NEWSLETTER WEEK 10 TERM 4 2020 - CHRISTMAS EDITION

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT Rosemary McDowall, Principal

FAREWELLS It is always sobering this time of year to say goodbye Peter Santamaria, Deputy Principal is departing to to staff members who leave us to take on new take up further tertiary studies. Peter was Head opportunities or retirement. Sheree Hamilton, our Teacher Teaching and Learning for several years SAM will be retiring next year although we hope she before taking up the Deputy’s position. He has will continue working with us from home from time contributed to numerous whole school programs to time. Sheree has been at The Forest for over and significantly improved our students’ learning twenty years and her corporate knowledge is outcomes through his dedicated approach. All of legendary. Jayne Marshman from the office is also these staff members will be missed by the retiring. Jayne has been a huge support to the community. We wish them all the best in their International Students’ Program. Catherine Walker, future endeavours and we hope to continue our one of our Counsellors will be departing to take up connection with them in the future. the role at Killarney Heights High School. Catherine has made a significant contribution to student well WELCOME being at The Forest. Leslie Pitt from PD/H/PE will be In 2021 we will welcome a new Deputy Principal, leaving us to take up a consultancy position with the Miss Mirjana Simic from Balmain Secondary Department’s Aboriginal Program. Les leaves a Colllege. Miss Simic will take over the Deputy role legacy of cultural knowledge and Aboriginal murals from Mr Santamaria. We are very excited that Miss and welcome poles for us to learn from and enjoy. Simic is joining our executive. She brings an Natalie O’Toole from PD/H/PE and Alanna outstanding skill set to the role as an excellent Kochetkova from Languages are leaving us for English Teacher and experienced Deputy Principal positions in other schools. Both these teachers have with expertise in gifted and talented education. made a positive impact at The Forest in 2020. Finally,

TFHS NEWSLETTER WEEK 10 TERM 3 2020 Mirjana Simic Peter Santamaria Sheree Hamilton Les Pitt Jayne Marshman Deputy Principal Deputy Principal SAM PD/H/PE Teacher SAO

HAPPY HOLIDAYS On 18 December the HSC results will be published As 2020 draws to a close, I reflect with pride on the and students will receive their ATARS. We look way in which our school community responded the forward to celebrating with our graduates. It has multiple challenges we faced this year. Staff, been such a difficult year for them and we all hope students and families have demonstrated huge they reap the rewards of their effort and dedication resilience, continuing to achieve and progress in 2020. whether at school or working and learning from home. I sincerely thank the school community for I hope all of you have a restful, relaxing holiday with the incredible work they have done this year and family and friends. We look forward to welcoming for their patience and collaboration. I especially you back in the New Year. want to acknowledge the teaching and support staff for their tireless efforts on ROSEMARY McDOWALL behalf of our students. PRINCIPAL

P&C News

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Saturday 23 January 2021 Thursday 28 January 2021 Friday 29 January 2021

Please follow this link to book your 20 minute time slot https://www.trybooking.com/BNRCN

SARAH BUTCHART P&C PRESIDENT

TFHSTFHS NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER WEEK WEEK 10 10 TERM TERM 4 32020 2020 DEPUTY PRINCIPAL'S REPORT Mathew Finley, Deputy Principal

