Hawkesbury High School eNewsletter

'Bayala'

Welcome to our Newsletter 'Bayala'.

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

Our Vision

"Building a caring and safe learning environment where great teaching supports and inspires all students to grow, develop and succeed."

Upcoming Events

Term 2

Year 10 Youth Aware of Mental Health Program - Tuesdays 28 May, 4th and 11 June 2024
U'14's Panther Trophy - Wednesday 5 June 2024
Year 10 WSU Fast Forward Visit - Wednesday 5 June 2024
Macquarie Zone Athletics Carnival - Thursday 6 June 2024
Hawkesbury Farm Case Study Excursion - Tuesday 11 June 2024
Creative and Performing Arts Showcase - Thursday 13 June 2024
Stage 6 Chemistry and Biology Days WSU - Wednesday 19 June 2024
White Card Course - Wednesday 19 June 2024
Year 10 Vaccinations - Friday 21 June 2024
Multi Sports Day - Tuesday 25 June 2024
Year 10 Subject Selection Evening - Tuesday 25 June 2024
Year 12 Trial Examinations - Wednesday 26 June to Friday 5 July 2024

Term 3

Students return (start of Term 3) - Monday 22 July 2024
Staff Development Day (Pupil Free) - Friday 26 July 2024

Principal's Update

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.

Staff and students have come up with several possible designs. Although these designs are not the final, polished product, they include the design language of what a modified school crest could look like. A common theme is the inclusion of a long neck turtle, which has also been part of the Hawkesbury Learning Journey – our learning scaffold that has supported significant growth in our HSC results.

I have recently emailed all parents, students and staff a survey link, seeking your views on the proposed changes to the school crest. This feedback will be considered before any decisions about changes to the school crest are made. All parents and community members will also have an opportunity to attend a Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meeting where I will go through survey results and seek additional feedback. Please note that if the school introduces a new crest, the introduction would be gradual, and there would be no requirement to replace uniforms students already own.

I am also pleased to report that our Year 7 students have engaged with the Dharug language program as part of the Languages curriculum at the school. Students will continue learning Japanese, but this learning will be supplemented by learning Dharug language too. This is a great way to include and embed syllabus requirements and raise awareness of the rich cultural heritage of the land where our school stands.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Kevin from Affordable Turf Supplies for donating his time and the turf that was recently placed in front of the school’s fence at the Hibbert’s Lane entrance. It’s great to see the school and community working together to visually enhance our learning environment.

Igor Maric Principal

From The Deputies

Uniform

I would like to thank parents and students for maintaining the school’s STAR values by wearing the correct school uniform. Correct uniform is an important safety consideration that allows the school to manage risks around unauthorised people on the school grounds.

The following are important reminders of the HHS school uniform procedures:

UNIFORM TO BE WORN IN COOLER WEATHER

The striped school jacket, HHS school hoodie or school jumper (maroon) with the school emblem.
The HHS track pants are the only track pants allowed as school uniform.
A plain navy or black crew neck sweatshirt may be worn under the school uniform jacket if an extra warm layer is needed.
Non HHS hooded tops (hoodies), non HHS tracksuit pants, jeans, leggings and non-HHS sport shorts are non-uniform items and cannot be worn to school.
If a student is out of uniform, they may be provided with appropriate clothing and be expected to change.
Students who are out of uniform and without a note from parents, will be issued a recess detention. Parents will be notified if a student does not attend that detention.

School Uniform Code

If you have any queries about uniform or require assistance, please contact the school on 4579 6800.

Positive Paws Program

Each term, a small group of HHS students attends the Glossodia site of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT to participate in a program with Guide Dog puppies. The students attend once a week for approximately two hours and participate in activities that increase the socialisation of young puppies before they leave Guide Dogs for their puppy raisers.

The Positive Paws Program is an amazing collaboration between the school and members of the local community, that benefits both the Guide Dog puppies and our students.

If students are interested in participating in the program, they are to see Mrs Shortland and will be placed on the waiting list.

Reward and Recognition Procedures

The school’s Reward and Recognition procedures aim to:

Increase student connection with the school community
Encourage staff to recognise student strengths and achievements
Promote a positive school culture as there is an emphasis on positive behaviour.

Students will be issued STAR Merit Certificates by teachers for displaying behaviours based on the STAR expectations either inside or outside the classroom.

Students will keep the merit certificates and have them officially recorded on Sentral and in their Mentor Booklets by their mentor teacher.

The merits will be converted into points on Sentral which will contribute towards House points.

The core values and expectations of Hawkesbury High School that will be recognised are that students will:

Be SAFE- wear school uniform, go to class on time, follow instructions, act responsibly online.

Be a TEAM PLAYER- work with and support others, positive response to feedback, accept diversity and difference.

Be an ACHIEVER- be prepared for class, do your best, participate in learning.

Be RESPECTFUL- use appropriate and respectful language, look after the school environment.

There will be “STAR Focus Weeks” at different times through the year when a nominated STAR expectation will be the focus of promotion and celebration.

Higher levels of the merit system are Bronze, Silver and Gold Certificates. Please see the Flow chart below.

School service encompasses actions or activities the student has participated in within the school, eg Library monitor, taking part in a school assembly, “buddy” to a new student on enrolment.

Community service encompasses actions or activities the student has participated in that involve representing the school to the wider community, eg sporting representation, Taking part in ANZAC services, being involved in Open Night.

If a student has any queries about the Reward and Recognition procedure, please see Mrs Shortland.

Kerrie Shortland Deputy Principal

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Year 10 Senior Subject Selection information

The Senior School curriculum at Hawkesbury High School offers a wide variety of subjects and courses, from which each student may select to suit his/her individual needs.

Year 10 are embarking on the very important process of selecting subjects for their senior years.

There are several stages involved in this process, as outlined in the table below.

Senior Subject Selection 2024 Timeline of Events

Year 8 elective subject selection for 2025

The Middle School curriculum at Hawkesbury High School offers a wide variety of elective subjects, from which each student may select to suit his/her individual interests.

The process of choosing the right course is a personal one. Students are encouraged to be responsible and realistic when they use this freedom to choose.

They are advised to select subjects that tap into their aspirations and interests, where they can utilise their enthusiasm and strengths to achieve to their potential and become self-motivated, life-long learners.

Junior Subject Selection 2024 Timeline of Events

Nicole Martirena Deputy Principal

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Star Class Garden Gift Voucher

Star Class have been lucky to receive a $500 gift voucher from Hawkesbury City Council’s Bright Ideas to Build Resilience Sponsorship CONNECT – BELONG – BE INVOLVED. This activity has been funded by Wentworth Healthcare, provider of Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network, as part of the Australian government’s response to the 2019/20 bushfires, and ongoing floods.

HSC Symposium Theatre Excursion

Year 12 English Advanced students travelled to Riverside Theatre in Parramatta to watch key scenes from The Crucible, as part of their drama study in the unit “Texts and Human Experiences”. Students were also lucky enough to listen to a lecture by the creative director of “Sport for Jove” to assist in their critical understanding of the text, and how it can help them to reflect on the world and their place within it.

Secondary Schools Student Leadership Day

Hawkesbury High School Captains Georgia Haines and Renee Sultana attended the Parliament of New South Wales Secondary Schools Student Leadership Day in Sydney. Our captains visited NSW Parliament House, where they heard leadership advice from NSW Members of Parliament, including NSW State Member for Hawkesbury Robyn Preston, and observed Question Time in the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council Chambers. Georgia and Renee also toured Government House, and listened to Governor of NSW Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley share wisdom about leadership.

Star Class News

Interschools Equestrian Championships

On Tuesday 16th April 2024, Hawkesbury High School had 5 students compete in the NSW State Interschools Championships at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre. All students represented Hawkesbury High School exceptionally well and had a very successful day.

Competing in horse walk classes we were represented by Charlotte and Isabella of Year 7, and competing in horse canter classes we had Riley and Kallie of Year 8. We also had Abbie in Year 7 compete in Combined Training and Showjumping.

Students were able to compete in both individual, paired and squad classes on both horses and stationary barrels.

Charlotte competed in 4 classes finishing 3rd in her horse individual, 1st as part of a horse squad, 2nd in barrel individual and 1st in barrel pairs.

School Athletics Carnival

Students had an amazing time at the School Athletics Carnival at Tamplin Field Hobartville. The sun was out, the sausage snags were cooking (thanks Year 12) and school spirit was through the roof!

Australian Red Cross - Richmond Park

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 Richmond from 17 to 20 June. Don’t forget to pre-book your spot at Lifeblood.com.au, on our app or on 13 14 95.

Sackville Ferry: Extended closure for ferry replacement on Wednesday 5 June

Detours

Transport for NSW

Bayala - Term 2 Week 5 2024