Deputy Principal Report

Newcastle High School has had an outstanding start to the 2025 academic year. Our staff and students have returned from the holidays re-energised and eager to engage in high-quality teaching and learning. Classrooms are already alive with dynamic, focused, and engaging lessons, and our students have settled in with enthusiasm and motivation. It is a privilege to work alongside such dedicated staff and students as we look forward to an exciting year filled with academic, cultural, sporting, and social opportunities. We commend our students for their positive approach to the new school year and encourage them to keep up their momentum.

Our 2025 Senior Executive Team includes:

• Dr Janene Rosser – Principal (NHS and CHC)
• Mr Joel Anderson – Deputy Principal (Years 8 & 12)
• Mrs Michelle Fraser – Deputy Principal (Years 7 & 10)
• Mr Craig Maher – Deputy Principal (Years 9 & 11)
• Mrs Quinn Robertson – Campus Leader (CHC)

Exciting Progress: The School Rebuild

The ongoing school rebuild continues to bring exciting developments to Newcastle High School. As construction progresses, there will be some changes to the physical landscape of the Parkway Avenue site. These include the demolition of existing buildings, the establishment of new learning spaces, the introduction of demountable classrooms, modifications to playground areas, and occasional restrictions on movement throughout the school. We sincerely appreciate the patience and cooperation of students, staff, and families throughout this process. The future of Newcastle High School is bright, with a state-of-the-art, modern, and future-focused school environment on the horizon. 

Our Commitment to High Expectations

Newcastle High School upholds high expectations for both students and staff. We ask parents and carers to support us in fostering a culture of responsibility, respect, and participation. Here are some key areas to focus on:

1. Behaviour and Core Values
At Newcastle High School, we expect all students to embody our core values of Respect, Responsibility, and Participation in everything they do. This means showing kindness and consideration to peers, teachers, and the wider community, taking responsibility for their actions, and fully engaging in all learning opportunities. Any behaviour that disrupts learning, disrespects others, or undermines our school environment will not be tolerated and will be addressed by staff and the Senior Executive Team.

2. Taking Care of Our Environment
We take great pride in our school and expect all students to do the same. Issues such as littering, chewing gum, and graffiti are ongoing concerns, and we urge all students to play their part in keeping our environment clean and safe. Bins are provided throughout the school—please use them. Chewing gum is not permitted on school grounds, and any instances of graffiti will be dealt with seriously. Let’s all work together to keep Newcastle High School a space of which we can be proud.

3. Mobile Phones
Technology is a valuable educational tool, but it can also be a distraction in the classroom. While we understand that many students carry mobile phones for personal and safety reasons, we remind all families to review our ‘Off and Away’ policy. From the first to the last bell, mobile phones and wireless headphones must remain off and out of sight unless a teacher permits their use for a specific learning activity. Unauthorised use will result in disciplinary action, and parents may be required to collect the phone from the front office. Please reinforce these expectations with your child to ensure maximum engagement in learning.

4. School Uniform
Our school has a proud history, and wearing the uniform correctly is a key part of our identity. Our colours have remained unchanged for over a century, reflecting our motto, ‘Remis Velisque’, meaning ‘With Oars and Sails’—a commitment to giving our best effort. Students are expected to be in full uniform each day. Our Deputy Principals and Wellbeing Team will be actively monitoring uniform compliance. If you require assistance in obtaining the correct uniform, please contact your child’s Year Advisor or the Wellbeing Team.

5. BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)
From 2025, all students are required to bring a device to school each day to support their learning. Devices will be checked each morning, and students who forget theirs will be able to borrow a day loan from the library. For families who may have difficulty purchasing a device, long-term loans are available. Please ensure your child brings their device daily, as technology is an essential tool in the modern learning environment.

6. Attendance Matters
Regular attendance is crucial for academic success. Arriving late, leaving early, or missing school can have a significant impact on learning. While some absences are unavoidable, students with ongoing attendance concerns will be monitored closely by the Senior Executive Team.

• If the music plays, it’s time to move to class!
• Thursday afternoon is sport afternoon for Years 7-10 and is a compulsory part of the curriculum. Please avoid scheduling appointments during this time.
• Year 11 and some Year 12 students must attend Period Zero on Thursdays, as it is essential to meeting their required study hours. Attendance is expected at all times.

7. Safe Travel to and from School
Students in full Newcastle High School uniform represent our school at all times, including before and after school. The majority of our students demonstrate respectful behaviour in the community, but those who do not will be referred to the Senior Executive for follow-up. Parents are reminded to adhere to road rules, school zones, and parking restrictions to ensure student safety. Please note that parking inspectors and police regularly monitor school zones.

8. Storing Bikes, Scooters, and Skateboards
Students who ride bikes, scooters, or skateboards to school must use designated storage areas:

• Bikes should be walked through school grounds and locked in the bike racks near the old staff car park (accessible via the Smith Street entrance).
• Scooters and skateboards must be carried through school grounds and stored in the designated container.
• Students bring these items at their own risk. To protect against rain, parents are encouraged to provide scooter and skateboard covers.
• Items must not be stored in any other location on school grounds.

9. Student Support Services
Building strong relationships with teachers and peers plays a key role in student wellbeing. Each year group has a dedicated Year Advisor who supports students from Year 7 through to Year 12. These advisors are also the first point of contact for parents seeking assistance. Our Wellbeing Team provides additional support, ensuring students always have a trusted adult to turn to for assistance. Year Advisors can facilitate further intervention by referring students to the Faculty Head Teacher, Student Support Officer, Counsellor, or Deputy Principal as needed.

2025 Year Advisors include:

• Mr Anthony Carver – Year 7
• Mr Shane Kegel – Year 8
• Mr Jamie Grove – Year 9
• Mr Paul Myers – Year 10
• Miss Gemma Gibson – Year 11
• Mrs Deb Ellis – Year 12

Upcoming Events

A variety of exciting educational, cultural, and sporting activities are coming up. Stay informed through our school calendar, website, and social media platforms for details on the following events:

• Stage 4 Information Night (Years 7 & 8) Monday 24 February, from 4:30 - 5:30 pm in the Cultural Centre
• Stage 5 Information Night (Years 9 & 10) Monday 24 February, from 5:30 - 6:30 pm in the Cultural Centre
• Year 11 Assessment and Curriculum Information Evening Tuesday 18 February 4.30-5.30pm in the Cultural Centre
• Aboriginal Education Yarn Up and BBQ (Term 1 Date TBA)
• School Photos – Wednesday February 19 (catchup day Friday 28 February)
• NHS Swimming Carnival Tuesday 25 February
• Year 12 Wellbeing Day Friday 7 March
• Year 7 and 9 NAPLAN 12-24 March
• Year 11 Wellbeing Day Friday 4 April
• Year 7 Camp 30 April - 2 May

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to another fantastic and productive year at Newcastle High School.

The Senior Executive Team