St Agnes

Catholic High School

Week 6 newsletter term 3

Assumption School Mass

On 15th August we celebrated the feast of the Assumption with a school Mass. The doctrine of the Assumption was promulgated in 1951, with its feast on this day. As was normal for the greater feasts, this celebration was echoed for a week until the 22nd August which is the memorial of Our Lady, Mother and Queen, marking the conclusion of this period of celebration.

We remember that the Blessed Virgin reigns in heaven together with her Son. She reigns not because she is in any way equal to God but because she is the Mother of Christ the King. Her privileges come from her willing agreement to become the Mother of God and making our redemption possible.

I would like to thank Fr Neil, Assistant Priest at St Aidan’s Parish, Rooty Hill for celebrating our Mass. I would also like to thank Mr Madigan and Mr Sadsad for organising and coordinating this mass, and Mr DiIenno, Ms D’Aprile and Mr Cecire for leading the choir and band. Also, thank you to Mr Khan and the IT department for their assistance with our celebration. There were many students who were in the choir and band as well as the

readers .

Pilgrims Return

At our Senior Assembly on Wednesday 23rd August we had an opportunity to hear from our pilgrims, Paula, Faith, and Mr Zucco. The pilgrimage strengthened their faith and they explained how this experience was a life-changing journey. During their pilgrimage we were able to follow their journey via Facebook and Instagram. During the assembly Faith, Paula, and Mr Zucco presented the school with a portrait of St Francis, taken from a mural in his basilica in Assisi. This image is considered by the church to be the most realistic representation of St Francis. This portrait was a thank you to the school for allowing them to embark on their pilgrimage. We are planning to hang the portrait in the foyer of the front office.

Science Week

Last week the St Agnes school community celebrated Science Week which was a great success. The report further into this newsletter highlights some of the events and activities which took place throughout the week.

I would like to thank Mrs Cruickshank and all of the Science staff for organising and running various activities during lunch and recess. Also, I would like to acknowledge the many students who participated in the different activities which contributed towards house points. The following students won the canteen vouchers, as well as house points for their involvement.

STEMMAD 2023

I would like to thank both Mr Wilson and Mrs Cruickshank for facilitating the following Year 10 students who participated in STEMMAD 2023:

• Russell Alpas
• Keith Alunday
• Ethan Dinh Vu
• Christina Kilberd
• Marcus Nguyen
• Imogen Markham-Ward
• Yareli Montarde
• Rosemary Shamoka
• Reuel Velasco
• Rianne Villanueva
• Angela Younan

This day provided students with the opportunity to further their knowledge and interest in STEM by participating in a variety of exciting and engaging activities.

Our students also had the opportunity to showcase their creativity and ingenuity by sharing the project with other students and teachers. The quality of the projects was outstanding. The diversity of issues that the students chose to explore was also impressive. I would like to congratulate our Year 10 for the way they represented the school, as well as their enthusiasm and application on the day.

Year 11 Leaders Process

On Wednesday, 23rd August, Year 11 students and staff had an opportunity to listen to speeches given by candidates who have put themselves forward for 2024 school leadership positions, including School Captain. From their speeches it was evident that they have a real passion for our school; all candidates were excellent in presenting their reasons as to why they should be our next school leaders. Over the coming weeks we will continue the leadership selection process and will announce our 2024 school leaders later this term. I would like to thank Mr Azzopardi and Mr Scarpin for initiating and overseeing the leadership process.

NAIDOC Day at St Agnes

At St Agnes we celebrate diversity. NAIDOC week was during the school holidays so it was decided that we would celebrate it today. NAIDOC week is a significant part of our Australian identity as it celebrates the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. NAIDOC Week is celebrated by all Australians and is an excellent opportunity for people to learn more about the culture, experiences, and histories of indigenous Australians. The focus of the day was to recognise our indigenous Elders and planned, and run, by our dynamic JAECG. I would also like to thank Mrs Karafotois who worked closely with the students to have the day come to fruition. It was a wonderful day.

