November 13, 2015 Bellingen High School NEWSLETTER Telephone: 02 66551 315 Fax: 02 66552 630 Website: http://www.bellingen-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Vocal Performance at Sydney Opera House Vocalists, Akashya Leopold, Jordan Neville, Rosabella Stephen and Melonie Taylor participated in the NSW State Choirs performance for the annual ‘Choral Festival’ held at the Sydney Opera House. On two consecutive evenings our students sang with 50 other students from various regional areas which form to create the NSW State Choir. Their rehearsal schedule was intense and our students were able to prepare 5 songs, 2 of which were performed in the Concert Hall over the two evenings. These opportunities for vocalists are invaluable for refining a blend of sound and assists young vocalists to project their voice in a controlled and dynamic way. Our repertoire included a contemporary choral piece, written by Paul Jarmon, called ‘Warri and Yatungka’. This is a beautiful and powerful true story of love between a young indigenous couple who ran away together into the Gibson Desert. This couple would be known as Australia’s last real nomads of the Gibson Desert. The choir did great justice to the intention of this composition. The other piece was a folk tune, ‘Hey Harmonika’ which
Performance For the third year in a row the String Orchestra has performed as a solo item in the Schools Music Festival at the Sydney Opera House.
A series of concerts at the Opera House are staged each year and feature combined schools choirs or instrumental groups. Also featured are some of our State schools very best ensembles. They range from jazz
bands, orchestra, concert bands, choirs and small ensembles. Our Bellingen High Ensemble has now been chosen 3 years in a row and performed at an extremely high standard.
Our item featured two soloists, Lachlan Wilkins and Meagan Davis, both of whom performed brilliantly. Backed by the string orchestra their performance took the audience to another world. Many couldn't believe
that this was a student orchestra.
Well done everybody and good luck for next year!
SSO Playerlink
The Sydney Symphony
Orchestra Playerlink was held
at Bellingen High School last
weekend. Students from across
the state representing 38
different schools came together
to form an orchestra, which was
led by our very own Lachlan
Wilkins. Along with 10 other
Bellingen musicians the
orchestra was made up of over
70 players. They were
supported by 13 Sydney
Symphony players and
conducted by Toby Thatcher,
Assistant Conductor of the SSO. The young players spent 3 days working on
a challenging repertoire which they performed in a concert on Sunday
afternoon.
Annie Phelan
Head Teacher CAPA
The Clappers
The 2015 Clappers are just two weeks away - November 27th. The deadline
for entrants has been extended to next Monday – 16th, just enough time to
polish that project you’ve been working on and remember all entrants get
FREE tickets.
I hope you are all planning your glorious outfits to walk the red carpet and be
in the running for the best dressed prize! Doors open at 6.30pm, films start
at 7pm - tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults.
Any questions or fashion advice, please come and see us in the CAPA
Staffroom.
Lynda Lane
CAPA Faculty
Artists Workshop
The next visiting artist’s workshop is scheduled for Monday 23rd November
for Year 12 and Year 9 art students. The focus of the workshop is Life
Drawing. Watch this space!!
Bellingen Youth Art Prize 2015
The Bellingen Youth Art Prize is presented by the Bellingen Community Arts
Council at the Nexus Gallery. This event is organised to encourage students,
the youth of our region, to engage in artistic pursuits and to create excellent
and exciting artworks.
It does provide an opportunity for students to win a prize but it also allows
students to exhibit their artwork, along with lots of others from the area, in
the environment of a real art gallery.
It is a great opportunity to let people see what students have done and also
to see the wide range of approaches that people take in their artistic
expression.
The scope has been broadened by including a graphic art prize earlier in the
year – the winning entry can be seen on the cover of this form and all of the
entries in that competition will be displayed at the Art Prize exhibition.
We do hope that students will enter an artwork and look forward to seeing
everyone at the opening.
Attached to this Newsletter is more information on the Youth Art Prize –
entry form, conditions of entry, framing etc.
