Cowra High School Newsletter March 21

Our Mission: To provide a quality comprehensive and inclusive educational environment where all students can achieve Newsletter also on the web at www.cowra-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Principal: Charles Gauci B.Ed., Dip.T. Deputy Principal: Paul Bullock B.Sc., Dip.Ed. Deputy Principal: Ian Pattingale B.App.Sc., Dip.Ed.

Volume 2014 Issue 4

Friday 21 March, 2014

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT At Cowra High we make a great effort to be part of the broader Cowra community and Saturday was an excellent example of our commitment and I was extremely proud of our combined Public Education float. The opportunity to highlight the level of co-operation that exists between Mulyan Public, Cowra Public & Cowra High in providing an outstanding and seamless Kindy to Year 12 education was fantastic. With students proudly marching from all schools and the float constructed with contributions from all schools including a spectacular banner painted by Ms Marwood-Craig’s Year 10 Visual Arts class, it was inevitable we would be recognised. I congratulate all involved in being awarded Highly Commended by the judges ~ well done.

Those present would have also witnessed our brilliant performers at the festival concert. The dancers and singers were captivating.

Congratulations to all, including Jessie McLean, Bianca Riggio, Georgina Knight, Dylan Oliver & Caitlin Devery who gave up their time to act as Peace Ambassadors during the festival.

Congratulations to Mr Johnson’s 8A & Miss McAlister’s 7E Geography classes for their outstanding entry which won the High School section in the Shop Window Display.

Friday 21 March is the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence.

Cowra High School has registered their support of this initiative and students will see a number of posters around the school supporting this project. On the 21 March let’s have a day of no bullying here at Cowra High School where students are respectful of each other and support diversity in our community. 

The Cowra High P&C also took the opportunity to run a stall at the festival for the first time in many years. This raised funds for the P&C which will be directed back to our students. It was also a great opportunity for parents to work together for our students and I thank them for giving up their own time. I take this opportunity to also encourage parents to come along to our next P&C meeting. These meetings are very enjoyable and a great opportunity to contribute to the education of our students. The next meeting will take place at the Cowra Services Club on Thursday 3 April at 7.30pm.

I am also pleased to congratulate our 16 years and Open Boys Futsal teams who are Regional Champions ~ an outstanding result and best of luck in the State Championships in Sydney later this year.

Have a great fortnight.

Charles Gauci

Congratulations to Lochie Wilson of Year 7 who was the winner of the $50 Visa Card donated by Mr Embroidery in last weeks PBL draw PO Box 72 • Dowell Street • Cowra 2794 • Telephone: 02 6342 1766 Facsimile: 02 6342 1578 • Email: cowra-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au We value collegiality ~ we’re working on it together

Page 2

COWRA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER HINAKO SAYS GOODBYE Our exchange student from Japan recently gave her farewell speech at a school assembly. Mr Gauci presented her with a Gold Certificate that she had deservedly earned in the school’s merit system.

Here is what she had to say:

Hi, I’m Hinako Suzuki. I’ve been an exchange student from Seikei High School in Tokyo since the end of March last year, but I’m sad to be leaving my life in Cowra in a few days. I’ve had a great time at Cowra High. The life in Cowra was so different from what I thought it would be and so different from my life in Tokyo, but this difference has given me some wonderful new experiences. If I wasn’t chosen to be an exchange student to Cowra High, I would not have made so many friends in Cowra. I’ve met people in the town and in the country and some of them will be life-time friends.

The life in Cowra was so much greater than I expected and I’ll never forget the memories I’ve now got.

Sometimes I found it hard with the language and assignments and, with my shyness I was sometimes upset. But my host families, teachers and friends were always there to help me, encourage me or give me a cuddle.

I’d like to thank EVERYONE, even the people who have smiled at me once, but especially the teachers at Cowra High, my host families and my great friends. Thank you Cowra High!!! 

I made so many great friends and met so many people. It was really the best experience.

Experiencing another culture and country is something I think all of you should strive for. The current exchange student in Japan from Cowra High is Taylor Cox and from what I’ve heard, she is having a great time. We have a new exchange student from Seikei named Yoshi, who will arrive at the start of Term 2. If anyone would like to host him please let Mrs Perkins know.  LIONS YOUTH OF THE YEAR ZONE FINAL Although the title was awarded to the contestant from Grenfell, Vivienne Wells, Cowra’s representative in last Sunday’s zone final of the Lions Youth of the Year Quest is to be congratulated for being a wonderful and worthy competitor. The four judges all commented on Vivienne’s outstanding citizenship & excellent public speaking ability and stated that it was a difficult choice between a closely matched Vivienne and Grenfell’s Kate Kelly.

This level of the quest required Vivienne to be interviewed by the judges and answer general knowledge questions, before giving two minute speeches on two different impromptu questions and then a five minute prepared speech. These last two sections were delivered before an audience of Lions members from the zone as well as family members. Congratulations Vivienne on reaching the zone level of this prestigious competition.

REPORT BY 2013 SEIKEI EXCHANGE STUDENT Maddy Jones of Year 11 recently gave a report at assembly about the year she spent in Japan.

Last year I went to Seikei High School in Tokyo for 12 months to continue the 45th year of the Cowra-Seikei Exchange. I had a wonderful time over there and it was an amazing experience. I’d like to go back soon.

During the year I had four host families who were all really nice and took me to many places in Tokyo. I went to school Monday to Friday plus half a day on Saturday. I also joined the cooking club which was held on Wednesday afternoons. In the school holidays I travelled around Toyko with my friends and host families. I also went on a school trip to Nagasaki plus I got to go to Hokkaido and Mount Fuji. Probably the most fun I had was when I went with four other exchange students to Kyoto, Hiroshima & Nara. I saw some amazing things on that trip and went to some wonderful places.



PO Box 72 • Dowell Street • Cowra 2794 • Telephone: 02 6342 1766 • Facsimile: 02 6342 1578 • Email: cowra-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

COWRA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

Page 3

MERIT SCHEME NEWS During assembly in Week 7, Mr Gauci presented the 2014 Gold Cards to the 68 students who achieved a Gold Medallion in last year’s Merit Scheme. The Gold Card entitles the recipient to rewards which may include free entry into school socials & concerts, free photocopying for seniors for school related tasks, going to the front of the bus lines, first preference when selecting school sport (where possible), free food and/or drink at selected barbecues and Pop-up Shops.

Cowra High would like to acknowledge and thank Cliff Dykes Photography, especially Kristy Dykes, who printed the Gold Cards free of charge ~ your ongoing generosity is greatly appreciated.

Year 8

Year 9

Please encourage your children to hand in their Bronze Eagles. The first 50 students to gain a Silver Award this term will be entitled to attend the next Pop -up Shop for a well-deserved treat.

Gold Card recipients: Year 8~ Shania Ambachtsheer, Tasmin Bohman, Jaylee Dunn, Sarah Gardiner, Janae Hinderager, Kyesha Ingram, Georgia Lewis, Julia Moore, Olivia Perkins, Jemma Pokoney, Patrick Ryan, Jemima Sullivan, Brett Tarrant & Montana Walker Year 9 ~ Katie Clements, Meg Downey, Tayla Garratt, Erin Johns, Georgina Knight, Jesse Murray, Jackson Oliver, Maddi Tucker, Tahlia Veney, Daniel Watson, Lucy Wilson & Nyassa Wright Year 10 ~ Lucy Clements, Jade McKeown, Clover Riches & Alana Ryan Year 11 ~ Sally Cooke, Caitlin Devery, Kate Lewis, Maddie Medway, Goldie Oliver, Jayson Penman, Laura Rowston, Matthew Rowston, Hannah Russell, Joanna Treasure, Anna Troy, Georgie Tucker, Vivienne Wells, Sancia Baratto, Abbey Bull, Breeanna Burns, Benjamin Clements, Mae Eldridge, Monique Gillespie, Brody Hannan, Dana Hannan, Jessica Harris, Brodie Hart, Bonnie Keys, William Lazarou, Cheryce Mayo Simmons, Jessie McLean, Joshua Mills, Courtney Mossman, Emily Murphy, Samantha Nicholson, Dylan Oliver, Naomi Reid, Bianca Riggio, Stephanie Roots, Geoffrey Symons, Daniel White & Alex Wilson Thank you to Bruce & Louise Rowston of Bushman’s Boots and All for sponsoring PBL this year. Your generosity is much appreciated. At the Week 8 Assembly a $50 Canterbury clothing voucher was won

by Maddison Brooks of Year 7.

Year 10

Year 11

Year 12

Congratulations once again to our Gold Card recipients who consistently display our core values of respect and responsibility.

PO Box 72 • Dowell Street • Cowra 2794 • Telephone: 02 6342 1766 • Facsimile: 02 6342 1578 • Email: cowra-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Page 4

COWRA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

BANGARRA DANCE WORKSHOP

THE BIGGEST ESTATE ON EARTH

On Monday 10 March, a group of Aboriginal students from Cowra High had the opportunity to do a dance workshop at Kelso High School with the Bangarra Dance Theatre, Australia’s leading Aboriginal dance company.

Four Cowra High staff members had the wonderful opportunity to attend a presentation at the Services Club on 6 March by Professor Bill Gammage AM. Professor Gammage is the author of the book “The Biggest Estate on Earth: How Aborigines Made Australia”, which was the winner of the 2012 Prime Minister’s Prize for Australian History. This book was the topic of Professor Gammage’s very interesting talk, delivered to a large audience, many of whom were visitors to Cowra for the Cowra Breakout Association symposium on civilian internees in POW camps. Professor Gammage explained how Aborigines had managed the land sustainably on a continent-wide basis prior to 1788 using fire in a deliberate and controlled way. Many early explorer journals give descriptions of the Australian landscape as being “like a parkland”, which would have been the result of this use of fire.

Three Bangarra dancers, Chantal Kerr, Kirk Page & Patrick Thaiday taught the students a new dance, while they were looking for talented dancers to be invited to join the NSW Public Schools Aboriginal Dance Company. Chantal & Patrick were pleased to catch up with Imajen James & Jesse Murray who they had worked with last year as part of this elite group. Four Cowra High students were shortlisted but they have to wait until final selections are announced.

Experts have recently started to realise that using controlled fire has valuable benefits to the environment and contemporary agriculture and land management.

Plans are currently being discussed to hold a traditional Aboriginal burn in the local area.

Cowra High School students with three members of the Bangarra Dance Theatre

 Cheryl McAlister, Robyn Coffey, Lynda Coe, & Philippa Patterson with Professor Bill Gammage 

Students who received $5 canteen vouchers at Wednesday’s assembly were: Year 7  Mason Beath & Jasmine Edgerton Year 8  Ben Kavanagh, Shania Ambachtsheer & Daniel Stojanovic

  PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS The first Parent/Teacher evening will be held on Tuesday 1 April for all years.

Sheets have been issued to students to arrange suitable times with their teachers.

NAPLAN The literacy & numeracy tests for Years 7 & 9 will be on:  Tuesday 13 May ~ spelling, punctuation & grammar  Wednesday 14 May ~ reading  Thursday 15 May ~ numeracy

SUBJECT FEES Another reminder that subject fees are now overdue and to ensure that your child can participate fully in their chosen elective they need to be paid.

PO Box 72 • Dowell Street • Cowra 2794 • Telephone: 02 6342 1766 • Facsimile: 02 6342 1578 • Email: cowra-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

COWRA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER OPEN BOYS KNOCKOUT TOUCH FOOTBALL Our boys played Parkes High School in the first round of the Open Boys Knockout Competition on Wednesday 14 March at Parkes. They came up against a very disciplined team and did well to keep the score as close as it was. Unfortunately the boys were defeated on the day with a respectable score of 5-6. The tries on the day, while set up by our senior players were all scored by the junior members of the team. Gidail Bakini (2), Jesse Murray (2) & Jarrod Proctor (1). A good effort by all of the boys for a very close result. 

Page 5

Festival of International Understanding Photos

PCYC NEWS Junior Disco The next Junior Disco for Kinder to Year 6 children will be on Friday 28 March from 6 to 8pm. Entry is $5 and there will be a canteen & sausage sizzle ($2) available. Supervision provided by PCYC Police, staff and volunteers.

Mixed Basketball and Netball With the end of term approaching and the touch footy season nearing completion, it is time to start organising your basketball and netball teams for comps to start next term.

Basketball will be played on Monday nights and netball on Tuesday nights, with both sports being held at the PCYC’s Young Road complex. The first games will commence at 6pm & finishing times will depend on the number of teams nominated. Cost for each competition will be $60 per player aged 18 & over and $45 per Under 18 player. Nomination forms are available from PCYC. PCYC Membership You must be a PCYC member to participate in any of the PCYC activities ~ yearly membership is $5 for Under 18 and $10 for ages 18+. 



PO Box 72 • Dowell Street • Cowra 2794 • Telephone: 02 6342 1766 • Facsimile: 02 6342 1578 • Email: cowra-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Page 6

COWRA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

COWRA HIGH SCHOOL CANTEEN PRICE LIST BREAKFAST MENU

8.30 – 8.55am

Toasted assorted sandwiches Fresh Fruit Milkshakes Fruit Juices Milk

Toast Pizza Roundas Tea Coffee

LUNCHES AVAILABLE

PLEASE ORDER LUNCHES BY 12.00 midday

20c extra for each additional filling Fillings Baked Beans Spaghetti Vegemite Cheese Banana Egg Tomato Ham Chicken Salmon Tuna Salad

Sandwich 2.00 2.00 1.80 1.80 2.20 2.20 2.20 2.20 3.20 3.50 3.50 3.50

Roll 2.20 2.20 2.00 2.00 2.40 2.50 2.40 2.40 3.50 3.70 3.70 4.00

Drinks Dare Flavoured Milk Flavoured Milk, 600ml Flavoured Milk, 300ml Milkshakes Large Juice Small Juice Water Tea, Coffee, Milo Cup

4.50 4.00 2.50 4.00 3.50 2.50 2.00 1.00

Ice Blocks Super Doopers Water Ice Blocks Billabong Frosty Fruits Milo Cups Frozen Yoghurt Slushie

.50 1.00 1.40 2.00 2.60 2.00 2.00

DAILY SPECIALS MUST BE ORDERED BY 12.00 midday Plain Chicken Burger Chicken Burger with Salad Plain Beef Burger Beef Burger with Salad Salad Plates Lite Pies Lite Sausage Rolls Chicken Salad Wraps Chicken Salad Wraps (½)

3.50 4.00 3.50 4.00 4.50 4.00 2.50 5.00 2.50

Wedges/Chilli Sauce/Sour Cream Hot Dog Hot Dog with Cheese Pizza Roundas Pizza Singles 10 Chicken Chips 5 Chicken Nuggets Chicken / Gravy Roll Cup of Noodles Nachos Soup/Bread Roll

3.00 2.50 3.00 2.50 2.50 2.00 2.00 3.50 2.50 3.00 3.50