Find us at: 88b Murray Road Corrimal East, NSW, 2518

Mail: PO Box 372 Corrimal, NSW, 2518 Phone: 4285 1199

Email: Corrimal-h.schools@det.nsw.edu.au Facebook: www.facebook.com/corrimalhs

Website: corrimal-h.schools.nsw.gov.au

TEACHING FOR ENGAGEMENT, OPPORTUNITY AND SUCCESS

CORRIMAL HIGH SCHOOL

SAFETY RESPECT RESPONSIBILITY

Newsletter Friday, 13 December 2019

CAROLS IN

CORRIMAL 2019

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PRINCIPAL’S PERSONAL MESSAGE

To start off the final newsletter for 2019, please see below for my Principal Report from the Annual Presentation night. This was an opportunity for the school and community to recognise and celebrate the achievements and success of our students. It was very humbling to see so many people from our community in the school hall – full and overflowing with proud parent, caregivers and family.

Annual Presentation Principal Report

Welcome to the 2019 Corrimal High School Presentation night. I feel very privileged to be here to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students.

2019 has been a year of significant growth at CHS. Staff and students have been working hard to improve the school culture. This work has been reflected in improvements in student attendance, uniform compliance and classroom engagement. We have also seen an improvement in community confidence in the school with an increase in Year 7 enrolments of 30% for 2020. This is something that I am exceptionally proud of and is a direct result of the work that the amazing staff at Corrimal High School do for our students and community.

There has been a major investment in infrastructure in 2019. This has included:

Kitchen upgrade to our Food Technology and Hospitality rooms.

The hall has had a complete overhaul with a new roof, windows, blinds and a paint job.

Front Gardens have been redesigned.

Upgrade to the Pleasance Courtyard.

Classroom audit completed and work commenced to improve the quality of our learning spaces.

Additional Computer lab created and 5 laptop trolleys available for class and student use.

An extension to the school Agriculture farm and the purchase of two alpacas as part of an innovation program for Special Education.

Removal of barbed wire fencing along Murray Road

Basketball court upgrade to take place over the Christmas break

The arrival of two new buses to assist with excursions and extracurricular activities.

We have continued to work closely with partner schools:

Proividing students to assist with Gala days and Carnivals

STEM gala days held at the high school

Implementation of the inaugural CoS Football program

Involvement in Southern Stars

A multitude of Transition events

2020 will see many new initiatives available for students at Corrimal HS, including:

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Bush School – this is a school funded wellbeing camp for Year 8 which will be held early in the year.

Targeted Reading Program for Year 8

CHS Scholarships – open to all students to apply for a $300 scholarship for educational expenses such as course costs, uniform, excursions etc.

2019 has been a year of farewells.

Mark Banasiak – State Parliament

Mark Mathiesen - Retirement

Kerrie Faulkner - Retirement

We thank these staff for their service to Corrimal High School and to the Department of Education.

We also welcomed a number of new arrivals:

Sarah Zalewski – Teacher Librarian

Ben Spooner – Head Teacher HSIE (now Arts and Humanities)

Lachlan King – HSIE Teacher – also departing for 2020 to work in New Zealand.

Several CHS students received major awards in 2020.

These included:

3 students receiving Victor Chang Science awards

Macey Fensom

Nikita Wiffen

Thomas Logan

4 students received prestigious Public Education Awards

Meripa Teo

Harmonie Speechley

Bonfils Iranzi Mpewanayo

Suzanne Abou Shalah

Corrimal High School received a grant from Ryan Park early in the year, as well as an Eco schools (Special Ed) grant and a School to Work - School Ambassadors grant.

I would like to acknowledge the Industrial Arts staff for the work that they continue to put in to rebuilding their faculty after the devastating 2018 fire. With a design consultant soon to be engaged, we anticipate a draft plan for the rebuild sometime early in the new year.

I would like to thank:

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Senior Executive and Executive staff for their ongoing support and educational leadership

Teaching, SLSO, SASS and other Support staff for their dedication and commitment to meeting the educational needs of our students

Our small but very proactive P & C who continue to work hard to fundraise and support our school.

The NIAECG for their support of our Koori Leadership Council, the Junior AECG and our indigenous students.

The wider community for their continued support and confidence in the staff and students at the school.

Joel Foster, Sarah Whiddon, John Matthes, Peter Heugh and Ross Graham for their work in organising the Annual Presentation awards ceremony.

