Principal's Address
NAPLAN
NAPLAN 2026 is now complete and not without some technical issues. Nationwide issues arose on one of the first days of NAPLAN with the demand placed on the DoE’s internet too much for the supply. These tests were temporarily paused whilst the issue was investigated and solved. The tests went ahead later in the day and the following day. The impacted test was writing for Years 5, 7 and 9. Year 3’s writing test was not impacted as it is a test administered on paper.
Student and school results will be released to schools and sent to families in June.
Preschool Update
The Boorowa Public Preschool Team consisting of myself, Ms Friend, Mrs Batt and Mrs Apps travelled to Batemans Bay on Monday afternoon for a Preschool Roadshow event at Batemans Bay Public School on Tuesday. This venue was chosen so that participants could visit a public preschool (Batemans Bay Public Preschool ‘Mundarra’), speak with its staff and have the opportunity to learn from the Principal of the school who is also the Nominated Supervisor of the Preschool – the same staffing structure that will be in place for our preschool. The Mundarra staff gave us a tour of their facility, explained their documentation, programming and observation practices as well as providing insights into the daily life of preschool staff and the children in their care. It was a great practical tour that our staff benefited from immensely.
The principal also gave some valuable advice regarding everything from budget and staffing management to operational considerations and even simple things like ensuring we have an isolation valve for the taps under the sinks so that the centre is not disrupted when plumbing issues arise.
The team also participated in several hours of professional learning delivered by the Early Years Learning Director, Educational Leadership Toni Kember. Her previous principal roles included 2 tenures overseeing public preschools, plus a background in early childcare, so her knowledge of all things public preschools is paramount.
In my last meeting with the preschool infrastructure team, it was raised that Boorowa can expect that the Boorowa Public Preschool building to begin construction in mid-April. We are very excited!
Kindy Passport Tours
The Primary Captains and I hosted several Kindy Passport Tours this week as part of Boorowa Central Schools Transition program. Prospective families joined us in a tour of the school where children received stickers on their ‘passport’ when they successfully navigated to a new location within the school and met each special adult. These tours are a great way for children to become familiar with the school so that transition is exciting and stress free (aside from the new school nerves).
Whilst you may have missed this opportunity, if you are interested in taking a tour of the school with myself so you can learn more about what our great little school has to offer, please contact the school to arrange an appointment.
Staffing Updates
As we approach the end of term 1, several staffing changes will be made to accommodate planned leave.
Mrs White, one of our secondary Mathematics Teachers, will be taking Maternity Leave for the birth of her 2nd child. I wish her, her husband David and their daughter Aoife, all the best for the upcoming birth of their newest addition to their family. An Expression of Interest is currently live on the Staff Noticeboard and JobFeed to seek her replacement.
Returning from Maternity Leave in Term 2 is Mrs Claire Cosgrove, one of our secondary PDHPE Teachers. She returns 3 days a week and it will be great to have her experience and dedication return to our school.
Mrs Claire Snyders is departing our school’s AP C and I role and heading north to Tenterfield Public School. She is taking up a permanent Assistant Principal role with her new school and they are fortunate to gain her experience and joy of teaching. I thank Ms Snyders for her time at Boorowa Central School. Mrs Jess Horne was successful via an expression of interest process in gaining the AP C and I position for the rest of 2026. She will support K-12 teachers in the embedding of the school’s writing strategy, support with infants intervention as well as teach a senior class and continue to lead the Respectful Relationships Education Team. Congratulations to Mrs Horne, I look forward to seeing her step into this role and continuing to grow our students writing skills.
Mrs Rose McGrath, our Yindyamarra Teacher, will start the new term but may only be with us for a week or 2 before she takes Maternity Leave to give birth to the twins that she, Jim and Josh are eagerly waiting to meet. I wish the whole family the best of luck with the upcoming birth and hope it all goes as smoothly as possible. An Expression of Interest for her role is currently live on the Staff Noticeboard and JobFeed.
To ensure a successful construction and implementation of the Boorowa Public Preschool, I have made the decision to take leave from the Principal’s position 2 days a week so I can work exclusively with the preschool team. I found that juggling my role this term with the planning for the preschool and preparation for External Validation very challenging. Therefore, I had to make a decision that would work best for the school, the preschool and for myself to ensure that all areas were prioritised effectively.
For the 2 days I work with the preschool team, the Deputy Principal Ms Trudy Mahoney will relieve as Principal. I have complete trust in Ms Mahoney’s leadership and management of the school and know that she will do an exceptional job in my leave. This leave has been initially arranged for Term 2 and will more than likely extend into Term 3 and 4 to ensure a successful opening of the preschool. To back fill Ms Mahoney, I have emailed out an internal Expression of Interest for 2 days a week as Deputy Principal. I aim to have this finalised before the term break.
Boorowa Central School also welcomes 2 new School Learning and Support Officer’s (SLSO’s) next term to assist us to provide the support that is required for some of our students. Mrs Lisa Grogan and Mrs Lisa Stocks join our team and will work in Infants and Primary. I welcome both Lisa’s to our school and am confident that they will be great assets to the students they work with and the classes they join. Thank you to the many people who applied for these roles. Unfortunately, I could only employ 2.
Athletics Carnival
The annual Athletics Carnival was held on Wednesday and what an enjoyable day it was. I did not have to speak to a single student other than to encourage and congratulate them – which is what the day is all about. My favourite moments were when our Kindies lined up for their 100m sprint so full of excitement that they couldn't stand still and when our older students were pushing new heights in the High Jump.
Congratulations to all of the students who participated and thank you to the staff who organised the event and contributed to the set up and pack up. A special thank you also to the parent volunteers and to Sammi and the P and C for running the canteen for the carnival.
Royal Easter Show
I would like to wish Boorowa Central School’s Show Team the best of luck at the Royal Easter Show next week. I hope our 5 steers can continue to perform well under the careful guidance of Mr McDonald and his team of expert handlers.
A special thank you to the community organisations and members who have made generous donations to the Show Team to help make the experience affordable for our students. Without your support, it would be far more difficult to take part in these events.