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22nd May 2020

Telephone: 4932 5999 Fax: 4932 8166

Email: rutherford-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au Website: https://rutherford-h.schools.nsw.gov.au

http:www.facebook.com/RutherfordTechnologyHighSchool

RUTHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

For Your Calendar

25 May ALL Students Return to School

26 May White Card Course

27 May- National 3 June Reconciliation Week

8 June Public Holiday

Please be advised that due to COVID-19 School Distancing Measures a number of school

events have either been postponed until further notice

or cancelled.

RESPECT RESPONSIBILITY COMMITMENT

OFFICE OPENING HOURS

Please be aware the office is open Monday to Friday

between 8:00am and 4:00pm. 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.

The P&C AGM will be held 16th June 2020 at 6:00pm

in the interview room at the front office.

The June monthly meeting will follow the AGM

All welcome to attend.

In this Issue ….

-From the Deputy Principal -School Photos Information -Parent Guide: Return to Face-to Face Learning -Counsellor Corner -COVID Safe Transport Plan -LaST Helpful Hints -CANVAS Catch Up -Canteen Information -CAPA Faculty Report -RTHS P&C AGM -RTHS Mobile Phone Policy -Uniform Shop Price List -World’s Greatest Shave -School & Community News -Library News -RTHS Supporters

CAPTAINS MESSAGE Recently at Rutherford Technology High, just like every other school, city and country we all have been undergoing the dangerous Coronavirus (COVID-19). This is an unprecedented event that does not have many measures to keep our everyday life as normal as it once was. Students everyday lives have been majorly affected, from doing online classes, video conferences on Zoom/Microsoft Teams and now slowly coming back to school with each Year group coming in once a week apart from Year 12 which is coming in full-time (5 days a week). Being a Year 12 student in these unprecedented times is a very new thing to experience which everyone is slowly adjusting to. In my particular situation, it has been very tough to balance the online school work, work outside of school, family life and social life, but just like every other Year 12 student and other year group students, I would not be surprised if they are all experiencing similar things. As a reminder there is always help and support available in the Wellbeing/Support Staff. Not only the students have been affected by these tough times but the teachers have been just as affected, maybe even more affected. Being a part of the SRC, I would like to thank all teachers and working staff of Rutherford Technology High School on behalf of all the students for the efforts they have all put in to helping us study, work to the best of our ability and provide us students the best and possible education we can get with the resources available in this unprecedented time. We are all wondering what the future will bring us, but right now everything in NSW seems to be adjusting back to normal. We all hope it goes back to normal. Liam Donegan School Vice Captain

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RUTHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER - 22nd May 2020

FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL …… The school community has quickly adapted to the ever-changing circumstances of life during COVID-19. Our school has remained open during the whole experience and supported students who have been attending school, both at the end of Term 1 and start of Term 2. I must congratulate the wonderful staff at our school: ● Teaching staff on the support they have provided to our students; ● Front office staff have been wonderful in answering numerous calls from parents and answering their questions as well as greeting them at the front counter; and ● Cleaners have been continuously sanitising the school. As of next week, Week 5 we are all back at school. If there are health reasons why a student cannot attend then you need to provide a medical certificate for absences, as mandated by the NSW Government. A reminder that students need to be in the habit of arriving before the bell and in full school uniform. The school Uniform Shop has received supplies and is open at the usual times on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A number of parents have told us that their child has struggled with completing work online through Canvas. As this is important work and builds foundations for future topics we will be running Canvas Catch-up every morning from 8:00am–9:00am and four afternoons from 3:20pm–4:30pm commencing next week. The Homework Centre and Maths Tutoring start again next week as well. For further information, see the flyer in this newsletter as well as our official school Facebook page. Again, some of our teaching staff are giving up their time to support students. Ms Abbott will be supporting students in the Canvas Catch-up Program; Mr Connaughton will be running the Homework Centre and Mr Trotter will be running Maths Tutoring. The LaST teachers are currently conducting Minimum Standard testing with Year 10. All students need to sit a test in Reading, Writing and Numeracy and each of these is a 45 minute online test. The students that have completed their Reading test this week all achieved at least a Level 3 which means that they have achieved the Minimum Standard. This is very encouraging and will build confidence after the online learning experience. Any parents or students interested in reading about Minimum Standards can find information at https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/hsc/hsc-minimum-standard. Students can find practice online tests on this site as well. We have received many words of praise for the work that we have done during this difficult period, and this makes us proud and paints smiles on our faces. Times are still uncertain so please ask questions if in doubt and encourage your child to do the same.

Mrs Lidija Nenad Deputy Principal

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RUTHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER - 22nd May 2020

CANVAS CATCH-UP

Rutherford Technology High School would like to offer students the opportunity to catch up with any missed work from the lockdown period of schools. The Learning Common (school Library), Homework Centre and Maths Tutoring will all start from next week: Monday 25th May 2020 (Week 5).

▪ The Learning Common will be Open:

► Monday–Friday mornings between 8:00am–9:00am and

► After school from 3:20pm–4:30pm (except Fridays)

► These opening times will be for the remainder of Term 2 2020

▪ The Expectation of Students:

► Complete missed Canvas work from the COVID-19 lockdown period

► Students will enter the library during the designated times and sign in for attendance purposes

► Students will have access to a device, however, will be required to bring their usual equipment

of workbooks, stationary, calculators etc…

► Students will bring appropriate food and beverages to sustain concentration for the designated

time period

► Students are responsible for their own transportation home

Please Note:

● Homework Centre is on Wednesday afternoons from 3:20pm–4:00pm in the Learning Common

● Maths Tutoring is on Thursday afternoons 3:30pm–4:30pm in K111

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RUTHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER - 22nd May 2020

CAPA FACULTY REPORT The Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) Faculty is made up of Drama, Music, Photography, Visual Arts and Visual Design teaching areas. We currently have ten staff consisting of myself Ms Hornery–Head Teacher; Mr Delforce, Mr Doyle, Miss Leslie, Ms Sharp, Ms Galbraith, Mr Richards, Mr Fean and we are very pleased to welcome two new staff to our great team Ms Webb and Mr Baird. Our year started very busy with full steam ahead with work on Seussical the musical. Our Drama teacher Miss Leslie had spent countless hours preparing for this show. With a comprehensive rehearsal schedule for all actors, musicians and dancers we were all flat out at recess, lunchtime, Wednesday afternoons and even had our first Sunday rehearsal. It was with great disappointment then, that due to the COVID-19 Pandemic we could not rehearse from mid-March and therefore had to call it a day on our musical for 2020. Many thanks to all the students and staff who had been working tirelessly on this very fun but technical show. Both the actors and the band managed to learn all of Act 1 and the very promising performances from our leads and musicians made the decision to cancel even more disappointing. Many thanks to community members Mrs Leanne Scott, Mr Ryan Peters and Mr Ethan Meers who had come on board to be part of our band for the show. Highly successful Hunter business “National Music Academy” (NMA) has moved their mid-Hunter base into our school and were working out of the Music block from 4:00pm five days a week. A wide cross section of the com-munity having been coming into our school to get one on one tuition with professional musicians learning instru-ments like drums, guitar, voice, keyboard and even lessons in DJ are offered. At present, NMA have moved lessons to online but are looking forward to getting back to face to face tuition. A major focus for CAPA has been our Year 12 students. Many thanks to the students for continuing to engage with online lessons and then returning to school throughout the start of Term 2 to work on their projects. NESA has made significant changes to the presentation of HSC projects for this year. Visual Arts Body of Work has been granted a two week extension until September 14 and will be marked at school by their teacher. Drama students have had their Group Projects cancelled with other changes like the Individual Projects include the video drama no longer requires a final film product. Music students can not have performances with any ensembles and can only use one person as an accompanist or use backing tracks. Music had the privilege of having two practicum student teachers from Newcastle University come and work with us for one day a week for five weeks. Mr Ryan Peters and Mr Ethan Meers are both ex-students of Rutherford Technology High School, and it was fantastic to see the gentlemen keen to come back to our school and work with us. Both talented musicians and busy tutoring and playing in bands in their spare time, Ethan and Ryan were of great value to us in the time spent at the school. They had the chance to work with Year 12, Year 11, GATS classes, The School Band and TCAPA classes. Many thanks to the advice and support that was given to the students, and I am sure we will be seeing more of Ryan and Ethan in the future. Online learning has been new learning for most of us and has certainly been a steep learning curve to get on top of. As a practical subject it has been trying to find the appropriate technology to use. For those at home, it has been a great time to be creative and we have seen this in some of the work that students have been uploading to their teachers. Students have uploaded photos of lovely paintings and drawings for art and I have seen some very creative photographic works by students in the Targeted CAPA class. We continue to see some music students upload performances to the teachers on a variety of platforms including YouTube. Year 7 got to try out Microsoft Whiteboard as they start to learn about writing music. CAPA staff are keen to continue this technology momentum but as we move back to face to face teaching finding a balance between the two. May I say, that the staff are looking forward to getting students back into class to enjoy their practical work. R.T.BALD Portraiture Competition has not been forgotten. Mr Fean who is the convenor of this annual event has had many fine quality pieces from students from across all stages. This competition is usually judged at the end of Term 1, but due to the current situation, Mr Fean has moved the judging to the end of Term 2. Many thanks to all the talented students who have submitted works. We have some planned maintenance work taking place in the art and music areas. Students are asked to please be patient as we have work completed in the Dark Room, H3 and H5 are getting an upgrade and we are then hoping for the work to the Music Staffroom will be completed by the end of the July holidays. Ms Loretta Hornery Head Teacher CAPA

