30 August 2019

Bellingen High School

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

Down at the Ag Plot

Year 7 Chicken Project

The students have been busy identifying and

looking after their layer chickens. They have

realised that the brown, white and black

chickens all grow at about the same rate. The

meat chickens have already reached 2

kilograms.

Are you going to buy your chicken?

Year 9 Agriculture

This week the students started studying for their tractor licence.

They listened well and so far are doing well. Once they have

their licence they will use the tractor to spread fertiliser, pull

the manure spreader and operate the mulcher.

The students also continue to work on their raised gardens,

and help manage the cattle herd and sheep flock.

A very busy time.

Year 10 Agriculture

The students are working mainly on cattle this term as a lot of time is required to prepare

them for showing. Each student is being challenged to work in groups with minimal teacher

guidance, on projects that interest them.

The group work is designed to reinforce the idea of taking responsibility for their own

actions. This involves students completing each task in a satisfactory manner, which

includes packing away, and reporting their achievements in the farm diary.

Take the challenge, Year 10!

Cattle Report

Everyone has been busy preparing the cattle for the upcoming show season. The yearling

steers have reached 450kgs, this year’s calves now lead well, and the Square Meater cows

are quietening down day by day. All have been drenched, vaccinated and tagged.

Sheep Report

The farm now has 13 lambs. Milo, the ewe, is still

refusing to lamb. Pru, a young ewe, produced two

very cute lambs this week, which were not

expected. The students are leading the lambs

around the school preparing them for next year’s

Sydney Royal Easter Show.

The incubators are on

Just over 200 fertile Silver Pencil

Wyandotte eggs have been placed in the

schools incubators. This arguably makes

our farm the largest breeder of this

colour in Australia. Every student will

have the opportunity to look after one

chicken, either raising it for sale, or to

enter in shows next year.

Hoping for many fluffy chickens.

Show Update

Taree Show Friday 11th October

Red Poll Cattle Camp Friday 11th to Sunday 13th October

Lismore Show Wednesday 16th October to Saturday 19th October

Dorrigo Show Friday 22nd November to Saturday 23rd November

We are looking for a lady who would like to travel with us to Lismore for the show. Please

contact Mr Boyd if you can help.

Stephen Boyd

Agriculture and Primary Industries Teacher

Bellingen High School P&C Meeting

Monday 9 September 2019

6pm Staff Common Room

All Welcome!

From the Principal

Hello or as they say in New Caledonia: Bonjour! I’ve just returned

from some Long Service Leave and am glad to be home and back at

school. I know I always say it but so many things happen at

Bellingen High and I am always in awe of what both students and

staff engage with as extra-curricular activities.

While away, we had a group of Fijian School

Executives visit Bellingen High. What a

wonderful event of international educational

sharing. Reports suggest they were an

extremely friendly group, who arrived with

broad smiles on faces and left the same way.

We ensured that our student talents were on

display as the Hospitality students created a

lunch in their honour and as their welcome;

tour guides for their wander around the

school and they were entertained as the

orchestra practiced. We gave them gifts to

remember us by and they gave us cards made

of information relating to their schools. I

would like to thank Ms Jesse Jeanes, Ms

Amanda Meldrum, Mr Bob Stockton and Mr

Paul Holding – who paid a visit in cameo

roles of their former employ and Mrs

Lorraine Eichmann - who organised

invitations, timelines, kept communication

going in my absence and coordinated the

Bellingen High School gift bags.

Forty Two students entered themselves as teams in the fundraiser, “Write a Book in a

Day”. Held in the Library, students came dressed to thrill (the unicorn onesie was a definite

winner) and Ms Ramirez, Ms Tsang, Ms Hill and Ms Campbell all assisted teams begin and

maintain their progress throughout the day. Students approached businesses and

community to sponsor them and the money raised across Australia goes to Children’s

Cancer Research. One of our hard working teams

has raised $965 – and the “Write a Book in a Day”

committee are extremely pleased with such a strong

contribution from a small, regional community. The

products of student labour are submitted and then

reproduced – given to children in hospitals who can

read them at will and get a little cheer as a result.

