individual;

- Motivate students to be great leaders in their area of influence; - Empower students with practical skills of balancing study, school commitments and social life as well as managing stress in these areas. Have a Happy

& Safe Christmas

COMING EVENTS: NEW — See 10 Week Calendar on Page 10 Page 2 Coomealla HIGH SCHOOL

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Last week I was privileged to attend the Coomealla High School performance of ‘Fairytale High’ our school production. I was most impressed, witnessing excellent performances from our students. They obviously enjoyed themselves, worked hard and presented a show that made me proud to be a part of the high school. Their teamwork and camaraderie was evident throughout the evening.

‘Fairytale High’ represents what is so important about extra-curricular activities. Students and staff willingly gave up their time to work on a group task. They saw it through to completion, had a great time doing it and represented their school wonderfully in the local community. Our staff are also able to work with students in a different arena and form partnerships which extend back into the classroom. Everyone benefits from a performance such as this. Thank you very much to the staff, especially Ms Crowley, for their time and effort. Thank you to the students for taking the opportunity to shine and doing so ‘brilliantly’. Thank you to the parents who transported their charges for performances and rehearsals and contributed to the production in various ways.

It has been great to end the year on such a positive note. For me it has been a year of change and an opportunity to begin to put into place programs to benefit the whole school community. Recently, we introduced a centralised digital attendance system. All rolls are being marked electronically and information stored instantly at a central location. This will greatly improve our attendance information. We have introduced a new attendance strategy which will bring an improvement in attendance rates in 2011.

In 2011 we will focus on technology and its ability to engage students. Every staff member will have a laptop with which to plan lessons and use in the classroom. We will install more interactive whiteboards into classrooms. Teachers have undergone extensive training in technology to utlilise new technologies such as ‘Moodle’.

We have reinvigorated PBL to make the school a better place to be. Our school values - do your best, show respect, be honest and work and play safely are being taught in explicit lessons. The effect has been evident in the playground, with students actively working to make their area a cleaner and safer place to be, showing pride in their school.

Next year we will be introducing a new student management strategy which will provide a rigorous and systematic approach to behaviour. We have already begun to promote all of the positive activities which take place at Coomealla High. Our new website is up and running, we are working closely with local newspapers to highlight our activities and next year a professional brochure will be published giving information about the school.

I am looking forward to starting 2011, it promises to be a year of growth for Coomealla High. I would like to thank the staff, P&C and the School Council for their continued support, our students, who are capable of so much, and their parents and carers who support the school and their students in so many way.

Have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year. I look forward to working with you in 2011. Mr Rob Scotton

THE NATIONAL YOUTH LEADERS DAY — picture on cover

On the 18th of November, Mrs Alexander, Jacqui Gray and James Burrows travelled to Melbourne to attend The National Youth Leaders Conference, held by the Halogen Foundation.

The conference was held on Friday, 19th November and consisted of a very amusing host and four Australian leaders from various fields: Vanessa Amorosi (singer), Daniel Flynn (Thank You Water), Lydia Lassila (aerial skiier) and Jules Lund (TV personality).

Each had a different story to tell and gave advice on how to be the best leader possible. Daniel Flynn was the creator of ‘Thank You Water’, which is a non-profit organisation that sends all of its profits to people in Cambodia to provide them with fresh water. He worked from the theory ‘that when someone says something is impossible it is just their opinion, it isn’t true’. Jules, Lydia and Vanessa all had similar theories on how to achieve what you want and be the best you can be. They said that if someone gets in your way learn to ignore them, if there is something negative in your life, remove it and always aspire to be the best, picture yourself doing it and don’t give up. By Jacqui Gray and James Burrows Issue 18— 2010 Page 3

School Production - Fairytale High The cast came together at the beginning of Term 3 and it was easy to see that it would be a great experience for us all. Strangers in the beginning are now best friends and for the newcomers to drama it was an opportunity to show what they could do.

It took many stressful weeks to learn lines and paint sets but from the comments and feedback from the audience – it was all worthwhile.

We did three performances – Friday was a big day for all involved with a full dress rehearsal in the morning and a matinee that afternoon for Coomealla High Years 7 and 8, plus local primary schools. They all loved it and laughed the whole way through. Hearing the laughter backstage was rather encouraging for all actors involved. We then did a Friday night performance for the public, so it was a busy, busy day. Finally we did our last performance Saturday night, which was by far our best performance.

There was much discussion back stage about wanting to do more than three performances, though this was not possible at late notice, it was great to see such enthusiasm. It was also amazing to see not only enthusiasm from the actors but also from the audience too. Some of the audience members came to watch it more than once!

