MISSING LINK Term 3 2018
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT What a wonderful term this has been. As our followers on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter already know, we have featured multiple stories every week of this term and thanks to everyone who has contributed photos and stories to our social media this term. Term 3 is the term where we receive the most feedback on the work the school has been doing and this ML is full of those stories. Highlights include: The election of the new Student Leadership Team for 2019. Congratulations to the new team who have already demonstrated how well they will work together to lead the school: - School Captains: Furat Almoail and Will San - Principal’s Representative: Amanda Fuiono - Sports Captains: Aidan Beath and Tiarna Keen - Senior Leaders: Meena Abawi, Saja Alhameed, Emma Ayre, Skylar Bairstow, Amanda Birmingham, April Bryce, Nansita Charan, Shania Fenech, Chloe Norton, Natalie O’Connor and Kearna White The large number of Year 12 students successfully applying for scholarships and early entry to university as well as those receiving offers of traineeships and apprenticeships for 2019. The largest percentage of Year 11 students completing the Preliminary HSC at or above grade level for some years. The Bring It On Dance Team winning the hip hop competition this year. Thanks and congratulations to all students with a special congratulations to Isaiah Bondoc whose choreography was spectacular. The Under 14s NRL Women’s Team who are 2018 all-schools champions. This is a major achievement. The recognition at the Sports Recognition Assembly of 406 students (including 206 female students) who represented the school in sports as members of teams or with individual achievements. Please see the annual report included with the sport articles (page 16). Awards to: - John Meng, Conny Mattimore and the Wellbeing Team for Outstanding Leadership at the ACEL (Australian Council for Educational Leaders) NSW awards in August. 1
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- John Meng, the Mathematics faculty and the Head Teachers at Colyton HS and Chifley College, Shalvey campus for the release of an innovative new “Maths in Trade” Pathway course in partnership with major industry associations. - Conny Mattimore and John Meng from the Educational Director for their coordination of the @GoogleSummit in the July holidays. It was a credit to the commitment of students, teachers and staff to work together to show case of our work with @Google tools. - Brenda Quayle who was accepted into the prestigious Aspiring Principals Program.
The publication of an online “Virtual Reality” tour of the school, featuring our teachers and students exploring creativity. Thanks to Melanie Douglas and Brianna Dolling. Ongoing presentations by our teachers and leaders at national and international conferences as well as requests for the school to host professional visits from schools in all sectors. The strengthening of key strategic partnerships including close work with The Origin Foundation (through the Young Entrepreneurs Program) and Social Ventures Australia. Our Community Liaison Officer, Jodie Mitchell has continued to run some very effective programs that are engaging different communities with students and the school. The presentation by student data analysts in each year group of the Tell Them from Me data to the school’s executive and outside groups. The same students coordinated a powerful (and at times confronting) learning activity where students and teachers shared suggestions about messages they would like each other to hear. The release of NAPLAN results for Years 7 and 9 showing that the students at this school continue to show strong growth and progress in reading and numeracy. There was some controversy about the overall NAPLAN testing program this year. Parents can be confident that individual student results accurately reflect their performance on the tests on the day. Parents should also know that the school uses a much wider range of sophisticated assessment approaches that assess learning in each subject and that we only use NAPLAN to “triangulate” the data we use from other sources. The Year 6 to 7 enrolment interviews with new students for 2019 and their parents. It was wonderful to meet such enthusiastic students and their families and we are all looking forward to seeing another generation of students start high school with us. Successful high school transition programs with students from Eastern Creek Public School (coding)
and Minchinbury Public School (STEM). While all these programs have been happening, students and teachers have also been engaged in a range of year based, academic, co-curricular and extracurricular activities from “solar ovens” in Year 7 Science to Year 12 major works submissions and performances for the HSC. I am also pleased to announce that the air conditioning of the school’s auditorium (promised in the incredible heat of February 2017) will be completed in time for the big assemblies at the end of this year. There are some challenges ahead for the school including the decision of the Federal Government to put an additional $4.4 billion funding (not based on need) into the Catholic sector despite the fact that learning growth and progress is lower in that sector than in state schools. We do not know yet how this will affect our final funding for 2019 but it does have significant implications for the longer term and we will again be asking parents and ex-students to give strong support to the campaign for public school funding and we were pleased to read that the Minister for Education in NSW, Rob Stokes is strongly supporting “needs based funding”. A second challenge is “closer to home”. It is now 2 years since we have had a P&C. We still have high levels of engagement from parents and we are working hard to engage parents and ex-students in the school. In Term 4, we will be implementing a new communication tool that allows direct email to families and I plan to write and seek advice from parents about how they would like to engage with us in 2019. We will also be re-introducing opportunities for parents to meet together to give us advice and be involved in school decision making. To finish this long report I would like to thank our students, their teachers and families for the commitment and energy that makes this such a special place to work and study. As Year 12 leave us, I would like to thank the current leaders and especially recognise the significant leadership of the school captains Jaeda and Joy and the rest of the leadership team. This year, the senior leaders have each taken key projects and ensured that students in each year and in a series of high profile programs had high quality leadership and support. Congratulations to them all and best wishes to Year 12 for the HSC examinations. Happy holidays. Christine Cawsey AM 27 September 2018
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Yasodai Selvakumaran participated in a study tour to Singapore in the July holidays as part of the Australian Teaching Fellowship. The trip provided key insights into what makes Singapore a high performing Education system. Ms Selvakumaran and the other NSW Fellows presented their learning from Singapore to the Department of Education Senior Executive on August 6.
