Coming Events Week 2 (B) Beginning Monday 3rd February 7.2.14 School Photos Yrs 7, 8, and 9

7.2.14 UOW Discovery Day for Yr 12 students

Week 3 (A) Beginning Monday 10th February 10.2.14 School Photos Years 10, 11, 12, SRC,

Families and Groups

10.2.14 Korean Homestay Visit begins for the next 10 days

11.2.14 HSC Drama Excursion – Ruby Moon

13.2.14 Excursion to Kiama and Illawarra Fly for Korean students and homestay billets

14.2.14 School Swimming Carnival at Western Suburbs Pool

Week 4 (B) Beginning Monday 17th February 17.2.14 Year 12 VET Work Placement week

commences

18.2.14 Excursion to Symbio Wildlife Park for Korean students and homestay billets

19.2.14 Excursion to Jamberoo Action Park for Korean students and homestay billets

21.2.14 Zone Swimming Carnival – Corrimal Pool

Welcome to our newly appointed staff:

- Ms Deborah Steel, Head Teacher, Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) - Ms Vanessa Glasgow, Head Teacher, Teaching and Learning - Ms Libby Monro, teacher Special Education - Ms Lynn Hall, School Learning Support Officer - Ms Abbey Munro, teacher English (commencing 21 February) - Ms Mary Idziak, school counsellor Congratulations to Ms Jenny English, Head teacher Science who has been seconded to DEC Warilla Office as relieving Teacher Quality Officer for Term 1, 2014. Mr Ben Hudson will be relieving Head Teacher Science.

Ms Gloria Roche, Head Teacher, Creative Arts is on leave and Ms Amanda Buxton is relieving Head Teacher, Creative Arts. Ms Karran Williamson, Head Teacher Secondary Studies remains seconded to Five Islands Secondary College and Ms Julie Liddle is relieving Head Teacher Secondary Studies for 2014.

These teachers will be employed for teaching blocks at various times throughout Term 1: Ms Carolyn Meleka - Science, Ms Natalie Green - Visual Art, Ms Eve Schroder - Music and Mr Loucas Kyriacou - Special Education and Ms Natalie Tomic – Science.

The Australian Curriculum has been implemented in the areas of; English, Mathematics, Science and History for Stages 4 and 5. The staff at Figtree High School will continue to undertake professional learning in the implementation of the new syllabus documents throughout 2014.

There will be a Curriculum Network Illawarra Staff Development Day Term 2 that will provide the opportunity for staff from across the Illawarra to meet and cooperatively develop and discuss curriculum and programs.

I look forward to meeting and/or speaking with parents and community members in 2014.

Carol Marshman Principal

2 Gibsons Road, Figtree NSW 2525 Ph: 4271 2787 Fax: 4271 6626 Email: figtree-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

During the last six months of 2013 I had the opportunity to relieve as Director NSW Public Schools Wollongong Network. It was a very rewarding position and I was honoured to work with the many talented and dedicated educationalists in the Illawarra.

Ms Debbie Lowe is the substantive Director NSW Public Schools Wollongong North Network commencing in 2014. Ms Lowe will be located at the DEC Warilla Office. I welcome her expertise, advice and input into educational matters related to Figtree High School.

It has been a very smooth organisational start to 2014. The students and staff have embraced the new school year with energy and enthusiasm.

Figtree High School – Core Values:

