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

I hope all mothers enjoyed their special day last Sunday.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN testing for Grade 7 and 9 in literacy and numeracy has been undertaken well this week. Testing was conducted online, and students were able to use their own devices. While this is only one test on one day, it provides a valuable experience for students who may have to do assessments online for courses or careers in the future. Results from NAPLAN also provide valuable information that informs teaching and learning for the next twelve months. Preparation for NAPLAN began in Term one and required an enormous amount of administration and co-ordination. Many thanks to Ms Carolyn Abraham and Mrs Leonie Smith who have been organising the timetabling and implementation over the last few weeks to enable students to be supported with technology and resources.

All Schools Mountain Bike Championships

Last Friday Prospect High School had students take part in the All Schools Mountain Bike Championships held at Trevallyn reserve. Congratulations to two Grade 8 students who were placed in the top 10. Campbell was placed fourth and Luca was placed ninth. There were over 470 riders in this competition congratulations to all who participated.

Launceston Competitions – Drama and Dance

Lights-camera-action! Very brave students have shown their talent at the Drama Competitions and Dance Competitions this week. All students were excellent representatives for Prospect High School and gave awesome performances. In particular, Grade 8 dance participants achieved amazing results in the Dance Competitions, receiving first place in the expressive section and second place in the creative section. Congratulations! Many thanks to the parents who have been attending to support students and the school. A big "thank you" to Mrs Dawkins and Mrs Viney for their time, creativity and support.

Debating

I am very pleased to announce that Mrs Kirsty Wilson is coaching a Grade 9/10 Prospect High School debating team in the Northern High Schools Debating Competition. Their first competition was held at Scotch Oakburn on Tuesday against Riverside High School. Alicia, Emily, Charles, Holly, Kyrin, Josie and Yasmin were the affirmative side debating with the topic Animal Testing must be Banned. This first-ever was a very close competition for the team, and although they did not win, they only lost by one point!! Well done!! Next week is an impromptu debate concerning education in Tasmania. Good luck for next week.

Uniform Reminder

Thanks for the resounding support from parents with school uniform.  The majority of students wear our uniform correctly and with pride. As the weather is getting colder, I would like to reiterate some reminders. Students are reminded that hoodies are not part of the school uniform and should not be worn to school. Students are requested not to wear hoodies on to and off school grounds. Hoodies are to be placed in lockers with phones at beginning of the day. Concerning jackets - the PHS spray or shell jackets can be worn to and from school and during the school day.  Other coats (ie. black jackets) are to be stored in lockers at 8.35am, and are not to be worn during class time (they must be kept in lockers). They can, however, be worn to and from school, at recess, at lunch, and after school. Long sleeve shirts should not be visible under school shirts.

Congratulations and Farewell

Congratulations to Mrs Anna Musovic, who has been successful in gaining an Inclusive Coach position. We said farewell to Mrs Musovic on Tuesday as this is a non-teaching role with the Department of Education. Mrs Musovic has made a significant contribution as Senior Grade Leader to Grade 8 last year and Grade 7 this year and has had a positive impact on student learning as a teacher of English and HASS. Both staff and students have appreciated the strong connections she has made and her patient and kind approach. We wish her the best in her new role.

Mrs Lee Barker
Principal

In our Senior Secondary Centre, we've introduced a few new subjects to meet student interest and need. These subjects are short course: Ethical Understanding, Consumerism and Production and Personal and Social Capabilities: Workplace Dilemmas. The content of these courses links neatly to other subjects, namely Work Pathways, CLP, and studies in English. The courses are 20 hour courses (studied during terms 2 and 3) and the students gain 2 TCE upon successful completion. 

Another new subject is Workshop Techniques. This is a unique subject that allows students to experience a number of workshop media - polymer clays, leather, fondant, and natural fibres to create pieces that respond to a stimulus or a need. Our first media is polymer clay and the students are intending to create one-of-a-kind jewellery that we can display and offer for sale.

Another enterprising activity is the creation of publications, such as hand-drawn Tasmanian Seasonal Calendars and cards, that the students are creating in Art. The final products will beautifully unique, as well as practical. Again, we're anticipating that these products will be available for purchase next term. We are amazed and thrilled at the endlessly talented individuals who thrive at Prospect Senior Secondary Centre.

Last week, a dedicated group of students participated in the annual State MTB championships. The day was held at Trevallyn with schools from all over the state representing their region. Approximately 480 participants were involved in the event, which is seen as one of the largest in Australia.

This was the very first year Prospect High had been involved in the event. Students were able to participate in a X-country format and also compete in a Timed Stage down the ‘Side Winder’.

All students are to be very proud of their achievements as it takes a positive mindset, attitude and grit to compete in an event like this. A special mention to Campbell Whitney and Luca Lohrey for their work in the X-Country. Campbell also excelled in the Timed Stage gaining a third place.

A huge thank you to the parents, Gene Colgrave, Brendan Poke, Phil Van Ash and Ellie Couch for making the day successful for the PHS students.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD4-gJY7EFc

After many hours of research, planning, rehearsing and refining, students from both Grade 8 and 9/10 Drama were able to perform their work on the stage to a live theatre audience this week. Grade 8 Drama performed published scripted scenes at the Earl Arts Theatre on Monday, while Grade 9/10 Drama performed self-devised plays at the Princess Theatre on Tuesday.

These pieces ranged from farcical comedy to intense drama, and I was so impressed with the students’ ability to adapt and support each other when faced with challenges such as a different sized stage and rostrum blocks, missing group members (a BIG thank you to Lachie for stepping in), and unwieldy umbrellas!

On top of this, it was wonderful to be at the theatres with other like-minded students from surrounding schools to witness what others are doing.

To finish the week, both classes had a final performance for the Launceston Competitions which was held right here at school. Having events held within school is unusual and took place this year due to COVID-19 precautions. However, it was a great opportunity for our 8s and 9/10s to share together with available staff. It is fantastic to see the final results of their hard work.  (Rehearsal images attached)

 Well done students!

 Mrs Viney

On Wednesday the 12^th of May, the Grade 8 dance class attended the Launceston Competitions. We competed against a number of other Launceston schools and performed in two sections. The first dance was performed in the Expressive movement section; it was created to show how society shapes women to think that they need to be a specific version of a woman to be perfect.  Eleven other groups performed in this section, and Prospect took out first place.  When we realised that we had won, we were waiting behind the curtains to dance our second piece, a creative dance. The news of our first place award helped us, as it made us feel very excited, and we were easily able to smile and enjoy the next dance. Our second entry was based on the 60’s era of dance. It was fast and fun, and we all enjoyed performing it.  We were successful in attaining second place with this dance.  All in all, the day went really well and everyone felt very proud of themselves.

Mieka 

Grade 7

Ethan consistently demonstrates a strong eagerness to learn and often asks for feedback to see how he can improve the standard or his work. He’s shown that he is able to work well with others and is always willing to lend a hand. He is a very friendly and caring member of 7.1. Keep up the great work, Ethan!

Joli consistently applies her best effort to all learning tasks. She always listens to instructions carefully and goes above and beyond to extend herself. She has shown that she is very resilient and embodies all our school expectations. Well done, Joli.

Grade 9

Grade 9 Master Chefs-our Working Wonders

Mya is nominated as a working wonder. Mya has shown ‘quiet’ resilience and has steadily improved in the Half-Year Foods class. Her technique and skill level have grown, along with her attention to detail. She is consistently optimistic about her improved ability and enjoys herself in the kitchen. Her teacher appreciates her honest appraisal of the course and how she has shown respect to her teacher and to her fellow classmates.

The students in the Catering Classes are talented with Hayley and Angus as absolute stand-out students with their cooking. They are always seeking perfection, are polite, responsible, and committed. Well done, Hayley and Angus.

Students, who are also working really well in Foods, include Bailey, Jesse, and Riley. They have improved so much and are to be congratulated for their efforts. They are very gracious, generous and respectful to other students who work in the kitchen.

Jamie, Luke, and Joshua try hard and are keen, tidy and respectful.

Lachlan for stepping in and performing in a 9/10 Drama group at the Launceston Competitions with only a day’s notice! Without Lachie, the group would have had to have withdrawn from the competition. It is not easy to perform on a stage, to a live audience - especially with minimal prep, and yet Lachie was a supportive and effective member of the ensemble. A fantastic effort, well done!

Grade 10

Zara has recently displayed a positive attitude and ethic towards her work in a number of subjects.  She has also shown optimism and respect when completing her work. Additionally, she has shown great leadership and dedication on the football field. Well done Zara.

Zac has displayed the values of respect, fairness, empathy on many occasions when he working with others in a variety of school activities. He has shown great enthusiasm towards his new role assisting with Junior Sport. Zac has worked consistently and is dedicated to his studies and is to be commended for his work ethic overall.

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 Hannah Derbyshire
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 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)