Principal's Message

Dear Applecross SHS Families

This parent update begins with a celebration.

Last week, Applecross Senior High School was recognised by Tennis West as the Most Outstanding School. As Specialist Tennis Coordinator, Miss Chelsea Church, stated in the Tennis West social media announcement, “This achievement is a credit not only to our program, but also to our students, families, staff and the wider Applecross Tennis Program community.” I share Chelsea’s sentiments and extend my sincere thanks and congratulations to everyone who contributes to the success of our Specialist Tennis Program. This recognition reflects the dedication of our students, the support of our families, the expertise of our staff, and the strong partnerships that underpin our tennis community. As a school, we remain committed to continuous improvement and to providing the very best environment for our student-athletes to thrive both on and off the court. Congratulations to everyone involved in this outstanding achievement. 

More photos of our students, staff and the trophy will be shared soon.

We have also been in the midst of a busy examination and assessment period, with students completing examinations and major assessments while staff are now engaged in the important work of marking, moderation and providing feedback. I would like to acknowledge the effort, commitment and resilience demonstrated by students throughout this time. Examinations and assessment periods provide valuable opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning, but they can also bring increased pressure and stress. At Applecross SHS, student wellbeing remains at the centre of everything we do. We encourage students to maintain healthy routines, including adequate sleep, balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, and time to connect with family and friends.

While striving for personal bests is important, maintaining positive wellbeing is equally critical to helping students perform at their best and navigate challenges with confidence. I encourage families to continue supporting their children through open conversations, realistic study schedules, and recognition of both effort and achievement. Our Student Services team remains available to support any student who may require additional assistance.

This time of year also marks an important stage for many students as they begin considering their future educational pathways. Whether selecting electives for Years 9 and 10 or making pathway decisions for entry into Year 11, students have opportunities to explore their interests, strengths, and aspirations. I encourage families to engage in meaningful conversations about future goals and to carefully consider the range of available courses and pathways. These decisions are important and most effective when students, families, and school staff work together to identify pathways that align with individual interests, capabilities, and ambitions.

I have heard from colleagues that our course counselling meetings have been exceptionally well attended by students and families. This strong engagement reflects the value our community places on education and future planning, and I would like to acknowledge and thank families for their ongoing commitment to this important partnership with the school.

Together, we can support our young people to navigate both the immediate challenges of examinations and assessments and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead in their educational journey.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we work together to provide the very best outcomes for every student.

Warm regards

Karena

 

Karena Shearing, Principal, Applecross SHS