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Dear Parents and Families
It was absolutely wonderful to hear the buzz in the grounds on Tuesday morning with our students finally returning to campus. The smiles and excited chatter were certainly ‘music to the ears’ for all of us to hear. I am a very proud principal of my students and staff in the way they have conducted themselves over the last 10 weeks or so. Our online, at home learning program has been successful in ensuring students have remained connected and engaged with their teachers, each other and most importantly their learning. I would once again like to thank families for assisting students with their learning at home.
As we return to school, we are very conscious of the impact that the time away has had on many and we will be spending time facilitating the re-connection of relationships and continue to monitor wellbeing. Given what we have been through it is normal to expect a full range of emotions. As mentioned, we have seen the excitement and happiness in our students to be back, but we also know many will be a little nervous or anxious as people manage things in different ways. To support all of our students we will be having extended Home Group every morning this week to enable everyone to settle and reconnect. On Tuesday morning we held a full school Live Assembly via Teams and Jasmine (our wonderful school Social Worker) reminded students about the amazing support team here at Kings Meadows and encouraged all students to access them as needed via Grade Teams, who also provide wonderful support to all and are a great strength of our school culture.
Jasmine – Social Worker
Anita – Psychologist
Paul - Chaplain
Danni - Nurse
We are very mindful to provide opportunities for students to catch up, revisit learning as needed and ensure student learning is not disadvantaged as a result of recent circumstances. Students will be able to access extra support and interventions within their classes and at alternative times throughout the week for the remainder of the term. We encourage all students to embrace these extra opportunities to access support. Families will receive a report on progress in student learning by the end of July.
We will also be asking our students to engage in some reflective activities in these extended Home Group times to enable them to think more deeply about what they have learnt about themselves as “ learners” and have some real student agency over maintaining these positive aspects into their learning as we move forward. Many students in their feedback surveys indicated they have already learnt and liked many things from our change of learning style, and we are very keen to harness these with our students.
As we have continued to communicate to our families regularly schools are safe places to be and the Public Health Department has maintained this all along. The closure of schools was to reduce the movement of people in our community. Our hygiene protocols will remain vigilant with hand washing and sanitisation procedures very clear. We will be socially distancing where we can such as moving into locker bays and the canteen. Classes will run as normal with some modifications in HPE and Dance for example as per the guidelines we are given and regularly updated on.
Families are asked not to send unwell children to school and this along with hygiene and physical distancing measures is obviously having an impact as only on the weekend I read an article that indicated our cases of Influenza as a nation this year in May was 208 compared to over 30,000 the same time last year.
If you need to speak to a staff member, please call via the front office (6343 1000) or via email. We are keeping to strict protocols of only essential people on site at this point in time and we thank you for your cooperation with this.
Thank you once again to everyone in our community for working together to support all our students and families during this time, our partnerships have never been stronger. I know the Department of Education are asking for good news stories and feedback about schools and sites that have managed the pandemic well so if you feel that you and your family have been well supported I know the team here would appreciate that acknowledgement. You can share your story via: www.education.tas.gov.au/our-learnings. Thank you to those who have sent messages and emails to the school or myself, they have been greatly appreciated.
We look forward a very busy next month as we head to the end of term and well done again everyone for the outstanding efforts during our lockdown period.
Warm regards
Maree Pinnington
Principal
VIRTUAL WHOLE SCHOOL ASSEMBLY:
To view our whole school assembly held on 9 June, please click on the link below:
As part of our Positive Behaviour Support Program at Kings Meadows we will be acknowledging students who have been contributing positively to our learning environment. This means that they have been supporting our school wide expectations.
Respect for others, self and environment
Organisation
Commitment to learning
Keeping safe
Sensible behaviour
We would like to acknowledge the following students:
Grade 7:
Katelyn Chilcott - Katelyn has flourished throughout her online learning in the last month. Consistently submitting learning tasks on time, if not early, Katelyn's comitment to her learning has been outstanding. Well done Katelyn.
Jonty Goves - Jonty’s commitment to learning throughout our online delivery has been nothing short of impressive. Consistently handing tasks in before deadlines, and of a high standard, Jonty’s organisation of his individual timetable has been impressive. Well done Jonty!
Grade 8:
Hannah Alderson - For her excellent work ethic whilst learning from home.
Cody Clayton - For his positive attitude and for displaying a 'have a go' attitude whilst learning at school.
Zeshawn Ricketts - For his excellent determination with his online learning, particularly Science.
Grade 9:
Ella Fullbrook - for her dedication to her online learning.
Poppy Hallam - For dedication to Dance during her online learning.
