From the Principal
Dear students and families
2018 Return to School Important Information
I hope everyone has had a chance to relax and enjoy some quality time with family and friends over the holiday season. The start of school, after a significant break, always provides a good opportunity to re-establish a focus on learning.
School will recommence on Monday 29 January at 8.00am and students are asked to attend the following locations:
- Year 10 and 11 students to the Tank
- Secondary Intensive English Unit students (SIEU) to the Exam Centre
- Year 12 students are to attend Lesson 1 classes and will assemble in the Tank for Lesson 2 at 8.55am. Year 12 students will have timetables emailed to them and can check Compass.
In 2017 Darwin High School again celebrated outstanding Year 12 academic results with 97% of our students completing their NTCET. Fifty-two of our students achieved an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank) above 90, placing them in the top 10% of students in Australia and eight of the Top 20 students from the NT were from Darwin High, including the top NT student Nisangi Wijesinghe.
We welcome Ms Annette Pedersen who returns in the role of Assistant Principal for Year 11 and Mr Rohan Ford returns to Year 11 Coordinator position. We also welcome Mr Greg France Senior teacher for Mathematics and a number of new teaching staff. Ms Zaiga Thomann (Mathematics), Ms Claude Collins (Languages), Bernadette Marcel-Hubert (Languages), Ms Michelle Chen (Languages), Mr Tony Walsh (SIEU), and Ms Cathy Hood (English).
Students are at the centre of everything we do at Darwin High School. We strive to be the leading provider of high quality senior secondary education programs that prepare students to pursue their chosen pathways, interests and aspirations. In 2018 we will welcome over 1300 students on campus for another exciting school year.
This year we have a strong focus on improving attendance and have introduced a new attendance policy. We will be holding information sessions about this new policy and also training in the Compass system in Week 4 of Term 1. Stay tuned to coming newsletters for further details.
The Northern Territory school holiday configuration has changed to a one, three, two and six week holiday pattern. This has resulted in a change to the length of semesters in the NT with Semester 1 being 21 weeks in length and Semester 2 being 19 weeks in length. So that students in Year 10, 11 and SIEU have balanced amounts of study time in both semesters we will be commencing Semester 2 studies at the end of Semester 1 this year. More information will be provided to students and families shortly and a calendar with term dates is below.
To assist you with your preparations for the 2018 school year Darwin High School Student Services is open Monday - Friday from 8.30am - 3.30pm. Student Services is the key point of call for students and families paying subject fees, hiring lockers, purchasing school uniforms and purchasing stationery. For more information you can contact Student Services by emailing [email protected] or by phoning 8999 1233.
The Northern Territory Government provides each enrolled student with a $150 Back to School voucher to assist with the associated costs of returning to school. These vouchers are available from Student Services. The school also continues to provide the Student Resource Scheme. This is your opportunity to support the school in providing students with access to cutting-edge technology and a range of textbooks and resources which are beyond the standard issue. The Student Resource Scheme is a voluntary contribution.
There has been a time change to the school bus route 100(AM) will now depart from Vanderlin Drive, Berrimah at 7.00am to arrive at Darwin Middle and Darwin High School by 7.50am.
Finally, the beginning of the school year always marks a time of promise and possibility, and 2018 is no exception! With a dedicated school board, inspired staff and a supportive community, our students are poised for another year of achievement and success.
Yours sincerely,
Jill Hazeldine
Acting Principal