NSW Department of Education and Communities Cessnock High School News
Find us on Facebook Find us on The Web Semester 1 - 2015 CessnockHighSchoolOfficial cessnock-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Issue 2
What’s On At CHS 26th June Last day term 2 PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE 13th July Staff Development Day
14th July Students return term 3 This term has been a very was difficult due to the busy time for the staff and limited access to power. 15th July Burrulaa Yarran Art Festival students of Cessnock High Phone coverage was also (CCGPS) School. The effects of the very limited. Thankfully we 22nd July Regional Athletics storm front that struck were able to get some 12th Aug MADD (matinee and evening) Newcastle and the Hunter messages out through 17-21 Aug National Science Week Valley at the beginning of Facebook and by word of 26th Aug College Opera House Excursion the term certainly added mouth. It was very an extra dimension to our encouraging to experience 2nd Sept ACE parent info session return to school. The the real sense of http://www.cessnock- 3rd Sept Immunisation Year 7 school sustained minimal community that developed h.schools.nsw.edu.au/ . The 9&16 Sep RSA and RCG College structural damage and as a as a result of our exposure plan highlights the school’s 18th Sept College 2 farewell assembly result I was able to open as to this natural disaster. major focus areas for the soon as power was next three years. 18th Sept Last day term 3 Thank you to the students restored so that the 6th Oct Staff and Students Return term 4 and staff that marched in During next term we will be children whose families had the Cessnock Anzac Day looking to improve the suffered losses as a result march this year. Our standard of uniform at of the extreme weather students looked great in Cessnock High School. I conditions could access a their uniforms and seek your support to ensure safe and warm Inside this represented the school in that your child leaves home environment while their issue: Page an outstanding fashion. I’d each morning in the correct families went about the like to make special uniform so they are easily business of “cleaning up”. mention of Adam Robinson identifiable as a member of I recognise that Deputy Notes 2 who visited Gallipoli to our school community. communication was recognise the hundredth Please ensure that if your difficult during these times year anniversary of child is unable to wear but would like to assure Australia’s involvement in uniform for any reason they you that in events like this Debating News 4 the First World War. have a note explaining why. the safety of students and Adam is an exceptional Parents experiencing staff must be paramount. I young man and a great financial difficulty in meeting was arriving at school each ambassador for Cessnock school expenses including SRC Action morning at around 6.30 am 5 High School and the wider uniform and subject to conduct a site region. selection fees are invited to inspection before making a contact me confidentially to decision on whether to Cessnock High School’s discuss assistance. TAS happenings 8 open the school. Getting Plan for 2015–17 has been this information out to the published on the CHS Chris Bice website wider school community Principal The Back Page, SPORT. 13 & More Cessnock High School News DEPUTY—MS HAYLEY MACDONALD
Although Cessnock High School Staff Professional began the term with a very wild Learning: weather event, the school was lucky Cessnock High School staff enough not to sustain serious damage regularly undertake and we were able to get on with the professional learning both in business of teaching and learning and out of the school. This faster than some of our neighbours. year alone has seen staff Term 2 has been very full and all complete training in Focus on students have been successful in their Reading, leadership courses, learning. VET training, assessment and feedback and many others. Aim High Mentoring: One of our major school focus Focus on Reading: At the start of the term The University areas for 2015-2017 is Focus on Reading is a of Newcastle offered our Year 10 differentiating the curriculum Department of Education students a great opportunity with a and staff will be involved in initiative that many schools “Term 2 has mentoring program. Each Thursday learning centred around this around the Hunter are employing morning for five weeks a group of important focus over the next in their programming and day to university students came to CHS and few months. day teaching strategies. It focuses been very full led 22 Year 10 students through a on six major strategies that help Staff Development Day: mentoring program aimed to students make meaning from a Last Friday Cessnock High familiarise students with university life text. These strategies are called School Staff were lucky enough and all students and requirements. This program was the “SUPER SIX” and many of our to have a guest speaker Scott designed