Principal’s Report

Dear Fortians, Parents and Carers,

Harmony Week

Last week was Harmony Week. The theme for Harmony Week 2025 is “Everyone Belongs,” a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusion and acceptance in our diverse community. Harmony week is not only about recognising our differences but also about celebrating the shared values and experiences that bring us together as one family. It’s a time to reflect on how we can create a culture of understanding, respect, and belonging – values that are essential in our school and beyond. Australia is a vibrant and multicultural country – from the oldest continuous culture of our first Australians to the cultures of our newest arrivals from around the world.

In our increasingly interconnected world, the importance of Harmony Week cannot be overstated. It encourages us to engage with one another, to listen to different perspectives, and to foster relationships that are built on mutual respect. By embracing diversity, we create a richer, more vibrant community where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute. Let us all commit to promoting these ideals every day, ensuring that our school is a welcoming space for everyone, regardless of their background.

IMP Camp 2024

Over the weekend 188 of our young musicians participated in the immensely rewarding IMP Camp held at Galston. They revelled in the opportunity to learn fresh repertoire and hone their abilities. Culminating in a concert, families were treated to a display of the dedication and effort exhibited over the weekend. Gratitude is extended to Mr. Manchester, alongside the dedicated team of staff and volunteers, whose tireless efforts ensured yet another stellar IMP Camp experience.

Combined High Schools (CHS) Competitions

This term, I am proud to announce that our school has demonstrated exceptional enthusiasm and commitment by entering over 10 teams in the Combined High Schools (CHS) competitions. Our students have showcased their skills and sportsmanship across various disciplines, representing our school with pride and determination. The participation in these competitions not only highlights the talent within our student body but also fosters teamwork, resilience, and a spirit of healthy competition. We commend all our athletes and coaches for their hard work and dedication, and we look forward to seeing continued success in the upcoming events. Congratulations to each of our teams so far this term.

Sydney North Regional Swimming Carnival

This week, a group of 10 dedicated Fortians proudly represented the school and the Northern zone at the Sydney North Swimming Carnival. Congratulations to – Joyce C, Chloe D, Ben D, Brendon F, Xixi H, Caleb J, Atul K, Ben K, Evelyn L and Matthew L.

Chess Tournament Canterbury Boys

On Thursday this week Fortians participated in the second Maxwell L Fuller chess tournament held at Canterbury Boys High School and were successful in bringing home the trophy for a second year in a row. Congratulations to all those students who participated – Henry F, Edmond G, Yifei H, Anthony L, Parthiv P, Nikhil R, Dhruv S, Ben T, Oliver W and Yu W.

As this will be the last edition of Mercurius before the school holidays, I would like to wish all our Muslim families a happy upcoming Eid al-Fitr and to all Fortians and their families a happy and safe Easter break! 🐰🌷

Upcoming Events

Monday 31 March – Friday 4 April: Year 12 Assessment Block

Wednesday 2 April: Year 11 Geography students’ excursion to Auburn

Friday 4 April: 15’s Boys Football – Bill Turner Cup

Wednesday 9 April: School Cross Country

Wednesday 9 April – Sunday 13 April: Year 12 Geography Great Barrier Reef trip

Monday 14 April – Tuesday 29 April: School Holidays

Wednesday 30 April: Students return to Term 2 (ANZAC Day Assembly)

Year 7 History Excursion

On Monday the 10th of March year 7 history students went on an excursion to The Big Dig,  an archaeological site in The Rocks and then to Observatory Hill and the original Fort Street High School. At the Big Dig we were split into our class groups and then did activities in these groups. The activities were:

• We looked at artifacts that had been found within the site (e.g. old pieces of plates or dolls) and then filled out a worksheet about what we could see (what was it made of, what would it have been used for, was it broken etc.)
• Then we got pieces of paper with years on them and special events that had occurred in these years and built a timeline from the colonisation of Australia all the way to the 2020s/now.
• We then proceeded to go on a tour of the site and learn about the rich history of the street (the people that lived there, the events that had occurred there and the things that had happened to the people while they had been living there.) This was personally one of my favourite parts of the entire excursion.

We then walked up to Observatory Hill and the original Fort Street High School and had lunch while looking at the beautiful view from up there. We then got a big booklet and walked around the site observing our surroundings and learning about the history of the old school and the area surrounding it. I really enjoyed having a go at drawing the view from on top of the rotunda and seeing how funny it turned out to be.

All in all I really enjoyed this excursion and learnt a lot from the rich history of the area.

Solomon, Year 7 Student.