There were various workshops on the day:

Workshop 1 - Message Sticks and Art Session

Workshop 2 - Tools and Technology

Workshop 3 - Weaving

Workshop 4 - Buroinjin and Emu

I would like to thank the following students, previous students, and parents for leading the workshops: Eli Kendrigan, Bronte-Rose, Olivia Cox, Hannah, Emily Jewel, Summer, Chloe, Kourtney, Drew, Alkira Field, and her mother Jayde Field, as well as Isla, Kailey, Bronte, Jace, Bailey, Aidan, Kyle, and Jai.

During our KYL lesson, we had an all school Livestream for Years 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 with the theme “For Our Elders” presented by Amira Osborne, Aiden Priestley, Julie Waddell and Ted Langford.

During recess our St Agnes community engaged with James Eastwood in creating a Mura encompassing the Dreaming spirit and embraced the St Agnes pillars.

Parents arrived to join into the workshops and enjoy some lunch with the students. Thank you to Grace Valades, Shay-Leigh Punter, and Alexander Newell who ushered parents from the front office to the performance space. A lunch of Indigenous food was served to Jarara Cultural Centre Staff and parents from Kallico. Students involved in the program were also offered a range of Indigenous foods to try including Koorichetta, Kangaroo, and Rosemary Damper Balls, as well as Barramundi Bites.

Year 12 Update

It has been a busy time for our Year 12 students over the past three weeks as they completed their HSC Trial Examinations on Monday 14th August. The HSC Trial is a valuable experience for students as it prepares them for their final HSC Examinations in October. The time between now and their final examinations is a critical time for students to focus on consolidating their knowledge and continue to develop their skills. Every day counts, now is the time to work hard and remain focused.

Recently, Year 12 students submitted their major works, for Industrial Technology Timber and Design and Technology. HSC Markers will be coming to St Agnes in the coming weeks to mark the student’s Major Works.

Congratulations Jewel Osbourne

The annual Ann D Clark Lecture was held on Monday 7th August and Jewel Osbourne was selected to be the MC for the event. She was an amazing representative for St Agnes and so many people complimented her on the way she conducted herself. Jewel had presence, poise, and warmth leading the prayer, acknowledging guests, and introducing speakers.

I would like to congratulate Jewel for the outstanding job she did in front of hundreds of leaders and teachers.

School Assemblies

Thursday Week 4 (7-9) and 6 (10-12)

Our School Assemblies are an opportunity to recognise the Academic, Community, and Sporting achievements of St Agnes students. Awards for achievements in these different areas are presented to the students at these assemblies. The school acknowledged and congratulated students last week. The assemblies are also a time to communicate and share the major events occurring in the community.

HSC Showcase

I would like to invite our school community to a special event next Friday, 1 September, where the major works of our senior students will be showcased. The major works of our TAS and Creative and Performing Arts students will be on display. This will be held at the school from 5.00pm to 8.00pm. There will be a Gallery of Year 12 Visual Arts Major Works. The Showcase is an opportunity for all to see the final body of Art that our Year 12 students have completed this year.

Also at the Showcase, there will be live performances by Year 11 Music students and Year 12 HSC Dance students who, on the 15th August had the practical component for HSC Dane examined by external markers.

I would like to thank Mr Cheung and Mrs Vincent in advance for organising this event. I am looking forward to seeing the talents of our students on the night.

Mrs J Holland

Principal

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To Truth Through Love

Term 3, 2023 is very much in full swing here at St Agnes! Many learning opportunities have occurred which provided our students the ability to demonstrate what they know by applying the developed skills to new situations.

