Dear Parents, Students and Friends of Prospect High School,

Welcome to past, present and new parents, students and friends of Prospect High School, in particular families of grade 7 and families of new students in grade 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. I hope first day and/or first week nerves have settled and learning has become a focus. There has certainly been a buzz around the school with reconnecting of friends and staff.

I feel very privileged to lead a school with such a fantastic team of teaching and non-teaching staff. Students will be provided with excellent learning programs and opportunities to participate in a range of educational activities throughout this and subsequent years of high school.

I would like to welcome the following staff members:

Chaplain – Lachie Unwin

Grade 7 Team – Ms Jaci Noonan

Grade 8 Team – Mrs Jamie Melville, Mr Daniel Murfet

Grade 10 Team – Mrs Kirsty Wilson, Mrs Adrienne McMahon

Assistant Principal for Gr 9/10 – Ms Bonnie Hall

Well-being Centre

I am pleased to announce some repurposing of rooms in the administration office. All student support offices, including school psychologist Gene Colgrave, School nurse Mia Blair and Chaplain Lachie Unwin, and Social Worker, Brendan Dixon, have offices now located in the administration block on the side closest to the Grade 9 block. Centralising these staff will make communication with and provision of services to students much easier.

Covid Safe Practices

A reminder to families that Covid 19 restrictions are still in please as per Public Health advice. 

We ask visitors to the school to maintain 1.5 metre social distancing and use provided sanitiser or arrival.It would be appreciated if you could phone the school to discuss matters rather than coming in person when possible. If students are unwell please keep them at home in a restful and safe environment. Parents collecting students at the end of day are requested to stay in their cars and depart the school promptly. Cleaning and hygiene measures implemented last year will continue until otherwise advised.  

Duty of Care

A reminder that staff are not on duty until 8.20am, and that students should not be on school grounds or inside school buildings until this time. Prior to this, students are the responsibility of parents and/or carers.

Attendance and lateness

It is vital that students attend school every day. A sense of purpose and commitment is achieved with regular attendance, and every child has a chance of success with their learning when they attend regularly. Please encourage your children to value their education and help them become organised and attend every day. Please make appointments before or after school hours. It is also important to get your child to school on time - Care starts at 8.40am. Students miss important information when they arrive late. Please do not let your child be late. This can develop into a poor habit that affects learning when prolonged.

Uniform

Students are looking very smart in the Prospect High School summer uniform. Well done to students for representing the school with pride and thanks to parents for your support. A reminder that white socks (without logos or markings) are required to be worn. Failure to wear these may mean restricted participation in school activities and/or restricted movement in areas of the school. The uniform shop has a supply of white socks and other items of uniform. I would like to remind parents of uniform requirements and that no writing, logos or stripes should appear on any item (shorts, track pants, socks, long pants) except for the Prospect High School logo. Adidas, Nike etc socks, shorts and track pants can only be worn for Physical Education lessons and sport. A reminder also that shorts should be mid-thigh length. The School Association have endorsed our uniform dress code and support the following reasons that full school uniform should be worn:

1. Sense of Belonging

When students are dressed in school uniform, they all have a sense of belonging to the Prospect High School community.

2. Safety

It is easy to identify people who should not be on the school grounds if Prospect students are in full school uniform.

3. Judgements About Our School

We present a positive image to the wider community if all our students are in school uniform and people are more likely to make positive judgements about our school and our students.

4. Social Equalisation

Students are not judged on the basis of what they are wearing if all students are in school uniform. Having all students in school uniform sends a strong message that we value all students equally.

5. Preparing for Expectations in the World of Work

Many workplaces have a uniform and most workplaces have a dress code, so we are preparing students for the world of work by asking them to be in the habit of wearing a uniform at school.

Reminders

We require the return of validation forms which are usually collected at book sales. These allow students to use computers, have photos taken, attend excursions and ensure that all contact information is up-to-date and accurate. Can you please ask your child about these, and sign and return as soon as possible?

Students are encouraged to use the QR app at the office and canteen for purchases. If students do not have this app, they will need to order food at the Administration Office before Care, ie before 8.35.

For your information, students are unable to use mobile phones during the day. In accordance with the DoE policy, phones are to be off at the start of the day (8.35am), put away lockers for the entire day and can be removed from lockers at the end of the day (3.00pm).

Welcome Barbecue

A reminder that the Welcome Barbecue will be held in the central courtyard on Tuesday, 16th February from 5.00-6.30. Families are invited to come along and meet new and current staff. We look forward to seeing parents and students on Tuesday afternoon.

School Association Meeting

The first School Association meeting will be held in the meeting room in the near future with date to be advised.  This is a chance for parents to have a voice in decision making with policies and initiatives that benefit the students at Prospect High School. New members are welcome.

Finally, I am looking forward to working with families to ensure a year of continuous improvement, growth, achievement and success for all students. Please do not hesitate to contact your child/ren’s teacher/s if you wish to discuss their learning, or if you have any concerns.

Mrs Lee Barker
Principal

PHS's newsletter, The Prospector, is produced every second
Friday of each school term.

If the child/ren in your care has excelled in any field outside
of school, we would love to hear about it and celebrate their
success by featuring them in the newsletter. Please email
information and photos to prospect.high@education.tas.gov.au

Please be aware that if you have indicated 'no' to particular
sections of the permissions of the Validation Form, we are
unable to include articles which feature your child/ren.

