Principal's Report
It is hard to believe that we have come to the end of a wonderful and eventful first term of the 2024 school year and what a term it has been.
Congratulations to all students for their effort and hard work throughout the term. The recent student progress conferences were very well attended and provided a great opportunity for the students to discuss their progress, and celebrate their achievements with their teachers and parents and to look ahead to areas that may require further attention.
Well done to our student leaders who have embodied our school values and have been outstanding ambassadors throughout the House Swimming and Athletics Carnivals, House Performing Arts Festival, and at the school assemblies.
Well done to all the students who have participated in the sports program which continues to attract a record number of students and teams that represented the school with pride and excellence.
We are very proud of the Year 7 and 9 students who participated in the NAPLAN testing last week. Furthermore, the transition program for our Year 7 students continues throughout the year.
Over the past two weeks the Year 7 students have participated in workshops on friendship, encouraging students to identify the positive traits they look for in a friend and then acknowledge their peers by presenting them with a ribbon that represents that attribute. This activity leads to the Year 7 camp that will be held early in Term 2 and helps us continue the conversation about the importance of our school values of Respect and Citizenship.
There is much excitement and anticipation from the students and Ms Love, Ms Markov and Dr Hartley, who will be participating in the inaugural STEM Tour to Croatia next term where they will be working with scientists and collecting authentic research data.
The lunchtime Clubs Expo conducted in the Gymnasium was teeming with hundreds of very excited students who had to decide on which of the clubs they would participate in. Harmony Day was launched by Finn C who delivered a very moving Welcome to Country and the audience were mesmerised by the amazing student performances.
The Blackburn High School music program is in full swing with an increase in the number of students participating in the ensembles and instrumental music lessons. Students and staff have been entertained during the lunchtime concerts that have been performed by a range of ensembles. Mr Ziino and the music teachers are working diligently to prepare the students for the much anticipated camp to Mount Gambier in May for the Generations in Jazz Festival.
Congratulations to our Robotics Team that participated in the recent National Robotics competition in Sydney where there were both national and international teams represented. Thank you to the parents and Ms Love for providing the students with support and encouragement.
On behalf of the Principal Team, Mr Conte, Ms Gachon, Dr Hartley and Ms Jenner, we wish all students and their families a happy Easter and a safe holiday break. We look forward to seeing all students back for the start of Term 2 on Monday 15 April.
Ms Alexander
Principal