Term 3 Week 9

Since last newsletter we have engaged in our External School Review and in each of the next few newsletters I am proudly going to headline our newsletter with our commendations (see above for the first two). Commendations are the areas the panel identified we are doing very well in - combining staff, student and community voice. We as a staff are incredibly proud of the work we are doing here at Huonville High and we know that we need to get the good news stories out to our families and community so you know and are proud too! The combination of:

• our work at a school level,
• our students engaging and giving their best every day and
• your support

will over time help the wider community know that things really are changing at Huonville High.

Spotlight on student achievement

A big year of football is over for another year and this year we had some winners. Congratulations to Sunil, Malcom and Brock who were part of the Huonville Lions Colts Premiership win. Well done gentlemen, a great result for you and the wider community.

Appreciation

Thank you so much to our families who made the time to book times to talk about your child’s learning this week. Learning is a partnership and we love your support. Our Vison statement, Together we learn reminds us all stakeholders in our school are working and learning together to improve learning outcomes for all students.

Wishing you a happy and safe holiday at the end of next week with your young people and see you next term.

Kindly

Janelle Reeves
Principal

janelle.reeves@decyp.tas.gov.au 

Dear parents and carers,

We love and value your support of us as we work together to support your child’s learning and we relish the opportunity to meet with you. Just a reminder that if you do come on-site, please enter through the main office (not student administration or other) and sign in using the check-in kiosk. For safety reasons, and in the event of an emergency, we need to know who is on-site at any given time.

Please do not enter the school unless you have signed in and spoken to our front office administration team.

Thank you.

It has been a big week for me. I have been officially teaching in Australia for 18.7 years. I taught the first 8.7 years in Victoria. I had to resign to come to teach in Tasmania. One reason I wanted to teach in Tasmania was that I was concerned that I would live and die teaching in one school. Tasmania has given me many new teaching experiences, working with students from kinder to Grade 12, in independent, Catholic and State primary and secondary schools.

Today I was helping cater a Council event for Grade 6 students at the PCYC. My Hospitality classes helped to make that happen, as well as Leanne - thanks Leanne! Anyway, long story short, I am on long service leave for 6 whole school days and will be back for Term 4. Please speak to Morgan Parrott, the overarching leader of Grade 7 & 8 whenever needed.

This term, based on Mr Bobby-Jack Butchart's innovations, we have been using "Clubs", an opt-in activity, for homeroom’s personal and social capability goals. On Tuesdays, students participate in a consistent activity of their choice which included football/basketball, board games, video analysis, and more. Then on Thursdays, we either have a fortnightly school assembly (parents welcome!) or students reflect on working in a team, collaborating, getting along with others that perhaps you don’t always work with—the personal social capabilities. There is always room to improve in teaching and we are reflecting on this and will make it even better next term as it continues. Further on in this newsletter (at the end of the Grade 8 Coordinator's article), you can read Bobby-Jack’s great parent information regarding questions you could ask your child about these activities.

As you will know after signing the permission form for the excursion to Taroona, that our students will be continuing these ‘personal social capabilities’ when they go to the Activity Day tomorrow, where they choose an activity and join with the Taroona students. Sadly, I won’t be there as I am on my way to two music festivals (for my daughter of course!).

Anyway, I wish you all the best and have a safe holiday, and we all look forward to seeing each student refreshed and ready to learn in Term 4.

Jason Lunden
Grade 7 Coordinator

jason.lunden1@decyp.tas.gov.au 

Morgan Parrott
AST Grade 7 & 8

morgan.parrott@decyp.tas.gov.au 

Talk About How Your Child Can Be Responsible For Their Devices

In Grades 7 and 8, your child has access to a school-issued device. It is important that your child brings their device to school every day, fully charged and in the protective case.

Use these questions to talk with them about the responsibilities that come with having a device and being online.

Ask these three questions:

1. I hear you had a conversation at school about how to be responsible for your devices. What are some of the responsibilities you and your classmates came up with?

• • Listen for:
    • Keeping my device protected in a case.
    • Charging my device when I'm done using it.
    • Keeping food and drinks away from my device. 

2. Can you think of some things you can do at home to practice being responsible for your device?
3. How can I help you take care of your device?

Angela Cooke
ICT Manager

angela.cooke@decyp.tas.gov.au 

Year 7 students were recently given the opportunity to draw flowers and fruit in their art class - here are some of their drawings:

Angela Prince
Visual Art Teacher

angela.prince@decyp.tas.gov.au 

The year rushes by us like a Japanese bullet train on a sleepy Monday morning and we only noticed that it had passed once the wind had stopped pulling at our hair. Like the wind before the train, we push forward and, like the train, we stay on track.

