Kia ora e te whānau o Riverside High School!  

Warmest greetings to the Riverside High School community! My name is Dan Wharepouri, the newest Māori social worker at Riverside High School, originally from Aotearoa, New Zealand. Māori culture has always been a central part of my life, and its strong emphasis on interconnectedness deeply informs my approach to social work today. My vision is to promote a culture of interconnectedness within the school, helping to cultivate healthy, supportive relationships among students at Riverside High.  

I’m committed to promoting and supporting mental health, understanding that it looks different for everyone. When working with young people, my goal is to explore what approach works best for them as individuals. The journey toward improved mental wellbeing can be confronting, confusing, and challenging - but with dedication and purpose, it can also be deeply rewarding.  

Very much looking forward to becoming familiar to each and every face around Riverside High. Feel free to say hello and introduce yourself when you see me around school.

Ngā mihi,  

Dan (and my dog, Tui)

When parents/guardians are exiting our school between 8:00 - 9:30am and 2:30 - 4:00pm on School Days, please note, turning right is prohibited. Violation of this rule may jeopardize your safety and that of others and impacts on the traffic flow of our buses.

Our Grade 9 students recently participated in a highly successful Leadership Day at the Tailrace Centre. The day was filled with engaging activities that challenged students to reflect on their own leadership qualities, step outside their comfort zones, and strengthen their ability to work effectively in teams.

Throughout the sessions, students explored the importance of good decision-making, problem-solving, and recognising the unique qualities they bring to group situations. Many discovered new strengths within themselves, while also learning the value of collaboration and resilience when faced with challenges.

A big thank you goes to Miss Groves for her meticulous organisation of the event, ensuring that the day ran seamlessly. We also extend our gratitude to Mr Smith, Mrs Elliott, and Mr Lee for their support and facilitation throughout the program.

A special highlight of the day was hearing from 2022 Head Prefect, Tara Stewart, who generously shared her leadership journey at Riverside High School. Tara’s honest reflections and advice about the student leadership process inspired our students and gave them valuable insight into the opportunities and responsibilities that come with leadership roles.

Overall, the Leadership Day was an outstanding success, leaving our Grade 9 students motivated, empowered, and better prepared for the leadership challenges ahead.

Grade 9 Leadership Team

Last week, our Grade 8 Division 1 soccer team played their grand final match, and what a thrilling game it was! The final score ended in a 2–2 draw, but thanks to their outstanding season performance and finishing as minor premiers, our team was crowned Premiers!

What made this result even more impressive was the challenge they faced on the day. We had three players away sick, meaning we played one player short against a full-strength Prospect High School team. Despite this, the team showed incredible determination, maturity, and heart.

For the first time all season, we found ourselves trailing 2–1, but the boys didn’t drop their heads. Their ability to stay united and focused under pressure was a true testament to their character.

As their coach, I couldn’t be prouder, not just of the result, but of the sportsmanship, resilience, and respect they displayed throughout the match and the season. They’ve represented our school with pride and have earned every bit of this success.

Congratulations to every player on an unforgettable season!

Mrs Greatbatch

After an enjoyable season, the Senior Thirds Football team were excited for what was set to be a close game against Kings Meadows High School in the Grand Final.

Faced with the extra challenge of a wet and windy day, the boys got off to a slow start as they adjusted to the conditions, failing to take advantage of kicking with a strong wind in the first quarter. Ethan S, Ashton B and Angus C were the standout performers in the first half, working hard to help the backline who were under pressure. After a late goal to Ethan S, Riverside High School took a small lead into half time.

With a strong wind heading towards the Riverside High School end, the boys knew the third quarter was going to be crucial if they were to win the game. Lachlan P and Angus C dominated the middle of the ground, setting up many opportunities for our forwards. Lincoln H made the most of these chances, kicking 4 goals in the third quarter and leading the boys to a huge 7 goal advantage at the end of the third quarter.

With a big lead in place, the Riverside High School boys knew the last quarter was an opportunity to have some fun, with the celebrations starting early when Hudson K kicked a brilliant goal, with every one of his teammates getting to him to celebrate. Lincoln H added a 5^th goal to his individual tally for the day, while Henry S and Gregor T showed their ability with highlight plays of their own.

In the end, Riverside High School walked away with an outstanding 85-18 victory, with Lincoln H awarded the best on ground medal as voted by the umpires.

