Welcome back to 2025. I hope families have had the opportunity to have some down time over the Christmas/New Year break and spent time with loved ones, family and friends.  Entering Term One, most students have made a sound start, settling into their learning quickly and efficiently. Talking to staff, there have been many encouraging conversations about how positive the students have been.

On the Monday of the first week back, all staff participated in a professional learning day which focused on the practice, restorative practices. Restorative practice is a whole school teaching and learning approach that encourages behaviour that is supportive and respectful. It places the responsibility on individuals to take full accountability for their behaviour and make amends for any harm they may have caused to others through their actions. Restorative conversations encourage open, honest communication with a focus on understanding the impact of actions on others. Instead of blame, the process focuses on “connection before correction”. Staff thoroughly enjoyed the day, and we will continue to explore, practise and discuss what we have learnt.

At the end of last year, it was decided to move away from the Sheffield School values and adopt those of the department. Our values are Connection, Respect, Responsibility, Courage and Growth. As a school we are beginning the year focusing on the value, connection. Connection is incredibly important for us at school as it forms the foundation for a positive, supportive learning environment. When students feel connected and have a sense of belonging, whether to their peers, teachers, or the school community, they are more likely to flourish academically, emotionally, and socially. We have reintroduced homerooms this year in the senior school to help build connection and focus on improving school attendance. We have a number of activities and homeroom competitions planned to help build connection and belonging at Sheffield School.

Week Four of this term, we will be going through our External School Review. The External School Review happens every four-year cycle. The panel members will spend four days at our school talking with staff, students and parents as well complete walk throughs of classrooms. At the end of the four days, the panel convenes and provides us with feedback to help us continue to improve the learning outcomes for our students and achieve the department’s ‘Why’ – Bright Lives-Positive Futures. A focus will also be on our school priorities, which are ‘Reading’, ‘Attendance’ and ‘Safeguarding’.

Term One is quite a busy term with our school calendar filling up fast. After school art group and band practise starts shortly, as well as breakfast club; we have our swimming carnival, NAPLAN, an art excursion, the Year 9/10 mainland trip, open classrooms afternoon and vaccinations. Please keep an eye out through texts and social media to stay informed of the many wonderful things happening at Sheffield School.

Please remember my door is always open.

Wendy Leonard

Acting Principal