Vincentia Vibe - The voice of our school Term 3 Week 6B 25/08/2016

Dear Parents/Carers

There is no doubt that the ‘ACT Mountain Bike’ school event is an exciting week for our school calendar every year. It generates about the same amount of buzz that similar events such as ‘Coondoo’ and ‘Triathlon’ amongst our Mountain biking student and teacher enthusiasts alike. What is it about this thrilling adventure that gets our blood pumping and spikes our adrenalin? Is it the competition, the course, the skill required to manoeuvre through the rugged terrain? Is it the feeling of conquering fear? The camaraderie of being part of the team? Is it the pride of being part of something bigger than you?

To me, the experience of Mountain Biking is a little bit like participating actively in life. When you first begin – it is unknown territory – a little scary and difficult to navigate. Hills come up unexpectedly and bumps are harder to overcome. The first time you hit the deck – it can be hard to bounce back but over time as you become more skilled and more determined the falls become less and the recovery easier. Similarly, as we become more capable, more competent and more confident we are more likely to take on more difficult tracks, exciting challenges and work towards developing our ability to complete tricks!

It is important that as students develop and move from Year 7 to Year 12 that we become more willing to take risks, embrace new experiences and take advantage of the opportunities provided by the trail surrounding them. Just like when participating at ACT MB Champs, you have a team of people around you to support and encourage you when necessary, give first aid when required, and cheer you to the finish. Although we say it a lot, now is the time to take the best of the opportunities we have offer and take a front seat in the race. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to find your inner ‘mountain biker’ and jump in at the deep end and take a risk by participating in something at school! Best of luck to our Mountain Bikers and to everyone else this week who are doing their best to represent themselves and our school.

This week we recognise the hard-work and commitment of three of our staff who we recognise as ‘Staff Members of the Week’, thank you to:

Ged Brindley – Mr. Brindley is a dedicated teacher who consistently gives his best for his students. His quietly confident approach coupled with his unfailing good humour, genuine care for his students and passion for English make his classroom a quality learning place where his students feel valued and confident in achieving their personal best. He is an asset to Vincentia High School.

Denise Hough – Ms Hough has generously given of her time to students participating in the tournament of the minds. She has maintained hers and their enthusiasm with a trademark quirky sense of humour and dedicated nurturing of student talent. We appreciate the work that you have done!

Andrew Newton – Mr Newton has been outstanding in his capacity of relieving Deputy Principal for the past 7 weeks. His supportive, patient and insightful presence has made him a much valued and respected member of the senior executive by all staff, students and their families. Thank you, Mr. Newton!

To finish, I would like to congratulate Ms Borg, Mr Ebdon, Mr Brindley and Ms Hough for their dedicated efforts toward Tournament of the Minds in recent terms. Their hard work culminated in their completion of the Tournament of the University of Wollongong last Sunday. The students represented our school with flair and one team was awarded the ‘Spirit Award’ for their energy and enthusiasm in participating with a deflated team.

Have a great week,

Renee Gilbert

Deputy Principal, Stage 4

Outstanding Performance

at Wakakirri

Vincentia High School’s ‘Wakakirri’ team performed at NIDA in Sydney on Tuesday 9 August and won 'Best Inspirational Story' and 'Best Creative Use of Recycled Props and Materials' on the night. They have been invited to perform at the NSW Awards Presentation on 5 September! This is a HUGE achievement for these students and a first for many to be performing at such a prestigious place.

NIDA is Australia's leading institute for education and training in the dramatic arts! Our team was up against private and performing arts schools with budgets in excess of $10,000 and between 30 and 80 students in each act.

Our team of 15 got by with recycled props and materials and the support of their friends and family and teacher Miss Jessie Norman. Miss Norman is so very proud of the team and congratulates them for winning the NSW award for 'Best Inspirational Story’. Information about the Awards night has been sent home with the performers; tickets are $35 and need to be purchased by 23 August.

Please contact Miss Norman at school if you would like a ticket, friends and family are all welcome to attend. We would like to wish our Wakakirri team the very best of luck for another fabulous performance in September.

Vietnam Veterans Day

Commemorative Service

Last Thursday a service was held in Voyager Park, Huskisson to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ‘Ba le of Long Tan’ on Vietnam Veterans Day. The Ba le of Long Tan was the largest single unit ba le fought in Vietnam by Australian troops. During this tradi onal service Mr Barry Edwards, a Vietnam veteran himself, highlighted the role that personnel from the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army played in this theatre of war. Vincen a High School students were honored to par cipate in this special service; School Captains Ma hew Brown & Beatrix Brady read the prologue whilst Vice Captains Suzie Glenday & Joshua Hawker laid a wreath at the service on behalf of our school. As our cadets, Stewart Birkmyre, Connor Birkmyre and Olivia Eaton, lowered the American, Australian and New Zealand flags during the Last Post we had the opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of those men and women who served in the Vietnam War and also the las ng impact that it had on their friends and families.

