Dear Parents/Carers

As we are in the early stages of the school year it is timely to highlight our five values of Connection, Courage, Growth, Respect and Responsibility.  Values guide our behaviour and decision making. They underpin what we see as important and act as anchor points for us even in times of uncertainty.

Connection – Building positive relationships and a sense of belonging.

Courage – Accepting challenges and embracing opportunities.

Growth – Aspiring to learn and improve, even when it is tough.

Respect – Caring for ourselves, each other and our environment.

Responsibility – Stepping up and doing what is right.

All members of our school community can support, promote and uphold our values.

This year we embark on a new school improvement plan, which incorporates components of our successful External School Review at the end of last year as well as some requirements from our Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP). Reading will continue to be a priority, along with quality teaching and learning and also a focus on engagement (including attendance) and inclusion.  We are continuing to develop and refine our plan.

During the student free day today, teaching staff spent time examining data in relation to PAT reading, NAPLAN reading and English, while also continuing to complete a series of online modules relating to the teaching of reading. I hope students enjoyed the full day off school and staff and working parents enjoyed the part day public holiday for the Launceston Cup.

One of our Assistant Principals, Claire Lovitt, has taken some extended leave so this has resulted in some changes. Brendan Poke will be stepping into the role of Acting Assistant Principal until at least the end of Term 2, Belinda Selby will be stepping up for Term 1 in the role of Acting Advanced Skills Teacher and Megan Pel will be the Year 7 Leader for at least the remainder of this term. I will continue to communicate any changes to our community, but we are lucky to have these experienced and capable leaders who can fill these important roles. I also welcome Anthony Crawford to our Year 11/12 teaching team and Dan King to the Year 7 team. I am sure everyone will make these staff feel welcome in our school community.

Regular attendance at school is very important. Attending school frequently supports learning and helps foster connection and engagement. The minimum recognised acceptable attendance rate is 90%. As of late last year, just under 40% of students were attending the recommended minimum amount of time. Last year our average daily attendance rate was 79.2% and while that is better than like sector schools, it is still of some concern. Off course, we understand there are times of legitimate injury or illness that can impact but this should not be the case for most students. Being punctual also contributes to overall attendance data, so getting to school on time and not leaving early is also crucial. Parents and carers can support their child by establishing regular routines, discussing the importance of school and working in partnership with us if further supports are needed to improve attendance. 

All schools are required to have a Mobile Phone Policy. We are no different and as such the ‘Off and Away All Day’ policy applies. This means from the first bell at 8.35am until the last bell at 2.50pm, student phones should be out of sight and not used. We know that the majority of students have phones and some find it difficult to regulate and self-manage. Nevertheless, these expectations are in place for good reason and parents/carers can support us by reinforcing these messages with their child and not contacting their child directly during the school day. If communication is required, this can occur through the school administration office. Thanks in anticipation of your support.

We are currently seeking interest for our School Association Committee. Nomination forms are available from the office and were also recently distributed via Facebook. Nominations close on Friday 14 March at 5pm. It would be great to have some new people involved. The minimum requirement is one meeting per term but in recent times there have been two per term. Meeting times and days would be negotiated with the group. If you would like to know more, please do not hesitate to reach out to me our you can read more through the following links. I look forward to seeing you involved.

• School Associations for Tasmanian Government schools - Department for Education, Children and Young People (decyp.tas.gov.au)
• INFORMATION & RESOURCES | TASSO 

Year 7 Camp at Port Arthur has concluded for another year. These opportunities are highly valued as they support relationship building, a sense of connection, helps develop grade identity, while also engaging in some fun and interesting extra-curricular experiences.  For some students, it is also an opportunity to build some confidence and independence away from home. Thank you to parents and carers for supporting this excursion. I am sure students had a great time, although tiring. I must also acknowledge our amazing staff who gave up time away from their family and normal activities to enable this camp to happen. Camps can’t run without this, so my sincere thanks to all teachers and teacher assistants who attended.  A particular thank you to Brendan Poke, Belinda Selby and especially Kate Hume, for all their efforts in organising, preparing and leading the camp. Thank you!

