Mercurius issue 1 – February 2024 - 8 Feb 2024
Principals Report

Principals Report

Dear Fortians, Parents and Carers, 

The commencement of another exciting year at Fort Street High School has been bustling with activity. A warm welcome extends to our new families, with a special acknowledgment for our Year 7 students who have brought smiles and curiosity, seamlessly integrating into the Fort Street community with confidence. Gratitude is extended to Mr. Carritt, Year 7 Adviser, Ms. Cove, Year 7 Assistant Adviser, and the collaborative efforts of Ms. Dooley, Ms. Propsting, and the Year 10 Peer Support leaders, all of whom have played a pivotal role in supporting our Year 7 cohort to settle in, fostering the development of friendships across the cohort. 

We are pleased to welcome several new additions to our school community.  

In the absence of Mr. Morrison, Ms. Mattick will assume the role of Deputy Principal, and Ms. Propsting will relieve in the role of HT CAPA. Also joining us in CAPA are Ms. Wray in Music, Ms. Finsterer, who will be teaching students in Drama and Mr. Wallace in Visual Arts. 

In the Technology Faculty, we extend a warm welcome to Mr. Clarke, who has secured a permanent position at Fort Street. Joining the Social Science Faculty is Ms. Richards, and from the History Faculty, we welcome Ms. Johnston. 

Changes in the front office include Ms. Choy’s departure for a position at NSW Health, with Ms. Mills stepping in as her replacement. 

Returning this year are some familiar faces. Ms. Hurrell will continue to job share with Ms. Maddox, while Ms. Kerr also continues a job-sharing arrangement with Ms. Tidon. Mr. Wilkinson has extended his leave of absence, and Ms. Shi will assume his role.  

In the PDHPE faculty, we welcome back Mr. Sarif and Mr. Feng. 

In the Science department, we welcome back Mr. Webb back as the Head Teacher of Science. We look forward to the collective contributions of both new and returning staff members in enriching our school environment. 

 On behalf of the staff, I want to express our gratitude to the P&C and all the families who contributed to the staff end-of-year thank-you lunch. The staff greatly appreciated your support, making the occasion meaningful and enjoyable. Your contributions were instrumental in creating a positive atmosphere during this event, and it did not go unnoticed by the entire staff at Fort Street. Thank you for your generosity and thoughtful gestures. 

 The swimming carnival proved to be a resounding success again this year, with a commendable turnout from our students in what could only be described as a scorcher of a day. A special appreciation goes to Ms. Ezekiel and her dedicated team for their efforts in organising the event which ran smoothly. The spirited atmosphere was further heightened by the hotly contested house chant, with Joshi House emerging victorious – congratulations to them! It was great to witness enthusiastic student participation in various events, setting a positive tone for the upcoming fiercely contested Kennedy Cup. We extend our congratulations to all competitors and wish our team progressing to the Zone carnival the best of luck. 

This week, the school was a little quieter than usual as Year 11 students participated in a three-day camp at Narrabeen Academy of Sport and Recreation. Thank you to the dedicated staff members who generously organised and attended the camp, making such enriching experiences possible for our students. 

 I would like to remind all families that if you are facing challenges in meeting school expenses, financial assistance can be provided and assistance is available. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the school to discuss your specific needs. 

 Upcoming Events in Term 1: 

  • Clubs & Committess Day – Monday 12 February 
  • School Photo Day Wednesday 14 February 
  • Silver Duke of Ed Hike Saturday 17 to Monday 19 February 
  • Chinese School Visit – Wednesday 14 to Tuesday 20 February 
  • Year 7 Study Skills Evening – School Hall Wednesday 21 February  
  • Annual Speech Day – Town Hall Friday 23 February – 9am 
  • Zone Swimming Carnival – Tuesday 28 February 
  • German Sister School Visit – Wednesday 29 to Sunday 18 March 
  • Year 7 Camp Wednesday 6 March to Friday 8 March 
  • Years 7 and 9 NAPLAN – Wednesday 13 March to 25 March 
  • IMP Camp – Friday 22 March to Sunday 24 March 
  • Year 10 Vaccination – Monday 25 March 
  • Public Holidays Friday 29 March & Monday April 1 
  • Year 12 Assessment Period Tuesday 2 April to Tuesday 9 April 
  • Cross Country Carnival – Friday 12 April 
Clubs and Committees Day

Clubs and Committees Day

On Monday 12 February, the SRC will be hosting Clubs and Committees Day.

There will be a range of stalls set up in the School Hall for students to obtain information about the range of extra-curricular activities at Fort Street High School.

Years 7 to 9 will visit the stalls at the following allocated times.

Year 7 Period 2

Year 8 Period 3

Year 9 Period 4

Years 10 to 12 will be able to view the stalls during recess and lunch.

Our School Photo Day is Wednesday 14 February

Our School Photo Day is Wednesday 14 February

Parents can order photos through www.advancedlife.com.au or alternatively scan the QR code on the flyer.

The flyer has been posted on School Bytes, Sentral and sent via email to all families.

IMP Restart Information for 2024

IMP Restart Information for 2024

Welcome to 2024! This is going to be a huge year for the IMP, with loads of exciting performance opportunities!

Regular rehearsals start back from Monday 12 February, except for Training Band, which will begin on Monday 6 February.

For information about IMP performances, please check the IMP Google Calendar. Information is added to this calendar as it becomes available, and information will usually be available here before it appears in the school calendar.

