canterbur y girls school newsletter for... · congratulations to: all students who were part of...

JUNE 2015 I 1

CANTERBURYGIRLS HIGH

SCHOOL

CONTENTSReminders, Congratulations............1

Thank You to, Staff Changes ......... 2

Andrew Anderson –

Deputy Principal’s Report............... 3

CGHS News & Events:

Mean Girls Too Photos ..................4

CGHS News & Events:

Tell Them from Me Parent Survey,

Review of Special Religious Education

and Special Education in Ethics in

NSW government schools,

Year 9 Camp Photos ..................... 5

Faculty News & Events:

CGHS Sport News: Zone Cross

Country, Athletics Carnival,

Knockout Soccer ........................... 6


CAPA News: Campsie Food Festival,

Theatresports Success .................. 7


PDHPE News: Year 11 First Aid,

Year 9 Child Studies and

Year 9 Field Day ............................. 8

Prefect & Leadership News:

Prefects at Mean Girls Too, Prefect

Afternoon Tea, PacFest Excursion,

Grip Leadership Camp .................. 9

Helen O’Grady Drama .................. 10

Go For Fun Program ................10-11

PCYC Camp and School

Holiday Drop-in Program .........12-13

Tennis Hot Shots,

Mind your Valuables! ....................14

The Public School Advantage .......15

Dates for the Fridge,

Reminders, P&C 2015 ..................16

Reminders:l CGHS Strategic Plan 2015-2017

and Annual school report 2014 are on the School Web page.

l Please see details on page 5 of how to have your say about NSW Government policy on Special Religious Education.

Congratulations to: l All students who were part of Mean

Girls Too, a fantastic team effort from a large number of students.

l Our fantastic huge Zone Cross country team who did so well this year. A full report is on page 6.

l All students who collected for the Salvation Army as part of the Red Shield Appeal.

l Lili Shapiro, Year 11 (pictured above), our 2015 Zonta Citizenship Awardee, who attended the Annual Awards Dinner on May 26th. Thank you to

Mr Anderson for accompanying Lili and her family to this event, representing Canterbury Girls HS.

l The winning Year 7 debating team, pictured above.

l Claire Bowen, Year 10, Eleanor Dunstan, Year 8, Lucinda Dunstan and Ursula Hartung, Year 11 all who head off to Prague this holiday to perform as Ballerinas in a European competition.

l Senior Theatresports team members who came third in the semi-final held at Canterbury Girls HS last week. See report on page 7. Congratulations Amy Goodwin, Imogen Smith, Alison Cooper and Grace Rached.

l Latifah Jackson-Vaughan, Year 11, whose community work in environmental causes took her to a recent Ocean Youth Seal Life aquarium event, releasing sharks!

LEad thE ChaLLENgE • LEadErship • ExCELLENCE • aChiEvEmENt • divErsity

twittEr: @girlsCanterbury • visit: www.canterburg-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

Public and Proud

JUNE 2015NEwslEttER

GHS

Clockwise from top left: Lili Shapiro; CGHS and Ashfield Boys Debating teams; The CGHS Cross Country Team and the Senior Theatresports Team.

Aboriginal Education ProgramsLiliyana Gabey, Wirrindah Whitton, Kaya Tranter, Shaneice Vincent, Shaznae Vincent continue to act as mentors for Aboriginal students at Canterbury Public School in the Indigenous Mentoring Project, and participated with mentees in a commemoration service honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women held at the ANZAC Memorial, Hyde Park on Friday, 29th May. Mrs McLelland continues to support girls as Coordinator of the Aboriginal Student Support program, and works with our Aboriginal students on Tuesdays, Week B.

stage 4 learning Presentations 2015All Year 7 and Year 8 have been issued with the 2015 Personal Learning Plan template. Students should have completed these by now, and stored them on their digital device. Completing a Personal Learning Plan is the first step in the development of Learning Presentations for 2015. Ms Strachan is in the process of working with all years on the development of a Digital Portfolio using Adobe software that students can store their Personal Learning Plans and work samples in. Many thanks to Ms Strachan for assisting with this initiative. I encourage all parents and caregivers to discuss their daughter’s Personal Learning Plan with them and to encourage them to store work samples in their digital portfolio throughout the year.

subject selection 2015Subject selection programs for Years 7, 8 and 10 have been implemented!1. Year 7 will select 1 elective for study in 2016 – form is due

Friday 5 June2. Year 8 will select 2 electives for study in 2016 – form is

due Friday 5 June3. Year 10 will select 5 electives for study – plus the

compulsory study of English – for study in 2016 / 2017. Forms are to be submitted during an interview each student will have with a staff member on Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 June.

