Plumpton High School

Year 12 2024 University of Technology Sydney UTS U@Uni Graduation - Congratulations Congratulations to our cohort of University of Technology Sydney Year 12 UTS U@Uni students who have graduated from their course – Zeinab Alassadi, Jaron David, Marissa Galea, Anam Khan, Judith Okereafor, Ella Parker, Therese Tagra, Leanne Viegas and Chelsea Weir. Having successfully completed the Program they will gain automatic early entry into their choice of university degree at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Courses selected have included: Bachelor of Landscape Architecture; Bachelor of Laws; Bachelor of Advanced Science; Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science; Bachelor of Interior Design; Bachelor of Business (majoring in Accounting); and Bachelor of Nursing to name a few. These students commenced their UTS U@Uni journey at the beginning of Year 11 and have continued their Program throughout Years 11 and 12. They participated in an on-campus Winter School (devoting a week of their school holidays), 12 UniPrep sessions and numerous other activities and tasks. Heartfelt thanks to Sonal Singh (Executive Manager, Student Access and Equity - Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion), the incredible U@Uni team (Christine Afoa, Steffi Dourado, Kendell Powell and Tom Stonestreet) and U@Uni Ambassadors (including Analatai Fuko, Katie Deng, Siokapesi Faiva to name a few) for making the playing field a more even place. A big thank you to Gemma Avon our Student Advocate for supporting these students throughout their U@Uni journey. Tim Lloyd, Principal #NSWDepartmentofEducation #UTS #Universityentry #UTSCentreforSocialJusticeandInclusion

Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award 5-Day Residential – Congratulations Students   Congratulations to a group of 9 Year 12 and 17 Year 11 students who travelled to Schofields Dairy Farm in the Southern Highlands recently to complete the Gold Duke of Edinburgh International Award Framework 5-Day Residential with students staying in the town Avoca.   The dairy farm has over 330 producing cows not including the 100+ calves and a dozen bulls. Students were required to wake up at 4:15 am to walk the 1km trip through the farm to be ready assist in milking the cows at 5:00am. This same process occurred at 3:00pm for the afternoon milking each day. The students cooked breakfast and provided coffee for all the dairy farming staff each morning. During the day following the morning milking students would partake in weed pulling, wood chopping and maintenance around the homestead of the farm.   The Gold Residential Project is for Gold Award participants only. This section of The Duke of Ed encourages students to broaden their life experience by working with others towards a common goal. It takes place in a residential setting over 4 nights and 5 days. It encourages personal achievements, enhanced social connections with new and interesting people and is a truly life changing experience. The opportunity continued to build the resilience, determination and other capacity required to have a bright and successful future.   The Residential marks the end of the Gold Level requirements for our 2024 Year 12 students with the Year 11 students completing their 9-day Adventurous Journey during the next school vacation period in October where they will travel to Uluru and other areas within the Northern Territory.   I would like to sincerely thank and congratulate Mr. Canning and Ms. McKenzie for the incredible work they continue to undertake in leading and managing the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Framework. In this instance for the tremendous work they undertook in organising Plumpton High School’s first Gold Level Residential, one of the components required for successful completion of the Award. This involved taking our 9 Year 12 and 17 Year 11 students for the 5-day Residential.   On behalf of the school and personally I would also like to extend sincere thanks to the NSW and National Office of the The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - Australia for their support and guidance that has culminated in the first group of 9 Year 12 Plumpton High School students completing the Bronze, Silver and Gold Level Awards.   Tim Lloyd, Principal   #NSWDepartmentofEducation #DukeofEd #DukeofEdinburghAward #DukeofEdAward #GoldDukeofEdAward #GoldResidential

