EXCELLENCE, CREATIVITY AND LEADERSHIP IN ACTION

INVESTOR EXTRAORDINAIRE
James Moylan of Year 9 has certainly learned the lessons of how to invest successfully on the Australian Stock Exchange.  He was so successful that he has won first place in NSW and second place nationally in the Australian Stock Exchange competition 2009.  This is an outstanding achievement in a competition that receives a huge number of entries at both state and national level from all high school sectors.

Not only has James won cash prizes and a trophy for his success but has also won several thousand dollars for our school. This is an outstanding achievement which has also been acknowledged by our Regional Director in her communication to all principals in the Northern Sydney Region this week. 

Congratulations also to his teacher Mr Gardner who encouraged students to enter this competition as part of their studies in Commerce. During the year of the global financial crisis it is wonderful to know that our school is developing student understanding in how to invest successfully on the Australian Stock Exchange.  James will be presented with his prizes later this month.  We may need to ask James to share his tips for investor success in a future edition of e-news.

OUR OWN BUDDING MASTER CHEF
More student success has been celebrated this week when Catalina Gao received the  Year 11 Commercial Cookery award by the Northern Beaches Business Enterprise Network, presented at Miramare Gardens in Terrey Hills.  This award is well recognized by employers who may subsequently be seeking trainees in the Hospitality industry.  Well done Catalina and to her teacher Ms Thompson.

CREATIVITY AFFIRMED
We have been informed that Ruan Vlok’s HSC Visual Arts major work has been withheld, pending the announcement of the works to be displayed as part of Art Express, which celebrates the highest achieving  bodies of work that are submitted annually for the HSC.

One of our student films “Kneel for Nell” has been selected for the Arts North Film Festival – to be screened on Thursday 12 November at the Dendy Opera Quays. Congratulations to Lucas Moctezuma, Johannes Michael, Alexandra Perkins, Linda Moctezuma, Jack Hardie, Michael Galloway, Daniel Moctezuma and Timothy Chin and to their teacher Mrs Elliot.

Two students will be performing as part of the Northern Sydney Regional Choir – Holly and Dana Hutchison. They will join the massed choir for the Schools Spectacular which is the largest, high quality, variety show for students in NSW public schools.  They will be performing on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th November at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.  If you have not purchased a ticket and have never taken the opportunity to attend, this is a most enjoyable evening that all of the family can enjoy.

Last Saturday we also saw our three bands performing at Forestville Shopping Centre.  The music was wonderful and the students were extremely professional.  I would particularly like to recognize the efforts of our Intermediate Band Conductor and music teacher Mr Evanoff and the parents of the band committee who organized to transport all of the equipment and instruments to the venue and to all of the parents who were there to support the students and the school.  It was good to see the work of our other conductors Mark and Gerald with the Advanced Band and Stage Bands respectively.  Our music performances will be showcased again on 25th November in our Community of Schools Music evening, hosted at Crossley Hall.  Please come to share in a great evening of music and fun.

LEADERSHIP TO THE FORE
Last week our new student leadership team attended the annual leadership camp at Collaroy and undertook a leadership program created by “Rising Generations” for one day and followed by a planning day where they have mapped out a range of activities that they want to undertake in the coming months.  Thank you to their teachers Ms Reid, Mrs Hardy, Ms Suttle, Ms Parry, Mr Angus and Mr Page.

I was particularly impressed with the Prefects proposals which includes programs to:

• Promote a sense of community and positive relationships
• Well being – including healthy eating, exercise, mental health
• Enhancing the library facilities to encourage research and reading
• Promote stronger relationships with International students

The Captains and Vice Captains shared their draft proposals at their fortnightly morning tea with the Principal.  I believe this is a way to ensure regular communication between the student leaders and the school executive.

