Presentation Assembly
Our presentation assembly allowed us to share outstanding achievements across the school from Year 7-12. We were again overwhelmed by the support at our assembly with over 200 community members present on the day and huge number of individual award recipients. I would like to thank Mr Franks, Mrs Mihal, Mrs Pearce and the team behind the scenes for ensuring the assembly ran smoothly.

Included in the newsletter are our award recipients for this year. Congratulations on your outstanding achievement. I know that your family and friends are very proud.

Year 10 Students
It was with mixed emotions that we farewelled our Year 10 students at their final assembly and the Celebration Dinner. This group of students have gone beyond our expectations. They have been amazing role-models in their leadership roles and have helped create the safe and supportive environment that is evident today.

Schools play an important role in shaping who we are, or who we will become.  If 2025 has been anything to go by, these students are leaving RHS ready for the next stage of their life. I am sure the people they have met and the experience they have gained will be etched in their memories forever. We hope they make the most of their opportunities post Year 10 and find their place to shine. We wish them and their families the best for the future.

Farewells
We have a few teaching staff leaving us this year:

Josie Lutwyche –Josie has worked at Reece High for the past 3 years and has been a leader in both Year 7 and 9. Many of you would also know Josie for being the driving force in bringing our production of Matilda the Musical Jr to life. Josie has won a senior position at St Brendan Shaw College. We wish her all the best for the future and know she will continue to do amazing things. 

Ryan Kelly - This feels like a bit of DeJa’Vu in farewelling Mr Kelly. We farewelled Ryan at the end of 2022 and then he returned to us late in 2023. Ryan has won a position with Cricket Tasmania in a statewide role in coaching development. This is a great opportunity for Ryan and we know that he will excel in the role.

Hayley Garner – Hayley has worked at Reece High for the past 3 years. Initially as a Teacher Assistant in Year 7 and then as a English/HASS Teacher in Year 8 for the past two years. Hayley has taken on an opportunity to teach at St Brendan Shaw College. Hopefully we will still see her around.

Taryn Crawford – Taryn has worked a combination of relief and contracted work at Reece for a number of years. This year, Taryn has worked part time on Year 8 in the Maths/Science area. Taryn is keen to spend more time with her young family but has assured me she will be back in for relief on a regular basis.

Emily Versluys – Emily has worked at Reece for the majority of 2023 and all of 2024. She has been a valued member in our Outdoor Education program and our Support Hub/Life Skills area. Mrs V is now taking her skills to another school close by.

Sue-Anne Knight – Also a bit of DeJa’Vu with Miss Knight who left Reece High at the end of 2021 before returning at the start of Term 2 this year as a Quality Teaching Coach. Miss Knight has taken on a position at Hobart College. We wish her all the best in her move back down South.

Shae Schmidt – Shae has worked as a Teacher Assistant at Reece High for the past two years. She has worked in the Support Hub, supporting individuals and working with small groups. Shae is now taking the time to finish her University degree and pursue other employment pathways.

Connor Howard – Connor has worked as a TA offering individual support to students. He has accepted a position at Glenhaven for 2025.

2025 New Staff
We now have the following staff joining our RHS team next year:

Jamie Hughes – Jamie has worked at Parklands High School for the past 9 years. He is a former Reece High student and is looking forward working with our community again.

Lauren Mack – Lauren is joining us from Latrobe High where she has taught for a number of years in English, HaSS and Art.

School Association
We held our last School Association Meeting for the year on Wednesday 11^th December. I would like to thank all our representatives for their support this year. We took the time to celebrate our current data and were able to reflect on all the exciting work that has happened inside and outside of our classrooms. If you are interested in becoming a member next year, please take note of information via FB and our newsletter in early 2025.

Uniform Items
If you have any uniform items that you no longer need, especially Year 10 students, all donations will be greatly accepted. Although we don’t run a second-hand shop, we do have some families that do appreciate the support of being able to access second hand uniforms.

Thank You & Best Wishes
Finally, I would like to thank all students, staff and families for their support this year. We are fortunate enough to have families that are so supportive of our school. It has been a pleasure being Principal of this wonderful school and I look forward to 2025 when we welcome a new group of Year 7 students.  Have a fantastic, safe and happy holiday period. 