Lest We Forget

Pizza Social Night

Friday 9 September

5pm -7pm The Vincentia High School community would like to invite families, students, teachers and staff to enjoy handmade pizza cooked in our wood fire oven. This free event is an opportunity to socialise and connect with our wider school community in the relaxed and informal setting of our Bushscape Cafe and outdoor garden. We look forward to your company.

For catering purposes could you please ring the school on 4441 6766 or post a comment on our Facebook Event page. Thank you.

Key Dates and Informa on for Year 12 Upcoming events for year 12 students:

20th July ll 2nd September 2016 ‐ Sydney University E12 Scheme (Early Entry)

1st August ll 26th August 2016 ‐ UOW Early Admission

3rd August ll 30th September 2016 ‐ UAC Schools Recommenda on Scheme (SRS)

3rd August 2016 ‐ UAC Applica ons

15th August ll 26th August 2016 ‐ Trial HSC Examina ons

Wednesday 21st September 2016 ‐ Car Wash and Cake Stall Fundraiser

Thursday 22nd September 2016 ‐ Breakfast at Greenfields Beach 7.00am

Thursday 22nd September 2016 ‐ Gradua on Ceremony 8.30am

13th October ll 4th November 2016 ‐ HSC Examina ons

Thursday 10th November 2016 ‐ Yr 12 Formal

15th December 2016 ‐ HSC Results

16th December 2016 ‐ ATAR Results

The Year 12 General

Contribu on includes the Year

12 Formal Ticket.

Payment of this contribu on is

required before 23rd

September, 2016.

Celebrating our school spirit!

The values of Vincentia High School are Respect, Responsibility

& Personal Best

Tickets have been donated to the school by Integrity Real Estate in recognition of our school values.

This weeks recipients are:

Hayden Regent and BJ Hawkins: Hayden and BJ attended the National Alpaca Show at Globe Derby Park South Australia,

they were asked by other studs to present their animals to the judges. Hayden and BJ

represented Vincentia High School in a very professional manner

These values can be shown in many ways within the school community. It is these actions of our students we, as a school,

are proud of and wish to acknowledge.

Each week a student/s from the school, in any year, will receive a FREE movie ticket to the Huskisson Theatre as recognition of their Vincentia High

School spirit.

Congratulations to our winners!

Important Information for Parents!

Students having time off school during the term A number of requests have been made recently, by parents, for the school to provide work packages for students who are going on vacation during term. It is not school practice to provide work packages for this purpose. Extenuating circumstances such as long term illness, misadventure or long term suspension are when work packages are provided. Any student taking holidays for three months or longer is required to apply to Distance Education. If students are going to be absent for more than two days, notification should be made to the school by phoning - 4441 6766, and informing Mrs Simpson who is the Attendance Officer. If Mrs Simpson is not available you can leave a message with reception which will be passed on. A note explaining any absence from school must be provided on the next day of attendance. This note must contain the date, students full name and be signed by the Parent/Caregiver stating the reason for the absence. Process for students taking holidays during the term: If you are intending to take your child on holiday within the school term you are required to obtain an ’Application for Exemption from Attendance at School’ form from the front office. At least one week’s notice is required, preferably longer to allow for processing. The Principal is required to sight this form and provide the Parent/Carer with a ‘Certificate of Exemption from Attendance at School’. Steve Glenday Principal

Annual Uniform Shop

20% off Sale off all Current Stock Starts Monday 12th September to Friday 23rd September 2016.

Opening times are normal shop hours

7.45 - 10.30am Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Jumpers are included in this sale.

NO Laybys, cheques, rainchecks, or returns.

