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November 2010 - Edition No 6
Successful Learning - Responsible Living page 1
IMPORTANT DATES:
P&C AGM meeting followed by normal P&C meeting - Tuesday 9th November
- Admin Office 7pm
HSC commences - Monday 15th November - School Hall
ESSA - Monday 15th November - Year 8
YEAR 9 CAMP - Monday 29th Nov to Wednesday 1st Dec - WEC Centre
Callum Roberts
Toronto Physiotherapy
Eleasha Bronsveld
Mustard’s Cuisine (Morisset Country Club
Elijah Pogrund
UGM Mining Toronto
Ryan Fenech
Ultra Tune Morisset
Jacob Adams
Morisset Motor Body Repairs
November 2010 - Edition No 6
Successful Learning - Responsible Living page 2
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
Welcome back to term 4, I hope everyone enjoyed the spring holidays and have returned to school refreshed and
ready for another busy term. Our term ended on a very positive note with the graduation of our year 12 students.
It was with pride and admiration that we farewelled year 12 as they begin a new chapter in their lives. I know
the whole school community join with me in wishing year 12 all the very best of luck with the HSC exams and
for a successful future. Many thanks to Ms Veitch, Ms Madden, Mrs Upton with the organisation of the
graduation and portfolios and to the P&C for catering for such a wonderful morning tea to celebrate the end of
secondary schooling for our year 12 students. Good bye and good luck year 12 !!!
At the end of last term families of year 7 and 9 students were sent their reports from the National Assessment
Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) that was conducted in May this year. More than a million
Australian students in years 3,5,7 and 9 completed these National tests that assessed their level of ability in
Reading, Writing, Language Conventions ( spelling, grammar and punctuation) and Numeracy. The report
provides families with information regarding their students’ level of achievement in comparison with all the
students in their year group across Australia. These results are represented by skill bands and identify the
national average so families can see how their child compares with other students who completed the test as
well as indicate if students have met the national minimum standard. The data also provides valuable
information to the school on student’s level of ability in these key areas and how staff can implement strategies
to support areas for development.
Our data shows evidence of improvement in terms of student growth particularly in year 9 reading being 3.5
scaled score points above the state average growth. Numeracy is year 9 second best result being -1.9 scaled
score points below state average and writing and spelling are well below state average at -13.5 and -14.7
respectively. These will be areas for focus in 2011 for year 10 as they prepare for the School Certificate.
Our year 7 data in terms of student growth shows numeracy and spelling as the best results being -6.5 and -7.3
(respectively) scaled score points below state average. Reading and writing are areas for improvement being
well below state average at -12.7 and -25.1 (respectively) scaled score points. The school literacy and numeracy
team are currently analysing the results and developing explicit teaching and learning strategies to assist
students in the areas of weakness.
I would encourage families to contact the school if they wish to discuss any aspect of their children’s results
further in these national tests. To facilitate access to NAPLAN information for parents of NSW school students,
visit the website www.naplanforparentsnsw.com.au. In addition to general information about NAPLAN, this
website contains documents to assist parents in understanding the student report and the NAPLAN reporting
scales.
In 2011 the writing task in NAPLAN has changed from narrative to a persuasive piece or writing, Persuasive
writing is writing in which the writer needs to convince the reader of his or her point of view or opinion. For
example, a student may be asked whether reading books or watching TV is better. The student’s answer would
present his or her opinion on this topic and would include reasons for that opinion. In writing the text, the
student is attempting to persuade the reader to agree with his or her opinion. Planning is underway during term 4
to prepare year 8 for NAPLAN in 2011.
At the end of last term I received our semester attendance report and note that the current daily absence rate at
MHS is 12.7% in comparison to 12.3% this time last year. Regular school attendance is vital for students to be
successful and reach their full learning potential. Every day missed loses 5 hours of learning in 5 different
subjects. I would strongly encourage families to ensure their children attend school every possible day to
maximise student learning potential. If your child is reluctant to attend school or appears to be regularly unwell
on particular school days I would urge parents to contact the school and make an appointment with the year
adviser to discuss your concerns. It would be great if we could work together and improve the overall
attendance rate at MHS to ensure we are giving our young people the best educational opportunities we can.
