Filter Content
Dear Parents/Guardians
Welcome back to the new school year. I sincerely hope that all members of our school community have had the opportunity to spend some quality time with family and friends over the summer break.
A special welcome to our new students and families from Grade 7 and those who have joined us across other grades. It was lovely meeting so many families at enrolment interviews or through the transition meetings.
We also welcome the following new staff:
- Mr Taylor Whitford - Grade 7 Team
- Mrs Storm Pooley - Grade 8 Team
- Mrs Megan Pel - Grade 8 Team
- Ms Jess Crawford - Grade 7 Team
- Mr Nic Parker - Grade 10 Team
- Mrs Joh Breen - Grade 10 Team
- Mrs Amy Jansen - Support Teacher and Grade 8 Team
- Mr Chris Murray - Grade 7 Team
- Mrs Kate Hume - AST Grade 7
- Mrs Naomi Wilkinson - Lab Tech/Digital Fab
- Mr Brandon Chell - Teacher Assistant
- Mr Bowen Pearce - Teacher Assistant
- Mrs Julia Chapman - Teacher Assistant
- Mrs Vendula Mottlova - Canteen
- Ms Lyn Iles - Education Facility Attendant
- Mrs Nicole Madden - returning Teacher Assistant
Welcome back also to Mr James Guy and Ms Mel Hudson.
We have had a very settled start to the term already with students being organised and prepared for learning with all their books and stationery ready and looking amazing in their uniforms. Thank you to all our families for their support with these things and well done to all the students for showing a commitment to learning straight away. On Wednesday I spoke to all the students about our high expectations around uniform, behaviour and most importantly learning. Having a clear understanding of these expectations for themselves, their family expectations and those that the school expects was part of the thinking I encouraged all to do. Please continue these conversations with your child about their goals, expectations and aspirations over the coming weeks.
We have a beautiful environment in which to work and learn and the team of facility attendants and our admin staff have ensured that our school is looking spick and span at this time of the year. Thank you also to our staff for the extra hours you have already put in ensuring timetables are ready, units planned and materials prepared. The Canvas platform will continue to be the main place for students to access their curriculum units and all students can access at home and collaborate and show families what they are working on in different learning areas.
Your child's Class Teacher will be making contact with you over the next 2-3 weeks as a courtesy to communicate how your child has settled into the year but please do not hesitate to contact via the office or email if you have any questions or queries.
Routine Reminders:
I always like to remind families at this time of the year a few things that will assist your child at school and assist us to ensure we are providing the best education and care whilst they are with us.
Attendance
It is imperative for good learning outcomes that students attend school every day. What may seem harmless can have a cumulative effect that significantly hampers learning. We acknowledge that students are not always well and able to attend school and thank families for communicating this to our administration team as soon as possible. This can be done via a phone call, message or through the Schoolzine App. Attendance at school is a legal requirement and we have to follow this up accordingly following process and protocols as outlined in the Education Act. Mrs Debbie Rigby in the admin team has the responsibility of following up on non- attendance and will make calls home to ascertain why students are away. We thank families in advance for your polite co-operation.
Drop off and Pick up
The school car parks are very congested places both in the morning and after school especially with spaces being limited. We have many school buses entering and leaving the grounds both of a morning and afternoon and they need to be able to safely navigate in and out of the school. Another polite request is for families to try to refrain from dropping off and picking up in the bus turning circles before and after school. Your co-operation with this is much appreciated.
Some of the Metro bus routes have changed and these changes have been communicated to families last year and again this year. Please follow the link below if you have missed this information.
https://www.metrotas.com.au/schools/kings-meadows-high-school-2020/
Healthy Habits
A reminder to all students and families that we encourage the wearing of hats in our playground at breaks and in HPE lessons to be sun smart and all our grade offices have sunscreen available for student use.
We have water hydration stations in the school for students to either drink hygienically from and/or fill up their drink bottles. Keeping hydrated in hot weather is very important.
Sleep is vital for healthy brain development and activity and at this time of the year, when school resumes, it is important to get a good night’s rest. Please support and encourage your child to turn off devices and retire at a reasonable hour as they start the new school year.
Validation Forms
Validation forms were sent home last Friday and it is imperative that we have the most accurate information on our systems, especially contact details. If you have not edited and returned these forms can I ask that you do as soon as possible. Grade 7 and 8 students will need these forms signed and returned before their iPads can be issued.
There are other reminders on your child’s individual Welcome Letter that will be received this week.
