Sweet endings, new beginnings

Congratulations to Year 12, 2024

As the final exams for the Higher School Certificate (HSC) have come to an end we would like to take a moment to congratulate our Year 12 students for their incredible dedication, perseverance, and commitment throughout what has been a challenging yet rewarding journey. Completing the HSC is a significant milestone, and our students have demonstrated the motivation and resilience necessary to reach this important achievement.

The past months have been a period of hard work and focus, and we commend all our Year 12 students for the effort they have put into preparing for their exams. Their determination has been inspiring, and we are confident that their commitment to excellence will serve them well in the next stages of their academic and personal journeys.

To honour their efforts, we are pleased to announce a special Congratulatory Morning Tea for our Year 12 students, which will be held on Wednesday, 18th December on the day the HSC results are released. Further details will be provided on the Year 12 Google Classroom in the up-and-coming weeks. This event provides an opportunity for students and teachers to come together and celebrate the achievements of our Year 12 cohort.

We look forward to celebrating with you on the 18th of December.

Thank you again to our Year 12 Advisers for both their support and commitment to the class of 2024!

Attendance Matters! 

Congratulations Dom, Suzan and Boi

Suzan Merza - 99.16 %

Hoang (Boi) Nguyen - 99.53 % 

Dominic Nguyen - 99.78%

We would like to celebrate the amazing attendance of 3 of our current HSC students.  Over the past 6 years they have consistently achieved fabulous attendance. I  asked them why they loved coming to Cecil and how they consistently jumped out of bed every morning to come to school. Please see our wonderful year 12 students’ responses below.

I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to reflect on my commitment to attendance and to share the values and experiences that have guided my journey as a student at Cecil Hills High School.

Dominic Nguyen

What motivated you to maintain high attendance throughout your schooling?

My motivation to attend school consistently stems from a profound appreciation for the privilege of education. Recognising that not everyone has access to this opportunity, I view each day at school as a chance to better myself, not only academically but also personally. My role as both school captain and volleyball captain reinforced this commitment, as I felt a responsibility to lead by example and to inspire others to seize the opportunities available to us. To me, attendance represents not just being present in class but also fully engaging in all that the school community has to offer.

Were there specific goals or aspirations that influenced your commitment?

My goals have always been driven by a personal desire to strive for excellence. It was never about meeting the expectations of others but about reaching the standards I set for myself. For me, aiming to be the absolute best was the bare minimum. This personal commitment to excellence underscored my dedication to attending school consistently, as I saw each day as an invaluable step towards achieving my fullest potential. This mindset allowed me to remain steadfast, even through challenges, with an unwavering commitment to my goals.

How has consistent attendance contributed to your personal and academic growth?

Regular attendance has been instrumental in my personal and academic development, allowing me to build strong, positive relationships within the school community. Through my daily presence, I forged meaningful connections not only with fellow students but also with staff, teachers, and even the caretakers. These relationships have fostered a deep sense of belonging and support, which have been vital to my growth and development. Being part of such a positive and supportive environment has shaped me into the person I am today, and I am honoured to contribute to the community that has had such a profound impact on me.

Thank you again for allowing me to share these reflections. I hope that my experiences can inspire others to recognise the value of consistent attendance and to appreciate the unique and formative journey that school provides.

Suzan Merza

When you think of Cecil Hills HS, what puts a smile on your face?When I think about Cecil, I recall my favourite teachers and friends who made school easier. Like other students, school sometimes did become stressful when it came to studying and focusing on getting good grades, however thinking of them reminds me of how much I did and will miss seeing them every day. 

What were your key drivers to get up in the morning every day to come to school?Seeing my friends for the most part during recess and lunch. During younger years, like others I was expected to attend school by my parents, as they value education a lot, however as years went by, I slowly began to realise that it was a privilege to have an education as well as to see my friends every day, and in a couple years that would not be the norm. I then decided to spend as many days as possible with the people I value in my life. 

Were you goal driven? Yes and no. I was somewhat goal driven, to try and show up to school every day and be able to have bragging rights during younger years, as silly as that sounds. But also not because as the years went by it then became a routine, where I knew I had to go to school every day. This then became a choice during my senior years of highschool because once again I realised that I would not see the people I enjoy speaking to every day. 

Describe your approach to looking after your own wellbeing and keeping up with your schoolwork and how you could possibly advise or help other students?

There is so much pressure whether that be externally or internally to do well in school and sometimes we forget to remember our bodies need sleep and food to function. I knew what my weaknesses were when studying, I knew I had to sleep at least 8 hours before my exam and to have a snack beside me when studying to avoid getting up from my chair, but I also knew my strengths. Whether that be through my studying methods or waking up earlier on the day and reading over notes. So I do believe it is extremely important to listen to what your body needs, how it functions and not ignore the signals it is giving you the day before an exam. With school work, I aimed to complete it on the day I recieved it since I know it can pile up. This ensured that it would have no impact on my academic performance or motivation. 

I also believe it is important to believe in yourself, to realise that there are multiple ways to get to where you want in life and not to beat yourself up for receiving lower marks than expected. To let that be a motivator and not discourage you from achieving what you want.  

Boi Nguyen

When I think of Cecil Hills High School, I know that my lovely friends and teachers always make me feel welcome every day which motivates me to wake up and go to school every morning. Having many friends and teachers allows me to share many bundled up feelings that bother me. They also support me in my studies and encourage me to do my best at my schoolwork. I would like to advise everyone else to have great people who look after you and to do your best at your subject, even if you're not good at it.

A journey into Glenbrook

Our year 10 students were given the opportunity to go to Glenbrook National Park with the CAPA team on Wednesday. Davina Kong one of our amazing year 10 students has kindly shared this fabulous experience with us below.

'The Visual Arts excursion to Glenbrook National Park was an exhilarating and unforgettable experience! We explored the park's natural beauty, using the landscape as inspiration for plein air painting. The 5.5 km hike along the Camp Fire Creek Track was challenging under the hot sun, but every step was rewarding. I enjoyed taking in the scenery and painted several scenes of the vibrant bushland.

Spending time with friends made the day even better, as we encouraged each other and helped spot obstacles like sticks and rocks along the path. The final stretch - a steep uphill climb in the sun - really tested our endurance, but the reward wasworth it, especially when we ended with frozen Cokes at McDonald's. Overall, the combination of a tough workout, inspiring landscapes, and quality time with friends made this excursion truly memorable.

Thank you, Miss Shannon for her organisation of this valuable excursion!"

Everything Wellbeing

Year 8 Boys Program

A selected group of Year 8 boys have been participating in a wellbeing program being run by Woodville Alliance. The program is aimed at improving emotional regulation, decision making and learning to be a better person. Last week we had a special guest presenting how music can help regulate our emotions.

Thank you to our Student Support Officer Jonathan Brancati for coordinating this program!

Five Ways to Wellbeing Initiative

Congratulations to Giselle Benjamin, Selena Vaireka, Ethan Le, Selena Sayamoungkhoun and Yok Yok Ubonrat for their enthusiastic participation in the Five Ways to Wellbeing Initiative. Thank you to Miss Preston who promoted and ran this valuable mental health initiative.

Year 8 Rewards Day Jamberoo!

The Year 8 Rewards Day is on Tuesday 3rd of December at Jamberoo Recreation Park. This day is cemented in our calendar to reward those students that have demonstrated excellent application to their schoolwork, are responsible, respectful students and have a high level of attendance. Please check School bytes and Google Classroom for the up-and-coming details.                                                

White Ribbon Day 2024: "It Starts with MEn”

White Ribbon Day, also known as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, is a global observance dedicated to raising awareness about and taking action to prevent violence against women and girls. It serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing gender-based violence and promoting gender equality.

What is White Ribbon Day?

White Ribbon Day is an international campaign that calls on individuals, communities, and organisations to take a stand against violence targeting women and girls. The white ribbon itself is a symbol of men’s commitment to ending violence against women, with men pledging to be part of the solution to this pervasive problem.

When is White Ribbon Day 2024?

White Ribbon Day is observed on November 25th each year. It marks the beginning of the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence,” a global campaign that runs until December 10th, International Human Rights Day.

Participating in White Ribbon Day is a meaningful way to contribute to the global effort to end violence against women and girls. Our School will unite with our Cowpasture schools by walking together to Terone Park on Monday 25th of November. #BetterTogether towards a safe and respectful future.

Recognising our dedicated Counsellors and Student Support Officers.

Thank you to our Counsellors Nathan and Belinda and our Student Support Officer’s (SSO’s) Jonny and Mirela for their persistent efforts in navigating tough moments with our students and for their pivotal role in supporting students, families and teachers at Cecil.

Many of our students demonstrated their appreciation by writing special messages on thank you cards to our wonderful Counsellors and SSO’s!

New roles

A huge thank you to Miss Hyde and Mr Peacock for their wonderful work in building the capacity of our House Leadership Team! They have been instrumental in developing strong House Spirit and guiding our students to lead many House Leadership Initiatives! They have worked tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of these challenges is engaging and inclusive. Their dedication has been evident in the great organisation and enthusiastic participation across all year groups. At the end of the year two new teachers will take on this very important role in leading our students.

Congratulations to Mr Faga and Miss Li Donni who will be our House Leadership Coordinators of 2025 and onwards.

Congratulations also to both Miss Tran and Mr Kelly who have been appointed as Year Advisers for Year 7 2026! Both teachers are very excited about the opportunity to work closely with our local primary schools next year.

Christine Lord

Deputy Principal

Year 8 & 12