Lions Youth Of The Year

Last Thursday night, two of our senior students Caitlin Nelson of Year 12 and Nathan Furry of Year 11 represented Yass High School at the Lions Youth of the Year competition. Caitlin and Nathan completed a lengthy application process outlining their achievements over the last few years and their involvement in the school and local community. They attended an interview with the three judges, answering questions about their applications and about current events and issues concerning young people. On Thursday evening, they spoke without preparation on the topic of growing up in the Yass Valley and how opportunities for young people could be expanded and then delivered a prepared five minute speech. Nathan spoke on leadership and Caitlin on what makes a good school. Both students were congratulated on their fine performances at each stage of the competition. Caitlin won the Public Speaking and the Lions Youth of the Year Awards and she now goes on to the next stage of the competition at Taralga next weekend. Nathan was encouraged to return and compete again next year. The judges make special mention of the fact that both students spoke very highly of their school and the opportunities it offered. We are certainly proud of these articulate young ambassadors.

January / February 2010

YASS HIGH SCHOOL W e v a l u e r e s p e c t , r e s p o n s i b i l i t y , s a f e t y a n d l e a r n i n g .

Principal: Paul F. Bills B.A. Dip. Ed. Deputy Principal: Louise Pinson B.A. (Hons) Dip. Ed.

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Staff Development Day Term 2 - 2010

Dear Parents We intend changing the date of our Term 2 Staff Development Day. Day one of Term 2, Monday 19th April, has been set aside by the Department of Education and Training for professional development. The staff at Yass High School must renew their CPR and Emergency Care qualifications so that our training is current. This is mandatory training and without it the school cannot run excursions or sporting events. Our trainer is not available on the first day of Term 2. YHS is seeking your approval to apply to change the Staff Development Day from Monday 19th to Friday 23rd April. This will mean that students will attend school on Monday 19th April and not attend school on Friday 23rd April. Classes will not operate on the Friday. The following Monday is a Public Holiday for the commemoration of Anzac Day. Consequently parents and students will have the opportunity of a four day long weekend. If this change causes any significant problems please contact the Principal, Mr Paul Bills, as soon as possible on 62261711.

New Timetable

Increased enrolments at the beginning of the year will enable us to increase the number of base classes in Year 9 from three to four and we are busy working on a new timetable which will come into effect later in the term, possibly Monday 22nd March. The newly structured Year 7 classes will also coincide with the new timetable release and thus will happen a little later than expected. Until then, students will remain in parallel classes for their core subjects.

School Equipment

Thanks to the generosity of a local community group, we have a number of book packs and school supplies which are available to students. If you would like to take advantage of this, please see Ms Pinson.

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Uniform

Students have returned to school looking great. Thanks to parents for their support of our school uniform. You are reminded that board shorts and demin shorts are not part of our uniform. Students need to follow our uniform policy in order to be considered for activities such as representing the school at sporting and other excursions. We are investigating introducing a hooded navy jumper with the school crest for winter as this style appeals to young people and provides extra warmth. It will sell for the same price as the polar fleece which is also acceptable uniform. Please ensure that students have navy blue jumpers for the colder months.

Appropriate footwear in Practical classes

Students and parent/carers are reminded that a requirement of the Occupational Health and Safety act is the wearing of appropriate footwear in practical classes. Practical classes at Yass High include: Science, Industrial technology (woodwork and metalwork), Agriculture, Primary industries, Food technology (including International cookery) and Art. Students should wear covered shoes that have leather uppers. Runners with web type upper and canvas style shoes are not accepted. Students who do not wear appropriate footwear will not be able to participate in practical activities. Some practical activities are assessable tasks. Students who continuously do not have appropriate footwear may receive a zero assessment for the assessable task. A zero assessment in an assessable task may aversively affect a student’s School Certificate or Higher School Certificate result. Students and their families who are experiencing financial difficulties and are unable to purchase appropriate footwear should see the Principal regarding the school assistance fund.

Using Calculators at Yass HS

In the 21st century it is important for students to be able to use a range of strategies for calculating. In both class tasks and assessments, there are some times when calculators are not allowed so

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that students will continue to effectively develop mental and written calculation strategies. These skills will also help students with estimating and checking appropriateness of calculator answers. There are also opportunities for students to develop skills in using electronic technologies such as scientific calculators and computer software programs. It is vitally important that all students know how to use their calculators correctly. A calculator does what you tell it to do. If you enter the wrong information, you will get the wrong answer. Sometimes this is because the student has pressed the wrong button by mistake. At other times it is because they do not know how to enter the information correctly.

In class, teachers will teach students how to use the calculators that are available from school. If you have a different calculator, you will need to learn how to use it, as it is impossible for teachers to know how to use every calculator that is available on the market. Also, some calculators that are labelled scientific calculators do not have all the functions and modes that are on the calculators available from school.

All Students Doing Mathematics Need A Calculator Of Their Own

Calculators are available at the school for $25. If you have financial difficulties in providing each of your students with a calculator, please see Ms Pinson. On Monday 1 March Mrs Bartlett will have a reward for those Year 7 and 8 Mathematics classes in which every student has an appropriate calculator.

School Fees

Invoices have been sent home recently outlining the fees for the subjects your child will be studying this year. A 10% DISCOUNT applies to fees paid in full by the 5th March 2010. The discount does not apply to instrument hire, band fee or hospitality kit hire.

Please check the invoice with your child as many students have changed their elective subjects, which in turn may change the amount owed. Student assistance is available for Year 7 – 10 students on elective subjects only. Senior students can apply to Centrelink for Austudy.

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Thank You To Our School Canteen

Our school canteen is a wonderful part of the Yass High community. As well as feeding us with a wide variety of good things, the canteen also raises money which goes straight back to support students. Last year money raised in the canteen enabled us to buy:

Representative Sport shirts

A cover for the basketball court and

The new school sign.

We say a big thank you to Lyndall and Anne, who work there regularly, to Joy our treasurer and to the many mums, dads, carers and grandparents who volunteer their time in the canteen.

Special Prize For Local Student

Last week, Caleb and Janine Bright attended our school assembly and presented the inaugural ‘Yass Computers/ Toshiba Prize’ for a student who had overcome difficulties to achieve a personal best. Tio Al Samara was the deserving winner. Although English is his second language, Tio approached all his school subjects with enthusiasm and achieved highly enough to be granted early entry into psychology at the University of Canberra. His prize, a lap top computer, was much appreciated and will come in handy for his tertiary studies. Yass High School is very grateful to the local business community for their support of Presentation Evening prizes. A special thanks is given to Yass Computers and Toshiba for their generous prize.

Tio Al Samara Year 12 - 2009

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Cyber bullying

The internet is a rich teaching and learning resource. It places the knowledge of the world at our fingertips. At school we expect that it is used according to the school values of respect, responsibility, safety and learning. We know that social networks, such as Myspace and Facebook are popular and are at times misused to cause unhappiness and as a vehicle to bully others. Research into cyberbullying - like the technology itself - is relatively new. We know it's an extension of face-to-face bullying behaviours and is all about relationships - the online environment is just a new setting for age-old issues. So far, there haven't been any Australian research findings released about effective solutions to cyberbullying - but it's being studied right now. If you'd like to read her reports in detail, go to www.cyberbullyingforum.org. Here's a quick summary of what we know so far about cyberbullying: How common is online bullying? • It's difficult to know exactly how many kids are cyberbullied, because they're less

likely to report it, and it's usually not something parents and teachers can see (it's covert).

• Kids also don't refer to it as cyberbullying - they're more likely to talk about

specific behaviours e.g., texting, flaming, happy slapping.

• About 10 per cent of kids report that they are being cyberbullied, and that

increases proportionately with age (and access to mobile phones and social

media sites).

• Each day in Australia 100,000 children report that they are bullied at lunchtime

or recess. (That's enough kids to fill the Melbourne Cricket Ground). While that

number includes all kinds of bullying, we also know that 80 per cent of the

children who are cyberbullied are also face-to-face bullied.

When are kids most vulnerable to bullying? • Bullying - online or offline - peaks for kids (and this is worldwide) around Year 5,

and again around Year 7 or 8.

