In this issue
- Principal's Update
- Upcoming Events
- From the Library
- Opportunity News
- CAPA News
- Duke of Ed
- Sport News
- Careers News
- Parent Information
- Community News & Events
from the Principal
Welcome to our first Newsletter of the Year! We are very happy to welcome all students, families, and staff to a brand new school year. This year is full of exciting opportunities to learn new things, make friends, and try different activities. We had our first school assembly on Tuesday, and it was great to see all our students back at school.
In this newsletter, you will find important information to help you stay up to date throughout the year. Here are some key things we will share:
- School News: Updates about what is happening at our school, special events, and any important changes.
- Important Dates: Dates to remember like information evenings, exam days, and events so you don’t miss out on anything.
- Learning Support: Information about extra help available, such as homework club or tutoring, to support students who want to improve or get help with their studies.
- Ways to Get Involved: Details about clubs, sports teams, and other activities where students can join, have fun, and build new skills.
- Tips for Success: Advice and ideas on how to do your best at school, stay organised, and enjoy your learning journey.
We hope this newsletter helps everyone feel informed and connected. Let’s work together to have a fantastic year full of learning, friendship, and achievement!
Attendance Matters
Why Attendance and Punctuality Matter! Going to school every day and being on time helps students learn better, build good habits, make friends, and stay on track with their studies. It also keeps the school running safely and smoothly. Regular attendance and punctuality are key to success both at school and in the future! Why not start the day at our Breakfast Club on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:50am.
Students are to be at Homeroom by 8.55am.
Homework Club
Advantages of Going to Homework Club
- Extra Help: Get support from teachers or tutors when you find homework difficult.
- Better Understanding: Clarify questions and learn topics more effectively.
- Improved Focus: Work in a quiet, distraction-free environment.
- Time Management: Learn to organise and complete tasks on time.
- Peer Support: Study with friends and share ideas.
- Builds Confidence: Gain confidence in your skills by getting help when needed.
Homework club is a great way to improve your learning and stay on top of your schoolwork! Come join us every Tuesday 2:45pm - 4:45pm in the school library.
Uniform Warriors
Uniform Shop Update
Girls Black pants with pockets are now available to purchase at the uniform shop!
Shop on Campus The uniform is located on campus at 2-36 O’Sullivan Avenue, Maroubra. If you require assistance, please email: service@theschoollocker.com.au School Term Trading Hours Tuesday 8:00am to 10:00am Friday 8:00am to 10:00am Shop Online South Sydney High School uniforms are available online. Additionally, the online shop offers a wide range of student resources, including stationery, technology, footwear, musical instruments, sports equipment, and more. You can choose to have your online orders delivered to your home or click-and-collect them from the uniform shop. Scan the ‘SHOP ONLINE’ QR code to view the school’s uniform range.
Or view the range at: South Sydney High School - Shop By School - School Locker
Meet Our Wellbeing Nurse
Our school is proud to partner with the Wellbeing and Health In‑Reach Nurse (WHIN) Coordinator Program. Wellbeing nurses are part of NSW Health and work right here in our school to support the health and wellbeing of students and their families. They work closely with our school wellbeing and learning support teams, as well as local health and community services, to help families navigate a wide range of health-related needs. This may include support with mental health, physical health, friendships, behaviour, or family challenges. What does our wellbeing nurse do? Our wellbeing nurse is here to:
- Build warm, supportive relationships with students and families to understand their health and wellbeing needs.
- Help families access services early by coordinating assessments, supports, and referrals.
- Work as part of the school’s case management process to ensure students receive the right support at the right time.
- Promote health and wellbeing by helping families understand and access reliable health information.
- Strengthen connections with local health providers to make accessing services easier for families.
Our Wellbeing Nurse, Nicole, is on site every Monday and can be contacted at nicole.simpson@health.nsw.gov.au The wellbeing nurse is a valuable part of our school community, helping students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. Find out more: www.health.nsw.gov.au/whinprogram
Year 7 Camp
On Monday, our Year 7 students headed off to Camp for 3 days of fun and adventure. They stepped outside their comfort zones and had the best time, building new friendships and having lots of laughs along the way.
