Appletree NewsWest WAllsend HigH scHoolTerm 1 2017 Issue 1

Swimming Carnival 2017Was a great success with some fierce competition as students battled for places in the team to go to Zone and Regional competitions.

Congratulations go to students, for supporting their houses and to all who competed in the races and events. The staff versus students was a popular event and hotly contested.

Our thanks go to all the staff who made this day possible with particular thanks to Dave Munro for organising the event.

Budding cricket stars enjoy 1st class training facilities at WWHS

“We have just had new Cricket Training Nets installed”, Mal Graham (PDHPE Teacher) explained they are fully enclosed with safety wire combined with the new synthetic turf wickets. Students now have excellent facilities to practice on.

Indigenous Programs Ignite Student Passions

Senior Students Kick Start their HSCWord is getting around! Switched on students are studying smarter instead of harder. The real bonus of this program is that it will help you with every exam that has written response answers. Kickstart is on Wednesdays in the library from 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm. Don’t miss out! For more information visit the Kick Start web site at http://wwhsenglish.weebly.com/kickstart.html

“I saw students light up as they saw the possibilities” said Lee Schubert (Teacher/Senior Norta Norta tutor)This morning, second-year medical student Hannah Phillips from UNSW, spoke to our year 10, 11 and 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students about a program run by the Nura Gili Centre for Indigenous Programs. They offer various preparatory programs for Indigenous students who are looking to explore and apply for entry into undergraduate degree programs offered at UNSW in the areas of Business, Education, Law, Medicine and Social Work. The programs, accommodation and meals are all provided, for free! See school website for details.

Students from Year 8 have been having fun with their learning in the Agile room during their Crazy Contraptions Course. They are currently working on a unit of study called “I am an Engineer’, which gives them the opportunity to work with some really exciting cutting edge tools to explore engineering principals, problem solving and help prepare them for jobs in the future. The smiles say it all!

Year 8 enjoy Crazy Contraptions in the ‘Agile Room’

This newsletter is available online at www.westwalls-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

Best School Award in the ME Seed3D Human Factors Competition Congrats to our talented students & STEM team!West Wallsend High School and our Partner Primary School Barnsley Public School took out top honors in the ME Seed 3D Human Factors Competition. The all girl team worked to design projects that could be 3D printed that they felt would improve human life. The girls came up with some excellent ideas:• Rory-Leigh S, designed a key-chain with an

alarm whistle built in for personal safety,• Hayley W and Georgia McL designed

the’wonder brow’ a type of stencil that could be used to easily wax brows to the perfect shape,

• Mikayla C designed a personal pillow alarm in a choice of designs which goes under your pillow and vibrates so that only you are woken up and not your entire family and

• Ella FB designed a necklace for the vision impaired that alerts them to conversation

clues, when a person is in their vicinity so they can start a conversation. A joint 2 day work shop was run for the students from both schools, which initially concentrated on building up the girls confidence and empowering them to take up the challenge in what has been seen as a male dominated field. Well done girls!

Jack Ma, inspiration for our senior students and future leadersStudents were inspired when they attended a Question and Answer session at Newcastle University with inspiring billionaire Jack Ma founder of Alibaba. After a long personal association with the Morley family from Newcastle, Jack Ma made a $US20 million ($26m) commitment to fund the Ma & Morley Scholarship Program at UoN. . The scheme, which the university says will help up to 90 UoN students a year for at

least 20 years, emphasises global and social awareness, is merit-based and favours indigenous and disadvantaged students. It also features a “comprehensive engagement and enrichment program” including mentorship, internships and “cultural immersion”.

http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/dearndaunt

De-Arn D is raising money for leukemiaresearch by donating her hair to make wigs for cancerpatients. If you can help, donate at

Joey Smith’s family have organised a trivia night to raise funds for Joey to attend a football coaching clinic in Spain. Or donate at gofundme.com/joey-smith-spain-2017

Student Mentor RecognisedStudents in Year 10 at West Wallsend High School are fortunate to be mentored by some of the best. Bob Broadfoot OAM received dual nominations from both Plan-It Youth and West Wallsend High School. Bob has been volunteering as a mentor at our school for 12 years. The Plan It Youth mentoring program is part of the schools career eductaion protocol. A team of mentors (currently 11) work one on one with students on a 9 week program targeting goal setting and career options, including visits to Hunter TAFE and Newcastle University. The genorosity of the mentors who are all volunteers; giving of their time and exerience, is priceless. Students who take part in this program benefit from increased confidence and clarity about their future career options. For more information regarding this program please contact Barbara England at barbara.england@det.nsw.edu.au.Bob Broadfoot OAM

Accepting his award from Kaye Sharp President Mentor Support Network.

The Resurgence Project

Students and teachers are working hard on a collaborative project with other Hunter schools and Speaking in Colour. Our students and staff are making a platypus, which will form part of a ‘sea creatures’ sculpture. Staff have undertaken professional learning on

traditional techniques of weaving, that they in turn are passing on to our students. Mr Gray has fabricated a wire frame that will form the skeleton of the platypus, to which the woven pieces will be attached. This project is running in conjunction with Harmony day and will encompass all aspects of community participation, inclusiveness, celebrating diversity, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. watch this space as this exciting project progresses!

Principal Dr Fiona Walsh PhD. Phone: 4953 2111 email: westwalls-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Diary Dates:Tuesday 14 MarchCatch up photo dayWednesday 15 MarchParent Teacher Meet and Greet and Sausage Sizzle. 5:00 -7:00 pm.Monday 20 March P&C AGM 5:30 - 7:00 pm

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