Dear Parents/Guardians, Students and Friends of Prospect High School,

The first two weeks of Term 2 have certainly been different this year!  I am very pleased to report most students are learning at home online, and the amount of work and level of engagement is excellent. Teachers have worked tirelessly to provide valuable learning for all students.

My report this week will revisit some important information regarding learning at home.

A reminder that the Minister for Education and Public Health authorities still advise that the safest place for everyone, including our students, is at home. However, school is open for those who need to come. Students, who attend school, are also doing the same online learning as students at home. All students are following their normal timetable (with adjusted lesson times), which has been either emailed or inboxed to them on Canvas, in a large learning space.

I don’t expect parents to be the teacher and able to use Canvas and other technology.  Attending to children’s personal needs and providing a quiet learning environment are a couple of ways to support your child. I understand that these are challenging times. If your child is anxious or stressed, please ask them to let their teacher know.  Teachers are available all day, everyday (or if part-time, on their designated days) either online, by email or by phone, and contact will be made with your child each day. If parents are concerned about their child’s program, please contact the school.  

Our School Support Team (School Psychologist, Social Worker, School Nurse and Chaplain) are also available for advice and able to provide students with support, whether they are working from home or at school. Please contact the office on 6344 4744, if you wish to use these services.

We will keep in contact with you regularly through the usual communication channels.

If your child’s learning from home arrangements need to change, please give notice of 24 hours so that we can be suitably prepared.

I don't know when the return to face-to-face learning will happen. However, until families are advised, please continue to support learning at home so everyone is safe. Staying at home restricts movement and hence restricts the spread of corona virus. It is a very contagious virus.

Finally, very best wishes to all mothers for Mother’s Day on Sunday.

Mrs Lee Barker

Principal

While we have all being staying home, we have more time to do things that we normally do not do.  Have you experimented with cooking, started growing things in your garden, done crafts, sewn an article of clothing, started learning another language or a musical instrument, built things with lego, done art projects, joined an online exercise class or set up a mini gym in your home, played more board games or done jigsaws… or anything else interesting? 

Every Prospector, we would like to include a blurb and photo (if you want) about what you have been doing to keep busy, aside from your online studies, of course.

Tiquiri from 7.2 has submitted this beautiful art work, and tells us about how she is keeping busy.

I was given the idea to start my artwork from social media. I was scrolling through when I saw a piece where someone had created a bunch of geometric patterns and shapes. I was inspired to make my own, as I had not done anything for a while. The thing I have enjoyed the most is how relaxing and therapeutic it was. Something challenging was having to find the patience to finish it, as it took a very long time. My family think it is very good, my Mum put it up before it was dry. I would definitely recommend this for other people to have a try. I will definitely continue this after isolation restrictions because it is very calming.

This year we ran with a different program for our annual Swimming Carnival – what a success!  Students were split in to junior/senior groups and moved around four sessions that included 25m and 50m races, novelty events, basketball and the waterslide.  Overall the level of participation was fantastic. Well done to everyone that came along.  Impara took out 1^st place with 909 points, followed by Karalta on 767, Nyanda on 651, and Warialda on 554 points.  The HPE team would like to acknowledge the following achievements.

Congratulations to the following students who also broke records:

Over the holidays the library received a new desk and computer for student and staff use. This computer allows library users to be more independent and do their own search for books in the library catalogue. The information you find gives you a blurb about the book, the call number (where you can find it on the shelf), and if the book is available to borrow.

We have created a Prospect High School Library page in Canvas for students and staff. When this appears on your Dashboard go in and have a look at what is available to you. There is information on how to search for books in the catalogue from home, and you can also request an available book (even new books) and then collect it from the office. Look out for quizzes where you can win canteen vouchers to use when you return to school and other exciting additions to the library collection.

New Books in the Library

Off Road by Raelyn Drake

Sport

Wyatt has spent most of the summer mountain biking with his best friend Tanka. But when the friends decide to test out a new trail, they face potentially

 deadly challenges. After a crash leaves them with only one working bike far from the marked trail, they must think quickly to find their way out of the woods before nightfall. How will they make it?

