Moss Vale High Newsletter Moss Vale High · Moss Vale High Newsletter Issue 1 Term 1 2013 Welcome back We have already had a positive and settled start to the 2013 school year. I

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Moss Vale High Newsletter Issue 1 Term 1 2013

Moss Vale High

P. O. Box 137 Moss Vale 2577

Tel: (02) 4868 1717 Fax: (02) 4868 2787

“Innovation, Opportunity, Connection

Inspiring Success”

E-mail : [email protected]

8 February 2013

Moss Vale High School website : www.mossvale-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

Fitzgerald Family First

Respectful, Safe and Responsible Learners

STUDENTS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

This must be a First!! A Fitzgerald in every Year!! The Fitzgerald Family currently have one student in each Year group.

Madeleine, Year 12, Angus, Year 10, Charlotte, Year 9 and Margaret, Year 7 are the children of Matthew and Olivia Fitzgerald while

Melanie, Year 11 and Brooke, Year 8 are the children of Stephen and Christina Fitzgerald.

Stephen, Matthew and Olivia are former students of Moss Vale High School and Christina is currently a School Administrative Officer at Moss Vale High School.

Year 9 Hana Lavers for her selection into the Illawarra South East

Performing Ensemble

Year 12 Rilea Phelps Brett Sheather

for improving the school learning environment

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Principal’s Report

An exciting start to our 50th Year! It was with great pleasure and honour that last week I commenced my role as Principal of Moss Vale High School. I am truly honoured and feel so very blessed to have the opportunity to lead this great school into the future. Our students and our school are back in full swing. The amazing positive spirit that exists at Moss Vale High School is constantly on display in all aspects of our school and the amount of opportunities that are available for our students is fantastic. I am so very much looking forward to helping and supporting our students make their dreams for their future become a reality. This week I had the opportunity of attending the first meeting of the year of the team that will organise all the celebrations that will mark our school’s 50th anniversary. There is a number of events planned throughout the year where our whole community will have the opportunity to get involved and celebrate the amazing achievements of Moss Vale High School. Please look out for more information as it becomes available. One of our focus areas for the year will be the continued work we do around the Positive Behaviour for Success initiative. Those three expectations for being safe, responsible, respectful learners apply to all members of the Moss Vale High School community and I look forward to watching them grow throughout the year. As a new member of Moss Vale High School, I see an amazing positive spirit on display each and every day and it is such a joy to come to work each day and embrace that positive feel. I have been really inspired and impressed by all the wonderful young students at our school who have taken the time to come and say

hello to me and tell me a little bit about themselves. Building effective relationships is a key component to the undoubted success in learning that we will have here at Moss Vale High School. Over the next few weeks I look forward to getting out into our community and meeting as many people as I can. Success for our students is very much a team effort between home and school and so I also want to encourage all our parents and community to get involved. It is your school, our children and their future. Never miss an opportunity to get involved. Over the term I look forward to sharing with you the success of our students. To that point I want to congratulate all those students who competed in our school swimming carnival and recognise their success. I know that our senior students had a wonderful time attending the HSC Drama performances in Sydney on Monday night – a great opportunity for the students to see the level of performances that will be required of them. Let’s look forward to an exciting year. I have said to many that I personally have the best job in the world because each and every day I get the opportunity to come to school and changes the lives of young people in a positive way, I also get the opportunity to work with an amazing group of dedicated and committed staff who work towards helping young people make their dreams a reality. We are lucky here at Moss Vale High School. I look forward to getting to know you all during our 50th year at Moss Vale High School. Peter Macbeth Principal

