Principals Update

Last week Gisborne Secondary College received formal recognition of its efforts in implementing the School-Wide Positive Behaviour System (SWPBS) by being presented by the Region with the ‘Blue award’ which is the first of four tiers recognising the implementation of the SWPBS framework over the previous twelve months.  This accreditation is a key milestone in our SWPBS journey and I would like to thank all families, students and staff for jointly engaging with this initiative.  This presentation occurred at our whole-school assembly with parents and school council members in the audience.  The assembly had a great atmosphere with individual student awards also being made at each year level for receipt of the highest student merit points so far this year. 

With a strong focus on Respect and it also being National Reconciliation Week, it was timely that the assembly was also the opportunity to unveil our First Nations polo.  A concept driven by our student leaders and with the support of School Council, the polo is a formal option within the everyday/general uniform available to all students, not just those that identify as First Nations people.

Our Student Representative Council did a wonderful job in organising our participation in Australia's Biggest Morning Tea on the 23rd of May and it was wonderful to see our school community come together with donated baked goods for purchase which raised over $500 for the Cancel Council. 

On the 22nd of May, our Year 7 cohort experience Ancient Day, with external providers coming to the school in traditional costume and running interesting and informative sessions throughout the day for students to participate in.  It certainly looked like students, and staff, were having a great time getting an insight into what life was like during ancient times.  Read more about it and see pictures from the day further in this edition.

Looking ahead to the remainder of the term, our Year 10 and 11 students will sit their semester exams with Yr 11s commencing today, Friday 7th June and Year 10s on Monday 17th June.  We will have a pupil free day on Tuesday 18th June for GAT Day, except those students sitting the General Achievement Test (Year 12s and those Year 11s undertaking a Unit 3&4 subject).  Full semester reports will be published and available to families on Monday 24th June.

Our final week of term 2 will see our Year 10 students undertaking work experience placement in all sorts of vocations and locations and we will welcome grade 5 students from our local primary schools who will visit throughout the week spending a day getting an insight into secondary school and experiencing a variety of the subjects on offer at GSC.

Finally, don’t forget this coming Monday, 10th June is a public holiday.  I hope you all enjoy a lovely long weekend.

Kind Regards,

Sarah Rose

College Principal