Year Advisers Reports

Years 8, 10 & 12

What an amazing semester we have had. Semester One of Year 8 is done! So many great things happened this term. 

We had our annual Athletics Carnival and it was so great to see so many Year 8's competing and wearing house colours. It looked as though we had the most participants in any of the races, and I saw so many students across multiple events for the day, which was outstanding. 

Speaking of athletes, our very own Nina Takahashi competed in the Under 15's National Volleyball Championship at just 13 years of age. She has now been scouted to be apart of the Australian team! 

Well done Nina. Henry Kendall High School are so lucky to have you!

Overall this term has been a busy one, with reports going out towards the end of the term. Reading through all of Year 8's report cards, I can see all the amazing things we are doing across all subjects. It does seem that stress is on the horizon with many assessment tasks being due at the same time, my advice is to just make a start even if you are unsure of the finished product, you will often find the rest falls into place once you begin it. Ask your teachers for help and see if you can form study groups with your friends. 

Hope you all have a safe holiday and see you all soon for Term 3!

Chantelle Sanki

Year 8 Adviser

Another busy term done, and only two more to go as Year 10 students! In second half of Term 2, Year 10 have been busy with many sporting, music and academic activities. We also had the amazing opportunity to go to Sydney for the annual Stand Tall event. One hundred Year 10 students, with myself, Mrs Hoole, Miss Reynen, Miss Fitzgerald, Mr Walters and Ms Bath had an amazing day from the very early time of 6:20am until we arrived back at Gosford Train Station at 4.00pm. 

During the day there was lots of fun, tears and laughter as we enjoyed the time with each other on the train and the amazing stories we heard at Stand Tall. I would like to congratulate all of the students on how well behaved they were. As wonderful as the event is, to spend the day with this amazing group of students was fantastic and just what was needed in this very busy time. 

Year 10 are now selecting their Subjects for Stage 6. I know this is a stressful time as picking subjects for the next 2 years can be scary. I have had several conversations with students about their choices and look forward to seeing them strive for their personal best in their chosen courses.

On Tuesday 18 July (first day of Term 3) students will be completing their Year 10 into 11 Interviews. There will be no formal classes and students will only attend school for their allocated interview time. The goal for these interviews is to discuss with the allocated Head Teacher, the subjects they have selected for Stage 6 and to see if they are appropriate for their pattern of study. Students are advised to dress in interview clothing and to have a resume completed. Interview times have been sent out to students in the mail.

To help with the preparation of senior years, I encourage Year 10 to start working and setting up a study routine if they haven’t already. This will help them adjust to the rigor of senior school. One suggestion to get started is, to have a calendar visible and mark on where assessment tasks are due and how long they have to work on it. A second suggestion is to have a specific study/homework area away from distractions. And thirdly the tool I have suggested often and used myself constantly - make checklists of what you need to do, top tip, always put one thing down you know you will do straight away or have nearly completed already. 

From Week 10 Term 2 until end of Week 3 Term 3, I have to take leave for personal reasons. I am sad to miss everyone dressed nicely for their interviews, however, I will be asking everyone to take photos to upload to a post on Google Classroom for me. This will give me the opportunity to see everyone and have some amazing photos for the Year 12 Yearbook! While I am away, Mat Sheppard, will be stepping in my role for Year Adviser. Year 10 are encouraged to speak or email Mat Shepard with any concerns just as they do with me. 

Wishing all Year 10 and their families a relaxing holiday, and looking forward to catching up with you all when I return. 

“Do something today that your future self will be proud of” Michael Crossman (Speaker at Stand Tall 2023)

Karen Hogan

Year 10 Adviser

And so ends Year 12’s second last term of school, a fact which I’d prefer to be in denial of as I will never be ready to say goodbye to them! I am grateful that we’ve had another excellent five weeks together full of events where their brilliant personalities have been on display. 

This was clearly evident through the two fundraising barbeques we ran: one at Bunnings and one at the Athletics Carnival. Two massive BBQs in just three days! It was a hectic time but a highly successful one, with almost $3000 raised between the two of them which will go towards funding their formal. The crew that helped at both BBQs were absolutely incredible: full of initiative, kindness, and fun. We even had several members of the public state that our Bunnings one had the best vibe they’d ever seen! Thank you to the students who volunteered to assist and a special shout out to the staff who gave up their weekend to help us out: Mr Wright, Mr Hoole, and Mrs Hoole. We appreciate you so much! 

Speaking of the Athletics Carnival, well done to Year 12 for being the first ever student group that I have witnessed to beat the staff in the special staff vs student relay! It was an impressive achievement and I’m so proud of them.

Next term is going to be exceptionally busy, so I hope Year 12 find time to relax and recuperate during the holidays to prepare for it. We have the Trial HSC and then lots of celebration activities to acknowledge the end of school, which will culminate in the Graduation Ceremony on Thursday 21 September 2023. Speaking of celebration events, the formal location has changed to the Crowne Plaza in Terrigal for the same date, that is Wednesday 15 November, which we’re all very excited about. 

Well done Year 12, for another great term! 

Sasha Fitzgerald

Year 12 Adviser