Dear Riverside High School Community

It has been wonderful to return to Riverside High School from leave and be warmly welcomed back by staff, students and our community.  Thank you to Adrian Smith who was Acting in the Principal role whilst I was on long service leave and to Ben Gadsby who was our Acting Grade 8 Assistant Principal during Term 2. I would also like to express my gratitude to the teaching and non-teaching staff who continued to lead our school and school improvement journey.

Our students were an outstanding audience in the first senior school assembly for Term 3.  As you would be aware on Thursday, the 25^th July, Riverside High School hosted the Australian of The Year Awards recipients, one of them being an ex-Riverside High School student, Professor Richard Scolyer. Professor Scolyer shared his experiences, challenges and successes, providing valuable insights and motivation. Hearing from alumni who have gone on to achieve incredible success inspired our senior students to pose many questions to the guests regarding their accomplishments including the groundbreaking research of Professor Scolyer. 

Strengthening Riverside High School Alumni relations by inviting past students back to speak helps maintain a strong connection between the school and its alumni, fostering a sense of community and continuity.

We would like to thank our special guests below for visiting Riverside High School. 

• Professor Richard Scolyer the 2024 Australian of the Year
• Stephanie Trethewey the 2024 Tasmanian Australian of the Year
• Reverend James Colville the 2024 Tasmanian Senior Australian of the Year
• Naarah the 2024 Tasmanian Young Australian of the Year
• Clair Harris the 2024 Tasmanian Local Hero
• Ms Jenny Burgess, the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Education 

Year 10 Exams Term 3

Exams offer valuable feedback to both students and teachers. Students can see the areas they need to improve upon, and teachers can adjust their instruction based on the results. Preparing for and taking exams helps students develop important skills such as time management, study skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving.  Exams were held this week, and we would like to congratulate our students on the motivation and commitment to the exam process they have so far demonstrated.

While exams can be stressful, they are an integral part of the educational process, helping to ensure that learning objectives are being met and providing a clear path for academic growth. Thank you to the Year 10 teaching team for your coordination of the exams.

School Drop Offs and Collection

Parents/guardians are asked to please drop students off and pick them up from the school grounds of a morning and afternoon time.  Students are expected in Home Group for an 8.45 am start and are dismissed at 3.10 pm each day.  Of a morning, the Riverside Shopping Complex will not be serving students once school has started.  If a student is late to school, they are required to sign in at Student Administration.

NAPLAN Results

NAPLAN results for Years 7 and 9 have been posted home on Wednesday, 31 July. Hopefully you will receive these by today or next week.

School Climate and Community

Being an active and positive voice for your local school has a significant impact on the community and the educational environment. Riverside High School has a motivated, collaborative and active group of parents and community members.  The School Association committee for 2024 is listed in this week's Newsletter. Thank you to all our members for their nomination and for volunteering their time. The School Association is currently working on its Strategic Plan with a focus on parent and community engagement.

At Riverside High School we strongly encourage our parents and guardians to Engage and Communicate with us.

• Stay Informed: Keep up to date with school events, policies, and achievements. This knowledge allows you to speak confidently and accurately about the school and the learning activities your child can participate in and has access to. Our school calendar can be found in the Schoolzine App – https://riversidehs.schoolzineplus.com/calendar
• Celebrate Student Achievements: Celebrate our students and their success, share positive stories in conversations, and at community events. This helps build a positive image and encourages community support and collaboration. Next week we have our celebration assemblies and morning teas to recognise those students who have achieved Certificates of Outstanding Academic Achievement and/or Outstanding Effort following the Mid-Year Reports. Invitations have been sent home to the families of our certificate recipients for these special assemblies.

High School, like Primary School, also has opportunities for parents/guardians to Participate Actively.  Riverside High School often asks for volunteers through the school Newsletter.

• Attend Meetings: Participate in school board meetings, parent-teacher interviews and other school-related gatherings. 
• Volunteer: Offer your time and skills for school activities, events, and programs. Volunteering helps strengthen then school community and supports the learning outcomes for all.

Support Student Diversity:

Encourage Students: Motivate our students by recognising their efforts and achievements. Positive reinforcement can boost their confidence and academic performance. Ask your child to share their positives from their school day!

Promote Inclusivity: Advocate for inclusive practices and understandings that ensure all students feel valued and supported. This includes supporting the school's diversity initiatives. Riverside High School caters for a diverse range of students, their interests, and learning needs - our school reflects society. We continue to offer a broad range of wellbeing and support programs.

By being connected to our school community and being a positive voice for your local school, you contribute to creating a supportive, thriving educational community that benefits everyone involved. In Term 3 we have our Drama Evening, Parent Teacher Student Interviews, and Celebration Assemblies and we would love to have you attend.

School Association Members 2024

Colin Smith
Justine Alexander
Andrew Kelly
Jayanthi Maniam
Daryl Jones
Ian Abernethy 

Ms Jeanna Bolton
Principal

On Thursday, 25^th July, we were extremely fortunate to have our 2024 Australian of the Year awards recipients tour Riverside High and speak at our Grade 9 and Grade 10 special assemblies. These speakers were: 

• Professor Richard Scolyer AO, the 2024 Australian of the Year. Professor Scolyer is a proud former Riverside High School student who has worked with Professor Georgina Long AO to save the lives of thousands of individuals from melanoma, a type of skin cancer which is known as the most serious. Less than ten years ago, advanced melanoma was fatal but, as a result of Professor Scolyer’s and Professor Long’s work, it has become a curable disease. This work is even more remarkable when it is considered that Professor Scolyer was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer in 2023 and worked with Professor Long to develop a series of world-first treatments. By undertaking an experimental treatment which posed the risk of shortening his life, Professor Scolyer has advanced the understanding of brain cancer and is greatly benefiting future patients.
• Stephanie Trethewey, the 2024 Tasmanian Australian of the Year is a former television journalist who set up the national charity, Motherland, and podcast, Motherland Australia to build an online community to support rural mothers and reduce the isolation which they may experience.
• Reverend James Colville, the 2024 Tasmanian Senior Australian of the Year, founded Colony 47 in 1973. Colony 47 has been described as a ‘safe haven to Tasmanians where everyone is welcome’ and provides support for many Tasmanians in need.
• Naarah, the 2024 Tasmanian Young Australian of the Year, is an actor, musician and Indigenous activist who is engaging in important conversations about First Nations identity, culture and representation and is supporting young people to see an entertainment industry characterised by diversity.
• Clair Harris, the 2024 Tasmanian Local Hero, is the founder of Tassie Mums, a charity which supports families with the provision of essential items such as clothing bundles, prams, and car seats. 

We were also joined by special guests including Ms Jenny Burgess, the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Education and representatives from our School Association whilst Mr Tim Bullard, the Acting Secretary of the Department of Education, sent his apologies for being unable to attend the event.

It was wonderful for our senior students to have the opportunity to hear the stories which were shared by our remarkable guest speakers as they outlined their achievements, inspirations, the challenges which they have overcome and shared advice regarding how individuals can best follow their passions and be successful in their chosen fields.

One of the highlights from the presentations was hearing Profession Scolyer speak with great fondness about his time at Riverside High. Profession Scolyer outlined the enduring life lessons, friendships and opportunities which his time at our school afforded him and shared his opinion regarding how incredibly fortunate our students are to attend Riverside High.

I would like to take this opportunity to again express our profound gratitude to all the 2024 Australian of the Year award recipients as well as our special guests for making this event such a memorable and inspiring occasion for our senior students and to our Prefects who spoke beautifully during the assembly and led the school tour with tremendous pride.

We are pleased to be able to provide all students at Riverside High School with the opportunity to attend the Launceston College Production of ‘Bring It On - The Musical’ on Friday, 9 August 2024. Students will be accompanied to this event by their Grade Teaching Teams.

Inspired by the hit film, ‘Bring It On - The Musical’ considers what happens when people take a risk and ‘cross the line’. Campbell has it all, especially after being named captain of the successful Truman High School cheerleading squad. This is, until an unexpected letter arrives in the mail, informing her that she has been redistricted to the inner-city school of Jackson. Campbell’s forced move teaches her numerous life lessons about friendship, deception and the power of crossing the line.

The show will be performed at the Princess Theatre, Launceston. Students will be leaving Riverside High School from 10:00am and returning by 2:30pm. Students will have an early recess and a late lunch. The school café will be available at these times. Students will be reminded about theatre etiquette and must follow the expectations of safe access to transport for the day.

Please be aware that students MUST wear their full school learning uniform to attend the event.

If you have any questions regarding the Production, please contact our Administration Office on 6327 6333.

We hope that students enjoy this cultural learning experience.

Ms Jeanna Bolton
Principal

At the start of next week all our students will receive a letter which provides families with information about how to book appointments for our Term 3 Parent/Teacher/Student Interview Evenings.

Our interviews will be held on Monday, 26 August, from 3:30 – 5:00pm in Building 2 (our Grade 9/10 Area, located directly above the Administration Area) and on Tuesday, 27 August from 3:30 – 6:30pm in Building 2. These evenings will give both parents and teachers an opportunity to discuss how to best support students’ ongoing learning.  Students are strongly encouraged to attend with their parents/guardians.  Interview appointments are for 10 minutes.

We look forward to seeing you at our Parent/Teacher/Student Evenings.

Mr Adrian Smith and Mrs Susan Matkovich
Reporting Co-ordinators

The Grade 10 Team is pleased to offer our Grade 10 students the opportunity to participate in the highly effective 2024 Speak Up! Stay ChatTY Schools Program.

Grade 10 students will be participating in relevant and engaging positive psychology and mental health presentations of 1.5 hours duration. These presentations are endorsed and recommended by the Department for Education Children and Young People. The sessions will be run on Tuesday, 13^th August, Wednesday 14^th August and Thursday, 15^th August with our Grade 10s divided into three groups for the presentations.  Please note that students participating in sports competitions will not miss these commitments.

Today, Grade 10 students have been provided with a Speak Up! Stay ChatTY information letter outlining this valuable program. The Parent/Guardian Consent Form must be returned to the Riverside High School Administration Office by Wednesday, 7^th August, 2024 please.

Furthermore, Speak Up! Stay ChatTY are offering a parent information session on the evening of Tuesday 13^th August. If you are interested in attending this session, please e-mail Mr Cam Downie cam.downie@decyp.tas.gov.au to express your interest and further details will be shared with you.

Please note that a member of our Support Team and a teacher will attend each session and will be available to assist students who may be impacted by these presentations.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact a member of Grade 10 Leadership.

Grade 10 Leadership

As you would be aware, our Grade 10 students completed exams in their core subjects of English, Maths, Science, and History this week. As mentioned in previous Newsletters, the setting of Grade 10 Exams constitutes an effective means by which to enhance our students' learning experience. These exams provide students with an opportunity to develop subject-specific exam skills as well as general skills, such as time management. Additionally, our exams support students in gaining confidence and familiarity with exam conditions, which can help alleviate future anxiety and enhance their social and emotional wellbeing.

We were extremely impressed by the mature, conscientious, and committed approach which our Grade 10 students took to the completion of their exams. Indeed, the exams were characterised by a settled, calm, and orderly environment which allowed all our Grade 10s to give their best efforts. Our congratulations go to the Grade 10 cohort for upholding our values and conducting themselves in such a respectful manner.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our Grade 10 teaching team for all their hard work to ensure that our students were well-prepared for their exams and understood the key expectations and exam requirements. We also wish to express our profound gratitude to our parents and guardians who supported our Grade 10s with their revision and study program.  We are greatly enjoying the opportunity to work in partnership with you to support our wonderful young people.

Grade 10 Leadership

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.

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/an 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 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.

Creative writing is an art form that goes beyond traditional writing, allowing students to express their thoughts, emotions, and ideas through the power of words. The senior Creative Writing class aims to encourage students to unleash their creativity through writing. We provide instruction and support to help them build confidence in expressing their ideas and emotions effectively on paper.

The subject started with activities centred around generating ideas and planning our writing. The students were challenged with random characters, settings, plots, and genres from which they had to plan and write short stories. These fun activities resulted in some outstanding writing, often requiring the students to write outside their comfort zone.

In May, the Creative Writing class attended a workshop with award-winning author Martin Chatterton. Martin Chatterton works in the creative fields of writing, illustrating, and design and has a history of significant projects including writing novels and creating animations. The workshop saw him sharing stories and discussing various writing tips. He also highlighted the importance of passionate writing and exploring human emotions to strengthen creativity.  This was a rewarding and educational opportunity for the class.

Throughout Term 2, we studied various aspects of creative writing skills and techniques. Students explored the art of crafting captivating story openings, and engaging dialogues, and experimented with literary devices like metaphors and personifications to add depth and richness to their writing. The class studied practices such as foreshadowing and strategies including 'show not tell' to enhance their storytelling. By mastering these key elements of storytelling, students not only enhance their writing skills but also learn to captivate and hold the attention of their readers. These skills are not only valuable in creative writing but also in academic writing and communication across all subjects.

This work has culminated in the Term 3 assignment where students will engage completely in a creative writing project from formulating ideas and planning, to editing and feedback and finally to publishing. Given the combination of imagination and writing talent in the class, some amazing and creative stories will be written.  

During the year, students have also successfully participated in several writing competitions. So far these have included the Launceston Competitions (Creative Writing) and the Andrew Hardy Youth Poetry Prize. This term, Riverside High School will again enter teams in the Write a Book in a Day competition.

So far this year, the creative writing class has been busy and it has been a pleasure working with such a dedicated and creative group of students.

Ben Gadsby

This season has been an exciting journey for the 9/10 weekly Wednesday afternoon Netball teams. With dedication, teamwork and sportsmanship, the students have demonstrated remarkable growth and achievement. This year, we had two teams enter the roster in Divisions 1 and 3.

The Division 3 team continue to grow and develop each week. A number of players have not had much experience in netball and week in, week out they have been persevering, learning and helping each other. Being positive has been a large focus in the team. The team has taken it as an opportunity to grow as individuals and become leaders on the court.  

The Division 1 team has faced some tough opponents during the season but continue to approach each week with the same passion and attitude and continue to improve. The team has been focusing on determination as the competition is quite tough and each player has demonstrated this. They have worked well as a team and have shown great leadership for our Division 3 team by helping to umpire and providing support. 

Since the beginning of the season, the level of skill, teamwork and sportsmanship across all teams has progressed significantly.

Georgia Rolls, Chelsea Clarke & Michael Jacobs

Riverside High School’s 1sts soccer team has had a very successful start to the season only losing a handful of close games. The team is currently sitting equal first on the ladder and are looking like making the finals again this year.

The team consists of an even balance between Grade 9 and 10 students with varying levels of soccer experience. The team has demonstrated fantastic team spirit and sportsmanship every week and should be proud of the way they are representing Riverside High.

James Beardwood

During the recent school holidays, Ella S (10H), represented Tasmania in the Australian First Aid Competitions which were held in Alice Springs. As part of this competition, Ella was required to demonstrate how she would treat such serious injuries including a chemical burn, amputation and a significant fracture.

Ella placed fourth out of a field of 20 which is a remarkable achievement. Our congratulations go to Ella on her outstanding success!