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- From the Principal
- Key Dates for December 2020
- "Between These Lines " - 2020 School Drama Production
- Enterprise Challenge in STEM
- Australian Swimming Championships
- School Health Nurse
- Stay hydrated!
- Collecting Students from School
- Adjustment to Term 1 dates, 2021
- Student Assistance Scheme for 2021
- Student Bus Travel in 2021
- StandBy Support After Suicide - FREE community information sessions
- Supporting Your Young Person During the Holidays
- Huon Valley Youth Services
- Journey of Hope - Building Resilience
- Tech Gift Guide
- Hobart Basketball 2021 Tryouts
- Area 51 - School Holiday Program
- Cartoon Camps: 25th - 29th January, 2021
- Creating Creative Coders - Summer School Holiday Program
- Summer Camps for Youth Aged 9-16 years
- Smoke Free Generation Youth Campaign
- Zen Do Kai Martial Arts
- Get Your Veggies!
This time last year I was extolling the strength and virtues of the school and wider community following a disrupted and distressing start to the year due to the bushfires that were ravaging the Huon Valley. The spirit of the community in pulling together during this time to ensure, from the region’s schools’ perspectives at least, that learning continued, highlighted the resilience, the courage, the strength and the connectedness of all.
Twelve months later and who would have thought 2020 would be even more of a challenging year, not just for our school community, but our state, nation, and the world in general!
When we resumed school in early February, little did we know that the stories about a super virus emerging from a region in China, Wuhan, a place very few of us had even heard of before, would come into our lives and tip them upside down.
Suddenly the majority of our young people were not able to attend face-to-face classes, people were not able to meet with friends, and in many cases, were separated from family …, where a toilet roll became a precious commodity!
One thing that hasn’t surprised me is how this community has responded. You have already demonstrated incredible resilience, and just because a virus is causing havoc around the world, nothing is going to get in the way of ensuring the learning continues.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, the challenges of working online saw some innovative approaches to education and learning that had not been experienced in the Huon Valley before. As a school we absolutely remained steadfast in our mission to improve educational outcomes for all students. Our school planning through 2020 continued to centre on the improvement of writing for all learners and the establishment of clear schoolwide positive behaviour support (SWPBS) systems to support student learning and maintain orderly learning environments.
We have also been supported as a school community in the development of a school vision that outlines clear school wide targets for improvement. Through staff, student and community consultation, a process that had previously seen the creation of our school values of Safety, Respect, Responsibility and Growth, a vision has been created that will guide future educational planning for our school.
Together we learn
At Huonville High School we are responsible, valued, engaged and inspired learners.
We care about each other and our community.
***
Our students are valued and respected
They are engaged with their learning and committed to having a go. They gain, demonstrate, articulate and appreciate knowledge and skills which empower them to embrace our values, be aspirational thinkers and be life-long learners.
Our students feel safe and welcome at school. They are celebrated for who they are, their hopes and their dreams. They are supported to be resilient, confident and kind. This is their school, their place and where they want to be.
Our school is an engaging place. We care about each other and embrace learning
Our staff are talented educators and leaders; highly motivated, compassionate and respected.
This is a place of learning opportunities and staff cater for individual needs, talents and interests. The opportunities to grow are a major priority and we fully commit to the wellbeing of each member of our school.
Our community is proud of us
We build intentional and honest partnerships with families, other schools, and the broader community. Students know the stories of our community, are deeply connected to it and understand their role within, and beyond, the Huon Valley.
Community connection, mentoring, workplace experiences and visits from others to the school are common practice. The school is open to, connected with and invested in the Huon Valley. Our staff and students are active and contributing citizens. We have a positive reputation and we consistently promote our people, our activities and our successes.
For all that we offer, encourage, celebrate and value, we are Huon Valley’s school of choice.
***
Reports are due to be mailed out at the end of this week. I have also included information on how to interpret ratings, some advice on mental health going into the six week holiday break, and some events that are available for youth from the PCYC during the holiday period.
I wish all students and their extended families a happy and safe holiday period, and will see you all back on the 3rd of February next year.
