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Smith’s
HighSchool
School
Smith’s Hill High
PROMOTING EXCELLENCE
EXCELLENCE IN
IN A
A SPIRIT
SPIRIT OF
OF TRUST
TRUST AND
AND CO-OPERATION
CO-OPERATION
PROMOTING
10th November 2014
Newsletter 17
Coming events
Week 6
Beginning 10th November
Monday
Year meetings Yrs 8/9/10 period 6
Yr11 Japanese Tanken Centre
Wednesday
excursion
Friday
Regional Final Year 8 Debating
Week 7
Beginning 17th November
Monday
P&C Meeting
Wednesday Year 6 into 7 Information Evening
Sydney University Junior Debating
Friday
competition
Japanese film festival - Sydney
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
Fear of failure is often the greatest impediment to
the achievement and development of potential.
Regardless of age or vocation, we are wired to
prefer success over failure and our students are no
different in this regard. However, embracing failure
in education teaches students that learning from
their mistakes ultimately leads to greater success.
Science teachers probably understand and use this
concept more frequently than most teachers. They
just happen to call it a hypothesis or refer to it as an
experiment instead of failure.
In all learning areas across our school, we have a
strong culture and promote the provision of quality
feedback to students. Giving students feedback for
improvement is not just good advice, it is established
science. In the last few decades, researchers have
discovered a lot about how people become experts.
Much of the research has identified how practice
leads to expertise. Yet the most important part of
that research is not the quantity of practice, but
what kind of practice. This latter category is called
deliberate practice and involves isolating what is
not working and mastering the difficult areas before
moving on. Mistakes are the most important thing
that happens in any classroom, because they tell
you where to focus that deliberate practice.
“Failure is instructive. The person who really thinks
learns quite as much from his failures as from his
successes.” – John Dewey.
So why is it that our students don’t view their
mistakes as a valuable asset? Well, it is because
they think about their mistakes emotionally. Mistakes
make students feel unsure of their knowledge and
understanding and, for some students, it is a feeling
of shame. Hence the natural response to failure is
to avoid its source. If students don’t say anything
or contribute to a class discussion, they don’t lose
face by saying the ‘wrong’ thing. Unsurprisingly,
that’s the worst move to make if you ever want to
get better. Academic success does not come from
how smart or motivated students are. It comes from
how they feel about their mistakes.
Changing your child’s perspective on mistakes is
the greatest gift you can give as a parent. Likewise,
it is a critical element of the way in which our
teachers can motivate our students to achieving
their greatest potential.
David C. Deitz
Principal
SHARNE SJOSTEDT - Cyber Bouquets to
all
I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank
the school community for their support of me over
the years. As Friday the 31st of October was my
last official day as a permanent DET teacher I had
time to reflect on my time at the school.
Over the last 27 years I have had the privilege of
teaching a wide range of students including parents
of current students and have always found it to be a
delight and a pleasure.
Smith's Hill High School has been a wonderful
place to teach and I have been there for many of
its transformations. At all times as a Year Adviser,
Drama Teacher and girls student adviser I have
always had the loyal and unstinting support of staff,
students and parents.
PO Box 780 - Wollongong NSW 2520- Ph 4229 4266 - Fax 4226 5104
www.smithshill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au
Smith’s Hill
Hill High
High School
School
PROMOTING
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My last days at the school were marked by the generosity of students and parents. I was moved and humbled
by the cards, thoughts and words offered by your children, all to be treasured and held dear. I want to publicly
thank the School community and I look forward to continuing my association with this remarkable School in
the next phase of my life. Sjosie
Gold Duke Of Edinburgh Award
Congratulations to Kahlia Pycroft in year 12 who is the first student at Smith's
Hill High School who has successfully completed the Gold Duke of Edinburgh
award. Kahlia started her award in year 11 and self-managed all components. She
completed her residential component at a Jillaroo camp and learnt cooking as her
skill. Kahlia is to be congratulated on her perseverance and independence that she
has demonstrated in her quest to achieve this highly regarded award. Well done
Kahlia.
2014 Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad (AIMO)
The Mathematics Department wishes to announce the wonderful result achieved by Year 8 student, Ellen
Zheng.
As mentioned in the last newsletter, this competition was a 4-hour exam (8 questions resulting in integer
answers and 2 proofs). The questions were of an extremely challenging nature. Ellen scored a Distinction,
placing her in the top 50 of 336 students who sat for this competition. Congratulations.
