LEARNING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS RESPECT RESILIENCE Issue No. 12 PRINCIPAL’S REPORT 11 August 2016 It continues to be a busy term, with lots of wonderful opportunities for students. Our Japanese Exchange Students have been a delight to have at school. I have been inundated with lots of positive stories, especially the respect and warmth that our students have demonstrated towards our visitors. It makes me very proud to hear that two of our IMPORTANT school values are being displayed and lived on a daily basis: DATES respect and positive relationships. TERM 3 2016 Yesterday, we had a wonderful presentation from Don Tues 23 Aug - Master Builders College staff and students. The information was extremely Association session valuable for our Grade 10 students, and it was delightful to Tues 6 Sept - Don College Taster Day catch up with some of our past students. Over the last two Wed 14 Sept - Gr 7 (2017) Student/Parent Information Evening weeks, Grade 10 students have been starting to construct their transition profile on the ME Online website. I have been sent some data that displays where students intend on TERM 4 2016 enrolling next year. This will be valuable information when Wed 19-Fri 21 Oct - School Production discussing pathways with students. Please read the Fri 21 Oct - Professional Learning Day information on Latrobe High extending into Year 11 and 12, Wed 26 Oct - Don College Parent Information Evening at LHS starting in 2017. Tue 15 Oct - Day 1 School Athletic Carnival Years 11 & 12 at Latrobe High School Wed 16 Oct - Day 2 School Athletic Carnival Tue 6 Dec - Gr 10 Start Day Don College At Latrobe High School, our Grade 10 students have started Wed 7 Dec - Inter High Athletic Carnival investigating what 2017 will look like for them. Our goal is Wed 14 Dec - Presentation Evening for the overwhelming majority of our students to transition Tues 20 Dec - Gr 10 Dinner to Don College, with the aim of completing Year 12 in 2018. Wed 21 Dec - Farewell Assembly Latrobe High is working closely with Don College to make sure that our students are well informed about the course options available to them, so their transition is as smooth as possible. Continued on next page LATROBE HIGH SCHOOL Department of Education Principal’s Report continued You are most likely aware of the Tasmanian government‘s plan for extending Years 11 and 12 into high schools. For some of our students the change to Year 11 can be very challenging. It is with these students in mind that we are working with Don College, Devonport High School, Reece High School and Sheffield School to investigate alternative programs for these students. These programs will be personalised to the individual student’s needs and may include study at their high school. Work has begun reviewing student data to identify those students who may need additional support in order to complete Year 12. The aim is to assist all of our students to complete their Tasmanian Certificate of Education. If you feel your child may struggle with the transition to Don College and might benefit from an alternative transition process, please contact Miss Wendy Leonard (Assistant Principal/Grade Coordinator) at school on 64 261061, or alternatively, Mr Richard Heathcote (AST Year 11 and 12 Coalition) on 64 249461. Richard’s office is at Devonport High School. STAFFING Mr Welch will be on sick leave for the remainder of this term and we wish him well in his recovery. Mr Jamie Smith, who has been our Maths Specialist Teacher, will move out of his specialist role and will be taking Mr Welch’s classes. Mr Smith is a wonderful teacher and we couldn’t be happier that he will be continuing to teach at Latrobe High School. Mr Christie will be meeting with his doctor next week, and we hope to see Mr Christie back at work, in some capacity, from Wednesday of next week. A great opportunity has arisen for Miss Johnson; starting next week, she will be working at Mountain Heights for six weeks as Literacy Coach. Miss Johnson will have a profound impact on the teaching of Literacy at Mountain Heights. We wish Miss Johnson well. Mrs Rodman is returning off maternity leave and we welcome Miss Paice to Latrobe High School. Mrs Rodman and Miss Paice will be teaching English and History classes from next week. SCHOOL REDEVELOPMENT Over the last fortnight, we have had improved weather and a large amount of progress has been made. The painters are completing their final touches in the new Maths rooms, the joiners have started installing the joinery and the bricklayers are in the progress of cladding the outside of the building. The buildings that surround the Gymnasium are wrapped up and the roofing has been