As another educational year draws to a close we have a wonderful opportunity to take the time to reflect on the multitude of beautiful memories created at Newcastle High School in 2023. Through student participation in a myriad of successful extra-curricular, sporting, cultural, social, and academic activities, strong friendships have developed, respect, responsibility and resilience has been fostered and skills for life-long learning have developed. I am very proud to have shared this learning journey with each of our students.
Our academic reports will be published on the parent portal in Week 10. Please take the time to reflect on the nuances of your student’s report as each individual’s unique passions and pursuits are unpacked by their teachers. It is a great opportunity to open a dialogue about what is important to them and an insight into the successes and opportunities for the next academic year. It is through this communication platform that teachers provide a snapshot of the learning to inform you how your child is performing against the outcomes in each course; it is worth noting that a ‘C’ grade signifies a student is progressing at the expected year group level and demonstrating sound skills. The attitudes to learning often provide a good opportunity to start a conversation where you can ask your student self-reflective questions about how these attributes may have impacted on their learning in a positive manner. The pride I felt as I read the Year 8 and 11 reports enhanced my belief about the high calibre of our students and the exciting futures that lie ahead of them.
Year 8 Overview
At the conclusion of their Stage 4 studies, our students have now completed two years of secondary education. They have engaged in a range of curriculum based activities to enhance their understanding of course based outcomes developed by our team of fabulous teachers. The plethora of supplementary programs and excursions enhanced student learning and gave them so many memories to share both now and in the future. Students represented NHS across 14 different sports at school, zone, regional, state and national levels both as part of a team and some as individual participants. This sporting spirit was captured in the participation levels at school swimming and athletic carnivals where our house colours and chants channelled the passion of the day. Our Aboriginal dancers performed in various community forums showcasing the talent of our students. The Yamamaliko Girls Group and the Write it Right! Program were a great success. Our Starstruck performers collaborated with other schools to wow our community with their talents and our young dramatists and SU attended multiple theatre productions designed to inspire and inform. Our scientists explored iSTEM opportunities and the CSIRO iSTEM Program captured brilliant minds who will transform our future with their coding skills. Wellbeing - Maroong Marai Days and Police talks enhanced our mental health and our civic mindfulness focusing on looking after ourselves and those in our community. Our EAL/D students adventured to local sights and explored the benefits of a Newcastle city lifestyle whilst cultivating new friendships as they settled in to our school. As always, our NHS tradition of passion electives captured the imagination of our students who exhibited their projects with the pride that comes with diligent pursuits. This is but a snapshot of a magnificent year filled with dynamic learning!
Year 11 Overview
From the theory of study skills and vocational goal setting to the inspirational Career Expo which showed the allure of a range of careers to the actionable University and TAFE onsite visits and short courses, our students have spent the last year preparing themselves for success in life-long learning. Our talented teaching staff have developed a comprehensive series of challenging opportunities which have created diverse learning experiences supporting the student’s individual interests and transition post HSC. The diversity of sporting opportunities contrasted with the academic pursuits of Newcastle and Sydney University challenges particularly but not exclusively in the Maths, Science, iSTEM fields allowing students to excel across a range of faculty areas. External providers offered vocational support and helped establish HSC pathways with our CAT team including TVET subjects, with work experience and work placement opportunities. The Hospitality team working ‘hands on’ with the best in the industry at the Sydney Food and Wine Expo was simply amazing. The Sydney and Newcastle Art Gallery, Theatre Excursions and multiple Museum visits for HSC best practice showcases complemented the curriculum opportunities in so many subject areas particularly CAPA, TAS, HSIE and English and inspired major works commencing this term. Who could forget the PDHPE Snow Trip and the many tales that arose from that camp? The wellbeing opportunities and academic successes too many and varied across all our faculty areas to mention in detail. Our new library and Senior Study becoming an industrious hive full of collaborative learning was a pleasure to watch develop.
Our students are well prepared to transition successfully into their HSC courses and can use the January holidays to organise their study spaces and mindfulness routines to support their academic pathways so they are well prepared for HSC success come Term One, 2024. Any student or parent looking for HSC lifestyle tips and tricks can find a DOE toolkit of useful resources here: https://education.nsw.gov.au/schooling/students/stay-healthy-hsc
Merry Christmas to all our wonderful families and I look forward to working with you all again in 2024! Thank you for another fabulous year at Newcastle High School.
Michelle Fraser
Deputy Principal (Years 8 & 11).
