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- Assistant Principal's Report
- Nambi 2022 - Orders Close Thursday 17, November
- Packages of Learning Opportunities 2023
- Meet Our Student Leaders - 2022
- Celebrating 25 Years of Service
- Art Camp 2022 - Reminder
- Swimming Carnival
- Cradle Mountain Camp
- Devil's Gate Excursion
- Packages of Learning - Childrens Week Activities
- Exploring Identity - Year 10 Poems
- Hobart Hurricanes School Cup
- Can You Help - Empty Soft Drink Bottles
- Beyond Year 12
- Smith Family - Saver Plus Flyer
- Smith Family - Saver Plus Fact Sheet
- School Times
- Student Pickup and Drop Off Zones
- Vaping Fact Sheet
- Tasmania Term Dates and Professional Learning Days 2022
- 2022 Levies
- Join Girl Guides Today
"Life is difficult”
“Once we accept life is difficult, life is no longer difficult.” Scott Peck, The Road Less Travelled.
The above quote from a famous psychologist has really connected with me over the last week. Our school community has been faced with considerable challenges, sadness and grief. Before we can reflect on our response to this, I would like everyone to take the time to think of the family who tragically lost a loved one in an accident over the weekend. We can’t imagine the feelings that they would be going through, and the Parklands community’s thoughts and wishes are with them. We have so much respect for how they have responded to circumstances that we can’t begin to comprehend.
In response to the critical incident on the weekend, the Parklands spirit has needed to be evident, and that it has. To see students, staff and parents approach such a sad and devasting accident with empathy and respect continues to highlight how strong our team is. Students, staff, and the wider community have been saddened by the loss of a young person who displayed an admirable approach to life, demonstrated a desire to reach their goals and was truly respected by all those who knew him. Tyler displayed our school’s values, in both words and actions. We know he will be forever missed by everyone.
This incident has been a challenging reminder that we must strive to be our best every day and take nothing for granted. How can each person make the most of the time, opportunities, and relationships that we have? By focussing on our mindset. Below are some points from Ash Barty’s Mindset coach, Ben Crowe:
- Embrace vulnerability – lean into risk, uncertainty, and emotional exposure. Don’t deny your emotions, as they are real. Be willing to share these with people. This creates connection.
- Decisions, not conditions, decide your mindset and attitude - When it’s sunny, some people are happy. When it’s rainy, some people are sad. This mindset will not set you up for success. We can’t let our conditions influence our emotions. We own these, not the conditions. Our decisions control our emotions.
- We are all enough – Everyone deserves to be respected and loved for who they are without judgement or comparison.
This week we have seen many members of our school demonstrate these principles. Our staff have embraced vulnerability by being willing to commit to professional learning and be open to their strengths as a teacher, and their stretch (areas to improve). This was evident when our teaching staff worked with Gavin Grift during our student-free day last Friday. Staff were able to learn from Gavin the power of strong collaboration and adopting a growth mindset to improve our teaching to create greater and more meaningful learning experiences for our students
So many students over the last fortnight have made positive decisions and put themselves out there to grow and learn. We have seen students embrace Cradle Mountain and stay two nights at the Scout Hut in snowing conditions, participate in the school’s swimming carnival, give their best effort in recent PAT testing and participate in their first Outdoor Ed excursion (some of our 9s and 10s). It’s so easy to just sit there and say no to these events; however, when people make the decision to take a risk they have control over their destiny. Well done, people!
Lastly, so many people on our team continue to treat those around them with respect and care. We all deserve this, we are all worthy of respect, care and love. Please go out of your way to show that each person is important and support them to reach their goals and be there for them when things get difficult.
Over the course of the weekend, I hope that everyone can find some time for some self-care and to look after yourself. Below are some links to some of the messages I have included today:
Scott Peck: Summary of Scott Peck
Ben Crowe: Ben Crowe: ‘We’ve lost the art of just being human’ (smh.com.au)
Self - Care: Self-Care Template
Take Care,
Sam Wells
Assistant Principal
Nambi 2022 - Orders Close Thursday 17, November
Nambi Sales Closing Soon!!!
