Taroona High School

Department of Education

Key Dates for 2016/17

Thu 1 December

Schools Triathlon, Bellerive Beach

Wed 7 – Fri 9 December – 7.00pm

Production – The Drowsy Chaperone

Monday 12 December –

9.30am – 1.30pm

Orientation Day – Gr 6 to 7 2017

Mon 12 – Tue 13 December

ETO Camp, Maria Island

Wed 14 December

Small Day Out

Thu 15 December – Grade 10 Formal

Monday 19 December

Grade 10 Picnic

Monday 19 December

Reports Home

Tue 20 December – 6.30pm

Presentation Evening

Wed 21 December

Gd 10 Leavers’ Assembly and Picnic Day

Last Day for Students

Wed 8 February 2017

First Day for Students

Tue 14 & Wed 15 February

School Photographs

Thu 16 February

THSA Welcome Barbecue

Tue 28 February

School Swimming Carnival

Tue 21 March

Grade 7 Vaccinations

Wed 5 April

Inter-high Swimming Carnival

Sun 9 – Tue 11 April

Senior Band Camp, Orana

Taroona Views Issue 11: 28 November 2016

Principal’s Report

It’s been a hectic time at Taroona High School. Congratulations to our Wellness team for

running a great Athletics Carnival and Inter-high Carnival, and also to our Music team for

the amazing work performed in the Showcase Concert. Our students, too, should be proud

of their efforts, both in having a go and, in other cases, striving for excellence. They have

taken out awards in varied fields including public speaking, visual art, Antarctic science, high

jump and so much more. Thanks to Karen Brown for her stunning photographic work at

events. These can be viewed on our Facebook page.

I am excited to announce that next year Taroona High will have a new website and from

there, you will be able access Taroona Views in a digital format. This means we will able to

include more photos and even video, online forms, plus much more.

There is still much to be accomplished before the end of the year, including: reporting, our

school production of The Drowsy Chaperone (purchase your tickets in advance to avoid

disappointment), Year 6/7 Orientation Day, an ETO camp to Maria Island and our Year 10

Formal and farewell assembly. Of course, it will be sad to say goodbye to a wonderful group

of students as they head to Hobart College. As always it is so rewarding to watch the

students mature over their four years with us. They are a wonderful group of responsible,

well-adjusted, articulate young adults. We are proud of each and every one.

It will be sad also to farewell a special teacher. Ms Kim White will be joining her current

Year 10 group as she takes a new AST position at Hobart College. We are grateful for the

incredible contribution Kim has made to Taroona High over many years. We wish her all

the best in her new role.

Finally, it has been confirmed that Matthew Bennell will be our Principal for 2017. Matthew

is currently principal at Reece High School. We look forward to welcoming him to our

school community and will work with him to ensure a successful transition.

It has been a great honour to work as Acting Principal for the last two terms. Taroona High

is a great school and Mr Bennell is indeed fortunate to have the opportunity to lead it.

Thanks to all parents, families, students and staff for your support and encouragement

during the last two terms. Your trust in me has made my job so much easier and so much

more rewarding.

Karena Gregory

Acting Principal

2017 Levies

There will be a small increase in school levies for 2017:

Grades 7 & 8 $635.00

Grades 9 & 10 $700.00

Invoices for Levies will be posted home in January. Parents and

carers are advised that payment is due prior to the

commencement of the school year, unless you have made

arrangements to pay levies by instalment on the agreement form

that will soon be posted home with permission forms for 2017.

Musical Instrument Levy

All outstanding Musical Instrument Levies for 2016 are now

overdue. Please pay now, as a matter of urgency.

Glenn Schultz

Head of Music

Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) 2017

STAS application forms for 2017 are now available for families who

did not apply for or receive STAS in 2016. Families who were

approved and received STAS in 2016 have been sent

correspondence directly from the Department.

The forms can be downloaded from

https://www.education.tas.gov.au/documentcentre/Documents/Stu

dent-Assistance-Scheme-(STAS)-Application-Form.pdf or are

available at the school office. Completed forms can be returned to

the Department by post, fax, or scanned and emailed to

stas@education.tas.gov.au.

Second Hand Uniforms

Don't forget that second hand uniforms can be taken to (and

purchased from) the Lifeline Shop in North Hobart or advertised

on the Taroona High School 2nd Hand Uniform Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/838684842848425/. We hope

there will a good selection available for those families looking to

buy uniforms for the start of the year.

Taroona High School Association

Student Orientation Visit

Monday 12 December 2015—9.30am – 1.30pm

The aim of the day is:

For children to have the opportunity to meet their

classmates, peer support leaders and possibly some of

their teachers for 2017.

For parents to share information that will assist students

in their transition from primary to secondary school, and

to answer any key questions that parents may have. The morning will be devoted to introductions to key people,

including student peer leaders, familiarisation with school routines,

entertainment by Taroona High School bands and a tour of the

school campus.

