Post on 10-Aug-2020
Hunter Sports High School
Pacific Highway
Gateshead NSW 2290
www.huntersports.com.au
T: 4943 5755
F: 4942 2565
E: hunterspt-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
A Message from the Principal
We’ve had an eventful few weeks at Hunter Sports High with
half-yearly examinations taking place and staff busily marking
papers and preparing Semester 1 reports. Year 9 & 10 will sit
their exams next week.
The definite highlight of the past fortnight was our annual
Athletics Carnival which was held at Hunter Sports Centre at
Glendale on May 19 & 20. It was great to see our students
giving it their best and having a great time, cheering on their
friends and showing school spirit and true sportsmanship
throughout the day, with several school records being broken
too. We will have a huge contingent of students representing
Hunter Sports High at the zone carnival next term and look
forward to more great results. More details and photos from the
athletics carnival can be found further in the newsletter.
Today we celebrated Reconciliation Week at a special
assembly, bringing our students and staff together to
acknowledge our cultural diversity as we work towards a
brighter future for all our students. Reconciliation Week is a time
for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures
and achievements and to explore how we can join the
reconciliation effort. Hunter Sports High is committed to working
with our ATSI community to share their culture and celebrate
Indigenous success at every opportunity.
The redevelopment continues to track along, with the detailed
design now finalised after input from key technical stakeholders
and the school community. The project team is now responding
to Department of Planning requirements as we await
development approval. The tender process will follow and
construction is expected to commence towards the end of the
year. A project update from the Department of Public Works is
included further in the newsletter.
Finally, the Olympic Games may be just around the corner but
we are also quite excited about the upcoming Commonwealth
Games which will be held on the Gold Coast in April 2018. I am
pleased to let you know that Hunter Sports High students will
have the opportunity to attend the Commonwealth Games as
part of an organised schools tour to see elite sports stars from
around the world in action. More information about this exciting
opportunity is included towards the end of the newsletter and
will be communicated with students and parents in the near
future.
Rachel Byrne - Relieving Principal
Hunter Sports High
Spectator
2016 TERM 2 – WEEK 6
BALANCING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE WITH SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT
OUR SCHOOL VALUES:
RESPECT
RESPONSIBILITY
SUCCESS
Top: Our annual athletics carnival was held recently with many
outstanding individual performances by our students.
Above: The latest images of the redevelopment as the planning
process continues.
Hunter Sports High Spectator
2016 TERM 2 – WEEK 6
BALANCING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE WITH SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT
Positive Behaviour for Learning: Respect, Responsibility, Success
The Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) concept remains
an important part of daily life at Hunter Sports High School.
Students receive lessons on what positive behaviour looks
like during weekly roll call. These vary from behaviours in
buildings, in the playground, in class, and on the sporting
field. Students also receive Star Awards which go into a
regularly held draw for prizes and incentives, and receive
special commendations for academic progress and effort, for
positive behaviour and/or positive contributions to the school
community.
Once students accrue a number of these awards, they move
through a graduated system of further awards - Bronze,
Silver and eventually Gold. Look out for the special
certificates which are presented to students during
assemblies!
Upcoming Events
DATE EVENT
Thurs 02 June Year 12 Leadership Program
@ NSW Parliament House
Thurs 02 June
& Fri 03 June
Year 11 Exams
Friday 03 June Wiripaang Reading Program
SHINE Program
Hunter PSSA Cross Country
@ Cessnock Racecourse
Girls Hockey Knockout Rounds 3 & 4
Referees for NRL Primary Schools
Round Robin @ Windale Oval
Aboriginal Dance @ St Kevins Cardiff
Mon 06 June –
Wed 08 June Year 9 & 10 Half-Yearly Exams
Mon 06 June Support Unit Leaving to Learn Excursions
Drumbeat Program
Band Playout @ Lakeside School
Tues 07 June P&C Meeting, 6pm, HSHS Library
CHS Boys Volleyball Final
Wed 08 June Year 12 Modern History Excursion – Sydney Jewish Museum
HSC Business Studies Lecture Day
Wiripaang Reading Program
Centre for Hope
BroSpeak
SMART Program
Buchan Shield U16 Rugby v Westfields @ Allan Davis Oval
Open Girls AFL State Semi Final
GIO Cup v All Saints Maitland
Thurs 09 June Primary School Sports Coaching Skill
Sessions @ Wiripaang
Fri 10 June Star Struck Choir Rehearsals
Shine Program
Mon 13 June PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Tues 14 June Defence Forces Talk
Wed 15 June Wiripaang Reading Program
Centre for Hope
Bro Speak
Smart Program
Thurs 16 June Brainstorm Production
Primary School Sports Coaching Skills Sessions @ Wiripaang
Thurs 16 June –
Sat 18 June Star Struck Choir
Fri 17 June Wiripaang Reading Program
SHINE Program
White Card Course
Open Girls Netball Final @ HSHS
Hunter Sports High Spectator
2016 TERM 2 – WEEK 6
BALANCING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE WITH SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT
Athletics Carnival
Hunter Sports High’s talent and school spirit was showcased
at our 2016 Athletics Carnival, with many outstanding
personal achievements and a raft of records broken over the
two day event held at Hunter Sports Centre on May 19 & 20.
