Woolgoolga High School March 20, 2015 Issue No. 4

GOOD NEWS WEEK

Web address: www.woolgoolga-h.schools.nsw.edu.au E-mail: woolgoolga-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

From the Principal P.2 Disco P.15

Important coming dates P.3 Parent Tips P.16

Around the school P.4-7 & 14 Community News P.18

Sport P.8-12 P&C attachment P.21-23

Excursions P.7 & 13

Two weeks ago 17 students represented Woolgoolga High School and Mid North Coast

Zone at the North Coast Regional Swimming Carnival held at Lismore Olympic Pool with

some outstanding results.

Good Luck to all WHS students competing at the NSW CHS Swimming Carnival at the

Olympic Pool in Sydney next week.

See full report and photos on page 8-9 of this newsletter

Issue No. 4 Page 2

From the Principal’s Desk

The next P&C meeting will be held on Tuesday 28th

April. It will be our AGM; please see the attached flyer

outlining role statements for office bearers. I encourage

you to come along and help your school to become an

even better school. At the P&C you will have opportuni-

ties to develop quality relationships with the Principal

and other leaders of the school. I hope to see many of

you there!

Hope to see all parents and caregivers at our upcoming

parent teacher evening for years 7-12 from 3.45pm on

Tuesday 24th March.

Our students are always focussed on others as

evidenced this week by being involved in the World’s

Greatest Shave.

This newsletter is filled with information about some of

the quality learning outcomes which occurred this fort-

night. Our Director of Schools, Jenny Murray, attended

our school last Tuesday and saw first hand the quality

education offered at our school. She met and talked

with students participating in our Peer Reading

Program and witnessed our Learning Support Team

delivering information about our Anti Bullying Policy and

SMILE Program. Note: Anti Bullying Policy can be

found on our website:

http://www.woolgoolga-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/

documents/21717034/21724205/Anti-bullying_plan%

20Woolgoolga%20Final.pdf.

Jenny Murray also visited our newly established

Distance Education (Noel Whitton’s) classroom and

was extremely impressed with this program and the

learning opportunities it provides to our students. Jenny

also was suitably impressed with the new learning

tables which adorn our forum area. She particularly

liked our new learning wall and saw many students

interacting with their learning using liquid chalk and the

internet.

The Gumbaynggirr Language Group is to be congratu-

lated for their performance this week at the Grace

Roberts Hall in Coffs Harbour. The play and songs

were well received.

Our regional swimmers also deserve some credit this

week. Full report and photos included on pages 8-9.

Students return to school in Term 2 on Tuesday 22nd

April. Have a safe holiday.

Until next time

Guy Wright

Principal

We certainly have some

exceptional sporting

talent at our school!

This fortnight I would like to

recognise two of Australia’s

future champions. Sam Burke

has been selected to represent

NSW (second year in a row) in

the Australian All Schools

National Triathlon Champion- ships to be held 27-30

April at the Sydney International Regatta Centre

Penrith. Good luck Sam! Similarly, Isaiah Koopmans

has been selected to compete in track and field

competitions to be held in British Columbia in June.

He will travel to Canada to compete in the 3000m,

1500m, and the 2000m steeplechase. Good luck

Isaiah!

Schools are about student learning and preparing for

their individual futures. With nearly 900 students,

Woolgoolga High School is a very complex place and

sometimes students do make mistakes. I would like to

remind students, parents and caregivers, Woolgoolga

High School does not tolerate anti-social behaviour.

Strong disciplinary action is always taken and if

necessary police will be involved.

I would like to thank Woolgoolga IGA supermarket for

their $1000 donation. We are going to use the money

to refurbish our dated clinic mattresses and bedding

so sick students can be in comfortable surroundings.

Thanks IGA.

