21 August 2009

MIDDLE ROAD, (PO BOX 1261)DEVONPORT Phone: 6420 8100. email: [email protected]

Issue 5

NEWSLETTER

21 August 2009

From the Principal’s Desk Despite the gloomy weather we have had much to celebrate in the last month. Several students have been recognised both formally and informally for outstanding achievement. The colours assembly was a formal way to recognise outstanding achievement in many fields including academic study, sport and community service. We provide students with many opportunities to shine. Our Science and Engineering team won the North West challenge and came fifth at the state event which was an impressive effort given that half of the winning team did not compete as they were on the ski trip. We also had a number of students participate in the Maths Relay and learn much about how and what we need to do when we compete. The feedback from the teachers on the ski trip and other people involved in supporting our students on that excursion was outstanding. It is great to see and hear about the students having an opportunity to have fun without all the electronic devices and trappings of life in the 21st century. All too often children, and I use the word children deliberately as they are under 18 and not adults, want to be adults, to dress like adults, behave like adults and are forced to be adult. They miss out on some of the simple pleasures in life. Our prefects continue to shine in their work around raising awareness of mental health issues, resilience and bullying. Recently they were recognised at a national conference and last week they presented at the Tasmanian Principals’ Association Conference on the theme of the next generation and how important it is for students to be empowered. They have done a lot of work on bullying around the school yard and the information they have collected is being used in our review of our supportive school community policy. Last night we held a social and launched the 40 hour famine and it was great to hear from students and teachers about how much they enjoyed the evening the and the feedback I received from parents and the DJ about the behaviour of students at the event was fantastic. Now I could go on and on about bad behaviour but everyone knows who is doing the right thing and who is doing the wrong thing. We can all be dragged down by a poor attitude, a lack of commitment and lack of understanding about what is right and what is wrong but when these comments only relate to a handful of students we need to take the time to celebrate the effort of all the good students in our community. Sheree Vertignan

R e e c e H i g h S ch o o l

NAPLAN Reports to be Distributed at the Beginning of Term 3, 2009 The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) reports for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 who sat the national tests in literacy and numeracy in May this year will be sent home during the first week of Term 3, 2009. Students in all government, Catholic and independent schools were tested and all parents across Australia will receive results in a common reporting format. Your child’s report will show national information including how your child performed in relation to other students in their particular year group, and in comparison to the national average score for each of the Reading, Writing, Language Conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and Numeracy tests. A parent information brochure will also be distributed with the report. Teachers will be provided with a complete analysis of their students’ results and parents are invited to contact their child’s teacher in order to discuss any aspect of the tests.

National Science Week Events 2009 - NORTH

ScientificA Eight days of scientific fun at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery. Activities will range from school workshops with MadLab and the UTAS School of Engineering to films, lectures, displays and even a little star gazing Sunday 16 August - Sunday 23 August Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery at Inveresk Invermay Road, Launceston www.qvmag.tas.gov.au Science FREE for ALL Find out how local companies and institutions are involved in science, share their knowledge of how they do their work, discover the various careers available in science – and more! Sunday 16 August, 10:00am - 4:00pm www.qvmag.tas.gov.au MadLab Build your own electronics circuit and take home your own lie detector or burglar alarm. Sunday 16 August, 10:00am - 4:00pm (drop in session) Cost: $5.00/person www.qvmag.tas.gov.au Scinema: Festival of Science Film With 2009 being the International Year of Astronomy and the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth, this program offers a range of short films exploring the stars and the continuing evolution of the sciences. Sunday 16 August - Sunday 23 August, screening daily www.csiro.au/scinema Tasmanian Science Talent Search Technology Challenge, See student-designed “ping-pong ball” rocket launchers in action as part of this year’s Technology Challenge for students in primary and middle school. Sunday 16 August 10:00am - 12noon www.key.org.au/stat UTAS Open Day Unlock your future and explore your options in science, engineering and technology – as well as health sciences, business, education, law and the arts. UTAS Open Day includes a comprehensive information expo, the opportunity to talk with staff and students, course information sessions and tours of campus facilities, as well as the Australian Maritime College Open Day. Sunday 16 August 10:00am - 3:00pm UTAS, Newnham and Inveresk campuses, Launceston www.utas.edu.au Sharks, Devils and You: Up Close and Personal Showcases research and filming of Great White Sharks, and the management of injured and orphaned wildlife, including Tasmanian Devils, through a short documentary, followed by a forum with the researchers and film-makers involved. Sunday 16 August, 11:00am; Monday 17 August, 12noon (for school groups) Arts Lecture Theatre, UTAS Newnham campus, Launceston www.bookendtrust.com Crap or Credible (How Science is Used to Sell You Stuff) – with Tanya Ha Find out the real meaning of advertisements, what you can trust and what you should question. Sunday 16 August, 12:30pm, Monday 17 August, 11:00am & 1:00pm (for schools) Arts Lecture Theatre, UTAS Newnham campus, Launceston www.scienceweek.info.au Young Tassie Scientists @ QVMAG Not all scientists wear lab coats and funny glasses! Come along and hear from Tassie’s best young scientists about their research and careers. Wednesday 19 August, 4:00pm and 7:00pm Nuala O’Flaherty Auditorium, Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery at Inveresk. Bookings essential: phone 6323 3798 or email www.youngtassiescientists.com Star Gazing Ever gazed up at the night sky and wondered which stars and planets you are looking at? Thursday 20 August, 6:00pm Nuala O’Flaherty Auditorium, Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery at Inveresk. Bookings essential: phone 6323 3798 or email education @launceston.tas.gov.au www.qvmag.tas.gov.au

ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER HEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS PUGGY HUNTER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME The closing date for the Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme has now been extended to 21 August 2009. The Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, and administered by Royal College of Nursing, Australia (RCNA). Scholarships are available for the start of the 2010 academic year and are worth up to $7,500 per year for part time study and up to $15,000 per year for full time study. Applications are available to download from www.rcna.org.au. The scholarship provides financial assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are or will be studying at a TAFE (Certificate IV and above) or undergraduate level in the areas of:  Aboriginal health worker  Alcohol and other drugs workers  Allied health (excluding pharmacy)  Dentistry/oral health  Health service management  Health promotion  Medicine  Mental health  Midwifery Nursing Applicants must identify as and be able to prove their Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status. Selection is based on criteria including demonstrated interest and experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, leadership qualities and financial need. This selection is not based on academic achievement. The application period for this scholarship is open and applications are available from www.rcna.org.au. Applications close 21 August 2009. Further information is available by contacting RCNA on free call 1800 688 628 or by email at [email protected]. Please contact Mrs Jenny Trimper at Reece High School Tel 6420 8100

19th August 2009 Dear Parent/Guardian

2009 School Magazine Intention to Purchase Agreement Order Form An integral part of our school culture at Reece High School is the School Magazine. This year a student committee has been formed to ensure the magazine is a true reflection of our school culture. This committee is responsible for the design and ordering of print quantities to limit wastage and excessive printing costs. This year’s committee has decided on a 72 page full colour magazine, the same as last year. If you would like to order a copy of the 2009 Reece High School Magazine please complete the form below and return to the school office by Tuesday the 1st of September. Sincerely

Sheree Vertigan – Principal

2009 School Magazine Order Form Intention to Purchase Name of Student:_______________________________ Grade:_______________ My son/daughter would like to order this year’s full School Magazine for the price of $18. 00. Signature of Parent/Guardian: _____________________ Date: _______________ Please return this slip by to ensure your copy is ordered, as this year we will only be ordering the exact number of copies.

Grade 10 dinner and final assembly for Tuesday Dec 15

CALENDAR DATES TO REMEMBER 2009 August 24 - 28

10 D&F Work Experience

26 Aug - 23 Sept

Vietnam trip teachers and students

September 4

END OF TERM 2

21

TERM 3 BEGINS

October 7

Parent Information Evening

23

Student Free Day - Professional Learning

November 4-5

Athletics Carnival

16 - 17

Inter-High Cross Country

December 7

Student Free Day - Professional Learning

8

Grade 6 Orientation day

11

Walk-a-thon

15

Grade 10 final assembly and dinner

17

End of Term 3

CONTACT DETAILS Reece High School, Middle Road, Devonport Tas 7310 Ph (03) 6420 8100 Fax (03) 6420 8199

Email: [email protected]