2023 Week 10 Term 2 Hurlstone Agricultural
High School Newsletter

Issue: 3

Year: 2023

Published timing: Week 10, Term 2, 2023

Published date: 3 July 2023

In this issue:

• Principal's Report
• Deputy Principal Reports
• Boarding School Feature
• Staff Spotlight: Technical Support Officer
• Faculty Features
• Careers Corner
• Talent Development
• Parent Pulse
• P & C Updates
• Illuminating Alumni
• Contact Us

• School commences on 18 July for students. All students attend lessons.
• Boarding students return to school on 17 July 3pm onwards
• Year 7, 8, 9 Parent Teacher Evening on 19 July 2.30pm onwards
• Year 10, 11, 12 Parent Community Engagement Workshops on 19 July 3pm onwards
• Year 11 Outdoor Recreation Camp 20-21 July
• Trial Higher School Certificate Examinations 24 July - 11 August (Year 12 attend
  scheduled exams only)
• Australasian Problem Solving Mathematics Olympiad 26 July
• NSW All Schools Junior Ultimate Frisbee State Championship 31 July
• Year 8 into Year 9 Subject Selection Information Evening 14 August from 3.30pm to 8pm
• Year 10 into Year 11 Subject Selection Information Evening 14 August from 3.30pm to
  8pm

Connect, Learn and Nurture was the theme for the Secondary Principal’s conference in held
in Tamworth I have decided to write my principal message through this lens this week.

Connect

Hurlstone Agricultural High School has such a rich history. It is quite incredible how
whenever I go anywhere in Australia or even overseas, I seem to come into contact with
either someone who went to Hurlstone or a member of their family was a "Hurlstonian".
Recently I connected with one of the most incredible educational leaders I ever had the
privilege of working alongside Michelle Tykvart. Michelle Tykvart and I got talking about
some of the amazing stories we hear about alumni and wondering how we could celebrate
and share alumni success.

Michelle came up with the title of “Illuminating Alumni”.

You can read about Michelle’s connections to our school and please let us know if you have
a story to share. Please note we must have your permission to publish any story or images
you send through to the school. Please send attention to HAHS SASS Admin and use the
title "Illuminating Alumni"

Learn

NSW Principals were able to come together to work on educational futures for our students
across many and diverse educational settings. During this time we were also lucky enough to
be inspired by many guest speakers including:

• Judge Nell (Ellen) Skinner
• Kurt Fearnley
• Marty Wilson
• Wendy McCarthy AO
• Kristy Reading
• Prue Car (Minister of Education)
• Murat Dizdar

The conference was incredible, and each speaker resonated with our Principal colleagues
how important it is to hear from people from all areas of society who are dedicated,
passionate and exceptional advocates for brighter futures of all children. Each presenter
spoke about improving lifelong learning opportunities, access to equity in education,
resiliency, grit and determination through their personal experiences and life journey. They
spoke about the importance of tenacity, the greater moral purpose of education and the
importance of setting goals to reach what may seem like at times impossible to achieve.
Every speaker supported the notion of how many people can come together to provision as
much possibility for positive wellbeing outcomes for all children.

On this note I wish to highlight the High Potential and Gifted Education Policy. The High
Potential and Gifted Education Policy applies to all NSW public schools, teachers, and
students. It describes a framework to develop the talent of high potential and gifted
students. The policy provides advice to implement effective learning and teaching practices.

The policy promotes engagement and challenge for every student in every school across
intellectual, creative, social-emotional and physical domains of potential, while explicitly
identifying and addressing the learning needs of high potential and gifted students.

Fundamental to the policy are issues of equity and excellence. High potential and gifted
students have advanced learning capacity compared to same-age students and, as a result,
require talent development opportunities and differentiated teaching and learning practices
to ensure their specific learning needs are met.

High potential students are found among students of all backgrounds.

Gaps in achievement, known as excellence gaps, may exist between different groups of high
potential and gifted students unless specific support is provided. Such gaps further entrench
inequality and disadvantage.

I encourage all parents and carers to visit the Department's section on this, and in particular
there is a parent section for supporting your child at home and at school.

Nurture

I am a great supporter of the High potential and gifted education policy and as such I
thought I would take an opportunity to celebrate a young student in our school Olivia W.

The Vice President of Public Relations, Campbelltown Theatre Group Inc., Mike Newcombe
contacted me regarding Olivia to see if I could highlight our student talents. I had no idea
that Olivia had auditioned and been selected as a lead dancer in Campbelltown Theatre
Group's upcoming performances of Disney’s Frozen JR.

It was lovely to meet up with Olivia and have the conversation. I found out that Olivia has
been involved with the Campbelltown Theatre Group for some time and loves the time she
spends engaged in the creative arts.

