Well done to the students who opted to participate in our Swim Meet on Monday. We had a great afternoon with lots of individual success’ and fun, especially in the doggy paddle race. We have another strong Inter High team this year and wish the team the best for next term. House results: 4^th Warialda 191, 3^rd Karalta 257, 2^nd Impara 321 and 1^st Nyanda on 331 points.

Records

Champions

On Friday 2nd September, Prospect played host to a northern regional schools’ chess tournament. The school gym was scene to a vibrant atmosphere of over 100 students from a wide range of schools in our region.

25 Prospect students from all year levels rose to the occasion and gave cheerful hospitality to all visitors. It was great to see the mingling among students from all schools, most often occurring through groups clad in different-coloured uniforms poring over close games and strategies.

The Prospect team comprises of many students who have been growing their capacities magnificently. In some cases, students have gone from knowing little about the game at the start of the year to being keen 'students of the game'. In other cases, as with many of our strong Year 9 cohort, the tournaments have been a focus for them to take on the best students in the state. Prospect was certainly in the 'deep-end' at the tournament but performed in great spirit. It has been valuable experience and there is talk of Prospect being the hosts next year as well.

In other good news, Prospect has qualified for the state finals in Term 4, on the strength of the efforts of leading students in first semester. These will be held at Scotch Oakburn on 31^st October. In the meantime, a northern state coach with decades of experience will be visiting us soon to give a masterclass or two. Links are also being built with St Pat’s with whom we hope to compete regularly with in a “local derby” - starting next term.

The vibe on the day was great, both among visiting adults who complimented the school and among visiting students. Momentum for chess is strong here.

At the bigger picture level, the game has a case for being a “sport of the mind”. Chess is appearing more in the sports sections of the newspapers. Also helping inspire is the digital world where current championship games can be studied for all their intrigues on Chess.com and Lichess, while grandmasters on YouTube channels inspire new possibilities with their wizardry.

Those possibilities, like the game itself, are endless.

Thanks must go to James Briant of Black Square Chess, without whom the opportunity would not happen. James sensed the enthusiasm for chess at Prospect and encouraged the school to host. He and his mother Melissa operated the software on the day on which the tournament depended. They weathered a crash at one stage and no coffee breaks! James runs chess programs throughout the state and is a former state champion himself.

Thanks also goes to the PE staff on the day for giving up the Gym space; and to the maintenance team for setting up and dismantling. Thanks goes to all of Prospect’s 25 players on their 'home turf'. Special mention for shining at their games on the day, the result of great growth this year, goes to Travis, Quinn and Marco of Year 9, and Joebe of Year 7.

During our recent grade assembly, we acknowledged the efforts of our grade 9 students. Across the board, students are settled, engaged in their learning and are making use of the amazing opportunities presented to them. Care teachers nominated students who exemplify our learning dispositions and these students have been awarded our Working Wonders.

Six students in Grade 9 are to be congratulated for their efforts in supporting the Chess Tournament hosted here at PHS. These students gave up their own time to ensure the tournament was a success. As a sign of our appreciation these students were awarded a $5 The Nest Café voucher.

Wilfred, Wade, Luca, Marco, Logan, Angus (absent)

New changes to COVID-19 isolation

Public Health has recently changed the mandatory COVID-19 isolation period from seven days to five days.

This means COVID-19 cases can leave isolation, provided they:

• are no longer displaying symptoms on Day 5 of their isolation period, and
• have had no fever for 24 hours prior to Day 5.

People that leave isolation on or after Day 5 must wear a face mask in all settings for Days 5, 6 and 7 – even if they are not displaying symptoms. People are strongly recommended to wear a face mask indoors on Days 8, 9 and 10.

Students under the age of 12 and all primary school students are not required to wear face masks when leaving isolation.

To read more about this change, please visit the Tasmanian Government Coronavirus website.

For any COVID-19 enquiries, please contact the Tasmanian Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738, or Department of Education COVID-19 Support Hotline at COVID19support@education.tas.gov.au or on 1800 816 057.

If you need support translating or interpreting this information, contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.

In Week 9 (Tuesday 20^th September), Prospect High School will be hosting our major whole school arts celebration event… The Prospect High School Arts Bazaar! In this evening event, we will celebrate the work of students in the creative arts across grades 7-12 in Visual Art, Dance, Drama and our Tier 2 creative classes.

