WEEK 9, TERM 1, 28 march 2025
acknowledgement of country
We recognise the Dharrug and Kuringai people, the owners and custodians of the lands and waterways where we work and live. We pay respect to Elders past and present as ongoing teachers of knowledge, songlines and stories. We strive to ensure every Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander learner in NSW achieves their potential through education.
Week 9, Term 1, 28 march 2025
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
This week we hosted a meeting of students from local primary and secondary schools and our Director of Educational Leadership, Mr. Mark Anderson as part of the NSW Minister’s Student Council program. This meeting allowed students to present their views on issues and to select delegates to sit on the NSW Minister’s Student Council which will meet twice a term. Thank you to our Year 8 and 9 guides, Ananya, Saanvi, Meera and Divya for welcoming all the students who attended this meeting and our school’s representatives Carina and Angelina for their impressive contributions to this forum.
A number of building projects are occurring in our school over the next few months. In the school holidays the Year 12 Student Cottage will receive an external makeover with fresh paint and trimmings to match the Creative Learning Centre.
The school has also organised for the Creative Learning Centre to have heating and cooling air conditioning to be installed and our electronic sign on Edgeworth David Avenue is set to be updated in the coming weeks.
Additionally we have submitted a project for a covered learning outdoor space (C.O.L.A) to be built over the multi-purpose courts. The latest update from the Department of Education is that the project is currently being prepared to go out for tender. We are very much looking forward to this new space which will allow shelter outdoors and be available for use for school events and assemblies.
Thank you to all the parents and caregivers who attended our recent P&C Meeting. There were lots of great questions on a range of school processes and activities. It is always wonderful to see parents and caregivers participating in the education of their students. Dr Briggs presented on our HSC results in 2024. A link for this presentation is provided here for those parents and caregivers who were unable to attend the meeting.
Hornsby Girls High School certainly continues to be a very busy and active place to be.
Vanessa Gilmore - Relieving Principal
Deputy Principals' Message
RIOT update - All students in Year 7-12 have now completed at least the first 2 lessons of our Resilience in Our Teens program. Lesson 1 focussed on Reducing Anxiety and Building Resilience Thinking Skills. The purpose of RIOT is that we want to see “growth of everyone’s capacity to manage regular stress with a minimum of anxiety”. Lesson 2 focussed on the science behind what happens in our brains and bodies when we feel anxious. Students also went through general strategies to use when they start to feel the symptoms of stress. Thank you to all the RIOT teacher champions who have been delivering the program to our students and Ms Davenport for coordinating the program.
Year 11 - The Year 11 Assessment block commences on Wednesday 2 April and finishes on Monday 7 April. Please remember that if you are sick on the day you must communicate this to Mrs Wallwork prior to 8.45 am on the day of the examination. Students will then complete illness and misadventure forms and if sick they will require a medical certificate. Students also need to attend all lessons including period zero and period 5 the day prior to an examination block. This information is contained in the Year 11 2025 Assessment Manual and was emailed to parents earlier this term. Best of luck for the upcoming assessments.
Year 12 - Well done to all our HSC 2025 cohort for their completion of Assessment Block Two. Some students have rescheduled examinations on Monday 31 March and this information will be emailed on Friday 28 March in the afternoon. Students should check their DoE emails for this information. Students have continued to show strong communications skills throughout the block. We encourage our students to take some time out from study after the block to spend time with friends and family and to engage in activities that they enjoy.
Year 8 - On Thursday 3 April Year 8 students will be engaged in a Study Skills workshop run by Elevate Education. In this program students will work on their dynamic reading skills, practice effective note taking, engage in conceptual learning techniques and work on skills to be an independent learner.
Cross Country Carnival - On Thursday 10 April we will have the whole school Cross Country Carnival at Pennant Hills Park the carnival will commence at 9.30am and students are to make their own way to and from the venue. Teacher supervision will be provided from Pennant Hills station in the morning and afternoon. A permission note with further details has been sent out to families this week.
