Science faculty Topics students are studYing in term2 (YR 7 to 10) Plumpton High School | www.plumpton-h.schools.nsw.edu.au PAGE | 13 Year 7 Polymer World Year 8 Emergency Room Year 9 Contagion Year 10 Climate Change We would like to reinforce the need for our students to be prepared and packed for learning by having an exercise book and pens. Teachers will check if students have these tools for learning every lesson and parents will be contacted if their child attends class unprepared. Forensics - gifted & talented program The Young Einstein's are at it again! They have participated in a Forensics Training program about blood typing, footprint analysis, facial reconstruction, fingerprinting and a range of other forensic techniques. These skills have helped these budding forensic scientists on their double murder case. Was it a murder? Was it a suicide? The Young Einstein's will have all the answers next term.
Transcript
Science faculty
Topics students are studYing in term2 (YR 7 to 10)
Plumpton High School | www.plumpton-h.schools.nsw.edu.au PAGE | 13
Year 7Polymer World
Year 8Emergency Room
Year 9Contagion
Year 10Climate Change
We would like to reinforce the need for our students to be prepared and packed for learning by having an exercise book and pens. Teachers will check if students have these tools for learning every lesson and parents will be contacted if their child attends class unprepared.
Forensics - gifted & talented program
The Young Einstein's are at it again! They have participated in a Forensics Training program about blood typing, footprint analysis, facial reconstruction, fingerprinting and a range of other forensic techniques.
These skills have helped these budding forensic scientists on their double murder case. Was it a murder? Was it a suicide?
The Young Einstein's will have all the answers next term.
Science faculty
agriculture
The science faculty and the year 7-12 agriculture classes have been working hard over the past couple of terms to establish and work towards a sustainable agriculture plot. Students and teachers this term have been focusing on rejuvenating the land and redeveloping the plot to its former glory. Students in years 7 and 8 have been analysing the welfare and production of our chickens whilst our year 9 and 10 students have developed seedling enterprises that you will soon see being sold around the school.
If you are willing to be part of the Agriculture Team PAT we meet on Friday afternoon directly after school till 4pm. You will need to get a permission note if you would like to be part of the team. Please see Mr Domingo, Mr Aguiar, Mr Streatfeild or Miss Angeli.
robotics
Students in the STEM Robotics Program are attending the classes with great enthusiasm and excitement as they are passionate about technology and computers. The students obtained their Soldering licence which allows them to make reliable electronic connection using the soldering Iron. Recently they assembled their bristle bot and are working on developing the design for the sumo challenge.
Stem academy
Staff from Maths, Science and Industrial Arts are collab-orating with year 7 Da Vinci students to design and construct an aquatic drone that will be used to clean water pollution in our waterways. Students will use their understanding of forces and energy and measure-ment to design a solar powered drone that can move up and down a body of water collecting rubbish and debris found in the water. The project will be submitted to the University of Sydney next term when it is completed.
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CONGRATULATIONS!!!
A BIG congratulationsgoes out to Emma Watson and Ayush Sharma in their placement in the Big Science Competition!
Emma WilsonDistinction
Ayush SharmaHigh
Distinction
technology & applied studies
Metal Work
Students have been busy in the metal work workshops and utilising the new CNC plasma cutter to learn new skills and enhance the design opportunities in their work
Year 7 Engineering
Year 7 Engineering students have been learning about material properties and conducting a range of experiments in order to select the most suitable materials to construct a hovercraft. Concepts such as force, motion, resistance and propulsion were also investigated in order to design and construction of a working model hovercraft.
Stage 5 Engineering
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Stage 5 Engineering students have completed their study on engineered structures where they investigated loads, forces and strength in design. Students were given a challenge to design and build a bridge using less than 200 paddle pop sticks that needed to span a distance of 600 mm. The aim was to see which bridge design carried the greatest load. All of the bridges were tested to destruction with some spectacular results. The largest load supported by one of these paddle pop bridges was in excess of 65 kilograms built by Bilal Syed, Ahmed Muhammad and Travis Foote – future engineers!