Many students excelled in the fashion stakes too and it was
a pleasing sight to see so many students dressed in their
house colours and excited to participate. Not every student
can be a champion athlete but all those who turned up, had
fun, participated to the best of their abilities and cheered on
others were true champions.
Our 15 years age group is certainly the one to watch with all
records broken at this year’s carnival coming from students
in this age group. Congratulations to all our record-breakers
and age champions as listed below, and to the winning
house Rafter for their impressive point score of 867 (ahead
of Webb on 750, Kewell on 611 and Beachley on 547
points). Close to 100 of our students have qualified for the
Zone Athletics Carnival which will be held at Glendale on
July 27 & 28.
Thanks to all the staff who ran events, manned the
stopwatches, recorded results and ensured the safety of our
students. A special mention and congratulations also to our
super sports organiser Mrs Meisenhelter for her hard work in
ensuring the carnival was a success.
Age Champions:
12 Years: Thomas Page & Natasha Hanson-Telfer
13 Years: Max Bradbury & Brianna Daymond
14 Years: Kyle Mahoney & Shanaye McIntyre
15 Years: Cohan Geelan & Chelsea Eggington
16 Years: Tallis Angianna & Laura Saxon
17+ Years: David Parsons & Emma-Sue Greentree
New Records:
15 Years Boys
200m Isaac Taylor 23.78 seconds
15 Years Girls
100m Teah MacPherson 12.43 seconds
200m Teah MacPherson 26.00 seconds
Long Jump Teah MacPherson 5.24 metres
Shot Put Madeline Brooks 10.41 metres
Discus Madeline Brooks 30.93 metres
High Jump Chelsea Eggington 1.6 m (equal record)
Hunter Sports High Spectator
2016 TERM 2 – WEEK 6
BALANCING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE WITH SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT
Hunter Sports High Spectator
2016 TERM 2 – WEEK 6
BALANCING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE WITH SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT
FACULTY NEWS: ENGLISH
Good greetings everyone – and hello from the English
faculty. The sunny warm days of autumn have been an
agreeable companion for our students as they have
traversed the first six weeks of the term. In toasty warm
rooms their minds have been employed in the analysis of
poetry, the suspense and drama of novels, the comparing
and transformation of texts, the exploration of concepts such
as freedom, and the creation of imaginative stories which
explore important aspects of humanity.
While the warm sunshine of May has shone through the
classroom windows, the students themselves have used
texts to metaphorically crawl through other windows,
enabling them to experience the broader world, to
understand society, people, cultures and citizenship.
Year 7 and 9 have analysed and responded to a variety of
poetry, with themes ranging from ‘inspiration and
imagination’, ‘animal welfare’ and ‘human connection to the
natural world’.
Year 8 is in the spell of detailed and close study of novels. ‘Trash’, ‘When my Name was Keoko’, ‘Pavana’ and ‘Sold’ are
some of the titles which our students are reading, enjoying
and unpacking.
Year 10 are considering, through textual analysis, the
importance and slipperiness of the concept of ‘freedom’ and
its myriad meanings and implications.
In Year 11 and 12 it’s Shakespeare’s Othello and Richard III,
Billy Elliot the film, Peter Weir’s Amish inspired murder
mystery Witness, and the legendary gothic horror tale
Dracula.
Through the examination and consideration of such
wonderful and varied texts, our students are exploring
humanity, history, and indeed, themselves.
The English Faculty continues to provide the opportunity for
our students to participate in the annual Hunter Region
Debating Competition. Across the junior school, some of our
best public speakers have been representing our school
proudly in this prestigious and rewarding event.
Staff in the English faculty are currently receiving specialised
training in a new Literacy Program called ‘Alert’. The program
is designed to assist students across all areas of literacy and
it is currently targeted at our Year 8 and Hunter Class
students. The feedback about the program has been very
positive and we are excited about the benefits it offers our
students.