Our Year 12 students have returned to their regular timetabled classes after sitting their Trial HSC examinations. Their attitude and practice during this time was commendable and it has put them in good stead for the actual HSC later this year. Many of our students are also in the final days of completing their major projects, whether this be for Creative and Performing Arts or TAS. Each student has spent over a year preparing for this submission and the work will be marked by external examiners. Their result will go to the final mark awarded by NESA in December.

At this point of the year, both Year 12 and Year 11 need to be following a study timetable after school each day. Our Year 11 group will be sitting their final exams from Monday 4/9 until Friday 15/9 (the timetable is below). The HSC examinations will run from Wednesday 11/10 until Friday 3/11. All students have been provided with many possibilities as to how they should organise their time so that they can achieve the desired result.

Year 11 Examination Timetable

We are in the final stages of the subject selection process for our Year 10 students. We have enjoyed the support of the Year 10 parents during the interviews, and this has provided a clear insight into selecting a pattern of study for each student. In the coming weeks, all the students and their parents will receive a letter from the school confirming their Stage 6 subjects.

Study Skills Tip for August

How to Bounce Back from a Disappointing Assignment Mark

We've all been there – eagerly awaiting the results of an assignment we thought we had slayed, only to be disheartened by a disappointing mark. It's completely normal to feel down at first but remember, setbacks are opportunities for growth and improvement. Here are some steps you can take to handle a disappointing assignment mark and turn it into a learning experience:

1. Analyse and Understand the Feedback:

When you receive your assignment back, take the time to review the feedback provided by your teacher.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Did you meet all the criteria outlined in the assignment?
• What specific feedback did your teacher provide?
• Do you fully comprehend the feedback given?
• Can you identify the reasons behind the mark you received?

If you're unsure about any aspect of the feedback, don't hesitate to ask your teacher for further clarification. Understanding where you went wrong is crucial to avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future.

2. Choose to Accept or Challenge:

Once you've gained a clear understanding of the feedback, you have two options: accept the grade or challenge it.

- Accept: If you realize that the mark reflects your performance accurately, don't dwell on it too much. Acknowledge that everyone makes mistakes, and view this experience as an opportunity for growth. Embrace the mindset that successful individuals use failures as stepping stones toward improvement.

- Challenge: If you genuinely believe that the mark awarded does not align with your efforts and adherence to the criteria, approach your teacher respectfully and express your viewpoint. Politely ask if they would reconsider the mark while providing evidence to support your case. Remember, advocating for yourself should always be done with respect.

3. Learn and Adapt:

Improvement comes from learning from your mistakes and taking action to rectify them. Make a conscious effort to identify where you went wrong and devise a plan to correct it. Consider these steps:

- Re-do the Assignment: If you have the dedication and time, consider revisiting parts of the assignment and resubmitting them. Revising your work not only demonstrates your commitment but also helps you apply the feedback effectively.

- Seek Inspiration: Ask your teacher if you can examine assignments from students who received top grades. Analyse their work to understand what elements contributed to their success and identify areas where your assignment fell short.

- Seek Early Feedback: For your next assignment, share your plan or draft with your teacher before the submission deadline. This proactive approach allows you to receive valuable feedback early on, giving you ample time to make improvements.

Remember, your academic journey is about learning and growth. Embrace every assignment, whether successful or disappointing, as a chance to hone your skills and become a better student. Stay persistent, and don't let setbacks define your capabilities. With a positive attitude and willingness to learn, you'll be better prepared to face future challenges and achieve your goals. Keep striving for excellence and improvement.

You might also like to visit the Assignment Skills unit at www.studyskillshandbook.com.au for some more ideas on approaching assignments.

Our school’s access details are:

Username: stagnes

Password: 24success

Mr G Kemmis

Assistant Principal - Learning Transformation

Helping your child build respectful relationships from the e-safety Commissioner

Parents and carers play an important role in helping young people build self-respect and understand how to respect others.

Using our respectful relationship resources, you can help prepare your child by having open conversations about what a respectful relationship is, how to be respectful, and exploring identity and inclusivity.

Our respectful relationship resources, developed in collaboration with SBS Learn, are for high school students and include:

• Being in a respectful relationship
  
• Creating positive change
• Giving and seeking help in relationships
  
• Power and gender in relationships
• 
  

See all eSafety resources for young people at esafety.gov.au/young-people

Go to Young People Resources

In Weeks 4 and 6 of this term, St Agnes held Junior and Senior Assemblies. These are great occasions for the school as we get the opportunity to celebrate all of the amazing feats of many of our students both inside the walls of St Agnes and outside in the wider community.

These times are also a chance to speak to the students and staff about our school culture and what it means to be at “St Agnes”. The focus this term was on respect, dignity and integrity. We are very lucky that these are traits that are in abundance for many of our students and we get to witness this each and every day.

While it is important to celebrate the achievements of our students, it is also important to focus on the aspects of school that also need improving. We encouraged our students to strive to live up to our expectations in term of attendance, punctuality and uniform and explained why these things are so important to us. We also spoke of the classroom environment and why it needs to be respected and keep clean and tidy at all times so that learning can saty at the forefront of what we do.

Mr G Hilder

Assistant Principal - School Culture

Pace e bene,

Feast of the Assumption of Mary - 15th August 2023

On Tuesday, 15th August, our community came together as one Franciscan community to reflect on and give silent prayers of thanks to Mary Mother of Jesus, and the Church. This day marks the Solemnity (Feast) of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is considered by the Church as a holy day of obligation. All Catholics, if possible, are required to attend mass to mark this day dedicated to our Lady, the Mother of the Church and Christ. Thus, the belief is that the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the close of her earthly life, was taken up, body and soul, into the glory of heaven.

All the feast days of Mary mark the great mysteries of her life and her part in the work of redemption. The central mystery of her life and person is her divine motherhood, celebrated both at Christmas and a week later (Jan. 1) on the feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. The Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8) marks the preparation for that motherhood, so that she had the fullness of grace from the first moment of her existence, completely untouched by sin.

The Assumption completes God's work in her since it was not fitting that the flesh that had given life to God himself should ever undergo corruption. The Assumption is God's crowning of His work as Mary ends her earthly life and enters eternity.

The Magnificat

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

the Almighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him

in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,

he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,

and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.The Magnificat

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

the Almighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him

in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,

he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,

and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.

Welcome back to WYD Pilgrims

We welcome back our WYD Pilgrims who all returned safely from their pilgrimage to Lisbon, Portugal. From seeing all the photos and Testimonies that have been posted through the various Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese and Catholic Youth Parramatta social media, it looked like a truly magical encounter with not only several Marian sites, but also being reinvigorated by the Holy Spirit at the Mass for World Youth Day.

Below is a teacher testimony from Mr Zucco who was one of the Pilgrims who represented St Agnes at World Youth Day.

Mr P. Madigan

Head of Mission

Year 10 @ Stem Expo

On Wednesday, 16th August, select students from 10SCI4 participated in the CSPD initiative "STEM: Making A Difference" attended an expo day held at CathWest alongside numerous CSPD primary and secondary schools. Students involved from St Agnes have been working hard to develop STEM solutions to modern problems and presented their works to the community present on the day alongside a range of other activities.

Christina, Imogen, Yareli, Rosemary, Rianne, and Angela constructed an amazing website/app combination with the goal of promoting local diversity engagement and awareness with their project #DiversityForAll. This app contains a range of language tutorials for the most common languages in the Blacktown LGA, as well as educational games to engage their audience. They all did amazing in their presentation and drew some huge crowds!

Russell, Keith, Ethan, Marcus and Reuel strengthened a previous prototype related to rubbish collection and management. The boys developed a solution to this problem in the form of an AI-managed bin with sensors to detect the type of rubbish being disposed of. This sensor then can automatically filter the waste into its correct location to reduce the impacts of poor disposal in the LGA. Excellent knowledge is shown with a wide range of engaged students examining their work!

