Newsletter Term 2 June 2024

Principals Report

Science Laboratory Renewal

Great news!  The final science lab which has not been altered since it was built in 1967 is to be fully funded for an upgrade as part of the NSW Government’s push to invest in our schools. We must thank our new president of the P&C, Rob Malicki, for his tireless work in supporting the school to get new facilities. We also wish to acknowledge the outgoing president Tim Banning for his efforts in ensuring all children have both beautiful and functional buildings.

Killarney Heights High School P&C has been lobbying for new science facilities since 2010. Since then, 5 science labs have been upgraded, with our parent community supporting the building of the new facilities by providing up to 50% of the funding.

The remaining lab, in D block, is currently in poor condition, with the urgency of replacing this laboratory becoming more serious after a number of gas and water leaks. Although all the leaks have been repaired, and the lab is now safe, we are so pleased that this laboratory will be replaced.

Our fantastic students and teachers deserve quality classrooms that match the learning that they are delivering. The new lab will be safer and more hygienic, and  with a dedicated classroom area, will be more comfortable for students.

We are now waiting for the plans to be drawn up and contractors engaged for the rebuild.  We would welcome the project starting as soon as possible.

Hayley Emmerton
Principal

Dates to Remember

Vaccinations

The vaccination program for Term 3 is below.  Killarney Heights High School is a facilitator for the vaccination program and your child will only be vaccinated if you have given consent.  No consent = No vaccination.

Year 12 News

Year 12 Graduation and Formal

Attention All Year 12’s and Parents 

Thursday 26th September 2024 we will come together to celebrate the year 12 graduation and formal. 

Graduation Ceremony: Dee Why RSL 9am-11am

Year 12 Formal: InterContinental Hotel Sydney Boronia Ballroom 7pm - 11pm 

More information about these events to be emailed to year 12's and parents early in term 3. We look forward to celebrating this special occasion with you all.

Jo Killick
Year 12 Advisor

Languages

Year 9 and 10 French

Our year 9 and 10 French students have been excitedly writing letters to students in Tahiti as we begin a penpal relationship with the students at our sister school, La Mennais. Some of our students will be travelling to Tahiti to meet and stay with exchange brothers and sisters in the September school holidays. Finding the right expressions in French that teenagers feel comfortable writing to other teenagers has been a fun and authentic language learning task. This project will be ongoing and we hope that some real friendships will be formed. 

Maddison Pho
Teacher of French

PDHPE

Bill Turner Cup

The Remarkable Journey of the Bill Turner Boys Football Team

Over the past two years, the Bill Turner Boys Football team has embarked on an extraordinary journey. Their remarkable success story is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and unwavering team spirit.

Due to their stellar performance last year, which saw them reach the finals, the team earned a bye in the first round. They began their campaign with a resounding 7-1 victory over St Leos, showcasing their offensive prowess and defensive solidity.

Building on this momentum, the team then faced Chatswood, where they secured an emphatic 5-0 win. However, the most exhilarating match of the season so far was undoubtedly their clash with the formidable Private school Power Knox. In a nail-biting encounter, the Killarney emerged victorious with a hard-fought 2-1 win. 

A standout moment in this match was Nat Evans' decisive penalty, captured in the attached video.

Next up was the semi-final game against another private school, Riverview. Captain Richard putting icing on the cake with a penalty to make it 4-1 against Riverview.  Well done team, great game by all.

The Grand Final was held on Tuesday 25th June at Cromer Park against St Lukes

Killarney Heights High Triumphs Over St Luke's in Sydney North Championships

In an electrifying final, Killarney Heights High clinched the Sydney North Championships title against St Luke's, demonstrating resilience and exceptional teamwork.

The match, played under high stakes, saw Killarney Heights supporters outnumbered by numerous St Luke's executives, the director of football and some classes from Cromer. The game had an unusual start as the referee halted play due to a uniform clash, prompting Killarney Heights to wear their shirts inside out. Despite this early setback, the boys quickly found their rhythm and took control of the game.

