Principals Report

Dear Fortians, Parents and Carers,

Even in the last two weeks of school life has not slowed down at the Fort. As I walk around the school there is a buzz of excitement for the upcoming summer break but many weary teachers and students. This week Year 7 enjoyed a day out at the movies and afternoon with their year advisers, teachers and peer support leaders to celebrate completing their first year at the Fort. The history faculty held the annual V for Victory History Dance, it was fantastic to see the teachers and students dressed in period costume. Thank you to Ms Lawson and Ms Wark who have been instrumental in organising these events.

I would like to express my gratitude to the Parent-Teacher Association (P&C) for yet another fantastic year and for successfully raising a generous sum of money. These funds will be utilised to fund the staff Christmas lunch on the final day of the school year. We are immensely appreciative, of your support.

Year 10 Connected Curriculum

During the recent Year 10 Connected curriculum, students delved into various topics centered around the theme of sustainability. This initiative not only provided students with the chance to apply a myriad of skills essential in cross-curricular project-based learning scenarios but also encouraged them to develop a concise project piece examining sustainability in their environment. With dedicated time and explicit instructions, students honed their soft skills in teamwork, inquiry, and communication. Throughout the week, students actively engaged with a diverse array of guest speakers and authentic audiences to refine their final projects. These speakers included notable individuals such as Frank Robeson (Ausgrid), Fahimah Badrulhisham (Move Beyond Coal), Byron Smith (ABC & ecological ethicist), Chris Wright (CEO of Climate Tracker), and Dani Villafaña (Fortian of 2021).

Small group workshops were also run by Lai Heng Foong (Emergency Physician, Chair of the Public Health and Disaster Committee, Conjoint Lecturer), Chris Wright (CEO of Climate Tracker), Jeanne-Vida Douglas (Marketing & Communications Manager for TerraCycle Australia New Zealand), Nicole Wong (Sustainable business, TerraCycle), and Rodney Monk ( political art marking). Thanks also to Caroline Pidcock (architect and a prominent advocate for sustainable development) who was unable to attend due to illness but still contributed videos to the event. The final judge was Rosanna Iacono, Fortian parent and CEO of The Growth Activists consultancy firm.

I extend my gratitude to Ms. Maddox, Mr. Galvin, and their dedicated team for their meticulous organisation and planning of this event. Such occasions do not unfold effortlessly; rather, they demand weeks of thorough preparation and countless hours dedicated to coordinating logistics. I appreciate your collective efforts in shaping this enriching experience for our students.

2^nd Place at the Asian Pacific RoboCup

I am thrilled to announce that Hugh Phan, Issey Ley, Jayden Nguyen and Jack Sumner of Year 10 have achieved a remarkable feat by securing 2nd place at the Asian Pacific RoboCup competition held in Korea. In this prestigious event, which revolves around the Robot World Cup Initiative, our students showcased their prowess in AI and intelligent robotics. The competition’s objective is to advance research in these fields by utilising soccer as a standard problem, enabling the integration and examination of a wide range of technologies. This victory not only highlights our students’ exceptional skills but also underscores the significance of the RoboCup in fostering collaboration and idea exchange among researchers in the growing field of multi-agent systems. As we celebrate this achievement, we recognise the dedication and talent that propelled Hugh, Issey, Jayden and Jack to success on the international stage.

Brisbane Volleyball Championships

Our Year 10 girls’ volleyball team displayed exceptional skill and sportsmanship at the Australian Schools Volleyball Championship on the Gold Coast, where they competed among over 500 teams across 40 divisions. The commendable efforts of our girls – Ashley H, Sophie, Ashley K, Caitlyn, Clarissa, Abby, Koharu, Jade and Livia – resulted in a fantastic 9th-place finish in their division, which comprised 28 teams. This achievement is a testament to their dedication and teamwork. A heartfelt congratulations and gratitude are extended to Ms. Ezekiel and Ms. Fentoullis, whose guidance and support were instrumental in the girls’ success. Their commitment to accompanying the team reflects the spirit of encouragement and mentorship that enhances the overall experience for our student athletes. Well done to the team and our dedicated staff.

Staff Farewells 

As the school year draws to a close, bidding farewell to the dedicated and hardworking staff at the Fort evokes a sense of sadness. This year, we extend our heartfelt goodbyes to those who are retiring or departing permanently. Their unwavering commitment and contributions have left an indelible mark on our school community.

As Mr. John Ockwell embarks on a well-deserved year off and transitions into retirement, we bid a fond farewell to our cherished music maestro. With over two decades of dedicated service at the Fort, he has left an indelible mark on the hearts of students and colleagues alike. As the strings director of the instrumental music program, J.O has not only imparted musical wisdom but has also been a source of inspiration to many. His tireless commitment was evident in the countless hours spent at music camps, performance nights, and on unforgettable overseas tours. Although he may be taking a step back from teaching in the classroom, we are delighted to know that he will continue to contribute his expertise in his role in the IMP. His absence will undoubtedly be felt, but his legacy of passion and dedication to the art of music will resonate for years to come. Wishing him a restful and joyous retirement.

Sadly, we bid farewell to Mr. Simon Vaughan, a valued member of our Fort community for the past four years. Mr Vaughan has made significant impact in the PE department. In his roles as a sports coordinator, assistant year adviser, and house patron, Mr. Vaughan has demonstrated unwavering dedication and enthusiasm. We are especially grateful for his instrumental role in establishing and energising the house points system, as well as his leadership in guiding the house captains and spearheading initiatives like Spirit Week. His passion for fostering a sense of community and healthy competition within our school has left an enduring mark. Though we are saddened by his departure interstate, his positive influence will be remembered with gratitude, and we wish him all the best in this new chapter.

As Ms. Camille Nguyen bids farewell to our Fort community, we extend our sincere gratitude for the impactful contributions she made during her short tenure in the Science faculty. Though her time with us was brief, her dedication and efforts were deeply appreciated. We wish Ms. Nguyen the very best as she takes on a new role at Ashfield Boys HS, confident that her passion and expertise will continue to positively influence those she encounters.

In her initial years as a teacher, Ms. Lily Bui has demonstrated remarkable skill in seamlessly managing the teaching load across the History and English faculties. Her undeniable dedication to her classes has left a lasting impact, and we are truly grateful for the valuable contributions she has made during her time at our school. As Ms. Bui embarks on a new chapter in her career at Sydney Grammar, we extend our heartfelt best wishes for success in all her endeavours.

A sincere thank you to Ms. Barbara Vassiliadis for her outstanding contributions to the CAPA faculty this year, particularly in Visual Arts and Drama. Her involvement in performance evenings and play days has enriched the artistic endeavours of our students. Additionally, Ms. Vassiliadis has demonstrated unwavering commitment in supporting both students and teachers through the Learning Centre. Her efforts have made a significant impact, and we express our gratitude for her valuable contributions to the Fort community. We hope to see Ms Vassiliadis at the Fort again soon.

A heartfelt farewell to Ms. Julie Messiner, who, shortly after retirement, graciously stepped into Fort Street on a casual basis and ended up taking on a full-time teaching load. Her wealth of expertise and leadership over the past three terms has been invaluable to the technology faculty. We express our deepest appreciation for her dedication. While bidding her goodbye, we hold the hope that Ms. Messiner will return to Fort Street in some capacity soon.

The office staff are also very sad to say goodbye to Ms Diana Choy. Ms Choy has always greeted staff and students with a warm welcome and gone above and beyond to help everyone. Her contribution to the programs like the Duke of Ed and IMP as well as running the print room so efficiently has been invaluable. We wish Ms Choy all the best in her exciting new role.

A genuine thank you to Mr. Michael Chan, who stepped in admirably to cover for Mr. O’Neill in History, and Mr. Adrian Mok, who filled in seamlessly for Ms. Starr in Visual Arts. Your professionalism and valuable contributions have been truly appreciated during your time at the Fort. We hope to see you back at the Fort soon, and wish you continued success in your endeavours.

Although this is the final edition of Mercurius for 2023, I will be publishing the HSC results on the school website before Christmas. We are looking forward to receiving the HSC results on December 14 and celebrating with the class of 2023 at the ATAR breakfast morning tea on Friday December 15.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all Fortians and their families a wonderful, safe and restful summer holiday period.

2023 Term 4 Dates

A reminder that the last day of school for students this year, is Friday December 15.

2024 Important Dates

Thursday February 1 – Year 7 and Year 9 Peer Support Leaders return to school

Friday February 2 – Years 8 – 12 return to school

Monday February 5 – Swimming Carnival

Wednesday February 7 – Friday February 9 – Year 11 Camp

Wednesday February 14 – School Photos

Saturday February 17 – Monday February 19 – Year 11 Silver Duke of Ed Hike

Wednesday February 12 – School Photos catch up

Wednesday February 12 – Year 7 and 8 study skills evening

Friday February 23 – Speech day

Connected Curriculum

My Sustainable World

The budding scientists, journalists, artists and innovators of our fabulous Year 10 cohort excelled themselves in this year’s Sustainable World Connected Curriculum group projects. After a week of research, a guest panel discussion, workshops with industry and community representatives and intensive collaboration, groups of five found positive ways to address some of the most intransigent issues facing our environment. Supported by a team of environmental experts who answered student questions online, the Year 10s devised solutions and developed an awareness which will benefit our whole community in the years to come. 

We are very grateful to the parents and community members who gave their time to come and share their expertise with the students. The week kicked off with an expert panel presentation followed by a Q&A where Year 10 students asked questions about their chosen aspect of sustainable living on Planet Earth. Chris Wright (journalist and CEO of ClimateTracker), Frank Robeson from Ausgrid, (EV Manager), Fahimah Badrulhisham (climate change community organiser), Byron Smith (ethicist and researcher into the psychological impact of climate change) and 2021 Fortian and climate strike organiser Dani Villafana provided the students with an informed perspective of our planet’s situation, prospects and needs. On the afternoon of the first day the students divided into groups on the basis of their Year 11 subject choices: students choosing humanities subjects played the “Climate Fresk” game, learning about the science behind global heating and the interconnectedness of planetary ecosystems; students of legal studies and economics discussed the ethics and legality of various responses to global heating; students studying three sciences viewed the first episode of Craig Reucassel’s miniseries Fight for Planet A, deepening their scientific knowledge. Later in the week representatives of each group participated in their choice of one of five specialist workshops on media skills, sustainable business management, regenerative design, workplace sustainability and political art-making, led by industry experts Lai Heng Foong, Jeanne-Vida Douglas, Nicole Wong and Rodney Monk respectively. At the end of the week students presented their innovations to their classes, and selected finalists presented in the final session to Fortian parent and CEO of The Growth Activists Rosanna Iacona, who was impressed by the depth and persuasiveness of the groups’ ideas and communication skills.  Students have since reported a greater confidence in our ability to maintain a liveable ecosphere. 

We would also like to give a big thank you to Mr Galvin, Mr Sherwin and Ms Maddox for their extensive work organising the Connected Curriculum and ensuring that the week ran smoothly. We also thank all the other teachers who gave up a week of their time to help run and supervise the program.

Minton Huynh, Emily Jin and Lily Vujovic

Year 10

German Christmas Activities

German classes had a little taste of German Christmas this week. Years 7 and 8 sampled a Bunter Teller (colourful plate) with a range of German gingerbread, biscuits, Stollen and other treats. Years 9, 10 and 11 constructed and decorated gingerbread houses to share with their friends.

Wishing all the Fort Street community Frohe Weihnachten und schöne Sommerferien!

Auf Wiedersehen, Frau Märtens!

Thanks to the Goethe Institut´s Schulwärts program, Fort Street has had a German assistant teacher since August this year. Lina Märtens has been helping in German lessons as well as planning and teaching a number of lessons by herself. Students have enjoyed learning about a range of topics including food, music, German cities, history, birthdays and Christmas traditions. Year 11 in particular have enjoyed Frau Märtens’ “Idiom of the Day”, where they learnt that “it’s all sausage to me” means that something isn’t important but when “it’s all about the sausage”, it’s very important.

Frau Märtens is studying to be an English and Physics teacher and helped out in some of Ms Fluitsma´s science lessons too, teaching some lessons about physical forces and space.

Frau Märtens finishes at Fort Street this week, but will work at the Goethe Institut in Sydney early next year before returning to Tübingen to finish her degree. We will miss her and wish her all the best. Vielen Dank und auf Wiedersehen!

Year 7 History Excursion

On Wednesday, the 6th of December 2023, grade 7 embarked on a journey to the Australian Museum in Darlinghurst, New South Wales. The excursion was related to the Ancient Egyptian history unit completed by the students earlier in the year and aimed to improve their historical knowledge.

Upon arriving at the museum, we entered the Ramses exhibition, an exclusive collection centering around the life and reign of Ramses II. The exhibition held a range of invaluable artefacts, from sarcophagi, treasure and royal masks to jewellery, amulets and even animal mummies.

An immersive experience for all of grade 7, my favourite exhibit was the granite tomb casing. This artefact was a meticulously carved pink granite structure with the form of a human body and other details carved into it. It was supported by 4 pillars on each corner with a mirror placed underneath, to reveal the carvings on the underside. The artefact had an eerie frigidity and an intriguing sense of mystery. Another exhibit earning high praise from many students was the astonishing sarcophagus of Ramses II himself. This exquisite artefact consisted of ornately carved cedar wood to the pharaoh’s features, paint used to outline the details on the sarcophagus.

After marveling at the exhibition, grade 7 moved into Hyde Park for recess. Relaxing beside the park’s primary fountain, we ate morning tea before setting out to complete a historical scavenger hunt. The student booklet contained many questions concerning the history of Hyde Park, encouraging students to investigate the area’s historical monuments.

The first portion of the scavenger hunt was in Hyde Park North, where I was particularly interested in the picturesque Archibald Fountain, a towering granite structure topped with magnificent bronze statues of Greek gods. The attention to detail in the construction of this fountain truly amazed me and I enjoyed learning about its history.

Moving to Hyde Park South ,we sat beneath the shade of the towering trees, resting on the fields of the public area as we ate lunch. Then, we began the remainder of the scavenger hunt. Here, I admired the prominent ANZAC Memorial, an enormous structure built to commemorate the soldiers who served in the Great War (1914-1918).

Overall, the excursion was a breathtaking experience with immense value, both educational and social. We gained vast knowledge on the history of Ramses II and Australia’s warfare, admiring the art and culture of ancient Egypt.

Evie Cairns

Last week on Friday, all the year 7 classes went on an excursion to the Australian History Museum to see the Ramses II and the gold pharaohs exhibition! It was a really nice sunny day which made the day even better!! First, we looked at various artefacts, such as weapons and obelisks mostly from the Middle Kingdom, which we then completed source analysis on. Everyone completed theirs really efficiently so we could go see the next parts of the exhibition, the most anticipated being the tombs!

We learnt a lot in class but it was super cool to see them in person!! The tombs were amazing to look at, it was really crazy to think how someone would have handmade it and that a Pharaoh would have been in there. There were many tombs, all of them very detailed and I found it super interesting!! 

Everything we saw in the museum was extremely interesting and we also had background knowledge from our history classes which, I personally think, allowed us to enjoy the museum more 🙂

Rita Munoz

On the 6th of December, Year 7 departed school to attend a history excursion, wherein we would visit the Australian Museum to marvel at the “Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs” exhibition with respect to our recently covered Ancient Egypt unit in history, and complete a scavenger hunt in Hyde Park. During this activity, we were to locate various historically significant statues and landmarks and explain their importance.

Year 7 departed for Museum station early that day. Upon arrival, we were escorted to the Australian Museum, where we were given free reign to explore the exhibition “Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs” and complete three source analyses on three interesting artefacts of our choice. We had recently completed a unit on Ancient Egypt and this visit was relevant, refreshing and helpful in further cementing our understanding of Ancient Egypt, its society and the importance of the pharaohs. Once this was complete, we were allowed to wander the impressive and immersive exhibition where we observed many different artefacts including sculptures, short videos and religious items. 

When we had all seen the whole exhibition, we were taken to Hyde Park for a quick recess and a scavenger hunt, where we were to spend the rest of our trip on both the north and south sides of the park and locate historically significant points of interest. These locations included important statues, fountains and monuments. We were to visit these locations and answer questions regarding the background of these landmarks and what could be learnt from them about Australia in the time period they were most relevant in. 

Year 7 departed from Museum station around 2:30 and returned to Petersham to be dismissed, bringing with them much newfound knowledge. Here are some reflections from the students who attended the trip:

“The museum was fun and interactive and the Hyde Park activity made me think not only about the monument but also about why it was created and how things have changed over time.” 

“It was useful to use skills such as map reading and teamwork. It was fun and a great learning experience.”

Thanks once again to Ms Bui for organising the excursion and all other teachers that attended to supervise and organise.

Jayden Nguyen, Chip Humphreys, Tilen Jazbec

Year 11 Chinese Excursion to Chinatown and Chinese Garden of Friendship

The Year 11 Chinese Language Class embarked on an insightful excursion to Sydney’s Chinatown and the Chinese Garden of Friendship on November 30th. The primary objectives were to delve into the history of Chinese migration in Australia, particularly in Sydney, and to immerse students in various aspects of Chinese culture.

The excursion encompassed an exploration of the rich history of Chinese migration in Australia, offering students valuable insights into the challenges, triumphs, and contributions of the Chinese community in Sydney.

At the iconic Golden Water Mouth in Sydney Chinatown, students learned about the symbolism of the 5 elements of the universe, deepening their understanding of the cultural significance of the largest Chinatown in the southern hemisphere. Importantly, the Golden Water Mouth also symbolized the connection between Chinese migration and Australia, acting as a powerful visual representation of the enduring ties between these two cultures.

The class further engaged with Chinatown’s architecture, discovering the names and symbolism of the beasts atop the entrance’s roof, drawing connections to Chinese mythology. During lunch time, diverse Chinese cuisines were savored in the bustling Haymarket food court, providing students with a firsthand experience of the richness and variety within Chinese gastronomy.

The excursion concluded with a visit to the tranquil Chinese Garden of Friendship, a gift from Guangzhou to Sydney. Set against the backdrop of beautiful Chinese architecture and landscapes, students appreciated the cultural significance of this sister city relationship, established during the bicentenary of Sydney.

The November 30th excursion successfully provided students with a comprehensive understanding of Chinese-Australian heritage, fostering cultural appreciation and strengthening ties between the communities. Students appreciated the opportunity to learn the Chinese language and culture firsthand, enhancing their language skills and deepening their understanding of Chinese culture.

Will Kostakis writing workshop

There was excitement in the air as 7M entered the library for a period on writing with author Will Kostakis. Energetic and enthusiastic, Will Kostakis’ interactive and entertaining style quickly caught the students attention. The period was spent in discussion; how to start, elaborate on and put twists on stories. Mr Kostakis gave the class many techniques to write and improve their stories which were then applied to a short prompt given to them.

Explanations of visual and sensory imagery and powerful emotive language quickly turned the library into a busy movie theatre filled with the smell of buttered popcorn wherein you have just seen your best friend wrap his arm around the shoulders of your ex girlfriend. 7M left the library inspired, enlightened and ready to write countless stories of their own.

I found Will Kostakis’ lecture amusing and informative. His personal teaching style and entertaining anecdotes made it easy to absorb his information and relate to his experiences writing. Overall, the lecture was helpful and I hope to experience many more in the same vein.

Jayden Nguyen, 7M

Christopher Sakal – National Tennis Success!

Earlier this month Christopher Sakal travelled to Melbourne to compete in the 14/Under Junior Masters. It was an invitational tournament, where the top-32 ranked players from around the country played-off against each other in five straight days of competition.

Playing on the famous Australian Open courts, in a big national tournament atmosphere, Christopher played extremely well and moved up the rankings to number 20 in Australia for his age group. This is a huge accomplishment, especially in a sport as highly-competitive as Tennis. Not only did Christopher play well, he was also chosen by tournament officials to receive the Sportsmanship Award for displaying values of ‘commit, compete and respect’ across the tournament.

Congratulations Christopher, The Fort is very proud of you. Keep up the good work!

IMP Summer Concert

On Friday 1 December, the IMP members and their families heralded the beginning of summer with a sensational showcase of all the school’s music ensembles at the annual IMP Summer Concert.

The Fountain Quad was abuzz with the sizzle of the barbecue, the lively conversations, and the ever-popular gelato stall. Small ensembles created a festival atmosphere, entertaining the crowd as they feasted, and thankfully the threatened summer storm stayed away.

When the time came to open the hall doors, the excited crowd were met with a new seating and staging layout, which served to enhance the acoustic, and smooth transitions between items. As always, each ensemble performed with great skill, expertly guided by their conductors, and a testament to the hours of rehearsal they have all put in over the year. It was particularly exciting to witness the growth of the vocal ensemble with numbers not seen for many years.

A huge thanks to the IMP Concert Committee for their tireless efforts and without whom this event would not happen. Thanks also to the IMP community who donated time, food, and money for the event, and who have provided the opportunity for their children to take part in a world-class music program. And of course, a big thanks to the school executive and administration, who provide constant support. Congratulations to all IMP members for your hard work and commitment to your ensembles throughout the year.