PITTWATER HIGH SCHOOL BE RESPECTFUL ASPIRE BE RESPONSIBLE 13 June 2017
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PITTWATER HIGH SCHOOL BE RESPECTFUL ASPIRE BE RESPONSIBLE 13 June 2017 Jane Ferris Principal’s Report Congratulations all around! to relieve as principal at Ku-ring-gai for the next Big Band Bash: Congratulations to our students in four months. We congratulate her, knowing she the stage band who travelled to Port Macquarie will make a significant contribution to that school last weekend to join in the Big Band Bash. Not only in this time. Although we will miss Ms Andrews, did they perform to a very high standard that she will be ably relieved by Ms Sarah James as attracted accolades from the audience, they also relieving Deputy with responsibility for years 7 and attended masterclasses to improve their skills. It 10. Ms Carol Roulston will step up as relieving was a real pleasure to travel up with such a Head Teacher Secondary Studies while remaining wonderful group of students even if I did inflict my as year 11 adviser. wacky knee crossing dancing on them. Digital Nutrition In a recent meeting I was introduced to the concept of Digital Nutrition by psychologist Jocelyn Brewer. Rather than be judgmental about what is ‘good’ and ‘bad’ technology, Brewer challenges us to think about the way we consume digital content in the same way we have learnt to consider food and its impact on wellbeing. The three M’s of digital nutri- tion are Mindful, Meaningful and Moderate. “Being mindful means you’d benefit from pausing, and thinking more broadly about how what you do, say, click on and scroll through impacts your overall health and wellbeing (one swipe at a time)… Meaningful in that you have a sense of purpose and clarity in regard to what you’re reading, commenting on or participating in. That the Orchestra selected to perform in the Opera activities contribute, even in a small way, to your House: This is an amazing achievement by goals and values… Moderate in that you’re able Pittwater High Orchestra who had to audition and to regulate and temper your habits and usage, compete against selective school orchestras to be and avoid negative impacts across other aspects selected. I am always in awe of the talent of this of your life. Moderation means that you both group of musicians who create an incredibly rich use technology in moderated amounts of time, sound. They will be performing in the Concert Hall but also are able to moderate what you say and on the evening of 5 September Egyptian Legacy, so how you react to things that show up in your online join me in the audience. world.” In the same way we try to be mindful of the food we eat and moderate intake of junk food, the Renee Andrews to relieve as principal at Ku-ring- same applies to our digital nutrition. Search the gai High School: It is a reflection of Ms Andrews internet for more information or try http:// experience and capacity that she has been asked www.digitalnutrition.com.au/ Principal: Jane Ferris Website: www.pittwater-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Deputy Principals: Renee Andrews, Rachel Fleming & Sharon Behringer Email: [email protected] DEPUTY PRINCIPALS’ REPORT Rachel Fleming, Sharon Behringer and Sarah James Year 10 Subject Selections and interviews Thank you to all parents and Year 10 students for attending the information evening. On Thursday and Friday last week all Year 10 students were interviewed by a member of staff to clarify their subjects for Year 11 2018. This was a valuable process for all students. Students have now completed their expression of interest using web choice online. Over the next fortnight students will be asked to finalise their choices. It is important that all students meet deadlines. Year 11 Goal Setting Interviews All Year 11 students participated in a goal setting interview with a staff member. Students completed a reflection sheet outlining their goals and strengths and weaknesses. Students reflected on their semester one report and discussed their goals. All Year 11 students were issued with their reflection sheet on Friday to take home and discuss with their parents. Year 8 into 9 Subject information Evening for Parents and Students 26 June 2017 6.30pm School Hall Year 11 Camp -Monday 19 June to Wednesday 21 June Year 12 Good Luck to all Year 12 students over the coming weeks (refer to exam rules and timetable emailed to parents and students). 