Dear Parents and Families,

It is hard to believe that we are now into November and the end of the year is rapidly approaching. It is important that students continue to focus on their work and commitment to ensuring that they get the most out of this valuable learning time. We also have some other important events and activities coming up on our school calendar and I encourage students to participate actively in these.

Cattle Handlers – Westbury Show

Our Cattle Handlers’ success has continued at the Westbury Show last week and we wish them all the best on their ‘home ground’ at the Scottsdale Show. Our Cattle Handlers are very well supported by Mrs Kylie Rattray and parents/carers as well as a number of locals who volunteer their help and time – we are extremely grateful to all adults involved who enable our students to participate and gain valuable skills whilst growing their confidence.  The ribbons keep mounting up!

Remembrance Day

Today is Remembrance Day; a day when we acknowledge those who died while serving in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.  Well done to our Student Leaders and Year 8 students who represented the school at the service at the Cenotaph. Congratulations to Jayda, our SLB President, who delivered the address and conveyed a poignant message to the attendees. We also have a number of Army Cadet students who are to be commended for the key roles they played in the service.

Staff Professional Learning

Last Friday, on the Student Free Day, staff analysed our Student Wellbeing and Engagement Survey data and we have also started to analyse our NAPLAN data.  Students are also completing PAT testing in Literacy and Numeracy. This data provides us with good information as it helps us identify areas of strength but also importantly, areas for growth.

Congratulations to Taia

Well done to Taia in Year 10 who has been selected in the Tasmanian All Schools Track and Field Team to compete at the Australian All Schools Championships in Adelaide in December.  Taia qualified in the high jump at the recent Tasmanian All Schools Track and Field Carnival where she achieved a personal best of 1.65 metres. We wish Taia all the best for the upcoming Championships!

Year 11 and 12

Our Year 11 and 12 students are to be congratulated on an excellent year.  It was delightful to see so many students recognised at the Celebration Dinner on 27 October for their achievements and application to study.  A number of our students are currently sitting pre-tertiary exams and we wish them all the best.  It is pleasing to note that our students undertaking VET courses have been very successful in completing VET qualifications. We had nine Year 11/12 students gain a full Certificate II in Engineering Pathways this year which they complete over one year; three Year 12 students complete a full Certificate II in Agriculture and two Year 12 students complete Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation with students undertaking the courses over two years. The staff have worked very closely with this group to provide high levels of support throughout the year including a focus on transition to the next steps in meeting their aspirations.  We wish them well for the future!  I would also like to thank the Year 11/12 team for the fantastic work that has been undertaken this year.

Transition

Transition is a priority in Term 4. This includes Year 6 students from our primary schools who are visiting us to support their transition to high school and build relationships with key staff along with a number of our Year 8 and 9 students who are supporting transition. We enjoyed meeting with 2023 Year 7 parents/carers yesterday afternoon as part of our Information Session as we value the partnerships with families that help to support students’ learning and wellbeing. Thanks to parents/carers who were able to attend the enrolment interviews with their child for Year 11 and 12. We greatly appreciate that many parents/carers were involved in supporting these discussions and ensuring the best transition for our young people.

Year 10 Scholarships and Bursaries – Close Friday 18 November

We also strongly encourage our Year 10 students to apply for the scholarships and bursaries on offer which close on Friday 18 November.  Information has been sent home with students about these but if you would like further information or your child would like some support with their application, please contact Mrs Howlett or Mrs Fletcher.

I appreciate the extra work that many staff are doing to support students and meet individual needs especially as our Year 10s complete their Transition Plans and Year 9s consider applying for leadership positions. The recent workshops led by Will Smith, helped students to see that they can all be leaders and we look forward to students putting themselves forward to take on leadership roles in 2023.

Elizabeth Williams

Principal

Survival Camp Report – Group 1

On Tuesday the 25^th October Group 1 of the Year 10 survivors set off on their three day long treacherous journey. Leaving school on the Tuesday in the pouring rain, students definitely had their wet weather jackets handy. Unfortunately, due to the weather Mr Lefevre had to brainstorm a way for us to stay dry but still have an enjoyable camp.

Firstly, we arrived at Larapuna where we learnt about the Indigenous culture whilst exploring the bush and beach areas. Participating in a mindfulness walk, we travelled across the beach, rocks and a river where Mr Tyson took the easy way out and got a piggyback ride from Manny. Our first night on camp was spent at the Field Study Centre, thankfully near a warm fire. With many games of Monopoly being played, everybody was extremely excited about adventuring outside for the next day.