2014 Mathematics Challenge for Young Australians
Enrichment Stage
It is also with great pleasure the Mathematics Department would like to congratulate Rebecca Jones from Year
10 on her outstanding effort in this challenge. The Enrichment Stage consists of different packages involving
up to 16 in-depth questions from the works of famous mathematicians. Rebecca answered questions relating
to the works of Amalie Emmy Noether who was one the greatest women mathematicians of the twentieth
century. This competition required students to complete the questions in a 16 week period.
Rebecca scored a credit and was only 3 marks from a distinction. Congratulations on a fabulous performance.
Manga Futures Workshop
Last Friday, 20 students attended an invitation only manga drawing event at the
University of Wollongong. They were taught manga drawing techniques by a
professional manga artist, were able to hone their skills and went to an exhibition
of works. A great day was had by all. Visit the UOW website to read about the
Manga workshop http://media.uow.edu.au/news/UOW183240.html
Year 9 parents - save the date for Study Skills workshop
Do you want to help your student study but don't know where to start?
Would you like to know how students could maximise study results?
Do you just want to know what students should do at home?
The increasing pressure on today's student for academic achievement highlights
Smith’s Hill
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the need to develop effective study practices. These changes in education have made it difficult for parents
to relate their experiences as a learner to those of modern students. As a result, many parents feel that
there is more they could contribute to their student's academic success if they better understood how to
help and what students should be doing.
Enhanced Learning Educational Services (www.enhanced-learning.net) is an Australian business
committed to helping all students improve their ability to learn and study. Prue Salter of ELES has been
working with our students over the past few years giving students strategies to unlock the power of their
minds and help them become effective and successful learners.
Year 10 (2015) parents and students are invited to attend together an ELES 'Maximising Your Results'
evening on
Monday 23rd February, 2015
6 - 7.30pm
in the Lecture Theatre. This is a great opportunity to benefit from the experience and knowledge of a study
skills specialist.
Some of the areas covered will be:
- Making study as effective & efficient as possible.
- Organisation & time management skills.
- Making study notes that work!
- Dealing with the obstacles and problems.
- Preparing for Senior studies.
Parents can expect to gain a greater understanding of what students are required to do at home and
students can learn how to make the most out of their study through simple but effective techniques. This is
a session that no Year 10 student should miss!
Note: Parent/Guardian(s) and students should attend TOGETHER. As the session is very interactive, the
session will not be of full value unless BOTH the students and a parent attend. Both students and parents
also need to bring along a PEN and students also should bring their school diary.
Year 7, 11 and 12 students will be attending session during school on the same day.
NETBALL GALA DAY
On Friday the 24th October, Smith’s Hill competed in a
local netball gala day for the second year in a row. We
had several teams ranging from Years 7-10 and had great
success throughout the day. Our year 9 ‘A’ team won their
competition winning every game of the day, and the Year
10 ‘A’ team narrowly lost their final to finish second. Thank
you to the students who organised their own teams and
umpires for helping out on the day.
Smith’s Hill
Hill High
High School
School
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Textile and Design
Congratulations, to year 12 Textile & Design students for the completion of their Major Textile Projects.
Phoebe Rankin-Starcevic produced a costume that reflected the story line of the film ‘Beauty and the Beast
Each applique panel represents a scene from the film. The overlay skirt acts as the stage curtain.
Daisy Clarke’s Major Textiles project focuses on the literary concepts of Dystopia and Utopia, two opposing
worlds of structure and freedom. Her Textile Art project consists of a reversible dress representing these two
worlds.
Hand dyed and printed fabric
Lace work and handmade feathers
Dystopia
Utopia
Stage 5 Textile Technology Electives
TAS department offer a number of Stage 5 textile courses.
Sew What! It’s My Room: The focus areas in this course are Non-apparel and Furnishings. Techniques in
patchwork, applique, quilting and other fabric decoration will be explored by completing a folder cover, soft
toy and an article for a room.
Smith’s
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Smith’s Hill High
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Sew What! It’s My Room:cont.
East Meets West: Examines how different cultures use textiles. Students will experience different methods
of colouration and embellishment of fabric, such as batik, tie dying and bead work to be inspired to make a
textile art or an accessory or a garment based on a culture of their own choice.
Use of the computerised sewing machine
Urban Escape - students explore the fashion world and will make a fashionable item of clothing of their own
choice.
Smith’s
HighSchool
School
Smith’s Hill High
PROMOTING EXCELLENCE
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OF TRUST
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AND CO-OPERATION
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Fantasy World – Students examine the significant role costume designs
contributes to a movie, theatre or a party. They will be required to produce
a costume of their own choice.
Stage 5 Food Technology Courses
Food for Celebration: considers the important social role food plays in
our lives, with particular emphasis on celebration days around the world
which caters for special occasions.
Food Trends and Product Development
Looks at the current trends in the food Industry
today. Food styling and new methods of food
production. Students will also develop a new food
product.
International Cuisine: Students prepare and explore the number of different cuisines seen in our society.
The importance of the multi-cultural society in providing Australian fusion of foods.
Food Service and Catering: Looks specifically at the hospitality industry and serving restaurant standard
foods and desserts and the basics of the barista course.
Smith’s
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Smart Foods: Investigate foods for the future. Students will have an opportunity to prepare dishes using
high performance food and designing menus for specific purposes. Working with dieticians and knowledge of
nutrition to obtain the ultimate diet that meet the needs for different groups of people. This course forms the
basis for future careers in the health and sports industry and is ideal for all to understand the sophistication
of our super foods.
You’re the Chef: Edible experiments! The course involves advance food technology skills which are
applied to the chemistry of foods. Students will examine the functional properties of food to produce quality
food products and have a chance to experiment with the combination of different ingredients.
For further information contact Jann Rojas Head Teacher TAS
Smith’s
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Smith’s Hill High
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Smith’s Hill High School robotics team placed second in NSW competition
The League of Relatively Ordinary Gentlemen, aka Patrick Hutton, Harrison Babister, Kai Dreyfus-Ballesi
and Jaya Ryan (all from Year 9) competed in the First Technical Challenge (FTC) robotics competition at
Macquarie University on Saturday November 8 and Sunday November 9. This was the first team from the
Illawarra and the challenge involved building a robot that could release plastic balls from a central container,
then pick them up and place them in a vertical cylinder – no mean feat for a small robot made from bits
of pressed aluminium. They had 6 weeks to design, build and program the robot. The team finished their
qualifying series in first place, then teamed with Normanhurst High School to win the semi-final.They came
second in the final to James Ruse High School's first. It was a very close match at the end.
The team will compete in the National FTC Competition at Macquarie University on the weekend of
29th & 30th November. All supporters welcome!
Melbourne Cup 2014
Thank you to Staff and Year 12 for dressing up in their best race day attire. Year 12 put on a 'classy canapes'
morning tea to help raise funds for breast cancer research. Thank you to those who contributed. The total
funds raised was $450 which will go to a worthy cause.
Regional Science Fair at UOW
Our top 10 SHHS Science Fair winners went on to compete at the Regional
Science Fair last Wednesday at the University of Wollongong. These students
had the opportunity to speak with scientists, academics, engineers and
other people in the scientific community to demonstrate their knowledge and
received a free Subway lunch. Congratulations to Savannah O'Connell in Year
8 who was awarded with 1st place overall in Stage 4 (Years 7 and 8). This is
such an amazing achievement as there were many schools involved in the
fair, all showing an extremely high standard of work. She received a beautiful
trophy and $300 in prize money. Highly commended awards are yet to be
awarded. Congratulations to all of our students for their outstanding efforts.
Smith’s
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Smith’s Hill High
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AND CO-OPERATION
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Regional Science Fair at UOW - cont.
Library news
It has been a quiet month in the Library with the HSC students seen walking, (much like Hamlet’s father on
the parapets) back and forwards as they mutter quotes and formulas and then become giggling masses of
nerves. The new 12’s keep watching these movements with awe and a little trepidation. Yet the year 12 2015
have a lot of energy and resolve so I am sure the studying ethos is in secure hands.
Mrs Rigby, Ms Mearing and I attended the ISLA Library Conference this month and came back filled with
enthusiasm and new ideas. Libraries have stood on shaky grounds for a few years but not anymore. They
are important sources and work spaces for the digital movement that we are all facing in the 20th century.
There are so many practical applications for libraries that I doubt that we will see their demise in the near
future… what we will see is change. At Smith’s Hill High School we are looking into establishing digital loans
and digital collections as well as keeping the hard copies that we all love.