YEAR 7 Year Adviser Message Term 3 was another engaging term, where Year 7 students demonstrated collaboration, resilience and determination. It has been fantastic to witness the growing confidence of the year group, and how they have applied themselves in their learning, as well as, becoming more and more present in the extracurricular pursuits of the school. As a whole, Year 7 has achieved great success in Term 3, and this is evident by their contributions to their digital portfolio on MyLearningHub, the positive feedback from classroom teachers and the many, many enthusiastic and passionate conversations that students have had with each other, and myself. This term, Year 7 have been recognised with 879 Merit awards, and 54 Significant Achievement awards. This highlights their committed application to their learning and their ability to continually strive towards success and excellence. Well done, Year 7. As always Year 7, I am extremely proud of all of your achievements in Term 3, and look forward to an exciting and opportunity filled Term 4! Mr Jackson Year 7 Adviser Year 7 Student Agency Team During Term 3, the Year 7 Student Agency team has been working extremely hard to analyse and contribute to the ongoing dialogue between students and teachers. We have all enjoyed being keen contributors in discussing key issues with teachers and enhancing the understanding teachers have about Year 7 and their learning.
Solar Oven Challenge Year 7 students have been learning about energy and successfully made solar ovens to heat water. A solar oven challenge took place to see which design would achieve the highest temperatures. Congratulations to all Year 7 students on their successful solar ovens. Congratulations to LilyRae, Mahek, Amina and Catherine (pictured right) who managed to reach the required temperature of 60 degrees. In the Classroom In Term 3, we have been extremely busy completing a range of classwork and engaging projects. Some of the highlights so far have been creating our own solar ovens in Science, designing and performing music compositions, producing Digital Media projects in LOTE and applying the Physical Literacy Continuum in PDHPE. As a year group, we are really enjoying the engaging and hands-on tasks being given to us! Year 7 Sporting Success It has been a special feature of 2018 to see the number of Year 7 students putting up their hands to try out for sporting teams at school. We have witnessed some excellent talent and effort displayed across a range of sports, including girls and boys soccer, rugby league, Bring it On, basketball and volleyball. In particular, the commitment of those Year 7 students who represented at Bring it On, and those students who consistently attend early morning volleyball training should be highly commended for their efforts. All Year 7 students who have participated in sport this term should be proud of themselves, and you are all encouraged to involve yourselves in any future sporting opportunities.
Anjelica, Daniel and Justine 3
Year 7 Book Week Participation The enthusiasm, imagination and creativity on display during Book Week by Year 7, was one of the highlights of Term 3! It was fantastic to see so many students engage with reading, and participate in the week-long event filled with pirate themed activities. Well done to all those students immersed themselves in the experience.
Individual Achievement Samuel of Year 7 placed first in the NSW All Schools 13 Years 3kg Hammer Throw. He smashed the meet record by 6m hitting 46.91m. Samuel will progress to the National All Schools competition to be held in Cairns in December.
English: This term Year 8 students have been learning about appropriation. We have been educated through examples in classic tales and modern tales, either in the form of a book or film. The assessment task that students had to complete was a radio interview transcript. Science: Year 8 Science were forensic investigators in Term 3. They were given a faux crime situation and they had to learn about different techniques, including evaporation, chromatography, filtration and microscopic investigations, to use in solving the crime. It was challenging but at the same time, fun. Many were successful in finding out the criminal and they constructed a report about the suspects and the evidences related to them. PDHPE: In Term 3 PDHPE, Year 8 students participated in SEPEP (Sport Education in Physical Education Program) which involved playing softball. They demonstrated many capabilities and/or skills such as teamwork, communication, personal and social skills. Students had opportunities to take different roles in each round. At the end of the program, students received a certificate.
YEAR 8 Year Adviser Message Term 3 has been another successful term for Year 8. There have been some great individual successes both academically and in sports. Our sporting teams have also had success, especially our Girls Rugby League Team. I look forward to a successful conclusion to Year 8 next term with students continuing to use and build on their strengths in different programs and classes. Mr Wrigley Year 8 Adviser Year 8 articles written by Keighla Santiago and Celestine Salimbangon Year 8 In Class Mathematics: In Term 3, students have been learning about geometrical figures, finding angles, congruence and quadrilaterals to prepare for assessment. Students are currently being introduced to the new topic of finding the mode, median, mean, range and frequencies of data sets.
ICT: This term, Year 8 students have gone further into coding through a website called Grok Learning which is a step-by-step program to learn how to use a coding software called Python. Coding helped students to enhance their problem-solving abilities and creativity skills. Some students had the opportunity to work with primary school students from Eastern Creek Public School to help them learn and be imaginative in coding. History: Year 8 students have learned all about the Medieval Period this term, from the fall of Ancient Rome to the Renaissance. We studied many wonders of the past to prepare for a History exam, which included a written response section where students wrote about how the Feudal System affected the different aspects of life. TAS: This term in TAS, Year 8 classes have been 4
working on fun projects that help develop their creativity skills. The projects vary in different TAS classes. Textiles/sewing class is creating an accessory (laptop case/pillow). The Food Technology class is doing practicals to develop basic cooking skills. The Technology class is working on creating an alarm system (related to coding). The Woodwork class is creating a product that enhances the aesthetics of a chosen environment. CAPA (Music): In Term 3, Year 8 students have studied about Blues music and used what they have learned to create their own 12-Bar Blues Composition. They are also completing a checklist of skills on different but corresponding instruments. Students as Teachers Students in Ms Mattimore’s 8.1 ICT class co-created and delivered fortnightly coding lessons to students in Years 5 & 6 at Eastern Creek Public School. Primary school students visited RHHS to work with their Year 8 mentors to create an interactive game using Scratch (on-line programming language). Students demonstrated their critical and creative thinking skills as well as their ICT capabilities as they worked collaboratively to design, code and debug their games. The project introduced primary school students to coding and strengthened Year 8 student understanding of computational thinking and the challenges of teaching and mentoring younger students.