The following is an abridged version of the I am so proud that each and every one of you has Deputy Principal's address from the persevered through this year and not allowed its Presentation Day Awards Ceremony: slings and arrows to disrupt your learning and achievement. A warm welcome to our Forest High community: students, parents, colleagues and friends. You have accepted that universal truth: what will be, will be, and so it goes. My name is Mathew Finley and I am a proud Australian, born on Ngunnawal Country to Irish, I would like to take this opportunity to Scottish, and English heritage. I am at home acknowledge those who have supported you this amongst the ancient Brindabella Mountains, but year. have made my home here on the Pacific Ocean. First of all: to our wonderful parent community. I would like to acknowledge the traditional You are invaluable partners in everything we do custodians of the land on which we work and here. Your children achieve through our united meet today. I pay my respects to elders past, belief that every child should strive for their present, and emerging. personal best. You support us in developing respectful and responsible young adults. Your I am committed to acts of reconciliation. I am child’s success is our community’s success. committed to a just and equal society. I hope you will all join me on this quest. I must thank our wonderful Year 12 cohort. School leaders must lead by example, and as the student To all our 2020 award winners: Congratulations leaders of this school they were exemplary. When on your outstanding performance. competitive football was on hiatus, our seniors didn’t sulk. Instead, one of our seniors, Jude Congratulations on setting high standards every Dolan, decided to record the games played here day. at school, produce a professional media package of the games, get football Congratulations on asking the right questions, commentators Simon Hill and and listening carefully to your teacher’s feedback. commentator Peter Drury to commentate, and organise their final game to be played at And last, but not least, congratulations on Bankwest stadium. Talk about making lemonade earning the right to tell your children and out of lemons. grandchildren, “a global pandemic didn’t stop me from being top of my class”. Our SRC put together video assemblies, so the school could continue to meet regularly, even I know that being successful in your studies if it was virtual. Our seniors got their assignments hasn’t made the difficulties of navigating the in on time, were well prepared for their HSC, and Covid-19 world any easier. Like all of your peers, were thanked by their HSC invigilators for being missing out on carnivals, camps, and excursions positive and polite in every examination. We has robbed you of some of the best experiences a currently have 35 students in Year 12 who have high school has to offer.

TFHS NEWSLETTER WEEK 10 TERM 4 2020 already received early offers for university places, of your education in 2020. When society went for 2021, across multiple universities and in some into lock down, your teachers were on endless of the most sought after degrees, including zoom meetings to plan and coordinate work and medical science, mechanical engineering, law, assessments. Your teachers were coming to site, cognitive and brain sciences, nursing, and ... supervising those of you whose parents were drumroll please .... teaching. essential workers, ensuring they could do their jobs, safe in the knowledge you were still being I want to thank your Year Advisers, who have given safe and effective supervision. They were been there to support you through the good learning a whole new model for delivering and the bad. They have listened to your concerns, content, in an asynchronous digital world to talked to your teachers, and kept us all informed hundreds of students. Many of them did so while of the challenges you are facing. struggling with the challenges of Covid-19 in their personal lives: partners and spouses losing their Thank you to Ms Sweeney and Ms Coleman, jobs, their own children’s studies interrupted, whose Learning Hub has been a space for many their own family and friends stricken with the of you to get additional support and assistance impacts of the virus. And while the rest of society throughout this challenging year. settled into the brave new world of working from home, they returned, full-time, face to face To Ms Murray, our invaluable Teacher Librarian, teaching. They became experts in enhanced who has helped you find the right resources for cleaning protocols, and Covid-19 symptom your homework and assignments. diagnosis. They too, had to sacrifice many of the extracurricular activities and events that bring To our wonderful School Counsellors, Mr Fraser them great joy in this workplace. It was an and Ms Walker: they have provided some honour to work with these great teachers this of you with guidance in times of serious need. year, and I hope you will join me in a round of applause for their efforts. To my Deputy colleagues, Ms Thompson and Mr Santamaria, who have kept our school focused on Your success this year should give you improving every student, no matter the tremendous confidence that you can achieve challenges. anything you set your mind to. You have achieved extraordinary things in extraordinary To our Principal, Ms McDowall, who sets high times. expectations and clear goals, not just for all of you: but for all of her staff as well. Long may it continue…

Most importantly, we must thank your teachers MATHEW FINLEY who have worked tirelessly to ensure continuity DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

TFHS NEWSLETTER WEEK 10 TERM 4 2020 WELLBEING

We are all certainly looking forward to a well-deserved break! However, the school holidays can take students away from friends and their usual routine. Below is some information to help you support your child's wellbeing in the school holidays. If your child needs support in the holidays, please find the service directory for the Northern Beaches area ERIN McWHIRTER HEAD TEACHER WELLBEING

