Principals Report

I am sure that I share with everyone that little thought of staying in bed, just a minute or two longer these mornings, with the doona pulled high around the face. I am always shocked and in awe of our students as they roll into school with their short-sleeved shirts and shorts. They laugh at me when I ask them if they need a loan of a jumper!

It is so, so good to be able to welcome our parents/carers and the community back into the school. After all, this school belongs to the community and it does not seem natural that members of the Guyra community are not able to share and witness the great things that are happening at the school. 

Our recent Secondary and Primary Carnivals were a great success and enjoyed by all who attended, I believe. The citizenship demonstrated by our students within a very competitive environment should be celebrated loudly. 

We also welcomed all of our parents/carers and family members, whose students are engaged with the Big Picture Education program, back into the school. During Term 2 all Big Picture Education students are completing their Learning Plans. Parents/Carers, their children and the Advisory Teacher meet to discuss and plan future learning directions for each child. Family members are an integral part of learning within the Big Picture Education philosophy.

Viv White and Susan Bower from Big Picture Education Australia attended Guyra Central School during Week 4 to work with students, parents and carers, Advisory Teachers, Executive and staff of Guyra Central School. Savannah White, a Year 11 student from Morisset High School, (no relationship to Viv White) also attended Guyra Central School during Week 4. Savannah took the time to meet and speak with Big Picture students, Guyra Central School Staff and the Education Faculty of UNE. Savannah is looking to transition from Big Picture Education to the UNE Environmental Science Faculty.

We have been contacted by the Assets management team to inform us that we will be getting a range of maintenance works completed at the school into the near future. The NSW Department of Education has quarantined $166,000 for repair and replacement of guttering around the school. This is very welcomed. The need was definitely more apparent following our recent rainfall events.

The first of the Rural and Remote Technology roll out has commenced with our new laptops arriving during Week 4. We are hoping that the new Smart Boards will be arriving in the next few weeks. A very prosperous time for our little school with lots of new programs and funding streams opening up for us. 

We have been fortunate to attract a $20,000 grant from the Aboriginal Outcomes and Partnerships Directorate. Guyra Central School has been included into the Aboriginal Learning and Engagement Centre (AL&EC) initiative. We are one of only a few Central Schools who have been included into the program and will be linking with the Directorate personnel this week. Tim Lloyd, Deputy Principal and Eunice Blair, Aboriginal Education Officer, will head up this program at Guyra Central School. We will provide more information when available.

Thank you to Kathryn Godfrey for her wonderful contribution to the school and good luck for the pending arrival of your baby. Welcome back to Mrs Emma Vidler we are pleased to see your smile in the corridors and classrooms. 

Hoping to see many parents at our Primary Assembly on Friday 21st May at 9.15 am.

See you then

Michelle Nicholson

Proud Principal