IRRAWANG HIGH SCHOOL Promoting excellence in academic, cultural and sporting performance Newsletter - Issue 6 - October 2015 Important Dates Principal’s comments: Sarah Bailey appointed Maths Head TERM 4: TUES 6 OCT - FRI 18 DEC Vale Faye Wheaton 1951- 2015 Teacher replacing Mr Dan Garner. Fri 23- CAPA Outback (NSW/ Meagan Witchard appointed as a It is with deep sadness I inform you that FAYE Fri 30 Oct SA) Tour permanent Dance/Drama teacher. WHEATON passed away on the 14 October 2015 Mon 26 Oct P & C Meeting- 6:30pm after some time of ill health. Faye had been Christine Wilson MICA employed at Irrawang High School as a School Yr 9 Maths Exam - Hall Administration Support Officer ( SASS) from 1988 We wish to acknowledge a most valuable member until her retirement at the end of 2011. Tues 27 - of staff, Christine Wilson who officially retired on Yr 10 Exams - Hall Thur 29 Oct 12/7/2015 from the Department of Education. Those who knew Faye cherish the memories of a Her career in education covered a range of Fri 30 Oct Yr 10 Portfolios very compassionate, hardworking, conscientious experiences including teaching Design and and modest person who was often the first point Mon 2 Nov Vaccinations Technology, Food Technology, Textiles and Design, of contact between the school and the Hospitality Kitchen Operations/Commercial Mon 2 - Yr 9 Exams community. Wed 4 Nov Cookery. She was also qualified to teach Family Thur 5 Nov 7E 2016 Orientation The school extends its sympathy to her husband Mon 9 Nov Lemon Car Project Roger, children Rachael, Mon 9 - VALID Science 8 Testing Mark and their families. Tues 17 Nov Mon 16 Nov World of Work Congratulations to: Thur 19 Nov Yr 8 Hist Vikings Show Kristi Devetak appointed Head Mon 23 Nov P & C Meeting- 6:30pm Teacher Special Ed MICA Kotara High School. Mon 23 - World of Work Tues 24 Nov Wed 25 Nov Yr 12 Parent/Teacher Interviews *School Development Days occur Our own Archibull - please see story on page 11 at the beginning of Terms 1, 2 and Pictured L-R: Chloe Ashton, Dylan Hopper, Lincoln Hunter and Sara Wilson 3 and the last two days of the Absent: Emily Moss school year. Check with the school, as schools may vary some of these dates. Principal’s Comments 1-2 Inside this issue: Snack & Study 2 Retirement of Mr Bews, 3 HSC Exams - Monday 12 October - Wednesday 4 November Congrats Sarah and Meagan Meetings Good luck Year 12!!! VALID Science 8/Living WWI 4 Date Time Place Austn Geography Comp/PBL 5 28 Oct - 5:30pm Pt Stephens Draw/New Dance Flooring AGM Family Support P & C Meetings Project Real/Parent-Student 6 26 Nov 10:00am Hunter River P & C meetings are held on the fourth Portal High School Monday of the month. The next All welcome Tournament of the Minds/ 7-8 meeting is on: Year 12 Major Works/Virtual Date: Monday 26 October 2015 Reality Goggles Mount Hall Road RAYMOND TERRACE NSW 2324 Time: 6:30pm Drum Corps/Health Checks/ 9 P: 49874687 F: 49831027 Where: MICA Room Congrats Ms Hines! This is a chance to meet other parents and learn what is going on Sport/Archibull 10-11 Principal: Mr C Elliott at your child’s school. www.irrawang-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Become involved in your school community. Ag Plot/GATS/Boomerang Pk 12-14 Have your say in your child’s/children’s education. Important Dates/Supporters 15-18 [email protected] Principal in attendance. Absentee Notes 19 Principal’s comments cont’d . and Community Studies. Her career in Chris set clear goals and employed effective pre lesson preparation education covered a range of to help achieve them. She had an extensive knowledge of relevant experiences including:- subject matter. 1969 – 1971 Completed A capable team member who was willing to establish and share Diploma in Teacher Training at resources with faculty members, school and the wider educational Newcastle Teachers College community, Chris had a great capacity to communicate with special 1972 – Appointed to Toronto needs students and enjoyed liaising with parents regarding the educational progress of their children. High School 1973 –1976 Raymond Terrace Chris always took into account the diverse background of students High School in her care. Consequently her classroom had a positive and 1974-1978 –Completed supportive atmosphere. A keenness to track individual student’s Bachelor of Arts degree learning and progress throughout their school career was a feature Newcastle University of Chris’ caring personality. 