Mercurius issue 3 – March 2024 - 13 Mar 2024
Principals Report

Principals Report

Dear Fortians, Parents and Carers,

International Women’s Day, globally observed on March 8th, was commemorated at our school through a whole-school assembly dedicated to celebrating women and their invaluable contributions to society.

SRC members Stephanie and Nancy from Year 8 delivered a speech highlighting this year’s theme, “Count Her In.” It was a moment of reflection and empowerment, emphasising the importance of inclusivity and recognition for women in all spheres of life. Mr. O’Neill and I had the privilege of accompanying our SRC executive team to the UN Women Australia’s 2024 International Women’s Day Lunch, held at the Grand Ballroom of the International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour. The event featured esteemed guest speakers such as Sen. The Hon. Katy Gallagher, Minister for Finance, Women, and Public Service; Michele Bullock, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia; and Moana Hope, AFLW Powerhouse and Host of the Entrepreneur Her radio show.
The SRC demonstrated commitment by presenting a substantial donation to UN Women Australia, a testament to our school community’s generosity and dedication to supporting important causes. Congratulations to our SRC members for their successful organisation of a sausage sizzle, furthering the spirit of International Women’s Day within our school and beyond.

Naplan
This week, our Year 7 and Year 9 students are engaged in the NAPLAN Online assessments. We extend our apologies to both students and parents for any inconvenience caused by the disruption to regular lessons and the occasional technological hiccups encountered during testing sessions. We want to assure you that our dedicated coordinators, Ms. Mattick and Ms Hussein, and Technology Support Officer, Mr. McGeachie, have been diligently working overtime to ensure the smooth administration of these assessments.

Attendance
Undoubtedly, consistent attendance is the crucial foundation for your child’s positive school experience, as the evidence suggests. Education holds immense importance for your child’s growth, and regular attendance is key to unlocking their educational potential, broadening career prospects, and enhancing life choices. NSW public schools, in partnership with parents, actively promote and support the regular attendance of children and young individuals. A daily presence at school not only facilitates easier learning but also enables your child to forge and sustain meaningful friendships with peers.

Families are encouraged to travel during school holidays. If travel during school term is necessary, discuss this with your child’s school principal. An Application for Extended Leave may need to be completed. Absences relating to travel will be marked as leave on the roll and therefore contribute to your child’s total absences for the year. Thank you for your commitment to improving student attendance. I know that you care deeply about your students and their progress at school.

Energy Drinks
As part of our commitment to fostering a healthy and supportive learning environment, we would like to remind students and parents of our school’s policy regarding energy drinks, in alignment with the NSW Department of Education’s Healthy Canteen guidelines. Energy drinks, such as Monster, Red Bull and similar beverages, are not permitted to be brought or consumed on school premises. These drinks contain high levels of caffeine, sugar, and other additives, posing potential health risks, especially for young individuals. The NSW Department of Education emphasises the importance of promoting nutritious and balanced choices for our students. Any energy drinks seen in the playground will be confiscated in accordance with these guidelines. By adhering to these guidelines, we aim to create a school environment that prioritises the wellbeing and development of our students.

Parent/Teacher Interviews
It was wonderful to see the significant turnout of parents at school on Monday night for the Year 12 Parent-Teacher Interviews. We look forward to hosting Year 11 interviews next Monday, and bookings can be conveniently made through the Sentral Parent Portal.

Upcoming Events
Wednesday 13 March – Monday 25 March: NAPLAN Year 7 and 9
Friday 22 March – Sunday 24 March: IMP Camp at Galston
Monday 25 March: Year 11 Parent Teacher Interviews in the School Hall
Friday 29 March: Good Friday Public Holiday
Monday 1 April: Easter Monday Public Holiday
Tuesday 2 April – Friday 5 April Year 12 Assessment Period
Friday 12 April: Cross Country Carnival

NAPLAN 2024 parent and carer information

NAPLAN 2024 parent and carer information

Speech Day Photos 2024

Speech Day Photos 2024

Photos from this years Speech Day at Town Hall have now been added to the school website. You can view the full gallery here

