Community involvement

Parents and Citizens Association (P&C)

The Gosford High P&C is founded on a philosophy of genuine partnership between families and the school community, bringing together parents, citizens, students, and educators in a collective commitment to advance the interests of the school. As an inclusive and intellectually engaged organisation, the P&C is dedicated to fostering a supportive and enriching educational environment for all students.

Uniquely positioned as the annual recipients of the Chapman funds, our P&C is empowered to support and champion significant projects within the school—without the need for traditional fundraising. These funds are strategically directed to initiatives that deliver tangible and positive outcomes for student learning and wellbeing.

Our operations are characterised by a collaborative and consultative approach, working closely with the School’s Senior Leadership Team, student leadership, and other key stakeholders to ensure alignment with the school’s strategic priorities. Through these partnerships, the Gosford High P&C actively contributes to the development and enhancement of the school community, facilitating meaningful and sustainable improvements that benefit current and future students alike.

P&C meetings are conveniently held once each term during Week 6 in the Gosford High School Common Staff Room, Administration Building, at 5:30pm, with the added flexibility from 2026 of joining online. This schedule ensures that involvement requires only a manageable commitment, making it easier for families to stay connected and engaged. P&Cs remain a vital way for parents and carers to maintain a meaningful connection to their child’s education and the broader school community.

The Annual General Meeting is held in March with only current financial members being entitled to nominate for positions and vote.

The P&C warmly invites all parents/carers to join and participate in their child’s education and personal development.

An annual membership fee of two dollars ($2) entitles you to nominate for positions on the executive and sub-committees, voting rights and access to meeting agendas and minutes.

The P&C Executive comprises of President, two Vice Presidents, Treasurer and Secretary.  Should you wish to contact us please send an email addressed to the President at ghspandc@gmail.com

School Community Charter

Counselling for families

The school counsellor can assist when families undergo a trauma or big change. Contact us to make an appointment. For information in community languages, see school counselling service.

Outside of the education system, free telephone counselling services are available to support families who may be going through a difficult time.

• Lifeline – 24-hour telephone counselling service. Ph: 13 11 14.
• Mensline Australia – 24-hour telephone counselling service for men. Ph: 1300 789 978.
• Parent line – an advice and information service. Ph: 1300 1300 52.

Interpreting and translations

We will help you communicate with our school. If you’d like an interpreter for a school meeting, let us know and we will arrange one, if available.

If you don’t speak or understand English well and want to contact us, call TIS National on 131 450 and ask for an interpreter in your language. The operator will call the school and get an interpreter to help. This service is free.

For more information, listen in your language.

Visit the department’s  translated documents  section for important information that’s relevant for your child’s education in many languages.

Volunteer at our school

Helping out at school is a great way to get involved in your child’s education as well as get to know the staff and other parents and carers.

Research shows that children benefit when their parents or carers are actively involved in their education and school life.

You can help by:

• volunteering at the school canteen
• participating in the P&C

Contact us

Parent Teacher Interviews

Here are some tips to get the best out of your time with the teacher.

Arrange for an interpreter if needed

If you need an interpreter, let us know before the interview. Call 131 450 and ask for an interpreter in your language. The operator will get an interpreter on the line to help you. This service is free.

Do your homework

Take a few minutes before the meeting to jot down any questions or comments you have. Common questions may include:

• How is my child fitting in with other children?
• What are the children working on now?
• Is there anything about my child’s needs that I should know?
• Does my child ask questions, participate in class discussions and other activities?
• Is my child’s progress satisfactory?
• What activities does my child seem to enjoy the most at school?
• Who are my child’s friends?
• Does my child join in with other children in the playground?
• What kinds of things will the class be doing over the next few weeks?
• How is my child progressing in comparison to others in the year?
• Is there anything I can be doing to help my child at home?
• Do you have any concerns about my child?
• What is the best time and way to contact you if I have a concern?

Also, list anything that might be happening at home that may be helpful for your child’s teacher to know. If your child has seen a specialist for example, there may be some information that is important for the teacher or the school counsellor to know.

