Student & School Community Achievements, School Management & Communication

Introduction from our Principal

Dear parents, carers and members of our school community,

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you all. My name is Belinda Conway and I am the new Principal here at Canterbury Girls. Normally, I would be meeting a lot more of you face to face, but in these unusual times, I will rely on writing to be able to introduce myself. I am proud to be taking a leadership role at Canterbury Girls and to continue to support a thriving public education system in the area. I have been introducing myself to staff and students in classes over the past few weeks and it has been a pleasure to see such keen young women who can express themselves so warmly and confidently. I am looking forward to carrying on the phenomenal work undertaken in quality teaching and working with a dynamic executive team to begin planning for the future. I look forward to meeting you all in the future and I wish you the best of health.

Warm regards, Belinda.

Deputy principal Report (7, 9 &11)

Dear students and families,

Welcome back to school! Term 2 is traditionally a very busy time of the year here at Canterbury Girls High School but with Covid-19 many of our extracurricular activities have needed to be cancelled. However, I am still looking forward to a productive term and the opportunity for our students, parents/caregivers and staff to resume a version of normality and face to face teaching. Our school has always developed  strong and valued partnerships within our school community and this has never been more prominent than during the past 6 weeks. Through many, many emails and conversations, parents and students have been glowing in their praise of everyone at our school and sent positive messages of thanks and support to us all. I thank every Canterbury Staff member for their hard work, patience and commitment to providing quality teaching and learning via online platforms during this time. I would also like to extend a thankyou to our parents; particularly for the many messages of support and the acknowledgment of our staffs' support of students and families.  These kind words have often been uplifting and affirm the great work of our school. Thankyou for supporting your children's learning and in ensuring our students have remained engaged with their learning whilst at home. Finally, congratulations to our students for their resilience in embracing the online learning platforms.  It has been a successful team effort.

Welcome back Year 12

Year 12 are currently completing Mid Year Progress interviews which were delayed by the period of time spent learning from home.  Clearly students are pleased to have returned to face to face class teaching with direct support from teachers as they prepare for Trials and HSC.  

All students are completing a check of their study plans and time management; screen time is the big issue when it comes to hours per week which might otherwise be devoted to study and homework.  Students are being advised to delete or disable the games, apps and social media or streaming which is distracting them.  Obviously some legitimate screen time is occurring for social connections and relaxation; families can assist their Year 12 child(ren) to adopt a sensible approach. 

Students should be doing, on average, 3 hours daily of study/homework. 

Faculties will offer some study sessions on Wednesday afternoons for intensive Trials preparation and practice, and a 2019 high achiever will offer a Zoom meeting to pass on her tips for study, managing time and coping with HSC pressure.

All students are being reminded of the processes for making a self-referral to the school counselling service, and as always their teachers, Year Advisers and Deputy are part of the team supporting their progress and can be approached for assistance if required.

Students are also reminded to liaise with Careers Adviser Ms Fardell as they consider post school options.  University applicants will have the opportunity to attend a Zoom meeing regarding UAC and all university aspirants are reminded to check their eligibility for EAS - the links are in the Google Classroom for Careers and on the UAC website.

- Stay Healthy during the HSC

Cooking with Mariana

Mariana Cortes Da Conceicao Guerreiro, Year 9, has been working toward her Duke of Ed badge by cooking while in COVID-lock-down. Mariana has been emailing Ms Jenkins (Mariana's assessor) with updates and photos of the 12 dishes she has made so far, like, Lasagne, Dumplings, Bread rolls, Ricotta and Birthday Cake to name a few. Mariana has enjoyed preparing these dishes at home, together with developing a variety of cooking skills in the making of each dish. There has been a continuing dialogue about tastes and smells, and processes, the joy of feeding her family.  Finally, Mariana has been disciplined in working toward her Duke of Ed goal. Thank you to Mariana's family for their support by providing ingredients when some may have been a little covid-scarce. There will be more food to come.

Published Work

Simon Shreepaili in Year 8 has written an article that was published online. To read 'Coronavirus, and its impact on my school life' click here. 

School Properties and Maintenance update

As well as completion of the major building project, the new Dome COLA outside the MPC, a number of additional works have been completed around the school in recent months.

This has included further painting of corridors, classrooms and staff rooms on both levels of the school, including further areas in the Library and MPC.  Together with the painting scope completed earlier in 2019, this represents extensive recent painting across the entire school.  Additionally a flooring scope is nearing completion with just a few outstanding items waiting to be done.  This has covered a range of classrooms, offices and staff rooms, and has seen many areas carpeted or with updated vinyl.

In the grounds we have had asphalting done in the main quadrangle and guttering and down pipes maintained on several blocks.

With higher numbers due to increasing enrolments over the last few

years, we have had to re-open some previously closed  toilets in the area behind the canteen, to provide 6 additional cubicles.  Painting, cleaning of tiles, new mirror and window glass, as well as new partitions, are in the process of being finalised. This new area will hopefully be operational in the second half of this year, and so be in time for our smaller Year 12 cohort to be replaced by a larger Year 7 group in 2021.

Moving into 2021, we should be able to proceed, with the generous support of P&C, to expand further audio visual facilities in the school, including a sound system for assemblies in the main quadrangle, and a sound and screen system for the new COLA, to improve the learning and school community potential of this new covered space.

Other works we are progressing include the completion of LED lighting around the school premises, part of our school's commitment to ongoing sustainable options, and some additional upgrades to the counselling and senior student support areas in the school library.

Tell Them From Me Survey 2020

In Term 1 the change to remote learning interrupted the opportunity for students to complete the annual Tell Them From Me survey.

The survey deadline has been extended and all students have been reminded to do the survey as soon as possible. The link to the log on page has been emailed again last week and this week to all students 7-12 and staff will encourage students to complete the survey in Personal Best time at school.  Families can assist us in this by checking with their child(ren) if this has happened.  The survey can be done at any time. Any student who cannot locate their username and password should follow the instructions in the emails sent and it will be resent to them.

Please use Google Chrome.  Usernames and Passwords are case sensitive.

Link to the survey log in is here: https://nsw.tellthemfromme.com/login.htm

Link to a video about the survey is here:  https://youtu.be/qXDk2PLihYE

Updated Assessment Information

Updated assessment booklets will be available on the schools website in the coming weeks. Due to the Corona Virus situation, faculties have made necessary modifications to the original assessment information (including weightings, task type and due dates). Copies of the updated documents will be located on the curriculum pages of the website for each year group.The official assessment notification issued for each task is ALWAYS what students should follow, as this

will contain the most up-to-date and accurate information. If there are any queries about the planned assessment tasks students are encouraged to speak with their teachers and seek clarification as required.

May 25th Letter - return to school for all

Message From the SAM

On behalf of all the SASS, SLSO & GA I would like to say thank you for your support throughout Covid-19.  Your kind words and support were greatly appreciated. - Bahieh (SAM)

CGHS in the Media

We've added a 'CGHS in the Media' page on the school website under School Information.

Click here to check it out. 

Message from Sydney Transport