Grade 10:
Lilyanne Richardson & Shelby Ladlow - for their excellent commitment and engagement in online learning.
Celebrations
We are back!
It was fantastic to see the excitement of our Grade 7 students on Tuesday. It was a full-on day as many of our Grade 7’s have spent more time in isolation or quarantine than spent at KMHS! However, we are so grateful that we can recommence face-to-face learning with some hygiene and physical distancing modifications.
We would like you to take this opportunity to give a huge ‘shout out’ to our Grade 7 parents and carers who have supported our students' learning at home over the past 6-10 weeks. Thank you, we understand that it hasn’t always been easy, but we thank you for your patience and support of our young learners.
Also we would like to thank and acknowledge the essential workers who have been on the front line of the pandemic, without you and your hard work we would not be able to return to face-to-face learning. Thank you for everything that you do, we appreciate your contributions immensely.
Our Grade 7 students; your year has been a blur so far, many of you have spent more time at home than at school, but you have handled yourselves with maturity and resilience. Thank you for engaging so well online, taking responsibility for your learning and scheduling at home. We hope that this experience has taught you to be independent learners, to problem solve, find solutions, to not be afraid to reach out for support when you need it and know that there are so many people who care about you, your development and learning. We hope you never take coming to school face-to-face for granted and appreciate the time you get to spend with your friends, peers and teachers in this wonderful environment.
Lastly our fabulous Grade 7 team who have worked so hard over the past 6 plus weeks to upload, provide feedback, have extra tutorials, make phone calls home and go above and beyond to provide online pastoral care to our Grade 7 students. This has certainly been a learning curve for us all, however you have dealt with every obstacle that has been thrown at you with grace, confidence and tenacity. Thank you for the amazing work you have done to support our students.
Grade Focus
As the winter months are upon us we are focusing on ensuring our Grade 7’s are in full school uniform. As part of our winter uniform, students are allowed to wear a winter skirt with navy stockings and a blue shirt in addition to this grey trousers or shorts may also be worn. Students are encouraged to wear their spray jackets, woollen or rugby jumpers in order to keep warm. It should be noted that beanies and hoodies are not part of our school uniform and are not to be worn to school. Students are able to layer for example singlets underneath their uniform as extra layers, however these should not be visible from the outside.
Below is an image of two students in our Grade who have displayed our school uniform with pride wearing the correct winter uniform ready to commence their learning.
Celebrations
As we prepare for students to arrive back at school for face-to-face learning, we would like to sincerely thank our wonderful learners and their families for engaging so well with eLearning in these unprecedented times. It truly takes a village, as the saying goes, and the Grade 8 teaching team are so appreciative of the support we have received from families and the amazing work that you have all done with your children at home to support the work we are doing here. Students and their families have shown courage, resilience and perseverance in the face of new experiences and uncertainty.
We also wish to congratulate Zachary Bosworth-Firth for his success in Cadets. Zachary has received a promotion to CDTLCPL after completing his course in November 2019. In March Zachary nominated himself to go on the team Tassie tour for this year; the nominations are chosen from all of the Cadets in Tasmania. Well done, Zach.
Grade Focus
Two of the most important aspects of teaching and learning over the past few months have been teamwork and trust, and what an incredible team of staff and students we have here at Kings Meadows High School.
Moving forward, let’s remember that teamwork is our superpower and we can get so much more done together than we can on our own.
We will leave you with this quote from Simon Sinek, author and motivational speaker, about teamwork and trust. We are so looking forward to achieving great things together for the remainder of this term.
Celebrations
As we start this week back with everyone at school, the Grade 9 teaching team would like to congratulate our students on their performance over the last 6 weeks of online learning. We have been very proud of the mature outlook most of our students took towards their studies and have been pleasantly surprised at how well everyone (including our teachers) adapted to the online platform. At times we had difficulty but we showed resilience and overcame most of the obstacles that were thrown in our path. Our Grade assemblies were well attended and students have had the opportunity to represent their class teacher in our regular competition each week.
Our overall points tally for these competitions are as follows:
9A: 13 points
9B: 10 points
9C: 9 points
9D: 10 points
9E: 41 points
Congratulations to 9E for smashing the competition in the last hurdle. Mr Wood is very proud.
With four weeks of learning left in Term 2 the following current topics are being studied in our core classes:
HPE is focussing on World Games and Food and Nutrition, English is undertaking persuasive writing, HaSS is studying Slavery, Mathematics is delving in to a Measurement Unit and Science is undertaking Chemistry. We are very much looking forward to seeing what work our students can produce in these units of work.
