Assistant Principal – Karen Shawcross

It’s wonderful to see all our students return for Term 4 with such enthusiasm. Whether it’s the beautiful spring weather or the excitement that comes with the final term of the school year, the school is full of noise.

However, Term 4 also brings a crucial focus: assessment. As these are the final opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning, the emphasis across all year groups is high.

• Years 7–10: Students are preparing to complete their respective academic years with a strong finish.
• Senior Students (Years 11): Our seniors have hit the ground running, commencing their HSC studies. It’s been fantastic to see them taking initiative, actively seeking feedback, and asking critical questions about their new courses. This level of engagement is the key to a happy and successful HSC year.

Uniform:

With the warmer weather, blazers are no longer mandatory. However, this is not an invitation to neglect the rest of the school uniform. Maintaining our high standards is essential.

We’ve issued a reminder to all students regarding shirt and dress wear. Please help us by ensuring your daughter is dressed appropriately before she leaves for school:

• Shirts/Dresses: Only the top two buttons may be open.
• Collars: Please ensure collars are not deliberately flattened or “squashed” – they should be worn neatly.

Your support in upholding our uniform standards is greatly appreciated.

Coming into the summer months we must emphasise the importance of sun safety. It is highly recommended that students are sun smart during all outdoor activities. Please remind your daughter to:

• Apply sunscreen before school and reapply at breaks.
• Wear a hat for protection against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Protecting against UV exposure helps prevent sunburn, skin damage, and the long-term risks of skin cancer.

Attendance and Punctuality: Every Minute Counts

As we enter the final term, maintaining consistent attendance and punctuality is crucial for student success. Missed minutes at the start of the day can mean missed instructions and important learning time.

Last term, I issued a reminder about the importance of being punctual, recording instances of late arrival as a warning (a demerit with no attached points).

This term, we are moving to the next stage of our policy:

• Lateness to school without a justifiable explanation will now incur a demerit point.
• Students who reach five (5) demerit points will receive an after-school detention.

Please support us by reminding your daughter of the importance of punctuality. 

The session will cover:

• Recognising the signs your child may be experiencing or engaging in cyberbullying
• Building protective factors at home
• How to support your child with strategies to respond, report, and stay safe in a fast-changing digital world

For: Parents and carers of upper primary and high school students
Date: Wednesday, 12 November 2025
Time: 7:00 – 7:45PM

Registration link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6906454095534944351

Karen Shawcross, Assistant Principal