Dear Parents/Caregivers Welcome Back to Term 4.

How this term is flying by already! There is a saying, ‘if you want something done, ask a busy person’. This has never been truer than presently at Oxley High. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all staff for the

outstanding commitment and enthusiasm they continually provide and exhibit to our students. It is this level of commitment that continues to see Oxley High School as a leader in Public Education. Firstly, let me start by wishing Mr Bartlett-Taylor all the best for a speedy recovery on behalf of staff, students and the school community. The HSC examinations are in the third week with the final exam occurring for our students on Wednesday, November 5th. Thank you to our students for their outstanding behaviour and co-operation around the hall during this most important time for our current Year 12, it is noticed and greatly appreciated. Organisation for the Year 12 formal evening at the TREC on November 6th is almost complete and is an evening that I am looking forward to. Thanks go out to Mrs Anne Whiley, Mrs Natasha Gillan and Mrs Sue Kellner for all you have done to make this evening both special and memorable for all concerned. Preparations and rehearsals for ‘Annie’ our school musical are ramping up, with staff and 60 students undertaking full day rehearsals in readiness for performances on November 27th, 28th and 29th. Mr Sean McInnes (Director) and his band of merry helpers; Mrs Natalie Hill - Promotional material Ms Mel Hodges - Media Mr Tony Kelly - Set Construction Mrs Sasha Jury-Radford - Artistic Director Ms Bryanna Taylor - Props Manager Mrs Lauren Mettam - Costumes Mrs Janine Way - Hair and Makeup Mr Matt Parnell - Technical Manager Mrs Sam Reading - Production Manager Ms Kelly Singh - Choreographer Mr Matt Frazer - Musical Director Our Year 8 students are at the Gold Coast for their annual excursion with Mr Gordon Rae, Mr Peter Yeo, Mr David Moore, Miss Laura Barnes, Miss Ebony Brewer-Charles, Ms Tatum Robards and Mrs Jeanette Jeffery. I am sure they are especially looking forward to all of the water activities given the recent heat wave. The Visual Art HSC Body of Work was marked last Monday October 20th, congratulations to all on their efforts and Mrs Sam Reading for again taking another Year 12 through. Toby Harradine our Year 11 Accelerated HSC Music 2 and Extension student has received an audition for ENCORE which indicates that his HSC performance was of an outstanding standard. He is required to submit a recorded audition and we eagerly await the next instalment. Jess Rindfleisch represented NSW in the National World Skills (Tourism) in Perth finishing 4th overall. Congratulations Jess on this outstanding achievement. School Uniform - Canterbury shorts are not accepted as appropriate shorts for our school uniform. We understand there are times when students are required to wear alternate clothing. In this instance please provide your child with a note explaining the circumstances and we will happily negotiate a solution with you.

Traditional homeland of the Gomeroi / Kamilaroi Nation   OCTOBER 2014 

Rebuild update – Science Labs and Music rooms are 95% completed and Macquarie remodelling commenced today in Macquarie rooms 1 and 2. Recently we have had another outbreak of Head lice and a case of Chicken Pox in our school therefore I have provided useful links from the NSW Health website: Chicken Pox: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/Chickenpox.aspx. Head lice: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/headlice/Pages/treatment.aspx Last, but not least, our October Top Deck winners …..

. Wendy Blaker Principal.(Relieving)

Dalton BAILEY Year 7 Consistent commitment to his study of Mathematics Gabrielle DEWEGER Year 10 Excellent application in Geography Asley DISSANAYAKE Year 8 Excellent application in Elective History Tanisha DONNELLY Year 7 Consistently working to the best of her ability Tori SAUNDERS Year 11 Diligent and consistent effort in Mathematics Karla STANBURY Year 10 Dedication and maturity in Visual Arts and Drama Tyericq TAVO-JIKO Year 9 Consistent and diligent effort in Mathematics Layne TOUT Year 9 Dedication to classwork in Photographic and Digital Media Justin WELSH Year 11 Excellent application in TAS Amy ZHOU Year 8 Excellent application in classwork in TAS Declan SMITH Year 7 Attitude and effort in English Abbey WATTS Year 8 Excellent application and attitude in English Travis MCPHEE Year 9 Excellent attitude and effort in English Sasha DUNCAN Year 10 Consistent effort in English Holly STAGG Year 11 Excellent attitude and commitment in English Solomon NOON Year 9 Fantastic Application in all Subjects Lynette ROBBINS Year 9 Fantastic Application in all Subjects Michael HUME Year 7 Confident and well-prepared speech in English Nicholas CRAIG Year 11 Maturity and Leadership in MC class

