Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome back to the last term of the year. I trust that all students were able to have a rest and recharge for the dash to the end. I was pleased to be able to put the laptop away for a week and let my mind clear in preparation for the new term.

Term 4 in all schools are very busy and it is no different in Yeronga. This year, the events and celebrations will be different as we respond to the COVID restriction. For each event, there will be a COVID plan and we will let the community know in advance. I would like to thank everyone for being supportive and respectful of these processes.

Tracy Freeman, Deputy Principal for the Junior school is on leave for the first two weeks of this term. I would like to welcome Clare Triggell to the role in an acting capacity for this duration.

Congratulations P&C

Fantastic news and well deserving. The P&C have been selected as a 'Band 9' finalist for the 2020 P&C of the Year Awards.

School Opinion Survey

• My school provided me useful information on how my child will stay COVID safe while at school: 93.9% agreement
• My school provided me useful information on changes to usual school routines (e.g. changes to drop off/pick up points, staggered lunch breaks etc): 95.9%
• My child found online education websites and apps useful: 77.9%
• My child was supported to return to school and continue their lessons: 92.7%
• This is a good school: 96.8%

Student responses:

• My teacher(s) explained what was required with my school work: 92.2%
• I found pre-recorded videos and lessons, including on television useful: 82.6%
• My school supported me to return to classroom learning: 88%
• This is a good school: 94.3%

This information gives us something to reflect on and build on.

Quadrennial School Review (QSR)

In preparation for the QSR, we conducted another survey and a forum for parents. Thank you to the parents who responded to the survey or who attended the forum run by Steve Frances. Staff and upper school students also had an opportunity to participate in this form of consultation. The feedback will be collated by a steering group and shared with the community.

Boarding House

A few other important things have occurred over the holidays. The P&C presidents, Kym and Hamish and I met with personnel from the Regulatory Services Housing, Homelessness and Sport, Department of Housing and Public Works to discuss issues arising from the boarding house on Park Road. The matter continues to be a concern for the school and community and we will continue to advocate for the safety of our students. Please report any incidents that are of concern to us, providing specific details and the police incident report number.

Dental Building

There has been progress with the dental building. Prior to the school holidays, architects and builders came to tour the building and submit their interest as the work will go to tender. This part of the procurement process is managed by the department.

Student Leadership dates

Student leadership is a very important part of developing self-managers and motivated global citizens. We have high expectations for all students, especially the senior students. Some students would like to push themselves to the next step and nominate for a position in the school’s student leader structure. This is a thorough and fair process. Details of the criteria and the process will be shared with students in Year 5, in the weeks to come. Students also have the opportunity to shine on camp that requires them to step outside their comfort zone.

Important dates:

19 October (Week 3)             Nomination forms handed out to Year 5 students

29 October (Week 4)             Forms due by 2.30PM

2 November (Week 5)            School Captain interviews

4 November (Week 5)            School Captain interviews

5 November (Week 5)            School Captain candidates introduced at assembly

12 November (Week 6)          School Captain speeches at 9.00AM

13 November (Week 6)          School Captain elections

18 November (Week 7)         Short listing, speeches and elections: House Captains                                                and Music captains

23 November (Week 8)         IT, Environmental, AST, Resource Centre and Bell                                                      Captains

Michelle D’Netto