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The Dolphin

Great Lakes College

A Quality Education in a Modern Learning Environment

Issue 4 – Term 2 – Week 3 Wednesday, 11 May

Below: Nicholas Gray and Emily Duval – share a Geeky bond

GGGrrreeeaaattt LLLaaakkkeeesss CCCooolllllleeegggeee OOOpppeeennn GGGiiirrrlllsss NNNeeetttbbbaaallllll

who made the final eight in the Hunter Region netball championships May 6.

Late last term the Great Lakes College Open Girls Netball Team participated in a gala day hosted at our school. All the schools in the Manning Zone were in attendance. Our girls were very successful, winning the gala day. We then travelled to Newcastle on Friday May 6 and played Maitland High in our first game. The Great Lakes College team had a hard game and won the tight game by three goals. Their second game was against Callaghan College. This was another close game but the girls went down by three goals. They played exceptional netball all day. The girls should be very proud of how they conducted themselves. Well done!

Special mention must go to Mark Hudson for driving the girls to Newcastle on Friday. We would not be able to participate in these events without the help of parents. Another thankyou must go to Maddi Barlow-Smith for umpiring for our team in Newcastle. Thank you Maddi!

Gemma Tyrie Netball Coordinator

Above: Alicia Ieroianni, Laura Tillman, Kaylee Morrison, Sarah Ieroianni, Josie Nixon, Michaela Hudson, Liz Skillen, Melieah Gutherson, Maddi Barlow-Smith

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Great Lakes College Continues Strong Tradition

Students and staff of all three campuses of the Great Lakes College attended memorial assemblies to commemorate Anzac Day which took place at the end of the last school term. Both visitors and returned service personnel alike were moved by the respect shown to the occasion at all three assemblies. Students spoke on the theme, as did clergy and RSL representatives, of continuing a reverence for the sacrifices made by all our service men and women, both past and present.

Wayne Barry Head Teacher - College (Relieving)

Combined High School Tennis The Great Lakes College Combined High School (CHS) Boys and Girls tennis teams participated in the Tennis Gala day held at Taree district courts on Tuesday May 3. The girls played Wingham first and the boys played Gloucester. Both teams accounted for the opposition easily eight sets to nil and moved into the next round.

In the third round the Great Lakes teams again dominated the opposition in Wingham High and Taree High with eight sets to nil straight set victories. They now move on to play in the CHS Hunter semi finals at District Park in Newcastle on May 24.

John Drenkhahn Tennis Coordinator

CHS Football Team On a wet pitch and looming rain clouds Great Lakes College took on Bulahdelah Central in the second round of the CHS Football (Soccer) competition at Bulahdelah. Having already accounted for Wingham High five nil and endured three postponements of this match the side was keyed to play some serious football.

The game began with watchful tactics and some tentative shots on goal, although Great Lakes looked to be well in control of the situation. Once the team relaxed however the goals began to come in a flood and several patient movements were rewarded with good finishes resulting in additions to the score.

The Great Lakes team kept the game simple, knocking the ball around while paying attention to their movement off the ball and creating plenty of options for resourceful play. Reece Rayner played well in the midfield while Blake Clarke, David Bourne and Mitch Yarnold were causing grief for the Bulahdelah defence. Scott Katen, Nikolai Trinajstic and Tim Langford defended well with Corey Nash doing solid work as a winger, in fact every player in the team contributed to this eleven-one goal win.

The team’s next assignment is against Toronto High in the Newcastle region and will present a more considerable challenge to progress in this competition.

John Drenkhahn Soccer Coordinator

COLLEGE SPORTS COLLEGE NEWS

Above: Tuncurry Junior Campus Captains Sam Clarke and Dana Fletcher accept an Australian Korean War 60th Anniversary Certificate from veteran Roland Kinnear, 3RAR Association

Above: Tuncurry Junior Campus Prefects Nic Gray, and Madi Taylor with Roland Kinnear, 3RAR Association

Right: The Badge of the Royal Australian Regiment

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Just a quick report on what has been happening at our last two P & C meetings.

