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Dear Parents/Guardians
Thank you to the students and staff for making me feel welcome at Kings Meadows High School. The school has a wonderful team of teachers and non-teaching staff who are committed to improving the learning outcomes of all students. I have had the opportunity to meet many of the students from Grade 7 to 10, all of them sharing the amazing learning programs provided by the school.
On Wednesday I had the opportunity to work with twenty Grade 7 and 8 students at the Kings Meadows Community Workshop with Peter Kenyon. The workshop was part of the City of Launceston ABCDE Learning Site Project which is coordinated by Sarah McCormack. Students worked with community members, leaders and council to share their thoughts on the positive assets the Kings Meadows community has to offer along with discussing suggestions for future planning and improvements. The students represented the school with pride, wearing full school uniform, communicating respectfully with community members and offering suggestions and their thinking within the teams. The session was a wonderful opportunity for developing the leadership skills of our junior students.
Thank you to the business and industry who supported our Careers on Wheels 2021. On Thursday students in Grade 7 to 10 all had the opportunity to explore future career pathways and learning opportunities available to students through a wide range of business and industry. Attached to this week’s newsletter are photos and a report from the day.
End of Year Events and Celebrations
As the end of the year approaches, I know people will be looking forward to and making plans for end of year events and celebrations. These are wonderful opportunities to recognise achievement and celebrate the learning and growth of our students. I am sure that people need little reminder about the fact that we now live in a world where there are restrictions and protocols that we need to work within to ensure we remain COVID safe. Please be aware that many of the large high schools in Launceston are following the same plan for end of year assemblies and events.
- The Graduation Dinner is on Friday 10 December and while there are some restrictions around arrival at the event, the dinner can follow our usual format for students once they have arrived. We are sure that this will be a very enjoyable and special occasion for students.
- The Graduation Assembly where we farewell Grade 10 students will be held on Wednesday 15 December. Due to our large numbers and the need to comply with the venue density rule, we will unfortunately again this year be unable to have parents at this event. Arrangements for parents to collect students after the event have been communicated by the Grade 10 team via a letter to students. Parents are welcome to collect students from the school gymnasium again with appropriate social distancing and use of the ‘Check in TAS’ App. The assembly will conclude at approximately 1.00pm.
- We are putting in place a plan to record and upload onto our school Facebook page the Presentation Assembly and the Graduation Assembly so that people can be involved. We understand that this is not quite the same as being at the event but appreciate your understanding that we are required to work within COVID safe protocols.
- The Presentation Assembly will be held on Monday 13 December.
We will endeavour to use our social media and newsletter to ensure we have lots of details and photos to keep you up to speed so that you can join in on the celebrations, albeit from a safe distance.
Jeanna Bolton
Acting Principal
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:
Chelsea Hewson - for always following the ROCKS.
Ivy Richardson - for being a supportive class member.
Grade 8:
Leannika Simmons – for always being prompt and organised for class and always being willing to help with jobs in the classroom.
Sophie Thomas – for always being prompt to class, trying her best and being respectful when listening.
Grade 9:
Charlotte McLennan – for taking on all tasks with a positive attitude and mentoring her fellow students.
Marcus Kelly – for showing leadership skills within the classroom.
Grade 10:
Courtney Burnie, Liana Connie, Ashtyn Peters, Paige Smith, April Stebbings, Campbell Stebbings, Mirren Taylor & Ebony Wegman - for their organisation and support of the Careers on Wheels event.
The Grade 7 focus for the next two weeks will be Commitment to Learning. Students will be aiming to arrive to every class on time, as per our organisation focus last week. They will then need to ensure that they are focused and ready to learn, making the most of all teaching and learning opportunities that are presented to them.
I hate to sound like a broken record, however, as per our iPad lease agreement, iPads, Apple charging cords and charging blocks will be collected prior to the end of the year. Each student was issued these items at the start of the year. As per this agreement, correct genuine Apple parts must be collected in working order by the end of the school year. These items are then audited, updated and stored, ready for use again in the 2022 school year. Please support your student with locating and ensuring the working order of these items, prior to the end of 2021. Failure to return these items in correct working order will result in the need to replace said items at the families’ cost. Apple charging cords and charging blocks are available for purchase from the Kings Meadows High School Office. Class teachers will begin this process of ensuring iPads are ready for the end of year collection in November.
Celebrations
A big congratulations must go out the Grade 8 cohort for their continued settled start to the Term 4. It has been great to see students engaging with their learning and following the ROCKS expectations on a daily basis. In grade assemblies this term, we have been discussing how important it is to get the most out of yourself during Term 4. Staff have been encouraging students to take every opportunity that comes their way and to “get out of their comfort zone”. During the term, there will plenty of events where students can be actively involved such as My Education days, Athletics Carnivals and Big Day Out activities. An exciting term ahead.
Ipad Return
Now is the time to start checking over iPads, making sure they are ready to be handed in with all original accessories. As detailed in the loan agreement, all iPads are returned at the end of the school year. Over the next few weeks in preparation for collection can iPads please be checked for damage and all original accessories accounted for. Please get in contact with Mrs Hume and Mr Battle if there are any issues with this.
