Principals Message

Cantabrian Superstars

The Cantabrian Superstars section has traditionally recognised students for achievements such as winning competitions or being selected to represent in sporting teams. This week, however, I would like to acknowledge a different, yet equally important, kind of achievement.

Recently, four of our students experienced a challenging encounter with two teenage boys during sport. The maturity, composure and resilience they demonstrated during and after this incident was outstanding. Their ability to remain calm, support one another and respond appropriately reflects the strength of character we value so highly in our students.

It makes me incredibly proud to lead a school community where students look out for each other and uphold our shared values, even in difficult situations.

This week’s Cantabrian Superstars are Phoebe (Year 9), Ashna (Year 10), Maya (Year 9) and Charlotte (Year 9), recognised for their quick thinking, maturity and resilience. They are exceptional representatives of our school, and we are very proud of them.

Principal’s Report – End of Term 1

As we reach the end of Term 1, it is hard to believe that we are already one quarter of the way through the school year. It has been an incredibly busy and productive term, filled with opportunities to celebrate, connect and grow as a school community.

We began the year by celebrating our outstanding HSC results, recognising the dedication and success of our 2024 cohort. We also warmly welcomed our new Year 7 students, who have made an excellent start to their high school journey. It has been a pleasure to see them settle in so positively.

This term has also provided many opportunities for connection with our broader community. Our Open Evening was a wonderful showcase of our school, and it was fantastic to welcome so many prospective families. We have also held Parent-Teacher evenings for Years 7 and 12, strengthening the important partnership between home and school.

Our students have been actively engaged beyond the classroom, with a wide range of excursions and sporting events. Highlights include our Swimming Carnival and participation in various knockout competitions. We were also proud to launch our inaugural Primary Links program, Project Spark, in partnership with Stage 2 students from Canterbury Public School—an exciting initiative that we look forward to growing in the future.

There is certainly much to celebrate from this term, and even more to look forward to as the year continues.

School Contributions

This week, families will have noticed an update to voluntary school contributions for 2026 in School Bytes. I would like to sincerely thank those families who have already made their contributions.

We are extremely grateful that some families choose to make voluntary financial contributions to our school. These contributions play a vital role in enhancing the learning environment for our students. Elective contributions, in particular, support subjects that are not mandatory and have associated material costs.

In 2025, contributions enabled a number of significant upgrades, including:

• Enhanced sound and lighting in the Studio
• Flexible furniture and new technology in our upgraded STEM space, including a 3D printer and laser cutter
• Technology upgrades in six classrooms, including interactive panels and new whiteboard-top desks
• Final installation of air conditioning across the school, with only the MPC remaining
• A professional, removable volleyball net installed in the MPC
• Additions to our school library collection
• Additional new textbooks to support curriculum rollout across a range of subjects
• New staging for the MPC

Looking ahead to 2026, planned improvements include:

• Upgrading sound in the MPC
• New texts for English courses
• Additional textbooks for HSIE subjects
• Continued upgrades to classrooms and equipment, including specialised equipment for practical subjects

Our longer-term priorities for larger projects include:

• Installation of a school-wide PA system
• Air conditioning for the MPC
• Upgrades to our commercial kitchen
• Upgrade to the school gym

In addition, I am continuing to work closely with the Department’s Infrastructure team, strongly advocating for the upgrade of our senior student bathrooms.

These improvements have a direct impact on student learning, wellbeing and engagement. We are grateful for your continued support in making these opportunities possible.

If you are experiencing financial hardship, please reach out to the school office.

Uniform

Our onsite uniform shop continues to be busy, and we are currently awaiting a small order of skirts that are on backorder. In the meantime, orders placed at school on Wednesdays are typically delivered on Thursdays for collection.

Thank you to our families for your patience while waiting for items. I hope you agree that the uniform looks fantastic and contributes positively to our strong sense of school pride.

As the weather begins to cool, I would like to take this opportunity to remind families of our uniform expectations. Following a particularly cold day last Friday, I was disappointed to note a decline in uniform standards. Tracksuit pants and hoodies are not permitted as part of the school uniform. The uniform shop has tailored pants and long sleeve shirts available. The school tracksuit pants are only to be worn on a Wedensday as part of the sport uniform. 

We know that the best outcomes for students occur when schools and families work in partnership. I ask for your support in ensuring that all students come to school each day in the correct uniform. 

