Principal's Report 

Welcome back to another full and exciting term of learning and development. Without doubt, the school calendar becomes fuller with each new term as students and teachers further build on their learning objectives and then assess what has been learnt.

Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10) students ended last term with an educational and fun excursion to Brisbane that saw them explore the Brisbane Museum, the Planetarium and Queensland Maritime Museum. Thanks must go to Year 10 Adviser, Ms Blewitt who planned and coordinated the trip. Fellow staff members, Mr Jones and Ms Drummond reported that our student's behaviour was outstanding and a credit to the school.

Our congratulations to Year 12 student, Caitlyn Galagher who was named winner of the 2019 School Based Trainee - Apprentice of the Year for the Hunter New England Region. This Award is presented to a student who is undertaking a Certificate II or above qualification as a part-time school-based apprenticeship. The Award recognises the student’s commitment to their formal studies at school, and in the workplace. Caitlyn's application and commitment to her studies in Certificate III - Health Services Assistance has been outstanding and this achievement is a credit to her. We wish her well in the state judging, which is currently underway.

Our Bush Bots robotics team have recently returned from Sydney where they competed admirably in the annual Dual Down Under (DDU) robotics challenge at Macquarie University. This is an off-season friendly event for the teams who participate in the Australian FIRST Robotics Competition. With three new members recently joining the team, the DDU competition is a great opportunity for them to experience for the first time what is required of the team as a whole as well as individual members, during both the competition phase and build phases. It also provides existing team members with the opportunity to try different roles within the Bush Bots.

Mr Vella has been working hard with his music students in the count down to this year's Show Case event. Ms Pocock's art students are finalising their artworks that will go on exhibition at the event, along with Mr Druce's Industrial Technology - Timber and Metal students' work. If you haven't yet bought your tickets, don't delay. You'll also be treated to delicious fare produced by Mr O'Shea's hospitality students and be further entertained by our new Drama Club, under the direction of Ms McCluskey. We look forward to seeing as many students and their families as possible attend this important event that showcases our students creative endeavours and gives them real life experience in planning, preparing and delivering a live event. 

Yours sincerely,

Annabel Doust

Principal