Our copies are taking pride of place in the front

foyer for the next year for those who visit our

school to read. The copies of the 2018 submissions

have been returned to the Library for archiving.

Congratulations to all involved in such a wonderful

experience and a worthwhile cause.

The Year 10 into 11 Subject Selection Evening was held while

I was away, and from all reports, was seen as quite a success!

Many thanks to Tim Laverty for filling in the breach in my

absence and Frieda Gorman for her organisation – but, most

importantly, to the students who helped make it the success

it was. To Hospitality students who fed the crowd,

demonstrating their skills and the competencies of the course

and the current senior students as well as our alumni, who

gave up their time so willingly, to promote and explain what

made their experience at Bellingen High such a purposeful

one. Also a huge thank you to Dylan Herron for editing the

video that was shown at the outset of the evening, making it

more current and ensuring the quality of the film used. He is

a wonderful talent in this area and many others

in the school – so, THANK YOU Dylan! I would

add that students considering subjects may get

the opportunity to have a ‘tester’ period or two

to ensure they have selected wisely by sitting in

senior classes. I would also like to advise that

students need to pick their 12 Units carefully for

Year 11. Many students already have it in their

mind that they have a subject they can ‘drop’

at the end of Year 11. It is my firm belief in my

role, with my experience as a teacher, Head

Teacher, Deputy, Principal and parent (of 2

VERY different children) for over 30 years (feeling like I myself have completed the HSC

almost 27 times…) that whatever 12 units you select should sustain you for Year 11 and

Year 12. I do not advocate ‘dropping’ a subject in Year 12 and running with the minimum

of 10 units. We know, as adults, that there are many variables that can occur over the

course of a year: subject core topics differ (what if the exam question doesn’t suit what

you chose to study); what if on the morning of 1 specific exam you struggle with

concentration and extrapolating the knowledge you require to complete the exam

optimally? These are valid reasons to ensure 12 units studied gives or allows that ‘breathing

space’ just in case somethings goes amiss…

Finally, the Communication and Engagement Directorate have sent the report relating to

student, staff, parent and community perceptions of Bellingen High School for us to

deconstruct and look at using their recommendations to improve our service levels and

our self-promotion. As it only arrived late yesterday afternoon, Tim and I will look at it

over the weekend. A copy will, as promised, be forwarded to participants in focus groups

– particularly our parent group. I look forward to Bellingen High School working with the

Communication and Engagement Directorate to embed strong and positive practices that

align with our school plan, our vision and that will, ultimately, mean a more positive,

proactive space for students, staff and parents to be a part of. Particular thanks goes to

Riccardo Martinelli for his work in running the focus groups and collating the information

gathered for the report. He’s a wonderful, efficient Department employee, who is always

aware and always ensures that students come first every time in all the interviews, focus

groups and information he collects and the findings and recommendations he suggests.

The work completed relates to: engagement; student belonging; areas of strength in the

school and areas for improvement as well as community perceptions of Bellingen High

School as well as community perception of us in relation to other schools and services in

the area. Once the participants have their copy and the senior exec, exec and staff have

analysed the materials, we will meet with the Communication and Engagement

Directorate to look at best practice for implementing recommendations and then take

these to P&C. I will ensure that our Bellingen High School Learning Community and the

wider community are aware of the date set for us to discuss this next phase.

