New Norfolk High is a respectful learning community with high expectations for all. One way in which we show this is through our School Improvement Plan. We have two priorities this year: Reading, and the triple barrelled, Attendance, Wellbeing and Engagement.

Our whole school focus for reading this year is fluency. Fluency is the ability to read out loud in a way that sounds like natural speech. Our staff, teachers and TAs have been working hard to learn about new and better ways to support student learning in this area.

We are introducing a new technique, cloze reading, into all classes next term, as well as providing additional tier 2 support in small groups to some students. We are also conducting regular testing, through a 60 second ORF test, to track the impact we are having. The reason for focussing on fluency is that research supports it as a high leverage action, a way in which we can have a bigger impact on student learning outcomes. All of this walk is supported by the Department’s Lifting Literacy priority.

One area of focus for the second priority is on providing more future pathways for students. This term, we have had students attend a Trades Day Excursion and our Y11/12 AST Miss Cepeniuk and I have met with senior members of the DECYP Vocational Education Training team about building on our VET offerings and developing more industry ties to support students looking for traineeships and apprenticeships.

The Year 11/12 students we have at school are demonstrating another potential pathway, with two thirds of those Year 11 students, along 85% of year 12 students at school already, on track to achieve their TCE. Many of these will be the first in their family to achieve the TCE . Part of the reason for this success is that our Y11/12 team have been working hard to demonstrate respect by creating a culture in those year groups that is both supportive and focussed on achievement, because this is the New Norfolk Way.

Stuart Lord, Principal

• ANZAC Day assembly 11^th April
• Last day of term 11^th April
• Do it for Dolly gr 11/12 event 2^nd May
• 11/12 Zoo Doo excursion 5^th May
• Colour Cross Country – Tynwald Park 9^th May

Term Dates

Term 1: Thursday 6^th February – Friday 11^th April

Term 2: 28^th April – 4^th July

Term 3: 21^st July – 26^th September

Term 4: 13^th October – 18^th December

We continue our commitment to the DECYP, and our school values of Connection, Respect, Growth, Courage, and Responsibility. Our focus value for Term one has been Respect.

Respect is a fundamental value that underpins our school culture. It forms the core of our school community, underlying every interaction, every classroom discussion, and every shared moment. Respect is about recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of all individuals within our school community.

Respect is demonstrated in many ways, from saying "please" and "thank you" to listening attentively and speaking politely. It's about valuing differences, embracing diversity, and fostering an environment where everyone feels heard, valued, safe and respected.

Listening and speaking respectfully helps to develop a sense of connection. Whether it's through collaborative learning projects, extracurricular activities, or simply sharing a laugh during lunchtime, these moments of connection enrich our school experience and create a sense of belonging which in turn has a positive effect on our wellbeing.

Next term our focus value will be Connection, with the fortnightly focus being engaging with school events.

Jodie Strohfeld

AP Connection and Safeguarding

In Tasmania, under the Education Act (2016), young people are required by law to remain in education and training until they meet a leaving requirement: 

• finish year 12
• turn 18 
• achieve a Certificate III(via an apprenticeship)
• has full time employment (35 hours per week) *

If your young person gains full time employment*, evidence will need to be provided (via a payslip or letter of employment) and you need to apply for an exemption by contacting the school.  

Year 10 students are currently in the process of completing their transition plans on Canvas with around 90% of students having a completed draft.  Transition plans include details of their interests in and outside of school, previous work experience, future plan (for career, job or trade), and a first and second choice for Year 11/12 destination. A destination may include a college, TasTAFE or an apprenticeship, or a combination of both. These will be submitted in Term 4.

• Miss Cep 11/12 AST
  
  

Our Year 11/12 students have had a busy start to 2025. They are well on their way to earning TCE points through the following courses:

• History Level 2
• Working with Children Level 2
• Certificate II in Tourism (Skill Set)
• Work Readiness Level 2 (Literacy and Numeracy tick)
• Essential Skills – Computers Level 2 (ICT tick) / Community Service Learning Level 2
• Outdoor Education Level 2
• Project Implementation Level 2
• Duke of Edinburgh (Bronze, Silver and Gold)
  

In Working with Children, students will have the opportunity to complete five work placements and have already applied for their Working with Vulnerable People cards. They have been learning about child development by studying a range of theorists to better understand the psychology of growth. Early next term, they will attend an excursion to Zoo Doo to apply their skills in a real-world setting and will also complete their First Aid certification.

