Principal's Report

Last Friday was the annual Cowra High Swimming Carnival at the Cowra Aquatic Centre. I can report that the day was a complete success. Obviously, the local swimming club is doing a great job with seven new records set. I congratulate Zoe Browne, Finn Ryan and Matthew Dun. I also believe that on a more fundamental level, the carnival was one of the best I have attended. We not only had great attendance on the day, but we also had fabulous participation. Whether a serious swimmer or not, students got involved and “had a go”. I was also very pleased to see so many involving themselves in the novelty events. Although an opportunity to celebrate our best swimmers and select our representatives for the Regional carnival, it is important the day is, above all, enjoyable for everyone present. I can report, from my vantage point, we achieved that target.

Many by now will have seen the NSW Minister of Education’s announcement regarding the HSC and minimum standards linked to Year 9 NAPLAN results. This connection has now been removed. It will still be a requirement for all students to meet minimum standards in literacy and numeracy before qualifying for the HSC, but the process has now changed. If your child sat the Year 9 NAPLAN in 2017 and gained Band 8 or higher in reading, writing and numeracy, he/she has met the required standard. Other students who did not achieve a Band 8 in any of those areas will still need to sit the relevant online test to demonstrate the minimum standard. All 2018 and beyond Year 9 students will now need to sit all three (Reading, Writing and Numeracy) online tests to demonstrate the minimum standard for the HSC regardless of their NAPLAN results. Each online test is 45 minutes long and test functional literacy and numeracy. Detailed information sheets relating to the changes will be coming home with students shortly.

Year 12 Midcourse exams start on Monday. I’m sure students have been spending much time at home preparing for these very important exams. I wish each all the best for the next two weeks.

Next week also sees Year 7 heading off to camp. This year we are trialling a new format that we believe will provide the students with a superior experience to previous camps and better overall outcomes. Combined with the new facilities at this camp, I’m very confident the student will have a brilliant time at their first high school camp.

Have a great fortnight.

Charles Gauci

PBL

Congratulations to our PBL winners for the last two weeks. Thanks to Mr Embroidery, Bushmans Boots and All and Dominos for their ongoing support.