Student Services 2020
Wow! What a crazy year, and where has it gone?!?!?!?
The team in Student Services has worked tirelessly to support students in often difficult and emotional situations around a multitude of issues, the least of which has been the impact of COVID. The team identified a need to communicate with students and families in a time where the traditional face-to-face was not an option. A Connect class was set-up and all students were included. This proved to be a very well utilised resource, including having nearly 200 visits in one day to access information, links and resources to support a multitude of potential difficulties. When students did return, the Student Services team were there to greet them, and then the work began in re-engaging our young people back at school. I am very thankful for the team I work with and am certain of the positive impact they have had with the support provided to our school community.
Planning Day
On Wednesday 9th December, various members of the Student Services team met to review the year that was and plan for 2021. It was a very productive day and authentic conversations about supporting students was at the forefront. I am extremely excited to see the discussions from the day put into practice for 2021.
Behaviour and Attendance
As always, our ‘big ticket items’ revolve around behaviour and attendance. With the year that was, the data on these two items could have looked any number of ways. It seems that whilst negative behaviours increased slightly from last year (especially towards the end of this term), the percentage of regularly attending students post-COVID return was a highlight. Students making effort to attend school more of the time, affords them the best chance at success going forward. Remember, the Education Department benchmark is students to be attending 90% or more of the time.
End of Term Reward Prize
We will have our final prize draw for the year at the end of this term. Historically, we have awarded one very deserving winner a large prize at the end of the term and previous winners have enjoyed iPads, bicycles, portable speakers and hundreds of dollars worth of entertainment vouchers for places like the movies and Adventure World. This year we thought that we would re-jig the prizes to be able to recognise one student from each year group and award them with a voucher that can be used at a variety of locations. Remember, the way to be in the draw is to be doing the right thing. Students receiving Student of the Month nominations, special awards, or have an attendance of 99% or 100% will all be placed in the draw for this term’s prize.
Old/Unwanted Uniforms
It is that time of year where Student Services asks for any unwanted or unused school clothing be donated.
If you have any items that you’d like to donate, BSC would be grateful to receive it.
The items of clothing may be brought to either the front office or the Student Services building.
Thank You
I’d like to take this time to thank all of the members of the Student Services Team for their dedication and support for students, their families and the wider community. The work that they do is invaluable. Through tireless effort and countless hours, they have managed some extremely tricky situations, and each and every time the successes have shone through and the students that required support are all the better for it.
A huge thank you goes to Brent Jarvis-Spinks for an absolutely herculean effort in getting the Year 12’s to where they are now. Through his work and dedication, the Year 12’s were able to still have their school ball, which was an absolute success. It was by far, the most upbeat, polite, respectful and inclusive group of young people in my recent memory and they certainly were a credit to themselves, their families and the school. Not only did Brent have to contend with a COVID affected school ball, but also navigating a new venue for the graduation ceremony. The work that went it to this (alongside the truly amazing Nicky Harris) was immense, but the end result was a resounding success and because of their work, this will continue into the future. Thank you for carrying these young people through their school lives. Their experiences with you will be cherished and will stand them in good stead for the future.
Pietro Papasergio stepped into the fray as the Head of Student Services (HoSS) for the Middle School for the second half of 2020 as Bridgid Lafferty was seconded to Leonora DHS as Acting Principal. He has become extremely adept at managing and supporting young people at BSC through his various stints in the Head of Student Services role. Pietro’s time in the HoSS seat has been greatly appreciated and we look forward to what the year holds for 2021 in this space. Bridgid Lafferty was missed by the school community and the Middle School students when she chose to take up a Principal’s job in the Goldfields. She has utilised much of what she had implemented or adapted to suit the Belridge context where she is now and has found some success. It is not clear at this stage whether Bridgid will return to BSC, but we wish her all the very best with whatever happens to her going into the future.
Finally, I’d like to thank the parents/caregivers that have had any involvement through Student Services, for their willingness to support their young person in their journey through school. The ability to communicate between home and school has been a highlight and we are grateful for all the support we have received. I wish the entire Belridge Secondary College community a safe and happy holiday break, and I look forward to working with you again in 2021.
Hal Spedding
Head of Student Services - Senior School
Hello from the Community Health Nurses
Hello families,
The Community Health nurses, allocated from the Child and Adolescent Health Service to Belridge Secondary College, are Deb Lawrence and Jo Savoury.
If you have a student at Belridge who has an ongoing medical concern, such as Anaphylaxis, Allergies, Asthma, Diabetes or any other diagnosis that may impact on their school life, please ensure that the school is informed and the necessary forms are completed every new school year to ensure that we are aware and can administer the appropriate treatment, if required. This is especially important where there has been a change to the care required.
The links to action plans for diabetes, asthma, allergies and anaphylaxis are below. If you have not done so already, please print the relevant action plan and complete it, with the assistance of your medical professional if appropriate, and provide the school with a copy.
Anaphylaxis:
https://allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/ascia-action-plan-for-anaphylaxis
Have a wonderful summer break!
Deb and Jo