South Grafton High School Excellence and Innovation Issue No.4 – Term 1 21 February 2014 Relieving Principal: Mr Robert Perl

South Grafton High School, Tyson Street, South Grafton, NSW, 2460. Telephone: 6642 1466, Facsimile: 6643 2027,

Email: sthgrafton-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au, Website: www.sthgrafton-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 1

Diary Dates March 3/03/14 Hockey Gala & Trials March 3/03/14 P&C meeting March 4/03/14 MNC Swimming March 5/03/14 U15s Touch Trials March 6/03/14 Peer Tutor Training March 6/03/14 Rugby League Trials March 7/03/14 Netball Gala Day March 7/03/14 Terry Murray Young Australian

workshop March 7/03/14 Year 8 Lifesaving Day March 10/03/14 Years 7 & 9 vaccinations March 11/03/14 Years 7 & 9 vaccinations

Swimming Carnival The swimming carnival was a tremendous

success. Credit goes to Mr McKee and Mr

Dewberry for organising a fun day for all the students. There were five

activities operating simultaneously:

competitive event, the water slide, novelty events, grass activities and spectating. A

great time was had by all with students enjoying the full and exciting program on

the day. Well Done.

Uniform I would like to congratulate all the

students on the high standard of their uniform. When assembled together the students look fantastic. There are many

reasons why it is important to wear school uniform and I would emphasise that the

school uniform is a work safety issue. It identifies the person as a student of South Grafton High School. Black sturdy shoes

protect the feet. Wearing of uniform minimises some bullying issues as all the

students are wearing the same clothing. If any family needs assistance with their

uniform, please contact the school to collect a student assistance form.

Girls Cricket The girls cricket team is waiting for the result between Narrabri High School and

Gunnedah High School to see who they play in the quarter finals. We are very

proud of the girls’ achievements, and wish them all the best.

Principal The Principal’s position at South Grafton

High School has been advertised and the applications have closed. The successful

applicant will be chosen over the next two weeks and we look forward to announcing the new Principal. Also we will commence

the procedure for replacing the Head Teacher English position (Mr Bertus,

promoted to Deputy Principal at Grafton High School) and the Head Teacher Maths Position (Mr Owen, Retired). These

positions will be filled by the end of term one.

How you can be more involved at school

Parent/carer involvement is encouraged and welcomed at South Grafton High

School. The canteen is always looking for volunteers. If you have any time to give just contact the school and we will

organise for you to meet the canteen Manager, Viv Riches. P & C meetings are

on the first Monday of the month starting at 7.30 pm in the school library. This is a forum that gives you a say in what is

happening at school and also the opportunity to assist in the educational

delivery at South Grafton High School. The South Grafton High School P&C AGM will be held at 7:30 pm Monday

3 March 2014 in the school Library. At this meeting all positions will be declared

vacant. A President, two Vice-Presidents, Treasurer and Secretary will be elected. Following this, a general meeting will be

held. All welcome.

South Grafton High School, Tyson Street, South Grafton, NSW, 2460. Telephone: 6642 1466, Facsimile: 6643 2027,

Email: sthgrafton-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au, Website: www.sthgrafton-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 2

South Grafton High School Newsletter, Issue No .4 - 21 February 2014

Maths

The Mathematics Department has made some changes this year in line with the

new National Curriculum. Regular testing immediately after a topic is completed

rather than only one term assessment is one of the changes. We trialled the topic testing last year with some of our

students, then surveyed them to find what they felt about regular testing. Almost all

of the survey results found the students felt they were being tested on “how well they learnt the topic” as opposed to

“memory recall” some months later, and as a result, felt more positive towards

mathematics and enjoyed their more frequent achievements. In this time of access to immediate

information, the mathematics department feels this is a more appropriate way to

undertake testing a child’s learnt knowledge. In light of some of the senior mathematics

courses that allow a formula sheet and universities that allow an open book test,

the mathematics department will conduct open book testing for some of these topic tests. We feel this will encourage students

to take pride in their bookwork and encourage them to create organised study

notes. The mathematics department will be holding an information evening after the

Years 7/11 and 12 parent teacher night, Tuesday 13 May 2014. This will be for all

parents of our students and only take approximately 30 minutes. You will have

opportunities to find out how you can help your child and have any questions you may have answered by the maths staff.

We look forward to meeting you then. Tanya Fisher

Relieving Head Teacher Mathematics Laptop Stocktake

To all parents and students with DER laptops. That time has come again, where

the school is required to account for all DER laptops. To do this successfully, students are required to bring them to

school and log on to the wireless network for a least 30 minutes or one period.

When this is done, the laptops will be

counted electronically on the wireless

network. Students who have broken laptops or who

just don’t use them at school will be required to bring them in to Ms Hilliard in

C block. Any laptops that are not counted or returned by 31 May, may have their internet access limited or in some cases

blocked. We would appreciate your assistance in making this stocktake a

successful one. SRC

Valentine’s Day – SRC’s first fundraiser

for the year was very successful. The SRC and SLIKK

worked very hard behind the scenes

ensuring all went smoothly. This was a great example of teamwork – “many hands make light

work”. Thanks to everyone who supported this happy event. Malcolm McAnally won

the gift giver prize of a giant bear.

First Social –

will be Tuesday 18 March 2014.

The theme is ‘Fright Night”.

All new students

and Year 7 will be issued social

permission notes. All letters of concern need to be resolved to allow

attendance.

G’Day USA A ‘G'Day USA’ meeting will be held at Maclean High School Tuesday 25 February

2104 in S5 (same room as last time). This is an important meeting so all must

attend. If anyone else is interested in joining the USA tour this year in December 2014,

South Grafton High School, Tyson Street, South Grafton, NSW, 2460. Telephone: 6642 1466, Facsimile: 6643 2027,

Email: sthgrafton-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au, Website: www.sthgrafton-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 3

South Grafton High School Newsletter, Issue No .4 - 21 February 2014

there are a couple of places left. You are

welcome to attend the meeting and find out more. Ms Watts, Maclean High School.

Rugby Union 10 a side

South Grafton High School defeated CVAS and Grafton High School to win the inaugural Rugby Union 10 a side

competition. Our team Lachlan

Arthur, Caleb Barker, James Chevalley, Lewis

Cooper, Jack Gull, Thomas Jabour,

Corbin Mathieson, Ky Pearce, Paul Philips, Joel Polsen,

Mitchell Lenfer, Osman Sonmez, Zac Robertson, Damien Duroux, Hugh Terry,

Jethro Carthew, Noah Smith,

Stanko

Primorac, Lockie Smith

and Zac Slomczewski. SGHS defeated GHS 8 tries to 1 in the final.

Canteen Roster

Monday 24 February Julie Ann Brett

Tuesday 25 February Colleen Hankinson Wed. 26 February Help Please Thursday 27 February Laurie King Friday 28 February Michelle Wade, Kelly

Whyte Monday 3 March Julie Ann Brett

Swimming Carnival Winners

Alpha 951, Gamma 868, Delta 511, Beta 406

Congratulations, age champions, girls: 12yrs Leigh Kellerman-Davies, 13yrs Shiann

Broderick, 14yrs Kirsten Riddell, 15yrs Tiarna

Bennett, 16yrs Ellie Lucas,17yrs Kiah Bennett

Age champions, boys: 13 yrs Caleb Barker, 14 yrs Brayden Cooper,

15 yrs Wade Hughes, 16 yrs Thomas

Lancaster, 17 yrs Kyle Slater Chess Club is back!! Starting this week, Chess Club will run at

lunchtime on Thursdays, starting from 1pm in B5 in B block. Bring your lunch, come along to watch and learn or have some

great chess games. Visiting chess playing teachers are also most welcome. Bad behaviour is not. See Mrs Lancaster for

more details.

South Grafton High School, Tyson Street, South Grafton, NSW, 2460. Telephone: 6642 1466, Facsimile: 6643 2027,

Email: sthgrafton-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au, Website: www.sthgrafton-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 4

South Grafton High School Newsletter, Issue No .4 - 21 February 2014

Community News

Girls Hockey

Any girl wishing to play hockey with the South Grafton High School hockey club in the local competition please see Mrs Barton

in D1 before the end of February to sign up. There will also be a sign on day at the Grafton Hockey complex on Saturday

22 February 2014 from 12 noon till 2.00 pm if anyone has any questions they would like to discuss in person. We will be signing on

any primary or infants girls wishing to play with our South Juniors club as well on that day.

