Welcome to the Week 4 Parklands High School Newsletter. It hasn’t taken long for the school to become a busy and exciting place. As we start to transition into school life and routines, I want all members of our community to reflect specifically on one Parklands value – We build trust and positive and meaningful relationships. The value of relationships is the foundation of how all members of the Parklands Team work together and achieve success individually and as a collective. We ask our students to approach their new classmates and teachers with kindness and consideration. Our teachers will invest the time to get to know their students' interests and strengths and we ask our parents to communicate information and concerns for their child with respect. We know we have great students and it takes all of us working together to support them to reach their full potential.

During Week 4, we held our Student Leadership Assembly. It was a great opportunity to recognise the students who have been rewarded for their efforts by receiving a leadership position in the school. Our Student Leadership Group, supported by Mr Hughes, has made a positive start to 2021 and we wish them all the best for the exciting challenges that face them this year and look forward to observing their growth. Another congratulation needs to be directed towards our Year 7 and 8 Semester 1, class captains. For them to be voted by their peers illustrates what a successful start to the year they have had. The most pleasing aspect to our student leadership positions has been the depth of students who have put their name forward to take on these opportunities. Not all students can be selected to fulfill a leadership role; however, students do not need a blazer or a badge to be a leader and we look forward to every student testing themselves and growing in this space this year.

Since our last newsletter we can welcome two new members to the Parklands Team. Deb Muir will be working as the schools’ social worker and as a part of the student wellbeing team. We are excited to have Deb join us. This week Senior Constable Kellie Little has started working with us. Kellie will be working with all students delivering education programs and supporting student wellbeing and behaviour. Kellie’s enthusiasm has already been an asset to the school. If your child requires support for their wellbeing, please contact your child’s grade coordinator who will share your child’s concerns with the student wellbeing team, in a respectful and sensitive way, to try and align the best available support for them.

It was pleasing to see many families take the opportunity to attend the Welcome BBQ & meet and greet with their teachers. Danielle Jones and Brody Jones did the sister and brother act on the BBQ and need to be commended for their efforts. It was lovely to see students, parents are staff mingling and discussing students' transition to 2021. During Term 1, each student will receive a progress report that will detail how the students have transitioned into their classes.

This year has hit the ground running in many areas, none more so than the Cultural Hub. Mr Guy Grey has been working closely with Ms Devlin in preparation for mapali, including the dawn service on Friday March 5. Mr Grey and his team of hardworking students have been busy making over 100 clapsticks for the event and immersing themselves in Tasmanian indigenous culture. We ask our school community to support the program and Indigenous Tasmanians by setting your alarm clock a couple of hours early and attending the session at West Park beach at 6:45am.

Finally, I want to acknowledge the efforts of students and staff building a strong start this year. We are very lucky to be apart of the Parklands Team and work with quality young people. To the staff, “the above and beyond” way staff approach their work here is to be commended. Also, to the student who made me pancakes for breakfast today - this made my week, thanks Chevy. 

Dear Parent or Carer,

There has been a case of headlice in your child’s school and your child may have been exposed.

What are headlice?

Headlice are little insects with moving legs. They are often not much bigger than a pin head, but may be as big as a sesame seed (the seeds on burger buns). They live on, or very close to, the scalp and don’t wander far down the hair shaft for very long. They can only live on humans; you cannot catch them from animals.

What are nits?

Nits are not the same thing as lice. Nits are egg cases laid by lice, stuck on to hair shafts. They are smaller than a pin head and pearly white. If you have nits it doesn’t always mean that you have headlice. When you get rid of all the lice, the nits will stay stuck to the hair until it grows out.

How are they spread?

Anyone can pick up headlice. They are most common among young children as they often put heads together during play allowing the lice walk from one head to the next.

Headlice do not reflect standards of hygiene. They are just as willing to live in clean or dirty hair.

Can you stop them?

The best way is for families to learn how to check their own heads. This way they find any lice before they have a chance to breed. They can then treat them and stop them being passed round the family. The way to check someone’s head is called “detection combing”. This should be done regularly and in the case of a confirmed infection in one family member, the other members of the household should carry out “detection combing” twice weekly for one week.

How do I do detection combing?

You need a plastic detection comb, good lighting and an ordinary comb.

• Wash the hair well, then dry it with a towel. The hair should be damp, not dripping. A small amount of conditioner may help if the hair is tangled.

• Make sure there is good light, daylight is best.
• Comb the hair with an ordinary comb.
• Start with the teeth of the detection comb touching the skin of the scalp at the top of the head.
• Draw the comb carefully towards the edge of the hair.
• Look carefully at the teeth of the comb in good light.
• If there are headlice, you will find one or more lice on the teeth of the comb. A magnifying glass may be useful in identifying lice.

• Do this over and over again from the top of the head to the edge of the hair in all directions, working round the head.
• Do this for several minutes. It takes 10 to 15 minutes to do it properly for each head.

Who needs treatment?

Only treat those who have living, moving lice. If more than one family member has lice, treat all those at the same time.

How do I treat them?

A headlice lotion (not shampoo) should be used. Ask your local pharmacist, public health nurse or GP which lotion to use, and how long to leave it on. Follow the instructions that come with the particular product.

• Repeat treatment again seven days later, in the same way, with the same lotion.
• Check all heads a day or two after the second treatment. If you still find living, moving lice, ask public health or GP for advice.