The theme was "learning together". This year has been a challenging year for many reasons - drought, floods, bushfires and now the COVID pandemic influencing the way we learn and socialise.

Despite these trying times we continue to learn together albeit in different ways.

The use of technology has certainly increased dramatically in response to COVID and our technology skills have also improved significantly.

Thank you to our school community for your ongoing support as we continue to work and learn together. I would also like to acknowledge our school captains and vice captains Reece Grundy, Bree McKellar, Zachary Sharp and Amelie Sachs for their leadership during this very unusual year.

Our leadership team were the recipients of Education Week awards at last Monday's assembly.

YEAR 12 students commence their HSC trial exams on Monday until August 26.

The exams timetable was provided to students last Thursday. Additional copies are available from the front office, year adviser Ms Northey or exam co-ordinator Ms Arena.

Study tips and additional support materials can be found here.

THE check-in assessment is an optional online reading and numeracy assessment for students in years 5 and 9.

The check-in assessments will be available to schools from August 17 to September 4.

Leeton High School has "opted in" to the check-in assessment. Students in year 9 will undertake these assessments in reading and numeracy in English and mathematics classes during the testing period.

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These will supplement existing school practices to identify how students are performing in literacy and numeracy and to help teachers tailor their teaching more specifically to student needs.

The assessments are mapped to the NSW syllabuses and national literacy and numeracy learning progressions.

The check-in assessment includes two online assessments for students.

Please contact me with any questions regarding the check-in assessments.

AS WE move closer to the end of our current year 12's time at school, the election process will start to determine our new senior leadership team will start.

Year 11 students interested in nominating for the opportunity to be a prefect for 2020-21 should see Ms Byrne.

Nominations close August 21.

THESE exams will commence from September 14.

More information will be provided to students in the coming weeks. Study tips and additional support materials can be found here.

OUR year 6 into 7 transition program started on July 31 with Zoom meetings organised to meet all our wonderful Year 6 students.

While this is a different approach to our "normal" transition program we thoroughly enjoyed meeting our newest 2021 students.

Last week Mr Crosbie, year 7 Adviser 2021 and Ms Byrne, transition co-ordinator, met with our primary schools again for a "getting to know you" session.

Students received their enrolment packages as well. Please be prompt in returning the enrolment forms to your primary schools or feel free to drop them into the Leeton High School Office. See you soon year 6.

STUDENTS in years 8 and 9 received an emailed copy and a hard copy of their subject selections and elective course outlines booklets.

Year advisers and head teachers were able to provide students with additional information to explain more about the subjects on offer and to make the process of elective selections easier.

Students will be supported to make their elective choices for 2021, which will be completed online starting August 17.

AS PART of the Department of Education's commitment to supporting wellbeing across NSW public schools, Leeton High has had a student support officer appointed, starting August 24.

Student support officers work within the school community to enhance student wellbeing and learning outcomes in partnership with the wellbeing team and the school counselling service.

They provide individual and targeted wellbeing support and whole of school wellbeing initiatives and programs that are evidence-based. They also have a pivotal role in working collaboratively with external agencies and creating referral pathways for students and families to child and family support agencies. We welcome Janette Dundon to our wellbeing team.

WEHAVE been extremely fortunate in having William Ingram work with some of our students to explore Aboriginal culture, identity and goal setting for the future.

I would like to thank Leeton Shire Council for allowing us to have this time with Mr Ingram which has been absolutely fantastic.

We look forward to sharing with you more updates from the group.