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

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

SEPTEMBER September 9-20 Yr 11 Exams September 17 Friends of Wyndham September 19 Year 12 Graduation September 20 END TERM 3

OCTOBER October 8 Staff and Students return-TERM 4 October 15 Friends of Wyndham October 17 Yr11/12 Visual Arts-Cockatoo Is October 30 Yr12 Visual Arts-Sculpture by the Sea-Bondi NOVEMBER November 4 RYDA

September 20

End Term 3

FROM THE COLLEGE PRINCIPAL The Wyndham Way- As we progress quickly through this term, we are continuing to focus throughout the college; at assemblies, in Along the Grapevine (our daily news sheet) and on our information screens across the college- on the ten parts of the Wyndham Way. At Wyndham we take seriously our motto: Working Together to Widen Horizons, our code of conduct and our statement of agreed values which we call the Wyndham Way. Since this is the last Wyndham Whispers for Term 3, I have included below the full document. It is intended that all people within our Wyndham learning community can adopt each of the ten points and so it applies to staff as well as students. I might add that it applies to me too as the Principal of the College and that I would think that you as a parent, supporter or community member would be comfortable to adopt it. The Wyndham Way More Than an Education Respecting Ourselves Taking Pride in our Appearance Accepting Responsibility for our Actions Participating tho the Best of our Ability Respecting the Rights and Property of Others Caring for our Environment Achieving Goals for a Better Future Promoting a Positive Image of the College This Is the Wyndham Way

FRIENDS OF WYNDHAM COLLEGE (P & C)

All Parents are invited to attend

Tuesday 17 September 2013 7PM

Administration Block

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Visual Arts HSC 2013 Breakfast Exhibition For yet another year I am delighted to congratulate our Visual Arts staff and students for the wonderful exhibition of works last week. From someone who struggles to even draw, I am always amazed at the talent of our young people. Each year we do so very well in Art Express and I would think that this year will again see Wyndham up in lights. Design & Technology and Industrial Technology This term we also saw the wonderful showcase and talents of our D&T and IT students. Many thanks to all our students and staff for such a wonderful event. Major Practical Works our Year 12 students have recently submitted or performed the practical components of their courses. I can say I am extremely pleased and proud of their performances and their submissions. Every student has worked to their ability. A big thank you to our wonderful staff who have supported and guided our students through this time. Digital Education Revolution- Our Year 12 are currently completing the graduation process required for the Lenovo computers. I hope our students are able to utilise this resource well. Farewell to Year 12-2013- The class of 2013 is the first group of students I have worked with for 2 years since my arrival at the college, thus they feel a little special. As this is the last Whispers for the term, I would like to congratulate our Year 12 students prior to them leaving to undertake their HSC exams in Term 4. I am pleased to be able to say that we had a fantastic group of students (and yes I will say more about that at the Graduation Ceremony). For now, let me say thank you for being such a great year 12 and good luck as you undertake your HSC exams. Karen Smith College Principal

FROM THE YEAR 12 DEPUTY PRINCIPAL HSC Preparation and Exams Im sure by now every student and their family has worked out when each of the HSC exams take place. Just in case, however, the timetable can be downloaded from the Board of Studies website at http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/. It is important that students arrive ahead of time, with all necessary equipment including their student number, and come prepared to stay for the duration of the exam. Succeeding with exams requires adequate preparation involving effort, perseverance and strategically organised study habits. Inspiration and luck have very little to do with passing exams. Rather, attention needs to be paid to time management, motivation, revision hints and exam reconnaissance. Effective preparation is the key to success. In preparation, students could use some of the following strategies; Read, reread, and re-reread assignments, class notes, revision sheets Write multiple drafts of practice responses, proofread them carefully and obtain feedback. Form study groups -- meet often and talk not only about the content but about the technique of answering questions. Ask your teacher to review and edit written work; such activity is the norm here at Wyndham College and an important component of student life Participate in the review sessions Exam preparation should involve the revision of work that has already been learned during the year. Revision strategies will be undermined if you have to begin your learning late in the semester. _______________________________________________________________________________ 2

