15 March 2019

Newsletter Articles

Assistant Principals

Paul Stevenson
Andrea Saville

Grade Leaders

Grade 7: Kendal King
Grade 8: Naomi Cartledge
Grade 9: Skye Champion
Grade 10: Allison Macpherson

Support Services

School Psychologist: Annie Fitzgerald: Wed & Thursday
Social Worker: Esther Fleming: Tues and Wed
School Chaplain Paul Burton: Mon/Wed/Friday
School Health Nurse David Mackay: Wednesday

Principal’s Report

Last week saw over 80 of our students participate in the annual Swimming carnival. As always, our students represented our school with immense pride and there were some outstanding results across all age groups. Mrs Robinson has a full report later on in this newsletter. We look forward to seeing how our amazing squad performs at the upcoming Inter-high swimming carnival. Good luck to all swimmers.

Throughout 2018 and into this year, our teachers have been participating in providing feedback to each other in relation to their teaching as we continually look at ways to further improve the learning outcomes provided to students here at Exeter High School. As a part of this, we have a team of teachers (Mr Clarke, Mrs King and Mrs Howie) who have been instrumental in driving this program within our school. These teachers were recently invited to the Education Department’s Professional Learning Institute to talk to teachers from 8 southern schools about what teachers here do in the feedback process. This is a positive reflection of the work this team of teachers has done, along with evidence that what we are doing here is viewed by the Department of Education as best practice in teaching.

Now that the colder months are approaching, may I remind parents that there is a range of warmer uniform options available from the school’s uniform shop which operates every Thursday during school hours. It is still the expectation that all items of clothing that students wear during the winter terms are full school uniform items. If you are having difficulty in purchasing uniform items, please contact the school to discuss the options we have to support families.

Benjamin Frerk
Principal

2019 Student Leader Council members Kasey Walters Co-President, Darby Whiting Co-President, Neve Ringk Secretary, Zachary Jelfs Treasurer, Laura Turmine Fundraising & Activities Officer, House Captains & Student Support Candice Archer, Naomi Edwards and Georgia Woods

Exeter High School Swimming Trials

Exeter High School held its annual swimming trials at Launceston Aquatic Centre on Wednesday 6th March. Students from Years 7-10 participated in a range of 25m, 50m, 100m and relay events earning house points and competing for championship points and Inter-high selection. All students represented the school with pride and upheld our school values throughout the day. Students enjoyed the opportunity to engage in a leisure swim and access the waterslide following their efforts in the program of competitive events. We would like to say a big thank you to those parents who came along to support their children and soak up the atmosphere on the day.

The Division 1 Inter-high Swimming Carnival is scheduled for Friday 29th March and the team will be announced shortly.

FINAL PLACINGS

There were a number of records broken on the day – 16 in total! Congratulations to the following students who set new records:

RECORD BREAKERS:

Student Success

We would like to congratulate Grade 9 student Jenna Griffiths on winning Grade 3 Junior State Trials in horse-riding. Jenna travelled to Smithton to compete in these trials and had a wonderful day of competition and to win Grade 3 is a huge achievement.

International Women’s Day

On the morning of the school swimming trials Kasey Walters, Candice Archer, Miss Macpherson and myself Neve Ringk, found our way to the Boat House, by the Seaport, for a breakfast beginning at 6:45 in the morning.

Breakfast was served, we ate alongside a Volcanologist, an Aboriginal elder, an Editor and many other fantastic women from the Launceston region. The breakfast was held to celebrate International Women’s Day, a day made to highlight a significant time in the women’s rights movement.

Hosted by Courtney Greisbach of the Tamar Sunrise Rotary Club, the morning was full of inspirational and exciting stories from the panellist’s lives. We were fortunate enough to be able to listen to Auntie Patsy tell tales of her life as an Aboriginal and her academic accomplishments alongside Dr Rebecca Carey speaking of her job as a Volcanologist in a workplace dominated by men. The morning was themed around #balanceforbetter which, as the panellists described, means that in order to be a better society we need to reach for equality.

The breakfast was an exceptional opportunity made possible for us by the sponsors at Bell Bay Aluminium who gifted Exeter High School, as well as some other schools from across northern Tasmania the opportunity to attend. It showcased the many opportunities available for women of the next generation, and we were lucky enough to be exposed to the amazing role models that influence the future women, and leaders of our world. #balanceforbetter

School Photos – Leading Image - Thursday 21 March

Leading Image will once again conduct our school photos. Photo envelopes need to be returned to school no later than Wednesday 20th March. If you would like to have a family photo taken please arrange collection of an order form from the main office.