November 2010 - Edition No 6
Successful Learning - Responsible Living page 3
Year 10 students are finalising preparation for the school certificate exams that commence on Monday 8th
November. More detailed information regarding these exams will be forwarded to families in the coming week.
Year 11 students are about to begin the HSC course and will receive their preliminary report in the coming
weeks. Years 7, 8 and 9 are also well underway with their pattern of study and are commencing final
assessment tasks in preparation for their semester 2 report. Teaching and learning is the main game and all
students need to be working hard to achieve their personal best.
Just a reminder about the term dates, school finishes on Wednesday 15th December for students in years 7,8,9
and 12. Thursday 16th and Friday 17th December are student free days to allow for staff professional learning.
Karen Nicol
Principal
SCHOOLS SPECTACULAR
The 2010 Schools Spectacular performances will be held at the Entertainment Centre in Sydney
on:
Friday 26th November - 1pm preview and 8pm
Saturday 27th November - 2pm and 8pm.
For more information and ticket bookings go to
www.schoolsspectacular.com.au
NSW Health is warning parents to be on alert for Whooping Cough
following an increase in the number of school-aged children
diagnosed with the disease over the last few weeks.
For more information see:
www.det.nsw.edu.au/about-us/news-at-det/news/whooping-cough-alert
MOBILE BLOOD BANK
A big THANK YOU to all the teachers and students who
donated blood on Monday 1st November at Morisset High
School. The people in charge of the Blood Bank were
extremely impressed with the students behaviour and
enthusiasm.
Donating blood is vital to helping safe the lives of many
people so please consider donating to this service.
November 2010 - Edition No 6
Successful Learning - Responsible Living page 4
CAREERS
Upcoming Events
OH&S Induction Course (Green Card)
I have again organised Work Cover OH&S Courses (White Card) to run on 15/11/10. Numbers are limited to
20 so get in quickly if you wish to attend.
Students doing Metals & Engineering and/or Construction next year MUST have this qualification before
undertaking the compulsory work placement.
OH&S is also an excellent qualification to have, not just for safety reasons, but also to include in resumes. The
cost of $65 is subsidised from School To Work funds so this is the cheapest possible way to gain this
qualification.
Information and permission slips can be collected from me and payment made to the office. Final date for
payment is 5th November.
Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) & Responsible in Gambling (RCG)
I have organised the RSA and RCG courses for the 18/11/10 (RSA) and 19/11/10 (RCG). These courses are
essential for work in the Bar Industry and are limited to Yr 11 and Yr12 students only. You are not required to
be 18 to do the courses BUT you MUST be 18 before you can work in the industry.
Final date for payment for these courses is 5th November
NOTE If you would like your son/daughter to do any of the above courses & find the cost prohibiting
please contact me to arrange alternate payment arrangements
Year 9 Work Ready
Year 9 students are currently doing the Work Ready course. Students do Work Ready one period/fortnight for
most of term 4. The course prepares them for work experience covering many important aspects such as school
& employer expectations/requirements, work place communication, OH&S, child protection to name a few.
Once completed, students can undertake work experience as part of their ongoing learning. General information
about work experience can be found below and on the school webpage.
WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM (see photos)
While undertaking Work Experience at MHS is optional, I strongly recommend that all students do at least one
week of work experience during Years 10, 11and 12
Work experience is extremely valuable, not only to trial various jobs and see what working life is like, but also
to be able to document the experience in resumes thus improving your resume. Students MUST have completed
the ‘Work Ready’ course before they can undertake work experience and they MUST complete all missed
school work
We try to be very flexible with students and employers with regard to work experience to give students the
greatest possible chance to participate.
