Newsletter – Edition 1, Term 4
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
This term has started with a strong focus on our PAT testing for us to gain valuable data to measure our student progress against Literacy and Numeracy. The data gained from this testing will be invaluable as we continue to plan to meet the learning needs of all our students.
We have continued on our school improvement journey and have shown strong results in our recent Student Engagement Survey for the Derwent Collective as well as the DECYP School Wellbeing and Engagement Survey. The results attained in these surveys indicate that we are successful in building positive relationships with our students and creating a strong sense of belonging and support.
In line with DECYP’s approach to Reading we continue to develop our Multi Tired System of Supports (MTSS) for students that require additional support and intervention to reach the required standards and be functional readers.
So far this term we have provided multiple opportunities for students outside of the classroom through excursions to Government House on a hospitality excursion, a Mud Run event, basketball tournaments as well as opening up our Dojo shop for students to use their dojos for rewards due to positive behaviour. We have lots more to offer this term and look forward to the events and activities coming up.
New Logo and Branding
We started Term 4 with an updated look to our school logo, associated marketing materials and signage. If you have recently visited the school you may have noticed this new work which has given our school a great new fresh feel. The new look is shown below in our updated school values image, The Cosgrove Way.
COSGROVE HIGH SCHOOL - REVITALISATION PROJECT UPDATE
This term we have again adjusted to a change in setting with the new Leadership and Administration building functional as the major demolition works begin. The demolition of the existing buildings identified through the project is expected to be completed early in 2024 with the Tender for the major building to be advertised in January next year with work anticipated to begin in March.
We wish to thank all students and community members for the way in which they have adapted to the ongoing changes this year. We are now in a position where the next major changes within the school will be relocating into a new building once these works are completed.
SCHOOL WELLBEING AND ENGAGEMENT SURVEY
We have received the results of the recent School Wellbeing and Engagement Survey that all students in the school were required to participate in. With over 200 responses we are excited about the improvements that have been shown in 22 out of 38 key areas from 2022 to 2023 with students experiencing high and medium wellbeing.
With Wellbeing for Learning one of our 2 key priority areas, this is excellent progress and provides concrete evidence that our structures and processes at Cosgrove are having a positive impact on our learners. There is a lot more work to be done which we will continue to embed into our school culture in 2024. Some of the areas of improvement are listed below.
Loved, safe and valued.
- Connectedness to adults at school (2% improvement)
- Absence of physical bullying (2% improvement)
- Absence of verbal bullying (2% improvement)
- Absence of Social bullying (3% improvement)
- Absence of cyber bullying (6% improvement)
Healthy
- Optimism (2% improvement)
- Emotional regulation (1% improvement)
- Absence of sadness (5% improvement)
- Absence of worries (6% improvement)
- Absence of distress (16% improvement)
Learning
- Emotional engagement with teachers (4% improvement)
- Engagement (flow) (9% improvement)
- Academic self-concept (2% improvement)
Participating
- Connectedness to adults at home (6% improvement)
- Friendships (8% improvement)
Positive sense of culture and identity
- School belonging (2% improvement)
- Peer belonging (3% improvement)
- Meeting expectations (3% improvement)
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT PROJECT
As part of our work at Cosgrove across the Derwent Collective we have been using a survey instrument to gain data on student engagement and implementing a number of interventions across the school. This work has resulted in several interventions for students to lift the level of student engagement and improve attendance. As can be seen in the image below, there has been a positive correlation between the project with increase in engagement and attendance from Term 1 into Term 3.
DOJO REWARDS
Throughout the year, students are rewarded with Dojo points in recognition of their positive behaviour in classes and around the school. This term, students have already accessed our Dojo shop, using their points to purchase items or vouchers to use to participate in subject classes of their choice. Upcoming events include a Week 5 Dojo shop, where students can purchase excursions. These will run in Week 6. Students can also be invited to a larger excursion to celebrate a successful 2023. This will be held at Kingston Park. Students will be able to bring scooters to use at the pump track, with BBQ lunch supplied. We look forward to seeing all students engage in a positive way with our Dojo system for the rest of the term.
TELL SOMEONE
All children in Tasmania have a right to be known, safe, well and learning. We are highly committed to the safety of all students at our school.