installed. It won’t be long until they start plastering these areas. We are currently exploring the cost of upgrading our heating and lighting in the gymnasium and will let you know the outcome of this in due course. Continued on next page Principal’s Report continued IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL UNIFORM At the end of last week, we outlined the importance of school uniform to all students, as the standard of uniform has been slipping for a small number of students. Students who are out of uniform without a note from home are to spend their lunch time at the front office. I would like to thank parents and students for the effort they have made to make sure they are in full school uniform. The school uniform builds a sense of connectedness among students and to the school. When worn well, it enhances the way in which individuals and the school are viewed in the community. Uniform also means that students can easily be identified as a member of LHS, increasing safety and supervision for all students. I would like to highlight that black shoes are the required item for footwear and the only trackpants that are acceptable are the navy blue parachute pant. These can be purchased from our school office. 2017 GRADE 7 PARENT AND STUDENT INFORMATION EVENING - WEDNESDAY 14 SEPTEMBER We are excited about holding our ‘Parent and Student Information Evening’ on Wednesday 14 September for all prospective 2017 Grade 7 students and their parents. The evening starts at 6:30pm in our school Gymnasium. Parents and students who are unable to make it on the night are encouraged to contact the main office to arrange a meeting and tour of the school. NAPLAN Results While NAPLAN is one test on one day, it does give us important data that informs future teaching decisions and gives us an idea of how we are tracking as a school over time. It also provides us with important data on each individual student’s strengths and weaknesses. The data for Latrobe High School is showing very clearly that the work we have undertaken over the last few years is showing positive results. Over the next week we will be mailing out to parents of Grade 7 and 9 students their sons’/ daughters’ individual NAPLAN results. Not all students need to see this data. We will leave it in your hands to decide if your son/daughter will benefit from seeing their individual data. BRENT ARMITSTEAD PRINCIPAL BRENT ARMITSTEAD PRINCIPAL GRADE 7 REPORT Students have worked well this fortnight with all the building work happening around the school which could disrupt learning. Students have been focused on their work and ignoring the constant building renovations and changing of play zones successfully. The Grade 7 locker area is nearly complete which will mean a change from the current locker area (soon to be the library) to the new undercover walkway. Some key dates coming up this term are as follows: On the September 1, students will have a chance to perform an act for Red Faces. Students need to complete an act and ensure that they apply to perform via a form handed out in home room. The third lot of immunisations will occur on Wednesday September 14. This immunisation will be Gardasil. We have now concluded our feeder primary school visits with our Grade 7 helpers. The next focus for transition with Grade 7 help will be the Camp Clayton Challenge Days on August 30 and August 31. A notice will be sent home with the students selected to assist on those days. The following students were deemed stars in their classes this fortnight: 7A: Dylan has begun the term well with excellent punctuality to class and is showing more confidence around the school. 7B: Tayden showed confidence by being the goal keeper whilst playing in the Grade 10 soccer team and was successful in stopping most of the goals, which led his team to victory. 7C: Emma is organised and polite in class and always strives to do her best. Well done, Emma. 7D: Anna is conscientious in class and is always polite and caring. Anna has settled in well this term and continues to strive to do her best. Congratulations to the Strength Award recipients so far this term! Students who have been rewarded are: Oakli Marshall, Jack Huddlestone, Kelsey Hedditch, Mahtia Bissett, Maddison McClure, Asha Lamprey and Tayden Lyall. Thank you to all the parents who have made contact to me in regards to their child. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any issues/concerns or to find out further information on [email protected] AARON HUMPHREY YEAR 7 COORDINATOR GRADE 8 REPORT - OLYMPIC SPECIAL The buzz of the Olympic Games is here and we have the opportunity see the best of the best compete for the ultimate prize, an Olympic medal.