News

Get #FirstDay2021 ready for the new school year

Thu, 21 Jan 2021 13:59:34 AEDT

Be prepared for the new school year with our back to school tips and tools.

The start of a new school year can be both an exciting and demanding time for parents and students alike.

Our parents and carers Back to school hub can help you prepare for the year ahead with practical articles, tools, activities, calendars and checklists so you and your child can be ready from day 1, term 1.

Find out about what your child will learn in high school, how to support their health and wellbeing, and help them make decisions about their future.

There's also a dedicated section for students starting Year 7 and Year 11 & 12 where you'll find tips for a smooth transition into high school, and pathways for students after school.

Video – #FirstDay2021

Duration – 0:49

Mobile Phone Policy 2021

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 11:48:02 AEDT

Our public school students are top class

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 15:20:29 AEDT

Public school students have again dominated the HSC honours securing 71 of the 126 First in Course awards announced today.

Among the high achievers, Sariena Ye from James Ruse Agricultural High School became only the fourth person since 1991 to secure first place in both Chemistry and Physics – and the first female in 27 years to top both subjects.

NSW Education Secretary Mark Scott congratulated the winners and also paid tribute to every student that had completed their HSC in 2020.

“Those students who received a First in Course – and their families - should be rightly proud of their achievements,” Mr Scott said.

“Considering the particular challenges of 2020, we are extremely proud of every student that has shown the determination and resilience to achieve their best and finish their HSC.

“They now leave school with the skills to embark upon a successful life, no matter what they choose next.”

Public school students secured First in Course across a range of subject areas including, among others, three of the five mathematics and English courses, chemistry and physics, science extension, Aboriginal studies, economics, ancient history, languages and visual arts.

Mr Scott said the diversity of subjects topped by public school students showed NSW Education was committed to quality education across all fields of endeavour.

“Our success in the HSC is also a tribute to the quality of teaching and dedication of staff in supporting our students during their final year of schooling.”

The First in Course winners this year came from a wider selection of schools with James Ruse Agricultural High School the most successful school overall, securing six First in Course positions.

Schools Spectacular remixed for television

Fri, 04 Dec 2020 15:50:34 AEDT

Relive memorable acts and performances from the past four years in a special televised Schools Spectacular event.

The annual Schools Spectacular, cancelled this year due to the pandemic, will entertain audiences with a special television broadcast next week.

The Schools Spectacular 2020 Remixed will air on Channel 7 on Saturday 5 December at 7pm.

The two-hour broadcast will feature memorable acts and spectacular moments from the past four years.

The show will also feature a surprise digital performance from this year’s graduating Class of 2020 with the Year 12 students sharing their passion and talents while celebrating with NSW Education for one last time.

This technical feat aims to inspire audiences as more than 70 dancers, singers, instrumental musicians and signing performers from across NSW assemble virtually for the performance.

Mark Scott, Secretary of the NSW Department of Education, said this event is an opportunity to revisit memories of past performances and celebrate the talents of students in NSW public schools.

“Schools Spectacular 2020 Remixed will be an extraordinary broadcast and a unique opportunity to look back at some of the many achievements of our talented performing arts students and their hard working and committed teachers from the past four years,” he said.

Audiences can also share their own memories and see highlights from past Schools Spectacular performances on the Schools Spectacular Facebook page.

Schools Spectacular Remixed 2020 is produced by the NSW Department of Education and proudly supported by Presenting Partners, Telstra and the NSW Teachers Federation, and Segment Partner, RØDE Microphones.

Celebrate Schools Spectacular 2020 Remixed on Saturday 5 December at 7pm on Channel 7.

Supporting effective learning at school and home with the ‘What Works Best: 2020 update’

Fri, 27 Nov 2020 13:33:52 AEDT

The ‘What Works Best: 2020 update’ outlines the eight most effective teaching practices and how these can be supported at home.

Parents and carers can support effective student learning at home through the ‘What Works Best’ resource, now updated for 2020.

The What Works Best resource has been very successful helping teachers bring the best teaching practices into their classrooms. The ‘What Works Best: 2020 update’ outlines eight evidence-based teaching practices that teachers can use in their classrooms to improve student learning.

You can find out more about these practices, how it’s used in schools, our handy guide for parents and carers and conversation tips to help continue student learning at home when you visit the ‘What Works Best’ parents and carers hub.

School Updates App - be prepared for any emergency

Mon, 16 Nov 2020 15:44:50 AEDT

Receive notifications of school closures. Opt in to receive timely, accurate notifications about the operational status of your chosen NSW public school(s).

The NSW School Updates App was created to help our parents and carers check on the status of their school during last summer’s bushfire season. And it’s been invaluable during COVID when schools were required to close for deep cleaning.

The app is free and available now for iOS and Android users.

Visit NSW School Updates App to download and for more information

Privacy information

The app doesn't store any personal or identifiable information.

Join in the virtual NAIDOC Week celebrations

Thu, 12 Nov 2020 16:21:17 AEDT

Education celebrates NAIDOC Week 2020 (8 – 15 November 2020) with the theme ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’.

It’s a time to reflect and celebrate the history, culture and achievements of the First Nation peoples – recognising them as the traditional owners of the land.

Schools were invited to film and submit videos to celebrate history, culture and achievements of past and present Aboriginal and Torres Strait students.

Secretary, Mark Scott will give an opening address on Monday, 9 November and then Aboriginal students run a Question and Answers session with Mark Scott, Cindy Berwick, President of the NSW AECG; Martin Graham, Deputy Secretary; Michelle Hall, Executive Director, Connecetd Communities and Karen Jones, Executive Director, Aboriginal Outcomes and Partnerships.

Tuesday will showcase how NSW public schools are embedding Aboriginal cultural practices. Special thanks to; Windale Public School Preschool, Terrigal Public School, Wilcannia Central School and Murrumbidgee Regional High School for participating.

Wednesday will highlight the outstanding achievements of Benson Igua Saulo, In-coming Consul-General to the US based in Houston (2021), as his is interviewed by current students from his former schools, Tamworth High School and Peel High School.

Thursday will see Uncle Michael Jarrett deliver a Gumbaynggirr language lesson.

Friday will close out our virtual celebration with a beautiful virtual choir led by Uncle Archie Roach. Students will join him singing ‘Took the children away’ and ‘Children came back’.

Join the virtual celebration via video streams hosted by Aboriginal Outcomes and Partnerships , each weekday morning, at 9:30am, during NAIDOC Week 2020.

2021 term dates now available

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 15:45:44 AEDT

Most students start Friday 29 January (or Friday 5 February for Western division) in Term 1 2021.

To support a strong start to 2021, school staff will now have two school development days at the beginning of Term 1.

For 2021, students will return to school on Friday 29 January (or Friday 5 February for Western division), unless otherwise notified by the school. School term dates for 2021 are now available.

Western division schools, also known as ‘late start’ schools, are located in the far western region of NSW. Check if your school is a Late start school.

#MathsTrainsBrains for the future

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 18:54:28 AEDT

Parents and carers can now explore the importance of mathematical skills with the new Everyday Maths experience, featuring activities, resources and explainers targeted to year groups.

The digital launch is part of the NSW Mathematics Strategy 2025, which aims to strengthen mathematics teaching in NSW public schools, promote understanding of the usefulness of mathematics and build positive perceptions of mathematics.

Tune into Education LIVE to find out how high profile Australians like media guru Kellie Hush, former Olympian Steve Solomon and former Masterchef Alice Zaslavsky use maths in their everyday lives.

Video – #MathsTrainsBrains

Duration – 1:00

HSC Good Wishes

Sat, 24 Oct 2020 12:42:06 AEDT

The attached information has been distributed to our Year 12 students and their families ahead of the start of HSC Exams. It is vitally important that all students and their families are aware of the COVID-safe expectations, including the alternative exam venue.

Press here to download the information distributed to students containing COVID-safe expectations

New resources to help HSC students stay healthy

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:42:50 AEST

With only a month until the first written HSC exams, Year 12 students have an extra place to look for support.

Year 12 and the HSC can be a stressful time, and this year’s students have already overcome bushfires, floods and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The department has brought together new and updated tools to help HSC students stay healthy, active and connected as they finish their final weeks of school.

Stay healthy HSC includes:

advice about looking after your own mental health and checking in on friends from ReachOut.com
exam tips from the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)
on-demand video lessons, written by teachers, to help with study.

Visit Stay healthy HSC to explore the resources.

Updates to COVID-19 restrictions affecting NSW schools

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 23:11:18 AEST

Latest COVID-19 case locations in NSW

NSW Health has a website to inform you of the actions you should take if you have been in a location where there have been confirmed cases of COVID-19 within NSW. Monitor the site and follow the relevant health advice if you have been at any of the locations at the specified dates and times.

Students and staff who have travelled through or visited Victoria

All students and staff who have visited Victoria must have a permit to enter NSW and are required to self-isolate for 14 days.

Except for students and staff who reside in a border town, all students and staff who have visited Victoria in the 14 days before the commencement of school should not attend school until they complete the 14 days self-isolation period since they left Victoria.

Students and staff who are unable to return to school due to these self-isolation requirements will be supported to learn and work remotely during the self-isolation period via the online learning hubs until they return to on-campus learning and teaching.

NSW Health has requested anyone who has been in Victoria and is unwell or has flu-like symptoms arrange to be tested through their local medical practitioner or one of the COVID-19 clinics.

Refer to current advice for people who have recently visited Victoria.

