A Term of Growth, Grit, and Celebration!

As Term 2 comes to a close, we couldn’t be prouder of our incredible Year 7 cohort. From day one, they’ve embraced high school life with enthusiasm, energy, and a commitment to being their best selves.

Living Our Values - Our Values Ticket system has been a huge success, with students consistently demonstrating courage, respect, responsibility, growth, and connection. It’s been inspiring to see Year 7 students living these values day to day—whether through small acts of kindness or consistent effort in class. Whole-class pizza lunches were awarded to celebrate this outstanding collaboration and commitment. Well done, Year 7, and keep working hard to build up your ticket score for the next reward!

 Cross Country Spirit - Year 7 gave a magnificent performance at this year’s Cross Country - not just in speed, but in spirit. From runners powering through the course to cheer squads lifting their peers, the event was a true showcase of positivity and resilience.

Attendance Excellence - A massive shout-out to Year 7 for leading the school in attendance rates! Their attendance has remained strong all year, and we look forward to continuing this momentum through Terms 3 and 4. Their consistent presence is a testament to their commitment to learning and growing together.

Whole-School Assembly Recognition - During our recent whole-school assembly, Year 7 students were proudly recognised for academic achievement, leadership, and personal growth. Seeing them celebrated - and watching their classmates cheer them on - highlighted the warmth and pride within this cohort.

Looking Ahead - As we head into the holidays, we wish all students a safe and restful break. Term 3 promises exciting challenges, new learning adventures, and plenty of opportunities to grow as individuals and as a team.

Enjoy the downtime—and we can’t wait to see you refreshed and ready for a massive Term 3!

Miss Bound

It has been a big Term for us in Year 8!  

Every morning Year 8 staff write different gratitude prompts on the three whiteboard tables in B block for us to respond to; focusing on our school value of connection. We have amazing chats with the lovely Miss Cordwell about gratitude prompts, and she always make as good start for the day for every student. 

In English, we have been studying persuasive writing, formulating persuasive texts based on topics of our own choosing. We have been working on our Polynesian expansion unit in HASS, examining the ways in which the Polynesians used a range of navigational strategies, such as star navigation and the use of birds to determine their distance from the land by calculating their respective trip distances, wave and ocean swells. The Year 8s started to explore ratios in Math, then went on to study index laws –all six laws! –and are currently studying numbers and letters in the algebra unit. Algebra has been made simpler by addition and subtracting, multiplying, and dividing, and now we are substituting. In Pastoral Care, Grade 8 students have been learning about emotional intelligence and values, writing gratitude cards for friends and teachers, and learning about regulation strategies we can apply. We have also been having weekly grade assemblies. Our values focus revolves around respect and responsibility; how we can show respect to others as well as taking responsibility for everything in our care. 

There were so many highlights from elective classes this Semester. Mr Hampton’s Intro to Outdoor Ed class going on an excursion to Stanley to go fishing –they enjoyed the trip! Arts and Cooking classes worked together to present bodies of work at the school’s arts festival, CreARTivity, in week 10. Sports For Girls travelled to Anytime Fitness to participate in a strength program throughout the Term. A few students in Year 8 have been a part of the Parklands Collective STEM Hub and Greenpower ALP. Greenpower engages students aged 11-16 in designing, building, and racing electric vehicles which can go up to 50km/hr. Greenpower is originally from the UK, however, Mr Edwards has brought it to Australia, leading Green STEM Education and bringing new STEM opportunities to the North-West Coast. 

On Friday, May 30^th students participated in our annual Cross Country Carnival. Congratulations to Mia B on not just winning the Cross Country for her division but setting a new record for year 8 girls with a time of 27 minutes and 40 seconds! Mia also holds the record for year 7 girls. We also want to say a congratulations to Xavier H for placing first for Year 8 boys! Well done to Mia B, Zoish C, Sienna Y, Xavier H, Rory B, Riley F, Xavier R, and Mitchell E from Year 8, who qualified for the Inter-High Cross Country! 

