Newsletter No.5, Friday 26 May 2023

Message from the Lead Principal

I am honoured and excited to introduce myself as the new Lead Principal of Hobart City High School. My name is Britany Roestenburg, and I am thrilled to join this vibrant school community of learners and educators. In my previous role as School Improvement Leader I have worked closely with Hobart City High School so have a good understanding of the excellent work already occurring and am excited to continue to lead the work.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the warm welcome I have received since stepping foot on both campuses. The enthusiasm and dedication displayed by everyone involved in our school have already made me feel at home.

I bring with me over 20 years of experience in education, and I have had the privilege of serving in various roles throughout my career in Western Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania. I am committed to creating an environment that embraces academic excellence, personal growth, and supports wellbeing for learning. We have the ability to nurture the intellectual, emotional, and social wellbeing of our students.

Collaboration and open communication are the pillars of a successful school. I value the input and perspectives of all stakeholders - students, parents, and staff - as we work together to create a dynamic and inclusive learning community. I encourage you to actively engage in the educational journey of your young people. I am truly excited to embark on this incredible journey with all of you. Together, we will build upon the strong foundation and create an environment where every student can thrive and achieve their full potential. We strive to create an inclusive, safe community where all students, staff and families know, respect and value each other. We work together to empower every student with the confidence, character, voice and learning to contribute positively to their communities.

I look forward to meeting you in the coming weeks, listening to your thoughts and ideas, and working collaboratively to make our school the best it can be. Let us embark on this exciting adventure together, shaping the future of our students and our community.

Britany Roestenburg - Lead Principal

From the School Association

Partner Primary Schools

We are very pleased to see that our partner primary school associations are taking up our offer to go along to their meetings and answer questions about Hobart City High. Our partner primary schools are Bowen Road, Campbell Street, Goulburn Street, Lansdowne Crescent, Lenah Valley, Moonah, Mount Stuart, and New Town. We are building stronger connections with them so that their families are well-informed and feel confident about choosing Hobart City High for their children’s education.

Community Consultation

The government has agreed to move forward with a community consultation about the future relationship between our school and Elizabeth College. In a letter to our two school associations the Minister for Education Hon Roger Jaensch MP has committed to collaborate on a consultation process to be run this year. He acknowledges the importance of bringing certainty to our school communities, including about the leadership structure of the schools. We will keep you informed as this progresses.

Priorities for 2023

At our last meeting we decided that in the next 12 months we will focus on:

• Implementing the HCHSA Engagement Strategy, in particular Friends of HCHS and partner primary schools and school community events.
• Supporting the community consultation on the Elizabeth College partnership.
• Creating a decision-making framework for school priority projects and financial support.
• Exploring models for fundraising and mobilising school community support.
• Advocating for school leadership certainty with the Department of Education, Children and Young People.

If you would like to contribute in any way, big or small, to the work of the school association we’d love to hear from you – send us an email at hchs.association@decyp.tas.gov.au.

Next Meeting

Our next meeting is Tuesday 6 June, 5:30 – 7:00pm at the New Town Campus. You are welcome to come along or join us online via Teams – email hchs.association@decyp.tas.gov.au to get the link.

Melinda Maddock

Chair

Validation Forms

The office will be making contact with parents who have not returned their student validation forms during the next few weeks.  It is very important to return this information to the school each year as we update our permissions about local excursions, photos, emergency contacts etc.

We are aiming to have all validation forms returned by the end of this month and seek your assistance to meet this deadline.

Hard copies of forms have been sent home to students and we will follow up with SMS text reminders and phone calls.

Cindy McDonald

Lead School Business Manager

Discussions of Learning

Discussions of Learning will be held on Tuesday 27 June (Year 7 & 8 Students at the Ogilvie Campus) and Wednesday 28 June (Year 9 & 10 students at the New Town Campus). Families will have the opportunity to book a 10 minute time slot between 3:30-6:30pm for a discussion with your child’s teacher. Students are encouraged to also attend the evening as the conversations will focus on their learning. Parents/carers will receive further information via SchoolZine App/email around the booking system soon.

University of Newcastle Science and Engineering Challenge 2023

Twenty six of Hobart City High School’s motivated and enthusiastic students participated in the University of Newcastle annual Science and Engineering Challenge.  Students from nine southern based schools worked on a range of STEM related challenge activities involving electronics, mathematics, structural design, problem solving and most importantly lots of teamwork!  HCHS placed 2nd in the challenges premier bridge building event and 2nd in the challenge heat overall meaning they are also in the running for the final spot in the state challenge. 

The conduct of all students who participated was an absolute credit to the individuals involved and the HCHS community.  Congratulations to everyone involved!.

Orion Hedges & Hamish Bruce- Science Teachers

Year 8 Music Mentors

On Tuesday 23 May, the Music department hosted a class of Year 2 students from New Town Primary School who have been learning about sound. Mentors from our Year 8 music class did a fantastic job leading activities and demonstrating how different instruments create vibrations in different ways. A favourite activity was seeing how a bass guitar amplifier was able to move salt around a paper plate!

The Year 2s had a fantastic time, asked some very impressive questions, and finished off the morning by learning an entertaining song with Ms Fletcher.

We loved providing this cross-curricular exploration of music and look forward to future collaborations between between our schools.

Alex Brown - Music Teacher

Year 10 News

Elizabeth College - Meaningful Pathways

Year 10 students have had the opportunity to meet Elizabeth College Curriculum Leaders as part of their Meaningful Pathways journey. Earlier this week, students have enjoyed the opportunity to be introduced to all the courses on offer at Elizabeth College but also to ask questions so that they can make the best choices for their future. Students are able to reengage with the subjects at Elizabeth College at the Information Evening https://www.trybooking.com/CIBQE on Wednesday 7 June and experience the subjects they have chosen via http://eliz.college/taster23 on Taster Day at Elizabeth College on the Tuesday 13 June.

Last week, the Year 10 students also had the unique opportunity to visit Elizabeth College to learn about post Year 10 options. They heard from past HCHS students and EC staff in small groups and were given tours of the College. They also participated in a Career Expo on site at the New Town Campus where they engaged with future education providers and industry representatives. This experience is an important component of the Meaningful Pathways program all our Year 10 students are working through.

EC are running campus tours on selected Tuesday afternoons during Terms 2 and 3, beginning at 3:00pm. This is a great opportunity to see the campus, visit specialised subject areas, meet the leadership team and chat to students and teaching staff. Bookings are essential. To make a booking for a tour and to find out more about the range of upcoming transition opportunities, visit https://elizabethcollege.tas.edu.au/

Big Picture Parent/Student Information Evening

The Big Picture Parent/Student Information Evening will be held on Wednesday 31 May from 6:00 - 7:00pm at Big Picture (H Block) on the Ogilvie Campus. 

Please see the flyer below for more details.

Cameron Gluskie - Big Picture

50th City to Casino Fun Run/Walk

A big congratulations to all students and staff who finished the race on. In conditions that were less than favourable. It was cold, wet and windy! Most of our HCHS runners took part in the 7km race from Cornelian Bay to Wrest Point Casino. Year 10 student Seb, along with Ms McDonald and Ms Plapp, tackled the 12km event from MyState Bank Arena all the way to the Casino. Both races were cold and difficult. We are proud to have so many HCHS runners cross the finish line. Well done, everyone!

Jane Brooks and Jess McDonald - Sports Co-ordinators

Cross Country and Colour Run

We recently held our Cross Country and Colour Run events. Here are a few highlights of the Colour Run.

HCHS Feeder School Taster Day

The Hobart City High School Middle School is looking forward to welcoming all Year 6 students from our Feeder Primary Schools to our Taster Day on Tuesday 13 June.  Students will participate in a range of engaging hands-on sessions, for example: performance, digital technology, physical education, and visual art. Students will also participate in a school campus tour and quiz activity. It will be a wonderful chance to become more familiar with Hobart City High School and to meet our campus staff.

*Please refer to communications from your child's primary school as to the transport arrangements for the day.

Launch of Your Engagement Place (YEP!)

The Commissioner for Children and Young People is excited to announce that our YEP! program is officially launching on 9 May 2023. Your Engagement Place (YEP!) is a place where children and young people under the age of 18 can find ways to engage with CCYP and other organisations around Tasmania to have a voice on things that matter to them. Any child and young person aged under 18 who registers before 9 June enters the membership draw for a chance to win an iPad. Children and young people can register here. T&Cs apply.

You can check out our YEP! hub now by visiting our new CCYP website. If you are an adult and would like to keep up to date with current engagement opportunities available to children and young people in Tasmania, fill out our adult subscription form.

Should you have any questions at all about the new program or wish to promote an ethical engagement opportunity open to young Tasmanians, please do not hesitate to email us at childcomm@childcomm.tas.gov.au or call us on (03) 6166 1366.

Important Dates

29 May - 7F and 7H  Parliment House Visit  9:30 am - 12:30 pm

30 May - Year 6 Tours - OC  9:30 - 10:15 am

31 May - Big Picture Parent/Student Information Evening, H Block OC 6:00 - 7:00 pm

1 June - Big Picture Excursion, Beaker St Co-Lab Project (TMAG) - 9:40am - 2:30pm

2 June - Duke of Edinburgh - Mini Golf @ Putters Adventure Golf (Group 1), 11:15am - 1:15pm

5 June - Bowen Road Primary Visit - OC 9:30 - 10:30am

6 June - School Associaiton Meeting -   5:30 - 7:00 pm

7 June - Elizabeth College Information Session - EC 5:00 - 7:00 pm 

9 June - Duke of Edinburgh - Lawn Bowls @ Buckingham Bowls (Group 2), 11:15am - 1:15pm

9 June - SPSSA - Northern Suburbs Winter School Roster - Helpers 12:30 - 3:00pm

12 June - Kings Birthday - Public Holiday

13 June - Year 6 Taster Day  OC

13 June - Elizabeth College Year 10 Taster Day @ EC

16 June - Duke of Edinburgh - Waterway Clean Up (Group 2), 11:15am - 1:15pm

19 June - 7A and 7D  Parliment House Visit  9:30 - 12:30 pm

20 June - All Schools Cross Country - Symmons Plains

23 June - Duke of Edinburgh - Mini Golf @ Putters Adventure Golf (Group 2), 11:15am - 1:15pm

23 June - SPSSA - Northern Suburbs Winter Roster - Helpers @ Moonah Primary, 12:30 - 3:00pm

27 June - Discussions of Learning, Years 7 and 8 - OC 3:30 - 6:30pm

28 June - New Town Primary Visit - NTC  1:40 - 2.40pm

28 June - Discussions of Learning, Year 9 and 10 - NTC 3:30 - 6:30pm

30 June - Newsletter published

30 June - Year 8 into Year 9 Transition Day - OC and NTC

4 July - School Association - Meet and greet partner primary schools  OC Lower Student Centre

5 July - Whole School Assembly - Aurora Stadium

6 July - Big Picture Year 9 Celebration Day - NTC  10:00am - 2:00pm

7 July - Term 2 Concludes

24 July - Professioanl Learning Day

25 July - Term 3 Commences