Tumut High School Newsletter

Our Year 12 Graduation Assembly is a significant day in the school's calendar and it’s important to understand its meaning. There is no doubt it’s a huge event for our Year 12. This day marks the last day of their formal schooling. A day which is the accumulation of some 13 years of education. In fact, the Graduation Assembly is more like the final chapter of a book which had its introductory chapter written some 13 years ago, A book titled ‘My Formal Schooling’.

I advise Year 12 students to spend time reflecting on their whole school story.  The more recent chapters and pages are clearer and will seem more relevant, but try also to recall some of your earlier chapters. Try and remember those moments in Primary School which have also shaped what you will become at the conclusion of your schooling. Many of you would have had some outstanding teachers in your first years of education, teachers who have helped in providing the bedrock for your time of growth in both Primary and High school.

Many of you have also had some incredible learning experiences while in your junior years at high school both in and out of the classroom. All of these experiences are influential to your story. Of course not every chapter or every page has been totally positive. Some of you will have be in classes you haven’t enjoyed or have had situations where you may have felt uncomfortable maybe even felt unsafe. So many aspects of our school stories have chapters dedicated to struggles and challenges.

So for Year 12 2019, what will your conclusion be all about? Will it be littered with magnificent accomplishments and major achievements or will it be dominated by significant personal challenges? Whatever your conclusion, hopefully it is a true reflection of what you have learnt about each and every day of your past schooling. 

For our  school, for our  public education system we hope your final pages will describe a young adult who has developed the capacity to be an informed, active and responsible person within the communities you  live. A young adult who has the critical thinking skills to understand how each and every year has contributed to how you have grown from a child to an adult. A young adult who understands that although we all want and seek fun in our lives we now also understand this comes with a responsibility to others.

You are still young and there are still many mistakes to be made but if our school system has achieved what it should, then the last page of your book describes you walking out of Tumut High School with a genuine understanding of what it means to have grown up. 

Have pride in showing everyone what you have become.

Congratulations to our Year 11 students who have been elected to School Leaders in 2020.

Captains are Dominic Erbacher and Lori Webb.

Vice Captains are Jamie O'Brien and Jessica Larter.

They are taking over from our 2019 leaders Sam, Samantha, Bronson and Clara who have done a wonderful job at representing Tumut High School.

We are a Positive Behaviour for Learning school and our values are Respect, Responsibility and Safety.

Students who demonstrate these values during lessons are rewarded with an extended recess. This term we have focused on Respect – Be Tolerant. Students who are accepting of differences and understand differences enrich our lives, will be creating social harmony and a sense of belonging. Our students demonstrate this behaviour by including others in teams, classroom activities and friendship groups. 

Also focused on was Responsibility - Be prepared. Students who are prepared will maximise learning opportunities and can do this by having all equipment required for tasks and wearing correct school uniform. 

Last focus for the term was Responsibility - Actively participate. Students will have a productive lesson if they have a say during the learning taking place. Many of our students regularly volunteer within our community and this is a great example of actively participating. Contributing ideas and going above and beyond expectations will always impress employers.

PLEASE NOTE - Aerosol spray cans (including spray deodrants) are not permitted at school as they pose a risk to asthmatics. Bringing roll on deodrant is following our PBL value of Safety - Care for others and be hygienic. 

Our team had great results from the finals of the ACT Secondary Schools Chess Tournament held this term. Tumut High School finished 11 out of 16 teams. Atticus Blenkins had 4 wins out of 7. Paddy Thompson 3 wins out of 7. Chad Smuts 2.5 wins out of 7 and Tay Crane 2 wins out of 7. 

The boys were up against many private colleges, such as Canberra Grammar, Radford College, Merici College, Daramalan College, Melba-Copland College, Carroline Chisolm, Telopea Park School and Lyneham High. It was great for the students of our small country school to have the opportunity to compete against these elite schools and the boys performed quite well. Chess is great for their problem solving skills and strategies and also their social skills. They will remember it for the rest of their lives and with that sort of exposure, they may want to go onto further study at University.   

By Mr Dierkx

Congratulations to our Year 7/8 debating team who earned the title of Zone Champions. They will now debate in Term 4 via video conference against other Zone winners to earn a spot in the Premiers Debating Challenge State finals. They are one step closer.

Year 9 students had a great time participating in the Wheelchair Roadshow that visited Tumut High School this term during Alternative Learning Program (ALP).

The Wheelchair Roadshow introduced the game of wheelchair basketball to our students and this activity helped students enhance communication skills and teamwork. Our students were inspired and motivated whilst learning a new skill.

Our Year 9/10 debating team went down to Asquith Girls High School in the State Quarter Final of the Premiers Debating Challenge in a video conference debate. We were the negative for the topic "That students should be banned from using personal electronic devices in NSW schools".

The opposition put forward a very detailed model and our team delivered their arguments with strong manner and method.  However, as battling a 3 minute model was difficult, our team were unable to break down all of their arguments - and at State level, it is the argument that is focused upon. Our students spoke for 8-9 minutes each, were very professional and had even improved upon their previous victory - as well as representing the school with pride. Congratulations to Daniel, Eddie, Megan and Abbey on their efforts and for being State Quarter Finalists - being 8th out of 200+ NSW schools is very impressive.

Thank you to Keely Wickman and Brooke Davies for their expert timekeeping and chairing of the debate.