On Tuesday, I celebrated the anniversary of my arrival at Bellingen High School. We had

an assembly (much as we did on my first week here last year) – and the same things were

raised: Debating results (although this year’s teams achieved the best results BHS has to

date and there was special recognition of Mali Tipping for her dedication to ensuring

debating became embedded in the BHS tapestry of extra-curricular opportunities); History

Competition Results – this year many more high flying achiever results – lots of Distinctions

and even High Distinctions (which equates to being in the top 2% in the State); a Sport

report – though last year Ms Hoy delivered it and this year the energetic and engaging Tui

Apanui delivered a sports report full of the excellent results we are used to when discussing

sport at this school – particularly the Girls Futsal results – regional champions (again!)…

but this year, on my anniversary, what was different for me was: the number of students

in complete uniform (though it is still a daily battle for Mr Laverty and myself); the number

wholly engaged in actively listening to what was presented and two other items which

typify Bellingen High engagement to me. The first was the ever effervescent, energiser

bunny style of Stephen Boyd, who had asked two students: Isabella Michelsen and Chelsea

Nolan to bottle feed two kids (by name of Donkey and Bambi) in a race. Well, apart from

the tremendous humour of it all and Mr Boyd’s energetic commentary, Donkey – who

won – but spilt (or spat) milk absolutely everywhere is definitely NOT a donkey – he is a

ginormous PIG! So that a semblance of honesty can be applied, Donkey should really be

re-named. The second was a musical set, two pieces, played beautifully by a talented trio,

including: Erin Neville, Mali Tipping and Jessie O’Connor. The pieces were extremely

sonorous with haunting melodies that the assembly cheered when finished. All up -= a

lovely way to commemorate an anniversary via comparison.

HSC Trial Examinations are almost at an end. I hope each student has studied appropriately

and given each exam its due credence so they can achieve optimally. They will, indeed,

reap what they sow. Year 11 Final Examinations commence soon. In both sets of exams,

we have elected to use external invigilators – those who also supervise the HSC proper,

led, most ably, by the Presiding Officer, Helga Muss. This allows students to see and get a

feel for what the actual HSC exam conditions are like. It also helps us to avoid supervision

cross over of staff; trying to fill in for absent staff supervising and it allows all Year 12 (and

then Year 11) teachers to get on with marking the exams and preparing student reports

appropriately and within the correct timeframe. With so many new HSC curriculums this

year, it also allows staff the opportunity to do some programming for the incoming

cohort, so all modules and core topics are prepared well and well in advance of teaching

them, making registration of programs much easier. I wish each student the success they

deserve when gaining results for these exams.

Finally, this week is National SASS week – a time to honour the office staff; faculty

assistants; the teacher’s aides; GA’s and Farm Assistants who make up our workforce. The

focus this year has been on ‘100%‘ – effort, output, workforce, integrity and dedication.

We, at BHS, are fortunate that our SASS staff are quite extraordinary and deserving of our

praise every day. I took the ladies from the front office, who I have the honour of working

so closely with, to breakfast this week. What a great time – relaxing and many laughs were

had. It was my way of saying thank you and showing appreciation. There have been small

gits and tokens left on desks all week of those who fall under this SASS banner – and all

are thoroughly deserved. Last week, Peter Goode was the focus of a lunch, held in his

honour, by his faculty to acknowledge Lab Assistant Day. Next Monday, the staff will host

all SASS to a morning tea and Tim, the School Leaders and myself will run the front office

(we can’t guarantee how well we will do this – they’re mighty shoes to fill – but we’ll

have a go!) in honour of the work that SASS do in and around our school – all day, every

day: for the benefit of staff but mostly for the benefit of students and parents. SO, a

massive thank you to all our SASS for their ongoing dedication to meaningful service and

efficient work practices.

As always, there’s much happening in the next fortnight at Bellingen High School, so, until

the next instalment –

Yours in Education:

Kim Dixon

Students in the Community

Lola Rees in Year 9 is to be congratulated for her great after school volunteer work for the

past two terms. Lola has volunteered her time to teach primary school aged Yazidi refugee

kids to read. Lola has attended the training sessions, social events to make the families feel

more welcome and she has not missed a single tutoring session on a Wednesday afternoon.

There have been days when the boys (aged 8 and 12) have been distracted by other things

and not been so keen to work through their readers and spelling words and Lola has been

firm but playful enough to engage them. Their teachers at Narranga Public School say that

they can see the progress that the boys have made since Lola started working with them.

