Fort Street High School

For the third year the leadership team at FSHS will be participating in the Vinnies CEO sleepout. Ms McMurray and Ms Cameron would love your support for this important cause - if would like to donate you can do so at the link below.

Organisation This June, leaders in business, community and government will sleep without shelter on one of the longest nights of the year to help change the lives of Australians experiencing homelessness. We're taking a stand to help break the cycle of homelessness and poverty in Australia. Are you in?

A thrilling yet hilarious tale of murder and mystery! In the old Mortifer Mansion, a dinner party soon turns deadly. Mistrustful enemies, an unknown foreigner, a seemingly innocent niece, or the elderly servants - which of them did it? Thankfully, the 'best' detective of the time is there to solve the case with his new genius apprentice! Caught amidst a horrific storm, who will survive the night? One thing's for sure, this one's definitely not a dead giveaway!

Get your tickets to the Senior Drama Production here now
https://www.trybooking.com/CSQVA

Wednesday June 19 and Thursday June 20, 7pm - 9pm.

Tickets are only $15

Everyone is welcome!

Congratulations to exec for their organisation of the Future Leaders Conference - an amazing day with over 300 students from over 35 schools! We our so proud of the initiative, innovation and dedication our students demonstrate.

The school was abuzz today as the SRC hosted the Future Leaders conference. Almost 300 students from 34 different high schools across Sydney and as far as Newcastle, took part. The theme was Pathways to Success and we hope the students ended the day feeling inspired by our wonderful guest speakers and panel members. We are very grateful for their support and for Murat Dizdar PSM, Secretary of the NSW Department of Education for returning to the Fort and being a part of this great day for our student leaders.

Wonderful to see so many of our students representing Fort Street High School last night at In Concert. Our students not only performed in the NSW Secondary Schools Choir but many also performed in the The Arts Unit ensembles and orchestras. A special mention to Matthew Yong who was chosen to be on of the co-hosts for the evening.

The performances were fantastic with the collaborations with Darren Percival and real standout.

Celebrating IDAHOBIT

We possess a profound ability to shape our children's attitudes and beliefs, embedding values of acceptance, inclusivity, and respect for all.

The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), celebrated each year on May 17th, emphasises the critical need to educate children about diversity and inclusivity. Inaugurated in 2004 by the World Health Organization, this day is a global call to promote tolerance and combat discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community.

Instilling respect and acceptance for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in children is crucial. Celebrating IDAHOBIT helps families communicate a strong stance against discrimination, highlighting the importance of diversity and the damaging effects of stereotypes and biases. These prejudices often arise from the media, societal interactions, and peer influences, necessitating proactive efforts from parents and caregivers to counteract and discuss these issues.

Creating inclusive environments supports diversity and plays a vital role in raising awareness and demonstrating solidarity with LGBTQIA+ students and community members. It is a commitment to creating a world free from prejudice and discrimination, instilling values of empathy, respect and inclusivity.

This Special Report will help you fostering acceptance, empowering young people to become compassionate and informed advocates for equality.

Here is the link to your Special Report https://fortstreet.nsw.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-celebrating-idahobit-au

A special mention by the Australian Ambassador to Portugal Indra McCormick, of our IMP students who are currently in Portugal and performed at the ANZAC Day ceremony

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As a result of the devastating events that recently unfolded at Westfield in Bondi Junction, and the Church in Wakeley, many families are still in a state of disbelief trying to comprehend how and why these incidents occurred. All of us have been affected in some way, with some being left more traumatised than others.
Although such incidents are rare, they can still be scarring. It's in these situations that it is vitally important for parents and carers to check in with their children. Being aware of what information they've been exposed to will hopefully minimise their emotional fallout in coming weeks.
We encourage you to use this SchoolTV Special Report as a resource to help at such times when tragic or traumatic events occur.

SPECIAL REPORT: Trauma Recovery
Trauma in children significantly disturbs their sense of safety and normalcy, leading to substantial emotional and behavioural changes. Such disturbances often result from exposure to traumatic events, which may be exacerbated by continuous media coverage. This exposure can trigger stress, anxiety, and trauma, with varying recovery timelines due to the unpredictable nature of trauma's impact. Observing young people grappling with these effects can be highly distressing for parents and caregivers.
It's important to establish a nurturing environment to help restore a child's sense of security to help promote resilience. Active involvement in their recovery is essential, as is recognising the unique, personalised needs of each child in responding to trauma. Depending on their age, children may present with different symptoms, such as regressive behaviours in younger ones or withdrawal and agitation in older children and teens. It is important to monitor and manage the type of information children may access to reduce their emotional distress.
The brain stores traumatic events as powerful emotional memories, influencing behaviour through mechanisms beyond a child's conscious awareness. By providing young people with support and equipping them with coping mechanisms to handle uncertainty, parents and carers can greatly enhance a child's capacity to recover and build long-term emotional resilience.
This Special Report will help you identify a child experiencing trauma and how you can support them to overcome it.
Here is the link to your Special Report https://fortstreet.nsw.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-trauma-recovery

It’s Neurodiversity week and we have some great activities happening at school. Check out the timetable below.

