Principal’s Report

Mercurius – Principal’s Report
23 March 2026

Dear Fortians, Parents and Carers,

It’s hard to believe, but we’re almost at the end of term with just two weeks remaining before the holidays. I would like to share some highlights and important updates from the past weeks and what’s ahead.

Year 7 Camp
A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated staff who generously gave up time with their families to accompany our Year 7 students on camp to Point Wolstoncroft. The camp was a tremendous success, filled with exciting activities such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, archery, and evening bush walks. The students gained valuable experiences and created lasting memories.

Clean Up Australia Day
I extend my gratitude to Ms Maddox and the student volunteers from our Environment group. On Tuesday 3^rd March, they worked in small teams to clean up areas around the school in observance of Clean Up Australia Day. We are fortunate to have such beautiful grounds at the Fort, and it is our collective responsibility to care for these spaces.

Year 12 Career Dating
Last Friday, our Year 12 students took part in an inspiring ‘career dating’ event. Alumni Fortians—from the Class of 1975 through to 2023—returned to share insights about their career journeys and university studies in diverse fields including medicine, vaccine research, engineering, software development, screenwriting, politics, visual arts, and meteorology. It was wonderful to see past graduates support our current students, and we hope to make this an annual tradition.

Premiers Debating Challenge
Round 1 of the seniors’ competition saw Kiyasha, Sujay, Gabe, Raj, and Jim representing our school. Many of these students are new to competitive debating, and their impressive win against St George Girls is worthy of high praise. Congratulations to all involved!

Other Highlights

• Our CSSI enrichment program has recommenced bringing together students for engaging science mentoring and training. The year 10 mentors will be paired with students from Ashfield PS, Summer Hill PS and Wikins PS.
• On International Women’s Day, around 300 guests visited the school during our Open Afternoon. The entire school community came together at an assembly to raise funds for the UN International Women’s Organisation. The Executive SRC shared reflections from an inspiring Women’s Day Conference they attended at the ICC.
• Thank you to our Year 7 and Year 9 students for their cooperation and patience during the NAPLAN exams, despite some delayed starts and technical challenges.
• Another successful IMP Music Camp and concert took place recently, thanks to Matt Manchester and the wonderful staff team who supported the weekend events.

Upcoming Events
Week 9

• Tuesday 24 March: Year 12 Assessment Period
• Wednesday 25 March: Year 12 Assessment Period / Year 10 CSSI Science Mentoring Training (8:45am–11:00am)
• Thursday 26 March: Year 12 Assessment Period
• Friday 27 March: Year 12 Assessment Period / Interschool Chess Challenge (Burwood) / Mock Trial Competition

Week 10

• Monday 30 March: Year 11 Geography Excursion to Auburn / RAISE Mentoring
• Tuesday 31 March: Year 9 French Excursion – Leichhardt Film Festival
• Wednesday 1 April: Year 11 Earth and Environmental Science Excursion to Australian Museum / IMP and HSC Music Term 1 Soiree / Bill Turner Cup Soccer Boys and Girls
• Thursday 2 April: Easter Egg Hunt / Year 12 Design and Technology Excursion
• Friday 3 April: Good Friday Public Holiday

Students will return to school in Term 2 on Wednesday 22 April.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our vibrant school community.

Speech Day 2026

Below are the photos taken at Speech Day 2026

Reconciliation Action Committee and Our New Pillars

Last year our Reconciliation Action Committee students worked with met with Karen Isaacs (Aboriginal Education Advisor – Oakhill College) to get advice on how to move forward with their Reconciliation Action Plan and make connections with First Nations Community members. During their meeting they discovered a strong tie between Fort Street High Schools values and Aboriginal values. The students were able to find similarities across the values finding that both values emphasize the importance of:

• knowledge and learning,
• creativity and innovation,
• Integrity and accountability,
• wellbeing and holistic development and
• respect and inclusivity and community responsibility.

