Principal’s Report
Dear Fortians, Parents and Guardians,
As usual, the past two weeks of term have been eventful, filled with achievements, challenges, and exciting developments. Our students have been involved in numerous excursions and activities, showcasing their diverse talents and interests.102 Fortians performed at the Sydney Town Hall as part of the Arts Unit In Concert, Year 9 English students attended a performance of “Romeo & Juliet” at the Seymour Centre, students from Years 7-10 participated in the History Competition, Year 7 German students enjoyed the German Film Festival in Leichhardt, Year 11 Biology students went on a field excursion to the Education Centre at Sydney Olympic Park and students from Years 7 and 8 competed in the Western Sydney Wanderers Cup.
Looking ahead, our Year 10 students participating in the Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award will head off to Bouddi National Park on the Central Coast next week to complete their hike. Additionally, four Year 11 students, Eleanor Alonso Love, Gina Hong, Lachlan McIntire, and Luca Penney will take part in the Model United Nations Assembly Conference, run by Harvard University at UTS.
These activities highlight the vibrant and dynamic environment at our school, where students are encouraged to explore new experiences and achieve their best.
Future Leaders Conference
The SRC Future Leaders Conference was a tremendous success, bringing together over 300 student leaders from 38 schools across Sydney. Held at Fort Street, the conference provided an invaluable opportunity for students to meet, exchange ideas, and be inspired by a lineup of exceptional keynote speakers. Highlights included insights on leadership and success from the Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG, Managing Director of the ABC David Anderson, and neurosurgeon Dr. Brindha Shivalingham.
The second session featured a dynamic panel discussion with academic and broadcaster Dr. Sunil Badami, ING CEO Melanie Evans, Secretary of the Department of Education and Fort Street alumni Murat Dizdar, film music composer and lecturer at Sydney Conservatorium Phillip Johnston, and marine biologist and Lecturer and Postdoctoral from the University of Sydney Mitch Green. Students also had the opportunity to network with peers from other schools and participated in student-led workshops, reflecting on leadership.
Our SRC and House Captains did an outstanding job hosting the event. Special congratulations go to the SRC executive team Eleanor, Dante, Claire, Emma, Charlie, Jesse, Erick and Christian, who meticulously planned and implemented the conference. Events such as these require staff and students collaborating, my sincere thanks to Mr Sherwin, Ms Mattick, Mr O’Neill and Mr Leondios as well as our wonderful support staff and Year 9 SRC members, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes supporting the event. This conference was a shining example of student voice and agency in action, demonstrating the remarkable capabilities of our young leaders.
Sport at the Fort
I am pleased to share some outstanding news about our students’ achievements in sports. Max Hrovat (Year 9) has recently won the NSW State Championship for U15 Boys in fencing, Epee category. This victory is especially commendable as it adds to his impressive win at the Australian Youth Circuit U15 competition in Adelaide in April. Furthermore, Max has been selected to represent Australia in the U17 Cadet category at the Commonwealth Association competition. We are incredibly proud of Max’s dedication and success, and we look forward to supporting him in his upcoming endeavors.
Semester 1 Reports & Parent Teacher interviews
As we approach the end of the Semester 1 reporting period, student reports will be available on the Sentral Student and Parent Portals by the end of the term for all year groups. Our students continue to excel in their academic and extracurricular pursuits, demonstrating remarkable hard work and dedication each week. I am incredibly proud of their achievements. Parents and guardians are encouraged to review these reports and reach out to our teachers for any necessary support or clarification. This collaboration is vital in supporting our students’ ongoing success.
Parent-Teacher Nights have been scheduled to facilitate these important discussions:
- Wednesday, 26 June for Years 7 and 10
- Thursday, 4 July for Years 8 and 9
Bookings for these interviews will open a week before each event and can be made through Sentral Bookings. This is an excellent opportunity for parents and guardians to meet with teachers and discuss their child’s progress in detail. Additionally, the Year 12 Academic Review team will diligently be conducting individual meetings with each Year 12 student as they prepare for their Trial HSC exams. We hope that these meetings provide valuable insights and support for our senior students.
Senior Drama Production
For the first time ever, we will be presenting a student-written play, “A Dead Giveaway,” authored by one of our very own talented students, Owen Druery (Year 11). This remarkable play was written as part of the English Enrichment Program in 2023. Fortians from Years 8 to 11 will be performing in this production, with the original music composed by our talented Year 10 music students. Please mark your calendars for the performances, which will take place on the 19th and 20th of June (week 8). A link for tickets will be shared with all families in the coming week, so keep an eye out for that information. Our students have been rehearsing every Wednesday afternoon and have recently begun weekend rehearsals to ensure a spectacular performance. Congratulations to all the students involved for their hard work and dedication for bringing this play to life. Special thanks go to Ms. Mattick, Ms. Finsterer, and Ms. Propsting for their expert guidance and unwavering support throughout this journey. We look forward to seeing you at the performances and supporting our students’ incredible talents.
Uniform
As we continue to experience colder weather, I want to remind all students of the importance of adhering to our school’s uniform policy. It is essential that students present themselves in full school uniform every day, which includes wearing the correct jumper and all black shoes. To ensure students are comfortable and warm, the uniform shop is fully stocked with winter jackets and jumpers. A reminder for students in Years 8-12: you are permitted to wear your full sports uniform on Tuesdays. If any student requires assistance with obtaining the appropriate uniform, please do not hesitate to reach out to the school. We are here to help and can provide support where needed. Thank you for your cooperation in maintaining our school’s standards and ensuring a cohesive and professional appearance for all.
Vinnies CEO Sleepout
For the past two years, Ms. McMurray has participated in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, raising over $30,000. This year, I will be joining her, and we would love your support in this worthy cause. The Vinnies CEO Sleepout is a one-night event held on one of the longest and coldest nights of the year. Hundreds of CEOs, business owners, and community and government leaders sleep outdoors to support the many Australians experiencing homelessness and those at risk of becoming homeless. Each participant commits to raising a minimum amount of funds to help Vinnies provide essential services to those in need. Later this year, Fortians in Year 8 will participate in the Vinnies School Sleepout. We believe it is important to lead from the front and work with the students to represent Fort Street in this cause. If you can contribute, your generous contributions will help provide essential services and support to those in need. Together, we can make a significant impact. Thank you for your consideration and support.
https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/fortstreethighschool
Upcoming Events:
Monday 10 June: Public Holiday
Tuesday 11 June – Friday 14 June: Year 12 Assessment Block
Wednesday 12 June: P&C Meeting (onsite)
Thursday 13 June: Year 9 Duke of Edinburgh parent information session via Zoom
Friday 14 & Saturday 15 June: Year 10 Silver Duke of Ed Hike
Wednesday June 19: Zone Athletics Carnival
Wednesday 19 & Thursday 20 June: Senior Drama Production
Friday 21 June: Regional Cross Country
Monday 24 June: Year 11 Modern History Museum Parent Evening
Wednesday 26 June: Year 9 Duke of Ed training day
Thursday 27 June: Year 10 Commerce Stalls
Friday 28 June: Year 8 English Excursion Counting and Cracking at Carriageworks
Friday 28 June: IMP Winter Concert
