Values

Throughout this Term I would like to allocate time to highlight each of the new DECYP values and the important role they play in guiding our school community. The first focus value is Connection.

The DECYP value of Connection plays a pivotal role within the Riverside High School community. This value is integral to fostering positive relationships and creating a profound sense of belonging among students, staff, and the wider school community.

At Riverside High School, the value of Connection is not merely a guiding principle but a foundational element that shapes the school culture. The school actively promotes inclusivity, ensuring that every student feels valued and recognised. This is achieved through various programs and initiatives that encourage collaboration, mutual respect, and understanding. For instance, Riverside High School implements peer mentoring and leadership programs, where older students support and guide their younger peers, fostering strong relationships and building a connection across our school community.

Furthermore, Riverside High School organises numerous events and activities designed to strengthen community bonds. These include sports competitions, cultural celebrations, and community service projects, all of which provide students with opportunities to engage with one another in meaningful ways. By participating in these activities, students learn the importance of teamwork, appreciate diverse perspectives, and develop a sense of responsibility towards their community.

The emphasis on Connection also extends to the relationships between teachers and students. Riverside High School promotes open communication and encourages teachers to build supportive and nurturing relationships with their students. This approach helps in creating a positive learning environment where students feel safe to express themselves, take risks, and strive for excellence.

In essence, the value of Connection at Riverside High School is about creating an environment where everyone feels included, respected, and connected. It is about building a community where positive relationships are the norm, and a strong sense of belonging is cultivated. This focus on connection not only enhances the overall school experience but also equips students with the social and emotional skills necessary for success beyond the classroom.

Recent Highlights Include:

Mountain Bike Championships

Thank you to Mr Elliott and Miss Wheatley for supporting a large number of students to attend the MTB Championships in Hobart after an early morning departure. This is a fantastic event for our students to participate in and it was pleasing to see so many parents at the event supporting not only their child but also the school collectively. Congratulations to all those students who participated in this event and represented our school with pride!

Drama Competitions

I would like to take the time to publicly thank Ms McMahon for her incredible dedication and hours of work in supporting our Drama students to prepare for the recent competitions. We also understand that these events do not happen without the support of our families. Congratulations to all the students who performed during the week! Please see the results and wonderful photos further on in our newsletter. Thank you to the large number of community members who were able to enjoy our talented students showcasing their skills at our recent drama evening. Well done to everyone involved!

Grade 5/6 Parent Evening

Thank you to Miss Dudley for organising the recent open afternoon for our associate primary schools. We had over 150 parents attend and participate in tours of our school led by our wonderful Prefects. This was a valuable opportunity for members of our community to ask questions of our leadership team, experience our learning spaces and understand the diverse range of opportunities we can offer our students. We look forward to continuing to build these important relationships.

DECYP Values

Recently, we had an extended home group session for all our students to work through building and expressing their collective understanding of the behaviours they would like to see within our community that connect to the new values. Over the coming weeks we will continue to refine this work to develop a commonly agreed upon set of behaviours across our organisation.

Prefect Activity – Stay ChatTY Shorts Day

Our Prefect Board has been busy working this term supported by the Grade 10 Council to promote the StayChatTY mental health awareness day. The event was a huge success and the activities and key messages around speaking up, seeking support, and checking in, are valuable lessons for our young people to understand.

Reminders:

Parent Teacher Student Evening

I just would like to remind families that our Parent/Teacher/Student Interview Evenings are coming up on Monday, 27^th and Tuesday, 28^th May. This provides a wonderful opportunity to share evidence of learning in Parent/Teacher/Student interviews. It provides valuable feedback and connections to support student learning going forward.

Our Parent/Teacher/Student Interview Booking System has now closed. If you were unable to secure an appointment with one of our teachers and still wish to do so, please contact our Administration Office on 63276333 in order to arrange a telephone conversation or meeting with the relevant teacher.

Attendance

Finally, I wanted to highlight the Department’s new Every School Day Matters campaign and the importance which attendance has on the outcomes for our young people. We know this increases engagement with learning and actively supports students to participate in their learning.

