Welcome back to all students, staff and families

We again started the year in a different manner with time invested in meeting the social and emotional needs of our students. With quite a few class changes since the end of 2020 it was timely to spend time getting to know your teacher and other students before the academic year began. We have a focus this year of ensuring we provide not only academic learning to our students but also the equally important social and emotional learning so important during adolescent development. We have an absolute focus on supporting the wellbeing of all students.

A number of wellbeing initiatives are already underway as we began planning late last year for a revised approach to supporting our school community in 2021.

We are developing a number of new wellbeing approaches based on our wellbeing data and other information gathered on our students to ensure they have the most successful year possible.

One of the frameworks we are using to support this work will be the ongoing integration of our school values of Respect, Aspiration, Courage and Growth into all that we do at Queechy.

These important values help ensure our school outcomes of Quality, Harmony and Success.

Queechy has again grown since last year with 745 students now enrolled, 60 Teaching staff and well over 100 adults working on our site every day.

Planning is well underway for a new Year 11/12 space which will sit alongside our new A-Block. Building will be well underway before the end of 2021.

Uniform

Whilst we have had a very positive start to the year in regard to uniform we have noticed a number of students have been struggling to meet our uniform expectations this year. We encourage all families to ensure your children are in uniform every day. Please contact your child’s Grade Leader to discuss our uniform expectations and how we can support your children to be in full school uniform.

Mobile Phones

A reminder to all families that messages to students can be passed on through our office during the day. We are suggesting that unless absolutely necessary that phones remain at home rather than travel to school at all.

Thank you for your support on this matter.

Welcome Back BBQ

Next Tuesday, the 16^th February will see our annual Welcome back BBQ on “The Deck” behind our Admin block from 5:00-7:00p.m.

This is an opportunity for parents to informally meet your children’s teachers, enjoy some food and ask questions about the year ahead.

There will be an opportunity for a Year 10 parents meeting at 6:00pm in C-Block. This will be a chance for us to share the planning and important messages for what is always a very busy year for the year 10 students. Please come along for an opportunity to ask any questions about the year ahead.

We welcome a large number of new staff in 2021

Kaleb Clark - Grade 9 Maths & Digital Technologies 

Andy Goodwin - English as an Additional Language 

Georgie Gibbons - Grade 7, 8 &10 Science

Georgia Livermore - Grade 7 English/ HaSS 

Kristen Riley - Sports and Rectreation Traineeship 

Nathan Woolley - Packages of Learning/ Grade 8 HaSS & Science 

Hi all, I’m Mia your new Queechy High School health nurse – I will be sharing this role with Penni.  I work as part of the State-wide School health nurse team across Tasmanian Government schools.  The programme aims to support schools to create a physical and social environment that promotes health, wellbeing and assists to improve health and education outcomes for children and young people in Tasmania. In secondary schools the focus is to promote good health and wellbeing, and to work with students, teachers and the school community on issues that may include body image, physical activity and nutrition, mental health, addictions and risk behaviours, sexual health and relationships, positive parenting for teenagers with babies, and promotion of good health and wellbeing.

I also offer one to one assistance, working with health promotion activities, and being involved with health education where requested. I have been a nurse for around 14 years (mostly working in acute care) with 12 of those working as a midwife. I am currently working in partnership with 3 high schools and will be at Queechy High every Monday.  Please feel free to drop in and say "Hi". I am located in the school nurse office (upstairs from the school office). Students can attend appointments with me at the school. Teachers and support staff can refer students who can also self-refer.  I’m happy to work with parents where requested and can be contacted via the school office if you would like to make an appointment.  Just as a reminder, first aid needs still go through the school’s usual process as I am not in the school every day. 

If you would like more information on School Nurses just click on the hyperlink below.

https://documentcentre.education.tas.gov.au/Documents/Infosheet-Health-School-Health-Nurses.pdf

Cheers Mia

I’m Penni, your other new School Health Nurse at Queechy High School. I will be working Thursdays and every second Friday.

I am here to help students, parents and/or staff alike through promoting optimal physical and mental health outcomes. This can be in whatever form that is appropriate to the group at hand, or on an individual basis. I am keen to get involved in the school garden if possible, as I believe growing edible plants is a skill many are not exposed to these days.

A little bit about me: I have just had a significant ‘0’ birthday, which was a bit of a festival over some months, instead of an overseas trip to Vietnam?. I am the mother of two wonderful humans (most of the time!) – a son who is 18 and a daughter who is 16. I have worked as a Midwife consistently over the past 25 years in various locations in Tasmania, as well as a year in Vietnam. During that time, I have also been a GP Practice Nurse and I currently work in the realm of sexual assault and forensic examining as well as midwifery.

