I would like to welcome everyone to the 2024 school year, especially our 134 new Year 7 students. We also have a number of new students in Years 8-10 over the last few weeks, taking our total enrolment to approximately 550 students.

We have had a great start to the year, with students already fully engaged in their learning. Our vision “Inspire Today, to Empower Tomorrow,” gives us a strong direction and focuses on ensuring we give our students the important skills that require them to be successful in today’s workforce. Our Motto, Realising Potential, highlights that active participation in school or community life has a significant positive impact on a person’s wellbeing. We encourage students to keep making the most of their opportunities at school. 

It is important that our whole school community aligns their actions towards our values. The values highlight the behaviours we expect to see from students, staff and our community. We keep each other accountable to these values and understand that our work in this area has helped us build a strong culture, based on high expectations.

The focus value for this term is ‘Best Effort.’ Please talk with your child about the different ways they can display this value in different aspects of their daily life.

Communication and Whole School BBQ

Your child’s teachers and teaching assistants have been working tirelessly to plan a learning program that caters for your child. If you have any questions or need to give teachers information in relation to your child’s education, please organise a meeting with your child’s teacher. Teachers can be contacted via email or by booking an appointment through the front office. 

Communication will also take place via text message, our School App – SZapp, our School Facebook Page and our School Instagram Page.

This year we will have a whole school BBQ which will offer an informal way for you to meet with your child’s teachers and discuss their learning program for the year. This will be held on Tuesday 27^th of February from 5:15pm – 6:15pm. By now, you should have received a copy of the letter invite for this evening. If you have any questions, please call the school office on 6420 8100.

Intervention or WINN

This year, we have had a name change of our intervention structure to make it more inclusive of all. Intervention has been the name of the subject that all students receive twice per week for 100 minutes that focus on the essential English and Maths skills to ensure they can reach Year Level standard or above. During this time students are given more time, support and opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding. We have changed the name from ‘Intervention’ to WINN – What I Need Now/Next. This change in language caters for all students in fostering an understanding of the specific skill or concept that they need to focus on ‘Now’ or ‘Next’ in their learning journey to be at Year Level standard or to provide enrichment/extension opportunities.

We are so proud of the way our staff and students have taken ownership of this change in language and the way in which they recognise the benefits for themselves. Please have a chat with your child about the next steps for them in their learning.  

External School Review

I would like to take this opportunity to thank students, parents and staff for their support in our External Review Process this week. All Tasmanian Government Schools are externally reviewed every four years. The focus of the review is to evaluate school performance. Our staff were really excited about the review and receiving the commendations and affirmations in relation to our current work. Some of the aspects of our practice we were commended on included:

• the clear sense of optimism from all staff that every student will experience success.
• all staff taking collective responsibility for optimising student outcomes.
• creating a culture where caring and respectful interactions between staff, students, families, and community members are a feature.
• placing a high priority on student wellbeing utilising a range of strategies to support individual needs.

Once we share the external review finding with our School Association, we will then share their findings with the school community. However, I do want to highlight the way in which the review panel talked about our staff and students. They talked about the obvious pride in the school and the strong connection between staff and students. This was especially evident in the way the students talked about our WINN (intervention) blocks and how this enabled students to have access to the time and support they need to ensure they are at year standard or above. We will continue to inquire into how we can support the needs of all our students and ensure they are actively engaged in their learning.

2024 Staffing

Below is a list of our leadership team and principal teachers.

2024 Leadership Team

Principal – Mr Tom Murray

Assistant Principal – Mr Daniel Franks (Senior School)

Assistant Principal – Mrs Fiona Heazlewood (Junior School)

Assistant Principal – Mrs Danika Hess (Hillcrest Recovery/PLT Quality Assurance)

Assistant Principal – Mrs Sarah Elliott (PLT Quality Assurance/Year 10 English PLT)

Quality Teaching Coach (Literacy) – Mrs Anne Thomas

Year 7 AST – Miss Casey Frimley

Year 8 AST – Miss Karla Reeves

Year 9 AST – Mrs Josie Lutwyche

Year 10 AST – Mrs Sarah Elliott

11/12 AST – Miss Amber Loone

Year 7 Maths PLT – Mr Claye Symmons

Year 8 English PLT – Mrs Caitlin Baxter

HPE Team Leader – Mrs Kaylah Rataj

RP Team Leader – Miss Meg Lutwyche

Student Support Teacher – Mrs Tara Nathan

School Business Manager – Mr Max Brown (Term 1)