Page 3 Issue No. 4

IMPORTANT COMING EVENTS

Tue 24 Mar Parent/teacher meetings

Wed 25 Mar Year 12 half yearly exams commence

Fri 27 Mar State swimming

Tue 31 Mar to Thur 2 April

Year 7 excursion

Fri 3 April to

Mon 20 Apr Easter / school holidays

Mon 20 Apr Staff Development Day

Tue 21 Apr All students return to school

Wed 22 Apr School cross country

The WHS P & C

meets on the

second Tuesday of

every month at

6.30pm

Woolgoolga High School

Parent – Teacher Evening

For All Students

Years 7 - 12

Tuesday 24th March

From 3.45 pm

Students have been issued with

Appointment Sheets

Ring 66541 500

Aboriginal Education

Assistant

Woolgoolga High School would like to

hear from committed Indigenous

community members to offer

expressions of interest for in class

tutoring and learning support within our

school.

This would involve assisting students

with tasks in the classroom and working

closely with our Aboriginal and Welfare

teams to promote the outcomes of our

Indigenous students.

If you would like to be considered for

this role please present your resume,

addressed to the Principal, to the front

office of our school.

Issue No. 4 Page 4

Four of our students were BRAVE and SHAVED their hair to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation!

Two students, Lani Goodman and Marlay Commandeur lost their locks on the weekend, while Cameron Hutchinson

and Jordan Constable-Love put on a brave show during assembly on Monday. A special thank you needs to go to

Heather from Envy Hair and Beauty, the lovely hairdresser who volunteered her time to come along and make it all

possible. It was an extremely generous act by all these students for such a great cause.

Those students who still had hair on their head were able to go a little crazy and let the SRC blast their hair with col-

our during the breaks for a gold coin donation. They could also be involved in the lolly guessing competition which

will be announced shortly!

Issue No. 4 Page 5

Support

Mentor

Inspire

Listen

Encourage

Issue No. 4 Page 5

SMILE is up and running and everyone involved is excited to be a part of our growing program!

Year 11 SMILE mentors recently participated in their second day of training and team bonding. They are now fully

prepared and motivated to continue making a positive impact in our school. The training was led by current SMILE

mentors and staff and involved discussing plans for new and exciting SMILE initiatives within our school for 2015.

The dynamic and passionate group of students who are all volunteering to be a part of the successful peer men-

toring program enjoyed the informative and moving day!

We were joined by a panel of

special guests who shared their

knowledge and experiences with

the new mentors during the day.

The panel consisted of: Reece

Biggin and Tarni Burton (WHS ex

-students & former SMILE men-

tors), Anne Moon and Charmaine

Millar (Quota International),

Joshua Dooner (Mission Austral-

ia), Pam Fayle (Rotary Club),

Ryoko Tsuchiya (special guest

from Japan), Daniel Sweed (SLSO), John Hurley (Associate Professor at SCU) and Senior Constable Snow

(Police School Liaison Officer).

Staff were very impressed by the attitudes and eagerness of these SMILE mentors and are looking forward to

having these seniors paired with juniors very soon. These students now have a range of valuable skills that will

not only benefit the younger students they mentor, but also themselves and the wider school community.

Special thanks go to all the guests who attended and the current mentors who took time out of their busy school

schedules to help out on the day. There are plenty of activities coming up throughout the year that the SMILE

mentors have enthusiastically planned.

Stay tuned for more info!

Issue No. 4 Page 6

Love Bites will commence this week for Year 10 students and run until the end of

term.

Most of the local high school year 9/10 students have participated in the successful

school based sexual assault and family violence prevention program called LOVE

BiTES in the Coffs, Bellingen and Nambucca LGA’s for up to 11 years.

The original “LOVE BiTES” program was developed on the NSW Mid North Coast.

LOVEBiTES runs in many high schools and some out of school settings across Aus-

tralia.

The Aims of the LOVE BiTES Program are:

Provide a safe environment in which young people can talk about sexual as-

sault and domestic violence.

Raise awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault – it prevalence

and forms.

To bring about attitudinal change in relation to domestic violence and sexual

assault.

Deconstruct the myths that exist in society on domestic violence and sexual

assault.

Promote and model respectful relationships for young people.

Encourage and educate young people to support their friends.

To respect and build on young people’s existing knowledge base.

Introduce young people to local service providers in an informal environment.

If taking holidays or long term sick leave, greater than 5

days, please apply for an exemption form from the Front

Office. These days are not included as absences if appro-

priate paper work is completed.

