Principal's Message
Welcome to the 2022 school year. It has been fabulous to welcome all our students back to school this week, especially our new Year 7 cohort. We have seen all of our students return with a positive attitude and demonstrating our core principles of respect, responsibly and personal best.
Year 7 had a fun week or activities that gave them the opportunity to get to know some of the key staff that will be looking after them, understand the expectations of high school and have the opportunity to meet each other and make new connections and relationships.
Along with all the students who returned it as great to welcome back all our staff following the summer break. Luckily all of our staff returned for the start of term and none were impacted by COVID-19 impacts. This allowed all students and staff timetabled together to connect and meet in the first week with interruptions.
2022 sees a few changes in staff:
We welcome as permanent staff members
- Mrs Samantha Barnett (School Administration Manager)
- Ms Meera Mary Martin (Science)
- Mr Jordan Crotty (TAS)
- Mr Grant Clowes (T&L)
- Miss Emily Finn (ALC)
- Ms Julie Leather (ALC)
and we congratulate Mrs Kristie Pafumi who has been promoted to Head Teacher of the Twinlakes Centre following a state-wide merit selection process.
We also welcome some new contract teachers that are new to #teamNorthlakes:
- Mr Rhys Hughes (HSIE)
- Mr Michael Patrick (HSIE)
- Miss Katie Bowden (HSIE)
- Mr Daniel Neill (PDHPE)
- Mr John Watters (TAS)
- Miss Lisa Attkins (CAPA)
- Mr Sebastian Turner (CAPA)
Following the successful ‘Intensive Learning Support Program in 2021 we are excited that the following staff transition from being paraprofessionals to teachers this year:
- Amy Starrett (ILSP/CAPA)
- Daniel Dacker (ILSP)
- Amy Hong (T&L)
- Tamara Burnett (CAPA)
We also welcome back:
- Mr Tim Pickett (DP) following his extended paternity leave
- Mr Mitch Allanson (T&L) from his secondment to Whitebridge HS
We also have a number of staff in relieving roles to start the year off:
- Mr Dean Lappas (DP) whilst recruitment occurs for our new DP-Inclusion and Support position.
- Mrs Fiona Davis (HT Wellbeing) this is whilst Mrs Tracy Ryan is working as a Careers Advisor at Charles Sturt University.
- Ms Danielle Evans (HT CAPA) whilst Mr Les Brimbecom continues on some extended leave.
- Mrs Erin Boake (HT PDHPE) whilst Mrs Dedman is on maternity leave.
- Mrs Amanda Reay (HT English) whilst Ms Starr is on maternity leave.
- Mr Esteban Gordin (HT Maths) whilst Mr Dean Lappas is relieving Deputy Principal.
- Mr David Hextell (HT T&L - 1 day per week) whilst Mrs Jan Curran takes some leave.
- Mr Kyle Brown (HT Well-being - 1 day per fortnight) whilst Mrs Mel Butlin takes some leave.
- Mrs Tenille Dowe and Mr Jarad Freebody continue in their roles as HTs Intensive Learning Support Program
I would like to thank all parents who have ensured that their child is ready for school by purchasing correct uniforms and equipment to ensure a successful start to the year. It has been very pleasing to see all of our students return in full-school uniform this week. Over the coming weeks, Mrs Dedman will be contacting families if students are regularly not coming in uniform to see what support can be provided to ensure that students look and are proud of being part of #teamNorthlakes.
I would also like to thank all families for their support of our COVID-19 safety protocols that are in place to help minimise the spread of the virus at school and keep our school community as safe as possible. All staff and students have been provided with RATs (Rapid Antigen Tests) to monitor for COVID-19. We ask that you undertake these tests at least twice a week, preferably Monday and Wednesday mornings. We are expecting further deliveries of RATs in the coming weeks to be able to distribute to families. Students have also been very good at wearing their surgical masks at school. Again we have plenty of supplies of these at school and are encouraging students to change their masks regularly throughout the school day. Our cohorting procedures remain in place and we thank parents who are supporting the varied start and finish times for students and also using the specific entry and exit gates for students.
