High expectations

Term 2 continues

When I grow up

I will be tall enough to reach the branches

that I need to reach to climb the trees

you get to climb when you're grown up

And when I grow up

I will be smart enough to answer all

the questions that you need to know

the answers to before you're grown up

‘When I Grow Up’ by Tim Minchin from ‘Matilda’

School Plan Update

One of the key features of Strategic Direction #2 is our new Year 8 electives.  These are progressing very well.  A recent survey showed that 80% of students would recommend their chosen elective to another student.  More than half believed they were meeting the majority of their ‘CECIL skills’ each week (Collaborate, Engage, Communicate, Innovate, Lead) and most look forward to their elective class.  96% of students know what they need to achieve by the end of the unit.  Year 8 students will commence in their other Year 8 elective next term.

Punctuality

As a parent, you value our high expectations.  Unfortunately, we have noticed more and more students arriving late to school.  When we have asked students the reason, common replies involve 'traffic' and 'sleeping in'.  I appreciate all parents are busy, however, a number of parents drop their children off late which is a concern.

We have now set a 5 minute warning bell as this is a fair amount of time for students to walk to their roll call room.  Students must be at their roll call room by the final bell.  Otherwise, they will be marked as having partial attendance which is then recorded on their report.  As parents, please speak with your child about this matter and ensure they arrive on time.  We have important programs including FOCUS and Connect that are delivered in roll call and it is important that students arrive on time.

Subject Selection - Myth busters

Subject selection season will be upon us very soon.  In terms of my introductory quote, subject selection is all about students ‘growing up’ and making choices that will guide their future.  Year 7 and Year 8 students are mostly choosing subjects out of interest but Year 10 should give some thought to their future.  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 2016, 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/Recreation Studies.
• Approximately 90% of our students complete an ATAR pattern of study but only 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 difficult and harder than it has to be.

Our subject selection evening will be held on Monday, 30 July 2018 with Year 8 at 5pm and Year 10 at 6:15pm.  For the first time, we will be holding a special evening focusing on options for those wishing to leave school and those wishing to complete a non-ATAR pattern of study.  This special evening will be attended by representatives from TAFE and the NSW Department of Education.  It will be held at 6pm on Monday, 25 June 2018.  Further information on this event will be provided very soon.

Staffing News

I am very pleased to announce that Ms Vivian Phan has been appointed to Cecil Hills High SchoolS in a permanent capacity. Ms Phan has taught with us for a number of years as a Visual Arts teacher and currently coordinates our Year 6 gifted and talented art program.  She has been working very hard this year in preparation for her role as one of our year advisers for Year 7 in 2019.  I'm sure you will join me in congratulating Ms Phan on attaining this permanent role.

NEW uniform shop opening times

Commencing next term, the uniform shop opening hours will change. See attached flyer for updated opening hours, price list and online ordering details.

P&C Meetings

Our next P&C meeting will be held at 6:30pm on Monday, 2 July 2018.  There will be a repeat session at 9:30am on Thursday, 5 July 2018.

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