Welcome students, families and staff to a new year! The year started differently with our year 7 and 8s taking over the school with the year 12s! From all reports this was a very profitable experience for our year 7s who began their year 7 journey at High School, the first for VHHS. Well done to all the staff, families and other students for making this process positive. So welcome year 7s of 2022. We also welcome our new principal Adrienne Conley and a long list of new teachers to VHHS. Hopefully you will get to meet them during the year. We farewelled Amanda O’Shea at the end of last year and we wish her all the best and thank her for her many years of service at VHHS. Also Nick Woodley our PCW who finished in his role after 10 years.

Secondly as a Governing Council we want to congratulate our year 12s of 2021 for completing school and doing it so well with so many outstanding results. Well done and we wish you all the best with your future endeavours.

The start of this year has been tricky in many ways for many people. The delayed start for many students, COVID restrictions, classroom contacts, COVID cases, new school and teachers and grief and loss. As a school, including the Governing Council, we try and make every attempt to assist students and their families to journey through these tricky and difficult times. Thank you for your patience and if you require assistance in any way, please contact the school or the Governing Council.

This year some areas the Governing Council will be focusing on is Social Justice funding to assist students and families who require support, Site Improvement Plan- with a focus on Literacy, Policy, Student Engagement and being a voice for parents, guardians and students. We will also be applying for grants and fundraising during the year.

To achieve these goals we need a strong, passionate and robust Governing Council made up of parents, guardians, community representatives and students.

What Is a Governing Council? - Governing Councils are bodies that govern a school or preschool. Governing Councils work with the site leader (principal or director) to help set and monitor the direction of a site. The commitment to Governing Councils is two meetings a term with a possibility of joining a Uniform, Canteen, Finance or Grounds Committee. Although you do not have to be on the Governing Council to be on these committees. Other roles include Chairperson, Treasurer, and Secretary as well as possibly being on an interview panel and involving the local community.

If you want to make a difference in the life of your local school where your student/s attends or support and represent students and families and teachers, then come on board. All you need to do is send your nomination by email to dl.0799.govcouncil@schools.sa.edu.au and tell them you are interested or visit the school website, download the application and drop it off at the school ASAP. Alternatively, you can attend the Governing Council AGM on 16 March at 7:00pm online and nominate during the meeting. A strong and effective committee is one that has clear goals and is made up of diverse voices.

Our Governing Council is committed to hold to and promote our school values of Perseverance, Respect, Integrity and Creativity in all that we do. We wish you all the best for 2022.

If you wish to take part in the online meeting, please send your preferred email address to dl.0799.govcouncil@schools.sa.edu.au include your name and the name of your student/s and a link will be provided to you the day before the meeting.

See you online at the AGM!

Take care.

Leon Tymko, VHHS Governing Council Chairperson