Denison College of Secondary Education

Kelso High Campus Newsletter Delivering Excellence, Innovation, Opportunity and Student Success

Regional Director of Education for a

Day:

It may have seemed like a case of jumping in at the deep-end, but Year 11 student, Renata Simpson wasted no time in getting down to business as “Regional Director for a Day”. The Denison College Kelso High Campus student was on the job with Western NSW Regional Director, Carole McDiarmid on 25th May. Renata earned the experience of Regional Director for a Day after her application was chosen by a regional panel. During the day she visited primary schools, including Kelso Public and South Bathurst, attended the opening of Education Week and visited Charles Sturt University. Renata said it was one of the most enjoyable experiences she has had in her school life and said that she began to understand “the links between all educators on different levels”.

1st in Public Speaking

On Tuesday 26th May, Amy Constant, Jade Flynn O.Brien, Karen Drummond, Cal Brady and Jarrod Grabham travelled to All Saints College to represent Kelso High (the only public school

representing) in the perpetual C.W.A Public Speaking Competition for the Central West. Their topics were, ‘Hats’, ‘Green Energy’, ‘Computers…friend or foe’, ‘Technology, Master or Servant’ and ‘Horizons’. Through tough competition, Jarrod Grabham gained first place in his speech on ‘Horizons’. We congratulate Jarrod on this outstanding achievement and praise everyone who participated in this fantastic event.

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea

In week 5 the teaching staff at Kelso raised $170.35 to help in cancer research and assistance. We give thanks to those in the English Department that made some beautiful culinary delights and will be looking forward to increasing the amount raised for 2010 Reminder of Dates for Term 2 Tues, 7th July Merit Presentation Assemblies Fri,10th July Last day of Term 2 Mon, 27thth July Pupil Free Day Tues, 28th July Students recommence school

Launch of Education Week

This year Bathurst hosted the Western NSW Launch of Education Week and it was held at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre on the 25th May. The launch was co-hosted by Denison College Kelso High Campus Captains Sarai Edmonds and James Christie and they did a tremendous job keeping a packed program flowing smoothly. Sarai and James and the other school leaders who acted as ushers on the day were praised for their mature and friendly nature and their impeccable manners and dress.

Circus Surreal also performed at the launch and they presented acro-balance and aerial skills on the tissu and hoop and were supported by a clown and several jugglers. There were also street performers

in the foyer prior to the commencement of the official ceremony. The ceremony also included the official launch of weCONNECTonline, the elearning site which is coordinated by Denison College and hosted by Bathurst District Office. The site was explained by Denison College Principal Kathy Compton who has been the driving force behind this very exciting and innovative teaching and learning tool. The launch was co-ordinated by Jim Browning College Head Teacher - Teaching & Learning and he would like to thank his committee and all the presenters and performers who made the launch such a great success.

NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge:

Kelso High’s Library is running the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge again this year. All students are encouraged to participate in this reading activity. The Library has the Premier’s Reading Challenge books in their collection. All Year 7 to 10 English classes come to the library once a cycle for a reading lesson. Accessing books is very easy, they are all labelled with stickers indicating that they are PRC books. Students who complete the challenge go on to an Honour Roll and receive certificates. More information can be found at: https://products.schools.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html If parents do not want their child to participate they need to send a letter to Mrs Christie-Johnston indicating that they don’t want their child to participate.

Photographic Success: Kelso High school recently entered works into Bathurst’s Youth Week Photography Competition. Congratulations to Tallon Watt, Rosanna Mueller, Jess Theobald, Isabel Cook in year 12, Kate Stephens in year 11 and Mahalia Deehan in year 10 for entering. Rosanna Mueller’s photographic skills were acknowledged as she received a highly commended award for the category B section of the competition with her black and white portrait entitled ‘Carlo’. The Creative Arts faculty would also like to congratulate Rosanna Mueller for her outstanding success at the Royal Sofala Show. Rosanna achieved a first place and three highly commended awards, a prize for each photograph she entered in the show. Well done, Rosie!

i LEARN - Primary Partner

Program – Term 2

Year 6 students from around the district have enjoyed a high school experience for the second time this year. The program for this term includes lessons in Science and Timber Technology with all three groups enjoying the hands on experience that Kelso High offers. Schools from Kelso, Bathurst South, Raglan, Wattle Flat, O’Connell, Perthville, Eglinton, Meadow Flat, The Lagoon , Burraga, West Bathurst OC, Holy Family, St Philomenas, Cathedral and other local primary schools attended the program and will continue to do so for Term 3 and 4. A big thanks goes out to the organiser of the program, Jim Browning, the teachers from Kelso who help run the days and the primary school teachers who assist with supervision. We are excited to have the students in our school and look forward to see more of them through out the year and for 2010.

