Thefortnightlynewsletter ofCastleHillHighSchool

EXCELLENCE
Volume 13

INNOVATION

SUCCESS
24 August 2012

PRINCIPALS MESSAGE
Outstanding student works Industrial Technology Wood and Metal students displayed their HSC major works for marking this week to the delight of parents, P&C members and students who witnessed the exhibition in the Teachers Common Room. Projects as vast as pool tables, dining room suites, cabinets, BBQs and outdoor furniture settings were on display. Excellent examples of fine wood joinery, metal lacing and welding skills demonstrated the artistic, patient skills required of students at this level in these subjects. Many of the projects are breathtaking. The photo montage below does not do the works justice, but you will have a glimpse at the scale and skill level involved. Thanks must go to these students teachers who have also put in many extra hours to see these works completed at such high standards. Congratulations to all.

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School Telephone: 9634 4199 School Facsimile: 9899 6527 Website: http://www.castlehill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 1

Showcase The annual Castle Hill High School Showcase this year featured an Australian theme highlighting songs, dances, dramatic pieces and musical items with an Australian flavour. Once again, many talented, enthusiastic students demonstrated their love of the creative arts and their confidence to bring this to an audience on Wednesday 22 August. The show was very well received. It was a testament to the huge work of teachers and the commitment of students. It was a most enjoyable, fun-filled evening. Next week Tuesday 28 August will see the opening of the Castle Hill High School Art Show, again another annual event that draws on the body of work of many students, in particular HSC Visual Arts students. I expect this will be a great success if previous years are any judge. Also, on Thursday 30 August we will host an HSC Music Evening for parents and friends of HSC Music students who will be given an opportunity to hear major works performed. HSC the final run Most HSC students are nearly finished with major work deadlines and all Year 12 students have received results from their Trial HSC examinations held in the first two weeks of this term. It means that now is a time for serious revision, reflection, practice and planning to realise the best HSC results possible. Often, this time can be seen as a wind down. I see it as an opportunity to really focus without the pressure of any assessment tasks or major works. Its a time for deep learning, particularly in light of the Trial results. As in previous years the P&C will generously sponsor extra tuition of our students just prior to the HSC exams. This is an opportunity for students, before their exams, to seek more personalised tuition from their teachers in the evenings and in the STUVAC period. Once again, the P&C are to be congratulated for their generosity with this gesture. I Give a Gonski I wrote last term about the importance of governments in protecting the future of students and providing this country with the foundations for a world- class education system. It will cost money. David Gonski, with a panel of eminent Australians, reviewed our education systems and conservatively estimated that it would cost an extra $5 billion dollars a year to provide what we must expect the best education possible for our children and our future as a sophisticated, leading country. If we dont spend the money, our standards will decline. The questions then, for me, are these: If extra funding is not given, will we be happy being a third rate country educationally? Will the gap between the most advantaged and the poorest grow even wider and will this have social, economic and welfare consequences that we will not be able to manage in the next decade? What price is excellence?

Personally, Id be happy to pay more of my taxes to see much - needed extra funding given to education generally, and schools specifically. It is for our future. Vicki Brewer

2012 TERM DATES

Term 3 Friday 21 September Term 4 Monday 8 October Wednesday 19 December Friday 21 December Last day Term 3

Teachers, Staff and Students Resume Last day Term 4 for Students Last day Term 4 for Teachers and Staff

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School Telephone: 9634 4199 School Facsimile: 9899 6527 Website: http://www.castlehill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 2

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School Telephone: 9634 4199 School Facsimile: 9899 6527 Website: http://www.castlehill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 3

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT
Yiheng Wang
What does the sport of Mens Artistic Gymnastics involve? Mens Artistic Gymnastics involve a wide variety of skills, strength and flexibility. There are six apparatus to compete on: floor; pommel; rings; vault; parallel bars and high bar. Gymnastics also involves a lot of hard work and bouncing back from failure. What level of representation have you achieved in Mens Artistic Gymnastics? I have represented Castle Hill RSL at the 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 State Championships and represented NSW at the National Championships in 2011. What training do you do for Mens Artistic Gymnastics? I train twenty-one hours a week at Castle Hill C2K (three and a half hours a day; six days a week). What do you enjoy about Mens Artistic Gymnastics? I enjoy the freedom you have when you are performing skills; I also like my team mates and the coaches that spend so much time training me. What other sports do you participate in? Unfortunately, I do not participate in any other sport at the moment but I used to play badminton, swimming and tennis.

