Phone: 4393 7000 FAX: 4393 1157 Website: http//www.gorokan-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 1

“Developing Australia’s Future Leaders”

Community Newsletter

Term 2 – Week 7 June 2011

From the Principal

STAFF CHANGES

Gorokan High is very pleased to

welcome our new head teacher

administration, Mr Tony Keevill. Mr

Keevill comes to us from Henry Kendall

HS and is qualified to teach in both PE/H/PD and

Human Society and its Environment (HSIE). His

enthusiasm and leadership skills are a welcome

addition to the school.

Long-time deputy principal, Mr Kim Whealey,

remains on leave following some health issues. He is

sorely missed on both a professional level and in his

personal relationships with staff and students.

During term one he was replaced by Mrs Lorraine

Chaffer, Head Teacher of Teaching and Learning.

Mrs Chaffer has now returned to her head teacher

role but did an excellent job in ensuring that all of

the Deputy Principal functions were fulfilled.

This term Mrs Marie Grant, Head Teacher of Science,

has taken over the Deputy Principal role until Mr

Whealey returns. Once again it is heartening to be

able to rely on such talented leaders stepping into

the Deputy's position. While Mrs Grant is away from

science Mr Wrightson has accepted the relieving

head teacher role.

Mr Steven Allen from the English faculty, is now on

extended LSL prior to his retirement. We thank him

for his dedication to teaching over a long career. Mr

Allen’s replacement will be appointed through the

merit selection process.

Our school population has grown this year and

based on that growth in the school is entitled to an

additional head teacher in 2012. The process of

choosing the area of responsibility for this new head

teacher involves the school community reaching a

consensus about school needs. The school

executive, staff and P&C have supported the view

that the students will be best served by a head

teacher with responsibilities for vocational

education, careers and school retention. The new

school leaving age has contributed to a change in the

makeup of the senior and there are a number of

students who need support to complete their

schooling.

CONGRATULATIONS

Scholarships five of our students were successful in

gaining Two Ways Together scholarships which

provide students with support to allow them to

concentrate on their studies. These scholarships are

available to Aboriginal students and to collect five

out of a total of 140 students is a credit to the

students, their families and school. Congratulations

to the five students: Todd Forrester, Harley Short,

Charlie Rogers, Nick Farrell and Jarrad Hayes. (continued next page)

Events, 2011

9 June ½ Day Athletics Carnival

10 June Whole Day Athletics Carnival

14 – 18 June Star Struck

22 June Zone Athletics

22 – 24 June Year 7 Camp

28 June Parent & Teacher Night

Year 7 & 10 Immunisations

30 June Selective Parents Night

1 July Term 1 concludes

19 July Students return

1 August HSC Trial commences

Phone: 4393 7000 FAX: 4393 1157 Website: http//www.gorokan-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 2

From the Principal (cont)

Congratulations also to the three students who won

technical scholarships from the Australian Defence

Forces. Three students applied for the scholarships.

They had to meet certain course requirements by

studying a combination of mathematics and

technical subjects. The scholarships provide

financial support through Year 11 or Year 12 but,

unfortunately, do not guarantee students entry to

the defence forces. They are, however, a strong

starting point for any student who wishes to apply.

The students were: Adam Ingram, Cody Attard and

Aaron Pomaroy.

Yours in Education

Les Clark

Principal

HSIE FACULTY NEWS

The past few months have been busy in the HSIE

Faculty. Fieldwork, presentations, excursions and

study days along with course work and assessment

tasks.

Yr 7 students have been completing the first half of

the Stage 4 Geography course this semester.

Students will soon bring home a note that outlines

their geography fieldwork day, to be conducted at

the end of this term. Fieldwork is mandatory and we

do encourage all students to attend this day at

Bateau Bay. Students with be studying history for

the second half of the year in HSIE.

Yr 8 History students completed Portfolio’s on

Ancient Egypt as an assessment task. Students

undertaking this task produced outstanding work.