Respect, Safety and Learning

Respect – Interpersonal and online relationships At Figtree High School, we have clear expectations about student’s behaviour and explicitly teach and model behaviours that reinforce our core value of Respect. In all settings in our school environment, respect looks like; - Being tolerant of others - Accepting individual differences - Caring for self, others and the environment - Using appropriate language When students leave school at the end of the day, we continue to expect that students will make decisions and continue to interact with their peers in a way that is respectful. The online environment and social media provide challenges for young people. There are a range of social media applications (eg. Facebook, Snapchat, ask.fm, Instagram) where students can upload content, comment on other people’s posts, share content, connect with people that they don’t personally know and save content that other people post. There is a range of information on the internet to provide both young people and their parents with tips for living in a social media rich world. The following excerpt was taken from the Cyber Smart website; Know the basics of safe social networking - Limit your friend list – don’t friend random people - Protect your privacy – don’t share your password and set your profile to private - Your personal details are valuable – don’t share them - Protect your reputation – keep it clean and ask yourself: would you want others to see what you upload? - Be careful who you trust – a person can pretend to be someone they are not - Don’t use a webcam with people you do not know - Think before you post, chat, upload or download This is a fantastic site for both parents and young people and can be found at http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/

Safety – travelling to and from school Figtree High School is very fortunate to have traffic lights at the front entrance to ensure student safety for road crossings. Gibsons road is very busy with buses, cars and pedestrians, particularly at the end of the school day. Students who have to cross Gibsons road need to use the traffic lights at the front of the school. This ensures their own safety and the safety of other members of the school community. Parents are asked to remind their children about using this crossing and the risks involved in crossing the road by stepping out between parked cars and buses. Students who walk or ride home and travel south along the Princes Highway are also asked to cross the road at the traffic lights infront of the school instead of at the round-a-bout on the Princes Highway, which is very busy after school finishes.

Learning – packing the essentials for school A key for enhancing learning is ensuring that students are well organised for school. Students should have appropriate resources for each of their subjects and bring these for lessons. A pencil case with writing materials, calculator, ruler, highlighters, sharpener, scissors and glue are needed each day. Students should have an exercise book for each of their subjects, unless otherwise instructed from their teacher (eg. teacher supplies the learning workbook). Students need several copies of their school timetable – at least one for school and one for home. A diary to organise work requirements is needed, this enables both parents and students to monitor homework and assignment due dates, to reduce the chance of students losing assessment marks because of the late submission of set tasks. Technology tools are available to assist parents in supporting their child to enhance their learning and achievement at school. The Department of Education and Communities has a website for this purpose, http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au and the resources are in the free ‘schoolatoz’ app in the App store.

All students should be engaged in some form of homework throughout each school week, to improve their learning and achievement. This can be homework assigned by the teacher or ‘self directed’ homework, where a student reviews their understanding of a topic by reading through their school book and making summary or study notes on the particular topic to achieve to their potential and develop skills for lifelong learning.

Ellie Donovan Deputy Principal

Attendance Improves Student Learning

It has been fantastic to see our students return to school

with a healthy enthusiasm for the new school year. We

take this opportunity to remind parents that students are

expected to be at school for every day that the school is

open. Parents can apply for leave for their child if they

are sick, injured or need to attend a medical appointment.

If a student is late to school, needs to leave early or is

absent from school, parents/carers are required to

provide a note of explanation. The school has booklets for

this purpose available at the front office, Deputy

Principals and Year Advisors. These booklets were

distributed to students at the Year Assembly on their first

day this year.

Where possible, we ask that parents make appointments

for their children before or after school hours, so that

their learning is not interrupted. This also applies for

Wednesday afternoon sport sessions. The Department of

Education and Communities mandates that students

MUST attend and participate in sport, unless they are

granted an exemption, due to medical reasons. The

number of students requesting leave on a Wednesday

afternoon during sport time began to increase last year,

so we take this opportunity to remind parents that Sport

is a compulsory learning activity in the week that students

must attend on a regular basis.

The National Youth Science Forum

Two of our year 12 students, Savannah Reali and Michael

Valceski attended the National Youth Science Forum

(NYSF). This is a 12 day program aimed at inspiring and

encouraging Year 12 students wishing to pursue careers in

science. It gives students the opportunity to experience a

range of different science fields through lab visits, lectures

and debates on global scientific issues.

A snapshot from Savannah Reali: As far as science goes,

as part of the chemistry group, I found myself gaining

knowledge and experience in a range of different areas of

chemistry, and conducting engaging experiments such as

blueprinting, making slime and liquid nitrogen ice cream!

