Tumut High School Newsletter

Issue 2 - Thursday, 19th March 2020

Respect, Responsibility, Safety

A snapshot of Tumut High School at Tumut Show

Principal's Message

Please, if you have not already done so, read carefully the information in this newsletter relating to COVID-19.  
At the moment we are definitely living in an uncertain world. The information included gives valuable advice and has relevant phone numbers and links to help how we cope in dealing with the COVID-19 and its impact on your son or daughter. Please take note of the practical advice and encourage everybody in the family to adopt what has been suggested.  
Finally I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge how impressive it has been to watch the school community adapt to this evolving situation. The professionalism of staff, the positive attitude of students and the cooperative dealings with parents/carers has all enabled the school to respond, as necessary, to the changes happening everyday.
Please continue to keep updated using the links provided and hopefully collectively we can provide some certainty to a very  uncertain  world.

By Don Dixon, Principal

COVID-19 Information for Parents

Security Fence Update

The Department of Educations School Security Unit is in the final stages of completing the installation of the upgraded Security fence. These works have been progressing at various sites around the state and are designed to improve the protection of the physical asset (buildings and equipment) as well as students and staff. The main entrance to the school office from Bogong Place has now been fitted with an intercom system and cameras, as has the carpark entrance on Sydney Street.
When arriving at the gate visitors press the intercom button and will speak to one of our Admin staff. The gate will be opened automatically from within the office.  Video footage is monitored by the School Security Unit. Visitors are reminded that they need to sign in at the Admin Office or Wellbeing Hub if leaving the main office area. 
Further changes to access via other gates will be finalised in the coming weeks.

Tumut High School Wellbeing Hub

The Wellbeing Hub has been introduced to strengthen and develop partnerships between schools and community services. The building will serve to facilitate access to support structures with students and their families.

Students and staff are also encouraged to utilise the building for meetings and smaller group lessons. 

Such Community Services are welcome to visit the building for meetings and are invited to ring Tumut High School Wellbeing Hub on 6947 0629 to arrange the booking of a meeting room.

Message from Learning and Wellbeing Team

At Tumut High School we are committed to ensuring a safe and happy environment for your child. Our Learning and Wellbeing Team are here to support all students. Please contact the school on 6947 0600 if you wish to speak to a team member with any concerns regarding your child.

Smashed Project

Year 8 students were presented an educational performance by Smashed Project  to break underage drinking. For more details on this project visit 
https://www.wearegibber.com/schools/breaking-underage-drinking/

Smashed Project are also trying to engage with students’ parents in the hope they can continue the conversation around underage drinking at home. 
‘A guide to talking about underage drinking with your teenager’ is available here or on their website.
View the Smashed Parents Guide

School Notices

NSW Department of Education School Updates app

Introducing the NSW Department of Education School Updates app. ??

Opt-in to receive notifications when public schools have temporarily ceased operations due to adverse weather, bushfires or other emergencies.

Find out more and download the app now: https://bit.ly/2PD2jd3

*Posted by the NSW Department of Education*

Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent Teacher Interviews were to be held for Year 7 to Year 12 on Tuesday, 17th March 2020.

Teachers will attempt to contact all parents who had made a booking by Friday, 20th March.

Why have a parent teacher interview?

Parent teacher interviews give you a great opportunity to:

  • learn more about your child’s academic, emotional and social development
  • meet and get to know your child’s teachers
  • help your child’s teachers understand more about your child
  • make plans with teachers about how you can all support your child
  • build a relationship with your child's school


If you would like to speak to your child's teacher at any time please phone the school on 6947 0600 to arrange.

Sentral Parent Portal

The Sentral Parent Portal is a great resource to access student timetable and student notices.

The Portal also provides details on attendance for your child. 

For more information on the Sentral Parent Portal visit our website 

https://tumut-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/ and click on the tab on the right labelled Sentral Parent Portal. 

Uniform

A reminder that full school uniform, including black leather enclosed shoes, is to be worn every day. The navy polo shirt is permitted to be worn everyday and not just on sports day.

With the weather cooling down it is advisable to have a school hoodie or school jacket. Please ensure items of clothing are labelled to assist with returning to rightful owner if misplaced.

Uniforms can be purchased locally at  ‘Swans of Tumut’ and ‘Mensland’. Pre-loved uniforms are available through St. Vincent de Paul and through the Special Education faculty at school. For financial assistance to purchase uniforms please contact Head Teacher Wellbeing, Mr Somerville in the Wellbeing Hub on 6947 0629.

School payments

Any payments to the school for excursions and sport etc can be made at the office with cash, cheque or EFTPOS.

Online payments can also be made via our website - tab labelled Make a Payment - https://tumut-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/

or via Skoolbag App - Parent Online Payment (POP).

If making payments online please ensure permission notes are returned to school with receipt number recorded on the note.

Scholastic Book Club

Scholastic Book Club catalogue Issue 2 is available from the Resource Centre or visit https://www.scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-parents/. Orders are due to Resource Centre by recess Friday, 20th March.

Online ordering is also an option.

Maths support

Our Maths faculty are happy to assist students with improving their understanding of mathematics. If you would like extra support with maths please contact your classroom teacher to arrange this extra support at school.

Parents forum

The AGM for Tumut High School P&C was held this week and unfortunately not all committee positions have been filled. It is important to form a committee at Tumut High School as the P&C manages the canteen and profits from the canteen are donated to the school for various projects to better the school for our students. It is also important to have a forum for parents to express their ideas and concerns that affect the school.

Thank you to Michelle Johnson who has been the President and strong supporter of the P&C over the years but will be leaving Tumut High as she will no longer have children at the school. We would like to encourage all parents to consider being part of THS P&C and would like to especially welcome new Year 7 parents to be members of this group.

Meetings are held the 3rd Monday of each month during school terms, so therefore there is only 9 meetings for the whole year. If you are interested please phone the office and leave your details for the P&C Secretary to get in touch with you. The next P&C meeting will be held on Monday, 18th May 2020.

Please consider coming along to the next meeting in May to support the P&C Association that supports your child at Tumut High.

Outgoing President Report is below.

HSC Minimum Standard Information

School Values

PBL lessons this term have been on Safety;

- Be Hygienic

- Be Careful

- Follow Procedures

- Care for Others

All students in Yr 7-11 who demonstrate this expected behaviour throughout the lesson are acknowledged with an extended recess or lunch break of 7 minutes on the day of the delivered PBL lesson. 

What's On

Term 1 2020

As at 19th March;

Week 11- Thursday, 9th April - Last day of Term 1 

School resumes Term 2 for students on Tuesday, 28th April 2020

Skoolbag App update

To ensure your app is up to date please visit 

https://skoolbaghelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360015536632-How-to-update-to-the-new-SkoolBag-App 

To ensure you are receiving notices specific to your child's school year please update your year group. To do this open up Skoolbag App and click on our school logo icon at top of the page. Then click on GROUPS. Click on Add/remove groups to update your year groups. 

School Activities

Mural in a day

THS students recently had the opportunity to work with artists Neil Tomkins and Trevor McDonald to produce a stunning mural in one day. Funded by the NSW Arts Unit, Visual Arts students ranging from Years 7-12 were guided in using spray paints and designing and producing a mural.

It has pride of place at the back of the FD Purcell Centre and is admired by many.

More photos of this activity are on our Facebook page.

Year 11 Agriculture

Year 11 Agriculture students had an informative visit to Malone's Dairy to complement their studies.

Mr Kevin Malone showed the students the ins and outs of his dairy.

Topics covered included; pasture and irrigation management, animal husbandry and welfare, artificial insemination, effluent management, weeds and pest management, milk production, record keeping, farm technology and constraints on the dairy industry.

Mr Malone provided flavoured milk for morning tea and we all enjoyed scones and cream.

Thanks to Mr Malone for his time and expertise which will help the students with an upcoming assessment task. Students had an exceptionally great time despite the welcomed rain. Thanks also to Ms Dean for providing transport. 

 By Mrs Beale

Year 10 Agriculture

Year 10 Agriculture students recently visited a Batlow farm to complement their Beef Cattle studies. They were able to observe and help carry out animal husbandry activities on a small herd. During the excursion, they exhibited a fantastic ‘can do’ attitude, were attentive and learnt new skills and knowledge.

With a little time to spare, they demonstrated community spirit which has been seen around the region since the fires and helped the farmer (Mr Oag) clean up some fallen trees. They did this willingly and got a big job done quickly due to their excellent work ethic.

It was a pleasure to take them out of school and Mr Oag was very impressed with our students.

By Mrs Beale

School Sport Report

Open Boys Basketball Knockout

Congratulations to our Open Boys Basketball team who have played Round 1 in the Riverina knockout and won the Grand Final against Wagga High 51-27. The team is coached by Mr Morreski and the boys played very well to be undefeated.

