21 December 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

On behalf of the Exeter High School community, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all our parents, family members, staff, invited guests, students and especially our 2022 year 10 and 12 graduates, to their final presentation assembly. It is great to be able to once again invite our wider community to help celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students and reflect on these.

It is absolutely wonderful to see so many of you here today as we celebrate and recognise the successes of our students. This assembly is our opportunity to reflect on the positive contributions we have all made to our school this year, celebrate many of our successes and honour our 2022 Graduates. Schools are always busy places and 2022 certainly has been an incredibly busy but rewarding year. I can proudly say, we have had an exceptional year in so many different areas, including academic, sporting and artistic achievements as we continue to strive to be the absolute best we can be. These achievements by our students here at Exeter High School reflect the amazing community we have here.

As most of you would be aware, each year, I choose a theme to focus on and talk to our graduating students about. I have chosen a theme today around "Respect" as I believe that this word reflects what not only has occurred here at Exeter High School throughout 2022 but is also a quality you hear me mention a lot on a daily basis.

Respect means to have a feeling of deep admiration for someone as a result of their abilities or achievements. I believe that it is vitally important that each and every one of the students in front of me, to not only show respect to those around them but to also expect to be respected, as this is something that we all fundamentally deserve on a daily basis. It is so vital that people realise the importance of respecting others – even though we may disagree at times with other people’s views, beliefs or opinions, everyone has the right to those beliefs and to be respected for them. It is perfectly fine to challenge other people’s views, however, this needs to be done in a respectful manner. Likewise, please make sure that as you leave Exeter High, you understand that you not only have the responsibility to respect others but to also expect the respect of others as you continue life’s journey.

The term Respect is also one of the Education Department’s core values and we as a school have certainly reflected this. We as a school continually aim to encourage our students to show respect to everyone within our school community and this will hold in good stead for their future years in a society where mutual respect is both expected and deserved. Respect others but most importantly, respect yourself, have the courage to back yourself and also try new things and finally, continue to grow both on a personal level and in relation to whatever vocational avenue you choose to pursue.

Speaking of courage and growth – let me digress for a moment to address, briefly, these other important values. I want to remind you that courage and growth occur, often, within the context of mistakes we have made. We’re all human, so we all make mistakes. Sometimes, our mistakes are big, with the impact being serious or far-reaching; other mistakes are small and relatively inconsequential. Everyone sitting here today can think of mistakes they’ve made in the past, big or small. And that’s where we need to consign those mistakes to – the past. However, the learning that comes from having acknowledged and reflected on those mistakes – that should stay with us and guide our future actions. Courage and growth come from being able to face up to and learn from our mistakes, big and small. Don’t let your mistakes define you; as I said, consign them to the past; but do have the courage to reflect, honestly, upon them and let the learning that comes from that reflection take you on a positive path into the future.

The Work Experience Program has continued to see a large number of our year 9 and 10 students working with a myriad of businesses and support people to increase their skills and abilities. What a wonderful authentic and engaging learning opportunity, as well forging strong working partnerships with all these businesses. Good luck to our students who will transition from part-time work placements this year to entering the workforce on a full-time basis in 2023. We are very grateful for all the support we receive from businesses but also from the amazing support staff who work tirelessly ensuring that all programs remain viable and sustainable.

Coming back to the theme of today’s assembly – “Respect”, I hope that every student in front of me today, but especially our graduates, takes some time to reflect on how they have shown respect to others in their time here at Exeter High School and maybe even set some individual goals in relation to how, in the future, they can ensure that Respect is a quality that is part of their everyday being.

As always, the most important partnership we have though, is most certainly with our families. As a school underpinned by strong relationships, it is at our core to work alongside families to support the learning and development of every student and I thank all families for their support. These strong relationships allow each and every student, the opportunity to grow both in an academic sense and on a personal level.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all our staff-including the teaching and support staff, ancillary team and the administration staff, all who have once again been so diligent, professional and committed to our wonderful school ensuring that it hums along beautifully, providing the opportunity for all to work in a safe, friendly and calm environment.

I would especially like to thank Mrs Parish, Mrs Pratap, Miss Bell, Mr Cooper, Mr Clarke and Mr Murfet for their ongoing guidance of our current year 10 cohort. I would also like to acknowledge the hard work of all of the other teachers and staff who have supported and guided our year 10’s over the past four years. I’m sure that each and every one of the Year 10 students sitting in front of me today would be able to identify at least one of our staff members who has been a significant adult in their lives.

