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- UPCOMING EVENTS:
- COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD:
My Education Day 8
Another successful My Education Day was held on Tuesday 31st with Grade 10’s undertaking the “Love Bites” Program around respectful relationships. We had a team of experienced presenters in working with the Grade around these important topics that form part of our commitment as a school to provide and undertake explicit instruction around the Respectful Relationships curriculum. Grade 8 students were engaged with their through line around “volunteering” and had many guest presenters from volunteer organisations like the SES and St Johns Ambulance.
Grade 9 students engaged in the 'Not Even Once' presentation and also continued with their resume writing. All Grades are undertaking the 2021 Student Wellbeing Survey which will give us valuable data relating to student wellbeing, connection and engagement which will support our School Improvement agenda moving forward into 2022.
Grade 10 Exams
This week is exam week for our Grade 10 students. Assessment strategies are varied at Kings Meadows High School and provide opportunities for our students to engage in a variety of ways to demonstrate their understandings. Formal examination settings may be viewed by some as somewhat outdated but are certainly still used as an assessment strategy across many institutions and entrance programs for some careers in our society. It is important that students are exposed to the many varied assessment forms and they are also an opportunity to value add to their assessments and results.
Sport Finals
We have many students undertaking sport finals both in school and out of school and I would like to wish each and every one of those students competing the best of luck in their endeavours. Certainly on the back of the Olympic and the Para-Olympic Games, I know that the competitive spirit has certainly been ignited for many over these past weeks. All the best to teams and individuals. I would like to let families and our community know that the annual Bulldog Cup that we hold each year (albeit an abbreviated version last year due to Covid restrictions) will be held on Wednesday 22nd September at Youngtown Oval.
Course Selections
All students have recently undertaken their course selections for option and enrichment courses for 2022. Parents are very much a part of this process and are required to sign the printed list of suggested courses that your child has chosen for 2022 which then needs to be returned to the school. If you have any questions or concerns about the courses, please do not hesitate to contact the school for more information. The course selection booklets are all available through the Canvas Home Room page for your child, so please ask them to share this with you to help understand what each course involves.
3 on 3 Basketball Competition
The Junior House Captains have organised a 3 on 3 Basketball Competition for students to undertake in their lunch times. A fabulous way to get some healthy competition amongst staff and students. A great initiative and well done to all.
Careers on Wheels Breakfast / Beacon HIP
On Thursday morning last week our Beacon Student Ambassadors hosted the Careers on Wheels Breakfast launch. Once again this was a fabulous event and the guests were not only briefed about the upcoming and highly successful Careers on Wheels Event to be held next term, but also were able to indulge in a wonderful breakfast catered for by our catering students. Thank you to all those attendees, the BSA’s for their wonderful work in co-ordinating the event with Mrs Selby and Mr Pedersen and the catering students for getting up bright and early to prepare the meal. We look forward to another fabulous Careers On Wheels Event next term.
Prepare program
Another Beacon sponsored program “Prepare” which forms part of their High Impact Suite was held at school last Friday. This program engaged Grade 8 students around activities and topics relating to employability skills and preparing for their futures. Thank you to Mel and Ebony from the Beacon Foundation for running this program and continually supporting our school. Thank you to Mrs Selby for all her work in co-ordinating these programs for our students.
Teacher Assistant Appreciation Week
Last week was Teacher Assistant Appreciation Week and I would like to publicly acknowledge and thank all our wonderful Teacher Assistants for all the amazing work you all do to support, encourage, mentor and assist our students and staff each and every day. Schools would certainly be lost without you all and the care, concern and dedication to your work and the impact you have on our students is certainly admired by our school community. Thank you to:
Sandra Harvey, Grady Lynch, Jacinta Carswell, Karen Forsyth-Rowbottom, Nicole Madden, Rochelle Wright, Sandy Kerr, Bowen Pearce, James Costick, Nick Bennett, Priscilla Chilcott, Grant Holt and David Bye.
