Year 7 Howmans Gap Camp

Wednesday 18th to Friday 20th April, 2018

Purpose of the camp: To ensure the best possible transition into Year 7 creating opportunities for students to develop positive relationships with their peers and teachers.

Year 7 camp offers the opportunity for your child to develop valuable skills in the following areas;

to improve communications skills, self-awareness, self-esteem and be able to better cope with peer pressure
to build working relationships between students and teachers
to develop connectedness to peers
to increase awareness of the similarities and differences in people

Cost: The cost of the camp is $300 per child.

The college is committed to improving our service to students and their families by offering flexible and convenient payment options.

To ensure your child secures a placement on camp, prompt return of the form sent to families along with a $20 deposit would be greatly appreciated.

For more information please contact Mrs Jayne Black at the college on 58711700.

Year 9 camp!

Year 9 Novels

This term each Year 9 class is reading a different novel as the students prepare themselves for the challenge of writing responses that explore difficult issues such as cyber safety, racism and homelessness.

Cry Blue Murder, By Kim Kaine and Marion Roberts.

Celia and Alice share everything - their secrets, their hopes and now their increasing horror that a killer is on the loose, abducting schoolgirls just like them. Three bodies have been found, each shrouded in hand-woven fabric. From within the depths of a police investigation, clues start to emerge. As Alice and Celia discover the truth, danger is closer than anyone knows. Who can be trusted at a time like this? "Cry Blue Murder" is a haunting and poignant psychological thriller that pushes the boundaries of trust and betrayal, from two exciting new voices in Australian young adult fiction.

Deadly Unna?, By Phillip Gwynne

Deadly, Unna? is the story of two young boys as they come to terms with the realities of racism in regional South Australia.

The first section of the novel, ‘Winter’, ends with the football Grand Final, in which Blacky, a typical fourteen year old, unwittingly becomes the hero. The events of the Grand Final begin to act as a catalyst as Blacky begins noticing the ways in which discrimination and disadvantage of Indigenous people are present around him. The second section of the text, ‘Summer’, reaches a climax when his friend Dumby, an indigenous boy, is killed after he is involved in a crime and Blacky must decide whether to obey his father or to go to Dumby’s funeral.

Deadly, Unna? is a well written, thought provoking novel that has the capacity to make the reader smile, frown or laugh out loud while tackling a serious and complex issue in our society.

The Simple Gift, by Steven Herrick

Billy is a 16-year-old boy escaping from an abusive father. Old Bill is a homeless man whose overwhelming grief has caused him to turn his back on his former life. Caitlin is a 17-year-old rich girl frustrated with the impersonal excesses of her privileged family. Together, they are about to discover that simple gifts like time and friendship can connect the most unlikely people.

The Simple Gift was first published in 2000 with author Steven Herrick inspired to create this touching verse novel because he saw young people becoming increasingly disconnected and isolated and wanted to encourage young adults to accept, encourage and embrace their world.

Reminder: Uniform

Congratulations to most of Middle School for following rules but unfortunately, still some students not in all white socks, all black shoes or with facial piercings. If parents wish to discuss this please contact the relevant year level leader at the school.

Year 7: Jane Grenfell

Year 8: Marie Satler

Year 9: Karen Furphy

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

Bring Your Own Device (BOYD) and School Netbook Borrowing Program:

Well done to those who have organised to have own or borrow school computer. Some students are still not bringing necessary technology to classes. It is a required piece of equipment and teachers will be expecting all students have one in class - charged and connected to school's system. If do not have one yet, then can borrow one through school. See Year Level Managers for help to do this.

Student Profile

Each newsletter we will be featuring a student to learn a little about them.

This week's student is Lilly Reynolds

What year level are you currently studying?

Year 8

What is your favourite subject at school?

Science, Drama and Health.

What is the best book you have read in Illuminate?

The best book I've read is called 'Eragon'! I love the fantasy vibe!

What is your best memory of your time at Cobram SC College?

My best memory was the Year 7 camp! I faced my fear of heights and achieved more than I ever thought I would!

What do you enjoy doing during recess and lunch times?

I enjoy going to the music room to sing and chill with my friends!

What is the best item you can buy from the school canteen?

The best item is the pasta! Yasss!!

What is your dream job when you leave school?

My dream job is to either be a Psychologist or a teacher teaching the English language to Japanese students.

Dates to remember

February

March