December 2012 18th Finance Committee Meeting - 19th Last day of Term 4 for Students 20th-21st Staff Development Days 25th Merry Christmas to All January 2013 29th Staff Development Day 30th Year 7, Prefects & New Enrolments return 31st All students return

Date Issued 14/12/2012

Tamworth High School 

THE BUZZ Willis Street, Tamworth NSW 2340 Telephone: 6765 7888 Fax: 6762 1264 Email: tamworth-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au Website: http://www.tamworth-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

THE BUZZ

One of the most important events each year at Tamworth High School involving students, parents, staff and special guests. Students participate in a wide variety of sporting activities and events throughout the year. The awards recognise the participation and achievements of teams and individuals at school, regional, state, national and international levels.

More photos are included in this issue of “The Buzz”

Tamworth High School P & C Association Inc. L .Courtney Secretary ( thsp_and_c@yahoo.com.au)

NextP&CMeeting–TuesdayFebruary19th6:30pmintheLibrary.SchoolUniform–We have a great uniform if it’s worn by all correctly, P & C appreciateparental support with this matter. Students need to wear the correct footwear for theirclasses, fullycovered leathershoesareacceptable for food tech,scienceand industrialartsclasses.Congratulationstoallwhowearouruniformwithprideeveryday.Year10studentsenteringtheseniorschool–seniortiesareavailableforpurchasefromtheuniformshopandthecanteen,getyoursnowbeforethepriceincreaseinthenewyear.Canteen–AbigthankyoumustgotoChereeandherregularhelperswhoenableustodeliverthecanteenservicetothestudentsandstaffatTHS. Weare lookingforwardtohavingthecanteen fully operational as a Cafeteria, serve yourself and pay at the cash register. Cashregisterandafewmoreservicesareontherewayfor2013.Book, pens, pencils, scienti ic calculators, usb storage, socks, ties …….. all you schoolrequirementsarestockedinourcanteen.Year72013bookPackavailablefor$49now.Canteenexterior–LearningSpaceMore improvementsarerollingoutwhich isgreat forthestudentsandstaffatTHS.Tendersclosed20thNovember2012.Uniform Shop – Near the Hall. Open Thursday lunch or by prior arrangement. Thanks to Leanne for her organisa on and manning of this. Thanks go to Mrs Black and front office staff who help the P & C   out here  too.   Struddy’s Sports Brisbane  street will also be  stocking  sports uniform requirements  for THS. Uniform-R-Us will measure and make girls skirts to order – their contact details are uru_tam@bigpond.net.au or phone 67657771. Great response to our measure, order day lastThursday afternoon. Over twenty families availed themselves of the service and they willhavetheirnewuniformsthisweek.TheP&CinconjunctionwithUniforms–R–UswillrunthisserviceagaininMarch2013forwinterskirtsforseniors.Juniorgirlscanwearblackpantsorblackskirts.CountryMusicCamping‐January2013‐CanyouhelpoutwithcleaningofamenitiesduringCountryMusic Camping. A roster is drawn up so no one is over burdened. This activityraisesbetween$7,000‐$11,000fortheP&Candschool.Manyhandsmakelightwork.Wehave2/3femaleand2/3maleprefectshelpingeachafternoon,butweneedparentstoo.SoifyoucanhelpemailMargmargphelgydavis@gmail.comorthsp_and_c@yahoo.com.auwithyourcontactdetails.P&CStage4Scholarships‐2013The twelve scholarships worth $500 each over the two years are awarded in the categories of Academic, Sport, Music, Dance and All rounder. Awardees are Sophie McLeod, Veronica Klepzig, Kerrie Sutton, Kaitlyn Self, Jordan Barber, Isaac Moxon, Jessica Vongphachan, Sarah Mathews, Anna Little, Rebecca Willis, Tayla King, Ricki Brown. The P & C appreciates the personal letters and emails from some of the recipients expressing their gratitude for this initiative. These will be tabled at our February meeting. Koala‐OldeditionsoftheKoalawillbeonsaleatPresentationNightorcontactMrSowdeninEnglishdepartment.MerryChristmasandproductive2013.The P & C would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all awardwinnersatPresentationNight,welldonetostudentsandstaffonyoureffortsfor2012.

