Pathway Awards - Morisset High School€¦ · of our 2015 curriculum and timetable as well as setting up our end of year reporting. On the first Thursday of term Morisset High School

August 2014 - Edition No 4

Successful Learning - Responsible Living page 1

IMPORTANT DATES: 28th July to 1st August - Education Week

8th to 15th August - Trial HSC

18th to 22nd August - Book week

The Signed Agreements

Aunty Lila accompanied with Ronald Eastwood.

Mr Leigh Ridgeway introducing the Principals and explaining the ethos of the Partnership Agreement

President of our Local Itji Marru Local AECG

Pathway Awards



Principal’s Report

Welcome to our first newsletter for term three. I sincerely hope that you all had a restful term break and ready to get back to reality for Term 3. I have always seen Term 3 as the most intense term of the school year with the end of Year 12 and Year 11, the formulation of our 2015 curriculum and timetable as well as setting up our end of year reporting. On the first Thursday of term Morisset High School as well as our partner primary schools took part in a ceremony hosted here for the Aboriginal Pathway Awards and the Aboriginal Consultative Education Group Partnership Agreement. It was an amazing day and a lot of work was put in to the organisation of the ceremony across all schools. It was very positive to see so many of our community here to celebrate with us. We recognised achievement of our Aboriginal Students across all schools and celebrated as an LMG. It was also quite powerful to sign our agreement with all of our students and so much of our community present. Each school now has this agreement hanging in their respective foyers including the signature of all Principals as well as the President of the AECG. Week 3 Term 3 is NSW DEC Education Week. I am proud to say that Morisset High School will again be very active throughout this event. Again this year we will be doing displays at Morisset Square along with all of the partner primary schools. We will be showcasing Morisset High School on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. We will also be holding an awards ceremony at Morisset High School, in the hall on Thursday the 31

st of July from 4:30 to 5:30, with all of our partner primary schools. During this

ceremony a number of students will receive awards and we will be announcing the new title for our LMG as well as logo. In the current climate of education in NSW it is important to develop a true K-12 curriculum and to have all schools within a local management group working, planning and learning together. We see this initiative of symbolising our partnership and united support for public education in our area. To parents of Year 12 I would urge you to please talk with your child’s classroom teachers if you have any concern with their progress at this stage. This is really the business end of the HSC but a lot of ground with regard to revision and examination preparation can be made through out this term. Students will shortly be completing their trial HSC and I hope that students are now focussing upon these exams. I would like to say a big thank you for the support with uniform this winter. Winter is always a difficult time for uniform as it gets cold, however, our uniform is looking excellent at the moment and I put this down to the support we have from home and from the community. Finally, I would like to say all the best for Term 3 and I look forward to working with you all throughout the second semester for 2014

Mark Snedden



Deputy Report

Welcome to Term 3 and the beginning of Semester 2. Semester 1 reports were sent home with students at the end of last term and I hope you have had the opportunity to discuss your student’s report with him or her. The reports not only provide valuable feedback on progress for the year but also identify areas for further improvement. It was terrific to see so many parents and carers at our Parent Teacher Interviews last week. All students were provided an information note and booking sheets to book appointments on parents’/carers’ behalf. Please contact the office should you feel you need to speak to any teachers if you were unable to attend. At the start of the Semester it is timely to reminded students of the need to be prepared with all equipment needed for their school day and learning – exercise books, enough pens – blue/black and red, pencils, a ruler, glue and an eraser are all essential items and should be renewed if needed at this time of year. Some students unfortunately need reminding they should not rely on friends or their teachers for these items to fully participate and engage in lessons and learning. Please discuss with your student the importance of personal organisation and the need to plan ahead by reviewing their timetables, preferably the night before, and packing bags. The school encourages physical activity during break times and it is great that students bring basketballs, footballs and soccer balls to play with their friends on the basketball courts or school oval. Unfortunately a small number of students have been misusing these balls in playground and classroom areas where it is unsafe to do so particularly when students or staff are nearly hit or school property damaged. Sometimes this has occurred when other students ‘take’ the ball. Students have now been informed on assemblies that they must take responsibility for their own ball and carry it around the school in a bag – either their school bag if it is large enough or bring another carry bag – and that the ball is to be only taken out on the courts or oval. Should a student have a ball out of their bag in other areas it will be confiscated by a teacher and returned at the end of lunch. Your support in this matter is appreciated as students who continue to ignore these requirements are presenting a safety risk to members of the school community, and will face confiscation and possibly discipline measures. Information was sent home with reports for Year 7 and 9 who have recently completed anonymous online surveys providing baseline information for Reach who will now be conducting Personal Development workshops to support students over the next year. The Workshops are specifically designed to build the self-belief students and positively impact peer to peer dynamics. The first of these are coordinated by Mrs Kerr and Ms Ballantyne take place on 21st August with Year 7. Year 11 continue their studies for the Preliminary to the HSC and importantly it should be noted that the Preliminary Course concludes at the end of this term (Term 3) with Preliminary Examinations. Students must meet all requirements relating to attendance, completion of work and assessments, and demonstrate diligence in all courses, both at school and TAFE, to complete their 12 Units to be able to commence their HSC in Term 4 this year. This includes clearing any outstanding N Warnings mailed home. Further details are available in the Assessment Booklet issued to all students at the commencement of Year 11. Please don’t hesitate to contact myself or your student’s teacher should you have any questions or concerns relating to requirements. Have a great term 3! Thank you. Gary Bennett Deputy Principal Yr 7 , 9 and 11



