Asquith Boys High School Community Newsletter

Principal: Terry Griffiths Deputy Principal: Bruce Collins Phone: 9477 3508 Fax: 9482 2546 www.asquithboy-h.schools.nsw.edu.au asquithboy-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

2011 Higher School Certificate

EXEMPLARY ACHIEVEMENT OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

Quang Tan Phat (Ethan) Ngo Hayden Edgecumbe Alex Marokky Stephen Wilson Christopher Jones Max Morris Maximillian Lanzetti Dylan Van Noort Byung Rock (Alex) Lim

EXCELLENT ACHIEVEMENT Viliami Alipate Benjamin Lancaster Daniel Nicholson Adam Shields Gordon Broome James Logan Jiahao (Charlie) Qian Daniel Whiting Matthew Buwalda Mitchell McAskill Rhys Raymond-Jones Bren Yema Joshua Hobson

2011 School Certificate

EXEMPLARY ACHIEVEMENT OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

Timothy Buwalda Cameron Nicolas James Hill Austin Carey Samuel Penno James Sheridan Aaron Clarke Matthew Smith Michael Fuary Alexander Thomas Sung Kim Thomas Tuynman Zach Waddell

EXCELLENT ACHIEVEMENT MERIT CERTIFICATES

Nicholas Andrews Sydney Miller Brendan Alder Christopher Marfleet Samuel Dennis Eden Percival Sehaj Chawla Jake Osypenko Benjamin Gunther Brett Riley Joshua Denyer Alastair Powell Mikelis Knochs James Thompson George Izatt Arman Shahdosti Mitchell Koellner Riley Travers Bale Koroi Mitchel Van Noort Longjie (Jack) Li Jiabin (Paul) Yu Brandon Liquete

FEBRUARY

2012

Some of the 2011

HSC Honour

Certificate Recipients

The 2011 SC Honour Certificate Recipients

HSC & SC HIGH ACHIEVERS FORMAL ASSEMBLY

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

A very warm welcome to all new students and their families to the Asquith Boys High School

community. Despite some inclement weather, we have had a very positive start to the school year. The swimming carnival, for the second year in a row, was held at Woy Woy Pool, and was a very successful and enjoyable day. Our first formal assembly, to honour our 2011 Higher School Certificate and School Certificate high achievers, was held last week and it was great to see so many outstanding students from

last year’s Year 12 and their parents. The guest speakers, ABHS old boys Mr Stig Falster and Mr Mick Marr, both gave rousing speeches designed to motivate our students. I expect that 2012 will be a challenging and exciting year for the school as Asquith Boys continues to go from strength to strength.

New Staff

At the end of last year Ms Schadel was successful in gaining the substantive position of Head Teacher English. Mr Razzaghi is currently relieving as Head Teacher Mathematics. We also welcome the following new members of staff: Mr Josephs (TAS); Mrs Hogg (Maths); Mrs Robinson (HSIE, Languages); Mr Fisher

(HSIE, Music); and Ms Nabavieh (English).

P and C

Thanks to all parents and staff who attended our annual Parent/Teacher BBQ. I enjoyed meeting the parents of so many new students. The BBQ was followed by the P and C Annual General Meeting. Thanks to all those who attended. The Asquith Boys President for 2012 will once again be Mr John Koellner. I look

forward to working with Mr Koellner and the P & C throughout this year. I urge all parents to take an active interest in school affairs and to attend at least one P and C meeting this year. The position of P & C Grounds Maintenance Officer is currently unfilled. If you are interested, please contact me at school.

Contributions At the School Council finance meeting at the end of last year we were forced to make significant cuts to

our 2012 budget. This was due to an increase in expenditure in utilities and other areas but also because of a significant decline in the rate of payment by parents of school contributions (what used to be called “school fees”). This is very disappointing. Each year the school is reliant on parents paying their

contributions in order for us to provide the ongoing resources of a first class education. My thanks go to parents who have already paid their contributions for 2012. There will be an invoice sent in the next few weeks for outstanding school contributions. Prompt payment would be greatly appreciated. If you are

unable to pay the full amount, arrangements can be made to pay in instalments. In cases of extreme financial hardship, applications can be made to access funds through the Student Assistance Scheme. Contact the school office for details.

Uniform

It was great to see nearly all students return at the beginning of the year so well attired. The boys look great when they present in their full school uniform, including the appropriate black leather shoes. I ask all parents and students to maintain this standard throughout the year, especially when we make the crossover to winter uniform in Term 2.

