Email: strathfieg-h.schools@det.nsw.edu.au Phone: 9746 6990 Fax: 9746 3517

SGHS NEWSLETTER

Week 9 Term 2 2020

I am very pleased to report that the return-to-school process has continued to run

smoothly, and again congratulate the entire school community for their resilience and

focus during these times. I do believe that the worst of the pandemic is now behind us –

although, of course, we need to continue to be vigilant and I thank everyone for sup-

porting the NSW Health guidelines to maintain the health and safety of our students and

staff as well as our wider community.

The Year 10 to 11 course-selection operation is now in full swing, even though, we have

had to make certain necessary procedural modifications this year. Over the past three

weeks, Year 10 students have benefited from course-counselling and video presentations

from Head Teachers regarding courses for next year, parents having access to these presentations, on-line has

ensured that all students fully understand the requirements of the Higher School Certificate and are adequately

prepared to take the next step in the process. The course-selection process will continue this coming week,

with parents and students having a choice of either face-to-face or on-line interviews.

Thank you to all parents for their interest and involvement in this program to date. I remind the parents of Year

8 students that the Year 8 to 9 course-selections will take place in Term 3.

More broadly, this week was designated Refugee Week, and it is an opportunity for all of us to remember the

plight of very many people across the globe who face challenges and obstacles that, thankfully, most of us will

never have to encounter. As a school that embraces and celebrates diversity we need to remember that regard-

less of our differences we all share a common humanity. Every culture and person has something positive to

offer and we must all continue to promote these values and ensure we make a positive contribution to our soci-

ety so that the future for our children is a better world. Some within this community will have quite personal

reasons to reflect on these issues.

Finally, and on a more personal note, I want express my sincere thanks for the many messages I received fol-

lowing the release of the Queen’s Birthday Honours List last weekend. To say that the news was unexpected is

an understatement; but I was extremely touched by the kind comments from so many, and especially from the

P&C of this school. Thank you once again your support is greatly appreciated.

Italy Trip

A special meeting was held this week for stu-

dents who had previously signed up for the

trip to Italy in 2020. SGHS has unfortunately

had to postpone this trip until next year 2021

due to COVID 19.

Ms Lyris and Ms

Maharaj met with

students and fami-

lies to discuss the

processes and

changes to some of

the arrangements.

The meeting was well attended and the ex-

citement and dreams of Rome and

…..Cannoli's begin!

PDHPE Report

Here are Year 7 enjoying getting back into Sport with the Strathfield Girls Modified Program as

restrictions ease. The girls tested themselves in a variety of exercise circuits to shake off those

isolation cobwebs and played modified games. Some students took the opportunity to trial for

our Grade Teams starting back in Term 3. Well done to all the Year 7 girls for getting involved.

Next week its Year 8’s turn!

Book Review

Mr Cordi’s Book Recommendation

A Confederacy of Dunces – John Kennedy Toole (1980)

“I am an anachronism “

Published eleven years after the author’s death, Toole received a posthumous Pulitzer Prize in 1981 for this picaresque masterpiece. The novel is an hilarious romp through Mid-Century New Orleans and is by far the funniest book I’ve ever read. Ignatius J. Reilly is thirty years old and lives with his mother. He’s looking for work, and whilst he is educated, he’s incredibly slothful, delusional, and grandiose. He’s also addicted to food: (particularly hotdogs). Along the way, he meets the colourful folk of New Orleans and tries his hand at numerous jobs…with interesting results. I find Ignatius’ pompousness so funny. He’s completely nuts. “When my brain begins to reel from my literary labors, I make an occasional cheese dip.” “You can always tell employees of the government by the total vacancy which occupies the space where most other people have faces.” “With the breakdown of the medieval system, the gods of chaos, lunacy, and bad taste gained ascendancy.” The work has been described as the best piece of fiction about New Orleans, its people and its dialects. In these dark, travel-restricted COVID days, take a journey to America’s past with this exceedingly funny tale.

Refugee Week assemblies

Assemblies

This week, the SRC and Year Advisers supported our Stage

assemblies across the school to focus on Refugee Week

and celebrate the importance of recognising their enor-

mous contribution in Australia and in our society.

Students discussed many issues faced by refugees and the

struggles they have overcome while trying to support their

families.

We watched a number of short films to gain a greater un-

derstanding of our refugee community.

The aims of Refugee Week are:

• to educate the Australian public about who refugees are and why they have come to Australia; • to help people understand the many challenges ref-ugees face coming to Australia; • to celebrate the contribution refugees make to our community; to focus on how the community can provide a safe and welcoming environment for refugees; • for community groups and individuals to do some-thing positive for refugees, asylum seekers and dis-placed people, within Australia but also around the world; and for service providers to reflect on whether they are

providing the best possible services to refugees.

Thank you to the SRC teams and Ms Fawaz for organis-

ing such an important event and discussion.

Creative Arts Report

English Report

Chloe Rivera (8R) is congratulated for being shortlisted for 2020 Write4Fun Schools Poet-ry Competition.

The Girl With A Dream

By: Chloe Rivera

On the other side of the world,

there’s a girl with a dream.

She wishes for an education,

And a life like girls her age.

Buckets of water on her shoulders,

Rocks and debris prickle her feet.

I groan as another Monday comes,

But she stays silent, can’t you see her pain?

Those days where I hate my life,

While others wish they had mine.

As I complain about my problems,

she dreams of the day she finally comes to school.

I thank my parents, for I am lucky

and I thank her for keeping me going.

When she becomes a mother,

I hope they’ll understand,

that she was a warrior,

both brave and strong.

Wellbeing Report

Year 8

Year 8 students received their Mid Year Reports this

week. Students have worked exceptionally hard to

maintain their study pattern and engage in online

and face to face learning.

We are proud of all their efforts and encourage par-

ents to review their daughter’s report and have a

conversation regarding learning in Semester 1.

School to Work

The School to Work team and been working to

support students across faculties. The School

to Work Program forms a significant part of

the NSW government commitment to support

students in their successful transition

from school to post school education, training

and employment.

Wellbeing Report

Year 9- Ms Lee This week Year 9 students celebrated Refugee Week led by their SRC leaders, who spoke about what is Refugee Week and the importance of supporting out refugees. Also, getting Year 9 students to reflect on the issues affecting refugees, and acknowledging the positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society.

Wellbeing Report

Year 12- Mr Koulouris This week at our Year meeting, SRC presented on Refugee Week. The wonderful stage 5 representa-tives demonstrated an insightful understanding of the plight of the refugee and shared some real life stories and struggles of refugees. It was an informative presentation that resonated with year 12. Year 12 are working diligently towards their looming HSC Trial Examinations. Many subjects have been wrapping up their final assignments, with only the Trials left to complete for some. Our girls are overjoyed with the prospect of no more take home tasks. What is now required of Year 12 is a me-thodical approach to revision especially these holidays, where they should focus on practicing past HSC papers to gain insight into the type of questions expected and the structure of the Examination for each of their subjects.

P & C News

At the P & C meeting on Monday 15 June,

the parents congratulated Ms Lyris for

being awarded the Order of Australia

Medal. They presented her with a stun-

ning flower box.

At the end of the meeting, our P & C were

able to view the Year 8 Animal artworks in

the gallery space.

They were amazed at the talent and crea-

tivity of our students and enjoyed the op-

portunity to see all the beautiful and col-

ourful painting.