Deputy Principal Update
It's hard to believe we are almost a third of the way through term already!
The Year 9 students have certainly settled in to their new learning environments and classrooms in the Senior Precinct. The spaces and resources they have access to here at Foxwell are amazing; we are all so lucky to work and learn in this amazing space. I have enjoyed getting to know the Year 9s better in the last few weeks. It has been wonderful to speak with students who have been able to discuss and share with me the values that are important to them, what they want to achieve in the next few years at school and for them to begin to share with me the passions and interests that make up their lives. This morning it was with utmost pride that we looked through proofs of Year 9 school photos taken on Wednesday. There are some lovely photos amongst them and we hope you enjoy these wonderful keepsakes of your childs' time at Foxwell.
Our students have certainly been exploring their interest areas in their Personal Endeavour Courses (PECS), where they have a broad range of interests to explore. Some meaningful learning and reflection about themselves has also occurred for a number of students, who have now had further insight into what areas they may like to pursue further, or not. Sometimes knowing when a subject isn't a perfect fit is just as important as knowing when it is! With that in mind, we are now a third of a way through their term-long PEC classes and all subjects have engaged in significant content and skill development. With that in mind, unless in exceptional circumstances, subject changes have now closed for the term as students moving into a new subject at this stage will have missed fundamental developmental learning in the subject they may like to change into. In the coming weeks, students will have the PECS they have been assigned in Term 2 communicated to them and the subject change request process for next term's offerings will begin. We will clearly communicate these timelines to students and families in the next Year Level Bulletin.
In the next few weeks, you will also begin to hear more about the upcoming NAPLAN sessions. NAPLAN is an important testing opportunity for students, families and schools, to provide feedback of the learning and skills of students at a point of time. This year, NAPLAN is being held in March, much earlier than in previous years. This is to enable faster feeback to schools and teachers about student knowledge to inform classroom learning. NAPLAN is completed on students' iPads in the NAPLAN app. One of the amazing features of completing the tests this way is that the app is then able to individualise the questions the students' are asked to respond to, in keeping with their ability. This provides the opportunity for all students to engage effectively and experience success in the testing environment.
Thank you for the families that have reached out in the past few weeks with your concerns and questions. This open and respectful dialogue is so important for us all to continue to uphold a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.
All the best,
Di Russell
Deputy Principal
From the Principal,
When we know more we can do more to support our students and families!
Embracing community contributed ideas for improvement forms a large part of our Parent and Community Engagement Framework, and I continue to welcome your feedback. Thank you to those families who have reached out to me directly to share your concerns as they might pop up, and for the suggestions you always provide. Please don't ever hesitate to reach out to us here at school.
We may not always be able to tell all parties the specific details of an investigation or the consequences for any breaches of our Code of Conduct, but rest assured that they will be dealt with. If you ever have any issues, please address them with members of our Leadership Team, or me personally. Making unnecessary social media comments or posts only ever serves to damage the reputation of our College in the community, which is never in the best interests of your children in both the short term and the future. Those who know me and my team, know that we will listen, we will act and we will communicate openly and honestly. That is our promise to you. Remember Foxwell – Together we are great.
I would like to assure our community that over the past three weeks we have been in regular communication with the bus company that provides the school service for our students, Kinetic. Today I have been advised that the Kinetic Planning Deparment are in discussion with Translink in regards to this service. Over the next week Kinetic will be collating data and conducting surveys to support the school's request to improve the school bus network.
I am looking forward to providing you with an update.
Acting Principal, Kate Shepherd