bridges to higher education launch - fairfield high school · our eco friendly sustainable school...

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The Horsley Drive Principal: Mr. R. Mulas B.A. Dip Ed

FAIRFIELD 2165 Deputy: Mr. M. Sargeant

Email: [email protected] Relieving Deputy: Mr. G. Jarvis

Phone: 9727 2111 Facsimile: 9724 3496

Web Address: www.fairfield-h.school.nsw.edu.au Volume 3 September 2012

Bridges to Higher Education Launch

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.fairfield-h.school.nsw.edu.au/

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Contents

Diary Dates 3 Bell Times 4 From the Principals desk 5 – 6 Cabramatta Police 7 Railcorp 8 Year 7 report 9 Year 8 report 10 Year 9 report 11 – 12 Oztag 12 Year 10 report 13 Year 11 report 14 – 15 Year 12 report 16 Support Unit report 17 - 19 Kip McGrath 20 Students of Term 21 – 25 Specsavers 26 Welfare Team 27 Welfare report 28 - 30 National Partnerships 34 - 44 Wood Fire Ovens 45 – 46 Multicultural Day 47 – 48

I – Science 49 – 50 Industrial Technology 51 – 52 Itrack 53 Future Directions Network 54 Creative & Performing Arts 55 Hospitality 56 Medieval Day 57 – 58 Canberra Excursion 59 – 60 Knit Wits Group 61 Our Eco Friendly Sustainable School 62 Jewish Museum 63 Police Justice Museum 64 – 65 Gerard Willems – Piano Masterclass 66 Hospitality 67 Chess Comp 68 40 Hour Famine 69 Ruler 70 Textiles & Design 71 Sport report 72 - 73 Basketball 74 - 75 Change of Student Details 76

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DIARY DATES TERM 4 2012

First day Term 4 8-10-12 Year 8 Group Excursion 27-11-12

Our Faces 11-10-12 Year 8 Swim School 30-11-12

Year 8 Science Prac Exam 12-10-12 Year 7 Swim School 3-12-12

HSC Exams 15-10-12 to 8-11-12 Year 6 Orientation Day 5-12-12

Year 7 Swim School 15-10-12 House Picnic 5-12-12

Year 8 Swim School 16-10-12 Year 9 & 10 Group Excursion

6-12-12

Blood Donations 18-10-12 Year 8 Swim School 7-12-12

Year 7 Swim School 22-10-12 Year 10 Exam results online

10-12-12

Blood Donations 24-10-12 Year 10 Final Assembly 14-12-12

Year 8 Swim School 26-10-12 Sports Awards Assembly 17-12-12

Year 7 Swim School 29-10-12 Presentation Day Ceremony

18-12-12

Blood Donations 30-10-12 Last day for students 19-12-12

Our Faces Exhibition 1-11-12 Staff Development Days 20 & 21-12-12

Year 7 Swim School 5-11-12 TERM 1 2013

Year 8 Swim School 9-11-12 Staff Development Day 29-1-13

Year 12 Clearance 9-11-12 Years 7,11 & 12 return 30-1-13

Zone Blues Presentation 9-11-12 Years 8,9 & 10 return 31-1-13

Year 7 Swim School 12-11-12 Last Day Term 1 12-4-13

Year 10 Exams 12-11-12 to 16-11-12

Year 8 Swim School 13-11-12

ESSA online Exam 13-11-12

Blood Donations 15-11-12

Goals Closing Ceremony 15-11-12


Victor Chang Award Ceremony

20-11-12

Blood Donations 21-11-12



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Change to Bell Times for 2012

PERIOD

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

1

8:50 – 9:35 8:50 - 9:40 8:50 - 9:40 8:50 - 9:40 8:50 - 9:40

2

9:35 – 10:20

9:40 – 10:30

9:40 – 10:30

9:40 – 10:30

9:40 – 10:30

Roll Call

10:20 – 10:35 10:30 – 10:40 10:30 – 10:40 10:30 – 10:40 10:30 – 10:40

Recess

10:35 – 11:00 10:40 – 11:00 10:40 – 11:00 10:40 – 11:00 10:40 – 11:00

3

11:00 – 11:45 11:00 – 11:50 11:00 – 11:50 11:00 – 11:50 11:00 – 11:50

4

11:45 – 12:30 11:50 – 12:40 11:50 – 12:40 11:50 – 12:40 11:50 – 12:40

Lunch 1

12:30 – 12:50 12:40 – 1:00 12:40 – 1:00 12:40 – 1:00 12:40 – 1:00

Lunch 2

12:50 – 1:10 1:00 – 1:20 1:00 – 1:20 1:00 – 1:20 1:00 – 1:20

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1:10 – 1:55 1:20 – 2:10 1:20 – 2:10 1:20 – 2:10 1:20 – 2:10

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1:55 – 2:40 2:10 – 3:00 2:10 – 3:00 2:10 – 3:00 2:10 – 3:00

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Welcome to our Term Three, 2012 newsletter. This term has been busy for many sections of our school. Many successes have been accomplished by our students and teachers. The highlight of staff training and development was our recent Staff Conference with the theme of ―Planning into the Future‖. Activities were focused on school and faculty plans and how we evaluate our processes. Our Parents Café continues to power along with many activities for our parents. We have expanded the Café to include an initiative with Pacific Community parents. This has been coordinated by our HT Student Support, Ms. Sayed-Rich. Activities have expanded to a special project with some Samoan and Tongan Youth Workers and a school group of our boys. Our CLO, Haitham Jaju continues to oversee many activities with our parents each day. An excursion to Canberra with Fairfield Migrant Resource Centre was a particularly successful activity. The Community Garden has also continued into some new areas of the school. Many new

plants have been placed in these areas. The Karan community in particular has been active with the garden and I thank them for their work. As well as the Special Education Unit garden we will have a very successful garden bounty this year. New water tanks should help with watering this garden.

The Work Skills students have also been very active with their work experiences with the Trade Tutors. In particular, a new BBQ area is being constructed with our students in the Community Garden area. Our Trade Training Centre in Metals and Engineering is getting closer to a start in Term Four. A demountable will be moved in during the holidays which will allow for the refurbishment of K Block into a new facility for our students. Our students and TAS Faculty will benefit greatly from this makeover.

E d u c a t i o n a l l e a d e r s h i p a n d m a n a g e m e n t a c r o s s O u r S c h o o l

Elizabeth Thouch – Hospitality student

Work Skills students building BBQ

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Links with TAFE continue with our Retail students being taught by TAFE teachers. This successful exercise will continue into 2013. As Vocational Education at Fairfield High School grows we are seeing many student successes in this area. In particular I would like to thank Elizabeth Thouch and Vi Nguyen who provided me with a fantastic morning tea and lunch recently as part of their Hospitality course. Hospitality is a key success area with students and parents at Fairfield High School.

Our major event this term was the launch of the ―Bridges to Higher Education‖ program. This program links the five major universities – Sydney, UWS, UTS, Macquarie and ACU and provides valuable links for the students of South Western Sydney. Our students will benefit from a range of scholarships that are available as part of this program. We were lucky to have had the Vice Chancellors of each

university attend the ceremony as well as the Federal Minister for Tertiary Education, Mr Chris Evans, who attended to officially acknowledge the start of the program. Mr Guy Zangari – our local State member also attended the launch.

Our Vocational Education team also celebrated with Esho Youkhana, Year 12, being acknowledged as the best VET student in IT for the SWSR at the VET Awards ceremony. This is a great win as our VET subjects have grown over recent years and more students have taken advantage of these courses. As well, TAFE has been supporting our school with the teaching of Retail for Year 11 and Year 12 classes. This has brought a special link with Fairfield High School and TAFE (SWS Institute). Sebastian Acosta continues to develop his skills in athletics and has been rewarded with a number of significant wins at various sporting links over this term. The school is proud of his achievements and we look forward to further successes. As this newsletter is handed out we officially say farewell to our 2012 Year 12 students. We wish them every success in the HSC and their future lives. We look forward to sharing their successful results at the end of Term Four this year.

E d u c a t i o n a l l e a d e r s h i p a n d m a n a g e m e n t a c r o s s O u r S c h o o l

Bridges Program Launch

Vi Nguyen – Hospitality student



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7 Prospect students building bridges

YEAR 7 REPORT WITH Ms Molina

Year 7 have continued to grow and develop a range of skills and knowledge. This semester, Year 7 have changed context areas in their TAS classes. Students are being offered a range of skills in: Jewellery making: in this context area, students are engaged in researching, designing and making three jewellery items that have a special significance to them. Textiles: Year 7 are asked to research, design and construct a personalised utility organiser to hold products of their choice and which can be stored in their bedroom. Graphics: Using the basis of a kitchen, students use software to design a kitchen or suitable products for this environment. Timber: Students are given the opportunity to make a kitchen utensil using timber.

Earlier on this term, 7P and myself were involved in the Building Bridges day with Sydney University. We spent the morning learning about bridge designs and then were

given the opportunity to design and build our own bridge. A great time was had by all. Year 7 Science classes have been working diligently throughout this term on The Frog Pond Project. Students were asked to research and submit a suitable design for our school pond. The winning design will be used to construct this wetland habitat. The project is involving Stocklands and Bunnings. It was fantastic to see Year 7 enjoy their first Multicultural Day at Fairfield High School. Congratulations, to the 7 Kenyon boys who performed wonderfully at the Talent Quest and received 3rd place. Jessy Jade and Emiliano Felipe from Year 7 were fantastic helpers in running the South American stall. It was also the first year in which our food stall WON!! YEAH! Week 8 of Term 3, Year 7 were involved in Gala Day, a day in which students compete in a selected sport of their choice against other schools. We formed boy and girls teams in OZ-Tag, netball, basketball, soccer. Gala day was a great experience in meeting and competing against other students from schools in our area. It has been a full and exciting term, I would like to take the opportunity to remind Year 7 to continue ―having a go‖ and never giving up. I encourage them to keep up with ALL class, homework and assessment work. Next term will be a busy term filled with yearly examinations and assessment. Good Luck.

Ms. Molina Year 7 Advisor

S u p p o r t i n g O u r s t u d e n t s t h r o u g h p a s t o r a l c a r e

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Year 7 & 8 Assembly

YEAR 8 REPORT WITH Mr Jackson

Is that a collective sigh of relief I hear as Term 3 slowly trundles to an end? It is generally a ‗heavy term‘ as students have been grinding away for over half a year at learning new concepts and skills and then grappling with assessments designed to test these skills. The end of Term 3 also means that there is now only one term left in which the students will be ‗the Year 8 group‘! As a consequence, it appears to be a good opportunity to reflect on the successes of the year group as well as considering what students may need to improve upon in the lead up to being Year 9 in 2013.