On the April 6 we were presented with a very informative presentation by Mr Steve Nicholas, Principal Great Lakes College Tuncurry Senior Campus. Steve gave us an analysis of HSC results. He indicated areas of growth and areas of concern for specific Key Learning Areas (KLAs) and outlined the procedures the College will be following to increase the levels of achievements by students in Bands 3,4,5, and 6.

Our thanks to Steve for taking the time to share the findings with us and helping us to make sense of the statistics involved!

We were also presented with a Draft Staffing Policy for the Great Lakes College, by Mr Graeme Jennings, for us to examine and we were able to show our support for this document at the May meeting, after some discussion.

At the April meeting there was quite lengthy discussion and concern about the uniform differences being sold by the three official suppliers. It was decided that the College Management Team, along with the P & C Executive, would meet to confirm the style, colour and quality of the uniforms being supplied for sale. This will be done shortly.

Our thanks go to Canteen Supervisors, Assistants, Canteen Conveyor-Sandy, Treasurer-Trisha and volunteers who manage our Canteens, at both the Forster and Tuncurry Campuses and also to the parents, students and Staff who support them, by buying each day. Due to your fine work and support we were able to present a cheque for $ 30,000 to the College Management Team. They will be able to use these funds to provide extra resources for our children's education. Well done team! We are always seeking more volunteers at both campuses to help share the load. If you are able to come along and help out please contact the canteen staff at the Forster or Tuncurry campuses. Contact details are located on the Canteen Roster page 11.

At our May 4 meeting we were invited to support an Open Day to be held on June 18, at the College Tuncurry site. This will be a valuable opportunity for senior students to come along to study sessions, information about university and higher education choices, etc and for Year 10 students and their

parents to come and see how it all works. To discuss with senior students subject content, unit choices available etc. P & C Representatives will be present as well. This is a day which should not be missed!!

We are delighted to have increased the numbers of parents who come along and support our meetings, but .... we need you!

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, June 1 at 7.30pm in the Tuncurry Campus Library. We'd love to see you there!

Robyn Stevenson-Relf P&C President

Traffic Flow Changes Due to an expansion of the Tuncurry Campus car park there will be reversal of some of the traffic flow arrows.

A student drop off area is being included in the plan to provide safe and efficient access to the school.

When the changes have been finalised formal notification will be provided. Please take care in the car park during the change over period.

Senior students who choose to drive their cars are reminded that they are to use the South Eastern car park near the MPH.

We appreciate our cooperation in this matter.

Thank you.

Wayne Barry Head Teacher - College (Relieving)

TUNCURRY CAMPUS CAR PARK

P & C NEWS

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Principal’s Report Dear Parents

As many of you know, I took leave at the end of last term to holiday in South Africa as part of a singing group. Whilst there, I took the opportunity to learn about the schooling system and visit some of the schools.

I was especially interested in the following:

All South African students wear school uniform. This includes black school shoes.

All schools charge fees – even public schools. If parents cannot afford to pay fees, they come into the schools after hours or on weekends/holidays and do work for the school. This can involve covering books, cleaning classrooms, assisting with grounds work.

Learning life skills – gardening, craft and arts, music are significant elements of the curriculum especially in rural schools and those schools in low socio-economic communities. Community service is valued.

The real focus is on education with a view to attaining and improving qualifications in order to secure a job. Unemployment runs between 25-48% and is higher in some rural areas.

Schools are placed in the heart of each community. Within the indigenous population, there is a great

deal of pride in learning cultural traditions and values.

All schools– whether they be South African or Australian, private or public need the strong support of their communities and the students’ parents. With so many competing for money these days, how we spend it often determines our values.

Voluntary school contributions are our equivalent to school fees. They are only $40 per child and can be

paid off over the year. Many parents at our school refuse to pay these contributions because of the word ‘voluntary’ that precedes the word, ‘contribution’. I would urge all parents to pay this contribution. It enables our school to provide services above and beyond what we otherwise would be able to. It is also a way of acknowledging the real value of the education that your child is receiving.