Book Club has elected to try another excursion so we are all reading Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins in
preparation for its film release at the end of the year. We had a rather animated discussion after returning
from The Maze Runner excursion with some strong opponents to the movie. I think we identify with elements
in the book so clearly (in our own minds) that it is hard to let a director make decisions on plots and actions
for us. It is nevertheless, an excellent catalyst for further discussion. We did, however, unanimously agree
that lunch was great!!!
If we can put a man on the moon and sequence the human genome, we should be able to devise something
close to a universal digital public library.–Peter Singer
Smith’s
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Smith’s Hill High
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VIVAL LA GONG – MUD FUN
On Wednesday 29th October, a group of enthusiastic students proudly wore their mud decorated t-shirts,
bare feet and sense of fun to help promote the “Mud Fun” activity at an official launch for Viva La Gong.
Rachel McCumstie, Sarah Wells, Jin Braicovic, Angela Xia, Hannah Bannerman, Rebecca Ryan-Brown and
Michelle De Ruyter all stomped in the mud to the rhythm of beating drums, while encouraging participants
of all ages to interact with the pure clay and sand. They demonstrated and helped small children make mud
bricks that will be used for a future "Mud Fun” project.
The organisers of this event are keen for people to learn about the ancient masonry building recipe that is
being revived around the world for its many benefits. Pictures displayed of structures and settlements around
the world that were built using this recipe, showcase this environmentally friendly method of building. One of
the several benefits of building this way is that it does not require burning fossil fuels which pollutes our air
and water.
Smith’s
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Smith’s Hill High
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AND CO-OPERATION
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STUDY SKILLS TIP FOR OCTOBER – How To Stay Positive As Exams Approach.
Recently a student sent this email: Hi I was wondering if you could do a tip on staying positive when you are
stressed and feeling depressed as our exams are coming up and I have been feeling depressed lately and I
think it would help.
It can be difficult to stay positive or “be up” as exams approach. The more important the exam the more stress
we can feel. Worse, if we don’t do anything to make us feel good, stress can lead to anxiety and depression.
There are many reasons why students feel this stress and depressed mood as examination dates approach.
•
•
•
Students receive distorted messages and perceptions about the importance of the exams, such as, “this can/will
determine your future” etc.
With the pressure and stress of exams students avoid doing the work necessary to be prepared and as a result feel
more overwhelmed, hopeless, anxious etc. Students can feel they have no control of their situation.
When we allow the pressure, stress and upset to build we can get into bad habits and let go of good habits. As a
result students can feel more drained and exhausted and find it difficult or impossible to “climb out of the dark hole”
they are in.
A holistic approach to boost wellbeing as exams approach.
The key to being positive and managing negative emotions such as anxiety and feeling down and depressed
in any pressure situation including exams is to “fuel up”. It goes without saying that if we are exhausted, tired,
stressed, depressed etc. it is very difficult if not impossible to deal with the pressure of exams. “Fueling Up”
is about boosting wellbeing factors in your life. You need to boost the wellbeing factors in your BODY, MIND
and EMOTIONS.
Trying to “feel good” or be “positive” when your body is exhausted and depleted is impossible! This is
something we all know yet many of us find it difficult to change.
Here are some things you can do to boost the energy in your BODY:
• See a doctor.
Visit your doctor and get a check up. It’s important that any medical issues are ruled out because you may try
some of the following tips without noticing any benefit while all along there may have been a medical issue
that needed attention.
• Get better sleep.
Feeling good all starts with getting the right amount and type of sleep. Start with a good night - time routine.
Stop anything that stimulates you such as caffeine or TV or computer, iPad or phone screens etc. Try a warm
drink such as chamomile tea and use essential oils such as lavender oil. Having a soothing bath or shower
can also help along with gentle stretching of tight or tense muscles. If you still feel you are not getting a “good”
sleep be sure to see your doctor.
• Eat in Moderation
Never skip a meal, especially breakfast. Breakfast replenishes your body and helps you start your day full
of energy. Eat three main meals, and two to three snack meals a day. Eating five to six times in a day keeps
your blood sugar levels balanced, giving you an overall sense of well-being needed for focusing on your tasks
and responsibilities.
• Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise, at least three times per week for a minimum of 30 minute sessions, can virtually “soak up”
stress chemicals in your body and help you to relax and even sleep better. Brisk walking, aerobic classes,
swimming, bike riding, or jogging are great exercises to release stress buildup and relax your body and mind
to either start or end your day right.
Here are some things you can do to THINK more positively:
Smith’s
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Smith’s Hill High
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• Change your thinking and perceptions
Write down your top 5 fears and worries. What’s the worst thing that can happen? Then ask yourself, “IS
THAT TRUE”? Usually fears and worries are not based on reality but on imagined scenarios that have little to
no evidence. If it’s something that can’t be changed bring acceptance to it. It is what it is for now!
• Change your focus
Have you noticed that what we worry about we make bigger and keep closer to us by the way we think and
focus. Try this…make your fears and worries SMALL in size (5 cm in height) DARK in brightness and as far
away as possible in DISTANCE. When we change the size, brightness and distance of the things that upset
us in our minds it reduces the intensity of the emotion.
Here are some things you can do to FEEL more positive:
• Acts of kindness
Make a list of 5 acts of kindness you can do every day. Make them simple acts of kindness that are easy to
do such as saying thank you etc. Do these 5 acts of kindness every day for 6 weeks. The research shows
that people that do this and think of 3 good things in their life (as above) have a dramatic positive boost in
their mood.
• 3 good things exercise
Every day at the start and end of your day think of 3 good things that happened. Write them down. Then
think about either WHY those good things happened or how it MADE YOU FEEL when those good things
happened.
This month’s tip from Rocky Biasi at Human Connections. Learn more about techniques that can help manage stress at:
https://xb145.isrefer.com/go/entap/Enhanced/
Maths and Stats by Email is a free fortnightly email
newsletter featuring maths news and activities.
Maths and Stats by Email contains:
• the latest news from the world of maths
• hands-on maths activities to try yourself
• curious and interesting maths websites
• puzzles to tease your brain
• news about the latest maths events
• occasional competitions.
you can try at home or at school. The activities:
•
use easy-to-find, everyday materials
•
explore maths in a hands-on way
•
are explained using everyday language
•
are tested, so you can be sure they work.
Explore maths through experiments and activities
Follow the link to this fortnight’s newsletter- Guarding the gallery, and spirolaterals activity
www.smithshillcareers.com
I've put together a new website.
UAC/VTAC/QTAC
VET
It's a "One Stop Shop" for everything you
need with Career Planning and help.
LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS
WORK EXPERIENCE
DO AN INTERESTS TEST
CHECK IT OUT NOW!
Mr Ian Watchirs
Careers Adviser
FIND A JOB
CHOOSE A UNIVERSITY
GAP YEAR
CREATE A RESUME
DEFENCE CAREERS
YOUTH ALLOWANCE
THE BEST WAY TO PREDICT THE FUTURE IS TO CREATE IT
Careers News
All students and all parents should check out the new Smith’s Hill High School website at www.smithshillcareers.
com There is something for everyone and I would appreciate any constructive feedback to improve the
structure and content that would make the site more specific to our students needs.
Year 12 2014
Good Universities Guide Career Search
The Good Universities Guide Career Search allows students to search from a wide range of possible jobs
depending on the field of work, type of work and skill level. The tool can provide information on duties and tasks,
working conditions, personal requirements and related university courses. http://www.hobsonscoursefinder.
com.au/career/search#.VGAVdDSUd5Y
Smith’s Hill
Hill High
High School
School
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The Australian Financial Review: The Degrees of Unemployment
This article outlines the employment outcomes of graduates from different degrees and universities four
months after graduation. The article includes a research tool in which you can search a university or discipline
and view the average salary and employment rate for graduates of the searched discipline. http://www.afr.
com/p/national/education/the_degrees_of_unemployment_universities_e3nDZ8x89ziuXsEdNMOz9J
The University of Notre Dame Twilight Tours and Information Evening
Tue 18th–Thurs 20th November, 5.00pm –7.00pm, Admissions and Prospective Students Office, Broadway
The Prospective Students Office will be open and available to help prospective students with any questions
they may have regarding tertiary study options, admissions information and campus tours. http://www.nd.edu.
au/events/2014/still-time-twilight2
ACU Change of Preference Information Sessions: Strathfield and North Sydney
An opportunity for students to enquire about their study options after receiving their ATAR. http://www.acu.
edu.au/about_acu/our_university/important_dates
The Differences between High School and Tertiary Education
This article by Hobsons Course Finder covers the difference between high school and tertiary education in
order to give students an idea of life at university. http://www.hobsonscoursefinder.com.au/Latest-news/Lifeat-university/The-differences-between-high-school-and-tertiary-education
Year 11 2014
All students should be making themselves familiar with the major universities ‘future student’ web pages and
beginning to plan the most successful school exit strategy and your best possible career pathway.