Visitors will enter via The Eagles Nest Café and the evening will begin with a visual arts gallery and live musical performances. As visitors make their way towards the Drama/Dance Studio, they will then enter a ‘Bazaar’ market style event, where students who have engaged in Tier 2 classes will have the opportunity to display and sell their ‘wares’ and to hold stalls and activities (we will advertise these closer to the event!). For a bit of fun, this year’s Arts Evening will be themed around ‘Aladdin and Arabian Nights’ – so bring the family and bring your ‘gold’! (Cash only sales.)

For the first time, this event will include the drawing of our BIG Arts Raffle, with a Prize Pool of just under $500 donated by local businesses! The prizes include: Two VIP tickets to Encore Theatre Company’s Jersey Boys in October at the Princess Theatre, a voucher to Paint the Town Red, a ukulele, kindly donated by Barratt’s Music, an art pack featuring over $130 worth of art products from Pearts Variety Store, artwork by a local artist inspired by Aladdin, and a Hamper of Middle-Eastern themed goodies put together by the Catering and Hands-On Hospitality Classes. A BIG thank you to the businesses who have supported us.

Raffle tickets are now on sale. These are available from the school office to purchase separately, or you can elect to take home a book of 10 to sell. We have invited all families of students involved in the Production and Arts Evening to take home a book of 10 raffle tickets to sell ($2 each, or 3 for $5), with a reminder that those purchasing tickets should be 18 years or older. Books will need to be returned to the office by Monday 19^th September. There will also be sales at the Arts Evening before the draw at 5:50pm. If you do not wish to sell tickets, please return the book to the school office. Funds will be going towards the costs of mounting the production including costumes, venue, equipment and personnel hire and licencing fees. As this is a school show, ticket prices to see the actual production have been kept low and the production is a non-profit event.

The Arts Bazaar will culminate in formal performances of Dance, Drama and Musical Items in the Drama/Dance Studio from approximately 6pm-7:30pm. These performances will include items for the Launceston Competitions, Rock Challenge, in-class projects and out of school endeavours. Most excitingly, it will also include some sneak-previews of Aladdin characters and a dance item from our show in November! Due to safety precautions, seating will be limited for the formal performances in the studio. All performers in the studio will be given 2 tickets for their families. If you require more, please contact the office when the tickets are released (we will give good notice before we release them). The tickets will be free to this event, as their only purpose is to enable us to adhere to COVID-19 safety guidelines. The room will have cooling and be well-ventilated.

So… get on your flying carpet and join us at the Prospect High School Arts Bazaar! We look forward to seeing many of our families there to celebrate the students in this informal event!

Production Tickets NOW ON SALE!

Tickets are available to purchase now. We have three evening shows Tuesday 22^nd, Wednesday 23^rd and Thursday 24^th November at 7pm and limited Matinee tickets for Wednesday and Thursday commencing at 11am. We warmly invite the Prospect High School Community to attend. It is going to be an amazing show featuring some fantastic Prospect talent (PLUS some of our favourite Disney songs).

As we have double cast the lead roles, be sure to select the night where your child/friend is starring (see lists below). When these students are not in the lead roles, they will still be performing as part of the ensemble – so come any night (or all of them) for an amazing evening of song, dance and comedy and discover ‘A whole new world’!

Students: $4, Adults $12 and Families of 4: $28. Tickets from the PHS Main Office.

‘Red Team’:

• Tuesday (opening night) and Wednesday (night)
• Thursday (Matinee)

Aladdin: Diesel

Jasmine: Summer

Genie: Mackenzie

Jafar: Imogen

Iago: Ella

 ‘Blue Team’:

• Thursday (closing night)
• Wednesday and Friday (Matinee)

Aladdin: Newen

Jasmine: Jamisen

Genie: Taylah

Jafar: Charlotte

Iago: Millie

PROSPECT HIGH SCHOOL, SCHOOL SATISFACTION SURVEY – closes 23^rd September

 Your feedback is very important to help us inform our school planning and decision-making.

Take the online survey by clicking this link or pasting it in your browser: https://ncv.microsoft.com/k12V8zo8DG

Every year the Department of Education conducts School Satisfaction Surveys to find out what your child(ren)'s school does well and where it may improve.

We would be grateful if you completed our online survey about Prospect High School. Each family should nominate one person to fill in this survey for their child(ren) and should only take about 5 minutes to complete.

The survey is carried out on a secure website and all responses are anonymous and confidential. All families in this school receive the same survey link and no identifying information is collected.

A summary of the survey results will be provided to schools. Responses from individuals or small groups will NOT be disclosed to any Department of Education staff.

Please contact your school if you require any assistance.

Thank you for taking the time to fill in this survey.

Regards

Lee Barker

Principal