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

Welcome to the first newsletter for Term 3. I hope families had an enjoyable break. I am pleased to report that students have settled into routines and have been very engaged and productive with learning over the last two weeks.

It is also pleasing to see the return of some activities and events ensuring adherence to COVID-19 regulations. The Department of Education has produced a Learning at School – Parents and Carers Guide, which provides up-to date information regarding COVID-19 and schools. Please contact the office if you would like a hard copy, or the document can be found at the following link: http://publicdocumentcentre.education.tas.gov.au/Documents/Learning-at-School-Parents-and-CarersGuide.pdf

Hagley Farm Primary School Visit

Last week, representatives from Prospect High School, accompanied by Mrs Musovic, were invited to attend the announcement of a new biosecurity education program at Hagley Farm Primary School by Primary Industries Minister, Guy Barnett. A number of biosecurity learning experiences have been developed for students with the aim of building awareness and understanding of biosecurity. Prospect High School students enjoyed touring the field centre and getting up “close and personal” with some of the farm animals. Prospect High School is pleased to be able to partner with Hagley Farm Primary School and to utilise their resources, particularly in relation to the Food and Fibre Production curriculum of which biosecurity is a part. Prospect High School students impressed guests, and words such as “polite, friendly, engaging” were used to describe the students. Thank you to Mrs Musovic for providing students with this opportunity.

Student Voice

The first meeting of the PHS Student Voice team was held on Tuesday. The team comprised of one representative from each Care Group (Grades 7-12). The purpose of having a Student Voice team is to give students an opportunity to communicate ideas and opinions and contribute to change. Students will have the opportunity to participate in discussions and make decisions about school issues, concerns, teaching and learning policy, and directions. The first focus for this team is to look at the PHS Expectations.

Master Builders’ presentation for Grades 9 and 10

Last week as part of the Beacon Program we hosted a presentation from the Master Builders Association about a career in the building and construction industry. Presenters, Mathew Scrimgeour (Apprentice Program Manager - Fairbrother Pty Ltd) and Mitchell Harvey (Apprentice Builder), spoke to twenty-four Grades 9 and 10 students giving information about career paths, and shared about their experiences and skills gained. Feedback from students indicated that this was an engaging presentation which provided valuable information. Thank you to Mr Steve Andrews for organising the visit.

Breakfast Club

This week, on Thursday, we started the Breakfast Club. It is run by our Chaplain, Sam, and a number of volunteers. Many thanks to the businesses and community members who have donated breakfast supplies.

 

Junior and Senior Sport

It is pleasing to see junior and senior sport recommence this term. Prospect High School has a football and soccer team and three netball teams competing in the junior roster, as well as a football and soccer team and two netball teams competing in the senior roster. I was able to see some of the first round football and netball games this week, and I was very impressed with the skill and sportsmanship shown. Students looked impressive in the new sports uniforms. Many thanks to the School Association for enabling the purchase of these.

 

School Association

Parents are able to be invited back to the school for School Association meetings, and we are looking forward to holding our AGM followed by a general meeting on Wednesday, 12th August.  I would like to extend an invitation to new members.

Finally, thank you to parents who have purchased uniforms and ensure students wear the correct uniform each day. Thanks also to parents who ensure students attend each day and notify the school office when they are absent. A reminder that students should not be on-site until after 8.15am when teachers are on duty.

Mrs Lee Barker
Principal

SCHOOL ASSOCIATION ELECTION Of COMMITTEE

The Prospect High School Association Annual General Meeting, followed by a Committee Meeting, will be held on Wednesday, 12^th August in the school meeting room from 5.00pm and all are welcome. 
This meeting has been rescheduled to Covid-19 requirement.

There are four parent vacancies on the Committee, and we encourage you to nominate and consider being an officer bearer (President, Secretary and Treasurer).  Click on the link at the bottom of this article for a nomination form. 

The new school year started with a Committee meeting being held on 4^th March.  Several topics were discussed, including approval of funding requests for students representing the school in-state teams, feedback regarding the successful Welcome BBQ, Student Leader Board fundraising, and the Relay for Life which unfortunately was cancelled due to COVID-19 precautions.