Here is the link to watch the campaign message https://youtu.be/2hSg5_ys-2w

Thank you again for your wonderful support during my first four weeks in this role. I am greatly enjoying the opportunity to work in partnership with you to support our incredible young people.

Mr Adrian Smith
Acting Principal

On Wednesday, 8^th May, the annual House Challenge Day was held on our school grounds. The carnival began with the Grade 7s and 8s running their cross country with the senior students participating in activities run by the Health and Wellbeing Prefects and the HPE department. After lunch, the seniors and juniors changed over. The Prefects organised an obstacle course while the PE department ran activities such as skipping, hot shot basketball, a balloon relay and a hula hoop relay.

Students showed great encouragement and house spirit throughout the day, with students decked out in their house colours and cheering their house members on. Participation is a key focus when organising the House Challenge Day, giving students the encouragement to have a go when running the cross country and participating in activities while having fun with their friends.

There were many outstanding individual performances from students across all grades. We would like to congratulate all students for their participation in our carnival, in particular those who have qualified to represent the school at inter-high. We would also like to thank Mr Sanders, Miss Groves and Miss Hall for organising the day and helping the Prefects run their activities, and the teachers who helped throughout the day.

Overall Results:

Cross Country Champions 2024

Cross Country Runners-up 2024

Sophie & Imogen
Health and Wellbeing Prefects

In Week 2 of Term 2, Drama students in Grades 8, 9 and 10 had the opportunity to perform a variety of works at the Launceston Speech & Drama Competitions.  The students all showed Courage and Growth in their efforts to present their best performance work on stage.  The adjudicator was able to provide overwhelmingly positive and helpful feedback and there were a number of students who received awards for their work, with first place in Grade 10 monologues awarded to a Riverside High School across all three entry sections.

Every student should be proud of their performance work as the standard was very high.  A variety of schools, both public and private, as well as local Drama groups entered the competitions, which meant the RHS students were able to see a wide range of performance work presented by some very talented peers.

All of the Riverside High School students behaved impeccably, both as performers and as audience members.  They were supportive of each other as well as performers from other schools and they were great ambassadors for the school. 

Below is a list of the many award recipients:

Grade 10 Monologue Solo – Group 1

First place – Isaac 
Highly Commended – Eli 

Grade 10 Monologue Solo – Group 2

First place – Charlotte 
Second place – Emily

Grade 10 Monologue Solo – Group 3

First place – Celeste 
Second place – Jasper 
Highly Commended – Michayla

Grade 10 Mime Solo

First place – Finn 

Grade 10 Impromptu Reading Solo

Highly Commended – Gemma & Aurora 

Grade 10 Duo/Trio

Second place - Charlotte and Meadow
Third place - Emily and Hannah
Highly Commended - Celeste and Emilia & Isaac and Gemma

Grade 9/10 Individual Creative Programme

First place – Ariana

Grade 9/10 Group Scene

Second place - Emily, Meadow, Hannah and Alana
Third place - Gemma, Charlotte, Eli and Michayla
Highly Commended - Celeste, Emelia, Meika and Aurora

Grade 9 Monologue Solo

First place – Angus

Grade 9 Mime

First place – Alannah & Ariana

Grade 9 Recital

Second place – Angus

Grade 8 Duo/Trio

Third place - Breanna and Annabelle

Grade 7/8 Creative Individual Solo Programme

Second place - Evelyn

Grade 7/8 Group Scene

Third place - Lily, April, Tristan, Breanna, Gracelin and Annabelle

This year Angus was the recipient of both the Adjudicator's Choice Perpetual Trophy, Most Promising Competitor 7-10, as well as the Danny Gibson Perpetual Trophy for Highest Mark - Secondary Monologue.

Emily McMahon

Exploring the Wonders of the Human Body: Coaching, Digestion, and the Muscular-Skeletal Systems

Our Grade 9 and 10 classes have been exploring the fascinating world of human physiology, exploring both the broad aspects of athletic coaching and the intricate details of our bodily systems. Here’s a glimpse into what our students have been learning.