I am proud and privileged to work with everyone within the Corrimal Community, and am exceptionally proud of the work that my staff provide for our students. I look forward to continuing to work to improve Corrimal High School so that it becomes the school of choice for our community.

Thank you and have a Merry Christmas and a safe holiday.

Despite the fact that the year is coming to an end, Corrimal High School continues to be a hive of activity.

Last week, we were fortunate to be able to host the Towradgi Public School end of year concert. It was great to see so many kids having an awesome time doing something that they love with their friends and classmates. The event was very well supported with over 450 spectators attending the night performance. Students from Corrimal HS provide tech, AV and lighting support for both the matinee and night performances. This is the start of what I hope will be a long lasting relationship.

I have been fortunate to be able to attend the annual presentation award ceremonies for each of our partner schools. It is amazing to see the quality of the students and their achievements in Primary school. With the vast majority of these great kids coming to Corrimal High School in 2020, we are sure to see these students contribute to the improvements that our current students have made in many areas, as well as additional opportunities created and provided for all of our students.

Week 10 of this term will culminate in a Celebration Day with a variety of activities provided for our students to participate in on the Monday, followed by our annual Activities day on Tuesday.

With school reports coming out this week, I encourage all students to ensure that they look thoroughly over their report to identify the areas that their teacher have identified for improvement, while celebrating all of their individual personal achievements. I also encourage parents to read through the exams to get ideas about what their child needs to improve on and how they can assist with this improvement.

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I hope that every member of our school and wider community has a relaxing and restful Christmas and holiday. I look forward to continuing our journey together in 2020.

Paul Roger

Principal – Corrimal High School

ALSO IN THE ISSUE

TRANSITION SCIENCE SPORT CAROLS LEADERS PERFORM

DATE EVENT DATE EVENT

DECEMBER 16 CELEBRATION DAY

DECEMBER 17 ACTIVITIES DAY

DECEMBER 17 SCHOOL ENDS JANUARY 29/30 SCHOOL RETURNS

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TRANSITION

TABLETOP GAME

On Thursday 28/11/19 representatives from the University of Wollongong hosted a workshop for some of our Year 10 students to work through how to balance the requirements of tertiary study.

Through this workshop the University hopes to modify an American designed board game to suit Australian students. The students enjoyed having to meet the weekly challenges of tertiary study and how they need to balance study, work and their personal life to be able to be successful at university.

The students also provided valuable feedback and constructive ideas to help in the development of

an Australian version of the board game to be used with high school students in the near future.

PREMIERS SPORTING CHALLENGE

On the 25th of October Corrimal High Students from year 8 and 9 attended the ‘Premiers Sporting Challenge – Leading With Action’ training day at Dapto High School. On this day our students participated in a number of sports workshops including AFL, Rugby League, Futsal, Golf, Netball, Ultimate Frisbee, Cricket and Dance. These workshops were delivered by accredited coaches and assisted in developing our student’s leadership, coaching, organisational and planning skills. This has helped equip our student’s confidence and expertise to run their own coaching sessions to be delivered at our Premiers Sporting Challenge Gala Day next year. The students were engaged and extremely well behaved, they even lasted the whole day in the 36 degrees sun! Well done to some of our future sports leaders, you did Corrimal High School proud. Mr McDonald.

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BASKETBALL

COENRAAD CUP

On Tuesday 3/12/19, Year 7 and 8 students from Corrimal High School travelled to the Snakepit to participate in the Coenraad Cup Basketball Gala Day Schools from Nowra to Bulli attended the day and competition was tight. The focus of the day was to provide an opportunity for students of the Illawarra to experience Basketball and develop their skills and knowledge. Both the Boys and Girls teams played 4 games over the day and got to experience competitive basketball in a fun and supportive environment. Despite some mixed results it was great to see the students represent Corrimal High School with pride and good sportsmanship.

WHITECARD On Thursday 5/12/19, interested Year 10 students from Corrimal High School completed a White Card course. A White Card is the common name for the ‘Prepare to Work Safely in the Construction Industry CPCCWHS1001’ training course. Holding a valid White Card means that students have completed official, certified general construction induction training. This is necessary for any student wanting to work or complete Work Experience in the Construction Industry. It is also an important component of the Year 11 and 12 Construction Course offered at Corrimal High School.

