Dear Parents/Carers

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:

Year 7:

Katie Holz - For always giving her best effort in any activity that she is undertaking.

Elizabeth Shields - For always being a politeful and respectful student in and out of the classroom.

Year 8:

Hayley Barnes and Hannah Butler - For their consistency in all classes and commitment to both their learning and extra-curricular activities.

Year 9:

Javed Abdul Hakeem – For his participation in the school Athletics Carnival and being a supporting class member.

Felix Smith –  For his consistent efforts in Science.

Year 10:

Emma Kusnezow and Chloe Widdowson – For their diligent approach to all learning areas.  

Celebrations

Term 4 seems to be flying. We have only a few short weeks left as a Year 7 cohort. Although we only have a small time left, it is proving to be a very action-packed end to the term.  Our Year 7s have continued their settled approach in Term 4. It has been great to see students engaging with their learning and following the ROCKS expectations daily. 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”. As always, we are on the lookout for students “caught in the act” of doing something positive in their daily activities. Congratulations to Ashton B and Ashton N as last week’s winners. We have plenty of names in the draw, I wonder who will be this week’s winners?

Last week we had the first of our two SWAT days for this term. The focus for the day was around student choice, we also completed some follow up activities from our student wellbeing survey and undertook some leadership activities. Our students also had the opportunity to visit Careers on Wheels, our Beacon Foundation Careers Day run by the Beacon Student Ambassadors and Mrs Selby. Our students approached all activities on this day in a responsible and respectful manner. This week we have the second of our SWAT days with the focus being around decision making and making good choices.

During this term, there will plenty of events where students can be actively involved such as sporting events, Healthy Me Expo and Big Day Out activities. It is important that students keep an eye on upcoming events and plan and organise their time well to complete set learning tasks as well as enjoy the many extra-curricular activities that are planned for them during the term. Teachers are consolidating the end of year reports, so maintaining those high standards are important for students to receive the marks that they deserve.

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 each school year. Over the next few weeks in preparation for collection, can iPads please be checked for damage and all original accessories accounted for. 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. Please contact with Mrs Elliott, Mr Stevenson or Mr Richardson if there are any issues with this.

Grade Focus

The Year 7 focus for the remainder of this term will be centred around finishing off the year in a strong and positive manner. We are asking our students to ensure we are focussed for learning, making the most of all opportunities that arise and ensuring that we are looking out for one another. Our focus remains centred on how to be a respectful member of the Kings Meadows High School community. We have emphasised the importance of being proud of our school and the wider community. With only a few short weeks left of the year we are continuing our emphasis on wearing our uniform with pride, looking maintaining our school grounds and classrooms, and displaying positive interactions with each other.

As we are heading towards the end of this year, we have many and varied events coming up. If parents or students have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s Class Teacher, Mr Stevenson or Mr Richardson the Grade 7 Leaders, or Mrs Elliott the Grade 7 AST via email or phone the school on 6343 1000.

Please find below the contact details of our wonderful Year 7 teachers.

7A Class Teacher – Mr Dylan Warren
dylan.warren@decyp.tas.gov.au

7B Class Teacher – Mr Sam Maddern
sam.maddern@decyp.tas.gov.au

7C Class Teacher – Miss Steph Sheedy
steph.sheedy@decyp.tas.gov.au

7D Class Teacher – Mrs Joh Breen
joh.breen@decyp.tas.gov.au

7E Class Teacher – Mr Tom Hartley
tom.hartley@decyp.tas.gov.au

7F Class Teacher – Mrs Jess Crawford
jessica.crawford@decyp.tas.gov.au

Additional teachers working with Year 7:

Quality Teaching and Learning Coach - Miss Emily Lovegrove   emily.lovegrove@decyp.tas.gov.au

Grade 7 Leader – Mr Sean Stevenson - sean.stevenson@decyp.tas.gov.au

Grade 7 Leader – Mr Daniel Richardson - daniel.richardson@decyp.tas.gov.au

Grade 7 AST – Mrs Coleen Elliott - coleen.elliott@decyp.tas.gov.au

Grade 7 Assistant Principal - Mrs Kate Hume - kate.hume@decyp.tas.gov.au

We invite parents to contact us either by email or by phoning the school 6343 1000.

