Principal 

As we move beyond the halfway point of Term 2, the pace and energy across Francis Greenway High School continues to build. The term has been filled with a wide range of learning opportunities, student achievements and school events, and it has been wonderful to see students actively engaging in all aspects of school life. 

As the cooler weather settles in, I would like to remind families of the importance of students wearing the correct winter uniform each day. Arriving at school warm, comfortable and prepared for learning helps reinforce our high expectations, school pride and sense of belonging. Uniform expectations also support student safety and ensure students are able to represent our school positively in both school and community settings. We thank families for their ongoing support in maintaining these expectations. 

Student attendance remains one of the most significant contributors to academic success and wellbeing. Every day at school matters. Missing just one day per fortnight can equate to approximately four weeks of lost learning over the course of a school year. Thank you to our families for continuing to support regular attendance and ensuring students arrive on time and ready to learn each day. Strong attendance habits help students develop resilience, responsibility and positive routines that will support them well beyond school. Congratulations to all students who achieved 100% attendance this term your consistency and commitment to learning is to be commended. 

At FGHS, we are committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment where every student feels known, valued and supported. I would like to acknowledge the exceptional dedication of our staff in meeting the diverse needs of all learners, including through our ongoing High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) initiatives. Students are provided with a wide range of opportunities to challenge and extend themselves academically, creatively, socially and physically, while also receiving the individualised support needed to build confidence, achieve success and reach their full potential.

A continued focus for our school is explicit teaching and evidence-informed practice. Our staff work hard to ensure lessons include clear learning intentions, success criteria and direct instruction to build strong foundational skills and understanding. Through consistent, high impact teaching strategies, we aim to ensure every student demonstrates measurable growth in their learning and feels confident in their progress. 

There have been many highlights across the school already this term. Our Athletics Carnival was a fantastic success and showcased outstanding participation, sportsmanship and school spirit from students and staff alike. It was pleasing to see so many students actively involved throughout the day and supporting one another in both competitive and recreational events. 

Our Lawn Bowls Triple Team also achieved outstanding success, finishing undefeated throughout the Hunter Championships while demonstrating exceptional sportsmanship and bowls etiquette. The team has now qualified for the final 16 in the state and will proudly represent the Hunter at the State Finals in Maryland later this term. This is an outstanding achievement and a proud moment for our entire school community.

We also congratulate our Rugby League teams on their effort, commitment and sportsmanship throughout the term, particularly our Under 14s Boys Rugby League team on their recent success as they prepare for their next challenge ahead. Opportunities in sport, culture, leadership and the arts continue to play an important role in building student engagement, teamwork and connection to school. Thank you to the staff who generously give their time to coach, mentor and support students in these valuable extracurricular activities. 

Congratulations also to Miss Law on making her Australian Women’s Open Touch Football debut at the Asia Pacific Opens Touch Cup, where her team were crowned champions. This is an outstanding personal and professional achievement, and one that our whole school community is proud to celebrate. 

Our students have continued to excel in the creative and performing arts. Students recently displayed their impressive artworks at Choralfest 2026, held at Warners Bay Theatre. The exhibition received many positive comments from audience members and reflected both the talent and creativity of our students, as well as the dedication and expertise of our staff. In the performing arts, preparations for Star Struck are well underway, with students rehearsing for this year’s production themed Out of the Ordinary. We look forward to seeing our talented students perform on stage later this term. 

Career development and future pathways have continued to be a strong focus throughout the term, with students engaging in a variety of experiences designed to broaden their aspirations and support future planning. Students recently attended the Careers Expo and participated in the Construction and Architecture UniSteps excursion at The University of Newcastle. During the visit, students took part in mini lectures and hands-on practical activities while gaining valuable insight into university life and career pathways including construction, project management, quantity surveying and architecture. We thank the university for providing such an engaging and informative opportunity for our students.

It has been fantastic to see students engaging in the Term 2 TAFE Start Your Future courses, providing valuable exposure to vocational education, industry pathways and future employment opportunities. These programs continue to play an important role in helping students develop practical skills, confidence and a clearer understanding of potential career directions beyond school. Additionally, the recent The University of Newcastle Alumni Lunch, held in our Learning Centre, gave students the opportunity to hear from and speak with an inspiring range of alumni about their university experiences and diverse career pathways. Opportunities such as these help students broaden their aspirations, make informed decisions about their futures and gain valuable insight into the wide range of opportunities available beyond school.

I would also like to provide an update regarding the E Block roof replacement project. All works continue to progress safely and remain on track for completion by the end of the term. All removal works have been undertaken by licensed contractors in accordance with strict work health and safety requirements. The health, safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and wider community will always remain our highest priority. 

We were also proud to receive acknowledgement from the NSW Department of Education for the collective efforts of our staff in successfully hosting the Selective High School and Opportunity Class Placement Tests at FGHS. This important work contributes positively to educational opportunities for students across the region and reflects the professionalism and organisation of our staff. 

This week, our Year 7 students will participate in Year 7 Camp, providing valuable opportunities to strengthen friendships, build resilience and further develop their connection to high school life. Experiences such as camp play an important role in supporting students as they continue their transition into secondary school. 

Earlier this term, our School Captains, Madi and Lachlan, attended the Beresfield ANZAC Day Dawn Service where they represented Francis Greenway High School with great pride, maturity and respect. Their participation reflected the strong values of leadership, service and community that we continue to foster within our school. The service provided a valuable opportunity for students and community members to come together in remembrance, honouring the courage, sacrifice and service of the men and women who have served our country.

We are also excited to announce that the GLC Public Education Week Awards will be held at Francis Greenway High School on Wednesday 5 August. This is always a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements and successes of public education across our learning community, and we look forward to hosting this important event. 

Thank you to our students, staff, families and wider community for your ongoing support of Francis Greenway High School. Together, we continue to build a positive, inclusive and high expectations learning environment where every student is supported to learn, grow and succeed.

Andrew Robinson