19 June 2020

Newsletter Articles

A Word from the Principal…

Welcome Back – Focus on Wellbeing

It was great to see everybody return to school last Tuesday, but I have to say it was a bit weird having so many students back on site, if you felt nervous or a little anxious then you weren’t alone. We know things have changed and as we move toward a new kind of normal, it’s important we recognise things will be different and this may affect the way we feel and our general wellbeing.

We all need to understand that good mental health is more than not having a mental illness. Someone with ‘good’ mental health feels capable of dealing with the normal, day-to-day situations that we all experience, while someone with a mental health issue or illness finds it difficult to manage their life. Although it’s normal to experience ups and downs, if issues persist and start impacting on the quality of person’s life, it’s important to seek professional support.

Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health issues that impact on young people.

The links below provide information about wellbeing as well as other topics for young people and parents. I encourage you to take a look. If you would like to access school support for your child because you are concerned about their wellbeing please contact us.

National Reconciliation Week 2020

We celebrated National Reconciliation last week – the theme “We are all in this together” is exceptionally appropriate as we navigate our way through the COVID 19 Pandemic. National Reconciliation Week started as the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation in 1993 (the International Year of the World’s Indigenous Peoples). In 1996, the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation launched Australia’s first NRW. In 2000, Reconciliation Australia was established to continue to provide national leadership on reconciliation. Smithton High staff and students were asked to reflect on what reconciliation means. Here are some of the responses:

Mid-Year Reports Changes for 2020

In response to the unusual school situation of 2020 that has included Learning at Home, there have been changes to the regular reporting processes.

The requirement to report A-E has been removed and the timeline to communicate with parents/carers is extended until the end of July. We plan to communicate with you by the end of this term.

In line with guidelines from the Department of Education mid-year communication will provide an insight into your child’s progress so far this year in the key learning areas of English, Mathematics, Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) and Science.

The communication will indicate your child’s progress against the standard expected for their year level and shall include areas for future focus. It will also include a focus on your child’s general wellbeing at school.

Parents/carers will receive this communication through email, text or phone.

Should you have any queries about your child’s learning progress please do not hesitate to contact us.

Year 10 Transition into Year 11 Hellyer College

Year 12 completion and the attainment of the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) is the minimum standard of education we aspire to for all Tasmanians.

The extension of Year 11 and 12 into all high schools provides students with the opportunity to choose a course of study that meets their learning needs and careers goals in a place that works best for them.

Students begin the process of thinking and planning for Year 11 in their early high school years through the My Education Program. Some of this planning is reflected in their subject choices, career exposure programs, part-time work, extracurricular activities and part-time work.

In the second half of Year 10, all extension schools across the Hellyer Regional Collective collaborate with Hellyer College to ensure that students are supported to make informed choices about the subjects they will study and the best location for them. Schools work in partnership to ensure that students receive information and experiences to support their transition and to ensure that they are reassured and look forward to Year 11 with confidence.

Due to COVID – 19 we have had to adjust some timelines and approaches for this year’s program.

The steps in the Transition Program are outlined below.

-Between, June 15 and July 3, Hellyer College Assistant Principal, Marion Ferguson will provide information about subject options across all schools in the Hellyer Regional Collective. This information will be presented to class groups and provide time for question and answers.

• A Taste of Hellyer Day will be held on Friday 21st of August. We remain optimistic that by this date we will be able to bring Year 10 students from across the Hellyer Regional Collective to Hellyer College to experience a “taste” of their preferred subjects for 2021. Students will be able to select four courses to experience during this day.
• A Parent Information Evening will be hosted between 5.30 – 7.30pm on Wednesday 2nd of September at Hellyer College. COVID 19 restrictions on crowd sizes, which are likely to remain in place for some time, may mean that this event will be held virtually. More information will be provided early in Term 3.
• Hellyer College staff will visit our school between the 7th and 25th of September for a personalised course counselling meeting with you and your child.
• Hellyer College will host its Orientation Day for 2021 students on Thursday, December 3rd.

