Western Under 15s Touch Gala Day in Orange

Last Thursday our junior touch teams travelled to Orange to compete in the Western Touch Gala Day.

It was a tough day but both teams played to the best of their ability against some quality opposition. The girls came away with a win against Grenfell in their second match of the day (1-0). Unfortunately the boys were unlucky on the day and didn’t come anyway with any wins. Despite this result they still gave it their all and played fairly.

All students had a great day and are looking forward to the upcoming year of touch.

School Farm Yard

Greetings from the school farm, where the changing seasons are bringing forth an abundance of developments.

Stage 5 has started in the garden where they have been working hard in preparing garden beds ready for autumn planting whilst harvesting zucchinis, tomatoes, cucumbers, and corn that was planted at the end of last year.

In preparation for the South Coast School Steer Spectacular in May, we are pleased to announce the arrival of two steers to the farm. Cloudie and Wynstan have now settled in well despite a small hiccup as Cloudie tried to stretch his legs down Farm Street. Bred by Sue McClusky they are Murray Greys. The commencement of our journey towards competition readiness is being spearheaded by a dedicated group of students. These eager students have started a Show Team to attempt to prepare them for the Boorowa Show which is fast approaching. A big thanks to Thompsons Rural for coming up to unload the feed the was provided to the school for free as a part of the competition.

Following a well-deserved Christmas holiday, our sheep have returned, rested, and rejuvenated. They have settled back in quickly and will soon be added to when we collect 6 merino wethers for the NSW School Merino Competition this year. There will be updates as this program continues.

As we navigate the transition of the seasons, the school farm has been a hub of activity, as we tackle the long list of tasks to prepare for the year ahead. Stage 6 Primary Industries students have started compiling a list of jobs and maintenance that they will work through whilst completing their units over the year.

Thank you for your ongoing support in our agricultural endeavours and we look forward to sharing further news and excitement in the future.

Stage 6 Elevate and University of Wollongong Excursion

Last week, Year 11 and 12 students participated in Elevate workshops focusing on 'Ace Your Exams' and 'Time Management.' These workshops, aimed at enhancing study skills and organisational strategies, play a pivotal role in preparing our students for the challenges of the Higher School Certificate (HSC). Collaborating with students from Murrumburrah High School, our dedicated young learners engaged in sessions that provided valuable insights into effective study techniques and time management principles. The interactive nature of the workshops, coupled with the opportunity to share experiences with peers from another school, created a stimulating and collaborative learning environment.

In addition to the Elevate workshops, our Year 12 students embarked on an overnight trip to Wollongong for the University of Wollongong (UOW) Discovery Days. The students had the chance to immerse themselves in the vibrant culture of Wollongong through dinner in the CBD and a sunset walk on the beach. Our Year 12s gained invaluable insights into university life, attending informative sessions, interacting with professors, and navigating the UOW campus. The trip not only broadened their horizons but also motivated them to strive for excellence in their final year of high school.

Here's to a year of growth, learning, and success for our Year 11 and 12 students.

Mrs White – Year 12 Advisor

Strengthening Numeracy Skills for Junior Secondary Students

This term our junior secondary students in Years 7-10 undertook a program to reinforce their foundational mathematical skills through the Numeracy Skills Builder program.

At the onset of the academic year, all students in these year levels dedicated time to hone in on the essentials of mathematics, focusing on key areas such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, time, fractions, and decimals. The aim of this program is to ensure that every student starts the year with a solid grasp of these fundamental concepts, laying a strong foundation for their mathematical journey ahead.

Through the program, we have identified some common areas that require attention, particularly the recall speed of multiplication tables. It has become evident that many students need additional practice in swiftly recalling multiplication facts. Additionally, there is a need for further development in areas such as multiplying larger numbers and understanding division with remainders.

As parents and guardians, your support plays a crucial role in your child's mathematical development. We encourage you to engage in regular practice sessions with your child, focusing on multiplication tables and other identified areas of improvement. Even just a few minutes each evening spent practicing these skills can make a significant difference in your child's mathematical fluency and confidence.

