SRC Report
Dear friends,
After a period of lengthy COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in 2020, we are once again faced with another forced retreat due to the Delta Variant. Students and staff are currently learning/working from home, with the hope that our Year 12 students will soon be allowed back on campus to prepare for their Higher School Certificate examinations.
Being at home all day certainly generates some level of stress, boredom and anxiety. I know that this is at least true for me. The SRC has been looking at strategies to keep our school community connected during this time of involuntary separation. This update will report on recent achievements and future plans for the SRC.
Fort Street High School Inaugural Prefect Afternoon Tea (PAT)
On Tuesday 1 June, the SRC Executive Team hosted the inaugural PAT at the Fort. Prefect leaders from various high schools across Sydney (of which included local, mainstream, selective and non-government schools) participated in an afternoon of leadership focused discussions and fun social activities. After attending PATs hosted by other schools for several years, it was very exciting and honourable to host our very own. The other schools were very impressed with the bearing and leadership of the Fort Street students, and many noted how aesthetic and modern the School Library is. We hope Fort Street continues to host more PATs in the future.
NAIDOC Assembly
Term 2 ended on Friday 25 June with the annual NAIDOC Day School Assembly to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. SRC members Daniel Holland (Year 11) and Emma Howes (Year 8) chaired the assembly and presented very insightful and topical speeches.
School Wellbeing Social Media Campaigns
The SRC has been working hard to produce fun, informative and motivational content for our Instagram account (@srcfshs). Year 11 Executive members are currently presenting “A Day In The Life – Lockdown Edition” using the Instagram Stories function. The primary aim is to maintain student connection by sharing the routines, tips and lives of the Year 11 members currently engaging in the home learning environment. Meanwhile, the Year 10 members are busy creating Instagram Posts and Stories containing music/book/film recommendations, exercise routines, cooking recipes and much more, to help students find ways to take a break and relax. I encourage all staff, parents, carers and students to follow our Instagram account to view past and upcoming content.
SRC Leadership Conference (Future Leaders Week)
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions the planned inaugural SRC Leadership Conference scheduled for Tuesday 17 August 2021 has been cancelled.
However, the Principal has granted approval for the event to occur in an online format in the week 23-27 August 2021 (Week 7 Term 3).
The event, now known as Fort Street Future Leaders Week, still aims to provide leadership and motivation training to students, with a view to promote and foster leadership initiatives in our school and beyond. The online event will involve Year 11 SRC Executive members conducting individual interviews with various special guests including, The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG (Fortian 1955, former Justice of the High Court of Australia), Hon Tanya Plibersek MP (former Deputy Leader of the Labor Party), Chris Gambian (CEO Nature Conservation Council NSW), Natalie Lang (Branch Secretary of the Australian Services Union NSW and ACT), and Erin O leary (young activist and co-founder of Youth Against Sexual Violence).
All students will have the opportunity to submit questions to our guest speakers. The interviews will be recorded and posted online during the Fort Street Future Leaders Week. Stay tuned for further updates very soon!
SRC Elections
Elections for new SRC Members and Executives (current Year 10 only) usually occur towards the end of Term 3. However, due to the uncertainty caused by the current pandemic, the election and procedures will be announced via DET emails when known. Being a SRC member since Year 7, I highly encourage all Fortians to consider nominating themselves to the role. The SRC provides an opportunity to develop and learn leadership skills including project management, public speaking, as well as involvement in various charity and community fundraising events. SRC membership is also a very enjoyable and rewarding experience
Tips to maintain wellbeing during home learning
I wanted to share with you some reminders to stay healthy and alert during this period of lockdown:
● Remember to exercise and stay active.
● Look after your eyes! Take frequent breaks (Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 metres away for at least 20 seconds), work in well lit areas, ensure screens are at least an arms length away and directly in front of you.
● Stay connected with friends and family.
● The school is always available and open to assist with any issue.
● The SRC is also here to support you! Tips on how to maintain wellbeing can be found on our Instagram page.
ATTN Year 10 Cohort
Watch out for the call for expressions of interest to be part of the Fortian Magazine Team soon. Roles on offer include Chief Student Editor, Editors and Chief Layout Artist. This is a great opportunity to showcase your leadership, chronicle the events of 2021 for future generations to look back on and to be part of a great team led by The Chief Editor, Mr Mark Backhouse.
Do you have any feedback and ideas on any school related issues? We would love to hear from you! Please contact your friendly SRC via email (srcfshs@gmail.com), Instagram or simply let one of our members know.
Hope you all stay safe and well during this very difficult time. All the best!
Peter Tran
SRC Vice-President
Year11