 

 

Year 9, 10 & 11 French Film Festival Excursion

Year 9, 10 & 11 French Film Festival Excursion

On the 6th of March 2024, the classes of Year 9,10 and 11 French ventured to the cinema on Norton Street. We were accompanied by Monsieur de Jong and Madame Salisbury, who provided us with an unforgettable excursion with their brave sacrifice of time. The film that we viewed was ‘Les Têtes Givrées’ or ‘The Snow Must Go On’, a heartfelt French film about the dangers of climate change and how teamwork and collaboration can really influence the world, as a group of teenagers try to stop a glacier from melting.

The film was quite comedic for such a serious topic, and regular quips and jokes helped keep all of us entertained. At around 12.00pm, we headed back to our school for the eagerly awaited pastries and baguettes. We enjoyed a selection of semi-French pastries such as eclairs, croissants, jam donuts (not French) and pear tarts (origin unknown). But the real delicacy was still to come, with a selection of cheeses paired with authentic French baguettes, and a French-themed cake. On behalf of France I would like to thank Mr de Jong and Ms Salisbury for organising such an amazing excursion, which truly enriched our understanding of French culture and language.

Raghav Goel, Year 10

Fostering Connections Beyond Borders: Fort Street High School’s Chinese Culture Exchange Event

Fostering Connections Beyond Borders: Fort Street High School’s Chinese Culture Exchange Event

In an endeavor to bridge cultural divides and foster international understanding, Fort Street High School recently played host to a vibrant culture exchange event. Initiated by DE International NSW Department of Education and New Channel Global Study Tour, this event welcomed 21 students from various cities across China for an immersive week of learning and cultural exploration, commencing on 14 February and concluding on 20 February 2024.

The event kicked off with a warm welcome ceremony, where Relieving Principal Ms Rebecca Cameron extended heartfelt greetings to the visiting students. Encouraging an open-minded approach, Ms Cameron emphasised the significance of cultural exchange in cultivating mutual respect and understanding between nations. Her words set the tone for a week filled with enriching experiences and meaningful interactions.

The first day concluded with an exciting excursion to Gioia Italian restaurant, where both Fort Street students and their Chinese counterparts bonded over delicious pizza, setting the stage for friendships to blossom.

Throughout the week, the Chinese students, accompanied by their Fort Street study buddies, immersed themselves in a variety of lessons, gaining firsthand insight into Australian school life. Beyond academics, they exchanged personal stories, forging connections that transcended geographical boundaries. This exchange not only broadened their perspectives but also nurtured empathy and camaraderie among participants.

As the week drew to a close, participants were treated to a delightful afternoon of cultural immersion. From writing Chinese calligraphy to singing karaoke and kicking shuttlecock, students had the opportunity to share elements of their own culture with their Australian peers. The day culminated in a BBQ event, where laughter and camaraderie filled the air, underscoring the bonds forged throughout the week.

At the farewell ceremony, three Chinese visitors expressed their heartfelt gratitude, highlighting the transformative impact of their time at Fort Street High School. Ms Cameron presented Certificates of Participation, symbolising the culmination of a successful exchange.

Acknowledgements were extended to the dedicated teachers who welcomed the Chinese visitors into their classrooms, the non-teaching staff for their invaluable support, and the Fort Street study buddies for their contributions to the program’s success. Special recognition was given to Ms Lina El-Deiri for her organisational prowess, Mr Ken Gillespie for his role in coordinating excursions, Relieving Head Teacher Ms Melinda Wark for overseeing the event, and Relieving Principal Ms Rebecca Cameron for her visionary leadership and unwavering support.

The cultural exchange event at Fort Street High School exemplifies the power of education in fostering global citizenship and building bridges across cultures. As participants bid farewell, they carry with them not only cherished memories but also a deeper understanding of the world and the bonds that unite us all.

Yr 8 Geography Excursion

Yr 8 Geography Excursion

Unit of Study: Water in the World

Authors: Evie Cairns, William Short, Francis Neild and Henry Shannon

On Monday, March 11 2024, classes 8 O and 8T ventured to Karloo Pools at the Royal National Park in Heathcote NSW. The purpose of this excursion was to assess the suitability of this location for platypus inhabitance in order to form a judgement for our assessment.

