Dear Parents, Students and Friends of Prospect High School,

Welcome to first term of 2020, particularly to Grade 7 students and new students in Grades 8, 9 and 10 and their families.  It has been very pleasing to see students settled and engaged in their learning on my visits to classes. Thanks to parents and carers for your support with helping students begin positively by providing all necessary books and equipment, and encouraging students to look very smart in their uniform.

Thank you

I would like to thank and acknowledge the non-teaching staff for their tireless work over the holidays in preparing the classrooms, grounds and teaching resources ready for the return of students and teaching staff. Their work has greatly helped the term begin smoothly.

Staffing

Welcome to the following staff members

EFA Team – Ms Haileigh Wise

Grade 7 Team – Mr Brad Colson, Mr Kieran Hume, Mr Tony Gutierrez

Grade 8 Team – Mrs Anna Musovic (Senior Grade Leader), Ms Ellie Couch

Grade 9 Team – Ms Carmen Slore (Senior Grade Leader), Ms Tamieka de Jong, Ms Katie Mathews, Mr Tony Harrington

Grade 10 Team – Ms Helenna Winnberg, Mrs Danielle Davey,

Grade 11/12 Team –Ms  Jennifer Pollard (Senior Grade Leader),

Grade 11/12

Prospect High School is officially an Extension High School for a second year as we cater for both Grades 11 and 12 this year. Thank you to Mrs Derbyshire for facilitating the implementation, and to Ms Pollard for her assistance with timetables and administration.

New times of the day and communication with your child

Prospect High School has moved to a four lesson day.  Times are as follows:

Students cannot be contacted whilst in class, as mobile phones need to be stored in lockers. However, if you need to make contact with your child you can call or text them on their phone during break time (recess or lunch) or after 3.00pm. We cannot guarantee that students will receive messages at the end of the day.

Duty of Care

A reminder that staff are not on duty until 8.20am and that students should not be on school grounds or inside school buildings until this time. Prior to this students are the responsibility of parents and/or carers.

Attendance and lateness 

It is vital that students attend school every day. A sense of purpose and commitment is achieved with regular attendance. Every child has a chance of success with their learning when they attend regularly. Please encourage your children to value their education and help them become organised and attend every day. Please make appointments before or after school hours. It also important to get your child to school on time. The school day begins at 8.20am and Care starts at 8.40am. Students miss important information when they arrive late. Please do not let your child be late. This can develop into a poor habit that effects learning, when prolonged.

Uniform

Students are looking very smart in the Prospect High School summer uniform. Well done to students for representing the school with pride and thanks to parents for your support. A reminder that white socks (without logos or markings) are required to be worn. Failure to wear these may mean restricted participation in school activities and/or restricted movement in areas of the school. The uniform shop has a supply of white socks and other items of uniform.  I would like to remind parents of uniform requirements, and that no writing, logos or stripes should appear on any item (shorts, track pants, socks, long pants) except for the Prospect High School logo. Adidas, Nike, etc socks, shorts and track pants can only be worn for Physical Education lessons and sport. A reminder also that shorts should be mid-thigh length. The School Association have endorsed our uniform dress code and support the following reasons that full school uniform should be worn:

1. Sense of Belonging

When students are dressed in school uniform they all have a sense of belonging to the Prospect High School community.

2. Safety

It is easy to identify people who should not be on the school grounds if Prospect students are in full school uniform.

3. Judgements About Our School

We present a positive image to the wider community if all our students are in school uniform, and people are more likely to make positive judgements about our school and our students.

4. Social Equalisation

Students are not judged on the basis of what they are wearing if all students are in school uniform. Having all students in school uniform sends a strong message that we value all students equally.

5. Preparing for Expectations in the World of Work

Many workplaces have a uniform and most workplaces have a dress code, so we are preparing students for the world of work by asking them to be in the habit of wearing a uniform at school.

Welcome Barbecue

A reminder that the Welcome Barbecue will be held in the central courtyard on Monday 17^th February from 5.00-6.30pm. New and current families are invited to come along and meet new and current staff. Looking forward to seeing parents and students on Monday afternoon.

School Association Meeting

The first School Association meeting will be held in the D Block meeting room on Wednesday 19^th February. This is a chance for parents to have a voice in decision making with policies and initiatives for the benefit of students at Prospect High School. New members are welcome.

Finally, I am looking forward to working with families to ensure a year of continuous improvement, growth, achievement and success for all students.  Please do not hesitate to contact your child/ren’s teacher/s if you wish to discuss their learning, or if you have any concerns.

Mrs Lee Barker

Principal