September 2010 - Edition No 6

Successful Learning - Responsible Living page 1

IMPORTANT DATES:

P & C Meeting - Tuesday 12th October - Administration Office 7pm

HSC commences - Monday 15th November - School Hall

ESSA - Monday 15th November - Year 8

Year 12 Graduation - Friday 24th September - School Hall

September 2010 - Edition No 6

Successful Learning - Responsible Living page 2

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT The school year is rapidly disappearing with us nearing the end of term 3 with so many highlights throughout

the term. Our Gymnasium is finally finished and our students are ready to occupy these amazing facilities. The

PDHPE staffroom is now located in the gymnasium and all practical indoor PE lessons will now be relocated to

the gym.

During week 4 of the term our under 14’s rugby league team played against Bega High School in the highly

sought after Buckley Shield competition, being victorious they were 8th in the state and played Macksville High

School on our home ground the following week. Through a nail biting game that went into extra time our team

was sadly defeated, but not without a strong and determined effort. Well done boys and to Mr Lyden for such an

outstanding effort. Congratulations to the whole school community who proudly and loyally support the

Morisset boys!

Our Table 11 Café continues to impress with the high quality service and gourmet meals. Our senior Hospitality

students open the café every second Friday lunch time for up to 20 paying guests. This is a wonderful

opportunity for our students to gain competency in a range of hospitality skills. Congratulations to the students

and Mr Post for this wonderful initiative that supports the practical application of the Food and Beverage

course.

Years 10, 11 and 12 have recently sat for trial and preliminary exams in the lead up to the School Certificate,

Higher School Certificate and the completion of the year 11 course. My thanks and appreciation to the staff for

their dedication and commitment in ensuring our students are well prepared for these examinations. I also

congratulate the students who have worked so hard to make sure they are working towards their personal best

and achieving the very best results they possibly can.

The HSC will commence on Thursday 14th October until Friday 19th November. I know the School community

join with me in wishing our year 12 students all the very best of luck in these upcoming exams and thank them

for the strong leadership and role modelling that they have provided at Morisset High School. Congratulations

year 12.

Year 10 students have now made course selections for 2011 and these will be published later term 4. I

encourage year 10 students to ensure they are well prepared for the school certificate exams which will

commence on Monday 8th November and finish on Thursday 11th November. The timetable will be issued early

next term to all students I know everyone’s good wishes are with year 10 as they complete these examinations.

NAPLAN (National Assessment Program in Literacy and Numeracy) results for students in years 7 and 9 are

due out this term and will distributed to families before the end of the term. This information is important to

schools as it helps direct the teaching and learning focus in literacy and numeracy identifying areas for

development and how we can improve and support students learning. Analysis of the NAPLAN results will be

high on the agenda for staff during the school development days at the end of term 4.

Recently elections for the senior prefect body have been held and I am very proud to announce our senior

leadership body for 2011. Erin Bonnett and Mathew Davison School Captains, Anneka Burchell and Glen

Charleton Vice Captains, Jessica Clark, Hayley Glanville, Ashlee Johnston, Emily Kirby and Natasha Rogers

prefects. Congratulation to all of these students and to Mrs Worley and Mr Pierpoint for the organisation of the

election, I look forward to working with such fine students who I know will work hard to support our school.

As this is the last Morissetian for the term I would like to wish all staff, students and parents a enjoyable spring

vacation. School will resume on Monday 11th October for all staff and students there is not a staff development

day on this day. The school development days in term 4 will be held on Thursday 16th and Friday 17th

December. The school year will finish for students on Wednesday 15th December 2010. Enjoy the holidays!

Take care and be safe!

Karen Nicol

Principal

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Higher School Certificate commences 14/11/2010.

School Certificate commence 8/11/2010.

ESSA is on 15/11/2010. (Involves all Year 8 )

As in the past, the majority of the HSC exams will be held in the local church hall. This provides the students

with a quiet, uninterrupted environment. I take this opportunity to thank Reverend Pope for his generosity in

providing this facility.

A number of students currently have placed the awarding of either the Preliminary Higher School Certificate or

the School Certificate in jeopardy. This is because they have unresolved ‘N Awards’. It is vitally important that

students rectify this situation.

The general student population is to be congratulated on the way they conducted themselves as spectators to the

recent rugby league game. The visiting team’s parents commented on the positive way the spectators conducted

themselves.

A new system for dealing with truancy has been initiated. Students identified as truants will be directed to

complete a minimum of 2 lunch time detentions in room 3 supervised by the deputy principal. One of the tasks

students must successfully complete while on detention is the composition of letter to their parents/carers

explaining the situation behind the truancy. Those letters will be posted home.

