Narrabri High School Community News Educational Excellence and Innovation in a Unique Caring Environment

November 2019

Meetings 18th November in Library

6.00pm Canteen Committee 6.30pm P & C Meeting

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Principal’s Report The year has passed so quickly…again. By the time that you read this newsletter we will only have a month of school remaining – a very busy month as we get ready for Presentation Night, end of year reports and planning for 2020. Our students have confidently approached the challenge of the HSC examinations. Some were finished after a little more than a week, and others have to wait until the final day. Our three extension Science students, Rochelle Hensley, Layten Smith and Georgia Goodhew attracted a lot of attention with the NSW Minister for Education, Mrs Sarah Mitchell visiting the school on Friday, 18th October to talk with them. As this is the first time that the course has been offered, Mrs Mitchell was keen to get feedback from country students, as this is one area of great personal interest to her. A relaxed conversation took place, with our students providing some well thought out answers to a variety of questions. The Minister was very impressed with our students. Georgia and Layten spoke with ABC radio after the Science extension examination. They were articulate and their answers were thoughtful. If you would like to listen to the broadcast please go to our Facebook page and click on the link. We have talented musicians at the school and it is pleasing to note that they have external recognition. Matt Nash and Layten Smith have been nominated for possible inclusion in ENCORE, a selection of performances and compositions from Higher School Certificate Music students. Matt Nash was also

selected for the school spectacular-just before the Physics examination! To state the obvious, we are in drought. There are so many people who are not sitting back, and are helping in a variety of ways. Laura McFarland is a Year 10 student who was asked to attend the UNICEF Youth Drought Summit / Forum in Lake Macquarie during the school holidays (4 days). She was one of 88 participants from across NSW representing rural youth and found the event to be worthwhile. The group engaged in activities and discussions and met with a number of Ministers from a wide range of portfolios. The participants had to create questions for the Ministers and executive representatives to address. Laura participated in an ABC radio interview with five others discussing their experiences and their ideas. She has received an invitation from UNICEF to attend the ABC Q&A at the ABC TV studio on Monday 28th October – which she did. Some of her questions were asked during the discussion and she is looking to be more involved in future rural, youth drought initiatives. A really impressive young lady.

C a l e n d a r

December

2-6 Year 10 Work Experience

10 Special Assembly

11 Presentation Night

12 Gold Day 1

13 Gold Day 2

18 Last Day of Term 4 for Students

19-20 Staff Development Days

February 2020

4 Staff Development Day

5 Term 1 starts for Years 7, 11 & 12

6 Term 1 starts for Years 8, 9 & 10

April

9 End of Term 1

10 Good Friday (Public Holiday)

Many of our students support community initiatives, and is was pleasing to get a call from representatives of the Westpac Helicopter group who were so glowing in their praise of our students who took part in one of their fundraisers. They followed this up by speaking to the whole school on the assembly and providing each of them with a thank you certificate.

I had the great pleasure of recently talking with Fiona and Peter Tuckey, who are the parents of three current students, in addition to two students who have finished their schooling. They are very proud of all of their children, but particularly Will, who completed his HSC in 2014. I remember Will very fondly as I had the pleasure of teaching

him History for most of the time that he was at the school, and he also went on the Europe excursion to France and Italy. Will has been working locally, but also writing novels, with one of them recently published by Austin Macauley Publishers. The title is "The Red to my Grey", and it is a "story of lovers, a wild city and a paternal murderer looming over both the city and Wade". Whilst this novel may not be appropriate for younger students, I will order a copy for the library. What a great achievement, well done Will, we are very proud of you. RAISE is a student wellbeing program run by Anna Dugdale with 16 students and 16 volunteer mentors. I recently attended their graduation and it was clear to see the big difference that this program has made for the students and the mentors. Anna has been successfully running this program since 2015, along with Mrs Wallace from our school. Well done to everyone!

Tim Shields of Year 9 recently represented the North West in Cricket. This is a great achievement, as most of the students at the state carnival were 17 or 18 years of age. I received an email from his coach which said: “Tim was outstanding in the way he conducted himself on and off the field. He represented himself, the region and your school by displaying great sportsmanship and exceptional behaviour and it was a pleasure to have him in the side.” Great work Tim, we are so proud of you.

