Principal’s Report

Dear Fortians, parents and carers,

Welcome back to Term 2. It has been a particularly busy start to the term with many excursions and incursions taking place over the past two weeks. Teachers returned to a professional learning day at school on Monday 28 April with a shared focus with all other NSW Department of Education schools on High Potential and Gifted Education.

As we enter Term 2, I want to stress the significance of consistent and punctual school attendance. Research unequivocally demonstrates that regular attendance is paramount for students to excel academically, forge meaningful social bonds, and enjoy a fulfilling school experience. Missing school can result in missed assignments, crucial lessons, diminished social interactions, or opportunities like sports team selections. Being late to school not only affects a child’s attendance record but also deprives them of valuable learning time. If you encounter difficulties in ensuring your child’s punctual attendance, please reach out to the school. Our staff is dedicated to assisting you and your child.

ANZAC Day Assembly

Students returned on Tuesday 29 April to an ANZAC Day assembly. I would like to thank Mr O’Neill for putting together this assembly and to Albert Wilson (Yr 10) and Ryan Lee (Year 10) for their thoughtful and respectful ANZAC presentation and to Edmund Huang (Year 12) and Min Park (Year 12) for their reflections on ANZAC Day 2024 in Lisbon. Jasper Kameron (Yr 12) once again played the bugle at this occasion and the Wind Ensemble beautifully performed October, arranged and conducted by Matthew Manchester.

Cairns Geography Field Trip

Towards the end of the school holidays and the first few days of term 2 our Year 12 Geography students embarked on a memorable field trip to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. Led by the dedicated efforts of Mr. Latimer and Ms. Nolan, our students delved into the wonders of one of the world’s most remarkable ecosystems. From exploring the diverse landscapes of Cairns to snorkelling amidst the breath-taking coral formations of the Great Barrier Reef, this trip was both educational and awe-inspiring. Special thanks to Mr. Latimer and Ms. Nolan for their exceptional organisation and unwavering dedication in providing our students with such a valuable learning opportunity.

Space Teams Academy

Congratulations to Sasha Anandh in Year 7 who has been selected as one of 32 students from across NSW to take part in Space Teams Academy, an extraordinary virtual space exploration program being delivered by Western Sydney University and One Giant Leap Australia Foundation. Sasha will take part in a 5-day workshop conducting virtual space missions, designing a spacecraft, learning about orbital mechanics and talking to space/engineering experts.

We know that Sasha will make the most of this amazing opportunity and can’t wait to hear all about her experience.

Sport at the Fort

The whole school Cross Country event was a huge success again this year held at HJ Mahoney Memorial Park in Marrickville. I would like to thank Mr Feng and the entire PDHPE team for putting this day together. Congratulations to Preston, who once again won the house championship. I would also like to congratulation our age champions:

18 Boys – Frankie Sun 18 Girls – Livia Zhen

17 Boys – Lucas Nguyen 17 Girls – Miranda Leighton

16 Boys – Akira Howard 16 Girls – Majella Murphy

15 Boys – Harrison Ma 15 Girls – Audrey Leblond

14 Boys – Reuben Winkler 14 Girls – Ashleigh Pitzing

13 Boys – Jack Ng 13 Girls – Georgia Gaudin

12 Boys – Samuel Fang 12 Girls – Matilda Bello-Vijeyarasa

The school athletics carnival was held this week on Wednesday, March 14th, at SOPAC, Homebush. It was great to see that our carnival is not just about competition; it’s about coming together as a community to celebrate our talents, support our peers, and create memories. Fortians from all year groups sprinted down the track, soared through the air in long jump, and cheered from the side-lines, their presence and participation making for a great event.

I am also proud to announce that several Fortians, recently participated in the NSW CHS (State) Swimming Carnival achieving outstanding results:

12 Years 100m Freestyle – Matthew Li (8th place)

13 Years 100m Freestyle – Horatio Zhang (4th place)

14 Years 50m Freestyle – Antony Walczac (6th place)

14 Years 100m Freestyle – Antony Walczac (6th place)

14 Years 100m Backstroke – Anthony Walczac (8th place)

14 Boys 50m Freestyle Relay Team – Brenden Fu, Antony Walczak, Bejamin Doumit and Horatio Zhang came in 1st place and will be attending the All Schools Championships in just over a week.