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Revision will also be easier if you have made notes in your own words. Having these notes in your own words will make it easier to memorise the key points. It will also mean that you will not have to re-read all the original material again. Rather, any such reading can be limited to 'brushing up' on what you have already learned. Learn from your mistakes and behaviour in past exams. Devote extra time and energy to the areas where you are experiencing the most difficulty. If your revision is stuck on something like this sort of problem, seek help from your teachers. Keep an eye on your concentration level at all times. Do not work on until you are too exhausted to read or write. When your concentration starts to drift, take a break, and if necessary, schedule in an alternative study period. Remember that you need balance in your life and continuing to sit at your study desk when your mind is wandering is not effective. Appeal due to Illness/Misadventure at the time of the H.S.C If a student believes that their performance in the examination is diminished because of circumstances beyond their control they can lodge an illness/misadventure appeal. Appeals may be granted if: The students performance in an exam has been affected by illness or misadventure suffered immediately before or during the exam period. The student was prevented from attending an exam due to illness and /or misadventure. If the above occurs students must inform the College before the examination commences. It is important to attend the examination where possible, even in the case of illness/misadventure. If you are absent from an examination and the Board of Studies decline your appeal you will not receive a result for that course. This could mean that you become ineligible for the award of the Higher School Certificate. The HSC Presiding Officer, Mr Brian Driver must be informed at the commencement of the examination and he will issue the appeal form. This form must be returned to the Presiding Officer on the day of a students last exam. Students who wish to appeal must provide written professional evidence e.g. in the event of an illness a doctors report. A note from home will not be sufficient. An appeal cannot be submitted on the basis of: Difficulties in preparation or loss of preparation time as a result of illness during Year 12. Alleged deficiencies in tuition. Long term illness such as glandular fever unless a flare-up or exacerbation of symptoms during the exam period. Misreading the exam timetables. Misreading exam instructions. Other commitments, such as participation in entertainment, work or sporting events. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all Year 12 students for their achievements and wish them all the best for their final exams and for life after Wyndham College. David Macleod-Jones Deputy Principal

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FROM THE COLLEGIATE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL Since my last newsletter report the Collegiate continues to be extremely hectic in nurturing the educational growth, development and achievement of positive outcomes of your children. Transition: this program has its own momentum. Most year ten students have been interviewed in readiness for a senior environment, Wyndham College 2014. If for some reason your son / daughter has not submitted all the required enrolment paperwork, please do so immediately to consolidate your childs position at Wyndham College. Currently Im also interviewing quality Non Collegiate applications who wish to study at Wyndham for the next two years. After completing an extremely professional year 10 into 11 transition interviews our careers team are currently interviewing year 12 students with their exit plans for 2014. This is an invaluable exercise for all students as it gives them an important opportunity to establish futures plan prior to sitting for their HSC examinations. Discovery Day: This year we witnessed the inaugural discovery Day program. Originally this program, a Gifted and Talented event was prepared for Science students to display their project work enabling students, not only to present their work, but also to discuss their work with others. This program was opened up to other KLAs. With enthusiasm and excitement students from other disciplines brought forward their work for display. Overall 85 students and 35 displays / works were presented. What an effort. The work was delivered to Wyndham College. The students set up work for others to see. All works were judged by a panel. All participating students were issued with a certificate, while the winners received vouchers to spend at an electrical store. A big thank you goes to the G&T team for putting this event together. Thank you to all the staff who enabled this event to succeed. Im sure this program will be well entrenched into the Collegiate calendar for 2014. Well done! Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Programs 2013: The Nirimba Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Working Group has been very active in providing various Indigenous programs throughout 2013. These include a Koori Pathways Welcome lunch, Reconciliation Day program, Walk to Wyndham, Koori Pathways Careers Day. The next important Koori event is the Aboriginal Student Conference to be held on the UWS precinct grounds on the 10 October 2013. The purpose of the Conference is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to aspire to achieve their own success by considering a range of vocations. Its also a perfect opportunity to meet other colleague students from the Nirimba Precinct. Through special motivational speakers and other presenters students will be inspired in consolidating a sense of belonging, selfworth and an educational focus on the future. I highly commend this opportunity. Invitations will be sent out soon through your indigenous coordinator at your school. Thank you all for your support of the many programs provided for your children. World Teachers Day: On the 25 October this year we celebrate World Teachers Day. This day is basically a day enabling us to recognise the work teachers and other staff do in schools while valuing their constant contribution to the lives of our children. Im aware that the statement of Teachers make a difference is a bit clichd, but much value of this dedicated and professional workers in our community, role model positive values for our future generations. So do pause for a moment on the 25 October and say thanks to those educational leaders who make a difference in the lives of your children. Once again do not hesitate to give me a call if you have any Collegiate enquiry on 9208 7100. Yours in Education, Mr Joe Camilleri - Collegiate Deputy Principal. _______________________________________________________________________________ 4

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Discovery Day Celebrations

Wyndham College celebrated its inaugural Discovery Day on 8th of August. Eighty two students were involved, including students from Wyndham College, Seven Hills High School and Quakers Hill High. All students displayed their projects with great pride. There were over thirty five displays including static displays from various faculty areas. This included art works and pottery made by our support unit. There was a Coke tasting test in which students had to identify the "unique" coke taste. Students also showed their skills with electric circuits and there were bridge displays along with rockets been launched on the back oval. A large number of students, staff members and parents visited the stalls. Visitors also enjoyed the chocolate fossils and the dry ice ice-cream and voted for the best projects. The prize winners are Matthew Lutz and Justin Anastasio for the best use of technology, Ezekiel Prasad and Franco Diaz Licham for the best explained project, Sarah Drage and Jesse Dowland for the best overall project, Erin McCready and Anthony Santram for the best 7 to 10 project and Michael Geelan, Steven Horvath, James Hogan for the best static displays. Congratulations to all the prize winners and all the participants and huge thank you to all the students, staff and parents who visited on the day and helped with the organization of the event. We hope to organise a similar event next year following the success of our inaugural year.

G&T Team _______________________________________________________________________________ 5

Wyndham College Support Excursion Australiana Pioneer Village

September 2013

After checking the route was clear of the terrible bushfires that ravaged the area the day before, the Support faculty headed to The Australiana Pioneer Village, Wilberforce. Traffic was kind and we arrived a little early, so we decided to settle in at the picnic area for morning tea and a quick game of touch footy. A short time later, we had our very own private Shearing. Well, a private sheep shearing viewing. The shearer used traditional hand clippers to show us how it used to be done before electric clippers were introduced. We all joined in to a Clip goes the shears sing-a-long before spinning the wool that was on a sheeps back only moments before. We learned where the word, dag originated from as we cringed and giggled.

Next, we all lined up single file with hats off and were marched into the local school classroom. The Head Mistress had us all in stitches as she demonstrated on a book how a school cane was used on students who misbehaved - ironically for something as little as an inappropriate snigger.

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The village was fantastic and the volunteers who dressed in period dress were very friendly and informative. Bill McLaughlin in the late 1960s decided to source old unwanted dwellings around the state and transport the buildings in whole to the site. A bank, post office, church, train station, blacksmith, undertaker and residences were just some of places we visited. Students were very surprised not to see computers, iPhone docking stations and large flat screen TVs in these buildings. Much of the TV series, Wild Boys was filmed at the village. After the tour, we had a great lunch and shared around dishes, cakes and cookies that we had brought from home. Before we knew it, it was time to load back into the bus and head for home. Time had really flown as we had an awesome day! *****************

2013 END OF YEAR CELEBRATION MATERIALS The End of Year Celebration Materials encourage Year 12 students to celebrate the end of their school year safely. This year the materials include a website for Year 12 students and a pamphlet for parents. The pamphlet, Alcohol: Celebrations and supply, Information for parents, offers practical suggestions for hosting celebrations and includes information on laws about the supply of alcohol to young people, drinking & driving, and proof of age. Multiple copies of the pamphlet have been provided for distribution to parents of Year 12 students. The pamphlet is also available on the Departments website http:///www.schools.nsw.edu.au/learning/yrk12focusareas/druged/parents/index.php The Turing 18 website hosted at www.turning18.com.au promotes safe celebration of end of year activities, including information on the effects of alcohol and drugs as well as health and practical issues young people may encounter as they make the transition to the next phase of their life. A link to this site is available from the Leaving School section of the departments website www.schools.nsw.edu.au/leavingschool _______________________________________________________________________________ 7

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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

HANDY TIPS
Essay writing Structure Structuring an Essay is easy when you know how. There are many different types of Essays (or Responses) and they can have many purposes, but the basic structure is the same. This fact sheet lets you in on the secret. Find our more: https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/eppcontent/glossary/app/resource/factsheet/4116.pdf

Helping out at Exam time You CAN help your child study for their exams (or complete major works) even if you dont know much about the subject. Here is some practical advice on everything from writing an essay to helping the rest of the family stay supportive (and sane) while your teen works towards their final exams. Find out more: https://schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/homework-and-study/engl _______________________________________________________________________________ 8

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Scholarships to Travel Overseas

Closing soon!!

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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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