As we approach the end of another school term it is always nice to sit back and reflect on some of the wonderful opportunities our school community has experienced as well as some of the areas we need to continue to focus on. This term we have had a lot to celebrate. Some opportunities include our farm visit from the Governor of Tasmania and her husband Professor Chalmers, Mayor Haberle and Mr Haberle, The Year 10 RYDA Driver Awareness Program, all year group Cross Country Carnivals (school, interschool and state), The Premier’s Reading Challenge, The Principal’s afternoon tea (which was amazing where the students had a high tea experience),  two celebration assemblies, Agfest excursion, The Ylead Leadership Day for the SRC,  the Ag class's Landfall trip, Mount Roland Landcare Tree Planting, netball social and school grand final wins, Pirate Day fundraiser, the Big Freeze fundraiser and The Colour Run. I would like to thank everyone within our school community for the work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure our students have so many, varied opportunities to be involved in. As we know it takes a village to raise a child.

As mentioned in assembly on Wednesday we will be taking a closer look at our value of respect and what respect looks like and sounds like. The past three terms we have been focusing on the value of connection and developing positive relationships within our school community and respect is an important factor of all positive relationships. I would like all school community members to consider how we speak and interact with others and ask ourselves if we are being respectful. The department describes respect as ‘caring for ourselves, each other, and our environment’ and this is important in ensuring we have a positive school culture at Sheffield School.

Reports went home last week along with some evidence of learning samples. It was lovely to receive some positive feedback about the samples of learning going home. Celebrating student learning and their attendance is important and hopefully parents and carers have had the opportunity to discuss learning and attendance with their children. We also appreciate parents and carers supporting our parent/teacher afternoons. We understand that sometimes it is difficult to get in and see teachers due to outside commitments but please note that teachers are always available to discuss your child’s learning at any point in the year. Teachers can be contacted through their school email, or a meeting time can be organised through the school office.

As we come to the close of Term Two, we need to send some well wishes to staff. Firstly, we would like to wish Miss Stolp all the best as she starts maternity leave early in Term Three. It’s an exciting time for Miss Stolp and her partner and we look forward to meeting the new addition. We would also like to thank Miss Beaumont who has been working in the area of Science/Maths in the high school. Miss Beaumont has been a wonderful addition to our staff and will continue to do some relief work whilst finishing her degree. Ms Pearce will also be taking leave in Term Three and we hope she enjoys having some downtown over her break. There will be some changes in roles and responsibilities due to staff movement, and this will be shared next term once we have finalised this. We have two new staff members joining us next term. Firstly, there is Mrs Sarah Lethbridge. Mrs Lethbridge has spent time teaching in Queensland and comes to us with a great deal of teaching experience. She will be teaching Year 9/10 Maths, History and English. We also have Miles Kitchin who will be working in our high school space. Miles is another experienced teacher we have secured for the term.

Due to staff changes and low enrolments, we have made the difficult decision to collapse 7/8C into the two other 7/8 classes where Mr Holland and Mrs Rockliff are homeroom teachers. As all learning area teachers work closely together, we are confident that students will continue to receive a high-quality education and have success in their learning.

Thank you to Sheffield School staff and the community for your continued support this first half of the year. It is appreciated. I hope everyone has a wonderful, safe and relaxing break.

Wendy Leonard

Acting Principal