I am also excited to share that Caitlyn Lu and Livia Zhen represented the Sydney North Volleyball team which won back-to-back gold medals. Livia Zhen has also been selected to play in the Country vs City exhibition, while Caitlyn won MVP as Captain.

Maxwell Hrovat competed in the Asian Cadet Fencing Championships in Kuwait placing 10th in the Men’s Epee and Anna Kepert (Year 11) is competing this week in the National Youth Climbing/Bouldering Championships in Ballina, we wish her the best of luck and can’t wait for the results.

Senior Debating

I would like to congratulate our senior debating team Gina. H, Min. P, Ella. L and Cara. Z who have advanced to Round 4 of the competition undefeated.

Upcoming Events

Week 4:

Monday 19 May: Zone Cross Country Carnival – Meadowbank Park

Wednesday 21 May: CHS 15’s Boys Basketball

Wednesday 21 May: Year 9 Study Skills Incursion (periods 1-3)

Thursday 22 May: Year 10 English Excursion (Macbeth – Seymour Centre)

Thursday 22 May: Theatresports Intermediate Competition

Thursday 22 May: Year 11 Modern History Excursion

Thursday 22 May: Year 12 Japanese Excursion (Tanken Centre)

Friday 23 May: Silver Duke of Ed Practice Hike

Friday 23 May: Theatresports Senior Competition

Week 5:

Tuesday 27 May: History Competition 7-10

Tuesday 27 May: Netball Gala Day

Wednesday 28 May: Year 11 Ancient History Excursion

Wednesday 28 May: Astronomy Club Observation Night

Thursday 29 May: Year 8 English Excursion (The Wrong Gods – Belvoir Theatre)

Thursday 29 May: Year 10 Drama Excursion (Ensemble Theatre)

Friday 30 May: Future Leaders Conference

Wellbeing Corner

Welcome to Wellbeing corner  

This page is a new initiative of the well-being team to share ideas to support student wellbeing and report back on the initiatives that we are running at school. The articles will be written by different members of the Wellbeing team and it is my pleasure to write the first one.     

E-Safety – A Parent’s Struggle

In this first edition, I want to address an ever increasing concern in the school and that is to do with cyber safety and parental control over student device use particularly for our younger students. I have first hand experience of the tension that can be experienced when attempting to limit device use for young people at home, so I understand that this is not always an easy thing to do. I also know that when we see students either perpetrating or being the victim of cyberbullying, it is happening in the evenings and, anecdotal evidence suggests it is happening when young people are left to use their devices unmonitored. This makes it imperative that we are vigilant in how our children are using these very powerful devices in order to ensure their emotional wellbeing. 

For parents, it’s essential to strike a balance between granting their children the freedom to explore the digital world while ensuring that they stay safe, focused, and engaged in other important activities. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through consistent monitoring and setting clear boundaries, particularly in the junior years of high school. 

Laptop/Tablet Use

We often hear from parents that their children tell them that they need access to their laptops/tablets to complete school work. While there is truth in this, students in years 7 do not need to be using these devices for schoolwork for more than 1 hour per night. If students are working consistently on homework and assessment tasks and not leaving things till the last minute, this time will be ample for completing all their set tasks.  In years 8 and 9 this increases slightly, but there is still no need for more than two hours using a device for school work per night . It is also important that where possible, this work is being conducted in a common area of the house so that there can be monitoring of safe and focused use of devices. 

Smartphone Use

The decision for a student to have a smartphone is entirely up to the parents of that student. There is no requirement for students to have access to a phone for their learning. If parents have made the decision to allow a child to have a phone, it is imperative that this device is being monitored to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the child. Unsupervised smartphone use comes with risks such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and online predators. It is particularly important in early years of device use (years 7 and 8) that these phones are monitored as students have often not yet developed the ability to always make safe and smart choices when using these devices. Furthermore, excessive screen time can negatively impact a student’s sleep, physical health, and academic performance. 

There are ever-increasing concerns about students having unmonitored access to devices. While the school is working to increase our education of the students around e-safety, we want to work with parents in a combined effort to keep our students safe and happy. 