Year 10 YAM - Our Year 10 student finished the Youth Aware of Mental Health program this week. YAM is a school based program where the topic of Mental Health is explored. It is evidence based and allows students to actively engage with the topic of mental health through role play and student led discussions. The benefits include helping young people to reflect on their emotions and develop strategies to consider when faced with life challenges or mental health concerns. Other benefits include students being able to help support others and advise them appropriately when in need. Thank you to Ms Hoogerwerf for organising this worthwhile program for our students.
School Holidays - School Holidays are from the 14 April to the 29 April. Students return to school on Wednesday 30th April. Staff will be on site on Monday 28 and 29 April engaging in professional learning activities and preparing for teaching and learning. This year our professional learning has a strong focus on High Potential and Gifted Education in our selective school context.
The change to winter uniform will also occur at the start of Term 2. School Locker is open during the term every Wednesday from 1.00 pm to 3.30 pm. School Locker is opening the on site store on Tuesday 22 April from 9 am to 3 pm. A store is also available online and students and parents can visit the North Sydney store location as well.
Careers - Parents and students looking for careers information should be aware that our Career’s Advisors Dr Turner/Mr Royce have a Google Classroom page for each grade. Careers Bulletins are available to students updating them on university options, open days, work experience opportunities, holiday programs, scholarships and more. This is a highly useful source of information for all students at Hornsby Girls’ High School. Please talk with your child about the resources found on these pages and encourage them to regularly check for updates
Ms Wallwork Deputy Principal and Ms Pozzolungo - Relieving Deputy
FIRST GROUNDS DAY FOR 2025
We had our first Grounds Day for 2025 on Saturday 22 March. Thank you to Dr Briggs once again for showing up early on a Saturday morning and guiding us around the school to find out what work was needed.
We had around 50 people show up to help, including parents, students and family members. We did some much needing weeding around the CLC building, removed the weeds and grass from the outdoor gym area, transplanted four olive trees from pots to the new HGHS olive grove and even cleaned the garden shed. The students who were there picked out a nice spot for the olive grove near the car park on the far side of the oval. We hope these olive trees do well now that they have been released from their pots and can flourish in the ground.
We have two more Grounds Days planned for 2025 so please put the next two dates in your diaries:
Saturday 17 May & Saturday 2 August
If you like gardening and the outdoors, and you want to help out the school, you are welcome to come along to the next Grounds Day. You don’t need any special skills, just a willingness to get up early and get dirty on a Saturday morning. It is a good opportunity to meet other parents, help make the school grounds look nicer, and for your daughters to get Minerva award points in a relaxed environment (if they decide to come along too). The morning tea afterwards is also always a treat!
Thank you to all of the parents, students and family members who came long to help. The P&C is grateful for your support, and in the end, it only makes this school an even better place than it already is.
Belinda McIntyre - P&C Grounds Day Coordinator
SYDNEY NORTH SWIMMING CARNIVAL
Sydney North Swimming was held at Sydney Olympic Park on 19 March. Congratulations to all the swimmers who competed. Special mention goes to Eva Zhang, who placed 3rd in the 200m Freestyle, and Alina Chen, who also placed 3rd in the 100m Breaststroke.
Our relay teams showed great pride in representing our school. The 17s relay team (Minnie, Sara, Livia, and Angela) placed 7th in a very fast race, demonstrating impressive teamwork and determination in their last appearance representing HGHS in swimming. The 15s relay team (Alina, Hannah, Emily, and Yolanda) placed 8th but displayed incredible spirit throughout the race, proving their dedication and ability to compete at a high level. The 13s team (Eva, Charity, Charlotte, and Erica) finished 2nd with an impressive swim by all team members, showcasing outstanding skill and teamwork.
Good luck to the 13s relay team, as well as to Eva and Alina, who will be competing at the CHS Swimming Championships from 7-9 April.
FRED
On Thursday 13 March, some juniors in Fred, including me, went to the Australian Museum for a Climate Leadership Forum. We took a train to the city, and from there the forum started out with an introduction from Kal Glanznig, a climate changemaker and young politician. He shared his journey of combating climate change, and highlighted current climate issues such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions.
