Final Day of Term 4

Friday 20th December

We would like to wish all our WRC families a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year. We look forward to seeing you all in 2014!
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WORTh REAdING
www.wrc.vic.edu.au

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YEAR 8 WILSONS PROM CAMP

Heading to camp on Sunday 24th November and Wednesday 27th November, 94 excited year 8 students and lots of luggage boarded buses to Wilsons Promontory. The trip there was full of chatter and there was an air of excitement on the bus as the students nally pulled into Tidal River campground. Upon arrival the students were quickly put to work, the rst group had to set up their own tents! That afternoon they took a leisurely stroll along Squeaky Beach and hiked back to the campsite. Ridsy, the resident camp chef had worked hard all afternoon to prepare a feast for dinner, hamburgers with the lot and apple slice for dessert. Students then got changed into their Night Ambush Ninja clothes and took off to scare each other in the dark. Miss Boyers group were the victors on the rst evening, some say this was due to Mrs Colemans elite Ninja squad, who knows..? Sadly Miss Boyer lost to Mr Stevensons group on the second camp. The next day students woke early, too early in fact. They were up at 6am playing cricket! After a hearty breakfast it was time for activity groups and the days events. Over the course of the next two days students went surng, canoeing, hiking, completed a scavenger hunt and created a beautiful water colour artwork of the various views from Wilsons Prom. They learnt that nature has a mind of its own, wombats were unwanted guests in many tents during each camp group, proving that the teachers stories were true, food in tents = wombat attack! Each night the students were entertained with games, the highlights were Foxholes played on the beach and Murder and the Townspeople played at the campsite. After three nights and three and a half adventure packed days it was time to wave goodbye to the Prom and head back home. The students were pushed to their limits, faced their fears, were entertained and ate exceptionally good camp food. They were tired, some of them sunburnt despite the best nagging efforts of the teachers and ready for real beds. Thank you to everyone involved in the year 8 camp; the parents for supporting their students to attend, the students who challenged themselves and to the tireless staff who worked nonstop to ensure the camp was a success.

A Proud History, a Bright Future

year 8 camp

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pRINCIPAL'S rEPORT
VCE Results
Congratulations to all students who received their VCE results on Monday. As usual there were some outstanding results in a range of domains. Of particular note were the results in the domains of Health and Physical Education, Humanities and Technology. Overall the results were better than predicted and above those of last year. We were also especially pleased with the results of our Year 11 students undertaking Year 12 studies with an average study score of 31. The undoubted highlight was the performance of this years dux, Danielle Stephenson with an ATAR of 95.2. Dani also managed to achieve a perfect 50 study score in Psychology. I am sure everyone in the community will join with me in congratulating our Year 12 graduates on their hard earned results.

Laptop Draw
Congratulations to Mick McLatchie (Year 10 in 2014) and Jack Storey (Year 7 in 2014) for being the lucky winners of the laptop draw for 2014.

Staff Leaving
As always the end of the year brings to a conclusion the employment of a number of staff at the College. For others 2014 is a year of leave with a chance to do some other interesting things. On behalf of the students, parents and staff of Warragul Regional College I would like to thank our departing staff and wish them well on their next adventure: John Barr (Retirement) Vaya Cross (Leave in 2014) David Stevenson (Leave in 2014) Jenny Nash (Leave in 2014) Kim Weller (Leave in 2014) Eleanor Smetana (End of Traineeship) Sarah Virtue (End of Traineeship) Damien Bell (End of Traineeship) Kate Law (End of Traineeship) Troy McGarry (End of Traineeship)

Awards Night
Last nights 2013 Awards Night was a wonderful event and a great way to celebrate another successful year. It was terric to see so many parents and family members there to help us recognise student achievements across a variety of elds. What was also pleasing was to see so many ex-students in attendance and continuing to support our College and remaining part of the WRC family. Thank you to all staff involved in organising the evening, in particular Anne Eacott, Robyn Ridsdale and Kate Boyer. A special mention to our 2014 School Captains who MCed the night and did an amazingly professional job in their rst major role in front of the school community.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

On behalf of the Principal Team, I would like to wish all students, parents and staff a wonderful Christmas with their families. We look forward to seeing students back in the new year on Thursday 30th January.

Rob Juratowitch Principal

science day with monash university

On Friday December 6th all students in Year 7 and 8 participated in the Monash university science and maths roadshow. Students were involved in hands on science activities that were presented by academic staff and undergraduate students from the Churchill campus of Monash University. Students in Year 7 experimented in the wonderful world of chemistry. Year 8 students used forensic techniques such as ngerprinting, bite marks, clothing samples and DNA analysis to solve a crime. These students were also engaged in designing and constructing models to investigate gravity and forces. Thanks to students (and staff) for their enthusiasm and participation throughout the day.

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Premiers spirit on ANZAC Prize Congratulations Becky Fullard!

The Premier's Spirit of Anzac Prize is an annual History competition held to select twelve Year 9 or 10 students as Victorian representatives in either an overseas study tour of sites where Australians have served in war or in a trip to Canberra to visit signicant memorial sites. The competition is open to all students in Years 9 and 10 currently enrolled in Victorian Government, Catholic and Independent Schools. This year the competition asked students to think about the meaning of ANZAC and its relevance to Australian society today by submitting a response to the question, To what extent is the Anzac spirit relevant to life in Australia today? What can it teach us about the Australia we want for the future? Warragul Regional College student, Becky Fullard, wrote an essay response to the question and submitted her entry for judging by an expert panel of teachers, veterans and representatives from the ofce of the Premier. Becky was selected as one of the 28 nalists out of the 474 Victorian students who submitted an entry, an amazing effort! As part of her selection as a nalist, Becky had to attend a 3.5 hour interview in Melbourne on Wednesday the 4th December. The interview process was rigorous and Becky had to write a 15 minute speech detailing her personal achievements and further information about her entry. As part of her speech, Becky spoke about the contribution of WRC founding teachers and students, Lt. William Colvin, Pt. Geoffrey Haines, Lt. Harry Swinburne and Pt. Edmund Lyall, to the Australian war effort on the Western Front. The interviewers were extremely impressed by her research into this period of our schools history. Becky has been selected as one of the students who will represent Victorias youth on a trip to Canberra next April, as well as lunching with the Premier of Victoria early next year. Becky is to be congratulated for her outstanding effort throughout the process of the competition and she has proven to be an outstanding ambassador for Warragul Regional College. The Premiers Spirit of ANZAC Prize will run again in 2014 for all year 9 and 10 students and with the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign in 2015, entries in next year's competition are sure to be highly regarded. Tracey Collie Teacher of 10-12 Humanities

aG wrap-up for 2013

We wrap up the year in Agriculture & Horticulture with new life, more success and huge thanks to our many supporters.

WRC STEER TAKES OUT 2ND PLACE IN CARCASS COMPETITION SECTION - LARDNER PARK STEER TRIAL
Following on from the last Ag Report when we spoke of our entry into this competition students have continued to monitor the growth rates of all steers in the trial. This years trial concluded on Monday 25th November and the carcasses were then assessed and judged on MSA Criteria (Meat Standards Australia) at Radfords Abattoir. The Wednesday viewing saw producers and media gather for the results. This year we were once again very fortunate to claim a placing, coming second against some 40 other steers from fteen different farms. These were from as far away as the Western District and Phillip Is. The range of breeds included Galloways, Angus, Simmental X Red Angus, SimAngus, Red Poll, South Devon among others, and of course our purebred Murray Greys. These animals were born and bred on Gulwarra Heights, the WRC school farm. They are from the school Murray Grey herd built up over decades of selected breeding from generous donations of animals and bulls. The sire of this years successful carcass

was donated by Mr Barry Tainton, Tynong North, Lifetime Member of the Murray Grey Society. Barry is a committed and generous long-term supporter of the College Agriculture Department. In taking out second place we were only 1 point behind the winning entry by Trevor Hatch. Trevor is also a generous supporter of the school and has loaned us one of his Limousin bulls on a number of occasions. Last year we won this carcass competition with a Murray Grey Limo cross steer from Trevors bull!

NEW LIFE
October/November saw a burst of new life into our Ag lives in many guises. Our spring-calving cows brought 9 healthy and beautiful Murray Grey-Limo cross calves into the world. The Semester 2 Yr 9 Ag class hatched out 26 chickens and a mixed group of Yr 9s- The Dynamic Eleven -planted out close to 400 native trees around the farm water dam. This was a monumental effort and all done with good cheer. This was organized through the Yr 9 team. These trees were donated from HVP- Hancock Victorian Plantations- one of Australias largest private plantation companies managing some 240,000 ha. This added to the earlier native tree plantings by Yr9 WWW Environment group who planted out shelter belts with 66 trees creating biolinks as well as enjoying a BBQ with beef produced on the farm.

HUGE THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS

None of these programs and wonderful opportunities for learning and growth would be possible without a great deal of behind the scenes support from a diverse range of members from the community. We would like to sincerely thank: The Cemetery Trust - in particular Hedley Mann, Manager, and Ted Tyrell, Trustee for their extremely generous support through provision of the land for 20 years without which none of this would be possible. Alex Scott & Staff - Stock & Station Agents - in particular Roger Tweddle for his ready availability, time and expertise, and keenly sharing knowledge and encouragement with our students- as well as vital nancial assistance. Devoted Vets- Dr Rod Irwin, Dr Matt Jaques, Dr Sherri Jaques & Staff - always keen to work with our students and spend time with questions and explanations and hands-on involvement. BrownWigg - Rural Suppliers - Dennis, Neil and the team who generously support us with great discounts and information.

Radford Abattoirs - Robbie Radford and Trevor Hammond-for their on-going nancial support and support of student learning about the industry. Morland Meats - Luke Morland & Staff-Butcher - cheerfully handling the processing of our Beef Packs throughout the year. Barry Tainton - Tynong North - Murray Grey breeder - long-term supporter - donation of bulls. Trevor Hatch - Hallora- cattle breeder - donation of Limousin bull - always keen to share knowledge with students at the Steer Trial. Warragul Rotary - with whom we share the land and work in close conjunction with- in particular George Farnham and John Galliene support in kind which saves us nancially. Stan Birch - Stock Carriers - always reliable and helpful. John Lieshout - Transport - donated time and cartage of donated silage from Drouin to the farm. Graham Young - Farmer - donated time and transport donated hay from Willow Grove to the farm. Mens Shed Warragul - on going support for Horticulture programs within the school. and many many others who generously help and assist once they know it is for WRC studentswe THANK YOU.

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Quote of the week

The magic of Christmas never ends and its greatest of gifts are family and friends. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

diary dates
Wed 22 Jan Landmark Book Collection Day 10am - 2pm

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Christmas Trees!
Direct from the Tree Plantation, Burke St near Gullwarra Cemetery. 10am - 4pm Saturdays and Sundays from 7th December. Bring the kids, select your tree and a Rotary member will cut it for you!
Pre-cut trees can also be purchased from: Freedom Fuels, Brandy Creek Road Warragul North. Rowes Nursery, Landsborough Road, Warragul Christmas tree sales are a major fund raising project for the Rotary Club of Warragul. Since the project started more than $230,000 in prots have gone back into our community!

28 - 29 Ofce Opens Jan Staff return - Pupil Free Days

30 Jan

Students Return - Term 1

17 Feb

School Photo Day

CYBER SAFETY TIPS FOR ALL THE FAMILY

LET YOUR CHILDREN KNOW

YOURE ALWAYS
THERE FOR THEM

YOU CLICK
PRIVACY
SETTINGS
SAME WAY YOUD
TREAT OTHERS THE

THINK BEFORE TURN ON

BE A
ROLE
MODEL
DEVICES AT

TURN OFF

BEDTIME

LIKE TO BE
TREATED ONLINE

9 | Ph: (03) 5623 9900 | Fax: (03) 5623 4473 P.O. Box 213 | 55 Burke Street Warragul 3820 | Web: www.wrc.vic.edu.au E-mail: warragul.co@edumail.vic.gov.au | A.B.N. 19 320 417 831 | CRICOS Provider Code: 00861K