Judy Hall Principal

Deputy Principals’ Report Welcome back to Term 2: Term 2 heralds the start of the colder months, with that often comes illness. Please ensure that if your son or daughter is absent due to illness you send in an explanation note at the next convenient time so we can update our records on our school database. Reports will be completed this term. Any unexplained absences will be indicated on the reports. Contact the front office if you want a print out of your child’s attendance.

NAPLAN Students in Year 7 and 9 are currently undertaking NAPLAN testing. Please be aware that any student who was unable to sit for the assessments during the normal time is able to catch these up on Friday May 13.

Examination Week Week 5 (May 23 to 27) of this term is examination week for all years. A large proportion of exams will be held in the Multi Purpose Hall (MPH). Students will receive timetables shortly. Examinations are an opportunity for students to show what they know and have learnt over the course of the year. Success in these examinations comes down to preparation and practice.

Applying for Leave If you intend taking major holidays/leave during the school year outside of holiday time, we would ask that you formally apply for your son or daughter’s leave. Please phone the school or visit the front office and ask to speak to the Deputy Principal.

Class Changes (Year 7 and 8) It is important to note that any class changes for students will be made at the end of this term. This is particularly relevant for students wishing to enter the Opportunity Classes in Year 7 and 8. Any changes will be based on performances in all key learning areas.

FORSTER CAMPUS

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RAP Our Regular Assessment Program (RAP) has begun again and parents should be receiving letters home regarding their child’s progress relating to the college core values of: Personal Best, Responsibility, Fairness, Respect and Cooperation. RAP will be issued every four weeks this year and is used to reward students who make it into the Gold/Blue groups.

Kim Hamilton and Brad Germon Deputy Principals

ANZAC I was very proud to receive a large number of very positive comments about the quality of our school ANZAC service. Our students always present the best of themselves on these occasions – and this was again the case last term. Similarly it was great to have a small number of students representing our campus both at the Dawn Service and at the town march at 11.00am on ANZAC Day. Many of our students who did not march represented other organisations such as the Army, Navy and Air Force Cadets, Scouts and The Town Band. It made the occasion a proud, sombre and community-spirited occasion.

Judy Hall Principal

Off With Their Hair!!! SRC Hectic Hair Day A Real Buzz!!! Kye Engel, Jordon Simonovich and our wonderful pastoral care worker Wendy Russell, had the whole of the school holidays to add precious centimetres to their lovely locks. This was in preparation for the ‘big chop’ which took place on May 3 at Forster Campus MPH in front of a 700 strong crowd. Our MC for the event was the inimitable Andrew Jones, pastoral care worker extraordinaire.

To the thumping tones of loud dance music, the ‘shavEES’ took to their seats on the blackened stage as the crowds piled in. The ‘shavERS’; Gordon Walpole (from Roots Hair), Joey Engel (father of Kye), and Leonie Jones, (wife of our MC and thoroughly good sport), took shaving gear in hand and the show began. As our pictures reveal, the process was entertaining, and going by the expressions on the faces of our ‘shavEES’, even a little shocking.

Our day began with an amazing display of “hectic heads”, where all students had been challenged to come to school with wild hair and pay for the privilege. Participation on the day was outstanding and $700 was raised for cancer research and for the support of families experiencing cancer.

The SRC of Forster Campus would like to thank Jordan, Kye and Wendy most sincerely for giving all of us the opportunity to have some fun and raise money for this worthy cause.

Some photos of the event are located on the next page.

1. Andy Jones our MC 2. Jordan Simonovich(back), Kye Engel, Wendy

Russell...before 3. Vice Captain, Josh Walpole, happy his dad is

attacking Jordan, and not him 4. Payback time for Joey Engel as he runs amok on

his son Kye's hair 5. Wendy Russell with Leonie Jones, Jordan

Simonovich with Gordon Walpole from Roots Hair, Kye Engel with Joey Engel

6. Last chance to back out................ 7. The audience can hardly bare to watch the horror

unfolding 8. Jordan, Kye and Wendy....after

Steffani Laurence SRC Coordinator

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

Formal Assessment Week ........... May 20 – May 27

P&C Meeting

@ Tuncurry Library ...................... Jun 1 7:30pm

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Principal’s Report

It was wonderful to see staff and students return refreshed after our recent break. I trust that all families had an enjoyable Easter.

