news letter€¦ · letter term 3 | week 4 | august 2016 armstrong drive, toormina nsw 2452 026653...

ARMSTRONG DRIVE, TOORMINA NSW 2452 026653 3077 [email protected] www.toormina-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

TERM 3 | WEEK 4 | AUGUST 2016

N E W SLETTER

Legacy Junior Public Speaking In our modern world of ever changing social technology and an ever greater reliance on texting, tweeting and social media, we often forget the power and empowerment of the spoken word. With a few well spoken words we can influence, entertain, amuse or educate our audience. A great speaker can do all of these with just their voice and their wits! On Tuesday 26th of July, Toormina High hosted the North Coast Final of the Junior Legacy Public Speaking Awards where the art of public speaking was put on display. Students from Bishop Druitt College, Coffs High and Toormina High spoke on topics ranging from our reliance on the internet, modern technology, Pollution to our ‘Hope for Humanity’. The Adjudicator, Joanna O’Donnell, and the audience of parents and students were engaged and appreciative of the talent exhibited and of the thought provoking ideas presented. The winner, Ryan Gilchrist from Toormina High School, presented an engaging speech on the way society places too great an emphasis on new technology as opposed to the function it is designed to perform. Ryan will now head to the State semi-finals on 9th September at Parliament House. The power of the spoken word is still a force to be considered in this fast paced world of digital media!

Cherie O’Brien, English Teacher

On Tuesday and Wednesday 26th – 27th of July, 10 students from years 8, 9 and 10 attended the overnight Regional Debating Camp with Ms Johnson and Mr Gray. All students participated in workshops and mock debates, with Ms Johnson’s year 9 team qualifying for the regional quarter finals. To start the camp, we attended workshops with members of the Sydney Flying Squad, Tony, Pat and Ash. These workshops covered all aspects of debating, manner, matter and method. Our team, consisting of Ryan Gilchrist, Ella Burgin and ourselves, Oriana Watts and Danielle Tate (in photo above with Ms Johnson), successfully made it through to the regional quarter finals. We were able to put what we had learned from the workshops straight into our first debate against Coffs Harbour High School. The topic was “That we should have all same-sex schools” and we were the affirmative team. We won this debate, and as a result, progressed through to the regional semi-finals. 20 minutes after our first debate, we were straight back into prep. This debate was against Kingscliff High School and the topic was “That we should ban all combat sports”. We were the negative team for this debate and were once again successful. This meant that we were through to the regional finals, which would be held on Wednesday. Wednesday morning we woke with much anticipation and a few nerves. We had about an hour of time to work with Ms Johnson and Mr Gray before we went into prep again for our finals. The other students on camp participated in mock debates against other schools from around the region and gained feedback from the adjudicators to improve their skills. We headed into our final debate against Nambucca High School being the affirmative team with the topic “That we should ban weight loss shows”. This was a tough debate, however, the adjudicators unanimously declared our team as the winner of the debate. The adjudicators were very pleased with the standard of our team as we are one of the youngest teams in the competition. Our team will now progress through to the state quarter finals, placing us in the top 8 teams in NSW. We will be competing against the winners of the South West Sydney Region later this term. We will have to fly to Sydney, to participate in this debate, which will be very exciting. Oriana was also selected for the Junior State Representative Team for the North Coast Region, from Tweed Heads down to Foster. This team is made up of 5 students from the region and they will fly to Sydney to compete in a round-robin Battle of the Regions competition towards the end of term 4. By Danielle Tate and Oriana Watts

HIGH SCHOOL

N E W SLETTER TERM 3 | WEEK 4 | AUGUST 2016


A TASTE OF THE POLITICAL LIFENadine Hughes and Meg La Macchia were selected recently for 'Secretary for a Day'. Over 200 students applied and only 20 were chosen. The girls 'shadowed' two Department of Education Directors for a day and then attended a Leadership Forum. Meg was in the Aboriginal Education and Communities section and got to share all the great THS programs such as, Gumbaynggirr as our LOTE language,10% On Top Club, Nations of Origin Rugby League and A.I.M.E. and both girls talked about our ‘Love Bites’ program at the forum.Nadine was allocated the Learning and Wellbeing department and attended meetings concerning the increasing numbers of students in NSW and then attended the launch of Education Week.

Nadine Hughes completed the SCU Head-Start program and gained a Distinction in Communication in Organisations. Kathy McDowell and Robyn West attended the completion ceremony on 27th July at SCU and were particularly impressed with Nadine’s achievement and acceptance speech.We congratulate her on being accepted into SCU on completion of her HSC and being an excellent ambassador for Toormina High School.Fourteen year 10 students met with Caitlin Burcher on Thursday, July 28 to find out information relating to the 2017 Head-Start program (for further information contact Robyn West in Careers).Nadine said the program allowed her to expand her knowledge of essay structure to achieve better results and being the youngest in her uni class has meant Nadine has met students across all ages who are passionate about learning. This opportunity gives Nadine a ‘Head Start’ towards her law degree!

Photo left shows Nadine with her proud parents, Damian and Danielle.

SCU Head-Start program provides an opportunity for Year 11 and 12 students to gain direct entry and advanced standing into a variety of courses offered at Southern Cross University. Free from university fees, the program offers students a taste of university life, and a chance to stimulate their interest in academic pursuits, it enhances their educational performance and long term aspirations.The program has been designed for students who have the academic capability to succeed at university. Applicants are selected on merit, based on their academic performance, a personal statement and the recommendation of their Principal.

Nadine has a University Head-Start

Nadine and Meg both expressed how inspiring the experience was and also how great it was to meet aspiring student leaders from all over NSW.

HIGH SCHOOL



THS WELLBEING DAYOur students are still talking about the it!!Year 9-12 Toormina High School students had the opportunity to participate in a range of seminars and breakout groups run by school staff and local health providers and community supports. These were to promote skill building and awareness around healthy lifestyle, wellbeing and resilience. Seminars were fun and interactive. Students were challenged physically, emotionally and mentally both within themselves and in relationships with others. Our students were inspired by the keynote speaker, Nic Newling, advocate for mental health and suicide prevention. Nic has reached millions of people through eHealth programmes, live talks, radio, print media, and online. We felt very fortunate to have him here to speak to our students and have such a positive impact.Some of the breakout groups included: Safe Partying, Career pathways, Apps and websites for Youth that assist with monitoring mood and cyber smartness; Headspace: raising greater mental health awareness and help seeking options; Body Fuel: Adolescent medicine; values and positive relationships; and Mindfulness: improving concentration and handling stress.We’re looking forward to running another WellBeing Day in the near future to continue to better equip our students for success!A big thankyou to all of the community service providers involved and a BIG THANKYOU to our HT Welfare Mrs Sue Winsor and School Counsellor Ms Julie Storok for all of their efforts from the Welfare Team.

THANK YOU...Key Employment, Headspace, Interrelate, Mission AustraliaCoffs City Sky Divers, Bello Youth Hub, Southern Cross Universityand The Women’s Health Centre.

Any students who haven’t paid for the Wellbeing

Day yet, it is not too late to make payments at the

THS Front Office.Photo above shows just some of the people who were involved in our very successful WELLBEING DAY.

‘Speaking up about our experiences with mental illness is absolutely essential for addressing them. There are different reasons why people might not want to seek help but there are so many more reasons why they should. Being there for each other means listening without judgement, but it also means encouraging each other to seek support and stick with it.’Nic Newling

HIGH SCHOOL



Our class had been given the task of doing and presenting a project in art based on books of our choice. The project was fun and gave us a better understanding of the books we had been reading. My project was based on ‘The Mortal Instruments: City of Glass’, the third book in the series. The experience in my opinion was enjoyable and let me use some of the skills I had been learning in class. There is a presentation of our collective works in the library, so check it out! Zara Saxby, 8ENG2.

BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS

TUTORING CENTREOpen every lunchtime!

HOMEWORK CENTRE Open every Thursday

3:30 - 5:00pmCrest EXAM BLASTER Workshops for Senior

Studentsevery Friday Lunchtime

Staffed by qualified teachers,

all welcome!

PARENTS PLEASE

ENCOURAGE YOUR

STUDENTS TO MAKE USE

OF THESE FANTASTIC

RESOURCES FOR

HOMEWORK, REVISION &

ASSIGNMENTS!

SPIRIT OF TOORMINA AWARD

Congratulations for showing a

fantastic attitude that embodies

the Toormina High School philosophy

of caring, sharing & participating.

SAHRA STEVENS

A busy term or a busy year sometimes results in students, staff and parents focusing only on the goal posts in front of them and forgetting to take advantage of the amazing views… so during a brief moment of respite in my day I attempted to list the many amazing things occurring at Toormina High School in 2016. Here is but a sample of that list and a reminder of the amazing opportunities available to our students at Toormina High thanks to the dedication of our staff and parent community. Take a moment to enjoy the view…• Bongil Bongil Community of Schools Musicale • Gumbaynggirr Language lessons• Our Rewards Excursions to the Big Banana, Sawtell Cinemas and Dreamworld• The BOLT (Boys Outdoor Learning at Toormina) Program• Our Support Unit Coffee Shop• Links to Learning Program for Yr 9 & 10 girls• NAIDOC Day• Positive Postcards• Girls in Trades Workshops• Norta Norta Programs• The Intensive Literacy and Numeracy Projects• Our International student programs• The Kokoda Challenge• Teacher Talk and Instructional Leadership Programs for staff development• The CREST Senior Mentoring • Yarning On Morning Teas• Project Based Learning in Science, English, Technical and Applied Sciences and in the Support Unit• Harmony Day• Our Year 10 Wellbeing Day• AIME program• Our Principal’s Breakfast to recognise high achieving students in Years 10 and 12• The Ski Excursion• Crazy Hair and Jeans for Genes day• ‘My Voice, My Ability, My Rights’ 2CHYFM Radio program hosted by THS students• Girls Touch Football Gala Day• Instrument Tuition for students in partnership with Coffs Harbour Conservatorium• Debating and Public Speaking Competitions• Our After-Hours Homework Centre• Relay for Life• Various sporting competitions including our Open Boy Rugby League Team making it to the state-wide quarterfinals.

Dr Joanne Bellette, Relieving Principal

Principal’s Column

Please let the school office know any

change in your contact details, including

emergency contact phone number.

THS 66 533 077

HIGH SCHOOL



Space colonisation has been on the minds of our Year 7 Science students over Term 2. They have been involved in a Project Based Learning unit where they learned about conditions in space and what would be needed for humans to develop sustainable colonies there. This research then helped them design a plan or model for an orbiting or planet-based Space Station, as well as a timeline for building their Station.On Friday 22nd July students presented their work to a panel of judges, including Lisa Siegel (from the sustainability section of Coffs City Council), Win Howard (Coffs Harbour Astronomy group), Daniel Laing (Teacher & Architect) and Jenny Bryant (HT- Science). Students’ PowerPoints showed the research and development of their ideas and they discussed the reasoning behind the designs for their Station with the judges. All judges were impressed with the variety of designs and the critical thinking which often enabled groups to answer their probing questions with quite insightful answers.It was lovely to see quite a few parents come to share the day, along with a number of classes and their teachers. Comments we collected from parents included, “I love how the children worked together collaboratively to complete the task” and “I didn’t know the kids put so much thought into their work.”Despite interruptions to class time with the Musicale, it was wonderful to see our student rise to the occasion once again and share their learning with the wider community. The pride in their work showed in their smiles and in how they explained their designs and research to the audience. Great work Science teachers and Year 7!Julie Roberts, Head Teacher- Teaching & Learning

Space colonisation

BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS

HIGH SCHOOL



SENIOR STUDENTS - GREAT OPPORTUNITY!!Crest Exam Blaster Workshops Term 3In the lead-up to the Trial HSC, Year 11 Preliminary exams and the HSC, CREST Senior Mentoring is offering a series of lunchtime workshops to all year 11 and 12 students. These will focus on preparation for exams, essay writing, time/stress management and exam technique. Students may come to as many as they wish. Normal CREST Mentoring sessions will continue as usual during class time.Week3 Fri 5/8 Essays 1 Thesis & intros, structuring & supporting your argument4 Fri 12/8 (Trial HSC) Time management & stress busters5 Fri 19/8 (Trial HSC) Websites to help you research & revise ( Quizlet, Google drive, Office 365 & others)6 Fri 26/8 Essays 2 Using quotes/facts and sources well & strong conclusions7 Fri 2/9 Year 11 Examinations Summarizing, memorizing & study tips8 Fri 9/9 Creative writing for AOS how to go in prepared!9 Fri 16/9 Year 11 Examinations - to be advised depending on your needs10 Fri 23/9 Year 11 Examinations - to be advisedJulie Roberts, Head Teacher- Teaching & Learning

Classes, 7 World and 7 Solar went to Toormina Primary School during NAIDOC celebrations to sing in Gumaynggirr language at their assembly.

THS held a combined ‘Jeans for Genes’ and Crazy Hair Mufti Day (for cystic fibrosis research) and raised over $200 for each charity.Billy Briggenshaw and Craig Holden (above) embraced the opportunity to have crazy hair!

HIGH SCHOOL



Our next Project Based Learning unit has now kicked off with our Year 8 TAS students and the IM class. The project revolves around redesigning the THS Library to make it an ideal learning space for 21st century students.The IM class will focus on researching the history and purpose of libraries and where libraries are headed in future. They will be opening our Presentation Day on Monday 19th September. Meanwhile, our TAS classes are researching the ways THS library is used by a wide variety of groups and for a myriad of purposes. They will then redesign the floorplan and interior of the library to create a vibrant and flexible learning space which would meet the needs of our current and future students, teachers and community. Already, the community is getting involved. Oliver Gee (from G2Architects) is a former THS student who has kindly donated his time and expertise to speak to our students, giving them insights into the design process and sparking ideas about how a modern library may look. He will provide online feedback as they collaborate on their Project Folio via GAFE (Google Apps for Education).The State Library is running a series of 3 video conferences for our students focussing on aspects of library use, design and community/cultural considerations.In week 4, we also have Phil Magann from Innovative Furniture Solutions, who will join our Librarian Ms. Gillingham, speaking to students on ways furniture, technology, colour scheme, lighting and layout can be varied to create inviting and flexible learning spaces. The Coffs City Council is beginning to plan a new regional library for Coffs Harbour and when they heard about our project, invited us to be involved in focus groups as part of their community consultation process. This will lead to 15 of our students discussing Library use and needs with Jan Strom (from CHCC), adding a youth perspective and Mrs Roberts joining in another focus group. In return the CHCC will send Roslyn Cousins to join Oliver Gee, Phil Magann and Jenny Murray (Director of Schools) to be our judges on the PBL Presentation day 19thSeptember. Parents and community will be invited to attend so save the date!All this will mean a very exciting term for our students and I’d like to take the time to thanks the Executive and staff of THS, for their support leading up to and during this project. Hopefully, it will lead to great things for our Library and our students!HELP NEEDED! – please take a minute to fill in a quick survey to help yr8 begin their research -Survey is also available as a link on our school website.https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1EWM1UH4JSz3HJLd1lBEaCNNG-poq9FCQAGKTwMRYfVo/edit?usp=sharing Thanks for your support, Julie Roberts, Head Teacher- Teaching & Learning

LIBRARY DESIGN

Photo above shows Oliver Gee’s presentation and below one of the video conferences with the State Library.

HIGH SCHOOL



The Creative & Performing Arts department is currently having an art exhibition showcasing the amazing talents of our visual arts elective students. The works on display are from drawing and painting , ceramic elective students and the totems from the musicale designed by the set/street art electives.The quality and talent is exceptional and well worth your time to come and see for yourself.

Ms McAuleyHead Teacher CAPA.

ART EXHIBITION

HIGH SCHOOL



The IM class are continuing work on their masks. This unit of work has been explored in different faculty areas including Cultural Studies in HSIE, Visual Arts in CAPA and in Design & Technology through computer work on the student’s designs.

IM MASKS

Southern Cross University Coffs Harbour Campus Year 12 Parent Information Evening will be held on Tuesday 30 August 2016, from 5pm to 7pm.These events are designed to assist parents of year 12 students who are considering Southern Cross University. The program will cover university entry, course selection, careers, tuition fees, HECS-HELP, scholarships, support services and will include a Q&A session with current SCU students.

Registration:To assist with catering planning, please register your attendance by Friday 26 August 2016. Only one parent/family member needs to register and advise the number of quests attending with you in the registration process.Register via Eventbrite or through our events list at www.scu.edu.au/futurestudents/events

CONGRATULATIONS to Lainey Gow and Katie Shields on their entry ‘Tideless’ in the Triple J Unearthed songwriting competition as KTLG. Click on the link to listen to their song!https://www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/ktlg

HIGH SCHOOL



YOU COULD WIN THIS SURFBOARD!!!

The P&C is raising money for the purchase of a minibus for school use. Raffle tickets are $2 each and have been sent home with each family and are required back at school with money before Wednesday, August 17, 2016. Tickets are also being sold the school office and will be available there until raffle is drawn at assembly on Thursday 1st September.First prize is a surfboard, custom made by local Richie West. The board is valued at $800.Second prize is a Companion Quick Fold Camp Pantry and Camps Australia Wide Atlas.Please support your P and C by selling and returning the raffle tickets by due date.Thankyou,P&C Committee.

BENVENUTO Martina & SaraToormina High School has two Italian students in Year 11 for the next 3 months.Martina and Sara are staying with local families and are enjoying the differences between their school in Rome and THS.The girls attend a school which specialises in languages, as rather than pick electives Italian students pick which school as all high schools have a subject area in which they specialise. Martina and Sara, therefore, speak German, Spanish and English as well as Italian. School hours are 8:00am until 1:00pm with only a 15 minute break and examinations are held at least twice a term. The girls are enjoying the more casual Australian approach and commented on how much they liked the relaxed but respectful relationships between students and their teachers.We hope you enjoy your Australian sojourn!

Arrivederci and Vaarwel to Hannah & EllaAs we welcome Martina & Sara to THS, two of our students, Ella Burgun and Hannah Richardson, have been accepted for exchanges to Europe for 2017. Ella to Belgium and Hannah to Milan in Italy!

IMPORTANT DATES MON 8/8 -

19/8Year 12 TRIAL EXAMINATIONS

MON 8/8 Year 8 Video Conference with the NSW Sate Library

MON 15/8 - 19/8

Year 11 Hospitality Work Placement

THURS 16/8 STUDENT EXECUTIVE TRAINING DAY

TUES 16/8 Yr 7 - 12 PARENT TEACHER AFTERNOON 3:30 - 6:00pm

WED 17/8 P&C Meeting, THS Library, 5:30 - 7:00pmALL WELCOME!

THURS 18/8 Support Unit COFFEE SHOP, 10am - 2pm,ALL WELCOME!

THURS 18/8 Year 11 English Extension Assessment Task 3 due

THURS 18/8 My Voice, My Ability, My Rights

FRI 19/8 Yr 9 & 10 MARKET DAY 2017 Electives

SAT 20/8 SNOW EXCURSION leaves THS 8:30pm

TUES 23/8 Student Executive INDUCTION CEREMONY,

THURS 25/8 My Voice, My Ability, My Rights

FRI 26/8 Year 11 I.T.E. Task 5 ‘Weather Station’ due

SAT 27/8 SNOW EXCURSION returns to THS, pickup 5:30am

HIGH SCHOOL



Uniform Shop will be open every Monday, 8am - 4pm. Karina 0468 436 217

UNIFORM SHOP

Check out the new THS Facebook page!

Look for our school logo

DONATIONS OF UNWANTED THS UNIFORMS

WILL BE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED BYSUE WINSOR

Head Teacher Welfare

Bonville Public School are starting up a LEGO club at lunchtimes. We will be relying on donations from families, if anybody has outgrown their Lego collection and would like to donate it to our school this would be very much appreciated.

Thank youFrancine HunterRelieving Principal, Bonville Public School

LEGO

HIGH SCHOOL


news letter€¦ · letter term 3 | week 4 | august 2016 armstrong drive, toormina nsw 2452 026653...

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