GUNDAGAI HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER 7 February 2015
UPCOMING EVENTS
Year 7 parents and staff bowls night
P&C Meeting 6pm
February 10th
February 16th
February 19th Immunisations Years 7, 11 & 12
March 16th to 20th Year 12 Mid-Course Exams
March 26th HSC Art Study Day
Welcome to 2015
I would like to welcome all students and their families to the 2015 school year. I also wish to extend a
special welcome to those that are new to Gundagai High School.
Over the first few weeks students have displayed excitement to be back with their schoolmates and
engaged in their learning. Our Year 7 students have settled in well and appear to be enjoying their
transition.
Many exciting extra-curricular activities are in being planned for our students in 2015, including the
Northern Territory Outback excursion, specific year group camps and many educational, sporting and
cultural activities.
Staff are continuing to develop the 2015-2017 GHS School Plan, the school’s website and Facebook
page. We welcome the local community’s feedback and input of schooling matters. Please do not
hesitate to contact the school on 6944 1233 or come and join the P&C meeting on Monday 16th Feb.
A number of key changes have occurred for the commencement of 2015:
School Director
Toni MacDonald, the new Director of Public Schools New South Wales Cootamundra Network, will be
visiting GHS in the near future. We look forward to working with Toni and wish her well in this position.
Staffing Changes
Mrs Miggins– Great Lakes
College Foster campus
Mr Hunt– On Leave for 2015
Mrs Hunt– On leave for 2015
Ms Thake– Illawarra Sports
High School
Miss Turner– Engadine High
School
Relieving Positions
Mr Bridgeman- Principal
Mr Bishop- Deputy Principal
Mr Chadwick- TAS Head
Teacher
Miss Weaver- Maths/ Music/
Visual Arts Head Teacher
New staff
Mrs Sandra Daley- SLSO
Mr Joshua Harris– TAS
Miss Kate McGrath– TAS
Mr Ian Morton– English/ HSIE
Mrs Casey Norden– English/
HSIE
Mr John Officer- Multiple KLAs
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
157 Hanley St GUNDAGAI Ph: 02 6944 1233 Email: [email protected]
Trees
In 2014 many trees throughout the school were identified as a safety hazard. This has resulted in
several trees being removed and others trimmed during the month of January. The school is currently
investigating shade options for playground areas and also the planting of new trees around the school
grounds.
Cameras
Due to a number of break-ins which occurred during 2014, Gundagai High School has invested in
security cameras which have been placed around the school. These cameras are for security
purposes and will be used to help police in their investigations if security breaches continue. The
cameras will not be used as a monitoring tool in the playground, however, they may be used if there is
a major incident during school hours.
School Development Day Tuesday 27th January, 2015
All school staff completed the compulsory Anaphylaxis training over the holidays and were also
awarded their CPR certificates from the training that took place on the last day of school 2014.
Staff also engaged in Mental Health First Aid, which guided them through ways to identify someone
who is struggling with their mental health. We were given advice on how to support and care for our
students.
Staff spent time preparing for the new school year and completed two workshops. Mr Hall and Mr
Crane ran sport orientated activities. Miss Annetts and Miss Carr briefed all staff on the new Year 7
students and suggested teaching methodologies that would be of benefit to our new cohort.
School Swimming Carnival
Congratulations to Mr Hall and Mr Crane for their organisation in planning and running another
successful swimming carnival. Thank you to the staff and students who participated in the carnival
and to those who achieved Age Champion. Good luck to those students who will represent GHS in
the coming weeks at the District and Zone carnivals.
Year 12, 2014
Year 12 students who graduated in 2014 have received excellent news in the past few months.
Sixteen students received at least one offer to university in a variety of courses including Arts,
Communications, Sport Sciences, Engineering, Nursing, Information Technology, Education, Social
Sciences, Criminology and Health. This is a fantastic achievement and the students are to be
congratulated.
In addition, six students have been successful in gaining apprenticeships. This is an excellent
accomplishment in a very competitive employment market. Well done students.
Samuel Jones – Snowy Hydro
Chris Lewin – Rossin’s Developments
Andrew McLeay – Electrician Canberra
Jospeh Bruce – Carter Holt Harvey Mill
Miles Hunt – Hindmarsh Constructions
Robbie Ward – Smith’s Auto Centre
Simon Bridgeman
Relieving Principal
157 Hanley St GUNDAGAI Ph: 02 6944 1233 Email: [email protected]
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
Welcome Back to 2015
It has been great to see all students back for the 2015 School Year. Staff have been impressed with
the punctuality, behaviour, appearance and the uniform that students have displayed to start off the
year.
Important Dates
All staff at Gundagai High School will be using the Calendar on the Gundagai High School website.
Important dates such Assessment tasks, Sporting trials, excursions and holidays will be placed onto
the Calendar.
