Year 11/12 Development

Work has begun on our new Year 11/12 space next to the existing A-Block. The new development will have two classrooms, a breakout area, kitchenette, meeting room and toilets. We are due to move into the space at the beginning of Term 2 2022.

Enrolments are almost completed for our Year 11/12 program with 14 already signed up for the new Certificate II in Community Services (Aged and Disability Care). We will also have a number of students completing a general program tailored to suit their individual needs.

We have also appointed a new AST for year 11/12 with Kent Poulton joining us from Launceston College. Kent will be a welcome addition to the team and brings a wealth of knowledge about Year 11/12.

New Staff 2022

We welcome a number of new staff in 2022;       

•   Jodie White
•   Mikayla Swain  
•   Jasmine Gallagher
•   Kent Poulton
•   Brendon Jack (Port Dalrymple)                      

All our staff will be available to catch up with at the welcome BBQ early in 2022. I look forward to seeing you there.

Celebration Dinner

I am pleased to announce that we are able to confirm that parents can watch the Celebration Dinner arrivals at The Tailrace on Wednesday 15^th December.

Whilst parents won’t be allowed to enter the buildings, they will be able to gather to wish their children well as they exit their vehicles and enter the venue.

We do ask that families limit the number attending to two per child and remain mindful of the social distancing rules to assist with maintaining a COVID safe density limit in front of the building.

One of the highlights of the HaSS year is our annual participation in Reconciliation Tasmania’s Youth Speakout. This involves students presenting work on Aboriginal issues, at Parliament House. Chosen students also get a chance to present speeches in front of attending Members of Parliament and participants from other schools. This year 9D student Sophie spoke at Parliament House about her class research on the effects of European arrival on Aboriginal people's lives. Including loss of language, removal of children, loss of land and destruction of sacred sites. She is to be congratulated for her confident presentation and equally confident TV interview afterwards.

After lunch with MPs and Reconciliation Tasmania staff, students travelled to   Government House for speeches, afternoon tea and presentation of awards by the Governor, currently Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC. Jethro  from Year 10 delivered a heartfelt speech on the need for action to achieve reconciliation and Jo very modestly introduced the video made by a group of Year 9 and 10 students on work done at the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre.

The student's reflections on their experiences showed the value of us moving out into the community for some real-life learning. We were very proud to see our students mixing graciously with people from The Governor and Reconciliation Tasmania staff members to younger students from other schools. Perhaps one day they will join the ranks of ex-Queechy students Peter Gutwein and Michelle O’Byrne who joined us on our memorable day.

Grade 10 English – Dystopian Literature

After a high level of participation and engagement in the English exam at the end of Term 3, Grade 10 students commenced Term 4 with their last major unit of study: Dystopian Literature. They studied the literary characteristics of the dystopian genre, e.g. the restriction of information, independent thought and freedom, citizens living in a dehumanised state and citizens needing to conform to uniform expectations. Students studied two popular dystopian films, Divergent and The Hunger Games.

Grade 10 English teachers: Lisa Mitchell, Catherine Attenborrow and I all noted a high level of student engagement throughout this unit. For their major assessment, students completed an in-class essay, comparing and contrasting characteristics of the genre within the two films. It is evident that student's essay writing skills have improved dramatically throughout the year and we feel that those continuing onto Year 11 next year will be well prepared.

Lauren Phipps.

Grade 9 Science student's have had fun this term playing with chemicals. Apart from memorising the periodic table and the different elements, students have had the chance to create chemical reactions by combining several elements.

The reaction of these can be viewed as explosions, as in flammable hydrogen balloons or in smoke flares as viewed in the pictures.

Participating in the chemistry pracs has enabled the year 9 classes to end the year in a bang.

On the 5^th of December the Launceston Triathlon club are running a teams only event in Beauty Point. This is a particular type of event where each team member competes a full triathlon.

The Launceston Triathlon club hold regular events around the north of the state. The events can be completed in a team (usually only one leg each) or individually and usually consist of a swim, bike ride and a run.

For more information visit : launcestontriclub.com or see Mrs Gibbons.

Both our male and female cricket teams made it to the Hurricanes Cricket State Finals recently – With our boys and girls finishing in 4th place overall. Here are some photos of our students in action!

School Associations provide a vital link between the parent body, community and the school. They foster the opportunity for parents, staff and community members to be involved in issues that shape the school. The Queechy High School Association is organised by an elected committee of parents and staff members. The group meets twice each term, including an Annual General Meeting, to discuss topics of interest to parents, contribute to the development and management of school activities and have some fun. Meetings are open to all parents to attend and last about an hour.

The Queechy High School Association works closely with the Student Leadership Board (SLB). Members of the SLB regularly attend School Association meetings which fosters effective and collaborative working relationships. The School Association would like to congratulate all SLB 2021 members on their consistent hard work and dedication and look forward to working with the new SLB members in 2022.

This year the School Association have been actively involved working with the school on continuing the school redevelopment capital works program, specifically the new Year 11/12 space, with the works progressing well.

I would strongly encourage our new parents and friends at Queechy High School in 2022 to come along to the welcome BBQ with the Association's first meeting to follow directly after.

The school Association would like to wish all staff and the school community a safe and happy Christmas and we look forward to welcoming new members in 2022.

Rachel and Sonia

School Association