On Wednesday June 22, a 46 strong contingent of Burnie High students made the trip to Dial Park, Penguin to defend their 2021 Interhigh Cross Country crown. Although it was an overcast and slightly miserable day, all Burnie High students who participated on the day did so with a positive mindset and a great attitude. In what was an outstanding team effort, there were some fantastic individual results on the day with the following students winning first place in their respective grades; Amarli Palmer (Grade 7), Isabel Gitzinger (Grade 9), Oscar Young (Grade 9), Charli Davis (Grade 10) and Riley Simpson (Grade 10). On the back of these results and with the contributions of all other team members, Burnie High were convincing overall ‘A’ Division winners for the 5^th consecutive year. Congratulations and well done to all participants involved on the day!

Mr Warsing and Miss Jones

It has been a really busy term at the Burnie High School farm, our Hands on Learning program has had some great outcomes and the Agriculture Studies students have benefitted from the work of the H.o.L students as well. Having said this, the Agriculture Students have done some amazing things as well and are reaping the rewards!

New chicken houses for specific breeds of birds built by H.o.L boys group + Turkey Transport crates made to standard / requirements constructed by Ag. Studies students and Bryan.

The H.o.L girls group have been busy giving back to BHS as well as the community. The students have been honing their skills with sanders, drills, paint and glue to create driftwood art pieces to adorn the school or give to family and friends as gifts. They have also been making therapy sandpits (mini-sandpits) and rakes that assist people to calm down and focus. Last week, these students played with chocolate, coconut and other yummy ingredients to make 30 plus Christmas in July dessert packages for the Somerset Vinnies Hub.

The H.o.L girls hard at work!

The H.o.L boys enjoy Ham (Pig and Turkey) raised and grown by Ag. Studies students and processed by Sharmans Butchery. Aileen Thorne from Vinnies Community Hub with the Christmas in July treats.

Our monthly poster person for H.o.L is Dyson Smith as he has demonstrated the attitude, knowledge and skills required to secure not one but two work placements. He is supported by LivEaT and the Vinnies Community Hub as a kitchenhand. Dyson has a keen interest in Foods and Cooking and is able to use the skills that he has learned with Georgie Smith our Head of Department and Teacher of Home Economics as well as his knowledge of agriculture and food, during his work placement hours. Dyson is not our only H.o.L work placement star – all will be revealed next newsletter!

Dyson preparing food cups with Ping Wood at LivEat.

The H.o.L boys enjoy the sausages and saveloys made by Lapoinya Meats from our lambs. The boys also build and repair animal enclosures for the local community, so people can keep their pets safe. Aileen at the Vinnies Hub accepted some of our Turkeys to cook for Christmas in July.

The students at Burnie High School get to eat the foods we produce – not just the seasonal fruit and vegetables but the meat we grow, so do the community! We have donated about 40 plus kilograms of meat to charities, families, students and other organisations to use as fund raisers. Our end of Semester BBQ for Agriculture students will see students enjoying products of lamb, pork and turkey – sausages, chops, roasts, ham, Kransky and more.

Rain, hail or shine, our students know what they need to do to get the product to it’s destination. Hats off to the Grade 8A Introduction to Agriculture class – it was a wet and cold afternoon but the Turkeys were loaded and ready to go!

Finally, students in Grade 8 Introduction to Agriculture were able to create their Hamburgers! Throughout the semester we use the Department of Primary Industries Hamburger Resources to discover the foods we produce to make a Hamburger – from wheat, meat and veggies. We had a marvellous time in the Home Economics kitchen creating our Burgers and everyone enjoyed eating them as well.

Grade 8A Introduction to Agriculture, creation and consumption. Murphy demonstrated that best effort and perseverance makes the best looking burger, we even got Zacc to put “greens” (1/5 a lettuce leaf) on his burger.

Grade 8B Introduction to Agriculture – Alex and Myra constructed an Industry Standard Burger, in our opinion. Ayden gets an honourable mention for construction and taste.

Congratulations to all students who participated at the All Schools State Cross Country Championships, held at Symmons plains on Tuesday 28 June.

Special mention to Isabel Gitzinger who placed 3rd in the Under 17 girls race, Riley Simpson 5th in Under 17 boys, Bruce Ross and Oscar Young 4th and 6th in Under 16 boys race.

These students now have the opportunity to represent Tasmania later in the year at the Australian All Schools event. What an outstanding achievement. Well done!

Did your child participate in the All Schools State Cross Country Championships at Symmons Plains? 

Would you like a photographic record of the day?

Photograph Tasmania were at the event and have taken snaps of the majority of students.

Access to the site is via this link:

www.photographtasmania.com.au/events

Families can then select either the Primary or Secondary school's event, then select the race that the student competed in.

Digital images start at $4 and prints start at $4.50.

Getting kids to school isn’t always easy. But being at school is the best place for our kids.

If your child is unwell, they need to stay home. But if your child is well enough to attend school, they should be at school. Every day, Monday to Friday.

Reality of missing school

Data shows us that regular school attendance is one of the best things a child can do to set them up for success. But if they don’t attend, things get harder for them.

Let’s do the maths:

• If your child misses even just one day a fortnight, that adds up to 20 days of the school year. That’s the same as missing four whole weeks of school!
• If they miss one day a week, that doubles to eight weeks of school they’ll never get back.
• Over the course of their childhood, that equals two and a half years of vital education they’ll never receive…

We mean it, every school day counts. It all adds up.

Bright futures begin at school

The data also tells us something else: the better a child’s attendance rate, the better off they’ll be. Their future will be filled with more opportunities.

School is where they learn and grow alongside their friends, and where they benefit the most. Going to school not only promotes academic success, but also helps build important social skills, relationships and confidence.

Helping your child regularly attend school will set them up with good habits for life.

Watch this video to see the benefits of going to school.

It’s ok if you need help

If you or your child is struggling to get to school, help is available. Please talk to us at school about your situation. We’ll support you, in whatever way we can.

If you need support translating or interpreting this information, contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.

Don’t let the flu go viral

It hasn’t been out and about much lately, but the risk of flu is here. Keep yourself and your children safe by booking your flu shots today.

The Tasmanian Government are running free community vaccination clinics. Or get in touch with your GP or local pharmacy.

It’s recommended for everyone over six months of age. It’s also free for people at higher risk including children aged six months to five years.

For more information, please visit the Department of Health website.