Moss Vale High Newsletter Issue 1 Term 3 2016 Moss Vale ...€¦ · Cameron Clay, Amelia Yeartsley,...

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Moss Vale High Newsletter Issue 1 Term 3 2016

29 July 2016

Moss Vale High School website : www.mossvale-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

Moss Vale High School Respectful, Safe and Responsible Learners

21 Narellan Road MOSS VALE NSW 2577 • PO Box 137 •

T: 02 4868 1717 • F: 02 4868 2787 •

E: [email protected]

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Vale Antony Stott

It was with great sadness that I announced to our school community in the

first week of term that Moss Vale High School was faced with another

tragedy with the sudden death of our much-loved Mr Antony Stott. Antony

died suddenly during a soccer match at Thirroul on Saturday, July 16. We

held a memorial last Monday, July 25, to remember and pay our respect to

Antony. We were joined Antony‟s parents, Julie and Gary, his brother, Kevin,

Antony‟s girlfriend, Laura, and over thirty of Antony‟s friends and soccer

team mates. I want to thank all our staff and students for their

compassionate support of each other over the past two weeks. In

particular, I would like to thank and acknowledge the following students for

their outstanding work in assisting me with organising such a respectful

and loving memorial for Antony: Nic Wilson, Hugh Parker, Dale Young, Daisy

Schaefer, Alice Rough, Mackenzie Chesterfield, Kody Tozer, Sascha Marold,

Cameron Clay, Amelia Yeartsley, Jemima Huggett, Travis Neale, Tyla Mullie-

Locke, Soiphie White, Cody Gray, Emily Christensen, Katelyn Hall, Verity

Evans, Maggie Sims, Jemma White, Ethan Krebs, Luke Webb, Year 11

Entertainment class and our school captains, Lucy Backhouse, Harriet

Snaith, Lachlan Williams and Hamish Schaefer.

I would like to thank Mrs Linda Johnston and Mr Andrew Drummond for organising the two tribute

performances by the Vocal Rollers and the Senior Girls Ensemble, One Note Longer.

I have included a copy of my speech that I delivered at the memorial:

I would like to extend my warmest welcome and deepest sympathies to Antony’s parents, Julie and Gary, his

brother Kevin and girlfriend Kerrie, Antony’s girlfriend Laura, his friends and members of the Thirroul Junior

Football Club who have joined our school community today to remember and show our respect for Antony.

Antony joined Moss Vale High School at the start of 2015 when he visited me to drop in his CV seeking casual

teaching employment. I was immediately impressed by Antony and asked him to cover an absent teacher the

very next day. From that day forward, Antony became a regular casual relief teacher and gained a temporary

position in Maths covering Ms O’Brien’s maternity leave. Antony was an immediate hit with our students. He

engaged them in their learning, went above and beyond with his teaching and always showed them that he

cared about them and was always prepared to share his wonderful sense of humour with them. After the

departure of Mr Haynes, I was able to advertise a permanent Maths position at the start of this year. Ms

Campbell and I were thrilled when we ran a merit selection panel in March and we were able to select Antony,

from numerous applicants, as a permanent Maths teacher at Moss Vale High School.

Antony was loved and respected by staff and students alike. He had a calm, caring and highly engaging

manner that instantly drew people to him. I would like to say to Julie, Greg and Kevin- THANK YOU for helping

to shape and nurture one of the finest young men that I have ever had the pleasure to meet and work with.

In today’s society our young people are often confronted by some very negative images and representations of

male behaviour. It is so important that our boys- and our girls- have key positive male role models in their lives.

That’s one of the many reasons why Helen Campbell and I were so thankful to have secured Antony at our

school permanently. Antony epitomised all that it means to be a true man - gentle, caring, respectful of all

people, curious about the world around him, inspirational to others and committed to making the world a

better place.

Principal’s Report

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Over the past week, I have seen more acutely the impact that Antony has made in such a short period of time

on the lives of so many young people. He has shown our young men and women what a truly good man looks

like! This is Antony’s legacy at Moss Vale High School. He has inspired his students to be better people, to

value their education, to always strive to be the best version of themselves, to always treat others with

kindness and to make a positive difference in their little corner of the world.

