Secondary School

From the Head of Secondary 

Welcome back to Term Two. The start of term is always an exciting time as we reconnect with friends and share holiday stories, as well as look ahead at the new term with a little more energy and sparkle.  We have much to look forward to this term with the challenge of assessments and exams as well as camps, excursions and visiting speakers. 

Year Twelve students can apply for early University offers from 1 May, while Year Seven students plan for camp in Week Eight. Country Week trials and training sessions are in full swing and our musicians are preparing for Music Camp next weekend.  We also have students committing to routinely visit aged care facilities after school while the whole Secondary School prepares for the Service rotation of our Values and Christian Service (VACS) program. There are many other items and events that I could mention.  With so many opportunities for growth and development, I look forward to watching our students challenge themselves and take advantage of opportunities.

Maintaining Good Standing

Now that we are enjoying having an array of events and opportunities open to us again, I feel that a reminder about 'good standing' is timely. At the heart of how we operate here at school lie our four values of integrity, respect, compassion and commitment. For a student to have good standing at school, we need to see these values in action.

The sorts of behaviours we are looking for include respectful interactions with peers and staff, tidy uniforms all the time, completion of set tasks from every class, attendance at school above 90%, and attendance at School Carnival events: swimming, cross country and athletics, whether that be in a participating role or a supporting role.

For students to be considered for popular trips, tours and other opportunities, good standing is a key factor. For example, if a student is keen to attend Country Week but has not come to school on the day of the Swimming Carnival or Cross Country, then they are unlikely to be offered a place. Students who routinely have their shirts untucked or who try to bend around the hair or jewellery rules are less likely to be offered a place on the University Tour than a student who turns up every day doing the right thing.

Most of our students are shining examples of our school values and it is important to me that these students are recognised and rewarded. Thank you for your support in ensuring that your child has every opportunity to gain and maintain their good standing. I look forward to seeing all of our students at this year’s Cross Country on Wednesday.

Elevate

We’re excited to announce that on Wednesday 10 May, Elevate Education will be hosting its first free webinar of the term for parents. 

Elevate Education works with our students, delivering high-impact workshops on study skills, motivation, wellbeing, and exam preparation. By tuning into their webinar series you will learn how you can help better support your children at home through reinforcing the skills they learn at school:   

Wednesday 10 May: How to Help Get (& Keep) Your Child Motivated 

Click here to register for free.

Here’s what Elevate will be covering on the night: 

•  What impact does praise and reassurance have on your child’s motivation? 
• What are the best type of goals to be setting with your child?  
• How can you help your child create meaningful and lasting motivation? 

Mrs Victoria Turnor | Head of Secondary