As we reach the end of Term 1, it's time to reflect on the progress and achievements of our students while also setting expectations for the future. We are immensely proud of the growth and success each student has shown this term. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child's education. 

I want to celebrate the success of all our students in their respective subjects, whether it's mastering a new concept in math, expressing creativity in art, demonstrating critical thinking skills in English, or representing the school in sport, every student has made some progress and achievement. This success is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the support they receive from you at home.

I hope that families who celebrate Eid were able to enjoy the time with family and friends. Unfortunately, we made the decision to not hold our annual Iftar dinner due to day light savings. Hopefully, we can plan to have this happen again in the future.

This term the DE International held their award evening celebrating the achievements of international students in 2023. Henry Chen, a 2023 Year 12 student at Kogarah High School was a finalist.

Kogarah High School is a wonderfully diverse school and this is in part due to our Intensive English Centre. Starting this year with only eight class groups in the IEC we have grown to ten classes. The vibrant nature of our IEC adds to the diversity of the school.

A reminder to all parents that our Learning Centre is open every Monday 3.00pm to 4.30pm each week for all students. As well as teacher support, we have previous students coming along to offer tutoring. The learning centre is also open each Tuesday specifically for our Year 11 and 12 students. This is a great opportunity to use the resources of the library and have a quiet space for study and homework. I look forward to increasing numbers of students taking up this resource.

We also celebrated the achievement of the school sport with our futsal team, Volleyball, Football and Table Tennis Teams all participating in the Sydney East KO events. I am looking forward to supporting The Boys Volleyball Team at their next game in their pursuit of the State Championships. We also had several students trial for SE representative teams. Congratulations to Ali. C, Eassah H, Mitya.k, Mohammed.K, Husayn.K, Adnan.M, Zaynab.E, Emika M and Lance.T  

Have a great holiday.

I am pleased to present this report covering various aspects of our school's operations and initiatives this term.

Year 7 and 9 NAPLAN: Our school has made significant strides in improving student performance in the Year 7 and 9 NAPLAN assessments. Through targeted interventions, curriculum enhancements, and personalised support, we have seen notable improvements in student outcomes across various subject areas. However, we recognise the need for continued efforts to ensure all students reach their full potential. Parents can expect to receive their child’s NAPLAN individual student report later in the year.

Yondr Pouches: The implementation of Yondr Pouches has been a transformative initiative in addressing smartphone and supporting device dependency and promoting focused learning environments. By temporarily restricting access to smartphones during school hours, we have observed increased student engagement, reduced distractions, and enhanced classroom productivity. Feedback from both students and teachers has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the effectiveness of this approach in fostering a conducive learning environment.

Uniform: Maintaining high standards of uniform compliance remains a priority for our school community. We have reinforced the importance of adherence to uniform guidelines through regular communication and student support mechanisms. While overall compliance has improved, ongoing efforts are required to ensure consistency across all year levels. Students can purchase items from the front office before school and during recess and lunchtime at the front office and at Lowes, Rockdale. 

Attendance Matters: Attendance continues to be a critical factor in student achievement and overall school success. We have implemented targeted strategies to address absenteeism, including early intervention measures, positive reinforcement, and support for students facing attendance challenges. These efforts have resulted in improved attendance rates and greater student participation in classroom activities and extracurricular opportunities. Families are encouraged to visit the NSW Government website where they are able to access helpful information to support their child in establishing healthy school routines. Click on this link to learn more:  Attendance Matters

Executive Conference: Kogarah High School’s executive team eagerly attended the annual conference with the aim of actively engaging in learning and professional development opportunities. A key aspect of the workshop was led by guest speaker Professor Matt Bower from Macquarie University who provided valuable insight as to the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, highlighting innovative approaches to integrating AI technologies into teaching and learning practices. Insights gained from the conference have informed our strategic planning efforts to leverage AI tools and resources for enhancing student outcomes and educational experiences.

Kogarah High School has made commendable progress in various areas, including academic performance, student well-being, technological integration, and leadership development. Moving forward, we remain committed to building upon these achievements, addressing challenges, and embracing opportunities for growth and innovation. Together, we will continue to strive for excellence in education and ensure the success and well-being of every member of our school community.