In our Essential Skills – Computers class, students have been building essential digital skills that will support them in both their studies and future careers. We’ve recently focused on word processing, helping students become more confident in creating and formatting documents. We’ve also tackled file management, teaching them how to stay organised and keep their work easily accessible. Currently, we’re working through spreadsheets, where students are learning how to manage data, perform calculations, and analyse information. These skills are key for navigating the digital world and will provide a strong foundation for a variety of academic and professional opportunities.

We are proud to offer Outdoor Education Level 2 to our Year 11 and 12 students. This course is designed to build independence and self-sufficiency through a range of outdoor adventure activities and valuable experiences. Students have embraced the opportunities to develop their confidence and skills through a mix of theoretical and practical learning. It has been a busy term for Outdoor Education. So far, we have experienced two overnight camps at Mount Field and Roches Beach, participated in archery and geocaching, visited Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, and kayaked on the River Derwent. There’s plenty more to come throughout the year!

Student Voice:

How is Year 11 different from Year 10?

Briella: “More freedom as people listen to you, I don’t have to drag myself out of bed every morning.”

Jazmyn: “Your voice is heard, and you’re treated like an adult.”

Amber: “You are treated like an adult and not like a child and I like being at school now.”

Isabel: “It’s fair.”

Harley: “I like the teachers up here.”

Anna: “I am not stuck at home all day.”

Caitlin: “The teachers are nice.”

What has been the most challenging or most enjoyable activity so far?

Jazmyn: “Chasing Hailey in the Kayak.”

Mikayla: “I loved Roches Beach camp because we had a good time playing UNO with everyone.”

Holly: “Going on more excursions.”

Jade and Hailey: “Camp – putting chairs around the tent.”

In May, New Norfolk High School will be sending a team of students to the Science and Engineering Challenge held at UTAS. In this competition, groups of students are faced with challenges to be solved earning points for their team.

Nominated students will receive their permission forms early next term. To secure their place, they will need to return their permission form as soon as possible.

We are honoured this year to be sponsored by the Lion’s Club of New Norfolk for the entry fee and UTAS Transport Assistance Grant. Thank you for your support and sponsorship.

Last week, our Year 9/10 Food Specialisations classes continued their Child’s Birthday Party assessment by decorating their birthday cakes—an exercise in both patience and resilience. Students quickly discovered how tricky it can be to get the icing to the right thickness and how much care is needed to smooth it out. After some initial frustration (and, in some cases, re-evaluating their designs and decorating methods), many students walked away saying they’d love to try it again someday!

Well done to all students for your commitment to this multi-week assessment task. You showed great perseverance through the planning, execution of some very ambitious designs, and for generously sharing your cakes with peers, staff, and hopefully your families too!

With the school holidays fast approaching, it is a good time to reflect on the importance of keeping our children safe online. Technology is an integral part of our daily lives, so it is vital to prioritise the online safety of our children and young people. This helps them understand how to safely navigate the digital space.

Here are some tips and resources to help you when considering e-safety for your children.

⭐ Educate: Teach your children about the potential risks online, including cyberbullying and privacy concerns. Explain how to recognise suspicious behaviour and the steps they should take if they encounter something uncomfortable or threatening. Encourage them to think critically about the content they view and share, and the people they interact with online.

For e-safety education resources designed for children, see Kids | eSafety Commissioner

For resources designed for teens, see: Young People | eSafety Commissioner

⭐ Monitor: Keep an eye on their online activities and use parental controls to set boundaries. Check out the Parental Control factsheet on the e-Safety Commissioner website for more details on steps you can take to improve e-safety through parental controls.

⭐ Communicate: Encourage open discussions with your children about their online experiences and reassure them they can come to you with any issues. It is important to have ongoing conversations about digital safety – with the online landscape changing rapidly, children and young people are often the first to adopt these changes. Continually touching base on these topics allows you to monitor what is happening while also ensuring their safety.

To find comprehensive info on e-safety, as well as some great links and resources, check out:  DECYP Staying Safe Online fact sheet