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Dear Parents and Families,
It is hard to believe that the end of another term is upon us and that we have reached the middle of the school year! It has been a term like none other and has certainly been a challenging time for everyone. I think that we are all benefiting from the return to a greater sense of normality and routine, with a more optimistic outlook now that things in our own state are much improved. However, we know that on a global scale COVID-19 continues to impact significantly with the reality being that we now live in a changed world and we are adjusting to a ‘new normal’.
As a school, I hope that you would share in the immense feeling of pride that I have in the way all members of our school community have worked together to remain connected, support each other and ensure our students have been able to continue to learn and develop.
I commend our students on their commitment to their learning during this term; while it has been difficult, many students have shown great resilience and perseverance. We know that there have been many challenges and students have coped with this in different ways; it has been positive over the last four weeks to see students settling back into school routines and reconnecting with teachers and peers. I also take it as a positive sign that many students are proactive in seeking help and support. Students have been actively engaged in learning across a wide range of areas and the opportunity to work collaboratively and participate in more hands on and practical learning, has been a highlight for many.
Students have recently participated in a questionnaire during Health lessons so that our school can gather feedback, insight and student voice about student learning and wellbeing during this time. It is very clear from the responses that students are pleased to be back at school and greatly value the opportunities that school provides, particularly the benefits of working with teachers and peers and the learning that is strengthened through interaction with others. There are some interesting insights that we will continue to discuss and reflect on as a school.
The growth in our skills to deliver online and blended learning has been significant and I commend our staff for the way they adapted so quickly to new ways of working. The collaboration and sense of purpose has been inspiring. It was a rapid turn-around to adapt to an online environment and to support students learning both at home and at school. We have appreciated that many parents have been in touch to thank staff for their work with students and families throughout the term. Small messages of gratitude count for a lot! Everyone, from our admin staff, to our cleaners and our teachers, have needed to adjust to new routines and tasks, so huge applause for the team effort!
I would also like to acknowledge how amazing our parents and carers have been in adjusting to students learning from home. Thank-you for your wonderful support of our school, our students and their learning. We greatly value working in such close partnership with you.
Parent Information
With the easing of restrictions, our school is enjoying the opportunity to get back to many of our activities, events and programs that have been on hold for much of the year. While there is further planning to work through with regards to many activities and events, it is good to be in a position where we know that we can now provide many of these opportunities.
For more information about changes and details about what Term 3 will look like, the Department has launched a handy guide for parents and carers about what to expect. This can be found on the Department of Education website.
A link to an infographic video also includes details for what Term 3 in schools will look like.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTwwUUbPCYI
Please find included a letter from the Minister for Education and Training and Secretary, Jeremy Rockliff and DoE Secretary, Tim Bullard, acknowledging the huge appreciation we have in the way parents have worked with schools during this time.
Reports
While the Mid-Year Report is usually our most detailed report for the year, the disruption caused by COVID-19 means that all schools have been advised of changes to reporting requirements and that the expectations for detailed comments and the A-E rating has been removed. On Thursday students received a report that includes an indication of progress against each of your child’s learning areas. Progress is described as working towards the standard, at the standard or above the standard expected. The report also includes a comment on wellbeing, along with some suggested next steps for your child in their learning. While a Parent Teacher Evening has not been scheduled at this time, we do welcome your contact with us by phone or email, should you wish to get some further information or discuss your child’s progress in more detail. I hope you have had a chance to discuss your child’s report with them, celebrating the positives and looking for ways that improvement can be made for the second half of the year.
Staying in Education
It is timely to remind students and parents of the changes made by the Education Act 2016, which means that students will stay in education and training for longer, assisting them to achieve a qualification that significantly improves their life chances and choices.
Beginning in 2020, all Tasmanian young people must participate in education or training until they complete Year 12, attain a Certificate III, or turn 18 years of age, whichever occurs first. The increased minimum education and training requirements will apply to students who are now in Year 10, as well as students in earlier school years.
