Principal Matters by Mark Watson
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Term 2 Week 10 5 July 2019 Principal Matters by Mark Watson End of Term As this week draws to a close, we have also reached the end of the second term. I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable winter break. It’s that time of year to find a warm and comfy spot and snuggle up with a good book. The school office will be closed from this Friday 5 July and re-open again on Monday 22 July. Staff will return on the 22nd for a school development day and stu- dents in all year groups will return on Tuesday 23 July when normal classes will resume for the third term. This newsletter contains a number of reports on recent activities, including junior debating, the Engadine Band- fest, Mufti Day fundraising, Term 2 Drama, Year 8 Medieval Japanese project and an Hospitality industry immersion week for a lucky staff member, Mrs Doherty. Enjoy. Year 8 into 9 Subject Selections While we are only half way through the 2019 school year, planning is well under way for the 2020 school year. Year 10 have completed their subject choices for next year and now it is Year 8’s turn to choose subjects for 2020. The process will get underway when we return next term. Year 8 will attend briefing sessions during the first week of term 3. These sessions will introduce the elective choices to students. On Thursday 25 July (Week 1, Term 3), we will hold an infor- mation evening for Year 8 students and parents. The evening will cover HSC minimum standards in literacy and numeracy; Elective course selections for 2020; study pathways for students from Year 9 and beyond and tips from past students on how to choose elective courses. The evening will run between 7:00-8:00pm in our school hall. We look forward to seeing you on the night. Bushfire Drill An evacuation drill was held on Monday morning to practice our emergency action plan in case we are under attack from a bushfire. While it is not fire season at the moment, the dry winter will increase the threat of bushfires in the late spring and early summer. In the case of a bushfire, our action plan is to meet in the Quad before making our way to St Ives Shops. A careful analysis of the drill allows us to iron out any complications before we have a real emergency. Sports Awards As we had all of the students together in the quad following the bushfire drill, Mrs Terrey made the most of the oppor- tunity to present sporting awards to a number of students. The girls A futsal team who won their zone grade sport competition during the autumn sporting season received a sporting medal and special mention was made of the seven Zone Cross Country students who have made it through to State Cross Country. Parent Teacher Night We held our final parent teacher interviews/conferences on Tuesday evening this week. Parents of students in Years 7 and 9 had their turn to meet with teachers and many parents had their children with them to attend the meetings. Building Works Update It is our understanding that work will begin on both of our building projects over the school holidays. ACH Clifford has been awarded the contract to refurbish C-Block and they intend to begin work next week. It is anticipated that this project will be completed at the end of this year with classes in the upgraded facilities being held from the begin- ning of next year. St Hilliers have been awarded the contract to build the new stadium. Work will not begin on this project until its Development Application has been approved by Ku-ring-gai Council. In preparation, hoarding will be placed around the construction site making it out of bounds for students and staff. We had initially been advised that this would occur this week but it will now take place from next Monday. The outdoor basketball hoops will be relocated on the Quad while the building works are underway. Holiday Activities Year 12 and Matilda While we are on break for the next two weeks, Year 12 students will be focused on study. Their trial examinations are being held in weeks 3 and 4 of next term. Many teachers are giving up time over the holidays to work with their students. In fact it is so many we have had to organise a timetable so that there are no clashes and Year 12 students can get to all sessions. The timetable is: Respect ~ Perseverance ~ Growth Students involved in the Musical will also be at school rehearsing over the holidays. Ms Lovell will be rehearsing the Show Band from 10am until 3pm in the MFS on the 10 July and 17 July. The cast will be notified via email of their rehearsal