Meeting of Principals:
In the last week the four school Principals from Warialda PS, Warialda HS, Gravesend PS and Bingara CS met to discuss further ways that we can enhance co-operation between the schools that primarily make up the Gwydir Learning Region.
The meeting was also attended by Des Gorman, New England Regional Director and Anne Gates who is the relieving School Education Director.
A number of further areas of co-operation were discussed. These areas included the development of common components of school management plans, the holding of joint staff professional development days and the supervision of new scheme teachers.
The discussions also looked at the integration of the senior schooling through a study skills program. Teacher networks and their development were discussed along with the development of a middle years concept.
Technology and its usage to enhance teaching and learning was also a point of discussion.
A number of other areas including student assessment, the Country Area Program, creative and performing arts, the chaplaincy program were also discussed and explored for ways in which the schools may be able to co-operate further on.
Minutes form this meeting are currently being finalised and then will b forwarded out to relevant groups within our community.
The meeting was most useful in finalising some of our thoughts as well as starting our thinking in other areas that have yet to be explored through co-operation.
The level of co-operation I believe between the four schools is at an all time high and I believe will only continue to strengthen in the coming weeks.
Careering into the Future
Last week, Martin Bower spent two days in our school working with our students in Year 9 on the development of a careers plan that will hopefully see many of these students reach their goal in life as far as where they would like to be employed when the leave school.
Martin does amazing job with these students and their parents and is so very passionate about his belief that every student has an ability to reach their potential.
Thank you Martin on a fantastic effort with these students!
Senior Study Room
Last week all the furniture that had been ordered through the DET arrived at our school so that this week we will be working hard on outfitting the room ready for our students to take over the room when they commence their studies in 2008.
The room will be painted, have new furniture and have computer access. This will ensure that our students are in an environment that will really help them learn.
Much of the furniture that will be needed to accommodate our new teachers has also arrived and will be in place before the end of the year.
The week ahead . . .
Timetabling for 2008. . . .
Have a great week!
Peter Macbeth
Principal