• The first peak coincides with children discovering the power of the peer group,

and creating their own social pecking order.

• The second peak has nothing to do with age, but is about when they transition from primary school to secondary school. In NSW it's in Year 7. In WA, where high school begins a year later, it's during Year 8.

• This later peak is all about social groups being mucked up. The social hierarchies that were all well established are now all in disarray as new kids are thrown together in a new school. Every time you change the group, you increase the likelihood of bullying.

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Who cyberbullies? • Although technology doesn't cause bullying, it changes the nature of it. Kids who might

never bully face to face will do it online, as it's hidden, can be anonymous and they don't get feedback from the victim or peers of the harm they are causing.

• It's also easier for misunderstandings to occur - and become inflamed - when using the written word. Again, there are none of the traditional cues we use with our face and voice to convey humour or sadness, etc.

• The speed of online communications contributes. Kids respond immediately without taking time to think through the consequences, or potential problems. (Who hasn't sent an email in a hurry and realised it's full of errors?)

• We also don't have good definitions of cyberbullying yet. Some experts say it needs to be intentional, repeated and between two people with different levels of power. Some parents would argue that one incident between kids the same age is also cyberbullying.

• Even the kindest, most passive child can inadvertently contribute to cyberbullying by forwarding on a humiliating, abusive or confidential message.

What can we do as adults? • Understand where your kids are going online, what they are doing, and who they are

talking to - this is absolutely vital.

• Spend time in your child's online world. You can't understand it otherwise.

• Accept and acknowledge how important technology is to your child.

• Don't ask your child if they are being cyberbullied. Use their language - have they seen

mean texts circulating, humiliating photos or messages on others' Facebook walls?

• Really listen to your child when they tell you their concerns. Discuss it with them.

• Don't downplay covert bullying (bullying that is not face-to-face or out in the open).

Parents and teachers can sometimes say things like "don't worry ... it doesn't matter if

you've been left out", or "just ignore the bullying". This tells the child that you don't take

their situation seriously, and can even convey the message it's OK and normal for

others to treat them this way.

• Kids won't tell an adult about cyberbullying if they fear the result will be removal of the

phone or internet access. Discuss this with your child and reassure them that's not how

you'll deal with it.

• Teach your kids how to be good cyber-citizens (careful, private, empathetic) prior to

them reaching Year 4 (by about 9 years old, or when they may begin to venture

online).

• Much of cyberbullying and face-to-face bullying is learned behaviour. Look at what

behaviours you're modelling to your kids. Is sarcasm and point-scoring part of your

family culture? It's often how you say something that matters.

• Don't contact the other child, but do tell the school principal.

• Don't immediately assume your child is being victimised and the other child is just a

bully. Miscommunications get out of hand very quickly and often both parties feel hurt.

Paul Bills Principal

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Yass High School and Newton-Wood Stud at Canberra Royal Show

Once again the YHS Show cattle team will be at the RNCAS on 24-28th February 2010 to compete in the cattle section showing two Limousin Heifers. Mr Glyn Williams and his wife Anne, owners of the two heifers, have once again thrown their support behind agriculture in the school by allowing us to prepare two of their animals and gain yet more experience in showing high quality cattle. Tom McLucas, Kellie Armour and Joe Whiting have given up time during their school holidays in January to begin working with the cattle before bringing them to school at the start of term. All three students will participate in showing the heifers in the regular stud competition as well as competing in the Parading and Judging competitions against al the other school students who attend the show.

Joe Whiting and Kellie Armour preparing their heifers during January at Newton-Wood Stud

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What’s happening in Food Technology and Textiles?

We are pleased to welcome Mrs Fiona Bogaerts from Newcastle who is filling in for Mrs Sally Walker. She has been enthusiastically teaching the Years 7 to 10 Food Technology, Textiles and Year 11 Exploring Early Childhood. We are pleased to have her on board.

We welcome all our year 7 students to Food Technology and Textiles and wish them the best for the year ahead. We would like to thank Mrs Elizabeth Davis for her visit to the Year 7 textile class to display how woollen fibre is spun into yarn and made into garments.