Following this we have seen student leadership in action when the Years 10 and 11 International students were on excursion to Taronga Zoo this week with our Deputies Ms McLean and Ms Kamasz, our Chinese Community Liaison Officer Mrs Lim and with Mrs Lentini from our office who provides a lot of direct assistance and support to our newly arrived students.  The student leaders who are also international students took the opportunity to prepare games that would help the students get to know each other better, whether they came from China, Korea, Japan, Thailand or any other country.

The S.R.C. has also had its first major fundraiser for Children’s Cancer Research by selling bandanas for  CAN Teen and holding a sausage sizzle yesterday.  This is part of the ongoing commitment to support other members of the broader community.

THANKING OUR ADMINISTRATION STAFF
This week is S.A.S. Recognition Week when we acknowledge the efforts of all of our administration staff.  I would like to thank all of our office staff: Mrs Smith (school administration manager) Mrs Lentini, Mrs Wotherspoon, Mrs Marks, Mrs Maddrell, Ms Eaton, Mrs Walker, our library clerical staff Mrs Foster and Mrs Lenehan, our science assistant Mrs Kruusamagi and our general assistant Mr Creer for their contribution to the successful running of our school and their assistance to students and teachers.  They are often in the frontline greeting visitors, parents and community members to our school and are crucial to the ongoing promotion of the positive public face of our school.

RISING TO THE ACADEMIC CHALLENGE
Our first group of Year 10 accelerated French students have successfully completed the HSC French Continuers examination and three of them are preparing for the HSC French Extension 1 examination at the same time as they are preparing for the School Certificate.  Their response to this challenge has been very positive and we are quietly confident that they will receive some excellent results.  This provides us with our first opportunity to evaluate this unique educational program within our school.

We have also had three year 11 students undertaking HSC Chemistry examinations, after pursuing this program of study at TAFE this year in conjunction with their other courses delivered at KHHS.  This was a choice that the students made given the range of courses that they had wanted to study at the school and timetable clashes with courses that they ranked more highly in their subject choices.  This pattern of study has created additional challenges for the students and two of the students and their parents, that I have interviewed, state that they would not recommend this mode of study due to the great workload and the compression of the two year course into 3 terms.  Apparently the advice they would share with other students considering this option is that this course at TAFE is probably better suited for students who want to re-sit the HSC, not for students new to the subject matter.  We wish them well in their first round of HSC examinations as they seek to accumulate their HSC over two years.

The School Certificate is commencing soon and we wish all students every success.  With good preparation and a systematic study program all students should be able to demonstrate their skills and achievement of learning outcomes.  I would remind all students and parents that if a student gets ill during or just before an examination they should apply for Illness Misadventure consideration.  The forms are with our Presiding Officer Mr. Love.  We did have a serious mishap this week when one of our HSC students was knocked off his bicycle on his way to attend his examinations. Fortunately he was able to proceed to school where he received first aid attention and we were also able to get immediate Special Provisions for him because he had knocked his right hand and therefore needed a scribe and separate supervision to help him complete his examinations.  He certainly indicated dedication to his studies and I have been pleased to see him successfully completing his final examinations this week and wish him well as he is about to embark on a basketball scholarship to the University of Hawaii upon the completion of his exams.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Next Monday evening 9th November at the P&C meeting - 7.30pm in E block common room Ms Van Gogh – Head Teacher Teaching and Learning will be discussing the Digital Education Revolution in our school and Mrs Hutchinson and Mr Bastin will be discussing the extension one and two English and Mathematics courses for the senior school.
• Thursday 12th November is the Executive Planning day which will be following up on our review of our teaching programs in the junior school and particularly addressing issues relating to the appropriate integration of ICT into teaching and learning.  This will also be the time when we look at our achievements of our Annual School Report targets and the preparation of the Draft School Management Plan for 2010.
• Friday 20th November year 9 and year 7 will be attending programs to help them make right choices and build self confidence and promote a sense of Well Being.  The two programs on the day are "Image Busters” and “Bully Busters"
• Monday 23rd November  7.00pm in Crossley Hall - Year 9 student and parent evening for the distribution of the new Lenovo Laptops.

HELP WANTED

• A small student committee has started to plan Chinese New Year celebrations for our school for 2010.  Next year Chinese New Year is officially on 14th February.  The students would like to hold a day event and a night time event for both our school and the wider community on Friday 12th February 2010 to celebrate the Year of the TIger.  The student committee needs your help.  They are particularly aware that a number of our students will be separated from their families, who are overseas at this time, and feel that it would be like many of our other students not being able to spend Christmas with their families.  They therefore want to make a joyous celebration so that students will “feel happy”.  If you are able to contribute in any way or know of any community contacts that could help in their planning please contact the office and leave your details and information.  I have been in touch with a neighbouring principal who recently had a fireworks display as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations.  This is something that I know the students would like to include as part of the evening celebrations so they are following up with this contact and will be seeking council approval to hold such an event.

FACILTIES UPDATE
Over the past few weeks a number of our rooms and corridors have been repainted as part of the federal government’s National Pride program.  The painting should finish within a week and next week we will have 8 classrooms re-carpeted and one staffroom under the same program.  The only program still to be started is the remaining upgrading of the student toilets.

We are also awaiting the start of our re-roofing under the state funded– Principal’s Priority Program and the school has purchased more blinds for more of our classrooms before we finalise the last installation of data projectors in our remaining classrooms.  The only school funded facilities work that will be delayed is our order for three more Interactive Whiteboards.  We hope that by early next year every classroom will have either an Interactive Whiteboard or a data projector connected to a Personal Computer.

Our next five projects are financially much more ambitious and where we will need significant parent support.  We are getting quotes for:

• Two shade areas – one adjacent to the library and one adjacent to the hall
• Seeking joint funding for a three classroom mezzanine in C block
• Ongoing lobbying to get our science laboratories upgraded (the school could not and should not have to fund these.  It will cost from $750,000 to $1,000,000 to upgrade all five laboratories and prep. rooms)
• Upgrading the facilities in the technology workshops and finalizing the kitchen upgrades.  We may be able to do some of this as part of our ongoing school funded facilities upgrades….. HOWEVER…..
• We are in discussions with Forest High School at the moment to see if we can put together a combined application for a Trade Training Centre which is a federal initiative where we may be able to get significant funds to upgrade our workshops and kitchen facilities or to create new facilities.

STAFF TRAINING
A lot of time and effort is currently being put into training with the new Lenovo Notebooks and the related software.  Teachers from all faculties have been undertaking external training and participating in internal training programs that have been supported by one of our Regional Consultants Sabreena Taylor.

Our school is also finalizing its part in the E-Smart Trial which is reviewing a new website addressing cyberbullying and cybersafety and will be participating in the National Pilot program to be an E-Smart school, as part of our aim to address the Well Being of students and to demonstrate responsible use of new technologies.

Killarney Heights continues to be a hive of activity as we seek to improve the quality of teaching and learning and to improve the quality of the learning and working environment for everyone within the school.

Kim Jackson
Principal

YEAR 9 ADVISERS REPORT

Year 9 have been given their ‘Extra Curricular Information’ sheets to return to their roll call teacher by Friday 13 November. This information is then included on their Yearly Report. It is good for prospective employers as well as themselves as a record of their personal achievements here at Killarney Heights High school.

REMEMBER
Yearly Exams – Thursday 5 November to Friday 13 November
Learning Journeys – Friday 4 December

Please send notes for your son/daughters absence as these are also recorded on the Yearly Reports as explained or unexplained absences depending on whether a note has been received or not.  Lateness also needs to be explained. The lateness slips from the front office have a section for you to complete and sign and then return via the letterbox at the front office. They are similarly recorded as explained or unexplained on their Yearly Reports. It does not look good to have lots of unexplained absences or lateness on their Yearly Report.

Thank you
J Cheney

YEAR 10 ADVISER'S REPORT

This is a busy and exciting term for Year 10 students.  The students have completed their Trial School Certificate exams and should be preparing themselves for the “real thing” next week.  The School Certificate exams run from Monday 9 November 2009 through to Friday 13 November 2009.  Students have been issued with the exam timetable and the exam rules.

