Barraba Central School T1 Principal's Report
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I am delighted to share some fantastic news from the recent Regional Carnival in Armidale, where our Primary swimmers once again showcased their incredible talent and dedication. Our relay team deserves special recognition for their remarkable performance, improving their time by a staggering 21 seconds! Their hard work and determination truly paid off, exemplifying the spirit of teamwork and excellence.
Congratulations also go to Akira on his outstanding achievement at the carnival. Akira has demonstrated exceptional skill and perseverance, improving his time by 7 seconds and securing a spot at the State level for the 50m freestyle event. We are immensely proud of Akira and wish him the best of luck as he represents our school at the State competition. Your dedication inspires us all!
As we continue to nurture a thriving school community, I want to emphasise the importance of our school culture. The culture of a school is evident in every interaction, from the moment you walk through the gates. It is everyone's collective behaviour, even when no one is watching. On Monday night, we embarked on a three-year journey to strengthen and enrich our school culture through professional learning for our staff. Together, we explored what school culture means and how our language and actions shape it. I am eager to collaborate with students, staff, parents, and the community to foster a positive and inclusive culture where everyone feels valued and supported.
Now, let's revisit a critical aspect of our school environment - uniform compliance. Our students must adhere to the school's uniform policy, emphasising wearing the correct shoes for health and safety reasons. Additionally, for high school girls, the uniform includes black pants, shorts, or the school skirt. Please note that leggings or bike shorts are not considered part of the uniform. Proper attire not only promotes a professional appearance but also ensures the well- being of our students, especially in subjects like Industrial Arts, Science, and Agriculture. Let's continue to prioritise safety and professionalism in our school environment.
Progress on the hall roof construction is proceeding at a remarkable pace. Witnessing the construction company roof the hall in a single day was a testament to their teamwork and coordination. I am pleased to report that the hall should be completed within the next two weeks. Following this, there will be a brief break before commencing work on D-block and E- block.
A gentle reminder about the importance of attendance: We want to do everything we can to ensure your child achieves their potential and enjoys being in school. Regular attendance is essential for maximizing learning opportunities and enhancing future prospects. If your child is absent, please inform the school promptly, providing the reason for their absence. Open communication enables us to support you and your family when needed. Remember, every day counts and even occasional absences can accumulate, significantly impacting your child's academic progress and overall well-being.
We are excited to announce that we now have a full complement of 30 students set to embark on our New Zealand trip in November. Keep an eye out for our students who will be selling chocolates to raise funds for their trip. Additionally, at the P&C meeting on Tuesday night, the ladies from the CWA Manilla Twilight branch generously offered their support to help raise funds for the New Zealand trip. We are grateful for their support and hopeful that we can raise as many funds as possible to minimize the final repayment for the trip. A special thank you to the P&C members and staff who manned the barbecue at the Barraba show, raising $1000 towards the trip already. Your contributions are invaluable in making this trip a reality for our students.
We are thrilled to share that Luna, our school support dog, recently enjoyed visiting the Preschool. Luna thoroughly enjoyed meeting all the children and engaging in some reading time with them. Witnessing the pre-schoolers nurturing their love for reading in Luna's presence was heart-warming. Luna and I thank Katie and her staff for warmly welcoming us into the Preschool. Your hospitality and support are truly appreciated.
As always, please don't hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns. Together, let's continue cultivating a vibrant and supportive learning environment for our students.
Warm regards, Patrick Sullivan
Clean Up Australia Day
Our Primary students took part in ‘Clean Up Australia Day’ on Friday 1st March. The students searched in and around the school, looking for all of the rubbish that may have been left behind. Well done to all of our students and teachers who participated in the clean up.