Principal Report

I think the best thing about being principal at Woodmans Hill Secondary College is the day-to-day interactions I have with members of our immediate and extended community. There are so many organisations that want to contribute to what we are building here. The School Council elections provides you with an opportunity to get involved and help us grow.

However, by far the best part of my working day is spent in classrooms talking to students about their growth and learning, or on the yard where students will tell me about their day or the plans that they have. Sometimes, students will talk to me about the frustrations they feel or the concerns that they have when navigating friendships and the challenges of high school life. Our students have ambitious dreams and need reassurance that we can work together towards realising their goals.

And as I walk around the school, I see a 100 other similar interactions taking place between staff and students: real evidence of the tight bond we have at Woodmans Hill. All schools are unique, but what sets us apart is the strong connection between staff and students that exists. This is due to the focus that we have on the whole child. The emotional growth of our students is of equal importance to us as their academic growth and achievement. We believe that we can be a school that can create the conditions for every child to succeed and we know that high quality teaching and learning is built on strong and positive relationships.

Being a teenager is tough as it is a time of great change and uncertainty. At Woodmans Hill we provide stability, support and a commitment to help each student be the best version of themselves that they can be. As a parent, all I want for my children is that they do their best and treat others respectfully. I want each of them to be fiercely passionate about achieving their heart’s desires and have the grit and determination to push through every set back: to get back up every time they are knocked down.

And as a parent, I know that sometimes that is easier said than done. That is why the connection between families and school is of the utmost importance. We rely upon each other and share the same values of respect, the need for determination and the belief that our kids should strive each day to be the best that they can be. I have never met a parent or carer who did not care passionately about the wellbeing and growth of their child. In times when a student is doing it tough, it has been through the joint intervention of home and school that has enabled that boy or girl to find a way through. We work best together when we are child focused and respectful and our community is lucky to be built upon the strong foundation of our shared values.

If we stand together on our high expectations for behaviour and willingness to get the most out of each second of learning, we can secure the best life chances for your child. This is what makes us a community and this is what makes us Woodmans Hill.

Stephan Fields

Canteen

Maree our Canteen Manager would like to let our Woodmans Hill Community know that - lunch orders can be taken for the canteen @ 8:45-9:00am daily.

Country Bus Travellers

Reminder to all country bus travellers that you must catch the bus from the school to the interchange.

This is a Department requirement and students are not allowed to walk to the interchange due to Safety Concerns.

Personal Accident Insurance and Ambulance Cover

Parents and Guardians are reminded that the Department does not provide personal accident insurance or ambulance cover for students.

Parents and guardians of students, who do not have student accident insurance/ambulance cover, are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including the cost of ambulance attendance/transport and any other transport costs. Please note that if First Aid trained staff at Woodmans Hill believe an ambulance to be necessary they will ring for one immediately. Parents and Guardians are not consulted prior to this decision being made.

Student accident insurance/ambulance cover policies are available from some commercial insurers.

Private property brought to school by students, staff or visitors is not insured and the Department does not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage.

CSEF - Camp, Sport & Excursion Fund

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) will provide payments for eligible students to attend camps, sports and excursions.

Families holding a valid means-tested health care or pension card or are temporary foster parents are eligible to apply. $125 per year is paid for eligible primary school students, with $225 per year paid for eligible secondary school students.

Payments are made directly to the school and are put into the student account.

CSEF applications are open. Parents or legal guardians are required to submit a new CSEF application form each year.

Please contact Jenny at the office for a CSEF form to apply as soon as possible.

Attendance