Kung Hei Fat Choi and what a brilliant start to the Year of the Rabbit and new school year we’ve enjoyed this week. The buzz and energy around campus have been palpable with students and colleagues reconnecting after the holidays and starting the term with great enthusiasm and purpose. A very special welcome to the 24 new students joining AISHK in Secondary, as well as seven new staff members: Margaret Bailey, our new Deputy Head of Secondary; Stuart McRae (English/Drama); Phil O’Connor (Mathematics); Vindy Ho (Performing Arts); Chris McCorkell (HSIE); KK Ng and Bok Chee Lau (teaching assistants). AISHK prides itself on being a tightknit, inclusive and supportive community and we hope that our newest arrivals enjoy their time here and make their mark.
Congratulations to the graduating class of 2022 who received their HSC and IB results over the holidays. The median Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) for the cohort was a very impressive 88.5, meaning that half our graduates ranked inside the top 11.5% of Australian students their age. In the Sydney Morning Herald rankings of nearly 800 schools offering the HSC, AISHK came 71st, placing it well within the top 10%. Given that our Year 12 cohort is split between the HSC and IB programs, this outcome is particularly strong. The median IB score for AISHK was 37 out of 45, an excellent result given that the global IB average this year was 30.9. While these topline results are rightly worth celebrating, the many personal bests achieved by our students are just as satisfying, and we look forward now to hearing about the varied post-school pathways our graduates pursue.
Looking at the weeks ahead, there are many opportunities for our community to come together and connect. The Year 7 parent information night on 16 February, followed by coffee mornings for all Secondary year levels in the weeks following, offer parents and guardians the chance to meet the key people supporting their children’s education at AISHK. There is so much to look forward to for our students in 2023 – both inside and outside the classroom – and we can’t wait to share all the details with our community.
After an action-packed and exhilarating week, best wishes to all Secondary families for a fun and relaxing weekend with family and friends.
Peter Phillips | Head of Secondary