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Welcome back to Term 3 and I sincerely hope students, staff and families have had time to recharge and enjoy some quality time together. I know that many planned vacations interstate may have been interrupted or changed due to the recent developments with the pandemic and we continue to be grateful for the position our state is in compared to our mainland states. I have sent (and will continue to send) regular updates to families via our schoolzine email system to all families regarding any developments that may arise in this space. We certainly thank all families for continuing to monitor the situation and adhere to the recommendations including keeping children at home when they are unwell. The measures taken by the Department of Education have, as I have previously communicated, been very conservative and seen as precautionary measures to ensure our safety.
The whole school assembly at the end of last term saw many celebrations of effort and achievement across a whole range of areas and endeavours. Congratulations to all who were recognised. Part of the assembly was dedicated to recognising NAIDOC Week which was officially held 4th-11th July. The theme this year was “Heal Country” and it was wonderful to listen to Joel Williams, Assistant Aboriginal Heritage Advisor and our own Aboriginal Education Worker Mr Jack Spotswood-Green about their insights to help build our own cultural knowledge and understanding.
At the end of last term, we farewelled Miss Lillian Males who has taken the opportunity to undertake a promotable teaching role at another school for the remainder of this year. This has inevitably meant some class changes and whilst we try to minimise disruption, we certainly are proud of staff who model being aspirational and growth in themselves. This has meant there have been some staff changes to classes which have been communicated to families involved.
Congratulations also to our Grade 7 students who were involved in the ABCDE Learning Site Project in 2020 and had their launch last week.
Iris Alberti, Maddison Medwin, Georgie Hawkins, Noah Colgrave, Samuel Powers, Matilda Dawson, Iaelah Rice, Charlie Aylott.
This project is called the “Asset Based Community Driven Effort” Project and involved working with the Launceston City Council to build connections with community. Their project launch involved a wonderful video showcasing all the connections in and around the Youngtown area. As a school we are excited about the opportunity to be involved this year as the project moves to the Kings Meadows area.
School Association
A reminder that we have a School Association meeting this evening at 7.00pm in the Global Learning Centre in the Library. It was fabulous to see so many new faces at the AGM and last meeting and I look forward to seeing everyone again this evening.
Parent Article
I often receive fabulous articles around supporting children through challenging times. The link below will take you to an article by respected author Michael Hawton who is the founder of Parentshop, providing education and resources for parents and industry professionals working with children. He has authored two books on child behaviour management: Talk Less Listen More and Engaging Adolescents.
Taming fears – a parent’s guide to helping kids overcome anxious feelings. | Parentshop
Warm regards
Maree
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:
Hannah Butler & Shade St Claire - For following ROCKS and being a good role model for their classmates.
Grade 8:
Montana Coote & Liam Dyke - For both following the ROCKS expectations effectively.
Grade 9:
Sienna Pearton - For her commitment to learning, having learnt all her lines for the Drama festival.
Dylan Jones - For his overall commitment and seeking constructive feedback to consolidate learning.
Grade 10:
Leah Fisher - For being a supportive member of Grade 10 and improved attendance.
Micah Boxhall - For being a supportive peer and improved application of her studies.
Celebrations
Term 3 has begun! For many subjects, this means new topics of learning to be explored, whilst continuing to build upon skills that transfer across all learning areas. Students have now begun their new half year option classes. This allows students to experience a range of different subjects and furthermore, inform their decisions for full year option in Grade 8. In Grade 7, students participate in MDT, Music, LOTE, Food Technology, Art and Drama. In Grade 8, full year options offer an opportunity for students to opt into subjects of interest to them, or subjects that they believe may challenge them.
It was pleasing to see so many parents and carers engage in our recent Progress Conferences. This opportunity allowed authentic connections between student, teacher and parent/carer to provide the best opportunity to set our students up for success. As always, channels of communication remain open between staff and home and we encourage any contact via phone or email to ensure the best outcomes for students.
Youngtown Learning Site
Congratulations to a number of Kings Meadows High School students that were Student Leaders of Youngtown Primary School in 2020, for their involvement in the Youngtown Learning Site Project.
Last week, the Council celebrated the conclusion of the Youngtown Learning Site Program at the South Launceston Football Club, with more than 50 Youngtown residents in attendance. The Youngtown Learning Site resulted in a range of community projects, including a short film by local students called 'Dear Youngtown', historical research into South Launceston Football Club memorabilia, new women's workshops, new signage at Franklin Village, the establishment of a Launceston Tool Library and more.
