From the Principal

Term 3 - week 2

Welcome to Term 3.

COVID-19

Our school has commenced Term 3 with all students and staff maintaining a strict adherence to COVID-19 health and safety requirements. We are vigilant when implementing infection control, physical distancing and personal hygiene protocols to protect the health and safety of students and staff. We are promoting the need to follow good hygiene practices like regularly washing hands, avoiding sharing drinks or food, coughing or sneezing into your elbow, or a tissue which should be discarded immediately, and filling water bottles from bubblers rather than using the bubbler directly.

The activities that are permitted at school are being conducted in a way that is safe and appropriate in the current environment. Those that remain on hold will be reviewed during the term and will recommence when appropriate, based on health and other relevant advice.

Our school nurse – Jason Whileblood

Our wonderful school nurse, Jason Whileblood is an integral member of our school staff. Jason supports all students who need medical assistance whilst at school. I want to recognise Jason’s wonderful support of students, as his care and compassion have been greatly appreciated by students, staff and families. Greeting students with a smile and providing a sense of humour in sometimes stressful situations, makes a real difference. Our clinic is located in A block, near Reception.

School excellence: School improvement planning 2021-2024

All NSW Public School will commence developing their new school improvement plans. On Thursday 30/7/20 our school Executive Team commenced working towards formulating the Killara High School 2021-2024 School Improvement Plan. Developing practical, aspirational and inspiring school initiatives that aim to improve our school’s operations, is at the heart of what we do as educators.

When we work towards being a great school that meets the needs of all of our students, together we are:

ensuring our students learn through engaging teaching
leading with a clear vision based on shared values
partnering proactively with others, especially parents, carers and the local community
engaging our learners, teachers and leaders in reflection and decision-making
focusing our culture on student growth, attainment and wellbeing
strategically targeting all our resources to achieve the student growth, attainment, and wellbeing we have planned.

I invite all parents and guardians from within our school community to contribute to the development of our school’s 2021-2024 School Improvement Plan. Our next P&C meeting in Term 3, Week 4 will be dedicated towards seeking our community’s input into this planning process. We invite you all to contribute to this process of school improvement.

Fantastic initiatives in our school library

Our Library Team have been very busy in providing rewarding and exciting experiences for our students. We have had two author visits recently. Meg Keneally, author of Fled shared her insights with Year 10 on Monday 27 July, and Heather Morris, author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz shared her writing journey with Year 9 on 28 July.

New bus service

We have acquired two new bus services to address overcrowding on some routes. Currently, these two buses, the 8123 (morning) and 9123 (afternoon), are not being utilised by many students, and I encourage students to make use of these new services where applicable. We may have these two new services cancelled if usage remains at the current low rate.

Morning: 8123. 8am. From Gordon Station (Werona Ave) then via (R) Khartoum (R) Rosedale (R) Robert (L) Werona to Lindfield stn (8:08) then Werona (L) Russell (R) Trafalgar (R) Roseville (L) Hill to Roseville Stn (8:12) then (L) Bancroft (R) Archibald (L) Duntroon (L) Moore (L)Earl (R) Archibald (R)Woodlands (L) Sydney (R) Adelaide /Allambie (R) Crana/ (L) Pleasant/Coopernook (L) Wellington (R) Melbourne (L) Tryon(08:25) (R) Arterial (R) Springdale (L) Yirgella (L) Churchill (R) Koola to School

Afternoon: 9123 from Rank 8. 15:15 (Wed 14:45). To East Lindfield, Lindfield, Roseville & Gordon via Koola (L) Churchill (R) Yirgella (R) Spingdale (L) ) Eastern Arterial (L) Tryon Carlyle (R) Melbourne (L) Welington (R) Coopernook (L) Pleasant (R) Carlyle, Crana (L) Allambie (L) Melbourne (R) Adelaide (L) Sydney (R) Woodlands (L) Archibald (L) Earl (R) Moore (R) Park(L) Archibald (R) Bancroft (R) Hill to Roseville Stn then (R) Roseville (L) Trafalgar (L) Russell (R) Lindfield Ave/ Werona to Gordon Stn.

Removal of demountable classrooms

You may have noticed that some of our A Block demountable classrooms have been removed as a result of our new K Block building being completed. It is expected that more of our demountable classrooms will be removed from our site in the coming weeks.

Staff changes

Mrs Jane Dennett is on leave and I will continue to relieve as Principal during this time. Mrs Melissa Gleeson will relieve as Deputy Principal for Years 11 and 12. Mrs Sophie Campbell, our Careers Adviser commences her leave soon and we wish her and her family all the very best in the exciting times ahead, as we all anticipate the arrival of her newborn. Mr Alexander Kammer will commence a new stage of his professional career as he joins the team at Asquith Girls High School as Head Teacher Science. We wish Mr Kammer the very best and we thank him for the positive impact that he has had on students at Killara High School. Ms Lucy Dahil has been successful at gaining a permanent appointment as our Student Support Officer at Killara High School. We welcome Lucy to our team and thank her for the work she is doing with our students.

Business Manager and General Assistants

A special thank you to our General Assistants and our Business Manager. This team have worked tirelessly to ensure staff and students have supplies of hand sanitiser, soap and wipes across the school. Our General Assistants, Mr Julian Retallick, Mr Lionel Krautz and our Business Manager, Mr Bruce Davidson perform amazing feats around the school and ensure that students are learning in a safe and healthy environment. I thank them for their hard work around the school and their passion for ensuring all students and staff have the best environment in which to learn.

A message from our Prefects

Hello everyone, we hope you are doing well and have settled into Term 3.

Over the past few weeks, the Prefect Body has been working on an exciting new initiative for the students of Killara High School. We are proud to announce our new website, the Killara Student Web! The purpose of this website is to provide our school community with a platform where students can access resources and interactive activities including riddles and guided meditation. It's important to maintain your friendships and social life, especially during this stressful period, so get your friends and family together and enjoy movies recommended by the Prefects, or follow some of our recipes to cook up some healthy treats. Along with the various interactive activities, the website also provides informative resources, such as the Wellbeing Hub page, which provides guidance on student wellbeing and how to support your mental health.

We hope you enjoy exploring our website!

Zann Shaikh and Imogen Aikin

Mr Wallace’s Year 8 Technology Mandatory Class

Here are some photos of the wonderful learning experiences taking place in Mr Wallace’s Year 8 Technology Mandatory class. Students are currently completing studies in Food and Agricultural Technology, and this morning they were making ham and zucchini pikelets. Thank you students and Mr Wallace, for having me in your classroom. Keep up the amazing work.

Scholarship

Year 9 student James McAulay has won a $5000 scholarship to the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu Hospitality school. He is the youngest student to ever be accepted into the online course, which sets him up well for his future career as a chef. He is currently participating in lectures after school and doing very well.

Robin Chand

Principal (Relieving)