PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Welcome to Week 6 already. The tempo of change for Glen Innes High is rapid but very exciting. So what has happened in the last fortnight?

An Excellent Rural School

Glen Innes High School has been recognised as being amongst the top rural schools in the state in regards to Higher School Certificate, School Certificate and National Assessment Year 7 / 9 results (value added to student results). This is clearly because of the excellent teachers, broad curriculum and extraordinary community and parental support that the school enjoys, as well as the efforts of our wonderful students. A research team was in the school on the 16^th and 17^th November to find out precisely why our results are so great. This team interviewed selected students, teachers and parents and observed lessons. They presented their findings to staff on the afternoon of the 17^th. What they found is that the overwhelming dedication of staff to ensuring high outcomes for students as well as high expectations and support from parents was a potent combination and ensured that our students get the best possible education at Glen Innes and around the state. Glen Innes High was amongst 6 rural High schools in the state to be recognised in this way. This is an outstanding achievement for our school.

Rapid Change for Our Students

It is expected that the concrete slab for the new Language Centre will be poured by Christmas. The school will also receive 12 Interactive Whiteboards for teaching spaces by the end of this term. Additionally, two more

IWBs will be located in the new Language Centre. Additionally, new walkways will be built in the next few weeks. The old senior study is also being upgraded into a conference room with another IWB.

Digital Education Revolution

Our Year 9 students now have their new laptops. My understanding is that the school will receive the next rollout for the new year 9 in 2010 (our current Year 8) during the holidays and that these will go out to these students Week 1 2010.

Change to the School Leaving Age

All parents need to be aware that the new school leaving age as at January 2010 is 17. This means that students must remain at school until they turn 17 unless they are in full time education elsewhere such as TAFE or they have moved into full time work (at least 35 hours per week).

Trade Training Centre

We have just been informed that Glen Innes High School; Tenterfield High School, and Emmaville Central School who have formed a Celtic Community of Schools to put together a submission to the Commonwealth Government for a Trade Training Centre have been successful in gaining funding for this program. This is 4.5 million dollars worth of funding for the three schools.

For Glen Innes this successful application means approximately 1.5 million dollars being to upgrade our Vocational Education and Training facilities such as our Hospitality, Primary Industries, Construction, and Metals and Engineering areas to enable Certificate 3 Courses in VET to be delivered at the school. This will considerably enhance our capacity to provide for relevant subjects for Year 11/12 students in particular.

National Partnerships

In 2010 Glen Innes High will be a National Partnerships school. This means considerable additional funds being available for increasing educational outcomes for our students. I have spoken to the P&C, Aboriginal parents, staff, Year 9 parents and students regarding how they believe additional funding could improve educational outcomes. Attached is a survey that can be filled out by any parent or member of the school community to have your say on this issue. Additionally, if you wish to phone the school and talk to me directly I will be only too happy to listen to your views. Please fill out a survey and get your student to hand it in at the front office.

Saying of the Week.

“A teacher affects eternity. They can never tell where their influence stops.

Henry Adams

Mike Gray

Principal

P & C NEWS

Next Meeting

Tuesday, 1^st December

Everyone is welcome!

We need your ideas so please come along.

How can you help your school?

Any enquiries phone:

Psyche Symons – 0403194997

SCHOOL NOTICES

Glen Innes is now an Asthma Friendly School

Pollen grains are released from certain grasses, weeds and trees. They are coated in proteins that can trigger allergic reactions - commonly asthma and hayfever. Spring and Summer can often be difficult times for people with allergic conditions. The height of grass pollen season is from late September to late December, and the highest amount of pollen can be found in the air between 6am and noon.

How is the pollen count determined?

Each day, researchers at the Department of Immunology and Allergy at Campbelltown Hospital in Sydney take samples of the air. These are analysed to gauge how much pollen is airborne and whether the level is considered high, moderate or low.

Low = less than 50/cubic metre of air

Medium = 50 to 100

High = over 100

The higher the pollen count, the greater the chance of symptoms presenting themselves. However, it is important to remember that the pollen count is a gauge only. Specific sensitivities to certain pollens may still be present, even if the overall count is low.

SPORTS NEWS

A GREAT DAY OUT ! ! !

Glen Innes High School’s Open Girls Cricket team travelled to Gunnedah on the 11^th and 12^th November to play Gunnedah High School in round 2 of the 2009 North West Cricket Knockout.

After Macca’s for dinner, a fun night in the pool, the team motored to Gunnedah High School where both teams were privileged to be introduced to Darryl Haire (world class cricket umpire). Mr Haire tossed the coin for the game to begin.

Glen Innes chose to field. Our bowling and fielding was strong and deliberate. There were some very exciting wickets taken and Gunnedah seemed quite surprised by the quality of this team.

Bowling figures were:

Shannon Marchant 3 for 16

Laura Whan 2 for 15

Kayla Williams 1 for 5

Kelly Archibald 2 for 4

Nikita Willis 1 for 2

Kelly Archibald and Teagan Miller capably shared the wicket keeping.

Gunnedah were all out for 66 runs in the 29^th over.

As the temperature began to rise Glen Innes went out to bat. Top order bats ‘women’ Kelly, Shannan and Tara found it difficult to make many runs. Less experienced bats ‘women’ Danielle Hilton, Nikita Willis and Teagan Miller should be congratulated on their courageous stand against Gunnedah’s fastest bowlers. Although not many runs were scored they did enjoy the frustration they caused for Gunndeah High School.

Unfortunately, Glen Innes High School could not gather the runs and were all out for just 52 runs.

Batting figures were:

Kelly Archibald 5

Shannan Marchant 8

Kayla Williams 10

Laura Whan 4

The most valuable player on the day was Kayla Williams. Kayla played beautiful cricket – batting soundly, bowling and fielding well (with some amazing catches taken).

The team would like to thank Mr John Lee (illustrious coach), Mr Robert Cook, Mr David Willis and Mrs Judy Archibald for transporting and supporting the team.

Congratulations to the team of 2009 for your sportsmanship. Best wishes to Gunnedah High School for success in the next round . . . . . and remember we will be back in 2010.

Mrs Leonie Lee

Captain Kelly Archibald introducing the Glen Innes High School Open

Girls Cricket Team to

Darryl Haire

Back (L-R) Laura Whan, Danielle Hilton, Shaylee Ferris, Nikita Willis, Brittany Cook, Stephanie Grob, Teagan Miller

Front (L-R) Kayla Williams, Shannan Marchant, Kelly Archibald (Captain), Tara Archibald, Gabi Willis

TERM 4

Week 6 (B)

Mon 23 Nov – Fri 27 Nov

Year 10 – Work Experience

Mon 23 November

Girls and Boys Cricket Trials

* * * * *

Week 7 (A)

Mon 30 Nov – Wed 2 Dec

Year 8 Excursion

Thurs 3 December

School Social - RSL