Congratulations Barrenjoey HS
HSC students - 2008
In the 2008 HSC, Barrenjoey HS has received their best ever results. This is a fantastic effort and all students, staff, parents and community members should be justifiably proud of their achievements.
103 students sat for the HSC, in a total of 447 subjects.
40 results were placed in the top Band, that is Band 6 or E4 (for Extension classes). This is more three times that of 2007, and more than 5 times that of 2006.
123 results were in the second Band, that is, Band 5 or E3. These results are significantly higher than at least the past 15 years.
159 results were in the third Band, that is, Band 4 or E2.
In total, 72% of all results were placed within the top three Band. This is well above the state distribution and previous school results.
A full range of subject results were substantially above the state mean, with 7 subjects recording results in the top Band for greater than 20% of the class. For a comprehensive Government school this is enormous recognition of a job well done
Out of the 103 students, 24%, received results in the top Band. I am unable to discover any previous year where this has occurred.
On an individual level, 5 students Peter Godfrey, Mitchell Green, Lucy Harrison, Josef Lenart and Elizabeth McFayden were placed in the top Band for three of their subjects.
A further 5 students Robert Brinkmann, Celia DeVries, Katherine Gunn, Anya Holstein and Dennis Watson were in the top Band for two. Other students, including Sophie Asprey, Thibault Upton and Marc Morriss received all their results in the top 2 Bands.
A special mention must be given to Mitchell Green, who received a perfect mark of 50 for Extension 2 English.
This is also a great opportunity to wish all our students, staff and families a safe and happy Christmas holidays. I have also included a summary of the changes for 2009, as a reminder of the exciting times ahead.
The introduction of a vertical 10 minute roll call for all students, starting at 9.00am. This means all year groups will be represented in each roll class allowing mentoring/welfare opportunities, improved attendance monitoring and enhanced communication across the school.
The elimination of most Period 0s for senior students, with the exception of Extension or other offline subjects.
All days, with the exception of some for senior students only, will finish at 3.10pm. Buses have been contacted and we expect most to arrive by 3.25pm. This still allows Central Coast students enough time to link with the ferry without excessive time wasting, either at the school or at the wharf.
All periods, regardless of the day will be one hour in length, allowing for a consistent fortnightly timetable of 10 days, with five, one hour lessons.
The removal of the weekly assembly. Communication will now take place during roll call. Special one hour long assemblies run by the Student Representative Council will be scheduled twice per term.
Year 7 Sport will be integrated within the timetable and taught by PDHPE teachers, thus improving skill development prior to their participation in the Zone Competition in Year 8. This also permits the development of a House System thus enhancing school/house pride.
The development of a House System where all students and staff will belong to one of four houses for many school activities which will be linked directly to Roll Classes.
Year 8 core classes are to be increased from four to five, thus allowing a greater focus on their development, with all classes being co-educational and containing smaller student numbers.
The introduction of a Mathematics mentoring program after school, from 3.00-4.00pm, four days per week to focus on both extending students and addressing those who need extra support.
Allocating funds to maintain and continue to develop both the new welfare program, Levels and the Learning Support Team.
The creation of a Senior Study (currently under construction), in the library. Senior students will have a specific allocated space, staffed with a full time experienced teacher to develop individual study plans, offer learning assistance and general motivational and study-skill direction.
A reorganisation of the Student Representative Council. Students involved in the SRC will now be responsible for one specific portfolio, eg Drama, Sport, Academia or Promotions. They will also be involved in promoting and raising awareness of one charity organisation, whether it be local, state, national or international.
The introduction of a MADDIA evening, showcasing the talent of our Music, Art, Dance, Drama and Industrial Arts students.
The exploration into students taking responsibility for their learning with projects such as; student surveys, interviews following the distribution of Reports, promotion of Effort and teachers creatively working towards ‘personalising the learning process’.
The further investment into technology, with a commitment towards having the website operating effectively, developing interactive lessons through the Connected Classroom Project, promoting assessment policies electronically and the provision of lap-top access points throughout the library.
2009 will be an exciting time, a time for real change and the opportunity to create a unique schooling environment where the balance between creative excellence, academic achievement and social awareness is truly achieved.
As I say to the students, let's make Barrenjoey the best school in the state.
Yours faithfully, Ian Bowsher (Principal)