We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and restful break.  Term 3 is extremely busy with Year 10 exams, the Launceston College Production which all students at Riverside High School attend, Science Week, the Australian Maths Competition, Speak Up Stay Chatty, Sports Finals and Championships, Deloraine Drama Night, Battle of The Bands, RYDA and our Grade Wellbeing Days.  Our school calendar can be found https://riversidehigh.education.tas.edu.au and by installing the SZapp which provides details of the events and programs coming up.

Mid-year reports were sent home at the end of Term 2.  The reports provide students and parents with the opportunity to reflect on learning progress and celebrate both achievement and effort. Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews are held in Week 6 of Term 3 on Monday, 28^th August and Tuesday, 29^th August.  Information on how to book a Parent/Teacher/Student interview will be sent home in coming weeks.

Celebration Assemblies and Morning Tea

Invitations will be sent home soon with students who will be receiving certificates of Outstanding Academic Achievement and/or Outstanding Effort to attend our Mid-Year Celebration Assemblies and morning tea for families.  Students in the assemblies will be acknowledged for their achievements and effort in the Mid-Year Report. The Year 7/8 Celebration Assembly will be held in the gymnasium on Tuesday, 22^nd August and the Year 9/10 Assembly Thursday, 24^th August.  Both assemblies will start at 10:40am.

Launceston College Production 2023 Years 7-10

All students will have the opportunity to attend the Launceston College Production on Friday, 11^th August. This is a great opportunity for students to experience live theatre and also see many past Riverside High School students who are in the cast of the production.  Students must wear full school uniform to attend the excursion with further details being communicated in the letter which has been sent home with students this week. 

Year 10 Exams Mid-Year

Year 10 students sat exams this week. The mid-year exams provide students with an opportunity to develop subject-specific exam skills as well as general skills such as time management and study skills. Exams provide our teachers with a summative assessment task that allows them to evaluate student learning and progress. This information can be used to inform future teaching practices and curriculum content. The exams are akin to an assignment and will contribute to your child's end-of-year results. Thank you to the Year 10 students for their positive attitude and application to both the study period and exams.

NAPLAN

Reports for Years 7 and 9 have been posted home. Please contact Riverside High School if you have any questions.

Solar Funding Schools

In the Term 2 holidays, the solar panels were installed on the junior school roof with this funding being made available through the Renewable Energy School Program.

Teacher Professional Learning Day - Student Free Day

Monday, 24^th July was a Student Free Day – Teacher Professional Learning Day. Teachers were involved in a number of sessions which included revisiting the School Improvement Plan and targets for 2023, Well-Being for Learning and discussing the feedback from students collected in Terms 1 and 2 on School Climate.

State and National Representation

Riverside High School often has students who represent the state in academic, sporting or artistic endeavours and cultural events.  We would love to continue to recognise and celebrate our currently enrolled students in our newsletter with photos where appropriate.  Please inform the Administration Office if you and your child are willing to share success in our newsletter.  We love photos!

School Parking for Visitors and Parent/Guardians

At the end of the school day, we have a large amount of traffic in the school.  A reminder to parents and guardians to drive slowly and please ensure you are parking in the dedicated parking bays only and that you are not obstructing buses.  The school buses must be able to enter and exit the turning circles to ensure they collect and drop off students at the allocated times. Your understanding is appreciated.

School Attendance

Every school day matters.

There are lots of things you can do to set your child up for success:

Make sure your child goes to school, every day.

Going to school every day gives your child every chance to learn and grow and connect with their mates and teachers. It’s where bright futures start and where students will benefit the most.

Get them excited for school. If you show a positive attitude and excitement towards school, your child will pick up on that.

The most common thing we hear from students, of all ages, is that school is where they can:

• spend time with their friends and teachers.
• create new and fun experiences.
• find their interests.
• learn new things.
• open up their options – for whatever future they want (whether that’s their dream job or to travel around the world).

Share these positives with your child.

Talk to your child about school.

Open up a conversation with your child about what’s happening at school. It will help you to better support their interests and confidence in learning. If you show an interest in school, they’ll know that getting an education is important and valued. Celebrate the milestones big and small! Celebrate milestones such as making it through the first day or week of school. And remember: all milestones look different.