Our Battle of The Bands Winners - "Thrift"
Our Battle of The Bands winners - Thrift, stepped into the studio @JMCacademy to claim their prize and record a single with multi ARIA winning engineer and producer Paul McKercher. What a wonderful experience for the band. Keep an ear out for the finished product - coming soon!
Upcoming Events
- Meet the Teacher for Year 7: 19 Feb
- Swimming Carnival for Competitors and Year 7 only: 26 Feb
- Open Day: 3 March
- NAPLAN Window Year 7 and Year 9: 11-22 March
- School Photos: 26 March
- Parent Teacher Night for Years 7, Year 11 and Year 12: 31 March
From the Library
Love Your Library Month
South Sydney High School’s Library is essential in fostering a child's learning, literacy, wellbeing, and feeling of belonging within the school community. It goes beyond being just a room filled with books; it is a thoughtfully arranged environment and a professionally managed service that supports students' academic, social, and emotional development. Our Library is created to be a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment. Featuring spaces for quiet reading, studying, group work, and creative activities, it accommodates diverse learning styles and provides students with a setting where they feel at ease and self-assured. For some, it offers a peaceful retreat amid a hectic day, while for others, it serves as a lively hub for social interaction. A well-resourced high school library empowers students to become confident readers, effective learners, and responsible digital citizens. It promotes academic achievement, wellbeing, and a lasting passion for learning, making it a vital part of your child’s educational journey.
Celebrate Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year is a time to honour traditions, welcome new beginnings, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of communities around the world. This year, we spotlight the Year of the Horse, specifically the Fire Horse, a rare and powerful sign in the Chinese zodiac that only appears once every 60 years. The Fire Horse symbolizes passion, vitality, and brightness—qualities that inspire courage, energy, and determination. People born in the Year of the Fire Horse are often seen as dynamic and spirited leaders. Visit our Library’s special book display to discover stories and explore books that bring the vibrant spirit of the Fire Horse to life. Join us in celebrating this extraordinary time of year and ignite your passion for reading!
New to the Collection
Stepping Up by David Hill After a devastating hiking accident sees sports-loving Ben lose his leg, he goes through all sorts of emotions as he battles to accept what has happened. But he is one courageous boy and is determined to finish what he started. This is a fantastic story of resilience and hope.
Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet This is a bold retelling of Little Women, set in the 21st century as the March sisters are finishing high school and embarking on university life. Told in alternating chapters from each sister’s point of view, this book has so many twists and turns with a murder mystery to solve.
Gaslit by Megan Davidhizar A wonderful thriller, full of suspense and intrigue. You will fall in love with the characters, especially Ella as she tries to deal with all her grief while struggling with her own health battle, both mentally and physically. The story contains so many dramatic shifts with an ending that will surprise you, it’s very hard to put down.
How to Make Friends and Go Viral by Accident by Y.K. Willemse This is a great story about finding your voice, in Hayden’s case quite literally, but it’s also about having a go and learning to be comfortable in your own skin with what you are good at. It has themes of friendship and learning what it means to be a friend, as well as family ties. It will be thoroughly enjoyed by all those Year 7 and up who love relatable characters, real life settings and a great story.
Love Me Tomorrow by Emiko Jean Seventeen-year-old Emma doesn’t believe in the premise of everlasting love. Not since the sudden divorce of her parents, at any rate. Then she receives a letter from the one who “loved her from the beginning”, a time-traveller from her future. Who could it be? With great characters, especially her ageing ex-secret service Grandpa and an easy-to-follow storyline, this is a terrific novel for all teens. Filled with themes of romance, mystery, exploring your future options and following your dreams.
Oh Brother – a Graphic Memoir by Georgina Chadderton Gina has a lot going on in her life. Moving house, about to start high school, anxiety issues and living with a brother, Rob, who is non-verbal and has autism and an intellectual disability. This graphic novel memoir shows how people’s lives are shaped by those around them and will help teens to explore empathy for others. It is so well done and with themes of compassion, family, high school life, autism, anxiety, and the importance of friends, it is a terrific read for lower secondary students.