Richie Kupec, Harlow de Brennan, and Nate Evans dominated the midfield, orchestrating play with composure and precision. Their control and vision were instrumental in maintaining possession and creating attacking opportunities.

Defensively, Raphael, Beau Alcock, Patrick Charlton, and Seok McGee formed an unbreakable barrier, frustrating St Luke's attackers and preventing any clear chances. Dubbed "the brick wall," their steadfast defending was a cornerstone of Killarney's strategy.

James Gray led the offensive efforts, narrowly missing two scoring opportunities. Controversy struck when the referee overlooked a blatant shirt-pulling foul against Nate Evans which left Liam Skjellerup in goals to save the one on one St Luke’s shot. Despite this, Killarney Heights remained undeterred.

Ben Suen and Angus Pike tirelessly ran throughout the match, their energy and determination unrelenting. With 10 minutes remaining in the half, James Gray was substituted as he ran non stop which made the opposition show signs of fatigue. Coach Desnik introduced the fresh Declan Feng, a strategic move that proved pivotal. Within minutes, Declan broke the deadlock with a powerful finish into the left corner, giving Killarney Heights the lead.

The closing stages saw Killarney Heights maintain pressure, launching wave after wave of attacks. The best chance to extend their lead came when Richie Kupec struck the post and Ben Suen's header was cleared off the line.

In the final 15 minutes, the game turned scrappy as Lincoln O'Connor and Evan MacDonald shored up the defence. Levi Koch was brought on to add extra defensive solidity ensuring Killarney's lead remained intact.

With this victory, Killarney Heights High beat the fourth private school out, advancing to the last 16 of the South East Australia competition, a tournament encompassing over 16 regions. This win is a testament to the special group of boys and the dedicated parents who support them, often taking days off work for transport and unwavering encouragement.

 It has just been revealed that Richie Kupec has been named Sydney North Player of the Year. He demonstrated exceptional skill, teamwork, and leadership throughout the competition, serving as captain. The journey does not get any easier as KHHS face their third consecutive away game, this time against St Dominics of Penrith or Santa Sophia of Box Hill.

Killarney Heights High's triumph in the Sydney North Championships will be remembered as a landmark achievement, showcasing their talent, determination, and sportsmanship

NSW CHSSA Swimming Championships

Several Killarney Heights HS students attended the NSW CHSSA Swimming Championships in May at Homebush with some outstanding results.

13 yrs Girls Chloe Gutel came 14th overall in 100m Butterfly
14 yrs Girls Emily Ruff came 5th in 50m Freestyle Final, 5th in 100m Freestyle Final, 6th in 200m Freestyle Final and 6th in 100m Butterfly Heats
13 yrs Boys Lewis Hunziker came 15th overall in the 100m Butterfly
14 yrs Boys Anthony Ruff came 3rd in 50m Freestyle Final

Congratulations to our swimmers!

Cross Country

Zone Cross Country

Well done to everyone who participated in the Zone cross-country carnival. It  was a fantastic day with everyone putting in their best efforts. Killarney did amazingly well, finishing 2^nd overall in both the girls and boys overall points scores.

Special mention to the following students who finished 1^st in their age groups and were Zone champions:

Sasha Berdon (12 years)
Harrison Hunziker (16 years)
Cooper Horley (18 years)

We have 20 athletes from Killarney representing Zone at the Sydney North cross-country carnival at Wyong on 21^st June. Good luck to everyone!

Sydney North Cross Country

Well done to all our runners at the Sydney North cross-country championships last Friday. Congratulations to the six students from Killarney who qualified to represent Sydney North and will progress to the NSW cross-country championships in July:

Sasha Berdon (12 years) who finished 4th in her age group
Evie Rayner-Harvey (13 years)
Naomi Krajancic (14 Years)
Amelie Hunziker (14 years)
Harrison Hunziker (16 years)
Cooper Horley (18+ years)

State Handball Championships

In an outstanding display of teamwork and skill, our girls' handball team recently competed in the State Championships, showcasing not only their talent but also their resilience and determination. This year marked a significant milestone for the team as it featured at least one girl from each year group, making it a truly inclusive and diverse lineup.

