Issue 3 - May 2021

From the Principal

It is only the fourth week of our second term and yet there is already much to celebrate around the campus.  A highlight of the last few weeks has been seeing students getting ready for our annual musical.  After the unexpected cancellation of most Performing Arts events last year, it is particularly exciting to see rehearsals for Matilda in full swing, and this will be the first Hobart College musical in our refurbished theatre.  The musical is an outstanding example of what can be achieved when staff and students work together as a team on a real-life project.  Congratulations to everyone involved in this exciting production and make sure you book early to see one of the shows!

Over the last few years, we have seen a steady improvement in the percentage of students gaining their Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE).  Last year 85% of our Year 12 students gained their TCE.  Research shows that completing Year 12 with a meaningful qualification leads to better employment outcomes, increased life expectancy and greater life satisfaction.  Regular attendance and completion of set work for all subjects in both Years 11 and 12 is crucial to achieving that goal.   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.  As part of our reporting cycle, teachers are currently reviewing the progress of all students to ensure they are on track to achieve a result in their subject for this year.  Parents and carers can support us by encouraging your young person to commit to their studies by attending all classes, completing the assignments and classwork, and taking advantage of the tutorial programs on offer.

Enjoy reading about the many activities around the campus over the last few weeks and I hope to see you all at the Parent Teacher Evening on Tuesday 25 May and at one of the performances of our musical for this year, Matilda.  

Tracy Siedler

Principal

From Gumnuts to Buttons

Students from the Rosny College Tasmanian Aboriginal Studies class joined the Hobart College Tasmanian Aboriginal Studies class at Mount Nelson to participate in the From Gumnuts to Buttons experience delivered by Cathy Ransom - Aboriginal Education Worker from Rosny College and Georgia Stone - Aboriginal Education Worker at Hobart College.  Aboriginal voices have largely been ignored in the portrayal of Australian history since invasion.  The education resource, From Gumnuts to Buttons, gives students a view of European settlement through the eyes of Tasmanian Aboriginal people.

Reflection from a student participant, Abby:

"During the session, we got to experience a heart wrenching, reading performance that included us in the piece. We learnt more about how Tasmanian Aboriginal people survived and the devastation and trauma that they had to deal with.  As I continued to listen to the stories, my heart broke with every word.  Even as an Aboriginal person myself, I learnt so much of my background that I never knew before. 

I found this experience unforgettable and so educational for everybody.  The emotions you go through are hard, but they help you to really feel the pain of the Aboriginal community, and what was lost.  I recommend both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people undertake this activity, the knowledge gained will only benefit us all."

From Gumnuts to Buttons Photo Gallery

News from the Music Department

Songmakers

For the seventh consecutive year, Hobart College has been chosen to take part in a national program about contemporary music. The College’s senior students will collaborate with some of Australia’s most successful musicians and producers, as part of SongMakers - a national mentoring program run by APRA AMCOS.

Hobart College will transform into a creative hothouse for budding songwriters and producers. They will work over two intensive days with nationally-acclaimed songwriters and producers.

SongMakers is all about contemporary music and is aimed at nurturing the next generation of hit-makers – right there in the classroom.  Under the program, senior music students work closely with two high profile mentors - one artist and one producer - to create ‘market ready’ music, against the clock, from scratch. The program is provided free to participating schools.

“The great thing about the SongMakers program is that it brings the real world into the classroom. Students get to collaborate with and learn from some of the biggest names in music. And because it’s so hands-on, it really fast-tracks students’ understanding of today’s contemporary music world and the steps needed for success.”

Go to www.songmakers.com.au to hear some of the workshop songs and for information about the high profile mentors.

Pictured: 2020 Songmakers collaborative workshop at Taroona High School with Tina Broad, KLP & Taka Perry

Media collaboration

Media Production classes have begun collaborating with VET and Contemporary Music classes.  Through this partnership students will develop live band shoots, interviews and film clips to be released through our record label Olinda Groove.  Stay tuned for more updates!

Festival of Voices

Vocal Ensemble show Tuesday 29 June 6:30pm-8:30pm, Mt Nelson Theatre. 

Rehearsals are underway for our vocal ensemble show at end of the term.  This concert will feature the young emerging talent from Hobart College and Associated High Schools. 