Happy reading and happy learning!
Ms Maddocks, Teacher Librarian
Opportunity News
Student Ambassadors Leadership Academy 2026
On Tuesday, 10 February, our newly appointed Student Ambassadors participated in an engaging and intensive workshop designed to explore their roles within the school community and to develop key leadership skills. Throughout the day, students delved into what it means to be a leader, setting meaningful goals, and fostering empathy and effective communication. They also examined the 2026 Opportunity Program Action Plan, which they will help coordinate, promote, and support as part of their ambassador duties. With the insightful guidance of Mr Patmore and Ms Neilsen, the Ambassadors displayed enthusiasm, teamwork, and a genuine commitment to service. After all, at SSHS we believe that leadership is grounded in service and our Student Ambassadors are already leading the way. Mrs Helen Stell Opportunity Program Coordinator SSHS
CAPA News
Visual Arts Excursion
Our Year 9 Visual Arts students had an inspiring day out at The Sea Life Aquarium and The Sydney Fish Markets. They gathered inspiration for their sea inspired ceramic sculptures they will be creating this term.
Duke of Ed
SSHS Year 9 Duke of Edinburgh Award Program 2026 There will be a Year 9 parent and student information night to be held on Thursday 19 February at 6.45pm - 7.30pm in room B1. At this information session, we will run through the program, highlighting what students will need to do to get involved and answer any questions. Hope to see you all there!
Sport News
Rabbitohs Touch Footy State Cup
Congratulations to Kayles K, Makenna R, Archie S and Zach A on being named Captains of their respective age groups for Rabbitohs Touch Footy! We’re incredibly proud of their1 leadership and achievement, and we wish you the very best of luck this weekend as you represent your teams at the Junior State Cup in Wagga Wagga. Go Rabbitohs!
CHS Tennis Trials
Kayles K of Year 10 attended the CHS Tennis Trials and played 2 games. He won his first game 4-1, but unfortunately lost his second after an epic battle ending in a 13-11 tie break. It was a great day and all players exhibited wonderful sportsmanship.
Congratulations to Maja K in Year 11 who also attended the CHS Tennis Trials. Maja was successful in reaching the next stage of the Tennis Trials and will be playing again in Wollongong on 23-26 February. We wish you well Maja and look forward to hearing all about it.
Sydney East School Sport - Important Dates
Careers News
Congratulations to Abi in Year 11 who commences her SBAT in Conversation and Ecosystem management at Taronga Zoo this Thursday. She visited the Zoo this week to sign up and organize herself for the upcoming two years. She was awarded a scholarship for this SBAT.
Career Ideas
Actuary: Actuaries evaluate risk and opportunity applying mathematical, statistical, economic and financial analyses to a business problems. Actuaries generally work in government, insurance, superannuation, wealth management, investments, health financing and banking as well as new, high-growth fields, such as data analytics, energy resources and the environment. What skills and strengths are needed?
- Enjoy problem solving
- Good at mathematics
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to think clearly and logically
- Focus and an eye for detail What are the pathways?
You usually have to study actuarial studies or actuarial science at university. To become fully qualified, you must obtain a Fellowship of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia.
Youth Worker: You don’t need to have all the answers to be a Youth Worker. What matters most is a caring attitude, being a good listener, and genuinely wanting to support young people through life’s challenges. A Youth Worker supports young people facing challenges like mental health issues, family problems, or trouble at school. They help teens build skills, set goals, and connect with community resources. Youth Workers might run programs, provide one-on-one support, or advocate for young people in schools or social services. The goal of a Youth Worker is to empower youth to make positive choices and thrive within their lives. What skills and strengths are needed?
- Strong communication and empathy are essential.
- Youth Workers need to listen carefully and build trust with young people. Problem-solving and patience help when working through complex issues.
- Good teamwork and understanding of social issues are important, along with being organised and adaptable.
- Cultural awareness is crucial, and some roles also require basic counselling skills.
