On behalf of our principal, and the teachers at Riverside High, we would like to thank all the families who joined us this week for our Term 3 Parent / Teacher / Student Interviews. We were thrilled to have this opportunity to discuss how best to support students’ ongoing learning. We greatly appreciate the chance to work in partnership with you to support our wonderful young people. It was also lovely to see a large number of students participating in the interviews and taking an active role in monitoring their academic progress and striving for excellence.

We seek your feedback regarding our Term 3 Parent / Teacher / Student Interviews and would be extremely grateful if you could take a few moments to complete the survey featured below by scanning the QR Code or clicking on the following link:

https://forms.office.com/r/GbegbgkamW

Adrian Smith and Susan Matkovich
Assessment and Reporting Co-ordinators

We continue to be extremely impressed by the mature and thoughtful manner in which our Grade 10s are approaching their transition to future learning and career-related pathways. Significant work has now been completed on students’ Transition Plans and our Grade 10s have had the opportunity to visit a number of educational providers and listen to a range of guest speakers from industry and employment groups.

On Thursday, 29 August, our Grade 10 students worked to finalise their Transition Plans and had the opportunity to attend presentations including those conducted by Julia Bullock from the Tasmanian Department of Health who spoke about a range of health-related careers and pathways, Courtney Page from Keen Partners, a Tasmanian owned training organisation, who shared information regarding apprenticeships, traineeships and the world of work, and Jess Rice who outlined offerings available at the Australian Maritime College. We would like to thank all our guests and our Grade 10 teaching team for their exceptional support of our students. Particular thanks go to Mr Adam Child, our Transition and Work-based learning Co-ordinator for his incredible efforts to organise such invaluable opportunities for our Grade 10s.

We would also like to provide you with some additional reminders and information regarding upcoming Grade 10 opportunities and events.

Enrolling in Launceston College VET Courses

As we recently outlined in a communication to all families, those Grade 10 students intending to enrol at Launceston College for 2025 who are interested in selecting a VET course, need to complete an online Expression of Interest (EOI).

These students will need to:

1.  Fill in the online form. Please go to https://forms.office.com/r/izANhGrwni
2.  Book an interview time.

Please be aware that this EOI must be completed by Friday, 13 September and interviews booked by Monday, 23 September (link to Try Booking accessed via the online form above). This is only for VET course enrolment at Launceston College. All students wishing to enrol at Launceston College will still need to attend enrolment interviews as per the information outlined later in this document.

Enrolling in Newstead College VET Courses

As we also recently shared with all our Grade 10 families, the EOI process is now open for those students interested in participating in a VET course at Newstead College next year. To view courses and complete an EOI, please see the link below.

https://newsteadcollege.education.tas.edu.au/subjects-enrolments/vet

Once the form has been submitted, students will receive an email from Newstead College and obtain further correspondence regarding scheduling the suitability conversation. These conversations are scheduled at the beginning of Term 4, so it is important for students to send in their EOI in the next couple of weeks. Students will be notified of the outcome by the end of November. Newstead College will work with those students who are unsuccessful in their application to enrol in a VET course to plan an alternative pathway. This is only for VET course enrolment at Newstead College. All students wishing to enrol at Newstead College for 2025 will still need to attend enrolment interviews as per the information outlined later in this document.

Enrolling at Launceston College

The Launceston College Enrolment Team will be visiting Riverside High School to conduct their enrolment interviews on Tuesday, 12 November. Further details about this event and booking information will be published early in Term 4. All students wishing to enrol at Launceston College in 2025 will need to attend enrolment interviews and we strongly encourage our families to accompany our students to support the course selection process.

Enrolling at Newstead College

The Newstead College Enrolment Team will be visiting Riverside High to conduct their enrolment interviews on the morning of Thursday, 14 November. Additional information about this initiative and booking details will be published early in Term 4. All students wishing to enrol at Newstead College next year are required to attend enrolment interviews and we strongly encourage our families to accompany our students to support the course selection process.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of our families for their support in assisting our young people to make wise decisions about their future learning pathways and carefully consider the pathways which will best suit their needs.

The Grade 10 Leadership Team

Recently the Grade 6s from our Associate Primary Schools (West Launceston Primary School, Trevallyn Primary School and Riverside Primary School) have visited our school as a part of our Grade 6-7 Transition process.

Our future Grade 7s for 2025 met their Transition Mentors and toured our school’s learning facilities. The Grade 9 Transition Mentors are an integral part of supporting our future students with their transition from Primary School to High School. Grade 6 students build positive relationships with their Transition Mentors with a focus on our school values of Connection and Respect.