Lola’s efforts are a real example of the positive things that teenagers are doing in our

community. Bellingen High School is proud of Lola for her commitment to giving back to

her community – this is a great endeavour all students should aspire to. It helps community

stay connected and grow together and allows students to feel a sense of belong in a

different way to that of school. Well done Lola!

Nihongo Report

This week we have continued to work through Chapter 5 of

Nihongo Daijobu. Students have learned and practiced many

useful phrases.

The most practiced phrase was:

Doko ni ikitai desu ka which translates into Where would you like to go?

Students also had the opportunity to research things that interested them in Japan. Some

areas included housing, restaurants and fashion.

Ja Mata

Boyd Sensei

Ja Mata

Boyd Sensei

Thursday 12 September is R U OK? Day – a day when we’re reminded to ask, “Are you

OK?” and to remember every day of the year to support people who may be struggling

with life’s ups and downs.

At Bellingen High School, we know that regular meaningful conversations can make a

difference. And you don’t have to be an expert to ask how someone’s going. Just a great

mate and a good listener. This year in the build-up to R U OK? Day we’re shining a light on

the times we should be asking our friends and loved ones this important question. We want

everyone in our school community to know that if something’s up with someone you know

– there’s something going on in their life or you notice a change in what they’re doing or

saying – it’s time to trust that gut instinct and ask them “Are you OK?”

To spread this message, we’ll be running special activities during lunch (watch this space!)

R U OK? is a national charity dedicated to inspiring all of us to have regular, meaningful

conversations to support anyone struggling with life.

You can learn more about the signs and how to ask R U OK? at www.ruok.org.au

Careers News

World Skills Week at Bellingen High

School

The Week is the focal point for the promotion of Australia's

vocational education and training (VET) system. Through hundreds

of activities around Australia, highlighting the achievements,

contributions, the career pathways, opportunities and success stories

of VET. Bellingen High School participated by hosting a mini expo

"Lunch at the Farm" highlighting skills offered in our three VET

subjects in Years 11 & 12; Hospitality, Primary Industries and Business

Services. This event was open to students interested in VET subjects,

parents and community members. Business Services students

organised and promoted the event, Hospitality students prepared a

delicious lunch while Primary Industries students conducted farm

tours and animal experiences! Our Careers Advisor set up a stall with

flyers and information about VET education and information on how

to 'succeed your way'. Thank you to all who came along.

Hospitality students preparing

for the event

Ex Principal Paul Holding feeding

one of our baby goats

Students getting to know our lambs!

Year 12

Many of our Year 12 students attended Southern Cross

University's Open Day recently to discover the benefits of

attending a local university. Mr Laverty and our school

captains Nadia and Tomas also attended a VIP session

and looked very smart!!

Representatives from Griffith University, Charles Sturt

University and University of Newcastle will be in school

next week (Wednesday and Friday). Please ensure

students add their names to the list on the careers

noticeboard if interested in attending.

Students are reminded to keep an eye on the Applying

for University 2020 Important Dates list for upcoming

closing dates.

Year 10

Thank you to all who attended our Year 11 2020 subject selection interviews. It was highly

beneficial to discuss future options with students and parents. Just a reminder to those

who have selected TVET (TAFE) subjects next year to return the ‘Expression of Interest’

forms by Tuesday 3rd September as applications close shortly. No late applications are

accepted by TAFE.

Year 10 students joined other local high schools

last weekend on an excursion to visit Defence

Force Recruiting Newcastle, Fighter World

Williamtown and Australian Defence Force

Academy Canberra's Open Day. Despite the

long hours on the bus it was a wonderful

weekend and we all returned full of

information about future career opportunities.

Thank you to Defence Force Recruiting for

heavily subsidising this excursion.

Year 11

Queensland Universities Excursion is on the 28th and 29th November - permission notes

are available from the careers noticeboard. If you are considering Griffith, Bond, SCU,

UQ or QUT universities in future, it would be worth attending this excursion. Places are

limited so return your permission notes and deposit ASAP.

