FROM THE PRINCIPAL

A MESSAGE TO FAMILIES

As the term draws to a close, there are some major milestones to be acknowledged. I would like to dedicate this newsletter to these.

Firstly, the end of term 3 marks the end of classes for the HSC class of 2015. This group has made so many significant and varied contributions to our school, and I want to thank them for all that they have brought to us all. I recall clearly speaking with groups of students in theirYear 6 Primary schools, fielding questions about what high school would be like, and how might they fit in to the environment. I have watched them grow and develop from children to adults, and witnessed their growing confidence and character, which has had great impact on our school.

The HSC is no picnic. It involves consistent effort, self-discipline, learning to say no when there is a bigger yes involved, and commitment. The road has not always been a smooth one to travel. There have been many issues that have tested the resolve of our HSC students this year, as in every year. I acknowledge the dedication of this cohort, never losing sight of their goals and each other. There have been times I am certain that Mrs Duck and her ducklings have felt challenged during the year. However, it is now that they are all here, with the certification of their HSC before them, and their examinations to finalise. It capitalises on 13 years of schooling, and I congratulate every HSC student on reaching that milestone. I thank their teachers for the support they have given this group, and I am certain that every one of those teachers would tell me that is has been a pleasure to do so.

Secondly, it heralds a change in our chief parent support body, the P&C. Three wonderful and dedicated parents have led our P&C with such positivity and regard for the school, which has resulted in one of the most convivial and strong groups in our school community. The P&C is very strong financially, is constantly involved in supporting the school and its various ventures, and it is with the warmest thanks that I acknowledge our President, Christine Cameron, our Secretary, Belinda Walther, and our Treasurer, Kathy Anderson. We will indeed miss you all as your children leave our school, but we know that you have established such a strong tradition of positivity in our group, so your legacy will continue.

Thirdly, our next HSC class will take on the role of being the leaders of our school. This group has been particularly thoughtful in their nominations for prefect, have reflected on their ability to do the roles of leaders, and I am certain that our group for next year will be an excellent leadership team. Their last month has been exceptionally busy, with examinations, Crossroads this week, and the Presentation Ball. I thank the teachers who have organised Crossroads, particularly Mrs Furze and the PDHPE staff, and I thank Mrs Vigar and Ms Baldock for their organisation of the ball.

Lastly, the last day of school for Year 12 will mark the first day of orientation for Year 7 2016. This group is much larger than previous groups, which indicates growth for the school, and it has been extremely well supported by their Year Adviser, Mr Finn, and the Learning and Support teachers, in particular Mrs Snow and Mrs Morrison. I look forward to a very positive orientation program with this cohort, and to their substantive entry to school at the commencement of 2016.

I hope that, as Spring approaches, all of our families have a restful and safe holiday, and I look forward to Term 4.

Jenny ParrettPRINCIPAL

FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL CURRICULUM

Year 12 - 2015

The HSC examinations begin this Monday, 12th October with the first English paper for students in both the Advanced and Standard courses. The examination period concludes on Wednesday, 4th November with the Visual Arts paper in the afternoon.

Students should present for each examination at the hall at least twenty minutes before the scheduled start. If there are any problems or circumstances which delay or prevent a student’s attendance at an examination, please contact me at the school as soon as possible.

All of the learning and hard work that could be done, has been. It has been pleasing to see so many seniors in at school this week as they liaise with their teachers during the final days of revision and practising examination responses.

We wish all of our terrific Year 12 students the best over the next three weeks.

Year 11

Final reports for Year 11 will be distributed to students on Thursday, 22 October.

In the meantime, Year 11 students have begun the HSC courses in each of their subjects and should now have a copy of the HSC 2016 assessment booklet. Every HSC subject taught at James Fallon High School for the 2016 HSC is listed in that booklet along with the due dates of each assessment task and the weighting of each task.

Students are strongly encouraged to read not only the pages relating to the courses in which they are enrolled but also to familiarise themselves with the assessment task policy which is in the front of the booklet.

Just as importantly, students should take the time to complete the personalised assessment planner in the back of the booklet. The HSC year is a stressful one for students and families. One way to significantly reduce that stress is for students to plan and organise study and learning wherever possible. Completing the personalised assessment planner is a positive step in that direction.

All of the teachers and staff at JFHS look forward to working closely with each of the students attempting the HSC in 2016 and supporting them to achieve their best.

School leaders 2016

Congratulations to Pamela Freire, Dan Hyden, Sophie King and Cameron Evans on their election as school captains and vice-captains, respectively. These four students, chosen from a very strong field of candidates, will be excellent representatives and leaders of our school.

Ross McGarvieDEPUTY PRINCIPAL CURRICULUM (REL.)

GLENLY STREET ENTRANCE

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR FAMILIES WHO USE THE GLENLY STREET ENTRANCE

It has been a significant concern for some time that our entrance at Glenly Street has been a safety concern. There are many reasons for this, including:

The pedestrian access being so close to the motor access;The cul de sac in which our main entrance sits;

The small nature of our car park, which holds many more cars than it has previously.

Some families have used the car park to drop off their students, and this has created huge safety concerns, especially at peak drop off times.

As a result, a vehicle access chain will be placed across the vehicle access gate for 15 minutes each day – approximately 5 minutes each side of the bell time for the end of school.This will prevent motor access, and allow pedestrian access at this time. This will start in Term 4. Any car in the car park will not be able to leave while the chain is up, and any car who wishes to enter the car park will not be able to enter while the chain is up.

This will provide our students with a safe exit from school.

CALENDARTERM 4, WK 1 – TERM 4, WK 5

HSC Exams Mon 12th October – Wed 4th November

Year 7 Vaccination – 3rd Visit Tuesday 13th October

Year 9 Geography Excursion Thursday 15th October

Year 9 Science Eco Excursion – Wirraminna Monday 19th October

Duke of Edinburgh Hike Wed 21st, Thurs 22nd, Fri 23rd October

Distribution of Year 11 Reports Thursday 22nd October

Dramatic Minds Festival – Hothouse Theatre Thursday 22nd October

Year 10 Examinations Week Mon 26th October – Fri 30th October

Mechatronics Wagga Thursday 29 October

Year 12 Formal Graduation Evening @ Commercial Club Thursday 5th November (6 for 6.30pm)

PREFECT-ELECTS 2016

On Monday 31st August, the Year 10, 11 and 12 student bodies, as well as the staff, voted for the Prefects for 2016. It was a strong field of twenty three Year 11 students who put forward a nomination statement for the role. Unfortunately, we can only have 16 Prefects so it was a hard decision to vote for only 16 students. I would like to thank all nominees who took the time to put themselves forward as the next cohort of school leaders.

I would like to congratulate the following 16 students who were successful in attaining the position of Prefect-elect. Early in 2016 they will be sworn in as Prefects.

Nicholas Grace-Wenzel YEAR 11 ADVISOR

Blake BEYER Dan HYDENMolly DALY Curtis IVERSONCameron EVANS Sophie KINGPamela FREIRE Hannah KNIGHTJahred HARRISON Lucy MCKENZIERachel HARVEY Georgia PONTTErin HEAD Terezija SKOKAlhana HOFER Thomas TAKLE

On Thursday of week 9, Ms Williams and Mrs Alvey took 45 year 9 History students on an expedition to Wodonga to see the visiting ‘Spirit of ANZAC Experience’. This was a travelling museum created by the Australian War Memorial to commemorate 100 years since the birth of the ANZAC legend. The display depicted Australia’s involvement in military operations over the past 100 years, from Gallipoli to the present day. The students really enjoyed the interactive and realistic exhibits.

APPLAUSE FESTIVAL

The 2015 Applause Festival

This is a great family event put on by

Albury Central on Saturday 17th

October, in QE2 Square.

James Fallon HS students will be

performing on the day as well as

many other local amateur and

professional performers.

They are looking for volunteers to

help out on the day (as little as one

hour would be a huge help)

See the website for details!

http://applausefestival.com/

WHAT’S ON IN THE LIBRARY

Science Week

It has been a busy month in the library. We got on board and celebrated science week by reading books about famous pioneering science women including Mama Miti, The Tree Ladyand Rachel Carson and her book that changed the world.Students were then asked to think of a question that they

would ask one of those women if they met them today. Questions were recorded onto leaves which decorated our science tree. We also had a variety of science based activities in the library including puzzles, magnet experiments and bug making out of plants. Not that it was officiated, but

we are fairly sure that our decorated science door should have won first prize.

