After a patch of inclement weather we finally managed to hold our Athletics Carnival on Monday 11th November.  The condensed version of our carnival was hectic but fabulous, with all of our students participating and enjoying the range of track and field events on offer.  On the Tuesday afternoon the whole school arrived at the oval to watch the very competitive 100m sprints; these were fiercely contested and a wonderful ending to our carnival. The impromptu dance numbers and solo singing items were also a highlight! Many thanks to the HPE team and their many helpers and to our amazing staff for working all day without a break to support our students.

Our Year 10s are at the pointy end of their high school education.  They have just completed their grade exams and had their enrolments for Year 11 at either Newstead or Launceston College last week.  This is a time of mixed emotions for our school leavers; some nervousness and anxiety around their last weeks at Brooks, as well as excitement for the engaging weeks of activity culminating in their camp, graduation assembly and leavers dinner.  It is important during these last weeks to focus on participation, attendance and ending the year on a positive high note.

Our Year 8s have had an excursion to the Mole Creek caves and Alum Cliffs last week.  The feedback I have had from staff has been excellent - with our students impressing the tour guides with their respectful listening and good behaviour.  Many thanks to Ms Perkins and Year 8 teachers for your organisation.

We also had many participants in the Sushi Challenge last week!  Well done to all students involved and thank you to Mrs Marshall for organising this activity for our kids.

We continue to have staff leaving us to begin families of their own!  We recently farewelled Mrs Moore, one of our Year 8 teachers.  Mrs Moore has been an outstanding teacher in the Year 8 team, team teaching with Mr Murray. Mrs Moore believes in our students and has worked hard every day to help them be their very best self.  We will miss her bubbly, positive presence in the middle school.  Mrs Moore is being replaced by Ms Maddison McDougall who has just completed her final UTAS placement working in the HPE department with Mr Erwin and Miss Perkins over the last 5 weeks.  We welcome her officially to Team Brooks!

Last week we farewelled Miss Willis, our Year 7 AST.  Miss Willis has been a key member of our senior staff team for the past 3 years being not just an outstanding classroom teacher but an exemplary leader in our school.  Miss Willis goes above and beyond every single day to work with our students, supporting them to be learners and decent young people.  We will miss her wit, sense of humour, incredible work ethic and leadership in the MYC.  Miss Willis is being replaced by Mr Blundell who will be the Year 7 AST for the last 5 weeks of school and will pick up working with Mr Waller teaching 7A and 7B.  Mr Blundell’s Year 8 class will be taught by one of our very experienced relief teachers, Mrs Amanda Williams.

So, we will be welcoming more Brooks Babies before the end of the year!

I am thoroughly enjoying being the Principal at Brooks High School at this very busy and exciting time of year.  Please keep a close eye on the school calendar and our facebook page to keep abreast of the many activities and events occurring in coming weeks.

Summer is just around the corner!