By Mr Van Stekelenborg

Year 10 students are able to complete work experience as part of their studies in Year 10. Students are expected to find work experience, by contacting a host employer and discussing with our Careers Adviser the process of completing all paperwork.

Work experience has many benefits and provides a general introduction to the 'world of work'.

Both staff and students are very grateful to all the businesses that support this program.

We would also like to thank AKD, the Forestry Corporation and the NSW Department of Industry for hosting the forestry immersion excursion for our Year 10 students. Our students gained a realistic insight into the softwood industry in the local area.

Look how talented our Year 10 Hospitality students are in the kitchen! These layer cakes were created in a timely manner and showed great innovation. Teacher Mrs Pearce is very proud of her students displaying great employment traits.

Tumut High is very proud of Year 7 girls: Mikayla Elder, Valley Edwards, Lucy McGrath and Sophie Ciganek who competed in the 12yrs 4x100m relay at the NSW CHS Athletic Championships representing Riverina. Valley also ran in 200m and Mikayla in 800m. A fantastic achievement for these girls to qualify for this Carnival. The girls were very happy to have this opportunity.

Bailin attended Tumut High School in Year 7, 2007 to Year 12, 2012 where he was School Captain.

Bailin remembers his favourite subject to be music as it was extremely cool to perform with fellow classmates in the annual CAPA concerts. He fondly recalls the friendly environment and the strong sense of community within the school. Bailin said "I can still vividly remember how everybody gathered during lunch time to play competitive handball, and how Mr Dierkx would join to show off his moves from back in the days. Nevertheless, coming from a diverse background, I definitely felt like I was accepted and included within the school community from day one, which I am always thankful for."

Since graduating from THS, Bailin went on to complete a degree in Actuarial Science from the University of New South Wales and later on qualified as one the few thousand Chartered Enterprise Risk Actuary (CERA) worldwide. He started off his career as an Actuarial Consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers providing advice to governments and multinational banks on financial valuations and risk modelling. Now Bailin is working as Senior Pricing and Data Analytics Actuary at Allianz, one of the largest insurers in the world. He leads teams to execute pricing research and artificial intelligence transformation, ultimately driving product strategies of the company.

Bailin would like to advise students to "make the most of your time at Tumut High and have a go at all the amazing opportunities on offer, whether it is participating in a sport or in the SRC. The memories made or the teamwork skills learnt are invaluable."

Thank you to Bailin for sharing his story. 

Music students entertained the crowd at the "Friends of Tumut High School" reunion dinner held at the Golf Club on 21st September. Congratulations to Ben Jeffery, Chantia McPherson from Year 11 and Daisy James, Year 10, on fabulous performances.

The theme of the night was Music from the 1950s-1960s. "Build me Up Buttercup" and "What A Wonderful World" were very popular with the audience. Ben also played a guitar solo which highlighted the beautiful Maton guitar which was kindly donated by "Friends of Tumut High School" to our Music department a couple of years ago.

Roadcraft Driving Services and NDE Australia are currently conducting the Roads & Maritime Service (RMS) Safer Driver Course in Wagga Wagga, for Learner Drivers.

The next course will be held at the Wagga Wagga RSL, Dobbs Street Wagga Wagga, on Sunday, 13th October 2019, commencing at 9.00am.

For more information and to book visit www.ndeaustralia.com.au

Your local, public library has all the resources you need to smash your school work this year! Books, newspapers, magazines and DVDs are all free to borrow, and the library staff can help you find just what you need for your assignments, or for fun. Readers are learners! You don’t even need to come in to the library to find great information – check out the website at rrl.nsw.gov.au/info-online/ for great, reliable information.  Joining the library is FREE, and every member of the family can have their own library card. You can even get started online – just click on ‘Join the Library’ at rrl.nsw.gov.au. Everyone who joins the library during September, or refers a friend if they are themselves already a member, goes into the draw to win a voucher for a local café!

DCJ is offering scholarships to students enrolled in education or training. We know there are many bright, ambitious students who want to excel in their studies. The scholarship helps young people complete their studies and reach their full potential.

How much is the scholarship?

Each scholarship for the 2020 academic year is $1,000 (GST exempt). 

Who can apply for a scholarship?

You are eligible to apply if you are:

·         living in social  housing (includes public, community or Aboriginal housing), a social housing applicant, or receiving private rental assistance

·         living  in crisis/supported accommodation, or living  in out-of-home care

·         studying in Year 10, 11 or 12 at a NSW high school or TAFE in 2020

·         undertaking a school based apprenticeship or traineeship, or studying a VET subject at a NSW high school in 2020. 

What can I use the scholarship for?

You can use scholarship funds for:

·         text books, workbooks, study guides and stationery

·         computers or laptops, iPads or smartphones

·         specialist equipment (e.g. art, music or photographic materials)

·         course costs (including materials), excursions, study camps, sporting costs

·         computer software, printers, internet

·         childcare and transport

·         medical and support needs

·         other relevant educational materials or services.

 For more details visit www.facs.nsw.gov.au/facs-scholarships.

Refer image for how to apply.

The Age of Fishes Museum at 129 Gaskill Street, Canowindra is hosting a free Kid’s Activity Day during the School Holidays. 

SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN - FREE KIDS ACTIVITY DAY AT THE AGE OF FISHES MUSEUM IN CANOWINDRA. TUESDAY 8th OCTOBER FROM 10AM-1PM

Science Experiments, Craft Activities, Free Membership to our Kids Fossil Club and a Free Sausage Sizzle.  Kids free/ Adults $5.00 each.