Missing Link

As we come to the close of our school's 50th year we have time to reflect on all the achievements of the school.

Almost every week this year the school has been featured in the local papers as our students continued to find success in sports (winning all the major awards at the zone sport awards), the arts (in slam poetry, music, art shows and drama), in school service (with over 60 awards in the Premier's Volunteering Challenge) and academic performance (with excellent achievement in external exams and school performance). Weʼve hosted a major pre-apprenticeship program run by the Motor Traders Association and have formed strong links with business and community agencies.

However, for me, one of the most significant features of the year has been the comments of visitors and parents who have enrolled their children here during the year. So many have commented on the positive, polite and friendly behaviour of students, the professionalism of staff and the all round excellence of the school.

We have had visits from the European High Commissioner, the US Consul General, the Minister for Education, senior educators from Dubai and China and teachers from schools across NSW.

They want to see our work and meet our students because of our growing global reputation as a great school.

None of this would happen without the work of our students, parents and teachers. I want to thank them all for their work in 2012.

We will face challenges in the new year as schools wait to see if we will get more funding from the federal government through the Gonski review and we will be reorganising some aspects of our work as an Empowered Local Schools National Partnership school.

Having celebrated our 50th anniversary our school is now ready for its future as a 21st century school. We are ready to implement the new national curriculum; we have plans for maintaining and improving our technology; and our commitment to learning, leadership and achievement continues.

At the start of this year we said our overall purpose was to lift expectations, capacity and achievement for students, staff and the community. That remains our purpose and will continue to aim for this in 2013.

I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season. Christine Cawsey

50Years1962-2012

Learning, Leadership & Achievement

TERM 4 2012

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Rooty Hill High SchoolLearning, Leadership & AchievementNorth Parade, Rooty Hill NSW 2766P.O. Box 70, Rooty Hill  NSW  2766Phone:  02 9625 8104 Fax:      02 9625 4208Web: www.rootyhill-h.schools.nsw.edu.auAll School Announcements and information can be found on our Facebook page: Facebook: www.facebook.com/rootyhillhs

RHHS Alumni Network: www.linkedin.com (GROUP: Rooty Hill High School)

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ONE55 HEALTH AND FITNESSOne55 Health and Fitness continued this term with a new group of dedicated and hard working students. One55 has brought to the school a constructive supportive health and fitness program which aims to improve fitness and health, create a feeling of belonging to a team and help to create pathways for career opportunities. The program runs twice a week in all types of weather to make changes to studentʼs health and fitness levels. There has been a lot of sweat and hard work but the students have also had a lot of fun working together as a team. We will be celebrating the success of the program this term with a challenge against the ONE55 team at Blacktown Boys High School - a challenge RHHS are sure to win.

LEARNING WITH TECHNOLOGYOur year 7 and 8 students have been exploring the latest technologies this term. Students have been using iPads to create digitally enhanced photos, animations and learn about augmented reality. Augmented reality has been a huge hit with students and with a number of teachers. It is anticipated that RHHS will increase our number of iPads in 2013 which will support the teaching and learning of more students in all year groups.

SOUL BENEFITSAakell Naera in Year 11 is a member of the Hip-Hop crew 'Soul Benefits'. Other members include his brother Zehrish Naera and Storme . They have performed at the 2012 NRL Grand Final and have supported international acts such as Scribe, Savage, Home Brew Crew and many more. The group has been building a name in the local music s c e n e . S o u l B e n e fi t s  c a n b e seen  constantly performing at different venues in the Sydney area and they h a v e a n a l b u m l a u n c h s o o n ! Congratulations Aakell!

SCHOOLS SPECTACULARNine students from Years 9 and 10 were i n v o l v e d i n t h e 2 0 1 2 S c h o o l s Spectacular "Our Time," performing the conga in the 'Let's Celebrate' combined dance section.