It is always so wonderful to hear about students engaging beyond school to follow their
passion. I know how dedicated students need to be to be involved in following their love,
balancing school, and other priorities.

I also understand it is food for the soul and the amazing time that students are engaged in
their passion which translates to "flow". If you are not aware of any of the study by
psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi who was noted for his work in the study of happiness
and creativity, but is best known as the architect of the notion of flow and for his years of
research and writing on the topic, it is worth taking a read.

To finalise this report, I thank you all for your dedication to your children and our teachers’
learning partnerships. I know that we will all nurture the opportunities we have in
education. On behalf of our whole school community, we wish Year 12, 2023 all the best as
they prepare for their Trial HSC Examinations early Term 3.

Have a restful break, take time to relax, recharge and refresh ready for Term 3.

1. Uniform expectations reflect department and community
   expectations. As the weather gets colder, students are
   encouraged to wear thermal layers underneath their uniforms.
   Parents need to provide a written note for school for their child
   if they are out of uniform.
2. Keep our community safe on Roy Watts Road. Avoid doing U-
   turns and 3-point turns in the middle of the road. The
   school is part of an educational precinct that includes other
   Department schools. Our joint aim is to keep everyone safe who
   walk and access the road.
3. Students should not be sharing lockers. If your child is not the
   "owner" we are unable to access the locker without that
   "owner's" permission. We have lockers available for hire at the
   Finance Office.

As we near the mid point of the 2023 school year, I am incredibly grateful for the
outstanding teamwork demonstrated by our staff, students, and parents. Organising
excursions and hosting community events can be demanding but our staff and student
volunteers have gone above and beyond to deliver and take up the opportunity to enrich
their learning.

On Wednesday 28 June, we hosted the Year 7-9 Parent Community
Engagement Workshops in the library and the STEAM building. It
was a wonderful opportunity for parents and teachers to come
together and connect. During my Year 7-9 session on The
Mechanics of the Assessment Cycle, I had enjoyed presenting and
answering questions from our new and familiar parents and carers.

A thank you goes out to our school's Year 7-9 presenters including:

• Careers Advisor- Ms Keegan
• Counsellor & Provisional Psychologist- Olivia Chung
• Head Teachers Teaching and Learning- Mr Vasiliou and Mrs
  Slade
• Deputy Principal- Sharon Davis
• Student Support Officer- Ashlie O'Neill
• Year 10 Student - Aarohee (Year 10) presented a segment on
  how to upload an assessment submission via Turnitin
• Year 9 Student- Alex (Year 9) presented a segment on how to
  upload an assessment submission via Microsoft Teams

A big thank you to our external presenters:

• Senior Constable Clapham (NSW Police Force)
• Brendan Tink (ThinkUKnow- Australian Federal Police Program)
• Henry (Elevate- Study Skills)

A shout out to Mrs Slade and Mr Zahija (relieving Head Teacher
Teaching and Learning) for being the workshop convenors.

Our students also stepped up to volunteer their time to welcome
and help parents get to the right venue. They were supported by
our school administration staff Ms Gomez and Ms Dargan.

Our student ambassadors on 28 June were:

• Sutirth S. (Year 7)
• Leena R. (Year 9)
• Aarohee (Year 10)
• Kevin F. (Year 10)
• Raifah R. (Year 10)
• Aayan A. (Year 10)

Finally, on behalf of the school, I express my gratitude to the P & C
(Parents and Citizens) for their generous support of the Year 7-9
Parent Community Engagement Workshops. They provided tea,
coffee, and snacks, making the event more enjoyable for everyone
involved.

I leave the final words of this event to one of our conveners, Mrs
Slade.

Year 10-12 teachers met with parents during the parent-teacher
interview evening in Hall on the same day 28 June.

My heartfelt thank you goes to our dedicated staff, who worked
during the day and then spent another four hours with parent-
teacher interviews. We also extend our gratitude to the parents who
attended the interviews. Though the minutes go fast, the rich
information exchanged between parents and teachers helps us to
work to improve teaching and learning for your child.

These events were especially meaningful as they marked our
continued return to in-person gatherings after the challenges of
COVID-19 lockdowns and remote learning.

As an educational leader, I am incredibly proud of the achievements of our Year 10 student
group in the Model Global Parliament program. These student self-selected to enter the
program and researched about the different geo-political groups and countries to better
global society.

Their outstanding performance as ambassadors of our school community and public
speakers not only reflects the principles of the Mparntwe Declaration, otherwise known as
the Alice Springs Education Declaration, but also demonstrates the exceptional potential of
highly gifted students in NSW.

The students flexed their "muscles" across the social-emotional, and intellectual domains.
Their advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills showcased their intellectual
capabilities, while their inclusive collaboration and diverse perspectives highlighted their
strong social and emotional intelligence.