International Cookery

International Cookery students have been learning about Chinese cuisine and have been taste testing some exotic foods. They have been learning how to replicate the slicing techniques used by the Chinese, giving their stir fry dishes that authentic look.

Mrs Bogaerts demonstrating the virtual baby to

the Exploring Early Childhood Students

Aidan Lees showing his knife skills

International cookery students enjoying their

stir fry noodles and vegetables

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Food Technology

Year 9 and 10 Food Technology have been learning about the Food Service and Catering Industry and have been experimenting with delicious cakes that you would have with coffee. Marshmallow slice, caramelised banana and coconut cake, and a mars bar fudge slice have been sweet treats they have baked.

Hospitality This year we welcome fifteen year 11 students who are going to learn the fine arts of cooking for the hospitality Industry. The year 12 students have just finished a unit which involved using all the methods of cookery. Baking frying, stewing, roasting, deep frying, boiling and grilling where some of the techniques they mastered. Now it is onto salads for the warm weather. Greek, Waldorf, Caesar salad and Tabbouli were on the menu this week.

Tori Brewer and Tiahne Douglas display

their delicious pizzas

Pizza was on the menu this week

Sophie Maher and Maddi Josephs

prepare a Caesar salad

Liz Davaris withTabbouli

salad

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The Breakfast Club Walkathon ….. IS COMING!

WEDNESDAY 17TH MARCH

There will be great prizes! This year we will be combining our walkathon with the school’s annual cross country. Allowing serious competitors to run the course all while raising much needed sponsorship for the Breakfast Club. The purpose of the walkathon remains two-fold; firstly to promote a healthy lifestyle amongst our students, secondly to assist in the financial support of our Breakfast Club. Our Breakfast Club enjoys the kind and generous support of Dairy Farmers, the Australian Red Cross, Yass Soldiers Club, Martins General Store and Mark Ellis (Buttercup distributor). To ensure its ongoing success and operation, it is important for our school community to unite in continuing its fund raising and community awareness. All contributions are solely allocated to our Breakfast Club Program and will help to further develop a ‘mentoring’ and ‘life skills’ program for many of our students, and assist in consolidating our resources. It will also ensure the ongoing ability of Our Club to help students prepare for their day, providing a warm environment to develop socialization skills, help encourage a nutritional start to their day and above all assist those who desperately need our help. Students will soon receive an official sponsorship form at school and are encouraged to contribute to the Breakfast Club by organizing sponsors for the walkathon. It is a whole school activity. Prizes for ‘most sponsorship raised’, and ‘best roll call group’ will be awarded. ‘EVERYDAY IS A GOOD DAY WITH A GOOD START’ In anticipation of your support in giving our kids a Good Start. Thank You Ms Jenny Rajchert Breakfast Club Coordinator

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Update on vaccination against Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza (swine flu) Swine flu activity has dropped significantly in NSW over recent months, but continues to have a heavy impact in many Northern Hemisphere countries. It remains to be seen what the impact in Australia will be as we move into next winter, although a resurgence of pandemic influenza activity is possible. With this in mind, I wish to remind all principals that a vaccine is now available to protect adults and children over the age of six months from swine flu. The vaccine, called Panvax®, has been approved by Therapeutic Goods Administration. NSW Health is encouraging everyone to obtain a free vaccination against this potentially life threatening illness. The Panvax® vaccine is available free from most general practitioners and Aboriginal Medical Services. Some community health centres and council immunisation clinics are also offering the vaccine free of charge. Call ahead to confirm the health service is vaccinating on the day you wish to visit. The NSW Department of Education and Training is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy working and learning environment for staff, students and visitors to schools. It is important that information about the availability of Panvax® continues to go out to your school and broader community. Immunising a high percentage of the school not only protects those individuals who receive the vaccine, but also reduces the chance that any students or staff with a weakened immune system (for whom the vaccine may not work as effectively) will be exposed to the infection. Further information can be obtained through following the links. The fact sheets are available on the Department’s Occupational Health and Safety website at: https://detwww.det.nsw.edu.au/adminandmanage/ohands/hsi/index.htm Pandemic influenza vaccination available for children aged ten years and over:

