Although the year is coming to an end preparations are well under way for the 2002 school year. Last Thursday and Friday over one hundred Grade 9 boys attended peer support training with twelve staff members. This is an intensive two day training period to choose and prepare senior students for their peer support role in 2002. Having visited the training sessions on two occasions I was impressed with the commitment and endeavour being shown. It is impressive that so many of our senior students want to take up this role. I also applaud the efforts of Ms Self in organising and driving the program as well as all those staff who acted as trainers and leaders. Peer Support is a central supportive school environment program within the school and one that really makes a difference.

The 2002 Prefect Board was announced at the Grade 10 leavers’ assembly. These boys take on the mantle of student leadership within the School and their role is a vital one. The new Prefects undertake to maintain an important tradition within our School. Congratulations to those boys who were elected and thank you to those who put their name forward. To suffer disappointment is in itself a learning experience and I admire all the boys who were willing to be considered for these leadership positions. I am sure the new Board will carry on the fine work of the 2001 Board under the guidance of Ms Hunter and Mr Trousselot.

The 2001 year has been an eventful one. We have had the benefits of our new facilities and they have made a difference to our teaching and learning program. The new catering facilities have enabled our students to enter this area in greater numbers than ever before. The expansion of our computer technology facilities has enabled a number of new courses to be offered. The new MDT facilities have enabled a student focus rather than an outmoded industrial focus and the availability of a drama studio provides a realistic teaching and learning area. The new Learning Centre and the corresponding work related learning courses have all provided a depth to our offering and have had a real impact. Apart from the facilities, the musical production was outstanding, the 50th Anniversary celebrations highlighted the history and traditions of the School, the successes at the inter high carnivals continued and the performances in the academic competitions were excellent. The culture and fabric of the School continues to be extremely positive and healthy. Overall I believe we have achieved much.

The successes depend upon the dedication of the staff and our students are particularly fortunate to have a caring, experienced and committed staff. I thank them for their work. Two long standing members of staff are retiring this year. Mr Tim Cox has been at New Town High School for over 25 years. He has lead the Science Department and been instrumental in establishing computer education within the School when the move to computing was in its infancy. Mr Fyffe left on long service leave at the end of Term 2 and is officially retiring at the end of the school year. I spoke of his extensive contribution in an earlier newsletter. Both these teachers have had a major impact upon the education of many boys and we wish them well in their future endeavours in retirement. We are also losing Ms Barclay, Mr Wallace and Mr Smith at the end of Term 3. Mrs Jones, Ms Floyd, Mr Cooke and Mr Williams left during Term 3 and Mr Pybus, Mr Targett, Mr Sheppard, Ms Weidmann, Mr Fulton and Mr Turnbull will be farewelled after taking the places of teachers on leave. We thank them all for their hard work and contribution to the School.

The standard of uniform has been very pleasing during the year and I’d thank parents for the work they do in sending their boys to school appropriately attired. There is one change to uniform next year. All boys are required to have a plain navy blue cap. Also we want all boys to wear black shoes with their formal uniform. This is not new but is a feature that has slipped over the past few years. Parents are reminded that all boys must have a sports and a formal uniform.

Finally I’d like to thank the School community – parents, guardians, staff, students – for their contribution to New Town High School during 2001. It is the strength of all these people that make the School what it is. I wish all students, staff and parents/guardians and their families a happy Christmas and a relaxing, enjoyable and safe holiday.

From time to time students have a need to borrow items of uniform.

If parents have uniform items that are no longer needed and are in reasonably good condition the school would be pleased to receive donations. However, for really good quality items we would be willing to negotiate a small price.

Thank you.

Students will finish School on the last day at 12 o’clock. MTT buses have been ordered for that time. Any student who needs to catch a contract bus at the normal time will be supervised at School until the normal dismissal time.

Mr I Morgan

Congratulation to the following Grade 7 boys who won awards at Presentation Evening last night.

A big congratulations to Thomas Karpiniec for receiving the award of DUX of Grade 7. Well done!!

Well done to all Grade 7’s on their fine efforts during the year.

Throughout 2001 Grade 8 students have taken to heart Mr Morgan’s catchcry "Be a participator, not a spectator". Looking back through the newsletters and other records of the year’s events in preparing the School magazine, it is clear that Grade 8 students feature prominently, actively setting their own stamp on every endeavour.