The program for the night is developing well; you can expect classic songs from: Billy Joel, The Beatles, Etta James, ABBA, Frank Sinatra, as well as an original composition from one of our talented singers.  

As well as the vocal ensemble and 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 29 June 6:30pm-8:30pm.  See you there! 

Video releases

Videos are starting to be released from our 2021 launch concerts!  Follow our performing arts facebook page and youtube channel to see performances as they are released:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtzbK8Fgog3FHazus1H3HRg

https://www.facebook.com/HobartCollegePA/

Music Photo Gallery

Playful Inventions - Robotics and Game Design

Playful Inventions was our end of unit robotics challenge, in which we split into groups in order to each create a robotic game for other people to enjoy. We had two weeks to do this, with the first few lessons being used to brainstorm ideas and create a functioning game and the last lessons being used to polish it.

On the last day each group was given a table and a sign to setup shop on. We then proceeded to sell the idea of our game and provide the people from a visiting class a chance to play it. This part of the unit was a lot of fun, with everyone playing each other’s games and sharing ideas and thoughts about the games with each other.

Overall there were tons of really cool game concepts and some really good ideas. The games included Sabo Squad (a sabotage-fuelled race game for two players), Tap Tap De-evolution (a rhythm-based reaction game), BoFFiT (a BOP IT-inspired game that featured custom 3D-printing), and Luigi Kart (a remote controlled race car game). It was a lot of fun to showcase our games and a great experience in general.

To see all our games, visit our class blog: https://roboticsandgamedesign.com/

Article by Louis - Robotics and Game Design class

Robotics and Game Design Photo Gallery

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Visual Art students Light up the Lane

Students from the Visual Art department have been showcasing their work in a range of installations this term including Light Up the Lane and Art Rage, where 12 pieces of work have been exhibited.  A highlight has been an exciting collaboration between Artery and HoCo Visual Arts with the permanent installation of student work in Victoria Street - make sure you get along and see the installation. 

Victoria Street Art Installation

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Matilda - The Musical

The Hobart College production has always been a highlight on the College calendar and this year’s musical Matilda – The Musical is shaping up to be extra special following the cancellation of the 2020 production due to COVID-19.  The Year 11 and 12 cast, band and crew have been working hard since February to bring the story of Matilda to the stage.  Director Jeff Michel has been very impressed with the student’s enthusiasm this year.  “It’s been such a pleasure getting back into the theatre after last year.  The students obviously missed the musical and that is reflected in how they’ve thrown themselves into Matilda,” he said.

Based on the novel Matilda by Roald Dahl, Matilda – The Musical follows the story of a girl who, through her small acts of rebellion, seeks to bring about a child uprising against mean and nasty adults. 

The all-student cast and band will perform for the first time in the newly refurbished Mount Nelson Theatre in front of a capacity audience supported by students from the Technical Theatre course utilising state of the art industry standard equipment. 

The performance season of Matilda - The Musical runs from 28 May to 5 June at the Mount Nelson Theatre, Hobart College with tickets available through trybooking.com.

Year 12 Hoodies

Orders for the 2021 Year 12 Hoodies can now be taken at the main office. For interested students, please fill out an order form with payment by FRIDAY 13 AUGUST.

You can choose between a hoodie or a windcheater and add your Nickname.

Payment must be made at the time of ordering.

Cost are as follows:

• Hoodie $40 (with nickname $44)
• Windcheater $35 (with nickname $39)

Romany takes out National Teacher-Artist Prize!

Congratulations to our very own Visual Arts AST, Romany Best, who was recently named Winner of the Highly Commended State-Based Prize for Tasmania in the 2021 National Teacher-Artist Prize for her artwork “Red Dress".  A wonderful achievement and a beautiful painting.

Artist statement: Red Dress 

“As a child I refused to wear the clothes The Mother chose for me. I did not listen either. At the time it seemed inconsequential and it was many many years before I understood the ramifications of those choices. I listen carefully now but the damage has been done.”

Maddy signs with Chargers

Maddy has recently been signed with the Hobart City Chargers Women Developmental Player for the 2021-2021 season. She has also just returned from Mackay Qld where she played in the National U/20 Basketball Championships. The Tasmanian Women's team finished in the Top 5. What a fantastic achievement.  Congratulations Maddy!

