Cootamundra High School Newsletter

A warm welcome back, to the 2022 school year, is extended to all members of our school community.  A special welcome to our new Year 7 students and their families and our newly appointed permanent and temporary staff members including: Mrs Naomi Elliott (English), Mrs Aimee Sutton (PDHPE), Miss Kaitlin Jenkins (PDHPE), Mr Jacob Longmore (HSIE), Ms Daina Ciferson (Secondary Generalist), Mrs Charlotte Matheson (Inclusive Education) and Mrs Indiana Kowald (SLSO).

After an extended period of COVID-19 restrictions, which have served their purpose of providing a safe environment for students and staff during the pandemic, it is exciting to announce some major changes starting on Monday 28th February: face masks are no longer mandatory for secondary students and staff; all visitors and parents, regardless of vaccination status, will be allowed on school sites however anyone working on school site, including parents and volunteers, must meet the mandatory double vaccination requirements; cohorting will no longer be required; rapid antigen testing is moving to symptomatic testing only – you will no longer need to test each Monday and Wednesday. The school will provide a final allocation of RAT kits to students, when they arrive, to support symptomatic testing until the end of term 1. After this bundle, symptomatic students should resume PCR testing or use their own home RAT kits which are now readily available in the community.

Core COVID- Smart measures that will remain in place include mandated double vaccination for staff, maximising well ventilated spaces, good hand hygiene, enhanced cleaning and the application of layered measures to minimise risks when planning activities and events such as assemblies and excursions. Parents and carers are asked to continue to notify the school if their child tests positive to COVID19 or goes into isolation because they are a household contact.

It was lovely to have our local Member for Cootamundra and Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience, Steph Cooke, present the names of our new School Captains and Vice Captains to the members of the NSW Parliament at the end of 2021. See the citation and a photo of the Captains and Vice Captains with their citation certificates in the images below.

A number of new initiatives and opportunities are being introduced at CHS in 2022. We are very excited to have Aunty Elaine Lomas working with us every Wednesday as our Elder in Residence. Aunty Elaine is teaching Wiradjuri Language, though song, to our Year 7 students and she will be working with Years 8-12 students, staff and community to develop our cultural awareness and to teach us all Wiradjuri language. A new ‘Reading for Purpose’ whole school strategy is being taught across the school which has been informed by student data and involves explicit teaching, the embedding of evidenced based reading strategies in corporation with the gradual release of responsibility model. Students will be tracked against the Literacy Progressions using PLAN2 to monitor their learning and reading growth with the outcome of improving every student’s ability to be able to unpack and understand complex texts. Under the guidance of our Sport Coordinator , Miss Fritsch, a new Sport Council will be established in 2022 with new roles and responsibilities being developed throughout the year.

David J. Ward, OAM and CHS School Captain in 1958 and Michael Meszaros OAM, have designed and made a beautiful new Leadership Prize that will be presented to the inaugural recipient at the Final Presentation Assembly at the end of the year. The bronze relief is mounted on blackwood and was designed and executed from his original concept to recognise outstanding leadership within the Cootamundra High School cohort. The plaque depicts a crowd of Cootamundra High School students being encouraged by the leader to venture beyond the square, with the school crest superimposed over a branch of Cootamundra Wattle (Acacia Baileyana).  Additional information about Michael Meszaros’ career can be found in the images below.

We look forward to catch up with parents and carers in the coming weeks as we host numerous events staring with our Teacher/Parent twilight meetings on Thursday the 24th March.

Can I also recommend to you a fun night out as our P&C host Bingo at the Ex Serviceman’s Club on Saturday 19th March.  Hope to see lots of family and friends support this major fundraiser for the school.

With Kind Regards

Mrs Daly

 IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

Congratulations to Ryan Hughes and Matilda Hartshorn for winning the Attendance Award for Year 9.

WELCOME Year 7 and any other new students to our library here at Cootamundra High. This year we kick off with some exciting new books in the library for all age groups at the school. Older students who visit the library will tell you there’s nothing like a hard copy book. It doesn’t have batteries and you can take it and read it anywhere to pass time, to expand your world and just relax. We take suggestions as well if you are interested in a certain series or a particular book. Come and have a chat! There’s plenty of good reads – so just come in and browse and we are happy also if you would like to borrow a book. After all, it is your school library! See you soon!

Ms Freeman 

Apprentice Light Vehicle Automotive Technician

Permanent Full Time Position

Harden Bearings & Hardware is an extremely diverse, well established, family business located in Harden, South-West NSW.  We are seeking the services of an enthusiastic, passionate Apprentice Light Vehicle Automotive Technician for an immediate start to join our dedicated and hard-working team.

Our ideal candidate will be energetic, self-motivated individual who has a true passion for all things mechanical and the Automotive Industry. The successful applicant will also require a “have a go” attitude, willingness to learn, strong listening skills, attention to detail and the ability to maintain a high standard of work whilst maximizing productivity is also essential.

We are members of both Repco Authorised Service and the Hydraulink Hose Repair network, this position would be best suited to an individual who thrives on a variety of work with a keen interest in repairs of both vehicles and plant equipment, hydraulic systems and on-site repairs.

All training will be supplied as in accordance with the NSW Apprenticeship standards as well as regular Repco Authorised Service & Hydraulink network training.

 Other responsibilities will include:

• Examining motor engines and their parts
• Diagnosing potential faults in engines and their parts
• Repairing and replacing worn and damaged parts, referring to Workshop Supervisor, training and manuals as required
• Using technical equipment including computer software to test the function of engines and their parts
• Performing scheduled maintenance on vehicles including basic services (oil & filter change) and more to ensure they run smoothly
• Testing and fixing faults with electrical systems in vehicles such as lights, ignition and more
• Proactive approach & initiative to tasks
• Maintain a positive and safe workshop environment
• Role requires after hours/weekend call outs from time to time to meet the demands of our predominately agriculture based customers

 Desirable Attributes:

• Provisional or Full Drivers Licence
• Ability to read and understand manuals and technical information
• Problem solving skills
• Strong communication skills
• Troubleshooting skills
• Well organised and patient
• Ability to work well with your hands
• Ability to work well with tools
• Willingness to learn and accept constructive criticism

This position is suitable for School Leavers & Mature Age candidates, so for further information phone (02) 6386 3526 or visit www.hardenbearings.com.au.

Alternatively, if you have the skills and experience to thrive in this role, forward your resume along with cover letter to

Harden Bearings & Hardware

20 Station St

HARDEN  NSW  2587

Or

hardenbearings@bigpond.com

 All applications will be treated with strict confidentiality