Witnessing their growth and accomplishments in this program reinforces our public
education commitment to nurturing the holistic development of highly gifted students in
NSW.

The transition of staff can be unsettling, but the warm welcome and support provided by
existing staff and students have ensured a smooth integration for new and returning
members to our community.

We said farewell to Ms Hrncic (temporary Teaching and Learning Teacher). Ms Hrncic
provided support for many of our families and students as a member of the Learning
Support Team. She generously shared her knowledge to help class teachers with assessment
supervision and assessment advice. We wish Ms Hrncic the very best in her new permanent
position as an HSIE teacher at Parramatta High School!

Equally, our students and staff, especially the English Faculty, will feel the absence of Ms
Natalie Dahdal as she seeks adventure in the United Arab Emirates.

Ms R. Ross, our deputy principal for the English Faculty summed it up beautifully :

In her short time at Hurlstone, Natalie's commitment, passion, and professionalism have
made a significant impact on our school community. As supervisor of the Student
Representative Council (SRC), she has inducted a new SRC executive and mentored
students to develop their leadership skills by planning and support events such as the
Jump Rope for Heart, Pride Lunchtime concert and Year 10 Harmony Day.

Our commitment to creating a safe and inclusive community extends far beyond the walls of
our school, and it is our responsibility to carry these values with us wherever we go. This
includes traveling safely on public transport and showing respect to our fellow passengers.

To our students, we understand that navigating public transport can sometimes be a
challenging and unfamiliar experience. We urge you to prioritise your safety and the safety
of others. Be mindful of your surroundings, follow the rules and regulations set forth by
transport authorities, and use designated areas for boarding and alighting. Remember, your
actions have an impact on the overall travel experience for everyone on board. By being
responsible passengers, you contribute to the well-being and comfort of the entire
community.

Whether you travel by train or bus, treat your fellow passengers with kindness and
consideration. Consider offering your seat to those who require it and be mindful of
personal space. Each act of kindness, no matter how small, can brighten someone's day and
contribute to a positive and inclusive environment. We believe in the power of empathy and
compassion, and it is through these actions that we truly live the values we hold dear.

Parents, your role in shaping your child's behaviour and mindset cannot be overstated.
Please take the time to discuss the importance of traveling safely and respecting others
while using public transport. Encourage open dialogue, share experiences, and provide
guidance on handling various situations that may arise during their journeys. By instilling
these values early on, you are equipping them with the skills and mindset to navigate the
world with care, empathy, and respect.

*ACIP means above centrally identified position

The Blues or The Maroons: The line that divides

The second half of this term has seen the boarding community come together to watch the
State of Origin in the school hall. Students enjoyed the evenings, if not the outcome!

This was facilitated by our awesome Wednesday night duty team.

Crafternoon

Ms West and Ashlie (our Student Support Officer) worked with the girls on a fabulous
crafternoon in Week 9 that has continued in the Common Room as the girls (and a few
staff!), have finished off their masterpieces.

Vivid

On the 15 June, Mr Zahija, Ms Johnson and Mrs Shooter took most of the residential
community to see 'Dark Spectrum' at VIVID. Students and staff enjoyed the trip into the city
to see the incredible display in the Wynyard tunnel system. Huge thanks to Mr Zahija for his
work to organise the event.

A recreation creation!

The Boarder Council worked with Jordan, our casual recreation officer, to start to build a
recreational program for the start of Term 3. The program for the first two weeks of Term 3
will be posted in TEAMS for:

• boarders
• parents
• duty team

We hope that the planned events will increase the opportunities we have to come together as
a community.

If students or parents have ideas for activities that we could run, please send us an email.

We look forward to sharing what we get up to next term!

This coming weekend sees Australia celebrate NAIDOC week. I have started watching the
incredible series that has been screened on NITV, "The First Inventors". This school
holidays would be a great time to catch up if you haven't yet seen this great show, available
on SBS on demand. The first two episodes have been great check it out!

NAIDOC week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people. It is celebrated by all Australians and is a great opportunity to
recognise and learn more about the history and culture of indigenous communities.
NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its
origins can be traced back to the Aboriginal rights movement, when on Australia Day 1938,
protestors marched through the streets of Sydney to highlight the status and treatment of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Today, it is a week-long celebration held
in July that consists of range of traditional and contemporary activities.NAIDOC Week is an
important event that helps build positive relationships between Aboriginal and non-
Aboriginal people. It enables a deeper understanding of our differences and similarities.
NAIDOC week is an opportunity for all Australians to eliminate bias and discrimination by
reflecting and reconciling the wrongs of the past to facilitate hope and build a fairer future.
Families are encouraged to join in and support young people in learning the significance of
NAIDOC Week.