Information for students and staff on new NSW-Victoria border restrictions

The NSW Government has announced further tightening to the restrictions for people travelling across the NSW-Victorian border.

From midnight Tuesday 21 July a border zone, defined along the Murray River, will be established.

Anyone travelling from Victoria to NSW must apply for a new permit through Service NSW.

Victorian residents who have been in one of the restricted areas in Victoria in the last 14 days must not enter NSW.

Attending schools along the border

Current permits will expire at midnight, Tuesday 21 July. We strongly encourage all parents and staff to check they have a permit and if not, apply for one through Service NSW.

Students and staff who reside in Victoria will need to be eligible for a border permit to attend school in person.

Under the new public health order, the border zone has been reduced significantly.

Not all students and staff may be eligible for a border permit under the public health order. If you are not eligible for a border permit you will not be able to cross the border. Students and staff will be supported through remote learning and working via the online learning hubs until they return to school.

Further information on the new border zone is available from Service NSW.

Border permits can be rescinded at any time if a cluster outbreak in your community occurs. We encourage parents to monitor local circumstances regularly as things may change in the coming days or weeks.

Transport to and from school will run as scheduled. For travel advice to and from school refer to Transport for NSW.

New restrictions affecting boarding schools

Any student returning from Victoria to reside at a boarding school in NSW must now self-isolate for 14 days in a NSW location separate to the boarding school. They must also obtain a negative test swab from day 10 of their isolation before entering school and have written confirmation of the test result and the period spent isolating.

Those who are unable to return to boarding while they are completing the self-isolation period will be supported through remote learning and working via the online learning hubs until they return to school.

More information

Returning to school in Term 3

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 12:03:27 AEST

Our school will be open to welcome students back to onsite learning from the beginning of Term 3 – Tuesday 21 July 2020.

As you would be aware the border between NSW and Victoria closed as of 12:01am 8 July 2020.

All staff and students returning from Victoria after this time must have a permit to enter NSW and are required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days.

All students who have been in Victoria in the last 14 days before the commencement of school must not attend school until they complete the 14 days self-isolation period since they left Victoria.

NSW Health has requested anyone who has been in Victoria and is unwell or has flu-like symptoms arrange to be tested through their local medical practitioner or one of the COVID-19 clinics.

Refer to current advice for people who have recently visited Victoria.

Students who are unable to return to school due to the border closures or self-isolation will be supported to learn remotely.

We would like to remind our community the most important action you can take is to practise good hand hygiene and physical distancing. Our school will be vigilant in implementing these requirements to minimise the risk at school.

Curriculum reform focuses on deep learning

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 08:44:36 AEST

Changes to the NSW school curriculum will be the biggest education shake-up in 30 years.

The reforms, announced by the NSW Government on Tuesday, will start rolling out in 2021. All Kindergarten to Year 12 students will learn the new curriculum by 2024.

The changes are in response to the NSW Curriculum Review by Professor Geoff Masters and will ensure every student is prepared and ready for their future.

The reforms are based on:

decluttering the curriculum by reducing unnecessary subjects
a ‘back to basics approach’ that will see a renewed focus on the core subjects of English, maths and science
Year 11 and Year 12 prequalification for university and TAFE courses.

Education Week to celebrate learning together

Fri, 19 Jun 2020 11:51:37 AEST

Education Week 2020 will be held from Monday 3 August to Friday 7 August.

Education Week is our annual week of celebration to highlight the achievements of our students and staff and the role of public schools as the cornerstone of their communities.

This year’s theme is ‘Learning together’ and it reflects the incredible months of 2020 where NSW public school students have continued to learn and achieve, despite natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our schools have experienced significant disruption but our staff – in partnership with parents and carers – have worked tirelessly to ensure that high quality teaching and learning has continued for all students.

Department of Education Secretary Mark Scott said the best learning takes place when there is a partnership of students, teachers, parents, carers and the community.

“Our schools and families benefit from strong, respectful relationships where responsibility for student learning is shared,” Mr Scott said.

“As our lives slowly return to normal, it’s time for us to reflect on the achievements and resilience of our entire school community. We look forward to celebrating Education Week with all of you in August.”

Statewide events for Education Week include:

a live stream launch on Monday, 3 August
activities for National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day on Tuesday, 4 August
a live streamed student film festival on Wednesday, 5 August.

Schools are invited to share photos, videos and stories of local celebrations on social media using the hashtag #EdWeek20 or send an email to educationweek@det.nsw.edu.au.

NSW students return to the classroom full-time

Tue, 19 May 2020 10:45:48 AEST

Students across NSW will be back in the classroom full-time from next Monday, 25 May.

The success of the phased return to face to face teaching has demonstrated the education system and community are ready for school to come back full-time.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell thanked school communities and parents for their patience during this difficult time.

Ms Berejiklian said a return to full-time face to face teaching and learning is crucial for the education progress of every child in NSW from Kindergarten to Year 12.

“Since starting a managed return to the classroom, we have seen a strong degree of confidence from our school communities in managing COVID-19 and a clear desire for all students to be back at school,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“We expect schools to stick with the health advice – increased cleaning, access to hygiene supplies and compliance with hygiene practices – and look forward to seeing all students back on campus five days a week.

“The health advice is very clear; a return to full-time face to face teaching is safe.”

Over the last two weeks schools have been working hard to support students practise good hygiene and implement new routines at school, which has been successful giving the community confidence that full-time face to face teaching can resume.

Ms Mitchell said she was eager to see students back in the classroom full-time.

“Our principals, teachers, support staff, parents and carers have gone above and beyond to continue the education of our students while we respond to this pandemic,” Ms Mitchell said.

“My priority is the education of our children. We know that parents across NSW share our desire for students to be back in school, and that is our expectation.

“Schools will need to maintain the measures and precautions they have put in place for the foreseeable future, including no assemblies and excursions.

“Teachers will be focused on identifying where their students are at in their education and we will be supporting them to recognise and assist those students who need additional help.”

Read the department's latest advice for families.

Keeping our school COVIDSafe

Tue, 12 May 2020 16:26:09 AEST

Help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community by downloading the app.

Social distancing and washing your hands remain the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The COVIDSafe app, developed by the Australian Government, helps to reduce the spread by allowing health experts to find close contacts faster and more accurately.

The app does not track your location. It uses your phone's Bluetooth to record other users you come into contact with, so if they test positive, NSW Health can let you know.

Find out more:

Students begin return to classrooms

Fri, 08 May 2020 18:49:42 AEST

From Monday 11 May (Week 3) students will begin a phased return to school.

The phased return will maintain distancing in the classroom while supporting students' education and wellbeing.

Most students will continue learning from home and will only attend school 1 day each week.

Our school will continue to provide detailed information about the return to the classroom throughout the rest of Term 2.

Measures to keep schools clean and safe for all students and staff include:

25% more cleaning time focused on high-touch areas
priority deliveries of hygiene supplies including soap and hand sanitiser
local school changes to pick up, drop off, lunch and recess times and processes.

Religion and ethics lessons continue at home

Tue, 05 May 2020 10:23:52 AEST

Students learning from home can continue to access Special religious education (SRE) and Special education in ethics (SEE) classes.

Face-to-face SRE, SEE and Voluntary student activities of a religious nature in schools (VSA) will not be available until schools resume normal operations.

In response to requests from school communities, SRE and SEE approved providers are delivering their authorised curriculum with modifications to allow students to learn from home from the start of Term 2.

The lesson content and the mode of delivery has been reviewed and modified for easy access by students. The approved providers recognise that learning at home will not replicate face-to-face learning at school.

The learning from home SRE and SEE programs are now available:

Tune in at 8.45am to NSW Education LIVE

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 20:26:30 AEST

To welcome our students back for Term 2, join us at 8.45am from Wednesday 29 April to Friday 8 May for a special live stream.

Musician Guy Sebastian, TV foodies Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and Manu Feildel, Gardening Australia host Costa Georgiadis, Sydney Swans player Ollie Florent, and our very own Eddie Woo, have donated their time to kick start learning from home each morning from 29 April - 8 May.

Tune in each day at 8:45am. We can't wait to see you!

Video – NSW Education LIVE sneak peek

Duration – 0:30

Check out this special sneak peek of NSW Education LIVE – 8:45am weekdays from 29 April.

NSW students to transition back to the classroom in Term 2

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 13:25:32 AEST

NSW school students will gradually transition back to the classroom during Term 2 as the Government continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell outlined the plan for students attending NSW public schools to progressively return to face-to-face learning in week three of Term 2.

Ms Berejiklian said health advice continues to be that schools remain open, and parents, teachers and students can be confident that school is safe place.

“We are grateful to all families who kept their children home from school at the end of Term 1 and to teachers who worked tirelessly to deliver education online,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“This allowed us critical time to prepare our schools to develop better online learning options and for considering additional hygiene measures to allow schools to return.

“We know that nothing is more important than a child’s education, and we must begin to return our students to their classrooms in a considered way.

“Under these changes, from week three of Term 2, every student will be attending school for one day a week.

“We will look to increase the number of days students are at school in a staged way and hope to have all children back at school full-time by Term 3.

“I’d like to thank the Catholic and Independent schools for working with the NSW Government at this time, as well as staff, including teachers, principals and cleaners, for working so hard to prepare for a resumption of school.

“I’d also like to thank parents for what has been a tough month, often juggling working from home and caring for children. We hope the partial resumption of on campus learning will provide some much needed relief to those families.”

