From the Principal

Dear Killara Families, 

Student Leadership

Congratulations to all students appointed as members of student leadership councils at Killara High School. To celebrate our leadership groups, students viewed an online version of the leadership induction ceremony last week on Thursday during extended home group. The entire school congratulates our 2020-2021 student leadership team and wishes them the best as they embark on various projects for school improvement. I thank our student leadership teacher-coordinators for their efforts in supporting students and Mrs Bouchier for her efforts in managing our leadership framework. I also commend all students who nominated themselves throughout this process. 

Staff Update

Congratulations to Mr David Browne on his appointment through a process of merit selection, to the position of Deputy Principal Killara High School. Mr Browne has been relieving as Deputy Principal and will now join the senior executive team on a permanent basis. Mrs Dennett will continue her leave in Term 1, and I will continue relieving as Principal. 

Congratulations Year 12

I want to thank all teachers and families for their efforts throughout the year in supporting our Year 12 students complete their HSC studies. 

Last week we had students commence the formal process of signing out, and many were quite emotional as they took their final steps beyond the school gates as graduates of our school. 

KHS class of 2020 have experienced many challenges, and their bonds with teachers remained stronger than ever, and for many, our teachers and our KHS community provided a stable constant amidst turbulent times. 

Each Year 12 student has their unique story of 2020, and teachers and families have played vital roles in their success. Each student has their unique success story. Let not results define this year group or any other, rather we should hold our 2020 Year 12 cohort in the highest esteem for their display of human characteristics that are the truest measures of a meaningful education: friendship; persistence; resilience, kindness and determination, all key ingredients to take on life’s challenges.     

My sincere appreciation goes to the team who have worked closest with Year 12 students and families: Deputy Principal Melissa Gleeson; Year Advisers David James; Sue Powell and Caroline Wong; Stage 6 Head Teacher Chloe Williams; Head Teacher Wellbeing Georgina Andrews; Student Support Officer Lucy Dahill; School Counsellor Carin Swaddling and all Year 12 teachers, mentors and school support staff. 

On behalf of the class of 2020, their families and our broader community, I express my sincere gratitude to all KHS teachers, especially HSC teachers, for serving our students with care, sensitivity and optimism. 

Chess News

Congratulations to Ari, Cai, Jimmy, Marcus and James for their wonderful achievement in chess. Within the Inter-school Chess Challenge 2020 Secondary Division Local Heat, these students achieved the position of 1st Placed School within the Northern Sydney Region. A wonderful effort. 

NAIDOC

We celebrated our KHS NAIDOC Week with activities in July. During NAIDOC celebrations we reflected on the importance on our nation’s indigenous heritage and the messages of unity, care and humanity. Local community members alongside students shared inspirational messages around our K block yarning circle.

Fun Fridays

We will continue our Fun Friday events until the end of the year. Fun Friday is about providing a fun activity for one year group at a time during Friday at lunchtime. Music is played and students enjoy a carnival atmosphere. During weeks 4 and 5 we enjoyed ice cream with Stage 4, and in Week 6 we will have donuts for Year 9 students. It is great to see students enjoying the company of their peers and teachers in our K block undercroft. This wellbeing initiative aims to strengthen students’ sense of belonging, boost school pride and to provide a fun activity for students to enjoy with their friends. 

Mural Fundraiser

Over the coming weeks, our school will be raising funds for a large mural showcasing our sports houses. This mural will be positioned above the canteen COLA in view of the main quad. More information about this will be shared in the coming weeks. 

Leave Applications

This is a reminder that from the beginning of 2015, Family holidays and travel are no longer considered under the Exemption from School - Procedures. Travel outside of vacation periods is now counted as an absence for statistical purposes. 

Canteen refurbishment

Our canteen is being refurbished and students should bring a packed lunch and drink bottle from home. We do have a limited range of food items being sold through our vending machines and our canteen staff are selling food items from our local bakery in the canteen COLA at lunchtime. The canteen project is progressing and we thank our P&C for funding this initiative to provide our school with a canteen that serves students for many years ahead. 

Evacuation drills

During week 5 all students experienced their second evacuation and lockdown drill. Our primary evacuation location is our school oval. Students engaged in this experience in a safe and orderly manner. Our evacuation process involves students assembling on our school oval in homegroup formation. 

Robin Chand

Principal (Relieving)