This Special Report offers suggestions on how families can celebrate NAIDOC Week
together. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always,
we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing
of your child, please seek medical or professional help. Here is the link to your special report
https://hurlstone.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-celebrating-naidoc-week

Responsibilities and Duties

Hardware and Software Support

I manage maintaining, debugging, and fixing the school's hardware
and software systems. I sincerely resolve any technical problems
that might occur, whether they involve laptops, desktop computers,
printers, or projectors.

Network Infrastructure

To provide a reliable and secure internet connection, I monitor the
school's network infrastructure. I work on Wi-Fi networks, network
switches, and routers to guarantee maximum accessibility and
performance for everyone in school.

Device Management

I help deploy and manage equipment utilised by faculty, staff, and
students, including laptops and tablets. To ensure a flawless user
experience, this comprises device setup, software installation, and
maintenance.

Digital Security

It is crucial to protect the online environment. I collaborate closely
with the Information Technology department of the school to put
strong security measures in place, such as firewalls and user access
controls, to protect sensitive data and guarantee a secure online
environment for everyone.

Training and Support

I offer training to staff and students so they can use the school's
numerous technologies efficiently.

I'm here to help incorporate technology into our academic
endeavours, from fundamental computing abilities to software
programs.

Technical Advice

I provide staff and students with technical guidance and
suggestions for utilising technology in the educational
environment. Whether you require support with troubleshooting or
advice on which program to choose.

Scheduled Maintenance

I've planned regular maintenance sessions to ensure our
technological infrastructure runs smoothly. Devices, software, and
operating systems are all included in this.

The Hurlstone Touch Football Squads have worked hard
throughout this year, attending before school and lunchtime
training sessions since the beginning of Term 1 with coaches:

• Mr Coombes
• Mr Seblani
• Mr A. Wilson

Term 1 and Term 2 Tournament Results

Our Open Boys team progressed to the Sydney South West Quarter
Final Stage.

Unfortunately, we lost a close game to Leumeah High School.

Leon Ngo got recognised for the Most Touchdowns, and the Most
Valuable Player title went to Russell Royal, Patrick Um and Owen
Thai.

Our Open Girls team went down (lost) in a close game to East Hills
Girls High.

NSW All Schools Beach Touch Tournament at Maroubra
Beach

We had four Hurlstone teams in attendance. All teams played at
least five hard games in difficult conditions (on sand).

There were some amazing touchdowns scored and saved
throughout the day.

Boy it was close!

Senior Boys A Team played outstandingly well all day and lost a
close Quarter Final to Emmanuel College Sydney.

The Most Valuable Players:

• Owen Thai
• Patrick Um

Senior Boys B Team faced a challenging draw, yet played with grit
and determination.

The Most Valuable Players:

• Jeremy Le
• Sam Zhang

Our Senior Girls B Team surprised themselves by making it all the
way to their semi-final match.

The Most Valuable Players:

• Katie McDonald
• Malisa Seng

The Senior Girls A Team played with experience and maximum
effort, losing a close semi-final match to Sylvania High School.

The Most Valuable Players:

• Harriet Gunn
• Natalie Ryan

Year 9 -10 NSW All Schools Touch

We sent a boys and girls team to the recent All Schools
Tournament, Penrith.

Our teams were young and mostly inexperienced players. What was
great to see was the improvements made throughout the day and
the teamwork evident with some excellent touchdowns!

The highlight for the girls was a close loss to an outstanding
Westfields Sports High. Massive thank you to Travis Sithisakd for
refereeing on the day!

On Tuesday 6 June, the Year 12 Legal Studies class visited the
Downing Centre Local and District Courts as part of their work on
the Crime unit in the HSC course.

The Law Day Out is facilitated by the Rule of Law organisation and
gives students an insight into the operations of the Downing
Centre. After a briefing from the Sheriff on security at the Downing
Centre, students heard from Magistrate Michael Barko who
detailed the day to day running of the court and gave a commentary
on his role and the courts role. Students were able to observe
various court cases in the morning session, including one where a
former Hurlstonian was the Police Prosecutor on the case. At the
conclusion of the case, students were able to hear from the alumni
about his journey from graduation to university and then to
working as a lawyer for the police.

Throughout the day, students were not only able to develop their
conceptual understanding and the real-world application of the
work completed in class but all the vast range of career
opportunities afforded to them if they choose to pursue law post-
schooling.

On 14 June, year 11 and year 12 students competed in the semi-finals of the UN Evatt
competition at University of Technology Sydney. The United Nations (UN) Evatt
competition is a mock-UN Security Council negotiation and debating competition, where
students represent countries and negotiate resolutions with other delegates.

Competitors in the semi-finals from our school included:

• Avani and Anuva
• Marcus and Kiran
• Minh and Anavi
• Shahana and Manya

Well done to all competitors and the school wishes you luck if you proceed to the next
round.

