Welcome to the first newsletter of the 2022 school year. It was great to welcome back our returning students and greet our new Year 7s, all 195 of them! After a well-deserved break the staff have returned raring to go with a renewed energy and enthusiasm. As always, the first few weeks can be a challenge for our students, adjusting to a new routine, making new friends and finding their place. However, it has been pleasing to see how quickly they have adjusted and settled into high school life. With extremely high temperatures and the wearing of masks, it has not been easy, however staff and students have shown great support of the new COVID guidelines.

Our Year 12 cohort 2021 did the College proud achieving some great results in their WACE. Our WACE achievement rate was 93%, higher than both Like Schools and State Schools. Our median ATAR took a dip at 64.8, lower than Like Schools, however we did see an increase in students performing in the high Tricle. Our Strong OLNA results saw 96% of our eligible cohort achieve the minimum standard in both literacy and numeracy. We also had 37% of our students leave with a Certificate III or higher VET qualifications, placing them in a strong position for competitive entry into TAFE or employment. 

Elevate revision seminars continued for both our lower and senior school students with a modified in class program. Getting good study habits in place early and forming a routine will really help our students develop the skills they will need to be successful in the future.

There have been a few shifts in roles and structures for the start of 2022. The College welcomes our new Deputy Principal of Years 7-9 Mrs Louise Hall. This means Mr Pisano has now moved into the role of Vice Principal Years 10-12. Mr Notarpietro will continue in his role in VET and School Operations. We also see the start of our new HOSS Mr Ben Dawkins for Years 11-12 (an additional role we have added to provide greater support for students). We welcome Mr Lucius Chen as HOLA of Digital and Design Technologies and congratulate Ashley Mouritz on winning the new position of Career Practitioner here at the College. Elizabeth Cassidy is now HOLA of The Arts.  The college also welcomes our new staff for 2022 Andrey Hontscharenko (D&T), Georgia Radinger (ENG), Tom Palmer (ENG), Sarah-Jane Lang (Library)  and Angela Ord (EA).

Prior to the commencement of the term, the College worked hard to ensure that staff and students could return to school safely. The College has a full COVID plan and is ready to move to online learning should the need arise.  A survey has gone home to families to gauge student access to internet and devices. If online learning is enacted and you are facing difficulty, please contact the College. Due to current restrictions we have cancelled our Year 7 parent BYOD evening and our Year 7 BBQ. The College will do all it can to keep the community informed via Connect or the College website regarding these topics.

Currently the ball is still on to go ahead. Hopefully we will get there. If for any reason restrictions change that prevent us from attending, the College would look at postponing the event to later in the year rather than a cancellation.

If you need to reach out and contact the college, please see Talking with your College document that can be found on the college website to guide your inquiry. Other useful tools include the Parent/Student Handbook which can be found under OUR COLLEGE.  

Our Connected Learning Plan can be found under NEWS & EVENTS > COVID-19 SCHOOL POSITION if we were to move to an online learning model due to COVID.

I can’t believe I am starting my third year here at Belridge SC, where has the time gone? It is an absolute pleasure to be here and I look forward to sharing the Colleges journey with you throughout the year.

Regards,

Sharon Lyon - Principal