Zoe Mulhern was involved in the State Dance Ensemble and Senior Ballet Ensemble, while Chloe Cowgill danced along side the Sydney West dance group. All the students represented RHHS proudly and showed great commitment to all rehearsals and early morning train trips. Congratulations!Students: Natalie Pate, Molly Stannard, Maddison Kearins, Sharri Sarraj,

Tayla Berry, Chloe Cowgill, Katelyn Osborne and Alyssa Herning.

NATIONAL ART SCHOOLMadison Nixon and Charity Dave successfully completed their HSC Studio Intensive Practice course and exhibited at the National Art School. It is always a thrill to see student's work being admired by a greater audience, an audience outside the school and classroom. They have now completed 1 unit of work for their HSC. The skills and exper iences ga ined i s a g rea t springboard into the early and ensuing stages of their body of work. Madison and Charity Snapshot Exhibit ion @Lewers Gallery.

Amellia Rakic of Year 9 is an aspiring photographer. Her photograph was selected out of 800 entrants across the globe to be exhibited in the annual "Snapshot" exhibition of photography held at the Penrith Regional Gallery. Along with this amazing accolade, Amellia also picked up a Harvey Norman discount card so that she can go back again and again to get her awe inspiring photographs printed. If you are an avid photographer keep an eye out for entries next year!

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WORLDʼS BIGGEST CLASSROOMRHHS was selected to be a part of this yearʼs Worldʼs Biggest Classroom, run in conjunct ion with the Schools Spectacular. The project displayed was the Concert 4 Cancer, with organisers Jay Edwards, Setaleki Mafi, Julie Massaquoi and Reece Morr is , featuring on a poster displayed at Circular Quay and Central Train Stations.

getting the opportunity to meet special guests such as Carmen Smith from The Voice and representatives from the NRL Education Office.

The day was a huge success thanks to the contributions of all staff and students involved.

CONCERT 4 CHANGEThis yearʼs concert showcased the artistic and creative musical talents of our music students and innovative organisational skills of the leadership students. The concert was organised to raise awareness about the struggles faced by the most vulnerable children in our world, with the $1000.00 raised going to UNICEF. Carmen Smith, from the Voice, performed at the concert and also acted as a judge.

The winning group from Concert One was Coconut Rice and the winning group from Concert Two was The Officials.

SOCIAL JUSTICE @ RHHSMAKING A DIFFERENCEStudents, staff and the extended Rooty Hill High School community have d e m o n s t r a t e d a n o u t s t a n d i n g commitment to upholding the values of social justice. In total for 2012, over $13,094.20 has been raised through various fundraising programs. In support of the principle of “Charity begins at home”, over $4,470 was raised for In-School programs, such as the SRC and the Sports Fund. In our dedication to helping those most in need globally, over $7,624.20 was raised for our supported Not-For-Profit Organisations, such as World Vision, Unicef, Cancer Council, S.I.D.S, RSPCA and Knitting with Love.

On behalf of all those that we have helped, THANK YOU and we wish you & your families a Happy Holiday and a wonderful 2013. Social Justice Team; Julie Massaquoi, Tenielle Thick, Breayla Harding, Caitlin Thick, Harsha Kumar, Madison Nixon, Ege Tekin, Reshad Faiz, Maelody Gevero, Angus Shephard, Justin McCormick

SRC LEADERSHIP CAMPFERENCEJay Edwards, Blake Hicks-Ashton and Justin McCormick attended the 2012 Western Sydney SRC Leadership Campference in October. Justin was selected for the Working Party where he helped plan and organise the leadership activities. It was a full-on three days where students were able to share experiences about leadership in their school. They attended workshops on issues that are concerning todayʼs society and proposed ways that we as individuals and as a collective can help.