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:
Jazmin Ricketts & Jaxon Jarman - For consistently upholding the ROCKS.
Grade 8:
Cleo Sutcliffe - For always following the ROCKS expectations effectively.
Amali Nicklason - For consistently being helpful to all in her class teacher group.
Grade 9:
Allora Bishop - For demonstrating a fantastic commitment to her learning and persevering with challenging tasks.
Lincon Gahan - For being willing to step outside his comfort zone and be a team player.
Grade 10:
Paige Murray - For her outstanding work ethic across all subject areas.
Mason Ackerly, Ryan Hayes, Will Fearn, Ashton Peachey, Lachlan Kingshott - For raising money and being part of the MND Kings Meadows Freeze.
Celebrations
Last week we engaged in our second My Education Day for the term. The focus of our Term 3 days was jobs and future pathways. Students begun the day exploring the importance of school. They were urged to consider what school means to them, understand the place of schools in society and explore the impact on people in parts of the world where school is not accessible. Students then continued exploring future pathways and constructed their own dream job. A key theme of the day was centred around the notion that there are many different pathways to achieve a career. These pathways allow us to obtain experience and knowledge and may even change the trajectory of one’s intended career progression.
Grade Focus
Last week, students received an individual code to complete their preferences for elective subjects to be studied for next year. Choice of subjects allows students to engage in topics of interest to them, whilst building upon or learning new skills. Students have been counselled through this process with their class teacher. For more information on making an informed decision and the requirements of subject selections for Grade 8 2022, students can access their Canvas Home Room course and follow the links to subject selection. Students are required to return their printed receipt, signed by parent/carer to complete the subject selection process.
The following reminders have again been discussed in this week’s grade assembly and within class teacher:
- Lockers must be locked at all times with your phone placed inside.
- Valuables should be locked in your locker at all times, or handed to the grade office for the day.
- Please wait until you are outside the Junior Common Room before you start eating.
- Breakfast Club - food and drinks need to be consumed before entering the Junior Common Room.
- After you have accessed your locker head straight to class.
- Once you arrive on school grounds, you must remain there until the end of the day.
- Arriving to class on time and prepared to maximise learning time.
2022 Classes
Last week, a letter was sent home with all students outlining the process for class creations for 2022. After three terms of learning, students have made new connections across the grade. Furthermore, teachers have a better understanding of students interests, learning styles and peer connections. All students are invited to return a form indicating their preferences of students they would like to be in a class with next year. These preferences will be taken into consideration when constructing classes for 2022. For more information, please see the relevant letter that was sent home. Students can obtain another copy of this from their Class Teachers.
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
As we draw close to the end of Term 3, a big congratulations must go out to the Grade 8 cohort for their consistency in upholding our ROCKS values. During the term there has been strong emphasis on how students can display the ROCKS values everyday here at school. By actively doing so, Grade 8 students are valued members of our school community.
In grade assemblies, we have been discussing how quickly the school year is going, and the fact that students will soon be entering senior school. Staff have discussed that in Grade 9 you will be role models for junior school and the positive decisions you make today, will hold you in good stead ready for senior school.
Well done to all the Grade 8 students that participated in the My Education Day last Tuesday. It was a fantastic day where students learnt valuable information about volunteer organisations in our local community. Students in 8D, 8E, 8F and 8G completed an hour of first aid training with St Johns Ambulance. This allowed them to develop their skills in basic first aid response and attain a certificate they can use in their resumes.
Please note
This Thursday the Grade 8 Social will take place here at school in the gym. Please make sure all permission slips are returned prior to the event. The social will start at 5.00pm and finish at 7.00pm. Please pick up your children promptly at the conclusion of the event.
Grade Focus
The Grade 8 focus for this term will be centred around how to be a respectful member of the Kings Meadows High School Community. We have emphasised the importance of being proud of our school, looking after our fantastic facilities, wearing uniform with pride and being respectful to all members of our school community. An important point we are focussing on is being a respectful member of the Kings Meadows High School Community which extends outside the school gates. We want each and every student to build upon our schools already positive reputation.