Break Your Chains – The Freedom Finders Series by Emily Conolan

Adventure Fiction              Tasmanian Author

Choose your own destiny and step into the shoes of an Irish girl making her way from London to Australia in 1825 - the first book in an exciting interactive adventure series.
It is 1825. You and Ma have survived on the streets of London ever since the soldiers took Da away and you fled Ireland. Now, with Ma gone too, you find yourself facing life-and-death choices at every turn.
Can you carry a secret treasure across the ocean and finally be reunited with Da? You'll be asked to betray your friends, survive storms at sea and attacks by bushrangers, and trust thieves. At every turn, the choice is yours. How far will you go for freedom?

The Call by Peadar O’Guilin

Fantasy Fiction

What if you only had three minutes to save your life and the clock is already counting down?
Three minutes: you wake up alone in a horrible land. A horn sounds. You realize you've been Called.
Two minutes: they're getting closer and despite all your training you're exhausted, you can't see anywhere to hide.
One minute: you're glad you can run. Nessa can't, her polio-twisted legs mean she'll never survive her Call, will she? Suddenly, a hand grabs your wrist and its more painful than anything you have ever experienced before in your life... Time's up. Could you survive The Call?

Steam Lab for Kids by Liz Heinecke

507.8 HEI      SCIENCE

A fun and interactive introduction to Science, Technology, Energy, Art, and Math.
While many aspiring artists don't necessarily identify with STEM subjects, and many young inventors don’t see the need for art, one is essential to the other. Revealing this connection and encouraging kids to explore it fills hungry minds with tools essential to problem solving and creative thinking. There’s a science to great art. From graphite circuit comic books to edible stained glass, young engineers and artists alike will find inspiration. 

Doctor Who: Scream of the Shalka by Paul Cornell

Science Fiction

When the Ninth Doctor lands in the town of Kennet, he finds that something is terribly wrong. The people are scared. They don't like going out at night, they don't like making too much noise, and they certainly don't like strangers asking questions. What alien force has invaded the town and why is it watching barmaid Alison Cheney?
The Ninth Doctor is sardonic, witty, compassionate, and tired of how foolish humans can be. He has secrets that may put him, Alison, and the whole world in danger.
The Doctor is helped by his new military liaison Major Kennet and his Royal Green Jacket troops. Starting with a small community under threat, this Doctor Who story takes in the entire world, from New Zealand to India, Siberia to the USA, and cosmic expanses beyond.

The Freedom Finders: Move the Mountains by Emily Conolan

Adventure Fiction  (Choose your own)           Tasmanian Author

It is 1951. During the war, you rescued and hid an Australian airman near your small Italian village. He told you that you could be anything you dreamed of - but those dreams are fast slipping away. As you make the leap for a new life, you find yourself facing life-and-death choices at every turn.
Can you overthrow the curse of bad luck that has plagued your family and prove yourself in a new land? You'll be asked to stand up to bullies, stage a mutiny, and make your contribution to one of the greatest engineering projects the world has ever seen.
At every turn, the choice is yours. How far will you go for freedom?

Grade 9

A shout out to all the students who are coping so well with their online learning.  A special mention should go to Patrick and Brody (from 9-2) for engaging so well with their online learning. 

  

School Executive

Principal
Mrs Lee Barker

Assistant Principals
Mr Mario Bergamin and Mr Greg James

School Business Manager
Mrs Debbie Chancellor

Grade Teams

Senior Grade Leaders
Grade 7 Mr Brendan Poke
Grade 8 Mrs Anna Musovic
Grade 9 Mrs Carmen Slore
Grade 10 Mr Scott Brewer

Grade Leaders
Grade 7 Mrs Katrina Dawkins and Mrs Hannah Derbyshire
Grade 8 Mr Will Reynolds and Mrs Leonie Smith
Grade 9 Mr Steve Andrews
Grade 10 Sonya Matthews

Support Staff

School Psychologist
Mr Gene Colgrave
(Mondays, every fourth Tuesday and Fridays)

School Social Worker
Mr Brendan Dixon
(Wednesdays, alternate Thursdays and Fridays)

School Health Nurse
Mrs Dani Seadon
(Mondays and alternate Thursdays)

Chaplain
Mr Sam Cogger
(Tuesdays and Thursdays)