To our THS families, May the Christmas season and New Year celebrations bring joy and happiness to you all. Stay safe and well till we see you again in 2013. From the Staff at THS

Mobile Phones at School – Our Policy Tamworth High School does not adopt a blanket ban to mobile phones at school. We feel that this approach is neither age appropriate nor does it teach students to use mobile phones in an appropriate manner. However, there is an Acceptable Use of Mobile Phone and Personal Electronic Device Policy. This policy outlines what is and what is not permitted by students with mobile phones at school. Here are some guidelines listed in the policy:

Mobile phones are to be switched off and kept out of sight during classes inc. sport, outdoor practical classes (e.g.PE and Agriculture) and band practice. Mobile phones that cannot be turned off in the usual sense must be switched to flight mode.

Parents are reminded that in cases of emergency, the school front office remains a vital and appropriate point of contact and can ensure your child is reached quickly and assisted in any appropriate way.

In the rare and exceptional circumstances where the arrangements given above will not meet requirements an exception may be permitted if the parent/guardian specifically requests it. Such requests should be directed to the Deputy Principal who will write a note allowing the student to leave class to make the phone call.

Students are permitted to use mobile phones before school, at recess and lunch breaks and after school in an appropriate manner.

Mobile phones should not be used in any manner or place that is disruptive to the normal routine of the school e.g. on assembly.

Students should protect their phone numbers by only giving them to friends and keeping a note of who they have given them to. This can help protect the student’s number from falling into the wrong hands and guard against the receipt of insulting, threatening or unpleasant voice, text, picture and hands and video messages via the usual phone networks, the internet or blue tooth and infra red connectivity.

THSP&CStage4Scholarships‐2013

THS Principal Mr Wayne ChaffeyrecentlypresentedHillvueSchoolYr6student, Sophie McLeod with herscholarshipfromtheTHSP&C.

Tamworth South Public School recipients  Back Row (L‐R) Ricki Brown, Tayla King,    Rebecca Willis, Sarah Mathews. Front Row (L‐R) Anna Li le, Jessica Vongphachan 

Mr Bradshaw says goodbye to his long established beard and moustache as fellow teachers Mr Drabsch and Mr Van Doesburg look on.

Take a look at the new Mr Bradshaw

Before

After

EDDYS linking to Community Volunteering at the Marsupial Park - Following the success of the Endeavour Park mural earlier in

the year, students in the EDDYS class have been assisting volunteers at

the Marsupial Park each fortnight to clear new picnic areas, rejuvenate

landscaped areas in the free-flight aviary with new plants, care for the

animals, and generally enjoy this amazing community asset. The

project has allowed experiences to be shared, new relationships with

community members to be initiated, and the students to contribute to

the community in a volunteering capacity. The class takes great pride

in the picnic area they now ‘call their own’, and their work has been

greatly appreciated by the Friends of the Marsupial Park. Planning is

underway to participate in the Adventure Playground building project

early next year.

Canine assisted learning - During the term, students have been training

young working dogs with the valued assistance of Merv McCahon. Each

student has individually worked with a dog: training them to sit, lie down, and

walk on command. The experience has been valuable personal development for the students, building

their confidence, empathy, communication and leadership skills. The class wishes to thank Merv for

generously sharing his expertise in dog-training, with special thanks to his canine friends for their co-

operation and patience.

Courage to Care - Recently students participated in the Courage to Care program at the Tamworth

Regional Gallery. The class had a guided tour of the exhibition, hearing the fascinating stories behind

the artefacts - including an original Star of David worn by Jews in German-occupied Europe, and a

striped concentration camp uniform. The class listened with great respect to the story of Ana, a

holocaust survivor. Although her story was filled with unbelievable hardship and sadness, it was also a

story of great hope and survival because others had the ‘courage to care’. Students felt privileged to

have heard Ana’s story and gained a personal insight into a shocking part of world history.

Empowering bystanders to say ‘No’ to bullying and harassment was the ultimate message from the

exhibition.

Prefects’ Report On Monday 3rd December, Prefects held an extended Assembly to fundraise for “Movember”. Many teachers volunteered to kiss their facial hair goodbye. We would like to thank everyone for their donations and participation.

Mr Desmid as his specially grown moustache is

removed.