This year, our teaching staff are focusing on developing the writing skills of our students across the whole school. As parents you will see that students will be asked to undertake more writing tasks at home as part of their regular homework. They will also be asked to re-write work after it has been handed in to teachers and they have been given feedback. Corrective feedback is an important step in the learning process and it is important that students engage in this feedback and improve their spelling, grammar and sentence/paragraph structures within their writing. We look forward to seeing the results of this focus throughout the year.
Finally our school swimming carnival was postponed until Monday 14th March so that we could plan the day to be safe and inclusive and allow as many students to attend as possible. The swimming carnival is a highlight event for most students and staff due to the fun that is had on the day. Each of our eight houses compete in dressing up, decorating and also swimming. I look forward to seeing everyone at the carnival and having a great day.
Yours in Public Education,
Mr Warren Welham - Principal
Year 7
Our orientation and transition to high school has gone smoothly with the students having a weeklong introduction to the school and what we have to offer.
The students enjoyed STEM classes and were shown the ropes on how to manage their time and space at their new school.
They are all settling in their classes for the year. Please encourage your child to attend the swimming carnival at Wyong pool, March 14th, it is the best place and time to meet new people and get to know teachers in a more relaxed setting. Parents are welcome to come and support their child in their races.
Camp is coming up next month, we are going to the Great Aussie Bush Camp the dates are 23rd March to 25th March, more information and permission notes will be issued shortly.
Parents please don't hesitate to call me if you have any concerns. 43900555
Mrs Sue Fulwood
Year 7 Advisor
Year 8
Welcome back to our Year 8 students. Everyone has settled in well and taken on the new classes with ease. Welcome to our new enrolments in Year 8, and thank you to the current students who have welcomed them and helped to show them around, making their transition into a new school a comfortable one.
Term One has already been a busy one, teachers have started to hand out assessment tasks and homework, so ask students to show you what they have been doing in class so far.
A reminder the students that it is important that they come to school fully prepared to learn – this means that they need to come to school every day in full school uniform, with all of their equipment (a book for every lesson, pens, calculator etc.).
Don’t forget to use the school app, the school website and follow the school Facebook site to find out about any upcoming events within the school. Please do not hesitate to contact me on 43900555 if you or your child needs assistance.
Mr Kyle Brown
Year 8 Advisor
Year 9
Welcome to 2022 Year 9! Hope you all had a relaxing holiday, ready to start the new school year. I will be the new Year Advisor for Year 9, since Mrs Pafumi has taken on the Head Teacher role for the Twinlakes Centre. I look forward to getting to know the students and families of Year 9 more throughout the year. I have been at the school for 5 years now and I am located in Science.
This year is an exciting year for Year 9, as they had to choose their electives and complete subjects they are interested in. All of Year 9 should be in a 100hr and 200hr elective now of their choice and settled into the expectations of their chosen subject. If there are any issues with electives, please contact me so I can fix these issues.
Year 9 have settled into a routine and have engaged in their Learning to Learn period, where they are completing a topic around emotional management. This is run by our Head Teacher Wellbeing Mrs Butlin and myself, where they complete a variety of activities supported by both teachers. Students have enjoyed the first couple of lessons, which is encouraging and exciting.
I would like to remind Year 9 about the need to wear a school uniform everyday and represent Team Northlakes with pride. If anyone is having issues with uniform, please contact me or call the school so we can provide assistance. If students are wearing jumpers, they have to wear plain black jumpers or hoodies, or black jumpers with very small logos. You can purchase school jumpers or any school uniform through our uniform shop.
Students are welcome to see me if they need assistance with anything. Parents and Carers are welcome to contact me by calling the school on 43900555 or via email using blake.dawkins4@det.nsw.edu.au if you have any concerns or questions.
Blake Dawkins
Year 9 Advisor (Rel)
Year 10
Welcome to Year 10! It’s lovely to see everybody back to school for a fresh year together. Things have been quite rocky over the last few years, so fingers crossed for a smooth road ahead.
Now that we are in Year 10, things are getting a bit more serious in terms of assessments, attendance and career options. Students will be participating in fortnightly “Learning to Learn” lessons with me where we work through some of these, as well as lessons addressing student wellbeing. Mrs Hewett is also available during these lessons to discuss career and transition pathways for students with educational and career goals that extend beyond the normal timetable at school.
Just a reminder that I am available on site Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I can be found in D13 if students need to see me. For days I’m not at school, Mr Summer is helping me out and happy to see students who need to talk. He can be found in J Block. I’m also available to be contacted via email every day of the week at paige.watts@det.nsw.edu.au
Looking forward to a good year together.
Mrs Paige Teulan
Year 10 Advisor
Year 11
Welcome back to my new SENIOR students! I’m very excited to begin our senior journey in 2022. After having many interruptions in our junior years during the pandemic, it has been amazing to be able to start the year with all students on site. Please remember that we do still have some processes in place relating to Covid, staggered bell times, Year 11 are required to sit in either J-block or the Library during break and masks have to be worn inside at all times.
As senior students this means that we now have a new uniform! A white shirt and a new tartan skirt for the girls. Boys can still wear black shorts and both boys and girls can still wear black pants. Tights and bike shorts, along with shirts with logos are not allowed and senior students are not able to wear the junior uniform this includes the junior P.E. shirt. If students need help/support accessing the uniform please see myself, Mrs Dedman in the P.E Staffroom, Mrs Butlin in the Wellbeing room or Mrs Goldie in the Aboriginal Learning and Engagement Centre.
Year 11 students Dannielle and Luke in the senior uniform!
As Year 11 students, our junior students look up to them as leaders within the school – they need to wear their uniform with pride. Make sure they are behaving with respect, responsibility and personal best and working hard in all of their subjects. Take part in school events such as the upcoming swimming carnival.
Ms Stacey Ewer
Year 11 Year Advisor
Year 12
Welcome back to the last year for the class of 2022!
This year marks the culmination of thirteen years of schooling. I hope that all our students and parents/carers have had a relaxing break over the Christmas and new year period and that students have come back re-energised and refreshed for what will be a very busy three terms.
I have recently reminded Year 12 of the PBL expectations placed upon them as senior students of the school. Respect, responsibility and personal best are our core school values that each student should exhibit in all classes and with all interactions between themselves and others. I hope, as the leaders of #teamNorthlakes, that Year 12 are exemplifying these values – with particular emphasis on treating each other with the respect that everyone deserves.
A reminder to all students that there is a focus on wearing correct school uniform and Year 12 should be setting the example. T-Shirts are not part of our uniform. Please come and see me if you need any assistance with your uniform.
I would also like to remind Year 12 students how important it is that they attend school every day. There are only 140 school days left for Year 12 and every day that is missed will impact significantly on student learning. Students can still access work online if absences are Covid related.
Finally, school photos will be held on Friday 4th March. All students have been issued with an order envelope. Please make sure all Year 12 students are at school on time and ready for their photo – we need everyone there for our group photo!
As always, if you have any concerns or wish to contact me, please feel free. I can be contacted on 43 900 555 or via email at amanda.wright25@det.nsw.edu.au
Mrs Amanda Reay
Year 12 Advisor
Uniform Donations Needed
Our clothing pool has started to get very low again. Please drop in any unused uniforms ( In good condition) to the front office Thank you
Uniforms on back order can be collected from the canteen or uniform shop on Tuesdays 8am - 12pm
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NORTHLAKES HIGH SCHOOL
Brava Ave, San Remo, NSW, 2262
Phone: 02 4390 0555