to give Year 10 students an teachers are using them to help Sleap, deliver some ideas understanding of university life. our students comprehend what around assessment and using have been The Aim High co-ordinator was very they are reading. We have 10 data for improvement. Many impressed with the level of Focus on Reading School Based staff have commented on his commitment and enthusiasm that our Trainers in our school and these presentation and its successful in their Year 10 students displayed and Year teachers are beginning to lead effectiveness. Term Three’s 10 gained a great deal from the other staff members in the Staff Development Day follows experience. strategies. Over the next 18 on from this presentation learning.” months we plan to make Year 10 Subject Selections: highlighting assessment, with connections to our Partner Last Monday we held a subject workshops being delivered by Primary Schools and form strong selection evening for Year 10 and the senior executive around Ms Macdonald networks in our local area to their parents to gain information data analysis, consistent ensure that students transitioning about their subject choices for The teacher judgement and planning from Year 6 into Year 7 have a College. The night was well attended for improvement. Research Deputy Principal common language when reading and most of Year 10 has now made demonstrates that when staff and comprehending texts. their initial choices for Year 11 and participate regularly in 12. If your Year 10 student has not professional learning within the Ms Macdonald yet selected his or her choices they school environment that Deputy Principal Years 8, 10, will need to see Mrs Walker or Ms student outcomes improve College 2 Macdonald as soon as possible. significantly.
OUT OF UNIFORM DAY—FUNDRAISER
Friday 12th June saw Cessnock High strength in her body. School come out in force, dressed in The support for this fundraiser our best ‘soccer colours’ to support was amazing, students and staff former student Sophie Stapleford. really put their hand in their Sophie, our vice captain from 2011, pocket to support Sophie. We was recently diagnosed with a brain raised $700 on this out of tumor. She has been through surgery uniform fundraiser. and now faces the long journey of post-op treatments to regain Page 2 Semester 1 - 2015 ENGLISH—MISS PAYNE Issue 2
It has been a busy term in Payne’s class donated $30 to English! the charity ‘Open World Cause’ which promotes Our classes have been loving education in countries our Focus on Reading struggling economically. The program, which aims to class donated to the building of strengthen students’ Debating a school in Nepal as they comprehension and ability to recover from the devastating A huge congratulations to make meaning from texts. Our earthquake, including the the Year 11 Effie O’Neill kids have been very creative in purchase of materials such as Debating team of Adam their engagement with all sorts laptops and textbooks. Robinson, Samantha Fleming, of texts. The photo is an Students gave up pocket money Montana Power and Racquel example of a Stage 5 activity and canteen funds to ensure Marshall who debated against aimed at questioning the text kids their age receive an Mt View High School. and making connections education across the globe- a Despite narrowly losing the between the text and very worthwhile cause! We are debate, the team students’ own world and also looking into giving regular represented our school with experiences. Our classrooms loans to people in need pride and argued with are becoming very colourful! through the website ‘Kiva’, empathy and maturity on a Year 7 have been working on which facilitates giving people in very difficult topic. their ‘Other Places, Other need the opportunity to We have also been Times’ unit, which support their businesses, participating in the NSW encompasses the concept of education or humanitarian Premier’s Debating context as they explore texts programs overseas and pay the Challenge. Our Year 11 that portray different places loan back gradually. We have teams of Adam, Samantha, around the world through moved onto Dystopian fiction Montana and Racquel, as well history or in the future. and looking at how texts can as Shane Rodger-Wilson, Students have been enjoying be a caution for what the Eliza Paynter, Faith Price and their film study of ‘Hugo’ and future might hold. Next term Madison Clarke won one will move onto a novel study students will write their own debate against Maitland High next term. Dystopian narratives and School and our Year 9/10 up Year 8 have been studying a question some of the values and coming debaters of Jase unit on ‘Fantastical Creatures’ and issues of our world today. Price, Laura Sloane, Caeley and covering the weird and Year 10 have undertaken a Borowiec, Taya Leggett, wonderful! They have enjoyed critical study of the media and Jeremy Smith and Kasey studying texts such as Harry its ability to influence our ideas Pickering have won one Potter, The