Riverside High School is currently planning and preparing to be an Extension School in 2021. This means that we will be offering some Year 11 courses and opportunities for students to complete their Year 11 learning while remaining at our school, followed by delivery of Year 12 in 2022. Our school is part of the Northern Urban Collective where we work in partnership with senior secondary colleges and other secondary schools in our region to deliver senior secondary learning and support common approaches. This includes a more co-ordinated approach to transition planning. Mr Pooley is currently leading this work with Grade 10 students and has provided a further update in this newsletter with the recent focus of this work and planning for next term. As these progress, we will continue to share further information with students and parents as we appreciate this is a new way of working and we are keen to ensure everyone is well informed to make best decisions.
Capital Works
This term we can also celebrate huge progress with our redevelopment and there is a great sense of excitement knowing the work is almost completed. I know students returning to school were excited and perhaps rather surprised to see how different things were looking after their time away. We now have some very modern and comfortable spaces including a cafeteria and common room, a new Library, STEM room, the CARE Centre and lots of outdoor space that will soon open up once the final part of landscaping is completed. We are hoping that with some good weather over the break, this work will be completed during the holidays. I would like to thank students for their patience and the high levels of respect that they have shown throughout this time; without their co-operation this process would have been so much harder. I hope that our school community will take great pride in our wonderful new facilities and we look forward to sharing this with everyone when work is completed.
Communication for parents/carers – Minor excursions and aquatic activities
At the beginning of the year all parents/carers had the opportunity to give permission for their child to participate in minor excursions without the requirement to sign a permission form for every excursion. Minor excursions include visits on foot or by vehicular transport to places of educational value within the local community that last for less than one day. A similar consent process was used for aquatic activities.
With the changes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic we are providing the opportunity for parents and carers to change their preference that was provided at the start of the year for both minor excursions and aquatic activities.
The school will ensure that relevant safety and health precautions will be implemented, including COVID-19 requirements, during the course of the excursion and aquatic activities. All other excursions including those with inherent risk will require you to sign a separate consent form prior to the excursion, as is currently the case.
If you wish to change your child’s current permissions or would like further information, please contact the school by phone or email. If we do not hear from you then the current permission arrangements will remain in place.
In Closing
Today we have been able to celebrate the end of term with a virtual assembly. This is something new and has provided an opportunity for parents and families, to also share in our assembly. The assembly can be viewed using the following link.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1247602438906476
I would like to wish both students and staff a safe and happy holiday. I hope that people are able to relax and recharge ready for Term 3. This break comes with lots more choices around getting out and about than our last holiday did, so we hope people can make the most of this time.
We look forward to seeing students back at school on Tuesday, 21st July.
Ms Natalie Odgers
Subject in Focus - Forensic Science
Students in Forensic Science have been enjoying the practical aspect of this subject since the return to school this term. They have looked at the unique areas of Forensic Science, such as ballistics, fingerprinting and fibre analysis, to now use these skills to solve a “crime”.
Evidence has been supplied in the form of footprints, blood and hair samples, DNA samples and fingerprints. Using the evidence, students have to interpret the scenario before them to solve the question…Who killed Sally Flower?
Ms Kylie Jago
During Team Time, Grade 10 students have begun investigating which path they will take next year as they pursue the next step in their educational journey. This year’s grade will be the first under the new legislation where it is mandatory for all young people to participate in education or training until they complete Year 12, attain a Certificate III, or they turn 18 years of age, whichever occurs first. What does this mean? It means it is more important than ever, for students and families to be aware of all the possible options.
After Year 10, a young person can choose any of the following education and training options, or a combination of these options if the provider/s allow:
- Years 11 and 12 at any government or non-government school or college, or tertiary provider – this may include an Australian School-based Apprenticeship
- A Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification through any registered training organisation
- An apprenticeship or traineeship with an employer
Young people with full-time employment, or other specific circumstances, can apply for an exemption to allow them to leave education and training.
As of next year, Riverside High School will become one of many Year 11 and 12 Extension Schools and will have the capacity to support students with a specific need. As students learn more about their possible pathways, the focus has turned to supporting an individual’s future learning, rather than identifying a specific campus or college.
Throughout Term 3, students will work with their Home Group teacher to gather information about possible careers, explore options relevant to their interests and ability, and plan how they might achieve their personal and career goals. Teachers will help students to identify their ambitions and expectations for the future, and to provide advice about making the transition to Year 11. The myfuture website is a key tool to assist students to make informed career decisions and better equip them for the future. To access myfuture website, go to https://myfuture.edu.au/ and log in using a student’s Department of Education username and password.
