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SRC Camp Students who have expressed an interest in being part of the SRC at Hawkesbury High School attended a leadership camp last Thursday and Friday. The camp is an important event which brings the students together, so they can work cooperatively to plan effective events that benefit students in the school.

There were many workshops on building leadership skills, as well as tasks which challenges every student (and teacher!) that attended the camp. It was amazing to see students overcome obstacles and face their fears. Most importantly, students showed respect for each other and encouraged participation in all tasks. The feedback received from students indicate that they wanted to attend another SRC camp soon, “There should be two SRC camps a year”, said one student. They have picked up valuable skills and even developed new relationships with their fellow peers.

Students participated in a planning session that delves into the tradition of our school. They were incredibly excited to be planning for events such as a Spirit Day and even started to plan for a Spirit Week. Students were very mature during the discussion, allowing every person to have a voice and take everyone’s ideas into consideration. They also had an in-depth discussion about issues that affect students at the school such as bullying – they were excited to be able to have a say in the different policies that would be implemented in the school as well.

Additionally, HHS would like to extend our congratulations to the new members of the SRC team for 2018. The team is enthusiastic and are very excited to start planning for future school events.

HAWKESBURY HIGH SCHOOL MAY 2018

SAFE • TEAM PLAYER • AEVER • RESPECTFUL In This Issue

SRC Camp Students build leadership skills at the SRC camp. Luke Howard and Chloe Sparkes are competing in an archery competition.

Extracurricular Activities Hawkesbury High students in the Robotics club design a map for their robots to travel through.

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Date Event

Wednesday 23/05/18 Careers Market Year 10-12

Friday 25/05/18 Athletics Carnival

Tuesday 29/05/18 Not Even Once Program

Wednesday 30/05/18 Not Even Once Program

Monday 04/06/18 Year 10 Exams

Tuesday 05/06/18 Year 10 Exams

Wednesday 06/06/18 Year 10 Exams

Thursday 07/06/18 Year 10 Exams

Friday 08/06/18 Year 10 Exams

Monday 11/06/18 Year 9 Exams

Tuesday 12/06/18 Year 9 Exams

Wednesday 13/06/18 Year 9 Exams , Regional Cross Country

Thursday 14/06/18 Year 9 Exams, Macquarie Zone Athletics

Friday 15/06/18 Year 9 Exams, Macquarie Zone Athletics

Monday 18/06/18 Year 7 Camp, Blue Datto Program YR10

Tuesday 19/06/18 Year 7 Camp

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HAWKESBURY HIGH SCHOOL

Sport Report

Macquarie Zone Netball Congratulations to the girls Netball team who competed at the Macquarie Zone Netball Championships. The girls won 4 of their 8 matches and played really well.. The team who played were; Jacinta Packer, Katie Benson, Bianca Packer, Gemma Haber, Jasmine Williams, Erin Calder, Aleisha Christie, Jasmine Haydon, Sally Peisley, Lily Slee, Jemma Peisley, Ashlee Scott and Maddison Scott. Well done to Bianca Packer who made the Macquarie Zone team. She will compete at the Sydney West Netball Championships next month.

School Cross Country Carnival The school’s cross-country carnival was held in sunny conditions on Thursday 29th March within the school grounds. Congratulations to all the students who participated on the day, especially our age champions for this year who appear below.

Age Boys Girls

12 Jack Dickinson Xara Wademan

13 Shaquille Bulman Jacinta Packer

14 Cameron Ferrier Bridgette Williams

15 Oscar Collins Jasmine Williams

16 Brodie Laboyrie Caitlyn Ferrier

17 Michael Boylan Maddison Scott

These students will form the nucleus of our team who will represent the school at the Macquarie Zone Cross Country Championships to be held in the grounds of the Penrith Regatta Centre on Tuesday 8th May 2018.

The House Champions for Cross Country for 2018 are

Position House Points

1st Willaree 553

2nd Deerubbin 508

3rd Narara 359

4th Erringhi 353

AFL star Congratulations to Holly McIntyre of Year 9 who has been chosen in the NSW CHS Greater Sydney AFL team. The team will be involved in a trial match to select a CHS team in early June. We wish Holly all the best.