Robotics Club Participates in NSW State Robocup Soccer Competition
A group of Years 7 and 8 students met regularly at lunchtime and after school to prepare for the NSW State Robocup Soccer Competition. The competition was held at the University of NSW on 20 August. The team performed well throughout the competition and
achieved 4th position in the Standard Soccer Challenge. The following students participated in the Robocup Competition and are to be congratulated: Andrew Doan, Nawal Fazlani, Corey Hargreaves, Ryan McAndrew, Hezekiah Rakoia-Marsters, Jaden Ramos, Abhijeet Singh, Diaz Smith, Connor Syrls, Tane Tume, and Joel Zahra.
YEAR 9 Year Adviser Message Term 3 has been a very eventful term for Year 9 students. Students have participated in Hoops for Hope, Bring It On Dance (BIO), LEAPS, Fast Forward Program and attended the Australian Museum Science Festival. Term 4 will be the last term of Junior School for all Year 9 students and towards the end of the term all students will participate in, We Are Successful Seniors. This is a week long program to assist with the transition to the Senior School. Congratulations to all students who have continued to do their best during Term 3! Ms Short Year 9 Adviser Fast Forward Written by Joanna Madera and Erin Mercado 20 students were selected to participate in the Fast Forward Program. It was an opportunity to learn about university. The group went on an excursion to Western Sydney University Kingswood Campus where students from 6 schools gathered to look into university and what we want to do in the future. At the beginning of the day, each school was given a “Uni Mate”, a current university student to help and answer any questions about university. The students were warmly welcomed by the staff at WSU and throughout the day we all had lots of fun, getting to wander around the campus as well as finding out the many careers or classes available to take. We left excited, looking forward for what’s to come in the future. The Fast Forward Program has helped us make future decisions, and we definitely looking forward to the next time we go. This term we have done multiple exams and assessments and we will surely be looking forward to what Term 4 has in store for us. 5
Teacher and Student Analysis Written by Zaheda Faiz This term, in Week 7, a group of Year 9 students were able to meet together and analyse student and teacher comments associated around the learning at RHHS. By reading through comments, students were able to connect statements that were similar and could help both individuals work in a more effective way. After reviewing the comments, student representatives from Years 7, 8 and 9 were able to showcase their ideas from the analysis to the school’s executive. In the presentations we mentioned highlights, interests and concerns that stood out from the evaluation Ambassador Refresher Course Written by Jessica Miller In Term 3, a small group of Year 9 ambassadors worked together to construct a refresher course for the Years 7 and 8 ambassadors. This course was used as a refresher from their training days so that they could be reminded of the skills and expectations that they should have to be a quality ambassador. Not only did these students create the course from scratch but they also presented it to the Year 7 and 8 ambassadors themselves. By doing this, the course was more appealing to the audience and meant that the students were more likely to remember what they had learnt. Australian Science Museum 30 Year 9 students had the opportunity to visit the Australian Science Museum and celebrate Science Week. Students built robots, became crime scene investigators, heard stories from leading female scientists and were able to explore career pathways in science.
During Term 3, LEAPS visited Wildlife World and the Dealife Aquarium. Students enjoyed the Darling Harbour Playground, Ferris Wheel and Madame Tussauds. They explored the Powerhouse Museum and conquered their fears when they climbed the Harbour Bridge.
YEAR 10 Year Adviser Message Year 10, WOW, you are almost at the end of your first year in the Senior School! You have shown that you are a group of mature young adults, who are ready to take on any challenge, and opportunity that presents itself to you. You have continued to raise the bar for yourself and have participated in a range of extracurricular activities that have developed your personal and social capabilities, as well as allowed you to demonstrate the PERSIST values. Your extracurricular activities coupled with your achievement inside the classroom and your positive attitude has meant that this term you have been able to experience success and excellence in ways that are personal to you. Well done on continuing to set high expectations for yourself and always striving to do your best and reach your potential. As always, you have made me extremely proud to be your Year Adviser, remember to continue to always Make Yourself Proud! Ms Douglas Year 10 Adviser
Sustainable Houses In Science, students studied sustainability and what sustainable features would need to be included in housing of the future. They demonstrated their understanding of this important concept by building model houses which incorporated these sustainable features and displayed them in a showcase. LEAPS Excursions
Year 10 articles written by Keila Barbeau, Courtney Hagan, Katie Klumper, Ronnie Lagazo and Heritage Aladegbaye. Higher School Certificate Minimum Standards Bootcamps & Testing Year 10 prepared for and undertook Higher School Certificate Minimum Standards testing between Weeks 4 – 7. The decision to run a “boot camp” and testing was based on feedback from a targeted Year 10 focus group who decided when and how the boot camp would run. Year 10 were given opportunities during their HSIE and English classes to work on literacy focused testing and Math and Science classes to work on numeracy focused testing as a part of the bootcamp. 6
Students in Year 10 who had not yet pre-qualified in their NAPLAN testing from Year 9 by achieving a Band 8 in Reading, Numeracy, and Writing, sat their minimum standards tests, in order to be eligible to receive their Higher School Certificate in 2020 when they graduate. Year 10 achieved exceptional results in their Minimum Standards Testing. Year 11 2019 - Year 12 2020 Subject Selection As we move towards the end of Year 10, we can see Year 11 in sight, which meant that this term Year 10 students selected their subject choices for Preliminary and Higher School Certificate years. Students were able to give feedback on their preferences on the types of subjects and subject groupings that best suited their interests and strengths. Initially, students completed a survey about the subjects that they were most likely to choose and that data was used to create the first set of line selections. Year 10 then received their second set of line selections which gave students the opportunity to finalise their subjects so that classes can be formed for next year. We were all very excited to be able to make some big decisions for our future, and begin to visualise what our last two years of high school will look like. Science VALID Testing Week 8, Term 3 all students in Year 10 completed their VALID exam testing. This exam measures students all over NSW and bases its questions on the following areas; biology, chemistry and physics. This exam is completed fully online, and measures students’ ability to think scientifically. The exam was weighted at 30% for all students in calculating final RoSA grades for Year 10 in Science. Rollercoasters Year 10 Science students built and tested their rollercoasters this term.