Frieda Gorman

Careers Adviser

Write a Book in a Day

Story by Janene Carey

(Bellingen Shire Courier Sun 22 August 2019)

Six teams of Bellingen High students took on the challenge of writing a book in a day to

help raise money for childhood cancer research.

They put in a solid 12 hours at school on August 14 to get their 5000 word stories planned,

written, edited, illustrated and submitted within the time limits of the competition.

School librarian Haridian Ramirez received an email at midnight the day before, stipulating

the parameters for each team, which she handed out at 8am the next morning.

"It's full on work, work, work all day," she said

The students switch to comfy clothing for School Librarian Haridian Ramirez

their marathon book writing session with some of last year’s entries

Eve Pullinger, writer and editor in the ten-person team called the Multi-Meal Club,

explained that their book needed to include as characters a cheesemaker, a hip-hop dancer

and a garden gnome.

After working together for an hour or so to come up with the storyline, each team member

went off to work on a particular chapter, and when they'd finished it, they sent it to Eve.

"Then I edited it all," Eve said. "I made sure it flowed."

Their story was about a lad who thwarted his cheesemaker father's wishes by declaring he

wanted to become a hip-hop dancer, rather than join the family business.

Conflict, consequences and a journey through a magical landscape to rescue the family of

a banished garden gnome ensued.

"With these books, they have to have in mind that they are aimed at children in hospital,"

Haridian explained.

As well as being distributed to sick children, the books are judged, with finalists being

notified in October and winners in November.

CUPBOARD OF CARING

An Initiative to provide snacks to students in need

Starts: 9 September 2019 Open Monday to Friday Recess and Lunch

See India Cowley or Evie Quennell for more information

Donations accepted and gratefully appreciated.

Important information about your written exams

timetable

The 2019 Higher School Examination will run from Thursday 17 October to Monday 11

November.

Your personal exam timetable

Your personal exam timetable is available from studentsonline.nesa.nsw.edu.au. This

timetable lists your written exams. It also lists any other exams you are entered for,

including oral exams for languages, performance exams and submitted works. Details of

your performance exams or projects such as title of work or category (supplied by your

school) are also available via Students Online. If you are undertaking oral or performance

exams, we will post the time and venue on Students Online later this year. If there are

errors or omissions in the exams you are entered for, contact your school immediately to

supply us with the correct information. Take special care if you are entered for a VET

course that has an HSC exam. If the exam does not appear on your personal timetable,

you have not been entered for it. You must be entered separately for the exam if you

expect to sit for it.

Preparing for your exams

When preparing for your exams, find out what to expect in the exam room and the exam

paper, including where to write your answers. For each course you are studying, know

the rules and requirements, and what to expect in each exam.

Information about the HSC exams

Make sure you have read and understand the 2019 Higher School Certificate Rules and

Procedures guide. You should have received a guide from your school and can also access

it here: educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/hsc/rules- procedures-guide-students.

There are serious consequences for:

• cheating in an exam

• disobeying NESA’s rules for exam conduct

• not making a serious attempt across a range of questions in each exam.

Any of these offences may result in reduced marks, course cancellation or loss of your

HSC.

The timetable’s exam starting time is when reading time begins. Arrive at your exam venue

well before the time specified. Further information about your HSC exams is available on

Students Online.

Disability provisions

If you have a disability that affects reading exam questions or responding to them

under exam conditions, your school can submit an application for provisions to help

you. If you have not already done so, speak to your school if you think this applies to

you.

