PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Term 4 underway!

Welcome back to Term 4. We have decided to re-trial fortnightly newsletters in an attempt to make them less repetitive. 

Last week our students returned ready to resume their learning. There was a lovely buzz around the playground and classrooms as the students appeared to be happy to be back with their friends and classmates. Classrooms were settled and productive as the students became the last term in their current grade.  

Term 4 is an exciting term with many events to look forward to. In particular, the first half of this term has a strong focus on learning. Our third rule for living, "I am a learner", is very important. Not only do we encourage all our students to focus and try their best , but we also encourage that they do not interfere with others focusing

 and doing their best. We ask our families to help our students be at their best for learning by helping them get a good night's sleep and eating a good breakfast. Having healthy food, fresh air, and physical activity at school also helps. 

Towards the end of the term, we celebrate the achievements of the year in a variety of ways. Planning is underway for the annual Infants Christmas Concert, Presentation Days, Year 10 Graduation Dinner and Dance and our Christmas Appeals, along with end-of-year excursions. 

Thank you!

... To our P and F for the fabulous Mega Raffle and Race Day. Saturday was a really great family day, and it was wonderful to see so many families at the Inverell Racecourse for the drawing of the raffle.  Thank you to everyone who supported this event by purchasing one or many tickets. 

Year 7 Bursary

NSW Catholic Schools Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Conference

This week, along with Mr Boney, Miss Higgins and Mrs Guest, I am representing HTS at the NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Education Conference which is being hosted by the Armidale Catholic Schools Office in Tamworth.  

Throughout the three-day event, varied presentations, workshops, and on-country experiences will advance attendees’ professional knowledge and skills through an understanding of Aboriginal culture and how its rich well of resources can advance the educational, cultural, and economic wellbeing of Aboriginal peoples.

Tied together under the theme Spirit on Country—Learning Together Then, Now and Always, the conference highlights include a deep dive into the practical implications of NSW Curriculum Reform’s explicit inclusion of Aboriginal histories and cultures across all syllabuses, a visit to the Myall Creek Massacre site, and keynote presentations from leading Aboriginal voices.

Guest speakers include award-winning author Dr Anita Heiss, Professor of Communications at the University of Queensland and an Ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, Nathan Towney, Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Strategy and Leadership at the University of Newcastle, and Greg Inglis, former NRL star and founder of the Goanna Academy, Australia’s first Indigenous owned and designed mental health education provider. 

I am looking forward to seeing Cooper, Amirri, Sarah and Dainan leading the way at the first event of the conference on Tuesday at Myall Creek.

I can be contacted by email on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and then I am back at school.

Have a good fortnight!