Narrabri High School

Respect, Involvement, Success, Engagement

Telephone02 6792 1633

Emailnarrabri-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Term 4

Term 4 Week 8

Clontarf

As the end of the term fast approaches and the days continue getting both longer and hotter, the Narrabri Clontarf Academy is bursting with activities. It's awesome to still see so many of the boys engaging in school and our supports.  

For afternoon activities the boys pushed our 2 ping pong tables together to play four square table tennis. Unlike doubles in tennis this is a free for all game. The ball can be played in any direction bouncing on any other plays table. It's always a lot of fun and excitement. 

Year 10 have been out in the work force with the school's mandatory work experience, it was good to see the Clontarf lads working hard and learning new things. 

On par with the last few weeks afternoon activities, we also cooled off in the pool, playing volleyball, touch football and holding a diving competition. It's a great way to finish the day and comes highly recommended by the academy members. 

Morning trainings (will be the same next week) we played Oztag. Some fun warm up games and running the gauntlet seeing who could get the furthest and maintain their tags, before playing a half field game. A lot of skill on show during the game. Very close game with some big plays. Full field runs after intercepts, big side steps sending defenders falling over. Nearly as good as watching an NRL game. I encourage all school staff to come down and check it out for themselves.

Term 4 Week 7

Clontarf

Whilst Ashley, Corey and our top students in Years 10, 11 and recently graduated 12, where away on the Gold Coast for the end of year camp, the junior academy members got a lot done around Narrabri. On the hottest days of the week, we always look to go to the pool to cool off, the boys showing off their dives and bombs into the water, Rydell is the ultimate zen relaxing underwater. Braydon went to Tryeright for a week of work experience, picking up some casual work over the holiday period. Great work Braydon! Cody, Michael and Jamarlee recycled bottles and cans from around the school at the local return and earn, raising money for our end of year school sleep over party. The boys then met up with our local partners at Bunnings to donate a table and bench set assembled in store by 4 of our Clontarf Academy members, something we will repeat in Term 1 next year, the table was donated to Winanga-Li in Narrabri, as chosen by our Clontarf students.

First stop of the Years 10, 11 & 12 camp we visited corporate partner Brisbane River City Ferries who operate in conjunction with Sealink. It was an awesome experience for the boys. We then ventured into the city for the Storey Bridge climb, it was a

a little too much for Luke, who got to the bottom of the bridge stairs then had to turn back with wobbly legs. Wednesday, we headed to Movie World, some of the boys took on the big rides while those not so keen performed their best impersonations of Wonder Woman. After which we spent the afternoon at the beach, the boys had a ball before heading back to our accommodation for a shower and relax. We then headed to Top Golf, we think there are more Happy Gilmores than Tiger Woods' when it comes to the driving range, Zeiken and Ethan fancied themselves as golfers. Thursday, we went shopping at Harbour Town and Pacific Fair before Friday morning when we got up early for our trip home to the ninth wonder of the world – Narrabri.

Term 4 Week 6

Clontarf

Due to a camera malfunction, we don't have photos from our week 6 activities. Instead, I would like to share with you a recap of our time away in Sydney from week 5. 

In the last term of the year, we were delighted to invite 15 of our top attenders from Years 7,8 and 9 to Sydney to take part in the annual Fox Sports Clontarf Oz Tag Carnival. We travelled down to Wanda Surf Club on Tuesday. Arriving in the early afternoon the boys were blown away by the location. Couldn't believe we were staying on the beach. That evening we went for a sunset walk along the beach into Cronulla to get some

burgers for dinner. Wednesday morning the boys were all up bright and early eager for our usual morning training. Sprinting up the sand dunes, playing touch football and then jumping in the surf for a cooling dip was a great way to start the day. So we did it

each morning before setting off. We spent our first day in Sydney visiting the Clontarf NSW Head Office, Darling Harbour, Sydney Sea Life Aquarium and watching a movie at the IMAX cinema. Thursday was game day. We split into two teams and the boys were eager to see which team would be more successful on the day. Both teams played their best, had a lot of fun and displayed Clontarf Spirit at all times. We can't all be winners

and it was impressive to see coach Ashly Hynch take his team to the semifinals. Both teams were partnered with representatives from Fox Sports. We want to thank everyone involved at Fox and Clontarf who organised the day. It was a well-run and enjoyable carnival, and we look forward to competing next year.

Term 4 Week 5

Clontarf

Monday morning Clontarf leader and 2025 school captain Blake Christian attend the Narrabri community Remembrance Day event held by the RSL. He was joined by 3 other Clontarf leaders who have recently been involved with the Cadets program in Tamworth. All boys portrayed a great example for both Clontarf and Narrabri High School. Well done men. You can see more photos of the boys from the day in the local paper.

Later that afternoon we held our annual Clontarf Awards Evening. It was great to see so many people from the local community getting out to support our students. The awards night is an opportunity for us to celebrate the many achievements of the Clontarf students. The award winners for this year are as below.

The 85% or over Attendance Awards

Year 7 – Tyrell Russell-Towney, Jesse-James Quinn, Michael Harris-Clayton, Rydell Kelly and CJ Lamb

Year 8 – Tyreake Dixon, Beau Laws, Mavrick Croaker, Rylan Bassett and Jacob Teer

Year 9 – Beau McKnight, Tyler Walford, Leondre Smith, Koby Hennessy and Rodney Gibbs-Eulo

Year 10 – Ethan Harris and Ethan Walford

Year 12 – Jye Norris

The Education Awards

 Year 7 – Deklan Condran, Rydell Kelly, Cooper Mason, Tyran Lawler, Jesse-James Quinn and Sonny French

Year 8 – Douglas Parker, Kostah Rooney, Jarrad Lawler, Cooper Rickard and Jacob Anderson

Year 9 – Tyler Walford, Cody French, Levi French, Callum Lawler, Michael Stanford, Leondre Smith and Rodney Gibbs- Eulo

Year 10 – Luke Gordon

Year 11 – Kaden Harvey and Declan Rooney

The Encouragement Awards

Brayden Hanslow, Hunter McMahon, Troydell Ward and both of our MC’s Blake Christian and Zeiken Green Murray.

Young Achiever Award - Rydell Kelly

The Principals Award - Jacob Teer

The Clontarf Spirit Award and Emu of the Year Award - Jye Norris.

Term 4 week 4

Clontarf

This week, thanks to Mr Mair, our boys had the opportunity to make their own table tennis paddles. Three Clontarf boys hung back at school on Tuesday afternoon, and each built their own table tennis paddle. After which we headed back to the room to try them out. We'll make time again later on this term to make more paddles and to add grip and rubber to the existing wooden ones.

We continued playing Oz Tag for our morning training sessions. Which has been a lot of fun, and it is great to see all the boy's skills develop the more they attend. Twisting, spinning and diving the boys are running fast and doing whatever they can to avoid be tagged.

Thursday being the hottest day of the week we took to the pool after school to refresh. Playing touch football in the shallows and all sorts of aerobatics in the deep end off the diving board.

Term 4 Week 3

Clontarf

Whilst the weather continues to heat up and the days get longer, we are still super excited to be here working with the young Aboriginal men in this town. 

Tuesday afternoon we had a small group of boys hang back to carve jack-o-lanterns for the upcoming Halloween night. Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon we are inviting all of the boys to stay back and take part in our activities. Although we'd like to see more boys involved it's good to know a large number are currently partaking in OZtag every Tuesday afternoon (which will help us at the week 5 Fox Sports Clontarf OZtag competition). Jamarlee, CJ, Rydell and myself all made 4 very different looking pumpkins. I was very impressed with the boys focus and creativity.

Wednesday morning Corey and Ashley lead the boys out onto the school oval to practise their cricket skills. Michael was eager to show off his cricket skills constantly reminding everyone he plays on the weekends. For many of the boys the game didn't come naturally to them, but with perseverance and determination they started to get a handle of the rules and skills involved. 

Thursday afternoon we had a 9-hole hit out on a very long course designed by Cody, Levi, Tyran and Tyreake. Thanks to the NHS PE department for lending us some antique golf clubs, we were able to get around the course quicker and everyone completed it by the time we needed to head off, there were some impressive drives off the tee. 

Friday morning, we started our preparation for the earlier mentioned OZtag camp in Sydney. The boys hard work is starting to pay off. With some highly skilled and competitive games. The boys will partner with workers from Fox Sports in week 5 and play in a 6 pool OZtag competition. Each team will play 3 games with the top teams playing off in the finals. This camp is open to all Year 7, 8 and 9 Clontarf boys. So long as they are attending school (and class) above 80% of the time. It will be a great camp to reward those boys that have done the right thing. 

Term 4 Week 2

Clontarf

Mrs Davies' class have started working with the FlatTrack program in Moree once a week. I was able to join on Tuesday to see what the program was all about and how the boys were participating. It was great to see 3 of the Clontarf boys in the shed working on different projects. Hunter building a bird house, Brett a fire pit and Brayden a dog box. Thank you, Mrs Davies, for organising and inviting me along.

This week Operations officer Corey Dixon showed off his golf swing with one of our most recent purchases. Bucket golf is a pop-up golf game you can take with you. The boys enjoyed playing the game so much they got it out a few times through the week before school and at lunch time. 

The junior boys are dusting the cobwebs off and revising the rules of OZtag at our morning trainings. We'll be heading to Sydney in week 5 for an OZtag carnival run by Fox Sports. We are hoping to enter two teams as each team joins up with a Clontarf partner and play together on the field. We are still in the process of locking down our accommodation but looking to stay somewhere costal to take full advantage of the warmer weather. 

ARTC came through the room to explain to a couple of our boys about a SBAT for next year. The successful candidate(s) would be working toward a certificate in construction and engineering. Working away from school one day a week and getting paid for it too.  

On Thursday and Friday Quirindi Academy hosted its First Camp of the term, holding the Annual North West Regional Ping Pong Carnival. The camp started with all the Regions Academies rolling into town around lunchtime, turning up at the New Nancy Gray Pavilion at the Quirindi Racecourse.

Once we all got together a quick briefing and warm up games, the Carnival kicked into gear. After an exciting afternoon with the funs and guns the Finals were announced for the following days action.  As the finals were played and the day concluded the Quirindi Academy took wooden spoon in both the funs and guns competitions. Narrabri defeating Quirindi in each competition to finish second last. Inverell are the overall winners dominating in both competitions. 

Thank you to Quirindi for hosting, the Narrabri Emu’s had a fantastic time visiting. Although they were blown off the tables all the boys really enjoyed themselves. Which is a huge testament to the boys from the other academies showing great Clontarf Spirit.

Term 4 Week 1

Clontarf

We find ourselves in the last school term of 2024, week 1.

Due to some technologic mishaps, we are only having 2 photos to share with you for the week, but I think they are pretty good. Michael has been instrumental in the success of our vegetable patch. A project several boys have had a hand in over the last few months. Can't wait for the harvest, already looking a lot more promising than last year’s crop.

You will find on the school's website, via the Clontarf 2024 page an invite to our end of year awards. Through the week CJ and I went and visited our local partners giving them each an invite to our end of year ceremony. Followed by myself and Rydell handing out invites to each staff room within the school. Please come on down to help us celebrate the boys and their many achievements this year.

We had good numbers to our morning training this week. Moving ahead the boys will be doing Oz-tag as they have a round robin competition coming up in Eastern Sydney hosted by Fox Sports. The boys are very passionate about any rugby league related games. We look forward to taking the boys down in week 5.

Our senior students will be treated to a camp in the Gold Coast in week 7. All boys are welcome to come as long as they can meet the following requirements. Term 4 average attendance of at least 80%, no outstanding N-Awards and they have completed their health checks. We are working hard to lock in activities for this camp. Last year the boys went to Top Golf, NRL Titans training session, Wet 'n' Wild, Go Karts, Laser skirmish and the beach.

Will have more photos to share next week, apologies once again.

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