A Subject Selection Evening for Year 10 students and their parents will be held on Wednesday 17 June from 6.00pm to 7.30pm. All Year 10 students and their parents are encouraged to attend. Parents will receive important information about subject selection, and have an opportunity to discuss subject choices with staff representing the various HSC subjects.

Parent teacher NightParent Teacher Night for Years 8, 9 and 10 will be held on Tuesday 23 June from 3.30pm to 6.30pm. This is an extremely important opportunity for parents and students to meet with teachers to discuss progress made in learning and areas for improvement. Invitations and booking cards will be sent from me in the next month. I hope all parents of Years 8, 9 and 10 students can attend this evening!

white Ribbon Program, 2015This Term, Years 7 has been undertaking the White Ribbon program during DEAR time. Year 7 have been working with Year 9 student mentors throughout the term to achieve a Respect Passport. To earn a Respect Passport, students must complete a series of activities related to the concept of Respect. Students have received presentations from Ashfield Council, Youth Off The Street, Ashfield Police and Green DEAR as part of the White Ribbon program. A big thank you to all those who have presented to Year 7 and to our fantastic Year 9 Respect Leaders!

l NSW Domestic Violence Line 1800 656 463l National Sexual Violence Assault, Domestic

and Family Violence Counselling Service 1800 RESPECT 1800 737732

Reminders Regarding Ongoing IssuesThe main issue I wanted to ask for all parent support with was in relation to leaving valuables unattended. Please remind your daughter to NOT bring valuables to school, excursions, carnivals etc and to keep items such as phones, ipads, laptops on her person at all times.

As in the ‘real world’, if your daughter leaves valuables unattended somewhere, someone will likely take them, and there is nothing the school can do to retrieve the item. Great distress is invariably caused for both the student and her family if this happens. Please ask your daughter not to bring any valuables to school unless absolutely necessary.

The Police Youth Liaison Officer who supports our school to address safety and security issues is Constable Jim Battalico who can be contacted at Ashfield Police Station – 9797 4099.

Andrew Anderson, Deputy Principal


SCHOOL

twittEr: @girlsCanterbury • visit: www.canterburg-h.schools.nsw.edu.au2 I JUNE 2015

Andrew Anderson, Deputy Principal’s Newsletter Report

JUNE 2015 I 3

From left: Fadielah Lutta; CGHS Athletics Carnival 2015; CGHS students at the launch of Matt Ottley’s film of Home and Away.

l Fadielah Lutta, Year 8, for her numerous recent community performance successes including UWS Poetry Slam and Bankstown Youth Festival, 4 Elements Hip Hop Festival at Bankstown Arts Centre, and the Bankstown Poetry Slam.

l Jessie Simon Fitzpatrick, Year 10, who was successful in her application to attend the Nura Gili Indigenous Program University of New South Wales (UNSW)Indigenous Winter School.Congratulations Jessie.

l Naomi Agius, Lucy Melville Year 9, and Zoe Viney Year 10, for their recent participation in the NSW Public Schools Singers ‘In Concert’ – Combined Schools’ Secondary Choral Concert at the Sydney Town Hall. Additionally these three talented students will participate in the State Music Camp in week 10 of this term. Congratulations girls!

l All students who participated in the Annual Athletics Carnival. Congratulations to the winning House, Canberra. We have a large team to head off to the zone Carnival. House results were: 1st Canberra, 2nd Darwin, 3rd Adelaide and 4th Brisbane (Congratulations to Brisbane who did win 5 out of 6 relays! Athletics Age Champions 2015:

12: Fanta Aruna 13: Chaltu Strachan 14: Mild Hangphai 15: Xanthia Marinelli 16: Hannah Cazar 17+: Dimitra Jordanl New P&C Executive: Evan Shapiro

and Jennifer Childs, Co-Presidents; Patrick Walsh and Cheryl McCarthy

– Vice presidents; Lynne Scouller – Secretary;

Stephen Gallagher – Treasurer.

thank you to:l Parent Jo Schofield who has been

P&C President for 2013 and 2014. Jo has been active in the P&C for eight years now and with a few more years to go we thank her for the marvellous job of leading our P&C over the last two years. As well thank you to outgoing Vice President Mailin Suchting and Secretary Sue Aujard. The unwavering support from all 3 people has been fantastic.

l All parents and community members who assisted with Mean Girls Too.

l Prefects who helped out in so many ways over the three nights of Mean Girls Too.

l Parent, Trish Graf for the fantastic photos from the recent musical.

l Staff who were the drivers of the musical: Louise Flannery, Olive Barry, Kellie Reed, Kate Wilson, Cathy Jenkins, Natalie Conroy, Stacey Naisbett, Caroline Texier and Daniela Caprin.