On 20 June, the Korean Immersion Day excursion was attended by
the Korean language students from Year 11 and Year 12. We found
it to be an enjoyable and engaging experience.

We participated in various workshop activities, and interacted with
other Korean language students from other schools.

We attended a lecture delivered by Professor Ki Hyun Shin. He
lectured about the elements of Korean study including furthering
our knowledge of the Korean language. He spoke of career paths
offered by the study of the language too.

After, we participated in a K-POP dance workshop. The Korean K-
POP dance group The Team Floor, taught us the main dance
choreography from LE SSERAFIM’s currently trending song, Eve,
Psyche & the Bluebeard’s Wife.

We participated in a craft workshop, where we got to make our own
personalised teddy bear postcards. We received help from EJ, the
workshop coordinator.

Overall, the day was really fun and definitely a worthwhile
experience.

Jerith achieved first place in State for Korean Beginners HSC 2022.
The 2022 awards ceremony was held on Friday, 11 February 2023
at the Korean Education Centre.

Year 8 Japanese classes had a great time visiting a Japanese restaurant in the city.

Don’t miss out on what’s happening! Join the Hurlstone Careers Hub!

Step 1:Go to the Hub https://studyworkgrow.com.au/school/hurlstone-agricultural-high-
school/

Step 2: Click on ‘Create your membership’.

Step 3: Follow the steps and use your School Code - HURLSTONEH

Coach travel and admission costs were covered by the school for all Year 10 to attend the
Western Sydney Careers Expo. This Expo is an annual 3 day event that runs Thursday –
Saturday at The Dome, Sydney Showground and is a replication of the HSC and Careers
Expo which is held 3 weeks earlier at Randwick Racecourse – with the same seminars and
exhibitors.

Students were amazed by the myriad of options on the day and were kept fully occupied
exploring the exhibitor stalls promoting career and university options and were able to
engage in conversations with specialists in the field and future student recruitment teams.
Many students also took the opportunity to attend presentations delivered by universities,
NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority) and UAC (University Admissions Centre) and
information sessions that addressed topics such as ‘How your HSC results are calculated’
and ‘Subject Selection Advice for Year 10’. In their seminars, the English Teachers
Association and the Australian Mathematical Association of NSW delivered advice on how
students might prepare for the HSC.

Students were delighted with the information handouts, booklets and promotional material
that they were able to collect on the day and returned to school laden with a collection of
resources that they can examine in detail in their own time.

Congratulations to Rose Colville who was presented with the University of Sydney Award
for a 2022 Year 10 student at the Academic Achievement Awards ceremony held in March
2023.

At the Awards ceremony held at the University of Sydney, students were publicly recognised
for their outstanding achievement.

Rose will also attend Experience Sydney in the September-October school holidays in 2023.

Experience Sydney is an on-campus event where students get to participate in activities
hosted by the various faculties, schools and clubs of the University of Sydney.

Year 9 and 10 Hurlstone students were excited to be a part of the 2000 students who
attended the UTS Startups Summit at the International Convention Centre on the 27 June
2023.

This event is designed to introduce a large number of students to entrepreneurship and
provide inspiration around entrepreneurship by hearing about the work of young
entrepreneurs and how others can follow their example.

Students are introduced to young, diverse, tech-enabled entrepreneurs in action and are
encouraged to take the first steps on their own journey.

NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar expressed his belief that
“Understanding entrepreneurship and developing these key skills is a valuable component
of your educational journey. This enriching event is introducing students to new ways of
thinking and building skills.”

Anoulack Chanthivong, Member for Macquarie Fields and NSW Minister for Innovation,
Science and Technology delivered the following message to students: “We're eagerly
awaiting the next generation of entrepreneurs to rise and shape a brighter future".

Natalie Ryan was an exceptional representative for her school when she attended the
University of Tasmania’s “Feed your Mind, Feed the World” Agriculture Camp in December
2022. The camp is a 4-day experience for students interested in science, food security,
agribusiness, supply and value chains that is complete with industry site visits to dairy
farms, commercial flower producers and cider orchards.

Natalie was hand-selected from a competitive pool of entrants Australia-wide to attend the
event. The panel, comprising of the University of Tasmania’s research academics and
professional staff members from the marketing, recruitment, and Division of Future
Students teams were very impressed with the high-standard of literacy and scientific
engagement in the Natalie’s submission.

Natalie won return flights to Tasmania and accommodation for 3 nights, a unique
opportunity to engage in field-work with agricultural science academics and research fellows
from the Tasmanian Institute for Agriculture, exclusive visits to primary producers and
export businesses and the opportunity to network with other like-minded, high-achieving
students from across the country.

Congratulations to our 18 Hurlstonians who participated in the University of New South
Wales Cupcake Programming Teams Challenge.

