As we approach the end of the academic year, it's time to reflect on the achievements and growth that have defined our school community in the past months. From memorable events to significant announcements, the final stretch of the school year promises to be filled with excitement and accomplishment.

Welcoming Assistant Principal Christie Gumley

We are thrilled to introduce our new Assistant Principal, Ms. Christie Gumley, who brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to our school community. Ms. Gumley's dedication to education and her passion for fostering a positive learning environment align perfectly with our school's values. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Ms. Gumley as she becomes an integral part of our educational family.

Congratulations to Morgan Parrott - Advanced Skills Teacher

We take immense pride in congratulating Ms. Morgan Parrott on her successful achievement of the Advanced Skills Teacher role. Her commitment to excellence in education has not gone unnoticed, and we are confident that she will continue to inspire both students and colleagues alike in her new capacity. Well done, Ms. Parrott, on this well-deserved accomplishment.

Break a Leg to our Drama Production Cast and Crew

As the curtains rise on our annual drama production, we extend our best wishes to the talented cast and crew who have dedicated countless hours to bring this performance of Murder Malodorous to life. Your hard work and creativity have transformed the auditorium into a stage filled with excitement and emotion. Break a leg, and may your passion for the arts shine brightly on the stage!

Grade 6 into 7 Orientation Day – A New Chapter Begins

This week marks an important milestone for our Grade 6 students as they embark on their journey to Grade 7. We are excited to welcome them to Orientation Day, where they will have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the next chapter of their academic adventure. We encourage students to embrace this transition with open minds and enthusiasm, as they take the first steps towards new friendships, challenges, and discoveries.

As we conclude another enriching academic year, let's celebrate the accomplishments and growth that have defined us as a school community. May the upcoming weeks be filled with memorable experiences, and may our students, staff, and families carry the spirit of curiosity and resilience into the well-deserved summer break.

Janelle Reeves
Principal

janelle.reeves@decyp.tas.gov.au 

This is a ‘heads up’ that the student devices (2-in-1 Lenovo laptops) provided to Grade 7 and 8 students this year will be required to be returned to Huonville High School the week beginning the 4^th of December. Returned devices will be collected during Homeroom. The return should include the device, the charger and the protective case.

Each device is recorded against the student to whom it was assigned and will be returned to that same student at the start of 2024. Failure to return the 2-in-1 device (laptop), charger and case may result in parents/carers being invoiced the full cost of replacement as specified in the HHS Laptop Agreement.

These devices are a great learning tool allowing access to up-to-the-minute information and a wide range of apps to support learning, and we are recalling them to set them up ready for next year.

Angela Cooke  
Manager ICT Educational Programs

angela.cooke@decyp.tas.gov.au 

Year 8 student, Lochie Job scores 75 runs in C1 Grade cricket – well done Lochie!

Article as seen in the Huon Valley News 15/11/23 @huonnews

[click on photos to enlarge]

The HHS Visual Art Team is delighted to announce we won five awards at the Huon Show!

Art display by Angela Prince & Lauren Asschers

The theme this year was "Our Connection to our Land" and the winners are as follows:

Highly Commended: Keyton - Grade 8

Third Prize: Zoe - Grade 9

Second Prize: Neve - Grade 8

Mayor and Deputy Mayor's choices: Arden - Grade 7

It was an awesome opportunity to display the work of our incredibly talented students for the wider community to see, and we are very proud of everyone's effort. 

Angela Prince
Art Teacher

angela.prince@decyp.tas.gov.au 

Year 10 student, Saila, was recently awarded a bronze medal at the
GKR Karate 2023 Australian National Championships
in Brisbane recently. Well done, Saila!

Bus routes that travel only in a rural area, to the local school, don’t charge a fare.

For students who travel outside a rural area, the Department of State Growth has advised that student bus fares are increasing on 1 January 2024, 

• The full student fare will increase by 10 cents on 1 January 2024.
• If you use cash for a single trip ticket, the new fare will be $2.00.
• If you use a smartcard or purchase a 10-trip ticket, the new fare will be $1.60.

Smartcards like Greencard and Transportme can be topped up online. You can buy a 10-trip ticket for $16.00 from the bus driver. It costs the same on every trip – it doesn’t matter how far, where, or when you go. 

Some students can travel or transfer between buses for free. You may be eligible for a Student Bus Pass for Free Travel if you are:

• listed on a Health Care or Pensioner Card
• travel wholly within the rural area where there is only a fare charging service
• must use more than one bus between home and school and/or school and home
• are under a Care and Protection Order.

