11th March, 2011

Issue 3

Inside this issue:

Principal’s Message 2

Important P&C Message

3

Year 7 Camp Lake Cullulleraine

4/5

10 Week Calendar Canteen Fire

6

Shave & Hair Colour Relay For Life

7

DER-NSW Survey Level 3 & Suspension

8

Uniform Water at CHS Green (Poem)

9

Recipe Corner

2011 Music Program

10

Community Notices

Fishers Community Benefits

11

Attendance Notes

Medical Reminder

12

Coomealla HIGH SCHOOL Principal: Mr Rob Scotton

Deputy Principals: Mrs Robyn Lynch, Mr Neil Plumridge SIPs

Address: Silver City Highway, Dareton NSW 2717

Phone: 03 5027 4506 Fax: 03 5027 4837 Email: coomealla-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

NEWSLETTER

LEARN TO LIVE

Year 7 Camp

P&C Meeting 15th March, 7.30pm

Meet in Foyer

Please support CHS

Our Year 7s have returned from their Lake Cullulleraine adventure, an important high

school orientation activity.

Demystifying the ATAR and the HSC

Meeting for parents and students in Years 11 & 12.

Presented by the Board of Studies Liaison Officer

— Lindy Billings from Bathurst Office

Thursday, 31st March

7.00pm—8.00pm

School Library

Page 2 Coomealla HIGH SCHOOL

Catching up with Year 12, 2010

Jessica Behsmann La Trobe University, Mildura — Social Work

Lauren Brander La Trobe University, Mildura — Primary Teaching

Koko Dove Murdoch University, WA — Actuary Degree — off campus

Rebecca Elstone University of SA — Nutrition & Food Science

Liam Freeman RMIT TAFE Melbourne — Civil & Structural Engineering

Justine Gray La Trobe University, Mildura — Primary Teaching (deferred)

Alicia Hancock La Trobe University, Mildura — Primary Teaching

Louise Hehir Flinders University, SA — Business

Maddy Ives La Trobe University, Mildura — Bachelor of Arts (deferred)

Morgan Ives La Trobe University, Mildura — Bachelor of Arts (deferred)

Cambell McKenzie Suni TAFE—Children’s Services

Jack McLean La Trobe University, Mildura — Primary Teaching

Shavaughan Mihan University of SA, — interior Architecture

Lachlan Murdoch Adelaide University — Science

Harlee Travers SA TAFE—Children’s Services

Denbeigh Wade Glenormiston College, Victoria — Equine

Principal’s Message

Every year it is interesting to review what our Year 12 from the previous year are doing. In fact it is a very important task, as it is a reflection of just how effective the school is in relation to helping our students on their career path. Year 12 of 2010 has proven to be a diverse group of students who have entered a wide range of areas. The results of this year group are a credit to themselves and the outstanding work done by their school, their teachers and their families.

Coomealla High School is a fully comprehensive public school, and we are justifiably proud of the outstanding achievements of our students. Of the 33 students who completed the Higher School Certificate, 15, which is 45%, have received offers from Universities or TAFE. This is an excellent statistic with almost half of the cohort being offered the opportunity to undertake tertiary studies.

Students have received offers to a range of Universities/TAFE Campuses: La Trobe University in Mildura, Adelaide University, University of SA, Flinders University, Murdoch University in WA and RMIT in Melbourne, SA & Suni Tafe and Glenormiston College. They are studying subjects such as primary school teaching, nutrition and food sciences, maths, social work, architecture, engineering and equine studies, a very broad range of aspirations.

Five students are continuing their education at TAFE, taking up positions in Sunraysia, Victoria and Adelaide, studying subjects such as children services and design. Thirteen students are either in employment or are actively pursuing full time employment.

There are two important points to take away from this. Firstly, for the majority of our students school does not mark the end of formal learning. They recognise that school gives them the skills and the capacity to extend themselves in a wider world. Completing school is not the destination for these young people. They will grow and develop, unlocking the amazing potential they have.

Secondly, these students have attained these remarkable achievements through their local high school. They did not need to enrol in a private school or a senior college. They achieved through hard work, a partnership with their teachers and the help of their parents. NSW government high schools DO NOT teach ‘to a test’, they prepare students for their future. Government high schools create continuing learners, who are resourceful and resilient. Congratulations and well done to all our Year 12 students from 2010, we are proud of you all.

Mr R Scotton

Page 3 Issue 3

An IMPORTANT message from Coomealla High School Council

and the Coomealla Parents and Citizens Association

Coomealla P & C needs your help! Our school canteen is facing a crisis!

The student population of the school numbers 368, however, only 20 names appear on the parents’ canteen roster – some of whom are not even parents! Parent helpers are needed to operate the second till during recess breaks and lunchtime and to assist in preparing lunches.

