Dear Parents, Students and Friends of Prospect High School

Welcome to the first newsletter for Term 4. It has been a busy start to the term, and I am pleased to report that students have settled into learning quickly.

School Based Apprenticeships Information

Last Tuesday students and families were given the opportunity to attend an information session about school-based apprenticeships in the Grade 8 Learning Space at Prospect High School. In addition, a range of industry experts explained pathways and career options available in our community. Information was given about apprenticeships, traineeships and school-based apprenticeships, the Tasmanian hospitality industry, building and construction career options, and forestry industry careers. Thank you to presenters Amanda Barker (School Based Apprenticeships, Ellie Faulkner (Newstead College), Daniel Hart (MAS), Kane Saunders (BGAS), Denise DeBattista (Abre), Kitty Flesfader, Nick Freeman and Matt Schrimgeour (Fairbrother).  It was pleasing to see many students and their families attend, and the presenters were really impressed with the meaningful and engaging conversations. This was a wonderful opportunity for students to gain insights into career pathways as well as establish contacts and links.

Secondary Schools Triathlon

Prospect High School was fortunate last Wednesday to have Will Blackby from Triathlon Tasmania Inc. train a team of students; the first group of secondary students in the state who will be entering the Secondary Schools Triathlon event at Devonport on November 24^th. The team will be trained by Will over the next five weeks and are looking forward to learning new skills in readiness for the event.

Tasmanian JackJumpers NBL players and coaches visited

Last Thursday, a number of Tasmanian JackJumpers NBL players and coaches visited the school and ran a session for a selection of students from Grades 7-10 who have chosen to participate in the high school’s basketball competition.

The JackJumpers also formally opened the new basketball half-court situated on the southern side of the gymnasium. This was a fantastic experience for our school to be involved in as the Tasmanian JackJumpers are the most recent team to be added into the NBL (Australia’s National Basketball League). Players and coaches ran students through training routines and gave coaching advice and tips. Thanks to the HPE team and Mr Murfet for organising this wonderful opportunity.

RYDA excursion

Each year Grade 10 students are invited to attend a RYDA session at Symmons Plains. This acronym stands for Rotary Youth Driver Awareness and is a road safety program facilitated by Rotary and other professionals. Although students may not be driving yet, staying safe on our roads as both drivers and passengers was the emphasis of the day. Presenters included Road Safety experts, driving instructors, police, people who had been in car accidents and survived, and drug and alcohol educators. Students found this day to be very worthwhile, and it will provide students with five hours of time towards their learner’s licence.

Write a Book in a Day

Five teams of students (Grades 7-10) spent yesterday competing in the unique challenge of writing and illustrating a book in a day. This activity requires many skills from all team members such as time-management, creative ideas, writing and illustrating as well as being able to work together to produce the final product. There were many great ideas and enthusiastic writers and illustrators working hard all day to produce creative stories. Thank you to Ms Bambridge, Mrs Williams and Ms Miller for organising and supervising this event.

Upcoming Events

On Tuesday 26^th October there will be a Senior Secondary @ Prospect Information evening held in the Year 11/12 learning space from 5.00-6.30pm. This is a chance for students and families to speak to Gr 11/12 teachers about course offerings in 2022. Senior Secondary @ Prospect will offer many level 2 and 3 subjects as well as specialised courses such as Hands-on Hospitality (VET course and TASC subjects), Personal Health and Wellbeing, and Japanese Language Program. A tour of the facilities, course information and resources and light refreshments will be available.

The Student Leader Board is running a Trivia Night next Wednesday 27^th October commencing at 5.30 for a 6.00pm start. The cost of tickets is $15pp, and there are a range of prizes including a lucky door and under-the-seat, as well as a silent auction. Refreshments are included in the ticket price. We are looking forward to a fun and competitive night. Please come along to support this event and purchase tickets soon. Funds raised will purchase mental health kits for the school.

Student Success

Congratulations to Emily Sefton who gained first place in the 12-15 year age group National Dance Title and first place in the 14-15 year age group pre-Championship title.

Kind regards

Lee Barker

Principal

Every Thursday morning before School commences, we hold a Breakfast Club. At Breakfast Club, we offer free toast and milos to any student who comes along. Some mornings we can have anywhere between 25-40 students come along to enjoy a slice (or three) of toast with a cup of hot milo. It is a really positive space for students to build relationships with their peers and staff who come along to help. 

I would like to offer a huge THANKYOU to our sponsors; Banjo's in Prospect for supplying us with fresh bread each week and to Statewide Independent Wholesalers for their generous donation to help us supply all the little things like milo, vegemite, jam, and butter. The breakfast club couldn't run without your generosity. 

If you would like to help support this program please contact our school Chaplain, Lachie Unwin, for more information. 

On Wednesday, October 20^th, our grade 10 students made their way to Symons Plains to participate in the annual Road Safety Awareness Program. The students rotated through six sessions including Mind Matters, Speed and more. The Grade 10 staff were impressed with how the students engaged with the material and the questions they asked. A key highlight was the demonstration with the dummy. This session provides five hours of time towards their learner's licence, as well as a valuable experience with lots of key messages.

The Tasmanian Government is working hard to provide the COVID-19 vaccination to all Tasmanians aged 12 and above.

As you may be aware, there have been a number of clinics run in colleges to vaccinate students in years 11 and 12. There will also be a small number of regional high schools that will host a vaccine clinic, but this is not something that will be occurring at high schools in larger population centres at this point in time.

However, there are a number of different options available for parents to arrange for students aged 12 and above to be vaccinated. These include:

1. At one of the community clinics across the state. Appointments can be made by visiting www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/booking, or calling the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.
2. At participating GPs - contact your local GP directly to make a booking.
3. At selected pharmacies - find one near you at findapharmacy.com.au

Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself, your family, and the wider community from COVID-19. Don’t wait. Vaccinate.

Young people under the age of 16 are encouraged to attend their vaccination appointment with a parent or guardian.

There are a number of places where you are able to find more information in relation to the COVID-19 vaccine. You may like to look at this information with your child to support them in understanding more about the vaccination:

• Information from the Australian Government about COVID-19 vaccines
• Information from the Tasmanian Government about COVID-19 vaccines

Information from the Western Australia Government through a video presented by Dr Karl Kruszelnicki which answers common questions and dispels myths about COVID-19 vaccines.

Luca, from Grade 8, has combined his passion for mountain bikes and photography to be awarded one of the coveted awards in the Australian Mountain Bike Photography competition. Luca entered the action category with a photo that he took at Blackwood Creek, and he won first place. His photo and an interview are featured in the recent edition of the Australian Mountain Bike magazine, and he was awarded a prize of $500 and two sets of mountain bike tires. Well done to Luca for his skills and talents in photography.

On Tuesday 19^th October, the enthusiasm for chess at Prospect was nurtured with a highly engaging “masterclass” with James Briant, Tasmanian schools coach for chess. Some 20 Prospect students (including two Year 7s for 2022 from Summerdale) were taken through some training drills and tips for smarter opening strategies. The atmosphere was fun, competitive and mentally stimulating.

Chess at Prospect definitely received a boost from James’ presence. We were fortunate to have him as he came all the way from post-lockdown Hobart, complete with training kits, visual aids and warm voice from behind a facemask. It is hoped that the momentum generated today will continue to build towards intra-school comps this year at Prospect and participation in several inter-school tournaments in 2022. James will continue to be engaged by the school for further coaching in future. Thanks to James and the players themselves for the great spirit in which the session was enjoyed.

Emily was lucky enough to have recently attended highland dancing championships in Brisbane and Sydney and has been very successful. This has been her first championship since the end of 2019, and it was fantastic to see so many dancers back on stage. As well as placing first in two sections, she also placed in others as well:
3^rd place 12-15 yr Eastern Australian Championship - Sydney
3^rd place 14-15 yr National Dance Premiership – Brisbane
5^th place 14-15 yr Moreton Bay Championship – Brisbane

Grade 7

7-1 Layla and Piper for independently working in Visual Art to complete all tasks to a high standard. Keep up the great work ethic!

Grade 8

8-2 Alex for working with extreme patience and perseverance on the Optical Illusion tasks in Visual Art. Keep up the great work Alex!

Grade 10

10-4 Zara for her improved commitment and positive attitude towards her learning in English and Health. and Cayley for her contribution to classroom discussion, focus and completion of work in Sports Science.

If you had super powers, what would they be and how would you use them?

This is one of the “Talk Ideas” that we hope you will test out on your kids as part of our new campaign, Let’s Talk. The Let’s Talk campaign is all about helping you spend more time talking and listening to your children.

We know that families are busy and that screens, tweens and teens can make talking a challenge.

We hope our range of posters and stickers with “Talk Ideas” will get your family talking.

You might see these up around your school, on social media, or on the back of a bus.

You might also see and hear our TV and Radio commercials.

From babies to teenagers, talking and listening skills are important in every part of our life.

It’s how we make friends, share our thoughts and feelings, learn and share our stories.

In the early years, talking and listening provides the building blocks for learning how to read and write.

In the later years, all our young people need good communication skills for everyday life and work.

Just by talking to your kids every day, you can make a big difference.

Find out more on the Let’s Talk website www.talk.tas.gov.au

We would also love to hear your ideas. You can email us at talk@education.tas.gov.au

School Executive

Principal
Mrs Lee Barker

Assistant Principals
Mr Mario Bergamin and Ms Bonnie Hall

School Business Manager
Miss Kiara Daly

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)

Aboriginal Education Officer
Miss Taylor Wigg
(Mondays and Fridays)