Congratulations to the following students who received
recognition in the Assembly on Wednesday, March 31:

Core Value Awards

7A – Felix O’Brien

7B – Russi Sturzaker

7C – Kyle Stubbs

7D – Lucy Feltham

7E – Rylan Smith

8A – Isabella Riley

8B – Bobby Beatson

8C – Sharrai-Rose Young

8D – Maddie Lamprey

8E – Ella Parker

9A – Isabella Last

9B – Jemma Poke

9C – Levi Lyon-McDonald

9D - Gemma Enkelaar

10A – Connor Ferguson

10B – Isabella Sharman

10C – Angus Bray

AdMan – Roy Chilcott

The Hub – Ryan Spurge

11/12 – Paige Marshall

Swimming Records

Swimming Champions

Mat Problem Solving Competition 

We are writing to inform parents and carers that the school Cross Country Carnival is approaching, and we will be completing cross country carnival training throughout Term 2. This will be occurring during your child’s scheduled Health and Physical Education (HPE) lessons until the commencement of the school carnival. Please ensure that your child is equipped with a change of shoes and socks during this time. Please note that during training times, your child may be out of direct sight of staff for short periods.

The Parklands High School Cross Country Carnival will be held on Friday, May 28 and will run the entirety of the school day. The course begins on the school oval, moving down Atkins Drive and up Mount Street, before entering Romaine reserve.  The course ends on the school oval and is approximately 4.5km in length.  All families are welcome to come and support our runners on the day and will be asked to spectate from the allocated zone on the southern side of the oval. Students will be able to wear their full school Sports Uniform to school on this day. Students are permitted to wear house coloured accessories eg: school house trucker caps, bucket hats, ribbons, zinc, headbands etc. to support their house.

Students will be in year groups for blocks 1-4, completing a selection of team building activities for house points. After lunch, students will head to the oval for the cross country races.

1:10 pm                                 7/8 girls start

1:15 pm                                 9/10 girls start

1:20 pm                                 7/8 boys start

1:25 pm                                 9/10 boys start

There will be staff supervising at numerous checkpoints around the course. A number of these staff will have first aid certification, their vehicles and supplies with them. In the instance that a student is injured or is not upholding the school's Core Values, they may need to be transported back to school from a course checkpoint in a staff member's private vehicle.

The carnival is held on a normal school day, therefore students are required to attend school for the entire day. If your child is injured or unable to participate for any reason, please contact the school so alternative arrangements can be made. If you have any questions about the cross country or the training schedule please contact one of the HPE staff at school on 6464 0600.

Year 11 & 12 teachers are currently preparing reports to be sent home with students on Friday, May 14. Term 2 reports include a written comment about progress and areas of strength and improvement for each subject the student is enrolled in. Parent/Teacher/Student interviews will be conducted on Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 May, with more information about bookings in the next newsletter.

Andrea Crawford

Year 11&12 Coordinator        

Savage River mine - Grange Resources - mines for magnetite, an iron oxide mineral and is used in making steel. Savage River is mainly an open-cut mine, but they do have underground tunnels. On our excursion, we were shown the two main open-cut areas, the north and south mine. They use explosives and heavy machinery to mine for the magnetite.

We were also shown the service buildings, where people are trained to operate the dump trucks, and where the dump trucks are serviced. The reason the mine is called ‘Savage River’ is because of the river running through the mine is named ‘Savage River'. The mine is located near the West coast of Tasmania in Savage River National Park, about half an hour west of Waratah.

My favourite part was the dump truck simulators and seeing how the operators are trained to drive these huge machines. It was a cool experience. In the simulator, you experience the rocking of the seat and the vibration of the engine, which feels just like it would if you were actually in the truck. We were able to see a truck and sit in the cabin. You don’t understand the actual scale of the trucks until you are standing beside one. The excursion was just an awesome experience overall.

By Miguel Guthrie

Welcome back year 8’s!

Term 2 has started and in Year 8 we have hit the ground running. It has been so fantastic to see everyone back, ready to launch into learning, socialise with peers, set new goals and meet new challenges. It has been fantastic to see so many students return in full school uniform with enthusiasm to get back into learning.

Our focus in Term 2 this year is on perseverance and resilience, which will see our Year 8s work on setting goals and challenging themselves and each other to be our best. This term we also have 2 PCYC team challenge excursions, which will see 8B, 8C, 8D and 8E complete an intense and fun obstacle course with Geoff Taylor, a course 8A thoroughly enjoyed last term. Congratulations to 8A for having an awesome go on the track with Geoff and a special mention to Tayah S and Kade for their persistence and dedication to completing the course!

This term we also welcome Leah Cannon as our class captains in 8B. Congratulations Leah. The class captains this year have worked hard to keep our display boards, newsletters and grade assemblies fun, up to date and relevant. You should all be proud of your work so far. I look forwards to working with you again this term!

Thank you for a brilliant first week back Year 8s!