We would all like to thank the audience for their support, all teachers involved and especially the cast for their hard work and dedication over these past terms. We all cannot wait for the next

production! By Stephany Martin and Adrian Barila Page 4 Coomealla HIGH SCHOOL

TERM 4 PERFORMANCE NIGHT

On Monday evening 22nd November Coomealla High School staged its final performance evening of the year at the Coomealla Club. These performance evenings are a regular feature of the performing arts curriculum at the school. It was an excellent evening featuring the talents of the high school’s students. The students involved all have amazing skills and performance opportunities such as this allow them to grow in confidence.

An appreciative audience enjoyed a range of performances from Mrs Alexander piano to guitar to an amazing all singing all dancing routine from Adrian Barila of Year 10. It is important that the evening featured performances from Year 7 through to Year 11 students. This illustrates that you are never too young to ‘get involved’ at Coomealla High School, or too old, as new principal, Rob Scotton, picked up his guitar to entertain the crowd.

We look forward to more of these outstanding performances next year. Thanks to our music teacher, Mr Phil Gee, for organising the event and Mrs Susan Lachlan Cottrell improvised on guitar Alexander for fulfilling the master of ceremonies duties.

Shanae Tilley played ‘We Ryan Tilley played ‘Dynamite’ Are Australian’

Adrian Barila performed a Lady Gaga number

Eli Kervin played ‘Lazy Riley Russell performed a Days’ and ‘Cool Calypso’ Green Day song Principal, Mr Rob Scotton entertained with ‘Concrete & Clay’ Issue 18— 2010 Page 5

YEAR 7, 8 ABORIGINAL BOYS’ CULTURE-BASED EXCURSION TO MUNGO NATIONAL PARK

Day 1—From November 15th to 18th a group of students experienced a wonderful excursion to Mungo National Park—staying at Top Hut Station. They left from school at 9.30am with Mr Ron Jackson driving the bus arriving at ‘camp’ at 12.30pm, setting up the rooms, kitchen and bedrooms for their stay. That afternoon they learned traditional hunting techniques, involving short treks through the bush tracking animals. All excelled at this activity. The kids did all the cooking and cleaning up themselves, learning many life skills and housekeeping skills. The evening was spent telling campfire yarns.

Day 2—Mr Jackson gave a lecture about the Willandra Lakes system followed by more traditional activities including weapon making, practice sessions and hunting skills. Sessions followed including discussions regarding respect, bullying, responsibilities and consequences. All the boys were fully engaged during these sessions, taking them very seriously. A trip to the visitors centre followed and the Old Wool Shed. More campfire talks finished the evening — all boys contributed their own stories, including their beliefs about life, spirituality and religion.

Day 3—The boys experienced a sheep shearing demonstration at Top Hut Shearing Shed which they found interesting and in the afternoon the group took a long trek to reach a particular spot of interest, tracking and finding lizards, kangaroos, rabbits and other birds and small animals. They played tag in the shearing shed and this led to an injury to a nose—important lesson—Listen to ‘the man’ and don’t run in the shearing shed, it’s only for shearing sheep. We enjoyed camp fire progressive storytelling tonight, where everybody added to the story till it reached a conclusion. All the ‘chatterboxes’ were quiet and very involved in this session.

Day 4—Great day to end—two hour session of round table talks and a review of what the boys had learned about cooperation, teamwork, responsibility and being engaged.

The two days of rain stopped us from reaching ’The Walls of China” and The Dunes; that will have to wait for next time, but nothing else was missed. Lots of packing up and cleaning up and then back on the bus for the trip home, via a bbq stop at the Lock in Wentworth, arriving at school in time to be picked up.

The boys’ response to the whole excursion to Top Hut and Mungo was amazing. It was a very worthwhile excursion and there is clear evidence that they are still practicing the things which they had discussed during their sessions and the walks, since returning to the school situation. The staff involved in the excursion could see that the boys had ‘grown’ during their time away and continue to grow since.

Mr Jackson would particularly like to thank; Roland Smith, Carlos Fratti and David Wanken-Sanchez for their expertise in their particular areas and the boys also appreciated it. Page 6 Coomealla HIGH SCHOOL

EVALUATE EDUCATION – HSC SEMINARS In February this year, Year 11 were impressed with a Study Skills Seminar presented by Ben, currently a student at Melbourne University in his second year. As he had only recently completed Year 12 we all found his ideas and advice both interesting and useful. Consequently, next year we have booked another seminar for Year 11 and 12 students, on Tuesday 15th February, with two sessions, ACE your Exams and Time Management. In addition, a parent seminar will be held on Monday 14th February at 7.30pm (for approx one hour). All parents are invited, but particularly those of Year 11 and 12 students. Topics covered are: How do I help motivate my child? How do I help my child manage their time? What are reasonable expectations? The session will ensure all parents have the tools they need to effectively support their children through the HSC, without becoming the enemy. A reminder will be given early next year, but as it is in mid-February please mark your calendar now. Mrs N Fraser

