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Hunter Sports High News Term 4 - Week 10 - 2022

What's On?

  • Friday 16 December: Last Day of School for 2022
  • SCHOOL HOLIDAYS!
  • Friday 27 January: Staff Development Day
  • Monday 30 January: Staff Development Day
  • Tuesday 31 January: First Day of School for Year 7,11 & 12 Students
  • Wednesday 01 February: Year 8-10 Students Return for 2023 (all students back)

principal's message

It’s hard to believe anther school year is over already, but what a great year it has been at Hunter Sports High School. This year has been an incredibly exciting year with great results and outstanding achievements both in the classroom and on our sporting fields. It has been a year jampacked with many exciting activities!

The last few weeks of this term have been filled with many exciting celebrations including our annual Minimbah celebrations held in S Block on Thursday the 24th November and our 2022 Presentation Assembly at the end of last week. These events allowed students, staff and family members to acknowledged the outstanding achievements of Hunter Sports High School students in 2022. This last week of the school year has been filled with a multitude of reward activities to celebrate the hard work of all our students. Congratulations to all our award winners and to all who tried their hardest throughout the year.

A big thank you to all our amazing staff for the outstanding job they have done this year. Our teachers, support staff and administrators work hard to engage our students every day and to keep the school running like clockwork. We have the most amazing staff here at Hunter Sports High who all have our students' education and wellbeing at the forefront of everything they do.

A special congratulations to our wonderful Student Support Officer Keira Taggart whom at the NSW Youth Work Awards last month was inducted into the NSW Youth Work Hall of Fame. Youth Action is the peak body for NSW Youth Workers, and this award is the highest honour that can be received. We are incredibly proud to have Keira as a part of our team at Hunter Sports High School.

Hunter Sports High School Student Support Officer Keira Taggart (right) with Stacey Jacobs (Cessnock High School Support Officer) at the NSW Youth Work Awards.

Today is the last day of school for our students. In 2023 Year 7, 11 and 12 will return to school on Tuesday January 31st followed by Year 8, 9 and 10 on the Wednesday February 1st. We Look forward to seeing you all back in 2023.

We wish all our students and families a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy summer holiday. Thank you for your efforts throughout the year to support your children in their education and for your support of our school. Enjoy the break with your family and friends and we look forward to another exciting year at Hunter Sports High in 2023

Ms Rachel Byrne - Principal

Big Picture

"Change is the only constant" - Heraclitus

This year Big Picture undertook a massive change from the start and transferred themselves to the top of T Block during Term 1. This saw the students reassessing their learning spaces, advisors figuring out ways to ensure that the new academy was fully-functioning, and that the rest of the school could visibly see the fantastic work happening throughout the program. It is one of the most dynamic and positive moves that the Hunter Sports High School Big Picture Academy has undertaken.

Since then the academy has been buzzing with activity as we graduated the Eat a Frog cohort, welcomed the Year 8 cohort - The Whole Hog, and held information Sessions and Shadow Days for families in terms 2 and 3 to develop and promote the future learners in our school community. Students have been studying everything from Nutrition to Makeup Artistry, Autobody Mechanics to Palative Oncology, even Hawaiian Coral Reef Ecosystems to The Need for Nurses in Southeast Asia. The students have absolutely taken up the challenge to be autonomous learners and are learning in ways that continue to inspire and astound others in and beyond the classroom.

We also saw the restart of the Big Picture Games at Fearnley Dawes Track where the Hunter Sports High School Big Picture Academy hosted. There was dressing up, Craig Martine’s brilliant commentary, and the all-too-memorable scream race to be repeated for sure. Although a tight race, next year will see the even down at Central Coast Sports College for the first time. Watch this space.

Michelle, Kellie, Craig, and Dave would like to thank everyone involved in the students’ learning journeys in 2022 and are looking forward to an even more exciting 2023. We would also like to wish the graduating students from the Eat a Frog advisory all the best in their endeavours beyond high school. They will be sorely missed as the elder learners of the Big Picture program and have set a high standard for those who will follow them along their pathways. All the best:

  • Mia Austin
  • Max Baker
  • Izaak Clifford
  • Jed Cranfield
  • Michaela Doungmanee
  • Hollie Finley
  • Jessica McMorrow
  • Chelsea Palmer
  • Georgie Smith
  • Sabbath Sparks
Big Picture Term 4 2022

out and about in science for 2022

An important part of getting a real-world understanding of science is getting out and about and experiencing science firsthand. This year, students from Hunter Sports High School have experienced a number of excursions that have, hopefully, encouraged them to think more deeply about the content they are learning in the classroom, but also, consider possible careers in science.