SENIOR LEADERS CONFERENCEThe new senior leaders, Matthew Mangsal, Madison Nixon, Tori-Lee Rylewski, Missy Tapaitau, Sharlisa Manuhuia, Bryce Simpson, Siera Lamsam, Katherine Alviola and Zoey Lawson, were given the opportunity to attend the Halogen Young Leaders Conference at the Sydney Exhibition Centre in Darling Harbour. They listened to guest speakers such as Dr Karl, the weird and wacky scientist, Kevin Sheedy, the greatest AFL coach in history, and Ronni Kahn, founder of the OzHarvest charity, speak about how students can make a difference. The main focus of the day was to encourage students to be proactive about the world they live in. Students were able to express concerns that they had with society and share stories of inspiration and success.

R H H S G O E S A L L O U T F O R SUSTAINABILITY DAYOn the 16th of November, the school celebrated Sustainability Day. It was a whole school event, organised by the HSIE and Maths faculties.

The focus this year went beyond Environmental Sustainability to include Sustainable Heal th, Sustainable Community and Sustainable Culture. There were a variety of programmes that were organised to raise awareness of the issue of Sustainability. These included structured lessons based on the different focus areas that were relevant to the various faculties.

In conjunction with the Concert for Change, a number of workshops and hands on activities were also conducted throughout the day, with students

The 2013 Senior Leadership team (student names above left) with the Principal and Deputy Principals before the Year 12 Graduation at the end of Term 3.

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US-CONSUL GENERAL VISITS RHHSSelected HSIE students were thrilled to participate in a forum panel discussion on Australia-America relations with United States-Consul General for Sydney, Mr Niels Marquardt. He spoke about his official duties that include all functions of the US Government in Sydney. It came at a very exciting time for the students in the lead up to the US Presidential election. Students asked questions about diplomacy, the war in Afghanistan and options for studying in the US.

Aaron Snudden, Ege Karsanbas, Jainta Sheils Jay Edwards and Claire Kennedy from Year 10 participated in the forum as well as Year 11 students from Ancient History, Society and Culture, Modern History and Legal Studies.

Mr Niels Marquardt also gave the keynote address at the Year 11 report assembly and presented students with their Preliminary Certificates.

REACH AND YEAR 10 LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPSREACH has been an integral part of inspiring Year 10 this year and they held their last workshop for the year as part of the Year 10 leadership workshops. Dreams and goals were discussed as a platform for Year 11 studies. REACH SHOOTING STAR AWARDSLiam Jurd, Year 10, MCʼd the REACH Shooting Star Awards 2012. It is the first this event was run in NSW and Liam showed a natural flair and amazing stage presecence. Well done!

MAORI & PACIF IC ISLANDER FESTIVALOn the 27th of October students from RHHS performed at the Maori and Pacific Islander Festival held at Ropes Creek Oval. Students showcased their talents in singing and performing traditional Tongan and Samoan dances. Other students volunteered their time on the day, making sure the event ran smoothly. All students looked and behaved great and their performances where some of the best on the day.

PATHE and BURN WorkshopsMaori and Pacific Islander Students from Year 10 and 11 participated in two workshops this term. PATHE (Pasifika Achievement To Higher Education) and Burn. PATHE is a workshop that encourages students to follow their dreams to a great future by committing to academic excellence and celebrating

academic ach ievement in the i r communities.

BURN is a workshop run by Legal Aid that educates students on what their rights and responsibilities are as active and conscientious members of their communities. Both workshops were a s u c c e s s t h a n k s t o t h e w i l l i n g p a r t i c i p a t i o n o f s t u d e n t s w h o represented RHHS in a respectful and enthusiastic way.

ASIA WISE COMPETITIONCongratulations to Emma Jurd, Adrienne Mazo, Brittany Menolotto, Rachelle Rativo, Jack Clifton and Madeline Romero of year 8 who received 100% in the Asia Wise competition. Asia Wise is a combined History and Geography competition which enables students to develop research and problem-solving skills. 20,000 students from across Australia and New Zealand were involved.

YEAR 9 LEAPS 20 Year 9 students have been involved in the LEAPS (Law Firms Assisting Promising Students) program since the beginning of Term 2. This program entailed visiting Ashurst Law Firm every fortnight to work with lawyer mentors to discuss and complete activities related t o t e a m w o r k , g o a l s e t t i n g , p e r s e v e r a n c e , r e s i l i e n c e a n d leadership. Each student was able to work closely with their mentor to discuss goals and strategies that will assist them in their schooling.

The students were also able to attend a number of activities before they visited the Law Firm which assisted the group in team bui ld ing ski l ls and the opportunity to participate in new adventures. The students, along with teachers, visited The Chinese Gardens, Maritime Museum, Madame Tussauds, Manly, Cup Cake decorating, Lazer Tag, Bowling and many more fun and exciting places.

The LEAPS Graduation held on 8th November provided the students with t he oppo r t un i t y t o r efine t he i r presentation skills and the confidence to speak in front of a group of their peers, parents and mentors. The students did extremely well and all parents, teachers, Ms Campbell and mentors were proud of their efforts. Each of the students were able to take away from LEAPS a more mature and focused approach to their schooling and their future.

Ms Kelly Campbell (far left) with Mr Niels Marquardt, the Senior Exec and Ms Selva

Our successful Year 8 Asia Wise students with their awards

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HISTORY MASTERMINDHSIE were excited to send a Year 7 and 8 team to the annual Western Sydney History Masterminds Competition in November. The day is an enrichment activity for gifted students in History and students worked well in teams to answer questions spanning history trivia, current affairs, popular culture and geography. Students represented the school with great pride and had a fun and engaging day.

Year 7 Team members: Sanjani Vikash, Sabrina Zaman, Sydney Lavaro and Year 8 Team members: Azad Aghdar, Angel Domingo, Victoria San, Maelody Gevero.

MATHEMATICS NEWSThis term has been very successful in the Mathematics faculty. All students completed their yearly examinations with pleasing results. The overall top achievers this semester in each year group were as followsYear 7Deborah Gaskin, Samantha LazaroYear 8Emma Jurd, Suzy TangYear 9Katheryn Khov, Gabriel SantesYear 10Sergio Mesina, Sahaba Azizdel, Reshad FaizYear 11 Applied MathematicsJayke Chatto, Jennifer Budgen-ScottYear 11 General MathematicsJessey Cohen, Cloe WilliamsYear 11 MathematicsYun Yong Luo, Deepika GounderYear 11 Extension 1:Yun Yong Luo, Shubham Shubham

MATHEMATICS COMPETITIONThis year 41 students chose to pa r t i c ipa te in the Mathemat i cs Competition. 10 students were awarded a credit, putting them in the top 30% of the country. These students were Sanjar Sarwar, Abdullah Ahmed, Han Byeol (Jane) Lee, Nash Wiseman, Rose Al-Kahili, Ahmad Aldahesh, Stella Cho, Stephen Lie, Marian Guerra,  Yeshneil Gounden, John Lopez, Reshad Faiz and Haarris Ahmed.

MATHS OLYMPIAD6 students from years 7 and 8 participated in the Maths Olympiad. This involves 5 events throughout the year that involve solving mathematical challenges. Nash Wiseman achieved the highest result from our school, followed by Sydney Lavaro and Jaysal Prasad.

MATH IT EXCURSION: More than 100 Year 7 and 8 students from Western Sydney high schools participated in an academic enrichment day that focused on Maths and IT at the University of Western Sydney in November. 9 RHHS students, Deborah Gaskin, Sarah Mendoza, Anya Sarajlic, Sydney Lavaro, Rachel Varley, Lisa Vu, Sabrina Zaman, Shannon McDougall and Andrew Birmingham, were split into groups and rotated through 5 x 35 minute interactive challenges with each group assigned a UWS student as a guide. 

The challenges students participated in were: • Rubik's Cube: Patterns and Solutions  • Mathematical Marvels  • V i r t u a l R e a l i t y a n d A r t i fi c i a l

Intelligence (Robots) • Mathematics Amazing Race 

It was a great day of learning and fun for the students.

YEAR 7 LOTE - MANDARINThe RHHS Confucius Classroom is pleased to offer an outreach language program to our students from Rooty Hill Public School, who attended the Confucius Classroom on Wednesdays. The students were engaged in a variety of Chinese language and cultural activities. They were able to introduce themselves, greet others and write many simple characters in Chinese. Students were also engaged in traditional Chinese calligraphy during their visit to RHHS.

Congratulations to all the year 7 students who have completed their term 4 assessment tasks. A large number of students have achieved an outstanding grade through their hard work.

More than 50 students have expressed their interest to select LOTE next year as their elective subject. Meanwhile, the LOTE Department is working hard to improve what we do to further broaden studentsʼ knowledge and experience of Asia and Asia Literacy, with a focus on China and Chinese language.

RHHS for the first time is going to offer a stage 6 Chinese Beginnerʼs course in Year 11. We are currently working on including more culture based language learning and hands-on experiences such as Chinese Cooking, calligraphy as well as Chinese dance and Kong Fu. Students find their language learning fun and practical and have opportunities to gain a deeper understanding and increase their language, communication and intercultural capabilities.

We welcome a new LOTE teacher next year, Ms Foster, who has already been contributing to the teaching and learning activities in Confucius Classroom. Ms Foster will look after the Year 7 LOTE program and many inter and extra curricula activities in 2013.

INTERNATIONAL EXCURSION: CHINA SNAPSHOT &MAJESTIC BEIJING 30 RHHS students, parents and teachers will participate in a 10 day educational tour in China in September next year. We are going to visit our sister schools in Shanghai and Ningbo, stroll along the historical Bund, climb Tiger Hill, rest in the shade of Six Harmony Pergola, enter the Forbidden City, walk along the Great Wall and many more.

RHHS will be creating opportunities for students to engage Asia and improve their language and inter-cultural communication skills.

CHESS CLUBThe Chess Club has continued to meet every Thursday lunch time. If you are interested in joining next year see Mr Kumar in the Maths staffroom.

L: Year 7 students working hard in LOTER: Year 7 students with their outstanding Chinese calendars assessment tasks

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STUDENTS vs STAFFThroughout Term 4 Year 11 students have been participating in the annual students vs staff sporting competition. The competition has been tough with fiery encounters between the two teams taking place in front of huge crowds at lunch time. The teachers are narrowly ahead in the competition with netball being the only game left to play. Oztag: Teachers won 9-5; Basketball: Students won 17-16;Volleyball: Teachers won 2-1; Softball: Teachers won 8-3

Caitlin McInnes Swimming 12 years Girls - 1st OverallJarred Wright Swimming 13 years Boys - 1st OverallBen Small Swimming 15 years Boys - 2nd OverallStephanie Batchelor Swimming 16 years Girls - 2nd OverallCaitlin Thick Swimming 16 years Girls - 3rd OverallSebastian Viemero Swimming 16 years Boys - 1st Overall

Cross Country 16 years Boys - 1st OverallAthletics 16 years Boys - 2nd Overall

Yasmin Nejah Cross Country 13 years Girls - 3rd OverallBeau Hardy Cross Country 14 years Boys - 1st Overall

Athletics 14 years Boys - 1st OverallMark McCarthy Cross Country 14 years Boys - 2nd OverallJulie Massaquoi Cross Country 15 years Girls - 2nd Overall

Athletics 15 years Girls - 1st OverallMegan Varley Cross Country 15 years Girls - 3rd OverallJason McCutcheon Cross Country 15 years Boys - 2nd Overall

Athletics 15 years Boys - 3rd OverallDylan Crocker Cross Country 15 Years Boys - 3rd Overall

Zone Recognition 15 years Rugby League Sharlisa Manuhuia Cross Country 17 years Girls - 2nd OverallAnthony Clifford Athletics 16 years Boys - 3rd OverallCharlotte Laurenson Zone Blue Volleyball – CHS RepresentativeFrancesca Mayol Zone Blue Rugby Union – SW RepresentativeAshley Menolotto Zone Blue Cricket – SW RepresentativeDaniel Gates Zone Blue Cricket – SW RepresentativeLeon Fuimaono Zone Blue Volleyball – SW RepresentativeRyan Fitzgerald Zone Blue Volleyball – SW RepresentativeMark Torzar Zone Blue Volleyball – SW Representative

