Year 9 Mathematics

What could be better than beginning the final term of Year 9 at Queechy with a Mathematics unit on Algebra. Whilst many find the abstract nature of algebra daunting, all students are tackling it with a positive mindset, and we are already seeing significant progress. Feel free to sit down with your young person, stretch yourself and try the following question.

As we draw to the end of the school year, I have been emphasising with my HaSS (Humanities and Social Sciences) classes what I desire for them to develop from the subject. 

I encourage students to engage with their world with an understanding of what is going on. So instead of an opinion, they have a reasoned view on a matter. When the student and I discuss their view of an event in history, I emphasise that I do not have to agree with them, but they should be able to bring to the situation all you know of the world, and explain why they hold that view. Their World War II studies helped them see the long held ethnic tensions that are part of what is happening in Ukraine for the last few years. 

Hopefully this ability will follow them into College and beyond, as productive and thoughtful members of our wonderful Launceston Community. 

- Russell Steyne 

On Wednesday 25th October, Troubie Theatre company came and presented three separate performances to our Year 7, 8 and 9 students. The shows were not only entertaining but provided valuable knowledge relating to the History and Geography curriculum.

Below is an overview of each show:

Year 7 – Ask Hatshepsut?

This performance provided a unique perspective of ancient Egypt from Hatshepsut, the fifth Pharaoh of the eighteenth dynasty of Egypt. She ruled for 15 years over the most powerful civilisation in history. Hatshepsut tells how she became a ruler and thrived in a highly bureaucratic system. Students gained an understanding of life in ancient Egypt and the interwoven layers of religion, politics and administration that created the empire of this great Queen.

Year 8 – Rights & Freedoms/Referendum

Glen Phillips (a theatre-for-young-people specialist) presented an informative and entertaining show exploring the ongoing civil rights movement in Australia. Students learnt about the 1967 Referendum on aboriginal rights, the years preceding this historic vote, and the years since. The changing attitudes and public awareness in Australia was explored whilst looking at the continuing evolution of the civil rights movement.

Year 9 – WW1: Fightin’ the Kaiser

Students and staff were drawn into the emotional journey of war in this performance. The melodrama included songs, poems, letters, anecdotes, reportage and reminiscences of the ANZACS. The main character, Gassy, is a wounded vet eternally inhabiting the no man’s land of a veteran’s hospital. He reflects on his recruitment in Sydney and on the great tragedy of the Western Front.

Individually decorated cupcakes, choc dipped shortbread and peppermint patties.

Loved this class…. respectful, cooperative, patient and persistent. Excellent results!!

Year 9/10 MDT report

During term 3 and 4 we have focused upon community projects. These projects are to better our school community or the broader Launceston community.  Students have designed, problem solved and created pieces of engineering that have demonstrated their ability to use technical drawings and transfer the initial concept into the workshop environment. Where they then have used their measuring and angles knowledge to relate to the material knowledge, welding and power tools knowledge in collaboration with workshop safety. All in order to create their pieces of metal work to be used either by the school community, to be donated to the Queechy High pop up store to be sold or donated to the broader community to benefit a facet of the Launceston community in a different way.

Toi has designed a set of stools he has navigated using two materials of steel and wood to create and be well on his way to finishing a fantastic piece he is donating to the Queechy High pop up store. Toi has designed and completed technical drawings using his initiative and self determination to complete his academic requirements. He has been a fantastic student to teach, a pleasure to be around and we look forward to seeing what Toi decides to pursue after his time at Queechy High School.

Oscar has shown a real sense of creativity and practical knowledge throughout our school year. Oscar has chosen a simple and practical design in a park bench.  This decision has allowed him to showcase his ability in welding and fabricating a practical community facility, whilst showing attention to detail. Additionally, his ability to utilise two materials to create an exceptionally, aesthetic and fully functioning park bench. Oscar has shown an interest in the mechanical realm of the engineering and fabrication industries. Hopefully, Oscar follows his passion next year in an area that helps him develop a deeper understanding in whatever endeavour he chooses to follow in the future. Oscar’s enthusiasm and genuine interest would see him be an asset at Launceston College next year in both the Automotive and Engineering courses. The MDT team wishes Oscar all the best.

