News

Coronavirus - Department of Education statement

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 19:40:01 AEDT

The department is working with the Ministry of Health to monitor and respond to the unfolding international novel coronavirus situation.

Get up-to-date information about the department's response to novel coronavirus.

Are you #Ready2020?

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 14:50:40 AEDT

Hints, tips and resources to make a great start to the new school year – whether it’s your first day of high school or you’ve been here a while.

We work hard to make sure every student is known, valued and cared for – even before they walk into the classroom on Day 1, Term 1.

We’ve got great advice and resources for high school, no matter what year you’re heading into...

For families of students starting Year 7:

download our Getting ready for high school booklet
read our top tips for a smooth transition.

For families of returning students:

visit the back to school checklist to make a hassle-free start to the year
download the 2020 calendar to stay organised all year
check out our hints for setting up a study space.

Video – #Ready2020: First day at high school

Duration – 1:00

Join us for your HSC journey

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 15:37:51 AEDT

The HSC can be one of the most exciting moments of high school. Here’s how to be prepared.

We’re committed to supporting every student to do their best – especially during the HSC – and making sure every student is known, valued and cared for.

For HSC students, we’ve got advice on how to make the most of your study, set healthy habits and finish out high school in style.

Check out our HSC resources for hints, tips and checklists to make a great start to the new school year.

Video – #Ready2020: First day of Year 12

Duration – 1:00

Staying healthy into the new school year

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 16:44:29 AEDT

Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way to protect your family from harmful diseases this holiday season and into 2020. Visit your doctor for general health and vaccination advice.

Immunisation not only protects you and your family but also others in your community, by reducing the spread of preventable diseases.

Children starting school in 2020 must have up-to-date immunisations to enrol.

These vaccinations help protect children from highly infectious and severe diseases including whooping cough and measles.

Travel health

If you’re travelling overseas during the school holidays, you may need vaccinations or medication – both for general health protection and for region specific diseases.

If you’re travelling to the Northern Hemisphere, you may even need a flu shot.

Find out more about staying healthy while travelling.

NSW schools respond to bushfires

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 16:08:27 AEDT

Many schools are responding to the catastrophic fire rating that is affecting communities across the state this week.

We are continuously updating the School safety page with a list of government and non-government schools, as well as TAFE NSW campuses that are currently non-operational.

While some schools are temporarily non-operational due to localised fires, many others in high-risk areas are non-operational as a precautionary measure.

Schools in some areas are being used as emergency evacuation centres at the direction of the Rural Fire Service.

For schools that are currently operational, school pickups and dropoffs will continue as usual. If your school is currently non-operational, it will likely remain so tomorrow.

Large scale distressing events affect our school communities in many ways. Headspace’s mental health support resource (PDF 100.52KB) is available to help students, teachers and school staff respond to the bushfires.

Visit the School safety page for updates. The department’s Facebook and Twitter accounts will also provide updates during this period.

Grab a ticket to Schools Spectacular 2019

Thu, 24 Oct 2019 11:00:01 AEDT

Will you be joining us at Schools Spectacular 2019? Tickets are on sale now. Experience our live show featuring a cast of thousands of public school students from across metropolitan, rural and remote regions of NSW.

Students from different ages, cultures and backgrounds will share the spotlight as they dance, play and sing for you. Choose from one of our four massive performances at Qudos Bank Arena on Friday 22 November and Saturday 23 November.

This year's events will feature:

more than 380 schools
5,500 performers
a 3000-strong choir
2,300 dancers
an 80-piece symphony orchestra
a world-class stage band.

Group bookings

Need to make a group booking for over 10 people? Complete the Schools Preview Order Form 2019 (PDF 110KB) to attend the discounted 11am Friday matinee. The Friday matinee is discounted for school students and accompanying teachers.

If you’d like to grab a spot at one of the other three remaining shows complete the Group Booking Form 2019 (PDF 110KB).

Tickets for you and your family and friends

Save you and your family a spot online or by phone on 132 849.

Video – Schools Spectacular 2019

Duration: 0:26

Book yourself in for Reading Hour

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 12:11:00 AEST

This Australian Reading Hour, encourage your child to discover or rekindle their love of a good book. Take the time to learn, escape and relax on Thursday 19 September and read for one hour.

Reading has been shown to reduce stress by 68% more than listening to music, going for a walk, or having a cup of tea.

Take the Book Swap Challenge

We all have favourite books that we come back to again and again.

To help celebrate Reading Hour take our Book Swap Challenge. We want students, teachers, staff and parents to try reading something new on the day. To get involved, simply pair up with someone and swap your favourite books.

Take a photo and tag it with #ReadingHour so we can see how you got involved.

Video – Ben Law asks students about their favourite author

Duration: 1:18

Author and #ReadingHour ambassador Benjamin Law talks with some of our students about their favourite books.

How to be smart and safe on social media

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 11:25:18 AEST

Use our new Digital Citizenship toolkit to empower your child to understand how their online behaviour affects themselves and others.

You and your child can find information on:

how to ‘be positive’ by understanding online behaviour and its effect
'be smart’ by thinking critically and being digitally aware
'be safe’ by protecting your security, privacy and wellbeing.

A toolkit to empower you and your child

You can find articles and videos to equip and empower your child to minimise the risks and maximise the opportunities in our digital future.

We’ve partnered with leading researchers to produce a curated toolkit – aligned to the curriculum – which teachers and you can share with the young people in your lives.

Guide your child through important concepts such as:

managing privacy settings in social media
collaborating online
avoiding scams and hoaxes
understanding the law when it comes to online speech
Internet banking, shopping online and much more.

Keep your child safe and happy online

Visit and bookmark the Digital Citizenship website. We’ll continue to add articles and resources to ensure the best possible tools are available to help you guide your child to be positive, smart and safe online.

What’s next after high school?

Fri, 30 Aug 2019 11:22:32 AEST

Is your child in Year 9 to 12 curious about their career choices? Now they can use LifeLauncher, a free online tool to explore and simplify their career choices.

Your child can explore courses and careers in-depth, at their own pace, anytime, anywhere and on any device. The tool includes 4,000 careers and 1,500 course options, all in one place.

How does it work?

Encourage your child to jump online and complete the 5-minute personality and subject quizzes to be matched to a range of career options that suit their passions and strengths.

If they take both quizzes, they’ll get more refined suggestions. They can even create free online pinboards to shortlist the courses and jobs that interest them.

When your child creates an account, they can save their searches and build a real understanding of the opportunities and pathways open to them.

What can your child learn about their career options?

Your child can explore the weekly salary of the career options they’re interested in. They’ll also find the employment and growth rates of those careers and the number of workers currently in those fields in Australia.

Each career option shows them the education they need as well as other related careers. They can follow links to other sites to find out more about a course to help them find the best provider for them.

Launch into the future today

Use this tool to chat with your child about their post-school options in a meaningful way.

Inspire your child to find their career match today at LifeLauncher.nsw.gov.au.

Education Week – Every student, every voice

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 12:51:10 AEST

We are celebrating our students and their powerful voices this Education Week Monday 5 August to Friday 9 August. Every year Education Week celebrates the achievements of public schools, our students and the value of public education.

This year, the theme is Every student, every voice.

Join us for #EdWeek19 as we celebrate our students and their power to shape the world.

Video – #EdWeek19 – Every student, every voice

Duration: 0:34

Creative and Active Kids vouchers now available

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 11:26:30 AEST

Creative kids can now put a $100 voucher towards extra-curricular creative activities outside of school.

Together with Active Kids, this program aims to encourage more NSW children to participate in a range of extra-curricular activities such as coding, languages, circus, performing arts and visual arts.

Parents can apply for one $100 voucher for each child enrolled in school on the Creative Kids website and use it towards the cost of registration, participation or tuition. You just redeem the voucher with a registered provider in your area when making your payment.

This is a great opportunity for your child to become involved in a range of activities that will build on their education, growth and development.

Service NSW is working with industry bodies to deliver the program.