On Tuesday the 17^th of June, Year 8 Drama students participated in the 57^th Burnie City Eisteddfod Speech and Drama Section, with most students placing or receiving a High Commendation; an exciting feat given this was the first eisteddfod experience for most of us! Over the past few weeks all students have been practising for this eisteddfod, memorising long scripts and working on improvisation skills to help us in the improv sections. Congrats to everyone who participated! 

On the 18^th of June, some students in Year 8 participated in the parent information night, welcoming the new year sixes of 2026. We all enjoyed the night and had a fun time sharing laughter and knowledge about schooling at PHS with future students.  

On Friday June 27th, students watched Mr Smith and Mr Turale participate in the ice bucket challenge, getting covered in different liquids to raise money for MND Day. 

Overall, it’s been a huge Term and we cannot wait to see what Term 3 brings! 

– Mia A & Mayson R, Grade 8 

As Term 2 draws to a close, we’re proud to reflect on the progress students have made in their learning. Pastoral Care lessons have focused on students planning for their futures, exploring career and education pathways. This has enabled students to make informed decisions about which elective subjects they selected for Semester 2.

Students from Year 9 recently have had the opportunity to participate in a “Speed Careering” session, facilitated by the Beacon Foundation with 6 local employers speaking to small groups of students in a speed dating format. I was really pleased with how students engaged with employers and participated in the experience. Thanks to Cindy Wescombe for liaising with Beacon to make the even happen.

In Mathematics students have spent the term with a focus on non-linear graphs. This is a unit of work new to Year 9 students where we introduced students to quadratic relationships and the graphs they form.  

In English the focus has shifted from persuasion to dystopian fictional texts. Students have taken examples of dystopian conventions from the likes of George Orwell’s 1984, Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid's Tale, and Disney’s Walle to create their own dystopian fiction text.

In Science this Term, the focus has been the Physical Sciences unit. The unit of work required students to learn about heat and light energy transfer, electromagnetic spectrum and how these are applicable in everyday life. Additionally, students learned about the two types of circuits – series and parallel. They practised how to draw the two types of circuits using circuit diagrams.

In History students have explored the profound impact of human movement, focusing on key events and their consequences. Starting with the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions, students examined how these periods catalysed significant migrations and the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.  Students delved into the harsh conditions and treatment of slaves, leading to discussions on the abolition of slavery and the role of European explorers. Students studied the arrival of the First Fleet, and the lasting impact of colonisation that First Nations peoples experience. Currently, students are exploring Australia's identity shaped by convict settlements, culminating as a final oral presentation assignment.

Due to student numbers and staffing challenges, Year 9 will be moving to three core classes from four as of the start of Term 3. With the small size of 9A the decision has been made to distribute this group of students between the other three classes. With the high levels of collaboration between our teachers in this space, teaching and learning programs should continue with minimal interruption.

I will be on leave for Term 3, Mrs Kate (Huddlestone) Burling will be stepping into the role of Year 9 Coordinator.

Leigh Crawford
Year 9 Coordinator

A Term Full of Growth and Opportunity

This term, our Year 10 students have been actively engaged in shaping their futures through a variety of career-focused experiences and transition planning. From updating their transition plans to exploring career pathways, it’s been a busy and rewarding semester.

Students have taken part in several exciting opportunities, including the White Card ALP program (supported by Miss Cindy Wescombe), ‘Work Inspirations’ excursions, and hands-on workplace experiences through our Work Skills class. In our Workskills class, many students have already completed placements or are currently involved in ongoing work experience. A special congratulations goes to Zachary Burns and Kodee Reeman, who have both secured school-based apprenticeships this year so far—an outstanding achievement!

In Week 9, all Year 10s attended the 2025 Hellyer College ‘Taster Day’. Students explored potential courses, met future teachers and classmates, and got a real feel for life at Hellyer. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Highlights included hospitality students leaving with bags of handmade goodies, animal studies students meeting two adorable lambs, and PHS students making their mark in the art and automotive departments. Cruiz, summed it up perfectly: “Best day ever!”

