• Term 3, 09
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Term 3 is traditionally a very busy term for both staff and students. For Year 12 this is their last term at high school and it is very important for them in the lead up to their HSC examinations later this year.
Our School Educational Director (SED), Ann Henniker, has announced her retirement from the Department of Education. She has been a great support not only for Goulburn High School, but for all the other 31 schools in her group. As a result, I have accepted the position of relieving SED for the remainder of the term and possibly to the end of the year. Kim Paviour (DP) will relieve as Principal, Jim Henry will relieve as Deputy Principal and Scott O’Hara will relieve as Head Teacher TAS. I am confident that these changes will have minimal impact on the school.
Last week, students in Year 10 and 11 attended a Careers Expo in Canberra. It was pleasing to see a large number of students attended this activity organised by Mrs Kennedy.
This term we will commence a new initiative which involves the development of a partnership between GHS and the Australian National University (ANU). The program involves a number of ANU ambassadors speaking to and presenting lessons to students across a number of different year groups.
At the last P&C meeting I highlighted the number of upgrades that have occurred at GHS during
the past 12 months. These included:
4 Science laboratories being completely refurbished.
Security fence around the perimeter of the school.
Electrical works in the hall and canteen.
External and internal painting of M Block.
Carpet replacement in 11 rooms in E Block.These upgrades have made a significant improvement to our school.
The Digital Education Revolution program has commenced at GHS with a number of wireless data points recently being installed. As well, 18 staff received their Notebook computers prior to the Term 2 holidays and are now being trained. Students in Year 9 will receive their computers later this term at this stage. More information will be provided to both students and parents prior to the students receiving their computers.
Later this term a number of dance students will be performing at the Southern Stars Spectacular in Wollongong. They are currently in their final rehearsals for this major event.
I hope that you enjoy Term 3 and participate in the range of opportunities that school is able to provide you.
SKI TRIP
Wild winds on Friday did not prevent 39 students from having a great time last weekend. Boarders and skiers jumped, snow ploughed and carved their way down the slopes on the school’s annual ski trip.
Many students learnt how to jump, courtesy of lessons and the mountainous terrain, while others were happy to traverse the slopes at their own pace and enjoy the experience.
VALUES IN ACTION AT GHS
The Goulburn High School Code of Conduct has been used this year to identify five core values for our school community. These values are:
Aim High
Be Positive
Respect yourself, others and the environment
Be Considerate
Be Responsible
We have been talking about these values at school assemblies; what they mean and how they look in action. Posters to use throughout the school are being developed and each key learning area has identified what each value will look like in their classrooms.
By the end of the year, we plan to have these values embedded in all school policies, systems and documents. Staff will use these values to develop a common language when talking to students about their behaviour and effort. Students, teachers and parents will use these values as the foundation for teaching and learning and as a model for our relationships with others.
These values reflect our commitment to high expectations and life long learning.
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Welcome back to the start of Term 2. This term is eleven weeks and is traditionally a very busy term with a range of activities planned for our students.
I would like to welcome a new permanent member of staff, Mrs Paula Hambly to the PE staff. Mrs Hambly joins us from Mulwaree High School.
This week we commence our new timetable. A new timetable is needed to accommodate changes to our staffing numbers due to our slight increase in student numbers.
Thank you to all those students who represented the school and who participated in the recent ANZAC Day march. It was a very cold and windy day and it was pleasing to see approximately 50 students take part, led by our School Captains and Vice Captains. Thank you also to Mrs Curry, Mrs Chapple, Mrs Randall and Mr Joseph for your assistance during the march as well.
A very successful School Development Day was held last Monday with the focus being on Boys’ Education. Thank you to Mulwaree High School staff for organising this event. It was a great opportunity for our staff to listen to a quality speaker.
A reminder to Year 12 students that Mid Course Reports will be handed out shortly. As well, students will need to reapply for leave passes this term due to the new timetable.
Interim reports were handed out last week to students in Years 8 to 11. A parent teacher evening will be organised shortly with more information to follow.
To conclude I would like to wish all students and staff a very productive and enjoyable term.
ANZAC DAY
Most Goulburn locals say that winter begins in Goulburn on ANZAC Day. 2009 was no exception. Despite the cold Goulburn wind and the ominous signs of rain, over 50 GHS students and staff gathered to march down Auburn Street on ANZAC Day to pay tribute to the men and women who have served in war for our country. Many of these men and women lost their lives during war times and many have since died. Several students proudly displayed their ancestors’ war medals as they marched.
ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
On an overcast and surprisingly dry day, GHS students showed their athletic prowess at the school’s annual carnival. Students threw, jumped and ran their way over 9 events in search of house points, age championship glory and a fun day. Head Teacher of PDHPE, Mr Teague, commented, “the standard of performances was exceptional. Several students ran times that would place them very highly at future competitions.” He noted that Nathaniel Ryan's high jump of 1.7m and Jacob Kara’s 100m time of just over 11 seconds were exceptional performances. However, the real winner on the day was GHS as a whole. ”Students were full of energy and enthusiasm and competed with excellent sportsmanship,” said Mr Teague.
The PE staff would like to thank all staff who assisted with supervision and events on the day and also year 12 students Cameron Watson and Naomi Evans who arrived very early to help set up activities.
• Term 1, 09
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Congratulations to all those students who received Achievement Awards at our last assembly. It was so pleasing to see a large number of Year 7 students receiving awards.
Year 12 Examinations commence this week and will conclude next week. Good luck to all students. Year 12 reports will be handed out early next term.
A reminder that the Term 2 School Development Day will be held on Monday 4th May (Week 2). The Goulburn Community of Schools have organised for Celia Lashlie to speak about Boys’ Education. A parent session will be held in the evening commencing at 6.00pm at Mulwaree High School. Tickets are available from the office at a cost of $5. More information to follow.
Parents and students are reminded that school commences at 9.03am. We still have a few students who are constantly late with non-legitimate reasons. The Home School Liaison Officer has recently conducted interviews with some of our students in relation to lateness and poor attendance.A reminder that the next P&C meeting will be held next Wednesday commencing at 7.30pm in the common room.
As this is the last newsletter for the term I would like to thank parents and students for your support and effort and take this opportunity to wish all the students a safe and enjoyable break. All students will return to school on Tuesday 28th April.
SKI TRIP
The School’s Ski Trip will be held from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 August in 2009. The total cost of the trip is $425 and includes evening and morning meals, ski hire and lift passes. A deposit of $80 is due before the end of term. For more information see Miss Hope or Mrs Curry or phone the school 48214022.
DEAN'S MOUNTAIN ACHIEVEMENT
Competing in his first ever 4 cross Mountain Bike Competition, year 11 student Dean Evans recently finished 5th at the NSW Inter-Schools Championships. In the Downhill Competition, he finished a credible 10th and 8th in the Cross Country event. Wearing little more than a long pair of pants and a helmet Dean enjoys the exhilaration of travelling down a hill, dodging trees and jumping rocks at speeds of up to 60km per hour. While many may suggest that Dean is insane, Dean says, “I find it a fun way to spend a few hours, riding through the bush and pushing my bike and my body’s limits.” A broken collarbone and numerous stitches are the only injuries Dean can boast.
The NSW State Series will keep Dean busy over the winter months, where he hopes to improve on his 2nd place in the Dual Slalem and 5th in the 4 cross. This is Dean’s first season of racing and he can already boast outstanding results. The rest of the year looks very promising for Dean.
SOCCER
Conditions were perfect for Autumn sport last Friday when the girls and boys soccer teams played against Crookwell in the School’s Knockout. Both teams had progressed through to round 2 after convincing wins in round 1.
Despite their enthusiasm, however, both teams went down to Crookwell HS. The girls’ side displayed some excellent teamwork. A cross kick by Skye Rowe to Sophie Broadhead early in the game resulted in a 1-0 lead for GHS, however, Crookwell were eventual winners 7-2. Many of the girls were not soccer players, however, the team displayed great enthusiasm and effort.
The boys’ game was a much closer affair. Poised at 2-2 with only 10 minutes on the clock, Crookwell were awarded 2 penalty kicks. Despite full length dives, goalkeeper Alex Smith was unable to keep the ball out. The final score was 4-2 and the boys were left agonisingly short of progressing to round 3.
SAFE DRIVING
The recently opened Marulan Driver Training Centre, owned and operated by the Willmington family, invited Goulburn High School students Cameron Watson, Alyssa Medway, Naomi Evans, Tom Apps, Hannah Reid and Richard Joyce to the opening and to demonstrations and instruction on safe driving techniques by representatives of Safe Driver Training. The wet weather did not dampen their spirits and highlighted the need for extra care when the roads were wet. The group were also put through a first aid course, courtesy of True Blue Charities and delivered by Allens First Aid in Goulburn.
The day was fantastic and enjoyed by the students and teachers, Mr Joseph and Mr O’Hara. All were able to drive a variety of vehicles around the track, learning to brake early and look into corners. The purpose of the day was to highlight that a knowledge of first aid and professional driving instruction can greatly reduce the number of deaths and injuries on Australia’s roads, especially involving younger drivers.
