Term One is always a very busy time for staff and students. There is a lot going on and new students are making the transition to a new school and for most, boarding. This closed weekend is a good time for students and staff to recharge their batteries after a busy few weeks.

This week the students and staff enjoyed a break with routine at the Harvey Pool at our Annual Swimming Carnival. An afternoon of friendly competition and games was great fun with everyone getting into the spirit of things.

The traditional staff versus students' relay was a close-run event with the students just edging out the staff on a photo finish… not really…. the students thrashed us despite a handicap staggered start. Thanks to all the staff who assisted and Patrick Swallow as the main organiser.

Student Horses

I am very pleased to welcome Mia Parker-Davis to our Farm staff. Mia will work across a number of our enterprises but importantly coordinate our after school horse activities. A meeting was held with students interested in bringing horses to the College to outline the process and expectations. These include biosecurity and health assessments of the horses, riding assessments and horse capability, expectations about safety and tidiness of the facility.

Our first priority will be managing students with their own horses and once settled we will look at opportunities for students to access College horses. This may take the form of a lease arrangement where one student has exclusive use of a College horse. Mia will spend two afternoons a week after school coordinating horse activities and supporting students.

Students may bring horses on site from this weekend but only on the condition that they have submitted all of their paperwork and have their insurance in place before the horse arrives. Please do not bring a horse until these requirements have been completed or the horse will not be able to be on site.

We have no plans to enable Day students to be involved in afterhours horse riding activities as they have opportunity from their home bases.

Weekend Activities

My thanks to the Residential staff for organising and conducting the Busselton Camp last weekend. Students and staff had a great time.

A belated thanks to Partick Swallow who organised and attended (along with Sally Barnden) the Student Leadership Camp last week which by all reports was highly beneficial to assist our Student Councillors improve their teamwork, leadership and organisational skills.

Cancellation of WACoA Carnival

We have had two schools withdraw from the WACoA Carnival which leaves only Harvey and two visiting schools remaining, so we have made the unfortunate decision to cancel this year's event.

This is a real shame as the carnival has been a great success for many years and something staff and students look forward to. We will offer to host the carnival next year and hopefully return to full participation from all Colleges.

Year 10 Board Representative

We are still seeking nominations for a Year 10 parent representative to join the College Board. Please contact me if you are interested or have any questions about the role.

New Parent/Guardian Survey

My thanks to those parents who have provided feedback. At this stage I have 34 responses out of a potential 68 families. I will close the survey on 4th March and analyse the results which will be presented to the College Board and staff.

One of the early observations I read in the survey responses was that some parents are not clear about who to contact for specific issues. We will work on a list of staff and their areas of responsibility and circulate that to our families. In the absence of knowing the right person to speak to Jodee Sayer at the front office is our very capable and knowledgeable first point of contact and will put you in contact with the right person.

Whooping Cough

Yesterday we were informed that one of our students has been diagnosed with whooping cough. According to information on the Health Direct site the recommended exclusion time from school is 5 days after starting antibiotics or 21 days from the beginning of the cough. On this basis the recommendation would be to seek medical advice and intervention as soon as possible if you suspect your child of having whooping cough.

A letter from Public Health is attached for your information and additional information can be found at Whooping cough (pertussis).

FARM

Anthony.Abel@education.wa.edu.au