Principal Piece with Justin Harrison Term 4 Week 4 2021

This Friday the 29th of October Toolooa SHS will celebrate World Teacher’s Day. This is a very special day where we thank our wonderful teachers for the job they do, and will continue to do, teaching and caring for our students. It is our amazing teachers that encourage our students to be the best they can, by providing an environment for students to ‘seek excellence and engage in opportunities’. To ensure students are engaged and improving, teaching staff spend many hours preparing well designed units and lessons, whilst also providing students with the necessary feedback to improve their academic knowledge. In addition, there are many teachers who go above their allocated teaching time, spending countless hours providing opportunities for students to engage in extra-curricular activities.

Every day, Queensland teachers are making a difference educating and inspiring young people across our state. World Teachers' Day is an opportunity to acknowledge our teachers and say thanks for the significant contributions they make in our classrooms and communities. At Toolooa, I am very lucky to have a fantastic and united teaching team all striving for one thing: to get the best outcomes for every student. I consider myself extremely privileged to work with such a dedicated team.

A special mention to all staff and students involved in the Arts Showcase on Friday night the 15th of October at the Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre. It truly was a fantastic night that showcased the many talents of our students. They were simply inspirational. I would like to pay particular attention to Mrs Georgie Schluter and her team of teachers who did an outstanding job supporting and getting the students ready for this spectacular performance. The school could not be prouder of how the evening went. To all involved; well done. Please see the Arts showcase photos on page 12 of this newsletter.

Congratulations to all those involved in Toolooa’s Awards’ Night, which was held on Thursday the 21 of October. It was a fantastic night that demonstrated the ongoing commitment of our students to our three core values; Respect, Achievement and Responsibility. I would like to congratulate all award winners and thank Ms Batey and Ms Hartwig for the organisation of such a wonderful event that show cases Toolooa's talents. Please see awards night photos on page 2 of this newsletter.

A special mention must go to our “Special Award Winners.”

This year, we had an excellent pool of applicants for 2022 leadership positions. In order to attain a position as school captain or vice-captain, all applicants were required to write and present a speech, as well as have a meeting with members of the school’s administration and P&C. Following this, all students and staff voted for their preferred leaders. I would like to congratulate our School Captains, Samantha Davies and Thomas Staines and Vice Captains Jacinta Anger and Logan Crosby for 2022.

Vaccinations play a crucial role in enabling Queensland’s COVID vaccination plan to unite families.

It is essential that as many Queenslanders as possible get vaccinated to help reduce the occurrence of COVID-19 in the community.

As we know COVID-19 transmission is less likely to occur from a person who is vaccinated and provides better protection against a person becoming seriously ill if they contract the virus. This is particularly important for vulnerable members of the community.

Get your COVID vax NOW to be fully protected when our borders open.

Together we can work to protect everyone in the community from COVID-19.