PROUDLY PRESENTS

School

Oxley High School Presents :

This is the next instalment for Oxley High's proud tradition of celebrating the amazing talents of our students. Annie will be opening on Thursday, 27th of November, Friday 28th and Saturday 29th November, 2014. Shows start at 7:30pm with doors opening at 7:00pm. Tickets are on sale from the Oxley High School office with prices as follows: Adults: $20 Students: $15 Family: (2 adults and 2 children) $60 Children under 8 free Seating is limited to 400 per night. All students and teachers have worked diligently to put together an amazing show and are very excited to showcase their extraordinary talents. Book your tickets early so you don’t miss out on this wonderful Production! For further information please call Oxley High School on: 67661677 or email: oxley-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

ISA BROWN CHICKENS

Oxley High School currently have available 14 week old Isa Brown Pullets – they are available now for just $15.00 each. Pick up days are Mondays, Wednesdays and

Fridays – please see the ladies in the front office for payment.

Dear Parent or Carer The Essential Secondary Science Assessment (ESSA) test for Year 8 students will be held on Monday 10th November, Tuesday 11th November and Wednesday 12th November 2014. The test takes approximately 80 minutes. The test is an interactive, multimedia test completed entirely on a computer. It is called ESSAonline. ESSAonline contains multiple choice, short response and extended response tasks that are grouped around real-world issues, including a simulated investigation. This is a diagnostic test, with tasks framed on Stage 4 outcomes and essential content in the NSW Science Year 7 – 10 Syllabus. Students will be tested on their:

Knowledge and understanding of science Understanding and skills in the process of scientific investigation Ability to evaluate evidence, make judgements and think critically Ability to access information and communicate scientific ideas.

Students also complete a survey about their opinions, attitudes and values. Since students complete ESSAonline on a computer, they will not need writing materials. However, each student needs to bring headphones or earbuds that plug into a school computer. Earbuds for an ipod or portable player are suitable. If your child has a disability that needs special consideration or has been educated in English for less than one year, please contact your child’s school to discuss special provisions or possible exemption from the test. Results of the test will be available during Term 1 2015. Information about each student is treated confidentially and held securely to ensure that the right to privacy of all students is maintained. A personal report for each student will be sent to parents/carers to describe the science knowledge and skills demonstrated by the student in the test. There will also be information about how your child’s results compare with overall performance of all students in the test. You will be invited to complete a parent survey about the test and science learning. The principal of your child’s school is able to provide you with more details about the ESSA program if you require additional information. Yours sincerely Rod Blaker Simon Bartlett-Taylor Head Teacher Science Principal 9th October 2014

ADDRESS: Piper Street (PO Box 587) TAMWORTH 2340

PHONE: (02) 6766 1677 General Enquiries

(02) 6766 1028 Deputy PrincipalPRINCIPAL: Simon Bartlett-Taylor

ISA BROWN CHICKENS

Oxley High School currently have available 14 week old Isa Brown Pullets – they are available now for just $15.00 each. Pick up days are Mondays, Wednesdays and

Fridays – please see the ladies in the front office for payment.

Jaycob Martin receiving his lucky door prize from Mr Bartlett‐Taylor                                                        

during his visit to the Disability Expo held at the Town Hall on 18/9/14 

JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION WALK

A special congratulations goes to two exceptional singers at Oxley High, Chelsea Roper and Emma Bailey of Year 11, who performed at a recent charity event. On Sunday 19th October, these two young ladies showcased their talents at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk to Cure Diabetes held in Bicentennial Park. Both Chelsea and Emma demonstrated a tremendous commitment to their community by volunteering to sing on the day, much to the delight of the crowd.