2024 Principal Teachers

7A Miss Frimley/Mrs Chynoweth

7B Mrs Pace

7C Mrs Rabe

7D Mr Symmons

7E Miss Howard

7F Mrs Cooper/Mrs Dalle-Nogare

8A Mrs Baxter/Miss Reeves

8B Miss Garner

8C Mr Yeates

8D Miss O’Halloran

8E Mrs Wiseman/Miss Crawford

9A Mrs Lutwyche/Mr Viney

9B Mrs Bellchambers

9C Mrs Allen

9D Mrs Stubbs

9E Mr Kelly

10A Mrs Elliott/Mr Hizartzidis

10B Mr Crabtree

10C Mr Connors

10D Mr Robinson

10E Mr McClymont

2024 Prefects

During the second half of last year, our current Year 10s worked through a leadership process to nominate for Prefect in 2024. These students stepped out of their comfort zone and put themselves through an application, speech and voting process. I would like to thank all students for embracing this opportunity and giving it their “Best Effort”. Below are the elected prefects for 2024.

Our prefects are:

NAPLAN 2024

Students will be sitting NAPLAN between 15 and 27 March 2023. The National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are already learning at school. On its own, NAPLAN is not a test that can be studied for, and students are not expected to do so.

NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process – it does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance; however, students and parents may use individual results to discuss progress with teachers.

This is the first year NAPLAN will be held in March, having previously taken place in May. This change was made so school systems would have access to results earlier in the school year, so they can be used to inform teaching and learning plans for the remainder of the year.

Why NAPLAN is conducted online?

NAPLAN online provides a better assessment and more precise results.

One of the main benefits of NAPLAN online is that it uses tailored (or adaptive) testing. This means that students receive questions better suited to their abilities, so they can show what they know and can do.

Online testing also allows us to provide a wide range of accessibility options to support students with disability to access NAPLAN.

Feedback from students is that they find the online test more engaging.

Parent information brochures and other resources

Your questions answered on NAPLAN and what it means for your child: NAPLAN information brochure for parents and carers

The link will take you to the official National Assessment Program (NAP) website.

Resources (nap.edu.au) Please contact the school if you have any further queries.

School Association Annual General Meeting

The School Association Committee AGM will be held on Wednesday 13^th March at 5.30pm. We have vacancies for parents on this committee. If you would like to get involved, please collect a nomination form from the main office and submit it to the returning officer by Tuesday 12^th March.

‘Levies for the 2024 school year are now due and payable.  Should parents wish to take up the option of entering into a payment plan with to view to having the levies paid by the end of Term 1 (12^th April) please contact the School Business Manager (Max Brown).  Otherwise it would be appreciated if you could settle the levy payment in the near future.’

Thank you

My name is Mel and I am the School Health Nurse at Reece High School.
My role within the school has a few different aspects:

• Being available for students to come to me with ANY questions or concerns and providing them
  with a safe space to talk, helpful resources, referrals or linking them with services they may need.
  I will work alongside the school psychologist and social worker to provide support to students.
• Deliver health education and health promotion to RHS students and staff via whole school promotions,
  student group work, class lessons and other methods on an as needs basis. Topics may include mental health,
  sexual health, friendships & relationship safety, drug & alcohol awareness and health
  prevention/intervention campaigns.

My working days are every Monday & every 2nd Thursday 

         

It has been a busy start to 2024 for Year Seven students at Reece High School. On Thursday the 9th of February, students arrived looking very smart in their school uniform and a little nervous about their first day of high school. However, it didn’t take long for students to settle in and find their way around the school and begin learning in classrooms focussed on our school value of 'Best Effort'. In English, students are learning how to build an argument and communicate their thinking on a topic through their “Convince Me’ unit of work.  In Maths, students are reviewing ‘number’, focusing on multiplicative thinking including factors and multiples. In HASS, students have started a unit of work that is designed to give them an overview of the ancient world. They have been learning about the methods historians and archaeologists use to collect evidence about the past.

Last week, Year 7 students spent two days out of the school learning how to:

• be safe around water environments
• kayak
• use a surfboard
• accurately fit and use a PFD
• administer basic First Aid

We had excellent weather for both of these days, allowing students to participate, learn and make new connections with class mates.

Next Tuesday, Year 7 Principal Teachers will be opening classrooms during the RHS 'meet and greet' BBQ. We are looking forward to meeting many families. Additionally, below is a list of your child’s Principal Teacher email addresses if you wish to contact them at any stage.

This is Year 8!

We have had a great start in Year 8; welcoming new staff, new students and new experiences in our classrooms!

We welcome Mrs Lisa Shepherd, Miss Ashya Rodman, Mrs Jenna King and Mrs Laura Dixon from Year 7 to Year 8. Also coming back from the senior school is Mrs Tegan Wiseman and Miss Taryn Crawford.

On Thursday of last week, Year 8 had their Beach Day at the Bluff. We had a great day. The HPE Team organised a great day with a variety of land and water activities for our students. Students of Year 8 participated in basic First Aid, learning about DRSABCD, dry rescues, just to name a few activities. Indee and Tayla made an AMAZING sand sculpture of a mermaid!

We are looking forward to heading out to Hawley this week and experiencing all the fun that the HPE staff have organised for us at the Surf Carnival.

Kind regards,

Karla

Welcome to Year 9 in 2024! 

Our Year 9s have transitioned to the senior school well and are to be commended on this effort. It’s hard to believe that we are already into Week 3 of Term 1.  

Introducing the Year 9 Team for 2024: 

Alice Bellchambers, Casey Allen, Courtney Jago, Alex Stubbs, Ryan Kelly, Damien Viney and Tina Smith. We also have many support staff working in Year 9 this year, more info will follow with our Welcome to Year 9 letter to parents.  

Over the first few weeks of school, students have been working on getting to know the routines and norms of Year 9, the senior school, and their 2024 teachers. As a team we have been really impressed with the way in which students have come to school ready to learn whilst demonstrating our school values of Best Effort, Respect, Responsibility and Inclusiveness. Our focus value for Term 1 is Best Effort. We are also shining a spotlight on attendance in Term 1 using a visual attendance wall. We hope to highlight the importance of being at school in order to achieve high levels of learning for all. Being present at school is the first step in this journey. I would also like to remind families of our expectation that all students are in all black school shoes as per our uniform policy. It has been great to see most families supporting this expectation. I will be contacting families in the coming week to help support this transition.  

I would like to extend a special welcome to our new Year 9 students, and I look forward to seeing everyone making the most of their opportunities throughout 2024. 

Josie Lutwyche  

Year 9 Leader  

Welcome back to another year of learning and adventure in year 10 of Reece High School - much like other epic adventures, such as Dora’s great volcano adventure and the fellowship of the ring.  Teamwork and personal responsibility are a large part of future success, and this is no different in year 10.  Like a well-oiled machine, the year 10 students have started successfully in the first few weeks of school.  Classes have been settled and working well in all their core subjects.  In their Science classes, they have been learning the elements of the periodic table.  In English, they have been looking at values found in texts.  In History classes, students have been looking at significant events of the twentieth century, such as the emergence of Colonel Sanders' lovely chicken-based treats.  Maths has looked at the rearrangement of linear equations and how they can be used to model real-life situations.  

By now you will have received a letter regarding the expectations for Year 10. Please contact your child's principal teacher if you have any questions about this. 

Richard Robinson

Realising Potential (RP) classes have been off to a great start with students engaged and excited to learn new skills! A reminder that students in Year 8-10 will not be able to change 1 block RP classes after Week 3 and their 2 block RP classes after Week4.

Meg Lutwyche | Visual Art Teacher

This year we are running Anime Club here at Reece. Everyone is welcome to join us as we discuss manga and watch anime. Held every Tuesday lunchtime, meet Mel outside the drama room, behind the library.  

And if nobody has said anything about the guinea pigs:

Unfortunately, this week we’ve had to say goodbye to our Guinea Girls Mandy and Wicket. Mascots of year 10, our cuddly babies crossed the rainbow bridge, and now spend their time eating as much cucumber and as many carrots as their hearts desire. We’ll miss you, girls.

Mel Durant

Laboratory Technician

Welcome back.

The library is all ready for students and staff to borrow. Year 7s and 8s will visit the library with their class on a rotation basis. With 9s – 12s borrowing with a Library Pass during class times.  (If you have your library card, bring it along too).

If students require IT Support (Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays) or to change their books during class time they will require a Library Pass or a signed note from their teacher. When coming in class time, please be respectful and aware of classes working in the library.

All students are welcome to borrow at lunchtime - there is a clipboard on the main desk to record what you are borrowing.

There are books available from Kinder to Adult levels. Novels; Manga; Graphic Novels; Quickreads; Auto-Biographies and Biographies; Picture Books; Magazines and Non-Fiction.

At lunchtime, you can read a book, play a game, use the computers, relax with friends, or even catch up with the local news via the daily newspaper.

You can even request novels, magazines, or manga. Just leave a note in the suggestion box. (Coming in the next few days. You will find it on the main desk).

Don’t forget to grab a copy of the Scholastic Book Club brochures and check the Due Back Date.

Remember the Library is a safe space and open for all; make sure you follow our school values – Respect, Responsibility, Inclusiveness, and Best Effort; so that everyone feels welcome – this is YOUR Library.

P.S. Check out the new books and magazines (coming regularly) scattered throughout the library.

The Devonport Online Access Centre, located in Devonport's paranaple centre, has run a fortnightly "Games Night" for ages 15 and above for several years. Attendees can play a continuously growing selection of board and card games, as well as PC and console games in a fun, safe, and social environment at the Devonport Online Access Centre (address below). This event runs in 2 sessions, from 1pm till 5pm, then 5:30pm till 9:30pm every second Saturday. Attendance is open for almost all ages, and costs $5 per 4-hour session, paid while you are here.

Starting from today, 15 February, we are expanding this program with a new weekly "Gaming Together" event for ages 12-18, supported by the Tasmanian Government. This is a free event held every Thursday from 4pm till 6pm at the Devonport Online Access Centre, aimed at a younger audience of high school and college students. Available games will include a slightly more age-appropriate selection of our "Games Night" range.

We will typically be running "Gaming Together" on a term-by-term basis, with participants registering for the term and attending each week. After each term, we will allow new members priority for registering for the next term. Numbers are limited, but there may also be limited capacity for walk-in attendees. Again, there is no cost to attend this youth "Gaming Together" event.

We would love it if you were able to advertise these events using the details below and attached poster in your newsletters, noticeboards, or other appropriate locations for your students and staff to see. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us.

Regards

Joanna Apse (Coordinator)
& the Games Night/Gaming Together supervisors

Event Websites:

https://games-night.carrd.co

https://gaming-together.carrd.co  

Strike Squad

Tenpin Bowling Junior League

 

Tenpin Bowling is a sport for all no matter what your skill or experience! Tenpin Bowling Junior League will be starting in February for a 9-week roster.  Recommended starting age for league is 7, but if you have a passion for bowling and are younger, come and see us in the center and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Junior League Devonport Tenpin Bowl Term 1 - 2024

Day – Tuesday from 5pm-6pm

Dates – Tuesday 13^th February – Tuesday 9^th April

Cost - $16 per week*

*This cost is made up of 2 x $6.50 games and a $3 prize fund amount. The prize fund amount is used to purchase trophies and awards at the end of the season.

layers must be registered with Tenpin Bowling Australia to bowl league games. This registration lasts until the end of 2024

TBA Membership

Cost - Juniors 2024 - $40

Register online at – tenpinresults.com.au/register

Rules

There are two divisions which run simultaneously – bumpers and no bumpers.

If a bowler is unable to bowl on the scheduled night, they are able to ‘pre-bowl’, where they bowl prior to the official date. Book in prior to the match and let staff know it is a ‘pre-bowl’. Scores will be added to your tally on the night of the league. Players are eligible to win points if they have pre-bowled.

If a player is sick on the night, they receive a ‘blind score’, this is 10 pins less than their average. Players are unable to win points when a blind score is used.

At the end of the 10-week roster, the top three players in each division will receive a trophy. The remaining players will receive a certificate or medallion (subject to amount in the prize fund).

If you wish to join Junior League, please call or  email  tenpin@devonportbowl.com.au

Entries can be accepted at any time

 

Come join us for a fun sport that anyone can do!

 

Kerryn Duncan