Newsletter Week 2 Term 1 2022
Principals Report
Celebrating Success
Welcome back to school for 2022, although this has been a somewhat different start with every student and staff member having to have rapid antigen tests, at least we can come together in person, and not have to be stuck zooming at home. The tests and the masks reassure us that we can be here and learn in a safe space.
The 2021 HSC cohort endured 2 years of lockdown and disruption to their studies, despite this, they achieved remarkable results, and continued to build on our strong HSC results from past Killarney Heights High School students. Once again, our English cohort did amazingly well, coming 4th in the State in Advanced English, maintaining our position as the top government school in English, beating the selective schools, James Ruse, Manly Selective and North Sydney Boys and Girls. Congratulations to their teachers Tracey Fairly and Carole Vela on your hard work with these students.
However, our outstanding results were not confined to English, our results were strong across the whole school, and in fact every faculty had incredible results. Lincoln Yan was 1st in the state in Software Design and Development and 10th in the state in Physics. Max Geddes also performed very well with 10th in the state in Biology. Congratulations to their teachers, Matt Murphy, Mr Prior, April Kang and Jacinda Jamieson.
This year Aaron Gray, was selected to play his guitar at Encore, a showcase of the best music students in the state. Congratulations to his teacher Blade Fuller for contributing to his success. Two other students from the TAS faculty were nominated for the InTech exhibition, Aaron Sprott and Sophie Faulkner respectively. Once again credit to their teachers, Industrial Technology Timber – Paul Riley and Design and Tech teacher Marnie Peters.
All of these subjects had 100% of students with bands 5 and 6, equating to a mark of above 80%: English Ext 1, French Continuers, Design and Technology, Music Extension, Visual Art, Chinese and Literature, Construction and Science Extension. I would especially congratulate Eliza Slater, as this was the first time that she has taken a class through to the HSC.
There is no secret to our success at Killarney Heights High School – we have quality teachers who inspire successful students. We give teachers time to keep improving – every one of our teachers spends at least one hour of their week in professional learning to make them better teachers. How do we know that this training is working and is reflected in teacher’s practice in the classroom? We observe our teachers several times a year, through a process called Instructional Rounds. We can reassure you, we have data that our teachers are getting better and better every year.
This year has started well, let’s continue to work in partnership, teachers, parents together to ensure that every student meets their personal goals and achieves their very best.
Hayley Emmerton
Principal
Dates to Remember
| Monday 7th February | Year 7 Best Start Maths Period 1 |
| Tuesday 8th February | Year 7 Best Start English Period 1 |
| Thursday 10th February | Year 7 Best Start HSIE/PDHPE/Other Period 3 |
| Thursday 10th February | Whole School Photo Day |
| Monday 14th - Wednesday 16th February | Year 7 Camp |
School Rules
The School Uniform Policy states that Black Leather Shoes must be worn for school, nothing else is acceptable.
Photo Day
Individual and Sibling school photos will be taken on Thursday 10th February.
Rapid Antigen Tests
Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) for the next 2 weeks will be given to all students in a year meeting on Friday. Each student should continue to test themslves before school on Monday and Wednesday, and if the test is positive, stay home and follow advice from the NSW Department of Health.
Student Achievements
Sand and Power
Last month Year 11 students Ash Giddens and Ryan Takayasu attended a selection camp in Newcastle by Volleyball NSW. The boys displayed exceptional volleyball skills that easily transferred to the beach game. From that camp they have been targeted and selected into the Youth Beach Phoenix Team to represent NSW at the 2022 AYBVC (Australia Youth Beach Volleyball Championships) to be held in Coolangatta in late March. They will also compete together in several competitions and training camps over the next 6 weeks in Wollongong, Brighton and Mollymook (State Championships) before flying to Coolangatta for the national event.
School Canteen
The School Canteen will be open for lunchtime orders only from Monday 7th February. Orders have to be placed through the Flexi-schools App. Please see below for how to order and canteen menu.