Experiment Fest

Each year the University of Newcastle provides an “authentic, engaging, and hands-on experiences for HSC students. Experiment Fest gives student the chance to improve laboratory skills and use specialised equipment that isn’t normally available in the classroom, while conducting experiments that directly related to the HSC Syllabus”.

This year, Chemistry Teacher, Ms. Burke, took her Year 12 Chemistry students to take part in Experiment Fest. Ms. Burke said that “Experiment Fest is a unique opportunity for students to experience what it would be like to work in a high-tech laboratory using very technical equipment to analyse the chemical composition of a variant of substance.

Ryvah Shoesmith, Lucas Fox and Daisy Redding considering the decomposition of chemicals at Experiment Fest this year.
Lucas Heights Nuclear Reactor

During the year, Mr. Westcott took his Investigating Science students to visit the ANSTO nuclear reactor in Lucas Heights. ANSTO is home to Australia’s only nuclear reactor OPAL. OPAL stands for “Open Pool Australian Lightwater”. OPAL is a state of the art 20-megawatt multipurpose reactor that uses low enrichment uranium fuel to achieve a range of nuclear medicine, research, scientific, industrial and goals.

Mr. Westcott said “Students were amazed by the facility which has Australia's only nuclear reactor. They saw the reactor in operation including the addition of silicon columns to be bombarded with radioactive particles then sent to overseas countries to be manufactured into components for high end electronic devices and instruments.”

“What particularly impressed the students was the knowledge of our host, Victor Grasty, a nuclear scientist who had worked in Nuclear Power plants throughout Europe. Student, Archie Backus, was blown away by Victor's knowledge not only of nuclear radioactivity, but his knowledge of all of the science syllabus' as he switched seamlessly and without notes to talk about the important dot points from either chemistry, physics or investigating science.”

The success of this excursions means that next year the excursion will be repeated but will most likely include students from other disciplines such as physics and chemistry.

The heart of the OPAL reactor is a compact core of 16 fuel assemblies arranged in a 4x4 array, with five control rods controlling the reactor power and facilitating shutdown
Museum of Human Disease

The Museum of Human Disease is a part of University of NSW, Sydney. The Museum contains over 2500 disease human tissue specimens. The comprehensive collection demonstrates hundreds of infectious and non-infectious diseases and their complications, including HIV/AIDS, cancer, stroke, heart attacks, diabetes, genetic disease and the effects of drugs and alcohol.

This year Mr Handley and Mr. Westcott took the Year 12 Biology students to visit the Museum. Mr. Handley said “Visiting this museum is a unique opportunity for students to take the concepts covered in their textbooks and experience them in a real-world way. Viewing samples of diseased specimens really makes students think about and question human disease in ways that are not possible in the classroom”.

Part of the visit to the Museum requires the students to complete a range of activities as they move through the museum. Mr. Handley was impressed with the way his students engaged in this activity. “Every student that attended the excursion completed the tasks in a respectful and thoughtful way. Many continued to ask questions on the way home in the bus. It really sparked an interest in our students”.

One of the sections of the Museum of Human Disease

The success of these excursions this year, means the Science Faculty is planning on holding more excursions in 2023 linking them to Depth Studies, which are a compulsory part of HSC Science courses.

The Science Faculty would like to thank all parents for their support this year and we look forward to a bigger and better 2023.

Tas faculty

2022 has been another whirlwind year to remember, with the pandemic behind us some normality has returned to our everyday school structure. We’ve had many students in both Years 8 and 10, choose electives in Stages 5 and 6, experiencing firsthand our modern facilities and wealth of knowledge from our experienced staff members.

In Term 4, many students who study a TAS Faculty electives have experienced off-site learning experiences, from the Shark and reptile rescue centre to the 5-star Crystalbrook Kingsley Hotel.

Crystalbrook Kingsley Hotel

Recently students from the year 9 and 10 Marine Studies classes visited Nelson Bay for a snorkeling experience at Fly Point and a trip up Tomaree Head Lookout. At Fly Point, students were fortunate to see a Wobbegong Shark and an abundance of different fish species, giant Flat Head fish over 1.5m long, and a turtle cruising slowly in the shallows. Some students sat in the middle of a Bream feeding frenzy when a member of the public came down to give them some bread to eat, with Aaliyah Hiskens even able to grab the tail of one. Students then ventured up Tomaree Head lockout where they could see Fingal Spit, into Nelson Bay, and back to Yacaaba Head and surrounding Islands. A great day was had by all. Thank you to Mr Davies and the ‘Let’s Go Adventure’ instructors for organising these unique experiences for our students.