For more information, contact Service NSW on 137 788 or creativekids@service.nsw.gov.au.

The Game Changer Challenge is back

Fri, 31 May 2019 11:41:14 AEST

It’s not too late to become a Game Changer with applications for the Education Week challenge due by 7 June.

The Game Changer Challenge brings 16 teams from public schools across NSW – eight from primary and eight from secondary – to Sydney during Education Week in August for a three-day, intensive design-thinking workshop.

The Game Changer workshops, which start on Tuesday 6 August, includes teacher training in the use of design thinking as a teaching methodology and its application for school planning.

It also includes a team competition where schools will work under the guidance of experts from industry and academia to develop a solution to this year’s critical question: How might we humanise technology?

Department of Education Secretary Mark Scott has encouraged students and teachers to get behind the event as it highlights the critical thinking students will need to develop to succeed in the future.

“The Game Changer Challenge is an exciting initiative that helps educate and inform our students and teachers on how to integrate the problem-solving methodology of design thinking into the classroom,” Mr Scott says.

“It embraces the 21^st century skills our students will need to thrive in a globalised world such as collaboration, creative thinking and communication.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students at all levels to be involved in discussing and addressing a real-world issue that will affect their future lives. I encourage every school to get involved.”

The challenge is designed to make strong learning and teaching connections to the NSW syllabus specifically in the area of developing general capabilities such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, communication and problem-solving.

The challenge also provides teachers with an opportunity to gain exposure to the design thinking process and includes teacher resources to introduce this creative problem-solving methodology into the classroom.

Finalists will be selected based on a 60-second video that showcases your team’s vision around the question of humanising technology.

For more information email edweek@det.nsw.edu.au or visit the Game Changer Challenge page.

Your NAPLAN questions answered

Thu, 09 May 2019 15:54:54 AEST

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The tests assess the foundational skills in reading, writing, spelling and numeracy that are essential for every child to progress through school and life.

This year NAPLAN takes place between 14 and 16 May for paper tests and between 14 and 24 May for schools participating in NAPLAN Online.

NAPLAN data is used to help monitor student progress over time against a national measure and to identify areas of strength and improvement. It is used in combination with other school assessments to guide and support student learning.

Watch students ask an expert the tough questions about NAPLAN.

Apply now for My Community Project funding

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 15:10:45 AEST

Do you have a great idea to improve your area?

My Community Project is a new NSW Government funding program that is all about local ideas, local projects and local decisions.

You can apply now for grants from $20,000 - $200,000 for projects that will make a difference to your community. Projects could include new playground equipment, sports facilities, paths or ramps to improve access, public art or a community service.

The local community can vote for their favourite projects in July and successful projects will be announced in September.

Project applications close 15 May 2019.

Apply for My Community Project funding

Bring back memories, not measles

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 14:12:39 AEST

With school holidays just around the corner, it’s time to visit your doctor to check that you and your family are fully protected against measles, before you travel overseas.

Measles is a serious, highly contagious, viral illness that is easily spread through the air when an infectious person coughs, sneezes or breathes. If you and your family are not fully vaccinated, or have never been vaccinated, you are at risk of contracting measles.

Not sure if you’re fully protected?

In Australia, the measles vaccine (MMR) consists of 2 doses. If you’re not sure whether you’ve had 2 doses of the measles vaccine, visit your doctor. It’s safe to receive another dose.

Children born in Australia

If your children were born in Australia, they may have received the measles vaccine at 12 months old and the second dose at 18 months, in accordance with the National Immunisation Program.
If you have a baby under 12 months old, consult your doctor about getting their measles vaccination.

Adults born in Australia

Born before 1966 – you were most likely exposed to measles as a child and are generally considered to be immune. If in doubt, ask your GP.
Born between 1966 and 1994 – you may not have received 2 doses. Talk to your doctor about the free vaccine if you’re unsure.
Born after 1994 – the National Immunisation Program offers 2 doses, and you can check your vaccination status using the Australian Immunisation Register.

For more information about the measles vaccination, visit NSW Health or consult your local doctor.