Celebrations

At the halfway point of Term 4, Year 8 is a very busy place with many reasons to celebrate the great achievements that are happening across our year group. Well done to Amir, Levi and Shade who won an award from UTAS for their hydro-electric generator. Your commitment to learning and willingness to be aspirational is to be commended. Well done to Michaela, who has been selected in the Under 15 Tasmanian Hockey team. We wish you all the best in the tournament and we know that you will represent your state and Kings Meadows High School with pride. Our boys and girls basketball teams were successful recently in winning grand finals against Scotch Oakburn College and St Patricks College. Well done to all of the students who were involved in this event and particularly the students involved in these successful teams.

Grade Focus

In Week 6, our Year 8 students are heading to Newstead College and Launceston College as a part of our College Taster Day Program. Students will participate in activities that will give them an insight into life at college. In preparation for this, teachers are reminding students that they need to be critical thinkers and planning for their future beyond high school.

The email addresses for the Year 8 teaching team are as follows:

8A Class Teacher - Mr Isaac Pinnington
isaac.pinnington@decyp.tas.gov.au

8B Class Teacher - Mrs Rebecca Glasby
rebecca.glasby@decyp.tas.gov.au

8C Class Teacher - Mr Chris Murray
chris.murray1@decyp.tas.gov.au

8D Class Teacher Ms Mel Hudson
mel.hudson@decyp.tas.gov.au

8E Class Teacher - Miss Emma Attard
emma.attard@decyp.tas.gov.au

8F Class Teacher - Ms Wendy Coombes
wendy.coombes@decyp.tas.gov.au

8G Class Teacher - Mr Mick Bent
mick.bent@decyp.tas.gov.au

Additional teachers working with Year 8:

Mr Lachlan Bryan  -  lachlan.bryan@decyp.tas.gov.au

Grade 8 Leader / AST - Miss Nicole Williams
nicole.williams1@decyp.tas.gov.au

Grade 8 Leader - Mr Stuart Withington
stuart.withington@decyp.tas.gov.au

Grade 8 AST - Mr Brenton Gale
brenton.gale@decyp.tas.gov.au

Grade 8 Assistant Principal - Mrs Kate Hume
kate.hume@decyp.tas.gov.au

As it is almost halfway through Term 4 already, we encourage students to continue their hard work in class. Teachers are working hard to prepare valuable learning experiences and we look forward to sharing the final few weeks of term together. We have a second SWAT Day this Wednesday where students in Year 9 will be hearing from Headspace and DEN, these will be extremely important messages about health and lifestyle choices.  

Celebrations

Grade Focus

A key focus that will be emphasised in Term 4 by Year 9 staff to students will be about making positive and smart choices in all aspects of school life. All year staff have been reminding students that they are the future leaders of the school in 2023 and the choices individuals make determine the type of role model you will be for younger students. We believe all students next year can be leaders around our school, regardless if they are in a leadership position. Term 4 will provide our students plenty of opportunities to achieve success. 

Good luck to all students this term and take all the opportunities that come your way both in and out of the classroom.

A reminder about the important contacts for Year 9 in 2022. 

9A Class Teacher - Mrs Amy Jansen
amy.jansen@decyp.tas.gov.au

9B Class Teacher - Mr Matthew Chatwin
matthew.chatwin@decyp.tas.gov.au

9C Class Teacher - Mr Hugh Bowden
hugh.bowden1@decyp.tas.gov.au

9D Class Teacher - Ms Sherron Casey
sherron.casey@decyp.tas.gov.au

9E Class Teacher - Mr Thor Pedersen

thor.porsbro.pederse@decyp.tas.gov.au

9F Class Teacher - Mr Ben Killalea
ben.killalea@decyp.tas.gov.au

Additonal teachers working with Year 9:

Miss Rachael Stebbings - rachael.stebbings@decyp.tas.gov.au

Mrs Tracey MacFarlane – tracey.macfarlane@decyp.tas.gov.au

Mr Jake Chamberlain – jake.chamberlain@decyp.tas.gov.au  

Grade 9 Leader - Mr Matt Battle - mathew.battle@decyp.tas.gov.au

Grade 9 AST -  Mrs Megan Pel – megan.pel@decyp.tas.gov.au

Acting Grade 9 Assistant Principal - kate.blaubaum@decyp.tas.gov.au

Celebrations

There are many reasons to celebrate in Year 10, including the amazing work our students are doing in the career and life planning space. Throughout our SWAT Days, students have been provided with the opportunity to finalise transition plans, reflect on college enrolments, explore job prospects, analyse labour market information and consider how their strengths, values and interests align with particular career paths. We would like to congratulate our students on how well they have approached these tasks; the future is looking bright! 

