From the editor
Leaves NewsletterPRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Community Speakers
We have been fortunate to obtain some very impressive guest speakers to address our students and raise their awareness of international issues and individual responsibilities.
Dan Daley, former Fire House Captain in New York City, recently spoke to all Year 10
students as well as a number of Year 12s. He spoke very eloquently about his experiences
with the 9/11 disaster and its consequences. Mr. Daley then spoke to the students about
their individual responsibilities and how they could make a difference and improve their communities and their lives. Our students enjoyed the presentation and a number of them stayed behind to ask some significant questions. I thank Kevin Stapleton and the HSIE
faculty for their organisation of the day.
Next Week Year 7 and 8 students will hear from Kimberly Sheedy, an Ex-Forest High
student who is now a successful international businesswoman and charity fundraiser
who has recently raised funds to improve women’s health in Ethiopia. I thank Kerry
Wallace for organising this event.
These activities link strongly with the whole school leadership programs we are implementing such as High Resolves.
Industry Placement Initiative
Our first session for the Industry Placement Initiative will commence today. Twelve Year 9
boys will be working with a community mentor and a professional landscaper to undertake
a work experience project to improve the school grounds. This initiative gives students a number of skills in consulting and planning the project, ordering materials and dealing with contractors, the refurbishment of the garden, mapping future career goals, resume writing
and interview skills. The 2009 project was a huge success, with one of last year’s
participants being offered a landscaping apprenticeship.
Parent Teacher Interviews Reminder
Year 11 and 12 Parent Teacher interviews are scheduled for Tuesday, 1st June from
3.30 pm onwards. Year 7 and 8 interviews are scheduled for Thursday 17th June and
Years 9 and 10 are scheduled for Tuesday 29th June. Letters regarding the interviews
will be posted home to parents shortly. We look forward to seeing parents on the night.
Uniform Reminder
As a result of the wet weather some students have been out of uniform due to “wet shoes
and jackets”. Out of uniform notes should only be issued for unusual circumstances and
for a brief period of time.
Our community has strongly indicated that they want Forest High students to wear school uniform. Students are expected to be in full school uniform at all times and proper footwear
is extremely important due to OH&S requirements. Most students who undertake part-time employment outside of school will find that many employers require employees to wear black leather footwear. School shoes can be purchased in the uniform shop on Mondays.
If parents are concerned about purchasing jackets that students will only wear for the rest
of this year, they should contact us as we have some second hand jackets in the uniform
pool. Please ensure that your child has an appropriate jumper or jacket, which can be purchased from the uniform shop here at school. The weather is becoming quite cold
and we do not want students to be cold or to be out of uniform.
Sport
I am concerned at the number of students who believe that if sport is cancelled due to
inclement weather, they should have permission to leave the school. Indoor sports
continue to run at all times. Alternative activities are organised for students in outdoor
sports and arrangements have been made for students who do not wish to participate
in those activities to undertake private, supervised study.
School is the safest place for our students and they are expected to stay at school on Wednesdays for sport or alternative programs. We are seeking parental support to
address this issue. Leave passes will not be issued on Wednesday. Any student
genuinely requiring a leave pass on a Wednesday must submit the request on Tuesday
or earlier in the week.
NAIDOC Week celebrations between the 4th and 11th of July.
NAIDOC is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and an
opportunity to recognise the significant contributions of Indigenous Australians. Find out
more at www.naidoc.org.au
Eco tip
Did you know? Australian households spend on average, $1,500 on energy bills each year.
What can you do? Install energy-efficient lighting such as compact fluorescent bulbs, and turn off lights when you leave a room.
More tips at www.livingthing.net.au
Internet safety tip
Keep computers out in the open!
Your child might think twice about looking at inappropriate websites and won't be able to chat to their friends all night while you think they are doing their homework.
