MISSING LINK
Term 3 2026
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE I would like to thank staff and students for a wonderful Term 3 with so many achievements and celebrations which you can read in the following pages. Missing Link has always been a "potted history" of our school along with the documents for assemblies, events and the graduation. Increasingly we have also used video records, and we now have one of the most comprehensive archives of any school in the state. As we finish the term, I would like to congratulate and thank Year 12 for a very strong finish. My graduation speech will be published in the yearbook. For Missing Link I would like to finish this term by including the address I gave to the Induction assembly for the new senior leaders. In many ways it represents how many of us feel about this school and its very special places - places where hundreds of students have worked together. I would like to share that with you and congratulate our new senior leaders for 2026-2027. Ms Christine Cawsey AM Principal 2027 Senior Leadership Induction Assembly – Principal’s Address Good morning, Welcome to this very special assembly. Welcome to the audience. Welcome to parents and families and most especially welcome to our new senior student leaders for 2027 and our highly successful Year 12 leadership team members who will receive our thanks today. I also want to extend a special thanks to Ms. Short whose professional leadership has transformed the senior leadership program this year. I am again privileged to work each day and speak today on the unceded lands of the Darug people and have the opportunity to thank Kiarna and Ava for the Acknowledgement of Country and the power of them giving it together as senior leaders. This year as we induct our new senior leadership team, I would like you to think about the fact that leadership and influence can only take place in a particular time and place and with the permission of those we lead. Leadership is not power although this may be one feature of some types of leaders and leadership. Leadership in a particular time and place is certainly true for student leadership, certainly true for this school. Whether as Year 7 Ambassadors, peer support mentors, SALSA leaders, team captains, debaters or artists our new senior leaders have
practised their skills in this space, in this school and over their time in the school. So, as a geography teacher, I invited each of the Year 11 candidates for leadership positions to respond to a prompt from me. The Prompt: Think of a space at school. Where is it? Why did you choose it? The spaces identified by the senior leaders as important within the school community reflected themes of belonging, connection, support, and inclusivity. The Senior Study and Library areas were frequently highlighted as welcoming, peaceful, and safe spots where students could be themselves, study, and form meaningful friendships. These spaces fostered quiet reflection and academic support, creating a sense of comfort and community, especially for quieter students seeking calm environments. Specialist spaces like the Music Room, Art Rooms, and Quad provided creative outlets and venues for personal expression, further enhancing a sense of belonging and identity. These spaces symbolized community, connection, and personal growth, reinforcing the importance of inclusive environments in supporting student well-being and engagement.
Minister’s award for Student Excellence at the Public Education Foundation awards. I would like to read the letters of congratulation to our first student to win the Minister’s award since 2019. Ms Christine Cawsey AM Principal Award Citation: Mikayla is an outstanding Year 12 student from western Sydney with exceptional achievement across academic studies, sport, performing arts and citizenship. As School Captain of RHHS, she has co-led a significant renewal of senior leadership and student agency. A gifted performer and spokesperson at school, regional and state level, Mikayla has represented her school in volleyball at CHS level, helping her team claim first place in the state. Her academic achievements are equally impressive, and her performances have been recognised by the directorate and schools across the region. Mikayla is a credit to western Sydney and public education.
The sports courts, including basketball and volleyball courts, served as vibrant hubs for social interaction, physical activity, and pride. They united students across year groups, offering informal opportunities to connect beyond the classroom. These courts were valued not only for sports but also for casual socialising, promoting inclusivity and teamwork. Common social areas such as the COLAs, hall and quad were crucial for bringing students together, hosting assemblies, celebrations, and programs. They enabled bonding across different year levels, reinforced school spirit, and supported shared experiences through both joyous and challenging times. In all these responses the link between the space and energy of RHHS, the feelings of connection, belonging and sharing, and the #PERSIST values are clear. All these spaces were slightly different, but all shared the theme of connection and belonging here on Darug land. This is what these incoming leaders said it means to lead in this space and in this time. For our incoming leaders this is your opportunity to work together and in your leadership roles to lead and ensure connection across the school. Our incoming senior leaders said it well, and our outgoing senior leaders have demonstrated it. I want to congratulate you all (incoming and outgoing) and wish you well on your journeys from here, in leading the school and the community and, for Year 12 in the HSC and beyond. Would you now welcome our guest speaker for today. Our guest speaker was one of 40 students to receive the
2027 Senior Leader Induction Assembly – 2026 School Captain Speech Written by Mikayla Mantua, 2026 Minister’s Award Recipient Good morning everyone. Firstly, congratulations to all of you. Being selected as a member of the 2027 Senior Leadership team is an incredible milestone. It represents the trust that your teachers and peers have placed in you, and the potential they see in you. So take a moment to be proud of yourselves. You have all earned this. When I first moved to Rooty Hill in Year 8, I had no idea where this school would take me. I moved here from a private school, and my brother was already a student here. Watching his experience made me curious about this school. I saw him build new friendships, take on different opportunities and discover more about himself. And I remember thinking, maybe I could do that too. My parents supported the decision to move, and I'm grateful they did. I found classes I loved, I found volleyball and I found my love for music performing. I was also able to meet people
who became important to me. But it wasn’t always easy. I was very shy, which is slightly ironic considering I’m standing on this stage. But for a lot of my journey here, I struggled with anxiety. There were many things I wanted to do but sometimes my anxiety would stop me before I could try. So speaking up, meeting new people and putting myself forward were things that seemed small but felt huge to me. But eventually, I started opening up. I found people I trusted. Teachers encouraged me, Coaches believed in me, friends supported me and my family always had my back. Every opportunity someone gave me felt like someone was saying, “I believe you can do this.” and eventually, I started believing too. I put my hand up. I volunteered, auditioned, tried volleyball and got involved with music. Through this I learnt that confidence doesn’t mean you stop being nervous. I still have that anxiety and I still get nervous. But Rooty Hill taught me that I don’t have to wait until I'm completely confident to step forward. These steps have really supported me here. I’ve been fortunate enough to receive the Minister’s Award for Excellence, getting recognised for my academic achievements, representative volleyball, music performances and now serving as your captain. But I don’t see those as separate achievements, they’re pieces of my journey and have helped me discover who I am. They’ve even influenced what I want to do after school. I’m hoping to study communications because it combines so much of what I’ve discovered here. Leadership, creativity, performing, media and connecting with people. That’s what RHHS offers you, it gives you opportunities to discover who you are. You don't have to fit into one box. You get given the chance to explore what you enjoy the most. I also want to thank the Senior Leadership Team I’ve had the privilege of working alongside this year. You’ve taught me so much about leadership and I thank you for making this year what it was. I’ve learnt something from every one of you and I’m really proud of what we’ve been able to achieve together. I’ll always be honoured that I got to be a part of this team. And now to the 2027 senior leaders, It is good to stay curious, take on opportunities. Speak up, ask for help and don’t be afraid to try something new. Now you have the chance to give someone else. Be the person who believes in someone before they believe themselves. When I think about the Year 8 version of me, I never imagined I'd be standing here today. But even though I faced the hardship of moving schools, I stayed curious. And that curiosity changed everything. So take the opportunities, find your people and most importantly lead with passion. So Congratulations and good luck for the year ahead. I can’t wait to see what you do with it. And finally a special thanks to Miss Cawsey and Miss Vuki for nominating me for the Minister’s Award. It means a lot to know that people who have watched my journey believed my efforts were worth recognising. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you and congratulations!
DEPUTY PRINCPAL’S MESSAGE Ms Melanie Douglas Term 3 has been another busy and rewarding term at RHHS, filled with opportunities for our students to learn, grow, challenge themselves and celebrate their achievements. As Deputy Principal for Years 7 and 10, I have had the privilege of seeing students demonstrate their talents, develop their confidence and represent our school community with pride.
Year 7: Growing in Confidence and Finding Their Place It has been wonderful to see how far our Year 7 students have come since beginning their high school journey earlier this year. Throughout Term 3, they have continued to build friendships, develop independence and embrace the many opportunities available to them at RHHS. Our Year 7 students have represented the school across a diverse range of sporting, creative and academic activities. From competing in the two-day NSW Volleyball Championships and participating in E-Sports Club, to exploring their creativity through Stage 4 Visual Arts workshops and the Book Week Narrative Writing Workshop with author Magda Mizzi, our students have demonstrated enthusiasm and a willingness to try new things. We have also seen our Year 7 Ambassadors take on important leadership responsibilities, welcoming and engaging with delegates and principals attending the Western Sydney Principals Conferences. These opportunities allow our students to develop their communication skills, confidence and sense of responsibility while proudly representing our school. The performing arts have been another highlight, with our Drama and CAPA ensembles participating in two significant state events: Mary Poppins the Musical with The Arts Unit and the ATYP Intersection Festival. These experiences are a wonderful reflection of the talent, creativity and commitment of our students and the staff who support them. Perhaps one of the most pleasing aspects of Term 3 has been seeing our Year 7 students continue to settle into high school life while maintaining strong attendance and engagement. I am incredibly proud of the maturity, kindness and sense of belonging that continue to develop across the year group.
