Principal's Report

Persevering During Challenging Times

This certainly hasn’t been the term that we expected, and as much as we learned from 2020, I don’t think anything could have fully prepared us for the experience of the past three months.

I would like to thank our community for our combined efforts to traverse this difficult and unprecedented time.

Our teachers have continued to be inventive in their ways to engage students in learning. Our wellbeing team have worked hard to keep students well supported and connected. Administrative and support staff working behind the scenes have made our endeavours possible. Our students, living through a time never before experienced, have done their best and have persevered in spite of the challenges; and of course, our parents who have continued to support their children and their families.

A particular acknowledgement to Year 12. Your HSC year has been marred by a global event beyond our control. This experience has denied you things you looked forward to, and it has challenged you emotionally and academically. Through it you are stronger and more resilient as people, and our school is enormously proud of your achievements. 

I know that we are all looking forward to returning to a sense of normality, even if things may be a little different.

This situation has given perspective on some of those things that are most important. In fact, when we think of the things that we have been missing most it comes back to human connection and relationships; perhaps simplifying what is truly important. There has been a realisation of the importance of human contact and ‘real’ interactions (non-virtual) across our society and the value these contribute to our wellbeing. 

We have all needed to adapt in the past months; reframe our focus and remain positive. This circumstance reminds us to slow down in life. We have become so used to our fast moving, super busy, technology driven lives that we often lose sight of appreciating of what we have, and forget to be ‘present’ in the here and now. 

Moving into term 4, we are all hopeful that school will return sooner rather than later. Learning is something that can occur remotely – we have succeeded in that space. However, the school experience is very much more than that and the value of face-to-face connections cannot be replicated or replaced in the virtual space. The social interactions, sense of community, and the support that we draw from being together cannot be understated. For our staff, the support and friendships of colleagues are hugely important and have been missed.

Thank you for your support as a community in the past three months. We have persevered during a challenging period and now look forward to positive times ahead.

SAS Staff Recognition Week

School Administrative and Support Staff Recognition Week was 6th – 10th of September 2021. The school community is made up of a lot of different people, all of whom play a part in the running of schools and the provision of quality education to students. 

School Administrative and Support Staff, whether they work in the office, the library, on the school grounds or in a classroom setting, are important contributors to the success of the school and students’ education. SAS Staff Recognition Week is an opportunity for the school community to acknowledge the vital role and contribution that SAS Staff play in public education, and to the culture and success of Henry Kendall High.

Our learning community recognises this contribution and thanks our SAS Staff for all they do.

Mr Andrew Backhouse 

Principal