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1 Missing Link SEASON’S GREETINGS TERM 4 2013 PRINCIPAL’S REPORT Rooty Hill High School Learning, Leadership & Achievement North Parade, Rooty Hill NSW 2766 P.O. Box 70, Rooty Hill NSW 2766 Phone: 02 9625 8104 Fax: 02 9625 4208 Web: www.rootyhill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au All School Announcements and information can be found on our Facebook page: Facebook: www.facebook.com/rootyhillhs RHHS Alumni Network: www.linkedin.com (GROUP: Rooty Hill High School) I want to start by thanking our students for their efforts this year. This has been an outstanding year in terms of the involvement of students in their own learning and extra curricular programs. Highlights of this term include: 1. The success of the "We Are Readers" program for Year 7 - 60 % of students increased their reading by at least one cluster and 5% by three of more. On any measure this is a great result. Year 7 students should keep reading through the holidays to practise their skills on the CAFE - comprehension, accuracy, fluency and expanding vocabulary. 2. The involvement of almost 100 Year 9 Literacy Mentors working with Year 7. This was a big commitment and Year 9 students have really lifted their own reading performance as a result. 3. A moving and meaningful graduation for Year 9 students participating in the LEAP program. 4. A very successful HSC examination period and a wonderful Year 12 formal. 5. Large numbers of students receiving recognition for merit and significant achievement for academic work, school service, sports and the arts. 6. A highly successful sports assembly where 300 students who had represented the school in sport were recognised. 100 parents attended and the school then went on to be named Champion School in the Zone, winning almost all major trophies. 7. The school musical drama production on which drama students worked for nearly 9 months supported by VET students from hospitality, entertainment and business services. 8. 350 students attending the opening day of Wet & Wild, Year 7 swim school, the Year 8 Mandarin excursion and, of course national volleyball in Melbourne. So many students have taken the opportunity this year to learn, to be involved and to contribute. At the Presentation Assemblies they will be recognised for their efforts and each year group will have many highlights to report. None of this would have happened without our very hardworking and dedicated staff. Download our new RHHS App at: app store for iphone or ipad Google Play for android it’s FREE

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Page 1: Term 4 missing link

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Missing LinkSEASON’S GREETINGS TERM 4 2013

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Rooty Hill High SchoolLearning, Leadership & AchievementNorth Parade, Rooty Hill NSW 2766P.O. Box 70, Rooty Hill  NSW  2766Phone:  02 9625 8104 Fax:      02 9625 4208Web: www.rootyhill-h.schools.nsw.edu.auAll School Announcements and information can be found on our Facebook page: Facebook: www.facebook.com/rootyhillhs

RHHS Alumni Network: www.linkedin.com (GROUP: Rooty Hill High School)

I want to start by thanking our students for their efforts this year. This has been an outstanding year in terms of the involvement of students in their own learning and extra curricular programs.

Highlights of this term include:1. The success of the "We Are Readers"

program for Year 7 - 60 %  of students increased their reading by at least one cluster and 5% by three of more. On any measure this is a great result. Year 7 students should keep reading through the holidays to practise their skills on the CAFE - comprehension, accuracy, fluency and expanding vocabulary.

2. The involvement of almost 100 Year 9 Literacy Mentors working with Year 7. This was a big commitment and Year 9 students have really lifted their own reading performance as a result.

3. A moving and meaningful graduation for Year 9 students participating in the LEAP program.

4. A very successful HSC examination period and a wonderful Year 12 formal.

5. Large numbers of students receiving recognition for merit and significant

achievement for academic work, school service, sports and the arts.

6. A highly successful sports assembly w h e r e 3 0 0 s t u d e n t s w h o h a d represented the school in sport were recognised. 100 parents attended and the school then went on to be named Champion School in the Zone, winning almost all major trophies.

7. The school musical drama production on which drama students worked for nearly 9 months supported by VET students from hospitality, entertainment and business services.

