Principals Report
Dear Fortians, Parents and Carers,
International Women’s Day was recognised this term on 8 March. To celebrate at the Fort a whole school assembly was held with a special focus on Women. The SRC put together a series of interviews with staff about IWD and what it means to them which was shown via video during the assembly. Jonathan Bonnice also gave an excellent presentation about the depiction of Asian women in the media.
Ms Cameron and I had the pleasure of accompanying the SRC executive team to the UN Women Australia’s 2023 IWD Lunch in the Grand Ballroom of the International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour. The guest speakers included Sen. The Hon. Katy Gallagher, Minister for Finance, Minister for Women, Minister for Public Service, Tarana Burke ‘me too’ movement founder, Jackie Lee-Joe Former Global CEO and Tracey Spicer journalist, author and activist.
The SRC were pleased to be able to take with them a substantial donation for UN Women Australia raised by the school community. Congratulations to our SRC for the sausage sizzle they organised and other awareness raising activities.
The SRC also hosted a Prefect Afternoon Tea on Tuesday 7 March to which they had invited student leaders from schools as far away as James Ruse and as close as Dulwich High School of Visual Arts and Design. Not only did the SRC cater a lovely afternoon tea for so many guests, but they also ran some wonderful and engaging activities to get the students out of the groups they had arrived with, talking to new people and sharing ideas between schools.
WAFTUS is a science extension program that has been running between a community of schools for many years now. For the first time since COVID hit our shores the program will commence in full and Fort Street Year 10 students will begin visiting several Primary Schools – Wilkins, Ashfield and Summer Hill for an hour each week in Term 2 to mentor selected primary students in a science project. The program works in collaboration with UTS who also provide mentorships for all students involved and provide the panel of judges for the final showcase at the end of term 2. Year 10 students who have volunteered for this program will be participating in a training day Wednesday 29 March.
Year 9 students participated in an empowering and relatable theatre incursion on 8 March which provided effective alcohol education linking directly with the NSW PDHPE curriculum.
This week Year 7 and Year 9 students are participating in NAPLAN Online, we apologise to students and parents for the disruption to regular lessons this has caused and for the technology glitches we have so far encountered during some of the testing periods. Our coordinator Ms Eastment and Technology Support Officer Mr McGeachie have been working overtime to manage the administration of these tests as smoothly as possible.
It was great to see so many parents at school last night for the IMP International Tour information night. IMP Camp will be held again at Galston this weekend kicking off at school on Friday and the IMP will go on tour next year through Portugal and Spain. I would like to thank Mr Manchester for his time and dedication in organising these wonderful experiences for our musically gifted Fortians.
Upcoming Events
Friday 17 March – Sunday 19 March – IMP Camp at Galston
Wednesday 15 March – Friday 24 March – NAPLAN Year 7 and 9
Monday 20 March – Year 11 Parent Teacher Interviews in the School Hall
Monday 27 March – Thursday 6 April Year 12 Assessment Period
Wednesday 29 March – Year 10 WAFTUS students mentor training day
Friday 31 March – House Meetings
Thursday 6 April – Year 7 Excursion Belvoir Theatre
Friday 7 April – Public Holiday