Alstonville High School Newsletter: Issue 9, 20 June 2018

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Alstonville High School Newsletter

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

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

Fax: (02) 6628 1223 Email: alstonvill-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Issue 9 20 June 2018

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?

Visit from the Governor of NSW On Tuesday, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d), Governor of NSW and Mrs Linda Hurley visited

Alstonville High School. During the visit, they met with our school captains, members of our environment club and representatives

from the SRC. They investigated some of the vegetation regeneration work that has been done along the school’s boundary and

heard some wonderful student performances. We provided some examples of student work in a display in the library and his

Excellency visited the Visual Arts building to look at some of year 12 student works.

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 27 June Wednesday P&C Meeting – 7pm

28 June Thursday NAIDOC Assembly

29 June Friday Zone Athletics Carnival

Year 10 TAFE & TVET Excursion

5 July Thursday Brainstorm Production Yr 7 & 8

6 July Friday Last Day Term 2

23 July Monday Staff Development Day

24 July Tuesday Students’ First day Term 3

2 August Thursday Year 10 to 11 Information Night

6pm – 8pm

7 August Tuesday Semester 1 Awards Assembly

8 August Wednesday Year 10 to 11 Subject Selection

Interviews 2pm – 6pm

9 August Thursday North Coast Athletics

Year 10 to 11 Subject Selection

Interviews 2pm – 6pm

Alstonville High School Newsletter: Issue 9, 20 June 2018

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His Excellency chose to visit Alstonville High School because of a

recommendation from a member of our local community who spoke in

glowing terms about the achievement of our students and the special place

the school occupies within the local community. The visit provided us with a

terrific opportunity to highlight the many achievements of our students,

staff and families. We all are terribly proud of this school and the people who

make it what it is.

Science Lab upgrade Next week we hope to sign off on the science lab upgrade that has been taking place for almost a term. The new facilities look

very impressive and should contribute to making the study of science an even more engaging and productive experience. All of

the staff associated with the science faculty have made a powerful contribution to the success of this project and deserve a huge

thank you. Their contributions include ideas for the design and equipment installations. They have moved equipment, chemicals

and furniture whilst continuing to deliver science lessons in substitute spaces with interim storage facilities for equipment and

chemicals.

The old darkroom facilities have also been upgraded so our students can pursue their interest in photography in both the digital

and more traditional forms.

Professional Learning Update Since our last newsletter, our staff have all participated in professional learning that has built our capacity to understand and

support students on the autism spectrum. We have also engaged with further work around the use of formative assessment with

Mr Price delivering a very engaging workshop session referencing the humour of John Cleese. Staff have also completed training

linked to the new senior syllabus implementation and literacy and numeracy support for students.

Student success stories Included in more detail within this and following newsletters are some wonderful success stories for teams of students and

individual students. These success stories have been achieved because each and every student has dared to take a risk and to

‘have a go’. They have enjoyed the journey and the participation in activities as much as the end result and as a result are reaping

the rewards. During our recent visit by the Governor of NSW one of the accompanying party observed that they have visited many

schools and they were impressed by the tone of the school – the welcoming and cheerful demeanour – and the range of talent

and enthusiasm on display, from students, staff and parents. This is terrific feedback. HSC results, NAPLAN data, medals and

trophies are important indicators of achievement but feedback about character, personality and emotional intelligence is vital

because these are the competencies that will contribute to a healthy, balanced and vibrant society. We will continue to try to

improve our learning about how we can continue to effectively nurture and build these attributes with our students. Our goal is

to ensure our students are capable, passionate and empathetic lifelong learners.

Canteen Volunteers Remember:

David Silcock

Principal

Please volunteer

for our school

canteen

We need you –

our students need

your support

Alstonville High School Newsletter: Issue 9, 20 June 2018

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Sport News

NSWCHS Open Boys Football (Soccer) Carnival

Recently four of our talented footballers: Harry Hampson yr11, James Leslie yr12, Lleyton

Stevenson yr12 and Gabe Vidler yr12 returned from the NSWCHS Open Boys State

Football Carnival held at Bathurst from 5 to 7 June. The boys enjoyed representing the

North Coast Region at the State Carnival and put in a strong effort as part of the North

Coast team. On the first day, the 12 teams are ranked according to last year’s results and

put into 4 pools of 3 teams. North Coast was put into the pool with Sydney West and

NSWCHS Invite teams, teams that would go on to finish 1st and 7th at the tournament.

North Coast’s first game was against NSWCHS Invite, where they were narrowly beaten

1 to 0. In their next game, North Coast was beaten by Sydney West 3 to 0. North Coast

won their next three games defeating West Darling 7 to 0, North West 6 to 0 and Riverina

2 to 1, to finish 9th out the 12 Regional teams who competed at state. At the end of the

three day carnival, Gabe Vidler was selected as a shadow player for the NSWCHS team.

Boys Tennis North Coast Touch Football

Congratulations to: Kyle Yager, Mark Jackson, Andrew Payne and Tyler Balfour and Jake Balfour who represented

James Leslie who are representing our school in the Regional Finals the North coast in Touch football at Mudgee

this Friday.

Open Girls Hockey

Alstonville High School Open Girls hockey team who played the

Rivers College in the State Knockout.

Paul Francis / Sports Organiser

Alstonville High School Newsletter: Issue 9, 20 June 2018

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Year 12 Food Technology Year 12 Food Technology designed, experimented with, and produced new food products as part of their Food Product

Development Unit for the HSC. The results were great!

Cheryl Williams / TAS

North Coast and Mid North Coast VET training awards. Congratulations to Anna McNaught who was successful in winning the North Coast and Mid North Coast VET Student of the year

at Coffs Harbour on Friday, 16 June. She now goes on to represent the region at the NSW State Training awards later this year.