Mock Trial Competition

The Mock Trial Competition is a state wide competition run by the Law Society of NSW. Our Mock Trial team consisted of Year 11 students; Laura Allen, Jamie-Lee Curley, Lisa Griffith, Jessica Horwell, Michael Madden, Madeline Jenner and Alexander Williams. Kelso High have now competed in the first of four rounds in the competition and were successful in winning all their trials. The Mock Trial works by each team member taking on a role of a barrister, witness, solicitor or court officer. Each team member is scored by the magistrate (a practicing solicitor who volunteers his/her time) according to how well they perform in their given role.

The results of the most recent trial against Sacred Heart College (Cootamundra), Kelso won 231 points to 217. Other cases included wins against St. Mary’s Central School (Wellington) 169-162, Cowra High School 273-211 and Lithgow High School 215-213. Kelso now move into an elimination round and we wish the team luck with their trial. A big thankyou goes out to Mr Michael Schwab from McIntosh, McPhillamy and Company Solicitors who has given up his time before each trial to coach the students in the finer points of law.

Archaeology:

Mrs Chopping’s year 7 History class recently became archaeologists for the day. They chipped away at blocks which revealed 6 hidden treasures from ancient China. The students thoroughly enjoyed making a mess and took pleasure in getting a hands on experience in class.

VIBE ALIVE Aboriginal Festival

Girri Girri Sports Academy On the 27th and 28th of May Girri Girri Sports Academy Members & Kelso High Campus students attended the VIBE ALIVE Aboriginal Festival held in Coonamble, NSW. The Vibe Alive Festival is a 2 day event for young indigenous and non-indigenous students who like to dance, break, rap, sing, paint and play sport. With plenty of time to meet new people and catch up with old friends while enjoying music and a great atmosphere. Vibe Alive is a chance for students to express themselves and show everyone what they are good at. As part of a team, students had the opportunity to compete in a variety of challenges and win some great prizes. Students also had the chance to find out about awesome career options, meet some celebrities and learn some important things about their health. Vibe Alive is about celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander culture and being a proud Aussie. Competition categories which students participated in included:

• ‘Common Ground’ [indigenous games]

• ‘Good Vibrations’ [performance arts]

• ‘Full On Future’ [careers]

• ‘Putting It Together’[literacy and numeracy]

• ‘Paint It Up’ [creative arts]

• ‘Concert’ [music concert] The students were rewarded for hard work and great performances by winning a number of categories, events and prizes. Teams 1 and 2 won first prize in the ‘Common Ground’ events and Damon Bell (Canobolas High)won the ‘100m dash’ and was presented with a ‘Skins’ Compression Sports Suit by Rugby League Immortal ‘Arthur Beetson’. All students were commended for their behaviour and the way they conducted themselves through out the event. Students represented their schools and the Girri Girri Sports Academy with pride and dignity. Thanks to all staff and students involved.

Science News:

CSIRO Science Show – Tuesday 9th June at

Kelso High

The CSIRO travelling Science Education Program visited the school on Tuesday 9th June. This was a great opportunity for all students to experience some of the wonders of Science in our lives while also supporting the International Year of

Astronomy.

Years 7-9 students took part in the Cool Chemistry Show where presenters introduced students to many spectacular chemical reactions including ‘the magic jug’, the ’big gel race’, ‘chemical luminescence’ and ‘hydrogen fireworks’.

Years 10, 11 and 12 students participated in the hands-on ‘Discovering DNA/Gene Technology’ workshop, introducing students to the world of DNA in Science. This workshop was particularly useful for years 11 and 12 Biology and Chemistry students.

Secondary Schools Medical Research Quiz

2009

The Australian Society for Medical Research is inviting all students from year 7 to year 12 to take part in this quiz. It is an online, 20 question, multiple choice quiz that is entertaining and challenging, while inspiring your imagination. You can practise by using past quizzes and there are prizes for each category from year 7 to 12. Participate online at: http://www.asmr.org.au/MRWNSW.html Entries close on Tuesday 30th June 2009.

Honeywell Engineering Summer School

2009 (HESS)

Current Year 11 students who are interested in pursuing a career in engineering are invited to apply to participate in this program, running from Sunday 6th December to Friday 11th December, 2009. Students will gain hands-on experience in many practical engineering activities and visit industry sites to view engineers at work. Further information and application forms can be downloaded and printed off the website: www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sydney See Mr Lyne if you would like assistance completing the application.

Talented Students Forensic Science Camp

2009

Year 8 students are invited to apply for participation in this annual camp where you use forensic investigative skills to determine ‘whodunit’ in solving crimes. Students will use modern laboratory techniques integrated with computer analysis to solve the hypothetical crimes set up. Together with Year 8 students from around the state, you will work as forensic scientists in teams to further enhance your scientific skills. The camp will take place at ‘The Armidale School’, Armidale from Tuesday 7th to Saturday 11th July 2009. Interested students should go to the website listed below for further information. http://www.as.edu.au/forensic/FSC/Home.html

Bill Turner Cup – Under 15 Boys

Soccer Game One- KHC vs. Blayney H.S. 5/5/09 In a very close fought game of football KHC were able to defeat Blayney High by 5 goals to 2. Blayney proved to be very strong opposition, especially their goal-keeper. Our goal scorers were Caleb Moore 2, Jacob Soetens 1, Jack Press 1 and David Cox 1. Best players included, Corey Blundell, Jacob Soetens and Blake James. Game Two- KHC vs Orange HS 20/5/09 Some might say that KHC were a little fortunate to come away with a win here. Up until the last 5 minutes, the score was o-o. Orange then scored a much deserved goal and were cruising to victory. The boys remarkably hit straight back through a great goal to Caleb Moore. The game then went to extra time. Through excellent leadership from Jacob Soetens, KHC played exceptionally well and then another great goal was scored by Jack Press. There were many outstanding performances in the team including, James Cox, Blake James and Jacob Soetens. It was truly a team effort, well done. Other players included, Zac Morrison, Jaydan Jones, Jye Fleischman, Nathan Osborne, Jarrah Hale, Dylan Meyers, David Cox, Will Smith and Geoff Murphy.

TR@K (Tech & Rec at Kelso) is on every Monday,

Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon from 3.30-5.30pm

at the Kelso Community Centre, during school term.

It’s a place where high school kids can access

computers and the net, catch up on and get help

with school work, listen to music, cook food, play

some pool, soccer or basketball, and get involved in

screen-printing, photography and heaps more. And

it’s free!

To get involved email trak.kelso@gmail.com,

call AJ on 63 308 300 or 0450 612 922 or come and see us at the Kelso Community Centre.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING

H1N1 Influenza 09 (Human Swine Flu)

Information Sheet

NSW Health has confirmed a small number of schools in Victoria and South Australia have been closed for seven days due to confirmed cases of human swine influenza. These decisions were taken as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the virus. To limit the potential exposure, NSW Health has advised the department to take steps to exclude staff or students who may have been in countries that have had community or school transmission of the virus.

Currently the countries are Mexico, USA, Canada, Japan and Panama. This list will be continually revised. School principals have been advised that, for the time being, any student who travels to, or arrives from, these countries should be excluded from school for seven days after arriving home. This will allow time for any illness related to that travel to develop, and for prompt assessment and treatment to commence. If they remain well after seven days they can return to school.

Human swine influenza is a new strain of flu that has recently been confirmed in 41 countries around the world. This flu virus is a concern because:

• it is new, so there is no vaccine

• it seems to spread more easily than normal, seasonal flu

• while many people who get sick with this virus have a mild illness, some people get very sick and need hospital care, and some have died

• it is affecting mostly young people under the age of 30, which is unusual for flu

• there is potential for the virus to develop into a more dangerous form. A lot of effort is going into containing the spread of the virus in our community. This is important while we wait for a vaccine to be available. A vaccine is some months away. At this stage (and this is likely to change over coming weeks) there are five countries where the virus is spreading within the community to an extent that warrants extra precautions. These countries are Mexico, USA, Canada, Japan and Panama. There are grounds for extra precautions to help stop the virus spreading from returned travellers returning from these countries. The advice from NSW Health is that, for the time being, any student who travels to Mexico, USA, Canada, Japan or Panama should be excluded from

school for seven days after arriving home. During these seven days, the student should stay home whether or not they have flu symptoms. This is because a person infected with flu can spread the virus a whole day before they start to feel unwell. During the seven days that a student is away from school, they should not attend after school activities, community events, sporting events or training, public entertainment facilities, or go to shopping malls/centres. Students should remain at home as much as possible, and away from other people. Please contact your child’s school to advise them that you are keeping your child at home for seven days as they have arrived home after travelling to one of the identified countries. The school will arrange for education materials to be available for your child for the time they are excluded from school.

Students will not be recorded as being absent from school for the exclusion period. The attendance register will record them as having an approved exemption from school.

This strategy is important and will help protect the whole community. At this stage the exclusion does not affect children at child care. This decision is based on information available so far about how this virus spreads. For more information about these arrangements, please contact your school. If you would like more information about swine influenza, this can be accessed on the NSW Health website (http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/swine_flu.asp) or by calling the national information line on 180 2007. If you have recently returned from overseas and are feeling unwell with any flu-like symptoms or believe you have had contact with someone who has been confirmed as having Human Swine Influenza, please go to your closest hospital Emergency Department for assessment, or ring your general practitioner if you are from a rural area and do not have ready access to a hospital.