Easter is just around the corner and this last fortnight of term, like the rest of Term 1 has been busy, and packed full of wonderful learning opportunities for our students.

The swimming carnival, capably organised by our Sports Coordinator Mrs Mel Said, ran smoothly with lots of participation and fun. See the Active and Alive section for more information about age champions, photos from the day and the announcement of the Champion House. Thanks to House Captains Shane King, Sophie Eleftheriou, Trae Boney and Hugh Dickerson who led their teams and to the staff who supported students on the day. It was great to have parents, carers and school community members attend and show their support.

Yesterday we celebrated Harvest at school and staff and students dressed as farmers and visited the vineyard to help pick the grapes. The BBQ was a great hit and we hope to have a bumper crop which will be made into Tempranillo Rose for purchase next year. There are many people to thank but in particular Mr Ian Cole who looks after the vineyard throughout the year with the support of the general assistant team, Mr David Gell for organising harvest. Mr Anthony Wilson and Mrs Megan Baker for vineyard support and cooking the BBQ, and outside expertise from winemaker Mr Dan Shaw, and Mr Peter Hedberg and Mr Peter McClymont, advisors.

Congratulations to the students who achieved the most amount of positive incidents this term and who have received a certificate and a movie voucher for themselves and an adult. These students have shown that they can be respectful, safe and responsible around our school at all times. Most improved student attendance, best class attendance and greater than 95% attenders for the term are announced on our Positive Education @ Anson page later in the newsletter.

Next term we are introducing a new award system that will take into account PBL expectations, our Character Pillars of kindness, gratitude, curiosity and hope, class achievement awards and general awards for attendance, uniform and participation. I will be presenting an overview of the system at the next P&C meeting being held on Thursday 1st April at 9:15am, so please come along to the Black Bull Cafe to hear about this new way of celebrating student success across our school.

The 2021-2024 Strategic Improvement Plan (SIP) will be launched in Term 2. Thank you to staff and families who have been involved since Term 4 last year in working on our three new strategic directions for the next four years. I will be sharing the plan at the next P&C meeting and the SIP will also be available to view on the school website.

Year 12 interim reports will be sent out in the first week of Term 1. The students are working hard towards their Higher School Certificate (HSC) and I have been pleased to read about their achievements in their academic reports this week.

Capital works have started on the main site of the building with demolition of the old bathrooms well on the way. Students and staff are coping well with the disruptions and noise and we look forward to the new bathrooms in Term 3.

We were successful in having three projects through the Regional Renewal Program accepted for joint funding with the Department of Education. The three projects include the Skills House, Storage shed for bikes, scooters, disability equipment and general assistant equipment; and a new engineered beam in the Engine Room to hold occupational swings for therapy. This is a $50 000 investment from the Department into our school and we are grateful to Mrs Julie Balcombe, our Asset Services Officer who has helped the school with the applications.

A fond farewell to two staff members this term. Ms Karyn Dive moves to Sydney with her family after two years and a term as a classroom teacher at our school. Ms Dive has been a highly valued, friendly and caring member of staff who will be greatly missed by staff and students alike. We wish her well in her forthcoming marriage and new career in Sydney.

Mrs Kim Turner retires after 15 years service to Anson Street School. Mrs Turner is one of our experienced School Learning and Support Officers who tirelessly supports the students and the teachers she has worked with over the years. She has been a quiet achiever who is well respected amongst staff and the families she has supported. She will be greatly missed, but we know she will enjoy having more time to spend with her granddaughter and parents in the years to come. I thank Mrs Turner for her time, support and dedication to the school, especially in the last six years that I have worked with her and wish her all the best in retirement.

The Easter Hat Parade is something the students look forward to and I can't wait to see the wonderful creations they have made on the last day of term. I wish our students and their families a wonderful Easter holiday and we look forward to seeing you in a few week's time rested and ready to go for Term 2.

Happy Easter

Melanie Meers

Principal

Adjunct Lecturer CSU

DipArts (Music), GradDip (Education), GradCertEd (Pedagogy), MEd (Leadership & Management), GradCertEd (Learning Support), ProfCert (Positive Education)

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