During the first stage of on-campus learning, parents will be encouraged to keep their children home except on their allocated day of face-to-face learning. Initially, about a quarter of a school’s students are expected to be on site at any one time. The specific days students will be required to attend school each week will vary from school to school and will be clearly communicated to parents.

Classes will be split across schools, allowing schools to appropriately social distance students and teachers.

As always, schools will remain open for students who need them and no child will be turned away from school.

Ms Mitchell said careful consideration had been given to support the school community, providing clarity and certainty on the path forward.

“This plan provides a clear path that balances community concerns with a need to deliver continuity of quality education,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Hand sanitiser will be available in all classrooms and provisions are in place for at-risk teachers to work from home. Drop off, pick up, recess and lunchtimes will also be staggered to ensure social distancing.”

In addition to the staged return to school, the NSW Government has committed up to $95.7 million to help keep casual and temporary school staff engaged in active work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our casual and temporary teachers and other non-teaching staff across NSW schools are critical to our education system, and will help ensure the educational outcomes for our students during this staged return,” Ms Mitchell said.

A cross-sector working group of teachers will also be established to report back to the Minister on recent innovations and educational developments assembled during the COVID-19 period that are suitable to support future educational delivery.

“It’s important that we have an inventory of the cutting edge teaching solutions and recognise the best efforts of our amazing NSW teachers during a difficult time,” Ms Mitchell said.

Teachers will have an additional day to prepare for Term 2 on Tuesday 28 April making the first day of term for students Wednesday 29 April.

Latest advice

Get up-to-date information about the department's response to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus).
Explore the department's learning from home resources for teachers and parents to support both online and offline learning for all students.

Keep your family entertained these school holidays

Thu, 09 Apr 2020 19:49:18 AEST

We know it’s been a challenging Term 1. Just as many communities began recovering from fires, droughts and floods, we moved to learning from home to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The school holidays are coming, which means your family is about to have a lot of free time and nowhere to go.

To support you while looking after children we’ve put together a handy guide of activities to stimulate young minds and keep your family busy and engaged.

Check out our parents and carers toolkit for important self-care tips, free parenting podcasts and apps.

If you need a break, the Service NSW before and after school care finder can help locate vacation care programs near you.

No child will be turned away from school

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 12:50:36 AEDT

The NSW Department of Education's advice regarding schools is very clear. No child in NSW will be turned away from school.

Schools will remain open for parents who want their children to attend irrespective of their profession or working arrangements.

The decision to keep schools open has been made based on advice from NSW Health, which has not changed.

The department will provide continuity of learning for all students both on and off campus and the Premier, for practical reasons, has encouraged parents to keep their children at home if they could.

Schools will communicate directly with parents on what learning options are available using their communication methods such as the school website, newsletters, emails and other online tools.

Latest advice

Get up-to-date information about the department's response to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus).
Explore the department's learning from home resources for teachers and parents to support both online and offline learning for all students.

New COVID-19 restrictions begin as schools move towards online learning

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 20:20:47 AEDT

The NSW Government has taken significant new steps to increase restrictions across the state - triggering the next level of enforcement necessary to fight COVID-19.

Following the decisions made by National Cabinet, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirmed the shutdown to protect NSW citizens.

"I understand many in the community are worried, and these changes will affect everyday lives, and may be upsetting," Ms Berejiklian said.

"But these decisions will make us all safer, they are taken with the health of all citizens in mind, and they must be taken now.

"If you have the capacity to work from home, you should do so."

In line with health advice, from midday today, the following non-essential activities and businesses will be temporarily shut down:

pubs, registered clubs
gyms, indoor sporting venues
cinemas, entertainment venues, casinos, and night clubs
restaurants and cafes will be restricted to takeaway and/or home delivery
religious gatherings, places of worship (excluding small weddings and funerals that comply with the 4m2 rule, which can proceed).

It is important to note essential gatherings at places such as hospitals, workplaces, constructions sites and for public transport are exempt and will continue.

As confirmed last night by the Prime Minister schools will remain open, based on health advice, which has not changed.

But from tomorrow, in NSW, for practical reasons, parents are encouraged to keep their children at home.

"Because nearly 30 per cent of children are already being kept out of school, for practical reasons NSW is encouraging parents to keep their children at home," Ms Berejiklian said.

"This will ensure there is only one unit of work, whether the student is at home or at school.

"No child will be turned away from school."

Latest advice

Get up-to-date information about the department's response to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus).
Explore the department's learning from home resources for teachers and parents to support both online and offline learning for all students.

Schools to implement distancing measures

Sun, 15 Mar 2020 19:55:04 AEDT

The NSW Department of Education is introducing proactive measures to limit the impact of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in our schools.

Mark Scott, Secretary of the Department of Education, today announced that schools would adopt social distancing measures requiring them to cancel assemblies, excursions, travel, some events and conferences.

Mr Scott said these measures are precautionary and designed to reduce exposure via non-essential gatherings.

"Schools have been a focus of the community and the government as the impacts of coronavirus have developed globally," Mr Scott said.

"From Monday onwards, I expect school assemblies and substantial gatherings to be cancelled, along with all excursions.

"The community expects schools to be as safe as possible. We are implementing these measures to provide peace of mind for students, parents and staff."

"These cancellations also extend to inter-school arts, sports, initiative activities and events.

All major arts, sports and initiative activities and events will temporarily be ceased until further notice. This includes whole-school sporting events and inter-school events involving three or more schools.

"Local inter-school sport and other activities can proceed, but we ask organisers to ensure that as far as possible, reasonable precautions are taken," Mr Scott said.

"I trust our principals and staff to show leadership during this time."

Schools will be provided with more detailed advice and suggestions on how they can adjust their day to day activities with minimal disruption.

The department is continuing to prepare for further closures if necessary with scaling up of technology, additional training of staff and preparation of offsite lessons.

Families and students in self-isolation can find useful information to continue learning from home.

For the latest information, check COVID-19 advice for schools.

Coronavirus - Department of Education statement

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 20:19:20 AEDT

The department is working with the Ministry of Health to monitor and respond to the unfolding international novel coronavirus situation.

Get up-to-date information about the department's response to novel coronavirus.

Are you #Ready2020?

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 15:39:45 AEDT

Hints, tips and resources to make a great start to the new school year – whether it’s your first day of high school or you’ve been here a while.

We work hard to make sure every student is known, valued and cared for – even before they walk into the classroom on Day 1, Term 1.

We’ve got great advice and resources for high school, no matter what year you’re heading into...

For families of students starting Year 7:

download our Getting ready for high school booklet
read our top tips for a smooth transition.

For families of returning students:

visit the back to school checklist to make a hassle-free start to the year
download the 2020 calendar to stay organised all year
check out our hints for setting up a study space.

Video – #Ready2020: First day at high school

Duration – 1:00

NSW schools respond to bushfires

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 17:00:52 AEDT

Many schools are responding to the catastrophic fire rating that is affecting communities across the state this week.

We are continuously updating the School safety page with a list of government and non-government schools, as well as TAFE NSW campuses that are currently non-operational.

While some schools are temporarily non-operational due to localised fires, many others in high-risk areas are non-operational as a precautionary measure.

Schools in some areas are being used as emergency evacuation centres at the direction of the Rural Fire Service.

For schools that are currently operational, school pickups and dropoffs will continue as usual. If your school is currently non-operational, it will likely remain so tomorrow.

Large scale distressing events affect our school communities in many ways. Headspace’s mental health support resource (PDF 100.52KB) is available to help students, teachers and school staff respond to the bushfires.

Visit the School safety page for updates. The department’s Facebook and Twitter accounts will also provide updates during this period.

Grab a ticket to Schools Spectacular 2019

Wed, 23 Oct 2019 17:21:05 AEDT

Will you be joining us at Schools Spectacular 2019? Tickets are on sale now. Experience our live show featuring a cast of thousands of public school students from across metropolitan, rural and remote regions of NSW.

Students from different ages, cultures and backgrounds will share the spotlight as they dance, play and sing for you. Choose from one of our four massive performances at Qudos Bank Arena on Friday 22 November and Saturday 23 November.

This year's events will feature:

more than 380 schools
5,500 performers
a 3000-strong choir
2,300 dancers
an 80-piece symphony orchestra
a world-class stage band.

Group bookings

Need to make a group booking for over 10 people? Complete the Schools Preview Order Form 2019 (PDF 110KB) to attend the discounted 11am Friday matinee. The Friday matinee is discounted for school students and accompanying teachers.

If you’d like to grab a spot at one of the other three remaining shows complete the Group Booking Form 2019 (PDF 110KB).

Tickets for you and your family and friends

Save you and your family a spot online or by phone on 132 849.

Video – Schools Spectacular 2019

Duration: 0:26

Book yourself in for Reading Hour

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 12:12:34 AEST

This Australian Reading Hour, encourage your child to discover or rekindle their love of a good book. Take the time to learn, escape and relax on Thursday 19 September and read for one hour.

Reading has been shown to reduce stress by 68% more than listening to music, going for a walk, or having a cup of tea.

Take the Book Swap Challenge

We all have favourite books that we come back to again and again.

To help celebrate Reading Hour take our Book Swap Challenge. We want students, teachers, staff and parents to try reading something new on the day. To get involved, simply pair up with someone and swap your favourite books.

Take a photo and tag it with #ReadingHour so we can see how you got involved.

