From the editor
Leaves NewsletterPRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Our Open Night was held on Wednesday 11th March. The event was very well attended and staff, students and parents worked hard to make the night an outstanding success. It was a real pleasure to have the opportunity to meet so many prospective parents and students and to talk to them about the school and our plans for the next three years.
We are planning some very innovative programs for 2009 - 2011. Firstly The Forest is one of only six schools in the North Sydney Region piloting a program called "Positive Behaviour Engaged Learners" (PBEL). PBEL is a program that is being implemented across the state so we are fortunate to be one of the first schools in this region to take it on board. Our leadership team will be trained next week and our first school development day will focus on introducing the program whole school.
PBEL focuses on the whole school community working together to identify the school's core values such as respect, responsibility and excellence, and then the school community develops systems and processes to encourage positive behaviour related to those values. Students and staff work together to identify what those values look like in the school, the playground and the classroom and students are explicitly taught social skills and positive behaviour. The core values and expectations are then clearly displayed and consistently applied across the whole school.
In addition to PBEL we will be developing and implementing study skills and enrichment programs for Years 7 and 8 for 2010. The programs will utilise our "Connected Classroom" and tap into outside expertise from educational organisations. Students will have the opportunity to undertake authentic project-based learning and communicate their findings utilising innovative technology.
Rosemary McDowall
Principal
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
As the term draws to its end I would like to reflect on some of the many wonderful moments that have happened so far this year. It was with great pleasure and pride that I attended the recent Presentation Night. I was continually amazed at the number and variety of awards that were being received by our very gifted and talented students. It was also wonderful to see the night being compared by our school leaders who not only ran the night's proceedings but also relected on the highlights of the year that was.
I was also fortunate enough to attend the Year 11 Camp held at the Great Aussie Bush Camp in Hawkes Nest. This camp provided me with an opportunity to get to know the students in an informal environment away from school. i was impressed with the way all students actively involved themselves in the activities and whith how they supported each other. The students at The Forest High School are certainly a friendly and supportive group of young people.
Mrs Jane Dean - Deputy Principal
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL REPORT
2009 has seen the SRC start the year at a fast pace. First we had the Welcome Back Dance to organize, whilst also completing surveys for the new school management plan, preparing speeches for Presentation night, attending the District SRC meeting at Warringah Council Chambers, afternnon tea at Killarney Heights High to meet and network with other SRC leaders in the region, involvement at Open Night and beginning the annual Easter Egg Drive. James and Rose (our School Captains) have been in high profile the last few weeks in their hosting roles for Presentation and Open Nights - congratulations to them both on their efforts.
Next week we will be visiting Mona Vale Hospital, Manly Royal Far West and Stewart House to deliver the eggs so kindly donated by the school community. Our delivery is at this time so as not to clash with Year 12 Half Yearly Examinations and our seniors love the opportunity to interact with the community in such a positive way.
After the devastating Victorian bushfires the SRC decided to donate the proceeds form the Welcome Back Dance to the Red Cross Appeal, sending over $1000.00, (plus a donation from the Year 12s from their Valentines Day Assembly).
Brooke Cresswell, our Vice Captain, deserves a special mention in that she organized a group of 40 senior students to visit Chatswood Blood Bank to donate much needed blood for the burns victims of the fires. Unfortunately the students could not attend the morning session due to class commitments, but a group did go and donate during their free time as Year 12 do not do sport. Brooke should be recommended for organizing this wonderful support of our fellow Australians. They hope to go again at a later date as not all who put their name down were able to go in the afternoon.
This year we are participating in the Relay for Life which is a fundraiser for the Cancer Council. So many in our community are either directly, or indirectly, affected by cancer and so the decision was made to support this worthy charity. On the weekend of the 28th March we will be at the Northern Harbour Relay at Gore Hill. If you would like to support the school team you can donate on-line - any donation will be greatly received.
http://www.relay.cancercouncil.com.au/?2009/northern_harbour_2009/team_forest
CANTEEN - URGENT
Urgent VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. We have several days that we have NO volunteers and are at risk of limited food for the students or of having to close.
If you have any spare time, even an hour or 2 to help prepare food for the day please contact the canteen personally or by phoning the school on 9451 5111.
For any further information or questions please contact Heather Bone cbone@optusnet.com.au
T Duncan
P & C ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
On Wednesday, 18th March, we are holding our AGM followed by our regular P&C meeting. We will meet in the Library at 7.30pm. We warmly invite you to join us as we elect our team for the year ahead. Why not consider being a part of the 2009 team or just come along and hear all the latest news and happenings at The Forest High School. I look forward to seeing you there.
Pam O'Flaherty - P&C President
P & C CAR RAFFLE
We have plenty of car raffle books still available from Mr Molony's office for you to sell.
Tickets are $2 each for the prize of a BRAND NEW TOYOTA YARIS this will be drawn at the end of March.
If you have a question about this or would like more books please contact Tracy 0402 907 336 or Christine 0416 928 015.
There are prezes for each year group for the student that sells the most books of tickets, each book is only $20.
WORKING BEE
GARDENING WORKING BEE
When: Saturday, August 15, 2009
Time: 9.00 am - 1.00 pm
Plants: If you have any that you would like to donate or have some good gardening contacts please let us know.
BYO: Spades, brooms, saw and secaturs if you have them
Please consider coming along and giving us a hand for a few hours
AFL SYDNEY SWANS V/S GEELONG CATS
Our school has the opportunity to receive one family pass (2Adults/2Children) to the Sydney Swans V Geelong Cats match at the ANZ Stadium (formerly known as Tesltra Stadium) on August 15th, 2009.
Please click on the following attachment for full details.
Half_Page_Play_AFL_Advertisement.pdf
EASTER EGG DRIVE
Once again it is the time of the year that the SRC ask for donations of easter eggs. Each year, due to the generous Forest community, the school is able to deliver easter eggs to the patients at Mona Vale Hospital and the students visiting at Manly Far West and Stewart House. Your donation will brighten someone's day - so please bring in some eggs to the Library to help our students give back to the community.
We will be delivering eggs this coming week but we still need more donations to help bring a smile to others.
Thank you to all who have already donated - it is much appreciated.
MVP DAY
The school is part of the MVP club and they have organised a 20% off Storewide day for MVP members on Thursday, March 26th, 2009 from 9am - 9pm. These days are great credit earners.
Please click on link for full details:
F045 - 101493 REBSPO A5 Flyer.pdf
MUSIC NIGHT
Stage 6 Music Night will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2009, commencing at 7.00pm. All parents
and guests are welcome.