Term 1 will conclude on Friday 4 April at 2.20pm. As per yesterday’s communication to families, we welcome the news that CDC (town) busses have reverted their decision and will pick up students at the early finish time of approximately 2.25pm. Supervision that was offered to CDC bus students, will now not be required. The PAM activity advertising this has now been deleted.

As we conclude Term one, and begin next term with Subject Teacher Interviews, I’d like to highlight the importance of partnering with families in a child’s education. Some of the benefits include;

1. Holistic Development: Families provide insights into a child's background, interests, strengths, and weaknesses that can inform educators' approaches to teaching and support. Understanding a child's home environment helps create a more holistic educational experience.

2. Consistency: When families and educators work together, they can ensure that the messages and expectations for the child are consistent across home and school environments. Consistency is key for a child's understanding and adherence to rules, routines, and academic expectations.

3. Supporting Learning: Families can reinforce learning outside the classroom by engaging in activities that complement what is taught in school. Whether it's reading together, discussing current events, or exploring educational outings, family involvement enhances and reinforces academic concepts.

4. Emotional Support: Children thrive when they feel supported emotionally. Families provide a nurturing environment that can bolster a child's confidence, self-esteem, and resilience, which are crucial for academic success.

5. Problem-solving and Collaboration: When challenges arise, whether academic, behavioural, or social, partnering with families allows educators to work collaboratively with parents or guardians to address these issues effectively. This collaboration fosters problem-solving skills and models positive conflict resolution for the child.

6. Cultural Understanding: Every family brings its own cultural background and values into the educational equation. Understanding and respecting these differences enriches the educational experience for both the child and the school community.

7. Parental Involvement: Research consistently shows that parental involvement in a child's education correlates with higher academic achievement, better attendance, and improved behavior. When parents are actively engaged in their child's schooling, it sends a powerful message about the value of education.

8. Building Trust and Rapport: Collaborating with families builds trust and rapport between educators and parents, creating a supportive network focused on the child's well-being and success.

Overall, partnering with families in a child's education fosters a strong support system that enhances the child's learning, emotional well-being, and overall development. It's a collaborative effort that benefits everyone involved.

I encourage families to log onto PAM and ensure that you are up to date with your student’s progress in their respective studies. Holidays may provide an opportunity to catch up on work that has been missed or to create a summary of first term learnings. Year 12 students are now one-third of the way through their learning program, so a comprehensive revision of content to date will be important. If you have any queries regarding assessment tasks or classroom learning, I encourage you to make contact with your child’s teacher.

Subject Teacher Interviews provide a great opportunity to connect with your child’s teachers, to receive clarity around any questions that you may have. Subject Teacher Interviews will be held on the following days, beginning Monday 28 April.

• Monday 28 April - 3.45pm to 6.30pm (Virtual bookings only)
• Tuesday 29 April - 3.45pm to 6.30pm (Virtual bookings only)
• Thursday 1 May - 3.45pm to 6.30pm (Virtual bookings only)

Bookings will open Thursday 3 April at 9.00am and I encourage families to book in to see your subject teacher.

I have made mention in multiple articles of the last 12-15 months of the anticipation and excitement of see the new Senior Learning Centre being built. We are almost there, and we expect to take occupancy and begin classes in the new building from the beginning of Term 2.

The majority of classes in the current building 2, will move rooms to the new building.

I wish everyone well for a blessed Easter and a safe and happy holiday.

Chris