Principal Report
It was with great pleasure that we celebrated the outstanding results of the 2024 HSC First in Course at a ceremony earlier this year. With three students awarded ATARs in the 90s and the greatest number of Band 5 and 6 results, we are sure that our pattern of the Compressed Curriculum study is reaping rewards. There has been an incredible decline in students reporting anxiety and stress around managing workload across their senior studies. We will continue to refine our practices to support our students to gain the best possible results in their studies, irrespective of whether they are intending to undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship, go directly to work, enrol in TAFE or study at university.
In saying that, our senior students have just completed their Preliminary studies and will commence the HSC component of their subjects when they return to school in Term 2. For some of them, this means that they will be undertaking self-directed projects and performances in Terms 2 and 3 along with theoretical studies. It can be challenging to maintain focus and keep an eye on the end goal. We encourage our students to only undertake one project-based HSC subject per year to enable them to sustain their efforts. With Year 10 into 11 Subject Selection time commencing in Term 2, we will be emphasising study patterns across the Senior years that best support student success.
Our Student Leadership Team (SLT) is going from strength to strength. They are creating real value through showing initiative, inclusivity, celebrating others and the ability to communicate their ideas. As a result of their initiative, we saw the return of Taloodles therapy dogs into our classrooms. These highly trained dogs have spent time in both our Year 7 classes and the Learning Assistance Faculty spaces and will continue to be a part of our school throughout the year. The SLT is also responsible for improvements in the girls’ bathrooms, building the team spirit through the House system at sporting carnivals and initiating sporting competitions between students and staff. We will be opening a dedicated space in the Library, later in Term 2, that will house the SLT. All students over the age of 14 who have applied for leadership positions will be offered an opportunity to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, irrespective of whether they were successful or not. This Award encourages students to build their leadership capacity and develop themselves across a range of activities. Completion of the Award is highly regarded by employers and the tertiary education system.
Across the coming terms, there will be big focuses on High Performance and Gifted Education (HPGE) and Small Group Tuition. The aim of HPGE is to provide targeted recognition and opportunities for students to excel across the intellectual, creative, social-emotional, and physical domains. Our staff will be undertaking a significant amount of professional learning to support a range of initiatives in both the classroom and external settings that will be building on already existing programs.
As a result of a significant funding grant, we will be offering Small Group Tuition to support students to build their literacy and numeracy skills across 10 week blocks. Students participating in this opportunity will be identified through a rigorous analysis of data with both pre and post-testing providing feedback.
Once again, Evans High School is a polling place for the coming Federal Election. Please come, vote and buy a democracy sausage sandwich or cake to support your school!
Final thought – share this with your children:
Goal without a deadline = Fantasy
Goal + a deadline = Objective
Goal + a deadline + plan = Intention
Goal + a deadline + plan + consistent action = Success
Personal meaningful goal + deadline + plan + consistent action = Fulfillment
Nerina Pretlove
Principal