I want Julie, Gary, Kevin, Laura, Kerrie and all of Antony’s loved ones to know that the collective love and

thoughts of our school community surround you and wish you comfort. You are all now part of our Moss Vale

High School family. We will never forget Antony and the joy and special warmth he brought to our lives.

Rest peacefully Antony.

I would also like to acknowledge Hugh Parker and Nic Wilson of Year 9 who wrote the following tribute to

Antony and bravely delivered it at last Monday’s memorial.

Look at the stars. Look how they shine for you. These as most of you know are the 1st two lines of a coldplay

song. This song always seems to come to me in times of grief.

Mr Stott, teacher, ex-Newcastle United player (probably) and influential ginger was taken away from us on the

16 July in unthinkable circumstances.

I was called by Nic on that night at about 10. I will never forget the feeling when I realised it wasn‟t a joke. I

hope it‟s something I never experience again. It was this mix of confusion and shock and just overall upset.

This is stuff that happens in dreams, nightmares. Something that I‟ll wake up from and everything will be ok.

Young fit men just don‟t leave the world like he did. Why we ask. Doing something he loved. No one has an

answer.

Mr Stott wasn‟t just a teacher he was a mate. He has always happy to have some banter. He was good at that

with his witty humour.

He loved maths and his students but he loved Newcastle and his football more though he was a terrible

manager just like all of England's. There was one game, a 7-0 loss, which definitely wasn‟t the players fault. I

still think I‟ll see him in the playground and talk to him about last night‟s game, discussing the EPL and if he

was actually Jack Colback.

There are little things about Mr Stott that will stay with us forever. I remember things like his gold watch,

which was his grandfather‟s which he wore every day. Things he said such as good lad or that he won

Leicester‟s Got Talent twice for Irish dancing to techno music.

Things he did such as giving me 55 minutes of detention for asking if we could watch Newcastle highlights the

day after they got relegated or when he offered to pay for my concert ticket so I wasn‟t in his class.

I keep expecting him to walk around a corner, walking on his toes like he did, pushing his watch back up his

arm, looking at me through his shades before saying a word that he couldn‟t even say properly because of his

bloody pommy accent which “is nothing like Dizzy Rascals.”

I can remember when Mr Stott first taught our year 8 maths class. Our first impressions were far from the

normal good teacher, bad teacher ones. I remember confusing my parents by saying “There‟s a new English

maths teacher.” One day Nic pointed out that Mr Stott looked a little bit like a mouse so we took it upon

ourselves to buy this new pommy mouse man a block of cheese, specifically extra mature cheddar, his

favourite. We had big plans of taking it into the classroom and making a very funny cheese presentation but

Mr Stott had other ideas. Upon entry, he told me to give him the cheese. So not only do gingers possess

powers of fire and head warmth but they can see the future too.

We had many unique experiences with Mr Stott. Like the time we bought him a Newcastle United jacket off

eBay as a leaving present from our class, or when we made a petition to keep him teaching at our school, or

just the last Tuesday before we had holidays I bought him a box of tissues to comfort him after England‟s loss

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to Iceland at the Euro‟s with Simon and Garfunkel‟s classic Sounds of Silence playing in the background. He

took all of this in his stride as we built a friendship that will never end as will the memory of him in our school

community.

Especially his smile, it was unique. I bet that every person here can picture his cheeky grin as he strolled past,

bathing in his own swagger.

He had a positive impact on everyone. If you had told us at the start of the year that we would be doing

extension maths twice a week before school you‟d be shot through the roof. But we did and it was only because

of one man. I don‟t know how I‟ll do maths without him walking laps around the classroom, always willing to help

in such a way he made maths fun and so easy to understand. His activity week showed how popular he was, 75

students to go on a sport & rec camp!

Although I can't find all the words to describe you, I can say that you were a beautiful person, with the passion

not only to teach, but also to form a connection. Sir, the stars will shine brighter for you tonight than they ever

had before. Well they will to me anyway. So rest easy mate. You are forever in my memory.

