As we move towards all Tasmania high schools offering opportunities for year 11/12 students, Queechy has begun planning for a commencement in 2021.
Staff from all the urban high schools and both colleges have been working together over the last few months to plan the implementation of a region-wide approach to year 11 and 12.
At the beginning of 2020 we will be working closely with students and families from our year 9 cohort to investigate possible subject offerings for a year 11 program at Queechy in 2021.
We are still invested in ensuring as many students as possible continue on to Launceston and Newstead Colleges and this won’t change.
For some students the transition to college is still a step too far, so there will be an opportunity for them to continue at Queechy as they develop their skills and confidence to succeed in a college environment or the workforce.
Our ultimate goal is to have 100% of our students on one of the following pathways:

• Full time at either Launceston or Newstead College
• Full time at Queechy
• Part time at Queechy and part time at college
• At a neighbouring high school offering an appropriate year 11 course
• Full time apprenticeship or traineeship
• Attending an approved provider such as TAFE
• Working at least 35 hrs per week

We are trying to be as creative as we can to meet the multitude of needs of our students across the Launceston region.
Parent information and feedback sessions will be run early in 2020 for all interested parents to attend.

Rob Fleming 
Principal

On Friday 22^nd November, the community liaison portfolio visited the Regis Aged Care Centre. During our visit we set up some Christmas decorations around the home. The visit went very well, we managed to set up and decorate several Christmas trees while the residents watched endearingly. We also spoke to multiple residents in our time at the aged care home. They were very grateful to have us there setting up Christmas decorations. We have arranged to return to Regis in the near future and continue to assist with Christmas decorating and we have also planned to attend Peace Haven nursing home to do the same.

Ava and Natasha
2019 SLB

From the 18th to the 20th November, the 2020 SLB team travelled to the Scottsdale Field Study Centre with Mrs Mesman and Mr Bent for a leadership camp. The camp focused on the true meaning of being a leader as well as knowing the different leadership styles as we identified our own strengths and weaknesses. The camp not only focused on leadership but it also focused on familiarising ourselves with other members of the 2020 SLB team. We developed knowledge of each other, developed new friendships and learned the ways in which every individual leads. As a team, we worked closely with Mr Fleming, Harry, Chloe and Hayley (members of the 2019 SLB), to discuss in depth, what it means to be a great leader and the qualities that are needed to be that great leader. This definitely furthered our knowledge about leadership and we all took away so much from that session. Meanwhile outside we completed activities that required a lot of team work, communication and trust. Some most loved activities included; the Burma Bridge, Megatroid Rescue and conquering "The Wall". It was not only a physical challenge but it was also a mental one too, by this we mean we had to push ourselves outside of our comfort zone but we soon realised that we all have each-others backs. The camaraderie during the camp was pleasing, the atmosphere was excellent due to the amount of support and laughter. We developed many beneficial skills that have enhanced our leadership qualities and we look forward to being the best leaders for 2020. We thank Mr Bent, Mrs Mesman and John (The Main Man) for such an amazing experience. We enjoyed it dearly and we will cherish all the memories made. Bring on 2020.

Breanna and Tori 
2020 SLB

On the 11-11-2019 our SLB students attended the Remembrance Day at the Cenotaph. The day consisted of many powerful speeches followed by the Australia anthem and the minute of silence to pay respects to the soldiers who fought and died for our country. The highlight of the service was seeing the percentage of youth population who turned up to pay their respects. We believe that is important to keep our youth involved as this is a huge part of history that we need to acknowledge. At school Delia and Katie wrote an inspiring speech about the soldiers who sacrificed their tomorrow for our today, followed by a minute of silence. All in all the day was an important reminder of the men and women who served our country.

Working towards an accuracy of 0.5 mm and fine finishing skills, are core learning intentions of the Andromeda puzzle challenge. Grade 7 students worked through planning and measurement steps that culminates in a stimulating wooden puzzle. Pyro-pen engraving adds to the test of remembering the lock and unlock sequence. If you get the opportunity, try out your memory and manipulation skills on their puzzle project.