Our term started with the promise of transforming our Personal Social Capabilities (PSC) home room lessons into practical experiences in the form of ‘clubs’ modelled on student interests. To this end, we have delivered, largely thanks to Morgan Parrott, who was welcomed to the team as our Advanced Skills Teacher (AST) for Grades 7 and 8. Her experience has been instrumental in ensuring the clubs' program had the structure to be successful, and for our students to be rated against the PSC.

There is a proverb that aligns nicely with the idea of building communities of learners within the school and beyond, and it goes “it takes a village to raise a child”. Raising our young people to be the best they can be is the responsibility of a community. We keep each other in check to meet our high standards, and you can help us support our young people at home by asking questions which engage them in their learning. There are some examples below which we encourage you to use when sharing time with your young person.

Questions you can ask grade eight students about their learning:

· What club are you in on Tuesdays?

· What are you enjoying about the change from classroom focus to club’s focus?

· What is it do you think is the most important aspect of working with other in a club?

· Have there been any challenges you’ve had where you have overcome it during clubs?

· How might you help others to participate in the club?

Our young people are intelligent and demonstrate high levels of emotional intelligence; when we engage their minds, we support their developing sense of themselves and how they relate to others. Remember, that being kind to ourselves is just as important as being kind to others. We don’t need an answer to every question, but it helps them to think about their roles as they moved forward in life.

Thank you for your time and if this raises any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to us.

Regards,

Bobby-Jack Bowen Butchart
Grade 9 Coordinator

bobby-jack.bowen.but@decyp.tas.gov.au 

If you need to collect your student during the school day for an appointment or to leave school early, please write a note explaining this, stating the time you wish to collect them, and give it to your student to give to their class teacher who will allow them to leave class and meet you at the front office for signing out.

If you haven't written a note, please call the school before you arrive as this will save you time when you come to collect your student as some classes are held outside, for example, HPE classes may be held on the oval or at the PCYC.

Thank you for your consideration.

Seth and Brodie show off some pretty amazing cinnamon scrolls!

Jason Lunden
Food Technologies Teacher

jason.lunden1@decyp.tas.gov.au 

In science last week, all grade nines participated in a science excursion to Franklin Forest where they measured and compared the carbon density across two different ecological sites: a clear-fell logging coup and a section of native rainforest. Students found some huge trees and enjoyed the outdoor classroom. 

Hoops were used to capture, measure and compare data samples.

Over the last few weeks of Term 3, Grade 9 homeroom lessons have been focussed on the necessary life skill of applying for jobs. Workskills Tasmania coached students to develop their resumes and prepare for a job interview using the ‘STAR’ method. This week, all Grade 9 students put their job interview skills to the test in a mock job interview scenario with job panels from Workskills Tasmania, Maxima Employment and two of our senior leadership staff members. The interview panels gave the students valuable positive and constructive feedback which they will be able to take with them to make a persuasive impression at their next real job interview. We were incredibly proud of the way students navigated nerves and stepped out of their comfort zone to give their best effort. Congratulations to all Grade 9s for ending the Term 3 homeroom program so positively.

Next term, as we gear up to selecting students for our student leadership team and peer support program, homeroom lessons will be focussed on leadership and mentoring. Grade 9s have already shown that they are highly capable, stepping up to take on bigger responsibility as they performed their community service roles. We look forward to seeing them develop confidence and grow as leaders in our school next term and next year.

Questions you can ask grade nine students about their learning:

• How do scientists measure carbon density in forests?
• What is the ‘STAR’ method and how can it help in a job interview?

Amy Richardson
Grade 9 Coordinator

amy.richardson1@decyp.tas.gov.au 

Hello! My name is Katherine Ross, and I am the new Student Health Nurse at Huonville High School. I will be at the school every Wednesday and Thursday. My office is next to the social work office.

How can I help students? Some examples are:

• general health and wellbeing support
• emotional health
• vision and hearing checks
• sleep concerns
• quitting smoking/vaping
• drugs/alcohol support
• sexual health support
• help to access other health services

I will take on 1:1 referrals made by teachers and supporting staff, and in the future will help facilitate small groups for various health topics based on the needs at the school.  I will be running health promotion sessions in classrooms for topics such as sun safety, dental health, and healthy relationships.

I am here to help support all aspects of student health and wellbeing so that they have optimal capacity for learning at school.

I look forward to meeting our students!

Katherine Ross
HHS School Health Nurse

Hello all, it’s the end of Term 3 already! It’s been a mixture of business and pleasure to end our Term, but it’s fair to say that students will have earnt a rest come holiday time.