l Staff who attended the recent Year 9 Camp and gave up private time – Kathie Burgess, Stacey Naisbett, Natalie Conroy and Liza Moodie

l All staff who organised such a fantastic Field Day for Years 7, 8,10,11 & 12 on Friday 5.6.15.

l Year 12 students 2013 and 2014, funds donated by you have just funded improvements to the Senior Learning Centre, including a new colour printer just for Year 12’s and improving the amenity of the area.

l Families who have recently made donations of books and money. It is much appreciated.

l Refugee Advice & Casework Service (RACS) for organising the launching the Matt Ottley’s film

adaption of his book with John Marsden with Year 10 students. This was a really powerful session where students heard the first hand accounts of Refugee’s stories, see picture above right.

l Kinetic Energy for the fantastic recent performance for Year 10 History students.

staff changes:l Thanks to Mrs Robyn Andrews

who has been Deputy Principal for Years 7, 9, & 11 for semester 1, Mrs Andrews returns to be HT Science for semester 2. Ms Julie Ronayne, will take over this role as Deputy Principal in Semester 2. Thanks also to Ms Jayne Delmas who has relieved as HT Science for semester 1. Ms Jana Mawassi will be Relieving Ht Student Well Being for semester 2.

l We have had a significant number of staff who have been unwell this year. Thanks to our fantastic pool of experienced temporary staff who have stepped up.

2015

CLAIM the DATE: P&C AnnualTrivia NightSaturday, 7pm

29th August

tEL: 9718 1805 • Fax: 9718 3501 • EmaiL: [email protected]


SCHOOL

tEL: 9718 1805 • Fax: 9718 3501 • EmaiL: [email protected] twittEr: @girlsCanterbury • visit: www.canterburg-h.schools.nsw.edu.au JUNE 2015 I 5 4 I JUNE 2015


SCHOOL

l Important News l special Events l Achievements l Important News l special Events

tell them from me. Parent survey coming up in AugustThe Partners in Learning parent survey is for parents and carers of school students. It is designed to clarify and strengthen the important relationship between parents/carers and school by gaining insights into parent/carer and staff communication, activities and practices at home, and parent/carer voice on school support of learning and behaviour.

The survey results help to build an accurate and timely picture that schools can use for practical improvements. It complements the student and teacher surveys.

How does it work?Parents/carers take the survey online in their own time. The survey usually takes less than 30 minutes and is anonymous.

what does it ask?The parent survey asks parents/carers a range of questions related to the following drivers of student outcomes: parents feel welcomed, informed, parents support learning at home, school supports learning, positive behaviour, safety & inclusion, parent participation at school, bullying and exclusion, exclusion at school.

Questions?For frequently asked questions, visit the link: http://surveys.cese.nsw.gov.au/ttfm-surveys/ parent-survey The parent survey is being held in Term 3, 2015.

INfORmAtION fOR PARENts ANd CARERs:

Review of special Religious Education and special Education in Ethics in Nsw government schoolsThe NSW Department of Education and Communities has commissioned an independent review of the implementation of Special Religious Education (SRE) and Special Education in Ethics (SEE) in NSW public schools. The review is being conducted by an independent research company, ARTD Consultants. This company provides services in evaluating public policy. The review will inform ongoing improvement of SRE and SEE for the Department and providers.

How can you participate in the review?You can complete a survey up until 31 July 2015 via an online portal, located at this link:

http://forms.artd.com.au/s3/Online-contribution-for-parents-carers

The survey is in English and has 19 questions. For most questions you can select an answer from the multiple choice options provided. Only two questions ask for written answers. Extra written feedback for another five questions may be provided if desired but is not essential.

Queries or complaints about the way the review is conductedFor questions or concerns associated with participation in the review or to raise a complaint about the conduct of the review, please contact: Leader, Quality Assurance, on (02) 9244 5025 or by email at [email protected]. All complaints will be treated confidentially.

Year 9 Camp 2015

tEL: 9718 1805 • Fax: 9718 3501 • EmaiL: [email protected] JUNE 2015 I 7 6 I JUNE 2015 twittEr: @girlsCanterbury • visit: www.canterburg-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

CGHs faculty News + Events CANTERBURYGIRLS HIGH

SCHOOL

CGHs Athletics Carnival The 2015 Athletics Carnival was a fun filled day with lots of school spirit and teamwork. The theme for the day was ‘Why is that in my closet?’ and students from all years came up with some clever and funny outfits! Students from each house colour also represented and supported their team in many of the events. The final scores were very close, but Canberra eventually took the win. The delicious sausage sizzle and orange juice stall held by the prefects was also a highlight of the day.

