Deputies Desks

Mr Joshua Brown - Years 7 & 10

Dear Parents and Caregivers, 

As our Year 7 students complete their first year of high school, we encourage them to stay organised and keep on top of their assessments. Focuses continue to be on positive interactions and attempting all tasks to the best of our ability. Please note that social media platforms are banned for children under 16 years old; we ask that you ensure your child is not engaging in these networks to help maintain their safety and wellbeing. 

We are pleased to report that the Year 7 Sports Day saw excellent student participation, with high levels of sportsmanship and competitiveness displayed across all events. A special congratulations to the Year 7 Girls Soccer team, who took home the title in an exciting penalty shootout. Thank you to our PDHPE staff for their dedication in making this day such a success. 

Please continue to support your child by monitoring their progress and checking for any notes regarding upcoming excursions and activities. 

For our Year 10 students, Term 4 is an important and busy period:

Students will receive a copy of all dates for these opportunities early in Term 4. 

As always, if you have any issues or concerns, please contact the school. Year 7 Advisor Ms Trayhurn and Year 10 Advisor Ms Lambkin are the first points of contact for any wellbeing matters. If you are unable to reach either adviser, please feel free to contact myself through the front office. 

We look forward to supporting your child through these exciting and important learning experiences as they prepare for their future pathways. 

Thank you for your continued support. 

Mr Brown  

Ms Kasey Brady - Years 8 & 11

As we reflect on Term 3 and look ahead to the opportunities of Term 4, it has been pleasing to see our students continuing to engage in important learning experiences, make decisions about their future pathways and prepare for the next stage of their education. 

Our Year 8 students participated in the HPGE Challenge Day, providing opportunities to explore a range of subject areas through practical, engaging and challenging learning experiences. Students developed new skills and explored personal interests as they prepared to select their Year 9 and 10 electives. These experiences are an important part of our High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) program, encouraging students to discover their strengths, extend their learning and make informed decisions about their future studies. 

Year 11 students have completed their Stage 6 subject selections and yearly examinations, marking an important milestone as they begin their HSC year. Having returned to school, students are now commencing the next stage of their senior studies. Regular attendance, active participation in lessons, consistent effort and seeking support when needed will be essential to their success. We look forward to supporting students as they work towards their individual goals and future pathways. 

We were pleased to welcome our future Year 7 students for their first transition day. These early experiences help students become familiar with our school, meet staff and begin building connections ahead of their move to secondary school in 2028. Our transition program plays an important role in building confidence, establishing a sense of belonging and helping students feel prepared for the opportunities and challenges of high school. 

I want to congratulate our newly appointed 2026–27 Student Leadership Team, Jack, Lydia, Sydney, Phoenix, Alex, Maeve and Angel. Student leadership provides valuable opportunities for young people to develop confidence, represent their peers and make a positive contribution to our school community. We look forward to seeing our new leaders demonstrate initiative, responsibility and our school values as they take on their roles. 

Across each of these year groups, our focus remains on ensuring students are supported to grow, challenge themselves and take ownership of their learning. Thank you to our staff for creating these opportunities and to our parents and carers for their ongoing support and partnership with the school. 

I look forward to another productive term as we continue to inspire excellence and support every student to reach their potential. 

Ms Jane Somerville - Years 9 & 12

As we move into the final term of the year, it is important that we continue to focus on the everyday habits that make a significant difference to student success. Coming to school regularly, wearing the correct uniform, being prepared for learning and taking advantage of the opportunities available are all important parts of making the most of the school experience.

Year 9

Our school provides students with many opportunities to develop their skills, discover new interests and help them discover the right pathway for their future. These opportunities may include academic programs, extracurricular activities, leadership opportunities, enrichment programs and sporting activities. It has been pleasing to see so many of the Year 9 group take up options such as work experience, TAFE taster courses, university challenge days and Hands on Learning programs to spend time working out what they want to do as future careers or to get a better understanding of what they don’t want to do. 

For our Year 10 students, Term 4 is an important and busy period:

We encourage students to be open to trying something new. If you think your student may like to engage in any of these programs, please reach out to the Career’s Advisor Mrs Tilden for more information and please keep an eye out for information on Compass.

