Principal’s Report

Dear Fortians, Parents, Carers,

Every school term has its particular challenges and delights, but I often think that Term 2 is the busiest, with six lots of reports to be written, proofed and distributed, two lots of parent teacher nights, the Senior Drama Production, music eisteddfods, and a host of other subject-based, co-curricular and sporting excursions taking place. To give a brief overview of this term, over the past ten weeks we have had 16 different sporting excursions, 18 debating or public speaking excursions and 21 excursions in the creative and performing arts, not to mention curriculum based excursions designed to supplement learning in the classroom. Staff have accompanied students as far afield as the Great Barrier Reef (Year 12 Geography), Melbourne (Year 11&12 Visual Arts) and the Gold Coast (Year 12 Mooting), giving up early mornings, late nights, weekends and holidays. I am extremely grateful for time and hard work staff have put in to providing these experiences for our students, which engage, enrich and extend their learning.

The past fortnight in particular has illustrated the richness of the learning environment at Fort Street. Last Friday, we had a visit from Hattie Hua, Harvey Ling and Angela Zheng (Fortians 2017), currently studying at UNSW. They were representing the UNSW solar racing team ‘Sunswift’, competing in the World Solar Challenge race from Darwin to Adelaide this year. They brought the actual Sunswift solar car with them for show and tell, and spoke to Years 8 and 11 about their experience of university and the opportunities available there.

That same evening, we were treated to a delightful night of music from the IMP at their annual mid-year concert. The music from all ensembles was of the highest standard, and displayed the fruits of their hours of careful rehearsal. Congratulations to all students who performed, especially to the Year 12 students listed below for whom this was the last performance after five and a half years with the IMP.

We thank all these students for their contribution, service and example of excellence, and hope that the lessons learned will stay with them for many years to come. Thanks also to the IMP tutors for preparing their ensembles to such a high standard, and especially to Mr Matthew Manchester under whose inspirational leadership the IMP continues to thrive and flourish. Thanks must also go to the IMP parents for their outstanding catering and fundraising efforts on the night.

On Wednesday 3 July, we were pleased to welcome primary school students from Ashfield, Wilkins and Summer Hill Public Schools to display the science projects they had been working on this term. Year 10 Science students from the Fort have been visiting these primary schools every Wednesday morning this term to help students design and run authentic scientific research projects. The results were very impressive, and the following Year 10 students involved should be proud of the leadership they have shown, and the results they helped their students to achieve.

This program is now in its fourth successful year, thanks to the continued efforts of Ms Eva Jamble and Mr Brian Webb.

On Wednesday the CHS Open Boys Hockey team (affectionately known as the Flamingos) competed in the Northern Region Finals Gala Day in Wyong. Although light on preparation, the team acquitted themselves well drawing their semi final 3-3 against Northern Beaches Secondary College, only to lose on a penalty shootout. The boys also drew their subsequent play off game, to come equal third in the region. Despite not progressing to the state finals, the team remains undefeated in general play for the 2019 season. Special congratulations to the following Year 12 students who have played in this team for several years, and for whom this was their final game: Hugo Degotardi, Eric Deng, Hugo Giles, Aidan Sheils, Max Tesoriero, Patrick Vastani and Julian Williams-Kelly. Special mention must go to the talismanic captain/coach Patrick Vastani who was outstanding on the day, scoring all five of the teams goals, and who will be playing in the under-21 national hockey championships in Lismore during the holidays.

Years 7-10 have also received their Semester 1 reports in the last fortnight. We hope that parents and students take this opportunity to reflect on the knowledge and skills they have gained in their classes so far this year and to set some goals for their continued personal and academic growth in semester 2. Year 8 and 10 students in particular should use this report to guide them in their upcoming subject selections. Our advice to all students considering their pattern of study next year is the same. The students who have the best experience of high school are those who choose subjects that are suited to their individual strengths and interests.

Finally, at the end of such a busy term, let me thank all staff and students for the commitment to learning they have shown this term, and wish our whole school community a safe, productive and restful holiday break. We look forward to seeing all student return on Tuesday 23 July, refreshed and ready to engage in another term full of stimulating, challenging and rewarding learning opportunities.

Joel Morrison
Deputy Principal