Acting Principal Report

The end of term is fast approaching, allowing students and staff an important break from the routines of school life and an opportunity to spend time with family and friends. The last couple of weeks have been busy ones, not just with end of term assessments but the co-curricular program has been in full swing.

Our Year 8 students enjoyed their time at the Summit Camp, being challenged by the many outdoor activities. Congratulations to the Junior Girls’ Football Team for their outstanding efforts, finishing second in the State. I look forward to following their progress in the years to come. 

On the back of a very successful Production, many of our music students performed again at our recent Music Showcase. This was an outstanding evening, with fine performances from students across all year levels. It is always a poignant moment when we realise that our graduating students in Year 12 are on stage for the last time. Congratulations to all students who performed on the evening and special thanks to our classroom and instrumental music teachers who work so hard with our students to ensure they are ‘performance ready’.

Many parents attended last week’s online Parent Teacher Student Conferences. Teachers always value the opportunity to connect with parents and carers. Thank you for your attendance at the conferences and your support of the teaching and learning program.

RUOK Day has become an annual feature on the Norwood calendar. This year seemed bigger and better than ever before. Promoting and prioritising mental health and wellbeing is everyone’s concern. It is important that we all work together, keeping each other informed, in order to best support our young people. It was a day full of activities, including face painting, food vans, a visiting animal farm, mini golf, music, competitions and representation by a range of mental health organisations, such as EACH and Headspace. 

If, at any time, you are concerned about your child’s wellbeing, please reach out to the appropriate Year Level Team. We are always hear to listen, help and respond. 

This week, we enjoyed two Year 10 Presentation Balls, celebrating the achievements and hearing about the goals and aspirations of our students. Their dancing was of a high standard, after many weeks of practice and dedication. Congratulations to all students involved. It is always lovely to see students invite their ‘special person’ onto the dancefloor and hear their words of thanks to their families for their ongoing support. Huge thanks to our Year 10 families for your support of this special occasion. Special thanks to Annie  Hearne and Jessica Bishop for facilitating this event.

Our Vocational Major students are finishing classes this term. They have been an impressive group of students who have contributed to meaningful charitable causes in their final year of schooling. We are very appreciative of the work they have done and how they have represented the College with these initiatives (FareShare and Hope in a Suitcase). Be proud of all that you have achieved. We look forward to hearing of your future endeavours.

The remainder of our Year 12 students will complete their assessments by the end of this term. When their examination period is over, they will have an extended holiday period to look forward to. We trust, that they will use this school break to have a mini-break where they revise their notes and prepare for the forthcoming examination period.

Although this newsletter is being published a week before the end of term, I would still like to take this opportunity to wish all students and families a restful break.