26 March 2021

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: Thursday

Principal’s Report

As we conclude another term at Exeter High School, I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on some of the positives that I have witnessed over the past 8 weeks. Our school has maintained its extremely high expectations in relation to student behaviour and academic excellence and these attributes are now firmly entrenched in our everyday business as a school of learning excellence. Every day when I walk around classrooms and indeed the school yard during break times, I am proud of how settled and calm our school is. This allows me to assure every parent that their child is attending a school that has the best possible learning conditions in place.

In term two I encourage families to make sure all students attend school every single day to maximise their social and academic development. Currently our attendance rate is at 87% each day and I would like to set a goal of increasing this to above 92% next term.

Important Facts regarding Attendance:

• By law in Tasmania, all children of the age of 5 years old must attend school everyday
• By law in Tasmania, after year 10 and until they are the 18 years of age, children must be:
  o In school or registered for home education
  o Studying accredited TASC subjects or vocational education and training courses at a college, extension school or registered training organisation
  o Undertaking a traineeship or apprenticeship

How can you as a parent help your child get the most out of their education?

• By making medical appointments and other appointments outside of school hours
• By arranging family holidays in scheduled school holiday breaks
• By knowing what is happening at school

It is very important that you don’t keep you child away from school for minor reasons. You can expect Exeter High School to do the following

• Monitor student attendance
• The office will communicate every time your child is absent from school
• We will follow up on any unexplained absences
• Provide students with real life authentic experiences to engage them in their learning
• Work with you around strategies to encourage your child to come to school

It is important that if your child is absent from school you contact the office and provide a reason. If you have any problems with getting you child or children to school, please contact us for advice or support.

I would like to wish all our students and families a safe and enjoyable break and look forward to seeing all families next term as we continue to support all students to achieve the best possible academic and social outcomes possible.

Benjamin Frerk
Principal

Exeter High Swim Trials Event

The annual EHS Swimming Trials saw 41 enthusiastic participants head off to the Launceston Aquatic Centre on Monday 22nd March. Students enjoyed a variety of races over 25m, 50m and 100m distances and were encouraging and supportive of each other’s efforts before enjoying some novelty events. Thank you also to the parents who came along to support their children at the trials.

Despite only seven swimmers contributing to house points for Lenah, the outstanding performances from Aidan Woods boosted their overall tally on his way to setting four new records in the 50m and 100m freestyle and breastroke events. It was fantastic to see several students extending themselves to swim in multiple races and participate for double house points in the relay events. Strong participation numbers from Oonah and Quoiba certainly assisted their final totals on the day.

Congratulations to the following students who were the 2021 Swimming Champions and runners-up:

Following all the individual and relay events, the final results were:

Mrs Robinson
Trials Co-ordinator

Excellence at Exeter

These certificates are awarded to Grade 8 students in recognition of their efforts in upholding the school values and helping to make our school an excellent learning environment.

Congratulations to this fortnight’s Grade 8 students:

Ciara from 8A. Ciara is a caring and helpful student who has demonstrated strong leadership qualities. She is to be commended for the positive manner in which she has started Year 8. Values demonstrated: Respect, Learning, Maturity & Acceptance.

Lee from 8D. Lee is a quiet achiever who consistently upholds our school values. He applies himself to tasks in a conscientious manner and is a kind and respectful student. Values demonstrated: Respect, Learning, Maturity & Acceptance.

My Education Day

My Education at Exeter High School supports students in making important life choices around planning for their future. It helps them to identify their personal interests, values, strengths, opportunities and aspirations, and teaches them how to use this knowledge to make decisions about their future learning, work and life opportunities. It has been shown that students who consider their interests and opportunities early on have a clearer picture about who they are and what they might like to do.

A variety of activities were undertaken in each of the grades as part of the EHS My Education Day on Friday 12th March.

Grade 7 – My Education Day

Year 7 students explored the topic of decision-making. They looked at strategies to help improve the quality of the choices they make. They applied those strategies to real-life decisions they might need to make in the future, and evaluated the outcomes of their decision-making.

