Principal Report

Transforming Lives through Learning

I am feeling pretty good today. Not because it is the last day of Term 2 2023, although I would be fibbing if I didn't acknowledge the hard-working staff and students at this school and recognise that everyone is ready for a couple of weeks break. School break is a valuable and refreshing time, a time to be spent with family and friends, allowing our whole school community to reset and get ready for Term 3 learning experiences. Staff will, no doubt, be devoting part of their break time preparing for Term 3 2023.

The reason for my joy comes from, however,  the privilege and opportunity that has been mine, the opportunity to read all of the Guyra Central School student reports over these past few weeks. This has culminated in an amazing turn up for our K-12 parent teacher interviews and Big Picture exhibitions. Definitely a time to celebrate our learning. 

To our students thank you. I found the self reflection section of your school reports refreshing and very enjoyable to read. Thank you for your honesty when reflecting on your own learning. It made me feel very proud when I read through the reflections, very proud to see how you see yourself as a learner, and how you might adjust some of your actions into the future.  I would like to acknowledge our very hard working staff for your efforts, both during this term, and in the preparation of the carefully constructed reports. And to our Kindy students and their families, your first report going home is always going to be very special.

I am thrilled to report that our Year 10 into Year 11 Information Evening was very well attended with staff commenting that we had the largest roll up of parents and students that can be remembered in recent years. Thank you to our attending and presenting staff and attending students, family members and carers.

I was out of the school during week 8, Tuesday and Wednesday in Tamworth, at the Secondary Principals Council and Friday in Armidale for the Primary Principals Council meeting. The newly appointed head (Secretary) of the N.S.W Department of Education, Mr. Murat Dizdar, and the newly appointed N.S.W Minister for Education and Deputy Premier N.S.W, Ms. Prue Car, addressed the 350 Secondary Principals from across N.S.W, in Tamworth. Both Murat and Prue spoke passionately for 1 hour each about the changes that are coming for education in NSW.

As a Principal it is refreshing to have someone in the top position, making decisions for our schools and our children,  who himself, has quite recent experience in the running of a large western Sydney High School. Murat’s own children are also being educated in the public education system. 

Mr. Dizdar spoke to us about the changes to our planning. The N.S.W Department of Education, moving forward, will come under the banner of Transforming Lives through Learning and he spoke to us about what that will mean for our students, teachers, schools and importantly for parents, carers and the community. All schools, from across NSW, will be having Professional Learning webinars on our student free day first day back Term 3, Monday 17th July 2023,  and I will continue to update our community as we are given more information.

It was my privilege last week to meet with the Year 11 students who have indicated that they wish to be considered for the positions of senior student leaders for Guyra Central School 2023-2024. Our current leaders and Year Advisor for Year 11, Ms. Wendy Wilson, also met with the applicants to listen to speeches, propose questions and have a general discussion. Applicants presented to the student body prior to the voting process proceeding. Good luck to these courageous students. Student advocacy and voice is a very important part of the Guyra Central School planning and it will continue to be a focus moving into Semester 2 2023. Successful applicants and have been advised of the outcomes and the school community and extended Guyra community will be advised at the commencement of Term 3.

I can confirm that our new kitchen has now been completed and handover has been done.  This facility will provide many opportunities for community gatherings, Hospitality and Food Technology classes and our Stephanie Alexander Primary initiative will now have full use of the Kitchen.

We have some new teaching appointments to our school commencing Semester 3 2023. Sjaan Mitchell was successful in securing the Assistant Principal Curriculum and Instruction position 1 day/week and will continue as Assistant Principal 4 days/week. Also in Primary we will welcome Daniella Nylander who is a very experienced Primary teacher coming to us from the Northern Territory. Hannah Fitzpatrick (History) and Angus Goodwin Hill (Agriculture, Science and Technology) have been appointed permanently to the Secondary area of the school. We will also have Mark Gordon joining us at the school in the area of Music. Mark is building a home in Guyra currently and has left his position at NEGS to join us at Guyra Central School. Ms. Wendy Wilson, our Learning and Support teacher has also become a permanent member of our teaching staff.  Our HT Secondary Studies recruitment process is up to the interview process.  We anticipate that we will  complete this process in week 2 Term 3 2023.

We have been very excited also by the reinstatement of the Guyra AECG (Aboriginal Education Group). Our last meeting was held at Guyra Central School Week 8 Term 2 when we discussed a range of issues and opportunities. We will be acknowledging NAIDOC Week at Guyra Central School during Week 2 Term 3.  We are commencing work shortly on the refurbishment of the Nature Garden on the eastern side of the Primary Car park. As with the Primary Quad this area is being designed with our student group in partnership with other organisations, including the newly formed AECG.

Please have a happy and safe school break. If you are travelling take care. To our community thanks to your support. Our P & C has been a great driving force within the school and I would encourage everyone to consider joining up. 

Thanks again for your great work everyone.

Michelle Nicholson

Proud Principal

Guyra Central School