Weekly Wrap

 

Dear all, welcome to week 7 of the Weekly Wrap.

 

Once again numbers of covid-19 cases are on the decline. As I write this the daily total has come in at its lowest point (113) for a long time. Our optimism of a return to on-site schooling grows daily. This week we heard the Minister for Education James Merlino, state that onsite learning will resume some time in Term 4. We should prepare for a gradual and staged return, but at this stage I have no further information than just that.

 

There are only 2 weeks of Stage 4 Restrictions to go, and I am sure I speak for all of us when I say that the end of this road cannot come quick enough but the light at the end of the tunnel is becoming much brighter. Let’s stay committed to the course for 2 more weeks and hopefully we can start doing more of the things we love.

Student Parliament

On Monday this week the College Principal Team met with Tribe and Community Leader Allison Savige and the executive of Student Parliament.

 

The topics of discussion were

• Mental Health and RUOK Day
• LGBTQI+ Genre readings in the College Library
• The College Grading Scale
• Release for sale of the College Hoodie (available for sale within 2 weeks)
• Positive Education Day
• The Uniform Bill Student Parliament presented to College Council in July.

 

The Student Parliament has a wonderful and healthy approach to the topics they debate. These issues are sophisticated in nature and on a deep and meaningful level make a significant difference to the educational experience students get at our College. They are all targeted at elements of a school that really matter, and are in alignment with the College Vision Statement, “to inspire passionate, positive and curious learners”. We applaud them for their intelligence, diversity of views and their contributions.

 

Virtual Trivia Night

On Wednesday evening this week Forest Hill College launched its inaugural virtual Trivia Night. Led by quizmaster Kate Wilkinson aka Wilko and her offsider Ash Gell, aka Wilko’s helper, the event was attended by 85 people. These teams collaborated across online platforms and answered five rounds of questions. The event was also a fund raiser for Kids Helpline. The College felt that in these tough times, this was a very appropriate charity to support.

 

First Place champions for the evening were team Quanteam, 2^nd Krnic Family and 3^rd place went to the GOATS.  Lucky 2^nd last went to Sarah K.

 

We are proud to announce around $400 has been raised. A big shout out goes to all the families and staff who attended the evening. Thanks also to Carolyn Montague for interpreting the evening, providing wonderful access to our Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.

 

Year 8 Food Technology

This week our Year 8 Food Technology students were hard at it making Spaghetti Bolognese.

This fantastic dish was prepared by Jarrah D.  Brilliant work Jarrah!

Try it out yourself using this recipe:

Spaghetti Bolognese

Watch a video using this link

 

Serves 6

This recipe is ideal to freeze if this quantity is too much for your family

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 chopped brown onion

I chopped carrot

1 chopped celery stick

2 crushed garlic cloves

500g mince beef, or vegetarian alternative such as Quorn or Veggie Delight

2 x 400g cans crushed tomatoes

1 tsp dried oregano

Large pinch of ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon sugar

½ cup water

500g spaghetti

Fresh basil

Grated/shaved parmesan cheese

Method

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook onion, carrot, celery and garlic, stirring, for 5 minutes or until softened. Add mince. Cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, for 6 to 8 minutes or until browned.
2. Add paste, tomatoes, oregano, nutmeg, sugar and water. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 to 30 minutes or until thick. Season with salt and pepper.
3. AN ADULT MUST SUPERVISE THIS STAGE, AS BOILING WATER CAN CAUSE SEVERE BURNS. Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil. Add the pasta and cook following the packet directions, until tender. Drain. NOTE: DON’T ADD PASTA UNTIL WATER IS BOILING. COOK PASTA WITHOUT THE LID ON.
4. Divide pasta among serving bowls. Spoon over sauce. Serve topped with cheese and fresh basil.

 

Last week we also had a submission from Abbey H for her beautifully presented smoothie, thanks Abbey!

 

Food Safari Year 9

Also doing great work in the kitchen were Year 9 Food Safari students.  The theme for these dishes was to create a dish which told the audience something of your background.

 

This dish was created by Natalie T – Greek Traditional Stuffed Tomatoes With Mince and Rice (try it out this weekend using the recipe below).

Ingredients * 8 tomatoes * ¼ teaspoon cumin powder * ½ cup white rice cooked long-grain * onion roughly chopped (1/2 onion) * 1 garlic clove finely minced * 125 grams ground (minced) beef (or lamb mince) * Bunch parsley flat leaf copped * Salt * Black pepper freshly ground Prep Time 10 minutes Cook Time 30 minutes Total Time 40 minutes *

Wash and dry the tomatoes. Cut the tops off the tomatoes. Scoop out and reserve the tomato flesh and seeds. Dice any big pieces of tomatoes. Put aside. * Heat the in a large fry pan over medium heat. Add the onions and fry for 5 minutes, then add the garlic, continue to fry until the onions are soft but not brown. * Add the allspice and cumin powders. Stir in the mince, use a spatula to break the mince into smaller pieces, then mix in the rice, parsley . Simmer uncovered for about 8 minutes or until the beef mince is cooked. The mixture should be almost dry. * Stir in the reserved tomato flesh, cook for a few minutes more to reduce the liquid in the pan. Season to taste with salt and pepper. * Spoon the filling into the tomato shells and replace the tomato tops. * Place the filled tomatoes into a heavy based fry pan. Pour in 1 cup of hot water and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Cover the pan with a lid and simmer for 15 – 20 minutes or until the tomatoes are cooked. Easy and healthy stuffed tomatoes with rice and beef mince. An easy tomato side dish or a light snack. Great as a summer parties’ food or family dinners.

Wear it Purple Day 2020

Wear It Purple Day began in 2010, in response to the widespread reporting of bullying directed at young LGBQTI+ people. Today the College celebrated Wear It Purple Day 2020. Wearing purple on this day helps show rainbow young people that at FHC there is an expectation of inclusiveness. FHC stands proudly beside every person in our community.  At FHC we love and support every member of our community. No person needs to stand alone. We advocate for safe spaces within and outside schools. We embrace diversity and everybody’s rights to be proud of who they are.

 

Parent Teacher Forums

We are anticipating a return to onsite learning some time across Term 4. As part of that return the College Leadership Team will be facilitating parent teacher forums. These will replace the traditional parent teacher student interviews and are designed to enable parents to discuss the progress of their children and any potential challenges or issues we may face with them on return to onsite learning. We felt this was the most authentic way for the challenges and successes of remote learning, and any potential things that need highlighting by parents directly to the leadership of the College.

 

New Initiative – DEAR – Drop Everything And Read

As part of our continued commitment to support indigenous literacy on Friday 4^th September, Forest Hill College will be having our inaugural DEAR day (Drop Everything and Read). So on Friday we are giving everyone a break from classes and would ask instead our students and families, Drop Everything and Read.  During the course of the next week our librarians, Helen & Kelsy and our Literacy Leader, Amy Lewis, will be sending out links to reading resources with the theme of Indigenous Literacy. We ask all of our students to use at least part of their day on Friday to read a book. It could be a classic text, newspaper, graphic novel or non-fiction, just get on board, Drop Everything and Read!!