4 December 2020

Newsletter Articles

A Word from the Principal…

This is our final newsletter for 2020 and it is hard to believe we are nearly at the end of what’s been an extraordinary year. We have celebrated and farewelled our Year 11 and 12 students and it was really nice to be able to gather together to celebrate their achievements with their families. I’d like to thank the Year 11/12 team and our special guests for their continued support of our senior secondary students.

We say farewell to Phil Duncan and Vanessa Gale. Michelle Walker will be moving closer to home and has accepted a transfer to Burnie High. Megan Haworth is moving back to Victoria and Gaylene McIntosh is moving to New South Wales. Sarah Prior will be transferring to Redpa Primary. On behalf of all the staff at Smithton High we wish you all the very best and we thank you for your contribution to our school. You have all demonstrated a passion for teaching and worked hard to provide opportunities for our students to excel and grow over your time here.

I’m pleased to announce we have some new staff coming to SHS in 2021.

Ceilidh Newbury - Drama and English

Jamon Pennicott - Maths and Science

Louise Owen - Foods, Science and Health

Mel Watts - leadership position as an AST in the Year 7 area, teaching Maths, English and History.

Sarah Blake will return from maternity leave. Jotham Krom is returning to the MDT area after 12 months leave. Rohan Bones was successful in the central recruitment process and will continue at SHS in the HPE and Maths learning areas.

Years 11/12

The Smithton High School Senior Secondary campus acknowledged achievements and farewelled Year 12 students on Thursday 19th November. The celebration was held at the Jenski Restaurant and Cafe. Thanks to Kade and his team - the food was great!

The following students were the recipients of awards:

Major Awards:

RSL Bursary – Elizabeth
ADF Long Tan – Sh’nae
McCain Foods Support for Further Education Bursary – Liana
Smithton High School Academic Achievement – Hannah
Circular Head Council Consistent Effort – Macey
Tasmanian Seaweed Fertiliser Service to the School Community – Maverick
Perfect Attendance sponsored by Keith Billing – Braden
Circular Head Lions Club Primary Industry Bursary – Anthony

Subject Achievement Awards:

Introduction to Sociology and Psychology – Britney
Computing and ICT – Maggie
English Applied – Liana, Maggie
Essential Skills English – Macey
Workplace Maths – Elizabeth
Essential Skills Maths – Macey
Art Production – Macey
Visual Art – Britney
Sport & Outdoor Experiences – Mia
Pathways to Work – Sh’nae
Life Sciences – Elizabeth

Vocational Education & Training Awards

Achievement in Vocational Education & Training – Jacob
Achievement in Construction- Brock
Construction Encouragement - Liam
Achievement in Automotive – Drew
Automotive Encouragement – Logan
Achievement in Engineering – Joshua
Engineering Encouragement – Caleb
Achievement in Business – Ella
Business Encouragement - Storm

Student Representative Council

Congratulations to all the students for a fantastic year of learning. Thank you to all the staff for their efforts and to the parents for their support. We wish the Year 12 students all the best in the next phase of their lives and we look forward to working with all the Senior Secondary students in 2021.

In 2021 our Year 11/12 students will continue to be supplied with an ICT device to assist them in gaining their TCE by providing the option to engage in online delivery. At this stage we look like having around 30+ enrolments in Year 11/12 next year.

Years 7-10

In 2021, we are looking at some class changes in Year 10 and 9. More information will be provide to Year 10 and 9 students and their families before the end of the year. There will be four classes in Year 8 and three classes in Year 7.

Year 6 Orientation Day

We welcomed Year 6 students from our cluster primary schools for their final orientation day. For many students they have been in our school on a number of occasions, but we know transitioning into high school can be a daunting time. It takes some adjustment to learn new routines and expectations, get to know other students and work together in different groups. Our Year 9 Peer Support Leaders did a great job supporting these students in the classroom and during break times. I thank them for their very important work. The Year 7 team also deserve acknowledgement for the organisation of the transition program. Thank you! If parents need to contact us about anything in relation to starting Year 7 in 2021 please don’t hesitate to do so before the end of the year. Year 7 information packs will be sent out in the last week of term.

Inter-High Athletics Carnival

A big congratulations to the students who represented our school at the Inter-High Athletics Carnival. Your participation was a major factor in Smithton High coming second. There were many individual successes over the course of the day too. Well done! Thanks to Mr Barber, Mrs Bryan and Mr Bones.

Farewell to our Year 10 students

I would like to extend my congratulations to the students who will complete their Year 10 studies on Thursday the 17th of December. We wish them all the best as they continue their education and training or move into employment. It has been a pleasure seeing you all mature into exceptional young people over the last four years. Take care!

Finally, I must congratulate the entire Smithton High School community on the wonderful effort you all demonstrated over the year. I hope you all enjoy a merry Christmas, have a happy New Year and a relaxing holiday break.

Nikki Clark
Principal

NAIDOC WEEK 2020

Due to Covid-19, this year’s NAIDOC celebrations were held in the second week of November.

Students were lucky enough to spend the morning with Lynton and the crew from Parks and Wildlife Tasmania, participating in ochre painting, clap stick making and dance. Lynton and students performed a smoking ceremony on school grounds which students got a chance to be involved in. Ashton and Kelsey welcomed us in the morning during announcement time with an Acknowledgment of Country using some Peerappa Language words.

Some students then attended CHAC’s Trawmanna NAIDOC event performing for the local community.

APPLIED SCIENCE REPORT

Applied Science students have certainly made the most of 2020 despite the challenges we’ve faced. Although we couldn’t participate in the Science Awards held at UTAS due to COVID, we were able to take advantage of an online competition offered by the Science Teachers Association in Tasmania.

Shay took up the challenge and designed a project around hydroelectricity. Her aim was to design a system that could provide power to remote locations as well as address global challenges such as climate change. Shay is to be congratulated for the innovation and technical work she put into this project.

Shay won 3rd Prize in the 9-10 Invention/Engineering Division for her entry in the Tasmanian Science Talent Search that attracts entries state-wide. Please enjoy checking out the Hydro Generator she made in her backyard at home!

Sarah Prior

On Friday the 27th of November, Applied Science students worked alongside a group of Year 7s that had shown an interest in science to build some lights that had been donated by a company called Deloitte. This company was looking to do something helpful with their profits which is why they coordinated with Solar Buddy and sponsored 25 lights to be built and then sent to children in a remote area of Papua New Guinea who do not have access to mains power.

The solar lights were constructed by the Year 7 students with the help of the Applied Science students. The project is aimed at helping people in remote areas without power or sources of light during the night by gifting them with solar lights.

The lights recharge each day and are completely waterproof. A sensor is located on the back of the solar light which automatically turns the light off if there is another source of light within a close distance of the solar light.

The students also had the opportunity to write a letter for the person who will receive the light that the student built. The letter includes small details of why we built the lights, as well as a fun fact about Australia or a picture of what Australia means to them.

This was a good opportunity for hardworking and passionate science students at our school to do something helpful for a disadvantaged community. It was a reflective experience where students were able to understand how difficult it would be for these young kids trying to study after school without the guide of electricity.

We would like to thank Deloitte for their contribution and Solar Buddy for their worthwhile cause.

By Iris, Jaimee and the Applied Science Team

STAS ELIGIBILITY CHANGES

The Department of Education recently announced that we would be expanding the Student Assistance Scheme for 2021.

Parents who have a current concession card as listed below can apply for dependent students for assistance under the STAS:

• Services Australia – Centrelink Health Care Card
• Services Australia – Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card
• Services Australia – Pensioner Concession Card or
• Department of Veteran Affairs – Pensioner Concession Card

Please note that if you are already receiving student assistance you do not need to complete a form.

For 2021 a new on-line form has been developed to assist with processing applications for new applicants.

The online form can be complete4d here:

The form will be available for public use from the 10th November.

Once a validated form is completed the Department of Education will confirm the outcome of your application in writing, this process takes approximately 14 days.

We understand this online option may not be possible for all families, so if you require a hard copy form please contact your school or the Financial Assistance Unit on stas@education.tas.gov.au or 1800 827 077.

Student Contact Details

Please contact our office on 6452 9222 if you have moved or changed your postal address. End of Year reports and important documents are sent out at in the second to last week.

Thanks, Admin

Year 7-9 Students Leaving SHS At The End Of This Year

If your son/daughter in Year 7-9 will be leaving SHS at the end of this school year, please contact the office and collect a Leavers Form to fill out and return ASAP.

Thanks, Admin

Applying for a Tax File Number

Students can apply for a TFN online at the following link:

Fill in the online form, print application out then take to Smithton Post Office with appropriate documents. No need to book an appointment.

Newsletter Distribution 2021

Our school newsletter will continue to be available on SchoolZine next year. There will no longer be printouts handed to students. Newsletters are issued monthly.

For instructions on downloading the SchoolZine app (SZapp) please go to:

Student Absences on SZapp

Open the SZapp, then click on ‘Absentee’ and fill in the online form. It’s quick and easy and sent to the school via an email.

Community News

Dates to Remember…

Terms

Student Free Days

Year 7-10

Tuesday 2nd February
Thursday 1sth April
Monday 19th July
Friday 29th October

Year 11/12

TBA

Book & Uniform Sales Days 2021

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: 0418 220 201
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