This year, the Maths teachers at Queechy High have been actively collaborating with primary schools within the Queechy Alliance to enhance mathematics learning for all our students. 

The initiative began with professional learning sessions for teachers from Years 5 to 10 across the Alliance, followed by moderation sessions in Term 2. In this term, select teachers from Queechy Alliance schools participated in professional development focused on "Building Thinking Classrooms" in mathematics. This approach encourages students to engage more deeply with mathematical concepts and develop critical thinking skills. 

Queechy High School Maths teachers also had the chance to visit Grade 6 classrooms within the Alliance, gaining valuable insights into how maths is taught at the primary level. This exchange helps bridge the gap between primary and high school education, ensuring a smoother transition for students. 

Looking ahead to next term, teachers in the Queechy Alliance will continue their networking efforts by moderating student work and further refining their understanding of the "Building Thinking Classrooms" model. The photos below capture Year 8 students actively engaged in vertical learning, a key element of this innovative approach. 

The Grade 7s have been learning about Earth in Space this term. They have reviewed their knowledge of the seasons, the moon and the tides. In 7C we have been looking at our carbon footprint and how our small, positive changes can have an impact in the environment. Positive changes such eating less meat and local produce, even growing our own. Walking, cycling and catching public transport. Also making sustainable and thoughtful choices in our purchases. 

Term 3 has been a busy one for Grade 10 English. We began with a focus on War Poetry where students became familiar with the terminology used to describe the visual and aural skills of the poet.  Classes delved into experiences of World War I, Vietnam, US gang wars and even took a tangent into the poetic devices used by Taylor Swift, becoming competent at undertaking an analysis of a text they had not seen before.  This was in preparation for Grade 10 exams.

The English exam in the second week saw the majority of the grade present and entering the room well prepared and with a sense of calm. They used their planning time to best advantage to write an essay on a chosen text, complete a piece of creative writing and undertake a style analysis of a previously unseen poem, all in two hours and fifteen minutes. They should be proud of their efforts. 

Grade 7 HASS units this year have included Deep Time History, Civics and Citizenship, Place and Liveability, Business and Economics and Ancient Egypt.

Next term, we will continue our studies on the Ancient Past and complete a geography unit titled Water in the World.

Students were asked what they have learnt and what they have enjoyed about the year so far:

Eden: “I learnt how to write reference lists and enjoyed learning about government and liveability.”

Austin: “My favourite thing in HASS so far is learning about entrepreneurs. I have learnt how to write Cornell notes and create a reference list.”

Annabelle: “I enjoyed watching the documentary about how Otzi’s body was found and learning about him in his past life.”

Kayleb: “I have learnt that the human species is older than we first thought.”

Natahlia: "I liked learning about Place and Liveability and identifying why people want to and don’t want to live in certain areas around the world.”

Jackson: “I enjoyed learning how to make timelines because it’s a good skill to have.”

Throughout terms 2 and 3, we have had a number of teams represent the school in the NHSSA Wednesday and Thursday afternoon sports rosters. After a long and testing season, we had 6 teams reach the Grand Final for their respective competitions: 9/10 AFL Div 1, 9/10 AFL Div 3, 9/10 AFLW, 9/10 Netball Div 2, 7/8 Netball Div 4 and 7/8 Soccer Div 2.

Each of our teams represented our school with enormous pride and demonstrated excellent sportsmanship, with the 9/10 Netball Div 2, 7/8 Netball Div 4 and the 7/8 Soccer team all coming away victorious in their matches. An extra congratulations goes to Layla (G10), Maya (G7) and Henry (G8) for being the MVP in each game.

A special thankyou goes out to all of the coaches who have been with our teams throughout the year, as without them we wouldn’t have the success that we did. Another thankyou goes out to NHSSA for the tireless work in organising the roster and navigating the challenges that come with Winter Sports.

Once again, it is the end of term, and what another hectic term it has been. Our students have continued to apply themselves in a most diligent manner across all subject areas and I am grateful that we have such an excellent group of students here at Queechy High School. I also want to thank our entire staff for their continued work in supporting our students, whatever their roles.

Continuing to acknowledge and celebrate the amazing achievements of our students I would like to congratulate all of the students who represented Queechy High School at the 2024 Longford Jazz Festival that was held over the weekend. I have had feedback from the festival organisers about the exemplary behaviour, how well prepared and enthusiastic these students were throughout the weekend. The students got the opportunity to demonstrate their talents on Sunday at a live performance at the Longford Hall. Well done to all of these amazing young musicians.

Visits between Grade 5/6 students from our feeder primary schools and our campus are well underway and we look forward to welcoming these students back next term for further visits to support them in their transition to high school. A special thank you to Mrs Pooley, Ms McKay, and Mrs Smyth who have been driving this program.