7J Go Green For Our River

On 16th November, students of 7J together with teachers Paul Celegon (HSIE), Kathy Alderton (English/Well Being), Daniele Raso (Science) and tutors Bryony Henderson and Jenny Allen headed off to explore the Etiwanda Wetlands, a groundbreaking environmental sustainability project with a direct and important link to their current themed term of work across all subject areas on the river and particularly work in Science and Geography on the water cycle.

Andrew Powell entertains Kathy Andrew Powell of the MRCC (and instrumental in the Alderton, Bryony Henderson, Paul Celegon and 7J team construction and ongoing evaluation of the project) members Tim Box and Shane kindly spoke to the students at length about the role of the wetland and its plants in providing a sustainable way to naturally treat approximately 70% of Mildura’s stormwater prior to its re-entry to the Murray River. He also kindly gave us a guided tour 7J team member Brodie of the wetland, pointing out plant species specifically Dalzell filming on chosen for their ability to recycle nutrients and clean location at the Etiwanda wetland. the water and the innovative constructed floating islands they are on. He also pointed out the bird species that are starting to call the wetland home again. Mr Raso helps Tim Box, Kylia Sloan and Siena Roberg check Under Mr Raso’s guidance, students were able to test the water at either the water for turbidity and pH levels while Austin Bennett end of the system for turbidity and pH and observe the improvement in filmed the docudrama! water quality first hand as well as observing, photographing and filming the environment for a presentation to be given later this year. They also observed the gross pollutant trap at the top of the system in action after heavy recent rains – the most interesting item caught was a, ummm, well you’ll have to ask someone from 7J!!

YEAR 9 CAMP TO THE GRAMPIANS DEPOSIT DUE BY WEDNESDAY, Monday, 28th February — Friday, 4th March 8TH DECEMBER, 2010 Mr Doyle — Excursion Coordinator Issue 18— 2010 Page 7

CAP AND RISING GENERATIONS INSPIRE THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW

On Thursday 18th November, CHS hosted a Rising Generations student leadership forum. All of Yr 7 and our incoming Year 6s from many of our local NSW Primary schools no doubt liked the idea of a day out of class, but some thought they were in for a boring day of talking heads. Not so!! Rising Generations programs are interactive and hands-on. They use practical activities, team challenges and hypothetical tasks to ensure optimum engagement from participants. They explore. Speak. Sing. Dance. Act. Build. Debate. Solve. Dream! But don’t take my word for it – check the photo record …

By putting things into practice, Rising Generations aim to enhance the leadership skills of participants, to immediately improve performance and sustain that over the long-term.

In the end, all students reported having an excellent day. The Rising Generations presenters reported that this group was one of the best they have worked with, and that is a big statement because they present these workshops nationally. And this author has to agree - our students got into it, got involved, had fun and were very well behaved. And it wasn’t just the students either!!

Thanks must go to Country Area Program (CAP) and particularly to Cath Eddie (Buronga Principal and main organiser) for making yet another outstanding educational activity accessible to our isolated but fantastic students.

COMMUNITY NOTICES:

Bendigo Bank Scholarships—As part of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s commitment to help build stronger communities, we have established a scholarship fund. Each year grants are awarded to outstanding, but disadvantaged students, usually from a rural area, that have been offered a full-time place at an Australian university or college campus for the first time. The Scholarship aims to support first year students who, due to social or financial circumstances, would not have been able to further their education. To find out more about the Scholarship please visit the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank website.

MADEC—Community College—Enrolment Day—Wednesday December 8, 2010, 12noon—7pm. Qualified trainers on site to answer all your questions. Sausage Sizzle, Lucky Door Prizes. Ducklings FOR SALE

Two Day Mental Health First Aid Training Course— Khaki Campbell/Cayuga Dareton/Wentworth, 20th/21st January 2011. To train people to assist a $10 each person with mental health problems before medical treatment can be Contact Catherine on obtained. FREE OF CHARGE—Interested? Contact Louise Turner on 0417 203 523. 0488 663 250 Page 8 Coomealla HIGH SCHOOL

