The Deputy Secretary, School Performance DOE Mr Murat Dizdar, accompanied by other senior system leaders, visited Forbes Public School on Thursday,1st September. 

Mr Murat was greeted by our SRC leaders before viewing every classroom, sharing in delight the wonderful student results, our teaching practice, the engagement of students and strong school culture of efficacy.

Educational journey was the theme of Mr Dizdars visit, as he was presented with a ‘Forbes Public School Travel Journal’ to mark this occasion, filled with wonderful results, stories and extracts of each year group. 

As he visited each classroom, teachers and students had the opportunity to share with him the everyday teaching and learning opportunities that take place, their classes and classroom practice, referring to the featured pages that reflect them and their students in his take away ‘travel journal’.

Our school grounds, so green at the moment and framed by the lake, as well as the refurbishment of our classrooms, our new outdoor learning space, dubbed Conservation Corner, and the cultural safety projects inclusive of our new PBL signs in Wiradjuri and totem murals were all things that staff and students took great pride in showing.

Mr Murat’s visit was made significant by the unveiling of a piece of artwork by Cheree Stokes which celebrates our flourishing school community. Cheree collected our staff’s personal FPS stories in the form of words and symbols and then incorporated them into this visual representation. The artwork showcases the strong culture our school shares and the journeys our staff have been on.

We were honoured to receive such distinguished guests and relished the opportunity to highlight our wonderful school. 

The Deputy Secretary of the NSW Department of Education, Mr Murat Dizdar came to Forbes North as part of a scheduled visit to look at public education in Forbes. Mr Dizdar arrived right on time and spent the afternoon at Forbes North. This significant visit included seeing 3/4P and Miss Parker in the kitchen and garden, preparing and eating vegetable linguini with produce harvested from our very own garden. The touring party then went to Miss McMillan in 1/2M who were studying Science and the life cycle and botany of troublesome weeds on our farms and properties. In 3/4F, Miss Fliedner led the demonstration of investigating decimal numbers less than 1 and placing them on number lines. Our visitors then enjoyed time in our support unit with K-6J and Miss Jones who were preparingfor Father’s Day, and finally our esteemedguests were astounded by the FNPS Wiradjuri choir performing no less than foursongs

in Wiradjuri Calare and English in an emotional performance at our Yarning circle.

Mr Dizdar completed his visit talking to our entire staff after school and was warmly welcomed, enjoyed afternoon tea, was presented with multiple gifts including a traditional totem design from our Wiradjuri tutor Miss Haines and then they headed back to Parkes to fly and return to Sydney.

Our captains Corby and Will were perfect hosts, and the guests were amazed to see primary students cooking, gardening, doing maths and science lessons, getting excited for Father’ Day and then listening to our choir. 

The official party visiting Forbes North included:
• Mr Murat Dizdar, Deputy SecretarySchool Performance
• Mr Dean White, Executive Director RuralSouth and West
• Mr David Lloyd, Director EducationalLeadership, Cowra Network
• Mr Damien Dooley Human ResourcesBusiness Partner Department of Education
• Miss Evonne Webb Deputy SecretarySocial Media Officer

Our visitors were impressed with Forbes North, its beautiful appearance, the collaboration between teachers, the data collected to inform teaching practice and the improvement focus ongoing for every child at our school. We hope they all return soon to Forbes.

The Deputy Secretary of Education, Mr Murat Dizdar accompanied by Mr Dean White, Executive Director, Rural South and West, and Mr David Lloyd, Director Educational Leadership, Cowra Network, visited Forbes High School as part of a scheduled visit. The dignitaries were joined by members of the Deputy Secretary’s team throughout their stay. 

The official guests were greeted by our student leaders, Benjamin Barnard, Emily Gartner and Rachel Todd who led the school tour. Mr Barry Merritt, Aboriginal Education Officer discussed the significance of the school’s updated mural and his passion for our students was evident in his talk. We toured our school stopping in Advanced Maths where the use of a reflection tool was discussed as a means of ensuring that HSC revision was targeted and specific. The Learning Centre was visited and the many dynamic projects that emanate from this space were explored. Year 7 Wood and Metal Work classes were in action and the students were able to discuss their hands-on approach to learning. Year 11 Biology were busy with an experiment extracting starch from leaves and explained the processes they were undertaking. Year 12 HSC Major Works showcased the exceptional skills of our staff and students. All guests were in admiration of the work of our students and what they accomplished in their HSC course.

Year 11 Hospitality provided a delicious lunch for our guests and allowed for additional guests, Ms Megan Staples, Principal of Forbes Public School and Mrs Natalie Walker, P and C President, were able to attend. The entrée consisted of asparagus topped with a poached egg and Hollandaise sauce, which was followed by main of Cowra lamb loin filled with spinach and pine nuts, dauphinoise potatoes, charred broccolini and lamb sauce. The feedback from the guests was that it was the best meal they had in Forbes and the best food they had ever eaten in a school. 

Congratulations to the staff and students at Forbes High School for a magnificent showcase of our exceptional school.