If it’s a big achievement for your child, it’s important to recognise it. Set up a time to talk to your child’s teacher. If you’re struggling to get your child to school, help is available.

Please talk to us at school about your situation. We’ll support you, in whatever way we can. Know when to seek help.

If your child has completely disengaged with school, and not attending at all, there is support to help you. Please make contact with us.

https://anything.tas.gov.au/schools

Ms Jeanna Bolton
Principal

The subject of English revolves around the teaching and learning of three interrelated strands of Language, Literature and Literacy.

Language: Students examine how the English language works, how we interact with the language and how we structure texts for audience and purpose.

Literature: Is the engagement with and responding to a range of texts, examining themes, perspectives and context.

Literacy: Is the application of skills and knowledge in creating, analysing and evaluating texts.

So far this year students in English have participated in a range of learning units that focus on developing their skills and understanding across all three strands.

Year 7

Students have studied the structure of a narrative and explored using nouns, adjectives, verbs, and adverbs in their sentences. They wrote simple and compound sentences for effect and started to write using complex sentences. Students wrote their own narrative using a photo prompt of their choice with a focus on the orientation, complication, and resolution of their narrative.

During Term 2, they completed a film study on A Hunt for the Wilderpeople concentrating on characterisation and character development. Students also examined language in poetry and compiled a portfolio of poems including cinquains, haiku and limericks. This work was complemented with a performance from Poetry in Action, which demonstrated the elements of poetry. Students will then have the opportunity to enter work from their poetry portfolio into the Poetry in Action competition.

Currently students are learning about the persuasive techniques used in speech to influence audiences.

Year 8

Students focused on autobiographies and biographies during Term 1. They explored a variety of texts and personal stories including Anh Do’s The Little Refugee, Long Walk to Freedom, detailing Nelson Mandela’s journey to freedom by Chris Van Wyk and Malala Yousafzai’s inspiring story of fighting for gender equality and girls’ education. These texts were then compared with narrative texts such as The Island by Armin Greder and The Lost Thing by Shaun Tan to understand how narrative texts can shape the ways we see people and issues.

During Term 2, students completed a novel study. Texts read include A Small Free Kiss in the Dark written by Glenda Millard, and the Outsiders by S.E Hinton. Students responded to comprehension questions about the text and completed a piece of creative writing that related to the text.

This term, students are using a crime text to infer information, as well as studying a film to identify the techniques used in making films, and the ways in which a story can be told visually. Other classes are learning how to persuade an audience to an opinion with advertising and media.

Desolate

Alone in a big city, with nowhere to stay,
I wander the streets, with very little pay.
The city’s a maze, and I’m lost in its sprawl,
my hopes and my dreams, seem so far away, so small.

The neon lights flicker, they dazzle and shine,
but they can't light the darkness, that’s deep in my mind.
The crowds push and shove, and I’m just in the way,
a stranger in a strange land, with nothing to say.

The wind howls and whispers, through the canyons of steel,
It’s a voice that reminds me, of all that I feel.
The chill in the air, seeps into my bones,
and I’m left with a hunger that gnaws and groans.

I search for a shelter, a place to lay down,
but the streets are my home, in this concrete town.
The rain pours down, and soaks me to the skin,
and I’m left with a feeling, of despair within.

But in the midst of the chaos, I catch a glimpse of light,
a glimmer of hope in the midst of the night.
A stranger, a friend, a helping hand,
a moment of kindness, in a world that’s so grand.

And so, I keep walking, through the city so vast,
with a heart that’s been broken, but a soul that will last. 

Hailee 8C

Year 9

Students commenced the year by learning about the conventions of gothic literature and composing their own gothic horror short story and book cover.

The Rabbits, a picture book by John Marsden was studied for the historical context and the use of metaphor, in addition to the visual techniques used in the story.  A number of classes have studied Shakespeare’s  Romeo and Juliet, looking at the evolution of language and how different language features can be used for effect. This has included exposure to a range of versions of the play both written and visual.

Year 10

Students have studied a number of texts from classic literature such as To Kill a Mockingbird and Of Mice and Men to documentaries including The Volcano – Rescue from Whakaari, The Cove, Bowling for Columbine and Fyre: The Greatest Party that Never Happened. With all these texts, the students have examined the structure and techniques used as well as the context and themes addressed. In responding to these texts, they developed their skills in organising their ideas and creating texts for audience and purpose.

