Principal’s Report

The year ended with sad farewells to a number of staff at Fort Street including Ms Nithya Raghunath (technology teacher), Mr Jack Novosel (maths teacher), Mr Phil Niven (maths teacher), Mr Daniel Fenech (science teacher), Mr Gregor Macfie (history teacher) and Ms Janet Wilkins from the front office.
In 2019 we welcome a number of new staff to the Fort including Ms Sharon Lam – Head Teacher Mathematics, Ms Mandy Kaur – mathematics teacher, Ms Lindy Wark – history teacher and Mr David Pawley – technology teacher. I would also like to congratulate Ms Carolyn Mattick in gaining the substantive Head Teacher CAPA position via merit selection.

HSC Results
On Friday 14th December staff enjoyed a morning tea with the 2018 Year 12 Fortians who returned to celebrate their outstanding HSC results. In summary:

–      24 students achieved a result in the highest band in 10 or more units of courses
–      Fort Street was ranked 15th school in NSW
–      In the Mathematics, Extension 1 and Extension 2 courses Fort Street ranked 13th in the state.
–      In the English (Advanced) course as a whole Fort Street ranked 15th in the state
–      John Bivell achieved 1st place in Economics. Last year John was also placed 1st for Earth and Environmental Studies.
–      Anson Lee achieved 2nd place in Information Processes and Technology
–      Cole Johnson achieved 4th place in English Advanced and 14thplace in Legal Studies
–      Erika Koit achieved 5th place in English Advanced
–      Moss Johnston achieved 9th place in History Extension
–      Julian Van Gerwen achieved 14th place in Biology

Please check the school website for a full list of the distinguished achievers this year.

Valid Science Test – Year 10
Valid results for Year 10 this year were outstanding. Fort Street High School had the largest number of students in the top 30 results and five students achieved the 5th highest score in the state. Congratulations to:
–      Edmund Derwent
–      Jayden Do
–      Cheylen Devine
–      Christine Nguyen
–      Thomas Stevens

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all Fortians and their families the very best over the January holidays and hope that all students and staff enjoy a well-deserved break. I look forward to catching up with everyone again in 2019. Staff will be returning to school on Tuesday January 29th. Year 7 students and Year 10 Peer Support leaders return to school on Wednesday January 30thwith all other students returning on Thursday January 31st.

Year 10 VALID results

Fort Street High School has achieved outstanding results in the VALID Science 10 test this year. Five of our students, Edmund Derwent, Jayden Do, Cheylon Devine, Christine Nguyen and Thomas Stevens all achieved the 5th highest score in the state. This places them in the top 30 students in the state.  Fort Street High School also topped the state with the largest number of students in the top 30.

(Photo: Edmund Derwent,  Thomas Stevens​, Cheylon Devine, and​ Christine Nguyen.)

German Gingerbread Houses

German classes got a little festive in the last week of school making Hexenhäuser or gingerbread houses. Each group got creative with a gingerbread kit and a plate of lollies and the results ranged from fairy tale perfect cottages through to cantilevered architectural wonders. All students had a lot of fun … and a little too much sugar.

Kristina Reynolds
Languages​

Club Wednesday Sport

In conjunction with our regular Club Wednesday gatherings (Social Soccer, Cricket Crackers and Running Club) a new group was recently formed under the tutelage of our very own Ultimate Frisbee Australian Representative, Edmund Feng (Class of 2018) who was supported by a few of his peers. The boys ran an Ultimate Frisbee skills and drills workshop for about 20 students across Years 7-10 on the school oval in week 9. This group of senior students have been integral to developing the Ultimate culture at Fort Street with their famed leader Mr O’Neill over the years and it has been a pleasure to see them working hard and with passion to pass on their skills and love of the game to the next generation of Ultimate Fortians.

Club Wednesday’s will be continuing next year (albeit it with a change of name/days) and I challenge all athletes, irrespective of age, gender or ability to seize the extracurricular sporting opportunities available at Fort Street next year and get amongst the community which is all about fun, physical and mental fitness and fun!

Happy Holidays Fort Street. Be safe, be adventurous and as always study hard and play harder.

Mr Uppal  

Year 10 Work Experience

A big “Congratulations” to this year’s Year 10 for their amazing commitment to undertaking Work Experience in 2018. This year we have easily doubled the number of students doing work experience placements, and some students have completed more than one placement. Particularly pleasing, too, has been the feedback from employers. On several occasions the Fort Street students have been involved in doing research, preparing reports and giving presentations, and each time other members of the teams have assumed the Fortians were university interns or new recruits, not high school students just popping in for a week. A big “thank you” to Year 10 Adviser Rodney Carritt for being so supportive of the program and allowing students to report back from their work placements at Year 10 meetings throughout the year to share their experiences and encourage others to undertake work experience too.

Kylie Salisbury – Careers

Philosophy classes

The penultimate Philosophy class for the year was held this week and the tutor Arkady de Jong brought along one of his extraordinary cake-creations to celebrate a successful year of philosophising. Through mouthfuls, students discussed whether one can “love” a computer, and whether robots have rights. Philosophy classes will run on Wednesday mornings again next year, from 8 am to 8.45am each Wednesday of the school term, and all students are welcome to join the class.
For more information about the Philosophy program, contact the Careers Adviser, Ms Salisbury.

Instrumental Music Program

The IMP wishes the entire Fortian community a very safe and happy holiday. Congratulations of an incredible year of music and learning!

End of Year Concert

The IMP End of Year Concert was held on Sunday 9 December. For the first time the lunch was held in the Lower Kilgour Quad. With more space and shade, and wonderful jazz provided by the Jazz Ensemble and Fusion Ensemble, the event was a huge success. The entire event raised over $11000 to help the IMP in 2019. Congratulations to the enormous team of helpers and volunteers, who gave up their time, under the incredible logistical oversight of the Catering Committee.

Huge thank you to our major donors:

Falls Music and Arts Festival
Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Opera Australia
Brandenburg Orchestra
Sydney Chamber Choirs
Belvoir
Griffin

Also:
Keron Mackenzie Wise and Mal Wise
Hilary Bell and Phillip Johnston
As well as members of the IMP community who generously donated gift vouchers, wine and chocolates.
And special thanks to Matthew Martin and Rachel Knepfer for donating a beautiful print even though Oscar has now left the school.

The concert itself was a highlight of the year, with all ensembles performing brilliantly. The sense of community spirit visible at the event is one of the reasons the IMP is such a great success.

2019​ Rehearsals

A reminder to all IMP members that most rehearsals will begin in Week 2 of Term 1, 2019.

Matthew Manchester
IMP Coordinator
Director of Bands