The success of this project in regard to student

engagement and creativity was outstanding. Many

students were awarded very high marks with a book

prize to be awarded to the most outstanding task in

each class. Yr 8 students will study stage 4

geography for the second half of the year.

Yr 9 HSIE geography students completed fieldwork

and an associated assessment task at a variety of site

within and just beyond the school playground.

Students learned to use fieldwork equipment and

record information, skills essential for geography

students and useful in other subjects across the

school.

To complete their

fieldwork, 9HSIE7

travelled to the

constructed

wetlands at Blue

Haven, otherwise

known as “Duck

Haven”. While

there the students

completed a

fieldwork activity

that required

them to complete sketches, maps and a water bug

survey. The students enthusiastically searched for

water bugs and were most excited to catch some

tadpoles, small fish, leaches and worms. A great

afternoon spent having fun and learning.

Yr 9 Geography – A number of students in Miss

Fitzgerald’s class deserve recognition having been

awarded Quality Work Portfolio Certificates. Alex

Tischenko, Jake Cohen. Nikki De Freitas, Benny

Sawada-Jorgenson, Jamie Leonard, Jazmine Paea,

Jack Brown, Ni Rueangroongsom and Sami Lidster all

produced excellent Power Points for their Unique

Australia Unit of work. Congratulations!

Yr 9 History students have undertaken 2 assessment

tasks this semester. Many students handed in work

on time and demonstrated commitment to their

course and time management skills, in meeting their

deadline. Unfortunately a large number of students

did not hand in one or both tasks and this is creating

issues for them and teachers. It is important to note

that it is NOT ACCEPTABLE to just not complete

tasks. Many parents are being notified regarding

their students application to their work. Students

who do not meet course requirements need to

provide suitable justification for their not doing so.

Unfortunately some students find themselves in a

spiral that may inevitably affect the awarding of

their School Certificate next year if they get into the

habit of not meeting course requirements.

Phone: 4393 7000 FAX: 4393 1157 Website: http//www.gorokan-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 3

Year 10 HSIE - A small group of Yr 10 students

travelled to Brisbane Water Secondary College to

give a presentation to the HSIE Head Teachers KLA

Conference. Eve Sprott, John Hutchinson and

Brittany Peterson professionally addressed the

meeting with a recount of their experiences of their

involvement on the Veterans Oral History Project.

They are to be commended on their prepared

presentation and their responses to the question

raised by the Head Teachers on the day.

Yr 10 students have recently completed their half

yearly exams in both geography and history. This is

essential preparation for their School Certificate

Exams at the end of the year.

HSIE have been lucky to be able to harness the skills

of our new Head Teacher Administration, Mr Tony

Keevill. We welcome Mr Keevill to the HSIE faculty.

Along with teaching his timetabled classes, we have

been able to provide an additional program in HSIE

that will assist many of our students in their

preparation for exams and in particular their HSIE

School Certificate Exams. Mr Keevill is working on a

rotational roster with small groups of students,

ensuring that they are familiar with the SC paper,

preparing them to answer the various sections of the

paper including multiple choice, short answers and

extended responses. Students are learning to use

the source material and stimulus provided in the

paper effectively in a range of ways to work towards

improving their results.

Yr 10 History students were recently awarded

certificates and cash prizes for their efforts in their

Vietnam History assessment. I wish to thank Toukley

RSL, who again donated a very generous sum of

money for prizes to each class demonstrating their

commitment to ensuring that student continue to

learn about and appreciate the sacrifices that many

Australians have made to ensure Australia continues

to be a beautiful and safe country for them to grow

up in.

Students who received awards include Ben Ganim,

Emily Adams, John Hutchinson, Ryan Conno,r Emily

Briggs, Karly Brown, Dylan wills, Paige Christafaro,

Brittany Villata, Jyee Kevill, Mitchell Parker, William

Cartaar, Josh Mant, Toby Fewre, Chantelle Thorn,

April Wheeler, Keanu Hicks, Ben Maybury, Summar

Marginson, Kaine Duroux

Yr 10 History – Early Term 3, 29th July, ALL yr 10

students will be required to attend a mandatory site

study day at Morpeth and Maitland Gaol. Notes and

information for this day will be issued to students

soon.