Success at Lions Youth of the Year.

Congratulations to Mackenna, who on Sunday 19 April won the Public Speaking section in the state final of the Tasmanian Lions Youth of the Year.  A fantastic result!

Featured on ABC radio, Mackenna speaks of her involvement in the event.  Listen to her interview below. 

Caleb wins at National Track and Field Championships!

Caleb competed at the 2021 Sydney Australia Track and Field Championships at Sydney Olympic Park during the April holidays where he took out first place winning his National U18 Hammer Throw event with a best throw of 63.27m with the 5kg weight. Awesome effort. This backs up his Number 1 National ranking for his age group.

OHA Visit

Current members of OHA visited Hobart College recently with a tour of our newly refurbished theatre and morning tea.  Thanks to past President and current member of OHA, Rosie Laver, for donating a limited edition of a drawing “Elements” by artist Chirs Arnol to our College.  The painting was presented in front of the OHA Heritage Room in the foyer of A Block – have you visited it yet?

Hon Mike Gaffney MLC visit to Hobart College

On Thursday 13 May, the Hon Mike Gaffney MLC – Mersey, visited Hobart College and gave a very informative presentation to both Legal 3 classes on the End-of-life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) legislation that has recently become law in Tasmania. He provided information on the bill itself, the history of voluntary assisted dying in other jurisdictions around the world and the Parliamentary process.  Students were engaged and very much enjoyed the personal insights he provided into the law reform process.

News from Working With Children

Working With Children 2 (Line 3)

In WWC2 we are developing our understanding of children’s safety, children’s development and planning activities, in order to run playgroup in Term 2 and 3.

Part of our research is coming up with craft activities for pre-school children, and creating prototypes in readiness.

Photos: Students painting their salt dough critters: Liv, Cayley, Brock and Monica

Don't forget our Working with Children Play Sessions are now on!  See our flyer below for more details.

The race is on!

The Electronics class went electric go karting at the Kingston Hyperdrive centre in May. Pictured are Reuban, Joel and Daniel, who were some of the speediest racers. But the true Lightning McQueen was Year 11 student Angus. Rumour has it that he practised on the track beforehand, and as they say ‘practise makes perfect’. The class agreed that electric vehicles are the way of the future, being fast off the start line, quiet and most importantly, sustainable.

Full STEAM ahead!

It has been a busy year for the members of the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths club. It all started with a competition to see who could use their knowledge of aerodynamics and experimentation to create the best glider. Since then students have delved into the spectacular properties of bubbles, playing with small dry ice bubbles and exploring the minimum surface tension of different 3D structures. They have also developed a range of skills, soldering, using the 3D printer, laser engraver, and just recently had an opportunity to do some glasswork while learning about chemical reactions. Everyone at Hobart College is always welcome to these meetings, and guaranteed to have a good time, so stay tuned to see what STEAM Club is up to next.

STEAM Club Photo Gallery

Beaker Street Festival and HoCo Co-Lab

The Beaker Street Festival brought five scientists to HoCo to launch a pilot project with our Art Students. The project had the five scientists present their research in the hopes they could engage the artists with their work. 

The Scientists come from a range of research backgrounds including understanding the crystal structure of glaciers in Antarctica, expression of colours in eye cells, the mathematics behind critical transitions, serotonin as an orchestrator of brain wiring, and understanding how lizards age on a cellular level.   

Interested students have signed up to spend more time collaborating with the scientists; visiting their labs and joining them in the field to immerse themselves in the life of a scientist. 

Students will produce artworks inspired by the work and life of the scientists which will be on display in the TMAG as a part of the Beaker Street Festival, 6 - 8 August.

Beaker Street Photo Gallery

Tasmanian Hotels Association/RACV Visit

On Tuesday 23 March the VET Certificate II in Tourism, Hospitality & Kitchen Operations classes participated in a conference hosted by the Tasmanian Hotels Association at the RACV Hotel in Collins Street Hobart.

Erica, a young, enthusiastic and passionate Hospitality employee and small business owner took the time to explain what it is like working in the Tourism and Hospitality Industries in Tasmania and also London.

