News

NSW School Vaccination Program 2020

Sun, 09 Feb 2020 18:52:58 AEDT

The school vaccination program for 2020 will take place on the:

9th of March
26th of May
21st of September

Full details will be sent home with students on the 9th and 10th of February.

Year 10 students will be offered a Meningococcal vaccination and students in year 11 who returned their form last year but missed a dose will attend a catch-up clinic. The meningococcal program will start in May and the paperwork will be sent home in the near future.

School Photo Day: February 28th 2020

Sun, 02 Feb 2020 19:36:36 AEDT

School photos will take place on the 28th of February. Payment can be made online at www.msp.com.au. Each student will receive an individual shoot key and a family shoot key shortly which can be used online when making a payment.

for further details please see the events page and the attachment.

Coronavirus - Department of Education statement

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 20:19:53 AEDT

The department is working with the Ministry of Health to monitor and respond to the unfolding international novel coronavirus situation.

Get up-to-date information about the department's response to novel coronavirus.

Are you #Ready2020?

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 15:41:11 AEDT

Hints, tips and resources to make a great start to the new school year – whether it’s your first day of high school or you’ve been here a while.

We work hard to make sure every student is known, valued and cared for – even before they walk into the classroom on Day 1, Term 1.

We’ve got great advice and resources for high school, no matter what year you’re heading into...

For families of students starting Year 7:

download our Getting ready for high school booklet
read our top tips for a smooth transition.

For families of returning students:

visit the back to school checklist to make a hassle-free start to the year
download the 2020 calendar to stay organised all year
check out our hints for setting up a study space.

Video – #Ready2020: First day at high school

Duration – 1:00

NSW schools respond to bushfires

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 17:02:07 AEDT

Many schools are responding to the catastrophic fire rating that is affecting communities across the state this week.

We are continuously updating the School safety page with a list of government and non-government schools, as well as TAFE NSW campuses that are currently non-operational.

While some schools are temporarily non-operational due to localised fires, many others in high-risk areas are non-operational as a precautionary measure.

Schools in some areas are being used as emergency evacuation centres at the direction of the Rural Fire Service.

For schools that are currently operational, school pickups and dropoffs will continue as usual. If your school is currently non-operational, it will likely remain so tomorrow.

Large scale distressing events affect our school communities in many ways. Headspace’s mental health support resource (PDF 100.52KB) is available to help students, teachers and school staff respond to the bushfires.

Visit the School safety page for updates. The department’s Facebook and Twitter accounts will also provide updates during this period.

Grab a ticket to Schools Spectacular 2019

Wed, 23 Oct 2019 17:21:39 AEDT

Will you be joining us at Schools Spectacular 2019? Tickets are on sale now. Experience our live show featuring a cast of thousands of public school students from across metropolitan, rural and remote regions of NSW.

Students from different ages, cultures and backgrounds will share the spotlight as they dance, play and sing for you. Choose from one of our four massive performances at Qudos Bank Arena on Friday 22 November and Saturday 23 November.

This year's events will feature:

more than 380 schools
5,500 performers
a 3000-strong choir
2,300 dancers
an 80-piece symphony orchestra
a world-class stage band.

Group bookings

Need to make a group booking for over 10 people? Complete the Schools Preview Order Form 2019 (PDF 110KB) to attend the discounted 11am Friday matinee. The Friday matinee is discounted for school students and accompanying teachers.

If you’d like to grab a spot at one of the other three remaining shows complete the Group Booking Form 2019 (PDF 110KB).

Tickets for you and your family and friends

Save you and your family a spot online or by phone on 132 849.

Video – Schools Spectacular 2019

Duration: 0:26

Book yourself in for Reading Hour

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 12:12:52 AEST

This Australian Reading Hour, encourage your child to discover or rekindle their love of a good book. Take the time to learn, escape and relax on Thursday 19 September and read for one hour.

Reading has been shown to reduce stress by 68% more than listening to music, going for a walk, or having a cup of tea.

Take the Book Swap Challenge

We all have favourite books that we come back to again and again.

To help celebrate Reading Hour take our Book Swap Challenge. We want students, teachers, staff and parents to try reading something new on the day. To get involved, simply pair up with someone and swap your favourite books.

Take a photo and tag it with #ReadingHour so we can see how you got involved.

Video – Ben Law asks students about their favourite author

Duration: 1:18

Author and #ReadingHour ambassador Benjamin Law talks with some of our students about their favourite books.