The Nambi can now be pre-ordered for $16.00 through the school Office.
See our friendly Office Staff to pre-order your copy today.
Meet Our Student Leaders - 2022
Emma Clayton
Don't be scared to ask for help, you will always be someone to help nyou so don't panic.
In my future I would like to be working as a Psychologist.
Because I can help people overcome thier fears and help them with thier personal issues, allowing them to grow.
The best experience I have had in Grade 10 is ...
Seeing all my friends and catching up with them.
The thing I have enjoyed most at Parklands is …
Definitely the fundraisers and sporting events.
If I could change one thing about the world now it would be?
Everyone to be understanding of others and include everyone, despite thier uniquness.
To be the best you can be at Parklands as a student you need to ...
Work hard and try your best. Care for others and treat them how you want to be treated.
Celebrating 25 Years of Service
Congratulations to Deb House and Ange Townsend who have both recently celebrated 25 years' service at Parklands High School.
On Thursday, November 3, we held our annual Swimming Carnival. This year, we were advised by the Department not to hold early in the year but we felt it was still important to promote lifelong physical activity to our students and therefore held it in a hectic Term 4. Students who expressed interest were bussed to the pool and the carnival commenced. First up, the 25m freestyle which saw a high level of participation and a high level of sportsmanship. We then turned to the championship events, 50m freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. Across the events we saw some outstanding performances, notably Oliver Ebdon, Isabella Black and Ava Crawford. The Grade 10 Boys got some practice in on their silly salmon and had mastered it by the time the novelties came around. Before the novelties, the combined 100m race took place, with Marcus Cassels throwing the challenge out to staff. Unfortunately for him, Mr Hughes comfortably took home the honours. Next up were the mixed novelties. Participation was high in these events and made for some laughs. Thanks to the students who came and gave their all. Points, champions and runner ups will be announced at the upcoming assembly in Week 7.
On Tuesday November 1st, ten of our year 7 girls, along with Miss Payne, Miss Devlin, Senior Constable Kellie Little, and Senior Damien Godfrey set off on an adventure to Cradle Mountain. Students prepared their kits and gear and carried their heavy packs up to the Cradle Mountain Scout Hut, where we camped for two nights. (upon arrival we realised why our bags were so heavy with enough food for a week on board). Day 1 we were greeted by many wombats (including a Mumma and baby wombat) an echidna and 1 leach. We trekked the steep track in some light hail and snow before relaxing at the hut for an afternoon full of learning from Constable Kellie and Constable Damien - and a little snowball fight thanks to the beautiful weather. Day 2 we were greeted again with a whole lot more snow. Naturally another snowball fight and some snow cones (with Ribena juice) were had before breakfast. Day 2 we set off up toward Crater Lake Peak and experienced what it means to be ‘exposed to the elements’. After it began snowing again we turned back for camp for morning tea before trekking back down to Ronny Creek and Completing the Dove Lake circuit. The hike back to Scout Hut was tedious but without our big packs this time we made it in great time ready to cook up a feast of Lasagne and garlic bread for tea (thank you to Kellie and co for organising this). Students were treated to a number of first aid and survival lessons with Kellie and Damo and many search and rescue stories before lights out. On the third day it was time to eat up, with all the food that had been lugged up to the cabin, we weren’t keen on carrying it back down or wasting anything. Breakfast consisted of toast, toasted sandwiches, fruit, cheese, stewed apples and cereal and a hot chocolate or cup of tea.
