19 August 2022

Newsletter Articles

Assistant Principals

Paul Stevenson
Andrea Saville

Grade Leaders

Grade 7: Elle Fox
Grade 8: Lenny Towns
Grade 9: Allison Stone
Grade 10: AST: Sharon Parish

Support Services

School Psychologist: Caitlyn Osborne: Wednesday (fortnightly), Thursday and every second Friday
Social Worker: Isabel Casey: Tuesday, Thursday and every second Friday
School Chaplain: Bec Cameron: Wednesday & Friday
School Health Nurse: Dave Mackay: Monday

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Last week, I had the privilege of addressing the school in our first whole school assembly in more than two years. Many parents/carers attended the assembly, too. Together, we inducted the 2022 Student Leadership Council and acknowledged other student leaders, including the Student Advisors and members of year-level Student Representative Councils. We also acknowledged our mid-year True Blue recipients and Duces. Everyone enjoyed a brilliant – and original – musical item from one of our senior bands. I also discussed the importance of everyone upholding our school values of Acceptance, Maturity, Respect and Learning every day. I have further focussed on our values of Acceptance and Respect in grade assemblies over the last two weeks, as I believe strongly that everyone (students, staff and visitors) has the right to feel welcome at Exeter High School, and to know they will always be treated considerately.

It has been brought to my attention that, unfortunately, we have had several students behaving in an inappropriate and unsafe manner on some of the school buses. I have discussed this with the bus companies and suggested to them that, if there are any students acting in such a manner, they be excluded from the bus for a period of time until they are willing to behave safely and responsibly.

Year 10 students will be visiting Newstead College and Launceston College in the coming weeks and I hope they take advantage of these visits to gain as much information as possible about the possibilities that are available to them in 2023 and beyond.

I met with a group of teachers yesterday to continue the discussion about the school redevelopment, and I look forward to sharing more plans and ideas in the coming months.

Benjamin Frerk
Principal

STATE TEAM CAPTAIN SELECTION

Congratulations to Chloe White, Grade 10 student, who has been selected to compete at the School Sports Australia Cross Country Championships to be held in Adelaide, South Australia, from 26th to 29th August.

Newsflash – Chloe has just been announced Captain of the Tasmanian Secondary Schools team! Congratulations and best of luck Chloe and the Tasmanian team.

EXCELLENCE AT EXETER

These certificates are awarded to two students in each grade 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 students:

Jezara from 7D: Jezara is a respectful student who continues to impress her teachers with her conscientious attitude toward learning. She is an excellent role model who consistently upholds our school values. Values demonstrated: Respect, Learning, Maturity & Acceptance.

River from 7C: River is a polite and respectful student who consistently upholds our school values. He has impressed his teachers with his positive attitude towards his learning and the way he conducts himself at High School. Values demonstrated: Respect, Learning, Maturity & Acceptance.

Arin from 8D: Arin is being recognised for her excellent commitment towards her learning and the fantastic attitude she has demonstrated this year. She is a reliable and mature student who has displayed confidence and independence as a learner. Arin is also to be congratulated for her selection and participation in the State Volleyball Team. Values demonstrated: Respect, Learning, Maturity & Acceptance.

Jack from 8A: Jack is being recognised for the maturity and consistency that he has demonstrated in core classes. He can be relied upon to complete tasks independently without direct supervision and he is equally valuable in group activities where he consistently meets commitments to benefit the group. Values demonstrated: Respect, Learning, Maturity & Acceptance.

Jessica from 9B: Jessica has started term 3 in a focussed and settled manner. She completes all her work to the highest of standards and her behaviour is exemplary. Jessica is a role model to her peers, she is always polite and respectful in her interactions with others. Values demonstrated: Learning & Maturity.

Kaden from 9B: Kaden is quiet and polite student who attempts all tasks to the best of his ability. He is respectful in his interactions with his peers and teachers. Kaden is to be commended on his approach to learning this term. Values demonstrated: Learning & Maturity.

Kaitlyn from 10A: Kaitlyn is an extremely polite, quiet, and considerate student who always gives 100 percent to every task she undertakes. She applies herself conscientiously in lessons, and consistently meets deadlines for task completion in all subject areas. Kaitlyn is always respectful and displays maturity by being organised and punctual to all her lessons. Values demonstrated: Respect, Learning, Maturity & Acceptance.

