Missing Link
SEASON’S GREETINGS
TERM 4 2013
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT achievement for academic work, I want to start by thanking our students for school service, sports and the arts. their efforts this year. This has been an o u t s t a n d i n g y e a r i n t e r m s o f t h e 6. A highly successful sports assembly involvement of students in their own where 300 students who had learning and extra curricular programs. represented the school in sport were recognised. 100 parents attended and Highlights of this term include: the school then went on to be named Champion School in the Zone, winning 1. The success of the "We Are Readers" almost all major trophies. program for Year 7 - 60 % of students increased their reading by at least one 7. The school musical drama production cluster and 5% by three of more. On on which drama students worked for any measure this is a great result. Year nearly 9 months supported by VET 7 students should keep reading students from hospitality, entertainment through the holidays to practise their and business services. skills on the CAFE - comprehension, accuracy, fluency and expanding 8. 350 students attending the opening day of Wet & Wild, Year 7 swim school, vocabulary. the Year 8 Mandarin excursion and, of 2. The involvement of almost 100 Year 9 course national volleyball in Literacy Mentors working with Year 7. Melbourne. This was a big commitment and Year 9 students have really lifted their own So many students have taken the reading performance as a result. opportunity this year to learn, to be 3. A moving and meaningful graduation involved and to contribute. At the for Year 9 students participating in the Presentation Assemblies they will be recognised for their efforts and each year LEAP program. group will have many highlights to report. 4. A very successful HSC examination None of this would have happened without period and a wonderful Year 12 formal. our very hardworking and dedicated staff. 5. Large numbers of students receiving recognition for merit and significant 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 Web: www.rootyhill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au All School Announcements and information can be found on our Facebook page: Facebook: www.facebook.com/rootyhillhs RHHS Alumni Network: www.linkedin.com (GROUP: Rooty Hill High School)
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Their efforts this year have meant that: 1. All students will be receiving detailed academic reports and portfolios. 2. We introduced (not without some glitches at their end) the new DEC finance and administration software. 3. We implemented a major literacy program that saw significant impact. 4. We worked with HSC students in holidays and out of hours to support their chances for an excellent HSC. 5. We had 7 students complete the M o t o r Tr a d e r s A p p r e n t i c e s h i p program with 4 students at the time of writing securing jobs for 2014.
Christine Cawsey, flanked by her deputy principals, executive of the NSW
6. We competed at state and national Secondary Principal’s Council and Principals Australia Institute, and colleagues volleyball - ranked as the second top TOP HONOUR FOR RHHS PRINCIPAL • 80% of students have friends at school in the state. Our Principal was acknowledged for her school they can trust and who 7. Five additional teachers achieved outstanding leadership when she was encourage them to make positive accreditation with the IOT and four awarded the Principals Australia choices renewed their accreditation after five Institute's John Laing Professional • 77% of students believe that years. Development Award, a peer nominated e d u c a t i o n w i l l b e n e fi t t h e m 8. There has been strong staff support celebration of school leadership and personally and economically, and will for all extra curricular programs, p r o f e s s i o n a l l e a r n i n g . C h r i s t i n e have a strong bearing on their future Cawsey has not only dedicated her charities and fund raising. career to enriching the lives of • 88% of students did not get in trouble 9. The school was recognised as a at school for disruptive or thousands of students across Western centre of innovation by the Global inappropriate behaviour Sydney, but hundreds of staff through a Education Leaders Program and focused and unwavering approach to • 67% of students tried hard to Social Ventures Australia has named providing quality professional learning of succeed the school as one of its Powerhouse her staff and other principals she schools for 2014. mentors. CAREERS ADVISER 10. Strong community partnerships ACKNOWLEDGED FOR through SALSA, the Australian OUTSTANDING WORK Indigenous Mentoring Initiative and TELL THEM FROM ME SURVEY AFL Indigenous Academy continued In Term 3 756 students participated in a Our Careers Adviser, Ms Jeanette to link the school to the wider D e p a r t m e n t o f E d u c a t i o n a n d Camillos was recognised for her community. Communities pilot of the Tell Them From outstanding work as a Careers Adviser when she was nominated for the NSW Individually there is so much I could say. Me student survey. The survey provided Careers Adviser of the Year. Jeanette relevant data to help improve student As a group this is one of the best staff was shortlisted to the top 3 in the State teams in NSW and they are encouraged learning outcomes and measure factors where she attended the finals luncheon that are known to affect academic every day by the support of parents and a c h i e v e m e n t a n d o t h e r s t u d e n t in Sydney. the local community. outcomes. The focus of the NSW pilot project was on student wellbeing, Jeanette was awarded 3rd place. A truly I thank the community for its ongoing engagement and effective teaching deserved achievement to such a dedicated member of staff. support of the school and for its practices. willingness to trust us to teach its young people. We take that moral contract The survey provided us with valuable seriously and, so as we go to holidays and quick feedback on what our and, on behalf of the deputy principals students think about school life, how and myself, can I wish each and engaged they are with school and the everyone of you a safe and happy different ways that teachers interact with holiday? them. Schools in Australia and around the world have used the Tell Them From It is my privilege to be principal of such Me survey to help improve how they do a fine school. things at school. Season's greetings and a happy new Some highlights from the survey: year to you all. • 65% of students feel accepted and valued by their peers and by others at their school
Christine Cawsey
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HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL For nine months, members of the drama club worked together to build paradise, Gangster’s Paradise, a musical based on life in the 1920’s. Together with the help of teachers, these drama students not only wrote the script and appropriated the music for the musical, but they spent every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon at school, rehearsing their singing, dancing and acting to ensure that they successfully brought to life their dystopic vision of paradise. The show was a hit with audiences, stirring laughter with the witty punchlines and unexpected teacher cameos. The cast were delighted to see the audience singing along to familiar songs and at our matinee shows students in years 7 and 8 were excited to see the props that they had made on display as part of the set, asking eagerly to assist with next year’s production. A lot of hard work goes into making a theatre production, and it isn’t just the students working hard. We had a whole team of talented staff members who contributed to the performance by catering, sewing costumes, building and painting sets, choreographing, arranging music and much more. The drama club is grateful to everyone who supported the musical and we hope to work hard to ensure the musical is even bigger and better in 2014.
NRL SCHOOL 2 WORK NRL School 2 Work is a Tafe accredited program where students participate to gain the skills they need to be successful in the real world. Below is a photo of Bryce Simpson and Careers Adviser Jeanette Camillos from y e s t e r d a y s N R L S c h o o l 2 Wo r k graduation breakfast.
SLAM POETRY On Thursday 31st October, students Clare Da Silva and Angus Shephard participated in 'Ignite the Town'; a performance art event that raised awareness for mental health. Alongside other local talent, our two poetry slammers wowed the crowd with an alternative and original performance piece. Centering on empathy and experiences, the piece captured ideas of leaping and falling. Our Slam Poetry team, comprised mainly of Year 10 students, work collaboratively with each other to pen their own lyrics and the quality of their work regularly stuns audiences. JOB CLUB Students from Year 10 participated in the Job Club program this term and received a certificate of participation. The Job Club Program includes topics such as interview skills, self esteem, getting job ready and resumes. The program was enjoyed by the students who attended this term.
On Thursday 14th November, Principal Christine Cawsey accepted this water tank from NovoRail’s Richard Faihurst as a goodwill gesture to the school for its ongoing working relationship with Novorail during the construction of the The Job Club program gives students substation at Rooty Hill. with a valuable insight into possible workforce options assists them in preparing for a job they may like to apply for.
HISTORY MASTERMIND Five Year 8 students, Samantha Lazaro, Sydney Lavaro, Sanjani Vikash, Sabrina Zaman and Deborah Gaskin (pictured above) participated in the History Mastermind Competition on the 22nd November held at Hills Sports HS. There were 4 rounds of trivia style questions and after the 4th round, the Year 8 team placed 12th out of 30 teams. One of the questions from the competition: Who was the first person to walk in all 5 continents? Do you know the answer? 3
DEBATING Congratulations to all of the RHHS Debaters for 2013. The teams comprised of over 15 new members who had never debated before! A special mention to the Year 7 & 8 teams, who attended every meeting and learnt so many new skills. Congratulations to Amrita Prakash and Justin McCormick for their selection to trial for the NSW State Debating Team this year. Left: Our 4 debating teams Below Left: Year 12 Society & Culture with MS San at the Riverside Theatre Below Middle: IT Metals students hard at work on their PERSIST sign Below Right: Year 12 Metals & Engineering Students working on the schools Oki-doki tables.