2016 Levy Payments are OVERDUE

Non-payment of levies has a serious impact on the

provision of materials and activities for students at the

school, putting a huge strain on the school budget and impacting on all areas of the school’s operations.

We encourage you to contact Belinda Johnson, School Business Manager, on 6227 7700 to discuss arrangements for payment of

2016 overdue levies.

If you have lost your invoice, please email

kirby.davis@education.tas.gov.au or phone 6227 7700 and we will

provide a reprinted invoice for you.

All outstanding levy payments which were overdue at the end of 2015 will be transferred to the Department of Education for

follow-up. This may mean that debts are referred to the

Tasmanian Collection Agency.

Should you be experiencing financial difficulty, we would

be pleased to assist you in making some suitable

arrangements to pay off the debt.

Payments can be made in the following ways:

• In person to the school office.

• BPAY - On the bottom of your statement is a BPAY code and reference number for payments through your bank or

financial institution. (Please note that the BPAY code and

reference number for payments through your bank or financial

institution is unique to each individual invoice. It is

necessary to enter the exact reference number as indicated on the invoice when making a BPAY payment. Failing to change the

reference number means that payments may be made to the

wrong school, especially if a student has changed schools.)

• BPOINT

• Credit card payments over the phone to the school office.

• Mail - Remove payment slip from invoice and mail it with

cheque or money order (made payable to Department of

Education) to:

TAROONA HIGH

Meath Avenue TAROONA TAS 7053

Update Parent/Carer Email Address

Please ensure the school has a current email address for you to

receive future communication. This year for the first time the

2017 School Information Handbook will be emailed to families.

Download the Taroona High App

The school App can be freely downloaded to your

iPad, iPhone or iPod from the ITunes Apple Store

(https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/taroona-high-

school/id936553095?mt=8 ). This App allows you to keep track of

your timetabled classes, read the school’s Daily Bulletin, read the

canteen menu, view the school’s calendar and many other practical

tools. Students log in with their DoE username and password.

NAPLAN Awards

Taroona High School is Tasmania's top performing high school in

NAPLAN results, with 18 students in the top 1%.

These students were photographed after receiving their awards

from the Minister for Education, Jeremy Rockliff.

From left - Tahlia Hawkes (Year 9), Ashley Watson (Year 9),

Evie Shipway (Year 7), Katy Fraser (Year 9), Sarah Rayner (Year 9),

Amy Gooley (Year 7), Jim Howard (Year 7), Aaditya Arya (Year 9),

Ines Ait Maamar (Year 7), Joseph Mulcahy (Year 9), Kate Poynter (Year

7), Ruby Landon(Year 7). Also in the photo is Steve Wass (Mayor of

Kingborough) and Karena Gregory (Acting Principal).

Absent: Layne Kullrich (Year 9)

NAPLAN Public Demonstration Site

As you would be aware, the National Online Assessment Platform

(the Platform) that will deliver NAPLAN Online to some schools

nationally from 2017 and to all Tasmanian Government schools

from 2019 has now been released.

To coincide with these activities, a demonstration site of the new

Platform for schools, students and the public is now available. This

public demonstration site contains a mini-test, with sample online

questions, covering all domains for each NAPLAN year level.

The site also provides an opportunity for students, teachers,

parents and the broader community to become familiar with the

various types of technology-enhanced questions NAPLAN online

offers, for example, navigating through questions and using features

such as drag and drop.

This site can be accessed via ACARA’s National Assessment

Program (NAP) website at:

http://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/naplan-online-public-

demonstration-site.

Debating News

Five of our dedicated debaters have been selected by the

Tasmanian Debating Union (TDU) to join their Advanced

Development Program this summer. This program is designed to

extend talented debaters, providing them with a chance to further

develop their existing ability, learn new skills, and collaborate with

other students with a particular interest in and aptitude for

debating.

Sophie Young has been selected for the senior squad, and

Annwen Roberts, Jessica Pursell, Jacob Freeman and

Bryher McKeown have all been selected for the Junior Squad. The

summer program consists of six full days of training as well as a

three day camp for the senior debaters.

Selections for the program were made by a panel of senior TDU

adjudicators on the basis of debaters’ performance in the 2016

Schools’ Competition; these students have been selected because

they have demonstrated that they are skilled debaters with

significant potential for further development, and their selection is

an achievement of which they should be very proud.

Honni Chilcott

Debating Coordinator

School Facebook Page

You do not need to log into Facebook to

view this school page:

www.facebook.com/taroonahigh.

Magdalena Chappell (Year 7 , Lilith Cole (Year 9 Alex Battaglia (Year 9)

Holly Mayo (Year 7) Ulrike Loofs-Samorzewki (Year 9)

Music Scholarships 2017 General Information

Taroona High School Music Scholarships are funded through

private sponsorship.