https://detwww.det.nsw.edu.au/media/downloads/detoh_s/adminandmanage/ohands/hsi/vaccine.doc Pandemic influenza vaccination approved for children aged 6 months and over:

https://detwww.det.nsw.edu.au/media/downloads/detoh_s/adminandmanage/ohands/hsi/vaccineremind

er.doc

NSW Health: information about the vaccine:

http://www.emergency.health.nsw.gov.au/swineflu/vaccination/index.asp

Principals are requested to place information regarding the availability of Panvax® in all usual newsletters, messages and on staff meeting agendas. By encouraging the uptake of these vaccinations during Term 1 we can continue to support our community in the lead up to flu season. Please contact the Occupational Health and Safety Directorate on 9266 8958 if you have any questions or would like further information. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. I'll continue to keep you up to date with any relevant information in regard to swine flu as it becomes available. Yours sincerely Peter Riordan - Deputy Director-General Workforce Management and Systems Improvement

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`The Student Media Committee and Student Radio

As many of you may have heard, the student radio committee has started up for 2010, playing music over the loud speakers each Friday. Last year I voiced the idea of student radio to the SRC and we decided to form a committee. This committee was made up of about eight students who met once a week to decide on the best way to implement our ideas for the student radio. After many meetings we found the most practical way to run the radio would be: Broadcast from the ‘Meeting Room’ in the office since all the equipment we

needed was already set up there.

Let students come to the meeting room window (accessible from the quad), give

in their iPod or MP3 player and request the song they want played. iPods could

then be collected at the end of lunch

Set guidelines/rules for the radio (no songs with swearing, sexual references etc.)

This strategy worked well for us towards the end of last year so we have kept it in place. If you would like to join the Student Media or Radio Committee, just come up to the Meeting Room on Friday lunchtimes and talk to either myself or one of the other members. The Student Media Committee is looking forward to planning more fun lunch-times for students. The idea of movies in the hall was suggested, as well as quizzes and prizes at lunch to coincide with the radio. If you have any suggestions feel free to come up to the Meeting Room window any Friday whilst the Student Radio is playing. Caitlin Nelson

Welcome to the Environment Committee!

We usually meet every Friday in the Support unit during first half lunch – bring your lunch along! We welcome your concerns about your environment, and your ideas to make the best of our school and local community. The paper recycling bins we ordered last year have arrived and will be distributed to all B block classrooms. Please use these bins for all scrap paper and help reduce our carbon footprint.

Some of the Media Committee members – Grace Swain

Caleb Lees, Cailtin Nelson, Nathan Furry, Ellen Hinch

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We’ve also got some bins for recycling plastics such as drink bottles – we’d like to put these in the Quad. In April, the proposed road and parking improvements will see many of the existing trees in the approach to our school chopped down. The Environment Committee would like to ensure that replacement trees are planted, and would prefer these trees to be native to our region. So look out for a tree- planting day later this year! Mobile Muster is a recycling plan for all the mobile phones that have expired or are out of use. Old phones contain small quantities of precious metals, as well as some re-usable parts, and this plan ensures that these are not wasted. The Environment Committee wants to set up a collection point for your, and your family’s old mobiles, and send them to the Muster. The organisers are committed to improving communications in disadvantaged areas. As you see, our plans include our school and the wider community. Think globally – act locally. Together we CAN make a difference. Ruby Foxlewin