More tips at www.schools.nsw.edu.au/click
Helping your Year 12 student through the HSC
Parents can offer their child support by:
· Providing a good place to study. Ideally it should be quiet, a comfortable
temperature, with good ventilation, good lighting, adequate desk or table space
and free from distractions such as TV, noise, a telephone, interesting conversations, little brothers and sisters.
· Providing good, ba
· Encouraging sensible levels of sleep and some form of regular exercise.
More tips at www.hsc.csu.edu.au/for_parents
Principal
CROSS COUNTRY - POSTPONED
The Cross Country carnival has been postponed until Thursday 3rd June, 2010 due to the weather conditions.
Your student will receive an amended permission note.
SRC TRIVIA NIGHT THIS WEDNESDAY 2ND JUNE 2010
The annual SRC Trivia Night is on this week on Wednesday 2nd June -
School Hall 7.30pm – this evening in the past has been a fun night, totally organised
and run by the students.
We would appreciate some more adult tables - so please contact the school if you
can make up a table for Wednesday night. It is not a late night and everyone has
always enjoyed themselves. We are looking at erecting a bus shelter, with some
seating, from our fundraising and every dollar will help.
A thank you to those parents who have already donated wonderful prizes - it helps make
our night. Please contact the school, or drop off prizes to the library, if you can help.
Please book your table as soon as possible for a great night of trivia and fun. The
Student Representative Council look forward to seeing you there. Tables of ten can
be registered at the Library.
$10.00 per adult
$5.00 per child/student
$20.00 per family – 2 adults and up to 3 children
A table of ten Forest students will cost $40.00. We would love to see you there.
Line up the trivia buffs and sign up now for a table at the SRC Trivia Night.
Bring your own nibbles for your table. What a great way to share a fun evening
and raise funds for The Forest High!
Prize awarded for best dressed table – pick any theme you wish.
GREASE MUSICAL
Tickets for The Forest High School Musical "Grease" will go on sale from Monday 31st May, 2010.
Shows will run on Wednesday 23rd June, Friday 25 June and Saturday 26 June from 7.30pm.
Tickets are:
Adult $20.00
Concession/Student $10.00
Family
(2 adults/2 concession) $50.00
Please complete and return to account’s office.
Payment for Grease Musical
Student(s) Name and Year(s): ___________________Year: __________
I am paying $ _________________ by (please circle) cheque/cash/Mastercard/Visa
Cardholder’s Name (please print): ___________________________________
Signature: ___________________Expiry Date: ______________ Phone___________
YOUTH AWARD CEREMONY ROTARY CLUB OF BELROSE
This year's awarder was Leigh Markovic of Year 9. This award is bestowed
upon a young person who has exceeded the normal outcomes expected of him
or her. Leigh received the award at a special dinner, accompanied by her family,
on Tuesday 18 May 2010.
This year Leigh became involved with the World's Greatest Shave, raising
over $1000.00 to assist this worthy charity. She decided to become involved
as an individual participant because her family had experience with cancer,
with both her grandparents passing away from cancer. Her wish to show
support for families that are experiencing the effects of cancer was also a
strong factor behind her motivation. Another motive behind her becoming
involved was to show herself and her peers that one should not be afraid of
doing something different. Having been bullied in her primary years Leigh
wanted to show people she could undertake such a worthy challenge as a
strong individual.
In front of the whole school at our annual Shave 4 a Cure event Leigh had
her long ponytail lopped off and then was shaved after her target had been
reached. Last minute donations were gained by appealing to the assembled
school to help her reach beyond the goal set. Leigh showed her determination
to succeed by addressing the assembly and collecting the additional
donations required.
Below is a letter of appreciation from The Rotary Club of Belrose
Thank you for nominating Leigh. My wife and I had the pleasure of sitting at
the same table as Leigh and members of her family. I am confident that the
award bestowed on this young lady means a lot and may act as a springboard
for further achievement in life. She may have been nervous before she
received her award but in response she was articulate and her passion for
her cause was evident. Please convey our congratulations to her.
OKs Psaltis
Youth Service Director
Belrose Rotary Club