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RUTHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER - 22nd May 2020

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RUTHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER - 22nd May 2020

THE WORLD’S GREATEST SHAVE - 8th APRIL 2020 (also known as the day our HT Literacy and Numeracy lost her hair!!)

This year our Head Teacher Literacy and Numeracy - Mrs Alice Stutchbury, took the plunge and donated her luxurious locks to a great cause - fighting blood cancer. This insidious disease affects way too many Aussies. Every year 15,000 Australians are diagnosed with some form of blood cancer, this equates to 41 people every day or 1 person every 36 minutes. The Leukaemia Foundation aims to raise $16.5million in 2020 to help find a cure. So far, they have raised approx. $11 million. Mrs Stutchbury has raised $1,500 so far by shaving her head, howev-er this is not her end target. Mrs Stutchbury would love to see her target of $5,000 reached, this would mean that our Deputy Principal Mr Ben O’Leary will also undergo the shave, we would encourage everyone to donate (use the link below) so we can see the glory of the shiny, bald headed O’Leary! There is also the mid-way target of $3,000, this is where the gracious Ms Chris Crump from our PDHPE team would undergo the chop. Although Mrs Stutchbury is ecstatic about the amount raised so far, she would love to see the final target reached. Mrs Stutchbury donated her hair to be made into wigs for those undergoing chemotherapy. Mrs Stutchbury would like to thank all those who have supported her by donating to this great cause so far and thank those donating in the future and remember any donation over $2 is tax deductible. Donations will be collected until 30th June 2020: http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/rths Congratulations and well-done Mrs Stutchbury for participating in the 2020 Leukaemia Foundation’s World Greatest Shave. You can watch the video of the shave on our school’s Facebook page

Before After

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RUTHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER - 22nd May 2020

Go to http://rths.wheelers.co/ Students will need to sign in with their usual DET login.

Students can borrow two books at a time with a two week loan period.

Students are also able to reserve books if required.

If you finish the book before the two weeks you are able to return the book allowing you to choose another book.

Premier’s Reading Challenge books are listed making it easier for students to access and participate. 20 books need to be read from September 2019 to August 2020.

