Congratulations to Myra Rangra (Year 9) who received a Highly Commended Award for her written composition in the 2025 Living Stories in The Hills Shire Competition https://www.westwords.com.au/living-stories/ We wish Myra all the best and further success for her ongoing interest in writing!

Thank you to Mr James Wallace MP (NSW Member for Hornsby) and Mr Alister Henskens MP (NSW Member for Wahroonga) for hosting four of our students at NSW Parliament Leadership Days last week. Mr Wallace and Mr Henskens were very impressed with the leadership qualities of our students (Yvette, Olivia, Carina and Angelina Year 11) who also gave their first speech in the NSW Parliament to the other student participants. Well done students!

At our P and C meeting on Wednesday night chaired by the P and C President Mrs Radhika Prasanna we discussed the organisation of the upcoming Spring Fair. The date of Saturday September 6 (10am - 3pm) has now been locked in. If you would like to support the school in this fund raising and school community building activity either through sponsorship, cultural food sales, wine and book donations, baking and cooking or organising a stall, please contact the school and we will pass your details on to the organisers. Students are reminded to please see me if you would like to perform a cultural or modern dance, sing or perform, or other fun act at the Spring Fair.

Kind regards,

Justin Briggs (Principal)

Deputy Principals' Message

Subject Selection Information - As we near the end of Term Two, many Year 8 and 10 students (and their parents and caregivers) are keen to start thinking about subject selection for 2026.

Year 10 will be provided access to an overview of the subject selection process on their Google Classroom next week. This consists of a powerpoint and voiceover on making good choices, eligibility for a Year 11 Record of School Achievement Grade and the Higher School Certificate. There will then be a subject selection information session held by Ms Gilmore on Thursday 24th July, Term 3. Students and parents will also be given access to a Google Site containing individual subject videos and factsheets on the 24th July. Students will then have until 2.50 pm on the 1st August to submit an online form indicating their choices.

Year 8 students are also excited about the prospect of picking their Stage 5 elective courses. This process will commence on 28th August, Term 3. Students will meet with Ms Gilmore who will present on the process and requirements for a Record of School Achievement Grade to be achieved at the conclusion of Year 10. A Google Site will also be available to parents, students and caregivers from this date to access subject specific videos and subject factsheets. Online forms will need to be completed by students by Friday September 5th.

Year 12 2025 - Year 12 return to class on Monday 23rd June after working hard to complete Assessment Block 3 this week. Students will be receiving dedicated feedback from their teachers and should consider what steps they are being given to make progress. Please reassure students who are concerned about their results that there are a lot of parts of the assessments where they showed strengths and that this is just one task in a series of many. Students can also seek the support of the Wellbeing Team, Year Adviser, Deputy Principal and Careers Adviser if needed.

The Trial HSC will be held in the week 3, 4 and 5 of Term 3. A timetable will be available to students and their parents and caregivers prior to the end of Term 2 to aid students in their preparation and organisation. It is important that students are able to develop a balance of study, sleep,rest and leisure over the holidays so that they are mentally well prepared for this exam period.

Information regarding the HSC Graduation Dinner at Hornsby RSL will be sent out in the first week of Term 3. Parents should save the date of Monday 22nd September at 5.45 pm for this occasion. Please note that there is a limit of two guests for each student. Details regarding payment, dietary requirements and seating arrangements will be provided next term.

Minerva Awards - It has been fabulous to see the numbers of students collecting a Minerva Card to start obtaining signatures to work towards their Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. Students can collect signatures in the categories of Academic Endeavour and Spirit, School Spirit and Endeavour, Creative and Performing Arts Participation, Sporting Endeavour and Achievement, and Community Service. We look forward to seeing more of our students recognised for their consistent commitment to all facets of school life at Hornsby.