On top of presenting their projects, the students also participated in a range of STEM activities, including constructing a bridge to support the greatest mass of water which withstood almost 7 litres of water, Formula 1 racing using CO2 canisters, coding using electrical impulses from the body, and finally a bottle rocket launching contest, where we placed second overall in distance with a whopping 68 meters!

Student feedback

Angela: Throughout the day we took part in activities including launching bottle rockets, showcasing our engineering skills to build a bridge, and taking part in an F1 challenge where we raced with our Barbie and Ken themed cars and finally used a makey makey system and playdough to control a game on our laptop. We enjoyed taking part in these activities, especially the F1 challenge as it tested our reaction time as well as our cars. After all the activities we moved to showcase our projects, I loved sharing our project #DiversityForAll with all the schools who attended, everyone was so respectful and curious about our project and we even had some students playing our guess the flag game. Walking around I learnt so much about how to reuse dirty water for electricity and even saw a design for a metro that aimed to educate others about a variety of cultures through food. Overall an extremely delightful and educational experience!

Russell: I was very fortunate to be able to participate in the STEM MAD event along with many other schools. This event gave me, my group and all the other groups participating the opportunity to create solutions to ongoing problems and present their solutions in a very mannerist way that seemed engaging to their audience. I found STEM MAD to be an event I would never forget, the many activities that all schools participated in were very engaging. My favourite moments were trying out the durability of our bridge and presenting our solution. Here I met some old friends and even met some new friends, I really feel deep down that this event will change the future for the good, finding young engineers and solution makers that will solve problems that are current and that will arise.

All students involved are to be personally commended for their behaviour, involvement and enthusiasm throughout the day as they enriched their understanding of #STEM!

Metropolitan U/16s Rugby League

Over the last two days, four of our students have had the privilege of representing the Metropolitan u/16s girls' Rugby League team at the NSWCCC Championship.

Girls participatings were: Talia Afungia, Maretta Fuimaono, Ana Vave and Chloe Sharman. 🏈🏈

The girls had a training session on Wednesday where they got to tour the centre of excellence facilities including sitting in the origin sheds which was an amazing experience.

They also heard from Wests Tigers players Kezie Apps and Botille Vette- Walsh who both talked about the inequality and the amazing progression that not only Women’s Rugby League has had but also women’s sport in general.

Today the girls did St Agnes proud and played their hearts out. All in all the girls will remember this experience forever and hopefully one day we are looking at the NRLW and see the girls participating in this.

Year 11 Society and Culture

As part of their Intercultural Communication topic, Year 11 Society and Culture students are undertaking a depth study of Japan. On Tuesday, 15th August, they travelled to the city to visit the Japan Foundation, where they participated in workshops relating to Japanese culture. It was a fun and informative experience of cultural exchange with our Sensei, who taught the class the history of Obento, its environmental relationship with seasonality and location, and change over time from a warrior’s repast to a modern convenience. Students also learned about Furoshiki, the art of wrapping and carrying items in square cloth. Furoshiki was less common from the 1960s with the invention of the plastic carry bag, but thanks to its beauty and sustainability, has made a comeback in recent times. Students roleplayed Japanese customs of welcoming visitors to the home, giving gifts and drinking tea. They learned that the wearing of slippers inside the house was actually a response to the presence of westerners in Japan and an accommodation of western and eastern customs, where westerners kept their shoes on, but wore slippers over the top to protect floors and keep dirt outside of the house. Here are some of their reflections about the day.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable day and students were a credit to St Agnes, not only in their participation at the Japan Foundation and the respect they afforded our Sensei, but also in their conduct on public transport to and from the venue. Great work Year 11!

