Principal's Message
Term One is always a busy and vibrant time of year for schools, and for Northlakes High School, 2020 has certainly been that. From our swimming carnival, to our Aboriginal cultural experiences, meaningful learning experiences have certainly occurred in wide range of settings and supported the development of our students holistically. Our Facebook page is a great visual medium and has also highlighted the performing arts and sporting opportunities our students have experienced.
Earlier this week, we celebrated the achievement of Darcy Liddell as 2019 Northlakes High School Dux and our senior students were fortunate to hear first hand what made a difference in preparation and performance for Darcy to achieve his very impressive ATAR of 94. It was timely advice for our students as Year 12 approaches the half way mark of their HSC year.
Yasmin Catley, Member for Swansea, was also in attendance to present certificates from the NSW Parliament to our 2020 student leaders.
Term 2 will see some staffing changes for our school, and we welcome Mr Teys from Francis Greenway High School as our Head Teacher Technology and Applied Science and thank Mr Reilly for his commitment in the role while that position was vacant. Similarly, we welcome Mr Devonshire from Asquith Girls' High School as our Head Teacher Science and thank Ms Pidgeon for her leadership in the role while it was vacant. We also farewell Mr Byrant, who has been successful in gaining a position at Wadalba Community School. Mr Bryant has provided excellent experiences for our students over a number of years and across many roles within the Northlakes community and we certainly thank him for his service and wish him well in his new setting.
With regard to COVID-19, as many of us are aware, the information headling media broadcasts is often not helpful in supporting communities in understanding what practices are beneficial. As a school, we will continue to be guided by the NSW Department of Education in how we support our students.
Should there be a time where communication across our community is required, Schoolbytes and Facebook will be two of the platforms we use, as they have the highest engagement and response from our community. Students will be reminded of recommended hygiene practices through our morning assembly.
#TeamNorthlakes - Opportunities for Future Success!
Yours in Public Education,
Matthew Boake
Deputy Principal
Year 7
Halfway through the term and we are going great!
Term 1 has flown by and the students have had a fantastic start. It has been wonderful getting to know them and I am very much looking forward to camp next term. Information and notes will be sent out in the coming week.
Just a reminder immunisation is the 11th and 12th of March. If you have not returned the note or provided a note for exemption (family doctor administrating the immunisation) please do so asap.
As Summer has come to an end and the weather begins to cool please ensure correct uniform is worn – plain black/school jumper and plain black pants. It is also a requirement for all students to wear their P.E uniform on sport days.
Students are welcome to see me if they need help with anything, and parents/carers can contact me on 43900555, or kristie.pafumi@det.nsw.edu.au with any questions or concerns.
Kristie Pafumi
Year 7 Advisor
Year 8
Year 8 are settling in nicely and classes are successfully underway. Assessment tasks are starting to be handed out across all subjects, so students have lots of work to do! Year 8 were all given an assessment schedule for the year, so be sure to check this to make sure everyone is organised for the busy year ahead. If there are any questions or concerns about assessment tasks, please feel free to contact me.
The weather is starting to cool down, which means lots of jumpers and long pants are now being worn around the school. Just a reminder that we have a strict uniform policy here, so students need to ensure they are wearing official Northlakes High School uniforms, or plain black items
Please feel free to call me on 43 900 555 or contact me using paige.watts@det.nsw.edu.au if there are any questions or concerns.
Paige Teulan
Year 8 Advisor 2020
Year 9
Halfway through week 6 for term 1 2020! The journal of Child Development conducted a study with over 200 adolescents aged from 15 and discovered that adolescents with close groups of friends had a higher sense of self-worth and lower levels of social anxiety. It is also important to note that the positive benefits of adolescent friendships include; a higher-functioning immune system, more optimistic outlook on life, longer life expectancy, more empathy and stronger emotional regulation skills. There are many websites available to both parents and students that allow you to access information to sit and discuss what a healthy and positive peer relationship/friendships looks like. Have a look through these sites and chat with each other about who your kids are spending their time with and what their friendships are like!
I have been wandering the halls looking at the wonderful work year 9 have been completing. Many teachers have been giving me positive feedback about their students giving their very best in the classroom which is great to hear and very helpful for when I need to decide who I give Year Advisor awards to! Please remember that all students do need to come prepared for each lesson so let’s make sure that all students are bringing a book for each lesson, their pens, bags, calculators etc. All students should be organised and using Cornell Notes for every lesson in their classes – ask them to show you in their books what these notes look like!
Lastly another reminder that all students must be in full school uniform – green polo or sports shirt is acceptable along with the school skirt or black shorts at the appropriate length. No coloured jumpers or t-shirts and no tights or bike shorts allowed for girls or khaki pants/shorts for boys.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me on 43 900 555
Thanks,
Stacey Ewer
Year 9 Advisor
Year 10
I would like to begin by introducing myself to all of our students’ families and caregivers. My name is Mrs Reay and for the remainder of 2020 I will be filling the role of Year 10 Advisor whilst Mr MacKinnon performs higher duties.
