School Management & Communication

Staff Changes Term 1

As advised to the school community in week 1, Ms Ronayne is relieving Principal during term 1, with Ms Venkatesan in the relieving Deputy Principal role for Years 8, 10, 12.

We are delighted to confirm the substantive appointment of Ms Robyn Andrews to the Deputy Principal role, effective term 1 2020. In 2020 Ms Andrews is responsible for Years 7, 9 and 11.

In other executive staff updates, we are also delighted to welcome back Ms Jana Keirouz (nee Mawassi) for 2 days per week in the Head teacher HSIE role. Ms Christina Houvardas will relieve in the Head teacher Teaching and Learning role in 2020, and Ms Michos will continue to perform Head teacher HSIE duties 3 days per week.

In faculties we have a number of new staff as well as staff returning to Canterbury Girls High School. Welcome back to Ms Gioffre in Science, Ms Kastanias in TAS, Ms Salakas in HSIE, Ms Roberts and Ms Leung in CAPA. In Maths Ms Jwamer will be with us to relieve Ms Connolly-Grieg as she takes maternity leave.

Ms Fardell replaces Ms Conroy in the careers role during Ms Conroy's maternity leave, and she will also be in the TAS faculty.

HSIE staff Ms Wang, Mr Zabakly and Ms La Grassa

We welcome new staff members Mr Zabakly, Ms La Grassa and Ms Wang to HSIE, and Ms Charalambous to TAS. We wish you all the best as you begin your appointments at Canterbury Girls High School.

In our School Administration team we welcome Ms Dwyer and welcome back Ms Munoz. Ms Eade is filling the role of School Learning Support officer (SLSO) at present.

Our school counselling team welcomes Ms Rynsaardt and Ms De Deckker for the 2020 school year.

Tell Them From Me student feedback survey (Term 1, 2020)

CGHS will again be participating in a Department of Education initiative: the Tell Them From Me student feedback survey. The survey measures factors that are known to affect academic achievement and other student outcomes. The focus of the NSW-wide survey is on student wellbeing, engagement and effective teaching practices.

For Frequently Asked Questions about the survey click this link.

The survey is a great opportunity for our students to provide us with valuable and quick feedback on what they think about school life, how engaged they are with school and the different ways that teachers interact with them. More than 6,300 schools in Australia and around the world have used Tell Them From Me to survey 5.4 million students. Capturing the voices of our students will help improve how we do things at our school.

I want to assure you that the survey is confidential. The survey is conducted online and will typically take less than 30 minutes to complete. It will be administered during school hours between 9 March and 8 May. Participating in the survey is entirely voluntary.

If you do not want your child or children to participate, please return the consent form to school ASAP. Click here for the consent form.

Coronavirus

All updates issued by the Department of Education following advice from NSW Health were advised to the school community through email, website, Schoolstream App and Twitter.

Students were reminded at assemblies in weeks 1 and 2 of how the information had been provided to families.

We thank the school community for the understanding and cooperation shown, as the advice and recommendations did alter several times.

Schools have been requested to include the following announcement to their communities at this time, to emphasise the message of equity and inclusiveness:

https://mailchi.mp/fecca/no-place-for-racism-in-response-to-coronavirus?e=1269d9d21c

Solar Panel Update

Solar Analytics have completed the online solar monitoring display.

You can adopt a solar panel by donating 50 to the CGHS P&C Building Fund (Tax deductible!)

For more info contact:

canterburygirlshspandc@gmail.com

Mobile Phone Policy

A new policy governing student use of digital devices and online services has been released for implementation in NSW public schools from the start of Term 1 2020.

The policy is available at https://education.nsw.gov.au/policy-library.

Secondary schools will retain the flexibility to opt into any restriction on device use or pursue the approach that best suits the learning and wellbeing needs of their school community.

Schools are expected to update their existing school procedure or develop a new one during 2020 to reflect the new policy requirements in consultation with their community.

Technology plays an important and increasing role as students' progress through their education.

Canterbury Girls High School will engage with the school community over Term 2-3 2020 to support safe, responsible and respectful use of digital technology as we update our existing procedures.

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/skills-advice/taming-technology

For All Parents and Carers

Links from the Department of Education:

Year 7 Parents and Carers

Links to assist Year 7 parents and carers with the high school transition.

