The year of 2002 began very successfully with excellent results in the 2001
Higher School Certificate. Lucy
Tang with a UAI of 99.05 topped the Fairfield District and there were 26
scores which gained recognition for our students in the distinction
lists. It was very pleasing
to learn that 75 of our graduating students were offered university
places, which included two institutions in the United States of America.
Special recognition must be given to the three students who
received outstanding HSC results in Drama and Dance and were awarded the
recognition of ‘On Stage’ and ‘Call Back.’
These acclaimed performers were Nita Green, Bianca Sulkowitz and
Michelle Williams. Equally
pleasing was the very large number of students who gained admission to
Tafe courses – an outcome further emphasising the commitment of
Westfields Sports to the increasingly relevant tertiary education
sector.
In
Years 11 & 12 in 2002 there were 180 students enrolled in Tafe
courses at a number of Tafe institutes.
2003 will see 6 of our Year 12 students enrolled in Distinction
Courses at University as part of their Higher School Certificate candidature.
These innovative courses are only available to students achieving
at a very high academic level. This
year saw the continuation of the Pure Mathematics elective for
accelerating talented students. A
Mathematics extension class in Year 7 which included a local primary
student and Year 10 further supported this initiative.
These initiatives further enhanced the comprehensive curriculum
already offered at Westfields Sports.
Teachers provided tutorials after school and in the holidays to
assist interested students enhanced academic performance.
Reading was strongly advised for students in Year 7 and 8 and the
reading card was enthusiastically completed.
Saturday school for English and Mathematics remains a very
positive resource. Results
and participation in State competitions and tests were very strong.
ELLA and SNAP results in Year 8 again demonstrated the strong
academic benefits of a year at our school.
Successes in Australian competitions in Mathematics, Science,
Computing and Languages were achieved with many distinctions and
credits. Very pleasing was
the success of 6 students in reaching the finals of Worldskills – Tafe
in fields as varied as Business Operations and Information Processing. The
achievements of our staff must not be overlooked.
The Department of Education and Training and the Board of Studies
called many teachers for special projects. Duties
included setting examinations papers for the Higher School Certificate,
marking external examinations, developing teaching/learning resources,
advice on syllabus, assistance with professional development – the
list goes on. These
requests reflect the competence and standing of our staff.
As with last year I was requested by the Department of Education
and Training to assist in the review of schools wanting to improve their
outcomes for students. More
schools send staff to Westfields Sports for professional development
advice and student welfare support than any other school. The
performances of our students in a wide variety of areas are of a very
high standard and believe it or not, improving even further.
The evening of dance at Smithfield RSL was sensational.
A packed house saw dance and vocal performances of a professional
standard. The audience
reaction said it all. Other
excellent performance evenings were in Music and Drama with presentation
evenings held by Track and Field, Cricket, Soccer, Rugby League, Rugby
Union and Gymnastics. The
use of excellent air-conditioned facilities at local clubs, which offer
families the opportunity to have dinner before the function and coffee
after, is a positive step. Please
join us at the Marconi Club on 11/12/02 for the 2002 Presentation
Evening.
Principal's Report