The students also completed a detailed examination of visual texts, applying their understanding of particular techniques to analyse and respond to a range of images. Poetry was studied with a particular focus on war poetry, with students again transferring their understanding of the elements of poetry when analysing and responding to particular poems.

This work has culminated into the current Mid-year Exam, where students have been exposed to revision strategies and study techniques before gaining the experience of participating in a formal exam for all core subjects.

Ben Gadsby

In 2023, students from Riverside High joined writers from over 500 schools across Australia to complete the annual Write a Book in a Day challenge. The competition is a fundraiser organised by the Kids’ Cancer Project and requires each student team to write a story up to 5000 words in a 12-hour session. Each team is guided by a series of parameters, regarding themes, characters, setting, and a list of five random words which have to be included in the final product.

This year Riverside High assembled five teams of passionate authors and illustrators from Grades 7-10 to create their books, with the all-day sessions held on the 3^rd and 4^th of July.

The days featured an early start with teams arming themselves with substantial amounts of sugar for energy. Participating students received their story parameters, a reminder of the competition rules and assembled in their allocated rooms ready for the marathon writing session. Each team was given a different set of parameters to ensure that all stories were unique and interesting.  After 12 long hours and with sugar supplies running low, the teams scrambled to finalise their stories for submission prior to the 8pm deadline.

The finished products were titled Out of Control (Year 9), Vintage Vibes (Years 9-10), Leviathan Drive (Year 9), and Dreams of Gems (Years 9/10).

Despite the enormous commitment and the high stress levels as the deadlines approached, all students enjoyed the experience. Not only does the competition allow students to flex their creative muscles, but it also challenges their ability to compromise, manage their time to meet deadlines and work collaboratively.

A big thank you to Mrs Phair who provided experience and enthusiasm in supervising the teams over the two days.

Cover pages Collection

Ben Gadsby

The 2023 netball season started with some preparation weeks, which included: training, uniform allocations and team selection. By the third week, the girls felt confident enough to create their own teams. They had open conversations with their peers around their team’s appropriate division and decisions were made around each player’s most suitable on court positions.

The girls were split into three teams: a 9/10 Div 2 team, a Grade 9 Division 3 team and a Grade 10 Division 3 team. We have been very lucky to have had Grade 10 student Sophie, along with Grade 9 student Olivia, volunteer to umpire each week. To have such experienced netballers put their hand up for this has meant that we arrive at Hoblers Bridge each week, organised and ready to play the game.

There have been many outstanding efforts by individuals so far this season, but as coaches, we have both been extremely proud of how resilient the girls have been when faced with some very challenging competition. Despite experiencing some losses on the court, each team has continued to show up the following week, putting their best efforts forward and demonstrating fearless courage and perseverance. We are looking forward to the rest of the season and wish our girls all the very best.

Karen Laycock and Caz Saunders

We are pleased to be able to provide all students at Riverside High School with the opportunity to attend the Launceston College Production of Be More Chill on Friday, 11^th August, 2023. Students will be accompanied to this event by their Grade Teaching Teams.

Be More Chill is a fast-paced and energetic sci-fi musical about growing up, high school and what we will do to get what we want. Jeremy Heere is just an average teenager until he finds out about ‘The Squip’ - a tiny supercomputer that promises to bring him everything he desires most. Jeremy must decide if this is worth the risk. Launceston College is extremely excited to perform such a quality musical featuring former Riverside High School students taking lead roles and in the remainder of the cast and crew. Be More Chill promises to be a very entertaining and enjoyable production.

The show will be performed at the Princess Theatre, Launceston. Students will be leaving Riverside High School from 10:00am and returning by 2:30pm. Students will have an early recess and a late lunch. The café will be available at these times. Students will be reminded about theatre etiquette and must follow the expectations of safe access to transport for the day.

Please be aware that students MUST wear their full school learning uniform to attend the event.

If you have any questions regarding the Production, please contact our Administration Office on 6327 6333.

We hope that students enjoy this cultural learning experience.

Congratulations Lucas on your selection in the AFL U16 All Australian football team, comprising the best U16 players in Australia. Lucas played in Southport, Queensland and Melbourne from Friday, 30^th June to Friday, 7^th July. Lucas plays midfield and halfback positions. This is a wonderful and well-deserved achievement.

From Our Kitchens - Grade 9/10 Foods are undertaking a Master Cook Unit. Students are well underway to embracing the challenges of enhancing a basic recipe provided to them each week by adding extra flavour to their dishes and developing their presentation skills. We have invited staff to step into the roles of judging the plated-up goods and they have been more than happy to try out students’ creations and leave feedback for the teams. Here are a few of the Scones students created last week. They will be making fresh pasta this week and adding a little extra flavour to wow the judges for high scores!

Angela Fitzallen

On Monday, 3 July 2023, Riverside High School Prefects and manina Kanamaluka (Earth at the Tamar River) group attended the Annual Flag Raising Ceremony at the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre to celebrate NAIDOC Week.

Students listened to guests from the Aboriginal community who spoke from the heart about current events and the way forward toward reconciliation and treaty.

Following the ceremony, lunch was served inside the TAC building, with mutton bird being the highlight of the meal. For some, it was their first taste of this traditional delicacy cooked by the First Nations/Aboriginal Peoples of Lutruwita/Tasmania.

Jodi Flakemore

Riverside High School’s, Prefect Board, manina Kanamaluka (Earth at the Tamar River in palawa kani, the language of the Tasmanian Aborigines) group and several other students participated in a traditional Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country by local pakana man Djuker Hart. Djuker shared stories of how the palawa peoples of Lutrawita/Tasmania have and continue to reconnect with culture and country and revive the palawa kani language. The manina Kanamaluka group was also fortunate enough to have a personal lesson in throwing a boomerang with Djuka.

During the lunch break, students had the opportunity to taste mutton bird and wallaby meatballs seasoned with bush pepper, saltbush and lemon myrtle and cooked on the BBQ.

Local pakana woman Nindarra Wheatley shared her knowledge of the traditional practice of string making with students joining in to make their own bracelets with shells strung on them.

Jodi Flakemore

On Tuesday, 4^th July, the Learning Prefects ran a school Chess Tournament. Over 20 students from across all grades signed up for the competition. Held in the drama hall, students competed in seven rounds to determine top players. Each round was met with excitement as players listened to where they would be placed and who they would be against. Friends were pitted against friends, Prefects against Year 7’s; even brothers met on either side of the board. Despite high tensions, each round was conducted in complete silence.

After seven rounds of competition, the top six players engaged in a best-of-three battle to determine the final rankings. Up on the big stage, some of the closest games of the competition were conducted. Finally, the winners emerged. In 3^rd place was Ethan from Year 10, in 2^nd was Dan from Year 8 and coming out on top was Fletcher from Year 9.

Congratulations to all players and a special thank you to Eli and Max for organising the event!

Crystal Coleman

On Wednesday, 26 July, a group of Grade 10 students participated in an excursion to Drysdale House facilitated by the Tasmanian Hospitality Association.

Students participated in a range of hands-on activities including front of house service, making rice paper rolls in the kitchen, creating mocktails at the bar and learning to become a barista using the coffee machines.

This was a valuable experience for students to learn about the opportunities for a career or casual work in hospitality and tourism. 

Adam Child

Donations of any second-hand school uniform items would be greatly appreciated.  

Riverside Primary School are looking for basketball referees for the Primary School Tournament to be held on:

Grade 5/6 on Saturday, 28^th and Sunday, 29^th October

Grade 3/4 on Saturday, 11^th and Sunday, 12^th November

Payment will be provided pre game.

Please see Mr Beardwood if you are available.

The school immunisation program for the West Tamar area has finished. If you are concerned that your child/children missed the school immunisation program for this year, City of Launceston Council has weekly immunisation sessions available for catch up’s or you can visit your GP.

Below is information on the Council clinics.

The City of Launceston Immunisation Clinic is open every Wednesday morning from 10:00am to 11:00am (excluding public holidays) at the Town Hall, St John Street.  The immunisation clinics are free. This session now has an online booking system in place, please visit the site below to book.

https://www.launceston.tas.gov.au/Community/Children-and-Families#section-2  

You may prefer to go to your own private doctor to have this done.  If so, please let West Tamar Council know, so that their records can be kept up to date.