We will be working with the College and other extension schools to make sure that students who require additional information or more extensive support to make their transition are well supported.

Your child will continue to explore their future options through our My Education Program. The following resources are available on Hellyer College’s website, under the FUTURE STUDENTS tab at the link below to support you and your child begin to plan for these next and important steps in their education.

• Two videos - one about A Day at Hellyer College and the other about the Hellyer Regional Collective.
• The 2019 Student Information Guide. (This will be updated for the start of Term 3) All Year 10 students across the Hellyer Regional Collective receive a personal copy of this publication.
• Learning Area information. English and Mathematics each contain a video explaining the different courses of study within these disciplines.

Please note we will be providing more information about courses that will be offered in 2021 on Southside in the coming weeks. Year 11/12 Coordinator, Tobi Allan will be talking with all Year 10 students about their options should they choose to stay at Smithton High.

Nikki Clark
PRINCIPAL

Dept of Education Year 11/12 Student Info

Deputy Premier Minister for Education and Training
Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing
Minister for Disability Services and Community Development
Minister for Trade
Minister for Advanced Manufacturing and Defence Industries

Level 10 15 Murray Street HOBART TAS 7000 Australia GPO Box 123 HOBART TAS 7001 Australia Ph: +61 3 6165 7754
Email: Jeremy.Rockliff@dpac.tas.gov.au

22 May 2020

Dear Student

I am writing to you to let you know that we are doing everything we can to ensure students in years 11 and 12 are not disadvantaged because of the impacts of COVID–19. We want to support you to get the most out of your studies in 2020 and achieve what you set out to this year. Right now, our priority is your wellbeing and supporting you to achieve your goals for this year.

We are working closely with everyone including TASC and the University of Tasmania to address issues that may affect the attainment of the Tasmanian Qualifications Certificate, Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) and the calculation of ATAR scores.

As many of you may be aware, an enormous amount of work has been done to review and adjust all courses for the remainder of 2020 to reflect the disruption caused by COVID-19. This includes VET and pre-tertiary courses.

In addition, external end-of-year assessment program for TASC pre-tertiary (Levels 3 and 4) courses is being amended to reflect the changes already made to your courses. This aims to ensure fairness in what has been an extraordinary year for you, your teachers and school.

Year 11 and 12 student voices have been critical in helping us to understand how you are feeling and thinking about your studies right now. We are continuing to listen to your ideas to help determine our approach to the end-of-year assessments. We are still working through some of the detail, and your school will let you know once they are finalised.

Exams are scheduled for 9 – 19 November 2020 and final results will be emailed on 18 December 2020.

Keep learning, doing your assessments as advised by your school or training provider and most importantly look after yourself, whether you are at school or at home. Reach out to family, friends and your teachers, or speak to your school if you need support.

I am inspired by your resilience in what I know has been a disruptive and challenging year for you all, and I wish you the best of luck with the remainder of your studies for 2020.

Yours sincerely

Jeremy Rockliff MP Deputy Premier
Minister for Education and Training

Information about School Buses for Parents/Guardian

Arrangements for Bus Services in Term 2

Dear Parents/Carers

As essential services, public transport is exempt from restrictions on gatherings and all bus services will operate as normal during Term 2. However, the continued operation of services is being regularly reviewed based on Public Health advice and updates.

As on-site learning resumes for all students, the number of passengers travelling on buses will increase. Students are encouraged to follow the following physical distancing measures where possible:

• If undertaking short trips, consider walking or cycling.
• When queuing at bus stops, keep a minimum of one metre from other passengers.
• Keep physical distancing in mind and choose a seat away from others where possible. Members of the same household may sit together.
• Minimise the contact with surfaces inside the bus as much as possible.
• Practice good hand hygiene and where possible, wash or sanitise hands before boarding the bus.
• Cough or sneeze into elbows.
• Do not occupy the first row of seats nearest the driver.
• Always comply with any requests from the driver.

As a further safety measure, operators have been advised to clean school bus interiors each morning and afternoon using a commercial grade pH neutral detergent (not acid or alkaline), with a focus on high volume touch points such as handrails.