For further advice, I highly recommend reading the article below and accessing these other resources: 

https://www.safeonsocial.com/post/your-teen-s-phone-isn-t-private-it-s-a-portal-are-you-brave-enough-to-close-it-at-night?utm_campaign=7c7a411a-07e7-405b-b21f-91502eaa50ca&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&cid=f8304fc3-a880-469d-b6ea-f9520739d405

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents

https://www.safeonsocial.com/

Carolyn Mattick
Relieving Deputy Principal 

Fort Street High School

Friendship Formula

On the 5th of May, Year 9 gathered together in the library for a wellbeing incursion hosted by Roanna Chan from the Kidman Centre. The hour-and-a-half long program had the goal of raising awareness and informing students on social skills and how to set boundaries. It was deeply insightful, and incorporated multiple interactive activities such as a roleplay where students had the opportunity to re-enact real life scenarios in which they would decide how to act upon their personal boundaries. The host, Roanna, was encouraging, entertaining, and engaging with her fun anecdotes and presentation. The experience was an overall success, with students leaving with a stronger understanding of social boundaries. 

Year 9, Avivi Davidson and Kiyasha Chakrabort

IMP News

IMP Winter Concert on Friday 27 June – Save the Date

Save the evening of Friday 27th of June for our wonderful IMP Winter Concert to celebrate the great work of the IMP ensembles in Terms 1 & 2!

Strike A Chord 2025 competition open for entries

Musica Viva Australia’s national chamber music competition invites school students across Australia to share their passion for chamber music, whether just starting out or already experienced performers. Develop your skills, showcase your music, win prizes and, for those who progress to the final round of the Championship section, perform live at the National Final at Melbourne Recital Centre in August.

The competition is open to school-aged groups of 3 to 8 players — one per part, no conductor. Whether your group is entering the Foundation Section (up to AMEB Grade 4) or Championship Section (AMEB Grade 5 and above), every group receives written feedback from a jury of professional musicians.

Entries Close: Thursday, 29 May 2025

Finalists and Winners Announced: Friday, 20 June 2025

National Final: Saturday, 30 August 2025, at Melbourne Recital Centre For full details and to apply: musicaviva.com.au/strike-a-chord/

Fort Street Cross Country Carnival 2025

The annual FSHS Cross Country Carnival was held at HJ Mahoney Park in Marrickville at the end of last term.

Despite all the forecasts potential rain in the week leading up, the weather held out beautifully – an ideal temperature for running, picnics and novelty house games. A big shoutout to all the student volunteers who helped funnel students to the finish line and hand out snacks to all finishers.

The carnival was won by Preston, followed closely by Mawson, Sheikh, Kirby and Joshi. The top 10 students from all age groups have been invited to participate in the Zone Carnival on Monday 19th May. The following students came 1st in their age group and were the Age Group Champions:

12 Boys – Samuel Fang

12 Girls – Matilda Bello-Vijeyarasa

13 Boys – Jack Ng

13 Girls – Georgia Gaudin

14 Boys – Reuben Winkler

14 Girls – Ashleigh Pitzing

15 Boys – Harrison Ma

15 Girls – Audrey Leblond

16 Boys – Akira Howard

16 Girls – Majella Murphy

17 Boys – Lucas Nguyen

17 Girls – Miranda Leighton

18 Boys – Frankie Sun

18 Girls – Livia Zhen

A big shoutout to Mr O’Neill and the house captains for organising the Novelty House Events which were a raging success, and all the teachers who went the extra mile to help set up and pack down equipment throughout the day!

Mr Feng

Year 10 History Excursion

History Excursion Wednesday 7th May Indigenous Cultural Experience The Rocks

On our guided tour, we first explored how the Indigenous people used the natural resources around them to help them survive. We learnt about bush tucker, and were even able to try some nectar from flowers ourselves. We were also taught how to weave grass together to create an intricate pattern, which everyone had a lot of fun doing. We then went further down towards the harbour to learn about traditional practices and ceremonies done near the water. The way Indigenous communities connect to both the land and sea was very fascinating to hear about. Our final stop was The Rocks Discovery Museum, where we discussed different kinds of weapons such as boomerangs and spears. We also learnt more about the cultural significance of instruments, specifically the didgeridoo. To end off the day back at school, we watched a movie exploring the story of a woman from the Stolen Generation. Overall, this excursion was an immersive experience which helped everyone learn about and appreciate Indigenous culture even further. Thank you to the teachers who accompanied us and made this experience possible.

