Principals Report
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A busy term ahead.....
We are now into the final term of 2022; however, the pace isn’t easing. The coming weeks will bring many events, excursions, assessments, and much to celebrate for the Year of 2022.
Our Year 11 students move into the first term of their HSC studies, HSC assessment tasks and will conclude the year with the Life Ready Camp.
Year 10 now have their subject patterns for the senior school, and in the coming weeks will shift their focus towards the Stage 6 Preparation Program to get them ready for the changes ahead.
All year groups are finishing off their learning programs for this year, with school reports on the way. Our staff are already evaluating teaching programs and developing renewed directions for the new year.
Christmas might be approaching, but we are a long way from done for 2022!
World Teachers Day 2022
Out teachers have shown great resilience during challenging times, all so that they can give Henry Kendall students the best future possible. I am honoured to lead a staff of 62 fabulous teachers who are backed up by wonderful temporary and casual teachers, each adding volumes to the fabric of the education and opportunities we give our kids.
Each year our school nominates two individuals for recognition on World Teachers Day who are given the opportunity to attend a regional dinner. This year we are recognising Chantelle Sanki and David Lawler – two fabulous teachers from a school of fabulous teachers. Congratulations Chantelle and David and hats off to all in our profession for World Teachers Day 2022.
Staffing changes
As many will have heard, Donna James has earned the opportunity to undertake the relieving Principal role at Kariong Mountains HS, and we wish her well in this new challenge.
Gareth Wright will be the Deputy Principal for Years 7, 9 & 11. Michael Mellish is undertaking the position of Head Teacher PDHPE, and Jade Ridley is taking on the Sports Coordinator role.
Tracy Smith is taking a period of leave this term, and Tegan Perkins will be the Head Teacher - Student Services. Jay Blue is also on a period leave, and Michelle Woodland is the Head Teacher - Applied Learning.
Additionally, we have two merit selection panels running for 2023 – one for Head Teacher Mathematics and one for a Special Education Teacher.
Lot’s happening on the staffing front!
HSC Begins
After months of hard work and preparation, the 2022 HSC examinations are well underway. Our Year 12 students have worked hard in getting to this important point and are now demonstrating not only the knowledge they have learned, but their capacity to think critically and apply that knowledge. This is a stressful period that tests students, but their tenacity and strength of character will ensure they persevere and achieve their personal best. We wish them well.
New measures to address vaping and vandalism
While there has been so much positivity through 2022 that we need to celebrate, there has also been a rise in issues around student vaping and the vandalism of student toilets. Awareness raising, restricting access, and increased supervision have been unsuccessful in resolving these issues.
As a result, Henry Kendall High is following the lead of many other schools dealing with these matters and are investing in security cameras and vape detectors. The camera’s will be installed in the corridors outside each of the student toilet areas to monitor who is entering the facilities at a given time. The vape detectors will be installed inside the toilets and will provide real time environmental monitoring that detects vaping, smoke and sound abnormalities like shouting or damage to facilities in toilet areas where cameras cannot be placed.
It is anticipated that the introduction of these two measures will go a long way to addressing the issues we have been experiencing.
Official Ceremonies at the End of the Year
For the first time in a number of years a sense of normality will see our school celebrate the year that was with a range of important ceremonies:
- The Year 12 formal will now be held on Wednesday 16th of November at the Crowne Plaza, Terrigal.
- Orientation Day for our incoming Year 7 in 2023 will be held on Tuesday 29th of November.
- Our annual presentation ceremony will be held on Tuesday 13th of December at 6.30pm in the school MPC.
2023 Subject Selections
The subject selection process for years 8, 9 and 10 for 2023 has now concluded and students in those years are aware of their subject patterns for next year. This is an important process in shaping and individualising the learning opportunities for each student, and we do aim to meet as many needs as possible. Now comes the complicated process of building the 2023 school timetable!
Term 4 School Development Days
During the recent school holidays, the department announced an additional School Development Day on Monday 19 December to conclude 2022. The final day for students is Friday 16th of December.
Mr Andrew Backhouse
Principal