As well as the lab visits; we had forums on areas like

decomposition chemistry,

climate change, nanotechnology and zoology, to name a

few. However the NYSF is not entirely science orientated,

with activities such as cultural site visits, bush dancing

and the concert designed for leisure and getting to

know each other. Living with 150 people from all over

Australia and the world can have its difficulties. But

for me, it is this mix of talents, abilities and

personalities I will miss the most.

A snapshot from Michael Valceski: What I can definitely

say about NYSF without a doubt is that it was the best

experience of my life! It was so much fun and a real life-

altering experience! I learnt so many valuable lessons. I

particularly learnt to be passionate in whatever I do, and

that if I’m passionate, I’ll always find a way to achieve it

in the end. I also learnt really useful life skills such a

public speaking, body language, organisation and

leadership skills.

I also had such a wonderful time meeting so many new

people there, including some of the best scientists in the

country! I’m certain that I have made friends for life!

What’s more, is that I got to do so many fun activities

like a bush dance, a disco, a concert, and even two

dinners with Rotarians (from Rotary Australia) and

scientists! Between that, and going to see real science

labs, having a live video conference with a major

scientist at CERN Switzerland, seeing images of the Mars

Rover at the NASA Deep Space Communication’s Centre

in Canberra, and going on a real fossil hunt (I even got to

keep some fossils), I had an amazing time being with so

many like-minded people.

Project Unite – A Wests Illawarra and WAVE FM

Community Initiative

Wests Illawarra Leagues Club coordinate the Project Unite -

Youth Achievement Awards. The nominations for these

awards are now open. Nominations for these awards are

completed online by young people. The school is happy to

provide support to any student who is interested in

nominating for one of the 5 award categories. There are 5

award categories;

- Citizenship

- Academic Excellence

- Achievement in the Arts and Digital Media

- Special Achievement

- Sports Achievement

We have a number of students who have excelled in these

areas in 2013 and would like to see our students

recognised at the Youth Achievement Awards 2014 Gala

Dinner Presentation on Friday 28th March. In 2013, two of

our Year 10 students, Rachel Watson and Amy Pryor were

recognised, with Rachel Watson winning the

Encouragement award for Achievement in the Arts and

Digital Media.

Don’t miss out on your chance to win your share in over

$20 000 worth of cash and prizes! Apply now for this years

Wests Illawarra WAVE FM Youth Achievement Awards by

going to www.westsillawarra.com.au , clicking on ‘Project

Unite’ and then the “Youth Achievement Awards’. The

nominations close on Friday 14th February.

It would be fantastic for our students to be recognised

for their outstanding achievements in 2013 within our

broader school community. If parents or students

would like further information or support from the

school to nominate for these awards, please contact

your child’s Year Adviser or Deputy Principal.

Do we have your current contact details?

Have you moved? Changed phone numbers? New email address?

It is important that the school has the correct contact details for parents/carers of our students, this includes Emergency Contacts. If you have changed your address, phone number or email address, or your Emergency Contacts details please let us know. You will find a “Change of Personal Details” form on the last page of this newsletter. Please complete this form if any of your details have changed, and either have your child return it to the office, or email this form to the school email address: figtree-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

PBS VALUES

WEEK 3: RESPECT

When entering and leaving the school, obey

community rules and laws.

WEEK 4: LEARNING

Be an active listener during assembly

School Uniform The school has two suppliers for our School Uniform, Lowes at Westfield Figtree and Poppets Direct, who have a warehouse outlet in Montague Street, Fairy Meadow and the Crystal Bears Store in Dapto Mall. Girls have the option to wear the school skirt or our approved school shorts. The school uniform shorts for girls are mid-thigh length, plain navy, with no logos, pleats or cuffs. Our uniform suppliers have our girl’s shorts in stock. We seek our parents support in ensuring that girls are wearing the approved school uniform shorts. If a student is out of uniform, they need to provide a note from a parent/carer to explain why they are unable to wear their correct uniform. If you require assistance with uniforms, please contact Mrs Borst at the school.

Junior Students Senior Students

Footwear Our school uniform includes ALL BLACK fully enclosed leather, leatherette or suede shoes. This is to ensure that students meet the appropriate Work Health and Safety requirements while they are at school. On Wednesdays, students are able to wear their sports shoes to school, but must ensure that they have their fully enclosed leather, leatherette or suede shoes if students have a practical based lesson (Science/ TAS/Visual Arts) during the day.

Roll Call Teachers and Supervising Head Teachers

monitor student’s uniform each morning.

Holiday Sporting Success for Figtree HS

Dylan Rower from Year 10 was selected in the Country NSW U16 baseball team last year and after many months of training and trial games, the team played in the National Youth Championships in Blacktown in January. Dylan’s team WON the National Championships, beating the favoured NSW City Team. Congratulations Dylan!

Daniel Pelaez from Year 9 was recently recognised for his outstanding achievements in Gymnastics in 2013. Daniel was one of only four boys nominated for the NSW Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Junior Levels Athlete of the Year. Congratulations Daniel !

Congratulations to Caitlin Smith from Year 10 who recently swam at the NSW State Age Swimming Championships, competing in 15 races and swimming in 8 finals. Caitlin finished 5th in the 400m and 800m freestyle, swam 8 personal best times in individual events, and she qualified for the Australian Age Swimming Championships to be held in Sydney in April. Congratulations to Wesley Roberts from Year 12 who also swam at the NSW State Age Swimming Championships, competing in 8 races and swimming in 4 finals. Wes finished 9th in the 200m and 400m freestyle, swam 6 personal best times in individual events, and he qualified for the Australian Age Swimming Championships in April. Congratulations to Jason Vugrek from Year 7 who swam at the NSW State Age Swimming Championships, competing in 5 races. Jason swam 2 personal best times in individual events. Congratulations to Jade Gray from Year 8 and Daniel Gray from Year 7 who both swam at the NSW State Age Swimming Championships in three relay teams for Wests Illawarra Aquatic, including their age and an open relay. Congratulations to Lachlan Nardone from Year 9 who participated in the Flying Ants Schiff National Sailing Championships held at the Port Melbourne Yacht Club on 4 – 9th January, 2014. Lachlan won this event and is now the Australian National Champion. Congratulations to our HSIE Teacher Mr Joseph who recently swam in the Cole Classic 2km swim from Manly to Shelly Beach. Mr Joseph finished 3rd in his age category. With some local ocean swims coming up over the next few months, we wish Mr Joseph every success in future ocean swim events.

School Sport

Welcome back to another year at Figtree High School.

Last year was a very successful year for us in terms of

sporting achievements. This year we hope to continue

and improve on this success.

Over the Christmas break we had a number of students

compete in a variety of sporting activities. We would love

to hear about all our student’s achievements, so please

feel free to send us an email and we will include it in our

newsletter so that we can celebrate our student’s success

within our school community.

This term is a very busy term in regards to South Coast

trials. If your son/daughter wishes to take part in these

trials they must see Mrs Markham in the PE staffroom to

be given the permission notes and information. In weeks

2 and 3 we have the following trials

Girls Tennis

Boys Baseball

Girls Basketball

15 years boys tennis

Volleyball

Boys Basketball

In week 4 the following trials are

Open boys tennis

15 years touch.

Summer School sport started on Wednesday the 5th

February and will continue for all of term 1.

I would like to remind parents and students that

Wednesday afternoon sport is compulsory. If an

appointment is necessary on a Wednesday afternoon

please follow the regular school pass out processes.

Parents are asked to make appointments outside of

school hours whenever possible.

Due to the logistics of organising school sport and the

ongoing cost of buses, if a student has 2 early leave

passes or absences on a Wednesday they may be

required to select a school based activity.

Ms Tanya Markham Sports Organiser

FIGTREE HIGH SCHOOL SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Attendance:

It is compulsory for all ( Years 7-12) students to attend the carnival

All students who have passed the Aquatic Skills test must enter a minimum of 2 events.

When: Friday 14th February, 2014 Where: Western Suburbs Pool Time: 8.40am – 2.40pm Information:

Students make their own way to the pool and need to wait outside the pool until directed in by Figtree High School Staff.

Roll Call will be at the pool at 8.40am.

Students will be dismissed from the pool at 2.40pm (this allows time for students to return to school to catch normal buses). There will be no teacher supervision of students returning to school.

Students are not required to wear school uniform but must wear sensible clothing for the conditions. It is strongly advised to wear a hat and bring sunscreen.

The canteen will be available at the pool.

The carnival will go ahead even if it is raining.

There will be NO ‘Free Swimming’ time and NO ball games will be allowed on the grassed areas.

Early Departure Pass Outs will not be issued on the day. Students needing to leave early must obtain permission from their Deputy Principal prior to Friday 14th February, 2014.

Sport Uniform

The school sport uniform is available through the school. Students pay for their uniform at the office and take their receipt to the PE staffroom to collect their uniform. Shirts - $33.00 Shorts - $22.00 Hats - $12.00

University of Wollongong (UOW) Discovery Day 2014

Discovery Day at the University of Wollongong will be held on Friday 7th February for Figtree High students. Over 70 of our Year 12 students will be attending and each student will be given the opportunity to see what it’s like to be a University student by attending seminars, lectures and enjoying some social activities. The feedback I have received from past Year 12 students was very positive and many have indicated a preference for The University of Wollongong for study. All students who are attending the day are to arrive at UOW by 8.45am on Friday so that registration can run smoothly. Registration is in the University Hall and students should register by their last name. They will be given their timetable at registration. The timetables have been made according to their original ‘sign up’ online. Parking is on the other side of the campus in the South Western or Western carparks. Allow 10 mins to walk across to the University Hall. Students should bring sunscreen, a hat and their lunch – or money to buy lunch from the food outlets on campus (and, probably an umbrella just in case!). Mr Sargent-Wilson TVET STUDENTS This year has seen a marked increase in the numbers of students who are undertaking vocationally orientated courses at TAFE. We currently have 17 Year 12 students and 35 Year 11 students studying a range of subjects from Beauty Therapy and Hairdressing to Plumbing, Animal Care, Child Studies, Games Design, Electrotechnology and Construction to name a few. I would remind our parents of students undertaking these courses that regular attendance is vital and that TAFE will inform the school of any student who is not fulfilling their responsibility in this regard. All TVET students have been given a TAFE I.D. card and are expected to follow the strict guidelines of signing in and out of the school as they move off to the various TAFE campuses throughout the Illawarra.

I hope all our TVET students have a very positive experience and enjoy the courses being studied. Mr Sargent –Wilson STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL (SRC) -2014 The elections for 2014 SRC Representatives,

Captains and Executive were held at school last

year. All candidates gave thoughtful speeches and

should be congratulated on their efforts. It is

gratifying to see so many students being willing to

take on these positions of leadership within the

school. The position of student leader is a very

important one. Student leaders must be friendly,

helpful and hardworking. They must be able to

speak confidently and be courteous to school

visitors and assist with assemblies, on special

occasions and at SRC meetings. Above all they must

demonstrate pride in themselves and their school,

lead by example and always give their best efforts

in school work and behaviour.