On the 15th of November, the House Captains held a Pink Stumps day for the McGrath Foundation. This organisation supports cancer research and raises awareness for Aussie families experiencing breast cancer. Students wore pink over the Queechy uniform for a gold coin donation and cans of soft drinks were also sold on the day. At lunch, the cricket game turned pink and the competition was on between staff and students. The Canadian Cricketer - Mr Briggs was the star of the show with his two-for before Mr Fleming ripped through the bowling attack. Our cricket field was filled with professional fielders (Mr Barns) and many thrilling catches were attempted. Overall, everyone was brought together to celebrate such an important cause.

All donations received will go towards the McGrath Foundation; we would like to thank everyone who participated and made it a ripper of a day.

On 19 November 2019 the Grade 7 SRC, with the help from a couple of SLB members, ran a very successful ‘Sideshow Alley Fundraiser’. The activities included sponge throwing, selling soft drink cans, guessing the amount of skittles in a jar and a rock, paper, scissors style game, and there was karaoke run by Mr Woods, Mr Parker and an Ex-Queechy student Ryan Phelps. The sponge throwing event was the most successful as students had the opportunity to throw wet sponges at some teachers. All the events were run by the Grade 7 SRC and most of the grade 7 students joined in.

This event was a great opportunity for the SRC to experience how an event is organised and run, and it also gave them an opportunity to grow in their leadership skills and teamwork. All the money raised will be going towards the sports equipment for the grade 7’s. Thank you to all who helped out and joined in.

Mr Tepper’s Sports science class was lucky enough to have Ben Killalea from UTAS come in and speak about what Sport Science at University level is like. Ben brought in some equipment for our students to have a go at VO2 max testing. Well done to Harri, Isaac, Braeden and Alex for being such awesome volunteers! 

On Thursday 14^th November, a select group of students had a full day workshop at the Queen Victoria Art Gallery with a focus on careers in the Arts. This day was supported by The Smith Family.

We had guest talks from an Art Education Officer, Gallery Attendant, a Street Artist, Exhibition Designer and Art Curator.

We got to meet artist, Josh Foley, while he was painting in the main gallery. Josh has won the Glover Prize, among other awards, and his vivid work is well recognised.
He has taken over the Main Gallery at the Royal Park site to produce an artwork titled ‘Calculating Infinity’.
This exhibition ties in with MONA FOMA event for January, 2020. 
Queechy students have been invited to make work to add to this exhibition, so the last couple of weeks we have been busy making bees and monsters from found and repurposed materials.

 9/10 Forensic Science

Year 9/10 students in Forensic Science have continued studying various forensic examination techniques. They have dissected owl pellets and identified bones, teeth and skulls of various small animals from within the pellets.

Currently students are observing different natural and synthetic fibres using microscopes. Students are considering how fibre identification may provide crucial evidence in criminal cases. They are looking at various animal furs and wools as well as a range of natural and synthetic fabrics. Students are using the characteristics of these fibres to identify unknown fibre samples.

On Thursday 21st November the grade 9/10 Draw and Paint class went on an excursion to Launceston College to view their end of year art exhibition. The students got to view the high standard of work on display for assessment, and got to have a talking tour through the work by one of the Launceston College art teachers, Leigh Price.

Year 10 students completed their exams early in the term and have resumed normal classroom lessons. During Term 4, students have finished studying biological sciences and have begun looking at earth and space sciences as the term progresses.

Within the Biology unit, students considered how heritable characteristics pass from one generation to the next through DNA and genes. They constructed models to represent DNA. Furthermore, students examined evidences to support evolution of species particularly through natural selection. To represent natural selection, students produced their own rat adaptations based on the rats being isolated on theoretical islands with varying ecosystems. Students had an opportunity to debate ethical questions arising from gene therapies and genetic engineering as well as write persuasive essays to support research and their beliefs.

Throughout the Earth and Space unit, students are contemplating the origin of the universe and considering how the Big Bang theory is a plausible explanation to the formation of the universe. Students are looking at stars, galaxies and solar systems within the universe.

In English, a number of Grade 7 classes have recently completed a unit called ‘Fractured Fairy tales’. They have studied the origins of fairy tales and learned about some of the key elements of traditional fairy tales, including Cinderella, The Three Little Pigs and Little Red Riding Hood. They have then compared these elements with a fractured (or twisted) version of the original story. The key elements that students’ have studied include: good vs evil characters, problems that occur, the resolution, magic and the main message/moral. For their major assessment task, the class completed a comparative study on Sleeping Beauty and the Disney film, Maleficent. During this task, they explored the contemporary issues displayed in the modern day remake, whilst further developing their paragraph writing and text analysis skills.

Students were also asked to write their own fractured fairy tale. This allowed them to use their knowledge and creativity to compose their own text. Here is a fractured fairy tale written by Cadance from 7H:

The Three Little Pigs

Once upon a time, there was a wolf living in a house of straw. The wolf built his house by hand and thought it was the perfect house for him to live in. One day the wolf was at home when there was a knock on the door.

“Let us in!” The voice said.

“Not by the hair on my chinny chin chin.” The wolf replied.

“Let us in or you will regret it!” A second voice said.

“Not by the hair on my chinny chin chin!” The wolf repeated.

“Let us in or we will burn down your house!” Another voice said.

The wolf was dumb and decided to ignore the voices. The wolf went about his day and completely forgot about the voices. A few minutes later the wolf smelt something burning. He ran outside and saw three little pigs running down the hill, the wolf turned around and his house was burnt beyond repair.

The wolf decided to rebuild his house, but this time out of sticks. He spent the rest of the day building and perfecting his house. The wolf was happily living in his house and there was no sign of the three pigs. The wolf had been living in his house for a few months when he noticed a hole starting to appear in his wall. He patched up the hole and went to bed.

Later that night, the wolf was woken up by voices outside of his house.

“Be quiet he’s going to hear you!” The first voice said.

“No you be quiet!” Another voice yelled.

“Both of you be quiet!” A third voice said.

 As the wolf walked outside he noticed that the hole had come back. As soon as the wolf got outside his house collapsed, merely seconds away from squashing him. The wolf turned around just as the three pigs ran down the hill.

The wolf had had enough! He went to the shops and bought the strongest brick available and built his house on the other side of town. The wolf wasn’t too worried about the three little pigs but just to be safe he reinforced the bricks with magic.

“The pigs will never get to me now.” The wolf thought.

It had been about a year since the pigs were last seen when the wolf put a pot of water over the fire so that he could make dinner. When the wolf sat down to watch some TV he heard something on the roof. He assumed that it was a bird and continued watching TV. Five minutes later he heard a giant splash. The wolf ran to the pot of water and when he looked inside he screamed and jumped backwards. Inside of the pot were the three little pigs! The wolf panicked and had no idea what to do, so he sat down to calm himself down. After a few minutes of consideration, the wolf decided that cooked pork would be way tastier than boiled vegetables. The wolf ate the three little pigs and when the town found out about what he had done, they thanked him for getting rid of the three infuriating little pigs.

The End

When you finish Years 11 and 12, anything can happen.  If you are currently in Year 10, you will need to continue studying until you finish Year 12 (or meet a leaving requirement).  Once you leave school, it can be tough out there.  Most jobs today require you to complete Year 12 as a minimum and 91% of all new jobs will also require a VET or university qualification.  That’s why there are now more ways than ever before to finish Years 11 and 12 your way.

You don’t need to finish school the old-fashioned way.  There are courses and training programs available to suit everyone.  Just ask your teachers, Year 10 or My Education Coordinator – they will be able to tell you all about your options.  There are so many more opportunities available to you if you complete Year 12. 

Always remember if you’re not enjoying what you’re doing, you’re not stuck.  You can always shift focus and find the best options to suit you.  To find out more, talk to your teachers or head to anything.tas.gov.au.  

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