What’s happening at Vincentia High School

Wednesday 24/08/16

Zone SRC Shoalhaven Youth Centre

Trial HSC

Garabara Ngurra NAISDA

Bay & Basin Mens Shed

Shoalhaven Water Treatment Facilities all day Mr Snelling

Thursday 25/08/16

Garabara Ngurra NAISDA

ACT Mountain Bike Championship Canberra Yrs 7-12 2 days Mr Wright

Friday 26/08/16

Garabara Ngurra NAISDA

ACT Mountain Bike Championship Canberra Yrs 7-12 2 days Mr Wright

PBL Art Project group Artroom 2 all day Mrs S Cunningham

InVEST transition to work and Vincentia High School and surrounds all day Ms Pastor

Gumbari day trip to Eastern Creek Raceway all day Mr Asbury

Monday 29/08/16

Duke of Edinburgh 3 day Snowshoe Expedition Kosciuszko National Park Ms Joura

Brainstorm Yrs 7-9

Tuesday 30/08/16

Duke of Edinburgh 3 day Snowshoe Expedition Kosciuszko National Park Ms Joura

AIME Shoalhaven Campus yrs 9-12 all day Aunty Gae

Wednesday 31/08/16

Bay & Basin Mens Shed Program Mens Shed Sanctuary Point pds 5 & 6 Mrs A. Taylor

Thursday 01/09/16

Camembert Cheese Presentation Blacktown Workers Club 2 days yrs 10 - 11 Mrs Boyce

Elevate UOWYr 11 SRC All Day Ms Pastor

Yr 12 Performance Showcase in Performance Space pds 5 & 6

Friday 02/09/16

Camembert Cheese Presentation Blacktown Workers Club 2 days yrs 10 - 11 Mrs Boyce

Yr 7 Sports Gala Day Bomaderry and South Nowra all day Mr Sauvao

Physics & Extension Science Luna Park yr 10-12 all day Mr Ebdon

InVEST transition to work all day Ms Pastor

Your School Contacts S Glenday Principal

P Hogan Deputy Principal Stage 6 (Yrs 11 & 12)

M Meehan Head Teacher Teaching & Learning Literacy/ Numeracy

R Gilbert Deputy Principal Stage 4 (Yrs 7 & 8) (Rel)

P Greyling Head Teacher WellBeing

P Taylor Deputy Principal Stage 5 (Yrs 9 & 10)

H Pastor Head Teacher Teaching & Learning 21st Century

J Oxley School Administration Manager

M Swanson Head Teacher Admin (Rel)

J Still Head Teacher Admin (Rel)

G Keogh Head Teacher English (Rel)

B Sauvao Head Teacher Sport

G Smith Head Teacher Mathematics

T Borg Head Teacher Science

L Ryder Head Teacher CAPA

J von Stieglitz Head Teacher HSIE (Rel)

A Newton Head Teacher TAS

P Raftery Head Teacher PDHPE

S Clark Head Teacher Support

J Scott Head Teacher Gumbari Unit

A Glenday Head Teacher Learning & Support

K Lane Head Teacher Ganya Garindja Unit

K Walker School Counsellor

G Brown Aboriginal Education Officer Ganya Garindja

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with

a Disability The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (the national data collection) is a joint initiative of all Australian governments and all state and territory government and non-government education authorities. National data is collected annually, in August, to identify the number of school students with disability and the level of reasonable educational adjustment provided for them. The Australian Government uses this information to provide additional funding to government and non-government education authorities to support services for students with disability or learning difficulties. The Learning Support Programs at Vincentia High School utilise this funding to provide improved student learning experiences, educational outcomes and transitions to further education or work. If you would like further information about the collection of data or information about your student’s inclusion in the data collection, please contact Anne Glenday, Head Teacher Learning and Support.

ST GEORGES BASIN SENIOR SUMMER TOUCH IS STARTING SOON

Join us on Facebook – St. Georges Basin Touch Football

WEBSITE - http://basintouch.com.au

TEAM DELEGATE NIGHT – Monday 05/09/2016 at 6pm

TRIAL GAMES – 19/09, 26/09 & 10/10/2016

COMPETITION START – 17/10/2016

BREAK – last game 19/12 – back on 09/01/2017

GRAND FINAL NIGHT – 13/02/2017

COST - $70 per player and must be paid by week 2 at the latest. There will be no discounts offered for junior players at this stage. The increase will cover the cost of one player from each team to attend a compulsory referees course.

The minimum age limit this year to play is 15 years old – born in the year 2001.

Time slots will be 6.15pm and 7.15pm with a possible third time slot depending on numbers this year.

This year there will be a dedicated Touch mobile phone for all enquiries and from where SMS messages will come from and that number will be :- 0421630867

In case of wet weather call off the team delegate will get an SMS message and it will be put on Facebook and the website. A decision will NOT be made before 5pm on game day so please be patient and wait until then before asking if on or off.

This year we will be running a small canteen with drinks to start and other things to follow. We would love anyone who would like to volunteer to help out with that if possible.

Register on line via Sporting pulse – this is the ONLY way that you can register as a player and everyone has to complete your registration on line – your team delegate will e-mail you a link.