12 May 2023
Welcome back to Term 2. I hope you had a fun and relaxing holiday with time spent with family and friends and are recharged for an event packed Term 2.
Year 12
It is a particularly important term for Year 12 as they are now past the half-way mark in their HSC year. There will be various assessments this term and work on major projects and performances as they prepare for their trial exams early in Term 3 and submission of major works and performance exams.
The 2023 HSC written exams timetable has been released with exams starting on Wednesday 11 October with English Paper 1 and finishing on Friday 3 November with Food Technology. Year 12 students will have received their personal timetable via Students Online.
I would like to thank the Year 12 teachers, Senior Learning Centre Coordinator, their Year Adviser and Deputy Principal, Head Teacher Wellbeing and Careers Adviser for their on-going support and all the extras they do to ensure our students are well prepared for the HSC and life beyond school.
New staff position – Aboriginal Education Liaison Officer
I would like to welcome Mrs Amy Cousins to Heathcote High School in the position of Aboriginal Education Liaison Officer. In her role, Amy will support indigenous students in all aspects of their learning and to access career pathways and opportunities. Carryout liaison between the school, the student and the student’s family and provide guidance to facilitate understanding between the participants. Provide help and advice to teachers to enhance engagement of indigenous students and to enrich the curriculum with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.
School Development Day
The focus of our School Development Day was Aboriginal Education. We addressed three main areas: Acknowledgement of Country, improvement of Personalised Learning Pathways and further integrating Aboriginal culture across all of our curriculum programs.
During the day, the new Minister for Education and Early Learning, Prue Car and the new Acting Secretary, Murat Dizdar conducted an all-staff live stream setting out their agenda for public education and priority actions.
Student Attendance
The Department of Education is currently working with schools to improve student attendance. The expectation is that student attendance should be 95% or higher. COVID has made it difficult for some students to reach this level in recent years and we are now focusing on students establishing good attendance patterns.
Regular attendance at school is important for your child to learn, build friendships and develop life skills. Following an absence from school you must ensure that within 7 days you provide the school with an explanation for the absence.
An Attendance team led by Head Teacher Wellbeing follows up student attendance issues as they arise. We recognise that working collaboratively with students and their families is the best way to support regular attendance and ensure that students receive the best possible education. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s attendance, please contact the school.
Information for Parents on Compulsory School Attendance.
Congratulations, Olivia
Olivia C, Year 12 performed in The NSW Drama Company production of the ‘The Wasps’ at NIDA from 10-12 May. I had the pleasure of seeing the play on Friday night and the performance was excellent. HHS is very proud of your achievements, Olivia.
Sport
At Heathcote High School we value sport, whether it is competitive or non-competitive. We offer a large range of sporting options to promote positive attitudes towards a healthy lifestyle, setting of personal goals, and the development of physical, teamwork and leadership skills.
In the first three weeks of term, our students have competed in the CHS (State) Swimming Championships, School and Zone Cross Country and a range of Sydney East Region knock out competitions in AFL, baseball, soccer, touch and rugby league. Thank you to our students who continually give of their best, our Sports Coordinator Miss Turner and our teachers who coach the teams. Check out HHS Facebook page for details of these games.
CHS Swimming Championships – Congratulations to our swimmers Evie M, Year 8; Brodie M, Lachie H, Anders S and Jacob S, Year 10; Mikayla P and Ewan K, Year 12 for competing at State level.
School and Zone Cross Country – Well done to the students who competed in the School and Zone Cross Country carnivals. The following students have qualified for the Sydney East Cross Country Championships: Tahli F, Amelia M (12 yrs girls); Carter S. Jax H (12 yrs boys); Maddison H (13 yrs girls); Aaron F, Jarrah C, Lachlan S (13 yrs boys); Evie M, Charli B (14 yrs girls); Umyna C (15 yrs girls); Jessica P (16 yrs girls); Corey C, Brodie M, Lachie H (16 yrs boys) Chynna H, Diaz K (17/18 yrs girls); Ryan B, Ewan K, Morgan P (17/18 yrs boys).
CHS Lawn Bowls Knockout – our team won their first game
Rugby League – Congratulations to the following students who were selected to compete at the NSWCHS Rugby League Championships for Sydney Red (Sydney East and Sydney North) Kelsey W, Year 12 in the 18’s girls team and Oliver T, Year 10 in the 15’s boys team.
Our U14 Buckley Shield team has progressed to the Sydney East Final.
Touch Football - Open Girls team has progressed to the Sydney East Final
Soccer - Open Girls team has progressed to the Sydney East Semi-final.
Excursions and Incursions
Marine Science - Year 10 Marine Rock platform field work; Year 9 Swim test
Game Changer Challenge
Year 11 Earth and Environmental Science – ‘Earth’s Resources’ facilitated by Sophia from Australian Earth Science Education.
Metals and Construction Work-placement
White Card course
Year 12 Sutherland Shire Careers Day
Extracurricular Opportunities
I would like to encourage all students to get involved in one of the many extra-curricular activities HHS provides. Students, across all years, get the opportunity to work together to learn and to pursue their goals with confidence and skill.
Some of the extracurricular activities on offer are Duke of Edinburgh Awards, HHS Running Club, Game Changer Challenge, Homework Centre, Traditional Aboriginal Art and Weaving Circle, Sustainability Team and Debating.
These opportunities are made possible by the dedication of our staff members who go ‘above and beyond’ for our students.
Upcoming Events
16 May – Year 10 PARTY (Prevent Alcohol & Risk-Related Trauma in Youth) Program
17 May – start of 5-week Year 6 Enrichment Program for students from our partner primary schools
18 May – Police Talk on the topic of Social Media – Years 7 & 8 period 2 and 6pm for parents.
22 – 26 May – Construction work placement
29 May – 2 June – Hospitality work placement
30 May – Parent-Teacher Night, Years 10, 11 & 12
2 June - School Athletics Carnival
7 June – Term 2 Recognition Assembly
Steve Waser
Principal