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Moss Vale High School

Welcome to Moss Vale High School Dear Parents and Caregivers, I would like to warmly welcome you, as parents and caregivers of students who attend Moss Vale High School, to the 2013 school year. It has been a fantastic start to the year and all of us at school are very excited with what this year promises to bring for our students. This year of course is the 50th Anniversary of Moss Vale High School and so we are all excited about the many celebrations we will have during the course of this year. Moss Vale High School’s mission statement reads that Moss Vale High School has A commitment to the provision of quality secondary schooling for a wide range of student ability and interests in a dynamic and caring environment. As our mission statement reads we are committed towards helping every one of our students focus on their future and we will strive to ensure that each of our students are provided with learning opportunities and experiences that inspire them to dream dreams and reach their goals. Our school plan this year outlines our focus areas of literacy, numeracy, engagement and attainment and Aboriginal education. We will also be working hard to prepare our school for the commencement of the National Curriculum in 2014. We look forward to celebrating the undoubted success we will achieve in these areas. A major focus for our school will be the continued implementation of the Positive Behaviour for Success initiative and the continued growth in the very positive culture that already exists throughout the Moss Vale High School community. The three expectations of safe, responsible and respectful behaviour will continue to be the focus of all our interactions between our students, staff and parents. As parents you would be aware that your involvement in your child’s education is critical in determining the success that they achieve and so I encourage you to be actively involved and to take every opportunity to work as a team with our school staff as we support the dreams and aspirations of our students. There are so many ways in which you can be involved! One of the ways you can be involved is through the Moss Vale P & C Association. Our next meeting will be on the 19th February at 5:00pm in the Common Room at School. Please come along and get involved. On a personal note, I feel so very lucky and honoured to have been appointed as Principal of Moss Vale High School. I take on my new role with all my enthusiasm and all the passion in the world to help our young people achieve their goals and to support our staff in the amazing work they do. I also look forward to forging strong and lasting partnerships with all our parents and our wonderful community. Based on a positive team effort, success for our students is assured! I also would like to urge you to contact me or any other staff member on 4868 1717 and speak with us about how we can help your child achieve success. I look forward to working with you all in what promises to be an exciting year in 2013. Yours sincerely,

Peter Macbeth Principal 1st February 2013

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Moss Vale Soccer Club Junior

Registrations 2013

Saturday, 9 February 12-2pm

Thursday, 14 February 3.30-6pm

Venue: Under the COLA at

Moss Vale Public School.

For more information contact:

Cammie Ewen on 0435 259 526

Student Exchange – Memories and Skills for a Lifetime!

Give your child the opportunity to gain international experiences and

language skills to kick-start a future career. Along with distinct language

benefits, exchange students mature, gain confidence and develop a much

more worldly approach upon their return to Australia.

World Education Program Australia (WEP), a not-for-profit student

exchange organisation registered with the education departments, is now

accepting applications for students to live overseas in 2013/14 as

exchange students for a summer, semester or year.

WEP is offering two $3000 scholarships towards semester-long student

exchange programs to Argentina and China commencing in 2014.

Find out more!

Visit www.wep.org.au

Attend one of WEP’s information evenings and open days

Call 1300 884 733

Upcoming Information Sessions

Sydney

13 Feb, 13 Mar, 14 May 2013 7:30-9pm

Bowlers Club of NSW, Level 2 / 95-99 York Street, Sydney

http://www.wep.org.au/

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Welcome back We have already had a positive and settled start to the 2013 school year. I have been thoroughly impressed with our incoming Year 7 students and how well they appear to have adapted to their new high school environment. The vast majority of our students are wearing correct school uniform and the new blue school shirts look very smart. Could I ask that all parents support our efforts in maintaining high expectations and standards for the wearing of our school uniform as this is a significant part of building a positive school culture. There was a trend at the end of last year for a number of our students to be wearing black socks. As per the new student handbook, white socks are to be worn by the girls, and boys may wear either white or grey socks. Please ensure that your child is wearing all black enclosed leather shoes that completely protect the student’s feet. Uniform expectations are also about preparing your child for the expectations of the world beyond school where all work places require uniform or a dress code. On Monday our Year 7 and 8 students had the great privilege of attending an anti-bullying presentation from the Wests Tigers football players. I would like to thank Mr Matt Carlyon for organising this worthwhile event. We take the issue of bullying very seriously at our school and work closely with our School Police Liaison Officer, Constable Garry Mutton, to convey the serious consequences of bullying behaviour. Constable Mutton will be presenting a talk to Year 7 and their parents on Thursday, February 28,

