Launch of the new FSHS Merit and House System

Launch of the new FSHS Merit and House System

As part of a restructure of the House system we have introduced a fifth house to the school this year and renamed two of the previous house names. We now have Fortians represented from three different centuries. Each year students in these house groups will complete for the ‘Kennedy Cup’.

Dr Clarice Kennedy – Fortian 1929 truly excelled in all areas including sporting and academic endeavours. Kennedy held the Australian title or record for every distance from 75yds to 2 miles, plus hurdles, Shot Put and Javelin. Kennedy competed for Australia in the British 1938 Empire Games in Sydney. Following her athletics career, Kennedy taught English, French, Latin, Geography and History, before undertaking further study, completing a Masters and PhD degree in Science.

House Names

 

Joshi, Nalini – Fortian 1977 (House Colour – Ruby)

Nalini Joshi is an Australian mathematician. She is a professor in the School of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Sydney, the first woman in the school to hold this position and is a past-president of the Australian Mathematical Society. Joshi was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2016.

 

Kirby, Michael – Fortian 1955 (House Colour – Sapphire)

Michael Kirby was a Justice of the High Court of Australia 1996-2009, President Court of Appeal, Supreme Court 1984-96, Dep. President, Aust. Conciliation and Arbitration Commission, 1975-83, President, International Commission of Jurists (Geneva) 1995-98, Chair UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Nth Korea 2013.

 

Mawson, Sir Douglas – Fortian 1898 (House Colour – Amber)

Douglas Mawson was an Antarctic explorer, he undertook expeditions in 1908, 1911-14, 1929 and 1931. Mawson was a lecturer in minerology and petrology and a Geology Professor. Mawson was knighted in 1914 and published The Home of the Blizzard in 1915.

 

Preston, Margaret – Fortian 1887 (House Colour – Amethyst)

Margaret Preston is regarded as one of Australia’s most significant modernists of the early 20th century. In 1929 she was the first woman artist to have an artwork commissioned by the trustees of what is now the Art Gallery of NSW. Preston’s paintings and prints are hung in major art galleries in Australian and overseas.

 

Sheikh, Simon – Fortian 2003 (House Colour – Emerald)

Simon Sheikh is the CEO of an ethical superannuation fund and an Australian activist. He was the former head of activist group Get Up! from 2008-12. He was a delegate to the economics stream of the Australia 2020 Summit and was named the NSW Young Professional of the Year in 2007.

 

Each House will include approximately 30 students from each year group. Students will be allocated to their house based on their original core year 7 class. Four House Captains will be elected from Years 10 and 11 for each house. House Captains will be responsible for organising participation in carnivals in Terms 1 and 2 and also for other competitions in (for example) public speaking, music, chess, debating, art, design photography in Terms 3 and 4. One competition should be held each term. House Captains and are to decide on the nature of the competitions, in consultation with the Senior Executive staff. Competitions should offer scope for all students to participate, and to display a variety of skills/talents.

Houses will accrue points for carnivals, additionally:

  • All Profile Points (merits) received by students will contribute to their House tally.
  • Term 3 and 4 competitions will be allocated points roughly equivalent to the carnivals.
  • The house with the most points at the end of the school year will receive the Kennedy Cup and some kind of privilege (e.g. picnic day etc)

Merit System

The new merit system rewards students with profile points aligned to the school exit profile:

  • academic and creative excellence
  • participation in the development of skills and talents across a broad range of areas
  • demonstration of reflective and independent learner behaviours
  • demonstration of emotional resilience, self-confidence, effective collaboration and communication
  • demonstration of a commitment to fairness and equity, a recognition of their responsibility to the wider community and/or a strong sense of social justice

 

Profile Points will contribute toward Year Adviser Awards

 

Year Adviser Awards will contribute toward Principals Awards

 

Principal Awards (if students have received profile points in all 5 exit profile areas) will contribute toward a Fortian Award