Mr Joshua Brown - Years 7 &10

Year 7

Welcome to Year 7! We are thrilled to see our newest students settling into the school community with such enthusiasm and positivity. The transition from primary to secondary school can be a big step, but our Year 7 cohort has made a fantastic start, embracing the KKHS routines and building friendships. Students are already demonstrating a strong commitment to learning and are actively participating in all classes.

We would like to remind students and families of the importance of following our school norms, which help create a safe and respectful environment for everyone. These include being kind to others, being prepared and ready for each lesson, and showing respect to staff and fellow students. Parents and carers can support their child by encouraging good organisation, regular homework habits, and open communication about their experiences at school.

We are excited for the Year 7 Camp in the first week of Term 2. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to further develop friendships, teamwork skills, and confidence. The camp activities are designed to be fun, challenging, and memorable, helping students connect with their peers and teachers in a supportive environment.

Congratulations to all Year 7 students for their achievements so far. We are confident that with continued effort and support, every student will reach their potential. We look forward to seeing even more growth, both academically and personally, throughout the year—and to a wonderful camp experience in Term 2!

If your student requires any support Ms Trayhurn is our Year Advisor and the first port of call. Along with Ms Trayhurn we are supported by our WELs centre, and Clontarf.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out.

Year 10

Year 10 is a crucial year for our students as they prepare to transition into their senior studies or explore alternative pathways for their future. We strongly encourage all Year 10 students to begin the year with determination and focus. One important expectation at our school is that all mobile phones are switched off and away during school hours. This practice reduces distractions and ensures a positive learning environment for all.

We remind students of their responsibility to complete assessment tasks by the set deadlines. If a student is struggling to meet these requirements, a Causing Concern meeting will be arranged to provide additional support and guidance. This process is designed to help students stay on track and address any issues early.

The Record of Student Attainment (RoSA) is an important document that student receive at the end of the year if they have met all subject requirements allowing progress into Year 11. Maintaining consistent effort and commitment is essential as it can impact future pathways, whether students are aiming to enter Year 11, pursue vocational training, or seek employment.

Year 10 Hands On Learning group has started strong with their planning for the year ahead. 10 students from Year 10 participate in Hands On Learning projects every Monday. The program offers practical support and skill-building opportunities enabling students to develop confidence and prepares them for success in a variety of settings.

A major focus this year is careers education. Students will participate in activities, workshops, and guidance sessions to help identify their strengths, interests, and possible career paths. By the end of Year 10, our goal is for every student to have a clear plan for their next steps, whether that involves continuing their studies, starting an apprenticeship/traineeship, or considering other options.

If you have any questions or would like further support, please contact the Year 10 Year Advisor Ms Bailey or Myself.

Ms Kasey Brady - Years 8 & 11

It has been a very positive start to the year, with students settling back into school routines and engaging well in their learning across all year groups.

Our Year 11 students have made a strong start to their HSC courses and are beginning to receive their first assessment tasks. This is an important time in their senior studies, and we encourage all students to ensure they are attending every class, keeping up with coursework and completing all assigned tasks to set themselves up for success.

Year 8 students have also returned to school well and are currently in the midst of completing a number of assessment tasks across their subjects. We encourage students to continue applying themselves in class and to seek support from their teachers if needed.

As always, we remind all students of the high expectations we have at school. This includes following school rules, routines and classroom norms, showing respect to others and taking pride in their learning.

A reminder to families that students are expected to wear the correct school uniform each day. As we move towards the cooler months, this is a good time to begin organising winter uniforms, which are available locally at Lowes in Cessnock.

Finally, all students need to ensure they are READY to LEARN and in class EVERY LESSON, EVERY DAY, including bringing a fully charged device, books and pens. If your student requires assistance accessing uniform or equipment, please contact your student’s Year Advisor:

Year 8 – Mrs O’Halloran
Year 11 – Mr Asvestas

Have a great Easter break and enjoy the Autumn vacation. We wish everyone a safe and relaxing break and look forward to welcoming students back ready to get into it for Term 2.