MACQUARIE ZONE CROSS COUNTRY A number of our students competed at the Macquarie Zone Cross Country Carnival at the Penrith Regatta Centre on Tuesday May 8th. Nine students from our school finished in the top 10 and have now qualified to compete at the Sydney West Championships in June. The students and their results appear below.

Name Age Position

Bridgette Williams 14 10th

Maddison Scott 17 6th

Mackenzi Carter 13 6th

Helana Cooper 18 7th

Michael Boylan 18 4th

Cameron Ferrier 14 1st

Jack Dickinson 12 1st

Brendon Charles 12 4th

Kiana Shaw 17 9th

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Caitlyn Ferrier Caitlyn has recently returned from representing Australia at the Melanesian Athletics Championships in Vanuatu where she won a gold medal in the 18 years 400m recording a time of 54.26s. This result means that Caitlyn has now surpassed the Youth Olympics qualifying time. Congratulations Caitlyn.

RFS – Wednesday Sport Photos

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CAPA Report HSIE News Year 7 began studying ‘Place and Livability’ at the beginning of Term 2. This unit encourages students to assess the factors that influence the livability of cities and towns around the world. The release of the new school timetable at the beginning of Term 2 has resulted in highly respected and long-standing Hawkesbury High School teacher Melissa Farr joining the Year 7 teaching team for 2018. ‘I am very excited to be teaching Year 7 again,’ Miss Farr said. ‘It’s great to work with Hawkesbury High School’s youngest members and guide them in developing the critical thinking skills integral to success throughout high school’.

Year 8 concluded their study in History on Vikings in the latter half of Term 1, and have commenced studying the Angkor/Khmer Empire, who resided in modern-day Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Students are halfway through completing their Year 8 Portfolio Assessment, with tasks four and five in the six-task portfolio to be completed during their study of the Angkor/Khmer Empire over the coming weeks.

The beginning of a new term heralded the start of a new topic in Year 9 Geography- Changing Places. Over the coming weeks, students will examine the factors that contribute to population change around the world, and the impacts of population growth on the world’s ever-growing cities. Year 9 HSIE Adviser Nicole Grant said the new topic would ultimately challenge students to assess strategies used to respond to population growth, while preserving the environment and fostering sustainability.

Year 10 concluded their study in History on Rights and Freedoms throughout the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first century in the final weeks of Term 1, and are now investigating the Vietnam War. Students will assess the nature of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War, and the impact of the Vietnam War on Australia and

the world. They will also apply historical empathy skills to evaluate different perspectives of Australia’s involvement in the war.

Japanese students from years 7 to 11 have continued to develop their comprehension, written, and oral skills throughout Term 2. Japanese HSIE Advisor Catherine Moran said she was impressed with the enthusiasm shown by students in the classroom- particularly those in Year 7, who have begun to build their vocabulary with the topics ‘All About You, All About Me’, and ‘My Friend’.

Year 11 will reach the halfway point of their Preliminary Course programs in Week 5 of the current term. Modern History students have studied the brutality of the Holocaust, and bloodshed of the American Civil War. Ancient History students have studied Ancient Roman slavery, and recently began independent historical investigations into the topic of their choice. Geography students have delved into the spatial and ecological dimensions of the atmosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere, and developed their field work skills and skills in using geographical tools. Business Studies students have studied the Nature of Business, and recently commenced learned about Business Management. Legal Studies students have examined basic legal concepts, and gun law reform. Meanwhile, HSIE Head Teacher Nicole Martirena has applauded all HSIE Year 12 students for their hard work and tenacity throughout the half-yearly exam period at the end of Term 1. ‘It’s a break from routine for Year 12- traditionally, half-yearly exams fall in the latter half of Term 2- and it’s their first encounter with an exam period in the HSC course,’ Ms Martirena said. ‘We as a faculty were pleased with students’ results, and are looking forward to further developing their knowledge, skills and confidence throughout their final two terms at Hawkesbury High School’.

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Nan Tien Temple – Year 12 Society and Culture Year 12 Society and Culture students participated in a unique overnight program at the Nan Tien Temple in the first week of this term. The excursion enables students to experience the life of a Buddhist practitioner. Students were immersed by cultural heritage and experienced the cultural consciousness transmitted throughout Chinese Buddhist history.

