March 2017 Parkway Edition No. 02 PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE Learning Management and Business Reform (LMBR)- What is it? LMBR stands for Learning Management and Business Reform. The entire Department of Education is in the process of implementing a modern, integrated IT system in human resources, payroll, finance and student administration to provide better service and value to staff, students, parents and the community. It will impact on every facet of school life; among other things, LMBR will provide:  Accurate reporting of financial operations.

 Better definition and reporting on services.  A unique and secure student registration number and single source of up-to-date information about our students.  Increased and improved information about student academic achievement and plans.

 Better tracking of important health, well-being and emergency contact information. Please note- In preparation for migrating to the new Schools' Finance System, there will be a disruption to our normal operating procedures. A note explaining these changes has been sent home so please keep a look out for it.

What are the benefits of the new systems?  Greater control and efficiency of processes.

 Consistent and accurate reporting of financial operations.  Increased and improved online information about a student's academic achievements, health, wellbeing and emergency contact information.  A reduction in paper-based administration.

Newcastle HS will go live with LMBR on 22 May so please be aware, there may be further disruption to our normal procedures around this time. Year 7 Camp and Visual Arts Excursion Week 7 was a very busy week as a number of students ventured outside the school gates to engage in learning. We had one hundred and seventy eight Year 7 students travel north for the annual Year 7 camp and sixteen Year 12 students travelled south to Melbourne and Hobart for a Visual Arts experience. I know the organising teachers will be writing about these activities in future editions ofThe Parkway but I wanted to thank all the teachers that helped make these excursions happen. In particular, I would like to thank Mrs Myers and Ms Robinson for organising two great events.

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Principal’s Message

Shave for a Cure Once again we have students participating in Shave for a Cure on 16 March. David Fotu, Hamish Taylor-Walsh and Owen Baird-Peddie will be shaving their heads at the Thursday 16 March assembly. As you can see from the picture below this is a big commitment from the boys. All students are encouraged to support David, Hamish and Owen by bringing along a donation on the day or by visiting their website to donate: https://secure.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/ registrant/TeamFundraisingPage.aspx?teamID=102321

Nathan Towney Principal

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Key Dates

Term 1

13 March P&C Meeting—AGM 15 March Year 7 Vaccinations Week 8 Zone Cross Country Parent/Teacher Interviews Years 7, 11 & 12

21 March Parent/Teacher Interviews Years 8, 9 & 10 Week 9

Week 10

5 April Year 12 Reports Week 11 7 April Last Day Term 1

Term 2

24 April Staff Development Day 25 April ANZAC Day Week 1 26 April Students Return 28 April Athletics Carnival 2—5 May Myunda Bay PDHPE Camp Week 2 5 May The Parkway #3

8 May P&C Meeting Week 3 9—11 May NAPLAN

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LOTE Report

LOTE is a small but vibrant faculty at Newcastle High School, led by our new Head Teacher Naomi Durie and two language teachers: Meredith Engel and Elisa Biasiol. Classes in Japanese and French are on offer.

Year 7

All students must complete 100 hours of foreign language study according to the requirements for NSW students as set out by NSW Education Standards Authority. Set out below is the programme for this year’s Year 7 classes: 7 National, 7 Civic, 7 Empire, 7 Parnell, 7 Smith - Japanese

Students study the Japanese writing script of Hiragana and learn to recognise the Katakana and Kanji scripts. They also study from the textbook “Hai!’ and its companion workbook, doing simple reading, writing and listening exercises in Japanese. Students are asked to pay $19 at the front office to purchase a Hai! Workbook. A yearly calendar of Japanese festivals is followed and students also explore and learn various aspects of Japanese culture: origami, songs, anime, martial arts, religion etc.

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LOTE Report

An excursion in June, to the Sydney Japanese International School is a highlight of the year. Trying undon at Sydney Japanese International School and eating abento lunchboxes.

