PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

High Expectations – Attendance

It is the inherent purpose of all schools to provide safe, supportive and engaging learning environments for all students. These are environments in which students are nurtured to succeed, thrive and belong. School attendance is inextricably linked to positive learning outcomes, an overall sense of wellbeing and a feeling of connectedness.

Surf Coast SC is committed to proactively supporting regular attendance at school through an intensive monitoring system, the maintenance of open and reflective communication with parents and carers and the structuring of positive learning experiences for all students.

As research reflects, there is a strong correlation between student learning, attendance and future success. In this way, attendance at school is a key component of student wellbeing and a central component of our delivery of a quality education.

While missed days here and there don’t seem like they would have that much of an impact, the graphic below from the Department of Education shows what these absences look like in a larger context.

During Term 1, it is important that we are establishing good routines and expectations for our young people around attending school daily.

For Term 1 2022 we have 60% of students attending 90% or more of the time – a number that indicates that we require a collaborative approach if we are to improve as a school community.

It is our aim at Surf Coast SC is to promote the importance of attendance through collaboration. Our school aims to:

• Work in partnership with parents, carers and the wider community to implement strategies to support student attendance, including the maintenance of open and responsive lines of communication
• Promote attendance, not only as a Departmental requirement, but as inextricably linked to student wellbeing, engagement and positive learning outcomes
• Proactively identify, support and engage students whose attendance is of concern and impact positive improvement through awareness, communication and monitoring
• Encourage students to actively participate in classroom learning and activities beyond the classroom as key indicators of high rates of attendance
• Uphold high expectations for attendance through the promotion of student self-esteem, sense of belonging, independent learning, self-efficacy and motivation through engagement in school

We seek to enact this positive change in attendance in partnership with you, our SCSC parents & carers. As a school, we have always prided ourselves on deep and supportive connections we share with our parents, carers and local community – this partnership is what makes our students successful. It is our shared goal to provide a safe, supportive and nurturing environment for our students and to make school a place in which young people not only learn about content within subject areas but also how to be responsible, respectful and engaged citizens of the world.

We encourage you to continue to assist us in supporting your child at school by engaging them in a discussion about attendance and its importance for their lifelong learning.

Changes to COVID safe measures

Thank you to the school community for your continued support in ensuring that we remain operational and a safe place to learn and work as we continue to navigate the health and safety protocols in place due to the pandemic.

Face masks are no longer mandatory in secondary school settings as of 11:59pm on February 25th 2022. Students are welcome to continue to wear a face mask, as are staff, if they want to as a personal protective measure.

Vaccination requirements for visitors to the College are still in place, meaning that parents do need to provide proof of double dose vaccination to visit the school for any period of time longer than a momentary period that does not involve sustained contact with staff or students that are not their own child. The only exceptions to this are:

* when attending to administer medical treatment to their own child when the treatment cannot be administered by the school

* when attending to collect their child who is unwell and cannot leave the school building unaccompanied by their parent/carer

The College's Production of The Addams Family

We finally did it! Congratulations to all students and staff who were part of the production of The Addams Family that was presented to the community from Wurdi Baierr stadium last week. We attempted to have this production in 2021 on two different occasions that were negatively impacted by the lock downs and restrictions of the pandemic. We were thrilled to have persisted with things and have successfully put on a great show last week.

A HUGE thank you to Charlotte Gorman and Maya Supple who were Year 12 students in 2021. These superstars returned to be part of the performance for the nights. Maya and Charlotte directed the performances and did everything from choreography to organising make up etc. These two students were also astounding role models to our younger students. We are forever grateful for you returning to be part of this special event and we hope that you have lasting wonderful memories to take with you.

A HUGE thank you to our staff Olivia Butterworth and Evan Jones who co-ordinated the production. Along with Daniel Lacey who is part of the music team here at SCSC, they have worked so hard to support our students to be ready to put on this show under very trying circumstances. You have all kept the students engaged in the process and remained positive that we would eventually be able to undertake this event.

A HUGE congratulations to the cast. What a great show! It's been a long wait to be able to showcase your talent and team work to the community. We are so proud of you and thanks for making us all smile so much watching you perform.