Welcome to Term 3. At the end of last term, you should all have received via email and on QParents, your child’s report card. All students have had an opportunity to analyse and create some goals to improve their results in English this term already. Please find time at home if they are still unclear about how to improve, they should organise time to meet with their teacher to expand the discussion. All Wilsonton teachers understand the importance of feedback and crave the opportunity to spend time with their students having improvement conversations. If you were unable to be present for parent/teacher interviews, please make time to contact your student’s teacher to discuss results and improvements moving forward.  

Uniform

It is very important that parents and carers support their students to be in the correct uniform for winter. Uniform expectations are clearly outlined in student diaries and explained to student on school parade and in form classes. Full and correct uniforms, including jumpers and track pants promote a sense of belonging to your school, build school pride and set a clear standard on what students should wear to be part of the school. These behaviours are replicated in the vast majority of schools as well as in many workplaces. Attitudes towards belonging, pride and achieving at least a minimum standard, are attitudes that lead to success. If parents/carers are struggling to provide their student with a winter uniform, please ask them to see Mr Johansen, Mrs Nelmes or Mr Jarroush.     

Attendance

Attendance is key to success at school. Semester 1 attendance percentage for Year 7 was 86.7%. At Wilsonton SHS we are aiming to achieve a percentage of 92%.  All parents/carers have a legal obligation to send their students to school every day unless there is a legitimate absence such as illness. All parents/carers have a legal obligation to explain any student absence from school. This can happen by return text message to the school’s absence line or by contacting the school via telephone or the schools email address. When schools and parent/carers work together to minimise student absences, student performance improves, along with enjoyment at school and a sense of belonging.

Social Media Issues

Some concerns are consistently popping up with our Year 7 cohort. We all know it happens so frequently during teenage years, that some people have come to accept it as a normal part of teenage life. Yet, when that drama involves spreading rumours, toxic relationships and making another student’s schooling experience a negative one, that is anything but normal. In fact, it causes pain within the victim. It is almost impossible to ignore, especially when social media is used. We have been told how harmful social media can be, and each week we continue to face the same drama occurring with our students. I would like remind all our students and families that this type of “drama” has no place in our school and we should remember to respect each and every one at our school. Everyone in our great school has the right to feel safe and respected whilst they receive a great education. We show respect by speaking and acting with courtesy. We treat others with dignity and value the expectations of our family, school and community. Everyone deserves respect, which in turn earns respect back to you. I would really appreciate all parents/carers to have a discussion with their children regarding appropriate social media usage. Please utilise the wonderful website designed to educate families on all issues in cyber world. eSafety Commissioner https://www.esafety.gov.au/ is Australia's independent regulator for online safety. We educate Australians about online safety risks and help to remove harmful content such as cyberbullying of children, adult cyber abuse and intimate images or videos shared without consent.

Thanks
Mick Jarroush
Deputy Principal – Year 7