Safe, Respectful Learners

ENCORE Music Excursion

On the 27th of February, Year 11 and 12 students travelled to the Sydney Opera House to watch performances by the top music students in New South Wales from the class of 2022. Our students were amazed by the performers as this inspire them for their own upcoming performances in the music course.

Visual Arts Practical Works

Year 8 students have been working hard this term to create stylised name tags and a Street Art Poster that incorporates a message about the school or world/social issues.

Pulse Alive 2023

Merrylands High School was represented by 16 dance ensemble students on the 9th of March at the Ken Rosewall Arena at Sydney Olympic Park. They were part of the massed dance ensemble cast, performing a jazz style item to Youngblood. They were fantastic ambassadors for our school and performed at an exceptionally high level.

Co-curricular Dance Activities

Eighteen Merrylands High School dance ensemble students have been rehearsing during most recess sessions throughout Term 1 to work on their new dance items for the Synergy Public Schools Dance Festival and Our Spectacular 2023. These students auditioned for the Synergy Public Schools Dance Festival last year in Week 10 with the dance item “Searching for Romeo”, a contemporary routine choreographed by Ms Dickie. We look forward to the many performance opportunities ahead in Terms 2 and 3.

International Women’s Day Breakfast

It was International Women’s Day (IWD) on the 8th of March and some of our student leaders had the opportunity to attend a breakfast at the Novotel Parramatta. The day started early, but the students were very excited to be part of the event and met some special guests: Lord Mayor of Parramatta, Donna Davis, the third female Lord Mayor in Parramatta’s 160-year history; Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Peter Gangemi and renowned marine biologist and conservationist, Dr Jennifer Mathews, the Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Fellow from the University of Technology, Sydney.

This year, the Western Sydney IWD committee celebrated their 30-year pearl anniversary. The Breakfast began with some of its members reflecting upon their journey and its progression from their first IWD breakfast in 1993. This continued with addresses from honorary guests about their experiences as women attempting to make change, which offered words of encouragement to the next generation of female leaders. We had the privilege of listening to Dr Mathews, who shared her story of finding her passion in environmental conservation. The presentation was indeed motivational and an inspiration to the participants.

Ms Kumari

Girls’ Adviser

Cumberland Women @ Work

During NSW Women’s Week, communities came together to work towards gender equality, as we all have a part to play in championing gender equality. Cumberland City Council provided MHS with the perfect opportunity to organise a women’s-only event on Thursday, the 9th of March. This event focused on creating a safe space for young women to be inspired and build relationships with local women from private enterprises, community based not-for-profit educational institutions, and local government organisations. The event encouraged our young females to share their thoughts and ideas and to strengthen their understanding of employment pathways and career goals. Our students were engaged throughout the event and were highly inspired by their mentors and speakers.

Ms Kumari

Girls’ Adviser

Year 11 Business Services (VET Course)

The Year 11 business services class has started working towards their training to achieve Certificate III in Business. The Senior Pathways program has introduced new data collection software in Evidence Central, which is student-oriented, and our students are becoming confident in utilising the software to complete their VET documentation and learning activities. Through Evidence Central, the students completed their VET induction and verified their USIs independently. The students will shortly begin working on their resume and cover letters to prepare for their Work Ready Day in Term 2.

Year 12 Work Placements

The Year 12 VET students from business services, information and digital technology, hospitality and construction have completed their 70 hours of mandatory work placement this term. Work placement experiences have provided opportunities to the students to enhance their work-related skills, as well as evaluate their performances regarding punctuality to work, positive attitude, commitment, ability to work in a team environment, meet deadlines and use work-related technology and equipment. The students received positive and encouraging feedback from their employers across all VET courses.

Stage 4 History

Year 8 students have learnt about Medieval Europe in their history classes this term. Students discovered the Feudal System and the hierarchy of social classes throughout this period of time. Students completed a range of literacy and numeracy-based activities incorporating the “Super Sixes”, “PEEL” and “RISKS” strategies. Students worked through the differentiated booklets that provided access to a variety of primary and secondary sources to enhance their understanding of the Middle Ages. Students were fascinated to learn about knights and the crusades.

L.E.A.P. Students’ Nature Diorama

L.E.A.P. students are currently studying the topic of sustainability in their English classes. To enhance their understanding of the topic, they started off with investigating the natural environment around them. The students engaged in the creation of their own individual dioramas by gathering natural resources from around the school and rearranging them to form a piece of natural scenery inside a shoe box. After that, students wrote a reflection on the activity in their English books. All students showed a keen interest in crafting their own nature diorama and wrote impressive reflections.

Ms Chen

L.E.A.P. Teacher

World Autism Awareness Day

Merrylands High School celebrated World Autism Day to raise awareness about students with autism. L.E.A.P. staff and students had a fundraiser and sold raffle tickets, which was drawn on the 3rd of April. The money collected will be donated to a charity supporting people with autism.

Library Upgrades

With the installation of three new large smart screens and new furniture on the mezzanine level, the students have been enjoying the transformation of the learning spaces within the library.

We celebrated International Women’s Day with a book display showcasing a selection of resources from the collection, which heralds the achievements and contributions of women from all around the world. There are a total of 423 resources available from the Oliver library search catalogue.

Girls’ Football Gala Day

Congratulations to the two students who were selected to represent Prospect Zone in Football at the Sydney West Football Gala Day. An amazing effort and performance was displayed by both girls on the day. Well done!

Sydney West Knockout Sports: Open Girls Netball

Congratulations to all students selected to represent Merrylands High School in the Open Girls Netball team. The team has progressed within the Sydney West Knockout Sports Competition, their efforts paying off to win 49–9 in their first game. Well done girls!

Sydney West Open Girls Football Knockout Competition

Congratulations to our Girls Football team for their dedication in their Round 2 Knockout match against Northmead Performing Arts High School. Unfortunately, it was a 4–3 loss. The girls should be proud of the effort and perseverance that they displayed. Bring on next year!

Stage 5 and L.E.A.P. Science

Growing bacteria using agar on petri dishes is a common laboratory technique used to study microorganisms – tiny little living things. Agar is a gel-like substance extracted from seaweed that acts like food for bacteria to grow on.

Students in Year 9 and senior L.E.A.P. students had the chance to grow bacteria, taken from samples around the classroom. Once they are left to incubate and grow over a period of time, they get so big that you don't need a microscope to see them!

Fitz Cupcakes with Choc Chips

Year 10 food technology students made Fitz cupcakes with choc chips as their minor project. They proficiently used utensils and equipment to make their quality cupcakes. Students regularly cook items in the commercial kitchen as part of their course requirements, while having fun along the way!