Josh has taken a more industrial approach to the community project as he has decided to develop and push the engineering and creativity boundaries for a year 10 student. He has designed and fabricated a 4lbs hammer for our groundsman to use. Furthermore, Josh has had to take into account the practical application of engineering, considerating the piece of machinery it might be attached to, the workload an aerator may encounter and the safety concerns of producing a piece of equipment that has serious repercussions if not engineered correctly and used properly. There has been extreme challenges Josh has had to overcome. His ability to problem solve, think the issue through and find that solution has kept the project moving. It has been encouraging and exciting to see Queechy students using their skills and abilities to make a real difference in navigating their pathways as they enter their college, apprenticeship and university years. Well done to Josh for persisting with this project and overcoming all the challenges he has faced.

Last week we held our annual swimming carnival for the first time in Term 4. Despite this change, participation levels were as high as ever with students enjoying themselves through rotations of Competitive Swimming races, fun with the inflatables and the ever-enjoyable waterslide.

This year's carnival was fantastic for many reasons, however a massive shoutout goes to Anika (Grade 7) and George (Grade 9) for their record-breaking swims. Anika broke both the 50m Freestyle and 50m Butterfly records, while George broke the 50m Butterfly record. It has been a number of years since we have had a swimming record broken, so to have 3 in the one year is very impressive.

In the house competition, Allen were our overall winners on 409 points, with McLeod (358), Grace (320) and Miller (245) behind them.

We would like to thank Mr Adam Davey for his work in organising the two days of our carnival and now look forward to the Inter High event on Friday the 17th November.

Students had an action packed well-being day on Thursday 19th October. The day started off with a whole grade trivia activity ran by  Mrs Harris. This then transitioned into a big breakfast of egg and bacon muffins and pancakes organised and cooked by Mrs Antypas & Mr Carbray in assistance with some wonderful year 10 leaders. The bulk of our day was focused on community service and how we can give back to those around us. Students elected into one of the following activities for blocks 2 and 3:

- Excursion to City Mission to see how operations work and how City Mission supports our community.
- Excursion to Regis Aged Care facility to meet some of the elderly people in our community and play cards and games with them.
- Excursion to Norwood Primary School, with students splitting into small groups and doing a reading activity.
- Waverley Primary students came to Queechy where students ran sporting games and activities with them.
- School maintenance group, where students painted some of the benches and tables around the school that were due for a new coat of paint.

Block 4 students then were given many different options outdoors to get active, with some structured games of bush flags, non stop cricket, tennis and soccer to finish off a wonderful day. Well done to all teachers for their hard work and students for their effort, participation and engagement.

A handful of grade 10 students visited Regis Aged Care on the 19th of October. The students played games and had conversations with the residents. It was an enriching experience,  enjoyed by both the students and residents.

Swimming Carnivals

Last week saw all our students attending either the Year 7/8 or 9/10 swimming carnivals at Launceston Aquatic. Students had two brilliant days with a flexible program of swimming events, in-pool activities and games and a chance to relax as well. Behaviour on both days was exceptional and both staff and students are to be congratulated for the positive experience. Well done to all involved with a big shoutout to the HPE team lead by Hadyn Goss.

Wellbeing Days

We back our swimming carnival days with student wellbeing activities. Each year group work with a theme for the day based on our school wellbeing plan. It was a very busy two days with a variety of activities and learning opportunities ranging from gender specific sessions on relationships through to working groups that painted our outdoor furniture.

These days don’t occur without significant planning from our incredible teaching team so a big thank you to all our teams for the work invested in making these days engaging, relevant and purposeful for all students.

PAT Testing

All students 7-10 are currently undertaking our annual Progressive Achievement Tests Numeracy/Reading. The data collected from these standardised tests is used to measure the success of our teaching and learning programs and map individual student achievement over time. Our PAT data over recent years has been trending upwards and we hope to see a similar positive shift this year.

Welcome back to Term 4! We hope you enjoyed school holidays, and are ready for another exciting term.

We all want the best for our children – for their futures to be as bright as possible. Showing up every day to school really matters. It gives your child every chance to learn, grow and find their interests.

This last stretch of the school year can sometimes be tricky. Keep it up, because each day is another chance to:

• be around friends
• learn new things
• find interests
• create dream futures (whatever that may be!).

If you’re looking for tips on how to create better attendance habits, visit the Anything can happen website.

Please always talk to us if you’re having trouble getting your child to school. We’re here to help.

Click on the link below to see Newstead's latest newsletter, this is a great way to see what Newstead College has to offer in particular Year 9 and Year 10 families.

https://newsteadcollege.education.tas.edu.au/_d/4123