Principal's Report

Term 1 Focus – Know & Grow our Students  

As we move through Term 1, our Know & Grow focus has been central to our approach in ensuring student growth is at the core of our work. Our staff have dedicated significant time to analysing key data points, NAPLAN results, PAT Reading and Maths assessments, and classroom observations, to gain a clear understanding of where each student is starting their learning journey this year. 

By leveraging this data, teachers are making informed decisions about their practice, ensuring they are targeting students at their point of need. Whether through scaffolding learning, consolidating core skills, or extending students into new challenges, this approach allows for meaningful differentiation. 

Our school-wide differentiation language of: Building Confidence, Feeling Good, and Up for a Challenge, guides this work, ensuring every student experiences growth in their learning. This focus will continue throughout 2026 as we work collectively to embed data-informed teaching that supports and challenges all learners. 

Term 1 Key Dates: 

To help everyone plan, here are the key dates for Term 1: 

• Tuesday 24 March – AEU Industrial Stop Work Action 
• Wednesday 25 March – 2027 Year 7 SEALP Information Session  
• Tuesday 31 March – Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews (12:00pm–7:00pm), no classes 

• Thursday 2 April – BHS Fun Run / End of Term 1, students dismissed at 2.30pm 

   

Term 2 Key Dates: 

• Monday 20th April: Day 1 Term 2 
• Thursday 23rd April: BHS Athletics Sports Carnival 
• Tuesday 28th April: Staff Curriculum Day (Student Free Day) 
• Tuesday 12th May: BHS Multicultural Day (Casual Uniform Day) 
• Monday 8th June: Kings Birthday Public Holiday 
• Tuesday 16th June: General Achievement Test (GAT) + Report Writing Day (Student Free) 
• Friday 26th June: End of Term 2 

Tuesday 24th March – AEU Planned Industrial Action 

The Australian Education Union (AEU) has advised that its members will be undertaking a planned industrial Stop Work Action on Tuesday 24th March. 

This action will cause significant disruption to the normal operations of Belmont High School on Tuesday. At this stage, it is likely we will only be able to offer 2 of our Year levels the opportunity to be at scheduled classes. Even with this we will be running a modified program as students would not have their normal teacher in front of them. 

I understand that this may create uncertainty for families, and we are working to gather clear information so that you can plan accordingly. 

I will provide a further update on Sunday afternoon outlining the expected arrangements for the following Tuesday and any actions families may need to take. 

2026 Open Night Session 

A real highlight of Term 1 was our recent Open Night, where we welcomed prospective students and their families into our school community. Close to 150 student leaders gave up their evening to act as ambassadors for Belmont High School, welcoming over 1000 guests, running activities, performing, touring families and sharing their own experiences. Their pride in our school, maturity, and enthusiasm was simply outstanding. I want to offer my thanks and congratulations to every one of them. 

NAPLAN 

Our students did a terrific job throughout this year’s NAPLAN testing, approaching it with the seriousness it deserves. Despite some early technical glitches, the student’s efforts ensure we obtain an accurate snapshot of student performance, providing valuable insights into strengths and areas for growth across literacy and numeracy. 

Later in the year, we will undertake a detailed analysis of the results, using the data to identify successes and inform areas for improvement in our teaching practice. This information will also be shared with our school community, reinforcing our commitment to continuous learning and student growth. 

A big thank you to our staff for their support throughout this process and to our students for their engagement—it’s this collective effort that helps drive improvement across the school. 

Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews 

Our Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews will be held on Tuesday 31 March from 12:00pm – 7:00pm. 

These interviews provide a valuable opportunity for families to connect with teachers, discuss student progress, celebrate achievements, and identify areas for continued growth. We strongly encourage all students to attend alongside their parents/carers, as this supports meaningful conversations and shared understanding around learning. 

Bookings will open on Monday morning via Compass. We encourage families to book early to secure preferred times. 

We look forward to working in partnership with you to support each student in striving for their highest. 

Energy Drinks on School Grounds 

Next week we will be communicating with students about an important change regarding drinks brought onto the Belmont High School site. From this point forward, energy drinks will not be permitted at school. 

This decision has been made following growing concerns around the impact that energy drinks can have on young people. Many of these products contain very high levels of caffeine and sugar, which can contribute to issues such as increased heart rate, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, disrupted sleep patterns and reduced overall wellbeing.  

As a school, our priority is to support healthy habits that allow students to engage fully in their learning. Students are encouraged to bring water or other appropriate drinks that support hydration and wellbeing throughout the day. 

Students will be informed that if energy drinks are brought onto the school site they will be confiscated and disposed of. This approach is not about punishment but rather reinforcing the importance of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all students. 

We appreciate the support of families as we implement this change and encourage conversations at home about making healthy choices.  

Kind regards, 

Joshua Baker 

Principal