From the editor
Leaves NewsletterPRINCIPAL'S REPORT
It has been a fantastic start to the first week of Term 2 at The Forest High School. We kicked off with our School Development Day with all staff and a number of parents engaged in active workshops on boys' education and Positive Behaviour Engaging Learners (PBEL). Teachers and parents worked in cross faculty groups sharing ideas and expertise. The focus of the sessions on PBEL was on identifying our core values and expectations. The next step will be for students and a broader group of parents to engage in the same process so the whole community has an opportunity to contribute.
Everyone will be noticing some positive changes to the facilities at The Forest. We are undertaking a refurbishment program to improve the school environment. Both the boys' and girls' toilets were painted and upgraded over the holidays and a number of external doors, broken windows and other maintenance issues were also resolved. However; something that I am most pleased about is that there is now a direct door into my office. This is only the beginning of the improvements we intend to make to the school. We are strongly committed to providing the students with an excellent learning environment.
Another major source of excitement for us this term has been the installation of our Connected Classroom. The classroom, which is situated in the Library, is now up and running. A number of teachers will soon be trained to utilise the interactive whiteboard and the video conferencing facilities to enhance student learning. The Connected Classroom will be a key component of our Year 7 Enrichment Program, which is being developed by a team of teachers working with our academic mentor, Dr. David Smith. All Year 7 students will participate in a learning and study skills program in Term 1 and will then undertake three learning enrichment projects during Terms 2 to 4. As a parent commented to me this week: "There are exciting times ahead for our beloved Forest."
Rosemary McDowall
Principal
YR 7 AND 12 PARENT-TEACHER MEETINGS - 7 MAY, 2009
All Yr 7 and 12 students will receive a letter and sheet to obtain meetings with their teachers - the following is for parents information
PARENT-TEACHER MEETING – YEARS 7 AND 12
THURSDAY MAY 7, 2009 - 3.30PM TO 6.30PM
You are cordially invited to the Parent-Teacher Meeting on Thursday, May 7, 2009. We hope you will avail yourself of the opportunity to discuss your child’s progress with his/her teachers.
This year the Parent-Teacher Meeting will be held in the School Hall. A guide list to help you locate your child’s teachers will be at the door.
Please note:
PARENT APPOINTMENTS
1. Your son/daughter should take the sheet to his/her lessons to make all appointments.
2. Teachers will have their records of appointments made with you.
3. Welfare issues may be taken to the School Counsellor (Mrs P Grehan) or the Welfare Co-ordinator (Mrs K. Ahearn). Alternatively, appointments may be made by phone or letter. (This will enable class teachers to concentrate on academic performance during interviews)
4. The sheet will be returned to you by your son/daughter and will indicate appointments made. Please bring the sheet on the day for your guidance. Appointments are for 5 minutes only unless stated otherwise.
Please ask your child to leave 5 minutes between appointment times to enable you to move from one appointment to the next.
CANTEEN NEWS
Canteen Meeting is to be held at 6:00pm in the Common Room, B Block (upstairs)
on Monday, 4th May, 2009 (before the CAPA meeting).
Don't forget that the canteen still need volunteers on various dates
throughout the year. Please check the canteen calendar on the website
to check out dates that NEED help.
Any enquiries can be directed to Heather Bone cbone@optusnet.com.au
CAPA SUPPORT GROUP
CAPA Support Group Meeting this coming Monday evening, 7pm in the school Common Room (upstairs B block).