Need to know

The end of Week 3 and we have already had so much happening here at the College.   Year 12 Study Camp, Vocational Major Sailing Camp, Student Leadership Sailing Camp, whole school Swimming Carnival, Year 7 Parent BBQ and an indigenous Smoking Ceremony shared with Glen Katherine Primary School to mark the start of a brand new year.  Next week our Year 7s go on camp, where  they will have lots of fun getting to know each other and their teachers.  

We were fortunate to have a lovely summer day for our Swimming Carnival on Wednesday.  Students had a great day competing as well as taking advantage of the water slide, free swimming time and other novelty games and events.  There was a great relaxed atmosphere, and it was great to have our students all together, relaxing with their friends and teachers.  

Students have settled quickly into classes, and it is pleasing to see the vast majority of students focused on their learning, being punctual to classes, respectful to others and wearing their uniform correctly.  

The slightly earlier finish time seems to have resolved the bus issues and I hope students are feeling less rushed at the end of the day.

Staffing Changes

You are probably aware of the nationwide teacher shortage .  I was interested to see over Christmas that the UK is also suffering from a lack of staff.  I'm not sure where they all went!!    We are very fortunate at  St Helena to have an almost full contingent of teaching and education support staff.  However, a number of staff have been recruited since school started back, which has necessitated a number of timetable and allotment changes.   While this is far from ideal, it is unfortunately unavoidable.

We will continue to experience some disruption as staff have long service leave and parental leave pending throughout the year, and I ask you to please be patient.  Our priority is to have appropriately qualified teachers in front of your child's class, and some times  this does mean timetable movement.