Ms Jane Somerville - Years 9 & 12

As we move towards the end of term, I would like to take a moment to highlight a few important aspects of school life that support our students to achieve their best.

Regular attendance at school is essential for student success. Being present in class allows students to engage in discussions, participate in learning activities, and develop the skills needed to progress through the curriculum. Even missing a small number of lessons can make it difficult for students to keep up with new concepts and assessments. We appreciate your support in ensuring that students attend school every day and arrive ready to learn.

We understand that at times students may face challenges—whether these are related to their learning, wellbeing, friendships, or other circumstances. If your child is experiencing difficulties, we strongly encourage parents and carers to contact the school and speak to their teachers or their Year Advisors. Early communication allows us to work together to provide the appropriate support and ensure that students remain engaged and confident in their learning.

Students are expected to be aware of upcoming assessments and to manage their time so that tasks are completed by the required due dates. If students aren’t sure or have lost them, copies of assessment schedules should be accessed through the website or can be found on Compass. Meeting deadlines is an important skill that helps students develop organisation and responsibility—skills that will benefit them throughout their schooling and beyond.

I have recently enjoyed spending time visiting Year 9 classes and observing students as they continue their journey through the Stage 5 curriculum. It has been wonderful to see the engagement and curiosity students are bringing to their learning, especially as they are now engaging in electives and seem to be having a great time cooking sausage rolls in Food Technology, creating tool boxes in Timber and completing their drawings in Visual Arts. In particular, I have enjoyed seeing the work being done in History lessons, where students have been exploring World War I. Their discussions and analysis of this significant historical event have been impressive, and it has been pleasing to see such thoughtful engagement with the topic.

Our Year 12 students recently completed their first RESET Week, a focused period dedicated to strengthening HSC examination skills and practising HSC-style papers. Developing strong examination techniques is an essential part of HSC preparation, and this time provides students with the opportunity to refine their skills and build confidence. RESET Week will occur again in Week 10, and it is important that all Year 12 students attend during this time so they can fully benefit from these valuable preparation sessions. Student work on HSC projects should also be well under way and it might be worth just checking how far long they are with their specific projects! Also, don’t forget that the individualised HSC timetables will be released through students online early next term for students to download! Its getting very real with only two terms of school to go!

Thank you for your ongoing support of our students and our school community. By working together—supporting attendance, maintaining open communication, and encouraging students to stay organised with their assessments—we can help every student achieve their best.

Ms Toni Wilson - Inclusion and Support

As we wrap up a busy and rewarding Term 1, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the positive start our students have made to the year. It has been wonderful to see students settling into routines, building strong relationships with their teachers and peers, and engaging positively in their learning across all subjects.

A key focus this term has been student engagement and attendance. Attending every class, every day, gives students the best opportunity to succeed academically and socially. We continue to encourage all students to be present, prepared, and actively involved in their learning. When students are in class and engaged, they build confidence, strengthen skills, and set themselves up for long-term success.

This term we also placed a strong emphasis on e-safety. With young people increasingly connected online, it is essential that students understand how to use technology responsibly and safely. Students are regularly reminded about protecting their personal information, being respectful online, and knowing how to seek help if something doesn’t feel right. We encourage families to continue these conversations at home to support safe online habits.

Our school community came together to celebrate Harmony Day during our Wellbeing Week, which was a highlight of the term. This important day reinforces the values of respect, inclusion, and belonging. It was fantastic to see students acknowledging and celebrating the rich cultural diversity within our school and demonstrating what it means to be inclusive in both words and actions.

We have also continued to reinforce our anti-bullying message—that everyone has the right to feel safe and supported at school. Students have been reminded of the importance of speaking up, looking out for one another, and reporting concerns to trusted staff. Building a culture of kindness and respect remains a shared responsibility across our whole school community.

Thank you to our students, staff, and families for contributing to such a positive Term 1. I look forward to continuing this strong momentum into Term 2, as we work together to support every student to feel included, engaged, and successful.

Dates to Remember