Follow your heart, not the herd

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 13:26:52 AEDT

We spoke with a group of Kindergarten students to find out what they had to say about going against the herd. They had some wise words for us on how we can care, respect and support each other in our schools.

Let’s start the year off right and prevent student bullying happening in our playgrounds, classrooms and online. If a group of 5-year-olds know the difference between right and wrong, shouldn’t everyone?

Video – Wise at 5

Duration – 1:08

Back to school

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 15:20:26 AEDT

The first day of high school and the return to school in the new year are busy times for your child – and for the entire family. To help you and your child get organised and enjoy the experience we've compiled some useful tips for each year group.

We want every student to be known, valued and cared for in our schools.

2019 school budget allocations

Mon, 12 Nov 2018 11:59:11 AEDT

Like all NSW public schools, this week we will receive a School Budget Allocation Report with our funding for 2019. The report will help us manage our total budget delivered through the Resource Allocation Model (RAM).

The RAM supports schools through needs-based funding to ensure a fair, efficient and transparent allocation of funds. Our school has the flexibility to make local decisions based on the specific needs of our students.

We will use our 2019 funding to support students and improve educational outcomes. The school executive will continue to work with the school community as we implement the school plan using this needs-based funding.

Learn more about the 2019 RAM funding.

P & C Meeting - 30/5

Mon, 21 May 2018 02:32:13 AEST

NAPLAN Information for Yrs 7&9

Mon, 21 May 2018 02:32:12 AEST

In a couple of weeks NAPLAN tests will commence for Yrs7 & 9 students. Attached is an information letter. Should parents require further information please visit the weblink provided.

Parent letter (pdf 123 KB)

NAPLAN Parent Information weblink

School Athletics Carnival

Mon, 21 May 2018 02:32:13 AEST

With all the great sporting performances of the Commonwealth Games at the moment - Swansea High will be running our own Games on Friday 13 April. Come along to be part of our Athletics carnival! Come dressed in your House colours and compete not against other countries, but your friends to win a gold medal.

We look forward to seeing you all there!

Year 7 Meet the Teachers - Wednesday 28 Feb

Mon, 21 May 2018 02:32:14 AEST

On Wednesday 28th Feb we will be holding our Yr7 Meet the Teachers evening. The evening will commence at 5pm in the library with a brief presentation. Parents will then be directed to specific classrooms, depending on the student's class, where they will hear from teachers explaining what they are doing throughout the year.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Year 7 Camp 7-9th March

Mon, 21 May 2018 02:32:13 AEST

Year 7 Camp is on from the 7th-9th of March. Permission notes need to be returned and payment to the office by the 22nd of February so that transport and catering can be finalised.

Permission notes and information was provided in the year 7 information package which was given to students who attended the Hello High School day in term 4 2017 and was posted out for those who didn't attend.

Could parents please ensure that permission notes are returned soon and payment is made by the 22nd of February so that all students can enjoy their year 7 camp.

See attached

Camp Documents (pdf 491 KB)

Year 7 Camp (pdf 598 KB)

Swimming Carnival Wednesday 7th Feb

Mon, 21 May 2018 02:32:13 AEST

This Wednesday will be our annual Swimming Carnival. ALL students are expected to attend this fun day with a range of activities from novelties, tug-o-war competitions, sponge throwing at teachers, great music and also competitive racing.

Come dressed in your house colours for a chance to win the fashions by the pool contest.

House groups are determined by your surname;

ALDURA - Yellow, Surname A-E

IWALA - Red, Surname F-L

KOLORA - Green, Surname M-R

YERLONGA - Blue, Surname S-Z

Students are to hand in Permission notes and money on entry to the pool.

Swimming carnival note (pdf 583 KB)

School Computer System Outage

Mon, 21 May 2018 02:32:13 AEST

Welcome back to 2018!

We have had some complications on our return to school. The school servers were both hit with a power surge which damaged them significantly. Efforts have been able to restore our in school storage server providing curriculum information to teachers. However, the server responsible for our in school management systems including timetables, behaviour information, parent and staff information and the parent and student portal has not been able to be fixed. This damage has also impacted on our wifi which is now unavailable until we can fix the server. We are working to restore things but it may take some time. This will also delay our push for BYOD, so in the short term students are asked not to bring their own devices.
The staff involved in ensuring a smooth transition to the new year have worked really hard to establish 'old school' systems to ensure that the students experience minimal disruption. We hope to have everything back to normal as soon as possible.

Annual Presentation Day

Mon, 21 May 2018 02:32:12 AEST

Music Tuition Available

Mon, 21 May 2018 02:32:12 AEST

The Music department are currently seeking expressions of interest for students interested in instrument and/or vocal tuition. We are currently looking to bring in external tutors to develop and promote our Rockbands, concert band and vocal ensemble programs at SHS.

Interested students do not need to have musical experience as the program will be tailored from beginner to advanced levels and will cover a range of instruments. Please see Mr Carter or Mr Perry for more information.

Change of HSC Examinations location

Mon, 21 May 2018 02:32:12 AEST

Please be aware that the HSC Examinations will take place off site i.e. not at Swansea High School, this year.

The examinations will be conducted at the New Hope Church Hall, 29 Strathmore Road Caves Beach.

All examinations, including Special Provisions, will take place at the New Hope Church Hall in order to allow students to complete their examinations without the disruption of the daily running of the rest of the school.

Please make sure you are aware of the HSC Timetable - which can be accessed at the NESA site -

http://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/hsc/key-dates-exam-timetables/2017-hsc-written-exam-timetable

School Uniform must be worn. Please make sure you are on time to all examinations.

All the best for the upcoming examinations.

Mrs Skamperle

Relieving Principal

HSC Minimum Standards Explained

Mon, 21 May 2018 02:32:12 AEST

The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) has just released a video explaining the many chances students have to meet the HSC minimum standard of literacy and numeracy. These include Year 9 NAPLAN results and new online tests, which are not related to NAPLAN and will be available in Years 10-12 and after the HSC.

Year 9 Curriculum Excursion - Thursday 17th August

Mon, 21 May 2018 02:32:14 AEST

ALL Year 9 students will be required to attend a curriculum-based excursion to a road safety presentation called Bstreetsmart. The excursion will held next Thursday 17th August, at Qudos Bank Arena, Homebush.

Students will need to be at school by 7am and will return to school by 3:20pm. The cost of the excursion is $5 and this needs to be returned with permission notes by Wednesday 16th August.

It is important to note that due to new Anti-terrorism laws, Qudos Bank Arena has requested that no school bags/back packs are brought into the arena. Students are encouraged to bring their lunch in a plastic/see-through bags. Mobile phones are fine. Students will be required to leave their bags in the bus. All bags that are brought into the arena will be subject to inspection.

Full details have been provided to students today and this information is attached

Bstreetsmart Info sheet (pdf 115 KB)

More information is available at the Bstreetsmart website - Click here

Dreamnight 2017

Mon, 21 May 2018 02:32:12 AEST

What is the fallout?

Who causes the fallout?

Why is there a fallout?

With only ONE week left and so many questions still to be answered...will you be prepared?

Get your tickets NOW from the front office:

$8 Adult

$5 Child

$20 Family (2 Adult, 2 Child)

Parent Notice Regarding Attendance

Mon, 21 May 2018 02:32:13 AEST

Attendance is an important part of and contributor to a child's success at school. On the 7^th of June, a team of attendance officers from the Home School Liaison Program of NSW Education will be at the school. They will interview students with attendance patterns which indicate that they may be in need of school support.

Students will be selected for interview based on the analysis of school Attendance records and according to the following criteria:

1. An attendance rate lower than 90% and/or

2. More than three unexplained absences and/or

3. A pattern of regular lateness to school.

The Education Act (1990) clearly states that students between the ages of 6 and 17 must attend school each day that the school is open for their instruction. An explanation for any absence is required and must be received within 7 days of the absence.

If you do not wish for your child to be interviewed please contact the attendance coordinator - Mrs Nenad at the school.