Video – Ben Law asks students about their favourite author

Duration: 1:18

Author and #ReadingHour ambassador Benjamin Law talks with some of our students about their favourite books.

How to be smart and safe on social media

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 11:27:47 AEST

Use our new Digital Citizenship toolkit to empower your child to understand how their online behaviour affects themselves and others.

You and your child can find information on:

how to ‘be positive’ by understanding online behaviour and its effect
'be smart’ by thinking critically and being digitally aware
'be safe’ by protecting your security, privacy and wellbeing.

A toolkit to empower you and your child

You can find articles and videos to equip and empower your child to minimise the risks and maximise the opportunities in our digital future.

We’ve partnered with leading researchers to produce a curated toolkit – aligned to the curriculum – which teachers and you can share with the young people in your lives.

Guide your child through important concepts such as:

managing privacy settings in social media
collaborating online
avoiding scams and hoaxes
understanding the law when it comes to online speech
Internet banking, shopping online and much more.

Keep your child safe and happy online

Visit and bookmark the Digital Citizenship website. We’ll continue to add articles and resources to ensure the best possible tools are available to help you guide your child to be positive, smart and safe online.

Tell Them From Me Survey

Tue, 03 Sep 2019 20:10:02 AEST

This term, our school is taking part in the Tell Them From Me student survey. The survey will provide us with valuable feedback on what our students think about school life, how engaged they are with school and the different ways that teachers interact with them. Schools in Australia and around the world have used the Tell Them From Me survey to help them improve. The survey is completed on-line and is run by an independent research company, The Learning Bar, which specialises in school-based surveys.

Staff in schools will not be able to identify individual students from their responses. To ensure confidentiality, participating students will receive a unique username and password. Where fewer than five students respond to a question, the results will be suppressed. The survey typically takes 30 minutes or less to complete and will be administered by the school during normal school hours. Once the surveys are completed by students, reports are prepared and in most cases are available to schools within three business days.

This survey will help our school better understand how to improve student wellbeing and engagement. It will help the school identify what works to improve student outcomes.

Participating in the survey is entirely voluntary. Your child will not take part if either you or your child do not wish. If, during the survey, your child is uncomfortable, he/she can choose to stop the survey at any time. The majority of questions in the survey can be skipped.

If you do not want your child to take part in the survey, please let the school know by Wednesday 11^th September 2019.

More information about the survey and the research is available on the CESE website: http://surveys.cese.nsw.gov.au/information-for-parents

What’s next after high school?

Fri, 30 Aug 2019 11:26:05 AEST

Is your child in Year 9 to 12 curious about their career choices? Now they can use LifeLauncher, a free online tool to explore and simplify their career choices.

Your child can explore courses and careers in-depth, at their own pace, anytime, anywhere and on any device. The tool includes 4,000 careers and 1,500 course options, all in one place.

How does it work?

Encourage your child to jump online and complete the 5-minute personality and subject quizzes to be matched to a range of career options that suit their passions and strengths.

If they take both quizzes, they’ll get more refined suggestions. They can even create free online pinboards to shortlist the courses and jobs that interest them.

When your child creates an account, they can save their searches and build a real understanding of the opportunities and pathways open to them.

What can your child learn about their career options?

Your child can explore the weekly salary of the career options they’re interested in. They’ll also find the employment and growth rates of those careers and the number of workers currently in those fields in Australia.

Each career option shows them the education they need as well as other related careers. They can follow links to other sites to find out more about a course to help them find the best provider for them.

Launch into the future today

Use this tool to chat with your child about their post-school options in a meaningful way.

Inspire your child to find their career match today at LifeLauncher.nsw.gov.au.

Support for Families at JMHS

Sat, 24 Aug 2019 13:09:38 AEST

The South West Sydney Family Referral Service is a free community support service operating at James Meehan High School.

They work to assist students and their families to connect with supports and services including:

financial hardship
mental health
parenting challenges
youth education based challenges
behavioural concerns
friendship and family issues
infant, child and youth development.

A Family Connector is available at the school every Monday.

You can also call 1300 244 826 or email frsinschools@uniting.org for a chat about how the service can support your family.

Education Week – Every student, every voice

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 12:54:20 AEST

We are celebrating our students and their powerful voices this Education Week Monday 5 August to Friday 9 August. Every year Education Week celebrates the achievements of public schools, our students and the value of public education.

This year, the theme is Every student, every voice.

Join us for #EdWeek19 as we celebrate our students and their power to shape the world.

Video – #EdWeek19 – Every student, every voice

Duration: 0:34

Parent Teacher Evening 7 Aug 2019

Mon, 22 Jul 2019 20:32:13 AEST

JMHS will host the Parent Teacher Night on Wednesday 7 August 2019 for students in years 7-10.

Reports will be issued on the night.

Year 10 Subject selection evening will also be held on this date.

Please make bookings with teachers beforehand where possible.

Light refreshments will be available.

Creative and Active Kids vouchers now available

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 11:28:13 AEST

Creative kids can now put a $100 voucher towards extra-curricular creative activities outside of school.

Together with Active Kids, this program aims to encourage more NSW children to participate in a range of extra-curricular activities such as coding, languages, circus, performing arts and visual arts.

Parents can apply for one $100 voucher for each child enrolled in school on the Creative Kids website and use it towards the cost of registration, participation or tuition. You just redeem the voucher with a registered provider in your area when making your payment.

This is a great opportunity for your child to become involved in a range of activities that will build on their education, growth and development.

Service NSW is working with industry bodies to deliver the program.

For more information, contact Service NSW on 137 788 or creativekids@service.nsw.gov.au.

The Game Changer Challenge is back

Fri, 31 May 2019 11:42:25 AEST

It’s not too late to become a Game Changer with applications for the Education Week challenge due by 7 June.

The Game Changer Challenge brings 16 teams from public schools across NSW – eight from primary and eight from secondary – to Sydney during Education Week in August for a three-day, intensive design-thinking workshop.

The Game Changer workshops, which start on Tuesday 6 August, includes teacher training in the use of design thinking as a teaching methodology and its application for school planning.

It also includes a team competition where schools will work under the guidance of experts from industry and academia to develop a solution to this year’s critical question: How might we humanise technology?

Department of Education Secretary Mark Scott has encouraged students and teachers to get behind the event as it highlights the critical thinking students will need to develop to succeed in the future.

“The Game Changer Challenge is an exciting initiative that helps educate and inform our students and teachers on how to integrate the problem-solving methodology of design thinking into the classroom,” Mr Scott says.

“It embraces the 21^st century skills our students will need to thrive in a globalised world such as collaboration, creative thinking and communication.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students at all levels to be involved in discussing and addressing a real-world issue that will affect their future lives. I encourage every school to get involved.”

The challenge is designed to make strong learning and teaching connections to the NSW syllabus specifically in the area of developing general capabilities such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, communication and problem-solving.

The challenge also provides teachers with an opportunity to gain exposure to the design thinking process and includes teacher resources to introduce this creative problem-solving methodology into the classroom.

Finalists will be selected based on a 60-second video that showcases your team’s vision around the question of humanising technology.

For more information email edweek@det.nsw.edu.au or visit the Game Changer Challenge page.

Your NAPLAN questions answered

Thu, 09 May 2019 15:57:44 AEST

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The tests assess the foundational skills in reading, writing, spelling and numeracy that are essential for every child to progress through school and life.

This year NAPLAN takes place between 14 and 16 May for paper tests and between 14 and 24 May for schools participating in NAPLAN Online.

NAPLAN data is used to help monitor student progress over time against a national measure and to identify areas of strength and improvement. It is used in combination with other school assessments to guide and support student learning.

Watch students ask an expert the tough questions about NAPLAN.

Apply now for My Community Project funding

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 15:12:27 AEST

Do you have a great idea to improve your area?

My Community Project is a new NSW Government funding program that is all about local ideas, local projects and local decisions.

You can apply now for grants from $20,000 - $200,000 for projects that will make a difference to your community. Projects could include new playground equipment, sports facilities, paths or ramps to improve access, public art or a community service.

The local community can vote for their favourite projects in July and successful projects will be announced in September.

Project applications close 15 May 2019.

Apply for My Community Project funding

Bring back memories, not measles

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 14:24:06 AEST

With school holidays just around the corner, it’s time to visit your doctor to check that you and your family are fully protected against measles, before you travel overseas.

Measles is a serious, highly contagious, viral illness that is easily spread through the air when an infectious person coughs, sneezes or breathes. If you and your family are not fully vaccinated, or have never been vaccinated, you are at risk of contracting measles.

Not sure if you’re fully protected?

In Australia, the measles vaccine (MMR) consists of 2 doses. If you’re not sure whether you’ve had 2 doses of the measles vaccine, visit your doctor. It’s safe to receive another dose.

Children born in Australia

If your children were born in Australia, they may have received the measles vaccine at 12 months old and the second dose at 18 months, in accordance with the National Immunisation Program.
If you have a baby under 12 months old, consult your doctor about getting their measles vaccination.

Adults born in Australia

Born before 1966 – you were most likely exposed to measles as a child and are generally considered to be immune. If in doubt, ask your GP.
Born between 1966 and 1994 – you may not have received 2 doses. Talk to your doctor about the free vaccine if you’re unsure.
Born after 1994 – the National Immunisation Program offers 2 doses, and you can check your vaccination status using the Australian Immunisation Register.

For more information about the measles vaccination, visit NSW Health or consult your local doctor.

