Principal's Report
Update on Expenditure
The new Covered Outdoor learning Area (COLA) looks great and is proving worthwhile in the current weather.
We are waiting to install various water saving devices but that should happen before the end of term
The Canteen will be upgraded before the end of the year at considerable expense. The P&C will contribute towards the costs as will the Commonwealth Govt and the Dept. of Educ. and Training (DET). At the moment we are considering designs and later this week I will meet with DET Asset Management people plus Dept. of Commerce and our P&C rep to finalise what we want the new Canteen to look like.
Over the next few weeks the roof of the Gym will be replaced so it will become a construction site for up to 3 weeks. This is a major upgrade and long overdue.
There was some vandalism to the school a few weekends ago and indications are that none of our students, past or present, were involved... despite this, we are left with several major garbage bins destroyed plus some of the garden.
The cricket nets have been refurbished and the cricket pitch will be re-covered in August ready for the new season.
A major upgrade of the student toilet facilities will be a major expenditure and the P&C will support the school financially with this.
Given all the above, there has hardly been time to replace Ms Sam Hutton, former Head Teacher English. Soon we will be able to announce the new appointment who will take up the position in Term 4, 2008.
Student talk
I have taken the time to talk with individual Year Groups about various issues. I am particularly concerned about the general morale of our senior students given recent articles in the press. There are no particular concerns at TFHS but students need to be aware that the school has a record of very high achievement in terms of 'value added'.
I have also shared our 'value added' data with the P&C and School Council.
The purpose of my talk is not to make the students anxious, but to reassure them that they will do very well at TFHS if they apply themselves.
I do not know of any other school that achieves such high 'value added' between Year 10 and Year 12 as we do at this school. This is an enormous credit to our teaching staff, our students and our supportive families.
An Early Announcement
On School Development Day 3, Monday 21 July (9-10:30am), we have been fortunate to have Mr Hugh Mackay give a keynote talk about society today in general and teenage life in particular. I have invited staff from our local Primary Schools and there is also an invitation to members of our school community... more details later.
Mr Peter Gillam
Principal.
Student Support Person
We are fortunate to have Mr David Dickinson at our school as a Student Support Person (SSP). Mr Dickinson is not a School Counsellor but with his experience he is able to contribute to a supportive, inclusive and caring learning environment.
It is important to be aware that Mr Dickinson's position has been financed under the Commonwealth Government National School Chaplaincy Program and the Selection Panel that chose Mr Dickinson for this role are confident he will provide accurate and impartial information about community groups, including religious groups, in the broader community.
I have been impressed with his abilities to connect with our students and I'm sure his experiences as a student (many years ago) who struggled with schooling at times, provides him with a good grounding to be supportive and to be a role model/mentor.
If, for any reason, you do not wish Mr Dickinson to talk with your student, please let me know... without any requirement to state a reason.
Mr Peter Gillam
Principal.
Smoking? No Way!
Smoking? No Way!
Tobacco appears in nearly 4 out of 5 movies made today.
Every day 1,070 USA teens will try their first cigarette because of seeing smoking in the movies.
Smoking in the movies is more powerful than cigarette advertising and tobacco companies know it…
“We believe that most of the strong, positive images for cigarettes and smoking are created by cinema and television.”
Philip Morris marketing plan, 1989
“Film placement of RJR brands will create favorable imagery…as advertising restrictions intensify.
Agreement between RJR (maker of Camels) and its PR firm.
There are more smoking and smoking products shown in movies now than before the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement that banned tobacco product placement in the movies.
84% of High school students in Vermont report that when they watch TV or go to the movies they see actors smoking most or some of the time.
Nonsmoking teens whose favorite stars smoke frequently on screen are sixteen times more likely to have positive attitudes about smoking in the future.
Seeing smoking in the movies is responsible for recruiting 52% of the youth who start smoking every year.
Movies make smoking normal and glamorous by showing mostly healthy, attractive, athletic, successful and wealthy characters smoking.
In the real world smoking kills smokers.