The goal of the challenge is to solve as many of the set programming tasks as possible in two
hours. Each team has a maximum of 3 students and tasks can be completed using any
programming language.

I was extremely impressed the commitment of all students who were enthusiastic to
participate in this extremely challenging competition that took them out of their comfort
zone and required ingenuity and creativity to complete the set tasks. A huge congratulation
to the team - Shafi, Aayush and Adonis who earned a Credit for their efforts!!!

Information vital to Year 12 students has been provided to ensure that they are not
missing out on key dates for the UAC application process and University Early Admission
schemes. The UAC digital conference and information webinars were advertised for Year 12
students to access details direct from the authority. Students have been made aware of free
HSC support offered by a number of universities who provide experienced tutors to guide
students in their study, essays and exams.

Students are encouraged to apply for scholarship programs as each year there is
scholarship money that is not allocated because students do not apply. Melbourne
University, Australian National University, The Women's College within The University of
Sydney and the University of Tasmania all have very generous schemes for students who are
relocating. The University of Sydney has a generous scheme for students who reside in an
eligible area of socio-economic disadvantage and the University of Technology Sydney offers
a Bachelor of Accounting Co-op Scholarship program. Children and grandchildren of
Australian ex-serving veterans are encouraged to apply for AVCAT scholarships and the
Long Tan Bursary and LGBTIQ+ students are encouraged to apply for a scholarship offered
by The Pinnacle Foundation. Several HAHS students are recipients of one of the many
scholarships provided by The Public Education Foundation. Any student who thinks that
may be eligible for a scholarship is encouraged to apply and the Careers Adviser is available
to support students with their applications.

Opportunities for work experience, volunteer work and part time jobs have been
advertised. Work may not only provide students with the opportunity to earn some money,
it also enables them to demonstrate initiative, independence, responsibility and
organisational skills. For students who wish to apply for university early entry schemes or
scholarships, evidence that they have these transferrable skills will form a key component of
their application.

Participation in activities and experiences at school and as part of the wider community is
how students demonstrate and provide evidence of transferrable skills (sometimes called
soft skills) required for university early entry programs, scholarships, success at university
and future employment.

Transferable skills include:

• Communication
• Collaboration
• Initiative
• Creativity
• Critical Thinking
• Leadership
• Responsibility
• Problem Solving
• Flexibility
• Resilience
• Adaptability
• Organisation
• Team Work
• Time Management
• Independence
• Decision Making
• Co-operation
• Work Ethic
• Empathy
• Prioritising

Hurlstone students are encouraged to develop their talents and abilities in a
variety of activities and pursuits and for those who wish to extend themselves even further
the Careers Adviser has promoted participation in programs and competitions such as:

• Australian Society for Medical Research Schools Quiz
• CreAIT competition
• UNSW Girls in Engineering program
• Duke of Edinburgh Scheme
• USYD Mathematical Problem-Solving Correspondence Program
• UNSW School of Computer Science & Engineering High School Computing courses

An array of interesting school holiday programs at Liverpool and Campbelltown Libraries
have been advertised and a group of HAHS students attended the Creative Careers Expo
held at Campbelltown Arts Centre.

Participation in extra-curricular activities, competitions, courses and conferences assists
students in development of communication and collaboration skills and encourages growth
of creativity, problem solving ability and critical thinking. Development of these
competencies has been recognised as indicators of likely success at university.

To make sure we talk the same language the Department of Education defines intellectual
domain of potential as referring to natural abilities in processing, understanding,
reasoning, and the transfer of learning.

There are other domains of potential including social-emotional. Social-emotional
domain of potential refers to perceptiveness, empathy, social ease, tactfulness,
influence, persuasiveness, eloquence, leadership, and charisma.

In our school newsletter we aim to ensure that the school showcases students across a
variety of the 4 domains of potential: creative, physical, social-emotional, and intellectual.

This year, a group of Year 10 students with Ms Pham, had the
honor of representing our school at the Model Global Parliament
(MPG) held at Unity Grammar, Austral.

We represented the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and presented a
motion urging member states of the MPG to fulfill their
commitments under the Paris Agreement and the UNFCCC.

Members from our PIF emphasized the importance of limiting
global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius and striving for 1.5
degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Our motion received significant support, earning the highest
number of votes among participating nations. This accomplishment
reflects our dedication and efforts.

Participating in the Model Global Parliament was a memorable
experience that fostered meaningful discussions, teamwork, and
global issue understanding.

Looking ahead, the team is eager for similar opportunities to
further develop our skills as responsible global citizens.

The Pacific Islands Forum delegation included:

• Jessica J.
• Areeba F.
• Shreyan A.
• Claire H.
• Jasmin K.
• Tasnim U.
• Karthik A.
• Eric A.