Mobile Phone Policy – “Off and Away”
All families would have received in their validation information pack a copy of the DoE New Mobile Phone Policy – “Off and Away”. I would like to congratulate all students for the way they have respectfully complied with this new policy. It was explained in detail to them on many occasions last week.
In brief, students can check their mobile phones at recess and lunch time but at all other times during the school day they MUST be locked in their locker. We provide all students with a very secure locker and lock in which to safely keep belongings. The policy has been written and mandated by the Department of Education not the school and we are required to adhere to this by law.
If parents or families needed to contact students during the school day then this can be done through the main office by phoning 6343 1000.
There are exemptions and students can apply for an exemption card if they have, for example, a medical or learning support reason for needing their phones. Grade teams have these application forms or they are available at the office. As per the policy these exemptions must be approved by the principal.
I thank you in supporting the role out of this new policy.
Welcome Barbeque
I would like to extend a very warm invitation to all new families to our school to attend a Welcome BBQ on Monday 17th February. We will have many staff available to meet and greet you and enable you to put names to faces during this evening. The evening will run from 5.00pm to 6.30pm.
If you are unable to attend, I still encourage you to make regular contact with your child’s teachers to ensure we continue to develop a strong partnership in supporting the education of your child.
Maree Pinnington
Principal
We hope our Grade 7 families had a restful and relaxing summer break. Welcome to Kings Meadows High School! Students will receive a ‘Welcome Letter’ this week which includes information about each of our Class Teachers and their school contact information. If for any reason families do not receive this please contact our school office for a copy.
Celebrations
The Grade 7 team would like to acknowledge the courage and resilience all our students have shown throughout their first week of high school. They have been fantastic with learning how to unlock their new combination locks, navigating their way around the school and being organised for all their classes. A great effort by all and please keep up the good work and enthusiasm.
Grade Focus
Our Grade focus for the first part of Term 1 is students knowing and following our ROCKS expectations.
ROCKS stands for:
R - Respect, ourselves, each other and our environment
O - Organisation
C - Commitment to learning
K - Keeping Safe
S - Sensible Behaviour
In all their subjects and in the yard our students must follow these expectations. In the first weeks of school Grade 7s have been learning about how these apply to all their subject areas because for example ‘Keeping Safe’ might look, feel and sound different in a subject like Cooking compared to Mathematics. It is important our students understand these differences and are able to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.
Celebrations
In Grade 8, we are celebrating a settled, calm and productive start to the school year. Staff have been impressed with the positive way in which our grade have demonstrated our school ROCKS, particularly respect. It has been fantastic to see our wonderful Grade 8 students respecting their peers, their learning, their environment and their teachers. We know that 2020 will bring fresh starts, exciting experiences, fun and laughter, new friendships and a broad array of learning opportunities. We certainly hope that all of our students feel proud of the efforts they have made.
Grade Focus
There is a quote from Dr Brene Brown which reads ‘You’re going to know failure if you’re brave with your life’. The inevitable truth is that at some point throughout the year, things may not go to plan. You may stumble and make mistakes and make choices that you later regret. However, the most important thing to remember is that throughout the year, our failures can be our greatest lessons. Failure isn’t the opposite of success; it’s part of success. Our mistakes can sometimes be our greatest teachers. So, in 2020, let’s all focus on being brave and embracing opportunities, even if it means a few speed bumps along the way!
Celebrations
Congratulations to all of our Grade 9 students who have started the year in a mature and focussed fashion. In our welcome grade assembly students were challenged to set themselves some goals for this year. As senior members of the school the Grade 9 students were asked to step up and show leadership, improve their legacy around the school and to be their best in all they do. Week one has seen them rise to this challenge with positive starts for most students in all areas. Grade 9 is a year of leadership development with the culmination being formal leadership selections for 2021 in Term 4. Our year will be focussed on developing the leadership potential in all students with a strong focus on academic rigour.
I look forward to working with Grade 9 this year and encourage parents and carers to make contact with either myself, Mr Hartley or any of your child’s Class Teachers with any concerns, issues or information you may have.
Grade Focus
For the next few weeks the Grade 9s major focus will be on settling into their new classes and subjects and creating a strong work ethic from day 1. Student will also be setting themselves some goals to achieve for the year either academically, socially or in their leadership aspirations.
Celebrations
A big welcome to our Grade 10 students and respective families. This year will be very exciting with a great deal of activities and learning throughout the year. The Grade 10 team will be working with students throughout the year. 10A Mrs Hodges, 10B Mr Walker-Bowd, 10C Mrs Breen, 10D Mrs Wilson, 10E Mr Nielson and 10F Mr Parker. We will be supported by Mrs McGifford, Mrs Lovitt and our Grade AST Mr Chamberlain and Grade Leader Mrs Williams. Please feel free to contact any of the Grade 10 team if you have any concerns or questions about your child’s learning needs. We will start the year with the Leadership Camp at Camp Banksia (Port Sorell). This will include our Prefects, Beacon Ambassadors, House Captains and Peer Support Leaders. Congratulations to all our student leaders.
BEACON | PREFECT | HOUSE CAPTAIN | PEER SUPPORT |
Elli Fearn | Nykahlia Down | Joshua Harris | Ashia Stanley |
Freya Pedersen | Jemma Walters | Liana Freestone | Atefeh Hosseini |
Jasmine Monk-Morcom | Ebony Warmisham | Abbie Butler | Salina Mohr |
Jessica Morrsiby | Floyd Lock | Amy Littlechild | Danika D'Alton |
Katie Cross | Lilyanne Richardson | Jacob Barker | Meenakshi Sing |
Priscilla Nakkungu | Iarnah Spencer | Samuel Brophy | Maddison Gray |
Riana Francia | Ella Copeland | Charlotte Pears | Jasmin Nolan |
Summer Kelly | Caleb Nason | Kiarna Parish | Arabella Johns |
Hannah Crawford | Dylan Alderson | ||
Lucy Brooks | Trinity Davenport | ||
Bella Dyer | Remi Smith | ||
Kaitlyn Hodgetts | Erfan Rahmi |
The Induction Assembly for our School Leaders will be on Thursday 13th February commencing at 11.30am. This year we will also be working with Damien Lewis from National Sports Depot to get students names on our rugby jumpers. Students received a letter last week explaining the costs and time frames for the completion of rugby jumpers.
Grade Focus
In Grade 10 students are focusing on taking responsibility for their learning. A strong year of team work and maturity will set the tone for our culture of learning and prepare us for post Year 10 studies or work.
We are excited to welcome our new students into our culture and continue to build our brand as a group that puts learning first and taking ownership of making that happen together.
TERM 1
- Monday 17 February - Welcome BBQ 5.00pm - 6.30pm
- Wednesday 26 February - Student Free Day (Launceston Cup)
- Monday 9 March - Eight Hour Day Public Holiday
- Friday 13 March - KMHS Swimming Carnival (Launceston Aquatic Centre)
- Tuesday 17 March - Whole School Photos
- Wednesday 18 March - Friday 20 March - Grade 7 Camp - Camp Clayton, Ulverstone
- Tuesday 31 March - Grade 7 & 10 immunisations
- Friday 3 April – NHSSA Division 1 Swimming Carnival (Launceston Aquatic Centre)
- Wednesday 8 April - Last day for students Term 1
- Thursday 9 April - Student Free Day
- Friday 10 April - Good Friday holiday
- Monday 13 April - Friday 24 April (School Holidays)
- Monday 27 April - First day of Term 2 for students
2020 TERM DATES
Term 1
WEDNESDAY 5th February - 8th April
Easter: Friday 10th April - Tuesday 14th April
Term 2
MONDAY 27th April - 3rd July
Term 3
TUESDAY 21st July-25th September
Term 4
MONDAY 12th October - 17th December
UNIFORM SHOP OPENING HOURS 2020
Tuesdays - 1.30pm - 2.30pm
Thursdays - 2.30pm - 3.30pm
Currently there is low stock of some items which are being replenished over the coming weeks.
LONGFORD NETBALL CLUB 2020
If you are interested in playing, coaching or umpiring Junior in 2020 come along to the Longford Netball Club. We are currently taking 2020 Expressions of Interest for our U11 Development, U11, U12, U13, U15 and U17 teams. Please complete and submit an EOI form at:
https://form.jotform.co/93169562866867
Junior Try Outs/Selections – 4th March Training commences – 18th March Grading Weekend – 28/9th March Grading Weekend – 4/5th April Roster Commences – 2nd May.
If you have any questions please contact our Committee: Maurita TaylorBronwyn HeffordAngela Cresswell Carol Spencer (President) (Vice President) (Secretary) (Treasurer) 0408 101 869 0408 541 212 0408 973 415 0409 973 564.