How to be smart and safe on social media

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 11:28:12 AEST

Use our new Digital Citizenship toolkit to empower your child to understand how their online behaviour affects themselves and others.

You and your child can find information on:

how to ‘be positive’ by understanding online behaviour and its effect
'be smart’ by thinking critically and being digitally aware
'be safe’ by protecting your security, privacy and wellbeing.

A toolkit to empower you and your child

You can find articles and videos to equip and empower your child to minimise the risks and maximise the opportunities in our digital future.

We’ve partnered with leading researchers to produce a curated toolkit – aligned to the curriculum – which teachers and you can share with the young people in your lives.

Guide your child through important concepts such as:

managing privacy settings in social media
collaborating online
avoiding scams and hoaxes
understanding the law when it comes to online speech
Internet banking, shopping online and much more.

Keep your child safe and happy online

Visit and bookmark the Digital Citizenship website. We’ll continue to add articles and resources to ensure the best possible tools are available to help you guide your child to be positive, smart and safe online.

What’s next after high school?

Fri, 30 Aug 2019 11:26:38 AEST

Is your child in Year 9 to 12 curious about their career choices? Now they can use LifeLauncher, a free online tool to explore and simplify their career choices.

Your child can explore courses and careers in-depth, at their own pace, anytime, anywhere and on any device. The tool includes 4,000 careers and 1,500 course options, all in one place.

How does it work?

Encourage your child to jump online and complete the 5-minute personality and subject quizzes to be matched to a range of career options that suit their passions and strengths.

If they take both quizzes, they’ll get more refined suggestions. They can even create free online pinboards to shortlist the courses and jobs that interest them.

When your child creates an account, they can save their searches and build a real understanding of the opportunities and pathways open to them.

What can your child learn about their career options?

Your child can explore the weekly salary of the career options they’re interested in. They’ll also find the employment and growth rates of those careers and the number of workers currently in those fields in Australia.

Each career option shows them the education they need as well as other related careers. They can follow links to other sites to find out more about a course to help them find the best provider for them.

Launch into the future today

Use this tool to chat with your child about their post-school options in a meaningful way.

Inspire your child to find their career match today at LifeLauncher.nsw.gov.au.

Education Week – Every student, every voice

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 12:54:58 AEST

We are celebrating our students and their powerful voices this Education Week Monday 5 August to Friday 9 August. Every year Education Week celebrates the achievements of public schools, our students and the value of public education.

This year, the theme is Every student, every voice.

Join us for #EdWeek19 as we celebrate our students and their power to shape the world.

Video – #EdWeek19 – Every student, every voice

Duration: 0:34

Creative and Active Kids vouchers now available

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 11:28:31 AEST

Creative kids can now put a $100 voucher towards extra-curricular creative activities outside of school.

Together with Active Kids, this program aims to encourage more NSW children to participate in a range of extra-curricular activities such as coding, languages, circus, performing arts and visual arts.

Parents can apply for one $100 voucher for each child enrolled in school on the Creative Kids website and use it towards the cost of registration, participation or tuition. You just redeem the voucher with a registered provider in your area when making your payment.

This is a great opportunity for your child to become involved in a range of activities that will build on their education, growth and development.

Service NSW is working with industry bodies to deliver the program.

For more information, contact Service NSW on 137 788 or creativekids@service.nsw.gov.au.

The Game Changer Challenge is back

Fri, 31 May 2019 11:42:38 AEST

It’s not too late to become a Game Changer with applications for the Education Week challenge due by 7 June.

The Game Changer Challenge brings 16 teams from public schools across NSW – eight from primary and eight from secondary – to Sydney during Education Week in August for a three-day, intensive design-thinking workshop.

The Game Changer workshops, which start on Tuesday 6 August, includes teacher training in the use of design thinking as a teaching methodology and its application for school planning.

It also includes a team competition where schools will work under the guidance of experts from industry and academia to develop a solution to this year’s critical question: How might we humanise technology?

Department of Education Secretary Mark Scott has encouraged students and teachers to get behind the event as it highlights the critical thinking students will need to develop to succeed in the future.

“The Game Changer Challenge is an exciting initiative that helps educate and inform our students and teachers on how to integrate the problem-solving methodology of design thinking into the classroom,” Mr Scott says.

“It embraces the 21^st century skills our students will need to thrive in a globalised world such as collaboration, creative thinking and communication.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students at all levels to be involved in discussing and addressing a real-world issue that will affect their future lives. I encourage every school to get involved.”

The challenge is designed to make strong learning and teaching connections to the NSW syllabus specifically in the area of developing general capabilities such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, communication and problem-solving.

The challenge also provides teachers with an opportunity to gain exposure to the design thinking process and includes teacher resources to introduce this creative problem-solving methodology into the classroom.

Finalists will be selected based on a 60-second video that showcases your team’s vision around the question of humanising technology.

For more information email edweek@det.nsw.edu.au or visit the Game Changer Challenge page.

Your NAPLAN questions answered

Thu, 09 May 2019 15:58:18 AEST

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The tests assess the foundational skills in reading, writing, spelling and numeracy that are essential for every child to progress through school and life.

This year NAPLAN takes place between 14 and 16 May for paper tests and between 14 and 24 May for schools participating in NAPLAN Online.

NAPLAN data is used to help monitor student progress over time against a national measure and to identify areas of strength and improvement. It is used in combination with other school assessments to guide and support student learning.

Watch students ask an expert the tough questions about NAPLAN.

Apply now for My Community Project funding

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 15:12:48 AEST

Do you have a great idea to improve your area?

My Community Project is a new NSW Government funding program that is all about local ideas, local projects and local decisions.

You can apply now for grants from $20,000 - $200,000 for projects that will make a difference to your community. Projects could include new playground equipment, sports facilities, paths or ramps to improve access, public art or a community service.

The local community can vote for their favourite projects in July and successful projects will be announced in September.

Project applications close 15 May 2019.

Apply for My Community Project funding

Bring back memories, not measles

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 14:25:21 AEST

With school holidays just around the corner, it’s time to visit your doctor to check that you and your family are fully protected against measles, before you travel overseas.

Measles is a serious, highly contagious, viral illness that is easily spread through the air when an infectious person coughs, sneezes or breathes. If you and your family are not fully vaccinated, or have never been vaccinated, you are at risk of contracting measles.

Not sure if you’re fully protected?

In Australia, the measles vaccine (MMR) consists of 2 doses. If you’re not sure whether you’ve had 2 doses of the measles vaccine, visit your doctor. It’s safe to receive another dose.

Children born in Australia

If your children were born in Australia, they may have received the measles vaccine at 12 months old and the second dose at 18 months, in accordance with the National Immunisation Program.
If you have a baby under 12 months old, consult your doctor about getting their measles vaccination.

Adults born in Australia

Born before 1966 – you were most likely exposed to measles as a child and are generally considered to be immune. If in doubt, ask your GP.
Born between 1966 and 1994 – you may not have received 2 doses. Talk to your doctor about the free vaccine if you’re unsure.
Born after 1994 – the National Immunisation Program offers 2 doses, and you can check your vaccination status using the Australian Immunisation Register.

For more information about the measles vaccination, visit NSW Health or consult your local doctor.

Little Shop of Horrors

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 09:58:58 AEDT

$12 tickets. Book online from https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=484698&

Follow your heart, not the herd

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 13:32:51 AEDT

We spoke with a group of Kindergarten students to find out what they had to say about going against the herd. They had some wise words for us on how we can care, respect and support each other in our schools.

Let’s start the year off right and prevent student bullying happening in our playgrounds, classrooms and online. If a group of 5-year-olds know the difference between right and wrong, shouldn’t everyone?

Video – Wise at 5

Duration – 1:08

Wednesday Sport Information

Wed, 20 Feb 2019 06:58:19 AEDT

Back to school

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 15:22:13 AEDT

The first day of high school and the return to school in the new year are busy times for your child – and for the entire family. To help you and your child get organised and enjoy the experience we've compiled some useful tips for each year group.

We want every student to be known, valued and cared for in our schools.

2019 school budget allocations

Mon, 12 Nov 2018 12:00:52 AEDT

Like all NSW public schools, this week we will receive a School Budget Allocation Report with our funding for 2019. The report will help us manage our total budget delivered through the Resource Allocation Model (RAM).

The RAM supports schools through needs-based funding to ensure a fair, efficient and transparent allocation of funds. Our school has the flexibility to make local decisions based on the specific needs of our students.

We will use our 2019 funding to support students and improve educational outcomes. The school executive will continue to work with the school community as we implement the school plan using this needs-based funding.

Learn more about the 2019 RAM funding.

Katoomba High Art Exhibition

Sun, 04 Nov 2018 08:55:18 AEDT

Come and celebrate on the 13th of November in the school library between 5 and 7pm at the 2018 Katoomba High School Art Exhibition. There will be live music performed by Akira and Matthias and a wealth of student work to explore.

New date for Big Day In

Mon, 22 Oct 2018 14:55:43 AEDT

The new date for the Big Day In is the 30th of October

Premier highlights the value of public education

Wed, 22 Aug 2018 15:33:54 AEST

Public education can be the springboard to the top job in New South Wales.

That was the message from the Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, as she launched Education Week celebrations today at Parramatta and Kiama public schools.

"I know that all schools across the state today are highlighting and celebrating what we all value in public education – where someone like me who couldn't speak a word of English when she started school has somehow ended up being the Premier of NSW," she said.

Ms Berejiklian said she had met many possible future leaders during her visit to Parramatta Public School and "couldn't be prouder, as your Premier, to witness the outstanding achievements of all the students across the state".

The dual school launch, linked via a live simulcast, focused on the theme of Education Week, Today's schools – creating tomorrow's world, which highlights how NSW public schools are equipping young people with the skills and capabilities they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

For the first time the launch was hosted entirely by primary school students and featured student performances from Eastwood Public School violinist Justine Zhang, Bossley Park High School soloist Ezra Loau and dancers from Hoxton Park Public School.

Year 8 students from Kiama High School – Alira Morgan, Jannali Morgan and Olivia Talbott – opened the celebration with an Acknowledgement of Country performed in language.

Keynote speeches were delivered from Kiama by Terara Public School Year 6 student Lucy Boundy, Molly Chapman, a Year 8 student at Dapto High School, and Nowra East Public School instructional leader Vishanti Govender.

Lucy told the launch that education was about opportunity: "Opportunity to learn, opportunity to improve and opportunity to make a difference."

In detailing her early struggles with learning, Molly said a more hands-on approach to study at her high school had a huge impact on her.

"I learn more effectively by seeing and doing things because it gets in my head more easily and pictures are worth a thousand words. Thanks to school, I'm exceeding in almost everything I touch," she said.

Education Minister Rob Stokes highlighted the "incredible legacy" of public schools on society, a role contemporary education and educators would play in the future.

"We are in a period of vast technological, social and economic change, and with that the role of education becomes more important, even bigger, and the challenge for teachers and students becomes more complex," he said.

"We need to provide training in those skills that recognise the future is uncertain and to train and encourage young people not just to be ready for the change that is coming but to be excited by it."

Today's schools creating tomorrow's world

Wed, 22 Aug 2018 15:34:16 AEST

Education Week kicks off on Monday, August 6, with a simultaneous launch at Parramatta and Kiama public schools livestreamed on youtube so all government schools and their communities can join in.

This year's theme, Today's schools – creating tomorrow's world, highlights how NSW public schools are equipping young people with the skills and capabilities they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

For the first time the Education Week launch will be hosted by primary school students and will feature a dancing robot, student performances and a film highlighting how schools are working with their communities to solve real-world problems.

A highlight of the week is the Game Changer Challenge, in which 16 teams of students from schools across NSW will compete in a three-day design program, working alongside leading industry professionals to create the school of the future.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said today's students were learning at a time of great change.

"From the far west to our metropolitan hubs and everywhere in between, our state's schools will celebrate not only what we've achieved, but the future we are creating," Ms Berejiklian said.

"We are living in a time when the traditional walls of the classroom are opening up to new worlds of learning, paving the way for students to connect and collaborate with their peers regionally and globally."

Education Minister Rob Stokes said there had never been a more exciting time to be involved in schools with technology reshaping the way students learn and billions of dollars being invested in new school infrastructure.

"The NSW Department of Education is continually striving for improvement and innovation so that the young people in our care learn in a world-class education system," Mr Stokes said.

"The NSW Government is supporting that vision through a record $6 billion in funding to build the classrooms and schools of the future."

The Secretary of the Department of Education Mark Scott said ensuring today's students had the skills they would need to "not just survive, but thrive" in the future underpinned the department's evidence-based approach to learning.

"I am incredibly proud of the innovative teaching and learning that is being done across our State's public schools to ensure that every student can perform to their full potential," Mr Scott said.

"We don't know what the future will hold, but we do know that we are focused on equipping today's students with the skills and knowledge they will need to lead fulfilling lives in the future."

