Issue 3 - June 2022
- From the Principal
- News from English and HASS
- IDAHOBIT Day
- Assistive Devices in Engineering Design 2
- News from Maths and Science
- Cry-Baby a hit!
- News from Performing Arts
- Enrichment Day
- News from Visual Art
- News from HPOE
- From the Sustainability Learning Centre
- Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways - Workplace Learning Activities
- Noticeboard
From the Principal
We are already half-way through Term 2 and what a busy start to the term we have had!
The highlight, over the last few weeks, has been watching our talented students perform in this years Hobart college musical. Cry-Baby The Musical is full of fun, comedy, songs and important life messages. The performances showcase five months of hard work by a dedicated group of staff and students. It is so rewarding to see the how far students have come from the auditions held in February to the polished and professional Gala performance last Thursday. The matinees have also been very well supported by our Associated High Schools, Taroona, Kingston, Woodbridge and Huonville.
There is a large team that work closely together and assist in providing the necessary supports to enable the production to happen. A special thank you to Jeff Michel, (Director) Jessie Barclay (Assistant Director), Simon Cawthorn (Musical Director), Lachlan Court (Producer) and Assistant Principal, Simone Cunliffe for their efforts. Congratulations to everyone involved in the show!
Enrichment Activities occurred in Home Group during Week 3. Students had the opportunity to enrol in a over 40 diverse activities, including off-site visits to UTAS, Mona, mountain bike riding, rafting, surfing and bushwalking. Other students remained on campus and were involved in activities such as table tennis, knitting, car maintenance, board games, gaining their RSA certificate, just to name a few. It was a great opportunity for students to meet new people and try something new.
During Week 5 our Vocational Education and Training (VET) audits were held. These are essential in ensuring that our courses can be nationally recognised. Teachers put considerable time and effort in preparing for these audits and allowing classes opportunity to provide quality, authentic simulated work environments.
And a quick COVID update … we are all still required to wear masks whilst on campus, as directed by Public Health. Students are able to collect masks from the office. We ask that students complete a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) if they feel unwell or have COVID-like symptoms. A reminder that students can collect a RAT from the office. Handwashing and good hygiene remain two of the most important factors in reducing the spread of COVID.
Good news we received this week, is that school assemblies and staff meetings can now resume. These events, that bring our community together, are an important part of our shared wellbeing and sense of community.
Finally, while the weather gets cooler and the days shorter, our main focus for Term 2 is on attendance and encouraging all students to be in class and engaged in learning. Regular attendance and completion of set work for all subjects in both Years 11 and 12 is crucial to achieving the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE/TCEA), which should be the goal for all students. It is nearly impossible to achieve an assessment in a subject if students do not attend regularly and it is also very difficult to catch up on an extra subject in Year 12 to attain the required 120 participation points for the TCE. Student reports were sent home in Week 4 and the reports are a strong indicator of whether your young person is on track in all their subjects. It is never too late for students to get ‘back on track’ so if you have any concerns, please contact your young person’s Home Group teacher.
It was great to see so many parents/carers at our recent COVID safe Parent Teacher event with over 250 parents attending and around 780 individual teacher bookings. This is such an important event for staff, students and parent/carers and if you were unable to make a booking, please contact the teacher by email for feedback.
Upcoming events:
- Careers Taster Day – 8 June during Home Group
- College Association Meeting - 14 June 5:30-7pm - new parents/carers always welcome
- MYAP (Mid-Year Assessment Period) - 24-30 June
- Dark HoCo Breakfast and Talent Quest – Wednesday - 6 July
- Year 12 – Hobart College Hoody/Windcheater orders - Due Friday 17 June
Please note: There will not be a ‘study at home day’ prior to the MYAP
Enjoy reading about the many activities that have occurred around the campus in Term 2 and information about upcoming events and opportunities that exist for our students.
Wendy Irvine
Acting Principal
News from English and HASS
DEBATING SUCCESS
Congratulations to our very own Mackenna on their selection for the Australian Debating Squad. Mackenna will now compete in a training program in the hope to be selected in the squad for the World Schools Debating Championships later this year. Congratulations to Chelsea who was also part of the Tasmanian debating team.
GBWO INTERNATIONAL TEAM SELECTION
Congratulations to Patrick Holland who was selected to participate in the Geography's Big Week Out (GBWO) International Team for the “2021” GBWO held in Brisbane from 9 to 13 April 2022. Patrick's selection was based on his scores in the Australian Geography Competition. You can read more about the GBWO by clicking on the PDF link below.
VET TOURISM - TASMANIAN WALKING COMPANY WORKPLACEMENT
VET Tourism students Matilda, Fen and Elliot spent their work placement with Tas Walking Company completing three different walks:
- Matilda– Overland Track
- Fen – Bay of Fires
- Elliot – Three Capes Track
Click on the link below to read their personal reports about their experiences.
