Reflecting on a remarkable year at Huonville High School

As we close out another successful year, I want to take this opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our students, staff, and wider school community. The growth we have seen throughout 2024 has been extraordinary, and I am immensely proud of the dedication and hard work that has brought us to where we are today.

School achievements to be proud of

Our collective focus on improvement and engagement has resulted in outstanding outcomes this year:

• PAT Testing participation increased from 76% to 83%.
• NAPLAN participation jumped significantly from 60% to 88%.
• Attendance improved across the board from 2023 to 2024.
• Student Cognitive Engagement as measured by the Student Engagement and Wellbeing Survey increased by 7 percentage points.
• School Climate as measured by the Student Engagement and Wellbeing Survey saw an impressive 11 percentage point improvement.
• SWES Indicators (Student Engagement and Wellbeing Survey) showed significant progress, with 24 out of 38 indicators improving, 2 remaining static, and an overall growth of 84 percentage points.
• All students supported through Tier 2 interventions demonstrated clear improvement.

These results are a reflection of the hard work and commitment of our entire school community, and I could not be prouder of the leadership team, teachers, and ancillary staff who have worked tirelessly to make this happen. As a team, we are strong, aligned, and share a passion for delivering the very best for our students.

Celebrating our wonderful students

Of course, the heart of our school is our students, and it has been a joy to see their growth, resilience, and achievements this year. I am particularly proud of:

• The way our students supported one another during events like the recent music concert—from the bravery of the performers to the respect and attentiveness shown by the audience.
• The incredible participation and team spirit displayed at our athletics carnival, making it a day of fun and camaraderie.
• The respectful way students conducted themselves at the Remembrance Day service.
• The kindness and care students have shown to each other and to our staff.
• The relationships they have built—with their peers, staff, and the community.
• Their growing confidence, belief in themselves, and recognition that they are capable and worthy of achieving great things.
• Their willingness to step outside their comfort zones and seize opportunities, such as those provided during performances, events, and learning activities.

Each and every student should feel incredibly proud of their efforts and achievements this year. They have continually demonstrated their best and proven themselves to be respectful, kind, and capable young people – aligning with our School Themes of Kindness, Collaboration and High Expectations.  At Huonville High, we believe in our students, and it is wonderful to see their belief in themselves growing stronger with each passing year.

Staff Farewells

As the year comes to a close, we bid farewell to some cherished staff members who have made a lasting impact on our school community:

• Kelly Flanagan: After 14 years at Huonville High School, Kelly is moving to Hobart College. Her contributions in the support space have been invaluable, and she will be greatly missed.
• Bobby Jack Bowen Butchart: After 6 years teaching Art, Drama, English, and History, Bobby is moving on to Kingston High School. His creativity and passion have left a mark on our students and staff.
• Naomi Humphreys: Our social worker for the past 4 years, Naomi is transitioning to roles at Hobart College and Kingston High School. Her dedication to student wellbeing has been deeply appreciated.
• Will Sloss: A teacher of English and History for 2 years, Will is returning to Victoria. We thank him for his commitment and wish him all the best.
• Turan Basaran: A Teacher Assistant for 3 years, Turan has been a valued member of our support team and will be missed.
• Petro Anagnostis: After 4 years as a Teacher Assistant, Petro is moving on. We are grateful for their contribution to our school.
• Justine Krueger: Teaching Maths and Science for 20 months, Justine is pursuing other interests in 2025. Her energy and enthusiasm have been an asset to our school.

We thank each of these individuals for their service and wish them every success in their future endeavours. They will always be a part of the Huonville High family.

A special thank you

To our parents, guardians, and the wider community, thank you for your unwavering support over the past 12 months. Huonville High School is a vastly different place from where it was three years ago, and your recognition of the positive changes means the world to us. Our young people deserve a community that believes in them, and your belief has made a significant impact.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our wonderful award sponsors. Your support allows us to celebrate student achievements in meaningful and memorable ways.

Finally, to our staff—teachers, leadership team, and ancillary staff—thank you for your dedication, collaboration, and passion. It has been a privilege to see the way you have embraced our improvement agenda, supported one another, and championed the success of every student.

Looking ahead to 2025

As we prepare for the year ahead, I know that we will continue to strive for excellence, supporting one another, and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed and thrive. Together, we will build on the successes of this year and make 2025 even better.

To our students: you should be incredibly proud of yourselves, as we are so proud of you. Your efforts, attitudes, and achievements inspire us all.

Wishing all of our families a safe, restful, and joyful holiday season. I look forward to seeing you all in the new year.

Kindly,

Janelle Reeves
Principal

janelle.reeves@decyp.tas.gov.au 

Our 2024 End of Year Ceremony was a great success!
Congratulations to all award recipients on their outstanding achievements!

We would like to recognise and send our appreciation to all of our wonderful sponsors whose generosity made this ceremony possible.

We would also like to thank all parents and members of the community for their on-going support and positive engagement with our school.

anything.tas.gov.au/schools

#BrightLivesPositiveFutures #EverySchoolDayMatters

Where others wind down, we at HHS keep the momentum going!

This week, students engaged in our end of year Swimming Carnival / Water Activities – and dare I say, made a splash!
Staff and students enjoyed an action-packed day of games both in and out of the water, strengthening relationships and bonds beyond the classroom.

It was great to see how respectful, responsible and mature our students were, and the way they conducted themselves throughout the day.

Regarding House Standings, we placed all points solely on participation with Hakea winning by a tiny margin of 3!
House points will be getting a revamp next year so keep an eye & ear out! As this wraps our carnivals for the year, I on behalf of the HPE team and wider school we want to thank all students, parents, and community members for making it our most successful year event-wise to date.

Until next time,

Riley Mislov 
HPE Teacher
riley.mislov@decyp.tas.gov.au

Hello Year 7/8 Families!

If you’ve been following along with these newsletter updates all year, give yourself a big round of applause – you deserve it! I’m thrilled to let you know that I’ll be continuing as the Year 7/8 Coordinator next year. For those moving up to Year 9, let me introduce you to Miss Sophie Rainbird, your year 9/10 Coordinator. Miss Rainbird is friendly, approachable, and wonderfully reliable – a real gem for your growing teenagers.

Our year 7/8 students have been buzzing with activity as they wrap up their community projects. They have been refurbishing picnic tables, sprucing up gardens, and creating a stunning hallway mural. All this hard work has been powered by delicious treats from our junior hospitality team who have been fuelling everyone with milkshakes, pizza, and biscuits! While our young people are having fun, they are also developing their personal and social skills (a fancy way of saying they’re learning to be amazing community members without even realising it).

Important updates for Parents/Carers:

• Please return all student laptops, including the case, charger, and stylus, so they can be updated for the new school year.
• Uniforms have been looking fabulous! Just a reminder that navy-blue slacks will be the only acceptable option next year. Skirts, blouses, and V-neck jumpers are available (maybe a Christmas gift idea?).
• Awards Assembly: was held on December 11 – we hope you were able to attend.
• Swimming Carnival: Happening today, December 18. We hope your young people have fun, and remembered their sun safety!

In Week 10, we’ll be shuffling lockers:

• Year 8 students will move to the senior lockers in the science block.
• Year 7 students will get first dibs on lockers in the junior area, ready to welcome the incoming classes next year.

Thank you for your continued support this year. Wishing you all a joyful and relaxing holiday season!

Warm regards

Jason Lunden
Grade 7/8 Coordinator

jason.Lunden@decyp.tas.gov.au 

Year 7 to 9 laptop return reminder

This is to remind all students, parents and carers that the laptops (2-in-1 devices) issued to students as part of the Huonville High School laptop program need to be returned by Thursday December 19. Returns are still possible on Friday December 20, but this is the last day the office will be open this year. Contact will be made about laptops and chargers that have not been returned, and invoices may be generated in the new year.

Please check to make sure that the charger is with the laptop.
For Year 7 and 8 laptops, it is a USB C charger which can easily get muddled with other similar chargers.

Grade 9 laptop chargers have a yellow rectangular connector

Angela Cooke
Manager ICT

angela.cooke@decyp.tas.gov.au 

Extended Learning Success!

We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible achievements of our students who successfully completed the 2024 Gifted Online programs! This year, students across Grades 7 to 10 participated in a wide range of advanced learning opportunities, showcasing their dedication, creativity, and passion for knowledge.

These programs offered challenges in areas such as STEM, creative writing, advanced mathematics, and critical thinking, allowing students to explore their interests and expand their skills beyond the classroom. Their hard work and determination have truly paid off, with outstanding results and impressive projects that demonstrate their unique talents.

We are especially proud of the way our students embraced the online learning environment, balancing their regular studies with these demanding programs. Their ability to adapt, persevere, and excel is a testament to their exceptional capabilities.

Congratulations to all participants—your success is an inspiration to our school community, and we can’t wait to see what you achieve next!

Congratulations to the following students:

• Cassie Pryor
• Chelsey Lee
• Ash Huber-Powell
• Isabelle Price
• Makin Wurm
• Chris Lee
• Marley Tonzing
• Aimee Cook
• Billy Huber-Powell
• Jason Parbs
• Owen Hay

Please see below works that Chris Lee & Marley Tonzing, and Chelsey Lee submitted to the Scratch Magazine for Creative Writing.

Christie Gumley
Assistant Principal Year 7/8

christie.gumley@decyp.tas.gov.au 

Year 7 and 8 Gardening and Picnic Table Restoration

This term, our Year 7 and 8 students showcased incredible effort and teamwork as they worked to enhance our school environment.
The students took on the dual challenge of rejuvenating the school garden and restoring picnic tables that were in need of care. Their dedication and collaboration brought new life to these spaces, creating a more inviting atmosphere for everyone.

