The start to Term 3 has been a busy one with the school able to celebrate NAIDOC with activities in week one and two which included an assembly highlighting the theme for this year, Get Up, Stand Up, Show Up. Charlotte delivered an exceptional Acknowledgement of Country in Language, followed by our guest speaker who was a former student of the school, Mr Brice Haywood, now a teacher at Lake Cathie Public School. He spoke to students about having a life plan, setting goals, and striving to achieve them and being proud of their culture and heritage as they strive to achieve these goals.
Erin and Jordan presented clear and concise information about the Uluru Statement from the Heart. This is an invitation to the Australian people from First Nations Australians. It asks Australians to walk together to build a better future by establishing a First Nations Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Constitution, and the establishment of a Makarrata Commission for the purpose of treaty making and truth-telling. The Referendum Council was formed in 2015 to explore this and Jasmine clarified to students what a referendum is and how it is held, should the Council recommend a referendum.
A variety of other activities were held, including an art competition and food tasting, featuring ingredients used by Indigenous people over time. The inter-school games day was postponed due to wet conditions. A big thank you to all those staff and students who planned and organised activities this week, as well as our students who assisted in presentation. Well done!
The return of Ninja Warrior has been extremely exciting. Students practised the course and the finals on Thursday were great and displayed some real talent amongst students who were highly competitive, spurred on by an enthusiastic audience. The staff, however, need some more intensive preparation and training for next year. Well done Ms Morley and the PDHPE faculty!
Subject selections for Year 10 into Year 11 went ahead this week and it was well attended by parents and students. Mr Rowe and staff from across faculty areas were able to answer questions so students are able to make well informed choices. The Careers Team will conduct individual interviews with all Year 10 students in Week 4. Please phone the school if there are issues which require further clarification. For general issues ask for Mr Rowe or for subject specific matters the Head Teacher of the relevant faculty.
Year 12 Trial HSC examinations begin next week. This year the school is employing external supervisors to conduct the exams. This will provide students with an authentic experience of the HSC and also provide time for staff to mark and review papers and work collaboratively to plan for the consolidation of student learning for the achievement of positive outcomes on course completion.
The School Development Review will be held during next week. A team of six people form the review panel which consists of; a team leader, two peer principals, a deputy principal and two staff from rural and remote education. The terms of reference for the review were outlined in the last newsletter. A number of staff, parents and students have been approached to take part in the review by agreeing to be interviewed. Draft recommendations will be provided by the end of next week with final recommendations agreed to over the next weeks ready to implement by the school in the following twelve months.

Mrs M Hutchinson
Principal

1 - 12 August • Year 12 Trial Examinations
2 August • AFL - U15's CHHS v Hunter Sports High School
7 - 12 August • Year 11 Ski Trip

2023 Ninja Warrior

CHHS held its annual Ninja Warriors this week. The atmosphere was electric and the competition was fierce.
Congratulations to all those students who competed. Many thanks to the staff and students who made this such a successful event!!
More photos will be appearing on our website soon.

Year 11 2023 Subject Selection Information Night

Last night CHHS held a Subject Selection information session for Year 10's transitioning into Year 11 in 2023. Thank you to the staff who organised a most informative night and to the parents/carers who attended.
More photos will appear on the CHHS website soon!!

Year 11 Marine Students at Shark and Ray Centre 

At the end of last term the Year 11 Marine Studies students visited Irukandji Shark and Ray Centre.  They had the wonderful experience of feeding and snorkelling with Sharks and Stingrays. As you can see from the photos they had a ball and enjoyed this new experience! The Rays were extremely friendly much to the students delight! It was fun to watch! It was also a fantastic educational experience where they learnt some important biological and conservation information about Sharks and Rays. Some of the species they encountered were Tamny Nurse Sharks, Reef Sharks, Port Jackson Sharks, Shovel Nosed Rays, Guitar Rays, Smooth Stingrays, Eagle Rays. 
The students then visited Kookabarra Barramundi Farm where they learnt all about how the fish are Aquacultured for food. The farm also has a sustainable aquaponics system and grow vegetables from the waste produced by the fish. The visit was fun and helped to consolidate some of their previous learning about Barramundi Biology. We also had lunch at the farm – no not Barramundi, but Pizza! Thanks Year 11.  It was fun to take you out for the day – Dr Deb Geronimi. 

Year 10 Marine Debris Survey

At the end of last term the Year 10 Marine Students visited South Beach, Dunbogan to aid in a Marine Debris survey for Tangaroa Blue. Tangaroa Blue is a conservation organisation that is collecting information on the amount of marine debris washing up on our beaches. We were all horrified by the amount of litter that we collected (20 kg in an hour). There was so much ranging from fishing nets, plastic bottles, broken up hard plastics, soft plastics, a door, garden rake etc etc. 
We could not physically collect it all and sadly there is still so much there. We would therefore like to encourage the local community to get involved and help remove some of the rubbish. Many of the locals have been picking up the rubbish which is great to hear.  
The students have been learning about the impacts of marine debris on our wildlife and by seeing this amount of rubbish first hand has really bought it home to them that this is a major problem across the globe and one that humans have created. We will be looking at solutions to these problems and hoping that if everyone does their bit it will make a huge difference to our marine ecosystems.

CHHS Dance Company

Year 7 Goanna's Modelling the Phases of the Moon

Year 7 Goanna's were modelling the phases of the moon with Oreo biscuits in Science today.

CHHS Interact Support Marine Rescue

At the Week 2 assembly, representatives of CHHS Interact presented a cheque to Marine Rescue Camden Haven as the recipients of the term two 'Help Us Help Them' out of uniform day fundraiser.  On the out of uniform day, we asked students and staff to dress up as heroes to help show their support for our local heroes who have supported the community. CHHS Interact chose our local Marine Rescue unit, Camden Haven, to be the recipients of the funds raised. Vic and Meredith were grateful for the $250 which was fundraised for their unit as it will go towards the purchasing of equipment the unit needs as a part of their operations. Thank you to all staff and students who joined us for this fundraiser and a huge thank you to the Marine Rescue Camden Haven for ensuring that our waterways are safe.    

Year 10's Enjoy the Taste of Japan

Recently more and more Japanese food is appearing in supermarkets in our local area. The Year 10 Japanese class sampled some Pokki, Hello Panda, ocha (green tea) and sushi using ingredients that can be bought locally. They learned that you don't need to travel far to enjoy the taste of Japan. Let's see what other tasty Japanese treats end up coming to shops around Laurieton.

Year 10's Investigating Science Taster Lesson

What to solve a scientific problem? Save the world? Investigate how to deal with pollution, bushfires or why certain commercial brands do not live up to their claims? These are just some questions students can build a depth study project, research or experiment around in Investigating Science; a unique course that covers aspects of all sciences and practical skills to help you investigate an issue that interests you! On Wednesday 27 July, students learned some scientific skills using traditional compared with technological approaches (using data loggers and a graphing app!) when testing the pH of different household liquids. They found that coffee was acidic and shampoo was alkaline and looked at models and topics covered in the course.

Year 10's Environmental Science and Earth Taster Lesson

Life on Earth past, present and future, natural and human interactions, climate science and hazards (some causing mass destruction!) were some of the topics Year 10 interested students looked at during this taster session on Monday 25 July. Understanding how the crust moves over the surface of the Earth was practically understood by assembling crackers, hommus and bread. As students squished and slid the mixture, the process of earthquakes could also be seen (and eaten). Students then worked with activities, field skills and fossils that are all covered in this exciting course.

Notices from the local community.