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Dear Parents/Guardians, Students and Friends of Prospect High School,
Transition
Our transition teams have been busy organising activities for students over the last couple of weeks to help familiarise students with new contexts in 2022. Grade 5 and 6 students from our feeder schools (West Launceston, Hagley, Glen Dhu, Bracknell, and Summerdale) have enjoyed taster days where they participated in a number of subjects. Grade 6 students enjoyed working together and solving problems with numeracy, literacy, science, foods, and HPE activities. Grade 8 students were excellent helpers and leaders on these days. Thank you to Mr Bergamin and Mr Poke for organising these engaging days. If parents wish to find out more about what we offer, please contact the school on 6344 4744.
Grade 10 students have had the opportunity this week to visit Launceston and Newstead College and experience a number of subjects and become familiar with each school. In addition, students have been able to access information offered at other high schools in the Northern region in the Grade 11/12 space.
Prospect High School will be offering a Hands-On Hospitality - Food, Hospitality and Tourism Enterprise course in Grades 11 and 12. Qualifications in Hospitality and Tourism will be offered in combination with a number of other subjects, including Japanese and business, to cater for a wide range of interests and employment opportunities. In addition, we have formed partnerships with a number of local businesses, and we will be able to offer skills for work and vocational pathways.
Big Science Competition
Congratulations to students who demonstrated two of the DoE values, courage and aspiration, by taking part in the Big Science Competition (an Australia-wide competition) which was very challenging. Participation was high, as were results generally. Prospect High School students achieved excellent results, receiving 9 distinctions and 24 credits. Well done to students who participated in the competition and displayed excellent scientific knowledge and problem-solving skills. Certificates will be presented in a future assembly by representatives from the Australian Science Innovation who offered the competition. Thank you to the Science team for encouraging students to participate, and to Mrs Matthews for organising the competition.
Parent-Student-Teacher Conversations
Next week students will receive mid-year report which provides an Australian Curriculum rating on progress to date, an indication of their work habits with regards to effort, attitude, organisation and task completion, and attendance at school.
This year we are trialling a new approach to reporting which is in line with Departmental initiatives and puts into practice some of our learnings from the foundational quality teaching and learning work that we have been undertaking at Prospect High School since 2019. Of the various strategies we have developed is a culture of learning where “feedback is one of the most effective teaching and learning strategies that has an immediate impact on learning”.
Furthermore, guiding research shows that a strong and effective feedback culture is one in which both students and parents/guardians are involved in feedback conversations.
To guide and assist the parent-teacher-student conversations and ensure consistency of approach, we have compiled questions. You are encouraged to discuss these questions with your child prior to attending the parent-teacher-student conversation.
- What areas of this subject are going well for you?
- Which areas of this subject do you see as a future focus for you? What support and action do I need to help you with?
- What progress would you like to have made in this subject by the end of the year?
- Is there anything else you would like to discuss?
In Term 3, all parents/guardians will be invited with their child to attend a feedback conversation with their child’s teachers. Times have been set aside during weeks 1 and 2 of Term 3 during which appointments can be made for face-to-face, telephone, or online conversations to discuss the progress your child has made during the first semester, and the steps they can take to build on that learning for the remainder of the year.
We look forward to seeing you at parent-teacher-student conferences.
As this will be the final newsletter for the term, I would like to wish families all the best for the final week of term and holidays.
Mrs Lee Barker
Principal
This week has been an exciting and busy time for Prospect’s 11 and 12 teachers as we’ve been at Launceston College and Newstead College’s Open Days promoting and talking about our course offerings for 2022: Hand-On Hospitality: Food, Hospitality and Tourism Enterprise and Japanese Language Programme. In partnership with the other schools that form the Northern Urban Collective, we were able to present our designed learning programmes. At Launceston College, we spoke to a group of around 25 students and shared our new Northern Urban Collective video which showcases all the schools in the collective and their respective offerings. This video, as well as our new video to promote our Hands-On Hospitality course, will be published on Prospect’s Facebook page.
On Thursday, 24th June, we had a “trade” table at Newstead College where we were able to chat with passing students about their courses choices for 2022 and share an outline of our exciting Hands-On Hospitality course. Students were invited to enter our fantastic lucky-door prize hamper which was full of scrumptious treats (a huge thank you to the amazing Adrienne McMahon for organising this!) The lucky winner was a student from Riverside High School. Congratulations Eve!! We hope you enjoy your Hands-On Hospitality basket of deliciousness.
