Principal's Report
Term 3 in review
Preparing for our 50th Birthday in 2026
Anyone who has ever looked into our school as they pass by on Hilder St would have seen the eye-catching sign affixed to the school hall which reads “Elderslie High School – 1976”. This, of course, signifies that we have a major milestone coming our way: our 50th birthday. We cannot let an occasion such as this go unmarked and so we have just commenced planning a celebration for 2026. With 18 months of planning ahead of us, we are eager to celebrate this significant occasion in our school's history. Stay tuned for updates on how we will commemorate this special event and involve our school community in the festivities.
Student Successes
Term 3 has been a time of notable achievements for our students, with several individuals standing out for their outstanding accomplishments.
Emma Evans (Year 12) made us proud by receiving a Minister's Award for Student Excellence which was awarded to her by the Deputy Premier, The Honourable Prue Car at Town Hall in Sydney. She was one of only 36 students in NSW to receive this prestigious award. Additionally, Caterina Webber (also of Year 12) was recognised with a Highly Commended in the same award, showcasing her dedication and talent.
We also congratulate Carla Sakamoto Charon of Year 12 for her successful nomination for a Zonta Young Women in STEM Scholarship. These achievements highlight the hard work and determination of our students, and we are thrilled to see their success recognised on a broader platform.
I was thrilled to see our Agriculture students competing for the second year in the Greater Sydney Schools Cattle Competition for which the award ceremony was held in Glenmore Park on 13 September. It was wonderful to be present to see Will Giles, Rylee Schaefer, Zara Buckley, Charley Buckley, Sophie Constantine, Caitlin Jones, Aidan Mulcahy and Jacob Mulcahy receiving awards and speaking about their skills in raising the steer they were allocated.
Another EHS favourite event is the annual Dance Spectacular. This was also held on September 13 and our students in the EHS Dance Emsemble, elective dance classes, Ballroom Ensemble and many partner primary school groups were all able to perform together. A big thank you to our Creative & Performing Arts faculty for putting on yet another great show.
Year 12 Finishing their Formal School Education
As Term 3 draws to a close, we bid farewell to our Year 12 cohort as they finish their formal school education. This group of students has shown resilience, perseverance, and growth throughout their time at our school. It has been great to see so many wonderful major works and practical performances already submitted. A special mention goes out to all Year 12 students for their dedication and creativity in these submissions.
We also had a fantastic Year 12 Trivia Night in Week 8, which brought the cohort together for a fun and memorable evening. A huge thank you to our Captaincy Team for their tireless work in raising over $4000 worth of prizes for the night and for our Quizmaster, Mr Atterton who kept everyone entertained.
Looking ahead, we are excited for a very special evening at the Year 12 Graduation on Thursday, 26 September, where we will celebrate with families. It will be a momentous occasion to acknowledge the achievements and journey of our graduating students as they prepare to embark on new adventures beyond our school gates.
New Staff Appointments
We are thrilled to announce that the Department has appointed Ms Angelika Tunneycliff to the Support Unit as a teacher. Ms Tunneycliff will undoubtedly make a positive impact on the students she works with, and we are excited to welcome her permanently to our team.
Additionally, we welcome Ms Chantelle McCarthy, who has been appointed to the Office as a new School Administrative Officer and will commence her role in Term 4.
Footwear for Students in 2025
In the past, students have purchased two pairs of shoes to wear to school- one black leather pair for everyday wear and another pair of appropriate athletic shoes for PE and Sport. Additionally, parents would be aware that students are required to wear leather shoes to adhere to Work Health & Safety requirements, especially in Science, Visual Arts and Technology lessons. To assist with cost of living pressures in 2025 and beyond, the school is requesting that families organise only ONE pair shoes for students that can be used for all of the activities listed - including sport and specialised lessons. These should be black leather with no other coloured trimmings on them. We recommend black leather sneakers such as those in the photos below. As always, the school is able to help support any family requiring assistance in purchasing school uniforms, including shoes.
Incoming School Captains and Vice Captains for 2025
Many parents would be aware that our most senior student leaders, our Captaincy Team are appointed from Year 12 students who have already served as Prefects when they were in Year 11. With the success of our new House Captains and the impact these leaders have had on the school, the decision was made to allow any Year 11 students who had served as House Captains to also apply for the Captaincy Team. This has added to our selection process and brought a wider pool of potential students from whom to select.
After a rigorous selection process including elections and interviews, we are thrilled to announce our incoming school captains and vice captains for 2025. Our new Vice Captains are Emma Young, Elle Tooala-Murray, Casey Lloyd, Callumb Jenner, James O'Brien, and Will Giles. Joining them as our new Captains are Bethanie Collins and Rylee Schaefer. We congratulate these student leaders on their appointments and look forward to their contributions in leading our school community with integrity, dedication, and enthusiasm.
As we conclude Term 3 and prepare for the upcoming break, I extend my gratitude to our students, staff, parents, and the wider school community for their ongoing support and commitment to our school's success. I look forward to a productive Term 4 as we continue to strive for excellence together.
Kind regards,
Mrs Jennifer Lawrence
Principal