For some students, we only have the email address of one
parent on file. If both parents would like to receive the
newsletter by email, please contact the Admin office on 6344
4744, or email prospect.high@education.tas.gov.au or hit the
"Subscribe to Newsletter" area at the top of the newsletter.

If you would like to download the Schoolzine app, for
instructions, please hit the "Download the app" section at the
top of the newsletter. When prompted, please use the
passcode 3377. This will send an alert to your device when the
newsletter is published.

If you do not have a smartphone, please contact the Admin
office on 6344 4744, as it is important you are able to access
the newsletter so that you receive important notices and
information.

Prospect High School

invites all families to our

Welcome BBQ

 to be held on

Tuesday 16th February 2021

 from 5 – 6:30pm

Central courtyard

Please sign in at the front of the school where the Student Leader Board members

will direct you to the courtyard.

Parents/guardians should have or will receive their levy invoice this week via mail.  The preferred payment option is via BPay, or you can phone the school to pay via credit card.

Should you wish to arrange a payment plan, please phone the school office to discuss or make an appointment with the School Business Manager.  An application can for forwarded via email if preferred.

Full payment of levies is required by 2nd July 2021 (end of Term 2). 

Thank you for your support in this matter.

Hi all, I’m Mia your Prospect High School health nurse.  I work as part of the State-wide School Health Nurse team across Tasmanian Government schools.  The programme aims to support schools to create a physical and social environment that promotes health and wellbeing, and assists to improve health and education outcomes for children and young people in Tasmania. In secondary schools the focus is to promote good health and wellbeing, and to work with students, teachers and the school community on issues that may include body image, physical activity and nutrition, mental health, addictions and risk behaviours, sexual health and relationships, positive parenting for teenagers with babies, and promotion of good health and wellbeing.

I also offer one to one assistance, working with health promotion activities, and being involved with health education where requested. I have been a nurse for around 14 years (mostly working in acute care) with 12 of those working as a midwife. I am currently working in partnership with three high schools, and will be at Prospect High every Tuesday and every second Friday (weeks 1, 3, 5, etc).  Please feel free to drop in and say "hi". I am located in the school nurse office in the new wellbeing hub. Students can attend appointments with me at school. Teachers and support staff can refer students who can also self-refer.  I’m happy to work with parents where requested and can be contacted via the school office if you would like to make an appointment.  Just as a reminder, first aid needs still go through the school’s usual process, as I am not in the school every day. 

If you would like more information on School Nurses just click on the hyperlink below.

https://documentcentre.education.tas.gov.au/Documents/Infosheet-Health-School-Health-Nurses.pdf

Cheers Mia

The year has started strong for our Year 11 and 12 students. This year we are offering a fantastic selection of courses, including Personal Health and Wellbeing. This diverse and unique course looks at facets and factors that influence our health and wellbeing with an overarching focus on complementary medicine pathways and approaches. As part of our studies, we will explore the world of herbs and how these common, everyday garden plants can be used to treat simple ailments. The students had a great time planting the herb garden next to the 11/12 classrooms with the aim of making use of the herbs in Term 2 to make teas, tincture, poultices, oils, ointments and lotions.

Prospect Senior Secondary Centre offers a range of enrolment options from shared enrolments with other institutions to part-time timetables and online learning options. We still have places available in the Personal Health and Wellbeing course. If you are interested in joining us and exploring other subject options at Prospect Senior Secondary Centre, please contact Jennifer Pollard for more information.

Grade 10

Ebony-Grace and Kyisha 

These students have demonstrated a positive attitude towards their new subjects, and have shown optimism and enthusiasm to achieve their best at a new activity. The grade 10 team look forward to watching them continue to progress throughout the year.

Bushfire Season is Here –Question; is your Households Ready?

 Families are encouraged to use the Tasmania Fire Service’s “5 Minute Bushfire Plan” to assist their households to complete some basic bushfire preparation.  

 Do your 5 minute bushfire plan now! | Bushfire: Why risk it?

 For those in  bushfire prone areas: Tasmania Fire Service also recommends developing a Bushfire Survival Plan,  this link gives information important for surviving the next bushfire.

 If you are unsure of bushfire potential in their area, check the TFS Community Protection Plans.  If there is a plan for your area, it is considered to be bushfire prone.

Bay of Fires Youth Art Prize 2021

School Executive

Principal
Mrs Lee Barker

Assistant Principals
Mr Mario Bergamin and Ms Bonnie Hall

School Business Manager
Mrs Debbie Chancellor

Grade Teams

Senior Grade Leaders
Grade 7 Mrs Anna Musovic
Grade 8 Mr Brendan Poke
Grade 9 Ms Sandra De Paoli
Grade 10 Mrs Carmen Slore
Years 11/12 Ms Jennifer Pollard

Grade Leaders
Grade 7 Mrs Katrina Dawkins and Mr Scott Brewer
Grade 8 Mrs Hannah Derbyshire and Mr Brad Colson
Grade 9 Mr Will Reynolds and Mrs Leonie Smith
Grade 10 Mrs Sonya Matthews and Mr Steven Andrews
Years 11/12 Mrs Jan Phillips

Support Staff

School Psychologist
Mr Gene Colgrave
(Mondays and Fridays)

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

School Health Nurse
Mrs Mia Blair
(Tuesdays and alternate Fridays)

Chaplain
Mr Lachie Unwin
(Tuesdays and Thursdays)