Schools including Riverside High School use a range of approaches to support and promote safe and respectful student behaviour. When responding to unacceptable student behaviour we use restorative practices and principles and consider the impact of any behavioural response on student learning, engagement and safety.

The Student Behaviour Management Policy can be accessed via the link below –

Note: Student Behaviour Management Policy

Teachers and parents/guardians must recognise that, for some students, unacceptable behaviour may be associated with factors such as disability, trauma, abuse or learning difficulties.

Parents/guardians play a key role in working with us and supporting our students to behave respectfully. We have a responsibility to use restorative practices and principles to support our students to reflect on their behaviour, build and repair affected relationships, and to address unacceptable behaviour which occurs both in school hours and out of school hours.  Sometimes this inappropriate behaviour includes the use of social media platforms.

Riverside High School uses a range of approaches to support and promote safe and respectful student behaviour which are outlined in the Student Behaviour Management Policy - link above.

Preventing and responding to bullying, including cyberbullying, is a shared responsibility of all staff, students, parents/guardians.

In 2023 our school has continued to provide a wide range of teaching and learning programs which teach students about respectful relationships and communication, appropriate use of social media, bullying and bystander behaviours.  These topics have been covered in grade assemblies, whole school assemblies, Early Intervention Police speaking to grades about social media and the law, Speak Up Stay ChatTY, Headspace presentations to students and parent/guardians, JCP Day, Wellbeing Days, the Respectful Relationship curriculum covered in Health lessons along with our student leaders being involved in a three-half day sessions on restorative practice.  Teachers in 2023 have also been involved in spaced learning on restorative practice and trauma informed practice.

Ensuring our young people feel safe, happy and connected is a partnership between schools and families.  We need to monitor our children’s use of social media platforms and the communication which is occurring to ensure that it is respectful.

Riverside High School has an amazing Student Support Team which students can access Monday through to Friday.  The school has two Social Workers, a School Psychologist, School Health Nurse and two Safeguarding Officers.  Students can self-refer to support services or parents/guardians can complete a referral form which can be accessed through the Grade Assistant Principal.

We have an amazing school with lovely students and committed teachers and we MUST ensure we continue to celebrate and focus on the positive learning opportunities the school provides and achievements of our students every day.

For further information please refer to the e-safety commissioner website linked here: Online safety | eSafety Commissioner

Ms Jeanna Bolton
Principal

On Wednesday, 7^th November, thirty six Grade 9 Prefect candidates delivered their speeches to students in Grades 7, 8 and 9 as well as the current Prefect Board. This represented the culmination of the candidates’ considerable efforts and work as they had previously been involved in: attending the Grade 9 Leadership Day at the Tailrace Centre, submitting written applications, developing short speeches which were filmed and shared with our Grade 7 and 8 Home Groups and publishing posters which outlined their personal qualities, service to the school and involvement in school activities and the key attributes and behaviours which they would bring to their role as a Prefect. We have been extremely impressed by the commitment, dedication and outstanding work ethic which all our candidates displayed throughout this entire process.

Key themes emerged during the thoughtful and persuasive speeches which were delivered by all candidates. The students spoke about the pride which they take in attending our wonderful school and their wish to be of service and collaborate with others who share the same vision of continuing to create a welcoming, positive and inclusive school community.  They shared the gratitude they felt in being made to feel so welcomed and comfortable at Riverside High, in being offered many and varied opportunities and their desire to give back what was given to them. The candidates expressed that their aim was to be a strong voice, to advocate for others and to uphold our School Values and lead by example. The students also emphasised their firm belief that being a Prefect is about showing commitment, doing their best and working hard as a team to support others to be their best.

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all our candidates on the outstanding insights and thoughtful opinions which they shared with us. It was certainly an absolute pleasure to work with these outstanding young people throughout the entire process and to hear about the tremendous pride which they take in being a member of the Riverside High community and their commitment to treating others with empathy, compassion and tolerance.

Similarly, it was wonderful to see the candidates’ peers providing them with such a supportive and respectful audience as they listened to all the speakers in an attentive and considerate manner. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our staff for providing all of our candidates with so much support and encouragement throughout the entire process. Our thanks also go to the candidates’ families for their incredible support and for working in partnership with us to assist our amazing young people.

Congratulations again to all our candidates and thank you for reinforcing how incredibly fortunate we are to work with such outstanding young people at Riverside High!