For those interested, please see following some sample work
from Ms Outred's Year 9 Advanced class.
Creative Story Sample
Task: Inspired by your study of Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’,
write a narrative that explores a character’s fatal flaw
(remember that flaws are closely connected to the seven
deadly sins we have looked at in class).
Students completed this task under examination conditions.
Take a look at Gabriella Wright’s top response which uses
imagery beautifully to create emotion.
An Old Man’s Confessions by Gabriella Wright
“I know it has been a while since we last spoke, but I would
like to get something off my chest.”
Usually the old man was confident and silver tongued with
his words, but even he was quite surprised when he barely
choked out the sentence. His frail sweaty palms were
gripping and tangling themselves on the phone cord in
complete anxiety. He put the receiver down on his desk and
reached for the top drawer, fumbling for his cigar and
lighter. In a brief moment, his throat was filled with the
burning and disgusting taste of thick smoke. This helped
him to finish the much needed conversation.
“I promise I won’t waste your time, but you need to hear
this.”
Moments later the room was engulfed in light illuminating
everything, from the damp, dirty carpet to the stained yellow
walls and mouldy furniture. It has been a while since I’ve
opened these curtains, he thought to himself.
“Yes it has been a while hasn’t it, but let me start from the
beginning. I was indeed a poor man like you once knew me,
but the times changed. As soon as my father left, I became
the provider”, he chuckled “and I was very good at it”.
Year 10 Advanced English utilized the flexible learning space to explore
ideas and writing style in a variety of poems about the individual’s freedoms.
Hunter Sports High Spectator
2016 TERM 2 – WEEK 6
BALANCING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE WITH SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT
FACULTY NEWS: ENGLISH cont…
A sickly silence filled the air until the old man took another
puff of his cigar and rolled it between his fingers.
“But much time has passed and has been unrightfully stolen
from me, so I decided to wear my father’s boots and
continue to do what he had always done. Provide. Little did
I know what it felt like to have money in my hand, and boy
was that feeling good”. His memory trailed to many years
ago when he fitted snugly into his father’s black coat and
held his father’s briefcase, when he was younger, happier
and determined.
However, this meant that he had taken away the happiness
of many others to get where he was. His stomach leaped at
the thought of wealth and fame, and the hours he used to
spend taking.
“I know now that what I did was wrong,” he sat now in his
office gingerly stroking his fingers across his father’s
briefcase, unbuckling it slowly, “I thought family was my
hamartia”, he continued, whilst taking a photograph from the
case, “I later realised I was wrong, once I lost her”.
The old man’s stomach clenched and turned as he looked
down at the young couple; a strong man with his black suit
and a beautiful woman with mousy brown hair and kind eyes
stared back at him.
“Her smile was brighter than the sun”, he remembered
fondly, “I wore the same suit to her funeral” he added. “My
pockets were being filled with something so meaningless and
foul as paper, when my life should have been spent looking
after her. Look where it’s got me now, a powerful man
reduced to a penniless pensioner. I pulled the arrow out of
my heel and moved on”. He sat there, brushing the cigar ash
onto the ground and taking another puff. The room was stale
with emotion and smoke threatened to steal the air from his
lungs. He looked around at his house and felt an
overwhelming sense of loneliness, before finishing with “I
love you, please don’t leave me too”.
The line clicked and sent the voicemail.
The old man sat in a cloud of smoke and money, trying to
forget the horrible things he had done to people, but he
couldn’t bring himself to do it. He was all alone in a harsh
world created by himself, providing both sides with
ammunition to start a war, but fighting for the wrong team.
He sat there, old and grey, watching his world slip away.
FACULTY NEWS: MATHS
Maths is changing!
At the end of 2015 BOSTES announced that from 2016
onwards students studying Mathematics (2 Unit) and
Mathematics Extension 1 and 2 will be provided with a
‘Reference Sheet’ containing a range of formulae to aid
memory. This introduction means that all students studying
a HSC Mathematics course are provided with the formulae
and rules required to solve problems within their
examinations.
At HSHS in Mathematics all students are explicitly taught to develop and use ‘Summary Sheets’ in examinations from Year 7 through to Year 12, a direct reflection of the changes made in the HSC.
A Summary Sheet:
Helps students prepare for assessments by giving them something to focus on.
May help to reduce stress in the examinations by providing a safety net.
Helps students to remember facts so their ability to solve problems and demonstrate understanding can be more accurately assessed.
