Principal Report 

Thank you to our parents/carers and the community who have worked with us to provide a smooth transition into the 2022 school year. Family engagement with the COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test kit roll out has been incredible. I would like to congratulate the community and our hardworking Guyra Central School front office, support and teaching staff for their commitment to meet our strict deadlines for the roll out of this program.

Again, I would like to welcome our staff and students back to school for 2022. Although we have had a few challenges for the commencement of the year there is an overwhelming sense of 'move forward' across our whole learning environment. It has been great to welcome our Kindergarten and Transition students into the school, and welcome Guyra Central School students, and students from partnership schools and beyond, who are transitioning into Year 7 2022. 

We are privileged to welcome several new staff members to our school family 2022. Ms Annette Callister, our Deputy Principal Instructional Leader/Head Teacher English/HSIE 2022 will work alongside Mr Tim Lloyd, Deputy Principal K-12, to create a range of additional learning opportunities for our students. Ms Lea-ann Best, has taken up her position within the Secondary executive staff, Head Teacher TAS and Big Picture Education, and heads up our newly created ALEC (Aboriginal Learning and Engagement Centre) This centre has been partially funded through the AOPD (Aboriginal Outcomes and Partnerships Directorate). Mrs Jenny Atkin has taken up the role of Assistant Principal, Curriculum and Instruction (APCI), Mrs Meagan Vidler has been appointed one day per week as APCI and will work alongside Jenny Atkin.  Mrs Vidler is also an executive member .5 as Head Teacher/Assistant Principal working with Year 6 into Year 7 transition. Mrs Sjaan Mitchell was also successful in securing the Assistant Principal position through merit selection. I can also confirm that two of our new mums, Mrs Emma Vidler and Miss Ainsley Fletcher, have been appointed to our school as .6 permanent part-time employees. We hope to see both of these teachers back in the school during the later stages 2022.  Again welcome to all staff who are new to the school or have been promoted into new positions.

Student agency, as defined by OECD Future of education and Skills 2030, is rooted in the principle that students have the ability and the will to positively influence their own lives and the world around them. Student agency is thus defined as the capacity to set a goal, reflect and act responsibly to effect change. It is about acting rather than being acted upon; shaping rather than being shaped; and making responsible decisions and choices rather than accepting those determined by others. Student agency sits within Strategic Direction 2, Guyra Central School Plan, 2021-2024. As we progress further into 2022 we will be showcasing programs that highlight this definition.

Congratulations to Leigha McElroy and Mr Simon Hanly for their efforts to support the inclusion of Leigha's artwork in the NSW Department of Education Cultural Calendar 2022. Please find included Leigha's artwork and letter from Hon. Adam Marshall MP. We have attached a digital copy of the entire calendar at the top of this page.

I was fortunate to attend the 2022 Commemoration Day Service on Sunday 13th February 2022, held in Central Park at 11.00 am. Following the service I was invited to attend the book launch where our school was gifted the book. The book titled, "National Servicemen in War and Peace" is a commentary on the four different National Service schemes in Australia between 1911 and 1972. Our Guyra Central School student, Rose Kliendienst was invited to contribute a written piece that is captured within this book. The piece was a reflection on the role played by her Grandfather, Mr Garry Starr. This book is available for your students to borrow from our school library. Thank you to the Armidale and District National Servicemens' Association Sub-Branch for their generosity.

Thanks again for the great support that we receive daily from our families/carers and community.

Michelle Nicholson

Proud Principal

Guyra Central School