In music there is a depth of talent and many students play key roles in the Senior Concert Band, the Junior Concert Band, the Guitar ensembles, the Choir and Vocal Groups. In debating, two strong teams were entered in the Tasmanian Debating Union’s Schools’ roster, New Town High 1 winning the Class 8 Shield, and New Town High 2 showing a depth of promise for 2002. Grade 8’s were keen members of the chorus in "Ned Kelly" and played their part in ensuring the success of the 50^th Anniversary celebrations.

Grade 8 artwork has a spark of creative originality about it that promises much for the future in this area.

The November Mercury School page feature was prepared quite professionally by Grade 8 students in the main and the COGS editorial committee comprised a fine group of talented and hardworking students from the Grade. We make particular acknowledgement of the work for the School Magazine completed by Owen Baker, Casey Farrell, Billy Grey, Oliver Gouldthorpe, Lewis Mathieson, Daniel Simmons, and James Walker - their creative energy, their skill in writing, art and layout, their patience and their sense of fun emerge as commendable qualities.

In the sporting arena, Grade 8 students played the games in large numbers, fielding two teams in many of the sports. Of course, a high level of participation generates reward for effort. Grade 8 Hockey Blue emerged as the only New town High premiers in hockey this year and the Junior Volleyball team, captained by Yiorwo Dourias, also experienced the elation of Grand Final victory. For other teams, making the finals or simply playing the game was reward in itself.

A considerable number of Grade 8 students have earned state selection in their chosen sport and enjoyed the experience of competing at the national level. Grade 8’s participate in service as well. The Grade 8 council has provided energetic leadership and been instrumental in setting up and running paper recycling within the School. Grade 8’s serve at the Library desk, in the Canteen and in the School’s kitchens – their quiet work in making the School a better place for everyone is appreciated.

Naturally, all this is done over and above the all-important School work. The end-of-year reports are a credit to the efforts of students to make the most of the educational opportunities offered to them. At Presentation Evening, Oliver Gouldthorpe was recognised as the DUX of Grade 8. Philip Banham, Jacomb Bell, Casey Farrell, James Frost, Billy Grey, Andrew Lewis, Lewis Mathieson, Lewis Rockliffe, Daniel Simmons, James Walker, received awards for Academic Achievement.

Justin Black, Nick Brown, John Dowe, Tim Gadd, Campbell King, James McHugh, Stuart O’Brien, Brendan Sargent, Mathew Sear, and Jarrad Stocks received awards for Merit.

All the students are participators in the full life of the School. In the Grade, Jarvis has emerged as the strongest house, not only in the tug-of-war but also in the academic competition although 8E1 gained the highest number of points towards the David Close Shield. Twenty-one students have earned Grade Supervisors’ awards in recognition of their fine year of endeavour.

As a Grade they have been great eights and will go on, no doubt, to achieving greater feats in 2002.

Congratulations to the following boys who have been selected as Prefects, Student Tutors and Peer Support Leaders for 2002. We have yet to select Student Mentors and House Captains. Upon finalising these positions, we hope that every Grade 10 boy in 2002 will have a leadership role within the school.

Congratulations to Yanlin Aung on being DUX of Grade 9 2001. Well done Yanlin!!

An extensive review of the Food Technology Department this year will result in a number of changes in 2002 which are aimed at improving student outcomes, streamlining existing practices and reducing costs for parents/students.

It is intended to utilise single lessons in Grades 8, 9 and 10 for theory, whilst the double lessons shall be allocated, on most occasions, for practical work. Relevant visits by guest speakers & excursions shall also be incorporated into the teaching programs

Rather than the somewhat laborious arrangement at present whereby monies are collected at the commencement of cooking sessions, it is planned that all participants will pay in advance.

Our current system wastes the first 15 minutes of each practical lesson and is a very unsettling way to begin the lesson. Added to this, is the problem of the small number of students who forget to bring their money each lesson and who therefore cannot join in.

For students in grades 8, 9 and 10 in 2002 parents are encouraged to make a single payment with their levies of $135.00 for the whole year or alternatively make three payments of $50.00 to spread the cost over the year with the first payment with their levies at the start of term one. The single payment of $135.00 has been discounted by 10% to make this a more attractive option for parents in an effort to reduce our administration costs.