ASPIRE – Our New Merit System

This term, we were excited to launch our new whole-school merit system, ASPIRE.

Previously, the school operated separate recognition and merit systems. Following consultation with our Prefects, Student Representative Council and staff, these have now been combined into one unified approach that more clearly reflects our school values and vision.

While it was challenging to narrow our focus, together we identified six key values that underpin ASPIRE:
Ambition, Service, Participation, Inclusivity, Respect and Excellence.

Students will continue to work towards Bronze, Silver and Gold levels across Years 7–9 and 10–12. However, progression is now directly linked to the ASPIRE points they earn both in the classroom and through their involvement in school activities link to the different ASPIRE values.

Since launching just three weeks ago, there have already been:

• 1219 entries
• 1820 points awarded

This is a fantastic reflection of the positive culture within our school and the commitment of both staff and students to recognising achievement.

ASPIRE also strengthens our House system. Points contribute not only to individual student progress, but also to House totals – broadening the House competition beyond traditional events such as carnivals and into everyday school life.

Congratulations to our current House leaders in ASPIRE points, as shown below. We look forward to seeing this initiative continue to grow and further celebrate the many successes of our students.

Brisbane

Darwin

Canberra

Adelaide

As we approach the holiday period, I would like to wish all families who celebrate Easter a very happy and joyful time with loved ones.

To our entire school community, I hope you enjoy a safe and restful break. We look forward to welcoming all students back to school on Wednesday 22 April, refreshed and ready for another exciting term.

Student Shout Out

This week, we proudly recognise Guamaral Purevdavaa for her outstanding achievements in an international competition held in Paris. Despite facing challenges from time zone differences, she demonstrated exceptional talent and determination.

In the junior category, Guamaral Purevdavaa secured 1st place, winning 7 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze medal across 10 events. Impressively, she also ranked 2nd overall when competing against elite adult world champions from India. Additionally, she set 4 new Australian national records, highlighting her remarkable skill and dedication.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Guamaral Purevdavaa and thank her family for sharing this wonderful news. We also appreciate the support of our teachers and staff who encourage all students to strive for excellence.

Keep up the fantastic work, Guamaral Purevdavaa!

International Women’s Day Lunch 2026

On Wednesday 4 March a small group of Year 11 and 12 students from leadership groups had the incredible opportunity to attend the 2026 UN Women International Women’s Day lunch at the International Convention Centre. The event was attended by more than 1000 people, and it was absolutely incredible to be in a room with so many influential women.

We heard from Grace Tame, an Australian activist and 2021 Australian of the Year, speak about her experience as a sexual assault survivor and the importance of recognising sexual abuse against children and acting on it to create change. Another amazing speaker was Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts, a commissioner for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander children & young people, who spoke about the need for institutionalised change within our out-of-home care system and the devastation that a broken system can create for individuals and families. These speakers made the important observation that the only way to build a better future is to change the systems that deny women the rights they deserve. Both of these women told powerful stories and reminded us that everyone can use their voice to speak up and create change, even if their voices are suppressed by those in power and the society around us. Hearing these speakers reminded us that International Women’s Day is not just a day to celebrate women, but a symbol of resistance for women’s struggles and the ongoing struggle that we face, not just within Australia, but around the world.

The final speaker of the afternoon was Jennifer Robinson, an inspirational human rights lawyer and barrister. Her inspiring speech explored how the legal system acts against women who experience domestic violence and abuse and how the current media impacts cases. Jennifer was one of Amber Heard’s lawyers in her first trial and in her speech she explained how during Amber’s US trial bots and AI were used to create a flood of opinions about Amber which downplayed the very serious matter of domestic violence that was being examined. Amber’s loss was truly devastating for Jennifer as she felt that it was disempowering to women less known than Amber and she thought about the many young women who may feel spiritless in these kinds of situations. Jennifer went on to talk about her book ‘How Many More Women?’, which is actually being turned into a documentary that is coming out later this year, it discusses the wide variety of cases that have frustrated her about the legal system’s treatment of women and her hopes of supporting the change that will come from speaking out. The overall message of Jennifer’s speech was truly inspiring and it encouraged me to persist in my education so that I too can be as impactful as her.

The whole experience was truly an incredible opportunity. I hope that everyone in the room went home with the same message ringing in their heads that speaking out is the most important and impactful thing you can do to gain change for women globally, people won’t listen unless we speak out. This day was super inspiring and educational and we are both truly grateful to the school for taking us to this event and we thank everyone that put the work into getting this opportunity for us and making it happen.

By Ellinor and Polly from Year 11 SRC

Zonta International Women’s Day Breakfast

On Friday, 6th of March, Zonta Sydney West, together with Bankstown Girls High School held an International Women’s Day Event. To celebrate this occasion, Zonta had invited the leadership teams of Canterbury Girls High School to be participate in this occasion. In this event, I was provided with the opportunity to be presented with the runner-up certificate for Young Women in Leadership Award, in which I was extremely grateful for as it had proven that my leadership achievements, and a dedication to building a better world for women and girls through service and advocacy was recognised. For this recognition, I had to demonstrate a deep understanding about an issue that resonated deeply with me, in which I had worked towards awareness with women and children seeking refuge. As a coach, and a student who works towards childcare as a career, I find deeper meaning in outlining the issues such as the lack of financial support and legal aid being provided to support these people. However, understanding does not mean to know, I would have to to work towards a solution whilst showcasing an in depth understanding within Australia and internationally. As a beginner friendly plan, I started a plan to first create fundraisers that were out of the ordinary to capture attention, which creates reasoning for the community to engage, such as an auction similar to SCHF’s Emerald Ball. However I lacked the resources for this, so I seemed professionals that would educate me and assist in finding out what the underlying causes are that lead many women and children to have to seek refuge, a lot being due to domestic violence, and what solutions an adolescent like me can do. Through research and different approaches to advocate, I was able to receive the runner-up for Zonta’s International Young Women in Leadership award, and the opportunity to learn how to change our world in different ways. This year’s theme, Balance the Scales, truly highlighted what it means to fight for equity for different groups of people. I am more than grateful to have been able to experience this, and share perspectives of many other winners at Bankstown Girls High School, who worked as hard as I did and demonstrated that the new generation will be making changes for a better world. 

– Zacha Chaiyurawat

On Friday the 6th of March, representatives from the SRC and the Prefects attended the Zonta International Women’s Day breakfast held at Bankstown Girls High School. One of our prefects, Zacha, was the runner up for the Young Women in Leadership award. She received a certificate for her accomplishment and was handed a yellow rose, the symbol Zonta yellow rose Month – March. Additionally, the Year 10 Citizenship award was recognised, with both male and female recipients walking the stage and then participating in a candlelight ceremony. The candlelight ceremony honoured the lives of the thousands of women who lose their lives to gender based violence. The event was accompanied by a delicious assortment of breakfast foods, made by the Bankstown Girls High School students which we were extremely appreciative of.

– Phoebe-Grace Scott

Banksia Class

This term, the students in Banksia class have been enjoying a wide range of hands-on and creative learning experiences across their subjects.

In Food Tech,they have engaged in cooking lessons where they developed practical skills, followed recipes, worked collaboratively and ate some yummy food. They have explored gardening and how to care for plants and herbs to cook with, and learned about sustainability and the natural environment.

In English, students worked on story writing, building their creativity and confidence in expressing ideas, creating short graphic novels about friendship. They also explored visual storytelling through watching short films and learning about the elements of mise-en-scène, helping them understand how meaning is created through the setting and images, the character’s facial and body expression, the importance of music and visual details.

In Music, they are learning about Aboriginal music, gaining an appreciation for culture, rhythm, and storytelling through sound. They also explored the elements of music, including beat, rhythm, and dynamics following fun Youtube tutorials and using their bodies to make sound.

The year 8 students attended a medieval incursion, which provided an engaging, immersive experience that brought history to life. Also, year 7 completed NAPLAN testing, and approached the assessments with effort and resilience. We are very proud of their persistence!

In Science, students took part in a range of experiments, encouraging curiosity, observation, and hands-on learning. It has been a busy and rewarding term in Banksia class, and we are incredibly proud of the students’ engagement, creativity, and growth.

Year 10 News

Year 10 Exhibition of Memoirs

This term, our Year 10 students have been exploring the powerful and personal world of memoir writing.

Through studying engaging mentor texts, students have examined how writers transform real-life experiences into meaningful stories. They have focused on crafting voice, using vivid imagery, and reflecting on moments that shape identity and perspective.

What students have been learning:

● The key features of memoir, including reflection, voice, and authenticity

● How to “show, not tell” through descriptive language and sensory detail

● Structuring personal experiences to engage and move an audience

● Using figurative language and narrative techniques to create impact

In the classroom:

Students have been drafting their own memoir pieces, drawing on a significant memory. These may range from moments of challenge and growth to snapshots of

everyday life. Their writing captures honest, insightful, and often powerful reflections on what it means to grow up and navigate the world around them.

Why memoir?

Memoir writing encourages students to develop empathy, self-awareness, and confidence in their own voice—essential skills for both academic success and personal growth.

We are incredibly proud of the creativity and courage our students have shown in sharing their stories.

Exhibition of Memoirs

In Term Two, there will be an exhibition of the Year 10 memoirs to showcase what they have learned and achieved. As well as our Year 10 students work, there will be performances of slam poetry from our Year 8 academic class and some displays of student achievement from other facilities. The exhibition will be held in the Cantabrian Hall, Monday 18th May from 3:30 – 5:30 pm. Further information will be forthcoming.

Prefects News

Sport News

Olympic Athlete Visit

On Friday, 13 March, Australian sailor and Olympian Olivia Price visited students in the Talented Athlete Program (TAP). Olivia captivated students with her inspiring presentation, sharing the highs and lows of her sporting journey and offering a candid look at what it takes to become an Olympian. Her stories of perseverance and resilience resonated with the TAP students, encouraging them to stay committed and passionate as they pursue their own athletic aspirations.

Open Netball Knockout Game

On Monday, 9 March, the Sydney East Open Netball Knockout team delivered an outstanding performance against Wiley Park Girls High School, securing a convincing 66-9 victory. This impressive win has advanced the team into Round 3, placing them among the top 16 schools in the region. Congratulations to all the players for their hard work and dedication best of luck as you continue your journey in the competition!

Open Soccer Knockout Game

Canterbury Girls High School vs Wiley Park in Round 1 of Open’s Knockout Soccer. CGHS won 7-0 with goals to the following students: Annabelle Foster (1), Alia Hawkins (1), Georgia Nelson-Brown (1), Ruby Hawkins (2), Maya Ishiyama (1), Ingrid Kaizik (1).  We will play against GRC Oatley in Round 2 in a couple of weeks. 

Public Speaking & Debating Update

On Monday of Week 9, Ashna Bichuka (Year 10) and Macushla Kennedy (Year 11) represented the school in the Rostrum Voice of Youth Competition. This required them to write a speech on their chosen topic and deliver it convincingly to the audience. Ashna chose ‘New World Order’ while Macushla selected ‘Putting off Procrastination’, and both worked diligently to research, write and rehearse their speeches.

The competition was outstanding to watch, with speeches that were incredibly varied. The adjudicator gave excellent advice about how to connect to audiences by carefully considering our eye contact, varying our tone of voice and by using well-timed pauses to let our point sink in. Congratulations to Macushla and Ashna for representing our school so well. 

The next public speaking event is the Plain English Speaking Award, which will be hosted at our school on Friday May 1 next term. 

In other news, the debating season is off to a flying start with trials complete for juniors, and the Year 11 team progressing undefeated to the third round of the Premier’s Debating Challenge. Well done to Ismini, Eliza, Elizabeth, Marilla and Vanessa for working so seamlessly as a team to win both of their debates so far!

Best of luck to our Year 8 team who will have the chance to participate in multiple debates on the first Friday of next term at the Canterbury Bankstown Youth Week Debating Competition. 

Emily Knapman- Debating and Public Speaking Coach

Year 11 Camp

Year 11 Life Ready Camp has been organised for Monday 19^th October and Tuesday 20^th October 2026 students will attend a camp. On Wednesday 21^st October students will participate in a range of activities at school. This experience is designed to support students in developing independence, resilience, and practical life skills in a supportive environment. These fun packed days are the compulsory component of the Life Ready program and count towards the mandatory hours needed to be completed.

Parents and Carers can find more information on School Bytes. If you have any questions please reach out to Year Advisers, Ms Knapman or Mr Mullin. 

Year 11 Poetry

Writing as a Rebel: Year 11 Poetry – English Standard

These poems, by Year 11 students, were written in response to texts that explore voices that rebel against social expectations. They were asked to write their own poems, exploring their own challenges to society’s expectations of them.

SRC News

International Women’s Day 2026

On Monday the 9th of March our school celebrated International Women’s Day which was run by the leadership groups. The morning started off with a panel of esteemed guests presented to year 12 and the leadership groups.

