End of Term 2

Principals Report

The last newsletter for the year provides me with the opportunity to thank all parents, carers and community members who have so willingly assisted the school in 2023. Whether it is through sporting teams, P&C, parents as tutors, coffee shop, engaging with our staff, attending information evenings or any of the myriad of ways that you have involved yourself in the school, I thank you. The opportunities that we are able to provide to students is so much enhanced by your assistance.

 

As with every year many students of Henry Kendall High School have attained achievements are of the highest order. In 2023 we have enjoyed many wonderful achievements – across academic pursuits, the sporting field, creative and performing arts exhibitions and performances, leadership projects and forums, and through many other areas where our students have been able to demonstrate their talents and skills.

 

 It is vitally important to also recognise that the great majority of our students achieve lots of things on an ongoing basis. Such achievements may not ‘make the news’, but important personal milestones in all areas of endeavour are happening day by day, and each student of this school benefits from a culture of success. It is fantastic to see that all of our students really want to succeed, and this is the key to our school for which all of its members are to be congratulated. 

 

I believe that together we are a school community that caters to the needs and interests of our students. A school community that believes in itself and all of the wonderful things our young people can achieve. A school community that does not put barriers or excuses in the way, but that works hard and values our students and what they can achieve. We are a proud public school that upholds and embodies all that the ideal of public education stands for. 2023 has been a reflection of this.

Fantastic HSC Results

Well done to our 2023 HSC students with the release of strong and well-deserved results. Of particular note;

  • Two nominations for Art Express and one for On Stage, with Kaylee Kaczmarczyk being selected in Art Express.
  • The highest ATAR ever gained at Henry Kendall High School with Alex McGavin’s ATAR of 98.3.
  • 19 Band 6 results across 12 students and 12 separate courses.
  • 13 courses had more than 20% of students in the top two bands, including every mathematics course.
  • 22 courses had more than 50% of students in the top three bands.
  • Across all results 64.2% of results were in the top three bands.
  • Our highest individual result was Georgia Muspratt in Mathematics Advanced who achieved 97.

In addition to this, many students exceeded their expectations and in some cases, getting over the line is the achievement. Each and every HSC outcome is celebrated in our school. Congratulations to Year 12, 2023!

 

I take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank all of our wonderful HSC teachers. The selfless work they do is a significant factor in the achievement of our students. Their dedication, passion, drive, subject knowledge and depth of educational expertise is valued and appreciated.

Winners of the 2023 Illuminate Challenge

Congratulations to our team of students who undertook this years Illuminate Challenge, coming out as overall winners of this prestigious event as well being awarded the ‘Best Pressure Cooker Submission’. Our champion team were Lily Arendse, Lily Els, Pavani Pathak, Caleb Perkins, Angus Potter, and Elliot Hollas.

 

Illuminate is an event facilitated by the University of Newcastle in which public schools from across the coast enter teams into a week-long intensive program that asks students to experience first-hand what it takes to lead change and solve relevant problems in their community in an innovative manner. This years challenge focused on sustainability within the Central Coast food industry, and the communication, understanding, problem solving and collaborative skills shown by our students were simply exceptional and underpinned the result of overall winners.

 

Student Leadership Development Day

On Thursday 9 November the Student Representative Council attended a leadership development day that we held at the University of Newcastle’s - Ourimbah Campus. This day presented an opportunity for the 2024 elected student leaders from Years 7-12 to consider the roles and responsibilities that lie before them in the next twelve months, and to learn more about the skills they will need to undertake these.

 

In a day full of discussion, reflection, sharing of ideas, and some team building games, students delved into what it means to lead, different types of leadership for different situations, positive and negative characteristics of leadership, how to lead teams, and their own values as a leader. The captains and prefects also ran a wonderful session on ‘leading when its hard’.

 

The positive and open approach, willingness to learn and insights shown by our student leadership team were simply impressive and provide an affirmation that student leadership in our school is in an empowered place for 2024.

 

School Uniform

Thank you to parents and carers for your ongoing support of the school’s uniform policy. Going into 2023 we are emphasising that our high expectations will be maintained and encourage parents to ensure that any new uniform purchases for next year met our requirements. Please be reminded of the following:

  • School sports shorts are available through LOWES. In particular, girls are not permitted to wear tights or high cut shorts.
  • Sport shorts and shirts are only to be worn for PE and PASS periods, or on a Tuesday.
  • Hooded jumpers of any kind are not permitted, nor are non-school jumpers. LOWES sell are variety of approved school jumpers and jackets.
  • Plain black leather upper shoes are the uniform. Please be aware skate shoes are permissible if all black. The following shoes are not permitted:
  • White socks are uniform, not black.
  • Students are required to bring note if they are out of uniform. If they do not have a note they will be given a detention for being out of uniform.
  • Although not needed at the start of the year, LOWES have the school’s tracksuit pants available. Students are permitted to wear these every day of the week in the cooler months.

Thank you for your support in ensuring your children are starting the year with the correct uniform.

Thank You for 2023 and Merry Christmas

School concludes for students on Friday 15 December and for staff on Tuesday 19 December. Arrangements for the start of 2024 are;

  • Tuesday 30 and Wednesday 31 January 2024 School Development Days (no students are to attend).
  • Thursday 1 February 2024 school resumes for Years 7, 11 & 12.
  • Friday 2 February 2024 school resumes for Years 8, 9 & 10.

As Christmas rapidly approaches, I would like to congratulate the staff and students of Henry Kendall High for their hard work throughout a busy and productive year. On a great many levels, it has been another significant year for Henry Kendall High School. Our school remains intensely focused on providing the best possible learning environment for every student. I wish you all a safe and happy festive season and look forward to continuing to shape the future of Henry Kendall High in 2024.

 

 

Andrew Backhouse

Principal