Semester 1 Awards Ceremony

Last Friday we held the Semester One Awards Ceremony to celebrate the outstanding achievements of students form all year levels. Students were acknowledged for high levels of academic achievement and commitment to learning.

Whilst not everyone received an award, in our school we have high expectations of all students to strive to be the best they can be in all aspects of school life and we encourage students to reflect on their own achievements and growth in their learning during semester one. It is important for all students to set goals for themselves, in semester two, to aspire to achieve their own personal best by the end of the year.

The Awards ceremony was a great community event with many parents and family members able to join in the celebration with their children and teachers.

Congratulations to these students on their fantastic efforts during Semester 1.

Attendance – Every minute. Every lesson. Every day.

I would like to remind families about the importance of attending school every day.

Daily attendance is important so students don’t fall behind socially and developmentally.

When young people regularly attend school and complete Year 12 or attain an equivalent qualification they have better health and employment outcomes and generally can access higher incomes across their lives.

I would like to refer you to the “School Information” section of this newsletter for information about absences, late to school and early departures.

Earlier in the year I referenced the following data around student absences. This data provides compelling reasons why young people need to be in schooling.

If you have concerns about your child’s attendance please contact the Sub School Team Leader.

School Review Report

We undertook a School Review in term 1 and 2, which assessed our performance against the goals and targets of the last School Strategic Plan (2015-2018). An independent reviewer was employed by the Department of Education and Training, to conduct the review. With the Review Panel, she conducted focus groups with students, staff and parents, visited and observed teachers and students in classes and engaged with school leaders in an examination of our programs and outcomes.

A comprehensive report was written and presented to the school. The key findings have been delivered to the staff and school council.

I would like to share with the school community the key directions identified in the review:

Student Learning Growth
Positive Climate for Learning
Collaborative and Instructional Practice
Distributive instructional and shared leadership

These key directions have been shaped into three goals for the new Strategic Plan:

Goal 1: To challenge students to achieve learning growth and outcomes in literacy and numeracy

Goal 2: To improve student engagement and connectedness to school peers

Goal 3: To improve student engagement in learning.

The completed Strategic Plan will be available for perusal on our website by the end of this term.

I would like to thank all staff, students and parents who were a part of this process which has contributed to the development of our plan for the future.

Staff Professional Development

School Council has approved an early finish for students on Tuesday 27th August at 2.20pm. Teaching staff will be participating in extended Professional Development throughout the afternoon which is focused on building practice excellence in literacy.

Ms Pauline Barker

Principal

Rotary Youth Drive Awareness