News From Around The School 

Charlie Jenkins - A Roaring Success  

The LIONS Youth of the Year program has a proud history of encouraging and fostering the leadership skills of young Australians approaching the end of their high school years.

By emphasising qualities like academic skills, sporting and cultural involvement, public speaking and contribution to the community, Youth of the Year aims to bring forth the next generation of outstanding young Australians.

Last week was Wee Waa High School's first chance to participate in three years due to Covid. Five of our Year 11 students were keen to take part and have the opportunity to develop their interview and public speaking skills.

Caitlyn Coutts-Smith, Mackenzie Jones, Billy Brodigan, Charlie Jenkins and Tanika Slee impressed judges with their prepared speeches, impromptu talks and interviews. 

Ultimately Charlie Jenkins was selected as the winner and from here goes on to district level mid February to compete with students from around this LIONS district.

We'd like to thank the Wee Waa Lions Club, particularly Bruce Gray for organising the day, to fellow LION, Tash Purdy-Johnson of Crockweld for time keeping , and to our esteemed judges, Ethan Towns, Anna Madden and James Woodford.

Students Tour Sydney Factory To See New School Being Built 

This week, five keen Year 10 students travelled to Sydney with Mr Catt and Miss Trevaskis to visit the new-school manufacturing site in Botany. The students have elected to study VET - Manufacture and Engineering or Industrial Technology - Timber next year for their Prelim and HSC.

During the morning, students experienced a factory tour where they learned about the innovative DfMA process of modular building. Student, Jye Smith made an astute observation when discussing the manufacturing process, ‘so, it’s like Lego?’ Each building block piece, fittings and hardware has a code-number and specifications corresponding to a detailed CAD plan. This will allow the buildings to be erected and finished in a short time frame once the new WWHS site is ready to go.

Miss Trevaskis said it was a huge privilege for these students to be given the all expenses paid trip to Sydney to view their school being built from start to finish. How exciting it will be seeing these building blocks coming together onsite in only a short while. 'The industry insight they have gained will also assist the students’ knowledge to be used in their assessments and exams for the HSC, said Ms Travaskis.

While in Sydney students also got to venture into the city to experience the Harbour Bridge and Circular Quay.

Work Experience For Year 11

In recent weeks our Year 11 students have been participating in work experience placements locally and further afield. The opportunity to try careers of interest is an invaluable one but one that wouldn't be possible without the support of host organisations. We'd like to thank all participating businesses, particularly our local companies including; Havana Farming, PJ's Country Wears, Visage Beauty, Wee Waa Public School, All Pets Narrabri, Namoi Cotton, The Frank Widdon Group, Namoi Christian School, Narrabri Vet Clinic, IGA Wee Waa, Brittos Engineering, Loose Ends Hair Designs and Pilliga Cafe.

Welcome (Back) Amber

This term we've been delighted to host three final year practicum teachers and have been incredibly impressed with their contribution to the school and community. 

We are delighted to have secured the services of Wee Waa High graduate, Amber Conomos who will join our teaching team for 2023. 

Amber will soon graduate from a Masters of (Secondary) Education.  Welcome back Amber, we're delighted to have you join our teaching staff.

Farewell Rob Eaton 

We are sorry to be farewelling Deputy Principal, Mr Rob Eaton. Mr Eaton has been with us on an 18 month contract to plan and direct our digital transformation, and he has done an outstanding job.

Mr Eaton has significantly upskilled staff and students in a range of cloud based platforms including TEAMS, One Note and Power App to name a few. This has meant that our school operates more efficiently and our delivery of lessons to students is streamlined and it has given us the resilience to be able to seamlessly move from teaching in the classroom to teaching flexibly online.  In addition to Covid, the regular flooding the past two terms has been challenging, but not nearly as much as it would have been had we not had the digital capability that we have now.

Rob leaves us to return to Maitland High School, but leaves a legacy of skills, knowledge and friendship amongst staff and students alike.

Farewell Rob, we wish you every happiness.