Kings Meadows High School
PDF Details
Newsletter QR Code

Guy Street
Kings Meadows TAS 7249
https://kingsmeadowshs.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe

Email: kings.meadows.high@decyp.tas.gov.au
Phone: 03 6343 1000

Save the URL of this page to edit these details later. You will be able to edit this event until it is confirmed by an Administrator.

YEAR 8 REPORT:

Our Year 8 students have certainly been busy over the last two weeks.  Our excursion to Launceston College and University of Tasmania provided excellent experiences for students opening their eyes to future educational pathways and opportunities.  On Friday this week we head to Newstead College for a Taster morning before returning to school for our Healthy Me Expo. We hope you enjoy some of the pictures from Launceston College and the University below.

I would also like to congratulate Sarah Nicolson, Anabel Joshy, Halle Ralston, Imani Davern and Alix Maynard for being successfully elected as Beacon Student  Ambassadors in 2025 and to also thank all students across Year 8 who applied for the position but were unsuccessful in their applications.  Well, done to all students in Year 8 who participated in the All-Schools Triathlon Challenge and the Interhigh Athletics Carnival and to those students who have now finished competing in the after-school basketball competitions.  Thank you to Jamie Hazell for coaching our Year 8 boys basketball team in the recent State Basketball Championships with them experiencing success in many of their games.  Congratulations to Sam, Lenny, Brody, Xavier, Mitchell, Kasper, Cruz and Reuben for all their efforts over the weekend. 

Before I conclude this article, I would like to share some thinking on the importance of helping to develop positive relationships and interpersonal skills amongst students to minimise negative verbal interactions amongst peers.

Building strong, positive relationships and interpersonal skills among students is a cornerstone of a healthy school environment. Research consistently demonstrates that these skills not only enhance academic performance but also lay the foundation for emotional well-being and resilience throughout life.  Positive peer relationships create a sense of belonging and safety, both of which are essential for academic and personal growth. When students feel connected to their peers, they are more likely to engage actively in school, develop self-confidence and navigate challenges effectively. These relationships foster empathy, collaboration and mutual respect, which are critical for thriving in diverse social settings.

Despite efforts to cultivate inclusive environments, negative verbal comments between students often remains a significant issue in schools because it is easy for students to detect and report physical bullying however at times students find it difficult to share concerns relating to verbal bullying.  Research published in Child Development highlights that victims of verbal bullying often experience heightened levels of anxiety, depression and low self-esteem well into adulthood. These effects can extend to academic struggles, difficulty forming trusting relationships and even physical health problems such as chronic stress and weakened immune systems.

Developing positive relationships and interpersonal skills among students is more than an educational goal—it is a necessity for lifelong success.

For the remainder of this year our Year 8 team will have a continued focus on addressing verbal bullying, reporting concerns, promoting collaborative problem-solving and encouraging open dialogue with trusted adults to help students who are engaging in negative verbal comments towards their peers to stop this behaviour while understanding the impact their choices are having on others.  We look forward to working with parents and students over the coming weeks to address and respond to any concerns raised in the hope of building healthier connections and relationships amongst all Year 8 students.