The journey commenced with a short trek down the mountain as we made our way towards the pools. Upon arrival, the cohort had a short recess break to recharge after their treacherous voyage down the slope and admire the picturesque water surrounded by nature and wildlife. We then began to conduct field work on the water, testing the water temperature, pH and turbidity with Ms Nolan. From information given to us in prior in-class lessons, we used these readings to see if platypuses could thrive in this environment. Ten platypuses had already been introduced at a very close location and we were tasked to assess the water and the surrounding riparian environment quality to see if the Karloo Pools area was suitable for platypus reintroduction.

Following this, the group collected macroinvertebrates upstream using nets. These macroinvertebrates are not only a credible indication of water quality but also the primary food source for platypuses. Various species were found, including the water strider, whirligig beetle, water boatman, freshwater shrimp, yabbies and caddis fly larva. Other species were observed, including small fish and tadpoles, both of which are generally sensitive to human impacts on the water. This was a highly enjoyable section of the excursion, those who went in to collect macroinvertebrates receiving a pleasant break from the stark heat beating down on the cohort throughout the day.

We briefly discussed the effect of the present and past weather on the landscape and water quality, relating this to our observations on the features of the pools.

This excursion  improved our knowledge of this environment and provided us with valuable skills on evaluating water quality and identifying macroinvertebrates.

Personal experiences
Evie Cairns: The excursion to Karloo Pools in the Royal National Park was absolutely amazing. Not only was it an enjoyable social experience relaxing and observing nature, the day provided me with essential knowledge relevant to our assessment. My observations built on previous information in class, developing my geographical understanding of river catchment areas and landscapes. It was lovely watching the interactions between the wildlife and the surrounding landforms, some notable mentions including the lace monitor creeping across the rough sandstone and miniature birds swooping above the flowing water. The topography of the landscape made the bush walk a thrilling ordeal as I struggled to stay upright on the slippery sandstone slope. It was an incredibly beneficial excursion that bestowed helpful hands-on experience in capturing macroinvertebrates and conducting tests on the environment around me.

Francis Neild: The excursion to Karloo Pools was great. Not only did we learn valuable information about macroinvertebrates and water quality, we also had a really great time chilling out, bushwalking and admiring the pristine natural environment. The area was almost untouched and was beautiful to admire. There was various wildlife including an incredible Lace Monitor. My favourite part of the excursion was when we went macroinvertebrate collecting. It felt great to get wet and it was a real laugh. A lot of people fell in, some accidentally, some not so much! I would definitely recommend this excursion to later groups, it was a blast!

William Short: “I LOVED it. It was an absolutely great excursion to an almost untouched natural environment in the Royal National Park that could soon be home to platypuses. We observed some cool wildlife, such as a Lace Monitor, a Grey Fantail and BULL ANTS AGH. It was great to be able to do some scientific research and testing on a natural environment and a great day out for some challenging bushwalking and observing the natural world and all its charming beauty. We also learnt valuable information that would be key to our upcoming assessment about macroinvertebrates and water quality as well as the unique type of topography and catchment area Karloo Pools was in and how human impacts can reach and affect the area. Some of us had a most wonderfully refreshing time in the water as we caught macroinvertebrates. I CHIPPED A TOENAIL .  All in all it was a great 10/10 excursion that would be fantastic for future students.

Henry Shannon: The excursion to Karloo Pools was great. We learned lots of information about water quality, platypus habitats and macroinvertebrates. We caught the train to Heathcote station and walked the 2.5 km to the pools. The walk was challenging on the uneven terrain but was fun and had great views of the surrounding valleys. When we got to the pools, we stopped and had some time to hang out and admire the picturesque pools, before starting our work. We tested the water temperature, turbidity levels and pH, and described the characteristics of the pools that would have an effect on water quality. Finally, we waded in the nearby creek to search for macroinvertebrates. We learned that they are a very good indicator of how polluted the water was. It was great to cool off and get wet. It was a fantastic experience and one I will not forget!