The students used these values as the 5 Pillars of the Fort Street Action Plan. In keeping with the First Nation tradition of expressing ideas through symbols, it was decided that Reconciliation Action Plan would be captured in visual form of a mural. This mural was created by students in collaboration with Philip Orcher,  a local contemporary Aboriginal artist from Goodooga Central West NSW. The murals were designed using the 5 House colours of Fort Street to further intertwine them with our school.

The new murals are now finished and have been added to the 5 pillars at the front of Fort Street High School, creating a colourful and welcoming entrance to the school that reflects not only our House groups, but also our Fortian Values and their alignment with Aboriginal values.

House Relics Competition

Fort Street’s House Captains have released a new competition to reveal the backstory for Fort Street’s House Relics, that is the symbols that represent each House as set out below.

THE RELICS

Preston……………………….Paintbrush of Creativity 

Mawson……………………………Icepick of Resilience

Joshi……………………………Calculator of Academia

Kirby……………………………………Gavel of Learning

Sheikh………………….Megaphone of Social Justice

Students have been tasked with writing a story that explains how these relics came into existence, incorporating the themes and values that these relics represent. This is a great opportunity for students to demonstrate their creativity, their school spirit and to make folklore that Fortians will continue to follow. The competition requirements that have been sent to students is set out below. I encourage Fortians to get involved in this competition and join the many fabulous responses that have already been submitted. I look forward to revealing the winners of this competition at the beginning of next term.

THE MYSTERY BEGINS

Centuries ago, the names Preston, Mawson, Joshi, Kirby, and Sheikh were more than just titles—they were the keepers of the five sacred house relics. These artefacts weren’t just objects; they were the source of each house’s identity and power. But during the “Great Silence,” a period of forgotten history, the relics were scattered and hidden for their own protection to keep them from falling into the wrong hands. Now, they have resurfaced in our time, but their origin stories have been lost to the mists of legend.

We are looking for anyone to uncover the past lives of these artefacts, or anyone who has some remote idea. We need to know.

THE DEADLINE FOR DISCOVERY

The history books are open, and the ink is fresh. It is up to you to write the definitive background story for these lost treasures before the truth fades again forever. Finish your story by Monday 30 March as of now. Good luck.

Author Workshop: Will Kostakis

As part of their study of narrative and characterisation in English this term, Fort Street’s Year 8 students have been enjoying writing workshops with Will Kostakis, Sydney-based author of a number of popular young adult fiction books. Will has also been working with our Year 7 students to help improve their skills in imaginative writing, especially when it comes to the use of narrative voice and point of view. His highly engaging presentations, which include his story of completing his first novel in his early years of High School have helped to motivate the students to think of themselves as authentic composers and encouraged them to dream a bit bigger about their own creative potential. Many thanks to school librarian Donna Page for initiating these workshops in collaboration with English teachers.

Clean Up Australia Day 2026

25 student members of the Environment Group took time out of their day to clean up the school grounds on Tuesday March 3rd, maintaining a long-standing Fort Street tradition of participation in this nationwide program. Thank you to these wonderful volunteers!

Anyone wishing to join in the work of the Environment Group is welcome to come to the Flexible Learning Space on Friday lunchtimes, or to look on the door for a note saying where in the school gardens to find us.

Elizabeth Maddox

Shape Exhibition 2026 UTS

Shape Exhibition 2026
@UTS Tower (Building 1) 

Date: 16 March to 11 April 2026
Opening hours:

• Monday to Friday: 8:30am to 3pm
• Saturday: 9am to 1pm  

• Sunday: Closed 

We are proud to share that SHAPE, an exhibition showcasing outstanding major projects by HSC students in Design and Technology, Industrial Technology, and Textiles and Design from across NSW, is now open at UTS Tower (Building 1). This incredible event highlights the creativity and skill of young designers, including our very own 2025 graduate, Hugh Phan, who exhibited his impressive project among 13 other selected Design and Technology projects.

RoboJib – Hugh Phan

Recognising that content creators on social media and streaming platforms are making increasingly complex videos Hugh designed the RoboJib – A robotic piece of camera equipment that can increase both the quality and efficiency of making films on small budgets. It uses five motorised axes to provide the dynamic camera movements which were previously only possible with expensive automotive robot arms and large operator crews. A microcontroller hosts a web server, allowing remote control of the arm.

This project allowed me to combine my passion for cameras, electronics, and 3D printing with robotics. My favourite parts were the 3D modelling and mechanical design, addressing a problem I had personally encountered.

The exhibition is free and open to the public until 11 April, offering everyone the chance to explore innovative student work and gain inspiration. SHAPE is especially valuable for students considering Design & Technology for their HSC year, as it provides firsthand insight into the kinds of projects and creative opportunities the course offers.

If you’re interested in design and innovation, be sure to visit SHAPE and support emerging talent from our state.

We hope to have more projects featured from FSHS in the near future!

For more information, visit the SHAPE exhibition page:
https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/hsc-showcase-hub/shape

Ms Catalan
Design & Technology Teacher
Technology Department

Student2Student

The Smith Family’s Student2Student peer support program is an 18-week, digital, peer-to-peer initiative matching students with reading difficulties to trained “buddies” (usually older students). It improves reading skills and confidence via 20-minute phone sessions, 2-3 times a week, helping students achieve better engagement and improved reading age.

Fort Street has been partnering with the Smith Family for several years, making an enormous difference to the future of hundreds of children. Last year 34 of our students participated in this program, and their help was greatly appreciated by the readers and their families.

The organisational and leadership skills developed by S2S volunteers is another facet of this wonderful program, as is acknowledged by the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, for which this is an excellent service opportunity.

We are excited to see a rising number of volunteers for the program this year. Any other interested students should email me at elizabeth.maddox@det.nsw.edu.au

Elizabeth Maddox

German Sister School Visit

Year 7 Camp

The Year 7 Camp proved to be an unforgettable experience for all students, offering a vibrant start to our high school journey. Throughout the program, we participated in a wide range of engaging activities, including bushwalks, initiation challenges, archery, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, pool games, and several other team‑building exercises. Each activity encouraged us to step outside our comfort zones, develop new skills, and support one another.

One of the highlights of the camp was the highly anticipated trivia night. The competition was lively and entertaining, with students and teachers going head‑to‑head in a friendly battle of knowledge. Although the teachers ultimately claimed victory—much to the suspicion of the Year 7 cohort—their “prize” of wearing their clothes inside out provided plenty of amusement for everyone. The laughter and light‑heartedness of the evening perfectly captured the spirit of the camp.

Beyond the fun and excitement, the camp played an important role in helping us build stronger connections with our peers. Many students formed new friendships, strengthened existing ones, and gained a deeper sense of belonging within the year group. The shared experiences, challenges, and moments of joy created memories that we will carry with us throughout our time in high school.

On behalf of the entire Year 7 cohort, we extend our sincere thanks to The Fort for providing us with such a valuable and memorable opportunity. The camp not only allowed us to learn and grow but also set a positive tone for the years ahead. We are grateful for the experience and will cherish the memories for a long time to come.

Virginia Pantelakis

Open Girls Football Match

After conceding three quick goals early on, Fort Street showed admirable character to regroup and respond with renewed intensity. Allegra Steele created several strong attacking opportunities, combining effectively in midfield with Anne Liu to drive the team forward. In goal, Vera Liang delivered a series of impressive saves, supported confidently in defence by Vice Captain Beatrice Shimada.

In her final appearance for Fort Street, Captain Grace Zarb produced an exceptional performance, exemplifying leadership, strength, and skill. Her commitment and sportsmanship have set a high standard, and she leaves a lasting legacy as a role model for the next generation of female footballers.

