Dear Parents/Guardians

Across the first week in Grade assemblies the focus has been about Term 4 being a time of transition.  As we prepare students for the next grade, we ask that you continue to chat to your child about their personal goals for Term 4 and how you can support them.  

Supporting learning could be:

• Parents using the Canvas app to guide conversations about assignments and working with your child to develop a calendar of when things are due.
• Discussing the amount of sleep your teenage child still needs for their health, memory and energy. Teenagers need 8-10 hours of sleep per night. For more information about teenagers and sleep - https://raisingchildren.net.au/teens/healthy-lifestyle/sleep/sleep-teens

• A chat about the need to balance screen time with other activities as this is good for development and wellbeing. At the end of this article are instructions to set up screen time on the school iPad.

• Asking your child who is in their top 5 to stretch their thinking and support them in their learning journey.

Term 4 is also a time for review.  We review our year of learning and measure the growth we have made against personalised goals. 

We must also acknowledge that transition and responses to COVID-19 requires us to navigate uncertainty; that is, not knowing for sure what is next.

It is completely normal to not have all the answers and sometimes this gives rise to feelings of anxiety.  Sometimes uncertainty can stop us from taking the next step.  We need to seek out trusted people, our top 5,  to help us think through our options. Often the ability to think through our options, to review our goals and to determine next steps can come from knowing our own values and how they will support us to navigate what is coming next. 

You may have heard teachers talk about a growth mindset. Specifically, grit which is passion and perseverance for long term goals and this is a significant predicator of success.  At KMHS we have an unconditional regard for Growth Mindset that all our student’s ability to learn is not fixed. 

Another talking point could be about the growth your child has made in their learning.

We can reassure students that they are still adapting and evolving as a learner.  Who they are and what they believe in their values can remain steadfast and secure to take on uncertainty.  For some assurance and guidance you may like to watch Angela Duckworth speak more about grit. 

Follow the link to:

https://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_grit_the_power_of_passion_and_perseverance?language=en#t-158541

Remember it is okay to be in flux.  If you need support for your child’s learning please contact their class teacher.  If you would like to know more about anxiety and the effects on your child’s mental health please click on the link for more information.

What Is Anxiety & The Effects on Mental Health | headspace

If you are concerned about anxiety effecting your child some good contact points are your GP or Launceston Headspace Ph: 1800 650 890.

If you are concerned that anxiety is effecting your child’s schooling please contact the school to discuss supports for your child.

Classes 2022

At Kings Meadows High School, we work collaboratively with our Connect 6 primary schools and within our grade teams to make decisions regarding class placement for Grade 7.  In Grades 8, 9 and 10 we make decisions within and across the grade teams to determine class placements. The procedure ensures decisions regarding class placements is informed by students, teachers, parents and guardians.  Classes are formed to provide the best possible learning environment for all students catering for a range of academic abilities, to increase social connections, to improve work habits and to foster diversity.

1. Individual class placements will be informed by:
   1. Enrolment trends;
   2. Educational needs of the student;
   3. Classes are to be homogenous with respect to academic performance, social development, emotional needs and classroom behaviour;
   4. Gender balance;
   5. Class room observations;
   6. Friendships – classes will be determined to both enable the integration of new students and provide opportunity for students to broaden their friendship group; and
   7. Constraints of resources and facilities including teacher assistant allocations.
2. Parents and carers may provide specific information about their student's learning and/or social needs. Such information would not include a request for students to be in a particular class or with specific students or teachers.  The information should be provided in writing (letter or email) to the Junior School Assistant Principal by Week 6, Term 4. This information will be referenced, along with other available information, during the class placement process.
3. In the Junior School, Grade 7/8, we will invite students to:
   1. Nominate three (3) friends that they would like in their class.
   2. Nominate up to three (3) students they feel they should not be in a class with.
4. For Grade 8 we will invite students at the end of Grade 7 to indicate if they would like to remain in the same home class group.
5. For Grade 9 and 10 class changes will be minimal as students transition into the Senior School, this is subject to change as informed by points 1 and 2.

School Uniform and Hats

Our uniforms are very distinctive and many new families to the school commented on how wonderful our students looked in full school uniform on the first day.  Please ensure that children also have appropriate footwear as per our uniform policy that has been approved by our School Association.

Kings Meadows High School is a ‘sun-safe’ school and hats are recommended in Terms 1 and 4 for playing outside during recess and lunch breaks and during PE.  ‘Sun-safe’ bucket hats and caps are available for purchase from the Uniform Shop (opening hours 9.00am-3.00pm daily).

Our duty policy describes students not in full school uniform are not permitted to spend recess and lunchtime on the oval side of the playground. That is -

Area 5A:              Soccer field to tennis courts

Area 5B:              Lawn lunch area, grass apron and oval

Across the Road - General

• Students must be in full school uniform.
• Students must use marked crossings to gain access to other areas.

Regards

Katie Wightman

Acting Principal