St Clare’s High SchoolDavis Street, Taree 2430

Telephone (02) 6552 3300 Fax (02) 6552 3656

NEWSLETTER 36/2015 13 NOVEMBER 2015

Dear Parents and Friends of St Clare’s

This week has seen many of our Year 12 students visit the office to return school resources and to “sign out”. It has been great to see the sense of anticipation and excitement of the students as they stride into the next phase of their lives. It has been particularly touching to see students thank their teachers for their guidance and help and speaking excitedly about what the future holds for them. Such enthusiasm for the future shows that parents and school have produced young people who are confident in themselves and their ability to learn. At the time of writing half the cohort of 91 have received an offer of early entry to university. A wonderful achievement for those wishing to continue their studies at a tertiary institution.

Our Year 8 and Year 9 debaters continued their pursuit of the perfect argument at the state titles last week. A full report of their efforts will be included in next week’s newsletter. However we are very proud of both teams who represented themselves and the school with style and grace. Thanks to Jenny McKendry who again guided the Year 9 team to a Country Title and then onto runners up in the State Title. An excellent effort!

Interviews for new teaching staff continued this week. Following successful recruiting in the area of Maths earlier in the term, school executive and department leaders interviewed candidates for positions in the Religious Education, English, Science, PDHPE and Hospitality Departments. A full report regarding the staffing of the school will appear when our staffing for the 2016 school year is complete.

Investigations continue regarding the design of the girls’ sports shorts. You may recall that our uniform survey from earlier in the year recorded a high level of dissatisfaction regarding this garment by female students and their parents. Workwise, our uniform supplier and members of the PDHPE department have been testing options and we hope to have some samples available at our next P & F meeting. We will also have a sample bucket hat for scrutiny and review at the same meeting.

Next week I will be taking my place with 30 Principals in a three day Intra-Diocesan Educational Excursion across the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. The group will visit nine schools over three days and hear and see how schools in the system are adapting to meet the challenge of reconfiguring education to ensure they engage in “best practise” and meet the needs of our students. The excursion offers a wonderful opportunity for educational leaders to view innovations in building and pedagogy [timely given St Clare’s plans to build in the not too distant future] and to establish strong relationships between primary and secondary schools within the diocesan education system. I know that each of the schools we will visit has put a significant amount of work into their presentations and that the Catholic Schools Office has invested a great deal of time and effort to ensure the success of the excursion.

Wednesday, 11 November, marked 97 years since the guns fell silent on the Western Front. This armistice at the end of World War I was later to become known as Remembrance Day and is dedicated to the memory of lives lost in all conflicts. At 11 am, St Clare's reflected on those who died in the line of duty, and the school paused for a minute of silence. Thanks to students from 9-5 History, Hannah Ward, Saxon Anderson and Harrison Walton who so capably led the reflection. Also, thanks to Newcastle University intern, Mr Nick Jorgensen, who organised and prepared the students.

God Bless

Principal

PRAYERS: Please pray for those who are currently experiencing health difficulties and continue to pray for community members experiencing challenges, pain, sickness and grief in their lives at this time.

CHAPLAINCY/PASTORAL CARE: A reminder to all that the school has a Chaplain. Please feel free to contact our Chaplain, Deacon Vince Ryan, through the school office if he can be of assistance to you or any member of our whole school community.

Mass Times

Our Lady of the Rosary, Taree75 Albert St, TareeSaturday Vigil: 6:00 pmSunday Mass: 9:30 am

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Wingham8 Farquhar Street, WinghamSunday: 8:30am

St Bernadette’s, KrambachBucketts Way, KrambachSaturday: 6:30 pm (On the weekend of a 5th Sunday, a Liturgy of the Word with Communion is held at Nabiac Church

Our Lady Star of the Sea, HarringtonPilot St, HarringtonSaturday Vigil: 6:00 pm(1st, 3rd and 5th Saturdays in each month)Saturday Liturgy of the Word and Communion: 6:00 pm(2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month)

St Therese's, LansdowneCundle Rd, LansdowneSaturday Vigil: 6:00 pm(2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month)

Our Lady of Fatima, Old Bar20 Hall St, Old Bar, Sunday Mass: 7:30 am

St Patrick's, CundletownRiver St, CundletownSunday Mass: 6:00 pm

Forster-Tuncurry Catholic ParishHoly Name of Jesus Parish Church, Forster33 Lake Street, ForsterSunday Mass: 9:00 am

St Mary, Star of the Sea Church, Tuncurry15 Peel Street, TuncurrySaturday Vigil: 6:00 pmSunday Mass: 7:00 am

FROM THE SENIOR SCHOOL:

Year 12 students have their Graduation Evening tonight, 13 November 2015, at the Taree-Wingham Racecourse ‘Winning Post’ Function Centre. We entrust that students and their guests enjoy this appropriate way to celebrate the conclusion of 13 years (about 2600 days) of school education.

