HPGE 

High Potential and Gifted Education Opportunity for our GLC Primary Schools

The HPGE Action Group are excited to be offering student-led workshops to our future Year 7 students on Wednesday 4 June. The workshops will be designed by the student volunteers and supported by staff to target the four domains and offer a fun and engaging taste of what is on offer at FGHS for the current Year 6 students.

SCIENCE

Year 7 – Build ME a Future Day (STEM Event)

Year 7 students will take part in Build ME a Future Day, a dynamic event aimed at sparking interest in STEM fields. Through hands-on activities and collaborative problem-solving, students will explore real-world applications of science and engineering, laying the foundation for future study and careers in these exciting areas.

Year 9 – Science and Engineering Challenge

Our Year 9 students will participate in the Science and Engineering Challenge, a national program that gives students a taste of what a career in science or engineering might look like. This full-day event encourages teamwork, critical thinking, and creativity through a variety of design and engineering challenges.

STEM Incursion (Coming Oct/Nov for Years 7–10P)

We are currently planning an exciting STEM incursion for our 7–10P classes later this year. This immersive experience will provide direct insights into careers in STEM and the defence industry. Students will learn how cutting-edge technologies such as aviation, robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems are used in real-world defence applications — and how their interests today can lead to the high-tech jobs of tomorrow.

Stay tuned for more details as we continue to expand our HPGE opportunities in Science throughout the year!

ENGLISH 

Book Club

Held every Tuesday at recess in A9, Book Club is a welcoming space for students to share their love of reading. Bring your own book or choose from our selection. Participation also supports the Premier’s Reading Challenge — a great way to discover new stories and track your reading goals!

English Writing Competition

Coming up in Term 2, students will have the chance to showcase their creativity in an English writing competition. With great prizes up for grabs, students can submit either an imaginative or discursive piece in response to a soon-to-be-announced topic. Stay tuned!

HPGE Excursions

Throughout the year, selected students have the opportunity to attend enriching excursions that support their classroom learning:

• Year 8: Visit to the Jewish Museum in Sydney to deepen understanding of WWII, complementing their study of The Girl in the Blue Coat and Once.
• Year 12 English Advanced: Symposium on The Tempest and Hag-Seed in March — an engaging exploration of intertextuality and literary adaptation.
• Year 11 English Advanced: Scheduled Othello symposium (cancelled due to weather).
• Year 10: Planned Romeo and Juliet excursion (unfortunately cancelled due to weather).

Premier’s Debating Challenge

Stage 4 students are also representing the school in the Premier’s Debating Challenge — a fantastic opportunity to develop public speaking, critical thinking, and teamwork skills.

We look forward to seeing students make the most of these enriching experiences and celebrate their achievements throughout the year!

CAPA

Art Matters - Week 6

Art Matters will be supported by FGHS again in 2025. Students who excel in the Creative Arts may be selected to take part in a two day workshop held at Maitland Regional Gallery, aimed at deepening skills in artmaking and creating. Workshops provide opportunities for students in Years 5 to 10 to develop visual art making skills through participating in intensive workshops, encompassing:

• Validation of the importance of visual arts.
• Understanding of subject matters explored in artmaking, especially art as a tool to communicate contemporary issues.
• Experimentation with a variety of artmaking substances.

Youth Express - Youth Week Exhibition 2025

Students Exhibit Creative Talent at Youth Week Art Showcase

We are proud to share that a number of our talented Visual Arts students submitted artworks to be featured in this year’s Youth Week Art Exhibition, hosted by Youth Express. On April 10, 2025, the Maitland Youth Express office transformed into a vibrant gallery space, celebrating the creativity and voices of young people aged 12 to 30.

This exciting event provided a valuable opportunity for our students to present their work to the wider community, alongside other emerging young artists from the region. With entries across a variety of mediums – including painting, drawing, and photography – our students embraced the chance to express their unique perspectives and artistic passions.

We congratulate all those involved!

Young Dobell

Young Dobell is an exhibition of finalist works from the Young Dobell Art Competition. Artists aged 5 - 18 from Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Maitland, the Hunter, and the Central Coast were invited to submit work into the Young Dobell art competition.

Sir William Dobell was a three-time Archibald Prize winner who lived in Lake Macquarie and was known for his portraits and landscape artworks. His beloved pet dogs were also a favoured subject matter for Dobell.

The Young Dobell competition participants were encouraged to create either a portrait of a person or pet who plays a significant role in their life, or a landscape artwork of a place that is special to them.

