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Term 3 Week 7 (A) Week Starting 31 August 2020

Monday 31/08/20

Year 11 – 2021 Captaincy panel interviews with Principal; Drama Assessment Task P2/P3 Year 10 –Commerce Assessment Task-P4/P5 & P6 Year 9 – Links to Learning – P1/P2, IT Timber Assessment Task; Elective History Assessment Task – P5/P6 Year 8 – Vaccinations (Catch up); Music Task (Part A) 8E – P5 Year 7 - Vaccinations

Tuesday 01/09/20

Year 12 – English Advanced Workshops : 3:00 – 5:00pm Year 11 – 2021 Successful Captaincy interviewees notified; White Card Course Incursion Year 10 – Science Assessment Task (10.1)–P6 Year 8 – Music Assessment Task (Part A) 8E – P5

Wednesday 02/09/20

Year 10 – PASS Assessment Task – P2/P3 Year 9 – Top Blokes – P1/P2

Thursday 03/09/20

Year 11 – 2021 Captaincy team election speeches presented to staff Year 10 – Year 11 2021 Subject Selection interviews; PASS Assessment Task – P3 Year 7 – Special Religious Education

Friday 04/09/20

Year 12 – Drama – NESA marking – 12:15pm to 3:00pm, Year 11 - 2021 Captaincy team election speech to SRC and Year 11 cohort Year 10 – Science Assessment Task 10.4 – P1; PASS Assessment Task – P5/P6; Sport Selections P4 Year 9 – Science Assessment Task (9Sci2) – P2, (9Sci6) – P6 Year 8–Music Assessment Task (Part B) 8E – P2 & 8L – P3

Term 3 Week 8 (B) Week Starting 7 September 2020

Monday 07/09/20

Year 12 – Chemistry Incursion HSC Revision Workshop – P4-P6 Year 10 – PASS Assessment Task – P3 Year 9 – Links to Learning – P1/P2 Year 8 – Music Assessment Task (Part A) 8C – P4

Tuesday 08/09/20

Year 12 - English Advanced Workshops : 3:00 – 5:00pm Year 10 – IT Timber Assessment Task – P4/P6; PASS Assessment Task – P4; Music Assessment Task – P6 Year 9 – History Assessment Task – P3/P5 Year 8 – Music Assessment Task (Part A) – 8N-P3, 8I-P4

Wednesday 09/09/20

Year 10 – Music Assessment Task – P3; Photography Assessment Task – P3 Year 9 – Top Blokes – P1/P2; Science Assessment Task (9SCi3 & 9Sci1) – P1 Year 8 – Music Task (Part A) 8L – P1, (Part B) 8U – P2

Thursday 10/09/20

Year 11 – Induction of 2021 Captaincy Team, RUOK Presentation Year 10 – PASS Assessment Task – P3 Year 9 – Food Technology Assessment Task ((FT1) – P2/P3; Music Assessment Task – P2/P3; Science Assessment Task (9SCi4) – P4 Year 7 - Special Religious Education

Friday 11/09/20

Year 12 – HSC Visual Arts Body of Works submitted Year 10 – PASS Assessment Task – P5 Year 8 – Music Assessment Task (Part B) 8I – P4, 8N – P5 Year 7 – Music Assessment Task (7O) – P5

Term 3 Week 9 (A) Week Starting 14 September 2020

Monday 14/09/20

Year 12 – Visual Arts Body of Works – NESA completion date Year 11 – Preliminary Examinations start Year 10 – PASS Assessment Task – P4/P5; Child Studies Assessment Task – P4 Year 9 – Links to Learning – P1/P2, Food Technology Assessment Task -P4/5 Year 8 – Music Assessment Task (Part B) 8C – P4 Year 7 – Music Assessment Task (7U) – P2

Tuesday 15/09/20

Year 12 - English Advanced Workshops : 3:00 – 5:00pm Year 11 – Preliminary Examinations Year 9 – Food Technology Assessment Task -P2/3

Wednesday 16/09/20

Year 11 – Preliminary Examinations Year 10 – PASS Assessment Task – P2/P3 Year 9 – Top Blokes – P1/P2 P & C meeting – 6:30pm – via MS Teams

Thursday 17/09/20

Year 12 – HSC Music performance Examinations 1:00pm- 4:15pm Year 11 – Preliminary Examinations Year 10 – Mathematics Assessment Task; PASS Assessment Task – P2/P3 Year 9 – Top Blokes – P1/P2 Year 7 - Special Religious Education; Music Assessment Task (7Q/7R) – P1, (7C) – P2, (7E) – P3, (7N) – P4

Friday 18/09/20

Year 11 – Preliminary Examinations Year 10 – PASS Assessment Task – P5/P6; Information Software Technology Assessment Task – P6

Year 12 Purple Year 11 Olive Year 10 Blue Year 9 Red Year 8 Green Year 7 Orange

SCHOOL NEWSLETTER Term 3 Week 6, 28 August 2020

Address: 2 Gibsons Road, Figtree NSW 2525 Phone: 02 4271 2787 Email: figtree-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au Fax: 02 4271 6626

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Thoughts from the Principal

Year 12

A big welcome back to Year 12, who have been studying hard over the past fortnight while sitting for their Trial HSC examinations.

