BIRRONG BULLETIN The Newsletter of Girls High School Cooper Road, Birrong 2143 Telephone: 9644 5057 Fax: 9644 8157 Issue No. 4 June 2013

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT It is a well-documented fact that those students who have excellent attendance records are most Dear Parents, engaged with their learning and achieve outstanding results. Athletics Carnival The school‟s Athletics Carnival held at The Crest I remind all parents to make an appointment to at on Wednesday 5 June was a see your daughter‟s teachers so that we can work great success. We had a good level of attendance together to support her learning. and terrific participation from staff and students. Congratulations to all of our talented athletes and Congratulations to: Mrs Lord, PDHPE Head Teacher, and her team of  Iman Sayed Mahmoud (School Captain) enthusiastic teachers for such a well-organised and Christina Le (Vice Captain) who represented and enjoyable day. our school at the Student Leadership Conference at NSW Parliament House on 30 May.  Emily Webb from Year 10 who represented the South Western region at the Secondary Lawn Bowls Championship.  The 55 Years 7-10 students who were selected to participate in the Battle of the Brains, our regular general knowledge competition, against the young men from Homebush Boys High School.  The talented creative writers from Years 7-12 who have enthusiastically grasped the opportunity to extend their skills by participating in the Writer–in–Residence program with Ms Laurine Croasdale. High Jump Inside this issue: Page/s Participation at our carnivals is a mandatory and Principal’s Report 1 - 2 important part of school life. Unfortunately, some students view attendance at these events as Report from the Deputy Principals 2 optional and choose not to attend because they New Teacher 2 do not view themselves as good swimmers or Attendance Report 3 athletes. I believe that by failing to attend these events they miss extremely valuable opportunities Next P&C Meeting 3 to become involved, to have a go and to cheer on Welfare Report 3 - 4 their friends and peers who are prepared to Careers Report 4 - 5 participate to the best of their ability. It is part of the spirit of our school: to support one another; to Environment Team Stall 5 attend every day; and “reach for the Year 12 Applied Mathematics Excursion 5 stars” (Ad astra). Special Visit by Dr Aunty Mavis Jean Robinson 6

SRC Report 6 Term 2 Reports All students will have received their reports in time Battle of the Brains Competition 7 for parents to have read them before the The Chess Club 7 Parent-Teacher afternoon on Tuesday 25 June. Library News 7 Parents are encouraged to carefully review their daughter‟s report and focus on the teachers‟ School Athletics Carnival 8 comments, rather than the marks or grades, as Parent Tips 9 they provide advice, strategies and guidance to School Calendar 9 support students to improve. Also, take careful note of your daughter‟s attendance as every day Fee Exempt TAFE Courses for Parents and 9 of school missed interrupts her learning. Adults

„Ad astra‟ – Reaching for the Stars

Coming Events Persistence and sheer hard work are important  A meeting of the P&C will be held in the ingredients in helping you reach your personal best Common Room at 5pm on Wednesday 19 June. at school. Sometimes you will need to work tough, to All parents are invited to attend and show their push yourself to the maximum. Persist and be support for their daughter‟s education by getting positive even when the odds seem to be stacked involved in the P&C. against you, take risks and have a go.  Meet your daughter‟s teachers and learn Success is not a result of luck or an easy marker or about her achievements at school by attending an easy task, it comes from the things you bring to our Parent-Teacher afternoon on Tuesday the challenge – a positive attitude, persistence and 25 June at 2–6pm. Semester 1 reports will have effort. been issued to all students by this time so bring As well as being positive and persistent you need to your daughter‟s report along to discuss her be prepared. Organisation is the key. Here are some progress with her highly committed and dedicated things you can do to help improve your organisation: teachers.  pack your bag the night before to make sure that  The PDHPE Display on Thursday 27 June you have all the equipment you require in the school hall will be a great opportunity for  record due dates for homework and girls from our local primary schools to get a assignments in your diary glimpse of life in high school. For the first time in  make sure that you leave plenty of time the long history of the display, local primary to research your assignments and write up your students will watch the achievements in dance responses that our students have prepared throughout  hand your homework in on time Term 2.  be clear about what your assignments and homework require of you I invite you to contact the school to make an  if in doubt, ask your teacher! appointment with me (Tel: 9644 5057) if you have any issues that you wish to discuss about your Be positive, persist and be prepared and you have the ingredients for success not only in school but in daughter‟s education. I hope you enjoy reading all aspects of your life. about the achievements and activities of the Ad astra. school in the following pages. Ms Fletcher and Ms Crossan Jenni Wilkins Deputy Principals Principal

NEW TEACHER

REPORT FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPALS Eric Blair Music Your school years are the foundation for your future. Positive attitudes to learning and diverse ways of thinking will help you build a successful future. At this point in the term, it is timely for you to reflect on your learning practices and think about whether you are doing everything you possibly can to reach your personal best at school.