A special thanks to Haymes Paint for their generous support. Their donation of high-quality paint, brushes, and rollers played a vital role in making this transformation possible.

Ben Horne
Year 7 Homeroom Teacher

ben.horne@decyp.tas.gov.au 

We have had a lot of great creations this year in Woodwork, one of our students Zac Ashlin recently designed and created a mirror with a touch of flair!

Unfortunately, during the construction process, the mirror was broken.
We visited BT Glass to purchase a replacement, and when we mentioned it was for one of our students, they generously insisted on giving us the mirror free of charge!

A big thank you to BT Glass for your kindness and unwavering support of our students, and a big thumbs up to Zac for creating such a beautiful piece!

Brian Green
MDT Woodwork

brian.green@decyp.tas.gov.au 

The Cert I Aquaculture students have been busy harvesting and smoking the fish they have grown. 

As this year is drawing to a close and many subjects are wrapping up, the Cert I Aquaculture students have been busy reducing the stock we need to carry into next year.

They are completing their second harvest in as many weeks with the fish being harvested, brined and hot smoked during the school week.

Each of the students has gone above and beyond, to ensure the fish are processed in a humane and safe manner, allowing them to show industry skills, as part of their Cert I course.

All of these smoked fish will be taken home by the students and school staff, but as we recommission the aquaculture facility at the Huonville Trade Training Centre, expect to see student produced salmon being available to the public soon.

James Melbourne-Thomas
Aquaculture Teacher

james.melbourne.t@decyp.tas.gov.au 

On Monday 25 November two students performed in a ‘Welcome to Country dance’ ceremony at SETAC in Cygnet.

The Welcome, smoking ceremony was a combined schools dance performance to community for the unveiling of a bark canoe which was made by Craig Everett as part of SETAC’s Educational program.

Next year Aboriginal students at Huonville High school will be working with our Aboriginal Education Support Worker Deb Eaves to make mini bark canoes. Once the canoes are finished, they will be displayed at School for the community to view.

Debbie Eaves
Aboriginal Education

debbie.eaves@decyp.tas.gov.au

Student Representative Council has Big Plans!

Over the past 3 weeks, Huonville High’s new Student Representative Council wasted no time in rolling up their sleeves and tackling the work of creating more fun opportunities, representing the ideas of their peers and driving change withing the school.

Over the course of 3 workshop sessions, students generated ideas for areas they wanted to impact, activities they wanted to introduce, and some bigger more long-term projects.

Debate was rigorous amongst the groups as ideas came to life and were prioritised ready for a strong start to 2025.

The first official SRC meeting was held Wednesday the 11^th of December at lunch time in the Hub, where council members elected their executive and finalised the agenda for the first week of 2025. All interested students were welcome to attend.

In Outdoor Education this term students have gained valuable experience in pushing past their comfort zone.

This was shown in their final aquatic excursion- Coasteering from Boronia Beach to Blackmans Bay.

Students had to navigate the best route whether it be swimming or rock scrambling whilst ensuring the whole group succeeded.

Check out these pictures below.

James Belstead
Outdoor Education Teacher

james.belstead@decyp.tas.gov.au

Last Week Year 8s pulled on their creativity strings and made tributes to a very important part of our ecosystem - The Humble Bee.
Here are a few fabtastic paintings.

Angela Prince
Art  Teacher

angela.prince@decyp.tas.gov.au 

Looking for school holiday activities this summer?

Join the Big Summer Read and you can win prizes just for reading!

The Big Summer Read is a reading initiative from Libraries Tasmania that aims to make reading over the summer fun.

Students can participate in reading challenges, add book reviews and track progress as they aim to read at least ten books.

For more information and to join, visit: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/big-summer-read/

SZapp is a mobile app that’s free for parents to download. SZapp allows the school to send notifications to parents, as well as being a platform where the school's important information is available to parents anywhere, anytime, on their mobile device.

Some of the features and applications that are already available on the app or will be added in the coming weeks include:

• Link to call the school directly or to access the school website
• Comprehensive school calendar that will be continually updated
• Forms and Documents – which will provide digital access to all forms sent home in hard copy
• Newsletter subscription link and archive of all previous newsletters
• News Feed – which will allow us to send notifications as a reminder of things that are coming up
• Bus details
• Staff email contacts
• And much more…

Download Schoolzine for Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pidigi.schoolzine&hl=en_AU&gl=US

Download Schoolzine for Apple https://apps.apple.com/au/app/szapp/id982105479

Once you've downloaded the App, open it and search for Huonville High School by searching the region for Asia Pacific, then click on Huonville High School - your screen should look like this:

* If your child no longer attends HHS and you don't want to receive further newsletters or notifications, please email huonville.high@decyp.tas.gov.au