All IMP members are expected to attend all rehearsals, unless they are sick or have a school event that clashes with the rehearsal. If you’re going to be absent from an IMP rehearsal for any reason, you need to fill in the IMP Absence Form.

Please make sure you check the IMP Membership Handbook for any questions you may have about how the IMP operates.

Let’s have another great year of music-making!

Dr Matthew Manchester

IMP Coordinator and Director of Bands

Strike a Chord – Chamber Music Competition 2024

Strike A Chord is Musica Viva Australia’s national chamber music competition for Australian school students. If you are part of a chamber ensemble and would like to enter, please visit: musicaviva.com.au/strikeachord

WHO CAN ENTER

Groups with 3-8 members, any instrument and/or voice combination.

One player/singer per part, no conductor and no adult accompanists

Repertoire broadly classical in style (no pop, rock, jazz, musical theatre)

KEY DATES

Coaching Program Applications Close – 22 March 2024

Strike A Chord/Novice Section Entries Close – 30 May 2024

AMEB Award launches in 2024

The AMEB has just launched a new award called the AMEB Award. It aims to showcase the commitment and contribution of developing musicians and young creatives in Australia. Think of it as a Duke of Edinburgh award, but for music.

For more information visit: ameb.edu.au/award

Fort Street P&C

Fort Street P&C

The Parents & Citizens Association would like to welcome all families back to school and extend a special welcome to our new Year 7 families.

We encourage all parents and carers to join our P&C. Our aim is to support an inclusive and enriching community and provide students with the experiences, resources and facilities they need. Research shows that children perform better at school when their parents are involved in their education!

Next P&C meeting: Wednesday 14th February at 7:30pm, in the School Library

The P&C holds meetings at 7:30pm on the second Wednesday of each month during school terms. The first meeting of the term is in the school library and the following meetings each term are held via Zoom. These meetings provide an opportunity to learn more about what is happening in the school, how it operates, to ask questions and to meet other parents. The Principal usually gives an informative report on the recent happenings within the school. 

Before most P&C meetings is a presentation on a focus item, for example on Wellbeing, eSafety, or how a particular subject is taught.

University Admissions Information for Year 12 parents

University Admissions Information for Year 12 parents

Just a reminder that UAC has a newsletter specifically for Year 12 parents to keep them informed about the application and uni entry process. Please subscribe via the link below, or go to the ‘Parents’ page of the UAC website.

Subscribe to the UAC parent newsletter

UAC Digital

This year UAC will be running a number of LIVE webinars for Year 10 to 12 students and their parents. Dates and registrations will be released very soon via this email. We will also keep you up to date via our social media pages and the UAC Digital web page.

The first LIVE webinar will be aired on Wednesday, 27 March, at 6 pm; a session for parents with information about the application process and how to support their Year 12 student. This event will be live-streamed on Facebook and our webinar platform. Registration will open soon.

Charles Sturt | Medicine Information Night

Charles Sturt | Medicine Information Night

March 20, 2024

Join our online Medicine Information Night to discover our five-year Doctor of Medicine.

Charles Sturt University offers the Joint Program in Medicine in partnership with Western Sydney University. The two-year program runs on our Orange campus in regional New South Wales and is followed by three years of regional placements.

Whether you’re in high school, looking for a career change or keen to take the next step in your health career – this information night is for you! Parents, carers and career advisers are also welcome to attend.

Find out more

AIE | Industry Experience Day

AIE | Industry Experience Day

April 11 to April 17, 2024

AIE’s Industry Experience Day is a great opportunity for students in Years 10, 11 and 12 to learn about the local and international game development, 3D animation and visual effects industries. Students will get the opportunity to learn about the different pathways to get into the industry, what should be in a portfolio and will be able to get creative in practical workshops using industry-standard 3D animation and game development tools.

The sessions are run by industry professionals who have worked on some blockbuster games and films. Everything is provided for you to participate in the hands-on workshops and you will be using the same software that is used in the industry.

Find out more

SPECIAL REPORT: The Wellbeing Barometer 2024

SPECIAL REPORT: The Wellbeing Barometer 2024

The Wellbeing Barometer survey has proven to be an invaluable tool for schools, providing insights into the state of youth mental health and wellbeing. Whilst last year’s results focussed the spotlight on areas of concern, there were also many highlights that demonstrated the resilience and adaptability of students and emphasised the necessity of prevention strategies.Participating in this year’s survey, will assist in identifying areas of strength and concern, as well as pinpointing opportunities for early intervention. Previously gathered information has helped support families as they navigate difficult conversations that enable understanding and foster connections to build relationships.This survey is part of an ongoing, longitudinal study, with the results being instrumental in tailoring support for students and their families. Participation is strongly encouraged, as it provides a comprehensive view of students’ experiences, challenges, and achievements over the past year. Its aim is to capture a comprehensive picture of young people’s lives, allowing for a tailored approach to enhance mental and emotional wellbeing.We encourage you to take a few moments to complete a survey for each of your children. This will help us determine the nature and extent of your concerns and how best to support families in the months ahead. Responses remain anonymous and will only be reported on an aggregated basis. You are asked to base your responses on observations made in the last 12 months.Acquiring the skills for future independence, taking healthy risks, and giving young people the opportunity to emancipate from parents, are key developmental tasks that are essential if we are to stave off the impact of mental illness in the future. Please reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you or your child, please reach out to the school or seek professional medical advice.Here is the link to your special report https://fortstreet.nsw.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-wellbeing-barometer-2024-au