Cootamundra High School Newsletter

PRINCIPAL: Mrs Leesa Daly  

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL: Mr Christopher Payne

Year 11 Legal Studies have been learning about the origins of Common Law and Statue Law in Australia.

In Week 5, the class participated in a ‘Mock Parliament’ where they had a go at passing the bill ‘There should be no laws for one day each year’ through the Australian political system.

Congratulations to all students for their participation, including Prime Minster Bronte Johnson, Minister for Justice Bailey O’Loughlin, Opposition Leader Kenneth Stanyer, Speaker of the House of Representatives Blake Sloan and Governor-General Katie Berkrey. 

CHS swimming carnival was held on Thursday 4th February. Staff and students enjoyed the chance to get away from the classroom and engage in the competitive nature of the Swimming Carnival. There was high participation in both competitive races and novelty events. Congratulations to Baldry who took out the house points on the day.

House Points

Baldry - 556

McConaghy - 507

Pinkstone - 303

Anderson - 286

We had a great group of students attend the Southern Slopes Zone Swimming carnival held at Cootamundra Swimming Pool on Monday 15th February. It was a fantastic day with some excellent results in the pool!

Congratulations to Grace Derrick, Ashlee Irving, Hallie Kelly, Elizabeth Kawau and Reid McTavish who competed at the Riverina Swimming Championship held on Monday 1st of March. 

Year 8 are completing an Understanding Nutrition unit this term which sees students critically examine the foods they eat.   Over the last two weeks students have been watching ‘That Sugar Film’ that looks closely at the hidden sugars in the food we eat.  The assessment task later this term will see students creating a healthy sandwich and justifying their ingredient choices.  During practicals, Year 8 are completing a unit on Striking and Fielding which includes practicals such as kickball, T-ball, softball, cricket and French cricket

Healthy Consumers is the focus for our year 9 students.  In this unit of work the students have examined the rights and responsibilities of health consumers including the importance of being honest with health professionals to ensure they get the best treatment. Students have also investigated health services available to them within Cootamundra and now have a greater understanding of the excellent health services that they can access locally.

This term, Year 10 are learning about Road Safety and First Aid.  Over the past few weeks, students have learnt the basics of First Aid including how to perform CPR on our practice manikins and discussed the factors that impact on driver safety including drugs, alcohol, mobile phone use and speeding.  Students have also had the opportunity to complete the ‘Practice Driver Knowledge Test’ in preparation for getting their Learner’s Permits throughout the year. 

In terms of practicals, both Year 9 and 10 are focussing on Net and Racquet Sports which includes Volleyball, Tennis and Badminton.

Our Year 11 and Year 12 Sports, Leisure and Recreation students (SLR) are completing a unit on Aquatics this Term.  This unit covers stroke techniques, lifesaving and survival strokes, water safety including water entries and exits and rescue principals and CPR.  Students are also fortunate to put their theory lessons into practice with regular trips to the local pool.

Special congratulations are extended to two CHS students who are excelling in their chosen sports.  Matt Walsh has been selected in the Riverina Boys Basketball Team and Cooper Emonson who has been selected in the Canberra Raiders Under 17s Harold Matthews Squad.  Well done boys!

Year 9 Multimedia have been looking at computer accessibility features that assist people in using technology. Thanks to the help of Vision Australia students experienced the world through the eyes of people with vision impairments. 

The school sensory gym is currently under the process of acquiring new and innovative sensory items. The latest purchase is a rowing machine that enhances endurance and builds muscle tone of individuals. Encouraging gross motor control and an alternative provision for active, sensory seeking students. This is in addition to the stationary bikes, kettle bell weights, cardio stations and boxing bag that we have been utilising for several years.

It is very exciting that our sensory gym now also is the home of the Australian made ‘Therapy pod!’ This provides proprioceptive sensory input giving the students a sense of self to feel calm and ready to learn. To accompany this, we have the Therapy Premium Weighted Blanket to provide the ultimate calming experience.  These are just a few of the many new items that have arrived for our Sensory gym.

We are in the process of some very exciting upgrades. This is a work in progress and both staff and students are excited. Stay tuned!

Support Team

Lachlan Webb, Ollie Carberry and Luke Dowell spent last Thursday and Friday discovering the University of Wollongong and what it has on offer for our Year 12 students looking for a university pathway. 

The students joined about 500 others who managed to enjoy a COVID safe experience involving some excellent lectures and a taste of the university campus and its accommodation.

On Tuesday the Senior girls travelled to Young to play in the South West Open Girls League Tag competition. The team demonstrated exceptional skills, great teamwork, a positive attitude and very proudly represented Cootamundra High School. They won three out of four of their games and will travel to Wagga for the next competition.​

Our breakfast program is running again this year thanks to the kindness and generosity of our sponsor, the William Ruebensohn Foundation, and the volunteer efforts of our community members.  Breakfast Club aims to help our students to start the day with a good breakfast.

We are open from 8.30am until 8.55am every day at the school canteen. We offer a good variety of breakfast options to students and staff. Our regular menu includes buttered toast, cheese, various jams and spreads, fruit juice, milk, and various cereals. We have a special menu that operates most weeks as well. It consists of pancakes on a Tuesday, sausage muffins or wraps on Wednesday and spinach and feta or bacon and cheese omelettes on Thursday. These are very popular with everyone. We also occasionally have crumpets.

We are strictly nut free and can add gluten free options if required.