17 March 2023

Newsletter Articles

Our Average Daily Attendance Rate so far this year is

A Word from the Principal…

It’s been great welcoming students back to school. The Year 7s are settling in well which is pleasing because transitioning from primary to high school is a daunting experience for many students and their families. They have spent time developing class routines and expectations which enables successful learning to take place. The other year groups have been adjusting to being at school in new classes while their teachers are working hard to establish effective learning habits. As the year progresses, we will be sharing our new Instructional Model which aims to provide consistent teaching and learning practice across all subject areas and in all classes. Our school values - Learn, Achieve, Respect and Fairness or LARF will also be reviewed by staff and students. We will be asking for parent feedback around our values with assistance from our School Association members. In the meantime, Year Leaders and their teams have been issuing LARF tickets to students who are demonstrating our LARF values. The tickets are drawn out of the box and the chosen students receive a reward for their efforts. For example Year 7 students are able to work with our Youth Mentors, Kylie and Dudley at the Grumpy Goat Farm. The Year 10s have a different system where they get a voucher for their efforts. The positive reward system provides a great opportunity to acknowledge excellence and I would like to congratulate those students who have earned a LARF ticket. Our staff are also participating in the LARF ticket system where they are recognised by their colleagues. Nikki Capell and Lydia Brown are the first to be recognised and like the Year 10s, staff receive a voucher. To assist with staff wellbeing, we have a buddy system in place where those involved check in with each other over the week. This not only facilitates a wellbeing check in, it also enables staff to get to know each other better.

We know that some students are leaving class without permission and have been wandering around the school. For clarification, all students who leave class need to have a signed note from their teacher. Teaching staff will be asking to see notes when students are out of class and those students who don’t have a valid note will be taken back to their class with the expectation of making up the time they were out of class. Students can’t actively learn when they are not in class, therefore we expect them to arrive on time to all class and get a signed note when they need to leave. We will be contacting parents and carers if their child is not turning up to class on time or leaving class without permission. We would appreciate your support to talk with your child about establishing better routines and how time lost by not being on time to class or leaving without permission significantly impacts their learning. We will keep you informed about other issues as they arrive.

Nikki Clark
Principal

Student Executive Council 2023

Congratulations to our Student Executive Council for 2023. These students will be great leaders of Smithton High School and have exciting things planned for the year.

Brielle, Kishani, Gabby, Hannah, Nevaeh, Shaelea, Makayla
Absent: Brodie & Hana

House Captains 2023

Congratulations to all the students who were elected as House Captains and Vice House Captains of their respective teams. Their leadership skills will be put to the test today, with our Athletics Carnival being held here at school.

Georgia and Mason - House Captains
Ella - Vice House Captain

Shaelea and Holly - House Captains
Deah - Vice House Captain

Marlea and Jayda - House Captains
Sophie - Vice House Captain

Emma and Makayla - House Captains
Lucas - Vice House Captain (Absent)

NAPLAN 2023

Students will be sitting NAPLAN between 15 and 27 March 2023.

The National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are already learning at school. On its own, NAPLAN is not a test that can be studied for, and students are not expected to do so.

NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process – it does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance; however, students and parents may use individual results to discuss progress with teachers.

This is the first year NAPLAN will be held in March, having previously taken place in May. This change was made so school systems would have access to results earlier in the school year, so they can be used to inform teaching and learning plans for the remainder of the year.

Why NAPLAN is conducted online

NAPLAN online provides a better assessment and more precise results.

One of the main benefits of NAPLAN online is that it uses tailored (or adaptive) testing. This means that students receive questions better suited to their abilities, so they can show what they know and can do.

Online testing also allows us to provide a wide range of accessibility options to support students with disability to access NAPLAN.

Feedback from students is that they find the online test more engaging.

Please note that students in Year 3 complete the Writing Test on paper.

Parent information brochures and other resources

Your questions answered on NAPLAN and what it means for your child:

The link will take you to the official National Assessment Program (NAP) website.

Please contact the school if you have any further queries.

Device Loaning Program

Students in Years 7-12 can now borrow a device or internet hotspot to take home for short periods of time. Students can request to borrow a device or internet hotspot from the library to work on an assignment, research a topic of interest or complete an application online. If you do not want your child to be able to borrow a device or internet hotspot, please contact the office at Smithton High School.

SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY

Our Year 9’s recently had a visit from the SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY mentors. This program is based around positive mental health- everyone, everyday. It was enjoyed by all who attended.

Community News

Dates to Remember…

Term Dates & Student Free Days for 2023

Terms

Student Free Days

Year 7-10
Thursday 6th April

Monday 24th July
Friday 3rd November

Year 11/12
Tuesday 15th March
Friday 1st 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: 0418 220 201
Email: smithton.high@decyp.tas.gov.au
Web: http://education.tas.edu.au/smithtonhigh/Pages/Home.aspx
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Smithton-High-School/219062138251149