Students are already receiving notification of offers of employment, early entry to tertiary institutions and scholarships. Careers Adviser, Carol Healey, through emails and through previous editions of this newsletter, has already disseminated information regarding acceptance of offers. Even at this early stage, more than 50% of students have been offered tertiary placements through various early entry schemes.

Many students are about to embark on ‘schoolies’. We wish all students a safe and enjoyable time; however, Year 12 students STILL need to monitor emails as updated information from the school, through Year Coordinator, Mr Evans, and from Careers Adviser, Mrs Healey, will still be sent. Students also need to ensure that someone at home can monitor offers of placements, scholarships or places of residence.

In future editions of this newsletter, there will be instructions on how students can access their HSC results from BOSTES (Wednesday, 16 December) and ATARs (Thursday, 17 December).

Year 12 students are STILL reminded to SIGN OUT and return the relevant HSC text. Year 11 students have commenced HSC courses and, understandably, require these books.

Year 11 students have already been issued notices of forthcoming assessment HSC Course tasks – Religion, English, Mathematics and PDHPE task notices have already been issued with more to come – most subjects will have a formal assessment task during Term 4. Students and families are reminded that the policy regarding completion of and attendance at these tasks is the same as they have experienced in previous years.

A major upcoming event for Year 11 and Year 10 students is the Elevate Program. This program delivers upskilling in study techniques for students enrolled in 2016 Stage 6 (Years 11 and 12) studies. This program will run on:

Monday, 23 November Periods 1 & 2 for current Year 10 (i.e. 2016 Year 11)Periods 3 & 4 for current Year 11 (i.e. 2016 Year 12)

This will be a Day 6 of our school two week timetable program.

A letter was issued to students last week regarding this event – the cost of the course will be subsidised by the school but a student charge of $10 will still apply.

In order to complement this program, Careers Adviser, Carol Healey, is running short seminars for Year 11 students on a rolling basis during lunch times.

Students can ‘drop’ an HSC subject any time up until Week 9 of Term 3 in 2016. Changing of levels within subjects is not as easy so students should be mindful of the need to speak to teachers and coordinators NOW regarding this.

Year 11 students who feel that they would benefit from applying for Disability Provisions are reminded that they should see Mrs Bernadette Boere in the Skilhub as soon as possible.

Ian Evans, Year 12 Student Coordinator and Bronwen Davidson, Year 11 Student Coordinator

CAREERS CORNER: Keep watching this space as next week we will have all the wonderful news about the success of the 2015 Year 12 students.

Year 11 continue to have workshops. This week’s centred around how to write effective study notes. Carol Healey, Careers Coordinator

AUSTRALIAN SCIENCE INNOVATIONS: In August this year around 4,250 Australian students sat the 2015 Australian Science Olympiads Examinations (ASOE).

I am pleased to announce that Sidhant Joon (Year 10) who sat the Physics Paper has achieved a Distinction (top 70-90% of Australia). This is a marvellous result and Sidhant is to be commended for not only taking the opportunity to compete but also achieving such a wonderful result.

Congratulations Sidhant! Ms Sheena O’Doherty, Studies Coordinator (Science)

CREATIVE ARTS NEWS: As most students are busy preparing for the upcoming examinations Year 7 Visual Arts students are intently focused on creative expression through the medium of lino printing. Students have

researched Aboriginal artists; Lin Onus, David Bosun, Alick Tipoti and Banduk Marika and then used the age old technique of block printing to illustrate significant Aboriginal Dreaming stories. These are all on display outside the TAS block.Jason Koenig, Creative Arts Coordinator

2015 Year 7-8Examination Timetable

Monday, 23rd to Monday 30th November

Please Note:

1. If you do not have an exam you will be in class as normal.2. If your subject is not listed it is because your exam will occur during normal class time or

you do not have an exam.3. Catch-ups will be done on the first day of your return in order of exam roster; you may also

be requested to complete two exams in one day if you have missed more than one exam.4. You may receive a zero mark if you do not follow this guideline.