Grade 10: Coaching Young Athletes and Digestive System Dynamics

Our Grade 10 students are embarking on a dual journey, delving into both the art of coaching and the science of digestion.

Coaching Young Athletes: Understanding the principles of coaching young athletes is essential for fostering the next generation of sports talent. Our students have been learning about:

• Effective Communication: The importance of clear, positive communication in motivating and instructing young athletes.
• Training Principles: How to design age-appropriate training programs that balance skill development, physical conditioning, and fun.
• Psychological Aspects: Strategies for building confidence, teamwork, and resilience in young athletes.

By exploring these topics, our Grade 10s are gaining invaluable skills that can be applied in real-world coaching scenarios, helping to nurture the talents and passions of younger sports enthusiasts.

The Digestive System: Alongside coaching, students are exploring how the human body processes the fuel it needs to perform at its best. Key areas of focus include:

• Digestive Anatomy: Understanding the structure and function of the digestive organs, from the mouth to the intestines.
• Nutrient Absorption: How the body breaks down food into essential nutrients and how these nutrients are absorbed and utilised.
• Healthy Eating: The impact of diet on athletic performance, including the role of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.

This comprehensive study helps students appreciate the critical role of nutrition in sports and overall health, providing a solid foundation for making informed dietary choices.

Grade 9: The Muscular and Skeletal Systems

Grade 9 students have been focusing on the fundamental components that enable movement and support in the human body: the muscular and skeletal systems.

Muscular System: Students are exploring the various types of muscles and their functions:

• Muscle Types: Understanding the differences between skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles.
• Muscle Function: How muscles contract and work together to produce movement.
• Muscle Health: The importance of exercise, nutrition, and rest in maintaining healthy muscles.

Skeletal System: The skeletal system provides the framework for the body. Key learning points include:

• Bone Structure: The composition and functions of bones, including support, protection, and movement.
• Joint Mechanics: How different types of joints (e.g., hinge, ball-and-socket) contribute to flexibility and movement.
• Bone Health: The role of calcium, vitamin D, and weight-bearing exercises in maintaining strong bones.

By studying these systems, Grade 9 students are gaining a comprehensive understanding of how their bodies function and how to take care of them to enhance athletic performance and overall wellbeing.

Bringing It All Together

Our students are not only learning about the intricate workings of the human body but also how to apply this knowledge in practical, real-world contexts. Whether they are coaching young athletes or optimising their own health and performance, the lessons they are learning in Sport Science are invaluable.

We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm and dedication our students have shown in exploring these complex topics. As they continue to build their knowledge, they are well on their way to becoming informed and effective participants in the world of sports and health.

Mr Tim Elliott

On Friday, 10^th May, twelve of Riverside High School's athletes competed in the Glenorchy Mountain Bike Championships.

Competing against a strong field of schools from across the state, our students showcased incredible skill, sportsmanship, and determination. Students competed in both XC and enduro event on the day. Riverside High School enjoyed outstanding results!

The Mountain Bike Championships were an opportunity to foster a sense of community, promote a healthy lifestyle and create lasting memories amongst their peers. Our students returned home with stories of their races and ready to take on new challenges.

The success of this event was made possible by the support and dedication of many individuals. Special thanks go to the event organisers, parents and staff, students and volunteers on the day. We look forward to seeing what 2025 brings our mountain bike athletes. Overall School Placing - 14th.

U/15 Male Category - XC

U/17 Male Category - XC

Ava Wheatley

On Tuesday, 14^th May, Grade 5/6 students from our associate primary schools; West Launceston Primary School, Trevallyn Primary School and Riverside Primary School, and their families attended our Open Afternoon and BBQ.

Our Prefects coordinated the BBQ and took our future students on a tour of our school’s facilities including the Grade 7/8, Art, MDT, Grade 9/10, Cooking, Café, Library, Science, STEM, Music, Drama, and Physical Education learning spaces. A uniform display was available, and parents received a copy of the Parent Handbook.

