I have previously written about our strong commitment to high standards of student behaviour. Over my four years at the school, I have been very encouraged by the substantial improvement in student conduct in the classroom and in the playground.
When I visit or walk past classes, I invariably see students listening attentively to their teacher or focusing on individual tasks. When students are given the opportunity to do a more interactive activity, I am equally encouraged by their genuine enthusiasm and responsiveness to their teacher's guidance and direction.
Our school remains resolutely committed to excellent standards of student conduct and firm consequences for those who do not meet our high expectations of them. Setting a high bar for student behaviour is important because then all students should feel emotionally safe and confident to focus on their work, take opportunities, serve others and achieve.
However, high expectations are not limited to excellent student behaviour. RHAC wants to set a high bar for the quality of work students produce. Near enough is not good enough. Next year, I would like to focus on ways of helping to ensure that students complete their work as carefully and thoroughly as they possibly can, and that teachers follow up on students to keep them accountable. While I am thankful for the work our teachers are doing in this regard, and for the support our parents provide to help ensure that students do their best, I would like to build on this work.
I am thankful that teacher retention at RHAC continues to improve and that when staff do leave, we are receiving some very high-quality applications from teachers wanting to join us. We also receive some impressive applications when non-teaching vacancies arise. However, for those who pray, please keep praying that God will bring excellent teachers to RHAC because the Australia wide teacher shortage continues to be an issue for schools.
In a school of our size, it is inevitable that a few valued employees will move on for various reasons. I would like to recognise some of the teachers who are moving on at the end of this.