The creative side displayed

by students being

appreciated by

Mr Rands

PBL Training for THS Student Leadership Groups Mrs McCrohon recently organised a training day for all the Student Leadership groups with a focus on PBL in the school and the varying roles and responsibilities of each group. THS has a large number of student leadership groups, including:-

Prefects Student Representative Council (SRC) Interact Junior Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (JrAECG) White Ribbon Day, and Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)

The morning was highly successful with each group learning about the place of PBL in the school, individual group goals and activities for 2013.

NEWS FROM THE PREFECTS On Friday 7th December we held our first “Fiesta Friday” which proved to be a big success. Nachos and drinks were available at lunch time. The prefects are considering organising more “Fiesta Friday” events in the future.

KOALA Copies of past editions of “Koala” are available for sale at $20 each. Some go back to the 1970’s! Enjoy the good old times looking back in time. Copies will be on sale at Presentation Night. Please contact Mr Richard Sowden (Head Teacher English) for your ticket to the past.

World Aids Awareness Day Senior students at THS participated in an activity to promote World Aids Awareness Day recently. Mr Paul Stevenson (Joblink Plus) delivered cupcakes for all, iced in red to promote ‘red-ribbon day’. Emily Simpson completed some research on Aids and provided alarming statistics about this disease, especially in other parts of the world. The message was clear, all young people need to ensure they keep their blood healthy! Thanks to Mr Stevenson, Ms Sue Miller (Hunter-New England Health) and Emily for their efforts to raise awareness amongst our younger community members.

Great evening showcasing the various

talents of students at THS

Creative arts faculty giving

parents and students an

insight

A fantastic event with static displays

and live performances Tamworth & District Water Polo Inc will be holding trials for the 12/U Girls and 12/U Boys (born 2000 or later) with the intention of selecting teams to enter in the Balmain 12/U Junior Development Carnival to be held at Dawn Fraser Baths Balmain from 7 to 9 January 2013. The trials will be held Wednesday 21 and 28 November at Scully Park Pool (West Tamworth) commencing at 4.30 pm until 6.00 pm. For further information please contact Ross White on 0408 614 182 or Sean Hofman on 0404 468 448.

Newcastle Wind Orchestra Workshops Narrabri Last week a number of students from the Tamworth High School Band Program to participate in the Newcastle Wind Orchestra Workshops Narrabri. They spent three days playing music under the expert direction of Mr Ian Cook from the Newcastle Conservatorium and the tutelage of students from the Newcastle, Sydney and Queensland Conservatoriums (including our own Michelle Hines who is studying French horn at The Queensland Con). All our students had a great time, playing music and making friends. This is an excursion where the students from Narrabri host our students. It is a great learning experience and the students make long lasting friendships with Tamworth hosting students from Narrabri for our local activities. Thank you to the students who came, they were a pleasure to work with.

On Tuesday 4th of December, Tamworth High School held its Annual Sports Assembly recognising the sporting achievements of our students. Tamworth High School continues to maintain its sporting prowess with 6 teams winning the North West Regional finals, 33 students representing the North West, 10 long-term North West Retirees from Year 12, 5 students representing NSW & 2 students selected in Australian teams. Joshua Worpel was named in the U16 ’ s Australian Hockey team and James Psarakis in the U15 ’ s Australian Cricket team. The Open Boys Water Polo team were named the THS team of the Year, finishing 4th in the State. Students who excelled or displayed exceptional skills in their chosen sports were awarded Outstanding Performance pennants while all Age Champions in the school Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics Carnival were recognised for their efforts. Champion House was awarded to Peel, winning the Athletics and tying for first with Napier in the Swimming Carnival. Perpetual Trophies were awarded to students, nominated by their coaches in a variety of sports. Tamworth High School was also presented with the Sports Education Award, recognising our sporting successes in 2011 & Joshua Tan received the NSW Sporting Challenge Medal. Special thanks for the musical items that were performed by Ashley & Jasen Scott, Meghan McGrane, Alex Bennett and Harry Webster.

Outstanding Performances Swimming Age Champions Perpetual Trophy Recipients

Yr 12 Long Term North West Retirees Team of the Year - Open Boy’s

Water Polo

Ashley & Jasen Scott

Peel – House Champions

Harry Webster & Alex Bennett NSW Representatives

We were able to come home from the two days with two ribbons. The first was won by Brittney Elliot who placed 6th in the Junior Judging section. This was an excellent effort as she had to make a speech to earn her place and compete against over 100 other students. In the Hoof competition Rupert was also awarded a 6th place in the medium weight section. This is an excellent achievement in a well contested competition that has been running for many years. In 2012 over 20 schools from across the northwest competed with around 60 animals being exhibited.