Maree O’Halloran (Former President of the NSW Teachers Federation) spoke about the importance of education in giving and gaining while also speaking on feminism in her line of work. She was followed by Dr Alyson Kakakios (Former Head of Paediatrics of Westmead Children’s Hospital) who made an amazing reflection on how to give and to gain has impacted her in every stage of her life. Dr Jodi Lynch (Head of Oncology at St George Hospital) gave us an understanding of how she got to her position, how St George Hospital celebrates woman and issues she has overcome as a female doctor. Lastly Yiana Roumeliotis (social impact officer for Addison Road Community Organisation) answered questions about how to be more vocal as a young woman and talked about women and men’s roles in standing up for equality.

A whole school assembly was then run by the leadership groups. SRC began with an opening message about this year’s theme “to give to gain” and a speech from Ellinor Gudmundsson, Vice President, discussing the struggles faced by women and sharing her knowledge gained at the UN International Women’s Day Lunch. Following this TAP, SEA, the First Nations Leadership Group and Pride gave information about women in their individual areas as well as some interactive games.

Additionally, all the groups had activities and stalls running at lunch; weaving from First Nations, a quiz about impactful women from SEA and Pride, TAP hosted a sports match and SRC held a second hand clothes store. The day went really well thanks to the combined efforts of all our leadership groups as well as the teachers that support us to achieve these goals, and we hope that we are able to run future events just as smoothly and successfully as this one.

By Polly Riethmuller from Year 11 SRC

CAPA@CGHS

Congratulations to CGHS Performing Artists and Entertainment Industry Crew

We are delighted to congratulate the Vet Entertainment performing artists and Entertainment Industry crew of Years 11 and 12 for their outstanding displays during Open Night. Their exceptional efforts created a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere that impressed all who attended.

The evening featured a memorable band performance during the formal part of the event, showcasing the students’ musical talent and professionalism. This was complemented by an exciting array of entertainment items on the Dome outdoor stage, where students demonstrated a diverse range of styles and high-quality performances.

Special thanks to the Entertainment Industry crew, who expertly managed sound, stage, and the smooth running of both the formal program and the Dome activities, ensuring a seamless experience for all guests.

Their dedication and teamwork set a fantastic tone for our school community. We look forward to more inspiring performances and professional productions in the future. Well done to all involved!

Our School Joins the 2026 Mary Poppins JR Combined Schools Musical!

We are excited to announce that our Year 7 and 8 combined performance class has successfully applied to be part of the 2026 Arts Unit production of Mary Poppins JR. The production will be staged at Lindfield Learning Village on 21st May, offering our students a fantastic opportunity to showcase their talents.

Students are working hard in their combined techniques classes, learning choreography and music to prepare for this high-quality musical experience. As part of the School Ensemble, they are rehearsing with tutorial videos before joining the full company for a dedicated day of rehearsals and performances.

The Arts Unit program gives schools the chance to participate in a professionally staged musical without having to mount their own full production, and supports both Creative Arts programs in-class and provides excellent High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) opportunities.

We are so proud of our students’ dedication and can’t wait to see them shine on stage in Mary Poppins JR! Stay tuned for more updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses as we head towards performance day.

Dance in Action 

Year 7 Dance ensembles are off to a fantastic start, with students showing great enthusiasm and commitment as they begin work on their contemporary performance piece. It’s been wonderful to see their creativity and teamwork already shining through in rehearsals.

Our Dance Company has also been busy in the studio, working diligently to refine choreography and prepare their film submission for the upcoming In the Spotlight Festival auditions. Their focus and dedication are truly commendable, and we look forward to seeing the finished result.

School Spectacular auditions are just around the corner! Any student interested in joining our Performance Company for this exciting event is encouraged to attend auditions in Week 10 on Thursday 2nd April at 8:00am in the studio. We look forward to seeing you then!

Art News

Senior Art Excursion to the AGNSW
Written by: Anais Austin, Year 11

In Week 7, students in Years 11 and 12 Visual Arts visited the Art Gallery of NSW to explore a range of exhibitions, the highlight being Art Express, a showcase of outstanding 2025 HSC Visual Arts works that exceeded our high expectations. The exhibition featured an impressive variety of mediums, including short films, paintings, ceramics, and assemblages. Each artwork was accompanied by a thoughtfully written artist statement, offering insight into the artist’s conceptual intentions and creative process. It was incredible to see the success of Year 12 students’ work and their ability to connect with the audience. Whether it be a body of work on the representation of objective perspectives, or an emotionally driven subjective narrative, there was a diverse array of media and conceptual themes, providing us with inspiration for our own upcoming works.  

