In this issue
- Principal's Update
- Info for Parents
- From the Library
- Sports News
- Opportunity Program
- Careers News
- P&C News
- Community News & Events
from the Principal
Welcome to our final Newsletter of 2024!
It has been a busy and exciting year of learning opportunities for all students. As Principal, I have been proud to see our newsletters continue to celebrate student success both within school and in the broader community.
Farewell to some of our beloved staff members
This year we farewell three dedicated staff members - Ruth Reid the Counsellor, Lily Jackson in English and Jenny Wilson in PDHPE/Wellbeing. Jenny is one of our longest serving teachers having been at SSHS for 30 plus years. We thank them for their dedication to the students of SSHS and wish them well in their future journeys.
CAPA Showcase
Last week we celebrated our Music, Dance, Drama, Visual Arts and Photography students with our final Showcase of 2024. What a wonderful display from our talented CAPA students. Congratulations to all students and their teachers for bringing together this wonderful event.
Presentation Day Award Winners 2024
Oh, what a night!!!
What a wonderful night celebrating all the achievements of our very talented students. Well done to all those who received the following awards:
HSC Results
South Sydney High School congratulates Year 12 on their achievements in 2024. Wonderful results from a resilient group of young people in very challenging times. With 63% of all bands awarded being either Band 4, 5 or 6 resulting in most students receiving their first choice at University. Our HSC results were recognised by the SMH as one of the biggest improvers by surging up the HSC ranking by over 100 places - see the graphic below. I would like to acknowledge the outstanding commitment of staff and the support of parents during the final two years of their Secondary school journey. We are proud of the diversity of our student body and the achievement of all our students.
HSC Honour Roll Distinguished Achievers
Congratulations to David Sitnikoski - 2024 South Sydney High School Dux with an ATAR of 95.7
I would also like to make special mention and congratulate the following students on their amazing results:
Elliot Ross - Atar of 95.6
Riley Mungovan - Atar of 95.35
Henry Unsworth - Atar of 95.25
Alex De Jong - Atar of 94.75
12 students were named in the HSC Honour Roll for achieving a Band 6 or E4 in one or more courses.
Congratulations to Ava, Alex, Rebecca, Lachlan, Bethany, Caedan, Millia, Riley, Elliot, Spyder, David and Henry.
Subjects above the State Mean
The following subjects were above the state mean, which is an impressive achievement and shows the depth in the Year group and expertise of our teaching staff.
- Community and Family Studies
- English EaLD
- English Extension 1
- English Extension 2
- Entertainment
- Hospitality
- Mathematics Extension 1
- Mathematic Standard 1
- Mathematics Standard 2
- English Studies
SSHS House victory goes to - Banks
Congratulations to the Banks House for their victory in the very competitive Inter House Competition. Thank you to Ms Dawson for her superb organisation of this very popular activity.
Uniform Warriors
Homework Centre
The Homework Centre has finished for the year and we look forward to resuming in 2025.
Thank you to all our tutors and teachers who have supported our students each Tuesday afternoon and we look forward to welcoming you back in 2025, on Tuesday February 18th.
The Homework Centre is held in the school library commencing at 2:45pm and finishing at 4:45pm.
Let Us Be Known By Our Deeds
Christmas Carols at St Brigid's Green Nursing Home
The Student Leadership team organised a Christmas toy drive for the Sydney Children's Hospital
Holiday Season well wishes
Finally, thank you to our fantastic South Sydney High School Community for your continued support throughout 2024. We look forward to maintaining and strengthening our partnership with you in 2025.
From Forrest and I, we wish all our families a wonderful holiday break. A time to be with loved ones, to rest and relax and feel renewed for a wonderful and prosperous 2025!
Info for parents
2025 Contacts
Year Advisers
- Year 7 - Mr Dartchia (Maths)
- Year 8 - Mr Callaghan (Science)
- Year 9 - Ms Woodbridge (TAS)
- Year 10 - Mr Warrington (English)
- Year 11 - Ms Mackenzie (PDHPE)
- Year 12 - Ms Khouri (English)
Deputy Principal's
- Mr Patmore - Years 7, 9 and 11
- Ms Miller - Years 8, 10 and 12
Head Teachers
- Administration (Relieving) - Ms O’Callaghan
- English - Mr Kassab
- Mathematics - Mr Askounis
- Science - Ms Mifsud
- HSIE - Ms Ansoul
- TAS - Mr Tipple
- CAPA - Ms Mulheron
- PDHPE - Mr Wood
- Wellbeing - Mr Benischke
- Big Picture Academy (Acting) - Mr Wiseman
Careers Adviser - Ms Mattock
Librarian - Ms Maddocks
School Administrative Manager (Relieving) - Ms Deeks
Return to School Dates 2025
Just a reminder that Years 7 - 12 return to school on Thursday 6th February.