at 6.30 pm in the school library to address issues around the growing problem of cyber bullying. I would also like to thank Mrs Sharlene Killian for organising this very important presentation from Constable Mutton. It is very important for all students to understand that they do not have to put up with bullying behaviour and that they must always report incidents to their Year Adviser, the Deputy Principal, teacher on playground duty or a trusted teacher. Bullying reports can be collected from outside of the Deputy’s office and all reports will be dealt with appropriately. At Moss Vale High School, we like to focus on the positive behaviour and the achievements of our young people. We are continuing our ‘free and frequent’ ticket system where students are given tickets for displaying positive behaviour in all areas of the school and go into an assembly draw to win great prizes such as iTunes cards, canteen vouchers and gift cards. We also run a highly effective merit system which encourages students to achieve their best in class, on the sporting field, in community service and in the performing arts. Students should collect the merit certificates which they receive from their teachers and hand them into the Deputy as they reach the various award levels. At Moss Vale High School we actively encourage and expect our students to be respectful, safe and responsible learners in order to have successful lives.

Patricia Holmes Deputy Principal

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Swimming Carnival Action

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10 Merits

25 Merits

50 Merits

75 Merits

100 Merits

150 Merits

Red

Award

Green

Award

Bronze

Award

Silver

Award

Gold

Award

Award presented at assembly

1 ticket in assembly draw

Letter of commendation (stage 1)


2 tickets in assembly draw

Letter of commendation


Merit lunch at end of term

3 tickets for assembly draw



4 tickets in assembly draw


Use of DP area at recess/lunch

Merit reward excursion





Gold card privileges

Merit reward excursion

Platinum

Award





Platinum Medallion- Presentation

Evening

Moss Vale High School Merit System

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At Moss Vale High School, we want you to achieve success in all areas of school life and to be respectful, responsible young people who value the opportunities offered at our school. We strongly believe that success at school will lead to even greater success in life beyond school. In an effort to build a positive school culture and to encourage positive behaviour for success, we are introducing a new merit system that will reward student achievement and effort in the following areas: academic, cultural, sporting, community service, school service and for outstanding, positive behaviour. Merits are NOT issued for simply complying with normal school rules and general instructions. Merit certificates will be awarded by teachers to reward and recognise effort, improvement or achievement in any of the above areas. The first stage of the merit system is comprised of the red and green awards. Each time a student collects TEN merit certificates, he/she simply takes them to the Deputy Principal where the appropriate award will be organised for the next school assembly. The first TEN merits lead to a RED award and a total of 25 merits lead to a GREEN award. The award recipients will be issued tickets for the assembly draw, where various prizes can be won (canteen vouchers, Empire cinema tickets). A letter of commendation will be mailed home on completion of stage 1, the Green award. When students collect a total of 50 merits they are moving into the next phase of the merit system, where greater rewards can be earned. This is the Bronze, Silver and Gold stage. 50 merits lead to a BRONZE award, 75 merits lead to a SILVER award and 100 lead to the GOLD award. Each Bronze, Silver and Gold award recipients will also be invited to a special lunch or morning tea with the Principal and Deputy Principal. Silver and Gold award holders will be permitted to also use the DP area during recess/ lunch and will be involved in an end of year merit reward . Gold award holders will receive a gold card that affords them additional privileges. A faculty merit is equal to two of the yellow merit certificates. The merits accumulate, so you do NOT have to start again after reaching a particular award. Students may continue to accumulate merits across calendar years in order to reach the Gold Award. Award holders are expected to comply with school rules and meet our expectations of respectful, safe and responsible behaviour. Therefore, award holders will lose privileges if they are placed on the school’s level system for unsatisfactory behaviour. Students cannot be presented with their award at an assembly until they have satisfactorily completed the requirements of the level system on which they were placed. Merit certificates can be handed to the Deputy Principal at recess or lunch each day for collation.