Hobbit, Percy and perceptions about people, debate against Mount View Jackson and The Lion, the places and events. We focused High School and have one to Witch and the Wardrobe. on gender representation, the go. They are learning quickly Next term they will undertake Bali 9 and the disappearance of and doing exceptionally well. a study of poetry that portrays MH17 and how we were We wish them all the best myths and legends. persuaded to feel a certain way for their final debate! We Year 9 have completed a as a result of persuasive also have some very keen ‘Connecting with Culture’ techniques in a range of media Year 7 and 8 debaters who unit, focusing on texts. Year 10 have now moved will begin their competition multiculturalism, refugees and onto a ‘Transformations’ unit, next term. Stay tuned for sustainability. Students were studying a traditional our debating workshop asked to compose a piece of Shakespearean text and coming soon! www.openworldcause.com persuasive writing and argue comparing it to a modern film Have a lovely holiday and we their opinion about the adaptation. They have enjoyed will see you ready for a importance of diversity and learning some new fantastic Term 3! multiculturalism. It was great Shakespearean style insults and Miss Payne, Mrs Martin, Mrs to see our kids display are learning the huge impact he Bennett, Miss Crooks, Ms empathy for those in very has had through his language Williams and Mrs Grundy. different situations. Miss and portrayal of stories of love, Page 3 tragedy, conflict and deceit. Cessnock High School News DEBATING, PUBLIC SPEAKING—MRS MARTIN
It was my great pleasure to gracious in defeat and so warm Effie O’Neill accompany a wonderful group of in their discussions afterwards This prestigious debate was held students to Maitland High School with the opposing team. on Thursday evening, 4th June at yesterday to compete in the Our second debate was held in Potters Tavern. The team were Premier’s Debating Challenge. The the afternoon and we were up brave in their preparation and team of Racquel Marshall, against a Year 11 team also delivery of a difficult topic as the Samantha Flemming, Montana from Maitland High. The topic negative: That the death Power and Adam Robinson was for this debate was: That penalty should be abolished inexperienced but eager and did social media should not be worldwide. an excellent job of debating the legal for those under the age topic: That scripture should be We came up with many valid Our Effie O’Neill Debaters L-R: of 18. Samantha Flemming, Montana banned in government schools. points in our debate and were Power, Racquel Marshall, Our team was the affirmative in congratulated by the adjudicator Our team were allocated the Adam Robinson this case and were outstanding for our mature responses. On negative case and came up with in their team work and the evening however, Mt View many excellent reasons for why preparation of arguments. They were better and we conceded we should still have scriptures in rebutted extremely well and their victory with good grace. our schools. “I was extremely came away winners. The We look forward to winning back The skill in debating lies in your improvement that they the shield in 2016! ability to convince an audience displayed was evident and they I would like to thank the team proud of their that your views are more were outstanding ambassadors and their parents for all the hard believable than your opponents. for CHS. I was extremely work and commitment displayed This was a very hard case to argue proud of their attitude and – you represented our school attitude and and we were defeated by an older behaviour throughout the day beautifully. We look for forward and more experienced team. and they deserve our warm to our next debate! behaviour However, it was wonderful for me congratulations. to see our four students being so Mrs Ainslie Martin
throughout the UNIFORM SHOP—MRS MUSGROVE
day and they The Cessnock High School Of course, new uniforms are for purchase locally, so please uniform shop is open every always available for purchase from remember this when shopping for Wednesday afternoon from our school canteen. There is a winter uniforms. deserve our warm 2.20 p.m to 3.20 p.m. uniform price list at the end of this Thank you to parents for the kind newsletter. All we ask is a gold coin donation donations, the uniform shop has had for each piece. We would encourage all students a successful start with many happy congratulations” to wear school uniform everyday, customers . Mrs Musgrove We also welcome donations of including black leather school school uniforms that may no shoes. As the winter months longer be of use to you. Mrs Ainslie Martin approach, school uniform jackets As the year ends, some students are available from the canteen or will move up into senior years, the uniform shop. some leave our school, if you Navy blue pants or track suit could consider donating the pants (without logos) are available uniforms it would be appreciated.
