14 September 2018

Bellingen High School

NEWSLETTER Telephone: 02 66551 315 Fax: 02 66552 630 Website: http://www.bellingen-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

Ms Newhouse (Indonesian) together with Ms Munro-Greentree (Year Advisor)

invites you to an

“END OF TERM 3 CELEBRATION

+ GET TOGETHER”

Year 7 Indonesian Family Trees will be on display.

We will also be playing traditional Indonesian games that both you and your child can

participate in!

Tuesday 25th September 2018 4.30pm – 6pm

Bellingen High School Library

Light refreshments will be provided

Look forward to seeing you there!

From the Principal Term 3 is almost over – and that means HSC Trials have successfully been completed and Year 12 are ‘gearing up’ for their HSC proper from the beginning of Term 4. I am sure that for many staff and parents this is a bitter sweet time – it will seem like only yesterday that these bright, young adults walked through the halls of Bellingen High for the first time – a little anxious and a little shorter! The minion auction, graduation ceremony are yet to come before the end of term, so it is a full on time of events, considered and continued learning, revision, review and study before we say good bye as a school and thank them for their contribution to Bellingen High.

Year 11 then take on the reins of School Leaders. The nomination and election process has been held and the leaders selected by the school community are:

Captain Captain Vice Captain Vice Captain Nadia Birch Tomas Pocilujko Katelyn Perry Jackson Boyd

Prefect Prefect Prefect Janardan Curry Brooklyn Davis Aleisha Alford

Congratulations to them all. The process was a hotly contested one and the field was exceptionally strong. Now that this process has been completed, it will be under review for 2019. I appreciate the parents who contacted me with concerns and those who contacted with praise. Both levels of contact were gratefully accepted and have been used to challenge the process and system for the future.

This week also marks the start of Year 11 Preliminary Final Examinations. I would like to take this opportunity to wish each Year 11 student good fortune in their exams. If the requisite input has been achieved, the requisite outcome will be reward for effort, hard work and study. Maintain the pace and level of study for each unit of study undertaken to maximise your personal potential. The week, Bellingen High celebrated NAIDOC with a wonderful assembly. Sincere thanks to Jenni Farrands for her organisation of the assembly and the beautiful, commemorative morning tea that followed. Of special note were the Toormina dancers who entertained us. They were wonderful! Codi Denham and Anjali Peveril-Guest danced with poise and pride in their cultural heritage. Their graceful beauty transcended the story the dance told. Our three hosts: Tahahni Berger, Malakai Boland-Hoskins and Tui Apanui did a great job and were proud advocates for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students of our community. The theme this year is: Because of Her, WE can! This is a celebration of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women – who have nurtured the dreaming stories and the songlines for more than 65,000 years. It suggests we pay tribute to those who have paved the way and those who stand strong today . I want to pay tribute to the strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women on staff who advocate for their rights and the rights of our students, who nurture and care for our students and who enrich student’s lives with living culture. And so, to Jenni Farrands, Jaimie Porter, Karen Hayward, Jhade Munro–Greentree and Chrissy Witt, I say: Because of them, WE can! We can achieve; we can aspire and we can inspire. Not just ATSI girls, but ATSI boys. Not just ATSI students, but all students. Not just students, but all women in our learning community. Not just women – but everyone in our learning community. We can – we ALL can! Because of them – and all they do: we can. Because of them – all that have gone before; all that trail blaze now - we can and more importantly, because of them: we will!

Yours in Education: Kim Dixon

From the Deputy Principal

Uniform

As we move into the warmer months we would like to remind students and their families about

uniform expectations. Students need to wear a school polo or senior shirt and blue or grey

shorts for boys, and blue shorts or the school skirt for girls. Shorts and skirts must be an

appropriate length, i.e. their shorts or skirts must be longer than fingertips with their arms at

their side. If they are not then students will be required to change and borrow a pair of school

shorts to do this. If families need any financial support to purchase uniforms please contact

the office for student assistance. From the start of Term 4 we will be following these new

processes.

Year 11 Exams

These start on Friday 14th September and conclude the following Friday 21st September.

All students will need to sign on at the beginning of each exam and will need to stay in the

exam for at least 50% of the exam length. No students will be allowed to leave during this

time and students are reminded that mobile phones should be switched off if they are in the

exam room.

Senior Student Attendance

All senior students are reminded that they need to sign in at the office when they are at school

and to sign out when they are leaving. This is Work Health and Safety requirement so that we

know as a school which students are here at any time.