Kye Vincent
Acting Principal
"Between These Lines " - 2020 School Drama Production
What an amazing team achievement for the year 9 and 10 drama class, supported by a backstage crew of year 7 and 8 Drama students!
I am really proud of each student involved. Their growth in Drama this year has been incredible, overcoming the interruptions of COVID-19 to produce a full-length, professional play, over five back-to-back performances last week.
Students have worked hard on this project since the start of term three and synthesised their live performance skills, but it is important to note: there were massive gains in their personal growth. This includes: understanding what it means to be a member of a team; how to commit to a long-term project; the acceptance of difference and in turn, how to be patient and support each other in inclusive ways to achieve the end goal.
Thanks to parents, carers and teachers for your support, and to all of our audience members. We hope to welcome you, and new members to our audience, in 2021, for our next school production.
Ms Rosy Keen
Head of Drama
Some students in STEM have been working really hard this term to finish off their enterprise challenge.
A non-profit supplies $20 per student in the group to develop an enterprise. They used this money to buy some local beeswax from the Honey Pot, some shea butter, coconut oil, and lip balm tubes to produce some beautiful lip balm. These are selling for $4 a tube out the front of the gym. Contact the school if you would like some Christmas gifts.
Another group has made some fantastic tie dye socks that they will be selling at the office for $5. They look fantastic!
Jason Lunden
STEM teacher
Australian Swimming Championships
Daniel Shilcock, one of our year 8 students, is participating in the Australian Swimming Championships in Brisbane next week.
The Championships feature around 2,000 competitors, and Daniel will participate in most events - we wish him all the best!
Hi there,
My name is Larry and I am the new School Health Nurse, working at Huonville High School on Mondays and Thursdays in 2021. I work as a part of the support team to help students with issues related to health and wellbeing. Examples of areas in which I can help provide support to students include:
- Preventative mental health and resilience
- Sexual health and healthy relationships
- Smoking cessation, alcohol and other drug use
- Body image and gender identity
- Nutrition, sleep hygiene and physical activity
- Information, education and referrals as required for any other health related topics.
My office is located in Student Services and students can get in touch either by dropping into my office or alternatively by asking a staff member to get in touch with me to request a time to visit. Parents are also able to request that their child visits me for an appointment by contacting the school. Students are seen during school hours and discussions are completely confidential other than in limited circumstances.
A reminder, particularly during this Covid-19 period,
that students should bring their own water bottle to school.
These can be refilled at the canteen area as well as other locations around the school.
Students should not be sharing cups or water bottles.
Collecting Students from School
If parents/carers need to collect students for appointments through the school day, or to leave school early, please write a note explaining this and the time you wish to collect them and give it to your student to give to their teacher who will allow them to leave class and meet you at the front office for signing out.
This will also save time for you when you come to collect your student as we don't generally use the PA system to call individual students to the office.
Thank you.
Adjustment to Term 1 dates, 2021
Term 1 will now move to include the Easter holiday, dates are as follows:
- Term 1 will end on Wednesday, 31st March, 2021, for Years K-10, and Thursday, 1st April, 2021, for Years 11 and 12
- Term 2 will begin Wednesday, 21st April, 2021
The overarching reason behind this decision is to allow for greater continuity of educational provision for students. There has been consultation undertaken with Unions and other key stakeholders as well as Principal groups who are all supportive of the change.
Student Assistance Scheme for 2021
The Department of Education recently announced that we would be expanding the Student Assistance Scheme for 2021.
Parents who have a current concession card as listed below can apply for dependent students for assistance under the STAS:
• Services Australia - Centrelink Health Care Card
• Service Australia - Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card
• Services Australia - Pensioner Concession Card or
• Department of Veteran Affairs - Pensioner Concession Card.
Please note that if you are already receiving student assistance you do not need to complete a form.
For 2021 a new on-line form has been developed to assist with processing applications for new applicants.
The online form can be completed here:
Once a validated form is completed the Department of Education will confirm the outcome of your application in writing, this process takes approximately 14 days.