Over the past six weeks, Year 11 Hospitality students have been preparing and serving food for the school in the canteen on Thursdays and Fridays. This invaluable experience has enabled students to gain important service skills in handling money and operating POS technology, as well as completing service periods for course competencies. They’ve also experienced a behind-the-scenes view of a 5-star hotel in Newcastle’s CBD, where students were given the opportunity to work alongside staff making espresso coffee.

Our best wishes go to the HSC cohort of 2022 in VET Hospitality and Industrial Technology Timber who will receive their examination results on Thursday 15th December 2022.

In 2023 TAS Faculty staff will include Mrs Lee Carolan, Mr Paul Davies (TSP Athletics), Mr Ross Hanlon, Mr Grant Harmer, Mrs Karen Hines (Head Teacher TAS), Mr Nigel Hogan, Mrs Megan Hearne, Mr Mitch Peachey, Mr Winter (Head Teacher Administration), and Mrs Sally Connell (SAO Kitchen Assistant)

From our families to your family, we wish you a safe and happy holiday!

Minimbah

What a term we've had, capping off another great year for the Minimbah Team and the students. There's been more notable achievements and celebrations including SistaSpeak and BroSpeak with our partner primary school students, Special Guest Speaker Uncle Ernie Dingo, Minimbah Transition Day for our 2023 Year 7 students, Clapstick painting for the Lake Macquarie and Glenrock Networking Day for Staff, Minimbah Dance Group, Yakka Program participants excursion to Murrook, Nanga Mai Awards Ceremony at the Sydney Opera House, we welcomed new staff member fresh from her success at the women's Rugby League World Cup -Caitlan Johnston, the School to Work 10 year celebration in Sydney, NSW Blues Awards ceremony, Dance Group filming, Dance Group workshops and our amazing Minimbah Celebration Evening.

The SistaSpeak & BroSpeak programs were held weekly this term with students from the local primary schools attending along with our HSHS students. Building cultural connections and positive relationships were the goals for this term in preparation for our year 6 students as they transition to our school next year.

SistaSpeak program

Uncle Ernie Dingo was a highlight of the term as a special guest speaker relating to the project real focus on 'Warriors'. Students were treated to Uncle Ernie sharing his knowledge and experience as one of the most prominent public figures in our nation's history.

Ernie Dingo Visit

The Minimbah Transition Day in Week 4 invited Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students from Year 6 who are attending our school next year. The students were treated to a meet and greet with HSHS staff and some student leaders as well participated in traditional games, a history lesson on famous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and Aboriginal Art. A very successful day for all involved.

Minimbah Transition

Some of our students took part in painting clapsticks for the 2022 Inaugural Lake Macquarie and Glenrock Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Conference. Mr Steve Harris (Director Educational Leadership, Glenrock Principal Network) asked for our staff and student assistance due to the successful of the Cultural Choice NRL Boot painting scheme earlier in the year. Along with this saw the fantastic collaboration with some of the Wiripaang Primary School students attend HSHS to assist in some of the clapstick painting with our students. This was a huge honour although a bigger task than we thought, the staff and students were extremely proud of the outcome. Every set had a story behind them which made the experience a very special and personal journey. These 50 sets were part of the gift giving at the Conference for those staff who attended.

Mrs Elers and the painted Clapsticks

To add to this special event the Minimbah Dance Group performed on stage at the event as guests were arriving. An amazing 45 minute non-stop show was delivered and well received by all attendees. The dance group walked away very proud of the performance they gave and the pride they felt performing in front of a room full of 200 staff and principals.

Minimbah Dance group performing at 2022 Inaugural Lake Macquarie and Glenrock Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Conference

The Year 10 Yakka (CareerLinks) participants were rewarded with a trip to Murrook. They were immersed in culture, walked the sand dunes, learnt about the history, shared lunch and were treated to special guest speaker Dr. Joel Wenitong's story, perspectives and advice about career paths. A very special day for our students as they prepare to embark on their year 11 school journey next year.

