School Spectacular Extravaganza

Newsletter

No.16

5 December

2011

ARTEXPRESS 2

P&C Matters 2

Minnis Shield 2

State water

polo selection

3

Open boys

cricket

3

Presentation

Night

4

Inside this

issue:

Duval High School students travelled to Sydney last week to take part in

the School Spectacular held at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. The

School Spectacular is a culmination and celebration of singing, dance

and drama. Over 300 students are involved in the production.

Twelve DHS dancers and sixteen singers performed in the mass

production with the theme of ‘Imagine’. Over 500 schools audition to be

part of this fantastic show with only 150 schools being selected to

perform.

The School Spectacular gives students an opportunity to perform in front

of over 2000 people with other school students from across the state.

Students have been practising for the event all term and did a wonderful

job representing the school.

A huge thanks to Mrs Pearson for organising the excursion. Well done

DHS students!! The School Spectacular will be televised on the 18th of

December and the 31st of December on ABC3.

DATES FOR THE DIARY:

Monday 12 December 2011 Term V activities, until Thursday 15 December.

Friday 16 December 2011 Last day of the school year for students.

Friday 27 January 2012 Term 1 for teachers.

Monday 30 January 2012 Years 7 & 12 and new enrolments.

Tuesday 31 January 2012 All students return for Term 1.

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5 December 2011 Page 2

Dear Parents,

Every year the school surveys students, parents and staff about their overall level of satisfaction with

the service we provide. If you would like to participate, please click on the link below. The School

Code for this survey is 8492.

Thank you, Stafford Cameron, Principal

Parent satisfaction survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BGVVRYJ

P & C Matters

The last P&C meeting for 2011 has been held and we finished the year with a dinner at the Red Grapevine. This

highlighted some of the good things about the P&C with most parents being there to help out, meet other par-

ents, meet staff and feel better connected with the school and its community. It’s a casual group and, while

you've read it before, we really will warmly welcome new parents for 2012; even if it’s for just a few hours every

now and then. Our first meeting will be held Wednesday 15th February 2012 in the staff common room of the

school.

This year, Caroline Winter of the P&C has drawn attention to the beautiful artwork that is produced by students.

Some of these pieces have been used in the design of a set of writing cards that is available for purchase

through the school. We urge you to have a look for these cards which are a way of showcasing the talent of our

students.

Wishing you a good end to 2011 and all the best for 2012.

ARTEXPRESS 2012

Congratulations to Nicola Traise who has been selected to be included in ARTEXPRESS

2012. Her work Skinscapes—Show me your legs will be hung in the Moree Plains Gallery.

Speakers surpass expectations in the Minnis Shield

Duval High School public speakers surpassed all expectations with their EXCEPTIONAL performances in last

week's Minnis Shield. A beautifully behaved audience was wowed by the speeches which students had spent

several weeks preparing and polishing in advance of the big day. Relieving Principal Mr Bartlett-Taylor, History

Teacher and Librarian, Mrs Stroud, and Head Teacher English, Ms Hoddinott, adjudicated the event. Winner of

the Minnis Shield for Years 7-8, Aleisha Singleton, delivered a thoughtful, original interpretation of the topic 'The

more we speak, the less we communicate.' Adjudicators commended Aleisha's confidence, poise and determi-

nation. Madeline Reckord, Eva Rummery, David Wilson and Winona Rumble secured Highly Commended

awards in this division. Great work!

The Minnis Cup for Years 9-10 was no less thrilling, with Lucy Eddy winning the division with a sophisticated

and rousing speech on 'The boats.' Adjudicators were impressed by the depth of Lucy's insight on her subject,

her intelligence and conviction. Mr Bartlett-Taylor was especially impressed by this compelling speech and se-

lected Lucy to present the keynote speech at this year's Presentation Evening to showcase her special talent.

Brittany Singleton, Christine Freak, Hunter Marsh and Sarah El-Sayed achieved Highly Commended awards in

this section. Well done indeed!

