Welcome back to GRC Hurstville Boys Campus for 2022. After a near military-level logistical operation across the department, a new school year is now under way. I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all students and in particular, our Year 7 students, who have settled into high school life.

We are fortunate to welcome our new members of staff to the school and these include: Deputy Principal, Rachelle Pirie; Head Teacher Teaching and Learning, Jo Stanborough; Relieving Head Teacher Special Education, Rimlesh Rai; Careers Adviser, Celina Ang; School psychologist, Sonya Bradford; and Student Learning and Support Officers Frank Kalergis and Josh Moores.

I want to congratulate everyone for the part they have played in making our COVID-safe return to school happen, through actions big and small. I especially would like to thank our school administrative and support staff who distributed more than 3000 rapid antigen kits. For further information please access the Advice for families.

School Improvement Plan

Significant time was spent developing, in consultation with the community, the school’s 2021-2024 Strategic Improvement Plan (SIP). The Strategic Improvement Plan (SIP) is underpinned by the School Excellence Framework (SEF), SEF Self-assessments and the external validation process. In 2021 we participated in an external validation process. This provided an opportunity for us to discuss our judgements about our practice – and the evidence that underpins them – with a panel of peers. As a result, we are required to reset our Strategic Improvement Plan in line with the EV process.

Over the next four years, we’ll continue to focus on:

· improving our already strong reading and numeracy results through evidence-based practices

· building collaborations across the school and beyond, strengthening our connections to primary schools, industry and academic partners

· improving attendance and wellbeing by ensuring we provide all students with proactive support to meet their needs.

These will be supported with more structured activities in 2022 and implemented through a tiered approach including whole school, targeted and individual programs focused on improving student outcomes.

The 2022-2025 Strategic Improvement Plan will be available next term on our website. Consultation regarding this plan has been sought through the P and C. To download a copy of the School’s 2021 – 2024 School Improvement Plan visit our website Georges River College Hurstville Boys Campus

GRIT (Georges River Integrated Transition program) and Year 7 Excursion

Our new Year 7 students commenced their first day at high school excited to embark on their new journey. Students have participated in the Georges River Integrated Transition program (GRIT) with a number of "getting to know you” activities and wellbeing programs and their excursion to The Tops.

Year 7 enjoyed an amazing action-packed excursion at The Top Conference Centre on Thursday 17 February. Congratulations to our students who displayed maturity, enthusiasm and bravery as they took part in new experiences for the first time. They participated in three activities during the day: Bubble Soccer, Giant Swing and High Ropes. It was very pleasing to hear new friendships forming, relationships with teachers strengthening, and students following instructions with courtesy and respect.

Co-curricular activities

The students at Hurstville Boys Campus are lucky to have passionate, dedicated staff who are prepared to organise the many different co-curricular activities that exist at the school.

With the easing of restrictions in schools it has been great to see all the co-curricular activities back in full swing including band practice, sport and excursions. At Hurstville Boys Campus, we encourage students to participate in the many co-curricular and sporting activities we have available at the school.

The school continues to provide the boys with many after school enrichment opportunities including gym club, debating club, music ensemble, Concert band and creative writing workshop where our writers explore authorial voice, plot and genre. For more information on these opportunities please contact the school.

Arts Unit’s Instrumental ensembles

Congratulations to Jerry Du for being successful in gaining a position in NSW Public Schools “The Arts Unit’s Instrumental ensembles”. The NSW Public Schools Instrumental Ensembles offer unique and challenging musical experiences that are second to none in Australia. The ensembles perform annually at prestigious events including the Festivals of Instrumental and Choral Music, both held at the Sydney Opera House, In Concert this year also at the Sydney Opera House, the Manly Jazz Festival and the Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival. Additionally, ensemble members form the nucleus of the NSW Schools Spectacular Symphony Orchestra and Stage Band, and ensembles regularly compete successfully at state and national level competitions. You have made us proud Jerry.

Events

We have also celebrated a number of events this term.