Contact Kerry Barton 66421466 kerry.barton@det.nsw..edu.au.

NCF Referees will be running referees courses in Maclean and Grafton in March/April 2014.

If you are interested (minimum age 13) in doing a course (referees are paid to do Football games) please contact us on the

following; referees@northcoastfootball.com.au or David Anderson on 0411 128 612

Is Your Child Entitled To $1000 Free Dental Treatment?

Medicare and the Federal Government have initiated a new child/teen dental plan

from Jan 1, 2014 called the Child Dental Benefit Scheme (CDBS).

Grafton Dental Centre is a proud supporter of this new initiative to keep our

kids smiling. Eligible children between the ages of 2 –

17 years, whose parent/guardian receives Family Tax Benefit A or other certain government payments, will be allocated

$1000 over 2 calendar years to spend on their dentition.

The scheme covers procedures such as examinations, cleaning and fluoride treatments, fillings, x-rays, root canal

treatment, extractions, etc. To find out if you are eligible for this

scheme contact: Medicare – 132 011 Centrelink – 136 150

Veterans Affairs – 133 254

If you would like to make an appointment

or get more information on the Child Dental Benefit Scheme, please call our

friendly staff at Grafton Dental Centre on 66 424177.

Grafton Dental Centre bulk-bills all CDBS patients.

Free Come and Try BMX

Saturday 22 February 2014 - 1.00 pm to 3.00pm At the Clarence Valley BMX Club’s race

track located at the corner of Abbott and Vere Streets in South Grafton.

Free coaching and training will be available from 1.00 pm to 3.00 pm to help new riders (boys and girls) gain basic bike

skills and confidence. At 4.00 pm the BMX club riders will be

showing how it is done by putting on some BMX races. The canteen will be open during the

day for cold drinks, hot food and a BBQ. Bring along a good working order

bike. Bikes sizes can be from a 16 inch BMX to 26 inch mountain bike, 2 to 4 year olds can bring a balance bike. For your

protection you will also need a good bike helmet (preferred full face) long pants and

long sleeve shirt, shoes and socks that cover the ankle, gloves (any type will do). If you do not have a BMX bike or some

of the safety gear just ask at the canteen on the day.

The club will have someone on hand to checkout your bike and help with making it safe to ride.

South Grafton High School, Tyson Street, South Grafton, NSW, 2460. Telephone: 6642 1466, Facsimile: 6643 2027,

Email: sthgrafton-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au, Website: www.sthgrafton-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Page 5

South Grafton High School Newsletter, Issue No .4 - 21 February 2014

Daily Examiner iPad Giveaway As you may be aware The Daily Examiner is running an iPad School Giveaway promotion where one lucky school will

receive 10 free iPads. The aim of the promotion is to develop literacy and

numeracy in our kids. Our school has registered to be a part of this promotion and we need YOUR support!

From Saturday (22 February) there will be a daily token in the Daily Examiner

newspaper. We would like your help collecting as many tokens as possible over the next 5 weeks. So help us rally the

troops (grandparents, aunties, uncles, friends, neighbours) and get collecting.

The competition ends on 31 March and the school with the most tokens wins. Tokens will be collected at the front office

and the common room (B block)

Grafton Junior Rugby Union

Season 2014 – There will be a 13/14’s and a 15/16’s

team. Sign on dates: Friday 21st February at 5.30 pm at Rugby Park - Hay Street, South Grafton.

The first training session will be Wednesday 26 February at 5.30 pm. The

first game will be at Grafton on Friday 4 April 2014. Further information: Jason Connors –

0419 636 788 or Gervase Bertus – 0409 227 823 South Grafton Bowling Club

16th, 18th, 21st Birthday or other function? Possibly a game of Bare Foot Bowls? Come to South Grafton Bowling Club. Refurbished.

Great views. Private. Club prices. We can cater or use our BBQ and/ or function room with full kitchen. For more information

phone 66 423 104.