Quality Education

A cover is not the book

So open it up and take a look

Because under the covers one discovers

That the king may be a crook

Chapter titles are like signs

And if you read between the lines

You'll find your first impression was mistook

For a cover is nice but a cover is not the book

‘The Cover Is Not The Book’ by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman from 

‘Mary Poppins Returns’

Reading

In terms of my introductory quote, it is important to emphasise the importance of regular reading at home.  Scholastic Book Club always has a range of books to engage students at all levels.  The latest issue  has some great bargains.  The teacher edition  has a package of 45 books for $95, an ideal way to build your home library.

Our school website has a link to a list of famous books, free online books and a link to the Liverpool City Library.

As parents, it is important to role model reading at home.  I am currently halfway through The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and aim to read a little each day. 

Learning at School

You will be aware of recent school closures in our local area.  At present, our school is fully operational, however, in the event of a direction from NSW Health and the NSW Department of Education, we would resume our learning from home structure if required and then reopen.  Our staff are prepared in case this occurs and plans will prioritise support for Year 12.

School Attendance

In these difficult times, it is important to stress the importance of school attendance. Students are required to attend and there is no substitute for face-to-face learning.  As a school, we are aiming for 100% attendance.

Parent-Teacher Interviews

Teachers have started making parent-teacher interview phone calls home.  Please note that your ‘booking time’ in our online system was to indicate that you wished to make a booking.  Teachers will make contact with you but not necessarily at the time/date indicated on the booking sheet.

Subject Selection: Myth-Busting

Subject selection for Year 8 and Year 10 will be an online event this year.  Further information will be provided to parents soon.  Every year, we provide the following subject selection advice but it is important to get these facts out there in relation to the HSC:

• Mathematics is not compulsory.  If a student has not enjoyed Mathematics from K-10, they are unlikely to suddenly start enjoying it in Year 11.
   
• Students can complete a VET course and still obtain an extremely high ATAR.  In the past, a VET Business Services student received an ATAR of 99.80 and a VET Entertainment Industry student received an ATAR of 99.20.  Completing a VET course does not ‘drag down’ a student’s ATAR.
   
• Students are more likely to choose subjects that are too difficult than subjects that are too easy.
   
• It is possible for students to complete an HSC pattern of study that does not require any HSC examinations to be completed at all.  One example would be English Studies, Exploring Early Childhood, Photography, VET Hospitality, VET Business Services and Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation Studies.
   
• Approximately 90% of our students complete an ATAR pattern of study and 60% of our students go directly to university.  This means that 30% of our students are completing an HSC pattern of study that is unnecessarily more difficult.

P&C Meetings

Our P&C meetings are run as information sessions for parents and we value your input to help us with our decision-making.  Our next meeting will be held at 6:30pm on Monday, 3 August 2020 and will occur online.  Information has been emailed to parents.

I look forward to continuing to work with the staff, students and parents of Cecil Hills High School, the best school in NSW.

Mark Sutton

Principal