Year 10 Term 3 Newsletter Update

Term 3 has been a busy and exciting time for our Year 10 students as they’ve focused on preparing for their transition into Years 11 and 12—and beyond! With transition plans front and centre, students have engaged in a range of experiences designed to deepen their understanding of career pathways and future opportunities.

Here are some of the highlights:

• UTAS Cradle Coast Campus Excursion
  Our whole grade visited the UTAS Cradle Coast Campus, where students explored courses in Agricultural Science, VR and Drone Technology, Psychology, and Social Sciences. A special moment was our walk on Country with a local Elder, which was both insightful and grounding. Many students left feeling inspired, with some now seriously considering university as a future pathway.
• Australian Defence Force Incursion
  We welcomed representatives from the Australian Defence Force, who shared valuable insights into career opportunities across the different divisions, as well as information about scholarships available to prospective applicants. It was a great chance for students to ask questions and explore this unique career option.
• Apprenticeships Information Sessions
  Experts from the Department for Education, Children and Young People, along with Apprenticeships Australia, visited to speak about the wide range of apprenticeships and traineeships available. Their guidance on how to apply and what to expect was incredibly helpful, and students appreciated the opportunity to speak directly with professionals in the field.
• Hellyer College Enrolment Evenings
  In Week 8, we held our annual Hellyer Enrolment Evenings. Staff from Hellyer College met individually with each Year 10 student and their families to finalise course selections and complete enrolments for 2026. It was a fantastic milestone moment for our students as they took a big step toward their senior years.

Congratulations to our Year 10s on completing their transition plans and securing their enrolments for 2026! We’re proud of your efforts and excited for what lies ahead. As we head into Term 4, let’s keep up the momentum—monitor your attendance, stay engaged, and continue striving to be your best.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you at our end-of-year dinner and activities. Enjoy a well-deserved break—you’ve earned it!

Wow, what a busy term for our Grade 9 students. They have been continuing to explore careers in Pastoral Care including writing a resume and participating in mock interviews. We also had a presentation from the University of Tasmania with general information about university life and the opportunities it offers. Students greatly enjoyed their excursion to Burnie Arts Centre for the YFCC Youth Expo where they were able to interact with external support providers and deepen their knowledge of support services available to them in the local region.

In English we have been exploring archaic texts, students have been engaging with the classic Greek tragedy Medea by Euripides. This powerful and thought-provoking text has sparked rich classroom discussions around themes such as revenge, justice, gender roles, and the consequences of betrayal. Through reading and analysing Medea, students are developing their skills in: Interpreting classical literature and understanding its relevance today, exploring character motivations and dramatic structure, writing analytical responses using evidence from the text and engaging in class debates and discussions to deepen comprehension. Students have also been encouraged to consider how ancient texts like Medea still resonate in modern contexts, particularly in relation to societal expectations and personal agency. We’re proud of the thoughtful insights and mature reflections students have brought to this unit so far.  

In Maths, students have been applying Pythagoras’ Theorem and trigonometric ratios to solve unknown side lengths and angles in right-angle triangles. Students have been able to make connections between theory and the real-world by applying their knowledge to problems involving application in construction industries. Evidence of their learning on this is available to families via Seesaw. In the second half of the term, students have been working on index laws and its application in science and finance. 

In History have learned about the early settlement of Australia, then the Gold Rush and the development of the colonies in the 19th century.  We have spent the last part of the term learning about democracy and how our voting system works, including a voting task spread across the whole grade.   

In Science this term, students have been exploring how the body maintains internal balance—known as homeostasis—even when external conditions change. The focus has been on the roles of the nervous system, endocrine system, and excretory system in regulating and stabilizing the body's internal environment. They also studied the structure and function of the human brain, identifying its key parts and comparing it to the brains of other organisms to understand evolutionary differences and similarities. Additionally, students learned about the two forms of reproductive systems across various species, examining both internal and external fertilization methods and how these reproductive strategies differ among organisms. 

In Health, students have been learning about relationships and identity. It has been great to see the mature and respectful way our students have engaged with this content. And in PE students have been showing off their best dance moves as part of their dance unit.    