Yr 11 Business Services Students will venture out on

work placement in Week 7 of this term. Youth

Connections have provided them with some enticing

workplace options. It is important to note however,

that some students have had erratic attendance at

school and may be deemed ‘not work ready’ and

prohibited from attending work placement at this

time. It is important that students demonstrate

their commitment to their course at school.

Stage 6 Legal Studies recently attended talks for Law

Week at Lake Haven Library. Thank you to Mrs

Chaffer who organised and accompanied the

students to the talks. Thank you to Darryl at Lake

Haven Library for inviting the students to this

informative talk.

Yr 12 History (Ancient, Modern and Extension) will

attend an HSC Study Day at Sydney University on 9th

June, where leading academics will present lectures

on how to approach the HSC exam and the current

archaeological work and historical debate on a

number of interesting topics. Students and staff are

looking forward to this day.

Year 12 Geography Mrs Chaffer once again

presented at the HSC Geography Student Lecture

Days for the NSW Geography Teachers’ Association.

Over 400 students state wide attend these lectures

which provide invaluable help and advice to HSC

Geography students

Thank you to the HSIE Staff who have contributed to

the articles in this newsletter.

Erica Burge

Head Teacher HSIE

Phone: 4393 7000 FAX: 4393 1157 Website: http//www.gorokan-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 4

TEACHING AND LEARNING

BEING ORGANISED – THE FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS

NEW STUDY GUIDES

One of the biggest challenges for our students is

becoming organised and managing their learning.

We know how important it is to provide students

with guidelines on how to manage their time, how to

make good study notes, how to prioritise learning

activities and how to prepare for tests or

examinations.

Gorokan High School has currently purchased study

guides for all year 10 and 12 students. These study

guides are large, A2 posters, printed in colour and

celloglazed on both sides. This makes them very

durable and allows students to write on them with

any non-permanent marker. They can be easily

wiped clean with a tissue or a damp cloth.

These planners have been used in a number of

Sydney schools and have been credited with

improving student organisational skills, engagement

in learning and success at school. The planners will

be available for purchase on Parent Teacher night.

Student assistance is available if needed. See Mrs

Chaffer on Parent Teacher night.

The study guides will cost $5.50 each (with a subsidy

of $5 paid by the school.)

The $5.50 can be paid at the accounts office and

when the receipt is taken to Mrs Chaffer students

will be issued with their planner to take home.

Mrs L Chaffer

Head Teacher Teaching and Learning

HI EVERYONE

Welcome again to all our new parents, if we haven’t

met you yet feel free to drop in and have a chat . The

Aboriginal office has an open door and welcomes

parents to visit, or if you can’t drop in we welcome

your calls on 43927202.

CONGRATULATIONS

Jarrad Hayes represented the school in the Sydney

North Matchplay Championship unfortunately he

didn’t make it through to the next round. He also

represented the school in the North Sydney

Straightplay Championships, this time he made it

through to the next round which will see him play in

Dubbo on the 28th-30th June, if successful this path

will lead him to Australian Schoolboys Team.

Tia Long was successful in her application to the

Aboriginal Dance Company, this involves several

workshops and also teaching and mentoring by

dancers from Bangarra. What a wonderful

opportunity!

This year, 5 students were successful in achieving

the Two Ways Scholarship, the scholarship is to be

used to assist students with school expenses.

Congratulations Nick Farrell, Harley Short, Charlie

Rogers, Todd Forester and Jarrad Hayes.

Congratulation also to Adam Ingram who was also

successful is gaining a Defence Force Scholarship,

this scholarship is to assist him in completion of his

Higher School Certificate.

PERFORMANCE TROOP

Its Starstruck time again and our Aboriginal

Performance Troop will be amongst 22 outstanding

dancers and performers from Gorokan High. The

students will perform in 4 shows before an audience

of over 3000. The kids are anxiously looking forward

to this wonderful experience. This years troop

Phone: 4393 7000 FAX: 4393 1157 Website: http//www.gorokan-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 5

includes Adam Ingram, Todd Forester, Leighton

Coggan, Liam Cohen, Cody Harris, Charlie Rogers,

Kimberly Whittaker, Tia Long, Lauren Ingram and

Sarah Gibson. Have a great time guys.

MURU BULBI

The next Muru Bulbi meeting will be on 20th June in

the staff common room at Gorokan High School.

P & C MEETING

The next P&C meeting will be held on 21st June in

the staff common room, it would be good to have

more Aboriginal Parents on this committee, there is

no obligation to do anything, just come along and be

a part of the decision making in your school.

Until next time Lesley.

Aboriginal Education Officer

UNIFORM POLICY

The uniform policy has been endorsed by the School

Council, the P & C. Wearing school uniform is an

important aspect of Gorokan High School’s

expectations of students.

Wearing uniform is important because:

It helps to ensure the safety of students

inside and outside the school (Occupational

Health and Safety);

It allows easy identification of students

especially when the school has intruders or

visitors or when students are on excursions;

It gives the school an identity in the

community;

It generates pride in the school and an

identity with the school; and

It tells the community and employers in

particular a lot about a student’s attitude to

school, their willingness to follow regulations

and procedures, their respect authority and

their character.

At Gorokan we value respect, cooperation and

personal best – complying with uniform regulations

reinforces these values.

UNIFORM PROCEDURES

Each morning students out of uniform without a

pass have their names recorded by their teacher on

assembly. Names are recorded on a database and

letters sent home. Detentions will be given for

failing to follow procedure NOT for being out of

uniform.

If there is a GENUINE reason for a student being out

of uniform a note explaining that reason should be

given to the front office BEFORE 8:15 am on the day.

A pass will be issued for the day. For longer passes

you must see Head Teacher Teaching & Learning or

Welfare. The note should be dated and have a

contact phone number.

School Uniform Shop – On School Premises –

OPEN Tuesdays and Thursday mornings.

Note Girls: Short Shorts and leggings are not

allowed. Straight skirts are not uniform.

Junior Boys Senior Boys

Light blue button through collared shirt or polo shirt.

White button through collared shirt or polo shirt.

Navy shorts, long pants Navy shorts, long pants

Navy jumper/ jacket Red jumper/ jacket

Enclosed leather black shoes lace up.

Junior Girls Senior Girls

Light blue button through collared shirt or polo shirt.

White button through collared shirt or polo shirt.

Navy fabric pleated skirt, long shorts, ¾, long pants.

Navy long shorts, long pants. Checked, pleated skirt.

Navy jumper/ jacket Red jumper/ jacket

Enclosed leather black shoes lace up. Stretchy belts must be navy

PE UNIFORM

White Polo Shirt with Blue Collar and Gorokan High School Logo.

Black Gorokan High School Shorts with Navy Stripe. Available from School Uniform Shop.

Phone: 4393 7000 FAX: 4393 1157 Website: http//www.gorokan-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 6

ALL students are required to change their clothes for

PD/H/PE practical lessons and sport.

PRACTICAL SUBJECTS

Practical subjects have strict uniform requirements.

This is a safety issue and students may be excluded

from practical lessons if they do not conform. The

teachers of these subjects will specify requirements

which may include aprons, hair nets, chef’s cap. All

students will wear fully enclosed black leather lace

up school shoes, for foot safety.

PARENTS OF YEAR 10 STUDENTS

We seek your views on the NSW one-to-one laptop

program.

A formal evaluation of the program is being

undertaken by the New South Wales Department of

Education and Training in collaboration with the

University of Wollongong. It is an effort to

determine how the DER-NSW program may impact

on learning and teaching education across the state.

The evaluation is intended to take place over 3

years.

Please go to the link below and complete the 2011

survey. It won’t take you too long.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RWN6ZS7?c=851

5

To access the link please enter it into the long

address bar at the top of the page of your internet

browser (not into a search engine such as Google)

and press enter or go – this will take you to the

survey.

Individuals cannot be identified in the data.

Thank you

CAREERS

The Defence Force offer scholarships for students in

years 11 and 12, who are studying a Technical

Trades subject.

In March this year we had three students apply for

these scholarships, which involved each of them

completing an application form, including doing

internet research, and writing their response to a

given scenario.

I am pleased to announce that all three students

were successful with their applications.

Congratulations to Adam Ingram of Year 12 and

Cody Attard and Aaron Pomeroy of Year 11, on

securing scholarships for 2011.

Ms S Thompson / Mrs J Thomas

Careers Advisers

Central Coast

Career Pathways

Expo 2011

University Admission Centre

Employers

Professional Association

Careers Information Centre

Universities

Private Providers

HECS

Organisations who support students with

disabilities

Group Training Companies

Job Placement Australia providers

Youth Allowance

Tuesday 28th June Avondale College Cooranbong

For Years 10 & 12

Who will

be there?

Phone: 4393 7000 FAX: 4393 1157 Website: http//www.gorokan-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 7

Phone: 4393 7000 FAX: 4393 1157 Website: http//www.gorokan-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 8

EAST COAST TAEKWONDO ACADEMY

Membership Includes FREE :–

Taekwondo uniform

One month training

TKD introductory DVD (Conditions apply. Limited offer)

LAKEHAVEN RECREATION CENTRE Wednesday 6.30pm – 8pm

KANWAL PUBLIC SCHOOL Monday 6.15pm – 7.30pm

2nd

DAN PETER BUTCHER MOB: 0404 133 420 www.taekwondoeastcoast.com.au

We will be providing work shops for parents, carers and/or grandparents about child injury prevention for

children 0 to 5 years old.

Children who have sustained preventable injury make up the highest number of all

emergency room visits.

What a great opportunity to update your knowledge and acquire new, practical skills to keep your kids

safe!

The charge is only $5:00 per adult and refreshments will be provided. So, bring your mums group, friends

or family. Kids welcome!

Workshops will be held at Charlestown Community Centre from 10am to 12:30 on the following dates

Feb – Tues 15th Aug – 16th

Mar – Wed 16th Sept – 14th Bookings are essential.

Apr – Thurs 7th Oct – 13th To make a booking please contact

May – Tues 10th Nov – 15th Mel at Kidsafe Hunter 02 4942 4488

Jun – Wed 15th or Shelley at The Place 02 40325500

Jul – Thurs 21st

Kidsafe Workshops 2011

Absent from School?

Please help us stamp out truancy!

4393 7039

If your child is absent from school you can phone the Attendance Line to provide an

explanation

Blue Gum Smash Repairs

for Excellence in Smash Repairs 1 Blue Gum Close, Tuggerah

4352 1964

Tuggerah Towing 0421 928 794

All work guaranteed

The LEARN Centre @ Kanwal Medical Complex

PROFESSIONAL TUTORING

Reading, Spelling, Maths and English All Yrs K-12

For a free Assessment Phone Tony Brinley 4393 2260

A Specialised Team Supporting Your Child’s

Learning

Important ** Uniform ** Information As the weather cools please ensure your student wears the correct uniform and foot wear.

- - - - - - Thank you - - - - - -

Wedding & Formal Specialists

All Colouring/Foils & Streaks

Colour Correction Specialists

Ladies/Men’s/Children’s Cuts

Perming/Chemical Straightening

Hair Extensions Discounts

Treatments

Senior Discounts

Experienced & Qualified Therapists

Experienced Qualified Makeup Artists

All Waxing & Tinting

Spray Tanning

Facials & Massage

Manicures & Pedicures

Acrylic & Gel Nails

Makeup Parties & Tuition

RT Hair Design & Beauty 60C Tenth Ave, Budgewoi 2262

Phone: 02 4399 2090

Mobile Wedding & Formal Packages Available Opening Hours:

Mon: 9 – 2, Tues, Thur & Frid 9-5 pm, Wed: 9am – late, Sat: 8- 3 pm

BLACK LEATHER shoes

are an OH & S

requirement

of

Gorokan High School