Student Equipment Lists for 2025
SSHS Open Day 2025
Uniform Shop Alert
A message from the Department of Education - HPGE Partner Schools Program
As part of this initiative, South Sydney High School will receive several facility enhancements. See flyer below for more details:
From the Library
Wishing everyone in the South Sydney High School community a wonderful Christmas and a safe and cheerful holiday break, filled with great opportunities to read. Don’t forget, you can access eBooks and audiobooks 24/7 from the school catalogue - Oliver via the student portal.
Ms Maddocks, Teacher Librarian
Sports News
Australian Volleyball Schools' Cup
Our SSHS Volleyball Team, recently ventured to The Gold Coast for the 2024 Australian Volleyball Schools' Cup. Even with the challenging weather conditions, the team had some amazing results. They were accompanied by Mr Shan and Mr Varker.
The boys showed great team spirit, and they had a wonderful time competing and they gave it their all.
Opportunity Program
Men’s Day - Tomorrow Man & Gotch4Life. A brilliant collaboration
On Friday 28th November, South Sydney High held their annual Men’s Day Program and our recently added Gotch4Life Woman’s Day event for Year 10. The day was meaningful, fun and important. Our students excelled in their ability to deal with various difficult life experiences and grow from these experiences. We are trail blazers in this educational space and proud to have had the support of The Gotcha4Life Foundation with Vicky and Gus Worland at the helm, Tomorrow Man, and our exceptional teachers who participated, guided and lifted the students when dealing with life’s hard issues for our young men and women. We thank our volunteer mentors from Salesforce, Mactell, South’s Cares and with the wonderful support and funding by our friends at South’s Juniors. We are a school that is proud of what it continues to achieve. We also thank our special guests from the Rugby League Legends - Elsie Albert and Aaron Woods for their contributions. Most importantly our students have benefitted from this day, which is what we are here for! Our thanks to all involved.
SSHS Opportunity Program Team - Matt Wood, Amir Yasaman, Ellia Dartchia, Kate Mackenzie, Raksha Lal and Helen Stell
Careers News
South Sydney Careers Website - https://sshscareers.careertools.com.au/
Congratulations to 2024 Year 12 students on their ATAR results. Keep posted for updates on “Where are they now” on the socials and in the School Newsletter.
A destination survey will be texted and emailed to all Year 12 students, please complete and all the best.
University of Sydney - HSC preparation for Years 10 to 12 https://cce.sydney.edu.au/courses/hsc-preparation
Every successful HSC begins with preparation. And now, there is a comprehensive program of HSC preparation courses. Led by a highly experienced team of educators, each intensive course is tailored around a critical aspect of the HSC curriculum and offers up-to-date subject knowledge and skills. These intensive holiday courses are perfect for consolidating your school studies and developing key subject knowledge that’ll give you an edge when it comes time to sit your exams. Plus, expert tutors will teach you examination skills designed to invigorate and challenge your approach to the test material. With an incredible array of courses available, you can choose which area you’d like to focus and attend (just that course) or sign up for multiple courses to get comprehensive support across an entire HSC subject. Sign up today and get your HSC year off to the best start possible.
Ace Your Medical Interview - https://www.medentry.edu.au/interviews
National Institute of Education
Medical Interview Preparation Workshops - 28 to 29 December and 11 to 12 January https://www.nie.edu.au/medical/umat-interviews/medical-interviews-workshop
The unique NIE workshop program aims for students to gain an in-depth understanding and required knowledge of the medical interview processes for specific universities, including Multi-station Mini Interview, Structured, and Semi-structured panel interviews. The workshop is structured and based on the models that are taught during the proven one-on-one personalised medical interview sessions. The workshop will allow each and every attendee to learn the required skills and practical understanding for the university from which they received an interview offer from.
Ai Group - Apprentice & Trainee Centre
Ai Group Apprentice and Trainee Centre host apprentices across NSW and are a proud partner to more than 200 host employers. https://www.aigroupapprentices.com.au/jobs/
Sydney Design School Designer for a Day Workshop - 17 January https://sydneydesignschool.com.au/designer-for-a-day-workshop/
Join the one-day workshop for students in Years 10, 11 and 12. You’ll get hands on in studios, experimenting with colour and materials. Find out what it takes to become a professional Interior Designer and understand what an average day looks like on the job! You’ll even jump into the 3D design studios to create your own interior space. Be quick to grab your spot - there is a maximum of 24 students per workshop.
