Principal's Address

Annual Presentation night

It is the time of year where we recognise and celebrate the achievements of the students at Boorowa Central School. This celebration is known as the Annual Presentation night and is traditionally held on the 2nd last Thursday of the year. This year, the Annual Presentation night is on Thursday 7 December, 5.45pm for a 6pm start.  This evening’s purpose is to recognise those students who have strived for excellence throughout the year in one, some or all subjects. Students may also receive awards if they have excelled in a specific area or represented the school in sporting or cultural events.

Traditionally in secondary, as many as 80% of the students have received an award. Whilst this is a great opportunity for all students to be recognised, I felt it was sending the wrong message to the students. The schools vision statement includes ‘individual excellence’ and the PBL values we teach at Boorowa Central School are ‘excellence through respect, responsibility and participation’. Therefore, for these aims to be achieved, striving for excellence is to be recognised and awarded, not ‘everyone gets an award’.

Therefore, this year, there is a reduction in the number of academic awards and special awards being awarded. When reviewing the ‘special awards’ I analysed the criteria for each award and strengthened the expectation that a student must ‘excel’ in this area. Again, this aligns with our vision statement and PBL values. If no student has excelled in this area for the year, the award will not be awarded. I also looked at combining awards with similar criteria and culling awards that do not match the school vision or the strategic directions of the school at this time. I have also looked at renaming some awards to reflect current circumstances.

The order of presentation for the awards has also been adjusted for this years presentation night. For the academic awards in both primary and secondary, the highest performing student in each class/year group will be read last, allowing for the greatest recognition from the audience. The order of the special awards has also been adjusted. The awards will be announced in ascending order of prestige, culminating in the awards that reflect the highest level of achievement and/or prize.

If your child is receiving an award, a letter will arrive in the mail either today or Monday.

Additionally, the school will be hosting a BBQ for attending families from 5pm so that all attendees have full bellies and can concentrate during the proceedings. We will also be opening our newly refurbished Library before the Annual Presentation night so that students and their parents can have a sneak peek at the newly designed space whilst eating their sausage sandwich.

Yearly School Reports

Each semester, student reports are written by your child’s teacher’s. These reports include information regarding their:

- Attendance

- Participation in whole school activities

- Social development

- Commitment to learning

- Performance as indicated against outcomes with achievement grades in key learning areas.

I personally read every student report to ensure I know exactly how each student is progressing at Boorowa Central School. I also read the reports to look for opportunities to recognise effort, attitude and behaviour shown by students in class. In Primary, when I read a report that includes 4’s and 5’s for Course Application in the entire report I send a special Principal’s certificate home with the report. In Secondary, if a student demonstrates high levels of effort and application in most subject areas, I will send a Principal letter home with the reports.

I choose to send this communication because I feel it is important to recognise the effort a student applies to their learning as this has the potential to transfer into greater academic growth.

When you read your child’s report at the end of the term, please do so with your child. Share and celebrate your child’s successes and discuss the teacher identified areas for development so that they know that the school and families work in partnership for their educational outcomes.