What a wonderful day we had last Thursday when we gathered as a broader school community to celebrate our annual Athletics Carnival.  The oval looked excellent, the weather was near to perfect and the students’ sportsmanship and participation was outstanding.  Congratulations must go to Walter House who claimed both the School Spirit Shield and the Overall Championship Cup but all teams are to be commended on their involvement on the day.  I would also like to acknowledge the work of Miss Alison Schahinger and her team of helpers for the organisation of the day and preparation of the sports field.  None of us really know the hours of work that go on behind the scenes to ensure the successful running of an event such as this.  There is a full report on the day later in this newsletter.

Governing Council AGM

On Wednesday 2^nd March 2022 we held our annual Governing Council AGM, in an online format for the first time.  It was quite successful but meeting face to face is definitely a superior option!  I would like to thank the parents and caregivers who joined us at this meeting, especially those who nominated for, or continued on, Governing Council.  I would also like to acknowledge Catherine Karklins and Ruth Stevens for their outstanding work over many years and thank them for their service to the school community during this time.

The following people have accepted roles on this year’s Governing Council:

I thank the new Governing Council for taking this important opportunity to be more involved in their children’s education and for supporting the school community.  I look forward to another productive and successful year working with them.

At the AGM I presented the 2021 Annual Report, which details the achievement of our last academic year.  If you would like a copy of this report, please contact us at the school and we can organise for a hard copy to be sent home or you can access it on our website.

Student Free and School Closure Days

At the AGM the Governing Council approved the following Student Free and School Closure Days.  There is one more date still to come, which we are hoping to align with at least some of our feeder schools and I will inform families of this date as soon as it is known.

Student Free Days

Term 2 Week 1 Monday 2nd May (first day of Term 2) Partnership SFD

Term 3 Week 6 Friday 2nd September

School Closure Day

Term 3 Week 7 Monday 5th September – Adelaide Show (BPS, PWPS, OPS, MPS and BHS are all proposing the same day)

We’ll finish the newsletter today with a short ‘Did you know’? quiz.

Mobile Phones

Did you know that mobile phones are banned during the school day at BHS? This means, between 8.30am and 3.15pm, students’ phones need to be switched off and left in their bag.

If students are seen using their phone during the school day, a staff member is able to confiscate it and take it to the Front Office for the student to collect at the end of the day.  If this occurs, a text message will be sent to parents to inform them.  If it occurs again, and each time after that, the phone will need to remain in the Front Office until a parent is able to collect it.  Air Pods should also not be used (as they are only connected to phones that are switched off) and smart watches are only to be used for telling the time.

If parents need to get a message to their child, please contact the front office and we will make sure it is passed on.  We thank all students and their families for their support of this policy.  The full policy can be found on our website.

BHS Centenary

Did you know that this year, BHS is celebrating 100 years of education?  Starting in 2022, Balaklava High School was initially located at the current Balaklava Museum on the corner of May Terrace and Verco Street before moving to its current location a few years later.  There are a number of celebrations planned to acknowledge the centenary including an Art Exhibition at the Courthouse Gallery, a formal dinner at the Balaklava Town Hall and opportunities to tour the school’s spectacular new facilities.  Most of these will occur on the weekend starting Friday 21^st October 2022 but we will get more information to old scholars and former staff members as it becomes available.  Thank you to last year’s Dux, Matt Mojares, who has created this outstanding logo to acknowledge our 100^th Anniversary.

ThankED

Did you know that the Department has a way for families, students and community members to acknowledge the work of amazing staff members who are making a real difference?  Every day, those working in public education shape futures by inspiring children and young people to reach their full potential.  ThankED gives you the chance to celebrate and thank public educators and support staff.

I encourage you to use the link below to acknowledge our teachers, leaders and support staff at www.education.sa.gov.au/ThankED

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