Cootamundra High School Newsletter

Term 1 ‐ Week 10, 2021

PRINCIPAL: Mrs Leesa Daly  

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL: Mr Christopher Payne

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

It is hard to believe that we are at the end of term 1 already. What an exciting and busy term it has been.

Our students have had so many wonderful extra curricula opportunities provided to them this term to enable them to connect, succeed, thrive and learn. Some of these opportunities have included: Bell Shakespeare Theatre performances, the Take Charge - Youth Leadership Forum, Harmony Week activities, Reading Group challenges, SRC led Action Against Bullying activities, Riverina Local Land Council ‘The Magic of Wiradjuri Country’ photography competition, Working Together to Support Literacy Skills training for Year 10 Peer Readers at TAFE, Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award Adventurous journey, Riverina Contemporary Dance Festival audition piece ‘Don’t Catch Me’ training and submission, as well as multiple local, regional and state sporting opportunities. Thank you to all the staff and students who have been leading these activities.

Students are already aware of a number of awesome opportunities being provided to them early in Term 2 to support their talents and passions and to develop their skills and knowledge. The SRC will be hosting a Colour Explosion Run as part of our whole school Cross Country event; Years 10 and 11 have the opportunity to attend a Careers Expo in Young; Small group tuition as part of the COVID Intensive Learning Support Program will begin; Self Esteem Education Development (SEED) wellbeing workshops for all students in Years 7-10 will occur and a number of students have been selected to attend the Riverina Eastern Regional Organisation of Councils (REROC) ‘Build a Bridge & Get Over It!’ Engineering Camp.

Staff have been working diligently to complete the 2021-2024 School Improvement Plan which will be uploaded onto the school’s website at the beginning of term 2. We have appreciated the conversations, around the development of this plan, that have occurred with all stakeholders: students, parents/carers, community and staff. Your ideas, thoughts and opinions have informed the development of our new school plan.

The Gudhamangdhuray Community of Schools is made up of Cootamundra High School, Cootamundra Public School, EA Southee Public School, Wallendbeen Public School and Stockinbingal Public School. Principals and staff have met a number of times this term to consolidate processes and practices across our schools to ensure consistent messaging and information is being communicated to our whole school community. We are working closely to align a number of programs and activities within our new School Improvement Plans that will build stronger partnerships between the schools. At our last meeting were had the pleasure of working with Cootamundra AECG representatives Cath Carroll and Helen Cassin and Cootamundra Working Party members Colina Meadows and Amanda Levitt to identify ways we can work collaboratively to narrow the gaps and improve the educational outcomes of all Aboriginal students under our care at our schools. We look forward to working with and building stronger partnerships in the future.

Students are being provided with vital individualised data, twice a term, to help them to identify areas of strength and areas for improvement in relation to their attendance, demonstration of the school’s core values of Respect, Responsibility and Excellence, wearing of our school uniform with pride, phone misuse and N determination notifications. Students should have this information pasted into their school diaries to enable them to track themselves throughout the year. A great conversation starter for parents and carers to have with their students. It is pleasing to note the improvement made by many students in these areas over the past 5 weeks. The Positive Behaviour for Learning canteen voucher draws occurred this week for all students meeting the school’s expectations in these areas.

We have had the pleasure this term of working remotely with the Safeguarding Kids Together team. This Specialist Support Team works with schools to strengthen systems, processes and practices across four domains and 12 focus areas to mitigate and manage risk and enhance safe learning and working environments. We, staff, students, parents/carers, community, will be working closely with this team both remotely and face to face in term 2 to consolidate this work.

A warm welcome and congratulations are extended to Miss Brittney Longmore, who has been appointed to a full-time English teaching position at CHS.  Welcome to the team!

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter and end of Term 1holiday. Stay safe and be kind to one another.