The following reminders have been discussed in this week’s grade assembly:
- Lockers must be locked at all times with your phone placed inside.
- Please wait until you are outside B-Block before you start eating.
- Breakfast Club - food and drinks need to be consumed before entering B-Block.
- After you have accessed your locker, head straight to class.
- After school move directly to the location where your bus picks you up from.
- Students who are walking or catch a bus outside of the school gate need to leave site.
- There is be no drawing on your skin at school.
Celebrations
Grade 9s completed their second My Education Day for Term 3 on Tuesday 31st August. In the morning blocks the cohort worked with Tanya from ‘Not Even Once’ to discuss the impacts of drug use on the body and strategies that students can use to make positive choices. This session was extremely informative and the students engaged with the presentation in a positive way. Students continued to work on their resumes during the middle blocks and some even began creating a video resume that could be used to send to potential employers. Block 5 saw the students compete in a ‘Tik Tok Challenge’ designed my Miss Maskell and Miss Hart. Students worked together to recreate Tik Tok dances and it was great to see all students working collaboratively on this process.
Grade Focus
The class challenge has been continuing over the past fortnight which focusses on chewing gum and general organisation. Students have been making sure they are ready to be successful learners by having their iPads fully charged at the beginning of the day and all of their equipment prepared for each lesson.
Celebrations
We cannot believe we are coming into Week 8, gee the time is flying. Week 7 started with another of our successful My Education Days. For Grade 10’s this day centred around completing a program called Love Bites. This program was run by our school support staff including our school Social Worker, School Psychologist and School Nurse. Love Bites is a Respectful Relationships Education Program for young people aged 15-17 years. It aims to provide young people with a safe environment to examine, discuss and explore respectful relationships. We would like to thank Jasmine, Anita, Dani and all of the other invited guests for their contributions to the day, it was a huge success and most valuable to our students.
Last week our student leaders held a successful fundraiser, raising funds for the Motor Neuron Disease Foundation. Fifteen of our brave students and staff took part in the Ice Bucket Challenge during our lunchtime on Friday. To say it was freezing was an understatement, but it was short lived and a small price to pay to help raise funds for this worthy cause. Thank you to Grade 10 students Ashton, Lachlan, Mason, Ryan, Will and staff members Grady and Mrs Elliott who braved the cold.
This term we will be holding some extra college transition sessions for 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/
In addition, Newstead College has opened their VET course applications for 2022. If students are intending on studying at Newstead College and would like to be considered for a VET course, application forms can be obtained from Mrs Pel, Mrs Elliott or the Grade 10 staffroom. These applications must be completed and returned to Mrs Pel or Mrs Elliott as soon as possible. Launceston College will be completing their VET course application process in person next term when they come for enrolments. More information around this will be given closer to the date.
Sporting congratulations goes to the following students for winning their respective football grand finals over the weekend. Congratulations goes to Tyreece Williams, Deagan Madden, Jacob Maher-Maynard, Alex Lyons, Amber Madden and Taylah Weldon for being members of premiership teams in the NTJFA.
As the year ends, we have more opportunities available for our students to gain bursaries to further their education. One such opportunity is currently open to students who live in the Northern Midlands Council area. Applications are open for any student who lives within this council area to gain access to a monetary bursary for their studies next year. Application forms are available from Mrs Pel or Mrs Elliott and they must be completed and submitted to the school office by Friday 10th September.
Academically, Term3 continues to be a very busy one for Grade 10s. 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 are continuing with their 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 a dance unit, with guest dance presenters scheduled to join our classes in the coming weeks. In Health lessons we are undertaking work based around sexual health and relationships. Mathematics classes have our students working on nonlinear relationships and trigonometry.
