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Newsletter Item week 3 Term 3 2022
Welcome back to Term 3. It was lovely to chat to a large number of parents last week during our Parent Night last Wednesday and also those that attended the enrolment and course selection session with staff from Manjimup Senior High School. Our staff reported that many parents were complimentary about the quality of teaching, learning and support their student receives from our school. I acknowledge feedback that there were some lengthy delays for those wishing to speak to the Manjimup staff and have passed this back to those staff so this can be avoided in the future. Thank you all for coming out on a cold night to support your child in their education.
A number of our students have engaged in the offer from Manjimup TAFE to start courses there one day per week. This is a brilliant opportunity for these students to not only “dip a toe” into the world of more adult learning, but also to start accumulating WACE (WA Certificate of Education) points to enable them to graduate at the end of Year 12. A huge thank you to Mrs Jenny Hughes, the VETiS (Vocational Education and Training in Schools) Coordinator at Manjimup Senior High School for supporting this journey for our students.
Following a significant upgrade to our internet band width, I am pleased to advise that from 2023 students in Year 8 will be able to BYOD (Bring Their Own Device) to school to use in classrooms. This will save them having to borrow laptops from the library or use school machines. This facility will still be available to those without a device but I am hopeful that this forewarning to parents will allow you to keep an eye out for specials, factor this into your home budgets and think about a device as a possible Christmas or birthday gift for your student. Second hand computers can also be a good option to consider. Before making what can be a substantial purchase, please see the BYOD Specifications Guide attached.
Students are well aware of the state-wide Department of Education Policy regarding mobile phone use – “Off and Away – All Day”. I am aware that some schools have completely banned phones at the school and whilst I would be reluctant to introduce this at BHS, I am very concerned with the number of students who are regularly and consistently ignoring the policy. Students have been given advanced warning that we will be doing spot checks of phones and student who have their phone in their pocket, rather than in their bag or have their phone turned on, are breaching the policy and will face consequences. Students are welcome to ring parents on the Front Office phone, and similarly, if parents wish to contact their student, please do not phone or message your child on their mobile, but leave a message with the office and we will get it to them. Your assistance with reinforcing this message at home would be welcomed.
A variety of illnesses is keeping a number of students (and staff) away. Thank you for keeping your child at home when they are ill but please remember to let us know so we can record the absence as “sick” rather than “unexplained”. This prevents you receiving the automated text message from the school and helps us track student attendance more accurately.
For the last two and a half years, Camille Sinagra (our Manager of Corporate Services) and I have been lobbying various Government agencies for an upgrade of our student and staff toilets. I am delighted to be able to share with you that we have been successful in attracting substantial funding for this project. We are meeting with the Principal Project Officer on 22nd August so hopefully I will be able to share further details with you following this meeting.
Kind regards
Mrs C. A Thorsby
A total of 44 students from Bridgetown High School are participating in Country Week this year. Country Week is being held from the 19- 23 September '22 and is an opportunity for students to play basketball, netball, volleyball or badminton against other regional district high school students from around the state. Students play their sport at major sporting venues and experience life in Perth for the week.
The Country Week squad has embarked on a campaign of fund raising events to assist in reducing the costs for students. The next event is a Cake, Slice and Plant stall at the Shire's Community Stall in Hampton Street on Saturday, 20 August '22. If you're in town please stop past and purchase a yummy treat or a cheap plant for your garden.
Unfortunately, the costs to travel to Country Week have increased significantly this year. Any sponsorship or donations from the community to reduce the costs for the Country Week Squad or to go towards particular students who are in financial need would be greatly valued and appreciated.
Please contact Michelle Phillips (PE and Health Teacher) michelle.phillips@education.wa.edu.au or contact the front office at Bridgetown High School tel: 9761 0100.