To say that we are proud of all students on this trip is an understatement. All were absolutely incredible, supportive, resilient and willing to have a go at some tough walks with less than desirable weather conditions. Students stepped out of their comfort zones, connected over hot chocolate and Damo’s ‘banana smores’ and ‘snicker wraps’ and Kellie’s fantastic stories, platters and food creations. A massive thank you to Mrs Bianca Munday and Senior Constable Kellie Little for organising this camp, Erryn Munday and Mr Kirk Hampton for the mammoth work that went into organising food and gear, to Kellie and Damo for your support, time, effort, energy, encouragement, stories, and strong teaching and learning moments, to Miss Payne for coming on board and bringing a whole new level fun and finally, and last but certainly not least, to our students for being incredible team players, support network, live entertainment, navigators and first aid officers in training.
Congratulations to all involved on an incredibly successful trip.
Quotable moments:
“Is it powdered water?”
“Darren, Darren! Wait, what’s his name – Damo?!”
“We are in the wilderness, you gotta act like men!” -tucking into Kellie’s famous rissoles
“Damo is sleeping outside girls, he needs respect” – Hayley praising Damo for sleeping in a tent and helping Kellie lug our food up the mountain.
Devils Gate
Students interested in electrical, engineering, mechanical and other careers in renewable energy or working for the Hydro went on an excursion to the Devil's Gate Power Plant in Barrington.
The Beacon Foundation organised this workplace exposure as part of their GRIP Program. (Growth industry Preparation Program)
They learnt about how electricity was generated and transferred from the power station and got to go into the inner working of the power station.
The students had to kit out in all the PPE safety gear, including ear protection. It was deafening in the power station.
After the tour, Students got to do a speed career session with four different workers and learn about their career progressions.
It was a really enjoyable and unique experience.
Packages of Learning - Childrens Week Activities
The Package of Learning Health and Community Services Class had the opportunity to assist the Acton Child and Family Centre during Children’s Week. On October 24th the class accompanied by Mrs Hancock and Miss Wescombe excitedly and nervously attended. We had been the week before to have a tour of the centre and find out what services they offer. On arrival, we assisted to help set up some stations before the children arrived. Piper and Kirralee had created their own sensory bags for children, so the educators on site developed their idea further by creating a station where the children can create their own sensory bag to take home. Bella and Emma entertained themselves reading animatedly to each other, as their audience didn’t have a good attention span. My favourite part of the day was looking out the window, and seeing Cameron zoom past pushing a child on a bike, both were laughing hysterically.
We helped with bubbles, potion making, drumming, reading, playing music, finger painting, trampoline bouncing, and assisted with the serving of sausages to the parents and children that arrived.
The Package of Learning class had an amazing time learning directly how to speak to and interact positively with younger children.
Some quotes from our class members of their favourite part of the day:
Akira: ‘Babies, and the finger painting!’
Carole: ‘snuggling with a 6 month old’
Emma: ‘reading to Bella’
Bella: ‘reading to Emma’
Cameron: ‘loved seeing little kids be fearless’
Danika: ‘it was great being able to hang out with their children, and especially the potion making’.
Piper: ‘I enjoyed helping hand out the sausages’
Kirralee: ‘The atmosphere was amazing and watching the children learn, grow and develop with activities they will use in the future’.
Well done to all involved!
Exploring Identity - Year 10 Poems
Migration to Australia
Migration to Australia.
Dark times, crime and mischief, nothing but broken bones and shattered glass
Lack of class.
Lack of options, unwanted like fallen soldiers after war.
Time to open a new door.
A new beginning is a must
to the land of Australia maybe, will take time to adjust.
Australian identity I know so little
to learn a new culture, a new history is what makes me fiddle.
To start a new life with a family of three
will not be the easiest of transitions for my family and me.
Migration to Australia.
Whites and Blacks cover this land
but the difference between the two are large.
One race with rights and class
the other with poverty and lack of grass.
Owning territory an ongoing problem in this place
leaves us outsiders looking in with absolute disgrace.
Migration to Australia.
We as the British, on the side of the wrong
this ongoing issue seems to be going on far too long.
We walk between these two worlds
different lifestyle, different colour, different skin.
My children asking questions where for me to answer I do not know where to begin.
Migration to Australia.