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our 2024 Prefect Board

As the 2024 school year comes to an end, we want to take a moment to thank our incredible Prefect Board for their outstanding leadership and dedication throughout the year. These student leaders have played a crucial role in shaping the school experience for everyone at Reece High School.

From the very first day, the Prefect Board has been involved in a wide range of initiatives, making a positive impact on both students and staff. Whether it was leading fundraising efforts, supporting Year 7 students, or running school events, the Prefects have consistently shown remarkable commitment to their roles.

They have supported their peers in numerous ways, including assisting with the transition of primary school students to secondary school, organising assemblies, and ensuring that our values—Respect, Responsibility, Best Effort, and Inclusiveness—were reflected in everything they did. The Prefects have also taken an active role in special events such as the Anzac Service and leadership conferences, always representing the school with pride and dedication.

Along the way, there have been plenty of burnt toasties, countless circles, creative costumes, and, of course, lots of laughs!

On behalf of the entire school community, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the 2024 Prefect Board. Your hard work, leadership, and positive attitude have made a lasting impact, and we are incredibly grateful for all that you have contributed this year. We wish you all the best in your future leadership endeavours!

It’s the final week of the school year, it’s a great time to reflect on all that we've accomplished and look ahead to the exciting things to come. The past year has been full of growth, learning, and memorable experiences for our Year 7 students, and we’re so proud of all their hard work. Some highlights from the year would no doubt be the Year 7 camp, making new friends, learning new skills, and experiencing some of the amazing RP subjects Reece has to offer. As the school year comes to a close, we want to wish all of our Year 7 students a restful and enjoyable summer. Take the time to relax, explore, and enjoy the sunshine. We look forward to seeing everyone in the new school year, ready for another year of growth and learning!

Q: What did one tectonic plate say to the other when they bumped into each other?

A: “Whoops, my fault!”

Last week saw Year 8 students finalise their Science investigations and move into a new learning area of Science – Geology. Specifically, students will learn about Earth’s structure, and plate tectonics. The unit will culminate with a Rock Expo.

In Mathematics, the last few weeks of Term 4 will cover topics including volume, rates and ratios.

Year 8 English: Cracking the Case in Crime Fiction!
This term, Year 8 students at Reece High School immersed themselves in the gripping world of Crime Fiction. From uncovering the elements of a thrilling mystery to creating their own complex and relatable characters, our budding writers explored what it takes to craft a compelling narrative.

A standout moment was when students participated in a walk-through of a "real" crime scene, designed to challenge their observation and deduction skills. Led by Detective Inspector Baxter and Sergeant Garner, the session brought the genre to life, showing students how investigators piece together evidence and unravel stories. This hands-on experience not only deepened their understanding of crime fiction but also inspired their own writing, as they began weaving intricate plots and believable characters into their stories.

We can’t wait to see how they continue to apply their newfound expertise in future projects!

Year 8 HASS: Designing the Cities of Tomorrow
This term, Year 8 students at Reece High School have been exploring the theme of Changing Nations in their HASS lessons, with a particular focus on the fascinating world of megacities. Through their studies, they investigated the challenges and opportunities faced by some of the world’s most densely populated urban areas, identifying the differences between functioning and struggling megacities.

Students then delved into sustainable innovations, exploring creative solutions to address urban challenges. With these insights, they put their imaginations and knowledge to work, designing their own futuristic megacities. Each design incorporated sustainable innovations that provided social, environmental, and economic benefits, reflecting their understanding of how cities can thrive while supporting the well-being of their populations and the planet. Their futuristic megacities were a true showcase of creativity, innovation, and a deep understanding of real-world issues!

Core subjects aside, Week 6 saw Year 8 participate in the school athletics carnival. 

Lastly, on the topic of all things athletics – a very big shout out needs to be given to recognise Sianna. Sianna recently represented Reece High at the Tasmanian All Schools State championships in Hobart and produced some outstanding results. She had to compete in the U16 age group as there is no U15 age group in Tasmania. Sianna came away with 5 medals in total, 4 gold and 1 silver. The following were her amazing achievements:

100m - Gold with a time of 12.41s 

200m - Silver Shot put - Gold with a throw of 12.37m Javelin – Gold. A throw of 46.61m Long Jump – Gold. A jump of 5.20m 

       

Sianna will now go on to compete in the Tasmanian Athletics State team at the Australian All schools Championships, to be held in Brisbane in early December.  A fantastic effort Sianna, we are so very proud of your achievements! We wish you every success at the Australian All Schools Championships!

