Queechy High School
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161 Penquite Road
Norwood TAS 7250
Subscribe: https://queechyhs.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe

Email: queechy.high@decyp.tas.gov.au
Phone: 03 6341 4455

Week 6, Term 1 2019

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Week 6, Term 1 2019

 As we reach the halfway point of term 1 we are busy focussing on learning and ensuring a settled learning environment is in place across the school.

I look forward to following the progress of our two F1 in Schools teams as they head off to Melbourne for the national finals. The teams have been an inspiration so far this year, regularly working in their own time and after school as the develop and refine their portfolios and make final changes to their cars in readiness for judging in Melbourne. A huge thankyou to parents and our staff Murat Djakic and Donna Frankcombe for your support of the teams since the state titles last year.

A reminder to all students of the importance of being organised, on-time and ready for learning every day. The benefits of being organised are significant and the positive habits you develop at high school will support you right through your life.

We have seen a positive shift in the way students are wearing their uniform this year. Uniform is compulsory for all students at Queechy and we strongly encourage parents to contact the grade team if you are having any issues supporting your child to be in uniform every day.

We have upcoming nominations for School Association membership. I urge all parents to consider joining us once each term as active members of our School Association. I find the group an essential component of our whole school improvement process and warmly welcome any parents who wish to join the crew to contact us and register your interest.

Warm regards

Rob Fleming

Principal 

Co-President Report

Day One,

On Wednesday 20th February, our selected group of SLB members headed to Mount Cameron for a leadership and teambuilding camp. Challenge number one was to interview people who we may not have spent a lot of time with before and to write a paragraph on the students following the interviews. As this was done on the bus, I think we all agree that bus sickness played a major role in this challenge, but I personally enjoyed everyone’s company which got me through the tough ride. When we got to the camp, the hike to the top of Mount Cameron was our first obstacle. It was mentally and physically tough, but through the experience our group learnt how to help and encourage one another to persevere through it all. We also had to make a carrier and decorate raw eggs which we looked after like they were our babies. Some of us might need to take up child studies classes and possibly spend more time to learn how to look after our eggs, but the responsibility was all good fun. As we settled into the evening, Craig the camp manager took half our group on a blindfolded walk in a single file line through the bush. Trust played a major role in this activity where the whole group had to trust in the leader’s directional skills, as well as the people in front of us.  A lot of laughter and a few screams came out as we slid down a step or walked into a bush. We ended our first night in onesies with a few cups of milo.

Day Two, 

 Day two got off to a great start waking up to eggs and bacon for breakfast. Some members headed off early with Mr Wilkinson-Reed to go on a mountain bike ride along the fire trails. Once everyone was up and ready, we split into our portfolio groups ready for some rogaining. During the rogaining we had thirty minutes to head out and find all the red and white plates that had a letter of the alphabet on them, each representing a certain amount of points depending on how hard they were to find. All these letters were scattered around the area. The key elements to ensure success were teamwork, communication and navigation skills. We then headed back to camp to have some morning tea and sit down with Mr Fleming to explore the meaning of leadership. The discussion we had with Mr Fleming was very beneficial for all involved. We learnt many different styles of leadership along with giving our own definition of what a leader is to us individually. We left this chat with a deeper understanding of what a “good leader” looks like. We then split into two groups to either go on a mountain bike ride or zip line. Both activities were great for seeing people face their fears along with the support of their peers and have some quality fun.  Our next challenge was to again split into our portfolio groups, where we had to build a survival hut based on the following criteria given by Mr Wilkinson-Reed. They were: steadiness, weatherproof and location, location, location! So we scrambled out and started to grab all the materials we could get our hands on.  We once again had to use our teamwork skills to be able to have the best build possible. Once our time limit was up, we got to go around and judge each hut. There were some really good builds along with a few ordinary ones as well. Little did we know when it was our time to get judged we all had to enter the hut and get a bucket of water thrown on us, it was fair to say a few of us got drenched. After cleaning ourselves up, we got into our gangster outfits and had some dinner. Once we were full and feeling satisfied after a big day we sat around, and each individual was asked if they wanted an office bearer role and if so, explain what you would bring to the role. We had these couple of days to reflect on who we would like to lead us as a group, so we all had a good idea of who we were voting for. After this we went outside around the camp fire and played some games and sang some songs, it was great to spend some quality bonding time together around the fire. We then headed back in and the office bearers were revealed to everyone and it was time for bed.

