21 July, 2017

Gulgong High School Term 3

Newsletter Week 1

SCHOOL
INFORMATION

Address:
Belmore Street,
Gulgong, 2852

Phone: 6374 1201

Fax: 6374 2360

Website:
http://www.gulgong-
h.schools.nsw.edu.au/

Principal:
Linda Macleod

Deputy Principal:
David Tooney

Head Teachers:
Benjamin Campbell
(English/HSIE/LOTE)
Chivonne Gofers (CAPA/
Welfare/Careers)
Kathryn Lane
(Mathematics/Library/
Sport)
Whats Happening
Graham Wilson (Science/
TAS)

Year Advisers: July

Amelia Greenwood (Year 7)
Sophia Tooney (Years 8 &
27th Agvision
9)
27th Australian Mathematics Competition
Carly Sewell (Years 10 &
11) 28th Western Athletics Trials
Matthew Stanley (Year 12)
August
Support Staff:
Gail Ratcliffe (Aboriginal 9th11th University Road Trip
Education Officer)
Justine MacLennan
(Learning and Support
Teacher)
Melanie Freudenstein
(Counsellor)
Cheryl Seis (School
Administrative Manager)

LEARNING RESPECT SAFETY

 Principals Report

Welcome back to everyone for the commencement of Term 3. A very busy

term lies ahead and many important events will be taking place in the
upcoming weeks.
In Week 3, a subject information evening will be held for Year 10 students
in regards to selecting subjects for the commencement of the Higher School
Certificate next year. This evening will provide vital information to assist
students to enrol in subjects best suited to guide them towards their
chosen career path. I encourage all students and parents/carers to attend.

I would like to take this opportunity to

welcome Ms Alyssa Taylor to the staff of
Gulgong High School. Ms Taylor will be
working in the TAS faculty for the remainder
of 2017.
I would like to commend our Under 15 years Rugby League team on their efforts in
making the final of the Tom Kemp Shield. Unfortunately, they were defeated in the
Grand Final but were great ambassadors for our school and represented Gulgong
proudly. A huge thank you to Mr Newton and Mr Hollow for their efforts in coaching
and accompanying the team to each of their matches.
Congratulations also to Amelia Marsh who was successful on progressing to State Cross Country to represent
Western Region this term an outstanding achievement.
This will be the final term of formal schooling for Year 12 and they are encouraged to continue to commit to their
studies throughout these ten weeks and take the opportunity to seek and gain assistance from staff in their final
preparations for their Trial and High School Certificate Examinations.