Year 12 are entering the final weeks of formal schooling and this is an opportunity to finish

course work as well as revise for the upcoming HSC exams so all students are expected to

attend normal lessons. We will be having a Year 12 Farewell Assembly on Thursday 27th

September in the Stockton Hall commencing at 10.30 am and everyone is welcome to attend.

Tim Laverty

Bellingen High School P&C Meeting

Monday 12 November 2018

6pm Staff Common Room

All Welcome!

Bellingen Fine Music Festival Music by Youth Project

What an inspiring initiative is the Music by Youth Project of the Bellingen Fine Music Festival, which this year runs from Sept 27–30. Introduced in 2014, this project enables some of our most talented young musicians to soar. Many of the previous Bellingen High School participants are now studying music at university.

Tarni St. John, Melonie Taylor and Oscar Schellhorn from Bellingen High School are three of eight regional Higher School Certificate music students thrilled to have been chosen to be participants this year.

A highlight of the project is that all eight students have just been to Sydney for a recording of their HSC composition performed by the Acacia Quartet at the 102.5 FM Fine Music Recording Studio. All the works recorded will now be performed by the Acacia Quartet at the Youth and Exuberance Concert of the Festival on Friday Sept 28th.

String workshops by the Acacia Quartet for members of the Bellingen Youth Orchestra are another important feature of the Music by Youth project and will be run again this year.

The Composer Slam is a more recent addition to the Music by Youth Project. Four young composers including Oscar Schellhorn were selected by composer Paul Jarman in the Preliminary Round in August to be in the Final Round. This round will be from 9.00 to 10.30 am on Saturday Sept 30th during the Festival.

There are also a number of workshops during the Festival that are open to young students. They include drumming with Taikoz, composition with Paul Jarman, saxophone with Sandy Evans, guitar with Karin Schaupp and wind instruments with Arcadia Winds. Spaces need to be booked through the Festival website and fill quickly.

To find out more about the full and exciting program for the 2018 Bellingen Music Festival visit www.bellingenmusicfestival.com.au

HSC music students with Annie Phelan and the Acacia Quartet at the 102.5 FM Fine

Music Recording Studio in Sydney.

Careers News

Name: Dr Kieran Stockton

Year left BHS: 2002

Current Job: Synthetic Organic Chemist

Subjects studied in Years 11/12: Advanced/ Extension English, Advanced/Extension Maths,

Chemistry, Physics, Hackey Sack!

Inspirations

I am inspired by the staggering complexity of the chemical world around us, particularly our own

chemical biology. So many incredibly elegant and

precise cascades of biological processes take place within us at any given moment, and while a synthetic

chemist possesses only an infinitesimal fraction of the power of Nature, there’s nevertheless something

intoxicating about wilfully wielding that fraction of power to manipulate matter at the molecular level. I

am also inspired by the power of modern analytical methods such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)

spectroscopy, a practical extension of quantum mechanics that allows us to peer into the secret life of

nuclei. Such powerful methods allow us to exist on the frontier of current knowledge, and however small or

large my contribution to chemical knowledge has or will be, I know that I have done things that no one in the entire world has ever done before.

Challenges

Complex multi-step synthesis is not for the faint-hearted; while you may set out to make a fancy new molecule for a particular purpose, and have a solid synthetic plan

that works on paper, once you get in the lab, Nature has a way of reminding you who is boss. At the moment I am working on adjuvants and potent cytotoxins inspired by

natural compounds, and often when you change one thing you thought was perhaps superfluous in a compound’s chemical structure, it has profound effects on its activity.

There’s nothing worse than pouring weeks of effort into making something that turns out to be functionally inactive for the purpose it was designed for. The important thing

is to be thankful for the knowledge and skills you gained along the way, then pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get straight back into it.

Career pathway since leaving school

I completed a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry)/Bachelor of Arts (French) before completing my Honours and PhD under Dr Ben Greatrex (who I still to this day contact

for advice on the finer points of chemistry) at the University of New England. During

my PhD I also had the opportunity to undertake a three-month placement at the Robin Ferrier Institute in New Zealand with Dr Gavin Painter. During my studies I mostly

survived off scholarships, but I also did a lot of teaching at UNE in the form of

Ex Student Career Spotlight

demonstrating practical sessions within the chemistry and pharmacy disciplines. After

completing my PhD I worked as a casual lecturer teaching organic chemistry, before finally flying the coop to work at a biotech company in Melbourne called Advanced

Molecular Technologies.

Favourite school memory

Although I loved the learning aspects of high school, it’ll probably come as a surprise that my fondest memory of high school is playing hackey sack. I didn’t always have the

easiest time in high school from a social perspective, and copped my fair share of bullying and negativity, but hackey sack just seemed to be one of those great

equalisers, where you could put aside your differences and simply kick a sack of beans around.

