Geography 9/10 Short Course 

This year a short course in Geography was held for year 9/10 students.  Contrary to popular opinion, the study of geography is more than just countries and flags, but rather Geography is the study of places and the relationships between people and their environments. This year the class started out by studying the variety of living environments around the world and in Australia and made connections to why and how animals and humans inhabit specific geographic zones.

Building on this understanding, the students will engage in activities comparing farming practices from the past to the future. They will then apply their understanding of the impact of humans on an environment and plan a mock music festival, giving consideration to the location and timing of the event and the impact a large influx of people, evaluating transportation, accommodation, pollution, rubbish and other environmental factors.

Legal Studies 9/10 Short Course

A large group of budding legal practitioners have once again enrolled in our Legal Studies Short Course. Although we are only a few weeks in, the students have immersed themselves in discussions around what laws are, how they are made and why we need to have them. After a brief historical journey back to 1215 and the signing of the Magna Carta, we have begun to examine the principles of the rule of law. Currently students are completing a research project where they review the concept of equal access to the law by looking at the reality for a number of marginalised or disadvantaged groups. They will then share their findings with their classmates via a gallery walk.

Future tasks will look at the rights of the accused and a study of the legal rights for young people as they relate to youth justice, employment and cyberbullying.

Finally, the students will build an understanding of the criminal justice system by solving a mock murder case. This will see their teams review witness statements, examine crime scene photographs and ultimately build a case to present to our mock court. In tracing the journey from investigation to trial, the students will experience the features of the trial system including the role of juries in sentencing.

Ben Gadsby

Our Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews were held on Monday and Tuesday evening. It was wonderful to see so many families attending the interviews to discuss how to best support students’ ongoing learning.  It was also pleasing to see a number of our students taking an active interest in their learning by attending these interviews.

During these interviews, teachers were able to share a piece of student work or an evidence of learning with families and discuss students’ areas of strength and identify areas for future growth. The evidence of learning which was shared on the evening included: pieces of writing, tests, photographs of work, pieces of artwork or recordings of a student’s performance.

If you were unable to attend our Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews, please be aware that our teachers are currently working to share an evidence of student learning with all our families. These samples of work may be shared through an online platform such as Canvas, via an email or may be printed and sent home. The evidence of learning will also include written feedback which provides an indication of how your child is progressing in a number of their key subject areas.

In line with the Department’s 2023 Reporting and Communication Requirements, all our teachers of full-year courses will be sharing one evidence of student learning with families in 2023. Teachers of Grade 7 half-year courses which are studied in the first part of the year will also be sharing one piece of student learning. All this evidence of student learning will be shared with families by Friday, the 16^th of June.

Teachers of Grade 7 half-year courses which are studied in the second part of the year will also be sharing an evidence of student learning early in Term 4. Further information about this additional sharing of Grade 7 work and feedback will be outlined in Newsletter articles at the beginning of Term 4.

We would greatly appreciate your support in discussing this evidence of learning with your child. Please feel free to contact the relevant subject teacher if you have questions about the work sample and feedback which has been sent home. We are extremely keen to work in partnership with all our families to support our students to reach their full potential, so we are always very keen to hear from you.

Susan Matkovich and Alan Mowbray
RHS Reporting Co-ordinators

Riverside High pedalled through for some great results at the Tasmanian All Schools Mountain Bike Challenge at Trevallyn Nature Recreation Area on Friday, 5^th May. All 30 students from Grades 7 – 10 represented the school with pride, competing with fairness and endeavour against schools from across the state with most races having 200+ competitors. This was a huge effort from everyone considering the weather which threatened to derail the day. A special thanks to all the organisers, parents, staff and volunteers who made the day such an enjoyable one.

Overall school placing in XC stage: 3^rd out of 28.

Age category Pennants

U15 Boys

Stand out performers were:

Jesse Fyfe & James Beardwood

On Monday, Tuesday and Thursday last week, RHS students took to the stage to perform in the Launceston Drama Competitions.  This year Grade 8 students were given the opportunity to perform at the Earl Arts Centre, while the Grade 9 and Grade 10 students performed both at the Earl Arts Centre and on the big stage in the Princess Theatre.  The students all enjoyed and appreciated this wonderful opportunity to challenge themselves, by performing in public, in these professional spaces. 

The students were offered a range of sections which they could enter.  Students elected to perform in the Monologue section and the Duo/Trio section as well as the Group Scene, Mime and Impromptu Reading sections.

These students all demonstrated exemplary behaviour, being supportive and respectful as an audience, and giving their all in their performance work.  They showed care and encouragement for each other, as well as participants from other schools.  The students all stated how much they enjoyed the experience and have grown and learned a lot about themselves as performers. 

The adjudicator provided each entry with written feedback as well as addressing each group with some general feedback which everyone could learn from.  There were a number of students who came away with awards, and all the students are to be commended for their hard work and the courage they showed by taking part in the competition.

Grade 8 Awards:

Duo/Trio section:  2^nd place - Angus and Harry

Monologue section: Highly Commended - Angus

Mime section: 1^st place - Bella and Milly

Grade 9/10 Awards:

Group Scene section: 

1^st place - Nadya, Celeste, Emelia, Emily and Katie

2^nd place - Sithmi, Charlotte, Meadow, Isaac and Gemma

3^rd place - Sophie, Eli, Aiden, Mitchell and Elijah

Grade 9/10 Group Mime section: 

1^st place - Leo, Nadya, Emelia and Katie

2^nd place - Sithmi, Charlotte, Isaac, Aiden, Elijah and Josie

Creative Individual Programme Solo section: 1^st place - Logan

Grade 9 Awards:

Duo/Trio section A:

2^nd place - Celeste and Rebecca

3^rd place - Sithmi, Charlotte and Gemma

Duo/Trio section B:

1^st place - Alana and Michayla

2^nd place - Emelia and Emily

Monologue section A:

2^nd place – Celeste

3^rd place – Rebecca

Highly Commended – Eli

Grade 10 Awards:

Duo/Trio section:

1^st place Eli, Mitchell and Sophie (equal first with Scotch College)

Highly Commended - Logan and Rhys

Impromptu Reading: 3^rd place – Sophie

Monologue section A: 3^rd place - Aiden

Monologue section B:

1^st place – Rhys

2^nd place – Logan

3^rd place – Mitchell

Highly Commended – Eli

Emily McMahon

On Friday, 12^th May, Riverside High had 28 students compete in the regional Science and Engineering Competition, with the goal of making the state final on Monday, 22^nd May. Over the course of the day, teams of four completed two challenges, with one being a practical oriented task and one being a more problem-solving task. There were a diverse range of half day challenges and the single full day challenge where students had to create a bridge which could support the heaviest load.

Over the course of the day our students were outstanding in their application and support of each other. This resulted in our school winning eight of the challenges with many other second and third places which resulted in a convincing win at the end of the day.

Our students will now have a very early start on Monday, 22^nd May as they travel to UTAS in Sandy Bay to compete against seven other schools from across the state.

Richard Gregory

The Intra State Athletics was held on Friday, 12^th May, at the St Leonard Athletics Centre. The Intra State Athletics sees the north of the state take on teams from the south and northwest. Students are selected in the team based on performances at the NHSSA Inter-High Athletics Carnival. Students had to finish 1^st or 2^nd at the Inter-High to qualify for the State Athletics Competition. Riverside High had 23 students make the northern team.

The weather on the day was perfect. The sun was shining and there was not a breath of wind. All 23 Riverside High students competed well and won many of their events. The efforts of our students went a long way to helping the north win the senior and overall shields.

Isabella was again a standout, winning all four of her events. Liam also had a great day, winning the three individual events he competed in, along with being a part of a winning Grade 7 relay team.

Congratulations to the students who represented Riverside High and the north of Tasmania so outstandingly well. We are very proud of you all!

Toby Musovic

Introducing the New Student Loan Equipment Program (SLEP)!

This week saw the launch of the Department’s latest initiative, the Student Loan Equipment Program (SLEP), designed to support students in their academic endeavours. As part of this program, students in Grades 7-10 now have the opportunity to borrow a laptop and an internet hotspot from the library, providing them with the necessary tools to excel in their studies.

Whether it's for completing assignments, conducting research on a topic of interest, or submitting online applications, the SLEP is here to ensure that no student is left behind due to a lack of access to essential technology. While Grades 7-9 already have iPads at their disposal, the laptop and internet hotspot primarily caters for Grade 10 students. However, any student with an iPad in need of repair can also take advantage of this program.

One of the most exciting aspects of the SLEP is that students can take the laptop and internet hotspot home, giving them the flexibility to work on their tasks outside of school hours. However, we want to emphasise that the responsibility lies with the student to take care of the equipment and return it undamaged. By doing so, we can ensure that these valuable resources continue to benefit other students in need.

To maintain a safe and productive learning environment, the internet hotspot access provided through SLEP is filtered. This means that while students will have access to the vast resources of the internet, it will be within appropriate limits set by the school. We believe in striking a balance between granting students the freedom to explore and ensuring their online activities align with educational objectives.

It is essential to note that failure to return the borrowed laptop or internet hotspot will have consequences. If a student fails to fulfill their obligation and does not return the equipment, they will not be allowed to borrow another computer for two terms. We kindly request all students to be mindful of their responsibility and promptly return the items at the end of the loan period.

The Department will cover the cost of internet data for the duration of the loan. This ensures that students have uninterrupted access to online resources without any financial burden.