City of Launceston's ABCDE Learning Site prepares to shift focus to Kings Meadows.
Please see the video below:
Grade Focus
As students return for Term 3, our Grade 7 focus will centre around Commitment to Learning. Students have been encouraged to reflect upon their mid-year report, both on their behaviour ratings and their academic achievement and set goals around improving or maintaining these achievements.
Important Contacts
The Grade 7 teaching team this year consists of Mrs Katie Wightman (Junior School AP), Mr Tom Hartley (Grade 7 AST), Miss Nicole Williams (Grade Leader), Mr Stuart Withington (Grade Leader) and Class Teachers:
7A - Mr Leigh Richardson
7B - Mr Taylor Neilson
7C - Mrs Storm Pooley
7D - Mrs Rebecca Glasby
7E - Mr Sam Maddern
7F - Mr Sean Stevenson
7G - Mr Nicholas Parker
A reminder about the important contacts for Grade 8 in 2021.
Assistant Principal - Mrs Wightman katie.wightman@education.tas.gov.au
Grade 8 AST - Mrs Hume kate.hume@education.tas.gov.au
Grade Leader - Mr Battle mathew.battle@education.tas.gov.au
8A - Mr Chris Murray chris.murray1@education.tas.gov.au
8B - Mr Matthew Chatwin matthew.chatwin@education.tas.gov.au
8C - Mrs Kathleen Hodges kathleen.hodges@education.tas.gov.au
8D - Miss Grace Bannon grace.bannon@education.tas.gov.au
8E - Mrs Amy Jansen amy.jansen@education.tas.gov.au
8F - Mrs Jessica Crawford jessica.crawford@education.tas.gov.au
8G - Mrs Tracey MacFarlane tracey.macfarlane@education.tas.gov.au
Grade Support - Mr Pedersen thor.porsbro-pederse@education.tas.gov.au
Celebrations
Congratulations to all of our Grade 8 students for a settled start to Term 3. The Grade 8 team are very impressed with the way our students have re-engaged with their studies.
Further congratulations go to Grace and Jonty who have been selected to represent Tasmania in the National Touch Championships coming up later in the year. Well done Grace and Jonty!
If your child has been involved in other activities or has been selected in sporting team etc. please feel free to email Mr Battle or Mrs Hume so we can recognise our superstars.
Grade Focus
For the next half of this year, our students will be focusing on their growth and transition from Grade 8 into Grade 9. We have calculated that there are only 18 weeks left of the year meaning that there are only 18 weeks left before our Grade 8s become Grade 9s. What matters today, counts!
Celebrations
The Grade 9 team would like to welcome all students back to what is sure to be a busy but enjoyable Term 3. There will be many exciting learning opportunities afforded to students and teachers are looking forward to working alongside students in order for them to achieve success. In 2022, Kings Meadows High School will again be running ‘Packages of Learning in Architecture and Construction’ and students were given the opportunity to hear all about this fantastic, hands-aon learning program by Mr Wood. Over the next week, we encourage any students who are interested in learning more about the program to notify their Class Teacher.
Over the next two weeks, Grade 9 students will be receiving information about the leadership opportunities afforded to them in 2022. A letter was sent home week 1 encouraging any Grade 9 student who has leadership aspirations to apply for the positions of either Prefect, Beacon Ambassador, Peer Support or House Captain. Students must register their interest with either Mr Stokes or Mr Gale who will then provide them with an application package during week 2.
Our Next My Education Day is coming up on August 16th. During this day, students will be given the opportunity to participate in a ‘Speed Careering’ session being facilitated by the Beacon Student Ambassadors. It is a fast paced and exciting opportunity where guest speakers will deliver an eight to ten minute overview of their career. They will discuss what their career or business is and what qualifications they need to acquire in order to be successful. After this they will field questions about their role from the group members. It is sure to be highly engaging and relevant for our students.
Grade Focus
At the beginning of Term 3, Grade 9 will be focussing on aspirations of leadership. With many students about to begin applications for leadership positions in 2022, students are being encouraged to actively reflect on their leadership skills and what they can do to exhibit leadership qualities within our school.