Jacquelin Chen Year 10

Year 8 Nutrition Assessment

Miss Carter ran a Year 8 assessment on nutrition and some students made some incredible dishes. She has taken a few photos of some of the amazing dishes created by our talented students.

Image One:
Will Macdonald, Arthur Wang and Asher Zhu created a fantastic and very tasty Chinese inspired Congee breakfast dish, served with an iced matcha for their nutrition assessment.

Image Two:
Viet Hoang, Leo Feltham and James Zhai created a delicious Filipino inspired breakfast dish with lots of flavour and goodness!

Year 11 EES Excursion

Year 11 Earth and Environmental Science Excursion: Exploring Australia’s Rich Resources

On Friday 2 May, our Year 11 Earth and Environmental Science students had the opportunity to visit the Australian Museum in Sydney to take part in the Earth’s Resources program. This immersive, hands-on workshop connected classroom learning with real-world applications, deepening students’ understanding of the rocks, minerals and geological materials that shape both Australia’s economy and its rich cultural heritage.

A highlight of the day was the focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems. Students explored how First Nations peoples have long used the physical properties of rocks and minerals for tools, artworks and trade, guided by knowledge passed down through generations on Country. This powerful perspective brought depth and cultural relevance to their geological studies.

Following the workshop, students visited the renowned Minerals Gallery, where they examined a diverse range of mineral samples and considered their properties and uses. The excursion concluded with an engaging international mineral trading simulation, where students experienced the strategic decision-making involved in the global resources market.

Throughout the day, our students demonstrated outstanding behaviour, curiosity, and respect. Their participation was exemplary and reflected the school’s values of integrity, engagement and excellence.

This excursion not only reinforced key syllabus content from Module 1: Earth’s Resources but also highlighted the real-world relevance of Earth and Environmental Science. From cultural knowledge and sustainability to the global resource economy, the subject offers students an opportunity to explore the dynamic systems of our planet and the ways we interact with them.

If you’re passionate about the environment, Earth systems, or how science can help solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges, consider choosing Earth and Environmental Science in your senior years.

Year 12 EES Excursion to Long Reef

Year 7 Visual Arts Incursion

In Week 1 Year 7 were joined by local First Nations artist Philip Orcher. Philip is a Murrawarri and Gumbaynggirr artist who exhibits at Boomalli Gallery in Leichhardt. Each Year 7 class got to spend a lesson with Philip as he guided them through his own artmaking and then assisted students to make large scale collaborative pieces. Year 7 learnt about belonging and sense of place as he started by drawing either Paramatta Road or the Kennards building across the black canvas. Using paint markers, they then added their own drawings responding to what they see when they come to school. Students were guided to add to each other’s drawings, resulting in bold, overlapping, bright artworks.

The incursion was organised as part of Fort Street High School’s Reconciliation Action plan, led by a small group of students and teachers. Stay tuned for what happens next with these awesome artworks!

Australian Youth Orchestra Achievement

A letter of achievement for Rose Moloney, Clara Moloney, and Edmund Huang. Congratulations!

World’s Greatest Shave 2025

Sponsor our World’s Greatest Shave! 

The World’s Greatest Shave is a Year 12 Social Justice campaign that the Fort Street community takes part in annually to raise funds and awareness for blood cancer.

The Friday lunchtime event, now postponed to June 6th, attracts a huge crowd in the hall to watch and support students from all years, staff and teachers line up to get their hair shaved or cut by the Year 12s.

Here’s why you should sponsor us 

Blood cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian children, impacting students and schools across the country. This will fund game-changing support and research. Every dollar raised helps provide families with the support they need, while powering critical research projects that bring us closer to a future free of blood cancer.

Sponsor us here

Year 12 Year Advisors are also here for the shave!

