From the Principal

Term 3 has been very busy, with the staff and students of Camden High School involved in numerous curricular and extra-curricular activities. Already this term we have had our students proudly representing Camden High School in: 

• running cultural workshops for primary school students in NAIDOC Week at Camden South Public School as part of our ongoing cultural mentoring partnership. 
• the inaugural Camden Challenge Cup, a team based problem solving challenge day as part of our High Potential and Gifted Education initiatives. 
• various sporting activities, including strong performances at the Sydney South West Regional Athletics carnival, with a number of students moving on to the Combined High Schools carnival. 
• the local launch of Education Week, where we partnered with Camden Council to have student artwork displayed in the John Street Cultural Precinct, Camden Library and the Camden Public School fence. 

The Plan for NSW Public Education, released at the end of 2023, represents the Department of Education’s commitment to ensure that every student learns, grows and belongs in an equitable and outstanding education system. In strengthening student wellbeing and development,we aim to create a positive school culture that values student voice, measured by students reporting a positive sense of belonging. 

At the end of last term, students had the opportunity to participate in the Tell Them From Me survey which provides data on a range of aspects of school life, practices and procedures from the perspective of students. 

In this survey, the proportion of Camden High School students reporting a positive sense of belonging increased by 7%.  

Student advocacy, the measure where students feel they have someone at school who consistently provides encouragement and can be turned to for advice, increased from 4.9 (in 2023) to 5.3. 

Expectations for success, the measure where school staff emphasise academic skills and hold high expectations for all students to succeed, increased from 5.6 (in 2023) to 6.5.  

The willingness of our enthusiastic and dedicated staff to support students in all aspects of their education and wellbeing, and to provide wide and varied opportunities to be involved in school life, is the contributing factor to these improved results. Their commitment and passion is what makes public education, and Camden High School, outstanding, and a place where we are all ‘proud to belong’. 

Karen Woods - Principal