UOW Discovery Day
All 2015 Year 12 students will be attending the UOW Discovery Day at UOW Tuesday 3 February
Discovery Day at UOW has officially kicked off with registrations now open! You are encouraged to register
ASAP, as subjects are filling up quickly. Once these subjects have reached capacity, there will be no
circumstance in which other students can join and unfortunately they’ll miss out. Students have until Friday
November 28 to register and change classes.
MyFuture: My Guide
My Guide is a personalised Career Exploration tool offered on the My Future Website. Individuals can build a
profile and customise their career exploration to what suits them. http://www.myfuture.edu.au/
Year 10 2014
Year 10 have been invited to organise a week long work experience placement, with an appropriate
professional position, for the end of Term 4 in 2014 or in Term 1 or 2 in 2015. Work experience is a great out
of school educational opportunity which will add to a students’ CV. Once they have organised a placement
(that does not unduly affect their school commitments) they are to come to the careers office and pick up the
mandatory DEC paperwork.
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YEARS 7 - 10 - LEARNING LABS AT UOW
There are still selected spots available for the gifted and talented program, Learning Labs at UOW, to be held
in the school holidays in January 2015: feedback for these courses is very positive and everyone said 'it was
fun'.
Facial Approximation (Science Faculty)
Digital Media (Digital Media Centre)
Industrial Robotics (Engineering Faculty)
Eyes, Hands and Minds (Creative Arts Faculty)
Do You Want to Run Your Own Business One Day? (Business Faculty)
Nerds, Geeks and Fandom (Arts Faculty)
Power of Imagination (Creative Arts Faculty)
Understanding the Grammar of Games and Sports (Social Sciences Faculty – this one involves lots of
physical activity)
If you are looking for something different to do in your holidays Year 7 - 10 students are encouraged to take
up this opportunity at the University of Wollongong.
A GIFTED & TALENTED
SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM
CONNECT:
LEARNING LABS
Learning Labs are designed for academically gifted and talented high school
students from Year 7 to Year 10. Workshops are held in the January school holidays.
All workshops are held over two days and cover a range of academic fields,
presented by university academics who are experts in their field.
LEARNING LABS
For students in Years 7 to 10 during the 2014 school year.
When: 20 – 21 January, 2015
Fee:
$150
Where: UOW Main Campus & iC Campus
For more information about individual workshops, sponsored places and how to apply, please visit
www.uow.edu.au/in2uni/learninglabs or contact Sarah Smith at [email protected]
A note for schools:
Places for this program fill up quickly. Please distribute this information
to students whom you think would benefit from the program as soon as
possible to avoid disappointment.
Smith’s Hill
Hill High
High School
School
PROMOTING
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A SPIRIT
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AND CO-OPERATION
CO-OPERATION
A GIFTED & TALENTED
SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM
CONNECT:
LEARNING LABS
Learning Labs are designed for academically gifted and talented high school
students from Year 7 to Year 10. Workshops are held in the January school holidays.
All workshops are held over two days and cover a range of academic fields,
presented by university academics who are experts in their field.
LEARNING LABS
For students in Years 7 to 10 during the 2014 school year.
When: 20 – 21 January, 2015
Fee:
$150
Where: UOW Main Campus & iC Campus
For more information about individual workshops, sponsored places and how to apply, please visit
www.uow.edu.au/in2uni/learninglabs or contact Sarah Smith at [email protected]
A note for schools:
Places for this program fill up quickly. Please distribute this information
to students whom you think would benefit from the program as soon as
possible to avoid disappointment.
Smith’s Hill
Hill High
High School
School
PROMOTING
PROMOTING EXCELLENCE
EXCELLENCE IN
IN A
A SPIRIT
SPIRIT OF
OF TRUST
TRUST AND
AND CO-OPERATION
CO-OPERATION
Saturday 17th January 2015
8.30 am until 12.00 pm
Morning tea
is provided!
