From the Principal

Dear Killara Families,  

Welcome back 

Our school is filled with positive energy and excitement, as laughter and smiles once again fill the classrooms and playground areas. Our teachers welcomed all students back this week with enthusiasm and engaging lessons. I thank our community for the positive response to our school’s COVID safety plans. Staggered release times, different entry and exit gates, alternative pick-up and drop-off zones, and the requirement to wear masks indoors have all be embraced by our community. Our students have returned to school prepared to learn, wearing uniform and equipped with all of their necessary stationery. Our students have responded very well to our changes.  

In the classroom, our teachers are supporting all students in returning to a routine of learning by providing students with structure, alongside using explicit teaching strategies.  

Friendship groups reuniting, students and teachers reconnecting, and the buzz of learning across the school being reignited, is the way we want things to be.  

I have visited many classrooms this week and there is clear excitement amongst students and teachers to be engaging in a variety of learning experiences. I have included some images of a senior Hospitality class engaging in their practical lesson this week.  

Year 12 - Farewell 

Today (29 October 2021) Year 12 are enjoying their final day of timetabled lessons with their friends and teachers. This week Year 12 have been attending regular timetabled lessons, and next week they have a study vacation, which provides an opportunity to add the final touches to their HSC examination preparations. HSC written exams will be held from 9 November 2021 to 3 December 2021. Most examinations will take place in the school hall, however, the library and some classrooms around the school will also be used.  

University of Technology Sydney and Killara High School Teachers 

This week 24 teachers from Killara High School shared their expertise with pre-service teaching students from the University of Technology Sydney through a video conference. Our teachers provided advice on topics such as learning from home, behaviour management, assessment, explicit teaching strategies and many other topics. The advice provided by our teachers was highly regarded and we look forward to further experiences between our school and UTS.  

Support 

We are a team here at Killara and we support each other to connect, succeed and thrive. We understand that this pandemic has added significant strain to the lives of students and their parents/guardians. Our School Counsellor, Year Advisers, Deputy Principals, Student Support Officer and Stage Head Teachers are here to offer support.  

An external service that has recently come to my attention is Head to Health Pop Up, which is for all people in NSW. It is for anyone of any age, including children, young people and older adults, whose mental health is suffering because of the current pandemic.This includes people experiencing addiction. Even if you have never sought help before, Head to Health Pop Up is here for you. You can use this service by calling 1800 595 212 Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.00pm, except public holidays.  

Kindest regards, 

Robin Chand

Principal (relieving)