Welcome to our new look newsletter!  The format is easy to read and use on both computers and phones, however, we can still print one and send home a hard copy if you prefer.  Just let the front office staff know if you would like to receive a paper version each edition.  The new online format allows us to include many more images than we have been able to share in the past and we can also include a number of documents such as consent forms and letters to parents.

In preparation for this week’s newsletter, I looked over my diary for the last few weeks to see what we’ve done as a school thus far besides the rigorous academic program that has been underway.  The list is long and varied and includes the Student Council Camp, Year 8 Camp, Elevate Study Skills sessions, the Student Council and House Captains Induction Ceremony, Swimming Carnival, Interschool Swimming Carnival and the Year 8 Meet and Greet night.  You will find reports about many of these things further in this newsletter and I encourage you to read them and see for yourself all of the exciting opportunities students at BHS have access to.

High Expectations

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.  Over the past couple of weeks I have had a number of occasions where I have revisited what they are, what they mean and the actions through which we can demonstrate them.  One of our school values is Respect, which is a way of treating or thinking about something or someone, which manifests itself in our actions.  In an effort to increase respect, pride in our school and allow us to focus on our core business of learning, students are expected to respect the following behaviour requirements:

Hats and hoods - all hats and hoods are to be off inside

Food - no food in classrooms during lesson times

Language - inappropriate language will not be tolerated in classrooms or the yard

Mobile phones – our current policy (which is attached) states that mobile phones are to be out of sight during classes unless students have explicit permission from the class teacher.  Year 11 and 12 students can listen to music or conduct research during a study lesson, however they are not to use their phone for any other purpose.  If students have their phone out, the following consequences will apply:

1st offence - phone confiscated and students can collect it from the front office at the end of the day.  Parents will be informed via text message.

2nd offence – same as 1st offence, with the text message warning parents that they will need to collect the phone from office next time

3rd and subsequent offences – same as 2^nd offence and behaviour management processes will be implemented, which can include internal suspension.

Students who refuse to comply with the above expectations will be issued a behaviour referral (pink slip) as the situation then ceases to be about the phone but becomes a case of students refusing to follow a reasonable instruction.

We are currently reviewing the attached electronic devices policy and invite your feedback by emailing the school on DL.0769.info@schools.sa.edu.au

Student Led Conferences

Student Led Conferences will be held next Tuesday 26^th and Wednesday 27^th February at the school.  They provide an opportunity to drive student engagement and ownership of their learning as they set themselves achievable learning goals and review these frequently throughout the year in partnership with their teachers and parents/caregivers.  The format has changed slightly from last year as conferences will now be with both Homegroup and subject teachers in Term 1 and Term 3. Bookings for Student Led Conferences are now open and can be accessed through our website’s home page to the Parent Teacher Online website.  Instructions for logging on have been sent home, however, if you have any questions about the process or are having issues booking conference times, please contact the front office on 8862 0600.

Governing Council AGM

The Governing Council is an important component of the school’s decision-making and consultative processes and provides an opportunity for parents to be more strongly involved in school operations and to gain a deeper understanding of how the school functions.  Our Governing Council’s AGM will take place on Wednesday 6^th March at 7.00 pm in the Community Library.  I would like to thank Mandy Tiller, Sheralyn Bond, Katrina Gameau, Stuart Roberts and Trish Langdon whose tenures have finished.  This means that there are five vacancies on the Governing Council and I ask you to consider nominating, or renominating, for Council, which will provide you the opportunity to have a greater say in your child’s education and gain a deep understanding of education at BHS.  There is a nomination slip for Governing Council in this newsletter or you can collect one from the front office at school.

I have enjoyed the opportunity to meet your children in classes and in the yard and to meet a number of parents at school events.  As always, I encourage 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 at the school via Daymap, email Sonia.Pringle235@schools.sa.edu.au or phone
8862 0600 where you can speak to me directly or make a time to come and see me.

Sonia Pringle

Principal