IMP Update

IMP Music Camp is a huge success

The 2025 IMP camp, held from 21-23 March, was a huge success with 186 participants and 22 amazing conducting and tutoring staff. Students spent the weekend immersed in music, in the beautiful natural setting of CRU Galston Gorge, culminating in a spectacular final concert featuring diverse range of music from Romantic, Modern Classical and Jazz through to Taiko drumming and the Beatles. Rather than being a rehearsal camp for our regular ensemble, at IMP Camp we form 16 entirely new ensembles for the weekend, in which the focus is on skill-building through the repertoire we play. The development of all of the students in such a short space of time was phenomenal to see!

A huge thanks to the conductors, tutors, Fort Street High School Staff and volunteers who made this weekend possible.

1. Orchestra A

2. Taiko Drumming

3. Double Reed Ensemble

4. Camp Item

5. Brass Ensemble

Fort Street Students accepted to the Australian Youth Orchestra Young Symphonists program

Clara and Rose Moloney have been accepted into the Australian Youth Orchestra Young Symphonists program, an intensive, week-long residential program to be held during the April school holidays. Clara and Rose will spend a week in Canberra working with some of Australia’s finest orchestral musicians of high school age, with attend tutorials and workshops led by some of Australia’s leading professional musicians, culminating in a dazzling public concert.

Upcoming Musical Opportunities

There are some exciting, upcoming musical opportunities on offer including Junior and Senior State Music Camps, Sydney Southeast Symphonic Winds, Strike a Chord 2025, 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.

1. State Music Camp – Applications now open (closing Fri 9 May)

Applications for both junior and senior state music camps are now open.

When are they?

Senior State Music Camp – 29 June to 4 July (Term 2 Week 10)

Junior State Music Camp (Years 5 to 8) – 20 July to 25 July (Term 3 Week 1)

Who can apply?

Senior State Music Camp: Students in years 8 to 12

Junior State Music Camp: Students in years 5 to 8

For more information: https://artsunit.nsw.edu.au/program/junior-and-senior-state-music-camps

To apply: https://artsunit.nsw.edu.au/event/2025-05-09/junior-and-senior-state-music-camps-student-applications

2. Sydney Southeast Symphonic Winds – Applications now open

For more information, visit: https://artsunit.nsw.edu.au/local-arts-program/sydney-southeast-symphonic-winds.

Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfADHcyjQykXWi_5KVqpn2GKugrXzmOndud2S7vf7IHusmoZw/viewform?usp=sharing

3. Strike A Chord 2025

Strike A Chord program inspires young musicians across Australia with opportunities to perform, collaborate, and refine their skills in chamber music. With sections for beginner through to advanced groups, the competition helps students develop their ensemble skills, gain performance experience, and challenge themselves musically. Fort Street has a history of

Competition sections include

• Foundation Section (Free to Enter): For early-stage groups (AMEB Grade 4 & under), offering a chance to play together, submit a video entry, and receive feedback.
• Championship Section: For advanced groups (AMEB Grade 5+), with the top 12 groups (from at least 6 states/territories) performing at the National Final in Melbourne.

Key Dates:

• 21 Mar – Coaching Program applications close
• 1 May – Foundation and Championship Section entries open
• 29 May – Foundation and Championship Section entries close
• 20 Jun – Championship Section Finalists and First Round winners, and Foundation Section winners announced
• 30 Aug – Championship Section National Final at Melbourne Recital Centre

For more information: https://musicaviva.com.au/strike-a-chord/

4. SCM Brass Day 2025

The Sydney Conservatorium of Music Brass Day 2025, to be held on the 12th of April, is an opportunity for students, community musicians, and teachers to come together and celebrate all things Brass!

This is a FREE event for students to hear performances from staff and students, partake in warm-up classes, masterclasses, and see a performance with the Royal Australian Navy Band with solos from some of the Sydney Conservatorium’s Brass staff.

NOTE: This is an open event for anyone who loves brass playing and brass music – you don’t’ have to be considering studying at the con to attend!

Date: Saturday 12 April 9:30am onwards

Cost: Free (online registration required)

To register: https://bit.ly/scm-brassday25

EOI to participate in one of the masterclasses: https://sydney.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aaWf8IjLHidtZvo

Creative Writing

As part of our Reading to Write module in the Preliminary English course students were asked to write a story in the style of Jamaica Kincaid’s short story “Girl”. The results were as delightful and surprising as Jamaica Kincaid herself could have wished. Here is a snapshot of student writing.

