‘Your commitment to attending school regularly sets a fantastic example for others and reflects a strong dedication to your learning.
This Term we have experienced a highly productive and positive period, underpinned by the strong collaboration and professionalism of our staff.
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all staff members for the way they have supported one another and ensured the smooth operation of the site during what has been an exceptionally busy time. This has been particularly evident during periods of leadership absence and across a range of major events, including Sports Day, interschool carnivals and whole-school celebrations.
These events have showcased high levels of student engagement, positive behaviour and strong community participation. It was especially pleasing to see the significant parent attendance at Sports Day, which continues to highlight the strength of our school–community connections.
Primary Learning Hub
Students in the Primary Learning Hub are now benefiting from the completion of the new front railing, providing a safer and more accessible environment for movement and play.
We look forward to this space being open and available to those students when we return from our holiday break.
Interschool Sports
A major highlight of the term has been the successful hosting of both the Primary and Secondary Interschool events.
Despite the initial Secondary Interschool being impacted by rain, the rescheduled event, along with the Primary Interschool, ran extremely well.
These events require extensive planning and coordination, and I would like to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of our Sports Committee, grounds team and canteen staff. Their preparation and support ensured both events were highly successful and enjoyable for all involved.
Teaching & Learning
Teaching and learning have remained a clear priority. The successful completion of NAPLAN testing, alongside the implementation of Spotlight Check reporting, has enabled consistent monitoring of student progress and timely communication with families. The preparation for and delivery of three-way learning conversations has further strengthened partnerships between students, families and teachers, ensuring a shared understanding of learning goals and progress.
Professional Learning
Staff have also continued to engage in professional learning, including mandatory compliance training and collaborative planning, while students have participated in a range of engaging, curriculum-aligned excursions and workshops.
Wellbeing & Inclusion
Student wellbeing and inclusion remain central to our work. Events such as World Autism Awareness Day have provided valuable opportunities to celebrate diversity and foster a strong sense of belonging across our school community. Individualised supports continue to be implemented where required, alongside an ongoing focus on respectful relationships and inclusive practices.
School & Local Community Ties
Following the unfortunate news regarding Mr Mitchell Lally, staff have demonstrated flexibility, care and professionalism in ensuring continuity of learning and supporting the broader functioning of the school.
Our school has also continued to strengthen its connection with the wider community through positive engagement in events such as the Maitland Show and the Closing the Gap event, as well as through partnerships with external providers to support teaching and learning.
Attendance
Attendance continues to be a key priority for our school, as it plays a critical role in student learning, wellbeing and long-term success. Research consistently shows that regular attendance is one of the strongest indicators of positive educational outcomes, with students who attend school consistently far more likely to achieve academic success and remain engaged in their learning.
Across Australia, attendance remains an ongoing focus. Prior to COVID, national attendance rates sat at around 91%, however these rates have not yet fully recovered, and fewer students are attending school 90% or more of the time. More broadly, recent data indicates that around 40% of students are now missing at least one day of school every fortnight, which can equate to a significant loss of learning over time.
To put this into perspective, missing just one day a fortnight can result in students losing the equivalent of more than a full year of schooling over the course of their education. This highlights how even small amounts of absence can quickly add up and impact both academic progress and social development.
At Central Yorke School, we know that every day counts. Regular attendance supports the development of strong routines, builds positive relationships and ensures students are able to fully access the learning opportunities provided. It also strengthens students’ sense of belonging and connection to school.
We would like to congratulate our attendance prize winners so far this year. Your commitment to attending school regularly sets a fantastic example for others and reflects a strong dedication to your learning. We encourage all students and families to continue working with us to prioritise attendance and ensure every student is supported to be at school, on time, every day whenever possible.
As we move into our first holiday break of the year, I would like to wish you all a safe and relaxing holiday and I look forward to seeing you all back again next Term.
Regards,