WAGGA WAGGA NETBALL CARNIVAL

Year 7—On the 17th November a team of Year 7s played against Kooringal. Our team consisted of Lauren Fraser, Shanae Tilley, Abbey Patterson, Katelin Kemp, Demi Hewett, Morgan Hopcroft, Rhianna Duncan and Natalie Wescombe. In the first half Kooringal was out in front with a score of 10-8. Coomealla came back in the third quarter, ending up in front by one point, giving the girls a boost of enthusiasm. In the end Coomealla came out on top with the final score being 20 -15. Overall everyone had a great time and enjoyed the competition. By Katelin Kemp and Demi Hewett

Year 8—On the 16th November 37 girls accompanied by Mrs Lynch, Mrs Barker and Mrs Snow set out on the six hour trip to Wagga Wagga on the bus, and made it! We were quite amazed at the rooms we stayed in at Charles Sturt University. After exploring the area we walked to the canteen/ hall for dinner, which was good. 8.30pm it was time to watch ‘Rafters’! Most of the girls watched, surprisingly only a few tears. Wednesday, 17th November was the day and we were at the courts by 9am and the teachers organised the teams while we waited for Mt Austin to arrive. Ashlee Cameron was our coach, thanks Ashlee. The scores were 29 to Coomie and 10 to Mt Austin. Next was the indigenous game and we won that also. Thank you to the teachers who helped and organised the trip. Korreigh Wade

Year 9—We had a team of all Year 9 girls. We all played extremely well, worked hard, but also had fun with it. The team led the game the whole way, from start to finish. The final score was 30 to 12 our way. I hope to play netball against some other school again. Great fun :) Cassie Timpano

Year 10—Played an exciting brand of netball, winning all their games. Well done. Issue 18— 2010 Page 9

LIBRARY NEWS

FINAL INSTALMENT FOR 2010 2010 has been a busy year. I have enjoyed the year as caretaker of the Coomealla High library. Chess Mini Tournament Our final mini tournament was held on Wednesday 1st December. Robyn Heaysman once again gave her time and expertise to assist with the running of the tournament which is very much appreciated. The winner on the day was Ian McKinnon, closely followed by Jakob Sibbons, Eli Kervin and Harrison Cottrell. Next year there will be three inter-school tournaments for which hopefully we will have a representative team. Robyn is impressed with the improvement and commitment of players who have been practising their strategies at school and home. Next year’s tournament dates are: March 23rd at Trinity Lutheran College June 15th at Ouyen Secondary School August 12th at Irymple Leisure Centre School Magazine The reprint has been ordered and copies will be distributed as soon as they arrive. Book Returns All books are now due to be returned for stock take. The Great Reading Race 7M students completed the reading challenge at the end of last week. The efforts of many of the students in this challenge was impressive. Those who finished the race in front were Shanae Tilley, Abbey Patterson, Monica Cook, Paige Ketting, Ellen Andriske, Harrison Cottrell, Sophie Stephens, Lauren Fraser, Amy Rix and Katelin Kemp. This activity required self direction and motivation within the framework of the set task and congratulations go to those students who proved themselves to be self-starters.

Mystery Student Book Reviewers Review 1 Title: Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult Brief Synopsis: Faith is an ordinary girl who has an imaginary friend. Through her imaginary friend she learns about God, belief and faith. Star Rating If you like reading uplifting stories you will enjoy this book.

Review 2 Title: The Starfish Sisters by J. C Burke Brief Synopsis: This story is about 4 girls who go to an elite surf camp and are all put in the same bungalow. They make a pact (as the starfish sisters) to support each other and help each other to succeed. Star Rating If you like friendship fiction you will enjoy this book. Page 10 Coomealla HIGH SCHOOL

10 WEEK CALENDAR

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

6/12 A Week 9 7 8 9 10 Uni of Newcastle Summer Annual Presentation Day Yr 9 Camp Deposit $50 T4 Formal Assembly Rewards Day Excursion School all week – 4 students. 2.10pm—School Hall School Cert. Presentation LAST DAY FOR CANTEEN 2pm—School Hall Disco 7-10.30pm Sch Hall

13/12 B Week 10 14 15 16 17 NO CANTEEN THIS WEEK Science Lab Opening 9am Last day for students Staff Development Day Staff Development Day Merry Christmas Term 4 Ends

4/2 A Term 1 Begins Welcome Back to Term 1, 2011 Staff Development Day Staff Only

7/2 B Week 1 8 9 10 11 Years 7, 11, 12 return Year 8, 9, 10 return Newsletter 1 Welcome Back Welcome Back

14/2 A Week 2 15 16 17 18 Yr 11/12 Study Skills—Parent Yr 11/12 Study Skills—Per 1-2 Night 7pm