Miss Carter

Visual Arts Excursion

On Thursday of Week 6 Year 11 and Year 12 Visual Arts students headed out to the Art Gallery of NSW with Ms Capel and Mrs Thompson to view the current exhibits. They started the day in the Naala Badu building by looking at the Ron Mueck exhibition of giant and miniature lifelike sculptures. Students were spooked, unsettled, but also in awe of the sense of realism.

After this we headed into the historic underground tank and looked at the Mike Hewson playground; an immersive experience where audience members are encouraged to play as an artform. Safe to say everyone had too much fun…

Then, we headed to check out Art Express, which is the best HSC Bodies of Works from 2025 selected to be on display. Students were inspired by the range of 2D and 3D artworks, and even got to see a Fort Street selection from last year (Anna Moran).In the afternoon we headed to the Naala Nura building and viewed their permanent collection and other current exhibitions. Both classes left the gallery feeling inspired to continue their own artmaking practice back in the classroom.

Year 9 Engineering: Water Bottle Rocket launching

The Year 9 Engineering class recently had an exciting and educational experience by launching their very first water bottle rockets out on the school oval. This project began with careful design work, where students experimented with various dynamic shapes and specially crafted fin designs to optimise the performance of their rockets. The process allowed them to apply principles of engineering and physics in a hands-on way, fuelling their enthusiasm and curiosity.

When the moment came to launch their creations, the students were thrilled to see their water bottle rockets soar into the air. This real-time observation helped them gain a deeper understanding of several critical factors that influence rocket flight. They learned about the importance of launch angles, recognising how different angles can drastically affect the height and distance their rockets travelled. Additionally, they explored how the height at which the rocket was launched and the range it covered were connected. They also considered the resistance forces acting against the rockets, such as air resistance, which could impact the rockets’ speed and overall flight performance.

This engaging activity not only enhanced their practical engineering skills but also encouraged the students to think critically about how science and design work together to achieve successful outcomes. The enthusiasm in the group is palpable, with many expressing eagerness to revisit the project. They are already looking forward to designing improved water bottle rockets and conducting further launches in the near future, aiming to apply what they have learned to achieve even better flight results next time. This hands-on project has truly inspired the students to continue exploring the fascinating field of engineering.

Mr. Dong

Career Mentoring Morning

Speed Dating – Career Style

On the morning of Thursday 27 February, Fort Street’s Memorial Hall buzzed with the unmistakable energy of people genuinely connecting. Thirty-two alumni returned to their old school to sit across from small groups of Year 12 students and share something that no curriculum can fully teach: the honest, unvarnished story of a career.

The event, cheekily dubbed Speed Dating – Career Style, was organised jointly by the Fortians Union and the school – a first for both – and brought alumni together across five career streams: Law, Medicine, STEM, Business, and Creative. The structured, fast-rotating format gave students the chance to speak with multiple mentors throughout the morning, with each session running for around six to eight minutes.

To break the ice, each mentor’s name tag carried a personalised prompt: Ask me about… – followed by a word or two of their own choosing, giving students an immediate and natural entry point into conversation. When the formal session wrapped at 10:20 am, a number of mentors generously stayed through recess to keep chatting with students who still had questions.

Feedback from Year 12 was overwhelmingly positive. The vast majority said the morning had made them clearer about their career choices, and the call for the event to run every year was emphatic. The energy in the hall was described by mentors as genuinely exciting, with the small group format and quality of student engagement drawing particular praise.

A huge thank you to the Fortians Union and to the thirty-two alumni who gave up their morning to make this happen. Here’s hoping it becomes a fixture on the Fort Street calendar.

If you’re a Fortian yourself and would like to be part of events like this, the Fortians Union would love to hear from you. Membership details can be found at fortians.au/membership.

Senior Debating Update

On the 4th of March the Year 11 and 12 debating team faced St George Girls High School in the first round of Premiers Debating Challenge. The team included:

● First speaker – Raj Joshi,

● Second speaker – Jim Wilson,

● Third speaker – Gabe Cutcher Skellern,

● Team advisor – Sujay Chanduri.

