James Busby High School

Welcome to the final instalment for 2020 of our e-Newsletter.

Our staff are continuing to work hard to finish all required curriculum for 2020 and are beginning to plan for 2021 to ensure all our students are engaged in quality learning experiences.

2020 has certainly been a challenging year for us all, but we are a resilient staff and our students have also shown enormous coping skills and dedication to their education. They have shown an enormous capacity to have empathy for others and a generosity of spirit that I am in awe of. Our staff, students and school community have come together to do the very best we can during a pandemic that has created uncertainty and stress for so many.

Again, I want to stress, our school has always been and remains dedicated to the learning and wellbeing of all students, which is reflected daily in the highly professional and caring behaviour of staff and the impressive achievements our students make each and every day. There is so much to be proud of and so many students who do us proud each and every day.

I will on leave for a few weeks at the beginning of the year. Ms Mishelle Gouganovski will be relieving as Principal until my return.

I’d like to finish by wishing everyone a safe, happy, healthy and enjoyable holiday season.

We look forward to seeing you all in 2021

Regards,

Ms Olimpia Bartolillo

Dear Staff, students and parents,

As this very unusual school year draws to a close, I would like to thank all staff, students and parents for staying brave, strong and supportive of each other in the midst of a pandemic.

There were lots of changes, adjustments and challenges faced during the year, especially the implementation of online learning programs but we all stood strong, united and committed to adopt to the change to achieve success.

Everyone needs a break!

I would like to wish you all a very safe and happy summer vacation and look forward to welcoming you all back, keen and refreshed in the New Year.

Regards

Mr Narayan

I’d like to wish all the students, parents, staff and members of the community a safe and restful break. I hope you enjoy the holidays and have a lovely Christmas and New Year.

Thank you for all of your support and co-operation throughout the year. I would like to encourage you all to remain focussed and aim high, and always strive for excellence. Life will always provide us with unexpected detours and it is how we meet those challenges that defines our character.

Always believe in yourself, be kind and remember to smile.

Mrs Gouganovski

Congratulations Year 7 on making it through your first year of high school! We are extremely proud of the way you all have carried yourselves, formed new positive relationships with peers and teachers.

2020 has been a challenging year for all, despite that your high school journey has really just begun. We hope you have all developed your learning skills throughout the year and are looking forward to applying them in the year ahead. We are pleased to have learnt more about you all, over the year and though there is always room for improvement, we are also impressed with many of you and your efforts. Please keep up the good work.

Student effort and achievements were acknowledged and rewarded during our award assemblies and we are proud of you all. 

We hope you all enjoy your holidays, recharge your batteries and come back to us in 2021 eager and willing to learn.

Happy holidays to you and your families.

Regards,

Miss. Maror and Mrs. Shukla

Year 7 Year Advisers

What a year 2020 has been! I want to take this opportunity to reflect on everything that you have accomplished this year:

·       Successfully completing your second year of high school in what has been one of the most stressful years in history!

·       Links to Learning - each week we have received glowing reports of how you have engaged in the program and have made us proud teachers at JBHS.

·       Coming out of this year a little stronger, wiser and more mature than when you started.

We would like for you to reflect on 2020 and really think about:

·       What you liked

·       What you would do the same

·       What you would change

Now, we would like for you to think about what you want 2021 to look like. Set your goals now, think about how you can make it the best year for you at school possible.

We are really proud of the growth we have seen in the grade this year. The maturity you have developed, the responsibility you have taken and the steps forward you have taken to become thoughtful members of our community.

Have a happy and safe holiday and see you in 2021!

Ms Encina and Ms Kasavetis.

A big congratulations Year 9 as we come close to the end of the year, and what a year it has been! We had disrupted education where you had to rely on technology for a while but you all worked hard with the guidance of your teachers and for that, you need to applaud yourselves.

You’ve completed your third year of high school and halfway through your high school life. It will get harder but we will get through this together.

School uniform continues to be a major concern for our Year group. Most of you are still not wearing school uniform. You are heading towards the end of your third year of high school and should be more responsible by wearing the correct school uniform. For those that are wearing the correct school uniform, we are very proud of you because you show maturity and responsibility and that you are proud to be part of James Busby High School that provides you with an education.

A little advice for you next year as you start Year 10 is to remember that in order to succeed in high school, be respectful with everyone. You can achieve this by using your manners. This includes showing respect to your peers, your teachers, your school and all of its equipment, but most importantly, respecting yourselves and your education. You can do this through being mindful of both your words and your actions. Remember this as well as you go on holidays soon.

Being a student of James Busby High School, you receive many opportunities to excel in the classroom, in sport, music, and in other non-academic activities. Our school provides you these opportunities so that everyone has an equal chance to excel in areas that either interest you, or are good at. I encourage every student to take advantage of these opportunities from Year 10 onwards.

You should always aim for excellence, and challenge yourself to do that little bit better with each day. Set goals for yourself and work hard to achieve them. You can do this by studying regularly, and asking for help and guidance whenever you need it. Think of what you would like to achieve by the end of Year 10.