Karen Horne / Careers

Alstonville High School Newsletter: Issue 9, 20 June 2018

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Environmental Group: The environmental group would like to highlight the need from our school community to recycle our plastic bottles. The money

raised on our coming mufti day, in Week 9, will go towards the group organising a new recycling program. This program will

encourage all students to recycle their plastic bottles in our new bins. The program will commence later this term (Week 10). 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.

As you can see from the photos below the group have been busy getting our new bins ready.

NOTE: If there, are any interested, parents / carers, volunteers that would be interested in helping out with this program by taking

the bottles to a recycling station please contact Mrs Christmas.

Vanessa Christmas / Environmental Group

Year 10 Textiles Technology: The Textile students have recently completed a major project based on free choice and they have achieved excellent results. The

following pictures speak for themselves. Enjoy viewing the wonderful work produced by our textiles students at Alstonville High

School.

Vanessa Christmas /TAS

Alstonville High School Newsletter: Issue 9, 20 June 2018

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Year 9 Textiles Technology The Textile students have just completed a project to make a sloppy joe. They have achieved wonderful and varied designs.

Enjoying viewing the varying designs.

Vanessa Christmas / TAS

Byron Bay Writers Festival comes to AHS

We were lucky enough to again have author Tristan Bancks visit AHS and facilitate workshops and a presentation to Year 11 as a

part of the BBWF Storyboard program.

The Storyboard bus will be visiting Alstonville on Saturday, July 28 as part of Writers on the Road, bringing a taste of Byron Bay

Writers Festival to smaller communities. More info to come.

Alstonville High School Newsletter: Issue 9, 20 June 2018

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OLIVER New Look Search! Now it is so easy to view new or recommended books on your OLIVER homepage and give a RATING

to books you have read. The homepage shows the book cover and whether it is available or not, you can also reserve it easily

yourself. If you like, one particular author or book, OLIVER will now recommend similar books or books by the same author

for you. Get to OLIVER from any computer when you log in to the DEC Portal page (this is for staff and students) or use the

Catalogue Computer in the library. As always, you can always ask the library staff for help.

Lost Jumpers

A sad tale: Abandoned jumpers desperately looking for student to love them.

How did this happen? These jumpers have been handed in as lost property to myself (Head Teacher Welfare, Mr Fox) or the canteen.

How do we stop these poor jumpers being separated from their loved ones? Losing things and sometimes being forgetful is a common trait for teenagers. The best thing to do is ensure the students name is written either on the tag (this is a bit small) or even better on the inside of the badge (this is white).

What to do if your child cannot find their jumper. Please see the staff in the canteen and check through the items to see if you recognise your jumper.

What if I lose it and my name is on it? Generally, we will arrange for our speedy Year7 office students to personally hand deliver your jumper free of charge. Fantastic service.

AHS Lost Jumper Rescue Society Drew Fox / Head Teacher Welfare

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TAS News What a class of woodworking gurus. These students have applied themselves in a commendable manner all term and produced

fantastic pencil boxes. While the end products are great, what has impressed me most about this group of students is how they

work together as a team. Unfortunately, not all the students were present on the day we took photos but to all of 7TIA4 I would

like to say well done on a great term.

Drew Fox / TAS

Alstonville High School Newsletter: Issue 9, 20 June 2018

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Year 8 Agriculture. The winter harvest has begun! A late corn crop has proved very successful with students

hand pollinating their crop. A late radish crop may be achieved before the end of term.

The caption for the photo relates to the TV ad.

Ben Holmes / Agriculture

Careers Communication Corner

REMINDER! The Annual TVET and TAFE Open Day for Year 10 students will be held at Wollongbar TAFE Campus on Friday, 29 June (Week 9 - A week). Permission notes can be picked up from inside the box attached to the Careers/Welfare Office door, and need to be back at front Office by Recess Wednesday, 27 June. Cost will be subsidised at $1 per student. Great chance to consider TAFE as part of senior subjects or to visit a TAFE Campus to see what facilities they have, that you might access after you leave school.

Year 10 Careers classes have started for me to access all Year 10 during Religion for 2 periods per class to discuss subject

selection, decision making and post school options. This leads to the 10 into 11 Subject selection evening and interviews

early next term. Students will have a booklet and an ‘Important Dates’ sheet to bring home after their second lesson for

parents to look at if they wish.

YEAR 12- 2019 QTAC guides for QLD University is due for release early July and UAC (NSW & ACT Unis) around July as

well. I will notify Year 12 when these publications reach our school.

Karen Horne / Careers Adviser

Check out this link: SCU Taster Days

“Pa, the rains are in!”

Gold Coast Female Only YOU Session

Time: 9.00am start

Date: Wednesday, 11th July 2018

Where: Defence Force Recruiting Gold Coast

14 Edgewater Court, Robina

For more details, go to - Defence Force Sessions

Alstonville High School Newsletter: Issue 9, 20 June 2018

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Discover the future and unleash your

imagination

At Macquarie, we are all about unconventional

thinking, open collaboration and making global

connections with diverse people and perspectives to

create real change.

In an Australian first, we have partnered with NASA

Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) and One Giant Leap to offer

a unique science and engineering experience for your

students. Meet scientists from the NASA Jet

Propulsion Lab and get up close and personal with a

range of space-inspired activities.

WHEN: 25, 26, 27 July 2018, 8:30am - 3:30pm (see

daily schedules) WHERE: Macquarie University Campus RSVP: Friday 6 July 2018 (places are limited) COST: $10 per student (free entry for teachers) Any questions? Contact us here