Erica’s motivation and passion for these industries helped inspire Hobart College students for their future to clearly understand what skills and attributes all workers need to be successful.

VET Tourism Pennicott Tasman Peninsula Cruise

On Thursday 29 April, the VET Tourism class experienced one of the best Tourist Attractions available in Tasmania. Yes! Our class was lucky enough to obtain a trip on the Pennicott’s Tasman Peninsula boat trip, travelling from Pirates Bay to Port Arthur, on a beautiful warm, clear, and luckily no swell day.

Pennicott’s Cruise really looked after our class on the day well, by providing us with a boat all to ourselves, skippered by Cain, and assisted by Anna.  What that meant was that both Cain and Anna could take time out on the tour to explain to the class what it was really like working for one of Australia’s best and most successful Tourism businesses. This private class discussion took place off Cape Pillar, but the tour also included: Tasman Island, Fortescue Bay, into Tasman Arch, Seal watching, Dolphin escapades off the front of the boat whilst travelling, being able to take the boat right into the ‘candle stick’ at Cape Hauy, and a visit to Crescent Bay where a new Eco Lodge will be built!

National Simultaneous Storytime

On Wednesday 19 May (Enrichment Day), NASA astronaut Shannon Walker will read the picture book Give me some space! (https://philipbunting.com/books/give-me-some-space/) from the International Space Station at 11 am AEST. Educational institutions and libraries across Australia can see the story being read from the space station via a link on the day – how amazing is that?

Mid Year Assessment Period (MYAP)

Maths and Science Tutorials

Maths and Science tutorials are a fantastic place to do your homework. The upper level of E Block is available every day after school except Wednesday. Teachers and student leaders are available to ask questions if you get stuck. In the lead up to the Mid-Year Exam period, consider adding a tutorial or two into your schedule.

Entertainment Book fundraising

Your purchase of an Entertainment Membership contributes to our school. Help us achieve our goal by sharing this link with your friends and family.  All proceeds go towards supporting our Breakfast Program.  Thank you for your support!

Do Year 11 and 12 YOUR way

When you finish Year 11 and 12, anything can happen.  In Tasmania, you need to stay in education and training until you turn 18 years of age or meet a leaving requirment, under the Education Act.  A leaving requirement includes the following:

• Completing Year 11 and 12 (this may include an Australian school-based apprenticeship);
• A full-time VET program at TasTAFE or other Registered Training Organisation;
• An apprenticeship or traineeship with an employer; or
• A combination of these options.
  

Once you leave school, it can be tough out there. Most jobs today require you to complete Year 12 as a minimum and 91% of all new jobs will also rquire a VET or university qualification.  That is why there are now more ways than ever before to finish Year 11 and 12 your way. 

You don't need to finsh school the old-fashioned way.  There are courses and training programs available to suit everyone.  Just ask your teachers, Year 10 or My Education Coordinators - they will be able to tell you all about your options.  There are so many more opportunities available to you if you complete Year 12. 

Remember if you're not enjoying what you are doing at school, you're not stuck.  You can always shift focus and find the best options to suit you.  If you are a parent or carer and you are confused about your child's options or whether they are reaching their full potential, speak to their teachers or email years9to12@education.tas.gov.au.

To find out more and see real stories and videos on Tasmanian Education Pathways, please access the link below.

Voices in Harmony

A message from the Department of Education

Coming into the cold and flu season, it's important that we all continue to keep healthy and safe.  To ensure we can keep on top of COVID and also cold and flu, make sure you:

• be alert to any symptoms of cold or flu that you or your child may exhibit
• get tested for COVID if you or your child have symptoms
• practise good hygiene, such as covering coughs and sneezes and washing hands
• if you or your child do get sick, stay home until symptoms have passed, even if a COVID test is negative.

Remember, symptoms include fever, tiredness, cough, headache, sore throat, sniffling and sneezing.

To keep our schools safe, we are still:

• continuing with increased cleaning
• making sure there is plenty of soap, sanitiser and tissues available
• applying restrictions to large gatherings of adults and encouraging physical distrancing
• requiring visitors to check-in on our sites. 

TASSO Regional Forum - eSmart Presentation