I am excited for the year that our students have ahead of them and look forward to being able to support Year 10 through their final year of junior school.
With Term 1 well underway, I would like to remind Year 10 of the importance of working to their personal best in all classes. There is a significant shift in educational attitudes when students enter Year 10 and teachers expect a lot more from students in terms of achieving learning outcomes. It is very important that students are regularly completing class and assigned home work. Further, as the term progresses students will begin to have assessment tasks due for all of their subjects. These must be completed or the N-Warning process will now apply for any assessment tasks not submitted, therefore, this it is important that all Year 10 students take their learning seriously.
I would also like to take this opportunity to remind all students to attend school every day and on time. School attendance is a primary focus of our PBL initiative relating to responsibility. It is also part of our duty of care to know where our students are. As a result, students must be at or above 85% attendance. If your student has been away then please provide a note or medical certificate explaining the absence. Your child can hand this in to the student window or their roll call teacher.
If you have any concerns or wish to contact me, please feel free. I can be contacted on 43 900 555 or via email at amanda.wright25@det.nsw.edu.au
Amanda Reay
Year 10 Advisor (relieving)
Year 11
Year 11 had a fun experience at RYDA for 2020. Thanks to the sponsorship of Central Coast Council who covered the entry cost for our school. Our students were split into two groups and participated in different sessions centred around safe driving practices. The information provided was beneficial for all students who have their licence or are about to get their L’s. Students found it very useful with many sessions including police Q & A and practical driving skills with crash test dummies adding value to the experience.
Students should be mindful of any upcoming assessment task due dates and ensure that they have organised and edited their work. All teachers are available to assist students in the preparation and completion of all assessment tasks so students should be spending time with their teachers talking about how best to approach tasks in order to succeed. Failure to complete assessment tasks to a good standard or by the due date will result in an N Warning.
As it is week six Year 11 should be starting to find their groove in getting used to the pressures of senior schooling. I would like to remind students that there is an expectation of 85% attendance for all classes and school attendance as a whole. There are a small number of students who are beginning to slip in terms of meeting this. Further, the number of late arrivals to school is also starting to rise. Students must arrive at school on time and attend roll call each morning. If there are any issues which are affecting your child’s ability to get to school on time, please reach out and we will provide some support.
If you have any concerns or wish to contact me, please feel free. I can be contacted on 43 900 555 or via email at jarad.freebody@det.nsw.edu.au
Jarad Freebody
Year 11
Year 12
Photos are happening on Friday this week. Please be on time and look your most amazing selves. Year 12 have their group photo in period 1, followed by individual photos so this is the one day you can’t be late.
Actually, I would prefer if you are never late and that everyone makes more of an effort to improve their attendance! Even one day off a week adds up quickly and means you are missing out on important content for your subjects.
I am in the process of organising two important events for my year group. The first is a bonding day at Treetops. It should be on Friday the 8th May (week 2, term 2), which gives everyone plenty of time to save up. Cost is looking close to $50 for the bus, Tee tops Adventure Park and the Pioneer crazy rider. I thought it would be nice if everyone brought something to share for a picnic lunch.
The second event is the end of year Formal. I have booked Kooindah Waters for Friday 13th November 2020, as they always put on a great event. I have attended a number of Northlakes High School formals at this venue over the past few years and everyone has had a wonderful night.
Please keep up hard work in classes and make sure you clear any N Warnings as soon as possible. Also, those of you who haven’t met the HSC minimum standards yet should see Ms Honeyands to book in for the online tests. Do it sooner rather than later, otherwise you will have too much on at the same time leading into the final exams.
If you have any questions or need assistance please contact me on 4390 0555 or Fiona.davis4@det.nsw.edu.au
I look forward to an exciting year with you.
Fiona Davis
MATHS
Did you know that 14 March was World Pi Day? You may know that pi is the name given to the ratio of circumference to diameter of a circle and is 3.14159. . . and on it goes. In fact, pi has an infinite number of decimal places which do not have a repeating pattern. It is called an irrational number because it can’t be written as a fraction. So why 14 March? Well, if you write the date the American way 3/14 you have the first three digits. Another date, 22 July also has claim to be world pi day because 22/7 is a reasonably close approximation to pi.
Years 11 and 12 have an upcoming assessment task and I am hoping for some pleasing results across the range of courses. These exams are a significant part of the school assessment program and are also an important part of the students’ development towards the HSC. Each student must ensure they are well prepared. As they say “fail to prepare, prepare to fail”. The best way to prepare for any Mathematics exams is to create a summary page which has all topics, formulas, important facts and worked examples. Then complete chapter review exercises from their textbook. Next step is to complete practice papers (past papers) to get some idea of the style, format and standard of questions that students are likely to encounter. The key is to start revising early.
Assessment for junior years happens through stage topic tests as well as common tests. It is vital that students revise regularly throughout the year. That will ensure that they are well prepared for tests.
Problem of the Month
If the number in each circle is the sum of the two below it, what is the top number?
SCIENCE
Our Science Faculty has had an amazing start to 2020. All of our classes from Year 7 to 10 have started their Science courses with a study of experimental design. This has meant lots of fun experiments such as “What is the effect of salt water on boiling point?”, to “What effects the rate of an explosive chemical reaction?”. During these experiments our students have been learning the features of a fair test in Science and how to analyse the reliability and validity of an experiment.
The next important thing to discuss is the Assessment Tasks planned for our Science students this term. For Year 7 to 10 the assessment structure is the same. Each student will prepare a portfolio of work throughout the semester, due at the end of Term 2. In addition they will complete a practical assessment task to test their hands-on scientific skills in Year 7 and 9, and their knowledge of experimental design in Year 8 and 10. Then at the end of each term, Years 7 to 10 will complete a topic test to check their knowledge and understanding of the terms content. If you have any questions or concerns about the assessment schedule for Science please don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our teachers.
If you would like to access extension and revision resources for your students in Year 7 to 10, our Science faculty have prepared Homework Books that cover and compliment each of our units. These will be available shortly to print from the school website and are a great way to prepare for the end of term exams.
In regards to the assessment tasks for our senior students, details of these can all be found in the assessment schedules that were issued to students. The advice we have given to all of these students is that they start assessment tasks as soon as they are issued and don’t leave things until the last minute. It is also recommended that all of our senior students are accessing the Edrolo system. This is an interactive revision tool containing content that is designed, produced, and filmed with experienced teachers in Australia. All content is centered around the NSW curriculum, and covers every single dot-point in the relevant study design or syllabus. This is a great starting point in developing good study habits in our senior students.
News from the Agriculture Farm
As always Mr Pankhurst and Mr Bryant have hit the ground running in the Ag farm this Year. We have a new litter of rabbits and two new baby goats. The garden beds are being rebuilt and our senior students are conducting a food trial with some meat chickens.
TAS
Construction Year 12 - Students have had a good start to the year by participating in a variety of practical activities commonly used in Industry. Some of these include measuring, cutting and installing formwork for concrete placement as well as setting up and reading optical levels to obtain heights and levels. Good work year 12.
Year 11 Timber – Students have had a good start to the year by commencing their Industry Study Assessment Task and are really enjoying practical in the workshop. Pictured below are students helping to move Radiata Pine from a timber order into its storage facility. Thanks boys!!
Stage 5 Timber - Students have been busy constructing their first project of the year which is a gaming rack for Play Station and Xbox games. Pictured below is a student making sure he applies all the safe working methods and Personal Protective Equipment whilst building timber products in the workshop. Well done.
Library
Notes have been sent home with information about the Premier's Reading Challenge 2020, which runs between March 2nd until August 28th. Remember that any books read between the 28th of August 2019 and March 2nd 2020 CAN be included in this years reading challenge! During the challenge, all students who borrow fiction books will work together to earn points for their house groups.
We have some exciting new additions to our library this year which will encourage all students to engage in reading.
Our year 7 cohort have a new Accelerated Reading Program where they will earn GOTCHAs, house points and commendations as individuals, as well as class and house groups.
All students will be receiving individual log in details so they can access our new Digital Library which can be logged into at
We will still continue with our "Reading Recognition" awards that we initiated last year to encourage our readers. This internal program will earn students a GOTCHA each time they borrow. An award will be received at 5, 10 and 15 books read that earn them an additional 5 GOTCHAs each award. Students who achieve reading 25, 50, 75 and 100 books will receive a more official award that will earn them a Classroom Commendation.
Kind Regards,
Chloe Zonneveld
Classroom Teacher/Librarian
Northlakes Leo Club
The Leos are holding a big Autumn Fashion Fair on Saturday 14 March in the School Hall between 8am and 12 noon. There will also be a raffle. All clothes will be between $1 and $5 including Designer Wear and Evening Dresses. If you love op-shopping, please come along and grab yourself some bargains and support the Leos raising money for charities.
The Leos and some of their parents will be volunteering their time to assist the running of the Raw Challenge on Saturday 21 March by the Iris Foundation. The Leos will get a chance to run through the Challenge themselves after the volunteering is finished. Lots of fun activities are planned for 2020 for the Leos including running a stall at the Goats Festival on 5 April, BBQs, running cake and donut stalls, High Tea and visiting elderly people in Nursing Homes for Mother's and Father's Day as well as taking part in the Mingara Relay for Life. All students at Northlakes High School are welcome to join the Leos and an application form can be obtained from the Student Window and needs to be completed by both student and parent and returned to the Student Window with $5. Being a Leo is a great way of making more friends, doing fun activities and making the community a better place. "
If you have any spare coat-hangers please send them into the school office in a bag marked for the Leos as we will use them at the Autumn Fashion Fair. Thanks.
Lynda Elsley - Leo Club Advisor
Uniform Donations Needed
Our clothing pool has started to get very low again. Please drop in any unused uniforms to the front office.
NORTHLAKES HIGH SCHOOL
Brava Ave, San Remo, NSW, 2262
Phone: 02 4390 0555