Similarly, last Thursday and Friday our Year 10 Student Leaders participated in their leadership retreat at the 4th Launceston Scout Group Hall in Kings Meadows, at school during the evening and at Hollybank. This involved developing their knowledge and understanding of good leadership through various activities and supported bonding as a group. They camped at school on Thursday night.  Unfortunately, Hollybank Treetops Adventure had to cancel our planned visit on the Friday due to staff illness. Students undertook alternative activities in Kings Meadows instead. Thanks to staff Sam Maddern, Daniel Richardson, Nicole Lynch and Kate Blaubaum for staying overnight with the students.  I hope students gained a lot from the experience and I know it will contribute to setting them up well for the year ahead in their leadership roles.

Looking ahead, we have our annual Swimming Carnival at the Launceston Aquatic Centre on Wednesday 5 March. We are trying something a little different with our Carnival this year as attendance on these days is usually a little down on the daily average attendance rate and we want to promote and encourage high levels of participation.  We also have our Leadership Induction Assembly on Friday 7 March where our student leaders will be officially inducted into their roles for 2025.

Regards

Cary Stocks
Principal

It has been a busy and productive two weeks since our last newsletter for students and staff in Year 9 and it has been pleasing to see that students are now settling into their new settings and classroom environments with high levels of engagement. I would like to thank all our dedicated teaching team for their efforts in supporting students to achieve success over the last two weeks and for the way they have been watching out for students who might require some extra support in academically and socially.

I would like to congratulate Jade Howard, our Drama and Music teacher, who was recently awarded Best Female Supporting Performance in Community Theatre for IO Performance’s The Effect over the weekend.  It’s wonderful to see our teaching team leading by example while remaining dedicated and involved in the areas they teach outside of the Kings Meadows High School setting.

Our overall attendance rates have remained consistent and high since the start of 2025 with an average attendance of 93% for our cohort.  Thank you to all our parents who are supporting us in our efforts to achieve high rates of attendance this year and to parents who are actively working with us to support any students who might be having challenges attending school at least 90% of the time.

Parents should have now received further preliminary information about our Year 9 school camp held next term at Spring Beach in Term 2 Week 8.  Please look out for excursion forms that will be sent out over the coming weeks and we thank you for your assistance in returning them to us in a timely manner.  An information evening will be held during Term 2 to answer additional questions about the camp.  Thank you to Miss Attard for her efforts and co-ordination of this wonderful event for students.

Over the next two weeks our team will be discussing and focusing on ways we can provide positive feedback to our students over the course of this year with the goal of improving their engagement, enjoyment, perseverance, resilience and effort in classroom environments.  I look forward to sharing our thinking in the next newsletter.

As always, I encourage parents to contact your child’s classroom teacher or a member of the Year 9 leadership team if you feel that your child might need some extra support in achieving success academically, socially or with their engagement in class.  We are always here to support. 

YEAR 9 CONTACT DETAILS:

Year 10 students have had a busy and engaging term, delving into fascinating subjects across Science, English, Maths and History. It has been wonderful to see students starting the term with such enthusiasm and dedication. Teachers have been particularly impressed with the high standard of uniform presentation, with students demonstrating a strong sense of pride and respect for their school. This positive attitude has set the tone for a productive and successful term ahead.

Science Spotlight: Exploring Genetics - In Science students have been investigating the intriguing world of genetics. From understanding DNA structures to exploring hereditary traits and genetic mutations, this unit has sparked curiosity and discussion. Practical activities and case studies have helped students apply their knowledge, deepening their understanding of how genetics impacts everyday life.

English: The Great Gatsby and Film Techniques - In English, students have been analysing The Great Gatsby with a focus on film techniques. By examining the ways in which cinematography, lighting and sound create meaning, they are gaining a richer appreciation for storytelling beyond the written word. Discussions and assignments have encouraged critical thinking about how directors adapt literature into film, bringing F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel to life on screen.