Young Entrepreneurs Program The Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP) is a program designed for Year 10 students to change or create something that would be beneficial for either RHHS or the surrounding community. This term Year 10 students were able to finalise their groups and projects in order for their projects to be completed at the end of Term 4. Year 10 students further developed their capabilities of critical and creative thinking by presenting different ideas of change and creating their own group projects.
Thankyou. Water Social This term Year 10 were involved in a presentation to encourage their group projects for the Young Entrepreneurs Program. They were told about the success and potential failures of creating your own business or organisation. The person who presented in front of Year 10 students talked about and discussed how his company started from nothing and was turned into something bigger than expected. His company is called Thankyou and his company has reached a worldwide audience. Year 10 further developed their capabilities of respect and responsibility by respecting the presenter while he was speaking about his company. B-Street Smart This term Year 10 students were involved in B-Street Smart - a program that informed students about road safety and the impacts of negligent driving. Students were joined by other schools where they were able to watch a simulated car crash which presented the causes and effects of motor vehicle accidents. Year 10 students were also able to listen to victims of car accidents and how they continue to be impacted by a motor vehicle accident everyday. The main purpose of this event was to educate students about the importance of safe driving as some Year 10 students are now able to drive. This excursion also had relevance to a question in the Term 3 PDHPE exam. The B-Street Smart excursion helped Year 10 students understand the importance of safe and responsible driving. Hoops 4 Hope On Thursday, Week 7, various students from Year 10 participated in a ‘3 on 3’ half-court basketball competition. Students formed teams of up to 5 beforehand (3 on the court and 2 reserves). The tournament was held throughout the entire day, with Year 10 in 2 pools where they faced each other and students from Year 9. Teams competed for the best record against all other teams in their pool. The 2 teams who had the best record advanced to the pool semifinals. Finally, the 2 teams that won advanced to the grand final to face the winner of the other pool. The grand final game was full court and was extremely competitive. Both teams tried to outscore the other until the game ending in a draw caused an overtime. The students played great defence until the final 10 seconds. The team from pool B prevailed and won the game. Aaron Reyes tried to shoot a 3-pointer while being contested by 3 people but missed. South Korea Connected Classroom Week 8, Term 3 Miss Douglas’ Year 10 Geography class participated in a connected classroom with students from South Korea, where both classes shared presentations on ‘everyday school life’. Ethical, interpersonal and social understanding was used to effectively communicate with the students from South 7
Korea. The capabilities were addressed through the participation in communication, interacting and asking questions to students to increase their understanding of school life in South Korea. Other capabilities such as difference and diversity, were used to value, respect and understand their way of life. Furthermore, students have extended their knowledge and understanding through the use of these capabilities, many look forward to the next connected classroom with students from South Korea.
Premiers Anzac Memorial Scholarship 2018 Written by Alison Gamsby As an ANZAC Scholar, I got to travel with many generations that had the same passion for History to England, France and Belgium in June and July. This included a Historian and Tour Guide. Whilst overseas, I noticed more as a tourist. I saw many statues and then realised we too have a lot of statues but I had not appreciated the extent of commemoration. I feel lucky to have had this opportunity as not many people would have had this experience. It was my first trip to Europe. Alison is currently working on her post-tour History project about a local site of commemoration. Alison’s winning entry:
Mandarin Day Eastern Creek Public School On Wednesday 12 September, Year 10 students (Natasha, Angela, Christiane, Maryrose, Christelle, Kanyapat, Alexia, Hanna and Raizza) were invited to greet Eastern Creek PS students as well as assist the LOTE teachers in hosting the Outreach Program. The program allowed students to experience aspects of the Chinese culture through the three different activities designed for the Eastern Creek PS students. Learning about native animals in Chinese with Miss Wang, martial arts with Master Zhang & brush painting on Chinese lanterns with Miss Fang/ Ms Li. Everyone also ate dumplings.
Blacktown City Council Research in Excellence Award Presentation Congratulations to Isabella Croft and Courtney Hagan who were recipients of the Blacktown City Council Research Excellence Award.
Lest We Forget. They shall grow not old, for too many never made it to their twenties, let alone their thirties or forties. The family men, perhaps veterans of the Boer War just a decade and a half earlier, the school leavers, stockmen and factory hands barely old enough to drink or vote. So many, so willingly, so young and so strong just like the newfound nation they left behind. To fight, to die, or to come home changed forever for King, Empire, Australia. As we that are left grow old, moaning and whining about how hard life is; there is no internet here! They had interlocking fields of machine gun fire to advice through. They had mud and death and mud and blood and mud. And yet they advanced. Every time. Age shall not weary them, for they are all gone now. Those who remained in some far-flung but never forgotten field. Those who came home; to a land fit for heroes where there was no job, no prospects and if they could foresee the future; another way. To end all wars. Just like the Great War they had just one. Nor the years condemn. For who are we to condemn them and their time? Or to contemn; to treat with disregard or contempt. Without them, so many years ago, there is no us. Today. Judge not, lest ye shall be judged. At the going down of the sun, night begins. A night filled with terror, noise, shrieking shrapnel and the doubt, the not knowing whether you'll see the sun rise again, glinting off the sheaf of bayonets preparing to advance. Again. And in the morning, the barrage will roll ahead. The rum in the tea will steady the nerves. Hands shook, hands shake, one last thought of home; of mum baking scones, of dad smoking a pipe, of little sis dreaming of a pony to ride in the top paddock. "OVER THE TOP!" We will remember them. We must; for they are us and we are them. They lived, laughed and left us a legacy. ANZACS. Lest We Forget. 8
YEAR 11 Year Adviser Message Year 11 students have endured another extremely busy term with numerous events taking up a lot of their time like Australian Business and Community Network Leadership Program, Bring It On and other various sporting events, Senior Leadership commitments, Year 11 exams and in addition to all that, general classwork and assessment tasks. It is safe to say Year 11 have been flat out this term and have been quite successful in balancing their studies and extracurricular activities. Well done Year 11 on another prosperous term. Mr Hay Year 11 Adviser Senior Leadership 16 Year 11 students “brazenly� prepared and delivered their Senior Leadership speeches to a large audience in the hall, which allowed them to express the reasons why they would be the best Senior Leaders. Thank you to all the students and staff who voted. All students were successful in achieving a position as a Senior Leader, they all should be very proud. Congratulations.
