Principal's Report
Published by Blackwater State High SchoolThis is our final newsletter for Term 2. After today we have two more days of school before the holidays. Remember that students are required to attend up to and including the last day of term on June 29 – “Every Day Counts!”
I think our students and teachers have used the extra week of this 11-week term to maximum benefit. It is amazing how this small change affects how we feel and how much we achieve. Well done to everyone. When we return, we start Semester 2, so I am encouraging our staff and students to make the most of a re-energising holiday. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their efforts and dedication through the first half of the year. I have really enjoyed working with the school community to make Blackwater State High School a great place to be for our students.
Facility Developments
In a school of our age, one of the biggest challenges is maintaining quality facilities for our staff and students in order to facilitate the best learning environment for student achievement. As our school continues to grow, facility developments continue to roll forward. Our school will see over $1.2 million in capital works investment within the 2018 calendar year.
We are extremely excited to see the work on our new multipurpose sports complex commence. The old courts have been removed, and the concrete has been poured for the three new courts which will house the following sports: tennis, netball, volleyball and basketball. It has been and will continue to be a hive of activity until the completion of the courts.
A second facilities project will begin on the 2nd July at Blackwater State High School. The Drainage Rectification Project will see various works roll out over the next 4 months which will allow all year round access to buildings and grounds, enhancing the learning opportunities for students – without any excess water build up.
Lastly, the F06 computer lab has received a $25 000 upgrade for ultimate performance. It has been fitted with a fleet of brand new, state-of-the-art desktops, which will power the success of our students.
As the term comes to an end, I would like to take the time to thank and acknowledge the work of some of our teachers that are leaving Blackwater State High and to celebrate the appointment of permanent positions within our leadership team. Jerry Cakau, Neil Bryant and Sandra Worrall will finish their contracts at the end of this term. We thank them for their work within our learning community. Our replacement teachers will be announced at the start of Term 3. To ensure we create the best learning environment for all of our students we were able to appoint an additional Deputy Principal, which has been filled for the remainder of 2018 by Mrs Terri Weatherley. Our permanent head of department positions were also filled - Head of Department Junior Secondary: Jackson Mackay and Head of Department Teaching and Learning: Sarah Cobb. As a learning community, we welcome the stability that these roles will bring to our team.
The last week of the term is always an important time for our learning community as we are finalising student assessment, determining achievement levels and beginning new work. Each and every student should be able to tell you what they are learning or have learnt this term, what they need to do to be successful now and in the future, what feedback they have received to improve their work, what they still need to fix up and finally where they can go for help when they need it. I have been very impressed with the work being produced in each and every classroom. I can’t wait to read our students report cards to see how everyone is progressing.
Term 2 will end in a spectacular fashion as we hold our Athletics Carnival. These days are wonderful days at school. It’s great to see the students engaged in competition and house spirit and it’s very enjoyable to catch up with so many parents and families that make the effort to come and support their children. Everyone have been working very hard to make this carnival a huge success.
The range of opportunities that our staff provide for our students never ceases to amaze me, and the dedication and talent demonstrated by our students when they embrace these opportunities never ceases to inspire! Another example of exceptional initiative for learning innovation at Blackwater State High School was demonstrated and supported by our successful application to the 2018 Smart Giving Schools Round: this grant process is open to all schools within Australia including state, private and independent. The assessors saw great merit in our school strategy to create change for our Blackwater school community. We will receive $28 800 to implement our project. The project will use our writing explicit improvement agenda as a platform and map out the building of cognitive skills across Years 7-12, allowing the reduction of scaffolding as students’ progress, producing independent learners who will experience success, not only in the new senior system, but in their future employment.
Our school holidays start on Saturday, June 30th and students return on Monday, July 16th. Please keep an eye on our school over the holidays and should you see anything suspicious please phone School Watch on 13 17 88.
I wish all of our students a refreshing and relaxing break, ready to return recharged for Semester 2.
Please ensure you have a safe and enjoyable holiday, and be sure to make the most of the opportunity to spend time relaxing with family and friends.
Mr Frank Brunetto
Principal