Principal’s Report

Dear Fortians, Parents and Carers,

IMP End of Year Concert
I was incredibly disappointed to miss this event as it was one that I have really been looking forward to since last years concert. I have been told that this was probably the best IMP end of year concert that Fort Street has had – the team certainly excelled themselves. Not only was the food outstanding but the vibe electric both before and during the concert. The performances were in all cases outstanding and in some cases genuinely breath taking. Once again, can I thank all the parents who participated in the festive lunch including set up and pack up and also to our amazing IMP and CAPA staff who work all year to provide such amazing opportunities for our students. Fort Street is so lucky to have such a wonderful and dedicated team and such an involved parent body.

P&C
I would like to thank our dedicated parents on the schools P&C committee for their tireless work and commitment throughout the year, the school is incredibly appreciative of their support. The P&C has continued to run the school uniform shop and has held second hand stalls each term, and has also support the Instrumental Music Program, this will continue in 2020.
The P&C has contributed over $200 000 to the school this year to pay for or contribute to various projects. These have included:
·      The School Library refurbishment
·      The conversion of the Tennis Courts to Futsal Courts
·      Science Fair Prizes
·      MAD Night Prizes
·      Astronomy Club – new lenses and equipment
·      DSLR Cameras with lens kits as well as tripods and flash units for studio lighting for Photography and Digital Media
·      Lego Mindstorm Robotics (7 sets) for Computing Studies
·      A Dragster Race System for the Technology Department

I would also like to acknowledge and congratulate the newly elected P&C members for 2020
·      President: Ethel Talty
·      Vice Presidents: Michael Easton, Michael Mera
·      Secretary: vacant
·      Treasurer: Tim Lyford
·      Committee Members: Suzanne Trimmer, Alison Austin, Robyn Elmslie
·      IMP representative: Suzanne Trimmer
·      Fundraising Committee: Alison Austin, Elizabeth Kenyon
·      Finance Committee Rep: Simon Elwig
·      Foundation/School Council Rep: Natasha Pollock
·      Sport Representative: Michael Easton
·      Uniform Committee: Tracey Chen

New Library
The new library refurbishment is almost complete with furniture being delivered over the Christmas break. We are anticipating that students and teachers will be able to commence using this fabulous new space by week 2 of Term 1, 2020. Details of the library launch will be emailed to parents in the New Year.

End of Year
During these last formal learning weeks of the school year, many student performances and displays of learning products have been showcased around the school. Last Wednesday and Thursday nights were MAD, at which students and members of all music, art and drama classes performed or displayed work to parents, friends and teachers. As always, the performances were outstanding and the diversity of talent, choice of performance pieces and instruments played (including voice) demonstrated the talents, skills and commitment of students and their teachers. Congratulations to all those involved in these evenings.
Various recognition assemblies have also been taking place and the final one will be this Friday for Years 8 and 9.

HSC Nominations
I would like to congratulate the Creative and Performing Arts HSC teachers for their outstanding success this year with student nominations in all three HSC Showcases this year.
Art Express Nominations – Ashley Challinor – Photography ‘The Familia Effect’ and Hazel Duwenbeck – Lino Print ‘Over the Fence’
Encore Nominations – Luca Tropea, Patrick Vastani, Patrick Wu and Michelle Yang
On Stage Nominations – Julien Parry – script

Debating Success
Our Year 8 debating team became State Champions on Friday successfully beating James Ruse. Congratulations to Matilda Gibian, Rose Kenyon, Archie Handler and Leonard Kelly.
Also this week the team that Danielle Villafana (Yr 10) was a member of at State Debating Camp won the State title.

Year 9 Connected Curricula
The Year 9 Connected Curricula project this year has so far been an enormous success. The project was launched on Monday 25th November with a panel of experts convened by Craig Reucassel (writer and comedian – host of ‘War on Waste’) and Robyn Williams (host of the ABC’s Science Show), Dr Byron Smith (Ecological ethicist), Dr Angela Maharj (lecturer at the Climate Change Research Centre), Beyhad Jafari (CEO of the Electric Vehicle Council), Jonica Newby (ABC’s Catalyst) and Jean Hinchliffe (Fortian Year 10). I am looking forward to Wednesday 11th December when each group will present their project.

New Students 2020 welcomed
This week we have welcomed the new students commencing in Years 8, 9, 10 and 11 next year along with 150 Year 6 students from 71 different primary schools who will join us in 2020. It seemed as if all the Year 6 students and their Peer Support Leaders had an enjoyable morning and we are looking forward to getting to know all of these new Fortians next year.

Staff Farewells
As we come to the end of another year we must unfortunately say goodbye to a number of staff. Sadly we will be losing two members of the Mathematics Department – Sharon Lam, Head Teacher who commenced at the beginning of this year and is transferring as Head Teacher of Mathematics to Caringbah High School to be closer to home and Sally Baker who is retiring after a long and successful career in teaching Mathematics. We are hopeful that Sally will return to us regularly as a casual relief teacher to continue to share her expertise and experience with our students. We also farewell Penny Schlam (English/Drama) who is transferring to Sydney Boys High School. Penny is a long term member of the Fort for the past who has made significant contributions not only to the English faculty but also to Drama, Senior Drama productions and MAD nights.
Two of our much loved temporary Casual teachers will also be leaving us – Giorgio Speranza (PDHPE) and Genevieve Flynn (Vis Art).
We will also have a number of staff on leave in 2020: Head Teacher Science – Brian Webb will be on long service leave for the duration of Term One. Clare Cotton (PDHPE) has been seconded to the Department in a consultancy role and will be out of the school for most of the year and Fiona Schubert (English) will be on leave for the year with her family travelling around Australia.