Principals Report
Dear Fortians, Parents and Carers,
Even in the last two weeks of school life has not slowed down at the Fort. As I walk around the school there is a buzz of excitement for the upcoming summer break but many weary teachers and students. This week Year 7 enjoyed a day out at the movies and afternoon with their year advisers, teachers and peer support leaders to celebrate completing their first year at the Fort. The history faculty held the annual V for Victory History Dance, it was fantastic to see the teachers and students dressed in period costume. Thank you to Ms Lawson and Ms Wark who have been instrumental in organising these events.
I would like to express my gratitude to the Parent-Teacher Association (P&C) for yet another fantastic year and for successfully raising a generous sum of money. These funds will be utilised to fund the staff Christmas lunch on the final day of the school year. We are immensely appreciative, of your support.
Year 10 Connected Curriculum
During the recent Year 10 Connected curriculum, students delved into various topics centered around the theme of sustainability. This initiative not only provided students with the chance to apply a myriad of skills essential in cross-curricular project-based learning scenarios but also encouraged them to develop a concise project piece examining sustainability in their environment. With dedicated time and explicit instructions, students honed their soft skills in teamwork, inquiry, and communication. Throughout the week, students actively engaged with a diverse array of guest speakers and authentic audiences to refine their final projects. These speakers included notable individuals such as Frank Robeson (Ausgrid), Fahimah Badrulhisham (Move Beyond Coal), Byron Smith (ABC & ecological ethicist), Chris Wright (CEO of Climate Tracker), and Dani Villafaña (Fortian of 2021).
Small group workshops were also run by Lai Heng Foong (Emergency Physician, Chair of the Public Health and Disaster Committee, Conjoint Lecturer), Chris Wright (CEO of Climate Tracker), Jeanne-Vida Douglas (Marketing & Communications Manager for TerraCycle Australia New Zealand), Nicole Wong (Sustainable business, TerraCycle), and Rodney Monk ( political art marking). Thanks also to Caroline Pidcock (architect and a prominent advocate for sustainable development) who was unable to attend due to illness but still contributed videos to the event. The final judge was Rosanna Iacono, Fortian parent and CEO of The Growth Activists consultancy firm.
I extend my gratitude to Ms. Maddox, Mr. Galvin, and their dedicated team for their meticulous organisation and planning of this event. Such occasions do not unfold effortlessly; rather, they demand weeks of thorough preparation and countless hours dedicated to coordinating logistics. I appreciate your collective efforts in shaping this enriching experience for our students.
2nd Place at the Asian Pacific RoboCup
I am thrilled to announce that Hugh Phan, Issey Ley, Jayden Nguyen and Jack Sumner of Year 10 have achieved a remarkable feat by securing 2nd place at the Asian Pacific RoboCup competition held in Korea. In this prestigious event, which revolves around the Robot World Cup Initiative, our students showcased their prowess in AI and intelligent robotics. The competition’s objective is to advance research in these fields by utilising soccer as a standard problem, enabling the integration and examination of a wide range of technologies. This victory not only highlights our students’ exceptional skills but also underscores the significance of the RoboCup in fostering collaboration and idea exchange among researchers in the growing field of multi-agent systems. As we celebrate this achievement, we recognise the dedication and talent that propelled Hugh, Issey, Jayden and Jack to success on the international stage.
Brisbane Volleyball Championships
Our Year 10 girls’ volleyball team displayed exceptional skill and sportsmanship at the Australian Schools Volleyball Championship on the Gold Coast, where they competed among over 500 teams across 40 divisions. The commendable efforts of our girls – Ashley H, Sophie, Ashley K, Caitlyn, Clarissa, Abby, Koharu, Jade and Livia – resulted in a fantastic 9th-place finish in their division, which comprised 28 teams. This achievement is a testament to their dedication and teamwork. A heartfelt congratulations and gratitude are extended to Ms. Ezekiel and Ms. Fentoullis, whose guidance and support were instrumental in the girls’ success. Their commitment to accompanying the team reflects the spirit of encouragement and mentorship that enhances the overall experience for our student athletes. Well done to the team and our dedicated staff.
Staff Farewells
As the school year draws to a close, bidding farewell to the dedicated and hardworking staff at the Fort evokes a sense of sadness. This year, we extend our heartfelt goodbyes to those who are retiring or departing permanently. Their unwavering commitment and contributions have left an indelible mark on our school community.
