WYNDHAM COLLEGE A partner within the Nirimba Collegiate Group of Schools and the Nirimba Education Precinct

WYNDHAM WHISPERS
Nirimba Education Precinct, Eastern Road, Quakers Hill Phone: 9208 7100 Fax: 9208 7199 Website: www.wyndhamcol-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

AUGUST 2013
Principal Karen Smith Deputy Principals David Macleod-Jones & Robert Bredin Collegiate Deputy Principal Joe Camilleri

AUGUST August 20 August 20 August 21 August 22 August 26

Friends of Wyndham Yr11 Fast Forward UWS Excursion Road Youth Trauma Forum Yr11 Biology- Mt Annan Botanic Gardens HSC ART Breaky

SEPTEMBER September 9-20 September 11 September 17 September 19 September 20

Yr 11 Exams Support-Aust Pioneer Village Friends of Wyndham Year 12 Graduation End Term 3

FROM THE COLLEGE PRINCIPAL It seems incredible that Year 12 students have almost completed their Wyndham experience. With the completion of the trial HSC examinations, it is now only the remainder of this term that these students have until they graduate and then sit for the HSC examinations. It is absolutely imperative that students keep working to the best of their ability, in order to maximise their HSC outcomes. Any outstanding assessment material must be redeemed so that Wyndham College can supply assessment marks for the students that are as good as they can be. Year 11 are also on a short time line. Their HSC course work begins at the start of Term 4. This means that all assessment material must be cleared so that those students can be deemed as having satisfied the Preliminary course requirements. Year 11 course work concludes with their examinations in Weeks 9 and 10 of this term. I am delighted that our school has been selected to participate in a Department of Education and Communities pilot of the Tell Them From Me student survey. The survey aims to help improve student learning outcomes and measures factors that are known to affect academic achievement and other student outcomes. The focus of the NSW pilot project is on student wellbeing, engagement and effective teaching practices. More information about the survey is available at: http://www.cese.nsw.gov.au/surveys/ttfm-parents

FRIENDS OF WYNDHAM COLLEGE (P & C)

All Parents are invited to attend

Tuesday 20 August 2013 7PM

Administration Block

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The survey will provide our school with valuable and quick feedback on what our students think about school life, how engaged they are with school and the different ways that teachers interact with them. Schools in Australia and around the world have used the Tell Them From Me survey to help improve how they do things at school. I want to assure you that the survey is anonymous and students cannot be identified by their responses. The survey is conducted online and will take around 30 minutes to complete. It will be administered during school hours between 19 August and 6 September. An information sheet and consent form about the survey is being sent home with students. David Macleod-Jones Relieving College Principal

FROM THE YEAR 11 DEPUTY PRINCIPAL Having arrived at Wyndham College refreshed after a bit of long service leave, I am really looking forward to working with all members of the college community to make a contribution to the Colleges educational journey. This week we had a visit from our Board of Studies Liaison Officer who discussed with staff how students can maximise their results. For Year 11, their next opportunity that counts is the exams coming up in just four weeks. For Year 12 it is somewhat more urgent. 1. Be Organised and Meet Deadlines In other words, USE YOUR DIARY!!! I would be absolutely lost without my diary. Knowing WHAT needs to be done and WHEN it needs to be done by are crucial skills for success. They are NOT skills which we are born with. They are skills which need to be LEARNED. And it is not just about success at school. Being organised and meeting deadlines are a big part of success in life generally. When I look in diaries it is apparent that some students use them to record when their friends birthdays and parties are. I guess that is being organised in their personal life but being organised in their academic life leads to success at school and more life choices for life after school. Parents You can assist your children by checking their diary each week. If you hear about an assignment or homework that doesnt appear in the diary, ask Why? I have been looking at the number of students who have received multiple N Award warning letters and will start chasing the worst offenders ASAP. It seems to me that students not being organised is a big part of the problem, and yet, so easy to fix with a little effort. 2. Be on time to school and to each class. Many classes, already on task and working, are disrupted over the first few minutes of each period while late students wander in oblivious to the disrespect they are showing their class mates by not only disrupting their learning but also stealing the one more mark that may have been possible that lesson. Also, plan your day so that you dont need to go to the toilet during class (thus causing more disruption). Worse still is that group of students choosing not to attend some classes another group I will be chasing up quite soon. 3. Study I realise that this is not a favourite concept for some students. BUT ... it need not be as difficult as students think. a. Use a highlighter pen when studying at home (or even while in class) to highlight key words, phrases or sentences. This makes future study easier because there is a much smaller volume of work to revise. Use a different highlighter colour to highlight important concepts that the student has not yet stored in their memory (and therefore needs more attention). _______________________________________________________________________________ 2