Regards

Mrs Daly

 

 CHS Calendar - Term 1, 2021

Apr. 19
  • Staff Development Day
Apr. 20
  • Students Return for Term 2
  • Young Careers Expo (Years 10 & 11)
Apr. 22
  • Creative Writing Workshop
  • TTFM Survey
May 3 & 4
  • SEED Program (Year 7 & 8)
May 4
  •  Future Proofing (Day 1) - Year 8
May 6
  • TTFM Survey
May 12- 21
  •  NAPLAN Testing
Jun. 21
  • Red Cross - Pathways for Protection (Year 7 - 10)
June 25
  • Last day of term 2

SPOTLIGHT ON READING GROUPS

'True Crimes'

On Tuesday 9th March students from the True Crimes reading group visited the local library- Riverina Regional Library. Librarian,  Mrs Howse, created memberships for students who had initiated this process online with parental assistance, reactivated a few accounts unused since primary school, and demonstrated how to use eLibraries such as Borrowbox and Indy Reads. We were even able to borrow a book or 2.

We would like to thank Mrs Howse for this opportunity and hope to see her again soon. 

Mrs Drum & the True Crime enthusiasts. ​

PEER TUTORING

Working Together to Support Literacy Skills

The “Working Together to Support Literacy Skills’ program is designed to boost Literacy skills of reading, comprehension and fluency. Some of our Year 10 students are currently enrolled in this 20 hour course with TAFE NSW.

The Year 10 ‘Reading Tutors’ work one to one with a ‘Buddy’ student from Year 7 during our designated reading time every day. They provide support and guidance not only with reading strategies but also help build positive relationships and self-esteem in our young readers.

A worthwhile program for all students involved. I am proud to see our Cootamundra High School students making a difference.

Ms Bateup

STAGE 5 FOOD TECHNOLOGY

Stage 5 Food Technology has completed on a unit called Foods for Special Occasions this term.  As part of this unit, students were tasked with researching, designing, cooking and decorating their own celebratory cake.  As you can see from the pictures below, the end results were outstanding.

Beautiful cakes for every occasion

TAKE CHARGE - YOUTH LEADERSHIP FORUM

SRC Youth Leadership Day

On the 24th March, seven Student Representative Council (SRC) members travelled to Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga to attend a Youth Leadership Forum.  Throughout the day participants listened to several leadership speakers and actively engaged in three different workshops.  This was an amazing experience as it enabled us to combine with other schools and in-turn allowed us to express and develop our individual leadership styles.

It was a fabulous experience and we gained a lot from the day.  Thank you to Mr Doug Phillips for taking us over and to Ms Natasha Clarke  for organising the day.

Luke Dowell and Helena Seckold - 2021 School Captains

CHS DANCE - Term 1

Cootamundra High School has Dance!

I am so excited to be bringing dance to Cootamundra High School long-term. In addition to my classroom teaching, I have always aspired to build dance as a creative outlet in secondary schools. I am a trained dancer, and still undertake dance today, it is my absolute passion and CHS has much to offer. These students are seriously talented!

In collaboration with Miss Fritsch, our Sports Coordinator, I have opened Dance as a creative opportunity for students from Years 7-10 during the allocated sport time. This has enabled our talented dance team to prepare an audition item for the Riverina Dance Festival. Students outside of dance for sport have also taken part in the item audition, utilising Friday lunch times to learn choreography.

‘Don’t Catch Me’ is the name of our item, and is a lyrical contemporary performance involving 12 of our talented students. The theme of the dance piece is lucid dreaming. Students capture through movement the notion of being in control of our thoughts, feelings and emotions. Repetition of fundamental step sequences and the central motif (elongated reach and extension of arms in front and above the body) is reflected and reconstructed through sustained leg movements. These qualities support the students to create a fluid collection of sequences, all exhibiting the idea of change and longing.

We recently submitted our audition piece video and description to the coordinator of the Riverina Dance Festival. Students worked so hard to clean, refine and perfect the performance. It will be a wonderful opportunity for the students and wider community of CHS if we are successful. Successful applicants partake in a matinee and night performance at the Albury Entertainment Centre in June. Notification of our outcome will be received during the first week of Term 2. Fingers crossed.

Students have also expressed their interest in the Riverina Dance Workshops 2021 which are held in Wagga Wagga Term 2. I have inquired about applications for this event, and am hoping to lock in this dance opportunity for all interested students at CHS. The future is bright, we have lot’s more in store.

Regards, Miss Longmore.

CHS Dance Coordinator and Choreographer

Choreography Assistant: Miss Dawe

SPORTING SUCCESSES

Congratulations!!

Students at Cootamundra High School have a proud history of sporting successes and 2021 is no exception.

Matt Walsh recently received a grant from the  Cootamundra Sports Foundation for his representation in the Riverina Boys Basketball team. The team are playing in Tamworth in April.