We also attended Ron Mueck’s exhibition Encounter, which presented striking and often confronting depictions of the human form, reflecting the artist’s engagement with contemporary emotional and psychological themes. The size and immense detail of his sculptures created an ominous tone which ran through the individual narrative of each sculpture. Mueck’s effective manipulation of visual emotion and his raw, nuanced ideas invited the audience to interact thoughtfully with each piece, prompting reflection on the origins, intentions, and deeper meanings embedded within each sculpture.

In contrast, the Mike Hewson exhibition The Key’s Under the Mat, located in the Tank at AGNSW, offered a distinctly different tone. Hewson created a tactile interactive playground that essentially consisted of salvaged industrial items and refurbished objects that tested each student’s senses. We explored features such as a heated sauna shed, an industrial steam-room milk vat, and various sensory experiences  scattered throughout the space. This exhibition invited a sense of curiosity and play, providing Years 11 and 12 with a uniquely childlike and sensory exploration of an unexpected artistic landscape.

CGHS Clubs & Activities Fair

In Week 7, we hosted our annual Clubs and Activities Fair, giving Year 7 and other new students the chance to explore the wide range of extracurricular opportunities on offer at Canterbury Girls High School.

Student representatives from our many clubs and activity groups set up vibrant stalls, eager to share their passion and recruit new members. From the huge variety of music and performing arts ensembles to debating, Chess Club and our Duke of Edinburgh program, there was truly something for everyone.

New students were encouraged to wander the stalls, ask questions, and sign up to try something new. Teachers and senior students who lead the clubs were on hand to answer questions and explain what commitment each activity involves, helping new students make informed choices that suit their interests and schedules. These marvellous displays continued for our school’s Open Night, where students performed and were on hand to talk to parents and prospective students.

A huge number of students signed up for new activities, showing the strong sense of community and belonging within our school. We look forward to doing it all again next year!

Pride News

The Pride Ambassadors would like to share what we do as a leadership group and invite you to join us for 2026.

We work to make our school a safe place that promotes rights and equality for all. We specialise in organising events relating to the LGBTQ+ community and raising awareness. Whenever we make a profit from our events, it is donated to selected foundations and charities such as Trans Justice Project and QLife. In the past, we have organised events and activities for Trans Visibility Day, Wear It Purple Day, International Women’. We also collaborate with other leadership groups to work on events together, such as the Leadership Markets, which is an event that people look forward to all year – games, challenges, food and prizes fill the quad and our school leadership groups create displays to inform the rest of the school about their goals and activities.

We are now accepting new members for PRIDE from Years 8 –10 so please look out for a Google form which will be sent to your email. Year 7s can look forward to applying in Term 4 when we will send out another application form.

As a Pride member, you will be a role model for other students, an elite planner, collaborator and organiser, and you will help create a support system of queer folk and allies in our school.

We need more people like you, who are willing to join and who are willing to contribute to our school and make us a more accepting and welcoming community. We warmly invite you to join us in Pride!

Duke of Edinburgh

It’s time to register for Duke of Edinburgh 2026!

If you love adventures, challenges and reaching your potential, then Duke of Edinburgh is the award program for you!

We have started providing information and guidance for students wishing to participate this year. If you are keen to find out more, come and visit Ms Johnston in the HSIE staffroom or email her at: amy.johnston29@det.nsw.edu.au

Registrations need to be completed in the next few weeks and can take some time to organise, so don’t delay – come and chat today!

First Nations Leadership Group

Every fortnight one of our First Nations Leadership students receives an attendance award. This fortnight our award has been awarded to year 7 student Azalea Sullivan. Azalea has worked to maintain her attendance this term. Azalea is the recipient of our First Nations Leadership attendance award. Great work Azalea! 

Over the last couple of weeks we have been working with the Settlement. During our first week the students worked on creating journals which we were able to reflect on our previous week. During our second week our students were sharing who their mob is and where their families come from. We marked it on an Aboriginal Australia Map.

We are very proud of our year 11 student Jydah Golding who has recently successfully completed her White Card Training course. Congratulations Jydah!