Megan Newbound
CAPA Faculty
SEC News Launch of the Bellingen Shire Learning
Alliance
On Monday 2nd November a group of students
from the Student Environmental Council
attended the official opening of “The
Stables” (BSLA). The group listened to
numerous environmental activists within the
community, including Costa Georgiadis from
Gardening Australia. Students participated
in a range of activities including Eco-learning
games, presented by Bellingen EYE, and
planting of seeds/plants and painting.
Article by Athea Lesay and Rani Muir Year 10
What's been going on in Gumbaynggirr Learning this term!
Grip Leadership Conference
On Tuesday 27th October six students from Year 9 attended and participated in the GRIP Leadership conference in Coffs Harbour with accompanying teacher Ms Newhouse. Approximately 100 students from in and around the region were also present.
This was an enriching period of learning, discussing and enthusiasm. Workshops and courses involved learning how to motivate others, forming more dynamic communication, the importance of responsibility, eliminating bullying from the school environment as well as becoming a responsible and approachable leader for your school with the ability to make a serious impact on the school and students.
These leadership courses saw us developing an individual style in our approach to leadership, as well as generating new and innovative ideas for our high school. This conference was highly beneficial in educating potential leaders on communication, motivation and demonstrating core values such as generosity, respect and integrity. A huge thank you to Ms Newhouse for organising and transporting the students to the conference, as the skills we acquired will indefinitely benefit us in the future.
by Alena Hardinge
From the Principal
I would like to congratulate Frieda Gorman for receiving the Mid North Coast region of The Australian College of Educators World Teachers Day Award. This Award is in acknowledgement of the extensive work she does in technology teaching, student welfare and school management.
It was also my great pleasure to present Annie Phelan with her 30 years teaching certificate at a recent school assembly. Annie has had an outstanding career, one which Bellingen High school and our community are currently benefiting from.
Year 9 students have the opportunity to participate in a Mission Australia Youth Support Program - Health and Wellbeing. The Health and Wellbeing Program will be coordinated by Ms Julie Taylor, Head Teacher PDHPE/Welfare and Ms Rachael Butler, Year 9 Student Advisor. The program will be delivered by Mission Health Promotion Outreach Officer, Ms Cassie Critten.
The focus will be on Youth Issues, Health and Wellbeing and will be delivered for 50 minutes (1 period) per week on a Friday and run for 3 weeks (Week 7 - 9) during Term 4. Topics included will be related to mental health, communication, relationships, drugs and alcohol. The program will include group discussion and interactive activities.
Should you require further information please contact Ms Taylor or Ms Butler at the school. Permission notes are being distributed to students.
Paul Holding
Rotary Youth Exchange
Bellingen Rotary has hosted many overseas students on Rotary Youth Exchange for a period of 12 months over the years and will again be hosting an exchange student in 2016 from January to July.
This time however Bellingen Rotary have partnered with Dorrigo Rotary to host Violette from Belgium who has been living in Dorrigo and attending Dorrigo High School since her arrival to Australia in July 2105.
Violette will move to Bellingen in January 2016 and will be enrolled in Bellingen High School.
Hosting exchange students is a very rewarding experience for families. Bellingen Rotary is asking if anyone from the school is interested in being a host family for Violette. We require at least two families who would host for approximately three months each.
Bellingen Rotary is not in a position to financially compensate any families for hosting although they do provide Violette with a monthly allowance to assist her with the purchase of her personal items and other sundries as needed. Bellingen Rotary also provide Violette with a club counsellor or want of a better description, a support person who she will get to know and will provide her with moral support and problem solving. They will also be keeping in touch with the host families to provide them with moral support and problem solving during the hosting period, although this is rarely required, it is always good to have it in place for those rare occasions.
The idea behind two families is to provide Violette with a variety of Australian lifestyles as no two families are the same. Most Rotary exchange students both hosted here in Australia and those we send overseas have from three to four families during their stay.
Bellingen Rotary currently has Tiffany Van Dam from Bellingen High School living and studying in Japan. Tiffany left for Japan in January 2015 and will return in January 2016.
All family members over the age of 18 years will be required to have a Working With Children Check and two Rotary members will meet with them prior to her arrival to discuss hosting etc.
For more information please contact the school.
Bellingen High School – P&C Meeting
Monday 14th December 6.30pm
Staff Common Room – All Welcome!
Year 7 Indonesian News
During Week 5, Year 7 made offerings with Ms Newhouse
during our Indonesian classes. We started with different coloured paper and following Ms Newhouse’s instructions, we
folded and folded and folded and made a few scissor cuts into the paper. Then, with a stapler to hold pieces in place, our
wonderful offerings took shape. Flowers were then added to the offerings that were brought in by other students and some were supplied by Ms Newhouse.
Traditionally the Balinese people would put rice, incense, candles and flowers in their offerings. Offerings are gifts. They are a means of giving something back.
It was great fun! by Ebony Adams and Destini Clarke – 7A
Another 12 lives saved!
Heroes heading to donate blood this week were Year 11 students Douglas Van Hoffen, Sharna Davis, John Gaite and Jordan Goolmeeze. Well done.
Ian Dillon Coordinator
Gold Excursion
The 2015 Gold Excursion to the Gold Coast is on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd December. The Gold Excursion is for students who have achieved Gold Level (that is 20 or more Bronzes), not been Level 3 or above of the school's level system, and have adhered to the school’s uniform policy. The excursion will be to Movieworld on the Tuesday and then to Dreamworld with a crossover pass to White-water World.
The cost for the Gold Excursion is $215 and students should now have paid their $50 non-refundable deposit to the Front Office. The balance of $165 is to be paid by next Tuesday 17th November. Final permission notes will be distributed later this week.
Any questions please see Ms Taylor or Mr Wickham. Julie Taylor/Rob Wickham
Coordinators
Careers News
Year 12 – Early Entry
Students who applied for UNE Early Entry or SCU Star Entry should have received an email
regarding offers for next year. If students plan to accept an Early Entry or Star offer they
need to ensure this course is number one on their UAC preference list at the end of
November. If students change their mind once ATAR is released on 17th December, they
can change their UAC preferences up until 4th January.
Year 11 RAAF Women in Trades
Excursion
A group of Year 11 girls
enjoyed an action packed
day at RAAF Williamtown
this week. Students toured
the different specialist trades
sections and talked to
personnel about their career
pathways and options.
Highlights of the day
included a tour inside the E-
7A Wedgetail surveillance
aircraft, witnessing Hawks
and Hornets on a training
exercise, lots of cool
"freebies" as well as a visit to
Fighter World.
Our girls returned to
Bellingen highly enthusiastic about all the defence force has to offer future recruits.
A big thank you to Abbey's mum, Lee Hart for joining us!
Year 11 QLD Uni Excursion
The Queensland Uni Excursion is fast approaching. Please remember to pay the balance
owing by Monday 23rd November.
Year 11 RRISK Seminar
Year 11 students are invited to attend this year’s RRISK seminar. 52 high schools from across
the North and Mid North Coast will be attending the seminar.
RRISK (Reduce Risk Increase Student Knowledge) encourages students to:
● Know the facts ● Plan ahead
● Be aware of the risks ● Look after your friends
● Make informed decisions
This is the 17th year that the RRISK Program has been running on the Far North Coast and
the 9th year the program has been offered to schools in the Mid North Coast. If your
teenager is in Year 11, please encourage them to attend.
Paul Dillon, Director of Drug and Alcohol Research and Training, Australia is keynote
speaker at the RRISK Seminars. Paul works with young people in Australia and
internationally and is regularly invited by the media to provide expert commentary on
alcohol and drug issues. Paul will give a free presentation for adults on the latest evidence
and how to communicate effectively with young people about alcohol and other drugs at
Southern Cross University on 12th November from 4-6pm (see advert).
Look for information about the RRISK Program and risk taking at the website
www.rrisk.com.au
Year 10 Work Experience
Thank you to all students who have returned their completed forms on time. There will be
a very important Year Meeting on Monday 23rd November, Period 1 where log books and
copies of forms will be issued to all students. This will be an excellent opportunity to clarify
final arrangements. Students who are starting Work Experience early must see Mrs Gorman
during Futures week to receive their forms and logbooks.
Year 10 Important Dates
"Futures" week Monday 16th November to Friday 20th November
Back at school week Monday 23rd November to Friday 27th November
Work Experience From Monday 30th November to Tuesday 8th December