dates. Thanks to all of the Year 12 teachers and the parents and staff involved in Matilda for your holiday time. Congratulations to: the team of students who attended the Sydney North Regional Cross Country carnival in Gosford, seven of the students will now represent at NSWCHS Cross Country next term. See Mrs Terry’s report in the newsletter; all the students who participated in the Engadine Bandfest last Friday. Students in both the Concert Band 2 and Strings were awarded Silver and the Jazz Combo received a gold award. Congratulations also to the staff, Mrs Andresson (Strings), Mrs Cooper (Jazz Combo) and Ms Lovell( Concert Band 2). Best wishes Mark Watson Principal A big thank you to the following families The SRC are helping Australia and children who came and helped at the @pushforbetter mental health this Bush Care Planting morning. Tracey, Libby, James, the year with Davey Family, Robyn, Sarah, The Suchet-Pearson family, The Push-Up Challenge. Chloe and the Sainsbury family and or course, Penn, our Join us in supporting headspace, Council supervisor who organised the plants for us. The National Youth Mental Health Foundation. Donate at Sorry if I have forgotten anyone. http://www.thepushupchallenge.com.au Meredith Hunter our team is snives pushers. Coordinator Term 2 Week 10 Page 2 SWAGS FOR THE HOMELESS FUNDRAISER On Wednesday 26 June, the Year 12 Community and Family Studies ran a fundraiser to raise money to buy swags for the homeless. The class have recently been studying groups within society, and decided that together, they wanted to raise enough money to buy five swags to donate to the homeless and make a difference for those in need. The students created a video for awareness of the need for homeless individuals to have a bed and shelter every night and created a mufti day with the theme of beanies, scarves and gloves. They then ran a sausage sizzle and brought in baked goods from home to sell and raise money to buy swags. Baked goods were also donated by grandparents to give to the cause. A Year 7 student by the name of Libbie D-S even made cupcakes that were decorated with mini scarves and beanies! Together with a generous donation from St Ives Lions Club, the students raised over $1000 and will be purchasing the Street Swags by the end of the term. Emily Brown TAS Teacher YEAR 8 HISTORY STUDY MEDIEVAL JAPAN This week to finish their study of Medieval Japan, Year 8 History students from 8T and 8E worked on a PBL project, 'Who are the Modern Samurai?'. They created and presented artworks as a part of a greater collage. As you can see their ideas are outstanding and their creativity is really on show. Adam Noronha and Gillian McGhee HSIE Teachers YEAR 8 MUSIC Year 8 performed their contemporary music pieces in the hall as part of mandatory music. Thanks to all students who participated. Your efforts were really appreciated, everyone had a lot of fun. Genevieve Andresson and Sally Cooper Music Teachers Term 2 Week 10 Page 3 SYDNEY NORTH CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL A brilliant performance for our team of students who attended Sydney North Regional Cross Country carnival at Gosford on 21 June. The students’ results are amazing, and we have seven students who will now represent at NSWCHS Cross country next term. Congratulations to all participants who tried their best in each of their races. Once again, our wonderful St Ives High team illustrated their school spirit shining through and this resulted in the fol- lowing the excellent efforts: Eliisa W 14 years girls 9th, Kirsty F 3rd 16 years girls, Logan S 3rd 12 years boys, Evan C 4th 13 years boys, Jensen W 3rd 13 years boys, Ryan F 8th 14 years boys, Tasman P 9th 18 years boys. Good luck to all of our athletes. Further congratulations to Lynden W who came 3rd in the 13years 200m race at KZSSSA Athletics carnival. Apologies for submitting your result under your twins name. Sandy Terrey Sport Organiser 2019 U15 BOYS KNOCKOUT BASKETBALL Last Friday our students travelled to Homebush Boys HS to play in round two of the Sydney North Knockout Competition. Our boys put in a competitive performance but unfortunately were not able to match the height and three-point shooting of the opposition eventually losing 69 – 51. Strong performances by Seth S, Gavin H, Zac L and Caerwyn S kept St Ives in the hunt for most of the match. Special praise for Seth S who displayed outstanding coaching ability and leadership in our training sessions and throughout the match. Thank you Mrs Larratt & Mrs Hakim for helping to provide transportation to and from the game.