Newsletter No 7, Friday 6 September

Message From The Principal

As we enter the final stretch of Term 3, we are thrilled to reflect on the many achievements and events that have brought our school community together in recent weeks helping to create a positive school culture and a sense of belonging. It's been an exciting time, filled with learning and extra curricula activities that showcase the diverse talents of our students.

For the first half of this term our school-wide positive behaviour focus has been on respect. We have now shifted our focus for the remainder of term on the explicit teaching of the value of responsibility. It has been encouraging to see students across all year levels actively engaging in discussions and actions that reflect taking responsibility for their learning, behaviour and contributions to the school community. From the classroom to the playground, responsibility is an essential value that underpins everything we do at Hobart City High, and we’re proud of the way our students are rising to this expectation.

Our recent Swimming Carnival was a fantastic display of house spirit, athleticism and collaboration. Congratulations to all participants who competed with determination and sportsmanship. Whether setting new personal bests or cheering on their peers from the stands, our students embodied the essence of teamwork and pride in their achievements.

Our Book Week celebrations were another highlight, sparking creativity and a joy for reading across the school. It was wonderful to see students and staff alike embrace this year’s magical theme and the parade was a particular standout, with so many imaginative costumes. A special thank you to our library team for their hard work in organising such a successful week and to the families who supported their young people to join in the fun.

This week we have welcomed Year 3/4 students from our feeder primary schools for a STEM Spectacular. The sessions have been filled with hands-on experiments and a taste of the exciting learning opportunities awaiting them at Hobart City High. It was a pleasure to see so much curiosity and enthusiasm as these young learners engaged with STEM in a dynamic way. A huge thank you to our amazing students and staff who have put together and planned the experiments to make this week such a success.

Sporting achievements continue to shine, with many of our students playing in grand finals across various sports. These young athletes have demonstrated perseverance, skill and teamwork and we wish them all the best as they finish their seasons on a high note.

Our Tournament of Minds teams are in the final stages of preparation ahead of the Branch final this Saturday. The creativity, collaboration and critical thinking that our students have shown throughout this journey are truly inspiring. We are incredibly proud of the effort and innovation displayed by all participants. We wish them all the best this weekend.

As we approach the final weeks of term, I encourage everyone to keep demonstrating our school values of courage, connection, and growth, respect and responsibility and to finish the term strong.

Camp Opportunities for Year 9 and 10 2025

Hobart City High School is thrilled to offer three unique and enriching camp experiences for our students in Year 9 and 10 in 2025. We will be seeking expressions of interest for the following paid camp options:

1. Ski Trip to Mt Hotham – Enjoy an exhilarating winter adventure at one of Australia’s premier ski destinations. Perfect for students who love the thrill of skiing or snowboarding and want to experience the beauty of the snow-capped mountains.
2. Japan Cultural Immersion – Immerse yourself in the rich culture, history, and traditions of Japan. This trip offers a chance to practise language, explore vibrant cities, experience Japanese school life, and engage with the local community for an unforgettable cultural experience.
3. World Challenge Borneo – Embark on a life-changing global adventure that builds leadership, resilience, and teamwork. This trip combines physical challenges, community engagement, and exploration of some of the world’s most inspiring locations.

Camps will be run subject to minimum numbers. An information session on these camps will be held as part of our Year 9-12 Discovery Evening, 5.00-6.30pm Thursday 19 September. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about these incredible experiences and how your young person can get involved! More information to follow.

School Association News

Are you looking for a meaningful way to contribute to our school community? Consider joining the School Association Committee! This is a fantastic opportunity to get involved, share your ideas and help make a positive impact on our students’ educational experience.

As a committee member, you’ll have a voice in shaping the future of the school, organising fundraisers and providing input to the school leadership on behalf of families and students. Your involvement can make a real difference, and it’s a great way to connect with other parents and stay engaged with school activities.

We’re seeking enthusiastic parents who are passionate about supporting our school and our students. Whether you have a lot of time to give or just a little, there’s a place for you on our committee.

Interested? Please reach out to us at HCHS.Association@decyp.tas.gov.au. We look forward to working together to make our school a fantastic place for our young people!

News From Our School Health Nurse

🌟R U OK? Day🌟

As September unfolds and Spring is (hopefully!) on its way, we want to remind you about an important day coming up: R U OK? Day is on Thursday 12 September. This day is dedicated to fostering meaningful conversations about mental health and ensuring everyone feels supported.

What is R U OK? Day?

R U OK? Day began in Australia in 2009 as a national day dedicated to encouraging people to connect with others and ask if they’re OK. The aim is to inspire meaningful conversations that can make a real difference in someone's life. The idea is simple yet powerful: by asking “Are you OK?” and actively listening, we can help those around us feel valued and supported.

How You Can Get Involved:

Check In: On Thursday 12 September, take a moment to ask your friends and classmates how they’re doing. A simple “Are you OK?” can mean a lot and can help start a supportive conversation.

Reach Out: If you’re struggling or need someone to talk to, please visit any member of our support team, including our School Health Nurses, Social Workers, Psychologists and your teachers. Remember, it is okay to ask for help.

Support Each Other: Let’s create a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and heard. Small gestures of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s day.

Let’s make R U OK? Day a reminder of the power of compassion and the importance of looking out for one another. Together, we can build a caring community where everyone feels heard and understood.

Hayley Standen - School Health Nurse

Year 8 Visual Arts - Young Archies Award

Based on the famous Archibald Prize, the Young Archies Awards is a portrait competition open to all students in Tasmanian Government schools and colleges.

Awards are presented in year categories for the best portrait of a person created by a student during the 12 months before the closing date. Portraits can be in any 2D media, such as a drawing, painting or collage, but cannot include photography. The portrait must be of someone personally known to the student.

All artworks will be exhibited in Hobart at the UTAS School of Creative Arts and Media for two weeks in September. Following this, a touring exhibition of the 2024 Young Archies Awards prize recipients will visit Launceston and Burnie. Check the Young Archies Awards website for updates on exhibition dates and opening hours.

Young Archies Awards - Department for Education, Children and Young People (decyp.tas.gov.au)

Here are the entries from Ms Hawson’s Year 8 class!  

Well done to Eli, Steph, Erin, Heta, Lili and Verda.

Book Week

Book Week this year had three main events for the students to enjoy.

Cracked and Spineless New and Used books supplied the library displays with loads of books for students to choose for the school.

We had a Costume Day on the Tuesday, with the theme of Reading is Magic. Students and staff got House points for dressing up and the winners got vouchers from Area 52, a local shop that sells books and games.

The middle school had a parade in the hall. Our prefects hosted House Reading at lunchtime in the library at the senior school.

The delightful New Town Primary School preps visited the Ogilvie campus library on Wednesday. The library monitors read, Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The students had a scavenger hunt for tokens to put on their broom pictures and they decorated wand themed bookmarks. It was a magical hour.

Families Satisfaction Survey 2024

Years 9 -12 Information Evening

House Writing

Digital Skills for Families

Save the Date

Important Dates

11 September - Big Picture -  Beaufront Camp

11 September - Hobart City Secondary Chess Tournament - OC

17 September - Bell Shakespeare: The Human Experience - NTC

20 September - Big Picture - Bonorong Park Excursion

20 September - Inter High Swimming Carnival - Aquatic Centre

23 September - International Day Of Sign Languages

24 September - Year 7 Just One Celebration - OC

27 September - Term Three Concludes

14 October - Term Four Commences

21 October - State Chess Finals

24 October - Public Holiday - Show Day

25 October - Student Free Day 

4 - 5 November - Year 9 Outdoor Education Camp - Fortescue Bay 

7 November - HCHS Art Showcase 4.30pm - 7.00pm - OC

10 November - Transgender Awareness Week   

11 November - Athletics Carnival - Domain Athletics Centre

11 November - Remembrance Day

16 - 17 November - Regional High School Tournament

21 November - Inter High Athletics Carnival - Domain Athletics Centre

25 November - International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women 

30 November - State High School Championships