Looking ahead, students are encouraged to attend the Hellyer Information Evening on August 6th. Later in the term, they’ll also begin the formal enrolment process at our PHS Enrolment Evening on September 8th–9th. More details will be shared soon.

Another standout event this term was the Rotary Youth and Driver Awareness (RYDA) program. Students participated in workshops focused on road safety, including sessions with a crash survivor, demonstrations on stopping distances, and practical activities to understand blind spots. The inbuilt trampolines during break times were also a hit! A big thank you to the Rotary Club for hosting such a valuable day.

Next term promises even more opportunities, including planned excursions to the UTAS Cradle Coast Campus and Burnie TasTAFE.

Finally, we bid a heartfelt farewell to Ernie, our exchange student from France, who spent the past two terms with us. Ernie made a lasting impact on our school community, forming strong friendships and connections with staff. Her final day was celebrated with an Aussie-themed party—complete with saveloys (thanks Mrs. Steele!), Vegemite flavoured shapes, TimTams, and Milo. Thank you to Mrs. Harney for organising this special send-off.

Thank you to our Year 10 students for a fantastic first semester. We’re proud of your achievements so far and excited for what’s to come!

The annual School Cross Country Carnival was held this term, and what a fantastic day it was!

Competition was fierce, but ultimately, Breone emerged victorious, showcasing incredible teamwork and determination to claim the coveted first place. Tarapa put in a strong and improved performance to secure a well-deserved second, while Nairana finished third.

A huge congratulations goes out to all participants, but a special shout-out must go to Mia B from Year 8. Mia demonstrated outstanding athleticism and broke the existing Year 8 girls' record – an incredible achievement!

Beyond the competitive spirit, it was wonderful to see such high levels of participation across all year levels. Students thoroughly enjoyed the morning's activities, running with enthusiasm and supporting their peers.

Thank you to all the staff, volunteers, and students who contributed to making this year's Cross Country Carnival such a successful and enjoyable day for our school community!

Our students showcased great determination and spirit at the recent Inter-High Cross-Country Carnival! We want to congratulate all our team who participated and celebrate the outstanding individual performances of our top placegetters in each grade.

A special congratulations to:

• Grade 7 Boys: Tre P (39th)
• Grade 7 Girls: Charlotte T(13th)
• Grade 8 Boys: Xavier H (30th)
• Grade 8 Girls: Mia B(20th)
• Grade 9 Boys: Charlie J(31st)
• Grade 9 Girls: Ava F (10th)
• Grade 10 Boys: Taun C(17th)
• Grade 10 Girls: Ernestine (13th)

Our school's cricket teams recently participate in the Rec Link Indoor Tournament!

Our 9/10 Boys Team 2 emerged as the champions of the day, delivering a great team performance in the grand final to defeat a previously undefeated Penguin team. It was a great game that had everyone on the edge of their seats (especially Brody Jones)!

The path to the final was filled with exciting moments, including an intense earlier match between two PHS teams. This game went right down to the wire, with an incredible bowling performance from Matt H, who took an outstanding 4 wickets for just 4 runs off his over, including a great caught and bowled and a sharp reaction catch from Alex B!

A massive congratulations also goes to Harry S, whose exceptional batting, bowling and fielding throughout the day earned him the well-deserved Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the tournament.

We would like to thank the staff at Rec Link and Cricket Tasmania for organising and running a great day for all the participating teams.