From Primary to High School, the next big step:

Year 11 and 12 Parents and Carers

Guide to the HSC Years

Our Amphitheatre Transformation

The area outside the Princess St entrance to the MPC, often known as the Dome (as many years ago the circular paved area was covered by a dome) has undergone a transformation over the January break.

Building works have been carried out to upgrade the seating and landscaping, as well as building a COLA structure to provide additional shade and a covered area for flexible use in classes, meetings, PE and community events. The funding was partially through Department of Education as well as a community building grant undertaken by P&C.

Due to delays for on site progress caused by smoke, heat and rain, our hoped for completion date of Open Night was unable to be met, however this project will definitely be in use by end of term.

Black dog future proofing study

Our school will be participating in Australia’s largest ever wellbeing trial for high schoolers. We’ll be working with the Black Dog Institute and UNSW alongside more than 100 other schools to build the most comprehensive picture yet of the mental health and wellbeing of Australian teenagers.

The ‘Future Proofing Study’ is starting at the beginning of Term 2. As this is a large population-based trial, Students in Year 8 are encouraged to sign up. Students in the trial will complete mental health programs using apps and complete surveys at school about their health and wellbeing until Year 12. The Future Proofing Study aims to prevent depression and anxiety in young people. This ground-breaking initiative will engage 20,000 Year 8 students and follow them over a 5-year period.

Research shows that mental health concerns in teenagers are increasing and our school is keen to be part of the solution.

Community Feedback

Members of the public have written in to commend our students on their behaviour;

"Last Monday afternoon, my partner and I, together with a group of girls from Canterbury Girls High School, boarded a bus at the stop adjacent to their school. I just wanted to convey how impressed I was with their etiquette and overall behaviour. They allowed us onto the bus first, were very well behaved whilst on the bus and all made a point of thanking the driver on disembarking. It was a refreshing experience. Their behaviour deserves to be recognised and sets an impressive standard for all who are associated with Canterbury Girls. Accordingly, it would be appreciated if you could relay this feedback to your students, indeed all stakeholders of the school, in an appropriate way. They did themselves and their school proud!" - Stephen L.

"Hello, I just wanted to drop you a quick note to commend the behaviour of some of your students. I live nearby and I have just encountered a group of girls who were wearing what I’m pretty sure were CGHS uniforms, near Yeo Park in Ashfield. They were all very polite, offering to help me with my pram and offering to let me go past them on the path. I was very impressed with their thoughtfulness and consideration. Well done to your students and the wider school community. Thank you." - Deanna R.

To Families of Year 10 Students

Year 10 End of Year Activities

The school wishes to advise families of students in Year 10 there is no Year 10 School Formal or end of year graduation function coordinated by Canterbury Girls High School. Any social activities held at the end of the school year to celebrate the completion of Year 10 are private events which do not involve the school or the school staff in any way. Families are advised to be aware of this policy and to make their own arrangements for suitable monitoring and supervision of any out of school activities at the end of Year 10.

Should you have any enquiries please contact:

Ms L Venkatesan, Relieving Deputy Principal

Lalita.venkatesan@det.nsw.edu.au

School Bus Service changes from Monday 10th February

Timetable adjustments will occur on many Inner West bus routes from Sunday 9 February, to support more reliable journeys. There are also minor changes to the timetables of some school services. Click here for the new school bus timetable starting from Monday 10th February.

Trip planning and further information

Parents and students are encouraged to plan their trip to see if these timetable changes will impact the way that they currently travel to and from school. More information, including timetables, maps, Trip Planning and school service details is available at transportnsw.info. You can also view school service information on the Transit Systems website – transitsystems.com.au .

Student Opal Card Reminder

Please ensure your students are aware of the condition of use of their Opal Card, and the importance of carrying and using their card whenever they travel.

It is a condition of travel that all students tap on with their Student Opal card every time they board the bus, and tap off when they alight. This allows Transport for NSW and bus operators to assess the patronage of bus services, including School Special buses, to ensure that resources are used efficiently and meet customer demand.

If you have any questions about these service changes, please contact Peter Whitney, Area Manager Business Support Services on (02) 8778 5887.

CGHS on Social Media

Twitter : @GirlsCanterbury

Facebook : @CanterburyGirlsHighSchool