Another busy term lies ahead for Term 4, and we look forward to celebrating our students' achievements with them in the end of year celebrations.  

As Term 3 draws to a close, our Grade 8 students have taken time to reflect on ‘What Went Well' and their responses have been both thoughtful and heartening. This Term, we placed a strong emphasis on emotional intelligence and connection through our Pastoral Care program, and based on student voice it’s clear that these values have resonated across all areas of school life. 

In the classroom, many students celebrated their growth across subject areas; from mastering challenging concepts to completing creative projects, students expressed pride in their learning. These moments of achievement reflect not only academic progress but also the courage to take on new challenges and the responsibility students are taking for their own learning 

“I liked doing the extended maths program because I got to try something new ” 

“In Art, I liked doing the laser art” 

“I enjoyed Science, dissecting a chicken wing was fun” 

“HASS is fun” 

“PE because we did a dancing unit” 

“Fitness Fanatics” 

“English because it was interesting” 

“Health with Mr Smith” 

“My ability to learn” 

“Pickle ball in PE” 

“Drama” 

“HASS because we learned about urban and rural areas and it was fun” 

“Spending time with my friends while doing work” 

“Writing my Science essay on radiation sickness” 

“Sports For Girls excursions were fun because we went to Anytime Fitness in the double blocks to work out and I really enjoy that” 

“Being able to try new things” 

“Having fun with friends and trying new sports I haven’t done” 

Students also shared the importance of being listened to. One noted, “It was good because my teachers asked what went well and if it was too easy or too hard so they could get the right work for me.” This reflects our commitment to respect and student voice, ensuring every learner feels seen and supported, as well as students’ own commitment to their continual learning and growth.  

Outside the classroom, connection was a recurring theme. Whether it was fishing on Winter Sports Day, bushwalks in Outdoor Ed, or going on an array of excursions and extra-curricula learning opportunities, students communicated their appreciation for time spent with friends and the opportunity to build relationships. These experiences foster a sense of belonging and highlight the importance of shared experiences in building a strong school community. 

“I loved the gala days, spending time with my mates competing for the school.”  

“Winter sports day, I enjoyed spending quality time with my friends” 

“Hanging out with friends” 

“Mountain Biking" 

“The astronaut excursion” 

“We got to catch fish” 

“Soccer” 

“I made really positive connections with other students” 

“The whole Term was fun and entertaining” 

“Me turning up and participating” 

“Excursions are fun” 

“I think the Science Fair went really well because I got to meet new people that have the same interests as me” 

“The Maths Relay was really enjoyable because I was surrounded by people who loved maths” 

“The questions are fun on the tables so we could share what happened in our week or weekend” 

As we head into the break, we celebrate not just the academic milestones, but the friendships, fun, and personal growth that have defined Term 3 for this vibrant cohort. Thank you to our students for their honesty, enthusiasm, and willingness to reflect, and to our staff for creating the conditions in which these memories and connections could flourish. 

Term 3 may have brought cold and miserable weather, but Year 7 brought the energy! A huge number of Values Tickets were awarded, with many students recognised for living by our school values - great work!

Sport was a standout this term. Winter sports gave students a chance to shine or try something new, while the 3v3 Basketball Competition, Badminton Gala Day, and Soccer Gala Day added even more excitement. For some of our Year 7s, sport was clearly the focus!

One of the more memorable learning experiences came when Miss Bound and Mr Costelloe introduced 7C and 7D PE to the legendary ‘1,2 tag’ Game - a wild mix of tag, the sprinkler, and dabbing, all rolled into one epic activity. Laughter, teamwork, and movement made it a hit!

Our Mountain Biking class tackled several excursions, collecting a few bumps and bruises - but the big smiles said it all.

Here’s to a well-deserved break and an even brighter Term 4!

?✨ PHS students Shines at the Big Science Fair!

Throughout Terms 2 and 3, our Science Inquiry ALP students have been busy thinking big, asking bold questions, and diving deep into their own scientific investigations. With curiosity as their compass, they explored hypotheses, gathered data, and presented their findings at the much-anticipated Big Science Fair.