Cam Downie and Susan Matkovich
Grade 9 Leadership Team

Recently, Kane Sanders from the Tasmanian Building Group Apprenticeship Scheme, visited a Grade 9 Assembly to speak about opportunities for those students who were interested in pursuing a career in building and construction.

We were delighted that nine of our students availed themselves of the opportunity to apply for a 2024 School Based Traineeship and that all of these students were granted an interview. Furthermore, Spencer and Oscar were two of only five students in the whole of Northern Tasmania to be chosen to gain a traineeship. Our congratulations go to Spencer and Oscar as well as all of our applicants as the feedback from the interviewers was overwhelmingly positive!

We would encourage all our students to continue to look out for such opportunities as they arise as they can lead to exciting future pathways and success.

Adam Child
Work Placement and Traineeship Co-ordinator

Art is a human act. Art is Risky. Generous. Courageous. Provocative.

While it may be viewed by some as merely decorative, it is essential expression from one human to another. Creative expression is an innate need for our identity.

Art invites curiosity, develops perspective, and with that comes tolerance of diversity and difference.

Art nurtures the spirit and calms the mind.

Gary Tinterow, Director of The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

Kenn McLaughlin, Executive Director of Stages

Learning through and about the Arts enriches the experience of studying while at school as well as preparing students for life after school.

Arts subjects encourage self-expression and creativity and can build confidence as well as a sense of individual identity.

Creativity can also help with wellbeing and improving health and happiness – RHS students have told us that their arts lessons were an outlet for releasing the pressures of studying as well as those of everyday life.

Studying arts subjects also help to develop critical thinking and the ability to interpret the world around us.

At Riverside High School we offer a wide variety of experiences in our Visual Art rooms for students.

We follow the structure of and assess against the Australian Curriculum.

http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/the-arts/visual-arts/rationale

Grade 7 students have 2 x 75 minute lessons in Art each week. Over the course of the semester art taster, students are exposed to a range of materials, techniques and experiences such as: acrylic and watercolour painting, collage, sculpture, digital art, clay work, sketching and more. In Grade 7, students are given an introduction to the Visual Arts and are provided with an art journal for theoretical planning and some assignments. Pictured below are some examples of the Self-Portraiture unit, where students gained skills in proportion work, line, shading and more.

As an option subject in Grade 8, students have 2 x 75 minute lessons in Art each week. They adopt a more methodical structure in their art lessons and begin to develop their own aesthetic. They push boundaries and explore ways of enhancing their art practice by looking at the work of artists and an assortment of styles/genres. Students start to develop more meaning in their artwork and use their art as a tool for expression. Their ceramic mugs along with their lino carvings inspired by the works of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander artists, were just beautiful and made for a lovely display at Sidefest.

In Grades 9 and 10, students also have 2 x 75 minute lessons in Art each week if they select this optional subject. They are given the opportunity to explore the Visual Arts in detail. Students refine skills in portraiture painting and sculpture.  In 2023, students used oil paints to create beautiful Tasmanian landscapes inspired by a range of painters including Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander art makers. During their Ceramics unit, students designed their own sculpture, inspired by a range of ceramic artists and styles. They persevered through the process of drying, bisque firing and then painting their work. While it can be a tedious process, the disciplined method in making these sculptures is enjoyable and the end results speak for themselves. We congratulate students on their considered approach and willingness to develop skills in clay. Students also completed a Printmaking unit based on the theme of trees, exploring first nations’ connection with trees and country, developing their drawing skills in their journals and then creating an edition of colour reduction prints.

In combination with class workshops using specific materials, along with set tasks and assignments, students are encouraged to develop their own inquiries. They are self-motivated and will develop a body of work based on chosen themes, styles and techniques. Studying Visual Arts in Grade 10 will prepare students when making choices around the many Arts subjects on offer.

Caz Saunders

A group of interested students from Riverside High School enjoyed an excursion hosted by Zanetto Civil, taking in two working sites relevant to the civil construction industry. Nathan from Zanetto Civil gave our students an in-depth tour of two subdivisions at varying stages of development. This experience showed students what it is like to work on a civil construction project and gain an understanding of what our Certificate II in Resources and Infrastructure Work Preparation can lead to.

If you are a Year 11 or 12 student in 2024 and are interested in enrolling in our VET course that will be held on Tuesdays, please contact Mr Rohan Pooley at Riverside High School.

We would like to thank Kathy from the Beacon Foundation for her fantastic organisation of the site tour and her support of our students.

Adam Child
Work Placement and Traineeship Co-ordinator

Sidefest is Riverside High School’s biennial school fair. Following many meetings, over the course of Terms 1, 2 and 3 – this year’s event had a Halloween theme as it was held on Friday, 27^th October. The Prefect Board, along with our School Business Manager Cynthia Pearce and our Principal Ms Jeanna Bolton, began the planning of the event back in Term 1 which commenced with brainstorming all the things the Prefects wanted to see and remembered from the previous years.

A Sidefest Committee was created shortly after, with staff and students volunteering themselves to participate and contribute to the event in some way.

The School Association came onboard in Term 2 and decided to host their very own mocktail and cheese platter lounge in our Café. The Music Department organised both acoustic and rock bands to play on the school’s new stage and in the Café. The Climate Council and School Garden sold native plants and preserves, and our CARE Centre set up nearby to sell lollies and handmade jewellery. As well as school-based stalls, students also got involved by selling a range of handmade goods. The community stalls included the sales of jewellery, handmade cards, and fudge. There was delicious food available on the night such as hot chips from the Riverside Lions Club, Korean cuisine and Paella plus hot potatoes and nachos in the café.

A highlight of the night was the Haunted House, which was created by the Riverside High School Prefect Board.

Funds raised from the event will go towards the Riverside High School Prefect Board Legacy which will include brand new basketball rings and backboards for the courts.

Overall Sidefest 2023 was a very successful event, showcasing what our school and our community has to offer.

On Thursday, 2^nd November, Grade 7 participated in a Wellbeing Day which focused on developing new connections and working collaboratively.

Students worked in mixed groups from different Home Groups to create a performance with each group having a different decade. The winning group depicted the Sydney Olympics to take out the coveted Red Faces Trophy.

In the afternoon, students enjoyed competitive ‘Minute To Win It’ games.

Grade 7 Leadership Team

This term our Transition Mentors have continued to support our 2024 Grade 7 cohort during their transition to Riverside High School. They have consistently demonstrated our school values of Courage, Aspiration, Respect, and Endeavour to ensure the Grade 6s feel informed and supported as they begin their journey to high school. Last Monday and Thursday, Grade 6s from Riverside Primary School visited for their learning experience and spent a lesson making and creating in MDT, Foods, and STEM. Thank you to Mr Mowbray, Mr Porsbro-Pedersen, and Mr Musovic for teaching these lessons and giving our Grade 6s an exciting learning experience prior to Orientation Day.

Miss Dudley has visited Trevallyn Primary School, West Launceston Primary School, and Riverside Primary School to deliver the enrolment packs to Grade 6 students in preparation for their enrolment. Next Monday, 13^th November our Grade 6 enrolments from our non-associate primary schools will be coming for a transition session to collect their enrolment packs and familiarise themselves with our school.

Orientation Day is being held on Wednesday, 22nd November. This event allows Grade 6 students to spend the day at Riverside High School, meet their teachers and Grade 6 students from other schools. We ask that Grade 6 students assemble at Riverside High School’s Hall at 8:35am where they will be met by the Grade 9 Peer Mentors and directed to a Home Group session commencing at 8:45am. Please note that transportation to and from RHS needs to be organised by parents/guardians on this day. The day will finish at 3:10pm. Whilst a BBQ lunch will be provided, students should bring their own drinks and snacks for the day.

A Parent Information Session will be held at Riverside High School on the evening of Wednesday, 22nd November commencing at 7:00pm. This session will provide parents/carers with key information about our school and include a guided tour of our learning facilities. Our Prefect Elect will be on hand to direct students, parents, and carers. We look forward to seeing you there.

If you have any questions, please contact Karen Dudley via email karen.dudley@decyp.tas.gov.au or by contacting our office.

Karen Dudley

We wanted to take a moment to remind you about the importance of paying school bus fares. Not only does it help ensure that the school bus system runs smoothly and efficiently, but it’s also a matter of fairness.

We understand that sometimes students may forget their bus fare or may not have the money to pay on a particular day. If this happens, there are procedures that can be followed. The bus company will allow the student to ride the bus and pay the fare the next day by filling out an IPOU token. Another option is for the student to borrow cash from a friend if they cannot pay the fare on a particular day. It’s important to note that specific IOU procedures may vary depending on the bus company that provides the service.

If your family is experiencing financial hardship, please reference the following which has links to supported bus fares:

https://www.decyp.tas.gov.au/learning/enrolment/student-assistance-scheme-stas-and-financial-help/