From the editor
Leaves NewsletterPRINCIPAL'S REPORT
National School Pride funding
The refurbishment of the gym is well underway. The boys’ and girls’ change rooms, showers and toilets are being completely refurbished and other areas of the gym are being repaired and repainted.
Additionally the dust extraction equipment in F-Block has been improved and several areas of the school have been repainted or carpeted.
Improvements to school grounds and facilities
Years 9 and 10 students who were involved in a regional work skills initiative are to be congratulated on the excellent job they did in landscaping the front garden. Ten students worked under the supervision of the school’s landscaper to plan the garden, order supplies, prepare the ground, plant the garden beds and lay the turf.
Visitors to the school will notice other improvements. A number of gardens have been cleared, replanted and mulched. Further projects are being planned to incorporate more native plants and enhance the entire site.
Additionally we have cleaned several areas of the school. The weights room under the Library has been painted and carpeted and the careers room has been refurbished and refurnished to create a comfortable meeting space for students to work with the Careers Adviser.
Year 11 Interviews
All Year 11 students have now been interviewed by the Deputy Principal, Jane Dean and the Year Adviser Debbie Steed to ensure that they are undertaking the most appropriate pattern of study for the HSC. Students were interviewed about their career goals, university courses that interested them and the subjects they would study in the HSC. They were also asked to assess their academic progress in the Preliminary Course and received assistance in developing a study timetable and resilience strategies. Students commented that they found the interviews extremely helpful.
Schools Spectacular
Tickets are now available to the NSW Public School’s performing arts showcase of the year, the 2009 Schools Spectacular on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 November. This year’s Schools Spectacular will feature more than 3,000 performers from 250 schools on the stage of the Sydney Entertainment Centre.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster on 1300 883 622 or online www.ticketmaster.com.au (click to music-dance/electronic). Group bookings can be made on 02 8512 9020 or by email: groups.nsw@ticketmaster.com.au. Allow five days delivery for tickets issued by mail.
Information about the school leaving age
From the start of next year, all students in NSW schools are required to remain at school until the end of Year 10 and, must be in full time study, work or a combination of both until 17 years of age.
Our school is developing school implementation plans with school careers and transition teams to assess each student and give individual support, so that students can actively engage in a program of study, and planning the best pathway for them.
To find out more and to help your teenager plan their future, go to: www.schools.nsw.edu.au/leavingschool/schoolleaveage/index.php or call the school to make an appointment with the school principal, year adviser, or careers adviser.
Rosemary McDowall
Principal
CANTEEN MEETING
Date: Monday, 9th November
Time: 6:30pm
Venue: Roberto's @ Allambie Heights Shops
This will be our last meeting for 2009, come and discuss what is happening within
the canteen over a cup of coffee. I look forward to seeing you then.
Heather Bone
Canteen Co-ordinator
SRC TRIVIA NIGHT
The last Wednesday of Term 3 saw the running of the SRC Trivia Night. A fun evening was had by all who attended, with the SRC raising money to put towards a school project. We would like to thank all who participated, coming dressed in wonderful costumes and really getting into the night. A special thank you to our hosts for the night Mr Dodds and Lizzy Latter of Year 12 - excellent Triva question askers.
SPEAKER'S NIGHT for parents of teenagers
FORMAL SUIT OFFER
We have received an offer from Rueben F Scarf for student suits. For $149.00 you can purchase a suit, shirt and tie. You need to go to their shop at Bankstown Centro and tell them that you are from The Forest High School in order to receive this offer. They also have shops at Kotara, Erina, Rouse Hill, Campbelltown and Liverpool but Bankstown is the closest to us.
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
BAND FUNDRAISING
*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!