Congratulations to our 2020 Leaders

Congratulations to our leaders for 2020. Captains: Breeana Smith and Andrew Coleman Vice Captains: Meagan Dampney and Alex Loder Prefects: Sara Charles, Alyssa Ford, Caitlyn Ford and Jesse Strong

RAISE Foundation mentoring Program

During Term 2 and 3 the Raise Foundation facilitated the one-on-one mentoring program which was offered to 16 of our students. The main purpose of the program is to empower young people to become resilient, capable and connect. This program has been running in our school for 5 years and we will be offering this mentoring program again next year. If you are interested in becoming a mentor please go to https://raise.org.au/volunteer/ and apply to be a mentor. For as little as two hours a week, you could help change the direction of a young person’s life. Listening, and actually hearing what a young person has to say can make all the difference. Narrabri High School are very grateful for the time and effort that the volunteer mentors have spent with our students over the last two terms.

Summer Uniform

We want to remind you of the school’s full summer uniform, which we encourage students to be wearing. Please remember appropriate black leather/suede shoes are compulsory. NO leggings, short shorts, footy shorts or t-shirts are to be worn. If your child is out of uniform, please provide a note of explanation. Financial support is available for purchasing the uniform. Please contact the school on 6792 1633 with any questions.

Junior Girls Summer Uniform

• School Dress - white collar and cuffs

• Tailored navy skirt or shorts

• Navy polo with school emblem Junior Boys Summer Uniform

• Grey shorts (SCAGS or 720’s)

• Navy polo with school emblem Senior Girls Summer Uniform

• Tailored navy skirt or shorts

• Senior polo shirt with school emblem

• Midford - sky blue shirt- collared and button up Senior Boys Summer Uniform

• Navy Shorts

• Senior polo shirt with school emblem

• Midford - sky blue shirt-collared and button up Girls and Boys Summer Sports Uniform

• Black or Blue shorts • Light blue polo shirt with school emblem

Canteen News

Thanks Narrabri Shire council for your funding through the 2019/2020 Community Grants Fund. The Narrabri High School Canteen Committee was successful in obtaining a grant and will be using the funding for refurbishment and purchase of new equipment. This will allow the canteen to change the menu and implement the NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy that comes into effect from 2020 and offer a better range of healthier food choices to the students and staff at Narrabri High School.

The NHS Canteen Committee would also like to thank Narrabri High School for their support of the canteen this year. The School has provided funds to update some appliances in the canteen to help implement the NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy.

If you have some spare time during school hours next year or even in the next few weeks of the school term, come and give the canteen a go, we need volunteers. It really isn’t difficult and we need your support. Give Lynne and Judy a call and get your name on the roster! Any support of the canteen is needed either by way of

volunteering or by students and staff purchasing from the canteen. All money from the canteen goes back to the students at NHS through donations to the P&C Committee. Kylee Forbes - Canteen Committee President

Moorambilla Voices

At the end of Term 3, Logan Hewett of Year 9 participated in the Moorambilla Voices Camp and Performances. The camp was held at Baradine where the students worked with industry professionals to develop their skills in singing, movement and percussion. At the conclusion of the camp the students were bussed to Dubbo where they performed at the Dubbo Regional Theatre.

The Moorambilla Voices program provides a unique opportunity for young people in remote and regional communities to share their creative selves in an environment that celebrates capacity. The program is headed by Michelle Leonard OAM each year. Logan’s involvement this year was part of the MAXed OUT ensemble. This energetic and dynamic ensemble has at its heart the discipline and power of Taiko, the strength and grace of contemporary dance, and the beauty of voice in flight. The candidates in this ensemble show exceptional leadership not only in this ensemble but within their schools and communities. It is a very high honour for Logan to be selected for this ensemble. Logan said that he thoroughly enjoyed his time with the Moorambilla team and strongly recommends it to all students out there with a passion for music and dance.

14 Years Girls Softball Narrabri High School 14 years Girls Softball team travelled to Tamworth on Wednesday 23rd October to play in the North West 14 years Gala Day. Narrabri played Macintyre High in the first game and won 16 – 11. Highlight of the game was the 3 base and 2 base hits by Tashanny Clark. Millie McCauley had a brilliant pickup at right outfield and threw to Jacki Collett on 1st to make the out. Pitcher/Catcher combination of Miranda Collett and Claudia Penberthy worked very well. In the second game, Tamworth High were too good and ran out winners 13 - 1. Narrabri batters had trouble contacting with the Tamworth pitcher who was very fast. Narrabri then played Coonabarabran in their last game and won 14 – 8. Double play by Krista Zarka was a standout. The improvement in all the girls was amazing, as they only had 3 training sessions. This, combined with very limited experience in playing softball, means they should be very happy with the way they played. They were such a nice group to take away and represent Narrabri High, their sportsmanship was excellent. Team members: - Krista Zarka, Claudia Penberthy, Mya Dansey, Tashanny Clark, Miranda Hamilton, Meika Foley, Jacqueline Collett, Amielia McCauley, Holly Ford, Laine McCauley and Cilla Hamblin. A big thankyou to Mr Russell for driving the bus. Cindy Neil (Coach)

