Dear Parents, carers, Students and Friends of Prospect High School,

Athletics Carnival

We had a very successful day on Wednesday for our athletics carnival where participation and sportsmanship were a feature. Warialda won the carnival largely due to great participation. Many students displayed the DoE Value of aspiration to better their times or distance and others displayed the value of courage and challenging themselves to enter events that they normally would not consider. Congratulations to students who were record breakers; they will be acknowledged later in the term. Congratulations also to the track and field champions, runners-up and students who will represent Prospect High School in the Inter-high on 20^th November. Thank you to the Facilities and administration staff in the preparations they undertook leading up to the day. Thanks to the Health and Physical Education team, in particular to Mrs Slore, who organised the carnival, and to all staff for their supervision and support. A final thanks to parents who came along to support their children.

Extraordinary Party - Celebration of Collaboration

Yesterday afternoon all state schools in Tasmania were invited by the Department of Education to a celebration of our achievements with online learning during the period due to Covid-19. Schools were encouraged to participate in a range of activities and a presentation from the department with interviews from a range of employees, parents and students. There were recollections of the challenges (communication, monitoring of learning, access to technology, wellbeing) and successes (new ways of learning, new pedagogy, preferred style of learning, increased growth in regulation and organisation skills) of learning at home. I am very thankful and appreciative of the professionalism and collaboration displayed by all staff (non-teaching and teaching), the engagement of students and support from parents during the learning at home period, and I certainly believe that it was worthy of acknowledging and celebrating.

Mrs Lee Barker
Principal

Today marks the end of formal classes for the Year 11 and 12 students across extension high schools and colleges.  Today, Joel McDougall becomes the first person to complete his secondary education through to year 12 at Prospect.  In that time, Joel has achieved success in his studies and has gained his Tasmanian Certificate of Education.  He’s grown up in so many ways.  And it wouldn’t be Joel to leave without a few final words of advice to those who follow:

“Being a Year 12 student was never meant to be easy by any stretch of the imagination.  It only gets harder from here on out but with a good amount of assistance from the lovely teachers at Prospect High, I have managed to get through this year without that much of a struggle.  I highly recommend after finishing Year 10, to stay at Prospect High for Year 11/12, you won’t regret it.  The great positives being at Prospect High for another two years is being able to leave to go to the supermarket during lunch, heating your leftovers or cooking toasties during lunch in the breakout space and having the same teachers for several subjects.”

Pleased to see Joel has his priorities in the right order – food and then education!

We will miss Joel’s happy smiling face, his goofy jokes, his excellent French and the smell of his cheese and vegemite toasties sizzling away in the sandwich press.  Joel is still considering his future options – at the moment, it looks like a gap year and then maybe some TAFE studies in computing, although his mum doesn’t think he’ll last that long before he gets bored!  Whatever he decides, we wish Joel every happiness and every success wherever the future may take him.

This Wednesday we held the school athletics carnival which followed the 1500m held the day before. The participation rate was fantastic. The morning started off very rainy, gloomy and windy, but as the day progressed, it began to warm up to a lovely 22 degrees. The carnival ran really smoothly, and there were lots of smiles and participation, which was great to see. The SLB provided a BBQ, and there was music playing all day. Towards the end of the carnival, we combined all the grades to watch and participate in the 100m finals and the relays. This was fantastic as it provided a great atmosphere for everyone watching, competing and helping. Overall it was a fun and enjoyable day. Congratulations to Warialda for coming out on top with 1502 points, followed by Nyanda (1292), Karata (1194), and then Impara (1108). It was very close and great to see people from all houses and grades having a go. Thank you to all the staff and students who made this day possible. We look forward to sharing more details with you all!

After weeks in rehearsal, it was wonderful to see the 8 and 9/10 students present their scripted scenes to class this week. As some students were absent, it was fantastic to see others step up to support their peers. These scenes were originally intended for performance at the Launceston Competitions in Term 2. While we were unable to participate this year, I look forward to seeing the students getting the chance next year. Well done on the creation of some really interesting and fun characters!  (And well done especially to that amazing fill in ‘detective’ in the bottom photo - who I am sure did not just say the wrong line! Sorry!) Mrs Viney

Fish in a tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Contemporary Fiction

Ally has been smart enough to fool a lot of smart people. Every time she lands in a new school, she is able to hide her inability to read by creating clever yet disruptive distractions. She is afraid to ask for help, after all, how can you cure dumb? However, her newest teacher Mr. Daniels sees the bright, creative kid underneath the trouble maker. With his help, Ally learns not to be so hard on herself and that dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of.
As her confidence grows, Ally feels free to be herself and the world starts opening up with possibilities. She discovers that there’s a lot more to her—and to everyone—than a label, and that great minds don’t always think alike.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Fantasy Fiction             14years+

