Teachers Appreciation Day

Hi Fort Street,

Hope you all had a wicked time at our halloween event last thursday! 

As HSC exams come to a close, we approach our annual TEACHERS APPRECIATION DAY celebrations! On Friday 15th of November, we’ll be hosting an exclusive TAD assembly featuring appreciation speeches from students, a playground interview video and even an exclusive FSHS teacher kahoot…. you won’t want to miss it! 

After the TAD assembly, teachers will be treated to baked goods made by Fort Street students. We highly encourage you to bake something (even small) to bring in for your teachers and bring it in FRIDAY MORNING in the staff common room. Please label all containers with your name and ingredients for allergy awareness.

Teachers are such an essential part of our learning and often we don’t take enough time to appreciate them. The amount of work they put into creating interesting lesson plans, fun activities and our subjects in general is much more than us students realise, and all this work deserves to be recognised and applauded. Without the teachers at our school many of us students wouldn’t be who or where we are today, the lessons they’ve taught us or simply the core memories we’ve created with them have shaped us through the years. Us students can never be grateful enough which is why Teachers Appreciation Day is so important, and our teachers really deserve to be appreciated. 💗

At recess we’ll be holding a stall where you can write appreciative messages to teachers on two posters, one that will be hung in the Rowe staffroom, and the other in the Cohen staffroom. You can come and write your message on the day at recess OR you can send a short message through our google form and we’ll write it for you! 

Lots of love, 

SRC Execs 2024/25

P.S. Later this term, we’ll be hosting our annual talent quest to end the year on a high note;

START THINKING ABOUT YOUR ACTS NOW!!! Keep an eye on your inboxes for the submission form next week!

Principals Report

Dear Fortians, Parents and Carers,

As we reach the final week of HSC exams, we extend our congratulations to our Year 12 students! The last exam, Geography, will conclude by 1pm on Friday, marking the end of a demanding season. Our students have shown commendable resilience and maturity throughout, and we couldn’t be prouder of their efforts.

Meanwhile, we are in full swing preparing for the upcoming academic year. Timetabling preparations are well underway, and students in Years 8 and 10 should now have access to their confirmed elective choices for 2025, which have been posted outside the timetabling room. Year 11 students have also begun their new extension courses and now that reports have been distributed, some of these students may wish to adjust their subjects. Those considering a change can consult with Ms. Mattick, provided they maintain a minimum of 10 units on their schedule.

New start dates for 2025

The Department of Education announced last week that additional professional learning days for school staff will be added to the 2025 calendar. These days will be student-free. Although staff will be engaged in professional learning activities beginning Friday, 31 January, students will not return to school until later the following week. Year 10 Peer Support Leaders, along with students in Years 7, 11, and 12, will commence on Thursday, 6 February, while Years 8, 9, and 10 will return on Friday, 7 February.

These changes have also affected other key dates in our school calendar. The Year 11 camp will now take place from Monday, 10 February, to Wednesday, 12 February, and the Year 7 camp will run from Wednesday, 12 February, to Friday, 14 February.

Uniform

We ask for your continued support in ensuring that all students wear their full school uniform each day, including black shoes. As the weather changes, we’ve noticed an increase in non-uniform items, and maintaining consistent uniform standards helps reinforce school pride and a sense of belonging. Wearing the correct uniform also supports a focused learning environment and helps students feel part of our community.

Starting in Week 6, staff will be conducting a uniform check, and detentions will be issued to students who are out of uniform without a note from home. If there are any genuine reasons your child is unable to wear the full uniform on a given day, please provide a written note to help us monitor and support them. Thank you for working with us to uphold our school’s standards and create a positive atmosphere for all students.

Halloween

It was fantastic to see so many students and staff getting into the spirit of our Halloween fancy dress day this year! The creativity on display was impressive, with some truly standout costumes and well-deserved prizes awarded throughout the day. I’d like to extend a special thanks to my Deputy Principal colleagues, Mr. Sherwin and Ms. Mattick, for joining me as an Addams Family trio! A big thank you as well to Ms. Dunn, who impressed us all with her wonderful fortune teller costume.

House Captain Opportunities

We are excited to announce the opportunity for students to nominate themselves as House Captains! This is a fantastic leadership role that allows students from Years 7-10 to contribute actively to shaping the positive culture of our school. House Captains play a pivotal role in organizing events, inspiring school spirit, and using their creativity to build a strong, inclusive community. Each of our five houses will elect four House Captains at the House Meetings next Friday, and we encourage students with enthusiasm, vision, and a passion for making a difference to step forward. This is an invaluable chance for students to grow in confidence, build leadership skills, and leave a lasting impact on their school community. Please encourage your child to consider this exciting opportunity!

