From the Principal

It is hard to believe that we are nearly half way through term 3 already, but there is always so much happening at Camden High School that time flies past quickly.

Term 2 finished with our Year 12 students sitting their trial HSC exams. Trial exams are an essential part of preparing for the HSC exams where students are able to practice their time management skills in exam conditions, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and receive valuable feedback on their performance. I know that our students will reflect on their performances in the trial exams and use their results and feedback to prepare the HSC exams in term 4.

Year 7 attended camp in week 2, and this provided a great opportunity for students to challenge themselves, support others, and to establish and build new friendships.

In week 3, Camden High School was privileged to host a screening of ‘The Last Daughter” on behalf of the Camden Community of Schools. It was an incredibly moving experience, and it was lovely to share it with our colleagues from our network schools.

Our Recognition Assemblies in week 3 were a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge students for their achievement in academic achievement, extra-curricular participation and citizenship. Thank you to the parents and family members who were able to attend on the day.

We are continuing to develop our school processes regarding the mobile phone ban in high schools that will commence in term 4. The new policy will apply to all school hours, including break times at recess and lunch, as well as while students are on school-based excursions. After careful consideration, and based on the analysis of school data, Camden High School will be looking to implement a Locked Device Pouch System. Further information regarding this will be communicated throughout the remainder of this term.

Our current procedures are outlined below and remain in place until term 4.

• During class time, it is expected that all devices are switched off or left on silent and are stored out of sight in a student’s bag. Headphones and bluetooth devices must also be removed and placed into school bags during class time.
• Mobile Digital Devices may be used during recess and lunch breaks as long as it does not impact on the safety and wellbeing of other students.
• Students should not record images, videos or sound unless under explicit teacher instructions.
• Teachers will impose fair and escalating consequences to students who fail to comply with these guidelines. This will start with a request to put the device away, if a student is seen to be using the device again during the lesson, then the teacher will ask the student to bring their phone to the office where it will secured until the end of the school day.

We would ask for your support in ensuring that students phones are off and away in compliance with our current procedures. If it is necessary to contact your child during the day, please call the Front Office or send an email, and we will deliver the message at an appropriate time.

Karen Woods - Principal