Linda Macleod
Principal
 Gala Concert

Gulgong High Schools first Gala Concert for 2017 was held in the school hall on Thursday, June 22nd, celebrating
the amazing musical talents that our students possess. Students began preparations for the concert several
weeks prior to the event and are to be congratulated on the very polished performances they presented.
Concert preparations began in week 3 of this term when applications were called for interested students to
nominate pieces they wished to perform as well as students who were interested in being part of the backstage,
sound and lighting crews. Tickets also went on sale and advertising began. During weeks 5 and 6 auditions were
held in the music room for all performance applicants. The standard of the auditions was extremely high.
On Friday, June 16th, all backstage, sound and lighting crews began setting up the hall after lunch. This involved
moving stages and equipment from one end of the school to the other, setting all of the equipment in its correct
place and ensuring that all cables had been secured . This process continued periods 1 and 2 on Monday, June
19th, and by recess sound and lighting checks had been carried out.
Rehearsals began after recess on Monday and continued until Wednesday afternoon. All performers were very
enthusiastic, attended rehearsals promptly and were very professional in the way they rehearsed and practised
their movement both on and off stage. The stage, sound and lighting crews consisted of primarily year 8 students,
most of whom were new to the team and were very well trained by the year 12 students who offered a great deal
of training, guidance and support. Our MCs for the evening began their preparations as well.
The Dress Rehearsal was held on Thursday, June 22nd and, as in previous concerts, mishaps occurred. At the end of
the first item, the stage curtain ropes fell of their pulleys meaning we were unable to close the curtain and so they
needed repairing. We also encountered some sound and lighting issues and had to change the order of the
program due to some students having to complete assessment tasks for various subjects. Nevertheless, all
students adapted well to the changes and the rehearsal demonstrated areas for improvement for the evening
concert.
The main event saw backstage, sound and lighting crews arrive at 6.30pm. Final sound and lighting checks were
carried out, guitars tuned and all equipment tested. The stage curtains were closed and the doors opened at
6.40pm for audience members to enter the hall.
The concert began promptly at 7.00pm with the introduction from Ms Chivonne Gofers (Head Teacher Welfare)
who introduced our MCs for the night, Emily Riley (Year 8 )and Jesse Reedy (Year 12) and Welcome to Country
by Ashleigh Elliott.
The first item was by the 8.2 Music class band who performed Cant Stop the Feeling. This was followed by
Jasmine Frost, also in year 8, singing two solo items; Fire and the Flood and
Never be the Same. The next item was by Rowans Rockers who performed
and excellent rendition of the classic Joan Jett song I Love Rock n Roll. Gemini
Cheesewright, in year 7 then sang Dont You Remember by Adele. This was
followed by Emily Wiltshire, also in year 7, singing Home by Phillip Phillips. The
next item was I am Australian performed by the year 7 music class. Jack Egan
from year 9 then sang Riptide. This was followed by 8.1 Music class band with
the song When Love Takes Over.
Several solo pieces followed; Monica Oschar (year 11) sang Skinny Love by
Birdy, Morgan Hollow (Year 9) sang Castle on the Hill by Ed Sheeran, Kurt Ellis
(Year 10) demonstrated his drumming skills in two songs, Im Gonna Miss Her
by Brad Paisley and Song on Fire by Nickelback and then Zoe Stuart (Year 10)
sang two songs; Stitches by Shaun Mendes and Someone Like You by Adele.
Declan Kirk and Aydin Patrick (Year 9) then entertained the audience with two
songs; Thinking out Loud and a Cyndi Lauper Classic Girls Just Wanna Have
Fun.
 Gala Concert cont..
The year 12 Music students, for whom this concert would be their last at Gulgong High School, performed the
final items of the night. Kassandra McMurtrie and Corey Pitt performed Nothings real but Love, Joshua Gauci
and Nathan Mullette performed The A Team and Dont by Ed Sheeran, and then the class band along with
Mrs Hardy, Zoe Stuart, and Kurt Ellis performed the classic Choirboys hit song Run To Paradise. Jesse Reedy
then concluded the concert with his rendition of Come with Me Now
All pieces were of an outstanding standard and demonstrated the exceptional talent of our students at Gulgong
High School. All performers are to be commended on their amazing efforts and the way they represented them-
selves, their families and the school.
In addition to the performers, there were many behind the scenes assistants working on sound, lighting and as
part of the stage crew. They worked extremely hard through the four periods it took to set up the hall and
throughout every rehearsal as well as packing and cleaning up after the concert. All students working behind the
scenes are to be congratulated for their professionalism and assisting in a production that ran smoothly. An ex-
tremely huge thankyou to Year 12 Music Students for your efforts and support of other students.
Thank you to all the audience members who attended and who were so appreciative of our performers, staff
who put up with disruptions and who assisted on the night as well as the office ladies who organised ticket sales.

I.MacLennan (Music Teacher)