Advice to current students

High school can feel like a bit like a sausage machine. You are taught to jump through standardised hoops so you can pass exams that will allow you to jump through more

complex hoops so you can eventually pay taxes and not be burden on society. It sounds bleak, and if that’s all you’re doing then it absolutely will be, but just beyond the task

as set is a world that is as deep as you can possibly make it. Challenge yourself to go

deeper and go beyond the task. Don’t just regurgitate what you are taught, incorporate new knowledge into how you view the world, and if you can, use that knowledge to

leave the world a better place than how you found it.

Note from Mrs Gorman: Other impressive achievements Kieran didn’t mention include Dux of Bellingen High

School, receiving the University Medal for his degree, a year in Quebec where the course was for French speaking students and receiving the Chancellor’s award for his PhD

thesis!!

Year 12

Please keep an eye on the ‘Important Dates’ list as well as daily notices and Facebook pages to ensure closing dates are not missed. Upcoming important date: Friday 14th September SCU - Early Entry closes.

Thank you to all who attended our recent talks from University of Newcastle and Griffith University. Don't forget to check out the new entry program at University of Newcastle

https://www.newcastle.edu.au/study/undergraduate/getting-in/entry-schemes/subject-performance-scheme

There is a Trainee Surveyor position available in Coffs Harbour, must enjoy Maths and Science. See Mrs Gorman for more information.

Year 11

Don't miss out on the Queensland Uni Excursion on Thursday 29th and Friday 30th November. Permission notes on the Careers Noticeboard or Front Office. Deposits are due by Thursday 27th September otherwise places will be allocated to other schools.

SCU Headstart

Congratulations to Brooklyn French and Evy Cooper who completed this year's Southern Cross University's Headstart Program. Evy even gained a CREDIT pass in Biology which means she is now guaranteed entry into a program of her choice at Southern Cross University on completion of Year 12.

The Headstart program offers you the chance to gain a taste of university life, stimulate your interest in academic pursuits and enhance your educational performance and long term aspirations. The program runs on Wednesday afternoons for one semester with Biology held at the National Marine Science Centre and Communications at Coffs Harbour Education Campus! Studying Headstart also counts towards your HSC! Applications are now open for 2019, please apply online through:

https://www.scu.edu.au/study-at-scu/high-school-students/entry-pathways/scu-head-start/

Year 10

If you have selected a TVET course next year, you must complete a TAFE Application Form otherwise you may miss out. Spare forms available from Mrs Gorman. Another reminder that Work Experience forms are due by the end of term. School Based Traineeships are available for next year at various Hungry Jacks locations, Coffs Harbour Memorial Swimming Pool and Coffs Harbour Amcal Chemists. Please see Mrs Gorman ASAP if interested.

Attention School Leavers

Novaskill Coffs Harbour are offering to help school leavers find apprenticeships - see add later in this Newsletter. Appointments must be made well in advance.

Term 4 TAFE YES Incentive Program

These are available to students over the age of 14 who would benefit from TAFE tasters. The following courses will be running in Term 4, one day per week:

Photos, Video, Social Media and Films Making Skateboards

Vehicle Service and Maintenance Glam Me Up

Audio Production and Graphic Design Animal Studies

Metal and Engineering Maritime Operations

Growing and Sowing in the Garden Fitness

Plumbing Music Performance

Fashion Design Bush Preschool

Make Digital Games using Unreal Engine 4 Nursing

Please see the Careers Noticeboard or Mrs Gorman for more information. Parents are responsible for cost of transport to and from Coffs Harbour. Places are expected to fill quickly so please return applications as soon as possible.

Frieda Gorman Careers, Welfare & VET Teacher

From the Ag Plot Lambs Are Growing Quickly

Our very cuddly 11 lambs are growing quickly and are becoming difficult to carry. This week Year 9 Agriculture students helped mark the lambs, and give them their 5 in 1 vaccination, to protect them from serious diseases.

The school flock is best kept at 10 breeding ewes. We have 5 ewes and some lambs for sale if you would like some very friendly sheep which would be great for pets. Just contact the school for information and prices if you are interested. Baa Baa!

Year 7 Chicken Project Continues

The chickens arrived on the school farm during Week 1. They have changed a lot and developed very interesting personalities. During Chicken Club on Tuesdays, many students come to look after their chickens. During Week 10, many will travel home with the students to enjoy life in our school community.

If you would like to purchase some very quiet laying birds, they are available for $15. Looking forward to the first eggs!