Year 12

The final weeks of Year 12 were an exciting and important time as students prepared to celebrate the completion of their schooling while also not forgetting they need to be preparing for their HSC examinations. The highlight of course was celebrating the achievements of our Year 12 students through their Year 12 Graduation and Formal. These events provide an opportunity for students, staff and families to recognise the journey our students have undertaken and celebrate the friendships, achievements and memories they have created. Neither of these events would have been possible without the organisation of Mrs Tilden their Year Advisor. It is with great appreciation that I thank Mrs Tilden and Ms Merrett for their time, kindness and compassion as Year Advisors. It’s a role that is very demanding but also so very rewarding. 

As students approach their HSC examinations, it is essential that they know when each of their examinations will take place. Students should check their individualised HSC examination timetable and make sure that they arrive at Kurri Kurri TAFE well before the scheduled examination start time. This allows them to locate the examination room, complete the required procedures and be settled before the examination begins. If a student is unwell on the day of the HSC examination, parents and carers must contact the school as early as possible. Early communication is important so that the school can provide appropriate advice and support regarding the appeals process. In all cases, documentation needs to be completed by the student and sent off to NESA, as this is not a school process. 

Revision and preparation will be particularly important over the coming weeks as there is always time to improve those results. Students and families can access revision information and study advice through our school social media platforms, where resources and reminders have been shared over the last few weeks. Staff also offered HSC examination preparation sessions during the holidays and we encouraged students to take advantage of these opportunities where available, as they provided valuable time to revise content, practise examination skills and ask questions before the examinations begin. 

I wish Year 12 the best of luck in their upcoming examinations and it has been a pleasure to watch over them as they navigate their time at Kurri Kurri high school. I look forward to catching up with everyone at the HSC BBQ breakfast celebration on Wednesday 16th December and hearing about their plans for 2027.

Thank you to our parents and carers for your continued support. The partnership between home and school plays an important role in helping our students feel supported, prepared and confident as they move towards their next chapter.

Ms Toni Wilson - Inclusion and Support

Celebrating Leadership, Inclusion and Opportunity

This term, our school proudly celebrated a significant milestone in our history. For the first time, our Special Education senior student leaders were formally presented with leadership badges at our School Leadership Assembly.

This historic occasion represents far more than the presentation of badges. It reflects our commitment to creating a genuinely inclusive school community where every student is recognised for their strengths, encouraged to develop their leadership capabilities and provided with meaningful opportunities to contribute to school life.

Under the leadership of our Principal, Alan Hope, this moment marks an important step forward in ensuring that student leadership is accessible to all. Our Special Education senior student leaders are valued members of our school community, and their recognition reinforces the message that leadership takes many forms. It is demonstrated through responsibility, kindness, perseverance, advocacy and the positive contributions we make to the lives of others.

Genuine inclusion is not simply about ensuring every student is present; it is about ensuring every student belongs, participates and has the opportunity to succeed. This milestone brings that commitment to life and celebrates a school culture where diversity is valued and every student’s potential matters.

We congratulate our newly badged senior student leaders and thank Principal Alan Hope for his leadership in supporting this important moment in our school’s history. We look forward to seeing these students continue to grow in confidence, represent their peers and make a meaningful contribution to our school community.

Attention Students: Your Attendance Matters!

Have you ever thought about how class truancy could affect your future job or career options?

Every lesson you miss is a learning opportunity you may not get back. Regular attendance helps you build the knowledge, skills and habits that employers value, including reliability, communication, teamwork, problem-solving and personal responsibility.

When you choose to attend class, you are investing in your future. You are developing the skills and qualifications that can help you access further education, apprenticeships, traineeships and employment opportunities.

Employers value people who turn up, take responsibility and follow through on their commitments. 

Patterns of unexplained absence can make it harder to keep up with coursework, complete assessments, achieve your potential and demonstrate the consistency needed in the workplace.

Think about your future goals. Whether you aspire to enter a trade, pursue university, start an apprenticeship, build your own business or move directly into employment, the habits you develop at school can help prepare you for success.

If you are struggling to attend class, feeling disconnected from learning or experiencing challenges that make school difficult, please reach out to a trusted teacher, year adviser, the learning and support team or the school executive. Support is available, and asking for help is a positive step towards getting back on track.

Your future starts with the choices you make today. Be present, be engaged and give yourself every opportunity to succeed.