Blayney High Bulletin - Issue 1 Term 1- Week 2 8 February 2019

Welcome Back

It has been a great start to 2019 with all new students settling in nicely. We have had a pleasing increase to the school's overall enrolment numbers which will bring additional staffing and funding. These resources will allow us to continue to offer the wide range of curriculum options and student supports we have been enjoying over the past few years. I look forward to an excellent 2019.

School information Sources

A reminder on the number of ways we try to keep parents informed at Blayney High School.

The Bulletin

The Bulletin is the publication you are reading now. This is not a traditional newsletter as we found that including information about student successes and achievements can be up to a month old by the time you read about it. Instead, the Bulletin concentrates on important information, dates and activities that are coming in future to give you a 'heads up' about what is happening in the next few weeks and months.

This edition of the Bulletin is a printed copy but under normal circumstances these are not distributed this way. The Bulletin is posted on SchoolStream (see below) and the school website. If you would prefer to receive the bulletin by email or continue to receive a printed copy please call the office on 6368 2100 and this will be arranged for you.

SchoolStream

This is our school app. SchoolStream is available for both Apple and Android devices and can be downloaded free of charge and with no in-app purchases. Simply download the app and add Blayney High School to the list of selected schools.

SchoolStream is used by us to send out notifications and information as soon as this information becomes available. If you choose to have notifications turned on in the app you will receive these messages in real time. You can also use SchoolStream to advise the school if your child is absent.

Facebook

Our Facebook page is where we post regular reports recognising the opportunities and successes our students achieve every day. We post reports and images from excursions as well as highlighting normal classroom activities. We are not hard to find and giving our page a 'Like' will keep you up to date with what is happening in the school on a regular basis.

Interviews

There will be times when you may have questions or concerns regarding your child's education. We are more than happy to discuss any matter over the phone or face to face meeting if this is more appropriate. Please contact the school on 6368 2100 to talk with one of our friendly office staff. They will be able to direct you to the best person to manage your query. In most instances a return call will be made to you within 24 hours.

P&C

Unlike many P&C groups, ours is not a fundraising body. Our P&C meets once a term and is a consultative group regarding the operations, management and strategic direction of the school. These policies form a vital part of the direction the school is taking and so impacts on the education every student receives while they are here. Please consider coming to this group to find out what we are doing, why we are doing it and have critical parent input into future discussion. Meeting times are posted on Facebook and SchoolStream prior to the meetings.

Uniform

Seniors

In late 2018 I flagged an increased expectation in the uniform expectations from senior students. I thank the vast majority of students who made appropriate arrangements over the school holiday. We will be working closely with the last few students to ensure our uniform is a source of pride amongst the student body.

Hoodies

The second batch of junior hoodies that were delivered at the end of 2018 was manufactured with a number of inconsistencies with the original batch. The manufacturers, Daylight, have agreed that these are not to standard and have agreed to refill the order to the original specification. Unfortunately this replacement batch will not arrive until Term 2.

In the interim, we will be filling orders with the original batch where possible. As these run out, we will begin to issue the incorrect hoodies to ensure students do not have to go without when the weather turns cold. As soon as the replacement shipment arrives we will be asking students with the incorrect hoodies to return them and they will be swapped for a correct one from the new batch.

I apologise for this inconvenience but I believe our uniform is something that should be worn with pride and I feel this was an important enough issue to raise with the manufacturer. I thank them for their support.

Jackets

An optional school jacket is in the process of being manufactured following discussion at the P&C and a student survey during 2018. These will be a high quality product and so will be priced between $90 and $100. Experience from schools that offer these jackets is that, while expensive, they are incredibly warm and popular with students. The high quality means they last for many years.

Samples are in the process of manufacture and orders will be taken soon.

When the samples arrive information will be sent home and images posted on the school Facebook page.

These jackets will be optional and students will still be able to wear their own jackets under the previous uniform code jacket rules once this new item becomes part of our uniform.

School Photos

School Photographs will be taken on Monday 25 February. School photographs are very important in the accurate records held in the school archive and so all students will be photographed regardless of whether families will be ordering a package or not. Information for families who do wish to make an order has been posted on our Facebook page and is included later in this Bulletin.

Sentral

2019 sees the introduction of a new administrative system called Sentral, which has replace our old Millennium system. While on the surface Sentral offers a similar functionality to Millennium, it offers significantly improved options for us at a school level to track students and communicate with parents. There are many additional features to Sentral which will make the management of the school easier and quicker, to allow more time to focus on our core business of Teaching and Learning. While the decision to change is a big one and it will be a learning curve for us, I believe the improved functionality will be worth the short term pain.

The Parent and student portal will be open soon and I'm confident you will see an immediate difference.

WHO DO I CALL:

For all new students and parents below is a list of who to call or see if there is a problem or question. Both Mrs Hoskins and myself teach classes that are our priority so it helps to make an appointment. We cannot guarantee we can see you if you just arrive but if it is important to you it is important to us. First thing in the morning is usually NOT a good time as we have meetings and daily organisation to attend to. Telephone Number: 6368 2100

Absent from school Call office, bring note or

message through School-

Going on leave or sick

– need work

Contact the office to

Bullying Incidents Year Adviser

Concerned about

homework or assign-

Class Teacher or Head

Teacher

Students not coping

in class

Class Teacher or Head

Teacher

Reluctant to come to Year Adviser, Mr Hanman

A family upset that Year Adviser

Financial Problems Principal

Leaving school Call or visit Principal or

Changing address, Call or note to office

Information about Front office

Student misbehav-

iour within local area

Deputy Principal

Complaint about Principal

You need students to

help within commu-

Front office

Not happy with

above or further

Principal

Need a progress

report for doctor,

Year Adviser or Counsellor

Blayney High School – Personal Electronic Device (PED) Policy

As we begin a new school year, I would like to take the opportunity to remind everyone about the school mobile phone policy.

Here is a summary of school PED procedures.

PEDs - The Rule

Devices and associated peripherals such as earphones are to be out of sight during the school day – this includes recess and lunch unless their use is explicitly directed by a teacher for a classroom activity.

If this permission is given devices must only be used in that lesson and for the strict educational purpose.

Follow-up

Failure to follow school PED procedures on multiple occasions is treated as repeated disobedience. Whilst each case is treated on its merits, parents are asked to collect confiscated phones from the school office after the first occasion where a student has failed to comply with the rule.

There are also added consequences for the second and third occasions of failing to comply with rules. Suspension may be considered for repeated failure to follow the procedures.

Any student who fails to surrender their device will be given a significant consequence including suspension for disobedience.

The school’s mobile phone and social media procedures are designed to ensure a safe environment that supports learning. The school appreciates the support of our school community in regard to student mobile phone use. Any further questions can be directed to me at the school.

Mrs Gaye Hoskins

Deputy Principal

Upcoming Events

January

Feb 11 Year 7 swimming tests

Feb 15 HSC Dance “Callback 2018”

Feb 19 HSC Music composition workshop

Feb 22 Swimming carnival

Western Volleyball trials

Feb 25 School Photographs

Signature week

Feb 26 Signature week

Feb 27 Year 7 camp

Signature week

Feb 28 Year 7 camp

Signature week

March

Mar 1 Year 7 camp

Signature week

Mar 5 Vaccination Year 7

Mar 6 PSC Leadership day

Mar 8 Visit to Archibald Prize Exhibition Orange Regional Gallery

Mar 11 Elevate 7 - 10

Mar 12 Elevate 7 - 10

Mar 19 Engineering & Science Challenge - Stage 5 Science

Mar 20 Bangarra Aboriginal dance workshop

Mar 29 Western Rugby League Trials

HSC Assessment Calendar 2018-19

Term 1 2019

January

Week 1 Dance

Modern History

Week 2 Drama

Software & Design

Maths Extension 1

Week 4 Extension English

Week 5 Dance

Physics

Food Technology

Advanced Maths

Standard 1 & 2 Maths

Week 6 Agriculture

CAFS

Legal Studies

Music

SLR

Week 7 Ancient History

Business Studies

Design & Technology

Chemistry

Physical Education

Visual Arts

Week 8 Assessment Free

Week 9 Mid-Course exams

English - Advanced & Standard

CEC - English Studies

Week 10 Mid - Course exams

Week 11 Assessment Free

Visit our Facebook page to see what activities our students have been involved in.

https://www.facebook.com/BlayneyHS/

https://blayney-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/

https://www.millenniumschools.net.au/portal/

Blayney High School offers its stu-dents and parents access to a Secure Portal which allows you to monitor your students progress at school.

If you have not received your login details yet, please contact Blayney High School on 63682100 to arrange this.

Go to the Millennium Parent Portal at

http://www.millenniumschools.net.au/portal/

The School Stream App can be down-loaded to your mobile device.

With the School Stream App you will be able to receive real time infor-mation from Blayney High School directly to your mobile device.

For how to download School Stream, go to

http://www.schoolstream.com.au/communication-tools-for-schools/

Students can borrow and read eBooks from our library anywhere, anytime, on multiple devices.using the Blayney High School ebook lend-ing facility at

https://blayneyhs.wheelers.co/

Students in Year 7-12 may loan up to 2 ebooks at the one time. The borrowing period for almost all re-sources is 3 weeks.

If you have a mobile device, you can download the ePlatform App from

https://blayneyhs.wheelers.co/help/apps/eplatform-app

or simply read your ebook in your web browser on your device

Visit our School Website for all your

school information.

Stay connected with Blayney High by using the following links.