Bayala - Term 4 Week 10 2022

'Bayala'

Welcome to our Newsletter 'Bayala'. 

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

Our Vision

Principal's Update

As we approach the end of another school year and the excitement of the holiday season, we can reflect on 2022 and be assured that our young people have been cared for in a supportive learning environment in what continues being very challenging circumstances. I have said this before, but I will repeat it again - it’s never been harder being a student, a parent, or a teacher. However, I also know that challenges make us stronger as we always look for better ways to care, to learn and to connect.

Last week Year 10 students had their annual formal dinner at the Hawkesbury Crown Plaza. This was an exciting night for our students as they got all dressed up, had a nice dinner, and enjoyed fun and dancing with their classmates and teachers. All students were exceptionally well behaved and showcased the behaviour and characteristics that have made them such a wonderful year group. It is on occasions such as these that we know that all the hard work parents, family and teachers have invested into our young people are paying off. As some of our current Year 10 students leave into TAFE, apprenticeships or employment, and many stay to complete Year 12, I know that they will succeed as long as they continue living by the values and community standards that they have learned at home and at school.

The NSW Government has recently announced a new program that will help parents pay for your children’s school supplies at the start of the next school year.  From 12 December 2022, NSW parents can access a $150 Premier’s Back to School NSW Voucher for each child in primary school, secondary school or home-schooling in 2023.  Vouchers can go towards the cost of school uniforms, shoes, bags, textbooks, or stationery purchased from registered businesses. You can apply for the vouchers via the Service NSW app, and for more information, visit service.nsw.gov.au, call 13 77 88 or attend a Service NSW Centre.

I have recently written to all parents about the school’s arrangements for Monday, 19 December. Originally, 19 December was going to be the last day of Term 4 for students. However, with this announcement, the last day for students in Term 4 will now be Friday, 16 December. The school understands, however, that many parents plan childcare and supervision many weeks in advance and that this change to the school calendar will impact some families’ arrangements. As a result, Hawkesbury High School will remain open on 19 December for families who need it. However, regular lessons will not take place on 19 December, although minimal supervision will be available for students who attend on that day. Tuesday, 20 December 2022 remains a published School Development Day and no students are expected to attend on that day.

As we enter summer and the bushfire season, please note that our school is in a bushfire prone area and is listed as Category 2 on the NSW Department of Education’s bushfire risk register.

To ensure the health, safety and welfare of students and staff, the Department has determined that on days when NSW Rural Fire Service declares a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating for the Hawkesbury, our school will temporarily cease operations for the following day. In addition, schools may be made non-operational due to changing higher risk conditions and advice from emergency services and the State Emergency Operations Centre.

We recommend that you download the Parent App and select to monitor advice from our school which will push notifications to you advising that the school is non-operational.

The Fire Danger Rating does not mean there will be a bushfire, but rather weather conditions that could pose a high risk for a bushfire event. The measure is proactive to ensure staff, students and the community remain safe. To ensure that we continue to support student learning on these days, schoolwork will be available on Google Classroom for timetabled lessons and on the Department’s remote learning hub.

Our school will inform our school community after 4 pm if there is a change to the operational status of the school for the following day. To assist the school in contacting all families please ensure that you have provided us with up-to-date contact details. Further information on up-to-date communication of school operations, can also be found through:

• Our school website or Facebook page
• NSW Department of Education’s School Safety website
• NSW School Updates app

We recommend that all of our families follow the advice of the NSW Rural Fire Service and ensure that your family knows what to do if there is a fire. It can take as little as five minutes to make your plan. Discuss it with your family so you know what you will do in the event of a fire. For more information, go to https://www.myfireplan.com.au/

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe holiday, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We will undoubtedly face new challenges next year, but I am confident that if we work together we can overcome any challenge that comes our way.

Remembrance Day

Paul Hibbins (RAAF Rtd) from Windsor & District RSL Sub Branch joined Hawkesbury High School students to honour the sacrifices of Australia’s service personnel, and commemorate the contributions of peacekeeping missions, at our Remembrance Day service on Wednesday 9 November.  

School Captains Lorretta Sultana and Brandon Charles represented Hawkesbury High School at the Windsor & District RSL Sub Branch Remembrance Day service at McQuade Park in Windsor on Friday 11 November. Our leaders laid a wreath in honour of the immeasurable bravery and sacrifice of Australia’s military personnel, and delivered a poem.

Ethical Leadership Day

Hawkesbury High School’s Senior Leadership Team attended the Ethical Leadership Day at the Sydney Jewish Museum in Darlinghurst on 23 November. Students listened to keynote speaker Sam Koslowski from youth news service The Daily Aus, discussed the role of character in decision making, and participated in a Q&A session with Holocaust survivor Olga Horak.

