NSW Premier's Award
Providing High-Quality Education
We received the 2019 Secretary’s Award for Excellence in August at the annual awards showcase for NSW public school students, teachers, staff and parents who have made significant contributions to their school communities.
This month, we were announced as the winner of a 2019 NSW Premier's Award for the category 'Providing High-Quality Education'. These awards celebrate excellence in the delivery of public services to the people of NSW, we are so proud, honoured and humbled to receive this very prestigious award.
Since 2014 our school's executive team has led significant change through targeted research-based teaching and leadership practice, delivered through a suite of quality professional development.
As a result, students, staff and the community have shifted students mindsets, particularly around HSC achievement. This has improved academic outcomes and boosted rigour in relation to senior pathways.
Our teachers ensure that all students feel known, valued and cared for. Structures and programs are in place that allow students to access differentiated support. As a result, all students have the tools to achieve excellence, leading to successful personalised HSC pathways.
School travel update Term 4
Applications for student travel in 2020 are open.
Students progressing to Year 7 no longer need to re-apply if they:
- are continuing at the same school
- are residing at the same address
- have not been sent an expiry notification from Transport for NSW.
Where a student meets the new distance eligibility, the system will automatically update their entitlement. If they do not meet the new eligibility, they will receive an expiry notification via email.
Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition which is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.
Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.
If students need to update their information or re-apply, they should go online to https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/updateDetails
Applications need to be submitted before 31 December 2019 to ensure student entitlements are updated and their current entitlement/card is not cancelled. If their application is submitted after 31 December 2019, the system will automatically cancel an entitlement/card and a new one will need to be issued.
Students in the Opal network applying for an SSTS or Term Bus Pass entitlement for the first time will receive their card at their nominated postal address. Cards will be mailed out from January 2020.
Students residing in Rural and Regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at the commencement of the new school year from their nominated operator, this may be distributed via the school or sent directly to their address. Note: some R&R operators do not issue travel passes. Students/Parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.
A busy start to Term 4
Year 7 and 8 had the opportunity to attend 'Snake Tails'. A reptile presentation that allowed students to interact with several snakes, lizards and turtles. The presenter gave an exciting and in-depth understanding of the taxonomic relationships of each reptile and their food chains.
Students in our DRIVE class worked with Dan Miller from Graffiti Dans to brighten up their room and create a mural representing the program and their journeys at WWHS.
Year 9 are creating picture books for their partner primary buddies at West Wallsend Public School. On their initial visit to West Wallsend Public School Year 9 students talked about interests and ideas for the books with their buddies.
Year 9 brainstormed ideas for their original picture books before workshops with author Katrina McKelvey and illustrator Kirrili Lonergan.
Katrina and Kirrili shared their experience of working as an author and illustrator of children's picture books, They discussed techniques Year 9 could use to create picture books for their partner primary buddies.
Food technology students in Years 8 and 10 have been busy creating some delicious 'Birthday Cakes'.
Year 10 Food Technology, were given a practical task - to make pancakes from scratch and style/present them as though for a photo-shoot for 'Taste' magazine. We think they nailed it!
Kalleb Pritchard (Year 10) competed in the UN Voice speaking competition at Bishop Tyrrell. He was one of only two students from a public school involved. His speech grappled with how international communities can help prevent civil conflicts. He was articulate and demonstrated how politically aware our wonderful students at WWHS are! Well done, Kalleb!
Seth Charter-Smith and Piper Butcher received NEWStar Awards from radio station NEWFM. Both students won by popular vote in their age group, 11-17 years. Seth for Sport and Piper for Performance (Music). Congratulations to both students.
Students from SAIL classes visited Holmesville Fire Station to donate tasty baked goods to say thank you to the firemen for all their recent hard work. Thank you to everyone that donated the delicious baked treats which were much appreciated.
Creating Chances - In this program a group of Year 7 boys are running coaching clinics at Edgeworth Heights Public School over a 5 week period. The Creating Chances program is designed to build confident, capable and future-ready young people. Using sports to explore personal development, community building, social change and post-school pathways. The program allows young people to explore core skills in a fun and safe environment and equips them with the tools required to achieve their goals in life.
Forging strong relationships
Our learning community 'Sugarloaf Community of Schools', comprising of West Wallsend High, West Wallsend Public School, Edgeworth Heights Public School, Barnsley Public School and Wakefield School work closely together to give our students the best possible opportunity to fulfill their educational goals and make the transition from primary to high school as smooth as possible.
Our transition program comprises a variety of initiatives for Year 6 students including:
- Taster lessons
- Elective masterclasses
- Targeted support transition program
- Targeted engagement for Year 6 boys
- Parent and student information events
2020 Future Planning. Allan Burns Head Teacher Mathematics and his team worked with teachers from our partner primary schools Edgeworth Heights Public School, Barnsley Public School and West Wallsend Public School on a long term plan targeting increased levels of student engagement in mathematics and using data mining to build success.
Inspirational Work Experience
Mikayla Castle
In June this year, I submitted an application for a Year 10 work experience opportunity at the University of New South Wales in their medical research division. Students from all over the state applied with 17 selected to take part in the program. Over the week, I completed two activities per day with different research supervisors. I particularly enjoyed:
- extracting lipids from liver samples
- looking at the movement of cancer cells
- testing hearing receptors in the cochlear
- visiting the museum of human anatomy
- working with an elderly gentleman to manage his medical condition through exercise.
I didn’t expect the program to be so personalised and hands-on. The experience has left me more passionate and confident that I want to pursue a career in the medical field. I would encourage any future year 10 students interested in the medical field to apply for this program.
Year 12 Formal
Our Year 12 students and Year Adviser Ms Cross organised a wonderful evening for their Year 12 Formal at Merewether Surfhouse. Thank you to all the teachers, friends and family members who came to join this very special group of young people celebrate the end of high school.
