Term 4 is well under way. We have a significant number of significant events on the near horizon. Next Thursday evening at the Moncrieff Theatre, starting at 6.30pm, we have the Annual Awards Evening where we will recognise all of our outstanding student achievements and performances. I expect this to be a truly great night which will highlight the positives of our incredible school. I encourage all parents and caregivers to attend, especially if you have a child receiving an award. Those students who are receiving an award will have been provided with an invitation. Please RSVP so that your seat can be reserved.
The following day we have our Yr. 12 Graduation, again at the Moncrieff. This is a ticket only event, due to the sheer size of the school. We look forward to the conclusion of formal schooling for our graduands and I am sure that our families will celebrate this event with great pride. Afterall, the completion of 13 years schooling is no small feat. Ask yourself as a parent how many lunches you have prepared, how many uniforms have you washed and how many assessments have been completed. This alone is worth celebrating, let alone the excitement of emerging adulthood. We look forward to seeing the parent body on Friday, 15 November.
I remind everyone as well that we have Carols on the Oval on Friday, 15 November starting at 5.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. We also have Music Bingo on Wednesday, 20 November, raising money for our Music program.
We will also recognise our Yr. 9 students as they complete Junior Secondary with a dinner on Friday, 22 November at the RSL. Tickets are available for purchase for Yr. 9 students. This will be a school event, managed by our teaching staff.
We have our Merit Ceremony on Monday, 18 November where we recognise those students with sporting, extra-curricular, consistent effort and behaviour and results across a range of subjects. Parents are welcome to attend this event. Each year level will have an assembly and recipients will be recognised in front of their peers. This event will be held in the school hall.
Our Seniors have almost finished their external exams. I would like to thank all of the staff who have supported this process, in particular I recognise Sherran Harrup, Belinda Arnold, Josh Morris, Sandi Cooper and Alley Morris who have wrapped students in a cloak of support, to provide them with every opportunity for academic success. I am sure we will have some great results. (Watch this space on Awards Evening to see the truly outstanding prospective results) We are well on the way to 100 QCE attainment.
We are currently selecting our student leaders in the Junior and Senior School at the moment. I would like to congratulate all who have been shortlisted for these positions. The calibre of student who has applied, across the board is inspiring. I wish everyone who has applied, the very best in the selection process.
Currently the school finance team is looking to reduce the cost of instructional and curriculum expenses in 2025. We have taken a deep dive into the Student Resource Scheme funding to rationalise costs. We hope by the end of the year to have a full outline for all parents and carers in relation to the anticipated costs of student expenditure. In order to meet this cost, there may be some increase in extra-curricular expenses, based on a user pays system. At the last P&C meeting of the year we will ratify the expenditure. Everyone is welcome to attend to provide further insight from a parent perspective.
We are also planning our priorities for the 2025 Year. We will provide for parents a Forms Survey link to provide us with deeper clarification of some of the School Opinion Data and also support our direction for 2025. We have planned in Week 8, Thursday, 21 at 2.15pm, a parent information session, where feedback can be provided to the executive team at 2.30pm in the hall. All parents are welcome to attend. Our current priorities are
- Student engagement (Focusing on Student Resilience)
- Staff wellbeing (Supporting teachers to be the best possible professional with a balanced life)
- Teaching and Learning (Strategies to ensure that students attain their best possible results)
Week 11 is one of those years where we work an additional week in the year. This happens every 4-6 years. We will run an alternate week program for all students in Yrs. 7- 9. Students will be engaged in enrichment activities and alternate programs that may not always be possible within the normal curriculum. Students may not be with the members of their normal class.
I remind parents of the need to return permission forms as early as possible. Not only does this support efficiency of processes but also ensures that our first aid team is well prepared to manage student medication in an off-campus environment.
I remind parents and students of our high expectations and standards. Please ensure that all students are supported to wear the uniform correctly and meet our jewellery expectations. As part of this policy, please do not promote henna tattoos with your children. Not only do they remain for a long time- up to 3 weeks, but they are not in line with the expectations we have as a school. We ask for your cooperation in relation to this recent trend.
Last term we had the Ponytail Project. This month is Movember where we recognise the importance of Men's Health. A number of our staff are growing their moustaches to support the cause and 'the ceremonial shaving of the Mo' will occur at the end of the month to raise funds to support this cause. Please use this platform to have a discussion around health with the men in your life.
Enjoy the last 5 weeks of the 2024 Year. They will go quickly.