If you have trouble reading and are interested in accessing these ebooks please contact Ms Abbott in the school library or look at the video guide (click the link below) for more information:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12D5_Zkka0wfJgiMZSJagvG68zperDFvq/view?usp=sharing There is over 2000 books to access.

Enjoy Reading! Ms Abbott Teacher Librarian

NEWS

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RUTHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER - 22nd May 2020

SCHOOL PHOTOS

School Photo Day has been rescheduled for

FRIDAY 7th AUGUST 2020

The school dress code for photos is full school uniform with NO visible undershirts, shirt sleeves NOT to be rolled up, ALL shirt buttons to be done up (including top button), NO dangly earrings and NO facial piercings.

Please be advised that staff will be in attendance to ensure all students have the correct dress code and should a student not meet the dress code they will NOT be photographed.

Due to COVID-19, Government restrictions and photos being late in the year there will be NO catch up day and MSP have advised there will be NO group photos. At this current time we are still awaiting information in relation to Sibling photos. Please read the information below provided by MSP ‘Photo Day Information COVID-19’.

Students personalized photo envelopes were distributed late Term 1, if your child/children did not collect theirs please see Maxine Creek in the Careers Staffroom of a Tuesday, Thursday or Friday. MSP will not be reprinting new envelopes. If you have misplaced your personalized photo envelope and would like to purchase photos please see Maxine Creek to obtain your personalized ‘shootkey’.

Please mark the new date on the calendar!

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RUTHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER - 22nd May 2020

In Terms of school attendance, it’s been a very topsy-turvy time of late. Now that restrictions are easing, you may find that your child will be coming to school on a more regular basis. It seems that some students will be happy to come back to school, while others might find it difficult to get back into the routine of having to go to school every day. Some factors that might help you to ease your child back into the school routine are: ► Implement a clear and predictable morning routine. This can include a regular wake-up time, time for a hot shower and, if possible, some breakfast. Many students say they prefer not to have breakfast but encouraging a hot chocolate, a banana smoothie, a glass of orange juice or an Up-And-Go can be a good kick-start to get a student ready for learning. Like petrol for a car, our brain needs fuel (food) to ensure that it’s ready to power on. ► Spend the night before school ensuring that your child is organised for the next day. This can include making sure their pencil case has all the right equipment, preparing food for lunchboxes, or organising canteen money. Students will feel less anxious about the school day if their bag is organised and ready to go in the morning. ► Be as calm as possible in the mornings or when talking about school. Students may be feeling anxious about school and they will be looking towards their parent or caregiver for gentle reassurance. ► If your child is complaining of physical symptoms like a sore tummy before school, it may just be due to feeling worried or anxious about the day ahead. It’s always important to get any physical symptoms checked out by your GP, but if you keep your child home and they improve during the day, then their sore tummy could perhaps be caused by feelings of stress and/or anxiety. ► If your child is expressing reluctance about coming back to school, then it might be a good idea to get in contact with your child’s Year Adviser, the Wellbeing teachers or the School Counsellor. Developing feelings of safety, security and a sense of belonging and setting up positive experiences where your child can succeed can help ease your child back into the school routine. Sara Donald School Counsellor

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RUTHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER - 22nd May 2020

LaST HELPFUL HINTS

Words to use Instead of ‘Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly’

Instead of using ‘Firstly’ Instead of using ‘Secondly’ Instead of using ‘Thirdly’

To start with For another thing Finally

For one thing Additionally Lastly

In addition To summarise

Further to or furthermore

Another

Also or as well as

To give reasons for something To show a consequence To make an important point

For As a result Undoubtedly

Because Consequently Indeed

Since Therefore Obviously

As Hence In fact

Because of Thus In particular

So Especially

Due to Clearly

To give an example To show differences To show similarities

For example However Similarly

For instance Nonetheless Likewise

That is (i.e) Although Also

Such as Yet Like

Including In contrast Just as

Namely Whereas Just like

On the other hand Similar to

On the contrary Not only ….. but also

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RUTHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER - 22nd May 2020

Rutherford Technology High School Canteen is open again! The canteen is operated by the P&C and

offers Flexischools, and as we encourage cashless payments, a friendly reminder that the canteen has

EFTPOS - Please note that cash is still accepted. Flexischools ordering MUST be in by 9:00am and in ac-

cordance with Healthy School Canteens, pies and sausage rolls are only available at ‘Break 1’.

Just in time for the cooler weather the canteen has some new items:

Pumpkin Soup with Dinner Roll $4.00

Chicken & Corn Soup with Dinner Roll $4.00

Zucchini Slice $2.00

Cheese Toastie $2.50

Ham & Cheese Toastie $3.00

Curried Sausages with Mash Potato $5.50

Hot $2.00

Canteen Roster Monday 25 May 2020 Michelle Sinclair

Tuesday 26 May 2020 Volunteer Required

Wednesday 27 May 2020 Volunteer Required

Thursday 28 May 2020 Volunteer Required

Friday 29 May 2020 Michelle Sinclair

Monday 25 May 2020 Michelle Sinclair

Tuesday 1 June 2020 Volunteer Required

Wednesday 2 June 2020 Volunteer Required

Thursday 3 June 2020 Volunteer Required

Friday 4 June 2020 Michelle Sinclair

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RUTHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER - 22nd May 2020

RUTHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL P&C ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Rutherford Technology High School Parents & Citizens Association will be held on Tuesday 16th June 2020 at 6:00pm in the school staff common room. In accordance with the Federation of Parents & Citizens’ Association Guidelines the following will apply: The officer positions determined at the AGM, according to both Standard and Prescribed Constitution are: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Canteen Treasurer, Public Officer and Finance Committee •No more than one office position can be held by the same person. •Two people from the same family can hold office-bearer positions at the same time. •Office-bearers can be elected regardless of their place and type of employment. •Only financial members are eligible to stand for a position (to be a financial member, a community person must have paid their $2.00 membership fee no later than the General Meeting prior to the AGM). Nominations should be forwarded to the Principal via the school email address (rutherford-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au) and include nominating position, nominee name, address and telephone number or alternatively nominations can be taken at the meeting. The June meeting will follow at the conclusion of the AGM.

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RUTHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER - 22nd May 2020

Purchase Online: daylightsportswear.com/rutherford

MASTERCARD, VISA & EFTPOS ACCEPTED. CHEQUES NOT ACCEPTED. NO LAYBY.

Uniform Shop: Contact Kylie 0478 920 262 during business hours

Uniform Shop Hours: Tuesday 8:00am-12:00noon

Thursday 8:00am-12:00noon

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RUTHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER - 22nd May 2020

During this time, we realise that there are some people in our community that are doing it tough due to the changes that COVID-19 has brought. HopeUC Church in Maitland, have made available Grocery Hampers and freshly prepared meals - called 'Meals of HOPE'. If you are in need, or someone in your world is, we would love to gift you with a meal and/or a grocery hamper bag to help you out during this time. You can reach us on 4933 8055 or email: info@hopeuc.com Our office hours are Monday-Thursday 9:00am-3:00pm We also have a Foodbank which runs every Wednesday 1:00pm-3:00pm HopeUC Maitland 13/1a Ken Tubman Drive, Maitland

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Rutherford Technology High School has an Official Facebook Page – just go to Facebook and look for “Rutherford Technology High School NSW Official Site” and click on “Like”. We will be using the Facebook page to keep everyone informed about events at the school, important dates for your diary, and general information about the school. Link: http://www.facebook.com/RutherfordTechnologyHighSchool

The staff and students who are involved in the Breakfast Club would like to acknowledge the generosity of ‘Bakers Delight’

at Rutherford who now provide us with bread. There are many local businesses who donate their time, service or products to our school. We express our appreciation and hope our

school community can reciprocate.

RUTHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL SUPPORTERS

Maitland