Terry Griffiths, Principal

SRC REPORT After another successful Leadership Camp in 2011, the new SRC body has been elected. These students have been selected by their peers because they are respected and have the

ability to be a leader. The members of the SRC are the voice of the school and are there to represent their year. I am happy to present the following SRC students for 2012:

Yr8 Yr9 Yr10 Yr11 Yr12 Joel Winch (District Rep)

Kobe Blonner-Sullivan Sam Bird

Callum Fenech Griffin Sleigh

Brandon Lukich-Yang (District Rep)

Cooper Fitzgerald Jordan Garland

Hayden Dudfield

Harry Gibbons Ben Cant Jeffrey

Featherston Liam Szabo

Brett Riley (President)

Mitchell Koellner (Snr District Rep) Michael Fuary (Snr District Rep)

Austin Carey

Nick Bepper

Jeff Rodrick (Vice President) Sam Gibbons (Secretary/SRC)

Rishi Halkhoree (Treasure/SRC) Max Sharkey

SRC meetings are held EVERY Monday at lunch, in the DEM. It is important that everyone attends and is on time. I look forward to a productive year.

Miss Mashman, SCR Coordinator

Two Days at Leadership Camp

On 28th & 29th of November 2011, the Years 11 and 12 Prefect Body travelled to the annual leadership camp at Galston Gorge Crusader Camp. Over the period of the two days, we conferred and organised what we will be doing for this year and for the future generations to come. It was also to help us develop certain leadership styles that would help our group succeed in bringing our ideas for the future to fruition.

Mr Laing, Mrs Aime Liiband, Mr Moscos and other teachers came to help us improve our leadership skills. Mr Laing with Ms Aime Liiband helped us develop new ideas on how to approach issues that are affecting our school. These issues were generally bullying, school presentation/appearance, fostering links with the local community, and delivering the Code of Conduct to the Year 7 cohort coming in this year.

Mr Moscos gave a session on public speaking. He provided us with several alternative speech techniques that would help us either to calm down or to improve our execution of speeches. He also held a workshop where we would perform a lecture that covered what we considered important. Several people talked on how certain things should be banned, or how a particular sport should be considered the best of all sports (i.e. AFL or soccer).

Besides that, we participated with the newly elected SRC members on teamwork activities. This was to become familiar with each other and develop greater friendships and trust. These included; Trivia Time, Survival Challenge and other hands-on scenarios that would help us develop practical thinking and leadership skills.

On movie night, we watched an old fashioned Robin Hood film that Mr Moscos had brought with him, followed by a short Trivia quiz. Unfortunately we couldn’t finish it before it was time to go to bed. The next morning, we woke up around 7:00 in the morning to pack our bags, (you can imagine the amount of groaning that went on during that time), and to wait for the bus to pick us up. During that wait, Ms Aime Liiband, Mr Laing brought the Prefect Body of Years 11 and 12 and the SRC members together to review what we learned yesterday and to fine-tune our plans for the future.

The two day camp was a success in supporting our burgeoning leadership skills and in improving our concept of what to achieve for this year and to leave behind for the future leaders of the school to use. The success of the camp was all to do with Mrs Liiband’s help and guidance and Mr Laing’s experience. This camp has become essential to the Prefect Body’s learning. A big thumbs up for them and I hope that future generations will benefit from the same experience that I had at this camp.

Marcus Limbert (Yr 12 Prefect)

CAPA NEWS - Asquith Boys High School Artexpress AGNSW Exhibition 2012 Gordon Broome – “Abstract Intercept”

Artist Statement Gordon Broome

“Abstract Intercept.”

Painting

I interpreted signs, symbols and hidden language underlying the male domain of

rugby. I recontextualised them into a network of layers, plays, boundaries and

signals which transformed the secret language to evoke ideas of urban graffiti,

social commentary and phallic symbols to emphasise maleness. My abstractions

push the boundaries of paint application, influenced by Jackson Pollock, Basquiat,

Guy Maistre and Elizabeth Cummings. I worked intuitively, using whatever was

available to paint on and with, and my tools included a toilet brush. Maistre

influenced limited palettes and he and Basquiat helped me with integration and

interplay of layers. One work accidentally became a diptych which led to further

development of the idea, using enlarged surfaces to create the sense of a

narrative playing field and passing time.

INTRODUCING OUR GORGEOUS

NEW PIANO…

HERE SHE IS AT LAST!

After a lengthy delay and search to find just the right instrument to join ABHS, our new grand

piano has arrived at our Auditorium. This has been the result of a long term process to upgrade

our facilities and prepare for the next 30 – 50 years music and performance at Asquith Boys High

School.

She is a Yamaha C3 Grand Piano, manufactured around December 1990 (serial No. E4950914).

She has had her maiden performance at the first formal assembly for 2012 two weeks ago.

