Please be reminded that from the beginning of Term 3, students will not be permitted to use their mobile phone to purchase items from the canteen. Students have been reminded of this expectation for about half of last term and therefore they should have had ample time to prepare and adjust. Students can pay by cash or physical card and can also order in advance through the Qkr app. Consequences for non-compliance will commence in Term 3, in line with our usual behavioural non-compliance processes. Thank you for your co-operation in helping make this adjustment.

To recognise the end of term, we will be holding an assembly this Friday 5 July. Assemblies provide us with a great opportunity to come together as a school to celebrate the success of our students.  Assemblies also provide great opportunities to hear inspirational and consistent messages, provide opportunities for students to perform, to develop public speaking skills and generally contribute to culture building. Part of this assembly tied in with NAIDOC (National Aboriginals’ and Islanders’ Day Observance Committee) Week and it is a privilege to welcome Aboriginal Elder, Aunty Dawn to our assembly. NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Congratulations to all students who will be recognised in the assembly and thank you to Kate Blaubaum, Rebecca Glasby and our Student Leaders, for their overall co-ordination and facilitation of the assembly.

Tomorrow, Thursday 4 July, a graduation event will be held to celebrate the successful competition of the Beacon Work Readiness Program. Congratulations to all students who have participated in and successfully completed the program. I am sure that they have found the experience beneficial as they consider and prepare for future pathways beyond secondary school. Thanks to Belinda Selby for her co-ordination, the Beacon Foundation for their ongoing partnership and to all our business and industry mentors/volunteers who have supported this valuable program with their real-world insights, advice and encouragement.

As is often the case at the end of term, there are some staff changes for Term 3. Our best wishes to Emma Dobson who will be going on maternity leave. She will be replaced by David (Dave) Carswell. Nicole Lynch will step into the role of Quality Teaching Coach and Stuart (Stu) Withington will undertake a part-time AST (Advanced Skills Teacher) role within our school. We also welcome Patrick (Pat) Daly to our teaching team and he will be taking on some of Mrs Lynch’s and Mr Withington’s classes. Mathew Battle will also be taking some leave part way through the term and he will be replaced by Paul Steer. We also welcome Connor Williams and Madelaine (Maddy) Pearce to our teaching team. I am sure we will all welcome these new staff to our school community and ensure they feel valued, supported and connected.

As mid-year reports were sent home with students last Friday afternoon, you should have now seen this important report. If not, then please let us know. Yesterday, we held our Open Evening. This evening incorporated formal progress conferences, a Parent Information Session for prospective Year 7 students, displays from Learning Areas, information from Newstead and Launceston Colleges, a free barbeque and some light catering. It was great to see so many families come along. As we know, education of our young people is best achieved in partnership. Thank you if you were able to attend and celebrate learning at Kings Meadows High School.

Earlier this year, the Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP) rolled out Safeguarding Training for staff, volunteers and service providers. This training was compulsory for everyone as part of our ongoing commitment to safeguarding Tasmanian children and young people and prevent them from harm. The Department has recently released additional advanced Safeguarding Training modules. These are optional and are aimed at anyone who volunteers at a DECYP site, external providers and anyone in the community who wants to learn more about how to keep children and young people safe. If you’d like to build your knowledge in this space, the modules are available on the Department’s Safeguarding page. If you require additional assistance to access the modules, please take a look at the FAQs about technical support and additional assistance, which are also on the Department’s Safeguarding page.

All public transport fares have been halved. This fare reduction applies to adult, concession, urban, non-urban and child/student fares on public buses and school buses. For students travelling on public buses, fare-paying school buses and ferries, the fare has been reduced from $2 to $1. All services will run as per their usual schedules. The Department of State Growth will be coordinating with transport providers to ensure services run smoothly for the duration of the fare reduction, which will last until 30 June 2025.

Thank you to students, staff, parents/carers and to the broader community, who have contributed positively to our school community during this term. Many of us would know the phrase, ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ and therefore everyone who contributes something to our school helps in the education of our young people.

I wish all students and staff a restful, enjoyable and safe holiday.  I look forward to the return to school on Monday, 22 July for students and teaching staff alike.