National Championships 2011

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School Telephone: 9634 4199 School Facsimile: 9899 6527 Website: http://www.castlehill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 4

Tips for Parents of HSC Students:

We all know how addictive Facebook usage can be I heard this one on ABC Radio this morning: if your child is willing during exam time, have them give you (the parent) their Facebook password, which you can reset to an unknown phrase. The student then has to negotiate Facebook time with you. You can then change the password for next time. Good luck with negotiations, but if they are realistic and sensible, the decision for them will be easy. The university student who rang the radio station with the idea still keeps the system in place, and it has become popular with her friends also. No matter what your child tells you, I can almost guarantee that most students play computer games to an almost addictive level. Try to monitor this also during the next few months Reminder for Year 12 parents: We are hoping MANY Year 12 students will donate blood as a final act of community service. They need to BOOK EARLY with the Blood Bank (131495) since the mobile bus coming to the RSL club can only administer prior appointments. PLEASE encourage your kids to get into this worthy habit! Students must pay $50 for their Yearbook by 6 August. The publishers will only print the numbers that have been paid for. This will be a prestigious document that will be a treasure for a life time. The Formal has to be paid for by 3 September. Costs have been emailed to you previously, and students have a sheet. I have tried to keep costs to a minimum. Any questions please call me on 96344199 or preferably email me at glenda.morrissey@det.nsw.edu.au Glenda Morrissey Year 12 Advisor
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School Telephone: 9634 4199 School Facsimile: 9899 6527 Website: http://www.castlehill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 5

Library news
Britannica Online
The Library is now subscribing to the Britannica Online School Edition preK-12 which is available on the desktop of all school computers and remotely by logging into Moodle and selecting Library. Britannica Online is a comprehensive, interactive resource for student learning which is user-friendly, multimedia focused and fun to use. Some of its features are as follows: Three age-related encyclopaedias Senior (Years 10-12), Middle (Years 5-9) and Primary (K-Year5). Online dictionary Learning Materials in a range of subject areas and many levels Interactive lessons, Study guides, Activities and exercises. Teacher Resources include Curriculum Standards, Learning Materials and Training Materials. My Workspace The place to save your research including journal articles, websites , images and videos and to have access to shared workspace. Britannica also provides the citation for you. So check it out for your next research project!

E-Books available on Student Drive (Y:)

The following titles mostly Issues in Society titles are available as E-Books which have been placed on the Student Resources Drive (Y:) as thumbnails. These titles are suitable for senior students in HSIE and PDHPE subjects as well as for students preparing for debates and for individual research projects. They include lots of teaching resources - including worksheets, activities as well as useful websites: Adoption issues Alcohol and Binge drinking Australias Mining Boom Cardiovascular Health Carers : Ageing and Disability Children and Young People at Risk Dealing with Bullying Extreme Weather and Natural Disasters Fast Food Finding Information Forest Conservation Gambling problems Global Food Crisis HIV and AIDS Human Rights and Civil Liberties Human Trafficking and Slavery International Aid Ms Davis & Ms Stapley Teacher Librarians Making Sense of Information Nuclear Energy Debate Organ and Tissue Donation Planning for Research Poverty and Social Exclusion Privacy and Information Rights Respectful Relationships Risk Taking and Personal Safety Self-Harm and Young People Social Impacts of Digital Media Sustainable Land Management Terrorism and National Security The Crime and Punishment Debate Tobacco Smoking Vegetarianism Welfare Reform Debate

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School Telephone: 9634 4199 School Facsimile: 9899 6527 Website: http://www.castlehill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 6

UNIFORM SHOP NEWS

Remember:
Year 10 students may now purchase their Senior Uniform for Term 4 2012. This involves navy trousers and/or shorts for boys and the check skirt for girls. Other items of the uniform are unchanged. Navy trousers Navy shorts sizes 76 102 sizes 76 102 $50.00 $40.00

There has been a wholesale price rise in the cost of Nylon/Wool jumpers. The P & C Association have discussed a price rise and they decided that jumpers sizes 10 16 would remain at $70.00, but jumpers sizes 18 26 need to be $75.00. These sizes have always cost extra, but are now considerably more expensive than the smaller sizes. The Uniform Shop has kept all the jumpers at the same price for the past twelve years and cannot absorb the higher cost any longer. Jumpers presently in stock are all $70.00. Poly/Cotton Jumpers will remain at $70.00 for all sizes

OPENING HOURS FOR TERM 3 2012

Monday and Friday 8.15am 11.30am

2012

Music HSC Performance Evening

Thursday, 30th August School Auditorium 7pm

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School Telephone: 9634 4199 School Facsimile: 9899 6527 Website: http://www.castlehill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 7

FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER
Published and distributed by email to parents each Friday fortnight during school term

CALENDAR 2012 - TERM 3

DATE Monday 2012 Tuesday 28 August 2012 Wednesday 29 August 2012 Thursday 30 August 2012 CALENDAR EVENT TERM 3 WEEK 7A Spirit Week Art Show Opening Night DATE Monday 3 September 2012 Tuesday 4 September 2012 Wednesday 5 September 2012 Thursday 6 September 2012 CALENDAR EVENT TERM 3 WEEK 8B Year 12 Blood Donation Year 12 Blood Donation Castle Hill High & CHPS Concert Peer Support Camp Assembly Years 7-9 Year 10 Meeting Hall Session 2 Year 11 Yearly Examinations Combined High Schools Carnival Peer Support Camp Uni of Western Sydney Lunchtime Info Session Year 11 Yearly Examinations Combined High Schools Carnival Peer Support Camp Living in Aust. Course for parents of International Students 10am in Common Room