The results are already apparent with Mizael Santos (Yr 12 HSC student) performing for our first

Formal Assembly of 2012 and putting on a wonderful performance, in part due to the higher

quality instrument.

We must say many thanks to all those people connected with the purchase of this fine instrument:

r Terry Griffiths,

Michael Williamson

ABHS SRC

ABHS P&C

several private donors including - the Reznick family and Mrs Joan Wilson (Reception).

Thanks also to Michael & Gloria Crouch for parting with their much beloved instrument.

We hope you can all join us to hear our new piano’s beautiful sound at a formal occasion soon.

Mr M. Williamson, Music Teacher

NANZAN BOYS HIGH

SCHOOL

LANGUAGES - JAPANESE

In August 2011 about 15 boys from Nanzan Boys High School stayed with host families from Asquith Boys High School. All the host families had a great time. I went to Japan in the holidays and had the privilege to visit Nanzan Boys High school near Nagoya. I participated in an English class. The Sensei (teacher) who had also come over to Australia had prepared a special lesson for me and the other students. I was told to sit down and the Sensei told the other students to get out their exercise books and I was given one too. The main activity involved the class listening to a Rihanna CD and filling out the lyrics of the song in English - that was pretty interesting. Then the Sensei handed out the homework (luckily I didn’t have to do it) and it was about five pages of questions in English. The visit to the school was a highlight of my trip.

All the boys who came over to Australia say

“Konnichiwa” and hope that all the families are well.

Jono Taylor (Yr 8)

Jono Taylor presenting gifts from Asquith Boys High to the Sensei.

Year 12 Physics

Mr Robertson’s Year 12 Physics class have just completed an assessment task on building a projectile launcher. All boys were given a rat trap and asked to modify it so it could launch small projectiles. The

designs the boys came up with were novel and some were extremely effective. Hamish Spinney won the challenge by launching a small metal object 35 metres away. That is longer than

an entire basketball court. Ahmad and Thomas were close behind with launches over 30 metres. Well done to all the boys.

The memories of ‘good ol’ Hornsby Pool will never fade, but for the second year in a row, we nevertheless, made our way back to Peninsula Leisure Centre at Woy Woy on the Central Coast for another very successful Swimming Carnival for Asquith Boys High School. We are becoming ‘regulars’ there now with our Year 7 Learn to Swim & Lifesaving Program as well as the Year 11 Bronze Medallion Course also being held at Peninsula Leisure Centre.

In complete contrast to last years searing heat and clear blue skies, our boys and staff were greeted with 22 degrees C and pouring rain! This of course, did not deter our spirited boys from showing up in even larger numbers than last year and swimming their hearts out in a condensed program to gain points for their house as well as attempt to gain selection in to the very competitive ABHS Swimming Team that will represent at the Zone Swimming Championships in early March just a few weeks away.

Once again, Railcorp and its staff exceeded our expectations in providing us with first class country trains combined with outstanding professional service that whisked our entire school body safely to and from Woy Woy in complete luxury. Our new Year 7 boys handled it all in their stride as seasoned high school students on only their 3rd day – a great effort. The rest of our boys knew ‘the drill’ from last year and were equally impressive in showing Year 7 the way to do it.

The day was another great show of participation from our students, but it was also a day where the best swimmers in the school got a chance to show their ability against each other in the contest for individual age champion points – and as usual, the competition was fierce! For the first time in many years, some records were toppled in the 12 years division by Caleb Alipate who powered through the water in his respective swims!

These records included: 1. 12 years 50 Fly – Caleb Alipate 33.68 (previous – 35.16 in 2000) 2. 12 years 50 Free – Caleb Alipate 31.05 (previous – 31.60 in 1981) 3. 12 years 50 Back – Caleb Alipate 37.24 (previous – 37.65 in 2009) 4. 12 years 50 Breast – Caleb Alipate 39.93 (previous – 42.20 in 1978) 5. 12 years 100 Free – Caleb Alipate 1.10.05 (previous 1.12.20 in 1998)

By the time all was ‘said & done’ the following boys had proved victorious as Age Champions for 2012:

12 Years – Caleb Alipate 15 Years – Jeffrey Featherston 13 Years – William Knipe 16 Years – Jacob Mandy 14 Years – Hayden Dudfield 17+ Years – Brett Riley

Congratulations to these boys and to all who showed up to help make another memorable carnival at ABHS.

Finally, our House Champion for the day was Myall on 256 points – well done to all the Myall swimmers!

2nd – Cooba on 232 points 3rd – Kurrajong on 179 points 4th – Wandoo on 176 points

There is still a long way to go in the race for overall 2012 Champion House with 2 more carnivals, a walkathon and numerous other events that contribute to House Points. Good luck to all Houses & well done on a tremendous start to the year at the Swimming Carnival.

