7 July 2023

Our Average Daily Attendance Rate so far this year is

A Word from the Principal…

It is with much sadness that I mention the sudden passing of Jeff Triffitt. Jeff started his teaching career at Smithton High in 1986 and I was fortunate to have him as a teacher. Jeff also supported many teachers and principals, including myself, over many years in the various roles he had with DECYP. He lived in our community and was well known to students and families through his roles in education and sport. He and Helen raised their family in Irishtown until they moved along the coast. Jeff always had time for people and this sentiment was highlighted at his funeral. The following quotes capture the tremendous impact Jeff had on the people who knew him.

“He was and will always be remembered as a well-respected teacher, nurturer, colleague, mentor, and friend to many.”

“Jeff’s ability to mentor and support staff and students will be forever remembered as will his unwavering support for those who he worked with.”

On behalf of students and staff, past and present at Smithton High School, we extend our deepest sympathy to Helen, Tom, Eliza and Sidney. Jeff will be greatly missed.

Steve Poulter, Talea and Max Slaven will be leaving Smithton High at the end of this term. I wish them all the best and thank them for the work they have done in educating and supporting our students during their time at Smithton High School. 

We are putting our Year 8 students back into three classes and will use our existing staff to cover the remaining classes. David Wyatt and Ange McKenna will be working an extra day to help support classes as well. Teacher shortages across the state mean it’s extremely difficult to find quality teachers but we will continue to look for replacements as we start the end of term break.

Youth Mentor, Max Hennessy- Trupheme has also finished this term. Max’s knowledge of all things mechanical really connected with our students. His quiet, unassuming manner enabled him to developed great relationships with them. We wish him all the best as he takes a break.

Thanks to those parents who took the time to be part of the parent/teacher interviews over the last two weeks to discuss their child’s learning. We appreciate and value these conversations and want you to keep in touch with us as we move into the second half of the year.

Just a reminder that school resumes for Years 7-10 students on Tuesday 25^th July. Years 11 and 12 students start on Monday the 24^th of July.

Have a great break!

Nikki Clark
Principal

Student Representative Council

Year’s 7, 8 & 9 recently appointed their Student Representative Council (SRC) for 2023. Congratulations to everyone who was successful in the application process and well done to everyone who had the courage to apply.  We look forward to our future leaders of the school being a voice for our students.

Paddock to Plate

Students have been through the life cycle of sheep, the lambing process and now enrichment needed for ewes and lambs.

Year 8 MDT

The Year 8s have been busy making chopping boards and cheese platters this term in MDT. They turned out fantastic!

Digital Technologies

In Digital Technologies this term, the Year 7s have been using their skills to problem solve a pocket size computer called micro:bit. The students were to design and create a virtual pet for a client while coding a set of instructions for their pet to do. They have coded their pet to have a name, make noises/music when moved and to show a smiley face when happy. 

Pathways to Psychology and Sociology

On Tuesday 27th of June, the Pathways to Psychology and Sociology class went on an excursion to the Burnie Magistrates Court. While the court was in session, our class saw a total of over ten different accused people, all with different alleged crimes. After the court adjourned, our class was allowed to ask the Magistrate, the prosecutor and the defence lawyer questions. We asked things like: “Do you enjoy watching Judge Judy?”, “Do you feel pressured to make such big decisions?”, and “Do you feel empathy for the accused?” The Magistrate and lawyers were very open and answered all our questions honestly. The class also had the opportunity to visit the Police Station to learn more about forensics at a crime scene. The trip was all round very informative. We all learned a whole lot, and the experience gave us an insight into the criminal justice system.

By Ebony and Nevaeh

Cross Country

In Term 2 during PE lessons, we held our school Cross Country for Years 7-10. Well done to all students who participated and had a go. Congratulations to the Champions and Runners Up from each Year group listed below. These students will receive their certificates in an assembly early Term 3.

The top 5 from each Year group then went on to compete at the Inter High Cross Country held in Ulverstone on June 2^nd. This is a great experience for all students to compete against other students from schools all over the North West Coast. Well done to all students and a special mention to Ella Lee from Year 9 who placed 2^nd overall. An excellent effort.

School Football

Throughout this term, we have had the opportunity to play in both a 9/10 Boys football roster and, for the first time, a combined 7-10 Girls roster. This has been a really rewarding experience to both groups of students and has given some students their first taste at an organised football game.

The boys team finished the roster in 5^th position with 2 wins and a draw from their 7 games, however, the drawn game was a forfeit due to weather, so potentially could have snuck into 4^th with a win in that game. Some highlights from this experience include multiple courageous efforts to win the football, booming goals, fast passages of play and big wins over the West Coast combined schools and Parklands.

The girls team enjoyed more success in what was the inaugural combined grades roster. Finishing second with 3 wins and a loss during the season, the girls headed to Marist on the 5^th of July to compete in the Grand Final against the one team who had beaten them. Unfortunately, it was not to be on the day. In a tough day at the office, the girls were unable to register a score and were comfortably beaten. There has been plenty to celebrate within the team, however, as although a large number of girls were able to play their first ever game of football, if you didn't know, it would be tough to see who that was. Some sensational snaps, hard tackles and road trip singalongs highlight the overall successful endeavours of this group!

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 11

Next

School Netball

Smithton High School Year 7/8 netball team participated in the Alan Hudson Tournament in Burnie. They had some close matches and were competitive in all games. They finished in sixth place and represented the school well. Thanks to Danielle Ollington, Toni Popowski and Narissa Willie for their assistance with coaching and umpiring on the day.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 9

Next

NAIDOC Week

On Monday the TIDDAS represented Smithton High School at the flag raising ceremony at the council for NAIDOC week 2023. Students Hana, Piper and Savannah raised the flags to kick start the community’s NAIDOC celebrations.

They also organised a whole school smoking ceremony, where we were honoured to have Camilla and Jack from CHAC to perform the ceremonies for us. The community at Smithton High are thankful for your time. This gave all the students and staff the opportunity to connect to people, places and culture.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 10

Next

Drama Eisteddfod

On Friday 23 June, five courageous Year 7 students boldly brought SHS back onto the dramatic stage. Angus, Blayze, Hunter, Sophie and Hayleigh competed in the Burnie Eisteddfod—our first team to do so in years—and did the school proud, bringing home six medals! Adjudicator feedback included comments such as “Loved the pace and stage positioning,” “Excellent ending,” “I LOVED the weight of the invisible objects,” “Vocally good, especially projection,” and “Extremely well done”—high praise for a group who had only a few periods to practice in the lead-up to the competition. The team claimed first place in their group improvisation; Sophie and Angus took gold for their duologue, with Blayze and Hunter coming runners up; Angus took first place for his character recitation; and Blayze claimed gold with a very impressive mime performance, while Angus collected a silver medal for his own highly commendable mime. The dramatic pathway has been brilliantly paved, and we look forward to many more SHS achievements as our drama students keep growing in skills and confidence.

Sustainabilty Group

In June, the sustainability group was presented with their novelty cheque by Izzy Stolp from K.A.B sustainable schools. The students were excited to receive the grant to help them with their mosaic piece in the school’s bee garden. The bee garden is an existing outdoor learning space that was created by former youth mentor, Selina and students. This group of students are enjoying adding to the space, with the mosaic mural well underway

Qkr! Lunch Orders

Just a reminder to all families that use the Qkr! App to order your child’s lunches- Once you have ordered your lunch and submitted your payment, the order cannot be changed. The canteen staff have lots of students go to collect their lunch but students want to change what has been pre-ordered. Please remind your child this cannot happen.

Nurse Rob’s Corner

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

Year 11/12

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:

Facebook: