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

Welcome to new staff members, teacher assistant, Matt Walton, and English / HASS teacher, Alyssa Curtayne, and welcome back from leave to our chaplain, Lachie Unwin.

It was a pleasure, on Monday, to acknowledge and celebrate student achievement and success from mid-year reports. Once again, congratulations to students who attained high standards on their mid-year reports in the areas of outstanding academic achievement, commendable academic achievement, and students who have displayed an outstanding attitude to study. Well done to Meika, Grade 8, and Gabrielle, Grade 7, for sharing their musical talent. Thank you also to parents/carers and family members who attended the assembly and were able to stay for light refreshments. Many thanks to teaching and non-teaching staff who assisted with organising the assembly and to catering staff and students for the delicious eats.

It’s been a busy week with excursions for students to the Launceston College production, Grease and Newstead College production, Legally Blonde, and running of the Australian Mathematics Competition. Prospect High School prides itself on offering learning opportunities in other contexts as well as in the classroom. I am extremely pleased that students represented the school very well at all events.

Attendance At School Matters- Making Every Minute Count!

Under Tasmanian law, you must make sure your child of school age is enrolled and attends school all day, every school day, unless they have an acceptable reason. Illness, doing work experience, or competing in a school sporting event are acceptable reasons for being absent from school.

The DoE Attendance Policy states;

“Consistent attendance at school is critical to achieving positive educational outcomes and keeping students engaged in their learning. Parents/guardians have a legal obligation to ensure a child is enrolled in and attending school or is registered for home education. “

Higher student attendance at school is associated, on average, with higher student achievement. Hence, regular school attendance will mean that your child has a better chance in life. They learn better, make friends, are happier, and have a brighter future.

Please avoid keeping your child away from school for: birthdays, shopping, visiting family and friends, if they sleep in, looking after other children, haircuts, etc. Routine medical or other health appointments should be made either before or after school or during the school holidays.

Parents/carers must let the school know the reason why your child has been absent.

The following chart highlights the impact of non-attendance over time. The chart shows the cumulative effect of persistent non-attendance over a child’s years of schooling.

Days absent Total Days Number of Terms Number of years missed

1 day per week 451 9 2 years 1 term

1.5 days per week 676.5 13.5 3 years 1.5 terms

2 days per week 902 18 4 years 2 terms

3 days per week 1353 27 6 years 3 terms

5 weeks per term 1127.5 22 5 years 2 terms

Average 5 days per term 220 5.5 1 year 1.5 terms

Average 10 days per term 440 11 2 years 3 terms

Please make every effort to assist your child to be on time to school and not late. Lateness can cause students to feel embarrassed, disorganised and anxious. They miss important notices and reminders at the start of the day from the daily notes. They also miss important interactions with friends and teachers. This is often the most productive time of the day. However, it can be hard for students to become engaged in learning and settled when they arrive late and cannot take advantage of this valuable learning time.

One of the most important things you can do to ensure your child has a bright future is to make sure he or she is not late and makes the whole day count, every day. If you are having problems getting your child to school for some of these reasons, please contact the Care teacher, Grade Leader or Senior Grade Leader as soon as possible for advice and support.

Grade 11/12 Open Day

The Northern Urban Collective Senior Secondary schools include Brooks, Exeter, Kings Meadows, Launceston Big Picture School, Lilydale, Prospect, Queechy, and Riverside. These schools will be holding open days in Week 6. Each of these secondary schools offers specialised VET and/or TASC programmes. The Open Days are designed to give interested students in grades 10 and 11 an opportunity to learn more about the programmes, participate in activities, meet the teachers, and explore the Senior Secondary space at the respective school. To attend the Open Day, students will be transported to and from the school and their grade teacher will accompany them. Prospect High School will be showcasing our offerings: Hands-on Hospitality and Tourism, Personal Health and Wellbeing - Complementary and Alternative Therapies, and Japanese Language Programme on Monday 23rd August from 9.30-12.00pm. Information can be obtained from Gr 10 Care teachers and Ms Pollard.

School Uniform

It is really pleasing to see that most students are wearing school uniform. All students need to remember that when leaving our school, correct uniform is compulsory. School uniform items can be purchased from our uniform shop. Please note hoodies, coloured or embroidered socks, caps, and skins/tights are not items of the Prospect High School uniform, and students will be asked not to wear them and for parents to purchase correct items. It is important for students to be dressed correctly at all times.

Finally, congratulations to Ruby Geach who was selected for the state football team, and to Riley Kerr who was selected for the state orienteering team.

Mrs Lee Barker
Principal