Highlights were the morning chanting and the Tea Chan ceremonies. Students woke early to participate in the traditional

morning chanting – they were given a blessing for their H.S.C. The Tea Chan involved what is known as “tea meditation”; students had turns in pouring the tea and passing it around in silence as a way of practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness was a key theme throughout the two days. The Buddhist nuns explained how we all have a “monkey brain” where the chatter never stops. It is important to learn to quiet our mind, to think

clearly and insightfully. Students also experienced mindful eating of the vegetarian food on offer at the Temple. The practice of mindful eating and vegetarianism is a Buddhist method of eating ecologically, responsibly and ethically. Meditation and Tia chi were also activities that the students participated in.

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CAPA REPORT

Youthfest was a great success at the end of Term 1 with students Kathryn Martin and Isabella Williams representing Hawkesbury High School. The girls entertained the festival with their beautiful vocal performances and both won prizes for their efforts. Miss Stankovski and a number of our Visual Arts students created a beautiful mandala mural which was an exciting feature of the festival and invited participants to paint collaboratively as a community effort.

The primary Drama group has started up again with Ms Scopelliti on Tuesday mornings. Everyone is welcome to join. Please contact Ms Scopelliti if you have primary aged children who would like to attend. It has been a fun and eventful start to the term in Visual Arts! Students are thoroughly enjoying themselves during practical and theory lessons.

Year 7 are being influenced by the natural environment around them and creating land art sculptures. Year 8 are collaborating between classes this term to create a unified mural, taking inspiration from the Darug turtle that is featured at the entrance of Hawkesbury High School. Year 10 are turning their dreams into reality by designing Surrealism skateboard desks. Year 11 are gaining inspiration from renowned Australian artists to assist their creation of found object sculptures. Year 12 are full speed ahead with their HSC Bodies of Work, stay tuned to see their progress at an upcoming CAPA Showcase.

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Careers News May, 2018

From Ms Armstrong (Careers Adviser)

In this edition:

Students: Check your emails

Year 12 “Options 13” Interviews

Year 10 : Subject Selection Preparation Day for Year 11, 2019 to be held on Friday, 22 June, 2018

Free HSC Preparation Days at Western Sydney University July holidays

“Pathways to Medical Science” Careers Day

Every student is advised to regularly check their DET/school email address as I often send important information and forms to that address. I also pass on part time job opportunities when employers contact me seeking employees. Year 12 students also receive information regarding HSC preparation workshops/seminars on such topics as “Effective study and exam preparation” etc. Recently I forwarded an email from Western Sydney University about their “True Reward” Program- which is an early offer program that does not look at a student’s ATAR. You can access your school emails on your iPhone or android phone.

Year 12 ‘Options 13’ interviews began in Week 2 of Term 2. Every Year 12 student should have received a letter about their ‘Option 13’ appointment with a time and date- if this time/date in inconvenient they can re-schedule by seeing me in the Careers Office or emailing me. Parents are welcome to attend.

This is a valuable opportunity for Year 12 students to discuss their future plans for work and/or further education with me as I often have some useful suggestions and ideas for the students to consider. All the hard work and study will be more meaningful to students if they have a set goal to work towards.

Year 10 students will start their preparation for Year 11, 2019 subject selections with the Subject Selection Preparation Day on Friday 22 June from 9.05am – 2.55pm. Students will receive information from a variety of guest speakers

including university, TAFE, Board of Studies, School-Based Apprenticeships/Traineeships, private colleges and Group Training Organisations. This information should help students with their subject selections for the senior school.

Parents of Year 11, 2019 students, are invited to the ‘Subject Selection for Year 11, 2019’ Parent Information Night on Monday, 25 June from 6-8pm.

Additional information is available at NSW Govt Year 10 Subject Selection Advice: http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/homework-and-study/planning-for-the-future/year-10-subject-selection

Each university has a resource for Year 10 students about subject selection which I have emailed to students eg: http://sydney.edu.au/dam/corporate/documents/study/resources-for-career-advisers/UniSyd-Year-10-Guide.pdf

Some help from UAC: (University Admission Centre): This booklet is designed to help students in Year 10 in 2018 decide which HSC courses to take in Years 11 and 12. It lists courses UAC’s participating institutions will offer in 2021 with details of prerequisites, assumed knowledge, recommended studies and additional selection criteria. University entry requirements 2021 for Year 10 students.