While the parent helper situation in the canteen is serious, the situation regarding membership of the P & C is far more serious. Only seven parents are members of the P & C. Most have been on P & C for a number of years. The Treasurer and the Secretary will be leaving at the end of this school year as their remaining children at CHS will leave to commence tertiary studies. There are no existing members of P & C able to take on the roles of Secretary or Treasurer.

Unless parents are willing to step forward now, it seems inevitable that the school canteen will have to close its doors for good at the end of this school year. The services provided by the canteen would cease and the supply of uniforms would fall to the much costlier alternative of commercial retailers.

This would also mean the end of the contributions made by P & C to school improvements such as building works, teaching and learning equipment, donations toward costs for sporting participants, school presentation awards, etc. To give you an idea of the impact in terms of financial support, the P & C has funded the following over the period 2005 to 2010:

Sporting subsidies $ 2,850

School presentations $ 1,800

School books and academic competitions $11,700

Office equipment $ 9,000

Building works and improvements $37,269

Donations to retirement and leaving gifts $ 482

The money invested in building works is further increased from the amount shown, as the DET gives directly to the school an equivalent amount, being the one for one subsidy. This money has been used by the school for additional improvements.

Without parents stepping forward now, your children will miss out on future benefits which a healthy P & C brings.

PLEASE CONSIDER CAREFULLY HOW YOU CAN HELP!

The next P & C meeting is at 7.30pm on 15th March 2011. Meet in Foyer.

Page 4 Coomealla HIGH SCHOOL

Year 7 Camp — Lake Cullulleraine

On Wednesday, 23rd February Year 7 attended Lake Cullulleraine Camp for three days and two nights. Some of the activities were kayaking, archery, water activities, t-shirt painting, swimming, bush walks, trivia night, games night and team activities.

We each had teams and with the teams we all did the activities over two days. We all had to earn points for our teams. Everyone had lots of fun and we all made new friends. Then, on the last day, we had a Lake’o’thon where all the teams go ‘head-to-head’ to win more points for their team. It involved swimming, kayaking, running, trolleys, tails and archery. Many people from each team participated in different things. So it was like a relay, everyone participated and had a great time.

On our way home we went to the aqua-coaster and had pizza, then we went to putt putt before going back to school.

Everybody had a go and enjoyed themselves on the Lake Cullulleraine Camp. - Emma Bruce

Page 6 Coomealla HIGH SCHOOL

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

14/3 A Week 6

Yr 12 VET Placement

15/3

P&C Meeting

16/3

‘Cheap Thrills’-Brainstorm Productions Risk Taking Yr 7-9—2pm

17/3 18/3

Tennis Interschool Comp

21/3 B Week 7

Motivational Media

Yr 11 Anc History—Mungo

22/3

23/3

24/3

Yr 11 TVET Outdoor Rec -

Lithgow, return Sunday

25/3

Soccer Interschool Comp

Newsletter 4

28/3 A Week 8 29/3 30/3 31/3

Understanding the ATAR & HSC - Library 7- 8pm

1/4

4/4 B Week 9 5/4 6/4 7/4

Term 1 Formal Assembly—Period 4

8/4

Newsletter 5

End of Term 1

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

11/4/2011—26/4/2011

25/4 A Week 1

Easter Monday

Anzac Day

26/4

Easter Monday holiday

27/4

First Day Term 2

Staff Development Day

28/4

All Students return

29/4

2/5 B Week 2

Anzac Day Ceremony P2

3/5 4/5

Cross Country

5/5 6/5

Newsletter 6

9/5 A Week 3

10/5

NAPLAN

School Council Meeting

11/5

NAPLAN

12/5

NAPLAN

13/5

16/5 B Week 4

Jnr/Snr Girls Football 1pm

17/5

P&C Meeting

Public Speaking Comp P 2

18/5 19/5

Cross Country

20/5

Newsletter 7

10 WEEK CALENDAR

CANTEEN FIRE

Please be advised that we have had a small fire in the canteen overnight. A freezer has burnt out causing little damage to the canteen, but it will require a lot of cleaning for OH&S reasons.

A limited canteen will operate from the senior lunch room for sandwiches, chips and drinks.

We do not know how long the canteen will be out of action at this stage.

Mr R Scotton

Principal

Page 7 Issue 3

WANTED

FOR A WORTHY CAUSE YOUR DONATION FOR THE BIG SHAVE & HAIR

COLOUR Notice is here by given that on Thursday, 17thMarch 2011

Austin Murdoch, Sam Perry, Justin Freeman, Dave Mathieson and Peter Colley WILL SHAVE THEIR HEADS FOR CANCER.

