Principals Report 

Dear Parents/Carers, 

It is difficult to believe that we are in Week 9 of Term 4 2021. It is almost a cliche to say that this year has been extremely challenging for our school, and our community, and in fact all communities across the globe. I have been, however, particularly proud of our school and our community's response to these challenges. It is no secret that students from across this region, state, and nationally have found it difficult to transition back into school, following our last lock-down. When I am on Zoom meetings with Principals, from this region and at a state level, our discussions rotate around how we can support students and their families during the transition. A lot of additional work that we are doing currently within the school revolves around supporting students to reconnect with their peers, and we are conducting programs, with a focus on student socialisation and where we want to be as a school leading into 2022. Thank you to all of our parents who have partnered with us during these processes. 

On behalf of myself and Guyra Central School students and staff I would like to offer a big congratulations to our Year 12 students and their families. Most of our Year 12 students have now completed their exams and are preparing for the next chapter of their lives, not before enjoying a good dose of fun and frivolity beforehand, of course.  The last exam at Guyra Central School is at 2.00 pm Tuesday, 30th November, 2021.  Guyra Central School Graduation Dinner is being held at St. Albert's College on Saturday the 4th December 2021. Further to this we will get an opportunity to farewell our wonderful Year 12 students on Friday 3rd December 2021 at our Year 12 Valedictory Assembly. 

I would like to thank our HSC Presiding Officer, Ms Dorothy Lockyer, and her team for their professionalism and efficiency during the running of 2021 HSC Exams.  I know that the friendly faces of Dorothy and her team have really made this process much easier for our Year 12 staff. Overseeing this very important process has required additional effort, meeting COVID-19 compliance conditions. Thank you, Dot and your team. 

We have now had two consultations with the architects who are designing our new commercial kitchen. Work will commence early in 2022 and should be completed by mid-year 2022. We have a Hospitality class commencing in 2022 and for Semester 1, at least, practical assessments will occur in the commercial kitchens at Armidale Secondary College or Armidale TAFE. Ms Lea-ann Best, our Head Teacher TAS is a fully accredited Hospitality teacher and with our new school buses being available transportation will not be an issue.

As a school we have been reassessing our school needs and purchasing accordingly. The school has invested in a Laser Cutter and large 3D Printer, to provide our students with state of the art, industry standard machinery to learn and grow ideas and skills. Training sessions will commence in 2022 and we will be holding open sessions for interested community members to come along and see what is possible with our new 'toys'. (COVID restrictions allowing). It is anticipated that students from across the school will be expressing and growing their creative business skills in a range of areas. I look forward to sharing further developments in these areas with our community.

Guyra Central School during 2022 and beyond will also partner with Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program. K-6 students are already proving to have green thumbs with their Quad Gardens. Thank you, Mrs Rebecca Wood, for the great work and energy that you have committed to this project. We are currently also negotiating the construction of a second greenhouse outside the new kitchen to provide fresh produce for the cooking. We already have a greenhouse at the Ag Farm. This greenhouse was donated by Costa during 2019. 

Mrs Kay Smith has continued her great work with the Guyra Central School students during 2021, and has extended her focus for 2021-2022 to include the Primary Quad Mural Project. Students have already started to design the extensive mural series and the results have caused quite a bit of excitement around the K-6 learning area and beyond. Congratulations to the design team for their work, keep up the energy and commitment.

Our Kindergarten and Year 6-7 transition is chugging along nicely. Thanks to Mrs Sarah Farmer (Kindergarten in 2022) and Ms Tracey Condrick and Ms Meagan Vidler (Year 6 into 7) for their brilliant organisation and sense of fun. I am seeing a lot of smiling children around during these sessions. Our Kinder 2023 Transition will run for all of 2022. Please contact the office if you wish to discuss this further.

Thank you to Mr David Moffitt and his team for the extensive organisation around Term 5 Activities 2021. If you have not had a chance to look over the leaflet that was provided to your secondary child/children please make a point of doing this ASAP. Week 11 is looking like a pretty great time to be at school.

Looking forward to catching up with everyone at the Guyra Christmas Carnival on Friday 3rd December 2021. What a great opportunity to get out and about with the children and spend time with our community. See you all there.

Thanks

Michelle Nicholson

Proud Principal