Day Three,

On our third and final day teamwork was a major theme of the day. We woke up and headed out with Craig to participate in some physical group challenges. We began with Nitro Crossing where we had to get the entire group across a rope swing and a billy of water to the other side of a gap. This really tested the group as everyone has different capabilities but after a bit of problem solving as a group, we completed the activity and even completed it again in our second attempt in under 3 minutes. Next, we were confronted with an obstacle course where we all had to walk across while carrying a dumby on a stretcher and one of our own member’s being blindfolded. Although at first, we were hindered by some poor communication, the way Zoe (our blindfolded student) was carefully and caringly guided through the course really demonstrated our developing teamwork skills, as not once was she overwhelmed or afraid but instead putting her full trust into the group. Next was the electric fence, another problem-solving challenge to try and get everyone up and out of a penned in space. A few stepped up to this challenge happily assisting one another and everyone contributing their ideas leading us to get everyone out. Our final challenge, was the wall, it was possibly the hardest challenge, requiring everyone to get up and over a tall wooden wall. The teamwork required to complete this was extraordinary with people lifting, spotting, pulling and encouraging one another in order to overcome the obstacle. Some struggled more than others but by the end we all made it over, proud of our accomplishments and one another.

Overall, camp did not just deliver physical challenges, it also taught us valuable lessons about our own leadership and how important teamwork and exploring one another’s ideas really is. After lunch and some reflecting on the day it was time to pack up and say goodbye to Mount Cameron.

Although we were physically tired mentally, we knew within the group we have the potential to really get stuck into the year and leave a lasting legacy on QHS.

Excursions & Incursions Grade 10

Over the past few weeks, 40 grade 8 students have participated in applying for the role of junior house captain.  

The process required students to nominate themselves, study 4 questions and then partake in an interview ran by Mr Tepper as well as the senior house captains Sam Adams, Anna Janssen, Gabbie Hayes and Harry Charlesworth.

The the quality of the interviews was incredible and the students all completed this process exceptionally well, making it extremely difficult to choose the house captains.

After much deliberation, the following were announced.

 

Allen: Jai & Maddie

Grace: Chloe & Jethro

McLeod: Charlotte & Juancarlos

Miller: Stella & Fletcher

 

Well done to all involved - the junior house captains have started their role with a bang, assisting at athletics carnivals at our Queechy Alliance Primary Schools in the coming weeks, as well as organizing events for Harmony Day and other events coming up in the near future. 

 

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Luke Tepper
Grade 8 Advisor

In Health, Grade 7 students are focussing on the benefits of being physically active. We have been looking at the health, fitness, skill, community and social health benefits of being an active member of their community. Students looked at their current activity levels and compared them to the national guidelines. This week students looked at measuring their heart rates and the effect that physical activity has on their heart rate. Students then compared their results with others in the class.

In practical lessons, grade 9 students have been focussing on invasion games. Classes are currently undertaking a 'Capture the Flag' unit where the major focus has been on spatial awareness, with an emphasis on creating and containing space within the game situation and personally focussing on their ability to dodge and change direction in order to either evade another student or to capture another student.

Hello, We are Ambition, an all-girls F1 in schools team competing in the 2019 Australian National Finals in Melbourne. Our team consist of five members; Amelia, our design engineer, Johanna, our manufacturing engineer, Stella, our Graphics Designer, Maddie, our team manager and Katie our Resource Manager. Our team name is Ambition. We chose this name because we believe this embodies who we are and what we believe in. Part of the reason for our name was because we are active advocates for girls in STEM. As an all-girl team we are always trying to inspire young girls to participate in STEM related activities and to do what they love even if they are told they can’t.