Mrs Udovicic

Society & Culture teacher

Let’s celebrate what we are doing for

National Skills week at St Agnes

St Agnes Students Thrive in Diverse Vocational Education Pathways During National Skills Week

Practical Learning Leads to Real-World Success and Career Readiness

In celebration of National Skills Week, we would like to highlight what students at St Agnes are doing to excel in a wide range of vocational education and training (VET) pathways. This annual event shines a spotlight on the talents, skills, and career opportunities that are available for students to develop as they enter the Australian workforce. St Agnes is capitalising on this by enabling their students to gain remarkable achievements in practical and vocational learning in a range of subjects.

The school offers a diverse Spectrum of Skills and Career Paths

There is a lot of enthusiasm from the St Agnes students as they embrace a multitude of VET pathways that will cater to their individual interests and aspirations. These pathways encompass a broad spectrum of sectors, ranging from healthcare and construction to entertainment, retail, hospitality, information technology, real estate, finance, design fundamentals, screen and media, animation, and beyond. The school's commitment to offering such a diverse array of courses demonstrates its dedication to preparing students for the demands of the modern workforce.

Many of these courses provide immersive work placements where students are gaining hands-on experience that is directly applicable to their chosen industries. This practical learning approach not only equips them with industry-relevant skills but also nurtures a sense of confidence and readiness to step into their desired careers when they finish school.

The Dual Qualification Advantage

Vocational students are undertaking their Higher School Certificate (HSC) credentials alongside their vocational qualifications. This empowers those students to achieve their academic milestones whilst laying the foundation for their future careers. The support of St Agnes to enable this innovative approach ensures that its students will be well-prepared to thrive in the dynamic landscape of both education and industry when they leave school.

A Bright Future Ahead

As the academic year unfolds, St Agnes's dedication to vocational education continues to shine brightly. The stories of many young students serve as an inspiring testament to the transformative power of practical learning and industry-relevant training. We are currently finalising and assisting many students on their vocational journey in 2024 as they commence their senior studies with greater opportunities in vocational education and training.

In the images above - Year 12 Hospitality Food and Beverage students are providing service for an event attended by North West Disability Services as part of their assessment, Entertainment students are learning how to set up microphones, Business Services students are delivering their pitch as part of their virtual work placement to launch the opening of Sales Force in Sydney & Construction students are seen using hand tools

UTS Open Day: Saturday 26 August

Explore your course and career options at UTS Open Day! With 100+ info sessions, campus tours, the student experience, and more on offer, it’s a great opportunity to talk to academics and current students and get your UTS questions answered.

Saturday 26 August from 9:00-3:00 PM

See the UTS Open Day Agenda here:

Register for Open Day here: Links to an external site.

Macquarie Leaders and Achievers Early Entry Scheme: ROUND 2

The Macquarie Leaders and Achievers Early Entry Scheme opened last term. Applications for Round 1 have closed, but they are still accepting applications for Round 2 until Thursday, 31 August.

Students should apply by the final deadline on 31 August to be considered for an early entry offer.

KEY DATES FOR MACQUARIE LEADERS AND ACHIEVERS

• Round 2 applications close: 11:59 pm, Thursday, 31 August
• Round 1 outcomes released: Monday, 4 September 2023
• Round 2 outcomes released: Thursday, 28 September

1. Students should diversify their preferences. We recommend choosing a range of degrees with varying entry requirements by using published selection ranks as a guide.

2. Students should not include brand new activities or examples in their reflection that aren't previously described in their 2-3 example activities. The reflection should only focus on the activities already provided.

3. Students need to be more detailed when indicating their tasks and responsibilities and not just supply a general role description.

4. Referees for activities must be carefully chosen. We recommend placing a supervisor or leader that can confirm their involvement; and discourage placing parents (unless working in a family-owned business), friends, or themselves as referees.

As always, activities provided must demonstrate leadership skills, personal development, and dedication through extracurricular activities and students need to double-check all parts of their application before submitting. No changes can be made afterward.

Apply here.