The SRC representatives for 2014 are: Year 8 Payton Williams, Jemma Gourlay, Jayden Brown & Rory Benuik Year 9 Heather Oakley, Taranom Rahmani, Xoese Attipoe & Ebony Tasker Year 10 Jessica Jauleska, Victoria Liddle, Stephanie Black & Matthew MacGregor Year 11 Ben Kuzman, Elsie Croker, Amy Pryor, Jason Rees, Bainous Dumbaya Presidents – Jelena Zaric & Daniel Lucas Treasurer – Karlee McNamara Secretary – Chloe Jovanovska Year 12 Andrew Bailey, Sarah Bailey, Georgia Clark, Marina Borovickic & Brad Heino Captains –Cassandra Kelly & Mitchell Ivaneza A special induction ceremony will be held early in Term 1.

P&C News

Just a friendly reminder that the next P&C

meeting will be held in the Library on

Wednesday 26th at 7.30pm.

If you have any topics or questions for the

P&C committee to discuss, please feel free

to come along. All parents/carers are

welcome.

In order to plan for the future endeavours of the Figtree High School SRC, a planning day will be held which takes SRC members out of class for one day to the University of Wollongong. A morning tea and lunch will be provided for the students. Students will have the opportunity to hear from prominent leaders from within our local community as well as co-ordinate and plan SRC activities for 2014. Mr Sargent-Wilson

REMINDER TO ALL PARENTS/CARERS The staff car park is not to be used as a “drop off zone” for parents/carers during school hours. This is a safety issue for all staff and students. Please do not park in the Emergency Access Area as this is reserved for the use of emergency vehicles only. Please do not park in the 2 car spaces marked with the Disabled symbol unless you have an authorised Disabled Parking Permit. We would appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC

INFORMATION

P&C News

Just a friendly reminder that the next P&C

meeting is on in the Library on Wednesday

26th February, 2014 at 7.30pm.

If you have any topics or questions for the

P&C Committee, please come along and

have a chat. All parents are welcome.

WESTS NETBALL CLUB

REGISTRATION DAY

SATURDAY 8TH FEBRUARY 2014

WESTS ILLAWARRA LEAGUES

CLUB

AGES – 5 YEARS AND UP

SALE OF PHOTOCOPIERS BY TENDER

Deal 1-Fuji Xerox ApeosPort-II 4000. 1 x photocopier. Printed 2.4 million copies. Black

and White only. Finisher, 15,000 staples. 2x

Waste toner drum. 1x Toner cartridge.

Deal 2-Fuji Xerox ApeosPort-II 4000. 1 x photocopier. Printed 1.4 million copies. Black

and White only. Finisher, 10,000 staples. 1x

Waste toner drum. 1x Toner cartridge.

Please email the school at:

figtree-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au with subject of

“Photocopier Sale” for further details. KOREAN VISIT INFORMATION Next Monday, 10 February 2014, we welcome 12

students and Mrs Seo from JeJu National University

Middle School in Korea who are joining us for 10 days

at our school. Each year we look forward to their visit

and hope that this year students from both schools

will enjoy the experience. I would like to thank the

students and families who are billeting students and

recognise their support of this valuable whole school

program. This is a great opportunity to broaden their

horizons and share their lives with these students.

Stay tuned for more news of our adventures in the

next bulletin.

Mrs Smith

HT TAS

Homestay Coordinator

SALE OF COFFEE MACHINE BY TENDER

Futuremat Espresso Coffee

Machine – 2 group head, 2 wand. Stainless

Steel in good condition. In good operating order

with 3 group handles.

All enquiries: email the school attention: Cathy

Smith HT TAS figtree-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

for more information.

WESTS NETBALL CLUB

REGISTRATION DAY

SATURDAY 8TH FEBRUARY 2014

10.00AM – 2.00PM

WESTS ILLAWARRA LEAGUES

CLUB

AGES – 5 YEARS AND UP

Figtree High School Gibsons Road, Figtree, 2525.

Phone 42712787 Fax 42716626

Change of:

ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBERS, MOBILE NUMBERS, EMERGENCY CONTACTS

If you have had a change to any of the above, would you please write your new details below.

Return to the office as soon as possible so our information is up-to-date.

Thank you

Student’s Name