DP Report - Shannon Sager

It has certainly been a term of changes at Newcastle High School and I am sure this must be confusing for students and parents, about who is the most appropriate person to contact if they have any questions or concerns.

I will be working with our current Y10 cohort, as well as continuing to support the parents and students of Y6 who are transitioning to us next year, in preparation for overseeing this group as their Deputy Principal when they commence at Newcastle High School. I am really looking forward to working with, Y7 and 11 of 2021 and know that we can achieve some excellent results both academically and personally. My substantive position of Head Teacher Wellbeing is being filled by Mrs Joanne Myers, who brings an extensive knowledge and experience of Student Support at Newcastle High School.

In collaboration with the other Deputy Principals, we have been focusing on student behaviour data over the last few weeks to identify and target students who are not exhibiting high expectations in their learning and personal behaviours. This has been a positive experience as we have been able to start to have open discussions with students about their progress and look at support strategies where appropriate. We will continue this process into 2021 and will be exploring opportunities to embed restorative practices into our school practices and procedures to encourage positive behaviour. For the remainder of the term we will continue to focus on students being in the right place, on time and ready to learn.

For parents/carers of Y10, I want to assure you that students continue to be provided with meaningful and engaging work as the assessment period draws to a close.

As always it will be a busy few weeks as the year comes to a close but I want to publicise a few significant events that will be occurring to see the completion of Term 4.

·  Y6 Orientation Day – Tuesday 1 December (10am to 2pm)

·  PBL Rewards Excursion to Lambton Pool – 20 students from each year group have been invited as an acknowledgment of their positive behaviour throughout the year which have been recorded as GOTCHAs by our staff.

·  Y7 to 11 Presentation Assemblies - Friday 11 December. Unfortunately due to COVID-19 restrictions our usual Presentation Evening which recognises academic, community and sporting achievement is not able to go ahead. In its place each year group will have their own formal presentation of awards and reflection of 2020. Students who are the recipients of major awards will be contained within a PowerPoint on the day and this will be provided to the school community via our communication channels. Students who do not have an Authority to Publish will not have this information provided to the wider community.

I want to thank our school community for their support and resilience throughout 2020 which was demonstrated in so many ways. It is certainly a year we will not forget in a hurry and I professionally and personally appreciate the valuable lessons that I have learnt.

I wish everyone a safe and relaxing festive season and I look forward to working with the students families and staff of  Newcastle High School in 2021 on achieving great outcomes for us all.

Shannon Sager - Relieving DP (Y10 and Y7 2021)