In the real world second-hand smoke kills non-smokers.
FOOD & THE FOREST NEWS............
We are pleased to advise that our Canteen now complies with the Healthy Canteen Strategy. We are also thrilled to tell you that our Canteen staff and volunteers are very happy with the polite manners shown by all students who regularly frequent our Canteen. Food @ The Forest offers very reasonable prices with our most expensive item being $3.00. We prepare a hot meal every lunch time and tomorrow's special will be advertised on the blackboard outside the Canteen every day. Some examples of our homemade food all costing $3.00 each include pasta bake, shepherds pie, Rogan josh curry, spaghetti bolognaise, tuna pasta base, fried rice and hokkien noodles .
Did you know that all our $3.00 homemade burgers are freshly made as follows -
* Hamburger - beef pattie, lettuce, tomato, cucumber & beetroot
* Tandoori chicken burger - chicken breast, homous, taboubli & tomato
* Chicken burger - chicken pattie, lettuce & mayonnaise
* Gourmet burger - sundried tomato glazed chicken breast, lettuce, tomato, cheese & mayonnaise,
We need volunteers on the following days (come along and join our friendly team, you won't regret it) -
Day Date Who to call to volunteer
Thurs 12 June Ros, 9975 5817
Tues 24 June Karen, 9401 4303
Frid 27 June Ros, 9975 5817
Thurs 3 July Ros, 9975 5817
WARRINGAH COUNCIL EVENTS
Warringah Council is running a couple of projects in the upcoming months that your students may be interested in.
The Warringah Brewarrina Youth Exchange - We are looking for 6 Youth Ambassadors to represent the Warringah area on our annual Youth Exchange Program to Brewarrina in outback NSW. Exchange is FREE to participants.
When..7th - 13th July 2008 During School Holidays.
Who...Young people 14 - 19 residing in or connected to the Warringah area.
Cost...Free!
Closing Date for applications: 13th June 2008
Contact Justian on 9942 2401
Email youth@warringah.nsw.gov.au or visit: www.warringah.nsw.gov.au
The Boots To Bre campaign - we are asking local people to donate their new or good condition old sporting equipment to bring up to Brewarrina to support local sporting groups.
P&C FUNDRAISING
Attention: Business Owners
TAX TIME IS FAST APPROACHING!!
The Forest High P&C will be holding a Trivia Night and we are gratefully accepting donations. As the end of the financial year is approaching, it may be a good time to think about making a donation of goods (tax deductible) to support your school's 1st official fundraiser in many years.
For more information please contact Tracy Palmer 0402 907 336 or Christine Kaard 0408 975 626.
SHOPPING TRIP
SHOPPING TRIP!!
SATURDAY 2ND AUGUST 2008
Our fundraiser will take us all over the best shopping outlets for the day. Come along and have some real fun and shop till you drop!! We shall be visiting shoe stores, toy stores, Manchester, fashion, cosmetics, home wares, designer labels - something for everyone. We shall be having lunch by the water (main course, dessert, tea/coffee - included in the price) as well as stopping to catch our breath at two coffee venues. There will be prizes all day raffled off in the bus and most of them donated by the outlets. Book your seat as soon as possible and invite your friends. We need you on this day to have fun and support your School. Cost of tickets: $50pp (includes lunch). Cheques/cash to the canteen - marked Treasurer - first in best dressed.
Communication With Teens
Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service
Enquiries: Phone 9887 5830
1 Come along and get some great ideas to assist you to:
- Learn how to resolve "issues" between your teenager and yourself and still keep the relationship intact
COURSE VENUE: Chatswood (5 Weeks)
WHEN : Wednesday, 29th October - 26th November, 2008 (7.00pm - 9.30pm)
COST: $150 per person Concession: $125 per person
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2. WORKSHOP - "DEALING WITH TEEN'S BACK CHAT"
VENUE: CHATSWOOD
WHEN: Wednesday, 22nd October, 2008 - 7.00 - 9.30pm
COST: $40 per person