Upcoming Musical Opportunities – Applications now open!

Upcoming Musical Opportunities – Applications now open!

There are some exciting, upcoming musical opportunities on offer including State Wind Bands, State Music Camps, State Choir, and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Brass Day. Fort Street has always had a strong representation in these ensembles and camps, and they offer wonderful opportunities for our musicians to expand their breath of repertoire and performance experience.

Applications are now open for State Wind Bands, State Music Camps and State Choir. These programs aim to provide high level ensemble rehearsal and performance opportunities to students and teachers from across NSW.

1. State Wind Bands The Arts Unit’s State Wind Bands provide an opportunity for high potential and gifted music students in NSW public schools to perform in a state ensemble under the direction of expert conductors. The rehearsal schedule is condensed to support participation from non-metro students, who will work with professional conductors and tutors in large ensemble and small sectional sessions to prepare for performances at the Sydney Opera House.

State Senior Band (for students in Years 9 to 12) Workshops at The Arts Unit, Lewisham Saturday 10 – Sunday 11 August Performances at The Sydney Opera House Monday 12 – Tuesday 13 August

State Junior Band (for students in Years 5 to 8) Workshops at The Arts Unit, Lewisham Monday 12 – Tuesday 13 August Performances at The Sydney Opera House Wednesday 14 – Thursday 15 August

Cost Sydney metropolitan student participation fee – $110 Students from rural & remote schools – $85.50

Teacher professional learning

There is an opportunity for teachers to join a professional learning program run alongside the student ensemble. Participating teachers will work with expert conductors and tutors to build their capacity as a band conductor and coordinator.

For more information and to apply, visit artsunit.nsw.edu.au/program/state-wind-bands

All applications close Friday 10 May. Enquiries: Luke Wallace luke.wallace20@det.nsw.edu.au

IMP State Music Camps 2024 Flyer

2. State Music Camps

The Arts Unit’s State Music Camps provide an opportunity for high potential music students in NSW public schools to develop their performance skills under the guidance of expert conductors and tutors in a residential camp setting. During the week, students participate in both large and small ensembles, performing a range of engaging and high quality repertoire with the camp culminating in a concert for families on the final night.

2024 dates

Senior State Music Camp (Years 8 to 12) – 30 June to 5 July (Term 2 Week 10)

Junior State Music Camp (Years 5 to 8) – 21 July to 26 July (Term 3 Week 1)

Venue Sydney Academy of Sport, Wakehurst Parkway, Narrabeen

Cost Sydney metropolitan student participation fee – $700 Students from rural & remote schools – $375

Teacher professional learning

Primary and secondary school staff, peripatetic music staff and tertiary music students are invited to apply to participate in the State Music Camps in roles including conductors, ensemble managers and tutors.

For more information and to apply, visit: artsunit.nsw.edu.au/program/nsw-public-schools-state-music-camps

All applications close Friday 10 May. Enquiries: Jacqueline Shaw jacqueline.shaw@det.nsw.edu.au

IMP State Music Camps 2024 Flyer

3. State Choir

The Arts Unit’s State Choir provides an opportunity for high potential and gifted choristers to sing challenging repertoire with Australia’s leading choral directors. The choir is open to all NSW public school students Years 8 to 12, with no audition required. The rehearsal schedule is condensed to support participation from non-metro students, who will rehearse in Sydney across three days to prepare for performances at the Sydney Opera House.

Workshops The Arts Unit, Lewisham Sunday 11 August 2024 and The Sydney Opera House Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 August 2024

Performances The Sydney Opera House Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 August 2024

Cost Sydney metropolitan student participation fee – $110 Students from rural & remote schools – $82.50

For more information and to apply, visit: artsunit.nsw.edu.au/program/state-choir

Applications close Thursday 30 May. Enquiries: Jacqueline Shaw jacqueline.shaw@det.nsw.edu.au

IMP State Choir 2024 Flyer IMP

Con Brass Day 2024

The Con Brass Day 2024 is a wonderful opportunity for young Fort Street brass players to see behind the curtain of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

The Brass Department of the Sydney Conservatorium invites you to join us for a day celebrating all things Brass. On April 6, you can surround yourself with like-minded, passionate brass players while enjoying performances, warm up sessions, and masterclasses with the staff of Sydney Con. Perfect for high school students, teachers, or community musicians. The day will conclude with a concert featuring the Australian Navy Band and soloists David Elton (Trumpet) and Scott Kinmont (Trombone).