First of all, do you have a positive attitude to learning? Being positive involves accepting who you are and having the confidence to tackle any problem, no matter how large or small. By having a go and taking a risk, you build on your learning My name is Eric Blair and I'm honoured to step in as repertoire, regardless of whether you get the the music teacher while Ms Corbin is on maternity „right‟ answer or achieve the set outcome. The leave. I'm really excited to get to know everyone and greatest mistake you can make is being afraid of have already felt very welcome by the students and making mistakes. staff at Birrong. I moved to in 2004 from Texas with my family intending to stay for four Persistence is another key to successful learning. years. Those four years turned into eight and we Do you persist in your learning, thinking „I can do now consider Australia our home. I studied music at it‟ rather than throwing your hands in the air and university in America and have been a private music giving up hope? Stretch your thinking, struggle teacher and performer for the last 15 years. I play with the ideas your teachers in a rock band called "2nd" and organise music present to you and succeed! for some community organisations. I'm hoping to Think about Albert Einstein‟s make music fun and to give students the chance to use their talents to perform during my time here. definition of success: 99% I believe it will be a great year! perspiration and 1% inspiration. 2

ATTENDANCE REPORT WELFARE REPORT

I am very pleased to report that Student of the Month Awards over the past few weeks I have Congratulations to Riana been organising the Semester 1 Oliver of Year 12 who „Attendance‟ and „No Late Arrival‟ has been awarded the awards. In total I have written Student of the Month close to 700 merit awards for award for February 2013. students across Years 7–12. She has demonstrated Also, nearly 60% of the student population across outstanding dedication Years 7–12 have arrived at school on time every and commitment to the day. These are very important statistics. school community. She is an excellent role Reports will be issued towards the end of this model to her peers, term and include a record of student attendance showing strong leadership together with diligence for Semester 1. Some reports will include and excellence in all aspects of schooling. unexplained absences. If your daughter has been absent from school and you have not returned a Riana has carried out exceptional and valuable text reply explaining the absence then it will be service as a school Prefect. She has been actively recorded on her report. Please reply to the involved in and has proudly represented the absence text message the school sends you school at various events such as the International every time your daughter is absent to avoid the Women‟s Day Breakfast and Judy Carmichael‟s recording of unexplained absences on her report. address at the US Consulate. By replying to the text message, you no longer have to write a note explaining your daughter‟s Riana has talent in music and singing which has absence. been highly recognised through her selection in the TAP Program. Attendance mottos to live by: ‘ARRIVE ON TIME AND ALL WILL BE FINE’ and ‘MISSING SCHOOL LEAVES HOLES IN Congratulations to Aditi YOUR LEARNING.’ Jalandhra of Year 11 who has been awarded the Hope to see you at the Parent-Teacher afternoon Student of the Month award on Tuesday 25 June from 2pm. for March 2013. She has demonstrated outstanding Mrs George dedication and commitment Head Teacher Administration to the school community. She is a mature and diligent student who has a positive attitude in all aspects of schooling.

Aditi has carried out exceptional and valuable school service through her commitment and active involvement as a leader in Peer Support and the SRC. She has worked collaboratively in many BIRRONG GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL teams, including the Environment Team, Peer PARENTS & CITIZENS ASSOCIATION Mediation, the Amnesty Team, the Debating Team and attended the UTS Summer School Parents are invited to attend the Program. Aditi also received the 2012 Zonta P & C MEETING Citizenship Award. on Wednesday, 19 June 2013 at 5pm in the Common Room Congratulations to Shanice Baker of Year 11 who has been awarded the Student of the Month award for April 2013. She has demonstrated outstanding dedication and commitment to the school community. She is a mature and diligent student who has a positive attitude in all aspects of schooling.