Go with a positive attitude

Approach the interview with a positive and relaxed attitude. Remember you and the teacher are partners in your child’s learning. Be clear and confident in raising any concerns and allow the teacher to answer or clarify your questions and worries.

Teachers want to help students achieve their best – you’re on the same team.

Walk away with an agreed plan

If the teacher raises issues about your child’s learning, development or behaviour, your goal will be to understand the plan to manage that during the school day and how you can help at home.

For example, if your child is struggling to pay attention in class, a behaviour diary which travels between class and home every day may be a good suggestion. The idea is the teacher updates you with a short, written account of your child’s day, so you can discuss it with your child each evening.

Ask the teacher what sort of strategies they have in mind and how you can help.

Plan to communicate

The parent-teacher interview is not the only time you can discuss your child with the teacher, but many parents and carers find it’s their only opportunity to visit the school. Ask the teacher how you can best communicate with each other in the future. Many teachers make appointments to see or call you outside of school hours. Others find email works well.

Between 8:30am and 3:30pm is non-stop for teachers, and their primary responsibility each day is to teach their students. Teachers can’t leave their class unattended to talk with you so it’s best to come up with a plan to stay in touch.

After the Interview

It’s important to discuss the meeting with your child and really congratulate them on their strengths. If the teacher made suggestions of things you could do at home, discuss these with your child and commit to following through with them.

It can be easier to approach the teacher or the principal when you feel part of the school community. Volunteer if you can, or stay connected on social media or online.

Don't let issues brew

Stay in touch with the teacher and the school. Make contact if a concern arises before or after the parent-teacher interviews. Let the teacher know what your concern is so they can prepare for your conversation.  For example if you’re worried your child isn’t making friends, the teacher may want to observe them in the playground before you talk. Or if you’re concerned your child isn’t performing as well as expected, the teacher may want to check last year’s notes, talk to colleagues or review assessment results.

If there’s something happening at home with your child or another family member, it can affect your child’s learning and behaviour at school, so please let the school know.

Get to know your child's year adviser

Once your child is in high school, the year adviser is a great point of contact when you have a question or problem that’s not specific to one subject area. For example if your child doesn’t seem to be on top of their homework (or says they’re not getting any homework) the year adviser would be the person to call. They can have a chat with the teachers involved and get back to you.

The same goes with social problems your child may be having. Year advisers try to get to know all ‘their’ kids on a more personal level and can keep an eye on how your child is progressing.

Seeking more help

If you’ve talked to the teacher and still aren’t satisfied with the outcome, you can always make an appointment to discuss your concerns with the head teacher, year adviser, assistant principal, deputy or principal. You can bring a support person with you to any meeting at the school. If you need the help of an interpreter, let them know when you make the appointment, so they can arrange to have someone on the phone or at the meeting to help you.

Alfred Ingram Chapman and Ella Hope Chapman Trusts

During 2024, funds were provided for the on-going support of the Chapman Tutorial Centre, RIOT (well-being) program, moveable staging platforms for the hall, RoboMaster robots for the new syllabus, Duke of Edinburgh resources as well as student initiatives such as "Gosfest" (film) and "Speak Out" (public speaking).

When visiting the school, please take the time to read about the ‘greatest charitable benefactor the district has ever known’ in the A.I. Chapman Hall of Honour located in the foyer of Gosford High School’s front office.  In 2014, to recognise 50 years of significant contributions made to Gosford High School, a commemorative garden wall in the school grounds near the assembly hall was erected making the outdoor space more visually appealing and functional whilst paying tribute to the incredible foresight of the Chapmans.

Mr and Mrs Chapman have provided Gosford High School with indescribable educational wealth, benefiting all students who walk through our corridors. From the early 1960's, to our current year and beyond, we are indebted to them for their financial assistance and support from their generous legacy.  Mr and Mrs Chapman’s Trust continues to play a large role in educating generations of students far beyond their own lifetimes.

Keep up with school socials, news and events