Parent Teacher Interview Reminders - Year 7 and 9 Parent Teacher Interviews will be held on Wednesday 23rd July from 3.00 p.m to 7.00 pm. Year 8 and 10 Parent Teacher Interviews will be held on Wednesday 30th July from 3.00 pm - 7.00 pm. Information regarding making these booking will be sent out in Week 10 of this term. Parents and caregivers will also be provided with a QR code linking to a map showing the location of each teacher they have an interview with.

Attendance Matters - In the last edition of the Torch we reminded parents and caregivers that students cannot provide justifications for absences. These must be provided by a parent or caregiver in writing or in response to the sms / text sent by our Attendance Officer.

In addition to this specific reasons must be supplied for absences, late starts or early leave. Acceptable reasons include medical appointments and family circumstances. Absences where reasons such as ‘an unexpected event’ cannot be accepted to justify absence.

Parents of students in Years 10, 11 and 12 should also make sure that if a student is absent the day prior to an assessment task, a medical certificate is obtained to justify the absence. This ensures assessment processes in the grades working towards the Record of School Achievement and Higher School Certificate maintain their integrity.

Year 11 Common Assessment Periods - This week an email was sent to all year 11 students and their parents/caregivers with important information regarding the upcoming Common Assessment Periods for Year 11 Economics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics students. Please read the details carefully and forward any questions to Ms Wallwork- Deputy Principal.

Reports distribution - Year 7,8,9 and 10 reports will be distributed on 3rd July, these can be accessed via the parent portal. It is a timely reminder however that consistent student improvement and working to one’s personal best is the focus for our junior reports. Thank you to all the teachers who have worked hard to provide this individualised feedback for our students.

NSW Public Schools Student Survey (NPSSS) - Next week all students from year 7-12 will be given the opportunity to participate in the NSW Public Schools Student Survey. The survey provides our school with valuable data to help inform school planning and decision-making. The survey asks students about their engagement, learning experiences and wellbeing at school. If you do not want your child to participate an opt out form has been emailed to all families and will need to be returned via email by Tuesday 24th June.

Resilience in Our Teens - Most grades are completing their final sessions of the Resilience in Our Teens program.

At our staff meeting on Wednesday, 18th June, Ms Diaz presented to all staff on the content of the lessons and important aspects such as:

Allowing young people time to stop and think when they are anxious

Supporting young people in identifying their emotions and regulating them by encouraging them to reframe their negative thoughts and consider other plausible explanations

Assist them in planning to solve their own problems in the future

Our Wellbeing Team will be surveying students and staff in Semester Two on the impact of this program on student resilience and problem solving. We are also looking for an opportunity to present to parents in Semester 2. Thank you to Ms Davenport our RIOT Coordinator and all our RIOT champions and staff for their work on this initiative.

Mrs Gilmore and Mrs Wallwork (Deputy Principals)

The Push Up Challenge- HGHS Can Do Attitude

This June, we're taking on The Push-Up Challenge and completing a heap of push-ups (and other alternative exercises) between 5-30 June, to raise funds and awareness for mental health. A total of 5 staff members and 8 students have taken on this challenge throughout June. You can show your support by making a tax-deductible donation to our fundraising page. All funds will go to Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury Sydney to continue delivering essential services, including 24/7 Crisis Support Phone, Text, and Chat Line, counselling programs, and community initiatives like Lifeline Connect.

Every dollar helps #pushforbetter mental health outcomes in Australia.

Fundraising/Donation Page: https://www.thepushupchallenge.com.au/fundraiser/hghscandoattitude

Zone Athletics

Zone Athletics Carnival Results

The Zone Athletics Carnival was held at Sydney Olympic Park on Friday, 6 June, and what an incredible day it was for our Hornsby athletes!

We are thrilled to announce that we placed 2nd overall out of all the schools in attendance – go Hornsby!

🎉 Highlights of the Day

Arabella Lewis – 1st place in the Champion of Champions and a broken record

Tara Gilkeson – 15 Years Age Champion

Jolin Wirianta – 13 Years Age Champion

🏃‍♀️ Relay Team Success

Our relay teams were outstanding, with:

1st place in the 13s, 14s, 15s, and 16s

3rd place for our 12s and 17s

🏅 Individual Results

Here are some highlights:

Amashi – 1st in Long Jump

Tanny – 1st in 100m, 2nd in Long Jump, 3rd in High Jump

Jolin – 1st in High Jump and Long Jump; 2nd in Javelin, Hurdles, 100m, and 200m

Diyana – 1st in 400m

Aarika – 3rd in Shot Put

Tara – 1st in Shot Put, 400m, and Javelin; 2nd in High Jump and Long Jump

Manar – 3rd in 400m

Sally – 2nd in Discus

Cassie – 3rd in High Jump

Arabella – 1st in 100m, 200m, and 400m

Summer C – 2nd in 800m and Triple Jump; 3rd in Long Jump

Thinolee – 2nd in Discus and Shot Put; 3rd in Javelin

Evie – 3rd in Javelin

A huge thank you to every student who competed, and a special shout-out to those who stepped up at the last minute to fill in events – your efforts earned valuable points that contributed to our overall success.

Thank you also to Ms Davenport and Ms Kohlhagen for attending and supporting the team.

Well done, everyone! It was a fantastic day at the track.

Jane Hall - Carnival Convenor

Parliament of NSW Secondary Schools Leadership Program

On Friday the 6th of June, we were invited to attend the NSW Parliament Leadership day, where we had the pleasure of meeting members of Parliament as well as the Governor herself. We took a tour of the NSW Parliament House, where the Legislative Assembly was especially rowdy! Afterwards, we walked to the governor's house (where World leaders stay in Australia!) and admired the beautiful paintings and furniture, whilst learning a bit about the history of the place. Then Her Excellency, the Honourable Margaret Beazley, talked to us about her role as the NSW Governor. Her speech, alongside this opportunity, allowed us to learn valuable parliamentary skills and interact with leaders from other schools. We are especially grateful for this experience and loved every moment!

Angelina Chen & Carina Quizon, Head & Deputy of SRC

Zone Cross Country

Zone Cross Country: Champions Crowned!

Hornsby was named Zone Champions after an incredible performance at Zone Cross Country Carnival.

A huge congratulations to the HGHS Cross Country team! Every runner contributed to the team’s overall success, helping secure this well-deserved victory.

It was an exciting day at St Ives Showground, with a challenging course that tested endurance and strategy.

A special thank you to Ms Hoang and Ms Kohlhagen for attending and officiating on behalf of our school.

Top 10 Finishers:

12 Years: Tanny L – 6th

13 Years: Charity Y – 2nd, Amber L – 3rd, Ella W – 4th, Jolin W – 8th

14 Years: Kelly H – 6th

15 Years: Susie L – 6th, Tara G – 8th

16 Years: Summer C – 4th, Elise R – 6th, Arabella L – 8th, Landri H – 10th

17 Years: Elizabeth K – 6th, Tanvi M – 9th

18 Years: Zoey J – 3rd

Jane Hall - Carnival Convenor

Sydney North Cross Country Success

Following the outstanding performances at the Zone Cross Country Carnival, twelve dedicated students proudly represented Hornsby Girls High School at the Sydney North Cross Country Championships. This highly competitive event was held at the Wyong Race Club on the Central Coast, drawing top runners from across the region.

Despite a demanding week that saw our students competing in two major cross country events within just a few days, they showed tremendous resilience, determination, and school spirit. Each athlete gave their best effort on the challenging course, demonstrating the benefits of their hard work and training.

Congratulations to the students who reached this impressive level of competition.

Tanny L, Charity Y, Amber L, Ella W, Jolin W, Kelly H, Susie L, Tara G, Summer C, Elise R, Catherine B, Elizabeth K, Tanvi M and Zoey J.

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