I entered this war like a diver enters a dark pool
clueless to the situation at hand.
Australia
Steve Irwin, wildlife, hot days, barbeques.
Australia
division, racism, discrimination, and dark feuds,
Migration to Australia.
Sun and the moon, different roles, complete opposites,
but work together to form life as we know it.
Let the sun and the moon be your guide
for the good of Australia, the land as we know it, more lives could die.
There will be thunder, there will be storms
but together a new dusk can dawn.
Written by
Mitchell Burley 10C
Australian
Colourful rifts paint the sky
Our guns drawn on fauna before us
“Leave us alone, we don’t care for fighting”
Old languages fall on deaf ears
No more colour, the world falls to order
Years of mending won’t take back today
Stick close to your mothers
They will catch you no matter how fast you can run
Only sleep when you know that you are safe
Long hot days but longer cold nights
Eagerly waiting for the day that I meet you again
No point in hoping, no point in trying
Stand tall and proud for what is truly right
Only we can make it right
Read our speech and make amends
Right the wrongs of the past
Yesterday has gone but today is the start of a new Australia
All of us are the same even though we may look different or sound different
Understand that while we may have different skin, we are all Australian
Some of us come from overseas and places far far away
Some of us have lived here for many years and will for many more
In the end we are all the same deep down
Everyone who lives here deserves to be Australian
Written by
Regan Dobson 10C
Actually Australian
On the airport’s bay,
Is where I stand.
My posture inadequate,
Sweat glazed on my hand.
I hear my mother’s voice,
Confident and strong.
Opposed to my timidity,
This is not where I belong.
My prior land sings,
As my ancestors observe.
A new culture for me,
But timely traditions are still served.
So as my new life begins,
I prepare for my shell to break.
However, my body still jitters,
What if this is a mistake?
My home now lies in a rickety structure,
Its condition led me to rankle.
My expectations are broken,
And my hopes are dismantled.
As I seek congeniality in my new land,
I search for amelioration in a chef’s creation.
However, I’m taken aback,
And my body regurgitates with hesitation.
My world spins,
As I reflect on this change,
My life takes aboard many differences,
All present with such range.
As time marches on,
I’ve made a discovery.
What was once my culture,
Has now been ripped away from me.
A new facility,
Is where I’ll be ‘educated’.
All identities are erased,
And uniqueness is painted.
The children there,
Are nothing short of horrible.
They tease and mock me,
Not an ounce of happiness is salvable.
Nobody understands,
My family’s difficulties.
All they care about,
Is that I’m from overseas.
Discriminate and judge,
Is all they do.
Laughed and stared at,
Like I’m in a zoo.
As I reflect on my time here,
During a quiet roam.
I come to the realisation,
Australia is not my home.
Written by
Abbey Granger 10C
Parklands recently participated in the Hobart Hurricanes Schools Cup. The Parklands team was able to win 1 out of their 2 matches. Hamish Cameron (47 and 42) and Grant Lohrey (20 and 19) led the way with the bat. The fielding and bowling was evenly spread with Jakobi Maney taking the most wickets for the day (3).
Can You Help - Empty Soft Drink Bottles
Empy Soft Drink Bottles
The PHS science team are looking for empty soft drink bottles for a science activity. If you have any empty bottles of any size, please bring them into school and drop them into the tub for soft drinks.
Student Pickup and Drop Off Zones
Friendly reminder to our School Community:
Student Drop-Off and Pick Up Area is at the Bus Shelters as you enter the School Grounds.
Thankyou for your assistance in keeing our students safe.
Levies
Levy payments are now due.
If your circumstances have changed, or if you are experiencing financial difficulty or financial hardship, or if you are receiving an invoice for levies and you shouldn’t be, please contact the school’s Business Manager, Angela Townsend or angela.townsend@education.tas.gov.au
You may be eligible for the Student Assistance Scheme. If you are eligible and your application is approved, you will not need to pay any levies. An application form is available from the School Office or you can apply online.