Parent Newsletter June 2015 Issue 4 www.nhspa.nsw.edu.au PRINCIPAL’S REPORT As we move towards the end of yet another very busy term I would like to thank all of those parents who have contributed to the many activities and programs at the school over the last couple of months. Showcase At the time of writing, we are about half way through the series and as always the quality and commitment of all involved is outstanding. It was wonderful to see so many of our new Year 11 and Year 7 students performing so well. Their welcome addition to our talented student population is clear for all to see. What I enjoy, as an audience member, is witnessing the looks of excitement and pride on our students’ faces as they perform. It is the best advertisement for what we do. It is not too late for you to share in the excitement and pride because concerts continue until Thursday 11th June here at school. And a reminder that our final dance concert will take place on Saturday 20th of June at the Seymour Centre. Special congratulations go to our Technical Company for their tireless and outstanding contribution. Tony Award Nomination I was thrilled to learn that NHSPA graduate, Jeremy Youett has received a Tony Award nomination as co- producer of the critically acclaimed Broadway Musical, The Visit. Jeremy was a Newtown student for 6 years graduating in 2001. We wish him the best for the upcoming awards presentation. Auditions Immediately following our showcase season we will be conducting our annual enrolment auditions for entry into Years 7 and 11 for 2016. This is a huge undertaking with over 800 auditions places to be allocated over 8 audition days. Thanks to everyone involved and we look forward to selecting another outstanding group of new students. China Tour Early next term 24 students and staff will travel to Beijing after again being invited by the Beijing Foreign Affairs department to perform in a television concert on their national children’s network. Students attending are selected Year 8 and 9 members of Music ensembles and Dance Companies. We look forward to a wonderful cultural and performance experience. 1 PRINCIPAL’S REPORT Athletics Carnival Congratulations to everyone involved in this term’s very successful Athletics Carnival held at Homebush. Again, what is pleasing is that with each carnival we are seeing increased levels of attendance and participation. Good luck to those students who have been selected to represent the school at zone and regional levels. Reports By the end of term all students will have received their mid year reports. Year 11 students will receive their reports and attend interviews with a member of staff to discuss their progress on Monday 15 June. These interviews are designed to help students achieve their school and post school goals and give them advice and support in dealing with the requirements and stresses involved with senior schooling. Junior reports will be posted home before the end of term. Any issues arising from your child’s report should be addressed to the relevant Year Adviser, Head Teacher or Deputy Principal. Thank you again for your support this term. I hope you and your children enjoy their up-coming holiday. Classes start back on Tuesday 14 July. Stephen Gray Co-Principal 2 DEPUTY PRINCIPALS’ REPORT Semester 1 Reporting The half-way point of term 2 has quickly approached and we are already into our semester one reporting period. All Year 12 students have been issued with their half yearly course reports and discussed their progress curriculum advisors during meetings on Wednesday 27th May. Year 11 students are next to meet with their curriculum advisors, with their reports issued on Monday 15th June. Again this year we will be running report meetings with Year 9 and 10 students to go through their reports and to undertake a personal best exercise. Year 10 will meet with their curriculum advisors on Friday 19th June and Year 9 will have their report interviews the following week on Tuesday 23rd June. All Year 7-10 reports will be sent home to parents by the end of term in Week 9. Just a reminder, that all junior report subjects are graded from A-E with individual teacher comments for each subject. If parents/carers have any questions regarding the reports once they have been sent home, please contact the Head Teacher responsible for that subject for clarification. Showcase Over the past few weeks our semester one showcase season has been underway. Again the quality and standard of each of the evening performances has been outstanding. We would like to recognise the commitment and professionalism of our performing arts staff who continue to work so tirelessly at this time of year to ensure our students have such performance opportunities. We would like to recognise and thank our P&C who offer continued support during the showcase season by running the front of house and would like to acknowledge the work of Ms Aynsley and the Year 9 showcase hospitality class who also catered for the showcase season so professionally. The technical crew under the leadership of David Ferguson also deserve to be recognised for their work behind the scenes each day and night to maintain a very professional production. It was also great to watch the Year 9 showcase elective students perform as part of the program, well done to these students and the staff who have created and delivered these innovative courses. The semester one showcase season concludes with the Dance Showcase Concert at the Seymour Centre on Saturday 20th June at 7:30pm. If you have not yet attended a showcase concert, we strongly recommend that you experience the quality performing arts co-curricula program, so proudly provided at this unique public school. Tickets for the school based concerts are available via the schools website and tickets for the Dance showcase are available via the Seymour Centre Box Office. Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) is a joint state and federal government initiative. The Data Collection is an annual national count of the number of students provided with educational adjustments as a result of their disability as defined broadly under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) and reinforces the obligations that schools have towards students under the Disability Standards for Education 2005. 3 DEPUTY PRINCIPALS’ REPORT Continued The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability will provide Australian schools, parents, education authorities and the community with information about the number of students with disability in schools, where they are located and the adjustments they receive. The NCCD involves collection of numbers only, no names are submitted. An information sheet will be mailed home to parents of students with disabilities over the next week. Please read this information carefully before making the decision to opt out of the data collection. Parents/Guardians wishing their student’s details not be included in the NCCD collection are to advise the school in writing by Friday 17th July, 2015. Subject Selection Information Evenings Early next term the school begins the process of hosting a series of information evenings where vital information regarding subject choices for 2016 is explained. This is a very important time for students in years 7, 8, 10 and 11and their parents as they are about to make some very important curriculum choices. At this stage, we only recommend that students reflect on their strengths, abilities and subject interests and make informed choices based around these considerations. The Year 8 into 9 information evening will be held at 5pm on Tuesday 28th July. The Year 10 into 11 Subject Information evening will be held on Tuesday 4th August from 5pm. The Year 11 into 12 Subject Information evening will be held on Tuesday 11th August from 7pm. There is no year 7 to year 8 information evening. These forums are the opportunity for parents, carers and students to receive information about courses offered at the school for next year. It is important students make informed and correct choices initially, as these choices determine the nature and number of classes that will operate within the 2016 timetable. As always, there will be limited opportunities for students to change courses, reinforcing the importance of getting the selections right from the outset. Year 10 Work Experience During the final week of this term our Year 10 students will be undertaking their work experience. This is always an exciting time for the students as they have a taste of working life in a chosen vocation that interests them. The timing is also perfect as it allows for students to start thinking about what would be the most appropriate subject choices for 2016 to support their future career options. Most of the students have secured appropriate placements and have returned their completed paperwork to Ms George. However if any student has yet to finalise either their placement or paperwork, it is imperative that they see Ms George well before Week 8. Year 12 Trial HSC Examinations The trial HSC commences for our students Week 1 next term. The examination timetable is just being finalised and will be distributed to students this month, along with information regarding appropriate HSC exam procedures and protocols. It is important that students become familiar with the timetable and start their preparation for these exams as soon as possible to ensure they are feeling confident. 4 DEPUTY PRINCIPALS’ REPORT Continued... Can we remind all members of the school community that the afterschool study centre is available on a Monday and Wednesday afternoon in the Library; this is a very useful resource that could further support the students in their preparation and revision.