Presentation Day Speech

I too would like to acknowledge the Dunghutti people who are the traditional custodians of this land. I would also like to pay respect to Elders both past and present of the Dunghutti nation and extend that respect to other Aboriginal people present.

Good Morning special guests, staff, students, parents & carers & welcome to our 2025 Presentation Day.

We meet here this morning to celebrate and honour the KHS students in the hall who have achieved in 2025. Each one of you who walks up on stage this morning is being acknowledged for your aptitude, work ethic, attitude and determination. Each one of you should be immensely proud with your efforts.

To all students in the hall:

What do you think is the real purpose of going to high school in the 21st century? Which of these responses do you agree with?

"To learn skills that will help me in the real world and with my career."

"It feels like it’s just about following rules and not being creative."

"It’s a mix of learning stuff for the future and figuring out who you are."

"I guess it’s supposed to prepare you for life, even if it doesn’t always feel that way."

The real purpose of going to high school in the 21st century is to equip students not just with academic knowledge, but with the skills and mindset needed to navigate an ever-changing world.

The fundamental purpose of education is loftier than passing exams. It is, above all, a preparation for life. It is about preparing you for adulthood and giving you the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and values to lead the most fruitful and fulfilling life possible.

Your real legacy from your schooling is tied to the person you become and grow into overtime.

The ultimate goal of your education @ KHS is twofold:

to give you literacy & numeracy skills that will help you develop the confidence to immerse yourselves in something you have a passion for and then share that passion to make the world a better place.

• to create an All-Rounded Person: to provide you with the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and values you need to lead a fruitful and fulfilling life possible. I call this creating …a good human.

Being a teen in the 21st century is stressful because there’s so much pressure from all sides. With social media constantly flooding your lives, teens often feel the need to fit in, keep up with others, and maintain a perfect image, which can be exhausting.

Education is your chance to build that all-rounded person, find that passion, and harness your genius. If you let it & engage with your education the KHS environment will build the magnificent person you are capable of becoming.

Many KHS students are already doing this everyday & I congratulate you for doing this.

In 2026 all NSW public schools will be implementing The High potential and gifted education (HPGE) policy. This will see every public school in NSW committing to support every student to achieve their educational potential across creative, intellectual, physical, and social–emotional domains.

At KHS the policy will see extracurricular opportunities to optimise growth and achievement for all students. All students have been surveyed on what they would like to participate in & I am excited for what this program will do in hopefully seeing many students immerse themselves in something they have a passion for.

An example of what will be on offer as part of the HPGE policy @ KHS will be officially announced today.

I am proud to inform the KHS community that this morning KHS was named as 1 of only 20 public schools across Australia to be selected in the:

Entrepreneurial Schools: Creating a Culture of Agency and Innovation 2026-2027 Project.

The Entrepreneurial Schools project is a two-year national initiative aimed at accelerating student agency and fostering contemporary learning models within schools.

The project will empower students to take ownership of their learning journeys through innovative, entrepreneurial approaches.

This opportunity will be a life-changing experience for those students who will participate in the project from 2026. I look forward to sharing more information with the students next year.

High school serves as a foundation for lifelong learning, personal growth, and social responsibility, preparing students to thrive in diverse future pathways—whether further education, careers, or community engagement—while fostering resilience and a commitment to making positive contributions to society.

To our students the knowledge and skills you gain at school are vital, but what will truly set you apart is your mindset. Whether it’s tackling a difficult subject, participating in extracurricular activities, or simply being kind and respectful to others—your attitude will make the difference. It determines how you respond to challenges, how you grow from mistakes, and how you collaborate with others. Success is not just about talent or intelligence; it is about effort, resilience, and the willingness to keep moving forward.

I will leave all students in the hall with a question for you to ponder over the Xmas break:

In 2026 what skills and experiences do you want to gain from high school that will help you shape the future you dream of for yourself?

To our parents and carers, thank you for your ongoing support and for encouraging your children to develop a positive mindset. Your role is imperative in shaping attitudes that will lead to lifelong learning and achievement.

To our staff, teaching & non-teaching, I want to thank you for your dedication, creativity, and unwavering commitment to our students. Your passion helps foster the attitudes that empower our students to succeed.

I wish everyone here today a restful holiday and look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead at KHS in 2026.

Executive Principal

Mr. Simon McKinney

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