Follow the link for more information and to sign up – https://bit.ly/scm-brassday-060424

SRC Update

SRC Update

The SRC have just wrapped up 2 major events in our calendar – the Valentine’s Rose Drive and the International Women’s Day fundraiser. On Thursday 22nd February, we celebrated a belated Valentine’s Day at the Fort with our annual Rose Drive, where you could purchase a rose and a heart and you could write a message to that special someone! This was a massive success, as we actually managed to sell 1300 roses – thank you to our Year 12 cohort who purchased a total of 526!

Just a fortnight later, we held our International Women’s Day fundraising event, with a sausage sizzle run by fan-favourites student-run Bankstown Brothers (who rebranded to Bankstown Sisters for this special event!), with all the proceeds going to the UN Women Australia’s IWD event at the ICC Sydney on Friday. The theme this year was “Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress.”, something which the 8 members of the SRC executive, accompanied by Ms Cameron and Mr O’Neill, were able to learn about by listening to some amazing female speakers, such as Moana Hope (former AFLW player), Michele Bullock (current governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia – the first woman to hold that role) and Simone Clark (CEO of UN Women Australia). 

Finally, the SRC has many thank you’s to give out – first and foremost, to the staff and teachers for continuing to support us in our running of events, and general organisation. Secondly, to all the students, staff, and teachers who have taken part in our events, donating money to the UN Women’s IWD event, and to the SRC. We love to see our school community so engaged, and can’t wait to let you know what else is in store!

Dante (he/him)

SRC Vice-President

Homework Centre

Homework Centre

Hi Fortians,

I wanted to send out a quick reminder that the HOMEWORK CENTRE is running this year twice a week in the library.

Mondays with Ms Carter: 3:15-4:15pm Wednesdays with Ms Propsting: 3:15-4:15pm

If you are the kind of student who:

  • Would like a regular check in point with a teacher to help keep you on track
  • Just want a quiet hour in the library after school to get some work done
  • Want some targeted advice with Maths or Humanities
  • Could do with some more structure with your study habits

Please come along to the library Monday or Wednesday (or both)! No sign up or prior permission required, just come along and introduce yourself.

Ms Elizabeth Propsting

Relieving HT CAPA 2024

Music Teacher

Fort Street High School Ph: (02) 8585 1615

SRC International Womens Day Presentation

SRC International Womens Day Presentation

The SRC made a presentation at last Friday’s assembly for International Women’s Day. We thought parents and carers would enjoy seeing the type of work done by SRC students. Here is the link to the Presentation.

Neurodiversity Week

Neurodiversity Week

In Week 8 of this term (March 18 – March 22), the Diversity Committee will be organising Fort Street’s inaugural Neurodiversity Celebration Week, an annual week to celebrate and raise awareness of neurological differences. We want to make the school an even more inclusive place; to combat stereotypes, unconscious ableism, and barriers to using sensory accommodations – making school a safer place for everyone. Neurodiversity Celebration Week was founded in 2018 by Siena Castellon who wanted to change the way learning differences are perceived. As a teenager who is autistic and has ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia, her experience has been that people often focus on the challenges of neurological diversity. Siena wanted to change the narrative and create a balanced view which focuses equally on our talents and strengths. If the terms ‘neurodiversity’ and ‘neurodivergent’ are new to you, and you would like to do some more reading, please click here or here for some more information!