Gamechanger challenge finalists announced

Wed, 22 Aug 2018 15:34:40 AEST

Superfast scooters to transport students between classes, time travel excursions to key moments in history, sustainable schools that are self-sufficient in power, water and food and real-time brain scans to track student learning and wellbeing.

These are just some of the futuristic visions that helped propel 16 NSW school teams into the finals of the Game Changer Challenge which will be held in Sydney during Education Week from August 6—10.

The inaugural Game Changer Challenge aimed to showcase the theme of this year's Education Week, today's schools — creating tomorrow's world, with students and teachers working together to co-design the school of the future.

The finalists — eight teams each from NSW public primary and secondary schools — were selected from more than 99 entries, who each submitted a 60-second video outlining their vision for a school of the future.

Armidale High School teacher librarian Jessica Brennan helped coordinate a joint entry with Duval High School as the two schools will amalgamate into one campus from next year.

To select their entry, the schools ran their own competition with six teams of students from both high schools collaborating on their visions.

The winning entry was selected by the school community after they were presented during a film night that included popcorn and lolly bars.

"We are so thankful we got involved," Ms Brennan said. "This has been project-based learning at its most authentic."

The combined Armidale-Duval High team will join the other 15 finalists for a three-day, intensive design-thinking workshop in Sydney.

The workshop includes teacher training in the use of design thinking as a teaching methodology and its application for school planning.

It will also include a team competition where schools will work under the guidance of industry professionals in fields as diverse as technology, creative design and foreign affairs to design the school of the future.

The challenge winner will be selected after a Shark Tank-style pitch to industry and education experts, including Department of Education secretary Mark Scott.

The finalists in the primary section are:

Lidcombe Public School
Ingleburn Public School
Oakhill Drive Public School
Cherrybrook Public School
Cudgegong Valley Public School
Alstonville Public School
Thirroul Public School
Menindee Central School

In the secondary section finalists are:

Chatswood High School
Lurnea High School
Beverly Hills Girls High School
Armidale High School
Hurlstone Agricultural High School
Campbelltown Performing Arts High School
Gloucester High School
Carenne School SSP

More new classrooms, preschool places and teachers in $17.3 billion education budget

Wed, 22 Aug 2018 15:33:08 AEST

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet, Education Minister Rob Stokes and Early Childhood Minister Sarah Mitchell outlined a range of new initiatives funded by the $17.3 billion education budget in 2018—19.

The Government will be investing $6 billion over the next four years to deliver more than 170 new and upgraded schools, including planning for more than 20 new projects.

"We are proud to be making this unprecedented investment into the future of our children," Mr Perrottet said.

"This year's NSW Budget takes our already record school building program to another level — a massive 170 schools new and upgraded schools over the next four years.

"That brings our total schools building program to 230 new and upgraded schools since 2011."

"The NSW Liberals and Nationals Government's strong financial management has allowed us to invest so heavily in our schools and education system."

Mr Stokes said communities right across NSW will benefit from this record investment into education.

"NSW is experiencing an increase in school enrolments and we have in place an unprecedented program of investment in new and upgraded schools to meet this demand," Mr Stokes said.

A staged investment of $500 million is being allocated to provide cooling for schools, while improving the indoor environmental quality, through the installation of smart and sustainable air conditioning systems powered by solar energy.

In another landmark initiative, NSW will become the first Australian state to provide universal access to community preschool for three years old under a $197.8 million program.

"Because of this historic investment, average daily fees will decrease significantly and the savings will go directly back into the pockets of hard working families," Mrs Mitchell said.

This brings total spending on early childhood education to $474.3 million in 2018-19.

Other education investment in the 2018—19 NSW budget includes:

$160 million to be spent in 2018—19 to continue its blitz on planned school maintenance, part of a record $747 million investment over four years;
$71.8 million to implement the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy in NSW schools;
$50 million in additional flexible funding will be provided to government schools to implement the School Leadership Strategy - freeing up principals and school leaders from administrative work;
$3 million for the first comprehensive review of the entire school curriculum since 1989;
$2.8 million to encourage the preservation and study of Aboriginal languages;
$30 million to continue to deliver greater access to green space and sports facilities in public school playgrounds through the Share Our Space program, and;
Funding for around 900 extra full-time equivalent teaching positions in NSW government schools.