The SmARTs program is an acting program run by The Smith Family each year. It went for four days in the Performing Arts Centre and was run by two wonderful people, the co-founders and co-artistic directors of IO Theatrical in Launceston, Grace Roberts and Chris Jackson. They taught us many things throughout the week, like vocal projection and how to become your character. Each morning, we started with a check in to see how everyone was feeling out of 10, but we didn’t need to give any explanation to the number. If your number was low, Grace and Chris made it a goal to get that number up. These check ins helped to make us feel comfortable in the program. Then we did body, vocal and mind warmups. Throughout the day we learned a lot by getting involved and doing practical activities. They taught us how to become more like our chosen characters with voice and movement; asking how the character would feel and think. At one point they showed us a video of a performance that they did, and Grace performed a monologue for us so there was some in person acting involved. Grace and Chirs emphasised fun in acting and the understanding that they were not going to ask us to do anything they weren’t willing to do. They put us in groups, duos or on our own and gave us a script to learn and perform by the end of the week. They talked to us about annotating the script properly, stage directions, and other ways to memorise a script, but didn’t expect us to do all of it in one week. By the end of the week, we all performed the scenes we learned but put in order, so it was more like a show, and we got to use props and costumes to add to the scenes we learnt. Overall, it was a wonderful experience and I would recommend other students to try out the SmARTS program next year!

–Nevaeh, Year 10

CreARTivity 2025

This year’s CreARTivity evening was brilliant! The event showcased creativity, innovation, and collaboration across a wide range of subjects and year levels. From the beginning, the atmosphere was electric and students were filled with excitement and pride.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the incredible people who contributed and made the evening possible:

• Mrs Amatullah and her Japanese ALP classes 
• Mrs Gates and her Mathematics classes (MathemARTics)
• Mr Edwards and the Digital Tech & Greenpower crew 
• Mr Cornwall and the Year 7 & 8 MDT students 
• Mr Hampton and the 'Blue Café' crew 
• Our awesome Drama department staff and students 
• Our brilliant Visual Art staff and students 
• Our incredible Music staff and students 
• The wonderful students and staff from our Culture Hub

A special mention also goes to the enchanting Burnie String-a-long Orchestra who provided the most incredible atmosphere and put on a wonderful performance. The talent and dedication in this space was phenomenal.

Congratulations to all who were involved in this semester-long project. Your hard work, creativity, and collaboration culminated in an unforgettable evening that showcased the very best of our school community. We are incredibly proud of you and your efforts!

Here’s to another year of CreARTivity, where imagination meets excellence!

With thanks,

The PHS Arts Teaching Team

This semester, our Year 8 Visual Art students have immersed themselves in the imaginative world of “Fractured Fairy Tales and Twisted Tales.” The unit began with a deep dive into the original versions of classic stories by the Brothers Grimm, Charles Perrault, and Hans Christian Andersen. Students explored the darker, more complex origins of these tales, challenging themselves to work with themes, narratives, and original ideas as they turned them into artworks.

The creative process demanded serious planning, teamwork, in-depth research, and strong time management skills. As Term 2 progressed, students took their learning to the next level by exploring interactive and immersive art—transforming the classroom into a living fairy tale experience in preparation for this year’s CreARTivity Night, which shared the same theme.

Every student in the class deserves recognition for their outstanding commitment to this term-long project. Many went above and beyond, dedicating break times and even completing optional homework to bring their artistic visions to life. The passion and dedication to this term long project has been evident.

A major takeaway from this unit has been the students’ willingness to experiment with tools, techniques, and materials, and their ability to problem-solve creatively throughout the process. The results were nothing short of magical.

To our Year 8 artists—your work has been inspiring, and you should be incredibly proud of what you’ve achieved!

Being able to be a part of the 2025 BMS production of Madagascar: A Musical Adventure Jr was such a fun, exciting, and nerve-wracking experience. BMS stands for Burnie Musical Society, and they host two musicals every year, one junior show for kids 18 and below, and the other show is a show for adult cast members.

My audition was held late into 2024, and we had our orientation weekend late into January which was the ultimate test to help the directors and other adults to select the best roles for us. For the first half of rehearsals, we all met up at Parklands High School with our rehearsals in the PAC, a couple months later we moved into the Burnie Arts Town Hall and that’s when it started becoming big, and the nerves started.

