Bayala - Term 3 Week 6 2024

'Bayala'

Welcome to our Newsletter 'Bayala'. 

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

Our Vision

Upcoming Events

Term 3

• Girls Round Robin Rugby League - Winmalee High - Tuesday 3 September 2024
• Hawkesbury Shield Rugby League - Wednesday 4 September 2024
• Careers Market Richmond High - Friday 5 September 2024
• White Ribbon Cup - Friday 6 September 2024
• Nan Tien Temple Excursion - Tuesday 10 September to Wednesday 11 September 2024
  
• Hawkesbury Shield Rugby League - Wednesday 11 September 2024
• White Card Course - Friday 13 September 2024
• Year 11 Examinations - Monday 16 September to Wednesday 25 September 2024
  
• Hawkesbury Shield Rugby League - Wednesday 18 September 2024
• Year 12 Graduation - Friday 27 September 2024

Term 4

• Students return  (start of Term 4) -  Monday  14 October 2024
• HSC Exams - Tuesday 15 October - Friday 8 November 2024
• Year 12 Formal - Friday 15 November 2024
  
• Year 7 Orientation Day - Tuesday 3 December 2024
• Presentation Day - Monday 9 December 2024
• Year 10 Formal - Thursday 12 December 2024
• End of Year Activities - Tuesday 17 & Wednesday 18 December 2024
• Last day of school - Thursday 19 December 2024
• Staff Development Day (Pupil Free) - Friday 20 December 2024

Principal's Update

A snapshot of learning at HHS

Over the last few weeks, I have had the pleasure of being able to visit many classes. Our students have been engaging in their studies with enthusiasm and determination. Teachers have been inspired by the creativity and curiosity displayed in the classroom, and it’s been wonderful to see students supporting each other in their learning journeys. Below is a snapshot of some of the learning I was privileged to observe.

• 7C and 7B – learning about Greek mythology and characterisation while reading Percy Jackson. I asked them what they were learning about, and they were able to articulate this in a sophisticated way.
• 10 Food Technology – making gluten free pineapple upside down cake. The class was doing an amazing job, the cakes looked great!
• 12 Timber – Year 12 were very busy (and a little stressed) completing their major timber works but took time out to explain what they were making. Well done Year 12.
• 9A Science – 9A were having a lovely time outside in the sun conducting a chemical reaction experiment with vinegar and bicarb soda – watching what happens when they are combined and the power it can create.
• Year 11 Society and Culture – were learning about intercultural communication through studying the differences in Japan.
• Year 9 Food Technology – Students were doing a fabulous job at creating their own muffins – some very interesting muffins emerged!
• Year 8 Art- have been getting very creative with clay.

As we are halfway through term 3, it can become easy for students to feel overwhelmed, especially Year 12 leading up to the HSC and Year 11 with their exams at the end of this term. At the conclusion of Term 2, our Year 12 students undertook their Trial HSC exams, and I was thoroughly impressed with their conduct throughout this period. They have received valuable feedback, which they can now utilise in their preparation for the HSC exams in Term 4.

Year 11 students are preparing for their end-of-term exams and are reminded to focus on revising their notes. They should summarise their notes using WALU paragraphs, practice examples, and write timed responses. Developing consistent study habits and routines can significantly enhance their productivity and learning outcomes.

Why Consistency Matters

Imagine trying to fill a bucket with water using a single drop at a time. At first, it might seem like a futile effort—the bucket remains nearly empty, and the progress is hardly noticeable. But over time, those drops add up, and before you know it, the bucket is full. This is exactly how consistent habits work in approaching learning and study.

When students dedicate even just 15-20 minutes each day to a particular task—whether it's studying for an upcoming exam, practicing a skill, or reviewing notes—they create a momentum that leads to significant improvements over time. These small, consistent efforts compound, making the seemingly impossible, possible.

Staff Updates

There have been a few temporary staff changes this term.

Mr Maric is on leave – Mrs Martirena is currently relieving Principal

Ms Titchmarsh is on leave – Ms Greentree is covering her classes, Seniors are covered by Ms Smith and Ms Jathan

Mr Sharma has returned to Canada – until a new teacher is employed, his classes will be covered by Ms Marlin(9S), Ms Willick (8D), Ms O’Brien (10), Mr Trewlynn and Ms Marlin (7A)

Ms Fyfe will be on maternity leave from Week 7 – we are currently in the process of securing a replacement teacher, however in the interim her classes will be covered by Ms Fisher, Mr O’Shea, Mr Vrinat, Ms Lethbridge, Ms Wergeltoft and Ms Moran.