Follow your heart, not the herd

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 13:29:42 AEDT

We spoke with a group of Kindergarten students to find out what they had to say about going against the herd. They had some wise words for us on how we can care, respect and support each other in our schools.

Let’s start the year off right and prevent student bullying happening in our playgrounds, classrooms and online. If a group of 5-year-olds know the difference between right and wrong, shouldn’t everyone?

Video – Wise at 5

Duration – 1:08

Back to school

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 15:21:55 AEDT

The first day of high school and the return to school in the new year are busy times for your child – and for the entire family. To help you and your child get organised and enjoy the experience we've compiled some useful tips for each year group.

We want every student to be known, valued and cared for in our schools.

2019 school budget allocations

Mon, 12 Nov 2018 12:00:35 AEDT

Like all NSW public schools, this week we will receive a School Budget Allocation Report with our funding for 2019. The report will help us manage our total budget delivered through the Resource Allocation Model (RAM).

The RAM supports schools through needs-based funding to ensure a fair, efficient and transparent allocation of funds. Our school has the flexibility to make local decisions based on the specific needs of our students.

We will use our 2019 funding to support students and improve educational outcomes. The school executive will continue to work with the school community as we implement the school plan using this needs-based funding.

Learn more about the 2019 RAM funding.

Newsletter 2018

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:37 AEST

We've had a busy Term 2 so far. Check out what we've been up to in our newsletter.

Click the link below to our digital newsletter.

Term 2 2018 Edition 2

Past Editions:

Term 2 2018

Term 1 2018 Edition 2

Term 1 2018

Student Handbook

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:40 AEST

Please find attached the James Meehan High School Student Handbook.

Student Handbook (pdf 1756 KB)

2017 Swimming Carnival makes a splash

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:24 AEST

Congratulations to all the students, staff and parents who helped make our 2017 swimming carnival a great success. Despite the rain, competitors gave it their best and the spectators cheered them on with gusto. Thanks also to the Macquarie Fields Leisure Centre for hosting this great event.

Check out more highlights in our photo gallery.

Students speak out on Harmony Day

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:41 AEST

Thank you to Cheyanne, Ali, Alyah, Darriuz, Giselle, Jessica, Phillip, Raven-Leigh and Rory! Watch the video here!

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Smiles Onsite Dentist visit Term 2 2017

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:39 AEST

James Meehan High School has been collaborating with Smiles Onsite Dental Services which are currently offering eligible students free dental checkups and services.

Smiles Onsite services will visit the school early in Term 2 2017. To find out more information including how to register online please read the following document:

Smiles Onsite JMHS 2017 (docx 16 KB)

JMHS is on Instagram!

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:34 AEST

You can now follow us on on Instagram.

Just follow this link.

Remember that links to JMHS official Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts are at the bottom of our homepage.

Students spread the message of diversity and harmony

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:42 AEST

Throughout Term 1 2017 all students have engaged in whole school activities and lessons that celebrate and promote the diversity and harmony that has become embedded in all aspects of school life at JMHS. Students, staff and community members pledged to take action against bullying for Anti-Bullying Day and identified ways of asking for help if needed. For Harmony Day students were treated to a BBQ lunch while our Pacific Islander students showed off their talents with a traditional Hangi that staff were treated to.

Check out our photo gallery for more highlights of these events.

Year 10 Geography excursion reaches great heights

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:44 AEST

On Thursday 23 March, Year 10 students participated on a field trip to Sharkey's Beach. The day started off at Sublime Point Lookout, where students took part in fieldwork stretches and abiotic testing. Next stop was the

escarpment to Sharkey's Beach, where students got to walk out onto the rock platform to examine different organisms living in the rock pools, conducted water quality tests and discussed coastal management strategies. In the last 30 minutes, the skies opened up and gave everyone a good soaking. However, this didn't dampen their spirits, with everyone persevering to finish off the field work.

Check out the Photo Gallery for more highlights of the day.

2016 - what a year!

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:24 AEST

2016 was a year of many changes, and many achievements. Relive some of the highlights in our Year in Review video.

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Welcome to 2017 at James Meehan High

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:43 AEST

Welcome back for another great year at James Meehan High School. Years 7, 11 and 12 return on Monday 30 January, while Years 8, 9 and 10 return on Tuesday 31 January.

There are lots of staff changes for 2017. We will let you know as these are confirmed.

Check back frequently for more news throughout first term.

Welcome to Term 4!

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:39 AEST

Welcome to Term 4. School resumes for the whole school on Monday 10th October. We look forward to a productive final term for 2016.

Farewell to Mr Latham after 23 years at JMHS!

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:31 AEST

At the end of Term 3 we said farewell to Mr Latham, our Head Teacher of Human Society and its Environments (HSIE), who is retiring after 23 years serving the James Meehan High School community.

He leaves with our best wishes for the future, and thanks for his leadership of the HSIE Faculty and across the school.

Pictured above: Mr Latham with the 2017 School Captains and Federal Member for Werriwa, Ms Anne Stanley MP.

Below: Mr Latham is farewelled by his loyal Minions.

Student leadership changes hands

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:37 AEST

The outgoing School Captains handed over their student leadership roles to the new Captains at the Year 12 Graduation Ceremony on 22 September. Thank you to our 2016 School Captains, Oluwa and Victor. You both represented our school with pride and demonstrated the best qualities of our school and community. We wish you well for the future.

Congratulations to our 2017 Captains, Dannielle and Aida. We look forward to the year ahead under your leadership of the student body.

Our new Principal, Ms Dukic is pictured here with our 2017 student leaders: Vice Captains, Monica and Amy, and Captains, Dannielle and Aida.

Congratulations, Year 12!

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:29 AEST

Year 12 celebrated the conclusion of their high school education at a formal graduation assembly in front of families, friends and community guests on Thursday 22 September. Students and staff reflected on the achievements of the past six years of education, as awards were announced and students received their portfolios.

One highlight of the ceremony was the swearing-in of the new school captains for 2017, and the handing over of badges by the outgoing student leaders.

Student performers from Year 12 and the junior Indigenous dance group provided entertainment throughout the ceremony. Guests were treated to lunch in our Pasifika Garden at the conclusion of the graduation presentation.

Pictured above is Federal Member for Werriwa, Ms Anne Stanley MP, with Brendan, winner of the Long Tan Award for student leadership.

LEAPS students graduate

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:35 AEST

Year 9 students, their parents, and mentors from Minter Ellison Lawyers celebrated the end of the LEAPS program for 2016 with a graduation event at James Meehan High School.

LEAPS students decorated the Library for a Mexican themed celebration. The meal of deliciously messy tacos was followed by an opportunity for students and mentors to reflect on their achievements in the program.

Students and their law firm mentors spoke passionately about the value of working together, setting goals, and sharing their successes. Many mentors noted how their students had grown in confidence throughout the six-month program.

LEAPS co-ordinator Ms Le Grand, and our Principal Ms Dukic, expressed their pride in the students, who clearly had gained so much from the program.

See photos from the graduation event in the album on our home page.

Students tackle real world problems

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:42 AEST

James Meehan High recently offered an Enrichment Program for highly capable students of Year 8. The Enrichment Program provided a variety of challenging learning opportunities, catering for the different learning styles and interests of students.

Nine Year 8 students participated in a project based learning program to ‘Solve a real world issue'. The aim was to challenge students and enhance their creativity, independent learning, technology and thinking skills. Students worked in teams to raise awareness about real world issues and at the end of the project; they presented their work to staff, students and parents.

Our students did a wonderful job in presenting the work that was achieved throughout the term. They used a variety of technology tools to create audiovisual presentations, and devised lessons and quizzes to test the judging team and the audience. They entertained everyone and the audience was great.

The project/Web Quest can be viewed on the following website: www.zanieductaion.com under the Enrichment Program page.

Zani Alam, Program Co-ordinator

Watch the video on YouTube: Enrichment Program 2016

Brock and Nicole shine at State Athletics

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:27 AEST

Two of our students achieved outstanding success at the NSW Combined High Schools Athletics Carnival this week.

Brock Borchardt earned the title of NSW State Champion, with a first place in the 200 metres race for boys under 13. Brock also achieved second place in the 100 metre race.

Nicole Pili continued to show her strength as a serious compeetitor in throwing events, with a third place in Discus and a fifth place in Shot Put for under 15s girls.

Congratulations to these students on their achievements, and for representing the school with such distinction.

Community garden yields rich harvest

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:28 AEST

A community garden program at Minto PCYC is providing Pacific Islander students with a new awareness of Polynesian culture, and the rewards of growing their own food.

Leaders from the Pacific community and local police mentor a group of boys each week as they cultivate a community vegetable garden, building connections through cultural practices, sharing life experiences and physical activities.

See the program in action here, or in this high resolution version :

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Family Referral Service now at JMHS

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:30 AEST

Family Referral Services are a NSW Government program, operated in collaboration with community service organisations. The FRS links vulnerable children, young people in need of assistance, and their families, with the most appropriate available support services in their local areas.

In Sydney South West, the Family Referral Service is conducted by Uniting (formerly Uniting Care Burnside).

We are fortunate to have Thomasina, a family connector with the Family Referral Service, coming to James Meehan High School two days each week to assist students and their families. Ring the school office on 9605 4395 to make an appointment to chat with Thomasina.

Library resources promote collaborative learning

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:35 AEST

Our school Library is making some big changes, with the installation of a new suite of furniture designed to create a flexible space for collaborative learning. Students have been impressed by the bold colours and comfortable seating in the new space.