The School Association is made up of the parents, staff and community members of a school.  The School Association is an important part of the school, working with the Principal to achieve shared outcomes for learners attending the school and for the benefit of the whole school community.  The purpose of the School Association is to provide members with a way to participate and support the school. The following people are automatically members of the School Association:
- parents (parents or guardians who have children or young people enrolled at the school).  Should you wish to be exempt as a member, please notify the School Association in writing.
- staff (permanent and fixed-term employees at the school)
- the Principal, who is an automatic member of the School Association
- community members can apply to be accepted as a member. 
All members of the School Association can nominate to be involved in the Committee.

Nominations for the School Association Committee are now open.  Please complete the attached nomination form and return no later than 3:00pm on 12^th August 2020.  Nominations can be forwarded to the Returning Officer, Debbie Chancellor, School Business Manager via email to prospect.high@education.tas.gov.au or the school office.

The School Association Constitution provides further information on the election process and the timings of the School Association Year. ** A member of the Committee who is to retire, or who has retired may nominate for re-election as a member of the Committee. What is the School Association Committee? The School Association Committee (the Committee) is an elected group of School Association members that work together for the benefit of the school. The Committee manages and conducts the affairs of the School Association and performs administrative and decision-making as a group that represents the School Association. Being a Committee Member is a commitment that is highly valued and recognised by the school.  Being on the Committee is a rewarding role, where parents and community members’ skills and knowledge support the school.  This contributes to helping learners succeed. 

Being part of the Committee also provides an opportunity to be actively involved and engaged in the school.  The Committee is also a place of learning, contributing to developing experience and skills for all members. Anyone from the School Association can nominate to be on the Committee.

School Association Annual General Meeting will be held
12^th August 2020, 5 pm in the school meeting room followed by a General Meeting.

(Physical distancing applies and a Visitor Health Screening form will need to be completed on arrival).

Sam, our School Chaplain, with volunteers will be offering a Breakfast Club every Thursday morning from 8.10 a.m. until 8.40 a.m. in the Eagles Nest.  Everyone is welcome.  There will be toast, spreads and Milo, so students can start their day the right way, with food to nourish their growing bodies and brains.  We are very lucky to have volunteers from The Door of Hope, who will be assisting. 

If you have any unwanted mugs at home, please consider donating them to the Breakfast Club.  Donations of spreads, long life milk and Milo would also be gratefully accepted.  Please bring these to the admin office. Thank you.

2020 Missed School Immunisations

Students who have missed their immunisations earlier in the year when Council visited the school, please catch up any that are now due at the weekly Wednesday Immunisation clinic which has now been moved back to Town Hall. (Temporarily held at Tram Sheds and is stated on correspondence sent home).

There is now a booking system in place to help comply with the COVID-19 physical distancing rules.

You can book your time slot online via the link below or contact staff at City of Launceston on 6323 3208.

https://www.launceston.tas.gov.au/Community/Children-and-Families#section-2

Athletics Tasmania Cross Country Championships 2020

Athletics TAS has announced that there will be a State Cross Country Championship at Domain Cross Country Course on August 22^nd in lieu of the annual event held at Symmons Plains which had to be cancelled. This event will be used to select runners for the State team to compete in the National Championships which is scheduled to be held in Adelaide, 3-4^th October. If you would like to enter or be considered for State selection, please see Mrs Slore in Grade 9.

Young Carer Bursary

Do you or someone you know provide unpaid care and support to a family member or a friend?

There are over 235,500 unpaid young carers aged 25 years and under in Australia, so there’s a good chance that we all know a young carer. 

Young Carer Bursaries support young carers to return to, or continue with, their education.

There are 1,000 bursaries to the value of $3,000 available each year.

Young carers across Australia can apply from 28th July until 8th September.

Fishing Competition

Inland fishing season starts August 1st and Sea fishing is all year round. 

This is a photo comp that runs UNTIL December 5th when the winners will be drawn. We are actively accepting photos of fish entries from the saltwater fishing community now and expect the freshwater fishing community to start next weekend.

DPIPWE have released 5x $10,000 tagged fish which you can try to catch from August 1st. This is separate from our fishing photo comp and is another great incentive to get out and have a go.

As the All Schools Trout Fishing Championships at Brumby's Creek has been cancelled, this fishing competition is open to entice the younger generation to still get out and have a go. Inland Fisheries have stocked many locations in anticipation of a great season.

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)

Aboriginal Education Officer
Gareth Holt
(Wednesdays and Thursdays)