Mr Sullivan, Careers Adviser

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CAROLS IN CORRIMAL 2019

This year was the fourth annual Carols in Corrimal – a community organised project involving the Corrimal Chamber of Commerce, Corrimal Cougars RLA and the Corrimal CoS school network. The event attracts a large crowd and this year was no different. The Carols in Corrimal team put together a fantastic night with local artists from CoS schools, IJVE Southern Stars and of course, our wonderful and talented Corrimal High School students. The night was amazing and you performed exceptionally well. Bring on Carols in Corrimal 2020!

This week, some lucky students had a great time participating in a trial session for a bike riding program.

The program will run next year and is targeted at supporting people of all abilities to develop the physical strength, coordination and safety awareness to ride safely. We can't wait! Thank you to Bryan Goddard (B's Bike Worx) for sharing his passion!

BIKE PROGRAM

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BOTANIC GARDEN EXCURSION

On Friday the 22nd of November, a group of year 8 students went on a science excursion to the

Botanical Gardens. The students took the train to North Wollongong and from there on they had

a bit of a walk to reach their destination. The students, accompanied by Mr Heng and Miss Temple,

studied and examined different aspects of the ecosystem. The students conducted many activities

that included identifying a variety of plants and their features. They took the estimated

measurements of some plants along with an example sketch that resembled them. The students

were challenged by their teachers to go on a hunt for different insects, reptiles, plants and birds.

This challenge was such an adventurous and fun pursuit for everyone. After all the hard work, the

students deserved a break so they had lunch in the most wonderful, colourful and relaxing

environment. Overall, the year 8 students had a great outcome of their little adventure, as they

gained face to face knowledge with nature. There’s no other place that can provide such an

experience like the most welcoming Botanical Gardens.

Last week, one of our superstars performed at the EPHEA Conference. This was attended by 400 tertiary educators from Australia, New Zealand, the USA and England. The conference guests were so impressed by the songs she performed and were full of superlatives post-performance. She also received a $150 donation for the Music Department. Well done Tarnni Foster!

CONFERENCE PERFORMANCE

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SURFING This term the students have been lucky to enjoy some great morning participating in School Surfing for Sport early on a Wednesday. Students complete their Ocean Safety Surfer Award (OSSA) before being eligible to participate in this sport. The group meets early on a Wednesday morning to make the most of the favourable surfing conditions. After surfing, students attend lessons as normal. School surfing will again be offered Term 1, 2020.

Mr Sullivan and Mr Wellings

On Monday the 9/12/19, selected Year 10 students travelled to Delano Specialty Coffee in North Wollongong to undertake a Barista Course. Students learnt the skills for a barista role in a specialty coffee environment. They were taught about espresso equipment and how to use it, as well as science based espresso coffee preparation, sketching and texturing milk, and a typical cafe menu. It was a very hands on experience for the students and look forward to them putting their new skills into practice at the next school function.

Congratulation to Georgia Bird for winning the Coffee Making Competition!!

COFFEE TRAINING

Thanks again to Delano Specialty Coffee, North Wollongong, for providing this opportunity free of charge to our students.

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BASKETBALL

3 ON 3 COMPETITION

During lunchtimes on Tuesdays and Thursdays Corrimal High students have been able to participate in a 3 on 3 Basketball Competition for Term 4. Students selected their own teams and students participated in a round robin format where each team played each other. On Thursday 28/11/19 there was the Final between the LA Lakers and the Ballerz. The Lakers were to strong and won the Championship. Congratulations to the Lakers players and all those involved in the competition. It was a great atmosphere each lunchtime and it was pleasing to see so many students shooting hoops and enjoying the music each lunch time

LIBRARY NEWS

Premiers Reading Challenge 2019

Corrimal High School proudly acknowledges and congratulates all students who participated in and completed the 2019 Premiers Reading Challenge. Certificates will be handed out at the end of the year for successful students.

Living Books

This term we were fortunate enough to have the Wollongong City Council Living Books Program held in the Corrimal High School library for our Year 10 students. Wollongong Living Books is a program where real people, known as ‘books’, share their life stories and experiences. As a reader, the students engaged in conversations with the ‘books’, asked questions, and listened to their stories. The ‘books’ came from lots of different backgrounds. They all had a unique story to tell that helped students see the world in new ways and challenge stereotypes. This was a great program for our students and we thank the Wollongong City Council for the opportunity.

For the full story, visit our website here.