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Bayala - Term 3 Week 5 2023

'Bayala'

Welcome to our Newsletter 'Bayala'.

'Bayala' is a Darug word meaning yarning or conversation.

Our Vision

"Building a caring and safe learning environment where great teaching supports and inspires all students to grow, develop and succeed."

Upcoming Events

TERM 3

Inspire Arts Challenge Dance Eisteddfod - Monday 21 August 2023
Life Ready Bstreetsmart Excursion - Tuesday 22 August 2023
Hawkesbury Shield Rugby League - Wednesday 23 August 2023
White Ribbon Cup Windsor High - Thursday 24 August 2023
Hawksbury Shield Rugby League - Wednesday 30 August 2023
Combined High Schools Athletics - Tuesday 5 to Thursday 7 September 2023
Hawkesbury Shield Rugby League - Wednesday 6 September 2023
Year 11 Exams - Monday 11 to Tuesday 19 September 2023
Hawkesbury Shield Rugby League - Wednesday 13 September 2023
Year 12 Graduation Ceremony- Friday 22 September 2023

TERM 4

HSC Examinations - Wednesday 11 October to Friday 3 November 2023
Year 7 Gala Day - Tuesday 17 October 2023
Macquarie Cup Oz Tag - Thursday 19 October 2023
Macquarie Cup Futsal - Monday 23 October 2023
Vaccinations (Year 7 and catch-ups) - Monday 30 October 2023
Year 12 Formal - Friday 17 November 2023
Year 10 Formal - Thursday 7 December 2023

Principal's Update

Use of Mobile Phones at School

The NSW Department of Education has a new Students’ Use of Mobile Phones in Schools policy, which comes into effect at Hawkesbury High School at the beginning of Term 4. Our new Management Procedures for the Use of Mobile Phones will impact the way in which students will use and access their mobile phones during school hours. This policy is being implemented to increase focus in classrooms, remove distractions and promote positive social interactions in the playground.

Throughout Term 3, the school will continue consulting with the school community, including staff and students, to finalise our school’s management procedures and take on board feedback from the community. The Parent Advisory Council (PAC) forum and information night for parents and carers was held at the school on Tuesday, 15 August, and all parents, students and staff had an opportunity to complete an on-line survey.

I am pleased to report that parents, students and staff responded positively to the survey. As expected, a significant majority of parents and teachers support the ban on mobile phones in schools, while the level of support for the ban from students is not as strong. What all three have in common, however, is that 49% of parents prefer the phones off and away option, with 87% of students and 42% of teachers preferring the same option. While other options for managing the ban at Hawkesbury High School were considered, the phones off and away option is the most preferred option by all stakeholders and it will become the school’s option for manging the ban from the beginning of Term 4.

The parent, staff and student survey provided other useful information that helped the school formulate a draft of the Management Procedures that will be implemented from Term 4. Parent and community feedback during the Parent Advisory Council (PAC) forum on Tuesday, 15 August, also provided excellent feedback to the school. For example, 30% of students reported knowing someone who has been a target of inappropriate phone use, (such as cyberbullying). This is a truly worrying statistic, suggesting that almost 1 in 3 children have experienced cyberbullying. Similarly, 97% of teachers report that mobile phones are currently a source of disruption to student learning. Another interesting statistic is that 70% of parents have no concerns about being unable to contact their children directly on their mobile phones during school hours, while most parents who do have a concern, link that concern to their ability to contact their children at the end of the school day – something which can be easily addressed through the Management Procedures if students are permitted to turn their phones on when the bell goes at the end of the school day. Of course, we will always make sure that you can contact your child in an emergency or pass on messages through the school office.

The draft Management Procedures for Use of Mobile Phones will be emailed to all parents in Week 6, including a link where parents can provide feedback on the draft.

In the meantime, I have included answers to some frequently asked questions that were discussed at the PAC forum in Week 5.

Igor Maric

From The Deputies

Hawkesbury High School 7C Class Application Information

7C is an extension class based on the 6Cs, which are the future- focused skills of:

Communication (listening and sharing ideas clearly and concisely)
Collaboration (working with others)
Creativity (expressing, thinking and doing things in new ways)
Critical thinking (problem solving)
Citizenship (becoming more globally aware and proactive in the community)
Character (being a responsible and caring individual)

Future -focused learning prepares students across all curriculum areas and learning stages with the skills and capabilities to thrive in a rapidly changing and interconnected world.

Students will collaborate and use creative and critical thinking to solve complex problems and become mindful global citizens.

Students will be offered a differentiated and integrated curriculum that incorporates Inquiry Based Learning and enrichment options to best meet the needs of motivated students and independent learners.

Our aim is to:

Provide learning activities that facilitate the development of the 6Cs within our students
Develop transferable skills in addition to content knowledge
Integrate Inquiry Based activities and authentic assessment which has real world application
Increase engagement with the learning process

Future- focused learning environments inspire students to be leaders of their own learning. Student led conferences, a 7C class reviews and ongoing feedback and evaluation between teachers and students will be utilised to monitor student participation and performance in the class.

