Newsletter Term 3 September 2024

Principals Report

Stay Safe This October

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, a timely reminder for all of us to prioritize online safety at home and work. In today's digital world, staying cyber safe is more important than ever.

Students have been sent an email to their DET address which informs them of important changes to their social media and gaming account settings. As of the beginning of Term 4, students will no longer be able to use their school email addresses to sign up for or recover personal accounts. This initiative by the NSW Department of Education aims to reduce cyber threats and ensure student email accounts are used solely for educational purposes.

Please remind your children to update their personal accounts by October 13 to avoid losing access.

While reminding you of safety, we have noticed a number of young people in the community riding bikes and e-bikes without helmets. If you have an accident the helmet can save students from permanent head injury, a helmet is a small price to pay for safety.  Parents please talk to your children about this.

On the topic of e-bikes, are you aware of the regulations?  You don’t want to be in the position of purchasing an electric bike to find out that they are not permitted on the roads or footpaths. The e-bike / EPAC must also have a marking on the frame showing its compliance with EN15194 (typically a Sticker or similar with details of the importer).

There are two types of permitted e-bikes: 

• Power-assisted pedal cycles 
• Electrically power-assisted cycles. 

The rider must primarily propel these bikes – a motor can't be the only source propelling it. The motor should only help the rider, like when going uphill or facing strong winds. 

Power-assisted pedal cycles

A power-assisted pedal cycle: 

• has one or more motors attached with a combined maximum power output of up to 200 watts 
• can't be propelled only by the motor/s 
• weighs less than 50kg (including batteries) 
• has a height-adjustable seat

Electrically power-assisted cycles

An electrically power-assisted cycle has a maximum continued rated power of up to 500 watts. This power output must be: 

• progressively reduced as the bicycle’s speed increases beyond 6km/h 
• cut off when: 
• your bicycle reaches a speed of 25km/h 
• you stop pedalling and the speed exceeds 6km/h. 

Hayley Emmerton
Principal

Dates to Remember

Aspire Morning Tea

In early September we hosted our Aspire Awards Morning Tea to recognise and celebrate our students' outstanding achievements and effort. Congratulations to the following students who received awards!

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11

Year 12

Year 12

Remembrance Day Education Grants Program (EGP Yr 12)

Forestville RSL Sub-Branch will be continuing the new annual Remembrance Day Education Grants Program (EGP Yr 12) for students in Year 12 who are selected to attend a University in 2025.  The grant, worth $2000, is open to eligible applicants to assist with associated costs.

The criteria and how to apply can be found at the following link

Early Leave Pass Outs

There is a new procedure for Early Leave Passes, please see details below.  We will be following these procedures strictly from week 1 next term.

School leave pass Early Leave Procedure:

If your child needs to leave school early, they must submit evidence, such as a note signed by a parent, to the Administration Attendance Officer (Attendance Window, A Block) before period 1 commences. This information will be communicated to teachers via Sentral.

For Sport-Related Early Leave:

The NSW Department of Education’s sports policy mandates 150 minutes of physical activity at school each week. Wednesday afternoon sport contributes 90 minutes to this requirement. Therefore, students are expected to attend sport every week. In exceptional circumstances, if your child needs to attend an appointment that cannot be arranged outside of school hours, a leave pass will be granted when evidence of the appointment booking is provided before period 1 commences on a Wednesday. In most cases, if evidence of an appointment booking is not provided or a medical certificate is not sent to the school office by 9a.m the next day, students may be marked as an ‘unjustified absence” or “truant”. Before leaving school, students must sign out at the front office and collect a 'School Leave Pass'. Adhering to these procedures helps maintain accurate attendance records.

Wednesday leave passes will not be granted for students’ whose sport is cancelled due to poor weather, as alternative activities will be provided by sports teachers. Rooms are provided for quiet study and homework for students who prefer to quietly do schoolwork instead of the alternate activities.

Students that cannot participate due to injury are still expected to remain at school either assisting their sports group by refereeing or scoring or a classroom can be provided for them to complete quiet study.

