Principal Report

What a fabulous start Year 7 have had to the beginning of their high schooling. They have quickly settled in and become a part of the school life, bringing great colour and energy to our carnivals and setting the standards for others to follow. Their exceptional behaviour and patience during the recent NAPLAN exams kept them focused despite the disruption that occurred on the first day.

From those who have just arrived to those who have just left: very early in the term, we acknowledged our Dux, Min Thein, from the 2025 HSC and the students who were first in course with a ceremony and presentations made by Ms Nicole Bliss, Director of Educational Leadership. Due to our pattern of study, both Year 11 and 12 students undertake their HSC together, and this year there was a complete 50:50 split of students across both of the Years who came first in course. This ceremony is always a great opportunity to celebrate their successes and catch up with them as they transition to university, TAFE and work and with those Year 12, 2026 students who are undertaking their final three subjects.

This year, we have moved from SENTRAL to Compass as the software for our school management and communication with our community. It has sped up a number of our administrative processes and streamlined others. We thank you for your patience as we learn the new system and all its capacities to improve our workflow. A reminder for you to update any changes to your email addresses as soon as possible. A massive thank you to Deputy Principals Mrs Jones, Ms Celeban Kim, Ms Kavanagh and to Business Manager, Ms Lane, for their work in leading us in this space.

Thank you to all our parents and carers who took the time to respond to our Parental Survey to provide us with feedback covering a range of areas, including learning, well-being and resourcing. The overwhelming responses indicated that Evans was a safe place where active learning occurred in a supportive environment. Later on in the year, there will be another survey which we encourage as many of you as possible to complete to provide us with your perspective on our school and your child/children’s experiences here.

One of the issues that came from the survey was that some parents wanted their child/children to be extended more. Our High Performance and Gifted Education (HPGE) Team, led by Ms Southern, has been developing a wide range of opportunities for students to explore their interests and challenge themselves both in school and at external settings. Ms Hanlon, the Physical Domain Leader, is developing our new academies which will focus on providing students who excel in sporting activities with opportunities to participate at higher levels in their chosen area. At present, we are designing shirts that will be issued to those students who make it into the Evans Sporting Academy, and they will be able to wear them when training or appearing in their sport. Our Academic Domain Leader, Ms Selby, is providing students with a range of activities including debating, chess and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) in action. These activities would not go ahead if it were not for the amazing staff who run clubs, take students to events, train them and commit their time to encourage excellence. Thank you.

Finally, after a VERY long time, our Evans Sporting Precinct is completed! Our new gym, yoga room and PDHPE Staff Room are ready to go. A new demountable has been delivered and sited, overlooking the new volleyball courts, outside gym, basketball courts, cricket nets and soccer fields. This will be used as a classroom for senior studies, including VET Sports Coaching, VET Personal Training, and Sports, Leisure and Recreation (SLR) courses. We are very excited to have such amazing resources.

With much to look forward to next term, including the Athletics Carnival, Harmony Day, senior students commencing the HSC component of their courses, and subject selection, I wish you all, a wonderful break.