2025 School Captains and Prefect Induction Ceremony - Congratulations   Congratulations to the 2025 School Captains and Prefects were inducted into their roles at the annual Leadership Ceremony. These students have all made a decision to be courageous and step outside of their comfort zone to serve our community. Many of our new senior Student Executive Council (SEC) leadership team have been members of the SEC since year 7 building their leadership capacity in areas of project management, public speaking and emotional intelligence whilst developing an understanding of their role in strengthening our community. Thank you to our incredible SEC Coordinators Ms Racela, Ms Caramancion and Mr. Chandra for their outstanding development and leadership of the SEC.   I am confident that our new leadership team will rise to the challenges ahead with courage, focus, passion, and determination. They are a dynamic and enthusiastic group of students who I believe will continue to grow and develop over the next 12 months.   They will undertake important work to uphold the values of Inclusion, Unity, Charity, Diversity, Sustainability, Media and Leadership, as well as lead our school, support student engagement, foster school spirit, and promote a sense of belonging. Congratulations on your selection for these roles.   We wish our 2025 School leadership team well as they embark on their leadership journey at Plumpton High School, contributing to the ongoing success of the school and assisting all students reach their full potential.   Thank you to our 2024 Leadership team who have been outstanding role models to their peers throughout the school and have set a very high standard for those following them. Their approach and their ability to work in a team has seen them work towards establishing greater school spirit through a variety of mediums and have provided a platform from which our future leaders may build. I would also like to recognise our business partners Citi Group, ABCN and their member companies who have contributed to the ongoing leadership mentoring of our Student Executive Council.   Three examples that stand out are the joining of our SEC to the Blacktown Ponds Lions Club to increase our ability to build student leadership and contribute to the community, leading our school with the first 9 Gold Duke of Edinburgh students and running our first Prefect Afternoon Tea with schools from across Sydney invited.   Once again congratulations and thank you for your excellent leadership, valued contribution and mature approach to your role.   Tim Lloyd, Principal   #NSWDepartmentofEducation #Studentleadership #studentagency #studentvoice #citigroup #ABCN #citibank #citi

Day of AI Australian Champions – Congratulations Jenny Ton and Nyah Napoles   Congratulations! Jenny Ton and Nyah Napoles in Year 8 who have were crowned Australian Champions in The Day of AI competition and have won $1,200 for their class for their entry in the Day of AI Student Challenge with their submission, Water PH Monitor. This is the 3rd consecutive year that Plumpton High School students won National Titles with Zain Al-Shible and Haaziq Anwaar in 2023, Caiden Bond and Alice Ton in 2022 and Ewen Neoh and Annacemone Nashid placed 3rd in 2022.   The prize money can go towards setting up a great technology environment or experience. For example, the students could use the funds to purchase technology for the classroom (such as iPads, laptop, audio-visual equipment) or for an excursion to a tech-centric location for themselves or their class.   Day of AI is a full day of highly interactive lessons for students’ year 5 to 10 on artificial intelligence (AI). Day of AI’s program is designed by MIT, i2Learning, and CS in Schools to support all teachers with AI education.   In 2023 there were participants from over 110 countries, with 7,512 teachers ranging from large public classrooms in major cities to homeschooled children in rural communities. Educators are encouraged to teach the curriculum year-round. That has been the impact of our work to date. But we are continuing to expand.   Developed by MIT RAISE (Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education) researchers, Day of AI is a novel, low-barrier, high-impact short curriculum offered free of charge to K-12 students and their teachers. AI is for everyone, impacting our personal and professional lives, which is why we encourage teachers and students across all grades to utilize our materials to educate for the growing use of AI.   A big thank you to Mr. Jaswal, Mr. Honeysett and Mr. Shakespeare for leading our Plumpton team in this wonderful opportunity and capacity building for our students. Also, to the TDI Foundation and CS in Schools for their support in enabling the event to take place in Australia.   Tim Lloyd, Principal   #NSWDepartmentofEducation #TDMFoundation #CSinSchools #AI #DayofAI #MIT #MITRAISE #i2learning #generativeai