Year 10: Celebrating Achievement, Leadership and School Pride Term 3 has also been a significant term for our Year 10 students as they move closer to completing Stage 5 of their secondary education. Across the classroom, students have been working towards important academic milestones, including their HSIE and Mathematics examinations and their final Year 10 English assessment. These experiences provide valuable opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning, develop resilience and prepare for the increasing expectations of senior schooling.
A particular highlight was the Year 10 Commerce stalls, where students put their classroom learning into practice by planning, organising and operating their own businesses. It was fantastic to see students working collaboratively, demonstrating creativity and initiative, and developing practical skills in entrepreneurship and financial decisionmaking. Our Year 10 students have also demonstrated leadership and school spirit through their involvement in the Year 6 Gala Day. Student leaders and members of our Rugby Union teams represented RHHS exceptionally well, demonstrating enthusiasm, teamwork and a willingness to support younger students as they prepare for their transition to high school. Another memorable experience was the Year 10 excursion to Timezone. It was wonderful to see students enjoying time together, celebrating their achievements and representing our school positively in the wider community. Opportunities like these are an important reminder that school is not only about academic achievement but also about building friendships, creating memories and developing a strong sense of connection. One of my personal highlights of the term was watching our Haka Warriors perform at the NSW Deputy Principals Conference at Panthers. Their performance was incredibly powerful and moving, leaving a lasting impression on the many educators in attendance. Several Deputy Principals shared how deeply they had been moved by the performance, with some brought to tears. Sitting in that audience as their Deputy Principal, I felt an enormous sense of pride. Our students demonstrated not only their talent and commitment but also the strength of culture, identity and connection that makes our school community so special.
Looking Ahead As we move into the final term of 2026, I encourage all students to continue building on their successes, embracing new opportunities and maintaining high expectations of themselves. For Year 7, this means finishing their first year of high school with the same enthusiasm, curiosity and commitment they have demonstrated throughout the year. For Year 10, the focus is on successfully completing their Record of School Achievement (RoSA) requirements through regular attendance, active engagement in learning and completion of all outstanding coursework and assessments. I encourage every student to make the most of the opportunities and support available to them as they prepare for the next stage of their educational journey. I would also like to acknowledge the dedication of our teachers, Year Advisers, Head Teachers and support staff, whose ongoing commitment makes these experiences and achievements possible. I also thank our parents and carers for their continued partnership in supporting students to attend school, engage in learning and make positive choices. To our Year 7 and Year 10 students, thank you for the energy, character and enthusiasm you bring to RHHS. I am incredibly proud of what you have achieved this term and
look forward to celebrating even more of your successes as we finish the year together. Ms Melanie Douglas Deputy Principal
DEPUTY PRINCPAL’S MESSAGE Ms Conny Mattimore Year 9 There is something quite unique about Year 9. Students are no longer the younger students of the school, but they are not quite ready to take on the senior years either. They are at an interesting stage where friendships become increasingly important, independence is developing and students are beginning to discover more about who they are and what they want from their time at school. This year, I have enjoyed watching our Year 9 students navigate this stage with plenty of enthusiasm, personality and, occasionally, a healthy dose of mischief! They bring a great deal of energy to school each day, and while that energy can sometimes keep us on our toes, it is also one of the things that makes this such an enjoyable year group to work with. Across the year, our students have participated in a wide range of activities beyond their regular classroom learning. From sporting competitions and excursions to cultural activities, challenges and school events, many have shown a willingness to step forward and have a go. These experiences provide students with opportunities to discover strengths they may not have realised they had and to build relationships with people outside their usual friendship groups. I have also been pleased to see the growing recognition of students who consistently demonstrate our PERSIST values. The merits and achievement awards presented throughout the year are a wonderful way of acknowledging students who are making positive choices and contributing to our school community. Whether it is showing kindness to a classmate, persevering with something difficult, taking responsibility or simply doing the right thing when nobody is watching, these everyday actions matter. There has also been some encouraging progress in the way our Year 9 students are approaching behaviour and relationships. More students are recognising that their actions have an impact on those around them and that a positive classroom environment is something everyone contributes to. The reduction in negative incidents and the increase in positive recognition are important signs that students are beginning to understand the responsibility that comes with greater independence. From an academic perspective, Year 9 is an important time to develop good routines. Students are beginning to encounter more complex learning and greater expectations, and the habits they establish now will become increasingly valuable. Being organised, meeting deadlines, listening to feedback and persisting when work becomes challenging are skills that will serve them well long after they leave
school. Perhaps the most exciting part of Year 9 is that there is still so much ahead of them. Next year they will enter Year 10, and with that comes a greater focus on future pathways, subject choices and the direction they might like their education to take. They do not need to have everything worked out yet—but they should be starting to ask questions, explore their interests and think about the possibilities available to them. For now, though, there is still one more term to enjoy being Year 9. I hope our students continue to laugh, learn, challenge themselves and create plenty of memories with their friends. They should also remember that becoming more independent does not mean having to do everything alone. Asking questions, seeking assistance and accepting advice are all signs of maturity. Year 9, you have plenty to be proud of. Keep bringing your energy, curiosity and individuality to school, while continuing to learn from the choices you make along the way. I am looking forward to seeing how you continue to develop as you move towards Year 10.
Year 11 As we reach the end of Term 3, it is hard to believe that our Year 11 students are about to enter their final year of schooling. It seems only yesterday that we were welcoming them into senior school and reflecting on the strong academic foundations they had developed in Year 10. Twelve months on, they have grown not only as students, but as young adults, and it has been wonderful to watch their confidence, independence and sense of responsibility develop. This term has been another reminder that this is a cohort with plenty of personality! Alongside the increasing demands of their courses, our students have continued to find time to laugh, connect and enjoy being together. Whether it has been through school activities, sporting events, leadership opportunities or simply the everyday moments that make up school life, they have continued to demonstrate a strong sense of belonging and connection to one another. One of the things I have particularly enjoyed this year has been seeing students become increasingly comfortable in taking ownership of their senior school experience. They are beginning to recognise that Year 12 is not something that simply happens to them—it is something they have the opportunity to shape. The conversations I have had with students about their goals, aspirations and plans for the future have shown just how much they have matured over the past year. Of course, there have also been plenty of moments that remind us not to take ourselves too seriously! One of the great things about working with this year group is the humour and energy they bring to school life. From the unexpected comments that have had us all laughing, to the enthusiastic participation in school events, they have demonstrated a wonderful willingness to get involved and
make the most of the opportunities presented to them. Their ability to support one another, have a laugh and still get the job done is something that makes this cohort particularly enjoyable to work with. Our “Morning Tea with the Deputy” has continued to be one of the highlights of my week. These gatherings have become a great opportunity to hear what students are thinking, celebrate their successes and occasionally discover what is really happening across Year 11! The conversations, laughter and stories shared during these mornings have helped me get to know this cohort beyond the classroom and have reinforced just how important relationships are in creating a positive school community. As we head into Term 4, there is an undeniable sense that the next chapter is about to begin. Year 12 is no longer something that feels distant—it is just around the corner. The HSC, major deadlines, leadership opportunities and the many milestones that come with being a Year 12 student will soon become part of their everyday lives. There will certainly be challenges ahead, but there will also be countless opportunities to celebrate, lead, support one another and create memories that will stay with them well beyond their final year of school. My message to our Year 11 students as they enter this final term is simple: make the most of it. Work hard, look after each other, take the opportunities that come your way and, most importantly, enjoy the journey. I am incredibly proud of how far this year group has come. They have developed into a confident, connected and increasingly mature cohort, and I am excited to see them step into Year 12 and take on the responsibilities that come with being our senior students. Ms Conny Mattimore Deputy Principal
DEPUTY PRINCPAL’S MESSAGE Year 12 Graduation Address Ms Thelma Vuki To our Year 12 graduates, your families, our staff, and everyone who has helped these young people get to this day — thank you for being here. I also want to especially acknowledge the Year 12 Wellbeing Team, Ms Cawsey, Ms Munzenberger and Ms Short. Each of you has contributed to the journey that has brought these students here today, and I know your support has meant more than they may have always realised. As I thought about what to say today, I found myself thinking about my own graduation. So, if you will, indulge me for a moment.
Years ago, in Fiji, I was preparing to leave home for university. Like you, I had my own graduation celebration at home. It was a significant moment for me. I was not only the first person in my extended family to graduate Year 12 — or Form 6, as we called it in Fiji — I was also the first to receive a scholarship to university. So, as you can imagine, there was a lot of excitement about what came next. My mum did what mums do, she painted a picture of the future. And it was beautiful. She talked about possibilities. Opportunities. The wonderful life that was waiting for me. My dad, being a man of few words, had a slightly different approach. He looked at me and said: “I’m proud of you, and I know you’ll do well. But if it’s all too much, just come home.” At the time, I thought my mum was giving me the more inspirational advice. But as I’ve got older, I’ve realised my dad may have understood something my mum didn’t. We don't always know what the future will bring. We don't know exactly where life will take us, who we will meet, what we will experience, or what challenges we will face.
