Principal's Report

Happy Easter

At the end of a busy Term 1, I’d like to wish our learning community a very Happy Easter.  We have started the year focused on the school’s strategic plans to achieve excellence and when we return to Term 2, we will be putting many of these plans into action.  School resumes for all students on Tuesday 20 April.  Monday 19 April is a pupil-free School Development Day. The school office will be open for enquiries, however, teaching staff will be unavailable and off-site most of the day, engaged in professional learning on Teaching for the Future, presented by Michael McQueen.  More information on what our staff will be learning about through this keynote can be Viewed Here. 

Staffing Matters Term 2

Next term we welcome Mr Anthony Surace as the new Head Teacher Mathematics, appointed through merit selection this term.  Mr Surace comes to us from Balgowlah Boys Campus on the Northern Beaches, after 12 years there as the Head Teacher Mathematics. He brings with him a wealth of experience in Mathematics and whole school numeracy leadership, and will be starting with us on Day 1, Term 2.

During Term 2, Ms Quinn Robertson will be relieving as Principal, while I am on leave.  As a result of COVID-19 last year, my study leave was postponed into 2021.  While my intention was not to be on leave this year starting my principalship at Newcastle High School, the purpose of my leave is to complete my PhD in Education and work on completing my academic research.  I aspire to be the lead learner in our school and completing this work will support me being the best leader I can be for our school and community.  I am truly honoured to be the Principal of our school and thank everyone for their support of my journey to complete this work whilst on leave.  Mr Nick Willis will be the relieving Deputy Principal Campus Leader at our Cooks Hill Campus site while Ms Quinn Robertson is relieving Principal.

HSC Excellence Strategy

Achieving HSC Excellence is a strategic focus for our school over the next four years.  Our plan to improve in this area is multi-faceted and has started with a focus on developing our high expectations learning culture, classroom management, assessment and the use of data to inform practice.  These are all strategies that we know work best for the achievement of excellence.

All Stage 6 students, regardless of their chosen pathway through this time in their schooling, are expected to be engaged in the programs of the school, attending more than 90% and giving their personal best at all times.  Our Stage 6 Deputy Principals are working closely with all students and staff to support these high expectations.

Principal - Janene Rosser