Cootamundra High School Newsletter

REL. PRINCIPAL: Mr Christopher Payne  

REL. DEPUTY PRINCIPAL: Mr Alasdair Sides

On September 1st, the Coota High P and C will be hosting a screening of Barbie - the first for Cootamundra, to help raise funds for our dance team to travel and perform at this year's Schools Spectacular in November. 

In Week 2 of this term, 12 Cootamundra High School students were lucky enough to participate in Shearing School at a local property. The training was a fully funded joint initiative between NSW Department of Education, Australian Wool Innovation and TAFE NSW. Students achieved multiple competencies in basic wool handling and shearing.

Monday and Tuesday seen the students learn how to assemble and maintain a hand piece and down tube, how to safely catch and restrain a sheep, and how to crutch and wig. On Wednesday, students continued practicing crutching and wigging, and were shown how to safely operate a wool press. On Thursday, students were able to attempt the long blow, removing fleece from the back area of the sheep. On Friday, students continued practicing the long blow, crutching, and wigging, with some moving towards shearing an entire sheep on their own. Throughout the week, students were taught how to work as a shed hand and became very familiar with how to throw and sort a fleece. Students were constantly assessed on their practical competencies and worked very well in small groups to complete the theory work.

A big thank you to Andrew Twyford of “Green Hills” for allowing us to complete the training using his sheep and facilities, to our trainers Elko, Kayla and Andy, to Kathleen and Lyal for getting us to and from Shearing School safely, and to the many other people working exceptionally hard behind the scenes to ensure our students got to participate in such an excellent opportunity. The participation and behaviour of our students was excellent, with many expressing an interest in pursuing work in the industry following the completion of the training.

Food Technology students are studying party planning and food for special occasions. Spring Rolls were recently on the menu including a gluten free option.

Ms Willoughby

The thrill of adventure, the rush of competition, and the joy of learning converged during the much-awaited event at our school - The Amazing Race! On Friday 4th August, students from every corner of Cootamundra High School eagerly participated in this exhilarating event, immersing themselves in a whirlwind of knowledge, teamwork, and fun.

The premise was simple yet captivating: students formed teams and embarked on a virtual journey around the globe, all while staying within the school premises. The challenge? To conquer 12 geographical locations, each representing a different country, and to complete a variety of captivating activities that tested not only their academic prowess but also their physical skills.

As students kicked off the race, they encountered an array of engaging tasks. These included trivia sessions where their knowledge of world cultures, history, and current events were put to the test. Our very own student-made chess problems pushed their critical thinking skills to new heights, encouraging strategic moves that would make even grandmasters proud. The back oval echoed with laughter during the egg races, where participants raced while carefully balancing an egg on a spoon. But the ultimate crowd-pleaser had to be the magnetic fishing challenge, which demanded steady hands and a knack for precision.

After an afternoon of fierce competition and the collective hum of learning, the moment of truth finally arrived. The energy was electric as the winners of each stage were announced:

**Stage 4 Winners: Hayden Kellly, Hallie Nicka, Kaylah Marion, Layne Stoneman and Braydon Rickett - Proving that intelligence and teamwork go hand in hand, they dominated the trivia questions and showcased their breadth of knowledge.

**Stage 5 Winners: Liam Rees, Reid McTavish, Harrison Fallon - Quick thinking and clever strategies led them to victory, as they navigated the chess problems with unmatched finesse.

Stage 6 Winners: Haileigh Neaves, Niketa Smart, Tom Rumble, Charlie Harris and Dylan Beattie  - The final stage was conquered by this dynamic team, who showcased both their physical prowess and quick reflexes in the magnetic fishing challenge.

But it's important to remember that while these teams emerged victorious, every participant was a winner in their own right. The Amazing Race was a testament to the power of collaboration, determination, and the joy of learning. As students bonded over challenges and celebrated achievements, they forged new friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.

This event wouldn't have been possible without the dedication of our SRC and Mrs Boatswain, who worked tirelessly to create an unforgettable experience for all involved. The Amazing Race perfectly encapsulated the essence Cootamundra’s commitment to holistic education, combining academics, sportsmanship, and camaraderie.

As the applause subsided and the excitement of the Amazing Race settled, we can't help but feel a renewed sense of pride in our school community. The event reminded us that education is not just confined to textbooks and classrooms; it's a dynamic journey that can take us to the far corners of the world, even within the walls of our school.

Here's to the spirit of adventure, the thrill of learning, and the friendships forged through challenges. Until the next Amazing Race, Cootamundra High School will continue to be a hub of exploration and growth.

