8 December 2023

Principal’s Report

Dear Families

As this is the final newsletter for the year, I would like to sincerely thank our students for their efforts, the staff for their dedication and commitment to a supportive learning environment, and all our families for your continued support throughout the year. I am enormously proud to be able to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our school community this year as well as highlight the success that has been achieved at Devonport High School throughout 2023.

Term 4

This term has been exceptionally busy but rewarding for students and staff. We have had a range of extracurricular activities targeted at supporting the wellbeing of our students. We know that a strong sense of wellbeing allows learners to have the confidence and resilience to engage actively in their learning environment and to take advantage of new opportunities.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Year 9 students attended a two-day Camp in Week 1 to Hollybank staying overnight at Camp Banksia.

In Week 3 our student leaders organised activities to create an awareness of mental health and wellbeing and available support pathways through Headspace.

The Athletics Carnival was held in Week 5 over two days showcasing some talented athletes and comradeship.

Last week our Aspiring Leaders participated in a camp at Fulton Park aimed at developing their leadership skills.

Student Wellbeing and Engagement and School Satisfaction Surveys

Thank you to all families, students, and staff who participated in the School Satisfaction and Student Wellbeing and Engagement Surveys. Your feedback is very important in helping us inform our school improvement planning and in measuring our progress toward achieving our targets throughout the school year. A recent summary of the Family and Staff Satisfaction Survey indicates positive responses about our school above the TAS average.

PAT testing

PAT testing and results were administered in Weeks 3 and 4 and we received our results last week.  We succeeded in reaching our target achieving above all DECYP schools in PAT Reading and PAT Mathematics. The growth of our students in PAT Reading was significant.

Transition Day

On Friday 8 December, Year 6 students from Devonport and Nixon Street Primary Schools will attend a full day at Devonport High School in preparation for a successful transition to High School in 2024. Our Year 10 students will experience a day at Don College.

Reports

Reports are due to be sent home on Wednesday 13 December. Australian Curriculum subjects will be reported against the nine-point scale. School based options will be reported against the five-point scale. No written comments will be included in the end of year report.

End of Year Activities

There are several activities and celebrations planned for the last 2 weeks of school.

These include:

Tuesday 12 December – Presentation Evening
Wednesday 13 December – Whole School Assembly
Wednesday 20 December – Year 10 Farewell Assembly and Celebration
Dinner
Thursday 21 December – School Picnic

As the year draws to an end, I would like to remind you that it is our firm expectation that students attend school every day. Should a student be unable to attend school, we kindly request that the parent or carer promptly inform the school, providing a reason for the absence. 

I would like to wish our school community, a safe and happy holiday.  I look forward to another exciting school year in 2024.

Fiona Gaby
Principal

Tell Someone

All children in Tasmania have a right to be known, safe, well and learning. We are highly committed to the safety of all students at our school.

Earlier this month, DECYP launched the Tell Someone initiative, to raise awareness in the community about child sexual abuse and grooming.

The Tell Someone website gives children and young people clear advice on what to do in situations where they feel worried, unsafe or unsure. It also gives adults advice and support on how to respond if they suspect or know a child is being groomed or sexually abused or is at risk of harm.

Please visit the website, read the information, and try to find a suitable time to talk with your child/children about this issue and the resources available. It’s important that everyone understands the possible signs of sexual abuse or grooming behaviour, and how to stay safe online and offline.

If reading this information has caused you distress, please visit DECYP’s website.

Please contact the school if you have any questions about this information.

Premier’s Youth Advisory Council

Call for Members

Do you know a young person aged 12-24, living in Tasmania and passionate about Tasmania’s future? If so, you can encourage them to express interest in becoming a member of the Premier’s Youth Advisory Council in 2024. There are 13 positions available.

The Council is an opportunity for young people to meet with the Premier, Minister for Education, Children and Youth and Government to discuss their ideas on how we can make Tasmania a better place.

All young Tasmanians are encouraged to apply regardless of their background or participation record.

Expressions of interest are now open and close on 11:59pm on Sunday 14 January 2024.

For more information and to apply, visit the link below

email youthadvisorycouncil@dpac.tas.gov.au or call 6232 7676.

Athletics Carnival

On 15 and 16 November we held our annual School Athletics Carnival with Day 1 of competition being held at Girdlestone Park in East Devonport, and the following day held on the DHS grounds.

Student participation and enthusiasm resulted in some excellent results throughout the carnival. A highlight of the carnival this year was the breaking of a 21 year old record in the Year 10 Boys High Jump! Ryan Allen set a new mark of 1.87m surpassing the old height of 1.83m set by J Wood in 1982. Congratulations Ryan, well done!

Our final house results were:

1st – Appledore = 4169
2nd – Sherwood = 3636
3rd – Pardoe = 3299
4th – Wenvoe = 3052

Congratulations to our winning house – Appledore for 2023! Champion Athletes for 2023 were:

Well done to all students who participated in our carnival and thank you to staff for your support in running another successful carnival.

HPE Team

9B Science

Children’s University

Our students have been involved in many fun hands-on activities this year, including STEM and electronics. We have played educational games, including chess, and worked with Lego and other educational construction equipment. We have participated in mindfulness activities, including art and colouring by number. Students have also put together complex jigsaws and solved educational puzzles. Earlier in the year, we joined in ANZAC Day activities by creating poppies. Later in the year we had students successfully participate in the Premier’s Reading Challenge. We did other art and craft activities and much more. In all, it has been a very full and exciting year.

 Our Children’s University program finished up recently with an amazing graduation ceremony at the paranaple Centre in Devonport. We had ten students graduate this year, which is a record number for our program. The celebration was attended by hundreds of people, including dignitaries, parents, carers, and friends. The ceremony and gathering afterward were a fitting reward to applaud the wonderful accomplishments of the students. Since its inception, our program has had more than 60 students graduate, which is a credit to all the students who have been involved over the years.

 The ceremony this year was full of special moments that students, family members, and all those in attendance will remember for a long time. The students were ushered into the auditorium to the sounds of a bagpiper. The formal presenting party walked up the aisle and onto the stage, escorted by the sounds of regal trumpets playing. Each student had their time in the spotlight onstage and was formally greeted by UTAS Pro Vice-Chancellor Sonya Stanford before being handed their certificate. There were many proud students and family members.

Congratulations to the following graduate students in achieving their goals:

Graduating with a National Bronze Award for 30 hours of participation in Children’s University -
Zahlia, Liam, Pantita, Aden, Dykota, Eric, Lincoln
Receiving the National Gold Award for 100 hours  -   Brooke
Receiving the National Bronze Certificate for 130 hours  -  Gideon
Receiving the National Silver Certificate for 165 hours  -  Kaidence

Children’s University Co-ordinator
Rick O’Toole

Breakfast Club – Devonport Chaplaincy

Breakfast Club is on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays before school from 8:00am onwards. Everyone is welcome to come along.

Darra Boerma, Chaplain