Please be assured that all necessary steps are being taken to ensure the safety of students when travelling on buses and to manage risks based on the best and latest evidence and medical advice. However, if you, or your child/ren are uncomfortable with the arrangements that are in place, you may wish to consider alternative means of transport.

Students should not use public transport if they are supposed to be in isolation or are unwell.

If you have any queries regarding the operation of bus services, please direct them to Passenger Transport at ptscontracts@stategrowth.tas.gov.au or (03) 6166 3343. New information on school bus arrangements and the fare amnesty can be found on the Department of State Growth website at the link below:

School Bus Fares

The Fare amnesty has been extended until Sunday 5th July. This means no fares to be paid until Term 3.

Students travelling on fare paying school buses should arrange to purchase 10-trip tickets (in Term 3) to minimise the number of transactions where a non-cash option is not available.

For more information click on link below or contact Wells Waggons on 6452 2900.

For Year 11/12 Students and Families:

INFORMATION ABOUT TCE EXTERNAL ASSESSMENTS

Assessments will still go ahead in 2020, with some adjustments, despite 2020 being an extraordinary year for students. Exams can be stressful at the best of times, so student wellbeing has been at the centre of these decisions.

Adjustments to assessments have been finalised, except for English 3, and Maths and Science courses, which will be available soon.

Head over to the TASC website for more information:

As always, your teachers will have information about the assessments, so reach out if you have any questions.

Year 8 Poetry

SHS Walk/Run Challenge

Community Generositiy – Donation to Paddock to Plate

Paddock to Plate would like to thank Circular Head Dolomite for their kind donations of road gravel and concrete aggregate. Also to Greg Barnes who delivered the loads free of charge.

Minor Excursions and Aquatic Activities

At the beginning of the year all parents/carers had the opportunity to give permission for their child to participate in minor excursions without the requirement to sign a permission form for every excursion. Minor excursions include visits on foot or by vehicular transport to places of educational value within the local community that last for less than one day. A similar consent process was used for aquatic activities.

With the changes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic we are providing the opportunity for parents and carers to change their preference that was provided at the start of the year for both minor excursions and aquatic activities.

The school will ensure that relevant safety and health precautions will be implemented, including COVID-19 requirement, during the course of the excursion and aquatic activities. All other excursions including those with inherent risk will require you to sign a separate consent form prior to the excursion, as is currently the case.

If you wish to change your child’s current permissions or would like further information please contact the school by phone on 6452 9222 or email smithton.high@education.tas.gov.au. If we do not hear from you then the current permission arrangements will remain in place.

Share Your Story

We would love to hear stories of how your child’s school or teacher has inspired you during this time of COVID-19. Over the past few months it has become more evident than ever before that schools are the heart of our communities and are greatly valued.

The strong partnerships of parents working with teachers and schools to support our students meant student engagement in learning remained high even though teaching and learning was different in so many ways.

As a Department we are looking to capture these amazing stories of courage and growth and showcase many of these through a Celebration of Collaboration later in the year.

We encourage you to acknowledge your school, Child and Family Centre or local library for going above and beyond.

Please share your story by visiting:

Netball Roster Starting

eSafety Tips for Parents

Here are 10 top tips to help protect your children online.

1 Build an open trusting relationship around technology. Keep communication open and supportive so your child knows they can come to you if something goes wrong or does not feel right online.

2 Co-view and co-play with your child online. This will help you better understand what they are doing and why they enjoy an app, game or website, as well as providing a great opportunity to start conversations about online safety.

3 Build good habits and help your child to develop digital intelligence and social and emotional skills — such as respect, empathy, critical thinking, responsible behaviour and resilience — and practise being good online citizens.

4 Empower your child — wherever possible, help them make wise decisions for themselves, rather than telling them what to do. Try to provide them with strategies for dealing with negative online experiences that will build their confidence and resilience.

5 Use devices in open areas of the home — this can help you manage and be aware of who your child interacts with online through phones, tablets, smart TVs, gaming consoles and other connected devices.

6 Set time limits that balance time spent in front of screens with offline activities — a family technology plan can help you to manage expectations around where and when technology use is allowed — you could even fill in an Early Years Family Tech Agreement.

7 Know the apps, games and social media sites your kids are using, making sure they are age-appropriate, and learn how to limit messaging or online chat and location-sharing functions within apps or games, as these can expose your child to unwanted contact and disclose their physical location. For more advice The eSafety Guide includes information to help parents and carers choose safer apps and report and block unwanted contact and sexual approaches.

8 Check the privacy settings on the games and apps your child is using and make sure their profiles are turned on to the strictest privacy setting. Restrict who can contact your child or ask them to check in with you before accepting new friends.

9 Use available technologies to set up parental controls on devices that can filter harmful content, monitor your child’s use and limit or block their time on connected devices or functions (e.g. cameras, in-app purchases).

10 Be alert to signs of distress and know where to go for more advice and support. Report harmful online content to eSafety at the link below. Contact a free parent helpline or one of the other many great online counselling and support services for help. Kids, teens and young adults can contact Kids Helpline online or by phone on 1800 551 800 and the service also provides guidance for parents.

Media, Misinformation and Scams

At present, it is difficult to visit a website, turn on a television, listen to a radio or open a newspaper without being confronted by COVID-19.

Even social media apps have introduced links and pop ups for information about the virus. While it is important to stay informed, it is just as important to be mindful of the fake news and misinformation that is being spread across the internet.

How can I protect my child?

• Select one or two trustworthy and reputable information sources for your news, to avoid false reports and unscientific claims. The major national, state and territory news services provide regular online, television and radio bulletins.
• For the latest COVID-19 essential information from government agencies across Australia, visit the link below.

• Encourage your child to check how reliable and credible the sources are. Teach them skills like respect, responsibility, resilience and critical reasoning — it is never too early to instill good habits and these skills will help them make sense of the information they are consuming.
• Set safety, security and privacy settings on devices, games and apps at an age appropriate level.
• Be aware of scams and teach your child how to spot and avoid online scams. Don’t click on text message links about COVID-19, even if they look like they are from the government —scammers are exploiting the hunger for information to spread malware and phishing scams. Australian Government agencies will never send a text containing web links.
• You can report scams to Scam watch.
• Set boundaries around your own screen use and stick to them — this can help maintain balance and provide a positive example for your child. You could even fill in an Early Years Family Tech Agreement.
• Be an up stander by calling out bad behaviour and ensuring that the content you share online is respectful and honest.
• Ensure they know where they can turn to for help — you can have more conversations about online safety at home, tell them about Kids Helpline or support networks, or provide them with the tips listed in this advice.

What can I do if my child is feeling scared or anxious?

• Turn off notifications and use apps or built-in features to monitor or limit how much time you and your child spend online.
• Try other activities like reading something you enjoy or playing games.
• Look for positive stories of people who are working to minimise COVID-19, caring for sick people, showing acts of kindness or collaborating in community efforts.
• Reach out to people in your child's support network to see if they can provide online or telephone support.
• Regularly check in to see if your child is okay. Let them know that you are there for them and that they can talk to you anytime. Then do something fun together! Contact a free parent helpline or one of the other many great online counselling and support services for advice. Kids, teens and young adults can contact Kids Helpline online or by phone on 1800 551 800 and the service also provides guidance for parents.

Dates to Remember…

Term Dates & Student Free Days for 2020

Terms

Student Free Days

Year 7-10

Tuesday 4th February
Thursday 9th April
Monday 20th July
Friday 30th October

Year 11/12

Tuesday 10th March
Friday 4th September

Office Hours

8.30am – 3.30pm daily
School Starts: 8.50am
School Finishes: 3.00pm

School Office Ph: 6452 9222
Trade Training Centre Ph: 6452 9288

SMS: 0427 016 460
Email: smithton.high@education.tas.gov.au
Web: http://education.tas.edu.au/smithtonhigh/Pages/Home.aspx
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Smithton-High-School/219062138251149