We are heading quickly towards the end of term 1 and I am very pleased with how 2019 has begun.  We have a wonderful and curious group of new Year 8's who are transitioning well into secondary school-life. Their approach to learning and commitment to our school values has been fantastic. The Year 8 camp is always a great way for staff and students to get to know each other and I was pleased to receive such positive feedback from the camp teachers.

We are all working extremely hard through our improvement journey here at Renmark High School, settling into our new STEM and Art spaces where the fresh, modern environment supports powerful learning. This is an ongoing focus for the school and we are excited with the new changes we are seeing now, and the ones still in the planning stages. 

Last Friday was the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA) and a good chance to remind our school community that bullying is not OK.  If students or parents are aware of bullying occurring at RHS we ask you to make a stand and report this behaviour as it is not acceptable. All students have a fundamental right to learn in an inclusive, safe, supportive environment and to be treated with respect. Research shows that safe, supportive and respectful learning environments have many positive impacts for students, including improved academic outcomes, increased confidence and improved attendance. Throughout the year we hold events and initiatives that support inclusion and diversity including Harmony Day, NDA, NAIDOC week, RU OK Day, Christmas, Easter, and Wear it Purple Day.  Our most recent activities have been around Harmony Day where across the school, particularly in the Beyond Tomorrow program, we have been discussing what Harmony Day means to us.  This culminates in week 8 with our Harmony Day assembly.  During this assembly I was moved by our student speakers who gave a prepared speech about all the wonderful opportunities living in Australia has provided for them and their families. There were strong recurring themes that included how welcome they were made to feel by their new friends who introduced them to many new ‘Aussie’ experiences. I was very impressed by their passion to encourage all students to make the most of their opportunities in life including their education and I have included an exerpt from Abbas Qambari below.

" In this country I am surrounded by lovely people welcoming me into this community and accepting me and my family. You guys are very lucky to be living in a country like Australia. There are a lot of people overseas who would like to study more but don't have the facilites. They dont have the opportunity that you guys have." Abbas Qambari.

Next week we begin our Parent Teacher Interview evenings and already have an impressive number of bookings with our teachers. I really encourage all parents to book their spots in soon to have those important conversations with your child’s teachers. The benefits have been highlighted in this week’s eNewlsetter.

I hope to see many of you supporting our team at the Interschool Athletics at Glossop High School next week and I wish the team all the best for their success.

Mat Evans - Principal