As Mr. John Ockwell embarks on a well-deserved year off and transitions into retirement, we bid a fond farewell to our cherished music maestro. With over two decades of dedicated service at the Fort, he has left an indelible mark on the hearts of students and colleagues alike. As the strings director of the instrumental music program, J.O has not only imparted musical wisdom but has also been a source of inspiration to many. His tireless commitment was evident in the countless hours spent at music camps, performance nights, and on unforgettable overseas tours. Although he may be taking a step back from teaching in the classroom, we are delighted to know that he will continue to contribute his expertise in his role in the IMP. His absence will undoubtedly be felt, but his legacy of passion and dedication to the art of music will resonate for years to come. Wishing him a restful and joyous retirement.
Sadly, we bid farewell to Mr. Simon Vaughan, a valued member of our Fort community for the past four years. Mr Vaughan has made significant impact in the PE department. In his roles as a sports coordinator, assistant year adviser, and house patron, Mr. Vaughan has demonstrated unwavering dedication and enthusiasm. We are especially grateful for his instrumental role in establishing and energising the house points system, as well as his leadership in guiding the house captains and spearheading initiatives like Spirit Week. His passion for fostering a sense of community and healthy competition within our school has left an enduring mark. Though we are saddened by his departure interstate, his positive influence will be remembered with gratitude, and we wish him all the best in this new chapter.
As Ms. Camille Nguyen bids farewell to our Fort community, we extend our sincere gratitude for the impactful contributions she made during her short tenure in the Science faculty. Though her time with us was brief, her dedication and efforts were deeply appreciated. We wish Ms. Nguyen the very best as she takes on a new role at Ashfield Boys HS, confident that her passion and expertise will continue to positively influence those she encounters.
In her initial years as a teacher, Ms. Lily Bui has demonstrated remarkable skill in seamlessly managing the teaching load across the History and English faculties. Her undeniable dedication to her classes has left a lasting impact, and we are truly grateful for the valuable contributions she has made during her time at our school. As Ms. Bui embarks on a new chapter in her career at Sydney Grammar, we extend our heartfelt best wishes for success in all her endeavours.
A sincere thank you to Ms. Barbara Vassiliadis for her outstanding contributions to the CAPA faculty this year, particularly in Visual Arts and Drama. Her involvement in performance evenings and play days has enriched the artistic endeavours of our students. Additionally, Ms. Vassiliadis has demonstrated unwavering commitment in supporting both students and teachers through the Learning Centre. Her efforts have made a significant impact, and we express our gratitude for her valuable contributions to the Fort community. We hope to see Ms Vassiliadis at the Fort again soon.
A heartfelt farewell to Ms. Julie Messiner, who, shortly after retirement, graciously stepped into Fort Street on a casual basis and ended up taking on a full-time teaching load. Her wealth of expertise and leadership over the past three terms has been invaluable to the technology faculty. We express our deepest appreciation for her dedication. While bidding her goodbye, we hold the hope that Ms. Messiner will return to Fort Street in some capacity soon.
The office staff are also very sad to say goodbye to Ms Diana Choy. Ms Choy has always greeted staff and students with a warm welcome and gone above and beyond to help everyone. Her contribution to the programs like the Duke of Ed and IMP as well as running the print room so efficiently has been invaluable. We wish Ms Choy all the best in her exciting new role.
A genuine thank you to Mr. Michael Chan, who stepped in admirably to cover for Mr. O’Neill in History, and Mr. Adrian Mok, who filled in seamlessly for Ms. Starr in Visual Arts. Your professionalism and valuable contributions have been truly appreciated during your time at the Fort. We hope to see you back at the Fort soon, and wish you continued success in your endeavours.
Although this is the final edition of Mercurius for 2023, I will be publishing the HSC results on the school website before Christmas. We are looking forward to receiving the HSC results on December 14 and celebrating with the class of 2023 at the ATAR breakfast morning tea on Friday December 15.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all Fortians and their families a wonderful, safe and restful summer holiday period.
2023 Term 4 Dates
A reminder that the last day of school for students this year, is Friday December 15.
2024 Important Dates
Thursday February 1 – Year 7 and Year 9 Peer Support Leaders return to school
Friday February 2 – Years 8 – 12 return to school
Monday February 5 – Swimming Carnival
Wednesday February 7 – Friday February 9 – Year 11 Camp
Wednesday February 14 – School Photos
Saturday February 17 – Monday February 19 – Year 11 Silver Duke of Ed Hike
Wednesday February 12 – School Photos catch up
Wednesday February 12 – Year 7 and 8 study skills evening
Friday February 23 – Speech day