A number of students are now considering their subject options for the coming years. My advice is :

Don’t select subjects because your friends do them.

Don’t select subjects based on who might or might not teach the class.

Select subjects in which you have a genuine interest.

Research before you make a final decision. Talk to teachers or the careers advisor.

Identify any financial commitments associated with the subjects.

Identify if there are work placement commitments.

Select subjects in consultation with parents.

As always, if there is any matter you wish to raise or discuss please contact me at school.

Colin Pierpoint

Deputy Principal

AN INTERNATIONAL FUTURE FOR STUDENTS This is the opportunity to make a difference for your future by hosting a S.C.C.E international student. You could enhance your studies, your travels, your career. Learn of new opportunities, attitudes, and have fun teaching Australian culture. Carefully-selected students arrive in early February from Europe, the U.S.A., Japan and Canada. Check out our brochure BRING THE WORLD TO YOUR HOME on the Southern Cross Cultural Exchange website www.scce.com.au. If you want to seize this opportunity while still in secondary school, contact S.C.C.E on 1800 500 501 (we may have a representative in your area), fill in the Host Family Application Form ( also on our website). The February students are being matched now !

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CAREERS School Webpage

I have placed a lot of valuable career information, which is regularly updated, on the school webpage.

To access this information click on ‘Careers’ and various dropdown boxes will appear. There is information

about ‘TAFE’, ‘Uni’, ‘Post School’ information, ‘Apprenticeship/Traineeships’, links to ‘Useful Career

Websites’ ‘Work Experience’ information as well as a ‘Job Applications’ section with covering letter & resume

templates. If you have trouble editing any of these templates, students can also access them on the school

computers in the ‘student drive’ → ‘Careers’.

Take a look the ’Careers’ section on the webpage. You will find some very worthwhile information.

First Aid Course

On 27th August a very successful accredited First Aid course was held. There were 23 students and 1 staff

member who made the most of this opportunity and successfully gained their Senior First Aid Certificate.

Congratulations to these people.

Year 12 It is a very important and busy time for year 12 students. Many students attended a University information talk

on Wednesday 25th August. At this talk I went through ‘How to enter for ATAR’, various schemes on offer to

improve your chances, if you have suffered a disadvantage, Centrelink information plus other information. If you

are in Yr 12 and missed this talk see me ASAP.

There are many alternate programs students can access to attend Uni if you don’t achieve a high enough

ATAR or if you do not satisfy requirements for an ATAR. Many Universities offer entry on the school’s

recommendation, with or without an ATAR. See me ASAP if you would like to know more about these

programs.

Student DET Emails.

All students, and especially Year 12 students, should be accessing their DET email regularly. I regularly email

career & training information, upcoming events and current job vacancies I become aware of.

As I have said many times, if you cannot access your DET email see me and I will organise your access,

otherwise you may miss valuable information.

APPRENTICESHIPS /TRAINEESHIPS

Many companies are now advertising for Apprenticeship / Traineeships for 2011.

Each week I publish a list of job advertisements from Saturday’s Newcastle Herald.

I display these lists on the careers notice board, outside the senior study. If students are seeking full or part time

positions they need to regularly check with me and /or the notice board so they don’t miss valuable

opportunities. They should also always check the Newcastle & Sydney Morning Heralds every Wednesday &

Saturday + plus local papers & internet sites (see me for a list of sites)

WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM (See photos this issue)– Another reminder

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 in regard to work experience, to give

students the best possible chance to participate in the program.

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. Students in Year 10 to 12 should be aware of

school & employer expectations with any work placement, as these were covered in the

‘Work Ready’ course, but if they are unsure or if parents have questions, I welcome all

enquiries.

Ruth Burton

Careers Adviser

September 2010 - Edition No 6

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AFS INTERCULTURAL

PROGRAM

AFS Australia is the country’s leading provider of

intercultural experiences and learning programs. We

provide the opportunities and the support mechanisms

for young people to find themselves and achieve

personal growth through exposure to wide and varied

cultures across the world. AFS provides the gateway to

a journey of self-discovery through awareness and

appreciation of people, places and practices.

AFS

GO LIVE LIFE

AFS Intercultural Programs Australia P.O. Box 5 Strawberry Hills 2012 NSW

Level 10, 418a Elizabeth Street Surrey Hills 2010 NSW

Tel: 02 9215 0077 Fax: 02 7215 0088

FREECALL: 1300 131 736

www.afs.org.au or ausafs@afs.org

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IO CLASS SUPPORT UNIT

The IO Class has had a busy term so far with activities both in and outside of the classroom.

Our aboriginal art works have been completed and are now on display in the classroom, helping to brighten up

our walls. We are currently making our two flags, Aboriginal and Australian, using paper skills, and they will

be on display soon also.

