Year 7, 9 & 11 Advisers Reports

It’s hard to believe that Year 7 have almost reached the end of their first term at high school! I can tell that they are starting to feel more confident and a part of the Henry Kendall High School community. Some of the highlights from this term include the Life Changer Program which they all took part in at the end of February. The program lasted for two hours in the morning and was jam-packed with a lot of games and reflection on life and the future. 

Naplan took place in March and I was extremely proud of how Year 7 conducted themselves in the exams. Quite a few teachers commented to me about how well behaved Year 7 were. Following this was the school disco, and a substantial number of  Year 7 students attended. It was a great night, with some excellent costumes which you can view here. Thank you to the SRC for organising a great social event for our school. 

At the moment, Year 7 are adjusting to all of the assessment tasks which they are required to do at high school. Please encourage them to ask for help if needed and to refer to our assessment schedules handed out at the beginning of the year.

There’s a lot of excitement for our Year 7 Camp taking place in Week 11. Most of the organisation is done and we’re looking forward to having a lot of fun and bonding as a year group at the same time. The Great Aussie Bush Camp at Kincumber is prepared and ready for our Year 7 students with excellent activities to challenge and entertain. Photos will follow shortly. I hope all of our Year 7’s have a restful and safe holiday.

Mrs Julia Kostalas

Year 7 Adviser

Year 9 have had a pretty crazy Term 1 to kick start 2024! It has been a period of growth, learning, memorable experiences and I am immensely proud of each and every one of our students. I feel like the Easter Long Weekend came just in time as I was starting to see some pretty tired and stressed out faces. It seemed as though the School Disco and Taylor Swift caused some sleep deprivation. However, on return they appear rejuvenated and are eager to dive back into their studies to finish the term strong!

I would also like to extend my gratitude to the dedicated teachers and staff who have supported our Year 9 students every step of the way. Your unwavering commitment to providing a nurturing and enriching learning environment has not gone unnoticed and it is greatly appreciated.

A huge congratulations to all of Year 9 for their commendable efforts during NAPLAN week. Despite the inevitable challenges of completing NAPLAN online, they displayed remarkable resilience and determination. By the final day, they were seamlessly settled and logged into their computers within minutes.

Further more I would like to congratulate Damian Khan and Ha Mi Nguyen for being selected to display their art at the Gosford Regional Gallery for 'A Central Vision'. The detail and creativity is outstanding, and it's wild how real their artwork actually looked.

As we conclude Term 1 and look forward to a well-deserved break, I encourage our Year 9 students to take time to rest, recharge, and reflect on their achievements and goals. Use this break as an opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends, pursue hobbies and interests, and return refreshed and rejuvenated for the challenges and opportunities that await in Term 2.

Miss Chantelle Sanki

Year 9 Adviser

Term 1 is officially done! It's hard to believe that we're already one-third of the way through Year 11. Time sure flies when you're having a good time. Students have been commended for their mature approach to senior studies and their commitment to learning. They should take pride in their behaviour and start thinking about ways to sustain it as they move forward towards the HSC next year.

The last weeks of this term have been quite hectic for Year 11 students, with numerous assessment tasks due in a short span of time across multiple courses. It's important for students to take this chance to reflect on their strengths and areas for growth. This period presents a valuable opportunity for them to start cultivating positive habits for learning and well-being, which will be beneficial for future assessment-heavy periods.

Throughout the holidays, I urge everyone to embrace mindfulness. This practice helps teenagers manage frustration when dealing with challenges in their lives. It also aids in maintaining focus on specific tasks and avoiding distractions. The more teens practice mindfulness, the more proficient they become at it.

For Term 2, I urge Year 11 students to keep up the hard work and always strive to do their best. 

“Just when you feel you have no time to relax, know this is the moment you most need to relax.” – Matt Haig

Mrs Karen Hogan

Year 11 Adviser