Term four begins
Anything can happen
Anything can happen if you let it
You won't know a challenge until you've met it
No one does it for you
No one but yourself
Vacillating violets get left up on the shelf
Anything can happen, just imagine
That should be my epitah
I wear the badge in honour of this world's free thinkers
Those who see beyond their blinkers
Jelly isn't jelly till you set it
Anything can happen if you let it
“Anything Can Happen” by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe from ‘Mary Poppins’
Year 12 (2018) Information Evening
This event was a spectacular success with approximately 400 students and parents attending. This is a new event organised by Mrs James (Deputy Principal), Ms Farah and Mr Hickey (Year Advisers) and Mr Alfonsi (Senior Coordinator) to explain important information about the HSC, ATAR, Year 12 expectations and support. Mr Flew also presented at this event to share his knowledge of the ATAR. One of our key changes in 2018 is our new timetable structure where Year 12 will not have classes on Tuesdays. In terms of my introductory quote, students and parents should think creatively about the Tuesday model, and “anything can happen”. For the first time, students will not be locked into a traditional schooling model on Tuesdays. Students will be able to undertake paid work, volunteering, apprenticeships, work experience, private study, major works, or pay more attention to their health and fitness. The possibilities are endless! In terms of my introductory quote, students and parents should set challenges, make clear commitments and think freely to get the most out of Tuesdays in 2018 in terms of educational, social, health and work outcomes.
Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)
Cecil Hills High School is becoming a Positive Behaviour for Learning school, based on our three core values of being respectful, responsible and successful. As a school, we will emphasise these three core values whenever we can. As parents, it would be fantastic if you could use these three words at home so we can develop more consistent language. Our PBL team is planning a very special launch day for Thursday, 9 December 2017. Further information on PBL will be provided at our next P&C meetings in November.
Homework
Research continues to demonstrate the importance of homework for high school students
Homework is shown consistently to have a positive effect and students who do homework tend to do well at school. The optimal amount of homework is between one hour and two hours a night, with this increasing in the senior years. We are making some changes through our new Connect Program in 2018 which will see a more focused effort to assist students with their homework and diary use. As parents, please ensure your child does at least one hour of homework per day. This should consist of preparing study notes, revising the day’s work, and completing assessment tasks.
Staff movements
We have some important changes in the school's senior executive. Ms Mel Scott has decided to return to her substantive position as Head Teacher - PD/H/PE and we thank her for all of her hard work, commitment and dedication in guiding, mentoring and supporting our Year 7 and Year 10 students. After a school selection process, I am very pleased to announce that Mr Michael Lane has been chosen to fill the role of Deputy Principal.
Mr Lane has relieved as Head Teacher - Welfare, Head Teacher - Teaching & Learning and Head Teacher - PD/H/PE in the past. During his eleven years at Cecil Hills High School, he has provided expert mentoring and guidance to the graduating class of 2016 as Year Adviser. More recently, Mr Lane has coordinated whole school professional learning, Quality Teaching Rounds and our annual conference. I am excited to welcome Mr Lane into the senior executive team and look forward to working with him closely.
Congratulations
Celeste Wrona is a longstanding Visual Arts teacher at Cecil Hills High School. Many of you may have already seen her wonderful collection of work which is often exhibited around Australia.
Her work features in the television programs House Rules and The Block, as well as in a selection of well-known publications, including Vogue Living, Inside Out Magazine, Art Almanac and Your Home Annual - Macarthur magazine. Have a look at Celeste's collection here. Congratulations Celeste!
I am equally delighted to announce that Miss Marks, Visual Arts teacher at Cecil Hills High School, has been chosen to display her artwork at the World Polo Club Championships Art Exhibition at Richmond, from 21-29 October.
Miss Marks has been exhibiting for many years, and is a living embodiment of the message she communicates in her art: "you can be successful no matter where you’re from".
Photo courtesy of The Fairfield Advance. You can read Miss Marks' story here.
P&C Meetings
Our next P&C meeting for 2017 will be at 6:30pm on Monday, 6 November 2017 with a repeat session at 9:30am on Thursday, 9 November 2017. We always welcome input and feedback from parents and community members to ensure we are considering your perspectives when making decisions.
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