At the end of last term, Tuncurry Junior Campus held the Anzac Commemorative Assembly. I would like to acknowledge the community guests for their attendance at our assembly and the generous donation of gifts. A particular thanks to our piper, Dr Ian Clements, whose music makes the occasion most memorable. Guests at this ceremony complimented the students on their excellent behaviour and their presentations. I was very proud of our students and also those who formed part of the Anzac March.

As I said to students at our first celebration assembly last week, this is a very important term for learning consolidation. This week students in years 7 and 9 are undertaking their NAPLAN tests in Literacy and Numeracy whilst all students will be completing tests and assessments throughout the term in preparation for the end of semester one reporting period.

Our celebration assembly once again featured entertaining student performances in drama. Special guest, Mr Richard Quinn, a former Great Lakes College teacher and veteran triathlete, addressed the assembly about persistence and resilience. Gifted and talented (Gats) students in History, Textiles and … were presented with awards and work was profiled for the audience.

Mr Tom Kosteliz, Head Teacher Learning Support, has initiated a Principal’s Morning tea as another way of recognising student achievers. Using RAP scores as a guide, Year Advisers will nominate students to attend the morning tea which will be catered for by student volunteers. I am looking forward to the opportunity to spend quality time with our students.

I continue to be impressed with the work done by the staff and students in this school and wish everyone a happy term of learning!

Veronica Amato Principal

Deputy Principal’s Report

Hello everyone. I hope you are enjoying reading the Dolphin. Today I wanted to discuss processes around the student digital learning devices in Years 9 and 10 and Semester 1 Examination week and our expectations of students throughout this important period.

Years 9 and 10 students are the custodians of Laptop Learning Devices that have been distributed to them from the Federal Government Digital Education Revolution (DER) program. They represent a significant investment and come with important responsibilities. In short, students need to keep aware of the following:

• The learning devices must be charged every night and made ready to come to school each day, except Wednesdays.

• The learning devices should be in their protective cases at all times when not in use.

• Necessary repairs must be paid for and, in most cases, that cost will be at the student’s expense where damage is involved and they are expensive. e.g. A broken screen costs upwards of $200 to replace.

• It is recommended that these learning devices NOT be used by the students on their laps. If they are damaged by falling off their laps, then it will be deemed to be negligence and the student will have to pay the cost of any subsequent repair.

• The teacher will advise the students when they can use the learning devices in class. Using them without the permission of the teacher will result in negative consequences for the student.

• Using the learning devices to send inappropriate or abusive messages to anyone can lead to disciplinary actions being taken by the school.

• Any breakages or losses need to be reported immediately to the Technical Support Officer (TSO) at the school and all appropriate documentation completed. If the device is stolen, a report MUST also be made to the police and an incident number recorded to include in the report made to the TSO at the school.

This is just a summary of what is expected of the students in their custodianship of these learning devices. We believe them to be a significant tool in

TUNCURRY JUNIOR CAMPUS

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the aid of student learning and we want them to be able to maximise the opportunities that they provide.

As you are probably aware, our Semester 1 Formal Assessment Week is in week 5 of this term. For Year 7 it begins on the Friday of week 4. I am including below the expectations we have of all students when participating in the examinations that take place during this time. Please discuss them with your child and ensure that they are aware of them.

All students are expected to adhere to the following code of conduct in examinations. Failure to do so may result in them being removed from the examination room and penalties applied.

Students must:

1. Follow the day-to-day expectations of the school – including wearing school uniform.

2. Follow the examination supervisors’ instructions at all times.

3. Behave in a polite and courteous manner towards supervisors and other students.

4. Act appropriately and not disrupt the test or the work of other students.

5. Make a serious attempt at answering all the questions in the test.

6. Place any watch they have on top of the desk where it can be seen by a supervisor.

7. Stop writing when instructed to by a supervisor.

8. Check their examination paper to see if it has all the pages contained and it is in the correct order.

9. Write their name, student number and class number in the spaces provided when their supervisor tells you to do so.

Students must not:

1. Take a mobile phone or music player into the test room.

2. Eat in the test room. 3. Speak to any person other than a

supervisor during a test. 4. Behave in any way likely to disturb the

work of any other student or upset the conduct of a test.

5. Attend a test while under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs.

6. Take into the test room any books, notes, paper or any equipment other than the equipment allowed.

7. Take any electronic device such as an organizer, dictionary or computerized watch into the test room.

8. Leave the test room until one hour of the test time has elapsed and only in the company of a supervisor. They may not leave in the last 30 minutes of the test.

9. Remove any material from the test room. 10. Write before being instructed to do so. 11. Copy someone else’s work during a test,

or cheat in any other way.

They can take into a test:

1. Black or blue pens 2. Pencils and erasers 3. A ruler 4. Highlighter pens 5. A calculator 6. Compasses 7. Protractor

Paul Bulbert Deputy Principal

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

Formal Assessment Week ............ May 20 – May 27

P&C Meeting

@ Tuncurry Library ...................... Jun 1 7:30pm

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Boys to Men Day On March 25 approximately 70 boys from Great Lakes College Tuncurry Junior Campus Year 7 travelled to Cape Hawke Surf Life Saving Club to participate in the Boys to Men Welfare day.

The day involved a variety of activities designed to make the students aware of a number of things including communication skills, teenage issues and community involvement.

The day included a number of stimulating activities including Mr Lawson’s workshop, beach activities with Mr Barry, grass activities with Mr Colditz and “Rock and Water’ with Mr Drenkhahn. Our swim at the beach was the highlight!

Our thanks go to Pastor Daryl for his talk about the Importance of Mateship in the Australian Light Horse Brigade and to the Lions Club for providing a great lunch. In the end it was a fantastic day and everyone enjoyed it and learnt some valuable life lessons!

Year 7 Boy Who is now nearly a Man

Carpet One to the Rescue

After extensive renovations to the Social Science classroom E102 over the Christmas holidays it was discovered after moving some solid tables that the original carpet was laid around the furniture leaving twelve sizable holes in the room’s carpet. After lots of head scratching and trying to stretch the budget to fix the problem, Carpet One Forster was generous enough to supply the carpet for free. On behalf of the Social Science faculty and students, we would like to thank Carpet One for their support and kind donation. Contact Carpet One Forster on 6555 3100.

Corey Smith Teacher -HSIE

A Special Visitor

During January 2010 Senior Campus Principal Stephen Nicholas joined an educational study tour to India on a scholarship from the Asia Education Foundation. A delegation of 16 Australian Educational Leaders embarked on this study tour, ten on scholarships. As part of the arrangements, those on scholarship have the opportunity to host a return visit to their school by the Indian host Principal.

From May 26 to June 2 Mrs Abha Sahgal, Principal of Sanskriti School in New Delhi, will be a guest of Great Lakes College. Sanskriti School is a Kindergarten to Year 12 School of 2,600 students located in the suburbs of New Delhi. English is the language of instruction at the school and much of the curriculum is very similar to the NSW curriculum.

During her stay Mrs Sahgal will attend classes, assemblies, functions and meetings, as well as partner schools in the Great Lakes Learning Community, for professional exchange and learning. She will also see many of the sites of the Great Lakes during her stay. Many students will get the chance to meet Mrs Sahgal and learn from her during her stay.