Mr Doyle & Mrs Elliott

Week 8 was a big week of Netball Grand Finals for Riverside High School, with 5 out of 7 teams making the grand finals across the senior and junior roster as well as the Saturday morning roster. Anticipation was high as the girls headed to the Silverdome for these competitions, pump up music was blasting and vibes were high!

Once settled, the girls found their courts and began warming up, keen to play. Our girls represented Riverside with pride and fought hard until the very end. Congratulations to our Senior Div 3B who took out the win against Prospect and to Lily who was awarded MVP for the game. Another big congratulations to our Junior Div 3 team who also won their grand final game against Brooks in a nailbiter finish in overtime. Shoutout to all other teams for their hard work making it to the grand final and for those who came extremely close. All games were a spectacular showcase of your determination, teamwork and sportsmanship.

Looking forward to the netball championships in week 9 where we will be taking 8 teams of both boys and girls to the Silverdome for a weeklong carnival against both independent and government schools.

Miss Rolls

Our Grade 7 students participated in the school round of the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee this term, as a part of their English learning. Students logged onto a website platform to complete the spelling bee. There were thirty words that were given to students verbally and they then had to spell them correctly within 25 seconds. Congratulations to the following students for their amazing achievements:

1^stYuna

2^nd Hayley

3^rd Rupert & Charlotte

Congratulations to our participation prize winners: Oliver C, Sophie P and Emilio S.

Several of our Grade 7 students have progressed into the State Finals, which was held in Week 7. We look forward to sharing these student’s achievements once we receive their results.

Miss Dudley

This term we have welcomed Grade 6 students from our associate schools; West Launceston Primary School, Trevallyn Primary School and Riverside Primary School to tour our learning facilities and meet their Grade 9 Transition Mentors. These visits are an opportunity for our future Grade 7 students to familiarise themselves with our environment and build positive connections with their Transition Mentors. Students practise using the locks for our lockers and interpreting a Grade 7 timetable. In Week 7 we visited Legana Primary School to present our Introduction to Riverside High School session and look forward to working with them next year in preparation for their students enrolling with us in 2027.

Our Transition Mentors have maturely and respectfully represented our school during these visits. Later this term we look forward to welcoming the Grade 6s again to experience one of our options subjects, metal work or foods. If you have any questions regarding our Grade 6-7 transition program, please contact our office on 6327 6333 or email karen.dudley@decyp.tas.gov.au.

Miss Dudley
Grade 6-7 Transition Coordinator

On Wednesday, 27^th and Thursday, 28^th August, a range of talented and enthusiastic writers gathered to participate in the annual Write a Book in a Day challenge. Students had to plan, write, edit, and submit their piece of work within a 12-hour period. Each team was given unique parameters, making their books completely their own.

This project challenged students' teamwork and collaboration skills, as planning and working together were crucial parts of completing the book. At the beginning of the day, teams were given their parameters and began the planning process. They divided themselves into roles such as writers, illustrators, and editors to work as efficiently as possible. The early stages were crucial, as communication was key to creating a harmonious and flowing book.

Teams had a minimum of 3,500 words and a maximum of 5,000, which included everything from the title to the credits. The result of the competition was a diverse collection of narratives, reflecting each team's creativity and imagination. Titles such as Carnival Conundrum, Operation Eagle, and Swept Away emerged from the grade 7/8 teams, while titles like A Heart of Gold, The Fantastic Gleeby, and Sugar, Spice, and the Supernatural were created by the 9/10 teams. While the day felt long, many teams felt the pressure mount as the deadline approached, racing to format and compile their chapters into a single document and submitting their work just before the 8:00 pm deadline.

While this competition was an extravagant literary achievement, the project also raises vital funds for children's cancer research. Every book submitted will be made available for free to kids in hospitals around Australia, potentially changing a child’s day in hospital.

Overall, the days were a resounding success, filled with writing, drawing, talking, and plenty of food. Every student and team left feeling accomplished and proud of an overall exciting and challenging day. The days were guided by Mrs Phair and Mr Gadsby, who offered not only supervision but also a calming presence when the days ended and the pressure and panic heightened.

Maya R

We are excited to share that our school has been working with the Tamar Rowing Club to offer a series of PE sessions designed to introduce students to the sport of rowing and encourage greater participation.

Our school has had a proud and successful history in rowing, with past crews achieving outstanding results and building a strong sense of teamwork, discipline, and school spirit. We think it’s a great time to rebuild that legacy and provide that opportunity for our students again.

