Governing Council Community Voice (September)

Hi all; a few pointers from this week’s Governing Council meeting.

Good news! Principal Todd George presented the school’s Year 9 NAPLAN results which show significant improvements and growth, defying the downward trends of schools across the nation. To cap this off, the school has also increased its student representation across all high band test results. Participation rates were also extremely high, again defying the national trend, with only two students not completing the testing. This clearly signals that the school’s efforts to improve student learning and achievement in key curriculum areas is on track. A pat on the back for the school’s leadership and teaching team; bravo! Please acknowledge your child’s growth when NAPLAN results are released to families.

Thought you’d like to know that every teacher has designed differentiated learning units to engage and challenge students to use their individual strengths and work collaboratively. In total, seventy-three projects are “alive and well ” in the school.

Voting to amend the school’s constitution is taking place. In a nutshell, the Governing Council is supporting the amendment to ensure that GC membership reflects current needs.

Student Leader Mitchell Paterson briefed our meeting about the many SRC initiatives and activities taking place within the school. The SRC continues to drive student well-being, participation and school community harmony and culture. Footy Colours Day is planned for the end of term in support of kids with cancer. With a student vs. staff footy match to be included, Mitchell tells us that this will give staff the holidays to lick their wounds and recover from injuries! Good thinking, SRC.

Yay! The school’s refurbished Technology Centre is open for business. Sporting industry-standard workspaces, learning suites and state-of-the-art tools and equipment, students are gaining first-hand knowledge and skills to create and manufacture using a variety of mediums and materials.

Planning for the school’s centenary celebrations continues; 2023 will be a time for reunion and re-connecting as the school celebrates its 100^th birthday. These celebrations will involve both past and present students, families, teachers, extended staff and community members. This will also be a time to again welcome parents and friends into the life of the school as we emerge from COVID restrictions that have necessarily kept us away.

With the end of Term 3 approaching and winter easing, the holiday break will provide a timely opportunity for students and families to recharge.

Best wishes for the holidays,

Brian Gabb (Chairperson – on behalf of the PLHS Governing Council)

Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday October 26^th in the Specialist Building from 6:30pm.

Stay informed. Your Governing Council regularly publishes school community news and the minutes of meetings.

Respond. From time to time, we may directly seek your opinions and feedback via surveys. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts.

Attend. Come along to a meeting, workshop or event of interest. Meetings are our way of connecting and keeping us on track to serve families and work with the school.

Join. Our Governing Council’s strength comes from participation. Although you can nominate at any time to join, a good time to do this is to come along to the first meeting of the year and sample.

Register. You could be included on the Parent & Community Reference Group. On occasions, the Governing Council will contact members of this group to capture their opinions and thoughts for consideration at meetings. This helps those people who want to be heard, but are unable to attend meetings.

Contact. Please feel free to reach out to us at any time. We are listening to and representing you. Rachael Boyce, our Governing Council’s Schools Administration Officer can be contacted via email at Rachael.Boyce774@schools.sa.edu.au or by phoning the PLHS Front Office on 8683-6000.