Bulldogs Cup

It is rare for two schools to come together in the way that Queechy and Kings Meadows High do for the annual Bulldogs Cup. Last Wednesday saw our schools field 12 teams, boys and girls, senior and junior,  to play in a well-spirited manner from 10:00a.m. through till after 7:00p.m. The large group of spectators at South Launceston for the Senior Boys game was a testament to the support shown by both school communities.

Highlight of the day for myself was the come-from-behind win by our Senior Seconds Boys team. At least six of the boys had never played football before and for some it was the first time they have ever pulled on the boots!

The last few minutes of the Senior Girls game had everyone present on the edge of their seats as the ball went from one end of the ground to the other, without actually going through the goals! Our Queechy girls prevailed and ensured we were able to accept the Bulldogs Cup for the first time at the end of the evening.

A huge congratulations to all students who put their hand up to represent our school, especially those who were well outside their comfort zone during the day. The event wouldn’t happen without the work of Nathan Parkin, Luke Tepper and
Adam Davey who both coached on the day and helped run the event with staff from KMHS.

A big thank you to South Launceston Football Club, NHSSA and the many umpires that helped out on the day.

Year 11/12 at Queechy 

At the end of 2020 students finishing year 10 will have the opportunity to continue their learning at either Launceston College or Newstead College or enter into 31 hours of paid employment in 2021. Under the Year 11/12 Extension School Initiative Queechy High will also be offering some level of Year 11 and 12 for students who do not choose any of the options listed above.

We are in the initial stages of planning and are currently in consultation with both colleges and the other urban high schools in Launceston to explore what post year 10 education might look like for our students in 2021 and beyond.

We will be consulting widely with students, parents and employers as we look at developing a Launceston-wide approach to ensuring all our young people make it through to the end of year 12.

If you would like to discuss your own thoughts, ideas or concerns in relation to planning and the future direction of year 11/12 please don’t hesitate to contact me at school via the office on 63414455

Queechy High School has defeated Kings Meadows High School in 4 out of 6 football games to win their first Bulldog Cup in the challenges six year history. Thrilling last gasp wins by Queechy in the Boys senior 2nds and Girls 1sts ensured they would claim the aggregate win in a fantastic whole school effort. This year again saw great participation across all games with four boys’ games and two girls’ games being contested throughout the day and into the evening. School spirit was on show throughout the day as students cheered on their peers before the 1sts girls and senior 1sts boys fought it out in front of a large crowd at Youngtown under lights. The skills and sportsmanship of all students involved was on show for all to see across the entire day.

The Bulldog Cup continues to be strongly supported by the South Launceston Football Club and the NHSSA. Both Queechy and Kings Meadows High schools would like to thank these two organisations for their support and associated volunteers who continue to make this event a success year after year.

The Bulldog medal was awarded to players adjudged Best on Ground for their respective schools in each game.

Junior 1sts: Oscar Van Dam (QHS), D. Madden (KMHS)

Junior 2nds: Locky Clarke (QHS), T. Rowe (KMHS)

Girls 2nds: Summer Jones-Dudgeon (QHS), K. Watson (KMHS)

Girls 1sts: Kiara Mills (QHS), M. Bingley (KMHS)

Senior 2nds: Seb Annear (QHS), M. Garwood (KMHS)

Senior 1sts: Jack Adams (QHS), C. Evans (KMHS)

Detailed results:

On the 28^th May 2019, Chloe and Regina represented Queechy by attending a Reconciliation Breakfast meeting with the Reconciliation Tasmania and Aborigional elders.

Mrs Stannus' close friend Fiona Hughes (the Co-Chair of Reconciliation Tas) provided the opportunity for the girls to present a speech to the attending audience about the Brighton Bypass incident and an idea of a national treaty between Aborigional people and government. Thanks to Fiona’s hard work, Queechy was one of two schools attending but the only school to present at the gathering.

Chloe and Regina sat with the elders of the Aborigional community and spoke about Aboriginal issues from the past, present and the Reconciliation Action Plan (R.A.P).

Fiona was so grateful for the school’s attendance at the breakfast meeting that she gave the girls a braclet made by Fiona herself.  

The new Education Act requires every year 10 student to complete a transition plan in preparing for next year. As part of transition planning students will make a number of decisions including what they are going to do next year.

Some of the options are to:

Most of our grade 10 students will enrol at one of the two colleges in Launceston. A few students will access an apprenticeship. Essentially all students are required to either be enrolled or have employment that has a training aspect – an apprenticeship or traineeship.

So far this year we have enabled students to complete a White Card to access the building and construction industry. Students have visited the University to take part in hands on activities and access information from University staff.

As part of their transition process students will need to access the Myfutures program starting on the 3^rd of June. They will also be required to complete their transition plan to indicate which college they intend to attend and what courses they will choose.

Both Newstead and Launceston College have provided course information to the grade 10 students who have attended those sessions. Now they need to register online for their sessions to attend at the Orientation days – Launceston College on the 24^th and Newstead on the 27^th of June. Later this term those students who are intending to select a Certificate II course in VET (Vocational Education and Training) will complete their application with guidance. The colleges will then send them an invitation to complete an interview for their courses. VET courses are competitive and students are advised to work hard in their option subjects and provide evidence of work interest and ethic.

Some parents express the view that they might send their child to TAFE. This should not be the preferred option. The VET sector has changed significantly over the past few years. All the courses at both college are nationally recognised courses provided by an RTO, they are essentially tuition free. Unlike TAFE which will charge their normal course fees. Many students who have completed their VET courses at the colleges have entered the workforce immediately. The usual process for entering TAFE is through an apprenticeship or traineeship or as an adult applicant. If you are one of those parents who want to follow that pathway, I encourage you to have a meeting with us to discuss the options.

I look forward to further conversations and guiding grade 10 students into their future. 

 Allan Warren - 10/11 Transition

Having spent the term so far looking at persuasive speeches, Year 9 English classes have recently analysed Dr Martin Luther King Jnr’s I Have a Dream speech. Students were asked to look at the rhetorical and oratorical devices he used, and examine how speakers are able to influence members of their audience.

This activity has led directly into students crafting their own persuasive speeches, related to a controversial topic of interest to them.

In future weeks, classes will switch to their first novel study of the year, with John Boyne’s The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas being chosen for analysis.

Brendan Liddell 
English and HASS Teacher

In Health, Grade 9 students have been focusing on a mental health unit. Students have spent their lead in lessons looking at resilience, stereotypes, body image and role models. Their mid unit assessment task was to analyse a song to discuss the mental health topics that the song was addressing in its lyrics.

In PE, Grade 9’s have been focusing on a fitness, ready for our cross country. Students have been looking at ways they can increase their fitness by other means. Students have had the chance to participate in jump rope lessons as well as a boxing challenge. This weeks activity was Just Dance. Students have enjoyed stepping out of the comfort zone and realised how much fun fitness can be.

On May 22, students completed the first of five Maths Olympiads. Students put in a great effort through what are challenging mathematical problems. Particular congratulations to William and Sam who are currently our top scorers, with both scoring 4 out of 5 points. The next Olympiad will be held on June 19.

7B and 7F have been using acrylic paint in Art lessons - learning colour mixing skills and using different techniques to apply paint.

Each week we have a group of students who get together and cook their own lunch. The goal of this class is to teach practical life skills relating to food hygiene and being safe while cooking. This week we made a fettuccine dish. It was so delicious that we would like to share the recipe with you! We added a small amount of parmesan cheese just before serving.

Beautiful still life drawings usings chalk pastels, displayed in our library. 

There have been significant changes to the MyEducation process for 2019. This year we have focused mainly on years 9 and 10. We have made a stronger connection with
The Beacon Foundation to support our students with career opportunities. The Grade 9s will have an opportunity to attend a day out at the University this month. They will engage in a range of career options to experience future choices. The grade 10 cohort will also investigate career choices further with a focus session on Wednesday the 5^th and 12^th of June using MyFutures and creating a transition plan. Every grade 10 student must complete their  transition plan by the end of term 2.

The grade 10 cohort have several options so far this year. Several students attended the UTAS Discovery Day on the 3^rd of June where they had the opportunity to take part in a workshop of their choice. They were treated with free nachos at the end of the morning.

Both grade 9 and 10 students will have a careers day coming up where they can choose particular information groups to attend. A combined group of grade 9s and 10s will attend the Tourism and Hospitality Showcase at Drysdale TAFE on the 14^th of June where they can participate in hands on tourism and hospitality activities for the day.

Recently 25 grade 8 students attended the ‘Inspire’ program offered to us by the Beacon Foundation. This activity was the major component of MyEducation for grade 8s, allowing them to experience career and life information through a visiting presenter. Another group of grade 8s will have the same opportunity later in the year. Representatives from these groups will pass on their experiences to their grade assembly.

