Welcome to our first newsletter for Term 3! I hope everyone had a restful break and is ready for an exciting and productive term ahead at Huonville High School.

Over the holidays, H Block received some much-needed upgrades. The classrooms have all been refreshed with paint and now feature new whiteboards and acoustic noticeboards, enhancing our learning spaces. Outside, the gardens have been tidied, and our seating areas have been karchered, creating a welcoming environment for students to enjoy during breaks. It was lovely to see and hear the appreciation from the students as they moved into the refreshed classrooms and commented on the new paint and boards. I love how appreciative our young people are. A fun fact from Tony our groundsman – Tony told me last term, 4 years ago he used to have to do repairs 4 out of his 5 workdays, yet now he rarely has anything to fix as our students are so respectful of our school – what great news. More money to spend on nice things and programs for our students and school.  

It’s been fantastic to see students wearing their uniforms with pride. As we move into the next phase of our Uniform Policy, we remind families that only navy or black stockings are permitted under the HHS Dress Code – no stripes, patterns, or white stockings, please. Thank you for supporting us in maintaining a consistent and respectful school appearance.

On Friday 1 August, we were honoured to welcome Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker, Governor of Tasmania, and her husband, Professor Don Chalmers, to our school. The visit was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the incredible work happening at HHS. A huge thank you to Belinda Stewart and the Year 11/12 Hospitality Team, along with the TTC crew, who did an outstanding job hosting and catering for this special event.

This term, we are excited to welcome students from our associate primary schools as they join us for taster sessions in Health and Physical Education, Cooking, and Science. These experiences give future Year 7s a chance to get to know our school and staff in a fun, engaging way.

A reminder that our 2025 Year 7 Parent Information Afternoon will be held on Thursday 7 August from 3:15 – 4:30 pm. We look forward to meeting families, answering questions, and sharing what makes Huonville High such a great place to learn.

We have a busy and exciting term ahead, and I’m so proud of the progress our students and staff are making every day. Our students are wonderful, and they deserve a community who believes in them. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Kindly

Janelle Reeves | Principal

Huonville High School presents the darkly comedic production of "Snatched and Served"! In a high school where something sinister is afoot, a drag queen teacher, a cannibalistic gourmand, and two baffled police officers are about to collide. When children start going missing, who will be "snatched," and what will be "served"?

Don't miss this thrilling and hilarious show!

Performance Dates:

• Thursday, September 25
• Friday, September 26

Time: Doors open at 6:00 pm for a 6:30 pm start.

Location: Huonville High School

Tickets: Secure your seat for this unforgettable production! Get your tickets now at: https://www.trybooking.com/DDBNO

#SnatchedAndServed #HuonvilleHighSchool #SchoolProduction #Theatre #DragQueen #Comedy #Mystery #SupportLocalTheatre

At the end of last term, our Year 7 and 8 students made fantastic progress in reading fluency—and we’re keeping that momentum going this term!

Students will be working on fluency this term on both repeated reading and cloze reading. These activities will help build, not just speed and accuracy, but also confidence, comprehension, and expression which are all key ingredients for strong readers.

This term’s reading topics are designed to spark interest and engagement and will include: football, travel and adventure, farming and food, social media and screen time, and fantasy fiction.

How you can support at home:

• Ask your young person to read aloud to you for 1–2 minutes a few times a week
• Encourage discussions about what they’re reading
• Ask them to explain what they’ve learned. Teaching someone else helps it stick

We’re proud of the effort students are putting in and excited to see even more growth this term!

If you would like to know more about our Reading Priority or have any questions, feel free to contact: christie.gumley@decyp.tas.gov.au

Our Year 7 students have been busy creating stunning artworks as part of the Sunrise and Sunset Project. This activity explored the use of analogous colours to create dreamy gradient skies, paired with bold black-and-white silhouettes of trees, clouds and stars.

Every student embraced the challenge, blending colours beautifully and adding their own creative twist. The project encouraged creativity, risk-taking, and personal expression, highlighting that effort is just as valuable as technical perfection—and that everyone has a unique artistic style to share.

Students have been getting the job done in their PSC groups. Take a look at some of our students as they engage in content based around improving their communities.

In HPE, Year 8 students have been undertaking learning about European Handball in the practical setting, and Relationships & Sexuality in their theory. Year 7s are refining their social skills through basketball, and are also engaging in content supporting their mental and emotional health. Some photos of their action are here.

Keep an eye out for different subjects in the next newsletter!

These striking pieces are the creations of our talented Year 8 students, who have been exploring the fascinating world of Op Art - short for Optical Illusion Art. This style challenges the eye by playing with patterns, rhythm, and movement—two key principles of design. The result? Artwork that seems to shift, vibrate, and almost come to life before your eyes!

At Huonville High School, we believe that strong partnerships with families help shape the future of our school.

Join Our School Association

Your voice matters! We value your input and warmly invite you to become part of the HHS School Association this year - or - join in 2026. Together, we can continue to make our school the best it can be.

For more information, please call 6264 0800 and speak to Janelle, the Principal.