Moss Vale High School Merit System

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Students have hit the ground running in 2013, with our first carnival being held very early in Week 2. Students travelled by bus to compete at Bowral in the School Swimming Carnival, due to the continuing construction of Moss Vale Pool. As a result of this it was a competitor’s only carnival, along with all of Year 7. As students arrived at Bowral pool they faced a bleak looking day, with plenty of drizzle and very wet grounds. However, the students were fired up to compete and we soon got under way. As the day went on the sun came out and the events rolled on. We had many successes on the day and all students’ behaviour is to be commended. At Moss Vale High School we encourage our students to participate wherever possible, no matter what their ability. Several students on the day displayed exactly that, they participated in every event, displaying the true meaning of participation. These boy’s included Jacob Radovic, Billy Campbell, Mark Rolles, Jason Delamont and Mitch Clarson (pictured below right). A fantastic effort and result by all. The following students received Age Champions Awards:

13 Boys - Cameron Maclean 13 Girls - Brittany Stone 14 Boys - Tas Engel, Luke Webb, 14 Girls - Hana Lavers Sean Young 15 Boys - Lachlan Maclean 15 Girls - Natasha Wann 16 Boys –Mitchell Clarson 16 Girls - Shae Douglas 17 Boys - Myles Emmerick 17 Girls - Mia Lavers

2013 Swimming Carnival

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Elizabeth Williams is a trained Horticulture teacher who studied at Ryde School of Horticulture. She ran classes through Moss Vale TAFE in the 1990’s. Later, private horticulture classes and excursions were organised from her home in Werai, or at the Exeter Hall. She kindly donated many items to our school Science department and Library - rocks, fossils, soil samples, pine cones and these pressed specimens. She was keen for a local school to have her local collection, and for our Agriculture and Science students it is a wonderful asset. It has been a labour of love to put her many pressings in newspaper into these display folders to keep them for many years. Mrs Maryanne Williams Teacher Librarian

“Plant Collections from the Southern Highlands” - a Herbarium donation by

MOSS VALE HIGH

SCHOOL

PARENTS & CITIZENS

ASSOCIATION

Notice of Annual General

Meeting

Meeting - Tuesday, 19 March,

2013

5.00pm – Staff Common Room

AGENDA

Attendance and Apologies

Minutes from previous AGM

Setting Membership Fee for 2013/14 -

$2.00

Agenda:

All positions are declared open and

nominations for committee members

to fill the following positions, will be

taken from the floor:

President

Vice President X 2

Secretary

Treasurer

School Planning/Budget representative

Social/Fundraising officer

Canteen Committee X 3

Book Pack Co-coordinator

School Image Committee

representative

Annual School Report Committee

representative

The AGM will be followed by the

General Meeting at 5.30pm.

Accepting the donation from Mrs Elizabeth Williams (centre) were Christina Fitzgerald, Science Lab Assistant,

Craig O’Brien, Head Teacher Science and Maryanne Williams, Teacher Librarian

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TO : MOSS VALE HIGH NOTE OF ABSENCE

Date : ___________________ Address : ________________________________

________________________________

Roll Class : ______________ Year : ___________

Please excuse the absence of my son/daughter : _____________________________________

on (dates) _____________________________________________________________________

Total number of days absent : ______________

The reason for the absence/s (this reason must be specific, not just "he/she was sick") : ________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Parent Name : ______________________________

Parent Signature : ___________________________ Date sent : _______________

TO : MOSS VALE HIGH NOTE OF ABSENCE

Date : ___________________ Address : ________________________________

________________________________

Roll Class : ______________ Year : ___________

Please excuse the absence of my son/daughter : _____________________________________

on (dates) _____________________________________________________________________

Total number of days absent : ______________

The reason for the absence/s (this reason must be specific, not just "he/she was sick") : ________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Parent Name : ______________________________

Parent Signature : ___________________________ Date sent : _______________

OFFICE USE ONLY

CHANGED ON

ERN

EMERGENCY CARD REPRINTED

BUS Co NOTIFIED

RECEIVED NEW BUS FORM

CHANGE OF ADDRESS / CONTACT DETAILS NAME :................................................................... Roll Class : ........ .... Year : …. .......

