May 2012 9th Bandwagon 5.30pm-10.00pm-THS Hall 15
th-18
th NAPLAN-THS Hall
15th Finance Committee Meeting-5.30pm
15th
Tour of the new canteen at 6.10pm followed by the P&C meeting-6.30pm-Library 28/5-2/6 Dance Festival-TREC
June 2012 19
th P&C Meeting-THS Library-6.30pm
29th
Last day of Term 2
July 2012 16
th All students return for Term 3
September 2012 21
st Last day of Term 3
October 2012 8
th All students return for Term 4
December 2012 11
th Presentation Evening-6.30pm-THS Hall
19th
Last day of Term 4 for students 20
th-21
st Staff Development Days
Date Issued 4/5/2012
Tamworth High School
THE BUZZ Willis Street, Tamworth NSW 2340
Telephone: 6765 7888
Fax: 6762 1264
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.tamworth-h.schools.nsw.edu.au
THE BUZZ
Anzac Day Students and staff turned out in large numbers to represent Tamworth High and other
community organisations during the numerous Anzac Day Commemorative Services in
Tamworth and in other smaller settlements in the Tamworth Regional Council area.
Captains, Prefects and staff attended the Dawn Service at Anzac Park, and then proceeded
to provide Morning Tea (including Anzac biscuits) at the Gipps Street service.
Over 80 students and staff proudly marched with the school down Peel Street. Mr Chaffey
and the Captains attended the main service in the Town Hall and laid a wreath on behalf of
the school community.
All students and staff involved in these activities receive a school Silver Award.
Tamworth High School P & C
Association Inc.
L .Courtney Secretary ( [email protected])
P&C Meeting - Next meeting is on Tuesday 15th May, in the school library @ 6:30pm, all welcome. TOUR of NEW canteen @6:10pm prior to the
meeting. English faculty will give a short presentation (15mins) of their
directions to commence the meeting @ 6:30 pm.
School Uniform – the P&C supports the wearing of school uniform correctly and
during winter including a tie.
Uniform Pool - Opens Thursday lunch and by appointment when
required, please contact the front office. New and pre-loved school
uniform items are available. School Ties are now available at the
canteen for just $18, as well as socks for hockey and football for $10.
If you have a spare hour or so each week to help, please let us know.
Canteen – The P&C thanks Cheree and her band of volunteers for the great service. The canteen is always willing to hear from anyone who has a spare
day or two a month to help out.
P&C Email Newsletter Group - trying to be ‘greener’, if you
would like to receive the school newsletter via email please email
KOALA – THS Annual School Magazine - If you paid your school
fees for 2011 and have not received your complimentary KOALA please see the
ladies at the front office.
In late 2011 as one of their first fundraising events, Prefects held a BBQ on the last day
of the school year for Alexander Wagg, to help raise money to support Alex and his family
in their time of need. Together Tamworth High School students and teachers raised $300 to
help in the critical time. We have recently sent the money to Alex and his parents. Prefects
would like to say a big thank you to everybody who came and helped raise money.
Bandwagon is open to all students of Years 10, 11 and 12 from schools all over Tamworth.
The event will be held in the Tamworth High School Hall on Wednesday 9th May, doors will
open at 5.30pm and students will not be let in after 6.30pm, the event will finish at 10.00pm.
The theme this year is carnival/circus so everybody get your costumes prepared and jump in
to buy your tickets. Tickets will be sold every break at the bottom of the quad for $8 until
Tuesday 8th May. All profits will be donated to Ronald McDonald House.
Statements for 2012 have been posted out for your child’s school fees.
Elective Fees are compulsory and need to be paid as soon as possible. This
ensures resources needed for practical lessons are available so students can complete their chosen course. If you have any issues with payment of the
Elective Fees, please do not hesitate to contact the School Office on 6765 7888
for assistance.
School contributions are voluntary. They are used to provide materials for all
students to use or keep in compulsory subjects which do not charge separate
fees. If School Contributions are paid in full by the end of Term 3, 2012 you will receive a free copy of the “Koala” Year Book for 2012.
You have the option of paying the School Contribution through our Library
Fund for a tax deduction.
We appreciate your continued support of our school.
Just a reminder to all
parents/carers, please do
not use the staff car park
at the front of the school to
drop off/pick up students.
This area is for staff,
visitors and delivery
trucks and the car park
can become quite busy and
congested at the beginning
of the day and also at the
end of the day. We
a p p r e c i a t e y o u r
cooperation on the safety
of the students and others
around. Thank you.
Education Scholarship Winners
Staff Youth Mental Health First Aid Training All teaching and student learning support staff were trained in Youth Mental Health First
Aid procedures on the training days at the commencement of Term 2. The training was
jointly provided by Department of Education and Communities and the Department of
Health. The training will assist staff to better provide support to our students, and is part of
the School Plan in providing supportive school environment to increase attendance at the
school. The training was also useful in placing a focus on student welfare leading to
improved initiatives within the school, and cooperation with the Department of Health.
Jessica Taggart and Zarayn Knight were recently
presented with certificates to acknowledge their
successful applications for Regional Aboriginal
Education Scholarships.
Both Jessica and Zarayn have been awarded $1000
scholarships to assist with their educational
expenses.
Congratulations!
Northern 2012 Once again, students from Tamworth High School have journeyed throughout this fine
country to explore some of our most well-known national icons. Watch this space for a full
report with lots more pictures; here is just a taste. Students on top of Uluru and on the boat
returning from a day snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef near Airlie Beach.
Purple Bee Party It was the Year 12 students turn to celebrate at the end of Term 1 by winning the Purple Bee
Party. Well done Year 12!Fairy bread, chocolate crackles and, of course, the cake were quickly
devoured.
Which year will be able to achieve the largest number of purple bees in the first half of Term 2?
Work Continuing on New Neighbour
Earthworks are now complete and foundations are well under way for the new shopping centre
adjacent to Tamworth High.
The Great Nundle Dog Race
Program of Events
Sunday 6th May 2012
Nundle Recreation Ground
From 10.00am
For further information contact
Nundle Public School P&C Association
95 Jenkins St, Nundle NSW
www.nundle.info/nundle/dograce
Ph: 6769 3253
The Great Nundle Dog Race is an
alcohol free event
NO alcohol is to be brought onto or
consumed on the ground
Does your daughter like to DANCE? Tamworth BJP Physical Culture Club have the classes for you. Tamworth Physie Club is a not-for-profit organisation who provides dance classes for girls aged 3 to 103. Physie is a combination of Pilates, Jazz, Ballet and strength routines set to modern music. Dance choreography is age appropriate and this helps girls and ladies to develop co-ordination, rhythm,
deportment, flexibility and self confidence. We promote fitness in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Come and give us a try! Your first lesson is FREE!! For class times and further information please see our web-site www.tamworthphysie.com or phone Jenny Murray on 67656446.
Collaborative effort a ‘sustainable’ winner! Students and staff from the Special Education ED classes along with senior Visual Art students
and members from the school choir have won a special prize in the Sustainable Namoi Living
Schools Competition for two recent projects, and their fantastic efforts promoting biodiversity
within the community.
Last term students partnered with volunteers from Endeavour
Park to complete and install an impressive mural featuring
native birds on the rainbow lorikeet bird enclosure. The mural
has met with rave reviews from visitors to the park.
The mural inscription reads:
‘Humanity shares this planet with every other living thing.
Biodiversity is our greatest treasure.
We just want to celebrate this amazing beauty with you.’
In a second project, students from the school choir, under the musical directorship of Jasen
Scott, worked very hard in an afternoon recording session at Tamworth TAFE. They rehearsed
and recorded a jingle promoting biodiversity. With the support of the Namoi Catchment
Authority the goal is to eventually air the jingle on community radio. Students and staff
acknowledge and greatly appreciate Peter Scott from P.C Scott Audio Productions for
generously offering his time and technical expertise to produce the jingle, and to Craig
Somerville from Tamworth TAFE for his co-operation and support in co-ordinating use of the
state-of-the-art TAFE recording studio.
Lyrics from the jingle:
‘Biodiversity, biodiversity,
enriches our community, enriches our community.
Protect, preserve and propagate
the future will appreciate our
biodiversity, biodiversity.’
Both projects were co-ordinated by Special Education teacher Mrs Cristine O’Connell who
wishes to acknowledge the valued co-operation and assistance of staff and students especially
Mr Miles Cantwell, Mrs Rebecca Sullivan and Ms Jacqui Goodwin. The projects built valuable
connections with the community, required team work, collaboration and fostered relationships
between groups of students who otherwise would not have connected.
The true success of both projects is in raising awareness of the huge benefits of living
sustainability, and actively preserving the biodiversity in our native flora and fauna for future
generations.
The KOALA 2011 is now available for purchase.
The cost is $20.00.
If you paid your General Contribution for 2011 you are entitled
to a free copy. Please come to the Front Office to pick it up.
A FREE two-hour workshop designed to
provide practical advice about:
Understanding the laws for L and
P licence holders.
Supervising learner drivers.
Completing the Learner driver log
book.
Understanding the benefits of
supervised on-road experience.
BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL
NAPLAN Years 7 and 9 students will participate in the National Assessment Program Literacy and
Numeracy (NAPLAN) during Week 4 of this term. The test timetable for our school is as
follows:
Tuesday May 15
Period 1 – Year 7 Language Conventions, 45 minutes
Period 2 – Year 9 Language Conventions, 45 minutes
Period 3 – Year 9 Writing, 40 minutes
Period 4 – Year 7 Writing, 40 minutes
Wednesday May 16
Period 1 – Year 7 Reading, 65 minutes
Period 3 – Year 9 Reading, 65 minutes
Thursday May 17
Period 1- Year 7 Numeracy, Calculator Allowed, 40 minutes
Period 2- Year 9 Numeracy, Calculator Allowed, 40 minutes
Period 3- Year 7 Numeracy, Non-Calculator, 40 minutes
Period 4- Year 9 Numeracy, Non-Calculator, 40 minutes
Friday May 18
Catch-up day for anyone who has missed any of the tests.
Most students will sit the tests in the Hall.
Students were given a note last week which outlined further information about NAPLAN,
including withdrawal of your child from testing, exemption from testing and special
provisions. All students in Years 7 and 9 are expected to participate in NAPLAN unless they
have been exempted or withdrawn.
Please note that students will need a scientific calculator for their first numeracy test
on Thursday. Pencils will be provided.
Please do not bring mobile phones, MP3 players, rulers, pencil cases, etc into the test
venue. When not participating in the testing program, students will attend normal classes.
Please contact Mrs O’Sullivan or Miss Coombes at the school on 6765 7888 if you have any
queries regarding the NAPLAN.
NAPLAN The NAPLAN tests are coming. This year they are on Tuesday, May 15 to Thursday, May
17 with a catch-up day on Friday, May 18. The NAPLAN is a test of:
Literacy
Reading
Writing
Spelling
Grammar & punctuation
Numeracy
Data, measurement, space, geometry
Number, patterns, algebra
Each student who sits the tests will be provided with a summary of their performance. This
includes a ranking of their performance compared to the school average and state average.
This summary also gives a list of all questions that the student got correct and incorrect. It is
a great way for teachers to identify the areas that their students require extra assistance.
Design and Technology Year 9 Design and Technology have had a productive first term, designing and making their
own individual phone or MP3 holder. The class was given a design brief to meet and set out
researching existing products and come back with their own individual designs. Students then
embarked on exploring alternate methods for manufacturing and selected the best method based
on materials and time constraints. The class finished their products to an excellent standard and
were proud to set them up for a picture. The projects ranged from a wire framed teddy bear
phone holder, moulded acrylic plastic to a cushioned French provincial chair.
M. Van Doesburg
New Canteen Mrs Cheree Buttonshaw and her band of volunteers are now back into the refurbished Canteen.
Rolls and Wraps, drinks, packaged foods and her wonderful hot foods are all available again.
Other school supplies, books, sports clothing accessories etc are also available. Future
developments will continue with a full ‘cafeteria-style’ delivery of a greater range of foods.
Make sure you support your canteen by regularly buying your requirements there and
thoughtfully disposing of any rubbish.
All patrons and volunteers should be aware that there is constant video surveillance and your
image will be recorded.
INSURANCE FOR STUDENTS AT
SCHOOL
If anyone is interested in insurance for
your child at school there is an
information pamphlet available at
SAO.
Parking in Willis Street Tamworth Police have advised the school that they will be undertaking a blitz on parking and
dropping off/picking up students in Willis Street. The blitz will be over the next few weeks.
The street is a ‘No Parking Zone’ so cars cannot stop there. Fines will range from $150.00 to
$265.00. You can quickly drop off/pick up students but this cannot take more than 2 minutes.
There are more suitable places that are close to the school where you can stop and drop off/
collect students. These are:
Jean Street
Kathleen Street
Anne Street
Jenkin Street
We understand that you would like to collect your children from a location as close to the
school as possible, particularly with the recent wet weather. However, police want to enforce
safe driving and parking practices around the school so as to avoid accidents to school
students.
Parents delivering students to school and collecting them at the end of the
school day are asked to do so at the pedestrian entries to the school in Kathleen
and Jean Streets. The Willis Street entry can get quite congested with buses and
the front car park is for staff and special transport students only. Thank you
for your consideration in this matter and making student entry and departure
as safe as possible.
Parents Please Note:
With any absence from school, an explanation is required
within seven (7) school days.