6 December 2019

Newsletter Articles

A Word from the Principal…

This is our final newsletter for 2019 and it is hard to believe we are nearly at the end of what’s been an exceptionally busy year, and despite major issues with staffing throughout the year, we have made it through. There is no doubt our staff and students have been under pressure as we have tried to deal with staffing issues, nevertheless, our school community has demonstrated grit and determination to get on with things when faced with a number of external challenges, many of which we had no control over. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our school community for being understanding, flexible and resilient. Tough times serve to make you stronger, and I believe we are stronger due to the experience.

I’m pleased to announce we have some new staff coming to SHS in 2020. Lisa Bryan will return part time from maternity leave. Jess Popowski will be continuing part time with SHS teaching Music. Rohan Bones joined us to undertake his university placement, and will be staying with us in the HPE and Maths areas. Linky Joubert came to us in Term 4 and she will remain in her role in 2020. Phil Duncan will work in the MDT area, replacing Jotham Krom who is taking leave for 12 months. Megan Haworth returns to Circular Head after teaching in country Victoria for the last two years. She will teach Maths and Science. Philip Keffer is coming from Devonport and will teach English, Health and History/Geography. Despina King will join us, taking on a middle school position in Year 7.

Megan, Despina and Philip were successful in the central recruitment process, along with Claire Wade and Gaylene McNeice, who will continue at SHS in 2020. The central recruitment process was rigorous and we have gained some quality teachers to add to our existing staff profile. It is shaping up to be a very productive and exciting 2020. Cody Hutchison and Peter Lander left us early in the year. We said goodbye to Prue Nichols and Keith Gates in Term 4. We are also sad to be saying goodbye to Jean Moore after 26 years teaching in the Foods & Textiles area. Sam Gleeson will be moving closer to home and has accepted a transfer after 5 years with SHS. Felikss Klavins has completed his fixed term contract for 2020. Sarah Blake commences maternity leave in Term 1 2020 and Lauren Burgess will commence maternity leave in Term 2. We also said farewell to Janine Marthick who worked as a Teacher Assistant with DoE for 20 years.

Phone Policy 2020 – Off and Away All Day

Thank you to all parents, students and staff who took the time to complete our surveys on phone use this year. While the new government policy will now be the deciding factor in our upcoming policy change, it is important to us to recognise and respect the views you put forward in our recent surveys. We value the voice of all members of our school community and appreciate the time put into giving us valuable feedback.

Starting in Term 1, 2020 Smithton High School will implement the restrictions on student mobile phone use at school from the start of the day until the end of the school day. All students will be required to have their phones switched off and ready to be securely stored away. All communications with students must go through the school office during the school day. There will be systems in place to ensure messages from home are relayed to students through the school office and clear processes are in place for students needing to contact home. Students with Individual Education Plans will have technological needs (eg assistive technologies like speech to text) written into the accommodations on their plan and will be addressed on an individual basis. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this, please feel free to contact the school. More information will be distributed over the next few weeks from the Department of Education.

Years 11/12

The Smithton High School Senior Secondary campus acknowledged achievements and farewelled Year 12 and 13 students last Monday 18th November. The celebration was held at the Smithton High School Southside campus.

The following students were the recipients of awards:

RSL Bursary – Liana
ADF Long Tan – Jarred
McCain Foods Support for Further Education Bursary – Kaylah /Jarred
Smithton High School Academic Achievement – Tianna
Circular Head Council Consistent Effort – Britney
Tasmanian Seaweed Fertiliser Service to the School Community – Brittany
Perfect Attendance sponsored by Keith Billing – Braden
Circular Head Lions Club Primary Industry Bursary – Jack

Subject Achievement Awards:

Intorduction to Sociology and Psychology – Sh’nae
English Foundations – Liana
Applied English – Britney
General Maths – Sarah
Workplace Maths – Britney
Sport & Outdoor Experiences – Anthony
Basic Computing and Essential Skills ICT – Sarah
Sport and Outdoor Experiences – Anthony
Art Production – Sh’nae
Visual Art – Britney

VET Awards

Achievement in VET Studies – Oliver

Student Representative Council

Brittany
Jarred
Kaylah
Fletcher
Liana

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 and 13 students all the best in the next phase of their lives and we look forward to working with all the Senior Secondary students next year.

In 2020 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 a similar number of students in Year 11/12 next year, around 40+ enrolments. Tobi Allan and the Year 11/12 team have been proactive in this space and I thank them for their organisation.

Years 7-10

In 2020, we are looking at some class changes in Year 10 and four classes in Year 9. There will be four classes in Year 7 and four classes in Year 8. Our numbers in the junior school will increase with the large intake in Year 7 and of course we are extremely happy with the additional numbers in our junior school.

Year 6 Orientation Day

We welcomed Year 6 students from our cluster primary schools last Friday 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. Mrs Blake and her team also deserve acknowledgement for the organisation of the transition program. Thank you! If parents need to contact us about anything in relation to transition please don’t hesitate to do so before the end of the year. Year 7 Info packs will be sent out the last week of Term.

Year 10 Exams

Well done to the Year 10s on the completion of their exams. The attendance on each of the exam days was excellent and the quality of the work was very good, according to feedback from the Year 10 staff. The year group now looks forward to a whole range of other activities for the final three weeks of term, including the Celebration Dinner that will be at Tall Timbers on Thursday 12th of December and the final assembly will be held in our gymnasium on Thursday 19th December commencing at 10am.