Term 2 Sport Options Yrs 9&10

Mon, 21 May 2018 02:32:13 AEST

Yrs 9&10 sport options are available for Term 2. Parents are encouraged to read through the options available to make an informed decision - as there will be no changing of sports during the term. Sport selections will occur next week.

Attached is the sport options sheet - T2 Sport Options (pdf 501 KB)

The Longest Melanoma March

Mon, 21 May 2018 02:32:13 AEST

Years 11 and 12 Parent - Teacher Interviews

Mon, 21 May 2018 02:32:14 AEST

Yr 11 & 12 Parent - Teacher interviews will take place on Wednesday 22nd March 5-7pm in the school Library.

All interviews booking times will be online through the parent portal. Please refer to the attached document for details and instructions on how to make an interview time for your child

2017 Parent Booking Info (pdf 826 KB)

Discount on School Fees

Mon, 21 May 2018 02:32:12 AEST

Changes to School Finance/Payments

Mon, 21 May 2018 02:32:12 AEST

Swansea High School finance system will be migrating to the new NSW Public Schools' finance system as part of LMBR. Please see the attached document from NSW Department of Education regarding the changes which will impact on school fee payment methods.

LMBR Finance Notice (pdf 154 KB)

School Swimming Carnival

Mon, 21 May 2018 02:32:13 AEST

This Wednesday (8/2) is our School Swimming Carnival. Come dressed in your House colours for a fun day of music and competition. There will be a range of fun events including novelties races, House Mascot competitions, Teacher v Student races, throwing wet sponge at teachers and more... as well as some serious competition for those interested.

Year 12 will be holding a BBQ selling egg & bacon sandwich $4, egg or bacon sandwich $2, sausage sandwich $2 ($0.50 extra for onion).

It will be a HUGE day and everyone is expected to be there! A reminder that it is compulsory for ALL PDHPE elective students to attend - this includes PASS and SLR students.

Welcome to 2017

Mon, 21 May 2018 02:32:13 AEST

Welcome to an exciting 2017 school year. It is our goal to continue to provide an enriched learning environment that engages each child. Swansea High School has a highly skilled and professional team of staff with a wealth of knowledge and an outstanding team of support staff, who work in different capacities to support each child's learning.

We also welcome any new parents to join or P&C. The P&C committee is a great way to share ideas and support the school.

We look forward to working together to make a difference in the lives of our students and prepare them for the future.

2016 Annual Presentation Day

Mon, 21 May 2018 02:32:12 AEST

Parents and caregivers are invited to attend our Annual Presentation Day. Come along and celebrate some of the outstanding academic, cultural and sporting achievements of our students in 2016. The Presentation will be held on Wednesday 14th December, commencing at 9:15am in the school hall. We look forward to seeing you there!

Student and Parent Portal

Mon, 21 May 2018 02:32:13 AEST

The Student and Parent Portal provides access to discreet information about each student's progress in our school.

Please log on to the Internet and Register for access to our Parent Portal via the Sentral Icon above.

You must use a valid email address to create your username

Once successfully registered you will be prompted to enter your username (email address) and the password you created.

To see information from the school and to link to a specific child, please enter the access key provided via contacting the school. Please note that the access key is case sensitive so copy it into the box provided on screen, exactly as it appears in this letter

I am confident that you will see the benefits of your registration immediately and be part of our journey in providing this facility to you. As we progress this initiative, I am confident that the Parent Portal will become more and more significant in your day to day management of your child's enrolment at our school.

Should you experience difficulties please do not hesitate to contact me for assistance. I also look forward to hearing from you about your experience with our Parent Portal, and any feedback will be gratefully received with a view to adding further functionality and improvement.

Skool Bag App

Mon, 21 May 2018 02:32:13 AEST

Our school now has its own Skoolbag Smartphone App which we will be using to send parents important information and notifications.

You can now download and install it by searching for our school name, Swansea High School in either the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

For Windows 8.1 or 10 users, search for Skoolbag in the Windows Store, install the App, and then look up our school name, Swansea High School.