Student Services News

Term 3 has been a busy time in Student Services. The following are a few of the highlights: Our Yr 12 students have been industriously wrapping up final assessments for the term and focussing on revision in all courses. Year 11 have completed their yearly exams and the junior school have worked hard on 3rd term assessment tasks. NESA examination provisions for our senior exams have been processed under the wonderful guidance of Mrs Janelle Wilkinson.

Year 6 to 7 transition is well and truly underway, ensuring that our 2019 Year 7’s have the best start to high school. I would like to acknowledge the work of Crystal Raynen, the Yr 7 2019 Year Adviser, who is enjoying building wonderful relationship with this cohort.

Over the last few weeks we have supported Year 12 as they prepare to leave HKHS. We are extremely proud of our students’ achievements, especially those students who have overcome personal difficulties in the last 12 months and have shown perseverance to complete their studies. We wish all our students the very best for their upcoming HSC and every success in their future. Remember, we are always here to support every student until the very last exam if assistance is needed. I would like to congratulate Mr Michael Mellish, the Year 12 Year Adviser, who has supported each and every one of our Yr 12 students to achieve their personal best.

Miss Perkins has supervised and facilitated the learning of our English as Additional Dialect (EALD) students and is thrilled with their achievements. The following Yr 12 students in particular need to be congratulated on their diligent efforts.

Tuan Ho – Tuan is a humble and hardworking student who has achieved consistently high results during his time at Henry Kendall High School. He came to Australia having never studied English as an academic subject, making Tuan’s achievements all the more remarkable. Tuan finished his courses with a cumulative rank of first in English Standard and Mathematics, second in Mathematics Extension 1, Mathematics Extension 2 and Chemistry and third in Physics. Tuan has now been nominated for a DE International Academic Award.

Celine Chin - received a course award for ESL English and a sports award for her outstanding efforts in golf.

Our Student Wellbeing programs continue to noteworthy and have culminated in a number of great events taking place this term.

Henry Kendall High School participated in Wear it Purple Day. Students from all years volunteered to attend a special “Wear It Purple “morning tea hosted by the Brisbane Water Police Commander, Tony Joice at Gosford Police Station. It was an inspiring event where our students heard from influential members of our community. A commitment to creating safer and more supportive environments for all individuals, irrelevant of their sex, sexuality or gender was the important message of the day.

Thursday 13 September was RU OK Day. Our passionate Interact Club and SRC held an awareness campaign in our library quad during recess and lunch. Throughout the day our students were asked to:

• Write a positive mental health message and post it on our RU OK banner
• Take the RU OK challenge by doing something thoughtful for a loved one on the day
• Have a yellow, fun photo taken in our photo booth.
• Enjoy a hot chocolate while chatting to a friend.
• Collaborate to write a positive message on the RU OK Day mural
• Participate in a video completion.

I would like to thank Dani Bath, Chloe Mitchell and Julia Kostalas for their fantastic organisation of the day.

Our Celebration Assemblies are now a fortnightly event on our school calendar. During these assemblies we congratulate and acknowledge the amazing achievements of our students across all areas of endeavour. At our last assembly we were fortunate to have an inspiring guest speaker, Joany Badenhorst.

Joany is Australia’s  first female Paralympic snowboarder and the first woman to carry the flag for Australia at a Winter Paralympics. Joani carried the flag earlier this year in Pyeong Chang.

She is originally  from Griffith in New South Wales. When she was still a child she lost her left leg below the knee following a tractor accident on her family’s farm. Since then Joani has demonstrated incredible resilience to become a very successful athlete. Joany’s personal story revealed her passion for life and inspires others to overcome adversity.  She presented at our assembly as an ambassador for Stand Tall- The Event. Both staff and students thoroughly enjoyed this presentation.

Top Blokes- Stepping Up Program

24 of our Yr 7 boys have graduated from the Top Blokes Stepping Up Program. Our graduates are Alex Arnot, ,Zachary Bissett, Isaac Centorini, Max Finn, Sam Horn, Alex Lara, Max Lewry, Connor McRoary, Cooper Schoch, Jimmy Thompson, Brock Walsh, Brendan Ackoski,Chase Aldridge,Cayleb Back,Travis Burgess,Mason Guilding,Jonathon Koszek,Ernest Leeseberg,Jino Park,Bailey Psarras, Jaidyn Waldron-Lamont, Mason Bruinning, Issac Hamilton-Tate. Congratulations boys for your commitment to this program.

Happy holidays!

Mrs Tracy Smith

Head Teacher Student Services