Principals Report

Wow – what an amazing week we’ve had!

Last week our school was alive with colour, culture, celebration, and community spirit as we marked NAIDOC Week and Education Week. These two important events gave us the chance to recognise and celebrate the incredible talents, contributions, and achievements of our students, staff, and community members.

We kicked off the week with a range of fun activities, each designed to bring our school community together. NAIDOC Week was a time to honour and acknowledge the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our celebrations reflected this year’s theme and encouraged students to learn, connect, and celebrate. Education Week added another layer of joy, highlighting the value of public education and the many ways our school helps every student feel proud to belong.

A major highlight was the presentation of our Deadly Awards and Education Week Awards, where we recognised outstanding efforts and achievements:

· Outstanding Student Achievement: Kayden Elliot

· Outstanding Contribution to the School by a Staff Member: Barbara Baker, Carly Doust, Lucretia Grant, Naomi Muggleton, Katie Rossington, Jennifer Wiseman

· Outstanding Contribution to the School by a Member of the Community: Leanne Eastwood

These deserving award recipients were nominated by staff as shining examples of the values of Public Education – dedication, respect, inclusion, and excellence.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to Suzie Woods and Adele Chapman-Burgess for their tireless organisation of the week’s events. Their planning, creativity, and hard work ensured every activity was a success. Thank you also to the many staff who stepped in to help make the celebrations so memorable – your contributions, big and small, are what make our school community so strong.

Our week was made even more special by visits from our partner primary schools. These visits are a wonderful opportunity to build connections with future students and strengthen our relationships with the schools in our community. The primary school students joined in a range of activities and could be heard laughing, chatting, and squealing with excitement throughout the day. It was a reminder of the joy that comes from shared learning experiences and the importance of building strong, supportive connections from an early age.

Attendance Reminder – Everyday Counts As we celebrate the many things that make our school great, we also want to remind families that regular attendance is essential for student success. School is compulsory, and students are required to attend every day unless they are unwell or have a justified reason for being absent. Our goal is for all students to maintain at least 85% attendance – this means missing no more than a small number of days each term. Even one or two days away a fortnight can add up to weeks of lost learning across the year.

In the coming weeks, some families will receive letters regarding their child’s attendance. If you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us – we are always willing to work alongside families to find solutions and ensure every student has the best chance to succeed.

Last week reminded us of how lucky we are to be part of such a vibrant, supportive, and united school community. We can’t wait to see what the rest of the term brings!

Mrs Natalie Hill

Relieving Principal