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WILLOUGHBY GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL
A Leader in Girls Education
NEWSLETTER
21 May 2015
Deputy Principal’s Report
MEDICAL INFORMATION
Parents and carers are advised that the
school does not keep any form of
pharmaceutical medication on site.
Students requiring medication must
bring their own to the office with a
signed permission note from a
parent/guardian stating the dose and
times to be given.
The medication is to be administered by
the student.
May Calendar
Week 6B 25 May – 29 May
Monday 25
Zone Cross Country back up
Legacy Performance
Year 11 Work Placement
Tuesday 26
Year 11 Work Placement
Year 10 PDM Excursion
Wednesday 27
Year 11 Work Placement
Year 8 Science excursion
Year 10 Wellbeing incursion
Thursday 28
Year 11 Work Placement
Friday 29
Year 11 Work Placement
Charities Day
Week 7A 1 June – 5 June
Monday 1
Year 10 Work Experience
Year 9 Wellbeing incursion
Year 11 Business Studies
excursion
Tuesday 2
Year 10 Work Experience
Wednesday 3
Year 10 Work Experience
ICAS Science test
Year 7 and 8 Religious
Seminars
Thursday 4
Year 10 Work Experience
Week 8B 8 June – 12 June
Monday 8
Public Holiday
Tuesday 9
Year 11 and 12 Religious
Seminars
Wednesday 11
Sydney North Cross Country
Monday 8 June is a Public Holiday
Uniform
All students are reminded to ensure that they are well equipped to start the winter
season. A school jumper is essential. Please ensure all uniform items are labelled
with your name.
Uniform Requirements - Winter - Available from the school Uniform Shop.
Junior Uniform: (Years 7 - 10)
A-line pinafore tunic in school check
Long sleeved white blouse with collar (Knit or other style
shirts are NOT acceptable)
White skivvy (optional) under white blouse with long
sleeves
Royal blue jumper with V-neck and school crest
Royal blue blazer with school crest
Short white socks covering the ankle or black stockings (with
black socks if desired)
Black laced college shoes
Navy scarf
Navy gloves
Senior School Uniform: (Years 11 and 12)
Royal blue skirt
White blouse with collar and school letters
White skivvy (optional) under white blouse
Royal blue jumper with V-neck and school crest
Navy scarf
Navy gloves
Royal blue blazer with school crest
Short white socks covering the ankle or black stockings
Black laced college shoes (Sandshoes, sandals, boots, shoes with
higher heels and sneakers are NOT permitted for safety reasons
Winter tie (Year 12 Prefects only)
Note: Knit or other style shirts are NOT acceptable
Note: Regulation blue long pants are available from the School Uniform Shop
and may be worn with school blouse throughout the year.
Technology
All students are reminded that mobile phones are not to be used in class or at
school, unless teacher authorisation has been given. Parents/carers are asked to
ensure their daughters understand and abide by the school rules.
Examinations and Assessment Tasks
All years have recently completed, or are currently undertaking, assessment to
inform our reporting process. Parents and students are reminded that
examinations and written tests measure student understanding at a particular point
time, and this understanding is reflected in the results of these tasks. Students
must not consider the results they attain as definitive, nor compare themselves to
others, but instead, look for ways to improve upon their own results to ensure
achievement of their personal best.
Mrs J Watts
Deputy Principal
Year 7 Diary
Once again Term 2 is filled with a range of exciting activities for Year 7. They started the term off with a visit from
ranger Mick and his scaly friends from the Australian Reptile Park. More recently, they experienced their first
Willoughby Girls Athletics Carnival and shortly, their first Year 12 Charities Day which are highly anticipated school
events.
Feedback from parent teacher interviews was extremely positive and it is great to hear they are enjoying the year.
Organisation was highlighted as an area of concern which remains a work in progress for many students. This will
continue to be a focus area of their Study Skills lessons and I will be organising lunchtime lessons reinforcing how
students can effectively use their school diaries. I also ask that all Year 7 students have their diaries signed at the
end of the week by their parents to ensure they are utilising their diaries and that you are being informed and
kept updated.
Here’s to another jam-packed term.
Miss Pryor
Year 7 Year Adviser
Reptile Incursion (Science)
Year 7 recently participated in the reptile incursion, which was
held in the school hall.
Two keepers from the Australian Reptile Park came and showed
us some amazing animals, ranging in all different sizes and
colours, from Long Neck Turtles to an alligator called “Rosie”. We
learned many new things, some of which we already knew and
others were new. For example, I didn’t know until the reptile
handlers came that there was a certain way to hold a lizard, or
that you could tame alligators.
After we learnt about the animals, some students volunteered to
hold them and the animals were climbing all over their shoulders
and faces.