The Grade 6s also had the opportunity to practise using a combination lock and were introduced to a Grade 7 timetable. We are looking forward to welcoming the Grade 6s back to our school in Week 7 and 9 for their learning experience where they will spend a lesson in either Materials Design and Technology, Foods or Science/STEM. Enrolment information will be shared with Grade 6 students early in Term 4.

If you have any questions regarding your child’s transition to Riverside High School, please contact karen.dudley@decyp.tas.gov.au (Transition Coordinator) or phone our school office 6327 6333.

Karen Dudley
Transition Coordinator

The Grade 10 Council has had a very active period of fundraising over the last two terms, and we are extremely proud of all their efforts.

To raise funds for SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY, we worked in conjunction with the 2024 Prefect Board. The Prefects organised a free dress day, and the Council sold cupcakes with blue or red icing during lunch breaks. Our combined efforts raised a total of $550.

SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY works not just to raise awareness of mental health in the community, but also to equip young people with some tools and resources to support themselves, and their family members and peers in dealing with mental health issues. The funds we donated will be used to support a new program in Primary Schools with the same goals.

The Grade 10 Council has also raised funds for the Launceston Renal Unit by holding a lunch time BBQ and selling cupcakes. This proved very successful and $400 was raised.

The Launceston Renal Unit was very grateful for this donation, as the money will be used to purchase a range of different comfort items for patients who spend several hours undergoing dialysis on a weekly basis. Such comfort items include blankets, books, headphones, and heat packs. The idea for this donation came from one of our Council members whose grandmother spent many years on dialysis at the Renal Unit.

Later this year, our Grade 10 Council will also raise funds for the Smith Family and for the Grade 10 end of year activities.

Mr Stephen Hindrum
Grade 10 Council Co-ordinator

During this term students in STEM classes have been involved in a number of diverse design challenges.

Within the Grade 9/10 STEM short course, students have been constructing rockets which will be tested to see how efficient their designs are. Through the integration of 3D printed and laser cut components, we are hoping that symmetry through the precision provided by these technologies will improve the performance of the rockets.

The full year Grade 9/10 STEM class has been designing and manufacturing a vehicle powered by a rat trap to see which design can travel the furthest distance. Students have been 3D printing different wheel designs to see which are most efficient in transferring the energy of the rat trap into forward motion. They have also used the laser cutter for creating wheels, chassis and specific components required. The students have been carefully evaluating their designs through test runs with the ensuing modifications improving the vehicles energy conversion and distance travelled.

Richard Gregory
STEM Teacher

Our enthusiastic Saturday morning netball players have had a fantastic season so far. Thanks to the expert guidance and organisation of coaches Emelia and Ella, the team has honed their skills and grown into a formidable unit.

Their dedication braving frosty mornings at Hobler’s Bridge at 7:30am and sacrificing lunchtimes for extra training has truly paid off. The girls have achieved impressive victories, including standout wins against Scotch in Round 10 and St. Pat’s in Round 9. As the season nears its end and with one last rostered round before the finals in Week 8, we are eager to see their final standings on the ladder.

A special thanks goes to the parents and student helpers for their unwavering support and commitment each weekend. We’re excited to see what the future holds for these players in the Riverside High School netball world!

Georgia Rolls
HPE Teacher

Last Thursday and Friday, five Grade 9 students, along with students from other high schools, participated in a careers program coordinated by Hydro Tasmania called Girls in Power.

This two-day event was developed to engage the students in a range of STEM challenges around electricity, circuits and methods of power generation, as well as introducing them to the diverse range of employment opportunities within Hydro and Tas Networks.

On Thursday the students spent the day at the Trevallyn Power Station where they engaged in a number of these challenges along with looking at future projects to create electricity into the future.

On Friday the students travelled from the Tailrace Park to the Poatina Power Station. This gave them the opportunity to experience the power station in action and gain an understanding of how electricity is generated in Tasmania. As one of the turbines is currently being renovated, students were able to climb down into the stator which allowed them to see how large these structures are.

In the afternoon, the students participated in career information rotations where they gained an understanding of career pathways within Hydro and Tas Networks.

We greatly appreciate the amazing organisation of Sue Street from Hydro Tasmania which made these days possible for our students.

2024 levies are now due for payment. Invoices for 2024 levies were posted to families in March. If you did not receive your invoice or would like a copy, please contact our administration office on 6327 6333.

Payment for school levies can be made against this invoice, payment details can be found on the invoice.