For more information visit https://www.neurodiversityweek.

SPECIAL REPORT: Celebrating Harmony Week

Harmony Week is celebration held annually in March across Australia. It’s aimed at promoting diversity, respect and inclusiveness. This event is an excellent opportunity for parents to teach their children about different cultures, traditions and customs. The goal is to encourage everyone to appreciate and celebrate differences and promote a sense of community and belonging for everyone.
During Harmony Week, there are a number of events and activities held to bring people from different cultures together. These activities include multicultural food festivals, cultural performances, art exhibitions and workshops. Participating in these events helps children to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the diverse communities that make up Australia.
As a parent, you can engage your children in discussions about multiculturalism and encouraging them to ask questions. Promoting a more harmonious and inclusive society, can help children grow up with a greater appreciation for the richness and diversity of Australia's cultural landscape.
This Special Report hopes to instil positive values and create an opportunity to start a conversation with your child about understanding diversity and multiculturalism.
Here is the link to your Special Report https://fortstreet.nsw.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-celebrating-harmony-week-au

We will be holding our first Open Morning of 2024 on Wednesday March 6, 2024.

Bookings are essential and places are strictly limited to 2 per family.

Bookings open Wednesday February 21 at 9am and places fill very quickly. Bookings can be made here:

https://www.trybooking.com/CPHOM

There will also be Open Mornings on Wednesday May 22 and Wednesday November 20, 2024. Bookings will open 2 weeks prior to the event.

we will host an Open Evening on Wednesday August 21, 2024.

SPECIAL REPORT: The Wellbeing Barometer 2024

The Wellbeing Barometer survey has proven to be an invaluable tool for schools, providing insights into the state of youth mental health and wellbeing. Whilst last year’s results focussed the spotlight on areas of concern, there were also many highlights that demonstrated the resilience and adaptability of students and emphasised the necessity of prevention strategies.

Participating in this year's survey, will assist in identifying areas of strength and concern, as well as pinpointing opportunities for early intervention. Previously gathered information has helped support families as they navigate difficult conversations that enable understanding and foster connections to build relationships.

This survey is part of an ongoing, longitudinal study, with the results being instrumental in tailoring support for students and their families. Participation is strongly encouraged, as it provides a comprehensive view of students' experiences, challenges, and achievements over the past year. Its aim is to capture a comprehensive picture of young people's lives, allowing for a tailored approach to enhance mental and emotional wellbeing.

We encourage you to take a few moments to complete a survey for each of your children. This will help us determine the nature and extent of your concerns and how best to support families in the months ahead. Responses remain anonymous and will only be reported on an aggregated basis. You are asked to base your responses on observations made in the last 12 months.

Acquiring the skills for future independence, taking healthy risks, and giving young people the opportunity to emancipate from parents, are key developmental tasks that are essential if we are to stave off the impact of mental illness in the future. Please reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you or your child, please reach out to the school or seek professional medical advice.

Here is the link to your special report https://fortstreet.nsw.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-wellbeing-barometer-2024-au

So proud of our volleyball side - finishing their Australian Championship tournament with three straight wins!

On Saturday we enjoyed an epic win over Aldridge state high school, claiming the deciding set 13-15.

Overall the team has finished 9/28 👏👏👏

Good luck to our open girls volleyball team competing this week at the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup on the Gold Coast

Another fantastic M.A.D night celebrating the wonderful talents of our students. There’s still time to come along and experience it for yourself with another showing tomorrow. The art display is open from 5.30pm and the performances start at 6.30pm. Not tickets necessary, just come along.

I’m a time when housing affordability is so high this cause is so important. Our year 8 students are residing money for Vinnies by participating in the school sleepout.

