Our Anniversary 

Welcome back

Welcome back to the 2021 school year and Cecil Hills High School’s 25th year! Our Year 12 students and families might remember our 20th Anniversary celebration in 2016 which was full of artefacts, former Principals, memories, rides, food and even fireworks! Throughout this year we will be reminiscing the past 25 years by taking a walk down memory lane with former students and staff as they share their stories with you in our newsletters. We also have some exciting celebrations planned!!!

Year 9

Year 9 have had a great start to 2021 and Stage 5 of their learning journey. This year is quite different for them as they begin new courses and work towards attaining their Record of School Achievement (RoSA). Students are no longer in the one class with the one group of students, but are with different groups in each class. This is a great opportunity for them to meet new students and extend their friendships. 

A key focus for Year 9 this year is on “Positive Relationships”. One of the most profound experiences we have in our lives is the connection we have with other human beings. Positive and supportive relationships help us feel healthier, happier, and more satisfied with our lives. The need to seek and maintain social contact and form relationships is a basic need of all human beings as we all have a common need to be accepted by others. Healthy, positive relationships are vital for our emotional and physical wellbeing. 

Every day our students mix with others with whom they must form relationships – parents, siblings, other students and teachers. The majority of these relationships will be positive, enriching their lives and helping them learn and develop as individuals. Young people flourish when their relationships are strong and supportive. A positive relationship should bring more happiness than unhappiness into a young person’s life. All positive relationships have the following in common:

• kindness
• mutual respect
• trust
• honesty
• feeling safe from harm
• feeling valued
• support
• communication
• empathy

Every relationship we have can teach us something, and by building positive relationships with others, students will be happier and feel more supported and connected, leading to more success at school. “The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.”  Theodore Roosevelt

Year 12

Year 12 students are already one quarter of the way through their HSC courses. Using their diary, being organised, making the most of their Connect class, trying their best and working with their teachers, will be the key to managing their HSC year successfully. This year we welcome Mr Alfonsi as our Senior Coordinator who will work closely on supporting students with managing their workload.

In what can be a stressful year for HSC students, our key focus for them this year is on “Being Kind – to others and to themselves.” Kindness is caring about others and doing things to help make their lives better. It allows us to connect with other people and build meaningful relationships. By being kinder to others you tend to be kinder towards yourself. Kindness isn’t a feeling… it’s an action. Being kind is not about how you feel. It’s about what you do. The more we practice kindness, the easier it is. “Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.” Henry James

Celebrating our 25th Anniversary

I know that this will be a very busy but memorable year for Year 12. I am excited that they began their school journey with the school celebrating it’s 20th Anniversary, and will finish their schooling with the 25th Anniversary celebrations.

Mrs Denise James

Deputy Principal, Years 9 and 12