If you would like to follow us on our journey to nationals our social media accounts are:

Grade 9 and 10 Business students began this year with a great class activity involving some of the basics of supply and demand. The class were divided into groups, then given instructions on making a prototype cup. The challenge given was then to think about customer demand and design a new product to cater for this demand. The final activity was to present a 30 second elevator pitch to the class on their design and the feasibility of their new product.
Lots of activity followed, with groups forgetting instructions and clambering to finish their first prototype, and then practicing how they would present.
The aim was to produce and attempt to convince their peers of how brilliant their idea was and therefore to win backing for their product.
All students were involved in some fun with this being a great way to introduce students to concepts involved in planning a product.

Some of the creative ideas shared were; portable pet friendly drink containers, reusable cleaning sets of various sizes and a product aimed at children, the parent cup with free collectable dinosaur! 

Grade 8 are currently studying a unit on Humour. In this unit we are exploring the various ways authors use humour to engage their audience. We are reading texts with different types of humour and experimenting with writing our own.

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Ms Mitchell’s, 8A English class are rating a series of humorous images out of 10 and discussing the criteria that makes it funny.

In Grade 8 Science, we are getting stuck into some biology! Students are learning about the human body, the organ systems that keep us alive and what can sometimes go wrong.

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8D and 8E are here looking at modelling digestion, in particular the chemical and mechanical digestion in the stomach.

In Grade 9 Maths, students are investigating financial maths. We are exploring and working with simple interest to see how loans can work and make sure that we don’t borrow more money than we can afford to pay off. Students will then be moving on to looking at statistics.

Sam Ayre 
AST Curriculum 

In HASS classes, Grade 8’s are studying a History unit on the Medieval Ages. We are learning about what life was like during this period and completing an in-depth study of the Vikings – who they were, how they lived and the influence they had on society.

Mr Tepper’s 8F class are creating posters to display the Feudal System in the Medieval Ages.

Twelve students, Mrs Bassett, Mrs Heynes and Simone boarded a bus early on Thursday 21st February and travelled south to Hobart to participate in the
Winds of Joy program run by Sailors with disABILITIES (SWD) where the students sailed a 52 foot racing yacht on the River Derwent.

Students and staff were met at the Derwent Sailing Squadron in Sandy Bay by Kath
who would be the skipper for the trip. Originally the students were told they would be participating in their program inside the marina as the wind was too strong to head out onto the river. Students were assured that it would still be enjoyable as they would have the opportunity to be winched up the mast as well as participate in other activities. 

After a break for some food, the students headed down into the marina where they met the rest of the SWD crew. Much to the students surprise, the crew down on the yacht had looked at the updated weather forecast and made the decision to rig the yacht ready to sail since the wind had subsided somewhat. Everyone donned lifejackets, the motor was started and the yacht was steered out into the river.

Once the yacht was clear of the marina, students were given a brief on sailing and the motor was turned off. Students were then verbally guided by SWD crew on how to sail the vessel. Lily was the first to enthusiastically jump into a position where she swung off the rigging and raised the headsail. With the wind promptly filling the sail, it hastily became all things go for the students to cruise up and down the River Derwent for a couple of hours tacking and jibing.

All students were offered the opportunity to participate in each activity including steering the yacht, winching the running rigging, sitting on the bow and pancaking under the moving boom. It was a joyful experience for SWD crew and Queechy staff to see the students mindsets change from anxious to excitement within a short period of time out on the river. By the time the yacht was ready to return to the marina, all students were confidently walking around the boat and stepping up into the various roles on board.

Students parted ways with the crew at the marina after several photographs to board the bus and return home from what would be a long and tiring day, but one where memories were made.

You can check out the students in action by watching the video produced by SWD on the school Facebook page or the SWD Face book page.