Schools Spectacular 2024

This year’s Schools Spectacular ‘All4One’ is the flagship performing arts event for the NSW Department of Education. Featuring over 5,500 students from more than 400 schools across the state, it promises to be a truly spectacular showcase of talent. Highlights include 40 solo performances, a 2800-strong choir; 2,300 dancers; an 80-piece symphony orchestra; a world-class stage band and various special ensembles. If you would like to attend, tickets are available via Ticketek. Additionally, Spec-Fest, the free outdoor family festival will once again feature pre-show entertainment.

Congratulations to Alex Pringle, Fort Street’s choral conductor, who is conducting the entire show this year, and to all our students who have been selected to perform:

· Core Choir: Andy B. (Year 12), Isobel J. (Year 9), Melody R. (Year 11)

· NSW Singers: Ivy S. (Year 10)

· Orchestra: Noam Z. (Year 9), Kai H. (Year 10), Lucinda M. (Year 9), Rhys M. (Year 12), Hugo N. (Year 9), Henry S. (Year 8)

· Stage Band: Jasper K. (Year 11)

· Combined Choir: Yan Jun C. (Year 10), Jingwen C. (Year 9), Rita C. (Year 9), Owen D. (Year 11), Ozomi G. (Year 8), Chloe G. (Year 7), Steph H. (Year 8), Mieke H. (Year 7), Siena J. (Year 10), Audrey K. (Year 8), Nirvani K. (Year 7), Audrey L. (Year 8), Miranda L. (Year 10), Madeleine L. (Year 10), Aryadeep R. (Year 7), Maya T. (Year 10), Emma W. (Year 8), Nancy Z. (Year 8)

Upcoming Events

Monday November 11 – Remembrance Day Assembly and SRC Induction

Monday November 11 – Junior House Volleyball Competition

Wednesday November 13 – P&C AGM : school library at 7pm

Wednesday November 13 to Friday 15 – Year 12 sign out days

Monday 18 November – Ultimate Frisbee NSW State Championships

Monday 18 November – School Spectacular day rehearsal

Wednesday 20 November – Open Morning for prospective students and parents

Thursday 21 November – Year 10 English Excursion Belvoir Theatre

Thursday 21 November and Friday 22 November – Peer Support training Year 9

Friday 22 November – House Meetings and elections for 2025 House Captains

Juliette McMurray

Duke of Edinburgh

Gold Duke of Edinburgh – Mount Jagungal and Kosciuszko National Park

In Week 2 this term, our adventurous students concluded a remarkable journey as they completed their 4 day Gold Duke of Edinburgh Qualifying hike. This program, aimed at developing young leaders and outdoor enthusiasts, promotes personal growth through challenging experiences. Our students embraced this ethos wholeheartedly, demonstrating resilience, teamwork, and an unwavering spirit in the great outdoors.

The hike spanned over four days, taking our group through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in our Snowy Mountains region and including a hike to the summit of Mount Jagungal.  From rugged peak to serene valleys, and babbling alpine streams, the students navigated their way through diverse terrains, building their hiking and navigation skills and deepening their appreciation for nature. The challenge was made more extreme by night time temperatures dropping to -3˚C. 

Throughout the trip they demonstrated essential skills such as map reading, camp cooking, and first aid. All skills they have developed and refined through 5 previous hikes of increasing difficulty. Students worked collaboratively to develop their plans, manage supplies, and support each other, embodying the values of teamwork and friendship. The sense of accomplishment at the end of the hike was nothing short of remarkable. 

A special thank you is also extended to all the Fort Street teachers who have volunteered their time to support students on their Adventurous Journey hikes. On this trip Ms Lawson and Ms Nolan were invaluable. Ms Dooley, Ms Catalan, Mr Dong, Mrs Thompson, Mr O’Neill and Ms Johnston have all assisted on previous hikes making these trips possible.

Beyond the physical challenge, the Gold DofE hike allowed students to step out of their comfort zones, fostering confidence and independence. As a school community, we are incredibly proud of our students’ achievements in completing the Gold Duke of Edinburgh qualifying hike. This experience not only marks a milestone in their DofE journey but also represents one of the largest cohorts of students to complete a Gold level award at Fort Street. We look forward to more students participating in the program in the future, continuing the legacy of exploration and personal development.

Mr David Latimer 

2024 Gold Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator

Halloween at the Fort

October 31st 2024- Hosted by the SRC

A day that ghosties and ghouls gathered in the Kilgour quad dressed in their finest spooky attire, eager to parade their costumes and show off their creativity. The SRC gathered their Halloween spirit and put together a fun and frightening display across the quad. Pumpkins, skeletons, and spiderwebs set the scene for the costume competition.

In attendance, a cackle of witches, a fright of ghosts, and a stray vampire slinking in the shadows.

(A fright of ghosts)

Along with the classic costumes of Halloween, there were familiar faces in the crowd. The sinister twins from The Shining, the famous Joker of Gotham City, the Derry Girls, Sophia Grace and Rosie (who gave a passionate rendition of Super Bass), and our beloved Steve Irwin, crocodile and snake in tow.

(The Derry Girls)

The cheers of the monstrous crowd determined the winners, as well as the Addams family (Ms McMurray, Mr Sherwin, Ms Mattick) and Fort Streets very own fortune teller (Ms Dunn).

The winner of solo costume was Steve Irwin!

The winner of the group costume was The Shining twins!

The teachers were not immune to the tricks and treats, joining in the fun with their own costumes.

(A mummy, a witch, the duo lingo owl, a harmonious colour scheme, the girl with the pearl earring, anxiety from Inside Out 2, a fortune teller, Morticia Addams, a Lion)

Lollies were shared amongst friends and Polaroids were snapped in the spooky photobooth. Overall, it was a fantastic event enjoyed by all.

A big thank you to the SRC for organising a frightfully fun Halloween at the Fort!

Year 8 Medieval Incursion

On Friday, 6th of September, Year 8 History students participated in a Medieval weaponry and defence incursion, then later completed their castle building assessment task.

For the first half of the day, we experienced a very fun and interesting incursion where an instructor came in to show all the different types of medieval armoury and weapons.

We had a fun time dressing up classmates as different kinds of knights over the 500 year medieval time span. From Vikings to Goths, Normans to Crusaders and finally high-medieval knights. A large expanse of weapons were shown to penetrate each different type of armour. It was really interesting to see how they evolved. We were shown origins of all the different heraldry and crests. Some audience members were singled out and informed of their clan, their surname’s meaning, or their coat of arms, much to their entertainment.

We were allowed to hold some of the weapons, experiencing what it was like to be a knight in the middle ages, and it was really fun seeing people demonstrate torture and punishment devices, such as hanging and the pillory, similar to the stocks. Others were subjected to the scold’s bridle, a device that stopped nagging women from talking. The instructor also demonstrated some crossbows and longbows that were used.

After recess, we started to assemble our castle. Between all the groups, we used materials such as cardboard, glue, paint, styrofoam, Lego figures, toothpicks, clay, paper, tape, etc. Out of all this, we made many different castles that were all unique. It was really fun to construct them and also view other groups’ castles too.

Written by Olivia Nguyen, Jennifer Duong, Emma Wang and Jennifer Chuah.

IMP Update

Save the date for the IMP Summer Concert

Make sure you’ve got Friday 13th of December marked in your diaries for the wonderful IMP Summer Concert! Tickets will go on sale in the next few weeks.

Concert Band performing at Stanmore Music Festival

Come and hear the Fort Street Concert Band perform at the Stanmore Music Festival on Saturday 16th of November at 4:30pm at St Michael’s Primary School. There will be music filling the streets of Stanmore from 12pm that day – come and support this wonderful local community music festival, which was started by the late, great Richard Gill (a great friend and supporter of the music program at Fort Street).

Jazz Orchestra Performs at Lazybones Lounge

On Tuesday 29th of October, the Fort Street Jazz Orchestra performed at Lazybones Lounge in Marrickville – one of the premier jazz clubs in Sydney. The Jazz Orchestra featured as one of the support acts for the Tuesday Night Jazz Orchestra and the venue was at capacity. The Tuesday Night Jazz Orchestra played a set of music all-female jazz composers as part of the SIMA Women in Jazz series. It was a fantastic evening with a wonderful atmosphere, and the Fort Street Jazz Orchestra had the house dancing and cheering!

SEAMO 2024

National Schools Constitutional Convention

Adil Sheeth Selected for National Schools Constitutional Convention

Adil Sheeth, a dedicated legal studies student  has been selected to attend the prestigious National Schools Constitutional Convention (NSCC) in Canberra from 25–27 March 2025. This opportunity comes after Adil’s participation in the New South Wales (NSW) Constitutional Convention, where he demonstrated exceptional understanding and engagement with Australia’s political and legal systems.

The NSCC is a national event that brings together students from all over the country to engage in discussions about the Australian Constitution, democratic principles, and the role of government. It provides a unique platform for young people to deepen their knowledge of the political process, develop critical thinking skills, and engage in debates on constitutional reform and the future of Australia’s democracy.

Adil’s selection for this event is a testament to his strong analytical skills, passion for politics, and commitment to learning. During the NSW Constitutional Convention, Adil impressed both his peers and mentors with his contributions to discussions on the country’s legal framework and governance. His performance caught the attention of the organisers, leading to his invitation to the national convention.

Adil Third from right 3rd Row

Teen Mental Health Webinar

1. How to make sense of adolescence.
2. Identify signs of mental health struggles.
3. Understand how to support your teen.
4. Know where you and your teen can get support.