FGHS would like to congratulate Year 8 student, Harmony Cooper on her artwork being selected as a finalist in this year’s art prize. Please keep a lookout in the next newsletter for a photograph of Harmony’s ‘Significant Other’ artwork and an update on the competition's outcomes.

MJ: The Musical

Students in Years 9–12 who have chosen a CAPA elective were given a fantastic opportunity to travel to Sydney to experience MJ: The Musical live on stage. This excursion wasn’t just about entertainment - it was a rich High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) experience that allowed students to deepen their understanding of the possibilities within the Creative Arts.

Seeing a professional production of this calibre gave students insight into the high-level skills, collaboration, and innovation that go into bringing a major musical to life. It extended their learning by exposing them to the many career pathways in the creative industries -  from performers, musicians, and choreographers, to directors, costume designers, set builders, and lighting and sound technicians.

The energy, professionalism, and sheer spectacle of MJ: The Musical left a lasting impression on every student who attended, inspiring them to dream big and think deeply about the artistic and professional possibilities their CAPA subjects can unlock.

State Drama Camp: 

A huge congratulations to Lukas Johnson and Thomas Meale for being selected to take part in this year’s State Drama Camp!

This incredible program brings together gifted and passionate Stage 5 Drama students from across the state to collaborate, create, and learn in an inspiring and supportive environment. Guided by industry professionals and experienced teachers, they'll have the chance to sharpen their skills, build connections, and take their performance work to the next level. What an amazing opportunity — well done!

Swoop Physical Theatre - Stage 6 

Year 12 launched into the term with one burning question: how can we collaborate to create bold, high-energy, visually captivating group performances for the HSC?

Enter Swoop Physical Theatre — swooping in (literally!) with a high-impact workshop that had students moving, thinking, and devising in new ways. With a focus on physical storytelling and group dynamics, this workshop became an energising and inspiring kick-start for our HSC Drama students’ Group Performance.

TAS

In Food Technology, students had the unique opportunity to showcase their skills by assisting in the preparation of food for the University of Newcastle Alumni Lunch. This hands-on experience allowed students to apply their culinary knowledge in a real-world setting while contributing to a meaningful school event. Additionally, students were also invited to participate in A Taste of Hospitality, a specialised program designed to deepen their understanding of the hospitality industry and further develop their practical and professional skills.

The TAS faculty are also excited to launch a new initiative — the Sewing Club, starting in Week 9, Term 2 on Wednesday at lunchtime. This club will provide students with the chance to build basic sewing skills, including hand stitching, and to explore individual sewing projects. It's a fantastic way for students to be creative, learn a valuable life skill, and engage with design in a practical context.

We look forward to seeing our students thrive through these rich and varied TAS learning experiences. 

Modern Languages

So whether you’re a budding social media star wanting to show off your cosplay prowess or the dux of your Japanese language class, itching to show off your Japanese skills, grab your camera, get creative and get recording! 

See Mrs Waller for more details. Entries close the 24th September (end of Term 3). 

PDHPE

On Tuesday, 13 May, the U13 boys rugby league team from FGHS showcased their skills and teamwork at the Michael Hagan Premiership held at Lakeside Sporting Complex, Raymond Terrace. They went through undefeated overcoming: Hunter River, Kurri Kurri, All Saints' College and Rutherford Technology. This meant they progressed to the semi-final of the Michael Hagan Premiership. In a thrilling semi final on Tuesday 27 May, at Baddeley Park, Cessnock the boys secured a narrow 20-16 win against Maitland High School.  The match, which kept spectators on the edge of their seats, demonstrated the boys' resilience and determination.

All players should take immense pride in their achievements. Their dedication and sportsmanship have set a high standard, and we eagerly anticipate their performance in the upcoming grand final of the Michael Hagan Premiership.

Student Voice Team

One of the highlights was the BBQ fundraiser held at the athletics carnival, which brought the school community together for a great cause. Thanks to the generosity of students, staff, and families, the SVT raised over $600 for Carrie’s Place, a vital organisation that supports individuals experiencing domestic and family violence and homelessness in the Maitland and Hunter Valley regions.

In another fun and meaningful initiative, the SVT organised Dress Like a Pirate Day, raising more than $170 to support children’s cancer research. Students and staff showed their spirit by donning pirate-themed outfits, all while contributing to a cause that helps children and families facing cancer.

These events highlight the SVT’s dedication to leadership, compassion, and community action. We can’t wait to see what they achieve next!

Mrs Ayres

HT CAPA and HPGE Leader