Connection – Building positive relationships and a sense of belonging.

Courage – Accepting challenges and embracing opportunities.

Growth – Aspiring to learn and improve, even when it is tough.

Respect – Caring for ourselves, each other and our environment.

Responsibility – Stepping up and doing what is right.

All members of our school community can support, promote and uphold our values.

This year we embark on a new school improvement plan, which incorporates components of our successful External School Review at the end of last year as well as some requirements from our Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP). Reading will continue to be a priority, along with quality teaching and learning and also a focus on engagement (including attendance) and inclusion.  We are continuing to develop and refine our plan.

During the student free day today, teaching staff spent time examining data in relation to PAT reading, NAPLAN reading and English, while also continuing to complete a series of online modules relating to the teaching of reading. I hope students enjoyed the full day off school and staff and working parents enjoyed the part day public holiday for the Launceston Cup.

One of our Assistant Principals, Claire Lovitt, has taken some extended leave so this has resulted in some changes. Brendan Poke will be stepping into the role of Acting Assistant Principal until at least the end of Term 2, Belinda Selby will be stepping up for Term 1 in the role of Acting Advanced Skills Teacher and Megan Pel will be the Year 7 Leader for at least the remainder of this term. I will continue to communicate any changes to our community, but we are lucky to have these experienced and capable leaders who can fill these important roles. I also welcome Anthony Crawford to our Year 11/12 teaching team and Dan King to the Year 7 team. I am sure everyone will make these staff feel welcome in our school community.

Regular attendance at school is very important. Attending school frequently supports learning and helps foster connection and engagement. The minimum recognised acceptable attendance rate is 90%. As of late last year, just under 40% of students were attending the recommended minimum amount of time. Last year our average daily attendance rate was 79.2% and while that is better than like sector schools, it is still of some concern. Off course, we understand there are times of legitimate injury or illness that can impact but this should not be the case for most students. Being punctual also contributes to overall attendance data, so getting to school on time and not leaving early is also crucial. Parents and carers can support their child by establishing regular routines, discussing the importance of school and working in partnership with us if further supports are needed to improve attendance. 

All schools are required to have a Mobile Phone Policy. We are no different and as such the ‘Off and Away All Day’ policy applies. This means from the first bell at 8.35am until the last bell at 2.50pm, student phones should be out of sight and not used. We know that the majority of students have phones and some find it difficult to regulate and self-manage. Nevertheless, these expectations are in place for good reason and parents/carers can support us by reinforcing these messages with their child and not contacting their child directly during the school day. If communication is required, this can occur through the school administration office. Thanks in anticipation of your support.

We are currently seeking interest for our School Association Committee. Nomination forms are available from the office and were also recently distributed via Facebook. Nominations close on Friday 14 March at 5pm. It would be great to have some new people involved. The minimum requirement is one meeting per term but in recent times there have been two per term. Meeting times and days would be negotiated with the group. If you would like to know more, please do not hesitate to reach out to me our you can read more through the following links. I look forward to seeing you involved.

• School Associations for Tasmanian Government schools - Department for Education, Children and Young People (decyp.tas.gov.au)
• INFORMATION & RESOURCES | TASSO 

Year 7 Camp at Port Arthur has concluded for another year. These opportunities are highly valued as they support relationship building, a sense of connection, helps develop grade identity, while also engaging in some fun and interesting extra-curricular experiences.  For some students, it is also an opportunity to build some confidence and independence away from home. Thank you to parents and carers for supporting this excursion. I am sure students had a great time, although tiring. I must also acknowledge our amazing staff who gave up time away from their family and normal activities to enable this camp to happen. Camps can’t run without this, so my sincere thanks to all teachers and teacher assistants who attended.  A particular thank you to Brendan Poke, Belinda Selby and especially Kate Hume, for all their efforts in organising, preparing and leading the camp. Thank you!