Not only did our students showcase their scientific thinking, but some also wowed the crowd with original, student-designed games! The judges were thoroughly impressed by the creativity, depth, and clarity of the presentations—and PHS proudly brought home a collection of awards across multiple categories!

? Major Achievements:

• Mayson & Mia – STEM Explorer of the Year
  One of the most prestigious awards for Years 5–8, including a $500 prize and a perpetual trophy for our school!

? Technology Enhances the Arts:

• Graham & Cristiano  – 1st Place (Years 9/10)
• Mayson, Mia, Declan & Tommy – 1st Place (Years 7/8)
• JD, Axel & Ethan  – Runner-up (Years 7/8)
• Oakley, Oscar & Max  – Runner-up (Years 7/8)

? Other Science Categories:

• Suresh & Mayson – Runner-up in Chemistry (Years 7/8)
• Mia & AJ – Runner-up in Engineering (Years 7/8)

We’re incredibly proud of all our students for their hard work, teamwork, and scientific spirit. Congratulations to all participants and winners—you’ve done PHS proud!

Comments after attending the presentation by Eric Philips, Australian polar explorer, guide and astronaut

I enjoyed how he explained the way the spaceship was built and the progress of the mission- Charli

I enjoyed looking at all of the pictures, and learning more about the gravity in space- Ava

I enjoyed the ways that he explained everything and even through the technical difficulties, still kept it running even with jokes and breaks. – Mayson

I really enjoyed the event as it allowed me to question space and want to find more out about the topic. It was amazing to expand my knowledge about the topic while meeting Eric who is an absolutely outstanding human. -Mia

This has inspired me to become an astronaut when I am older because I loved what I had learned from this -Havana

I enjoyed learning about the Rocket- AJ

I liked learning about how the rocket broke apart in stages. Ryder

I have been so inspired by how life is like on the outside of the earth that it has inspiered me to want to be an astronaut. -Dakota

I liked how he said to do your best in your chosen field, and eventually you will have skill to offer that others want, and that can take you places---even into space.  TM

Outdoor Education students have been on an exciting adventure. Over two action-packed days, students kicked off the camp with a relaxed lunch at River End Park, before heading straight into the treetops at Hollybank Tree Top Adventures. That evening, we kept the fun going with a bowling competition at Launceston Lanes, followed by a delicious dinner from a variety of food vans at Eat Street.

Our overnight stay was spent camping at Lilydale Falls, where we spent the night gathered around a raging campfire. 

The next morning, we explored the local area with a scenic walk to the waterfall. Finally, we finished up our camp with one final challenge with a bouldering session at Beta Park.

It was an incredible two days filled with new experiences, personal growth, and plenty of laughs. A big thank you to all the students for making this camp such a memorable adventure!

Hoops for Life Basketball on the West Coast

Last week, our Grade 7/8 and 9/10 Hoops for Life basketball classes travelled down to the rugged wilderness of the West Coast to take on the Mountain Heights 7/8 and 9/10 teams.

The Mountain Heights sides were well-oiled machines, showcasing great teamwork and skill. For our Grade 7/8 boys, it was their very first time playing together. Despite the scoreboard being one-sided, they showed tremendous heart, never gave up, and kept fighting until the final whistle. Their effort and spirit set a strong foundation for what’s to come in the future.

The Grade 9/10 game was a completely different story – a thrilling see-sawing contest with multiple lead changes throughout. Our big man Jaiden controlled the paint with authority, while guards Cooper and Kaiden attacked the hoop with pace and determination. With the game coming down to the wire, Kaiden stepped up and drained a clutch three-pointer in the final moments to get us over the line.

A special thank you goes to Eli, who has been putting the teams through their paces week in and week out, helping sharpen skills and prepare the players for challenges like this.

Well done to all involved – a fantastic display of teamwork, resilience, and school spirit!

On Thursday the 25^th of September 16 grade 9 and 10 students from Parklands High visited Savage River to learn about careers in the mining industry.

The day was cold and wet, it was literally hailing while getting off the bus at Savage River!

Students learned about Grange Resources, and the career histories of some of the employees there.