This is a really important week and we really want everyone in the school community to show respect for people brave enough to share their perspectives. Parents – especially if neurodiversity isn’t a topic that you often talk about at home – please talk to your children about being aware and respectful of this event. It will be heaps of fun but we need the engagement and respect that we’d expect when talking about any other form of marginalisation. Neurodivergent people are often invisibly discriminated against in many ways; please make sure you’re informed. Here are some great videos that can help you to learn more: 

We’ve got a busy week planned full of awareness-raising activities! At Monday lunchtime we’re holding an “Introduction to Neurodiversity” seminar in the Lecture Theatre which will give a general overview of neurodiversity, explaining terms, labels, and ways to be accommodating and inclusive so we encourage everybody to come along regardless of how much you know. Similarly, we’re holding another seminar on Wednesday lunch about Tourette Syndrome. Please come along, students and teachers alike to learn more about ways to support and celebrate neurodivergent people at school.

Keep an eye out in the library for the display put together by Ms Page and the Diversity Committee celebrating neurodiverse stories and voices.

In the SSO room (next to W19 in Wilkins building) our Student Support Officer Rose will be running zine making workshops at recess on Monday and Tuesday, and DIY fidget bracelet making at recess on Wednesday and Thursday. If anyone would like to share a story about their experiences as a neurodivergent person please approach Rose in the SSO room – she will be posting an “Own Voices” section of student experiences on the SSO portal. 

On Wednesday we will hold our main awareness raising and fundraising event. We are encouraging students and teachers to wear sunglasses to school to raise awareness about their use as a sensory aid. We ask you to please come to the Lecture Theatre at lunch for a school photo. We hope to see everyone donning yellow accessories, or badges which the diversity committee are making for you all. We’re collecting donations for Yellow Ladybugs in period 1, an Australian charity that works with communities to provide support for autistic girls, women, and gender-diverse folks so bring your gold coins on Wednesday.

We’re looking forward to a wonderful Neurodiversity Celebration Week, and hope to see the school community engaging with and celebrating alongside us!

Sofie Andersen and Kit White on behalf of the Diversity Committee.

Year 7-10 Vaccinations

Year 7-10 Vaccinations

Dear parents and carers,  

This year NSW Health will be offering the following vaccinations at school: 

  • Year 10 will be offered the meningococcal ACWY vaccine on Monday 25 March 
  • Year 7 will be offered vaccines for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) and human papillomavirus (HPV) on Wednesday 5 June 

Vaccination will only be provided at school if consent has been received.  

How to provide consent: 

  1. To complete online consent for your child’s school vaccinations, visit: https://engage.health.nsw.gov.au/engage 
  1. Follow the steps to log in to your existing ServiceNSW account. This is the same account you may already use to renew your driver’s licence. If you don’t have a ServiceNSW account, refer to ServiceNSW to create one.  
  1. Update or confirm your personal details in ServiceNSW as required.  
  1. Complete the School Vaccination Consent Form for your child/ren. You will need to:   
  1. Enter your child’s personal details  
  1. Provide the Medicare card details for you and your child  
  1. Read the linked Parent Information Sheet and privacy statement. Translations available in 27 languages 
  1. Provide consent   

If you or your child do not have a Medicare card, consent can still be provided by requesting a paper-based consent form directly from your child’s school. 

The benefits of providing consent online: 

  • easily update your child’s details 
  • receive SMS and/or email notifications when vaccinations are given  
  • faster upload of vaccination records to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).  

For more information on routine school vaccinations, please visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/schoolvaccination. 

If you require information in your language, please visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/school_vaccination_language.aspx 

Please contact Ms Ryan for further information. 

The NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge is now open!

The NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge is now open!

The PRC is a statewide Challenge that encourages students to develop a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students and enables them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition, but a challenge to encourage each student to read, to read more, and to read more widely. 

All students in years 7 to 10 can participate and we strongly encourage them to do so. Students can start entering books read right now through the PRC site that can be accessed from their student portal. If you have any further questions, please contact our Teacher Librarian, Ms Donna Page.​ 

 

Australian Geography Competition

Australian Geography Competition

“Fort Street High School has a number of outstanding Geography students. To continue to encourage success in Geography and reward student achievement Fort Street participates each year in the Australian Geography Competition. This year the competition is taking place in Term 2, 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 Australian in the 2025 International Geography Olympiad in Bangkok, Thailand.

