Welcome back everyone to term 2. By now you should have received your academic report for your student/s. Our first term’s academic report card for the school highlights the large number of students and staff who have worked hard to achieve A, B and C achievement standards in their subjects. A summary of the school performance in subjects across all year levels for term 1 has
• Year 7 - 20 from 22 subjects achieving 90% or better A, B or C achievement. 2 subjects achieved 85% or better
• Year 8 - 17 from 24 subjects achieving 90% or better A, B or C achievement, 4 subjects achieved 85% or better
• Year 9 - 13 from 24 subjects achieving 90% or better A, B or C achievement, 5 subjects achieved 85% or better
• Year 10 - 13 from 31 subjects achieving 90% or better A, B or C achievement, 4 subjects achieved 85% or better
• Year 11 - 23 from 40 subjects achieving 90% or better A, B or C achievement, 5 subjects achieved 85% or better; and
• Year 12 - 27 from 37 subjects achieving 90% or better A, B or C achievement, 2 subjects achieved 85% or better
Staff are currently working with their curriculum Heads of Departments on strategies to improve achievement and performance outcomes for all students. You have an opportunity to be a part of these discussions in the parent/teacher exchanges next week. While we have staff and students absent with COVID-19, these discussions will be virtual. This will ensure that we minimise contact and look after the health and safety of students, families and staff. Please sign up so staff know to contact you. Initial contact will be via email. Staff will give you a progress report on your student results, work effort and their achievement in Term 1. Following these emails, if you have further questions, staff will contact you via telephone. These exchanges will occur throughout next week.
You can contact staff at any time throughout the term and year regarding your student and their academic progress and wellbeing. Working with students and families will ensure we have up-to-date information and knowledge to assist your student with their learning and academic program.
Attendance has dropped this year across all year cohorts. While we encourage all students to remain home when unwell, please try to minimise time absent from school for other reasons such as, appointments or extended holidays. Absence due to being a close contact with a family member with COVID-19 ceases this week, however, if your student is exhibiting symptoms or is feeling unwell please keep them home and get tested.
Can I thank all students, families and staff who supported the school and community at the ANZAC Day March last weekend. We had over 80 students attend and pay their respects to members of the armed forces who have served, who continue to serve and to those that lost their life in service. Like all events our in-school and community commemorations have been on hold for the past 18 months, so it was especially pleasing to see such a large number of students represent the school on Monday. Can I also thank students and staff for their respectful participation in our school ceremonies. Our school band had their first public performance and they played extremely well. They are a young group of members and they promise to be a great addition to our school and music program. An extra special thank you to Grace for standing tall and playing the Last Post. Well done.
During the week we had student representing the school in Futsal, on excursion for Tourism and Business and breakfasting with School Captains from all secondary schools in Hervey Bay. Our School Captains engaged with the Council to look at water solutions for the Fraser Coast area. Our school leaders in years 8 and 9 are off to camp this weekend. I know they will have a fantastic time on their amazing race.
Finally, COVID-19 restrictions have eased again. The requirements if students and staff are a close contact when asymptomatic, there is no longer any need to quarantine. However, in the 7 days after becoming a close contact the following needs to occur:
• wear a face mask while outside of the home, including when outdoors if physical distancing cannot occur
• notify the school of close contact status. Students must also let the school know.
It is recommended that close contacts undertake a COVID-19 test on the first day leaving the home, and every second day (e.g. days 2, 4, and 6) until you are no longer a close contact.
Face masks are not mandatory in schools or workplaces for staff, students or visitors. However, anyone who is deemed a close contact must wear a face mask for 7 days.
Students over the age of 12 years who attend school while they are a close contact must wear a mask. Queensland Health recommends that children under the age of 12 also wear a face mask where it is safe to do so.
Please also remember that masks continue to be required in certain settings for anyone aged 12 years or older, such as when travelling on public transport. They are also recommended whenever you can't physically distance.
Anyone who chooses to wear a mask in a school or workplace will be supported to do so.