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Principal’s Message

Volume 4 — 22 March 2019

Special points of

Interest

Update of address

forms

Mobile Phones

P&C Update

Lost Property

Volume 4—22 March 2019

Telephone: 96344199 Facsimile: 9899 6527 Email: castlehill-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au Website: www.castlehill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

A bumper crowd What a bumper crowd we had at the recent G&T test on Tuesday March 19 with 580 Year 6 students turning out. For the first time, we had the test in the afternoon to prevent a traffic jam in the peak hours of the morning rush. All we did was create another traffic jam in the surrounding streets at lunch time! From 11am we had people queuing for the 1pm start time. And, of course, it was raining. But as always, our trusty personnel, Ms Jo Spinks and Ms Karen Street, together with student assistants, sorted things as quickly as possible. The event went smoothly and was a great credit to the organisational process of Ms Spinks, Ms Street and our magnificent Prefects.

Tell Them From Me (TTFM) This is a terrific opportunity for students to anonymously and authentically give feedback on their life at this school, something that we value and give attention to. Students will complete the TTFM survey very soon to assess their perception, and reality, of our curriculum, our welfare and well being programs, extra curricular activities, our teaching and learning programs, our resources and more. It certainly is a comprehensive overview of what we do. Parents will also be given the opportunity to give feedback. Again, we appreciate people’s input. It’s the only way to improve: to weigh up the advice, seek out possibilities, embed strong aspects of culture and learn from other ways of doing and thinking. We also want to know what is working well. We have a pretty good idea but it’s great affirmation when it comes from students and parents. Mr Andrew Mitchell, Deputy Principal, has carriage of this, so watch out for information regarding the Tell Them From Me Survey.

Special assemblies We have changed the way we meet with students. Prior to this year, we had weekly assemblies with Year 7-10 students and fortnightly assemblies with Year 11 – 12. But our size now prevents us from meeting. The exception to this is when we have special occasions where we meet with a smaller cohort of students. On Friday, March 29, we will hold a Celebration Assembly for Year 7 – 10 where we will award certificates for those students who are working well and trying hard. It’s always special to celebrate achievement and effort.

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Volume 4 — 22 March 2019

Extra money for school – advice received from the local MP, Mr Ray Williams. Great news! 11 schools in the Castle Hill electorate have been allocated $1.7 million for school maintenance. Castle Hill High School received 20% of this which totals about $340,000. It is understood that this would be used to upgrade toilets for students. This is terrific news. Students and parents will be very pleased. Mr Mitchell, deputy principal, is looking into when and how this upgrade will occur.

Vicki Brewer Principal

Early Departure from School A note from a parent or caregiver requesting special permission for a student to leave school early must be presented to the Administration Office before school. The note will then be stamped and returned to the student. This should be shown to the teacher when ready to leave the classroom at the time stated in the note. The student is then required to return to the Administration Office to sign out of school. The note from a parent or caregiver needs to have: Student’s full name Date of departure Time of departure Reason for departure

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Volume 4 — 22 March 2019

Mobile Phones Students need to be reminded to take care of their phones and valuable property. We have recently had a number of issues and students are reminded to not leave their school bag unattended during recess and lunch. Mobile phones must be switched off and out of sight during class time. It is recommended that these valuables be left at home. It is the students responsibility to care for their own property. Below is a copy of the Personal Audio Devices Policy.

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Volume 4—22 March 2019

Update of contact details

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Volume 4—22 March 2019

LOST PROPERTY Any items that are in lost property will be donated to charity at 3pm Wednesday 10 April. Please come to the Administration Office to collect your lost items.

Reminder: Please label all items with your student’s full name so if they are lost they can be returned to their owners once handed in.

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Drawbridge

Week 9A Monday 25th March Hospitality Work Placement Tuesday 26th March Hospitality Work Placement Wednesday 27th March Year 9 YPLO Seminar—Hall 9.30 Hospitality Work Placement Thursday 28th March Year 7 Scripture Hospitality Work Placement Friday 29th March Celebration Assemblies

School Calendar

Week 10B Monday 1st April Year 7 Drumming Workshop session 1-4 Tuesday 2nd April Athletics Carnival—Blacktown Wednesday 3rd April Concert Band Primary Schools Tour Thursday 4th April Friday 5th April

Week 11A Monday 8th April CHS Swimming Tuesday 9th April CHS Swimming Wednesday 10th April ANZAC Day Ceremony CHS Swimming Thursday 11th April Friday 12th April Last Day of Term