Placements can be arranged at any time during the school term avoiding times when assessment tasks, exams etc
are planned. The first step in the process, once the Work Ready course has been completed, is to see me.
For more information check the school webpage under ‘Careers.’ If parents have questions, I welcome all
enquiries.
Ruth Burton
Careers Adviser
November 2010 - Edition No 6
Successful Learning - Responsible Living page 5
TOP DECK AWARDS
Year 7 Year 8 Paige Anton Henry Fui Daniel Hall Jarrod Wright Ella Harpur Olivia Jordan Anika Dodd Mehrab Rabbi Hossain Kian Noctor Sophie Tickner
Year 9 Year 10 Brad Kachel Hannah Pope Yvonne Teulilo Stephanie Johnstone Tymon Achman Fatima Fedda Kayla Miller Callum Roberts Alexandra Donovan Cameron Neale Keelan Vinski
Year 11 Year 12 Taylor O’Brien Alexandria Peck Ashlee Johnson Georgina Gray Brendan Lancaster Angelique Tozer Matthew Davison Erin Bonett Glen Charlton
A new bus network for the Central Coast will be
introduced on Monday 8th November, 2010, with
significant changes to many service bus routes and
timetables across the region. There will also be
changes to a variety of school special services.
It is important that schools, parents and students
check the new timetables for routes and departure
times when using service buses or when transferring
to a service bus for travel to or from school. New
timetable information will be available on our website
www.busways.com.au in the week commencing
Monday 25th October, 2010 or you can call Busways
Gosford 4368 2277 and Busways Wyong 4392 666
for further assistance.
Bo Children’s Hospital Project A hospital for the Children of Sierra Leone
Morisset High School raised $230.10 which was donated to the Bo Children’s Hospital Project. This project is organised by Rotary Australia World Community Service.
We are very proud that we could make this donation and received a letter of thanks from the Secretary of the Bo Children’s Hospital Project.
Thanks to all those involved in this fundraiser.
November 2010 - Edition No 6
Successful Learning - Responsible Living page 6
URGENT We have vacancies in the canteen!!
Urgently needed…………
Mums, Dads or Carers to fill positions in canteen.
These are voluntary positions, but they make so much difference to the day
to day running of the canteen. All we ask for is one day a month, more is
fantastic, less is still okay. If you would like to see how the canteen operates
and a brief show around then ring Faye on 4973 3125. Don’t let your
children put you off they really do like it when Mum or Dad is in the can-
teen, and you get to know their teachers.
RING NOW !!!!!
WANGI REMEDIAL MASSAGE
THERAPY
Shop 236A Watkins Road
Wangi Wangi 2267
INFRARED SAUNA
MASSAGE TREATMENT
CALL TODAY FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT
Early Achievers’ Program at
Australian Catholic University
(ACU) Do you demonstrate leadership at school, coordinate
a community initiative, volunteer in a local cultural,
sporting or religious group or provide care to some-
one in need?
Australian Catholic University's (ACU) Early
Achievers' Program recognises students potential to
achieve great things, and rewards exceptional stu-
dents with an early university offer.
To find out more or to apply : www.acu.edu.au/
GRADUATING YEAR 12
Could all Year 12 students pay ALL Subject
Charges before 23rd November, 2010 in order to
make your official SIGN OUT DAY run smoothly.
