Parent Update

Principal's Message

Dear parents and carers

 

As we approach the final week of Term 2, staff and students are busy finalising assessments and other end-of-term work. We have commenced the Year 10 to 11 course counselling process with large numbers of parents visiting the school for interviews this week.

Term 3 Day 1 for Students

A reminder that the next designated School Development Day for 2025 will occur on the first day of Term 3 (Monday 21st July), meaning that students recommence school in Term 3 on Tuesday 22nd July. 

Semester 1 Reports

As we approach the end of the first semester, parents can expect to receive their child’s Semester 1 reports within the next week.

 

Semester 1 Report Emailing Schedule (Please update these dates)

  • Year 10 – Parents should have received reports on Tuesday 24 June 
  • Years 11 and 12 - Parents should have received reports on Friday 20 June 
  • Years 7, 8 and 9 - Friday 4 July. 

Leadership Movements Term 3

I will be taking Long Service Leave (LSL) during Term 3, which fits in reasonably well in terms of staffing availability and other school needs. Angie Thomas (Vice Principal) will serve as the Acting Principal. Toni Jones (Associate Principal) will be the Acting Vice Principal (in Angie’s role). Rebekah Smith will serve as Associate Principal, and Donna Collins will replace Rebekah as Maths HoLA.

 

Paul Currie (Associate Principal) will commence 12 months Deferred Salary leave from the beginning of Term 3. He will be replaced by Dr Lainie Gara, who previously worked in the Department (Teaching Quality and Innovation). 

 

School Leadership Team Term 3

Our Executive/Leadership Team for Term 3 is as follows:

  • A/Principal – Angie Thomas
  • A/Vice Principal – Toni Jones
  • MCS – Jenna Jarvis
  • Associate Principal – Rex Lilleyman
  • A/Associate Principal – Lainie Gara
  • A/Associate Principal – Rebekah Smith
  • A/Maths HoLA – Ms Donna Collins

WA Student Assistance Payment (WASAP) program

Claims for the WA Student Assistance Payment (WASAP) program close on Friday 4 July. 

 

Parents are entitled to $250 for each secondary student, and $150 for each primary school or Kindergarten student. Parents who require assistance or who cannot meet the standard claim requirements, such as providing 100 points of ID, caring for more than 10 students, or being unable to complete the process independently, can request access to the school exception claim process.

Traffic Safety on Local Roads

We have received several calls from parents and members of the public regarding concerns over the safety of local roads, particularly for school students in the mornings and afternoons. Unfortunately, the situation is not helped by the frequent absence of traffic wardens on Riseley Street. 

 

Kim Giddens MLA has advocated strongly for enhanced student safety measures in the local area, with several initiatives now in place. The warden crossings on Riseley Street are now subject to a new 40 km/h School Zone program, which includes new electronic LED signage and 40 km/h school zone signage.  Kim will talk to the Minister and Main Roads for advice on any other measures (such as signalised crossings) that can be taken to improve pedestrian safety. Reducing Riseley Street to 40 km/h at the crossings should have a meaningful impact on further improving student safety at these crossings. 

Email Communication Protocols

One of the issues that has increased staff workload and stress in recent years is the sheer volume of emails from both students and parents. While most staff members are happy to communicate via email, there has been some concern regarding expectations about when staff are expected to read and respond to emails. Another issue is that a small number of parents send multiple emails within a short period of time. 

 

Staff have been advised not to respond to work emails during the school holidays, the evenings, or on weekends. If you have an urgent issue, you are welcome to contact the school by phone. I appreciate your patience and understanding with this issue.

Parents as Partners

Parents are encouraged to stay connected with school events and activities through communications such as the Parent Update or via social media. A significant number of parents are accessing the school website, and an even larger number are accessing our Facebook and Instagram links. 

 

Stay connected to school news, current events, and activities via the school website and social pages:

 

Website: http://applecross.wa.edu.au/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ApplecrossSeniorHighSchool/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/applecross_shs/

School Tours: A Positive Experience for Prospective Parents

This term, we have welcomed a large number of prospective parents to tour our facilities during a series of weekly tours. They had the opportunity to explore our campus and engage in a morning tea question-and-answer session with key Student Services staff. The feedback has been very positive. Parents have praised the well-behaved students, the efficiently run classrooms, and the engaging lessons. Additionally, they were impressed by the excellent facilities and calm learning environment. Parents can register for school tours via our webpage.

 

Paul Leech, Principal