P&C News

P&C News

Join the P&C Fort Fest Committee!

Fort Fest 2026 will be held on Friday 18th September.

An evening event for all the school and local community, with music, food, games and stalls. Run jointly by the SRC and P&C to raise money for the school, we are looking for volunteers to join the planning committee. 

We have roles of all sizes to suit all interests, so please email us at events@fortstreetpandc.org if keen. 

We are currently looking for –

Finance Coordinator:

Responsible for planning the token sales, assisting with square reader set up, managing floats, and looking after cash and money on the night.

Donations and Prizes Coordinator:

Manages call-outs for donations, organises the donation week at school and purchases stall prizes. 

Publicity and Comms Coordinator:

Promotes the event by working with the school and the SRC. Writes the fortnightly Mercurius updates and posts on social media. 

 

P&C FUNDRAISER

Save up to 50% on dining, shopping, travel and things to do. An annual Entertainment Membership means getting more of what you need and love, while giving back to a cause you care about.

Your purchase of an Entertainment Membership contributes to our Fort Street P&C fundraising, with 20% of every purchase going to the school. 

Help us achieve our fundraising goals by sharing the link with your friends and family. Thanks for your support!

Purchase here:
https://subscribe.entertainment.com.au/fundraiser/2d03327

P&C MEETING Updates

Wednesday 11th Feb & 11th Mar 2026

In the busy months of February and March where the school welcomed new year 7 students and families, we already had two P & C meetings and both sessions are fruitful!

Here are the updates from the two meetings:

Student Representative Council Report

Clubs and Committees Day was well attended, especially by junior students.

Year 10 Formal planning, deposit has been secured. Committees have been formed for: Theme, Music, Events and Publicity.

Leader conference resumed.

Fundraisers (Roses in Feb, BBQ and gold coin donation in March) were successful, with money raised going to student activities and charity.

Year 10 students began planning Fort Fest, including themes, stalls and merchandise, with strong P&C support, parents volunteers being called.

International Women’s day BBQ and Gold Coin donation successfully held.

 

The Principal’s Report: Across both meetings, Academics, School events and Community updates were given by the principal:

Academics & Events:

  • A smooth start for Year 7, including camps, peer support and welcome events.
  • Speech Day was a standout success, great attendance by parents, guest speech very inspiring and Dux speech very moving.
  • Campus improvements were completed, including landscaping, canteen upgrades, gym resurfacing and improved recreation areas.
  • Run through of academic results and student achievements, another year of excellent HSC results, ranked 20 (noting ranking methodology limited), 20% achieved higher than 98 and large portion over 95.
  • The Principal explained that the school puts students first by allowing them to choose subjects based on their interests, goals, and wellbeing, rather than restricting choices to boost rankings. While some schools limit subject access to influence results, Fort Street focuses on individual ATAR outcomes and student growth. This student‑centred approach is always observed and the school’s results and rankings improved, and the Principal expressed strong pride in the students’ achievements.
  • HSC showcases; careers events were celebrated.
  • Duke of Edinburgh Parent Information Session held.
  • Strong appreciation was expressed for P&C support of staff and student wellbeing.

Staffing updates

  • Kate Dunn (Deputy Principal) has returned after a year of travel and is overseeing Years 7, 9 and 11 Hasenbein
  • Miss Drinkwater has joined the English faculty, replacing Millie Lawson (from Cronulla High School).
  • Mr Finance, (Mathematics) has joined for Term 1, replacing Miss Carter (currently on leave)
  • Mr Hasenbein has returned to the Science faculty.
  • Miss Thompson is relieving Head Teacher, Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA).
  • Former Head Teacher (CAPA) secured a permanent Head Teacher position at Carlingford and has departed.
  • Emily Irvine has joined as a permanent Music teacher. She transferred from Sydney Girls High School, where she had been teaching for 10 years. She is already building strong relationships with students.
  • Mr Reveley has joined as the new Drama teacher, coming from Smith’s Hill High School.
  • Mr Pagani has returned to the Social Sciences faculty after three years working with NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA Curriculum).

Student Achievements:

  • High HSC English results; top 10 selective schools in English Advanced.
  • Year 7 student selected for Space Teams Academy.
  • Sports: Cross Country & Athletics Days successful; students progressing to state level.

Inclusion & Community:

  • Muslim prayer sessions launched successfully on Fridays.
  • National Reconciliation Week celebrated with a planned mural project.

Careers & Mentoring:

  • Proposed parent/alumni mentoring program, field visits, and alumni video series in the making, updates will be provided when available.
  • Website page to list career opportunities and volunteering roles in development.

Other matters:

  • Selective Test rescheduled; school hosting setup over two weekends.
  • Uniform reminders issued for winter, grey pants now available.

 

IMP update – Paula Katalinic

Record participation – in total 385 students enrolled

Strong intake from new year 7

Financial updates with new purchase

Finance & Funding

The P&C’s financial position was reported as healthy in February.

Funding requests from the school were discussed and approved to cover teaching resources, equipment, sports event logistics.

Approval was given for Fort Fest upfront expenses and the much-anticipated sport achievement ribbons – raised by Lucy Liang.

The highlight of Fort Street social calendar, the biannual Fort Fest is to take place on 18th September! planning featured in both meetings – Elizabeth Kenyon

  • Confirmed as student‑led (Year 10 SRC) with P&C guidance and support
  • Multiple goals including fund raising and community building, with latter a focus
  • Parent volunteers were actively sought.
  • Budget approval given to allow planning to progress.

Parents Communication & WhatsApp

  • Ongoing concerns about message volume and clarity led to action.
  • A Code of Conduct for parent WhatsApp groups was finalised and adopted in March.
  • Moderators were appointed, and clearer communication channels encouraged.

Uniform Shop

  • Second‑hand uniform shop management transitioned to new volunteers.
  • Discussion had regarding storage, sorting, pricing and recycling of old uniforms.
  • Survey conducted by Elizabeth with input and volunteers offering help

Sustainability – Jen Olscher

  • Proposed a review of the school’s current sustainability position, including solar panel capacity, electricity usage, and funding arrangements.
  • Identified opportunities to expand solar panels, add battery storage, and install EV charging stations.
  • Suggestions made and volunteered to proceed to further actions

Acknowledgements:

  • On behalf of staff, extended sincere thanks to the P&C for funding the End-of-Year events
  • Acknowledgment of year 11 camp teachers and staff
  • Appreciation for Mr Feng’s smooth running of sporting events such as swimming carnival
  • Appreciation expressed for year 7 teachers providing support and encouragement
  • Appreciation for IT support in assisting year 7 setting up and sorting out their laptop issues
  • Teachers involved in organising Speech Day.
  • School staff managing WhatsApp parent groups.
  • Kylie Salisbury (Careers Advisor) for extensive communication with Year 12 families and support for students regarding university pathways and ATAR information.
  • Appreciation to below list of parents for their past support for Uniform Shop (class details current as at Dec 25):
  • Stella Liang (P&C), Zhaobo Young Ding 8T
  • Ally MacDonald
  • Suzy Small
  • Yijie Wen, Lilian Huang 7K
  • Sindhu Panicker, Sanjeev Pandey 7M
  • Jasmine Yang, Sienna L 7J
  • Sivvy Xu (P&C), Jack Ng 7M
  • D Chen, Nick Zhang 7S
  • Jess Lin, Jayden Zheng 7J
  • Sarah Guo, Xavier XIE 7S
  • Angela Sun, Edward Liu 7S
  • Stephanie X, Matthew Li 7M
  • Annie Wang, Justin Zechen Zhang 7P
  • Tracy Li, James Zhai 8T
  • Irene Wu，Tristan Cheung 8T
  • Yiqin Weng, Ruixuan Ding 😯
  • Nancy Wu, Joshua Hu 8S
  • Ms Li, Lucas Ding 8k
  • Yanqing SU, Hannah Lu 😯
  • Michael Yi，Darren Yi 8F
  • Yuping Wu，Wufan Qu(Nick) 9O
  • Lumei Dong, Jack Jiang 9S
  • Nie Wu, Anjun Wu 9O
  • Yanan Wang，James Wen 9J
  • Ming Fang, Justin Deng 9R
  • Trisha Wu, Yunxian Claire Yu Y9
  • Elaine Huang (P&C), Olivia 9Eng2
  • Vivian Wang (P&C), Harrison Ma 9K
  • Xueyun Zhao, Joshua Song Y10
  • Monica Zhang, Mckale Y10
  • Tracey Chen (P&C), Alarik Y11
  • Rochelle Tian, Kawin Chen Y11

Next Meeting

  • Scheduled for 13th May Wednesday, onsite and online.