The second morning was hectic, with people gearing up for the big day ahead. As we all ventured onto the bus, our first instruction was to be blindfolded whilst we drove to our first destination.

Once we arrived, our first challenge was to find some important objects, that would be valuable to us later and then carry them whilst we walked. We finally started on our 5-hour journey, trenching through thick bushland, crossing swamps and surviving on nothing but our survival bar. I think everyone agreed, especially Miss Brown, that the worst part of the camp was all the leeches. Rachael even got one on her bellybutton and Roz one on his forehead!

A highlight of the camp was when we all had to race across a lake to finally reach our campsites, the winner receiving a bag full of lollies. With many people putting everything on the line for sweets Jayda and Zakiyyah got knee deep into the lake pulling their team over the line. It was all good fun until Rozza’s survival bar fell in, leaving him with a very soggy meal for tea. Once we arrived at our camp we set up tents, lit some fires and got settled preparing for the wet and windy night ahead. Our chefs Tyler and Manny cooked us some pasta and baked beans for tea with us all generously getting two tablespoons each to last the night.

The next morning everyone woke up bright and early to even more leeches. The weather still wasn’t great, so we all packed up and headed back to the Field Study Centre. After arriving back, everyone had warm showers and some much needed lunch! During the afternoon we participated in some team challenges, the Thylacines vs the Hunters and some whole group challenges. One of our favourite challenges was the ‘spiderweb’ with Brandi committing to our team by sliding in the wet mud to get us the win.

Our last night on camp consisted of Mr Petterwood entertaining us with his ‘awesome’ guitar skills and some games of charades. On Friday, we packed up the Field Study Centre and headed to Tomahawk for some Beach Olympics. Participating in some more team challenges, it was a great way for everyone to wrap up the last three days.

Arriving back at school was extremely bittersweet with everyone excited to be back at home but very sad that our last camp at Scottsdale High was over. On behalf of all the students we would like to thank Mr Petterwood, Mr Tyson, Miss Brown and especially Mr Le Fevre for all the work they put into creating an extremely enjoyable camp for all.

by Jayda H

Results from Westbury Show

Heifer 12 months

2nd TMS Sapphire - Led by Adara

3rd SVA Spring - Led by Caitlyn

Heifer 18 Months

1st TMS Sophia - Led by Charlotte

Cow

1st TMS Ruby & Topaz - Led by Adara/Larni

2nd SVA Narelle & Thunderstruck - Led by Archie/A'jana

3rd TMS Rose & Thorn - Led by Molly/Tully

Champion Senior Female - TMS Ruby & Topaz

Reserve Champion Senior Female SVA Narelle & Thunder

Breeders Pair

2nd SVA Spring & Sienna - Led by Caitlin/A'jana

3rd TMS Sarah & Sapphire - Led by Matilda/Adara

Interbreed Cow and Champion Senior Female

TMS Ruby & Topaz

Interbreed Champion Female

TMS Ruby & Topaz

Junior Beef Handlers

13-14 years - Molly 4th

Congratulations Team, on another very successful show. Well done on getting your cattle and yourselves ready while I stewarded the beef and handlers ring. Much learning occurred there and development of confidence and independence. Show days are huge days and they require stamina and perseverence.

Huge congrats to our newbies who did a great job. Thank you Leigh Jones for our truck and Mathew for driving. Thank you to parents for transporting their children and to those who assisted to pack up and load cattle (when we finally got to the loading ramp!) Well done to Bec Henri for organising the beef section of the show. Well done to all exhibitors. Just in case you missed it - we won Champion Female of the show (one off the Supreme Champion!) This is a huge accomplishment considering the size of both studs we are showing at the moment. We must also thank the breeders for this opportunity!

Kylie Rattray

TIC Cattle Handling

2023 Arbre Next Generation Forestry Operators Program (Australian School-based Apprenticeship)

This is a Certificate II in Forest Operations and is aimed at Year 9, 10 and 11 students who may have an interest in a machine operators role.

Information on the Program: 

This Program is for Year 10-12 students in 2023

• Certificate II qualification
• Training includes 10 days simulator training (Launceston)
• There will also be 3 x 4 day training blocks at Arbre/and onsite in the 3 school holidays
• Student interviews will be held during the 5^th – 9^th December 2022

Applications will close on Friday 2^nd December 2022.

For an application form please see Narelle at the Trade Training Centre or Mrs Howlett.