8. 350 students attending the opening day of Wet & Wild, Year 7 swim school, the Year 8 Mandarin excursion and, of c o u r s e n a t i o n a l v o l l e y b a l l i n Melbourne.

So many students have taken the opportunity this year to learn, to be involved and to contribute. At the Presentation Assemblies they will be recognised for their efforts and each year group will have many highlights to report.None of this would have happened without our very hardworking and dedicated staff.

Download our new RHHS App at:app store for

iphone or ipad Google Play for

android it’s FREE

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Their efforts this year have meant that:

1. All students will be receiving detailed academic reports and portfolios.

2. We introduced (not without some glitches at their end) the new DEC finance and administration software.

3. We implemented a major literacy program that saw significant impact.

4. We worked with HSC students in holidays and out of hours to support their chances for an excellent HSC.

5. We had 7 students complete the Motor Traders Apprent iceship program with 4 students at the time of writing securing jobs for 2014.

6. We competed at state and national volleyball - ranked as the second top school in the state.

7. Five additional teachers achieved accreditation with the IOT and four renewed their accreditation after five years.

8. There has been strong staff support for all extra curricular programs, charities and fund raising.

9. The school was recognised as a centre of innovation by the Global Education Leaders Program and Social Ventures Australia has named the school as one of its Powerhouse schools for 2014.

10.Strong community partnerships through SALSA, the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Initiative and AFL Indigenous Academy continued to link the school to the wider community.

Individually there is so much I could say. As a group this is one of the best staff teams in NSW and they are encouraged every day by the support of parents and the local community.

I thank the community for its ongoing support of the school and for its willingness to trust us to teach its young people. We take that moral contract seriously and, so as we go to holidays and, on behalf of the deputy  principals and myself, can I wish each and everyone of you a safe and happy holiday?

It is my privilege to be principal of such a fine school.

Season's greetings and a happy new year to you all.

Christine Cawsey

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TOP HONOUR FOR RHHS PRINCIPALOur Principal was acknowledged for her outstanding leadership when she was awarded the Principals Austral ia Institute's John Laing Professional Development Award, a peer nominated celebration of school leadership and professional learning. Christ ine Cawsey has not only dedicated her career to enriching the l ives of thousands of students across Western Sydney, but hundreds of staff through a focused and unwavering approach to providing quality professional learning of her staff and other principals she mentors.

TELL THEM FROM ME SURVEYIn Term 3 756 students participated in a D e p a r t m e n t o f E d u c a t i o n a n d Communities pilot of the Tell Them From Me student survey. The survey provided relevant data to help improve student learning outcomes and measure factors that are known to affect academic ach ievement and o ther s tudent outcomes. The focus of the NSW pilot project was on student wellbeing, engagement and effective teaching practices.

The survey provided us with valuable and quick feedback on what our students think about school life, how engaged they are with school and the different ways that teachers interact with them. Schools in Australia and around the world have used the Tell Them From Me survey to help improve how they do things at school.

Some highlights from the survey:• 65% of students feel accepted and

valued by their peers and by others at their school

• 80% of students have friends at school they can trust and who encourage them to make positive choices

• 77% of students bel ieve that e d u c a t i o n w i l l b e n e fi t t h e m personally and economically, and will have a strong bearing on their future

• 88% of students did not get in trouble a t s c h o o l f o r d i s r u p t i v e o r inappropriate behaviour

• 67% of students tried hard to succeed

CAREERS ADVISER ACKNOWLEDGED FOR OUTSTANDING WORKOur Careers Adviser, Ms Jeanette Camillos was recognised for her outstanding work as a Careers Adviser when she was nominated for the NSW Careers Adviser of the Year. Jeanette was shortlisted to the top 3 in the State where she attended the finals luncheon in Sydney.

Jeanette was awarded 3rd place. A truly deserved achievement to such a dedicated member of staff.

