The end of the school year always comes around very quickly. It is a time of reflection, celebration and planning for the following year.  2019 has been a very successful year with many individual student achievements - excursions/incursions, camps, interstate trips, whole school events, balls and river cruises, just to name a few. We always work on an improvement model, so staff have been busy ensuring the best start to 2020 by reflecting on teaching programs and sourcing new ideas and innovations.

Over the last week, I have had a pleasure of attending many of our partner primary schools' graduation events. I wish to acknowledge the work they do in preparing their students for their transition to secondary education. Last week, we formally welcomed the Class of 2025 (the 2020 Year 7 students) on their Orientation Day. It was fantastic to see just over 200 keen students ready to start their secondary journey and become part of our school. It was also great to meet so many new parents who have also joined the Belridge community and the commencement of a 6-year partnership.

With the end of a year comes announcements of retirements. It is with mixed emotions that we bid farewell to Greg Carey (Manager of Corporate Services – 45 years), Carol Monks (Administration – 26 years) and Richard Gazey (Science teacher – 43 years). All three are long serving members of the school. We thank them for their dedicated years of service to the public education of our students and wish them the best in their retirements. We are all extremely jealous!

We are also saying goodbye to a number of staff who have secured positions in other schools for 2020. We thank them for their commitment, dedication and care of our students and wish them the best in their new positions:

Heath Kutzer – Mathematics
Corina Fordham – Mathematics
Lesley Colley – Mathematics
Cameron James – Mathematics
Bruce McInnes - Mathematics
Jemma Whelan – HASS
Lisa Pignatiello – Art
Josh Hollows – Health & Physical Education

Anna Dyer, Merv Dyer and Suzanne Manning are taking 12 months leave. We wish them an enjoyable and relaxing year and look forward to welcoming them back in 2021.

The Minister of Education has implemented a total ban in all public schools on the use of electronic devices commencing in 2020. The College has drafted a school policy to align with the directive from the Minister. Please refer to the policy later in this newsletter. This will take effect from Monday 3rd February 2020. Students have been reminded of this change during their weekly year assemblies. We hope to have a smooth transition to this new policy.

The college’s substantive Principal, Melesha Sands, has had her secondment in head office as the Director of Leadership, Innovation & Strategy extended by 6 months. I have been acting in Melesha’s absence this past 6 months. Due to Public Sector Standards, 6 months is the longest someone can act in a position without a selection process taking place. It is for this reason that Jim Webb (Regional Executive Director) has appointed Sharon Lyon to the role of Acting Principal for Semester 1, 2020. Sharon is currently the Deputy Principal at Ashdale Secondary College. The college welcomes Sharon to the position as Acting Principal and I am sure she will be a good addition. I wish to thank everyone for their support during Semester 2.

We look forward to 2020 and I hope that your 2019 has been fulfilling. Have a safe and happy holiday.

Mario Pisano
Principal