In my spare time I like to cook, run and bush walk. I also love all types of music and have been known to embarrass my children with my ‘special’ dancing skills! My passions are people, food, coffee and wine (in that order ?).

I look forward to working with you all.

Penni Ives

Despite many nerves and new obstacles, the Grade 7's have made a fantastic start to their Queechy journey. Looking fantastic in their full school uniform, they have met all challenges head on and have made a settled and positive start to their learning. Despite wrestling with locker combinations, as well as navigating our way through timetables, the Grade 7's have already proven themselves to be punctual and organised for all classes.

It has been extremely pleasing to see apprehensive faces turn into smiling ones, and to witness friendships start to develop amongst all of our students. Teachers have reported that they have been most impressed by the level of engagement from Grade 7 students, as well as the friendly nature in which they approach all areas of school.

We look forward to the next few weeks as we settle into our routine of school life and the extra-curricular events, such as the swimming carnival. With such a positive start to the year, we look forward to seeing what the next four years brings, as we already have such high expectations for this amazing year group. We also look forward to meeting many of you at our Welcome Back BBQ on Tuesday the 16th.

Nigel Bent 

Grade 7 AST - nigel.bent@education.tas.gov.au 

What a great start to the year our Grade 8 cohort has made! We have spent a lot of time getting to know each other and building positive learning relationships in our new tutor group classes. We’ve explored the values of aspiration, courage, respect and growth and identified how these relate to us as Grade 8 students at Queechy High School. Key areas of focus have been on stepping out of our comfort zones, self-reflection and goal setting. A key theme for us this year will be leadership and what it means to be a leader, with our first formal leadership opportunity for the year coming soon through our Junior House Captain application process.

This year we have seven Grade 8 classes. Our grade team consists of:

8A Brendan McCaffrey brendan.mccaffrey@education.tas.gov.au 

8B Nathan Woolley nathan.woolley@education.tas.gov.au

8C Antony Butchart antony.butchart@education.tas.gov.au

8D Hadyn Goss hadyn.goss@education.tas.gov.au 

8E Jocelyn McKay jocelyn.mckay@education.tas.gov.au 

8F Hannah Brickhill hannah.brickhill@education.tas.gov.au

8G Neil Harris neil.harris1@education.tas.gov.au 
     & Georgie Gibbons georgina.gibbons@education.tas.gov.au 

Grade Advisors -                              

Ben Van Est ben.van.est@education.tas.gov.au

Catherine Attenborrow catherine.attenborrow@education.tas.gov.au    

Grade 8 AST -

Linda House linda.house@education.tas.gov.au 

Grade 7/8 Assistant Principal –

Fran Smyth francesca.smyth@education.tas.gov.au   

Our team have been really pleased with the great start our Grade 8s have made. We look forward to a fabulous year ahead. Please contact your child’s tutor group teacher with any questions or concerns that you may have about your child.

Grade 9 students have made a great start to their senior years at Queechy. For grade 9 students, 2021 is about Stepping Up, focusing on courage, resilience and aspiration. In the first 2 days of school, students were engaged in a variety of learning activities that introduced these ideas. This focus will continue throughout the year and will be of particular relevance in our grade camp to Narawntapu National Park in March, where students will be involved in a range of activities including bushwalking, kayaking and camp cooking.

This year in grade 9 we have 6 tutor group classes and a Packages of Learning class.  Tutor group teachers for 2021 are:

9A Richard Fleming richard.fleming@education.tas.gov.au

9B Sam Ayre sam.ayre@education.tas.gov.au 

9C Phoebe Bowen phoebe.bowen@education.tas.gov.au

9D Murat Djakic murat.djakic@education.tas.gov.au

9E Kaleb Clark kaleb.clark@education.tas.gov.au

9F Adam Davey adam.davey@education.tas.gov.au &
Marie Stannus marie.stannus@education.tas.gov.au

Packages of Learning Darren Crawford Darren.crawford@education.tas.gov.au

Grade Advisors – Kim Anderson kim.anderson@education.tas.gov.au  & Scott Bent bent@education.tas.gov.au

Grade 9 AST – Katrina Davenport Katrina.davenport@education.tas.gov.au

Grade 9/10 Assistant Principal - Heather Jackson    heather.jackson@education.tas.gov.au 

At present the learning focus for grade 9 students is as follows:

English – Crime fiction

Mathematics – Finance and statistics

History – The Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions

Science – Biology

Health – The benefits of physical activity

HPE – Invasion games

Packages of learning – Career Pathways and Personal Attributes 

The grade 9 team of teachers are very impressed by the smooth transition that students have made into the senior area of the school and we are very much looking forward to the year ahead. Please contact your child’s tutor group teacher with any questions or concerns that you may have.

The Grade 10's are off to a super positive start to the year. We were able to meet with all students and reinforce our theme of making sure we all "make it count" this year. Mr Warren was able to give an excellent presentation on future pathways and career opportunities and the importance of having a future focus. 

Throughout the course of the first two days, students were able to spend time getting to know their tutor group teacher, practicing their ability to hold a conversation (through "speed friending" on the oval) and listening to previous QHS students talk about what they have done with their lives post-Grade 10. 

Students were also given the opportunity to set some SMART goals for the next 12 months. This is an important concept we will continue to build on throughout the course of the year. 

The final session on Thursday was an opt-in activity: Football, Nail Art, Just Dance, Board Games, Bocce and Theatre Sports. This was a fun way to end off our first two days and was enjoyed by all. Thanks to all the staff for the time and effort they spent in preparing for these first two days and all our students for having a fantastic attitude and approach to their learning!

Grade 11 and 12 has begun at Queechy High School. We are so excited to report that the year has started smoothly. Staff and students are enjoying learning about our senior school and how to access their courses through Canvas and direct teaching. Students will also have multiple work experience and excursion opportunities throughout the year.

At the moment, we have made our home in upper H block and are enjoying having kitchenette facilities and our own laptops. Mornings begin with a cup of tea and a chat and then it is straight into the learning opportunities for the day.

Subjects including Introduction to Sociology and Psychology, Tasmanian Aboriginal Studies, Road Safety Education, as well as our core subjects from English and Maths mean that our students have diversity and the ability to challenge themselves in a supportive environment.

Our teaching staff, Lisa Mitchell, Darren Crawford and
Rick Bond are enjoying the opportunities that teaching and learning in this space provides. As a team, we have noticed that the ability to personalise learning is already leading to improved student outcomes.

For parents and students in Grade 10 who would like to discuss the option of continuing their studies at Queechy High School for Grade 11/12 please feel free to email me at kerri.kleinig@education.tas.gov.au at any time.

Kerri Kleinig

11/12 AST

Useful Links: 
We would like to remind families of some useful links and apps that you may use to assist you with ordering from our canteen, purchasing uniforms and receiving communication from the school.

Uniforms:
Queechy High School uniforms can be purchased from Midford Launceston. Midford allows you to book appointments for fittings and order uniforms online. When ordering uniform items online you may have them delivered to your home or collect them from Midford or the Queechy High School office.

Purchase uniform items: https://schoolshopnew.midford.com.au/…/aHR0cHM6Ly9zY2hvb2x…/

Visit our website for more information on uniforms:
https://queechyhigh.education.tas.edu.au/uniforms

Newsletter: 
The Queechy High School Newsletter is published every fortnight through Schoolzine. Schoolzine is an app that allows you to communicate with the school, receive notices and newsletters and view the school calendar.

Download the Schoolzine app: https://www.schoolzine.com/szapp-installation

QHS Website:
The Queechy High School website allows you to access our school calendar, contact & absentee form, newsletter, and useful documents (including bus, STAS and medication information).

Calendar: https://queechyhigh.education.tas.edu.au/calendar

Document centre: https://queechyhigh.education.tas.edu.au/documents

There has been some changes to the canteen processes:

• QKR is the best way to order your recess one and lunch orders – please order prior to 8am each day
• One special is available each day (menu available on the Queechy High School Facebook page)
• Milkshakes are available Thursday and Friday only
• Icy Poles/ice creams are only sold at lunch and need to be purchased by 1.40pm, 10 minutes before end of lunch
• Canteen sales will stop when the music starts playing so please ensure that you have purchased what you need before the music starts, i.e. three minutes prior to the bell.

A reminder that Student Validation forms are now overdue. 

Those students who have not returned their Validation form to the office will not be able to have their photo taken by MSP on Tuesday 2 March or be able to purchase photo packs. 

If you are needing another form for your student(s), please contact the Queechy office. 

The National Immunisation Program provides free vaccines for students in Year 7 and Year 10.

Consent forms have been sent home and are needed at the Queechy office urgently. If you need a new form, please contact the office (6341 4455) or ask your student to collect one from student window.

 If your student isn't receiving an immunisation at school, we still require the consent form to be signed and returned. 

Class Times

Who to Contact:

2021 Term Dates

2021 Student Free Days: