As a school we endeavour to provide the best possible supports and programs for learning. We try to identify and remove barriers for students that prevent learning and ensure that the learning is accessible for all. As part of our Berry Street educational teaching we are endeavouring to provide students with skills and strategies that enable them to focus on their learning and to be their best. Students who are engaged and invested in improving and learning something new each day will build skills for life. A positive attitude and growth mindset goes a long way to establishing successful habits. Valuing education is another key component to a successful partnership and ensuring that the messaging from home is consistent with school is also important and valued.

Our start of the year has been positive and we trust this continues throughout the term. Where possible we are trying to involve our community in as many school based activities as possible. However to ensure equity we have had to put a ticketing processes in place for schoolwide events such as assemblies and our upcoming swimming carnivals. Whilst we know this is slightly different we would strongly encourage you to work with us while we find the right balance under the current requirements for COVID-19.

We are really pleased to be able to introduce new staff for 2021. Alexia Thomson has joined our teaching team on one of our grade 1-2 classes. Alexia has broad professional experience having taught in Thailand, London and most recently spent 7 years in Melbourne. She had the personal experience of being in Thailand during the 2005 Boxing Day Tsunami. She lives with my husband and thier red heeler, Paddy. She loves Thai food, gardening, art and bike riding. 

Chloe Brown is AST for grade 3 to 6 as well as teaching 3-4B on Fridays. Chloe comes to us from Winnaleah District High School where she wore numerous hats including roles as the Literacy Coach (0.5), for their school network and their school and was also Assistant Principal (0.5).  Chloe has experience across systems and across age groups including Year 11-12. 

Kelly Howell has taken over our drama space working with all primary classes and option lines for our senior students. Kelly has been a Theatre educator and performer for over 20 years, teaching mostly in the north of Tasmania as well as Beijing, China in 2012-2013 at an international school. In Australia she has presented numerous times at Drama Tas conferences, has been on the board of Drama Tas and Drama Aus as well as presenting in Melbourne for Drama Australia.  Kelly is a passionate Arts advocate who loves every aspect of performance from script writing to directing to performing and has a special love for Physical Theatre and Dance.

Mr Tony Deans is teaching our TASC subjects for our internal grade 11 and 12 students. Tony has vast experience as an educational leader in Queensland over 15 plus years and his knowledge and understanding of learning, particularly for senior students will be an asset for our program.  We are really pleased with the increase of enrolments in our extension school space and this has included not only shared enrolments with colleges but also full-time enrolments for both VET and TCE learning priorities.

Just some friendly reminders to ensure ease of operations. Can you please ensure you:

• park in the carpark and walk with your child to class if you are going into morning lesson/s
• use the spaces near the main entrance for morning drop off. Don’t park or leave your car.
• stick to the speed restrictions through the car park
• sign in at the office if you are spending >15 minutes in classrooms
• return any forms that haven’t been returned
• drop students to school after 8:30am
• continue to keep students in school uniform to be part of our school 'team'.

A reminder that regular and sustained attendance is critical to learning for all students. Please ensure that we see students everyday except if they are unwell.  Remember to keep students home if they are unwell, have a cough or flu like symptoms.  We would appreciate the courtesy of letting the office know as soon as practical if your child is away for planned or unplanned absences.

Colin Pearson – Principal