Students will soon have the opportunity to select their new Option subjects for 2025. It is really important that students really think about what subjects they are really interested in to make good choices in regard to their learning.

Parents if I could please ask you over the break to have a conversation with your children about road safety. Students when leaving school need to be crossing the road at the lights and if riding bikes making sure they understand the appropriate road rules and are always wearing a quality helmet.

Have a great holiday break and I look forward to seeing everyone back for Term 4.

Dear Parent/ Guardian

The City of Launceston immunisation team visited our school earlier in the year and if your child missed these due to absence or other reasons your child should have the missed immunisation(s) as soon as possible.

The following options are available:

The City of Launceston immunisation clinic is open every Wednesday morning from 10.00am to 11.00am (excluding public holidays) at the Town Hall, St John Street.  Our immunisation clinics are free. This session has an online booking system in place, please visit the site below or contact their office to book.

https://www.launceston.tas.gov.au/Community/Children-and-Families#section-2

Alternatively, you may wish to attend Ravenswood Child and Family Health Centre, 8 Prossers Forest Road, Ravenswood on the second Tuesday of each month from 9.30am - 10.00am (Closed for January) or the Muylatina Child and Family Learning Centre, 30b Hargrave Crescent, Mayfield, the second Tuesday of each month from 11am to 11:30am. (Closed for January).

You may prefer to go to your own private doctor to have this done or a participating pharmacy - please see attached for a list of pharmacies offering this service.  If so, I would appreciate it if you would let one of our immunisation officers know, so that their records can be kept up to date. 

Please call the immunisation team on 6323 3208 or email sonya.jack@launceston.tas.gov.au if you have any queries relating to immunisations.

I would always recommend that parents ring the pharmacy before attending, to ensure their pharmacist immuniser is available, they have the correct vaccines in stock, and to ask if there is a cost associated with the vaccine administration.

I took part in the Australian Volleyball Youth Championships in Bendigo, Victoria from September 15th to 20th, representing Tasmania in the Under 16 Boys Team. 

Our team performed well and was very competitive against the other states and territories.  It was a very challenging competition and we were lucky enough to win sets against 3 other states/territories.  We also managed to win our first ever game in a tough battle versus the Northern Territory.

After the tournament, I stayed in Bendigo for the National Development Program (NDP) camp.  I am one of 5 from our state and 3 in my age group.  The camp is run by Volleyball Australia where we have national coaches, trainers, dietitians and athletes who oversee our training for these 4 days.  I was lucky enough to be selected for the camp last year based on my performance in the National Youth Competition.

Most there Was Silence 

The street was empty

The shops were shut

The crowd had gathered.

It felt strange not to be with his unit on Anzac Day

It felt strange to be in uniform again.

Family, waiting up by the war memorial

Roses hung on the wall

Servicemen lined up

A few, like him, were in uniform, mostly World War II veterans

Thinned by old age

Pants and jackets too tight

Medals pinned to their chests.

Servicemen and women, wearing the medals of their grandfathers

Fire brigade, scouts, school cadets

Horses groomed and shiny

Men with feather hats recreating the heroes of so long ago.

Drums began to beat

Boom Boom Boom

Bodies instinctively followed the beat of the march.

Faces lined the street

People who thought they knew about a war because they had seen it on tv

Boys who read books about army heroes

Those here for sentiment or memory

The politicians’ speeches sang the memories of heroes.

The shadows in his friends’ eyes

What would they have thought of Afghanistan?

Of Rwanda?

Of Iraq?

We did what we could

We knew the difference between those who ordered war and those who fought.

You fight, because doing nothing would be worse.

The crowd was thick about the memorial

Men waved digital cameras

Woman held hands of grandchildren

Whispered explanations

Rosemary pinned to the knitted coats of dogs

Mothers crying.

One by one the wreaths were laid

But mostly there was silence. 

- Tom Grade 10

Found poem based on extract from A Rose for the ANZAC Boys by Jackie French

Have your say on the future of Tasmania’s education system

The Tasmanian Government has established an Independent Review of Tasmania’s education system to improve the education system over the next 10 years. And they want to hear from families, children and young people of all ages, and members of the community.

There are multiple ways you can get involved:

1. Respond to the public Consultation Paper 
2. Complete the survey for educators, families and the community
3. Complete the short survey for students
4. Submit a creative response to the question (for children and young people only): Imagine yourself at the end of school, what have you learned, what have you achieved and who do you want to be?

Submissions responding to the Consultation Paper must be submitted by Sunday 13 October 2024, and all other consultation opportunities will close on Sunday 27 October 2024.

Visit ier.tas.gov.au/how-to-get-involved/ to learn more or email contact@ier.tas.gov.au.