Years 7/8 Girls & Boys Touch

On Thursday 24th October the Girls Year 7/8 Touch team travelled to Tamworth for 6 games of Touch football. The girls were very unlucky to lose their first game which cost them a shot at the grand final. The girls finished 2nd overall and just missed out on going to Sydney next month for the state finals. The girls played 3 schools twice each. Defeating Quirindi High School and Tamworth High School once each and McCarthy Catholic College in both games. The girls improved with every game and were very impressive to watch with nearly every girl scoring a try. Miranda Hamilton, Krista Zarka and Tashanny Clark scored the most tries. Piper Williams received the Coaches Award for her dedication and improvement on the day and Miranda Hamilton was best on and off the field. The girls should be very proud of their efforts. On Thursday 24th October the Boys Year 7/8 Touch team travelled to Tamworth to compete in the NSW Touch Regional Qualifiers. The boys had a successful day only losing one of their pool games to McCarthy Catholic College but then going on to beat them in the Final. The Final was a hard fought game and the boys showed true spirit coming from 3 tries down to eventually win the game. This now sees the boys travel to Sydney on 22nd November to compete against the best schools in the state at the State All Schools Championships. Special mention to Jaylan Sharpley who was the team's best and fairest on the day as well as leading try scorer, and to Jarmarl Zarka who received the Coaches Award for his exceptional leadership skills as the team captain on the day. Up the Emus!!!!

Year 9 Art Class Year 9 Art had a special guest visit on Tuesday 23rd October. Miffy came in and modelled for the class, who are studying Alba the “glow in the dark” rabbit, for their topic Art and Technology.

Year 7 Japanese Year 7 are working on a new collaborative unit designed by the Art, Music and Japanese staff. They are creating a piece of Japanese Theatre to be presented in Week 8. In Art they will be creating masks to wear for their performance. In Music they will be creating the soundtrack to their play and in Japanese they will be working on the characters and scenery as well as the script. The plays the students have chosen are Peach Boy (Momotaroo), The Rolling Rice Ball, Ninja Rescue and The 7 Goats. During class they will be also looking at the different types of Japanese Theatre. These are Noh – masked theatre and slow movements, Kabuki – singing, dance and acrobatics, and Bunraku – puppet theatre. They will utilise some or all aspects of these types of theatre in their performances.

Congratulations Year 12 2019

Clontarf News

Term 4 has started off well for the Narrabri Clontarf Academy, we have more boys engaging in the program, with good numbers attending the Morning Training and afternoon activities. In week 2, seven Clontarf boys attended a Clontarf Cricket Carnival in Bourke. The boys had a great time seeing what it was like out west.

Week 3 we had Clayton Guest, Bailey Ballangarry and Jeffery Harvey attend the Annual Clontarf Leadership Camp at Glenrock, Newcastle. The boys participated in the Raw Fit Challenge where they were tested with a tough obstacle course which took 1.5 hours to complete. The boys then completed some Leadership workshops, listened to some inspirational guest speakers and then completed their Clontarf Year 12 Pledge.

In the upcoming weeks our boys will be competing in a Fox Sports Oz Tag Day at Leichardt Oval Sydney, where the boys will get to rub shoulders with some NRL Stars and some of the leading Fox Sports Rugby League stars with the likes of Matthew Johns, Nathan Hindmarsh and Bryan Fletcher will be playing with and against our boys.

There has been a great variety of activities over the term with a swim at the local pool for training followed by breakfast at the local B & B. The boys volunteered to wash the bus, great job boys.

With plenty of camps and activities planned for the remainder of the term including our End of Year Awards night on the 27.11.19, the boys have a lot to look forward to. Remember you must attend the Awards Night, have school attendance of above 90%, and 85% attendance at training to be included in the end of term camps.

RSL Mural School students and staff have donated a mural to Narrabri RSL to commemorate Remembrance Day 2019.

Year 9 & 10 Textiles

Year 9 and 10 students during Term 3 were busy creating their upcycling outfits from preloved fashion. The girls then modelled their beautiful finished outfits at the Westpac Helicopter Fundraiser.

Well Done Eric

Eric Knox has been attending Narrabri High School since Term 2 2019. Eric is completely deaf and blind, and is greatly enjoying his time here as a student. He is learning to use a cane and how to move around the school safely. He loves going to Mrs Duncan’s room and catching up with her

class. Eric is learning to cook and wash up, empty recycling boxes, bounce, kick and pass a ball, and to communicate with the other students. He can already find his way from the Ag plot to the library without assistance, including using the elevator. Eric gets very excited when he gets dressed in his school uniform, as he knows this means he is going to school.