Guidelines for developing effective summary sheets:
Make it readable (neat)
Use space wisely – not too many words, pictures and diagrams can be effective!
Organise things on the page, put space between concepts.
Limit the Summary Sheet to one A4 page per topic (double sided)
Use headings and colour coding. Eg. Examples in blue, rules in red
Effective summary sheets contain:
Things students need help remembering
Worked examples of how to use rules and concepts Students are encouraged to:
Practice doing examination type questions with their summary sheet.
Use their summary sheet to help them focus the night before and on the day of the examination.
Refer to their summary sheet when they are stuck on a question during the examination.
Parents could assist in supporting their children to develop
and use their summary sheets effectively by referring to the
above guidelines and ensuring students have their summary
sheets with them on examinations days.
Hunter Sports High Spectator
2016 TERM 2 – WEEK 6
BALANCING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE WITH SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT
amount of interest in the first whitecard course, we will be delivering another course on Friday 17
th June (Week 8).
There is an allocation for 17 students to attend this course, so don’t miss out. The cost is $60 per student and notes are available now.
Careers Expo: The Lake Macquarie Careers Expo was attended by 30 Hunter Sports High School students on Thursday May 19 at the Newcastle Jockey Club. With nearly 120 exhibitors including universities, training colleges, the defence forces, NSW Police, apprenticeship and traineeship providers and some local employers, our students gathered as much information and as many brochures as they could in their allocated hour at the expo. Students have been encouraged to read through the information and follow up using contact websites and phone numbers for any organisations of interest to them. Our students are to be commended for their punctuality and for representing Hunter Sports High in a very positive light.
Careers Lessons:
The school has engaged with the Aim High program at the University of Newcastle to facilitate university students coming into the school over a three week span. The students have talked to our Year 9 and 10 careers classes about their own journey through school and then worked with the class to discuss topics including ‘My Big Tommorow’, a Newcastle University website that assists young people in making career choices and allows them to research aspects of different careers. The uni students also gave an explanation of the Newcastle University system and course structure and the process of using careers bullseye charts to assist students in career option planning. They generously offered one-on-one time with our students to answer questions about university, careers and life. The feedback we received from students, teachers and the university students has been very positive.
Upcoming Careers Events:
14 June: Defence Force Talk (50 places available, for Year 10-12 students)
17 June: The next white card course (17 places available, $60 each, for Year 10-12 students)
Notes for both are available now from Mr Hogan in the TAS staffroom at lunch times.
Nigel Hogan – Careers Advisor
Nigel Hogan
Careers Advisor
Employment Success: A number of Hunter Sports High students have gained full-time employment through school support planning this year. Two of the most recent students that have gained apprenticeships through a process of work experience or work placement are Brandon Stokes and Jonathon Walsh. Brandon has gained a full-time apprenticeship as a fitter and machinist with Airborne Australia in Redhead. Airborne Australia specialise in the design and manufacture of ultralights, sport planes and hang gliders. Brandon was offered the apprenticeship after completing a work placement for his Metal and Engineering course. Jonathon achieved his employment goal of becoming a tradesperson through a series of work experience opportunities. Jonathon was aiming towards an apprenticeship but was unsure which trade he was most interested in. To help him in his decision, we organised several work experience opportunities across different trades. After narrowing the field Jonathon decided that electrical was his industry of choice and after the next work experience placement organised by the school, Jonathon was offered a full-time apprenticeship as an industrial electrician/air conditining mechanic with Nova Air Electrical who operate throughout the Newcastle and Hunter area. I have checked in with both boys and they are thoroughly enjoying their apprenticeships thus far. Congratulations to both students on securing these fantastic opportunities.
Whitecard Course:
The first ‘White Card’ induction course for 2016 was conducted at the school on Thursday May 12. The course was attended by 15 students who were all presented with their certificate of completion at the end of the day-long course. A white card, or general construction induction card, is required for workers who want to carry out construction work. From junior labourers, apprentices and tradespeople all the way up to supervisors and site managers, all people who enter a construction zone unaccompanied or not directly supervised by an inducted person must possess a current white card quallification. The white card becomes void if you haven’t carried out construction work for two consecutive years or more. This qualification is a great way for students to be able to access work experience in the construction industry and also allows students to seek part-time or full-time work in construction based employment. Due to a significant uuuuuu
CAREERS:
Hunter Sports High Spectator
2016 TERM 2 – WEEK 6
BALANCING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE WITH SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT
Wiripaang Reading Program
Our 7 Hunter class, accompanied by Miss O’Brien, are
putting on their teaching hats this term and working as
reading mentors to students from Wiripaang Primary School.