The Senior Executive

Group Photographs

20% Discount on Sports & Co-Curricular Group Photos available before 25/09/2024

Dear Parents,

These school sports and co-curricular groups were photographed on 17/06/2024:

You can now view and purchase the group images listed above. Just click on the link below. Please note the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.

Images can also be viewed by visiting www.advancedlife.com.au entering the code: P3R FDQ 867 and clicking on “Group Photos”

Important

·  Sports and co-curricular group photos can only be purchased online, PLEASE DO NOT return payment to your school

·  If your child's group or team is scheduled to be photographed at a later date, you will receive an additional email notification when the images are ready to be ordered

·  Photos will be returned to your school for distribution approximately six weeks after the discounted early order period has closed

·  Past years' photographs including sports, co-curricular and representative groups are also available at your school's advancedorder and your child's advancedyou photo sites

advancedlife would like to express our appreciation to Killarney Heights High School for placing your trust in us. Please remember we offer a 100% money-back guarantee on our products to ensure your peace of mind. We would also love to receive your feedback or resolve any issues you may experience, to ensure your satisfaction. If you have any questions, comments or feedback relating to your advancedlife experience, please contact us at www.advancedlife.com.au/contact

Mathematics

Australian Mathematics Competition

We are thrilled to announce that several of our students recently participated in the Australian Mathematics Competition designed by the Australian Maths Trust on Wednesday 7^th August 2024, showcasing their mathematical skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. Their dedication, hard work, and enthusiasm were truly commendable, and we are incredibly proud of their efforts.

Special congratulations to all the students who participated. Their commitment to learning and embracing challenges is an inspiration to KHHS. We would like to particularly acknowledge the following students for their outstanding achievements:

• Cato Chauvin (Year 7) - for achieving Credit in the junior category.
• Romain Charbonneau (Year 8) - for achieving Credit in the junior category.
• Ruilin Zhang (Year 8) - for achieving Credit in the junior category.
• Max Morris (Year 9) - for achieving Credit in the intermediate category.
• Kimi Wong (Year 9) - for achieving Credit in the intermediate category.
• Clement Charbonneau (Year 10) - for achieving Credit in the intermediate category.
• Luke Pritchard (Year 10) - for achieving Credit in the intermediate category.
• Patrick Reynolds (Year 10) - for achieving Credit in the intermediate category.
• Savannah Yang (Year 10) - for achieving Credit in the intermediate category.
• Tokiwa Suzuki (Year 11)- for achieving Distinction in the senior category.

A heartfelt thank you to the teachers and parents for their continued support and encouragement. We look forward to seeing more students get involved in future competitions and continue to excel in their mathematical journeys!

Congratulations once again to all our participants – you have made us proud!

Mrs Meenakshi Sharda
Mathematics Teacher

PDHPE

2024 NSW CHSSA Athletics Championships

The Athletics Championships were well represented by Killarney student this year, we are so proud of all of you. It is a fantastic achievement to make it through to these championships and there were some phenomenal results.

Naomi Krajancic - U14 Girls
1^st 400m
1^st 200m
2^nd 100m

Cooper Horley - 17-19 Boys
1st  1500m
4^th in the 3000m

Jasmine Rintel - U16 Girls
1^st 400m

Sasha Berdon - U12 Girls
2^nd 400m

Ivan Prizmic - 17-19 Boys
2^nd High Jump
6^th Triple Jump

Zoe Jelinek - 12 girls
12^th Long Jump

Harrison Hunziker - U16 Boys
5^th 1500m

U14 Girls Relay Team - Mariel Buckland, Naomi Krajancic, Evie Rayner-Harvey, Zoe Telfer
4^th place

Tahlia Russell - 17-19 Girls
6^th 100m Hurdles

Pippa Roberts - U15 Girls
 7^th 90 m hurdles

Tahlia Russell and Pippa Roberts both qualified for the finals in their respective hurdles events. Amazing results as neither had qualified for State before.

Congratulations to every student who competed!

The Bill Turner Cup

The Bill Turner Cup is a school football competition.  Over 400 school teams from NSW, QLD, ACT and VIC participate each year, with all players 15 years and under.  The competition is knockout format with early round matches starting in Term 1 each year. 

Bill Turner was the chair of a group of dedicated teachers who decided to introduce a 15s and under school soccer competition, he was a teacher and had worked tirelessly in school and youth soccer for many years, as well as being a well regarded referee. Bill Turner valued fitness, fun and fair play and the competition pays tribute to these values. The Bill Turner Cup is in its 45th year.

Quarter Final - A Day of Unity as Killarney Takes on Newington College

On the 19th of August, the Killarney community experienced an unforgettable moment that will forever be etched in its history. What started as a typical football match turned into an extraordinary day of unity, passion, and collective pride. After hearing leadership speeches by students emphasising the need to bring the school community closer together, Deputy Rose threw her support behind an event that would do just that: a showdown between Killarney and the private school giant Newington College in the National U-15 Football Quarter Final.

The preparation was meticulous. The entire Killarney team arrived early at Melwood Oval, ready to face their highly ranked opponents. After a brief walk, the team huddled in the changeroom for a tactical meeting, with a sharp focus on how to neutralise Newington's star striker. The atmosphere was serious, yet electric. Following the meeting, Coach Desnik delivered a stirring motivational speech that set the tone for the game, instilling belief and determination in every player.

As the team warmed up, the crowd began to swell. Parents, teachers, and senior students gathered in large numbers, ready to support the young footballers in their quest for glory. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, the school's spirit visibly stronger than ever.

From the opening whistle, the game was an intense, end-to-end battle. Both teams fought fiercely for possession, with the Killarney defence—composed of Declan Feng, Beau Alcock, Seok McGee, Patrick Charlton, and goalkeeper Skjellerup—standing resolute. However, despite Killarney’s growing confidence, a brief defensive scramble allowed Newington’s striker, Orsan, to score with his only touch of the game. Yet, the setback only intensified Killarney’s resolve.

As the crowd’s noise grew louder, Nat Evans and Richie Kupec rallied the team. Within minutes, Killarney struck back. New recruit Gab da Fonseca, receiving a pinpoint pass from Kupec, unleashed a stunning bullet of a goal from out wide, leveling the score at 1-1. The crowd erupted, and the first half ended with deafening cheers, with more supporters, led by Mr. Wilson, pouring onto the ground.

In the second half, Killarney began to dominate possession. Midfielders Ben Suen, Soma Toth, and Harlow de Brennan controlled the flow of the game, and the home side looked the stronger of the two teams. The tension in the air was palpable, with students, parents, and teachers roaring with excitement, creating an atmosphere that had never been seen before at Killarney.

With the game ending in a 1-1 draw, extra time was needed. Coach Desnik’s words to the team were simple but powerful: “Just look around, play, enjoy, and let's finish this.” And finish they did.

Just minutes into extra time, Nat Evans sent a perfectly placed ball to Gab da Fonseca, who crossed it to the far post. Ben Suen expertly dribbled and crossed the ball back into the goal area. James Gray headed the ball down, and it found none other than Captain Ritchie Kupec, who deftly slotted it into the corner of the net. What followed was a scene that will forever be remembered by those who witnessed it.

The entire team sprinted to the corner to celebrate, quickly joined by the bench players, Coach Desnik, and, in an unforgettable moment of school unity, the entire Killarney crowd. It was a spontaneous eruption of pure joy and pride, a moment that symbolised the strength of the school community. The players, their coaches, and their supporters were as one.

Killarney’s victory qualified them for the final four for the first time in the school’s history. As a coach, I was not only proud of the team's achievement but deeply moved by the unity and support from so many. It was a day when the school stood together, and that unity helped propel us to new heights.

The 19th of August will forever be remembered as the day the Killarney community united, not just for a football match, but for a shared moment of school pride and spirit.

The Dream Put Killarney on the National Map

Semi-Final

In just 10 days, Mr. Desnik, under immense pressure, managed to organise Killarney Heights High School’s trip to the National Final Four at Lake Macquarie. Despite the rush, the team kept their spirits high during their last training session, opting for a fun game of soccer/tennis instead of a formal practice.

In the final week, Jay Alcock arranged for new jerseys, generously funded by the P&C, while Peter Skjellerup diligently handled the administrative work for 19 players and 25 family members. With game day fast approaching, Tuesday, September 3rd, was anticipated to be a challenge. Killarney faced Illawarra Sports High at 3pm, but a 9am media launch meant Mr. Desnik had to begin the journey early, driving the bus from 6:30am. By 7am, the team, joined by Ms. Trafford , was on the M1. A tense bus ride reflected the nervousness of entering uncharted territory for KHHS in any sporting competition.

The media reception was warm, with Mr. Desnik mingling with sports hierarchy, politicians, and other school representatives. As a coach, it was my third time taking a team to the finals, and James Gray made the early call and stated “3^rd time will be a charm” despite losing Angus Pike to injury. The hours leading up to the match included a brief drive, a beach walk, and relaxation at the hotel, followed by a tactical discussion to nullify Illawarra's tall strikers, who had previously dispatched the Victorian champions. Richard Kupec led the team huddle, preparing them mentally for the challenge ahead.

The match kicked off with Illawarra relying on long balls to their tall players. But Declan Feng, Beau Alcock, Patrick Charlton, and Seok McGee held their ground, frustrating Illawarra's attacks. With 10 minutes left before halftime, Nat Evans sent a perfect pass to Ben Suen, who outpaced his defender and slotted the ball into the right corner, securing a 1-0 lead—unexpected, but well-earned.

In the second half, Seok McGee shifted to the wing while Raphael Rauturier moved to defence, and KHHS began to dominate. Illawarra had no backup plan, and with just five minutes remaining, Richie Kupec set up Seok McGee to score the decisive goal. KHHS celebrated their best performance of the year, dancing in the changeroom to “Freed from Desire.” The game was physically intense, with multiple cards and rough fouls from Illawarra, but we returned to the hotel triumphant, where parents shared in the excitement. The boys cooled down with a pool recovery session and stretching, followed by a team dinner and an early night to prepare for the final.

Final

The following morning started with a buffet breakfast that tested the chefs' stamina. After checking out of the hotel, we strolled around Lake Macquarie and watched the Girls' Final. As the temperature rose, Coach Desnik wisely shortened the warm-up and gave the team a 15-minute cool-down before the final against Queensland's champions.

Something felt off before the match; it seemed like we had mentally played the final the previous day. Both the players and I were searching for motivation. Despite dominating possession and showcasing better skills, particularly from Richie Kupec, Soma Tooth, Harlow De Brennan, Ben Suen, and Gab Da Fonseca, the score remained 0-0 at halftime.

Changes were necessary. Seok McGee dropped into defence, and the team found new energy. Passion returned, and gaps in Queensland’s defence began to appear. Near the goalmouth, Nat Evans was fouled, and he calmly converted the resulting penalty. From there, the game was ours. Ben Suen added a header to make it 2-0, and Declan Feng moved up front to join birthday boy Levi Koch and Lincoln O'Connor in defence with Jake Frear moving to the wing. When the Queensland keeper rugby-tackled Declan, he earned and scored a second penalty. The final whistle blew with a 3-0 scoreline, crowning Killarney as National Champions.

Nat Evans was named Player of the Tournament, while Liam Skjellerup, flawless in goal, ensured no opposing goals stood a chance. The team lifted the cup to overwhelming cheers from supporters, family, and friends. The celebration continued for hours, with more dancing to “Freed from Desire,” before an unforgettable bus ride home. Ms. Trafford and Mr. Desnik endured three hours of nonstop singing from the team, whose musical talent may not have matched their football skills!

This dream was shared by players, parents, the entire community, and the school's HSIE/PE faculty and administrative staff who have been our number one fans. Ms. Trafford was the perfect support, making my job as coach much smoother. After a 10-game season and three years of hard work, Killarney’s football program is now firmly on the map. The journey continues, with the hope of a senior pre-season tour to capture the next trophy—the coveted CHS Cup.

Coach Desnik

It is the first time since 2002 that a public co-ed school has won the Bill Turner Cup.

The competition is normally won and dominated by prestigious private schools or Sports High schools. We have a very special team at our school this year  that has bucked this trend and against all odds beat Sydney North favourites including numerous elite private schools in the process such as Knox Grammar, St Ignatius College and Newington College to reach the finals. Newington College who we played in the quarter finals knocked out previous winners Westfield Sports High. These schools also have extremely well-funded football programs as well as professional coaches in their school. We beat Newington College after going down 1-0 early in the first half, only to level the game in the 2nd half and win by golden goal in extra time. 

The boys have won through pure determination, hard work and grit. As a parent of one of the players It has been wonderful to watch and be part of this journey. The boys have built special friendships along the way and always have each other's backs. We started a tradition in the early rounds where if the boys won an away game the parents would take them all to the closest KFC for a victory feed and celebration! They have even created their own songs along the way.

The players come mainly from local club Forest Killarney Football Club in The Manly Warringah Football Completion, as well as some U15 NPL1 representative players across Sydney FC, Manly United,  APIA Leichhardt FC and Northern Tigers.

An incredible achievement by Coach Desnik and this very special group of young players. Throughout the tournament and the finals they all demonstrated amazing skills, hard work, grit, teamwork, resilience,  patience, leadership and most importantly exceptional sportsmanship.

Peter Skjellerup
Parent of Liam - Goalie for the KHHS Bill Turner Cup Team

TAS

Year 11 Textiles and Design

Our Year 11 girls have just returned from an incredible trip to Gallery of Modern Art Brisbane, where they immersed themselves in the inspiring work of international fashion designer Iris Van Herpen, the exhibition showcased her innovative artistic work. The exhibition was a visual feast, demonstrating bold, thought-provoking clothing that left the students brimming with new ideas and enthusiasm. Beyond the exhibition, they explored Brisbane’s vibrant cultural scene, discovering everything from lively street art to unique local markets. The trip not only deepened their appreciation for contemporary art but also strengthened their friendships and provided them with lasting memories. A huge thank you to everyone who supported this adventure—your encouragement made this unforgettable experience possible. 

Welcome back, Year 11! We can’t wait to inspires your future work in the HSC. 

Ms Craig

Year 12 Hospitality

Year 12 Hospitality enjoyed their final assessment preparing a 3-course meal, which was completed successfully with great delight.

Ms Kirkpatrick

The Library Lowdown

Congratulations to our Year 7 – 9 students who completed the Premier’s Reading Challenge this year.  Your awards recognising your commitment to reading will arrive sometime in Term 4.  The PRC is a popular statewide program that encourages students to read with a focus on Australian literature.  With the challenge officially over for the year we need to encourage our children to keep reading and take advantage of the access to books available to them freely from both our school and local library services.

Our spring break challenge is to read a series.  In addition to a good storyline and character development it takes time to commit to a whole series. Maybe a household Wi-Fi outage or vacation at a remote campsite can help accomplish this challenge.

Popular series in our school are:

Audiobooks definitely aren’t cheating in this series challenge and you can access ours at:

https://khhs.wheelers.co/

Find time to read.

Ms. Kate Thompson
Teacher Librarian

Wellbeing

Student Achievements

Our incredibly talented student, Ethan Kwan, recently participated in playing the piano at the Australian National Eisteddfod in Canberra. Ethan brought home two impressive accolades: a Highly Commended award and 1st place!  This remarkable achievement is a testament to Ethan’s passion and perseverance. His journey has been filled with dedication and hard work. A heartfelt thank you to all our amazing teachers and our band conductors. The unwavering support, dedication, and encouragement have been instrumental in shaping Ethan into the outstanding young musician he is today. Congratulations, Ethan! Keep shining and reaching for the stars.

Emilie Bombardier participated in meaningful ‘giving back’ activities at Kids Giving Back recently. She was part of an extraordinary group of 900 young legends who provided over 6,800 meals, snack packs, and care packages, and wrote heartfelt messages to support 15 charities across Sydney. Their leadership, compassion, and commitment to making a difference not only supported those in need but also strengthened their own connection to the community.

Community News