19 Nov 2021
As 2021 begins to draw to a close, it is important to reflect on the fact that this year has been nothing short of extraordinary for all Australians. It has required an unprecedented level of resilience, agility and perseverance from our students, staff and Merewether High School community. The profound and deep capacity for fortitude, coping and empathy demonstrated by all, has certainly led to the successes that we will celebrate in the coming weeks.
Year 12
Our Year 12 and HSC students have been studying incredibly hard these past weeks, seeking teacher support to maximise their preparation and putting everything they can into their final HSC examinations. Staff have been very proud of the commitment and effort shown by our students through this final chapter.
For some of our students, the hard work and effort has already started to pay dividends, with quite a large number of students receiving early entry confirmation for University courses. Some of the course offers have include Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Exercise and Sports Science, Engineering, Computing Science, Science and Criminal Law. I am certain there will be many more great news stories to come and we look forward to celebrating the achievements of our Year 12 2021 cohort at their Graduation Assembly and Formal. Our Year 12 Graduation Assembly will be held on Tuesday 14 December, commencing at 1.00pm. It is with overwhelming excitement that I inform our parent body that COVID guidelines have been updated and will now allow for fully vaccinated parents, carers and guests to attend. We will directly communicate the updated COVID safe procedures with our parents in the coming week.
I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge our dedicated and passionate P&C Committee, ably led by Ms Kylie Woods. Their support and generosity has provided extensively for our students and school community.
2021-22 Prefects
Our students and staff have recently elected an outstanding group of young leaders for our Merewether High School Prefect body. This remarkable group will continue the great work of student leaders before them in ensuring ongoing improvement and implementation of key initiatives that promote the school’s values of integrity, diversity and excellence.
I would like to thank our outgoing Prefects and congratulate them on their amazing accomplishments throughout their tenure. A significant highlight was raising $78,000 in support of the Leukemia Foundation with ‘Shave for a Cure’. George, Lili, Flynn and Pepita were instrumental to the success of our senior student leadership group and will be incredibly missed. Our Prefect Investiture will be held at school on Monday 6 December.
Year 7 2022
Staff and students have been preparing to warmly welcome our new Year 7 students for 2022. Starting high school is an exciting time for students and parents, and it is an experience we are here to support and enrich. Our Learning and Wellbeing Teams has been working this term to plan our arrangements for Orientation in a different context with COVID-19 restrictions, and we greatly appreciate the understanding and patience of our families as we navigate some new options to support communication and transition to high school this year.
On Tuesday 23 November we will be hosting our Year 7 2022 students for Orientation Day. Students will be introduced to key personnel, participate in activities and will be informed of the many programs available at our great school. They will also have the opportunity to connect with our Peer Support Leaders and establish relationships with their peer group. The staff and students of Merewether High School are very much looking forward to welcoming the incoming Year 7 students to our school community in 2022. Additionally, we eagerly await the opportunity to develop strong and productive partnership with our parents and carers over the next 6 years with our newest members of the Merewether High School community.
Building Works
Significant building works have been undertaken during Term 4 and will continue through the school holidays. These works have included the installation of air conditioners in B Block, upgrades to toilet facilities, re-roofing of G Block, construction of a flexible learning space in K Block and the demolition and rebuild of the bottom of L Block. The commencement of 2022 will see vast improvements to our physical environment and learning spaces which our students will benefit from immensely.
Presentation Day
Our annual School Presentation Day will be held on Wednesday 15 December. This ceremony is a significant event on our school calendar, as it allows us to formally recognise our students and staff for their commitment and achievements throughout the year. As this event is classified as a ‘Presentation’, unfortunately, due to current COVID restrictions we will not be able to have parents and carers in attendance. However, this Department advice may change and we will make the necessary adjustments if this occurs. Further communication will be forthcoming in regards to livestreaming for this event.
At this presentation ceremony we will recognise major award winners, academic course awards, awards for leadership, citizenship, sportsmanship and school and community service. To be the recipient of an award is very prestigious and it recognises individual determination, effort and achievement across the school. We are extremely proud of our students and look forward to celebrating these achievements with them.
HSC/ATAR BBQ Breakfast
Thursday 20 January and Monday 24 January 2022 mark two important days for all of our staff and students completing the 2021 HSC. These days respectively are when ATAR and HSC results are released, reflecting the hard work and dedication throughout the HSC year. We hope that this day brings for our students the joy of new opportunities and the prospects of a rewarding future.
Staff will be looking forward to celebrating and sharing stories with Year 12 students on their return for the 2022 school year. All 2021 Year 12 students are invited to attend an HSC/ATAR BBQ Breakfast on Friday 28 January 8.30-10am.
2022 Term 1 Dates
FRI 28 JAN: Staff Development Day 1
MON 31 JAN: Staff Development Day 2
TUE 1 FEB: Y7, Y11, Y12 commence
WED 2 FEB: Y8, Y9, Y0 commence
Festive Season
I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the staff of Merewether High to wish all families a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy festive season. This is a time of great joy and relaxation and I hope that you all are able to spend quality time with family and friends. I look forward to working with everyone in 2022.
ROCHELLE DOOLEY, PRINCIPAL.