International Women’s Day, March 8. At Hurstville Boys Campus, students acknowledged and celebrated women and their achievements. In celebration of International Women's Day our students were asked 'who is a woman in your life that you would like to acknowledge, and why?' Our boys overwhelmingly chose their mother or grandmother. We can be proud knowing that we have some very grateful young men at GRC Hurstville Boys Campus, who appreciate those who support them. English students celebrated the achievements of pioneering and influential women, women leading STEM and those valiant WOMEN who have the POWER to make change. Thank you to Jo Stanborough and Maria Papageorgiou for their organisation and involvement of students in these celebrations.

Brainstorm Productions brought their 'Sticks and Stones' show to our school. Our Stage 4 and 5 students explored resilience, respect, anti-bullying and conflict resolution. Through engaging theatre, students were provided with practical strategies for conflict resolution and encouraged impulse control, assertiveness, resilience and help-seeking. Thank you to Jason Rea who organised this event to support our strong message against bullying.

Harmony Day, 21 March. This year’s theme was ‘Everyone Belongs’, with a focus on inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging. Students undertook a variety of faculty-based activities to ensure “everyone belongs”.Thank you to Jason Rea and Nathan Wilmshurst who organised the resources to support this message.

Zone Swimming carnival. Congratulations to all the students who attended this event and in particular Jabir Chalak in Year 10 who made it to the Sydney East Swimming Carnival in the 50m butterfly and came 4th in the 100m butterfly at the Sydney East Swimming Carnival. Thank you to Jeff Derbridge who coordinated our student attendance at these events.

Student Representative Council

Congratulations to all our new 2022 Student Representative Council. Our Council is:

· Year 7: Nikolai. K-L; Samay. K; Moaz. M; Oliver. D

· Year 8: Hussein. M; Mohamad. S; Saia. K; Henry. S; Nouh. N

· Year 9: Ali. B; Tyrel. W; Benjamin. J; Evan. N; Jayden. C

· Year 10: Josiah. Z; Mansour. S

· Year 10 Leadership: Chris. R (School Captain); Raeden. P (Vice Captain); Jabir. C & Dominic. F (Prefects)

Thanks to Andrew Peckham for organising the nomination, voting and election of the SRC.

Virtual Open Night

This year due to COVID-19 we ran a virtual Open Night on Wednesday 23 March 2022. There were many impressed parents that joined open night.

Georges River College Hurstville Boys Campus provides a range of teaching & learning opportunities for students with a diverse range of learning needs and interests.

Visit our website to get more information and a better insight of how our school supports boys to become young men.

Student Support Officer

The NSW Government is investing $88.4 million to provide every public high school in NSW with a full-time school counselling allocation, as well as a full-time Student Support Officer. This investment will make it easier for students to access mental health and wellbeing support.

I am pleased to advise that our school is being allocated a full-time Student Support Officer  from May 2022. We hope to have them working in our school.

To learn more about the role watch the following video.

Wellbeing and Health In-Reach Nurse Coordinator program

I am delighted to also inform you that a wellbeing nurse will shortly be appointed by our Local Health District to service our school. Fifty wellbeing nurses are being appointed to support vulnerable schools across the state as part of the Wellbeing and Health In-Reach Nurse Coordinator program – a partnership with NSW Health. Wellbeing nurses are already proving themselves invaluable members of schools’ learning and support and wellbeing teams. They offer additional supports for students and provide an essential link into local health and wellbeing services.

Facilities Upgrades

There are a number of major improvements that will be taking place to support student learning this year. These include:

· Network upgrade: ICT support has currently completed a school site audit to determine what network upgrade will be required to enhance our technology. We are hoping to have a faster internet and more areas accessible to Wi-Fi to support our growing BYOD policy which is currently implemented with Year 7 and 8.

· LED Light Upgrade Program: This program is part of the department’s commitment of $157.8 million to replace inefficient lights with new LED lights in up to 1,000 public schools across NSW. We will be part of this program and will have our lighting upgraded.

· Roof replacement: Public Works will be undergoing major works on the restoration of our aging roof particularly in A and F block.

· Playground repair: This will mean that students will have over 4336m2 of asphalt replaced in the playgrounds including the car park in Kenwyn Street. There will be new handball courts and chess court repainted once this project is complete. Additionally, our table tennis equipment will also feature in the year 8 playground.

I look forward to sharing more of the stories from this term on facebook and through these newsletters.

Enjoy another great edition of the e-newsletter of Hurstville Boys Campus!

Kathy Klados | Principal