Further additions to the Library in the near future will include a dedicated lab for 3D printing, laser scanning and vinyl cutting. This will provide our students with many of the technology tools they need to focus on developing skills in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). An understanding of STEM will be essential for our students to thrive in emerging technology-based careers. Teaching programs in the new Library space will emphasise student collaboration in developing technological solutions to real-world challenges.

Welcome to our new Principal, Ms Dukic

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:43 AEST

Our new Principal, Ms Nada Dukic has completed her role at Brewarrina Central School and started as Principal on 15 August.

Ms Dukic writes, 'I am looking forward to taking up the position of Principal at James Meehan High School in week 4. I know the school is a dynamic and vibrant place with a strong connection with the community. Having worked in a number of different schools I have developed an understanding of the needs of our students and I will bring this experience to James Meehan High School.'

We congratulate Ms Dukic on her appointment, and welcome her into our school community as Principal.

Students promote acceptance

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:41 AEST

Throughout Term 2 our students have been busy developing slogans to promote acceptance of the many ways that we are different as individuals. Our second winning slogan is 'Every Body is Different'. Congratulations to our winning Year 8 student.

So Long, Farewell Mrs Taylor!

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:39 AEST

After twenty three years at James Meehan High School, and ten years as Principal, Mrs Gail Taylor has retired.

While her final day at school was on Friday 1st July, her last official duties as Principal were in China during the school holidays, representing James Meehan High School with a deputation of staff on an exchange visit to Danyang High School.

The school is deeply appreciative of Mrs Taylor's tireless efforts on behalf of our students and community over so many years. Her energy and vision have driven many of the positive initiatives that have improved our students' wellbeing, academic success and their preparation for future study and careers.

We wish her all the best in her retirement.

Enjoy some video highlights of Mrs Taylor's last day.

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Open Day brings together past, present and future

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:37 AEST

Our Open Day on 25 June was a great success, with more than 180 past students and staff visiting the school with their families to remember school days at James Meehan High from 1974 to the present.

Visitors enjoyed the nostalgia of looking through displays of photos and videos around the school and running into old friends and former teachers. They explored their old classrooms and sampled canteen food at 1980s prices.

The day was also an opportunity to showcase the changes that have been made in education at our school over the decades. Hospitality students operated a cafe from our commercial kitchen, Pacific Islander students performed cultural dances and prepared a traditional hangi, and faculties around the school highlighted their newest teaching programs and technology.

The school has partnered with a number of business and industry organisations that support our students to develop study pathways, career aspirations and leadership potential. Visitors to the Open Day had the opportunity to see the impact these support partnerships are having in preparing our students for the future.

Another focus of the Open Day was to provide an opportunity to say farewell to Mrs Taylor, who is retiring after 23 years at James Meehan High (the last ten years as Principal). Many former students took the opportunity to thank her, and to wish her well in her retirement.

Mrs Taylor meets ex-students from the 1970s.

Wearing Dad's jacket from the1980s!

The cafe was popular with visitors. Our local Member of Parliament, Anoulack Chanthivong, was impressed with our Hospitality programs and the school's commercial kitchen.

July 2016 school vacation dates

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:39 AEST

We wish all our students a safe and happy school vacation.

School concludes on Friday 1 July and resumes for teachers on Monday 18 July 2016. All students resume on Tuesday 19 July.

New sports courts in the news

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:36 AEST

Credit: Macarthur Chronicle 28 June 2016

We celebrate 42 years!

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:43 AEST

James Meehan High School is celebrating 42 years of serving the local community with an Open Day on Saturday 25 June. The school will be open to all past students and staff from 10am to 4pm. It's an opportunity to share memories, to see how much the school has changed, and to learn about how we are preparing for new directions in education in the 21st century.

For those who have been at the school any time in the last 20 or so years, it's also a chance to wish our Principal, Mrs Taylor, a happy retirement.

Here's what's happening and where.

Students connect through diversity

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:41 AEST

Essential to our students' wellbeing are the healthy connections they make with their peers, families and communities. Part of this is the ability to appreciate the value of their own culture and the cultures of others.

Multiculturalism in Australia has improved and impacted on our fashion, food, music, architecture, medicine, sports, technology and everyday living.

This term, the Wellbeing Connect Team have encouraged students to celebrate their diversity through a visual slogan campaign. Enjoy some of the successful entries.

What is NCCD?

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:36 AEST

All schools in Australia are required to collect information on students with disability, so that education resources can be properly allocated according to the needs of students. Our staff will be collecting 2016 data on students for this scheme over the next few months.

If you have a student with any type of disability, please read the parent/carer Factsheet:

NCCD Factsheet (pdf 359 KB)

If you have any questions, please call the school on 9605 4395.

Launching LEAPS

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:34 AEST

Each year selected Year 9 students take part in the Lawyers Encouraging and Assisting Promising Students (LEAPS) program. LEAPS is now in its twelfth year with law firm Minter Ellison and has been one of our most successful student mentor programs. On Wednesday 4 May, mentors from Minter Ellison travelled from the city to meet our LEAPS students with their parents and carers. There was a lot of talking, laughing and fun as the students, mentors and families got to know more about each other in a relaxed environment, with a photo booth, challenge activities and plenty of great food.

We look forward to another positive year ahead for the LEAPS program. LEAPS students are excited about the planned excursions which will take them into Sydney each fortnight - students spend the mornings on a cultural activity, before meeting with their mentors for workshops at the Minter Ellison offices.

Miss Le-Grand

Celebrating a safe and friendly school

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:27 AEST

On Friday the 18th of March James Meehan High School participated in the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence.

Throughout lunchtime students showed camaraderie and cooperation in activities such as jump rope, ping pong, chalk drawing and handball. The activities were run by student leaders from each year group, supported by staff wellbeing coordinators. For lunch, students led by our Hospitality teacher cooked a sausage sizzle with beef, chicken or vegetable options. Students on the barbecue showed great teamwork and learned some valuable new skills.

To support the message of the day, tokens were given out by staff to students who illustrated positive behaviour through speech and action. This was followed by regular prize draws.

Special wristbands were available to students and staff for a small donation. The $113 raised will be given to Ingleburn's shelter for adolescent girls and women who are dealing with violence in their lives.

Thanks go to all the students and staff who participated in the National Day Against Bullying and Violence lunch. We are proud to be one of the many schools across Australia to take part.

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Introducing our student leaders

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:33 AEST

Our school prides itself on the many programs we offer to build the leadership potential of students throughout their high school years. From Year 7 through to Year 12, students are able to participate in activities that develop skills and encourage a sense of service and responsibility.

For our senior students this culminates in the opportunity to be elected as part of our student leadership team. For 2016 our student leaders are Tione Anderson, Andrew Chen, Rotina Faalelei, Amar Helwe, Marko Radmonivic, with Oluwa Bagudu Mohamed and Victor Toomalatai elected as school captains.

Our school captains have been busy representing the school at a number of official events since late 2015. They are pictured here with local MP for Macquarie Fields, Anoulack Chanthivong, during his recent visit.

Year 11 students Chellcey Porter and Joseph Fusi have also been appointed as student leaders to represent the positive traditions of the Pacific Islander community within the school. They are pictured with Fou Atonio, our Pacific Islander Community Liaison Officer.

Snappy dressers!

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:39 AEST

Year 10 boys recently took the opportunity to participate in Dress for Work. The program provides tips and guidance in preparing boys for their first job interview, where presentation and first impressions count. After the workshops, the boys returned to school looking confident and ready to face the future!

Macquarie Fields MP goes back to school

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:35 AEST

Macquarie Fields State Member of Parliament, Mr Anoulack Chanthivong visited the school to meet students and learn about our innovative wellbeing programs.

In our Yellow Room, he made friends with Ralphy, the newest and furriest member of the school's wellbeing team, while students from the iResilience program demonstrated some online apps that help build resilience.

Mr Chanthivong toured the school, stopping off at our RUOK conversation bench and ANZAC memorial garden, before meeting student leaders for morning tea.

Swimming Carnival - Fun Day

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:42 AEST

From our Sports Organiser, Mr Salem:

We held our swimming carnival on Monday the 29th of February. The carnival consisted of competitive races, novelty games and a funny hat competition.

Overall it was a fantastic day for students to have some fun in the pool and compete against each other. As a result of the competitive races three students achieved times that allowed them to compete at the Zone swimming carnival. Congratulations to Samiha Obeido, Samantha Wylie and Emily Walker on making it through. I'm sure they will represent the school proudly and do very well.

Sporting success!

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:40 AEST

Nicole Pili has competed in the Australian Athletics Championships in Perth this week. She has earned 4th place in Australia in the Hammer Throw. An outstanding achievement!

Congratulations also to our Opens NRL boys who competed in the first round of the GIO Cup on Thursday 10th March. In hot and challenging conditions, they won every game and were the top team of the day. The team will move on to Round 2 in a couple of weeks.

Scores were:

Game 1: JMHS 22, Eagle Vale HS 10

Game 2: JMHS 30, Airds HS 0

Game 3: JMHS 24, Liverpool Boys HS 18

Wellbeing - staying safe

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:31 AEST

These factsheets from 'the line' (Australian Government resource) provide helpful summaries of essential information that students need to know in order to stay safe at school and online.

Better relationships (pdf 261 KB)

Bullying (pdf 324 KB)

Online behaviour (pdf 277 KB)

Texting-sexting (pdf 267 KB)

NAPCAN is a national child abuse prevention initiative. These factsheets from NAPCAN provide additional information about online behaviour and the law.

