GRIFFITH SITE 88 Coolah Street, Griffith NSW 2680 PH 02 6969 9300 WADE SITE 1-39 Poole Street, Griffith NSW 2680 PH 02 6969 9300

E murrumbidgee-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au W https://murrumbidgee- schools.nsw.gov.au

TERM 1 – WEEK 9 – 2020Principal’s UpdateDear Parents and Caregivers

Continuity of learningI would like to thank the dedicated staff of Murrumbidgee Regional High School for providing continuity of learning for all our students in the face of these unprecedented times. Today I can proudly say that we have provided work online or written packages to every student in every year at MRHS. The online work has been available for some time. The written packages were placed in the post this morning. If students do not receive a written package in the mail that means that all of their work is being provided online. I am very proud of our staff for their tireless work and commitment to our students.

The HSC in 2020NESA's announcements on Tuesday confirmed that the 2020 HSC is going to proceed. Principals have been given discretion to modify the number and weightings of assessment tasks. Some tasks may be deleted, other tasks may be modified. Our teachers will keep students informed. NESA has asked students to keep working on their major works. Students will need to liaise with their teachers and find common times to continue their major works.https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/about/news/media-releases/media-release-detail/2020-HSC-is-going-ahead

Supporting our studentsWe understand that the current situation will cause anxiety for some of our students. We know that over time our students will miss their friends, their teachers and their school. I have instructed our staff to communicate, communicate, communicate with our

kids. I do not believe that we can have too much communication at this time. I met with the four school counsellors this morning about continuing to provide strong support for all our students. If your child would like to speak with one of our counsellors (Pirkko Makarainen, Jason Wade, Maria Licastro and Jo Ryan) they only have to call the school on 6969 9300 to make an appointment. These appointments can either be in person or over the phone.

Changed work arrangements for our staffAs of today we have less than 3% of our students attending school each day. We have created a new work roster for our staff to ensure their health and safety into the future. Staff will work one day at school and four days from home each week. Our staff are still going to be available. They will be responsive to student and parental requests. They will always be able to be contacted during school hours. If you are the parent of a senior student and you have not been contacted by all of your child's teachers in the last two weeks could you please let me know so that I can ensure that feedback occurs.

Finally, can I thank all parents and care givers for your continued support of your children and our school. As we adapt and find solutions to new problems on a daily basis it is reassuring to know that we are committed to working together. No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to make it happen.

All the best

Mr Peter KingExecutive Principal

WHAT’S ON AT MRHS?TERM 1 - *Cancelled - Start Naplan Mandatory Practice window opens 23 March to 9 April

WEEK 10Tuesday 31 March*Cancelled - CSU Explore Day Wagga: Selected Yrs 9-12*Cancelled - Parent Teacher Interviews Sem 1 - Griffith site 4-7pmWednesday 1 April*Cancelled - Parent Teacher Interviews Sem 1 - Wade site 4-7pmWednesday 1 April - Friday 3 April*Cancelled - CHS State Swimming CarnivalWednesday 1 April - Thursday 9 April*NSW Youth WeekFriday 4 April*Cancelled - Pasifika Fundraiser Woolworths BBQ

WEEK 11Monday 6 April - Thursday 9 April*Cancelled *NSW Youth WeekTuesday 7 April*Cancelled *SRC - Youth Forum - SkypeWednesday 8 April*Cancelled - 7/8 AFL Gala Day*Cancelled - Athletics CarnivalFriday 10 April*Good Friday Holiday

Monday 13 April - Friday 24 April*SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Monday 27 April*Staff Development DayTuesday 28 April*Students return to school

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Introducing new staff .....

Name: ReneẽAtkinsonWhere have you come from to be at MRHS? The Central coast, near Gosford - 7 hours away! I am a new teacher!

What are some of your favourite hobbies? Watching movies, gardening, cafẽs with friends, seeing family, jigsaws, horse-riding and now it’s skype with family!

What do you like about living in Griffith? A different location and how easy and quick it is to get across the other side of town. It used to take me three min-utes to get out of my street. Also I love all of the different nationalities that I get to converse with.

What do you like about being at MRHS? Teaching! and the lovely staff.

Name: Andrew Ross Where have you come from to be at MRHS? Griffith.

What are some of your favourite hobbies? Reading, playing video games.

What do you like about living in Griffith? The food and I met my fiancee here.