You left us too soon. The man of the people, the Leicester lad. We love you mate! Rest easy, Stotty.

Hugh Parker in Red and Nic Wilson in black.

========== // ===========

Year 7 Portfolio PDHPE

I had the great pleasure of attending Mrs Wells‟ Year 7 portfolio PDHPE lesson last week where students were

presenting their tasks on the issue of „bullying‟. Students were able to choose from a variety of ways in which to

explore and present their ideas and messages about the problem of bullying. I was incredibly impressed by the

sophisticated and eloquent manner in which the students spoke about their tasks. Congratulations to the

following students who presented during my visit to the class: Mabelle Rivas, Matthew Johnston, Maizy Evans,

Harry Phillips and Thomas Gillis.

Thank you Mrs Wells and Year 7 Portfolio for inviting me into your classroom, I thoroughly enjoyed the

presentations.

Congratulations

I would like to congratulate two of our very talented students, Liam Reed and Louis Economos, on being

selected for the 2016 Urban Dance Crew as part of the New South Wales Dance Festival. This is a highly

competitive and prestigious festival and our school community is extremely proud of these two fine young men.

Patricia Holmes

Principal

A world-class university, right on your doorstep.

Find your why

Come along to our campus open night at the number 1 university in NSW and find your why. We'll answer

all of your questions about our courses, entry requirements and applications, pathways to uni, costs and

scholarships.

Wednesday 17 August 6.00 pm - 7.30 pm

UOW Southern Highlands Campus, Kirkham St, Moss Vale (second entrance after TAFE campus

entrance)

Southern Highlands Campus Open Night: 17 August

https://highlands.uow.edu.au/open-night/index.html — visit to register

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To our wonderful students, staff and parents of Moss Vale High School.

I began my teaching career in 1979, and Moss Vale was my third school. In 2016, I have been at Moss

Vale High School for 24 year (yes, I started here in 1993). In that time I have had many positions: teacher,

parent, P&C member, Year Adviser, Head Teacher, Deputy Principal and a couple of times as Principal! I

think that I am in a good position to make a judgement on Moss Vale High School of 2016.

I can honestly say that this school is now in the best place of all the years I have been teaching. I am so

proud and lucky to be in such as great position in my final year of teaching. At Monday‟s Memorial service

for Mr Stott, I made the statement that “in the worst of times, we often see the best of people”. What we

see in our wonderful students is that they show all the qualities the school aims to develop to enable them

to demonstrate the PBS values of Respectful, Responsible and Safe in their future lives as model citizens!

I have never been so proud to be a member of a school!

Moss Vale High School is a very special and unique community!

Quick Points

* Uniform

The uniform shop has a limited supply of the new Winter Jackets in all sizes. More substantial stocks will

arrive soon. Reminder that the “sports jacket” (two red stripes on sleeves) is for Tuesday only for Years 9,

10 and 11.

ALSO: Enclosed Leather shoes are a Department Requirement - (not just Moss Vale High School). Please

protect your children and support the teachers so that they can support quality learning! Parents saying

they will accept responsibility has no legal standing.

ALSO: If you have any surplus uniforms (too small etc) please donate them to our clothing pool (drop in at

front office).

* Metal Rulers

The DoE has clear guidelines on WH&S issues. Metal Rulers are not acceptable in state schools.

* Absences

The school is under immense pressure from the DoE to account for every student absence. Please supply

a note or submit on line, on the following day after the absence. Reminder that the reason must fall under

SICK (stating the nature of the sickness) or LEAVE (appointments other than medical, etc)

Finally - Important dates

Year 10 Subject Preferences for Year 11 2017- submitted (on line) by Friday 5 August

Year 12 Trial Exam Week 8 August to 12 August (Week 4)

Year 10 VALID On-Line Exam for Year 10 - Wednesday 31 August (Week 7)

Mr Craig O’Brien

ACTING DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

Acting Deputy Principal’s Report

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Reading Matters

At the NAIDOC Assembly Kelsey Attwood spoke about one of the books that

she had read and enjoyed.