After the introduction, we engaged in two workshops. The first was led by BRAD (Banish Recycling and Diversion Program), and focused on how to tell apart different types of plastics, particularly bottle caps. The second workshop was led by a worker in seed preservation from the Australian Botanical Gardens, who taught us about different ways they preserve seeds. We even preserved some of our own that will be planted around the school! After a lunch break, there were talks from other schools about how they have implemented various climate initiatives within their communities. The forum concluded with how we can take action within our school, where we brought up ideas such as solar panels, worm farms and expanding the garden. It was a great experience, and I would definitely go again!
SWL Corner - Social Media
This week in SWL students learnt about social media, including topics such as cyberbullying and online safety.
A survey by the e-safety commissioner shows that 44% of Australian young people report having had a negative experience online over the past 6 months, with 15% receiving threats or abuse. To address this issue, students have been looking at strategies to combat cyberbullying and protect their online safety.
Another important aspect of social media that students have been looking at is screen time. In a time of digital media where 91% of teens own a smartphone, it is important to understand the effects of this and how to combat it. The recommended recreational screen time usage for teenagers is just 2 hours a day. We recommend that in between study, and among other activities, students should go outside, play a sport, explore other hobbies such as crochet instead of resorting to infinite scrolling on social media.
It is important that students learn about social media as it allows them to create a healthier relationship with the online world and their peers.
Zonta Area 1 District Meeting
Over the past weekend on Saturday 22 March, we were lucky enough to receive the opportunity to attend the Zonta Area 1 District Meeting! The meeting focused on what the Zonta organisation had in store for the year, giving us some extremely helpful insight on not only how to improve our meetings, but also about how to raise awareness about different societal issues women face. It was an extremely eye opening event, filled with guest speakers from across the state, and we were lucky enough to be able to meet other Z-Club leaders and share our experiences!
Amber McLean and Sidhi Saxena - President and Vice-President of Z-Club HGHS
LESTER PRIZE
This term in Visual Arts, Vanessa Chang and Thenumi Hewafonsekage had their Year 8 Self-Portrait Charcoal artworks entered into the Lester Portrait Youth Prize. Their refined use of charcoal and understanding of tonal modelling was exceptional and displayed their likeness in a visually striking form.
The Lester Prize is one of Australia’s most prestigious portraiture prizes—an award that places artists and the community proudly front and centre. They have an annual prize pool of $130,000 which is spread across two exhibitions and ten categories.
Thenumi Hewafonsekage’s self-portrait has been selected as a finalist out of 250 students who entered the prize. Congratulations Thenumi! We wish you all the best in the next stages of the selection progress!
Ms Farnon
Term 2 Extracurricular Sport
We have had a very successful term regarding student participation in Extracurricular Sports. Hornsby Girls High School had provided four sports in Term 1 – Taekwondo, Tennis, Volleyball and Oztag with nearly all sports reaching FULL capacity.
Term 2 is fast approaching, and now is a good time to think about Extracurricular Sports offered next term. Parents and students are encouraged to check their emails and the next upcoming Torch Article for more information regarding Term 2 Sports.
For now, please see the table below for the following Extracurricular Sports on offer in Term 2:
Sessions will commence Term 2, Week 3 and will continue up to and including week 10.
Sport selections will be sent out by email on Monday 28 April at 8:40am. Selections will then be able to be made for Term 2 Extracurricular Sports. Numbers are limited in each sport and fill up quickly so please ensure that you register interest (by clicking on the selection notification link and following the prompts) sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment. Multiple selections can be made by clicking on the preferred sport link.
Any queries, please have your child come and speak to Ms Hoang in the PDHPE staffroom.
Looking forward to another successful term of Extracurricular Sport.
Ms Hoang - PDHPE Teacher, Extracurricular Sport Cooridnator, 2025
School Cross Country - 10 April 2025
The School Cross Country will be held on 10 April 2025 at Pennant Hills Park. This event is an important part of the school year, offering students both a fun and competitive opportunity to engage in physical activity and challenge themselves.
Please note that attendance is compulsory for all students. Participation is not only encouraged but also required as part of the school's commitment to promoting physical fitness, school spirit, and team participation.
Transport - Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from Pennant Hills Park.
HGHS teaching staff will supervise the walk to and from Pennant Hills Train Station.