Parent Talk II

The door opens and she hangs on the balcony; “Good afternoon, I prayed for you today; will you not come and shake my hand; you must be tired; there’s tea in the microwave and it’s getting lukewarm; I made the tea myself; I made it exactly how we like it; I am more tired than I have ever been; won’t you come hug me; don’t come too close I am a frail woman you must know this; go pray before you commit another sin; why haven’t you greeted your father; make sure to lower your head; and make sure he doesn’t shake your hand; you are not a little child you should know better; this is not how I have taught you how to talk to a man; if any man ever tries anything I will be the first to break their jaw; greet everyone then be sure to shower: you must shower with hot water, the cold will make you ill; don’t sit down until we have finished making dinner; today I am showing you how to make palak gosht; palak goes well with everything; will you cut the meat; I am more tired than I have ever been; don’t make a bad job of cutting the meat or what will your future husband think of you; don’t let your husband talk you into anything, it never ends well; when you marry I will bring you a gift of gold, don’t ever forget; make sure to love your children how I have taught you; always know that you and your brother are my heart and liver; you must never go against this; remember to put the rice on the table after it is done; remember not to sit too close to your father; remember to pray before dinner; thank God that I have raised you right; pray for me; remember that I am more tired than I have ever been.’

Year 9 History Excursion

On Wednesday the 5th of March, 9HIS1 and 9HIS3, with Mr. Galvin and Miss. Fisher, went on an excursion to the Hyde Park Anzac Memorial to enrich our learning in the History unit on Australians at War: World War 1.

To begin the day at the memorial, we discussed the causes of World War 1, before watching an engaging monologue about a soldier’s life on the Eastern Front. Loyal Creatures by Morris Gleitzman, performed by a talented member of the memorial staff, captured our hearts through the passion of the performance, providing an insight into the horrific experiences of soldiers in the war. The fictional character of Frank was used to represent the widespread journey of a soldier, beginning with societal pressures to enlist, training, entering the battlefield and the trauma once they return home.

The cohort was then given a tour of the memorial to learn about the Hall of Silence, the Hall of Memory, the Hall of Service and the exterior of the building.

The cohort then watched a one-woman performance weaving together the stories of three women in the medical corps from original sources, contrasting experiences of women in the Great War with those of the men. The tour continued into the museum, where we viewed displays of weapons, uniforms and dioramas and further investigated the medical corps through observation of their tools and medicine.

This excursion was an enlightening opportunity, providing insight into the lives of soldiers and nurses who served in the war, along with their families, which complements our current history unit. Overall, it served as a reminder of the horrific nature of war and demonstrated the impact of WWI on the world today.

– Evie Cairns and Michelle Cam, Year 9

Environmental Committee

Hey Fort Street!

The Environmental Committee is here with an exciting update on our latest events! We’ve kicked off the year with a bang – starting with our stall at Clubs and Committees Day, Pancake Day, our engaging weekly meetings in the FLS (Flexible Learning Space), and our much anticipated Clean Up Australia Day!

On 4th of March, the Environmental Committee—led by Year 11 members and volunteers, with the support of Ms Maddox, hosted a fundraising ‘Pancake Day’ stall during recess and lunch. Despite a few delays (and let’s be honest, some slightly burnt pancakes), we were thrilled by the incredible support from students and teachers alike. Thanks to your generosity, we raised donations ($352) for the Bob Brown Foundation, which helps protect the Tarkine Rainforest in Tasmania, home to the adorable potoroos, which are unfortunately endangered. We hope you all enjoyed those handmade treats (along with the free toppings!!)

Coming up next, on Tuesday 25th March, we’ll be participating in a school-wide ‘Clean Up Australia Day’ after it was postponed due to poor weather conditions. Although this might appear to be only a small-scale exertion, our main priority is to currently make as much change as possible within our school, with the hope of lowering our environmental footprint and keeping our surroundings clean. Thank you to everyone who has signed up to volunteer – we appreciate your enthusiasm, and we’re sorry we couldn’t accommodate everyone!

Looking ahead, we have even more exhilarating plans for the year! Each week, we’ve been brainstorming ideas to bring in more engaging environmental initiatives to the school. Some of our ideas include:

• A school-wide clothing exchange
• A lunchtime film viewing
• Another food fundraiser

Besides hosting such events, we’ve also decided to run small lunch-time activities during our Thursday meetings to encourage awareness of monthly elected environmental issues. These include arts & craft workshops, collaborative games, tasty snacks and more 🙂

If you’re interested in meeting new friends, participating in fun environmental activities and fundraisers  and making a difference to our surroundings, come join us in the FLS on Thursday lunchtimes! Hopefully we’ll see you there and enjoy the rest of term 1!

Cara Zhong and Emidori Lum

Environmental Committee 

Year 8 & 9 French Film Festival Excursion

On Wednesday Week 6, 8I and 😯 went on an enriching excursion out to watch the engaging, french-foodie comedy, “All Stirred Up!” after indulging in the wonders of French pastries back at school to celebrate the annual French Film Festival! 

The festival started in the Fountain Quad where Year 8 French students were invited to spoil themselves with traditional French croissants and baguettes, served with an assortment of french cheeses. These foods helped set the scene for the delights of French cuisine in the movie to come.