Despite having seven new players who had never played handball before, the team managed to sail through the round robin stage undefeated. Their most impressive victory came against the eventual champions, whom they defeated with a score of 7-5, a testament to their strategic play and cohesive effort.

Unfortunately, the team’s journey ended in a heart-wrenching knockout semi-final against Turramurra, where they lost in extra time. Nevertheless, the semi-final showcased the team’s grit and potential, with many positive takeaways from the tournament.

One of the highlights was the performance of Ava Scotter, who was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament. Her exceptional skills and leadership on the court were pivotal in the team’s success. Additionally, several players caught the eyes of scouts and have been invited to join a youth program focused on training for the 2032 Olympics.

The success of the team was also bolstered by the support from the Parents and Citizens (P&C) Association, who installed an improved playing area for the sport of Handball.

The team members were as follows:

· Year 7: Niamh Sole
· Year 8: Zoe Telfer
· Year 9: Elizabeth Tomas-Desnik , Aylish Scotter
· Year 10: Lily Blewman, Joelene Davis, Andi Atayan, Lilyana Rayner-Harney
· Year 11: Olivia Champion, Claire Turner
· Year 12: Ava Scotter

Sentral Parent Portal

Sentral Parent Portal (website or app)

Did you know that you can now submit absence requests via the  Sentral Parent Portal.

The process to do this is outlined below:
Sentral Parent Portal Web - https://killarney-h.sentral.com.au/auth/portal

1. Click on the Absences button in the right-hand column.
2. Click on Submit a Future Absence Request (website). This is also for absences on the same day.

3. Select the name of the child that is absent. This will place a tick by their name.
4. Using the drop down list, select the type of absence. e.g. Sick, Vacation etc.
5. Select the Start Date for the absence from the Calendar.
6. Select the End Date for the absence from the Calendar.

• If for today then date will be today's date for both start and end

7. Type in a Comment explaining the reason for the absence. Provide as much information as possible.
8. Click the Send button. This will send the message to your school office notifying them of the absence. 

Sentral for Parents App Download the Sentral for parents app. https://www.sentral.com.au/app-getting-started

1. Login details are the same as your parent portal login.
2. Select absences
3. Click the + button at top right hand of screen.
4. Continue to fill in absence details
5. Submit

If you have any questions or require help with this please contact us or refer to the following link: https://www.sentral.com.au/portal-app-help

The Library Lowdown

The books are back!  As part of our ongoing effort to provide modern facilities for our school community, we have updated our library shelving system and reorganised our book collection for improved accessibility and visual appeal.  Thanks to our P&C for helping fund this project and to our student volunteers who assisted with the unpacking of the collection earlier this term.  All students are encouraged to visit the library and enjoy our new look while borrowing books for the winter holidays.

Students can independently search for titles and check their accounts via our catalogue “Oliver” which is accessible through their DET student portals.  Through this platform, they can monitor due dates, request extensions, make reservations, and even post book reviews.  The digital collection including e and audiobooks is also accessible via Oliver or the website: https://khhs.wheelers.co/.

Reminder for all students in Year 7 – 10 to log the books they are reading at https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/studentExperience.html#/  to fulfil the requirements of the Premier’s Reading Challenge by 23/08/24.

Find time to read!

Ms. Kate Thompson
Teacher Librarian

Aboriginal Education News

Reconciliation Week Recap 

During week 5 Killarney held Reconciliation week activities to celebrate the cultures, achievements, voices and influence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The week was a big success with students getting involved with learning about First Nation Australians cultures and histories. Students participated in physical challenges that reflected achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes including a 400m sprint on the bike for Cathy Freeman's 400m dash at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Thank you to the students who helped cook at the BBQ and raise funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. 