What do you like about being at MRHS? The friendly staff and being close to home.

Year 9 Advisors Report Yr 9 have settled into the new school year with great maturity and positivity. Students have started their new electives and are enjoying extended their skills in new subjects.

Congratulations to our talented swimmers who have made it through the various level of swimming carnivals over the term.

We are in planning for our year excursion towards the end of year which is going to take place in Melbourne. There will be further information to come on this next term. As we are in uncharted territory due to COVID 19, students are encouraged to continue their daily routine

with their school work at home. On the shared Yr 9 google classroom there is a wellbeing challenge for students and their families to complete. Please look after yourselves and stay safe. Please also lookout on the school website for your child’s google classroom codes, for each of their subjects. If you need any assistance with schooling matters during this time please contact Miss Millson at the Wade site: kate.millson1@det.nsw.edu.au or Miss Ridgway at the Griffith Site: elizabeth.ridgway1@det.nsw.edu.au

Miss Kate Millson & Miss Elizabeth RidgwayYear 9 Advisors

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Science/Agriculture Report - Wade siteHello and welcome back to 2020.

The term is well and truly flying and we are starting to get into assessments in Science and Agricul-ture. Just a reminder, the Big Science Competition is coming up. It is a great opportunity for you to demonstrate your knowledge of Science and test yourself in a state wide competition against your peers. To encourage students to go in it, we are pre-pared to subsidise the cost of entry. Please see Miss Kristoffersen if you are keen to have a go at the Big Science competition.

The Discovery classes are starting their journey in Science and Geography at High School. From all reports the classes are engaging enthusiastically in their learning which is really positive to hear.

Yr 11 classes are settling in to the routine of senior life nicely. Just a reminder that there is more em-phasis placed on you as a student in Yr 11 and 12 but we are always there to assist you if you get stuck. As a senior it would be great if you could go back

through your work each evening and highlight areas that you are having trouble with to clarify with your teacher during your next lesson. Ag classes are getting into their first topic and have begun planning and preparing their gardens, along with some paddocks for sowing.

We pick up the wethers for the National Merino Tri-al on Thursday this week. Classes will be involved in preparing them for the competition, developing feed plans and settling them down for showing in August.

Finally, if you have any concerns about your child’s progress in Science or Agriculture, please contact me at Wade site.

All the best,

Mr Mark DuncanHead Teacher Science/Agriculture

Year 11 Biology excursion to Darlington Point

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2020 MRHS Swimming Report

Zone Age Champions

16yr Girls Relay Team (Zone record holders)

16yr Boys Relay Team

Although the MRHS Yr 9-12 competitors only Swimming Carnival was held on the hottest day of the year all students swam extremely well with Samantha Taylor and Wil Donaldson each breaking two records on the day. The Yr7-8 Swimming Carnival was a big hit with all students. Lots of students got involved in races and in the fun events like the bellyflop competition and the salmon relay.

Only two weeks after our school carnivals 42 students travelled to Leeton on the coldest day of the year to compete in the South West Zone Carnival. Wil Donaldson and Jiordan Wallace-Chapman both broke records along with the 16yr Girls Relay team consisting of Piper Stewart, Sophia Pierotti, Matisse Salvestro and Samantha Taylor. MRHS students were age champions in eight out of the twelve possible age categories: 13yr Girl Ruby O'Connor, 13yr Boy Kieran Casey, 14yr Girl Nicole Taylor, 14yr Boy Carl Zirilli, 15yr Girl Piper Stewart, 15yr Boy Charlie Wallace-Chapman, 16yr Girl Samantha Taylor and 16yr Boy Wil Donaldson. The day was extremely successful with 30 students and 9 relay teams moving on to compete at the Riverina Carnival. The MRHS swim team were successful in retaining the title of Zone Champions for a second year.

The MRHS swim team swam exceptionally well at the Riverina Carnival with Samantha Taylor breaking the 100 Breaststroke record and many other swimmer’s swimmer improving on their personal best times. 18 students and 7 relay teams which include the 14yr Girls Free, 16yr Girls Free, 16yr Boys Free, Girls All Age Relay, Open Girls Medley Relay, Open Boys Medley Relay and the 12x50 Person Relay will now represent the Riverina at the Combined High Schools State swimming Carnival at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

Ms Allison StewartSwimming Co-ordinator

13yr Girls Relay