Yours in swimming, Mr G. Corbitt

“Don’t you have any homework? “

How many times have you asked your son that question?

The school has a policy requiring students to use their planner to record the dates

and requirements for all homework and assignments. While this is a good way to

organise the students, it sometimes leaves parents wondering whether or not

homework has been given.

We are trialling a system for Years 11 and 12 where the staff will post a notification of all homework and

assessment to an electronically available calendar. The homework entries will be recorded on the calendar

at the due date.

Parents are invited to look at this resource to see upcoming work.

Accessing The Calendar: The calendar can be accessed by accessing our school website at

http://www.asquithboy-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/

Then select the “Useful Links & e-Learning menu” and then the “SENTRAL – Homework Calendars” Link.

Once there, you should bookmark it to avoid this procedure in the future.

Finally, select the appropriate year calendar from the list provided.

Sample: An example of part of the resulting calendar is shown below.

Look through the calendar for entries related to your son’s subjects. For example on Feb 15, there are

three entries. Mr Razzaghi’s Yr11 Maths class has homework due on that day. The details of the

homework will appear in the black box when you hover your mouse over the entry.

What about Years 7 to 10?

At this stage of the trial we are concentrating on Years 11 and 12. However staff have been given the

option of also using the calendars in the junior years. Some, but not all staff are using the calendars for the

junior years.

Sunday 4th March

Working Bee

Grab some old clothes and dust off your gardening tools, our school needs your help! On Sunday 4th March we are running a working bee

to tidy up our gardens and outdoor areas.

We have received a higher than usual amount of rainfall these last months and as a result our school is struggling to keep up with the general outdoor work required to maintain the neat and tidy

appearance we all expect.

The major pieces of work will be completed by our school staff but we will need plenty of

hands to put the finishing touches on the pathways, garden edges and garden beds. So if you love trimming, edging, weeding and all round cleanup work, please bring your tools and come along on Sunday 4th March from 10am – 4pm.

CANTEEN NEWS - February 2012

Canteen Volunteers

Thank you to those who have volunteered your time to assist in Canteen this year. We will be contacting you during this week, if we haven’t yet done so.

We still need more volunteers so please consider helping in our school canteen. We are short staffed on several days which means that the boys have to queue for longer periods to be served and preparation of our full

menu becomes more difficult. Please ring us on 9477-3508.

Cups of Hot Noodles A reminder that these are only sold in the second half of lunch. The Canteen is less busy at this time and therefore safer for foods containing hot water.

We Do Not Heat Food Brought From Home A reminder that it is our policy NOT to heat foods brought from home by students, except for cups

of noodles for which we charge 50c to add hot water. This service is NOT available at recess or the first half of lunch.

Lunch Orders Lunch orders can be placed at Canteen before school. Ordering can ensure that your favourite

food is available at lunch and you can also avoid queues at lunch. Price Rises

A Price List is included in this issue of Backchat. Any changes to the menu, or prices, will be notified via Backchat.

Red Days Canteen usually holds two Red Days per term. On these days, cakes, lollies and soft drink are available. We usually give approximately one weeks notice ahead of a Red Day, via notices

displayed in the Canteen. Ice Creams

We have a variety of ice creams available for sale in the second half of lunch only.

New Items Due to arrive in Canteen soon, are Cups of Peaches and Two Fruits at a cost

of $ 2.20. Maryanne Miller Canteen Manager

ASQUITH BOYS HIGH SCHOOL CANTEEN MENU 2012

ROLLS & LAVASH (available daily) Chicken/lett/Mayo………………..… $3.00 Lavash ½: Beef & Salad…………………….... $2.00 Chicken & Salad………………….. $2.00

ROLLS & LAVASH (available by order) Buttered……………………….….……$0.60 Cheese………………………….….…..$1.80 Chicken…………………………..…….$2.80

Chicken & Salad………………..…….$3.80 Egg & Lettuce…………………….…..$1.80 Ham……………………………….…….$2.80 Ham & Salad……………………….….$3.80 Peanut Butter……………………..…..$1.50 Salad………………………………..…..$3.00 Shredded Beef…………………….….$2.80 Vegemite………………………….……$1.50

Lavash: Chicken/Lett/Carrot/Cheese/Mayo..$4.00 Beef/Lett/Carrot/Cheese/Mayo….…$4.00

SALADS (available by order) Plate/Tub……………………………….$4.00 With Meat………….…………..…….$4.50

SUSHI (Tuesday & Thursday) Tuna/Beef/Chicken……………..……$2.80 FRUIT Seasonal Fruit available daily……..Price varies