Deputy Report Welcome to term 3, the busiest term of the school year. This term is the final term for students studying the HSC and this is also a good time for these HSC students to be putting in the extra study needed to improve their HSC result. As I seem to be saying all the time to the HSC students, “you can make huge improvements in your results in the lead up to the HSC with some hard work” this is very true and I have witnessed this over the many years that I have been involved in education. Also this term Morisset High School will be welcoming a unique partnership being forged with Newcastle University and our senior students who will be involved in a number of workshops for resilience and exploring pathways to University. This partnership will also see our GATs classes in yr 7 and 8 have a visit to the University at Callaghan for a tour and lesson day which will give them the experience of being a University student for a day. Along with these valuable workshops and experiences our yr 11 students will be involved later in the term with the Uni. And will be linked up with the HSC coach program designed and run by University of Newcastle to support students completing the HSC. I look forward to the partnership and all the opportunities it presents. Year 12 begin their trial HSC exams in week 4 and 5 and I wish them all the best of luck with the trials, their final assessment task before the HSC exams begin on October 13th. Year 11 have yearly exams in week 9 and 10 before coming back to school at the beginning of term 4 as year 12 students and beginning their HSC. I would also like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of MHS staff, who have supported the transition program for year 6 students into high school. We have a lot to look forward to with over 150 students from our partner primary schools joining us next year and beginning the high school life at a fantastic school like Morisset High School.

Keith Leyshon Relieving Deputy Principal Yr8, 10 and 12

The book sale will take place in Week 6 from 18th-22nd August, Term 3 as part of Literacy and Numeracy

Week and Book Week.

Please donate any books you have at home to this great cause and deliver them to Mrs Parrott in the Eng-

lish faculty by the end of Week 5.

The cost of each book will be a gold coin donation and all

monies raised will go to Indigenous Literacy.

If you would like more information, please contact Mrs Parrott & Mrs Kirkland on 49731999.

MORISSET HIGH

SCHOOL

ANNUAL INDIGENOUS LITERACY FOUNDATION

BOOK SALE



Morisset Local Management Group Ceremonies for Inaugural Aboriginal Education Pathway Awards and

Partnership Agreement Thursday 17th July 2014

On Thursday 17th July all the schools from our Local Management group came together to celebrate Aboriginal Education, at Morisset High Hall. We were lucky to have with us representatives of our local community like Mr Greg Piper, our Local Member, Mr Steve Harris , our Director of School Education, Aunty Zelma, Westlake Elder, Dr Kath Butler, President Itji-Marru AECG, Mr Leigh Ridgeway, ACLO, Ms Maree Edwards, LMCC Rep, Ms Di Charlton, P&C President as well as all our Local Principals, Ms Meagan from Cooranbong PS, Mr Mark Stiller from Bonnell’s Bay PS, Ms Margo Warham from Dora Creek PS, Mr Damien Borrow from Eraring PS, Mr Mark Kyrwood from Morisset PS, Ms Jenni Langford from Wangi Wangi PS, Mr Ben Thomas from Wyee PS and Mr Mark Snedden Morisset HS. The Pathways Awards is an acknowledgement and celebration of the work of Aboriginal Students in the areas of academia, cultural, school service and/or sport. The awards also acknowledge the work done by staff for Aboriginal education in schools. This is an inaugural ceremony for us in the Morisset Local Management Group. It is very significant to acknowledge the diligence and passions displayed by students and staff. The Pathways Awards and Agreement signing Ceremony was conducted by students from the schools quite successfully. The following students and staff were awarded recognition certificates and artworks for the exemplary efforts in education, especially with respect to educating all Australians about Aboriginal education. Zeb Coughlin, Griffin Haines, Bae-Phoenix Kelly, Destiny Hoppe, Jacob Kiellor, Konnah Byrnes, Josephine Hanger, Hayden Durox, Coel Ireland, Jay-Lee Perry, Natayah Misieppo-Kelly, Hayden Dewhurst, Shaylie Foster, Blake Hodges, Mr David McGaw, Kyesha Williams, Ben Smith, Isaac Bailey, Phoenix Hovenden, Cai Dicandilo, Jackson Scanlon-Hourigan, Noah Charles, Maddison Smith, Mr Rodney Groves, Marlee Chambers, Kiara Law, Calan Brown, Mikayla Murphy-Dargan, Zayli Black, Ella Dickson, Cassie Trimarchi, Bryce Parsons, Jaxon Austin-Earl, Noah Bennetts-Ash, Caitlin Ash, Sean Patterson-Palmer, Solomon Lockyer-Dunsdon, Teleah Reilly, Amaya McPherson, Azellia Boney, Bella King, Makayla Thomas-Bell, Mrs Cecilia Enoch, Ms Amelia Clarke, Caitlin Little, Marcus Lockyer-Dunsdon, Tori Smith, Nioami Dicandilo, Petana Townsend, Jye Prothero, Luke Mellross, Jye Brasher, Jacob Eastwood, Ronald Eastwood, Tayla Gallagher, Dana Patterson, Sahar Fedda, Ryan Pringle, Mr Shannon Archibald, Mrs Jen Balancoire, Mrs Sue McDonald

The Agreement Ceremony is the end result of a great deal of planning and work. This is an act of signing an agreement between our schools in the Morisset Local Management Group to actively support and strengthen Aboriginal Education in each of our schools and together as a group. Each Principal has signed each Agreement. These Agreements will be hung in the foyer of each school’s office and will be the ethos of the guiding principles of Aboriginal Education. We thank the contribution made by all schools in the ceremonies conducted today. Thanks must be to Aunty Lila for her impromptu performance on stage and to Aunty Zelma for her inspiring talk to our students and the importance of education to their careers. Thanks to Lake Macquarie City Council for their support by providing funds through a grant for NAIDOC activities. This grant enabled us to provide buses to bring the Primary School students to the High School venue. Thanks also to the strong support we always re-ceive and have relied on from our Community to cater and assist with all the ‘backstage’ tasks to ensure a really successful event, in particular, Ms Berlinda Patterson, Ms Kerri-Ann Dunn and Ms Ash. Our official Guests are also thanked for their contributions to the success of our ceremonies and their involvement in Aboriginal Education.



Mrs Sue McDonald with Mr Mark Snedden and Mr Doug

Archibald, our Artist who created the artwork for our

Agreement Frames.

Mr John Hegarty and Councillor Greg Piper

Bonnell’s Bay PS Award Recipients Cooranbong PS Award recipients

Dora Creek PS Recipients Eraring PS Award Recipients

Pathway Awards



Pathway Awards

Morisset High Award Recipients

Morisset Primary School

Wyee Primary School



Pathway Awards

Wangi Wangi PS

Students who created artworks for recipients of awards

Signing of the Partnership Agreement



STAR STRUCK 2014

Our amazing students participated in Star Struck ‘Magic Happens’ late last term. 48 of our students set up camp at Newcastle Entertainment Centre spending two rehearsal days and two performance days in marquees to participate in the 3000+ student led performance spectacular. This year our groups danced in Thriller, Wouldn’t It Be Nice and The Look. A special mention must go out to Tiarna Fleming in Year 8 who was also selected as part of the tap ensemble group, representing Morisset High School in These Boots Are Made For Walking. We all had an incredible time over the week and forged new relationships with many other schools. A highlight for us this year was seeing the amazing costumes. Our very own, very talented, Mrs Bryde coordinated the costuming for the entire production and we are so proud to have her with us. She did an incredible job and everyone looked wonderful.

We would like to thank all the parents and carers for their cooperation and understanding with transport and their support ensuring their amazing-superstar child was ready and able to participate in this great collaborative performance. We can’t wait for next year!!!!!

TEAM STAR STRUCK!



STAR STRUCK 2014



CAREERS - What’s happening?

Uni Talk - Students wishing to go to university

UAC Guides will be arriving soon for those Yr 12 students wishing to apply for University next year. These guides can be collected from Ms Burton.

A University information talk will be held on Monday 18th August during period 2 in the Careers room

At this talk I will explain the Uni application process, EAS, Equity Scholarships, alternate entry programs, STAT tests, deferment etc +

answer any of your concerns where possible.

If I don’t know the answer to your question I will find out from the relevant Uni for you, so have your questions ready. Some important handouts will

also be distributed at the talk.

See Ms Burton ASAP to register your name if you wish to attend.

UGM Mining course - interested Yr 10 & Yr 11 students

Morisset High School in conjunction with UGM Mining at Teralba will again be offering a

Mining Resource & Industry Safety course from 18th August to the 22nd August.

The course is a 5 day program where students will begin to appreciate the requirements of

attending the workplace & in particular, gain a comprehensive understanding of workplace safety, the concepts & terminology commonly used

throughout modern industrial and mining workplaces.

The students will experience working and operating actual mining equipment in a simulated

underground mine environment as well as work in an operational engineering and diesel equipment overhaul workshop.

The students will gain a ‘Statement of Attainment’ with many safety, risk management, mining & equipment functionality competencies covered.

This is an extremely valuable opportunity for all students in Yr 10,11 & 12.

See Ms Burton for more details

ProjectABLE Workshop -29th July 2014 Royal Motor Yacht Club at Toronto

Students from Yr 9 to 12 have the opportunity to participate in a ProjectABLE Workshop. This is a FREE initiative which gives students the

opportunity to gain first-hand experience in the disability & community care work sector eg Nursing, Disability, Community Nursing & other health

related areas.

The workshop involves expert trainers, staff, clients & hands-on exercises that help build skills, confidence & knowledge for students. These are

valuable skills to learn & excellent additions to resumes.

See Ms Burton for more details

YEARS 10 & 11 - TVET Applications

Students who wish to do a TAFE course as part of their senior study program, you must download an application from the Hunter TAFE

website.

To access this webpage & for general information about TVET at Morisset High School go to school webpage under ‘Careers’ è TAFE/TVET drop

down box on the left hand side or log onto www.hunter.tafensw.edu.au è ‘Students' ‘TAFE for School” & you will find all the information you require. I

have a booklet for any students who has NOT already received one.

All year 10 students have been through this process in their Careers classes so they should all know what needs to be done.

See Ms Burton ASAP if you are having problems. Applications need to be to Ms Burton by the end of August BUT the sooner you have the

application in the better chance you have of getting into the specific course.

If you have been doing a TAFE course this year and you wish to continue in this course you MUST also submit an application.

http://www.hunter.tafensw.edu.au/



CAREER EXPO

It was good to see so many Year 10 and Year 12 students attend the Careers Expo

on 24th June at Avondale. I am sure they received excellent information, employer

contact details and handouts from the many Universities, TAFEs, private training insti-

tutions, group training companies and employers represented on the day. I was proud

of the students who attended; they proved to be excellent ambassadors of Morisset

High.

Parents wanting information about any of the above or if you wish to discuss

your child’s career and/or study options, please contact me on 4973 4958 for

information or an interview.

Ruth Burton Career Adviser

Canteen News - VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED

MHS canteen is run by the MHS P & C. The canteen is not only a

Wonderful service to the students and staff but a valuable fundraiser for

the school.

The P & C contributes profits from the canteen to the school to provide

resources and equipment and enhance student resources and facilities at

MHS.

Help us keep this wonderful service profitable by donating your time.

Meet other parents and staff. Come and help prepare food, serve students





What Gonski means for your child

National Gonski Week is taking place from July 28 to August 1 and it is an ideal opportunity to focus on what the

benefits of additional resources are for your child and our school.

Gonski, as you may know, is a way of funding schools based on the needs of students. It was recommended by the

Gonski Review that found too many students were missing out due to a lack of resources.

For us, the additional Gonski funding over the next six years will allow us to really expand the educational

programs and learning support we know will make a difference in what our students achieve.

With this funding we will be able to:

Put in place additional literacy and numeracy programs and provide one on one assistance to students at risk of

falling behind as well as extending our GATS students..

Increase the specialist support and assistance for students who really need it – such as those with disabilities or

special learning needs.

Take a whole-of-school approach to building the skills and knowledge of teachers.

Provide extension programs that will help teachers really push our smartest students to do even better.

The one problem we have is that the Federal Government in the May budget announced it will only provide the

Gonski funding we are relying on for four years not six. That is a serious issue because only one-third of the

funding comes in the first four years.

Teachers and parents are working hard to try to get the Prime Minister to change his mind on this critical invest-

ment and you can learn more at www.igiveagonski.com.au

From the Federation Members of Morisset High School

Breakfast Club

This term we have established a Breakfast Club. All students

are welcome to join us in the hall on Tuesday Mornings between

8.20 and 8.45am.

Our Breakfast Club is proudly sponsored through regular

donations from local businesses, including Morisset Coles and

McDonalds.

Volunteers and product donations will be greatly appreciated.

Please contact Miss King for more information on 4973 1999.

http://www.igiveagonski.com.au



Junior support class July 2014

Term 3 has started with some changes to the Support Unit. Mrs Kemp has

left to have a baby and Miss McKay from the Senior Class has taken her

place. Mr Breton has joined the Unit and will teach the Senior Class.

We had a lovely lunch at the Thai Restaurant in Morisset to farewell Mrs

Kemp and welcome Mr Breton. Students Ashlan, Hannah and Kim made

speeches and did a great job. It was a great community access day and

everyone enjoyed it.



1ST BRAKE DRIVING

SCHOOL

LEARN TO

DRIVE

Contact Steve

0438 455 733

Email: [email protected]

(Monday—Sunday

All Hours Considered

ABN No. 901 332 9728 41

L

Science Report Congratulations to our Y 8 students who attended the Science and Engineering challenge earlier this

year. They came in second place on the day. Meanwhile Ms Lewis is preparing Y 10 and 9 now for

their Science and Engineering challenge next week. There will be more photos and report to come

next Newsletter. The Science faculty is preparing for second semester. Each Year group 7-10 will

have 3 assessment tasks this semester, covering outcomes of Knowledge, Practical Skills, research

& communication and problem solving skills. Please check the Assessment schedule in the front

of your child’s science book , which we issue at the start of the year. We also endeavour to hand out

at least 2 weeks prior to a task a notification of when the tasks will be and what the details of the

task are. This information can also be found on our school’s website.

The Agriculture Farm is going well, with many animals and new crops. Mr Victor and Mr

Cartwright have matters there well in hand. We are preparing for Tocal and Singleton in September

In the labs our work continues around developing the new programs for the National Curriculum for

Y 8 & 10 for 2015, whist simultaneously editing the programs we have developed for Y7&9, which

were introduced this year.

In lessons we endeavour to introduce in what is happening in the world and relate it to our work in

the labs and on the farm. For example the recently discovered (accidently) hole in the earth in Sibe-

ria is a topic to engage students from greenhouse warming, chemical reactions, observations and

inferences the scientific method. This is a mystery that can be solved through scientific investigation

and research.

At any time please contact us if you have any queries about Science education, here at MHS.



$304 + 2 POINTS

SCHOOL ZONE PARKING OFFENCES Penalties for School Zones. Current as at 1 July 2013

Means that in the area in the direction MAXIMUM PENALTY of the arrow, you must NOT STOP your vehicle at any point on the road or kerb, unless there is a medical or other emergency. .…………………………………………….. MAXIMUM PENALTY Means that you have no more than 2 minutes for drop-offs or pick-ups of passengers or goods and the driver must stay within 3 metres of your vehicle. ……………………………………………... MAXIMUM PENALTY Means that in the direction of the arrow or arrows you are not allowed to stop your vehicle unless you are driving a bus. …………………………………………….. MAXIMUM PENALTY

DOUBLE PARKING You are NOT PERMITTED to stop or park your vehicle alongside another vehicle that is already parked parallel to the kerb.

STOP in a NO STOPPING zone: $304 + 2 points, or STOP on or near a Children’s or Pedestrian Crossing: $405 + 2 points

STOP on path/strip in built up area: $169 + 2 points

STOP or Park in a Disabled Marked Area without a permit: $506

$169 + 2 POINTS

$304 + 2 POINTS

$304 + 2 POINTS

Documents

Pathway Awards - Morisset High School€¦ · of our 2015 curriculum and timetable as well as setting up our end of year reporting. On the first Thursday of term Morisset High School