Junior Secondary Update
With less than three weeks to go we still have much to achieve to close out the year and be ready to begin the new school year. We have finalised reviews of our key programs and are now entering a consultation phase with staff on any changes for next year.
The final two weeks of school will see students finalise their assessment and gain feedback by mid Week 9. The remainder of Week 9 will include workshops for students to participate in that would develop personal skills to be successful in 2022. Week 10 begins with Transition Day for incoming Year 7’s and a Day camp for our current Year 7’s. Year 8 will head off on camp and Year 9 will not be required to attend so that they can take their placement at work experience and some alternate programs will begin on Tuesday of Week 10 for Year 7’s and 8’s not able to attend camp.
Our school values collaborative professional learning and this model of staffing and planning for our last week enables this to occur. This model allows us to release our teachers to prepare and plan in teams and undertake professional development. Absences will be tracked as normal with rolls marked each day and the usual sms message for absent students will be sent. Students will need to come in school uniform and should bring lunch as canteen will not be open from Tuesday 7 December.
Finishing Well
At this time of the year, both parents and teachers can notice young people becoming tired and losing focus. We have been stressing the very small number of school days left this year, and the importance of finishing with the best possible outcomes. Attendance every day is crucial for maximising student learning and performance.
Final assemblies in Week 9 will have special significance for the Year 9 students we will mark their transition to senior school with a special assembly and a BBQ.
Textbook Return
Now is the time of year for students to dig out the textbooks and novels they are no longer using in the classroom and return them to The Book Room in B Block. Any texts required through the exam period can be returned after the tests are completed.
Please encourage students to search through their bedrooms and lockers for textbooks. Returning all books now means that students will be able to hire next year’s texts in a timely manner at the start of 2022, and they will have no bill issued for missing texts!
Laptop Checks
IT staff will be in classrooms in Week 9 checking on any maintenance required for laptops so this can be completed prior to the new year starting.
Lockers
In these final weeks, students should be cleaning out their lockers in preparation for the end of the year. Bringing home those items not used daily can save students having to transport too many things home in one trip.
All lockers must be cleaned out by Friday 3 December.
Lockers will be available again at the start of the school year, at which time students may go to Student Services and have a locker allocated to them.