Issue No. 4 Page 7

Year 8 Camp to CYC will be running!!

Thanks to all the students and parents for returning your forms.

There are only 50 spots available so a few are on a waiting list in case any students cannot attend.

More information will be sent home shortly and deposits will be due at the end of term, to secure our spot.

Very, very, exciting and a fantastic way to start Term 4!!

Will keep you posted Year 8.

Miss Hansen

Gumbaynggirr language

student group, Julunga

(maiden hair fern) were a

huge hit with the communi-

ty when they performed a

short play and sang songs

at the Grace Roberts Hall in

Coffs Harbour for a commu-

nity meeting.

Banyjarrambang

ngujawiny!

Relay teams were highly competitive with the

13 and 16 Boys relays both qualifying for state.

16 Boys - 4 x 50m: Ryan Birchall, Luke Gustafson, Isaiah Koopmans, Jacob Sutton

13 Boys - 4 x 50m: Emerson Bhatti, Harrison King, Sheldon Koopmans, Brynd Storrie

Issue No. 4 Page 8

Issue No. 4 Page 9

The following Woolgoolga High School students have qualified to compete at the NSW

CHS Swimming Carnival in individual events:

Taylar Briley(Year 9) – 100m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke, 50m Freestyle, 50m Breaststroke, 50m Backstroke, 50m Butterfly

Sam Burke(Year 9) – 200m Freestyle, 100m Breaststroke, 100m Backstroke, 100m Butterfly

Emerson Bhatti(Year 7) – 100m Freestyle, 100m Breaststroke, 100m Backstroke, 50m Freestyle

Isaiah Koopmans(Year 11) – 100m Breaststroke

Congratulations also goes to

Taylar Briley who was awarded

the Junior Female Multi Class

Champion Swimmer of the North

Coast Swimming Carnival and

the Ann Pilkie Trophy for “AWD

Swimmer of the Meet” for her

outstanding results.

Girls 15 years

Relay team:

Abby Nudd

Delilah Thorncraft

Taylar Briley,

Kiahni Huthnance

Good Luck to all WHS students competing at the NSW CHS Swimming Carnival

at the Olympic Pool in Sydney next week.

OPEN GIRLS SOFTBALL On Monday 16

March a group of nine Woolgoolga High girls took on Coffs Harbour High in a knockout

softball game. It was clear right from the start that Coffs Harbour High were an experienced team but the

girls still tried their best. Our captain and pitcher Liby Adam and our catcher Lateshia Campbell organised

the WHS team fielding positions and batting line up.

WHS began the game in the field. CHH got some early home runs while the first time softball players

worked out what they needed to do. It didn't take long before WHS got their first player out when Lani

Goodman took a great catch that surprised the opposition. Our second out came from some fast fielding by

Jaime Hill who got the ball to Kiahni Huthnance on 1st base. A chance for a third out came from some

impressive work when Taylar Briley fielded the ball in the outfield and got it to Amy Partridge on third base

just as the CHH runner came sliding in; unfortunately CHH was declared safe. Our final out for the first

innings finally came when Liby fielded the ball back to the catcher as CHH tried for another home run.

Batting began slow with only 2 girls having played before and the team facing a very accurate pitcher.

Jaime was first to make it to a base and Liby and Lateshia soon followed though unfortunately for the girls,

we got three out before they could make it home.

The second innings began much like the first – a few early home runs before WHS found a rhythm again.

Jaime and her fast fielding were key to the first 2 outs, getting the ball quickly to 2nd and 1st base as

needed. And Liby's excellent pitching secured our last out when she got three strikes in a row! Batting

began a lot better in the second innings with Payton Priest being the first to get a home run, she was

closely followed by Rhiannon Birch, Jaime and Lateshia. Unfortunately these home runs weren't enough to

win the game against Coffs Harbour High.

Congratulations to all the girls for participating in the team and a special thank you to Donna Briley for

helping the girls

on the field.

