What activities do we participate in throughout the year?
Creative and Performing Arts Program - Eisteddfod Performances
Students have performed in Eisteddfods for the last ten years. In May and July students travel to Cowra and Forbes to perform a variety of items – singing and dancing. In 2011 we came 3rd in our section in Cowra and received a Merit Certificate in Forbes. Each year we also perform our Eisteddfod items for Rosedurnate and Niola Nursing Homes where audiences are always very appreciative of the students' performances.
Waste Art Participation
Each year students participate in the local Waste Art Competition and compete for prizes. In 2011 we won the School's Section Award with our Queen Nefititi and King Tutankhaman. Mrs Garriock was the inspiration behind the art program. The models will be on display at the School's Education Week display.
Excursions
Excursions are fun for students who learn and develop their skill in many curriculum areas. In 2011 we went on the following excursions: Eisteddfods in Cowra and Forbes, Wellington Oz-Tag Competition, Western Region Special Swimming Carnival in Cowra, Wambangalang. We usually farewell our Year 12 students with a special luncheon at a local café or restaurant and our end of year activity is a trip to Orange to have a game of Ten Pin Bowling.
Work Experience
Years 10/11/12 students participate in work place training and work experience positions in various businesses in Parkes. In the past students have been placed in a number of positions in Forbes and Parkes – The Men's Shed in Parkes, House With No Steps Lachlan Region Biscuit Room & Garden Team, Bark & Swark Pet Shop, Red Cross Op Shop, Vinnies, Parkes Shire Council, Triple T Signs, Triple T Mechanics, Manildra Café, Stefan's Hairdressing, RFS, Cook Park Café, Jan & Les Cheney Shearing, Trendy Chelle's, Parkes Battery Warehouse. Sgarlata, Danson's Kitchens, Tony Byrnes Mensland, Hayes Hardware, Cheeky Cherubs, Miskell Brothers have also been approached and will be happy to have students at some stage. We aim to provide a variety of experiences for students per semester so that they can try different work situations and know their own capabilities once they leave school. We thank all businesses for their support in providing these opportunities for students. Thanks also to Mr Terry Job who works as a Job Coach and is responsible for organising these work opportunities for students. Terry also assists in training students to prepare for work.
Biscuit Making Program
In Terms 1 & 2 students are involved in all aspects of the preparation, sale and delivery of packets of home-cooked biscuits. The biscuits are well received by staff and are sold out most weeks. Thank you to the staff for their support.
Voluntary Work - Parkes Show and Red Cross Telecross Involvement
Students prepare items for entry in a number of sections of the Parkes Show - the art and cooking. We have entered into these sections each year with some success. Students also provide a community service by assisting in the Animal Nursery.
Telecross
Telecross is a service run by the Red Cross. Students are given the Christian name and phone number of a person with a disability or an elderly person in the community who is living at home alone. Each morning for a month students contact the person to check that they have had a safe night. Students are rostered on for the month.
Both of these activities will be written up in students' school to work folders as many work skills are developed through voluntary work.
Thank You Lunch/Morning Tea
At the end of each year we thank the many people who have helped us throughout the year by holding a special thank you morning tea or lunch which the students cater for. Each year our festivities revolve around a country or area of interest in the world. In 2010 the focus is Scandinavian countries. Students will be studying the Nordic countries and will prepare artwork and food for the event.