Chelsea Roper

Emma Bailey

P & C NEWS NEXT MEETING: -

Monday, 27th October 2014 starting at 6:45pm in the Staff Common Room, upstairs in Macquarie Block, entry via the side closest to the Student carpark.

CANTEEN NEWS

Just a reminder that the profits from the canteen go towards your children’s education – we try to keep the prices at an extremely affordable level and only put up our prices when we absolutely have to.

Frozen Orchy Cups are now $1 each. Chocolate and Triple Swirl Billabongs have been discontinued by Peters and have been replaced by the new Fandangles in Fairy Floss Flavour, Caramel Popcorn and Choc Marshmallow Flavours and sell for $1.20.

With chips and the new ice blocks selling for $1.20 and a few other items having 20 cents in their totals it would be extremely helpful if students can possibly help out by giving the correct money when purchasing items – ie if an item is $1.20 and they only have a $5 note, it would be helpful it they had the 20 cents in change to give with the $5 so we can give back $4 rather than having to find $3.80. Your help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Volunteers Needed!! - We still need more volunteer helpers in the canteen, especially Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, so if you can spare a few hours once a month, once a fortnight or once a week please call the canteen directly on 67661131, leave your name and contact details at the front office or email us at the new canteen email address – oxleyhighcanteen@gmail.com. It makes such a difference having two parents helping out at the same time instead of just one.

Online Ordering - Don’t forget to register for ordering at ouronlinecanteen.com.au We still have alot of children arriving later at the lunch break, especially on a Friday and we have run out of hot food. Please encourage your children to order either online or before school starts or even at recess to ensure they are getting something other than chips to eat at lunchtime.

SCHOOL FEES

We urge each and every one of you to please pay your child’s subject fees and voluntary contributions. Public education isn’t free, it costs money to run the school and you make our fundraising efforts that much harder by not paying. If you pay your voluntary contributions into the Library fund it is FULLY TAX DEDUCTABLE. If you are financially challenged, a payment plan can be arranged by contacting the front office (details are strictly confidential). Let’s make 2014 the best yet for fee payments.

FACEBOOK PAGES:

Parents and staff can send a ‘friend request’ to the main Facebook page and keep up to date with what is happening at the school along with useful information, photos and discussions at Oxley High PandC.

All of the school community including students can ‘like’ the community page at Oxley High School P&C Association to check out the latest photos, discussions, events etc. As with all “like” pages please make sure you tick the ‘get notifications’ and ‘show in news feed’ to make sure you actually get to see our posts.

Coming Soon – We will be adding two new pages to our Facebook account. These will be one for International Night and one for Antique Fair. Your help in promoting these pages once they are operational would be greatly appreciated.

ENQUIRIES: If you have any questions please feel free to contact us in the following ways:-

Email – oxleyhighpandc@gmail.com

Facebook:- Write on our wall or send us a personal inbox message on either of the pages listed above or you can call our, Secretary Robyn on 0477 845854.

Leanne Thompson

President P & C.

PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES

School fees are an important component to ensuring that the learning environment is engaging, fun and rewarding for students. Please do not confuse subject contribution fees with voluntary school fees as they are different and serve a separate purpose. Please contact the Front Office for any queries or concerns.

There is an onus or expectation on parents and carers to pay your Child’s Subject Contribution Fees and to pay them on time. Oxley High School provides limited resources for subjects to get started at the beginning of the year. However, the bulk of resources for your child in classes are provided through parents and carers paying subject fees. This is the reason why we insist that you pay your fees and pay them on time.

If you or your family are having difficulties paying subject fees, the ladies in the Office can help with a payment plan. Your situation will be kept confidential.

