It has been a high energy start to 2021 and one that prepares us for an exciting year ahead.

We have welcomed a top bunch of year 7 students this year who have settled in to high school despite the interrupted transition to the high school program in 2020. It has been positive to see Ms. Love and her fabulous year 7 students make an impressive start to the school year.

Our swimming carnival was a great success and I would like to congratulate Masefield house on a job well done keeping Lawson in second place. It was a fabulous day and despite the dreadful conditions, the students and staff had a fun-filled day of competition in and out of the pool. Well done to Mr. Hensley and his team for organising a magnificent event.

We have been fortunate to see a number of new staff join us on the journey. Mr. Dixon, a former student and teacher at Kempsey High has returned and is currently leading the Science faculty. Joining him in the Science-HSIE faculty is Mr. Pink… join him in the library on Thursday lunch for chess. Ms. Walker has taken the reigns of Head Teacher Wellbeing from Ms. Field, who has returned to her counselling role at Kempsey High and other Macleay Valley Public Schools. Mr. Anderson and Mr. McCarney have joined the Learning Faculty as new comprehensive class teachers. The Learning faculty is now led by Ms. Taylor, who joins us with a wealth of experience as our Head Teacher Teaching and Learning. Mr. Ford has joined our supported learning teachers as our new MC teacher. Elisha Krix has taken up a new position in the school, Student Support Officer.

We held a very successful ‘Meet the Teacher’ afternoon on Monday. It was pleasing to see the many parents and carers taking this opportunity to meet their child’s teachers in an informal setting. If there were any parents who may not have attended because of COVID concerns, we encourage you to contact your child’s Year Advisor who could set up an alternate arrangement.

2021 was always going to be different, even before we introduced our new timetable structure. This year we are providing a more flexible curriculum with the introduction of a five-period day on a 2-week cycle - Week A and Week B. Students and staff have taken to the new format like a duck to water. What has supported this transition is the added benefit of not having the same lesson at the same time of the week, a consistent start and finish time of periods and to the school day. I look forward to seeing the inevitable improvements in the classroom to support quality teaching & learning.

There have also been some physical changes to the school. To further support our year 11 and 12 students to navigate their senior studies, they now have assistance from Ms. Findlay and Mr. Squires who supervise Base Camp, located in the library mezzanine next to Mr. Rix's Careers office. Timetabled lessons in Base Camp offer students the opportunity for assessment and curriculum support, quiet study, time management and careers advice. Already our senior students have matured their learning culture and are using this opportunity to enhance further learning which is taking place in the classroom.

What was the Girls Academy in F block has now been moved up to C block next to Clontarf… watch this space as it turns into a showcase of indigenous programs at Kempsey High School. To make this happen, the Supported Learning faculty have moved down to G block. This stunning historical area of the school is being transformed into a modern sensory playground with beautiful learning spaces. The students and staff are making it their own.

Connected Communities strategy is coming in Term 2 and we look forward to its positive outcomes for Kempsey High and the community. Currently, the process is underway to select an Executive Principal and we should know in a few weeks who will be leading Kempsey High in this exciting new phase in our school's illustrious history.

Parents are reminded that if students need to leave school early they require a note from home signed by a parent or guardian. This note needs to be dropped into the front office prior to the school day starting at 9am for it to be processed by the time they wish to leave. Please do not call students on their mobiles (which will be off and in their bags during class). Unfortunately, if parents come to the front office during the school day to collect students there may be some delay in processing the early leaver. Thanks for your understanding and cooperation.

Key Dates for Term 1 2021