NEWSLETTER WEEK 5 TERM 2 2020

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PRINCIPAL'S REPORTRosemary McDowall

This week The Forest High School returned to full oncampus face-to-face learning. We were pleased towelcome our students back on Monday. We missedthem all very much. School CanteenThe school canteen is open for student and staff use asof Monday 25 May. Appropriate hygiene and socialdistancing will be in place for accessing the canteen. School UniformPlease be advised that all students need to be in fullschool uniform. Sport uniform should only be worn onWednesday. Leggings are not part of sport uniform,but students may wear plain black tracksuit pants forsport in cold weather. The Uniform shop is open at the scheduled times foryou to purchase uniform. We also have some second-hand items and the P&C is providing us with limiteduniforms to support families experiencing financialdistress. The weather is getting cold, so we want toensure all students have appropriate school jumpersand jackets.

They have a medical certificate which states thatthey are unable to return to school due to anongoing medical condition.

They are currently unwell. If your child is unwellplease do not send them to school.

If your child is out of uniform for legitimate reasons, heor she must have a note from a parent or carer. School AttendanceAs per the NSW Department of Education, all studentsshould be at school unless:·        

    

Students who have a medical certificate to stay athome will be supported with essential work throughregular school procedures including SENTRAL andCanvas messages. Teachers will be teaching lessonsface-to-face at school and will not be able to deliverlessons online for students who are absent. If you need support to get your child back to school,please contact us. Reporting to ParentsSemester 1 reports will look a little different this term.Due to remote learning during the COVID 19lockdown, schools were advised to simplify reports.

The A-E scale is not required and teachers will beproviding word descriptors to provide consistentlanguage for reporting progress and achievement onthe learning undertaken in Terms 1 and 2. Parent/Teacher nights have had to be postponed;however, we encourage parents and carers to contactus if they wish to discuss any aspect of their child’sprogress or wellbeing. No physical distancing requirements for students Schools are safe. Physical distancing of children inschools is not required by the latest AHPPC guidelines.Research has shown limitedtransmission risk associated with school children inthe school environment. Physical distancingrequirements remain for adults. Transportation to School We have been advised that we should ensure schoolpick up and drop off arrangements that enableparents to physically distance from one another andfrom staff. The safest place to pick up or drop off yourchild is the dedicated “Kiss and Drop” located in theWestern Carpark across from Blue Gum Crescent andadjacent to the Police Station. Parents are able tosafely drop off students in the drop off bay and canenter and exit the Western Carpark via the trafficlights. BusesThe NSW Government’s policy is to not leave a schoolstudent behind. There are currently no physical distancing restrictionson dedicated school services. School students will be given priority over othercustomers on general services, even if this means aservice goes over physical distancing capacity..

Transport for NSW continues to ramp-up cleaningacross the network with a daily focus on high-touchareas like handrails and Opal readers. Students arereminded to tap on and tap off using their Opalcards on Opal enabled services. Students should be in full school uniform to ensurethat bus drivers recognise them and give thempriority. NESA HSC updateThe NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)COVID 19 Response Committee is making decisionsabout the 2020 NSW HSC and K- 10 curriculumduring the coronavirus outbreak. These decisionsaim to protect the health and safety of students,parents and teachers. Please check regularly orsubscribe to NESA News for up to date advice aboutthe 2020 HSC. Detailed advice is available on NESA's COVID 19advice page:https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/covid-19/coronavirus-advice To access the UCA COVID-19 UPDATE:https://www.uac.edu.au/index.php/uac-covid-19-update Useful LinkThe NSW Department of Education “Learning fromhome” hub is continuing to provide advice andresources for students, parents and carers tosupport student success. These resources can beused to supplement the work students are doing atschool or provide additional support for studentswho cannot attend school due to illness.https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/learning-from-home

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Scholarship Awarded to Alum of The Forest HighSchoolCongratulations to Lucas Heffernan, one of our recentgraduates. Lucas has been awarded with an ICMSProfessional Scholarship 2020. Receiving the scholarship involved Lucas submitting awritten essay, his transcripts and a curriculum vitae.He then was assessed in a panel interview. It was acompetitive field and Lucas was identified as anoutstanding young aspirant. Thank you Parents and CarersI want to thank the parents and carers for theirongoing support of the school in these challengingand complex times. We have very much appreciated the kind words andthe acknowledgements we have received from somany of you.They have been deeply appreciated. Rosemary McDowallPrincipal

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I would like to say thank you to our students andtheir families during this difficult time. Your co-operation as we negotiated a school that looked verydifferent to what we have always known was verymuch appreciated. It appears that some students found online learningsomething that they preferred and others found it achallenge. It was definitely a challenge for parentsbut also a challenge for us - as teachers, teachingassistants, administrative staff and school leaders,every facet of the last two months has been a hugelearning experience. We were thrown into the online world and I believewe coped well. We have learnt new skills to offer ourclasses which will be a great back up into the future.  

One thing i know is that we all missed thestudents. As much as we sometimes like peaceand quiet, this imposed peace and quiet was avast difference to what we know as teachers whoenjoy meeting our students face to face each day. We are happy to see the students settling backinto the new normal with disinfectants, handsanitisers and social distancing (or not). They areenjoying catching up with their friends andclassmates and even, may I say, their teachers. Our school calendar looks different as events havehad to be cancelled or postponed but I think ourschool spirit is still flying high. So thank you again to our wonderful schoolcommunity who are positive and caring. Cathy ThompsonDeputy Principal

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL'SREPORT

Cathy Thompson, Deputy Principal

Term 2 2020 Events27 May - School Council - POSTPONED - new date to be confirmed27 May - P&C Meeting - POSTPONED - new date to be confirmed28 May - Senior Program Information Night - Year 11 2021 - POSTPONED until Term3 - new date to be confirmed2, 3, 4 June - Year 10 Minimum Standard Testing - POSTPONED until Term 3 - newdate to be confirmed3 June - Year 11 & Year 12 Minimum Standard Testing8 June - Queen's Birthday Public Holiday9 June - Year 7 Vaccinations & Year 8 Catch Up Vaccinations15 June - Year 10 Vaccinations19 June - Stage 5 Music Night - POSTPONED - new date to be confirmed3 July - Last Day of Term 220 July - School Development Day - staff only21 July - First day of Term 3 - students return

Over this term and next term, Year 10 students will beundertaking the Senior Preparation Program toprepare them for their transition beyond Year 10. While Year 10 students have begun this processthrough their ongoing careers lessons this year, asignificant step forward in this program will be takingplace beginning with a talk from the Deputy Principalsabout the different options beyond Year 10 and therequirements to enter and complete each of thesepathways. This will be followed by presentations fromspecialist teachers over the following weeks wherestudents can learn about different courses they canchoose from in Year 11 and 12. Parents are a very important part of this transition andwhile we are unable to invite you into the school

grounds to hear these talks, we have begun toupload a series of videos explaining the processincluding the opportunities as well as short 'SpeedDate a Subject' videos on different courses in Year11 and 12 at The Forest High School. You can findthese videos on the school website and facebookpage. We look forward to being able to invite you into theschool again as we would like to continue ourprocess of interviewing every student with a parentabout the choices they would like to make towardsthe end of this program. Peter SantamariaDeputy Principal

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL'SREPORTPeter Santamaria, Deputy Principal

Senior Preparation Program

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The Learning HubThe school's new Learning Hub had an opportunity to test out the concept of studentsworking in small groups and independently with support available as needed. Students of essential workers and those wanting some additional guidance to complete theirwork during Phase One enjoyed having a few teachers around to help them navigate Canvasand have someone else explain things a little more. The room looks out on to trees and willprovide students with a space to develop generic skills that will help them in all theirsubjects. This week saw the arrival of new furniture and we are looking forward to the officialopening of the space later this term. Some of our students are currently in the process ofpainting a Rainbow Serpent mural under the supervision of Mr Pitt.

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Library NewsW H A T ' S B E E N H A P P E N I N G

I N T H E L I B R A R Y

This week we were excited to welcome back all our students to school fulltime. It has been wonderful to see so many familiar faces altogether againand our corridors and playgrounds are quiet no longer! Thank you to MissMurray and her team of helpers in the library for the welcome backbanner they created last week.

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EnglishS P E C T A C U L A R S E N T E N C E S

Here are some of the wonderful "Spectacular

Sentences" submitted by Year 10 Engl ish

students whi le doing at-home learning.

Dehydrated, delirious and confused; was what I was seeing real or was I havinga frightful hallucination? As it nears closer and closer the silhouette of this object

becomes more and more mysterious. I lay my throbbing head back. I lookup at the bright night sky lit with amazing constellations of dazzling stars.  

Rhyse Sharma

The luminous stars twinkled in a dance on the black night sky giving mesuch wonder and hope in this dark hour.  

Kye Sparks

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The sky is suddenly filled with hundreds of enigmatic, golden, twinkling stars.I stare in awe at the combination of dark blue and red colours in the sky, as I noticethe magical, beautiful milky way, stretching across the deep blue night sky, no tall,

mountainous buildings to block the way.Lucas Szmajda

It's now night three. The sky is still as picturesque as the first night. The bright,glistening stars don't allow me to sleep. The deathly cold also plays a part.

Dylan Thurbon

The grass, flowing like emerald green water through my fingers.The silent trees gently swaying in the wind, turning towards me as if they want to speak.

It's always silent there. The dark sky, peppered with tiny dots of pure light.

Tiny dots that are actually huge stars which exist far, far away.Shaped like a rainbow, a huge cloud of gasses far away, seems to churn out pure light.

Pure life.Callum Van Schie

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Time has become irrelevant in this forever expanding place.The stars trickle light along the silhouettes of rock and trees.

I am experiencing a feeling of uncertainty,as if time has stopped and everything is still; the silence is deafening.

Oliver Fairchild

The desert sat quiet… with the exception of the pack of wildscruffy dogs that terrorize this silent, rocky-sharp, jagged place; howling at

the grand, ghastly moon that hung gracefully in the star-littered sky.  Lox Ferguson

The sky, lit with an array of vibrant pinks,crudely slashed with strokes of orange,

like the sky is only a canvas for the brush of the sun.   Lachlan Grigg

PDHPEP U S H U P C H A L L E N G EG e t p u s h i n g#p d h p e f o r e s t

Students from The Forest High School are taking partin The Push-Up Challenge, an initiative designed toraise awareness about mental health and suicideprevention. Our school has taken on the challenge inteams, aiming to complete 3,046 push-ups over thecourse of 21 days in May. The number of push-upsrepresents the number of Australian lives lost tosuicide in 2018. Each day teams are provided a targetto reach, with students learning a little more aboutmental illness, how Australians are impacted andwhat we can do to take better care of our mentalhealth. The PE faculty are leading the way with each staffmember taking on the role of team leader, motivatorand educator to support their teams in gettingphysically active, learning about mental health andfeeling connected with our school community. We areimmensely proud of our students and their efforts inworking together to promote such an importantinitiative. Want to know how you can help? Ask if your child isin a team and encourage them to reach their dailytarget. You can even support them by joining in andchallenging yourself to do the push-ups too. If youfeel you would like to do more because mental illnessis an issue close to your heart, you can donate directlyto Headspace here: https://headspace.org.au/get-involved/donations/?stage=Live Natalie O'ToolePDHPE Teacher

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G e t p u s h i n g#p d h p e f o r e s t

TAS T A S L E A R N I N G C O N T I N U E S

D U R I N G C O V I D 19

Covid 19 has not stopped our TAS staff and students fromcontinuing with their teaching and learning. Here are MrDavies and Mr Moore teleconferencing with students viaCanvas and students social distancing in their classes atschool. The Rubber Band Racer Car project has producedsome impressive results and the COVID 19 creative cupcakes look delicious!

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C O V I D S A F E W O R K P L A C E

E N V I R O N M E N T

TECHNOLOGY MANDATORY AND FOODTECHNOLOGY CLASSES

As you are aware, schools are back in operation and we, as a TAS faculty, are being extravigilant with health and hygiene issues, especially given the current COVID-19 climate. Plastic aprons that students share do not meet COVID guidelines. We are requesting that each person brings their own apron, tea towel and container toassist in the safe workplace environment for Technology Mandatory and FoodTechnology classes. I understand that relatively affordable aprons may be able to be purchased from Lowes,Kmart, Big W and Spotlight. Thank you for your valued understanding and assistance in this matter. Stephen DaviesHead Teacher TAS

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CAREERS DESKU N I V E R S I T Y O P E N D A Y S

O N L I N E

To see which Universities are providing online Open Days orTours, remember to visit:https://www.theforestcareers/com/open-days

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W H A T I F M Y C H I L D H A S U N U S U A L O R C H A L L E N G I N G

C I R C U M S T A N C E S D U R I N G T H E H S C ?

For students whose studies were negatively affected as a result of circumstances beyondtheir control or choosingApply online - https://www.uac.edu.au/future-applicants/scholarships-and-schemes/educational-access-schemesDocuments to be uploaded by 20 November to receive eligibility notice before ATARreleaseDisadvantage lasting 6 months or longerAn Educational Impact Statement is provided by your school in support of yourapplicationIf successful under EAS your selection rank may be increased

Students who have experienced educational disadvantage for a period of 6 months overYear 11 may be eligible to apply for the Education Access Scheme

M A C Q U A R I E L E A D E R S A N D A C H I E V E R S E A R L Y E N T R Y

S C H E M E O P E N N O W

In 2019 The Forest High School had great success with many of our students receiving earlyoffers through the Macquarie Leaders and Achievers program. Monday 1 June 2020, 5pm - find out how you could have the opportunity to receive an earlyoffer through the Macquarie Leaders and Achievers Early Entry Scheme. You'll hear directlyfrom Macquarie students as they discuss the application process, key dates and how thescheme recognises your academic and community achievements. https://page.mq.edu.au/macquarie-leaders-and-acheivers-early-entry-scheme.html

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S P E C I F I C S T U D Y A R E A S C H E M E S A T U T S

Business cadetship schemeDesign and Architecture portfolio schemeEngineering questionnaireInformation Technology questionnaireScience aptitude testWomen in engineering, information technology and construction

Engineering and ITBusiness Science

At UTS they understand that your ability to undertake certain courses should not bemeasured by ATAR alone. Your interest or aptitude in specific study areas can also betaken into consideration in your application to study at UTS. You can increase your chances of being made an offer to certain courses through theseadmission schemes:

You may also be eligible for up to five adjustment points if your work experience relatesto the course you are applying for. Complete the employment question in your UACapplication so your work experience can be considered for specific courses in:

A C U C O M M U N I T Y A C H I E V E R S P R O G R A M

The Community Achiever Program (CAP) was previously named the Early Achievers'Program (EAP). The program offers future students who are active in their community early entry to theirundergraduate course of choice. It also provides opportunities to enhance leadership andvolunteering skills. If you are successful in applying for the CAP, you could receive an offer to study at ACU asearly as August. Find out more - https://www.acu.edu.au/study-at-acu/admission-pathways/i-volunteer-regularly

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U N I V E R S I T Y O F F E R S

HSCLectureSeriesT h e N o r t h e r n B e a c h e s L i b r a r y S e r v i c e2 0 2 0 H S C l e c t u r e s e r i e s w i l l n o w b es t r e a m e d l i v e o n l i n e .A l l t a l k s a r e f r e e h o w e v e r b o o k i n g s a r er e q u i r e d t o p a r t i c i p a t e . B o o k i n g s a n d f u l l d e t a i l s a r e o n t h ew e b s i t e :h t t p s : / / w w w . n o r t h e r n b e a c h e s . n s w . g o v .a u / s e r v i c e s / y o u t h / y o u t h - e v e n t s / e v e n t -c a l e n d a r

NorthSydney Art Prize

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The Forest High School has again adopted the Entertainment Book forfundraising for the school and the 2020 book is available from Ms Yam. To order

your book from The Forest High School Fundraising Page click on the link https://www.entertainment.com.au/orderbooks/200z485

Northern Beaches Art Prize - 2020 Online'Postcards from Home'This year's Northern Beaches Art Prize is adapting to current times by goingonline. Encourage your students to be a part of it; with the Youth categoryopen to 10 - 18 years and 10 x $500 prizes up for grabs. The award is open toall levels, and better still we are waiving entry fees to support our localcreative community. Artists are invited to submit artwork in the format of adigital postcard responding to the theme Postcards from the Home, drawing ontheir experiences and emotions connected to home isolation during COVID-19.Click here for more information

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The Forest High School135 Frenchs Forest RoadFrenchs Forest NSW 2086t. 02 9451 5111f. 02 9975 3293e. theforest-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au