I am here today to talk to you about a book I have recently read, my dilemma

is there have been so many. Somehow I came to the conclusion that I was

going to talk about The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. The summary of the

story is that the story follows a nine-year-old German girl named Liesel who

was forced to move in with Hans and Rosa Hubermann in the small town of

Molching just before World War 2. On her way there, Liesel’s younger

brother dies and she is constantly haunted by the nightmares of his death.

Once they had buried her brother, one of the grave diggers dropped their

handbook in the snow, in a desperate plea to remember this day, Liesel grabs

the book and hides it in her coat, the very start of her infamous ways.

The story is so eye opening to me because it is narrated by death, an unlikely

narrator. Yet personally I love that it transports us into the mind of Death

and how Markus believed death itself felt about it. And yes I am well aware of

the movie about it too, but I’ve seen it and read the book and there are little

illustrations in the book that shows the uniqueness of those who wrote it.

Ms Cripps also spoke about books that she had read and enjoyed

To celebrate NAIDOC Week I have chosen Kate Grenville and three of her books which explore the relationship

between Aboriginal people and the English settlers. If you like historical fiction or you just want to read an

evocatively imagined narrative which explores the complex relationships between the indigenous population and

those who were sent here to claim the land in the name of a King then three books are just what you want.

The Lieutenant was inspired by a real story that took place in the colony of New South Wales in the last years of

the eighteenth century. The story has been hidden for two hundred years between the lines of two shabby blue

notebooks stored in a London manuscript library. They record the extraordinary friendship between Lieutenant

William Dawes, a soldier with the First Fleet to New South Wales, and a young Aboriginal girl, Patyegarang.

Dawes - a scholar more than a soldier - set out to learn the language of the people of Sydney Cove, the Gadigal.

The notebooks begin with lists of nouns and verbs and grammatical forms, but gradually abandon that approach

for a more human one: Dawes recorded entire conversations that took place between him and Patyagarang.

Between the lines of the conversations it's clear that they developed a relationship that was mutually respectful,

playful, and warmly affectionate.

Dawes' friendship brought him on a collision course with the authorities. Finally, he had to choose between his

relationship with Patyegarang and her people, and the military machine of which he was part.

The Secret River was made into a series by the ABC and Sarah Thornhill examines the next generation of settlers

who follow on from characters in The Secret River. All three books are in the school library – so check them out if

they sound interesting to you.

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English Experiences Year 9 English recently completed an illustrated story Assessment Task. One student in particular,

Breeanna Johnson, has continued to write and sketch in her own journal. Please enjoy two stories

that Breeanna has kindly agreed to share.

Summer is like Hot Chocolate

Summer is like a steamy cup of hot chocolate.

If it‟s too hot, no-one can enjoy it and you‟ll have to wait. If it‟s too cold, what‟s

the point in it being hot chocolate?

The peak of the hot steam is the winter frost evaporating to thinness up in the

clouds. The last of all that fruity goodness that comes in a summer smoothie is

like when you get to the very bottom of the cup and there is all that sweet

lasting chocolate pool waiting.

Sitting on a warm beach is the same feeling as a mini marshmallow melting

away your troubles in your mouth.

Yes, summer is definitely like hot chocolate and no-one can get enough.

The Cave

My cave is like a home, not just for me, but for everyone.

Things come and go as they please with no worries or troubles in the world,

just happy thoughts and feelings.

No-one is scared or ashamed of who they are or what they look like. People

say it seems like heaven with love, compassion and freedom.

My cave is a home of warmth.

It is a home for all who care and think. It’s like a force field held up by the

need and strength of others.

I keep my cave clean, neat and tidy, like my mind, just an open space with

imagination and creativity.

It gets a bit cluttered sometimes with every other person’s negativity. People

without eyes but just mouths and all they do is talk and talk and talk. Until I take in one deep breath and blow them

all away. Then my cave is my cave again: happy and clean.