Why are we running the Sleep Out? We are doing our best to avoid tokenism and to take the students out of their comfort zone. No mattresses, no tents, pillows, phones or other devices. ��They are just short of their 30k goal - it’s cold and it’s miserable outside tonight. If you are able to spare a few dollars our team would be very grateful.

https://my.fundraise.vinniesnsw.org.au/vinnies-school-sleepouts/fort-st-sleep-out?fbclid=IwAR1rATq_Q5H2xqXwRe67Ct36z5NGadVpFTJSFU6IboFB-C8UPH3N28ZxzKA_aem_AZYyiKIspSS-7sag2tmgvZGeO96-37C61WZ5v2bdqqd4fW3rnvVVOoZhFlBeAsENbCY

Fort St Sleep Out - Vinnies School Sleepouts We are calling for our local school community to come together in solidarity and give up one night in a comfortable bed to help raise funds and awareness about homelessness and disadvantage in our very own background. Please join our Sleepout or give now to help us reach our fundraising goal which w...

First tournament for our girls AFL team!

A wonderful afternoon was had with our own IMP members and musicians from St George Girls High School today. After only a few hours together they played multiple pieces and sounded like they had been rehearsing for weeks! It was a fantastic collaboration.

Amazing effort from the open girls volleyball team today winning the year 11 Division 1 schools cup! (They are all in years 9 & 10) 👏👏

SPECIAL REPORT: Discussing War & Conflict

Children are frequently exposed to distressing news through the 24-hour news cycle and social media. These experiences can provoke anxiety, especially in young minds still forming their worldviews. Parents and caregivers should be mindful of overexposure to such content as it can lead to symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder. Children’s responses to trauma can vary, from being strong emotional reactions to being indifferent. It can leave an emotional imprint that can affect a child's behaviour and perception of danger.

Children need reassurance about their safety as they navigate uncertain times. Tailor conversations to your child's age and emotional maturity. Younger children benefit from simplified explanations focusing on peace, empathy, and cooperation, while older children can delve into historical events, root causes of conflict, and the complexities of international relations.

Before discussing these topics with your child, it is also important to assess your own emotions and comfort level. By staying calm and providing physical comfort will help your child regulate their own emotions. In challenging times, compassionate adults play a crucial role in helping children cope with anxiety and providing hope and understanding in our complex world.

This Special Report provides guidance on how to tackle this difficult topic and helping children understand there is still hope in our complex world. Please take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please consider seeking medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report https://fortstreet.nsw.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-discussing-war-conflict

Well done to our open girls futsal team - making the quarter finals at the NSW state futsal championships today 👏👏👏👏👏

SPECIAL REPORT: R U OK?Day

Understanding the growing challenges related to mental health among young people is an important consideration. Anxiety, depression and self-harm –– are all causes for concern. Factors like academic pressure, social media, family dynamics, and societal expectations, are contributing to these issues. It's therefore crucial for parents and caregivers to take action early, remove the stigma around discussing mental health, and offer accessible support to address these issues and the wellbeing of their children.

R U OK? contributes to su***de prevention year round by urging people to invest time in personal relationships and empowering informal support networks to identify signs of distress. We urge all families to take part, emphasising the value of genuine human relationships and reminding everyone to ask the important question, “Are you OK?”

Engaging in R U OK?Day activities goes beyond the classroom; it's a commitment to our students' overall development. By talking openly about mental health, schools create safe spaces where students feel understood, valued, and supported. As parents and caregivers, you can contribute by fostering open conversations, normalising feelings and breaking down mental health stigmas. Participating in R U OK?Day promotes compassion and shows our dedication to the wellbeing of the entire school community, reaffirming that together, we can truly make a difference.

This Special Report provides guidance on how to talk to your child about mental health and engage in meaningful discussions. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please consider seeking medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report https://fortstreet.nsw.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-r-u-ok-day

Well done to all the rowers in the Fort St team!! It was a huge effort over the 24hrs - rowing a total of 274km 👏👏👏

24 Hour Row

Huge effort by our overnight rowers!! 5hours left!!!

24 Hour Row

5hrs in 19hrs to go! Well done Fort Street H.S you are smashing the 24hr row!! 💪💪 To support these students and teacher rowing for mental fitness in the community donate here:

https://24hourrow.com.au/fortstreethighschool

24 Hour Row

Support our amazing team of rowers who will have a machine going for a full 24 hours this weekend by donating using the above QR code. Funds will go to mental fitness programs in the community !

Our Year 9 students are enjoying beautiful weather on their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Camp. One of their main tasks so far was setting up their camp with tents. They were rewarded after with some camp-style nacho cooked together in their groups.

Absolutely amazing effort by the Fort St rugby team yesterday in their final match. They went down 15-10. Man of the match was Charlie Dey! 👏👏👏👏

Well done to all the students who took part on Monday especially the Junior team for taking home the Spirit award!