The terminology surrounding transition can be quite complicated and confusing. Understanding, for example, what a TCE is compared to an ATAR result, and also what a VET course is. To support with student’s knowledge and understanding, the Department of Education have created short video clips. These clips are available through the Transition Canvas Course page.
Vocational Education and Training VET Courses: https://youtu.be/1Dx6w0GpqQ8
Tasmanian Certificate of Education TCE: https://youtu.be/M9CRghpPcos
Tasmanian Certificate of Educational Achievement TCEA: https://youtu.be/LGE9DlCx0AA
Australian Tertiary Admission Rank ATAR: https://youtu.be/eacfEpn8U1M
Another opportunity for students to explore is a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship. These positions are a paid employment based training arrangement where, as a Year 10, 11 or 12 student, students are able to combine paid work, training and education to gain a nationally recognised qualification, usually at Certificate II or III level. For more information, please visit.
Planning a student’s Years 11 and 12 courses is not about ‘locking in’ a decision for a future career. It’s about exploring all of their interests, abilities and goals – and the types of things they will need to do in the future if they want to achieve their goals. When deciding on a course to study for Years 11 and 12, students will need to:
- Choose courses that will enable them to obtain the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE)
- Plan a two year program relevant to their goals and interests, keeping in mind that some courses have pre-requisites
- Read the course details carefully and ask their teachers for more information if they need it
- Investigate where they can study, including Riverside High School, and the colleges
- Consider any pre-requisite courses that may be required for study at either TasTAFE or university after they complete Year 12. Students can choose to do; a vocational education and training (VET) course, Office of Tasmanian Assessment, Standards and Certification (TASC) courses, or a combination of both
To begin conversations regarding courses, please visit the 2021 Student Guide at the following website:
We look forward to supporting students and parents in this important decision making process as we work in partnership with you throughout Term 3 and 4.
Mr Rohan Pooley
Hey, everyone Caitlin and Angus here and we are the Head Prefects for 2020. This year has brought many challenges, including this term’s blended learning. With most students completing work from home it was a completely new and often tricky environment, so we just wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate each and every student on getting through this uncertain time. Every one of you will have had a slightly different school term, along with your own challenges, struggles and triumphs. You made it through the tech frustrations, the looming deadlines and the tempting procrastination and for that, you should all be incredibly proud of yourselves.
We must also extend our gratitude to all of our teachers. All of the hard work and effort that you put in made the transition to self-directed learning smooth and efficient and meant that we barely missed any of the content that would usually be covered. We simply cannot thank you enough. We would also like to say a huge thank you to all the parents who patiently supported and encouraged students during this time. We know it can’t have been easy, which makes us all the more grateful.
Online learning has also provided many opportunities for us as a school, but also for students individually. There were countless chances for those who wanted to extend themselves to do so and the time at home also provided moments to reflect and develop.
As a Prefect Board we have been busy during the last term, trying our best to make everyone’s learning experience just that little bit easier. Whether that be through our videos on the Facebook page, or the little activities we’ve been running here at school, our aim is always to alleviate stress and make everything a bit more enjoyable. On the second day back, we ran a kick the footy in the bin challenge. Thank you so much to everyone who participated and won those important points for their house!
We would also like to say a huge congratulations to Home Groups 7E, 7H, 8C and 8H for moving through to the final of the Trivia Competition. This will be held early next term! Thank you to every junior class for participating and to the teachers' for showing great patience as we moved through the technical difficulties that we faced.
We hope that you all stay safe, have an amazing holiday and are excited for the last half of the year. See you then!
Caitlin 10F and Angus 10C
Getting started is easy – try it yourself today, just follow the instructions to download on your device.
Have you updated your child’s details for 2020?
Please follow the below instructions to update your child’s Home Group details which must be done for a new school year:
- Sign into your Qkr! account Open Qkr!
- Tap Profiles
- Tap into child’s name
- Tap on HG to change – eg: 7B to 8B
- Tap on update Profile