RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY & HONESTY

ISSUE 1| TERM 1| 7TH FEBRUARY 2020

Parramatters Parramatta High School Newsletter

FAX MENTIS INCENDIUM GLORIAE “The torch of the mind lights the path of glory”

Our vision is to provide a holistic 21st century education which develops resilient individuals who are active and informed citizens, empowered to think critically and creatively, within an environment that values diversity, equity and resilience.

Dear Parent / Carers Welcome to PHS for 2020! We have an exciting year ahead and for the first time in over a decade our school numbers are over 1000 students. This is due to our good reputation in the community and our impressive HSC results 2019. As we grow, a number of

new staff have been appointed permanently to the teaching staff. We welcome: English – Anita Chau Maths – Wallace Yuan Science – Liz Shao TAS – Raj Prasad HSIE – Yemen Kassem We are also expecting two new staff in PDHPE and CAPA but appointments are yet to happen. I also will remind our community that a new management system is in place which means we have three Deputies in charge of specific stages: Stage 4 – Year 7 & 8 Ms K Johnstone Stage 5 – Year 9 & 10 Mr A Gokel Stage 6 – Year 11 & 12 Ms H Kougelos The PHS Community needs to also note that our Director ( At Met. Sth Strathfield Education Office) is Ms Karen Bryant who returns to our network after some years setting up new schools in the Parramatta area.

PHS HSC Results for 2019

Top ATAR – 99.2 Riya Amin Riya Amin also made Premiers “All Rounder

List” = Band 6 in all subjects. Positioned in top 500 schools at 139 which is an

improvement of 34 places on 2018. Positioned 4th out of 15 partially selective

schools in NSW. Positioned 21st out of 107 Western Sydney

Schools including Public /Selective & Private.

Upcoming Events to Remember

13/2 Swimming Carnival at Merrylands Pool

14/2 Valentine’s Day and High Achievers Assembly for Year 12, 2019.

20/2 School Photo Day. Thank you Domonique Splatt

Parramatta Light Rail Team Major construction begins on Parramatta Light

Rail From Saturday, 1 February, Church Street between Macquarie and Market Streets will be closed to traffic, with diversions in place. Motorists will be encouraged to use Marsden and Smith Streets. The free 900 shuttle bus service will also run on a new route along George Street in the Parramatta CBD. The new 12-kilometre high-frequency light rail project will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia, and is set to open in 2023. For more information, see Parramatta Light Rail website.

Principal’s Report

RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY & HONESTY

ISSUE 1| TERM 1| 7TH FEBRUARY, 2020

School Photos Are scheduled to be taken by advancedlife. Whilst an envelope and flyer will be distributed shortly, if possible it is our preference that ordering be completed online to reduce administration and potential security issues related to the return of cash and envelopes on photo day. Orders for packages and sibling photographs can be placed securely online at www.advancedlife.com.au using our school’s unique 9 digit advancedorder code. Portrait and group package orders are due by photography day. Should you wish to purchase a sibling photograph online, the order must be placed no later than the day before photography day. Sibling photographs will only be taken if an order has been placed. Should you have any queries concerning school photographs or online ordering, please direct them via email to enquiries@advancedlife.com.au.

Dance Ensembles This year Parramatta High School is offering five dance ensembles for students to join. The ensembles will be run before and after school by our returning dance teacher Miss McLachlan. They will run at the following times:

Jazz: Monday 2.50 – 3.50 pm Ballet: Tuesday 7.45 – 8.15 am Contemporary: Tuesday 2.50 – 3.50 pm Pom: Thursday 2.50 – 3.50 pm Hip Hop: Friday 2.50 – 3.50 pm Students who are interested in joining these ensembles need to see Miss McLachlan in the CAPA staffroom by the end of Week 3. The ensembles will start training in Week 4.

Sports Report House Captains There is a long proud history of the House competition at school, the winning house of the annual Swimming and Athletics Carnival each year has their name engraved on both the Parramatta High School Ex-Students Swimming Carnival Shield and the Adrian Button Memorial Athletics Carnival Shield. A part of that history is representing your house group as a house captain. The following Students have been selected to represent their house for 2020. Batman: Daniel Mandich & Zeynep Durmus Fitzroy: Kieran Kumanan & Nicola Harrison Marsden: Milan Arora & Vivian Zeng Brisbane: Sushant Khadka & Xiao Ting Ao

Grade and Social Sport Please check the sports noticeboard to see what sport you are in for term 1. If you wish to change sport your only opportunity will be before Tuesday. Grade sport teams have now been chosen and will be training next week. Zone Trials There are a number of Prospect zone trials coming up for both Boys and Girls Open and Junior teams. Please check the sports noticeboard and register your interest in the PE Staffroom if you want to try out for the school or zone team.

RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY & HONESTY

ISSUE 1| TERM 1| 7TH FEBRUARY, 2020

Swimming Carnival

On Thursday 13 February, ALL Parramatta High School students will be involved in our annual Swimming Carnival. This will be held at: MERRYLANDS SWIMMING POOL: On Burnett Street, Merrylands, starting at 8:45am. Cost for students is $6.00 which covers pool hire and pool entry. You will need to bring the correct money on the day for entry to the pool (this will be collected at the gate). Complete the Permission note and return your roll call teacher or the PE Staffroom. The carnival is a mufti day but please remember the best dressed house will receive bonus points on the day. So come in your house colours. Marsden = Red, Brisbane = Yellow, Batman = Brown/Black and Fitzroy = Green.

LIBRARY NEWS

Library Monitors Needed! The Library Monitor role is an alternative and inclusive form of leadership within the school. It will enable students to learn new skills, especially information search and ICT skills. Library Monitors will be able to help fellow students as well as teachers! If you are interested in being a Library Monitor (Helper), please come to the library to put your name down. Richies/Merits will be awarded at the end of the term.

Join the Library Chess Club and enter the Chess Competition!

Chess is an engaging activity that helps develop students' critical thinking skills. Evidence shows that chess improves problem solving, decision making and lateral thinking. So join the Chess Club and enter the Chess Competition! Come to the library and see Mr Chakar for further details.

Year 7 Library Induction Lessons and Year 11 senior Information Literacy classes will begin in February. Teachers have been scheduled to bring down their classes to the library for this learning event.

RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY & HONESTY

ISSUE 1| TERM 1| 7TH FEBRUARY, 2020

Congratulations to PHS HSC Music students 2019! All students were well-prepared for their HSC Music exams and fantastic results were achieved with 6 students receiving Band 6 scores of 90% or better with 2 students gaining 94%. Extraordinary! Congratulations! Instrument Tuition After school extra-curricular lessons have commenced. Some instruments are still available for hire: flute, alto saxophones, trumpets, trombones, violins, viola and cellos. The cost is $100 per year including GST. Highly qualified specialist music teachers visit the school each afternoon and conduct group or private lessons after school as follows: Clarinet and Saxophone Tutor:

Mr Wesley Stormer – WEDNESDAYS, THURSDAYS and FRIDAYS for after school group and private lessons.

Mr Stormer also conducts Stage Band on Wednesday and Wind Ensemble Friday.

Flute tutor: Ms Justine Bristow – THURSDAYS - after school group and private lessons.

Violin/Viola/Cello Tutor: Miss Carina Dingwall – THURSDAYS - after school group and private lessons.

Trumpet and Trombone Tutors: Mr Richard Sandham – TUESDAYS at Holroyd Band Hall Mr Jiri Neradilek – nearby home studio Parramatta City Band The band gives free instrument hire and tuition to students wishing to learn a brass instrument but a fully refundable $50 deposit is required. Book costs $15. The practice time is Sunday night. Guitar Tutors: Mr Ben Secrett – MONDAYS, TUESDAYS and FRIDAYS Mr Cameron Henderson – THURSDAYS After school group and private lessons are available with both tutors. Piano and Keyboard Tutor: Mr Tim Hans – MONDAYS and TUESDAYS - after school group and private lessons. Choirs and Singing Tutor: Mrs Natalie Gooneratne – MONDAYS and TUESDAYS - after school group and private lessons

RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY & HONESTY

ISSUE 1| TERM 1| 7TH FEBRUARY, 2020

All after school lessons are at an additional cost to the student. If preferred, students may arrange their own private lessons. Students interested in singing or learning any of the instruments listed above, or guitar, need to urgently see Ms Piper in Room 41 for further details as all groups are filling quickly. Opportunities for students seeking additional experience in vocal or instrumental music: Regional and State Music Camps – specific standards must be met Regional and State Vocal Group – individual audition required Regional and State String Ensemble Regional and State Bands Interested students should see Ms Piper for further details. Assembly Performance Nithilaan Aravindan from Year 12 Elective Music performed the musical item for our first formal hall assembly. His energetic and dexterous drum technique was highlighted throughout Gospel Funk 011 by Andre Forbes.

~ Ms Piper & Mr Scanes ~ MUSIC STAFF

Quick guide for Parents

Check out the following links provided by the NSW Department of Education.

https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/practical-help-for-parents-and-

carers/quick-guide-for-parents

https://education.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/main-education/public-schools/going-to-a-public-

school/media/documents/starting-high-school.pdf

RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY & HONESTY

ISSUE 1| TERM 1| 7TH FEBRUARY, 2020

RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY & HONESTY

ISSUE 1| TERM 1| 7TH FEBRUARY, 2020

PHS CALENDAR Term 1 2020

Week 3B

Monday10th February Year 8 Elevate E-MAKER 'S MAKERBUINO WORKSHOPS Tuesday 11th February CODE KIDS Wednesday 12th February

Thursday 13th February

Swimming Carnival Friday 14th February

Prefect Valentine’s Day Activities Week4 A

Monday 17th February Yr 11 Camp

E-MAKER 'S MAKERBUINO WORKSHOPS Rugby League Gala Day Tuesday 18th February Yr 11 Camp Code Kids Wednesday 19th February Year 11 Camp

Peer Support Picnic Thursday 20th February

School Photos Friday 21st February Year 9 Elevate