Our cultural cooking unit currently features German cuisine and we have made some yummy dishes to try, even

having a taste of sauerkraut which most of us found surprisingly tasty. We will move on to Indian next, due to

the approaching Commonwealth Games. Our unit of study for this will help us to understand some of the culture

of that country and we will follow our athletes, as they prepare to compete for their country.

Q6 Café continues to be a great way to teach our students to interact with staff, taking and delivering orders, and

to work as a team as we cook, prepare and clean up after a busy morning. We have had some assistance from

some of the IM students and we appreciate their help.

During out textiles lessons with Ms Jeanes we have been making self portrait floor cushions, they are really

looking great and developing our machining skills.

Our community access days have included a recent visit to Newcastle where we decided to test our fitness

climbing to the top of the Newcastle tower. Whilst most of us made it to the top, we had very sore calf muscles

the day after, but what a view we had! The next time we visit we are taking our sketch pads and will sit on the

foreshore and let our creative skills loose.

The work experience program for our seniors is continuing , with very good reports coming from their

employers. We are also proud of two of our seniors, Kayla and Damien who will be receiving Year Awards at

the upcoming assembly. It’s hard to believe we are already half way through Term 3 and still have lots of fun

activities to do.

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TOP DECK AWARDS

Year 7 Year 8 Dylan Giles Billy Davis-Grant Matthew King Courtney Thomas Ignatius Ah-You Maddie Cormack Ben Steel Kirsty O’Brien Emily Blackstock Christian Polkinghorne Mark Bauerhuit Toni Scott Teisha Gallagher Elle Stewart Michael Foreman Loni Fuller

Year 9 Year 10 Rachel Eastcott Kristine Hogan Louise Dash Bryson Cooke Daniel Stratford Madison Kenny Rhiannon Hallett Lani Scharfenberg Gary Smith Ryan Fenech Rebecca Spicer Jade Deaves Mitchell Buchanan Aaron Stratford Jack Mullaly Melissa Byrnes Blake Lowe Benjamin Schenk Deklan Flanigan

Year 11 Year 12

Greg Mitchell Dominic Barling

Jack MacMillan Dylan O’Connor

Bodee Hemers Dean Walker

Sarah Spicer Robert Lee Chin

Joshua Lucke Peter Brennan

Matthew Davison Brendan Tate

Jaclyn Brierley Kris Moreton

Lance De Wit Dominic Barling

Bradley Walters

September 2010 - Edition No 6

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MORISSET SCHOOL UNIFORM SHOP

20% OFF ALL STOCK20% OFF ALL STOCK

OPENING TIMES:

TUESDAY 14th September: 8.00am-12.00pm

THURSDAY 16th September: 12.00pm-4.00pm

TUESDAY 21st September: 8.00am-12.00pm

THURSDAY 23rd September: 12.00pm-4.00pm

Sorry, no exchanges,

rainchecks or refunds

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 49751258. Don’t let your

children put you off; they really do like it when Mum or Dad is in the

canteen, and you get to know their teachers. 0

RING NOW !!!!!

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PD/H/PE REPORT The PDHPE staff have finally received the new Gym and

Staffroom. The new Gym is an exciting facility for all student

and staff alike. Students in the coming weeks will have the

opportunity to take part in practical lesson in this new

facility.

Morisset High School has registered and are participating in

the Coles Sport for School Program. This initiative is

advertised on television and is aimed at suppling schools with

more sports equipment to increase physical activity in our

school age students. For every $10 that is spent at Coles

Supermarkets, Coles online, Bi-Lo and Pick n Pay stores you

can receive a ‘Coles Sports for Schools’ voucher. These

vouchers add up and we earn points for our school in which

we can redeem these points to purchase sporting equipment.

We are seeking our school community’s support in this

program. We ask that you collect these vouchers for the

school. As you collect these vouchers please send them to

school with your child and they can hand in these vouchers in

the box in the front office or to the PDHPE staff. We would

greatly appreciate your support.

Tanya Blaszczyk - Head Teacher

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PARKING OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL

Parents/Caregivers,

Please be aware that you can only park outside the Ad-

ministration Office between the hours of 9.30pm and

2.30pm. If you park there at any other time you can

receive a fine of approximately $180 so please take note

of the time when you are dropping off a student. The

school has no control over this law as it is enforced by

the Roads and Traffic Authority.

Morisset Army Cadets now recruiting

WHERE: Morisset High School

WHEN: 1st Mar - 31 Mar 2010

TIME: 5.20pm to 7.30pm

CONTACT: 4970 4078 Fridays

0408 683 583