Morning Session - all examinations start at 9:10 am

unless otherwise stated

Afternoon Session - all examinations start at 11:45 am

unless otherwise stated

Week 8 MondayD6

23/11/15

Year 8Mathematics – 2hrsVenue – Hall

Year 7Religion– 1hr_ Venue – Hall

TuesdayD7

24/11/15

Year 7Mathematics – 2hrs_Venue - Hall Year 8

Science - 1hr_Venue - Hall

WednesdayD8

25/11/15

Year 8English – 1.5hrs _Venue - Hall

Year 7History and Geography – 1.5 hrsVenue – Hall

ThursdayD9

26/11/15

Year 8Religion - 1hr_Venue - Hall

Year 7Science– 1hrs _Venue – Hall

FridayD10

27/11/15

Year 8History and Geography – 1.5 hrsVenue – Hall

Catch- ups – Venue Hall

MondayD1

30/11/15

Catch- ups – Venue Hall Catch- ups – Venue HallLast allocated time for catch-ups

MATHS WORKSHOP - Mathematics Workshop provides the opportunity for every student to obtain assistance and support in improving their understanding of mathematics. Four mathematics teachers are available each week to explain the concepts you are finding difficult or give assistance to enable you to complete your homework, assignments or any work that you may have missed due to absence from class.WHEN IS IT ON? Wednesday lunchtime - every week. Bring your lunch!WHERE? Room 10We hope to see you there!Mrs Julie Rowsell- Mathematics Coordinator

CANTEEN OPEN DAY: Invitation to all to join us for a cuppa at the St Clare’s Canteen on Tuesday, 24 November at 10:30 am. Please feel free to come along and see how the canteen operates and meet some of the volunteers. All welcome and feel free to bring a friend! Cheryl Kingsford, Canteen Supervisor

MONDAY 16/11 Help Urgently RequiredTUESDAY 17/11 Brigitte AndersonWEDNESDAY 18/11 Help Urgently RequiredTHURSDAY 19/11 Help Urgently RequiredFRIDAY 20/1

1Help Urgently Required

VACANCIES STILL EXISTMORE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

IF YOU CAN ASSIST PLEASE CONTACT CHERYL KINGSFORDST CLARE’S CANTEEN: 6591 2104, HOME: 6552 1857 OR

VIA EMAIL: cheryl.kingsford@mn.catholic.edu.au

COMING EVENTS

Term 4

Week 7 Monday 16/11 ♦ Year 11 2016 Transition Program commences which includes All My Own Work, study preparation, subject introduction and careers

Friday 20/11 ♦ Year 9 & 10 Examinations Conclude

Week 8 Monday 23/11 ♦ Year 7 & 8 Examinations CommenceFriday 27/11 ♦ Year 7 & 8 Examinations Conclude

♦ Year 10 Peer Support Day with Year 7 2016 – Rec Grounds

Week 9 Monday 30/11 ♦ Year 7 Digi-EdFriday 4/12 ♦ Year 7 Reflection Day

Week 10 Sunday 6/12 ♦ Carols by Candlelight, Our Lady of the Rosary, TareeActivities commence 3:30 pm – Carols from 6 pm

Monday 7/12 ♦ Year 10 Camp CommencesFriday 11/12 ♦ Year 10 Camp Concludes

Week 11 Monday 14/12 ♦ Year 10 Awards Ceremony – 10:15 am♦ Final Day for Year 10 Students

Tuesday 15/12 ♦ Year 10 Social – Rowing ClubWednesday 16/12 ♦ HSC results released

♦ Years 7, 8, 9 & 11 Annual Awards Ceremony – 10:15 am♦ Parent/Teacher Interviews (by request) – 1 pm♦ Final Day for Students

Thursday 17/12 ♦ ATARs released by UAC♦ Pupil Free Day♦ Final Day for Teachers

2016

Term 1

Week 1 Wednesday 27/1 ♦ Staff Development Day – Pupil Free DayThursday 28/1 ♦ Staff Development Day – Pupil Free DayFriday 29/1 ♦ Years 7, 11 & 12 Students CommenceMonday 1/2 ♦ Years 8, 9 & 10 Students Return