Renee Pelaia & Claire Bowen

CGHs Zone Cross Country Congratulations to the CGHS Zone Cross Country team who competed at the St George Zone Cross Country Carnival at Scarborough Park, Ramsgate on Tuesday 19th May.

The weather co-operated and we had a great day with outstanding results. There were some great finishes – particularly from Chaltu Strachan and Isabella Rocher who overtook competitors in the last 100m to secure their 1st and 4th places in the 13yrs 3,000m.

Congratulations to the following students who have made it to the Sydney East Regional Cross Country Carnival, which will be held at Miranda Park, Thursday 11th June:n 18/17 yrs: Chanel Robins (4th), Chloe Yan (6th),

Jahnavi Renaud (8th)n 15 yrs: Eliza Goslett (5th), Tilly Goslett (6th),

Michaelie Trenbath (11th), Ariana Costas (13th)n 14 yrs: Maya Wood-Thomson (2nd), Amy Tran (7th)n 13 yrs: Chaltu Strachan (1st), Isabella Rocher (4th),

Amelia Tanuse (7th)n 12 yrs: Salam Issa (2nd), Wirrindah Whitton (3rd)

soccer Knockout team Congratulations to the Knockout Soccer Team – Belinda, Amy, Katie, Hannah, Miriam, Nell, Kanesha, Shaznae, Jacinta, Vanessa, Chaltu, Salam, Maya, Sarah and Nicola, who made it to the second round after being knocked out by Lucas Heights Community School.

The girls worked hard sacrificing their lunch times to train. A big thank you to Ms Delmas who helped organise the matches as well as Ms Burgess who helped with the first round game. Ms Vlachos

Top left: Zone Cross Country; centre, Chaltu Strachan; top right, the Knockout Soccer Team.Bottom photos: Athletics carnival, age champion Chaltu Strachan; long jump and the Prefect Juice stall.

Left: The CGHS Band at the Campsie Food Festival. Right: Senior Theatresports team with Ms Slattery.

CAPA News: Campsie food festivalThe CGHS band and elective music students took part in the Campsie Food Festival on Saturday 30th May, performing a selection of pieces they have been working on this term and included a number of original songs they are preparing for KOOL SKOOLS which is on again in Term 4. We have so many talented musicians at our school and it is a credit to them that so many of the girls took this opportunity to promote the school and refine their performance techniques.

Well done girls!

success at theatresports for CGHs teamsBoth Intermediate and Senior Theatresports teams were once again fielded for the 2016 Theatresports Schools Challenge. Our senior team consisted of Year 12’s Alison Cooper, Amy Goodwin and Imogen Smith, ably assisted by Grace Rached from Year 11. The team benefitted from previous exposure to the competition as they romped to early success in their preliminary heat. Coming first in the heat they moved through to the semi-final which took place on Tuesday 2nd June.

It was a nail biting and excruciating semi-final as our team warmed up and rocketed their way through the final rounds. When the scores landed we unfortunately missed out on appearing in the final at Enmore Theatre by simply one mark.

Our Seniors blitzed each round and used their improvisation skills, team work and creativity to produce outstanding Broadway moments; amidst lots of fun and laughter for all. Congratulations to all members of our outstandingly successful team.

Our Intermediate team were somewhat apprehensive being their first encounter with the competition, however they showed excellent team work and performance skills as they explored the parameters of the competition. They were well supported by fellow students and learned much from their experience. They were remarkable in their ability to pick up cues from each other and their capacity to trust in the moment and follow the improvisation. There will doubtless be further success as they grow in their understanding of the process. The team members were all from Year 9 and consisted of: Honey Spence, Maeve Ralph, Ella Hosty-Snelgrove, Ella Schofield and Lola Minutillo. Canterbury Girls High School was dynamically and elegantly represented by these teams.

Congratulations Girls!

CGHS Parent Teacher Night. Years 8, 9 & 10: Tuesday 23 June from 3.30pm to 6.30pm.

mean Girls ProductionThe Prefects fundraised at each of the Mean Girls Too performances serving Gelato (pictured at top) to visiting guests who attended the performances.

Prefect Afternoon teaStudent leaders from local schools were invited to an afternoon tea hosted by the Prefects in the Cantabrian Hall on Friday, 29th May, 2015. Refreshments were served and activities organised for the students to get to know each other and share their experiences of being leaders of their schools. It was an event enjoyed by all who attended. Our Prefects were very gracious and welcoming hosts.

Pacfest leaders’ excursion to the Australian museum Our PacFest leaders M. Tupe and D. Porio Maka Kea (Year 12), along with the CBHS’s leaders (pictured above), spent Thursday June 4th at the Australian Museum as a leadership initiative. The students attended the Pacific Spirits Exhibition and worked on team building for the upcoming PacFest on June 26th. Tickets for PacFest can be purchased through the school – interested families should contact Ms Ronayne for information. Otherwise please check the Sydney PacFest facebook page for information.


SCHOOL


CGHs faculty News + Events

PdHPE: Year 11 first Aid QualificationDuring Term 2, Year 11 PDHPE students completed their qualification in Provide First Aid with Surf Life Saving Australia. We now have 15 extra students in the school who are trained in providing first aid.

Students were able to apply background knowledge from PDHPE classes in a practical environment, demonstrating the recovery position and CPR on each other, on Little Anne and Baby Anne. Students were also able to practice the correct use of bandage and sling techniques, EpiPens and asthma puffers.

Congratulations on the completion of the course, it was a great day.

Ms. Wirtz (PDHPE Teacher)

PdHPE: Child studies – Year 9 ElectiveStudent’s in the Year 9 Child Studies elective class were required to look after a Baby Egg for a week as a simulated parental experience and to the left are some photos from the experience.

Year 9 PdHPE trivia day Students who did not attend the Year 9 camp spent the June 5 field study day doing a range of enrichment activities, which included the pictured construction challenge and relay.

Top left: Year 11 First Aid qualifications. Left centre: Year 9 Child Studies egg care. Bottom left and above: Year 9 PDHPE Field Day.

Prefect & leadership News

GRIP National leadership Camp 2015Would you like to develop valuable leadership skills whilst having enormous fun during the July school holidays? Students in Year 10-12 are invited to participate in a national leadership camp being held in Sydney, hosted by the GRIP Leadership team. Teenagers from around Australia will be gathering for this 4-day camp from July 7-10.

GRIP Leadership is well known for organising Australia’s largest student leadership events and helping students reach their potential as a leader.

full details at www.gripleadership.com.au

Above & below: Prefect Afternoon Tea.

PacFest Excursion.


REGISTER ON 1800 780 900 OR SLHD.NSW.GOV.AU/GO4FUN

Healthy • Active • Happy • Kids

Go4Fun is a healthy kids program for kids aged 7-13 above a healthy weight and their families. At Go4Fun kids and parents learn about healthy eating and exercise using fun, up-beat activities and games.

Go4Fun also helps build self-esteem and confidence in an encouraging and supportive environment.

Go4Fun runs after school during the school term for 10 weeks.

Games & FUN activities

healthy kids program

HOUR

1HOUR

2

BEING AN ACTIVE FAMILYLEARNING DIFFERENT FOODS & INGREDIENTS

UNDERSTANDING FOOD FEELINGS AND TRIGGERS

BEING A ‘FOOD DETECTIVE’ AT THE SUPERMARKET TOUR

PARENTS & KIDS TOGETHER: NUTRITION & MIND THEORY SESSION

PARENTS DO: NUTRITION &

FAMILY LIFESTYLE CHAT SESSIONS

KIDS DO: FUN EXERCISE & GAMES SESSIONS

GO4FUN FOR FAMILIES ACTIVITIES AT GO4FUN:

WHAT HAPPENS AT GO4FUN?

FREE fun program to help kids become fitter, healthier and happier!

Do you have children 7-13 years old? Are you worried about their weight?

The Go4Fun Program is a free healthy lifestyle program to improve health, fitness, self-esteem and confidence in children above their ideal weight.

What happens in the Go4Fun program?

The program runs over one school term. There are 10 sessions (1 sessions/week, 2hrs/session). Sessions include: games, activities and swimming for kids (depends on location); easy, effective ways to improve your child’s self- esteem and confidence; demonstrations, games and tips on healthy foods, label reading and portion sizes; and a fun supermarket tour!

Sydney Local Health District has 15 places on the program in your local area, completely free of charge. Places are offered on a first come, first served basis. Children need to be 7-13 years old and above their ideal weight to attend. A parent or carer must accompany each child to every session.

To find out more contact 1800 780 900 Or go to go4fun.com.au

FREE fun program to help kids become fitter, healthier and happier! Do you have children 7-13 years old? Are you worried about their weight?

The Go4Fun program is a free healthy lifestyle program to improve health, fitness, self-esteem and confidence in children above their ideal weight.

Go4Fun runs for 10 weeks over the school term for children and their parents. Sessions include games, activities, tips on healthy food, label reading, portion sizes plus much more!

Sydney Local Health District has 15 places on the program in

your local area, completely free of charge.

To find out more contact 1800 780 900 Or go to go4fun.com.au

FREE fun program to help kids become fitter, healthier and happier!

Do you have children 7 to 13 years old? Are you

worried about their weight?

To find out more contact 1800 780 900 Or go to

go4fun.com.au



SCHOOL


KEEP Your Valuables safeDo not leave valuables unattended. Please remember NOT to bring valuables unless they keep items such as phones, ipads, laptops on their person at all times. As in the ‘real world’, if your daughter leaves valuables unattended somewhere, someone will likely take them.

J o u r n a l o f t h e N e w S o u t h W a l e s T e a c h e r s F e d e r a t i o n M a y 4 , 2 0 1 5 V o l 9 6 N o 3

The public school advantage

Maurie Mulheron President

Another study can now be add-ed to the almost 30 other aca-demic works published over the past 15 years that show that in terms of educational out-comes there is no advantage in sending a child to a private school. Essentially, it is a waste of parents’ money.

One of the most recent stud-ies was conducted by Professor Luke Connelly and Dr Hong Son Nghiem from the Facul-ty of Health and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Queensland. The comprehen-sive research conducted by the team confirms similar stud-ies in the United States and the United Kingdom.

“Our results show that send-ing children to Catholic or oth-er independent schools has no significant effect,” Profes-sor Connelly said. “Any dif-ferences we see in test results are not due to the school type. Rather, they reflect differenc-es between households and students that already exist in society.

“The work adds to a grow-ing literature from three differ-

ent continents that the returns from attending independent primary schools are no differ-ent from those attending public school.”

Two academics at the Nation-al Institute for Labour Studies at Flinders University, Professor Kostas Mavromaras and Dr Ste-phane Mahuteau, recently con-ducted a study that confirmed, among other findings, that the main determinant of test scores is socio-economic status, not the school type. The study was published by the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA) in Bonn, Germany, and is based on a statistical analysis of the 2009 PISA test results for reading, mathematics and science.

This is an important study, writes Trevor Cobbold in The Age. “This is a simple but pow-erful result which suggests that when we compare the qual-ity distributions between gov-ernment and non-government schools we cannot find any sta-tistical significant difference,” he says.

The article cites two oth-er research studies. One was published in the Economics of Education Review in Decem-ber 2014. According to The Age,

the study showed that “Catho-lic schools’ performance has declined since 1980 relative to government schools… [and] that the advantage Catholic schools once held over govern-ment schools has virtually dis-appeared.” This is despite the enormous increase in fund-ing these schools have received compared to the public sector.

In a recently published paper (2015), “The Comparative Ad-vantage of Public School Gradu-ates”, Canberra-based research-er Barbara Preston argues, “The general finding is that graduates of non-elite and co-educational schools do better at university than graduates of socially and academically elite and single-sex schools who achieved the same tertiary entrance score.”

In her paper she cites four Australian and three Eng-lish studies, concluding, “State school graduates do better at university than private school graduates with the same end-of-school tertiary entrance score. That’s the clear finding in a num-ber of Australian studies since the 1980s and in England since the 1990s.”

John Graham, a researcher with the Victorian AEU, cites a

2013 study by Cardack and Vec-ci. He writes that their study “examined the academic ad-vantages of students attending Catholic schools compared to attending government schools, conclud[ing] that they were marginal in terms of secondary school completion, and univer-sity commencement and com-pletion.

“In fact, [Cardack and Vec-ci] put forward the possibility that attending a Catholic school may have a comparatively nega-tive effect on these student out-comes.”

A general conclusion by As-sociate Professor Chris Ryan, in a paper that examined Aus-tralia’s performance in read-ing and maths in the PISA test-ing program, is that declines in school performance were most marked in private schools.

“At the school level, the de-clines in performance of schools have not been associat-ed with many of their observed characteristics, other than that the declines appear to have been concentrated among pri-vate schools,” Dr Ryan states.

“Where private schools once generated better outcomes than public schools, given the com-

Maurie Mulheron, President

Another study can now be added to the almost 30 other academic works published over the past 15 years that show that in terms of educational outcomes there is no advantage in sending a child to a private school. Essentially, it is a waste of parents’ money.

One of the most recent studies was conducted by Professor Luke Connelly and Dr Hong Son Nghiem from the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Queensland. The comprehensive research conducted by the team confirms similar studies in the United States and the United Kingdom.

“Our results show that sending children to Catholic or other independent schools has no significant effect,” Professor Connelly said. “Any differences we see in test results are not due to the school type. Rather, they reflect differences between households and students that already exist in society.

“The work adds to a growing literature from three different continents that the returns from attending independent primary schools are no different from those attending public school.”

Two academics at the National Institute for Labour Studies at Flinders University, Professor Kostas Mavromaras and Dr Stephane Mahuteau, recently conducted a study that confirmed, among other findings, that the main determinant of test scores is socio-economic status, not the school type. The study was published by the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA) in Bonn, Germany, and is based on a statistical analysis of the 2009 PISA test results for reading, mathematics and science.

This is an important study, writes Trevor Cobbold in The Age. “This is a simple but powerful result which suggests that when we compare the quality distributions between government and non-government schools we cannot find any statistical significant difference,” he says.

The article cites two other research studies. One was published in the Economics of Education Review in December 2014. According to The Age, the study showed that “Catholic schools’ performance has declined since 1980 relative to government schools… [and] that the advantage Catholic schools once held over government schools has virtually disappeared.” This is despite the enormous increase in funding these schools have received compared to the public sector.

In a recently published paper (2015), “The Comparative Advantage of Public School Graduates”, Canberra-based researcher Barbara Preston argues, “The general finding is that graduates of non-elite and co-educational schools do better at university than graduates of socially and academically elite and singlesex schools who achieved the same tertiary entrance score.”

In her paper she cites four Australian and three English studies, concluding, “State school graduates do better at university than private school graduates with the same end-of-school tertiary entrance score. That’s the clear finding in a number of Australian studies since the 1980s and in England since the 1990s.”

John Graham, a researcher with the Victorian AEU, cites a 2013 study by Cardack and Vecci. He writes that their study “examined the academic advantages of students attending Catholic schools compared to attending government schools, conclud[ing] that they were marginal in terms of secondary school completion, and university commencement and completion.

“In fact, [Cardack and Vecci] put forward the possibility that attending a Catholic school may have a comparatively negative effect on these student outcomes.”

A general conclusion by Associate Professor Chris Ryan, in a paper that examined Australia’s performance in reading and maths in the PISA testing program, is that declines in school performance were most marked in private schools.

“At the school level, the declines in performance of schools have not been associated with many of their observed characteristics, other than that the declines appear to have been concentrated among private schools,” Dr Ryan states.

“Where private schools once generated better outcomes than public schools, given the compositions of their student bodies, this was not the case after 2003.” Chris Ryan’s paper, published in the Economics of Education Review (37), is entitled, “What is behind the decline in student achievement in Australia?”.

Trevor Cobbold, a former economist with the Australian Productivity Commission for more than 30 years, says the Flinders study also concluded that private schools do not use the resources at their disposal more effectively than public schools. The study could not find any evidence of financial efficiency in the non-government sector, he argues in his article in The Age.

All the more reason why the Gonski model needs to be implemented in full so that the funding is targeted to those schools with the highest need. This is more efficient and fairer.

The Gonski Review found that public schools were seriously under-resourced for the job expected of them and that a needs-based funding model is long overdue. It is to their credit that public schools, as confirmed by study after study, continue to produce equal or better academic results compared to the non-government sector.

What is happening in Australian education is that private schools are effectively schools of social mobility that are marketed on myths and protected by vested interests with the funding advantage they enjoy leading to a more unequal Australia.

The funding crisis has led to a growing gap between the advantaged and disadvantaged.

As a nation we must do better. Our children deserve no less..

J o u r n a l o f t h e N e w S o u t h W a l e s T e a c h e r s F e d e r a t i o n M a y 4 , 2 0 1 5 V o l 9 6 N o 3


Maurie Mulheron President

Another study can now be add-ed to the almost 30 other aca-demic works published over the past 15 years that show that in terms of educational out-comes there is no advantage in sending a child to a private school. Essentially, it is a waste of parents’ money.

One of the most recent stud-ies was conducted by Professor Luke Connelly and Dr Hong Son Nghiem from the Facul-ty of Health and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Queensland. The comprehen-sive research conducted by the team confirms similar stud-ies in the United States and the United Kingdom.

“Our results show that send-ing children to Catholic or oth-er independent schools has no significant effect,” Profes-sor Connelly said. “Any dif-ferences we see in test results are not due to the school type. Rather, they reflect differenc-es between households and students that already exist in society.

“The work adds to a grow-ing literature from three differ-

ent continents that the returns from attending independent primary schools are no differ-ent from those attending public school.”

Two academics at the Nation-al Institute for Labour Studies at Flinders University, Professor Kostas Mavromaras and Dr Ste-phane Mahuteau, recently con-ducted a study that confirmed, among other findings, that the main determinant of test scores is socio-economic status, not the school type. The study was published by the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA) in Bonn, Germany, and is based on a statistical analysis of the 2009 PISA test results for reading, mathematics and science.

This is an important study, writes Trevor Cobbold in The Age. “This is a simple but pow-erful result which suggests that when we compare the qual-ity distributions between gov-ernment and non-government schools we cannot find any sta-tistical significant difference,” he says.

The article cites two oth-er research studies. One was published in the Economics of Education Review in Decem-ber 2014. According to The Age,

the study showed that “Catho-lic schools’ performance has declined since 1980 relative to government schools… [and] that the advantage Catholic schools once held over govern-ment schools has virtually dis-appeared.” This is despite the enormous increase in fund-ing these schools have received compared to the public sector.

In a recently published paper (2015), “The Comparative Ad-vantage of Public School Gradu-ates”, Canberra-based research-er Barbara Preston argues, “The general finding is that graduates of non-elite and co-educational schools do better at university than graduates of socially and academically elite and single-sex schools who achieved the same tertiary entrance score.”

In her paper she cites four Australian and three Eng-lish studies, concluding, “State school graduates do better at university than private school graduates with the same end-of-school tertiary entrance score. That’s the clear finding in a num-ber of Australian studies since the 1980s and in England since the 1990s.”

John Graham, a researcher with the Victorian AEU, cites a

2013 study by Cardack and Vec-ci. He writes that their study “examined the academic ad-vantages of students attending Catholic schools compared to attending government schools, conclud[ing] that they were marginal in terms of secondary school completion, and univer-sity commencement and com-pletion.

“In fact, [Cardack and Vec-ci] put forward the possibility that attending a Catholic school may have a comparatively nega-tive effect on these student out-comes.”

A general conclusion by As-sociate Professor Chris Ryan, in a paper that examined Aus-tralia’s performance in read-ing and maths in the PISA test-ing program, is that declines in school performance were most marked in private schools.

“At the school level, the de-clines in performance of schools have not been associat-ed with many of their observed characteristics, other than that the declines appear to have been concentrated among pri-vate schools,” Dr Ryan states.

“Where private schools once generated better outcomes than public schools, given the com-


16 I JUNE 2015

dates for the fridgen June 19: Year 12 Careers Expo,

Year 7 vaccinations Round 2, Year 9 Romeo & Juliet show in English

n June 22-23: Zone Athletics Carnivaln June 23: Music Ensemble students

excursion to Opera Housen June 23: Parent Teacher Night Yrs 8, 9,10n June 24: Drama excursion to

Mother Courage at Belvoir St Theatren June 24: Dance excursion to

Bangarra Theatren June 24: UWS PATHE excursion to the

University of Western Sydneyn June 24: P&C Meetingn June 25: Refugee Week Performance –

Percussion Ensemblen June 26: PacFest Competition at Whitlam

Centre, Liverpool, LAST DAY OF TERM 2

TERM 3:n July 13: Staff Development Dayn July 14: Day 1, Term 3 for all studentsn July 20-July 31: HSC TRIAL EXAMSn July 20: LEAPSn July 21: Aboriginal Great Debatesn July 21: Parent Teacher Night Yrs 7,11 & 12n July 27-28: Year 5 Enrichment Programn July 29: P&C Meetingn July 30: Mathematics Competitionn July 31: Regional Athletics Carnivaln July 31 Year 12 Drama and Dance

Showcase 7pmn Aug 3: LEAPS


SCHOOL

REmINdERs for familiesPlease ensure that if your address or phone number has been changed the school administration is informed. A Change of Contact Details Form can be collected from Office A.

Excursions: The school is more than happy for students to pay overnight excursions off across the year as long as a $50 deposit is paid prior to departure. One day excursions must be paid in full before departure.

Newsletter by email: All families will receive an SMS when the newsletter is available on the webpage. This comes out each month and issue dates are on the calendar on the website. The newsletter is emailed to all students as well. If you wish to have a hard copy your daughter must collect this from Office A.

school Calendar: Remember to check the student calendar on the CGHS website for excursion dates, upcoming events, rehearsal times and assessment items.

www.canterburg-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

Follow @Girls Canterbury on TWITTER for daily

updates on what’s happening.

tEL: 9718 1805 • Fax: 9718 3501 • EmaiL: [email protected]

visit: www.canterburg-h.schools.nsw.edu.au • twittEr: @girlsCanterbury

Parents and Citizens Association2015 P&C EXECUTIVE Co-Presidents: Evan Shapiro & Jennifer ChildsVice Presidents: Cheryl McCarthy & Patrick WalshSecretary: Lynne Scouller Treasurer: Stephen Gallagher

Email the P&C at: [email protected]

Meetings: 4th Wednesday of the month24th June, TERM 3: 29th July, 26th August, TERM 4: 28th October, 25th November.Cantabrian Hall, entry via Church Street.

Remember to check the student calendar on the CGHS website for more details, including major assessment items.

canterburg-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

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