Alstonville High School Newsletter: Issue 13, 28 August 2019

Page 1

Alstonville High School Newsletter

Developing future citizens and leaders of the community – life long learning!

Cawley Close Alstonville Phone: (02) 6628 5222 Web: alstonvill-h.schools.nsw.gov.au

Fax: (02) 6628 123 Email: alstonvill-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Issue 13 28 August 2019

Our strategic guiding question? How can we ensure that our students achieve at least one year’s worth of learning growth from one year’s worth of teaching?

Values

We value and support:

A positive, healthy and safe

learning environment

Respectful attitudes and

actions

Diversity

Pursuit of personal excellence

Service to community

Team work

Quality learning and teaching

Initiative, leadership and self-

discipline

Learning

We aspire to be:

Life-long learners

Creative and critical thinkers

Effective communicators

Skilled in literacy and numeracy

Independent and organised

Competent and innovative with

technology

Environmentally, socially and

culturally informed

Caring and compassionate

Alstonville High School

Our community values integrity

in all aspects of life

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Term 3

19 – 29 Aug Mon – Thurs HSC Trial Exams

25 – 30 Aug Sun – Fri Year 10 Snow Trip

28 Aug Wednesday P&C meeting

29 Aug Thursday HSC Art & Photography Exhibition Night

5 Sep Thursday Senior Music Performance Night

9 Sep Monday Year 7 vaccinations

9 Sep – 20 Sep Mon – Fri Preliminary Exams

17 Sep Tue Parent/Teacher evening

27 Sep Fri Last day of Term 3

Alstonville High School Newsletter: Issue 13, 28 August 2019

Page 2

Principal’s report

Staff Changes

Currently Mr David Silcock is working at District Office as Director Educational Leadership until September 20. This means that I

am currently relieving as Principal at AHS. Mr Vincent Trirro is relieving as Deputy Principal in charge of years 7, 9 and 11. Ms Anna

John is relieving as Head teacher Teaching and Learning.

Senior Assessments

This is a busy time for our senior students. Year 12 have just finished their Trial HSC exams, they have 4 weeks of school left. This

time will be used to reflect and build on their knowledge after considering their exam responses and working with staff to identify

areas they need to revise to ensure they achieve a result that reflects their ability. The HSC exams commence on Thursday, 17

October. Year 11 are engaging in some additional study, as their final exams will be held during weeks 9 and 10. We wish all

students the best in their endeavours over the coming months.

Year 10 Snow Excursion and work experience

Currently we have 90 students and 7 teachers at the snow having a wonderful time. There is a mass of snow, beautiful weather

and all staff and students are enjoying themselves immensely. We look forward to hearing about their achievements and heroics

upon their return. The remainder of year 10 have been placed on work experience and are hopefully gaining insight in to what

they consider their possible future profession.

Assessing feedback

As part of our ongoing commitment to improving the delivery of education at Alstonville High School, we received feedback on

two areas of the school’s operation.

The first area relates to the possibility of making minor changes to our daily period structure. Currently we run a five period day

for each day of the week except for the days we run Steps to Success. In between periods 1 and 2, and periods 3 and 4 there are

currently no breaks. Students and staff are expected to move straight from one lesson to the next. A suggestion was made to

simply include a 5 minute slot between periods 1 and 2, and periods 3 and 4. This would allow additional time to move between

lessons. The length of lessons and other breaks would remain the same.

The second area relates to our curriculum for stage 5 (years 9 and 10). We are not currently proposing any specific changes but

we are interested in hearing about why we might consider changing the curriculum for these two years. Are we looking to achieve

different outcomes for our students, and if so, what might these new outcomes look like.

Executive and staff will now consider the responses and make some preliminary recommendations, and if needed ask for further

feedback.

Attendance and on time As I have previously indicated, regular attendance at school is a really significant factor for student success. Not only do students

have the opportunity to complete school work but students who attend regularly display enhanced levels of resilience, are more

engaged with their learning and maintain stronger peer relationships. They are less likely to be negatively affected by bullying and

do better academically.

It is also important that students arrive at school on time – with enough time before the start of the first class to catch up with

friends and orientate themselves for the day before heading off to class. Students who arrive late have a more complicated start

to the school day. They have to undergo a different attendance check process that can be time consuming (depending on the

number of people who have arrived late). Their first lesson of the day is impacted by arriving late and missing early instructions or

having to catch up on work that other students have already collected. They can miss out on messages provided to the class or

lose time because the class has moved to a new location. Regularly arriving late increases the chance that a school day will start

with conflict, because increasingly students will be asked to explain why they are frequently late and plans will need to be put in

place to remedy this area of concern. The impact on lesson continuity increases with the frequency of late arrival. Term 3 has

started with an increase in the number of students who have been arriving late to school and we will be working hard to remedy

this situation to minimise the negative impact this can have on our students. We appreciate the support that can be provided by

students themselves and by families.

John Parker, Relieving Principal

Alstonville High School Newsletter: Issue 13, 28 August 2019

Page 3

Alstonville High School Newsletter: Issue 13, 28 August 2019

Page 4

Mathematics study sessions During the first three weeks of Term 3, a group of Year 12 Mathematics students have been staying back after school on Fridays

to access study sessions run by university students studying education. Ashlee Middleton and Nelson Binney, a past practicum

student and past AHS student, volunteered their time to help these students.

In collaboration with Kathryn Smith, Ashlee and Nelson reviewed three years

of HSC Mathematics data and created three different study sessions to

improve student outcomes in the multiple choice and extended response

sections of the examinations.

Between 10 – 15 students accessed these sessions on the day and then

another 5 -8 students accessed the resources and recordings.

A big thank you goes out to Ashlee and Nelson for running these workshops

and to the students who put the effort into participating and accessing this

valuable resource (particularly on a Friday night).

There will be three more sessions for HSC Mathematics Advanced students later in the term.

Kathryn Smith

Agriculture Year 8 students enjoyed the EKKA excursion and were very patient with the late return to school due to traffic issues.

Year 10 students have established their enterprise projects and should be enjoying the snow trip or work experience.

Year 11 students have completed their work placements for Primary Industries and the feedback from employers was very positive

regarding their work ethic, enthusiasm, presentation and teamwork. Students’ self-reflection was also positive with some students

commenting on their desire to enter the workforce in a Primary Industries field.

The cattle show team are stepping up their preparation for the Lismore show and I would like to acknowledge their impressive

effort and commitment for the extension work they have produced throughout the year.

Alstonville High School Newsletter: Issue 13, 28 August 2019

Page 5

Cows create careers

TAS

Year 10 into 11 Night 2019

For this year’s subject choices we had an open hall set up. Students could move to the areas of interest. There was a casual and

friendly atmosphere and it was great to see so many interested parents in attendance. TAS has a range of subjects available in the

Preliminary and HSC years and we look forward to teaching these students in the coming 2020.

Vanessa Christmas / Relieving TAS Head Teacher

Year 11 Hospitality Industry Work Placement

During week 3, students from Year 11 Hospitality went out on their first week of industry work placement. Once again we were

lucky to have Connect Work placement organize some excellent cafes and restaurants for the students to gain valuable skills and

experience.

Harvest cafe at Newrybar, The Bank in Lismore, Mecca Café, Thai on Carrington, Gloria Jeans, ESP, Lighthouse Beach Café, Lismore

Workers Sports Club, The Point Café Lennox Head, The Federal, the Crossing, St Vincent’s Hospital, the Belle Central, Mary G’s and

Bunnings.

Students assisted with general kitchen duties, preparing food items and service depending on the type of establishment.

Alstonville High received a number of very pleasing reviews from the various head chefs and restaurant managers regarding the

students’ manners, punctuality and eagerness to help and learn while on work placement. Many of the students were offered

casual work.

We congratulate the students on a job well done!

Mr Walker

Alstonville High School Newsletter: Issue 13, 28 August 2019

Page 6

Sport News

Australian Olympic Change-Maker Award

Congratulations to Year 12 student Brooke Hofmeyer on being awarded the Australian Olympic

Change-Maker Award in 2019, which has evolved from the Pierre de Coubertin Award. The

Australian Olympic Change-Maker program recognises and rewards students who are

demonstrating the Olympic spirit through leadership and driving positive change in their

communities. As well as being nominated by the school, Brooke has demonstrated her leadership

attributes through a 1-minute video as part of her application. As an award recipient, Brooke will

receive a certificate of recognition and an invitation to attend a State Forum. Additionally, students

from each state will be selected to attend a National Change-Maker Summit in December 2019.

Throughout her years at AHS, Brooke has demonstrated exceptional dedication as a talented sports

person. She has been a key member of numerous school teams including our very successful Touch

Football and Netball Teams. Brooke has also represented the North Coast at the state championships

in Athletics, Cross Country and Touch Football on numerous occasions. The highlight of Brooke’s

representation in school sport is her selection in the NSWCHS 18yrs Touch Football Team in 2018 and again in 2019 to compete

at the National Touch Championships. Brooke is a leader, and is making a very positive contribution to school sport at AHS. She is

an integral member of all the teams she plays in. Brooke’s high level of commitment and outstanding personal attributes has led

to a high level of success.

Alstonville High School Newsletter: Issue 13, 28 August 2019

Page 7

Brooke’s bright, outgoing personality combined with her hardworking nature and positive enthusiasm have awarded her

exceptional results in her chosen sports and as a conscientious student. Brooke is a deserving recipient of the Australian Olympic

Change-Maker Award.

Swimming

Congratulations to Year 7 student Angus Smyth for his success in swimming. Angus competed at the Queensland Short Course

State Swimming Titles held from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 August. Angus had 3 top 10 finishes in the 12 years age group, 5th in the

100 Breaststroke, 8th in the 100 Individual Medley and he managed to get a bronze Medal in the 200 Individual Medley. He

competed in 10 events over the 3 days at Sleeman Sports Complex at Chandler in Brisbane. He managed to get 10 Personal Bests

improving himself in all events he qualified for and participated in. We are very proud of his achievements at this level as

Queensland leads Australian swimming, with over 70% of Olympic Swimming teams coming from Queensland. Angus is a

motivated and talented swimmer and is very deserving of all his success. Well done Angus.

Communication Corner Reminder to Parents and students re School Work experience: Students over 14 years and in Years 9-12, are able to do Work

Experience during school terms but not during major assessment periods. Students must catch up any missed work and insurance

does not cover school holidays. Great chance to trial for casual or apprenticeship positions or investigate possible career paths.

Contact me for required paperwork. Completed/signed forms must be returned the week before students go to work experience

so they are insured and attendance is registered as approved by the school.

YES TAFE Tasters Semester 2 - Years 9/10- Tasters will commence on September 13 and run every Friday for 7 weeks except school

holidays. A NEW Hospitality (including Coffee making) and Tourism Taster at Wollongbar needs extra applications or it may not

run. See me or pick up permission and info notes from box attached to Careers/Welfare Office door. Return ASAP as some Tasters

are already full and have waiting lists.

, lt u re and Environmental

Animal Care Hospitality/Tourism Early Childhood Metals/Engineering Construction

IMPORTANT! Years 9/10/11 2019- Students interested in applying for a TAFE course that runs on Wednesdays 1/2 to full days

depending on courses, the application forms are available for 2020. Application website CLOSES on Friday, 6 September …after

this date I cannot get into the website until briefly at start of 2020 if funding is available for late applications. Students need to be

proactive and organised to hand in forms before 3.30pm on Friday, 6 September, Week 7.

Hairdressing Beauty Therapy Automotive Mechanic Hospitality Electrical

YEAR 12: Reminder as trial exams finish you have 4 weeks left until your final assembly and breakfast. Make sure you do not miss

closing dates for applications, scholarships, portfolios, interviews, early entry, and special admission schemes. TAFE applications

Alstonville High School Newsletter: Issue 13, 28 August 2019

Page 8

come out online in Term 4. Submit resumes for possible jobs and apprenticeships. Make another appointment to see me for any

help this Term or Term 4. Good luck!

DEFENCE Force News- I will be arranging a visit in Term 4 during Steps to Success groups for an intro followed by a presentation

to interested students. They were to visit on August 26 but all of Years 10 and 12 were out of the school.

https://www.defencejobs.gov.au/contact-us

Karen Horne Careers Adviser Email: karen.horne@det.nsw.edu.au

Rotary is a strong supporter of the Engineering Summer School, an exciting opportunity for budding engineers in Year 11. As at

August 13th, places were almost full - only seven places for male students and 10 places for female students still available. This

program offers a wide range of experiences and visits to five universities. Boys and girls are welcome but Engineers Australia is

particularly interested in getting girls to apply.

Supervised accommodation will be on campus at Sydney University.

More information is available from https://rotary9640.org/page/engineering-summer-school

Limited financial assistance may be available from Alstonville Rotary.

Contact: Peter Swain 66287936 or Bob Costello 0410 598 523

Alstonville High School Newsletter: Issue 13, 28 August 2019

Page 9

Alstonville High School Newsletter: Issue 13, 28 August 2019

Page 10

Canteen Volunteers

Please volunteer for our school canteen. We need you – our students need your support

Remember:

Environmental News:

We would like to highlight the need for our school community to recycle

our plastic bottles. Our environmental group has commenced a recycling

of the 10c bottles and we wish for you to encourage all students to recycle

their plastic bottles in our new yellow bins.

Most beverage containers are eligible for a 10c refund provided they are

made from glass, plastic, aluminum, steel or liquid paperboard.

Containers should be empty, uncrushed, unbroken, and have the original

label intact.

Alstonville High School Newsletter: Issue 13, 28 August 2019

Page 11

Alstonville High School Newsletter: Issue 13, 28 August 2019

Page 12