Westfields Sports High School, Australia's First Sports High School

It is a source of great pride to the Westfields community to see the number of students from the 1999 HSC gaining University Scholarships. Last Wedsenday evening, I was the guest of the University of Western Sydney, Macarthur, at an award ceremony where: * Lauren Rickwood was awarded the Camden Council Bursary
* Melossa Menghi was awarded the Rotary Club of Liverpool West Inc. Nursing Faculty Bursary.
Other scholarship winners were:
* Belinda Leung - Macquarie University
* Linda Tor - GNB Technologies (USA) University of New South Wales Optometry.
I have written a number of parents who have students in Years 8 & 9 informing them of the GERRIL Program for Talented children conducted by the University of N.S.W during July Holidays. This information is part of our support for gifted children.

Last Wednesday the Student Representative Council arranged for the outstanding motivational speaker, John Coutis, to address the senior years of 10, 11 & 12. Johns talk was very well received by the students and staff alike.

Congratulations to the dance students and teachers (Ms Holden and Ms Hall) for their excellent performance at the Sydney South West Dance Festival. The dance program at Westfields is without peer. The attendance at Saturday School Tutorials and workshops are very strong. Parents are appreciative of the extra effort that is made by the staff.

Could I remind you of how important it is for families to pay school charges. Surely our results Indicate we are worth $1 a week to provide that extra - less than a can of soft drink. If we do not value education, its benefits will not be enjoyed.

In the last few weeks, Westfields Sports High School has been visited by film crews from Canada and Japan. Our reputation is rapidly growing world wide. I am pleased to announce the opening of the Westfields Gymnastics Program at a factory in Smithfield. This will be a tempory home until the hall is rebuilt.

Applications for sports enrolments are now being taken for 2001. Information packages are now available by ringing the school on 9604 3333. To date, over 600 phone calls have been received.
Does your company have a laptop computer(s) that we could use for our literacy programs? Please let me know.

Art Exhibition
In first term this year, Fairfield School of Arts was the venue for the secondary schools Exhibition 2000. A number of students from Westfields entered works. These students were: Sokha Sun and Vieng Hong Sieng of Yr 11 and Sokhan Sun and Porlin Chin of Yr 8. The the quality of the works that these students entered was sufficiently good in the eyes of those judging the exhibition that they were all awarded certificates of commendation. They are to be congratulated on their success.

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Cricket
Congratulations to Michael Bright and Cameron Nupier who were recently selected in the NSW Cricket Association U17 squad for the 2000/2001. Both boys will now undergo a strict training and trial program in an effort to press for final selection for the Australian Carnival in December this year.
Dance Festival
Congratulations to our Yr7 - 12 Dance students who are currently performing 5 items in the Reginal Dance Festival at Bankstown Town Hall this week. Our students have been rehearsing for this event for the past 13 weeks and are hopeful of gaining selection for the State Dance Festival.

SRC Happenings
Last Wednesday the senior assembly was graced with the presence of a remarkable guest speaker - Mr John Coutis. He is a 31 Yr old man with one disability - he doesn't have legs. However this has not dampened his spirit and drive. All who were there definitely learned a Valuable lesson.
The SRC would like to thank all the students for their continued support with fund raising. All money raised is fed back into the school for special projects.
Don't forget the Stewart House Appeal - donate $1.00 to help a worthy cause and be in the running for fabulous prizes.

Herald Public Speaking Comp
On Friday May 16th, Two Yr 10 students from Westfields Sports High School attended heat Five of the 2000 Sydney Morning Herald Public Speaking Awards at Vaucluse High School. Hai-Van Nguyen and Peter Zivanovic delivered well- appreciated speeches on the topics of Racism and The Battle of The Sexes respectively. After the challenge of delivering their eight-minute talks, they gave a very good account of themselves in the three-minute impromtu section. Though they did not feature in the top three placegetters, they received honourable mentions for their efforts.

Debating News
On Wednesday June 7th, the Westfields Year 11 Carl Kramp Debating Team had their first. competitive debate at Fairfield High. The team, comprising Anita Green, Taryn Wall, Kate Connolly and Daniel Waetford, put in an excellent effort in their debut performance. Debating the topic "That Aboriginal Affairs Are in Good Hands". The Westfield students lost narrowly to the home team. They are looking forward to the next round against Auburn Girls High.

Maths Challenge
The same rules apply as before - place your entry into the box outside the maths staffroom by next Wednesday lunch. The first correct entry drawn will win a canteen voucher.

One hundred nickels weigh 500 grams.
How many nickels are in a stack that
weighs 90 grams?

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Leading Teacher News
During the last week, parents have been informed by mail of any concerns regarding academic progress of their sons and daughters. The Board of Studies requires the school to notify parents when students may be in danger of not receiving their School Certificate, Preliminary or Higher School Certificates. Parents are asked to acknowledge receipt of this information by returning the tear off portion of the letter. In cases where students have received two warnings, parents are requested to to meet with the Leading Teacher and attend Parent Teacher interviews (Seniors - 20/6/00 and Junior - 27/6/00)

On 20/6/00, Year 10 parents will be invited to attend a subject selection presentation for Year 10 students who intend to proceed to Year 11 in 2001. Details of courses offered at Westfields and TAFE options will be provided.

On Friday June 9th, Westfields will again be under the spotlight of international television. On this occasion a Japanese film crew will be looking at the students of Westfields as part of a presentation on Sydney to be shown prior to the Olympics. On 23rd June we will play host to 250 Japanese students from Usuki High School. This will be another opportunity for the Westfields family to join in cultural and sporting exchange.

Thank you to the SRC for their support of the Stewart House Appeal. Each student has been asked to donate a gold coin to help maintain the Stewart House program which gives assistance to students from across New South Wales. Students requiring "time out" from trauma, grief, medical or social difficulties have the opportunity to spend a week at Manly in a supportive environment. Donations are being collected by the SRC co-ordinator, Ms Longo.

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