Grade Focus
Our focus for Grade 9 this week will be to reconnect with our school environment. Re-establishing relationships, catching up with class mates and teachers, re-setting schedules, following school procedures and generally transitioning into face to face learning. This process will be ongoing for the remainder of Term 2 as we set about our new “normal” at Kings Meadows High School. We will be continuing to apply good learning behaviours and academic rigour, ensuring that deadlines are being met and that we have caught up on anything that may have been missed whilst learning from home.
Just a reminder with school recommencing on Tuesday June 9th it is important that you get yourself back into good routines in preparation for the first day back. As the winter months are upon us we are focusing on ensuring our Grade 10’s are good role models for the school community and are in full school uniform. As part of our winter uniform students are allowed to wear a winter skirt with navy stockings and a blue shirt, in addition to this grey trousers or shorts may also be worn. Students are encouraged to wear their spray jackets, woollen or rugby jumpers in order to keep warm. It should be noted that beanies and hoodies are not part of our school uniform and are not to be worn to school. Students are able to layer for example singlets underneath their uniform as extra layers, however these should not be visible from the outside.
Reminders on students return to school:
Mobile Phone & Device Policy ‘Off & Away'
- The Department of Education has mandated that all students in Tasmanian Schools are not permitted to use their mobile phone or device during the school day.
- Mobile phones are to be kept in lockers throughout the day.
- All ‘Smart Watches' must be placed on ‘Aeroplane Mode’.
- Mobile phones and iPads (+ other devices) are not to be used at break times (recess & lunch).
- Students are able to briefly check their device at their locker at the beginning of a break time.
- Important/urgent messages during the day from parents to students should be communicated through the Main School Office.
Consequences will be put in place for breaching this policy
Hygiene Routines
Handwashing routines before breaks will continue and students are expected to wash their hands before returning to class after breaks. Students are welcome to bring their own sanitiser if they choose but there will be plenty of supplies across the school. Students are not to share any equipment and they need to be prepared for their own learning.
Physical Distancing
Whilst schools are not required to physically distance students in classrooms and playgrounds, we are certainly encouraged to maintain physical distance where practical. This means we will continue with our staggered entry and exit system (“coloured dots”) in our corridors and locker bays. Your teachers will go through what colour you are in class teacher over the next week. Students will be strongly encouraged to remain physically distanced with others whilst in the playground and in activities where it is possible. HPE and Dance classes are not permitted to undertake activities that are deliberate contact activities.
Other Grade 10 News
Curiosity Program if you are interested in focusing your learning in a specialised area please see Mr Chamberlain or Mrs Williams for more information.
Rugby Jumpers
There will be a final run for students to have their names and year on the rugby jumpers if you are keen to pursue this offer please return your form, rugby jumper and $16.50 to the main office by Friday 26th June. (Forms are available from Mrs Williams in the Grade 10 staffroom).
Weekly Check in Survey is completed every Monday and Friday during CT and students are supported by their CT, GL and AST if there are any concerns.
Beacon Foundation have launched Be@Connected. It is a new series of online learning programs, available on YouTube throughout Term 2. Be@Connected will feature a range of prominent and inspiring speakers from a variety of fields covering topics including communication, resilience, wellbeing, problem solving and adaptability. The short series is specifically designed for students across Australia to support them through this period of uncertainty. Speakers include National Ambassador and Australian Test Captain Cricket Captain Tim Paine, Sarah Veale past player and present coach of the Launceston Tornadoes as well as Olympic Swimmer Ariarne Titmus.
Nurse Dani’s Health and Wellness Resources
Dani’s support resources include Strong Physical Health, Positive Mental Health, Teenage Stuff and Coping with COVID 19.
Leavers Hoodies and T-Shirts.
Mrs Williams is currently investigating designs and prices for Leavers Hoodies and T-Shirts (watch this space)
The Grade 10 Team are looking forward to your return to school.
Welcome to Kings Meadows High School. Grade 7 enrolments are now open for 2021. Please contact the school to express your interest on 63431000.
Grade 6 Parents/Guardians
Transition to Kings Meadows High School will be a little different this year due to COVID-19. That said, we are fortunate that the majority of our communications have been digital for some time. We continue to modify how we communicate information to ensure that everyone, regardless of location, can engage in the transition program. We will include more virtual tours (like the one shared here), videos of teaching and learning in action and ‘Live’ events accessible across a number of digital platforms.
Please complete the intention to enrol at Kings Meadows High School Grade 7, 2021 form to ensure your details are recorded for future communications about the transition to High School. This form is also an opportunity for you to record the names of three friends you would like your child to have in their class. Please discuss with your child the names of their three friends before completing the form.
Grade 7, 2021 Intention To Enrol Form
Student name: Fenix Jaitong
What can you tell us about this piece of work?
