GOOD NEWS WEEK

Web address: www.woolgoolga-h.schools.nsw.edu.au E-mail: woolgoolga-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Woolgoolga High School 23 August 2013 Issue No. 13

Year 11 started the year

with a practical project in-

corporating many different

skills. Free machine em-

broidery, couching, hand

embroidery, dissolvable

fabric work and many other

techniques. These cushions

demonstrated the elements

and principles of design

which they had been learn-

ing about in their theory

lessons. The girls complet-

ed their projects to a very

high standard and should

be proud of their efforts.

Inside this Issue

From the Principal Page 2 State Athletics Page 11

RYDA Pages 3-5 Parenting Tips Page 15

Ag Farm News Page 7 Canteen Roster Page 15

Debating Page 10 Community News Page 17

Our school enjoys the partnership of many external groups. This week the Rotary Club of Woolgoolga donated $750 toward our upcoming Getting Out There Day. This day is an important day on our Year 12 calendar and educates our graduates in life post school. Similarly, the Rotary Club has provided a cheque for $1000 to help fund our very successful S.M.I.L.E. Program. Thanks again to the Rotary Club of Woolgoolga.

The RYDA program is another important partnership with Rotary and was an excellent day. The information contained in this Newsletter highlights the program.

Thank you to Barbara Drury, a local journalist who ran a story on our Gumbaynggirr classroom on Monday 12th August in the Sydney Morning Herald. What a great article and it highlighted our innovative and exceptional program very well indeed: http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/aboriginal-tongue-engages-young-20130811-2rpyk.html

SBS Radio and ABC Coffs Coast also conducted interviews with Larry Hancock (Gumbaynggirr teacher) and myself.

The Trial Examinations have just concluded and from all teachers we have a quality Year 12 this year. Year 12 need now to concentrate on the upcoming HSC examination.

The much-awaited time capsule was buried last week. Thanks to all who contributed and especially Mrs David.

Other highlights this fortnight was a visit to our assembly of the STARTS dance group (Services for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors). This group consisted of students from Orara, Bishop Druitt and Coffs Harbour high schools. The dancing was outstanding!

The Debating Teams continue to achieve success as well as our athletes. In particular Jonathon Gusman who was the 15 years boys Age Champion at the Mid North Coast Athletics carnival (this was not acknowledged earlier). Well done to all CHS qualifiers as per this newsletter.

Our staff are being trained in the latest technologies in school administration. Training will occur after school on the next two Mondays. The software SENTRAL will enable more access to information for parents. I will include more on this as we steadily implement this software across the school over the coming months.

The high school’s woodwork and textile projects were outstanding and have been submitted formerly. Well done students!

Until next time

Guy Wright

Principal

Issue No. 13 Page 2

From the Principal’s Desk

IMPORTANT COMING EVENTS

27th August Concert of Excellence

30th August Getting Out There Day

6th Sept Year 8 Doctor Talks

90 Year 11 and some Year 10 students at Woolgoolga High School recently took part in RYDA

proudly supported by Woolgoolga Rotary Club.

The RYDA Program is a one day out of school program

delivering practical road safety information targeting atti-

tude and awareness of young drivers and their passen-

gers.

RYDA targets 16-18 year old students and includes six

interactive sessions delivered to small student groups

covering topics such as hazard perception, distraction management, vehicle safety, stopping

distance, fatigue and experiences of a crash survivor. This event was held at the Woolgoolga

Bowling Club, Community and Senior Centres last Thursday 15th August. An informative and

emotional time was had by all in attendance throughout the day.

The Day was organised for the predominantly Year 11 group by Mr David Fayle (Roatry) and Mrs

Megan Hart (Teacher-librarian at WHS). It is a labour of love for Woolgoolga Rotary Club

members and Mrs Hart as they have collaborated on several projects over the last few years,

including Year 10 Careers Days, Rotary Auction (volunteers) and the upcoming Getting Out There

Day at Opal Cove Resort on 30th August 2013 involving Year 12. Three students are also being

funded by Woolgoolga Rotary to attend the Honeywell Engineering Summer School held later in

the year.

The partnership of Woolgoolga High School and local community groups continues to be a strong

and successful one, with Woolgoolga Lions Club sponsoring next week's Public Speaking competi-

tion - with a record number of entrants from Year 11 for the 2013 competition. Lions also support

Lions Youth Of The Year Quest and we look forward to seeing the results at the beginning of next

year for our current Year 11 students.

Issue No. 13 Page 3

A group happily preparing for the Stopping Distances workshop. This demonstrated the

distance it takes to stop a vehicle travelling at different speeds.