27 August

Art Show Assembly Celebration Years 7-12 Art Show

Friday 31 August 2012

Year 11 Biology Excursion Aust. Museum/Botanical Gardens Living in Aust. Course for parents of International Students 10am in Common Room

Friday 7 September 2012

Saturday 8 September 2012

Design & Technology Exhibition 2 - 4pm B15

Upcoming Yearly Examinations Year 11 Year 8 Year 7 Year 9 10 18 September.2012 8 19 October.2012 15 26 October.2012 29 October 2 November.2012 Year 10 5 9 November2012

Next P & C Meeting Wednesday 19 September 2012 7.30pm Common Room

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School Telephone: 9634 4199 School Facsimile: 9899 6527 Website: http://www.castlehill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 8

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School Telephone: 9634 4199 School Facsimile: 9899 6527 Website: http://www.castlehill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 9

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School Telephone: 9634 4199 School Facsimile: 9899 6527 Website: http://www.castlehill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 10

CASTLE HILL COMMUNITY NEWS and ADVERTISING

17 MulheronAveBaulkham Hills 2153 For discount prices see www.brennandrivingschool.com.au

Mention Castle Hill High School and for every referral, $2.00 will be given to the school from Taylored Physiotherapy.

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School Telephone: 9634 4199 School Facsimile: 9899 6527 Website: http://www.castlehill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 11

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School Telephone: 9634 4199 School Facsimile: 9899 6527 Website: http://www.castlehillh.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 12

OZ SPEAK
The Hills Shire 2013 Australia Day Public Speaking Competition
This event has the two-fold effect of encouraging excellence in public speaking among young people and promoting Australia Day in the Shire. Students are invited to participate. There will be two categories: Junior Years 7, 8 and 9 Seniors Years 10, 11 and 12 The heats will take place late Term 3 and early Term 4 at the Council Chambers. The Finals will be held (subject to confirmation) on Monday 21 January 2013 at Castle Hill Community Centre. Students have the option of preparing a topic with an Australian theme, which follows their own studies/interests of from the following list: Should asylum seekers wait their turn? / Bullying. Part of the school/work culture / Multiculturalism in Australia / London Olympics. Do they really showcase our athletes?/ The poor. They are always with us / Drug taking and ethics in Australian sport / Is Social Media killing our interpersonal relationships skills? / Australia. Developing a gang culture. Prizes will be awarded in each of the categories.

Closing date is Friday 31 August 2012. Entry forms may be collected from Mrs Clifford in the English Staffroom.
For more details please contact any of The Hills Shire Council Civic Events Team on 9843 0532.
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KOREAN
NSW ? ? ? ? 5. . . NSW/HSC//// / 10 12, , 2012 824 921()

KOREAN
Northern Sydney Region NSW Department of Education & Training Invitation to attend the Living in Australia (LIA) Course Are you from Korean cultural background? Would like to know more about Australian life and the NSW education system? Would like to know more about how you can help your children at school and at home? Are you willing to learn how to deal with your young children and teenager children? Please join us at this five week free course. The Course is friendly and informal and run in Korean. Morning tea will be provided. Topics to be covered; NSW Education system/HSC& subject choice/Parenting skill/ Australian teaching styles/Child protection/ Communication with teenagers/Bilingualism 10am12 pm, Friday24August21September(five Fridays),2012 Staff Common Room, Castle Hill High School, Castle St, Castle Hill 2154 If you want to attend this course, please call Ms Ms Gia Franchi on 9634 4199 (Castle Hill HS) or Mr Qeefaaon 9987 3935 (DEC), or email him on Qeefaa.an@det.nsw.edu.au by 23 August

Staff Common Room, Castle Hill High School, Castle St, Castle Hill, 2154 9634 4199(Castle Hill HSMs GiaFranchi) 9987 3935 (Hornsby ) , Qeefaa.an@det.nsw.edu.au

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School Telephone: 9634 4199 School Facsimile: 9899 6527 Website: http://www.castlehillh.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 13

What is 5000 steps? Hills Mental Health Inter Agency also organised 5000 steps with the Paws in the Park event organised by Baulkham Hills Shire Council. 5000 steps and Paws in the Park will be held on 4 November 2012 at the Dog Arena of the Castle Hill Showgrounds. If you have further questions please do not hesitate to contact Baulkham Hills Shire Council on (02) 9843 0273 about 5000 Steps and the Paws in the Park event. If you have questions about the writing competition please contact Dr Daya Howpage on 0407 195 464 or via email on d.howpage@mentalhealthspecialists.com Please see more information on Hills Shire Website http://www.thehills.nsw.gov.au/Paws-inthe-Park.html

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School Telephone: 9634 4199 School Facsimile: 9899 6527 Website: http://www.castlehillh.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 14