In addition to our regular classes Grade 10 students will also be completing Grade 10 exams this week. These will be starting on Monday 6th September. The timetable below outlines times and days of each exam. Exams are conducted for each of our core subjects; English, HaSS, Mathematics, Science and HPE.
WEEK | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY | FRIDAY |
1 |
Science Exam - 10A, 10B, 10C English Exam - 10D, 10E |
English Exam - 10A, 10B, 10C Maths Exam - 10D, 10E |
HaSS Exam - 10D, 10E HPE Exam - 10A, 10B, 10C |
||
2 |
Science Exam - 10A, 10B, 10C English Exam - 10D, 10E |
English Exam - 10A, 10B, 10C Maths Exam - 10D, 10E |
HaSS Exam - 10D, 10E HPE Exam - 10A, 10B, 10C |
||
3 |
HPE Exam - 10D, 10E HaSS Exam - 10A, 10B, 10C |
Maths Exam - 10A, 10B,10C Science Exam - 10D, 10E |
|
|
|
4 |
HPE Exam - 10D, 10E HaSS Exam - 10A, 10B, 10C |
Maths Exam - 10A, 10B, 10C Science Exam - 10D, 10E |
|
|
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 Group Teacher, Mrs Pel the Grade 10 Leader or Mrs Elliott the Grade 10 AST via email or phone the school on 63431000.
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. We will also be placing focus on preparing our students for exams.
End of Year Dates:
Friday 10 December | Grade 10 Graduation Dinner | 6.00pm arrival - Country Club Casino |
Monday 13 December | Presentation Assembly | 11.15am - Gymnasium |
Tuesday 14 December | Graded 10 Picnic | Mystery location |
Wednesday 15 December | Grade 10 Graduation Assembly | 11.15am - Gymnasium |
BEACON CAREERS ON WHEELS BREAKFAST:
On Thursday 2nd September, the Beacon Student Ambassadors hosted the annual Careers on Wheels Breakfast launch. This event was attended by members of the community, staff and students. Mr Pedersen and the 2021 catering team provided a delicious buffet breakfast which was enjoyed by everyone. Student leaders gave a presentation about the Careers on Wheels event which will be held on November 11th here at the school. Thank you to everyone who attended and are coming to support our event later in the year. Special thanks to our Breakfast guests:
Ebony Bridle – Beacon Foundation
Steve Francombe – Haywards Steel
Denise De Bapttista – Arbre Forestry
Amalee Straughair – Key 2 Property
Kim Butler – Tas Minerals
Amanda Barker – Vocational Learning
Craig Perkins – Regional Development Tasmania
Madison Biggelaar – UTAS
David Kewley – Kewley Accountants
Thank you again from Mrs Selby and the Beacon Student Ambassadors.
GRADE 8 DESIGN & TECHNOLOGIES:
Students in DAT2 Design and Technologies started this term with an acoustic amplifier project. Students had full control over the design meaning they were responsible for what their project would end up looking like. Students were required to plan, prototype, design and evaluate their project and document this in a folio. Their design had to be suitable to the size of their own phone and fit within the 1m allocation of timber whilst trying to make it unique and exciting. They then had to build their project as per their design using problem solving approaches based on the skills they have learnt so far this year. Students did a fantastic job and all the projects turned out great. Please check out some of these in the images below. We hope students enjoy pumping tunes from their acoustic amplifier for years to come.
On Friday 20th August, the Prefect Board hosted the MND Ice Bucket Challenge fundraiser. Motor Neuron Disease is a horrible and debilitating disease which gradually takes away the person’s use of their arms and legs, their ability to eat and swallow, their speech and ultimately their ability to breathe…all in an average time frame of just 27 months. Our fundraising efforts last Friday will help contribute in the fight to find a cure.