To support the great cause, Ms Catalan (Year 12 Year Advisor), and Mr Tennet (Year 12 Assistant Year Advisor) are also participating among other teachers and students. 

A 3rd year participant, Mr Tennent will shave his head and go blonde this year, while Ms Catalan, a WGS newbie, will also (partially) shave her head and ditch her blonde to either purple, lilac, or pink! Have your say and vote for your colour of choice. They are both quite shy from their target goals so any help to make their effort count is appreciated!

Sponsor Ms Catalan

https://www.worldsgreatestshave.com/fundraisers/angelicacatalan/2025 

Sponsor Mr Tennet

https://www.worldsgreatestshave.com/fundraisers/mrandrewtennent/2025 

Hope you enjoyed your sausage sizzle(s)!

Leading up to the event, the Year 12 Social Justice committee took charge of the sausage sizzle at the end of last term’s Cross Country Carnival and to their great success, they sold out! Special thanks to Mr Tennent, Mr Patuny and Ms Catalan for stepping in for Mr Leondis, our resident FS Barbie King. All proceeds and preorders are calculated and will be added to the donation so we thank you for your support!

But with your help, we could do more!

Any amount of donation is greatly appreciated. We look forward to seeing you at the hall next week!

Thank you for your support!

Let’s get bald!

Ms Catalan and Mr Tennent

Year 12 Year Advisor + Assistant Year Advisor

Year 7 & 10 Vaccinations

Vaccinations will be available for Years 7 and 10 only. For more information, or to sign up, please follow the link provided here.

Compost More, Landfills Less

As a part of our ongoing effort to make the Fort more sustainable, we’re calling on everyone to take action in reducing waste and supporting the composting club. 

What is composting?

Composting is the process of turning organic waste, like vegetables and food scraps, into nutrient-rich soil through decomposition. Instead of throwing these items into the trash, composting breaks them naturally, helping reduce the waste sent to landfill. This process also keeps harmful greenhouse gases like methane from being released into the atmosphere and creates soil that can be used in gardens to promote healthy growth.

Composting Dos and Don’ts poster by Akshaya Rameshbabu

How you can help:

1. Use the composting bins: Look for the composting bins around the school and dispose of food scraps and compostable items there. They can be found in the Oval by the cricket court, at the entrance to the oval by the picnic benches, and by the canteen. All staff rooms have their own composting bin.
2. No landfills in our bins: Remember to keep non-compostable waste out of the compost bin. Plastic items, metal objects, glass, food waste with packaging, animal products and tissues should not go in the compost. 

3. Contact the composting club: If you’re interested in getting involved in the composting club, email Ms Catalan angelica.catalan1@det.nsw.edu.au or join our google classroom: m5pgyky. We do not hold face-to-face meetings and all communications are done virtually. Composting students are rostered by the semester and are excused at the start of period 5 and are rewarded profile points.

Together we can reduce our waste and make the Fort more eco-friendly. 

Thank you!

Article by Pranaya Prakash, 7M

Images by Ocean Reznikov

Debating & Public Speaking Club

The Debating and Public Speaking season is off to a remarkable start, with a wave of enthusiastic Year 7 students joining the club, along with a strong contingent of keen debaters from Years 8 and 9. These aspiring orators have been actively participating in lessons that explore the fundamentals of debating, including the structure of arguments, the roles of speakers, and the art of persuasive language.

Our Stage 6 Debating Team, comprised of Min Park, Gina Hong, Ella Lo, and Cara Zhong, has been on an incredible winning streak, advancing to Round 4 undefeated. Demonstrating exceptional skill and teamwork, they have won all their points in each debate, defeating formidable opponents such as Moorebank and Inner Sydney High.

As we look ahead, the Debating season for Years 7-10 is about to begin. The Debating Trials and team selection is in the process of occurring with teams due to be announced in the coming weeks. Our teams will soon face off in Round 1 of the Premiere’s Debating Challenge against local schools, including Leichhardt, Ashfield Boys, and Inner Sydney High, in what promises to be a thrilling and enriching experience for all involved.

We wish all our debaters the best of luck for the season ahead.

Mr Tennent

Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator

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