Cattle Show Season Fast Approaching

The Cattle Show Team will compete at the Taree and Lismore Shows in October. All Agriculture classes have been busy brushing and parading cattle, especially concentrating on the calves born this year, as they will enter the parading competitions next year.

So Pablo, Pumba, Paul, Pepsi and our only girl, Penelope, have been well pampered by our talented students.

Every student has practiced their knots and now are able to muster, put on halters, and safely tie one of the calves to the cattle yard fence. They have successfully paraded the calves around the Bellingen High School parading course. Well done!

Spring Gardens Are Planted

All classes have now planted either vegetable pots, pots in front of F10, raised bed gardens, or our standard vegetable gardens. The weather has been kind to the plants, and all gardens seem to be doing well.

All students are free to take home what they grow so please ask them about the progress of their gardens. Some of the produce will be entered into the Dorrigo Show in November, and the 2019 Sydney Royal Easter Show Garden Competition, judged at Dorrigo, this year. Watch those plants grow!

Agriculture Clubs Everyone is welcome. You don’t have to be part of a show team - just come and enjoy the animals.

Chicken Club Every Tuesday at Lunch

Sheep Club Every Friday at Lunch

Green Club Every Thursday at Lunch

Cattle Club Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 8:00am

Stephen Boyd Agriculture and Primary Industries Teacher

Gym Club

All students are welcome to come along before school on Tuesday mornings to kick start their day with some physical activity. The school gym is opened and staffed from 8am to 8.45am.

Students can use a range of exercise machines, bikes, rowing machine, boxing bags and pads, free weights or skipping ropes to start their day on the right foot.

All students who partake can grab a muesli bar and a piece of fruit for free when they finish.

They are encouraged to discuss their health and fitness goals with Mr Pomroy to come up with an exercise plan that suits their goals.

If parents or carers have any questions please feel free to contact Mr Pomroy via the school on 66551315.

Paul Pomroy PDHPE Faculty

Sport News Top eight in State!

Bellingen High School had 9 athletes at the recent NSWCHS Athletics

Championships and finished with some great results. Any result in the top eight

means athletes make the final and compete against the best of the best.

The 16 years girls 4 x 100m relay

team of Willow Neal, Emily Ruming,

Brynne Couper and Sophie Keough

(pictured right) ran strongly and

finished 7th in the final.

Bonnie Malt finished 6th place in the

12 years girls 80m Hurdles this

being her first year of hurdling!

Brynne Couper finished 5th place in

the 16 years 100m Hurdles where

she displays great technique.

Kyan Upsall finished 8th in the 13 years 800m but has really shown that the

longer distances suit him finishing 15th in the 14 years 1500m and 15th in the

15 years 3000m (there is no 13 years division for 1500m or 3000m)– the future

certainly looks bright.

Willow Neal finished 5th in the 16 years 400m and 6th in the 16 years Triple

Jump and then achieved a silver medal as part of the North Coast 4 x 400m

relay team. What a great meet for Willow!

However, that is not the end of the great results - Yasmin Ball finished 9th in

the 12 years 200m and Sophie Keough 10th in the 16 years 200m both narrowly

missing the final.

Liz Hoy/Jon Winfer

Sport Organisers

Willow with her Silver Medal and on the podium

(2nd from left) about to receive the medal

Kyan Upsall

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DATES TO REMEMBER

SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER

14-21 Year 11 Exams 2 MNC Beach Volleyball

24-28 Year 11 Work Placement 7 NC Surf Lifesaving 27 Year 12 Final Assembly – 10.15am 8-11 Futsal Championships (Senior)

OCTOBER 12 P&C Meeting

17-18 NC Cricket (Boys) 12-16 Year 10 Exams 18-20 North Coast National - Lismore 14 Year 9 Love Bytes 22 Year 7 Immunisations 15 MNC Netball Gala Day (15’s) 29-2/11 VALID Test – Year 8 Science 19-21 Year 10 Geography Excursion

Did you know?

In the 2011 census for the Czech

Republic, over 15 thousand people

listed their religion as Jedi.

Google's founders were willing to sell

to Excite for less than $1 million in

1999, but Excite turned them down.

The national animal of Scotland is the

unicorn.

20 NC Beach Volleyball 21 Year 9 Love Bytes 22-25 Futsal Championships (Junior) 22 Year 10 Love Bytes 26 Year 10 Work Experience Starts

DECEMBER 10 P&C Meeting 11-12 Gold Excursion 12 Year 10 Work Experience Ends 14 Presentation Day Assembly

19 Final Day for Students 20-21 Staff Development Days