News From Around The School 

Digital Transformation Update

It’s been just over 3 months since Wee Waa High School started implementing changes in the way we work, both in and out of the classroom. I’m sure everybody is aware of the recent challenges the school community faced with the upheaval of moving to a shared temporary space along with the loss of almost all our resources. 

Before I get into where we are at now and where to next, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has been involved. The Department of Education provided some experts in this area in the form of Adam Watson and Nick Coucouvinis from the Education Support and Rural Initiatives Unit. Along with Adam Balzer from Microsoft, countless hours have been spent upskilling staff and setting up all the Microsoft software platforms in the background which has led to such a seamless transition in the classroom. Last of all a huge congratulations to the teaching staff at Wee Waa High School. Such a change always involves everybody getting outside their comfort zone and the staff have certainly not only done that, they have embraced the technology and begun to find new ways of using it.

Over the coming weeks Wee Waa High School will be thrust into the spotlight as personnel involved in the transformation report to Michelle Michael who is the Director for Educational support for regional initiatives. The presentation has largely been put together by teachers who have documented their successes in the classroom. I’m sure they are keen to see how Wee Waa’s partnership with Microsoft can further benefit the department moving forward.

At the time of writing this article, staff are using Microsoft Teams and Microsoft OneNote in every class. The students have adapted extremely fast to the new way of accessing their learning which has made the transition even easier. It also helps that the software they are using is very prevalent within industry, so the skills students are learning along the way will easily transfer to their future workplace. 

The digital transformation could not have come at a more convenient time as the department turns its attention to supporting teachers to further differentiate in the classroom. Differentiation is something Microsoft software allows teachers to do very easily as we have seen throughout Term 3 and the beginning of Term 4.

So where to next? As our range of student devices age, we are currently investigating what the next generation of devices will look like. Our initial research has suggested devices with the ability for students to use a pen. Students do learn best when they combine their thinking with writing. Thankfully we are already using the right software tools to accommodate this. Stay tuned as the learning continues to evolve at Wee Waa High School as we get closer to heading into our brand-new school.

Robert Eaton, Deputy Principal 

Instructional Leader – Digital Transformation

Pink Up - Breast Cancer Awareness Raiser  

This week, staff and students stepped-out in pink to help raise awareness about breast cancer. A key message was that breast cancer happens in men too. Along with having some fun and some pink cake, funds were raise to support a breast care nurse for the Narrabri Shire. 

Remembrance Day 

In honour of Remembrance Day, our new school and vice captains paid their respects to past and present soldiers. The students laid a wreath at the Rose Street War Memorial site. They represented the school with maturity and at 11am they will host a whole school virtual ceremony to extend their gratitude to all Australians who have lost their lives defending our nation. Lest we forget.

Challenge Community Services Art Competition 

“The Magic of Nature” is this year’s inspiration for the Challenge Community Services Art Competition and two of our students, Will and Isaac wasted no time in getting to work on their entry.

The annual art exhibition and competition is open to people with disability of all ages, with young people in foster care throughout Australia are also encouraged to enter.

Normally the competition exhibition is available to visit in person, however this year, as a result of Covid, the exhibition and voting will be online. The silver lining in this is that everyone gets to ‘attend’ and vote.

Will and Isaac’s teacher, Ms Green said; ‘There’s no doubt both Will and Isaac have great natural artistic talent. I am really proud of them and the quality of art work they have been producing this year’.

We will be sure to let you know when the art works go on exhibition. Isaac and Will welcome your support. Entries closed 12th November. Voting opens on the 24thNovember and closes 1st December. To vote, go to.