Celebrations
Term 3 is going to be a very busy one for our Grade 10’s. This week we met with students and gave out the Grade 10 Agreement Letter. This Agreement Letter is to be signed by all parents or guardians and by our students. This Agreement is a contract between the school and the Grade 10 students based around behaviour expectations, academic rigour, uniform and attendance. We are hoping that our Grade 10’s will use this opportunity to complete their last two terms at KMHS in the most productive and positive way. Throughout Term 3 our students will be given the opportunity to be involved in two additional programs. 'Speak up, Stay Chatty' are pencilled in to run a program with our students in the middle of the term. This will be centred around mental health and supporting our students in this space. We have also secured another health program called ‘Love Bites’ which will be run by the school support team at our school. This will involve extra information and support around relationships and sexual health. We are really looking forward to involving our students in both programs.
This term we will be holding some extra college transition sessions for any students who either missed our college transitions days or would like some more information. These sessions will be informal sessions and will be open to anyone who seeks interest. If parents wish to gain more information about what each college offers, both colleges have websites with videos, course selection guides and information about their campuses. The Newstead College website link is https://newsteadcollege.education.tas.edu.au/ and Launceston College’s link is https://launcestoncollege.education.tas.edu.au/
Academically, Term 3 will be a very busy one for Grade 10’s. Students will have the opportunity to make progress in their subjects from their reporting feedback and consolidate their learning opportunities within their subjects. In English students will be completing a novel study on “This Is How We Change The Ending” by Vicki Wakefield. In Science our students will be are completing a module on Chemistry. HaSS students are continuing with their study on the World War 2. In HPE practical lessons students are completing an Inclusive Sports Unit and then moving onto Dance. In Health lessons we are undertaking work based around sexual health and relationships. Mathematics classes have out students working on nonlinear relationships and trigonometry.
Our student leaders hosted our final school celebration assembly on the last day of Term 2. In this assembly we celebrated the success of students who gained academic excellence on their mid-year reports. Congratulations to the following students for an outstanding set of reports.
Jasmine Jones, Lachlan Kingshott, Lincoln Newman–Beams, Jayden Eldershaw, Henry McMahon, Nina Hizzard, Zaide Simmons, Ella Fullbrook, Kiara Eamens, Ashtyn Peters, Millie Smith, Thomas Hawkins, Erika Kirk, Jessica Homan, Bree Lavelle and Taylah Weldon.
During this final assembly our True Blue award winner for Term 2 was also announced. Congratulations to Frances Day on a great first half of the year and for winning this prestigious award.
As we are heading towards the end of this year, we have many and varied events coming up. If parents or student have any queries regarding anything please do not hesitate to contact your child’s Home GroupTeacher, Mrs Pel (Grade 10 Leader) or Mrs Elliott (Grade 10 AST) via email or phone the school on 6343 1000.
Email contacts for our Grade 10 Team:
10A – Ms Karen Furley karen.furley@education.tas.gov.au
10B – Mr Mick Bent mick.bent@education.tas.gov.au
10C – Mr Andrew McLean andrew.mclean@education.tas.gov.au
10D – Mr Solomon Walker-Bowd solomon.walker-bowd@education.tas.gov.au
10E – Mrs Katie Mathews – katie.mathews@education.tas.gov.au
Grade 10 Leader – Mrs Megan Pel megan.pel@education.tas.gov.au
Grade 10 AST – Mrs Coleen Elliott coleen.elliott@education.tas.gov.au
Grade Focus
Our Grade focus this term will be preparing for the transition from Grade 10 to further education.
We will be setting ourselves goals that challenge us and establishing good learning behaviours and academic rigour in all classes.
Thursday 5 August | LC Production of Grease |
Friday 13 August | Newstead College production of Legally Blonde |
Monday 16 August | My Education Day |
Monday 16 August | Grade 3/4 Longford Primary Taster Day |
Friday 20 August | MND Ice Bucket Challenge - Lunchtime - BBQ |
Tuesday 31 August | My Education Day |
Thursday 2 September | Careers on Wheels Breakfast Launch 7.00-8.30am |
Monday 6 September | Parent Information Evening No 3 (Grade 7 2022) |
Friday 10 September | Sports Colours Day - BBQ at lunchtime |
Friday 24 September | Last day of Term 3 |
Monday 11 October | First day of Term 4 |
Tuesday 26 October | Grade 7 & 10 Immunisations |
Friday 29 October | Student Free Day |
Thursday 11 November | Careers on Wheels |
Thursday 18 November | Arts Night |
Thursday 25 November | Grade 7 2022 Orientation Day |
Thursday 25 November | Parent Information Evening No 4 |
Wednesday 1 December | Healthy Me Expo |
Friday 10 December | Grade 10 Graduation Dinner |
Wednesday 15 December | Last Day for Grade 10 students |
Thursday 16 December | Last Day for Grade 7, 8 and 9 students |