Open Soccer Knockout

Great victory for our Open soccer team defeating Gundagai High 10-0.

Our team is coached by Mr Lopez and Dylan Piper Bye.

Southern Slopes Zone Swimming Carnival

Our students had a great day at the Southern Slopes Zone Swimming Carnival held in Cootamundra on Thursday 20th February. Success for our swimmers included fantastic results in the relays and record breaking swims to Kade Knight and Eddie Dodds. More photos in the gallery on our website.

Riverina Swimming Carnival

Congratulations to all our swimmers who raced at the Riverina Swimming Carnival in Leeton on Monday, 2nd March. Well done to our Boys All age 6x50 relay team coming first joining the Boys 16 yrs and the Boys 17yrs relay teams to qualify for the NSWCHS State Carnival. Our Open boys medley relay team also came first and broke a Riverina record. More photos on our website https://tumut-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/

Students to qualify at this carnival to compete at the NSWCHS State Carnival for both individual and relay events were;

Year 7 - Mia Buckingham, Dylan Butt and Kian Knight

Year 8 - Byron Crawford

Year 9 - Eddie Dodds

Year 10 - Nathan Butt, Daniel Castle, Zac Treglown

Year 11 - Harry Bottero, Andy Dodds, Kade Knight, Duncan Smallwood


THS Radio News

Presenters on Sounds of the Mountains

THS Radio News is presented on local radio station "Sounds of the Mountains" each Thursday during school terms. Commencing Thursday, 19th March our timeslot will be around 1:40pm.

(Note change of time from 11:15am)

All students are invited to put their name down with Mr V in the English Staffroom to have a turn throughout the year.

Brock from Year 8 and Aidan from Year 10 enjoyed the experience speaking on the radio on behalf of Tumut High School and Tumut Clontarf Academy.

Student Stories and Student Success

Canberra Royal Show

Many Tumut High School students, parents, former students, and support staff recently attended the Canberra Royal Show camping for 5 days to participate in the cattle parading.

Our students from Year 8 to Year 11 entered the following sections: School Paraders, Junior Judging, Calf Capers and Charolais Stud competitions over the week. All students performed exceptionally well in the ring displaying confidence and great stewardship.

Results in parading were as follows; Lacey Quinn U14 4th in heat, Claudia Rummery U15 5th ribbon, Kyah Driscoll U15 1st in heat, Rhys Kell U16 1st ribbon, Sophie Day U16 2nd ribbon and Ella Day U16 5th ribbon

Tumut Cattle Paraders team came 2nd in calf capers competition with RYCE Rocket. 

In the Charolais Stud section RYCE Cutie Pie 17 with bull calf RYCE Rocket were awarded Charolais Champion with RYCE Cutie Pie 18 being awarded the Junior Champion Charolais Female. The successful paraders were Ella Day, Lacey Quinn, Rhys Kell and Brandon Wilson.

More great results were RYCE Prince, a 625kg Charolais X Angus Steer being awarded Reserve Champion led steer paraded by Claudia Rummery and Lacey Quinn.

Other competitors involved were Molly Davies, Breanna Holmes, Zachary Pask, Monique Toppin and Mackenzie Day. Very special to have former students sharing their knowledge and enjoying the experience with new students.

A huge thank you to Megan and Scott Day, Barry and Carol Turner, Trish and Allan Day, Ben Kell and Larry Casey with Mr Tony Butler for all the assistance leading up to and during the show. 

More photos from Canberra Royal Show are in the gallery on our website.

Canberra Royal Show

Tumut Clontarf Academy

Tumut Clontarf Academy have had a busy start to the year and details of their happenings can be found in their first newsletter for 2020 available on our website; https://tumut-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/about-our-school/what-we-offer.html

Careers

Thank you to the Australian Defence Force recruiting team for visiting and sharing information about their career options, entry requirements, training and gap year program.

If any students would like more information on joining the Defence Force or details for university entry, job vacancies and school based traineeships please visit Mrs Stroud in the Careers room.

Traineeship

Congratulations to Grace Denny in Year 11 for signing up for a school based traineeship in Education Support at Brungle Public School.

Work Experience

Thank you to Fulla Fresh Meats for hosting Rhys in Year 10 for work experience.

Community Announcements

Tumut Takes 2 Fundraiser

MSP Photography

Mental Health First Aider Training

Tumut High School

We would like to pay our respects and acknowledge Wiradjuri and Wolgalu people, the traditional custodians of the land and also pay respect to Elders both past, present and future.


Respect, Responsiblity, Safety