With just two weeks left of Term 4, the end of year assessment, event and excursion frenzy has well and truly begun, and I am excited to be able to share and reflect on some of the recent experiences had by students with our Parklands community. 

Our teaching staff are currently working hard to gather and assess student learning in time for reports to go home to parents on Friday, December 10. Next year brings some exciting Department of Education (DoE) driven changes to the way we report against student learning, which will see improved communication about your child’s learning and learning needs, along with additional information and clarity about your child’s overall rating. We look forward to sharing further information about the new reporting system with parents and carers during Term 1 next year. 

When writing newsletter articles, I often refer to the opportunities that students are afforded at Parklands High School. During the past two weeks, many students have been given the opportunity to be part of a range of activities and events presented to them. Miss Samantha Cordwell and Mr Jeremy Legg recently gave students the opportunity to audition for our 2022 production – Back to the 80’s. Both staff members provided a professional, safe, and nurturing environment for students to showcase their skills and talent and enable them the opportunity to shine with the possibility of joining the 2022 cast. We would like to thank Miss Cordwell and Mr Legg for their passion, commitment, and organisation in the Arts at Parklands High School. 

Recently, 10 of our Year 7 boys attended a two-night camp at Cradle Mountain. This camp was an opportunity for these students to step outside their comfort zones, demonstrate their resilience and tenacity, whilst tackling the coveted Cradle Mountain Summit. These students were accompanied by some highly skilled adults which included our Police in school’s person – Senior Constable Kellie Little, Cradle Mountain Police Officer – Elma Van Breda, OIC Marine Police officer – Senior Sergeant Russell Judges, Scouts Tasmania representative – Brendan Bugg, our Year 7 Grade Coordinator – Mr Kirk Hampton, and Teacher – Mr Anthony Hall. We would like to sincerely thank these adults for providing a unique and meaningful opportunity to our Year 7 students and we hope that the memories created for these students are everlasting. 

This week, we welcomed 111 Year 6 students to Parklands High School for our 2021 Orientation Day. Students were given the opportunity to experience a full day in their potential class groupings for 2022; experience a range of subjects (including Maths, English, PE, Art and MDT) and build positive and meaningful relationships with significant adults at Parklands, and students from other schools. Year 6 students were also fortunate enough to meet one of our school support dogs – Franklin Wells. We believe he received a pat from most Year 6 students during the day and I have it on good authority that he is looking forward to spending more time with Year 6 students in 2022. 

Orientation Day also gave our Year 10 students the opportunity to experience life as college students. Students were able to experience their 2022 subject selections, meet and interact with other students and familiarise themselves further with the Hellyer campus and significant adults. Although we will be sad to see our current Year 10s leave at the end of this year, we understand that this is a time for growth and we look forward to hearing about all the wonderful opportunities taken by these young adults in the very near future. 

I would like to conclude by thanking all of our staff for continuing to provide our students with high quality learning experiences and by reminding students that the remaining two weeks is an opportunity to continue to display high expectations of their learning, behaviour and participation in end of school year events. It is an exciting time of year and we look forward to all students being able to take part in the events and celebrations yet to take place.