Dear Year 8 Families,

I would like to begin my final message of the year by saying a massive thank you. Without your consistent support, trust and communication, we would not have made it through the year. I am extremely proud and honoured to have worked with the Year 8 cohort in 2022. They have grown and succeeded in their own individual ways and I am thrilled to have seen this take place. I think it is timely and appropriate to inform you that in 2023, I will be taking on a new role within the Head of Year team as Head of Year 7. While I still will be around and involved with the cohort, it definitely won’t be in the same capacity as this year. I look forward to meeting some younger siblings, new students and continuing to strengthen and develop relationships with new and current families.

In the last week of the 2022 school year, our Year 8 students will participate in our Alternative Program. On Monday 5^th of December, students will begin their transition to H Block – the Year 9 space. Students will experience four sessions throughout the day centred around the theme of Rewind to Unwind:

• Session 1: Guest Presenter Cooper Chapman – Mental Health Advocate from Good Human Factory
• Session 2: Grit & Growth by Deputy Principals Zana Schroeder & Di Nicolas
• Session 3: Personal Narrative (student-selected activities)
• Session 4: Leading & Succeeding – Amazing Race Competition

At lunch, we have organised a cohort picnic with music and activities on our oval. Students are to bring lunch with them (lunch will not be provided by the school or canteen) and are encouraged to sit, laugh and have some fun with their friends as we celebrate the 2022 school year.

Finally, and before the year is out, please ensure that your child cleans out and empties their locker to ensure a fresh start occurs next year. If any student has any work left at school, please take this home before it is taken out by our cleaners over the holidays. We do ask that all families are prepared with the correct uniform, stationary and learning apps for the beginning of next year. To our families that are not returning, we wish you the best and we do ask that you let the school know to ensure that our records are correct.

I hope that our local community and families enjoy a well-earned and restful break. We look forward to welcoming you back to Foxwell State Secondary College in 2023 for another busy year.

Best wishes,

Bryce Berrell