On the 9th of March we held our International Women’s Day event alongside the other Leadership Groups within our school. The students attended a panel of guest speakers who spoke about the importance of International Women’s Day, and the successes they have had in their chosen fields. We then had Tuakana, Tully, Allira, Esme and Azalea share the importance of women in Aboriginal communities and families. They also shared Cathy Freeman’s story and how she is an inspiration to many young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls. At lunch time we held a weaving workshop where we had Aunty Alana come in and teach us how to weave bracelets. We also had members of staff from EPIC Pathways join and support us. 

Student Support Officer News

We have begun our Peer Support program for Year 7 and they have now met with and started regular sessions with their Year 10 Peer Leaders. We are starting to see our beautiful Year 7 students gain more confidence, find their way around and come out of their shells a little more.

Our Police Youth Liaison Safety talks have run for all grades now, with a big focus on keeping ourselves safe online and where to seek help if we need it.

To round out the term, Year 11 have just engaged in a ‘Transition to further education’ workshop which looked at preparing our seniors with the confidence and information to know what options are available to them post-school, whether that be via further studies or employment.

This year I am looking at providing some additional transitional support to any student that may be struggling to remain at school or who is considering leaving school. If you have a student that is curious about what other options are available to them and they are nearing 17, we can start looking at creating a transition plan for them to ensure that they have the best chance at succeeding in whatever they choose to pursue post-school. Please reach out if you or your student would like to chat further – brooke.morley3@det.nsw.edu.au 

Breakfast Club is still happening every day in the learning hub, all students are welcome to come and grab a bite to eat for free. We offer toast, cereal, granola balls & up&go and we do cheese toasties on Fridays. Breakfast runs from 8-8:30am every morning.

Library News

2026 Premiers Reading Challenge

If you love to read and you love a challenge this is for you.

It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely.

Log on to the website https://online.education.nsw.gov.au/prc/home.html and start today.

Check out the library for books on the list .

Speak to the library staff and your teachers about reading and get started!

Student Health Updates

Parents are reminded of the importance of keeping their children’s health information up to date at our school. If your child has a health care plan or an emergency response plan for anaphylaxis, diabetes, epilepsy or severe asthma, please ensure you review and update these documents regularly to reflect any changes in their health needs.

Additionally, students who require medication during school hours must do so under the school’s administration of medication procedures, consistent with NSW Department of Education policy. This includes following prescribed instructions and updating their medication records as needed.

Accurate and current information helps us support the health, wellbeing, and safety of all students. If there are changes to your child’s health or medication requirements, please notify the school and provide updated documentation promptly.

Please refer to the following link for further information about student health care at school: Student health support

Attendance Matters

Putting Attendance First: Supporting Success Together at Canterbury Girls High School

At Canterbury Girls High School, we know that regular attendance is one of the most important factors in every student’s learning and personal development. When students attend school every day, they engage fully with their lessons, build strong friendships, and develop skills essential for their future.

Our Attendance Expectations

As part of our school community, we expect all students to attend school every day it is open unless there is a valid reason such as illness or a family emergency. Missing even a few days can disrupt learning, affect social connections, and impact wellbeing. Being present means students can participate in classroom activities, receive tailored support, and stay on track with their learning.

The Important Role of Parents and Carers

Parents and carers play a vital role in supporting consistent attendance. Here are some ways you can help:

• Encourage healthy routines, including a consistent sleep schedule and morning preparation, to ensure your child is ready for school.
• Notify the school promptly about any absences via phone, email, or the school’s attendance portal.
• Provide appropriate documentation for absences, such as a medical certificate when necessary.
• Talk with your child about the importance of regular attendance and how it contributes to their success.
• If you need support or have concerns about attendance, please contact your child’s Year Adviser who is ready to help.

Clear communication and your support help us keep attendance records accurate and ensure every student remains connected to the learning community.

For comprehensive information and guidance, please visit:

Compulsory school attendance
School Attendance Information for Parents

This page provides useful advice on attendance, absence notifications, and how parents and carers can work with schools to support their young people.

Thank you for your ongoing support in making attendance a priority. Together, we can create the best learning experience and opportunities for every student at Canterbury Girls High School.

Career News

2026 has certainly begun with much energy. Busy, busy.

Our eVET students are well underway with their TAFE studies and despite it being tricky to balance school work and TAFE, they are enjoying the opportunities that TAFE offers. This year we have students in Early childhood, Human Services, Information and Digital Technology and Marine Mechanics. Term 2 Year 10 will receive information regarding eVET and year 10 students interested in doing a TAFE course will need to add this into their subject selection form. The eVET portal opens in term 3 around July and closes mid September. These courses are popular and many fill up quickly and there are not many places available for later enrolments. If year 11 students are interested in eVET, they will need to approach Ms Evangelista or Ms Venkatesan. They can only choose a 1 year course. We have students completing TAFE taster programs, like the YES program and the new Non-EPP tasters in term 2. This is a great way to see if TAFE suits you.

In term one I make a number of visits to Universities and learn about the latest entry and course information. Soon I will present to Year 12 providing them with this information. This year has been a year of change. The government has reinforced course caps to numbers allowed into various courses, this means that universities must adhere to strict numbers in each course. There is also a plan to encourage regional students to attend their ‘local’ university. This is to increase engagement with university and hopefully address the daunting cost of attending university. UAC opens April 8 and your student will be able to use the PIN they received in their email to log into UAC. There is an early bird fee of $82, which ends September 30, the fee increases after this date. See key dates attached.

Mindspot is a great mental health tool being run by Macquarie University. You can access resources here, https://www.mindspot.org.au/resource-library See the  attached checklist you can do.

Year 10 will be receiving information and necessary forms for finding work experience. Work experience is on in the week starting November 30 and runs for 5 days. Students should starting looking for work experience as soon as possible. Forms are due September 18 in term 3. Year 10 will have access to a google classroom with copies of all forms and information, this will include a timeline of key dates and work experience information from previous years that students can use for contact information.

P&C Update

CGHS P&C update

The P&C is back for 2026! 

And we were delighted to meet many Year 7 and 12 families at our welcome BBQ at this week’s parent/teacher night.

We’ve started the year strong by funding $4000 worth of science equipment plus a second 3D printer. 

We’ve made sure the pianos are in tune and helped buy pilates mats and recording kits for upcoming dance and drama performances. We’ve contributed more than $1200 towards new staging in the MPC.

We have also committed to funding the purchase of some new educational blinds to brighten up the classrooms.

Thank you to everybody who has supported our fundraising efforts so far!

We meet online on the third Wednesday of the month during school terms. It’s a great opportunity to meet other parents, hear from the principal and further enrich our children’s education. 

All are welcome and we’d love to see you at the next meeting in term 2. Please email cghspandcsecretary@gmail.com to find out more. 

Have a great break.

The CGHS P&C

Community News

Webinar on supporting Adolescents with Anxiety

• When: Friday 17^th April, 12pm-1pm OR Wednesday 22^nd April 5pm-6pm
• Where: Online via Microsoft Teams
• This is a one hour, online information session for parents and carers who want to learn more about anxiety during adolescence, and to build skills and strategies to support their young people.
• There are two options to attend, participants only need to select one time that suits them
• For more details head to the registration link here: https://events.humanitix.com/adolescents-and-anxiety-workshop-for-parents-5yewp4yb

Tuning into Teens at Marrickville

• When: Beginning Thursday 7^th May at 10am. The program runs for 6 weeks total (2 hours per week), finishing 11^th June
• Where: 2 South Street, Marrickville
• Tuning into Teens is focused on providing parents and carers with tools, strategies and resources to support their young people to develop emotional resilience, and to strengthen their communication and connection
• Please see the attached flyer for details, and feel free to circulate to your networks
• Once registered, participants will be contacted by a member of our team for a brief chat over the phone to ensure the program is right for their needs.

Inner West Ultimate (A not-for-profit sporting club) will be running youth ultimate frisbee programs in Term 2.

Ultimate is a low cost, non-contact, mixed-gender, team-based sport that promotes community values through its sportsmanship by focusing on being an inclusive and social activity for everyone.

Inner West Ultimate Program Details:

• Ulti Squad: For ages 8-12, this entry level program offers an exciting introduction to Ultimate Frisbee, teaching essential skills in a fun and supportive environment.
• Ulti 4s: Tailored for kids aged 13 and up, this program provides a fantastic opportunity to experience fast-paced games, develop their abilities, and build confidence on the field.

Both programs are designed for beginners and provide the perfect way for all children of all abilities to be active and socially connected.

For more information and to register, visit Ulti Squad Website and the Ulti4s Website.