What are the pathways? You can start by completing a Certificate IV in Youth Work or Community Services. Many Youth Workers also go on to study diplomas or degrees in social work, community services or youth work. Volunteering with youth groups, mentoring or working in community centres is a great way to gain experience. Building connections through placements or internships helps open doors into this rewarding career.
Google Classrooms
Please keep an eye on Careers Google Classrooms for important information:
- Year 12 2026 sr64tws
- Year 11 2026 mutret6
- Year 10 2026 jatx4ftf
SSHS Careers Website
Click here for access to the SSHS Careers Website: South Sydney High School The aim is to provide you with all the latest information that will help you make decisions about your future career and your life beyond school. You can use this site to locate University, TAFE and any other type of course across Australia, get information about the HSC, search for job vacancies and much more. Feel free to book an appointment if you have any questions.
Careers News Bulletin
Click here of the latest weekly news
Return & Earn
Keep the return and earn coming in! If you have any cans, bottles and/or 10c items, please bring to school to Ms Mattock’s office. All donations are very much appreciated.
Meredith Mattock - Careers Adviser
parent information
NSW Health School Vaccination Program
Dear Parent/Guardian, If your child is in Year 7 or Year 10 in 2026, you can provide consent online for school vaccinations. In Year 7, students are offered free vaccines for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) and human papillomavirus (HPV). In Year 10, students are offered the meningococcal ACWY vaccine.
- Year 10 Meningococcal ACWY vaccinations: Thursday 19 March 2026 (Term 1, week 8)
- Year 7 diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) and human papillomavirus (HPV): Thursday 13 August (Term 3, Week 4)
Vaccination will only be provided at school if consent has been received. Online consent will only be accepted if provided through the NSW Health School Vaccination Program portal. Consent should not be provided to the school via email or other electronic form submission. How to provide consent:
- To complete online consent for your child’s school vaccinations, visit: engage.health.nsw.gov.au
- Follow the steps to log in to your existing ServiceNSW account. This is the same account you may already use to renew your driver’s licence. If you do not have a ServiceNSW account, refer to ServiceNSW to create one.
- Update or confirm your personal details as required.
- Complete the School Vaccination Consent Form for your child/ren. You will need to:
- Enter your child’s personal details
- Provide the Medicare card details for you and your child
- Read the linked Parent Information Sheet and privacy statement
- Provide consent
Detailed instructions can be found on the NSW Health website. If you or your child do not have a Medicare card, consent can still be provided by requesting a paper consent form from the school. The benefits of providing consent online:
- Easily update your child’s details
- Receive SMS and/or email notifications when vaccinations are given
- Faster upload of vaccination records to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
For more information on routine school vaccinations, please visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/schoolvaccination.
If you require information in your language, please visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/school_vaccination_language.aspx
Open Day 2026
Order your School Photos
Reminder to Parents Regarding Mobile Phones
NSW public secondary school students will be banned from using mobiles during the school day - this also includes smart watches. Here are some tips for parents and students to prepare for the change.
- Card/cash Payments: Students who normally use phones to make payments should start applying for a physical EFTPOS card or bring cash where appropriate.
- Timetables: Be sure to bring a hard copy of your timetables to school, as you will not be able to check timetables on your phone. It is highly recommended to bring a diary to school to assist with organisation.
- Home contact: Parents/guardians wishing to contact their child during the school day should do so via the front office on 9349 3868.
- BYOD: Senior students are still required to bring laptops to school. A phone is not an acceptable substitute.
- Travelling to and from school: It is understandable that students may wish to travel to and from school with a mobile phone; however, they must be off and out of sight for the entirety of the school day and whilst on school grounds. Non-compliance will result in disciplinary action in line with the school’s behaviour management procedure.
Please contact the school if you have any questions.
Who to Contact at SSHS
Community news & events
Tutoring Program
City of Sydney Council - Free Term 1 After School Youth Programs
We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Bidjigal people, the traditional owners and custodians of the land we work on. We also pay respect to Aboriginal elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to other Aboriginal people.
Contact us:
Telephone | 9349 3868
Email | sthsydney-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
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