Cooper Emonson has been selected to play in the Riverina Rugby League Team and Anisa Rees has been selected to play in the Riverina Girls Soccer Team​.

Kristian Miller and Grace Derrick have excelled in the field of swimming on a local level will now represent the Riverina region at the NSW Combined High Schools Sports Association State Swimming Championships which will be held in Sydney during the second week of Term 2. 

Well done and congratulations to each of you!

Grace Derrick, Kristian Miller, Mrs Daly, Cooper Emonson, Matt Walsh and Miss Fritsch
Anisa Rees
Matt Walsh being presented with the Cootamundra Sports Foundation grant by Mr Graeme Worboys (CSF) and Mrs Daly (CHS Principal)

Open Girls Soccer - Combined High Schools (CHS) Knock-out

The open girls soccer team played in Round 2 of the CHS knock-out earlier this week against Murrumburrah High School.  The game started well with fairly even possession until a quick through ball saw Murrumburrah​ finding the back of the net around the 15 minute mark. 

Two further goals were scored against us before some quick play from our backs through to mid-fielder Anisa Rees saw her bring the score line back to 3-1.  A final goal from Murrumburrah on the half time whistle left us trialing by 3 goals going into the second half.


We went into the second half determined not to concede another goal.  Superb play from all players ensured this resulting in a 4-1 full time score.  All players are to be commended on their excellent sportsmanship both on and off the field.  Thanks also to Lachlan Webb and Blake Sloan for running the lines for us and to the Strikers Soccer Club for allowing us to use their wonderful field at O'Connor Park.  Well done to our girls and we wish Murrumburrah High School the best of luck in Round 3 of the competition.

Mrs English

PDHPE

Fitness and Skills during PDHPE Lessons

Year 9 students playing badminton
Year 9 students playing badminton
Stevie Hartshorn learning CPR
Jaiden Duncan and Ethan Blackney challenging each other to a game of table-tennis

FROM THE CAREERS DESK

Young Careers Expo

A reminder to Years 10 and 11 that this event will take place on Tuesday 20th April, (first day back Term 2).

Students will attend Period 1 before catching the bus to Young PCYC, and will be back for Lunch and afternoon lessons. It will be a good idea to bring a snack for morning tea, as the venue will not be supplying food on the day.

Last day for payment is Thursday 1 April, however, the office will be open on Monday 19th April should parents need to make a late payment.

Year 10 Work Experience

Year 10 are reminded that next term they will be preparing for Work Experience, which will take place towards the end of Term 2. Work Readiness activities (including resume preparation) will be undertaken in Careers lessons to ensure that students are well prepared.

School Based Traineeships and Apprenticeships (SBATS)

It’s been a very successful year so far for School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships. Under this program, students attend TAFE, and work for one day per week with an employer over a period of 2 years. The student’s chosen TAFE course contributes to their pattern of study for the HSC.

Pictured (below) signing their contracts this week are Ashlee D’Aran, (Certificate III Aged Care, working at Southern Cross Care), with Kellie Simpson from Apprenticeship Support Australia and Jolene Hurst, Facility Manager for Southern Cross Care; and Mason Cross (Certificate III Electrotechnology Electrician), pictured with Kellie Simpson and Steven Cross (Steven Cross Electrical).

Charlie Tregear, Bayley Derrick and Katie Berkrey are also undertaking a School Based Apprenticeship / Traineeship. Charlie and Bayley are undertaking Certificate III in Plumbing and Katie Berkrey has commenced Certificate III in Aged Care.

SBATS are a great pathway into the work force for students, with one to suit most employers. Mrs Alderman welcomes enquiries and further information on SBATS should parents, students or employers be interested.

Important University Information for Year 12

Year 12 students planning on a university pathway in 2022 are reminded that the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) will open for undergraduate applications on Thursday 1 April. More information regarding the UAC process will be made available to Year 12 in Term 2.

Ashlee D'Aran and Mason Cross signing their SBAT contracts

Careers Expo Information

HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION

CHS Works Notification

COMMUNITY NEWS, EVENTS & INFORMATION

Cootamundra High School P and C

Cash Bingo

School Holiday Fun with the Arts Centre Cootamundra

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Cootamundra High School

Respect, Responsibility, Excellence