From the editor
Leaves NewsletterPrincipal's Report
Reminder about Parent/Teacher Interviews
The Parent/Teacher Night for Years 8 and 11 is scheduled for 30th June and the Parent/Teacher Night for Years 9 and 10 is scheduled for 7th July. Both nights commence at 3:30 pm and go until 7:30. Parents and carers are encouraged to attend. We value your input.
School Development Day
I would like to extend an invitation to parents and carers to attend our next School Development Day 27th July starting at 8:30 am in The Forest High School Hall. The first part of the day will be shared with staff from our Forest Learning Community. There will be two guest speakers: Ann-Marie Furney, School Education Director, Western Sydney Region, Interactive Classrooms Project and the Middle Years, and Sue Beveridge, Educational Outcomes and Business Change Manager, Connected Learning Opportunities.
The afternoon sessions will be for our school only. There will be a session for parents to review the draft Welfare and Discipline Policy incorporating PBEL (Positive Behaviour Engaging Learners), and a session to discuss the Digital Education Revolution (DER) and the impact of the lap tops that will be issued to all Year 9 students in Term 3.
Laptops for Learning now called Digital Education Revolution NSW
All Year 9 students will be issued with a laptop. This is likely to occur in August. Then at the beginning of 2010 all Year 9 students (currently Year 8) will be issued with a laptop.
Students and parents will have to agree to abide by a Laptop Use Charter, which they will have to sign. The laptops will remain the property of the DET until the student finishes school at the end of Year 12. If students leave the public school system or leave school prior to finishing Year 12, the laptop will have to be returned to the school. There will be a technical support person allocated to the school to help manage the laptops. The school will be given an additional bank of laptops to use with Years 10, 11 and 12.
The DET is providing training and modules of work for teachers to use with Year 9. Our school has begun planning for the implementation of the laptops into Year 9 programs. Teachers will also be issued with laptops and Year 9 teachers will receive their laptops in the first round.
Swine Flu update
We still need to take steps to minimise the transmission of this virus in the community as some people in our school community remain at increased risk of complications from influenza. Instead of excluding people who may have been to an affected area, or who have been in contact with a person with confirmed human swine influenza, we will now be asking any person with flu symptoms to stay at home until they are well.
Any student who identifies that they are unwell, or is displaying flu-like symptoms will be sent to a sick-bay area and their parent or carer will be called to take them home.
Please watch carefully for any signs or symptoms of flu-like illness in your child. These symptoms include fever, cough, tiredness, muscle aches, sore throat, chills or shortness of breath. NSW Health has advised if you or your child develops flu-like symptoms you should seek the advice of your family doctor as you would with any other illness.
Rosemary McDowall
Principal
HSIE REPORT
Since my last article in 'The Leaves', ANZAC Day has come and gone but I must take this opportunity to commend the group of Year 9 students who participated in the ceremony. World War I and the landings on the Gallipoli Peninsula are an integral part of the Year 9 history course and so the rememberance service had a particular significance.
Keegan Baldwin acted as chairperson while Katie Koster and Matthew Todd delivered the ANZAC address. Jaime Listberger and Ellen Kirkpatrick laid the wreath of rememberance while Amy hadley and Chris Stapleton recited prayers. Michelle Lemming of Year 10 was our bugler playing the Last Post and sounding Reveille. We were lucky enough to be joined by two ex servicement for the assembly and they expressed great praise for the respect and solemnity shown by the entire school. Indeed, it was an occasion The Forest High can be very proud of.
In early May, Year 10 ventured off on a trek along the beachfront between Narrabeen and Dee Why, studying human interference and its impact along this section of coastline. Students were required to complete a very detailed assessment task on the management practices being employed. The quality of most of these have been outstanding and obviously reflect a great deal of effort. This has been extremely pleasing to see from a teachers perspective.
As the HSC approaches, our year 12 Modern, Ancient and Extension History students are all off to Sydney University for a series of expert history lectures as well as a taste of tertiary style education. These are a valuable supplement to classroom learning as well as a very enjoyable experience.
Year 11 legal Studies students have also been spreading their wings outside the classroom visiting the District Court in town to sit in on a range of criminal cases. Such practical experiences is an invaluable supplement to classroom learning. We are very lucky at The Forest to have both a qualified lawyer and teacher in the form of Mr Jason Millar, teaching Legal Studies after the sudden departure of Mrs Powell at the end of last year and I thank him for his ongoing effort.
Finally, we are in final countdown mode to HSC PIP (Personal Interest project) submission. the product of six months ongoing primary research in Society and Culture there 4,000 word original pieces of work are the product of a great deal of effort. Past experience has shown that our PIP's are of outstanding quality and score extremely high marks. Mrs Fussell is one of the most experienced Society & culture teachers in the state and we are very lucky to have her guiding our students. Hopefully, this year's students can emulate the results of their predecessors.
K. Stapleton - Head Teacher - HSIE
ATAR - Macquarie University Parent Information Evening.
In 2009 there will be important changes to the UAI which will effect all HSC students.
On the evening of 29th July Macquarie University is hosting an information evening for parents and their children to inform you of these changes. Kim Paino, Director of Information Services at UAC will be speaking directly about the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (which will replace the UAI) and the important information HSC students need to know.
There will also be information available about Academic Advantage - Macquarie University's bonus point scheme and uniTEST, the University's Alternative Entry Process.
For a comprehensive overview of the program, parking details and campus maps please go to: www.futurestudent.mq.edu.au/undergraduate
Information on Macquarie University degree programs and the 2010 curriculum will be also be available and the opportunity to meet current students and academic staff.
This event is free of charge and refreshments will be provided.
Seats are limited and bookings are essential.
RSVP essential to:
Phone: (02) 9850 6045 Email: events@vc.mq.edu.au
Jason Elias
Manager Student Recruitment
Macquarie University
www.mq.edu.au
EMPLOYMENT POSITION VACANT-
The P&C are looking to employ an MYOB trained book keeper to start IMMEDIATELY.
The following responsibilities need to be carried out-
· Electronic banking
· Inputting debtors and creditor invoices and payments
· Payroll for 6
· Superannuation payments to various entities each month
· ATO PAYG payments every month (there is no GST therefore no BAS)
· Reconciliation
· Producing monthly reports such as profit and loss and balance sheet
The successful applicant will report to the Treasurer on a regular basis.
Please call Christine Kaard asap on 0416 928 015 for further information.
Pam O’Flaherty- P&C President