Through the highest quality teaching and in a caring learning environment, students are inspired and supported to achieve their best so they can thrive in their life beyond school.

Hello, and thank you to all of the staff, students and families that have welcomed me into the position of Acting Principal at Balaklava High School, whilst Ms Sonia Pringle is on leave for the remaining weeks of Term 2. I have been the Middle School Assistant Principal at Balaklava High School for the past two and half years. My key area of focus as Middle School Assistant Principal has been to work with all stakeholders to develop our new Middle School structure and to facilitate our Year 7 transition program.

I am passionate about working with young adolescents to support them in their journey through education and beyond. Prior to working at Balaklava High School, I taught Local Global Perspectives and the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) a hands-on, practical alternative qualification to VCE (Year 11 and 12) at Rochester Secondary College.

On a personal level, I live in Auburn with my husband and two children aged 8 and 13. We enjoy spending time with family and friends, fishing, visiting Coffin Bay and supporting our local football and netball club. I have certainly enjoyed the new learning opportunities and my time as acting Principal as it allows me to continue to work with such passionate, dedicated staff and learners.

There has been a lot happening since our last newsletter, as you will read and I am looking forward to seeing what the rest of Term 2 has to bring.

Welcome Back - Mrs Thiel and Ms Spartley

It is fantastic to have Mrs Lucy Thiel return to our Balaklava High family as acting Middle School Assistant Principal, students and staff have been delighted to reconnect or meet with her for the first time. We all look forward to working with her throughout the year. We will also try and remain patient as we await the arrival of our wellbeing dog, Eddy to accompany Mrs Thiel to work.

I would also like to welcome back Ms Kym Spartley next week who will be working within the Welbeing Team and facilitating various Enhanced Learning Hub programs.

NAPLAN Incentive

Early in Term 2 our Year 7 and Year 9 students completed NAPLAN testing online. Overall, it was a success and it is always great to see our students trying their best. As a reward for their efforts, in Weeks 5 and 6 our NAPLAN participants were treated to hot chips at lunch and a movie for two lessons.

Student Tracking

Our student tracking is now available on Daymap. The tracking process is there to help families know how their child is progressing in each of their subjects. I would encourage you to talk to your student’s teacher if you have any questions relating to their learning. It is important to have consistent communication between the parent/caregiver and the school to allow for engaging learning experiences relevant to your child's needs and interests.

Bus Behaviour

It is vital that all students who travel on our school buses use this service respectfully. I would like to thank all the students who wear their seatbelts and display the school values whilst travelling on the bus to and from school. Did you know that it is against the law for passengers to be on a bus without wearing seatbelts? From time to time we receive phone calls and emails from our bus drivers about students that have not been behaving appropriately. I would like all our young people to be safe on the bus. Please read through this agreement with your child.

If you have any issues or concerns please come and speak to me directly. You are welcome to drop in and see me, call or email if you prefer on michelle.pudney209@schools.sa.edu.au

I hope you enjoy your weekend and the remaining weeks of the term, as I’m sure they will fly.

Michelle Pudney

Acting Principal