To Joyce of Year 12 who entered and won the CreAIT competition
run by the Academy of Interactive Technology.

Joyce submitted her entry in May following Ms Keegan’s
advertisement of the opportunity. Her digital artwork is a well
executed and witty representation in response to the theme
“limitless potential”.

Joyce says of her work… “To be honest, I started last minute. The
theme for the competition was “limitless potential”, which led me to
envision a super cute and super powerful magical girl that was
blowing away a city and dominating the world (hence the to-do
list). The team at AIT was very kind to give me a gift box upon
winning, which contained (most notably) a $50 JB Hi-Fi gift card
and various stickers, a book and a tote bag. I would absolutely
recommend other students to participate in the competition next
year.”

Joyce is a passionate advocate of the arts and uses her creativity
across the school in inspired and innovative projects.

She is currently completing her body of work for the HSC Visual
Arts course.

The work is an extraordinary piece that investigates the human
form and gender fluidity; capturing beauty and juxtaposing this
with notions of pain and isolation.

Joyce is also working on initiatives with Interact that will connect
the student body with an Aboriginal artist and her artmaking
practices.

The Hurlstone Chess Team journeyed to the Interschool Chess Challenge at Central Coast
Grammar School on Tuesday 20 June 2023.

There were 79 students from 8 high schools and 109 students from 14 primary schools.

Everybody in the HAHS team did very well and the team’s total score was 18 points. The
team just missed out by 1 point to qualify for the regional semi-finals.

We congratulate Aeron (Year 9) who received a medal for 6th place and Aeon (Year 7) who
received a trophy for 4th place.

We also found out that the talent for chess runs in Aeon’s family. His brother, Richie, took
out 1st place in the Primary School division.

Thank you to Mr Zarzour, Mr To and Mr Elley for supporting the event.

Parent Pulse is a new section in the school newsletter where housekeeping and parent
reminders about what school and external services you can access for your child.

How do I hire a locker for my child?

Your child or you can visit the Finance Office at school located in the Administration Block.

Depending on which academic year you purchase your locker in - this will determine your
cost. As lockers are hired for the duration of your time spent here at school.

Cost payable is based on the duration of hire in school years:

• Year 7 cost for 6 years $60.00
• Year 8 cost for 5 years $50.00
• Year 9 cost for 4 years $40.00
• Year 10 cost for 3 years $30.00
• Year 11 cost for 2 years $20.00
• Year 12 cost for 1 year $10.00

Terms and conditions of the locker hire includes:

• Under no circumstances are students to share lockers.
• If a student loses his/her locker key, a cost of $10.00 will be charged and paid to replace
  the lost key. This key must NOT be duplicated outside of school.
• Students are asked to report any graffiti or damage to their locker immediately to the
  Finance Office.
• Students hiring lockers must be aware that if the senior executive of the school perceive
  the need, lockers can and will be searched.

If you have any questions please make contact with the school.

If you wish to speak to a teacher about your child's progress in a subject but were unable to
get an appointment at the parent-teacher evening, please email hurlstone-
[email protected] to request for a 5-10 minute teacher parent phone call.

Make sure your email includes:

• email subject title - Parent Phone Call Request
• your name
• contact number
• child's name
• child's subject/ course
• possible days and availability when the teacher could call you

Please remember that teachers teach and have additional duties and may not be able to
respond to you immediately. Please allow up to 3 school days for a response.

Thank you,

Ms Pham

SchoolBytes Messages

Please check your spam folder for any emails we have sent. We get reports that some of our
emails that we send via SchoolBytes has been identified, and blocked as spam. Configure
your email inbox to accept [email protected]

This configuration is important as the school plans to transition to SchoolBytes as the
primary communication platform for parents and carers. Critical messages may go out that
you need to know or action.

If you are experiencing issues, please make contact with the school for assistance.

The P & C Updates are from the school's P & C elected members to keep the school informed
about all things P & C including its canteen and uniform operations.

The HAHS P&C is seeking nominations for the office of Treasurer.

The ideal candidate is a member of the parent community who is a
financial professional with bookkeeping or accountancy
qualifications.

The Treasurer is responsible for the financial management of the
P&C and its businesses.

The role would require a commitment of approximately 4 hours per
week during school terms.

Interested people can contact the P&C.

Phil Lavers

P & C Treasurer

Our P&C is here to build a stronger school community to all children's benefit here at
Hurlstone Agricultural High School.

We would love more parents, care-givers and community-minded people, who want to help
their school, to join our P&C.

The P&C needs people from all walks of life and with a range of talents, ideas and beliefs
who are committed to delivering great outcomes for our children and our school.

The more people involved, the more exciting and successful our P&C will be.

Research shows that children perform better at school when their parents are involved in
their education.