Murrook Visit

The 17th Annual Nanga Mai Awards were presented at the Sydney Opera House on 30 November 2022. The Nanga Mai Awards celebrates and recognises the outstanding achievements of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal teachers, other departmental staff, Aboriginal community members and schools that demonstrate excellence across a diversity of areas.

HSHS nominated the following students: Taimana Elers of year 11 (Outstanding All Rounder and Outstanding Achievement in Sport), Taleah Dodd of year 11 (Outstanding VET in Schools Student of the Year), Ryvah Shoesmith of year 12 (Outstanding Academic Achievements) and Kyran Blair and Jaylan Bishop of year 9 (Outstanding Achievement in Sport). These students were among 650 applicants across all the award categories for staff and students.

Congratulations to Taimana Elers for receiving the Outstanding Achievement in Sport award and Taleah Dodd for receiving the Outstanding VET in Schools Student of the Year award.

Taimana Elers and Taleah Dodd at The Nanga Mai Awards ceremony

Taimana Elers attended the School to Work 10 year celebration where he was MC for part of the event. Taimana attended as a School to Work participant and as the Overall Male Youth Ambassador for the program.

Our dance group has been busy filming a promotional video highlighting their success and achievements over the years especially in 2021/2022. It will showcase the success as well as the support of the school staff and school community.

Minimbah Dance Group

During Week 10 some of our dance students participated in dance workshops hosted by Aunty Renae Lamb from Midnight Dreaming. The workshops involved dance and weaving and was a great way to reward the students who have worked so hard all year.

And finally our Minimbah Celebrations evening was a huge success held on school grounds as an evening event in week 7. Students, staff, families and special guests attended the 200-strong event hosted by some of our year 11 students. The night was a great way to celebrate our students who participated in programs, represented the dance group, special award winners and celebrating the success of our graduating Year 12 students. We were also treated to a musical item by Brayden and Koby Skuthorpe, Ralph Binge and Rome Toomey and the Minimbah Dance Group performance.

PD/H/PE

Swim School

Hunter Sports High’s annual Swim School event was held during week 9 at Charlestown Pool. Students from year 7 participated in 3 days of water safety education to build the essential skills to thrive and survive in and around water settings. A range of skills/activities were experienced by our stage 4 students, including; first aid, stroke practice/correction, rescue skills, water safety knowledge, diving/recovering, safe entry/exit, floating, sculling and treading water. Plenty of fun was had in our sporting bonanza and free swim stations. The weather turned it on for all three days and allowed the kids to embrace the water environment whilst ensuring they practiced sun safety.

Year 7 Swim School
Stage 4 and 5

In stage 4 and 5 students have been busy completing portfolio and matrix work as part of their ongoing formative assessment. Both year 8 and year 10 in particular have been engaging with content around risk taking and harm minimisation. Through their engagement with learning activities, students have developed resources aimed at delivering health promotion messages and informing people on the risks of unsafe road use and drug use.

Here are some Samples:

Road Safety poster : Josh Muddle

Road Safety Canva Poster: Jamie Dickson

https://www.canva.com/design/DAFPXe6oVfA/Lv2utwlncNNyZh5M28W6oA/view?utm_content=DAFPXe6oVfA&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=viewer

Road Safety Video: Sierra O’Meley

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mCQjtS7yMLYC4LZlNswMkYvYtIWjwFoa/view

Vaping Awareness: Abbey Masterson

https://app.animaker.com/video/ERDZVBH8O07UP4D8

Article : Mila Kirby

In the world of Sport

CHS Athletics

During Week 8 of Term 3, 27 athletes from Hunter Sports High School competed in the NSW CHS Athletics Carnival over 3 days. This was a combination of individual events and team relay events. Outstanding results achieved with students placing either very high or making the finals. Below are the results for those competing athletes. Congratulations to all competitors!

Special mention to Nate Ward, Thomas Cashion, Hannah Jarvis, and Kiera Callaghan who are CHS State Champions.

CHS ATHLETIC RESULTS
All Schools Nationals

Congratulations to Nate Ward for a bronze in the U15 boys 1500m in a PB time of 4:11.07 at the All Schools Nationals but rather than celebrating his performance, he was supporting a North Queensland competitor who was struggling after finishing last over the line.

Nate Ward

o week

During week 8 this term, Year 10 were involved in an annual transition program - O Week. This supports and expands year 10 students' knowledge of senior school expectations, pathways, study tips, plus mandatory All My Own Work and Minimum Standards testing.