We would like to thank our Prefects, Miss Saunders, Miss Ollington, Ms Pearce, ASTs, Assistant Principals, Acting Principal and our Education Facility Attendants for their time.

We are looking forward to working with the Grade 6 students to support them with their transition to high school throughout the rest of the year.

Karen Dudley - Grade 6-7 Transition Co-ordinator

On Friday, 17^th May, Community Head Prefects attended the 2024 Tasmanian Youth Forum at the Door of Hope. The focus this year was ‘housing for youth’ and, our team along with many other student councils from across the state, engaged in a variety of activities, aiming to improve housing for youth across a wide range of scenarios.

We were divided into groups with different people, all with the same initiative to address the problems in youth housing and to create solutions that will go towards a presentation to government. Within our groups we decided a key issue we wanted to focus on. We then went on to create a poster outlining the issues and possible solutions. These ideas ranged from creating more communal housing, changing locations, funds towards housing instead of overall budget, safer environments, more education housing and a whole collaboration of other ideas from youth across Tasmania.

As the day progressed, we learnt more about the difficulties in housing for youth and we were shocked to learn that wages in Tasmania are not sufficient enough to fund housing. We are the lowest paid state, and our housing prices keep increasing. Every thought put onto paper will be analysed and considered to work towards a report to be presented to government later in the year. We thoroughly enjoyed this experience and appreciated the opportunity to make Tasmania a better place for young people.

Emelia & Olivia

A Culinary Journey: Year 10 Foods Technology Students Dine at Launceston College.

In an exciting blend of education and gastronomy, a group of our Year 10 Foods Technology students recently had the opportunity to travel to Launceston College for a memorable sit-down lunch. This event was hosted by the College's Year 11 students, who are currently working towards their Certificate II in Hospitality. Accompanied by our dedicated teachers, Mrs Flakemore and Mrs Uko, the trip provided an enriching experience that extended beyond the classroom.

The visit began with a tour of the kitchens by the resident chef, Cassandra Lawler. The following meal showcased the creativity and skill of the Year 11 students. From the first bite, it was clear that the dishes were crafted with both passion and precision. Our students were not only enjoying a delicious meal but also learning about presentation, flavour combinations, and the intricacies of professional food service. The front of house students served our Year 10 students a beautifully crafted mocktail to go with their meal.

The visit to Launceston College was more than just a lunch; it was an inspiring glimpse into the world of culinary arts and hospitality that awaits them next year. Our Year 10 students returned with full stomachs and minds, ready to bring their newfound knowledge and inspiration back to their own kitchens.

Angela Fitzallen & Thor Porsbro-Pederson

Have you ever wanted to see multiple planets in the night sky at once? This May and June, skywatchers are in for a treat! From the 28^th of May, six planets - Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune - will align in a beautiful celestial event called a planetary parade.

While the planets will not be perfectly lined up in space, from Earth's perspective, they will appear close together in the pre-dawn sky. You can spot four of the planets - Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, and Mercury - with your naked eye. To catch Uranus and Neptune, you will need binoculars or a telescope.

When to See the Parade

The best time to view the planetary alignment is around half an hour before sunrise.

Tips for Observing the Alignment

• Find a dark location with a clear view of the horizon. Light pollution and obstacles like buildings can make it harder to see the planets.
• Download a free star gazer app (such as Skyview) to help you identify planets and plan your observations. These apps can show you the positions of celestial objects in the sky for your specific location and date.
• Remember, planets do not twinkle like stars, their light remains constant. They also appear to move across the sky over time. This is how they got their name – the Latin meaning for the word Planet means wanderer!

Image courtesy of Stellarium web for Launceston at 7:23am on the 27^th of May 2024.

On Friday, 17^th May we held a Stay ChatTY Free Dress Day, in support of Mental Health Month.

The free dress day was gold coin donation and overall, we gained $400 to give to Stay ChatTY.

Stay ChatTY is an organisation that aims to increase education around mental health by smashing stigmas and sharing stories.

This day was highly successful especially with the help from our Grade 10 Council who sold blue cupcakes at lunch time.

Aurora