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Shanice has carried out exceptional and valuable CAREERS REPORT school service through her commitment and active involvement as a Peer Support leader, a trained The Current World of Work Peer Mediator and Peer Reading Tutor. She has Here are some examples of the changes you can worked collaboratively in many teams, including expect in the current world of work: the Environment Team where she has  Undertaking 10 to 15 different jobs throughout represented the school at the Youth your lifetime Environmental Network and the Amnesty Team.  Increased responsibility for planning and In 2012 Shanice received the ADFA Leadership managing your career Award, was involved in the Business Mentoring  Less stability and security within organisations Program (SCOPE) and participated in the  Involvement in education and training Australian Air Force Cadet program. throughout your life  Developing portable skills to ensure employability Congratulations to Betty  Keeping up to date with labour market trends Nguyen of Year 11 who and anticipating future trends has been awarded the  Spending time unemployed Student of the Month  Holding temporary and short-term positions award for May 2013.  Working towards a job that does not exist at She has demonstrated present outstanding dedication and commitment to the school  Constantly aiming to acquire new skills to community. She is a increase your employability. motivated and diligent student who has a positive Skills Australia has forecast that by 2025 a third of attitude in all aspects of all jobs will require a minimum of a bachelor schooling. degree qualification. A university education is a ticket to a better working future for individuals, Betty has carried out valuable school service families and communities; and it helps Australia through her commitment and active involvement secure higher productivity and higher living as a leader in the Peer Support program and a standards over the longer term. The increasing Peer Reading Tutor. She attended the UTS need for high skilled workers underlines the Summer School Program and represented the importance of the Government's decision to school at the Young Women‟s Leadership remove the limits on university places. These Program. Betty has proudly been selected to reforms are ensuring no matter where you are participate in the 2013 Ambassadors for Public from, if you have the ability you will have the Education Program. opportunity to access education to get the high paying jobs of the future. The government‟s 2025 target is for 40 per cent of 25 to 34-year-old Vaccinations Australians to have a bachelor‟s or higher degree. On Thursday 20 June, Year 7 students will have Women have achieved that target already. the following vaccines: the first dose of the Hepatitis B and the second dose of the Human Year 10 Subject Selection Papilloma Virus (for cervical cancer prevention). All students who intend going to university in 2016 must read the UAC University Entry Requirements Year 7 students were issued with vaccination 2016 for Year 10 Booklet which is available in the consent forms in Term 1 and these have already Careers reference section of the Library, before been returned. If you did not receive the choosing your Year 11 and 12 subjects. vaccination consent forms, students can collect Remember, choose subjects you are passionate these from Mrs Salvagio. about, not what your friends are doing.

After the vaccination students will be given a Year 12: Exit planning Record of Vaccination to take home to keep their I am currently interviewing Year 12 students. immunisation records up to date. Please keep If you intend gaining the HSC and then going to vaccination records in a safe place as they may work you should contact a Group Training be required for future work or travel. Organisation (GTO) now who can assist you to find a traineeship or apprenticeship in over 200 Mrs Salvagio areas. Head Teacher Welfare If you intend going to TAFE check out the TAFENSW website for the online enrolment process. If you intend going to University next year check out the previous UAC guide so you have some idea about what you want to study in 2014 and 4 attend some Open Days (see last Bulletin for all YEAR 12 APPLIED MATHEMATICS dates). You would not buy a pair of jeans without EXCURSION trying them on; spend some time checking out which institution best fits you for the next three to On Friday 17 May, Year 12 Applied Mathematics five years! students travelled to the city for an excursion with

Ms Variyar and Mrs Araujo. Year 10 – 12 Tax File Number (TFN) Each student should have a TFN. Please see me We visited the Sydney Opera House to observe a to apply if you do not have a TFN. This number stays with you for life and should never be close-up view of the tessellation patterns of the revealed to anyone except your employer. tiles. This was amazing to see.

That‟s all for now. Our next visit was to the Royal Botanic Gardens. What we saw here was spectacular. Here we Ms Austin observed patterns on the trees and plants. We Careers Adviser also saw how patterns were created with bridges, garden beds and also fences.

ENVIRONMENT TEAM STALL The highlight was to see the Aboriginal tree

The school Environment Team held a stall to carving „Yurong Birrong.‟ The tessellation patterns celebrate World Environment Day and to raise were amazing. money for the completion of their greenhouse project. We all enjoyed our day very much and learnt a little bit more about the wonders of Sydney. The green food cooked and donated by students and staff sold out quickly. The team made over By: Lara, Maisey, Nida, Wafaa, Ms Variyar and $200 which will be put towards funds to create an Mrs Araujo eco-friendly greenhouse in the school grounds.

It was an informative and enjoyable day Ms Stachiw with some of the Environment Team members

The Environment Team would like to thank Ms Seberry and Ms Stachiw for their support and advice.

The Environment Team

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SPECIAL VISIT TO BIRRONG GIRLS HIGH SRC REPORT BY DR AUNTY MAVIS JEAN ROBINSON The SRC would like to welcome Khatera-Ahmina On 7 June Aunty Mae visited our school with Latifi, Rayhana Mohammad, Sarah Saadieh and an indigenous student from the University of Nada Salama as our Year 7 representatives for Western Sydney (UWS) named Amanda. 2013. They have been working hard and have Eight indigenous students from our school talked made a positive contribution to the team. to Aunty Mae about her history and her work with indigenous communities. Aunty Mae informed us At the end of last term we hosted the SRC that she was a stolen generation child and that the Inter-School Group meeting. SRC members from stories of her experiences had been passed down schools in our region attended the meeting to through her family. She also told us that she had listen to guest speaker, Rosemary Smith, deliver won many awards. Amanda told us that she is an inspiring workshop on resilience. Practical currently a student at UWS and gave us some strategies were discussed on how we can better ideas to help us choose what career path we would like to aspire to in the future. deal with challenges in life. The next meeting will be held at Beverly Hills Girls High. Manar Laalaa, Mariam El-Dhaibi, Dalal Gourani and Belinda Vongratsavai will be representing the school on the day to discuss future initiatives.

This term we will be holding a cake stall to raise money for Stewart House. We have also been collecting unwanted items of clothing to send to the Smith Family. For every bag we collect the Smith Family will donate money to Stewart House. The response from students and staff has been very positive.

We were honoured to have Aunty Mae visit our school On 31 May our Year 10 representatives,

Aunty Mae is well-known by many Duha Al-Hassnawi, Marium Al Khazaaly, Mariam Australians. She visits many places and is called El-Dhaibi and Manar Laalaa attended the World Aunty Mae because she doesn‟t like being called Vision Leadership Conference at Luna Park. The Mrs Robinson. Some of the places she visits are day was spent discussing strategies on how to be juvenile detention centres and primary schools as effective leaders and advocates for change. This well as high schools. We all felt very lucky to have will be followed up by the 40 Hour Famine which her come to Birrong Girls High School. will give students the opportunity to raise money

Aunty Mae explained to us that when she was for this year‟s focus, the hunger crisis in Malawi. little she always dreamt of being a teacher. Eventually when she was older, she did become a We will keep students updated on what‟s teacher, her dream had come true! She happening through the student notices. encouraged us by telling us that if we want to be something in life, we have to be really passionate From the SRC and show others as well as prove to ourselves how much we want to secure our dreams.

We really enjoyed the company of Aunty Mae. She is a very inspiring person. The outcome of Aunty Mae visiting our school and talking to us is that she has inspired us to follow our hearts and to be passionate about what we want to be when we are older. We would like to thank Ms Shinas for arranging this very special visit.

By: Kealie Trimble, Year 9

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BATTLE OF THE BRAINS COMPETITION LIBRARY NEWS

Once again Birrong Girls High students went to do As Term 2 winds down and winter surrounds us it is battle against Homebush Boys High in Week 6 to a wonderful time to think about reading and explore compete for the 2013 Battle of the Brains the shelves for the special books that set our trophy. Competitions took place simultaneously at imaginations on fire! both schools. Students from Years 7, 8 and 9 represented each school in a general knowledge Next term, in August, we will be celebrating Book competition. Altogether, more than 80 students Week with competitions and prizes! The theme for participated in the Term 2 challenge, working their the 2013 Book Week is “Read Across the Universe”. hardest to help answer some difficult general knowledge questions. Year 10 students from both schools developed the competition questions, using their experiences as past members of the Battle of the Brains junior teams to help them formulate challenging and thought-provoking questions.

Mrs Dyer in the Library

If you want to see the books that are in the running for CBC Book of the Year go to the website for the Short List at http://cbca.org.au/Shortlist2013.htm

By now most of Years 7, 8 and 9 have registered for

the 2013 Premier‟s Reading Challenge (PRC). It still isn‟t too late to register at Some of the Birrong Girls High competitors https://products.schools.nsw.edu.au/prc/logon.html

All the competing students wish to thank Ms Lee and Ms Brown for organising and running the Battle of the Brains competition. This is the 7th year of the competition and so far both schools have won many of the individual competitions.