3D PRINTER
The Technology and Applied Studies Faculty recently acquired a new 3D Printer which was purchased to support our STEM programs, F1 in schools team and Graphics classes. Year 12 students completing their Major Projects in Industrial Technology quickly realised the benefits that a 3D printer gave them in the design and development of their Major Projects and have commenced printing prototype models of their projects to help assess design factors such as balance, proportion, symmetry and aesthetics.The 3D printer will be used extensively during our University of Sydney STEM Academy program later this term with students using the technology to produce parts for Aquatic Drones which they are designing and building. More information about this program to come later!
student executive council
The Student Executive Council has had an extremely eventful Term Two representing Plumpton High School constantly throughout the local and Sydney community. The student leadership body participated in a multitude of events including the notable Blacktown City Council's Youth Advisory Council, the ANZAC Day ceremonies at both St Martins Place within the city as well as our local RSL service at Rooty Hill RSL Club, boardroom meetings with the producers of Triple J and the ABC. Furthermore the SEC aided in the undertaking and assisting with major charity incentives such as the 'Hygiene for the Homeless' program within the CBD.
Throughout all of these events, the SEC has promoted the School and its values in the highest possible manner, even meeting the likes of the current Premier (Gladys Berejiklian) and Governor of New South Wales (David Hurley). Term Three for the SEC will turn its focus and attention inwards to look at and assist in further developing the school in a variety of promising and beneficial areas to expand the links between the school and the community.
Accelerated Reader Program
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Lift-off for accelerated reader!
The new Accelerated Reading program was officially launched on May 16 this term with all Years 7, 8 & 9 attending a special assembly.
Students heard from the Prinicpal, Mr Lloyd about the importance of improving their reading skills so that they were HSC-ready by Yr 12.
Mr Paul McDonald, owner and operator of The Children’s Bookshop in Beecroft, spoke about the joys and pleasures of reading and gave students a wide variety of the latest novels that have hit Australian shelves in the last 12-18 months.
Mr Hartmann created a video of some of the teachers around the school talking about what books had changed their life or left a lasting impact on them. This was really well received and hopefully motivated many students to return to reading.
Overall, the assemblies were a wonderful way to promote a love of reading for staff and students. Stay tuned on the PHS Facebook page to see the video!
Accelerated Reader Program
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How it works
Your feedback
We’d love to hear parents/carers or students’ comments or feedback about our new Accelerated Reader program! Send us a message on PHS’ Facebook page or feel free to email any of the Literacy Team:
The Accelerated Reading program has taken off without a hitch this term for all students in Years 7, 8 & 9. Students enjoyed a launch assembly on May 16 and spent the next few weeks learning how to borrow books & complete reading quizzes. It’s been so lovely seeing our students engrossed in a novel and the library shelves are looking a little bare - but that’s a good thing!!
Empty shelves in the library - it’s a good thing!
Continued on next page...
Accelerated Reader Program
Empty shelves in the library - it’s a good thing!
How does it work?
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If you or your child/children is in Years 7, 8 or 9, they will be engaged in silent reading for the first 15 minutes of every English, Science and HSIE lesson for the remainder of 2017. We strongly encourage students to read at home as well! Once students finish their book, they log onto Accelerated Reader to complete the book quiz. Their results give their teachers and the Literacy team a snapshot of their growth and progress. The Literacy team will be setting targets for students all year to ensure they continue to improve their reading skills.
The book quiz tests their comprehension of the story they’ve read. Students are given their results immediately and can check their progress. As we move further into the program, PHS will develop some challenges that will hopefully keep students motivated!
duke of edinburgh
Bronze - duke of edinburgh - update
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The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is an internationally recognised program for young people, building their skills to equip them for life & work. By creating opportunities for young people to develop skills, get physically active, give service and experience adventure, the Award can play a critical role in their development.
At Plumpton High School students start at the Bronze Award Level in Year 9. The Award encourages the partici-pant to set personal goals and achieve them. Participants choose their own activities and set their own goals within four general areas: Skills, Recreation, Service & Adventurous Journey. The Bronze Award Level for all Year 9 students is currently provided at no cost to the student.
So far this term, students have been picking the skill they want to achieve and the physical recreation they are going to do. Majority of the students will be completing the two components during the school hours. Some students have nominated for their assessor to be their teachers, but they will be completing the skill at home or during lunch time. Then bringing what they have completed at home, regularly, to their assessor to show them the progress they are making to complete the skill. The other option, that students have chosen is using the already amazing sport they complete during the week and on weekends as their physical recreation, which is great. This just means that two other forms need to be completed by their coaches, asking for their Working With Children Check number, then bring their forms back to Miss Somerville in the Maths staffroom.
Lastly, Mrs Langham and Miss Somerville will be conducting ongoing interviews with every year 9 student to record hours completed, keep the students on track and continue to motivate the students to complete the award. Thank you for all the parent support and encouragement this term and for the duration of the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award during 2017.