Page 4 Issue No. 13

The 'Plan B' workshop focussed on the role of

alcohol, drugs and fatigue and their impact on driver ability. (left) Student posters generated

on the day during the Plan B workshop

Head Teacher Welfare Mr Ian Cook

addresses the students as Rotary Group Leaders watch on in the

background. Thankyou to Woolgoolga Rotary

members who supplied a wonder-

ful BBQ lunch on the day!

Issue No. 13 Page 5

Senior Constable Snow leads an interactive session about the con-

sequences of poor choices on the road, from the tragic human toll to the financial and legal ramifications.

This interactive workshop familiarised students with the common crashes and how to avoid or minimise their impact by being aware

whilst on the road.

The My Wheels session investigat-

ed vehicle safety, covering such topics as the importance of ABS

brakes, car maintenance and in-surance - in order to protect your-

self and others on the road.

Many students were surprised to see and experience first -hand the

huge impact an extra 10km/h can have on the vehicle, themselves

and the consequence for pedestri-ans and those outside the car.

A crashed car was on

display, showing the impact of poor decision-

making and conse-quences for the driver

and passengers.

Page 6 Issue No. 13

Students’ Photographs

There are many occasions where we would like to publish photographs of students involved in various school activities, including reports for the local papers, school newsletters, and the annual report and on our school website.

If you do not wish your child’s photograph to be used for these purposes, please notify the school in writing.

Captured in Time

A huge thankyou to Mrs

David and her team for

collecting the items for the

Time Capsule, buried recent-

ly. A simple ceremony was

held with the Principal Mr

Guy Wright, Head Teacher

Welfare Mr Ian Cook and

WHS captains, Keely, Joshua,

Anika and Emmanuel in

attendance.

They were accompanied by

Mr Paul Woods and two of

his Construction VET

students Leslie and

Benjamin.

It is anticipated that the Time

Capsule will be exhumed in

2038.

Issue No. 13 Page 7

Issue No. 13 Page 7

W e have kindly been donated a

whole roll of bird netting by Mr

Joginda Garcha ex-president of

Woolgoolga Lions Club.

Our school farm runs on a limited budget and we

are extremely grateful to receive donations like

this. The new net will be used to replace existing

netting over our vegetable garden area, which

currently has several large holes in it. Birds inevita-

bly find their way in and damage the wonderful

produce grown by our students.

Mr Garcha also donated a wire spinner which was

surplus to his requirements and this will prove extremely useful as

anyone who has ever done any fencing will know.

Above is a picture of Mr Henderson, Jason Lloyd our farm manager and Connor Lloyd who all helped to load the

heavy roll.

All the student gardens are planted and the peas, beans and radishes

have all germinated. Students are now busy weeding and mulching. Year

8 also have a dedicated spinach garden where they are competing for

significant prizes in the” Spinach- Popeye’s pick” organised by Coffs Har-

bour Garden club. I hope their tender loving care will pay off. They have

been out soil testing and making sure these plants have as good a start as

possible.

Our hydroponics unit looks fabulous and we are harvesting lettuce, Eng-

lish spinach and some Chinese vegetable crops. This unit gives students

another insight into successful plant growing techniques which are uti-

lised successfully in this area.

This term’s baby chickens are just growing out of the

cute little chick stage. Their growth and development

is being closely monitored by our new Tech. Manda-

tory Classes.

We also have some baby rabbits which were born last

week. Students will be able to handle them once their

eyes open.

Happy farming

Christine Duver

Agricultural teacher

Page 8 Issue No. 13

20% Off ALL ITEMS IN THE

UNIFORM SHOP

Last 2 weeks of term commencing

Monday 9th

September to Friday 20th

September

Available during normal shop hours ONLY

** Shop Stock Only ** ** No Exchanges ** ** No Refunds ** ** No Rain checks **

** No Lay buys **

The Canteen provides

healthy sandwiches, rolls

and lavash available to order every day

before school and during Break 1.

A variety of salad plates are also

available as a gluten free option.

Page 9 Issue No. 13

The staff and students donated to this worthy

cause and we are pleased to be able to donate

almost $500 to Westpac Helicopter Rescue

Fund who really need community donations to

maintain this invaluable service. They only re-

ceive 70% of the required funds from the Gov-

ernment with the rest coming from fund raising

efforts such as ours.

As an extra incentive Local Businesses who pro-

vide Take Away food donated vouchers to be

raffled as prizes to those who donated. Their

response was overwhelmingly positive and

greatly appreciated.

