Principals Report
Lots to celebrate this term!
Henry Kendall High School has been one busy place throughout Term 2, as this newsletter will demonstrate. Along with a mountain of events there has been significant student achievement to be celebrated. I won’t detail these as they are outlined further on, however can I congratulate our student body and the staff that make these achievements possible – well done and I am, as always, extremely proud of this wonderful school.
Subject Selection
Our preparations for our 2025 curriculum are now well underway with the subject selection process occurring for Year 8 into 9 and Year 10 into 11. These are important processes and I encourage students and parents to engage with as much information as possible.
Our three Subject Information Evenings were well attended on Thursday 6, Thursday 20 and Wednesday 26 June, and I hope that students and parents found these informative and useful in making decisions about the HSC years. Year 10 students need to ensure that they are aware of the different categories that HSC courses fall into and the implications these have on future pathways, including ATAR eligibility.
Year 10 students are reminded that the subject selection portal will close after your interview on the first day next term (Tuesday 23 July).
Our Stage 5 Subject Information Evening was also extremely well attended, with the opportunity to choose subjects for the first time an exciting chance for our students to have some ownership. The process for Stage 5 is also online through the subject selection portal, which will close early next term.
Spectacular Murals
The final stage of our investment in the aesthetic environment through the installation of specifically designed murals has now been completed. The final result of these artworks has been wonderful in providing a dramatic visual impact, and ensuring a focus on the quality of the environment we provide for our students.
Complementing the wonderful entry way artworks on our administration building are a new Acknowledgement of Country and a Vision Statement as you enter the main foyer. These are important assertions; one that recognise the traditional custodians of this land and the other sets forward a declaration about the type of school we are for our community. They have been designed to work in concert with the huge artwork across the library wall.
Of particular importance is the installation of our Cooinda mural on the outside of the Indigenous Heritage Room. The concepts for this piece were conceived and designed by our Cooinda students, before being endorsed by the AECG and the community Elders, and then professionally finished by graphic artists. The work describes the First Nations creation story with specific links to our students and school and is a spectacular burst of colour entwined with narrative. All involved can be proud of their contribution to what is an important addition to our school now and for the future.
Subject Fees
While we understand the impact that cost of living pressures is having on many families, I need to remind parents that a range of our elective courses are subject to course fees. These courses are those utilising consumable products, are expensive to run, and rely on the payment of the fee for those students choosing to enrol in them. We will always offer the alternative of free courses, however, making the choice of a fee paying course is to accept the associated cost.
Poster Competition
This term we ran a P&C sponsored poster competition based on the new Behaviour Code for Students. The code has three core themes for students – Respect, Safety and Engagement. Students were given the opportunity to enter the competition by designing a poster that reflected these messages, with the winning poster being produced to be displayed in classrooms.
The winning student also received a prize sponsored by the P&C Committee to the value of $300. There were five students who entered the competition:
- Lincoln Scarfone - Year 9
- Pearl Celin - Year 7
- Phuntsok Tentso - Year 10
- Katie Thomas - Year 8
- Johan Hawryluk - Year 8
The winner was selected by the P&C, and was Lincoln Scarfone who designed a poster for each of the three themes. Each poster was hand drawn, creating a character and interpreting each concept with a catchy slogan. It was a creative and personalised approach, and a fantastic effort.
Each of the other four entrants are congratulated for their excellent and creative efforts, and received a canteen voucher.
Mr Andrew Backhouse
Principal