The SWD program in an Australian registered not-for-profit organisation that provides optimism through opportunities. Their programs are run for children, youth and adults with disabilities and those at disadvantage. The organisations aim is to provide an opportunity that could be a life changing event encouraging people to view their life and circumstances in a brighter and positive way which in return may transpire to increase personal growth and improve life outcomes. The day was only made possible through donations to SWD.

On the 7th March, members of our SLB and Junior House Captains assisted in Punchbowl Primary's Athletics Carnival. As a school we are very proud of the exceptional ways that they contributed and displayed their initiative. 
Well done to all involved.  

School Association Update

The new school year has kicked off to a great start and our School Association Committee held its first meeting on 20 February 2019. It was great to see some new faces and the meeting discussed a number of issues including the 2019 School Improvement Plan, new staff members and school uniforms. If you would like a copy of the minutes please let me know.

 

The School Association Committee meeting dates for 2019 have been proposed as:

 

  • AGM - Wednesday 10 April 2019 followed by a committee meeting
  • Committee meetings - Wednesday 29 May 2019, Wednesday 21 August 2019, Wednesday 13 November 2019 and Wednesday 4 December 2019.

All meetings commence at 7pm and all are welcome. Office bearer positions will be declared vacant and we need some new people to step up and take on these vital roles as other parents move on.

 

The School Association has contributed financially to the welcome BBQ and to our F1’s in schools teams who head off on Sunday to Melbourne to represent Queechy High School at the National competition. Our best wishes to the teams who have worked tirelessly in their own time to get to this point. Good luck!

 

In order to be able to support requests for funding throughout the year, the school association needs support from parents and the wider community. One of the ways in which you can support the school association in their fundraising endeavours is by making a $10 family donation. This can be paid at the school office at any time during the year. Additionally, Queechy High School participates in the “Shop if Forward” scheme. You can shop online at 500+ retailers with a percentage of your purchase being donated to our school association. Every time you shop via the website with any of the Shop it forward retail partners our school receives a cash contribution. Products cost no more than they would ordinarily so if you love shopping online please support our school by going to 

*Important! Make sure to enable pop-ups from shopitforward.com.au before you start shopping, otherwise, your contribution may not be logged!

If you would like any further information about our school associaton or to be added to our emailing list please contact me at: 

 

Ruth Orr

St Helens Anzac Fun Run 

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Get Into Hockey 

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Resilient Kids Conference 

Door of Hope is partnering with Resilient Kids Conference to bring a fabulous line-up of 6 respected Australian speakers together for this event on March 23. For example, Michael Carr-Gregg will speak on Tackling Anxiety and Mental Health Issues in Young People.

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Student Absence SMS

The main contact of the student will receive an SMS message if they are an unexplained absence during Tutor Group.

If the student arrives after 9:00am and signs in you will still receive the message as they were absent from Tutor Group.

Please reply to the message with the child’s name, date, and details of your child’s absence.

Parents have the option of messaging the school to advise of explained absences.

Can parents please double check that our school SMS number has not been blocked in your phone settings.

To avoid receiving an SMS please phone the school on 6341 4455 to advise of your child’s absence before 8:45am or leave a message on the

Absent Student Message Bank 6341 4444.

 

Parents/carers collecting student/s during class time – Please allow extra time

There are occasions when a parent/carer needs to collect their child from class during the course of the day, i.e. appointments, leaving early etc.

When this happens, the student has to be called or collected from the classroom. This causes disruption to your child, the teacher, the class and regularly to the whole school if the student has to be paged.  If your child has to be taken out of class time, where possible, we will avoid using the PA system and instead someone will collect your child from the classroom and this may take some time depending on where your child’s class is.

We value the learning of our students and therefore ask that where possible, you collect your child during the break times (times shown below) and in particular if you wish to take your child early in the afternoon, the best time is over the lunch break
(1:10pm – 1:50pm) before the start of Block 4, i.e. 1:50pm. 

