The World’s Biggest Classroom

– 30 Deadly Years –

Indigenous Art Workshop

GOOD NEWS WEEK

Web address: www.woolgoolga-h.schools.nsw.edu.au E-mail: woolgoolga-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Woolgoolga High School 18 October 2013 Issue No. 16

Inside this Issue

From the Principal P.2 RRisk Newsletter P.5 Canteen Roster P.10

Upcoming events P.3 Youth Directions P.6 Bushfire Season P.11,12

Vaccination Dates P.4 Gold Awards P.7 Community Pages P.13,14

The World’s Biggest Classroom is an exhibition

program that provides all NSW public schools

the opportunity to engage with and respond to

the 2013 Schools Spectacular Years.

Last week Woolgoolga High School Indigenous

students were involved in an Art workshop day

to create paintings for the initiative. The

students have painted canvases and all

achieved outstanding results, each representing

individual stories. It was a really positive day

and students enjoyed the experience of painting onto canvas.

This year there will be a display at the Sydney Entertainment Centre in the World’s Biggest Classroom that represents 30 Dead ly

Years with a focus on identity, diversity and sustainability. These artworks will also be displayed at the Buunji conference at the Syd-

ney Convention and exhibition Centre in Early November. The canvases will be displayed collectively in the style of contemporary

artist Tony Albert. A photograph of the exhibit and certificates will be given to each of the students.

Workshop Coordinator

To all accounts, our Year 12 students have done very well throughout the week in their HSC examinations. Many students thought the English papers were quite good, I believe, because they were well prepared in the lead up to the examinations. There were also positive comments about the PDHPE, Legal Studies and Engineering Studies examinations.

This week saw the retirement of Paul Jackson who has been a Cleaner and a valued member of staff at Woolgoolga High for over 10 years. We will miss his smile and his wit. Good luck Paul.

Also our Head Teacher, Peter Lemon, retired this week. Peter has worked at the school since 1996 and has been instrumental in continuing to keep Woolgoolga High School as the leading school in the district. His work in Literacy, Finance and ideas in whole school areas will be missed. I would like to personally thank Peter for his positive contribution to the benefit of students at our school over the past 17 years.

Phillip Dalton has been appointed as our new Head Teacher Science, replacing Peter Holt who will be retiring. For the past six years Phillip has been Head Teacher Science at Gulgong High School. He has a wealth of experience, particularly in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Compu-ting. He is a 21st century teacher and we are look forward to his dynamic input into our school when he commences in 2014.

We are in the process of setting up our multi category class. I am happy to say that Liz Scholten has been appointed as Teacher’s Aide and Kayla Macintosh will take up her appointment as classroom teacher in 2014.

Mr Woodwell has taken up the vacant Head Teacher position for the next 15 months. His new position will be Head Teacher, Engagement and Retention. His first task will be to eliminate truancy in the school.

The school has this term implemented electronic roll marking. All teachers mark their rolls every period throughout the day and instantly the data (through our new software package SENTRAL) is sent to the Front Office. Mr Woodwell will extract a list of any students missing classes at the beginning of each day.

We have performed very well in the Naplan results. These results have been sent home with students this week.

I have included in this newsletter (pages 11 and 12) an important document that informs our school community about the school’s plan for the upcoming 2013-2014 bushfire season.

Please note: if a catastrophic fire rating is declared, the school will be closed. Usually the school will be notified by 4.00pm the day before the event and this information will be made available on our school website http://www.woolgoolga-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/ and broadcast on local radio station STARFM 105.5 Coffs harbour and 2CSFM 106.3 Coffs Harbour.

Until next time

Guy Wright Principal

Issue No. 16 Page 2

From the Principal’s Desk

Page 3 Issue No. 16

Clearance forms

will be issued to all students to return

books, pay fees etc. Please have

these completed by the due date.

Year 11 issued on:

Friday 18 October

for return on 8 November

Years 7, 8, 9, 10 issued on:

Monday 25 November

for return on 12 December

Week 3 will host our annual

Art Smart Competition

This years’ competition is open to all

years and includes a variety of

sections students can enter, ranging

from painting to photography.

Winners receive great prizes and all

artworks will be on exhibit in the Art

Department show area over the

next few weeks.

We encourage all art students to get

involved and showcase their

creative talents.

Entries close Friday the 18th of October

See Art Department for an entry form!

IMPORTANT COMING EVENTS

Mon 14 Oct HSC Exams commence

21—25 Oct Art Smart Week

Thur 24 Oct Vaccinations

EFTPOS Facilities for credit/

debit card transactions are now

available for making payments

at the school office. There is no

cash out facility. The office is

open for students to make

payments before school and

during Break 1.

Issue No. 16 Page 4

Issue No. 16 Page 4

AMBULANCE SCHOOL COVER

EXCURSIONS

We have been advised that the Ambulance Service of NSW has reciprocal health care

agreements with all Australian states except Queensland and South Australia.

This means that, even though Woolgoolga High has Ambulance School Cover for students who have an acci-

dent or fall ill whilst at school or at an organised school activity, they are not covered while on school excur-

sions to Queensland and South Australia.

Only students whose parent/guardians hold a Commonwealth Government Health Care Card or have pri-

vate health insurance (including ambulance-only cover) are possibly covered when on a school excursion

to Queensland or South Australia. It is strongly recommended that parents/guardians who do have cover

with a private health fund, check their family’s eligibility with regards to travel to all the states.

From the Music Rooms

In Week 2 at the moment, all of Year 7 are

submitting their Music Instrument projects

and performing a simple rhythm. Below is an

outstanding example of an Idiophone

brought in yesterday, created by Jack Taylor

of 7 Green. As the week unfolds there will be

a lot of great projects submitted and we'll

have a great deal of fun performing them in

class. Well done Year 7.

Final vaccinations for 2013

Thursday 24th October

Year 7—Gardasil dose 3

Year 7—Hepatitis B dose 2

Year 7—Varicella and Boostrix

(any catch ups from Term 2)

Year 9 Boys—Gardasil dose 3

Any enquiries please contact Bernadette Williams,

North Coast Allied Health Services 6620 7503

Newsletter 2

Adolescent Drinking Behaviour

Young people aged 16-24 are amongst the heaviest drinkers in Australian society. In NSW, 46% of males and 43% of females in this age group are drinking at levels that could pose a serious risk to their health if they continue to drink at this level during their lifetime.

Over half of this group regularly drink to intoxication, which places them at risk of an alcohol related injury on any single drinking occasion. (NSW Health Statistics, 2011)

Young people are less likely than adults to be concerned about the negative consequences of heavy drinking. They are more at risk than adults as they are physically and psychologically immature, lack experience with alcohol, are more willing to engage in risk taking behaviour and are often unaware of the dangers of excessive consumption.

Choosing not to drink or learning how to drink responsibly can be among the most difficult tasks facing young people today. The earlier young people start drinking, the more likely they are to become high risk drinkers and experience alcohol related harm whilst they are young and in later life.

Alcohol and adolescent brain development

The brain is not fully developed until about 25 years of age. Drinking alcohol to intoxicating levels during adolescence can result in permanent brain damage. Areas of the brain that control memory, learning, decision making and problem solving can be permanently affected.

Learning problems can result in poor exam results and life skills which will reduce future career options and employment. Lack of judgement often leads to greater risk taking and increased likelihood of violence or sexual assault. Regular heavy drinking can cause irrational and aggressive behaviour, inability to understand social cues, depression and anxiety. For more information on the effect of alcohol on the developing brain, see http://darta.net.au/wordpress-content/uploads/2013/02/ALCOHOL-AND-THE-DEVELOPING-BRAIN.docx.pdf

Mental health

Drinking at a young age increases the risk of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, attention deficit disorder and increased risk of self harm, including suicide, delinquent behaviour and alcohol dependency in later life.

Look for information about the RRISK Program and risk taking at our website www.rrisk.com.au

Issue No. 16 Page 5

Page 6 Issue No. 16

Page 7 Issue No. 16

Year 11

Joshua Partridge

Brendan Thompson

Michael Welna

Hayley Reinecker

Daniela Hagl

Jamie Durning

Jane Chivers

Keelan Birch

Steven Adams

Year 10

Maria Moller

Liam Morrison

Susan Pietrzykowski

Alicia Eggleston

Charlotte Chaffe

Pippa Bond

Jessica Sutton

Stephanie Shone

Jeremy Rush

Demika Muir

Kate McRae

Simran Maan

Cheyanne Hart

Matthew Gray

Jackson Della

Sunny Commandeur

Adam Claughton

Jasmin Adams

Chelsea Adams

If taking holidays or long term sick leave,

greater than 5 days, please apply for an exemp-

tion form from the Front Office. These days are

not included as absences if appropriate paper

work is completed.

Nicole Gusman—Gold in the NSW All-schools High Jump with a clearance

of 1.69 metres which followed her Silver medal in the 400 metres hurdles (only

ten minutes earlier) and a Silver medal in the Triple Jump.

Jonny Gusman and Isaiah Koopmans—also competing at All-

schools, gained useful experience on which to build future performances. Isaiah

had the extra excitement of the multi-car fire explosions happening as he got

ready to race at Homebush.

Jacinta Smithers—finished runner-up in the All-schools 19 years 2,000

metres Steeplechase.

Athletics : Congratulations

Issue No. 16 Page 8

Students’ Photographs

There are many occasions where we would like to publish photographs of students

involved in various school activities, including reports for the local papers, school

newsletters, and the annual report and on our school website.

If you do not wish your child’s photograph to be used for these purposes, please

notify the school in writing.

Creative Expo

Showcasing

Woolgoolga High School

HSC Practical Works

6pm Friday

8th November 2013

Hospitality students will provide finger food

There is a $5 door charge

Issue No. 16 Page 9

Parenting Tips

Getting off the lounge

It's never been more important for

children to get off the lounge and

take a break in the great outdoors.

You’ll find the benefits aren't just

health-related .

Find out more: http://

www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/

wellbeing/development/why-your-

child-may-learn-better

Break the ice

Next time your child complains

that Shakespeare is irrelevant,

show them these eight well-

known phrases that modern lan-

guage owes to him.

Find out more: http://

www.grammar.net/shakespeare

HSC survival guide

If your child is studying for the HSC, you're probably feeling the stress too. Many parents

want to help but don't want to interfere.

Find out more: http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/homework-and-study/homework-tips/tips-for-surviving-the-hsc

Premier’s Spelling Bee app

The app is free at Samsung Apps and

features two categories for junior and

senior primary school aged children, with

a number of levels that increase in diffi-

culty. Most adults would find the high lev-

els in the senior category a challenge!

Find our more: http://

www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/about/

mobile-applications/premier-s-spelling-

bee

Issue No. 16 Page 10

MONDAY

21 October

TUESDAY

22 October

WEDNESDAY

23 October

THURSDAY

24 October

FRIDAY

25 October

Amanda Williams Need Volunteer Need Volunteer Need Volunteer Need Volunteer

Kathy Stevens Need Volunteer Need Volunteer Need Volunteer Need Volunteer

28 October 29 October 30 October 31 October 1 November

Need Volunteer Need Volunteer Need Volunteer Kim Kudrins Justine Bonney

Need Volunteer Need Volunteer Need Volunteer Kathy Stevens Need Volunteer

Contact Kerri Green 6649 2303 or 6654 1500

If possible, please arrange a swap if you are unavailable on your rostered day

CANTEEN HOURS MON/TUE/THUR/FRI 10am to 2pm WEDNESDAY 10.30am to 1.30pm

The Canteen

provides healthy sand-

wiches, rolls and lavash available to

order every day before school and

during Break 1.

A variety of salad plates are also

available as a gluten free option.

We’re on the Web:

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

Woolgoolga High School

Centenary Drive

Woolgoolga NSW 2456

E-mail: woolgoolga-

h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Try our delicious

freshly made

vegie juice!

Issue No. 16 Page 11

Issue No. 16 Page 12

Page 13 Issue No. 16

Coffs Harbour PCYC is now accredited

by Roads & Maritime Services to offer

the Safer Drivers Program to Learner

Drivers. This program involves a 3hr

classroom plus a 2 hour practical

session and gives 20 hours credit to

log book hours. Cost: $140

Tuesday 29/10/13 - 5pm

Saturday 9/11/13 - 9.30am

See also

http://www.pcycnsw.org/saferdrivers

Issue No. 16 Page 14

Application forms available at the Front Office

Page 15 Issue No. 16

RITCHIES COMMUNITY

BENEFIT CARD PROGRAM

This program donates a percentage of the money spent by customers to their nominated club, school

or charity. Many schools and charities are receiving over $1000 every month.

By shopping at Ritchies’ Coffs Harbour IGA, you can help our school and benefit students. Ritchies’

Community Benefit Card saves you money and helps your favourite

organisation at the same time

The WHS P & C

meets on the

second Tuesday of

every month at

6.30pm

Pa

id A

dve

rtisem

en

t

Woolgoolga High School Silver & Bronze

Awards are generously supported by:

WOOLGOOLGA PIZZA PLACE

Beach Street, Woolgoolga

McDONALDS

Pacific Highway, Coffs Har-

bour

EAGLE BOYS PIZZA

Fawcett Street, Woolgoolga

Phone 13 14 33 or 6654 9433