The 2019 Senior Leadership team pictured with Carolyn Campbell (CEO, Netball NSW) and Karen McSpeerin (Director Educational Leadership, Eastern Creek Network) at their Induction Assembly.
Year 12 Jackets
Year 11 Examinations Students studied and worked hard to complete all examinations during the Year 11 examination period in Weeks 8 and 9. They conducted themselves extremely well, which is a great sign leading into their HSC year.
Year 12 Term 4 Information Term 4 will be a demanding time for our students as it is the start of their Year 12 HSC courses. This will include their first HSC assessments and students starting to plan and work on their major projects. It may become stressful, but we will all be here supporting one another. In addition, early in Term 4 students will be receiving their Year 11 reports and RoSA, where they will reflect upon their current efforts and develop new goals for their HSC year.
YEAR 12 Year Adviser Message Congratulations Year 12 on completing your time at RHHS. It has been an honour and a pleasure to be your year adviser. You have made my job so rewarding and I have so enjoyed watching you grow and become incredible young adults, ready to take on the world! I will miss seeing your smiling, laughing, happy faces around the school. I want to wish you good luck with all future endeavours. Set goals, have high expectations and go out and experience all the amazing things life has to offer! I know you will do great things. Ms Haigh Year 12 Adviser Term 3
Year 11 students received their Year 12 jackets for 2019 this term. There was plenty of positive feedback about the new design and having a wet weather option. Students are now enjoying standing out more than ever as seniors in the playground.
Year 12 have had another incredibly busy and productive term as we move ever closer to completing our time at RHHS. This term we have participated in programs focused on our future pathways and achieving success once we move on from our time here. 9
Term 3 began with us participating in our Exit Interviews. These are an important part of our final moments at RHHS as it gives us a chance to reflect on our achievements here, but also look towards the future, plan and apply for courses, apprenticeships or jobs that we wish to pursue. These interviews took place with Ms Haigh, Ms Munzenberger, Ms Camillos, Ms Cunningham and Ms Mitchell to ensure we were given the best advice on offer.
Term 3 sees us saying goodbye to a place we have grown up with, farewelling our teachers, and friends and looking towards our future. We still have so much ahead of us and we would like to leave by thanking this wonderful school for all the support and guidance over the past 6 years. It’s been a blast! Design and Technology Major Projects
This term many of us attended the WSU information session. This was so beneficial to those of us wishing to apply for university at Western Sydney. During this session we were given tips on applying, information about courses, scholarships, early entry programs and all the amazing facilities on offer at WSU. During the term, we completed our Yearbook Profiles for Ms Haigh to make sure we leave a mark on our peers and the school. We have had many fun things like this during the Term 3, reminding us that we are almost finished with our schooling. We had a blast taking the year group photo during week 7, as well as our farewell BBQ for the teachers in Week 10. This is a BBQ put on every year by the students to thank our teachers for all their help, guidance and kindness during our time at RHHS. It is always a fun time, taking photos, and spending time with our friends and teachers. Being the final term of Year 12, we also had many major works due. We completed major projects for Society and Culture, Community and Family Studies, Timber, Visual Arts, Textiles and Design, Multimedia, Visual Design and performances for Music, and Drama. During Week 7 we held our Afternoon with the Arts where students major works for Visual Arts were on display and parents, teachers and students were able to experience the Music and Drama performances by our HSC students. It was an incredible night where so many of our talents were showcased.
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Multimedia Major Projects Students created a multimedia presentation (video/ website/animation/game/graphic design) and used various software to bring their ideas to life.
Next up was the interactive zone set up at the back of the auditorium, where guests could watch films made by Drama students and listen to compositions of Music students. Photography and Visual Design students had their own gallery in the auditorium that exhibited their major projects. Hospitality students served up an assortment of delicious canapĂŠs on xylophones that Mr. Hickey saved and repurposed especially for the evening.
At 5:00pm all guests were treated to sensational performances by the Year 12 Music and Drama classes.
Biology Year 12 Biology students studied the option topic of Communication and carried out dissections of both eyes and brains in order to better understand the way the brain interprets communication signals.
Congratulations to all Year 12 Creative and Performing Arts students.
DEBATING This year debaters from RHHS competed in the Premier’s Debating Challenge in Years 7-12. Years 11 and 12 debaters successfully defeated Colo HS and achieved a 1-1 record with Penrith HS. Years 9 and 10 competed against Girraween HS and The Ponds HS, with one victory against The Ponds HS.
Afternoon with the Arts
Years 7 and 8 debaters defeated both Doonside Technology HS and Plumpton HS in the final season of the Premiers Debating Challenge. Congratulations to all students on their efforts and achievements in debating in 2018.
Afternoon with the Arts was held on 5 September. The afternoon began with a tour of the Visual Arts gallery, which displayed the artworks of Year 12 Visual Arts students. 11
ENTREPRENEURIAL LEARNING During Term 3, 3 teams of young entrepreneurs had the opportunity to engage with other social entrepreneurs to work on their projects. Students worked with Origin Foundation and Dulwich HS to explore their projects. They played a round of “you cannot ask that” with the CEO of Origin Energy, toured the new Origin Energy Headquarters in Barangaroo and started rethinking and replanning their projects.
eyepatch on the parrot and the gold bullion in the treasure chest. Students finished the week with a mufti day and team scavenger hunt. All students are to be commended for their excellent participation and teamwork shown throughout the week. The library is looking forward to more engaging activities during the lunch breaks next term. Make sure you come along!
MODEL U.N.
