RUTHERFORD TECHNOLOGY

HIGH SCHOOL

6th May, 2013 Email: rutherford-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

www.rutherfordhs.nsw.edu.au Telephone: 4932 5999

Fax: 4932 8166 http:www.facebook.com/RutherfordTechnologyHighSchool

C A L E N D A R J U L Y

16 July School Development Day (students do not attend school)

17 July Students resume school for Term 3

18 July Year 7 & 9 reports sent home

24 July Parent / Teacher Evening in Library and selected classrooms

Office Opening Hours

Please be aware the office is open on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 8am and 4pm and on Tuesday between 8am and 3:30pm. Outside office hours a message may be left on the school answering machine. Parents and caregivers are reminded an appointment is necessary before meeting with teachers as they have class, playground duty and other commitments during the school day.

RESPECT

RESPONSIBILITY

COMMITMENT

C A L E N D A R

6 May

Scone/District Horse Sports

9 May

Girls Gala Day

10 May

Regional X Country

13 May

Bill Turner Football R3

MUSS vs RTHS in U/15

Football (soccer)

21 May

P&C Meeting—6pm

 

Rutherford student gets GOLD at Special Olympics in Canberra

Year 8 student at Rutherford Technology High School, Gabriel Cerqueira, recently competed at the Special Olympics - Canberra Centenary Swimming Competition, returning with a Gold Medal in the 50m Freestyle, and Silver in the Relay. Over 400 swimmers with an intellectual disability from Australia and Japan competed in this event in Canberra from 5 – 8 April. Gabriel is a student in the Support Unit at the school. He has a keen interest in Swimming which has taken him to this National event in Canberra. This is a wonderful achievement for Gabriel, reflecting his hard work and commitment to his sport.

EXECUTIVE REPORT As Term 2 begins I continue to be impressed by the many wonderful programs and hardworking staff and students at Rutherford Technology High School. I also have the pleasure of attending P&C meetings which take place at 6.00 pm on the third Tuesday of every month. I would encourage you to attend if at all possible. It is a great way to meet other parents/caregivers and play an important role in supporting programs and future directions of the school. The continuing success of Rutherford Technology High School depends very much on the shared partnerships between the school and its community. Last term, I wrote a little bit about what my experience tells me students can do to improve their chances of success. Parents too are vital in this equation. Research tells us that the home environment and parent attitudes are very important to student learning. Often parents think that once their child starts high school they are no longer able to participate in the education process. This is untrue and in fact your child really needs your support through these difficult teenage years, though it will be a little different from the activities you might have engaged in at primary school. More importantly, research also tells us that maintaining high expectations of your child is critical. They will work, achieve and behave to the level of your own expectations. There is no such thing as a perfect parent. All of us are influenced by the parenting style from our childhood. What can parents do? Highly respected child and adolescent psychologist, Dr Michael Carr- Gregg suggests the following considerations: Consequences are crucial. A parent’s role is to be a mentor not a mate. Think before you react. Set rules and boundaries and say no over things that matter. Relationships are everything. Children need to feel liked. Humour and playfulness are very important. They need attention. Reinforce positive behaviour. Young people need limits and boundaries. Be consistent. Don’t put up with disrespect. Accept chaos sometimes! Communication is crucial. Be ready to drop everything to really listen when children are ready to

talk. “Young people are only 13% of the population but 100% of the future.” (A favourite quote of Dr Carr- Gregg’s.) So, thank you for entrusting your children to us. We understand how precious they are and ask that you always work closely with us to ensure the best possible future for them.

National Assessment Program (NAPLAN) In May this year, the National Assessment Program will be carried out across Australia in the same week for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The results of these tests will provide useful information for teachers and parents. In particular, they will help inform teachers in their ongoing efforts to address the literacy and numeracy needs of students across all subjects. Testing will take place over three days for all students in Years 7 and 9: Tuesday 14 May 2013 Language Conventions (spelling, grammar, punctuation) & Writing. Wednesday 15 May 2013 Reading. Thursday 16 May 2013 Numeracy. Friday 17 May 2013 Make-up day for students who have been absent & missed a test.

EXECUTIVE REPORT continued... As well as the ongoing focus on literacy and numeracy, there will be a targeted focus for students in Years 7 and 9 in the lead up to the testing. Students have just completed the trial NAPLAN testing. TOP TEN TIPS for students for future exams: 1. Answer ALL questions – do not leave any questions without an answer even if you’re not sure that that

you have got it correct. 2. Work out the numeracy problems – test your answer to make sure that it is right. 3. Bring a calculator for the numeracy exam. 4. Check your answers to the reading questions by referring back to each text – find the proof for your answers. 5. Use all of the time allowed to complete every paper. Use the planning time in the writing test - don’t

forget to list technical words, develop an opinion and use TXXXC (Topic , Explain, Expand, Example and Conclusion) to plan your paragraphs.

6. Don’t forget to be as persuasive as possible in your writing and write at least one page. 7. Edit your writing carefully to improve the quality of your answer. 8. Check the grammar questions by reading the whole sentence – what sounds right? 9. Does your spelling look correct? Try to remember the difficult letter/ sound combinations. 10. Attempt every question. EXEMPTIONS FROM SCHOOL Did you know that your child may be exempted from attending school? What does this mean? It means that your child is not required to attend school for a period of time, maybe a term or even just one day. What are valid reasons for exemption from attending school? Principals may grant exemptions due to: Exceptional domestic circumstances, including but not limited to participation in family holidays during school term, subject to being satisfied that this is in the best educational interests of the child. Other exceptional circumstances such as the health of the student where sick leave or alternative enrolment is not appropriate. The child being prevented from attending school because of a direction under section 42D of the Public Health Act 1991. Employment in the entertainment industry or participation in elite sporting events. Why would I bother to apply for an exemption? If your child is exempt they will not be marked absent. This can be significant for Year 9, 10 and senior students when they are applying for part time or full time work. Imagine an employer looking at your child’s school report and seeing 45 absences because of circumstances they couldn’t control! If an exemption had been granted their report would show nil absences. How do I apply for an exemption? The school has Exemption Application forms. You should ask at the Front Office. Fill in the details – dates, student’s name, reason for seeking exemption, and return it to the school. The Principal will consider your application and inform you of the determination. If the application is successful you will be provided with a Certificate of Exemption. Applications for exemption from school attendance must be applied for in advance. I still have questions, who should I talk to? Your child’s Year Adviser or the Deputy Principal should be able to answer your questions. Contact them through the school. SIMONE HUGHES DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

THE LATEST UPDATE ON THE 10S3 CAR RACE CHALLENGE. The winners are: Luke Hall and Reece Kennedy for the highest velocity at 65 mm/dot. Tenille Oliver, Chelsea Crittenden and Kellie Taylor for the greatest acceleration at 26 mm/dot2.

Reece and Luke being congratulated by Harry. Kyana congratulating Tenille and Kellie.

CAR WASH The IM Junior class put in a lot of effort with their recent Car Wash project, raising over $100 towards their end of term excursion to Newcastle to go Ice Skating. IM staff Brooke Betts and Jacky Campbell worked hard alongside the students, ensuring that windows sparkled, bodywork shone, and tyres were degreased and blackened. The staff car park positively dazzled in the sunshine!

Rutherford Student appears in Dolly Magazine Year 12 student, Sophie Bannon, raised the bar when she applied to do work experience at Dolly magazine in Sydney during the Christmas holidays. Sophie worked on the Fashion Editorial, in the Beauty Department, and gained experience across all areas of magazine production. Sophie was delighted to be asked to model some teenage fashions, with her photo appearing in the current issue of Dolly – making her quite the celebrity with her friends at school. Sophie, who is originally from Manchester in the UK, plans to return to the UK at the end of 2013 when she has completed her HSC. She is currently applying for a place in a UK Drama School to follow her ambition of becoming an Actress. The school’s Work Experience program provides the opportunity for students to gain experience across a range of workplaces in order to experience first hand what happens in the workplace and to help determine a career pathway for themselves. Sophie has demonstrated that it was worth the effort to set her sights high by applying to a Sydney Publishing House – she has definitely gained from the experience.

What makes a good friend? Healthy Schools, Healthy Futures

Research indicates it is important to have positive friendships. They provide us with support for the ups and downs we face every day and help us to develop good so-cial and emotional skills. When things go wrong in a friendship or relationship it can make us feel down and low in confidence - when things go well, we can feel happy and appreciated. Because they have such a powerful impact on our mood it is important to make sure we have positive friendships. A positive friendship involves clear communication and allows each person to express their likes and their concerns equally. It doesn’t demand more of one person than the other. Positive friendships make you feel comfortable, safe, supported, valued, accepted for who you are and not judged, pressured or bullied in any way. They allow you to have a good laugh or cry, and share your opinions often and honestly. It is important to be a good friend too. Listen to your friends but also find time to tell them how you feel, keep in touch by regularly talking or spending time together, respect them for who they are, remember that no-one should be asked to do some-thing that makes them feel unsafe or uncomfortable, and try to be there for your

friend even in difficult situations. It is also important to know when to get extra help for a friend who needs it. If you need help or would like to talk to someone about your friends or friendships you can speak to a trusted adult for advice, such as a parent, a teacher, or the Welfare Team.

SYDNEY CHILDRENS’ HOSPITAL & UNI OF NSW MUSEUM OF HUMAN DISEASE. James O’Connor Jono Faustini Wade Carter Abbie Chapman Claire Maher Alex Varley

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Jono having his blood oxygen levels monitored by a Pulse Oximeter.

James measuring his blood pressure

Claire checking Abbie’s blood pressure. Abbie examining some blood products.

Alex helping Jono measure his blood pressure

STOP PRESS!

WE NOW HAVE A FACEBOOK PAGE

Rutherford Technology High School has launched its Official Face-book Page – just go to Facebook and look for “Rutherford Technol-ogy High School NSW Official Site” and click on “Like”.

We will be using the Facebook page to keep everyone informed about events at the school, important dates for your diary, and gen-eral information about the school.

Link: http://www.facebook.com/RutherfordTechnologyHighSchool

Woolworths Earn & Learn 2013Woolworths Earn & Learn 2013

The Woolworths Earn & Learn Program is running again in 2013.

It's simple to participate: When you shop at Woolworths, collect points from the checkout operator and place them on point sheets (available at the counter). There'll be one point for every $10 spent (excluding liquor, tobacco, and gift cards). Once completed, place the point sheets in the collection box, either at the school or at Woolies at Rutherford

Woolworths is again partnering with Modern Teaching Aids – Australia's biggest supplier of resources for schools. Which means the school can choose the resources based on our school needs.

OUTWARD BOUND OPPORTUNITY – YEAR 9 AND YEAR 10 Applications are being called for an Outward Bound Hunter Youth Leadership Project 2013, for Year 9 and Year 10 students. This project is sponsored by Coal and Allied. Final date for applications is Friday 10 May 2013. This 7 day Youth Leadership Event retails at over $1000. Coal and Allied is subsiding this cost, with Year 10 students requested to contribute $500 and year 9 students $350. Bus travel to the base in the Northern Rivers departs Sunday 23rd June and returns Sunday 30th June. Travel is included in the price. If you are interested in applying for a place on this Outward Bound Course please contact our Community Liaison Officer, Maryka Gibson, in the Careers Office at the school, for further details and an application form.

SCHOOL BANNERS The school recently took delivery of a set of banners – one for each faculty at the school. These were first used at the Parent Teacher Afternoon at the end of Term 1, making the task of locating teaching staff much easier. A big THANK YOU to MSP Photography who took the photos and produced the banners – they have done a great job and we look forward to using these banners at school events during the year.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

It is worth noting how much the school values the support of its local community. This is demonstrated in many ways, it can be a local company hosting student visits to their workplace, industry representatives coming into the school to talk to students, Rutherford students being accepted for work experience, or fi-nancial support for specific projects. One such example is Maitland City Bowling Club who recently donated $2000 towards the establishment of a Yarning Circle at the school. On completion this will provide an outside learning area at the rear of the school that will be utilised by the entire school community. We very much appreciate this donation which will certainly be put to good use.

ROTARY AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND STUDENT EXCHANGE

2014 PROGRAM EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST OPEN

This program is designed for 14-16 year old

students (In Year 9 or 10 in 2014) to experience a true ‘exchange’ with a family in New Zealand. Local Students are matched with a New Zealand

student and the Australian student will attend school in New Zealand during Term 2, 2014. Both students then return to Australia and

attend school here for Term 3, 2014.

The students’ family hosts the NZ student and includes them in their normal family life.

This is an exciting way to experience another

culture with the support of Rotary. More information and expression of interest

forms can be found at www.ranzse.org

Expressions of interest close 30 June 2013

Students are asked to have mobile phones switched OFF during class time, and out of sight. Students phones will be confiscated by the teacher if found out during class time.

Parents are asked NOT to contact students on their mobile phone during school hours. In case of emergency, please contact the school directly on 4932 5999.

Students are asked to follow correct procedures if sick or needing to go home. They must notify class teacher / obtain note/ report to sick bay. The front office staff will phone caregiver. STUDENTS ARE NOT TO CONTACT THEIR PARENTS USING MOBILE PHONES

Unscheduled collection of students can be disruptive to classes. Parents will be asked to wait until the end of a lesson for a student to be called to the Front Office.

The school does not accept nor take responsibility for the loss, damage or theft of any device at school or school associated event.

STUDENT COMMUNICATION MOBILE PHONE POLICY

CANTEEN ROSTER— Term 2

1 May to 10 May 2013

1 May—A Hudson/S Tuff 6 May—K Cresswell 2 May—G Garland 8 May—K Hobbs 3 May– G Garland 10 May—G Garland

SKATEBOARDS & SCOOTERS

are NOT to be brought to school, except on Thursdays if

doing scootering.