Although students have now finalised their Trial HSC examinations, it is imperative that all Year 12 students continue to attend school and work hard until the end of the term. Most subjects still have to complete their course content and there are still a number of assessment tasks to be fulfilled. Also, important information will be conveyed to students over coming weeks in relation to the HSC examinations and end of year activities.

This year the Higher School Certificate examinations commence on Tuesday 20 October, which is only a mere seven weeks away. At last the end is in sight for our Year 12 students, after 13 years of education.

I would also like to applaud those students who have recently submitted their major projects as part of their HSC courses. English Extension 2, Society and Culture, Industrial Technology Timber and Visual Arts are among these subjects. The quality and expertise shown are very impressive. Music and Drama students will be sitting their HSC performance exams over the coming weeks, and we wish them well.

Importantly, I would like to pay special tribute to their classroom teachers who have given much of their free time, including weekends, to support their students.

Premier’s Sporting Challenge

Figtree High School students and staff have yet again enthusiastically participated in the ten week Premier’s Sporting challenge.

Across the program, students monitored their physical activity levels whilst aiming to work towards an average of at least 60 minutes of activity a day. Most students comfortably met this target. A huge congratulations to our very fit Year 7 students who took out the winning year group.

The staff challenge continues to be highly competitive and this year the SASSY Ladies celebrated victory. Well done to our School Administration and Support Staff (SASS) for not only taking up the challenge, but also for comprehensively winning for the third year in a row.

The most active staff member title was shared this year between Ms Donovan and Ms Blaker. Congratulations to these two shining stars!!!

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50 Year Anniversary Pavers

As part of Figtree High School’s 50 Year Anniversary events, our community took up the opportunity to purchase commemorative pavers. Last week Mr Olsen and his Year 10 Industrial Technology – Building and Construction class began laying these pavers adjacent to the Fig Tree. We hope to have the job completed by the end of Term 3.

I would like to thank our wonderful P & C for organising the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Pavers to commemorate this special milestone. Similarly, I would like to give credit to Mr Olsen and the Year 10 Industrial Technology – Building and Construction students for taking on the hard work of laying the pavers.

Harmony Day prize

Earlier this year we celebrated Harmony Day at Figtree High School in order to promote diversity and acceptance of all cultures. Harmony Day aims to start a conversation about heritage, culture and community and interestingly, the event coincided with the United Nations' International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

As part of Harmony Day celebrations, both primary and secondary students across NSW and the ACT are encouraged to enter the Harmony Day Poster competition. Each year the Harmony Day Poster Competition attracts thousands of entries and brings out the creativity and passion of school students motivated by a desire for a peaceful and inclusive society.

Congratulations to Ala Ali of Year 10 on her winning entry pictured below.

2021 Captaincy Team selections

On Monday 17 August nominations for our 2021 Student Captaincy Team were called.

The selection process spans three weeks and involves completing a written self-nomination, panel interviews with myself and a select number of key staff representatives and election speeches (to be video-taped this year) to the entire staff and Year 11 cohort.

The announcement and induction of the 2021 Captains will take place on Thursday 10 September. Figtree High School has unearthed many exceptional leaders over the past few years and I am certain that the 2021 student leadership team will be no exception.

I take this opportunity to acknowledge the leadership of Ellie Rada, Connor Ryan, Nadine Kellermann, Nikola Rodic, Maria Ljuboja, Matthew Simpson, Maxine McEwan and Reuben Livingston who have been excellent student leaders, during this most unusual of years.

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SAS Staff Recognition Week

Our School Administration and Support (SAS) staff play a crucial role in the school community. They are often the first people you see when you enter a school and are essential to maintaining positive relationships with students, parents and the community. SAS staff work in school offices, in classrooms and libraries and maintain and care for school grounds and buildings. They are often the people who tend to students when they are unwell and they most certainly are leaders in ensuring the efficient management of school financial and administration functions. This week is SASS Appreciation week. It is a time where we recognise our wonderful team of SAS staff at Figtree HS and say a heartfelt thanks for all they do for staff, for students and for our school. To our awesome office staff, and support staff in TAS, Science and Library - Thank you for using your remarkable talents and skills to benefit our whole school community! To our amazing School Learning Support Officers (SLSOs) - Your tireless dedication to your work is helping our students and school achieve success each and every day. To our dedicated General Assistant - We are so grateful for all of your hard work and we wouldn’t be the same without you!

