What an action packed term it has been!

I have been lucky enough to join 25 senior students on the US Dance Tour recently and the experiences our students had will be remembered for a life time.  This tour has been on offer via audition at NHSPA for over 20 years.  The relationships built and maintained by our Dance faculty ensure an ever-enriching experience for our talented dancers.  

In New York City, we met with alumni Joanne Hwang who is one example of a student who took up a scholarship offer with Point Park University, Pittsburgh through her participation in the USA National High School Dance Festival.  Joanne met us for dinner in New York City and spent time chatting with the dancers about her experiences at NHSPA, on tour, at Point Park University and how that has led her to be a member of Parsons Dance Company in New York today.  

We are so proud of Joanne and all the dancers we took away with us - congratulations on representing our school to an exemplary level on an international stage!

SENIOR SCHOOL PRIVILEGES 

Each year during year 11, parents receive a letter asking for permission to allow their child to leave the school grounds at lunchtime should they wish to.  This permission is a privilege the Year Advisors and Deputy Principal of the year group grant after certain expectations from the year group have been met. These privileges carry over into year 12.  

All other year groups are expected to remain in the school grounds at all times. This is to ensure duty of care of our students within school hours.  Please remind your children of these expectations over this week at home.

Exemplary behaviour is expected at all times in the community if these privileges have been awarded aligned with the standard of behaviour expected traveling to and from school for all students each day.

CURRICULUM

Student Curriculum is well underway for 2025 with any changes to patterns of study now closed.  It is fantastic to see so many of our students thriving through their performing arts enriched curriculum choices.

Please see our Newtown High School of the Performing Arts’ Policy regarding class changes.....

CORE CLASSES

The composition of core classes is carefully considered by Teachers, Year Advisors and Deputy Principals. 

Core classes are an opportunity for students to build and broaden social connections, as well as to hone skills in working with a range of personalities and abilities. Students are encouraged to develop learning connections which are in addition to their friendship groups. 

Consideration of known wellbeing issues are a priority in core class organisation. Deputy Principals, Year Advisors and Teaching staff consult each year to ensure the best possible learning environment for all students. Changes to class composition can compromise the careful selection of students in each class. 

The logistics of timetabling make it impossible to cater to all student preferences. Changes to core classes are not possible.  

ELECTIVE CLASSES

NHSPA encourages students to choose elective courses based on personal interest and aptitude. These choices should be carefully considered by students at subject selection times in Term 3 to allow the school to prepare and organise successfully for the following year.  

If a student has an extreme change of heart, changes to chosen elective courses are possible (Years 8-12), however, only provided it can be facilitated within the timetable.  

The cut-off date for changes to electives is published at the beginning of each year. After this date, no change requests from parents/carers or students will be considered. 

Thank you for your support in ensuring that NHSPA provides the most conducive learning environment for all our students.  

NEW LASER CUTTER 

The TAS department would like to extend our sincere thanks to the P&C members for their generous donation towards the Laser Cutter for the TAS department. We are excited to share that it is now installed and ready for use. 

This incredible tool will provide our students with the opportunity to explore their creativity and bring their innovative ideas to life. We cannot wait to see the amazing projects they will create with this wonderful addition to our resources. 

Your support truly makes a difference in enhancing our students' learning experiences, and we are grateful for your commitment to our school community! 

Year 7 Agriculture

This term, our Year 7 Mandatory Technology students have been immersing themselves in an exciting Agriculture rotation, engaging hands-on in the school garden. With a focus on sustainability, they are learning essential gardening skills while growing a variety of vegetables that will be used in their classroom activities. 

The students are having a fantastic time as they plant seeds, nurture the plants, and witness the growth process firsthand. This practical experience not only enhances their understanding of sustainable practices but also fosters a greater appreciation for where our food comes from. 

We look forward to seeing the delicious results of their hard work and the valuable lessons they will carry forward in their culinary adventures!

Local sporting opportunity!

Join your local junior AFL footy club based at Sydney Park, Alexandria. Newtown Swans are recruiting players of all ages and skill levels, with a special focus on students turning 16 or 17 this year for our senior teams. Season starts Saturday 5 April, so register now.

To learn more, reach out to their president Megan at president@newtownswans.com.au or call 0403 028 859. 

Subsidised registrations are available if needed.

In Yellow Envelope No. 37 from the NHSPA ‘archive’ is a Memorandum to School Principals from the Board of Senior Studies. At first glance this 6-page document of 1970 fails to engage. 

And yet.

Like much of the larger NHSPA archive, rooted in earlier schools such as Newtown Boys Junior High School (1962-1976) and Petersham Girls High School (1878-1989), the 1970 Memorandum serves as a foil to the present moment. Given its HSC focus, perhaps this document was transported with other paperwork from Petersham Girls High School at the end of 1989. 

The purpose of the 1970 Memorandum was to list changes and make recommendations. In 1971 there was to be a reduced number of Latin texts as the “study of ancient languages” had become less practical, it was explained. Indeed, the Latin enrolments of around 1,170 in 1970 had declined markedly since 1967.  However, from the vantage point of 2023, which saw just 252 students enrolled in Latin across the state, the stats of 1970 look rather shiny.

Taking the long view, the Ancient Language Institute argues that the demise of Latin, as it was spoken by the Roman elite, began in the early 6th century CE, after Rome’s fall and thereafter there was a steady, incremental shrinkage. By 1970, when the dynamic English language was spawning neologisms such as “funky”, “groovy” and “hip”, Latin was a such frozen artefact, it had largely been ditched in Catholic Church Masses.

While Latin needed CPR in 1970, the Memorandum’s list of recommended library books hints at the Board’s determination to keep traditional English literature alive. In addition, its recommended Library Book List was distinctly at odds with the new-fangled notion that texts might be open to diverse interpretations. Capturing the tenor of the list, Cleanth Brooks’ Well Wrought Urn (1947) implied that literature had a fixed meaning which should not be messed with by uppity readers.

To support learners in developing effective study habits the school will run an after-school study centre during term times on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday afternoons from 3:25pm-5:00pm in the school Library.

This is open to all students, providing a quiet environment in which focussed study could take place.

Whilst attendance every week is not compulsory, should your child wish to use this facility, it is recommended that they be regular in their attendance for effective learning to occur.

The study centre will be supervised by a staff member between the times above to assist learners with organisation, planning, and developing successful study habits should they so wish.

This is an excellent opportunity for students to form small study teams to work together to improve their understanding of concepts and spur each other on to achieve a personal best in their subjects.

Expectations for attendance are as follows:

Students

• respect the rights of other learners and so maintain a quiet learning environment.

• desire to improve their performance in subjects.

• use this time productively.

• be regular in attendance.

The centre has been shown to be an effective way for improving students' results, confidence, and organisation in an enjoyable, relaxed environment.

THE ASSC IS A QUIET SPACE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR LEARNING AND SEEK HELP FROM STAFF