PRINCIPAL'S REPORT:
Dear Families
As we near the end of Term I would like to once again say a huge thank you to everyone in our school community for the continuing care, kindness and support that has been shown to each other and people in our school as we navigate through this challenging year. It has been fabulous to have students on site for the whole term engaged in learning programs and the wealth of opportunities and experiences that the wonderful team at Kings Meadows High School provide for them.
In the last couple of weeks we have seen a vast number of students participate in leadership interviews for the 2021 leadership roles for senior students (Prefects, Peer Support Leaders, House Captains and Beacon Student Ambassadors). Our school and department values of Aspiration, Courage, Growth and Respect certainly come into play here and all students should be very proud of themselves for stepping forward and stepping up applying for these positions.
Last Thursday morning the Beacon Student Ambassadors held their annual Careers on Wheels Breakfast launch at school. The BSA’s along with Mrs Selby and the catering students led by Mr Pedersen, were up bright and early and at school preparing for the breakfast for a 7.00am start. This event is a way for the BSA team to promote the upcoming Careers on Wheels event to be held at school on 14th November. On this day they invite many industry and career representatives to set up with their car mini stalls on the basketball courts. All our students then can chat with these representatives to learn more about possible career pathways for them in the future. The breakfast was a huge success with the table spanning the length of two big open classrooms. Our guests were treated to a huge spread of breakfast options prepared and served by the catering students. The BSA’s did a fabulous presentation to the guests and launched their program with confidence and professionalism. Well done to all involved.
We have had and continue to have, many excursions off campus and it is wonderful that we are in a position to be able to allow students to undertake these with Covid restrictions. We have seen:
- Dance students travel to our feeder primary schools to perform and workshop with the students.
- Hospitality students attend a work exposure session at the Country Club Casino in association with Hospitality Tasmania.
- Grade 10s recently attended their orientation days at Launceston and Newstead Colleges.
- Science and Engineering students attended the annual Challenge event yesterday at UTAS which is a wonderful event for students to stretch their STEM skills. Thanks to Mr Battle and Mrs Casey for organising and supporting the students.
- Thursday this week is Girls Gala Football day and we have 2 teams participating which is fantastic. Thanks to Mrs Elliott, Mr Bent, Mr Whitford and Mrs Hume for accompanying and coaching the teams.
- We also welcome on Thursday, the Grade 3,4 & 5 students from Longford Primary School to their “Taster Day” at Kings Meadows High School. This is a wonderful opportunity to expose students to high school and be involved in some activities to assists them in their translon to high school in a couple of years.
Grade 10 students have been undertaking exams this week in their core subject areas and the Grade 10 team have been very impressed with the way the students have committed themselves to these exams. We have exams for our Grade 10 students not only to gather more data around their knowledge skills and learnings but also as part of their preparation for further education and training. Students are all required under the Education Act to continue with their education and training and many institutions, including the Year 11/12 college system, undertake examinations as part of their testing regime. This gives our students some authentic preparation to these testing conditions which the majority will face at some stage in their near future.
Preparing for 2021
It is hard to believe that we have already started the preparation in many areas of our school for 2021. Students have already undertaken their option choices (submitting online) which will allow us to determine the staffing and timetable needs early next term. If your child has not completed their option choices for 2021 please ask them to speak to their Grade Team asap.
We are also expanding our offerings for Years 11/12 within the school and options across the greater northern region. Please see the link below to a “Sway” presentation that outlines some more options and programs for our students.
https://sway.office.com/oxVXr6L3JCTDO6o5?ref=Link
The School Association is another fabulous way to be able to have a voice and gather a better understanding of what happens at Kings Meadows High School and to be involved. The Association, in a secondary school setting, involves supporting the school in ratifying budgets, understanding the school annual improvement plan and approving the Annual Review Report. It is quite different from what many may have experienced on Primary School Associations and P&F Committees. The Committee meet once a month for approximately an hour. Last month’s meeting was due to be the Annual General Meeting but unfortunately, we did not have enough members present for a quorum, so this has been deferred until this evenings meeting. The elected office holders’ positions do not require a huge amount of work and our meetings are always friendly, fun and focussed. If you think you would like to be involved, please come along this evening 7pm in the Global Learning Centre at KMHS.
I would like to wish everyone a relaxing and safe break.
Warm regards
Maree Pinnington
Principal