Deputy Principal

Year 8 and 11

Well done to Year 8 and Year 11 who have completed their first term with outstanding commitment. Respectively, I want to congratulate both my year groups on an excellent start to the year. This is of course due to the high standards we as a school have set and the boys have maintained. They have turned up in their full school uniform every day which is constantly highlighted by their Year Advisers in their assemblies. They participated and supported all the school events and including assemblies, carnivals, grade sport and of course academics. There has been a significant reduction in misbehaviour and negative incidents across both year groups. Boys have been engaged in their schoolwork and respectful in their relationships with staff.

As much as we look forward to time spent in the playground with mates, competitively competing at handball, volleyball, football and touch, we often forget about our sense of responsibility; to treat others with dignity and respect. We assume that no one is watching, but it is a moral code and ethical standard that we must adhere to in the sense of unspoken rules related to everything we do. Whether it be a ‘rolls’ in handball or an invisible ‘off-side’ line in touch or football, it is important that we instil in our boys a sense of respect for all people and things.

Year 8 have the opportunity to relax and recuperate. They will need to consider what they could have done better as we prepare for Term 2.“Was I organised? Did I pack my bag the night before? Did I use my diary? Did I prepare for Assessments or just do HW? This being the foundation for change moving to Term 2.

I will continue to remind boys and parents to allow them to go on an adventure. Escape the virtual world relating to screens, games and social media and make time to go on an adventure. They need to contact a friend or two. Plan an adventure and go on a bus, train and/or ferry. They need to budget for the day’s activity and produce a story with supporting images for their free lunch in Term 2. Budgeting of course will require some chores to be completed at home for pocket money, which I am sure will be spent on food. Last year, I had 3 submissions which equated to 12 free meals. I look forward to reading some stories next term.

Year 11 have just completed your first round of preliminary assessments. Parent Teacher night was good and well attended, thank you. Term one is done, and the year is racing away with only 2 terms remaining for their preliminary courses. Some boys have made a good effort and have been rewarded with great results. Others are still trying to figure out whether they are doing the right courses or levels within a course. Just to clarify course changes and dropping a subject:

Students must stay in their courses for the remainder of year 11 to ensure they have reached the mandatory hours to qualify for their HSC course.
Students can move between levels of a subject (ie, English and Mathematics) at any time, but it is preferred that it is done earlier rather than later as the course content differs significantly.
If your son/ward has not done well in his first task, which is potentially the easiest task with the least amount of topics assessed, then we strongly suggest that they move between levels to ensure they have a good content foundation for Year 12.

Our boys are exposed to unlimited amounts of information on anything they are curious about, information age appropriate and inappropriate alike. Is it addictive? Technology constantly feeds reward and satisfaction. The internet and technology are powerful tools but require balance and control to realise the life you lead online and the one you live. So yes, I think that technology is addictive, and it is important to establish rules to regulate online activity and create a balance between what is online and what is reality. Please ensure that if your son/ward is not the required age for a particular social-media platform, then you as the parent should remove them from that platform.

Tough parenting when it comes to technology is important to assist in the development of these boys into respectable and engaged young men.

Building and Infrastructure:

Our three ‘new’ demountables are now fully operational.
K- block and demountable posters are completed which has definitely brightened up the areas.
Hall works in preparation for the musical will continue through the holidays.

Thank you to all staff, my Year Advisers and wellbeing team as they head into a well-deserved holiday break.

BTM Award Recipients

Seddique Martin

Deputy Principal Year 8 and 11