History: The Roaring Twenties - The Roaring Twenties has been the central theme in History, allowing students to explore a time of great social and cultural change. From jazz music and flapper fashion to economic prosperity and prohibition, students have examined the lasting impact of this influential era. Through research and class activities, they have gained insights into how this period shaped modern society.

Leadership Retreat: Developing Future Leaders - Last week, our Prefects, Beacon Leaders, House Captains and Peer Support Leaders embarked on a two-day Leadership Retreat designed to build teamwork, resilience and problem-solving skills. Thursday’s activities at the Scout Hall focused on leadership and team-building exercises, including trust-building activities, collaborative problem-solving challenges and group discussions on effective leadership strategies. The students engaged in scenario-based exercises that encouraged them to think critically and work together to achieve common goals.

Following a day of intensive learning and engagement, students returned to the school for an overnight stay, where they participated in further leadership discussions, speeches and reflection activities. This provided an opportunity for them to bond with their peers and develop stronger connections as a leadership team.

On Friday, the students enjoyed a fun-filled day designed to reinforce teamwork and camaraderie. The day began with a competitive yet enjoyable session of bowling, where students demonstrated both friendly rivalry and support for one another. This was followed by an exciting visit to an escape room, where teams had to work together to solve complex puzzles and complete challenges within a time limit. The retreat concluded with a relaxing BBQ at Punchbowl Reserve, providing a well-earned opportunity for reflection and celebration of their achievements over the two days.

This retreat was a valuable experience that helped shape the future leaders of our school, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to support and inspire their peers.

Future Focus: Punctuality and Organisation - As we move forward, students are encouraged to prioritise punctuality and organisation. Being on time to class and prepared for learning ensures a productive and positive school experience. Developing these habits now will benefit students not only in their current studies but also in their future endeavours.

With so much happening and more to come, Year 10 continues to grow academically and personally, setting the stage for a successful year ahead! 

YEAR 10 CONTACT DETAILS:

The school year is off to a fantastic start in both our Senior and Junior Workshop classes! Students have jumped straight into their introductory projects, getting hands-on and engaged in practical learning from day 1. It’s been great to see their enthusiasm and creativity in action!

A special welcome to our newest Year 7 students - they've already made an impressive start, sinking their teeth into their first projects with energy and excitement. We can't wait to see their progress and share their work with the school community. 

Workshop Safety Reminders

A quick reminder for all students:
✔️ Hair must be tied back for safety in all lessons.
✔️ Closed-toe shoes are required in the workshop at all times.
✔️ Safety glasses must be worn when using tools or machinery.
✔️ Bags are NOT permitted in the workshop for any lessons.
✔️ Projects that are too large for self-transport should be collected by families throughout the year.

We’re looking forward to another fantastic year of designing, creating and problem-solving in the workshop!

Stay safe and keep building! 

The Workshop Team

Mr Chatwin, Mr Goss, Mrs Rowbottom and Mr Chamberlain.

Welcome to 2025!

I’m Hannah, the school chaplain. I’m here for social, emotional and spiritual support, for our staff and students and their families.

I’m so excited for a new year of friendships, fresh challenges and growth. 2025 is going to be a good one!

I’m at KMHS on Mondays and Fridays and I’m here to be a listening ear, a friend for those who need one and someone to build up and encourage when others tear down.

I also help to run the school breakfast club every Monday and Friday of school term. Feel free to come along to room B11 at 8am for some free toast, Milo and a chat. My team and I would love to meet you!

I know times are tough and families and students are facing many different challenges, at school and at home. If you need support, please reach out. You can find me in the Wellbeing Space at school, or contact me at hannah.page@decyp.tas.gov.au.

I hope and pray that your 2025 is filled with growth, love, joy and peace. Take care!

Hannah Page