We look forward to working with you!
Warm regards

Troy Cook
Chair, HHS School Association

We’re halfway through the year, and expectations are rising as we encourage our young people to strive for greatness. Year 7 students have settled into high school and are ready to take on new roles and responsibilities. Year 8 students are entering their final terms as juniors, beginning to consider subject choices for 2026 as they prepare to step into leadership roles.

Exciting times are ahead—keep an eye on our communication platforms!

Homeroom Update:
Morning homeroom helps students connect, organise for the day, and prepare for learning. Please ensure your child arrives on time so they don’t miss this important start. Our PSC program is shifting from a focus on individual growth to positively influencing the wider community. We look forward to seeing students share their contributions with you.

Teaching and Learning:
The link below shows each subject and focus area for Term 3, helping families stay informed and engaged in their child’s learning. Please use this information to spark conversations at home.

We value your ongoing support—contact us with any questions and check the link for Year 7 and 8 teaching and learning details, including teacher names.

Welcome to Term 3! It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through the year. Over the break, many students have shown noticeable growth and maturity, reminding us of the important work ahead as they prepare for senior secondary and life beyond school.

This term, several Year 10 students will participate in work placements—thank you to our local industry partners for supporting these valuable experiences.

We’re also introducing Project Groups for Year 9 and 10, running every second week and alternating with Personal and Social Capability (PSC) lessons. Project Groups focus on hands-on, self-directed learning aligned with our Effort Rubric.

PSC themes this term:

• Year 9: Step Up – Respect, Actions, and Impact
• Year 10: Taking Charge – Effort, Choice, and Connection

Check this Teaching and Learning link to see what your child is studying and spark conversations at home about their learning.

With only 13 school weeks left, students are reminded there is still time to complete required assessments to achieve passing grades and valuable TCE points. Teachers are available to support, but students must take responsibility by attending classes, using study periods, and completing work at home. Parents are asked to reinforce the importance of attendance and effort as students work toward their Tasmanian Certificate of Education.

Reports & Feedback

• Week 2: At-risk students will receive subject summary reports to allow early intervention
• Week 5: All students will receive their Second Progress Report.
• Detailed assessment records are regularly shared with students and available to parents on request.

Uniform Update
New senior jumpers have arrived.

• Year 11 students receive one free jumper.
• Year 12 jumpers cost $25.
• All students must wear a Senior Polo or Jumper by Week 3. Additional polos are available from the office.

Program Highlights
Certificate II Agriculture students are excelling in the Merino Wether Challenge, gaining hands-on sheep and wool industry experience. They’ll compete in Campbell Town in September, showcasing skills in judging, wool handling, and sheep presentation.

Support & Opportunities

• SETN: Provides free career, training, and employability support. Representatives will visit TTC fortnightly from 28 July.
• Work Placement: Students should contact Bec Stevenson or Glenn Freeman to arrange opportunities.
• Excursions: Return permission forms promptly to avoid missing out.
• Parent-Teacher Interviews: Scheduled for Week 9; booking details will be shared via Schoolzine.

Key Dates

• Final Day for Year 11/12: Friday, 14 November
• Celebration BBQ: Thursday, 13 November at the TTC

Please refer to this link for Teaching and Learning subject focus areas and use this information to support conversations at home. Reach out anytime with questions or concerns.

See the photos below of our senior students who have been busy putting their skills into action across Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Construction, making the most of hands-on learning opportunities.

Agriculture Gardening
Taking advantage of the recent good weather, our Cert II Agriculture students rejuvenated one of the school’s garden beds. Over the term, they’ll continue working in this space, with plans to plant a variety of herbs.

Merino Challenge Preparation
Students in the Cert II Agriculture program are also gearing up for the Merino Wether Challenge in September. They have been gaining valuable experience in sheep handling and preparing for the upcoming competition.

Aquaculture Safety Training
Cert II Aquaculture students recently completed the elements of shipboard safety assessment at The Lea camp. They spent the day learning and practising how to respond to emergencies such as onboard fires—an essential skill for anyone working on the water.

Construction Project
Our Cert II Construction students have been hard at work installing a concrete slab as part of their current project. This task has given them practical experience in site preparation, formwork, and pouring—skills they will use throughout their trade careers.

Well done to all students for their effort and commitment to these exciting learning opportunities!

Attention: Parents and Carers of students in Years 7-12.

Student Wellbeing and Engagement Survey

At Huonville High the wellbeing of our students is a top priority. We want to hear directly from our students about how they’re feeling and what’s happening in their lives.

Students in Year/s 7-12 will soon be participating in the Student Wellbeing and Engagement Survey. This important survey helps us build a clear picture of our students’ current wellbeing and identify ways we can better support them to thrive and engage in learning. The more students who take part, the more meaningful the insights will be.

This survey is part of the Department’s Child and Student Wellbeing Strategy.

Survey Details:

When:  Over the month of September

Who:  All students

What do I need to do:  You and your child don’t need to do anything. The survey will be done in class time and will not require your child to prepare in any way.

A letter with more information has been sent home with all students. This includes a list of Frequently Asked Questions and a form to return if you do not want your child to participate.

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Paul Newton - Assistant Principal 62640800.

Thank you for supporting our efforts to ensure every student feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.