Fort Street represented the affirmative side to the argument that ‘all new teacher graduates should spend a year in a public school before going to a private school.’

The St George team provided compelling arguments that challenged the Fort Street team to defend their model. The debate ended with both sides presenting undeniably compelling arguments but Fort Street’s initiative regarding student welfare helped them win the debate!

Kiyasha Chakraborty, Year 10

International Women’s Day Luncheon

Study Skills Tips

Using Checklists to Stay Organised – reduce stress and stay on track with simple, effective tools

Checklists are one of the simplest and most powerful tools for staying organised. They help you see exactly what needs to be done, reduce mental clutter, and keep you focused on the next step. Whether you’re managing homework, assessments, general revision or daily routines, checklists can transform your habits.

1. Create a daily homework checklist

A daily checklist gives structure to your afternoon and ensures nothing gets missed.

• Write down each subject and list the tasks you need to complete for that day
• Include small tasks like revising notes or packing your bag
• Tick items off as you go – each tick gives a sense of progress and keeps you motivated.

Seeing your tasks laid out clearly helps stop procrastination and reduces the stress of trying to remember everything.

Tip: Use your school diary, a Google Doc, or a notes app – whatever is easiest to access every afternoon.

2. Break big tasks into clear, achievable steps

Large assignments become far less daunting when broken into smaller parts on a checklist.

•  Instead of “Do English assignment,” list steps like “brainstorm ideas,” and “write introduction”
•  For studying, break it into “review notes,” “create summaries,” “quiz myself,” and “do practice questions”
•  Each completed step builds momentum and helps you stay on track.

Small steps make progress visible, which boosts motivation.

Tip: Aim for steps that take no more than 10–20 minutes each – they should feel achievable, not overwhelming.

3. Use checklists to manage your week

Weekly checklists help you balance schoolwork, activities, and personal commitments.

•  List your upcoming homework, tests, and commitments for the week
•  Highlight items with deadlines to keep your priorities clear
• Plan when each task will be completed so nothing piles up at the last minute.

A weekly overview helps you think ahead and stay organised even during busy periods.

Tip: Rewrite the checklist mid-week if things change – flexibility helps you stay in control.

4. Create reusable checklists for frequently repeated tasks

Some tasks happen every week or even every day – save time by creating reusable checklists.

•  A “bag packing checklist” can include laptop, charger, books, PE gear, lunch, and homework
• A “study session checklist” might include reviewing notes, revising key terms, practising questions, and reflecting
• Reusing checklists builds strong routines and makes your life easier.
• These lists reduce the number of decisions you need to make, freeing up mental energy.

Tip: Stick your reusable checklists on your wall, desk, or inside your locker for quick access.

5. Celebrate what you complete

Finishing tasks feels good—acknowledge your progress to build confidence and motivation.

• Tick items boldly or cross them out with a bright colour
• Keep completed lists for the week to see how much you’ve achieved
• Use simple rewards, like listening to music or taking a short break, after finishing a list.

Celebrating progress reinforces productive habits and keeps you motivated long-term.

Tip: If you don’t complete everything, don’t stress – simply move remaining tasks to tomorrow’s list.

Small Lists, Big Impact

Checklists may be simple, but they’re incredibly effective. They help you prioritise, stay focused, and keep on top of homework, assignments, and weekly commitments. With clear tasks and small steps, schoolwork becomes more manageable and less stressful.

Australian Geography Competition

Fort Street High School has a number of outstanding Geography students, many of whom go on to achieve highly in the HSC. To continue to encourage success in Geography and reward student achievement Fort Street participates each year in the Australian Geography Competition. Winners of the competition have the opportunity to represent Australia at the International Geography Olympiad. Last year, the Australian team took out second place. In the past, we have had a Fort Street student participate in the team in Mexico. 

The competition will take place in Term 2, Week 3 to Week 4. Fort Street High School and the Social Sciences faculty invites and encourages all students to enter. However, participation in this event is not compulsory.

