Beverly Hills Girls High School Newsletter

Deputy Principal       

From the desk of Geremy Crithary, Deputy Principal

 

Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians,

 

Another exciting hello to everyone in the Beverly Hills Girls High School community. Welcome back to a soggy Term 3. I hope everyone had a relaxing break and have enjoyed hearing their daughters return to speaking enthusiastically and excitingly about their Term 3 learning experiences. So, let’s talk about the term so far.

Aspire Assemblies

Unfortunately, due to upgrades on our Hall, we had to reschedule our Aspire Assemblies until Term 3. Thankfully, it was the perfect way to kick off the term - recognising and celebrating the success of our students from Semester 1. The session ran during a long 80-minute period, where students from years 7-10 had the privilege to witness the success of their peers. With over 200 certificates created to celebrate academic achievement and distinguished discipline, the Aspire Assemblies perfectly positioned our students to tackle the term ahead.

 

This assembly will be run again at the end of Term 4. More information will be available at the end of year.

Subject Selection Night

At the start of Week 2, Ms Pangis and I met with all Year 10 students to discuss the process of selecting their subjects for Stage 6. The cohort gathered in the Hall as we delivered important information about NESA subject requirements and patterns of study. They then went off into groups and participated in taster lessons throughout the day, where teachers from each faculty presented information about their subject. The goal was to give students an opportunity to ask questions and get an understanding of any unfamiliar subjects. This culminated in our Subject Selection Night, where Year 10 parents had the opportunity to strike up a conversation with our teachers about the diverse range of subjects we offer. These chats are what I consider to be the most critical conversations a student and parent can have as they not only get answers to their questions, but they also gain a clear understanding of a complex process.

 

If any Year 10 parent is seeking additional information about their child’s subject selection, please don't hesitate to contact the school office and ask to speak to either myself or Ms Pangis.

Year 12 Trial Examinations

This term our Year 12 students completed their HSC Trial Examinations during Weeks 3 and 4. Despite rain, wind and a stomach full of butterflies, every Year 12 student attended every exam. These Trial Examinations mark the end of their school based assessment tasks for most of their subjects and with it, clears the way for the HSC ahead, which is set to commence on Thursday 16th of October. For more information about the HSC exams and full timetable of all subjects please visit this website:

 

Results from Trial Examinations will be returned soon, providing students with an opportunity to reflect on their feedback, learn from their mistakes and prepare further practice responses. All Year 12 students are reminded to attend all classes as course content that is relevant to their learning, and HSC exam, is still being delivered. With

only two months until the HSC, every Year 12 student is encouraged to make the most of the weeks left; speak to their teachers to fill in any gaps they may have; and work on a solid revision timetable to get them into a good routine.

Here are a few study tips I would recommend for every Year 12 student:

 

 

Planning & Time Management

  • Make a study timetable: Break your afternoons/weekends into blocks (e.g. 1 - 2 hours study with 10 - 15 min breaks). Rotate subjects to stay fresh.
  • Prioritise topics/units/texts that your Trial exams or past assessments identified as areas of improvements: Spend more time on topics you struggle with, but don’t ignore your strengths.
  • Set realistic daily goals: e.g. "Complete 2 past essay plans for English Standard" or "Revise all derivatives rules in Maths."

Effective Study Techniques

  • Past papers: Do timed past exam questions to build exam agility and adaptability and practice applying knowledge.
  • Marking guidelines: Always compare your answers to the HSC marking criteria to understand what examiners look for.
  • Don’t just take notes, MAKE NOTES: Summarise each topic into key formulas, quotes, or bullet points for revision.
  • Teach it: Book a space in the library and explain a concept out loud to a friend or even to yourself helps solidify knowledge.

Mindset & Wellbeing

  • Consistency beats cramming: Study in shorter, focused sessions every day instead of marathon crams.
  • Healthy balance: Eat well, stay hydrated, exercise lightly (walks, stretches) to keep energy levels steady.
  • Sleep is crucial: Aim for 7- 8 hours. They say that memory retention is strongest when you are well-rested.
  • Stress management: Use breathing techniques, mindfulness apps, or journaling to manage any nerves.

Final Weeks & Exam Day

  • Last 2 - 3 weeks: Focus on exam technique, past papers, and refining weaknesses.
  • Day before exam: Light revision only - don’t start new topics. Get sleep and stay calm.

  • During exam: Read the whole paper first, plan your time per question, and answer high-mark questions with structure.

     

If your daughter is in Year 12 and you have any questions about their results from their Trial Examinations or would like further support in organising a Study timetable, please encourage them to visit myself or their Student Advisors.

Supporting Student Learning

Using our NAPLAN results and Semester 1 reports, we are working with Year 7 students that were identified as “Needing Additional Support” and offering them short-term, targeted interventions. This program comes under the banner of the Department of Education’s “Small Group Tuition” initiative, that gives students extra help in reading, writing, and mathematics, in addition, to their normal classroom learning. Led by specialist teachers with expertise in Literacy and Numeracy, these students work in groups of around 2 - 5, so they can receive more personalised attention, and their teachers focus on specific skills students need to strengthen - such as reading comprehension, spelling, number facts, or problem-solving.

Past students that have participated in this program have made significant progress as they gain an extra boost in reading, writing, and numeracy; helping them feel more confident, capable, and ready to succeed at school.

What’s ahead:

● We have our second Parent Teacher Night for the year - Wednesday, 10th of September. More information will be communicated to parents in the weeks ahead. These nights are a perfect opportunity for parents to come with questions and leave with answers. I encourage all parents to make a booking with at least one of their child’s classroom teachers.

● Graduation Assembly - We say farewell to our Year 12 graduating cohort on the 25th of September 2025. Like every year, our students will be adorned in their robes and stoles and will walk proudly across the stage, marking an end to their high school journey. Year 12 parents will be informed of specific requirements and expectations of the day in the week ahead.

● HSC Examinations will commence on Thursday 16th of October and finish on Friday 7th of November.

 

Warm regards,

Geremy Crithary 

Deputy Principal Beverly Hills Girls High School