31 July 2020

Newsletter Articles

Assistant Principals

Paul Stevenson
Andrea Saville

Grade Leaders

Grade 7: Naomi Cartledge
Grade 8: Elle Fox
Grade 9: Skye Champion
Grade 10: Allison Stone

Support Services

School Psychologist: David McCormack: Wednesday & Friday
Social Worker: Lauren Brown: Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday
School Chaplain: Paul Burton: Wednesday/Friday
School Health Nurse: Dave Mackay: Wednesday only

Principal’s Report

After the unprecedented time we had last term, it is with much confidence that I welcome everyone back for term 3 with what will hopefully be 10 weeks of uninterrupted learning for our students, staff and families. The school is once again a most calm and settled place to be. As I visited classrooms last week, students are in full school uniform and fully engaged in their learning. We have had several new families visit the school and when I have taken them on a tour, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive about the friendly nature of our staff and students, along with comments on the settled nature of our learning environments.

I can also announce that our school has been granted $100,000 to redevelop classroom areas for the Grade 11/12 program that we will provide in 2021, along with $950,000 for new classroom facilities to be built on the school farm site, with the build starting next year. On our student free day last week, teachers continued working on developing our Blended Learning focus through CANVAS and this has been one very positive outcome from last term’s changes to the way we work.

With the winter months well and truly upon us, please remember that if your child is absent for any reason, please notify the school administration team so that our attendance records can be accurately recorded. Parents/Carers can now respond to the attendance alert via text message too which makes the process of notification much easier.

Senior sport has now resumed, and we continue to monitor the rules and regulations around other activities such as excursions in line with the Education Department’s guidelines. We are yet to receive advice around the Grade 10 Graduation Dinner but will pass on any information as it comes to hand.

I look forward to the term ahead and want to sincerely thank our amazing school community for the way they supported each other and our school throughout last term. It was indeed a challenge for everyone, but the way we navigated the challenges reflected the tremendous support our school has within the West Tamar Community.

I would also like to publicly acknowledge our outgoing School Association representatives in Natalie Sydes, Jane Hutchinson and Cyndie Archer. Their support and guidance over a number of years has been both valued and instrumental in our school becoming the amazing place it now is for our students and families.

Benjamin Frerk
Principal

Mid-Year Reports

You should receive your child’s mid-year report tonight, as they have been given out today. If you have any queries about this report, please do not hesitate to contact the school or your child’s teacher.

From the Art Department

During the last 4 weeks of Term 2, 7D explored the skill of blending using different mediums. We have included some of their work for your enjoyment.

Grade 8 Health

Last term in Health, Grade 8 students explored the topic of Peer Pressure through a range of activities. Their final assessment piece was to create a ‘Peer Pressure Board Game’ in small groups to demonstrate their learning. Classes enjoyed playing each other’s games in their final Health lesson last term.

Senior Sport – Round 1 (29th July 2020)

Wednesday 29th July saw the commencement of the 2020 NHSSA Sport roster for our senior soccer and netball teams. Our students were eager to finally be able to represent the school whilst adhering to strict Covid-19 safety standards.

The soccer team started strongly and were able to hold their opponents to a 0 – 0 draw at half time. Unfortunately, the second half saw a barrage of goals from Riverside who emerged victorious.

At Hobbler’s Bridge, the Senior 1sts dominated possessions, but struggled at times to score goals, resulting in a nail-biting win to Exeter. The 2nds A team also experienced success during their Round 1 match against Riverside Blue with a solid second quarter.

RESULTS:

Soccer       EHS 3 lost RHS 2       1 – 7

MVP Votes: Jenna (3), Bayden (2), Joshua (1)

Netball 1sts       EHS defeated RHS       13 – 12

MVP Votes: Jasmine (3), Hannah (2), Maddison (1)

Netball 2nds       EHS A defeated RHS Blue       9 - 5

MVP Votes: Alex (3), Jaime (2), Kristyn (1)

Netball 2nds       EHS B BYE

Mrs Robinson

From the Nurses Desk

Hi all, I thought as the students settle into term 3, with most of us spending a lot more time on our devices due to the changes in our world as a result of Covid-19. It may be timely to revisit Cyber safety as it has been widely discussed in the media over the past months. I have included useful links to current information and assistance for parents/carers and students at the end of the article. Remember if you require any assistance with Health issues, I am available at Exeter High every Wednesday.

Cyber safety

The world is a rapidly changing place, and few areas are more difficult to keep pace of than the area of the internet and associated with it – cyber safety. In most cases, our children are very much ahead of us and our knowledge. 50% of Grade 3-6 children have 4 or more electronic devices in their room. These commonly include an iPod, iPad/iPad mini, Nintendo console, laptop and mobile phone. Children now have more access to the internet, and with it, are open to a number of risky situations. Our children are born into a web connected world with multiple devices available to them, and 83% are online 3 or more times a day. This connection now comes from an early age, with apps available that reward children for toilet training. 50% of Grade 5-6 children will now skype into different rooms in the same house!

A recent workshop conducted by the Office of Children’s eSafety Commissioner highlighted some of these statistics and provided information as to the ways the office can be of assistance when tricky issues occur in relation to misuse or abuse via the internet. Each age group comes with its own risks, and in understanding what the risks are, we are able to better provide protection to children. From early childhood (birth to 7 years) the child’s digital footprint is created (for example children’s photos being put up by parents on Facebook). They tend to accept media content at face value, are developing fine motor skills with the use of devices, and the devices are used to entertain and teach. Exposure to inappropriate content at this age is often accidental for the child and appropriate modelling by the parent is important.

Middle childhood (8-12 years) is a time when children are trusting and susceptible to grooming by online predators. They are developing their first loyal friends, and at risk of password sharing – for girls this can be up to 5 or more people. This age group is starting to be clearer on knowing right from wrong, but there is now increased risk of cyberbullying (the average age for this commencing is 8 years). There is also the increased risk of identity theft as their digital footprint increases. They are at risk from unwanted contact, and it is estimated that 75% of children in Grades 3-6 have been asked their real name and home address. Fortunately, according to the office of eSafety, most children deal with this well. There is also the risk of sites being accessed for music exposing children accidentally to pornography, as downloaded music is often funded by pornography banners.

During early to middle adolescence, young people are searching for their personal identity and are experimenting. Peer influence is stronger, and the adolescent’s sexual identity is forming. This is often a time when sexting occurs. There is more adult content available and often is more extreme adult content. Unfortunately, adolescents may view what they see as the norm, leading to confused ideas on appropriate sexual behaviour. There are also legal and social consequences to inappropriate online behaviour that young people often fail to consider, such as prosecution and listing on the sexual offenders’ register.

The most popular social media for young people aged 8-17 years is now Instagram. However, the default setting for this is to public, and most young people fail to put privacy settings into place. There is even a new form of bullying which involves feeling excluded if they have insufficient or no ‘likes’. The Kik app has little to no security, which makes it a playground for paedophiles, despite the fact that users are meant to be 17 and over. It is now possible to download Snapchat hacker apps, rendering it less safe than supposed, as well as the ability to screenshot photographs. For 50% of all 13-18 year olds who have sexted, 6% have forwarded, 20% have not forwarded it but shown the image to others, and 15% of males and 10% of females have sent a sext to 5 or more people.

If a parent is concerned that their child may be experiencing cyber-issues, they may have noticed their child becoming withdrawn, a change in personality, increased online time, decreased sleep, decreased performance or motivation, and changes in friendships, amongst other behavioural changes. Some of the more severe cyber concerns relate to impersonators, and identity theft, followed closely by hater pages, inappropriate videos or images being posted, or blackmail and cyber bullying. It is important to focus on the behaviour, not the technology – take that out of the conversation. Avoid the blame game, and the way a parent responds is key. It is helpful for parent and child to communicate and learn together, help the child build resilience and empathy, and address excessive online use early.

To report concerns or issues, particularly if it involves social media, report it to that service first. If there is no resolution, a complaint form can be filled out that brings the issue to the attention of the eSafety commissioner. The person who makes the complaint, can be a child under 18 years, a parent or guardian of that child (child’s consent is not required), or a responsible person authorised by the child (such as a counsellor). The Commissioner works under the Enhancing Online Safety for Children Act 2015, and has a number of powers, including the ability to have offensive content dealt with within 48 hours.

To contact the eSafety commissioner:

Department of Education link for parent resources for online and social media safety.

Below is the current Department of Education link for parent information and online safety in schools.

I hope you fine these resources helpful and if you require any further information on any health-related topic please don’t hesitate to contact.

Cheers Nurse Dave

Reporting Student Absences via SMS Messages

You can now respond to the SMS messages you receive in relation to your child’s absence from school.

Mid-Year Permissions Update

It is particularly important that this form is returned, especially with school photo day approaching. Forms can the dropped in at the office or emailed to: exeter.high@education.tas.gov.au. Thank you in advance for your support with this.

School Photo Day – Friday 7th August

Have you organised you school photo envelope? If not, spares are available from the office or you can contact Leading Image Tas directly by visiting their website at the link below.

Uniform Shop Update

We are pleased to advise that uniforms can now be purchased on a Monday to Friday basis between 8:30am and 3:45pm. In addition to this, there will be a parent volunteer, or a member of our administration team present in the uniform shop each Thursday afternoon.

It is our intention to place our uniform order form on the QKR! App shortly and we will provide further information soon.

There is a shortage on some spray jacket sizes and due to supplier issues, we are currently investigating other options.

Thank you to our parent volunteers and our admin staff for their ongoing work in providing quality uniforms at reasonable prices for our students.

Student Mobile Phone Usage at School

A reminder to all that students may only use their mobile phone or iPod before school, at recess, at lunch or after school. They are not to be used during class time.

Important Dates 2020

Term Dates

Term, 2020

August

September

* Calendar is updated on a fortnightly basis.

Community Corner

Legana Youth Centre – Resuming Term 3 – Bookings Essential