Deputy Matters

Dear Parents/Carers, Students, Staff and Community,

We have great news to share about recent activities in the Special Education Support Unit. Students have continued to achieve some significant milestones with parent /carer encouragement and the ongoing support of staff. I thank you for your kind words and encouragement.

Excellence in the Arts

I would like to thank Ms Cattanach, Ms Pinder, Ms Au, Mr Roberts and Ms Moon for their great work in supporting students’ involvement in the ‘Shining Stars’ Combined schools’ Arts program. I would also like to thank other staff who supported students for the performances. Students have been involved in Dance, Visual Arts and Music making activities and performances and an exhibition. Students also performed at Regional Dance showcases. I would like to thank all the staff involved for their awesome work. They are looking forward to performing at the NSW school Spectacular in November.

Congratulations to Nathan and Rhys for their achievement in being selected for the Nagoya City Art Exchange. This is an Art competition ope to all students in NSW schools. The art works are selected to be displayed in Nagoya Japan. Rt works completed by students in Nagoya are sent to our school to be displayed. I would like to congratulate Karma and Blade for their great Artwork this term which will be displayed At the Casula Powerhouse for the ----- exhibition. Well done to you all. I would like to thank Ms Devi and Ms B for their organisation of submission of works. We look forward to our Art Exhibition at school later this term. We will send out the details to parents and carers.

Farewell Year 12

I would like to thank all of the parents/carers of student in year 12 and to congratulate all of our Year 12 students for completing their studies at James Busby High School. We have a wonderful dinner for students and it was wonderful to see so many staff and students there. I have included below a copy of my speech from the year 12 Graduation Ceremony.

Year 12 Speech

“Special Guests, Community members, Parents and Carers, school staff and Year 12 -

I would like to thank you all for your interest and support for Year 12 students who are in Special Education Support classes this year. My name is Mrs Mafi and I coordinate supports for students in Special Education Support Classes

I would like to recognise and thank the following staff for their amazing work - Ms Devi and Ms Mohammad for leading a large combined faulty of 28 staff members, Ms Au for her hard work and dedication as year adviser and teacher, Mr Suljevic for all his work supporting students to transition, Ms Sammuels and Ms Vasquez, Mr Roberts and Ms Almafi and all of our teaching and support staff who support Year 12

I would like to congratulate the following 12 students for their great achievement in completing Year 12. Naramsin, Zachary, James, Patrick, Matangi, Ajeet, Tim, Keola, Matthew, Jesse, Angelica and Paula

I have a few words that I would like to share with you all. 

I would like to thank all the parents/carers who have expressed their thanks to staff and myself throughout the years. Our staff of up to twenty-eight teacher supports students in one of the largest support units in the state.

To Year 12 students: I have found that all will have challenges that we come across as we move through life. Issues will come up. And not all issues can be solved quickly. Things happen. I have also found that sometimes when moving in the right direction sometimes there can be opposition perhaps this is like Newtons’ Law of Motion – “For every action there can be an equal and opposite reaction”. I encourage you all to keep moving in the right direction – guided by your parents and carers. 

I have found that accepting these “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune”, remaining positive, actively thinking positively and surrounding myself with positive people and visuals makes all the difference and builds resilience.  We have a Positive Behaviour for Learning approach at our school. I highly recommend this approach for beyond school. 

I hope you continue to be positive as you leave school, where staff have worked hard to guide you in your learning and in supporting your wellbeing.  Thank you staff for your work. For me - doing my best, not making assumptions and working on being impeccable with my words works well.

I wish you all the best for your futures, that you keep moving forward being your best selves.”

Thank you to a Great Staff Team

I would like to thank all the members of the Special Education support staff for their work and for the strong leadership of Ms Devi and Ms Mohommad. 

We look forward to welcoming new Year 7 students, starting in 2024, to our school. 

Regards and thanks

Mrs Veronica Mafi 

Deputy Principal Inclusion and Support