Capers 2019

Six Narrabri High School students recently spent a week in Tamworth rehearsing for Capers 2019 culminating in a matinee and two night performances on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th November. Capers is a bi-annual event held at the TREC in Tamworth showcasing vocal, music and dance students from public schools across our region.

James Madden performed with the Show Band playing saxophone with the staff musicians including a solo for the entire show. He also assisted with the smaller concert band at intermission when they were entertaining the crowds.

Andrea Brown (percussion), Ian Berney and Tess Redfern (both on trumpet) played with the concert band who started the show by joining the show band on stage for the grand parade and then entertaining the crowds at intermission in front of the TREC. They then rejoined the show band on stage for the grand finale. Vocalists Lauren Brown and Ben Wheeler were both selected as featured artist vocalists after they auditioned in March and were selected in the final 16 out of 38 candidates. Ben was outstanding with his performance of “Who I’d Be” and Lauren bought the crowd to tears with her rendition of “Send In The Clowns”. Both performers were involved in most of the pieces throughout the entire 3 ½ hour show with the other 14 featured artists.

The students learned to work with dancers around them, stage positioning, quick costume changes and techniques relating to theatrical and stage performing. All six of these

students were outstanding ambassadors for Narrabri High School with their behaviour, manners and attitude towards the tutors and other students. Although they were exhausted after the intense week I am sure they are all looking forward to Capers 2021.

Congratulations Charlie North

Congratulations to Charlie North who travelled to Tamworth on Friday 1st November to compete in the 2019 Northern NSW School Down The Line Shooting Carnival. Charlie was competing in only his 3rd Down The Line shoot against 42 other shooters. Charlie achieved some great results – Overall Winner in C Grade, second in 25T Single Barrel with a score of

23/155 and First in 15 Pair Double Rise with a score of 142/155, Charlie’s other scores were 25T Double Barrel 22/25 and 25T Points Score 72/75.

Year 7 Team Building

YEAR 7 TEAM is a program developed by Narrabri Schools Ministry to help Year 7 develop their team work skills and conflict resolution skills. So far there have been two sessions for each Year 7 class. The students have been challenged to rearrange themselves without stepping off a set of logs. Also challenged to

turn over a towel without stepping off it. These activities have been designed to cause the students to consider and develop their communication techniques.

Drama Excursion On Monday 28th October to Friday 1st November, 17 Drama students from Years 9, 10 & 11 caught the train to Sydney with Ms Manchee & Miss Phillips to participate in workshops and see a musical and two plays. Below are some of the students’ thoughts of the excursion: • What I enjoyed were the workshops. How we learnt a lot

more about Drama. I also enjoyed how after the plays we got to ask the actors questions. We could see how they felt in the play and another aspect of the actor’s life – Holli

• Going into it I didn’t know what to expect from the workshops, but after doing them it gave me a new view on Drama. At the workshops we were taught how to use space and our body movement to greater effect – Lachlan

• I enjoyed the excursion quite a lot, the plays were pretty cool and interesting. The workshops we went to were fun and helpful to be involved in, particularly the improv workshop – Jamie

• What surprised me was how relaxed the workshops were.

They were really fun and helped improve my Drama skills –

Addi

• FANGIRLS – I was surprised that this was a musical, but really

enjoyed it. I didn’t think I would enjoy this play but I really did,

I loved it and the characters and the storyline. It was fun,

entertaining and showed a valuable lesson in life – Em

• My favourite part about the Drama excursion was going to

the Belvoir Theatre and watching Fangirls. I liked that it was a

musical and the play was very entertaining. The workshops

we went to were also very good and we all learnt a lot more –

May

• I liked watching FANGIRLS because it wasn’t what I expected.

It was different to what I’ve seen before and it was a really

good play. – Lana

• I really enjoyed the workshops, FANGIRLS, Slaughter house

and shopping. I thought it was a great experience – Ella

• I really enjoyed the workshops with Belvoir Theatre. We learnt

heaps and had loads of fun playing games to work on our

Drama skills – Olivia

• In my opinion the best part of the Drama excursion were the

workshops as they taught me a lot about acting and all the

different techniques and how much fun we had with it all and

how we all worked together – Ebonie

• To be honest, I don’t have one particular part that I’d say is

my favourite part of the excursion. I really enjoyed the

workshops and being taught by people that are in theatre. In

particular, the improvisation was my favourite workshop. I

also liked the plays and seeing how actors and set designers

use a variety of stage sizes. Also, I loved having the

opportunity to be more independent without my parents

being around. I missed them, but I reckon it was a great

glimpse of how life could be like out of school and at

university on my own or with friends. – Riley