Careers and Pathways

We kicked off the week with a Careers Expo! Huge shout out to the amazing companies that took the stage for an elevator pitch about their pathways then one-on-one conversations at their stalls with our enthusiastic students. Ampcontrol, Australian Defence Force, DSI Underground, Ethos Health, Felton Street Early Learning, Fire and Rescue, International Child Care College, Lake Macquarie Youth Council, Motiv8 Sports, Pacific Smiles, Safety Build, Scissorhands and TAFE (Belmont).

Students also heard from HSHS alumni Aneeka Marcozzi and Scott McCarter about their pathways to teaching through the intensities of managing sporting commitments, study and work. Two groups of students also took up the option to experience what it would be like to study at Newcastle University. At either Callaghan Campus or Ourimbah Campus.

Students also enjoyed sessions to prepare them for the world of work. Creating a USI (Unique Student Identifier) number, completing My Work Experience online learning, learnt top tips about resumes and interviews and utilised My Future website to discover interests, values, skills and how they relate to careers. Plus, to ensure sure students are making smart choices with their money, they learnt financial tips from the UoN and Greater bank Ambassadors.

All my own work

Year 10 students completed the mandatory All My Own Work course. This ensures they follow the principles and practices of good scholarship in the HSC. Students also learnt about the penalties for cheating and how to avoid malpractice when preparing their work for assessment.

Minimum Standards

The HSC minimum standards have been introduced into all NSW schools to ensure students have the reading, writing and numeracy skills needed for everyday life, work and further study. Students need to meet the HSC minimum standard to receive the HSC. To show they meet this standard, students need to achieve Level 3 in short online reading, writing and numeracy tests. Students get four chances a year to sit each test, from Year 10 up to five years after starting their first HSC course.

Wellbeing

Special thanks to the following organisations for their support of our students and their wellbeing this year:

  • Centre for Hope
  • CALM
  • Prue Hughes for Shine and Sequel Programs
  • Arise
  • Hope UC
  • Mount Hutton Baker’s Delight
  • OzHarvest
  • Samaritans
  • Hope Street
Christmas Elf

Every school day in December, two Christmas elves have been hidden around the school. If a student is lucky enough to find an elf, they can come to the Youth Room and choose a prize. The students have loved the challenge and been scouring the school grounds trying to find the elves.

Christmas Elf
Wellbeing support over the holidays

Students how to stay healthy over the holidays:

https://headspace.org.au/explore-topics/for-young-people/stay-healthy-over-the-holidays/

Capal Showcase evening

It has been years in the making thanks to COVID, but we were all extremely happy with the results of our SHOWCASE evening earlier this term. Special thank you to all the musicians, artists and dancers who performed, as well as the Hospitality students who catered, the night was truly amazing. Our hosts, Evie Erzetich and Zo Hatchman, did an outstanding job and are to be congratulated for their contribution to the smooth running of the event.

We had Polynesian, Tahitian and Aboringal dance items, also a Haka, guitar pieces from many talented individuals and groups, complemented by a very professional looking display of student Visual Art works. The Hospitality students once again showed their expertise in serving audience members light refreshments and snack foods before the show and during intermission.

A big thank you of course to all CAPAL and TAS staff who participated and to the many staff, students, parents and carers who were able to come along and watch - thank you for your support.

Showcase Evening 2022
SEXtortion

The Australian Federal Police through the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation is seeing a concerning global trend of teenage males being targeted to send explicit images of themselves and then blackmailed. This is called sexual extortion, or sextortion.

The AFP is urging families to have important safety conversations ahead of the school holidays to prevent young people from becoming victim. This crime can have serious wellbeing and psychological impacts.

How does sextortion start?

  • Unsolicited friend and follow requests on social media
  • Direct messages on one app and then being asked to keep chatting on a secondary app
  • Conversations suddenly and quickly becoming sexualised
  • Requests for sexualised images or content.

What can families do?

  • Have open and regular conversations about your child’s online activities and interactions
  • Know what platforms, apps and games they are using and who they are interacting with
  • Remain open and approachable, victims will be reluctant to come forward if they feel they will be punished or blamed
  • Ensure your child knows that it is okay to leave conversations if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe
  • Support your child and know how to respond. The Online blackmail and sexual extortion response kit has been created to recognise sextortion and get help.

The Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation is here to keep young people safe from online sexual exploitation and abuse.

You can make a report via accce.gov.au/report

For further information, resources and advice visit thinkuknow.org.au

Lost Property

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