YOGHURT……………………………………$2.00 CAKES & SNACKS Cheese & Bacon Rolls…………………..$1.00 Pikelets……………………………………..$0.60 Banana Bread…………………………………...….$2.20 Muffins (Low Fat-when available)…….....$1.80 Fun Buns ( “ )……………………….……..$1.80 Chips………………………………………..$1.00

HOT FOOD (available daily)

Beef Roll - with Tom/Cheese/Tom Sauce… $3.60 Chicken Burger - with Lett/Mayo……….. $3.20 Chicken & Corn Roll………………….…….$1.50 Chicken Chips…………………………… …$1.50 Chicken Wraps:

Chilli Chicken Tenders/Lett/

Carrot/Cheese/Mayo… …..….$4.00 Egg & Bacon Roll…………………………...$3.50 Garlic Bread………………………………… $1.00 Hot Dogs……………………………………...$2.20 Lamb Roll:

With Tom/Cheese/BBQ Sauce……... $3.80 Meatball Roll: With Tom/Cheese/Tom Sauce…… $3.50 Meat Pie……………………………...…… $3.00 Pizza Pie…………………………………… $3.00 Potato Pie………………………………… $3.00 Potato Wedges…………………………… $1.50 Pizza…………………………………………..$2.80 Pizza Rounda………………………………..$2.40 Noodles……………………………………….$2.20 Sausage Roll…………………………………$2.00 Sweet Chilli Tenders(2)……………………$2.40

HOT FOOD (available by order)

Beef Spring Roll……………………………..$1.60 Chicken Burger:

On Buttered Roll…………………….. $2.20 With Lett/Mayo/Pineapple………….. $3.40 With Salad…………………………… $3.80

Chicken Crunchy Royale Roll: With Tom/Lett/Mayo………………... $3.40

Corn Cobbettes……………………………. $0.70 Dim Sims (3)………………………………. $1.80 Vegetable Burgers……………………….. $3.20

HOT MEALS (One available daily) Butter Chicken & Rice………………….…$3.40 Ravioli……………………………………….. $2.20 Spaghetti Bolognaise…………………….. $2.20 Vegetarian Hokkien Noodles…………… $2.20

DRINKS Milk: Plain 600ml……………… $2.10 Flavoured: 300ml…………………….… $2.20

600ml…………………….… $3.30 Juice: 375ml……………………… . $2.00

500ml………………………. $2.60 Up & Go…….......................................... $2.20 Fruit Box Poppers…………………… $1.20 Quencher Flavoured Spring Water…… . $3.00 Water 600ml……………………………… $2.00 Pump Flavoured Water…………………… $2.50 Cans………………………………………….. $2.00 Bottles of Diet Drink……………………… .$3.20 Hot Chocolate: (Before School/Winter Only)…………….…. $1.50

The next P&C meeting 8:00pm

Tuesday 27 March

in the Library.

All welcome.

ABHS Shopping Tour 2011

An eager group of women gathered together at the beginning of the day ready for our quest: to purchase goods for family, friends and our homes with the added bonus of fundraising for the school.

Marg Gibson had rounded up the group with help of facebook, email and local contacts from Berowra. A lively and enthusiastic atmosphere saw us onto the bus and off to the Alexandria district where we found bargains for handbags, surf and sportswear, shoes and ladies fashion. The staff were amazingly upbeat at one particular fashion outlet. The pace was relaxed and included a lovely stop at a café where the pre- ordered sandwiches were great and the ladies who brought their own lunch were welcomed with comfy seats.

The afternoon was spent in “The Shire” where manchester and kitchen goods were bought, some yummy chocolates sampled and then of course purchased. The toy warehouse had a very loud spruiker wondering around. The shopping finished with an interesting garden and household knickknack outlet. I noticed the lack of interest on our bus in the garden pig sculptures.

The drive home was full of conversation and raffling of the gifts from the stores. There may have even been some illicit pink champagne at the back of the bus!!

6% of the purchased amount will pass to the school and the ladies did an excellent job on ensuring they spent enough to make this an enjoyable and worthwhile day. Thanks in particular to Marg Gibson who ensured the bus was filled and the fundraising secured. Kim Pinnock P&C Secretary and illicit champagne imbiber

At the first P&C Meeting (AGM) on 14th February 2012 the following Office Bearers were

appointed.