The NSW Government will also invest $1.3 billion on non-government schools, an increase of 7.5 per cent on 2017—18. This includes a $32 million increase in the Building Grants Assistance Scheme over four years for capital works projects to support enrolment growth in non-government schools.

The record $17.3 billion investment in education allocates $15.7 billion for recurrent expenses and $1.6 billion for capital investment in 2018—19.

Education week will be a game changer

Wed, 22 Aug 2018 15:33:08 AEST

Excursions to the moon, teleporting between classes, face recognition roll call or a school without bell times or walls . The school of the future is only limited by your imagination.

That is the message from the organisers of an exciting new challenge being launched today in the lead up to Education Week 2018.

The inaugural game changer challenge will showcase the theme of this year's Education Week, today's schools are creating tomorrow's world, which highlights how NSW public schools are equipping young people with the skills and capabilities they need to thrive in a rapidly changing, globalised world.

Under the game changer challenge students and teachers will work together and co-design the school of the future.

Based on a sixty second video application, 16 teams from public schools across NSW. Eight from primary and eight from secondary will then be selected to take part in a three-day, intensive design thinking workshop in Sydney.

The workshop includes teacher training in the use of design thinking as a teaching methodology and its application for school planning.

The challenge winner will be selected after a Shark Tank-style pitch to industry and education experts, including Department of Education Secretary Mark Scott.

For more information visit education webpage.

Education week 2018 — theme and dates announced

Wed, 22 Aug 2018 15:33:08 AEST

This year's education week will be held from Monday 6 August to Friday 10 August 2018 (Term 3, Week 3).

The theme for education week is 'todays schools - creating tomorrow's world'.

This theme communicates how NSW public schools are equipping young people with the skills and capabilities they need to thrive in a rapidly changing, globalised world.

Resource allocation model funding for 2018

Wed, 22 Aug 2018 15:33:08 AEST

In October 2017, all NSW public schools will receive a 2018 planned school budget allocation report. The report will assist with the management of the total budget delivered to schools through the resource allocation model (RAM).

The resource allocation model (RAM) methodology distributes funding based on the individual needs of students and schools. This gives schools greater flexibility to make local decisions.

Learn more about the 2018 funding by visiting the department's website or watch a short animation about managing the total school budget in NSW public schools.

Talk to your principal to find out how the school is planning to use its 2018 funding to support students to improve educational outcomes.

NSW School vaccination program - years 7, 10 and 11.

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:30:35 AEST

In 2018 the meningococcal vaccine will be offered free to all students in years 10 and 11. Please read the information package that has been sent home with your child and return the consent form before the 29th of May if you'd like your child to take part in the program. If your child did not receive a package, they may collect one from the front office or school library.

Additionally, any year 7 student who missed the last clinic will be offered an opportunity to catch up to the rest of the cohort on the 29th of May.The second dose clinic for year 7 will take place on the 24th of September.

NAPLAN 2018

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:30:34 AEST

A reminder to parents and students in Years 7 and 9 that NAPLAN will be held in Week 3. Students' received notification of this last term and received a letter with information. Please see this information produced by ACARA (pdf 447 KB)

School photos 2018

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:30:37 AEST

School photo day will be Friday the 2nd of March 2018. Students will be issued with an information sheet soon which will include payment and photo package details. Family and friends photos will also be available on the day. Catch up day will be Thursday the 8th of March. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the school on 47822622.

2018 School vaccination dates

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:30:20 AEST

Please be advised that the first school vaccination clinic is on the 12th of March. Information packages will arrive home this week with all year 7 students. All paperwork should be signed in blue or black pen and returned to school before the first clinic date if you'd like your child to participate. Students in year 8 who were absent last year will also be offered the opportunity to catch up on missed vaccinations. Please don't hesitate to contact the school: 47822622 or Nepean Area Health: 47342022 with any questions you may have.

Apology Event

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:30:21 AEST

SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:30:42 AEST

Swimming Carnival tomorrow. Students must bring permission note and $4.50 for pool entry. Student's are advised to meet at Katoomba Aquatic Centre at 9.00am. Student's who attend school in the morning will walk with staff to the pool. Permission note attached for those yet to submit note at school. Please bring signed tomorrow.Swimming permission note (pdf 222 KB)

KHS School Vaccination Program

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:30:33 AEST

Year 7 will receive their second HPV and a varicella vaccine at the KHS school clinic on the 9th of November (Thursday next week). Any student who was absent at the first clinic will be able to start the program. Year 8 students who missed a clinic will be offered a catch up opportunity.