The scholarship is for $500 and runs for one calendar year.

Aim

Taroona High School Music Scholarships provide cash grants to

talented music students to help pay for individual lessons with a

private tutor.

Objective

Taroona High School Music Scholarships are offered to students

with a strong desire to perform and to achieve musical excellence.

The objective is to support development of their skills and to

encourage them to continue their studies in music.

Eligibility

There are eight scholarships available for vocal and instrumental

students who are in grades 8 & 9 in 2017.

Application Requirements

Submission for a Taroona High School Music Scholarship is via the

application form only. Please ensure all sections are completed.

Applicants will be allocated an audition time.

Music Staff have distributed application forms to interested

students.

Please contact music staff if you require an application form.

Scholarship Selection Process

Criteria for selection are:

musicality and level of technical ability relevant to the

duration of study.

current commitment level and attitude.

future potential.

The decision of the selection panel is final.

Submission Date and Application Timeline

Applications are due by Monday 5 December 2016

Successful applicants will be notified as soon as possible thereafter.

Please return application form to music staff or email to

glenn.schultz@education.tas.gov.au

New Caledonian Exchange Students

On 31 October, a group of New Caledonian students and their

two teachers travelled to Hobart. They were collected and

greeted by many Taroona students and their families, who they

would get to know well over their time in Hobart. After settling

in, the New Caledonian students knew they were in for an amazing

10 days. During the visit, the students visited Bonorong Wildlife

Sanctuary, Mount Wellington, MONA, Bruny Island and many

other locations. The students all loved exploring Hobart and

discovering some differences in culture and general atmosphere.

After 10 days packed with excitement and adventure, it was time

for the students and their two teachers to catch a flight back to

New Caledonia. With suitcases packed full of shopping bags and

presents, the students said a very sad goodbye to everyone they

had met. We are so grateful for getting to meet these lovely

people, and we all hope it's not the last we see of them.

Nina Kahles, 8Y

UN Youth Voice Public Speaking Competition

Congratulations to Olivia Bayly (8B) for winning the southern

round of this public speaking competition. Olivia addressed the

problem of how to create equality between the sexes in the

entertainment industry. Kate Poynter (7A), Jessica Pursell (8R)

and Tasman Hughes (10T) all participated. It was fantastic to see

Jacob Freeman (8R) attend

to support his school and

learn more about public

speaking.

Olivia, Jessica and Tasman

competed in UN Youth

Voice state finals on

Saturday 26 November at

the Menzies Centre.

Honni Chilcott

Debating Coordinator

Kingborough Council Antarctic Experience Prize 2016

Two students, Tasmin Chilcott and Ashley Watson, were the

Taroona High School finalists in this competition and delivered

presentations to an interview panel. Congratulations to both girls,

in particular to Tasmin, who not only won the Antarctic

Experience, but was also the winner of the National Bookend

Trust Competition.

An excerpt from Kingborough Council’s news release follows:

The judges said Tasmin delivered her presentation with confidence and

conviction with an extremely high level of interpretation of the evidence

to support her work. She said she had learned so much already through

researching for the competition and has a passion for the outdoors and

environment. “If we all work together we can make a difference,” she

said, as well as thanking her family for all their support.

The Mayor of Kingborough, Cr Steve Wass, presented the certificates

and spoke about the importance of the program. “The Antarctica

Experience is a unique environmental education and youth leadership

opportunity,” he said. “It helps to promote awareness of Antarctica to

our young people in Kingborough, and increases the level of

understanding of some of the issues. I congratulate all of the finalists for

their efforts and talent within the competition.”

The Mayor also gave special thanks to the schools in Kingborough for

investing so much time in selecting finalists for the Council competition

and the encouragement they give students to enter. “It is a great

opportunity to connect with our young people, schools and all the

families that are able to get involved.”

The program is a collaboration between Council, the Bookend Trust,

AAD, IMAS and CSIRO.

Taroona High School Athletics Carnival

Well done to all students who participated in the Taroona High

School Athletics Carnival. With challenging weather conditions on

both days, student participation and effort was excellent.

