Every student is known, valued and cared for

Welcome back to everyone. While I cannot say that we are back to pre COVID operation we are looking towards the school being more available for our parents/carers and the wider school community to visit and participate, from within the school, hopefully into the near future.

A special welcome to our newest students, Kindergarten 2021. 24 new, beautiful shiny faces arrived for their first day of class last Thursday, 4th February 2021. Thanks to Mrs Sjaan Mitchell and her team for great organisation, to ensure that the transition and commencement for these students, at Guyra Central School was smooth, in at times quite difficult circumstances with our COVID restrictions. We were privileged to invite our Kindergarten parents to attend a small welcome morning tea on Thursday morning.

Unfortunately we were not permitted to invite parents into the swimming pool for the Primary Carnival on Friday or our Secondary Carnival to be held tomorrow. We look forward to our restrictions being eased prior to our Athletics Carnival.

Congratulations to our HSC 2020 students. We are currently contacting our students to track their whereabouts in 2021. I can confirm that all of our students who made application to attend universities across NSW were successful with their applications with several students having multiple offers. We will publish a list of where our students are in 2021 in our next edition.

At Guyra Central School we understand that personalised learning is best achieved when the whole child is considered in the planning and provided with a voice to have input and consultation. Personalised support at the system and school level, ensures that all children and young people receive and education that meets their needs and is delivered in a context of high expectations for learning outcomes. At Guyra Central School we believe that all students are entitled to rigorous, relevant and engaging learning that respond to their individual needs. Personalised learning is focused on identifying where the student is at and how learning will be progressed to ensure learning outcomes are progressed.

Regardless of the curriculum choices that Guyra Central School students and their parents/carers have made, to follow a Big Picture Education pathway or continue to engage with the mainstream curriculum, we commit to providing opportunities for productive partnerships between members of the Guyra learning community to grow and flourish.

During Week 3 meetings are being held with our Stage 4 and Stage 5 Big Picture Advisory staff, parent/carers and their children to create learning plans for each of our Big Picture Education students. Before the end of Semester 1 2021 we are looking to have all Guyra Central School 7-12 students developing an individual learning plan, in consultation with parent/carers and Guyra Central School staff. Viv White, CEO of Big Picture Education Australia will be at the school Tuesday and Wednesday next week. Please contact me if you wish to meet Viv and discuss the Big Picture Program.

I would like to congratulate our Careers Adviser, Ms. Helen Doyle, for her care and consultation towards our students who orientate towards a school/trade pathway. Ms. Doyle and Mr. Lloyd have worked tirelessly with businesses and organisations, parents/carers and external provides to develop work-based learning plans for our Stage 5 and Stage 6 students. In particular, the School Based Apprenticeship or traineeships (SBATs).

SBATs are available to all Year 10, 11 and 12 high school students in NSW. They allow students to commence an apprenticeship or complete a traineeship while at school. A school-based apprenticeship or traineeship combines paid work, training and school; and as well as an industry recognised national qualification you will gain credit towards the HSC.

Some apprenticeships and traineeships can contribute towards the ATAR.

2021 SBATS at Guyra Central School (so far)

Michael Looker – 24 hr Diesel, Glen Innes

Fletcher Richardson – Armidale Regional Council

Andrew Pearson – Costa Farms, Guyra

Tahmani Landsborough – Guyra Central School

Kelly Daly – Guyra Central School

Millie Roberts- Hunter New England Area Health

Lucy Mayled – Crop Hair Design

Brendon Williams – Top of the Range Shearing

Tom Lockyer – Delungra Ag & Auto

Regular Work Placement (Work Experience)

Tristan Bull – Tamworth Local Area Land Corporation

Could I encourage all of our parents to consider joining our Parents and Citizens group for 2021. We have a very hardworking group of parents who provide a range of additional resources and opportunities for our students. Contact to school for further details.

Thanks to the Guyra Central School community for their great support for the school.

Michelle Nicholson

Proud Principal

Guyra Central School

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