Advice to HSC parents - what should parents do to help their teen survive the HSC?

Any parent who has had a child go through Year 12 will tell you it’s a tough year. The stakes are high and the pressure cooker environment can affect your child’s performance, stress them out and leave them wishing they could find a hole to crawl into. And in many cases you, the parents, experience similar levels of anxiety.

I conclude this section of the newsletter with some advice to our HSC parents on how they can help their Year 12 student get through the next few months and the HSC.

Give them a calm, supportive environment

A freaked-out child can lead to a chaotic household, especially in the lead-up to the final exams. Give your kid space to study and as much quiet as possible. Suggest they turn off their phones during study to minimise interruptions.

Help them plan it

As the old adage goes, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” Whether it’s a time management app or a paper timetable on the fridge or their bedroom wall, your child will benefit from creating a schedule and sticking to it. This means making time for study, family and work commitments, exercise, friends and fitting in some fun.

Make sure they’re well fed

Snacking on greasy takeaway or sugary treats may seem like the easy option for your child, especially during the stress of exam time, but they’d be much better served by a healthy, balanced diet that’s high in fibre and rich in fruits and vegetables. Keep your kids well supplied with regular healthy meals and water. Encourage them to snack on fruit and swap the coffee for herbal tea.

Shuteye is key

It’s past midnight and your frazzled teenager is huddled over a textbook with tired, bloodshot eyes. Yes, late night cramming sessions are sometimes necessary, and some students prefer to study late into the night. Others like to wake early. But most do best during the day when they’re likely to feel more alert. Encourage them to get enough rest. A good night’s sleep, as well as daytime naps where possible, will help with your child’s attention, memory and learning.

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Help them to keep balanced

Encouraging your child to get out of the house can take the pressure off their hectic schedule. While many students choose to limit competitive sport and part-time work in Year 12, it’s still vitally important to get some exercise and spend time with friends. Sport and exercise can help with academic performance, so regular physical activity is definitely important. And even the odd night out with friends can be a useful distraction.

When the going gets tough, keep a level head

Studying is hard work. Chances are that at one stage or another your tired, frustrated child will steam out of their bedroom and fall down in a heap. It’s a fair bet this is not the right time to be stern. It probably is the right time to tell them to step back from things for a while and take a day off. If you feel like you need to keep them honest, pick the right time to apply pressure, and give them just enough to keep them diligent without stressing them out further.

Be supportive and take the gloves off

What’s perhaps most important for students during Year 12 is that they feel emotionally supported by their parents. If their room resembles a disaster zone, maybe try to bite your lip. If they seem more stressed than normal, ask them about it. If they’re constantly worried about study and the consequences of the year ahead, the stress and anxiety could lead to symptoms like headaches, stomach aches, a change of appetite and out-of-character aggression. Be extra tolerant. And remember, in the end their exams are their fight, not yours. Stress is normal but if you think it is excessive contact the school.

Remind them it’s not the end of the world

It’s almost exam time and despite all their best efforts (and yours), your kid feels under-prepared and over-stressed. Explain to them that their exams are not the be all and end all. There are other ways they can get into their dream course or career. It will all be okay. Encourage your kids to stay motivated and focus on doing their best with what they have. That's all we can ask of them.

Adapted from an article presented by Australian Catholic University

Sending you my best,

Daniel Ovens Principal

Expectation of the Week

WEEK 7: BE RESPECTFUL – Technology Report disrespectful posts

WEEK 8: BE RESPECTFUL - Lessons Phones off and in bag

WEEK 9: BE A LEARNER - Canteen Have your choices and money ready

Deputy Principal’s Report

Year 11 Our Year 11 students received their Preliminary Course examination timetables and the Figtree HS Examination Rules on Monday 24 August. These examinations, which are held in Weeks 9 and 10 of this term, are formal assessment tasks and the specific rules replicate those for the HSC examinations. Students only attend school for their scheduled examinations. When students do not have an examination scheduled, they are expected to engage in home-based study and preparation for their examination. The preparation for these examinations should commence now. Students have engaged in 4 lessons focused on the skills for study and organisation over the past month, so putting this knowledge and the skills into practice now will lay good foundations for students to perform to their best in their examinations. Year 10 Next week our Year 10 students will be participating in a Year 11 2021 subject selection interview. At this time they will discuss their pattern of study, based on the proposed curriculum lines and courses that may be offered. Some courses are not being offered due to the low number of students who selected them. Students who have missed out on one or more of their subjects will be able to discuss other courses available to them. Jemma Lawson – Years 7 and 10 Trish Morgan – Years 8 and 12 Ellie Donovan – Years 9 and 11 Deputy Principals

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English/Drama Faculty Report