April Winckel WILL COLOUR HER HAIR FOR CANCER

At Coomealla High School

Our members for Relay for Life 2011 are fundraising for Cancer and we

would like your support. If you would like to donate to the Big Head Shave please drop in or send

money via our team members to the Office at Coomealla High.

Cheques or cash donations over $2.00 a receipt will be written for you.

Our target is $5000 and we would like your support for this cause.

Our Reward is that we have made a difference for someone.

Page 8 Coomealla HIGH SCHOOL

Level 3 and Suspension

As you know we are currently trialling a new student management program. It is important for students and their families to understand the full implications of the new program.

If a student is placed on Level 3 they cannot attend an excursion, socials or represent the school in any way for the duration of the level. Level 3 lasts for three weeks.

Any student who is suspended will return to school on Level 3 and cannot attend excursions, socials or represent the school in any way for the duration of the level.

In our previous student management policy if a student was suspended they could not attend excursions, represent the school or attend socials for two terms following their return from a suspension. With our new system a student cannot attend an excursion, social or represent the school while on Level 3, however, once the Level 3 is complete they MAY be eligible to attend excursions etc if the organising teacher feels that their behaviour does not represent a risk to themselves, other students and staff and the school. This is in place for one year after the suspension .

If you have any questions about our new student management program please contact the school on 5027 4506.

2011 DER—NSW Parent Survey

We seek your views on the NSW one-to-one laptop program.

A formal evaluation of the program is being undertaken by the NSW Department of Education & Training in collaboration with the University of Wollongong. It is an effort to determine how the DER-NSW program may impact on learning and teaching education across the state. The evaluation is intended to take place over 3 years.

Please go to the link below and complete the 2011 survey. It won’t take you too long.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RWN6ZS7?c=8494

To access the link please enter it into the long address bar at the top of the page of your internet browser (not into a search engine such as Google) and press enter or go—this will take you to the survey.

Individuals cannot be identified in the data.

The results of last year’s base line survey can be viewed online: DER-NSW Evaluation Phase 1: Before the laptop rollout.

Thank you for assisting

Mr R Scotton, Principal

UNIFORM:

As you know Coomealla High School and its community supports the wearing of school uniform. It is important to communicate some important information about school uniform to parents and carers.

Firstly, the wearing of light canvas shoes after the end of term one will NOT BE ALLOWED. These light shoes offer no protection for students feet in classrooms, kitchens, labs, industrial arts rooms or the playground. Students must wear sturdy, fully enclosed, shoes to school at all times. Students may well be denied access to specialist rooms if they wear these shoes in Term 2.

Under no circumstances are students to wear thongs to school. These are not safe. A student wearing thongs will be required to work in the foyer for the day and will not be able to access the playground, for their own safety.

Students who are consistent wearers of uniform will be eligible for school rewards. Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) is supporting the wearing of school uniform by offering a $5 canteen voucher each week to a student who regularly wears uniform.

Students who wear uniform will be invited to attend school socials as a reward for doing so. Students who choose not to wear the correct uniform will unfortunately not be eligible to attend our school socials.

Our Positive Behaviour for Learning team will be looking at other rewards for students who support their school by wearing the correct uniform.

Mr R Scotton

Principal

WATER WATER EVERYWHERE BUT NOT A DROP TO DRINK:

Following council advice that the local water is, at present, not safe for drinking students are required to bring their own boiled or bottled water to school until further notice. In an emergency water is available at the front office, bring a drink bottle. Drinks can be purchased through the canteen.

By Mr Copp’s Support Class students

GREEN Green is the grass

Green is the leaves

Green is our carpet

Green smells like mowed lawns

Green feels soft

Green makes me feel relaxed

Green is for the World.

Recipe Corner: Fried Rice

Ingredients: 1½ cups long-grain rice, rinsed 2 tablespoons Chinese cooking wine or dry sherry 2 teaspoons sesame oil 2 eggs, lightly beaten 2 teaspoons peanut oil 4 rashers bacon 4 green onions, white part sliced, green ends shredded 100g small cooked prawns, peeled 1 cup frozen peas, thawed 2 tablespoons soy sauce

Method:

Cook rice in a large saucepan of boiling water, following packet instructions. Rinse under cold water and drain well.

Spread over a large tray. Chill, uncovered, for 2 hours or overnight to dry out. Drizzle cooking wine over.

Heat half sesame oil in a large wok or frying pan on high, swirling to coat base and sides. Pour in egg, swirling to coat. Cook for 1 minute, or until almost set. Slide from pan. Roll up and thinly slice. Set aside.

Add remaining sesame oil and peanut oil to wok. Stir-fry bacon and sliced white ends of onions for 1-2 minutes. Add rice and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes.