It was really nice because the incursion finished with a fantastic
ending and the whole grade got to walk around, pat and take
photos with the reptiles. We got about half an hour to do this,
but after that we had to say good bye and the reptiles went
back in their boxes and off to their spectacular home.
The grade took away lots of new things, but I don’t think
anyone could forget when the man licked the cane toad. It
was hilarious because everyone was squealing, closing their
eyes or just plain laughing! As one of the first Year 7 incursion,
it was truly the one to remember!!!!!!
Allegra Nash
Year 7 student
The Great War and Me Schools Competition
Jacqueline Berthold’s ‘Carrier Pigeon’ entry has been short listed
in the finals of The Great War and Me. Entries tell a story of the life
and experiences of a soldier, pilot, sailor, nurse, medic or even an
animal that served in the Australian armed forces in the Great War
of 1914-18.
Well done Jacqueline.
Year 8 Geography Fieldwork
Last term Year 8 went on an excursion to Willoughby Bicentennial Reserve and Flat Rock Gully to enhance our
geography fieldwork skills. Not only was it a fantastic way to learn about the natural environment close to our
school but it was also a great opportunity to learn about Willoughby’s history. Initially, the rain dampened our
spirits, but once we were walking through the reserve we began to appreciate the rain and its impact on
Willoughby’s beautiful flora and fauna.
As we admired the variety of native plants and looked for signs of animals, our guides taught us about the land
and its many hidden treasures. After our bush walk we listened to a talk by Don Swonnell, a bush regenerator.
He taught us about the interesting history of Flat Rock Gully. We were surprised to learn that there used to be
a waterfall (the Naremburn Waterfall) until the 1930s when it was filled in with Council refuse! Afterwards
Karen Smith talked to us about the reserve’s Aboriginal history. She taught us about the traditional
inhabitants, the Cammeraygal clan.
Following a strange encounter with torrential rain on one side of the basketball courts suddenly zoning in on
us, Year 8 had lunch huddled together under dry shelter. Once the rain cleared we completed a mapping
activity where we learnt about a maps basic features and how to read them. To finish the day we competed
against each other on a fun QR code, scavenger hunt that combined our mapping, geography fieldwork and
cross-country skills.
Our geography fieldwork excursion was an enjoyable educational experience we’d give up any school day to
do again!
Liah Naidoo
Year 8 Geography student
Year 9 Geography - Study of Changing Communities in Chatswood
On Tuesday 21 April, Year 9 Geography students met at the Concourse to learn about our community, Willoughby City.
We had to complete an assessment task that was seven pages long! Our first stop was the Council Chambers. Here, we
learned about the problems that the Council faces today, and plans for the future. After meeting the mayor of Willoughby
(Gail Giles-Gidney), and learning about her role in the Council, we spilt into class groups and went on to different stations.
These stations were the facilities and services in our community. We started at the Sustainability Hub, which included the
community garden, and we learnt about how to lower our electricity consumption with solar power and energy efficient
lighting. We were also informed about the solar farm, which is installed on top of the Albert Avenue car park, and
provides 166 kW to the Devonshire Street Children’s Centre and the Dougherty Community Centre, accommodating for
around half of their energy demands.
The next station was the Boronia Willoughby Museum. Here, we learnt about the lifestyle technology advances in
employment and family living, and the heritage character of the city. We learnt that in previous years, Willoughby had a
rail system from St Leonard’s to Milsons Point and electric trams along Penshurst Street during the WWII period. This
shaped our city, as it made it easier to travel and get around, as well as allowing business to flourish across Willoughby.
After walking though persistent rough winds and rain, we reached the Youth Centre. This was a really nice place to visit
(as it had a heater!), and we learned about how the Centre helps many of the community’s youth, particularly those who
are going through hard times. Although, with many facilities available, this place is open to all youth!
The rain had finally settled as we made our way to the MOSAIC Centre, which stands for Multicultural One-Stop
Assistance Information Centre. This multicultural service encourages people to learn about other cultures, and helps
migrants learn how to speak English. Here, we learnt that our community is truly diverse, and that it enjoys learning about
different cultures.
After getting tired of writing and worrying about finishing the
assessment task, we arrived at the warm Chatswood Library. We had
primary sources all set up for us to fill in the last page of the
assessment task.
Apart from the heavy rains, rough winds and the assessment task, this
excursion was really fun, and filled with plenty of interesting
information about our community.
Thank you to all of the Social Science and Willoughby City Council staff
for organising this fun and educational trip for us.