12 Trial Stuvac – Thursday 15 & Friday 16 June Year 12 Trials Commence – Monday 19 June If a student is missing an exam they need to have medical information and contact the school on the morning of the exam. Reminders: When students arrive at school they must stay in the quadrangle until the bell rings. All students must be in full winter uniform. When travelling to and from school students are expected to be respectful to members of the community. After sport (Wednesday & Thursday) if students are not going directly home they are to remain in the quadrangle under staff supervision. There is a “hands off” policy at Pittwater. Aerosols are not permitted on school grounds. Appropriate use of technology is required at all times. CALENDAR - Term 2. Week 6 Year 12 Stuvac 15 &16 June Aspiring 2018 Captains Speeches 16 June Trial HSC 19-23 June Year 11 Camp 19-21 June Symphonic Band at Opera House 23 June Technology Information Students who have devices, including mobile phones on the internet are able to use AirDrop. This means that they can wirelessly send photos, videos, websites, locations, and more to a nearby iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac. Most students who regularly use AirDrop on the iPhone or iPad frequently leave the function turned on for share requests however, it is important to take a moment to adjust a simple privacy setting for the feature, allowing the iOS device to be only discoverable by Contacts. It is important that the setting be changed, following the instructions below. This will prevent AirDrop requests coming in from random or unknown users, especially when there are many users, with many iPhone and iPads, in your vicinity. This is a great way to limit AirDrop sharing options to those you trust. If some- one does not appear in a contacts list, they cannot share with the iOS device. ATTENTION ALL PARENTS/CARE GIVERS! 2017 COMMENDATION ASSEMBLIES Will be held Term 3, week 3 Thursday 3 Aug. Years 9, 10 & 11 - Period 1 @ 9am Thursday 3 Aug. Years 7 & 8 - Period 2 @ 10.10am All parents & caregivers are welcome to attend Pittwater High’s 2017 Commendation Assemblies in the school hall. Look forward to seeing you there! Dear Parents Please note that the car parks in the school are for staff and contractors only, and not for student pick up or drop off. These rules apply as the safety of our students is paramount. Please use alternative drop off areas outside of the school gates. Thank you. Dear Parents Pittwater Council has asked that all High School students refrain from using the children’s playground in Winnererremy Bay, next to Pittwater High School, as it is becoming a safety issue with the smaller children who use this facility. Please remind your child that this area is for small children only. Thank you. After months of hard work and preparation, Pittwater High’s four Da Vinci Decathlon teams recently made the trip to Knox Grammar School to compete against some of the most academically gifted students in the state. The da Vinci Decathlon is an academic competition designed to challenge and stimulate the minds of school students. Students compete in teams of eight across 10 disciplines: engineering, mathematics, code breaking, art and poetry, science, English, ideation, creative producers, cartography and general knowledge. This year over 40 schools competed in each year group. Pittwater High was proud to be one of only two comprehen- sive schools amongst the sea of blazers and boaters belonging to our private and selective school counterparts. Despite being initially daunted by the grandiosity of the event, our teams steeled their nerves and participated with great gusto and precision to produce some fantastic results: A big thank you to all of the students involved Year 7 Anna Bartnitzky & Kirita Geeves Year 9. 3rd place. for their hard work and enthusiasm over the Engineering - 4th past few months, and of course to all of the Maths - 10th parents who made sure their students made it Science - 15th to training on time! Ideation - 16th Miss Rhonda Davis (English Faculty) Year 8 Ruby Comber-Todd & Patrick Anderson Art and Poetry - 4th Year 10. 16th place. General Knowledge - 11th Year 9 Art and Poetry - 3rd Creative Producers- 8th Year 10 Engineering - 8th Art and Poetry - 16th The bountiful spoils of hiking continues in the Duke of Edinburgh program at Pittwater High School. On the 20 May, thankfully, I can say, 19 Year 10 students completing their Silver award have returned home safe and well after an exhilarating experience in bush land North West of Sydney. The qualifying Silver hike was held in the Yengo National Park, which is nearly 2 hour drive from PHS. The hike consisted of 3 days of hiking through vicious vegetation, steep undulating ridgelines, fast flowing creeks, copious amounts of leeches (just ask Mr Cornish) and the grateful prediction that cold wet weather was expected throughout the hike. However, with a grim description posted from the overall 3 day experience, nothing could wipe the smiles off this dedicated group of intrepid adventures. The positive attitude, constant collaboration and infectious enthusiasm shared between this group made it an absolute highlight and pleasure to have shared such a challenging journey.