Ms Jackson has spoken to the students about the school’s expectations during the examination period.  Students will attend school every day next week and they will attend class when not doing a School Certificate exam.  They will also wear full school uniform.  This is the first time these students have sat such a comprehensive set of tests covering their achievements during Years 7-10 and I look forward to reviewing their results.  I wish them the best of luck for next week.

With the School Certificate almost behind them the students have been finalising their subject selections for Year 11.  It has been good to see young people so engaged in the process of consultation with their parents, the curriculum advisers (Ms Van Gogh and Ms McDermott) and in some cases, the Principal, Ms Jackson.  As Year Adviser I can offer support or advice to those students who are not sure of what they want to choose.  It is always a difficult and stressful process but, more often than not, ends up with worthwhile choices and successful outcomes.

After the School Certificate exams Year 10 are to attend school until Year 10 Graduation Day on December 10, 2009.  The Graduation Ceremony will begin at 2.10pm and parents are welcome to attend the ceremony.  A separate notice with further details about the ceremony will go home with students.

So, apart from attending all classes, what requirements do students need to fulfil in the weeks after the School Certificate exams?  Here’s the list:

1.  Students MUST complete the mandatory Board of Studies program called “All My Own Work” by the 27th November 2009.  This course involves completing 5 on-line modules from the Board of Studies and giving a short oral presentation to their roll group.  The modules cover information on plagiarism and how to acknowledge sources that the student may use in written assessments during Years 11 and 12.  The oral presentation (on a topic of interest to the student) must be researched and presented in such a way that it is all the student’s own work.  Students cannot sit the HSC exam in 2011 if they haven’t completed this program.

2.  Students will complete the School-to-Work program during Weeks 5-6 of Term 4.  This program aims to help students with planning successful pathways to a career after they complete their formal education.  It also encourages students to build a positive profile of the skills and abilities that make them more employable.

3. During Weeks 6-7 a number of worthwhile courses are being offered to Year 10 students who want to start building a CV or just want to make it easier to gain some part time employment in the future.  These courses include a 2-day First Aid (Certificate 2) course, a Barista course, Peer Support Training, a 1-day Business Skills course and a full day tour of the Macquarie University campus.  Students are encouraged to be proactive and sign up for as many as they can.  Some courses have limited numbers and involve a cost. Further information can be gained from Ms McDermott, the Career’s Adviser.

Finally, the Year 10 Formal will be held at “Mandalay” in Lane Cove on Tuesday, 1 December 2009.   Our Formal has been held at this venue for many years and has always been an enjoyable evening for all.  It will be attended by at least 8 staff and the Mandalay provides security on the night.  The cost of the function will be $88.00 which includes meal, beverages, floral and table decorations, full table service and music. The function will start at 7pm and finish at 11pm.  Students will need to make their own arrangements to and from the formal.  Students must RSVP with full payment by 16th November, 2009 because final numbers have to be given to the Mandalay no later than the 16th November, 2009.  An invitation to the Formal will be sent home with students shortly.

T Gaal – Year 10 Adviser

Congratulations to KHHS language students awarded ACER Certificates

Every year, language students at Killarney Heights High School participate in the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) Australian Languages Certificates (ALC) program.  The tests comprise listening and reading comprehension in which students respond to realistic texts and situations. The language teachers conduct the tests at school in the first week of August. Students have just received their certificates and results.

Students from French (Accelerated), French, Chinese and Japanese sat for the tests. All students who paid for a Certificate receive a certificate with one of the following grades: Participation, Pass, Credit, Distinction or High Distinction.

Of the 45 students of the accelerated French program who sat Certificate 2, 42.2% received High Distinctions for Listening, and 17.8% received Distinctions. For Reading 13.3% gained High Distinctions and 31% gained Distinctions. Of the 29 students who sat Certificate 3, 13.8% gained High Distinctions in Listening and 51.7% gained Distinctions. We can be proud of these results and congratulate Madame Forbes and the students.

Of particular interest to teachers, students and parents are the French accelerated results since 2009 is the first year that students who started in an accelerated class in Year 7 are sitting for the HSC French Continuers exam in Year 10.

It has been optional for students of Italian, Chinese and Japanese to sit the ACER Certificates so those results reflect  the proficiency of those who chose to pay for the certificate. It is not surprising therefore to find that these results were also pleasing with a high percentage of distinctions and credits. Congratulations to all those students too for accepting the challenge.  In 2010 Languages teachers will have all students to take the test as part of their language program. The ACER certificate provides  language students with an extra purpose for learning language and a reward for their efforts. The Language Faculty would appreciate parents’ cooperation in paying the Languages Certificate fee with school fees to ensure that all language students will be able to take the test and receive a certificate in October 2010.  The certificates will cost $8.00 for Certificate 1(beginners) and $11.00 for Certificates 2 and 3(Intermediate).

P Carpenter

HSIE FACULTY REPORT

CONGRATULATIONS – JAMES MOYLAN

James Moylan,  Year 9  Commerce student, has excelled in the ASX Schools Sharemarket Game. His syndicate ‘James Moylan’ has won second prize in the National Division and 1st Prize in the NSW Division of the ASX Schools Sharemarket Game. He will be awarded a trophy to mark his achievement and cash prize money. The school will receive $2000 for the national second prize and $2000 for State 1st prize as a result of James’s efforts. James will attend a National presentation ceremony in Sydney in November also. Well done James and  thank you to all the other Year 9 Commerce students who participated. Special thanks also to Mr Gardner who organised all the entries for the competition in 2009.

G Page

YEAR 12 ADVISER AND CAREER NEWS

The HSC exams are almost over and I am sure most students will be feeling a bit more relaxed so I thought I would just re-cap on some important information for Year 12.

ATAR release
UAC will release ATAR’s to NSW HSC students on Thursday 17th December 2009 at 9am via www.uac.edu.au. Students will need their Board of Studies number or UAC application number, and their UAC PIN to access their ATAR. UAC will be running an enquiry centre to help answer questions about the ATAR.

UAC Some universities add new courses or withdraw courses after the publication of the UAC guide. For the latest course information, visit the UAC website at www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/courses/updates/

The Department of Education and Training offers a FREE Careers Advisory Service to all students during the summer school holidays.  The free service is available by phone or through the website www.cas.det.nsw.edu.au. It will be available from Thursday 17th December 2009 to Friday 8th January 2010. Careers advisers will be available on 1300 300 687 to answer your enquiries. The Careers Advisory Service website contains helpful information and links to assist you in clarifying course choices, employment opportunities, careers pathways and training options.

The 2010 C.A.S. Hawker Scholarships open on December 7th and close on January 8th. They are available to Australian students to study at a large number of Universities and Colleges.

The scholarships, valued at up to $60,000.00 over four years, are the most generous privately funded scholarships available to undergraduate and postgraduate students in Australia.
 
An application form, scholar profiles, including the seven recipients in 2009, FAQs and the remarkable life story of C.A.S. Hawker can be found on the website
www.hawkerscholarship.org
<http://www.hawkerscholarship.org>

Good luck to all year 12 students and we hope to see you at the morning tea to be held here at school on Thursday 17th December.

 Ms McDermott (Yr 12 Adviser)

CAREERS NEWS

Click here for further news and information

CONGRATULATIONS

Catalina Gao for outstanding achievement in Year 11 Hospitality.  Catalina only started her Hospitality studies at Killarney heights High School in term 2 and made an outstanding effort to catch up with her peers.  In term 3 she completed mandatory work placement at the Manly Wharf Hotel.  Her employers were so impressed with her skill level and attitude that they nominated her for this regional award.

Kate Thompson

DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARD SCHEME

Part of the scheme is of course the Adventurous Journeys component.