We then got onboard the 4wd bus for a bit of a tour of the mine site.  Seeing the sheer size of the pit was pretty amazing, as was the size of the dump trucks.  The CAT 777, which is the “little” dump truck on site, still carries a hundred tonnes of weight and is wider than a road.  Students got to climb up on a CAT 789 which is the main truck used on site, and carries two hundred tonnes.  These are very impressive pieces of machinery. 

A highlight was driving on the truck simulator, used to train new operators before they drive the trucks for real.  Those students interested in a career as a mechanic or fitter also found the workshop and maintenance areas super interesting.

After too short a visit we had to get on the bus back to Burnie.

Overall, this was an excellent day out.  Big thanks to Miss Wescombe and the Smith Family for organising the day, and especially to Grange Resources for their hospitality.

A group of students took part in work exposure activities and went to Burnie Mazda and Burnie Private Hospital for a very informative and inspirational tour of the industries. We heard from several occupations and had an excellent educational experience. Students won boxes of Favourites, took part in egg and spoon races, and got to bandage each other. The overall take away was don't compare yourself to others, start small and move up through the ranks, and always work to the best of your ability. 

16 Students from Years 7 & 8  recently completed a tour of the North-West Support School as a key preparation step for the Young Leaders Of Tasmania Buddie Program 2026. This vital visit provided the students with firsthand insight into the school’s supportive and inclusive environment. They spent time observing classrooms and specialist activities, learning directly from staff and students about the diverse learning journeys of students with additional needs. This experience helped to build empathy, understanding, and practical skills, ensuring the YLOT student leaders are well-equipped to foster meaningful and respectful relationships with their buddies in the upcoming program. In Term 4, 8 students will be selected for the program next year.

Term 3 in Digital Tech: Exciting Robotics and Coding Adventures!

Hi everyone! I’m Kalahni Ditcham, and I want to share what we’ve been up to in Digital Tech this term — it’s been amazing!

We’ve been building and coding robots made from LEGO for the First LEGO League (FFL). Our goal is to complete different missions on a board — each mission is worth between 5 and 50 points! It’s been a lot of fun designing our robots to solve these challenges.

Some of us have also been creating our own games using Scratch. Most of these games are about the past — like Shard Collector, where you gather pottery shards to free an angel trapped in thunderstorms. There’s even a secret ending where you get to see the first concept character!

In Term 4, ten of us will be chosen to participate in the FFL competition, which I’m really excited about! It’s been a fantastic term full of building, coding, and creative problem-solving.

Thanks for your support!
Kalahni  7D

Mrs. Sushames: Grade 7 Science and Math at Parklands High

Hello families! As the term wraps up, I’d like to share a quick overview of what our Grade 7 students achieved in their science and math classes this term.

Science Highlights:

Our students explored the diversity of life through hands-on activities like recording flora and fauna with iNaturalist, dissecting plants, and classifying organisms using dichotomous keys. They also grew fungi and researched microorganisms, gaining practical experience in biological classification. In ecosystems, they built food webs, examined how climate change impacts environments, and discussed ways to protect our planet.

Math Highlights:

In math, students focused on Algebra and Statistics. They Students recognized and used variables like X to represent everyday formulas and created graphs with real weather data. They also practiced collecting and analysing data, learning how to interpret patterns and outliers.

Throughout the term, students engaged actively with the material, developing both their scientific understanding and problem-solving skills. I look forward to seeing their continued curiosity and growth next term!

Mrs. Sushames
Science & Math Teacher

On Monday, 18 August 2025, our Year 9/10 Catering and Hospitality students had the exciting opportunity to participate in a hands-on workshop hosted by the Beacon Foundation. The session focused on developing latte art skills and was led by the incredibly talented franchise owner and barista expert, Mieke.

Students were guided through the techniques to create stunning designs such as love hearts, tulips, and classic ferns in their coffee art. The workshop was highly engaging and provided a valuable experience for students to refine their hospitality skills while working to professional standards.

On behalf of the Year 9/10 Catering and Hospitality class, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Beacon Foundation and Mieke for organising and delivering such an inspiring session. It was a memorable and enriching experience for all involved.


Mrs. Buckney