Paige and Jamila had their work placement at Saffire Hotel on the sunny East Coast of Tasmania. Click on the link below to read their report about their experience.
ANNUAL POETRY COMPETITION NOW OPEN!
The annual HoCo Poetry Competition is currently underway with students invited to write a poem in any format. Students who enter are in the running for some great prizes.
Students are encouaraged to ask any English teacher to review a draft or proofread the poem before it is submitted.
IDAHOBIT Day
The Hobart College LGBTIQ+ Allies group raised over $300 with their Op Shop as part of IDAHOBIT day. They are donating the money to the 10 Lives Cat Home that only survives on community donations for rescued cats and kittens. The group would especially like to thank the VET Kitchen Ops and Hospitality classes for making the rainbow cupcakes. (They were delicious!)
Assistive Devices in Engineering Design 2
Engineering Design 2 students recently designed and programmed a range of robotic assistive devices. Assistive technology enables people to perform tasks they would otherwise be unable to accomplish.
Working in small teams, the students used the design thinking process to identify problems experienced by people and brainstorm possible solutions.
The assistive devices included:
- An automatic toilet paper dispenser
- A grabber arm designed to help people with back injuries pick up objects
- An alarm clock that gets you of bed by throwing ping pong balls around the room - it doesn't turn off until the balls have been returned
- A "digital detox" device that traps your phone for a set period of time
- A device for blind people that beeps at different pitches to indicate how close an object is
- A robotic sundae maker that adds whipped cream, chocolate topping, and sprinkles to a bowl of ice-cream
- An automatic tea making robot that effortlessly dunks your tea bag into your cup while you deal with the existential stress of waking up in the morning.
News from Maths and Science
AKIHIRO WINS M.A.T. COMPETITION
Exciting news from the Maths department with Akihiro winning the Year 11-12 section of the Mathematical Association of Tasmanian (MAT) statewide problem solving competition.
The MAT annual event consists of a set of mathematical problems which aim to test the student’s logic by applying their mathematical skills to topics outside of the standard curriculum. Congratulations Aki - we are very proud of you!
You can listen to Akihiro's interview on ABC radio here:
VET HAIRDRESSING
Students in the Certificate II in Salon Assistant class have been learning how to braid, shampoo and blow-dry, and perform head, neck and shoulder massages. Students will soon be learning how to colour hair and continue to improve in all skills embedded in the course.
If any Hobart College Students have a study line on Lines 2 and 4 and would like to be a model for the salon students, please call into A350 and make an appointment during Term 2.
We look forward to pampering you!
SCIENCE GUEST SPEAKERS
This term we welcomed volcanologists Hannah and Acacia to speak with our students. They are both doing their PhD studies in volcanology and recently returned from a research voyage on the CSIRO’s Investigator. They came to talk about their pathways in science, and the huge potential in the job market for people with a degree in Earth Science.
Cry-Baby a hit!
Congratulations to the company of Cry-Baby for their incredible season which closed on Saturday June 4. The Cry-Baby Production team would like to thank the amazing support and mentorship from industry, teaching staff and VET students listed below:
- School of Creative Arts and Media, University of Tasmania for running this practically engaging course allowing all our cast and orchestra to thrive off their advice and gain 15 points towards their TCE;
- Tasvend Pty Ltd - for their generosity and support in sponsoring the show;
- Rhys Gray, Composer, and Claire L. Farrell, composer for the arrangement;
- Music tutors: Catherine Johnstone, Simon Patterson, Thomas McKay and Mathew Olivier for individual instrumental support;
- Karl Sanger for his great expertise in set construction and backstage management;
- ex-HoCo student Audrey Carter for her spectacular banner artwork;
- Librarian Kaye Peterson for constructing the giant syringes;
- Gregg Ransley for coming in to mentor our students at the audio desk;
- GK Productions - Live Performance Services for the spectacular lighting plot, design, bandstand festoon lighting, staging and coming through with solutions for all our challenges;
- The Certificate II in Tourism class for providing friendly ushers for all the performances;
- Ben Nelan leading the Certificate II in Creative Industries class to create a wonderful video montage to remember the show;
- Certificate II in Hospitality & Kitchen Operations for providing catering for our Gala evening;
- Our wonderful cleaning and maintenance staff ensuring the theatre is ready for audiences before every show;
- And finally, but not least, all our parents/carers who have supported the cast, band and crew for countless hours of rehearsals and shows.
We're incredibly proud of what the students achieved in this production and the skills and experience they have developed to future careers
Watch this space for the 2023 Musical announcement!
Cry-Baby Performance Photo gallery
News from Performing Arts
Festival of Voices – Vocal Ensemble show Tuesday 5 July 6:30pm 8:00pm, Mt Nelson Theatre
After the success of our vocal ensemble performance last year, rehearsals are underway for our vocal ensemble show at end of the term. This concert will feature the young emerging vocal talent from Hobart College. As well as the vocal ensemble and extension house band, the concert will feature a number of other solo vocal items throughout the night.
This concert will be set in the newly refurbished Mt Nelson Theatre, Tuesday 5 July 6:30pm-8:30pm. We warmly invite our community to attend. No prior bookings required and entry is free.
(Below are images from our 2021 Concert)
Video releases
Videos from our 2022 launch concerts are now available to view.
Visit our youtube channels to see all the performances via the links below.
Enrichment Day
What do White-Water Rafting, Jewellery-Making, Hair Braiding, Cooking, Walking on Kunanyi and David Attenborough movies have in common? The answer is Enrichment Day 2022! On 18 May, students from across the college spent the morning engaged in a fantastic range of activities, facilitated by the Home Group staff and a few extra volunteers. The aim of these activities is to get students away from their normal classrooms, engaged in activities that may be beyond their usual experience – in other words, enriching experiences. Some of the more adventurous activities such as White-Water Rafting were very popular and places were snapped up quickly. Over 100 students also took the opportunity to complete their Responsible Service of Alcohol qualification which should prove a useful addition to their resume. Delicious smells emanated from the kitchen where a group of students prepared a tasty lunch. The walk on the mountain had to be moved to a lower altitude than originally planned as the weather was somewhat inclement. Thanks to all who organised and ran activities and to those who participated and made the day a success.
Enrichment Day Photo Gallery
News from Visual Art
MONA EXCURSION
The Art Theory and Criticism class ventured bravely into the dark depths of MONA for the second time this term, hoping to decode the ancient and mysterious, or perhaps just check out the giant robot dogs.
BUNNIES AND FLOWERS ART COMPETITION WINNERS
The Visual Art "Bunnies and Flowers" Art Competition winners who were announced at the end of Term 1. Staff and students had such an amazing array of art work to vote for!
Congratulations to:
1st prize - Aimee (picture 1)
2nd prize - Stella (picture 2)
3rd prize - Indigo (picture 3 and 4)
Teachers' Choice Award - Molly (picture 5)
News from HPOE
ROCK CLIMBING COMPETITION
On Saturday 28 May, a large cohort of current and past Hobart College community members made the journey to Launceston to compete in the Island Crown bouldering competition at Beta Park Bouldering Gym. Current Hobart College students included Leyroy Harley (Finalist open A), Josie Wardrop (Finalist Open A), Elke Schwarz (Open B), Rosie Andrews (Open B), Raul Schwarz (entered Open A but did not compete as he was sick). Staff who competed were Cam Lynch (16th Open B) and Tim McEldowney (2nd Place Open A). There was quite a list of past students who competed including Joe Schwarz (finalist Open A) and Tarn Hingston (3rd place Open A). Congratulations to everyone who competed.
EXPEDITION TRIP - FREYCINET CIRCUIT
On a cool autumn Friday eleven students loaded the bus with heavy packs hoping for a good weekend of walking and talking, leaving school work and commitments behind, ready to take on one of Tasmania's iconic overnight walks.
Friday evening was a climb over the saddle into Wineglass Bay, across the isthmus and along Hazards Beach to be met by a wombat going about an evening feed.
Saturday was a big day with two mountains to climb, refreshing swims, and a night where the possums caused an expensive amount of damaged as they nibbled through tents, backpacks and bags to get to the student’s food. All while the students remained asleep.
Sunday was a relaxing morning completing compass and mapping activities, a stroll along the beach and a final swim. Followed by 1000 steps up to the lookout for a final glimpse of where the class had travelled. Once in the bus a stop at Kate's Berry farm to eat the biggest ice cream and to look across the bay to the never changing Hazards to reflect upon a great trip.
STUDENT SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS
There has been a large number of students reperesenting their sport at a state and national level. Congratulations to the following HPOE students for their achievements in their respective sport:
CANOE SLALOM
Hamish Dalziel is heading to the World Championships in Europe as one of only 3 Australians selected in the Under 18 Canoe Slalom event in July. A pretty special moment for his Coach, Matt, who is also his Dad and head of HASS at Hobart College.
HOCKEY
Congratulations to Lachlan Rogers and Max Johnstone who, after successfully representing Tasmania in the National Hockey Championships in Cairns, have been selected in the Australian Development Squad. Fantastic achievement!
SWIMMING
Exciting news for Noah Kamprad who has been named as 1 of 32 athletes selected to represent the Junior Dolphins at the 2022 Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Hawaii in August this year. Congratulations Noah!
GOLF
Hunter Gillard has been selected to play in the LLD International Amateur Golf tournament in Singapore by Golf Australia later this month. This news is extra special as it’s a open event not a junior event.
GYMNASTICS
Jude Coburn, Amber, Avah and Ethan Loring were selected to represent Tasmania at the Australian Gymnastics Championships held on the Gold Coast between 19th May – 25th May.
TRACK AND FIELD
Issi Hippel has been named in the Australian team to go to the Oceania Games in June for shotput.
From the Sustainability Learning Centre
What's inside the box?
Students at Hobart College could soon get a look into the world of one of Australia's most threatened bird species, the swift parrot, through a nest box program designed to give students a greater understanding of the natural world around them.
The Inside/Outside project aims to get students outside into the Outdoor Classroom - the forest surrounding Hobart College, then back into the classroom to monitor what species are using the newly- installed student- built nest boxes.
'Peeper' and night vision cameras will play a key role in the project, giving students a birds-eye view of life inside a nest box.
Jenny Dudgeon, Education Manager of the Sustainability Learning Centre is helping run the program through HoCo’s Student Environment Team and the Department of Education’s, based Sustainability Learning Centre, which together with Hobart College is set on 65 hectares of native bushland that provides habitat for a number of threatened species.
"The Student Environment Team were concerned about impacts on nesting habitat so together we created this project not just to get kids out into the natural environment - our outdoor classroom - but to also prompt them to think about and act on threats to our native wildlife and become active Citizen Scientists through recording sightings, building a Mt Nelson/Hobart College specific data set on the iNaturalist app" she said.
"We really want this project to open up the world of Mt Nelson's unique biodiversity to our students and encourage them to explore the challenges faced by our native wildlife from encroaching urbanisation, extreme weather events and the impacts of fire on mature trees."
The project has been funded through a City of Hobart Urban Sustainability grant, and will help students, and the local community, learn about the threats facing local species like the swift parrot, rosellas, pardalotes, owls and even micro-bats: which nest in large numbers and measure less than the width of a thumbnail.
"When it comes to caring for the environment it is so important we understand what's happening in our own backyard," said Ms Dudgeon.
"The Inside/Outside project will tell us how nest boxes can be used to improve breeding habitats for local native species, and the final outcome should be more informed environmental stewardship of the beautiful bushland that surrounds Hobart College."
Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways - Workplace Learning Activities
The Hobart College Foundation Skills Class has been participating in team building projects and discovering some amazing opportunities to work in and with the bush. Our May 9 excursion to Hobart Council Bushcare Depot introduced students to the work done by the Bushcare team in fire and bush management. We were introduced to the importance of safe working environments and looked at opportunities of participating in voluntary work to enhance our employability skills.
On May 23rd we were given a presentation by the Sustainability Centre in seed and plant propagation with a view to planting out more native vegetation on the Hobart College grounds or setting up some plants for sale as part of our entrepreneurial skills.
We would like to thank all the staff and volunteers at Bushcare and the Sustainability Centre for their time in setting up these valuable workplace learning opportunities.
Noticeboard
MYAP EXAM TIMETABLE
The Hobart College Mid Year Assessment Period (MYAP) will be run from Friday 24 June to Friday 1 July. See below for the scheduled assessments during this period.
LEVIES AND ADDITIONAL SUBJECT CHARGES
Payment of levies and additional subject charges are now overdue.
If you are experiencing difficulties with payment please contact the college office to confidentially discuss your individual situation.
Payment Options:
- BPay (School Invoices)
- Service Tasmania Shops (School Invoices)
- Credit Card over the phone (6220 3133)
- In person at the College – Eftpos, cash or cheque (made payable to Hobart College)
ENTERTAINMENT BOOK MEMBERSHIP
Purchase your Entertainment Membership and support Hobart College via this link:
LET'S MAKE EVERY SCHOOL DAY COUNT
Being at school is the best place for our kids. It’s where they learn and grow alongside their friends, and where they benefit the most.
The Department of Education’s new communication resources on School attendance highlight the importance of regular school attendance – watch the television commercial here.
Going to school not only promotes academic success, but also helps build important social skills, relationships and confidence. Every COVID-safe measure is being taken, so that every student can learn in class safely.
What we do know is that every school day counts. Bright futures begin at school, so if your child is well enough to attend school, being in the physical school environment is the best place for them.
For more information, please visit the Department of Education website.
If you need support translating or interpreting this information, contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.
HOMESTAYS ARE BACK!
After a two-year hiatus, international students are coming back to Tasmanian Government Schools. School communities play a huge role in supporting the social wellbeing of visiting international students.
See the flyer below for more information on how to become a Homestay host.