Be safe at all times by following class and school rules. Rules also applies to all of you as you start your holidays soon. Be mindful of your actions and listen to your parents. Most importantly, spend time with your families and friends, watch a movie, read a book or meet up for a day at the park to enjoy some fun activities. You all deserve a good holiday as you have earned it. However you spend your holidays, have a safe one and we look forward to having you back to school in Term 1 of 2021.

All the best from…

Mrs Narayan and Ms Cau

Year 9 Advisers

What a year of challenges it has been for Year 10. You have had your first brush with NESA and those dreaded warning letters, and you have made your subject selections for Year 11 and 12. All in the midst of a pandemic!

It blows my mind every time I think about it- you are seniors next year! What an absolute pleasure it has been to watch you grow over the years into the wonderful young adults you are becoming. You face a new set of challenges next year, and I hope you face them with the same maturity and positive attitudes that I have seen this year.

Although I won’t be around to see you, I am certain that you will conquer all that you set your minds to do. Take time in the holidays to rest and reflect on 2020 and the way you intend on tackling your final years of high school. If you wish for things to change, know that all starts and ends with you. Make good decisions that will only aid your educational and personal growth. Surround yourself with like-minded people who will only encourage you and want the best for you. You will make mistakes- you’re human after all. Remember it is not those mistakes that define us, but the action we take to set things right and ensuring to not make those same mistakes again.

I wish you nothing but happiness and success as you venture into your senior years. I don’t know what the future may hold but, whatever happens, I will never forget you Year 10. You have fulfilled my time at James Busby High School, and I will always cherish the wonderful moments we shared.

Thank you for having me.

Miss Rodriguez 

Dear Year 12,

Congratulations for finishing your first term of your HSC year! It’s been a tough year for the whole world. Well done for getting through it.

I would like to acknowledge the students who achieved academic success in Year 11 and were recognised at our Formal Assembly. Your achievements are fantastic! As I said on the day, don’t fear if you didn’t receive an award and don’t compare yourself with others. Run your own race, and measure your own successes.

I am extremely pleased with our first terms efforts to fundraise. The chocolate boxes have been flying off the shelves and the Christmas Mufti Day was an enormous success. It is truly wonderful to see our grade stepping up and working together.

I would like to wish our entire school community a happy and healthy holidays! Look after yourselves and each other.

Year 12 – please email me if you have any questions over the summer break.

Looking forward to the next year!

Ms. Hall

Dear Year 12, 

In a year like no other you have proven that there is always a need for compassion, respect and leadership. We are excited for you to use the skills and relationships you have developed here to go out and make your mark on the world. For those who have committed time and time again to their academic studies, you will be rewarded in the release of your final results. Remember that there are many pathways through life, and regardless of your journey on to university, TAFE or the work force, the values of respect and honesty will hold you in good stead.

Congratulations Year 12 2020!

Ms Cattanach and Ms Byrne 

"Look how far you've come". Ears were alert and eyes were lit with tears as our graduates listen intently to the words of our IO/AU Year Adviser Ms. Samuel during their graduation ceremony. This phrase woven throughout the speech led us to think about our graduates as young, fresh faced and energetic teenagers back in 2015. A stark contrast to the longer limbed, facial hair filled leaders of James Busby High School that we see today; our cohort or year 12s have indeed come a very long way. As the room giggled and reminisced, we see snippets of the past shaping our students to become the leaders they are today. Our graduates can move onto the next stage of their lives with confidence that they can achieve many things and be positive impacts on people around them. We cannot wait to hear their stories; to see how much more they will grow.

As the formal proceedings came to an end, it was time for our graduates to opt for more stylish attire. Dressed to impress, they turned up in style; suits, vests, button up shirts, dresses and polished shoes that allowed for at least three hours of dancing. They ate, spoke, danced, sang and danced some more until the venue closed. As the night concluded, we commented on how well each student behaved, how good they looked, how well they danced, adding yet another "look how far you've come" moment.

Thank you graduating class of 2020 for the memories you have left in our hearts. Go out there and show the world just how much one person can do. Show them just how far you have come.

O.Pham

I am Ms Byrne and I will be your Year Advisor when you come to JBHS. At high school, there will be many changes to get used to, but some things stay the same. Staying the same is that your teachers are here to support and help you learn to the best of your ability. I teach English at JBHS, so I can be found reading in the English staff room if you need me. Coming up soon is your Orientation Day where you get to visit your high school and meet your teachers and students who will be in your classes next year, so please remember any questions you have to ask on the day.

Looking forward to meeting you,

Ms Byrne

Our award assemblies were held on Monday 14th and Tuesday 15th December. We had to hold our assemblies a little differently this year, and sadly were unable to invite families to help us to celebrate the achievements of our dedicated students.

We would like to congratulate all of our award recipients for their successes, both inside and outside the class rooms. As always, we take pride in the outstanding academic, sporting and artistic achievements throughout 2020. 

Photographs of award recipients are available to families upon request. Please contact me, Ms Ramsay via email at abeer.khuder@det.nsw.edu.au for a copy of your child's photograph. 

I am proud to be able to share your child's photo with you. Please do not hesitate to make this request, even in the school break. I will endeavour to reply with the photo at my earliest convenience.