Student Services
Once again this term has been a very busy time in Student Services. Our students continue to benefit from many high quality programs. Here are a few of the Term 4 highlights:
White Ribbon Day Assembly
Our White Ribbon Day Assembly was a significant event this term. The assembly was led by our school captains who shared messages about respectful relationships and their commitment to creating a society where no one has to live in fear of domestic or family violence. This was followed by a moving video created by Dan Rogers, a Student Services staff member. At the conclusion of the assembly the entire school community were invited to stand and take the White Ribbon oath. We had over 50 staff and students purchase and wear T shirts to our assembly, communicating school solidarity on this very important issue.
Students As Lifestyle Activists
Our SALSA (Students As Lifestyle Activists) students have been very busy this term.
The SALSA program initially involved Year 10 leaders completing their training and then teaching four lessons about food choices, physical activity, healthy lifestyle and individual & community action to our Year 8’s. Since then our SALSA team have created an action plan that involves working in partnership with our new canteen providers, Fresh Food Fast. The SALSA vision is to support our canteen to provide healthy and nutritious foods that improve the wellbeing of our school community. I would like to thank Kevin Poechhacker, Siobhan Wilby, Charli Close, Jasmine Potter, Katalina Abarca, Lani Maguire and Oliver Worrad who have volunteered to be our action team for 2018-19. We look forward to our canteen meeting the DoE Healthy Canteen benchmarks in the coming year.
Year 12
I would like to congratulate many of our hard working Year 12 students on their successful graduation. These students include Brooklyn Doughty, Khalen Beetham, Nick Murray and Shimara Knight-Taylor. We wish them all the best for the future.
EaLD Support
Our English as an Additional Language/Dialect students have been working extremely hard over the year with many students embracing support across a wide range of subjects. Student Services would like to congratulate Tuan Ho from Year 12 for his diligent application and hard work which has resulted in a highly commendable HSC result. Miss Perkins would like to congratulate all of her wonderful students and is looking forward to a wonderful 2019.
Top Blokes- Stepping Up Program
20 of our Yr 7 boys have graduated from the Top Blokes Stepping Up Program this term. We have had 44 students complete this course over 2018 thanks to the sponsorship of North Gosford Rotary. The graduates this term were Brayden Tory, Brody Martin, Callum Kennedy, Cullyn Cowell, Declan Fitzgerald Harry Monin, Logan Gower, Seth Portus, Branden Henshall, Cayden Simmonds, Connor McKaig, Connor Martin, Mio Pagacs, Jonathon Mao, Jake Mathews, Don Heaney, Kleon Martin, Kalem Harris, Seth Beaman, Klaus Suczynski. Congratulations boys for your commitment to this program and the personal growth that has been achieved by each and every one of you. Continue on your journey of making considered social choices and embracing positive relationships.
Chaplaincy Program
I would like to thank our 2 chaplains, Mel Gould and Mitch Rogers who have been valuable members of our support team this year. We say farewell to Mitch at the end of this year and wish him well with his future endeavours.
Christmas Hampers
This year we have had a very generous donation from the Bellbird Committee. Their charitable work assists disadvantaged children across the Central Coast. Through their donation we were able to purchase 16 Christmas hampers for our Henry Kendall families.
We have also had donations from a number of parents and staff across our school community. A big thank-you also goes out to our P and C who donated the festive carry bags for our hampers. They look amazing.
A special thanks to Alex Geleris, our previous chaplain, who for the last 3 years has secured a donation from his local church. He then added his own significant personal contribution to assist our school community during the festive season. Alex and his family presented HK with of a number of wonderful Christmas hampers to add to our impressive collection.
The generosity of our community this year has been overwhelming and very much appreciated. Student Services have had the pleasure of issuing these hampers to very grateful families across our school community this week.
I would like to conclude this final report for 2018 by thanking the wonderful staff in Student Services that have worked tirelessly throughout the year to support our students academically, socially and emotionally. I would also like to thank in particular Ms Helen Lamont who has been part of our Learning and Support team this year working exclusively with Year 7 students. Unfortunately Helen will conclude her contract with us at the end of the year. We have appreciated her efforts and passion for our students to reach their potential. We wish her well for her retirement.
On behalf of the Student Services team I would like to wish all our families a happy and safe festive season.
Mrs Tracy Smith
Head Teacher
Student Services