Welcome to Term 2, in what seems like no time at all, we are already more than halfway through the term. Although students and staff alike have experienced disruption over the last few weeks, with many being away with COVID, the College has managed to continue its operations with minimal impact. With restrictions being lifted we will begin adding our usual events back into our calendar. This includes assemblies, lightning carnivals, and excursions.

This term our Year 7 and 9 students have participated in the NAPLAN online testing. With staff shortages I had the pleasure of running some of these sessions myself. Student behaviour and cooperation was exemplary. Students followed instructions well and tried their best. I am very proud of how they conducted themselves and thank them all for their efforts, even though some were not feeling their best. Thank you to Carlos Notarpietro for the organisation and management of the NAPLAN testing, along with our teaching and support staff for their efforts in making this a stress-free experience for all.

In Week 2 this term we held our taster courses for primary students wanting to experience the specialist programs we have on offer at the College. The STEM taster session booked out once again with other courses also showing significant increases in attendance. Thank you to the staff for planning and delivery of these sessions. I saw lots of smiling faces leaving at the end of the tasters. Hopefully we get to see them again as Belridge students next year. The event also included a parent tour which saw over 150 parents attend on the day. Thank you to our tour guides for passing on your wisdom and to our Deputy Principal, Louise Hall, for her detailed organisation of the event.

At the start of Week 4 we completed our first round of AEP testing, due to COVID, a catch-up session was also planned for Week 5. For those missing out, there will be a final opportunity during our transition program at the end of the year, however places will be limited. Also, can I remind parents and students that applications to our Specialist Program in Fashion Design and Elite programs in Netball, Music and Dance, close shortly – please see website for details.

Students in Years 8-11 will start to select their subjects for 2023 very shortly. Handbooks are in the process of being finalised and will be available soon on our school website under the curriculum section. This year selections will be made online using the new platform SSO (Subject Selection Online). Information on how this works will be provided to students over the coming weeks.

Exams are coming up shortly for Year 11 and 12 students. These will take place from 30th May to 10th June. Please do not book holidays during this time, as these will form an important part of your child’s final assessment grade. We also have a School Development Day on the 3rd June – students do not attend school on this day.

Our annual report for 2021 will soon be available on our school website for your reference detailing our achievements against our School Business Plan targets across the 2021 school year.

For those of you who may not be aware, I have been in the Principal position at the College for the last two years on a temporary basis. The permanent Principal position is currently going through the recruitment process and will be finalised for a Term 3 start. I have applied for the position as there is nowhere else I would rather be than here at this wonderful school. However, if things don’t work out that way, I would like to thank each and every one of you for your support and collegiality over the last two years. We have achieved some wonderful things in very difficult circumstances to which we all should be very proud.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Sharon Lyon
Principal