FREE TUTORING—CESSNOCK CITY LIBRARY
School is going back to term 3, you and your children to All you and your child need is to assignments are due and yearly succeed. Yourtutor is an have valid Cessnock City Library exams and HSC are approaching. anonymous online chat service card to log in to this valuable Let the library help. available from Sunday to service. Cessnock City Library subscribes Friday 3pm –10pm. English, to a tutoring service provided cessnock.spydus.com - Maths, Science, assignment and free to our library members. eResources – eReference research skills are just some of From Year 3 through to Year 12 the subjects they cover. Contact the library for further Page 4 and TAFE, yourtutor can assist information or assistance. Semester 1 - 2015 SRC NEWS—MRS MARTIN Issue 2
This term the SRC have Our local MP Clayton Barr bright and beautiful girl been very busy with met with the students and and she needs our help. fundraising, leadership and was hoping to take them on Sophie has been school events. Whilst we a guided tour of Parliament diagnosed with a brain had to postpone our Week House which not many tumour and the operation 1 camp due to flooding people get to do. The to remove it came at a rain, we re-scheduled for Captains particularly high price for the Week 8 and our students enjoyed the time spent Stapleford family. We can and Year 7 had a great getting to know their fellow only help a little bit but adventure. captains form Mt View High we all know Cessnock School and came away full A great team of SRC Reps High School is generous of new ideas. and other helpers ran the when it counts. canteen for the Athletics Week 7 saw our Captain As a fundraiser for the carnival during Week 5. Emily Fairley, Vice Captain, term we have organised a “This term the This canteen provides Joshua Day and prefect Eliza Thompson’s Pie Drive. students and staff with Paynter attend the World Order forms will go out morning tea and lunch. We Vision Global Leaders to families soon and SRC have been were very busy, despite the Youth Conference at delivery will be in the last wet start to the day and Newcastle Town Hall. They week of term. We hope very busy with together raised over $300 were involved in a day of you all order some towards the school. It was interactive activities that delicious baked goods for a great opportunity to promoted leadership and the holidays and help us fundraising, develop some team work team building skills. The raise some funds at the skills and for the juniors to team came away very same time. mix with our senior enthusiastic about how leadership and That’s it for SRC News, leaders. Many thanks to all Cessnock High School can enjoy the holidays! my helpers! together make a difference school events. ” to others in need. Our School Captains, Emily Mrs Ainslie Martin Fairley and Carlo Limen In Week 8 we held an out Mrs Martin ventured off to Sydney of uniform day in support of where they visited local girl, ex-student and Parliament House and took school vice captain Sophie SRC Coordinator Stapleford. Sophie is a afternoon tea with the NSW Governor General. talented soccer player, a
CULTURAL YOUTH EXCHANGE
HAVE FUN, MAKE NEW in a new light. Exchange. You choose the FRIENDS, AND LEARN nationality, the gender, the Carefully selected students ABOUT ANOTHER duration and the interests of will arrive in July for their 3, CULTURE! the student that you feel is 5, or 10 month programs the best match for your Volunteer to host an from France, Germany, Italy, family. Visit us at international high school Sweden, Norway, Denmark, www.scce.com.au, or call student arriving into Finland, Spain and Colombia. your local coordinator, Australia in July ’15 and you’ll They will live as a local, Dianne on 0429406126 to be amazed at the way this attend a local secondary request our international unique and rewarding school, arrive with their own student profiles, and capture opportunity helps your family spending money, and the spirit of family and to become closer, to comprehensive insurance friendship! understand themselves cover, all arranged by better and to see the world Southern Cross Cultural Page 5 Cessnock High School News YEAR 7—MRS MARTIN
Year 7 students from CHS were Champion from Year 7 and to reminder of well represented at our local all those who participated at our stay. Year 10 Peer Support ANZAC Day march during our Zone and Regional levels. Year Leaders combined with Year 7 April school holidays. I thank all 7 certainly are a talented and each group rotated through those parents who went to the bunch! the activities on offer. Highlights effort of bringing their child in for were the Mud Run (well done, Ms Huge congratulations to Alex this event— they did us all proud! Williams, who braved this Taylor of 7C on her wonderful Term 2 started off memorably activity!), the giant swing, flying performance in the lead role of with storms and flooding in our fox and the waterslides. We