If you have any concerns, questions or enquires please don't hesitate to call Miss Somerville at the school on 02 96257020.
Year 9 bronze award timeline:
Adventurous Journey / Camp
Term 2 & 3
Overnight Test Camp - SchoolOvernight Practice Camp - School
Skills & Service
Skills & Recreation
Component Component Assessor Diary Process
Term 3
Term 3 & 4
In or out of school assessor
In or out of school assessor
Recording hours for each component
Regular check ins
Assessor’s report on progression or improvement
International DeclarationThe Award concept is one of individual challenge.It presents to young people a balance, non-competitive program of activities which encourages personal discovery and growth, self-reliance, perseverance, responsibility to themselves and service to the community.
A recent research pilot study conducted by Western Sydney University has shown that:"… improvements to a participant's self-confidence, ability to cope with change (resilience), leadership, overall effectiveness and active involvement could be directly attributed to participation in the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award and could also be measured."
being the best we can be
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Be Safe
Our School Expectations:
We want our students to be:
Be Respectful
Be a Learner
Great Learners
Responsible, Productive Citizens
Leaders Now and in the Future
Kind and Respectful to ALL Others
Can I answer YES to these questions?:
Am I in the right place?
Am I doing the right thing?
Am I being fair?
Am I being helpful?
Am I being kind?
Achieving highbehaviour standardstogether
All actions have consequences
We all have a shared responsibility to help the learning and wellbeing of the large majority of students. To do this we need to re-establish our standards in a number of focus areas.
It must be clearly understood that there will be concequences for people who fail to meet the behaviour standards outlined in the document.
We cannot accept behaviours which impact negatively on our school learning environment. We each have a responsibility to be the best learners, citizens, and leaders we can be. We must respect the wellbeing of others and the learning of others
At Plumpton High School, we understand that all actions of consequences. As a school, we work together in peaceful, helpful and kind ways so that the consequences of our actions are positive ones. There are many rewards for working together in such a way, including:
Feeling good about ourselves and othersEnjoying our lives at schoolBeing able to participate in great learning and many school activitiesBeing acknowledged for our work with merit certificates and other awardsBeing involved in leadership activitiesBeing successful in our learning
Sadly, it happens that people sometimes lose their way and forget their responsibilities to themselves and to others in our school community. We have to make sure we have good systems in place to prevent such things from negatively affecting our lives at school and our learning. Some of the consequences for people behaving badly include:
Warnings and action by your teacher if you fail to meet the behaviour standards.Referral to the head teacher for action if the problem persists.
Behavior expectations
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I wear school uniform.I walk at school.I keep my hands and feet to myself.I report any problems.I stay where I am supposed to be (in class during lesson or in bounds during lunch.)
I ask permission to leave my seat/class.I sit on my seat properly.I sit at my desk properly.I follow the safety procedures of the class.
I stay inbounds.I act and play safely.I report any dangerous or damaged equipment.I report strangers to a teacher.
I stay to the left when walking.I line up as directed by my teacher.I use the banisters for my hands.I carry my bag safely so it won’t hit into others.
I wash my hands after using the toilets.I keep the toilet facilities clean.
I wait patiently for the bus.I stay behind the green fence while I wait for the bus.I get on and off the bus without pushing.I keep myself and my belongings inside the bus.
I sit properly on my chair.I sit properly at my table.I walk carefully to my table.
I enter & exit in an organised manner.I sit appropriately.
I remain seated in the appropriate area.
I say no to bullying.I follow teachers’ instructions.I speak politely and use appropriate language.I put my rubbish in the bin.I leave banned items at home.I keep the school vandalism and graffiti free.
I listen to the person who is speaking to the class.I put my hand up and wait silently to speak.I take my hat off when I enter the room.I am accepting of the opinions and contributions of others.
I wait my turn at the canteen.I start walking to class when the bell goes.I put my rubbish in the bins.
I walk quietly so others can continue learning.I stand and wait until instructed to enter the room.I enter and exit classrooms without pushing.
I use the toilets correctly.I save water by turning off the tap.
I line up when I see my bus approaching.I speak politely to the bus driver and other passengers.
I am silent.I put my hand up and wait silently to ask a question.I face the front.I listen to instructions.I sit where I am asked.I leave banned items at home.
I am quiet throughout the assembly.I listen to all announcements.I act as a mature audience member.I congratulate the achievements of others appropriately.
I am respectful of classes by sitting quietly.