The businesses involved this time include:

Eagle Boys Pizza, The Emerald Beach General

Store, Bonettos, Surfside Seafood & Curry, Dee

Cees Chickens, The Sandy Beach General

Store, The Beachhouse, The Pizza Place, The

Woopi Bakery, Woolgoolga Take Away.

Please try to support these and all our local

businesses as we need to repay their ongoing

generosity and commitment to great causes

such as this one.

The winners of the raffle were:

Tessa Millican, Jaspreet Singh, Ashley Wake,

Mrs Donnelly, Dylan Verhoef, Cameron

Damjancuk, Mrs Fitzmaurice, Sam Browne,

Jesse Stevens, Maddie Sadler, Dayn Quiring &

Hope Brown.

WESTPAC HELICOPTER WESTPAC HELICOPTER WESTPAC HELICOPTER FUND RAISERFUND RAISERFUND RAISER

40 Hour Famine is coming up on the weekend of the 7

th September (Election

Day) and not on the 17th September as

advertised. Any student wishing to participate should see Bianca McNeil of Year 9 or Mrs Young.

Issue No. 13 Page 10

Issue No. 13 Page 10

Our Woolgoolga High

Year 9 Debating Team has finished their speaking commitments with a

flourish, ending as runners-up in the North Coast

Region. Liljana Brain, Oliviah Swainson, Zoe

Schmidt and Patrick Mullan defeated Macksville in

the Interzone round before prevailing over Great

Lakes College from Forster in the Regional Semi-

final. They saved their best efforts for the Final

against Mullumbimby but were unable to convince

the adjudicators of their case.

All four team members worked well together with

Zoe and Patrick taking it in turns to operate as

third speaker. As they were often competing

against more experienced Year 10 students their

achievement of reaching the final was even more

commendable.

To put the icing on a well-baked cake, Zoe

Schmidt was selected in the North Coast Regional

team to compete against the other CHS Regions in

Sydney later in the Year.

On Thursday South Grafton travelled down to

Woolgoolga to contest what was actually the first

round of the Year 7/8 debate for the Zone which

our Year 8 team had been allocated. In a Catch 22

situation our team has already contested the sec-

ond round against another South Grafton team !!

Falling on our Half-day for the Coffs Cup meant

some emergency 'repairs' were necessary to field

a team. Thanks go to Isaac Noakes for stepping

up as team advisor and to Year 7 student Kiahni

Huthnance for taking on the third speaker role at

very short notice.

To cut to the chase - our regulars Luke Gustafson

and Aidan Humphries combined well with the new

blood to convince the adjudicator of the merits of

their argument that there should NOT be more

regular testing of car drivers.

DANCE GROUP WITH A DIFFERENCE

This week’s assembly was a little different to normal.

We were fortunate to be chosen as the inaugural outing

for a new dance troupe in town. The troupe is so new

they don’t even have a name yet!

The group of boys that make up the troupe came to-

gether from three different schools in the Coffs Har-

bour district, Bishop Druitt College, Coffs Harbour

High School and Orara High School. They are all stu-

dents from refugee backgrounds and have been mem-

bers of our community for only a short time. There are

seven members in this group, originating from six dif-

ferent countries in Africa .

Each of these students have suffered considerable

trauma throughout their journey to Australia and each

has their own story to tell. Fortunately with the help of

the STARTTS organisation (Services for Treatment and

Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors) they

are able to find some healing through music and

dance.

The dancers enjoyed some social interaction after-

wards with a barbeque and a quick game of basket-

ball.

Congratulations to these boys for a great performance

as well as

the students

of our

school for

the welcom-

ing and en-

couraging

support you

offered

these young

men

throughout

their visit.

Issue No. 13 Page 11

Jayden Amos (Yr 7) 12 Boys Relay

Jade Egar (Yr 7) 12 Girls Relay

Trey Forrest (Yr 7) 12 Boys Relay

Isabella Heron (Yr 7) 12 Girls Relay

Renee Rovere (Yr 7) 12 Girls Relay

Humraj Singh (Yr 7) 12 Boys Relay

Tanisha Wallace (Yr 7) 100m

Brandon Webb (Yr 7) Long Jump Hurdles 12 Boys Relay

Paris Woodgate (Yr 7) High Jump 12 Girls Relay

Isaiah Koopmans (Yr 8) 1500m

Izack Smidt (Yr 8) 400m

Jonathon Gusman (Yr 9) 800m 1500m Hurdles

Nicole Gusman (Yr 12) High Jump Hurdles Pentalon

Jacinta Smithers (Yr 12) 800m 1500m

CCCongratulations to these

students who have qualified to compete in the

following events at NSW CHS State Athletics

Carnival at Homebush next month. Good Luck!