Support Staff at HHS

I encourage students and parents to take advantage of our school's support services whenever they need information or clarification about learning at HHS. Support services include the HT Wellbeing, Careers Advisor, Year Advisor, Boys or Girls Advisor, Aboriginal Education Officer, Learning Support teachers and the Anti-Racism Officer. We also have a tutor for Maths and English, Student Learning Support Officers and a Student Support Officer. Our amazing office staff are also ready to assist with any general enquiries and to point you in the right direction of who to contact in the school to help you with the information you are seeking.

Nicole Martirena                                                                                                                                                                    Relieving Principal

From The Deputies

HAWKESBURY HIGH SCHOOL 7C 2025 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:

1. Submission of the 7C Class Application Form.
2. 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 9 September) through the primary school and applications will close on 8 November 2024.

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.

Work Experience

Work experience is an integral part of the school curriculum and students who are given this opportunity are expected to have demonstrated an ongoing willingness to follow school rules and expectations (STAR values). To ensure that your child is ready to participate in work experience, and for the Principal to approve your child’s placement, your child must:

• maintain satisfactory attendance and ensure that all absences are explained,
• demonstrate a commitment to learning, this includes a commitment to completing classwork set during work experience,
• wear school uniform at all times,
• demonstrate a satisfactory and ongoing record of good behaviour through adherence to the school’s STAR values and expectations.

The opportunity to participate in school-approved work experience is a privilege. Students who have not demonstrated a consistent and ongoing willingness to uphold school values will not be given permission to participate in work experience.

Any student who wishes to participate in the Work Experience program, must obtain a signed permission from their parents/carers, Careers Advisor and the Principal.

Uniform

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, HHS school 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), non HHS tracksuit pants, jeans, leggings and non-HHS sport shorts are non-uniform items and cannot be worn to school.
• If a student is out of uniform, they may 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. Parents will be notified if a student does not attend that detention.

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

Kerrie Shortland                                                                                                                                                                                Deputy Principal

7C Water Efficiency Program

7C students recently participated in a Water Efficiency Program throughout Semester One. Hawkesbury High School was one of a handful of NSW schools selected to complete this pilot program, which was funded and delivered in collaboration between the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, and the Environmental Education Centre network. Students engaged in hands-on learning activities about saving and conserving water, completed a whole-school water audit and developed a Water Saving Action Plan for HHS. Students applied their critical-thinking, citizenship, collaboration and communication skills to develop a range of potential future programs and initiatives, which they also presented to Executive staff members. These included Irrigation System upgrades, installation of fog nets, a Junior Plumbers Group, Water Bubbler Garden Wastewater Project, and informative posters to educate the wider school community.

3rd Place 'Highly Commended' Award - NSW Reconstruction Authority's 'Flood Aware, Prepared, Safe' Hackathon

On 22 and 23 August, a group of four Stage 5 students (Claire, Katie, Hayley, and Maya), attended the NSW Reconstruction Authority's 'Flood Aware, Prepared, Safe' Hackathon at Western Sydney University. Over the two days, students heard from a range of industry experts from the NSW Government, SES and Flood specialists. Students were tasked to conceive, design, develop, create and deliver a Flood Awareness and Preparedness campaign to a panel of Industry judges.

Competing against 11 other teams comprising of Stage 4 to Stage 6 students, our Hawkesbury High School team beat out 9 other teams to receive the 3^rd Place 'Highly Commended' for their campaign! Judges commended our students for incorporating personal stories, capturing multiple target demographics and for strong messaging which commanded clear action from the community.  

 A big thank you to Mr Paul for mentoring the team. The students did our school community proud!

Book Week 2024

Last Friday, teachers were invited to dress up for Book Week 2024. This year’s theme was Reading is Magic, and teachers were invited to dress as their favourite book characters to get students talking about books they can read! Thank you to everyone who dressed up.

Year 11 Biology Excursion

Year 11 Biology attended a Biological Diversity event at the Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens yesterday. They completed a field study of Brown Barrel Gums, analysed fossils and DNA of Australian megafauna from the Australian Museum as well as exploring adaptations of Australian animals with Taronga Zoo staff. Mrs Rose was extremely proud of the students and their enthusiasm on the day!

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood Visit

Can you spare some time to give blood and change lives? 1 in 3 people in Richmond will need blood, and they need people like you to give it. We’re rolling into town 16 to 19 September. Don’t forget to pre-book your spot at Lifeblood.com.au, on our app or on 13 14 95.