NEWS FROM THE AG FARM On the 7th and 8th of November 15 student from Yr 9 and 10 Agriculture travelled to Tenterfield for the annual Northern schools Steer Competition. Prior to the show both these classes spent numerous hours preparing the two steers for a couple of months at school. We have one red shorthorn cross steer “Rupert” who had been bred and backgrounded by Mr and Mrs Warwick and Sally Mitchell of “Innesfail” down near Scone. The other was a Murray Grey X Red Angus steer named “Phantom” bred by Mr Barry Stubbs of Daruka. The students eagerly participated in breaking in the steers, teaching them to lead, tie up, be washed, groomed and clipped – in preparation for the big day. At Tenterfield all 15 students worked tirelessly to wash, groom and have Rupert and Phantom looking spectacular to take into the show ring. The students participated in parading the steers and junior judging competitions. We camped overnight, went to the pool party together and got up early the next morning to wash and groom again. It quickly became very obvious how mature and reliable our THS students are. They were a credit to their school all throughout the two days. The steers are judged on the hoof first and then are transported back to Cargill’s in Tamworth were they undergo a rigorous hook competition as their carcases are judged.

7-10 North West Representatives 11-12 North West Representatives

Judy Thomas presenting the Nathan Thomas Australian

Representative Award Australian Representatives Sports Education Award

Open Girl’s Water Polo Open Girls Hockey Team

Cross Country Age Champions Athletics Age Champions

U 15’s Water polo Last week the THS boys and girls U15’s Waterpolo teams travelled to Raymond Terrace to compete in the NSW CHSSA Knockout tournament. Unopposed in the North West both teams arrived in Raymond Terrace with little to no match practice and a large number of students completely new to the sport. This, however, was the least of their worries!! In an effort to keep costs to a minimum Mr. Smith and Ms Poder had booked the whole THS Waterpolo family into the Bellhaven Caravan Park, which on the net, boasted clean cabins and a good-sized pool. On arrival, things in the park were somewhat different, to say the least. From doors that fell off as they were opened, to electrical wires hanging limply from walls and burnt out stoves, it quickly became a competition as to who had the worst cabin. The ‘senior’ boys of the group won the prize. Jackson, Jack and Dion boasted a refrigerator lying on its side in the middle of the room, a broken telly on the bunk beds, a hole in the floor which the owner assured us ‘no

one had fallen through yet” and a smell that just may have been moldy cat. Never again will Jackson Crelley forget to pack his own linen!! Luckily Coach Sean Hoffman made the executive decision to pull the team out and find alternative, OHS approved accommodation. The team was then able to focus on their Waterpolo and not what might ‘get them in the night’. Both teams were placed in tough pools. First up, the girls played a good opener to draw 2 all with Bulli High. Haley Forge scored both goals and Megan Su was

sensational in her depute as goalie. Especially as she literally only learnt to play during the bus trip down. Losses against the more experienced Wagga and then Lambton High followed, but they never gave up. Each match the girls showed great improvement and Hoff was very pleased with all their efforts. Captain Katie Robinson and Hayley Forge led by example, all the while supporting and encouraging the new girls in the pool. Most importantly, to quote Bree Poetschka, the team had “fun”. The boys also showed great determination and a never say die attitude in each of their tough three matches. Lack of match practice made it difficult for the boys up against the well drilled Hunter and Sydney teams, however, they persevered. Jackson Crelley opened the score board with a goal against Picnic Point. Against Homebush, and despite being heavily defended at all times Jay Neville worked hard up and down the pool to score 2 goals. This was supported by Dylan McClelland (also judged the only team member with decent taste in music by Hoff and Ms Poder) who added an important, morale boasting lone goal. It was great to see the new players fearlessly taking on much larger and more experienced opponents. Officials acknowledged the girls sun safe behaviour and both groups were commended for appearing as a ‘team’ even when out of the water by wearing their THS sports shirts. Overall, the conduct and sportsmanship displayed by the students was outstanding at all times. They were a

credit to THS and its fine Water polo traditions. Hoff, Mr Smith and Ms Poder hope to see all of them back in the pool training for Opens early next year.