Exeter High School has seen the successful implementation of the Rural Operations course for our inaugural Year 12 students who sit here in front of me today. This program has seen a cohort of our 2020 Year 10 students continue their studies here and this has been a most exciting opportunity for both these students, as well as us as a school. These students epitomise the values of our school of Learning, Maturity, Acceptance and Respect and they have set themselves clear goals and are clearly on the way to successful careers through the hard work, commitment, and support of their teachers. Congratulations to these students and thank you for playing your part in our inaugural Year 11/12 program being such a success. We look forward to welcoming our 2023 cohort to continue this successful program. Thank you to Mr Fox, Mrs Hall-Dadson and Mr Finnigan for their ongoing support of our year 12 students.

The following quotes around Respect resonate with me:

“Respect is how you treat everyone, not just those you want to impress” and “One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say”.

Each one of you will forever be a part of Exeter High School. Keep in touch and dare to be the best you can be as you move forward with your lives “Towards the Future.” Good luck with everything you choose to do in the future – aim high, accept that there will be challenges and always reflect on your time here at Exeter High School with fond memories.

Benjamin Frerk
Principal

2022 Year 10 Presentation Awards

Academic Excellence in:

2022 Student Leaders

Excellence in Manner, Conduct & Courtesy Awards

Sporting Awards

Outstanding Citizenship Awards

Outstanding Academic Achievement Awards

Major Awards

Sponsors of our 2022 Award recipients

We wish to acknowledge the sponsorship of the following organisations, representatives and individuals in supporting the achievements of Exeter High students in 2022.

Benjamin Frerk
Principal

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:

Oliver from 7B: Oliver is a quiet achiever. He is polite and friendly to everyone, and approaches learning across all subjects determinedly. His efforts in the second half of the year have been especially pleasing, leading to positive end-of-year marks. Oliver has set himself up for a smooth and successful transition to Year 8. Values demonstrated: Respect, Learning, Maturity and Acceptance.

Lily from 7B: Lily is a quiet and conscientious student who has finished Year 7 strongly. In the second part of the year, especially, she has applied herself to her learning with greater determination and has been rewarded with some pleasing marks. Lily has set herself up for a smooth and successful transition to Year 8. Values demonstrated: Respect, Learning, Maturity and Acceptance.

Jesse from 9A: Jesse has demonstrated a mature and respectful approach to all areas of his learning this term. He has been polite in his interactions with staff and peers. Jesse has displayed maturity in the classroom by ignoring distractions. Values demonstrated: Respect, Learning, Maturity and Acceptance.

Travis from 9C: Travis is an enthusiastic member of his class who approaches all learning tasks with enthusiasm. He is respectful with his interactions with others and offers a helping hand when he can. Travis brings a great sense of humour to the classroom. Values demonstrated: Respect, Learning and Maturity

CLASSES FOR 2023

Over the past few weeks, our teachers have worked hard to formulate the classes for 2023. On Wednesday afternoon, our Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 students will be informed of the class into which they’ve been placed for next year.

Creating classes is a complex process, and parent/carer requests have been considered. Our goal is to create class profiles that support and enhance the learning of all students. We aim to create balanced, viable classes by considering the needs and history of each student; friendship groups; gender balance; academic engagement and achievement; and how particular students influence and interact with each other.

We ask that students and parents/carers respect and support the hard work of our teachers by approaching the new classes optimistically and with a growth mindset. Experience tells us that the opportunity to expand friendship groups and experience a renewed classroom dynamic is enjoyable and valuable. It’s also an opportunity for students to develop resilience.

Teachers will be available for contact when they return to school on Monday 6th February. Please note, however, that any parent/carer requests for class changes will not be considered until the middle of Term 1 next year and may not be actioned. We look forward to an enjoyable and productive 2023 school year.

YEAR 8 SCIENCE

During our Energy unit, students explored how energy is used and transformed. They had to design and build a car powered by a mousetrap!

CALENDAR

Calendar – Term 1, 2023

January

February

March

April

Term 2 - 4 Term Dates

Calendar will be updated fortnightly

COMMUNITY CORNER

Festival of Small Halls, Rowella 11 January 2023

Australia Day BBQ – Rowella Hall

Australia Day Tennis and BBQ – Beaconsfield

West Tamar Dance Academy 2023 Enrolments

Save the Date

2023 Exeter Show - Saturday 25 February 2023