Principal's Report

Welcome to 2019

Welcome to the first Cowra High newsletter for 2019.

I hope everyone’s summer break was enjoyable and refreshing.  It has been wonderful to have some cool weather after such a hot spell.  Certainly great to see the difference in the students as they come to school after a good night’s rest.

Recently I was contacted by a member of the public informing me of the responsible behaviour of two of our students, Lilly Smith (Year 7) and Lowanna Murray (Year 10).  On the way to school these two girls observed an elderly member of the community have a fall in her front yard.  They immediately rushed to render assistance.  When they realised the woman required more assistance but did not want an ambulance called, one of the girls stayed with the woman while the other went for help from a neighbour.  Both then stayed until further care was provided.  Although not surprised by the responsible behaviour of Cowra High students, I am always extremely proud of the positive contribution our students make to our community.

I was pleased to see Cowra High students once again volunteering to help our partner primary schools conduct their swimming carnivals.  I know their assistance is greatly appreciated by the primary schools.  This also provides these students with invaluable experiences in organising sporting events.

Speaking of swimming carnivals, the Cowra High annual carnival will be held at the Cowra Aquatic Centre on Friday 1 March.  Please keep in mind this is a normal school day and all students are expected to attend.  Experience shows that students who come along on the day and get involved have a wonderful time.  They don’t have to be a competitive swimmer, there are always many novelty events.  The important thing is to give it a go.

Cowra High has implemented the healthy canteen policy as mandated in all NSW schools.  Our school canteen is managed by our P & C and does a wonderful job of providing nutritious and tasty food options for the students.  There are also EFTPOS facilities available through the canteen.  If your child forgets to bring lunch and you need to deliver it or money to them, it is a requirement that you report to the office.  For the safety and wellbeing of all, we do not allow any member of the public to walk straight into the areas where students are.  Similarly students are not allowed to go to the front of the school to meet people without the school’s permission.  All of these measures are designed to protect students and I ask for your support in this matter.  I also ask that if you deliver food for your child, that you please refrain from delivering “junk” food such as McDonald’s, KFC etc.

Our first P & C meeting for 2019 will be held in the teachers’ common room (next to the front office) on Wednesday 20 February at 6.00pm.  It would be wonderful to see some new members of this wonderful group.  Together I am sure we can do much to improve the educational experiences of our students.

Have a wonderful fortnight.

Charles Gauci

Joe Williams coming to speak to students Monday 25 February

Welcome to Year 7

Wednesday 30 January saw the beginning of a big year for  Year 7 2019.  After being welcomed by Year Advisor Mrs Keefe and Mr Gauci, Year 7 received their timetables and set off for the day. 

The students will have their first excursion next week, visiting the Nepean Adventure Centre.  Have a great time!

AFGW Scholarship Presentation

The Australian Federation of Graduate Women Inc. held their annual presentation for their Cowra-Canowindra HSC Scholarships on Saturday night 9 February at the Cowra Services Club.

Congratulations goes Jemma Pokoney and India Johnson, who both received scholarships to the value of $2000 funded by the association and the Cowra Services Club Grants Program.

Leila Smith was the guest speaker for the night.  Leila is a Wiradjuri woman whose family is from the Erambie mission in Cowra.  Raised in Canberra, she holds a Masters in Public Policy from the University of Cambridge and Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University with First Class Honours in Sociology.

Leila has worked with the Lowitja Institute and the Nous Group, both organisations which focus on developing leadership and high impact quality research, as well as for such groups as the Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.  She is now the deputy CEO of the Aurora Education Foundation, a group which walks with Indigenous students through each stage of their educational development to build their resilience, identity, aspirations and sense of community.  She is one of a new generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates who are working in higher level positions to combine their pride in their heritage with research-based and effective program management.

Afterwards Leila spoke to Cowra High students Iesha Reed, Emily Bush and Maegan Carroll, who found her to be a highly motivating and inspirational speaker.