The Bronze Award participants undertook their second qualifying expedition the first Sunday and Monday in November.  They carried rucksacks from Hornsby to Crosslands reserve where they pitched camp.

The next day they walked to Mt Kuring-gai station, much of the route being along a beautiful rainforest gully.  It was hot, humid and hilly yet the students worked well in their teams to get through in good shape.  Plenty of wildlife was met along the way; particularly notable were the Galston chickens, a pack of Lyrebirds and, most cuddly of all, plenty of friendly leeches.

Many thanks go to the accompanying teachers who made the hike possible – Mr Falk and Mr Cameron.

There are a number of students who have nearly completed their current level.  Keep up the good work, have those books signed then see me and get that badge!

Mr Collins
Award Coordinator KHHS

STUDY TOUR TO CHINA

Killarney Heights High School is organizing a Study Tour to China for students from the Chinese and Social Sciences courses.

The study of Chinese language and culture is of particular importance to Australians, both culturally and economically. Killarney Heights High School offers Chinese language classes in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10. Most of these students interested in participating in the  tour are of English speaking background and have never been to China. The school has a commitment to increasing the number of students studying Chinese. The tour will motivate the students to continue to study Chinese by providing them with the opportunity to hear and use the language and to further develop inter-cultural awareness. 

The Social Science students, particularly those that study Business Studies and Economics, will gain knowledge and understanding of China, its economy, business, culture and society. This will supplement their course knowledge on a developing country's economy  (Economics) and of global business (Business Studies). It is anticipated that these students who take Economics or Business will develop a greater awareness of values/attitudes with regards to international trade and diplomacy between Australia and China. Also a result of the inter-cultural experiences they will be better prepared to live and work in the global economy.

It is also anticipated that all participants will develop a better general understanding of, and interest in the Chinese overseas students in their school, and become more aware of their own cultural identities. The knowledge, skills and understanding gained will serve the students well in their future study, life and work in multi-cultural Australia and in the global society and business world.

Proposed departure date: 24 September 2010 (last day of Term 3)
Proposed return date: 4 October 2010
The itinerary includes 4 star accommodation and workshops, visits to famous places and schools in Beijing, Nanjing, Huangzhou and Shanghai.

For further details please come to the China Tours Information Evening in the Library at Killarney Heights High School at 6.00 pm on Monday 30 November 2009. The travel agent will be giving a presentation about the tour and responding to your enquiries.
The KHHS Tour coordinator: Pamela Carpenter, Head Teacher Languages.
Contact pamela.joy.carpenter@det.nsw.edu.au

YEAR 9 LAPTOPS

PARENTS (AND STUDENTS) INFORMATION EVENING
7PM MONDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2009
CROSSLEY HALL

The new Lenovo laptops will be issued to students on this evening following the return of the laptops usage agreement which will be issued to students after their School Certificate Examinations.

The school will be donating nine completed wraps.  A huge thank you to Mrs M Harte who beautifully completed two whole wraps, Mrs D Andrews who completed enough beautiful squares for nearly a whole wrap and two staff members Mrs M Cunningham and Mrs C Forbes for their contributions.  My sister also made quite a few squares.  All help was very much appreciated.
Thank you so much
Inna Kruusamagi 

SECOND HAND TEXTS FOR SALE

WHAT'S ON

FANS MARCHE DE NOEL MARKETS

Due to building works at the primary school, this year
the FANS Marché de Noel (Christmas markets) will be held at KHHS
on Friday 20th November from 3:10-8pm
The students that are going on the Italian/French trip will be selling cakes and they will have an Australian BBQ
Pencil this date in your diaries
If you would like a stall, please contact Sabine Duffy at the KHPS

3 DAY SUMMER ROCK MUSIC CAMPS

Click here for further information

WANTED

CRAFT FAIR AND MARKET DAY

FORESTVILLE UNTING CHURCH
7 November 10am - 2pm
Click here for more information