The student fare last increased in 2022. This fare increase is set by government policy.

For more information, talk to your bus driver, visit Student travel – Transport Services or call 6166 3343 (9am to 5pm weekdays).

I know I have started a bit of online shopping, getting ready for Christmas. Teachers are still working hard to have engaging content in each subject area with a lot of subject areas finishing off projects and assignments.

In Woodwork students are practicing their housing joints and I believe working on making a box.

In HASS students have been looking at big brands, like Nike and how this links to globalisation and ethical issues like child labour. You could ask your child for more information about the brand that they are studying.

In English, students are studying the classic story, Le Petit Prince. Originally written in French, you may know it as ‘The Little Prince’. Students are exploring cinematic techniques and the story structure of the film with the intention of creating their own creative story, perhaps even with the support of AI! You could ask your child if they have any plot ideas in mind for their story.  

In Mathematics, students are practicing finding the mean, median and mode of data through various methods including frequency tables and my personal favourite, STEM and LEAF plots. I think a great question to ask would be, ‘When is data important, or where could it be used?’.

There are some Grade 7 students involved in the school play Murder Malodourous that have some evening shows. It would be great to have some parents in attendance for this one. See elsewhere in the newsletter for links to ticket sales.

Keep encouraging your child to push through as they get tired as the holidays approach. We aren’t just teaching the 3Rs, reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmatic. We are teaching resilience and perseverance. This is through students doing their best work every day and is also included in our homeroom lessons with a big push around personal and social capabilities through games and clubs.

Please speak to their homeroom teacher if you have any further questions or would like to find out more about the homeroom lessons, or feel free to contact me.

Regards,

Jason Lunden
Grade 7 Coordinator

jason.lunden1@decyp.tas.gov.au 

The Huonville High School drama production date is fast approaching. 

This year's production is a short, one-act play, written by an Australian playwright, Tom Vaughn. It's a dark comedy set in an English manor house at the turn of last century, with the blood flowing as thick and fast as the jokes

The production will run as follows:

Tickets are $6.61 each (includes booking fee)

Thursday evening:

Friday evening:

We hope to see you there!

Regards,  

Bobby-Jack Bowen Butchart  
Drama Teacher 

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

When I set out at the start of 2023, I shared my dream for this group of students with a literal reference to a dream. With the many bemused and confused faces staring back at me, I outlined clear expectations for them to maintain the high standards they had set in Grade 7. At the time I shared this vision and outlined the steps we would take together, I anticipated being there every step of the way to help them navigate the challenges. In doing so, the group has received every ounce of experience and expertise I have developed in the preceding years. Along the way, as with anything, we do not always meet the high standards we set for ourselves or those around us, but as I speak with our students daily about the qualities and values required of us to meet challenges, I speak with the voice of experience and speak honestly in the hope that this message echoes with them as they journey through life. For me, this year has been a great teacher, our students have taught me many things and given me greater insights into their challenges, and I gratefully take this knowledge with me.

Our school laptops program is coming to an end for 2023 and all devices are expected to be returned in early December to be re-formatted and prepared again for students next year. One of our learnings this year has been that you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them learn about how to drink the water. For most of our students, they have embraced the opportunity to access technology as a tool for learning, but for others, not so much. We will continue to work in 2024 to ensure our students can equitably access the learning opportunities provided by this program.

Reporting entry begins next week and concludes in week eight. This presents students with their final opportunity to reflect on their efforts around the learning presented in school and extend themselves into next year. All students should continue to work hard, stay focused and give their best by being the best version of themselves.

Best of luck to all students in the coming weeks, and if parents/carers have any questions or feedback, please get in touch with us at school.

Kindest regards,

Bobby-Jack Bowen Butchart
Grade 8 Coordinator

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

Chicken pot pie was on the menu in a recent Food Studies class - Thomas is pictured (above) about to enjoy his!

Brian Green
Food Studies Teacher

brian.green@decyp.tas.gov.au 

Dear Parents / Guardians,

Welcome to the middle of Term 4, where we have had lots do and talk about in Grade 9.

This term students have been engaging in content around Citizenship, Resilience & Teamwork. this has included team challenges such as building towers, working with younger students, and recognising staff. These activities will lead to our culminating event: a hike up Kunanyi/Mt Wellington. Forms have been sent out so please ensure that your child returns theirs!

Students will also begin stepping into the role of leaders as they approach the end of the year. A key part of this is transitioning into a new era of uniform that connects the 10s to the 11/12s. Students have received forms around ‘Senior Jackets’ which can be purchased from our supplier at One Sport. Though change is unsettling at times, we believe this cohort are the perfect drivers for positive change.

