Principal’s Piece — Justin Harrison
In line with what has eventuated recently, I would like to formally recognise and thank Toolooa staff and the wider community for your patience as we have worked through these last four days. Your continued support has allowed us to maintain a focus on providing an educational program to students in a safe and supportive environment.
Toolooa SHS will continue to monitor the situation over the break and will provide you with further updates if necessary. I would also encourage you to continue to refer to general information as provided on the Queensland Health website and check the frequently asked questions.
Staffing Update - Thank you Mrs Kean
Mrs Kean, one of our long standing and experienced Head of Departments and current acting Deputy Principal, has decided to take some well-deserved leave and travel throughout Australia. For those of you who are unaware, Mrs Kean was appointed to the permanent English HOD role at Toolooa SHS in July 2009 and has been here for the majority of the time since. Under her outstanding leadership of the English department and the significant contribution she has made to the school’s strategic agenda, Mrs Kean has had such a positive impact on the lives of many staff and students. The school is definitely going to miss her outstanding curriculum knowledge and understanding of signature pedagogies. We wish Mrs Kean all the best.
With Mrs Kean taking leave, it gives me great pleasure to announce that Ms Sally Christensen and Mr Greg Hage will backfill behind Mrs Kean and share the acting Deputy Principal position. Ms Christensen is currently the HOD (Effective Teaching and Learning and Year 7 English/Humanities) and Mr Hage is the HOD (Mathematics). Sally and Greg are looking forward to the new role, one that I believe they will both do admirably. I am looking forward to having both of them on the administration team. To support and backfill their move to the part-time Deputy Principal and HOD role, I would like to congratulate Mrs Paula McDonald and Miss Georgia Milne who were appointed to the part-time HOD roles left behind by Sally and Greg respectfully. Once again, both Paula and Georgia will seamlessly transition into their new role. Congratulations to both of them.
Finally, it gives me great pleasure to announce that Mr David Roby has been officially appointed to the permanent Head of Special Education Services. For those of you who have worked closely with Dave, I am sure you would all agree that he thoroughly deserves the position. Not only does Dave bring to Toolooa a passion for inclusivity, an evidence-based approach to support all student’s learning, a strategic insight to improve an educational journey, he is someone who wants every student to succeed. Congratulations on your appointment Dave.
Student Code of Conduct (SCOC)
This year we have introduced our Student Code of Conduct (SCOC). The SCOC has a large focus on the explicit teaching of appropriate behaviours in all settings. As a school we have a consistent approach to routines. These expectations are delivered at whole school and year level parades, classes and also in form class. Along with our routines, each year level focus on specific behaviours for their age and stage in development. Class teachers have focused on their classroom expectations, therefore allowing students to know exactly what is expected of them in each class. All of these expectations are closely linked to our core values of 'Respect, Achievement and Responsibility'. Our SCOC can be found on the school website. We encourage all parents and caregivers to look at the document and chat with your child /ren about it. This will help to reinforce our expectations and help us ensure consistency of these expectations. If you have any questions with regards to the SCOC, please contact the school office for further information.
P & C News
Our March meeting saw the AGM conducted followed by the General Monthly Meeting. It was VERY exciting to see a great roll out with one or two new faces welcomed into the fold!
The Following Members Were Appointed To The Executive:
President: Jenny Morris
Vice President: Sanath Alahakoon
Minute Secretary: Mel Gourley
Correspondence Secretary: Kim van der Breggen
Treasurer: Leigh McLeod
P&C QLD Rep: Kathy Pickup
Congratulations and thank you to our whole P&C team for their ongoing commitment to our amazing Toolooa SHS.
End of Term 1
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all parents/carers and the wider community for your ongoing support of Toolooa State High School. The students and I are fortunate to have such incredible support and commitment by the staff and the positive connection the school has with all families. Our students are very lucky that they have such a supportive culture, one fostering success.
I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable break.
School will resume on Monday 19 April.