The stimulus I chose was ‘sacrifice’, so I decided that the servant should use the other kings to get his way out of servitude.
What is your favourite thing about English?
Reading, since it's one of my favourite past times outside of school as well.
What are you working on at the moment?
In English at the moment we are working on persuasive writing. We have also just read the Greek Myth, Icarus and written some responses to it.
What are you reading at the moment?
The Magician by Michael Scott.
What is your favourite book and why?
Probably Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy because it's fast-paced and the world the books take place in is interesting.
Gullible Kings
Erik trudged down the hallway, shoulders slumped, and hair neatly brushed back. He sighed inwardly as he headed toward the kitchen to attend his normal duties of washing the dishes during the feast that kin Ivar, his boss was holding. Erik entered a room with a low ceiling made entirely of cobblestone except for the floor, which was marble and quite cold to his bare feet. He waved greetings to a few of the other kitchen staff and headed for a small hole in the floor with water in it. One of the kitchen servants handed him a plate and he dipped it under the water, shook it around a bit and handed it back.
The kitchen door burst abruptly open and Harold, Ivar’s main servant walked into the room, red in the face and his eyes squinting. This just made him look like a sort of owl with what few strands of hair he had crowning the top of his head.
“What’s taking so long? The King needs more food for him and his,” his face curled into a grimace. “Esteemed guests.”
“We’re cooking as fast as we can sir,” one of the chefs replied, obviously tired.
“We also need a new waiter, the other one has been executed,” Harold stated, almost as an afterthought. Erik froze, knowing that Harold would choose the first person he sees to be the new waiter, and he tried to make himself as inconspicuous as possible.
“You, get up from there and grab a platter,” Harold said. Erik did nothing. “I’m talking to you doing the dishes!” He barked and Erik stood up slowly and walking over to a small desk with platters on it and grabbed one.” Now get out there!” Harold yelled and Erik walk a bit faster out of the kitchen and into the dining hall.
Magnus, at the other end of the table, was quite fit and his clothes were completely clean, and he was chatting easily with the other kings. Modi, to the left of Ivar, was quite quiet and instead was eyeing everyone as he drank from his mug to avoid suspicion. The other king Erik didn’t know his name, he only knew that he wasn’t from his home country like the other kings. He was chuckling lightly at the jokes being told by Magnus and talking easily with him. Erik walked up to the table and set down a platter of food. When one of the Modi reached forward with his knife to cut his food, Ivar’s eyes narrowed and watched him until he was sure he was just cutting his food. Erik realized that Ivar didn’t trust anyone at the table, he walked back to the kitchen and thought of something he could finally do to get out of being a servant.
After collecting another platter of food and setting it down, he walked over to Ivar.
“Whaddya want?” Ivar grumbled.
“Your majesty, I think these people are trying to kill you,” Erik said. Ivar glanced quickly over to the other kings and grumbled.
“As if I didn’t already know that.”
“I can do something about it if you want,” Erik suggested.
“Well do it,” Ivar ordered.
“Not so fast, I’ll need pay,” Erik rubbed his index and thumb together.
“How about a plot of land?” Ivar said after a bit of thinking. Erik turned away and grabbed a few spare knives from the kitchen, grinning slightly to himself. He walked over to the king he didn’t know but overheard his name as Richard and said
“Your highness, Modi seems to want you dead.” Richard quickly glanced at Modi, who was glaring at him as he drank his wine.
“You may be right,” Richard whispered, and Erik handed him one of the knives and said,
“Keep that just in case,” and walked to Modi, grabbing a cask of wine so he wouldn’t raise suspicion. As he was pouring Modi’s cup he whispered,
“Richard is going to kill you, be ready,” Modi recoiled slightly and caught Richard inspecting him. Modi grimaced slightly and he gripped his cutting knife. Erik went back and forth between the two for some time, each time whispering warnings about the other and raising their suspicion, until finally, Modi leapt out of his chair at Richard with his knife raised. Richard, having barely any time to react, raised his knife and as Modi drove his knife into Richard’s heart, Richard’s knife pierced Modi’s stomach. Magnus stood up, dumbstruck at what just happened, and Erik walked behind him and rammed his knife into the back of Richard’s neck. He took a step back as Magnus slumped onto the table, completely lifeless and took note of the sheer surprise on Harold’s face.
“Well your highness, I’ve held up my end of the deal,” he said and Ivar looked at him in suspicion.
“There’s a small town just south of here, you’re mayor now. Get out,”
With that, Erik walked out of the dining hall and took some of the carpet when Ivar wasn’t looking and fashioned them into shoes. Then he packed up his personal belongings and headed south.