Principal's Message

Thank You

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Kayes for relieving as Principal while I was on leave during the last few weeks of Term 2 and the first four weeks of Term 3. I would also like to thank Mrs. Maloney and Mr. Knott, who relieved as Deputy Principals during my absence. I am deeply touched by the number of students and parents who enquired about my wellbeing and wished me a speedy recovery from heart surgery. This is a testament to the caring and supportive community to which we are all fortunate to belong.

New Student Leadership Team

I also had the privilege of inducting our new student leadership team on Friday. We are fortunate to have such a large number of outstanding young women and men who nominated for student leadership positions. Leadership is an opportunity for development and growth, and I am confident that all our new student leaders—including Evie, Jamie, Izaiah, and Sarah—will rise to the occasion and represent the student body with pride and distinction.

BYOD Update

I would like to thank our P&C for donating $30,000 for the purchase of laptops to support the school’s transition to BYOD. These funds will enable the school to purchase a class set of laptops to trial our BYOD policy and make adjustments to ensure a smooth transition in 2026.

The trial will take place in Term 4 this year, with a single Year 7 class to identify potential challenges. The donated laptops will then be used in 2026 to support families who are unable to provide their child with a BYOD device. More information on how to apply for BYOD support will be shared in Term 4.

In addition, the school has received expert advice that successful transitions to BYOD often start with a smaller group rather than the whole school. One consideration is to introduce BYOD gradually, possibly with Year 7 only in 2026. Another consideration is to include Years 11 and 12 in the gradual transition.

I will send out a short staff survey in the coming days to gather your thoughts. Although very timely, BYOD in schools can be a challenge and must be implemented carefully and consistently to succeed. I would appreciate it if you could complete the survey when it goes out, so any decision is not only based on best practice but also informed by community need.

School Starting Time Consultation

I am pleased to report that Transport for NSW has given the school the green light to proceed with planning for an 8:50am start from the beginning of 2026. Changes to bus routes take time, and it is anticipated that the new school bus schedules will be updated in time for the 2026 school year.

In the meantime, school buses and the school starting time will remain as they currently stand until the end of the current school year. I will keep you informed and provide additional detail as planning for the 2026 school year progresses. At this stage, you can anticipate an 8:50am start and a 2:50pm finish to the school day in 2026.

Applying for Leave – Travel

I would again like to remind parents that children under the age of 17 must be at school every day unless they are unwell. On occasion, students may go on family holidays or attend religious or cultural events during a school term. If you are planning to travel during the school term, you must apply for Extended Leave – Travel for your child.

This application ensures that all legal requirements are met and allows me, if travel is approved, to issue your child with an official certificate. I would also like to emphasise that all applications for Extended Leave – Travel should be made at least three weeks prior to the intended date of travel. If an application is made late, it may not be approved.

You can find the Extended Leave – Travel form on Kellyville High School’s Rules and Policies page.