Term 3 has been busy with Trial HSC Examinations and assessment tasks. Our students have adapted well to face to face teaching with the appreciation of the importance of being back in the classroom. It has been a difficult year for our Year 12 students with all the changes they have had to face. However, I must say that their perseverance and dedication has allowed them to take on the many challenges they have encountered along the way. We have been busy in the faculty with our innovative revision strategies, allowing our students to think critically and creatively. One of the English Advanced teachers, Ms Gibson, has been busy in exploring a range of revision strategies to not only engage our students but more importantly, strengthen their ability to think critically by justifying their viewpoints through collaborative learning. Ms Gibson organised her Year 12 Advanced English group into pods, making their own HSC exam questions and criteria based on the Module A Textual Conversations rationale. This has not only allowed the students to bring to the table their knowledge on the content of The Tempest and Hag-Seed but at the same time, develop scaffolds and thesis statements based on the devised questions. This revision strategy has been such a delight to watch and unfold as independent thought and action has allowed them to decipher a range of possible questions. I always mention to my English Advanced students that they should feel excited about the questions which they may be asked in their HSC. They have been taught the content and the ability to think critically and creatively, allowing them to answer a wide range of questions. On behalf of the English faculty, I would like wish Year 12 all the very best in the future.

Year 12 Drama I also feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to teach my Year 12 students since they were in Year 9 elective Drama. The skills that they have acquired has allowed them to become exemplary performers. The cancellation of the group devised performance for their HSC due to the COVID restrictions had left them deflated, similar to all HSC Drama students across the state. However, they have taken on the challenge to devise a range of individual performances with the ability to showcase their skills in the elements of drama. They have taken on the feedback from external markers and have endeavoured to make changes to their pieces. I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching such creative and energetic performers. I would like to wish the following Year 12 Drama students all the very best in their HSC performances and design projects:

Tahlay Balgovind

Neve McGavock

Nikola Rodic

Ashley Ristevski

Nadine Kellermann

Nathan Garrick Here are some highlights from their Trial HSC Practical Examination;

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The following students are our winners of the first writing snapshot competition based on a 50- word story about a teacup and saucer.

Snapshot Writing Competition

Our Literacy Action Team has also been busy this term with digitalising the GROW (Get Ready to Own Writing) Portfolio and making it accessible on Google Classroom for our Year 7 students. Our cross KLA writing competition is also underway proving to be a huge success amongst our Year 7 students. A big thank you to the team and Vanessa Glasgow our Head Teacher Teaching and learning/Librarian who has worked with our Year 7 students in the literacy lessons. She has encouraged our students to take on the love of reading and writing. Angela Mintzas Head Teacher English/Drama

THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARD Congratulations to Soe Reh, Dee Ree, Anastasia Tsangaris, Amber Cheesewright and Lee Meh for their attainment of the BRONZE AWARD of THE DUKE OF EDNIBURGH'S INTERNATIONAL AWARD. This award is an internationally recognised program for young people, building their skills to equip them for life and work. By creating opportunities for young people to develop skills, get physically active, give service and experience adventure, the Award can play a critical role in their development.

Figtree High School students participated in volunteering at St Francis of Assisi Warrawong Primary school where they listened to students read. They participated in two overnight trips and outdoor group work challenges at Stanwell Tops Conference Centre. They also participated in the PCYC Graff Off and volunteering community project with Shellharbour Council. Other programs they completed include Retail Training, Industry Training and Food Safe Handling. These were all completed through the Links2Learning program which the students attended every Tuesday throughout 2019.

“Hello dearie come inside”, says the woman. I follow her, she takes me into a room jumbled with stuff, feathers, beads galore. She places a teacup, adorned with celestial patterns, stars and constellations, and tells me to take a sip. I do as she says, finding myself in another world…

By Freya Beckley 7E

I fall through the clouds, glancing at the world as I shrink. Landing with a splash, I gasp for breath. I swim to the side and pull myself out. My eyes follow a drip of tea. It slips over the edge of the cup And drips down the side. I lose myself in space...

By Lili Blanchard 7U

Literacy Team

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Salma Alhindi EAL/D Teacher Illawarra Academy of Sport – 2020/2021 Scholarships

The Illawarra Academy of Sport are currently looking for talented athletes to apply for their scholarship programs for 2020/2021. The closing dates for applications vary depending on the sport. For further details, click the following links: Sport Programs Apply for a scholarship

FIGTREE HIGH PBL INITIATIVE Students of 8L have begun exploring their new topic through a Project Based Learning experience. Over the coming weeks students will engage in a number of hands on activities such as Virtual Reality tours, caring for local plants and Zoom calls with experts in relevant fields. All of this will be leading up to their ultimate goal of developing a conservation campaign to raise awareness for animals effected by bushfires.

Emily Richards Blake Thomas Dylan Jones

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