Athletics Carnival

I congratulate students for their efforts at the Athletics Carnival last week. Their enthusiasm was great and their endeavour unyielding. I also congratulate our HPE staff, particularly Mr Gleeson for organising the carnival. The whole HPE team did a terrific job preparing the track for each day and ensuring everything was ready by the time students arrived. Walker were too good in the end - clear winners over Hunter, Perkins and Robbins. There were many outstanding individual achievements, including a number of records broken. These students will be recognised in our next assembly. Well done to all students who participated actively over the two day carnival.

Circular Head Show

The Smithton High craft group took out the best secondary school collection; Paddock to Plate - first prize for using items made from recycled materials; 9/10 Foods were awarded first and second place for their decorated cakes in the under 16 section. Congratulations to Paige and Chloe!

Finally, I would like to extend my congratulations to the students who will complete their Year 10 studies on Thursday the 19th of December. We wish them all the best in their further education, training or employment into 2020 and beyond.

I also 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

Genius Project Expo

During Term 4, Year 8 English students have been working on Genius Projects: Students developing a project based on their interest areas.

The project was structured with students developing a project proposal which included writing a guiding question (finding a problem that exists or skill they want to teach) based on their topic/interest area.

One of the main learning goals of Genius Projects is for students to develop their inner genius and producing a concept that will benefit others.

By completing the projects, students met literacy outcomes by having to create texts to convey their ideas about their topics to their audience.

We are presenting their projects this Friday 6th December (from 1.30pm to 2.00pm in the Year 8 area) in an Expo format (walk around and view projects) to celebrate their project work.

Year 8 English Team

Year 7 SCR Raffle

Year 7 SCR are holding a raffle over the following three weeks. All proceeds will be given to the Wyndarra Foundation for Christmas Hampers. These hampers are distributed throughout the community for people that need extra support around this time. The items that you could win are: baked goods, gift vouchers, and beauty products that have been kindly donated by a variety of local businesses. Please keep an eye out for these raffle prizes on our Smithton High School Facebook page and school newsletter.

We hope you can support our community by purchasing raffle tickets during school hours – also available at the front office.

Price: $2 each or 3 for $5
Drawn: Thursday 12th December 2019

Harna, Jacob, Emma, Clare and Elizabeth

Paddock to Plate

Paddock to Plate would like to thank Noel Lau and TaAnn Ply Mill for their generous donation of plywood sheets for use in our new chook house.

New Education and Training Requirements for Year 10 Students

Do Years 11 and 12 Your Way

When you finish Years 11 and 12, anything can happen. If you are currently in Year 10, you will need to continue studying until you finish Year 12 (or meet a leaving requirement). Once you leave school, it can be tough out there. Most jobs today require you to complete Year 12 as a minimum and 91% of all new jobs will also require a VET or university qualification. That’s why there are now more ways than ever before to finish Years 11 and 12 your way.

You don’t need to finish school the old-fashioned way. There are courses and training programs available to suit everyone. Just ask your teachers, Year 10 or My Education Coordinator – they will be able to tell you all about your options. There are so many more opportunities available to you if you complete Year 12.

Always remember if you’re not enjoying what you’re doing, you’re not stuck. You can always shift focus and find the best options to suit you. To find out more, talk to your teachers or head to anything.tas.gov.au.

Welcome to Hellyer College Days 2020

Wednesday 29th January 2020: 9am – 3.30pm
Thursday 30th January 2020: 9am – 3.30pm

All books/levies and purchases are online.

An information pack with all the fees and required items will be posted mid-December.

For more information…

Phone: (03) 6435 5200
Email: hellyer.college@education.tas.gov.au
Website: https://www.hellyercollege.education.tas.edu.au/
Schoolzine: http://hellyerc.schoolzineplus.com

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

Scholarships

Soroptimist Annual Scholarship 2019-2020

Inaugural Circular Head Senior Citizen’s Club Bursary

Applications are now open for the inaugural Circular Head Senior Citizen’s Club Bursary.

Students attending the University of Tasmania or TasTafe next year (2020) are invited to apply for the $2000 scholarship, to assist in furthering their education.

To apply, students will detail their academic achievements, the course they have selected and why and how this bursary will assist in their studies.

Application forms are available from:

Circular Head Council 33 Goldie Street Smithton
Smithton High School Mill Road Smithton

To find out more please contact Margaret Smith on 0418 191 732

Applications close on Friday 6th December

Become an Austswim Teacher

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 apt.

What’s Up! Fishing Competition

Only 1 Week Left

Clean up the Duck

WANTED: Volunteers with Bronze Medallion

Newsletter Distribution 2020

Our school newsletter will continue to be available on SchoolZine next year as well as being uploaded to facebook. There will no longer be printouts handed to students. We will also be changing to one issue per month instead of fortnightly.

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.

STUDENT ASSISTANCE SCHEME (STAS) 2020

Application forms are now available for families who wish to apply for financial assistance for their children’s education under the Student Assistance Scheme (STAS). Families who have been in receipt of STAS for 2019 have been sent correspondence regarding STAS for 2020 directly from the Department of Education.

STAS provides assistance for low income families towards the cost of levies. Below is a table showing the Income Test for the Scheme – Taxable Income Table 2018-2019.

Application forms are available from our school office.

Justice Crew Coming to Burnie

eSmart Tips

Community Notices

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

Book Sales Days 2020

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