After devouring all of the French foods, we finally set off on a 13 minute journey through the streets of Leichhardt before arriving at Palace Cinema Norton St. The film was about a strict border guard who met an unruly, unsuccessful chef. After a bad first encounter, the border guard, Sonia, strikes a deal with the chef to teach her daughter Lili-Beth to cook haute cuisine food for a Mini-chef competition to combat her bully’s taunts. The movie explored the themes of belonging, resilience in the face of adversity, and the value of family over work.

Overall, classes 😯 and 8I had an exhilarating time exploring French culture, film, and cuisine, giving us a greater appreciation of our French studies.

By Ashleigh Pitzing, 8I

On the 7th of March, the Year 9 French class went on an excursion to Palace Cinemas to celebrate the annual French Film Festival. 

Our excursion began after assembly, where we gathered at the Cohen undercroft as a class before walking to Palace Cinemas in Leichhardt. We attended the screening of ‘Tous Toqués (All Stirred Up),’ which was a movie about a French chef helping a young girl achieve her goal of winning a mini-chef competition, while also reconnecting with his daughter. The movie was very enjoyable and interesting and we were able to gain a further understanding of French culture and language. It contained lots of interesting transitions, new foods and French-Canadian dialogue. On our return to school, we got to consume a delicious French chocolate cake. We had lots of fun on this excursion and we hope to go on many similar ones in the future! 

By Olivia He and Devika Warrier, Year 9

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. This year the Olympiad will be held in Ireland. 

The competition will take place in Term 2, Week 3 – on Monday 12th May. 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 student’s accounts. Please complete the form below prior to the 23rd March to enter.

Geography Competition Entry Form

2025 NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge

The NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge is now open and Fort Street is excited to be participating!

What is the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge?

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 who complete the challenge and have their reading record validated by the school’s PRC coordinator will receive a certificate signed by the Premier of NSW.

Here at Fort Street we are often asked for recommended book lists and the PRC lists are very useful in this regard. You can search by age, genre and author so we strongly suggest having a look here for your next book.

How many books do students need to read?

Students in Year 7 to Year 10 are challenged to read 20 books independently. At least 10 of these books must be from the relevant Challenge booklists, and up to 10 books can be personal choice books. More information on the rules of the Challenge can be found on the PRC website.

Books must be added to a student’s online reading record by Friday 22 August 2025 in order for their reading record to be validated and receive a certificate.

How do students log their reading? Students can access the PRC’s Student Experience site using their DoE username and password, or can log into the site via the Student Portal. A video guide explaining how to use the Student Experience site can be found here.

If you have any issues with logging books, please speak to Ms Page in the Library.

From the Fort Street Careers Office

The world is changing.

Digital disruption. The economy. Trump. Climate. Possible wars. Another pandemic….

With the world in such a state of flux, how should we approach the delicate subject of life after Fort Street for our students?

It is no longer as simple as suggesting: you should “be a lawyer, physiotherapist or engineer”

Careers Advisors are challenged to provide advice in the midst of this rapid and often revolutionary change – because software, drones, robots, AI and automation are all impacting the traditional pathways to jobs in a technologically- and climate-disrupted world.

Which universities specialise in subjects that students are interested in? Where is the best place to study those subjects? Where does that study lead? What will it cost? And how certain can we be of a job at the end of the course?

Firstly, students need to think about what they currently enjoy learning about at school. Then consider what they enjoy doing in their free time. If they procrastinate – what do they turn to when they should be doing something else? What makes them motivated to get out of bed?

Before narrowing down specific study choices, students should be encouraged to identify a general area of interest – space, robotics, climate action, agriculture, biology and science, AI, ICT and coding, defence and security, health innovation, robots, drones and autonomous systems, cities and urban design, smart manufacturing, startups or not-for-profit social enterprise, the environment, the circular economy, advocacy, politics, energy, reef and marine sciences, languages, law, art, design, animation, music …. the list goes on and on and on.

We’re spoilt for choice now, but that makes it so much harder to decide.

Once students have identified a general area of interest, they can begin to research what courses are available in their chosen field, and at which universities. This is where the Careers Adviser can help direct students to specific new courses or to new majors within traditional degrees. Or to universities the students might initially dismiss. And for students who really can’t decide between two disparate degrees, there is always the possibility of doing a double degree, with the benefits of each individual degree, plus the added advantage of the area of overlap. This overlap is often very niche – think carbon credit law or intellectual property law, biomedical engineering start-ups, veterinary physiotherapy, art or music therapy, architectural green retro-fitting and so on.

All Fortians, whatever year they are currently in, are encouraged to begin to dream, imagine and then research, and to reach out to the Careers Adviser to help join the dots between where they are now and where they could be in the future, no matter how unpredictable that future may be.

P&C Fundraiser

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

Outside the Fort