Term 3 Assessments – Years 7-12

YEAR 7

WEEK TASK

7 English: Novel Assessment Task

9 Science: Pendulum Investigation

10 Music Performance

11 Technology Mandatory: End of Unit Submission

YEAR 8

WEEK TASK

9 Science: Liquids Investigation

10 Music Performance

11 Technology Mandatory: End of Unit Submission

YEAR 9

WEEK TASK

9 English: Visual Representation Task

10 Science: changing World Test

10 Music Performance/Composition

11 Industrial Technology: Management and production of practical works

YEAR 10

WEEK TASK

8 VALID Science Exam

8 Music Composition

10 Science: Stage 5 Exam

11 English: Yearly Examination - Poetry

11 Industrial Technology: Management and production of practical works

YEAR 11

WEEK DATE TASK

8 13/9/19 Year 11 CAFS

10 27/9/19 Year 11 Engineering Studies

10 27/9/19 Year 11 Industrial Technology

YEAR 12

WEEK DATE TASK

8 9/9/19 Year 12 Engineering Studies

8 10/9/19 Year 12 Society & Culture (oral presentation)

DATES TO REMEMBER

SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER

4-6 Year 12 Uni Visits 1 MNC Netball Gala Day (15’s)

4-6 CHS Athletics 7-10 Australian Futsal

9-20 Year 11 Exams 11 P&C Meeting

9 P&C Meeting 12 HSC Ends

12 Year 8 into 9 Subject Evening 13 NC Surf Lifesaving

13 CAPA Night 17 HSC Results

23-27 Year 10 Exams 19 NC Beach Volleyball (15’s/Opens)

25 NC Cricket (Opens)(Boys) 22-23 Dorrigo Show

26 Year 12 Presentation Assembly 25-10/12 Year 10 Work Placement

27 Fine Music Concert 28-29 Year 11 Queensland Uni Excursion

27 End Term 3 DECEMBER

OCTOBER 9 P&C Meeting

14 Students return - Term 4 starts 13 Years 7-10 Reports Issued

15 MNC Futsal 16 Presentation Assembly (11.30am)

16-19 Lismore Show 18 Last day Term 4 2019

17 HSC Commences Did you know?

The world record for stuffing drinking

straws into your mouth at once is 459.

22 Year 11 SCU Discovery Day

29 MNC Beach Volleyball

31 NC Futsal Finals

YEAR 11 EXAMINATION TIMETABLE 2019

DAY SUBJECT START TIME VENUE PAPER LENGTH

MONDAY 9 September Week 8B

English Advanced English Standard

9.15am 9.15am

MPC MPC

50min + 5 min 2hr + 5 min

TUESDAY 10 September Week 8B

Mathematics Advanced Mathematics Standard

9.15am 9.15am

MPC MPC

2.5hr + 10min 2hr + 5min

WEDNESDAY 11 September Week 8B

Business Studies Legal Studies Music 1 & 2

9.15am 9.15am 9.15am

F8/F9 F8/F9 F8/F9

2hr + 5min 2hr + 5min 1.5hr + 5min

THURSDAY 12 September Week 8B

Biology 9.15am F8/F9 2hr + 5min

FRIDAY 13 September Week 8B

Investigating Science PDHPE Physics Hospitality

9.15am 9.15am 9.15am 9.15am

NO EXAM F8/F9 F8/F9 F8/F9

2hr + 5min 2hr + 5min 2hr + 5min

MONDAY 16 September Week 9A

Community & Family Studies Chemistry Industrial Tech-Timber Industrial Tech-Metal

9.15am 9.15am 9.15am 9.15am

F8/F9 F8/F9 F8/F9 F8/F9

2hr + 5min 2hr + 5min 1.5hr + 5min 1.5hr + 5min

TUESDAY 17 September Week 9A

Ancient History Drama Engineering Studies Modern History

9.15am 9.15am 9.15am 9.15am

F8/F9 F8/F9 F8/F9 F8/F9

2hr + 5min 45min + 5min 2hr + 5min 2hr + 5min

WEDNESDAY 18 September Week 9A

Visual Arts Society and Culture Primary Industries

9.15am 9.15am 9.15am

F8/F9 F8/F9

NO EXAM

1.5hr + 5min 1.5hr + 5min

THURSDAY 19 September Week 9A

Mathematics Extension 1 9.15am F8/F9 1.5hr + 5min