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As we reach the end of Week 8 and fatigue looms upon us, I would like to take this opportunity to remind our Parklands Community of the wonderful examples of positive and meaningful relationships that have been built, examples of respect and care that have been shown and high expectations that have been met over the last few weeks.
We know school can sometimes be a challenging place for some students emotionally, socially and academically. Recently we were reminded of the difference the right programs and the right people can make in a student’s life through a letter sent directly to The Minister of Education, Sarah Courtney, by a parent in our community. The letter outlined some of the schooling challenges this family had endured and the absence of hope that they felt, before connecting with our support space, teacher Andrea Harding and our Aboriginal Education Officer, Guy Grey. The results for this family have been transformational both socially and academically and could not have been achieved without the presence of strong relationships between our staff, students and families.
Alongside the excellent work in our support space, we also draw upon the strengths and skills of staff to deliver additional programs to students that provide unique learning opportunities, are engaging and allow students to experience success. One of our most recent programs, The Drumbeat Program - an evidence-based cognitive therapy program, designed to develop students' social and emotional skills - is run by our school Chaplain, Chris Swain. The name DRUMBEAT is an acronym for Discovering Relationships Using Music, Beliefs, Emotions, Attitudes and Thoughts. Students working with Chris have experienced great enjoyment and success through their participation. Recently, Youth Worker Giovanna Simpson shared our success with The Somerset Rotary Club, who were so impressed with the benefits of the program, they purchased a set of 12 drums for our students. These drums will benefit a large number of students at Parklands over a long period of time and we are deeply grateful to The Somerset Rotary Club for their kindness and generosity.
In Term 3 of each year, Parklands students participate in the Student Wellbeing Survey, which is a tool used across government schools in Tasmania to collect data about student wellbeing. This data provides schools with information to help support the wellbeing needs of students in their schools. At Parklands, staff have a collective focus on identifying areas for growth and applying strategies from our work and understanding of the Berry Street Educational Model (evidence-based trauma informed practice). Each grade team has been working hard on implementing activities and strategies from Berry Street resources, which are aligned to the results of the 2020 survey and aimed at improving the overall wellbeing of students at Parklands. This is just another example of how staff at Parklands are working incredibly hard to support and meet the needs of all students in their care.
In the past two weeks, we have also seen our Student Leadership Group and Parklands community band together to support MND (Motor Neuron Disease). Students and staff wore bright blue in recognition of those suffering from this insidious disease. At lunchtime, some of our students and staff slid down what could be referred to as the most epic slide seen at Parklands to date, in front of a large audience. The Student Leaders raised a phenomenal amount of money - approximately $1200 dollars, which was an amazing effort!
On Wednesday, June 9 our Health and Physical Education (HPE) teachers, Mariah Payne and Kirk Hampton accompanied a large group of students to the Inter-High Cross Country Carnival in Penguin. Our students demonstrated some outstanding grit and determination and returned with some fantastic top ten individual performances from James Frankcombe (Year 10), Hannah Frankcombe (Year 8), Shiralee Campbell (Year 7), Mitchell Burley (Year 9) and Ava Crawford (Year 9). We look forward to reading a more detailed report from our HPE team.
In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all staff for their hard work in providing a variety of valuable learning experiences and care for our students. This article has only captured a small number of opportunities provided to students by hard working and committed staff at Parklands. I know that I am proud to be a part of an amazing community of students and adults.
Health Services Assistance - Work Placement Experience
From May 10 - 14, first year Certificate III Health Services Assistance students participated in a 5-day work placement at the North-West Regional Hospital. Students were able to work in a range of areas such as the kitchen, domestic services, central sterilising department, COVID screening desks, paediatrics, and with the attendants. Some of our favourite parts of the week were:
Harry - 'Being able to see all parts of the hospital and seeing how important the role of an attendant is. As well as meeting new productive and positive people'.
Mia – 'I enjoyed being the first person that everyone would see as they walked into the hospital and being able to help them find the places they must go'.
Ella S – 'I enjoyed interacting with patients'.
