Bayala - Term 1 Week 10 2024

'Bayala'

Welcome to our Newsletter 'Bayala'. 

'Bayala' is a Darug word meaning yarning or conversation. 

Our Vision

Upcoming Events

TERM 1 2024

• Aboriginal Student Leadership Camp - Tuesday 9 to Thursday 11 April 2024
• School Cross Country - Wednesday 10 April 2024
  

Term 2 2024

• Shape Exhibition Excursion - Tuesday 7 May 2024
• Year 10 English Theatre Excursion - Friday 10 May 2024
• The Crucible Symposium - Monday 13 May 2024
• Parent Teacher Evening - Tuesday 14 May 2024
• School Athletics Carnival - Wednesday 22 May 2024
• Year 10 Vaccinations - Friday 21 June 2024
• Year 10 Subject Selection Evening - Tuesday 25 June 2024
• Year 12 Trial Examinations - Wednesday 26 June to Friday 5 July 2024

Principal's Update

I am pleased to report that Term 1 started on a positive note, with the Secretary of the Department of Education, Murat Dizdar, formally acknowledging the school’s achievements in the 2023 HSC. Our school saw an uplift of 8.2%  from 2017-2018 in 2023 and saw a continued improvement in Band 5 and 6 results from 2022 to 2023 – one of the highest improvements in the State. The ongoing focus on student learning and growth at Hawkesbury High School is clearly paying off, including the explicit teaching of writing skills through the WALU writing scaffold, and reading skills through the MURU scaffold – both part of our continuous Hawkesbury Learning Journey. We are proud of our students’ achievements and acknowledge that parents have a key role in supporting and encouraging their children to always do their best.

The Hawkesbury High School community is currently looking at making appropriate and timely adjustments to the school crest to acknowledge that the school motto – Sharing Our Heritage – includes rich cultural heritage that goes back at least 50 – 60 thousand years. The current school crest, originally designed more than 40 years ago, certainly acknowledges Hawkesbury’s very recent history, but omits a significant part of our history that came before it. The tall ship, the steam ship and a farmer capture the spirit and character of the Hawkesbury, but they exclude the spirit and character of the Hawkesbury in pre-colonial times.

All parents and community members will have an opportunity next term to attend a Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meeting where I will go through some design proposals for changes to the school crest and seek community feedback. All draft design proposals will be made available to all parents prior to the PAC meeting.  More information about next term’s PAC meeting will be provided closer to the date, most likely in late May or early June.

I would also like to inform you that the school will continue having two parent/teacher evenings this year. The first parent/teacher evening will be on Tuesday, 14 May, while the second opportunity to talk to your children’s teachers face to face will be in Term 3, on Tuesday, 30 July.  Both parent/teacher evenings will be open to parents of all year groups from years 7 to 12. Interview booking information via the Parent Sentral Portal will be emailed to all parents at the beginning of Term 2.

Finally, I have included the updated WHO CAN I TALK TO? parent guide to school contacts.  Please use this guide when making contact with the school to ensure that your questions or concerns are promptly addressed. If in doubt, you can always contact the front office first.

Igor Maric                                                                                                                                                                                            Principal

7 Star News

7Star have had a super busy second part of the term with Year 7 Camp, Harmony Day celebrations, planting out our new garden beds, engaging in mind bending STEM Projects, Visual Arts, History and Resilience Project lessons all the while working super hard in English and Maths. Here are some photo’s of 7STAR in action.

This week we are VERY excited to celebrate World Autism Day on 2^nd April. Keep an eye out on our Facebook Page and the next school newsletter for photo’s.

Miss Maul

The Great Aussie Bush Camp - Tea Gardens

Year 7 had an amazing time at The Great Aussie Bush Camp Tea Gardens. Students enjoyed various activities including flying fox, conoeing and archery.

Aboriginal Education meeting

At Hawkesbury High School we value cultural diversity and acknowledge the many cultures that create our school community. Yesterday afternoon, meeting on Dharug Country, our Aboriginal Education Team met to yarn about an array of opportunities to acknowledge and celebrate Aboriginal cultures, histories and people over the coming terms.

Zone Swimming Carnival

Congrats to the 13 years boys 4x50m relay team - Jordan, Joel, Lucas and Flynn, who won their heat at the Zone Swimming carnival.

Also, a huge congrats to Tahi, who won his heat of the 16 years 50m Freestyle, and Tyler, who finished 3rd in his heat of the 13 years 100m Freestyle.

Awesome work boys!

Girls Open Netball

Our Girls Open Netball team started their Sydney West Knock Out Competition campaign. Round 1 saw the girls take on a very vocal and physical Rooty Hill High School. Despite some stray passes early on in the first quarter, the girls held their own in a very physical game, running away with a 48-23 win.

The girls will now move into round 2. Well done girls on a well earned win.

An extra special thank you to former student, Jacinta Packer for giving back to HHS by assisting with umpiring our match.

Positive Paws Program

Congratulations to the Term 1 participants of the Positive Paws Program held at the Guide Dogs Centre Glossodia.                                                                                                                                                                                             

The students had a wonderful time and were excellent ambassadors for the Guide Dogs Program.       

Layla has been asked to come back as a mentor for the next group.

Sports Star

Congratulations to Sarah, Year 9, who competed in the Arndell Interschools Jumping Classic on Saturday the 2nd March. Sarah competed in the 60cm and 75cm, and made the jump off (finals) in the 60cm. Well done Sarah!

Student Achievement

Tristal, Year 10 attended the 2024 Archery Australian National Youth Championships at Tuggeranong last week and over the Easter long weekend. The competition ran over 6 days. There were youth archers from WA, SA, QLD, VIC, NSW, ACT and TAS. Tristal shot incredibly well. The highlight of the event was Tristal achieving the Bronze Medal for the Indoor Shoot, especially after having 2 separate equipment issues, she still came 3rd for the Bronze Medal.  In the other events Tristal came 4th for the field event, and 4th for the two outdoor events (720 and a 900). Over the whole week she shot roughly around 600 arrows. With several 5am starts, it was a long tiring week for Tristal.

Tristal was also selected for the NSW State Component Team back in February. The NSW team was very lucky to win 1st place and received the Gold Medal.

Natalie Burton Memorial Award Recipient

Hawkesbury High School Alumni, Jonathan Moore came back to school to receive the Natalie Burton Memorial Award. Natalie Burton was a remarkable individual who died from cancer in March 2003 at the age of 32. Natalie was herself an exceptional student who accomplished a great deal during her life. This award aims to see Natalie’s life and her extraordinary achievements inspire local students to overcome adversity in their own lives to still achieve. The award is intended for a recipient who has faced a challenging circumstance and, despite this adversity, has still succeeded through their personal application and determination. Jonathan was successful in receiving this award due to his ability to overcome adversity and work hard despite any challenges placed in front of him. He has faced remarkable odds and was successful in completing his HSC when many didn't believe it was possible. Congratulations Jonathan.

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood

Time to give blood and change lives.  1 in 3 people in Richmond will need blood, and they need people like you to give it. We’re rolling into town 15 to 18 April. Don’t forget to pre-book your spot at Lifeblood.com.au, on our app or on 13 14 95.