Students will sign in and assemble on Ern Holmes Oval (Oval No. 2) at Pennant Hills Park. Please refer to the map below for directions.
Food - The school canteen will NOT be open on this day.
The SRC will be hosting a fundraising BBQ, and students can pre-order sausage sandwiches from the school bank or via school bytes. Sausage sandwiches cost $5. Funds raised will go Mahboba's Promise. Mahboba’s Promise is an Australian non-profit organisation committed to aiding underprivileged women and children and other vulnerable groups in Afghanistan, surrounding regions, and Australia.
Orders close Friday 4 April.
Student Identification & Sign-In - Students must bring their student identification card to sign in upon arrival.
Sign-in must be completed by 9:30am at the venue.
HGHS teaching staff will supervise students throughout the event.
The Carnival will conclude at approximately 2:30pm. After dismissal, there will be no supervision at Pennant Hills Park. Please refer to the consent form in School Bytes for further information.
Wet Weather - In the event of bad weather the Cross Country will be cancelled and school will operate as normal. Please see Sentral Daily notices for updates on this.
We look forward to seeing all students participate and enjoy this exciting event!
YEAR 9 VISUAL ART EXCURSION
On Wednesday, 5 March 2025, our Year 9 Visual Arts class embarked on an exciting excursion to the city and Cockatoo Island. Starting at Central, we admired stunning architecture before reaching UTS, where we photographed Frank Gehry’s iconic “paper bag” building. It was a striking example of deconstructivist architecture, as we captured its unique form within our photos.
As we walked towards the harbour, we captured shots of the striking Crown building, its sleek, modern standing contrasting with the historic structures around it. From there we boarded a ferry where we enjoyed breathtaking views of Sydney’s skyline.
On Cockatoo Island, we delved into its rich history, exploring eerie tunnels, historic convict quarters, and a vast warehouse filled with remnants of old machinery, giving us a glimpse into the island’s industrial past. By walking through these spaces, it gave us a sense of the island’s grave past. It was a fascinating and memorable experience, filled with artistic inspiration and historical wonder, that gave us a new appreciation for Sydney’s history and architecture.
Zinat Abdullah - Year 9 Visual Arts Student
YEAR 10, 11 & 12 VISUAL ART EXCURSION
On the 11 March 2025, the Year 12, 11 and 10 Visual Arts students had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Exhibitions we explored encompassed Art Express, Cao Fei, Angelica Mesiti: The Rites of When, Australian Art Collections, Lee Ufan: Quiet Resonance, Yiribana Gallery, Asian Lantern Elemental, as well as the other contemporary and historical galleries.
Art Express presented inspirational works, particularly for Year 11 and 12 and their body of work, and Cao Fei brought futuristic, dystopic, and immersive installations in "My City is Yours" to Sydney that was incredibly enjoyable for us all. The Rites of When in the Tank of the art gallery was a captivating multisensory experience, while Quiet Resonance imposed a rare silence. The Yiribana Gallery, Australian Art Collections and historical galleries were especially insightful for Year 12s and our recent case study, Art and Australia - Identity, along with the garden of the new building itself which was designed by one of our studied artists. The contemporary exhibits were breathtaking and visually exciting, the most notable installations being the Pause, Turn, Touch, Reach - Bodies in Motion from the Collection which featured an interactive cone of light, and the delicious-smelling spices from Just like drops in time, nothing.
Overall, our excursion to the Art Gallery was a remarkable, extraordinary and terrifically inspiring experience that challenged and broadened our artistic knowledge. I hope everyone enjoyed this day as much as I did!
Tiffany Lee Year 12 Visual Arts Student.
sydney secondary youth leadership conference
On Friday the 14th of March, our Hornsby Girls High School Prefects attended the Sydney Secondary Youth Leadership Conference 2025. They joined hundreds of other like-minded student leaders across over 700 other schools and engaged with inspiring presentations from numerous speakers who have found success in life through their pathway in leadership, such as Zara Siedler, co-founder of The Daily Aus, and Isaiah Dawe, 2023 NSW Young Australian of the Year and Founder of ID. It was a lovely day in the ICC by Sydney Darling Harbour! Our Prefects were able to see what leadership beyond high school could look like.