President: John Koellner Vice Presidents: Jaqui Taylor

Fiona Wilson Secretary: Kim Pinnock Treasurer: Jenny Williams Ground Maintenance: still vacant School Council Reps: Kim Pinnock

Kerry Limbert Linda Stanford Jenny Williams

ASQUITH BOYS HIGH SCHOOL CALENDAR TERM 1 2012

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY Sat/Sun

Week

1B

January 26

Australia Day

January 27

Staff Development

Day

Jan 28/ 29

Week

2A

January 30

Years 7, 11 & 12 start

January 31

Years 8, 9 & 10 start

February 1

ABHS SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Woy Woy

February 2

February 3

February 4 / 5

Week

3B

February 6

February 7

February 8

February 9

HSC & SC High Achievers

Formal Assembly

February 10

ID Card Photos

February 11 / 12

Week

4A

February 13

February 14

Parent Teacher BBQ

P&C Meeting -AGM

February 15

February 16

February 17

February 18 19

Week

5B

February 20

Year 7 Camp

February 21

Year 7 Camp

February 22

Year 7 Camp

February 23

February 24

Backchat Issued

February 25 26

Week

6A

February 27

City Rail Safety

Workshop

Yr 7

February 28

City Rail Safety

Workshop

Yr 8

February 29

March 1

March 2

Clean Up Australia

Day

ZONE SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Mar 3 4

Sunday 4

P&C Working Bee

10am-4pm

Week

7B

March 5

March 6

OPEN Night

from 6.30pm

March 7

March 8

March 9

Mar 10 11

Yr 7 2013 Enrichment Class

Test

Week

8A

March 12

Year 11 Camp

March 13

Year 11 Camp

March 14

Year 11 Camp

March 15

Formal Assembly

(Summer Grade

Sport)

March 16

Mar 17 18

Week

9B

March 19

Parent Teacher Interviews (Yr7,11&12)

March 20

March 21

March 22

March 23

X Country Carnival

March 24 25

Week

10A

March 26

March 27

School Council AGM

P&C Meeting

March 28

March 29

March 30

Backchat Issued

March 31

Aril 1

Week

11B

April 2

Laptop Information

Night

(Yr9 & parents)

April 3 April 4

April 5

Last Day Term 1

April 6

GOOD FRIDAY

April 7 8

Please note dates of events may change and you should check with Reception if in doubt. Updated calendars will be printed in ABHS Newsletter (Backchat) each Term. Updated 23/02/2012

Year 12 Exams

THE WORD FROM ENGLISH This year promises to be an exciting,

engaging and energetic year in the English Faculty! Our goals are firstly to improve the results of all our boys by focusing on skill

development, with a particular emphasis on extended, structured writing and secondly to broaden the experience of English beyond the

classroom by providing the opportunity for boys to attend a fabulous range of excursions and workshops.

The English Faculty welcomes two wonderful new staff members to our faculty – Miss Katie Moyes who has been teaching in Albury and on the

Central Coast and Miss Shadi Nabavieh who has been teaching in western Sydney. We are also fortunate that Ms Lucille Borger, Ms Katherine Chapman and Ms Rebecca Kelly continue as

active and enthusiastic members of the English Faculty. Upcoming events include excursions to the

theatre for Year 8 to experience a production of The Yard (a modern appropriation of The Lord of the Flies) as well as Hitler’s Daughter, Romeo and Juliet for Year 9 and The Removalists for Year 11 in addition to Study Days for Year 12 and Debating, Public Speaking and Writing

Workshops. Students are encouraged to embrace these cultural opportunities as an enjoyable means of expanding their English

studies. As students launch themselves into a new year of study it is imperative that they remain focused on

the academic expectations placed upon them and really strive to achieve their very best. Success in English is primarily dependent on a positive

attitude, good organisation and a diligent and consistent work ethic, therefore, students and parents are encouraged to utilise the calendar

feature of the new school website to stay up to date with when assessment tasks and assignments are due and discuss any concerns

with the class teacher – we are here to help!

Ms J. Schadel Head Teacher English

SCIENCE Welcome back to another exciting

year in the Science Faculty. The Science Staff have been busily working on

new contextual programs that I hope the boys will find more engaging and relevant to the real world. The new programs will be introduced in 2

stages, Year 7 and 9 this year and Year 8 and 10 in 2013.

Year 7 will start working on the topic ‘Being a Scientist’ followed by ‘Antarctica’ and ‘Backyard

Science’. Year 9 will begin with the ‘Camping’ topic that includes studying the environment, material technology, weather and cooking fuels.

As these programs are still in development stages we always welcome feedback from students about how improve for the future.

There have been a few changes in the Science Staff this year with Mr Roger Murphy retiring and Mr Broome moving back to PDHPE. I would like to

thank them both for their dedication to the boys’ learning. We also welcome Ms Kenney to the Science Faculty and we are looking forward to her

enthusiasm and creativity that she brings with her.

Science Competition

The University of NSW Science Competition will be held in Term 2. All applications need to be finalised by the end of Term 1. We encourage all

boys to participate in the Science Competition as it is beneficial in developing problem solving and process skills as well as helping students develop

their examination skills. Notes can be obtained from the Science Staffroom and the cost is $7.70.

Year 12 Physics

Mr Robertson’s Year 12 Physics class and their rat trap projectile launcher task was a great success (see article in the main section of the Backchat,

including photos).

HSC Half-Yearly Exams A reminder that half-yearly exams are

approaching quickly. They will held in late in Term 1 so all Year 12 Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Senior Science students need to be reviewing

all the work they have so far in their respective courses. This includes all work done in Term 4 last year.

Horticulture This year Ms Rui is looking after the Year 8 Horticulture elective and is looking forward to

planting a wide range of vegetables with the boys so they can learn lifelong skills and hopefully apply these at home. At the moment the weeds

and grass are growing quicker than the vegetables but with plenty of sub-soil moisture and a few sunny days our garden beds will be in full production.

Year 7 Welcome to all of our Year 7 Boys experiencing the Lab environment for the first time. The first

term will mainly focus on learning to be a scientist and how to work safely in the lab environment. The boys will be personally

introduced to all of the lab equipment by name and how to safely use the equipment without

damage to the boys or the lab. Early in Term 1 the boys will be shown that Bunsen Burners can

be used for a range of experiments other than melting their pens. Enjoy Science and have a great year.

Communication I encourage all parents and carers to contact your son’s teacher if you have any enquiries about

your son and how he is going in Science. Most issues can be solved quickly with good communication.

Please contact me if you would like any more information on Science at Asquith Boys. My email is stuart.robertson2@det.nsw.edu.au or

ring the school.

Mr S. Robertson Head Teacher Science

Greetings from HSIE! Another Year…and another cohort… Welcome back to all the boys for a most

exciting and I am sure rewarding 2012. Within

our Faculty, many things have changed, improved and developed. Welcome to Mr Warren Fisher and Mrs Amy Robinson who have joined the HSIE staff. Mr Fisher and Mrs Robinson will no doubt compliment the HSIE Staff of Miss Byrnes, Mr Laing, Miss Foster, Miss Woolley and myself.

They are very keen and dedicated staff members, who have already shown zeal in their class endeavours. We are indeed very lucky to have all

of them.

Results from last year’s HSC were anticipated and although quite reflective of student approach,

we congratulate those who have succeeded in their chosen endeavours. Two Humanities students in particular – Stephen Wilson and

Matthew Buwalda, worked strongly and achieved very admirable results as did Ethan Ngo. Good luck to those boys in their Tertiary studies.

In the School Certificate we fared much better

with a number of students achieving Band 6 and Band 5 Results – auguring well for the HSC in 2013.

Year 12 have started with promise overall and I hope this is reflective of their attitude for the year

ahead. In Year 11 the boys have been solid in their approach and all teachers in our Faculty have been entering the staff room – also newly

redesigned – with smiles after their lessons!

Year 10 is an enigma at present but clear

guidelines have been set in both Mandatory History and Geography and an interesting year ahead beckons.

Good luck to all Juniors – it should be a most promising year if you all apply yourself with a

positive approach to your studies. Organise yourself and be prepared for all lessons. Complete homework on time and take

responsibility. Good Luck in the year ahead,

Mr G. Moscos Head Teacher HSIE

MATHS There have been some significant

changes in Mathematics this year. At the end of last year, Mr Arblaster successfully applied for the position of Deputy Principal at Turramurra High

School. On behalf of the Maths Faculty I would like to congratulate him. He will be sorely missed by all staff, students and the wider school

community. Also this year Mr Johnston has taken the responsibility of Year 7 Adviser. This is a crucial role and I wish him all the best for the

year.

Last year was very pleasing for Mathematics

Faculty in the HSC. We are extremely proud of the achievement of Max Morris and Matthew Buwalda in General Mathematics, Alex Marokky in

Mathematics, Christopher Jones in Extension 1 and Extension 2 Mathematics and Byung Rock Lim in Extension 2 Mathematics.

Similarly our School Certificate results were exceptional. Fifteen percent of our students

achieved Band 5 or 6 in their exam while no student received a Band 1. I would like to congratulate all these students but in particular,

Sung Kim, Longjie Li and Zach Waddell for achieving Band 6 as well as James Hill, Alexander Thomas and Benjamin Gunther for marginally

missing out on a Band 6.

We look forward to working with these boys in

the Senior Years, with the aim of continuing their success in Mathematics.

Finally, I will be Acting Head Teacher

Mathematics until the end of Term 1. I hope to

maintain the high standards set by Mr Arblaster and continue to encourage the boys to achieve their personal best.