Throughout our Term, each homegroup has engaged in a full-day relationship seminar called ‘LOVEBiTES’ – a program that teaches students about creating and maintaining healthy relationships, consent, and red-flags. The conclusion of the day sees students participate in a creative session to share their learning, which will be displayed in the gym for the younger cohorts. Student feedback was very positive with everyone taking something away from the program.

As their HPE teacher, I am biased in sharing the wonderful engagement I am seeing in the subject. Currently as part of their ‘Active in the Community’ unit, students are creating activities that could be conducted easily and effectively within the community. To test their creations, we have been travelling to Huonville Primary School and engaging with Grades Prep, 1, 5 and 6 students. The leadership, commitment and care shown by our students has been second to none, and I am very proud of every one of them.

In contest news, our "Staff vs Students Tournament" is reaching its finale. Facing elimination, students showed grit and determination to win soccer and force a tie-breaking game 5. To decide the true champions, we will head to basketball. This will be played on the final day of the Term in what is sure to be an epic contest!

Hopefully in the next newsletter I will be able to share a gallant staff victory!

Kind regards,

Mr Riley Mislov
Grade 10 Coordinator

riley.mislov@decyp.tas.gov.au 

This week's Huon News (dated 20/9/2023) featured a number of former and current Huonville High School students:

A very proud mention to all of our former and current students who competed on the weekend in the 2023 SFL Football Premiership. The Huonville Lions Colts went up against a hungry and consistent Lindisfarne team in the wet. The Lions led from early on, keeping the reigning premiers at bay all day to come away with the 2023 Premiership cup! A consistent effort from all the young men, with a special mention to Brock for two spectacular goals. Well done also to Malcom, Sunil and Brodie, who also played a great game. Read all about it on page 24. 

Former student, Aisha Bissett, is passionate about science and the environment- you can read her story on page 5.

Another former student, Daniel Shilcock, is setting new records in the swimming pool, recently claiming five individual gold medals, a silver medal, and five new Tasmanian State short-course records. As well as competing in Tasmania and on the mainland this year, Daniel has also competed in India and New Zealand! Read more of his story on page 22.

We are very proud of all of our former and current students and the achievements they are seeing. Keep up the great work!

Being at school is the best place for our kids. It’s where they learn and grow alongside their friends, and where they benefit the most.

DECYP resources on school attendance highlight the importance of regular school attendance – watch the television commercial here.

Going to school not only promotes academic success, but also helps build important social skills, relationships and confidence. 

What we do know is that every school day counts. Bright futures begin at school, so if your child is well enough to attend school, being in the physical school environment is the best place for them.

Full Gear will be running a FREE motorbike licence course starting Thursday, 19 October, in Huonville for 6 weeks each Thursday from 11.00am-12.30pm.

This course is for 16-24 year olds who are currently riding motorbikes illegally.

It provides:

• 6 x 1 hour classroom sessions with lunch provided
• the 2 day AJL compulsory motorbike course in Moonah (cost of $720)
• a $400 motorbike safety gear voucher

Below is the application form are referral forms that can be returned to: conrad.gilbey@gcc.tas.gov.au who is running the course. 

Click the link to find out what's happening - events at Huonville Library begin on page 16 and include a "Giant Board Games" day!

SZapp is a direct communication channel to parents and carers; a mobile app that’s free to download. SZapp allows Huonville High School to send notifications to our parents and carers at any time, as well as being a platform where the school's important information is available anywhere, anytime, on mobile devices.

Features:

Newsletter subscription link and archive of all previous newsletters News Feed – which will allow us to send notifications as a reminder of things that are coming up Forms and Documents – which provides digital access to all forms sent home in hard copy Link to call the school directly or to access the school website Comprehensive school calendar that is continually updated Bus details Staff email contacts And much more…

Apple devices: Download and install SZapp.

Android devices: Download and install SZapp.

Students express what reconciliation means to them

For the first time a state-wide Touring Exhibition of previous Youth Speak Out entrants is happening!

Youth Speak Out is an annual education initiative run by Reconciliation Tasmania since 2018 celebrating the next generation’s views on Aboriginal affairs. Tasmanian students from Year 5-12 enter art, multimedia, speeches, letters, poems, or whole class projects expressing students’ views about Reconciliation.

In partnership with Libraries Tasmania the exhibition will travel to various libraries, starting with a three-month exhibition at the State Library of Tasmania’s Allport Gallery.

Opening Night

Where - Allport Gallery, Ground Floor, 91 Murray St, Hobart

When - Friday, November 24th

Time - 5pm

Tickets: