From the Principal

The much-anticipated move into the new school buildings is now less that 20 days away and we cannot wait. After years of lobbying, designing, planning, chasing additional funding, capital works meetings, 10 project managers and weather interruptions, it seems the dream is soon to become a reality. 

We will be using the last week of the school term to move 60 years of occupancy into new state of the art classrooms. The science, food, metal and wood redundant rooms will then be demolished likely in the June/July holiday period making room for re allocated spaces. Where Metal and Wood were once housed will be replaced with a purpose-built storage shed to accommodate the larger construction items and further learning spaces for the vocational sector. 

The old Science rooms will be demolished and re allocated as either green space or hard court play areas depending on consultation with School council, students, community members and architects. 

It certainly is an exciting time and comes exactly when we need it following the most interrupted period in educational history since WWII.

PARENT TEACHER STUDENT CONFERENCES

Thank you to all parents and carers who made the commitment to attend conference online. Whilst we acknowledge that face to face meetings are preferred, the number of cases in the community could now allow this to be completed safely. We expect to be able to offer this option moving forward. The Year 7 HUB open afternoon allowed students to walk their parents and family members through this unique learning space in an informal manner to encourage parents to make contact at any time when needed.

We acknowledge that the numbers attending the conferences were down on previous experience and offered a survey which many of you will have completed. Thank you. 

We will collate the data and address the barriers identified. Please take the time to discuss progress reports with your children if you have not already done so.

SETTLING BACK INTO ROUTINE

Most students have settled back almost seamlessly to the school schedule and timetables, but a small number have not. Please raise this issue with your child to see how they are going with sitting for longer periods, needing to be organised and building stamina to read, concentrate and participate. There should no longer be any excuse not to be fully prepared for class having been to the toilet and collected all the necessary materials. If there is anything we can do to help, please make contact.

DUTY OF CARE

Whilst a student is at school, the duty of care rests with the school. It is very disappointing to see a small number of students leaving the school without permission putting themselves at risk and not adhering to the school rules. If you wish you child to leave the school for any reason you must contact the school and preferably produce a note or arrange a permanent lunch pass.

ATHLETICSAND SWIMMING SPORTS

The weather could not have been better for both the Athletics and the Swimming Sports this term. The participation was excellent and we certainly uncovered some potential athletes of the future. Thank you to parents who came along to either or both events to support your children.

CANTEEN

Special thank you to the parents who have jumped in to help as Aidie Stiff recovers from a broken wrist sustained in the line of duty. Whilst Aidie is irreplaceable, Trish Symes, Colleen Lomas, Pat Polack, Cheryl

Miller, Heidi-Lee Freeman, Nikaila Glenn, Christine Peterson, Lee Shipcott, Angela McCreddan, Tammy Crawford and others have stepped in along with staff to help out.

Year 7 HUB and Parent Helpers

If you are a parent of a Year 7 student or you are just keen to help students learn, you are welcome to contact Sam Adams or a staff member in the Hub to offer an ear to work with students to improve their fluency in reading and times tables.

The DET mandates that we share the Privacy Collection Notice with our families, you can download it below.

CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY

Whilst the Clean Up Australia Day created a little more excitement than planned, it was fantastic to have an entire cohort of students cleaning up around the school and town.

Warwick Price

Principal.