Term 3 recently saw our annual Multicultural Day Celebration take place. As usual it was a colourful and fun-filled affair with the official program of flag ceremonies, performances and speeches given to mark the occasion in the auditorium. Meanwhile, next door in the gym the Talent Quest took place to the enthusiastic cheering of many year groups. Lunch time then took on a flavour of its own as many different scents and aromas vied for the attention of student tastebuds. At the time of writing two events were still on the horizon for Week 8 of Term 3. Firstly, Year 8 Gala Day in which all students in the year group get to pit their sporting talents against other schools in a variety of different games. Secondly, a university experience day in which 50 students are able to get a taste of university life for a day at Sydney University thanks to Fairfield High‘s ‗Compass Program‘. In considering how the special events mentioned above are intertwined into the normal curriculum at Fairfield High, it appears timely to reflect on what allows this to happen and continue; namely the good behaviour of students and the opportunities that are presented because of this behaviour. As students start to see Year 9 appearing on the horizon, it is time to reassess the study habits and effort put into class work and to decide if these aspects of school life are a strong focus for you as a student or if some improvement might be needed.

S u p p o r t i n g O u r s t u d e n t s t h r o u g h p a s t o r a l c a r e Brooke Luketic

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Joseph Habib and Jonathan Cooper ‘People’s Choice Award’

Best Buddies Training Day

YEAR 9 REPORT WITH Ms. Lykourezos

With the start of a new semester and another school term already gone, let us take a look at the accomplishments Year 9 have achieved. A program titled iScience has been running for the past term and is soon drawing to a close. The program consists of the top 10 Year 9 science students, chaperoned by Ms Gallagher attending Sydney University every few weeks to conduct fun and interesting experiments. Their final experiment will be judged on a final presentation night with the top experiment being awarded a special prize. They didn‘t achieve first or second, though congratulations to Joseph Habib and Jonathan Cooper for achieving the ‗People‘s Choice Award‘!

Debating for our Year 9 students has sadly concluded. They did not progress to the next round, but did manage to beat Bonnyrigg High

School and our own Year 10‘s. I wish them better luck next year and want to thank their debating teacher Ms Bajic for taking on the role and looking after the girls in every debate.

Best Buddies is almost starting once again this year. Best Buddies is a program where students pair up with other students from the Support Unit and communicate with each other by doing fun activities. It is a good way to learn good communication skills, a good way to make new friends and another way to have fun. I have planned an end of year excursion to Jamberoo to reward the students for making it through the year and also to let them have fun outside of school. I only have 55 spots though, in order for students to attend they must pay a deposit of $48 to the front office as soon as possible and hand me the receipt attached to the permission slip if they want to attend.


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GOALS Program Launch 2012

The Legacy Public Speaking Competition has also occurred this term. Representing our school at Canley Vale High School were Deveena Kumar and Amy Tran. Deveena talked about our South Western Region and how we are underestimated, while Amy talked about the ageless character Mario and the link he has to the unimaginable world of gaming. Sadly we didn‘t advance to the next round, but good job girls! A new merit system has been developed to improve how we reward our students. Now in order to obtain a special award, students must collect 12 merits from each of the four categories of the C.A.R.E code in order to be awarded. The categories of the C.A.R.E code are: Community, Achievement, Respect and Environment. The GOALS program has also commenced this term. GOALS is a business program where

students are paired up with employees from many business companies such as MLC and Stocklands. They come together once a month to discuss business related topics. So far Year 9 have talked about W-WOW (What, when and how), Setting Goals, Communication and Fun with Finance. It is a good way to broaden their knowledge and learn new life skills which will help them in the future endeavours.


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YEAR 10 REPORT WITH MR singh

Once again Term 3 has been extremely busy,

kicking off with ―Try a Trade‖ at Prairewood

High School which involved both senior and

junior students. Also, i-Track students went for

their second face to face meeting with their

mentors at the AMP building at the Circular

Quay. This involved students interacting with

their business mentors to exchange ideas and

vies on communication and lifestyle. Students

also went to Sydney University to participate in

informative lessons which the University was

kind enough to host. Some students visited

Boehringer Ingelheim in North Ryde for a

Careers Day teaching them interview skills. On

the 31st of August, forty students went to a

company in Minto called MIST. This was an

informative excursion as the students learnt

about the workforce that related to logistics. In

addition to this, various other activities took

place for example; WOT Opera, Year 10 Study

Skills Day organised by the University of

Sydney (Compass Program), iTrack, Fast

Forward, University of Western Sydney-

Parramatta Campus, and Science Sydney

University Excursion. Year 10 end of year

excursion is once again Jamberoo Theme Park

and will happen on the 6th December and is

open to all Year 10 students, however limited

spaces are available and the first 50 students

with signed permission note and full payment

will be attending this excursion.

Mr Singh

Year 10 Adviser


i-track students preparing to meet their mentors

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YEAR 11 REPOrt WITH Mr. honyak

Another jam packed term with Year 11 students getting involved with activities around the school. Miss Maric and students have been fund raising for our Year 12 formal which will be held in November next year. Our formal will more than likely be held at Curzon Hall. Many boxes of chocolates have been sold with the majority

being sold to yours truly. Thanks to all the students who have helped with the fund raising. We have raised a decent amount and with more fund raising next term we should be able to lower the formal ticket price even further.

Many of our students took part in Multicultural Day and Talent quest. Our students were involved in food stall preparation, multicultural

dance groups, and talent quest performers. I‘d like to thank all those students who gave up their time to participate in Multicultural Day to make it the success it was. Congratulations to Pauli Mafi and the UCC group on winning their third consecutive Talent Quest. Year 11 Work Skills students have been attending the TAFE Taster Courses. Students have been accessing TAFE teachers who come into the school and give courses on Floristry, Hairdressing, Introduction to Construction and Horticulture. Year 11 students and teachers attended a Piano Masterclass with famous Australian and International Pianist Gerard Willems. This was well received by all students and teachers as Gerard discussed the importance of Music, Humanity and Life. He was able to instil in all of us the importance of love in our lives expressed through the power of Music and the Arts in general. Year 11 students took part in the Ryda Safe driving course this term. A sensible course for any young driver. My wife thinks I should go

on one . Thank you to all the blood donors who gave blood this term giving back to the community. Have you thought of giving blood? I wish you all a very happy and peaceful holiday. When you come back you will be starting your very important journey of entering Year 12. Rest up and see you Term 4.

My Honyak Year 11 Advisor


Pauli Mafi – Multicultural Day

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Hairdressing

Hairdressing

Hairdressing

Beauty

Beauty

Beauty

Florestry

Bricklaying

Florestry

Florestry

Bricklaying

Horticulture

Horticulture

D e v e l o p i n g O u r s t u d e n t s k i l l s t h r o u g h W o r k S k i l l s T r a d e T u t o r s

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YEAR 12 REPORT WITH MR Haythornthwaite

Well, here it is; the final page of the ‗Fairfield High School‘ chapter for Year 12, 2012. It has been a chapter jam-packed with action, and congratulations are due to all of our students for the effort they have made to get to this point, and the contributions they have made in their time at the school to help make it the colourful and vibrant community that it is. Year 12 have recently submitted their participation records which will be used to write their school references and it has been amazing to read the many ways in which they have involved themselves in school life. From representing the school in conferences and programs on the national and international stage, in sports teams and carnivals, debating teams, chess teams, youth leadership conferences, art exhibitions, music, drama and dance performances; to participating in and mentoring in reading and art programs, gala-days, multi-cultural days, charity fundraising

days; to making gardens, constructing memorials, painting murals and sculptures, giving blood, cooking and serving lunches and coffees, helping in the canteen or coordinating gym clubs; these students have made a lasting impression on the school, and the school community. We are incredibly proud of them. So, the final term in the classrooms of Fairfield High School ends for the Class of 2012 with their Graduation Ceremony on Thursday 20th September. The final push to the end remains, with HSC examinations in mid-October/November, but they will get there! Best wishes, well done and congratulations Year 12, 2012. We‘ll see you at the formal!

―If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking.‖ Buddhist Proverb

S u p p o r t i n g O u r s t u d e n t s t h r o u g h p a s t o r a l c a r e2010 – looking good

Year 12 - 2012

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SUPPORT UNIT REPORT WITH MS SOARES-DAMIAO

Term 3 has gone fast and the students are blossoming as the spring. Students have been completing their work experience this term and employers have given outstanding feedback, we are happy to see the students also being offered jobs after completing their work experience and demonstrating dedication, competency and maturity in their given roles.


310 work experience Kmart

Work Experience at Hoxton Park Industries

Work Experience at Hoxton Park Industries

Best Buddies Meeting

Gardening

Scientific Investigation

S1 working hard.

Partner writing task

313 Woodwork

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Here is a taste of some of the English work students completed this term, enjoy! Welcome to S3‘s Nightmare with Mrs. Bryce This term we have been scaring our school socks off while exploring the HORROR genre in English. We have looked into the red eyes of monsters and heard the howling of werewolves at night. We have listened to eerie music and stories with terrifying twists and turns. If you dare to be scared, you can read some of our own creepy horror stories. Boo! Sam the Skeleton Once upon a time there was a skeleton named Sam. He was the deadliest skeleton of them all. He was freaky, scary and he lived in the dark woods. People didn‘t know he existed, so if they visited the dark woods they would pee their pants. Sam would be in the trees or hiding behind things. He would jump out and scare little kids. He wore a giant, silky, blue shirt and had a long head. He had four sleeves for his arms. He couldn‘t even fit his own shirt. One day he couldn‘t find any little kids to scare. So Sam started to cry his eyes out. After a while he got tired of sobbing, so he decided to give up scaring people and he went home. After this, kids stopped going to the dark woods because there was nothing interesting there anymore. Sam started to get lonely and his bones went away and no one saw Sam the skeleton ever again. By: Manjeet Singh The Girl Who Could Pull Out Her Eye This is a story about a girl who lived in a haunted house. Her name is Jenny. She is two years old. Jenny is dead. Jenny was so lonely living all by herself in the scary, haunted house. She slept all day and scared people at night.

Jenny could pull out her eye and hold it in her hand. This is how she scared people. By: Nada Talya The World‘s Scariest Story One night my step brothers and I went to a haunted house and we heard a tip tapping noise. The house was small and old. It was on a flat road opposite the church. All of the windows were broken and the roof was cracked and falling down. We ran out of the haunted house because we heard a creepy noise coming from the basement. Then we were more scared because we saw a scary ghost and a black demon with glowing blue eyes. My stepbrother got dragged and possessed by the demon. His eyes were blue and glowing in the dark. He could have killed me, but I run away. I never ever saw my stepbrother again. By: David Johns. The Girl Who Could See Everything One upon a time there was a girl who could see the dead. Her name was little Rosa. She was only six years old. The people would laugh at her when she told them that she could see dead people, so she would go outside and into the woods and wander around by herself. Then one morning the laughing people found her dead in her bed. A ghost had come at night and taken the little girl‘s soul. Her parents started crying. They took her to the grave yard on the edge of the town. The dead girl was now a ghost. She stood at the grave yard looking at her mum crying. She was trying to talk to her mum, but her mum couldn‘t hear her. Over time, the little girl kept trying to contact her mum. But, one night they heard her yelling, ―Help me‖. Now she comes to visit her mum every night and every day. By: Zeinab Nemeh


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Now, to lighten up the mood a little: Have you heard the one….? Jokes, Riddles & Puzzles by S1 Shane‘s riddle: What is the last letter of the alphabet? Jonathan‘s riddle: In Galaxy world which insect has pinchers and a sting? What colour is it? Bill‘s riddle: I am smart, but only on computers. I go on websites, but only to find their secrets. What am I? Mrs Bryce‘s riddle: What gets wetter and wetter when it dries? Alexis‘ riddle: A man lived in a country where rain was common. He walked home after going to the bar. There was no cover when he was going home. Why didn‘t he get wet? Answers: Shane‘s answer: T, get it? alphabeT

Answers: Shane‘s answer: T, get it? alphabeT Jonathan‘s answer: A red scorpion. Bill‘s answers: the police or a hacker Mrs Bryce‘s answer: A towel Alexis‘ answer: Because it didn‘t rain. Pssst! More news… Best Buddies The Best Buddies program has welcomed many new main stream students this term and Ms. Newman is planning a BBQ in term 4. Mr. Grech wants to thank Mounties for their generous donation to the Support Unit this term and we will be planting new crops in the garden. Have a good break everyone!

