3 December 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: TBA
School Chaplain: Paul Burton: Wednesday/Friday
School Health Nurse: Dave Mackay: Thursday

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

As we approach the final weeks of the 2021 school year, End of Year Reports are being finalised and these will be sent home next week. These are a reflection of your child’s progress and although we are not holding parent/teacher evenings, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher if you have any clarifying questions around their report.

SLC elections were held last week for the 2022 Leadership Council and I was so impressed with the quality of the candidates and the way they presented their ideas and beliefs in their speeches. Congratulations to those who were successful in joining the 2022 Student Leadership Council. To those who didn’t make it, there will be other leadership roles to put your hand up for during the school year. I look forward to seeing the projects this fine group of students take on next year.

Grade 6 Orientation Day was held last week, and this was a huge success. Students from our feeder schools were able to enjoy a day at our school, participating in the types of lessons that they will experience in 2022. This also gave them the opportunity to begin new friendships with students they may not have met before. I look forward to welcoming them back in the first week of February as they begin their high school journey. Thank you to all the staff at Exeter High School who helped make the day such a success.

Benjamin Frerk
Principal

INTER-HIGH ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

On Wednesday, 17th November, Exeter High School headed to the annual Inter-High Athletics Carnival at St Leonards Athletics Centre. The weather was warm and our students represented the school with pride in all track and field events.

Final placings for the day were:

For the fifth year in a row, Exeter High won the perpetual Equity Shield which is awarded to the best performing school, based on enrolment numbers. Yet again, Exeter proved that we “punch above our weight” at Inter-High competitions.

There were a number of outstanding performances on the day – too many to mention, as well as many fine displays of sportsmanship and support for fellow athletes. Mr Stewart, Mrs Saville and myself would like to thank those students who “stepped up” to take on additional events for those students who were absent, unwell or over-loaded and were unable to participate in their scheduled events. These team-focussed decisions and actions are what truly contribute to our excellent overall results.

A huge congratulations is also extended to the following 11 students who were selected to represent the North in the State Athletics Carnival to be held at St Leonards on Friday 26th November:

Year 7 - Brady H, Lucy C and Jack P
Year 8 – Avery T and Quinn B
Year 9 – Chloe W, Zayne C, Daniel P and Shania T
Year 10 – Natasha B and Hannah C

Mrs Robinson
Health & Physical Education Teacher

MY EDUCATION

My Education at Exeter High School is a supportive and inclusive approach encouraging engagement and participation that inspires and guides students from Year 7 to Year 11, as they undertake a journey of discovery in identifying who they are and what they want to become. It supports students 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.

Grade 7 – My Education Day

Our last My Education day for the year was focussed on the concept of aspiration. Throughout the day, students explored what aspiration is and how aspiration can lead to setting life goals. Students spent the morning exploring potential career pathways and identifying skills they possess or need to learn. They then moved to writing a letter to their future selves, which involved setting and documenting goals related to their current aspirations. Student will open their letters in Year 8.

Grade 8 – My Education Day

The Term 4 Grade 8 focus for My Education day was around relationships. In lesson 1 students reflected on their year and set new goals for their future self as they prepare to enter the senior school. In lesson 2 they unpacked the difference between positive and negative relationships and identified the qualities, values and skills necessary for a healthy relationship, and how to establish boundaries to stand up for themselves. In lesson 3 students worked in groups to complete a series of challenges in an ‘Amazing Race’ to emphasise the importance of relationships. Students engaged very well with the content and activities, making for an enjoyable and worthwhile experience for all.

Grade 9 & 10– My Education Day, Lesson 1 & 2

JCP Presentation and workshop - “Empowering young people to be the best version of themselves”.

JCP’s aim is to inspire and empower young people to become extraordinary leaders who positively contribute to our communities. Their purpose is to create better humans, by working with them through a variety of programs to become the best versions of themselves. Will Smith, founding member of JCP, presented a jam-packed program for lesson 1 and 2 that was thought provoking and engaging in it’s delivery of content and interactive sessions. The purpose was to guide all those present toward positive engagement in life and to steer them away from negative behaviours and thoughts. The 9/10’s learnt about:

• Thoughts, actions, opinions
• Understanding influence
• Taking responsibility
• ‘Battery’ or ‘Tap’ behaviour
• Stop, start, continue mindset
• What happened (fact)/story
• Stop carrying moles (the weight)
• 3 personal standards for youth
• Every-day effort
• Building resilience - one word to control your response – ‘good’

Grade 9 and 10 students at the JCP Presentation and workshop

Grade 9– My Education Day, Lesson 3

In the final session of the day, Year 9s looked at ways in which relationships work, identifying key values and how these can be helpful or unhelpful. We also looked at communication techniques as well as strategies to resolve conflict.

It was a terrific day, and the Year 9s participated very well across the day.

Grade 10– My Education Day, Lesson 3

Transition Plans were refined and submitted, replies to Graduation Invitations were crafted and passed into the office, etiquette and procedures were discussed and practised for the Graduation Dinner and ‘Under the Pump’ was explored and responses given to strategies to use when feeling stressed and overwhelmed.

NEXT SCHOOL ASSOCIATION GENERAL MEETING

The next Exeter High School Association General Meeting will be held on Tuesday, 7 December beginning at 6:00pm in the Main Staffroom of the Administration building. All welcome.

CHILDREN’S UNIVERSITY GRADUATION 2021

Love for learning celebrated at Children’s University Graduation in Launceston on 23rd November.

Children’s University Tasmania helps develop young people into adaptable, lifelong learners by providing and celebrating quality learning activities outside the classroom, and thereby builds bridges to employment and higher education.

With students participating across Exeter Primary School, Exeter High School and the Launceston Christian School, students who earned enough additional hours of learning graduated at a formal ceremony at the UTAS Sir Raymond Ferrell Centre.

Thank you to all students involved and family members who support students to gain all of their hours.

Damon, awarded the Gold Fellowship, the Highest award possible.

Tristan, awarded the Silver Diploma

Noah, awarded a Bronze Certificate

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:

Tyler from 8A: Tyler is being recognised for his pleasing application and effort in core classes during Term 4. He has shown significant improvement in his work ethic and ability to meet deadlines. Values demonstrated: Respect, Learning, Maturity & Acceptance.

Amber from 8D: Amber is being commended on her outstanding Poetry Anthology in English where she demonstrated a sophisticated and mature use of poetic techniques. She also displayed excellent leadership during the Grade 6 Orientation Day. Values demonstrated: Respect, Learning, Maturity & Acceptance.

Isabella from 8B: Isabella is a hard-working student who has achieved excellent academic results this year. Her contributions to the school and the wider school community in the Arts area is commendable and greatly appreciated. Value demonstrated: Learning.

Travis from 8B: Travis is an outstanding student and role model to his peers. He is a caring and helpful student who has demonstrated strong leadership qualities. Travis is to be commended for his consistent involvement in extra-curricular activities which support others. Values demonstrated: Respect, Learning, Maturity & Acceptance.

FASHION PARADE – POSTPONED

STUDENT BUS TRAVEL IN 2022

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR FREE TRAVEL?

Eligible students can receive free travel to and from school with Tasmanian bus services. To see if you are eligible to apply for a student bus pass for free travel, or renew your expired free travel entitlement, visit the link below:

Existing students with free travel expiring in 2021 will be sent a renewal reminder in November 2021. Students who apply for a free travel bus pass between 22 November 2021 and 5 January 2022 should receive their bus pass before the start of the 2022 school year. Applications received after 5 January 2022 may take up to 4 weeks to process. Students who currently have an expiring free student bus pass and will be travelling on Metro or Tassielink in 2022, should not throw away their current card. If eligible for free travel in 2022, this entitlement will be applied to their existing card – they will not receive a new card.

TELL ME MORE! For more information on student fares and free travel, visit Student bus pass for free travel – Transport Services or call 1300 135 513 - CORRECTION TO CONTACT NUMBER

Calendar – Term 4

December

2022 TERM DATES

COMMUNITY CORNER

BEACONSFIELD CHRISTMAS NIGHT MARKET & OUTDOOR CINEMA

Friday, 3 December, 7:00pm. Bookings essential:

LEGANA CHRISTMAS NIGHT MARKET & OUTDOOR CINEMA

Friday, 17 December, 7:00pm. Bookings essential:

2022 EXETER SHOW

We are excited to get the show back up and running, and back to our community – this will be the 108th Exeter Show!

We will again have some exciting events for children. They are yet to be confirmed but, due to the successes in 2020, I would imagine they would be similar categories again in 2022 including:

• Fruit and vegetables
• Cooking
• Photography
• Floral Art
• Handicraft and Novelty

We would love to see as many children involved as possible.

It would be fantastic to get children growing and creating this school year as the show will be quickly upon us in the new school year (26th February 2022).

EXETER COMMUNITY CAROLS

Exeter Community Carols will be held on Sunday 12th December at the Exeter Show Grounds from 5.00pm till 8.00pm. This is a free event, but everyone must have a ticket to attend.

NILS TASMANIA – NO INTEREST LOAN PROGRAM

2021 has continued to be a year of challenges for us all, and we would like to extend our thanks to the school community for supporting students and families while they navigated the uncertainties associated with COVID 19. With our state boarders opening next month, many of us have begun planning for what the next school year may bring. Unfortunately, we also know this means many parents and carers are going to struggle to cover the cost of essential school items, and this additional stress on families is especially difficult for those already experiencing financial hardship.

I am writing to let you know of a wonderful microfinance initiative available locally with NILS Tasmania, where we offer No Interest Loans (NILs) with no interest, no fees, no charges, ever.

Every year, NILS Tasmania helps parents and carers on low incomes (in particular those on Centrelink) to apply for a loan of up to $1,500 to cover the cost of essential school items such as uniforms, textbooks, laptops, and school camps (as well as other essential items such as washing machines, fridges, car repairs, medical and dental expenses).

What is a NILs loan?

NILS Tasmania is a community organisation supported by not-for-profit Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand, with funding from the State Government in partnership with NAB, Bank of Us and Aurora Energy.

A NILs loan is a safe, affordable alternative to high-interest payday loans or rent-to-buy leases. It’s not a payday loan or a bank loan but a form of ‘circular community credit'. This means when a borrower makes a repayment to NILs, the funds are then released to someone else in the community.

To help raise awareness of NILs

The following QR Code is a link to the NILS Tasmania website,

The following QR Code is a link to a video explaining the process of applying for a NILS loan for educational purposes:

Exclusive pricing and extended warranties on Bring-Your-Own-Device program with JB HI FI and The Good Guys:

NILs Tasmania have access to exclusive pricing and extended warranties on educational laptops and devices for clients who take out a No Interest Loan for this purpose through Good Shepherd’s partnership with The Good Guys and JB HI FI. Kids can have a new device that is covered under an extended warranty and will last them for many school years.

Parents and Carers can find out more information about NILs by contacting: NILS Tasmania on 1300 301 650