Winners are eligible for prizes and printed certificates. Students with the highest results in Year 11 have the chance to represent Australia in the 2026 International Geography Olympiad.

The entry fee is $5.00 and will be billed to students’ accounts. Please complete the form below prior to the 23rd March to enter.

Geography Competition Entry Form

IMP News

Book Talk

Book Clubs at the Fort

At Fort Street High School, our book clubs are an important part of the school’s commitment to encouraging students to read for pleasure and to create a welcoming community of readers. We offer three different book clubs to support a wide range of interests and reading levels. The Junior Book Club (Years 7 to 9) involves students reading and discussing books of their own choosing in a relaxed group setting. This club helps younger students discover new authors and genres, develop their confidence as readers, and share recommendations with classmates.

The Senior Book Club is aimed at students in Years 10 to 12 and concentrates on contemporary adult literature. Members read and discuss novels by modern writers, allowing them to explore challenging themes, broaden their perspectives, and deepen their appreciation for complex storytelling.

Our newest, Other Worlds, has been formed in response to the high interest in fantasy, science fiction, speculative, and dystopian fiction within the student reading community. This club focuses on books that transport readers to different worlds and possibilities.

Together, these book clubs show Fort Street’s commitment to making reading a rich and rewarding experience for all students. By providing opportunities for students to connect, share, and grow through books, we help strengthen a culture of reading at our school and inspire lifelong learning.

Each book club meets once a month on Wednesdays at lunchtime. Speak to Ms Page to get your name on the mailing list and we look forward to seeing you in a club soon!

Careers Office

The IWC Library HSC suite for 2026 is available for booking.

•                     HSC Visual Arts – Sunday 7 June 11am -Marrickville Pavilion

•                     HSC English Textual Conversations Module A – Sunday 21 June, 11am, Marrickville Pavilion

•                     HSC Modern History- Sunday 28^th June 10.30am, Marrickville Pavilion

•                     HSC Ancient History – Sunday 28 June, 1.30pm,  Marrickville Pavilion

•                     HSC CAFS – Monday 6 July, 11am,  Haberfield Library

•                     HSC Maths Advanced – Tuesday 7 July, 10am, Ashfield Town Hall

•                     HSC Maths Standard- Tuesday 7 July, 2.00pm, Ashfield Town Hall

•                     HSC Business – Thursday 9 July, 11am, Ashfield Town Hall

•                     HSC English Texts & Human Experiences – Sunday 26 July, 12.00pm, Marrickville Pavilion

•                     HSC Health & Movement Science- Part 1– Sunday 30 July, 11am, Haberfield Library

•                     HSC English The Craft of Writing – Sunday 20 September, 12.00pm, Marrickville Pavilion

•                     HSC Biology – Sunday 27 September, 11am, Haberfield Library

•                     HSC Legal Studies – Monday 28 September, 11am,  Balmain Library

•                     HSC Economics – Tuesday 29 September, 11am, Balmain Library

•                     HSC Health & Movement Science Part 2 – Sunday 4 October, 11am, Marrickville Pavilion

•                     HSC Visual Arts Induction – Sunday 18 October, 11am-1pm, Marrickville Pavilion

P&C News

Join the P&C Fort Fest Committee!

Fort Fest 2026 will be held on Friday 18th September.

An evening event for all the school and local community, with music, food, games and stalls. Run jointly by the SRC and P&C to raise money for the school, we are looking for volunteers to join the planning committee. 

We have roles of all sizes to suit all interests, so please email us at events@fortstreetpandc.org if keen. 

We are currently looking for –

Finance Coordinator:

Responsible for planning the token sales, assisting with square reader set up, managing floats, and looking after cash and money on the night.

Donations and Prizes Coordinator:

Manages call-outs for donations, organises the donation week at school and purchases stall prizes. 

Publicity and Comms Coordinator:

Promotes the event by working with the school and the SRC. Writes the fortnightly Mercurius updates and posts on social media. 

P&C FUNDRAISER

Save up to 50% on dining, shopping, travel and things to do. An annual Entertainment Membership means getting more of what you need and love, while giving back to a cause you care about.

Your purchase of an Entertainment Membership contributes to our Fort Street P&C fundraising, with 20% of every purchase going to the school. 

Help us achieve our fundraising goals by sharing the link with your friends and family. Thanks for your support!

Purchase here:
https://subscribe.entertainment.com.au/fundraiser/2d03327

P&C MEETING Updates

Wednesday 11^th Feb & 11^th Mar 2026

In the busy months of February and March where the school welcomed new year 7 students and families, we already had two P & C meetings and both sessions are fruitful!

Here are the updates from the two meetings:

Student Representative Council Report

Clubs and Committees Day was well attended, especially by junior students.

Year 10 Formal planning, deposit has been secured. Committees have been formed for: Theme, Music, Events and Publicity.

Leader conference resumed.

Fundraisers (Roses in Feb, BBQ and gold coin donation in March) were successful, with money raised going to student activities and charity.

Year 10 students began planning Fort Fest, including themes, stalls and merchandise, with strong P&C support, parents volunteers being called.

International Women’s day BBQ and Gold Coin donation successfully held.

The Principal’s Report: Across both meetings, Academics, School events and Community updates were given by the principal:

Academics & Events:

• A smooth start for Year 7, including camps, peer support and welcome events.
• Speech Day was a standout success, great attendance by parents, guest speech very inspiring and Dux speech very moving.
• Campus improvements were completed, including landscaping, canteen upgrades, gym resurfacing and improved recreation areas.
• Run through of academic results and student achievements, another year of excellent HSC results, ranked 20 (noting ranking methodology limited), 20% achieved higher than 98 and large portion over 95.
• The Principal explained that the school puts students first by allowing them to choose subjects based on their interests, goals, and wellbeing, rather than restricting choices to boost rankings. While some schools limit subject access to influence results, Fort Street focuses on individual ATAR outcomes and student growth. This student‑centred approach is always observed and the school’s results and rankings improved, and the Principal expressed strong pride in the students’ achievements.
• HSC showcases; careers events were celebrated.
• Duke of Edinburgh Parent Information Session held.
• Strong appreciation was expressed for P&C support of staff and student wellbeing.

Staffing updates

• Kate Dunn (Deputy Principal) has returned after a year of travel and is overseeing Years 7, 9 and 11 Hasenbein
• Miss Drinkwater has joined the English faculty, replacing Millie Lawson (from Cronulla High School).
• Mr Finance, (Mathematics) has joined for Term 1, replacing Miss Carter (currently on leave)
• Mr Hasenbein has returned to the Science faculty.
• Miss Thompson is relieving Head Teacher, Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA).
• Former Head Teacher (CAPA) secured a permanent Head Teacher position at Carlingford and has departed.
• Emily Irvine has joined as a permanent Music teacher. She transferred from Sydney Girls High School, where she had been teaching for 10 years. She is already building strong relationships with students.
• Mr Reveley has joined as the new Drama teacher, coming from Smith’s Hill High School.
• Mr Pagani has returned to the Social Sciences faculty after three years working with NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA Curriculum).

Student Achievements:

• High HSC English results; top 10 selective schools in English Advanced.
• Year 7 student selected for Space Teams Academy.
• Sports: Cross Country & Athletics Days successful; students progressing to state level.

Inclusion & Community:

• Muslim prayer sessions launched successfully on Fridays.
• National Reconciliation Week celebrated with a planned mural project.

Careers & Mentoring:

• Proposed parent/alumni mentoring program, field visits, and alumni video series in the making, updates will be provided when available.
• Website page to list career opportunities and volunteering roles in development.

Other matters:

• Selective Test rescheduled; school hosting setup over two weekends.
• Uniform reminders issued for winter, grey pants now available.

IMP update – Paula Katalinic

Record participation – in total 385 students enrolled

Strong intake from new year 7

Financial updates with new purchase

Finance & Funding

The P&C’s financial position was reported as healthy in February.

Funding requests from the school were discussed and approved to cover teaching resources, equipment, sports event logistics.

Approval was given for Fort Fest upfront expenses and the much-anticipated sport achievement ribbons – raised by Lucy Liang.

The highlight of Fort Street social calendar, the biannual Fort Fest is to take place on 18^th September! planning featured in both meetings – Elizabeth Kenyon

• Confirmed as student‑led (Year 10 SRC) with P&C guidance and support
• Multiple goals including fund raising and community building, with latter a focus
• Parent volunteers were actively sought.
• Budget approval given to allow planning to progress.

Parents Communication & WhatsApp

• Ongoing concerns about message volume and clarity led to action.
• A Code of Conduct for parent WhatsApp groups was finalised and adopted in March.
• Moderators were appointed, and clearer communication channels encouraged.

Uniform Shop

• Second‑hand uniform shop management transitioned to new volunteers.
• Discussion had regarding storage, sorting, pricing and recycling of old uniforms.
• Survey conducted by Elizabeth with input and volunteers offering help

Sustainability – Jen Olscher

• Proposed a review of the school’s current sustainability position, including solar panel capacity, electricity usage, and funding arrangements.
• Identified opportunities to expand solar panels, add battery storage, and install EV charging stations.
• Suggestions made and volunteered to proceed to further actions

Acknowledgements:

• On behalf of staff, extended sincere thanks to the P&C for funding the End-of-Year events
• Acknowledgment of year 11 camp teachers and staff
• Appreciation for Mr Feng’s smooth running of sporting events such as swimming carnival
• Appreciation expressed for year 7 teachers providing support and encouragement
• Appreciation for IT support in assisting year 7 setting up and sorting out their laptop issues
• Teachers involved in organising Speech Day.
• School staff managing WhatsApp parent groups.
• Kylie Salisbury (Careers Advisor) for extensive communication with Year 12 families and support for students regarding university pathways and ATAR information.
• Appreciation to below list of parents for their past support for Uniform Shop (class details current as at Dec 25):
• Stella Liang (P&C), Zhaobo Young Ding 8T
• Ally MacDonald
• Suzy Small
• Yijie Wen, Lilian Huang 7K
• Sindhu Panicker, Sanjeev Pandey 7M
• Jasmine Yang, Sienna L 7J
• Sivvy Xu (P&C), Jack Ng 7M
• D Chen, Nick Zhang 7S
• Jess Lin, Jayden Zheng 7J
• Sarah Guo, Xavier XIE 7S
• Angela Sun, Edward Liu 7S
• Stephanie X, Matthew Li 7M
• Annie Wang, Justin Zechen Zhang 7P
• Tracy Li, James Zhai 8T
• Irene Wu，Tristan Cheung 8T
• Yiqin Weng, Ruixuan Ding 😯
• Nancy Wu, Joshua Hu 8S
• Ms Li, Lucas Ding 8k
• Yanqing SU, Hannah Lu 😯
• Michael Yi，Darren Yi 8F
• Yuping Wu，Wufan Qu(Nick) 9O
• Lumei Dong, Jack Jiang 9S
• Nie Wu, Anjun Wu 9O
• Yanan Wang，James Wen 9J
• Ming Fang, Justin Deng 9R
• Trisha Wu, Yunxian Claire Yu Y9
• Elaine Huang (P&C), Olivia 9Eng2
• Vivian Wang (P&C), Harrison Ma 9K
• Xueyun Zhao, Joshua Song Y10
• Monica Zhang, Mckale Y10
• Tracey Chen (P&C), Alarik Y11
• Rochelle Tian, Kawin Chen Y11

Next Meeting

• Scheduled for 13^th May Wednesday, onsite and online.