On June 3rd, Family Planning visited CHC to educate students about safe sex and contraception. There were three sessions: for Year 9, Year 10 and Seniors. 

Family Planning is an organisation that deals with reproductive and sexual health services. They’re located on 384 Hunter St, Newcastle City. If you’re in need of advice, free contraception or STI testing, you can walk in and ask and they will provide.

At the sessions, the main topics of focus were safe sex, contraception, and some elements of consent. Dale, the representative from Family Planning, was happy to answer any questions the students had and she was a very lovely teacher - informing us about how you should go about using contraception, the different types, and how the current rate of chlamydia for young people is 1 in 3. Dale emphasised the importance of regular STI checks. It’s safe to say that everyone learnt a lot and is now better informed on the topic.

For more information, check out their website: https://www.fpnsw.org.au/factsheets/individuals 

Their youth clinic is open every Tuesday and Wednesday from 1-5pm, for drop in or appointment.  https://www.fpnsw.org.au/clinics/newcastle-clinic 

Words by Josh

What drew you to Cooks Hill Campus?

I really love the community at Cooks Hill Campus! The students and the staff have all been very welcoming and I am excited to now be part of such a vibrant, diverse community. I like the way students here are able to focus their learning on their own passions and interests. Since being here I have been so amazed by some of the work I have seen, watching the students drive their own learning has inspired me to take on more challenges myself.

What have you noticed about this school that is different to others?

There are lots of differences! However, a big difference that I have noticed is the fashion amongst the students. I love that everyone here expresses themselves through hair colours/styles, jewellery/accessories and piercings, make-up and clothes/shoes. It is cool to see everyone's twist on the school uniform (within limits of course!).

What is your favourite part of CHC so far?

Definitely the students! I feel that it can be scary getting used to a new person being around, however, I have felt that the students have been very accepting/welcoming of me. I have really enjoyed getting to know everyone and I am excited to continue to develop connections with everyone.

Are you planning on teaching Japanese, and could you tell us more about your plans for this?

I am planning on teaching Japanese! I am trained as a Japanese teacher so it would be awesome to share my knowledge of and passion of all things Japanese with the students. We actually had our first class on Thursday week 5 during session 2 which was very successful. The first class was a great opportunity for me to gauge the students' interest in Japanese and their language ability levels. From next term, if possible, I would love to run Japanese classes as a SAP-G so that students could have an ongoing opportunity to learn another language at this school.

Interview by Matilda 

TGIF Person of the Week

Do you know why you were nominated for TGIF person of the week?

Because I got good feedback from my supervisor at my new LTI.

Where is your LTI?

Riding for the disabled, which provides therapeutic horse riding lessons for adults and children with disabilities.

What was the process of setting up the internship?

Andy suggested it to me because I do a bit of horse riding outside of school at my grandparents' farm. Andy helped me write an email, and we set up a phone meeting with them. Carol (now supervisor) was really nice, and agreed to take me on once a week. 

What are your jobs at your LTI?

Caring for the horses and preparing them for riding lessons. I’m a side walker which means walking beside the horse, making sure that the person is stable, and enjoying it. 

What is your advice for CHC students wanting to get an LTI in an area that interests them?

Hurry up and do it! Don’t waste time, because you will just be losing time that you could be spending doing something you enjoy. Talk to Andy and other students to find out what is available.

How do you feel about being TGIF person of the week?

I feel proud and thankful that my work is being acknowledged.

Frank Sinatra was always extremely passionate about racial issues in America, being a vehement anti-racist, particularly sympathetic to the plight of African, Italian and Irish-Americans. In 1947, Sinatra commented on racism in America, saying: "As long as most white men think of a (black man) as a (black man) first and a man second, we're in trouble.”

Sinatra’s social activism apexed in Nevada, where he and the Rat Pack would refuse to play at establishments that forced their co-star, Sammy Davis Jr, to sleep in “colored-only” [sic.] hotels. In 1955, Sinatra began to issue threats to a hotel diner that he would frequent, saying that, if they didn’t allow black people in the diner, he would personally see to it that every single waiter and busboy be fired. Sinatra would go on to refuse to play at any segregated venues altogether, resulting in many casinos and hotels becoming integrated, and going out of their way to hire black employees to appease Sinatra. This resulted in Nevada becoming almost completely de-segregated in the year 1960, years earlier than the other USA states, which would only become integrated in the wake of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Words by Harvey

Self-care & wellbeing

absquatulate 

To leave someone or something abruptly. The word is humorous in nature.  

Word by Kenny