MyEducation for Grade 7s will involve incorporating lessons into their core subjects. The MyEd team will develop some lessons to encourage core subject teachers to use for term 3.

Come, and literally check out the titles listed below.  We think you will enjoy these reads:

War and Resistance – by Sophie Masson. In 1939, 12 year old Sasha, inspired by the words of her father, the celebrated journalist Louis Jullian, feels she must find a way to stand up to Nazi terror. Hitler’s blitzkrieg results in the surrender of France, and Sasha and her family flee Paris, learning first-hand the brutality of war and how acts of resistance, no matter how small, can make a difference. In their country, fraternising with the enemy is frowned upon, but necessary.  It only gets more complicated when she meets Dieter, a member of the Hitler Youth movement and the son of her father’s best friend. An intriguing look at the psychology associated with family, friendship and trust in a war time setting.                                                            12 – 16+

The Honeyman and the Hunter - by Neil Grant is a brilliant journey of discovery and identity spanning two continents and cultures.  16 year old Rudra, raised in a small Australian fishing village by a violent father.  When his grandmother arrives unexpectedly from India, and shares stories of Rudra’s ancestory and heritage, things change.   When Rudra’s father captures a long hidden secret in the bay and his grandmother dies; his mum takes him to India to right some wrongs and discover his family heritage.  This is an intricately detailed story of identity, examining family, culture, belonging and important life decisions for a teen facing the future and his journey toward adulthood.                                                                                                14+

Alex and the Alpacas Save the World - Kathryn Lefroy Alex is expecting a pretty boring summer when her mother takes her to Tasmania for the holidays to stay at her grandfather’s farm.  However, weird things start to happen straight away, including having four alpacas who can talk to Alex, but no one else!     When things go from weird to scary, Alex’s holidays is definitely no longer boring and she will need to use all her brains, and any help she can get (including talking Alpaccas) to stop an evil force from taking over her life.   This is a fantastic introduction to the supernatural mystery genre for lower secondary readers, with a great storyline, some well written, sometimes confronting, but contextual scenes and intrigue to the very end. 12 – 16+

Kids who Did - Kirsty Murray This is a collection of true stories of amazing and courageous kids throughout history.  Through dark and dreary times, courageous kids bring light and hope into the world and this book celebrates some of those kids who have protested, prayed, rebelled, saved lives, earned a fortune, lost everything, become world famous or fought to survive war and oppression.  Fearless kids, feral kids, Olympic champions, human-rights crusaders, climate –change warriors and more.   This book will inspire you to always make the best of your situation, to believe in yourself and have the courage to stand up for what you think is right. These stories will inspire and encourage readers to make the best of a situation, to believe in yourself, stand up for what is right and chase your dreams regardless of obstacles. Very journey starts with one small step……   enjoy the journey of these incredible kids.

Everyday Resilience - Michelle Mitchell  While this publication is available to students, it is written with the parent in mind – to assist families as they build resilience in young people.  Full of powerful strategies to assist in turning daily challenges into moments that build resilience, relieve self-doubt and provide practical tools to help children handle such issues as friendship drama and academic pressures. Located in our non-fiction catalogue at dewey 155.4 MIT,  this is a great read for students, parents and anyone hoping to navigate life’s idiosyncrasies with finesse and resilience.  This publication will prove popular and in high demand, but we are happy to add names to our holds list and secure a loan when next available.

Thank you to those who has returned overdue library books, or settled accounts. if you haven’t already, Please return all overdue books as soon as possible.

Li-Ve Tasmania 

In July 2019 we are offering ‘The Holiday Zone’ program again. The Holiday Zone is a school holiday program for children with disability and/or siblings of children with disability. The Holiday Zone offers interactive, fun, inclusion-focused activities. Please note the July Holiday Zone includes an activity-based program in Launceston.

You’ll note that we’ve slightly restructured our programs.  We’ll be running 9-3pm programs for children with disability in both weeks. The first week will be based at Southern Support School, whilst the second will be based at other community venues.  Both weeks will be jam packed with activities!

To view our fantastic program and secure your spot (places will fill fast!) please hop onto our website and complete the Holiday Zone Application Form: 

The Holiday Zone programs are funded by the Tascare Partnerships Program.  Li-Ve Tasmania also want to acknowledge our highly valued partners from Southern Support School, Young Leaders of Tasmania and Special Olympics plus all of the featured community groups that tutor/facilitate specialist programs.

I look forward to hearing from you, please share this email onto any contact you have!

Kind regards

Natalie
Li-Ve Tasmania