By Mr Simon Fleming - Principal

The external exams for Year 12 have started and progressing well. In my conversation with students, they have indicated a degree of comfort around their exams mainly due to the preparation they have received. Meanwhile Year 11 have just completed exams and are awaiting their results. It is important for Year 11 to reflect on these results and ask some vital questions around their own preparation.  As they begin Unit 3, they need to have in place definite learning goals moving forward. Academic interviews will be held for Year 11 students in week 7.

Year 7 have been on camp, and all were very eager to attend. Camps provide a unique place to forge relationships between teachers and students. Often students can flourish in a different setting, and it is also good for students to view their teachers in a different light outside the classroom.

Students in Years 7 ,8 and 9 may have been discussing Term 5. Years 10 and 11 complete school for 2021 at the end of week 8. Years 7-9 are the only students at school for Week 9. In previous years various activities have occurred during this week. This year we have decided to formalise the activities and provide more information to parents.

Students will select activities to do in the morning and afternoon. All activities will be run by staff. We will produce a booklet describing the activities which we hope to get to students next week.

On Friday, 5 November,  students in years 7-9 will be selecting their activities. It is important for parents to read the description of the activities and note if any payments are due or any special requirements. Again this will provide an opportunity for students to participate in activities that interest them, have fun and also to strengthen relationships.

Congratulations to all teachers as we celebrate World Teachers Day. Teachers do an amazing job and our staff are very committed to our students doing as well as they can.

This term we have been developing our improvement plan for 2022. Most experts agree on what is required to improve Australian secondary schools. Strong leadership, high expectations (of staff and students), a calm and welcoming environment and a focus on doing fewer things and on doing them particularly well are necessary conditions. A common instructional framework and stronger teaching teams are the biggest improvement levers to build on this foundation.

Kind regards,

Simon