Payments can be made via:

• bPay
• Internet payments
• Via our school QKR App
• Over the phone at our school office or in person
• CentrePay deductions (can be arranged through our administration office) 

If you would like to pay in instalments or complete a payment plan, we are happy to assist you in this process. Please contact Cynthia Pearce, School Business Manager on 6327 6333.

Applications for 2024 Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) are still open, please check your eligibility via this online link: Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) (education.tas.gov.au)

Please contact our School Business Manager to discuss your levies and payment options.

STAS closes to new applications in the first week of September. New applications for 2024 will not be accepted after this time and further assessments will not be made for this school year. 

If you are aware of siblings of students who are approved for STAS 2024, but the additional student is not showing as approved please email the parent, sibling, and missing student details to stas@decyp.tas.gov.au and the STAS file will be updated to reflect the additional student/s. When a student is added to an existing approved STAS file the levies invoice will need to be credited at school level. 

Parents/guardians who are approved for STAS 2024 will have their files automatically re-assessed for the 2025 school year. Letters will be sent to families confirming STAS approval or otherwise at the end of the 2024 calendar year in preparation for 2025. STAS applications for children enrolling in kindergarten for 2025 cannot be accepted until the beginning of the new school year. Parents/guardians of students other than kinder who have not applied for STAS previously can apply online from December at stasonlinesubmission.education.tas.gov.au (or Google STAS to be taken directly to the online application service). 

Once approval letters for STAS 2025 have been delivered, if a parent/guardian wishes to add a newly enrolling student to their existing 2025 file they will need to email their details and the student’s full name, date of birth and grade in 2025 to stas@decyp.tas.gov.au. The additional student will be added to their existing file. Additional students cannot be added to an existing STAS file using the online application service. 

For queries, please contact stas@decyp.tas.gov.au

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

For attendance register regulations 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
• Sending a text message to 0418 140 427 (MGM OutReach)
• When LEAVING our school for an appointment, students must have a green leave form which has been signed by Admin Staff and 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 injured, the correct procedure is for them 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.

On Friday, 16^th August, two of our Year 9 students participated in the Senior Japanese Speech Competition. This state-wide competition tests students’ Japanese speaking skills, as well as their presentation and cultural awareness. The students completed a short interview conducted entirely in Japanese where they were asked questions about themselves, their school, and their daily routines. Although students had time to prepare, they were not allowed to have any notes with them during the interview.

Our students competed well and feedback from the judges said there were many strong competitors in Year 9. Although we didn’t place this year, the experience was invaluable and our students appreciated the opportunity to push themselves and use their learning in Japanese class in a real-world setting.

Crystal Coleman-Cox
Teacher

The High School Netball Championships were held in Week 5. This year, Riverside entered six teams in the highly contested competition. Students competed in games against fellow Government, Catholic, Independent and Specialist schools from around the state in a round robin, day long, carnival.

The first day showcased some of Riverside’s fantastic emerging talent and saw our Year 7/8 girls come away with some strong wins and tough losses, with both teams finishing in the middle of their pool. Day Two saw our 7/8 boys enjoy their fast paced, highly skilled netball style. These boys left the other schools stunned with some perfect passages of play in attack and accuracy of shots. In a tight final against Kings Meadows our boys finished 4^th overall. We are looking forward to seeing our junior players develop their netball over the coming years.

Day Three presented some of Riverside’s best netball talent with our experienced and season primed Year 10 girls. These girls are to be commended on their spirit and enthusiasm throughout the day. Riverside finished strong winning four out of five of their round games, ending up in 2^nd position on the ladder of their pool. The finals saw the cross over of 1^st v 2^nd with a match up against SPC.After a close match and tough loss against SPC, our girls then played in a final for 3^rd place against Kings Meadows. A good win against Kings saw our girls finish in 3^rd place overall.

Day Four showcased the athleticism and sportsmanship of our Year 9 and 10 boys who gave 100% effort all day. These boys are to be commended on their eagerness to learn the rules and implement team strategy passed on by the guidance of some fantastic student coaches. 

Well done to all who were involved in this competition. Special mention to our student super coaches and umpires who ensured the week was both successful and enjoyable.

Georgia Rolls
HPE Teacher

On Friday, 23 August, 34 Grade 10 full year Visual Art students and 3 teachers participated in an excursion to MONA, (Museum of Old and New Art) in Hobart. The excursion was exciting and allowed students to see a variety of strange and meaningful art, with favourite exhibits the blank library and the oil room. This was a fantastic opportunity and we thank the teachers for their organisation and supervision.

Charlotte and Ida