Georgia Samuel and Dishita Gupta
Year 9 Geography students
Community members at the Chatswood
MOSAIC Centre
Council Promoting Sustainability in Chatswood
Musical Notes
Musicians Work Overtime
Two groups of musicians deserve special mention for their recent service above and beyond the call of duty.
In the last newsletter, Ms Diprose reported on the wonderful performance at St Stephen’s Anglican Church by
about fifty girls from our Senior Vocal Ensemble and Chamber Ensemble, in a service to commemorate the
ANZAC Centenary.
This took place on the last day of the Easter holidays, while most students were presumably enjoying their last
sleep-in before Term 2 began. Then on Friday 8 May, while the rest of the school was again reaping the
benefits of a student-free day, about thirty girls from our Senior Wind Ensemble turned up at 7:20am to take
part in a combined rehearsal and mentoring session next door with Willoughby Public School’s concert band.
Both of these events reflect the outstanding commitment of our students to their ensembles and to the wider
community. Thank you girls!
Mr C Burgmann
Music Teacher
African Beat Incursion
On Wednesday two weeks ago, Year 8 went down to the MPH for an African Beat incursion, and in the hall
there were tons of drums, both tiny and big.
This was such a fun experience as we got to learn so much more about African music and had a great time
getting to use the drums ourselves. We got to dance to the catchy beats and rhythms, learnt that all African
drums aren’t called bongos and, after trying it ourselves, regretted hitting the drums too hard.
Even after the incursion, the drumming vibe continued when Ms Bramley clapped rhythms to make the class
quiet.
A tip to all Year 7’s who are doing the incursion next year, make sure that you google the capital city and
population of Ghana!
Jacinta Chang and Lauren Quinn 8E
Year 10 & 11 Parent and Teacher Interviews
On the evening of Tuesday June 23, 2015 teachers will make themselves available for interviews with parents
of students in Years 10 & 11.
Appointments for interviews of five minutes in length with teachers may be made for times between 4.00pm
and 8.00pm on a first booked basis. The interview site opens for bookings at approximately 9.00 am on June 9,
and closes for bookings at approximately 8.00pm on June 21.
We cordially invite parents to join us on this important evening to discuss your daughter’s progress at our
school.
Longer appointments or appointments which cannot be made for this evening may be arranged through the
school’s main office.
Parents will need to make appointments with their daughter’s teachers using the online facility in the Parent
Portal.
http://web1.willoughbg-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/portal
It is important therefore, to ensure you have access to the parent portal and also access to the particular
student’s information, well before the booking period begins.
For parents who were with us last year, the registration letter with code was placed into your daughter’s
report last year.
Some parents have registered with the portal but did not link through to their daughter’s details by using the
accompanying code. Please revisit your portal and make sure you have linked through to your daughter’s
details.
Anyone who does not have access to the Parent Portal should send an email to the school on
Willoughbg-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au (please take care - there is a ‘g’ not a ‘y’ on the end of willoughbg).
requesting access to the parent portal and providing,
* your name and email address,
* your daughter’s name and year in which she is enrolled.
Families with special circumstances should acknowledge it, so special arrangements may be made.
A User Manual provided by the Sentral team has been placed onto the Moodle and also into the documents
section of the parent portal for help during the procedure. Please use this as a guide only; as the Sentral
software is being constantly upgraded and may not look similar to our specific school site.
We hope this new online process will make it easier for you to directly book your appointments with your
daughter’s teachers.
Drama News
Mr P Devitt
Head Teacher Computing Studies
Congratulations to Year 10 Drama students Mahlia Garay, Ruby
Hamersley, Julia Seppelt, Sophia Tzioumis and Logan Woodman,
who came equal first with St Aloysius College in their preliminary
round of the Intermediate division of the 2015 Theatresports
Schools Challenge.
Watch this space for the results of the semi-final round.
Careers Calendar
It is the time of year where career exploration is becoming a focus for senior students at the school. Year 10
will start the decision making process with a week’s work experience in Week 7 and for Year 11 and 12
students contemplating Post School Options.
I would encourage parents to start speaking with their daughters about career exploration and to also attend
any suitable events that may be offered by the school and any outside institutions.
Upcoming External Events
HSC Careers EXPO 28-31 May, 2015
http://www.hscandcareers.com.au/
Western Sydney Careers Expo 18-21 June
http://www.westernsydneycareerexpo.com.au/
The above events offer over 100 exhibitors from Universities, Training colleges, apprenticeship and
employment organisations. There is also a scheduled program offering over 100 seminars on HSC preparation,
resume writing, subject selection and course and career advice.
The website ‘My Future’ is a great resource for students and also for parents wishing to assist their child in
exploring careers (under the ‘Assist my child’ tab).
http://myfuture.edu.au/
Ms R Morris
Careers Adviser