Earlier this month, DECYP launched the Tell Someone initiative, to raise awareness in the community about child sexual abuse and grooming.
The Tell Someone website gives children and young people clear advice on what to do in situations where they feel worried, unsafe or unsure. It also gives adults advice and support on how to respond if they suspect or know a child is being groomed or sexually abused or is at risk of harm.
Please visit the website, read the information, and try to find a suitable time to talk with your children about this issue and the resources available. It’s important that you both understand the possible signs of sexual abuse or grooming behaviour, and how to stay safe online and offline.
If reading this information has caused you distress, please visit DECYP’s website for a list of support services.
Please contact the school if you have any questions about this information.
TURNING UP MATTERS
Welcome back to Term 4! We hope you enjoyed school holidays, and are ready for another exciting term.
We all want the best for our children – for their futures to be as bright as possible. Showing up every day to school really matters. It gives your child every chance to learn, grow and find their interests.
This last stretch of the school year can sometimes be tricky. Keep it up, because each day is another chance to:
- be around friends
- learn new things
- find interests
- create dream futures (whatever that may be!).
If you’re looking for tips on how to create better attendance habits, visit the Anything can happen website.
Please always talk to us if you’re having trouble getting your child to school. We’re here to help.
YEAR 9/10
Term 4 has been busy so far for both Year 9 and 10 students.
We have been working hard in our subjects to finish the year successfully. In Year 9 History, students are completing a portfolio of evidence as their assessment this term based upon World War I. This approach allows students to demonstrate their historical skills over different tasks, compiling them into a finished portfolio. Students are enjoying this task and we look forward to seeing their final pieces.
One of our Year 9 classes has focused on gratitude in their Wellbeing lessons. As part of this focus, students have been baking in one of their lessons each week. They have made lemon slice, truffles and decorated biscuits. These have then been distributed to members of staff around the school to show how much students appreciate the work that staff do to help them learn and grow.
Year 9 students have The Smith Family organising a mini careers expo on Thursday 23 November, Prefect Applications due Friday 17 November and interviews held the following week and the Year 9 Claremont College Taster day on Friday 1 December.
In Year 10 we have finalised our college enrolments and are looking forward to the college transition days (Claremont College 29 November and Elizabeth College week of 4 - 8 December). These transition programs will give students more of an idea of what college life is like and help them finalise their course selections, as well as meeting some of the key staff that they will be working with.
As well as exciting opportunities within the classroom, we have had some great engagement opportunities for students to participate in. Students have been able to attend basketball training, a Tasmania Police workshop based around recognising discrimination in society and also the iTrack program has continued for Year 10 students. They have been working with an online mentor to discuss resumes, career paths and opportunities for the future.
We are also exploring the possibility of a visit from the University of Tasmania, several work experience opportunities and some reward excursions.
Invitations for the Year 10 Celebration Dinner will be given out within the next few weeks. These invitations will be presented to those students who have been consistently fulfilling the criteria highlighted in the ‘Year 10 Celebration Activities Agreement’ which was sent out in Term 1. Students need to be attending school regularly, in full uniform and demonstrate behaviour which uphold the Cosgrove values of Respect, Resilience and Responsibility. Conversations with students are happening at the moment to ensure they are on track.
The end of year activities are always a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the hard work of students, especially the dinner, so we hope that Year 10 students consistently engage with their learning and school expectations. For those students who are not meeting the expectations currently, their attendance at these events is at risk.
Our staff are always willing to work with students and families around any concerns that may arise over the next few weeks.
We hope to see as many students as possible attending these events to celebrate 2023!
Upcoming events for Year 9/10 students:
Wednesday, 29 November 2023 | Welcome to Year 11 day | For students who are enrolled at Claremont College in 2024 |
Friday, 1 December 2023 | Year 9 Claremont College Taster day | For Year 9 students to experience the college environment to prepare them for 2025 |
Monday, 4 December – | ConnECt week | For students who are enrolled at Elizabeth College in 2024 |
Monday, 18 December 2023 | Whole School Pool day | New Norfolk pool |
Tuesday, 19 December 2023 | Graduation assembly Celebration Dinner | 9am start 6.30pm start |
YEAR 8
This week, students from Year 8 have all attended excursions to Woodbridge Discovery Centre. The Centre provides students with the opportunity to experience Marine Biology in a practical setting. Students enjoyed going out on the water aboard the Pengana to take measurements, conduct small experiments and some fishing!
