Principal's Report

As we come to the end of another busy and rewarding term at Glen Innes High School, we would like to wish all our students, families and staff a safe, relaxing and wonderful spring holiday break. This term has been filled with opportunities for our students to challenge themselves, celebrate their achievements, build friendships and demonstrate what makes our school community so special. We look forward to welcoming all students back to school on Tuesday 13 October, refreshed and ready for Term 4.

We would like to extend a huge congratulations to Erica Taylor, who achieved an outstanding result at the CHS Athletics Championships, winning gold in the 100m sprint with an incredible time of 12.96 seconds! The 100m sprint is an exceptionally competitive event where every fraction of a second counts. Erica's achievement is a wonderful reflection of her dedication, determination and athletic ability. We are incredibly proud of Erica and congratulate her on this fantastic accomplishment.

We would also like to congratulate Pixie Parks, who will be competing in the New England WorldSkills competition in Hairdressing. Reaching this stage of the competition is a wonderful achievement and provides Pixie with an exciting opportunity to showcase her practical skills, creativity and passion for the industry. It is fantastic to see our students pursuing their interests and embracing opportunities to develop their skills beyond the classroom. We are extremely proud of Pixie and wish her every success in the competition!

This week also marks a significant milestone for our Year 12 students as they complete their final week of school at Glen Innes High School before commencing their Higher School Certificate examinations next term. To our Year 12 students, congratulations on reaching this important moment in your educational journey. Over the years, you have grown, learned, overcome challenges, formed lasting friendships and contributed to the life of our school in so many ways. Each of you has brought something unique to Glen Innes High School, and we hope you leave knowing that you have been an important and valued part of our school community.

As you prepare for your HSC examinations, we encourage you to approach this next chapter with confidence, knowing that your teachers, families and the entire school community are behind you. Remember to look after yourselves, take breaks when needed and be proud of how far you have come. While your HSC examinations are an important milestone, they are just one part of your journey, and there are so many exciting opportunities ahead. Thank you for the memories, the friendships, the leadership and the contributions you have made throughout your time at Glen Innes High School. We are incredibly proud of you and wish you every success in your examinations and all the very best for the exciting adventures that lie ahead. We look forward to hearing about your future achievements and hope you will always remember that you are a valued part of the Glen Innes High School community.

Our Year 10 students enjoyed their annual camp at Lake Keepit this week, participating in a range of exciting activities and making the most of an opportunity to spend time together outside the classroom. School camps provide valuable opportunities for students to build friendships, develop confidence, strengthen teamwork and challenge themselves through new experiences. It was wonderful to see our Year 10 students enjoying this experience together, creating memories and continuing to build positive relationships with their peers. A big thank you to the staff who supported and organised the camp, making this valuable experience possible for our students.

One of the highlights of my week was having the privilege of spending two days with an outstanding group of Year 9 students as they undertook training to become our new Restorative Peer Mentors. Throughout the training, students engaged in thoughtful discussions about the important role they will play in supporting our incoming Year 7 students as they transition to Glen Innes High School in 2027. We explored how positive relationships, empathy, communication and a strong sense of belonging can make a significant difference to a young person's experience when starting high school. Our students demonstrated maturity, enthusiasm and a genuine desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Starting high school is an exciting milestone, but it can also be a time of uncertainty for some students. Our Restorative Peer Mentoring initiative aims to ensure that our newest students feel welcomed, supported, connected and valued from the moment they become part of our school community. By building meaningful relationships between our older students and incoming Year 7 students, we hope to create opportunities for friendship, guidance and connection that will continue throughout their high school journey. I was particularly impressed by the willingness of our Year 9 students to share their ideas, reflect on their own experiences of transitioning to high school and consider how they can use those experiences to support others. We are excited to see this new initiative develop and look forward to watching our Restorative Peer Mentors grow as leaders and positive role models within our school. Their willingness to step forward and support others is a wonderful example of our school values of Respect, Responsibility and Diligence in action.

As Term 3 draws to a close, we would like to thank our students, staff, parents, carers and wider school community for their continued support and contributions throughout the term. We hope the spring holidays provide an opportunity for everyone to rest, recharge, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy a well-deserved break.

Stay safe, enjoy the holidays, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to Glen Innes High School on Tuesday 13 October, ready for a fantastic Term 4!