Every Wednesday morning our class listens to students from
K-6 read while sharing our knowledge and improving
our own reading skills. All students involved have impressed
staff from both schools with their maturity, patience and
willingness to help others.
Creative Ruby Class:
Our Year 7 Ruby Class students have been busily working
on their personal interest projects this term with some
interesting topics including pirates, waterslides, sharks and
Star Wars. At the end of the term each student will present
their work at an exhibition that will include slide shows and
an impressive display of their unique creations.
Hunter Sports High Spectator
2016 TERM 2 – WEEK 6
BALANCING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE WITH SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT
SPORTS REPORT
Night of Knights:
Hunter Sports High students were recognised for their
outstanding rugby league talent at the recent Newcastle
Knights Junior Presentation Night. The most anticipated
accolade of the night, the Andrew Johns Medal, was
presented to Pasami Saulo who was a standout performer in
the Knights’ SG Ball side. Pasami is contracted to the
Knights until at least 2018 and was praised for his excellent
training ethic and character. It was a great night for Pasami
who also took out the SG Ball Players’ Player and Player of
the Year Awards. Other HSHS students recognised on the
night included Phoenix Crossland who was presented with
the Harold Matthews Coaches Award from NRL Coach
Nathan Brown, Jack Brown (Harold Matthews Strength &
Conditioning Award) and Teva Mataora (Danny Buderus
Encouragement Award. Congratulations to all the boys and
well done on a terrific season with the Knights.
State Selections:
Congratulations to HSHS footballers Callum Bower, Jed
Hornery and Kristopher Cook on their selection in the NSW
CHS Football 1sts and 2nds teams recently. The Hunter
team placed second in the State Championships held after
going down to Sydney South West in the final.
State of Origin Success:
While the NSW team went down to Queensland in the State
of Origin on Wednesday night, Hunter Sports High students
Phoenix Crossland and Kyle Schneider helped the NSW
team to victory in the U16 match, defeating Queensland 12-
10 at ANZ Stadium before the main game. Both boys were
standout performers and were cheered on by their teachers
and schoolmates who attended the State of Origin as a
special reward for their outstanding efforts and behaviour.
Liam’s Clean Sweep for Australia:
Year 7 student Liam Michels has been in Malaysia this week
representing Australia as part of the national U12 futsal
team. The Aussie team won the tournament undefeated.
Congratulations to Liam on this great achievement!
Hunter Sports High Spectator
2016 TERM 2 – WEEK 6
BALANCING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE WITH SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT
STUDENT WELFARE NEWS:
This student welfare his page lets students, parents and carers know about some of the great programs
and support services that are available to students and their families at Hunter Sports High School and
in the local community. We hope you find it helpful and informative.
Quote of the Week:
Attendance News
Congratulations to students with attendance of above 95%. Star Awards have been given out to those students and announced at assembly. Well done to Year 7 who is in the lead in the overall attendance race.
Year 7: 52 students
Year 8: 39 students
Year 9: 29 students
Year 10: 7 students
Year 11: 4 students
Year 12: 7 students
Social Media & Healthy
Relationships Presentation
The last of our presentations happened in the Stadium for Year 8, 10, and 12 last Thursday 26th May. Some great questions were asked by some of the year groups about cyberbullying and sexting. Results from two of the groups that participated in a pre and post survey will be published in the next school newsletter.
SMART Program
HSHS students are learning some great skills through one of our current wellbeing programs, gaining employability and resume-writing skills by participating in Eastlake Youth Centre’s SMART Program. Our students are involved in painting the back of the Windale shops and will gain community consultation, team work, leadership, organisation and painting skills.
Disclaimer: Advertisements included in this newsletter are a source of revenue to offset bulletin costs and are not in any way considered recommendations by the school.
Hunter Sports High Spectator
2016 TERM 2 – WEEK 6
BALANCING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE WITH SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT
From the start of Term 3,
Red Bus Services advise
that any senior student
who fails to tag on with
either a school opal card,
a child/youth opal card or
fails to pay a fare for
travel when boarding a
bus, can and may be
refused travel by the
driver. If the student is
not in uniform a Proof of
Age card (if under 16
years) or proof of
attendance at a school
will be required for a child
fare otherwise an adult
fare will be charged.
Disclaimer: Advertisements included in this newsletter are a source of revenue to offset bulletin costs and are not in any way considered recommendations by the school.
Hunter Sports High Spectator
2016 TERM 2 – WEEK 6
BALANCING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE WITH SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT