Dear Parents/Guardians, Students and Friends of Prospect High School,

Eagle Sculpture

A new Eagle has been installed at the entrance to the school in a similar location to the original sculpture. The wedge-tailed eagle is Prospect High School’s emblem. This inspiring symbol is significant to the school and is proudly displayed on the school uniform, letterhead and promotional material. The new sculpture was the vision of the 2018 and 2019 Student Leader Boards after the previous eagle, created by art teacher Des Murray, had deteriorated due to age and weathering. Funds raised by both Student Leader Boards and donations from local businesses enabled Prospect High School to work with Arts Tasmania to tender artists for possible designs. The modern and contemporary sculpture was designed and made by local artist Jackson Wells. Jackson used AR (augmented reality) to assist in the creation of the Eagle Statue. The sculpture is made from corten plate and stainless steel which will weather with time and blend into the natural environment at the front entrance to the school. This has been an exciting project for students and staff of Prospect High School and Arts Tasmania. Congratulations and thanks to all involved. Further details are contained in an article later in this edition.

Prospect High School Senior Secondary Campus

Prospect High School offers Grades 11 and 12 in a new purpose built Senior Secondary Campus composed of learning spaces and areas for socialising and independent study. There are many subjects offered (both TASC and VET) that cater for a wide range of interests and future pathways in a spacious, well-resourced learning centre. Students experience a personalized approach to study and are provided with extensive resources and technology. There are a range study options where students can undertake a full time enrolment at our campus or a shared enrolment with a College or other Extension High Schools. Next year we are also offering a Japanese Language Program. Students from other Colleges or schools can do this program through a shared enrolment with Prospect Senior Secondary Campus. Japanese can be studied as a “stand alone” subject or in combination with Tourism, Hospitality, Business or STEM/Engineering. This program prepares students with unique employability skills in growth industries in Tasmania. Parents who would like more information about our offerings in 2021 are invited to an information evening to be held in the Prospect High School Senior Secondary Campus on Tuesday, August 25^th from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.

 Canvas for Parents

Prospect High School is a trial school for introducing parent access to Canvas – the Department of Education’s Learning Management System. To take advantage of the platform’s capacity to share information between home and school, Prospect High School will be using Canvas Parent to enhance the way our school communicates with families about the learning progress of their children. Canvas Parent will enable parents/carers to review upcoming or past assignments, receive alerts for student activity, and most importantly, see ongoing teacher feedback for their child in order to progress their learning. To provide you with access to Canvas Parent, we require up-to-date email information for all parents/carers. We will work with families over the next few weeks to review and update parent/carer email information where required. Further information regarding the use of Canvas Parent will be shared as soon as the platform is available. We look forward to embarking on this journey and strengthening our connection with our parent community.

School Association

The School Association Annual General Meeting and ordinary meeting were held on Wednesday, 12^th August, 2020. Congratulations to the following elected office bearers: President – Russell Kerr, Vice President - Brendan Poke, Secretary - Anita Stephens, and Treasurer - Brad Reardon. The School Association acknowledged that online learning was handled very professionally, and that the PHS community appreciated ongoing communication about all situations and developments which impacted on children. Items discussed included school uniform, diaries/communication books and fund raising ideas. Many thanks to the contribution made by retiring community member Pete Garwood.

Staffing

This term we are without two staff members who have taken extended sick leave. Mrs Tatiana Hinds is courageously undertaking chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Although very tired and feeling nauseous, Mrs Tatiana remains positive. Mr Scott Brewer has undergone back surgery in Hobart. He also is remaining positive.

Helena Winnberg who was new to us at the start of the year, has made the difficult decision to return to Sweden to be with her father who is very ill. On behalf of the Prospect High School community, I would like to extend our best wishes to Tatiana, Scott and Helena.

Finally, there are many activities recommencing this term with COVID-19 restrictions in place. We are still insisting students and staff practice good hygiene and stay at home if unwell. Extra cleaning and provision of sanitiser is still a requirement. There is no requirement for parents/carers to complete the Visitor Health Screening Form when visiting for a purpose, such as to collect your child if they are unwell, however, visitors/guests on site are required to complete this form. Adults on site are required to physically distance.  Further information is available via the link: https://www.education.tas.gov.au/parents-carers/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/. We are still not sure of some arrangements, particularly large gatherings and events, and hence, cannot provide information for families of Grade 10 students with regards to end-of-year activities. However, we will update once informed. 

Mrs Lee Barker
Principal