Book Week

After science week came the most exciting week of a librarian’s year –book week. Book week was once again a week that was celebrated across the school with most faculties completing book based activities.

The HSIE faculty read Tari, the Little Balinese Dancer and designed and coloured Indonesian masks and head wear with year 7 language. The winning design was created by Jaye Stubbs.

Mrs Warry’s maths classes read Do you feel lucky? And played probability games from the library including Tenzi, Pass the pig and Farkel.

Miss Knights year 9 scientists read Look up a book based on the life an developments of Henrietta Leavitt a pioneering female astronomer. They then design their own constellations.

Miss Hagen’s art classes read Shaun Tan’s Lost Thing and developed lost thing collages using books and book pages. The winning collage was produced by Billie Ellison.

In the library during reading classes we reviewed the Children’s book Council of Australia shortlist books that are on the shelves. The book we focused on was Jackie French’s Fire. We played Five Second Rule which is a game where students were asked to use one of their five senses to describe fire within five seconds,

for example “name three words to describe how fire tastes”. Then students were asked to create house lanterns covered with words and visualisations of fire.

Mrs Alvey read The Rules of Summer to her year 12’s and they discussed the distinctively visual aspects of the book. She also created a fun door competition, where students had to correctly answer all the titles of books listed on her door with only locations given as clues.

Mrs Saunders year 8 Technology Mandatory class read Girls Think of everythingand designed their own interesting cookies. Mrs McConnel’s year 8 Technology Mandatory classes designed hats inspired by Alice in Wonderland using book pages. They were outstanding and the two winning designs were produced by Taleia Thorne and Kaitlytn Dawson.

Mrs Fletchers Guidance classes were lucky enough to have been taught by our work experience student, Jane Rafael. Supervised by Mrs Fletcher, Jane read the book, Explanation mark and then the students recorded amazing

facts about their friends.

By far the most exciting activity held during bookweek was croquet. Miss Webster, Mrs McIntrye and Mr Davis’ classes were fortunate to receive croquet lessons from Serina and Maurice, wonderful croquet members of the public. They were able to have a quick game, with the winner being Jacob Brockley. At the completion of the game, staff and students sat down to a Mad Hatters Tea Party in their craziest hats.

Mrs Kathryn KaneLibrarian

You’re invited to participate in the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey designed for parents and carers. This survey complements the TTFM student and teacher surveys, which focus on student engagement, wellbeing and effective teaching practices. All Department of Education schools have the opportunity to participate if they choose.

Why should I participate?Parents and carers are an important and valued part of the school community. Schools can use survey feedback to make practical improvements and inform school planning.

What does it involve?This online survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. It is anonymous and voluntary.

If you have more than one child at this school, and feel that your children’s experiences differ, you can complete the survey more than once.

How can I participate?You can access the survey in your own time, between 17 August and 16 October 2015.Follow the link below on your computer or tablet:

More information on the Partners in Learning survey can be found on the NSW Department of Educations’ TTFM website: http://surveys.cese.nsw.gov.au/

Parents and carers can access the survey through https://www.tellthemfromme.com/login.htmplease use the username parent17062and password Jam8266.

Parents and carers can also access the survey via this direct link: https://nsw.tellthemfromme.com/j_acegi_security_check?j_username=parent17062&j_password=Jam8266

BLOOD DONOR UPDATE

We have had a sensational year with our blood donors doing a great job in participating in this program. It is such a great way to contribute to our community and I would encourage

friends and family of our students to join up and say you are in the James Fallon team when you next donate.

We are currently neck and neck with both Albury High and Murray High, so every donation either from a student or a member of our school community, will help us get ahead.

I would like to thank our outgoing Year 12 students for their efforts over the last few years and remind them that any donation they make during the remainder of 2015 will count towards our tally, so keep up the good work!!

Mrs Amanda ElderBlood Donor Coordinator.

Regent Cinemas is sponsoring the School

Cleanliness And Beautification Draw

And a Double

Pass to a movie at

Regent Cinemas

could be yours!