1985 – 2004 Casual / Temporary teacher Irrawang High School A highly motivated person, Chris was keen to improve students’ 2005 –2015 Appointed permanent teacher Irrawang High enjoyment of school and had been the driving force behind the School initial “end of year” electives. Her professional development included Hospitality training at her own expense. Chris was a very During her teaching career at Irrawang she has been an invaluable loyal member of staff who considered her work with students to be staff member. She displayed a caring concern for students and was a competent, committed and conscientious classroom teacher. Her a vital part of her life. students benefited from her extensive knowledge and hard work Chris is a very caring person and her giving and sensitivity to the and this was reflected in excellent results. Her warm and friendly needs of others will be sorely missed. Her smiling face and cheerful manner and dedication towards her students engendered the disposition complemented her professional attitude to her work respect of students and colleagues. and she was a valuable example to us all. We wish her well in her She had made a valuable contribution to the operation of the Home retirement. On behalf of the Department of Education I can only Science Faculty and actively involved herself in numerous programs. say, “thanks Chris for a job well done.” Congratulations to our school leaders for 2015/2016 Our school leaders for 2015/2016 were announced last term. Big congratulations to Captains - Joshua Ferguson and Amy Weston; Vice Captains - Jack Caban and Sarah Swainson and Senior Student Leader - Jazmine Hughes. Pictured L-R: Jazmine, Sarah, Amy, Principal Mr Elliott, Joshua and Jack school assignments. Snack and Study- Afternoon tea is also Homework Centre provided. So let’s make the Snack and Study (Homework most of this wonderful Centre) is held every opportunity and support the Monday afternoon from 3:30 Snack and Study Centre every - 5:30pm in the school Monday. If you would like to library. Teachers and staff come along, please get a are on hand to help with form from the front office or homework, projects and see Miss Morris. Congratulations . Retirement of Mr Bruce Bews By Mrs L Fagan Community Liaison Officer Having originally trained as an Optometrist, Mr Bews decided to become a teacher and attended the University of Wollongong with his first position at Condobolin High School as a Mathematics teacher in 1983. Mr Bews was appointed to Irrawang High School in 1988 in the Mathematics faculty and has always believed in the importance of high quality teaching and giving students the best experience possible. As well as class teaching, Mr Bews was very involved with sport at Irrawang High and in performing arts with his particular talent in organising, setting up and directing the lighting. He was involved from the beginning with "Showcase" which he participated in from 2005 until 2013. We wish Mr Bews a long, healthy and happy retirement . with lots of golf. Congratulations to . .Ms Sarah Bailey By Mrs L Fagan Community Liaison Officer Following a rigorous interview process, former Irrawang High student, the popular and committed Ms Sarah Bailey, has been appointed Head Teacher Maths. Ms Bailey has always given her all to her students as the GATS coordinator; Year Advisor for the past four years and teaching Extension 2 amongst many other jobs and projects that come her way. In this new role, Ms Bailey will continue to focus on 21st century practices by engaging with students and focusing on learning and numeracy. Congratulations Ms Bailey! Permanent Appointment for Ms Meagan Witchard By Mrs L Fagan Community Liaison Officer Big congratulations to Ms Meagan Witchard who was recently appointed as permanent teacher Creative and Performing Arts – Dance and Drama. A trained dancer, Ms Witchard has been at Irrawang High on a temporary contract for three years with outstanding results. Since her arrival, elective numbers in dance and drama have increased dramatically. Ms Witchard often starts work early and leaves late on a regular basis to work with the dance and drama ensembles which have successfully represented the school at various festivals around the Hunter. Ms Witchard hopes to continue to build the profile of dance and drama at Irrawang High School by providing opportunities for the students to think and act creatively. VALID/Living WWI VALID Science 8, (formally ESSA), Irrawang Living World War I for Year 9 students By Mrs L Fagan High School 2015 Community Liaison Officer By Mr G Larkman Head Teacher Science Year 9 students currently studying World War I were treated recently to an excellent presentation by Shane from World War 1 Irrawang High School will be participating in this program for all Living History. Shane set up a "trench and hospital" scene for the Year 8 students in 2015. This program is designed to provide students and went into detail about life in the trenches for the parents, students and our school with valuable information about troops, communications, weapons/ammunitions, uniforms, gas the performance of our students and school.