Pinocchio over the last school area. CHS hopes you all fared well witnessed some daredevils on the holidays. Alex performed and stayed safe during this quad bike track and the high rope admirably in this production stressful time. NAPLAN testing challenge certainly was testing. and on assembly in recent rolled out again across NSW Every student participated whole- weeks. Well done Alex! during May. Congratulations to all heartedly and learnt valuable skills Compliments also to students those Year 7 students who tried in team building and of 7C who presented their first their very best – we look forward encouragement. Our last night Rich Task to Mrs Gill and her to your results! Results will be ‘Commando’ activity was wet and panel of teachers. She was very mailed directly to you from the muddy and fantastic! It was a impressed with the quality and DET. pleasure to go away with such a work ethic displayed from wonderful group of kids and they During Week 5 Year 7 every group. Thanks also to the all deserve huge compliments on participated in their first high parents who led them through their exemplary behaviour and school Athletics Carnival which this, at times, complex learning ‘can do’ attitude. Enjoy the break ran on Wednesday 20th May. Each process. – we have certainly earned it. age group participated in activities We finished off the term with Come back rested and together over the course of the our fantastic three day camp to rejuvenated and ready for a great day. It was lovely to see lots of Adventureland at Forster. After Term 3! (camp photos pg 9-11) parents in attendance. arriving in the rain, we were Congratulations to our Age Mrs Ainslie Martin lucky to see sunshine for the
YEAR 9—MR PENGLAZE
Year 9 has been working hard find this most impressive. By during Semester one this year acknowledging and rewarding
and they all deserve to be expected and positive congratulated on their behaviour we are encouraging achievements so far. all Year 9 students to behave appropriately. As a whole year group we have been striving to uphold and I wish all of Year 9 a safe and Mr Penglaze follow our school’s PBL motto of enjoyable mid-year break and showing Respect, Being we will strive to ensure that Year Advisor Responsible and are Ready to the success we have attained Learn and there has been in Semester one is continued noticeable improvement in both throughout Semester two. their attitude and aptitude as a
whole and as their year advisor I
Page 6 Semester 1 - 2015 LIBRARY NEWS—MR RILEY Issue 2
Remember, students are always welcome at the library lunch and recess. Borrow books, read a magazine, play a game, or get onto a computer. All you need to bring are good manners! Easy! Regular students are gearing up for the Cessnock High School Chess Team. If you are dreaming of crushing your chess opponent like a worm, then join the crew! Mr Riley, Librarian
Photos from top left;
Matthew Wilson forcing a win,
Ms Baczynskyj helping Leo Holden
Mr Riley losing to Matthew Wilson
The Crew: Jett Mozzell, Brian Davey, Leo Holden, Ky Callaghan, Callum Campbell, David Schmidt
STUDENT OF THE WEEK—PBL
We are excited to Term 2 we have had two announce that the PBL winners. (Positive Behaviour for Learning) team has The winners are: introduced a Student of the Week Award. Week 1
The student, to be Jessica Apthorpe Year 10 nominated by the teaching staff, will be presented with Week 2 their award and a gift (a Mitchell Taylor Year 9 USB) at the morning Assembly each Friday. Congratulations to both winners. Students will be nominated
if they are showing respect, Page 7 being responsible and are ready-to-learn. WORK STUDIES—MS COVERDALE Semester 1 - 2015 Issue 2 The College Work Studies residents group knit for many We will fundraise class have been studying a charities in the local and selling the beanies module on volunteering. They international community. Our within the school have examined various groups joint charity is 'A Goal for community and then have a such as RSPCA, World Sophie' a former Vice Captain Beanie Day for Brain Tumours Wildlife Fund and the Starlight of Cessnock High who has at school on Monday the 27th Foundation. This included suffered a brain tumour. July and Cake Stall on looking at the benefits to the Wednesday 29th July. The students and residents individual and the community. have been knitting beanies and This has been a rewarding To bring a local aspect to this other items in 'grey' in the activity for students staff and module we have collaborated theme ‘Wear grey for Brain residents linking Cessnock with the Settlers Village in Tumours’. We appreciate the High School to the Local West Cessnock. Residents wonderful connection we Community. Shirley, Colleen and Manager have made with the residents Ms Coverdale Sue visited the class and and the generosity they have taught students to knit (a shown donating their time and fading Artisan skill). The money to supply the beanies.
Whole class hard at work: TAS—MRS SCREEN Caitlin Brown, Madison Clarke, Hannah Kembrey, Samantha Martin, Emily Mugridge, Entrée up: Bruschetta, Nikki Probert, Shane Rodger-Wilson, Sarah students Madi and Nikki Russell-Green, Dean Van Veldhuizen, Chloee VET Hospitality Kitchen Operations Wallis, Justice Ward and Shihomi Yazaki
Very busy down in the Trade Training Centre – students participated in their first Café production (week 9 term 2) with great success and treated the fortunate TAS faculty to a scrumptious two course meal. The students performed beautifully and demonstrated their developing skills and knowledge in the commercial kitchen. Mrs R Screen
Main up: Roasted chicken with Teachers: Ms Albury, Mrs Stacey, Ms Hopkins, Medley winter vegetables Mr Jobber, Mrs Fairweather, Mr Ryan (Students: Justice, Hannah and Caitlin) Page 8 ABORIGINAL EDUCATION—MS FALCONER, MRS ROBERTS
This term has been packed full of activities for Aboriginal Education. Sista Speak and Bro Speak have been running each Friday Period 1. Sista Speak girls have been working on artworks which will be displayed at the Burrulaa Yarran Art Festival on 15/7/15. Bro Speak boys have been working on cultural awareness and participating in traditional games. Joey Griffiths has been working with at-risk Aboriginal students each Friday in ‘Black and Deadly’ and ‘Targeted Boys’ Programs. Jiya Reardon (Senior Norta Tutor) has been working with at-risk Aboriginal students in the Rock & Water program which helps students to develop conflict resolution, positive communication and anger management strategies.
We have also been running Aboriginal Art Workshops with partner primary schools. These artworks will be displayed at the Burrulaa Yarran Art Festival on 15/7/15. Chantel Sinclair and former Cessnock High School student Chantel Roberts have been working with Aboriginal students on Aboriginal dance which will also be performed at the Art Festival.
To help celebrate Reconciliation Week, Cessnock High School was lucky to have the Street Warriors and Shannon Noll perform for all students. Many students were also able to take this opportunity to have their photo taken with the performers.