Stephen Nicholas Principal Tuncurry Senior Campus

TUNCURRY SENIOR CAMPUS

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

Year 12 Reports ........................... May 17

Athletics Carnival ......................... May 18

Year 12 Parent/Teacher ............... May 19

P&C Meeting

@ Tuncurry Library ...................... Jun 1 7:30pm

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EXTERNAL NOTIFICATIONS

FUTURE CHOICES EXPO Education, Training and Employment support options for students and others in the community with additional needs

When: Thursday May 12, 2011

Where: Manning Uniting Church, Taree

Open: from 10:00am to 1:00pm

Open Employment (Disability Employment Services, Job Services Australia, Traineeships & Apprenticeships), Centrelink, ADHC Post School Programs, Disability Advocacy, Supported Employment, TAFE and University, assistive technology and more………

FREE ALL WELCOME

Parents, carers, students, anyone in the community with additional needs, support staff, teachers supporting students……

Organised by Beyond School Disability, Education and Employment Network

Further information:

Denise Cobourn, DET - 6584 3527

Leonie Kennedy, NDCO, leonie.kennedy@une.edu

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FORSTER CAMPUS CANTEEN ROSTER Ph. 6554 5259 or Ros 6554 8432

Monday 09/05 Tuesday 10/05 Wednesday 11/05 Thursday 12/05

Friday 13/05

B Heffernan M/I Yule

J Thomas L Perry

D Gatland C Judson

J Southwell P Crawley

C Harris L McGowan

Monday 16/05 Tuesday 17/05 Wednesday 18/05 Thursday 19/05

Friday 20/05

C Gorton J Hagan

A Kuruppu H Morley

J Miners J Higman

P Crawley D Williams

R Marshdale

Monday 23/05 Tuesday 24/05 Wednesday 25/05 Thursday 26/05

Friday 27/05

B Heffernan J Hammond

J Thomas L Perry

P McNamara B Ellery

P Crawley C Harris

K McGowan

TUNCURRY CAMPUS CANTEEN ROSTER Ph. Belinda 6555 0575

Monday 09/05 Tuesday 10/05 Wednesday 11/05 Thursday 12/05

Friday 13/05

D Murray J Elford D Ford L Howard P Morgan

Monday 16/05 Tuesday 17/05 Wednesday 18/05 Thursday 19/05

Friday 20/05

J Elford L Howard P Morgan

Monday 23/05 Tuesday 24/05 Wednesday 25/05 Thursday 26/05

Friday 27/05

D Murray J Elford L Howard P Morgan

If you are able to assist in either canteen please contact the phone numbers above. Help is always appreciated.

The Great Lakes College Canteen Rosters

If you are unable to attend please try to swap with someone else, if not please telephone the contact person at the top of your roster. Thank you for supporting the canteen, we could not function without your help and support. If possible please be at the canteen by 9.00am.

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College Contacts

Great Lakes College Principal:

Mr Graeme Jennings

Phone: 6555 0555

Forster Campus Principal:

Mrs Judy Hall Cape Hawke Drive Forster 2428 Phone: (02) 6554 6062 Fax: (02) 6555 6904 Canteen Phone: (02) 6554 5259 Email: glcforster-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au www.glcforster-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

Tuncurry Campus Principal:

Mrs Veronica Amato The Northern Parkway Tuncurry 2428 Phone: (02) 6555 0500 Fax: (02) 6557 6511 Canteen Phone: (02) 6555 0575 Email: glctuncjun-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au www.glctuncjun-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

Tuncurry Senior Campus Principal:

Mr Stephen Nicholas The Northern Parkway Tuncurry 2428 Phone: (02) 6555 0555 Fax: (02) 6557 6511 Canteen Phone: (02) 6555 0575 Email: glctuncsen-school@det.nsw.edu.au www.glctuncsen-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

College Office Hours

All Campuses 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday

Preferred Uniform Supplier

LOWES Stockland Shopping Centre

Breese Parade FORSTER 2428 Ph.6555 3870

JUNGLE SURF 86 Manning Street TUNCURRY 2428

Ph. 6555 8556

www.junglesurf.com.au

KELLIE TURNER EMBROIDERY 27 Pine Avenue

TUNCURRY 2428 Ph. 6555 8698