PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Welcome back to all our students,

parents and caregivers, staff and

friends of Colyton High School.

On behalf of the school I would

take this opportunity to

acknowledge the Darug people as

the traditional custodians of the land where our

school takes place. We acknowledge their elders

past, present and future and extend that respect to

other Aboriginal people who we will meet

throughout 2016 as students, parents or friends of

our school for they hold the memories, traditions

and hopes of Aboriginal Australia. We must

always remember that under the concrete and

asphalt this land is, was and always will be

traditional Aboriginal land of the Darug people.

I would also like, at this time, to celebrate the

wonderful multicultural nature of Colyton High

School. We have representatives from so many

parts of the world as members of our school

community. The energy in this community makes

it a wonderful place in which to teach.

2016 is an exciting year to be a part of the Colyton

High School community with so much happening

to enhance the educational opportunities and

outcomes for our students. Our key focus as we

commence 2016 will be getting a consistent

understanding and application of our school and

classroom rules, right across the school. Students

will be developed as SMART learners and leaders

(SMART = Safe Motivated Attends Respectful

Tolerant). This will be the main initiative in

developing a positive and productive school tone.

I thank our entire PBL (Positive Behaviour for

Learning) team, led by Ms Parfoot, which is

working tirelessly to drive the revitalisation of our

PBL strategy to support student learning. The two

other strategic directions for Colyton HS in 2016

are Developing Teachers as Leaders of Learning

Important Dates for 2016

Term 1 January 28 –April 8

Term 2 April 26 – July 1

Term 3 July 18 – September 23

Term 4 October 10 – December 20

Parent / Teacher Evenings

March 15

August 2

Presentation Evening

December 13

P&C Meeting Dates

February 22

May 23

June 27

July 25

August 22

October 24

November 28

Pupil Free Days

January 27

April 26

July 18

December 19

December 20

Sports Carnivals

February 5 – Swimming Carnival

March 11– Athletics Carnival

School Photo Day

February 16

February 23 (Catch up day)

Information Sessions

February 16

February 23

August 2

Orientation Day

December 6

Colyton High School Trade School

and Building Genuine Learning Partnerships with

Parents and Community.

One main focus area that you can assist us with is

in the area of attendance. While there are laws in

place that make attending school compulsory, it

all comes back to the learning that can be missed.

So please, except when sick or due to exceptional

circumstances, students MUST attend every day

and actively participate in their lessons and

activities. Please contact us when your child is

absent from school. It is important that we know

you are aware of the absence.

At the end of 2015 we farewelled both Mr Kerr

(Head Teacher Science) and Mrs Borland (LAST).

Both of these teachers were major contributors to

Colyton High School, supporting our students

over their long tenure here. They will be missed.

We also said goodbye to Mr Wawzskowicz who

was promoted to Principal of Billabong High

School down near the Victorian border. We will

also miss his energy and commitment to school

improvement and wish him well.

We welcome in their place Mrs Raj (Acting Head

Teacher Science) and Mr Ciocca (Acting Deputy

Principal). These two fine school leaders are well

equipped to meet the demands of these important

roles at Colyton High School and will act in these

capacities until the positions are permanently

filled. At the time of publication of this newsletter

a selection panel had been formed and

advertisements have now been placed, seeking

suitable applications for the permanent positions.

We will be seeking and selecting THE outstanding

applicants for these positions.

Colyton High School also welcomes Mr John

Sassine to the HSIE Faculty. Mr Sassine will also

teach the VET Retail course. We wish him all the

best for a long and rewarding career as part of our

community.

Gonski school funding from the Federal and State

Governments has increased the amount of flexible

funding available to Colyton High School and has

made a huge difference in the breadth and depth to

the student support programs we can offer. Ms

Parfoot is filling the higher duties position of our

3rd

Deputy Principal and she joins myself, Mr

Humphrey and Mr Ciocca (Acting Deputy

Principal) as part of our dynamic Senior Executive

Team. They will share the responsibility of

supporting student wellbeing, looking after two

year groups each, as opposed to two Deputy

Principals managing three groups. This will

reduce the work pressures of those positions and

create capacity for each Deputy Principal to

provide more intensive and effective student

support. If you have an enquiry that requires a

Deputy Principal, please make contact through our

office. Appointments are always preferred as it

means that we can provide full attention as the

time is set aside for you.

The funding has also allowed us to employ Ms

Powers (Head Teacher Teaching & Learning) and

Mr Schein (Head Teacher Learning Support) in

higher duties positions. Both of these young

teachers have displayed considerable leadership

potential and they will lead key teams and

programs that will enhance the quality of teaching

and student learning support in our school. Ms

Powers will drive programs to build the capacity

of our teachers. She will be supporting our early

career teachers in their development and leading

the implementation of an exciting new Teaching

and Learning Model called “Curiosity and

Powerful Learning”.

Mr Schein will lead our valued and dedicated

Learning and Support Faculty, a team made up of

Teachers and Student Learning Support Officers

(SLSOs) who provide the intensive assistance for

students who struggle at times with their learning,

for a variety of reasons. We welcome Mr Nathan

Cleary who has joined our team as an SLSO.

Nathan has come to us from the Panthers on the

Prowl initiative. This program is run by the

Penrith Panthers NRL Club and creates links with

schools to provide additional support for students.

Nathan has replaced Mrs Walton who accepted a

transfer to a Support Unit at Claremont Meadows

PS. We wish her all the best in an area she is very

passionate about and we will miss her hard work

and dedication. We are in the process of engaging

additional SLSO staff at this time.

We welcome Ms Pitt (EALD for Ms Thomas who

is on leave for 2016). Ms Pitt worked in the

English Faculty in 2015 and will now work with

our students who may be challenged by having

English as an Additional Language or Dialect.

This can inhibit student learning at school and

home so this support will be most welcome, I am

sure. Ms Mattes will also work between the HSIE

Faculty and Learning Support in 2016, enhancing

the support for students in these areas. I am also

pleased to announce that Ms Dore has now

increased her permanent part-time appointment as

a LAST and will gradually be moved across to the

LAST Faculty as we move towards 2017. At

present she also works in the Creative Arts

Faculty as a talented Visual Arts Teacher.

We have engaged the services of Mr Simon

Astley from Educational Speech Pathology and

Therapy Services who is working as a new

member of our LAST Team. He is currently

working with Mr Schein to identify students who

will require additional support and is also

identifying key weaknesses to be addressed. Mr

Astley will work with Mr Schein to train staff and

develop targeted programs (group and individual

support) for these identified students. We

welcome his expertise to Colyton High School.

2016 will see the expansion of the role of the local

organisation Fusion in our school. We have

received funding to employ two School Chaplains

(Henry and Sophie) for one day per week who

will provide what could be described as invaluable

youth worker type programs to help our students

develop skills in forming positive relationships.

They will engage with our students at recess and

lunch and bring other developmental programs to

the school to support student wellbeing. Students

will mostly notice them in the playground

organising activities for students and also

connecting with students during sport time. They

will add a wonderful new dimension to our

Student Wellbeing programs that occur

throughout the year.

We have enhanced our indigenous education

support by engaging AIME (from Western

Sydney University) and Liven Deadly (Jie Pittman

and Aaron Saunders). These programs will add a

most valuable dimension to the cultural and

academic support for our Aboriginal students.

They are exciting programs with proven success.

We welcome these teams to our school.

Under the leadership of Ms Gorman (Wellbeing

Coordinator) a small team will be trained in

Positive Education as we move towards

revitalising our wellbeing programs under this

umbrella. This shift will occur as we move

through the year and head towards 2017 where we

will be implementing a coordinated range of

strategies as a Positive School. Exciting times

ahead so stay tuned!

Community-wise, we will continue to engage with

organisations in our local community and further

afield. Locally we will strengthen our links with

the exciting community based group, Team

Colyton. You may have attended their highly

successful Christmas Carols night late last year.

They have many good things building at present

and their youth team will be linking with us to

hold some youth forums early in 2016, positively

empowering our students by giving them a voice

in local affairs. In 2016 we will also be

reviewing our student leadership structures and

programs as part of our School Plan’s Strategic

Directions.

In the area of student transition from school to

work, we remain key member of the Apprentices

Forum that is linking schools with construction

trade facilities (Colyton High School, Chifley

Senior College, Loyola College and Norwest

Trade School) to representatives from the

construction industry. Our input is proving

invaluable in assisting this industry in meeting its

needs for new apprentices and we are working

with them towards developing a sustainable model

for developing quality apprentices. They have the

jobs and we have the students, the curriculum and

the resources! And with the planning for the

second airport going ahead, many new jobs are on

the way!

To assist students with their goal setting and

career planning we are strengthening the school’s

Transition Team under the leadership of Mr

Brown. He will be joined by Miss Harman as our

Transition Coordinator and we are working with

DEC staffing to employ a Careers Adviser. This

team will be supported by the Beacon Foundation

who will link with us and apply their model for

building partnerships between schools and

industry as well as assisting our students to

develop their aspirations and career plans. This

will complement the many programs already in

place to assist our students develop as aspiring

young adults.