Parents should note that during 2001 most students will have paid in excess of $200.00 for Food Studies or an average of over $5.00 per school week. 2002 will see a real reduction in terms of cost for the subject due to the enhanced theory component.

If there is any aspect relating to the above information that you would wish to discuss, please feel free to contact me at school.

Just a reminder from the HPE staff to bring a hat and wear sunscreen as the warmer weather approaches.

I recently received the final school results from this years Inter High School Athletics Carnival. Congratulations to the whole team who won the boys section. Thank you to Mr Pridgeon and Mr Sheppard who were team managers and who guided the boys to victory.

Congratulations to Adam Manson, Grade 9 who broke the Discus Record with a winning throw of 42.36m.

The following boys also performed very well.

Following the end of year reports, academic house points have been allocated to students in Grade 7, 8, 9 and 10.

Points are awarded in Grade 7 and 8 to students who have around half of their subject strands rated as A for each subject and for achieving high overall level ratings.

In Grade 9 and 10, students are awarded house points according to the number of HA and OA awards they receive in any subject and extra points for awards in subjects studied at the most demanding syllabus.

It is pleasing to note that throughout the whole school, less than twenty five students have not been able to make a contribution to academic house points. All students who have done so will receive feedback as to how many points they earned and how these were awarded.

Academic house points following the end of year reports are as follows.

Points for the David Close Academic Shield (comprising both mid-year and end of year reports) are being tallied and an announcement and presentation will be made at the final assembly on Tuesday.

As an alternative to several fundraising events, the Parents and Friends asked parents for a voluntary donation of $20.00 to be paid during the book sales at the beginning of the year. We raised over $4,000 from the voluntary donation for 2001, some of which was put towards the cost of the new projector. We will be asking for a donation again at the beginning of the 2002 year. If it’s not possible for you to pay this during book sales, it can be paid in two instalments over the year.

At the Annual General Meeting the following Executive members were elected: Frank McCann President, Graeme Paine (Vice President, Wendy Hendy (Treasurer) and Dolores Puskaric (Secretary). We would like to thank Alison Le Bis for her significant leadership role as President in 2001. We wouldn’t have had such a successful year without her hard work and we especially appreciated her advice and help in catering for our functions. Alison will continue to be actively involved with the Parents and Friends next year and we look forward to working with her again. A copy of Alison’s Report to the AGM is attached.

There will be a meeting on Tuesday 18 December at 5.30pm at the School in order for the Parents and Friends to plan activities for next year. Parents are encouraged to attend or if unavailable on 18 December then to send their ideas to the school office for consideration at the meeting. Please consider things which you would like to see us undertake and also let us know of any special skills you have that you may be able to offer to the school community.

Mrs A Le Bis

After discussion with a number of parents within the School community, the Parents and Friends Association has decided to again, ask for a voluntary donation from parents as a method of fundraising for the 2002 year.

This method of fundraising releases parents from the pressures of having to buy, sell or attend a function, but, allows you to support, in a positive way your boys education and the facilities the School provides for that education.

We value the fact that parents are all extremely busy and hope that this provides a way for you to show support without having to give up your valued time.

Please support this effort generously by donating $20.00 at the beginning of the School year during book sales, or at any time during the year.

The compulsory levy structure for 2002 has remained basically the same as previous years and a small CPI increase has been applied:

Grade 7 $290

Grades 8, 9 & 10 $280

Recipients of Student Assistance will pay a school levy of only $50. The School magazine COGS is optional to student assistance students. It will cost $15.

The weekly collection of cooking levies has been abandoned. Grade 7 student will pay $50 upfront for their entire six month course (be it in the first six months or the second). Grade 8, 9 & 10 students undertaking Cooking as an option will pay either $135 upfront for the whole year or three term fees of $50 each.

Levy payments, uniform purchases and stationery kit collections are made during this period. Parents are encouraged to plan their visit to the school according to the following alphabetical order.

SURNAME DATE FOR COLLECTION

A – E Monday 4 February 2002

F – J Tuesday 5 February 2002

K – M Wednesday 6 February 2002

N – S Thursday 7 February 2002

T – Z Friday 8 February 2002

Collection can be made on the following Tuesday 12 February for country boys taking up residence at Springvale Hostel.

Hours of business will be 9.00 am – 12.00 noon and 1.30 pm – 3.30 pm.

Bankcard, Mastercard and Visa facilities are available at the school for your convenience. EFTPOS facilities are not available.