As a P&C member, parents and care-givers can contribute opinions and vote at P&C
meetings on range of issues.

By joining our P&C, you can make a difference to what’s happening in the school for the
better.

Minimum annual requirements of members

1. Attend at least one P&C meeting.

2. Complete membership form & pay membership fee at a meeting (Note: this money
primarily goes to initiatives to benefit the school community).

3. Vote on issues.

High achieving members who are able to put a bit more time in can:

• Research & make ideas to present as a motion at a P&C meeting.
• Volunteer to run a event or project.
• Represent the P&C in school decisions such as interviewing prospective teachers for a
  position.
• Volunteer to be an executive officer and, if hired in, handle things like managing the P&C
  accounts (see above), maintaining the membership database, liaise with uniform
  suppliers or even write articles for the school newsletter.

If you have any questions please contact the P & C via the school general email.

Nadia Di Qual (Interim Vice President) and Mylah Sta Teresa
(Communications Officer)

One might consider it timely that I am writing to you 20 years since
my departure from Hurlstone in 2003.

I had the pleasure of being appointed as Head Teacher Welfare
(Girls) in 1990 in my late twenties, leaving my loved position of
English/Drama teacher at Orange High School.

Coming from a large family, returning to Sydney was a bonus and
little did I know that I was about to meet more “family” through the
myriad of boarding students, their parents & carers, teaching,
ancillary, hostel, farm & residential staff and the wider community
of NSW and beyond!

A School, A Farm, A Home. That was the mantra of Hurlstone in
the 1990s under the inspirational leadership of Principal Michael
Kidd.

We were privileged to be entrusted with the care and education of
adolescents from Years 7 - 12 and it was important to regard this
task as a partnership with parents, hence communication on all
fronts was paramount.

As staff, we were welcomed with open arms into our parents’ rural
and coastal communities and homes, forging lifelong friendships
and furthering connections and understanding that would benefit
our charges.

Boarder parent working bees enhanced the dormitory
environments and provided opportunities for informal and formal
interactions.

Initiating “Teach Out Live In” residential staff helped to provide
pastoral, recreational & tutorial support for boarders, allowing
students to not always be facing their daytime teachers “at home”.

I remember trying to house 329 boarders at one stage, so we had a
thriving nest of hormones! Initially, no mobiles and internet (the
interminable line-ups for the phone!), which in hindsight may have
been a blessing as far as staff were concerned!

At Hurlstone

My teaching load was English, and working with many gifted and
talented students was delightful.

I also loved my “all male” classes, where my literature choices and
themes could better be appreciated (well, that was the plan!).

The maturity and sophistication of our senior students made
discussions passionate and challenging.

The co-curricular talents of students in the arts, public speaking,
music, drama and sporting arenas blew me away.

Hurlstone definitely fostered multi-talented young women and
men.

Teaching Exchange

In 1993 I spent a year in Bath, England on a teaching exchange. A
brilliant experience, especially with family and friends in Europe
being that little closer to visit!

New Adventures

In 1996 whilst travelling in China, I experienced significant
mobility problems, only to return to Australia to be diagnosed with
Multiple Sclerosis. Nearly 27 years on, I am still upright and have
been reliant on my 4 wheeled walker for many years.

In 1998, I left my Head Teacher Welfare role and became “just” an
English Teacher - and NSW Teachers Federation Representative.
By 2003, fatigue and mobility was interfering with my ability to
function consistently in the workplace, so was medically retired at
the ripe old age of 42.

I had married Andy in 2000, a fellow MSer from Edinburgh. We
moved to the more even climate of Port Macquarie in 2005,
building a home to more suit our needs. We continue to live here
and embrace life with enthusiasm and passion.

Families and Friendships Forever

Hurlstone was a unique experience and I still maintain friendships
from the teaching, parent and student communities. It is wonderful
to learn about the paths chosen by Hurlstonians and to hear their
stories - and those of their parents and children!  Sure, we have had
some folk who have entered the realm of fame and celebrity, even
notoriety, but also many who have made superb contributions to
the lives and futures of people in their sphere of influence, making a
significant difference.

Maybe we could share some of these journeys in this space,
highlighting Hurlstone’s wealth and depth of experience, diversity
and involvement that continues to renew with each generation in its
fold?

We want to hear the great work alumni are doing in their field of passion and "lived" school
stories.

Photos (that have individual's consent to publish) are always welcomed to show our
community the many ways in which people have experienced Hurlstone.

Please send an email to the school address (details below) with a contact number.

Our newsletter team will get in contact with you.

Hurlstone Agricultural High School

Address:

Dharawal Country

Roy Watts Road

Glenfield NSW 2167

Day school:

02 9829 9222

Email:

[email protected]

Website:

Visit us on the web at https://hurlstone-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/