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b. For each unit of work in a subject, write up one page with a point-form summary of the work to be revised. One page is easier to study in a hurry than 10 or more. c. Much preparation and revision will occur leading up to the Yearly Exams and HSC. Students should study at home and bring to school concepts or past questions they are struggling with. 4. LISTEN in class. Your written notes are not very useful if you dont understand them because you didnt listen to the teacher explanation. Often students think that education is the busy work of writing and drawing. They dont realise that REAL education is UNDERSTANDING and that comes from listening as well as .... 5. ASKING QUESTIONS. We teachers might sometimes assume that students understand the material if they dont indicate otherwise. My view (and I tell my classes this) is that if I explain a concept and students dont understand (assuming of course that they listened), then I have not done my job; I then explain in different ways so that my students DO understand. 6. Make sure that you get the work into your book or onto your netbook (but not while the teacher is explaining). A blank book makes study a bit harder. 7. WHATS IN IT FOR ME? When you consider that an average working life is 40 years, a bit of effort here at school is a small price to pay in order to have more career choices later. For ME, the reward was the job I now do a job I absolutely love (most of the time). I was brought up on a farm. My father told all four of his sons to get an education and go over those mountains and dont come back. HE saw the value of education. I was the first in my family to go to university. I suspect I would have been a lousy farmer. I tell my students that a university education is not for everyone but that they could and should reach for the stars and make some sacrifices at school because the life choices they will then have are worth it. Thank you to all who have welcomed me to Wyndham College. I look forward, with great passion and excitement, to the challenges ahead. Regards Robert Bredin Deputy Principal

FROM THE COLLEGIATE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL One of the most important programs which operate within the Collegiate is the Transitioning of our students from the different stages in our educational structure of stage 3 into 4 (junior into high school) stage 4 into 5 (in the junior year) and from stage 5 into stage 6 (senior high school). Programs at this point of time include the Taster Lessons, Science Enrichment day, Try-a day at Wyndham, apprenticeship / traineeship information night, subject selection evening and visitations by the College Deputy Principal. Throughout this transitioning process students are always supported and encouraged to do their best to achieve the best possible outcomes. At Wyndham College some students are given the opportunity to excel, in their next stage of their education, by partaking in the completion of University units of work including Psychology and Health, Marketing Practices, Principles of Economics, Engineering Design and Construction Practice. I was privileged to witness 9 Wyndham students receiving awards for the completion of these units. This achievement enables them improved access to the University of Western Sydney, especially before their HSC Examinations. _______________________________________________________________________________ 3

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All of the year 10 cohorts from 7-10 feeder schools (Riverstone High, Quakers Hill High and Seven Hills High) are interviewed to align their subject choices and enrolment documentation in readiness for transitioning into Wyndham College. Our students are guaranteed a place at Wyndham College. So its imperative that all students attend to these interviews and ensure that all enrolment documentation is complete and submitted to their careers advisor for processing. May I commend our careers team for their wonderful and professional care given to all our year ten students in this interview transitioning program. Further, although its not mandatory, thanks to those parents who opted to attend their childs interview in selecting subjects for Wyndham College in 2014. Please dont hesitate to give me a call at Wyndham College on 9208 7100 if you have any query regarding any of the processes specified. Yours in Education: Mr Joe Camilleri - Collegiate Deputy Principal. FREE PLANTS FOR COLLEGE A big thank you to all families and staff who have kindly donated their Blacktown City Council free allocation of 2 plants to the school. At this stage we have a total of 50 plants. This is fantastic and will go a long way to further beautifying our school.

