Principal Update Term 4 Week 4

Morning Muster 

Thank you to Mrs Winter, Mrs Derschow, Mrs Hendon, Mrs Beukes, and our students for showing me the ropes with Morning Muster. This is an important component of the school day which I look forward to sharing with all students, everyday possible. It is not very often a principal gets to share a classroom with the whole school on a daily basis! 

Some of the benefits of Daily Muster include: 

  • It is a set component of the daily school routine. Just as students attending schools in town have to get themselves organised, greet their teacher/s, Port Hedland SOTA students do the same. 
  • It is an opportunity for students to connect with the larger school community and hear from all of their teachers. 
  • It provides another avenue for some social interaction between students. 

To widen the scope for social interaction, I have been asked if I would open my room earlier in the morning to allow for more social interaction before muster begins at 8.10am. From tomorrow I will do this. I will aim to have my room open for students to log in at 7.50am. Students will be able to interact socially until 8.10am, when I will mute microphones and start muster. I will monitor the room to ensure behaviour is at the high standard expected at PHSOTA during this time. 

In-School Activities 

I am really looking forward to hosting you all for In-School Activities in 4 weeks’ time. Some things that need to be done in the lead up: 

  • Please email me confirmation that you will be attending asap. This will help us plan the logistics of the event and will help the P&C who are kindly organising a harbour cruise for us all on Tuesday 26th. 
  • Please book yourself accommodation (such as Cook Point Caravan Park) for the duration of your stay. Once you are here, come in and see Suzanne to sign some paperwork and give us a copy of the receipt. 
  • During the week, teachers will take full responsibility for students. For the duration of the school day (8.00am to 2.20pm), students will be fully supervised by school staff, who will run a variety of activities. Parents/Tutors are free to go shopping or relax by the pool! 
  • Students require a packed recess and lunch from Tuesday to Thursday while they are at school. 
  • Parking is tight at the school so please do not park in staff parking. Please use the short-term carpark at the airport. When you pay for parking, use the machine (do not tap at the gate). Make sure you collect a receipt and present this to Suzanne. She will organise reimbursement. 

Teachers’ classes in 2025 

I am working hard to ensure we have fully staffed with teachers of the highest possible quality next year. You would all be aware that Mrs Hendon is going to be away for the whole year, spending valuable time with her expanding family. I also know families are also eager to hear how Ms Chapman is going and when she will be back. Mrs Chapman is continuing her personal leave. As soon as I know when she will return, I will let the school community know. 

With Mrs Hendon on maternity Leave in 2025, I am in the process of advertising for a new teacher. I anticipate an ad going live some time this week on Jobs WA. I want to ensure we cast our net as wide as possible to ensure we get the best possible teacher we can to join our team. 

Once we are fully staffed, we will look at classroom placements 

Swimming Lessons 2025 

There has been an issue with our swimming lessons booking for 2025 which is causing a delay in that information being released. I have been in contact with central office to get this sorted and made it clear that this is a matter of urgency given the travel, accommodation and additional planning associated with swimming lessons in our context. I have requested week 7 or 8 of Term 1 (17-21st Feb or 24- 28th Feb 2025). 

Confirmed dates will be released as soon as I have them. 

World Teachers Day 

Last Friday was World Teachers Day! Mr Abbey forgot to speak about this at Morning Muster! We have some amazing teachers here. I am lucky to have the opportunity to work with them! 

Port Hedland School of the Air