Year Advisers Reports

Year 7

Congratulations Year 7 on a very enthusiastic and successful first term in high school!

I've enjoyed getting to know all personalities of this group, especially through our casual conversations in the playground and teaching in the classroom. It has been particularly pleasing to watch you all develop both new and old friendships with your peers.

We've had a very busy start to the year, concluding with a fantastic three days at The Great Aussie Bush Camp. This was a valuable opportunity for students to step outside their comfort zone, conquer fears, develop independence and most importantly HAVE FUN.

By now Year 7 students would be well aware of the routines and expectations at Henry Kendall High School and I am expecting that to continue throughout the rest of the year.

Term 2 will again be busy with events such as the School Athletics and Cross Country Carnivals, NAPLAN testing, On Track Racecourse Concert and Henry Kendall's Got Talent all happening.

“Self-Belief is the Secret to Success”

I look forward to seeing all your smiling faces Term 2. Enjoy your break, be safe, be kind to one another and Happy Easter to all of the HKHS Family.

Miss Crystal Reynen 

Year 7 Adviser

Year 8

The Year 8 cohort have adjusted well to their new teachers and courses this term and are generally progressing nicely.

Many students are noticing that there is an increased workload both in the classroom and at home and students need to develop their organisational skills to manage this. A reminder that all students have been provided with an assessment schedule for the entire year and this should be referred to on a regular basis. Spare copies of this booklet are available from Mr Reece in Mathematics staff room for any student who has lost their copy. The use of a calendar, diary or phone app is recommended to assist with time management as the assessment tasks continue to come.

Earlier this term, Year 8 showed great participation in the annual swimming carnival and we hope to see the same at our athletics carnival that takes place at Mingara on Wednesday 29 May. Information notes will be issued to the students early next term.

We are in the process of planning the Year 8 Welfare Day for Week 8 of next term. This day will see students educated about current social issues as well as engage in team building activities with their peers.

As our Vivo rewards system continues, it is very pleasing to see an increase in the amount of "Vivos" being awarded to Year 8 students who show positive behaviours. Congratulations to Lachlan Knowles, Kalem Harris, Lachlan Gunn and Larna Homer who are the Year 8 Vivo Champs for the term.

I would like to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday break. See you all next term.

Mr Matthew Reece

Year 8 Adviser

Year 9

This term has seen Year 9 students enter into a whole new and exciting part of their high school journey, Stage 5. It has been good to see most students have met the higher demands that Stage 5 entails very well. I have heard many positive comments, from both teachers and students, about how much students are thoroughly enjoying a variety of electives and really stepping up to push themselves. Along with their electives, it has been good to see that most Year 9 students have been applying themselves to their mandatory subjects and again pushing themselves to achieve their best. They have also been preparing for NAPLAN, which in Week 3, Term 2. A special mention to all of the students who are going out of their way to help their fellow peers in all situations. It is fantastic to see such an amazing culture forming across the year that upholds Henry Kendall High School's values. 

Year 9 student have completed a large number of tasks towards the end of this term. Unfortunately, some students have not met the required deadlines. If students are saying they have nothing to do, please get them to check their Assessment Booklet and see what assessment tasks they have coming up. If you have not received this, or it has been misplaced, please direct your student to either see Miss McLennan or go to the shelves outside of Mrs Wearne's office. Alternatively, the booklet is available on our website.

A small group of Year 9 Geography students were lucky enough to be able to accompany Year 11 Geography students to Mount Kosciuszko. All nine students made it to the top and assisted ‘Hippo’, Henry Kendall High School's Mount Kosciuszko mascot, to make it to the top as well. 

This year so far we have seen Year 9 students participate in a number of sports. Congratulations to Jade Sweeney, Ellanor Meese, Tyson Pagacs and Casey Stone who all were champions of their respective age groups. A special mention to Casey Stone, who went onto NSW Country Championships and won a bronze medal for the 100 metre breaststroke. Also, another special mention of Jessica Batarseh who successfully gained a position in the Central Coast Regional Hip Hop Dance Group.

Finally, the following students are top ten Vivo earns, so far, in 2019:

Ellanor Meese

Tram Nguyen

Jolie Easton

Ksenia Malyshevia

Xander James

Arabella Kimber

Jessica Falkingham

Megan Blair

Amelia Walker

Felix Su

Congratulations to all of these students.

I hope all of Year 9 have a relaxing holiday and enjoy Easter!