We encouraged students, parents and guardians to regularly check the calendar, and the school’s
website, for important information.
Please find the link to the GHS website below:
http://www.gundagai-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/
Aerosol cans
Aerosol cans are a banned item in all DEC Schools. A reminder to all students, parents and guardians
to ensure they are left at home and not bring them to school. Students found with aerosol cans will
have them confiscated immediately and will then need to pick them up at the end of the school day.
Students wishing to bring deodorant to school must ensure that they use either a deodorant stick or
pump.
The school appreciates your co-operation in this matter.
Lockers
Gundagai High School has lockers available for hire for all students in Years 7 – 12. The cost of the
lockers is $60 per year. Students will need to pick up a locker note from the front office, have it
completed by their parents or guardians and return it to the front office.
Once this has been done the Deputy Principal will assign the locker to the student.
Student Essentials
Available for sale at the front office are:
$8 – GHS 8Gb USB Drives
$7 – GHS Bucket hats
$17.60 – Calculators
These are essential items in a number of subjects across the school. The Mathematics Department
encourages all students to have the same calculator for consistency of learning in the classroom, hats
are mandatory when going outside for Technology and Agriculture subjects, and a USB Drive is
essential for all students to back up their school work.
An important reminder to all students that loss off data or computer work is not grounds for appeal or
a reason for handing assessment tasks in late.
157 Hanley St GUNDAGAI Ph: 02 6944 1233 Email: [email protected]
School Uniforms
School uniform purchase can be made through a number of methods:
Lowe’s in Wagga Wagga
Lowe’s Online - http://www.lowes.com.au/Schools-Online.aspx
GHS Front Office
Only limited amounts of stock are available through the GHS Front Office.
The Uniform Price list is attached to Newsletter.
A reminder to all students that the uniform policy is for students to wear black leather-enclosed shoes.
The following information regarding footwear is DEC Policy:
DEC Footwear Requirements.
In the absence of any medical certificate, the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
requirement is not negotiable. A parent/guardian signing a disclaimer is insufficient.
The student, parent and /or guardian need to re-evaluate participating in the subject.
Basically the PPE requirement is a condition of entry into the workshop or laboratory
and was developed by undertaking a risk management exercise.
It is unacceptable to allow students in workshops without the prerequisite PPE.
In a number of subject areas, particularly subjects in the TAS Department, leather-enclosed shoes are
mandatory for both practical and theory subjects. Leather shoes with mesh panels in the sides do not
provide sufficient enough protection and students may be excluded from lessons.
The school appreciates the co-operation of students, parents and guardians in this matter.
Attendance and Notes
The absence from school by any student requires a note to be handed to the front office or roll call teacher
to explain the absence.
Please see attached to the newsletter a copy of the absentee note, or you can find it on the school
website:
http://www.gundagai-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/our-school/attendance-absences
Matthew Bishop
Relieving Deputy Principal
157 Hanley St GUNDAGAI Ph: 02 6944 1233 Email: [email protected]
FRONT OFFICE NEWS
Late Arrivals
The school day starts at 9:00am with Roll Call. It is important for your child to attend roll call in the
morning as it is an information sharing time. If there are any variations to the day, roll call is where
everyone finds out about it. A lot of sporting announcements are also made at these roll calls. If your
child doesn’t arrive at school on time to attend roll call, they need to sign in at the front office.
There are several issues with students arriving late to school including:
Students don’t know if there are any variations to the school day which may include visiting
workshops, room changes, program changes, nominating for sporting events and choosing a sport for
Wednesday afternoon sport.
These partial lateness’s add up over the year and will be shown on their school reports that they
have had unexplained absences. This does not look good when they apply for a job and need to show
their school reports.
Students arriving late to a class are disruptive to both the teacher and fellow students.
We ask all parents to encourage their children to arrive at school by 8:45am, attend roll call and are
ready for lessons. If students are late to school they are required to bring a note explaining the reason
for their lateness, just as they would on their return to school if they were away for the whole day/s.
Early Departures
If your child has to leave school early for any reason such as doctor or dental appointments they must
hand in permission note to the front Office in the morning before roll call. A leave pass showing time
of departure will be prepared and handed back to the student. The student takes the leave pass to roll
call and the roll teacher will mark the roll accordingly. When the student needs to leave they show
there teacher their leave pass then go to the front office sign the leaving school book upon departure.
Absences
Gundagai High School is required under the Education Act 2009 to record and report on all
absences (Whole day and Partial absences). This includes students who are “a few minutes late”.
Parents are responsible under the act to explain the absences of their children from school with a
written note.
Student Details and Updates
A Family details form will be sent home with students around week 4. This will give you a opportunity
to review the school data and update any changes for eg. Phone Numbers, Addresses, Medical info
etc.
Fees
Fee statements will be posted out very soon. Prompt payment would be appreciated as these funds
buy supplies for the student’s education.
157 Hanley St GUNDAGAI Ph: 02 6944 1233 Email: [email protected]
Lost Property
All personal belongings need to be clearly named. Lost property is situated in the front office. At the end of each term unclaimed/unnamed items of school clothing are taken to our local Op Shop.
FOR SALE
GHS school hats $7.00
GHS USB (4GB) $8.00
Calculators $17.60
All available at the front office.
2015 CENTRAL AUSTRALIA AND OUTBACK QUEENSLAND EXCURSION UPDATE
Students wishing to attend the Central Australia and Outback Queensland Excursion are invited to attend a meeting during lunch one, Friday 13th Feb. The parent and guardian information session with Goodes Coaches, Ms. Sturt and Mr. Rake will be held during an evening this term (date and time yet to be confirmed). A reminder to those students who have paid the first instalment, the second payment is due by the end of this term. For more information please see Ms. Sturt in the English staffroom.
Why English?
Parents and other interested community members are invited to participate in an evening where we
look at some of the important aspects of the study of English at high school. English is the only
compulsory subject from years 7 to 12 and some students and parents question the relevance of the
study of poetry or Shakespeare’s plays, for example. The English teachers at Gundagai High will host
one evening each term to share our love of English with the broader Gundagai community. Everyone
is welcome to this evening, even if English wasn’t your favourite subject at school. So, come along
and see what your children are learning in English and perhaps how education has changed since
you were last at school. The first topic we will cover is poetry and later this year we will look at other
texts including Shakespeare’s plays. We will also run a session on speech writing later in the year.
We would love to see you for coffee and a snack to begin with at 6 pm on Tuesday 17 February at the
school. Contact Mr Regan at the school for further information.
ENGLISH
157 Hanley St GUNDAGAI Ph: 02 6944 1233 Email: [email protected]
The Australian Tax Office has changed the process for students applying for a Tax File Number
(TFN). Schools are no longer able to process TFN application forms!
The new process involves students completing an online application form and then visiting a
participating Australia Post Office outlet to have their identity verified.
To apply for a TFN students need to visit.
https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Ind/Apply-for-a-TFN-on-the-web/?fb_locale=es_LA
After they have completed this form students will need to print their application summary and take this
together with proof of identity documents to a participating Australia Post outlet. This must be done
within 30 days of completing the online form.
Information on the type of Proof of Identity documents that can be used can be found at
https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Ind/Apply-for-a-TFN-on-the-
web/?anchor=Proof_of_identity#Proof_of_identity
AGRICULTURE NEWS
ANGUS SOCIETY RECOGNISES GUNDAGAI HIGH’S MELBOURNE SHOW SUCCESS
At the recent Angus Youth Round-Up and dinner Gundagai High’s Melbourne Show Team were
presented with a trophy and prize money to recognise their success as a member of the winning
Borthwick Trophy team at the 2014 Melbourne Show. The steer was one donated by Drumard
Partnership of Humula for the school to feed and prepare for Melbourne.
D Chadwick Agriculture Teacher
CAREER’S ADVISER’S NEWS
Some of the
successful 2014
Show Team with
the trophy.
157 Hanley St GUNDAGAI Ph: 02 6944 1233 Email: [email protected]
GUNDAGAI HIGH RFS CADET STATE CHAMPIONS ARE THE 2015
YOUNG CITIZENS OF THE YEAR
At the recent Australia Day awards in Gundagai the schools RFS Cadet Team were awarded the
honour of Young Citizens of the Year. The cadets gained this accolade through their commitment to
serving their community, upholding the values of the RFS and training for and winning the NSW State
Championships in 2014. The Cadets are active in their community assisting with the operation of
various events around town including the Giddy-Up, Battle on the Bidgee, Riverfest, regional cross
country and various school fund raisers. They are also active during flood times assisting with
sandbagging or moving the contents of flood prone houses. The cadet unit has been an integral part
of the sport program at GHS since 2010. The recipients of the award are Stacey Lewin, Savannah
Thomson, Marten Petty, Brodie Wilson, Stuart Petty and Mitchell Luff.
I wish to thank Ian Petty for all his work in 2014 as the coach and mentor of the cadet unit, also Karen
Lewin for assisting with the Team whilst at the titles in Pambula. Their support is invaluable and very
much appreciated.
D Chadwick Cadet Coordinator
The Cadet team receiving their awards on Australia Day (B Wilson absent)
157 Hanley St GUNDAGAI Ph: 02 6944 1233 Email: [email protected]
WELCOME YEAR 7
What a great start to the year it has been for 42 Year 7 students who commenced their high school
journey at Gundagai High School last Wednesday, 28th January.
The students have settled extremely well into their new setting, which at first can be quite daunting.