November 2010 - Edition No 6
Successful Learning - Responsible Living page 7
Ls – Got them? Gearing up to get them? It’s a fairly well known fact that young people are seriously over-represented in road safety statistics. But a much lesser known fact is that Learner drivers are actually the safest drivers on the road. It’s only when a novice driver ‘goes solo’ that their crash-risk sky rockets ... so much so that they are 20-30 times more likely to be involved in a fatal or serious crash in the first 6 months on their Ps. To tackle this issue, keys2drive, the single largest national Learner driver safety program ever undertaken in Australia has commenced. keys2drive will see 200,000 lessons provided by specially trained, keys2drive accredited driving instructors for FREE. Developed by Australia’s motoring clubs and funded by the Federal Government, a keys2drive lesson brings together a professional driving instructor with the Learner and their supervising driver – most often mum or dad. In doing so, everyone benefits from a better understanding of how to work towards making sure the Learner driver becomes a safer P plate driver. If you already have your Ls or are planning to get them in the next 12 months, or if you are or will be supervising a Learner driver, you can find out more information and register for a FREE keys2drive lesson at www.keys2drive.com.au
Ls - Got them? Gearing up to get them?
November 2010 - Edition No 6
Successful Learning - Responsible Living page 8
November 2010 - Edition No 6
Successful Learning - Responsible Living page 9
At Parent Line we are commited to helping families develop richer, more rewarding relationships and create safer, more nurturing environments for children to grow and develop into happy, healthy,
confident, contributing young adults.
Parents, Adolescents and the HSC
It is that time of the year again as the class of 2010 prepare to sit their HSC
exams. Twelve years of schooling has gone into this final set of examinations
and many students and their families find it a particularly challenging time to get
through with relationships intact.
Parent Line NSW receives many calls from families of students who are
undertaking their HSC each year. Parents say that it’s a time of high anxiety for
the family and that it’s hard to know what the best way to support their child is.
It is particularly stressful for parents who may feel their child is underperforming
and feel helpless in the process of supporting their child.
It’s a given that as parents we all want to help our children achieve their very
best in the HSC. The issue we often discuss with parents is what we can do to
help ease the way for a better HSC experience for everyone.
It is reassuring for parents to know that most schools have already coached
students in study techniques and about the actual exams. There is lots of
information available to students and most schools support their Year 12 students
to achieve their best during this time. If you are unsure about what information
and guidance your child’s school is providing, talk to the Year advisor and ask if
there is anything extra that you can also provide.
Our support role as parents is very different from the school’s support role. In
some ways our role is to oversee things from a bigger perspective. School and
education is only one facet of our children’s lives. While there is no doubt that
the HSC is an important milestone in a child’s education, it can help to take a
step back and view it from a long term perspective.
At Parent Line we feel that the most important aspect of the process is not so
much the end result (although of course it can make access to the desired career
path easier) but the process that occurred in getting there. The richness of the
experience is in the learning for students about dedication and hard work, about
time management, negotiation skills with peers and family, discipline, managing
stress, keeping a balance, self control, managing set backs and managing
competition. We believe that the focus then becomes about encouraging life-
enriching skills and qualities rather than on achieving the end result only.
Here are some of ideas that we have found useful for parents to think about as
their child finishes their years at school.
Parents, Adolescents and the HSC
It is that time of the year again as the class of 2010 prepare to sit their HSC exams. Twelve years of
schooling has gone into this final set of examinations and many students and their families find it a par-
ticularly challenging time to get through with relationships intact.
Parent Line NSW receives many calls from families of students who are undertaking their HSC each year.
Parents say that it’s a time of high anxiety for the family and that it’s hard to know what the best way to
support their child is. It is particularly stressful for parents who may feel their child is underperforming
and feel helpless in the process of supporting their child.
It’s a given that as parents we all want to help our children achieve their very best in the HSC. The issue
we often discuss with parents is what we can do to help ease the way for a better HSC experience for
everyone.
It is reassuring for parents to know that most schools have already coached students in study techniques
and about the actual exams. There is lots of information available to students and most schools support
their Year 12 students to achieve their best during this time. If you are unsure about what information
and guidance your child’s school is providing, talk to the Year advisor and ask if there is anything extra
that you can also provide.
Our support role as parents is very different from the school’s support role. In some ways our role is to
oversee things from a bigger perspective. School and education is only one facet of our children’s lives.
While there is no doubt that the HSC is an important milestone in a child’s education, it can help to take a
step back and view it from a long term perspective.