HSC Event - Hosted by julian leeser mp
- Date: Thursday 3 April
- Time: 6:00 pm – 8.00 pm
- Location: St Agatha's Primary School Hall, 71 Trebor Road, Pennant Hills.
The HSC is a challenging journey for our high school students, and this event will provide an opportunity to ask questions of a panel of speakers.
I hope that through a Q&A, students will have the chance to develop their study skills further and deepen their knowledge.
Our panel of speakers include:
Eddie Woo - Famed teacher Eddie Woo teaches mathematics at Cherrybrook Technology High School. In 2018, he was named Australia’s Local Hero in the Australian of the Year Awards.
Ross Fox - Ross served as Director of Catholic Education in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn from the end of 2016 to the beginning of 2025. In this role, he was responsible for a system of 56 Catholic schools across both ACT and NSW, which had over 22,000 students and more than 2,000 staff.
Virginia Ellis - The Head of Science at Barker College, Virginia, is an experienced Science Educator with a demonstrated history of working in the primary/secondary education industry. Skilled in Communication, Leadership, Biology, Science Education, Curriculum Development, coaching, mentoring and Community Engagement events and festivals. Strong research professional who graduated from Macquarie University.
We will also have a representative from Batyr, an organisation that works with thousands of young people, empowering them with the confidence and skills to get through tough times and look out for each other.
The panel will cover:
- Practical tips for managing stress and maintaining positive well-being during HSC preparation
- Past students talking about their experience
- Teacher tips on how to prepare for the HSC
- Parent tips on how to support the students throughout the preparation and exam period
I welcome all year 11 and 12 students studying for the HSC and their families. They can register for the event here.
Spotlight on Swl
Harmony Day, celebrated on March 21 each year, promotes cultural diversity, inclusiveness, and respect across Australia. The day encourages people from all backgrounds to come together and build communities where everyone feels valued and accepted. The message of Harmony Day is “Everyone Belongs,” and to show support, our students will wear orange, the color symbolising communication and respect. Schools, workplaces, and communities across the country mark the day with a variety of activities such as educated discussions, and crafts, all designed to foster a deeper understanding of diversity.
At Hornsby Girls High School, Harmony Day is celebrated with engaging activities that highlight the importance of cultural respect and inclusion. Students participate in interactive games, fun crafts, and special SWL (Student Wellbeing Leader) lessons. These lessons teach students about the significance of the day, the value of embracing differences, and the role each person plays in creating a harmonious society. The activities encourage students to reflect on their own values and consider how they can contribute to a more inclusive school environment.
COMMUNITY NEWS
SCHOOL ZONE REDUCTION TO 40KM/H
As you may be aware, Transport for NSW have been working alongside Hornsby Shire Council to provide a 40km/h High Pedestrian Activity Area (HPAA) in the Hornsby Town Centre East precinct. As part of this project, a 40km/h HPAA speed limit is proposed to be implemented along parts of Albert Lane, Albert Street, Burdett Street, Edgeworth David Avenue, Florence Street, Hunter Street, Muriel Lane, Muriel Street, Romsey Street and Thomas Street.
As you may also know, the 40km/h School Zone associated with Hornsby Girls’ High School will be within the proposed 40km/h HPAA zone; however, recently there has been a minor change to the proposed westbound entry point of the 40km/h HPAA zone along Edgeworth David Avenue and this would require reducing the westbound entry to the existing School Zone by 15 metres (please see attached map of the old and new proposals for reference).
It should be noted that although this proposal would slightly reduce the length of the existing School Zone along Edgeworth David Avenue, the removed length of School Zone will be replaced with a full-time 40km/h HPAA speed limit and will in turn provide a safer speed and road environment for all road users at all times of the day.
Network and Safety Services within Transport for NSW would like to know if the school has any objections or concerns with this minor change to the proposal. Feel free to call me on 0412 250 261 if you have any further questions.
Timothy Drozd
Traffic Engineering Officer (Eastern Harbour City)
Sydney Integration and Place
Planning, Integration and Passenger
Transport for NSW