Christopher from 10B: Chris is a friendly and respectful student who interacts in a positive manner with his peers and teachers. He has demonstrated maturity and acceptance through his willingness to work in small groups for short activities. Chris takes pride in the neatness of his work and completes all work required of him. Values demonstrated: Respect & Learning.

CITY PARK RADIO – School’s Out

On the 4th August, we presented a show on City Park Radio. Our theme was ‘Weird things people love and hate’. We chose this because while brainstorming our script, we ‘occasionally’ went off topic, and realised we had strong and varying opinions and a variety of ‘weird’ habits. So our theme was decided.

The process of writing the script was framed from the casual conversations that our group had. It was a very different approach to what we were used to, but it gave us an interesting insight into the unique world of individuals in our group and the world of radio. We spent many lessons and even more lunchtimes, writing, practicing, improvising and re-writing our show until we were happy with the final product.

The day of our show – wow! It was a mixture of excitement, stress and pure adrenalin rush. We were in a large studio, so it gave us room to be animated in our delivery and responses to one another. For whatever reason, our radio script (although previously timed to within the second) ended up running too long and we were forced to improvise. We faded out our second last song, kept our last scripted section with some improvisation, cut our last song and then faded back in the song previously played. Phew, it was quite stressful.

Our group enjoyed this experience immensely and would recommend it to other students. The experience was very educational and completely took us out of our comfort zone – but we survived! All in all, this was a very enjoyable unit, and we are incredibly thankful for the help and support from Lily, City Park Radio and Mrs Parish.

Dannie, Olivia, Travis and Layla

“RENT” – LAUNCESTON COLLEGE PRODUCTION

Grade 9/10 Drama and Music students attended Launceston College’s production of RENT on Friday 12th August. The cast of more than 100 students along with crew, band and staff have been working hard on this performance since February

RENT tells the story about a group of young artists living in New York who are struggling to make sense of life set against the backdrop of the last great pandemic, HIV and AIDS in the late 80’s. Director Cheyne Mitchell said with the way of the world for the last few years, it was more timely than ever to choose a musical with themes of health and housing.

The choreography was fresh and tightly timed, and lead roles were outstanding in their acting and singing abilities.

The set design, projections, lighting, smoke machine and live band enhanced and set the atmosphere for each scene. The show had incredible energy and was full of students having the time of their lives.

It was fantastic to see so many of our former students acting on stage, in technical roles or in the band. Well done to: Isaac Leslie, Phoebe Burling, Rachael Ford, Katie Grant-De Haan, Ella Greenhalf, Eve Hearn, Maya Herne, Breea Jenner, Jasmine Russell and Andrew Topperwien. Yet again another incredible performance by the students from Launceston College (and former EHS students). We would rate it a 9 out of 10 – well worth a look!

Grade 9/10 Drama class

Calendar - 2022

August

September

Oct

November

December

COMMUNITY CORNER

LITTLE ATHLETICS – APPROACHING SEASON

End of Term 3 starting date of Saturday, 8 October for Little Athletics:- Tiny-tots and Kinder-Grade 8 groups

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE ACADEMY – OPEN DAY

On Saturday 20 August, the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) is hosting a virtual Open Day.

2023 YOUTH MAYOR APPLICATIONS – NOW OPEN

Students in years 6-8 may want to consider applying for the 2023 West Tamar Youth Mayor position.

This 12 month term is a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable experience in local government, represent young people in the West Tamar, and receive fantastic media/public speaking training.

The online application process can be found at the below link. (Applications must also be supported with a video of the applicant sharing how you can make a difference in the West Tamar.)

For further information, contact Youth Development Officer Andrew Beeston at andrew.beeston@wtc.tas.gov.au

ROTARY YOUTH PROGRAM OF ENRICHMENT

RYPEN is an Australian-designed weekend camp of leadership, fun, and fellowship for year 9 to 10 students. The program will run from Friday evening, 16 September 2022, to Sunday afternoon, 18 September 2022, at Camp Clayton, Ulverstone. The weekend aims at developing teamwork, leadership, communication, and social skills in a supportive and safe environment. Local Rotary Clubs will sponsor the successful participants, hence no cost to students. Transportation will also be provided.

We are seeking young students with an open mind who demonstrate personal qualities such as persistence, sincerity, application, dependability, and honesty and who are prepared to participate fully and benefit from the organised activities.

The camp involves adventure-based learning activities, reflection, and discussion.