Sydney Design School - Interior Decoration Workshop - 21 to 22 January https://sydneydesignschool.com.au/workshop/
If you love interior magazines and beautifully styled spaces, this fun two-day workshop is for you. It’s perfect for any interiors enthusiast who wants to decorate their home with skill and confidence. Perhaps you’re considering a career in interiors? This beginner's workshop will give you a taste of the Certificate IV in Interior Decoration course. Get hands on as you learn how to put together a full interior decoration scheme for a living space in your own home. Plan the layout, select furniture and lighting, explore colour schemes and create a sample board of your ideas.
Westpac Young Technologist Scholarship - Applications Close 15 January https://scholars.westpac.com.au/scholarships/young-technologists-scholarship/
The Westpac Young Technologists Scholarship was made for talented and inquisitive high school graduates looking to strengthen their passion and expertise in technology to innovate and create new opportunities and inspire good in the world of STEM. Our Young Technologists Scholars get up to three years of financial support for their studies, networking opportunities, mentoring programs and paid internships with senior business leaders and industry-based experts as well as the chance to develop critical soft skills through the Disruptive Leaders Program. The program includes five days in Asia as part of an international learning experience to broaden minds and inspire new ways of thinking. Scholars must be intending to commence a STEM related degree at one of our five partner universities across Australia, though you do not need to have received a formal offer at the time of your application.
Top 5 motivation boosters https://au.reachout.com/study-work-and-money/setting-goals/top-5-motivation-boosters
We all struggle to get stuff done sometimes, but all it takes is 5 mins to get some motivation back. Our top 5 motivation tips will help you smash your goals and get back on track.
5 apps to help you study at home https://au.reachout.com/study-work-and-money/exam-stress/wellbeing-and-productivity-apps-to-help-you-study
Exams...... It’s a word that’ll get most people’s stomachs sinking and hearts fluttering. Exam anxiety can be really tough to tackle, and it can affect anyone. From the most super-conscientious student to the last-minute crammer. While it’s a tough ask to eliminate exam stress completely, there are some study apps that can help make it all a little more manageable.
Return & Earn
Congratulations and thank you to everyone who has contributed.
A special thank you to the following students - Kloe, Chloe and Dhanya, who are the volunteers that helped me with this campaign.
Congratulations to the English and Art Departments at school for their contribution to the Return and Earn Program at South Sydney High.
See you next year for an amazing 2025!
Ms Mattock - Careers Advisor
P&C News
Dear parents and caregivers,
2024 was an exciting year for South Sydney High School’s Parents & Citizens Association.
Whilst we did not have as many fundraisers as last year, we still raised over $2,000 from Open Day & LGA Election Day barbeques, $8,132 from fee contributions, $1,250 from the second hand uniform shop and $700 from the recent cookie dough drive - thankyou Elana Shatari.
Government funding wise, we were able to secure a $24,000 grant for our much loved and well used pickleball court - thankyou Kathryn Pearce. Plus, after years of P&C heckling local, state and federal members, SSHS was awarded a $6 million uplift grant which is amazing news, especially for the TAS & VA blocks.
In terms of giving back to our great school, the P&C funded $12,000 to makeover the courtyard with new plants and lawn, as well as $3,150 to repair the floor of a neighbouring scout hall to be used as a dance studio by students. Plus we contributed $5,000 for year 12 graduations and nearly $1,300 for Presentation Day prizes, which I had the honour of recently presenting.
Thank you to Elana Shatari and Vanessa Fajwul for being great Vice Presidents, to Miriam Fouracre for being an outstanding Treasurer and to Justine Jennings for being a letter-perfect Secretary, especially in helping with the school building upgrade correspondence. A huge hug to Terri Flynn for a stellar job running the second hand uniform shop over the past 7 years - you will be missed. I’d also like to thank Janice, Marni, Andy, Martin and all the teachers & office staff who have been of invaluable assistance, and of course our most loyal Forrest.
Finally, I’d like to thank all the parents who give up their time to attend our meetings and help with fundraising. Without you, there would be no P&C - literally!!! It has been both a privilege and an honour to have served our great school this past year and I look forward to continuing making a difference in 2025. But we need more help, so please come along and get involved.
Congratulations to the SSHS Class of 2024 and to students who received their ATARs this week (my eldest included). Wishing the entire South Sydney High School family a safe & enjoyable festive season and a healthy, fulfilling new year.
Anthony Fajwul - 2025 SSHS P&C President
Community news & events
Randwick Council News
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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