Message From Our Principal Dr Susan Green

Happy New Year and welcome to our bumper first fortnightly Bulletin for 2024. Bulletins are sent to all parents/carers, staff and students. They are snapshots of the dynamic learning culture of NHSPA and the multiple opportunities for our students to develop their talents.  

The start of a new school year is always exciting, and it has been lovely talking to the students as they start their new year of high school. I warmly welcome everyone to the 2024 school year, in particular, all our new families.  

Year 7 has participated in the Transition Program to support their understanding of the new routine and expectations of high school learning, and to foster social connection and a sense of belonging.  

We welcome teachers who are returning to NHSPA:  

Alain Lavrut (English); Fiona Burg (Dance); Cathy Spirovska (Science); and Alice Chen (English). 

We wish a very big welcome to the new teachers commencing teaching at NHSPA this year: Adam Buttling and Hollie Cowell (PDHPE); Kylie Rose McLean and Eden Boundy (Visual Arts); Sam Rowe (Relieving Teacher Librarian); Julian Emsley (HSIE); Sarah Elliot (Dance) and Lachlan Barker-Kennedy (Learning Support). 

We know you will enjoy working at NHSPA. 

Tuesday and Wednesday last week were School Development Days. This valuable time enables teachers to complete mandatory training and to collaborate on important professional learning. Teachers worked in faculties on HSC data analysis, and in cross-faculty groups on the DoE’s What Works Best Research exploring fundamental ways to improve student learning outcomes. Thank you to Deputy Principal, Nilaufer Rajwar, for leading these research discussions. Presentations were also delivered on Literacy & Numeracy and Differentiation Strategies to support, challenge and engage our students. Thank you to Hannah Hindmarsh (Rel. Head Teacher Teaching & Learning), Jack Taylor (Head Teacher English), Vicki Stewart (Maths), and Rachael Holland (Rel. Head Teacher PDHPE) for sharing their expertise and presenting to staff.  

NHSPA’s 2023 Presentation Day for Year 7 through to Year 11 was at NIDA on Friday 8 December. A massive thank you again to all the students and all the teachers and staff involved in coordinating and managing the day. There are always so many staff back-stage and behind the scenes: the wonderful office staff and our Theatre Manager, Ben Turner, are always integral. The students we celebrated at Presentation Day had worked hard and thus received formal recognition. 

Congratulations again to the following students for their outstanding academic effort and achievement:  

• YEAR 9 DUX - Maya Harriman-Khan   

• YEAR 10 DUX - Max Jackson              

• YEAR 11 DUX - Thomas Keogh 

I would like to congratulate Year 12 2023 for their excellent HSC results released in the last week of Term 4. 

Grace Losco was the NHSPA Year 12 school DUX achieving an ATAR of 98.15. Grace also came first in NSW in HSC Business Studies. This is an outstanding achievement.  Congratulations Grace! And congratulations to the HSIE Faculty and her Business Studies Teacher and Year Advisor, Stephanie Leotta. When I spoke with Grace she was over the moon as well as very modest and appreciative of her teachers and her experiences at NHSPA. I asked Grace for her biggest tip for our current Year 12 students: she said, “I studied for hours each day”! 

Some highlights of our excellent HSC results include: Ancient History with results 9.21% above the state mean; Biology with results 5.76% above the state mean; Dance with results 8.21% above the state mean; Drama with results 6.38% above the state mean; English Studies with results 10.65% above the state mean; Food Technology with results 10.19 % above the state mean; Maths Extension 2 with results 5.07% above the state mean; Music 1 with results 6.68% above the state mean; PDHPE with results 6.08% above the state mean, and Visual Arts with results 4.04% above the state mean. 

Seven subjects had the highest number of students achieving a Band 6 (the top HSC band) in their subject since 2018. These subjects were: Ancient History, Business Studies, Economics, Legal Studies and Music 2. And Maths Advanced and Maths Standard 2 had the highest percentage of students in the top band since the new course started in 2020. Well done!   

We wish our Year 12 2023 students the very best of luck in the next exciting stages of their lives. They have set a fine example which is very motivating for our current Year 12 students who are continuing their own Year 12 journey. 

As we head into week 3 of our first school term, I see eager students keen to be back at school with their friends, and expert teachers who are skilled at motivating and inspiring our students. 2024 will be an excellent year of rich learning experiences and opportunities at NHSPA.  

Best wishes
Susan Green 

The annual Newtown High School of the Performing Arts Swimming Carnival will be held on Tuesday 13 February. 

2024 Sports Permission notes were sent out via Schoolbytes (email) late 2023. The sport permission note includes the swimming carnival. It is compulsory for every student to return a note. 

Date: Tuesday 13 February 2024 

Venue: Prince Alfred Park Pool, 105 Chalmers Street Surry Hills

Time: 9.00am to 3.00pm approx. All students should arrive by 9am for roll call. Students will be dismissed from the venue by 3.00pm approx. Students competing in the 200IM must arrive for an 8:30am start. Early leave passes must be organised through the office prior to the day. Emails on the day will not be accepted. 

Travel: Students are to make their own way to and from the venue (see map attached). Due to the close proximity of the pool to NHSPA and accessibility of public transport, buses will not be organised by the school. 

COVID: Prince Alfred has a COVID 19 Safety Plan. Students presenting with symptoms should follow current health advice. Spectators need to maintain an appropriate distance from students and should not be seated in the student area. 

Food: We have been advised the pool's cafe will be operational. Students are encouraged to bring their own food and drink. 

Weather: The carnival will proceed regardless of weather except severe conditions such as electrical storms. Should the carnival be cancelled a message will be posted on the school website, Sentral and Google Classrooms at 7.00am. Students are required to be at school in full school uniform with all required equipment should the carnival be cancelled. 

Equipment: Please ensure that students are well equipped with sun protection (hat, sunscreen), towel and swimmers. 

Cost: Carnival payments have been included in school contributions. Please ensure that payments have been made. 

Uniform: Students are asked to dress in FULL PE UNIFORM TO AND FROM the carnival. Those wishing to wear house colours may change AT THE CARNIVAL VENUE. Students are advised to leave valuables at home. No responsibility will be taken for lost or stolen items. 

If you have any further queries, please contact:

abbey.campbell 3@det.nsw.edu.au

Newtown High School of the Performing Arts offers the opportunity for all students to be involved in the extensive Co-Curricular Program.

The Co-Curricular Program is the name given to all Dance, Drama, Music, Visual Arts and Technical Companies and Ensembles that run at the school. Entry to these companies is by audition during the first few weeks of Term 1 in 2024.

To enter the Co-Curricular Program all students may audition regardless of their mode of entry.

It is a mandatory requirement for students who enrolled via audition to participate in these auditions.

For full details of the Co-Curricular Program, please click on the following link:

Information for Students and Parents - NHSPA Ensemble & Company Auditions 2024 

These documents have been sent to all students and appear on the school's website.