At Parent Line we feel that the most important aspect of the process is not so much the end result
(although of course it can make access to the desired career path easier) but the process that occurred in
getting there. The richness of the experience is in the learning for students about dedication and hard
work, about time management, negotiation skills with peers and family, discipline, managing stress,
keeping a balance, self control, managing set backs and managing competition. We believe that the focus
then becomes about encouraging life-enriching skills and qualities rather than on achieving the end result
only.
Here are some of ideas that we have found useful for parents to think about as their child finishes their
years at school:
Take a big picture perspective: The HSC is important but there are many ways to a fulfilling career
and life. Too much focus on one exam can cause an unnecessary amount of anxiety and stress for every-
one.
One analogy that we have found useful is the idea that we can take many paths to the same destination.
November 2010 - Edition No 6
Successful Learning - Responsible Living page 10
Maintain passion: Encourage your child to be involved in something that they are passionate about. This
should be something “non school”, something that takes them away from their everyday world; something
they look forward to doing and that energises them. During stressful times, it is good if it is something
that involves physical activity, other people, creativity and occurs reasonably regularly. It is important for
children to continue with these activities even when they are studying.
Have a continued learning approach to life: Encourage your child to view the process of sitting the
HSC as an opportunity to continue to learn about themselves and others, how they manage stress, what’s
important to them, how they can improve next time they are placed in a high stress situation etc. A con-
tinued learning approach to life allows children to be excited about learning and to not be afraid of making
mistakes. The mistakes they made during their HSC can be corrected when they go to TAFE or University
or to an apprenticeship.
Hope and a belief that things will work out: a positive attitude and a good dose of hope is very pow-
erful factor in helping people stay motivated and committed to their work. Children need a support crew
who believe in them during this time. Find a positive way of encouraging them with their studies.
Fun: although the HSC is a serious time it is important for parents to encourage children to have fun and
laugh along the way. Social time with peers is important and taking time out to have light hearted banter
can raise the spirit and relieve stress and help with concentration later on.
We know that each family’s situation is unique. Some children are faced with a substantial amount of ex-
ternal pressures as well as the pressures associated with their studies.
Our counselling team, made up of highly qualified and experienced child, adolescent and family counsellors
who are happy to talk through the issues your family is experiencing.
Call us at Parent Line 1300 1300 52, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or log onto our website for more
parenting information www.parentline.org.au
BECOME A WEP HOST FAMILY Open your door to an international exchange student and expand your knowledge of
other countries, cultures, languages and cuisines!
A place to call home World Education Program (WEP) is
looking for volunteer host families for
international students arriving in
February 2011. Our students from Italy,
Chile and The Netherlands are looking
forward to experiencing life in Australia,
making new friends and becoming a
member of an Australian family soon.
Find out more! Getting to know your student before he
or she arrives brings fun and joy to
everyone involved.
Take the next step and contact WEP
today to receive a full information pack
for your family.
Nikki Medwell
Inbound Exchange
Administrator
Toll Free: 1300 884
733
Email:
It’s easier than you think and a fantastic experience for all!
November 2010 - Edition No 6
Successful Learning - Responsible Living page 11
MAKE THE WORLD SMALLER BY „MATCHING‟ WITH A STUDENT NOW
An international high school exchange student wishes to study in Australia from February through June 2011 for many reasons, some which are;
Good schools, strong economy, good weather, in-
tercultural tolerance developed and future educa-tion and careers enhanced.
Australian volunteer host family chooses compatible selected international student and makes him/her a family member.
Tick the above box and make it happen!
ASK S.C.C.E FOR THEIR “MATCHING BOOKLET” MATCH A STUDENT TO YOUR FAMILY. BOY/GIRL? EUROPEAN/AMERICAN/JAPANESE? SPORTY? MUSICAL? SCHOLAR?
Southern Cross Cultural Exchange 1800 500 501 or [email protected]