Kaletah – 'I enjoyed being able to work with hospital staff and seeing the process of cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilising'.
Tanarrah – 'Working with Shakira, an AIN in paediatrics'.
Ella M – 'Seeing how everything works in the Central Sterilising Department'.
Chloe – 'Working with the attendants and learning heaps of new skills'.
We would all like to say a massive thank you to everyone who made work placement possible, including all hospital staff that catered for us while we were there.
From May 17 - 21, the second year Certificate in Health Services Assistance students participated in a 5 day work placement at the North West Regional Hospital. Students had the opportunity to experience working in the Central Sterilising Department, Hotel & Domestic Services and with the Plaster Technician. This took them into the Operating Theatres, Recovery, Outpatients, the Emergency Department, Children’s Ward and Medical Ward.
Feedback from the students confirmed that these experiences opened their eyes to the greater possibilities and range of roles in the health care sector. Supervisors shared that our students were well presented, polite and a pleasure to work with.
Ambyre found the surgical instruments in the Central Sterilising Department interesting with names such as Cat's Paw and Dolphin Fin.
Kasey really enjoyed getting the hands on experience of working with the Plaster Technician and the interactions with the patients.
Kimberley found the work with the Plaster Technician and Hotel & Domestic Services interesting and experienced both a Code Black and a Code Blue while working in the Emergency Department.
The students were appreciative of the experiences they had during this time and are very grateful to all the staff involved and to their teachers for facilitating this experience for them.
Ms Andrea Crawford
Year 11/12 Coordinator
Rotary Youth Driver Awareness Program
On Wednesday May 26, the Grade 10 cohort participated in the RYDA (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness) program. We did this program at Camp Clayton in Ulverstone and were happily joined by another school. Throughout the day there were so many activities to be apart of.
We stayed in our homegroups and then went to our first session. We were given booklets to fill out during the day to help us comprehend some of the heavier stuff. Some key themes from throughout the day were stopping distances, how to talk when feeling unsafe, and talking to a victim himself. After looking at cars, talking to a police officer, seeing real life evidence, it is a day that will not be forgotten by new drivers.
The day made us think outside the box and made us feel uncomfortable. We are extremely fortunate that we could attend this program so that we can prepare to be out on the open road.
We would like to thank Camp Clayton, the program organisers from RYDA and the teachers that accompanied us throughout the day.
Bella Jongschaap
Year 10
On Wednesday June 9, 37 students from Parklands High participated at the Inter High Cross-Country Championships, which was held at Dial Park in Penguin. Races were held in 15 minute intervals, with all girls and the 7/8 boys running a distance of 4km and the 9/10 boys running 4.5km. Students were greeted by a wet track with windy conditions, but as the day progressed the weather was perfect for race day. After some amazing individual efforts and a great overall team effort, we were thrilled to be runners-ups in Division 2. Special mention goes out to James Frankcombe who finished top of the podium for the Grade 10 boys and Hannah Frankcombe who finished third for the Grade 8 girls. Other special mentions go to Mitchell Burley (4th), Ava Crawford (9th) and Shiralee Campbell (6th) who all ran well in their respective races. Congratulations to all participants.
James Frankcombe
Year 10
On the June 9, I went with the other pupils in my class on a trip to a pig farm, a bushwalk and the Anvers Chocolate Factory. The pig farm was so much fun and the little piglets were very cute. We also got to pat a large bull. He was very cute. After the pig farm we travelled up to the Dial Ranges and we went on a big bushwalk. It was tiring but very much worth it. The view from the top was amazing. We walked back down, then got back in the van and travelled to Anvers Chocolate Factory. Once we got to Anvers, we all went and sat down at the table and ordered our food. All of us girls got waffles, they were delicious and so were the drinks! We then got to tour the chocolate factory. It was very interesting to see how all the chocolate was processed and made. We also got to taste some chocolate, which was very yummy. After the big day, all of us were very tired and Taylah even had a nap on the drive back. It was a very fun day and I can’t wait for another trip.
