Year Advisers Reports

Years 8, 10 & 12

Year 8 are back and well and truly on their way to tackling Term 3. I hope over the holidays they were able to take their eyes off a device and get outside to enjoy the beautiful weather they had. We started off with an amazing Preforming Arts Night, where I witnessed multiple talents spread across the school. However, my favourite act of the night was no other than Mr Brightside performed by Amaziah Argent & Kairavan Selvarajan on guitar, Samuel Whight & Tycen Bedford on the mic, Harrison Jeffery on drums, and Benjamin Humphrey on the keys. What an amazing performance! See the photo below (unfortunately Ben left prior to me taking the photo). 

I have had an overwhelming amount of SRC Application forms, and it makes me so proud as a Year Adviser to see how many students in my year are willing to take on leadership roles and become apart of Henry Kendall High School's Community. Day after day I feel grateful that this group of amazing students represent myself and Year 8 as a year group at our school.

I would also like to recognise the following students for their contribution to Henry Kendall High School's first published Literacy Magazine The Bellbird;  Sophie Arendse, Tycen Bedford, Olivia Doan, Daniel Gallo, Ilicia Kartawidjaja, Emeliana Kimber, Henry McGavin,  Abygail Mesina and Kairavan Selvarajan. 

I would like to make a specific mention to Henry McGavin and Emeliana Kimber who placed 1st and 2nd respectively in the Perseverance writing competition which was also featured in the magazine. 

Overall we have had an amazing start to the term! Well done Year 8. Keep up the great efforts!

Chantelle Sanki

Year 8 Adviser

Despite starting the term with the daunting challenge of Year 10 to 11 interviews, Year 10 have settled back into Term 3 exceptionally well.

On Tuesday 18 July, every student from Year 10 was involved in an interview process with a head teacher. This interview was to cover important topics such as goals for after school and subjects they are looking to undertake in their senior years. Students were asked questions about their future in which they were not directly prepared on; however, from all reports the student excelled in their respective interviews. The interviews arrived at an imperative time of the year, where students must acknowledge the need to address their aspirations and help set up a clear pathway to achieving these.

We recently hosted the Gosford City Learning Community awards at Henry Kendall High School, and I would like to acknowledge the award recipients for Year 10. Congratulations to Mia McPhie and Dylan Wade, for receiving an award which recognises their tremendous positive contribution to the school community.

PAN was also held in Week 3 and I would like to thank all of the Year 10 students who help set up the night with sound and lighting, as well as congratulate all of the performers for doing an amazing job.

Reminder for students to remain focused heading into the back half of the year. The year group is doing an incredible job so far; however, it does need to be mentioned that further challenges will arise. Students are encouraged to continue upholding a positive mindset towards their studies. Find things to make you happy, but more importantly, remember who is available as a support network to help you through challenges as they arise.

It has been a pleasure working closely with the cohort. In week four, we have welcomed back Mrs Hogan!

Mat Sheppard

Relieving Year 10 Adviser

I would firstly like to thank Mr Sheppard for taking on the role of Relieving Year Adviser while I took my leave. This time of the year with Subject Selections for Stage 6 and considering what opportunities are available post school can be very daunting and having the support that is provided from teachers and parents is vital to help make positive decisions. 

Now that most of the stressful decisions have been made (for now anyway) students are very excited to be ordering their senior jackets. Some are also finding this stressful with deciding on the name of the jacket, although there have been many laughs while making the decision. It is wonderful to see them all very excited and I am looking forward to seeing them in their yellow shirts and senior jackets next year. 

However, we still have lots of things ahead of us for 2023, as Mr Sheppard mentioned students are encouraged to continue to be positive, work hard and use the support they have around them. 

“Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.” ― Andy Rooney

Karen Hogan

Year 10 Adviser

A moment thirteen years in the making has finally arrived: the Class of 2023 have begun their final ever term of school. I’m sure the students are full of mixed emotions, as they’re glad the end of the HSC is getting closer but for a lot of them, they will be feeling sadness and nostalgia about the end of such a significant chapter in their lives.

This term started with some big days with the Performing Arts Nights. Year 12 ran a canteen at the two events to raise some more money for their formal. I’m very grateful for those who volunteered their time to help on the night. It was also a privilege to see the incredible musicians and actors in the year group give their all for their final community performances. The talent and skill in the year group is absolutely incredible!

The Trial Examinations will have just finished when this is published. After two weeks of experiencing what the HSC will be like under strict exam conditions, some three hours in length, will mean that they are well deserving of a short rest before jumping back into revision. 

Year 12 should be proud of how mature, responsible, and respectful they were as they approached this stressful time and should now consider how they will implement their learning from this experience into how they will approach the HSC. The next couple of months is when they can make the biggest impact on their knowledge and final marks, so hopefully they’re feeling inspired and disciplined for the final part of their journey.

It’s important that we also focus on our wellbeing for this last half of the term, so Year 12 will have a variety of fun activities to engage in amongst the revision and focus. We will begin planning them from next week, so watch this space for more details!

And this is me signing off for the second last time as their Year Adviser – a fact that I’m not ready to come to terms with!

Sasha Fitzgerald

Year 12 Adviser