The competition was rounded off with the Minnis Trophy for Year 11. Adjudicators found it difficult to separate

the speakers, such was the calibre of the entrants. Matthew Barton, speaking on the topic 'Love Rules', had the

audience in stitches as he placed the pitfalls of young love under the microscope. Madeleine Horneman

5 December 2011 Page 3

Speakers surpass expectations in the Minnis Shield cont

and Ashley Hobbs received Highly Commended awards for their skilful speeches. Congratulations Year 11!

Coordinator Ms Armstrong acknowledges the contributions of the History-Languages Faculty to the success of

the Minnis Public Speaking Competition and to Elizabeth Holland, our terrific chairperson. Megan Abdul-Majid,

Sam Andronicus, Lucy Comens, Imogen Connors, Victoria Everett, Alicia McManus, Brandon Giles, Lachlan

Northam, Joshua Gartshore, Courtney Preston, Libby Howey, Jade Fangmeier and Curtis Harper showed

themselves to be willing, reliable and cheerful helpers. Thank

you!

* FOOTNOTE: Federal Member for New England, Mr Tony

Windsor, was floored by Lucy Eddy's performance on

Presentation Night and has invited her to perform Work

Experience in his office. Lucy, a strong advocate for social

justice, was delighted to accept Mr Windsor's invitation. A fine

achievement, Lucy! The Duval community will follow your

political career with interest and pride.

Duval Open Boys Cricketers to defend Gleeson Shield

The Duval High School Open Boys Cricket team have continued their excellent form by securing an unex-

pected, yet well deserved, victory over a star-studded Farrer side.

The semi-final of the Gleeson Shield was, finally, played on Wednesday 30th November after three previous at-

tempts had been thwarted by the weather.

Farrer, boasting numerous North West representatives, were always going to be a tough opponent and would

have approached the game with great confidence. After winning the toss and batting, however, the Farrer side

soon found themselves under pressure with a tight opening spell from Joe Teege and Dean Heffernan restricting

runs, forcing the batsmen to take risks. This resulted in two early wickets to Dean and things didn’t improve for

Farrer with a change of bowlers. Michael Dawson picked up two further wickets and a smart move from captain

Luke Uphill saw the introduction of young leg spinner Luke Marshall for the final over before drinks, which also

resulted in a wicket. At 5 for 39 Farrer were reliant on their lower order to post a defendable target. Ollie Thom-

son looked to attack and managed 28 before also falling victim to a poor shot. Farrer were dismissed for 101 in

the 38th over with wickets shared amongst the bowlers, Dean Heffernan (3/19), Michael Dawson (3/10), Luke

Marshall (2/28), Josh Targett (1/8) and Hayden Freeman (1/20).

With a slow outfield and a fine bowling attack 101 was still going to be a tough total to attain and when Michael

Dawson (not out in the last three matches for the school) fell for 5, the task became more difficult. Anil Rajana-

than (33 n.o.) produced a man of the match performance by maintaining his composure to frustrate the bowlers

with some sensible batting, well supported by Luke Uphill (19) and Tom Saladine (17). Wayward bowling from

the Farrer side (25 extras) also assisted and the required total was reached in the 39th over with the loss of four

wickets.

Overall it was an outstanding performance from the Duval team with their performance in the field a standout. In

all ten catches were taken by Duval, supporting the old adage, 'catches win matches'!

State selection!

Congratulations to Morgan Rowbottom who has been selected in the CHS state water polo

team. Morgan will be playing at the all schools competition in March 2012.

5 December 2011 Page 4

Presentation Night - a celebration of the outstanding achievements of Duval High

School Students in 2011

Anil Rajanathan and Brittany Singleton (absent)

The most outstanding girl and boy in year 10

Winona Rumble and David Wilson

The most outstanding girl and boy in year 7

Erin Bourke and Cameron Baker

The most outstanding girl and boy in year 9

Oliver Bruhl and Rachel Dawson

The most outstanding girl and boy in year 8

Lucinda Logan and Reece Rowbottom

The most outstanding girl and boy in year 11