Since our last newsletter there have been many activities at school including Year 8 camp, student led conferences and our Athletics Carnival.  Last year we made some significant changes to this Carnival, which included us moving from the oval by the gym to the main school oval and the introduction of a tabloid style program where all students participate in all events.  Last Friday we held our second Carnival under these new conditions and it was a resounding success!  The weather was amazing, the oval was in great condition and the athletes (and supporters) were in fine form.  As with all such major events, the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes is substantial and I would like to thank Alison Schahinger and her team for all they did in the lead up to the event and on the day.  I would also like to thank the other staff members who worked tirelessly on the day (many from 7am) to make it a day full of school spirit, participation and, of course, some great athletic feats.  See further in this newsletter for a full report on the day’s events.  This year we are also hosting interschool athletics and further information about this has been sent home to families earlier this week.

School Values

Our school values are a code of conduct decided on, and agreed to, by the school community and they provide a set of standards for us all to measure our behaviour.  Last year Michelle Pudney led us through a process of looking at our values and promoted a positive school culture by considering ways in which we live these values and display them in classes, the yard, the bus and online.  Staff, students and parents participated in this process, which ultimately resulted in a poster which gives examples of how we can demonstrate our values in these situations.  There have been a couple of occasions recently where I have referred to our values, the core attributes we measure ourselves against and reflected on what they actually mean.  Do you know what the BHS values are?  I’m sure a most of you have heard us use the acronym of PRIDE when referring to values/awards/actions but I wonder if everyone knows what these initials stand for?

P = Positive Relationships

R = Respect

I = Integrity

D = Dedication

E = Excellence

Looking at the first one, Positive Relationships, is the most important of them all for me.  Relationships are the basis for everything we do in schools.  There many relationships within schools but the key ones occur between students, their families and the staff.  As a school that lives by restorative principles, we value relationships and will work with all of these key players to make sure our interactions are strong and positive and, on those occasions when the relationships can fracture, we will work to repair them when needed.  Your children might come home and talk about participating in a restorative conversation whilst here at school.  We believe it’s important to talk about issues, to give everyone a chance to share their point of view and to work towards a way to repair a relationship so all parties can move forward.  Positive relationships, in the form of interactions between people, are vital and that is why it is our first value. 

Governing Council AGM – Rescheduled Date

Just a reminder that our Governing Council’s AGM will now take place on Tuesday 16^th March 2021 at 7.00 pm in the Community Library.  Please consider nominating, or renominating, for the Governing Council, which has a crucial role in ensuring that the school is meeting the educational needs of the community.  There is a nomination slip for Governing Council in this newsletter or you can access one by contacting the Front Office.  Even if you are not considering nominating for Council, I encourage you to come along to the AGM, where we will present the Annual Report on the 2020 school year.

Support for Students and Staff

As our school and local communities continue to heal after a number of recent tragic events, I would like to remind families that professional support is available for your child through:

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800

Lifeline 131 114

eHeadspace https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/

As always, I invite parents to contact me at the school with any issues or concerns or if you would like to discuss any aspect of your child’s learning.  I can be contacted via Daymap or email Sonia.Pringle235@schools.sa.edu.au or you can phone the School on 8862 0600 to speak to me directly or to make a time to come and see me.

Sonia Pringle

Principal