Ms Crossan Deputy Principal

THE CHESS CLUB Mr Davidson with a PRC award recipient

The Chess Club continues in the library this year We are always happy to help you find books for the with Mr Sarna on Mondays, Week A and Ms Lam on Thursdays, Week B. Chess teaches thinking PRC. Of course, you don‟t have to limit yourself to strategies like no other game and is well worth a books in our library. The local public libraries also try. All are welcome to come along for a social support the PRC. Do you live near Bankstown or play or to hone their skills ready for future Auburn? We can help you get membership to these competitions. libraries. They have many resources as well as PRC books. See us for membership forms. Mr Sarna and Ms Lam The Chess Club In National Literacy and Numeracy Week we are going to survey the use of local libraries and particularly the use of ebooks as they become easier to download on computers, phones, ereaders and tablets.

Mr Davidson Teacher Librarian 7

SCHOOL ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

The school Athletics Carnival was held on Wednesday 5 June at The Crest at Georges Hall. There was a great turnout of students who not only attended the day but participated in a range of events.

Congratulations to all students who competed on the day and a special mention to the following students who have broken school records:

Veronica Kaihau Nimo – 12 Years Javelin Monique Steel – 12 Years 400m Isabella Johnston Araujo – 15 Years 800m Jeanette Kepu – 16 Years Shot Put and 16 Years Javelin Amira Hamid – 16 Years 400m and 16 Years Javelin 800m Monalisa Sankoh – 17 Years 800m

The competitions for age champions were hotly contested this year, with several competitors in the running for each age group. Congratulations to the following age champions:

12 Years – Monique Steel 13 Years – Leyla Elcheikh 14 Years – Amar Khassouk 15 Years – Isabella Johnston Araujo 16 Years – Amira Hamid 17 Years – Monalisa Sankoh

A big thank you to all staff for their cooperation and assistance on the day. It ensured the carnival Shot Put ran smoothly and effectively.

The zone carnival will be held on Thursday 20 June at The Crest.

Ms Boyle Athletics Organiser

The teachers were kept very busy recording the results

Long Jump was a popular event

Ms Bassam was the winner of the staff race (pictured with the Principal, Ms Wilkins) 8

PARENT TIPS BIRRONG GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL CALENDAR Cyberbullying – what the experts say For your diary / noticeboard While research into cyberbullying is still in its infancy, the one thing we do know is the online June: th environment is really just a new setting for Wednesday, 19 . P&C Meeting, Common Room, 5pm age-old issues. Cyberbullying is an extension of face-to-face bullying. It's all about relationships. Thursday, 20th . Zone Athletics at The Crest Find out more: . Year 7 Vaccinations http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/technology/cyb Tuesday, 25th . Parent/Teacher afternoon, erbullying/what-the-experts-say 2-6pm

Thursday, 27th . PDHPE Display

Behaviour Friday, 28th . Last day of Term 2 What happens when children go through puberty? ______Our experts share their tips on how parents can Enjoy the School Holidays! ______support kids through the teenage years. Hosted by journalist and mum Rachel Friend, the School July: A to Z video webcast features a panel of experts Monday, 15th . School Development Day – answering a range of common questions about staff return to school behaviour and development. Tuesday, 16th . All students return to school http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/wellbeing/devel opment/getting-off-to-a-good-start/good-start- Wednesday, 17th . Year 10 Subject Selection chapter-three Market

Thursday, 18th . Year 10 Subject Selection Meeting with Board of Studies Kids and phone bills Liaison Officer, 1:40pm Ever seen the monthly phone or internet account Monday, 29th to . Year 11 Hospitality Work and felt sick? It's called "bill shock", and there are Wednesday, 31st Placement many new ways families accidentally rack up hundreds of dollars in costs each month. August: st Find out more: Thursday, 1 . Maths Competition http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/technology/usi Thursday, 1st to . Year 11 Hospitality Work ng-technology/avoiding-bill-shock Friday, 9th Placement

Monday, 12th to . Year 12 Trial Exams rd Friday, 23

Monday, 26th August to . Year 11 Exams Friday, 6th September

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