From the Principal

Dear Killara Families

Fun, excitement and resilience characterise the events of Term 2 here at Killara High School. Students are engaged in deep learning experiences and teachers are supporting all students in achieving their learning outcomes. There have been many events that have taken place to support students across various facets of their learning. 

Outdoor learning

Many teachers utilise the outdoor learning spaces around the school to provide students with unique learning experiences. If you walk around the school at any stage of the school day, you may experience students proudly presenting their soliloquys or acting out a scene from a play, PDHPE classes utilising spaces for physical activity or Science teachers conducting experiments outside. Our Creative and Performing Arts faculty often conduct inspirational outdoor learning experiences, and this sometimes includes students using tripods and cameras for photography. Many students have been using their computers to collaboratively record speeches, develop movies and work on various projects outdoors. Ms Casey’s English class was rehearsing their scenes for The Taming of Shrew and earlier in the week I saw Ms Zolezzi’s English class presenting scenes from The Twelfth Night near the front of the school. Our school provides amazing learning experiences both inside and outside of the classroom. Our dedicated teachers are always aiming to provide the best and most engaging learning experiences for our students. 

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award 

Developing further on this theme of outdoor learning, I would like to congratulate all students involved in The Duke of Edinburgh International Award scheme. On Friday 28 May through Sunday 30 May over 60 Killara High School students engaged in this fantastic activity. I want to thank Ms Downes for her dedication and commitment to this important learning program. The Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award includes an Adventurous Journey component. During this component, students engaged in activities requiring them to navigate unfamiliar environments within a team. Students demonstrated resilience, persistence and care for each other as they traversed through challenging environments. It was an experience that built character and allowed students to strive towards their personal best. 

Positive Behaviour for Learning

On Thursday 27 May we officially launched our school’s commitment towards integrating Positive Behaviour for Learning. During a whole school formal assembly, the concept of Positive Behaviour for Learning was explicitly presented and launched through Prefect videos, teacher explanations and an official ribbon cutting ceremony. Our school has a common language around aspects of behaviour that capture the high standards which we expect of our students, and these are respect, ownership, learner and environment. These key aspects were developed after consultation with students and our community. 

Uniform

I thank our entire community for their support in ensuring students arrive at school in full school uniform. Students are wearing their uniform with pride and this is wonderful to see.  

Backflips Against bullying

Our student wellbeing programs aim to promote positive behaviours amongst students, and to equip students with strategies to manage challenging social experiences. In order to support this aim, we invited Backflips Against Bullying to present to our Stage 4 and 5 students. Students explored many themes in an entertaining and engaging manner. 

Staffing changes

We wish Ms Chloe Williams the very best as she commences leave and we welcome Ms Tanu Arora into the role of Head Teacher Stage 6 (relieving). We also welcome Ms Leah Pappin, our new Head Teacher Wellbeing commencing in Term 3. Ms Georgina Andrews will continue as relieving Head Teacher Wellbeing during Terms 3 and 4.

Killara Schools Partnership – Science and Mathematics workshops

Working alongside our local primary schools is an important aspect of our school’s operations. On Tuesday 25 May we continued our tradition of offering high-quality taster lessons for Year 3 and Year 4 students. Students from local primary schools took part in experiments led by Mr Koefoed, a KHS Science teacher with the aid of Year 8 KHS helpers. The event was fun and students were able to work within our new K block Science labs. I thank Ms Ann Dixon for her management and support of this program. 

Year 12 lighting up the sky

Our Year 12 students have a long tradition of community service and developing meaningful events to reflect and commemorate their time at Killara High School. Year 12, 2021 produced a joyful and uplifting display with lights, colour and music on Wednesday evening 26 May. I thank Year 12 for the caring, mature and meaningful ways in which they set an example for all other year groups.  

Course selection process

Information is being distributed for the annual course selection processes for Year 8 and Year 10. I encourage all families to read the available information about the courses offered, and have discussions at home about suitable learning patterns. I encourage all students to select courses that align with their interests. 

Robin Chand

Principal (Relieving)