For Senior students, we need to be clear that payment of fees for Years 11 and 12 will need to be undertaken prior to enrolment in the subject. This is to ensure that all practical and subject work can be completed without the added pressure of having to find money to finish courses. Again, we encourage parents and carers to consider negotiation of early payment to ensure that the start of the 2015 Preliminary and HSC year is as easy as possible.

PEANUT ALLERGIES AND AEROSOL CANS

Please be reminded not to bring peanut products to school as we have some students with severe peanut allergies. Also aerosol cans which can cause students and staff to have problems with Asthma.

YEAR 12 JUMPERS FOR 2015

Given that we believe that education is the focus of Oxley High School, we have determined that students seeking to purchase a Year 12 jumper must have all their Subject Fees paid in full prior to seeking purchase of a jumper. This will be monitored and where fees are outstanding, students will be advised that they are ineligible to purchase a Year 12 jumper.

If you have Subject Fees outstanding from as far back as Year 7, prompt payment of the amount is expected prior to Week 3, 2015.

If you are concerned that you may have outstanding Subject Fees, please contact the Oxley High School Office on 67661677 and we will organise your information for payment.

CLOTHING POOL

Mrs. Gail Martin, Jacob Martin’s Mum has generously offered to open the Clothing Pool. The Oxley High School Clothing Pool will open Mondays from 9.30am to 11.30am. For all uniform needs or pre-loved uniforms, please see Mrs. Martin.

Oxley High also needs someone to run the Clothing Pool on Orientation Day, Wednesday 3rd December, 2014. If you could spare a couple of hours on this day, it would be greatly appreciated.

Oxley High School is always looking for volunteers to run the Clothing Pool, so if you can spare a couple of hours on another day, please contact the school on 6766 1677.

OXLEY HIGH SCHOOL - Uniform Policy and Expectations

As the school year continues, we would like to take this opportunity to remind families of the high expectations Oxley High School maintains regarding uniform in our school. Oxley High School prides itself on upholding exceptional standards and a positive image both within our school and as members of the wider community. We therefore appreciate the continued support of our parents and carers in this area.

If you have an email address, attached to this newsletter is a copy of our school uniform policy and detailed description of the school uniform.

If you do not have an email address the Uniform requirements can be found on the Oxley High School Web Site.

Students who are unable to wear the full school uniform on any occasion must provide a note from home to the uniform officer (Deputy Principal) in D Block BEFORE SCHOOL to obtain a Uniform Exemption Pass. Disciplinary action will be enforced for those students out of uniform, without written explanation.

If families are experiencing any financial difficulties and are unable to meet uniform requirements, we have a Clothing Pool operating on Wednesdays 8.30am - 2.30pm and some student assistance is available through Macquarie Office. All students have been advised of these procedures during the first week of term, and once again we appreciate the ongoing cooperation of our school families. If you have any further queries or require support, please contact your child’s Year Adviser or Head Teacher Welfare as soon as possible.

REMINDER TO PARENTS

Could parents ensure that they are not dropping off or picking up their students in the Staff Car Park, unless prior special arrangements have been authorised with the school.

PARENT EMAIL ADDRESSES

On the back page of this publication is a slip for parents to update their email addresses. If you can supply an email address, it will assist the school in the reduction of postage for newsletters and accounts thus freeing up much needed funds for other projects.

RETURN OF TEXT BOOKS

Parents of returning students in years 8-12: Please help your student to locate and return any textbooks they have from previous years that they are no longer using. It is important that these items are returned so that current students have the use of, and benefit from these resources.

SCHOOL FEES

A reminder for Parents/Carers regarding accounts: Fees for all elective subjects, excursions, sport fees and fees for lost text books are all compulsory. These fees are to be paid before your child commences their elective subject or attend sporting events or excursions.

COMPULSORY SPORT FEE

In order to minimise the cost of sporting events run at Oxley High School, the $10.00 sporting fee is again in operation for 2014. Please make sure that you pay this fee promptly as the school needs to cover the costs incurred to run events. We wish to take this opportunity to remind parents/carers that there is a substantial number of students who have elective fees outstanding from previous years, could those parents/carers please make arrangements with the school for payment of these fees, as your child can not be signed out of school until all fees are collected. If you are having problems meeting your fees for electives or sport please call at the front office to discuss any options the school may be able to consider.

BRITANNICA ONLINE

An initiative of the P&C is to fund our subscription to Britannica Online - a great online reference, which can be accessed by students, and their families, which gives them access to Ebsco which offers a broad range of full text and bibliographic data bases, designed for research from their homes via the Oxley High Moodle, which can be located via an Internet search. Subject areas include academic, biomedical, government, school etc. via

Britannica Online. The student’s username and Oxley High School logon password will allow them to access the school Moodle. An authoritative information site for school assessments. A reminder also that paying the School Contribution fee into the Oxley Library Fund is 100% tax deductible! If you have any board games that you no longer want, in good condition, the Library would be grateful for any donations.

TRAVEL CONCESSION CARDS

Students 16 years and older travelling on NSW Trains and Coaches require the Senior Secondary Student Card to get the Student 50% discount fare.

If any student is considering travelling by Train or Coach, please come to the front office to pick up your card.

This card MUST be shown when purchasing your ticket.

SCHOOL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT Jewellery and Make-Up Requirements. Dear Parents / Caregivers It has been agreed to by our school community (parents, students, staff) that students are to wear a school uniform. This is stated in the school’s Fair Discipline Code: “Students will observe the general standard of dress and uniform requirements of the school”. This means that all students are to be well groomed, neat and tidy wearing the full uniform of Oxley High School. The wearing of jewellery is discouraged. If worn, it must be unobtrusive. If in doubt contact the Principal, Deputy Principal’s or Head Teacher Welfare. One flat ring, one bangle or bracelet, one fine neck chain, a watch and small studs or sleeper earrings may be worn. (For safety reasons, earrings must be either small stud or small sleeper.) Large ear jewellery is unacceptable. All piercings must have a small stud or sleeper only in accordance with the Occupational and Safety Act 2000. Makeup is to be unobtrusive, e.g. no excessive use of bright lipstick, heavy eyeliner, eye shadow, nail polish, etc. If you are in any doubt about any item of uniform requirement, please contact the school. Mr R. Petrie (Head Teacher Welfare)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THURSDAY SPORT

The following is an outline of the procedures for Sport at Oxley High School in 2014. Please read through with your child/ren so there is a clear understanding of expectations on a Thursday afternoon. NON SPORT Non-Sport is held in the Library each Thursday for the benefit of students who are either SICK or INJURED and unable to participate in Sport. Whilst in the Library, students are to be working constructively, or they will be sent to Sports Detention (see below). If a student wishes to attend Non-Sport they are to bring a note signed by their Parent/Guardian containing the nature of the illness/injury, a contact phone number where they may be reached that day if required, and the date(s) for which the illness/injury is applicable. The note must be handed to the Sports Organiser before school or at recess, at the PE staffroom. If a student does not bring a note, they will go to Sports Detention.

SPORTS DETENTION Sports Detention is held each week in classroom D1. Sports Detention is where a student will be sent if he/she is not doing what is expected of them at Sport. They may be sent immediately if at school for sport, or the following week if Sport is conducted away from the school. Students who fail to bring the required equipment, clothing, or do not get their Non Sport notes to the Sports Organiser, will also attend Sports Detention. If a student is sent to Sports Detention for the following week, and are not at school, they will be expected to make up their time in detention the next Sport Day they are at school. Should students find themselves attending Sports Detention constantly, they will be seen to by a Deputy Principal with the possibility of In-School Suspension. MONEY Students who have forgotten/lost their money on Thursdays and need to pay money for Sport each week are able to borrow money from the Sports Organiser on Thursday morning or recess. Please do not come the second half of lunch to borrow money. This money is to be re-paid to the Sports Organiser the next day. LEAVE PASSES Sport is compulsory at school, and therefore should not be seen as an opportunity to carry out personal matters. Leave passes are for students who require leave from school to attend urgent appointments which cannot be made at other times. Students who wish to get a Leave Pass on Thursdays must have a note from their parent/caregiver clearly explaining where the student will be when they leave. The notes must be handed in before school to Macquarie office and MUST contain the following information:-