SRC SUGGESTION BOX Any students with sensible suggestions can put them in the SRC Suggestion Box located in the schools Library. The SRC meet every Thursday at lunchtime in E6 so suggestions

UNIFORM SHOP The Uniform Shop is open on Thursdays 12.30pm -1.30pm It is located at the top of C Block. EFTPOS is now available with a surcharge of $3.00 Orders are to be paid in full at time of ordering.

FREE -MATHS TUITION All students are invited to join the free Maths tuition that is held in C4 every Tuesday afternoon from 3pm to 4pm. Be there!

FREE -CHEMISTRY TUTORIALS Every Tuesday at 3pm 4pm in B01

FREE -PHYSICS TUTORIALS Every Monday at 3pm 4pm in B0 _______________________________________________________________________________ 4

Wyndham College Greening Australia Visits Wyndham College 2013 Greening Western Sydney is the largest urban environmental restoration project in Australia. Greening Australia throughout the year has visited our school an endeavour to regenerate the ecosystem that we are situated, the Cumberland Plain Woodland area and specific to our school behind the Tradewynds caf, and along the creek at the back of the school. Greening Australia visited Wyndham College to support outcomes for the Reconnect Class, the Agriculture Class of Year 11 and a Sports, Leisure and Recreation (SLR) Year 12 class. Under the guidance of the Greening Australia team, students planted over 200 native plants including trees, shrubs and grass species while also being shown the use of bush tucker among the species planted. In addition some parts of the creek have been rejuvenated through revegetation accomplished by planting riverbank stabilisation plants. Students gained experience in the use of machinery such as the Augar (post hole diggers), and mattock (pick), which the Year 12 boys enjoyed using as a lot of the ground surrounding the creek is clay. Both days Green Australia visits were highly successful for all the students involved as they were able to learn outside. Students gained realistic school to work skills, with maximum practical engagement. Greening Australia will hopefully be returning next year to follow up on their planting, and to also focus more on the regeneration of the school creek. Well done to all students involved, this project has delivering real results to improve our unique landscape within the school. Alaina Seymour TAS/VET Teacher

August 2013

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Congratulations to Matthew Irwin on becoming a Regional Finalist Apprentice/Trainee of the Year.

TVET CONSTRUCTION
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Our students are doing us proud here at Nirimba College. From Friday 26 July to Monday 29 July two of our TVET Construction Students, Brent Mula (Wyndham College) and Liam Carter (The Hills sports High School) undertook their compulsory Workplacement at the Bungarribee Community Resource Centre in Bungarribee, Blacktown.

HANDY TIPS
Writing essays made easier: Rather than worrying about an essay for weeks, suggest your child get in some early preparation and have self-belief that they can do it. Find out more: http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/homework-and-study/homework-tips-for-writing-an-essay Sorting fact from fiction: You cant always trust what you read when researching information for homework, assignments or projects. Here are ways your child can tell a good website or any document- from a bad one. Find out more: http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/homework-and-study/homework-tips/sorting-fact-from-fiction Vocational Education at school: Many kids now use Year 11 & 12 to get a head start on a traineeship, an Apprenticeship or other valuable industry experience. Find out more: http://www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/homework-and-study/planning-for-the-future/vocational-educationat-school _______________________________________________________________________________ 7

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The Road & Youth Trauma Forum 20-22 August 2013

Every year we take a group of Yr11 students to this wonderful event. This year we will be participating on Wednesday 21st August.

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IMPORTANT ATTENDANCE INFORMATION

SMS - the College number is 0416 906 146.

Excursions Excursions are an important part of the school curriculum. They provide students with a diversity of learning experiences that are very valuable. However, the excursions take considerable time and effort to organise so that they run efficiently. For this reason the school policy is that all excursion money must be paid by the date indicated on the permission note. Students who do not pay by this date will not be able to attend the excursion. If there is a special circumstance preventing payment by the due date, your child should see the Head Teacher.

CHANGE OF DETAILS
To keep student records as up to date as possible please complete the slip below, if you have changed address or changed phone numbers, and return to the front office. Student Name ... New Address Home Phone ... ..

Mobile Phone Mother Name.... Mobile Phone -Father Name Date...............

Signed .

Emails
If you have recently changed your email address please complete this slip and return to the office:
Student Name ___________________________________________________ Email Address ___________________________________________________
Please print carefully

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