TELL THEM FROM ME

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:30:43 AEST

YEAR 7 2018 INFORMATION NIGHT

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:30:46 AEST

BIG DAY IN

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:30:23 AEST

NAPLAN Online School Readiness test

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:30:34 AEST

Students in year 7 and year 9 are reminded to come prepared for the NAPLAN School Readiness Test that is happening in week 6. Headphones are necessary for some aspects of the test. Arrangements will be made for those students without access to headphones on the day.

Additional information about the School Readiness Test can be found here - http://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/naplan-onl... including a practice demonstration website.

The School Readiness Test will occur on:

Tuesday 22nd August	Wednesday 23rd August
Year 9 = Period 1 & Period 2 Year 7 = Period 5 & Period 6	Year 9 = Period 1 & Period 2 Year 7 = Period 3 & Period 4

Students' are to go to their normal classroom where their teacher will advise which room to go to.

BIG DAY IN

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:30:23 AEST

$25 ride bands on sale now! Can be purchased online or through the front office.
31st August, new events, rides, food and drinks!

It's time to see if you have what it takes to beat the reigning teacher champions in the teacher v's student competitions.

Additional year 7, immunisation start up clinic August 11th

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:30:20 AEST

The Penrith Public Health Unit have organised a new catch up clinic for any student in year 7 who isn't already enrolled n the program. If you'd like your child to start, please return the immunisation paperwork which can be collected from the front office or the school library.

CHS Athletics Carnival Program

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:30:26 AEST

CHS ATHLETICS PROGRAM (doc 178 KB)

Parent Portal - Login Issues

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:30:35 AEST

If you have been experiencing issues logging into the Parent Portal, the following steps will assist:

Go to http://web1.katoomba-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/portal/register
1. Register your details and create an account.
Go to http://web1.katoomba-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/portal
1. Login to the Parent Portal using your email address as the username.
Once logged in, paste in the family code that has previously been emailed to you.

If you have not received the registration email containing the family code then our records need to be updated with your current email address. Please contact the school to amend your details.
If you have forgotten your password, please contact the school or see below to change the forgotten password link.

We are working with our provider to resolve the issue. The https:// address that was automatically generated in the registration and forgotten password emails is temporarily not working. If you remove the "s" from the URL http:// you should be able to login.

Immunisation clinic Monday the 29th May

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:30:30 AEST

All year 11 and 12 students and their parents/guardians are reminded that the meningococcal immunisation clinic will take place on Monday the 29th of May. Please ensure that the appropriate paperwork is returned to the school by this date if you would like your child to be immunised. Consent forms are available at the front office or the library.

Additionally, the year 7 immunisation clinic has been moved to the 9th of November to make way for the senior program.

Year seven students who returned paperwork but were unable to attend the February clinic will also be included in the clinic on Monday for a catch up immunisation.

LOCAL ANZAC HISTORY

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:30:33 AEST

LOCAL ANZAC HISTORY (pdf 1507 KB)

Mr John Tognolini, our HSIE teacher, has kindly shared some of his family's military history.

NAPLAN - Years 7 & 9

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:30:34 AEST

NAPLAN- Years 7 and 9

A reminder that the timetable is as follows:

Tuesday 9^th May

Wednesday 10^th May

Thursday 11^th May

Friday 12^th May

Language Conventions
Writing

Reading

Numeracy

(Calculator and non-calculator sections)

Catch-up tests

Any parent/carer who wishes to exempt or withdraw their student(s) from NAPLAN needs to discuss this with the principal and provide written consent.

Students should bring the following equipment:

2B or HB pencils (or black or blue pens for the Writing Test)
an eraser
a sharpener
a calculator for part A of the Numeracy test on Thursday 11^th May

Further information about NAPLAN can be found at www.nap.edu.au

KHS immunisation program 2017

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:30:33 AEST

NSW Meningococcal immunisation Program for year 11 and 12 students 29^th May 2017

NSW Health will be implementing a meningococcal ACWY school-based vaccination program targeting Year 11 and 12 students in secondary schools from Term 2 2017 that will provide protection against meningococcal serogroups A, C and Y as well as W. This is in response to the emergence of meningococcal W as a significant cause of invasive meningococcal disease in Australia in 2016. Evidence suggests that this strain of the disease is more severe than other types.

As such, the second vaccination clinic scheduled for this year will now be used to offer year 11 and 12 an opportunity to take advantage of the meningococcal immunisation. Year 7 will now continue their program in November 2017.

Advice to Year 7 Parents RE: Human Papilloma virus (HPV) Vaccination in 2017

In previous years, the HPV vaccine course has been given over a 12 month period, however, in 2017, the second dose of the HPV vaccine will be delayed until later this year to accommodate the introduction of the meningococcal ACWY Vaccination Program for students in year 11 and 12.

Scheduling the HPV course in this way will not reduce the effectiveness of the vaccines. Should you have any queries regarding this information, please contact the Penrith Public Health Unit on 47342022.

EASTER SHOW EXCURSION

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:30:28 AEST

The KHS excursion to the Royal Easter Show will be on the 06th of April 2017. Please read the attached inforation sheet and return the signed permission note to the TAS faculty.

Information Sheet (docx 18 KB)

Permission note (pdf 28 KB)

TELL THEM FROM ME SURVEY

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:30:43 AEST

This term, our school, like many other public schools in the state, will participate in a Department of Education initiative:the Tell Them From Me student feedback survey. The survey measures factors that are known to affect academic achievement and other student outcomes. The focus of the NSW-wide survey is on student wellbeing, engagement and effective teaching practices.

More information about the survey is available at: http://surveys.cese.nsw.gov.au

The survey is a great opportunity for our students to provide us with valuable and quick feedback on what they think about school life, how engaged they are with school and the different ways that teachers interact with them. Schools in Australia and around the world have used the Tell Them FromMe survey to help improve how they do things at school.

The survey is confidential. It is conducted online and will typically take less than 30 minutes to complete. It will be administered during school hours before the 7th April. Participating in the survey is entirely voluntary.

A consent form and FAQs for parents/carers about the survey has been sent home with students. If you do not want your child or children to participate, please return the form to school by 20th March. Copies of the form and FAQs are available from: http://surveys.cese.nsw.gov.au/information-for-parents.

vaccination 2017

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:30:44 AEST

KHS School vaccination program 2017

Each year NSW health works with schools to offer the vaccines recommended for adolescents by the National Health and medical Research council (NHMRC). The KHS clinic dates for 2017 are as follows:

Friday 17^th Feb
Thursday25^th May
Thursday 9^th Nov.

All year 7 students have received the vaccination information package. This paperwork must be signed in blue or black pen and returned to school before the 17^th of February for vaccination to occur.

Additionally, if your child is in year 8 and was absent for a clinic date last year, the nurses will also run a catch up program on the dates detailed above.

Please don't hesitate to contact the school on 47822622 or the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District on 47342022 if you have any additional questions or concerns.

www.nbmlhd.health.nsw.gov.au

Year 7 Camp

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:30:46 AEST

The Year 7 Camp to Broken Bay (20-22 March) is almost full. Deposits to secure a place should be made before Wednesday 15th February as the camp is likely to be full by then (if not sooner). Final payments are encouraged to be made by February 28th.

Attached is some information and a link to a medical form that Sport and Recreation require by February 28th.

Please don't hesitate to contact the school for additional information.

Camp Information (pdf 74 KB)

SWIMMING CARNIVAL ARRANGEMENTS

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:30:42 AEST

Due to the very hot temperatures predicted for Friday, 10 February, we have arranged for bus transport from school to the pool and back for students who are unable to make their own way to and from pool. Students need to be at school at 9am for the buses.

IF THIS NOTE IS NOT RETURNED ON FRIDAY MORNING STUDENTS WILL HAVE TO WALK.Bus note swimming carnival (pdf 280 KB)

Students who are leaving from the pool to home will be dismissed at 2.30. Students who are returning to school will be dismissed from school at 3.10.

Additionally, we would like to emphasise again the need for students to dress appropriately for the weather, bring water, hat and sunscreen.

New Parent Portal

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:30:34 AEST

Based on feedback from the community, we have now implemented a new Parent Portal to assist with communication of school-related information such as assessment tasks. The Parent Portal provides parents with 24/7 access to their child's:

Timetables
Daily Notices
Class Notices
Homework
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Results
Attendance

You should have received an email giving details on how to access the Parent Portal. If you did not receive this email then send an email to katoomba-h.admin@det.nsw.edu.au. Please indicate your desired email address and child and we will update your family information. This will enable you to access the Portal.

Thank you for your ongoing support of the school.

Mrs Jennifer Boyall

Principal