Apply Now: Catholic Schools Diocese of Parramatta ICT Traineeship Program 2024

The Diocese ICT Traineeship Program is now ready to accept applicants for 2024.

Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese are recruiting for traineeships in the field of information technology. The traineeship is designed to support IT activities in the workplace and to enable self-sufficiency as an advanced IT user. The traineeship provides the opportunity to attain a nationally accredited Certificate III and VI in Information Technology as well as 2 years of industry experience.

More information can be found HERE.

Western Sydney Uni Free Online HSC Study Sessions 25-29 September

Registrations Now Open!

Western Sydney University will be offering a range of online study sessions to assist Year 12 students in their preparations for the HSC. Delivered by highly qualified senior teachers with 25 free sessions across 16 key HSC subject areas, the sessions will include content analysis, tips and strategies, and a detailed exploration of key syllabus and curriculum areas. Students will also have the opportunity to sit a practice exam and deconstruction, with feedback and advice from experts. The HSC Study Sessions are offered in partnership with leading education services provider InspirationED,

with their team of highly qualified HSC teachers and experienced markers to deliver the sessions.

Year 12 Class of 2023! UAC APPLICATION

If you’re in Year 12 and thinking of applying for uni in 2024, UAC applications opened on Wednesday 5 April. Here are a few things you can do to help make your uni application process smoother – before the year gets too hectic.

https://www.uac.edu.au/media-centre/news/welcome-to-uac-class-of-2023

Here’s a quick and simple ATAR explainer without all the jargon. The ATAR is a rank, not a mark.

The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a number between 0.00 and 99.95 that indicates a student’s position relative to all the students in their age group (ie all 16 to 20 year olds in NSW). So, an ATAR of 80.00 means that you are 20 percent from the top of your age group (not your Year 12 group).

Universities use the ATAR to help them select students for their courses and admission to most tertiary courses is based on your selection rank (your ATAR + any applicable adjustments). Most universities also use other criteria when selecting students (e.g. a personal statement, a questionnaire, a portfolio of work, an audition, an interview or a test).

The average ATAR is usually around 70.00.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NNx5NVFPQk&t=1s

Apprenticeships/Traineeship and Jobs Expo

5th September 2023

3.00pm - 8.00pm: Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre

This Expo provides our career/job seekers, business and industry, education providers, and employers with the

opportunities to all come together under one roof where exhibitors also get the chance to collect resumes and

promote their organisation for upcoming recruitment drives. Free public admission.

Don’t forget to take copies of your resume!!

25-29th September 2023- Western Sydney University Free HSC Study Sessions - Registrations Open

Registrations Now Open!

Delivered by highly qualified senior teachers with 25 free sessions across 16 key HSC subject areas, the sessions will include content analysis, tips and strategies, and a detailed exploration of key syllabus and curriculum areas. Students will also have the opportunity to sit a practice exam and deconstruction, with feedback and advice from experts. Subjects covered include: English (Advanced and Standard) Community and Family Studies, Economics, Mathematics (Advanced and Standard 2), Geography, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Legal Studies, PDHPE, Modern History, Visual Arts, Physics, PDHPE

Compass is our primary parent communication tool for day-to-day operational matters, upcoming events, notices, and notifications so it is essential that all parents download the app.

It is more important than ever that we are able to communicate effectively, especially when it involves the safety of our children. If you haven't already, we ask that parents download the Compass app onto their devices for either Apple or Android.

• Compass is a web-based system allowing you to access up-to-date and meaningful information about our school and your child’s progress. Compass includes many different features, including the ability to:
  
• Be informed of important updates, events, and reminders
  
• View your child’s timetable
  
• Review your child’s attendance
  
• Provide explanations for periods of absence
  
• Update your contact details
  
• Book Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences.
  

Compass is accessible on any modern web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari) or by using the Compass iOS or Android apps.

If you have not received notifications via email can you please email the school to check on our contact details for you.

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