Rutherford Technology

High School 9 March, 2012

Email: rutherford-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au www.rutherfordhs.nsw.edu.au

Telephone: 02 49325 999 Fax: 02 4932 8166

C A L E N D A R

5 - 9 March

PSP Survey Week

13 March

AECG meeting at Woodberry Public School at 4 pm

14 March

Year 10 workshop ‘Hands Up Not Out’

20 March

P & C Meeting 6:30 pm Common Room

28 March

Year 10 Charter Signing 9:30 am

4 April

Internet Safety Presentation 5:30 pm - 7 pm in MPC

LOOK WHO’S TALKING...

The February meeting of Maitland Library’s “Look Who’s Talking” program took place at Maitland Gaol and focused on Maitland’s long history of floods. Rutherford Technology High School Year 11 students Alex Varley and Phoebe Ferguson were invited to provide a student viewpoint on the 2007 floods. Both Alex and Phoebe had a vivid recall of the day that the Pasha Bulka was grounded on Newcastle beach and the Hunter River in Maitland came so very close to flooding. Both girls were in Year 6 at primary school at the time and entertained those present with their recollections. All presentations were recorded as part of the Maitland Hunter River Oral History, including Alex and Phoebe and other Maitland people who spoke about their memories of the 1955 and 1971 floods. MC for the “Look Who’s Talking” presentation was Philip Ashley-Brown, Local Radio Manager and Manager Online for 1233 ABC Newcastle.

PSP SURVEY - YEAR 7 AND YEAR 8

The PSP survey forms were all due back by Friday 9 March, a big thank you to the families that have returned theirs. We still have a number of forms outstanding and it is essential that we receive all of the surveys as this determines whether or not Rutherford Technology High School will receive PSP funding from 2012 – 2016. If you have not already done so, could you please ensure that you complete the survey and have your child return it to the school ASAP. Thank you.

EXECUTIVE REPORT

As this is my first newsletter for the year I would like to welcome all new parents to our school. This year I will be the Year 8, 10 & 12 Deputy and it is nice to welcome all of our students back to school ready for a new learning experience. These years are important years as they end Stages 4, 5 & 6 respectively in their learning. Year 8 is where the students start to socialize. They have adapted to the school environment and are no longer the babies of the school. This often means that many can lose their focus on their studies. Their levels of literacy and numeracy are important to determine future success in higher years and Mums & Dads should encourage reading every day and non-calculator maths. Year 10 used to conclude with the ‘School Certificate’. At this point in time what happens now is still being determined but here is the latest news:

RESPECT

RESPONSIBILITY

COMMITMENT

Office Opening Hours

Please be aware the office is open on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm and on Tuesday between 8:00 am and 2:30 pm. Outside office hours a message may be left on the school answering machine. Parents and caregivers are reminded an appointment is necessary before meeting with teachers as they have class, playground duty and other commitments during the school day.

Alex Varley and Phoebe Ferguson with Philip Ashley-Brown (ABC Radio)

The Hon Adrian Piccoli MP Minister for Education MEDIA RELEASE - Thursday 16 February 2012 RECORD OF SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT TO REPLACE SCHOOL CERTIFICATE

NSW Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli today visited Concord High School with the Member for Drummoyne John Sidoti MP, to announce that he will introduce legislation to create the Record of School Achievement (RoSA), a credential for students leaving school prior to receiving their HSC. “In August last year I announced that the School Certificate would be abolished,” Mr Piccoli said. “The introduction of the RoSA represents the most significant change to secondary schooling in over a decade and will replace a credential first introduced in 1965.” Fully implemented the RoSA will: Be a record of the full range of student achievements right up to the day they do their HSC or leave school Provide an electronic record of achievements that students can use at any time Use assessment by teachers in schools, moderated by the Board of Studies NSW to ensure reliability and

fairness of grades Provide the capacity to record vocational courses and students’ vocational experiences as well as citizenship

and leadership achievements such as First Aid courses, community languages courses and Duke of Edinburgh awards

Offer online literacy and numeracy tests, with particular emphasis on work readiness, that students will be able to undertake twice a year from next year.

“Much has changed since 1965, and students want up-to-date information on their school achievements at the point that they need it,” said Mr Piccoli. “The RoSA will be available electronically and as a verifiable hard copy on demand with the most up-to-date information on a student’s achievement, across all subjects and a range of extra-curricular activities. “The Board of Studies NSW has consulted widely with the teaching and broader community to ensure the RoSA balances the need to encourage students to stay at school for their HSC, while still offering a meaningful credential to those who choose to leave earlier.” Mr Piccoli said the formal RoSA credential would be awarded to eligible students who choose to leave school prior to receiving their HSC, while still allowing students to view and download a transcript of their achievements when applying for jobs or further education or training. Further details on implementation will be provided by the Board of Studies NSW throughout 2012. RoSA KEY FACTS

Who will get it?

Students will need to have completed the mandatory requirements for Stage 5 (Year 10) to be eligible for a RoSA. Those eligible students who choose to leave school prior to receiving their HSC, will receive a RoSA. When will they get it?

A RoSA will only be provided to those eligible students who choose to leave school prior to receiving their HSC. What will it show?

A RoSA will show grades for all the courses a student has completed up until the point they leave school – including those completed in Year 10, Year 11 and Year 12. Why give grades?

Grading is a way of showing a student’s level of achievement in a course in a way that can be compared fairly between individual students. Giving grades in courses completed after year 10 will also mean that every student receives acknowledgement for all the work they have done, right up to the time they leave school. How will students get grades?

A to E grades are currently awarded for courses completed in Year 10. That same system will now be extended to include courses completed after Year 10 as well (up to the time a student receives an HSC result). Students will be required to submit assessment tasks as delivered by their schools. Teachers will then use marks from those assessments to allocate a grade for each student at the end of the course. Teachers will submit those grades to the Board of Studies NSW for inclusion on the RoSA if required.

How can we be sure that grades are awarded consistently?

It is important for students, parents and employers that grades are awarded consistently. Teachers already have a strong level of professional judgement, and the Board of Studies NSW will support that further by providing workshops and online resources, including student work samples. Why offer literacy/numeracy tests?

Parents and employers in particular are increasingly interested in having a clear affirmation of a student’s fundamental levels of literacy and numeracy. This measure will help provide valuable information to an employer when they are considering job candidates who have not completed their HSC. The literacy/numeracy tests will also help students, parents and teachers determine if a student needs particular support in an area, or form the basis of further discussion about whether a student is ready to leave school. The Hon Adrian Piccoli MP Minister for Education MEDIA RELEASE

How will literacy/numeracy tests be developed and delivered?

The Board of Studies NSW will offer optional literacy/numeracy tests. The tests will be delivered online and information will be provided to schools about supervision of the tests.

Schools will be asked to provide two „windows‟ each school year in which students could sit the tests. Students will only be able to sit the test one time in each window, however they can sit the test again in a new window should they decide to remain at school. If a student does sit the test more than once, it will be the results from their most recent test that will be applicable when they leave school. Why record extra-curricular activities?

Increasingly, parents, students, employers and providers of further education are looking at more than a student’s level of academic attainment. This information can help form a more comprehensive picture of a student’s interests, commitments and achievements in areas other than school. How will extra-curricular activities be recorded?

The Board of Studies NSW will develop a tool that will allow a student to capture and consolidate evidence of extra-curricular activities. This tool will be developed and piloted in schools in 2012. It is intended that, certainly in the early stages, the tool will focus on activities that already have an authentication framework. This will make it easier for employers and others to be sure that the achievements recorded are correct. Activities widely available that already have authentication include: life-saving and first aid qualifications, VET courses, AMEB certification and the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. This sounds like the students will be working hard and it’s also good to remember that a student’s attendance and teacher’s report comments are now very important as many future employers will ask to see a student’s Year 10 reports. Year 12 ends the Higher School Certificate and only runs for three terms this year. This means Half Yearlies are just around the corner and final exams are at the start of term 4. This will be stressful and some students will not complete this course for a variety of reasons. Parents need to be supportive, flexible, patient and adaptive to survive this process. However it is important to realise that students do have time to have a life and study as well. Finding the balance is the problem. Research shows that the earlier the student establishes a study program the better they perform in all aspects and the more relaxed they become. Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)