TFHS NEWSLETTER WEEK 10 TERM 4 2020 Term 1 2021 Events

16 December - Last Day of Term 4

27 January - School Development Day 28 January - School Development Day 29 January - Year 7, 11, 12 and Peer Support return. Year 12 - Life Ready 1 February - Year 8, 9, 10 return 5 February - Swimming Carnival 9 February - Distinguished Achievers Assembly 17 February - School Council 6pm; P&C Meeting 7pm 22-24 February - Year 7 Camp 3 March - Open Night 6-8pm 9 March - Years 7 and 12 Parent Teacher Interviews 12 March - Zone Swimming Carnival 16 March - Year 6 into 7 GAT Test 17-19 March - Year 8 Camp 17 March - School Council 6pm; P&C Meeting 7pm 23 March - Years 9 and 11 Parent Teacher Interviews 26 March - School Photos 30 March - Immunisation Clinic 1 April - Cross Country; School Photos Make Up Day; Last day of Term 1 2 April - Good Friday Public Holiday

19 April - School Development Day 20 April - First day of Term 2 - all students return

TFHS NEWSLETTER WEEK 10 TERM 4 2020 Presentation Day Ceremonies A SPECIAL DAY TO RECOGNISE OUR AWARD WINNERS

Presentation Day 2020 was a bit different this year. Three ceremonies for three different stages, an empty looking hall with a socially-distanced audience, induction of SRC members finally and live- streamed across to family and friends of our wonderfully achieving students. Congratulations to all who received awards - excelling in their schooling this year, even with lock downs and restrictions imposed upon them. A thank you also to outgoing Captains and Prefects, Amelia, Alex, Megan, Johnson and Marcus who returned to hand over their badges of office to our incoming Leadership Team for 2021.

TFHS NEWSLETTER WEEK 10 TERM 4 2020 More congratulations go to our HSC students, this CAPA time to Mika Gear and Imogen Talintyre for their Visual Arts Bodies of Work. Both of these students TERM 4 REVIEW have had their Bodies of Work selected for exhibition at the Manly Art Gallery and Museum for What a year it has been! Usually at this time, the the Express Yourself 2021 exhibition. CAPA faculty would be updating you on the Congratulations also goes to Mr John Juric for his successful Band Tour and Mini MADD concert. Sadly expert guidance to these and all of the HSC Visual this year we are not able to do so. We first begin by Arts students. farewelling a long-standing member of the CAPA faculty, Mr John Juric and welcoming Mr Brendan CAROLS AT THE NORTHERN BEACHES HOSPITAL McGrath (one of our long term temporary staff) as a on Monday 14 December Miss Heap and six Year 8 permanent member of the CAPA faculty. students went across to The Northern Beaches Hospital to bring some Christmas spirit and cheer I would like to extend my congratulations to all of by singing carols. These students and Miss Heap our band students and band conductors who have have spent many hours rehearsing and wowing all managed to return to some form of rehearsal this those that walked past and heard them singing and term. This term has seen our traditional band playing. It is so wonderful to see the restrictions system of Wind Ensemble, Concert band and Stage starting to lift which means that we can go back band somewhat altered. Our amazing conductors towards having groups of students singing together have been so excited to resume rehearsals, in once again. whatever form possible and thus we have been having rehearsals which have been organised by The CAPA faculty wishes everyone a safe and stages or rehearsals that took place outdoors. This creative holiday season! would not hae been possible without the passion REBECCA CONSTANTIN and flexibility of our band conductors. Thank you so RELIEVING HEAD TEACHER CAPA much for providing the opportunity for our students to be involved in music playing.

HSC CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations go to Bodhi Patrick for his HSC Drama Individual Project: Video Drama being shortlisted for OnSTAGE 2020 which is the showcase of exemplary HSC works from 2020. This is such an amazing feat considering all of the changes and restrictions that were in place due to COVID-19 which included Bodhi not being required to film an entire 5-7 minute film, rather only a 2 minute excerpt was submitted for external marking.