The person sitting beside you today may have overcome something you know nothing about. The person who made you laugh in class may have been having a difficult day. The person who seemed to have everything together may have been struggling simply to get through the week. And that is why what I have seen from this cohort matters so much. I have seen you looking after one another. I have seen students check in on a friend. Notice when someone wasn't themselves. More often, it was something small —a simple: “Are you okay?” and those moments matter. Because resilience isn't always about standing alone and being strong. Sometimes resilience is allowing someone else to stand beside you. And sometimes the strength of a community is measured by how we respond when one of our own is struggling. That, I think, is something worth carrying with you. Empathy.
But we do know this: Wherever you go, you carry parts of home with you. I packed my suitcase. I said goodbye to my family. And I began something new. But I didn’t really leave home behind. Because home isn't just a place. Home is the words people have given us. The lessons we have learned. The people who have shaped us. And that brings me to you, Year 12. As you leave here today and begin the next part of your journey, I want to ask you a question: What will you carry in your suitcase? Not literally. Although, knowing some of you, there may be a few things in there that probably shouldn’t be! I mean the things that will stay with you long after you leave this school. Will you carry the lessons you learned when things didn't go according to plan? Will you carry the resilience you discovered when you thought you had none left? Because I have seen what resilience looks like in this cohort. I have seen students navigate the challenges of long-term illness, caring for family members, working full time while continuing to find a way forward. I have seen students quietly carry their own struggles, sometimes while the rest of us had no idea what they were dealing with.
Because success in life won't only be measured by what you achieve. It will also be measured by who you become while you are achieving it. And remember — greatness doesn't always announce itself. Sometimes it looks like doing the right thing when nobody is watching. Sometimes it is simply having the courage to begin again. And perhaps that is what I hope you take from RHHS. Not just what you've learned. But who you've become. Responsible. Persistent. Curious. And, I hope, compassionate. They may be the things that shape you more than you realise today. Because behind you is everything that brought you here. Ahead of you is everything you haven't yet imagined. And somewhere between those two things is this moment. This school. These people. Those friendships. This version of you. And perhaps that is what my dad was really saying all those years ago when he told me: “If it’s too much, just come home.” Because home isn't simply a place you return to. Home is something you carry with you. So, Year 12 — Go well. Create the future you want to live in. And wherever that future takes you — Carry a little bit of home with you. Congratulations, graduating class of 2026. We are very proud of you.
And I have seen students invest time and effort to achieve excellence and be the best versions of themselves. These stories are different. But they have something in common. They remind us that we rarely know the experiences someone is carrying.
Ms Thelma Vuki Deputy Principal
Multicultural Health Week 2026 Multicultural Youth Voices Competition Stories from high school students across New South Wales were celebrated as part of the Multicultural Youth Voices Competition, a key initiative of Multicultural Health Week 2026. Guided by this year's theme, Improving Our Mental Health and Wellbeing Through Physical Activity, students were invited to reflect on and share the ways physical activity helps them build connections with friends, family, culture, and community while supporting their mental health and wellbeing. Students were invited to submit a 500-word story accompanied by a photograph that showcased how physical activity contributes to their sense of connection, belonging, and wellbeing. We commend every student who participated for their willingness to share personal experiences and contribute to this important conversation about mental health, wellbeing, and community connection. This year's competition attracted more than 115 entries from young people across New South Wales. The quality, creativity, and authenticity of the submissions were exceptional. Through powerful personal stories, students highlighted the many ways physical activity can foster belonging, strengthen relationships, support cultural identity, and improve mental wellbeing. The winning entries were particularly inspiring with the students acknowledged at the Multicultural Health Week 2026 launch at the State Library of NSW. First place was awarded to Anastasia from Macarthur Girls High School for her story, Connection through Folklore, which explored how traditional dance can foster acceptance, connection, cultural pride, and wellbeing. Second place went to Hohepa from RHHS, whose story reflected on the role of physical activity in helping families navigate grief and healing together. If you would like to vie Hohepa’s entry – please click here! Third place was awarded to Mia from Northmead CAPA High School, who shared a moving account of how cultural connection, walking, and community can help people recover from profound loss and find a sense of belonging.
Duke Of Edinburgh International Award 2027 Following a successful year in 2026, RHHS is excited to offer the Duke of Edinburgh International Award (Duke of Ed) to students in Years 9 and 10 in 2027! The Duke of Ed is a fantastic opportunity for students to develop new skills, improve their fitness, give back to their community and challenge themselves in new ways. It
encourages independence, resilience, teamwork and goal setting, while giving students the chance to step outside their comfort zone and try something different. The Award is internationally recognised and provides students with valuable experiences they can draw on when applying for part-time jobs, apprenticeships, scholarships and university courses. Most importantly, it gives them the opportunity to build confidence, discover new interests and achieve something they can be proud of. How does it work? Students complete three sections, dedicating at least one hour per week over three months to each of the following: •
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Skill Development: Choose a hobby or skill they would like to develop. This could include learning an instrument, cooking, photography, drawing, coding or another interest. The aim is to practise regularly and demonstrate progress over time. Physical Recreation: Work towards improving their fitness through a sport or physical activity. This could be team sport, running, swimming, cycling, dancing, going to the gym or another activity that gets them moving. Voluntary Service: Give back to the community by completing unpaid volunteer work. Opportunities might include helping at a local sports club, supporting a charity or community organisation, volunteering through a place of worship, or contributing to activities at school.
Students don't need to take on three completely new activities. They may already be doing something that counts towards the Award! The important thing is to choose activities that interest them, set a goal and commit to working towards it. Students will record their progress and achievements as they go. The Adventurous Journey The highlight for many students is the Adventurous Journey! Students work in a small group to plan, prepare for and complete an adventure together. Depending on the journey, this might involve hiking, cycling, kayaking or taking on an urban exploration challenge. Along the way, students develop their navigation, problemsolving, teamwork and communication skills while learning to be more independent. The journey is supervised and carefully planned, with preparation and safety being important parts of the experience. It's a chance to take on a challenge, make memories with friends and do something a little different from the usual school routine. What's happening in 2027? Year group meetings will take place in Week 6 to introduce the Award, explain what's involved and gauge student
interest. These meetings will give students the opportunity to find out more before committing to the program.
also advised what the Term 4 session will be to close out the Dulili program.
Parents and carers are encouraged to chat with their children about the opportunities the Award offers and whether it might be a good fit for them. Students don't need to be elite athletes or have a particular talent to participate. They simply need to be willing to give things a go, work towards their goals and commit to the process.
The Term 4 excursion is a Harbour Cruise on board the Tribal Warrior cruise in Sydney. The students along with Mr Hay and I are very excited to celebrate the success of the combined student program with ABCN.
The Award will commence in Week 1, Term 1, 2027. And here's a handy tip for the next time your child announces that they have absolutely no homework: try asking, "Have you done your Duke of Ed hours this week?" You're welcome! We look forward to seeing our students take on new challenges, develop valuable life skills and make the most of this opportunity in 2027.
Strong Voices, Strong Futures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Stories, Successes and Events Mittigar Cup At the beginning of the term a team of students represented RHHS at the Macquarie University Mittigar Cup. On the day, students watched an opening ceremony delivered by Director of Walanga Muru, Colleen Mitchell. Colleen expressed the importance of schools across the region coming together to celebrate culture and participate in a range of friendly games of OzTag. The participating teams consisted of Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander students and non-Indigenous students; this allowed for an opportunity to share culture and passion for sport. Students played approximately 10 games and were victorious for the pool games and successful in making the finals. Students voted MVP on the day where Tahleah was crowned. Tahleah played all games on the day, rarely taking rest breaks. She was the top try scorer amongst the girls and impressed the Walanga Muru staff.
Red Hands Cave Celebrating Positive Engagement and Attendance Teachers took a group of Aboriginal students to Red Hands Cave in the Blue Mountains as a way of recognising and celebrating their positive engagement with school and improved attendance. The excursion provided students with an opportunity to be acknowledged for their efforts in attending school, participating in learning and building positive relationships with staff and peers. By recognising these achievements, the school continues to encourage students to maintain consistent attendance and remain connected to their education. The visit to Red Hands Cave provided students with a meaningful opportunity to connect with Country, learn about the cultural significance of the site and deepen their understanding of the history, knowledge and cultural practices of Aboriginal Peoples. Being on Country allowed students to engage with Aboriginal culture beyond the classroom, strengthening their sense of identity, belonging and connection to their heritage. The experience also reinforced the importance of respecting and protecting culturally significant places for future generations. This initiative highlights the importance of building strong, culturally responsive relationships with Aboriginal students and celebrating their successes. By linking positive engagement and attendance with meaningful cultural experiences, the school aims to strengthen students’ connection to school, improve wellbeing and encourage continued participation in learning. The excursion was a positive opportunity to celebrate student achievements while reinforcing that their culture, identity and connection to Country are valued and respected within the school community.