As the year comes to a close, we are incredibly proud of all the hard work and dedication Year 9 students have shown throughout 2024. Students have demonstrated excellent focus, completing their core subject units with determination. As we approach the final assignments, it’s clear that our Year 9 cohort has been giving their best effort, ensuring they finish the year strong.

The 12 Days of REECE-MAS Initiative!
To add some festive excitement in the final days of school, the Year 9 team announced the 12 Days of REECE-MAS! Starting on December 3rd, we have been holding daily draws for a chance to win one of twelve special REECE-MAS gifts. It’s simple to enter – to be in the draw, students must:

• Attend school on the day of the draw.
• Attend for the whole day.
• Display all four of our school values: Reece-spect, Reece-ponsibility, Inclusiveness, and Best Effort.

Our winners so far have been appreciative of their amazing prizes.

Last Friday, our Year 9 students participated in Orientation Day, an exciting event that gave everyone a sneak peek into life as a Year 10 student next year. It was an opportunity for students to familiarise themselves with the expectations, routines, and exciting opportunities that await them. We can't wait to see our students continue to grow and thrive as they transition into Year 10!

In the world of outdoor adventures, our Outdoor Education students are gearing up for their final camp of the year! This week, they will be heading to Lake Barrington, where they will enjoy the great outdoors and create lasting memories. We’re looking forward to hearing about the incredible experiences and fun moments they will have during this unforgettable camp. It’s a wonderful way to finish off their outdoor adventures before the holiday break!

As we near the end of the school year, let’s keep the momentum going, finish strong, and make the most of these last few weeks of 2024! We’re proud our Year 9 students and can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Stay focused, stay positive, and keep showing your REECE values!

Ho Ho Ho, there is no snow, but the term is nearly done. Santa is on the way, with his flying sleigh, for that most special of Christmas days. The little elves have been hammering away at the last few bits and pieces to finish the school year. By far the most important event on the school calendar is just around the corner: Yes, Robbo’s Secret Santa Day, when he is flooded with Christmas presents and well-wishes for next year. The Celebration Dinner is soon, and hordes of well-wishers will descend onto the school grounds like a scene from a Christmas zombie movie, eager to observe this year’s fashion faux pas and successes. A tip to those driving this year: please be careful in the turning circle, as the excitement of this B-list Hollywood-like event can drive well-wishers to acts of astounding bravery and desperation to get that perfect photo or first glimpse of a fake tan or dress flourish. So, remember, like in the apocalypse, look after each other and, most importantly, stay alert. The Year Ten Team would like to thank all parents and students for a great year and many fond memories.

Visual Art

Highlights of amazing artworks through the year!

Thanks to everyone who came along and supported our Realising Potential Night on the 3rd of December. We showcased work from a range of different subject areas such as Art, M.D.T, Music, and Dance. It was great to have family and friends come and see the work of our talented students.

The Hub Garden Group

This year, the Hub students have been working tirelessly in the school garden, growing different types of vegetables, herbs, and flowers, which have looked and smelled amazing. In the Hub classroom, the students have learned to create seed bombs with coloured paper pulp and seeds, Christmas wreaths made from various dried native leaves and seedpods, and have decorated clay pots for planting seedlings. Last Thursday, we had a picnic in our garden at school and sold a lot of our handmade goodies and produce. It was great to see students learning about enterprise and also the social aspect of serving customers. We have all had a great time and would like to thank Claire Broadfield for her great ideas, dedication, and involvement again this year.

Great job on bringing back your items…keep them coming!

Don’t miss out on reading during the holidays…

A summer of reading fun with the Big Summer Read

Students and families can join the Big Summer Read at Libraries Tasmania for the chance to win prizes and be part of a statewide reading club.

The Big Summer Read is a reading initiative that makes reading over the summer holidays fun and engaging. Students can participate in reading challenges, add book reviews and track reading progress as they aim to read at least 10 books for a chance to win a major prize.

The Big Summer Read ends on 2 February 2025.

Visit https://libraries.tas.gov.au/BigSummerRead to register and join the Big Summer Read.

 

Students - Join your library to start your reading adventure and access free books, audiobooks and eBooks that all count towards Big Summer Read reading totals! Ask your parent or guardian to visit https://libraries.tas.gov.au/membership to join Libraries Tasmania.