Some of the main people involved in this project, just to list a couple, were the directors Jacqueline de Jonge, Miss Cordwell, and Heather Burgess, and our vocal coach Janet Matic –who we also worked with in the Drama Eisteddfod in June! –and so many more. Many of the parents of our cast members managed to chip in their time as well into building sets and helping in any way they could.

Some of my personal highlights from performing this show were, making new friends I still talk to after the show, getting new songs to put onto my musical theatre playlist –and my actual playlist –opening night, and all the emotions everyone felt after the curtains closed for our final show.

This was my second, and definitely my biggest show I’ve done so far. It gave me a good idea of what to expect if I keep going down this fun path of life in theatre. It was a fun experience I wouldn’t trade for the world.

–Riley, Grade 9

On Monday the 19^th of May, Music and Drama students went to the Burnie Arts Centre to watch a musical, Madagascar: A Musical Adventure Jr, by Burnie Musical Society.  A few Parklands students acted in the cast we saw, like Kyann Gardam and Riley Perry (Grade 9). In the audience with us were two cast members of another cast of the show, Jordanna Pearson (Grade 9) and Tasmin Dean (Grade 7).  We had a nice time watching the show! The adaptation into a musical was a success, the songs conveyed perfectly the emotions expressed by the characters. It was also enjoyable to re-discover some of our favourite scenes from the film played-out on stage, and the actors’ performances were good. A great job was done on the lightning and sound, and the choreography parts was excellent! It was amazing!

–Ernestine, Grade 10

This semester in Photography, students have been mastering manual camera settings to create stunning visual effects. From Bokeh lighting and sun bursts to deep and shallow depth of field and freeze-in-motion shots, their understanding of how to use settings for artistic impact has grown immensely.

In Term 2, we expanded on this foundational knowledge by diving into the fascinating world of photography lighting. Students began by exploring both artificial and natural light, then moved into our exciting unit on light painting and light graffiti—capturing some truly spectacular images.

Next, we explored HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography, where students produced hyper-realistic photos with vivid lighting and detail. Later in the term, with expert guidance from Mr. Swain, students had the opportunity to work with professional studio lighting setups, gaining hands-on experience and insight into industry-standard techniques.

We also focused on photo composition, analysing how framing, balance, and perspective can enhance storytelling and emotional impact in photography as well as learning how we can work with people to create effective group photos.

Throughout the term, students produced an impressive array of work—many of which were proudly displayed at our CreARTivity Evening.

Take a moment to enjoy some of the incredible work captured by our talented photographers!

On Friday of week 9, we held our annual Fight MND day here at Parklands. Moter Neuron Disease (MND) is an illness which disrupts the connection between the brain and body, eventually causing those affected by it to lose bodily function. Sadly, in the last 30 years, the death rate has increased by 250%, so it is invaluable that we raise money and awareness in support.

Throughout the day, students were able to dress up in fantastic blue outfits. While, at recess, many excited students got to throw wet, cold sponges at some very (un) excited teachers, with a giant crowd gathering to watch the chaos unfold. Some noticeable targets were Ms Bound and Mayson Leaman, we certainly raised some money from that!

Next, at lunch, we had a delicious barbeque which introduced the new Cozzie combo – one of the lot! A price drop at the end of lunch saw a stream of students sprinting back for more sausages and burgers – yum.

The biggest event of the day was certainly the Wheel of Surprise Ice Bucket Challenge. It was our new take on the usual challenge which involves icy water being poured on participants. But this year, it included a variety of things including an oobleck like flour/water combo…ew! With Mr Hampton on the microphone, and many enthralled students readily watching, many teachers (and Student leaders!) got a lovely gooey surprise on them.

The day was a huge success, attracting a lot of school spirit, and raising a total of $600.00.

Thank you to everyone who donated and participated in what was one of the most spirited days of the year.

The Student Leadership Team