From the Principal

We are well underway on term 2, a busy term in which we are consolidating the learning begun in term 1 ready for end of semester assessments and the change to semester 2 programs.

In some changes to staffing, Jonica Robson is on leave for terms 2 and 3 and has been replaced by Alice Day. Rita Kinge, Karina Magnoson, Finn McNamara and Nikki Hutchinson have all begun working in Learning Support.  Jordan Hartwig has joined us as our new Pastoral Care Worker, with Matt Peters farewelled after 7 years at the school.

Our student free day held at the start of this term had a Wellbeing focus, explored through three sessions:

• Interoception, led by Amanda Carter from the department’s Self-Regulation Service and Autism Inclusion Team.  We built our understanding of the internal sense of our body’s physical state, which is a foundational skill for emotional regulation and self-awareness.  We explored practical strategies to help our students build interoceptive awareness, supporting their ability to regulate emotions and behaviours.  These approaches benefit all learners, but especially those who may struggle with traditional regulation strategies, which as working within consistent and predictable classroom routines or using a Take 5 card
• Wellbeing for Learning, in which we split into year level teams and audited the term 2 activities to be undertaken for our Elements of a Lesson, re-writing and updating those activities where appropriate.
• Understanding the needs of gender diverse, sexually diverse and intersex students, presented by Alannah Potter from the department.  We learned about the importance of making our school a safe, inclusive environment for all learners and about practical supports we could implement to make every student feel seen, valued and supported.

17 students and 2 staff travelled to Japan during the April school holidays to immerse themselves in Japanese language and culture.  The group were away for a full fortnight, enjoying the energy of Tokyo, criss-crossing the country by Shinkasen to visit places including Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima, and enjoying well-known tourist activities such as Disneyland, as well as more unusual activities such as a visit to a fishing village on the rural coast of the Sea of Japan.  

Students visited two schools on the trip, including Kandai Hokuyo High School, who will be sending a group of students on a study tour to Aberfoyle Park High School later this year in August.  A big thanks to Alan Peat and Kyoko Mino who travelled with the students throughout the trip, forgoing their usual break between term 1 and term 2.

The year’s performances have begun already, with the SACE Stage 1 and 2 presentation of The Real Alice in Wonderland recently captivating audiences with its fresh and funny take on the familiar children’s story. I’m looking forward to the packed program of shows planned for term 2, including the Dance Showcase, Music Ensemble night and Year 9-10 Drama performance.  

With the Year 12 Formal coming up soon and Year 10 Work Experience occurring later this term, there’s a huge amount on the calendar to add to timetabled lessons and assessment tasks.   I wish everyone a productive and positive term 2, full of hard work and reward for achievement.

Article by Cassie Dickeson | Principal