Principal's Report

Welcome to 2016 at Fairhills

Dear Parents, Students & Staff

Welcome back for another year, a year which we trust will be safe, fulfilling and enjoyable for all.  Our first day started with 15 minute Year Level Assemblies (where students received a welcome back from their Level Coordinators and a copy of their individual timetables) and then it was off to their first class.

Thanks to our Smart Start week at the end of last year, students had already met most of their teachers, started work in each class on the first topic for 2016 and received some holiday assignment work to be handed in this week to count towards their Semester 1 assessments.  Consequently, as I walked around the school during the day, I saw well prepared teachers and interested students already getting involved in their learning.

A focus this year is to increase the percentage of school time students are actively engaged in their learning; increased attendance, improved punctuality to class, fewer disruptions and the consistent use of written 'Learning Intentions' each period so that classroom activities effectively achieve real student learning.  Of course we will continue our personalisation of teaching and learning as our teachers further build constructive relationships with all of their students and are assisted by an increasing availability of useful data to guide their planning and one-on-one advice to students. Fairhills is a pilot school for a new data management system being developed by the Department this year.

Tertiary Placements

Teachers were delighted on thier return to school to find that last year's Year 12 students have been very successful in obtaining study places in their preferred courses at University & TAFE.  Please refer to the statistics provided later in this Newsletter.  As you will see 95% of our students who applied to VTAC have obtained a place.  This is an important (although not the only) measure of the success of our school, the quality of our teaching and the supportive nature of our Fairhills learning environment.  Congratulations to both our students and staff.

Cafeteria

We continue to be very pleased with our decision in 2014 to upgrade our canteen into a cafeteria with better facilities and equipment, experienced staff and a wider range of nutritious and interesting menu choices.  The attached menu shows that we have different specials each day to encourage students to broaden their tasks and appreciate that a wide variety of foods can be both nutritious and enjoyable.

Welcome New Students

Finally, a special welcome to our 94 new Year 7 students and about 20 other new students at other levels.  We trust that you will very quickly find your way around, make new friends, enjoy our family atmosphere at Fairhills and start working consistently to achieve the best learning outcomes you can.

Harvey Wood

Principal