It is with great pleasure that I can now announce, that I was the successful applicant of the advertised permanent Principal position at Belridge SC. After working at the College for 2½ years in a temporary capacity, I am extremely happy to commit my long-term future to the College.  I know over the last few years there has been a lot of change in leadership at the College and I would like that to end now. 

As Principal of this amazing school, my priority will always be the students - they come first.  Ensuring your child has access to the best possible curriculum, pastoral care, and facilities will always be at the heart of my decisions.  I am a strong believer that change takes time and effort and I am willing to provide both. I am fully committed to the students, staff and the wider Belridge community and cannot wait to embark on our future together. 

I thank you for your support over the last 2½ years.  It has been a difficult time to be in education, but with your support we have been able to function effectively and support our students with minimal impact, and for this I am very grateful. 

Subject selection processes for 2023 have been completed for Years 11 and 12. This was undertaken using our new online course selection tool – SSO and went very smoothly. I thank Kasun Tennakoon and Lorraine Carr for their hard work in setting this up. New courses have been added this year to support our student pathways with General Human Biology and General Psychology being added to the timetable for 2023.

In support of our School Business Plan targets, to forward our commitment to Teaching and Learning and develop leadership and wellbeing at the College, we are proud to announce that we have 7 nominations for this year’s NEITA – National Excellence in Teaching Awards.  Congratulations to Samantha Saunders, Narae Howard, Claire Green, Mikaela Shirley, Janita O’Shea, Stuart Rutter and Jarrad Timu on your nominations. Their contribution to the planning and implementation of our R-LEARNERS framework has been exemplary.

Our NAIDOC celebrations took place at the start of term with the official unveiling of our ‘Welcome to Country’ steps. These are located at the front of the school and are a very prominent visual for all to see. Elder Josh McGuire conducted a smoking ceremony to mark the event, an aboriginal dance group also performed for our students as part of the celebrations. Along with these annual celebrations Belridge SC has been working hard to integrate ATSI perspectives into our curricular programs to ensure coverage across the whole year. Our growing partnership with Follow the Dream has seen an increase in opportunity for our students, thanks to our ATSI team and Tina Deegan for their support.

On Friday 12^th August we have a School Development Day. During this time staff will be focusing on the development of curriculum, aligned to R-LEARNERS teaching framework and SCSA requirements. Students do not attend school on this day. 

There are also a range of whole school activities and special ‘weeks’ on the horizon this term. We have Science Week, Book Week, Wear-It-Purple Day, Athletics Carnival, Numeracy Week and R U OK day to name a few. We also have our Footy Colours fundraising day for Cancer and the Year 12 Ball to look forward to.

School Tours will be taking place on Wednesday 24^th August for any parents considering enrolment for 2023 or beyond. Please contact the college if you would like to be added to this tour and don't forget to spread the word!  Bookings are essential and can be made HERE.

There are a number of COVID protocols and processes still in place, with the Department of Health expecting another peak around Week 5 (15-19 August). Masks are recommended in indoor public places where social distancing is not possible. Please see the Healthy WA website for further information. Additional RAT tests have arrived at school for staff and students, these will be distributed through classes. If your child is absent during this time and misses out, please ask them to come to Admin reception to collect their allocation. All students will receive an additional 20 RAT tests.

I look forward to sharing the bumper term that is Term 3 with you, via our Facebook Page @BelridgeSC.  If you have not already liked/followed our page, please do so, this will allow us to share our story with you as it happens.  

Take care.

Sharon Lyon
Principal