Stay curious, stay adventurous, and keep embracing the journey of education!

Riverina Athletics Championship was held in Albury at the start of the term. We had a large team attend on the day. A few students have progressed through to NSWCHSSA State Athletics to represent the Riverina Team in Sydney in week 8.

We are very proud of everyone's efforts and wish the following students the best with their training and preparation for Sydney.

• Sophie Boxsell - 100m & 200m
• William Helling - 100m & 200m
• Liam Rees - 1500m
• Toby Tanks - 400m
• Kristian Miller - 100m, 200m, 800m, shotput, long jump and discus in the multiclass category.
• 16s boys relay team - Harry Boxsell, Toby Tanks, William Helling and Kristian Miller

The Ag Plot continues to be a hive of activity this term, with preparation for the upcoming Spring and Summer shows well underway. Here is a snapshot of what the Ag classes and Show team have been up to:

Stage 5 Agriculture: are currently working through their Dairy assessment task and have mostly finished their work on Plant Propagation. This class has continued to maintain their gardens and have been given the responsibility of growing produce to put in the Cootamundra Show. The big Show Garden has been prepped and is ready to plant out. This class have put multiple seed trays into the green house and will plant them out into the Show Garden in the next few weeks. The garden will also be irrigated and covered, and Stage 5 Agriculture are looking forward to working on this project in the next few weeks.

Year 11 Agriculture: are almost finished their Animal Production unit and are starting to prepare for their end of Preliminary exams. Year 11 Agriculture have been given the responsibility to grow bush food to put in our Aboriginal garden and near the Yarning Circle. Cootamundra High School have a subscription through D&H Seed Harvest Co, and each month, 3 new bush food seed packs are sent through to our school. Students have planted seed trays with Quinnie Bush, Kangaroo Paws, Quandongs and lots of different edible Lillys. Year 11 Agriculture have enjoyed learning about native bush foods and are excited to see their seeds begin to germinate soon. The grafted Fruit Salad trees are also beginning to flower, and students have noticed the different coloured flowers present on the same tree, which indicate different varieties of fruit that will grow on each part of the tree.

Year 12 Agriculture: are currently sitting their Trial HSC exams and have bene working away on study resources and past paper questions to prepare themselves for their upcoming exams. This class will finish off the tail end of their Animal Production topic and will have plenty of time to work on revision resources to ensure they are well prepared for their HSC exams later in the year.

Show Team: have continued working on the 4 steers we have at school at the moment. The 2 Angus cattle are finishing up very nicely and are ready for their first show in the next few weeks. The 2 Square Meater steers are gentling very nicely, and the students are thoroughly enjoying their work with the steers. Our Show birds are growing out well, and some of our junior Show Team members are working very hard on getting our Double Silver-Laced Barnevelders well handled and show ready. As always, if you are interested in joining Show Team or are curious about what it involves, come down to the Ag Plot and have a look. Show Team runs every lunch time when Miss Callaghan is not on playground duty and is also offered on Wednesdays as a Sport option.

Miss Callaghan.

The NSW Government’s Infrastructure Traineeship is perfect for Year 12 students interested in developing their professional skills in the infrastructure industry, as well as having the potential to make a difference to communities across NSW.

The two-year Traineeship provides a pathway for young school leavers to work and study at the same time.  

Trainees can obtain valuable on-the-job experience and training while completing their TAFE studies. Over the two-year traineeship, participants will study one day per week with NSW TAFE towards a Certificate IV in Business, Project Management Practice and Procurement and Contracting while working in different roles across government, private industry and consultancy firms.  It is an excellent way to gain nationally recognised qualifications and on-the job experience.

Why apply?

·         As an infrastructure trainee, you would be entering an industry that is growing and looking for young workers.

·         You will be contributing to the community by building the infrastructure for NSW’s future.  

·         There are many opportunities to progress in the infrastructure and construction sector – in government, private industry or consultancies.

·         A TAFE NSW qualification will let you pursue further qualifications or to use your newly acquired skills to find other employment during the program or after you graduate.  

Don’t delay! Be one of the first to apply for the NSW Government Infrastructure Traineeship.

For more information about the program and how to apply, see the Infrastructure Traineeship website at: https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/career-and-study-pathways/infrastructure-traineeships/about-infrastructure-traineeships

Not sure what’s after Year 12?  

Why not apply for an Infrastructure Traineeship position? You’ll be placed in public and private organisations building huge infrastructure projects.  Also, study 1 day a week at TAFE for a Certificate IV in Business, Project Management Practice or Procurement and Contracting.  Work and study together.

❗ Don’t miss out – go online and apply now!