Miss Emily Devlin

Year 8 report from 8B class captains:

It feels great being back at school this term and seeing everyone again! This term has lots of fun things planned such as the upcoming PCYC excursions for Year 8, the cross-country carnival and our PHS vs Mountain Heights sports day.

Classes have also been lots of fun with the study of travel in Japanese classes, cooking up a feast (including caramel slice and Shepard’s pie) in Food Studies, the girls in Sports for girl have also been getting a workout which could help with the upcoming cross-country! Go Tarapa!

Last term the class captains came up with the Parkland’s Positive and Perseverance award, recognising students who uphold our core values and demonstrate persistence; we are happy to announce the first winner of this award for Term 2 to Danika Johnston who upholds our core values and has put 100% into her classes. Well done Danika! Welcome back all Year 8s looking; let's all look forward to a great Term 2.

Leah Cannon

This year’s ANZAC Day Service looked somewhat different to years past. With COVID-safe plans in action all over the nation, this year’s ANZAC Day Service did not begin with the traditional march from Burnie’s RSL Club. Instead, guests and patrons signed in at the Burnie Park and gathered at the Burnie Cenotaph. Parklands High School were represented by Burnie Youth Mayor – Danielle Jones, Parklands High School Student Leadership Group President – Bella Jongschaap and House Captains – Nikita Hennessy and Tylani Opatha. Bella had the privilege of reading this year’s ANZAC Day address, not only representing Parklands but all schools in the Burnie region. She is to commended for her efforts. The Student Leadership Group represented Parklands exceptionally.

Jamie Hughes

Student Leadership Coordinator 

Conspicuous consumption  

We have all been victims of conspicuous consumption at one stage or another. Trying to keep up with trends, buying the new phones, makeup, clothes and the unnecessary purchase of luxury items to demonstrate one’s wealth. Many of us have a desire to constantly buy new items so we are not falling behind our friends.

As teenagers, it can feel scary to be different to others. Not conforming to trends can cause a lot of stress for young people; however, this need to keep up with trends can follow some people into adulthood, leading to conspicuous consumption.

There are many theories on conspicuous consumption, the first one was developed by Thorstein Veblen in 1899. Veblen claimed that there was a relationship between a person’s material possessions and their social status. Veblen also stated that the goods consumed were wasteful and did not hold useful value to the consumer. In 1967, the theory was developed further by economist, James Duesenberry who first described the “bandwagon” effect. Duesenberry claimed that people purchased goods and services to maintain their self-esteem and keep up with social standards.

There are many ideas as to why conspicuous consumption exists. it could be due to competitiveness of individuals. Individuals could experience the feelings of insecurity because they are different from other people around them. People can also conspicuously consume items to hide their insecurities as they can believe that, luxury things can define them. Advertising also plays a huge role in unnecessary consumption. Advertising can make people feel as if they are missing out on an experience rather than just an item. Companies have found a way to get consumers to believe they are not just buying a product, but they are buying an experience along with it. So, what will you base your consumer choices on – jumping on the bandwagon to purchase things you don’t really need, or making ethical and responsible consumer choices?

Anonymous

On Friday the 26^th of March, 26 students set off to Marist Regional College to compete in the annual Science and Engineering Challenge. Students were split into smaller groups and were required to solve engineering problems through a practical approach. For example, Bella Jongscaap and Danielle Jones had to design and build a bridge that could span a gap of 62cm. They were scored on how well their bridge held up to differing amounts of weight and how much material they used to build it.

Danielle Jones and Bella Jongschaap designing their bridge.

Bella Jongschaap testing the bridge

In Hover Frenzy Sarah Cock, Elizabeth Heazlewood, Caleb ling and Kayden Byard had to design and build a hover craft that was not only fast and manoeuvrable but could also move over undulating terrain. This was group were overall winners for this task.

Sarah Cock, Elizabeth Heazlewood, Caleb ling and Kayden Byard trialling their hovercraft.

Lakota Upton, Emma Clayton and Carole Self testing their turbine.

In turbine, students had to design, build and test a model water turbine that spun efficiently to generate power as water flowed over it.

There were six schools participating on the day, and Parklands High placed a very respectable third overall, with only a handful of points separating the top four schools. Well done to everyone who competed on the day; it was a fun and successful day and you did Parklands High School proud.

Luke Hickman

Science Coordinator

We have some inspirational people come to Parklands to share their stories. Back in 2019 a young lady by the name of Nicola McDermott came to our school. Over 100 of our students had the opportunity to meet the then 22-year-old Australian high jump, bronze medallist; Nicola claimed the bronze medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and has travelled the world with many other high jumpers to help expand her knowledge and skill in the sport. Nicola talked to the students about how she came from a small town in New South Wales where many believed she would never get to the level that she is right now. She talked about how she was training in a small garage with a friend while still attending school and working in a fish and chip shop. Nicola talked about how she had to work hard and didn’t have everything given to her at any stage, unlike the other girls in her sport who had access to high tech gyms and training programs. In a less than perfect environment, with support from family and some friends, with grit and determination and a desire to succeed, she still made it to the highest level of competition in the world. Nicola had a goal that she shared with the students on that day, which was to be the first Australian woman to jump 2 meters. Then on the 18 April this year, she achieved that goal, beating the previous mark of 1.99 meters set last year by her domestic rival Elanor Patterson. Nicola has qualified for the Tokyo Games and will be in the hunt for a medal. She never gave up on her dream and at the age of 24 became the first Australian woman to jump 2 meters. Those students, two years ago, were encouraged to never give up on their sporting dreams and know that they can do anything they put their mind to. I would echo that sentiment but take it further to never give up on any of your dreams. Tough times will come, you will have ups and downs, the environment and opportunities may be limited but you can do anything that you put your mind to. There will be those who knock you and can’t see you succeeding, but also there will be those supporting you and cheering you on.

Nicola’s message was inspiring two years ago and now we can see the dream that she had realised. I don’t believe that it will stop there for her. I would imagine that the goal of an Olympic medal is in her sights and I for one will be cheering her on.   

Mr Chris Swain

School Chaplain

On Wednesday 14, April, I flew out of Launceston Airport on my way to the Australian National Track and Field Championships where I represented Tasmania in the U17 2000 metre Steeple Chase and the 3000 meters. Upon arrival, we made our way to Parramatta where we would be staying. After a day of shopping on Thursday we arrived at Olympic Park on Friday for a training session at the warmup track. While there I caught up with a few of my teammates. After another day of sightseeing it was time to get ready for the steeple chase. This race consists of 5.5 laps of the track and jumping 4 hurdles and 1 water hazard each lap; it was a great experience running against so many other competitors. After the race I was able to meet some of this year’s Olympians who were also competing at the carnival. On the final day I competed in the 3000 metres. This was also enjoyable and again I got to meet so many people from all over Australia. Overall I had a great time and enjoyed representing Tasmania. I would also like to thank everyone who supported me from our school community.

James Frankcombe

Year 10

The National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) was first undertaken as an online test in Tasmania during 2019. Tasmanian schools will again participate in NAPLAN Online this year.

NAPLAN Online provides better assessment and more precise results.

The assessments feature a tailored test design where the questions a student receives will depend on their answers to previous questions.

NAPLAN testing will be held from the 11 to 21 May 2021.

Online testing will be available for each of the NAPLAN year levels (3, 5, 7 and 9).

NAPLAN assessments include four components, Writing, Numeracy, Conventions of Language and Reading. Please note that all Year Three students will be completing a paper-based Writing Test.

Schools will receive reports and results for participants following the completion of the NAPLAN Online assessment window. These Individual Student Reports will have the same format as in previous years. This format is used for every student in Australia.

A parent/carer brochure containing more information about the NAPLAN Online assessments, will be distributed by the school to families of students sitting NAPLAN this year.

If you have further questions, please contact Anthony Hall at the school on 6464 0600.

Advanced Maths students working on an Algebra puzzle.

We have a number of families looking for rental properties within the Burnie region.

If you have a place to rent or know of any available, please make contact with the school as soon as possible.

Do Year 11 and 12 your way

When you finish Year 11 and 12, anything can happen.  In Tasmania, you need to stay in education and training until you turn 18 years of age or meet a leaving requirement, under the Education Act.  A leaving requirement includes the following:

• Completing Year 11 and 12 (this may include an Australian school-based apprenticeship);
• A full time VET program at TasTAFE or other Registered Training Organisation;
• An apprenticeship or traineeship with an employer; or
• A combination of these options, if the provider(s) allow.

Once you leave school, it can be tough out there.  Most jobs today require you to complete Year 12 as a minimum and 91% of all new jobs will also require a VET or university qualification.  That’s why there are now more ways than ever before to finish Year 11 and 12 your way.

You don’t need to finish school the old-fashioned way.  There are courses and training programs available to suit everyone.  Just ask your teachers, year level coordinator or My Education Coordinator – they will be able to tell you all about your options.   There are so many more opportunities available to you if you complete Year 12. 

Remember if you’re not enjoying what you’re doing at school, you’re not stuck.  You can always shift focus and find the best options to suit you.  If you are a parent or carer and you are confused about your child’s options or whether they are reaching their full potential, speak to their teachers or email years9to12@education.tas.gov.au .  To find out more and see real stories and videos on Tasmanian education pathways, head to www.anything.tas.gov.au       

Asthma is a long-term lung condition.  People with asthma have sensitive airways in their lungs which react to triggers, causing a ‘flare-up’. In a flare-up, the muscles around the airway squeeze tight, the airways swell and become narrow and there is more mucus. These things make it harder to breathe.  

As we near cold and flu season people with Asthma can be hit particularly hard as symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing become exacerbated, and the risk of a flare-up increases – so it’s crucial to protect yourself by getting an annual flu vaccine. Children quite often miss days of school due to flare-up’s of their Asthma. Contact your schools School Health Nurse if you would like to discuss your child’s Asthma or require help with an Asthma Action Plan. 

Tina Ellis RN

School Health Nurse Program