Newsletter

No. 18

7 November 2016

Inside this issue:

HUMAN RIGHTS

SPOTLIGHT

Top of the Hi l l Newsletter of Duval High School

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Page 2 P&C News

Prefect Report

Introducing New Staff Member

…..David Partridge

Page 3 Grant for Classroom Garden

Minnis Public Speaking

Duval Staff Relay-for-Life

Learner Driver Mentor Program

Page 4 Celebration Choir

ATSI Dancers

Movember at Duval

Page 5 Skills and Thrills Showcase

Page 6 IMANI World Tour

Foster Carers Needed

“Youth Action’ in Armidale

AYO Gala Concert

DATES FOR THE DIARY

7-11 November Year 10 Examinations 9 November Red Day at Canteen 9 November Schools Spectacular Fundraising Day 10 November Year 7 Immunisations 11 November Year 8 VALID Science 14-18 November Year 9 Excursion 18 November UNE Business Challenge

23 November Minnis Public Speaking Competition

Publication of this newsletter is made possible through the generous support of the

Duval High School Parents & Citizens Association.

David Manne recently visited Duval to talk to Mrs Rajaratnam’s Year 12 Legal Studies class and

some of Ms Armstrong’s Year 7 History class. David is Executive Director of Refugee Legal, which

is based in Melbourne. He is a trained human rights lawyer and prominent refugee advocate.

He explained the legal definition of refugee as someone who flees their home country in fear of

persecution based on their religion, race, gender, nationality or political views. Although Austral-

ia has signed the Refugee Convention it does not always offer the protection that refugees need.

David suggested that turning boats back is not the solution to this problem, that our nation is

founded on migrants from many different nations, and that we have a just and fair legal system

which should be used to protect our citizens as well as refugees that have a legal right to seek

safety.

It was very worthwhile for the students to think about what they would do if they had to flee their

homeland because of persecution, and also to think of the decisions the government must make

about the refugees that come by boat to our shores.

Page 2 7 November 2016

P&C NEWS

The P&C makes a significant contribution ($2,000

- $2,500) each year towards the cost of academic

book prizes for Presentation Evening, which will

be held this year on 6 December.

We also assist Duval staff in preparing and

organising the awards for Presentation Evening,

as well as providing refreshments for students

and their guests at the conclusion of the evening.

Help is always needed —- please contact the

school if you are able to give some of your

time!

The next P&C working bee will be held on

Sunday 4th December, commencing at 9am. We

will be concentrating on getting the school

grounds looking ship-shape for Presentation

Evening.

P&C Committee

PREFECT REPORT

Last Wednesday, 2nd November, the new Duval

Prefect Group for 2017 attended the Secondary

School GRIP Leadership Conference in

Tamworth. GRIP is an independent organisation

that exists to train and develop leaders, and

stands for core values of Generosity,

Responsibility, Integrity, and People.

We met with hundreds of new student leaders

from schools across the region. We learned

about the expectations and responsibilities

involved with being leaders, and how we can

better engage and support our student peers.

We were also exposed to the dance moves of

both Zoe and Liam, an experience that many of

us will never forget (try as we might!). It was a

very serious, official event that definitely didn’t

end in Cold Rock icecream!

In all seriousness though, we learned a great

deal and are all looking forward to applying our

new skills to benefit both the school and all of

you.

Stuart Browne

School Captain

INTRODUCING…..

NEW STAFF MEMBER:

DAVID PARTRIDGE

-HEAD TEACHER, HSIE-

My earliest memory is ….. that’s a hard one! I

think it would have to be visiting my

grandparents and playing in the back yard.

At school ….. I was told:

a) you have the best manners in the school

(primary)

b) you talk too much! (high school).

I wish I’d never ….. lost my wallet in Helsinki in

September ……#headache.

I wish I had ….. gone on exchange to Germany

after Year 12.

My happiest moments are ….. catching up and

laughing with friends; travelling (especially to

Germany and Austria), and relaxing at home

with my wife and two dogs.

My last meal would be ….. most probably I’d

have to eat beef goulash with a bread

dumpling….and a side salad with pumpkin seed

oil.

I’m very bad at ….. anything and everything

musical, I feel sorry for my neighbours when I’d

practise the saxophone!

7 November 2016 Page 3

GRANT FOR CLASSROOM GARDEN

Duval High School recently received a grant from

the NSW Environmental Trust for a sensory and

healthy habits garden under the Eco Schools

Programme. This grant will be used to develop

the area outside the new Multi-Categorical

Support Classroom, which commenced at the

beginning of 2016.

This area will be open to students during break

times, and classes during lesson times. The

garden project aims to develop healthy habits for

students to grow, harvest and prepare their own

ingredients. The garden will also provide

learning opportunities for students to observe an

environmentally sustainable space using current

renewable technologies.

Mr Mitch Valentine

MINNIS PUBLIC SPEAKING

Students are busily preparing their speeches for

this year’s Minnis Public Speaking Competition to

be held in the Staff Common Room on

Wednesday, 23 November from 10.00am to

1.30pm. Entries close on 16 October.

Topics—ranging from the serious to the absurd—

are posted on the door of the HSIE Staff Room.

All entrants receive a certificate and a delicious

free lunch, and may even be selected as the

Keynote Speaker for this year’s Presentation

Evening. We warmly welcome competitor’s

parents to join us on the day.

Please RSVP to Ms Armstrong if you’d like to

come along.

Alison Armstrong

DUVAL STAFF RELAY-FOR-LIFE

This year, Duval

staff members have

nominated a team

for Armidale’s

R e l a y - f o r - L i f e ,

which will be held

on 26 and 27

November.

Show your support by donating to the team at:

Mr Adam Marshall (Member for Northern Tablelands, left) recently

visited Duval High School to present Mr Valentine (Multi-Categorical

teacher, centre) and Mr Cameron (Principal, right).

LEARNER DRIVER MENTOR PROGRAM

A mentor program for learner drivers to get their required 120 hours of driving.

This is a pilot program which will take in 12 learners for the program but accepting up to 20.

Jobs Australia will oversee the program and UNE is providing the vehicle. The car is being finalized and we hope the program will start in the next 2 weeks.

Contact Cara Barnes (Armidale City Council) if you would like to be a mentor, need further information,

or to refer a young person to the program

Program mobile number:

0417 688 631

http://fundraising.cancer.org.au/site/TR?

team_id=51300&pg=team&fr_id=4025

7 November 2016 Page 4

SKILLS AND THRILLS SHOWCASE

On 1 November, Year 9, 10 and 11 students set off

to Belgrave Cinema to watch the Skills and Thrills

showcase of career options.

The Skills and Thrills Showcase examined new and

emerging projects taking place across Sydney, in

order to reveal industries where there are

abundant job opportunities. The show also

brought a focus to current and future demands on

sectors experiencing skills shortages, such as

tourism, hospitality, construction, primary

industries, childcare and healthcare. Various

approaches to address these needs were also

discussed. The information was delivered in an

engaging way and captivated our students.

The Skills and Thrills Showcase took careers

advice out of the office and onto the screen,

through an exhilarating film packed with music,

video and animation. Students found out the latest

information on jobs of the future, industry trends

and how to connect their passions to a successful

career outcome.

SkillsOne showcased a variety of in demand

industry areas, with a focus to the needs of our

region including:

tourism and hospitality

building and construction

community services and healthcare

digital, IT and STEM

creative industries

primary industries and agribusiness

government jobs, and

service sectors

Students learnt about career opportunities in

each sector, and avenues for training.

There were many educational benefits of the

showcase including; a greater understanding of

vocational education pathways and careers,

Regional, State and National based

understanding of industry areas of need, growth,

high demand and opportunity, opportunity to

hear positive success stories from Ambassadors

who have apprenticeship/training experience,

and a hand out provided, promoting useful links.

The showcase was informative, influential, full of

passion, offering options on areas of possibility

and opportunity for further study.

Mrs Lana Hardman

Careers Adviser

7 November 2016 Page 5

CELEBRATION CHOIR

On Friday, 28 October, 10 talented students

along with Mrs Pearson and Mr Ryan, travelled to

Sydney to perform in the Celebration Choir Sing

Out in the Sydney Town Hall. The event raises

much needed funds for Westmead Childrens’

Hospital.

Our talented singers and musicians also saw the

musical Aladdin and Sculptures by the Sea, and

enjoyed some sweets by Zumbo as well.

A big congratulation to all our performers.

Another wonderful weekend of song!

Mrs Pearson

ATSI DANCERS

On Saturday, 29 October, Duval’s ATSI Deadly

Dancers performed to great acclaim at the

Opening Day for the International Hub.

The International Hub in Butler Street has been

established by the University of New England to

provide health and well-being programmes to

international students and their families as the

settle into the Australian lifestyle.

Ms Noonan and Ms Widders

MOVEMBER AT DUVAL

Calling for participants and

supporters of Duval’s team:

Duval-Models-of-Mo

Donations can be made at:

https://au.movember.com/donate/

payment/team_id/2243755

The Movember movement is aimed at raising

funds to support research and prevention in

the areas of:

prostrate cancer

testicular cancer

mental health and suicide prevention.

7 November 2016 Page 6