7 December 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents and Families,

December is upon us and we know that these final two weeks leading up to the holidays is always very hectic. Without doubt the highlight of this time of the year though is the celebration events and end of year activities that allow us to recognise the efforts and achievements of our students. It is really important that during this busy and demanding time of year, we don’t lose sight of that. We have a number of special events coming up on our calendar including the Presentation Evening, the Graduation Dinner and final assemblies. It is always very special to be able to join with parents and family members to celebrate the success of our students and acknowledge the culmination of student learning for the year.

Our Presentation Evening is next Wednesday, 12th December. The Presentation Evening is a whole school event, recognising the efforts, progress and achievement of students from Grade 7-10. All Grade 10 students are invited to this event and are strongly encouraged to attend and share in this occasion with their peers. Along with the special awards and prizes that are specific to Grade 10 students, we will also be presenting Outstanding Academic Achievement Certificates to students from Grade 7-10, along with recognition of Endeavour Grades 7-10 and the Dux Award in each Grade. The Presentation Evening will be held in the Gymnasium, starting at 7.30 pm. Students who will be receiving prizes during the night have been given a written invite to bring home this week; students are encouraged to collect tickets from the office to assist with the planning of seating. It promises to be a special evening and we look forward to seeing family members attend to share in this occasion with us.

Additionally, Grade 7-9 will also be holding end of year assemblies on Tuesday 18th December to celebrate individual success, acknowledge effort and share grade memories from throughout the year. This will include the presentation of Merit Certificates Recognising Outstanding Effort on the End of Year Report. Parents are warmly invited to the assemblies.

These assemblies will be held in the Gym and times are as follows:

• Grade 7: 9:30am – 10:30am
• Grade 8: 11:30am – 12:30pm
• Grade 9: 1:30pm – 2:30pm

Assembly

Our whole school assembly last Friday was a full program and a great opportunity to share in the breadth of opportunities and activities that students have been involved in this term. The assembly program included numerous presentations and performances. It was uplifting to see the enormous contribution that our students have made in so many different areas and to celebrate not only their efforts, but the depth of skill and talent amongst our students.

During the assembly, I spoke to students about the importance of reflecting on their progress and achievements for the year, celebrating their own highlights and personal successes. This could include the lightbulb moment of learning something new, the satisfaction of finishing a task they have been working on, or a time when they have had to persevere with things that have been challenging, perhaps a time when things haven’t gone their way or when they have been completely out of their comfort zone. It is often through persistence that we learn the most. Learning can look different in various settings and situations and is certainly not limited to a classroom. Reflecting on our own learning is an important part of the learning process. I hope in reflecting on their learning journey this year, there are lots of highlights for all of our students, moments where they can see how much progress they have made and things they can be truly proud of. I’d encourage parents to take some time to talk to their children about their reflections and highlights from this year. I’m sure it will be a great conversation!

Orientation Day

Last Wednesday our incoming Grade 7 students visited us for Orientation Day providing them with another opportunity to become familiar with the school and to experience a range of learning activities. There was a great sense of excitement and enthusiasm amongst our 205 new students! It was encouraging to hear so many students comment about how much they were looking forward to starting high school. We also had a very successful Parent Information Evening focused on supporting parents in the transition process. Working together to get our new students off to a positive start at Riverside High is very important and the number of parents attending on the evening reflected how much you value this partnership between the school and families. It was also affirming to hear such positive feedback from parents about how students had responded to Orientation Day and to know that students are feeling well prepared and excited about starting Grade 7. I would also like to commend our Grade 9 students, in their various leadership roles, for the wonderful support and warm welcome that they gave to the newest members of our school community.

Peer Mentors 2019

This week I would like to share with you the names of students who have been successful in being selected as Peer Mentors for 2019. These students play a critical role in supporting the transition of our Grade 7 students to high school, forming positive relationships and acting as strong role models. Our Peer Mentors have already been active in their roles assisting with the Orientation Day last week and also getting underway with some planning to prepare for their roles next year. Congratulations to the following students, we wish you well in your new role and look forward to the contribution you will make.

Dance Fever

A group of 21 of our students were part of Dance Fever last week. Dance Fever is a fantastic initiative of Launceston College and provides a great opportunity for students to collaborate, build resilience and foster creative skills and is inclusive of all students, regardless of previous dance experience. It was a pleasure to be part of the audience last Thursday night. I could only describe this performance as high energy, fun and entertaining. It was wonderful to see both our own students and many of our incoming Grade 6 students performing together on stage with college students. Well done to all involved – you should be very proud!

