Continued success

“There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen." - Vladimir Lenin.

I think this quote sums up what has been a very long and challenging year.

Some of the key events of 2020 were:

Summer Bushfires
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle quit the Royal family
COVID-19 pandemic
The death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Kobe Bryant, Sean Connery, Eddie Van Halen, Diego Maradona, Naya Rivera, Kelly Preston, and others
Global recession/ stock market crash
Black Lives Matter protests
Beirut explosion
Joe Biden became US president-elect

Staying connected

2020 has been more than a year, it has been a significant era in humanity. It has tested us personally and professionally and has forced us to be innovative, resilient and patient. Most notably, 2020 has shown us the need to stay connected by reaching out and supporting each other.

Thank you

I feel proud of how well Cecil Hills High School has managed in such a unique year and I would like to thank each and every one of our staff and community members for their contribution to the school over the past year. Schools are more than educational institutions, they are thriving communities of caring individuals who are better when they are working together.

I would particularly like to thank our Welfare Team including our Year Advisers, Learning and Support Teachers, Student Support Officer – Jonathan Brancati, Student Representative Council Coordinators - Enza Occhiuto and Ana Golijan, and Head Teachers Welfare - Alison Randall and Julian Floriano, who have provided ongoing support and guidance for students throughout the year.

In Year 8 and Year 11

I feel privileged to have worked with Year 8 and Year 11 students and parents/carers this year on academic growth and wellbeing. Year 8 students have now completed Stage 4 of their learning outcomes and will be embarking on a new Stage including new electives in 2021.

A special mention to Anabela Duric of Year 8 who is currently studying Textiles. The students in this Textiles class are making cushion covers as part of their class work. Anabela finished her cushion cover and made a tote bag all by herself using the skills she learnt from making the cushion cover! This is a massive achievement! Ms Petrovska is very proud of you

These types of bags are quite difficult to do and rather time-consuming and Anabela completed this in about four lessons! Congratulations Anabela.

Year 11 have already begun their HSC courses and are a quarter of the way through their subjects. The students have shown how adaptable and determined they are to succeed. Whether it be excellence in attendance, academics, sport, the arts, or the CECIL skills, doing their personal best is what we ask of students, and having read their Yearly reports, I can see that students have come a long way this year.

Congratulations to our Year 11 students who were presented with Attendance, FOCUS, Bronze, Silver and Gold awards this week:

My best wishes

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and hope that you can spend some quality time with your loved ones over the holidays.

Denise James

Deputy Principal - Year 8 and Year 11

Mrs Denise James

Deputy Principal – Year 8 and Year 11