Dear Parents/Carers

As part of our Positive Behaviour Support Program at Kings Meadows we will be acknowledging students who have been contributing positively to our learning environment.  This means that they have been supporting our school wide expectations.

Respect for others, self and environment

Organisation

Commitment to learning

Keeping safe

Sensible behaviour

We would like to acknowledge the following students:

Year 7:

Mitch Page - For always being a positive role model in the classroom. 

Layne Monks - For the manner in which she consistently demonstrates respect in the classroom when supporting others. 

Darcy Boxhall - For being a positive and supportive member of the class. 

Year 8:

Scarlett Wischnat 8E, Charles McMahon 8A & Rylan Blyth 8A - For their terrific collaboration, engagement and participation during our newspaper fashion design challenge during S.W.A.T. day last Thursday.

Anna Maclaine 8E & Jake Turner 8D - For their terrific collaboration, engagement and participation during our newspaper fashion design challenge during S.W.A.T. day last Thursday and their efforts in Drama when presenting Captain Abdul’s Little Treasure.

It certainly has been a productive two weeks for our Year 8 students since our last article and I would like to take the time to congratulate all Year 8 students who participated and shared performances during Arts Night on Thursday 7 November.  During our recent S.W.A.T. Day last Thursday, Mrs Howard spoke with our students about their participation on Arts Night praising them for the high numbers of students performing across our cohort and also for their courage to perform in front of others on the night.  It was also mentioned that we had the highest number of participants on the night which further highlights the strength and passion of our students in the areas of music, dance, the arts and drama. 

On Thursday 14 November Year 8 participated in Careers on Wheels S.W.A.T. DAY.  It was great to see high levels of engagement, positive behaviour and attendance on this day and I would like to thank all our Year 8 staff for designing some great activities for our students and hope you enjoy the photos from the day included in this newsletter.  Our first block consisted of an introduction to the day and a presentation from our guest speaker Natasha from McDonalds, who talked with students about the process of applying for work, benefits of working for the company, electronic application process and interview components.  She also discussed training and career opportunities with the company.  This was followed with time in class groups allowing students to work on developing or refining their resumes to assist them in gaining employment opportunities outside of school.  Students in Year 8 walked around and talked with employers and companies in Block 3 when accessing the Careers on Wheels part of the day.  It certainly was pleasing to see so many of our students taking this time seriously while fostering positive relationships with potential future employers. During Block 4 students had the opportunity to learn more about the role of unions in the workforce and the way that they protect employees from business practices that take advantage or exploit vulnerabilities in their workforce with Laura from SDA presenting to our students.  Following this, Brooke from ANZ Kings Meadows spoke with students about the role of banks, opportunities for employment while also helping them to better understand techniques and apps that can be used to help students to achieve their savings goals over time. Our students concluded the day with a Class of Kings Fashion Parade where they worked collaboratively in class groups to design newspaper fashion including an outfit of their choice, formal wear and swim wear.  This certainly was a challenging, fun and rewarding challenge that everyone enjoyed with Mr Stocks and Mrs Hume participating in the judging of fashion after runway presentation from students in front of their peers.

On Friday 15 November several of our students presented an adaption of Colin McNaughton’s Captain Abdul’s Little Treasure to students in Years 1 & 2 from Glen Dhu Primary School.  Congratulations to the following students for presenting on the day: Bella Abel, Alexander Barker, Isabella Beechey, Lucy Boarder, Ebony Clarke, Charlotte Hammond, Jarvis Hjort, Gracie Jones, Alex Joyce, Anna Maclaine, Alix Maynard, Jake Turner, Evie Worthington and Stella Wright. I would also like to take the time to thanks Mr Nankervis and his catering crew for supporting with supper on the day.

We have more exciting opportunities for our students in the coming week with an excursion to Launceston College and University of Tasmania on Wednesday 20 November, participation in the All Schools Triathlon in Devonport on Thursday 21 November and Interhigh Athletics Carnival on Friday 22 November.  With plenty of opportunities for our students to shine their strengths and interests with others we wish all students competing in the triathlon and interhigh athletics carnival every success and look forward to providing updates in the next newsletter.

Last Thursday the sun shone on our annual ‘Careers on Wheels’ Expo. Nearly 30 businesses came on site with simulators, models, displays, freebies and most importantly, information and words of advice for our students. It was fantastic hearing the conversations students were having about their futures! Thank you to all our exhibitors for your time and expertise. Thanks to Nick from City Mission who comes and cooks our free sausage sizzle every year!

On Thursday 7 November our Annual Arts Night was held at the Princess Theatre.  This was a stunning showcase of student talent. Music students had a rehearsal and sound check day on Wednesday followed by everyone being at the theatre all day Thursday to do a technical rehearsal.  All rehearsals went well and then this led to a smooth running show.  Students conducted themselves well throughout the event – enjoying watching each others performances and supporting one another.  Overall there were 34 items plus pre show music and post show music.  The senior Drama ‘Help Desk’ items got lots of laughs and the musical items ranged from solo instrumentalists and singers to duos and then five bands ‘Wicked Souls’ and ‘The Strangers’ from Year 8, ‘Unrequited from Year 9 and ‘Pilgrim’ and ‘Saturday for Sale’ from Year 10. 

Dance items proved a visual treat with some fantastic costuming this year to support the amazing choreography and energy the students form all year levels put into their pieces.  A huge thank you to Mr Edmondson for helping run the sound and of course to all the Arts staff: Ms Crawford, Ms Blaubaum, Mrs Breen, Mrs Howard and Mrs Selby.  Another special thanks to Glenn Moorhouse who performed on stage with some of our musicians and to Mr Nic Parker, Mr Lynch and Delia Breen who were part of our crew.

Lastly to all staff who assisted on the night, our ushers, our photographers and those who came and watched as audience as well as other students who bought tickets and came to see the show. Make sure you don’t miss next year – this is always a highlight of the school year.

Governments are working together to design and deliver additional disability supports in the community.

These additional supports are called Foundational Supports and are separate to those delivered through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or mainstream services.

The Department of Social Services want feedback and ideas on how to design Foundational Supports for families and children aged under 9 in their care where there is a developmental concern, delay and/or disability.

Share your thoughts by:

• completing the online questionnaire or providing a submission
• adding a comment to the Ideas Wall
• joining the Tasmanian online workshop on Tuesday 19 November 7-9pm.

Visit engage.dss.gov.au/Foundational-Supports

During the Review process, the panel verified the following effective practices that are contributing significantly to school improvement at Kings Meadows High School:

• The school leadership team is driving an explicit and known detailed school improvement agenda with individual and collective roles clearly articulated.
• There is a strong and optimistic commitment by all staff to the school improvement agenda, and a belief that further improvement is possible.
• School leaders view timely access to reliable data as essential to their effective leadership of the school.
• Staff morale is consistently high, with a strong level of relational trust.
• There is a happy, optimistic feel to the school, with all school community members expressing a strong sense of belonging and pride.
• Families are valued as partners in student learning, with all families highlighting the clear communication and support by leaders and staff.
• Leaders intentionally build a professional learning community where collaboration time is prioritised and spent wisely.
• Staff meet regularly and purposefully in collaborative teams to learn from each other to collectively support students learning and wellbeing needs.
• Leaders intentionally nurture and develop staff leadership capabilities.
• Students and families highlighted the wide range of options and elective subjects as a strength of the school, where students have the opportunity to excel in an area of interest.
• The panel noted the attractive and stimulating internal and external environment that supports and encourages learning and demonstrates pride in the school.

The school has developed a levy structure in line with the Department for Education, Children & Young People Levy Policy. The school’s levies and charges form an essential income component for the school. 

The levy contributes towards the cost of the educational program studied across Years 7 – 12.  The activities and materials are a necessary part of the curriculum.  All parents or carers, other than those approved for Student Assistance (STAS) are required to contribute towards the cost of their child’s education through levies.

The Student Levy for 2025 will be

Students in Years 7/8 have been participating in our after school golf program. A big thank you to Scott (Club Pro) and the golf club for supporting the next generation of golfers.

Students competed in the Northern Tasmanian Interhigh Golf competition on Friday 15 November at the Launceston Golf Club.  The Year 7/8 team were very successful being placed 2nd overall.  Congratulations to all involved.!

On 11 November at the 11th hour, the Prefects along with Mrs Glasby and Mr Withington, held a small Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Kings Meadows High School Peace Pole.

Originally, we had planned to attend a Remembrance Day service at OneCare, the local aged care facility, to remember and honour those who fought for Australia. Unfortunately, we were unable to attend as there was a COVID outbreak, so instead we held our own small ceremony at school. Our ceremony included reading 'In Flanders Fields' and 'The Ode', laying a wreath, playing the Last Post, and acknowledging a one minute silence. The Prefect Board and staff honoured all those who fought and served for our country.

Over the weekend, KMHS had a large number of teams (7),  participate in the annual competition, which takes place in each region. Each team/player represented the school with pride, enthusiasm and commitment, regardless of whether winning or losing. A big thank you to all players, teachers and families for making this event be successful for our students.

A special shout out to our parents in Denita Garwood, Clint Anstey, Ian French and Jamie Hazell for your coaching and organisation over the weekend. The KMHS community is appreciative of your on-going support of our students. We now look forward to cheering on our Year 7/8 and Year 9/10 Div 1 boys team’s as they have progressed through to the state final.

Recently Lincon represented Kings Meadows High School in the State All-Schools Athletics Championships. Having previously performed exceptionally well in the school athletics carnival, Lincon was able to excel in a series of events. The school is extremely proud of Lincon and his achievements, as this comes about through dedication, hard work, skill and persistence. Well done Lincon.

800m – 1^st place – 2:07:14

400m – 2^nd place – 55:32

Triple Jump – 1^st place – 11:54

Year 8 Drama presented their Children’s Theatre performance ‘Captain Abdul’s Little Treasure’ to family and friends on Thursday 14 November and then to a delighted audience of Year 1 and 2 students from Glen Dhu on Friday 15 November. The show was very well received by both our audiences. A huge thank you to Mr Nankervis and the catering class for supper on Thursday night and to Mr Poke for his help making our mast.

Leadership Staff

Support Staff