NAIDOC Week 

In Week 10 we are celebrating NAIDOC Week at the school. NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced back to the Aboriginal rights movement, when on Australia Day 1938, protestors marched through the streets of Sydney to highlight the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Today, it is a week-long celebration held in July that consists of a range of traditional and contemporary activities.

NAIDOC Week is an important event that helps build positive relationships between First Nations and non-First Nations people. It enables a deeper understanding of our differences and similarities. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to eliminate bias and discrimination by reflecting and reconciling the wrongs of the past to facilitate hope and build a fairer future. Families are encouraged to join in and support young people in learning the significance of NAIDOC Week. The theme for NAIDOC Week in 2024  is “Keep the Fire Burning” 

There will be activities running throughout the week for all students to participate to celebrate NAIDOC Week. 

Friday: Whole school assembly and smoking ceremony 
Monday: Trivia in the library at lunch 
Tuesday: First Nation Australian Athlete sport challenges will be run during lunch
Friday: Bake sale and a book club featuring books written by First Nation Australian authors in the library at lunch 

Ms Slater is also running a NAIDOC Week art competition relating to the theme of the year with a $50 Eckersley's voucher to be won for the winning submission. 

All week there will be a different film showing in the library that celebrates the cultures of First Nations peoples. There will also be a space for you to be creative and colour.

This link offers suggestions on local community events that families can attend to celebrate NAIDOC Week together.  https://www.naidoc.org.au/local-events/local-naidoc-week-events   

SPECIAL REPORT: Celebrating NAIDOC Week

This Special Report offers suggestions on how families can celebrate NAIDOC Week together. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your Special Report 
https://killarney-h.schools.nsw.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-celebrating-naidoc-week

Wellbeing

KYDS Youth Counselling offers parents, carers and other community members the opportunity to participate in free webinars on a variety of topics throughout the year.

Learn more about ADHD, social anxiety, motivation and goal setting, digital mental health, anxiety and stress, relationships and communication and how to support young people who self-harm.

Being armed with information can help you more easily understand what your young person is going through.

Information regarding upcoming Webinars can be found at : https://www.kyds.org.au/webinars/

SPECIAL REPORT: Smokeless Tobacco Products

The evolving nicotine landscape requires parents and caregivers to stay informed to protect young people from these emerging threats. Snus and nicotine pouches are gaining popularity among young people as smokeless tobacco (SLT) products. Both products are discreetly placed under the upper lip, allowing nicotine absorption through the gums.

Health authorities are urging proactive measures to curb this growing trend and calling on regulators to implement controls before these products become as widespread as vapes. The high nicotine levels in these products pose serious health risks, including nicotine addiction, cardiovascular disease, gum disease, tooth decay, and even nicotine poisoning. Researchers highlight the detrimental effects of nicotine on developing brains, linking its use to depression, anxiety, ADHD symptoms, and an increased risk of addiction to other drugs.

The marketing of snus and nicotine pouches targets young audiences through social media influencers, raising concerns about their increasing popularity among school students. And like vapes, they come in various flavours and strengths, with unregulated nicotine levels leading to inconsistent and misleading labelling.  It is clear that SLT products contain not only nicotine, but also other chemicals with unknown long-term effects.

This Special Report will help you become aware of the potential risks of smokeless tobacco products and guide you in age-appropriate discussions with your child.

Here is the link to your Special Report 
https://killarney-h.schools.nsw.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-smokeless-tobacco-products-au

Homework 'MILO' Club

It takes a village to raise a child and at KHHS we know how important a little bit of extra support can be. So, if you’re looking for some regular academic assistance for your child, or even just a quiet space for them to work, the KHHS Homework Club is the place to be.

Nicknamed the MILO Club*, our school’s Homework Club is a calm, inclusive and supportive space for Killarney students to work independently and collaboratively with peers. It is also a space for students to seek support from teachers to complete school tasks and work towards their academic potential.

Milo Club sessions are held every Monday and Thursday after school between 3:10pm and 5:00pm in the Library. All students are welcome. Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.

Monday's session: numeracy focus, hosted by Mr Chu
Thursday's session: literacy focus, hosted by Ms Zoeller

Please encourage your children to attend, particularly close to assessment due dates.
* MILO Club = My Independent Learning Opportunity and a place to drink Milo

Ms Zoeller and Mr Chu

Careers

Work Experience

This week, I had the opportunity to explore landscape gardening for my work experience. During the week I got hands-on experience with a variety of tasks. I got to do concreting and fencing. It was a rewarding week filled with practical learning and the satisfaction of seeing immediate results from hard work!

Thank you, Mrs Williams, for helping organise my work experience and also to Design It Landscapes for having me for the week.

Ben Ritchie

Band News

IMEP 

On Friday 24th May, students from our Stage Band, Jazz Orchestra and Big Band hopped on a coach and travelled to Bathurst for the Big Band Blast Festival. These students were treated to performances by the Australian Army Band and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Jazz Orchestra. Workshops were led by some of Australia’s leading jazz musicians, John Morrison, Jacki Cooper, Andrew Robertson and Eric Dunan. Big Band Blast is always a highlight on the IMEP calendar for our jazz students, and this year was no different. Thank you to Ms Woskanian and Ms McLean for coming with us.

It’s been a busy term for our instrumental ensembles, even after Big Band Blast in Bathurst earlier in the term.

On the 2nd June (and a week after Big Band Blast), our Big Band performed at the Sydney Schools’ Jazz Festival at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Students performed for parents and four other ensembles, before being taken for a workshop by jazz trumpeter, Tim Crow.

Both Big Band and Symphonic Winds performed at the Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival (ASBOF) on Sunday 23rd June.

Whilst non-competitive, the performances are adjudicated, and awards presented based on their performance.

Our Big Band received a Gold Award, and Symphonic Winds received a Silver Award. Congratulations to both.

On the same day, Guitar Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra performed at World Music Day, hosted by Killarney Heights Public School, an event inspired by Fete de la Musique. Our Guitar Ensemble opened the day with their performance of a beautiful selection of songs, with Aliana Hensel leading our ensemble in song.

Our Chamber Orchestra performance inspired younger KHPS string players, giving them and their parents a vision of what lies ahead for them and their children in their future years at KHHS if they keep practising. They all loved the Pirates of The Caribbean.

The Northern Beaches Instrumental Festival is a wonderful, non-competitive performance where ensembles perform to a receptive audience, and feedback is provided by an appraiser. Concert Band, Jazz Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra all performed at this festival across several dates in June and were fantastic.

Our last event of the term saw the Concert Band and Stage Band perform at NSSWE’s Winter Festival on Tuesday 25 June at The Forest High School. This is one of a series of events for talented young musicians in the Northern Sydney Region.

Student Achievements

Annabelle Dietrich's acrobatic gymnastics trio (senior women's group) have just competed at the Acro World Cup in Maia (Portugal). They made it to the final and  won the 5th place, after Portugal, Ukraine, USA, and Germany. What an amazing experience and achievement.

Annabelle’s Acrobatic gymnastics trio also represented Gymnastics NSW at the Australian Gymnastics Championships on the Gold Coast last weekend and came first.  They will now go on to represent Australia at the World Championships in Acrobatic Gymnastics in Portugal in September!

Well done Annabelle and her trio!

E-Bike Education

E-bikes are a popular way for students to get to and from school. They are a fun, environmentally friendly and easy way to get around the Beaches.

However, as e-bikes are fast and quiet, there is a real danger of colliding with other people using the footpath. 

Before your child's next ride, make sure they know the e-bike code:

• Slow down to walking pace when others are on the path
• Ring your bell and call ‘on your right’ to let others know you’re approaching
• Be ready for sudden changes – people, pets and prams can be unpredictable

And remember the basics: helmet done up, bell, lights and a bike that’s legal.

Community News