Toss prawns, peas and soy sauce through. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes, until heated. Serve topped with omelette and remaining shredded onion.

TOP TIP

This dish is best made with rice that’s been cooked the day before and dried out in the fridge overnight.

Page 10 Coomealla HIGH SCHOOL

Singing

Janice Rosenberg from Mildura Singing School is offering singing lessons through Coomealla High School for 2011.

Performance, Theory of music, Aural General music knowledge Preparation for singing & theory exams An introduction to pianoforte

For further details/fees contact: Janice Rosenberg Singing Teacher Mildura Singing School Phone: (03) 5023 6517

Piano: Louise Judd on

5024 8370 or 0408 596 944

2011 MUSIC PROGRAM

Coomealla High School is looking at a different format for External Music Lessons—based within the school.

Music teachers will be invoicing students directly for private lessons.

CONTACT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING

Guitar/Bass Guitar and Drums

Joel Anderson on 0417 984 323

Group lessons available:

$12 each — 30 min lessons Max 4

2 lessons paid in advance.

Contact Joel ASAP to secure your place.

Wentworth District Junior Football Netball Club

Training Training night for under 10 & under 12

Football will be moved to Monday evenings at 4.30 commencing 7 March, until cricket season concludes.

Junior Netball training will commence 4:30pm Thursday 3 March at Dareton.

3 Colours SC 2011 Registration & Family Fun Day

Sunday 20th March 11am - 3pm Soccer Park Pitch 10

Free Sausage Sizzle... Drinks... Icy poles... Face painting... Jumping Castle... Games & Prizes...

Caricature Drawings by Russell James from Artic Design...

FREE gift bag for each player that registers and pays on the day

Come along and join us for a family fun day to start the 2011 season.

Email: threecolourssc@live.com.au

Registrations can also be done at the first training session on Tuesday 22nd March from 5pm and by also

contacting the people named below.

.

Expressions of Interest 

are sought from individuals or businesses to supply Food and Soft Drink Beverage services to FFV-Sunraysia for the 2011 Season. 

For more information or to lodge your interest contact Ross Mosello 0410 557 485 

Applications close 21 March 2011

Support Coomealla High School

Community Benefits Fishers IGA Community Benefit program is designed to give back to the community through members that support them.

How Community Benefits Works Fishers donate 1% of a customers purchase to the nominated non profit organisation of their choice - (Coomealla High School). It is as easy as the customer scanning a tag at the register to accumulate the donation.

Benefits from customers are calculated and paid to their nominated non profit organisation every three months.

How Easy Is It To Join? Fishers Community Benefits tags are available in all Fishers Stores from the registers—just fill in a form.

Each Store has a listing of the Clubs, School and Charities which are members within its area—Coomealla High School is on this list.

That’s how simple and easy it is to become Fishers Community Benefits member. There’s no account keeping charges and its free. Just use your tags each time you shop and Coomealla High School will benefit.

Where Can I Use the Tag Your Fishers Community Benefit tag can be used at any of our Fishers Stores, so if you are registered member with our Wentworth store and you shop in any of our other stores, simply scan your tag and your Club, School or Charity will still benefit from your purchase. How easy it that!

So grab a tag now and start scanning for Coomealla High School.

Newsletter Issue 3

Coomealla High School—Absence Note

Student Name: ___________________________ Year: ________Roll Group: ______________

My child was absent from school: Date/s ____________________________________________

Reason: ____________________________________________________________________

Signed: __________________________________Parent/Guardian

Coomealla High School—Absence Note

Student Name: ___________________________ Year: ________Roll Group: ______________

My child was absent from school: Date/s ____________________________________________

Reason: ____________________________________________________________________

Signed: __________________________________Parent/Guardian

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING ABSENTEE NOTES The DET Attendance Policy PD20050259 states that:

Parents are responsible for explaining the absences of their children from school promptly and within seven days to the school. (from Responsibilities, 2.1 point 3); and

A hard copy of the electronic record is to be generated weekly for the previous two-week period. The principal or delegated school executive must endorse this hard copy, certifying its accuracy. Once signed, this hard copy becomes the record of attendance and must not be amended. (4.2 Electronic Attendance Registers, 4.2.2)

Please send absentee notes to school promptly and, if you are going on holidays, please inform the

school in advance.

Quotable Quotes:

How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? - Satchell Page

IMPORTANT MEDICAL REMINDER:

Parents please ensure your asthmatic child brings their inhaler with them to school.

The weather is changeable at present and this is causing a rise in asthma attacks.

In emergencies the school has inhalers available, but it is preferable that students carry their own.

You are invited to leave a spare inhaler at the front office for your child’s own use.