Principal's Message
As we approach the end of Term 1, and celebrate students’ achievements in what was a very eventful term, I would like to share the results of our parent and student surveys regarding school house names.
Kellyville High School’s original house names – Evans, Manning, Pryce and Clarke – have not been in use since 2019, and the strong house culture and school spirit that existed prior to 2019 has waned due to COVID restrictions related to mixing of school groups. Unfortunately, even when those restrictions were eventually lifted, the house spirit has not revived.
Students, parents and carers were asked to complete a survey and provide feedback on three proposals related to school house names:
Keep the current house names: Evans, Manning, Pryce and Clarke
Dharug language house names: Burra (Sky), Ngurra (Land), Badhu (Water) and Guwiyang (Fire).
Notable Australians: Blackburn, Freeman, Monash, Pitt
The parent and community survey (112 responses) showed a near-even split between the two new proposals.
Notable Australians led by a single response (36.61% or 41 votes), followed extremely closely by Dharug language names (35.71% or 40 votes). The original names were the least preferred at 27.68% (31 votes). Several respondents suggested using the English translations of the Dharug elements (Sky, Land, Water, Fire) to make them more inclusive and easier to pronounce while still honouring the concept, while others argued that the original names represented local Kellyville history and should be maintained. Supporters of the Dharug language option viewed it as a vital step towards reconciliation and teaching children local Aboriginal history and culture.
The student body provided the largest sample size with 476 participants, with 38.33% (179 responses) preferring Notable Australians, 35.12% (164 responses), preferred to keep the current house names, and 26.55% preferred Dharug Language names. Students in years 11 and 12 tended to prefer the original house names, expressing concern that changing names would waste existing sports uniforms that feature the old house names (any sport uniforms with original house names would not need to be changed). Supporters of the Dharug names felt they showed respect for the land and the history of the local area.
Similarly, school staff preferred Notable Australians as names for school houses, stating that they aligned well with the school’s values of Learning, Excellence and Integrity.
The new school house names of Blackburn, Freeman, Monash and Pitt will be officially introduced at the beginning of Term 2, with every student and staff member placed in a house. Siblings will be placed in the same house. The revival of the house structure will provide additional opportunities for student leadership, mentoring, recognition and reward, while also enhancing our biggest strength – our sense of community.
The school house competition will be introduced to enhance our Reward and Recognition Scheme, where individual positive entries will contribute to the student’s house points, with the winning House at the end of each term winning a prize. Students will be be awarded positives and points for their house for learning, excellence, integrity, participation in sport and attendance.
Applying for leave – travel
Finally, I would again like to remind parents that children under the age of 17 must be at school every day, unless they are unwell. On occasion, students may go on family holidays or attend religious or cultural events, for example, during a school term. In the event that you are planning to travel during the school term, you must apply for Extended Leave – Travel for your child. This application ensures that all legal requirements are met and that I can, if travel is approved, issue your child with an official certificate. I would also like to emphasise that all applications for extended leave – travel, should be made at least 3 weeks prior to the intended date of travel. If an application is made late, it may not be approved.
Download The Extended Leave – Travel form.