HSC Study Sessions (July School Hols)

Great news - registrations are now open for Western Sydney University's HSC Study Sessions. Happening between 9-13 July at our Kingswood and Campbelltown campuses, these sessions are run by experienced HSC teachers to help you excel in your HSC exams and assessments. Each session will run from 9am to 3:30pm and will be structured around the subject syllabus. There will also be plenty of opportunities for you to ask questions. Check out all the sessions available and secure your spot by registering now. Don't miss out!

If you have any questions or require assistance, please call 1300 897 669, email study@westernsydney.edu.au or live chat

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The Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) NSW Committee has invited interested students to attend the upcoming High Schools Career Day (HSCD) event, “Pathways to Medical Science”. The goal of this event is to showcase a range of career opportunities in the health and medical sector to high school students (Years 10 - 12) from around Sydney. There will be an exciting array of speakers from research, academia, biotechnology, forensics, medicine and more.

The event will be held on Friday 1st June from 8.30 am to 1 pm at the Garvan Institute for Medical Research, Darlinghurst, Sydney. Morning tea will be provided. More information about the ASMR and the other events that will be held as part of our annual ASMR Medical Research Week® can be found at

https://asmr.org.au/asmr-mrw/nsw/.

Interested students should see Ms Armstrong for a permission note.

Robitics Club Robotics club has been running successfully since the beginning of the year. The students meet weekly during lunch to work on building their robots. This term they also have had an opportunity to participate in robotics during sport time. During the holidays we purchased a Sphero Robotics kit which included 12 Sphero’s and some Ipads so the students can work on improving their coding skills. Students have made several different robots, including a robotic arm, a line tracing robot and are in the process of building an air powered car. As they develop their coding skills through maze challenges and games students plan to work towards designing and building their own robots as they have a keen interest in robot wars.

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Deputy Principal Report May 2018 Welcome to Term 2- for our Year 12 students the countdown to the final assessments and the Trial HSC is exam has started. Year 12 students have received their Half Yearly results and feedback from their teachers. This should be a time for Yr 12 to reflect upon these results and refine study techniques to maximise their performance. I encourage our senior students to take advantage of the knowledge and experience of their teachers, Year Advisor and Executive staff if seeking advice. Personal HSC timetables are now available via the Stage 6 NESA Students’ Online account. HSC students should login to their account to check their personal details and timetables. Half Yearly Exams are rapidly approaching for Yrs 7- 10 and all students should be revising the coursework covered this year. If students or parents have any queries about the exams, please contact the teacher of the subject or the Head Teacher of the relevant faculty area. The majority of students are to be congratulated on their proud wearing of the school uniform. As we move to cooler weather, I would like to remind students and parents of the school track suit pants that are currently available at our uniform shop, The School Locker. School uniform jackets are also available and many students have commented on how warm the lined jackets are. Hoodies and other non-uniform sweat-shirts are not to be worn to school. Hoodies are not to be worn as an under layer under the school jacket. Jeans, leggings and non HHS track suit pants and sport shorts are not school uniform. A reminder that the School Locker hours are now Tuesday and Thursday mornings 8.30- 10.30 am each week. If students are out of uniform, parents are required to provide a written explanation stating the reason. This note should be handed in at the Front Office. If you require assistance in supplying your child with the correct uniform, please contact the school and ask to speak to the Principal, Mr Maric or the Deputy Principals, Ms Linklater or Mrs Shortland.

This term will see Busways Inspectors checking to ensure students are using their Opal cards when boarding the school bus. Students that do not present a valid Opal card will be asked to pay a fare.

We have explained to our students that the Opal card is important because it is used to determine demand for school bus services. If students don’t have an Opal card to tap on and off the service will appear underutilised and may be considered for cancellation based on low passenger numbers.

For students that currently do not have an Opal card please access the Opal website: www.opal.com.au/en/about-opal/opal-for-school-students/ and apply for an Opal card.