SRC Dulili In Term 3, the ABCN Dulili students participated in their third session. This session focused on students recognising their own strengths, what made them unique and then some final moments of advice from their mentors. Students were
Bullying No Way! Mufti Fundraiser The SRC had a busy Term 3, beginning with the ‘Bullying No Way!’ movement in Week 4. The day focused on the key principles of understanding prevention and response, while promoting a strong sense of community and support.
The SRC collected gold-coin donations from students, raising a total of $276.25, which was donated in full to Beyond Blue. Beyond Blue is an Australian mental health and wellbeing organisation supporting people affected by anxiety, depression and suicidal distress.
Members gathered during lunch for food, activities and a special farewell gift and handwritten card for Ms Poon, which were thoughtfully contributed to by the SRC. The celebration included a prize wheel, handmade gifts from Ms Sun and time for members to connect and celebrate together.
The SRC also organised a ‘Do Now’ activity for classes, where students created positive and encouraging messages. These were collated into a message board now displayed in the front office, serving as an ongoing reminder of the importance of kindness, connection and supporting one another.
Ms Sun also thanked the SRC members and leaders for their contributions and dedication throughout the year, particularly the outgoing leaders who balanced their responsibilities alongside their HSC studies. The event concluded with a group photo celebrating the current, outgoing and new members of the SRC. The SRC looks forward to welcoming more students in 2027 and continuing to strengthen student voices and contribute positively to the RHHS school community.
R U OK? Day Mufti Fundraiser Written by Year 9 and 10 students Book Week Written by Year 9 Student In Week 6, RHHS participated in Book Week! Many students and staff dressed up in fun, creative outfits of their favourite character. Congratulations to the English faculty for winning this year's book week costume competition! Overall, the SRC raised $190.95, which was matched by the Dymocks Children's Charities to provide Library Regenerations programs to disadvantaged schools.
In Week 8, the SRC supported ‘R U OK?’ Any Day, encouraging students and staff to wear yellow and donate to the R U OK? charity. Students completed a ‘Do Now’ activity highlighting the importance of regularly checking in with others, listening without judgement and speaking up when something is not right. The initiative reinforced that asking, “Are you OK?” should not be limited to one day of the year but can happen anytime and make a meaningful difference. The Year 10 Commerce class also contributed by organising lunch stalls and selling treats to raise funds for the cause. Overall, the week encouraged the RHHS community to look out for one another and make kindness and meaningful conversations part of everyday school life.
SRC Farewell for Ms Poon and Year 12 Students Written by Year 9 and 10 students In Week 7, the SRC hosted a farewell and celebration to acknowledge the 2026 SRC leaders, farewell Ms Poon as the outgoing SRC coordinator, and welcome the new SRC Chairs and leaders for 2027.
YEAR 7 Year Adviser Message This has been another fantastic term for our grade. We have seen Year 7 students represent RHHS at sporting events such as two-day NSW Volleyball Championships, being involved in the E-Sports club, participating in Stage 4 Visual Arts workshops, completing the Book Week Narrative Writing workshop and meeting the author Magda Mitzki. We’ve had groups of our Ambassadors involved with meeting delegates and Principals for the Western Sydney Principals Conferences and had our drama/CAPA ensembles perform in two state events: Mary Poppins the Musical for the Arts Unit and the ATYP Intersection Festival. Year 7 have also maintained their excellent attendance across the term and have ended the term with parent teacher night. One of the biggest celebration moments from this term has been seeing the kindness shown between students in our year group. There have been many times where they have seen complimenting another student or staff member, greeting parents and guests when they arrived at school, or even helping a friend who had fallen over during a soccer game. This term has also been a term of routines - our focus for this term was to think about the little tasks that need to be done every day to succeed. These routines will become even more important as we look towards the final term of Year 7 and preparing to be Year 8 students in 2027. Year 7 are to be congratulated for their resilience and dedication this term. Mr Mobbs-Green Year 7 Adviser
Shakespeare Day On Shakespeare Day, I was chosen to be an actor in the play, and I chose to be Hamlet in the “Three Little Pigs”. I thought it would be a quick play, but it ended up being almost an hour long. There were other students playing the other pigs, the narrator and the Big Bad Wolf. I was reading my script and saying the words with the help of teachers. But I was also improvising some parts on the spot. After I said or did something, all of Year 7 was clapping and cheering for me. Also after the performance ended everyone was saying I was a good actor. I really enjoyed it and had lots of fun.
Book Week For my book week costume, I dressed up as the Empire State Building from James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. The process of making the costume involved a lot of engineering and planning. I needed to measure not only myself, but doorways. Just so I was aware I could fit into my classrooms. I needed to use the disability ramps while wearing the costume as the costume significantly restricted how I can move, technically not even having hands. Standing at 85 cm wide and 180 cm tall, I received many positive comments
and compliments about my outfit. I felt proud being able to showcase my hard work. Meeting the author Magda Mizzi was nothing short of an amazing experience, full of fun games and activities. I really enjoyed the writing workshop and learning more about being an author.
RIOT Seminar In Term 3, all of Year 7 went to the hall for a RIOT seminar about negative feelings and how to manage them. In that lesson, we discussed how to tell the difference between feeling nervous, stressed or anxiety. We talked about how different strategies can help us calm down and manage our stress. We learned about a stress bucket, how to control it and how different things can make us feel anxious or nervous. We learned that if our buckets don’t release any water (stress), they can overflow. We learned how to use our valves and taps like reading a book, spending time with someone you love, listening to music, and how it can help us release stress from our bucket. We learned how to avoid removing stress temporarily and how to prevent stress coming back. In the end, all of Year 7 had new knowledge about controlling our feelings and we have some new strategies to try out.
Grade Sport In Term 3 Year 7 Grade Sport, we got the chance to choose between a variety of different sports including flag football, gym, soccer, basketball, volleyball. I personally chose flag football and got to see what it was like playing a sport that is not usually played in Australia. We got to play in competitions and compete against each other's teams. The team that ended up coming out on top each got something from the canteen from Mr Harper. I hope my team wins next term.
Volleyball Championship In Term 3, the Year 7 Volleyball team played in the 2-day Volleyball Championship at Sydney Olympic Park, the team had to wake up at 4am in the morning to get to go on the train at 6am, ready for the Volleyball School Cup at Netball Central. On the first day, the teams won most of the games they played as well as the 2nd day, everyone tried their best in the games, in the end, the girls won the gold medal by trying their best and the boys won the bronze medal by keeping their mental state great. Through all the struggle, the boys and girls were all able to secure the win, even when the times got rough, sad or thought of quitting, we stayed persistent and stood by our school's motto “PERSIST”. That's what makes the sport of volleyball great.
CAPA For CAPA, I did Visual Arts for the first semester, Term 1 and 2. For the second semester, I did Music. In Visual Arts, we made all different kinds of art, but I really enjoy Music too. In Music, we learned about the different elements like tempo, rhythm and time signatures. For our Term 3 assessment we were asked to compose our own song on an application called Soundtrap. We got to use different beats and sounds to create our songs. If we finished the assessment, our teacher would help us learn new songs on the piano or play guitar. Music is an enjoyable experience, and I really love music as a passion.
TAS In class, we have been working on our Multimedia skills for our assessment task. In class, we mostly went outdoors because it was easier to film different scenes across the school. We were also learning how to use cameras and editing our videos on our laptops. I think our group is nearly up to finishing already since our assessment is due early in Term 4. I can’t wait to finish my assessment so that our group can celebrate our achievements. I’ve really enjoyed learning different skills and can’t wait to see what we learn about next term.
Day Adventure Our Day Adventure was on 17 September. My group cooked and we got to make damper, which was delicious. We also played laser tag, and it was amazing because it was outdoors. We also had an activity called the Leap of Faith. It was scary and fun because I had to face my fear, but afterward, it felt great. The purpose of all the activities was to learn how to work as a team, face your fears, and know what to do when you are lost in the woods. My favourite part was when I got to face my fear of heights. Thank you Baden-Powell Activity Centre for having us!
YEAR 8 Year Adviser Message What a wonderful Term 3 it has been for our Year 8 students. The main highlight of the term was our Day Camp Adventure excursion held on 17 September. The students participated in multiple activities including archery, laser tag, camp cooking, crate stacking, and leap of faith. It was a privilege to witness some students even step outside their usual friendship groups, cheering each other on and discovering that sometimes a little teamwork really does go a long way. At our recent Deputy Principal’s assembly, I talked about the importance of having a safety net - surrounding ourselves with people who encourage us so we can take big leaps in the real world. Our families, friends, teachers and classmates all play an important part in creating that safety net. As we head into the final term, I hope our Year 8 students continue to look out for one another, include others, celebrate each other’s successes and be there when someone needs a little encouragement. It’s the small acts of kindness that make our year group such a great team. I am incredibly proud of how our Year 8 students have embraced the opportunities and challenges of this term, and I can’t wait to see what they achieve in the final term of the year. Miss Valentin Year 8 Adviser
RIOT Seminars At the RIOT (Resilience In Our Teens) Seminars on 25 August, we learned about how to manage our emotions. At this event we were in teams and we learned new vocabulary, and we worked in a team to answer questions and earn points. The highlight of this event was the physical demonstration where me and a few other students came up and poured a physical bucket of water into a larger bucket to see how our ‘stress bucket’ deals with the excess stress. This was a very fun and creative activity that gave a physical representation of what can happen if we don't use healthy ways to get rid of our stress.
