Principal’s Report

Welcome to Term 2! I look forward to corresponding with you throughout the term as the Acting Principal for this term, and would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the great leadership of Mr Treacy as Acting Principal for the past year, Mr Harrison as Relieving Deputy Principal and Mrs Sant as Relieving Head Teacher Mathematics.

Changes to Staff

This term has seen some other changes to our campus and I’d like to introduce some new members of staff: Ms McGarrity, who is our new Head Teacher Welfare, Ms Samuels, who is a new TAS teacher and Mr Kosteski, who is a new PDHPE teacher. All three teachers have become part of the GRC Penshurst Girls Campus family very quickly and bring a wealth of experience from their previous school positions.

Aiming for Excellence

In previous newsletters, we have been informing you of ‘The GRC Way’ which underpins our school expectations. Our focus for this term is ‘Aiming for Excellence’. I took the opportunity in the recent school assembly to address the girls on this core value as they prepare for and undertake their Assessment Period. Some tips that the girls were given to aim for excellence this term are:

• Arrive to school on time

• Wear the correct winter uniform

• Do your best in all assessments

• Take advantage of the many support systems we have here at Penshurst Girls such as “324” (Homework Centre) Monday and Tuesday afternoons in the library.

• Start the task when you are given the notification.

New Procedures

Unfortunately, my final point is one of concern and disappointment. Due to ongoing issues within the girls toilet block, it has been decided that it will only be opened at Recess and Lunch each day. Students may still use facilities during lessons with a pass from their teacher which they will take to the office, receive a key to use for a designated bathroom then return the key before heading back to class. We hope that this supports all students to have a more pleasant experience at the breaks in the day, and be able to focus on learning the rest of the time.

I look forward to working with you throughout the term and welcome you to attend our next P&C Meeting on Tuesday evening 20 May 2014, 7pm in the Common Room. Mrs Royall, our Careers Advisor will be in attendance to address questions about Year 10.

Mrs Karen Burke Acting Principal

Cross Country Carnival

P E N S H U RS T G I R L S C A M P U S

NEWSLETTER Term 2 16 May 2014

On Tuesday 1 April 2014 the showers stopped allowing us to run our school Cross Country Carnival. This year we had a new course for the girls meaning there were a few more hills than last year, whilst the heat also added to the work load.

Mrs Bell and the Social Justice Group ran some novelty events for the girls who were not participating in the cross country or the fun run, which had them skipping, hopping and jumping.

The winning house was Curie on 173 points, 2nd - Chisholm on 162 points, 3rd - Austen on 136 points and 4th - Browning on 133 points!

Well done to all the participants and congratulations to the top three finishers in each age group:

12 years - 1st Kayla A., 2nd Bozana D. and 3rd Priyanka K.

13 years - 1st Chantal Y., 2nd Bianca P. and 3rd Anna F.

14 years - 1st Amy H., 2nd Jessica P. and 3rd Grace L.

15 years - 1st Alice C., 2nd Melissa H. and 3rd Celina N.

16 years - 1st Nuntawon S., 2nd Sarasvathy W. and 3rd Cleopatra T.

We will be taking 50 girls to the St George Zone Cross Country Carnival on Tuesday 20 May at Scarbourough Park. In the weeks leading up to this event there will be Tuesday afternoon training sessions held after school for the girls wishing to increase their fitness. Good Luck!

Miss Caroline Joy Carnival Coordinator

Mock Interviews On 21 March 2014, Year 10 took a step towards their future by taking part in Mock Interviews. Smartly dressed with a résumé and job file in hand, each Year 10 student was interviewed by a ‘potential employer’ in order to

experience the feeling of a real job interview. In our career lessons we were asked to prepare a résumé and job file for a career that we are currently interested in pursuing. My interests include English and short story writing so I focused on being a journalist. Using the information I had gathered for my career choice, such as the qualifications needed to become a journalist, I was asked interesting questions by Mr Andrews, which tested my knowledge of my career path and how well I was suited for it. It was a fun experience and I loved learning about what was expected during an interview (and even learnt that the interviewer is usually just as nervous as the interviewee)! I thoroughly enjoyed this experience and now feel prepared to tackle any future interviews.

Ivana V. Year 10 student

Year 8 Science Excursion On Tuesday 11 March, Year 8 and Science teachers went on a tour of Sydney Aquarium and Sydney Wildlife World. This excursion is fun and important at the same time because it will help the Year 8 students with their in-class assignment. They saw many exciting and interesting things in both places

We had an informative and exciting time at Sydney Aquarium and Sydney Wildlife World. Year 8 experienced many things like petting a sea cucumber, held butterflies and many more. There were a lot of interesting animals and wildlife. There were also lots of exhibits to look at like the kangaroo walk, a shark show and tunnels with many marine animals.

Upcoming Dates

Term Dates 201 4 Term 2: 29/04 - 27/06 Term 3: 15/07 - 19/09 Term 4: 07/10 - 17/12

Term 2 201 4 19-23/05 Year 10 Core Subjects Assessment Period 20/05 St George Zone Cross Country Carnival 20/05 ICAS Computer Competition 20/05 P&C Meeting 20/05 Year 9 Romeo and Juliet Incursion 23/05 Year 7 Vaccinations 27/05 School Athletics Carnival 30/05 Year 10 Careers Expo 09/06 Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday 11/06 Sydney East Region Cross Country 17/06 P&C Meeting 18/06 Rotary Schools Spectacular 20/06 Year 7 Luna Park Excursion 23-27/06 Year 10 Work Experience 23-24/06 St George Zone Athletics Carnival 24/06 Motivational Media 26/06 Year 7 and Year 8 Parent/Teacher Night 27/06 Social Justice Talent Show 27/06 Last day of Term 2

Term 3 201 4 14/07 Staff Development Day 15/07 All students return to school 17/07 Year 9 and Year 10 Parent/Teacher Night 18/07 NAIDOC Assembly 22/07 Year 10 Subject Info at GRC Oatley 28/07-1/8 Education Week 31/07-1/8 Sydney East Regional Athletics Carnival 01/08 Back to School Day 06/08 Year 8 into Year 9 Subject Selection 07/08 Australian Mathematics Competition

Wildlife World had more than 10 encounters like Butterfly Tropics where you can hold butterflies, Koala Encounter where you can take a picture with a koala and Nightfall where you can see nocturnal animals like bats and different types of mice.

In Sydney Aquarium, there were about 15 encounters. Some of those encounters were: Bay of Rays where there is a person explaining information about rays, Shipwreck where you can see penguins and Dugong Island where you can see dugongs and learn information about them.

Overall, students had a fantastic experience at Darling Harbor. They saw a lot of animals and sea life and enjoyed their time there. Students experienced many different things they may not have done before, like touching marine life and seeing a crocodile up close. The day ended with happy although tired students.

Dorothy S. Year 8 student

Design and Technology

Students in Years 9 and 10 Elective Design and Technology have been busy gaining new skills in preparation for their major design projects.

Year 10 D&T have been learning wood working skills

including butt and dovetail joints. Their major design brief is to ‘design and construct a decorative box to package items of value to them’. In preparation for this activity they have produced two sample wooden boxes and experimented with a variety of decorative finishes as shown in the photos.

Year 9 D&T have completed a practice mosaic pot. This has allowed students to gain experience with various mosaic materials and learn new skills such as tile cutting, gluing and grouting. They are now working on designing and producing their major mosaic piece. Shown in the photos are a selection of students sample mosaic pots.

Mrs Kathryn Hooper Head Teacher Technology and Applied Studies Faculty

Textiles Cultural Study Year 10 Textiles Technology have completed a cultural study of the textile arts of different cultures. Students also explored textile art techniques of different cultures including Japanese Shibori dyeing, Marbling, Indonesian Batik, Lino stencilling, Celtic weaving, Aboriginal dot painting and Silk painting. Students created samples of these techniques. Sarasvathy W., Sian W., Grace C. and Maddison H. produced excellent samples.

Mrs Linda Harrison Technology and Applied Studies Faculty

Our Kitchen Rules! Year 7 Technology students who have been completing the Adaware Food Unit this semester have cooked a variety of dishes including Hot Corn and Herb Bread, Mini pizza, Nachos, Apple Crumble, Apple Muffins, and Coconut Crunch Cookies. They are currently creating a TV advertisement

using the digital camera and Movie Maker Live software to promote healthy eating.

The photos show some members of the class enjoying one of the dishes they have prepared.

Mrs Linda Harrison Technology and Applied Studies Faculty

Careers Information Fashion Course and Career Information

Thinking about studying Fashion now or next year? Join in on a fashion design and sewing workshop or just drop in and ask the staff about TAFE study and fashion career options.

On: Monday 2 June 4:30-5:30pm and 5:30-6:30pm.

At: St George College, Building M, Ground Floor, 19 Montgomery Street, Kogarah.

Contact: 9598 6305

Mrs Lisa Royall Careers Adviser

Study Skills How to Avoid Test Stress

Do you get anxious or worried as examinations approach? Do you feel like you can’t do anything about it? Here are some tips to help you to feel less stressed.

Before the test:

• Be prepared!

Learn your material thoroughly. If you don’t understand some work, ask you teacher!

• Study with friends -

By asking each other questions, you can help each other to learn topics more easily.