Kayla McIntosh

Page 10 Issue No. 4

Issue No. 4 Page 11

Congratulations to the following students

who have been selected in Mid North Coast

Diamond House

winner of 2014

House Shield

Captains Caitlin Valentine

and Clarence Harre

Jade Egar Year 9 – U/15

Tanisha Wallace Year 9 – U/15

Trey Forrest Year 9 – U/15

Brandan Webb Year 9 – U/15

Emily Nudd Year 11

Lily Wilson Year 11

Gurvir Virk Year 11

Innogen Armitage Year 9

Tanisha Wallace Year 9

Nickalas Mallett Year 12

Cadan Glattback Year 12

Jack Stevens Year 12

Mike Austin Year 12

Jordan Fisher Year 12

Justin Keys Year 11

Edward Vincent Year 10

Issue No. 4 Page 12

2015 SPORTS DATES

PLEASE NOTE: DATES AND VENUES ARE CORRECT AT TIME OF PRINTING

BUT ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CHECK CLOSER TO EVENT.

SPORT DATE CARNIVAL VENUE TERM

SWIMMING Fri 27Mar to NSW CHS State Swimming Home Bush Aquatic 1

CROSS

COUNTRY

Wed 22 April School Cross Country Woolgoolga 2

Mon 11 May MNC Zone Cross Country Grafton 2

Fri 5 June NC Regional Cross Country Kempsey 2

Fri 17 July NSW State Cross Country Eastern Creek 3

ATHLETICS

Wed 6 May

to Thur 7 May School Athletics Carnival

Woolgoolga Sports

Ground 2

Thur 11 June MNC Zone Athletics Carnival Coffs Harbour Inter-

national Stadium 2

Fri 31 July NC Regional Athletics Carnival Coffs Harbour Inter-

national Stadium 3

Thurs 3 Sep to

Sat 5 Sep NSW CHS State Athletics Carnival Homebush 3

Revised date

for Year 12 Formal

Tuesday

17th November

At

Novotel Pacific Bay

Year 7

Yarrahapinni Excursion

Dear Parents and Carers,

Please find Yarrahapinni Excursion Information below:

Venue: Yarrahapinni Adventist Youth Centre, 366 Grassy Head Road PH: (02) 6569 0730

Dates: Tuesday 31/3/15 - Thursday 2/4/15

Departure: Please note departure time is now 9:15am on Tuesday 31 March to allow students to travel to

school on buses if required. However, this will only be possible if bags are small enough to be placed on

student’s laps. Large luggage and surfboards will not be permitted on regular school buses. Students are

welcome in the Industrial Arts Quadrangle (Year 7 area) before school.

We will arrive back at school on Thursday 2 April at 2:30pm.

Food: A packed lunch is required on Tuesday 31 March to enable activities to begin on time. All other

food is provided. Thank you for providing dietary, allergy and medical information on the permission note.

Parent helpers: Please contact me if you are interested in attending!

Surfing: Students are allowed to bring their own surfboard but need to inform Mr Pursch if this is the case

so they can be placed into a suitable group for activities. Surfing consent forms need to be completed for

all students to participate in surfing. These can be handed to Mr Pursch at any time.

Checklist

Returned completed permission note to Mr Pursch

Made full payment of $145 to the Front Office. This needs to be finalised by Monday 23/3/15.

Please contact Mr Pursch if there are any difficulties.

Completed the surfing consent from

Pack sheets, blankets (or sleeping bag) and a pillow

Enough clothes for three days, including day and evening activities. Please check the forecasted

weather conditions and pack appropriately for

temperature and sun safety.

Water bottle, hat, sunscreen, swimmers and

towel

Toiletries and don’t forget your toothbrush!

Robert Pursch Physics Teacher Year 7 Adviser 2015 Woolgoolga High School 02 6654 1500 0413 032 048

Issue No. 4 Page 13

Page 14 Issue No. 4

Issue No. 4 Page 14

University Roadshow 16 March 2015

Joel McPherson on the development of junior

rugby in the northern beaches. More infor-

mation J.mcpherson86@gmail.com

Year 7 talks

17 March

with

Mr Cook

Josh & Carissa from Mission Australia are in our school

each Monday to offer a mentoring service to individual

students and groups. They will work closely with our Wel-

fare team and PDHPE faculty in strengthening our well

being program throughout the class. This service is fund-

ed by NSW Health.

