Principal Report
A message from the Principal
Ms Nerina Pretlove
We have achieved so much this term after returning to full-time face to face teaching. Things are taking shape across the school with much to still be completed. Thank you for your contributions in supporting our student engagement and learning. Now and then there are challenging moments but we need to look at the entire student body to see what a fantastic group of young people we have.
Year 12 will have Week 1, Term 4 in their formal classes before they commence their HSC exams in Week 2. In order to protect students during their examination period, we have put in process a new sign in regime which will be practiced each day of Week 1 and then be mandatory for each HSC exam. Only Year 12 students will be required to meet under our bus shelter to sign into school using a QR Code system and be required to answer questions relating to their possible exposure to the Covid-19 virus. Students will not be admitted to each examination without completing this process. In addition, we have a contingency plan to support any issues that may arise during the examination period. Information about changes to processes will be informed through our social media including Instagram, Facebook and the school website. Our thoughts are with Year 12 and their families as they come to the end of their schooling and undertake their final examinations.
Twice in the past week I was contacted by people outside our school commenting on the quality of teachers and students who attend here. A past student is presently working as an SLSO in a local primary school, working with Indigenous students. Twin boys have been in her care after a very disruptive schooling and family life following a bad traffic accident. Her care, attention and connecting them with their culture has turned them around in terms of their engagement with school and life in general. So much so that when the twins returned to their regular school, in the far outback, the teachers there were astounded and have requested that she connects with their school and continues her program there.
The other contact came from an ISTH who wrote: I thought you should know how warm, caring and professional Ms Shah (Shabnam) and Ms Gahli (Annasimone) were this morning - in both speaking of Amelia and suggesting actions to support her. Shabnam has been prompt in replying to my emails, had sought update from Amelia's teachers and has sent through very detailed minutes. Anna spoke in such a respectful and caring way about Ameila and the importance of showing her that you care - suggesting all teachers take the time to do this. From all accounts it seems like Amelia has made extraordinary progress into what I have seen as a respectful and engaged student.
We also said goodbye to our IEC leavers, some of whom will be coming to Evans HS and the others who are moving afar. It was a pleasure to present certificates and prizes to worthy recipients in a small (given the Covid-19 limitations) but brilliantly run ceremony by Anjana and Taahira. The academic achievements of these students are amazing when you also add the other challenges that they have faced in their very young lives.
Lovely, positive stories to end the term!
STOP PRESS!!! Dr Fienberg, Our Head Teacher of CAPA, has been nominated for the national Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award!!!
Congratulations to Dr Fienberg on his nomination!
To vote for our wonderful teacher, please use the following link: https://aria.com.au/vote
Or you can click on the button below:
The video below supports Dr Fienberg's nomination for the 2020 ARIA Music Teacher of the Year. It also features our Solid Ground Program. Be sure to check it out!