Leading Image do offer online bookings which is another convenient way to order your photos. Instructions can be found on your photo envelope.

From the Nurse’s Desk

Managing Asthma during winter

As we move into the colder months it is important to consider some of the impacts the colder weather can have on our health and how we can potentially lessen the impact.

Have an Asthma Action Plan

Winter brings cold weather and keeps us inside where indoor triggers such as dust mites, pet allergens, smoke and viruses can worsen asthma symptoms. Cold, dry air may cause airways to tighten, making breathing more difficult.

Winter is also the season for colds and influenza. As many as 8 out of 10 asthma attacks in children and 4 out of 10 in adults are triggered by viral infections. All the more reason to have a written asthma action plan. If you do not have a written Asthma Action Plan please discuss this with your doctor next time you visit.

As with any other time of year, it is very important to keep your asthma under control. This includes having regular reviews with your doctor, taking the proper medication regularly as indicated on your Asthma Action Plan and avoiding your asthma triggers.

Managing winter triggers

As cold air can trigger asthma, you could try wearing a scarf around your mouth, and try to breathe through your nose, which warms and humidifies the air.

Avoid smoke from tobacco, fireplaces and wood stoves as this can trigger asthma symptoms. Gas fireplaces and stoves should be flued, and should be checked and serviced regularly to prevent gas leaks. Also, make sure you use the kitchen vent when cooking.

If asthma limits your physical activity, then it is likely that your asthma is not under control – see your doctor if you have regular symptoms during or after exercising. Asthma shouldn’t stop you from exercising outside in the winter.

Take your preventer medications regularly, protect yourself from the cold, and warm up and cool down properly. Exercise is important for everyone and can be done indoors on very cold days (eg in a gym, your home, or a heated swimming pool).

Cheers, Nurse Dave

Grade 7 Camp Urgent Request

Grade 7 camp forms need to be returned to the office by next Tuesday 19 March, please ensure that all documentation is completed and signed.

7B Ag Class Excursion

Students will be heading to Pure Foods Egg Farm at Longford on Thursday 4 April. Permission letters have been sent home and we ask that they be returned to school by Tuesday 4 April.

Grade 10 Easter Raffle

Students who wish to be eligible for a discount on the end-of-year costs such as the Graduation Dinner, Activities days and Mystery Picnic must participate in two (2) of the three (3) fundraisers this year. A letter has been sent home with all students explaining this.

Students are asked to bring in a contribution to the Easter Raffle and any sold or unsold raffle tickets must be returned to school by Friday, 5th April. The raffle will be drawn on Wednesday 10th April in order for collection of prizes to be arranged prior to holidays.

Uniform Shop Update

Sports Tops – Size 12 and Size 14 tops are now in stock at a cost of $25.00.

Any Grade 10 students who is interested in ordering a Rugby Top with their last name printed on the back can place their orders now. Cost of top is $80.00, printing of name on back is FREE. Orders and payment can be made any time at our school office or through the Uniform Shop on Thursday mornings.

Canteen Assistance Required

Are you be able to support our school canteen?

Do you have a spare 4 hours in your busy week/month?

If you can assist we would love to hear from you by contacting us on 6394 4366.

Please note that helpers must have a ‘Working with Vulnerable People’ card.

Schoolbag App Update

The Schoolbag App will be unavailable very shortly as we have changed to SchoolZine for all school information to parents. If you would like to know how to install the SchoolZine (SZ) App please contact us on 6394 4366.

School Based Traineeship

Youth Art Competition

As part of the upcoming Beaconsfield Youth & Community Festival, we are inviting young people of the West Tamar to enter in the Youth Arts Competition.

The event features the creative arts and invites any young people in the West Tamar to submit their artwork in the Youth Arts Competition. All artwork will be displayed at the Festival with judges awarding prizes in various age groups. Engaging and inclusive artwork is available for anyone to participate in on the day as well.

Young people can choose their own medium and their own design. To be eligible, entrants must be from the West Tamar, aged under 18 and be submitted by the 8th April ready for display.

Prizes to be won!

For further information, contact the West Tamar Council via andrew.beeston@wtc.tas.gov.au

Sports Arena Discount

Sports Arena is again offering sports discounts to Exeter students. When you purchase any items for your sporting needs just let staff know that you are a student at Exeter High School to receive the 10% discount. Your orange discount card from last year is still applicable.

Important Dates 2019

Term Dates

Student Free Days

March

April

* Calendar will be updated on a fortnightly basis.

COMMUNITY CORNER