In conclusion, as you can see there are so many

exciting new initiatives planned for 2016 and

beyond. There will be a relentless pursuit of

excellence and high expectations at Colyton HS

and we invite all members of our school

community and beyond, to be a part of that! A

big “THANK YOU” must go out to all those

students, parents and caregivers, staff and our

friends in the community who have contributed to

such a great start to the year. All the best for

2016!

MR D BUTLER

PRINCIPAL

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL’S

REPORT

In my new role as Deputy Principal

for Years 7 and 10, it has been a

busy and positive start to the school

year. I am pleased to see so many of

our students well groomed and

wearing the school uniform. It sends an important

message to the community about how good

Colyton High School is. Of course there are many

other things that make this school a good

educational environment.

We are a community committed to engaging

students in learning by using their brains to think

about what they are learning and what they are

learning to do in each subject every lesson.

Students are active learners when they listen, ask

questions, solve problems, develop ideas, think

critically, contribute to discussions and ask for

help when they don’t understand. Learning can be

challenging but it is not an obstacle. Every student

can be organised and ready to actively participate

as SMART learners. They start from the moment

they are lined up outside the classroom and

continue throughout the lesson until the teacher

concludes the lesson.

To help students be organised and achieve course

outcomes, we have given out a booklet of subject

assessment schedules to each year group. Students

who were not present when they were distributed

can see their Year Adviser or Deputy Principal for

a copy. I recommend students and parents take the

time to read the information provided about

assessment procedures and establish a routine of

checking when tasks are taking place or are due to

be submitted for marking.

Year 7 students have been given an invitation to

the Year 7 Welcome BBQ. This is an opportunity

to meet the teachers and for us to get to know you

better. I know the Year Advisers Mr Lane and Ms

Dobie are looking forward to speaking with Year

7 parents, carers and their families. Through

building our connections with students’ families,

we can work together to support students

throughout their schooling at Colyton High

School. Please mark the date on your calendar,

come and say hello and have a sausage sandwich.

AUSTRALIA DAY AT ADMIRALTY HOUSE

In the lead-up to Australia Day 2016, the

Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove invited

students to record their hopes for Australia in a

short video message. Andrew Gorgis and Kaleb

Mealy took this opportunity to share their ideas

and represent Colyton High School at Admiralty

House on Australia Day. Proud to be Australians,

both Andrew and Kaleb value the cultural

diversity of this country and see it as a strength.

Andrew hopes that Australia will help people in

need in other countries and he wants Australia to

continue to be a safe place for everyone. Kaleb

hopes for a decrease in the number of suicides

each year, through greater support for people in

despair so that they can find a way through and

have hope for the future.

Andrew and Kaleb were excellent ambassadors

for Colyton High School and enjoyed their time at

Admiralty House. His Excellency Sir Peter

Cosgrove conveyed his appreciation to the

students for the effort, thought and creativity that

had gone into their videos. The videos will soon

be up loaded to the school web page for you to

view.

The key theme for the Governor General’s term in

office is ‘opening our arms – celebrating

diversity’ which seeks to promote inclusiveness,

tolerance and appreciation for our rich and

multicultural society.

At Colyton High School we practise tolerance by

accepting and respecting each other as individuals.

MS S PARFOOT

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

Executives

Principal Mr D Butler

Deputy Principal Year 7 & Year 10 Ms S Parfoot

Deputy Principal Year 8 & Year 11 Mr P Humphrey

Deputy Principal Year 9 & Year 12 Mr A Ciocca (Acting)

English Mrs L Koppensteiner Mathematics Mrs J Hapukotuwa

Science Mrs V Raj HSIE Mrs L Dodson

TAS Mr C Burton Creative Arts Mrs M Grahovac

PDHPE Mr G Morgan Administration Mr D Ha

Vocational Ed Mr A Brown Wellbeing Mrs J Gorman

Teaching & Learning Mr A Schein Admin Manager Ms S Morrissey

Welfare Team 2016 Year Adviser Assistant Adviser

7 Mr A Lane Ms P Dobie

8 Ms S Veljanovski Mr B Fisher

9 Mrs J Taylor Mr S Sewak

10 Mr S Stratford Ms J Botros

11 Mrs W O’Connell Mrs C Bruin

12 Ms R Ciacciarelli Ms D Dore

Wellbeing Coordinator Mrs J Gorman

Supervisor of Girls Mrs A Ciocca/Mrs J Gorman

Supervisor of Boys Mr A Schein

School Counsellors Ms M Zoll/ Ms M Mellish/ Mr M Boyd

DAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

Warning Bell 8.27 8.27 8.27 8.27 8.27

Roll Call/Muster 8.30 8.30 8.30 8.30 8.30

PBL 8.40

Period 1 9.00 8.35 8.35 SPORT ROLL 8.35 8.35

Period 2 9.50 9.35 8.45 SPORT 1 9.35 9.35

9.35 SPORT 2

10.25 PACK UP

Recess 10.40 10.35 10.35 10.35 10.35

Warning Bell 11.07 11.02 11.02 11.02 11.02

Period 3 11.10 11.05 11.05 11.05 11.05

Period 4 12.00 12.05 12.05 12.05 12.05

ASSEMBLY 12.50

Lunch 1.15 1.05 1.05 1.05 1.05

Warning Bell 1.42 1.32 1.32 1.32 1.32

Period 5 1.45 1.35 1.35 1.35 1.35

Finish 2.35 2.35 2.35 2.35 2.35

YEAR 7 WELCOME BBQ

The Year 7 Welcome BBQ will be held on February 23, 2016 starting at 5.00pm and finishing at

approximately 7.00pm. This function is an excellent opportunity for parents/caregivers to meet the Year 7

teachers and the welfare team socially and if necessary also to discuss any issues that may be of concern.

Also held on the same evening

YEAR 7 2017 INFORMATION EVENING

When: Tuesday February 23, 2016 (5.00pm – 7.00pm)

Where: In the School Hall

All students and parents are welcome. A light BBQ will be provided.

Contact the school on (02) 9623 2789 or email if further information is required.

colyton-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

HIGH SCHOOL ENTRY SCHOLARSHIPS

At last term's Year 7 Orientation Day, Mr Butler was pleased to award High School Entry Scholarships to

twelve students from local primary schools. The $350 scholarships were available to all students from the

Colyton Learning Community schools of Bennett Road Public School, Colyton Public School, Oxley Park

Public School, St Marys Central Public School and St Marys South Public School.

Students had to complete a short application form that demonstrated their commitment to achieving their

personal best, their commitment to school values, effort in school subjects and contribution to the school or

community. The scholarships will be offered again in Term 3 of 2016 for students entering high school in

2017. Congratulations to all winners!

2016 High School Entry Scholarship Recipients

SICK BAY

Students should not be sent to school without adequate care being taken of injuries already received, or if

sickness is anticipated. If your child suffers from a disability please notify the school of this at the time of

enrolment.

If your child becomes sick at school, they will be required to get an out of class note to take to A Block

office. You will then be contacted by A Block Office Staff to collect your child. Your child is not to contact

you directly to collect them. It is school policy that all students are to be collected and are not permitted to

leave the school unaccompanied.

FROM THE OFFICE

Parents/caregivers will be receiving statements regarding school contributions in the coming weeks.

Payments can be made at the school office by cash, cheque and money order Monday – Thursday 8.15am to

2.45pm and Friday 8.15am to 11.05am. EFTPOS and credit card and over the phone credit card facilities

are also available.

When sending money in with students please endeavour to provide the correct money (or small notes) as

change is not always available.

Please keep the office updated with changes to addresses or phone numbers and particularly emergency

contacts. Your child may have up to date numbers in his/her phone but that information may not be

accessible, especially in emergency situations. A blank Change of Details form can be found in this

newsletter.

OFFICE DUTY

In Semester 1 Year 8 students will be rostered to do ‘office duty’ in the front office. This will involve two

students from the same class spending one whole day out of class. Over the course of the Semester it is

possible that your child would be rostered on 3 or 4 times.

This is an invaluable experience for your child as he/she will undertake a variety of tasks in the office. The

school office receives many requests, often from parents, involving the delivery of messages all around our

very large school. Without the assistance of your child undertaking this school service these messages and

other important matters could not be carried out effectively.

Students attending school on their rostered office duty day are expected to bring a book to read in between

messages. When they return to class the next day their teachers will provide them with the school work they

may have missed. If you have any objection to your child participating in this role, please write to the Year

8 Year Adviser, Ms Veljanovski

PBL POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR FOR LEARNING

Positive Behaviour for Learning is an evidence-based whole school systems process that we are

implementing to improve learning outcomes for all students. Through PBL we are establishing positive

social expectations for all in the school community and addressing problem behaviours.

We have a set of values and clearly defined expected behaviours:

SAFE

Follow teachers instructions and safety guidelines

Wear correct school uniform

Leave banned items at home (spray cans, energy drinks)

Wear appropriate safety equipment

MOTIVATED

Am equipped and ready to learn for all classes

Actively complete all activities to the best of my ability

Seek assistance from the teacher when needed

Strive to achieve and motivate others

ATTEND

Arrive on time and stay in class until dismissed

Bring a note when late or out of class

Get drinks and go to the toilet during recess and lunch

RESPECT

Actively listen to others and wait my turn to speak

Allow others to learn and teachers to teach

Am always polite and use appropriate language

Take care with all property and equipment

TOLERANCE

Say no to bullying

Accept individual differences

Cooperate with staff

Allow others to express themselves

This year students are doing PBL lessons at the end of period one on Monday of Week A and B. These

lessons familiarise students with the values and expected behaviours. Over the year students and teachers

will focus on positive behaviours that will be implemented consistently across the school. Through the

newsletter and the school web page we will keep you informed about the program. Parent interest and

support will be beneficial to the process.

MS S PARFOOT

PBL TEAM COORDINATOR

Homework Help Centre

Where: School Library

When: Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons

Time: 2.35pm – 4.00pm.

Permission slips for the Homework Help Centre are available from your roll call teacher

or see Ms Pitt in the English Staffroom

The Homework Help Centre is available to all students

Chess Club

Due to an increase in student participation the Colyton

High School Chess Club will be operating two days

per week

Juniors: Wednesday Lunch

Seniors: Monday Lunch

Please see Mr Nikic or Mrs Hapukotuwa for more information

COLYTON HIGH SCHOOL TRADE SCHOOL - PERSONAL DETAIL CHANGES

STUDENT’S NAME: ____________________________________ YEAR: ______________

ANY OTHER STUDENTS: ______________________________________________________

OLD ADDRESS: ______________________________________________________________

OLD HOME PHONE NO: _______________________

NEW ADDRESS: ______________________________________________________________

NEW HOME PHONE NO ________________________

EMAIL ADDRESS: ____________________________________________________________

STILL LIVING WITH SAME PARENT/GUARDIAN: YES / NO

IF NO, PLEASE GIVE NAME OF NEW GUARDIAN: __________________________________

(Please complete details over page)

FATHER: WORK NO: __________________ MOTHER: WORK NO: _________________

MOBILE NO: _________________ MOBILE NO: _______________

E-MAIL ADDRESS: _____________________ E-MAIL ADDRESS: ____________________

EMERGENCY CONTACT 1.

Name: _________________________

Phone No: ___________________ Mobile Phone No: __________________________

EMERGENCY CONTACT 2.

Name: _________________________

Phone No: ___________________ Mobile Phone No: __________________________

EMERGENCY CONTACT 3.

Name: _________________________

Phone No: ___________________ Mobile Phone No: __________________________

Do you have any other students at Government Schools? If yes, please supply details

STUDENT NAME: _________________________ SCHOOL: _______________________

STUDENT NAME: _________________________ SCHOOL: _______________________

PARENT’S/CAREGIVER’S SIGNATURE: ____________________________________

DATE: _________________________

Office use only

Processed _______________ Date ______________________ Initials

Bus Passes _______________ Date ______________________ Initials

PRIVACY NOTICE

The information provided on this form is being obtained for the purpose of school records. It will be used by the Department of Education and Training for the purpose of sending any information to you or if it becomes necessary to contact you for any reason concerning your child.

You may correct any personal information provided at any time by contacting the school.

CHANGE OF GUARDIAN DETAILS

GUARDIAN 1

TITLE: _____________________

FAMILY NAME: ______________________________

GIVEN NAMES: ______________________________

WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER: _____________________________

MOBILE TELEPHONE NUMBER: ____________________________

E-MAIL ADDRESS: _______________________________________

OCCUPATION: ___________________________________________

COUNTRY OF BIRTH: _____________________________________

NATIONALITY: ___________________________________________

MAIN LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOME: _______________________

OTHER LANGUAGE SPOKEN: ______________________________

RELATIONSHIP TO STUDENT : _____________________________

GUARDIAN 2

TITLE: _____________________

FAMILY NAME: ______________________________

GIVEN NAMES: ______________________________

WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER: _____________________________

MOBILE TELEPHONE NUMBER: ____________________________

E-MAIL ADDRESS: _______________________________________

OCCUPATION: ___________________________________________

COUNTRY OF BIRTH: _____________________________________

NATIONALITY: ___________________________________________

MAIN LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOME: _______________________

OTHER LANGUAGE SPOKEN: ______________________________

RELATIONSHIP TO STUDENT: _____________________________