We have many exciting upcoming events, as parents and carers have been made aware via Schoolzine, letters home and the KMHS School Facebook page. The Year 10 teaching team are certainly looking forward to soaking up the final weeks with our students and reflecting upon the growth all students have achieved over the past four years.  

Grade Focus

Year 10 students are reminded to bring back their forms so that they can attend the Year 10 Mystery picnic! This is a major excursion and written consent is essential to be able to attend the picnic.

End of Grade Key Dates 

Thursday 15^th December – Presentation Assembly (Compulsory – do not schedule appointments on this day)

Friday 16^th December – Normal school day + Graduation Dinner at Country Club Casino 6pm

Monday 19^th December – Mystery Picnic (students to receive their 2022 Leavers Hoodies)

Tuesday 20^th December – Graduation Assembly including final morning tea celebration. Grade 10’s finish at 1pm following the assembly.

Important Contacts:

10A Class Teacher - Mr Leigh Richardson
leigh.richardson@decyp.tas.gov.au

10B Class Teacher - Mr Solomon Walker-Bowd
solomon.walker-bowd@decyp.tas.gov.au

10C Class Teacher - Miss Elly Hart
eloise.hart@decyp.tas.gov.au

10D Class Teacher - Mr George Edmondson
george.edmondson@decyp.tas.gov.au

10E Class Teacher - Mrs Belinda Selby
belinda.selby@decyp.tas.gov.au

10P (Packages of Learning) Class Teacher – Mr Glenn Wood
glenn.wood@decyp.tas.gov.au

Additional teachers working with Grade 10:

Mr Richard Goss - richard.goss@decyp.tas.gov.au

AST - Mr James Guy - james.guy@decyp.tas.gov.au

Grade 10 Leader – Mr Nick Stokes - nick.stokes@decyp.tas.gov.au

Grade 10 AST – Mrs Emma Dobson - emma.l.dobson@decyp.tas.gov.au

Grade 10 Assistant Principal - Ms Kate Blaubaum - kate.blaubaum@decyp.tas.gov.au

A reminder to families that end of year reports will be distributed on Friday 16 December.

The report will show your child’s learning achievement on a 9-point visual scale for full and half year Australian Curriculum subjects which replaces A-E ratings for students in Prep to Year 10.

The report will show your child’s learning achievement on a 5-point visual scale for courses that are an abstract of the Australian Curriculum such as Enrichments and Specialised Subjects.

The 9-point scale shows more specifically where your child’s learning achievement is against the expected standard for their year level.

There will be no teacher comments on the report.

For more information about the changes to reports:

• School Reports FAQs
• Understanding the 9-point scale
• Reporting - The Department for Education, Children and Young People Tasmania (decyp.tas.gov.au)

Our recent Athletics Carnival was held in what could only be described as inclement weather. After a postponed first day at school due to our grounds being under water, we were able to conduct our carnival with both days being held at St Leonards Athletic Track. Drizzly rain and wind did not deter our students and staff from participating in what was a wonderful two days of competition. The Athletics Carnival was once again full of spirit, colour, athleticism and sportsmanship. The level of participation and house community spirit was extremely impressive with many students displaying solid performances in both track and field events. Our students embraced both days and all who competed are to be commended for the way they represented themselves and our school.

Well done to all athletes for your efforts over the two days, your ability to run, jump, skip, throw and dodge rain is a credit to your dedication and support of the carnival.

Congratulations goes to the following students who all broke existing athletics records. 

Bonnie Talbot broke the Year 10 Girls Triple Jump with a huge jump of 10.43m.  She also broke the 800m record with a time of 2:32.51 seconds which is over 5 seconds faster than the previous record. Congratulations Bonnie!

Also in the Year 10 Girls, Georgia Gillow broke the javelin record with a throw of 32.76m which is a record that has been held sine 1989. Congratulations Georgia! 

Esk was once again the successful house who took out the 2022 House Athletics Championships by accumulating the most points for all events over the two days. Excellent participation from all Esk team members was the contributing factor in their win. This is Esk’s fourth Athletics Carnival win in a row! Congratulations to all Esk house competitors!

Final house points were as follows:

Carnivals cannot be as successful as ours without the combined effort from a team of people. A massive thank you must got to the HPE team and the House Captains for arriving at school early on both days for set up and for all of their work prior to the carnival helping organise such a great event. We would also like to thank our parent helpers Mrs Jayne Praciak, Mr Tim Talbot and Mr Jamie Howard for their tireless efforts over the carnival. Your expertise and experience in running Athletics Carnivals was greatly appreciated. Finally a big thank you must also go to all staff who supported us on the day and worked tirelessly to produce a smoothly run carnival.

Coleen Elliott
Head of HPE

On Wednesday 16 November our Inter-High Athletic team took to the St Leonards track in the NHSSA Division 1 Athletics competition. In great conditions for competing, our 75 strong athletic team took on the best athletes from Prospect High, Queechy High, Riverside High, Exeter High and Cressy District High. All of our athletes performed exceptionally well and we couldn’t be more proud of their efforts. Both our senior and junior teams had close competition with Riverside High and Prospect High all day for the overall championships.

We had so many personal best scores, multiple winners and too many wonderful performances to single out. The most pleasing part of the day was the willingness of our students to fill in on events where competitors were absent. Thank you to those students on showing the courage to take on this responsibility.

I would like to extend a huge thank you to Mrs Jayne Praciak for helping officiate for us on the High Jump event. We really appreciated your expertise in running this event and cannot thank you enough.

On 2 December some of our athletes may now be selected to represent the NHSSA in the Statewide Schools Athletics Competition on 2 December. We will keep our students and parents informed of this team decision as soon as we are able. Good luck to those athletes who are chosen.

Congratulations again to all our athletes who competed on the day, we are incredibly proud of your efforts and we are looking forward to the challenge again next year.

Coleen Elliott
Head of HPE

On the 11th hour of the 11th month, a handful of Kings Meadows Prefects made their way out to the Launceston Cenotaph to take part in the 2022 Remembrance Day service. Here they shared a minute's silence honouring and remembering the soldiers, nurses and personnel who have served our country through more than a century of war and conflict. Our Head Prefects, Maggie Robins and Zavier Langerak had the honour of laying a wreath on behalf of the school.

We at Kings Meadows High School, remember that we live in freedom because of our ANZACS, past and ongoing. Through their legacy, we continue to honour the values of the original ANZACS - courage, bravery, tenacity and mateship. We remember and embody these values so that we too can uphold the ANZAC spirit.

Lest We Forget

On the weekend of November 12 and 13 the Northern Regional High School Basketball Championships were held at Elphin Sports Centre and St Patricks College.

Kings Meadows High School had six teams representing us in these championships across all four year levels.

It was a fantastic weekend of basketball where all players represented our school with great team spirit and sportsmanship. Congratulations to all students who played over the weekend, we are very proud of the way you conducted yourselves and supported one another.

It was a highly successful tournament for all teams with close games and wins in many of the matches. We had three of our teams qualify to play in the Grand Final match for their respective divisions. Congratulations to the Senior Boys Year 10 Team, the Junior Boys Year 8 Team and the Junior Girls Team for being crowned champions in their Division 2 Competitions.

A huge thank you must go to our coaches, Mr Stokes, Miss Attard, Mr Nason, Mr Daley, Mr Rice and Mr Bent for giving up your time to coach our teams over the weekend. Without your assistance and expertise, we would not have been so successful. We must also thank Mrs Pel for her organisation prior to the competition, entering our teams, registering players, organising referees and sorting uniforms and equipment. We really appreciate it.

Once again, congratulations to all players on a wonderful weekend of basketball. Go Team Meadows!!

On Thursday the 17November, a boys and girls team represented Kings Meadows High School in the Hobart Hurricanes Cricket Gala Day. Our girls team travelled to St Patrick’s College to play against Prospect High School and Scotch Oakburn, while our boys remained at Kings Meadows and hosted Prospect High School and Campbell Town District High School.

Our girls team had students ranging from Year 8 to Year 10 and gelled together well as a team from the very start. The weather was near perfect and the white zinc was out in full force with our girls embracing the day from the start. The first game played at the St Patrick’s Football Club ground was against Prospect High School where our girls recorded their first comfortable win. Ella Wiggins excelled in the bowling, taking two wickets in two balls, almost bowling a hat-trick. The batting was an all-round effort, with everyone contributing evenly across the board.

Game 2 saw King Meadows verse Scotch Oakburn and this was a well-played game with great sportsmanship shown by all participants. A crowd also gathered to watch this matchup and provided ample encouragement and entertainment to create an enjoyable atmosphere for everyone involved. Our Kings Meadows girls came away with another comfortable win, this time by 44 runs. The bowling was lead from the front by Georgia Gillow and Mackenzie Grant, absolutely smashing through the opposition batting line up. Gillow recorded 5 wickets for 6 runs across two overs, while Grant took 3 wickets for 4 runs across her two overs. The batting was a team effort yet again, with all batters contributing to the team total.

Our boys team was made up of a mixture of students from Years 7 through to 10 and thoroughly enjoyed playing in the Gala Day. Our school hosted both Campbell Town District High School and Prospect High School and some quality cricket matches were played. In our first game, the boys comfortably beat Campbell Town and played some good cricket. Hayden Murfett and Lochie Oliver had a day out with the bat, hitting plenty of boundaries which built a formidable target. In our bowling innings all bowlers bowled well and the fielding was to a high standard. It was a nice gesture of sportsmanship when our team allowed Campbell Town to finish their allotted overs allowing all to participate. The second game of the day was played against a strong Prospect team which saw Kings Meadows lose that game. All batsmen and bowlers played well, but as a team we were not able to chase the large total they set for us. Overall, an enjoyable day where all matches were played in good spirits.

On Wednesday 21 December students in Years 7-9 will travel by bus to Eastman’s Beach, Bridport to enjoy in recreational activities and celebrate the successes from the 2022 school year. Students are required to bring their own recess and lunch, drink bottle and sun safe measures for this event. Water refill and sunscreen stations will be provided as well as qualified lifeguards to supervise water activities.

For students who have opted to stay at school or not completed the required permissions, there is an educational program offered at school.

Senior Woodwork students are nearing completion of some of their major projects. Students personally researched, designed and priced their projects with sustainability and reduction of wastage in mind to create their inspired vision.  

This gorgeous pine coffee table with Tasmanian myrtle inlay is one of many projects nearly completed and looking forward to sharing further outstanding craftsmanship with our community.

The Technologies Team.

As we come to the end of another wonderful year of reading and learning, it’s becoming  the time where library books need to make their way back to the library.  Please keep an eye out around your house for any stray library books and check in with your child to make sure that they have plans to return them. 

If there are overdue books checked out in your child's name, a reminder letter will be sent home with details about the missing book/s, including the replacement cost (if the book is lost or damaged).  Please reach out if there are any issues or confusion – I am here to help and fully understand that every situation is unique.  My email is mandy.ritchie@decyp.tas.gov.au or I can be reached by phoning the school on 6343 100 Monday to Thursday 8.30am – 3.15pm. 

For those of you with avid readers at home, I have some great news! As you are no doubt aware, we had to cease our school eBook program mid-year due to rising costs. It seems that this was a common problem preventing many government schools from having similar services and so DECYP schools have partnered with Libraries Tasmania to introduce SORA (the student version of the Libraries Tasmania service, LIBBY) to Tassie schools! This is massively exciting, as SORA is much easier to use, has an amazing range of resources and enables all school libraries to provide something world class.  To get started, just download the SORA app.

We would like to congratulate the six students from Year 7 and 8 who took part in the University of Tasmania Science and Engineering Investigation Awards (SEIA). SEIA allows secondary school students to investigate a topic of their choice. Since March, the six students have either been carrying out a science experiment or creating a prototype to solve a real world problem. Projects included the best type of Tasmanian wood to use in a cricket bat by Oliver Midson, the best type of soil to grow plants in at KMHS by Gabby Van Geytenbeek and Caitlynn Eamens and a prototype of a hydro generator people can use in their houses to create energy. On 24 October, students presented their posters to a UTAS judge. Congratulations to Amir Reza Rahmi, Levi Swift and Shade St Claire who took out the prize for Kings Meadows High School with their hydro generator.

Leadership Staff

Support Staff

TERM DATES 2022