These sessions have been run by experienced coaches from Tamar Rowing Club. They are also running sessions on the water and these are open to all students, regardless of prior experience. They’ll provide a fun, supportive environment to learn the fundamentals of rowing, both on and off the water.

We’d love to see as many students as possible take part in this opportunity. Whether they’re trying rowing for the first time or looking to build on existing skills, this is a fantastic way to get involved in a sport that has long been part of our school’s identity.

If you have any questions or would like to register interest, please see the HPE team at RHS.

Let’s get back on the water and bring our rowing tradition to life once again!

Miss Hall

Old Rowing

Riverside High School’s Music program is built on two key teaching approaches: Gradual Release and Inquiry-Based Learning. Students are supported in identifying their musical interests and exploring them through performance, analysis, or composition. This personalised approach helps sustain engagement throughout their time in the course.

The program also offers rich opportunities for students to develop performance skills beyond the classroom. Here are some recent highlights:

Workshop with Glenn Moorhouse - Friday, 16 May

Grade 9/10 Music students welcomed back Riverside alumnus Glenn Moorhouse, now a musical director, guitarist, composer, and producer with a 25-year career in the Australian music and theatre industry. Glenn has worked with artists such as Paul McDermott, iOTA, and Prinnie Stevens, and led productions including American Idiot and Dubbo Championship Wrestling.

During his visit, Glenn shared his journey from Riverside to Sydney’s theatre scene, discussed his creative process, and offered valuable feedback to students performing in small ensembles. His visit was a powerful reminder that big dreams can begin in small places.

Battle of the Bands - Friday 15 August – Door of Hope

Our biggest event of the year drew a crowd of over 400 attendees. The evening featured 11 acts performing 21 songs in just under 90 minutes. The event celebrated student talent and teamwork, offering:

A platform to showcase RHS musicians

A supportive, team-like atmosphere

Real-world performance experience

Opportunities for students across all grades to contribute in performance and tech roles

2025 Winners – to perform at Tasmanian Rock Challenge

Off the Rock: Amy, Flynn & Will

Band Section: The Roadies – Cross, Cyelle, Himani, Jenny & Maya

2025 Runners Up – to perform at Tasmanian Battle of the Bands

Off the Rock: Annalise

Band Section: Empire: Ben, Ezra, Harry, Kennedy & Lachy

I look forward to sharing with you how the students perform at the above competitions.

Mr Rainbird
Subject Leader: Music

On Tuesday 50 students from Years 9 and 10 travelled to Launceston College to investigate employment opportunities, careers and career pathways.  

Students spent time engaging with more than 40 exhibitors covering employment options such as Tas Police, Dentistry, Accounting, Real Estate and careers with the Launceston City Council and many more. Other exhibitors covered pathways such as AMC, UTAS, TAFE and apprenticeships.

For the Year 10 students this supported them as they work on transition plans to Year 11/12 and consider their future past Year 12.

Year 9 students also found considerable value in attending as they start to consider their own transition plans in Year 10.

Many students commented they had gained awareness of careers they had not previously considered and this experience will shape the courses they choose for Years 11 & 12.

Mr Hindrum

SZapp is our primary online communication platform. It provides access to our school newsletter, calendar, and allows you to notify us of student absences quickly and easily.

To get started, please follow the steps below to install SZapp on your device.

What should you do if your child needs to leave school early?

Students are required to sign out at the Student Admin Counter if they have to leave school early for any reason. Communication from parents/guardians can be via:

• Phoning the Administration Office which is open between 8:00am–4:00pm (6327 6333)
• Using the Schoolzine App.
• Sending an email to either the Home Group teacher or our school email address Riverside.High.Admin.Staff@decyp.tas.gov.au

When leaving our school for an appointment, students must have a GREEN LEAVE FORM which has been signed by Admin Staff and an Assistant Principal. 

• The Leave Pass is preferably completed before school and must be left with a member of our Admin Team at the time of leaving. 
• The student must also sign out at the time of departure.  
• Students who sign out for appointments should sign back in at the Student Admin Counter on their return.

Following this process ensures that students meet their parents for collection promptly without interrupting classes.  

If a student is feeling unwell or is injured, they need to get a signed pass from their teacher to go to the Admin office and ask for First Aid assistance. 

The First Aid officer will then determine if the student is well enough to stay at school or needs to go home.  The First Aid officer will then contact parents/carers if the student needs to go home. 

Could parents/carers please discourage their child from messaging or calling home during class time instead of going to First Aid.