Part of a clairvoyant family, Blue has spent sixteen years being told that if she kisses her true love, he will die. So when she meets Gansey’s spirit on the corpse road, Blue knows that either he is her true love – or she has killed him. The boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her. His name is Gansey, and he is a student at Aglionby, a wealthy local private school. With three other mysterious and privileged boys, he is on a quest to find the grave of Glendower – a Welsh king buried somewhere on a Virginia ley line. Whoever finds him will be granted a supernatural favour. Never before has Blue felt such magic around her. But is Gansey really her true love – the one she is destined to kill? Blue never fully believed in the prophecy. But as she is caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

Billie Eilish: The Ultimate Fan Book by Sally Morgan

781.63 MOR

Billie Eilish has taken the music world by storm. With her unique sound and statement style, Billie is one of a kind. Discover everything from what happened when Billie got her start with the viral hit "Ocean Eyes" to how her chart-topping collab with Khalid, "Lovely," came to be.

Packed with fantastic facts, top tips, and insider info, this book has everything you need to know about the music megastar!

The Complete Bike Owner’s Manual: Repair and maintenance in simple steps by Claire Beaumont and Ben Spurrier

796.6 BEA

This is the complete reference guide to bike servicing and repair.
Incredible CGI illustrations show you every aspect of bike repair and maintenance more clearly than ever before, whether you're a mountain biker, cycling commuter, or road racer. All major types of bicycle from the leading brands are covered - including road, racing, hybrid, mountain, and utility bikes - with detailed, practical advice to take you from symptom to solution. 

What I like about Me by Jenna Guillaume

Relationship/Family Fiction                                Australian Author

The last thing sixteen-year-old Maisie Martin thought she'd be doing this summer is entering a beauty pageant. Not when she's spent most of her life hiding her body from everyone. Not when her Dad is AWOL for Christmas, and her gorgeous older sister has returned to rock Maisie's shaky confidence. And her best friend starts going out with the boy she's always loved.

But Maisie's got something to prove.

As she writes down all the ways this summer is going from bad to worse in her school-assignment journal, what starts as a homework torture-device might just end up being an account of how Maisie didn't let anything, or anyone, hold her back...

The Department of Education recently announced that we would be expanding the Student Assistance Scheme for 2021.

Parents who have a current concession card as listed below can apply for dependent students for assistance under the STAS:

• Services Australia – Centrelink Health Care Card
• Service Australia – Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card
• Services Australia – Pensioner Concession Card or
• Department of Veteran Affairs – Pensioner Concession Card.

Please note that if you are already receiving student assistance you do not need to complete a form.

For 2021 a new on-line form has been developed to assist with processing applications for new applicants.

The online form can be completed here:  https://stasonlinesubmission.education.tas.gov.au/ 

The form will be available for public use from the 10 November. 

Once a validated form is completed the Department of Education will confirm the outcome of your application in writing, this process takes approximately 14 days.

We understand this online option may not be possible for all families, so if you require a hard copy form please contact your school or stas@education.tas.gov.au or 1800 827 055.

The Launceston City Council nurses will be at PHS on Monday 9^th November carrying out immunisations for those Grade 7 and 10 students who completed their forms earlier in the year.  Most students will be having their 2^nd dose. If you require further information you can contact the school office or the Council on 6323 3000.

Next week we will be celebrating NAIDOC week! The theme this year is "Always Was, Always Will Be". We will have activities running at lunchtime next week with our Aboriginal Education Worker, including a mural project as well as other creative activities and games. All students are welcome. Please join us as we celebrate Aboriginal culture within our school.

Grade 7

Congratulations to Flynn and Shae for excellent participation at the athletics carnival on Wednesday. Well done for not being afraid to have a go at everything!

Grade 10

Mackenzie is a considerate thoughtful student who strives to complete her work to a very high standard. She shows persistence and maintains focus in her classes.

Logan consistently shows that he is a helpful, kind and considerate student. He is a focussed learner who works very well both individually and with others. Logan is always respectful and understanding of the wellbeing of those around him.

Throughout the year, Job has shown improvement and dedication to his studies. He is a helpful student who is motivated to achieve. Well done this year Job.

Tasmanian All Schools Track and Field

Congratulations to the following students who represented Prospect High School at the All Schools Athletics recently. 

Alicia Under 16

Long Jump - 2nd place

Triple Jump – 3rd place

100m sprint – 4th place

200m sprint – 8^th place

Rowan - Under 14

100m - final 3rd place

200m -  2nd place

400m - 2nd place

Jai Under 16

1500m – 10th place

Long Jump – 5th place

800m -  7th place

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
Years 11/12 Ms Jennifer Pollard

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 Mrs Sonya Matthews  
Years 11/12 Mrs Jan Phillips

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)