We understand this on-line option may not be possible for all families, so if you require a hard copy form please contact your school or the Financial Assistance Unit on stas@education.tas.gov.au or 1800 827 077.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR FREE TRAVEL?
Eligible students can receive free travel to and from school with Tasmanian bus services. To see if you are eligible, apply for a student bus pass for free travel, or renew your expired free travel entitlement, visit www.transport.tas.gov.au/buspass/apply
Apply before 8 January 2021 and, if approved, you will receive your student bus pass for free travel before the start of Term 1.
If you already have a student bus pass for free travel and you’re still eligible for free travel in 2021, you will be able to access your free travel entitlement with your existing card.
TELL ME MORE!
For more information on student fares and free travel, visit:
StandBy Support After Suicide - FREE community information sessions
StandBy Support After Suicide is a service run by Lifeline Tasmania offering support and information across all of Tasmania for anyone who has been affected by a suicide. It doesn’t matter when that occurred or what your connection with the person was.
StandBy Support After Suicide is presenting two FREE hour-long information sessions in Huonville, open for anyone in the community to attend:
Friday 11 December
Session one: 1:30pm–2:30pm – Book on Eventbrite
Session two: 6:30pm–7:30pm – Book on Eventbrite
Location: Huon Valley Hub, 23 Main Street, Huonville
Information about suicide loss and bereavement will be shared, as well as how you can care for yourself and for others affected by a suicide. There will be opportunities for questions and private conversations.
Rural Alive & Well (RAW) will be in attendance at the 6:30pm session.
Drop-in session 11 December, 3:30pm–5pm
On the same day, StandBy Support After Suicide will have people at the Huon Valley Hub meeting room 3:30pm–5pm available to meet with you. They will be a listening ear, offering information to take with you and helping you find the ongoing support you may need. They will ensure that this conversation is private and confidential.
Headspace will also be available at the drop-in session for you to chat with.
There’s no need to book for the drop-in session. Just come along!
Please help us ensure this event is COVID-safe by registering to attend, and maintaining physical distancing and good personal hygiene during the session.
As of 15th October, ARVOs Huonville is the young adult (12-24 years) hangout space in Huonville. This program runs each Friday afternoon from 3-4.30pm, with the Huon Valley Council having partnered with Huonville PCYC Police Officer, Steve Rose. The aim of this program is to provide a positive social space for youth to hang out, where they will have positive role models with adults working within the community.
HVC Youth Services
This page has posted relevant information for young people and parents, as well as detailed events for the ARVOs program.
Huon Valley Council Youth
This page has been designed as an information source on Huon Valley Youth programs and information. It includes a detailed calendar of all child, youth & family events, information on youth services, and our Youth Committee.
Journey of Hope - Building Resilience
Journey of Hope is a free program helping young people build resilience and develop new ways to cope with worry and anxiety in uncertain times. The program is suitable for children aged 4 to 18.
There’s also a workshop to help parents and caregivers look after themselves, so they can provide better support for the children in their care.
See the links below for more details:
If Huon Valley Council can assist in helping you access the program, please contact Mitchell Robson, Youth Development Officer, on 6264 9446 or email mrobson@huonvalley.tas.gov.au
Be smart, safe and secure when choosing tech gifts for children and young people.
Smoke Free Generation Youth Campaign
Quit Tasmania (part of Cancer Council Tasmania) are excited to launch a new campaign 1,2,3….Hooked on behalf of the Smoke Free Young People Working Group.
Smoke Free Generation - be a part of it! is a collaboration of service providers who want to protect young Tasmanians from the harmful effects of tobacco use. They aim to prevent smoking uptake, help those who have already started smoking to quit, and to create and support smoke-free environments.
The campaign aims to engage young people in conversations about being smoke free and to provide positive messages to shift their attitudes, intentions and behaviours about smoking.
The campaign aims to increase young Tasmanian’s access to smoke-free support and information by directing them to the new website:
The campaign is a series of short Promotional Ads on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Catchup Free-to-air channels, which will be promoted over the coming months.
This campaign was funded by the Tasmanian Department of Health.