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

 Entry Form

Why being passionate matters at work! 

Why being passionate matters at work! 

First find your cause, then find your course: 

Now that the lines between work and personal life are becoming increasingly blurred, aligning your passions with your career could be the ultimate measure of having a successful, happy life. 

Gone are the days of simply punching a clock; today, we all want purpose in our professional pursuits. 

But why does aligning your passions with your career matter? How can you go about discovering and integrating them into your future career? 

Why Aligning Your Passions and Career Matters 

Passion is the fuel that drives us forward, igniting our creativity, perseverance, and resilience. 

When we’re passionate about what we do, work becomes more than just a means to an end; it becomes a source of fulfillment and genuine social contribution. 

Studies have shown that individuals engaged in work that aligns with their passions are more likely to experience higher motivation, job satisfaction, productivity, and overall well-being. 

Questions to Explore Your Passions 

So, how do you uncover your passions and decide which ones are worth honing in on to match a career? 

Ask yourself the following: 

  1. What activities make you lose track of time? 
  1. What topics or subjects do you find yourself constantly drawn to? 
  1. What are your core values and beliefs, and how can they be integrated into your work? 
  1. If money were no object, how would you spend your time? 
  1. What feedback do you receive from others about your strengths and talents? 

 How to Match Your Passions to a Potential Career 

Once you’ve decided what really matters to you, and what you feel passionate about, the next step is expanding your ideas and seeing what’s out there. It’s easy to get stuck on traditional career paths, but there is a HUGE world of opportunity. And more new jobs hit the market every day! 

 To help start this process, focus on: 

  1. Self-Reflection: Take the time to reflect on your interests, values, and strengths. Consider past experiences where you felt most fulfilled and engaged. 
  1. Research: Explore different industries, job roles, and career paths that align with your passions. Utilise online resources, informational interviews, and networking opportunities to gather insights. 
  1. Experimentation: Be bold, try new things and step out of your comfort zone. Volunteer, take on side projects, or pursue hobbies that allow you to explore your interests further. 
  1. Skill Development: Identify the skills and knowledge required to succeed in your chosen field and invest in your personal and professional development accordingly. 
  1. Networking: Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who share your passions and can offer guidance and support. 

Interviewers for jobs and selection panels for scholarships repeatedly tell Careers Advisers that they remember a student’s passion for a subject long after the details of their schooling or degree have been forgotten. When you’re passionate about something, you talk about it with energy and enthusiasm, and that leaves a lasting impression. 

Struggling to find something you feel passionate about? Arrange a meeting with the school’s Careers Adviser, Ms Salisbury, to start the conversation. We need to find your cause before we can research the matching course(s). 

Study Without Stress

Study Without Stress

Study Without Stress is a cognitive behavioural therapy program for students in Year 10, 11 & 12, developed by the Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University. 

The program has its theoretical basis in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and is designed to specifically target difficulties many students have in coping with the building stress during the final years of secondary school. The program can be completed by students in one period per week over 7 weeks, and is ideal for students already experiencing high stress levels.  

The program will explore the definition of stress, causes of stress and an individual’s own behaviour in managing or escalating stress.  The Cognitive Behavioural component is an evidence based methodology that can help individuals set and manage their goals, help combat procrastination, challenge negative thinking and start to problem solve more effectively. 

 The facilitator of this program is certified to deliver this program, having completed the ‘Study Without Stress for Professionals’ course run by Macquarie University, Centre for Emotional Health. 

If you think your child would benefit from attending the Study Without Stress program, we encourage you to talk to them about it. If your child is interested in participating or you would like more information, please contact Katie Mann (Student Support Officer) at Katie.mann4@det.nsw.edu.au. 

Parent’s guide to University

Parent’s guide to University

Click on the link for the ultimate parents’ guide to University. Discover everything you and your child need to know about becoming part of the Charles Sturt community.

Parent guide

UCAT 2024 Registration is Now Open

UCAT 2024 Registration is Now Open