Successful Beacon Applicants
A big congratulations to our successful Beacon applicants for Grade 9, 2022. You are to be congratulated for all your dedication and hard work during the application process. Thank you to all students who applied for the Beacon positions.
Successful applicants are:
- Addison Keegan – 8A
- Cobi Griffith – 8E
- Eliza Faulkner – 8G
- Charli Merritt – 8D
- Stella Jones – 8G
- Zak Richardson – 8B
Reminder – As we head towards the end of the school year
Kings Meadows High School follows the “Off and Away” policy with mobile phones. Phones are to be off and in lockers for the duration of the day. Students will accumulate phones offences if caught with phones during the day.
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.
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 your 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 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 catching a bus outside of the school gates need to leave the grounds quickly.
Celebrations
On 27 and 28 October students participated in the Kings Meadows High School Athletics Carnival at school and the St Leonards Athletics Centre. The two days were a hotly contested affair with all students involved participating in the right spirit and to the best of their ability. The Grade 9 cohort were fantastic participants on the day and are to be congratulated for their efforts across the two days. A particular highlight was Bonnie Talbot breaking the triple jump record, well done Bonnie on this amazing achievement.
Grade leaders and AST’s have been busy collating the results of the student leadership voting and results were revealed this week.
Grade Focus
The Grade 9s like the rest of the school, have been participating in the positive behaviour incentive scheme with a focus on being ‘ready for learning’. Each student is accumulating points based on their preparedness for lessons and their punctuality and these point will be collated and students will receive on the spot prizes based on their scores.
Celebrations
Midway through Term 4 and time is flying for our Grade 10’s. We have had a very productive last couple of weeks.
This past week our students had their college enrolment interviews. We are very proud of the mature approach all students had towards these interviews and the feedback we have received from both colleges was that our students were organised, friendly, mature and well presented. Congratulations to all of our students involved in this process. Students and parents are reminded that both colleges are able to be contacted about enrolment issues and can answer any questions you may have. This enrolment process is fluid and can be changed at any time after the interview, especially if students change their mind or pathway.
In addition to these enrolment days some of our students will also have their VET course suitability interviews. Newstead College will be conducting these at their campus and if your child has an interview, they would have received an email and regular mail notification. Goodluck to those students for these interviews. Launceston College will be completing their VET course application process in the coming weeks. More information around this will be given closer to the date via the colleges.
This term we will be holding some extra college transition sessions for some 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 students would like extra transition visits, they should speak with their Class Teacher, Mrs Pel or Mrs Elliott. 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/
The Beacon Ambassadors ran a very successful Careers on Wheels expo last week. This day involved our Grade 10’s accessing the careers expo and gaining valuable information around various careers opportunities within the local community. Once again, the feedback we received from the community members was that our Grade 10 students were highly engaged, mature and friendly. Congratulations Grade 10 on this wonderful representation of our school and for being fully engaged in your future pathways.
The Peer Support Leaders are currently organising the Healthy Me Expo. This day proves to be a fun-filled day of activities and seeking information centred around supporting their own wellbeing. We are looking forward to this event. In addition, the Peer Support Leaders are holding “Kings Christmas Fiesta” on December 7th. Students can come dressed in their favourite Christmas gear for a gold coin donation. All funds raised will be donated to the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal.
Finally, the House Captains and Prefects will be conducting the KMHS Big Day Out which is an afternoon of fun activities and teamwork for our students. This afternoon will involve food stalls, water slides and other fun games for students to participate in. All funds raised on this day will go towards the Student Leaders Legacy gift for 2021. We look forward to seeing the success of all of our student leader groups in organising these events.
Our Arts students are focussing their attention on performing in our annual KMHS Arts Night. This is being held at the Princess Theatre on Thursday 18th November from 6.30pm. This will be a fabulous night showcasing the talent of our Art, Drama, Music and Dance students. There are many Grade 10 students involved in this night and we look forward to seeing them under the spotlight. Tickets for this awesome event can be purchased via the Princess Theatre website.
Our Graduation dinner committee, along with Mrs Pel and Mrs Elliott have been working tirelessly this last week putting together our Graduation Dinner invitations. They look fabulous and the invitations to this should be handed out in the coming week. Thank you to those students and teachers for putting this together. A reminder that these invitations will only go to those students who have met the Grade 10 behavioural expectations set out last term and if all money outstanding to the school has been paid. All queries about payments and money owing can be made to the school office.
A notice went home last week outlining the final costs for the end of year celebratory events and payment for these. If parents or students have any queries regarding anything please do not hesitate to contact your child’s Class 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
Year 11 and 12 – Mr James Guy james.guy@education.tas.gov.au
Extra transition/Student support – Ms Mel Hudson mel.hudson@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 transition to further education.
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 | Grade 10 Picnic | Mystery location |
Wednesday 15 December | Grade 10 Graduation Assembly | 11.15am - Gymnasium |
Please click on the following link to RSVP for Parent Evening No. 4:
After a COVID forced hiatus in 2020 the Arts team at Kings Meadows High School are extremely excited to be able to announce the 2021 Arts Night “Showcase” will be held on Thursday 18th November, this term at the Princess Theatre from 6:30pm to 9.00pm.