WO R K IN G B E E
A working bee will be held Saturday 17th January from 8.30 am until 11.00am. The goal of the working bee will
be to tidy areas of the school with a focus on the MPU surrounds. Please bring along any tools you have that will
assist with heavy and light pruning, digging. If you have a whipper snipper please bring it along.
At a minimum ensure you bring a pair of garden gloves, a hat, sunscreen and please wear sun safe attire.
STUDENTS, accrue volunteer hours for the Leadership Program and the Premier's Volunteering by helping out!
Any questions please do not hesitate to contact Brendan Sheedy ([email protected])
TOP 10 TIPS FOR PARENTS TO MANAGE CHILDREN’S TECHNOLOGY USE
It can be hard to tell whether your child is doing legitimate work online or if they are getting distracted with
gaming, social media and the like. Here are my Top Ten Tips to help you manage your child’s technology
use.
Model Good Technology Behaviour
If you’re always using technology, even for work, you are sending a message. Take time to “unplug” eg.
turn off your phone when you are having family time (even for a short burst).
Try to Understand the Technology your Child is Using and Why
To help your child manage the way they use technology, spend time understanding what they are using
technology for and why. This will help you set reasonable limits.
Set Clear Limits in Relation to Technology Time
Parents need to decide when devices can be used. Options include: no technology before school, a time
limit each day and games on the weekend only.
Smith’s Hill
Hill High
High School
School
PROMOTING
PROMOTING EXCELLENCE
EXCELLENCE IN
IN A
A SPIRIT
SPIRIT OF
OF TRUST
TRUST AND
AND CO-OPERATION
CO-OPERATION
Monitor Technology Use
If it’s not possible to move the child/computer where you can monitor use, consider doing quiet activities in
the space they are using, such as reading or ironing, to monitor their use.
Establish “Screen Free” Systems - Days, Spaces etc.
Establish “screen free” spaces eg. the kitchen and dining table. Perhaps have a screen free day on the
weekend? This encourages more activity and interaction for the whole family.
Centralise storage of handheld devices
Have a rule that all handheld devices are stored in the one place, so when it’s not an approved technology
time, the device is away and not causing a distraction.
Use Technology Time as a Reward
Show that you can be reasonable and flexible. Using screen time as occasional reward is fine. However,
mixing up the rewards with other activities will benefit the whole family.
Provide Lots of Opportunities for Physical Activity and Socialising
Providing opportunities to participate in meaningful and enjoyable activities away from technology helps
develop interests and connect with people. Try sports, music or craft.
Use Parental Controls to Block Particular Sites
The Australian Government’s CyberSmart program has information on parental controls http://www.
cybersmart.gov.au/Parents/About%20the%20technology/Parental%20controls.aspx
Change the WiFi Password
If nothing else works, and your child is constantly on social media or surfing the net, consider changing the
WiFi password….even for a few hours.
Learn more this year about how to work effectively at home and and manage distractions by working
through the units on www.studyskillshandbook.com.au. Our school’s access details are:
Username:
Password:
GALLIPOLI - ANZAC DAY 2015
A once in a lifetime opportunity to be at Gallipoli next Anzac Day
You can win a trip for two to Istanbul and Gallipoli in April 2015 by visiting the Australia in the Great War
Facebook and just clicking to enter.
Competition closes 11 November 2014 so hurry to enter.
Anzac day 2015 will be a special time as we commemorate 100 years since the Gallipoli landing and
being there will be an amazing experience.
www.facebook.com/AustraliaGreatWar
Competition Closes 11 November 2014
Smith’s Hill
Hill High
High School
School
PROMOTING
PROMOTING EXCELLENCE
EXCELLENCE IN
IN A
A SPIRIT
SPIRIT OF
OF TRUST
TRUST AND
AND CO-OPERATION
CO-OPERATION
t
n
h
e
t
m
e
v
u
e
i
yoAawch ards
2015
Submit your
application by
monday 1St
december 2014
to go in the draw to
win an ipad mini!
Smith’s Hill
Hill High
High School
School
PROMOTING
PROMOTING EXCELLENCE
EXCELLENCE IN
IN A
A SPIRIT
SPIRIT OF
OF TRUST
TRUST AND
AND CO-OPERATION
CO-OPERATION
White Ribbon
Walk
Against
Violence
Against Women
Wollongong Harbour
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White Ribbon Day is the International Day for the
Elimination of Violence Against Women.
1 in 3 women in Australia
will experience violence in their lifetime.
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An initiative of: