Welcome back to a new Semester at Foxwell State Secondary College. 

As part of our NAIDOC Week 2021 celebrations I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather for learning, and pay our respects to the Elders past and present.

I extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our College Community.

Naidoc Week allows a time for all of us to celebrate the history, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

This year the theme of HEAL COUNTRY means everyone coming together to take care of First Nation's lands, waters, sacred sites, cultures and languages. 

Although there have been some complexities as a result of COVID 19 cases in our broader community, we have been quite fortunate in 2021 to have continued with consistent at-school learning. This has enabled us to build stronger learning partnerships with our students as they work towards their 'Success' goals.

Remember that "Success at Foxwell is being empowered as a learner; connecting, contributing and flourising academically, personally, socially and emotionally". Our commitment to High Expectations equalled with High Support enables all of our students to work towards their potential and flourish. 

As is normal practice in Junior Secondary education, we have two unique semesters of learning. On Monday all students in Years 7 and 8 were provided with their Semester 2 timetable. This week as the students meet with their new teachers and potentially new class peers, our staff are reminding students of our high expectations for their learning and social behaviours. As parents you play an integral role in the success of your child in both these learning and social development domains. We encourage you to engage with your child in relation to their new timetable, subjects, and the units of work they are involved in for Semester 2. 

We are looking forward to welcoming ALL parents to the upcoming parent and community engagement events. Next week we welcome parents/carers to the Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences where parents can engage with their child and their teacher around their strengths, achievements, and areas for development. It is important that your child attends and leads these sessions as part of their personal development. Please ensure that your child brings with them their iPad so they can share with you some of their work.

Next week, we ask ALL Year 8 students to bring their parents/carers to the Year 9 2022 Information Evening. At this session you will learn all about our unique and innovative approach to Year 9 education. This is a must-attend event as critical information will be provided in relation to your child's subject selections for their important Year 9 learning program. 

At Foxwell State Secondary College we have very high expectations of student's behaviours in and out of the College environment. We pride ourselves on our proactive approach providing a safe and supportive culture that promotes learning.

We are completely aware that students who are entering, or are in, their teenage years can sometimes push boundaries as they struggle to find their place in the world and determine their self-identity. We work with our students on our agreed SPIRIT Values every day, and we also engage in more comprehensive approach through the Respectful Relationships curriculum.

We provide students opportunities for social and emotional learning in self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationships, ethics, values, social norms, stereotypes, human rights, risk and responsible decision-making. Evidence shows that this social and emotional learning leads to:

• improved social and emotional skills, self-concept, bonding to school and classroom behaviour
• less distruptive behaviour, aggression, bullying and delinquent acts
• reduced emotional distress such as depression, stress and social withdrawal.

When required our College takes a firm reactive response to inappropriate behaviours. We adhere to our College's Student Code of Conduct when investigating any incidents of misbehaviour, when communicating with students and their parents/carers about the incidents, and in determining the most appropriate consequence for the behaviour. Although we are not able to provide all parties with the specifics of the consequences, please be assured that we do take a firm stance against inappropriate behaviour, harassment, bullying etc to ensure that all students in our school and broader school community can feel safe in their learning environment. 

Once again I ask parents to play their role in ensuring the broader school community stays physically and social-emotionally safe. Please know where your child is at all times. Please monitor or restrict their social media behaviours. Please remind them of their responsibilities as members of our positive local community, and please work collaboratively with us if you have any concerns. Together we can ensure that these precious years of your child's life are memorable for all the right reasons. 

Each year all Queensland State Schools offer parents, students and staff the opportunity to provide feedback about the school over the previous 12 month period. You are invited to participate in this year's School Opinion Survey (SOS). We value your feedback. This year the SOS will be distributed directly to students and parents using the email addresses held at the school. All invitations will contain a link with a unique user id and password as part of that link. The survey can be accessed by simply clicking on the link.

We have so much to celebrate at Foxwell so keep an eye out on our Facebook page and our newsletter as we share the highlights of our school and student successes. This week in particular I acknowledge the powerful NAIDOC week celebrations and the moving ceremony lead by our students, staff and family members. 

Congratulations also to the Foxwell State Secondary College Athletics Age Champions and each and every member of our large Athletics team who are in the final training preparations for the upcoming Broadwater Athletics Championship. Good luck to our Foxwell Mariners. 

Until next week.

Kym Amor