**

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Student Exchange Australia New Zealand is a not-for-profit organisation, registered with all state and territory Departments of Education around Australia and with the Ministry of Education in NZ. We are the first and only secondary exchange organisation in Australia and New Zealand to be certified to ISO 9001 (Quality Management System) and we ensure the highest standards of care and support to our participants.

We would like to invite your students and families to a FREE Information Evening in Wollongong on Wednesday, 3 August. The session is being held at the Wollongong City Library and starts at 6:30pm.

Students can find out more about our exchange programs to over 25 countries, listen to former exchange students share their experience and learn about our scholarships and discounts on offer in 2016.

We offer scholarships and discounts worth over $100,000 to students each year. These include 3 x Language, 3 x International Affairs, 2 x Indigenous and 3 x Digital Video Scholarships and 2 x Volunteer and Community Involvement Scholarships. Please note that the deadline is Thursday, 31st March 2016 for scholarship applications and early bird discounts.

"You come back a different person, with so much more confidence & you feel that you can

conquer the world" Jessica, Semester Program to Italy

We would appreciate if you could please mention our upcoming information session in your newsletter or place the notice on a study room noticeboard. You can copy the below text or download our pdf notice from here. If you would prefer to receive the

attachment in a different version, please respond to this email with your request.

FREE STUDENT EXCHANGE INFORMATION

EVENING IN WOLLONGONG

Hear from returned students, find out more about

discounts and scholarships available and ask questions.

Visit www.studentexchange.org.au or call 1300 135 331 for more information

FREE FAMILY INFORMATION EVENING FOR Moss Vale High School STUDENTS AND

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE IN 2016

Wednesday, 3 August - 6.30pm

Wollongong City Library,

Ground Floor, Central Lending Library,

41 Burelli St

Wollongong

http://manage.sendandreceive.com.au/ch/8216/2dg2nmm/2458304/6e7b2t207.pdf

http://manage.sendandreceive.com.au/ch/8216/2dg2nmm/2067020/6e7b212wdy.html

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Congratulations to …

Bonnie-Rae Byfield Year 11

and

Elizabeth Meredith Year 9

who are bronze medallists representing

Mittagong and districts in the Junior Girls

State Fours Darts competition.

Darts Champions

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TO : MOSS VALE HIGH NOTE OF ABSENCE

Date : ___________________ Address : _____________________________

________________________________

Roll Class : ______________ Year : ___________

Please excuse the absence of my son/daughter : _____________________________________

on (dates) _____________________________________________________________________

Total number of days absent : ______________

The reason for the absence/s (this reason must be specific, not just "he/she was sick") : ________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Parent Name : ______________________________

Parent Signature : ___________________________ Date sent : _______________

OFFICE USE ONLY

CHANGED ON

ERN

EMERGENCY

CARD

BUS Co

RECEIVED

NEW BUS

CHANGE OF ADDRESS / CONTACT DETAILS

NAME :................................................................... Roll Class : ........ .... Year : …. .......

NEW ADDRESS : ............................................................................... PO BOX .....................

....................................................................................................................................................

New Phone No's : Home : ...................................... Work (M) : .........................................

Mobile (M) : .......................... Work (F) : ............................ Mobile (F) : ..............................

Email : …………………………………………………………………………………………………..

DATE YOU CHANGED ADDRESS : .......................................................................................

PARENTS / GUARDIANS NAMES YOU ARE LIVING WITH :

................................................................................................................................................................................

TO : MOSS VALE HIGH NOTE OF ABSENCE

Date : ___________________ Address : _____________________________

________________________________

Roll Class : ______________ Year : ___________

Please excuse the absence of my son/daughter : _____________________________________

on (dates) _____________________________________________________________________

Total number of days absent : ______________

The reason for the absence/s (this reason must be specific, not just "he/she was sick") : ________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Parent Name : ______________________________

Parent Signature : ___________________________ Date sent : _______________

Moss Vale High Newsletter Issue 1 Term 3 2016 Moss Vale ...€¦ · Cameron Clay, Amelia Yeartsley,...

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