Recess 1

10:10am – 10:30am

Recess 2

11:40am – 12:00pm

Lunch

1:10pm – 1:50pm

Thank you for your understanding.

Rob Fleming
Principal

PARKING IN SCHOOL GROUNDS

When parking in the school grounds, please use the visitor carpark, the parking bays near the visitor carpark or the area next to the tennis courts. Please do not park in the bus parking areas as this space is reserved for buses only and this creates further congestion.  Also, a reminder that the disabled parking spots are only to be used by permit holders and that permits must be displayed. Due to safety concerns please avoid using the staff car park when dropping off or picking up students.

Road Safety

A reminder to students crossing roads on their way to and from school, to be alert and aware of the dangers when in and around traffic.

CLOTHING POOL

Opening Times
Recess 1, daily (10:10am – 10:30am)

Tuesday – 1:00pm to 3:30pm

Parents who are unable to visit the clothing pool within the above times are requested to contact the school office on 6341 4455 to arrange an alternative time.

We now have availabe Girls Football Shorts to purchase for $26.50.

MAILING OF INVOICES/STATEMENTS

All statements/invoices are emailed out from our central office. This also applies to families who have set up an instalment plan with the school earlier in the year

Receipts will be posted to those families who have opted to have payments made by credit card.

Credit card payments are deducted from your account on the 20th of each month or the first business day after the 20th.

Up Coming Dates

1 August

Australian Mathematics Competition

2 - 4 August

Grade 8 Melbourne Trip

5 August

Grade 7 Celebration Morning Tea

6 August

Grade 8 Celebration Morning Tea

12 - 16 August

National Science Week

12 August

Grade 9 Celebration Morning Tea

13 August

Grade 10 Celebration Morning Tea  

21 August

School Association Meeting

21 August

APSMO Maths Olympiad 4 Competition

22 August

Matilda Excursion (Grade 7 and Drama)

23 August

Speed Career Date (Grade 10)

2019 Term Dates

Term 1:

Wednesday 6 February – Friday 12 April

Term 2:

Monday 29 April – Friday 5 July

Term 3:

Monday 22 July – Friday 27 September

Term 4:

Monday 14 October – Thursday 19 December

2019 Student Free Days

Friday 1 November

Class Times

Tutor Group:

8:45am – 9:00am

Block 1:

9:00am – 10:10am

Recess 1:

10:10am – 10:30am

Block 2:

10:30am – 11:40am

Recess 2:

11:40am – 12:00pm

Block 3:

12:00pm – 1:10pm

Lunch:

1:10pm – 1:50pm

Block 4:

1:50pm – 2:57pm

Queechy's New Website

We have recently transformed our website with Schoolzine.  To view our latest design click the link below!

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

Introducing Our New App

We have recently moved over to a new App with Schoolzine.  This App will improve the way we communicate with parents and the community through the use of appropriate technology.  Due to this change over, Queechy's Skoolbag App is no longer in use and does not provide up to date information.  Below are the details on how to download the App.

https://queechyhs.schoolzineplus.com/_file/media/72/szapp_all_info.pdf

Who to Contact

Principal:

Rob Fleming

Assistant Principals:

Grade 7/8: Caleb Turale

Grade 9/10: Heather Jackson

ASTs:

Grade 7: Katrina Davenport

Grade 8: Linda House

Grade 9: Nigel Bent

Grade 10: Kate Green

Transition/Work Placement: Allan Warren

Tier 3 Program: Donna Frankcombe

Grade Advisors:

Grade 7: Ben Van Est / Zoe Mesman

Grade 8: Luke Tepper

Grade 9: Emmalie Baylis / Ryan Innes

Grade 10: Kim Anderson / Lochy Wilkinson- Reed

School Business Manager:

Tanya Smart

School Psychologist:

Lisa Docking

School Social Worker:

Alicia Hodge

School Nurse:

Peter Jacobson

School Chaplain:

Tracey Cassin

Aboriginal Education Worker:

Dean Greeno

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