Each student has shown a keen approach to their learning across all subjects and as a group has been
complimented on their enthusiasm, eagerness and organisational skills. Students have handled the
significant changes from primary school including reading timetables, having several class teachers for
a variety of subjects and moving around a bigger school environment, with maturity and for this they
are to be congratulated.
It has been excellent to see all students in full school uniform and wearing the correct footwear. Thank
you to parents and caregivers for assisting students to be fully prepared and ready in all facets for high
school.
Students took home an invitation for parents and caregivers to attend a ‘Gundagai High School Staff
and Parents Get Together’ which will take place Tuesday 10th February at the Gundagai District
Services Sports Club. I look forward to meeting parents and seeing familiar faces at the event.
If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact me on (02) 69 441 233.
I have thoroughly enjoyed welcoming the Year 7 students to Gundagai High and look forward to a
wonderful year!
Miss Lucy Annetts
Year 7 Adviser
157 Hanley St GUNDAGAI Ph: 02 6944 1233 Email: [email protected]
Boys Girls
12 Year
1st Oscar Bartlett 2nd Cameron Smart 3rd Matthew Dowell
1st Samantha Tout 2nd Jazmine Carberry 3rd Jarrah Ransome
13 Year
1st Clay Webb 2nd Campbell Smith 3rd Bradley Luff
1st Jane Lemon 2nd Bridget Smart 3rd Tanisha Denhert
14 Year
1st Noah Hargreaves 2nd Riley Britt 3rd Oliver McDonnell
1st Maranda Carberry 2nd Karleigh Bower 3rd Peta Salmon
15 Year
1st Claz Bishop = 2nd Will Carberry = 2nd Harry McDonnell
1st Shae Smith 2nd Amelia Smith
16 Year
1st Joseph Carberry 2nd Tylor Rolfe 3rd Matt Peterson
1st Rachel Stuckey 2nd Clare Tout
17+ Year
1st Jimmy Lindley 2nd Jospeh Murray 3rd Marten Petty
1st Billie-Joe Carberry 2nd Nikki Smart 3rd Toni Cribb
2015 SWIMMING CHAMPIONS
Are you having issues with peers?
Do you want some advice about school or home concerns?
Are you worried about a friend?
The Girls and Boys Supervisors are available to advise
and assist students.
Make an appointment with Miss Carr (females) or
Mr Crane (males).
157 Hanley St GUNDAGAI Ph: 02 6944 1233 Email: [email protected]
The Gundagai Concert Band is taking new members. Students and their parents are invited to an information and registration session at Gundagai High School MPC at 4pm on Monday 9th February. Come and have fun and learn to play an instrument. Enquiries Brenda Argaet 0427441688 or Karen Byron (Kelly) 0402730577
GUNDAGAI/ADELONG JRL - REGISTRATION DAY
Gundagai/Adelong Junior Rugby League will be holding another registration day on Wednesday 18th of February at the Gundagai Swimming Pool from 3.30 to 5.30pm - Cost is $65.00 per player and capped at $150.00 for 3 or more children. New players welcomed and must show original Birth Certificate on Registration day (new players receive bag, socks & shorts). Payment must be made on the day of registration. Parents are also advised that it is COMPULSORY that each child registered has a current Medical Advice Card completed. Medical Advice Cards will be available on registration day and MUST be completed prior to training or playing. ALL players wishing to try out for the Representative teams the trials will be on the 21st of March for U12’s – U15’s at Wagga and must be registered beforehand. All children MUST be registered before they commence training and before they play their first game. - All enquiries can be made to Shane Bartlett on 0417 755 903 or Jacki Fairall on 0488 997 321. For all information check out our website http://gundagaiadelongjuniors.leaguenet.com.au
TUMUT BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Autumn Competition Registration Day
Thursday 19th February
4pm to 6pm
at Club Tumut Nomination forms available from Sportspower
Registration enquiries to Debbie Webb on 0427 647027
COMMUNITY NEWS
REASON FOR ABSENCE
My son/daughter ________________________ in Year _________
was absent from school on ________________________________
(Dates student absent)
Reason: Sick Medical/Dental Family Leave
Signed: __________________________________Parent/Carer
Date: _____/____/____
REASON FOR ABSENCE
My son/daughter ________________________ in Year _________
was absent from school on ________________________________
(dates student absent)
Reason: Sick Medical/Dental Family Leave
Signed: __________________________________Parent/Carer
Date: _____/____/____
REASON FOR ABSENCE
My son/daughter ________________________ in Year _________
was absent from school on ________________________________
(dates student absent)
Reason: Sick Medical/Dental Family Leave
Signed: __________________________________Parent/Carer
Date: _____/____/____
REASON FOR ABSENCE
My son/daughter ________________________ in Year _________
was absent from school on ________________________________
(dates student absent)
Reason: Sick Medical/Dental Family Leave
Signed: __________________________________Parent/Carer
Date: _____/____/____