E-SPORTS GRAND FINALISTS The RHHS E-Sports Team consisting of Ky, Rehan, Angelo, Ethan & Andrew competed in the League of Legends Oceania competition. The team was initially undefeated and won seven consecutive rounds, including the semi-finals and the finals. The team made it to the grand final where they were defeated by Blacktown Boys HS, 2-1. However, the boys are happy about coming second in the competition.
Ky, Kyla and Jaeda represented RHHS at the Nationals Model United Nations Competition over 3 days in Canberra. The event was held at Old Parliament House in which students debated in the former House of Representatives. The students represented Japan and as part of the competition visited the Japanese Embassy and had a formal dinner with First Secretary Tomoko Nagai. Students debated the global issues of human rights, conflict, migration and the environment. Special thanks to Mount Druitt Rotary for the sponsorship of the team and Mr O’Shea for accompanying the students.
BOOK WEEK There is more treasure in books than in all the pirates’ loot on Treasure Island and best of all, you can enjoy these riches every day of your life. - Walt Disney. The library celebrated Book Week this term with students visiting Treasure Island and the land of pirates. Students were able to work collaboratively to build a pirate ship which set sail to the far seas. Students showed their creativity with treasure map and pirate hat designing. We had a range of treasure maps and pirate hats which were showcased throughout the library. Students tested their literacy skills and walked the plank. Many a fine student succumbed to the sharks below! Students tried to claim the top spot and pin the
SRC The SRC Network Meeting 2 was held at Evans HS this term. Planning is well underway for a leadership conference in Term 4 for students around western Sydney.
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National Tree Day was celebrated by the SRC with the planting of native trees and cleaning of waste around the school.
Excerpt from THE BITTER and THE SWEET by Zoe Krabbe
Thank you to all students for contributing to the numerous fundraisers over Term 3. We raised over $1000 for the RHHS student trust and will be able to make a contribution to help our farmers.
POETRY NOVELLAS
Excerpt from Aceolated by Phoebe Birett
Congratulations to Year 9 English students on their work in Term 3. Special recognition was given to the works of Ciara Phillips, Zoe Krabbe, Phoebe Birett and Nadine Bauty Excerpts from 4 stitches by Ciara Phillips
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NAIDOC WEEK The theme this year "Because of HER we can..." was celebrated at RHHS on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 July. Students attended year group assemblies over the 2 days. Students shared some valuable learning experiences and participated in some great activities. Thank you to the following students who assisted with the running of assemblies – Lily-Rae Dunn, Hayley Deushian, Alex Simpson, Jye Bryant, Courtney Bryce, Tamika Nelson, Emma Simpson, Kyle Davis, Cassandra King, Kandace Singleton, Molly Auld, Jade Ridley-King, Jonathan Thomas, Korben Smith, April Bryce and Tanisha Roach.
SPORT Girls Under 14s Rugby League This term our Girls Under 14s Rugby League team have beaten all before them. Through 3 gala days, culminating in the NSW All Schools Carnival they didn’t lose a single game. The highlight of the term was winning the grand final for the NSW All Schools Cup defeating Hunter Sport HS 16-10. All the girls involved were from Years 7 and 8 and they should be immensely proud of themselves.
Open Boys CHS Volleyball Top 16 The Open Boys Volleyball Team had high expectations after successful campaigns in volleyball tournaments throughout the year. The quality of competition was high and unfortunately, the boys lost earlier in the rounds. However, the boys should be commended on finishing 12th in the state in volleyball, a great achievement. Under 16s Girls Sydney West Gala Rugby League The Under 16s Girls Team qualified for the Sydney West Gala Day by defeating teams in the Rugby League Girls Panther Trophy. They were undefeated throughout the Sydney West Tournament and qualified to the final. However, they lost a few key players in the preliminary final due to injury and unfortunately lost. Overall, the girls played outstanding rugby league and should be proud of what they have achieved. Years 7/8 Girls Touch Football The Years 7/8 Girls Touch Football Team attended a gala day and played exceptionally well against other schools in the district. With a slow start - a loss against Winmalee HS and a draw against Model Farms HS the girls were able to bring themselves together and work as an even better team to defeat The Ponds HS 9-0 and Plumpton HS 12-1. Unfortunately, the team missed out on the semi-finals by one point. The team should also be proud of themselves. They showed a lot of persistence, creativity through their plays, and amazing teamwork through losses and wins. Congratulations girls! Top 16 Girls Volleyball The Girls Volleyball Team competed against 4 schools over 2 days at the Top 16 competition, and finished 9th. The first game ended in a loss; however the girls should be very proud of their persistence and teamwork to win and cheer on themselves and the other team. Games 2, 3 and 4 ended in triumphant wins, with numerous comments from by-standers and coaches from other schools about the high quality skill level from the players. The girls adapted themselves 14
when they made mistakes, and stayed humble when they displayed amazing skill. You should be very proud of yourselves girls! Keep up the PERSIST values throughout your presence on the court! Years 7/8 Boys Touch Football The Years 7/8 Boys Touch Football Team progressed through to the semi-finals of the Penrith region by going undefeated in the pool matches. Adam Almoail and Riley Fitzgerald were touch down machines in the pool matches and the team was captained on the day by Campbell Terekia who was also the assistant coach. Unfortunately, the boys lost in the very last play of the semi-final after a hard fought match with Winmalee HS. Boys Under 14s 9s The Under 14s ‘9 a side’ Football Team participated in the annual 9s tournament this term at Whalan Reserve. The team started strongly, but slower than we would have liked with the change of team size. This resulted in a few early losses that could have very easily been wins but they kept working hard. Each student brought different strengths to the game which resulted in them gelling together for the last couple of games. The final game was a solid win of 24-4, with some valuable lessons to be taken away from the tournament for next year. Boys Under 15s Rugby League This term our Under 15s Boys Rugby League Team played off against Kingswood HS at St Marys stadium for the Panther Trophy Final. Tipeni Tofilau led from the front with a captains performance scoring two tries and setting up the team for a 22-10 victory. The whole team played in an outstanding manner and qualified for the NSW All Schools carnival as the Penrith region representatives.