Annual Young Writers' Award

Congratulations to our high school finalists and winners of the annual Young Writers' Award. It was wonderful to see so many talented young writers from our partner primary schools and our school participate in this great initiative. Well done everyone.

Positive Paws Program Graduation

It is a 10 week program working with puppies in training to be guide dogs, as well as graduating adult dogs. Congratulations to Emily and Leah who have been chosen as mentors for the Term 1 2023 program. A big thank you to Brenda, Margo, Vicki and Guide Dogs NSW/ACT for your ongoing support of our students.

New Reward and Recognition Program in 2023

HOUSE PRIDE

School Captain Lorretta Sultana and Vice-Captain Jack Catania announced during assembly today that Hawkesbury High School will be launching a new reward and recognition program in 2023. As part of the announcement, the SRC led an activity promoting House spirit, which will play an important role in the new reward and recognition program. Congratulations to our winners!

Schools Spectacular

Congratulations to Keira Kweiz for performing in schools spectacular. A big thank you to Mr Davies and Ms Cullen who also helped out for the week.

Girls' Rugby League Team

Congratulations to our awesome girls' rugby league team who won against the Richmond HS team 35-20 on Wednesday 30th November. Dedication and team work has surely paid off. Thank you to Mr Vrinat for coaching the team and always having high expectations of the girls. November

Australian All Schools Championships

A big congratulations to Cameron Davies who competed in the Australian All Schools Championships in Adelaide over the weekend. He did extremely well coming in 4th place in the U17 110m Hurdles. He narrowly missed out on that bronze medal by just .03 of a second!!

Sport Selections for Term 1, 2023

Sport selections for Term 1, 2023 are now open. It is recommended that you try and get your selection done as soon as possible for the best chance of getting your preferred choice. Sports Selections will remain open during the school holidays and you may change it at any time. Student in Years 7/8/9 have been emailed a link. Year 7 2023 will be participating in house sports at school during Term 1. They will have a choice of sport selection for Term 2. Please follow the link provided in the email to complete your choice. If you have any questions, please see Mr. Plummer or email him.

Macquarie Towns Arts Society School Holiday Art and Craft Workshops

Macquarie Towns Arts Society will once again be running their popular School Holiday Art & Craft workshops for children 5-15yrs in the Summer Holiday break. (See Program below).

MTAS is a not-for-profit community organisation promoting Art activity in the Hawkesbury area.

The MTAS School Holiday Art & Craft Workshops will be held in the class room at Richmond Art Supplies, Shop 1, 328 Windsor St, Richmond.

We hope to encourage budding artists and give kids something fun and creative to do in the holidays, in a safe and friendly environment.

Macquarie Towns Arts Society also runs After School Art Classes for children 7-12 years. The next 8 week term begins 6^th February, 2023, 4-5.30pm. Ph 0412979731 for information and bookings.

Macquarie Towns Arts Society’s

School Holiday Art & Craft Workshop Program

January, 2023

Monday  9th January

10 am - 12noon -  Draw Cartoons                                          

1pm - 3pm - Make Little Clay Animals                                                                                                 

Tuesday 10th January

10 am - 12noon –Draw Fantasy Creatures

1pm - 3pm - Make your Own Dragon

Wednesday  11th January

10 am - 12noon - Paint a Landscape                                        

1pm - 3pm –  Decorate Treasure Boxes

 Thursday 12th January

10 am - 12noon – Make Origami Animals

1pm - 3pm – Acrylic Pouring

Friday 13th January

10 am - 12noon – Design Your Own Family Crest   

1pm - 3pm – Draw and Paint Dinosaurs

Monday 16th January   

10 am - 12noon – Make Polyclay Cats and Dogs

1pm - 3pm – Decorate Kites

Tuesday 17th January

10 am - 12noon  - Draw Fairies and Mermaids

1pm - 3pm  -  Make Fairy Garden Ornaments

Wednesday 18th January

10 am -  12noon - Watercolour Painting

1pm - 3pm -Tie Dye a T-Shirt (BYO Shirt)

Thursday 19th January

10 am - 12noon – Make Colourful Clay Critters

1pm - 3pm - Make Pottery

Cost: $15 per 2hr workshop; everything supplied.

Venue: Richmond Art Supplies,
Shop 1, 328 Windsor St, Richmond

Bookings Essential: phone Deidre 0412 979731

MTAS After School Art Classes for Term 1, 2023, also Now Enrolling.

For more information go to www.mtas.com.au

School Closure Dates 2022 / 2023