The application process for the 7C class will consist of the following:

Submission of the 7C Class Application Form.
Portfolio of work samples that demonstrate the student’s willingness and ability to be an independent learner and use of the 6C skills.

Application forms will be issued to Year 6 students in Week 8 Term 3 (week of 4 September) through the primary school and applications will close on 3 November 2023. Successful candidates will be notified of placement in the 7C class prior to Orientation Day 2023.

Please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Shortland on 4579 6800 or via the school email hawkesbury-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au should you have any questions or require further information about the 7C Class.

Uniforms

I would like to thank parents and students for maintaining the school’s STAR values by wearing the correct school uniform. Correct uniform is an important safety consideration that allows the school to manage risks around unauthorised people on the school grounds.

The following are important reminders of the HHS school uniform procedures:

Uniform to be worn in cooler weather

The striped school jacket, school commemorative hoodie or school jumper (maroon) with the school emblem.
The HHS track pants are the only track pants allowed as school uniform.
A plain navy or black crew neck sweatshirt may be worn under the school uniform jacket if an extra warm layer is needed.
Non HHS hooded tops (hoodies), a top under a HHS polo shirt, leggings and non-HHS sport shorts are non-uniform items and cannot be worn to school.
If a student is out of uniform, they will be provided with appropriate clothing and be expected to change.
Students who are out of uniform and without a note from parents, will be issued a recess detention.

If you have any queries about uniform or require assistance, please contact the school on 4579 6800.

Kerrie Shortland

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Subject Selections for Year 8 and 10

Students have completed their subject choices for 2024. The next stage in the process will be to speak to individual students that did not receive one of their choices due to either the subject not running or it being on the same line as another choice. In some cases, students may be required to make additional subject selections. All students will be informed of their subjects throughout this term.

Instructional Rounds

Last week teachers and the senior executive participated in a wider network action research activity, to further gather valuable data on teaching and learning. The aim was to objectively observe a range of classes to record data on a identified problem of practice. The observation data was then analysed and appropriate strategies were recommended. Collaborating with Windsor HS, Katoomba HS and Richmond HS was a valuable experience and we look forward to participating in a similar Instructional Round at these schools.

Nicole Martirena

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#Build has recommenced with students and they are excited to be part of it. The car is almost fully restored and we are looking forward to showing it off at a car show in October. So far this term the students have learnt how to:

Safely jack and support a car to work on.
Change wheels.
Front disc brake pad change
Rear drum brake change
Bleed air from brake lines
Change oil and filters
Install door locks
Check lights

Students interested in being part of the program for term 4 need to write an expression of interest explaining why they would like to take part in the program.

Subject selections for 2024 Year 9 and Year 11 have closed and the school is reviewing the data and working on the curriculum pattern for next year. Students will be informed before the end of term what the results are and how their choices match up with the dedicates curriculum lines.

Benn McEvoy

Secretary Murat Dizdar has tweeted about our school.

House Rewards Excursion - Term 2

The house rewards excursion was held on Friday 30 June. Narrara was awarded the highest points and were rewarded with a trip to the movies at Richmond Regent to see Spiderman-man: Across the Spider-verse . All students had a wonderful time.

Hawkesbury Performing Arts Festival

Congratulations to our students who were involved in the Hawkesbury Performing Arts Festival at Windsor High School on Tuesday 25 July.

Our students represented the school to a high standard and are to be commended on their dedication to the performing arts. Hawkesbury High was represented by year 11 comperes, year 10 music students, year 9 music students, the year 8 rock band and the dance ensemble.

Year 12 Legal Studies

A fantastic effort from our Year 12 Legal Studies students during their holidays! Today they joined other students from around the state to attend the Legal Studies Association of NSW Annual HSC Lecture series at Westmead.

Nan Tien Buddist Temple Excursion

Year 12 Society and Culture went on an overnight excursion to the Nan Tien Buddhist Temple in Wollongong. The excursion is part of their focus study Beliefs and Ideologies. Students enjoyed vegetarian food, meditation, Tai Chi, and a Tea Ceremony. They also had fun walking around the beautiful gardens and viewing the sculptures.

Student Achievement - Tristal Hoare

Hawkesbury High school student Tristal Hoare Year 9 is a competitor with Penrith City Archers. Within archery there are four disciplines that competitors may compete in. They are the disciplines of - Target, Indoor, Field and Clout. Tristal has only recently started competing in Clout, winning the event over more experienced competitors. When the results came out on the National Board for Clout, it showed that Tristal was placed first in Australia and not just in her age group. Clout is like medieval style shooting, pointing the arrow into the air to get the arc for the arrow to hit the target that is placed on the ground. Tristal shot 145m. Well done Tristal.