Thank you for your continued support.

Kerrie Shortland.

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Principal’s Report Students and staff have started Term 2 with a rejuvenated focus on learning and making the school environment a safe and respectful place where we all work together to achieve our goals. As I visit classrooms and walk through the playground, I have observed students and teachers focused on learning, being respectful towards each other and wearing school uniform with pride. Of course, every once in a while a small number of young people need to be reminded of what is expected of them, and they need to be supported in meeting those expectations. I am a firm believer that high standards must be taught, that they must be clearly communicated, and that they must be recognised when students demonstrate those standards. For example, although the majority of our students wear their school uniform with pride – at considerable cost and effort by their parents (I have three children and I know how much effort and money goes into ensuring they are always in uniform), there are times when students need to be reminded of the school’s expectations in relation to school uniform. If students are not wearing the correct uniform, I usually ask them the reason, remind them of the expectation, and expect them to come up with a plan to be in uniform. I would appreciate if parents could ensure that their children have the correct uniform – especially now that the cold weather is here and they may have outgrown last year’s school jackets and tracksuit pants. I would also like to encourage parents to contact me if they are experiencing difficulty in getting their children into appropriate school uniform.

Also, please note that Year 10 and Year 12 students will not be allowed to pay the deposit for their formals unless they are in full school uniform. This is in addition to ensuring that school attendance is satisfactory, that they have demonstrated consistent good behaviour, and that there are no outstanding assignments or assessment tasks. This will not be a problem for the majority of students. However, I urge all students who would like to attend the Year 10 and 12 formals in Term 4, and who perhaps do not currently meet the criteria, to urgently ensure that they formulate an improvement plan so that they do not miss out. I am happy to discuss these

plans with students and parents. Letters identifying success criteria have already been issued to all students in Term 1, while permission notes for payment of deposits were issued to Year 10 students two weeks ago. Year 12 students should be getting their deposit payment permission notes shortly. I am pleased to say that I have already signed many Year 10 permission notes for deposit payments and that I am looking forward to both celebrations at the end of the

year.

Since I have already raised the topic of high expectations, I would like to draw attention to the discussions we’ve had this year in relation to the core values and expectations at our school. The table “unpacks” these STAR values of being Safe, a Team Player, Achiever and Respectful. Students, staff and the P&C have all contributed to defining these values, and I would like to invite the broader school community to also have a say. If any parents are interested in being part of the school’s Discipline Policy review team, please contact me on 4679 6800 to register your interest. The team will consult on how these core values will be taught to students and how they will be supported to meet these expectations at Hawkesbury High School.

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This Term, we have also re-introduced Wednesday afternoon sport after several years of running integrated sport. Wednesday afternoons give our students opportunities to engage in a range of activities, including extension activities such as robotics and coding, in addition to sports such as basketball, football, gym, bowling and even weekly visits to Planet X. Students will have the opportunity to choose a new sport every term, and I am hopeful that we’ll have more student interest in dance and theatre sports, so that they can run in Term 3. Term 2 has also seen the introduction of slightly amended bell times – with recess now being 30 minutes and lunch 20 minutes. This will allow students who travel long distances to school more time to eat earlier, while also having the added benefit of minimising exposure to the heat and sun in the summer months.

Another initiative launched this term is the availability of tutoring for senior students by university students with recent and successful HSC experience. Rosie Kirkwood is available on Mondays in the Library and the Learning Hub. We are hoping that this will be extended to Wednesday availability too, and that the trial, if successful, will see tutoring available on other days.

Finally, I would like to welcome David Flaxman as the new President of the Parents and Citizens Association (P&C). I am looking forward to working with David to ensure that Hawkesbury High School thrives as a caring learning environment that supports our young people to reach their goals and be positive contributors to their community. Also, I would like to acknowledge the outgoing P&C President, Mr. Andrew Jones, and to thank him for the many years of outstanding service to the school and the Hawkesbury community.

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HAWKESBURY HIGH SCHOOL

WOULD LIKE TO THANK SCIBERRAS FRESH FRUIT & VEGETABLES

FOR THEIR KIND DONATION OF FRESH PRODUCE FOR OUR BREAKFAST CLUB.

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