Welcome everybody to today’s very special Presentation Day. I'd particularly like to welcome family and friends and our special guests who have been able to come at this incredibly busy time of year. Firstly, thanks to our sponsors for today – we would not be able to reward our students properly without your support.
I’d also like to thank the ongoing support of our dedicated P & C. This year they have generously donated high jump mats, made a generous donation to support the cost of excursions throughout the year and also significantly helped with the Yr 12 formal. I would also like to acknowledge the service clubs of Tenterfield - Lions and Rotary. Lions again helped significantly with the fundraising of the Yr 12 formal and then did the catering on the night. Rotary again supported the Safe Driver Education Program for our senior students and also sponsored the Bavarian Band performance.
It's always with a little bit of trepidation that I get up to deliver my speech. I well remember being at school myself and making bets as to how long the principal’s speech would go for and I’m also fearful that I might quite accurately be getting the reputation of that “Principal who just goes on about how great the school is”. So I want to say from the outset that my speech probably will be the longest one here today – and I also want to prepare you that I will be unashamedly bragging about the many achievements of 2023. Even having prefaced all of that – it still won’t be possible to acknowledge all the successes and I want to apologise in advance for falling short. Because all our staff have gone above and beyond in their efforts and commitment, I have also deliberately not singled any one out individually – time simply does not allow me to adequately acknowledge everyone.
Teaching and Learning
I would like to start with our achievements in teaching and learning - which is at the core of what we do.
- In Literacy and Numeracy – the statewide check-in results for 8 and 9 show significant improvements in reading and numeracy. Our reading results for the second year in a row are significantly higher than statistically like schools and are a testament to the whole school reading program the English department has initiated as well as the Macqlit reading program which is run by our Support Faculty.
- Science – The Yr 8 statewide science test – Valid - shows that for the 4th year in a row our science results are again significantly above like schools.
- HSC results – we were above state average in Agriculture, CAFs, Visual Arts and Primary Industries. We also had some excellent results in Standard 2 Mathematics – where we were above statistically like schools.
- We have expanded on our extension program for our high potential and gifted students and at the same time are offering more support than we ever have for those students who require it. I am pleased to announce that in 2024 we will have an additional MC support class.
- While it is very impressive to talk about our results and data, it can’t compare with the everyday teaching and learning experiences that our dedicated teachers provide, and our students enjoy. Hopefully you have seen some of the learning experiences that have been shared on Facebook and our newsletter; the practical experiences in TAS – the pride students show in the projects or cooking they have made, the hands-on science experiments, the musical, visual art and agricultural experiences as well as the successful integration of technology into mathematics, are to me just as impressive as our statistics and results.
Careers and Pathways
It is hard to separate teaching and learning with careers and pathways – as ultimately our end goal is supporting students to achieve post school success in whatever way is best for them. This year we have continued to excel in this area:
- Over 50% of our HSC students last year gained university entry and over 40% of our students gained full-time employment – including apprenticeships.
- We have led the way in our support for school-based apprenticeships in the region and have been recognised as delivering best practice and asked to share what we are doing with other schools in the New England Region.
- In addition to this we have organised UNE open day for students, a presentation from the Defence Force, a university roadshow and coordinated the successful TAFE Yes program.
- Year 11 students were given the opportunity to complete their first aid certificate through the Educational Pathways Program and they also had the opportunity to attend the Youth drivers Expo in Tamworth and the Safe Driving Training at Carnell Raceway.
Student Wellbeing
If students are going to achieve success at school and reach their potential, then schools must also support their wellbeing needs. The advantage of attending a small rural school is that we know our students, are deeply invested in our students and can provide individualised support to them.
Just a snapshot of how we support our students here at THS.
- Our positive wellbeing system has this year seen more students than ever before achieve different levels of bronze, silver and awarded later in today’s ceremony, gold and platinum. These awards recognise students who are achieving their personal best or making an improvement - which in my mind is more important than being the best.
- Some of the Wellbeing Programs we have engaged with this year are Love Bites – Respectful Relationships Program, RUOK Day, NRL Mental Health Awareness and thanks to the Live, Inspire, Lead funding, the incredible SAM BLOOM was a guest speaker.
Community Involvement
More and more research is showing the importance of giving back and volunteering as one of the most important ways of building resilience and building positive mental health. Again, another positive about a small, rural school is that our students have ample opportunity do this. Just a few examples of this:
- As part of their community engagement program, MC Room 8 students took part in a variety of activities during senior week, have been volunteering at the Railway museum and have also been active with their environmentally friendly fundraising activities – “Who Gives a Crap” and recycling campaign. MC Rm 11 is also building a sensory garden for the whole school to enjoy.
- THS students regularly volunteer their time to be referees and support local primary school carnivals, take part in the RFS program and have continued their relationship with the residents of Haddington and Millrace with weekly student visits as well as a morning tea at the Ag farm.
- Finally, after the devastating bush fires the initiative of baking goods and donating to the evacuation centre, the thank you posters and the support given to Jennings Public School, were small ways that our school was able to give back to the community and show support at such a difficult time.
Extra Curriculum and Cultural Activities
We know that one of the most memorable aspects of school for so many is the opportunity to take part in extra curriculum and cultural activities. At a time when so many schools are finding it difficult to support these, because of the teacher shortage, THS has actually increased what we can offer. I want to thank the staff who give up their own time and/or support their colleagues in ensuring that we can provide these invaluable experiences to our students.
- Our Agricultural Team has participated in Northern Schools Lamb Competition, Northern School Prime Pig Competition and the Northern Schools Steers competition where we won some very impressive results – too many for me to list now. 24 students had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Ekka with 12 cattle and again we punched well above our weight in what we achieved. Finally, over 20 students represented Tenterfield High School to show the Angus Stud Team and pens of Prime Lambs at the Tenterfield Show. I would like to thank agents from Ray White and Harold Curry who support our Ag farm so much.
- THS students also entered several works in the Junior Art section at the Tenterfield Show this year where 8 of our students achieved major awards, including junior art champion of the show.
- THS hosted the Cuskelly Winter School Music Program again this year during the July holidays and 8 of our students were lucky enough to be sponsored to be part of this.
- Some of the cultural activities that have been offered to our students include our wonderful activities organised as part of Naidoc week in Term 3, Reconciliation week in Term 2 and of course our Deadly Awards which recognise the achievements of Indigenous students across our local community.
I am nearly at the end but would like to conclude on a lovely, good news story. You may have noticed yesterday’s local paper there was an article about the generosity of former student and headmaster’s daughter Pat Williams – formerly Kelsey. Pat’s incredibly generous donation to our school has enabled us to significantly subsidise a biannual Yr 11 and 12 excursion to Canberra for the next 10 years. Plans have already started for next year’s excursion. If you haven’t already, please take the time to read the letter included in the program that Pat’s sister sent us - which highlights Pats passion for public education.
On that note I would like to thank everyone again for coming and for your support of Tenterfield High School. Have a safe and peaceful holiday and we look forward to seeing all our students for another fantastic year of learning and opportunities in 2024.