Hands-On Hospitality is a unique and innovative course that teaches students all the ins and outs of not just working in a kitchen and front-of-house, but how to run, manage, promote, and grow a food-based café and catering business. The course is a clever blend of TASC and VET and offers students the opportunity to learn the theory to support their practical application. Complementary subjects for this Hand-On Hospitality course include Business Studies and Japanese, which will assist students who wish to follow a pathway that looks at building a business locally, nationally, and internationally. This course is offered as part of a full-time enrolment at Prospect, or as part of a shared enrolment with another school/college.
In Term 3, we will be having Information Evenings to which all parents are invited to come and chat with teachers and learn more about the courses and the opportunities available to students post-Year 10 at Senior Secondary @ Prospect. In the interim, if parents or students have any questions or want to find out more, please feel free to contact Jennifer Pollard on 6345 7405.
Last week we said goodbye to one of our lovely students – Kiara Williams, who has moved with her family to Burnie where she’ll attend classes at Hellyer College. Kiara has made outstanding progress in her time at Prospect Senior Secondary, growing in confidence and capacity in all her subjects. Kiara is a kind and conscientious student, and her gentle presence and sweet smile will be dearly missed by us all. We wish you all the best, Kiara, in your new adventures.
Jennifer Pollard
Thanks to Scott (Timberlink), Brent (Ambulance Tas), Shannon (Hungry Jacks), Kim (Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council), Casey (UTAS), and Simon (Mode Electrical). All presenters shared their knowledge and understanding of pathways in various career opportunities.
Grade 9 had visiting speakers today for the Career and Life Planning lesson. Emma Vincour, solicitor from Shields Heritage, Teresa Wilson, molecular biologist and Rachel de Winter from Drysdale TasTAFE. Students listened to each guest speaker and asked questions.
Nature Hut
The Nature Hut is located at the rear of the school and houses two of our Tier 2 programs: the Nature Nuts and the Bike Doctors.
The Nature Nuts have been busy this year regenerating the vegetable gardens and preparing for World Tree Day. We have started composting from the school kitchens and have a new worm farm built out of an old fridge! We love to reuse and reduce and are hoping to ramp up production of food for the kitchens. We are also planning to plant a variety of native plants to increase the biodiversity around the school and for the community to use as additions in their own cooking. You may see in the photo some new herb pots and Eddie the dog - our little mascot!
Bike Doctors
The Bike Doctors are a great crew of budding mechanics who fix up old bikes and donate them to community groups. We pride ourselves on repairing and reusing and have been busy organising our shed and bike parts. If you need a hand fixing a bike or wish to donate one, we can assist. We have received great help from Geard Cycles, and thank them for their generous assistance. We are on the lookout for any bike specific tools as well. If you’re having a shed clean out we can take tools you don’t want.
The red tricycle is an example of a bike donated by a family. It is for sale for $20. Proceeds will buy parts to fix other bikes.
If you have any queries please contact Mr Harrington.
Round 6
Round 6 was full of tricky conditions as severe winds accompanied with the odd rain shower. Faced with these conditions, the students showed some great resilience throughout all the games. The 9/10 Boys came up against Deloraine High School and were able to secure another win. The final scores were Prospect 75 : Deloraine 10. Coach Andrews suggested that the highlight of the game was Lachlan Howard’s huge goal which was kicked from the centre circle whilst on the run.
The 7/8 Boys A team were somewhat undermanned with around 6 players being unavailable to play, but this did not put an end to the team’s unbeaten season so far. The team were up against the St Patricks College grade 7 team. and the final scores were Prospect 61 : St Patricks 36. Preston Rey was damaging in the forward line kicking 4 goals, whilst Grade 7 boys, Koby White and Jacob Tronerud, played their best games for the season, showcasing their ongoing development as the season progresses.
The 7/8 Boys B team won against Queechy High school. Final Scores were Prospect 133 : Queechy 8. The win was the team's second 100 point plus win in as many weeks. The difficult weather conditions certainly did not slow the team down in their efforts to pile on goal after goal.
The 9/10 Girls had a big win in their game which included a winning margin of over 60 points.
Round 7
Round 6 for the 7/8 Boys A games involved a tough opponent in Scottsdale High School. In a shortened game, the boys continued with their unbeaten season with a 47-20 win. One of the more pleasing aspects of the afternoon was that the team continued to get better as the game went on. Beau Henry was outstanding as he led from the front with his actions by attacking the ball, whilst Preston Rey was lively in the forward line again kicking 3 goals.
The 9/10 Girls team played Scotch Oakburn at Scotch Oakburn Park in cold conditions. It was a great opportunity for our team to play on a large ground with eighteen players per side. The tackling, kicking and marking was at a high level. Coach Bergamin was super proud of all the students for their determination and good sportsmanship. Scotch Oakburn won the game, however, our students were terrific. Special mention must go to Grace Payne Turner and Taja Richardson who were outstanding all game.
On Friday June 18th our school raised money for the Push for Better Foundation which raises awareness and engages people in mental health through connection, education, and health and wellbeing. We achieved a total of 6636 push-ups, this figure was decided on due to there being 3318 suicides in Australia in 2019, so the challenge was to double this number in pushups. We are proud to have raised money for this very worthy charity. Thank you to our SLB for organising such a great day.
Are you experiencing financial hardship?
FOOD RELIEF
Prospect High School and the Launceston Benevolent Society are partnering to provide support to families experiencing financial hardship. If you, or someone you know are suffering financial hardship due to job loss, a reduction in working hours, or escalating bills, please talk to the school office. The Launceston Benevolent Society can deliver a food hamper to the school for families in need. We know there is a hidden cohort of people doing it very hard through these times who may be reluctant to reach out directly to a food relief agency. So we have made it easy, just contact the school, and we can organise a food hamper to be delivered to the school for you to collect. Please contact the office on 6344 5333 for further assistance.
Dr Karl’s Random Road Trip Through Science by Dr Karl Kruszelnicki
502 KRU Australian Author
Dr Karl is on a mission to track down Awe and Wonder in the Universe.
Why do wombats poo cubes?
What nearly destroyed humanity on Halloween 2015?
How do you use an incinerating toilet?
Find out why we've sent a spacecraft with Dr Karl's name on it to kiss the Sun, whether cannibalism is nutritious, and the answer to the biggest question of all - why does spaghetti always break into three pieces? Plus a whole lot more.
Across the Risen Sea by Bren MacDibble
Action and Adventure Australian Author
Neoma and Jag and their small community are 'living gentle lives' on high ground surrounded by the risen sea that has caused widespread devastation. When strangers from the Valley of the Sun arrive unannounced, the friends find themselves drawn into a web of secrecy and lies that endangers the way of life of their entire community. Soon daring, loyal Neoma must set off on a solo mission across the risen sea, determined to rescue her best friend and find the truth that will save her village.
My Way by Moana Hope
920.72 HOP Australian Author
Moana Hope is one of thirteen children. Not a fan of dolls or dresses, footy has always been her passion, and she would spend hours playing kick-to-kick with her dad and brothers at the local park. When her father was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Moana cared for him until his death four years later. Footy and cricket provided an escape from the demands of domestic life, and she made state and national teams for both sports. But as women’s football became more popular, being good at the game wasn’t enough, players started being pressured about the way they looked. Moana refused to grow her hair or cover her tatts, and for the first time in her life felt sidelined by the game. But later, inspired by a women's exhibition game, she realised what she was missing and returned with gusto to the game she loved.
The Invasion: Animorphs Graphic Novel by K.A. Applegate
Graphic Novel
Sometimes weird things happen to people. Ask Jake. He could tell you about the night he and his friends saw a strange light in the sky that seemed to be heading right for them. That was the night five normal kids learned that humanity is under a silent attack, and they were given the power to fight back.
Now Jake, Rachel, Cassie, Tobias, and Marco can transform into some of the most dangerous creatures on Earth. And they must use that power to outsmart an evil greater than anything the world has ever seen.
Armada by Ernest Cline
Science Fiction
Zack Lightman has spent his life dreaming. Dreaming that the real world could be a little more like the countless science-fiction books, movies, and videogames he's spent his life consuming. Dreaming that one day, some fantastic, world-altering event will shatter the monotony of his humdrum existence and whisk him off on some grand space-faring adventure.
But hey, there's nothing wrong with a little escapism, right? After all, Zack tells himself, he knows the difference between fantasy and reality. He knows that here in the real world, aimless teenage gamers with anger issues don't get chosen to save the universe.
And then he sees the flying saucer.
Could You Survive the Cretaceous Period? A Prehistoric Choose-Your-Own Adventure by Eric Braun
Action and Adventure
You've just been transported back in time. Exotic plants tower above your head, while giant rat-like creatures scuttle around you. What concerns you most, however, are the meat-eating dinosaurs that are the size of a house Do you think you have what it takes to survive the Cretaceous Period? Turn the pages to find out.
Ruthless: Special Forces Cadets by Chris Ryan
Action and Adventure
The ghettos of Colombia are crawling with street kids. They have nothing and are forced into lives of crime in order to get enough to eat. Their life expectancies are short, not least because the Colombian authorities allow paramilitaries to shoot them like rats.
But it's with the street kids of Colombia that the cadets must become embedded. Some of these kids have been recruited by the Colombian cartels. The cartels are causing untold misery, both in Colombia and on the streets of the UK. The cadets must befriend the cartel kids in the hope that they will lead them into the heart of the drug lords' empire.
As She Fades by Abbi Glines
Relationships/Friendships
On the night of her high school graduation, Vale McKinley and her boyfriend Crawford are in a terrible car accident that leaves Crawford in a coma. They were supposed to spend the summer planning for college, for a bright future full of possibility together. Instead, Vale spends long days in the hospital, hoping Crawford will awaken.
Slate Allen, a college friend of Vale's brother, has been visiting his dying uncle at the same hospital. When he and Vale meet, she can't deny the flutter of an illicit attraction. She tries to ignore her feelings, but she's not immune to Slate's charm. Slowly, they form a cautious friendship. Then, Crawford wakes up...
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Grade 10+
Sixteen-year-old Starr lives in two worlds: the poor neighbourhood where she was born and raised and her posh high school in the suburbs. The uneasy balance between them is shattered when Starr is the only witness to the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend, Khalil, by a police officer. Now what Starr says could destroy her community. It could also get her killed. Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, this is a powerful and gripping YA novel about one girl's struggle for justice.
Landline by Rainbow Rowell
Romance Fiction Grade 10+
What advice would you give the younger you...and would you listen?
As far as time machines go, a magic telephone is pretty useless. TV writer Georgie McCool can't actually visit the past; all she can do is call it, and hope it picks up. Is she going crazy or is this a chance to make things right with her husband, Neal?
Maybe she can fix the things in their past that seem unfixable in the present. Maybe this stupid phone is giving her a chance to start over...if that's what she wants...
Grade 7
Lilly 7-3 has worked diligently on her Visual Art task to produce creative representations of her emotions. She is always prepared for class, is willing to try new techniques, and takes on feedback to improve her skills. Well done Lilly on making a great start to Year 7 Art!
Jacob 7-3 has jumped right into the art curriculum and created some wonderful drawings in class. His originality on his cover page design was very good, and he has grasped the concept of Transformation in creating artworks that represent his emotions. Keep up the good work Jacob.
Grade 8
Abi 8–3 consistent engagement and commitment to learning
Lani 8-3 consistent engagement and commitment to learning
Grade 9
Hailee 9-5 is nominated as a Working Wonder for her positive attitude and help each week in organising the gear to take to netball. She is always helpful in the grade area. Well done, Hailee.
Caitlin 9-3 is nominated as a Working Wonder for setting a positive example to her peers by umpiring at netball. Umpiring is not always easy, and Caitlin has demonstrated her maturity by participating in this tough role. Well done, Caitlin.
Grade 10
Charlotte 10-1: For her determination, effort and optimism towards her studies in all classes. Charlotte is considerate of others in class and works well individually and in groups. She is to be commended for her hard work and how respectful she is to those around her.
Josh 10-1, Tristian 10-2, Mikayla 10-2, Jada 10-2 and C-J 10-2: For their willingness to take part in the recent visit by the Gr 5/6 students. These students assisted the younger students with their tasks and were a fantastic help in the Science department. They showed respect and optimism and enjoyed the tasks.
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 Miss Kirsty Wilson 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)
NOTICEBOARD