Sexting lovebites (pdf 199 KB)

Sending sexual images (pdf 299 KB)

HSC graduates head to university

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:32 AEST

The school congratulates all our successful students from Year 12 2015 who have accepted positions at university this year.
Allice Ah-Fa and Pene Lipine will study Policing, Aliesha Collins-Ali is commencing a Science course, Stefan Milivojevic has enrolled in Business (Sport Management) and Alarna Pili is studying Social Work. All these students will study at Western Sydney University.
Anita Lim was offered a place in Business at WSU, but will not be taking up the offer at this time.
Stephanie Rushmer (pictured above with Ms Ferran) was accepted into two courses, Engineering and Fine Arts. She has chosen to study Engineering at WSU.
David Zhan has been accepted into an Engineering course at the University of NSW. Based on his impressive HSC result, David was also named as Dux of Year 12 in 2015.
Over recent years, the school has offered our senior students HSC pathways in both vocational courses and academic studies. It is pleasing to see so many students who worked hard for academic success earning a place at university.

Bell Shakespeare visit to James Meehan High School

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:26 AEST

On Monday 22^nd February the English Department hosted a visit by the Bell Shakespeare Company who performed an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet entitled "Such Sweet Sorrow".

The performance was attended by Year 9 students who will study the play this year, and by Year 10 students who studied the play last year.

The Bell Shakespeare Company is much sought after for their productions of Shakespeare's plays both in schools and in theatres. Attendance is usually quite costly for the audience but our students were privileged to be able to attend this performance without charge due to the kind support of Crown Resorts and the Packer Family Foundations.

The company of actors was extremely appreciative of the fantastic behaviour and engagement of our students. They were focused and attentive and enjoyed the production immensely. Many took part in the question and answer session after the performance and spoke personally to the actors about aspects of the play and the life of an actor.

"I love how they interpreted Shakespeare by putting their own perspective on it for a modern, young audience."

Sarah

"I liked how they made us laugh at the beginning by telling us ‘Mum jokes'. We all started listening then!"

Kayla

The English Department is pleased to have been able to offer this important cultural experience to the students at James Meehan High School.

Sandra Begg – Head Teacher English

Photo Day is Wednesday 2nd March!

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:38 AEST

This year the photography will be done by GS imaging, who offer very affordable products. The school will pay the cost of ID cards. Every child will need to be photographed so that they may receive one of these cards, even if they do not order a photo package.

Package details are shown below. The package cost is only $20.

If you would like an additional 8x10 size portrait, you may order one for an additional $15, making the total $35.

Order envelopes will be pre-printed with student details. To avoid any envelopes becoming misplaced, these will be given out closer to the day. Full school uniform is compulsory. Payments should be sent with students on the day (no late payments) and given directly to the photographers via the payment envelope (which should contain the exact amount, as there will be no change given by the photographers or the school).

Any student wishing to use scholarship or Abstudy funds to pay for their photos must inform Mrs Beauchamp in the front office ASAP (not on the day).

Families and students in Year 12 may also order a small group photo. Details of this and the envelope required will be available on request. See Ms Ferran in the Maths faculty in the week prior to photo day.

All orders must be placed and paid for on the day of the photos. Some small groups (such as Aboriginal students and SRC) will have their photo taken on the day. Orders for these groups are the only ones that will be made at a later date.

If you have any other questions regarding photo day, please contact front office staff or Ms Ferran on 9605 4395.

New Student Handbook now available

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:36 AEST

The Student Handbook outlines a number of procedures and policies which we use to ensure the wellbeing and safety of students and staff.

It gives information about the school's focus on Wellbeing and our Merit Scheme. It summarises our Fair Discipline Policy and has important guidelines for day-to-day school routines.

The handbook builds on the foundation of the three school rules and shows how they work out in practice across the whole school.

Download your copy of the Student Handbook (pdf 685 KB)

Congratulations Nicole Pili - NSW athletics champion

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:37 AEST

Nicole Pili recently competed in the NSW Junior Athletics championships, where she won the Under 16 division for Hammer Throw and was placed third in the Discus competition. Congratulations Nicole (pictured above, centre).

Focus on wellbeing to support students

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:38 AEST

Wellbeing for schools is a contemporary strengths-based approach across all NSW public schools, so that every student can connect, succeed and thrive at school and beyond.

Student wellbeing has always been a top priority at James Meehan High School.

To promote this further, the school has appointed a number of coordinators who will work to support students in the three focus areas of wellbeing — Thrive, Succeed and Connect.

Our Thrive wellbeing coordinators are Mrs Rogers and Miss Reynolds. The Succeed coordinators are Mrs Matthews, Ms Russell and Mrs Ward, and the Connect coordinators are Miss Le Grand and Ms Murray.

Students can find more about their Wellbeing Coordinators on the noticeboard outside the RTA, or by contacting the Wellbeing Head Teacher, Ms Jackson.

Find more about the Department of Education Wellbeing initiatives here: Wellbeing at DoE

Enjoy your summer vacation

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:30 AEST

We wish all in our school community the very best for Christmas and the New Year, and a safe and enjoyable summer vacation.

Staff return for the 2016 school year on Wednesday 27 January.

Years 7, 11 and 12 resume on Thursday 28 January.

Years 8, 9 and 10 resume on Friday 29 January.

It's time to make healthy choices

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:33 AEST

A healthy and varied diet is vital to sustaining a healthy mind and body. It gives students the fuel they need to maintain concentration throughout the day-to-day activities at school.

From the start of the 2016 school year, our school canteen will fully adopt the NSW Government's Fresh Tastes Healthy School Canteen strategy, which outlines the types of food and drinks which may be sold at school canteens. Hospitality teacher and professional chef, Ms Rogers, is developing a menu of nutritious and delicious options for our students. The menu will vary from week to week, to ensure variety and interest.

This change is being made to support the physical and mental wellbeing of all our students. We expect that packaged lunches provided by parents and carers will also follow the Fresh Tastes guidelines.

You can read a summary of the new canteen guidelines in this Canteen Information sheet (pdf 745 KB)

Read our full Healthy Food Canteen Policy (pdf 524 KB) here.

Indigenous Mural stories shared with media

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:32 AEST

Students who participated in the design and painting of the outstanding new Indigenous playground mural were thrilled to be part of a media event last week. The Daily Telegraph was on hand to interview and photograph the students for an upcoming feature on positive educational initiatives.

Working with Lauren Ognenovski from Youth Solutions, and artist co-ordinator Danielle, students from James Meehan High and Curran Primary School researched aspects of their Indigenous heritage and included these personal themes within the mural. Students shared how they were able to discover new insights and celebrate their culture through the artmaking process.

Shannon Williams and Allan Rousell, the Aboriginal Education Officers from each school acted as mentors throughout the mural project.

Students Aspire

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:40 AEST

Aspire encourages students to set high goals for school and beyond. Students in this program visit university for a series of practical workshops and to experience a taste of university life. Year 9 students enjoyed some highly educational and extremely fun activities during their most recent Aspire days at the University of NSW.

Year 12 celebrate in style

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:45 AEST

To mark the completion of six years of high school, Year 12 partied in style at their formal, held at the Camden Lakeside Function Centre, Catherine Fields on 19 November.

Remembrance Day

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:38 AEST

On the 11th day of the 11th month at 11:00am students, staff and special guests of James Meehan High School held a Remembrance Day ceremony. Held in the school's ANZAC garden the ceremony paid respect to sacrifices made during war. In attendance for the service were members of the Australian Defence Force, CPL B. Spencer and CPL M. York, Mrs M. Jarosz from Ingleburn RSL as well as students and staff from Curran Public School. Leading the ceremony were our new school captains Oluwa Mohamed and Victor Toomalatai. In addition, Ms Ferran led a delegation of students to represent our school at the Remembrance Day service at Ingleburn RSL, where our Year 7 leaders laid a wreath. Dedicated Visual Arts students and staff added a special touch to the day by creating hundreds of poppy badges for everyone in attendance to wear.

Youth Week 2016 - grants available

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:45 AEST

View and print as pdf (pdf 788 KB)

Planning for 2016 Open Day underway

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:38 AEST

A major event is being planned for the middle of next year as the school looks back on its history and towards the future. The Open Day on Saturday 25 June will be an opportunity for students and staff from throughout the school's 42-years of operation to meet and celebrate life at the Meehan.

Congratulations Nicole

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:29 AEST

Nicole Pili of Year 8 competed at the NSW All Schools on Thursday 8th of October for James Meehan High School.

She won silver in discus with a throw of 36.17m! The gold medalist mark was 36.19m .... so close. The school is pleased to congratulate Nicole on her outstanding achievment.

Farewell and congratulations to Year 12

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:30 AEST

Year 12 students completed their formal secondary schooling at a graduation ceremony on 17 September. Family and friends congratulated the students and celebrated their achievements, wishing them the very best into the future. See more photos in our photo gallery.

Beating exam stress

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:26 AEST

Everyone experiences stress at some point, but there are heaps of simple ways to minimise the impact on your life. As exams approach, it's a good time to work on your stress management skills.

ReachOut has lots of resources and practical tools for beating stress. Check out ReachOut's top tips for beating stress (pdf 358 KB)

Other ReachOut resources:
Exams and study stress
Ways to relax
Tips for problem solving
How to manage anxiety

Novalee competes in international Hip-Hop competition

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:37 AEST

Photo: ABC online

Year 11 student Novalee Kahotea is currently in the United States representing Australia in an international Hip-Hop competition. She is performing with the Liverpool-based Pioneers crew along with other crews from Australia and around the world.
Read the full story on the ABC news website:

Hip Hop group to the US

Year 9 Fundraiser - Prize List

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:45 AEST

Year 9 are holding a major fundraiser this year by way of a raffle with lots of valuable prizes thanks to some very generous sponsors. The draw will be in October, so there is still time to buy tickets. See Ms Le Grand for more information.

Check out the amazing prizes here: Prizes (pdf 61 KB)

Community Event for the 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:28 AEST

Mark the date! Saturday 8 August from 9.30am to 5pm at YOTS Koch Centre and James Meehan Oval for a community funday to raise awareness and funds for the 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer. Contact Samantha Nicoll on 0404 632 414 for more information.

Community Fun Day Flyer (pdf 329 KB)

Find us on facebook!

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:32 AEST

James Meehan High is on facebook. Check the links at the bottom of the page. On our official page you will find school news with lots of information and tips about Wellbeing. Our CAPA (Creative and Performing Arts) page has news and ideas for our creative Senior students.

Have a safe school vacation!

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:32 AEST

The winter school vacation starts on Monday 29 June. Staff return on Monday 13 July for a School Development Day, and students return on Tuesday 14 July.

We wish all our students and families a safe and happy holiday.

JMHS first school to install RUOK? conversation bench

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:33 AEST

James Meehan High has become the first school to install a conversation bench provided by the RUOK? Foundation. The bench has been set in a new garden area within the school, and is a place where staff and students can have meaningful conversations. It is a reminder, too of how important it is to check in with our friends and to ask how they are on a regular basis and in a meaningful way.

The opening of the conversation corner was celebrated at a launch event attended by students, staff and special guest Baz du Bois, from Channel Ten's Living Room program. Baz is a great supporter of the work of the RUOK? Foundation.

Ms Sarah Jackson, our Head Teacher of Wellbeing, thanked the RUOK? Foundation and acknowledged the support of the Yellow Pages for their sponsorship. She also thanked our school gardener, Daniel Cox, and the students and helpers who designed and completed the landscaping of the new garden.

TAFE short course in Retail

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:43 AEST

TAFE SWSi is offering a short 5 week course in Retail Certificate I, running from late May through June 2015. Read the information sheet here:

Retail Cert I flyer (pdf 368 KB)

Anzac Cove Garden complete

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:25 AEST

After months of work, the school's Anzac Cove memorial garden was completed just in time for our ceremony on 24 April commemorating the Centenary of the Anzac landings at Gallipoli.

Torrential downpours in the days before the ceremony turned the site around the garden into a mud-pit. Our gardener Dan Cox and student helpers put in a huge effort to move tonnes of woodchip mulch and lay down a boardwalk to transform the site and make it usable.

On the morning of the service the whole school, along with our official guests, gathered for a solemn and moving ceremony to remember the sacrifices made by Australian and New Zealand forces over the past one hundred years.

A highlight of the ceremony was the planting of 100 ceramic poppies to signify one hundred years since the start of the Gallipoli campaign on 25 April 1915.

Students from 1985 plan 30-year reunion

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:41 AEST

Students from James Meehan High who started Year 7 in 1980 through to Year 12 in 1985 are planning a 30 year reunion to be held on the 3rd October 2015. Everyone from that year group, whether they went through to Year 12 or not, is invited. Of course, partners are welcome, too.
Contact Marjory Drummond (Boreland) marjd@live.com.au for further details, or look for JMHS ex-students links on facebook.

Multicultural Day celebrates diversity

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:36 AEST

The school's annual Multicultural Day was held on 1st April The school quad was transformed into a festival of cultures with food from many countries provided by staff. After lunch, student performers provided a concert for the whole school which celebrated the diversity of student cultures and interests. Thank you to all the staff and students who contributed to the success of this event.

LEAPS launches with fun and games

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:34 AEST

LEAPS (Lawyers Encouraging and Assisting Promising Students) is an exciting mentor program that the school has been running in cooperation with Minter Ellison Lawyers for the past eleven years. Year 9 students have the opportunity to participate and work closely with a member of the law firm during the year to develop goal setting, interpersonal skills, leadership and study skills.

The LEAPS launch late in Term 1 allowed the students and parents to meet their mentors for an informal night of fun and games. Ms Blanch and Ms Le Grand organised the event, while Year 10 Hospitality students under the guidance of Ms Rodgers provided a wonderful banquet for everyone.

Anzac Centenary Garden nears completion

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:25 AEST

After months of design and hard work by our landscaper, Daniel Cox, the James Meehan High School Anzac Centenary Garden is nearing completion. The garden will be the site of our school's Anzac Day ceremonies from 2015. The form of the garden is a symbolic representation of the landscape at Anzac Cove. As well as plantings and ceremonial flagpoles, the garden will feature 100 ceramic poppies created by our visual arts students.

The garden has generated quite a bit of interest from the local media. The Macarthur Advertiser was on hand last week to check progress and take some photographs. Read more about it in this story:

Anzac Cove coming to JMHS

Mrs Taylor to Gallipoli for ANZAC Centenary

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:36 AEST

Our Principal, Mrs Taylor has won a place in the very competitive ballot to attend the 100th Anniversary ANZAC Day commemorations at Gallipoli in Turkey on 25th April. Mrs Taylor's experience as a teacher of History has made her very aware of the background and significance of ANZAC Day to the history of modern Australia.

Volleyball success

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:43 AEST

Our Volleyball teams achieved great results at the recent Volleyball NSW Schools Cup Series held at Minto. Our Open Girls team placed first, as did our Under 16 Years Boys team. The Under 17 Years Boys team gained second place. Congratulations to our teams and their coaches, Ms Markham and Mr Atonio.

Read more about this competition at the NSW Volleyball website.

The school has also received $1000 after applying to Wests Leagues Club for a grant to support our Volleyball teams. The funds will supply the senior team with new singlets, as well as training balls and match balls. Thanks Wests, and thanks Ms Beauchamp, who put in the application.

Congratulations on representative sport selections

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:29 AEST

James Meehan students are making their mark in sport, with a number of students selected for representative teams.

Adam King has been selected in the Hume Zone Boys Rugby League team. Chris Kepu is in the Zone Volleyball team, and Nicholas Cantellano has won a place in the Under 18/U NSW Indoor Netball team.

Nicole Pili in Year 8 is participating in the National Athletics competition this week. We look forward to hearing of her success.

Congratulations to these players and athletes, and best wishes for success.

Staff changes for 2015

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:40 AEST

2015 has brought a number of staff changes to James Meehan High. Welcome to Ms Bianca Marlin (above left), who was appointed as our new Deputy Principal from the beginning of the year. She will have special responsibility for Years 7, 10 and 11 as well as Djurali and Wingara.

Ms Sarah Jackson (above right) has joined the staff as Head Teacher of Student Wellbeing. She comes to us with a wealth of experience from her work with Reachout.com, an online adolescent mental health service.

Ms Lesleigh Russell has re-joined us after several years away. She will be working to help senior students cope with the demands of their Preliminary an HSC courses.

Mr Plunkett has officially retired, although he is returning to work for two days a week along with Mr Flew, who retired late in 2014. Ms Kovacevic is now acting Head Teacher of Creative and Performing Arts. Both Ms Kovacevic and Mr Nguyen (Visual Arts) have now been appointed full time to James Meehan High.

Congratulations and farewell to Mrs Fisher, who has accepted a promotion position as Head Teacher of Special Education at Miller Technology High School. Ms Matthews (above centre) is now acting Head Teacher of Special Education at JMHS.

And we have a number of staff who will be taking time away on maternity leave in the near future...

Barbecue raises funds

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:25 AEST

The school P&C held a very successful barbecue at Bunnings Casula on Saturday 7th March. A committed team of parents and staff raised almost a thousand dollars. From these proceeds, $200 will be donated towards fundraising for the Visual Arts excursion to Melbourne early next term.

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday!

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:44 AEST

After another successful year at James Meehan High, it's time for a well-earned break. We wish everyone a safe and happy summer holiday.

School resumes for staff only on Tuesday 27 January 2015.

Years 7, 11 and 12 commence on Wednesday 28 January, while Years 8, 9 and 10 return on Thursday 29 January.

There are some big changes at JMHS in 2015, with the appointment of our new Deputy Principal, Mrs Bianca Marlin who replaces Mr Flew following his retirement.

In the meantime, please download and enjoy our latest newsletter. This newsletter has been written and edited by the junior students of the Press Club, co-ordinated by Ms Le Grand. As well as showcasing the great range of programs which students enjoyed in 2014, it has essential information which parents and students need for the start of 2015 - such as bell-times, course fees and uniform information.

We look forward to a great year ahead.

Drumming

Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:30 AEST

..Drumming has had a positive and exciting beginning in 2014. Students have performed at Multicultural Day, Guise Harmony Day and the School Counsellor's Conference at Fairfield RSL to rave reveiws. Students in the performance groups range from Year 8 - 11. We have also introduced drumming to all Year 7 as part of Creative Arts. In 2013 we developed drumming performance in the dark using fluoro drumsticks, gloves and black lighting. This year we are looking forward to collaborating with the dance faculty to produce a bigger and better Glow in the Dark drumming and dance ensemble! Book your seats early so you don't miss out!!