Each participant on Friday fundraised and contributed at least $50 to help the MND foundation with their research. The challenge involved our participants having a bucket of ice tipped over their heads. It was an entertaining lunch break with 17 students and teachers taking part. It was exciting to see everyone braving the cold for such a great cause and taking on the challenge. In total we managed to raise $950 dollars for Fight MND. The Prefect Board would like to thank the following participants for taking part: Ashton Peachey, Lachlan Kingshott, Will Fearn, Ryan Hayes, Mason Ackerly, Amali Nicklason, Breeanna Farrell, Emily Hoskinson, Bree Dwyer, Gizaye Williams, Lilliarna Quilliam, Dottie Medbury, Charlotte Love, Stella Jones, Mr Grady Lynch, Mr Sam Maddern and Mrs Coleen Elliott.
We certainly had an ice-cold blast running this event.
Written by the Prefects Lachlan Kingshott and Ethan Stebbings.
Senior Design in Wood students started the year completing a bedside table project. The project required students to learn and utilize many skills such as biscuit and domino joinery, making and using plugs, making drawer boxes to size and installing false fronts and handles on their drawers. Grade 9 students worked with Radiata Pine whilst Grade 10 students had the choice of using Tasmanian Oak or Pine. The theoretical component of this task required students to rank the three types of joints - biscuit joint, domino joint and screw and plug joint – in order of preference based on their experiences and knowledge of the strengths and weakness of each joint. All of these turned out fantastic and we hope students enjoy these for many years. Please check out some examples in the photos below.
National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology and this year it ran from August 14th – 22nd.
The school theme for National Science Week 2021 was Food: Different by Design. It honours the United Nations International Year of Fruits and Vegetables and the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development.
During the week, classes had various opportunities to experience activities based on this theme. Grade 9’s learnt about the world’s growing food needs and if insects could be the answer? Students were able to taste crickets and mealworms.
Grade 8’s participated in a series of puzzles and mystery tasks to sleuth their way into the future of our food resources.
Revisiting their bunsen skills, the Grade 7’s looked at the sugar content of a range of popular soft drinks and fruit juices by evaporation and weighing. Some unusually sweet smells were observed in the Science labs during these lessons.
There was also science themed music competition. Congratulations must go to Mr Goss’s 9D class teacher group who answered the most correct song names and artists. They were awarded a morning tea for their efforts.
7E students are enjoying half year options in their Materials Design and Technology taster courses. Today Mr Goss is touring the metal workshop and teaching safe and productive learning and the students are eager to begin their projects. Students will be introduced to shaping, cutting and bronze welding over the coming weeks to produce a toasting fork ready for the summer's camping marshmallows!
On behalf of the Grade 8 team we want to extend our thanks to Mrs MacFarlane and the eight cooking classes for the awesome catering efforts for the upcoming Grade 8 School Social! Looking forward to tasting your pizza scrolls, mini quiches, pizza, savoury toast, sausage rolls as well as enjoying some games and music on Thursday night!
Thursday 9 September | Grade 8 Social - 5.00-7.00pm (Grade 8 students only) |
Friday 10 September | Sports Colours Day - BBQ at lunchtime |
Wednesday 22 September | Bulldog Cup |
Thursday 23 September | NHSSA Girls Footy Gala Day |
Friday 24 September | Last day of Term 3 |
Monday 11 October | First day of Term 4 |
Tuesday 26 October | Grade 7 & 10 Immunisations |
Friday 22 October | RYDA - Symons Plains - Grade 10 students |
Wednesday 27 October | Athletics Carnival - Day 1 - Kings Meadows High School |
Thurscday 28 October | Athletics Carnival - Day 2 - St Leonards |
Friday 29 October | STUDENT FREE DAY |
Monday 1 November | PUBLIC HOLIDAY |
Thursday 11 November | Careers on Wheels |
Thursday 18 November | Arts Night |
Wednesday 24 November | School Association Meeting |
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 |
Monday 13 December | Presentation Assembly |
Tuesday 14 December | Grade 10 Mystery Picnic |
Wednesday 15 December | Last Day for Grade 10 students |
Thursday 16 December | Last Day for Grade 7, 8 and 9 students |