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Year 10 HaSS students have been studying causes of World War Two. They have learnt about the varying ideologies of the warring countries and made comparisons with current world situations. The culmination of this unit will be an in-class essay which will give them a chance to share their knowledge of the effects of the Treaty of Versailles and the Great Depression, the ramifications of appeasement, the failure of the League of Nations and Hitler’s expansionist tactics.
The following work on the Treaty of Versailles was done by Archie, Sam and Fraser.
This term, our grade 8 scientists have been working hard on completing their biology unit. So far, we have investigated the workings of both plant and animal cells and their organelles.
This unit has seen our young scientists completing various investigationstheoretical and punchcal. We have looked through microscopes at all types of microscopic specimens, investigated the inner workings of plants and their transport systems. As the unit draws to a close we have worked tirelessly on creating an analogy for the organelles within cells by depicting their parts and functions as a city and its structures.
As we journey through the academic year, we wanted to take a moment to update you on the exciting developments happening in our Grade 9 mathematics class. Currently, we are delving deep into the world of financial mathematics, equipping our students with essential skills for real-world financial decision-making.
In recent weeks, our students have been immersed in the intricacies of financial mathematics, with a particular focus on understanding tax and simple interest. These concepts form the cornerstone of financial literacy, empowering our students to make informed decisions about money management and investments.
Taxation is a fundamental aspect of personal finance, and our students have been learning how to calculate taxes on income and purchases. By exploring various scenarios and tax rates, they are gaining a comprehensive understanding of how taxes impact their finances and the economy at large.
Additionally, our students have been mastering the concept of simple interest, a crucial component of understanding borrowing and lending. Through engaging activities and real-life examples, they are learning to calculate interest earned or paid on loans and investments. These skills are invaluable as they navigate future financial decisions, such as saving for college or managing credit card debt.
Term 1 has focussed on crime fiction with students increasing their genre specific vocabulary by searching for clues, hunting for suspects and motives, plus keeping an eagle eye open for foreshadowing and red herrings in a number of texts. Sherlock Holmes: A Study in Pink provided the opportunity to write PEEL paragraphs about genre features as seen in the film, whilst reading Roald Dahl’s short story, “Lamb to the Slaughter” lead to newspaper reporting on crime. The term will end with Grade 9’s creating original crime fiction narratives.
It’s been an engaging unit with lots of positive comments by students.
Each lunch time students are welcome to spend time in the art room. This is a time for students to do anything creative with the art supplies that we have available. Students do not have to be currently enrolled in an Art course this term.
Recently we have had a few students join a session run by Bella from grade 7. She was teaching the art of origami octopus. It was a good challenge for our brains, and it was fun to add cute little faces with whiskers to our work to personalise them. They are currently on display in the glass cabinet outside the art room if you would like to come and check them out.
On Wednesday March 13th the Grade 8 Art class went to view the Glover exhibition in Evandale.
The Glover is a contemporary landscape painting exhibition with artworks inspired by the Tasmanian landscape.
It is an annual event which celebrates the legacy of John Glover (1767 – 1849) who was a colonial artist and well known as ‘the father of Australian landscape painting’.
The winner receives $75,000 – the highest prize for a landscape in Australia.
You can take a virtual tour of the exhibition as well as a talk from the 2024 curator using this link https://www.johnglover.com.au/glover-prize-virtual-exhibition-tour/
What a term it has been for Outdoor Education, with only a few weeks left it is a good time to reflect on the camps and content we have been covering in and out of the classroom.
Our big overarching topic this term has been around how effective teams work and the theory behind teamwork. We have spent a number of weeks working hard on becoming an effective team that can trust to support each other in risky situations.
We started early in the term with our South Mt Cameron camp. This is always a great way for students to see what Outdoor Ed is all about. The classes were split into 2 camp groups, one left on Monday 26th February and returned on the 27th February and the other group departed on the Thursday 29th and returned on Thursday 29th February. Yes, that’s right the second group only made it to the camp and then suddenly had to enact our fire evacuation plan. Which was a great adventure in itself.
Our camp is aimed to develop basic camping skills including cooking, packing of gear, camp site setup and a massive emphasis on teamwork and the building of a tight, supportive group. Only group 1 made it to the top of South Mt Cameron, which allowed them to see magnificent views of Flinders Island and the surrounding North - East. This was a challenge for all parties due to the hot weather but it was great to see everyone celebrate raching the top of the mountain.
Once we returned to the camp and organised our meals etc. the groups then embarked on a few camp games to finish off the evening. The students were exhausted after the 4 hour walk and bed time was smooth with everyone asleep early. One of the best groups we have had in terms of allowing teachers to sleep.
Group 2 made it to the first ‘check in’ spot on the walk before Mr LeFevre, the camp facilitator received an alert to say that a fire had started around 5 kms from our camp site. The staff worked quickly to investigate this alert and it was recommended that we move to the evacuation site as soon as possible. We reconvened at the Gladstone Park (the emergency meeting point) and waited for the go ahead to head back into camp. Unfortunately, the Education Department deemed it too high a risk and therefore we needed to head home. What an amazing group of students, they dealt with the situation calmly and, everyone was calm and chipped in to help. We feel like that although the camp was cut short this group really gained some insight of the importantance of why we put Risk Managements in place.
Day 2 saw the group participate in the flying fox, please see some cool snaps below. They then participated in a number of challenges. This allowed students to get to know each other and work on a common goal. It was a really successful morning and saw not only the group develop into a team but also alot of fun and laughs were had.
Overall, the camps could be deemed a massive success even with an early return. With students demonstrating an improvement in their skill levels, around the application of sound camping skills, memories to look back on fondly and some good laughs.
A big thank you to all the parents and guardians for the support of this program and who came early to pick up our students. We are very lucky at Queechy to run such a course and provide amazing opportunities for students.
It is a great privilege to return to Queechy High as the new Principal. Throughout my career I have taught in five different High Schools. QHS was my first ever position in 1998. I have taught at Queechy High School, Kings Meadows High School, Scottsdale High School, Deloraine High School, and Exeter High School. I have been a Principal for 10 years.
My first two weeks have been very enjoyable, and I am very much looking forward to leading this community into the future. I have met some amazing students and believe that the intellectual work that has been undertaken by staff over the past three years around learning is exceptional. PLC structures are well and truly in place and there is great collaboration amongst teachers in the planning and delivery of quality learning. Each day I visit every classroom to engage with the students and see with my own eyes what learning looks like at QHS.
I strongly believe that every student has the right to a quality education and the right to come school and feel safe and respected. I have high expectations of students in regards of behaviour, respect and how they engage in their learning, and how they communicate with others. Orderly learning environments are essential to maximise learning and disruptive behaviour will not be tolerated. I ask for parents support in advance with this, so together we can guarantee that every student has a safe place to learn every day.
Respect is an DECYP value. It is fundamentally important that we all adhere to this value as a Queechy High School community. Respectful communication and behaviour are an expectation that I have for all members of the community. Swearing and abusive language, especially when this is directed at staff, will not be tolerated. We want to foster culture where all people feel safe and supported and are not subjected to any form of abuse.
Attendance at school is crucial in enabling students to have the best chance at success, both academically and socially. As I mentioned before, teachers work extremely hard developing learning sequences that suit the needs of all learners, and it is fundamentally important that students come to school every day to take advantage of these learning opportunities. In the event of your child is away, can I please ask that parents contact the school office so that we can record any absences accurately.
In 2024 QHS will continue to follow the Department of Education Child and Young Person mobile phone policy which means students are not to use their phones at school from 8.45am – 2.57pm.
I would like to emphasise that it is important that students have appropriate closed-in footwear. Work boots such as Caterpillar or any sort of steel cap boots, thongs, crocs or slippers are not to be worn at school.
I would really like to make a mention the outstanding efforts of the SLB in raising over $4000 by participating in the relay for life. The students said that they really enjoyed the experience and what a great team building activity it was. I have met with members of the SLB and heard some of their ideas of how to continually build a positive culture here at QHS. These conversations have been amazing and is a clear example of the calibre of students we have here at QHS. The junior and senior swimming carnivals were held this week and it was great to see so many of our students participating in so many events.
I sincerely look forward to leading QHS and working with all staff, students, parents, and carers to continually improve our great school.
The adventure begins at home or around the dinner table when you host an international student.
Year 9 – 12 students from around the world attend Tasmanian Government Schools, and you can support their once-in-a-lifetime journey to study and explore Tasmania beyond the classroom.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAR0sNpMHjg&list=PPSV
Give it a go and start hosting now.
+ 61 3 6165 5727