STEM Excursion On 18 September, we took part in ‘The Orbispace Initiative’ (TOI) Girls in STEM Excursion at Parramatta Town hall, which is a program designed to empower young women to
explore future pathways in Engineering, and Mathematics.
Science,
Technology,
earned by Year 9 this term - an achievement you should all be very proud of!
Throughout the day, students attended hands-on workshops, met industry mentors, and learned about real‑world STEM careers. Our group presented our innovation pitch about data centres, showcasing creativity, teamwork, and problem‑solving skills. It was a proud moment for all of us, especially after the effort and dedication we put into developing our ideas.
We finished the term with a well-deserved trip to the movies to see Spider-Man, giving us a chance to relax and celebrate together. Well done Year 9 on another fantastic term! Keep supporting each other, keep getting involved and, as always, stay golden! Have a safe holiday. Miss Ratnappuly Year 9 Adviser
NSW Volleyball Schools Cup Volleyball schools cup was an amazing experience, where students could put their skills to the test, when versing other schools in their grade.
Deputy Principal’s Assembly On 21 September, Year 8 students had their end of term Deputy Principal’s Assembly. During the assembly William and I were able to perform September by Earth, Wind & Fire. The purpose of the assembly was to celebrate Year 8 student achievements from Term 3. William and I were able to show our guitar skills. The assembly was exciting for me because I got to perform a song about the 21st night of September on the 21 September.
Our grade went in Week 7 and competed against competitive teams. It was super fun because we got to work as a team and put all our skills into a real-life game situation. The highlight of school’s cup was eating at McDonald’s and Oporto during our breaks. It was a great time to talk to everybody and ask how their games were. Our grade was very successful, and some teams even won a medal. Year 9 boys won first place, and Year 9 girls won third place. While not everyone got first place, it was still an amazing and memorable experience for everyone to spend time together.
Road to Leadership Workshop The ‘Road to Leadership’ day was a program created by school captains Mikayla and Anzac, who worked closely with Year 9 Advisor Ms Ratnappuly and Year 12 Advisor Ms Short.
YEAR 9 Year Adviser Message What a great Term 3 it has been for Year 9! This term has been full of opportunities, experiences and plenty of reasons to be proud. Students embraced Fast Forward, elective excursions and a range of sporting opportunities, including volleyball, rugby union and flag football. It was also fantastic to see Year 9 step up and support our Year 12 students at HSC Open Night. One of the biggest highlights for me this term has been seeing students demonstrate our PERSIST values through their everyday actions in the classroom and across the school. This was reflected in an incredible 1,211 merits
This program was an opportunity for Year 9 students to learn about senior leadership, ask any questions to our 2026 leaders, and participate in several exciting activities. An activity that stood out to me was a challenge where we separated into groups and had to keep a balloon from touching the ground. Although seeming simple, it required us to use skills like teamwork and resilience, which are important qualities a future leader could possess. This day allowed us to work together, develop our skills and envision our future as a leader.
what movie we wanted to watch, and most people voted spider man. It was a nice excursion coming together as a year group and celebrating all our achievements despite our setbacks. It was nice seeing everyone with their friends away from school just having fun.
YEAR 10 Year Adviser Message Fast Forward On 20 August, Western Sydney University (WSU) hosted a campus day for the students involved in the Fast Forward program. Selected Year 9 students and Miss Ratnappuly were invited to the Western Sydney University (Hawkesbury Campus) to participate in a wide range of activities. These activities included seminars, games and competitions that we participated in with many other schools. The purpose of the event was to interest Year 9 students in higher education through exposure to the benefits it may bring upon our life. In my opinion, the most exciting part of this event was to participate in activities with my peers, creating a comedic and fun environment. One of the activities we participated in was creating a news reel on a selected topic, where we then presented this news reel in front of an audience composed of other schools. The day was very entertaining and allowed us to tour the campus that we may potentially attend in the future.
I am really proud of everything Year 10 has achieved this term. It has been a big one, full of assessments, exams and excursions, and the way students have pushed through it all has been genuinely impressive. Well done to everyone who sat their HSIE and Maths exams and got through the last Year 10 English assessment, which a lot of students found particularly tough. A special shout out to our Commerce students, who ran their stalls this term and raised some great money, putting classroom learning into practice while working together and getting creative. It was also fantastic to see our student leaders supporting the Year 6 Gala Day, and our rugby union teams playing with real dedication. The Timezone excursion was another highlight, with students representing the school with pride and showing what great members of our community they are. And a huge congratulations to the Haka Warriors group, who performed at the NSW Deputy Principals' Conference at Panthers and moved many educators in the room to tears. Like the Knights this season, this cohort has shown that it's never too late for a comeback, whatever term you've had, there's always time to reset, regroup and go again. As we move into next term, I encourage students to keep backing themselves and getting involved in everything on offer. Proud of you all, Year 10. Miss Elford Year 10 Adviser
Elective Excursion On 23 September, all of Year 9 went on their 9Y elective excursion. The commerce class travelled to Barangaroo by train and ferry. The ferry ride was incredibly fun, it was speeding across the water, and it felt like a completely new experience for me. Once we arrived, we formed groups of three to five and took part in a commerce-themed scavenger hunt around the city. The challenges were surprisingly difficult and required creativity, outside‑the‑box thinking to complete quickly. My teammates and I worked well together, and the food throughout the day was great. Overall, it was an enjoyable excursion and a day I’ll remember.
HOYTS Excursion To celebrate the end of Term 3, Year 9 students went on an excursion to Hoyts and watched the new spiderman movie. We had voted on our year group google classroom to decide
Girraween High School Model UN Excursion On 17 August, myself and 3 other students in my grade got the privilege of being able to attend the Inaugural Girraween High School Model United Nations. There were numerous other schools attending, roughly 20. We were sorted into groups, and set off to begin our sessions, we had the opportunity to meet, speak to, and debate with wonderful speakers from all over the area. Many of the delegates were all incredibly experienced and skilled, even the chairs were senior student volunteers who provided invaluable feedback to anyone who asked. The experience inspired the love for MUN's unsure contributions (that were still given anyways), rushed diplomacy (chaotic in a fun way), and academic standards inside of me. With this, when we came back, we immediately decided that we needed to bring this energy to RHHS and thus, the
creation of RHHS's own Inaugural Model UN club was created. The four initial students would like to thank every overseeing body that has enabled these opportunities for us. I, personally, am very excited to see how RHHS will develop and grow in the world of MUN. Commerce Market Stalls Written by Year 10 students This term, Year 10 Commerce Stalls were on Thursday, 10 September, transforming our school basketball courts into a vibrant, lunchtime showcase of the student enterprise. The stalls featured a vast array of confectionery items: from loaded cookies, refreshments, customisable chiffon cakes, doughnuts and frozen yogurt. We would like to thank Miss Deng, Miss Dowling, the HSIE Faculty and all other organisers for their ongoing support and guidance towards making this event an outstanding success. The Year 10 Commerce students strategically planned, budgeted, pitched and marketed their stalls, which led to a highly successful Market Day where the Commerce students embodied the PERSIST values. Collectively, we raised over $1400 that has been donated to the ‘R U OK?’ charity cause, specifically directed towards Beyond Blue. The young entrepreneurs showed diligent composure despite the chaotic nature of the market day stalls, blending strong business logic with a genuine commitment to mental health advocacy. Serving as a practical assignment task, this initiative challenged students to apply the knowledge acquired from the classroom to a fast-paced environment. Here is a student account corroborating this: “Our stall, The Cake Corner, sold hand-baked cakes. Despite facing production obstacles, our team worked hard to deliver our promised confectionaries. The experience of preparing, marketing, financing and delivering our stall was a process that demonstrated the finesse of running a real business and served as an excellent opportunity for us to apply our learned knowledge from class. Later reflecting on our performance helped to identify areas of improvement for future business endeavours. Overall, Market Day was successful as it contributed to school engagement, valuable learning experiences, and the support of a good cause. On behalf of all Year 10 Commerce Students, we would like to thank every organiser involved who made the day possible through their commitment to our success.” Ultimately, this immersive experience allowed Year 10 Commerce students to bridge the gap between classroom theory and a real-world business environment, under pressured conditions. By successfully managing their ventures and fundraising to support mental health our young entrepreneurs displayed brilliant academic and practical excellence, setting a remarkable example for future market days to follow.
Haka Warriors On 4 September, our schools’ Haka Warrior team was invited to be the opening ceremony act at the NSW Secondary Deputy Principals Annual Conference (NSWSDPA). Our team of 21 students from Years 8-10 attended the NSW Secondary Deputy Principals Annual Conference where we performed the Taku Aronga Haka that represents a stand against family violence, abuse, and trauma, offering an embodied way to process pain and anger. Leading up to the DP Conference held on 4 September located at Penrith Panthers our team rehearsed only three times. We creatively modified and adapted the choreography and formation to make sure the performance still looked polished, confident, and stage-ready despite the limited rehearsal time. Shiloh K in Year 8 gave a speech about the meaning behind the Haka. Each student attempted to master the choreography and lyrics in te reo Māori that made up our 4minute performance. The team's dedication and hard work resulted in us having an emotional and powerful performance.
Haka Warrior Performance The haka program was led by Miss Dowling and Miss LaPeace. On 4 September, they took us to Penrith Community Centre to perform for schools from Parramatta all the way to Penrith. RHHS came in as the underdogs and made a huge comeback to win the whole Haka Warriors event. The funniest moment of the day was when Kenneth did the wrong move in the middle of the performance. Everyone laughed, including him! Another great moment was on the bus, when we were singing so badly (and so loudly) that the bus driver had to ask us to be quiet. We learnt two things: sometimes it's not the best time to sing and always double-check your moves before performing in front of a big crowd. Thanks to Miss Dowling, Miss LaPeace and everyone who came to watch.
Rugby Union Cup At the start of the year, a group of RHHS students were excited to sign up for the Western Sydney Rugby Union Comp. We trained for a couple of weeks to get ready to play against other schools around Sydney. After training, we played a game every Wednesday in a tournament that led into the finals.
market. There were loads to choose from, including loaded cookies, drinks, customisable chiffon cakes, doughnuts and frozen yoghurt.
Our U16 and U18 boys’ and girls’ teams all did well. The U18 boys and girls sadly missed out on the finals, but the U16 boys and girls smashed the comp and made it all the way through. There were some amazing moments along the way, including some of the biggest hits of the whole tournament!
Year 10 Commerce students planned, budgeted, pitched and marketed their own stalls, and showed the PERSIST values on the day. Together, we raised over $1400, which was donated to R U OK? and Beyond Blue. Even though Market Day got chaotic, everyone stayed calm and kept the stalls running. It was a great mix of business skills and support for mental health. The task also gave us a chance to use what we've learnt in class in a fast-paced, real-life situation.
We would like to thank Miss Deng, Miss Dowling, the HSIE Faculty and all the other organisers for their support and guidance in making the day such a success.
Here's what one student said about their stall:
Year 10 Timezone Excursion Year 10 went on an excursion to Timezone at Mt Druitt, and we got there by walking from school. It was a fun way to start the day, and everyone was already excited by the time we arrived. Once we got inside, we spent the session playing all the different games. There was a lot of laughing, cheering and a bit of friendly competition between friends. The biggest surprise of the day was Miss Elford. She took on the piano keys game and beat everyone, including the students who thought they were pretty good at it. We'll be hearing about that one for a while!
"Our stall, The Cake Corner, sold hand-baked cakes. We had a few problems with production, but our team worked hard to deliver what we promised. Planning, marketing, budgeting and selling our stall showed us what it's really like to run a business, and it was a great chance to use what we've learnt in class. Looking back at how we went helped us work out what to do better next time. Overall, Market Day was a success because it brought the school together, taught us a lot and supported a good cause. On behalf of all Year 10 Commerce students, we'd like to thank everyone who helped make the day happen." Overall, Market Day helped Year 10 Commerce students connect what we learn in class to the real business world, even under pressure. By running our stalls and raising money for mental health, we set a great example for future market days.
A big thank you to Miss Munzie and Miss Elford for organising the excursion. It was a great day and a wellearned break.
Real Talk Slam Poetry Competition The Real Talk Slam Poetry competition was a program that developed our creative writing and public speaking skills over the course of the term.
Year 10 Commerce Stalls Written by Year 10 students On Thursday 10 September, the Year 10 Commerce Stalls turned our school basketball courts into a busy lunchtime
Consisting of students from both Year 9 and 10, we carefully crafted our slam poems under the tutelage of Bea and Jihad, our wonderful facilitators. With their aid, we have fostered the ability of expression. I particularly am super grateful that I had this opportunity, as it genuinely brought me a lot of value. I am so proud of all the poets who delivered their pieces and would like to thank Mr Green, the judges, and all other
organising bodies who enabled us to participate in this program. Though we were all winners, I’d like to give a shout out to Ali and Orik in Year 9 who have progressed alongside myself into the next round.
Our U@Uni students have participated in sessions throughout the term, preparing them for life at university. Students have been developing their understanding of university life, exploring pathways and building the knowledge and confidence needed for their future studies. National Youth Parliament We are incredibly proud of one of our Year 11 students who had the opportunity to attend the first National Youth Parliament, Maddison, who represented the McMahon electorate. This was an outstanding achievement and provided a valuable opportunity to develop leadership skills, represent our community and have her voice heard on issues that matter to young people.
YEAR 11 Year 11 Camp Our students had an incredible time at camp, building resilience, taking on challenges and making lifelong memories. From stepping outside their comfort zones to enjoying plenty of fun and laughter, students showed enthusiasm, determination and a willingness to try new things. It was a fantastic opportunity for everyone to grow, connect and create memories that will last a lifetime. Senior Jackets Our senior jackets arrived! Everyone looks fantastic in their new jackets, proudly representing our senior school. Senior Leadership Congratulations to all Year 11 students selected as Senior Leaders for 2026 and 2027. Becoming a Senior Leader is a significant achievement that recognises the hard work, dedication and commitment students have shown throughout their school journey. Leadership is about setting a positive example, supporting others, taking responsibility and making a difference within our school community. We look forward to seeing all our new leaders grow and make a positive impact. Year 11 Sessions Year 11 students have participated in their year group sessions throughout the term, learning valuable tips on how to study effectively, prepare for exams and manage stress. These sessions have helped students develop strategies to support their wellbeing and approach their exams with greater confidence. Year 11 Examinations Year 11 students have worked hard in preparation for their exams, putting in the time and effort to study and revise. We hope their dedication and hard work pay off, and we congratulate them on completing this important stage of their schooling. U@Uni
“National Youth Parliament was an incredible experience. I felt supported by the supervisors and the amazing friends I made, and being surrounded by like-minded young people made it even more meaningful. One highlight was debating bills inside Parliament House, including the Intergenerational Fairness Bill and AI Transparency Bill. These discussions allowed us to explore issues affecting our communities and future. The experience gave me the opportunity to speak up, share my perspective and feel valued. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in civic engagement and making a difference. I’ll always be grateful for the people I met and everything I learnt”. Upcoming – Luna Park Excursion We are looking forward to our upcoming Luna Park excursion in Week 5 Term 4! It will be a great opportunity for students to enjoy some fun, build friendships and make more memorable experiences together. My Aaron Hay Year 11 Adviser
YEAR 12 Year Adviser Message Wow what a term and what a way to finish high school. Along with completing final assessments and preparing for the HSC exams Year 12 celebrated in style with: • Wellbeing Day including a visit to Prison Island • 6 spirit days • Colour run • BBQ and shirt signing • Culminating with their Graduation! It has been an absolute pleasure being the year adviser of this group over the past 5 years and I wish them all the best for their future endeavours. I know each and every one of them will be successful. Good luck for your exams and see you at the formal! Miss Short Year 12 Adviser Wellbeing Day The term started with the last year group excursion and a chance to reflect, learn and have fun with their friends. We started with year group games and trivia before students
divided into groups for the day. Students completed 3 sessions including a wellbeing chat with our SSO and Jonah from Youth off the Streets. They covered topics on relationships, friendships, tax and working. Session 2 students had time to reflect on their time in High School including moments of pride, favourite places and memories. Session 3 students were at Prison Island in Penrith where for an hour they worked in teams to complete challenge rooms.
Spirit Days Year 12 participated in a record 6 spirit days including: • Throwback • Minions • Jersey Day • Glow • Aloha • Rhyme without a reason Each day students got into the spirit of the day and had fun with the theme.
Colour Run In Week 8, Year 12 students had their Colour Run hosted by Mrs Andrews. This year was one of the most colourful we had seen Year 12 students. Mrs Andrews also planned a girl only flash mob which surprised everyone not involved.
BBQ and Shirt Signing In the final week of school Year 12 and their teachers celebrated with a BBQ in the Senior Quad. Students also took the opportunity to have friends and teachers sign their school shirts.
Graduation After 13 years of school, 6 years of high school we came together to celebrate Year 12 with their Graduation. It started as quite a hot day but in true Year 12 event style it finished with torrential rain, thunder, lightning and even hail. This did not deter the celebrations and the group continued to show their fun spirit and took it in their stride!
Personal Interest Projects (PIP) Written by Ms Maher This term, Year 12 Society and Culture students reached an important milestone with the completion and submission of their Personal Interest Projects (PIPs), which were due on 3 August. The PIP gave students the opportunity to investigate a topic that was personally meaningful to them while developing valuable skills in research, analysis and communication. The journey was not always easy, with students spending countless hours researching, writing, refining ideas and editing their projects. At HSC Open Night on 2 September, students were able to celebrate their achievements by showcasing their PIPs and sharing their research with the school community. It was fantastic to see students discussing their projects and explaining the issues and perspectives they had explored. Completing the PIP represents months of dedication, persistence and hard work. It has allowed students to transform their personal interests into substantial research projects and showcase their individual perspectives and achievements. It is an accomplishment that our Year 12 Society and Culture students should be proud of.
Sport NSW Two-Day Volleyball Championships Excellent results in the Term 3 NSW Two-Day Volleyball Championships, with 12 teams competing and 9 teams coming away with medals. Congratulations to the following teams: • Year 7 Girls won Gold • Year 9 Boys won Gold • Year 8 Girls won Silver • Year 10 girls won Silver • Year 12 Boys won Silver • Year 7 Boys won Bronze • Year 8 Boys won Bronze • Year 9 Girls won Bronze • Year 12 Girls won Bronze
Book Week was another highlight, with karaoke, tote bag crafting, trivia and a costume competition where staff and students showed up with some impressive cosplays. Personally, this term I borrowed books and equipment for personal and school use such as microphones and tripods. I enjoy the library as it is a nice space to hang out with friends & study and the events held by the library staff are always entertaining.
TAS Year 12 Design and Technology Our Year 12 students delivered their Major Design Projects this term, ranging from furniture to card games and a new wellbeing room for Ms Latu. The students have been working hard over the past 10 months to complete their projects and a written folio documenting their design process. Quotes from some of our students about Design and Technology: • De-Tiare: " It was scary at first, but then it was heaps of fun experiencing new skills in our project and learning about cool designs." • Mohammed: " It was challenging, complicated and hard, but it was fun making my project and trying to make the best project you can." • Tawhid:" Great designs begin with simple ideas." • Jackie: "I like using our creativity to help people." • Veronica: "I like D&T because I got to share Samoan food with people (and make Pani Popo for the markers)." • Rashid: "It was cool getting to work with different people to watch my project come to life."
TAS - Timber In TAS timber, the task that we are currently working on is building a desk organizer. A skill that I have learnt while making a desk organiser is to be careful with and around the equipment as they can be extremely dangerous. A good memory from class is working and laughing with friends while helping each other with the project.
TAS – Food Technology
LIBRARY This term in the library, many activities have been held for students to participate in. During Science Week, students tested their knowledge with trivia, made their own lava lamps and experimented with cup phones.
This term in Food Technology, a task that was completed was to make a healthy and vitamin rich sandwich. A valuable skill that I’ve learned is that adding more proteins and minerals is better than restricting them, another thing I’ve learnt is that eating healthy doesn’t mean it has to be boring and you can always learn how to make eating healthy fun. A good memory from class is working with my fellow peer Arzoo N, who enjoys cooking chicken (sometimes a little extra) and how we can joke around leaving every TAS class with a salad. A last comment I’d like to make is if you're planning to do Year 9 food technology for your elective, please join because you get to have salad quite often.
English Book Launch - Palimpsest Written by Year 8 students On 8 September, Year 8 and Year 9 students went to the State Library for the book launch of Palimpsest, a collection of poetry from Western Sydney students, for the State Library’s 200th anniversary. We all met near the English staffroom, then we took the train. We walked from Martin Place station, through the city to the State Library for the showcase. There were other schools there as well. During the showcase, one of the poems referenced Attack On Titan, and there were a lot of speakers exhibiting their poems. We heard lots of intriguing and varying poems and pieces of literature. After the showcase we had morning tea. There was lots of coffee, tea and juice boxes. We played a game with paintings in the exhibit at the library, then we got to go underground to the stack where we saw lots of historical documents, with Tony and Jerry. We learned that poems could follow any structure and be about anything, with all thanks to Miss Scarimbolo for taking us on the excursion.
CAPA Year 10 Visual Arts Excursion - AGNSW In Week 2, our Year 10 elective Visual Arts students stepped beyond the classroom and into the exciting world of contemporary art. As part of their Portraiture unit, both classes visited the Archibald Prize, where they explored a diverse range of portraits, discovered new artistic approaches and gathered inspiration for their own artworks. Students also had a fantastic time climbing, crawling and exploring Mike Hewson’s interactive installation, The Key’s Under the Mat, before discovering the fascinating stories, symbolism and artworks featured in Avatar: Forms of Vishnu. It was a memorable day filled with creativity, curiosity, laughter and plenty of artistic inspiration!
GWS Concert Shakespeare Day Written by Ms Davison RHHS celebrated Shakespeare Day 2026 with activities across Years 7 to 10. Year 7 students watched a performance and even had the chance to act in it, while Year 8 took part in drama games. Year 9 enjoyed a performance by Bell Shakespeare, and Year 10 explored Shakespeare’s life and times through a scavenger hunt. A new highlight this year was a presentation from some of our outstanding Year 9 students. They spoke to their peers about why Shakespeare remains relevant today, showing how his stories and characters continue to connect with modern audiences. Staff joined the fun, many school announcements being made in Shakespearean English. Despite the unfamiliar language, most students managed to understand the messages! It was a fun day that brought Shakespeare’s words and world to life.
In Week 4, two of our gifted Year 9 Music students participated in The Arts Unit’s Sydney Northwest Music Festival at the Chatswood Concourse. Helyn and Faith have been rehearsing with the Greater Western Sydney Choir diligently every Thursday after school since Term 2. They collaborated with students from schools across Sydney to learn chosen repertoire, work cohesively as a group and develop a unified choral sound. They successfully performed several musical numbers for an audience with two different conductors, demonstrating flexibility and their newfound choral singing skills. Helyn and Faith represented RHHS with excellence and professionalism, making their music teachers very proud!
ATYP Intersection Festival On 12 August, our junior Drama Club members were selected to perform at the ATYP Rebel Theatre for the 2026 Intersection Festival. The students had been working towards this over the course of Term 2 and were up against so many other amazing performances. For their audition to be among the few to be accepted, is a great achievement.
The following students should be commended for their brilliant portrayal of the play “In Defence Of The Horse Girl”; Georgie, Ruby, Shekinah, Alorah, Alexis and Caitlyn.
Monologue Collective In Week 8, some of our creative students from Years 7, 8 and 9 were invited to attend the showing of ‘The Monologue Collective’. The day was filled with an array of emotions, as our aspiring students had the opportunity to witness plays written by other high school students. This year, the theme was centred around life in Western Sydney which allowed for our students to further connect to different stories being performed. The Monologue Collective is a program where selected students from different schools work together, along with different theatre companies to compose monologues that are performed by professional actors. Among the 9 writers, our very own Khaila of Year 11, was selected to join the program. Our attending students were in awe as we watched her monologue being performed as the closing act. This is a great achievement.
HSC Visual Arts – RHHS Open Night On Wednesday, 2 September, our talented Year 12 Visual Arts students proudly shared their HSC Bodies of Work with the school community at Open Night. The exhibition was a wonderful celebration of many months of creativity, experimentation, persistence and hard work. Each Body of Work reflected the unique ideas, interests and personal stories of the students, showcasing an impressive range of materials, techniques and approaches. It was fantastic to see their final works come together in such a thoughtful and engaging exhibition, and to have the opportunity to celebrate everything they have achieved throughout their HSC Visual Arts journey. A huge congratulations to our Year 12 Visual Arts students on this outstanding achievement. We are incredibly proud of the dedication, creativity and individuality evident in each of their final works.
9Y Elective Excursions In Week 10, 9Y students attended a large variety of excursions. Both photography classes had an exclusive backstage tour of Sydney Theatre Company. This was a fantastic opportunity to explore the different elements of production including sets, props and costumes. This was followed by a walking tour of the Rocks and a photographic scavenger hunt. Visual Arts attended the Museum of Contemporary Art, where they saw the “Not a Souvenir" exhibition by Tony Albert, who is a contemporary Indigenous artist. 9Y Music also attended a performance at the prestigious Sydney Conservatorium of Music. This was a great way for our music students to be inspired by performances from University students, honing their craft.
Exhibitions Term 3 exhibitions include Pastel Perspectives and Tinted Vessels featuring artwork from Year 7 students.
MH1 Class A Great Day Out at Featherdale Wildlife Excursion MH1 Students recently enjoyed an excursion to Featherdale Wildlife Park with Miss Bishop and Miss K, where they had the opportunity to see a wide range of Australian native animals up close. The visit helped students build their knowledge of Australian wildlife and develop a greater appreciation for native species, their habitats and the importance of conservation. The excursion also supported student health and wellbeing. Spending the day outdoors encouraged walking and physical activity, while providing a welcome change of environment. Students had the chance to socialise, connect with their peers and teachers, and enjoy a shared experience away from the usual classroom routine. Overall, it was a positive day that combined wildlife, wellbeing and connection.
SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS TERM 3 2026 Year 7: Aangelo Acosta Joscelyn Ah Lam Insyirah Alaydrus Eliza Ali Haider Amini Jinky Aquino Jardineson Barlongo Jake Bastida Mya Bilgic Seravana Bose Telesia Bourne Georgie Bramley Holly Bugeja Ruby Campano Violet Cassar Shekinah Bella Casuco Kamran Chaudhry Aliah Kyra Dargantes Saliha Dogan Gabrielle Eluna Talalupe Evans Frankie Fidow Alexis Fillery Jamie Flynn Cameron Franklin Lachlan Furlan Alorah Garvin Vaisioata Halatanu Esther Haunga Lauren Hiang Lida Jawed Yusuf Keskin Mahir Khan Angelo Lardizabal Jahrell Lemoe Tahlia Little George Lolo Bazil Malik Zamria Krystel Malonisio Ziyana Maralang Tia May Sienna McGovern Debora Mugoli Ali Mujtaba Ghulam Nabi Rayyan Napis Servan Nato Nora Naung Jeh-Rai Ngatoko-Zarka Aleona Oboza Charles Pascoe Corby Jephthah Peneueta Julienne Ramos Allison Roberts Razia Sadiqi Wilzmart Santos Izabella Sinaki-Harris Sophia-Leigh Stoten Tiahna Thomas Leroy Toth Manu Valu James Veng Hope Wereta Chayde-Charlotte Williams Farhad Yawari Daniya Yousuf Sophia Zubaedi Year 8: Mariam Abdulrahman Rishan Ahmad Isha Alcantara Lorelye Allen Yasmin Almoaiel Yousef Al-Riyahee Alexa Reign Ang Lance Baldeswis Jezfria Baniaga Tegan Berthon Kamil Bonyad Zada Vin Joshua Casuco Nishanth Chandra Paige Davis Chloe Rich Daylo
Felix De Jesus Caitlyn Dunn Kausar Ehsani Xantle Zhey Estrada Annika Faminial Aaliyah Fuiono Alexander Furlan Zayn Gloria Mariam Haidari Ramone-Jericho Hala Fardin Hussaini Harper James-Pullen Muskaan Janif Ejeni John Maimuna Khan Alara Kosem Emily Lang Roman Lapteff Ruby Marshall Fahima Mesbah Sarah Mickiewicz Tahleah Mitchell Jarel Andrei Morales Zahra Nabizadah Zysha Naiker Jacob Nash Jade Lawrence Nato Logan O'Neill Max Ou Klare Partridge Charity Pelasio Faimasasa Peneueta Aryan Prasad Beau Reed Aaliyah Reynolds Toby Rigby Hudaa Saeed Jannah Santiago Enrique Sebastia Patricia Sesay Zahra Sirac Morina Sosaiete Mailei Thaksika Thevakumar Tansy Ussher-Jackson Oliver Walter Evelyn Willcockson Elizabeth Williams Alvin Yacat Rauf Yosufi Shanae Zammit Hadia Ziayee Queenie Zlomislic Year 9: Luis Abarca Mennagret Ah Lam Mahtab Akhlaghi Noor Akram Rashed Al Kanem Omar Alayed Chloe Au Alghasim Balla Fahima Bare Christian Bedot Rylee Bell Ezel Biber Mohammad Bonyad Zada Rachael Bourne Amani Brigden Isabella Brown Hope Bryant Andrea Cabacungan Kobe Castanares Sienna Champion Wafaa Chandab Alexandria Cowley Alana Dang Arwin Dargantes Priscilla Darwon Avery De Leon Aviela Dunn-Too Neophytos Ektoros Maximilian Evans Savanna Ezzat Eshaal Fatima
Angus Foreshew Patrick Franklin Krishma Gautam Lianah Giacalone Mihran Haidari Kavvya Hingu Syed Hossain Shayan Hussain Shanista Irshita Masooma Jafari Ali Jalil Ibadah Khalil Issa Lafi Jason Lanau Jack Shang Zhao Long Li Faith Lowe Lucas Macatangay Zeth Maralang Ester Mashikura Empress Chauncey Matibag Faith Mendoza Azania Moala Liam Marcus Mondala Yoshio Morales Haani Muhammad Bakhsh Arzoo Nabizada Norishma Nadan Logan Neville Ezekiel Ngatoko-Zarka Abigail Nicol Havanah Nuualiitia Londyn Paluch Mackenzie Pittman Ruby Pogmore Ethan Ponce Quincie Pugosa Tusken Rakoroi Sarthaksinh Raulaji Rhyse Rihara Laki Rimoni Audrey Rose Rivera Charlotte Saafi Aaqib Saleem Sharaya Sewak Lilly Smith John Joseph Sta Maria Amara Stehlin Keilani Sua Wendy Sy Uapukupuku Touariki Teariki Sirinapha Toemphan Mia-Rose Toleafoa Robert Toomalatai Yashaswi Twati Zacha Velasco Roman Villanueva Isabella Villar Buchanan Logan Willcockson Year 10: Aaliyah Acosta Natasha Ah Lam Ehan Ahmad Fardin Ahmed Amarra Akuta John Jr Alejandro Jenayah Ali Janus Alonzo James Aoun Tristan Belan Chloe Berthon Eshan Bhuiyan Jada Bose Marie Carnay Von Isaiah Casuco Aizel Reign Cellona Daloba Conde Lebron Da Cunha Anton Dargantes Evelynn De Leon Jacy De Leon Mercado Aden Dewantara Kyle Andrei Duran Amira Elia Mark Espinosa
Amelie Foreshew Ashna Gandhi Ethan Gao Noah Germain Aalia Gloria Nathan Metua Gray Asimina Halatanu Ali Hashimi Farrokh Hussaini Faith Joson Nevaeh-Maree Kake Emily Keehn Ashley Kilroy Raina Kongkon Mercy Lalaga Tamzyn Le Roux Alexandra Llagas Malik Maaz Jomydelane Kate Manio Azlan Mohammed Marybell Murad Vivienne Nguyen Jordan Nobbs Faith Nucom Usu Ohi Alexis O'Neill Cayden Parsons Nishi Patel Rham Peralta Gia Khang Phan Harley Pittman Nizarly Posimani Atharv Prasad Anthony Reyes Brooklyn Rogers Matilda Rusitovic Muzamale Sadiqi Kylee Josef Sarmiento Malini Siliva Ella Skinner Riley Stehlin Xavier Tahana Hozaan Talabani Myat Tan Emmanuel Tuteru Catherine Veng Zayne Villanueva Miguel Villena Mitchell Walker Julia Williams Melissa Yang Fawad Yousuf Year 11: Tala Ah Lam Dina Al Kanem Zahra Al-Khled William Allen Jerlynn Baniaga Melis Bilgic Ezekiel Brillantes Zane Buckland Ali Awsat Bunyadi Shanay Chand Khaila Chavaria Ulata Falemoe Nargis Fayazi Gregory Fuaivaa Samiuela Haunga Raiyan Huda Ekaterina Lapteff Ghazal Maleki Addison Marsh Addison Marsh Daveleen Mulbah Skye Nichols-Hession Shai-La Randell Marcus Rivera Ava Scobie Mele Lupe Sefesi Benjamin Tirados Jordan Vella Marcela Wilder
Year 12: Petra Adamovic Sarah Akl Keeley Allen Rashid Amin Periti Anae Aime Bastida Andre Bettridge Evelyn Bogaz Mahutariki Bose Lincoln Carroll Aneesha Chandra Mali Coombes Noreen Daylo Rhian Elyse Dela Cruz Khalia Evagelia Daniel Lachlan Gillett Mounir Girma Amy Gower Zainab Haywari Jarred Hide Sarah Houston Asher Hussain Taiba Hussain Zaheen Hussain Manamo'ui Ikamanu Daniel Khalil Malae Koro Gracie Kumar Naeun Lee Keharna-Rose Lever Yong Guang Lim Phoenix Lopez Mikayla Mantua Riley Marshall Ethan Mascarenas Rahela Mirzaie Jemuel Nallas Myah Nguyen Naima Nordstrand Nina Palani Ava Partridge Yonalee Polwaththa Gallage De-Tiare Pulega Sara Raidu Reupena Reuelu Charli Russell Jimmy Santiago Ma-Jacqueline Sinclair Jemma Spratt Anzac Thach Albert Tolai Perelini Ngoc Tu Khuyen Tran Seini Tulevu Kevin Vinoya Samuel Vista Ahmad Wissam Christabelle Zapata Castro
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RHHS Learning, Leadership & Achievement North Parade, Rooty Hill NSW 2766 P.O. Box 70, Rooty Hill NSW 2766 Phone: 02 9625 8104