Gala Concert cont..
 NAIDOC Week Celebrations
On Tuesday the 27th of June, Gulgong High School celebrated the upcoming NAIDOC week.
The day started with a community assembly. This assembly included Gulgong Public School, All Hallows School,
Gulgong Preschool and Happy Days childcare centre. During this assembly the theme, Our Languages Matter
was explained and highlighted the important role language plays in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
The local schools and childcare centre also presented short skits relating to Indigenous culture.
Our guest speaker Allan Clarke, an Indigenous Journalist who works for SBS television gave an inspirational talk on
his life journey to become the person he is today. Following this, Tyrone Gordon and his dance troupe, Thikkabilla
Vibrations performed some traditional indigenous dancing.
After the formal assembly, Gulgong High had a sausage sizzle and spent the afternoon participating in a dance
workshop with Tyrone and Thikkabilla vibrations, and indigenous activities including traditional indigenous games
and art, and johnnycake cooking.
During the day, a group of students also worked with a guest artist, Lewis Burns to paint a mural pertaining to
Indigenous culture.
Overall the day was a huge success.
 Science/TAS Faculty Report
This term we welcome Ms Taylor, who will be replacing Ms Simandl. Ms Taylor comes to us with a wealth of
experience in a number of schools in both NSW and Queensland. She also has a diverse range of training that will
benefit students. Importantly, Ms Taylor is trained in both PDHPE, Food and Textiles so students will be able to
advance in these areas.

The term has started at a frantic pace in some faculty areas.

The farm took delivery of two steers from Mr & Mrs Haley at the same time that three tonne of feed arrived for
storage. Students did a remarkable job helping with both activities. The school farm has also purchased a new race
for moving steers in the yards. This purchase has been made with the generous assistance of the school along with
accumulated Agriculture funds. The new yards will not only be safer for students, they will also be less stressful to
steers and show best practice in livestock management. With all this activity, students have found time to train
the wethers. The wethers are looking good in the lead up to the show in August.

Science was offered free Engineering Workshops by the University of Technology in Sydney. With nine university
students having a keen interest in developing their skills as communicators and promoting a career they are
passionate about, students from Years 9-12 were captivated by the activities and learned how engineering is
changing the world. We hope this will be a regular activity and thank the presenters for their generosity. Also of
particular note in Science is the Year 10 Independent Research task. This is a compulsory unit that is set for all
Stage 5 student in NSW. At Gulgong High School, students are expected to present their project to staff for
marking on August 4. Any parent with concerns or questions about this essential activity should contact the school
immediately.
 Science/TAS Faculty Report cont..
Last term, Ms Mealing spent several weeks in the Food and Textile areas completing her teacher training. She
learned a lot under the guidance of Mrs Woods and we hope to see her back in the school as a casual teacher in
the near future. Year 11 Textiles has been introduced to an air brush machine, which applies background colours
to fabric. This purchase is another step toward introducing students to modern design techniques in industry. The
Food Technology students across all years have been busy catering for a number of functions in the school and
community. The students, too many to mention here, have been publicly thanked at assembly and it is timely to
acknowledge the tremendous efforts of Mrs Woods in coordinating these events.
In the areas of Timber and Metal, Year 12 students are working frantically toward a Week 4 deadline to have
major timber projects completed and locked away for HSC marking. While the pace is a little more relaxed in other
year groups, Year 10 students have begun their major projects and should have discussed purchases with parents.

Computing students continue to develop their skills in coding for the new robotics kits. This has been a steep
learning curve for students and staff alike as they adapt to the new software. The ultimate goal is to develop
problem-solving skills in an engaging manner and, from all accounts, this is being achieved.
 Staying In Touch
Term Dates for 2017

2017

*School development days occur at the

beginning of Terms 1, 2 and 3 and the last two
days of the school year.
Term 1 Friday, 27 January to
Friday, 07 April
Term 2 Monday, 24 April to
Friday, 30 June
Term 3 Monday, 17 July to
Friday, 22 September
Dont forget to subscribe to
the school app!
Available on Apple and An-
droid phones and tablets.
Search the App Store or Play
Store for Gulgong High or
2852.

Term 4 Monday, 9 October to

Tuesday, 19 December

Student Absences:
Schools are required to keep important
attendance data and it is essential to
maintain accurate records.
In the event that your child/ward is
absent, please contact the school and
provide an explanation. Gulgong High School
Students may still bring in notes to ex- now has a Facebook
plain their absence, but parents and
caregivers are now encouraged to use page for regular
our new electronic system.
school updates.
In the event of a students Search for Gulgong
absence you can now notify High School and hit
the school by SMS on Like.
0418 131 099.
 Recent School Photos

See more photos of recent activities on our Facebook page!