Age Champion

Belated congratulations to Jonathon Gusman who is

the 15 years boys Age Champion at the Mid North

Coast Zone Athletics Carnival. Due to an error in

results Jonathon was not announced with the

other age champion at the beginning of the term.

Photo: Jonathon Gusman leading the pack on the way to his

victory in the 800m race at the North Coast Regional Ath-

letics Carnival at Kingscliff last month. Jonathon also won

the 15oom race.

SPORT DATE CARNIVAL VENUE TERM

ATHLETICS Fri 5 Sep to Sat

7 Sep CHS State Athletics Carnival Homebush 3

PLEASE NOTE: ALL DATES AND VENUES ARE CORRECT AT TIME OF PRINTING BUT ARE

SUBJECT TO CHANGE SO PLEASE CHECK CLOSER TO EVENT

IMPORTANT SPORT DATES 2013

Issue No. 13 Page 12

Well done Year 12 on the construction of their handmade three-tiered Year 12 Formal Invitations!

Also a huge "Thankyou" to Simone (Kalani's mum) for her assistance at the working bee.

Attendees can pay their $60 to the Front Office asap. The RSVP deadline is 6th September,

to assist with catering and placement of tables.

Congratulations to Year 12 for making their best effort in the recent Trial HSC exams. I am sure

you will be looking forward to 'The Big One' in early November! Photo: Year 12 hard at work,

studying for their exams in their Senior Study area.

Issue No. 13 Page 13

O n Thursday 15th Au-

gust Mr David King from Mullaway Public brought a

group of Year 6 students to

Woolgoolga High for a library orientation and fun maths ses-

sion. Mrs Hart welcomed them into the Library, with students

eyes opening wide to the range and variety of texts available for

borrowing. They were in awe of the facilities and this excitement level extended through to

the fun maths session held in room 23 by Head Teacher Maths Mrs Helen Young. Mullaway teacher Mr King reflected on the experience as a worthwhile one and one he would like to

replicate in the future, continuing the relationship between schools in the Northern Beaches Community of Schools.

More transition days will be happening throughout the second half of this term (including the

Transition Sports Day at Corindi Showground with 14 Year 10 Peer Leaders attending), culmi-nating in the first week of December with all of the partner schools having a visit to 'big

school' and to meet their Year Advisor Ms Chris Hansen and other members of staff. We look forward to seeing our Year 7 2014 students in Term 4!

Photos:

After initial Library orientation, Student Sup-

port Officer Ms Alison Fenton was able to in-troduce herself and speak briefly about her

role in the school Mrs Young overseeing the fun maths session

with MPS Year 6 students as Mr King looks on

in delight.

Year 10 get help with their financial

future with SmartStart.

All of Year 10 were treated to a two-

hour program designed to improve

their financial literacy skills. The

interactive and innovative sessions

covered topics such as Award

Wages, changing jobs, maximising

benefits such as superannuation and

the best ways to bank and invest.

Travis Hobbs travelled from Adelaide

to present this initiative - with

Woolgoolga High School being the

only public high school to benefit

from the program.

Issue No. 13 Page 14

Woolgoolga High School

P & C Fundraiser

Woopi Chat ’n’ Scrap!!!

Date: Saturday 14th September

Venue: Woolgoolga High School Library

Centenary drive, Woolgoolga

Time: 9am to 9pm

Cost: $25 pp includes Morn/afternoon tea & dinner (BYO

lunch)

Bring your own tools, projects & lunch a craft shop will be available on the day

as well as buy swap & trade table, see demos & learn new techniques. There

will be raffles throughout the day with lots of fantastic prizes & plenty of

opportunity to relax chat ’n’ scrap & check out all the beautiful creations. All

funds raised go to Woolgoolga High School P & C. All are welcome bookings

are required. Phone/SMS Pam 0431220139 or Cheryl 0432697277 or email

woopichatnscrap@gmail.com for more information

Issue No. 13 Page 15

Parenting Tips

Cyberbullying -

prevention tips for parents

The statistics around cyberbully-

ing are sketchy, mainly because

it often goes unreported. What we do know is

that the likelihood of children being bullied online

or over the phone increases as they get older

and use technology more frequently.

Find out more: http://

www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/technology/

cyberbullying/say-no-to-cyberbullying

When lunch comes home ... again Almost nine out of 10 Australian par-ents say children's resistance is a major obstacle in their ef-forts to provide a

healthy diet, and in many cases school lunches are one of the battlegrounds. But it's a battle fam-ilies can do without and there are some simple steps to help avoid it. Find out more: http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/wellbeing/food/when-lunch-comes-homeagain

How much screen time?

‘Screen time' used

to mean how many

hours you spent

watching TV and

playing on the com-

puter. However, with the growing number of digi-

tal devices on offer today, the question of what

screen time means now is far more complex.

Find out more: http://

www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/technology/using-

technology/screen-time

Helping your teen

study for an exam

Lots of chocolate,

last-minute cram-

ming, avoiding the

hard questions ...

there is a better

way for kids to study for their exams.

Find out more: http://

www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/homework-and-

study/english/english-tips/helping-your-teen-

study-for-an-english-exam

MONDAY

26 August

TUESDAY

27August

WEDNESDAY

28 August

THURSDAY

29 August

FRIDAY

30 August

Need Volunteer Vikki Fogarty Need Volunteer Need Volunteer Justine Bonney

Need Volunteer Need Volunteer Need Volunteer Need Volunteer Need Volunteer

2 September 3 September 4 September 5 September 6 September

Lynn Mar Bev Moodie Cathy Bond Need Volunteer Pam Wright

Need Volunteer Need Volunteer Need Volunteer Need Volunteer Need Volunteer

Contact Kerri Green 6649 2303 or 6654 1500

If possible, please arrange a swap if you are unavailable on your rostered day

CANTEEN HOURS MON/TUE/THUR/FRI 10am to 2pm WEDNESDAY 10.30am to 1.30pm

Issue No. 13 Page 16

We’re on the Web:

www.woolgoolga-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

Woolgoolga High School

Centenary Drive

Woolgoolga NSW 2456

E-mail: woolgoolga-

h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

AMBULANCE SCHOOL COVER

EXCURSIONS

We have been advised that the Ambulance Service of NSW has reciprocal health care agreements

with all Australian states except Queensland and South Australia.

This means that, even though Woolgoolga High has Ambulance School Cover for students who

have an accident or fall ill whilst at school or at an organised school activity, they are not covered

while on school excursions to Queensland and South Australia.

Only students whose parent/guardians hold a Commonwealth Government Health Care Card or

have private health insurance (including ambulance-only cover) are possibly covered when on a

school excursion to Queensland or South Australia. It is strongly recommended that parents/

guardians who do have cover with a private health fund, check their family’s eligibility with re-

gards to travel to all the states.

Leave Pass for School Sport

Student and Parents/Caregivers are reminded that School Sport is a compulsory requirement

of schooling. Students who cannot avoid an appointment on a Wednesday afternoon during

sport time must follow the correct procedure to leave school grounds.

1. Students must bring a note from home and submit this to their relevant Deputy Principal be-

fore school on Wednesday morning.

2. After approval for leave is granted by the Deputy, students take their note to the front office

where a 'leave pass' will be given to the student stating the time they will be departing school

grounds.

3. Students may leave school grounds at the time that the 'leave pass' states.

Failing to follow the above procedures may result in your child having fractional truancy on

their record and a demotion in the school welfare merit system.

Ms Schofield

Years 8-10 Sports Organiser

Page 17 Issue No. 13

Belt it for the Bartyz !

Fundraiser and Golf Day for the Bartlett Family!

When: Sunday, 25th August, 2013

Where: Safety Beach Golf Club

Time: 10.00am to 4.00pm

Activities:

** For the golfers - 3 person Ambrose (in groups of 6) 9 holes.

$20 per head. Book on the timesheet with Terry at the Pro Shop. Prizes!!

** BBQ – delicious food! ** Raffles – fabulous prizes!

** Live music! ** Friendship and fun!

Please come and along and spend a great afternoon with friends to

support this wonderful family.

Page 18 Issue No. 13

EFTPOS Facilities for

credit/debit card

transactions are now

available for making

payments at the school

office. There is no cash out

RITCHIES COMMUNITY

BENEFIT CARD PROGRAM

This program donates a percentage of the money spent by customers to their nominated club, school

or charity. Many schools and charities are receiving over $1000 every month.

By shopping at Ritchies’ Coffs Harbour IGA, you can help our school and benefit students. Ritchies’

Community Benefit Card saves you money and helps your favourite

organisation at the same time

The WHS P & C

meets on the

second Tuesday of

every month at

6.30pm

Pa

id A

dve

rtisem

en

t

Woolgoolga High School Silver & Bronze

Awards are generously supported by:

WOOLGOOLGA PIZZA PLACE

Beach Street, Woolgoolga

McDONALDS

Pacific Highway, Coffs Har-

bour

EAGLE BOYS PIZZA

Fawcett Street, Woolgoolga

Phone 13 14 33 or 6654 9433