Next time your child claims they have no homework, seize the opportunity to engage them in a quick math exercise. Whether it's asking them to recite their 7 times tables or challenging them to solve a multiplication problem like 678 x 6, every minute spent practicing basic mathematics contributes to their overall proficiency.

By dedicating time to strengthen their foundational skills now, we are paving the way for their success not only in the classroom but also in their future endeavours.

Andrew Corcoran

Head Teacher - Agriculture, Mathematics, PDHPE and Science

Year 11 NESA and Headspace Workshop

On Tuesday our Year 11 students participated in a collaborative workshop at the South West Fire Control Centre in Harden. This workshop brought together students from Boorowa Central School and Murrumburrah High School, offering invaluable insights into navigating the challenges of the Higher School Certificate (HSC) journey.

The workshop consisted of two informative sessions designed to address essential aspects of academic success and well-being. In the first session, a representative from the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) provided students with a comprehensive overview of HSC requirements and practical tips for effective preparation. This session laid a strong foundation for understanding the expectations and strategies for success in the upcoming examinations.

Following this, students participated in a session facilitated by a representative from Headspace, focusing on self-care and mental health support. They learned about the importance of recognising signs of distress and strategies for promoting well-being during times of academic pressure. This session fostered a culture of openness and support, encouraging students to prioritise their mental health while pursuing academic goals.

What made this workshop particularly special was the respectful and enthusiastic participation of our students. They not only engaged with the material presented but also took the opportunity to connect and network with their peers from Murrumburrah High School. This collaborative spirit reflects the supportive community we strive to cultivate within our schools.

We thank Mrs White and Mrs Spencer from Murrumburrah for organising a great day for the students.

Mr Andrew Corcoran - Year 11 Advisor

ENGLISH -HSIE & HUB

Say hello to the 2024 English, HSIE & Hub Faculty.

Our faculty is home to a bunch of dedicated and fun-loving teachers who specialise in a variety of different subjects. (from left to right)

John Keighley – The peoples’ choice and one of our amazing HUB teachers. John’s well-rounded and worldly manner make him a hit with our students. When not at school you’ll see John flying planes, riding his motor bike and hitting the slopes in the winter season.

Sarah Walls – Our history buff here at BCS, Sarah loves to share her passion of history with students through the fun use of ‘Killroy’, an original WWII meme made by American soldiers. Sarah loves reading, always adding to her collection of novels and her colourful style sense makes her pop in a crowd.

Anna Dreverman – Our fearless leader. Anna joins us after having a year off from teaching, you might have seen her running Hilltops Youth Action events around the community. Anna’s big smile, easy-going attitude and supportive nature makes her an easy pick for the role. In her down time, you’ll catch Anna playing rugby for the Boorowa Goldilocks .

Ingrid Corcoran - Our in-house tech guru and seasoned geography and legal studies teacher, Ingrid is still embracing and loving teaching after 46 years. Ingrid’s love of sport and community engagement have seen her become an integral part of the Boorowa community.

Annette Miller – Another new face to the faculty this year, Annette is our other amazing HUB teacher this year. With a background in primary, her down-to-earth attitude and love of chocolate has seen Annette become quickly liked by the students and she’s settled into Boorowa well.

Mitchell Flyght – New to the Boorowa Central fold this year, Mitch is our English teacher extraordinaire and loves to ride his e-bike to school daily. Sporting an exceptional moustache and beard, if you catch Mitch cruising around town make sure to give him a wave.

Wk	2024 Term 1	Time	Event

5	Friday 1 March	9.00am	PSSA District Swimming Grenfell Primary
6	Tuesday 5 March	2.30pm	Infants & Primary Assembly - School Hall
6	Wednesday 6 March		Kindergarten Bus Safety
7	Monday 11 March	8.30am	Western Secondary Swinning Trials - Dubbo
7	Friday 15 March	8.55am	Country Education Foundation Boot Bash - wear your favourite boots to school - gold coin donation
11	Wednesday 10 to 11 April	7.30am	Year 8 Canberra overnight Excursion

Diary Dates and Notices