MT DRUITT ZONE PRESENTATION - AWARD RECIPIENTS

RHHS cleaned up the majority of awards on offer at the recent Mt Druitt Zone Sports Presentation held at Ropes Crossing. We cemented our place as the premier sporting school in the Zone after collecting almost every award on offer including the Overall Champion School for Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics as well the the Patronʼs Shield for the Overall Champion School in Mt Druitt Zone. The following students also won individual awards at the presentation:

BʼBALL AND BREKKIEBʼBall & Brekkie wonʼt be the same with the Ms Rizzo Liu (pictured above) leaving RHHS at the end of the year. Ms Rizzo Liu has organised the program for many years and students have loved the opportunity to come to school early on a Thursday morning and be treated to a big breakfast and some fierce competition on the courts.

We wish Ms Rizzo Liu all the best for her new career at Blakehurts HS.

L: Teachers in OzTag action in the staff vs students.

R: The Term 4 champion team from the BʼBall & Brekkie competition

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CAREERSCareer Education has continued to thrive and expand at RHHS throughout 2012. Many students readily seek guidance and advice and take part in the various careers based activities available to them. Term 4 has seen students utilising and/or take part in the following:• Year 10 careers lessons focussing on ʻJob Searchʼ and ʻTertiary Educationʼ

• D e f e n c e F o r c e R e c r u i t i n g presentation to interested Year 10, 11 & 12 students

• The Independent Employment Advisory (IEA) program

• Year 10 work experience• Weekly careers newsletters• F a c e b o o k p a g e f o r c a r e e r s

www.facebook.com/rootyhillhscareers• Representatives from the Aboriginal

Employment Strategy spoke to indigenous Year 10 students about school based traineeships

• Applications processed for 2013 TVET courses

• MTA Apprentices Plus Automotive Pre-Apprenticeship course at RHHS

In 2013 Year 10 students will take part in a two week work experience block from 17-28 June. Students can spend the two weeks with one or two employers (5 days each). Students will be given the necessary paperwork early in 2013.

Please encourage your child to make the most of the opportunities that are presented to them. Students need to LISTEN and respond to relevant announcements made in class and on assembly, read the careers newsletters emailed to them (Years 10, 11 & 12) and t he announcemen ts pos ted on Facebook. They also need to make the most of any work experience and/or workplacement opportunities so that their future career decisions will be informed ones.

DRAMA/MUSICALRHHS showed off its talent with a production of Romeo & Juliet. A cast of about twenty students from Year 7 through to Year 12 performed it as a Musical with modern humour and a fairytale twist. The whole school got involved in creating sets, promotional mater ia l , being stage crew and audience members. It was definitely a great success!

There were 2 matinee and 2 evening performances held in Week 7 and already the drama team are looking forward to next yearʼs production.

POETRY SLAMOn the 23rd of November, six Year 9 students headed to Melbourne for the Australian Poetry Slam's Victoria State Finals. Nicole Delos Santos, Justin McCormick, Clare Da Silva, Angus Shepard, Olivia Morales and Chloe Chua were given the free trip to Melbourne as their prize after winning their respective heats at the NSW State Finals held at the Parramatta Riverside Theatres. They did not fail to impress as they showcased the i r sk i l l s as wordsmiths and performance poets representing our school with great pride and exuberance!

Key Dates for Term 1 2013

School Resumes Years 7, 11 & 12 Wednesday 30 January

School Resumes Years 8, 9 & 10 Thursday 31 January

Excellence Assembly Friday 8 February

Swimming Carnival Monday 25 February

The cast of Romeo & Juliet preparing in character before the big performance

Below: Troy Elcock from Year 10 serving a customer during work experience in Term 4.

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