CommonAreas
I say no to bullying.I follow teachers’ instructions.I speak politely and use appropriate language.I put my rubbish in the bin.I leave banned items at home.I keep the school vandalism and graffiti free
I do my class work to the best of my ability.I bring the equipment needed for each lesson.
I use the toilets during breaks rather than during class.I use lunchtime effectively by having something to eat, talking to friends, playing a game, visiting the library or seeing a teacher.
I move to class quickly.I encourage other students to get to class.I show that I know how to go from class to class.I have a permission note if I am out of class.
I use the toilets during lunch times.I have a permission note if I go to the toilets during class time.
I model the right behaviour on the bus.I have my bus pass and T-Card.
I do my best and attempt every question.I bring the necessary equipment.I keep my eyes on my own work.I allow others to concentrate.
I think about what is presented at the assembly.
I use the time to complete all homework or study.
Class
Playground
Hallways
Toilets
Bus Bay/ Bus
FormalExams
Assemblies
FreePeriods
Be Safe Be Respectful Be a Learner
Skool Bag App - Stay up to date with PHS
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At Plumpton High School we are constantly working on creating opportunities to allow students, staff and the community members to be ‘the best we can be’. As part of our commitment to innovation and communication, Plumpton High School now has its own app that can be downloaded onto Apple and Android devices. This exiciting tool will give parents and guardians increased access to vital information about important events being run at the school as well as being able to fill out e-forms at the click of a button to help explain student absence or give permission for extra-curricular events.
As technology continues to evolve, Plumpton High School is dedicated to evolve with it in any way that enables us to best support our students and their community.
You can download the app by searching Plumpton High School Skool Bag on your devices app store.
Look for this iconin App Store
managing my pass out card responsibilities
TIME OUT CARDPLUMPTON HIGH SCHOOL
Name:
(see reverse for conditions)
Valid From:
Place Picture
Here
Senior Leavers PassPhoenix High
2017 - 2018
Information for Years 11 & 12’s:
As a Year 11 or 12 student at Plumpton High School you have been provided with a ‘Pass-Out Card’ that will allow you to enter and leave the school at different times to that of junior students (Years 7-10). Plumpton High School sees the Year 11 and 12 students as young adults and as such the school seeks to provide a level of responsibility equivalent. Outlined below are the expectations and guidelines associated with your Pass-out Card.
You will only be permitted to leave the school if YOU have YOUR Pass-Out Card If you do not have a class Period 1 you may arrive at 10am If you have no class P4 you need to leave during lunch 2 (gates are locked at the end of lunch 2, if you are still here you need to be in the library) All students to be present Period 2 and Period 3 = Senior Study or Library You may attend the shops Lunch 1 and Lunch 2 with your card You need to return before the bell goes at the end of Lunch 1 or Lunch 2 Food purchased at the shops is to be consumed at the shops (please do not buy for juniors). If you attend TAFE you are to depart at 1:00pm unless alternate permission is granted.
Note: The front gates are closed during the course of the normal school day. Please ensure you enter/exit at set times to reduce inconvenience to office staff. Should you make decisions and take actions that contravenethe expectations and guidelines associated with the Pass-Out Card the privilege may be removed.
1.
2.3.
4.5.6.7.
8.
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attendance
Dear Parents / Carers,
If you would like to develop an email link with our Head Teacher Administration, Mr Holmes regarding your child’s ATTENDANCE at Plumpton High School, please just send him an email at:
The email should state the following: your name (first & last name), your child’s name (first and last name) and what year they are in. He will then add you to his Parent/ Carer contact list. This will enable him to send you a graphic displaying your child’s attendance record for the term. The graphic will be sent as an email attachment (Word file). This will be a quick form of communication if he has any attendance concerns regarding your child.
In 2013, the school has introduced a new attendance tracking system, that has removed the need for paper rolls and runners to collect the rolls. Teachers are now marking rolls electronically in class, giving the school instant data on student attendance in class (as shown below). The new system has been an instant success giving all staff access to an excellent attendance profile of all students, so that any concerning patterns of attendance can be addressed promptly. Remember that there is a very close relationship between high attendance and student success. To encourage students to set high standards for attendance, 3 awards will again be presented at Presentation Day & Graduation in 2017: Gold, Silver & Bronze Attendance Awards.
Attendance Updates Via E-mail & SMS
In 2016 you would have been receiving SMS notifications if your child is either absent from school or late to school. Please reply to these SMS notifications promptly so that your child’s attendance record can be updated. If the school does not have your most recent mobile number, could you please contact the school on 9625 7020 and request a ‘Change/Update of Details Form’
