From the Principal's Desk

MCS Ready to start 2021

After a somewhat different 2020, we are back ready to take on 2021. 

In 2021, we are ready to make the most of opportunities, as they open up, to give your child the rich experiences that are available in public education. So we welcome all our students, parents/carers and staff back to MCS.

There are a couple of changes in staff, with some staff taking on relieving positions in higher roles, which offer these staff members a fantastic opportunity of professional learning.

Firstly, Mrs Michelle Barrett has been asked to be Relieving Principal at Canobolas Rural Technology High School this term while they organise a new permanent Principal for the School. This means that I am now Relieving Principal for the Term at MCS. Mr Kevin Costa will be Relieving Deputy, and Mrs Virginia Dale will be Head Teacher Math/TAS. 

Mr Tony Keen has accepted the position of Deputy Principal at Parkes High School for the year and Ms Rebecca Vis will be stepping into his role for the year as Relieving Head Teacher HSIE/PDHPE.

These changes in staffing indicate the depth of skills and experience of our staff and I am confident that the School will continue to provide a high level of professionalism and support for students and parents, with a real focus on the core business of teaching and learning.

We have other new staff join us this year and we would like to welcome them to the caring community of MCS.

Rhiannon Cato - 3/4 White

Hi, I’m Rhiannon! I studied at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst and have been teaching in Orange for the past year. I have a little black staffy called Bella and will (finally) be getting married in November if Covid cooperates. I’m so incredibly lucky to be at Molong this year teaching the wonderful 3/4 White! 

Here are a few of my favourite things:

Colour: Yellow

Food: Popcorn 

Movie: She's The Man

Flower: Magnolia

Bryce Ostini - 1/2 Pink

A little bit about me... 

I was born and raised in Orange. 

Favourite food: Chicken Schnitzel 

Favourite colour: Blue

Fun fact about me: I can speak Japanese.

When I am not in the classroom, you will find me doing something craft related. 

I am excited for a great first year at MCS! 

Heather Ruys - Head Teacher - English Department

My name is Heather Ruys and I am the new Head Teacher English at Molong Central School. I have been teaching since 1991 and I am trained in English, History and VET Retail Services. I have been at three schools in my career -  Windsor High School, Kellyville High School and now Molong. So, as you can see, I don’t really move around much, although this last move was definitely a big one in terms of distance. I have been a Head Teacher of English since 2010. I love teaching and I am really looking forward to working with my classes and being a part of Molong Central School.

Averil Keen - 4 Lime

Thank you for the lovely welcome to MCS. I have taken a couple of years off my teaching position in Dubbo to teach locally. I have been teaching for over 20 years in NSW and I have had several different positions with the department in my career. I live locally, so it will be lovely to teach Year 4 Lime this semester. 

I enjoy riding my horse, Aladdin, around the outskirts of town and with a local trail riding club. My husband and I are currently renovating an old cottage in our spare time.

Te-Anau Dolbel - Librarian

My name is Te-Anau Dolbel and I am the new Teacher Librarian. I come to Molong from Parkes Public School where I was also the teacher librarian.  I have moved to Orange where I live with my husband James and my four children.

All about me:

Favourite takeaway food: Thai/Chinese

Favourite snack: Peppermint chocolate

Favourite colour: Navy

Favourite sport: Tennis, netball & hockey

Favourite author: Liane Moriarty

Favourite book: Harry Potter series

Favourite movie: Star Wars 

Pets: cat (Leo), dog (Pippa) and a self-sufficient goldfish that lives outdoors in a pot that came with the house!

Anthony Carver - English

Hey there, my name is Anthony Carver, I am the new English teacher starting at Molong Central School this year. 

I am an Islander boy through and through who grew up in the big smoke but fell in love with the country lifestyle when I moved to Armidale.

I completed my Bachelor’s degree through the University of New England and called Austin College home for four years. 

If I’m not in the classroom, you can find me in the kitchen or on the footy field, playing tight head prop. 

As this is my first year teaching, I am super excited to get in the classroom and can’t wait to meet everyone and become a part of this beautiful community. 

Merryn Lynch - Food Technology/Hospitality

I grew up in the Blue Mountains but have lived in Orange for the past 12 years. 

I previously taught at Canobolas High School for over 10 years, before spending last year teaching at Orange High School. 

I am passionate about teaching students Food Technology and Hospitality - they are such important skills to learn for life! 

My favourite colour is pink and I am a chocoholic! 

I am so excited to be working at Molong Central School and I look forward to meeting you all soon! 

Sophie Tonkin - Science

My name is Miss Tonkin and I am trained as both a Primary and Secondary teacher. I completed a Bachelor of Education (K-12) in the areas of Biology, Chemistry and recently returned to University to complete Physics last year. This year I am teaching 7-10 junior Science and my first Year 12 Physics class. I look forward to teaching at MCS for 2021. 

WELL DONE YEAR 12 - 2020

Despite the many obstacles that we faced last year our Year 12 Students excelled. We had students receive 4 Band 6 results and 17 Band 5 Results. 

Korro Bangoura – Received a Band 5 result

Harrison Hoolahan - Received a Band 5 result

Lucy Jones - received a Band 5 result

Lily Matthews - Received 2 Band 6 results, and 2 Band 5 results

Jesyca Pearson - Received 3 Band 5 results

Katelan Philpott - Received 2 Band 6 results, and 3 Band 5 results

Henrietta Pottie - Received a Band 5 result

Morgan Romer - received a Band 5 result

Priyam Saha - received a Band 5 result

Claudia Thorne - received a Band 5 result

Alyssa Watts - received a Band 5 result

Students received these outstanding results in Legal Studies, PDH, Hospitality, Aboriginal Studies, Business Studies, Design and Technology, Agriculture, Community and Family Studies, Advanced English and the stand out was Visual Arts with the lowest grade being a Band 5.

Of our Year 12 Students, 58% are heading to University, 13% received an Apprenticeship, 13% are heading to TAFE and 16% are moving on to fulltime employment. This means 100% of our Year 12 students are gainfully occupied in 2021. I consider this an outstanding indication of the fine work that occurs at MCS, preparing students for any occupation they desire.

I would like to congratulate all these students and staff that have been involved in this result. For some of these students, they have been at MCS since Kindergarten, therefore it is a whole school effort and I thank everyone for their input. We are a community that is involved in educating our youth, working with parents and the wider community and I am proud to see the results.

I look forward to working with you all throughout year.

Covid -19 Guidelines 2021

Look for the COVID Safe QR code posters when you enter your child’s school. Be sure to sign in at the school administration building according to your school’s visitor guidelines. Parents and carers who are only dropping off and picking up students do not need to check in using the Service NSW QR code.

School attendance

Students should attend school unless:

• they have a medical certificate which states that they are unable to return to school due to an ongoing medical condition and the expected timeframe
• they are currently unwell.

Advice from NSW Health is that parents and carers should not send children to school if they are unwell, even if they have the mildest flu-like symptoms. Schools will make arrangements for students who are unwell or have flu-like symptoms to be sent home.

Anyone who is unwell or has even mild flu-like symptoms should have a COVID test through their local medical practitioner or one of the COVID-19 clinics.

Students and staff with flu-like symptoms will need to provide a copy of a negative COVID-19 test result before being permitted to return to school.

Students who live with a family member in one of the categories identified as being at increased risk, should attend school unless a medical practitioner advises otherwise. The parent or carer should provide written confirmation from the treating health professional that the student is unable to attend school.