To sign off, I am continuing to seek your support in helping to create the next group of leaders within our school and community. Can you assist me by ensuring students are in uniform, having conversations with students about their learning, and contacting me with any questions or concerns.

I look forward to the term ahead. Until then, here is a photo of our student leaders (8,9,10) in action at their most recent event – the Huon-Channel Primary Athletics Carnival.

Kind regards,

Mr Riley Mislov
Grade 9 Coordinator

riley.mislov@decyp.tas.gov.au 

It took some planning, but my Friday Hospitality class felt the pressure and did it anyway!

I didn’t want to overwhelm myself, the students, or Jenny, the School Business Manager, but we managed to pull of a spectacular three-course Mexican feast. It was actually a Christmas Mexican feast as decided by the students. Like Masterchef, the focus ingredient was chili, but let’s not go there. Chili could be found in the salsa, the guacamole, the enchilada sauce and the brownies. We also had some amazing churros.

We couldn’t have prepared all that food in a single lesson on Wednesday, with the final flourishes on added on Friday Period 3, to be eaten in Period 4, without some excellent teamwork. Everybody stepped up, asking what they could do to help and jumping in wherever needed. Thanks team, I am proud of you.

Good watermelon punch and coffee too!

Jason Lunden
Hospitality Teacher

jason.lunden1@decyp.tas.gov.au 

Hello again, and welcome to the midway point of Term 4. It has been all systems to go as we begin the descent into end of term activities.

In homeroom lessons, students have been subjected to ‘Round-table Interviews’ – where they have had to convince a panel that they are the right person for the job. In this case though, their interview has focussed around 11/12 subjects. It has been both challenging and beneficial for students, and gratifying as well as exciting for staff.

As your child may have already stated, this year we will be holding an ‘Activities Week’ in Week 9 for Grade 10s. Students have shown incredible growth in areas of aspiration, resilience and teamwork, so we as a school wanted to showcase that in the community through activities. Forms are out so make sure your child returns it asap!

In the next couple of weeks, students will begin their exams, which is exciting but unnerving. They will be held in the ALC and run over 4 days. Information will be out soon so keep an eye out.

The next time you will hear from me, will be at the end of year ceremony, see you there!

Kind regards,

Mr Riley Mislov
Grade 10 Coordinator

riley.mislov@decyp.tas.gov.au 

Hosted by the University of Tasmania, 06 Dec 2023, 6:00pm-7:30pm

Audience: Students, teachers, parents and friends, particularly those interested in psychology, counselling, child studies or parenting.

Locations: Online or Sir Stanley Burbury Lecture Theatre, University of Tasmania Sandy Bay Campus, Dobson Road, Sandy Bay, 7005, Tasmania

The world has transformed over the past 80+ years, presenting new challenges for parents and their children. Amid rapid change and an overwhelming amount of advice, it's natural to seek guidance on providing the best support. But how do you choose the right path in this ever-changing world?

Join Developmental Psychologist, Professor Melanie Zimmer-Gembeck, as she delves into the history of parenting studies and narratives. Explore the impact of complex parenting practices on a child's development and uncover five fresh challenges for parents and parenting support programs. Learn how we can cope and thrive as parents, and a community, in today's unsteady world.

To join this event at the venue for free refreshments from 5.30pm. Get tickets here:

If you prefer to attend online or live further afield, you can join virtually by clicking on the link below:

Resilience In Our Teens™ is a child development course that aims to support you and your teen through the ups and downs of life. It is what we call a ‘parent-led’ approach, meaning that you take on the role of the coach in your teen’s life, and are able to guide them through emotionally distressing episodes. Designed & developed by psychologist, author and teacher Michael Hawton, it equips you with a practical and easy set of tools, and a solid understanding of the theory behind these to enable you to build resilience in your child. 

Live webinar series - Feb 8, 15 and 22. Cost $102.

Register here - https://www.parentshop.com.au/parents/resilence-in-our-teens-parents 

The Castle Forbes Bay Recreation Club is holding its annual Exhibition on 20th & 21st January, 2024. Entries must be submitted by 8th January, 2024.

Entry is free for youth, with a fee for the 'Open' section of $5 per entry. Entries are limited to two pieces. There is a 15% comminssion payable on sales. 

For enquires, entry form and full conditions of entry, email: cfbrccurator@gmail.com

CFBRC Art and Music Exhibition | Facebook