TFHS NEWSLETTER WEEK 10 TERM 4 2020 ENGLISH YEAR 9 LIFE STORIES TALK JOHN GRUSCHKA

As a class, we have been studying Eddie Jaku's was murdered at Auschwitz in Southern Poland auto-biography, "Happiest man on Earth" as part during the Nazi tyranny, provided the class with of the Life Stories unit for English. Eddie is a insights into his own arduous experiences under Holocaust survivor who recently turned 100 and the oppressive Third Reich. lives in . The students have enjoyed At the end of the talk many of the students asked reading personal accounts of Eddie's experiences meaningful questions to John about important throughout the war. They have benefited from issues surrounding our own world today. It was understanding the importance of valuing family, wonderful to see every student personally engage friendships and being empathetic towards each with the survivor talk, particularly the EAL/D other, irrespective of one's gender. social class or (English as an Additional Language or Dialect) racial background. To further their knowledge of students from and Tibet. Such enriching the events of the Holocaust, I organised an online experiences are the foundation to garnering Holocaust survivor talk in conjunction with the deeper inquiry into learning in the classroom. Sydney Jewish Museum. On Tuesday 8 December CAMERON ROWLAND the class was fortunate enough to hear from 96 ENGLISH TEACHER year-old, John Gruschka, Gruschka, whose family

TFHS NEWSLETTER WEEK 10 TERM 4 2020 YARRABEE FILM FESTIVAL

The Yarrabee Film Festival this year had the focus of the word "Lost" and the quality and talent of all the students who participated was extraordinary.

We had 22 who participated with films ranging from Stop Motion cartoons, silent films in black and white to Hollywood narratives. For the first year since the festival started we had First Place and People's Choice Award go to the film "Lost in the Story" by Chelsea Nash and Zara Stewart from Year 10.

A special mention to Mr Peter Moore who ended the festival with an uplifting interpretation of our unique school spirit.

As coordinator I am impressed every year with the level of commitment and imagination that our students have represented in film. Can't wait for next year .... it's gonna be bigger and better ... bring on 2021. KARIN NIXON ENGLISH TEACHER

TFHS NEWSLETTER WEEK 10 TERM 4 2020 ABORIGINAL DANCE PERFORMANCE

On 19 November we were lucky to have Tye from Thikkabilla Vibrations come into school and share Aboriginal culture and history, in particular Aboriginal dance. Throughout the day each year group had the opportunity to connect with Aboriginal culture through dance. Students were given the chance to join in the workshops to gain a greater understanding of the special stories and knowledge that were passed down to him. A special feeling was felt by all who attended, both staff and students. Thanks needs to go to all students and staff who got up and participated in the day and to our Aboriginal students who danced in each workshop. They learnt each dance from scratch and were fluent by the end of the day. LES PITT ABORIGINAL EDUCATION AND STUDENT COORDINATOR

TFHS NEWSLETTER WEEK 10 TERM 4 2020 HSIE HSC GEOGRAPHY FIELD STUDY

Year 12 Geography students completed fieldwork in the Careel Bay Wetlands of Pittwater during Week 8. The excursion was funded by the Northern Beaches Council and was guided by the Coastal Environment Centre and Mr Tesoriero. The class has been learning about ecosystems at risk and how they are managed. They will use this case study and the results from their fieldwork in their HSC exam next year. SCOTT TESORIERO HSIE TEACHER

YEAR 12 SOCIETY AND CULTURE

On Tuesday 8 December Year 12 Society and Culture spent the day in the city, visiting the State Library and Haymarket. Students participated in a workshop that walked them through the resources that will help them with their Personal Interest Projects (PIPs). Following this, we looked through past PIPs for inspiration and spent some time exploring the library. Lunch was in Haymarket, where students sampled a variety of foods, learning more about our focus country, China. SOPHIE HARPER HSIE TEACHER

TFHS NEWSLETTER WEEK 10 TERM 4 2020 PDHPE BOYS NETBALL VS DAVIDSON 2020

Forest players (purple patches): GS - Bailey Swain, GA - Daniel De Zeeuw, GK - Jordan Northover, WD - Joshua Fairbairn, C - Will Smit, WA - Dale Mapstone, GD - Lachlan Johnson

Home Game – 20th November 2020 Score: Forest 27 – Davidson 18 Away Game – 30th November 2020 Score: Forest 27 – Davidson 17

Due to Covid-19 the All Schools Netball Competition was called off this year. The Forest High team saw much success at this competition last year, but as this competition does not cater for Year 11 and 12 boys, our boys’ team was retired. A teacher at Davidson, who also was going to put a Year 9 and 10 boys’ team in the All Schools competition this year missed out. She was keen for her boys to have a game and remembered that we had a team in last year and thought we may be interested.

Two games were organised, a home and away game. Unfortunately, we had lost a few players from the original team but I had some keen boys who wanted to take their spots. They are: Joshua Fairbairn, Jordan Northover, Ben Rowan and Zed Duffield.

A big thank you to Wanita Leatherby, Olivia Cameron, Ashley Morgan, Charlie Burt, Sophie Dary and Josie Ross for helping the boys train during Friday lunchtimes leading up to the games. DAINA CIFERSON PDHPE TEACHER and COACH

TFHS NEWSLETTER WEEK 10 TERM 4 2020 2021 House Captains Congratulations to our 2021 House Captains:

Ares: Olivia Cameron, Dale Mapstone Athena: Halle Smit, Josh Fairbairn Poseidon: Tia-Drew Kelso-Ferrer, Callan Wee Zeus: Charlotte McGann, Rio Nunura

YEAR 7 SWIM SCHOOL

Over the course of two days we instructed Year 7s to complete certain tasks. We ran over basic swimming techniques such as breaststroke, freestyle, backstroke and the survival stroke side stroke. As group leaders we would demonstrate first then watch one at a time to give feedback and to help the Year 7s improve. They were split into groups depending on their swimming ability. We also taught survival and rescue techniques such as pulling someone out of danger using a rope and how to stay afloat for long periods of time. Out of the pool the students were given booklets and were instructed to answer the questions. This involved questions like "what are the ways to enter water and what water to do so in." They learnt how to perform CPR on dummy mannequins and also what DRABCD stands for and how to use it in certain situations. On the Monday the students and instructors visited Long Reef Beach and were taken surfing by Manly Surf School. They were also taught good knowledge such as how to identify a rip and how to swim your way out of one. As leaders we enjoyed the opportunity to teach younger students how to maintain proper swimming techniques as well as survival skills. At some points the teaching was challenging, and now we know and appreciate our teachers' jobs a lot more than before, as teaching is actually quite challenging but also gives you a sense of accomplishment. SOPHIE DAVIES AND TOBY JACOBS YEAR 9 LEADERS

TFHS NEWSLETTER WEEK 10 TERM 4 2020 TFHS NEWSLETTER WEEK 10 TERM 4 2020 WEDNESDAY SPORT

This term on Wednesday afternoon for sport, a group of Year 9 and 10 students have walked across the overpass to attend Futsol at The Football Factory. Teams were organised by the coach, former Forest High student Andrew Renda, and small timed games ensured a healthy competition between all students. The students should be congratulated on their consistent effort and application at these sessions. They participated enthusiastically each week, wore full PE uniform and were able to interact positively with each other. JULIA TROUT PDHPE TEACHER

YEAR 7/8 CRICKET GALA DAY

On 30 November our Year 7/8 Boys Cricket Team attended the Schools Cup Cricket Gala Day. The team of 8 competed against several schools across the North Sydney/Northern Beaches area with some great skills shown throughout the day. Some absolutely spectacular cricket was played with the boys playing a total of 5 games of modified cricket, which allowed for some really great batting and bowling from all who attended. The plastic willow was thrown around purposely by all team members, with special mention going to Finley Davison, Jake Hayes and Bailey 'Slogger' Seatter, who were impressive with the bat gaining some well-deserved praise from their teammates across the day. Some great handling of the malleable six stitcher came from young Leon 'Leg Cutter' Anthony and Tom 'The Hitman' Hardy ended up with some stunning figures at stumps, carrying the weights of the bowling throughout the day. With little preparation to the lead up to the Gala Day the team finished 5th overall which was a great outcome. Well done to all involved! LES PITT PDHPE TEACHER

TFHS NEWSLETTER WEEK 10 TERM 4 2020 TAS FINAL PROJECTS FOR 2020 Here are some of the final 2020 projects from our TAS students - Year 9 Timber Step Stools and Year 8 Technology Eco Lamps. Also pictured are Charlie Hunnam and Skye McKey from Year 9.

Freak Shakes. IN WEEK 8 MRS HORTON'S YEAR 10 HOSPITALITY - FOOD AND BEVERAGE CLASS DID A GREAT JOB CREATING SOME DELICIOUS FREAK SHAKES

TFHS NEWSLETTER WEEK 10 TERM 4 2020 Merry Christmas! From the Cafe de Forest and Scooby!

QUICKSMART AWARD WINNERS

Congratulations to some of our Quicksmart Mathematics Program award recipients pictured here with Mr Andrew Shaw, Maths Teacher and Mr Ben Argue, School Learning Support Officer from our Support Unit.

TFHS NEWSLETTER WEEK 10 TERM 4 2020 SUPPORT UNIT

Anakin, Brandon and Dylan visited our Principal Ms McDowall and Deputy Principals Ms Thompson and Mr Finley to show them the step stools they have made in TAS Timber this term. They had also made some lovely earrings which they are selling to raise funds for Surf Life Saving.

Northern Beaches Cleanup YEAR 11 STUDENTS DOING THEIR BIT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Well done to four of our Year 11 students - Sophie Dary, Akito Koike, Sam Kosack and Will Smit - who braved the extreme heat and wind on Sunday 29 November to turn out and join the Northern Beaches Cleanup Crew at Dee Why - true dedication to helping the environment and keeping our beaches safe and beautiful. Thank you to Miss Wallace and Miss Murray for giving up their Sunday morning to supervise.

TFHS NEWSLETTER WEEK 10 TERM 4 2020 YEAR 11 MAKING A SPLASH AT RAGING WATERS

Year 11 had the chance to let their hair down and celebrate the end of what has been a year to remember with a visit to Raging Waters (formerly Wet 'n' Wild) on Tuesday 15 December.

What works best: 2020 update Overview of research into best teaching practices

NSW public schools are committed to ensure that how we teach your child is based on what we know makes the biggest difference to their learning. In 2020 the NSW Department of Education released an update of some of the most significant research into effective teaching. This report is called "What works best: 2020 update' and has been translated into 15 languages. It can be found by clicking on this link: What works best: 2020 update

TFHS NEWSLETTER WEEK 10 TERM 4 2020 CAREERS

In Week 8, 20 students had the opportunity to learn about the car detailing and spray painting industry. They got to practice their skills using VR and hear from industry professions about career opportunities in this dynamic industry.

On Tuesday 1 December we were lucky enough to have AFTT (Academy of Film, Theatre and Television) run a great interactive Film Making and Acting workshop for our students. They got to direct, act and practice their camera work with support from industry professionals. A big thank you to AFTT for giving up this time to work with our students. ANNIKA WILLIAMS CAREERS ADVISER

TFHS NEWSLETTER WEEK 10 TERM 4 2020 THE FOREST HIGH SCHOOL 135 FRENCHS FOREST ROAD FRENCHS FOREST NSW 2086 t. 02 9451 5111 f. 02 9975 3293 e. [email protected]

TFHS NEWSLETTER WEEK 10 TERM 4 2020