DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - COMMUNITY & CULTURE

Building a Culture of Recognition: Introducing the Expectations Excellence Award

At our school, we believe that learning communities thrive when positive contributions are noticed, celebrated and valued. While academic achievement is important, so too are the everyday actions that build a respectful, inclusive and supportive culture. For this reason, I am delighted to share that, from 18 September, we will be introducing a new form of student recognition: the Expectations Excellence Award.

This award builds on the commendation system currently used within our House Assemblies and provides an opportunity to acknowledge students who consistently demonstrate our school expectations in both the classroom and the wider school community.

The Expectations Excellence Award will recognise students who regularly model behaviours such as:

• Respect and kindness towards others
• Consistent effort in learning
• Responsibility and organisation
• Positive participation in school life
• Inclusion, cooperation and teamwork
• Perseverance and improvement
• Reliable contributions to their class, House and community

Students will be nominated based on commendations awarded by Homeroom teachers, with selections aligned directly to our School Expectations Matrix. House Leaders will work together to determine recipients, ensuring the award reflects sustained positive contributions rather than isolated achievements.

Award recipients will be recognised at our Formal Assemblies, where they will receive:

• An Expectations Excellence Award Certificate
• A $5 Canteen Voucher
• 10 House Points for their House

Most importantly, they will receive the recognition of their peers and the broader school community.

As Deputy Principal of Community and Culture, I strongly believe that awards play an important role in fostering belonging and connection. Recognition helps reinforce the values we want to see demonstrated every day, sends a clear message about what our community stands for, and encourages students to continue making positive choices. Awards are not simply about rewarding success; they are about celebrating character, effort, growth and contribution. They remind students that being a positive member of a community matters and that their actions can have a meaningful impact on others.

The introduction of this award is just one step in our ongoing work to strengthen student recognition and celebrate the many ways young people contribute to our school community. We are excited to see how the Expectations Excellence Award will encourage students to live our values and contribute positively to the culture of our Houses.

Watch this space! We are already exploring additional opportunities to recognise student contribution, leadership, growth and excellence across our school, with further developments planned for 2027.

Thank you to our staff, students and families for your continued support in helping us build a school culture where positive behaviour, effort and contribution are recognised and celebrated.

Kath Jones

Deputy Principal Community & Culture