21/2 B Week 3 22 23 24 25 Newsletter 2

28/2 A Week 4 1/3 2 3 4 Year 9 Camp Year 9 Camp Year 9 Camp Year 9 Camp Year 9 Camp

7/3 B Week 5 8 9 10 11 School Photos Newsletter 3

14/3 A Week 6 15 16 17 18

21/3 B Week 7 22 23 24 25 Newsletter 4

Wentworth Rowing Club’s Summer Learn to Row program Duration : Commencing Thurs 6/1/11 runs through to Tues 25/1/11 Aimed at : Current (2010) Yr 7 and 8 students (though other year level students are welcome by request) Location : Wentworth Rowing Club lawns Day/Times : Tuesdays and Thursdays Girls : 8.00 – 9.00 a.m. Boys : 9.00 – 10.00 a.m. Combining on-water coaching (limit 4 students at a time) , ergo (rowing machine) and gym circuit (best gym in town) sessions. Please check out the club’s Facebook page for contacts and confirmed training times/dates which will be posted closer to the new year. Safety Note : It is a requirement of Rowing Victoria (RV) that all new rowers must be able to swim 100m in their rowing attire (shorts , t- shirt and socks.) Prospective rowers that are unable to meet this criteria will be asked to use a suitable (kayackers) safety vest Please bring – shorts, t-shirt, socks, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and a bottle of water or sports drink Contact : Guy Wight (coach) on 0418 596601 or at [email protected] for more information Issue 18— 2010 Page 11

Recipe Corner: Method: Ice Cream Christmas Pudding—A delicious ice cream and fruit 1. Combine the glace and dried fruits with the brandy in alternative to a hot Christmas pudding. Use any dried or glace fruits a medium bowl. Cover and stand overnight. or even fruit mince. You can use a pudding basin or a bundt pan for 2. Next day, mix the dried fruit mixture with the ice this recipe. cream until thoroughly combined.

3. Spoon into a 1.5 litre (6 cup) pudding basin or Ingredients: mould. 125g glace pears, finely chopped 4. Cover with foil and freeze overnight. 125g glace apricots, finely chopped 5. For serving: stand mould in hot water for 10 seconds 60g glace cherries, chopped to loosen the ice cream, then turn onto serving plat- ter. Garnish with berries. 40g sultanas or raisins 6. Note: You could also cover pudding in chocolate ice 60 mls brandy or run magic for an even richer experience. 1 litre good quality chocolate or plain ice cream, slightly softened 7. Merry Christmas to all. Fresh or frozen mixed berries to decorate

2011 MUSIC PROGRAM Coomealla High School is looking at a different format for External Music Love To Sing! Lessons—based within the school. In future music teachers will be invoicing students directly for private lessons.

Janice Rosenberg from Mildura These lessons will still be taken using Singing School is offering singing Coomealla High as the venue. lessons through Coomealla High To arrange music lessons for 2011 please contact: School for 2011.

Performance Piano: Theory of music Louise Judd on 5024 8370 or Aural 0408 596 944 General music knowledge

Preparation for singing & theory Guitar or Drums: Joel exams An introduction to pianoforte Anderson on 0417 984 323 For further details/fees contact: Singing: Janice Rosenberg Janice Rosenberg Singing Teacher (Mildura Mildura Singing School Singing School) Phone: (03) 5023 6517 5023 6517 Newsletter Issue 18— 2010

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING ABSENTEE NOTES The DET Attendance Policy PD20050259 states that: Parents are responsible for explaining the absences of their children from school promptly and within seven days to the school. (from Responsibilities, 2.1 point 3); and

A hard copy of the electronic record is to be generated weekly for the previous two-week period. The principal or delegated school executive must endorse this hard copy, certifying its accuracy. Once signed, this hard copy becomes the record of attendance and must not be amended. (4.2 Electronic Attendance Registers, 4.2.2) Please send absentee notes to school promptly and, if you are going on holidays, please inform the school in advance.

Coomealla High School—Absence Note

Student Name: ______Year: ______Roll Group: ______

My child was absent from school: Date/s ______

Reason: ______

Signed: ______Parent/Guardian

Coomealla High School—Absence Note

Student Name: ______Year: ______Roll Group: ______

My child was absent from school: Date/s ______

Reason: ______

Signed: ______Parent/Guardian

CAR PARKING AT COOMEALLA HIGH

Parents are reminded that for safety reasons they are not permitted to drive into the staff car park on Tallawalla Road.

There is parking available on Tallawalla Road for parents to utilise.

Thank You for your cooperation in this matter.

Rob Scotton, Principal

Quotable Quotes:

Remember, if Christmas isn’t found in your heart, you won’t find it under a tree.

… Charlotte Carpenter