Principal’s Report

Dear Fortians, Parents and Carers,

As we come to the end of the first half of 2025 students, parents should now be able to access the Semester One reports in the Sentral Portal.

Term 2 has been another busy and productive term, culminating in the spectacular mid-year IMP concert. I would like to extend my gratitude to Matt Manchester for once again orchestrating a professional evening filled with music and entertainment. A special thanks also goes to our dedicated parent volunteers, whose generosity and effort in managing the dinner and dessert stalls created a chance for parents, students and staff to catch up whilst raising significant funds for the program.

Thanks also to our wonderful directors and conductors of ensembles for their leadership of our musicians; Matt, John Ockwell, Alex Pringle, Kerryn Joyce, Mike Raper, and Stuart Vangergraff, and to Liz Propsting for her backstage organisation, ensuring everything ran smoothly.

Subject Selection

Subject selection time is approaching for Year 8 and Year 10 students. Over the coming month, students will be making important decisions about their courses. The Year 8 information night coincided this week with the parent-teacher interviews, while Year 10 students will have their session in the first week of next term. It is crucial for students and parents to read the provided information carefully to understand what each subject entails. Students should base their selections on their interests and strengths, rather than on what their friends are choosing or their assumptions about the teachers. Academic reports will provide valuable feedback, with teacher comments offering guidance on areas for improvement in Semester 2. This feedback should be carefully considered to make informed decisions about subject choices.

Congratulations

CHS under 15’s Girls Netball Team – Avivi, Devika, Angela, Persephone, Olivia, Phoebe, Anvita, Mia, Pranaya and Nina. This team won their first-round match against Kuring-Gai High School with an end score of 37-6.

CHS under 15’s Boys Basketball Team – Ashmit, Justin, Magnus, Billy, Chip, Brayden, Joshua, Reif, Omar and James. This team started strong in their first game, winning 100-16 against Kariong Mountains High School, however, some costly mistakes meant they ended up losing their second match 57-40 against Cromer High School.

Zone Athletics Carnival – 82 students represented the Fort at this carnival held on Monday 19 May. A special congratulations is due for Ethan who broke the 15 years boys zone record for shot put and Miles who broke the 14 years boys zone record for high jump.

Fort Street Rugby – kicked off their season last Saturday with a friendly match against Sydney Boys High School, the first since 1987. As the FSHS Rugby is still in its infancy, we had to get a few Sydney Boys players to backfill each team to get a full 15, however, that did not deter or hinder the performances at all. The Juniors kicked off the day with a very dominant performance, defeating Sydney Boys by an 86-0 scoreline. The Intermediates unfortunately lost 37-12, however, they showed excellent grit and determination fighting to the very end. The Open’s team went up against a mix of Sydney Boys 1st and 2nd teams and were pipped 32-5 against a very well disciplined and organised Sydney Boys team. This gave the boys excellent practice and experience before we enter the David Horwitz Cup in Term 3 next term.

Commerce Students – to all the students who participated in the commerce stalls last week, these were again quite amazing with a wide variety of delicious offerings enjoyed by staff and students on the day. We also appreciate the assistance many parents provide behind the scenes both in the lead up and on the day for this event so thank you.

Vinnies CEO Sleepout

I would like to thank the Fort Street Community for your generous support again this year for my participation in the CEO Vinnies Sleepout. Together we raised $7 209 and as a team of NSW Secondary Principals Ms Cameron from Canterbury Girls, Ms Powell from Sydney Girls and I raised $30 035. So far together this year we have helped provide 95 individual support programs, 250 beds and 1001 meals. https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraiser/juliettemcmurray

Student Participation

Student participation in co-curricular activities is highlighted on the front cover of academic reports, emphasising its importance in overall student development. As Semester 2 approaches, it’s an excellent opportunity for students who are not yet involved to join these activities, which offer numerous benefits and align with the Fort Street High School ethos. Participation fosters personal growth, teamwork, leadership skills, and a sense of community, all of which are key components of our exit profile. Engaging in co-curricular programs enhances students’ academic and social experiences, providing opportunities to explore new interests and develop talents beyond the classroom. Additionally, involvement in school activities can support university entry, scholarship applications, and future career opportunities. These activities also help build resilience, time management, and communication skills, preparing students for future success. It’s not too late to join, and we encourage all students to take advantage of these enriching opportunities. Fort Street offers a wide range of programs that can be found here on the school website.

Uniform

As we continue to experience colder weather, I want to remind all students of the importance of adhering to our school’s uniform policy. It is essential that students present themselves in full school uniform every day, which includes wearing the correct jumper and all black shoes. To ensure students are comfortable and warm, the uniform shop is fully stocked with winter jackets and jumpers. A reminder for students in Years 8-12: you are permitted to wear your full sports uniform on Tuesdays. If any student requires assistance with obtaining the appropriate uniform, please do not hesitate to reach out to the school. We are here to help and can provide support where needed. Thank you for your cooperation in maintaining our school’s standards and ensuring a cohesive and professional appearance for all.

Lost Property

Every day, several items are left around the school, especially in the gym after sports activities. Many of these items, such as jumpers, jackets, hats, drink bottles, shoes, umbrellas, and pencil cases, do not have names on them, making it difficult to return them to their rightful owners. We kindly remind parents to label their child’s uniform and belongings to ensure they can be promptly returned. With uniforms being a significant expense, this simple step can save time and money. Students are encouraged to visit the front office to check for any lost items and reclaim their belongings.

Upcoming Events term 3

Week 1:

Tuesday 22 July: return to school for all students

Monday 21 July – Friday 25 July: Junior State Music Camp

Thursday 24 July: Year 10 Subject Selection Information Evening, 6.30pm School Hall

Thursday 24 July: Year 9 Drama Excursion – Parramatta Riverside Theatre

Friday 25 July: Whole School Assembly

Friday 25 July: 15’s Girls CHS Netball (home game)

Week 2:

Mon 28 July – Fri 8 August: Year 12 Trial HSC Exams, weeks 2 & 3

Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 July: Regional Athletics Carnival

Wednesday 30 July: Year 10 Visual Arts Exhibition

Week 3:

Wednesday 6 August: Vaccinations Catch Ups

Wednesday 6 August: In Concert Rehearsal

Week 4:

Monday 11 August: Year 11 Japanese Excursion – Tanken Centre

Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 August: Year 11 Geography Excursion – Blue Mountains

Wednesday 13 August: P&C Meeting online

Friday 15 August: Multicultural Day – whole school assembly and lunchtime stalls