The Student Loan Equipment Program aims to bridge the digital divide and empower students to maximize their educational potential. We recognise the importance of technology in today's world and are committed to providing equal opportunities for all. By borrowing a laptop and internet hotspot through SLEP, students can enhance their learning experience, broaden their horizons, and build crucial skills for the future.

We encourage all eligible students to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity and visit the library to learn more about the SLEP.

Alan Mowbray
Digital Technologies Leader

As mentioned in previous Newsletters, we have been absolutely thrilled by the significant number of students who applied to be members of our Grade 9 Council. It is wonderful to see that so many of our Grade 9 students are keen to be of service to our school community. We were also extremely impressed both by the students’ written applications as well as their speeches which showed tremendous thoughtfulness and civic mindedness as well as a strong commitment to upholding Riverside High’s values of Courage, Aspiration, Respect and Endeavour.

As a result of the tremendous dedication and effort which all these students demonstrated, we have decided to divide our Grade 9 Council into two groups so that all our worthy nominees are able to be involved and represent our grade. Congratulations to the following students on their willingness to give back to our grade and school.

Grade 9 Council Group 1

Grade 9 Council Group 2

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Stephen Hindrum who will be co-ordinating the Grade 9 Council. Mr Hindrum has already put significant effort into supporting these young leaders and we are excited to see the work which they will undertake for our school.

Grade 9 Leadership

A group of 35 students across Grades 7-10 met with our Wellbeing for Learning Leaders, Mr Pooley and Miss Males to interpret and analyse data from our RHS 2022 Student Wellbeing Survey and to contribute to our School Improvement Plan for 2023. Throughout the three sessions, held in Weeks 3 and 4, the group interrogated the data drawing inferences about what it might communicate to us about student wellbeing at our school. After much analysis ‘School Climate’ was highlighted as an area for future growth.

The next phase of the Student Voice Group was to learn about what School Climate is and deconstruct what perfect School Climate would ‘look like, sound like and feel like’ in our school. The Department defines School Climate as:

“Overall tone of the school environment, including the way teachers and students interact and how students treat each other”

Students then developed their own definitions of school climate, these included:

‘How we look after each other’

‘Enacting our CARE Values’

‘The way we treat each other’

‘Interactions between students and teachers on a day-to-day basis

‘How people are feeling and how they are treated’

‘Our school as a community and how well we interact and collaborate’

‘How you feel at school and in your class’

‘The atmosphere of the school and how well everybody believes they fit in’ 

To support the growth of School Climate, students began a journey of ‘getting creative’ where they worked together in small groups to brainstorm ideas and changes that could be made with the aim of positively impacting our School Climate. They began developing an action plan of the steps that would need to be taken to develop an idea and who would be involved in this process.

The work students have completed during the Student Voice sessions will now be analysed by Mr Pooley and Miss Males to see what can be actioned this year and in the future. We would like to thank the 35 students who gave up their time to be ‘change-makers’ and positively contribute to the improvement of our school.

Lillian Males

We invite you to join our fundraising efforts for Make-A-Wish Australia this May. As part of our upcoming House Challenge Day on Friday, 19^th May 2023, we are raising money to help grant wishes for children with critical illnesses across Australia. 

Each and every day, Make-A-Wish® Australia brings amazing people together to grant life-changing wishes for children with a critical illness. Wishes are designed to complement medical treatment, supporting families and empowering sick children with hope and joy when they need it most. For everyone involved, wishes have a remarkable, uplifting and positive impact – well beyond the wish itself. 

There are currently 901 Australian children waiting on a wish. That’s more than ever before. Make-A-Wish® Australia do not receive any Government funding so they rely on the generosity of supporters across Australia to help make wishes come true. 

During our House Challenge Day, the Prefect Board played our part in granting children with heartbreaking illnesses a wish. We sold white donuts on the day with all the funds going to this worthy cause. The top three finishers from each race were awarded with place ribbons and participation pins kindly provided by Make-a-wish Australia, as well as a certificate presented at the close of House Challenge Day.

Please join us in supporting sick children around Australia by donating to our House Challenge Day fundraising page via this link or the QR code below: https://fundraise.makeawish.org.au/fundraisers/riversidehighschool/house-challenge-day. Every dollar raised will help bring joy and hope to sick children who need it most. If you would like to learn more about the important work that Make-A-Wish Australia does, check out their website: www.makeawish.org.au. 

Sophie

We would like to acknowledge and thank our wonderful volunteers for supporting our students and school community in so many ways during the year. Through engagement and participation on our School Association, at sports carnivals, café, uniform shop and various events we truly value your commitment and support!

Our café is seeking additional volunteers to assist with food preparation and serving on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday between 10:30am to 11:30am or 12:30pm to 2:00pm.

Would you like to be part of our school café team? For further details and information, please contact our School Business Manager, Cynthia or Canteen Manager, Tanya on 6327 6333.