Athletics This term 37 students represented RHHS at the Mount Druitt Zone Athletics Carnival. We had some excellent results and from that carnival we had 11 students qualify to represent Mount Druitt Zone at the State Athletics Carnival. John Koudakpo was the U13 Age Champion at the zone carnival, and he continued his excellent performances at the state carnival by coming 1st in the 100m and 200m events, as well as being a part of the Under 13 4x100m Relay Tean that also took out the state championship. Congratulations to Edwin Liberty, Denzel Autor and Adam Almoail who were John’s teammates in that event. Other notable results include the Under 15 4x100m Relay Team that came 2nd in the state and Rhys Walker who finished 2nd in the Under 15 200m hurdles. All the athletes who qualified to compete should be extremely proud of their achievements in representing themselves, the school and the zone in the outstanding manner that they did. Bring It On The RHHS Bring It On Dance Team were 1st place winners at the recent Bring It On Dance grand finals at the Hillsong Convention Centre at the end of Week 7. The students were led by 3 senior leaders - Isaiah Bondoc, Jonah Diaz and Amanda Fuiono - who facilitated practices and choreographed the heat and finals routine. They trained 6 times a week for 20 weeks as a team to produce the winning performance on the night. The students displayed all of the PERSIST values to ensure the success of the team.
At the state carnival the boys started with a dominant performance against South Sydney HS, beating them 20-0. Unfortunately, they lost their next match to Holy Cross Ryde who ultimately went on to win the tournament. The boys finished 5th in the state and although they were disappointed with that result, they should be proud of the hard work and effort they had put in this year. Sports Recognition Assembly The RHHS Sports Recognition Assembly was held on Monday 24 September. Sports Coordinator, Mr Cliff Harper’s address from the assembly is included on the following page. 15
I would like to begin my speech today by acknowledging the work and achievements Mr Baines has accomplished in the past 7 years as the sports coordinator of RHHS I am very lucky to have taken over from Mr Baines, as the quality of sport at RHHS is at an all time high and this is thanks to the work Mr Baines has put in over the years building the sports program to what it is today. I look forward to working with the expert staff at RHHS in building upon this excellence and maintaining our high standing in sport at both the individual and team level. So 2018! What a year of individual and team excellence it has been. At CHS Athletics this year we had 11 competitors representing not only our school, but our zone at a state level. We saw our 13s Boys 4x100m Team named state champions, Our 15s Boys 4x100m ran 2nd place, and we had John Koudakpo coming 1st in both the 13s 100m and 200m events, with Rhys Walker also coming 2nd in the 15s 200m hurdles. But these results are a mere snapshot of the individual success the athletes at RHHS have achieved. With 18 Sydney West Representatives and 94 Mount Druitt Zone representatives this year, it is clear the skill and talent of the students of RHHS is exceptional. From a team perspective, the results continued to shine through. Our Volleyballers both finished in the top 16 in the state, with the boys coming 12th and the girls 9th. Our Opens Boys Basketball Team finished top 16, with the U15s still going and have already qualified in the top 16. Our Bring It On Dance Team finished 1st place in their heat and the grand final. Our U15s Boys Rugby League Team finished 5th in the state. Multiple girls rugby league teams qualified for the Western Sydney Championship Gala Day.
achieve success, for success is defined accomplishment of an aim or purpose.”
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I have been lucky enough to have coached a few teams this year, and to go to the zone and regional carnivals for swimming, athletics and cross country in my role as the sports coordinator. During this time I have seen the student athletes of RHHS (the students sitting in front of me today), achieve success and yet still display disappointment. In these moments I see athletes that internally define excellence and success as coming first, or winning championships without realising that the very moment that they turned up to training, or the moment that they walked onto the field, track or pool that they have achieved success, for they have accomplished an aim or purpose. They have applied their skills, talents and knowledge to achieve that purpose of representing their school. Some of the most pleasing experiences of being a coach at RHHS have been when I see a student athlete execute a new skill they have been practicing, or a play they have been performing over and over again at training. For at that moment regardless of the overall result of the match, they have achieved success. I want every student that has represented their school this year as an athlete, coach, or referee to know that you have all achieved success and that you should be proud of the hard work, and contribution you have presented to the sport program at RHHS in 2018.
Congratulations to the following sporting teams: Cricket, Tennis, Cross Country, Athletics, Swimming, Soccer, Rugby League, Touch Football, Netball, Basketball, Baseball, Softball and Volleyball. Congratulations to the more than 400 students who represented the school in a sport In February 2017, the first season of the AFLW kicked off in this year. It has been a privilege to work with such dedicated front of over 24,000 people. This month we saw the students. introduction of the inaugural women’s rugby league competition, and at this moment in time, our women’s soccer Congratulations to our senior and junior sports men and team is ranked #8 in the world. Women’s sport is as popular women of the year: - Junior Sportsman: John Koudakpo as ever, and it is clear that this has filtered down to the school - Junior Sportswoman: Giscelle Nuku level with RHHS having 216 female athletes represent their - Senior Sportsman: Ali Almoail school this year. Which is actually 6 more competitors than - Senior Sportswomen: Amanda Fuiono their male counterparts. It is an exciting time for our female athletes and this year we saw the U14s Girls Rugby League Thank you to the coaches for the time they have put in team crowned western Sydney and NSW champions. With training and organising the excursions, and especially to Ms more and more professional pathways in sport becoming Cawsey and the Deputy Principals for allowing us to enter available, I am sure it is a matter of time before we see more and participate in all the sporting opportunities available to of our female athletes representing on the professional stage us throughout the year and displaying the school PERSIST values of excellence and I would now like to thank the official party for being here success. today and for their support of sport in the school. I would like to also thank Dane and Byron for their commitment to sport as the 2018 Sports Captains. A big thank you to Tiarna and Aidan our 2019 Sports Captains for hosting this assembly. - Mr Cliff Harper, Sports Coordinator
Excellence can be defined as ”the quality of being outstanding or extremely good” and I think we can all agree that the results of our student athletes has demonstrated excellence, but you do not need to have won a state championships, or finished first in your race in order to 16
SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS TERM 3 2018 Year 7 Justine Ademovic Noor Al Kanem Naba Alhameed Japheth Arona Jye Bryant Courtney Bryce Jennifer Buckley Taylor Bugeja Rebecca Chau Elyzza Dalusong Anjelica Delos Reyes Hayley Deushian Reign Dimayuga Bianca Dodd Lily-Rae Dunn Paula Gevero Corey Hargreaves Regan Hemi Mahek Janif Edwin Liberty Lillian Lolomanaia Jayden Madigan Makaila Marquez Amina Mohammadi Kathleen Moxham Owen Munday Reynald Narayan Giscelle Nuku Britney Saker Ahlaam Saleem Rene Sarraj Soubhan Sarwar Serina Scopelliti Alex Simpson Tupou Taeiloa Malia Vatikani Mataele Angelina Zamora Year 8 Stefan Adamovic Malaika Ali Isabella Arnold Jamee Balzan Summer Brown Jezelle Camacho Koralee Catlett Vishilta Datt Kyle Davis Daniela Demasi Aron Diwa Anam Diwan Andrew Doan
Ella Evans Keira Evans Jay-Mee Florentino Tasha Fuentes Nathaniel Guzman Marzia Hashimi Kseniya Henderson Charlize Iddles Hong Hy Khov John Koudakpo Divek Kumar Jason Lansdowne Nicole Li Alyse McCutcheon Tamika Nelson Amanda Ngo Tayla Norton Nicholas Pakas Vinuji Polwaththa Gallage Taira Pule Julia Quintero Kalaya Ryan Celestine Salimbangon Keighla Santiago Bilal Shah Nina Shemon Emma Simpson Diaz Smith Nicayla Storozuk Malakai Suitupe Aemareign Daphne Sunga Connor Syrls Gracie Williams Joel Zahra Year 9 Josiah Acosta Zahraa Ali Alyssa Aquipel Molly Auld Ciela Bautista Phoebe Birett Isha Bondoc Dana Bonifacio Julia Buckley Kristian Cantre Kristy Chetty Azalech Collins Paris Curmi Samantha Domingo Zaheda Faiz
Christopher Gillett Achita Hansoongnern Rhea-Maree Hill Zana Ivanic Ann Rose Joseph Elijah-Christopher Kaisa Cassandra King Joanna Madera Jonathan Moxham Chantelle Parkes Darcy Rusconi Kandace Singleton GenovevaConstantina Stuparu Katie Toogood Aeron Vicente Ralph Villegas
Tony Lee Chen Li Megha Martin Lorijocacha Ane Masame Matthew McKechnie Remiel Merlan Raizza Miclat Beverly Misionare Marvin Muller Hanna Ngo Amber Nicholls Guihot Craig Ortiz Azzam Outim Claire Paler Julianna Raquedan Piyatida Jade Ratanasirilak Jade Ridley-King Year 10 Kimberly Aba Patricia Ross Evan Ademovic Emily Rough Heritage Aladegbaye Christelle Ali Almoail Salimbangon Divina Ambat Zeel Shah Aleeya Balfas Jose Mari Sio Neus Baquir Korben Smith Keila Barbeau Ryan Stagljar Riley Blake Jonathan Thomas Christina Booth Francis Tinei Jaimelen Camacho Carlos Torzar Justin Canda Shayla Tran Zane Catlett Hayden Traynor Caitlin Citko Vince Tumbaga Christiane Convento Selina Urbina Quiroz Isabella Croft Caitlin Xerri Tarsha Daly Chad Zahra Aryan Datt Sussana Zaman Ethan Fuatavai Mike Zamora Bianca Fuller Joel Gaal Year 11 Aidan Goundar Meena Abawi Maryrose Guerra Aasia Akhtar Leanne Gutierrez Furat Almoail Courtney Hagan April Bryce Trinity Hanslow Lay Jonah Diaz Samokia Haumono Russell Dimayuga Blaiden-Jhy Hobson Shania Fenech Natasha Kapulong Kyla Fischer Jaspreet Kaur Lorenzen Fuentes Katie Klumper Amanda Fuiono Atsupui Delphine Vaughn Holyoak Koudakpo John Marcos Ronnie Lagazo Chloe Norton
Tanisha Roach Angelina Steeden Emily Stirk Nicholas Stratikopoulos Year 12 Arizo Aghdar Crystel Bandal Nexus Baquir Rae Gabriel Bermudez Brittany Bishop Isaiah Bondoc Ivy Bradley Angelo Brillantes Angel-Lea Brown Anthony-John Brown Jemma-Lee Butler Joy Cayabyab Jessie Da Palma Francesco Demasi Masee Faiz Lara Ferri Tahlia Finn Josh-Miguel Florentino Abby Giles Drew Hurley Oscar Jennings Ayca Karsanbas Andrew Lim Mario Maric Ailima Mativa Ethan Munday Reggie Navarro Reyhan Outim Imico Pablico Brianna Pelayo Miles Ponce Caitlin Puckeridge Jeremy Robles Sharon Rogers Anneka Shankar Nicole Singh Caleb Spice Ky Staal Chaithra Sumesh Kiarna Terry Patience ThorntonWhiu Giandawn Viloria Andrew Vu Jaeda Zlomislic 17
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Rooty Hill High School Learning, Leadership & Achievement North Parade, Rooty Hill NSW 2766 P.O. Box 70, Rooty Hill NSW 2766 Phone: 02 9625 8104 Fax: 02 9625 4208 Follow Rooty Hill High School:
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