New Norfolk High is a respectful learning community with high expectations for all. One of the ways in which we demonstrate those high expectations is by explicitly teaching positive behaviours.

The External School Return Review earlier this term provided the suggestion that we make this an increasing focus over the coming year. To allow for this, we are already looking at changes to the timetable, and what are currently known as MERR classes, for 2026. Members of Leadership are also planning for the implementation of lessons based on the recently developed resources from DECYP for Social and Emotional Learning.

At our most recent Assembly, I spoke about these expectations, including those for Assembly itself. I also drew the connection for students between our expectations and those of employers. We expect students to follow instructions first time, every time. Likewise, employers expect that when they tell an employee to do something that it will be done. We expect that students will arrive for school on time and attend because ‘every minute matters’. In the same way, employers look for employees they can rely to turn up, on time, consistently.

It is not only during sessions such as the recent White Card training or mock job interviews volunteers came to run at the school that we are helping to prepare students for next steps and future pathways. We are constantly working to improve the way in which we develop students for their futures in terms of academic outcomes, social and emotional learning and job ready skills for future pathways because that is the New Norfolk Way.