Students from Dance Music, Art, Photography and Drama have already begun working on pieces to be shown and performed on this evening. An important note: due to changes in the COVID safety plan parents are now required to pre-purchase tickets from Theatre North (either online or at the Box Office) as there will be no general admission. This means you will be able to select your seats and it will be first in best dressed. As part of this process you will also be given a specific arrival time depending on your seat as the ushers and Theatre North staff will have organised ‘staggered’ arrival times as part of the safety plan.
Please click on the link below to purchase tickets. These will be available from 10.00am Wednesday 20 October - $10 Adults, $6.00 Students/Concession, Free – 0-3 years. Please Note: Theatre North will not be charging any additional transaction fees for this event.
https://theatrenorth.com.au/arts-night-2021
Students have been issued with permission forms for the event and it is extremely important that both parents and students read all of the information provided on these letters carefully and that they are signed and returned to school promptly.
We look forward to giving further Arts Night updates in the newsletter and on the Facebook page – keep your eye out for these important messages. Looking forward to seeing you all in the audience on the 18th November!
On Thursday 11th November the Beacon Student Ambassador team were blessed with perfect weather conditions for our Annual Careers on Wheels event. Students and exhibitors arrived early to set up ready for the start of the day. Students from Grade 10, 9, 8 and selected students from Queechy High School and Prospect High School were able to enjoy the expo, engaging and talking to a variety of businesses and gaining valuable insight into potential future pathways.
A massive thank you needs to go out to Alan and Nick from the City Mission along with Paul Burton who brought along their SnagChat trailer and cooked over 400 free sausages throughout the day for everyone to enjoy during the Expo.
Also thank you to Mr Pedersen and the Café Barista class who served hot drinks and sweet treats to the exhibitors at recess.
Mrs Selby would like to thank all of the Beacon Student Ambassadors who did a power of work during the day – setting up and supporting exhibitors: Ebony Wegman, Paige Smith, April Stebbings, Campbell Stebbings, Ashtyn Peters, Mirren Taylor, Liana Connie, Courtney Burnie, Maggie Robins, Sarah Henshall and Amelia Lethborg.
Finally the Expo would not be a success without businesses giving up and volunteering their time for the day so a big thank you to our business supporters:
Haywards Steel
Apprenticeship Board of Australia
Arbre Forestry Tasmania
Mission Australia
Tas Building Group Association
UTAS
Key 2 Property
Tas Minerals
Tas Police
Tas Hospitality Association
Fairbrother Construction
Hydro Tas
Northern Childrens Network
RedBaron Drone and Photography
MyState Bank
Rio Tinto
City Mission
Repco Auto
TasRail
Defence Force Recruiting
MEGT
The Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone held a careers expo, focussing on the opportunities available in the renewable energy sector. Tasmanian and Australian businesses are making huge investments in this area and there are many job openings becoming available. These jobs lie in the electrical and fabrication trades and in academic pathways (university degrees and diplomas).
A group of Kings Meadows Grade 9 and 10 students visited the expo; their impressions are below …
“I really liked how viable renewable energy is as a career of the future”
“It’s interesting how Tasmania is going to be the kick-off point for the hydrogen industry in Australia and a world leader”
“The wave [electricity] generation by the AMC was really good”
“The mini-submarine was cool (so were the free chocolates and pens)”
“It was really good to explore a variety of future careers and have some hands-on experience”
“We learned about hydrogen as a form of renewable energy”
“There are jobs for everyone in the renewable energy industries; it was fun seeing all the opportunities”
“Thank you to all the businesses and industry groups for putting on this expo, it was great!”
A group of Grade 10 students visited Castings Tasmania, to understand more about how the science of metals is applied in industry.
Castings Tasmania is a metal foundry in Youngtown, who manufacture specialised steel-alloy products for export all around Australia and the World.
Aside from how moulds are manufactured and prepared, students learnt how combining different metallic and metalloid elements can alter the properties of steel, to make it appropriate for different uses. They also learnt how knowledge of the electromagnetic spectrum is used to analyse and verify the quality of the alloys.
We would like to thank Castings Tasmania’s metallurgist, Mr Whittaker, for taking the time to show us around the foundry and explain the work done there.
17 November | NHSSA Inter-High Athletics Carnival - St Leonards |
18 November | Arts Night |
24 November | Grade 7 2022 Orientation Day |
24 November | Parent Information Evening - Grade 7 2022 - No. 4 |
24 November | School Association Meeting - 7.00pm |
24 November | Triathlon - selected students |
24 November | Grade 8 College Taster Day |
29 November | Parents Cyber Safety talk with Susan McLean - 7.00pm |
30 November | KMHS students Cyber Safety talk with Susan McLean |
1 December | My Education Day - Healthy Me Expo |
10 December | Grade 10 Graduation Dinner at Casino |
13 December | Presentation Assembly |
14 December | Grade 10 Mystery Picnic |
15 December | Grade 10 Graduation Assembly |
16 December | Grade 7, 8 & 9 picnic - Last day for students |