Mr A. Razzaghi Relieving Head Teacher Maths

Maths Challenge: The age of Ann and Bill now add up to 91. Ann is now three times as old as Bill was at the time when Ann was twice as old as Bill is now. How old are Ann and Bill now?

TAS I would like to extend a big welcome

to the new TAS staff who have joined us this year.

As most people are no doubt aware, Miss

Greenshields left us to go to Homebush Boys at the end of term 3 last year. Her shoes were ably filled by Ms Pritchard and Ms Bird. Ms Pritchard

has returned to her old school at the end of her leave but I am pleased to say that Ms Bird will be with us in a part-time capacity for the foreseeable

future. This year, she will be replacing Ms Avery-Williams who left during term 4. Also joining the TAS staff this year is Mr Josephs.

He has been appointed as a full time permanent teacher and brings with him very impressive industry credentials and experience. He has

already made a very positive impression on his workmates and I want to take the opportunity to give him a warm welcome on behalf of all the TAS staff.

Finally, we welcome back Mr Kimberley to his old stomping ground where he spent his formative years as a student. Yet another Old Boy makes

good and returns to the place that holds such

fond memories. He will be teaching a variety of subjects in the TAS faculty.

So that wraps it up for the new staff and I wish them all the best for their time at Asquith Boys.

Mr C. Philip Head Teacher TAS

SPORT / CRICKET Alan Davison Shield Regional Final

Unfortunately the First Grade Cricketers came unstuck against a solid North Sydney Side in the Regional Final. We bowled first but we did not

bowl or field with our usual positive intent. A few catches went down and when we batted despite some spirited resistance, from Chris Marfleet in

particular, we came up 8 runs short. North Sydney held all their catches to book a spot in the last 16.

Well done to the boys for getting to the final and all the best to North Sydney in the next round. The game was also played in excellent spirit.

Mr M. Blackwood

CAREERS Recent Events TAFE Outreach graduation

On Friday 9th December 2011 I attended Meadowbank TAFE for the graduation of students who had completed TAFE Outreach courses. Nick Bepper and Luke Chant received a certificate for attending the Café Bar and

Waiting course. They were also involved in the organization and catering for this event and this enabled them to also receive a Certificate 1 in Hospitality. Matthew Douglas also helped with the catering for this event

which was attended by students and parents.

TAFE Enrolments Over 36 students in Years 11 and 12 have enrolled in various TAFE courses as part of their HSC programs.

Whilst most students will attend Hornsby TAFE on a Tuesday afternoon others will gain their TAFE credentials at Bradfield, Meadowbank, North Sydney and Gosford TAFE.

Important Information Defence Technical Scholarships A Defence Technical Scholarship (DTS) is a fantastic opportunity for Year 11 and 12 students who are

considering an ADF technical trade career after completing Year 12. The DTS rewards technically-savvy students for staying on at school and enrolling in specific subjects such as Maths and either a VET or approved syllabus technical subject.

Successful Year 11 students will receive $2000 and Year 12 students will receive $3000. Although there is no obligation to join the Navy, Army or Air Force after finishing school, you will need to tell them why you are interested in an ADF technical trade career. Applications close on 9th March. Application packages are

available from Mrs Fry. Last year 3 students from ABHS were successful in gaining these scholarships. This was an outstanding result as over 1000 students applied throughout Australia.

Mrs J. Fry Careers Adviser

Problems Hearing? The National Acoustic Laboratories, a world-leading research facility, is currently investigating the efficacy of screening test for early identification of Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD). CAPD is the result of a breakdown in the hearing process. One of the biggest problems experienced by individuals with CAPD is difficulty listening in background noise. If anyone in your family and friends aged between 6 to 60 years, have concerns about their ability to understand speech in background noise and would like to participate in the research study, please contact Sujita Kanthan on 9412 6844 or at Sujita.Kanthan@nal.gov.au , or Anna Kania on 9412 6861 or at Anna.Kania@nal.gov.au . This research study has approval from the Australian Hearing Ethics Committee.

JOIN A CLUB AND PLAY SPORTS

Although most of these clubs have had their official registration days , they all accept late registrations.

RUGBY UNION

SEASON 2012

Woy Woy Junior Rugby Union would like to invite you to register for our upcoming 2012 Season. DATES: Saturday 4th February 2012 10am – 2pm Ettalong Oval Saturday 11th February 2012 10am – 2pm Ettalong Oval FEES: Registration Fees are as follows Under 5’s – Under 7’s $25.00 Under 8’s – Under 11’s $80.00 Under 12’s – Under 17’s $90.00 Included in Fees:Shorts,Socks,Insurance,Referee Fees www.woywoyjuniors.com.au