PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Dear parents, carers, students and community members as we approach the end of term 4 and are preparing to celebrate the holiday season and look back upon a year that we will never forget, I would like to reflect upon so many positive things that have happened in 2021.

Firstly, our Year 12 students have shown a strength and determination that has allowed them to not only complete their HSC, but to do it in extremely challenging circumstances while learning from home and of course navigating a pandemic. This cohort of students have shown their resilience and commitment to their future by continuing to apply their positive attitudes and committing to their studies. This commitment was clearly shown in nearly a third of students receiving offers for University in 2022 even before their HSC exams have finished, which is a fantastic achievement for an incredible Year Group. A big thank you to Mr Asvestas for supporting the students to navigate this year and of course to Ms Sellars-Foggarty for her support in University Applications. I would also like to congratulate Riley Jones, once again, for his incredible achievement in being awarded a NSW Minister for Education Award for student excellence; another positive thing to occur this year.

We have also recently conducted out Student Leader elections, and although the process was a little different with online nomination speeches, we are extremely lucky to have new school Captains: Paul Jimenez and Sharra Gibson-Puller and Vice Captains Meila Connolly and Aiden Sneesby. This leadership team will continue the positive work of our outgoing captains, Riley, Lillian, Lucy and Ryan. This team have made some proposals to some school improvement which will continue to occur in the coming weeks and months, including some work on the school toilets and playground areas. I am really proud of all our school leaders and look forward to working with the new team in the future.

In other exciting news, the school was successful in some grants in 2021 which will come into effect in 2022; the most visible will be the upgrade to the Hall. This purpose designed space will include a new dance studio, special recording and practice spaces, rehearsal rooms and change facilities. The work is scheduled to begin early in 2022, Ms Crooks and the CAPA team are looking forward to welcoming you all to a showcase in Semester 2 next year. We are also having some upgrades to the school toilets and basketball courts. You should see these works taking place in the coming weeks. 

In Term 3, we also introduced our revised School Routines and Class Norms. This was the result of extensive research and consultation by Ms DaSilva and her team and has resulted in some changing expectations for our students, which has been positively received and has led to an increase in student engagement throughout Semester 2.  Our students have also responded well to the new timetable, mask wearing and entry and exit points, so I would like to thank all parents and carers and of course our students for adapting so quickly and easily to these changes. We will look at continuing these into 2022, and of course to continue following the latest advice from NSW Health. 

For the remainder of 2022, we will be introducing some newer items for school uniform all of which are available for purchase online, in person and from Flanagans Menswear over the holidays. We now have school tights, polos and hoodies which are all available now. From December we will be introducing one new style of school shorts and are currently investigating another style also. These items will come into full effect in 2022, so we please ask all parents and carers to support the school and only purchase official items for school uniform for 2022. 

Finally, I would like to offer a big congratulations to Ms Brady who has recently accepted the permanent position of Deputy Principal Stage 4. Ms Brady will start this role this term and will support our current Year 9 students and of course our new Year 7 students in 2022. 

Finally, I would like to offer my sincere thanks to all the staff at KKHS for their hard work throughout this most difficult of years and I would like to wish all students, parents and carers, happy, restful and peaceful school holidays. 

We will see you all in 2022!

Enjoy the holidays!