Issue 1 3 April 2012 Term 1

The art of public speaking is a skill that provides students with the ability to express their ideas with confidence and enables them to build self esteem.

Our annual Speak Out Competition aims to provide the opportunity for students who are talented in the area of public speaking to have a chance to shine. This evening allows the parents/caregivers and grandparents of our students to celebrate their talents and achievements in this area.

Students from Years 7 -12 were invited to write a speech based on a certain topic. This year the students were asked to write their speech based on a social issue of their choosing. Their aim was to motivate and inspire change within their audience.

The students who competed presented their thoughts and ideas in a very mature manner and all spoke with passion above their years of experience.

Lisa Welsh and Lisa Wright

During Term 1 students from Wadalba Community School have been participating in NSW’S Premier Volunteering Program. Participation in this program involves students undertaking a minimum of 20 hours of volunteering in their school and community. Students who achieve this will receive a certificate from the Premier of NSW.

The program helps students pursue interests, improve skills and widen their knowledge. It is an additional school activity for selected students who wish to participate.

The program may include:

a range of subject areas and interests chosen by the participating students

visits to businesses and community facilities recreational and vocational experiences.

Mrs Georgina Waters Relieving Head Teacher Welfare

The SRC or also known as the leadership group has just been elected for 2012. Some enthusiastic and energetic new faces have joined the senior leaders and they are busily planning big things for 2012.

The new leadership group was introduced to the school body at the last formal school assembly. Parents of the SRC students will be notified of an induction event which they can attend in the near future.

The students are looking to receive SRC training early Term Two and then go on to plan for the rest of the year.

Ms Melanie Coghlan

Congratulations to all those students who have been taking up the opportunity to work with their teachers on a Wednesday afternoon. Students have found this extra support to be of great benefit in regard to extra assistance or completing assessment tasks and homework. The centre runs in the library from 2.30 – 3.45 every Wednesday. A light afternoon tea is provided for students.

Teachers volunteer their time to assist students with completing homework, assignments, assessment tasks or to clarify lessons. Thanks for all the support of students and teachers.

Mrs Leanne Hancock Head Teacher Mathematics Homework Centre Coordinator

A fun day of competition for all involved. The Primary students arrived decked out in their house colours and full of enthusiasm. The competitive swimmers from the high school participated in the long distance and butterfly events on day one and the Year 11 VET Sport Coaching students performed officiating roles at the Carnival which included timekeeping, announcing and lifeguard duties. Many teachers commented on the great cooperation between Secondary and Primary students. It was wonderful to see these senior Wadalba students encouraging and supporting the junior Wadalba students in such a responsible and positive manner. Olivia Simpson was the stand out performer in the Primary events breaking many of the school records. Highlights of the day included the enthusiasm and passion of the house war cry competition and the endurance shown by secondary athletes competing in the 400m freestyle and 400m individual medley events.

Ms Brooke Playford Sport Coordinator

The Da Vinci Competition took place on Tuesday 20th March 2012. Students worked in teams during this competition and received and submitted answers in a live format utilising the schools technology resources.

Students were engaged in discussions around mathematical problem solving and were not able to consult with their teachers. The ability to use the video conferencing resources and view other schools and the coordinator in a live situation proved to be very motivating.

This was an excellent opportunity for students to participate in a team competition with a focus on mathematical logic and reasoning. Thank you to all students involved and Mrs Burton, Ms Garland and Mrs Makin for helping make this challenge a success.

Mrs Leanne Hancock Head Teacher Mathematics

Dressed in their house colours and adorned in war paint, students turned out in great numbers once again to battle it out for aquatic supremacy. It was a day where the Salmon Run reigned. So many students in the pool at once, music blaring and happy faces all around.

There were some close races in a number of age groups and some interesting variations to the more ‘traditional’ swimming strokes. Christian Bentley, Viena Fonua and Zachary Johnson led the way, breaking a number of school records between them.

52 students were then selected to represent our school at the Tuggerah Lakes Zone Carnival. All of the students displayed outstanding sportsmanship at this event and upheld our school values of Respect, Responsibility and Excellence. Wadalba finished 3rd overall at the carnival to Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College and Terrigal High School and we finished 2nd in the Juvenile Category.

Christian Bentley and Zachary Johnson finished the carnival as the top two performing males of the meet and were named Age Champions in the 14years and 13years boys age groups respectively.

8 students then represented WCS and Tuggerah Lakes Zone at the Sydney North Carnival at Homebush. Christian Bentley, Zachary Johnson, Joshua Pemberton and Viena Fonua all swam in individual events and Emma Hamlyn, Teagan McBeath, Rhiannon Hines and Kaitlyn Sloan competed in the 16year girls relay. After several outstanding performances Viena and Zachary were selected to swim at the NSWCHS State Championship in one event. Joshua qualified for three events and Christian was selected to swim in six events. These Championships will be swum at Homebush on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of April and we wish these swimmers the very best of luck.

Ms Brooke Playford Sport Coordinator

On the 29th March Year 8 participated in a Welfare Day. As part of this day students participated in Verbal Combat a stage show presented by Brainstorm Productions. The production focused on cyber-bullying, digital citizenship, legal ramifications, social websites, exclusion, rumours, threats, manipulation, insults, alienation, empathy, safety and resilience. The production was highly relevant for Year 8 and proved to be a very positive performance.

The remainder of the day was spent participating in 6 workshops delivered by Oasis Youth Centre. The workshops focused on managing stress/mental health, support networks, cyber-bullying, bullying and the Bully Test, self esteem and boundaries.

Thank you to Oasis Youth Centre for their support. Without their ongoing support we would not be able to facilitate such positive programs for our students.

Mrs Melinda Brown Year 8 Year Advisor

Orchid Way, Wadalba 2259 P O Box 294, Wyong NSW 2259 T: 0243925000 F: 0243925046 Email: wadalba-c.school@det.nsw.edu.au Website: http://www.wadalba-c.schools.nsw.edu.au/

Principal: Mrs Sally Conn

Deputy Principals: Ms Carol Furey Mr Brian Cook Mr Cameron Dusting Ms Jane Harris

The priority in the TAS faculty across all of our subjects is to align all curriculum and delivery with industry standards. Two of the many exciting projects that TAS students are completing around the school which highlight this philosophy are:

One of the many new resources that we have received as part of the Trade Training Centre grant is the very impressive commercial hospitality kitchen. This is now being utilised by our Stage 6 hospitality classes under the guidance of Mr Robinson and Ms King. Students are using the kitchen for all practical Hospitality lessons, allowing them to receive industry training in a commercial setting.

The VET Hospitality students along with the VET Retail Services students are also successfully operating a café during recess for staff and senior students. These students are doing a wonderful job and learning a lot of valuable retail and hospitality skills.

Year 10 Design and Technology students are currently designing a large timber console to house the new recording equipment. At this stage students are designing and drawing the console using the recently acquired industry standard AutoCAD software.

All students are creating their own design for the desk taking inspiration from some of the world leading recording facilities. The final product will be judged by the class. Students have researched and given full consideration to factors including function, aesthetics, ergonomics and cost.

Once a design is chosen, the class will work in small groups to construct the desk in the timber workshops and then wire the system up in the new recording studio. All students have been working exceptionally well and the initial designs are fantastic.

Darren Ponman HT Technology and Applied Studies

The Year 12 Hospitality class in action with Mr Robinson and Ms King