Page 15 Issue No. 4

Matthew “Squarepants”

Best dressed winner from the Smurf

family. Jakob, Tabitha and Lani.

The corpse bride (Jade) and groom

(Josh)

Year 11’s hamming it up

Issue No. 4 Page 16

Parent Tips!Parent Tips!

Good number sense

Maths is a numbers game but for some students -

and parents - the figures don't add up. Here are

some strategies to help kids to work out sums in

their heads in a way that makes sense to them.

Find out more: http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/

homework-and-study/maths/maths-a-to-z/-/

maths_glossary/RId5/141/mental%20strategy

Does multi-tasking reduce focus?

Can your kids really study while updating their Face-

book page, listening to their music players and mes-

saging their friends? Research shows dedicated study

time without distractions produces better learning and

a greater ability to retrieve information. Find out more:

http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/technology/using-

technology/homework-and-multitasking-can-it-be-done

When kids are bullied We send our kids off to school each day to learn. In between lessons they go outside to play – but the learn-ing doesn't stop. The playground can help prepare them for some of the social challenges they will face throughout their lifetime. Find out more: http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/wellbeing/behaviour/bullying-advice-for-parents1/what-can-i-do-to-help-my

-child

Struggling to remember what algebra was all

about and need to help your kids with their

homework? Take a look at this study sheet for

examples:

http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/homework-

and-study/maths/maths-a-to-z/-/

maths_glossary/RId5/44/algebra

Avoiding injuries

Have you ever wondered if your child may be suffering

physically from using a computer for schoolwork? Or if

carrying their school bag may be causing them pain?

Experts discuss and give tips on what to watch out for.

Find out more: http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/en/

wellbeing/health/ways-to-keep-your-childs-back-and-

posture-healthy

Issue No. 4 Page 17

Issue No. 4 Page 17

Volunteers needed to serve in only 1 hour increments:

8.30am - 9.30am

11.00am - 12.00 noon

1.00pm - 2.00pm

If you can help please ring the school on 66541500 or follow the link on

the school’s website to complete the expression of interest.

CanteenCanteenCanteen———Eat Fresh Eat Fresh Eat Fresh http://www.woolgoolga-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/parent-information

See menu with price list on the school’s website

AMBULANCE SCHOOL COVER

EXCURSIONS

We have been advised that the Ambulance Service of NSW

has reciprocal health care agreements with all Australian

states except Queensland and South Australia.

This means that, even though Woolgoolga High has Ambu-

lance School Cover for students who have an accident or fall

ill whilst at school or at an organised school activity, they are not covered

while on school excursions to Queensland and South Australia.

Only students whose parent/guardians hold a Commonwealth Government

Health Care Card or have private health insurance (including ambulance-only

cover) are possibly covered when on a school excursion to Queensland or

South Australia. It is strongly recommended that parents/guardians who

do have cover with a private health fund, check their family’s eligibility

with regards to travel to all the states.

Page 18 Issue No. 4

Page 19 Issue No. 4

Woolgoolga High School

Centenary Drive

Woolgoolga NSW 2456

Phone: 6654 1500 Fax: 6654 1936

www.woolgoolga-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

E-mail: woolgoolga-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

EFTPOS Facilities for credit/debit

card transactions are now available

for making payments at the school

office. There is no cash out facility.

The office is open for students to

make payments before school and

during Break 1.

Woolgoolga High School Silver Awards

are generously supported by:

WOOLGOOLGA PIZZA PLACE

Beach Street, Woolgoolga

Phone: 6654 2744

McDONALDS

Pacific Highway,

Coffs Harbour

EAGLE BOYS PIZZA

Fawcett Street, Woolgoolga

Phone 13 14 33 or 6654 9433

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COME AND JOIN THE

WOOLGOOLGA HIGH SCHOOL P&C

A P&C Association is a school based organisation consisting of parents, teachers and citizens resid-

ing within the school drawing enrolment area

Function of our P&C Promote the interest of the school by bringing parents, citizens, students and teaching staff into close co-operation.

Assist in providing facilities and equipment for the school and promoting the recreation and welfare of the students at the school. Encourage parent and community participation in curriculum and other education issues in schools.

Assist and co-operate with the teaching staff at public functions associated with the school To participate as much as possible in the activities of the school and communicate with all mem-bers of the school community; To do other things that may promote the interests of public education. P&C Constitution by-laws state that P&C Associations meet on a regular day each month ‘during

term time’ at the school.

Our Meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of the Month in the Staffroom at 6.30pm

ROLES -

President

The President is responsible for: The successful functioning of the P&C Association

Ensuring that the P&C Association takes part in decision-making processes in the school

Acting as the P&C Association’s spokesperson when public statements or actions are needed ie Presentation Days

Setting up lines of communication with the Principal

Being signatory on the Association’s bank accounts

Chairing meetings but, in the absence of the President, one of the Vice-Presidents will chair the meeting or the meeting can elect a chairperson from the members present for that meeting.

Vice President and 2nd Vice President

Is the fall back person in the absence of the President at meetings or functions

Secretary

The Secretary is responsible for: Carrying out the administrative tasks related to the decisions of the meetings as resolved. The Secretary prepares, in consultation with the President, all meeting agendas. The Secretary is required to attend every association meeting and take notes of the discus-

sions in order to produce a set of Minutes for subsequent distribution to members and for receipt, possible amendment and adoption at the following meeting. (In the absence of the Secretary the meeting should elect a person to take the Minutes; this person should be iden-tified in the Minutes.)

The position includes receiving and tabling all correspondence as well as writing and dis-patching outgoing correspondence as resolved/appropriate they keep a list of financial (voting) members, Minutes, Attendance book.

Secretaries may use the P&C newsletter, school newsletter/website, school sign, or other means to promote meetings.

Treasurer P&C/Canteen

The Treasurer: Receives and deposits monies, maintains records, draws cheques and presents accounts.

Presents a report in the form of an income and expenditure statement together with a rec-onciled bank statement for each and every P&C meeting.

Ensures that all funds held and handled by P&C are properly and openly accounted for as the Treasurer is responsible for all funds held in the name of the P&C. This includes the canteen and any other P&C committees. The Treasurer is a signatory on the P&C accounts and should not delegate this responsibility. We do have online banking in place.

Should encourage members to understand the state of the P&C finances. The Treasurer must ensure a case book or books are kept, recording all financial transactions of the P&C Association. We currently run a Quickbook System but are happy with MYOB if you are profi-cient or a Cash Flow System which can be set up. The treasurer is responsible for 2 sets of accounts. 1 for the P&C and the other for the Canteen, so some knowledge of accounts would help. The Canteen is run like a small business so wages, super, workers comp, tax and suppliers are all part of the roll. We, the P&C Association have 2 paid employees that run the main operation. They calculate daily takings and do the banking however the by-laws state they cannot be involved with the accounts side of things.

FOR FURTHER INFO PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME

Alison Clements 0417672558 or email alisonclements@dodo.com.au

NOMINATIONS FOR UPCOMING AGM

28th April 2015 6.30pm in Staffroom

If you are self-nominating please provide the name of someone that seconds

your nomination.

If you are nominating someone, make sure they know they are being nomi-

nated and that you are seconding their nomination.

All nominated parties should be present at the AGM

If we have more than one nomination for a position an anonymous ballot will

occur and decision final.

President: Second:

Vice President: Diane Della Second: Megan Hart

2nd Vice President Second:

Secretary: Second:

Treasurer: Second:

Even though it all looks very official and somewhat scary let me assure it is a

great way to ensure you have your say in a very important part of your child/

rens education.

Even better you will be a valued member of a great team.

It is very important that we fill these rolls because without a functioning P&C

Association in our High School we lose out on collaborating and creating a

better school for our children and the future children to come.

Also our canteen is P&C operated and without a Committee could jeopardise

whether it can stay open or not which will be a huge shame considering it

would have to be the Yummiest, Healthiest Canteen on the Coffs Coast.