From the Principal

Welcome to the first newsletter for term 2. With the new term there are some staffing changes. 

We have welcomed:

• Therese Molloy teaching English and HASS
• Mia Dyer-Bruno in learning support
• Peggy Harvey supporting in food and hospitality

We farewelled Phoebe Cole on 16 May. We wish her all the best in the safe delivery of her second child. Loren Panno will more into Phoebe's roll until the end of term 1, 2026.

A number of school improvements have occurred. They include:

• Installation of acoustic tiles in the atrium and front office areas
• CCTV camera with a view to the bike rack
• Projectors and screens in the visual arts area
• Lighting and exhaust fans in the single use toilets

Later this term, we will be installing three water bottle fountains, with a refrigerated one near the canteen, one at the change room building and the other replacing a water trough near the health teaching area.

Our second student free day occurred on 28 April. We worked with Dr. Tom Brunzell the Director of Education at Berry Street. Our staff explored the connection between learning and expectations particularly the need to have routines. In the afternoon, our wellbeing leaders ran sessions on responses to students who are off task in class and had time to develop some classroom activities base on their learning throughout the day.

The start of term 2 signals a number of significant events for students:

• Our year 12 students had their formal at the National Wine Centre on 10 May. Their behaviour was exemplary, and they should be proud of themselves as we are.
• Year 11 and 12 dance performance on 8 May 'The Dream' by Kirsty Doherty. The performance went for 1.5 hours and was very demanding on the actors and the support crew. Kristen, the playwright, was in the audience to witness our students. 
• On 27 May there will be the year 7 specialist music performance night in which music students will perform. Some for the first time.
• On 29 May the Dance Showcase will occur in which our students will work with their peers to stage dance items that have required significant practice and rehearsal.
• On 5 June, there will be a vegetation planting of native flora along the waterway adjacent and inside the school.  The planting is designed to create a wetland corridor on the school grounds. This is a grassroots project which is part of our Environment Learning Community project. The 5 June is also World Environment Day.

In addition to these significant events, there are the numerous curriculum related excursions that occur in different subjects. Our year 10 students are focusing on work towards their work experience and Stage 1 students for their semester 1 examination. Both of these learning opportunities occur later in the term. 

It is never too late to make exclusions to improve academic achievement. Year 10 to 12 students have the opportunity to get additional support through the senior learning centre. Students can get assistance with their work three afternoons a week; Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 3.30pm until 4.30pm on the senior floor. Teachers volunteer in offering this support and students can get assistance in any of their subjects. 

For middle school students working effectively with their teachers requires them to:

• Focus on their work
• Come prepared to participate in their lessons
• Attempt all tasks
• Seek help if they do not understand or are 'stuck' - ask questions of their teachers and peers.
• Submit their work by the due date

If you are concerned about progress of your child, communicate with their teachers. Our teachers want all of our students to make progress in their learning and understand that students have different needs and starting points. Part of our work this year has been focused on how we can make accommodations for the needs of students including changes to how students provide evidence of their learning. Incorporations of different practices to support a range of student's needs and modifications to assessment tasks.