NEW ADDRESS : ............................................................................... PO BOX .....................

....................................................................................................................................................

New Phone No's : Home : ...................................... Work (M) : .........................................

Mobile (M) : .......................... Work (F) : ............................ Mobile (F) : ..............................

Email : …………………………………………………………………………………………………..

DATE YOU CHANGED ADDRESS : .......................................................................................

PARENTS / GUARDIANS NAMES YOU ARE LIVING WITH :

................................................................................................................................................................................ Do you currently have a bus pass? …………………………………………………………

NOTE : A new bus pass application must be completed when a student has : a change of address, a change of

name, change of school, change of details or comes under joint custody.

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Moss Vale High School Behaviour /Discipline

Flow Chart

Level

Types of Student Behaviour Consequence Placement by:

Level 1

· For low- level behaviour that affects the teaching and learning process in the classroom. The level 1 will generally be for repeated breaches of classroom rules but may be for a single incident if the class teacher deems it to be necessary. This may include failure to do homework, being out of their seat, being off task, distracting other students, arriving late to class, eating/drinking in class, treating school property/others’ property disrespectfully, calling out, low level insolence.

LEVEL 1 PLACEMENT INCLUDING: · Detention, class monitoring (blue level 1 sheet), letter home/ phone call must be made to parent/carer. Must be entered on Sentral

Class room teacher.

HT informed.

Level 2

· Repeated or more serious behaviour including failure to complete Level 1 consequences. This behaviour may also include low intensity use of inappropriate language, engaging in brief or low-intensity failure to respond to staff requests, name calling, inappropriate (but non-serious) use of technology, persistently arriving late to class, low-intensity misuse of property/equipment, leaving class without permission, fractional truancy, out of bounds

LEVEL 2 PLACEMENT INCLUDING: · Letter Home, B5 detentions, Monitoring, Entered on Sentral

Head Teacher or PGD Supervisor.

(The DP may be called upon if HT

is absent or unavailable)

Level 3

· Continued or extreme instances of misbehaviour or failure to complete Level 2 consequences. Behaviour that may include continued disobedience, aggressive/dangerous behaviour that does NOT cause injury or pain to another, certain instances of bullying, provoking another student into aggressive behaviour, low level fighting (no physical violence), rudeness to staff where there is NO use of abusive language, first offence of smoking

LEVEL 3 PLACEMENT INCLUDING: · Pre‐suspension Warning & Monitoring, Parent

Contact, Letter Home (Pre‐suspension), 3 x B5 detentions, possible PG exclusion, exclusion from non‐mandatory excursions

Deputy Principal/ Principal

Level 4

- Students will be placed on Level 4 and suspension will be implemented if they fail to complete Level 3 consequences or: 2 or more times caught smoking, use of physical violence against a member of the school community, use of offensive/ abusive language which is directed at a staff member, highly inappropriate use of technology (e.g. for purposes of bullying, intimidation), malicious vandalism of school property, continued disobedience, persistent and serious misbehaviour, theft, possession of/using illegal drugs or alcohol, possession or use of weapons or implement used as a weapon, persistent bullying/harassment, physical fighting.

LEVEL 4 PLACEMENT INCLUDING: · Suspension, including suspension procedures and processes · Return from suspension parent interview and RFS contract or risk management plan

Deputy Principal/

Principal

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Documents

Moss Vale High Newsletter Moss Vale High · Moss Vale High Newsletter Issue 1 Term 1 2013 Welcome back We have already had a positive and settled start to the 2013 school year. I