Thank you to our Volunteers

We are very fortunate to have a small but dedicated group of volunteers who regularly assist us by working in the Canteen. On Tuesday our volunteers and canteen staff, enjoyed a thank-you afternoon tea in appreciation of their contribution to our school throughout the year. A huge thank-you to Linda Oosterloo, Sue Purcell, Wendy Dusautoy and Verity Cook. Thankyou also to Tanya Evans and Tracey Morrison, who work in our Canteen; your friendly service and fantastic menu choices are appreciated by all.

I’d also like to thank Sue Purcell who manages our Uniform Shop and works in the school every Thursday morning. This is a wonderful service to our school and Sue’s friendly and efficient approach along with her knowledge of our uniform requirements are greatly valued. Thankyou Sue.

Time is precious and is in many ways the most generous gift we can give, so to all those who have served our school as volunteers throughout the year, I would like to thank you for your support and your contribution to our school.

End of Year Picnics

During the last week of term each of our grades will have the opportunity to enjoy an end of year picnic. These are a great way to celebrate the end of the year and for grades to share in some social time. Notices with specific details of each grade assembly are being sent home. Permission for the end of year picnic was given on our Excursion Consent Form at the beginning of the year. In instances where this consent has not been given, including permission for aquatic activities, letters requesting this are being sent home. Please ensure that this information is returned so that students are able to attend and participate in the activities.

In Closing

The end of the year is fast approaching and I appreciate that this is a busy time for everyone. As a school we are focused on both finishing this year in a highly successful way and also preparing for the start of the 2019 school year. To support us with our work, we would appreciate it if you could:

• Assist us with the payment of any monies that may be outstanding to the school. This includes ensuring that all Grade 10 Leavers costs are paid in advance.
• Take advantage of the opportunity to pre-order uniforms for next year. Information about this has been published and is available from the office or though the school APP. A reminder that orders need to be placed by the 14th December.
• Return any library books, sports uniforms or other school equipment that is no longer being used.
• Inform us of any changes to enrolments, such as families who may be moving over the summer break.

Students will be bringing home their end of year reports on Monday, 10th December. Due to industrial action by the Australian Education Union and the direction of the union to AEU members, there will be no general comment included in the end of year report. However, our Home Group teachers have provided students with a rating against four key areas. Please be aware that while we don’t have a formal parent teacher evening scheduled at the end of term, if you would like to speak to a teacher about any areas of concern there will be opportunities to do this. Reports are coming home in enough time for you to make a parent teacher appointment or have a phone conversation during the final two weeks of term. An attendance print out showing attendance up until Friday, 7th December, will be included with the report. Please advise the admin office of any attendance details that need modifying so that we can ensure our records are accurate.

Our final newsletter for the year will be published on Thursday, 20th December.

Ms Natalie Odgers

Subject in Focus – Humanities and Social Sciences

Through Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) students develop knowledge and understanding of the past in order to appreciate themselves and others, to understand the present and to contribute to debate about planning for the future. Students develop a critical perspective on received versions of the past, and learn how to compare different accounts so that the conflicts and ambiguities are appreciated. Through comparative historical analysis and critical appraisal of evidence, history contributes to an active and informed democratic citizenship. The Humanities and Social Sciences Curriculum is interrelated and focuses on developing student’s historical knowledge, understanding and historical inquiry and skills, through immersion in personal, family, local, national, regional and world history. Learning includes a study of societies, events, movements and developments that have shaped world history from the time of the earliest human communities (Grade 7/8) to the present day (Grade 9/10).

Grade 9

A curriculum focus in Grade 9 History is for students to understand how the 1800s saw the beginning of globalisation through the extension of trade routes across seas and oceans and the building of European Empires through the establishment of colonies and outposts in then-distant continents. One story that encapsulates much of this is held in our very own QVMAG in Inveresk.

In the late 1800s William Clarke travelled from Scotland to join his brother in Calcutta to work in his trading company. Clarke had been told that the newly established colony of Port Jackson was desperate for goods, so he bought a ship and filled it with grog, crockery and other items to sell in Sydney. After encountering hurricanes in the Indian Ocean and fierce storms off the South Australian Bight his ship was leaking badly and he had no choice but to run it aground off a small island in the Furneaux archipelago, now named Preservation Island.

In the 1990s historians excavated the wreck of the Sydney Cove and relics from the wreck and parts of the ship itself are now on permanent display at QVMAG. Students from Grade 9 had the opportunity to visit the museum and learn about how the historians excavated the site and how they drew conclusions, based on what they found, to explain how the sailors survived their ordeal.

