From the editor
Leaves newsletterPRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Welcome back to term 4, 2009.
HSC
The Year 12 class of 2009 has commenced HSC examinations and I would like to take this opportunity wish them well.
How to reduce exam stress
End of year exams are stressful for students and their families. Studying for the Higher School Certificate is one of the most stressful times in most children’s lives, but there are many things you can do to help your child relax, de-stress and study better.
Here are some places to start: (if the link does not work please copy and paste it in your browser)
www.schools.nsw.edu.au/gotoschool/highschool/stressexams.php
http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/exam-time-hints-for-managing-stress
To help parents cope:
www.hsc.csu.edu.au/for_parents/
www.schools.nsw.edu.au/news/ezine/yr2009/issue05/hsc.php
2010 School Captains and SRC
The 2010 School Captains have been elected and have started planning for next year. The full leadership group will be formally recognised at a full school assembly later this term. We would like to congratulate the leadership team for 2010. The school captains Callum Bedos and Amy Power; the vice captains are Stephanie Wilkins and Alex Truszewski; sports captains are Lachlan Illingworth and Hilary Page; performing arts captains are Francesca Butler and Megan O’Flaherty.
Shane Molony
Acting Principal
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN MATHEMATICS
Welcome back to Term 4 at the Forest – I hope everyone had a relaxing and safe holiday.
Term 4 is going to be a short (8½ weeks) but busy one.
Year 12 have now officially completed their studies and shortly sit for their HSC exams. Study hard. Good luck in the exams and in life generally.
Year 11 have completed their Preliminary courses and begin their HSC courses in week 2.
Year 10 have their final assessment test on Monday 3rd November in week 3. This is an important grading test. All students should be preparing for this assessment by completing any revision exercises given in class and doing their own revision.
Year 10 teachers have been preparing their students for the upcoming State-wide External School Certificate Test. They will be supplementing this preparation by presenting an in-class “How to improve your grade in the SC Test” seminar. The seminar will focus on exam technique and learning from the mistakes made by past year 10 students.
Years 7,8 and 9 will have their final assessment test during week 5. Teachers will be giving their classes more details during the next few weeks
During the last week of term 3 all Year 8 students participated in the interactive World of Maths excursion held in the PAC. The excursion started with an informative talk about the relevance of Mathematics in our society by our presenter Jerry. The students were then organised into small groups and busily set about solving the practical problems at each of the 15 work stations. Each problem illustrated an important mathematical concept and had a hands-on aspect to it. All groups tackled the problems with great gusto and thoroughly enjoyed the experience of learning Mathematics in this different setting. It was fantastic to see the students so engaged and enthusiastic about their learning. Photos from the World of Maths experience will appear in the next edition of the “Leaves”.
Well done, Year 8!
Mr D.Sizeland Head Teacher Mathematics
YEAR 9 LAPTOP INFORMATION SESSION
THE DIGITAL EDUCATION REVOLUTION
You’re invited!
Parents, carers and students of year 9 are invited to an information session about the new school laptops.
Custom-made for school use, the laptops are robust, compact and lightweight, and fit easily in a school bag. They come fully loaded with a range of leading software and learning applications.
The laptops are wireless enabled so students can connect to the school network and the internet in and around school grounds.
If you have the internet at home, your child can also connect to school and the internet from home.
We’d love to see you at the information session. We’ll give you more information about the laptops, screen a very short video and answer any of your questions.
We’ll also invite you to sign the Laptop User Charter (enclosed within) and bring it to the information evening. If unable to attend, please have your student return the signed charter to Mrs Dean.
When that’s done we’ll go through a start up process with your child in class. After that, it’s theirs to take home!
Date: Tuesday 3rd November, 2009
Time: 7pm
Location: School Library – The Forest High School
ON THE JOB TRAINING REPORT
Two students from Year 9 and seven from year 10 have been selected to participate in an "On the Job Program" as a transition to prepare them for the work force. The program included a three day work based component constructing a new garden bed adjacent to the flag pole, which was undertaken at the end Term 3.
Our school landscape gardener, Nathan Watts, was a fantastic project mentor and passed on to our students the skills required. The new garden looks terrific!
This term there is a TAFE experience day followed by "White Card OH&S" training and two weeks of work experience.
Liz Lewis - School Mentor
*CANTEEN CHRISTMAS DINNER*
All canteen volunteers and staff are welcome to join in our Christmas
festivities on:-
Date: Wednesday, 2nd December
Venue: Roberto's Italian Restaurant
Allambie Shops, Allambie Heights
Cost: $25/per head BYO
RSVP: Heather Bone 0412 790 343 or cbone@optusnet.com.au
by Friday 27th November to confirm numbers.
We look forward to seeing you all there!
BAND FUNDRAISING
DIGI-GIRLS SEMINAR
HELPING KIDS TO DEAL WITH ANXIETY, STRESS AND WORRY
FRENCHS FOREST PUBLIC SCHOOL FAIR
P&C MEETINGS - TERM 4
CHANGES TO TERM 4 P&C and SCHOOL COUNCIL DATES
The P&C and School Council meeting dates for term 4 have changed to-
October 28th (not Oct 21)
November 25th (not Nov 18)
The December 16th meeting is cancelled.
As these are the last 2 meetings for the year I would urge you to make it a priority to be there as we wrap up the year.
Regards Pam O’Flaherty