Montrose Bay High School Newsletter - Term 4 Week 9
Message from the Principal
As we reflect on 2023, I would like to thank and acknowledge the key stakeholders who have supported our school, from teachers and staff who have impacted student learning to parents, carers and our wider community who have supported student learning.
Over the past few days we have been able to celebrate student learning and achievements across the year. Our presentation evening was a big success with many community members attending and supporting our students. We welcomed Her Excellency, The Honourable Barbara Baker, Governor of Tasmania along with various Local and State Politicians including other special guests. The night was a celebration of the amazing efforts of our students and their commitment to learning, I left the event feeling overwhelmed with pride and thankful for the efforts of our community to support students.
This morning we followed up with the Year 7/8 Awards Assembly where we highlighted students for their academic, sporting, cultural and community efforts. Many parents/carers were able to attend this event and celebrate their achievements.
The MBHS community welcomed myself and a new leadership team in 2023 with the endeavour to design and support consistency across the school. Throughout the year, we have been laser-focused on ensuring high expectations across all year levels, linked with academic achievement and positive behaviour support.
In 2023 we developed and focussed on two school improvement goals, to lead our school forward over coming years.
- Engagement – A culture that promotes learning: Develop interventions and support our orderly learning environment.
- Reading – Effective pedagogical practices: Develop reading comprehension skills guided by student data.
Our school improvement goals have been guided by our governance structure to ensure there is accountability and feedback at all levels; student, staff and community. Our staff are committed to these improvement goals and have worked in year-level-based, cross-curricular Professional Learning Teams to implement collaborative inquiries based on data.
I am very proud to share our school’s achievements this year which have had a significant positive impact in many areas of our school. The 2023 year saw our school innovate and shift our thinking to support learning. This was achieved through a revised student timetable which saw lesson time increase across the day and move from 4 x 70min lessons to 5 x 60min lessons. This shift was supported by current research and has benefited student learning and staff planning. We will continue this structure into 2024 to ensure consistency across our school. Student data sets across the school indicate that our orderly learning environment is supporting learning. Recent DECYP student and staff surveys indicate optimistic outcomes for our school, and confirm that we are moving in the right direction to achieve our future goals.
I would like to thank our school community for supporting us on this journey. We have engaged in events and learning activities designed to support both students and staff. This has enabled us to build strong, respectful and enduring relationships. We have an amazing staff who are committed to supporting students and meeting them at their required levels while setting high standards for all to achieve.
To those students and families who will depart MBHS this year, we wish you all the best in future education at college and beyond. Thank you for your contribution to our school. For those who will return or begin at MBHS in 2024, we are excited for the opportunities ahead and look forward to another year of learning, building positive relationships and celebrating success.
Regards
Mr Tim Nicholas - Principal
School Association-Montrose Bay High
We look forward to welcoming new faces to the School Association in 2024. Our next meeting will be Tuesday 24th February 2024 at 5.30 pm.
Earle Patman
On behalf of the School Association
Year 9 & 10
What a year it has been for the senior part of the school! The year has included highlights, challenges, and exciting times that have contributed to making 2023 unique and memorable. I would like to acknowledge the hard work of all students and staff in making the learning environments positive and engaging. Year 10’s, we wish you all the best as you embark on the next part of your educational journey. Grade 9’s, you are now the leaders of Montrose Bay High! Year 10 is a crucial time in your schooling journey, and I encourage you to approach it with curiosity, enthusiasm, and an open mind. Have a safe and enjoyable Christmas break.
In Mathematics, Year 9 students have had several opportunities to explore probability, binomial expansion, and statistics. In particular, students have furthered their understanding of probability in complex situations, along with setting themselves up for success by vastly improving their algebraic abilities. Further to this, they have been able to investigate the current real estate market in Hobart and have provided valuable insight and discussion into this topic.
In Year 9 Science we explored waves, from the transmission of sound to the mysterious properties of light. To understand how we see light, we examined the optical properties of a cow’s eye lens extracted through a dissection. In Year 10 Science, we examined the concept of forces through Newton’s three laws. We learned how to apply the laws to determine the acceleration of objects experiencing unbalanced forces and applied this understanding to explain the motion of balloon-powered cars.
In Year 9 and 10 History, students have been working hard on their inquiry projects. Students have created their inquiry questions based on a topic of interest to them and used their research skills to find the answers to these questions. Throughout the inquiry process, we have been focussing on analysing patterns of cause and effect and continuity and change, two of the key historical concepts that we have been focussing on this term.
In Grade 10 Term 4 HPE, students explored various physical activities such as touch football and touchball, enhancing their teamwork and strategic skills. Additionally, they gained essential knowledge in first aid, acquiring crucial life-saving skills to respond effectively in emergencies.
In Food Tech, Year 9 has been exploring different aspects of food design while making foods that we use for celebrations and parties at this time of year. They designed and made some gingerbread and shortbread biscuits which they decorated with icing and coloured toppings including smarties and sprinkles. In Café Skills, Year 10 has finished their café menus and production for the year. They moved on to creating designs and planning to make gingerbread houses. They found this design task very challenging but achieved some great designs. The highlight of these lessons is seeing students amazed at what they have achieved and seeing the problem-solving skills they are using to correct their mistakes as they work.
24 Carrot Program
The last few weeks have been the busiest and it's not going to slow down anytime soon. We have been busy clearing all of our garden beds of spent produce and pulling out weeds left right and centre to try and keep up with this heat we are having. The first week back in 2024 will most certainly be a busy one as everything planted in the past few weeks and right up until the last day will be ready to pick. We anticipate a massive abundance of produce.
End of Year Reports
Student Health
Dear families,
As the summer holidays approach, support for students with mental health problems or mental illness will be decreased as they are not attending school where they may regularly access support. I have attached a guide for accessing support external to the school if it is required.
You can call the Access Mental Health Line on 1800 332 388 24/7 for counseling support over the phone, or information on how to access help in Tasmania. In case of an emergency call 000.
Keeping screen time and social media access per day limited, as well as encouraging good sleep habits and nutrition are all ways you can help your student stay mentally healthy. Take advantage of the nice weather and spend some time in the sun and outside too (make sure you wear sunscreen!)
Have a lovely summer!
School Nurse
Triathlon
Miss Stacey and Mr Bailey took several MBHS students to Bellerive Beach where they took part in the Tasmanian Schools Triathlon Challenge. It was a fun and challenging event, the weather couldn't dampen the MBHS spirit as students swam, biked and ran their hearts out. The determination and perseverance shown by all students was truly inspiring. Congratulations to all participants, they gave it their all and should be very proud of their efforts.
Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize
An exciting opportunity awaits.
Each year six Year 9 students are selected from around Tasmania to take part in the Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize. As part of the prize students:
- go on a 10-day study tour in April the following year (incorporating Anzac Day).
- visit the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
- attend educational meetings held once a month in the lead up to the study tour (November to April).
The study tour will travel to sites and landmarks of wartime, in Belgium and France (subject to appropriate travel clearances and public health advice). The group is led by a Tasmanian Government tour leader, and is accompanied by two teachers, a parliamentarian and an RSL representative. The State Government meet the cost of travel, transfers, travel insurance, accommodation, tour activities, and meals for each winner and the chaperones.
Dates to Remember
21st December 2023 | Student's last day |
| 1st February 2024 | School Office and Uniform Shop - open |
| 8th February 2024 | Students return for Term 1 2024 |