Origami and calligraphy

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LOTE Report

7 Mitchell, 7 Gregson , 7 Burwood French

‘Quoi de neuf?’ is a new and exciting national series for junior French learners that combines up to date and engaging language content with intercultural competence. The student book is accompanied by an activity book which complements the student book with sequenced activities designed to practise and reinforce language structures learnt via listening, speaking, reading and writing. The ‘Quoi de neuf?’ course was piloted in 2016 with very positive feedback, from both parents and students, the activity book can be purchased for $19 from the student office. The junior French course assessment structure was also revised in 2016 with more relevant and streamlined tasks adhering to the ‘Quoi de neuf? coursework. Students also study French culture and significant events that take place throughout the year in France as well as the significance of Anzac Day and the connection that Australia has with France in Villers -Brettonneux. All cultural topics are accompanied by creative exercises relating to their significance, as well as French songs, media articles and up to date information of the French lifestyle. Elective Subjects in LOTE

Students in Year 8 may study French culture and/or Japanese as an elective course for one semester. Work from Year 7 is briefly revised so it is possible for students to begin the language in Year 8, even if they were unable to study that particular language in Year 7. Every year Japanese and French are offered as two year elective subjects in Years 9 and 10. Students perfect a self introduction in Japanese and learn to communicate about various topics such as likes/dislikes, food, meals, time, hobbies, pets, family, etc.

Elective students also have opportunities to attend excursions to Nagisa Japanese Restaurant and The Japan Foundation in Sydney. Years 11 and 12

In the senior years it is possible to do either French Beginners or Japanese Beginners. These courses are available to students who did not choose the language as an elective in Years 9 or 10. They are 2 Unit courses for the HSC exam and students finish with a workable knowledge of the language and the ability to converse in various useful everyday situations. HSC language courses receive bonus points for admission to many . Atthe of Newcastle two bonus points are awarded for a Band 5 or 6 in Beginners French or Japanese.

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LOTE Report

Overseas Excursions

Every two years we arrange a 9 day school trip to Japan for students of Years 8-12. We are due to go in April 2017. Japan trip 2014 Photos:

Innovative Teaching Initiative a . As part of Newcastle High School’s Innovative Classroom initiative, a dedicated Japanese Language room has been set up in Room 35, with adjustable tables and a variety of seating. Students can choose to sit on the floor at lower tables on cushions, ground seats and meditation stools or at higher tables on ottamans. The kidney bean shaped tables facilitate group work and create a Japanese cultural feel.

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LOTE Report

Exchange Students at Newcastle High School

Newcastle has a longstanding Sister City relationship with the city of Ube, Japan. 2011 marked the 30th Anniversary of this exchange between our two cities. Newcastle High School, in conjunction with Newcastle City Council, will host a group of students from Ube in early August. We will be looking for about 10 families who can host a student for approximately one week. If you are interested in providing home-stay for a Japanese student please contact the Languages staff. Hosting is a wonderful cultural experience for any family and past students have kept strong ties with the students they have hosted and made return visits. Ube exchange 2015

UBE –Newcastle Speech Competition

Every year students enrolled in an elective Japanese course in the Newcastle district have the chance to partici- pate in the Ube–Newcastle Cultural Exchange Speech Competition. If successful, four students win the chance to travel to Newcastle’s Japanese sister city of Ube in September to do home stay with a Japanese family, attend a Japanese school and partake in sightseeing. This is sponsored through the generosity of the Ube branch of the Ube- Newcastle Friendship Society. All airfares, accommodation, meals and transport are included. In 2015 two Newcastle High School students, Maija Spencer Karinen and Lucy Neilson–Spitzer were successful in the competition and were treated to a wonderful stay in Japan. In 2016 Owen Baird-Peddie was also a successful competitor. Please see your language teacher if you are interested in entering in 2017.

2016 winner: Owen Baird-Peddie

2015 Ube Speech competition entrants: Lucy, Monique, Maija and Natalie - 8 - Parkway Edition No.02 - March 2017

LOTE Report

Excursions

Apart from involvement in speech competitions, language video competitions, exchanges and hosting opportunities, the Languages faculty aims to provide plenty of authentic cultural and language learning opportunities with a wide variety of excursions offered each year. Below are some of the opportunities enjoyed by students in 2015/16. Japan Foundation, Sydney- cultural workshop on the Obon Festival

Restaurant Excursion

Naomi Durie Head Teacher LOTE

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Surfest

Maitland and Port Stephens Toyota High School Teams Challenge

On Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 of February Newcastle High School placed a number of teams in the Maitland and Port Stephens Toyota High School Teams Challenge surfing event. The contest is part of ’s festival of surfing, which is the largest surfing event in the southern hemisphere. There were 40 teams from around the state, including two from Vanuatu competing. Competition was held at Nobbys on the Tuesday due to unfavourable conditions at Merewether. The waves here were challenging with wave choice crucial in achieving a good result. Our boys number 1 team performed extremely well and amassed a great score in their round one heat. Unfortunately, our other teams did not fare as well and struggled to catch their waves in the allotted time. The contest format requires a team of three surfers to catch a scoring wave within a given time. Only one surfer from each team can be in the water at any one time and bonus points are awarded if they finish before the end of the heat. Each team surfs twice and their scores are accumulated, with the top 16 moving through to the next round.

Day two saw the event back at Merewether with great surfing conditions. Our number 1 team were in the first heat in the water and managed to amass another great score, ensuring a place in the quarter finals. They backed this up with a thrilling performance which saw them progress to the semi-finals where they unfortunately were knocked out. This was our best result in a number of years and the boys were over the moon with their achievement. Maybe next year! Once again, our competitors were a credit to the school in the exemplary way in which they conducted themselves, interacted with surfers and teachers from other schools and supported and cheered each other on.

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Surfest

The boys’ final saw the closest ever result with only 1.6 points separating all four teams. Illawarra Sports High took home the spoils on (51.8); Narrabeen Sports High A were runners up on (51.7); Narrabeen Sports High B third on (51) and The Entrance on (50.2). Girls’ results: 1st Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College (Tumbi Umbi Campus) (37.4); 2nd St Pius X Adamstown (35.7); 3rd St Francis Xavier High School (21.3) and 4th (13.4). Our number one team consisting of Sunny Whitby-Otto, Kane Ramplin and Dixon Stanyer finished in equal seventh. Our number two and three teams consisted of Noah Jackson, Jeordie Gilbertson, Luke Dwyer, Tom Lupton, Sebastian Skinner, Wisnu Ajinugroho and Toby Bartsch. Well done boys you should be proud of yourselves! This contest is a great event, that promotes a healthy lifestyle and we thank Warren Smith and Maitland and Port Stephens Toyota for giving our students the opportunity to compete against some of the best junior surfers in the state. We look forward to competing again next year. Steve Prior

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Sport Report

Girls Volleyball Knockout

We travelled to Broadmeadow basketball stadium after only coming together as a team for three days. The girls first cam up against and won the match in four sets, spirits were high! The next match was against a well rehearsed Morisset High School outfit, with some very skilled servers. It is safe to say our girls absolutely demolished them in three straight sets. Amazing defence by Fabia and some brilliant net touches by Monique, Tahne and Erin.

Into the semi finals and Whitebridge High School was the team‘s last opponent for the day. The Whitebridge girls have been in intense training with some players even selected in representative squads. A formidable opponent. The Newcastle High School girls did themselves and our school proud. They fought their way back after being a set down early on in the match and almost clinched the second set. Whitebridge High’s composure and set plays were, in the end, too hot to handle and they progressed through to the regional final. Miss Heron cannot applaud the Newcastle High School’s Volleyball Ravens enough, they showed athleticism, sportsmanship, dedication and were also supportive of not only their team mates (special cheerleading mention to Issy and Lara), but other schools competing and even took part in a social game it the end of the day with Kotara. Looking forward to our next outing as a team. Go Girls! Brodee Herron

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Sport Report

Swimming Carnival

It was a big first few weeks of sport for Newcastle High School. The swimming carnival has been run and swum. It was the first whole school swimming carnival for a number of years and was a huge success. Competition was fierce and all students enjoyed the "Salmon Run' novelty events. In the end the house points finished as follows: 1st Clark, 2nd Fearnley, 3rd Richards and 4th Watt. Age Champions were:

12 years - Georgia Fleming and Noah Taylor 13 years - Emily March and Travis Hetherington 14 years - Jenna Johansen and Beau Dwyer 15 years - Brooklyn Perry and Guy Hetherington/Cooper Blumel 16 years - Maddy Croak and Robert Stanley 17 years - Natalie Cox and Kane Ramplin

Boys Open Basketball

The team came up against a well drilled team who were too big and strong for the Newcastle High School boys. Although the team tried hard, they were no match for the opponents going down 65-18. Best for Newcastle High School on the day were Kristian Higgs Madsen and Bailey Blumel. Thanks to Mr Oprea for coaching the side. Open Boys Volleyball

The first time Newcastle had entered a volleyball team in a few years but the novice players performed above expectations. The team's first game was against . The match was a gruelling five setter with the final set swaying in Kotara's favour until a run of ten straight points on the back of Ei’Lan Doyle's serve gained Newcastle High School the ascendancy and the match. The 2nd round clash against the highly fancied Whitebridge High School team was a tight affair with Newcastle High School grabbing the third set but they were eventually overcome by Whitebridge's height and consistency. A great team effort was displayed on the day with special mention going to Oliver Nash and Felix Pritchard for their athleticism. Thanks to Mr Kendell for coaching the team. Josh Lyden Sports Organiser

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Student Support

2017 has started with a bang and all Support students are working incredibly hard at Newcastle High School. Students are not only completing classroom activities but also participating in: Community Access Programs, Work Experience Programs, Swimming Carnivals, Horticulture, Wellbeing Days, Sailing, whole school sport and Year 7 Passion Projects. We also welcomed two new staff members, Mrs Denise Hughes and Mrs Kerry Onslow, to our team. Both Denise and Kerry have come to Newcastle High School from and are teaching the IO Support Class; they bring a wealth of teaching experience with them. Ms Ryssenbeek, Ms Gibson, Mr Main, Ms Miller, Mrs Lucas, Mrs Blake and myself are very glad to have them on-board. With so much happening already in Support, this year will no doubt, be a very exciting year! Khym Harris Head Teacher Special Education (Rel)

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Student Report

During the 2016/17 Foxtel National Youth League, I was spotted and selected to go into camp with the young Socceroo’s (U19) in early February. Players were selected from all over Australia from A-league clubs. The camp went for four days at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. Over the four days we had a few training sessions and a friendly match against one of the local Canberra First Grade teams. I managed to get an assist in a 6- 1 win. The camp was looking at getting us used to the environment of a national team and starting to introduce their philosophies of how to play. There were a lot of highly regarded coaches on a national and international scale. Including the head coach Ufuk Talay, our fill-in assistant coach Josep Gombau who is also the Olyroos head coach (U23) and appearances from Tony Vidmar (U17 Joeys coach) and head Socceroo’s coach Ange Postecoglou. It is a long road ahead with this being the beginning of preparations for pre-qualifying matches at the end of this year continuing into 2018 with more qualifications for the U19 world cup in 2019. Patrick Langlois Year 12

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School Garden Report

Newcastle High School staff and students would like to thank James Nicolle and family, from Stone On Stone Gardens and Landscapes, for their generous donation of sandstone rocks and soil. We appreciate James hard work creating the school’s rockery garden.

Call today for a free estimate 22 Anzac Parade, The Hill Phone: 0418 415 804 Email: [email protected]

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2016 Christmas Raffle Thank You

Newcastle High School thanks you for your invaluable support and contribution of prizes to our 2016 Christmas Raffle.

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NEWCASTLE HIGH SCHOOL

“Remis Velisque”

Parkway Avenue, Hamilton 2303 Telephone: (02) 4969 3177 Facsimile: (02) 4961 2912

e-mail: [email protected] Website: www.newcastle-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

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