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YEAR 7

STUDENT OF TERM

Guillermo Perez Guillermo Perez has consistently displayed outstanding conduct across all of his classes. He is a model student who has not failed to follow the school C.A.R.E code. Even though he has faced many challenges with his school work he is working well to achieve his personal best. I am very proud of the efforts this fine student has displayed this year in Year 7. Guillermo is making steady progress in his classes and is a well-liked and respected individual by both his peers and teachers. Guillermo has participated in a range of school based activities which have been offered to Year 7 this year. Keep up the good work.

Ms Molina Year 7 Advisor

YEAR 8 STUDENT OF TERM

Shiraz Malik Congratulations to Shiraz Malik who is Student of the Term for Term 3. He has consistently shown leadership qualities in the classroom by being a positive influence on the learning environment with his class. He is a polite gentleman who is courteous to others without fail and has impressed his teachers for the way in which he gets on well with others. Shiraz has also been regularly noted for his work ethic and has set himself up as an example to others for what hard work and persistence can achieve. As we draw closer to the end of this year, it would be wise for others in the year group to reflect on whether they too are making their best efforts to be not only a student who is improving academically, but also a student who is developing strong social values that will allow them to work well with others. Nurturing those social values of leadership, cooperation and concern for others is a large foundation block for future success and satisfaction in life. Well done Shiraz.

Mr Jackson Year 8 Advisor

A c k n o w l e d g i n g a c a d e m i c s u c c e s s o f a l l S t u d e n t s

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Joseph Habib This term Year 9 has been well behaved and has been working productively. One student in particular comes to mind. Joseph Habib has shown dedication and commitment to his studies. He is very well-mannered and shows reliability in all he does. With Joseph‘s hard work he has gained numerous merits, awards and the title of student of the term. Congratulations Joseph!

Ms E Lykourezos Year 9 Advisor


Tania Younan Tania Younan has been a pleasant, cooperative and dedicated student who takes pride in her school work. She is always in her full school uniform and an excellent role model to the year group. Tania did an outstanding dance item on the subject selection night and always exhibits outstanding social and educational qualities within the cohort. In addition to this, Tania has improved a lot in her social, communication and technological skills including Dance over the past four years and it has been a pleasure to have her in the year group. Congratulations Tania Younan

Mr Singh Year 10 Advisor


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YEAR 12 STUDENTS OF TERM

Mr Haythornewaite

Year 12 Advisor

SUPPORT UNIT STUDENT OF TERM

Manjeet Singh We would also like to congratulate Manjeet Singh for the excellent work she has done this term and also for her excellent behaviour in class and during excursions. Manjeet has accomplished fantastic results and always strives to achieve in every subject, well done Manjeet! Ms Soares – Damiao Support


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ATHLETE STUDENT OF TERM

Langi Suli Ruka

Langi is an all-round athlete, who excels in any sport he puts his mind to. Langi this term has excelled in both the Rugby League and Athletics arena. Langi will compete in September at the Combined High School Athletics Championships in Sydney Olympic Park as part of the U15s Boys 4 x 100m Relay. In addition to this Langi has been selected as part of the U16s Rugby League Tour of France, in which he will spend two weeks playing Rugby League over the September/October School holidays. In this tour, Langi will play a number of games against international teams. We wish Langi all the best in this tour and his future in Rugby League. Well done Langi. Mr Johnson - HT PDHPE

BASKETBALLER STUDENT OF TERM

Jamie-Lee Ladewig Jamie is a very talented basketball player. Jamie has represented in both the under 15‘s and open school knockout basketball teams, she performed outstandingly in both scoring many of the teams points. Jamie also plays in the lunchtime basketball competition and is a regular at the after school training sessions. During our lunch competition Jamie often helps with the scoring, timekeeping and has even given the thankless task of refereeing a go, all of these tasks and more are done with a smile. A very well mannered, deserving young lady. Congratulations Jamie! Ms Hudson - Coach

A c k n o w l e d g i n g s p o r t i n g s u c c e s s o f a l l S t u d e n t s

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TEAM OF TERM

U15 Boys 4 x 100m Relay The U15‘s 4 x 100m Relay Team finished 2nd overall allowing them to compete at the Combined High Schools Athletics Championship. The team consisted of Langi Suli Ruka, Henry Vo Tran, Ali Al Saady and Sebastian Acosta. Westfields Sports High School won the Relay so the boys are to be commended on the effort at the Regional Athletics Championships. All the boys will compete in the Combined High Schools Athletics Championships at Sydney Olympic Park on the 6th – 8th September. Good luck boys.

Mr Johnson - HT PDHPE

A c k n o w l e d g i n g s p o r t i n g s u c c e s s o f a l l S t u d e n t s

Langi Suli-Ruka Henry Vo Tran Ali Al Saady Sebastian Acosta

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FHS Fundraising Opportunity

AT NEETA CITY

Will donate $10 to Fairfield High School

for every eye test. If you, a friend, family member, aunt, uncle

have their eyes tested by Specsavers at Neeta City and

mention Fairfield High School, Specsavers will donate $10.00 back to the school.

Look after your eyesight – have your eyes checked. The cost is bulk billed to Medicare, so it won’t cost you anything, mention FHS, and the school will be given valuable money towards sports equipment,

computers or other worthwhile necessities for our school.

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Careers Advisor Karen Tyler

O u r W e l f a r e t e a m s u p p o r t i n g l e a r n i n g f o r a l l s t u d e n t s

Advisor Cameron Jackson

Assistant Megan Hayes

Assistant Megan Hayes

Relieving Deputy Graham Jarvis

Year Advisor Cameron Jackson

Deputy Mark Sargeant

Head Teacher Welfare Daniel Brown

Head Teacher Student Support Mrs E. Sayed-Rich

Year Advisor Lillian Molina

Assistant Nick Domenicos

NI

Assistant Ms. Stanislawczyk

sistant

Year Advisor Ajendra Singh

Assistant Lee Ferguson

Year Advisor Ellena Lykourezos

Year 8

Year 7

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11

Assistant Sonya Maric

Year Advisor Patrick Honyak

Year 12

Careers Advisor Pam Dunn

Assistant Katie Rosewell

Year Advisor Tom Haythornthwaite

Counsellor Simon Tam

Counsellor Sue Bicanic

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Term 3 has been great for the Welfare Team following a variety of programs and events running throughout the term that the students have found thoroughly enjoyable and beneficial. R.A.G.E Program A special program for Years 7 - 11 called ―RAGE‖ is running at Fairfield High School this term. ―RAGE‖ is a social skills and Anger Management program, which promotes self-confidence, self-control, self respect and encourages goal setting in regards to their schooling. The program is still running on fortnightly sessions every Monday, and will continue until the end of 2012. NRMA ‘Safe Schools, Safe Community Grant On Tuesday 4th of September, Fairfield High School hosted a FREE BBQ for all students and staff which was provided by the NRMA ‗Safe Schools, Safe Community‘ grant in conjunction with the Fairfield Police. This was followed by an afternoon Parent Information session lead by Senior Constable Alan Claphman, with over 50 local parents/community members in attendance. This program has focused on crime prevention and the various aspects involved in building a safer community, and has done so by: providing students with crime prevention tips and knowledge of how they can contribute to a safer school and community; targeting at-risk students and providing them with strategies and skills to deal with challenges; increasing knowledge amongst parents and carers of the role of the Australian Police, and our rights and responsibilities as safe citizens; informing parents/carers of how to access assistance for legal advice and court procedures; and providing opportunities for police and youth dialogue and positive relationship building.

NAIDOC Performance 2012 National NAIDOC Week Theme The theme for NAIDOC Week 2012 is Spirit of the Tent Embassy: 40 years on. About NAIDOC

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. The week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities and to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. NAIDOC originally stood for ‗National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee‘. This committee was once responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week and its acronym has since become the name of the week itself. Find out more about the origins and history of NAIDOC Week. Each year, a different city hosts the National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony and Ball. The host city, National NAIDOC Poster Competition and the NAIDOC Awards winners are selected by the National NAIDOC Committee. Local community celebrations during NAIDOC Week are encouraged and often organised by communities, government agencies, local councils, schools and workplaces.


http://www.naidoc.org.au/celebrating-naidoc-week/2012-national-naidoc-week-theme/http:/www.naidoc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/NAIDOC12_logo_INLINE_RGB-2.jpeg

http://www.naidoc.org.au/naidoc-history



http://www.naidoc.org.au/naidoc-awards

http://www.naidoc.org.au/naidoc-poster/poster-competition



http://www.naidoc.org.au/about/national-naidoc-committee



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On the 25th of July Year 7 and 8 students were involved in a performance by RYKA ALI, who performed Aboriginal cultural dances, songs and storytelling while informing the students of

the importance of NAIDOC week celebrations. THE CYBER BULLY Performance On the 16th of August, Years 7 and 8 watched a Drama performance called ‗The Cyber Bully‘. The play was an entertaining play that explored the serious issue of cyber bullying among young people. The play looked at the misuse of texting, social networking sites and unauthorized use of pictures and footage. There was a de-brief session offered after the performance where the actors addressed important issues that are raised during the play and occur due to cyber bullying. School Persons of the Week, Term 3. Week 4 – Damien Morgan (Year 8); Who handed in a school laptop. Week 6 – Athor Shemoon, Aolevya Rofaeel and Samar Mohammad Saeed (Year 12); Who handed in a wallet and mobile phone.


Damien Morgan Athor Shemoon

Aoevya Rofaeel Samar Mohammad Saeed

NAIDOC Performance

James Stanley Year 7 playing the Digeridoo

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AWARDS in Term 3 Congratulations to the following students who received CARE awards this term; The following students received a COMMUNITY BRONZE Award for helping with the NRMA Free school BBQ; 1. Mohammad Hussaini 2. Colin Dith

3. Salesi Kaufusi 4. Pulonga Kavaefiafi

5. Joshua Currie 6. Ahmed Zreika

The following students received COMMUNITY BRONZE Awards for assisting with the Education Minister Visit to Fairfield High School; 1. Sosefina Liku 2. Natasa Djukic 3. Agnes Fifita 4. Raniya Hadi 5. Talha Khan 6. Hanna La 7. Anthony Ladewig 8. Jamie Ladewig

9. Jenny le Tran 10. John Le Tran 11. Jessica Lieu 12. Luke Lovero 13. Brooke Luketic 14. Lily Mansani 15. Sandra Mose 16. Julie Mose

17. Arta Rufati 18. Alexandra Sebial 19. Dianne Sengmany 20. Paige Taylor 21. Amy Tran 22. Phuong Ngoc Tran 23. Vandia Vilavong 24. Delon William

The following students received COMMUNITY SILVER Awards for assisting with the Education Minister Visit to Fairfield High School; 1. Nihad Azary 2. Willyn Carrascal 3. Cassandra Chea

4. Thalita Marciano 5. Elvis Mousa 6. Elizabeth Thouch

7. Selma Tursunovic 8. Dino Zagic

The following students received COMMUNITY GOLD Awards for assisting with the Education Minister Visit to Fairfield High School; 1. Paulo Greaves 2. Leanne Trinh 3. Helen Drake


Paulo Greaves Leanne Trinh Helen Drake

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... helping parents teach their Learner driver

As a parent you may be a good driver; but being able to teach your Learner is not an easy task.

A recent national survey of more than 1,250 parents of Learner drivers found that almost half (45.5%) were nervous or apprehensive when they began teaching their teen how to drive.

keys2drive is a federally funded program that has been developed by the Australian Automobile Association which aims to take the drama out of learning to drive. It helps parents to prepare for their role as a supervising driver and to ensure that any time spent in the car with their Learner is successful and effective.

keys2drive is a free lesson (involving theory and on-road) delivered by an accredited professional driving instructor to any Learner who is accompanied by their supervising driver – most often a parent.

This program, the single largest Learner driver safety program undertaken in Australia, represents a unique and valuable experience for parents and their Learner drivers.

To register for a free lesson or to learn more, visit www.keys2drive.com.au

The Australian Automobile Association constituent members are the motoring clubs in each State and Territory

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Centrelink Fairfield – Sessional Interpreter Service ** Please Note: This information is current as of 31/5/2011 and may change at any time.

Language Day Time

Arabic Monday till Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm

Assyrian Monday till Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm

Chaldean Monday till Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm

Chinese Monday 8.30am – 5.00pm

Chinese Tuesday 8.30 am – 12.30pm 1.30pm – 4.15pm

Chinese Wednesday & Thursday 8.30am – 12.30pm

Chinese Friday 8.30am – 1.30pm

Vietnamese Monday 8.30am – 5.00pm

Vietnamese Tuesday 8.30am – 4.30pm

Croatian Friday 9.00am – 12.00pm

Serbian Friday 9.00am – 12.00pm

Bosnian Friday 9.00am – 12.00pm

Spanish Wednesday 8.30am – 11.30am

Spanish Friday 1.00pm – 3.00pm

Italian Wednesday 8.30am – 10.30am

Khmer Wednesday 10.00am – 2.30pm

** Please note that if an interpreter is unavailable, staff access Centrelink’s Interpreter phone service** Customers are able to access Centrelink Multilingual Call Centre: For Assistance and information in other languages (incl making appointments) – 131202.

http://www.keys2drive.com.au/

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Inter-school Debating/Public Speaking Debaters and Public Speakers at Fairfield High School have now completed inter school competitions for the year. My thanks to Ms Ajla Bajic for taking on the Year 9 and 10 debaters. These teams have enjoyed an enriching experience, not only competing but having the opportunity to be part of the audience for state finals. The girls have enjoyed the chance to represent their school and learnt a great deal about forming a sustainable argument, which is essential to debating. Teams for this year have been: Year 7 - Emily Grover, Luke Lovero, Lily Masani, Valasi (Eliza) Sulusi Year 8 - Jovana Alavanja, Clodia Kifarkis, Dianna Matti, Marni Stanley Year 9 - Christina Carol, Deveena Kumar, Amy Tran and Tara Rowley Year 10 - Adriana Cortellazzi, Natasha Djukic, Agnes Fifita, Rania Matti Year 11 - Caitlyn Acosta, Zorana Alavanja, Trish Tran, Leanne Trinh Year 12 - Anna Tran, Sadina Tursunovic, Selma Tursunovic, Elaine Yeo Amy Tran and Tara Rowley of Year 9 also trialled for the zone debating team. All of these students are to be commended for representing their school with pride. Amy Tran and Deveena Kumar of Year 9 also competed in the Legacy Public School Competition hosted by Canley Vale HS. Both girls spoke with confidence and commitment. Amy delivered a humorous speech centred around the figure of Mario and Deveena addressed the audience regarding what it means to be a student in South Western Sydney and pride in her school. It is a pleasure

to accompany these ambassadors of the school to such a competition. SmartArtz Workshop At the time of printing of this newsletter, SmartArtz will have workshopped the last drama day at our school. The company will not exist in its current form after this term. Hopefully, it will reform under a different name and our association with this group will be able to continue. All Year 7 classes and most Year 8 classes have been given the opportunity to spend a day expressing themselves under the theatrical direction of Murray and his team. We very much appreciate this creative service that has been supplied at no cost to us. The films these classes have produced under this program can be viewed on the school website.

T h e N a t i o n a l P a r t n e r s h i p s T e a m – s u p p o r t i n g s t u d e n t l e a r n i n g a n d s u c c e s s

Amy Tran & Deveena Kumar

SmartArtz Workshop

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Focus On Reading (FoR) During the course of 2012 key Year 7 teachers have undertaken training in the first phase of FoR, a series of strategies and teaching ideas which aims to demystify learning and allow students an inroad into a variety of comprehension strategies which can be used across different key learning areas. This training is also occurring at Fairfield Primary School and we have forged strong links with the primary school under this banner and the common language of instruction. We hope to continue this training and include more staff in 2013. NAPLAN Results for Years 7 and 9 At the end of this term, the National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) results will released to schools across Australia. Every student in Years 7 and 9 will receive an envelope to take home to parents explaining their results and comparing the ranking bands on a school and state level. As these tests were conducted in May across the nation, your child needed to be enrolled in an Australian school at this time in order to have sat for the series of tests, held over three days. Early in Term 4 Mrs Weber, Head Teacher Teaching and Learning, will explain the school's results at a special session of Parent's Cafe. If any parent requires further information regarding the NAPLAN testing process or assistance in understanding results, please contact Mrs Weber during school hours. Ms Weber Head Teacher National Partnerships.

Many staff members were involved in 2 days of intensive collaborative professional dialogue at the recent Staff Development Conference. Held at Liverpool Catholic Club over Friday and Saturday (17-18th August) teachers and administrative staff from both the mainstream and IEC examined the theme Transformational Change mapping out ideas and priorities for the school beyond 2014.

The whole school conference is a recent addition to the professional learning calendar. Through the vehicle of National Partnerships these have been held during the months of May and August in 2011 and 2012. This weekend forum allows for planning, reflection and evaluation whilst building staff cohesion. Fairfield High School strives to develop life-long learning as a core value amongst our students. Participation at the conferences (which are held outside of normal school hours) demonstrates staff commitment and dedication to student learning outcomes and the ever growing success of our school.

Amanda Conray Head Teacher National Partnerships.


Focus On Reading

Staff Conference

Staff Conference

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Term 3 has been an exciting one with many important initiatives growing and community partnerships strengthening. Fairfield High School is recognised for its strong work in the various University programs and organisations aimed to increase the participation of Low SES Schools in University. Fairfield High School was chosen as the school to launch the BRIDGES TO HIGHER EDUCATION Program on the 2nd August, 2012. The article from UWS Website detailing the day is provided below. A most successful day was had at our school with a formal assembly, engineering construction activity enjoyed by Year 7 and over 100 guests attending to support a joint launch of this important agenda-investing in our future and raising expectations of all students. Five Chancellors from some of the largest universities in NSW committed to a unified approach to meeting the new target to increase numbers of students gaining a university placement to 40% by 2020. We thank our partners for choosing Fairfield High School and in particular the extensive work of Bridges Management Team for their coordination of the day. I look forward to working together with the five new assistant coordinators on staff, of the numerous university programs that we are engaged in, and to increase the number of students from Fairfield High School attaining a university placement each year. Thanks to all of the staff at Fairfield High School contributed to making the day a great one for our school. Thanks to Leanne Trinh, Paulo Greaves, Helen Drake, Sally Mohan and our SRC who show cased the high levels of leadership skills which

students at Fairfield High School students possess. Building a bridge to UNI: Thousands to benefit from new program A bold $21 million initiative designed to reach over 100,000 school students and boost the participation rates in higher education from low socio-economic status communities, was unveiled today in Greater Western Sydney. The Bridges to Higher Education project was launched by the Federal Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, Senator the Hon. Chris Evans at Fairfield High School. The four year project was initiated by five Sydney-based universities in a unique collaboration to create new aspiration-building programs and build on existing programs targeting school-age children and 175,000 parents.

This innovative project will work with primary and secondary schools and community partners in Greater Western Sydney to engage young people who previously might not have considered higher education as an option. More than 1.8 million people live in the region which has traditionally been under-represented in higher education participation rates. The Bridges to Higher Education project is a unique collaboration bringing together the collective resources and experience of the widening participation, equity and social inclusion programs at the University of Western Sydney, The University of Sydney, the University of Technology, Sydney, Macquarie University, and the Australian Catholic University.


Our HSC Work Skills Floristry Students presenting students

http://bridges.nsw.edu.au/

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The program will also draw on the existing partnerships the five universities have with significant education, government and non-government organizations including the NSW Department of Education and Communities, TAFE NSW, Universities Admissions Centre (UAC), AFL NSW/ACT, The Smith Family, and Tutoring Australasia. Senator Evans announced the project in front of an audience of more than 300 higher education providers, partners, community stakeholders, parents and school students from Fairfield Public School and Fairfield High School. ―In order to achieve greater national productivity as well as build greater social equity, Australia must break down the barriers to lower representation in higher education of people with low SES backgrounds," said Senator Evans. ―We have invested an unprecedented $1 billion over the next four years to profoundly change the landscape of higher education in terms of inclusiveness, diversity and accessibility,‖ he said. ―The Australian Government is committed to building a stronger, fairer nation and more accessible higher education is integral to achieving our goal,‖ said Senator Evans. The Bridges to Higher Education project has been funded with $21.2 million from the Commonwealth Government‘s Higher Education Participation and Partnerships program (HEPPP) – highest level of funding for a project in the

$150 million national low SES support scheme. The Bridges to Higher Education project will also receive contributions from the five collaborating universities and other partners. Using the combined resources of the universities and their partners the project aims to improve academic outcomes by improving student‘s abilities in reading, writing and numeracy as well as in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Other programs such as visits to university campuses, summer schools, mentoring and work experience are designed to raise awareness and improve aspirations. The project will also work with teachers, careers advisors, community liaison officers and Aboriginal education officers, providing training and professional development. The initiative will also develop new, innovative and integrated programs that draw on academic strengths of the respective partners, maximizing the use of the virtual environment through activities such as virtual visits and connected classrooms, community TV programs, and other web-based and online initiatives A Staff Development Session on Positive Education /Psychology with Dr Suzy Green and an introduction to the New Economics Foundation‘s Five Ways to Well Being Dr Suzy Green introduced the topic at the August Staff Conference on the 19th August, 2012 held at the Liverpool Catholic Club.


Senator Evans with Fairfield High School students who are building a bridge using plastic straws

Senator Evans with UWS Chancellor Professor Peter Shergold

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Suzy is a well- known clinical psychologist and lecturer at Sydney University. This field of psychology is growing world-wide and is adopted by corporations and schools across Australia as a powerful science based approach to improving educational learning outcomes.

At our staff conference, Positive Education was introduced with a follow on session on Saturday on the topic of Staff Well Being and its importance in the context of Education. The New Economics Foundation‘s evidence based research was shared with all of the attendees. The NEF Five Ways to Well Being strategies were presented to all staff. A resource pack was also issued to all staff at the conference and I would like to thank our supporters for this session from the NSW Teachers Health Fund for their donation of bags, Health Magazine and writing materials. Thanks to Mr Peter Randall from Teachers‘ Health for his continued support of this important initiative. Thanks to Ms Tenille Zekas Student Support Officer for her development of the staff Yoga classes and to Ms Soares Damiano from the Support Unit. Yoga classes are a great opportunity for staff to engage in activity that is good for the bosy and the mind. Also, thanks to 24/7 Fitness at Fairfield for connecting with our school and offering all staff a free one week pass to the fitness studio and special corporate rates to Fairfield High School staff. (See 24/7 Fitness offer) Below is further information to reinforce

the key messages shared with staff thus far. For further resources and assessment tools

such as questionnaires are listed below as well. There are a wide range of approaches to making great places to work that positively contribute to people‘s health and happiness – from flexible working to changes to work culture, the physical design of workplaces and opportunities to learn and progress. One route that organizations can take is to improve understanding and knowledge about happiness and well-being among employees.

Understand cutting edge science on resilience, happiness and well-being. NEF, a UK based organization provide the following workshops. Future areas that could be explored include NEF workshops. The aim of these sessions is to create the space for employees to learn about their own well-being and share ideas with colleagues. The design of these interactive sessions has been tailored to a workplace context with the aim of identifying actions that employees can take individually and collectively to improve happiness and well-being at work. At the end of the sessions, those who have taken part are able to: Reflect on the Five Ways to Well-being in

their own lives Understand what the science says about

how and when the changes we make go the distance Develop ideas for improving happiness

and well-being in the workplace Identifying barriers and opportunities to

increasing Five Ways to Well-being activities


Dr Suzy Green

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Develop action plans that specify the priority individual, collective and organizational changes that will contribute to happier working lives. http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/Default.aspx http://thepositivityinstitute.com.au/ http://www.well-beingatwork.net/index.html@page_id=29.html TED Talk by Martin Seligman www.ted.com/talks/martin_seligman_on_the_state_of_psychology.html SWSR Regional Ambassador Congratulations to Natasa Djukic Year10 on the completion of the SWSR Regional Ambassador‘s Program. Natasa embodies the values of our school‘s CARE Code and has developed into a

highly capable advocate on student and youth Issues. Well Done Natasa Inspired By Business Nominee

Education Scholarship funded by Men of League Thanks to Mr Corey Payne from Future Directions Network and Mr Ray Beattie from Men of League Manly for their invaluable support of Langi Suli-Ruka. As Langi embarks upon an exciting opportunity to play representative football in Paris this September, he also has had a large investment made to ensure that he fulfils his future education plan to complete year 12 and further study and training. Congratulations Langi and we wish you well in all of your sporting and educational endeavours. Also see Sebastian Acosta-Vazquez Year 10 Outstanding High Jumper and Athlete in this newsletter Congratulations to Helen Drake in Year 12 for completing the UNSW Winter School Residential Program during the July school holidays. We wish her well in her endeavours to achieve a university placement. Congratulations to Andrs Mousa in Year 9 who has gained a place in the University of Newcastle‘s Live it UP Program. Andrs will spend an exciting week at the end of the year participating in a range of exciting academic and outdoors learning activities to enhance extend his knowledge about University life and pathways. We wish hime well on this exciting program.


Natasa Djukic

Langi Suli-Ruka

Sebastian Acosta

Helen Drake

Andrs Mousa

http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/Default.aspx

http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/Default.aspx

http://thepositivityinstitute.com.au/

http://www.well-beingatwork.net/index.html@page_id=29.html

http://www.well-beingatwork.net/index.html@page_id=29.html

https://staffowa.det.nsw.edu.au/owa/redir.aspx?C=7291d6f22ee744029f6c36cf962bca83&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ted.com%2ftalks%2fmartin_seligman_on_the_state_of_psychology.html

https://staffowa.det.nsw.edu.au/owa/redir.aspx?C=7291d6f22ee744029f6c36cf962bca83&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ted.com%2ftalks%2fmartin_seligman_on_the_state_of_psychology.html

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Indigenous Job Market Our indigenous Senior Students and Kari Scholarship holders for 2012 attended the Indigenous Jo b Market held at Mount Druitt on the 21st August, 2012. Great information was disseminated on the day on apprenticeships, TAFE and Higher Education. Students had the opportunity to access more information from over 50 employers and education providers. Sydney University E12 Nominees 2013 The E12 scheme identifies students who have the potential to succeed at the University of Sydney, and offers them the opportunity not just to gain admission, but to take the first step on their path to lifelong learning and a successful career, Congratulations to the following nominees. Eh Soe Gay Zu Education (Primary) Safa Obeid Arts Ameer Saeed Visual Arts Sasi Chaiyotburana Animal and Veterinary Bioscience Betty Lieu Animal and Veterinary Bioscience Kimberley Vo Arts Tony Letran Science

Angela Dao Applied Science (MRS) Diagnostic Radiography Howra Al-Badri Nursing (Advanced Studies) Jessica Nevsimalova Visual Arts U@UNSW Year 12 nominees 2012-2013 Congratulations to the following students for completing the U@ UNSW Program. The U@UNSW program focuses on improving access to UNSW for low socio economic or educationally disadvantaged background students. As part of the program senior High school students attend 2 x 3 day conferences at UNSW and participate in university style lectures and tutorials and engage with the university environment through fun interactive activities. U@UNSW Ambassadors assist at this conference and perform a range of tasks from assisting in class activities, facilitating a variety of confidence and leadership building activities with students as well as assisting with the logistics of event management. Volunteer ambassadors develop skills in areas of leadership, communication, teamwork, and community engagement. Through being involved, students also become aware of difference and disadvantage in our community. It is these differences that become the driving force for change, and community development. Year 12 2012 Lisa Ho Amir Ali Hosseini Anh-Cuong Kah Youtam Mamo Ly Nguyen Aleksandra Popovic Paulina Tang Sadina Tursunovic Selma Tursunovic Roody Warda Regina Yun Dino Zagic


http://www.advantage.unsw.edu.au/news/uunsw-program

http://www.advantage.unsw.edu.au/news/uunsw-program

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U @ UNSW Year 11 nominees These students will be attending their first university conference during the upcoming September school holidays. 1. Noor Dayil 2. Marina Yokhanna 3. Karoline Stojcevski 4. Sarah mohammad 5. Beisan Qaddoura 6. Leanne Trinh 7. Zorana Alavanja 8. Safa Mohammad 9. Sainan An 10. Mary Nguyen 11. Trish Tran 12. Lucia Daluz 13. Paulo Greaves 14. Thi Kim Ngan Vu 15. Caitlyn Acosta 16. Laeth (Leigh) Jameel 17. Peter Khuu University of Western Sydney- Fast Forward Program Year 9 Skills Day 14th September, 2012 Congratulations to the following year 9 students on their continued engagement in the UWS Fast Forward Program. Year 9 activities are focussed on: Matching your interests to your future direction, aspirations and overcoming barriers Familiarity with a uni environment including an ‗Amazing Race‘ campus tour

Other enrichment activities around personal strengths and future choices Thanks to our UWS Partners for providing our students access to a great opportunity and program. Anjila Abduljabbar Rana Dayil Rafi Elia Steven Huynh Laila Jodeh Rony Khoshaba Reta Khoshaba Hanna La Salam Shamoon Shameran Shamoon Lucy Sukandar Jason Travis Andy Ye Daniel Yokhanna Parastoo Zahrooni Year 10 Fast Forward Students 2012

Sead Aslani Melissa Garibovic Junior Jacky Trinh Jessie Keedle Finehika Tuuta Hannah Salah Sebastian Acosta Vazquez Quintin Aloese Julian Yousif Vennesa Adamz Homework hotline and study support for Fast Forward students A new offer for students on the Fast FORWARD Program It is with great pleasure that we offer another exciting opportunity for Fast Forward students. Each student is now eligible for free access to the Online Homework Centre, including ‗yourtutor‘ and ‗SkillsBuilder‘. UWS has arranged this with the support of Australian Government funding.


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What is yourtutor? yourtutor is out-of-school-hours, on-demand access to homework and assignment help from real-life Australian teachers and tutors; for guidance in English, Maths, Science, Business Studies, research, and study skills. Just like a school‘s homework centre, yourtutor offers guidance and develops critical thinking skills in an ethical, secure environment. All the online teachers and tutors have been cleared to work with minors and are subject to ongoing performance assessment. When a student needs help with homework or study, or gets ‗stuck‘ on a problem, he or she can connect to yourtutor using a Fast Forward access card. The student participates in a live, one-to-one online conversation until he or she is confident to move on with independent study. yourtutor encourages each student to think independently, focus on what needs to be done, and avoid the frustration that can lead to ―I give up‖. yourtutor can be accessed from home, the school library or anywhere there is internet access, Sunday to Friday 3-10pm. yourtutor has been running for nearly a decade and is delivered through public libraries, schools, private colleges etc, with some of the highest use nationally within Greater Western Sydney. It has helped many thousands of students with their homework and academic performance. Student feedback is consistently high due to the experience of the online staff, and the quality guidance offered. What is SkillsBuilder? SkillsBuilder gives Fast Forward students 24/7 access to thousands of practice, curriculum-based, and expertly-written questions in English, Maths and Science. Students can use Skills Builder for independent study and before exams, or to complete online tasks set by teachers, the school, or Fast Forward staff. Where teachers have set questions, performance data is delivered back to them immediately for analysis of individual and group.

We thank UWS for the great support afforded to our students in 2012.

Future Directions Network Thanks to FDN for providing free

bus transport to the Sydney University Open Day in August, 2012. Our students has an outstanding day and gained a substantial amount of information to support them in their future university aspirations.

Open Day at Sydney University –Leggo Exhibition at the Nicholson MuseumCompass USYD Year 8 Visit Congratulations to the 50 Year 8 students who attended the Year 8 Experience day on the 5th September, 2012. They had a great day engaging with a variety of faculty based

activities. They also showed exemplary behaviour and did our school proud. Thanks to Mr Jackson and Ms Sullivan for their supervision of the students. The vision is that early exposure to university experiences would allow students to see what is available to them for their future study plans.


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UTS Indigenous Programs WELCOME TO HOW BIG ARE YOUR DREAMS? How Big Are Your Dreams? is an innovative program for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We think of How Big Are Your Dreams? as a dressing room where you can try on all kinds of ambitions and possibilities an unfamiliar classroom where you learn by doing and experimenting a stage from which you can tell stories that you care about a tall ladder that offers fresh perspectives and new opportunities, and a warm home away from home where you will find a supportive network of young people, and adults who are committed. Congratulations to Jacob Mooney for his engagement in this outstanding Indigenous program through UTS. A big thank you to Ms. Nicola Sinclair Project Manager, How Big Are Your Dreams - Australian Centre for Child and Youth: Culture and Wellbeing Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Kuring-gai Campus. Nicola never ceases to amaze me. She has a

heart of gold and is so very supportive of our students. Pacific Communities Program

Our Pacific Communities Boys‘ Program commenced this term. Welcome to Mr Joe Tau –Youth Worker and Mr Albert Vaka, who teach the BEACON (Be BEACON Be Energised Achieve Change Overcome Negativity) Program. The group comprises of boys from a Tongan, Maori and Samoan backgrounds across years 7-12. The boys group has bonded well and students highly receptive to the programs messages and aims. Joe was awarded a Blacktown Council Australia Award earlier this year for his work with young people and community building programs. A special thank you to Joe Tau, Keisha Tausala and Alex Bello (Photos below) from Community Care NSW who also contributed a substantial amount of money to support Langi Suli-Ruka much needed financial support for his upcoming trip to Paris to play representative football.


Pacific Communities Program

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Celebrating National Science Week – The Sleek Geeks Go Regional, 9.30-10.30am on 8th August 2012. The Sleek Geeks are two of Australia's best loved science broadcasters, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki and Adam Spencer. They connected to classrooms across NSW on 8th August 2012. Regardless of whether you are in outback New South Wales or in the centre of Sydney, Adam Spencer and Dr Karl engaged with students across 14 schools and their classrooms to ask ―How are you celebrating Science Week this year?‖ They answered fantastic questions from students in primary and high schools from Lightening Ridge, Lucas Heights, Nambucca High, Stanwell Park Public, Heads, Coonabarabran, Lord Howe Island and Fairfield High. An array of interesting questions were asked like-: Why Does ice float on water? Is it safer for a cat to fall out of a 32 storey building than a 7 storey one? How do we measure intelligence? How does the Universe keep expanding? Will the world end in 2012? Can you grow out of asthma? Why are orbits circular and not elliptical? How do you get blue eyes? Both Year 9 Maths 1 and 10 Science 1 students were excellent participants at the Video Conference. Thanks to Ms. Hannigan and Mr. Kritikos for their assistance and involvement in the session.

I look forward to another exciting term and take this opportunity to wish year 12 all the best in the upcoming HSC exams and beyond. Have a safe and restful holiday break. Ms Sayed-Rich Head Teacher Student Support National Partnerships


Video Conference

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Thanks to Vesuvio Wood Fired Ovens for their help in supplying our new feature in the community garden area.

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C e l e b r a t i n g o u r M u l t i c u l t u r a l b a c k g r o u n d s

Year 7 Year 9

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C e l e b r a t i n g o u r M u l t i c u l t u r a l b a c k g r o u n d s

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This year ten lucky science students from Year 9 had the chance to participate in the I-science program. These students were: *Christina Carol *Jonathan Cooper *Cassandra Gabrijan *Jessica Grover *Joseph Habib *Isabella Kim *Deveena Kumar *Tara Rowley *Isabell Schaubert *Amy Tran These students had the chance to go and work with students from other schools at the Sydney University. The students paired up together and then were put into groups with other schools. Each pair of students chose a subject that they would like to do and were assigned two mentors. Throughout the weeks that I-science was run all groups had to answer their research question. After each session the

students would go for lunch at the university food court. At school a few science lessons and a lot of large pieces of cardboard later… the students had decorated, planned and finalised their posters and on the day of presentation the students travelled to the University looking very flash in their school blazers. At the end of the night Joseph Habib and Jonathan Copper had won the People‘s Choice award with their solar panel experiment! Each student received a science magazine and certificate…. Gladly shown off to Ms Hudson‘s camera! The students all agreed that I-science was a fun and educational program and should be run every year for students doing well in science! Amy Tran said ―I thought it was great! I had heaps of fun and loved the people I was working with‖. Another said ―It was a great experience to do hands on experiments, great way to meet new people and learn about new things‖. By: Jessica Grover and Tara Rowley

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Preparing posters and equipment for displays

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1

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Photo 1 Mrs Gallagher with students outside Faculty of Education Sydney University. Photo’s 2,3,4,6 Students show casing their work.

Photo 5 Students with their achievement certificates.

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Daniel Toma Eric Ing Sue Skaros

HSC Major Projects: By Daniel Toma, Eric Ing & Sue Skaros Industrial Technology Timber students from Fairfield High School have come up with their own designs and sketches of what they intended to design as their HSC Major Project. Student‘s had constructed projects such as; Chess Board Coffee Table/Coffee Tables, Kitchen Bench, Dressing Table, Corner Table & Computer/Study Office Desk. These students enjoyed working on their projects through the help of two teachers, Ms. Johnston who had just left this year & Mr. Singh. The Students who had created the projects are; Daniel Toma (Chess Board Coffee Table), Kitchen Island Bench (Sue Skaros), Recycled timber Coffee Table (Eric Ing), Dressing Table (Silver Yadago), coffee tables (Mohamed and Youssef Salah), Table (Franchesco Jazzar), Multimedia Universal Table (Shayan Athari), Coffee Table (Jonathan Townsend), Study Table (Joshua Munoz) & Computer/Study Office Desk (Jasmin Susic) & Haris Rakovic Storage cabinet, On behalf of our Year 12 Industrial Technology Timber Class we would like to thank the teachers Ms. Johnston and Mr. Singh for spending their valuable time with us to help us complete and finish our Major HSC projects. ―Both teachers have helped us a lot during the

time being completing projects, my project has come out the way I wanted it. I really appreciate the bond and incentive from my fellow class mates as they are all keen and interested on what I am doing. I get a lot of feedback from those who have seen my project and it has helped me to improve my project as well. I would like to thank everyone for helping me and motivating me and showing interest in what I have accomplished.‖ – Daniel Toma ―It‘s has been a fun year in designing and building my project from recycled timber. The help and motivation that I have received throughout the construction of this project has been greatly appreciated and honoured. My fellow peers have also helped and motivate me throughout this project. Industrial technology timber is a fun subject, anything is possible to build you just have to think of it and be positive with all your decisions.‖ – Eric Ing ―Throughout the project there have been both ups and downs the teachers have helped me produce my project, it was not an easy process when my project fell and cracked on me but the final product turned out as I wanted it to. My class mates also helped me along the way when it came to lifting as I am a girl and am not very strong. Nothing is impossible if you follow your dreams and think outside the box.‖ –Sue Skaros

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In December 2011, 10 students were chosen by the Career‘s adviser Ms Dunn and the Year Adviser Mr Singh for the iTrack Mentoring Program sponsored by the Smith Family. These students were interviewed by the career‘s adviser and then they were paired up with a mentor to participate in an online mentoring program. This program is to give the students insights into a broad range of careers and to assist them towards a successful future career path. In Term 2 of 2012, these students along with Ms Dunn, went to Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, a multinational investment company located in Chifley Square in the City, for a face-to-face meeting with their mentors. The students were able to interact with their mentors, taking part in warm – up/getting to know you activities. This was followed by

lunch, when students and mentors informally chatted. The following students were involved with iTrack; 1 Sai Kollimarla 2 Anthony Chon 3 Mohammed Al-Kathmi 4 Vincent Au 5 Sharmiel Francisco 6 Wendy Banjamin 7 Sara Al Saberi 8 Valentina Dawood 9 Brenda Cervilla 10 Christopher Po The program will run until October, with the students talking on-line every Thursday for one hour with their mentor. There will also be two more face-to-face meetings before October when the program concludes.

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7 8 9 10

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The guest appearances of Future Directions Network members at Fairfield High School have been very inspiring, and it is a privilege that I have been given the chance to attend these sessions. The sessions that I‘ve been involved with have given me a great insight on, not only university life, but

also the various career prospects and opportunities that university has to offer. The perception that I, and many other senior students have on university is quite a frightening scenario – with very limited knowledge of what university is like; however, the FDN team are able to provide relevant and new information and allow for open questions, which further increases my anticipation for university. My future goal is to study a Business Degree at university, although, I have not yet decided on a particular field within Business because I found out there were so many options available. The FDN team have encouraged and inspired me, through their very engaging and interactive sessions, to pursue my goals. I think it is extremely important for students in my area of South-Western Sydney to be exposed to programs like this, because there are many students who feel frightened and even hopeless to pursue their goals, due to the area that they live in. Also, since FDN speakers are from the surrounding SW Sydney area, it definitely further motivates and inspires students to attend university and improve their future quality of life. Leanne Trinh Year 11 Student

The FDN sessions were extremely inspiring and provided such a large amount of quality information. These sessions reaffirmed my aspirations to attend University

in the future, hopefully studying a course in Engineering and possibly combined with a degree in Commerce. I specifically enjoyed and appreciate how the speakers were from south western Sydney themselves and grew up around our area, and seeing how successful they had become. Especially how the speakers were quite down to earth and really believed any student, if they put work and effort into it, could attend tertiary education. These sessions have added to my determination and focus to excel in my HSC course and get into University, and I am appreciative to have been given the opportunity to attend the FDN sessions. Paulo Greaves Year 11 Student

FDN provided some very useful and inspiring presentations that have motivated myself and my peers. It gave us great insight into the great career possibilities by exposing us to the successful presenters who were also from south-west Sydney. My friends and I were quite impressed by

the individual successes and the personal stories of the presenters. The sessions were therefore quite motivating as it positively reinforced our ambitions to finish our education with the best possible results. They were also fun and entertaining. The particular session with the ambassadors from the University of Sydney allowed us to look at pathways into university and the final group task with my friends was a challenging but fun game. The sessions also emphasized the scholarships that are available to us, and without FDN, I wouldn‘t have even known of a scholarship that I am currently applying for. Therefore, it has increased our accessibility to scholarships. All in all, the FDN sessions were very motivating and inspiring to myself and my peers. Elaine Yeo Year 11 Student

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Creative and Performing Arts August has been a busy time for staff and students leading up into Multicultural Day and then quickly followed by the Art Exhibition. We showcased some excellent work alongside the IEC, having digital displays, animations, ceramics and outstanding HSC work to name a few. A special thanks goes to our catering team who volunteered to prepare food for the opening; Maria Yousif, Hanna Salah, Caroline Loka, Angela Sultana and Pamela Grego. Mr Honyak in Music had a guest, Gerard Willems, who is a classical pianist and associate professor at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, come to the school for a piano workshop. Mr Willems gave a stunning performance and offered some personal insights into music and creativity. Atunaisa Lasolosi of Year 12 has been chosen to perform at the School Spectacular. This is a great achievement for Atunaisa. We wish him all the best with his performances.

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Some of the work on display at the

Art Exhibition

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On Thursday 31st August, 2012 eighteen staff members were invited by the Year 12 students for a

three course meal as part of their practical exam. The students put their heart and soul into their

dishes which was reflected in their plating and presentation upon service to their invited teacher.

Staff members were amazed and thrilled at the quality and presentation of each dish that they were

served. All students involved had a great day and were very proud of themselves. Their tireless

efforts did not go unnoticed, whereby teachers had only positive things to say to their students.

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―Living history is an activity that integrates historical tools, activities and dress through an interactive presentation that aims to give a sense to observers and participators a sense of stepping back in time.‖ On Monday, the 3rd of September, Year 8 participated in a unique opportunity to witness history come alive. The cohort, who have been studying medieval history throughout Term 3, were greeted by the enthusiastic history teachers dressed as princesses, wizards and everything in between. The Year 8s were then ushered into the hall where the Living History Australia team, Matt and Rolland, had on display an array of medieval artefacts. The students walked in, seemingly curious by the bevy of swords, shields and armoury. They were unaware of what the rest of the day had in store for them…

Matt and Rolland began by setting the scene for our students by discussing everyday medieval life. In order to effectively do this, they asked for volunteers who were transformed to medieval peasants, squires and

knights. The students were asked to join the teachers in medieval dress by dressing in heavy armoury and chainmail. Although the sight of students wearing armoury was overly amusing, it was clear by the amount of questions posed by the students to the Living History Australia team, that this fancy dress peaked student interest in medieval history. Upon their return from recess the students filed into the hall, eager to see what the Living History Australia team had in store for the rest of the afternoon. In the second session, students were given the chance to freely interact with the artefacts whilst listening to the narration of Matt and Rolland who continued their discussion on medieval history. The teachers also excitedly took part in this opportunity to engage with the artefacts and Ms Razko remarked: ―By interacting with the shields, swords (all of which were props, of course) and other artefacts, the students were able to empathise with the lives of the men and women who lived during the medieval times. This incursion, as the company promised, brought medieval history alive, which allowed the students to develop a greater understanding of the unit.‖ The students were once again dismissed for lunch and returned back to the hall where they learned they were to participate in something that most of them have never tried before—archery. Many of the students were apprehensive about trying something so out of the ordinary. However, when listening to the instructions of Matt and Rolland, it was clear that the students were buzzing with positive energy, eager to try archery.

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After listening to Matt and Rolland‘s instructions, the students and teachers took to the field in an ordered fashion. Lined up in teams behind a bow and arrows, the students listened carefully awaited the Living History Australia team‘s okay before they began aiming for their target. The teachers walked around each team, monitoring the student‘s behaviour and it was clear that the students were pleased with this activity. One student remarked, ―I have never tried archery before so I was very scared at first! But I finally hit the target upon my third try and I was very happy‖. As the afternoon wound down, the tired students, for the last time this day, filed once again into the hall to bid our guest speakers farewell. Our students and staff thanked Matt and Rolland and they continued to answer student questions. The success of Medieval Day can be measured by the enthusiasm the Year 8 students have brought into the classroom the following week.

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Very early on the 22nd of June, Year 9 awoke from their slumber to put on their uniforms and meet at school at 6.15am. Despite the bed hair and sleep deprivation, they were all eager to get on the coach and travel to the nation‘s capital to see the Australian War Memorial and Questacon. Ms Razko, Ms Trinh, Ms Fang, Ms Matty and Mr Petrakis also braved the cold to accompany the young scientists and historians. The trip south, initially, was quiet as most tried to return to a state of semi consciousness. However the peace soon departed as students heard Jason, the bus commandant, announce that we would stop and pay homage to McDonald‘s – Sutton Forrest. The treats were rich and saucy and so too were the stories about the sighting of Ivan Milat‘s nephew. On to Canberra. First stop, War Memorial.

Year 9 enjoyed the WW1 displays as it consolidated their understanding of the Gallipoli experience and the ANZAC legend. They gazed in awe at the simulated WW2 bombing run and marvelled at miniature Japanese submarines, full scale helicopters used in the Vietnam War and the range of paintings, models, medals and diaries that recounted soldier‘s experiences. Before we all left, we took the opportunity to visit the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It was a humbling and reverent experience. A quick photo outside the Memorial, and then off to Questacon. Year 9 loved Questacon's focus on providing hands-on workshops and activities to support technology education. At Questacon, a kind of interactive science museum, they promote a greater understanding and awareness of science and technology within the community. They are committed to making experiences fun, interactive, and relevant. And we had fun. So we pushed and pulled, we dangled and dropped, we sat and swung…and that was just trying to get through the entry turnstile. And so 3.00pm arrived and it was time to head back home. Predictably the iPhones, headphones and laptops once again appeared in the anxious laps of the Year 9 trekkers on our trip north. Even long after the sun had set, and we had entered the hustle and bustle of Sydney, the radiant smiles of 14 and 15 year olds was still visible. A great day out!

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Shocked faces… 6.15am rendezvous @FHS

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First stop War Memorial

Fighter planes – War Memorial

―On the road again…can‘t wait to get on the road again‖

Questacon

Photo op outside War Memorial

Tomb of unknown soldier Groovy.

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“Knit Wits” Group meeting Wednesdays…

Lunchtime in small court yard between L, K

(Industrial Arts) and E Blocks(Visual arts) to Hand in knitted squares Collect more wool & Get help with your knitting.

YOU should come too!

On Friday 3rd August 14 students from Fairfield High travelled with Mr Haythornwaite (P.E.Faculty) and Ms Ayoubi (Support Unit) to the ABC Knit-in. They met at 7-00am at Fairfield station to travel into the ABC Building in Harris Street, Ultimo. By 8-00am the foyer, which has a high vaulted ceiling, had over a 1000 knitters sitting on chairs, sitting on the floor and standing. These enthusiasts had brought with them the squares they had made, many 100s of them already joined up in groups of 28 to make a blanket. Our team of Knit-wits took out the blanket they had and donated it with the other 1000s of blankets to be sent to refugees. The people who organize this knitting orgy call themselves ―Wrap with love‖. There are 1000s of people across Australia who knit to help supply blankets for refugees. All the blankets are collected by the ―Wrap-with-love‖ organisers who organize distribution, usually to overseas needy people. The Fairfield High Knit –wit Group are meeting on Wednesdays in the courtyard between L and E block when the weather is good. The knitters call in, sit for a while, bring their knitting to show off their latest square, hand in completed squares and collect more wool from Mrs Dunn. Knitters who have ―dropped stitches‖, or have an inexplicable glitch in their knitting seek help from the more experienced. Thanks to Mrs Dunn who continually supports us develop our skills to help our community.

This is a community service volunteer group who enjoy supporting others while they develop craft skills. You can join this group- you do not have to be a knitter- someone in the group will help you learn to knit and supply you with needles. Come on a Wednesday.

Knit-wit students meeting at Fairfield Station to travel to ABC studio at Ultimo.

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On Wednesday, the 12th of September, eight students from Protect Our World (POW) and the Support Unit went to Belgenny Farm, Camden, with Ms Elmir and Mr Ozturk. This ―Sustainable Schools‖ excursion was to raise our awareness about environmental sustainability. We participated in workshops demonstrating how to use resources conservatively and to inspire us to take action to protect the environment. We learnt about

composting, reproduction of plants, recycling of worms and cans and the chemistry involved in creek water. We thought that these projects would be perfect to implement in our school to make it more eco-friendly and sustainable. Overall, we had a very good day and we thank Mrs Dunn for organising for us to attend this wonderful excursion. Reporter: Sai Kollimala Year 10

Right to Left - Phoebe Saunders, Henderson Gabrijan, Rania Matti, Diana El Zeyat, Litia Tuuta , Manjeet Singh, and Nathan Carlson

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Year 11 Modern and Year 10 Elective History Expedition to the Sydney Jewish Museum

On Tuesday the 4th of September, Year 10 Elective History students and Year 11 Modern History students embarked on a historical expedition to the Sydney Jewish Museum. At 8:25am, the students were waiting at Fairfield Station in full school uniform and buzzing with energy as they waited for their teachers, who were not as punctual, to arrive. Both classes had studied the Holocaust in term 3 and throughout their study of the Holocaust their teachers, Ms Trinh, Mr Petrakis and Ms Buenaventura, remarked the students‘ maturity throughout their study of the Holocaust. Ms Buenaventura was quoted to say ―the Year 11 students demonstrated an outstanding empathy towards the plight of the Jewish people‖. The train ride to Kings Cross Station was quite packed and many of the students and teachers had no room to sit and had to stand until we reached Central Station. Little did we know that this experience of being packed into a small space would help us understand Yvonne‘s story and the experiences of the Jewish people during the Holocaust. Yvonne, who reminded many of us of our own grandmother, shared her plight with such pride and dignity, ―my father asked me to promise him that I would survive. I told him that ‗of course I‘ll survive‘, not aware of what I had to survive‖. Yvonne was very accommodating and answered our questions with great detail. However, upon looking around the room, it was clear that the students were stunned into silence by her story.

―We were packed like sardines in cattle vans. We had very little space and we all had to stand, some of us were lucky to sit down.‖ Many of our students graciously thanked Yvonne for sharing her story and we were split up into two different groups to be guided by two tour guides named Harry and Helen. Harry, an ex-principal, spoke from a very objective perspective and he engaged with the many artefacts at the museum. Ms Trinh who was in Harry‘s group remarked that, ―Harry spoke in depth about all the points from the Year 12 Modern History Syllabus and it is clear that the students were aware that the content was extremely relevant to their studies‖. Helen, on the other hand, was a subjective speaker as she was born in a ghetto in 1945. In detail, she discussed the experiences of her mother, who was unaware she was pregnant with Helen at the time, and how her mother struggled to ensure her survival. A student remarked, ―it was very interesting to see how the war made such an impact on how she lives her life today‖, as Helen discussed conferences she attends for child survivors of the Holocaust. Overall, it was an enriching experience. Students were given the opportunity after the tour to roam around the museum and take a second look at the artefacts. Many of the students and the staff members felt a personal connection to the stories of the Holocaust survivors. An example of this is Mr Petrakis, who came across a photograph of a Holocaust survivor who has a striking resemblance to him. After the visit to the Sydney Jewish Museum, the group split to have lunch at either Oporto or McDonald‘s where discussion about the trip to the museum continued. Mr Petrakis, who led the troops to McDonald‘s, reflected on the overall success of the day, ―Students were well-behaved, respectful to the staff at the Sydney Jewish Museum and judging by the enthusiastic discussions on the train ride back to the homestead, enjoyed the day.‖ Lastly, to conclude this narrative of our historical expedition to the Sydney Jewish Museum, we wish to leave you with a quote by Edmund Burke that was presented to us on the day:


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On this fine spring day, Fairfield High School‘s Year 9 Elective History class of 2012 embarked on a journey to Sydney‘s historic Police and Justice Museum. Located in Sydney‘s Circular Quay, the Police and Justice Museum served the purpose of housing some of our city‘s most historical criminal records and artefacts.


9:00am-Purchasing our tickets

11:00am- Lunch in the park 12:30pm- At our arrival to the Police & Justice Museum, we were seated in

one of Sydney’s oldest court rooms

Our tour of the museum started. Here are some of the mug shots of the criminals

1:30pm- We were briefed on the mystery of “The Pyjama Girl”. Students listened intently as our tour

guide Victor gave us clues to the case.

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As a part of our Crime and Punishment unit, students studied how law and order governed our society in history. The Police and Justice Museum gave students insight into how criminal cases were handled during the late 19th century up until the 1960‘s in Sydney. Students enjoyed the day immensely. We all learnt that Linda Agostini was an abusive partner and Antonio Agostini was a wife beater.


2:00pm- We were placed on trial. Students were to play

out the court case of the Linda Agostini’s murder using the evidence they

were given. Students dressed up and played the

role of the judge, guard, lawyer, accused, foreman

and the jury.

Justice was served when we discovered that Antonio Agostini was convicted of manslaughter of his wife

Linda Agostini- the Pyjama Girl.

2:20pm – The day ended and we were on our way home.

Teachers favourite part of the day? The ride home =)

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Students and teachers attended a Piano Masterclass with famous Australian and International Pianist Gerard Willems. This was well received by all students and teachers as Gerard discussed the importance of Music, Humanity and Life. He was able to instil in all of us the importance of love in our lives expressed through the power of Music and the Arts in general. He performed works by

Beethoven and Chopin. He also gave a special masterclass to Annie Nguyen in Year 12 talking about expression and interpretation. We look forward to next year with the possibility of Gerard giving another masterclass to the students of Fairfield and the South Western Schools. Patrick Honyak - Music Teacher

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"On 30th August, Year 12 Hospitality class cooked for the Parents‘ Café where thirty parents were invited for our final practical assessment. Everyone was in their full chef uniforms. At eight o‘clock, we started our Mise en Place for our entrée and main. While others were working on Mise en Place, others were preparing the room for the function. After we finished our Mise en place, we divided our tasks so we could serve the entrée, main and dessert in time. We had a Table la dote menu with antipasto plate for entrée, alternate service of chicken and beef for main and cheese cake parfaits and chocolate brownie

cups with berry compote for dessert. We welcomed the parents at twelve thirty and the service started right away. The room went quiet as we served the entrée and all of us were so excited to see our food being enjoyed by the parents. The main dish had many elements to plate and it was important to ensure all the meals looked the same as they went through the pass. The guests had a meeting to go to and took their dessert with them. It was a great day shared by all, we would like to thank all the parents who came and shared the experience with us." Mr Ferguson

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In the latest instalment of the showdown between intellectual giants, Zaia, Aodi, Ramil, Khaled, Andy and Steven pitted their chess like minds against other schools at Holroyd High. The air was tense with anticipation as onlookers waited to see who would be the new chess master. The event lasted all day and every conceivable strategy was employed to outwit their opponents. We had some near misses and some memorable victories as the search continued for the next Garry Kasporov.

After the mental exertions, the contestants were provided with lunch before going back into battle. Fairfield High‘s Chess team has improved since the introduction of the outdoor chess setting the quad.

As was evident from the day‘s results and the astounding triumphs of Jimmy Nguyen, Fairfield High has become a mecca for aspiring grand masters. Well done to the Chess team! "Thanks to Ms Trinh and Mr Petrakis for taking us to the Comp at Holroyd High"

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"Thank you to all those who participated and sponsored participants in the 40 Hour Famine this year. Participants gave up all sorts of things for 40 hours from funiture, technology, speaking to food. We are still waiting for some money to be collected, however, what has

been donated online and collected already is fantastic. Michelle Ha was our highest online participant and Amy Tran deserves a special mention for raising over $160 including both online and cash collections. Well done all. "

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Amy Tran Michelle Ha

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Walid Zahrooni Ferdi Suna

This term one of our special extracurricular projects was a giant wooden ruler to be displayed in the garden in front of the office. The following Year 10 students helped in sanding, shaping and preparing the timber for painting and display; Mohamed Safadi, Omar Ayoubi, Walid Zahrooni and Ferdi Suna. These students had to dress in full personal protective equipment to work with these materials and also assisted the teacher with the orbital sander, using different grades of sand paper to get the timber in a state where it can be

painted by the Visual and Performing Arts department. A plane was used to take the sharp edges off of the timber and then hand sanded. A big thank you to these students again, for their help in this co-curricular activity, and contributing in such a positive way to the wider school community. As a beginning teacher starting three weeks ago in the TAS faculty I had the privilege of doing this project and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Mr Sellen, TAS Teacher

D e v e l o p i n g s t u d e n t s k i l l s i n t e a m w o r k

Mohamed Safadi

Mohamed Safadi Omar Ayoubi

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The HSC Major Textiles Project is the final task in Textiles and Design and takes place over three terms. Many of these students started the Preliminary course last year without any sewing skills, and had no idea how to use a sewing machine. While a few students in the class were unprepared for the number of hours needed to successfully complete their folio and practical work, the Major Projects have finally been completed and submitted for marking by the Board of Studies markers. Congratulations to those students who proved themselves to be independent workers. These students were very dedicated to the task, had fantastic time-management skills and in some cases

exceeded even their own expectations for their finished projects. Thank you for making my job easy. For another group of students in the class (yes, you know who you are), time management skills took a little longer to develop – like, on the last weekend before the projects were due to be handed in!!! While you didn‘t exactly make my job easy, you did give me the most laughs, and excuses, and grey hairs, and sleepless nights, and … and… and… However, you also managed to complete you projects and for this I am very thankful. Congratulations to each and every one of you and good luck for the HSC.

D e v e l o p i n g H S C s k i l l s i n t e x t i l e s a n d d e s i g n

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Sebastian Acosta

Term 3 has been a busy but successful term in regards to Sport. It started Week 1 Thursday with the U15s Boys Soccer playing their Round 4 Game of the Bill Turner Cup. The boys had won some tough games but came up against Westfield‘s Sports High School, and unfortunately lost. Well done to the boys for getting that far. Friday saw The U16s Rugby League playing in the Parramatta School Boys Knockout. The boys played a number of games over the day. The boys won one game, drew one game, and lost two games. Well done to the boys on their consistent effort in 2012 in Rugby League and good luck in 2013. Friday also saw Masudi Elongo (Year 12) compete in the Combined High School Cross Country Championship. Masudi ran the challenging 6km course at Easter Creek, finishing in the top 80 runners in the state for his age group. Well done Masudi. It continued into Week 3, with Regional Athletics being held Wednesday and Thursday. We took approximately 20 competitors over the 2 days with some outstanding results. The U15s 4 x 100m Relay Team finished 2nd overall allowing them to compete at the Combined High Schools Athletics Championship. The team consisted of Langi Suli Ruka, Henry Vo Tran, Ali Al Saady and Sebastian Acosta. As well as being a part of the Relay Team Sebastian had an outstanding meeting coming 1st in U15s Boys Long Jump, High Jump, Triple Jump, Hurdles, 400m and 100m. All the boys will compete in the Combined High Schools Athletics Championships at Sydney Olympic Park on the 6th – 8th September. Good luck boys.

In Week 8, Combined High School Athletics Championships was held at Sydney Olympic Park. Our Boys U15s Relay team finished 3rd overall in their heat, but due to the technical aspects of the batten changes were unfortunately disqualified. Sebastian Acosta completed in 6 additional individual events in which he excelled in each event. Sebastian won the U15s Triple Jump and High Jump, placed 3rd in the Long Jump and was a finalist in the 100m, 400m and Hurdles. This allows Sebastian to compete at the Australian All Schools Championship and the Skins Athletics Championships. We wish Sebastian all the best both these meets.

D e v e l o p i n g O u r s t u d e n t s s p o r t i n g s k i l l s t h r o u g h c o m p e t i t i o n

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Langi Suli Ruka

Safa Obeid & Mr Johnson

Langi Suli Ruka has been selected as part of the U16s Rugby League Tour of France, in which he will spend two weeks playing Rugby League over the September/October School holidays. In this tour, Langi will play a number of games against international teams. We wish Langi all the best in this tour and his future in Rugby League. Well done Langi. Megan Hayes PDHPE Teacher

The NSW Premiers Sporting Challenge Medal is intended to acknowledge one student in each school for their outstanding commitment to fair play, achievement in sport either as a participant / umpire / trainer and / or sports leadership. In 2012 Safa Obeid from year 12 has received this award for her commitment, dedication, and peer leadership in the lunch time fitness club. Safa is an outstanding role model to both male and female students in the fitness club , She shows expertise and knowledge beyond her years and has been an enormous help to the smooth functioning of the facility. Adam Johnson Head Teacher PDHPE


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Under 15 Girls Knockout Basketball On the 8th of August the under 15 girls team had a great game and played against Bass High. The girl‘s worked tremendously hard as they were only Year 9 and 8. Bass High had a team of mostly year 10 girls which made it really challenging for us. The girls arrived at Bankstown stadium, they were so excited but also nervous to be there. For some girls it was their first time actually at a real stadium. The under 15 girls team were having fun while practicing throwing shots at the hoop. The girls throw nice shots, then one time Jamie Ladewig threw a shot from half way and got it in she was so happy. We arrived there pretty early so we had a lot of time to practice but as Bass High came, we all stopped shooting and watched them as they were walking in, we were all nervous. While Bass High was walking in the stadium they were so big and tall. The game started and everyone was pumped but still nervous, they hardly ever trained. Bass High scored 2 shots at the start and kept going. Then Amy quickly got the ball and shot it in. Then quickly Vika had a chance and got it in. The first half we had 4 points and Bass High had 18. In second half everyone knew what they were doing and had an idea of how to play. We got in to gear and started to play basketball. At the start of second half Amy quickly got the ball and took a shot, same as Isabella, Jamie and Vika. We were on a role the other team made only 3 shots in the second half. At the last second Jamie took a 3 pointer shot and got it in but sadly we didn‘t get enough points to win. The score was 26-19. Bass High won and

what a game that was. We all enjoyed the game and got some McDonalds at the end. We all enjoyed playing basketball and having an awesome coach and next year most of us will still be under 15‘s next year to take on the next game but much better!

Team: Jamie Ladewig, Dianne Sengmany, Isabella Kim, Jennifer Luangrath, Amy

Tran and Vika Feinga By: Jamie Lee Ladewig!!! The latest lunch time competition has come to a conclusion running over Term 2 and 3. I would like to congratulate all the players who helped to make this competition a success. The results are as follows with the next competition running over Term 4 2012 and Term 1 2013. A special thank you must go to our consistent helpers, Leanne Trinh, Paulo Greaves, Nelson Phan and Peter Khuu who were always there to score, timekeep and referee. Thank you also to the staff that played and to those that supported the competition in other ways, Mrs Galagher our number one spectator, Mr Petrakis our cook, Mr Sargeant our referee.


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Arm Wrestle Challenge Chalkies

Team Players Player Top Point Scorer Foulest Player From Children to Vagabonds Christopher Girgis Christopher Girgis Peter Khuu Unknown Skills Kenny Arshak Francis Amit Husain Al-Jaber Flying without a License Samir Ghamrawi Adrian Arceo Abbas Al-Ameri Henley‘s ≠ 2 Colin Dith Sebastian Acosta Sebastian Acosta Bazinga Belmin Redzepagic Mohammad Al Maqini Mohammad Al M Lek Moooooo Quintyn Aloesei Jamie-Lee Ladewig Nelson Phan Superior Intellect Paulo Greaves Paulo Greaves Daniel Tualaulelei Daniel Tualaulelei Arm Wrestle Challenge Dino Zagic Dino Zagic Roody Warda Chalkies Mr Conlan Mr Prica Mr Prica Congratulations to the competition winners Arm Wrestle Challenge and runners up Chalkies.


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