Community News - Students Head to Niue

On the 8th of January the Yass combined unit of scouts and guides Holly Murphy, Douglas Murphy, Stella Murphy, Skye Vickery, Fiona Vickery, Nick Gailer, Andrew Gailer, Sarah Parker, Caitlin Nelson, Savannah McGuirk, Attila Ovari Snr and Attila Ovari Jnr met at the Jolimont Centre in Canberra. Four hours later we arrived in Sydney airport, and caught a plane to New Zealand. When we landed at Auckland airport we checked in and had to stay at the airport for 9 hours overnight. Early the next morning we got on a plane headed for Niue. After another 3 hours we landed on the island of Niue. As we got out of the plane we felt a heat wave, and it was 99% humidity. In the airport we met our host Ina who showed us to our accommodation which was the youth centre/south Alofi evacuation centre (Alofi is the capital of Niue). As we got there they were doing their new years celebrations and we were invited to go on the ‘Takai’ as it was called. The Takai is a tradition where the Niueans decorate their cars and get dressed up, while driving around the island. This is the only day that unregistered cars can drive on the roads. Going around the island we stopped for a little lunch break; while we were stopped we were approached by the chief of south Alofi who invited us to a feast after the Takai. At the feast there was a lot of different food (native and otherwise) and a lot of dancing. On Sunday we went to church and were very welcomed by the islanders. Seeing as Sunday is a day of rest we couldn’t buy our supplies for our project which was to paint Alofi’s Youth Centre. This project was the main reason we went over to Niue.

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One night we participated in a local body jam/ hip hop dance competition. Our dance was to the music ‘Land Down Under’ which we thought was quite appropriate! We met a girl called Pele who invited us to Matapa Bar where all the locals met up each week to dance and socialise. This is where we met lots of nice, friendly people. While we were there we did a lot of recreational things such as: swimming with dolphins, glass bottom boating, bush walking, uga crab hunting, swimming at different beaches, touring their parliament house, snorkelling, socialising and dancing and playing netball against the locals. While we were swimming at one of the beaches we met a local called Oscar. He taught us how to husk a coconut, and invited us to go crab hunting with him. We went out late one night to set traps for the ‘Uga’ (local crabs), we went back later on and found out we caught 4 crabs. Before our farewell dinner we had a game of netball against the locals. This was a hard fought game, with both teams giving their all. After losing to them in a close match we found out that their whole team were basketball players, which meant they were good at jumping and running. While we were having dinner there was karaoke which was quite funny. After the dinner we invited some of the locals back to the Youth Centre because we were setting off fireworks. The day before, we bought some fireworks from the local hardware store. Surprisingly, by local law anyone can set off fireworks in their own yard, so we did. Our last day we cleaned the centre, packed our bags and went to the airport, said goodbye to some of our friends and headed onto the plane to Australia. Overall it was an amazing and fun experience. We all developed our leadership and teamwork skills through all the activities and project work we did. We also made some great lasting friendships. Written by, Holly Murphy, Skye Vickery and Nick Gailer

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Students discover the world on a WEP student exchange!

World Education Program (WEP) Australia is now accepting applications from students to participate in 2010/11 exchange programs for a summer, semester or year. Students and parents can choose from more than 26 countries, including France, Belgium, Italy, Germany and Spain. Give your child the opportunity to have an international experience and gain the personal, social and academic skills that are so important in today’s world. Student exchange is a journey of discovery – of self and of places, peoples and cultural practices. Exchange students return to Australia with maturity, confidence, and in many cases, proficiency in another language. If learning another language is not for your child, excellent programs to the USA, Canada, Ireland and the UK are also available. Attend one of WEP’s information evenings or go online at www.wep.org.au to find out more. Scholarships to Italy and French-speaking Belgium are now available for January 2011! If you are more interested in the rewards of hosting an international student, you can find the relevant information on the WEP website or by contacting the WEP office. WEP, a not-for-profit student exchange organisation registered with the education departments, has opened the door to a rewarding and successful future for thousands of students. Upcoming information evenings:

Melbourne 7:30 -9:00 pm 2 March Kingston Arts Centre 979 Nepean Highway Moorabbin 4 March Northcote Town Hall 189 High Street Northcote 23 March Hawthorn Library Centre 584 Glenferrie Road Hawthorn

Sydney 7:30-9:00 pm 10 March Bowlers Club 95-99 York Street Sydney

Brisbane 7:30-9:00 pm 10 March Metropolitan Motor Inn 106 Leichardt Street Spring Hill

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Want to be an electrician or plumber?