Year 9 Goals Program - Plumpton Partnering with ABCN and Minter Ellison   GOALS is designed to encourage the completion of high school and widen the aspirations of students in their middle years of secondary school.    Our students are provided an opportunity to network outside their immediate community and access corporate professional role models who can demonstrate a variety of career options. Mentors sharing their own career journeys and challenges can make an enormous impact as students consider their options for the future, including whether they should leave school early.    GOALS focuses on building students’ confidence, the importance of setting goals and continuing their education to Year 12 and beyond. Students work with mentors on activities that include goal setting, communication, values, and personal strengths.    Students who take part in the program are drawn from Year 9 and have been identified as students who would benefit from a mentor.    The Program was run over 4 consecutive weeks Week 1 - 30 Jul, Week 2 - 6 Aug, 1Week 3 - 3 Aug and Week 4 - 20 Aug. This was a big commitment for the Year 9 students and the Minter Ellison Mentors.   Upon settling in after Week 1, we realised we had some time to spare after each session. In Week 2 we walked to the Opera House and students enjoyed an ice cream (or other). Most students circumnavigated the Opera House and were able to enjoy the sweeping views over to the Harbour Bridge. In Week 3, we visited the NSW State Library. Students were broken into 4 groups and were able to immerse themselves in The Country Cries for Truth exhibition, The Peter Kingston exhibition, complete a circuit of the Amaze Gallery, the Paintings Gallery and the Shakespeare Room. In Week 4 and one day after the opening of the new Sydney Metro (Australia's biggest public transport project), students took a ride embarking at Martin Place, travelling through Gadigal station and disembarking at Central.   Thank you to ABCN, Minter Ellison and most importantly the mentors for supporting our students learning journey to realise their dreams, aspirations and potential by providing valuable advice and ways of thinking. Thank you also to our incredible Futures Centre for the work they undertake in developing and implementing a highly structured system and processes that enables students to bring to reality the future they seek, whether that be university, other tertiary training, an apprenticeship, cadetship, traineeship or employment.    Tim Lloyd, Principal   #NSWDepartmentofEducation #ABCN #MinterEllison #Corporatementoring #mentoring #coaching 

Partnering The Beacon Foundation Polish Program with AON   The POLISH Program is a powerful, practical program focused on confidence building. To build self-advocacy, young people learn how to identify and promote their skills to employers. Volunteer business mentors help young people understand how varied a career path can be, how valuable transferable skills are and what are common workplace expectations. POLISH ends with a fun and encouraging “mock” interview session.   The Beacon Foundation, in partnership with AON Corporate Mentors, worked this week with 16 of our Year 10 and Year 11 students.   AON's mission is to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues in over 120 countries provide our clients with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that protect and grow their businesses.   Program Outline Polish is a high energy one-day program facilitated by a professional Beacon Foundation Facilitator. The involvement of industry mentors in the afternoon gives participants an invaluable opportunity to meet and network with industry mentors from their own business community.   Module topics include: • The new ‘world of work’ • Identifying and celebrating existing employability skills • Personal presentation and pitching • Communication and networking; and • Interview techniques   The Beacon Foundation work to create an Australia that understands, cares and is motivated to support young people to successfully transition from education to meaningful employment. They build connections between industry, education, and the community to create real world education in schools that is relevant and engaging for young people in the 21st century.   We would like to express our sincere thanks to the Beacon Foundation and their Corporate Mentors from AON for supporting our Plumpton High School students and contributing positively to Australia’s future workforce.   Tim Lloyd, Principal   #NSWDepartmentofEducation #beaconfoundation #PolishProgram #CorporateMentoring #mentoring #AON

Launch of Screen Smart Kids - Treatment for Screen Addicted Youth   I was honoured to be invited to speak at the launch of Screen Smart Kids, an innovative and comprehensive treatment for screen addicted youth and NSW Parliament House. The program has been developed by Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr. Philip Tam and Educational and Developmental Psychologist Dr. Rose Cantali.   Plumpton High School piloted the program with a group of year 9 and 10 students with great results. The program is designed to be completed during a school term delivered by school counsellors, psychologists and other mental health professionals.   Tim Lloyd, Principal   #NSWDepartmentofEducation #screensmartkids #screenaddiction

Anis Ali Year 12 – Congratulations Duke of Edinburgh National Youth Advisory Panel   Congratulations to Anis Ali, School Captain of Year 12 who has been selected to sit on the Duke of Edinburgh National Youth Advisory Panel. This is a non-standing committee established by the National Board to provide advice on issues important to young people and relevant to the Duke of Edinburgh International Award framework. It is a participation mechanism for young people, enabling them to engage in the decision-making processes that affect the Duke of Edinburgh framework.   The Panel will contribute to the vibrancy of the Duke of Edinburgh framework and provide advice and insight relevant to assisting the National Board, management, and the Award Operating Authorities. The Panel will reflect the diversity of the Duke of Ed and contribute to building the leadership acumen in young people and Award Alumni, ultimately strengthening the leadership sustainability of the Duke of Ed.   Anis, along with 8 of his Year 12 peers are currently completing their Gold Level Duke of Ed Award and 17 Year 11 students about to undertake their Gold Level Adventurous Journey at Uluru and surrounding areas. There are 44 Year 10 students working towards completing their Silver Level Award and 133 Year 9 students completing their Bronze Level Award at Plumpton High School.   Once again congratulations to Anis for being selected to hold this prestigious position. A huge thank you to Mr. Canning, Ms. McKenzie for Coordinating the framework supported by Tamika Rex at Plumpton High School. Thank you also to the Duke of Ed National and NSW Office for their ongoing support that has enabled our students to thrive through engagement in this highly valued credential that builds high-level capacity of students to be leaders and positive contributors in society securing them prosperous futures.   Tim Lloyd, Principal   #NSWDepartmentofEducation #DukeofEd #DukeofEdinbughAward #DukeofEdinburgh #ABCN #Citi #Citigroup #Citibank #UnitedWay #BeaconFoundation #UTS #USYD #UNSW #WSU #MacUni #Optus #CSinSchools #Abobe #griffithhack #PVH #LinkedIn #ACU #LearningCreatesAustratia #CommBank #ShakeupArchitecture #JohnHolland #NSWNursesandMidwives #WaratahEducationFoundation #JPMorgan #Amex #WSI #DukeofEdAward #DukeofEdinburghInternationalAward #MinterEllison #MacquarieTechnologyGroup #TechDataAPAC #MacquarieTelecom #BlacktownCity #AON 

Improving Resilience In Our Teens (RIOT) – Adjustments and Accommodations

Improving Resilience In Our Teens (RIOT) – Adjustments and Accommodations Plumpton High School is continuing its journey to support the wellbeing of all students through the implementation of the Resilience In Our Teens (RIOT) framework. This is to ensure all students develop the necessary skills for successful bright futures in life, learning and long-term wellbeing. Plumpton has already implemented the majority of our Wellbeing frameworks that includes Choice Theory, Positive Psychology, Growth Mindset and Restorative Practice. This final component of the Wellbeing Frameworks is wholly focussed on building resilience in our students. There are two main themes that need to be understood by the community to enable a successful implementation of RIOT. The first is Adjustments: Adjustments are deliberate strategies and actions that are provided by significant adults in a child’s life that lead to increased function through enabling the child to overcome situations, circumstances and challenges that were previously preventing success. We will continue to work with families to ensure our young people have the necessary strategies to secure bright, successful futures. Examples of Adjustments include: Student Improvement Plans, Deputy Principal monitoring, Faculty monitoring, Reset / Reflect Cards and the How Big Is My Problem framework. Accommodations are actions that significant adults take in a child’s life that lead to decreased function through avoiding situations, circumstances and challenges. Examples of Accommodations include: lateness to school, public speaking, completing and submitting assessment on time, procrastination and celebrating success. The question we need to constantly ask ourselves as students, parents, staff and the community is – Are our actions leading to increased resilience of our young people and a bright, successful future for them with NO self-imposed limitations? Tim Lloyd, Principal #NSWDepartmentofEducation