- Reason for leave - Phone Number for confirmation of appointment if required - Place and Time of appointment

SPORTS UNIFORM The wearing of uniform at Oxley High School is compulsory. Uniform for Sport is no different. The correct uniform for sport is a Navy Polo Shirt top with collar and embroidered badge. OXLEY Navy coloured shorts or tracksuit pants. A School Tracksuit Jacket or Oxley High School Jumper can be worn during cold weather. JEANS and CANTERBURY (CCC) SHORTS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE AS SPORTS UNIFORM. If you do not have the correct full uniform, wear your normal school uniform and change at your venue. Students who are not in the correct uniform will not attend Sport; they will go to Sport Detention instead.

ISA BROWN CHICKENS

Oxley High School currently have available 14 week old Isa Brown Pullets – they are available now for just $15.00 each. Pick up days are Mondays, Wednesdays and

Fridays – please see the ladies in the front office for payment.

Dear Oxley High Community Oxley High P&C would like to announce that our canteen is now online. If you would like to order your child's lunch you will need to register at www.ouronlinecanteen.com.au It is FREE to register and you can add credit to your account in 3 different ways:- 1. Direct deposit (no fee involved) 2. Credit Card (fee involved) 3. PayPal (fee involved) Orders can be picked up at the canteen door, until we get enough people ordering to open a specific window. When adding your child/ren to your account, it will ask for a Class & Teacher's name as mandatory fields - please use your child's PC/Roll call class and the teacher they have for this. You can order for both recess and lunch; however cut off times do apply to give us enough time to process your orders. Cut off time for Recess is 9am and Lunch is 10:30am. You can also order up to two weeks in advance which means you don't have to remember to log on each day if you do a regular order. If you have any concerns you can contact the canteen via our new email address :- oxleyhighcanteen@gmail.com If you need help with registering or anything to do with the website please contact Our Online Canteen directly on ph 1300 484 888 or email info@ouronlinecanteen.com.au There are prize draws each week for those who sign up and order online. Our Online Canteen has a Facebook page where you can enter the prize draws. There are also FREE mobile apps for download so you can order from your phone or other mobile device. We are hoping everyone will embrace this new system as we feel it will streamline our canteen operations as well as helping to stop bullying for money, long wait times at meal breaks and help prevent food wastage whilst making sure we have enough food for everyone. Regards Oxley High P & C Committee Email:- oxleyhighpandc@gmail.com Find us on Facebook

Monday 27 October

Tuesday 28 October

Wednesday 29 October

Thursday 30 October

Friday 31 October

Yr 8 Gold

Coast Excur. HSC Exams

Yr 8 Gold

Coast Excur. HSC Exams

Yr 8 Gold

Coast Excur. HSC Exams

Yr 8 Gold

Coast Excur. HSC Exams

Yr 8 Gold

Coast Excur. HSC Exams

Monday 3 November

Tuesday 4 November

Wednesday 5 November

Thursday 6 November

Friday 7 November

HSC Exams

HSC Exams

HSC Exams

HSC Exams

HSC Exams

Monday 9 November

Tuesday 10 November

Wednesday 11 November

Thursday 12 November

Friday 13 November

Yr 12

Formal

Have You Updated Your Email Address Recently?

In order for us to keep our records up to date, we need to be informed when parents and carers’ email addresses have changed.

If you did not receive an electronic copy of this newsletter from the school in your emails, could you please complete and send in details of your current email address, together with your child’s name/s. Alternatively, please send an email to the school (oxley-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au) with the subject “Updated Email”, together with your child’s name/s and current email address.

Student/s Name………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Parents Email Address………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Parents Signature……………………………………………………………………………….Date..…../.……./…….