Christine Cawsey, flanked by her deputy principals, executive of the NSW Secondary Principal’s Council and Principals Australia Institute, and colleagues

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HIGH SCHOOL MUSICALFor nine months, members of the drama club worked together to build paradise, Gangster’s Paradise, a musical based on life in the 1920’s. Together with the help of teachers, these drama students n o t o n l y w r o t e t h e s c r i p t a n d appropriated the music for the musical, but they spent every Tuesday and Thu r sday a f t e rnoon a t s choo l , rehearsing their singing, dancing and acting to ensure that they successfully brought to life their dystopic vision of paradise.

The show was a hit with audiences, stirring laughter with the witty punch-lines and unexpected teacher cameos. The cast were delighted to see the audience singing along to familiar songs and at our matinee shows students in years 7 and 8 were excited to see the props that they had made on display as part of the set, asking eagerly to assist with next year’s production.

A lot of hard work goes into making a theatre production, and it isn’t just the students working hard. We had a whole team of talented staff members who contributed to the performance by catering, sewing costumes, building and painting sets, choreographing, arranging music and much more. The drama club is grateful to everyone who supported the musical and we hope to work hard to ensure the musical is even bigger and better in 2014.

On Thursday 14th November, Principal Christine Cawsey accepted this water tank from NovoRail’s Richard Faihurst as a goodwill gesture to the school for its ongoing working relationship with Novorail during the construction of the substation at Rooty Hill.

NRL SCHOOL 2 WORKNRL School 2 Work is a Tafe accredited program where students participate to gain the ski l ls they need to be successful in the real world. Below is a photo of Bryce Simpson and Careers Adviser Jeanette Camillos from yesterdays  NRL School 2 Work graduation breakfast.

SLAM POETRYOn Thursday 31st October, students Clare Da Silva and Angus Shephard participated in 'Ignite the Town'; a performance art event that raised awareness for mental health.

Alongside other local talent, our two poetry slammers wowed the crowd with an alternative and original performance piece. Centering on empathy and experiences, the piece captured ideas of leaping and falling.

Our Slam Poetry team, comprised mainly of Year 10 students, work collaboratively with each other to pen their own lyrics and the quality of their work regularly stuns audiences.

JOB CLUBStudents from Year 10 participated in the Job Club program this term and received a certificate of participation. The Job Club Program includes topics such as interview skills, self esteem, getting job ready and resumes. The program was enjoyed by the students who attended this term.

The Job Club program gives students with a valuable insight into possible workforce options assists them in preparing for a job they may like to apply for.

HISTORY MASTERMINDFive Year 8 students, Samantha Lazaro, Sydney Lavaro, Sanjani Vikash, Sabrina Zaman and Deborah Gaskin (pictured above) participated in the History Mastermind Competition on the 22nd November held at Hills Sports HS.

There were 4 rounds of trivia style questions and after the 4th round, the Year 8 team placed 12th out of 30 teams. 

One of the quest ions f rom the competition: Who was the first person to walk in all 5 continents? Do you know the answer?

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DEBATINGCongratulations to all of the RHHS Deba te rs fo r 2013 . The teams comprised of over 15 new members who had never debated before! A special mention to the Year 7 & 8 teams, who attended every meeting and learnt so many new skills.

Congratulations to Amrita Prakash and Justin McCormick for their selection to trial for the NSW State Debating Team this year.

YEAR 9 ROBOTICSYear 9 IST have started a new topic on Robotics. In order to get their building and programming skills up to speed, students have been building solar paneled robots that were able to zip through the playground. Amongst the robots inc luded a sp ider, cars , cockroaches, grasshoppers and a speed boat. Students will continue increasing their robotic skills in 2014 in the Year 10 IST elective subject.

YEAR 12 SOCIETY AND CULTURE PIP DAY EXCURSION Society and Culture students attended the PIP Day Excursion to Parramatta Riverside Theatre to gain valuable information into their major work – Personal Interest Project (PIP).

The students found the day very informative and relevant for the planning and preparation of their research task. The highlight of the day was being photographed by the Society and Culture Association where we will be appearing in the next edition of the Society and Culture journal Culture Scope!

sculpture that would reflect the school and its values, and it was decided after debated class discussion and a school survey to make the school crest. Students worked in teams using hand and power tools to prepare material, oxy acetylene heating to form shapes and we ld i ng t o pu t i t a l l t oge the r. Congratulations and thank you to the Year 10 Industrial Technology Metals class.

Left: Our 4 debating teamsBelow Left: Year 12 Society & Culture with MS San at the Riverside TheatreBelow Middle: IT Metals students hard at work on their PERSIST signBelow Right: Year 12 Metals & Engineering Students working on the schools Oki-doki tables.

VET METALS AND ENGINEERING STUDENTS – TURN THE TABLES.As part of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) course Metals and Engineering offered at RHHS, we have developed an ongoing (expand to commercial) project, the Oki-doki Table.

The design of this table can be constructed from new or recycled material. The project mapped on a production line concept provides an ongoing working project where students learn and develop skills used in the metals and engineering industry. Students develop individual and team skills to complete the project through a variety of construction and assembly stages. Students developed problem-solving skills in the development of the project and they are to be commended on their mature attitude. A big thank you to the Year 12 VET Metals students as future students of RHHS will appreciate your efforts.

YEAR 10 METALS FORGE AHEADIn 2013 year 10 metals undertook the challenge to create a sculpture for the School. The class wanted to make a

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UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONGYEAR 10 SCIENCE FAIR With the Year 10 final exams over, it was time for students to “Strut their Stuff” and show us what they had learnt in Science over the last 4 years with a showcase of imaginative and thought provoking experiments. Students needed to identify an area of science that had not yet been adequately explained to their satisfaction and set about designing an experiment to test their hypothesis. The students had three weeks to plan, gather results and display data before the big unveiling of their work at the RHHS Science Fair. Congratulations to all students for their dedication to their projects and their light hearted, but competitive, spirit.

NEW LABS FOR SCIENCERHHS has 2 brand new state of the art and fully equipped labs which have just finished construction in early December.

Students have staff have been eagerly awaiting the opening of the labs which have separate theory and practical work areas.

Mr Prestridge, our relieving Science Head Teacher, says he has been inundated with from students to be timetabled into the new lab for 2014.

Year 8 ESSACongra tu la t ions to Year 8 who completed, and survived, the ESSA online exam in November. ESSA is a statewide science assessment based on the NSW syllabus. This is a particularly challenging exam for students as it is entirely online and involves a selection of multiple choice questions, short answer questions and longer responses relating to stimulus m a t e r i a l i n c l u d i n g s i m u l a t e d experiments.

HSC SCIENCECongratulations and farewell to all our wonderful HSC Science students. Our hard working students prepared themselves well for their Physics, Chemistry and Biology exams, with the majority reporting that they were happy with each of the three papers. The Science faculty wish these students all the very best for their future and would like to remind them to keep striving for excellence.

Sustainability Week 2013In week 7 this term, RHHS celebrated Sustainability Week. Coordinated by Mr Singh, students from Years 7-11 participated in a number of activities and workshops designed to promote various types of sustainability.

On Friday 22nd November, all Year 7 classes and selected Year 8, 9 and 10 classes participated in workshops designed to promote these aspects of Sustainability. Some examples of the workshops that occurred on the day included Sustainable Health Workshops run by the NRL Education Office, and Sustainable Education run by Youth Action NSW.

A huge congratulations to all students and staff who participated in the day. A special thanks to Mr Price and students from Year 7 and 10 who helped make the Sustainability Day video, which is currently playing both in the front school foyer and the top of F-Block.

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY WORKSHOPIn November, Year 12 students studying Society and Culture, CAFS and Aboriginal Studies participated in a 2 hour workshop which focused on research. The workshop was organised by Dr Jennifer Germon, a lecturer at Sydney University in the Faculty of Gender and Cultural Studies. Our students found the workshop very useful and relevant in order for them to begin and conduct major research projects for their individual subjects.

LEAPSLEAPS has continued to run throughout term 4 with the group of Year 9 students (pictured below) and Ms Andrews attending lots of exciting excursions and enjoying the mentoring from their lawyers. The students graduated from the program in November and should be congratulated on their commitment to the program.

ENGINEERING COMPETITIONKelvin Prasad (pictured below) of year 12 was presented with the Mechanical Engineering award at the University of Wol longong Senior High School Competition. Kelvin submitted his year 12 Engineering Studies, Aeronautical Engineering Report in the statewide competition. Illawarra Coal sponsored the award. Well done to Kelvin in this achievement and as an ambassador of RHHS.

Year 10 girls at the Science Fair

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FROM THE CAREERS DESK2013 has again seen a hive of activity in the RHHS careers office. Many RHHS students have taken up opportunities to enhance their knowledge and future job prospects by being part of one (or more) of the following careers activities:

• D e f e n c e F o r c e R e c r u i t i n g presentation to interested Year 10, 11 & 12 students

• The Independent Employment Advisory (IEA) program

• 28 students doing TAFE courses• 16 students doing School-based

traineeships• “Try a Skill” at Kevin Betts Stadium• Year 10 work experience• Nepean Careers Market• UWS day• Western Sydney Apprenticeship

Expo• ‘Get that Job’ interview day for

prospective school leavers• MTA Apprentices Plus Automotive

Pre-Apprenticeship course at RHHS• White card training• Worlds of Work (WOW) program• NRL School to Work program

Please encourage your sons and daughters to make the most of the opportunities offered to them so that their future career decisions will be informed ones.

MATHS - READ 1, 2, 3Our thanks to Ms Aroney and Ms Edney who worked tirelessly on this tool to help students access all levels of l i t e r a c y b a s e d q u e s t i o n s i n Mathematics. Read 1, 2, 3 requires students to purposefully read the question three times when answering mathematics questions. We look forward to having lots of READ1, 2, 3 in maths classrooms next year, which will assist students to decode the questions and apply appropriate maths knowledge and skills when solving problems.

YOUTH CHINESE TEST (YCT)In term 4 around 60 year 7, 9 and 12 students participated in an international YCT (Youth Chinese Test). Students applied their language skills in the listening and reading examinations and some achieved an outstanding result in this language ability test.

The LOTE Department would like to wish everyone a very happy and safe New Year Xīn nián kuài le!AIME GRADUATION

October 18 marked Graduation Day for students who have participated in the Austral ian Indigenous Mentor ing Experience (AIME) Outreach program offered to years 9-12. It has been RHHS’s first year in the program and students have been enthusiastic to continue next year. Students were honoured to meet famous guest speakers on the day and to have AIME’s CEO Jack Manning Bancroft award them their certificates. Congratulations to Year 9 Students: Matthew Field, Brittany Ryan and Kiarna Overs and Year 11 students: James Sinclair, Jay Edwards, Carl Ryan and Tiana Edwards for successfully completing the program. We look forward to expanding our work with AIME next year.

PROBLEM SOLVER’S TOOL SHEDExciting news! All Year 7 – 10 students will receive a box of tools from the Problem Solver’s Tool Shed in 2014. Research shows the more tools you select from the Tool Shed during a maths quest, the more proficient you become as a problem solver. You are recommended to use these tools when you attempt classwork, homework and even during exams. Don’t worry, your maths teachers will give you how-to lessons about the Tool Shed in 2014.

CHINESE LANGUAGEDuring term 4 both Year 7 and 9 students explored the Chinese language and culture through various themes including Chinese food and Chinese Calligraphy. Students also had hands on sessions involving Chinese brush writing. Feedback from students about the learning of Chinese Calligraphy was very positive.

The Year 12 Chinese Beginners’ Course has explored Chinese language through the use of ICT. They have also started work on more complex sentences apply their language skills. Students had the opportunity to visit the Chinese Garden, China Town and experience authentic Chinese lunch (Yum Cha) at the end of term 4. These experiences have provided students with the opportunity to apply the i r language sk i l ls and knowledge in Chinese culture.

Above: Year 7 students at the Maths/IT

Day. Right: Junior and Senior Chinese Language students show off their work

Below: Year 10 students Matt Dunn and

Nicole Delos Santos at work experience

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SPORTThis term has been another extremely successful term for sport at RHHS.The school held its inaugural Sports Recognition Assembly to recognise the efforts of more than 300 students who competed for RHHS in 2013. The successes were vast across all sports headlined by the Open Girls Volleyball team coming 2nd at the NSW CHS final 16 Tournament.

2013 Sydney West representatives:Dylan Curmi, Mirae Hemi, Byron Pochodyla, Jarred Wright, Sione Ta u f a , R y a n F i t z g e r a l d , P a u l McCarthy, Mark Torzar, Setaleki Mafi, Nina Laurenson, Lucky Sanita, Taissa Pereira, Felipe Zapata Castro and Charlotte Laurenson.

2013 NSW CHS Representatives:Jarred Wright, Denilson Pereira, Jodeci Tukuitonga, Nina Laurenson, Mark Torzar and Charlotte Laurenson

Year Sports Champions are:Year 7: Dylan Curmi! Mirae HemiYear 8: Jarrod Wright! Rachel VarleyYear 9: Sione Taufa! Rose EueseYear 10: Ryan Fitzgerald Emily PowellYear 11: Mark Torzar Nina LaurensonYear 12: Anthony Clifford Charlotte Laurenson

The 2013 Champion Sporting team was awarded to our Girls Open Volleyball team coached by Mr Joel Treharne

At the Mt Druitt Zone 2013 Sports Awards, RHHS was named the overall champion sports school.

HOOPS 4 HOPEThe Hoops4Hope program saw over 130 participants from years 7 through to 12 play over 100 games of basketball in one action packed day. The students raised money for Bears of Hope charity, for pregnancy and infant loss support.Students from the Year 9 Leadership class were responsible for a range of important jobs throughout the day. Special congratulations to the boys gold medallist team, D-Rose, and the girls gold medallist team, The Gangstahs.

CHINA In the Term 3 holidays, 20 students, 9 staff and 5 parents travelled to China on an action packed 10 day cultural sightseeing tour.

When we first arrived in Shanghai we spent a day at our sister school. The students from the school took us on a guided tour of Shanghai.  After leaving Shanghai, we travelled to Ningbo Province to visit another sister school, Ningbo Experimental School. Wow! Magnificent buildings with olympic size sports fields, swimming pool, lecture theatres and state of the art classrooms. We were greeted with 'g'day mate' as we entered the school gates and felt like celebrities as we walked around the school with hundreds of kids from kindy to year 9 running out of classrooms to welcome us, all screaming and jumping for joy.

We visited classrooms and received rapturous applause as each of our students introduced themselves. We ate a traditional Chinese lunch with the students in the school canteen - crazy, loud and hilarious as kids climbed over each  other to listen to our accents and practice their English language skills.  After lunch we moved to the lecture hall

where we were entertained by students who performed traditional dances and musical pieces. Very impressive! A wonderful school filled with happy kids. We were sad to say goodbye. 

When we arrived in Bejing later in the tour we were surprised to walk out of the airport into the thick smog, a common problem in Beijing caused by pollution. Here, we visited all of China’s main tourist attractions such as Tiananmen Square, a huge gathering place capable of holding more than 1 million people.  From there we walked to the Forbidden Pa lace , the emperors p lace o f residence.

One of the last big days on tour was a trip to the Great wall where the weather was drizzling and overcast. But this didn't stop us climbing the hundreds of steep steps up the wall.  Some gave up at the first hurdle while others ploughed on, some even running and competing for best time.

Everyone had a fabulous time and an experience they will cherish forever. One thing is certain, everyone on the tour cam home a little heavier than they left due to the amount of beautiful food on offer throughout the whole tour.

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