Miss Cartledge

Grade 8 - My Education day

The Grade 8 focus for My Education day was around transferrable skills and traits in Lesson 1, critical thinking in Lesson 2 and teamwork, co-operation and leadership in Lesson 3. Students engaged very well with the content and activities, making for an enjoyable and worthwhile experience for all.

Mrs Fox

Year 9 - My Education Day recap by Mr Clarke.

As part of our commitment to preparing students for future pathways, our Year 9 students recently participated in a My Education Day, held on Friday, 12th March. All students spent the first lesson of the day considering what part-time work looks like, and what documentation they may need. They also completed a range of career questionnaires that were designed to encourage thinking about possible career opportunities, as well as considering different educational qualifications required by certain occupations.

Lesson 2 focussed on developing resumes that may be useful in the securing part time work, as well as showcasing the skills and capabilities students already possess. We looked at a couple of examples of resumes and cover letters, and answered a range of questions about these to gather ideas to use on our individual resumes.

We finished the day by venturing over to the Exeter Bowls Club, where students participated in coaching and practical sessions aimed at developing their bowling skills. It was great fun, and terrific to see students being mature and respectful at a community facility, whilst enjoying each other’s company.

Mr Clarke

Grade 10 – The My Education Day was separated into 3 main areas:

Lesson 1 – Beginning to develop Year 11 Transition Plans, exploring My Futures site, completing the skills and aptitude test and investigating possible career paths. Students also began work on their Wellbeing Journal.

Lesson 2 – Q and A session with guest speakers Kim Reynolds, Andy Beeston and Neil Warnock around their career paths and choices, updating resumes in preparation for Mock Interviews

Lesson 3 – Preparation for Mock Interviews in week 8 – Interview techniques (dos and don’ts), Mock Interview questions, responses and roleplay practice.

Mrs Parish

Guest speaker’s Q & A session

Geoff Goodfellow – Visiting Artist

Australian poet Geoff Goodfellow visited us last week, delivering an inspiring performance to our Year 9 and 10 students. He spoke passionately about his craft, and gave an overview of his work, where he gathers his ideas, and the writing process. Given this was the first poetry performance attended by many of our students, it was a great chance to listen intently, and participate maturely. Geoff performed a variety of his poems from his catalogue, with the topics covered allowing students an insight into the world around them. Our students asked a range of questions throughout the performance which further emphasised how well they listened throughout the show.

The feedback from students has been very positive, with comments such as “I liked his direct nature,” “very down to earth performer,” “It was fun,” “I liked the emotion in his delivery,” “His openness and honesty was refreshing.”

We look forward to Geoff visiting us again in 2022.

Mr Cameron Clarke
English Co-ordinator

Exeter High School Makes News Headlines!

It was very exciting last week to see one of our students from Exeter High School be mentioned by Premier Peter Gutwein in parliament and more importantly be the stimulus for change in all Tasmanian government schools. As part of last year’s Civics and Citizenship unit in Grade 8, students were encouraged to write a letter to a member of Local, State or Federal government concerning an issue they felt strongly about.

Following a class debate, Layla, Kayla, Eliza and Annie all wrote letters to the Minister of Education stating reasons why they thought sanitary items should be provided at school. They all included persuasive arguments such as cost, evidence of days girls are absent from school, necessity and the current successful rollout of free sanitary products in Victorian schools.

Although Layla’s letter was the one mentioned in parliament, and the one who was kept busy with media interviews last week, all four girls must be congratulated on their letters and playing their part in making this very positive change for all girls in government schools across Tasmania.

Students making positive change for all girls in government schools in Tasmania

Grade 8 Student Representative Council

Congratulations to our Grade 8 Student Representative Council for 2021. These students have been elected by their peers to represent the grade and will work alongside the other grade SRC and SLC throughout the year, assisting with fundraisers, social events and celebration assemblies while continuing to build on their leadership skills. Well done Jayden, Logan, Avery, Ciara & Damon.

Science & Engineering Challenge

The Science and Engineering Challenge is an Australia-wide competition instigated by the University of Newcastle to encourage high school students to consider careers in fields of Science and Engineering. This year’s Challenge was held at Albert Hall on Tuesday 23rd March. Our heroic team, ably assisted by Mr Pratap, was invited to do battle against five other schools with one school coming from St Helens. The Challenge consists of 6 half-day and 2 full-day activities that are designed to test the thinking, construction and teamwork skills of each student. There are always comments from students about each activity stating that “it is harder than it looks!” Although puzzling, sometimes frustrating, the Challenge is always fun. Our students represented our school with pride and performed admirably, with every student getting stuck into each challenge. Fantastic job everyone!

Mr Finnigan

2021 Science & Engineering Challenge

School Association meeting – rescheduled

Please note that the School Association meeting was rescheduled and will now be held next Tuesday, 30 March, 2021 at 6:00pm.

Visitor Check In

We have a new sign in procedure for visitors, volunteers or students who arrive late (parents will need to be present to sign in). It is known as School Kiosk and it is in the front foyer of the school. The School Kiosk is an online check in system that records people entering and leaving the school site.

Visitors/Volunteers checking into the school will need to produce the following:

• Working with Vulnerable People registration card and details.
• Name and phone number
• Company details
• Site contact person

We thank you in advance for your support to our current changes to sign in procedures.

End of Term Date

Just a reminder that students finish for the term next Wednesday, 31 March for the Easter and Term break. Students and staff return to school for Term 2 on Wednesday, 21 April 2021.

Term Dates 2021

Calendar – Term 1 & 2

March

April

May

June

July

Community Corner

Footgolf at Riverside Golf Club

Riverside Golf Club is the only FootGolf course in Tasmania, taking advantage of our big open spaces to combine Golf with Soccer. The shortened nine-hole course is complemented by oversized holes for our players to aim for! It can be played quickly and enjoyed by all ages and skill levels. Our standard FootGolf sessions are on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday afternoons, however Group bookings are available by arrangement.

If you would like some more information about FootGolf at Riverside, please feel free to visit our website at the link below or to make a booking – please phone the Pro Shop on 6327 4043.

Hockey Tasmania

Hockey Tasmania offers an U14 Junior Competition at the Northern Hockey Centre, St Leonards. Games are played Saturday mornings in Term 2 and 3, sign-up day Saturday 1 May 11.30-12.30pm. If you have any queries please contact Participation Co-ordinator tania.barry@hockeytasmania.com.au

Certificate II in Business – Tresca Community Centre

A Work & Training Course for Certificate II in Business is beginning on 29th March at Tresca Community Centre in Exeter. Contact the Neighbourhood House on 6394 4231 for more information.

Rascal Robot Art Space – School Holiday Program

West Tamar Council School Holiday Program

West Tamar Council provides a school holiday program for young people in the West Tamar with transport subsidised for all to be involved. The upcoming program is open to 10-17 year olds.

Please indicate which activities your child/children will be attending and submit your form online or send a downloaded form to Council (PO Box 16, Riverside, Tas. 7250 or andrew.beeston@wtc.tas.gov.au) to reserve your place. Spaces are limited and activities may close once full.

Bookings must be finalised by Friday 9th April at 5pm.

2021 Rock Challenge – Friday, 9th April

In celebration of Youth Week Tasmania, come along to the Beaconsfield Mine Yard for the 2021 Rock Challenge on Friday 9th April - showcasing amazing local Tasmanian talent!

Food and beverage will be available to purchase on site. Gates open from 5.30pm – with the first set commencing at 6.20pm, featuring: Aponi Hulse, Cased, Elkie Kershaw, Happy Droogs, Sunset Syndrome

This is a ticketed, all ages event. For further information, visit at the link below.