Over the past 6 weeks our students have been awarded 697 positive commendations. Students in Years 7-10 are undertaking PBL lessons each fortnight with focuses on RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY and COMMITMENT. A key part of PBL is celebrating the positives in school, each week at our Monday assembly students are receiving merit certificates and students are performing musical/drama items. Formal assemblies will be held each term to recognise student effort. One of the school focuses this year is on students wearing full school uniform, correct shoes and getting to school each day and being on time. Teachers work hard with parents to develop students’ attitudes and manners which reflect good behaviour. Our aim is to be the best school in the region producing the best results and we ask all parents for their support in obtaining these aims. The last few years HSC results, SC and NAPLAN results have certainly put us well along the road to reach these goals. This year, as in past years, we encourage parents to join the P&C and actively support the school and help out in the school canteen. If you have any queries or issues please contact the school at any time to make an appointment with the appropriate person - Simone Hughes - Deputy Principal

Year 10 Japanese日本語のクラス– Cooking Lesson

This year I am fortunate enough to be teaching one of the nicest groups of RTHS students in Year 10. As a reward for their hard work so far this year, students were given an opportunity to cook a Japanese meal, すきやき (Sukiyaki).

Sukiyaki is an extremely healthy meal full of protein and vegetables and served with ごはん (rice). The class seemed to have as much fun preparing and cooking the food as they did eating it, as you can see by the photo.

Of course only chopsticks were available to eat the food, so those who were a little unsure of how to use them learned pretty quickly as their hunger pains kicked in.

Students were also able to make themselves おにぎり (onigiri) which are Japanese rice balls. The drink of the day was green tea, and everyone in the class seemed to develop a taste for it fairly quickly.

A good time was had by all ‘たのしかった’. I’d like to say ありがとうございます

(thank you) to all Year 10 Japanese students for their continuing dedication to their Japanese studies in 2012.

ビビアン ホジェス - Mrs. Vivian Hodges, Language Teacher

ATTENDANCE - “IT’S NOT OK TO BE AWAY”

PARENT CONDONED ABSENCES A considerable number of students across Australia have their educational progress adversely affected by parent condoned absences. These absences are more often than not, unnecessary and for reasons fairly low on the ‘important to my future’ scale. Once it was the case, that students only missed school when they were genuinely ill, but now that has changed. Students are being allowed to stay away from school for an ever increasing number of excuses including: • a day off for their birthday • a day or days off because relatives are visiting • a day off to be with parents at home • a day off to look after younger brothers and sisters, or • a day off to go shopping. Every day a student is away, they are losing a learning experience. Over time, their knowledge base will be full of holes. Learning is sequential and attending three out of four lessons leaves gaping holes. To reach their potential at school, students need to attend regularly. A few days off per year due to genuine illness may be necessary. However a sobering fact is that in Australia today, the average student will lose one year of education (200 days) through parent condoned absences over their school career from Kindergarten to Year 12. How could any student be expected to keep up with work in such circumstances? As parents you have a critical role to play in protecting your own child’s future. Absences can be minimised by arranging dental and doctor’s appointments after school or during the holidays – book ahead for school holidays later in the year. Shopping, helping at home, and visiting relatives may all seem important at the time – but not as important as a person’s future. Parents and the school need to work together to help students to understand the importance of being at school whenever possible and that trivial reasons for absence are not sufficient to discharge a parents’ legal responsibilities. Schools and parents have a legal responsibility to account for the whereabouts of young people daily (and in the evenings as well). After love and care, the most important thing that we as parents can give our children is an education. We all can work together to make a difference to your child’s future. Be on time, be at school, that’s the rule! Should you require support regarding your child’s attendance please contact me on 4932 5999. Kylie Fabri - Head Teacher Student Welfare. YEAR 12 REPORT

Time races on and we are halfway through Term 1. Students have many demands on their time and when they say “I have nothing to do”, I tell them to read through their work, i.e. study. They must have the information and skills to answer the questions in their minds. We have obtained 50 free Excel Survival Guides which have been made available to the students. They may assist the students in further refining their time management techniques and stress management processes. Photos from mid Year 10 until now have been made available for students to copy and keep. These will be added to, with events such as Easter and the Athletics Carnival. Random photos of routine school life will also be added. They now have the ability to plan their farewell assembly - long before the last minute. A motivational speaker has been booked, Band 6 strategies have been implemented and the study day at Singleton has been planned. I urge the students to take advantage of each opportunity. Finally a reminder – please pay for subject fees, lockers and tea/coffee/Milo facilities etc. and do not wait until the last minute. It will increase my ability to plan and implement the best possible year for Year 12. Kevin McMullen - Year 12 Advisor

7I WORKING ON A LITERACY PROGRAM CALLED “READING EGGS”

Quotable Quotes from 7I about ‘Reading Eggs’

Dylan: “ ‘Reading Eggs’ is good because I learn things like how to read and listen to what is being said.” Kane: “ ‘Reading Eggs’ is fun because I get to learn while I’m playing games.” Jimmy: “ ‘Reading Eggs’ is ‘delighting’ – (a new word made up by Jimmy and to him means ‘good taste’) because I like earning eggs so I can buy an avatar.” Connor: “ ‘Reading Eggs’ is good because I get to do heaps of cool things and to choose a profile and make an avatar.” Niklas: “ ‘Reading Eggs’ is fun because I’m learning lots about reading and I can change my avatar.” Tristan: “ ‘Reading Eggs’ is great for learning skills because there is great stuff to do like reading books and guessing words.” Johan: “ ‘Reading Eggs’ is good because I have to do a lesson to earn eggs and then I can play games and upgrade my avatar.” Cameron:“ ‘Reading Eggs’ is good because it teaches me how to spell and every time I do it I get eggs for a prize, so I can upgrade my avatar and buy stuff for my house.”

INTERNET SAFETY AWARENESS - PRESENTATION FOR PARENTS

Wednesday 4 April 2012 from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm in the School Hall (Multi Purpose Centre) A ONCE OFF OPPORTUNITY IMPORTANT PRESENTATION FOR ALL STUDENTS, TEACHERS, STAFF AND PARENTS

As part of its Cybersmart Outreach program, the Australian Communications and Media Authority's offers internet safety awareness presentations for parents, students and teachers. The free presentations and workshops provide valuable information about the risks confronting children online and offer appropriate tools and strategies to help make their experiences safe and positive. They are easy to understand, thorough, non-technical and informative. The training team, consist of educational specialists who service schools from all sectors nationally. They cover a range of issues including: the ways children use the internet and emerging technologies potential risks faced by children when online such as cyberbullying, identity theft,

inappropriate contact and exposure to inappropriate content tips and strategies to help children stay safe online When: 4th April 2012 Where: School hall Who: Year 7 - 8 11.50am-1.10pm Year 9 – 10 2.05pm - 3.25pm Teachers/staff 3.45pm - 5pm (minimum number 25) Parents and local community members 5.30 – 7pm (minimum number 25) RSVP: Kylie Fabri (Head Teacher Student Welfare) by 29th March 2012 on school phone number:4932 5999 OR Email: kylie.fabri@det.nsw.edu.au VACCINATION PROGRAM FOR 2012

There will be three sessions of vaccination over the year on the following Wednesdays: Visit 1 - 14 March 2012

ALL Year 7 Students:

Varicella vaccine (chicken pox) for any student who hasn’t received a previous vaccine or had the disease (single dose for students up to the age of 14 years and two doses for students who have turned 14) Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) (dTpa) adult vaccine – as a single dose to all Year 7 students who have not received a previous dose. Year 7 FEMALE Students only:

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine – in a 3-dose schedule with 2 month gap between doses 1 & 2 and a 4 month gap between doses 2 & 3. Year 10 Students:

Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) (dTpa) adult vaccine – as a single dose to all year 10 students who have not received a previous dose. CONSENT FORMS – Issued through the Science Teachers of Year 7. Visit 2 - 13 June 2012 All Year 7 students Hepatitis B Dose 1 Year 7 FEMALE Students only: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Dose 2 Visit 3 - 10 October 2012 All Year 7 students Hepatitis B Dose 2 Year 7 FEMALE Students only: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Dose 3 If you have any queries than please contact Anne Young 4932 5999.