Many of our newly qualified electricians and plumbers earn salaries of $80,000 or more on completion of their course and you can double that if you work overseas! An apprenticeship provides a pathway to an interesting and lucrative career and builds a good foundation should you wish to go on to further study. We are currently offering pre-apprenticeship courses in electrotechnology and plumbing. You can complete the program by attending CIT for 1 day a week (8am to 5pm). Most students are able to get an apprenticeship on completion of the course.

CIT course

Make-up Techniques for Special Occasions This program is designed for people interested in gaining professional makeup skills and techniques. You will learn how to apply makeup for special occasions such as weddings and formals. The program would involve: 2.5 hours a week for 6 months. The program will lead into: Job opportunities in the beauty industry and makeup sector Students entering these programs need good eyesight, good hand/eye coordination skills and good communication skills. Yr 11 and 12 students can apply. Students will need to purchase a set of makeup brushes. Contact CIT: 6207 3188 or infoline@cit.act.edu.au or www.cit.act.edu.au

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BRING HOME A BROTHER OR A SISTER

In June-July 2010, students, aged 15 – 18 years, from over 15 countries will be arriving in Australia to study at local schools for 3, 5 or 10 months. Opportunities exist to act as a host family in a volunteer/unpaid capacity. Hosting can be on a temporary, short or long term basis. Host families help provide our students with the chance to study and experience life in Australia. This is a great way to learn about another country and culture, establish a lifelong link to a family in another country and contribute to international goodwill. If your family can offer a friendly, supportive and caring home environment, contact us today. To learn more about this opportunity call Student Exchange Australia New Zealand on 1300 135 331 or visit our website: www.studentexchange.org.au

Yass Minor Rugby League Club invites all players to register for the 2010 season Under 6’s - Under 16’s Saturday 27 February 2010 At Walker Park Playing Fields, Yass 10.00am – 2.00pm Cost per player - $85.00 (Family discount available) New players are more than welcome to register. (You must bring along your original birth certificate)*Girls can register to play up to Under 12’s Fees are payable at the time of registration. (NO PAY - NO PLAY ) Come along and play “the greatest game of all!” All enquiries contact Greg Smith 6226 1777 or 0404909160

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The Coffee Morning Chats are not running

this year due to work and study.

We are still contactable with any issues

that you feel you need to talk about or

for information.

Contacts Cindy Davis – 62276312

Leanne Wilcox – 62262069

Vivienne Cox - 62262230

(Local Support Coordinator, Yass)

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THE VI NE CHURCH

PRESENTS

FAMI LY BUSH DANCE

SATURDAY 20TH MARCH 2010

6.30PM

YASS MEMORI AL HALL

ENTRY: $15 PER FAMI LY OR $5 SI NGLE

LUCKY DOOR PRI ZES

LI GHT REFRESHMENTS WI LL BE SERVED

music provided by

Bunyip & Bluegum Bush Band

Put on your dancing shoes and join us

for a fun- f illed evening

This is st r ict ly a no- Alcohol event .

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Coming Events

DATE EVENT

Sat 27th Feb P&C Bunnings Fund-raiser

Mon 1st March P&C AGM 7.30pm YHS Common Room

Thur 4th March Girls’ Soccer Trials

Fri 5th March Regional Swimming Carnival

Wed 10th March Regional Soccer Trials

Thur 11th March Vietnam Veterans visit

Thur 11th March Zone Rugby League

Fri 12th March Year 7 & 10 Vaccinations

Mon 15th – Fri 19th March

Year 12 Hospitality Work Placement

Tues 16th March Regional Girls’ soccer - Wollongong

Wed 17th March Cross Country / Walkathon

Fri 19th March Brainstorm Productions presentation

Mon 22nd – Fri 26th March

Year 11 Primary Industries VET Work Placement

Wed 24th March 7/8 Rugby League - Canberra

Thur 25th March 9/10 Rugby League

Fri 26th March Zone Touch Football - Bowral

Fri 26th March – Thurs 1st April

Year 12 Half Yearly Exams

Thurs 1st April Last day of school term

Wed 14th April Zone Cross Country

Mon 19th April Proposed Return to School – Term 2

Fri 23rd April Proposed School Development Day (Pupil Free)

Click on the school website for the online calendar