Cartwright were our overall House winners for the Athletics

Carnival, by a small points margin from Droughty. We

congratulate our 2016 Track and Field Champions and Record

Breakers. Congratulations also to Antonio Saracino who won the

2016 Taroona Gift Medal for the second year in a row.

2016 Track Champions

Girls Boys

Grade 7 Ines Ait Maamar Bilal Ait Maamar

Grade 8 Ilia Beeson Ethan Clements

Grade 9 Nicholas Walpole Raphaela Corney

Grade 10 Corey Bakes & Samuel Field Ruby Smee

2016 Field Champions

Girls Boys

Grade 7 Georgia Creese Tae Evans

Grade 8 Ethan Clements Sarah Ford

Grade 9 Jes Lewincamp Raphaela Corney

Grade 10 Lochie Boucher Amy Osborn &

Tully Coughlan

2016 Record Breakers

Keon Pavlides Grade 7 100m 12.15s

Raphaela Corney Grade 9 Long Jump 4.70m

Ruby Smee Grade 10 1500m 4:58.52 min

Lochie Boucher Grade 10 High Jump 1.81m

Sorin Vanzino Grade 9 800m 2:01.30

Inter High Athletics Carnival

Taroona High School has a team of 80 students from Grade 7-10

selected for the Inter High Athletics Carnival. All students

conducted themselves in an outstanding way and produced some

fantastic performances. We congratulate Raphaela Corney for

breaking the Grade 9 High Jump Record, with a jump of 1.57m,

7cm better than the previous record set in 1989. Taroona High

School came away with the Girls Shield with the boys getting

thirds. Overall, Taroona took the win – which is a combined

effort of both the boys and girls. Well done everyone!

Music Showcase Concert

The Music Showcase Concert is always an event to behold, and this year was no different. With over 500 students performing

throughout the night, it was a great showcase of the huge pool of musical talent at Taroona High. Although extreme heat in the gym had

many programs being used as fans, it was great to see so many parents and community members there to support the school.

This year saw the biggest Grade 7 band to date, and they played the Taroona Classics of Tyrannosaurus Rocks and Star Wars. There was

also a class of Grade 5s and 6s from Taroona Primary School joining the throng, who had been mentored in their instruments by

members of the Senior Band and Ms Willing.

The magical notes of the Grades 8 and 9 Stage and Concert Bands followed, showing just how far you can come in a few years in the

music program at Taroona. It was great to see how many people had continued on with music.

There were also a few contemporary bands amongst the more classical styles, with two junior contemporary bands and one senior

contemporary band sharing some of their original pieces. The Jazz Ensemble delighted our ears with a tune, and the String Ensemble with

a few. A beautiful rendition of Autumn Leaves, dedicated to the amazing Mrs Renshaw brought many to tears.

To wrap up the night, we had the Senior Concert and Stage Bands, playing together for one of the last times. It was a good opportunity

for the younger grades to see where they can get to with a bit of hard work, and hopefully be even better than this year's senior bands.

A huge thank you to everyone who was involved in organising the night; it couldn't have been done without you and definitely wouldn't

have been the success that it was.

Hannah Parish (10B)

Photos by Karen Brown

Students’ Achievements

Sam Edgar (8Y) has been selected to represent Tasmania at the

18 and Under Australian Championships in Melbourne from 3 – 8

December in both the individual Australian Junior Championships

and the National Teams events. Good luck, Sam!

Simon Vivarelli (9A) will be representing Tasmania in the

Football Federation of Australia’s National Training Centre

Challenge being held at Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra

from 5 – 9 December. This is a national soccer tournament.

Good luck Simon!

Eloise Dick (9J) was a late call-up to the Tasmanian squad

participating in the Cricket Australia Under 18 Female National

Championships in Hobart from 23-29 November. Good luck, Ella!

The Drowsy Chaperone

Taroona High School’s 2016 Production is on again. Performances

are at 7.00pm on Wednesday 7, Thursday 8 and Friday 9

December.

Tickets are on sale at the link block at lunchtimes or you can

contact Mrs Chilcott at honni.chilcott@education.tas.gov.au.

All tickets are $15 for ages 6 and up.

Flute Ensemble Tour

The Flute Ensemble has been rehearsing all year after school on

Mondays. They have played at Government House and on

Thursday 10 October, set out in a minibus, driven by Ms Harvey,

to tour the Huonville area. After the long bus trip, our first stop

was Huon

Eldercare, where

we played our

program of eleven

pieces for the

residents. They

enjoyed it so much

we played it twice

for them! Then we were off

again to Cygnet

Primary school

where we played

the same program,

as well as showing

them the flute,

piccolo and alto

flute, and the different sounds they make. After stopping for ice

cream in Cygnet, it was time to go back to school, just in time to

catch buses home. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and hope

to do it again next year.

Gabby Burke (8 Y)

CONTACT DETAILS

Meath Ave, TAROONA, TAS 7053

Phone: 03 6227 7700 Fax: 03 6227 7799

Email: taroona.high@education.tas.gov.au

Web: http://education.tas.edu.au/taroonahigh

Taroona Art Trail

The Taroona Art Trail was a great

success. It was great to see so many

community members enjoying the

beautiful weather and celebrating the

environment and art. Congratulations to

the organisers and all the artists who helped to make it a

memorable event. Well done to Sally, Harriett and Tara for your

Youth Art Award. Thanks to Tyenna Hogan for giving the

Welcome to Country. We are proud of all the students who

participated.

Former Student’s Achievement