SECOND HAND UNIFORMS

Any school uniforms that are no longer required can be donated to the second hand uniform pool. These will greatly assist our needy students. Anne Young - Student Assistance Coordinator CROSSROADS (CHRISTIAN OUTREACH CENTRE) COMMUNITY COOPERATIVE

If you receive a pension or have a health care card and could use some help with food, Crossroads Community Cooperative offers a wide range of food items available at very low cost. Open Thursdays and Fridays 10am - 2pm at Unit 4/12-14 Johnson Street, Maitland (turn off Hospital roundabout at Hungry Jacks). For more information phone Pam l’Anson on 0423 693 849. MATHEMATICS HOMEWORK

Homework is very important in Mathematics. Students who complete their homework on a regular basis are much more successful than those that do not. Mathematics homework is an opportunity to practice the skills learnt in class, and like anything, the more you practice the better you get. Mathematics homework is given regularly at RTHS. What form it takes, is determined by individual teachers. However, every Mathematics teacher will: issue homework; check and record homework; provide feedback to students and contact parents/caregivers when necessary. Apart from set homework, it is also a very good idea for students to revise their school work regularly. This helps develop a good study routine and a positive work ethic. It is highly recommended that at the end of each school week, Mathematics students of all ages should ask themselves two questions: 1. Is all my work up to date and 2. Do I understand everything I was taught this week. If the answer is No – do something about it……. find the time, make the effort and above all ask for help (when needed). Please note that every student at RTHS has been provided with a Mathletics account which is used at school but can also be used extensively at home to consolidate class work and for extra tuition. THE BOTTOM LINE IS, IF HOMEWORK AND REVISION ARE TAKEN SERIOUSLY, RESULTS IN MATHEMATICS ASSESSMENT TASKS WILL IMPROVE. As parents, I ask you to be involved as much as possible and encourage your child to complete all homework on time. Working together, I know we can make a difference. Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s Mathematics teacher or myself if you have any questions or concerns regarding our homework policy. Craig Trotter - Head Teacher Mathematics.

WELFARE NEWSLETTER REPORT

Breakfast Club

We would like to remind parents we have an excellent Breakfast Club held every morning in Food Lab 2 every morning. It is free and available to all students. We are concerned at how many students are again, arriving at school with energy drinks such as “Mother” instead of having breakfast. Please encourage your child to eat breakfast rather than drinking energy drinks. If your child has forgotten their lunch they need to see their Year Advisor for assistance. Funding Support Meetings

Funding Support Review meetings will be occurring on 29 and 30 March 2012. The purpose of the review will be to look at strengths and weaknesses as well as goals for the rest of the year. At the end of last year we sent home Health Care Plans to be updated on our system. Please return your updated plan to the front office so we can ensure we undertake the correct action and care for your child. If your child has a health concern and you believe the school needs to have a plan in place please contact Louise Smailes to ensure we complete a plan and let staff know how to best accommodate your child’s needs.

Sam Cawthorn Presentation

On Tuesday 6 March, Year 11 and 12 were addressed by Sam Cawthorn, who was Young Australian of the Year in 2009 and motivates students by encouraging young people to make wise lifestyle choices. Sam talked about his decision to say ‘NO’ to destructive life style and poor friendship choices. After a severe car accident, which left him with serious internal injuries and the amputation of his right arm, Sam takes an upbeat attitude towards what he sees as positive outcomes from the accident. Sam gave a presentation that engaged, inspired our students to overcome challenges and any pre-conceived ideas that things are too hard or they can’t achieve. We are currently surveying Year 10 looking at choices for their future. From these surveys we will look at students who will do the Plan It Youth mentoring program. PARENTLINE NSW - 1300 130 052

We all know that parenting is challenging. Every parent struggles from time to time with every day issues or more complex ones. We know this, because we have spoken to almost 10,000 parents in the past twelve months. The State Government funded helpline, Parent Line NSW (managed by Catholic Care), provides a unique free support service to parents across NSW. Highly skilled professional counsellors are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week to take calls from parents and carers about any parenting issue, from tips on how to manage the morning routine, to concerns about distant adolescents, to complex challenges of living in blended families. It is the only free counselling service available to parents during any part of their parenting journey, at any time of the day or night, anywhere in NSW. It’s convenient because parents can call when it suits them, they don’t have to arrange child care to talk to a professional counsellor and they can call as many times as they need. We have a website for parents, carers and professionals ( www.parentline.org.au ) with a range of tip sheets for parents about contemporary issues facing families today, some parenting stories written by our counselling team that normalise parenting challenges and some links to other NSW wide services. TEENAGE BOYS

Living with Grunting Teenage Boys (excerpt taken from Parent Line website)

I live with two boys aged 14 and 17, a husband and 2 dogs. Actually I should say some days I live with them, other days we co-exist in the same house. It depends on whether they have had a run in with a teacher, not enough sleep, feel bored, are just feeling cranky or my husband and I have done something hideously embarrassing like saying more than “hello” to their friends. Let alone if my husband has made a joke!! Even though I had worked for many years counselling young people, it still surprised me that one day my boys turned from talkative family members full of love, excitement and respect for me, to 6 foot plus “rock stars” with underpants showing, fringes that covered most of their faces and ear phones permanently planted in both ears. Their chatter about the day had turned into guttural grunts and gestures that I had to learn how to interpret. I also had to become a detective to find out anything about what was going on in their lives. I have had to learn a whole new language. It isn’t just my boys who communicate like this. They also bring home others who dress like they do and communicate similarly. They have their own jokes and language and it is obvious that I am way too old and uncool to understand. It can be very easy to feel disheartened and to think that as a parent you don’t have a role any more (aside from providing practical assistance). It is easy to take their rejection personally. I hear it all the time from friends and clients. But let’s have a think about what it’s like for them. Growing up to become a young adult is difficult. They have to manage new relationships, responsibilities, feelings, new tasks and new roles. They also have to develop a new relationship with us parents. We most importantly have to lead the way there, and help them develop that new relationship. Letting go of control isn’t easy. Particularly if you’re not sure how hard they will crash and burn. One thing is certain, kids will grow into adolescents and adolescence is not easy. Another thing that is certain is that living with adolescents will force us to move on to the next phase of our lives.

RUTHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER - EMAIL DETAILS The Rutherford Technology High School newsletter is issued fortnightly via email. The newsletter contains important information for parents/families. To ensure that you receive your copy please advise your email address on the form below. If you prefer to have the newsletter mailed home to you, please let us know. The newsletter is also sent out to all student email accounts and is available via the school website at www.rutherford-h.schools.nsw.edu.au.

I would like to receive my copy of the school newsletter by: o Email o Normal Mail Student Name/s: ………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Parents/Carers Names: ………………………………………………………………………………………….

Please send my email copy of the school newsletter to the following email address:

………………………………………………………………………………………………...

(print email address clearly) Please return completed form to the Front office.

Here is some of the advice that has kept me going: Look for growth and development and comment on those (you may get the eye roll, but everyone, even a long-

fringed teenager wants to hear genuine praise) Don’t worry so much about the small stuff (messy rooms, how long their fringes are etc) If it isn’t working don’t keep doing it (try something different and unexpected) Enjoy the small moments of connection (sometimes is just the tone of the grunt or a “mum smells” comment with

a twinkle in their eye) Know that they will return to being “human” again one day (and it happens gradually as the adolescent hormone-

induced fog lifts off) Laugh loudly and often Create your own life and identity; it’s a process for parents as well Work together with your partner (or their other parent) in creating boundaries and flexibility within the boundaries

(being too strict or too accommodating doesn’t help) Pick your battles and also pick the times to have them (not when you are emotional or they are emotional, and

only when you have love in your voice and heart) This week my 14 year old decided that he would speak during dinner. He laughed at his fathers joke and even sat on the couch next to me and snuggled up whilst we watched TV. I have carried that with me all week. Yes, he was back to grunting this morning but I know that inside that growing adolescent body is my wonderful human being just trying to grow up. Having a chance to be present when the window opens and you see what’s inside is an honour and a treat. Louise Smailes, Kylie Fabri, Kris Turner (Head Teacher Welfare)

STS STUDENT EXCHANGE

Why host an exchange student?

STS Student Exchange are seeking typical Aussie families who are busy, friendly, interested in other cultures and willing to welcome an STS ex-change student into their family. Aussie families come from all walks of life and all cultural backgrounds, that’s what makes up our country. Our exchange students are keen to live in a typical Aussie family and join in your family lifestyle while going to the local high school. Therefore, we welcome all families willing to offer one of our exchange students a bed to sleep in, their meals each day and treat their host son or daughter as a member of their own family. Exchange students have their own spending, money and medical insurance. While your exchange student is

learning about Australian culture, your family members will learn about theirs. What a great way for your children to learn about another country. Call us today to start your adventure! 1800 263 964 or email us at stsf@people.net.au Website: www.sts-education.com.au STS Student Exchange, PO Box 666, Hornsby NSW 1630 ABN 35 095790177 STS is registered with the NSW Department of Education & Communities