L-R Sonia Sharpe, Abie Wright, Shannon Noll, Janayah Lake and Warrick (Wok) Wright
Cessnock High School and its partnership primary schools also participated in a joint art venture where all students and staff from each school decorated hands and goannas to celebrate Reconciliation Week. These hands and goannas were placed around words such as Identity, Respect, Culture, Pride, Sacred and I Belong along with each school’s banner and the Australian and Aboriginal Flags
Page 9
The Back Page
NSW Department of Education and Communities FROM THE SPORTS DESK Mr Goodwin
Cessnock High School As usual Term Two has been an eventful time in Years Rider and Aberdare Road, the arena of sport at Cessnock High School. Hack classes, Cessnock NSW 2325 Storms and flooding threw a spanner in the Samantha Davies works for the running of the Coalfields Zone with 1st place in a
Cross Country Carnival but after some hard number of events, Phone: 4990 1977 work by the organising committee Cessnock Alexis McPherson Fax: 4991 1815 Race Track was secured and used. All Cessnock who was awarded Email: High students represented their school well on a 17+ Years Age [email protected] challenging course with Brodie Linnare, Claudia Champion and Montana Cooper who was Principal: Mr Chris Bice Brown, Samantha Davies, Kyle Davey and Ben awarded 17+ Years Reserve Age Champion. Gilbert all being chosen to represent the zone at Well done to all of the girls who Deputy Principals: the Hunter Regional Carnival held at participated and represented themselves and Year 7, 9, College 1 Broadmeadow Race Track. our school with pride
Mrs Liana Gill Term Two also saw the running of the School Tim Goodwin and Zone Athletics Carnivals. As always, our Year 8, 10, College 2 Sports Organiser athletics carnival was a great success with a Ms Hayley Macdonald bumper crowd and both competitors and non- competitors all having a great day of fun and Year Advisers participation. The overwhelming success of the Year 7 Mrs Martin day meant that our strongest team in many years Year 8 Ms Burke was sent to represent at the zone carnival. A Year 9 Mr Penglaze record 14 students from Cessnock High School Year 10 Mr Ryan have now been selected to represent their zone and school at the Hunter Region Carnival which College 1 Mr Goodwin will be held at Glendale Athletics Centre on the College 2 Mrs O’Neill 22nd and 23rd of July. Good luck to the following students at that carnival:- Head Teachers English Miss Payne HSIE Mrs Duncan Amber Coombes, Jeremy Smith, William Collins, Zac Jeans, Mitchell O’Neill , Jack Yates, Isaac Maths Mr Atkinson PD/H/PE Mrs Miles Minter, Jesse Knight, Jayden Gurnhill, Liam King, Science Ms Mowatt CAPA Ms Falconer Jeremy Smith , Josh Dwyer , Kyle Davey , TAS Mrs Fairweather Mitchell O’Neill and all of the boys in the 16 Support Mrs Bruce Rlg years relay. Suspension Centre Ms Doolan In other sporting news, a big congratulation must go to Cessnock High School’s all conquering Horse Sports team. Standout performances where from Jamie Hawkins with a 1st place for 16
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YOUTH BEYOND BLUE Four key things that can help you support your friend
LOOK out for the signs Sometimes it can be hard to know if your friend is going through a rough patch or whether there might be something more serious going on like anxiety or depression. You might notice that they are not hanging out with their friends as much anymore or are always tired and feeling down. They might be irritable or perhaps look a mess. When you notice these changes, check in with your friend to see if they’re OK.
LISTEN to your friend's experiences Sitting and quietly listening is the next step. Don’t rush to offer advice. Let them know you are there for them and that you want to help where you can. If they don’t want to talk about it, respect that. Let them know you are worried and that you are happy to listen when they want to talk, or suggest other people. By listening and responding in a non-judgmental and reassuring manner, you are helping in a major way.
TALK about what's going on Knowing what to say can sometimes be difficult. You might not be sure how to start a conversation with them, or you might be worried about saying the wrong thing. You could say things like “I’ve noticed that you seem a bit down lately”, or perhaps, “You seem like you are really down, and not yourself, I really want to help you. Is there anything I can do?” Showing that you are willing to listen to what is going on can be really supportive for your friend. You don’t need to have all the answers.
SEEK help together Encourage your friend to get some support. They might want to start by talking with their family about what has been going on or they may prefer to talk with someone that they do not know, like a doctor or health professional. You could help them to find and arrange an appointment with a health professional; you might even offer to go with them to their first appointment to help them feel more relaxed about it. If they don’t feel comfortable with the first health professional, then you could help them find another.