REL. PRINCIPAL: Mr Christopher Payne
REL. DEPUTY PRINCIPAL: Mr Alasdair Sides
I am pleased to bring you the latest updates and highlights from Cootamundra High School as we approach the final term of the year. The past months have been filled with a range of activities and achievements that showcase the dedication and talent of our students and staff.
It is with great pleasure that I introduce our newly appointed 2024 School Captains. They were elected following a very close run ballot, and after each one addressed the school at a formal assembly. All the speakers on the day were amazing in their poise and confidence, and I was deeply impressed with the maturity displayed by each candidate. I am confident that the incoming captains will continue to uphold the values and traditions of our school while bringing their unique perspectives and ideas to the forefront.
So, congratulations to Andie McTavish and Jack Finch, our School Captains for 2024, and to Abbey Sloan and Aidan Blackney, our Vice Captains, who I am sure will lead our school community with integrity, compassion, and enthusiasm. We have already witnessed their skills in their presentation of the Year 12 2023 Final Assembly at the end of Term 3.
Speaking of Year 12, they have successfully negotiated the Trial HSC Examination period and have been presented with their results. Even though some students were disappointed with the outcome, I encourage all to use the results as a baseline on which to build a more concerted attempt at the final exams. All staff and the wider school community wish you all the best for success in the exams and beyond.
One of the more time-consuming aspects of the HSC is the major works required in some subjects. But on the bright side, at least for these students a proportion of the final marks in the subject are already done and dusted by the end of Term 3. This is the case for our wonderful artists and design and technology students, whose major works have been marked already by teams of visiting markers. Again, we wish those students all the best for the exams to come!
In the final week of Term 3 Cootamundra High School students participated in the long awaited AECG cultural games day, in which our Year 9 and 10 students assisted in the morning with games for students from all of the primary schools in town, then participating in a game of burinjin (think a mix of aussie rules, touch football and netball) with mixed teams consisting of CHS and Sacred Heart students. The vibe of the day was amazing – all students in Cootamundra (and Stockinbingal and Wallendbeen) gathered on Fisher Park in the shape of the local Wiradjuri totem of the long-necked turtle, was a sight to see! Despite the heat of the day students and staff were all positive about the spirit in which the day was conducted. Primary school staff, and Mrs Lonnen as supervisor, were incredibly impressed by the patience and compassion shown by our students towards the littlies from K to Year 6 – the picture that sums up the day must surely be the one where one of our Year 9 girls is kneeling down tying the shoelaces of a kindy child! Very heartwarming! Our thanks to the AECG for proposing the day, as well as for feeding all the students and staff on the day!
Our staff have been upskilling in the second half of the term, with afterschool courses on the Canva program and regenerative AI (artificial intelligence). Both courses presented staff with an insight into two very different areas of technology – one creative which will be a great asset in creating lessons for students, the other raising discussion and professional debate around the ethical considerations of platforms such as ChatGPT.
As we move to the end of Term 3 one of the rituals is the passage of Year 12 from the school as they leave to sit their HSC exams in Term 4. The Year 12 Final Assembly was a poignant moment when we celebrated the achievements of our graduating class. This year students adopted a different approach to presentation and wore university style gowns and mortar hats over their uniforms, which looked stunning in the photographs.
It has been a very big term for the school community, students, and staff. As we look forward to the remainder of the school year and the events that lie ahead, I am confident that together, we will continue to provide our students with the best possible education and experiences.
Thank you for your continued support.
Mr. Chris Payne
Relieving Principal.
Dates for your Diary...
| Oct 17 | Love Bites Program |
| Nov 13 - 24 | Work Placement - Hospitality and Autos |
| Nov 15 | Year 12 Graduation Dinner |
| Nov 15 | Sammy D Foundation Violence Prevention - Year 8 |
| Nov 28 - 29 | Year 8 PBL Excursion (Dubbo Zoo) |
| Dec 1 | Year 9 PBL Excursion |
| Dec 13 | Year 10 PBL Excursion |
