Principal's Report

Welcome 

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2018 and a special welcome to our new parents and families. As a school we are looking forward to another successful year for all our students.

It has been a true pleasure watching our Year 7 students settle into the new environment of high school.  Although I know there were a few nervous tears on Day One.....the parents recovered quickly! :D

The reality is that I saw many very excited young people looking forward to a new adventure.  Upon welcoming Year 7, I made a point of encouraging them to take full advantage of all the opportunities we can offer them during their schooling.  The first of these will be our Year 7 camp.  We are trialling a new format this year, with a move to a brand new site in Sydney. This will provide many challenging fun experiences that will grow the students’ confidence and ability to work as a team.  Importantly it will also provide the first formal opportunity for all the students to bond as a Year group and to get to know their Year 11 peer leaders.  I encourage all students to attend this camp.

We also started the year with a small number of new and enthusiastic staff.  Welcome Ms Amanda Seijas (English), Ms Gabby Rhodes (PDHPE) and Mr Colin Church (TAS).  Ms Rhodes and Mr Church will be in these positions while they filled on a permanent basis.

Cowra High has already moved into full swing. Year 12 students got a taste of university life earlier this week with an overnight trip to the University of Wollongong.  This is the first of many events and experiences that will enhance what happens in the classroom and our students’ ability to grow beyond school.

I know I am not alone when I say how pleased and proud we are of our 2017 HSC results.  There were many individual success stories in the results, but many are often unseen.  This is particularly the case for our students who have completed their HSC in spite of many barriers life put in front of them.  So regardless of the numeric results achieved, I want to congratulate each and every 2017 HSC student in reaching this significant milestone.  We also achieved many results that reflect the combination of student talent, hard work and great teaching that comes together at Cowra High.  We gained 3 Band 6's (the highest possible level) and 56 Band 5's.  A special word of congratulations to Kurt Johnstone who is the 2017 school Dux with an ATAR of 95.25.  I pass on my best wishes to all those students who have started new careers, university study and apprenticeships. 

Friday 16 February will be our annual school swimming carnival.  I hope to see all students present and having a great time getting involved. Students don’t need to be competitive racers to enjoy the day.  Every student is encouraged to have a go in both the races and the novelty events that happen throughout the day.

Have a great fortnight

Charles Gauci

Congratulations Olivia!!

Olivia Perkins was announced the 2018 Young Citizen of the Year at Cowra's Australia Day's Awards Ceremony.

Olivia was recognised for her contributions in the Cowra Youth Council and through school representations.  Olivia was recently selected to attend the 2018 Global Young Leaders Conference in New York and Washington.

Congratulations Olivia from the Cowra High School Community.