Miss Cassandra McLennan

Year 9 Adviser

Year 10

Term 1 has flown by and Year 10 have been working hard on assessment tasks for all of their courses. They have produced some outstanding work and I look forward to seeing their reports during the next term. Term 2 will be very busy with students needing to carefully consider their subject selections for Year 11 and 12. There will be information booklets given out and a couple of evenings at school to discuss senior structures and options. Please keep an eye out for these dates.

I encourage students to keep an eye on activities organised by our careers adviser Mrs Cortaville-Smith. There are some great opportunities offered and in particular I encourage students to attend the careers market where they have the opportunity to explore post-school options.

Orders for senior jackets will also be taken during Term 2. You will receive a letter outlining the procedure, students will try on jackets for size at school and decide what they want written on the back. Payments may be made in 2 installments and the order will be placed by the end of Term 2. Your order will not be placed if the first installment has not been paid.

I hope all of Year 10 and their families have a very Happy Easter and a restful holiday.

Mrs Julie Starkey

Year 10 Adviser

Year 11

Well done to Year 11, who have completed their first term of senior schooling! The cohort have had a great transition into the final phase of their school careers and have impressed their teachers with their potential for the coming terms. 

It has been a busy few months with carnivals, excursions, the arrival of senior jackets and their second last school photos. The Mock Trial team has had a brilliant start to the competition and are on to the next round and the Grip Leadership group have been advocating for changes to make Henry Kendall High School even better, so it is clear that there is a lot of motivation and passion within the year group.

Most significantly, Year 11 have been introduced to the pressure of multiple HSC assessment tasks, which they have approached with maturity and responsibility. Many students have worked well to ensure that they are prepared and have sought feedback to ensure they submit their personal best. Creating and maintaining these habits now will be well worth it in the long run.

Thank you to Year 11 for embracing my short stint as relieving Year Adviser over the last couple of weeks! It has been an absolute pleasure working with such a brilliant group of students and I will miss being in the role next term - but we’re all excited to welcome back Mrs Draper for her last term before baby Draper arrives!

Ms Sasha Fitzgerald

Rel. Year 11 Adviser

Year 12

Congratulations Year 12, you have officially made it to the half way check point. Term one has been filled with excursions, assessment tasks, course work, sporting competitions and additional opportunities which has kept us all very busy. As your Year Adviser, I have been extremely proud of the diligence and effort demonstrated as a whole and I look forward to watching further progression in the final two terms.

We started off the year with our final school swimming carnival. Attendance and participation by our year group was exceptional. We had the first annual dance off in which our group challenged the house teams and Karl Suczynski, our very own super fish completed his laps much faster than many of us can run. Year 12 filled Gosford pool with bright colours and cheers throughout the day.

During week 7, Marley Irvine, Senjay Turner, Alex Sidiropolous and Eli Clarkson were asked to present ‘A Day in the Life of a Henry Kendall Student’ to many excited listeners at the Probus Club of Gosford West. Students presented a video filmed by our strategic communications team and a short speech about their usual day. This was followed by an impromptu Q&A session. The students were outstanding representatives of our school community and received the following feedback:

“Each of the students, Eli, Senjay, Alex and Marley conducted themselves admirably. I’m sure it was a great experience for them, as it was for us.  The video presentation was excellent and gave us all an idea of how much education and learning has progressed.”

Caroline – Vice President.

We have many exciting events coming up for Year 12 and the organisation is well underway. Our annual formal has been booked at the Crowne Plaza Terrigal on Tuesday 19 November. The space is currently being refurbished so I look forward to further planning and design within the new space. Further information regarding the event will be provided during Term 2. There will be a formal committee formed shortly to begin the event organisation. The committee will also provide suggestions and vision for Year 12’s present to the school.

Continuing on from the formal, we have successfully secured a spot in the famous Bunnings BBQ roster. This fundraising opportunity, to be held on Saturday 29 June has previously raised a substantial amount of money for our formal celebrations and gift to the school. I will be calling on volunteers to help cook and serve closer to the date.

Year 12 have been given multiple study resources this term including a term planner, ‘Year 12 survival guide’ and a study workshop. I encourage all students to utilise their time wisely in the holidays. Yes, you all deserve some rest and relaxation and I strongly believe you should plan some fun activities during this time. However, it is also a very important time to make the most of your school free days and prepare study notes for all course. This will take the pressure off during your trial and HSC exams and free up time to complete practice papers.

As we move into the second half of the HSC year, I encourage all students to work as a team and support each other.  We have an incredible group of students who bring an array of talents and insightful discussion to our learning environment. "Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships." - Michael Jordan. Let’s conquer the next few months together.

Miss Tegan Perkins

Year 12 Adviser