Hoxton Park High Care  Respect  Participation  Excellence Newsletter - June 2012

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hard to ensure success and a smooth transition to year Principal’s Report 12.

Year 12 Years 7-10 The HSC is only a term away! There is no reason for a Students both in Term One and Term Two have been student at Hoxton Park High School not to achieve their completing assessment tasks, classroom challenges personal best. Achieving a personal best result in the and examinations to conclude the evaluation process HSC requires discipline and hard work and the ability to for the first semester. Staff are busy reviewing and balance the many aspects of life. Study, work, sport, consolidating students‟ thinking and skills in the pattern family and friends all have a place, but sometimes they of courses they are completing and writing reports that create conflicting pressures. As parents and educators reflect their students‟ achievements. Reports and we struggle at times to steer our children back to the parent interview evenings are great opportunities for right path and priority. The school supports year 12 further communication between the school and parents students by providing valuable teaching and revision about the learning effort and progress of the student. right up until the last day, so it is vital that students Our Parent Teacher Night is on 24th July, and I look continue to attend all lessons. As parents we can forward to meeting parents to share the successes of support our children by keeping them focused and their children. motivated towards their goal. The education of our children is a partnership between the school and Year 10 parents, and the children who succeed have the best Year 10 this year does not have any external combination of this partnership in their lives. examinations and they stay at school until the end of the year. Students will still be given grades of A to E in Leny Wallace each of their subjects. If they pass (that is, do not receive any N Awards in a subject), they qualify for a ROSA (Record of School Achievement). Deputy Principal’s Report

A student only receives a Record of School Subject Selection Events Achievement when they leave school. A student who Recently, year 10 students were involved in a range of leaves at the end of year 10 will receive their ROSA, Subject Selection events to assist them in making whilst students who continue on to year 11 will not informed choices for 2013. Often, students feel that receive their ROSA until they leave school. they don‟t have enough information to make suitable selections of courses for study and, as a result, we see Year 11 students attempt to re-choose or become disengaged It is incredible how so much happens in such a short as they continue studying the wrong course. space of time. At this stage year 11 have finished two- thirds of their preliminary course. There is still much to This year, we scheduled our Taste of Stage 6 Days, do and many challenges to face as they complete their which were run over two days on Wednesday, 6th June, Preliminary HSC Certificate. I would like to reinforce to and Thursday, 7th June. Students were given the all the students the importance of attendance, opportunity to select which courses or groups of especially in senior years, and the great impact this can courses that they would like to taste prior to the two have on their final results. The senior courses are very days. demanding and any missed work can have an impact on their development of knowledge and skills. The Faculties ran informative and engaging taster lessons students must ensure that they are also aware of their and all of year 10 attended to discover which course responsibilities to understand and comply with the best suited them for studying in year 11, 2013. senior assessment policy and procedures. Our taster days were followed up with our Head The guidelines and advice for assessments are clearly Teacher Mentoring Day on Friday, 8th June, where each explained and all students have been informed of their Head Teacher worked closely with one year 10 class to responsibilities by me, Head Teachers and their consolidate their understanding of the subject selection classroom teachers. Students need to keep working process and assist them to make the selections that best suited each student‟s strengths and interests. Our uniform shop is open on Mondays between the To complete the process, year 10 students and parents hours of 1.00pm and 2.00pm and on Wednesdays attended the Year 10-11 Subject Selection Evening on between the hours of 8.00am and 9.00am. Tuesday, 12th June, where students, with their parents, Leave were able to visit faculty displays to discuss their I am on leave for the last two weeks of Term Two. choices and ask last minute questions from faculty Thank you to Mrs Fitzgerald, who has agreed to fill my experts. position for this time and to Ms McIntyre, who is relieving for Mrs Fitzgerald as Head Teacher PDHPE. A huge thank you is extended to all staff who assisted, developed and implemented taster lessons, developed Paul Lawrence resources and gave up time to run classes or cover teachers during this busy week. Thanks to Ms Gerace, who worked closely with me to timetable the taster lessons, place students into classes and ensure all events ran smoothly.

While the calendar was packed with events, it was clearly designed to assist our students to make the right choices for their HSC and we hope to see the benefits of this in 2013-14, when this group of students undertakes their HSC. It’s not OK to be away!

Self Select Laptops What is my responsibility as a parent/caregiver? By now, our year 7 and year 8 Self Select students have received their school laptops. This laptop remains with the student whilst his/her position is maintained in the Self Select class. It is important to remember that if Make sure your child: a student is not performing at an appropriate level, the position in the class can be lost. Attends school on ALL school days.

This is a pilot program to support these students in their learning. Parents are asked to ensure that students are Is on time every day. using the laptops as a component of their study and are maintaining and caring for this importance resource. Make sure you: It is crucial that students bring their charged laptop to school each day unless directed otherwise. Provide the school with an explanation if Assessment Booklets your child is away. Some students have indicated difficulties encountered in having their Assessment Booklets emailed to their Contact the school if your child does not DET Portal email address. To assist students in their learning, printed copies of the booklets have been want to go to school. distributed to each student to take home in addition to the emailed booklets. Arrange doctor and dentist appointments out of school hours. Students are encouraged to plan ahead and plot their tasks for the year in their school diary and on the calendar provided. Arrange personal shopping trips with your son/daughter or birthday celebrations out If you have any concerns about assessments or the of school hours. assessment booklet, please contact the Deputy Principal responsible for that year group. Do not allow your child to stay at home for

Uniform minor reasons. How great it is to see students wearing our uniform with pride. As I move around to classes and through the playground, I am impressed to see our students wearing the uniform well. Together, they look good and contribute to how well the community regards our school.

The new changes to the uniform have been so well received by the students and the community and it shows when so many of our students have taken up the new elements of the uniform so readily including the school shirts and winter jacket.

Quota International 2012 Student of TAFE or will you try seeking employment? What are you capable of? What do you enjoy? There is a lot of the Year Competition information out there and it can seem overwhelming. However, I want to urge you all to take this time to th On 16 May 2012, I headed towards Casula reflect, talk to your parents, talk to your teachers and Powerhouse in order to participate in the Quota talk to older students. It may seem confusing to many International 2012 Student of the Year Competition. A of you now but in time it will all start to make sense. total of seven students from all over the Liverpool area attended: Holsworthy High School, Miller Technology You are all capable of greatness! You can achieve High School, All Saints Boys‟ High School, Good whatever you set your mind to but you will have to work Samaritan College, Ashcroft High School and, of for it. Nothing comes for free. The most valuable course, Hoxton Park High School. We were required to things in your life…well they are never free but every sit through an interview with a panel of three judges and one of you can get there. So take this time seriously, were quizzed on various topics, including sport, current think about what you want from your life, even down to affairs, politics and the arts. We were also asked to what standard of living you are hoping to achieve. write a four minute speech on a topic of our choice – Think about it….and start planning. This is the mine was „Humanity‟, and perform a one minute beginning of increased independence but with that impromptu speech – which I did on the topic of „Race‟. comes increased responsibility. The future is yours, make it the best one you can! I was the first to arrive, hesitantly perching on the edge of a chair when the second person arrived and we were Ms Halley given a seat and told to socialise. When the teachers Year 10 Advisor left us to ourselves I was baffled! But then they told us that it would be more beneficial PDHPE Faculty Report if we got to know each other without the presence of Term Two has shaped up to be a busy term. teachers, as the students bond easier that way. One by one We have had our School Athletics, Zone Athletics and (and sometimes two) we filled Zone Cross Country Carnivals. A special thanks to all the seats around the table – Miss McIntyre, Miss Ayuso and Mr Harris for their and dragged two more in to organisation of these events. In addition, there has make space. We were given a been many knockout sporting teams competing against folder with our names, school local high schools, including Girls Soccer (Coach: and the agenda on it, and a Mrs Fitzgerald), Girls Netball (Coach: Miss McIntyre) pen – I lost mine! We stayed and chatted for a few and 13Yrs, 15Yrs and Opens Rugby League (Coach: hours, interviews interspersed in-between, and shaking Mr Harris). Please read individual coaches/players‟ with nerves until the time came for the speeches. We articles for further information. all split up half an hour before the speeches to practice in various corners. A special thanks to Miss Boath, who organised a training session for our Opens Rugby League Team to Performing the speech was one of the most nerve- train with the Mounties Rugby League Team, which racking experience of my life, I shook for ten minutes feeds into the NRL Canberra Raiders Club. Mr Harris afterwards. It was very exciting, very nerve-racking and also volunteered his time and attended on the night. a very eye-opening experience. All seven of us bonded together, whether through commiserating over our favourite classes, laughing over our favourite TV shows or picking apart the news. The sense of competitiveness was absent, we all felt as nervous as each other when it came our turn for speeches and we cheered each other on. I think my experience in Quota 2012 has helped me change my perspective on school and education.

Sabiya Khan Year 11

Year 10 Advisor’s Report Subject Selection Night is an important event for Well, it has been an extremely busy term so far for year students to attend and discuss with their teachers 10, with Taste of Stage 6 Days, the Subject Selection subjects of interest to them for year 11. Students had Evening, TAFE visits and so on, all happening! These the opportunity to talk to teachers about particular activities are all leading up to one thing….decisions subjects and discuss career options available to them. about your future. Check out “Are you game to study PDHPE, CAFS and SLR” on the school internet page to see some unreal What subjects should you take? What do you want to learning experiences you can expect to undertake in do when you leave school? Will you go to University or PDHPE, SLR and CAFS at Hoxton Park High School. Check out the new feature on the school internet site, Zone Athletics Carnival under the PDHPE Faculty page. PDHPE Student of the Week recognises students in PDHPE, CAFS or SLR The Zone Athletics Carnival was held on Tuesday, classes who have excelled in their studies and are 12th June, and Wednesday, 13th June. Many students abiding by the Hoxton Park Honour Code. Students are from Hoxton Park High School braved the weather to nominated by their PDHPE teacher and the internet site compete in a range of events. There were some great is updated on a weekly basis. performances on the day and all students participated to the best of their ability. Mrs Fitzgerald Head Teacher PDHPE Thank you to all the students who came and represented our school with pride and also to the staff who helped the carnival run successfully. Athletics Carnival Miss McIntyre Our School Athletics Carnival was held on Monday, PDHPE Teacher 14th May. It was the first time that the event has been held at school. Surveys of staff and students indicate that the majority of people were happy with having the Girls’ Knockout Netball carnival at school and would like it to be held here again. Suggestions for improvement will be taken into There were nine of us playing in the Girls‟ Knockout account for next year. Netball. We turned up at Fairfield in the freezing cold and thought it was going to rain but we managed to play Students participated in a range of activities, such as our five games before the bad weather set in. shot put, sprints, long jump and discus, and there were some outstanding performances on the day. Our first game was against . It was a great game with Kara Oates‟ shooting on fire, Miss McIntyre even though she was tripped on the gravel and took the PDHPE Teacher skin off her knees she didn‟t give up. We were winning until the last few minutes but ended up losing by two points.

Our second game wasn‟t as close. We played Camden High School and got flogged, but we didn‟t give up. The third game was a closer game but we lost and our fourth game was against Airds High School. It was the best game of the day, and even though Faalevela Lilo had a fall and took all the skin off her knees, we won YIPPPEEEE.

Our last game was a rough one, which we lost in the end. All in all we had a great day. Thanks Miss McIntyre and Miss Ali for supporting us.

Chelsey Hughes Sports Journalist

Girls’ Knockout Soccer Park played a real attractive brand of football, scoring almost every time they got the ball. Special mention The Girls‟ Knockout Soccer Team has played goes to Kassius Masi, Blake Wallace and Jake Russell, outstanding games which have resulted in two massive who threatened Fairvale every time they got the ball. wins. The first game was against Great win boys! and the girls won 13-0 and the second game was th against Bankstown Girls‟ High School and they won On Thursday, 10 May, the boys played Picnic Point 6-2. After these two wins the girls then went to a High School in the second round of the University central venue and played Picton High School, however, Shield winning 28-6 at Smith Park, East Hills. The they lost 3-2. Even though they got knocked out of the game was played in hot and humid conditions and all competition the girls played an awesome game and players took their game to a new level. After getting to tried their hardest. The mid-fielders, defenders and an early lead, the two teams went into half-time with the strikers gave it their all. Not one player let the team score at 10-6, with Picnic Point scoring a try right on down. half-time. After half-time Picnic Point threatened our line on numerous occasions, but were unable to break The following girls have scored goals: Hoxton Park‟s solid defence. Strong leadership from Renee Kelly co-captains PJ Hunt and Adriel Iupeli got our team back Chontelle Kelly in the game and we then proceeded to score four Jessica Ribero unanswered tries. Great effort from Matthew Chelsey Hughes Faleafaga, Jake Boettcher and John Silva in both attack Yasmeen Warwar and defence, especially in the tough conditions. A Belinda Cincotta special mention must go to Sonntag Poloai, who had Courtney Lamont tried to score by kicking the the „run of the season‟ getting out of the in-goal beating opposition‟s goalie in the face (accidently of course!). at least seven players to get out. Fantastic win boys!

The following girls all did a fantastic job at defending Mr Harris and never giving up: Head Coach Rachel Ribero Emily Gabell Tegan Rosta West League Cup Heidi Robinson-Sharp Farrah Warwar On Wednesday, 6th June, the Under 13s and 15s Rhaya Franklin did a brilliant job at goalie and saved started their West League Cup campaign against many goals. Ashcroft High School. They played at Hoxton Park High School. Both teams were affected by injuries and I‟m extremely proud of our Knockout Soccer Team! this was shown in the scores. The Under 13s tried their Congratulations on making it so far in the competition best, but unfortunately Ashcroft was just too big and too girls! strong for Hoxton Park, winning 36-10. Standout players for Hoxton Park were Sebastian Carmona- Rachel Ribero Lopez, Tagiilima Salelesi, Sam Robinson-Sharp and Sports Journalist Jake Wakeham. With better communication amongst all players, the Under 13s will only get better. Keep trying boys! Zone Cross Country The Under 15s like the Under 13s were unable to come On Thursday, 24th May, students from Hoxton Park up with the victory, going down 46-6. Silly errors and High School competed in the Bernera Zone Cross missed tackles cost the Under 15s dearly and Ashcroft Country at Western Sydney Regional Park. Conditions capitalised on our mistakes. Good effort was shown by on the day were cold and wet, but to the students‟ credit Junior Filoa, Jacob Tatupu and Ibraheem Karim. By they all competed to the best of their ability. A big thank eliminating silly errors and playing as a team the Under you to Miss Ayuso and Mr Mudliar for their work as 15s will show their true potential. officials on the day. Mr Harris Mr Harris Head Coach Team Manager

Boys’ Open Rugby League

On Wednesday, 2nd May, the Boys‟ Open Rugby League Team played in the University Shield with Hoxton Park High School winning 62-8. It was a great effort by Hoxton Park, who had limited preparation for the game. The first ten minutes of the game was a real battle with both teams aiming up in attack and defence, but after Vinnie Fonoti scored one of his four tries the floodgates opened and Hoxton High School Reunion – Year 10 in Coming Events 1990 and Year 12 in 1992

A School Reunion has been organised for students who Thursday, 28th June: were in year 10 in 1990 and year 12 in 1992 at Hoxton  CAPA Excursion to the Biennale of Sydney. Park High School. Details are as follows:

Friday, 29th June:  Venue: Cucina 105 which is located at 105  Trial HSC Exams end. Moore Street, Liverpool. th  End of Term Two.  Date: Friday, 29 June 2012.

 Time: 7.00pm. th Monday, 16 July:  Cost: $25.00 (buy own drinks).  Staff Development Day.

For any information please contact Kerriann Cargill th Tuesday, 17 July: Dunn on 0421 212 859 or on facebook.  Students return for Term Three.  CareerSearch for Year 12.  Year 12 Physics Excursion to UWS for Physics Day.

Wednesday, 18th July:  CareerSearch for Year 10.  Art Day for Year 8.

Friday, 20th July:  Year 12 PDHPE Excursion to Westmead Hospital to attend the HSC Enrichment Day.

Tuesday, 24th July:  Parent Teacher Night for students in Years 7-11.  Year 12 PVDI Excursion to Event Cinema, Campbelltown.

Wednesday, 1st August:  Regional Athletics Carnival.

Thursday, 2nd August:  Regional Athletics Carnival.

Thursday, 9th August:  Year 8 Gala Day.

th Friday, 10 August:  Year 11 PDHPE Excursion to Sydney University.

nd Wednesday, 22 August:  Year 7 Immunisation, Visit 3.  Year 10 Immunisation.

Thursday, 23rd August:  Year 10 Enrichment Day.

Thursday, 30th August:  Year 7 Gala Day.

Monday, 26th November:  Year 12 Formal at L‟Aqua, Cockle Bay Wharf, Sydney