This term we have continued our study of WW1, examining conditions experienced by soldiers at Gallipoli. Students reviewed first-hand accounts of soldiers reflecting on aspects such as terrain, climate, disease, food, water and the conditions of battle. Students then demonstrated their understanding of these conditions and the impacts they had on soldiers by creating their own journal entries.

On the Western Front we identified specific battle locations and focused on the development of trenches as a feature of that battle front. Students researched various features of trench systems and drew and labelled their own model. We then studied a number of innovations that stemmed from the war that have continued to have impact on our lives today.

Currently we are examining the impact the war had on Australia as a young nation and the reasons we continue to commemorate it today.

Grade 10 History

Popular Culture

This unit is a study of popular culture - music, art, and more - from the period after 1945 in Australia and the world. Students explore the ways in which popular culture was affected by social, political and economic realities as well as how popular culture had an effect on these areas. A decade should form the focus on specific study to highlight the changes which occurred at a particular moment in history. This will include a focus on specific musicians, artists and other personalities of that era and how they contribute to continuity or change in Australian and global society. Students engage in a range of historical thinking and working skills including source analysis and presentation of ideas in various forms.

Right and Freedoms- Australian Context

Grade 10 students are working collaboratively, in an oral presentation on the previous unit, the Stolen Generations. As Global Citizens they established how each individual has a responsibility to contribute to their society. As members of society we all have rights, with these rights come responsibility. Throughout this unit students learnt how to become a contributor to their local community and the broader world community.

Students investigated:

• The origins and significance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including Australia’s involvement in the development of the declaration.
• The US civil rights movement and its influence on Australia.
• The significance of the following for the civil rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: 1962 right to vote federally; 1967 Referendum; Reconciliation; Mabo decision; Bringing Them Home Report (the Stolen Generations), the Apology.
• Background to the struggle of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for rights and freedoms before 1965, including the 1938 Day of Mourning and the Stolen Generations of the past experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who were forcibly removed from their families.

Mrs L Burt

Triathlon

On Wednesday, 28th November, the Schools Triathlon Challenge was held in Devonport. We had 32 participants who proudly represented the school by swimming, running and cycling their hearts out.

The Schools Triathlon Competition is not all about victory, glory and 1st place ribbons. It is designed to incorporate athletes of all abilities and experiences. Some people are seasoned athletes who participate in triathlons regularly. Others are competing for their first time in a non-competitive and supportive environment.

We had 9 students elect to compete as individuals, which meant they complete a swim of at least 250m, a bike ride of at least 8kms and a 2km run. The older the competitor the further the distance covered.

The great thing about this competition is that students are given the opportunity to compete as a team and we had 10 teams entered this year.

All students demonstrated our school values with great sportsmanship and respect for all competitors.

The experience gained from an event like this is unmeasurable, we would strongly recommend this to everyone.

And a huge thank you to Mr Mowbray and Mrs Greatbatch, this event wouldn’t have been possible without all of their guidance, support and patience.

Patrick 10B and Oliver 10B

F1 in Schools State Finals

Over November 26 and 27, Riverside High had teams competing in the F1 in Schools for the first time in many years. We had 2 grade 8 teams competing in the development class – this is for students who have not previously been involved in the challenge and has some restrictions applied to ensure all students are competing from an equal start.

Our teams consisted of:

Resplendent Racing - Will 8C, Jeremy 8B, Angus 8C, Lachlan 8C and Tom 8C.

Speed Demons - Jayden 8D, Cameron 8D, Kate 8C, Caleb 8G.

The competition has taken the students many hours of work at school and at home in order for them to design a model F1 car to specific regulations, to have the car milled from a block of balsa wood and then sanded and painted, along with the preparation of a portfolio, team branding with a uniform, banners and logos.

On Monday the students setup their trade booth at the Tailrace Centre and submitted their cars and portfolio for judging. On Tuesday they started at 8:00am and during the day they had three formal interviews focusing on their car engineering, their team roles and their marketing strategies.

Both teams had designed cars which met the minimum required weight requirements, which is often a challenge in itself, to ensure they had a very light, fast car. Over the day, both cars proved to be very fast, unfortunately some penalties for minor technical infringements did prove costly in the end. At the end of the day, neither team was able to come out as the overall winner, however, Caleb 8G is to be congratulated on having the fastest reaction time of the day.

We would like to thank Spectrum Paints for their generous donation of many cans of spray paint needed to finish off the cars and Bell Bay Aluminium for their financial support to help establish the F1 program into our school.

In 2019 there are many students who are very keen to participate in this International STEM challenge and we will hopefully see some champion teams emerge in the near future.

Mr R Gregory