By Bella Maartensz
Mt Gnomon Farm was a great experience for us girls. We started our day off at Mt Gnomon Pig Farm, where we were greeted by Guy, the owner of the farm and Coco, his friendly companion, the dog. I wasn’t expecting to see so many piglets! My favourites were the caramel coloured piggies. We then got to go in a paddock with a bull and patted him. The worst part was the chickens! They were EVERYWHERE! We figured out how to open these big beautiful barn doors, which were so heavy! We totally should build some at Parklands! We then went to the Dial Ranges and went to the mountain which was exhausting. When we got to the top, the view was stunning. G then drove us to Latrobe, where we went to Anvers Chocolate Factory; we had the biggest waffle that I have ever seen. We had a small tour of the chocolate factory and we were expecting Willy Wonka to pop out! This trip was so much fun, and it was a great bonding experience for us girls.
By Lilly Dolting
On June 9, me, Dekota, Chloe, Taylah, Lilly and Bella M went in the van to Mt Gnomon and walked up it. Me, Chloe, Dekota and Bella got up the mountain in 22 minutes. When we came back down, we went to Anvers chocolate factory. We had lunch and had a tour of the factory and tried some chocolate. After we had lunch, we got in the van and went home. We were all tired. Me and Taylah had a little nap on the way home.
By Taylah Kube
On the June 9, a small group of us Parklands schoolgirls (as well as Tina, Giovanna and Constable Kellie Little) went on an adventure to a pig farm, the Dial Range bush track and Anvers Chocolate Factory. The piggy farm was such an experience. We held a piglet and patted a bull! The walk took on average about an hour, but myself, Dekota, Bella K and Bella M made it up Mt Gnomon in about 20 minutes. When we got to Anvers, we all sat down and ordered our food. All of us ordered waffles and they were amazing. Overall, the day was good!
By Chloe Lee
On June 9, me, Chloe, Bella K, Lilly, Taylah and Bella M went on a trip to Mt Gnomon. Me, Bella K and Chloe made it to the top in 22 minutes, after that all the girls caught up and me, Chloe, Bella k and Bella M , ran back down and waited for the rest of the girls to come back down. Us four girls hid from the teachers and the girls and I tried to scare them, but it didn’t work. But we tried! After that we went to the Chocolate Factory and learnt abut Igor and all the stuff he had done. Did you know that in Belgium, what ever you were or liked, that was what your coffin was made of? Amazing! After we learnt about Igor (the owner), we had some food and a drink and we talked and had a good time. After that we went back to school. Thank you guys for such a good day!
By Bella Kube
On June 4, Parklands High School held MND day to help raise awareness and funds to contribute to research aimed at beating motor neuron disease. The day started with everyone dressed in blue and white and the Leadership Team helping to get everything ready and set with a major focus on the MND slide. At recess, Mitchell Burley and Taleah Smith were very busy selling the amazing frogs in a pond, which were a big hit. At lunch it was all hands on deck for the Leadership Team as there were many jobs for them to do including cooking food on the BBQ, selling raffle tickets and making sure the slide was slippery and wet ready for the designated teachers to go down. As the slide started, it was good to see teachers brave the cold and conquer the slide. As a reward for raising the most money as a class, 8D had a turn on the slide after lunch. 8D was joined by the Leadership Team who also enjoyed sliding into the icy cold water. On the day we raised an astonishing $1222.45, which is a new record for Parklands!
We would like to thank all students and staff for supporting this event and we look forward to next year's ‘PHS Freeze’.
Caleb Ling
Year 10
The Fairy Godmother's is a not for profit organisation that assist the Tasmanian community and families who have children with disabilities, special needs and medical conditions who require equipment, resources, financial assistance and medical attention. July is Fairy Godmother month and we are excited to bring you the first Fairy Godmother's Masked Ball on July 17th, 2021. This will be their major fundraiser for the year.
Ticket sales are limited and Covid Restrictions will apply. To enter, you must be wearing a mask! That can be a covid face mask or a masquerade mask! It is up to you! The fancier the better! There will also be a silent auction on the night, entertainment and platters. Tickets are just $75 and are available online now at www.burnietickets.com.au