YEAR 9 ROBOTICS Year 9 IST have started a new topic on Robotics. In order to get their building and programming skills up to speed, students have been building solar paneled robots that were able to zip through the playground. Amongst the r o b o t s i n c l u d e d a s p i d e r, c a r s , cockroaches, grasshoppers and a speed boat. Students will continue increasing their robotic skills in 2014 in the Year 10 IST elective subject.
YEAR 12 SOCIETY AND CULTURE PIP DAY EXCURSION Society and Culture students attended the PIP Day Excursion to Parramatta Riverside Theatre to gain valuable information into their major work – Personal Interest Project (PIP). The students found the day very informative and relevant for the planning and preparation of their research task. The highlight of the day was being photographed by the Society and Culture Association where we will be appearing in the next edition of the Society and Culture journal Culture Scope!
YEAR 10 METALS FORGE AHEAD In 2013 year 10 metals undertook the challenge to create a sculpture for the School. The class wanted to make a 4
sculpture that would reflect the school and its values, and it was decided after debated class discussion and a school survey to make the school crest. Students worked in teams using hand and power tools to prepare material, oxy acetylene heating to form shapes and w e l d i n g t o p u t i t a l l t o g e t h e r. Congratulations and thank you to the Year 10 Industrial Technology Metals class.
VET METALS AND ENGINEERING STUDENTS – TURN THE TABLES. As part of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) course Metals and Engineering offered at RHHS, we have developed an ongoing (expand to commercial) project, the Oki-doki Table. The design of this table can be constructed from new or recycled material. The project mapped on a production line concept provides an ongoing working project where students learn and develop skills used in the metals and engineering industry. Students develop individual and team skills to complete the project through a variety of construction and assembly stages. Students developed problemsolving skills in the development of the project and they are to be commended on their mature attitude. A big thank you to the Year 12 VET Metals students as future students of RHHS will appreciate your efforts.
UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG YEAR 10 SCIENCE FAIR With the Year 10 final exams over, it was time for students to “Strut their Stuff� and show us what they had learnt in Science over the last 4 years with a showcase of imaginative and thought provoking experiments. Students needed to identify an area of science that had not yet been adequately explained to their satisfaction and set about designing an experiment to test their hypothesis. The students had three weeks to plan, gather results and display data before the big unveiling of their work at the RHHS Science Fair. Congratulations to all students for their dedication to their projects and their light hearted, but competitive, spirit.
Year 10 girls at the Science Fair
ENGINEERING COMPETITION Kelvin Prasad (pictured below) of year 12 was presented with the Mechanical Engineering award at the University of Wo l l o n g o n g S e n i o r H i g h S c h o o l Competition. Kelvin submitted his year 12 Engineering Studies, Aeronautical Engineering Report in the statewide competition. Illawarra Coal sponsored the award. Well done to Kelvin in this achievement and as an ambassador of RHHS.
Sustainability Week 2013 In week 7 this term, RHHS celebrated Sustainability Week. Coordinated by Mr Singh, students from Years 7-11 participated in a number of activities and Students have staff have been eagerly workshops designed to promote various awaiting the opening of the labs which types of sustainability. have separate theory and practical work On Friday 22nd November, all Year 7 areas. classes and selected Year 8, 9 and 10 classes participated in workshops designed to promote these aspects of Sustainability. Some examples of the workshops that occurred on the day included Sustainable Health Workshops run by the NRL Education Office, and Sustainable Education run by Youth Action NSW. NEW LABS FOR SCIENCE RHHS has 2 brand new state of the art and fully equipped labs which have just finished construction in early December.
A huge congratulations to all students Mr Prestridge, our relieving Science and staff who participated in the day. A Head Teacher, says he has been special thanks to Mr Price and students inundated with from students to be from Year 7 and 10 who helped make the Sustainability Day video, which is timetabled into the new lab for 2014. currently playing both in the front school foyer and the top of F-Block. Year 8 ESSA C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s t o Ye a r 8 w h o completed, and survived, the ESSA SYDNEY UNIVERSITY WORKSHOP online exam in November. ESSA is a In November, Year 12 students studying statewide science assessment based on S o c i e t y a n d C u l t u r e , C A F S a n d Aboriginal Studies participated in a 2 the NSW syllabus. This is a particularly challenging exam hour workshop which focused on for students as it is entirely online and research. The workshop was organised involves a selection of multiple choice by Dr Jennifer Germon, a lecturer at questions, short answer questions and Sydney University in the Faculty of longer responses relating to stimulus Gender and Cultural Studies. Our m a t e r i a l i n c l u d i n g s i m u l a t e d students found the workshop very useful and relevant in order for them to begin experiments. and conduct major research projects for their individual subjects. HSC SCIENCE Congratulations and farewell to all our wonderful HSC Science students. Our LEAPS hard working students prepared LEAPS has continued to run throughout themselves well for their Physics, term 4 with the group of Year 9 students Chemistry and Biology exams, with the (pictured below) and Ms Andrews majority reporting that they were happy attending lots of exciting excursions and with each of the three papers. The enjoying the mentoring from their Science faculty wish these students all lawyers. The students graduated from the very best for their future and would the program in November and should be like to remind them to keep striving for congratulated on their commitment to excellence. the program.
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FROM THE CAREERS DESK 2013 has again seen a hive of activity in the RHHS careers office. Many RHHS students have taken up opportunities to enhance their knowledge and future job prospects by being part of one (or more) of the following careers activities: •
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MATHS - READ 1, 2, 3 Our thanks to Ms Aroney and Ms Edney who worked tirelessly on this tool to help students access all levels of literacy based questions in Mathematics. Read 1, 2, 3 requires students to purposefully read the question three times when answering mathematics questions. We look Defence Force Recruiting forward to having lots of READ1, 2, 3 in presentation to interested Year 10, maths classrooms next year, which will 11 & 12 students assist students to decode the questions The Independent Employment and apply appropriate maths knowledge and skills when solving problems. Advisory (IEA) program
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28 students doing TAFE courses
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16 students doing School-based traineeships
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“Try a Skill” at Kevin Betts Stadium
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Year 10 work experience
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Nepean Careers Market
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UWS day
Above: Year 7 students at the Maths/IT
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Western Sydney Apprenticeship Expo
Day. Right: Junior and Senior Chinese
YOUTH CHINESE TEST (YCT) In term 4 around 60 year 7, 9 and 12 students participated in an international YCT (Youth Chinese Test). Students applied their language skills in the listening and reading examinations and some achieved an outstanding result in this language ability test. The LOTE Department would like to wish everyone a very happy and safe New Year Xīn nián kuài le! AIME GRADUATION
Language students show off their work
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‘Get that Job’ interview day for PROBLEM SOLVER’S TOOL SHED prospective school leavers Exciting news! All Year 7 – 10 students • MTA Apprentices Plus Automotive will receive a box of tools from the Pre-Apprenticeship course at RHHS Problem Solver’s Tool Shed in 2014. Research shows the more tools you • White card training select from the Tool Shed during a maths quest, the more proficient you • Worlds of Work (WOW) program become as a problem solver. You are • NRL School to Work program recommended to use these tools when Please encourage your sons and you attempt classwork, homework and daughters to make the most of the even during exams. Don’t worry, your opportunities offered to them so that maths teachers will give you how-to their future career decisions will be lessons about the Tool Shed in 2014. informed ones. Below: Year 10 students Matt Dunn and Nicole Delos Santos at work experience
CHINESE LANGUAGE During term 4 both Year 7 and 9 students explored the Chinese language and culture through various themes including Chinese food and Chinese Calligraphy. Students also had hands on sessions involving Chinese brush writing. Feedback from students about the learning of Chinese Calligraphy was very positive. The Year 12 Chinese Beginners’ Course has explored Chinese language through the use of ICT. They have also started work on more complex sentences apply their language skills. Students had the opportunity to visit the Chinese Garden, China Town and experience authentic Chinese lunch (Yum Cha) at the end of term 4. These experiences have provided students with the opportunity to apply their language skills and knowledge in Chinese culture.
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October 18 marked Graduation Day for students who have participated in the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) Outreach program offered to years 9-12. It has been RHHS’s first year in the program and students have been enthusiastic to continue next year. Students were honoured to meet famous guest speakers on the day and to have AIME’s CEO Jack Manning Bancroft award them their certificates. Congratulations to Year 9 Students: Matthew Field, Brittany Ryan and Kiarna Overs and Year 11 students: James Sinclair, Jay Edwards, Carl Ryan and Tiana Edwards for successfully completing the program. We look forward to expanding our work with AIME next year.
SPORT This term has been another extremely successful term for sport at RHHS. The school held its inaugural Sports Recognition Assembly to recognise the efforts of more than 300 students who competed for RHHS in 2013. The successes were vast across all sports headlined by the Open Girls Volleyball team coming 2nd at the NSW CHS final 16 Tournament.
CHINA In the Term 3 holidays, 20 students, 9 staff and 5 parents travelled to China on an action packed 10 day cultural sightseeing tour.
where we were entertained by students who performed traditional dances and musical pieces. Very impressive! A wonderful school filled with happy kids. We were sad to say goodbye.
When we first arrived in Shanghai we spent a day at our sister school. The students from the school took us on a guided tour of Shanghai.
When we arrived in Bejing later in the tour we were surprised to walk out of the airport into the thick smog, a common problem in Beijing caused by pollution. Here, we visited all of China’s main tourist attractions such as Tiananmen Square, a huge gathering place capable of holding more than 1 million people. From there we walked to the Forbidden Palace, the emperors place of residence.
After leaving Shanghai, we travelled to Ningbo Province to visit another sister school, Ningbo Experimental School. Wow! Magnificent buildings with olympic size sports fields, swimming pool, lecture theatres and state of the art classrooms. We were greeted with 'g'day mate' as we entered the school gates and felt like celebrities as we walked around the school with hundreds of kids from kindy to year 9 running out 2013 NSW CHS Representatives: Jarred Wright, Denilson Pereira, of classrooms to welcome us, all Jodeci Tukuitonga, Nina Laurenson, screaming and jumping for joy. Mark Torzar and Charlotte Laurenson We visited classrooms and received rapturous applause as each of our Year Sports Champions are: students introduced themselves. We ate Year 7: Dylan Curmi! Mirae Hemi Year 8: Jarrod Wright! Rachel Varley a traditional Chinese lunch with the students in the school canteen - crazy, Year 9: Sione Taufa! Rose Euese Year 10: Ryan Fitzgerald Emily Powell loud and hilarious as kids climbed over Year 11: Mark Torzar Nina Laurenson each other to listen to our accents and Year 12: Anthony Clifford Charlotte practice their English language skills. After lunch we moved to the lecture hall Laurenson 2013 Sydney West representatives: Dylan Curmi, Mirae Hemi, Byron Pochodyla, Jarred Wright, Sione Ta u f a , R y a n F i t z g e r a l d , P a u l McCarthy, Mark Torzar, Setaleki Mafi, Nina Laurenson, Lucky Sanita, Taissa Pereira, Felipe Zapata Castro and Charlotte Laurenson.
One of the last big days on tour was a trip to the Great wall where the weather was drizzling and overcast. But this didn't stop us climbing the hundreds of steep steps up the wall. Some gave up at the first hurdle while others ploughed on, some even running and competing for best time. Everyone had a fabulous time and an experience they will cherish forever. One thing is certain, everyone on the tour cam home a little heavier than they left due to the amount of beautiful food on offer throughout the whole tour.
The 2013 Champion Sporting team was awarded to our Girls Open Volleyball team coached by Mr Joel Treharne At the Mt Druitt Zone 2013 Sports Awards, RHHS was named the overall champion sports school. HOOPS 4 HOPE The Hoops4Hope program saw over 130 participants from years 7 through to 12 play over 100 games of basketball in one action packed day. The students raised money for Bears of Hope charity, for pregnancy and infant loss support. Students from the Year 9 Leadership class were responsible for a range of important jobs throughout the day. Special congratulations to the boys gold medallist team, D-Rose, and the girls gold medallist team, The Gangstahs.
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