From the editor

Leaves Newsletter

P&C MEETING

 Next meeting of the P&C will be Wednesday 16th September

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PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

PBEL Launch Reminder

On Wednesday 16^th September 10:00 am The Forest High School will officially launch Positive Behaviour Engaging Learners (PBEL).  The whole school has been focused on this initiative since Term 1. We have identified our school-wide expectations: Respect, Responsibility and Personal Best and developed a matrix of what these expectations look in all school settings. Our official launch will be followed by a morning tea. Please contact me if you would like to attend.  

Year 8 into 9 Information Night
There was excellent attendance at the Information Night and I would like to thank parents and staff for making the time to attend this important function. I had very positive feedback from students and parents who appreciated having the opportunity to discuss their elective choices with subject experts.

Year 11 Preliminary Course Yearly Examinations
Year 11 Yearly Examinations are scheduled to begin next week. All Year 11 students should be studying several hours each night. However, they also need time  for exercise, healthy eating, relaxation, friendships and family. Part-time work should not exceed 4-6 hours per week. The optimum environment at home provides for good study patterns to achieve the best possible results.

Year 12 Major Works  
It is the time of the year when our Year 12 students’ Major Projects for the HSC are completed and submitted or performed for HSC marking. The start of the process has meant the school is very busy, particularly with Year 11 Preliminary Exams looming. Major projects and performances are being marked in Visual Arts, Design and Technology, Drama and Music.

The Visual Arts, Drama and Music pieces were displayed or performed at MADD night and they were excellent. They demonstrated the talent and commitment of both our teachers and students in producing such high quality work. Our students appreciate their families and friends supporting them.  

School building projects website
A new website is now available for anyone seeking information about school projects being constructed in NSW under the three year $14.7 billion, Building the Education Revolution (BER). This site is a fantastic source of information for school communities to see how their project is progressing. Key features of the new site include Twitter, blogs and vodcasts which would allow instant communication about any program.

Check it out at: www.ber.nsw.gov.au

 

Child protection survey
The National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) is inviting all Australians to participate in an online survey to help bring child abuse out into the open. Follow the link at: www.preventingchildabuse.com.au.The survey is open until 1 November.
 

Keeping safe online
As a parent, there are several actions you can take to help keep your child safe online and not having a computer in your child’s room may be an answer. Check out the latest Click ezine for advice on cyber safety and much more: www.schools.nsw.edu.au/click.   

Gold Medal Challenge
The NRMA and Bicycle NSW have launched the NRMA 500km Gold Medal Challenge which encourages high school students to get fit riding their bikes and learn more about road safety at the same time. Students who register for the challenge have to clock up 500km on their bikes through everyday cycling activities. Students who complete the challenge will receive a gold medal and great prizes such as bikes, cycle computers, velodrome workshops and free entry to a number of cycling events are also on offer. Register free until 18 December at: www.bicyclensw.org.au/content/ride2school.

Rosemary McDowall
Principal

 

 

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YEAR 12 REPORT

Year 12 have been very busy and producing some wonderful work. I have been very impressed with the standard of their major works, practical performances and submitted projects. There were excellent trial exam results for some dedicated students and I wish to congratulate them
on their efforts.

There is a sense of relief after the trial HSC exams and the submitting of major works as this
was a very stressful time for the students. However, they can not afford to take too long a break. A number of students went into the trial exams under prepared and need to ensure they do not make the same mistake for the upcoming HSC exams, which are only 5 weeks away.  Students need to focus again on a solid study routine and may need some assistance in making study timetables and avoiding distractions in the short amount of time remaining to maximize their results.

This week Yr 12 were victorious over Yr 11 in both the girls touch football and boys rugby league games in the Bob Philpott Cup.  All students involved showed a high level skill, school spirit and conducted themselves with integrity and excellent sportsmanship both on and off the field. Congratulations!!

Organisation is progressing well for the final day activities. On Friday 2^nd October Yr 12 have a farewell breakfast in the school hall at 7.30am followed by their final full school assembly. In the afternoon, there is another Yr 11 vs. Yr 12 challenge game, this time in soccer for both the boys and girls. The day concludes with the student and parent thank you to the teachers evening at Forestville RSL from 7-9pm. Reminder, $15 per head is due to the office this week. If you have not yet paid and wish to come, please do so by early next week.

It’s not long now until school finishes and we are looking forward to a productive, enjoyable and safe end to the school year. At our year meeting this week we had Lyn Kennedy (police school liaison officer) talk to the group about the importance of celebrating safely. Her focus was on end of school activities and the consequences of poor choices. Yr 12 is a very responsible year group and we are not anticipating any concerns. Please reinforce this with your student.

Yours sincerely

Tracy Stubbs.