Principal’s Report

Term 3 is well underway and much has been happening in the past 3 weeks at the Fort.
I am hoping to start the recruitment process this term for a substantive Deputy Principal to replace Karen Di Stefano and a Head Teacher Maths to replace Phillip Niven. There will be some classroom positions also appointed this term or in Term 4.
Year 12 have completed Trial HSC examinations and have only 7 weeks remaining of their schooling. They are expected at school each day as their teachers cover the last topics of the syllabuses and prepare them for their HSC exams. It was heart-warming to read the many notes and messages of good wishes and support to the year 12 students that appeared in multi-colours opposite the school hall at the beginning of the trial exams, an initiative of the SRC this year.

Year 10 subject selection evening took place in week 1 followed by individual meetings with every Year 10 student in week 2. Students have now made their subject choices for the senior years and the process of timetabling for 2019 will commence.
All staff in the wellbeing team participated in a full day conference on Wednesday August 8. The team participated in planning and professional dialogue as well as engaging with a number of external providers about digital nutrition and also teenage mental health issues. This conference will be followed up by a review over the next 4 weeks of the Fort Street wellbeing roadmap and each of the programs and policies that wellbeing encompasses.

I have met twice already with the student representative council and as a result of another new initiative this term ‘feedback Friday’, in which students can write suggestions to the SRC during year meetings, the doors and locks to some of the cubicles in the boys toilets which were not operational have now been repaired.
Painting will soon commence on all the external existing painted surfaces of the Wilkins building and in some of the internal passageways. Every effort will be taken to cause minimal disruption to students and staff during this period.

Congratulations to:
Evalena Chilas (Yr 12) who has been selected to receive a 2018 John Lincoln Youth Community Service Award, which is presented to NSW senior High School students who have been nominated for their exemplary service to their communities. The Award is conducted annually by the NSW branch of the Order of Australia Association. Evalena will be presented with this award at a ceremony at NSW Government House in September.

Simon Tang (Yr 12), Johnny Quan (Yr 12) and Ilma Khan (Yr 12) aka ‘Train Squad’ entered the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute competition ‘CHOOSEMATHS’ in which they had to create a video to promote mathematics to the future generations, helping them to see and enjoy the beauty and importance of mathematics. The team has been invited to an awards ceremony in Melbourne that will be hosted by Bernie Hobbs from ABC TV’s The New Inventors to receive one of only ten awards. The students video can be viewed in this Mercurius and on the school website.

Betty Chen (Yr 11) and Katherine Nguyen (Yr 11) recently participated in the ‘2018 Secretary for a day’ program. This 2.5 day program provided them with the opportunity to shadow senior education officers from the NSW Department of Education and to actively engage in discussions about contemporary education topics.

Danielle Villafaña (Yr 9) was successful in the Public Speaking Regional finals. Her topic was on the trends of immigration in Selective High Schools.

Alana Hodzic (Yr 10) during her work experience with the ACCC recently produced a summary ASIC’s (82 page) investigation into credit card lending and problematic consumer debt. She presented to approximately 20 employees who subsequently mistook Alana for a full time employee or university intern. Alana has since reported back to the Year 10 meeting.

Damian Feng (Yr 12), Kayla Chan (Yr 10), Eric Ly (Yr 12), Richard Ly (Yr 12), Angelina Lee (Yr 10), Richard Trang (Yr 12) and Edmond Feng (Yr 12) competed in the Youth National Ultimate Frisbee Championships in Adelaide during the holidays. They were extremely successful and staff and students enjoyed watching highlights of their games at the last school assembly.

Yerin Kim (Yr 11) has is representing Australia at the International Players Tournament in Canada, part of the Maple Leaf Junior Tour. We wish her the best of luck.

Once again can I thank all the students, parents and staff of this wonderful school community for the warm welcome that I have received that has made settling into this school such a lovely experience. I look forward to reporting on a much more frequent basis the latest activities, events and achievements at the Fort.

Juliette McMurray
Principal