• Attend the Homework Centre -

Teachers will be there who can help you with anything that you don’t understand.

• Learn your vocabulary for each topic -

If you understand the words in the question you have a better chance of being able to answer it correctly.

• Do regular exercise, it helps to sharpen your mind.

• Get a good night's sleep the night before the exam.

• Approach the exam with confidence -

View the exam as a chance to show how much you've learnt both in the classroom and studying at home.

• Don't go to the exam with an empty stomach -

Fresh fruits and vegetables are often recommended to reduce stress. Stressful foods can include processed foods, artificial sweeteners, carbonated soft drinks, chocolate, eggs, fried foods, junk foods, pork, red meat, sugar, white flour products, chips and similar snack foods, foods containing preservatives or heavy spices.

Chinese Translation The Principal’s Report translated into Chinese is available on the website a few weeks after the publication date.

• Take a small snack, or some other nourishment to help take your mind off of your anxiety. Avoid high sugar content (sweets/lollies), which may make you feel worse.

• Drinking water will help your brain to work better and make you more alert.

• Allow yourself plenty of time, especially to do things you need to do before the test and still get there a little early.

• Relax just before the exam -

Remember you have done your best to prepare.

• Don't try to do a last minute review -

This will just make you more stressed.

During the test:

• Read the directions CAREFULLY.

• Answer the question that has been asked. (Not the one you wish had been asked.)

• Watch out for “NOT”, “Except” and other words that can change the whole meaning of the question.

• Budget your test taking time -

Nobody likes to rush the last questions, which always seem to be worth more marks.

• If you go blank, skip the question and go on to the next one -

This will help you to relax and may even have information that helps you to answer the one that was causing you trouble.

• Don't panic when students start handing in their papers. There's no reward for being the first to finish.

• If you do finish early use the time wisely by going over your paper to check your answers and to make sure that you haven’t skipped any work.

After the Test

• Relax… It’s over!!!!!!!

• If you have prepared well and done your very best, be proud of how hard you have worked. Hopefully, your results will reflect your efforts.

Material adapted from Paul Butler (2007) The Sensational Study Buddy 3rd edition Foxton. New Zealand: Out of the Box Consultancy

Mrs Sally Pankhurst Head Teacher Engagement

Awards Congratulations to the following students who have received awards:

Bronze Award

Year 8: Jasmin H.

Year 9: Georgia P., Taylor P. and Vicki X.

Silver Award

Year 8: Jasmin H.

Year 9: Georgia P. and Angel Y.

Where to go for Assistance

Late for School

See Office to obtain a late note before going to class.

Attending an Appointment During School Hours (Gate Pass)

Hand in explanation note to Deputy Principal before school.

Collect your Gate Pass from the Office before leaving.

Whenever possible, please make all appointments outside of school hours.

Extended Leave from School

See Office for an Extended Leave Application Form. Complete and attach copies of your flight details and return to the office for approval by the Principal.

Feeling Sick

See class teacher, Deputy Principal or teacher on duty to ask for a note to attend sick bay. Then see the Office.

Office staff will contact parents if student is too unwell to continue the day at school.

Changed Address

A Change of Address / telephone numbers form can be obtained from the Office.

Please return to the Office once completed with parent signature.

Travel Passes

Application forms are available from the Office for eligible students.

Payment of School Fees and Excursions

Payment can be made by students at the Office before school from 8.15am, recess and during lunch until 1.30pm.

Parents are welcome to pay at any time during the day either in person or over the phone.

We accept cash, cheque (made payable to GRC Penshurst Girls Campus) Eftpos and credit card payments.

Lost Property

Lost property is located in the print room.

P & C Chat Time

GRC Penshurst Girls Campus

2 Austral Street PENSHURST NSW 2222 PH: 9580 3141 FAX: 9580 6373 Email: penshurstg-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au Website: http://www.penshurstg-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/

Hello all

Welcome back to Term 2.

Our next meeting will be held on 20 May 2014 at 7.00pm in the Staff Common Room.

Special guest speaker will be Ms Lisa Royall, Careers Advisor, who will be speaking to our Year 10 parents and carers in regards to Subject Selection and the Subject Market for Oatley Campus.

If anyone would like to donate their old school uniforms it would be greatly appreciated, we are trying to build up our stock so we will be able to open our “Uniform Shop”.

If you would like to be added to the P&C’s mailing list to be kept up to date with the P&C minutes, please contact me.

Mrs Helen James - P&C President

Mobile: 0410 296 092 Email: helenjames6@optusnet.com.au

P & C Meeting Tuesday 20 May at 7pm

Staff Common Room All welcome!

Library Homework Centre

Photo Gallery