Students also completed experiments and touched sharks and skates, one of which was pregnant! Classes were engaged in looking through microscopes to find different types of plankton.
Thank you to Ms Cassidy for organising our excursions! It was a very valuable experience for our students.
YEAR 7
As we are approaching the middle of Term 4, students submitted their Children’s University hours for Graduation. We had nine Year 7 students attend the Children’s University Graduation Ceremony which was held on Tuesday, 14 November.
One of our Graduating Students was given the honour of giving a speech at the ceremony:
“Welcome everyone and thank you for joining us to celebrate the Children’s University Tasmania graduations for 2023.
My name is Aiden, and I am in Grade 7 at Cosgrove High School. I have been a member of Children’s University for 4 years and I’m excited to be graduating today with a National Gold Certificate for 200 hours of learning.
I started in Children’s University at Primary School in 2019 and have continued to participate in 2023, my first year of high school at Cosgrove.
Some of the things I’ve done in Children’s University is attend a Marine Conservation Meeting, an Arctic Scientific meeting, Tournament of the Minds, the maths relay and two chess competitions.
I enjoyed these activities because they were things that interested and sounded very auspicious to me.
The best thing about Children’s University is the opportunities that are presented to you.
Congratulations to all of this year’s graduates and thank you for coming to celebrate with us.”
EXCURSIONS
FUN IN THE MUD!
On Friday 3 November, 25 brave students made their way out to Redbanks Recreation Centre in Nugent, to tackle this years Rugged Schools Mud Run!
Whilst the weather was on the chillier side, Cosgrove racers made a red hot start, eager to tackle the many water and mud based challenges situated along the 5km bush track.
Crawling under army nets, wading through waist-high muddy channels, balancing across logs located high above dam water, each challenge was as equally nerve-wracking as it was exciting!
Our students supported each other to complete the course, using teamwork to conquer difficult obstacles and demonstrating some serious resilience as they worked their way to the final obstacle, the water slide!
Always the highlight of each adventure to Redbanks, the giant water slide provided the final adrenalin boost to weary racers and an epic way to finish the run.
Well done to all the students who attended, for showing great character and a willingness to try something new!
GOVERNMENT HOUSE TOUR
On Thursday, 2 November, Year 9 and 10 Food Studies students had the opportunity to visit Government House and take a tour of the productive flower, fruit and vegetable gardens. Students also visited the kitchen and operational areas in the house.
Students really enjoyed learning about the Kitchen Garden products that are grown on the Estate. The garden staff work closely with the kitchen and harvest seasonally to produce relishes, jams, sauces, herbs, spices and even have their own bees that create delicious honey!
Government House are working in conjunction with School Foods Matter, Eat Well Tas, Loaves and Fishes to supply fresh produce for our school lunch program.
UPDATES
Reading Update
It sure is an inspiring time here at Cosgrove High School in the field of language and literacy instruction. Guided by our School Improvement Plan, and the goals and targets within, our collective priority is to: ‘Improve our Student Literacy – Reading.’
This term, we have been busily working to align our intervention spaces with systematic and evidence-based practices and we have begun the design phase of our 2024 implementation of Orton-Gillingham.
What is Orton-Gillingham?
Orton-Gillingham, or O.G - as it is commonly referred to, is a systematic, multisensory, explicit, and cumulative instructional approach for teaching, reading, writing, and spelling. It was originally developed by Dr Samuel Orton, a neuropsychiatrist, and Anna Gillingham, an educator and psychologist, and was specifically designed to help struggling readers.
Why are we using O.G at Cosgrove High School?
O.G is a highly effective instructional approach, born out of a deep knowledge of how the brain learns. Students within our O.G intervention space will receive explicit, multisensory, and repetitive instruction, designed to close achievement gaps by mastering phonics and word recognition skills.
O.G is effective for all students and is essential for students with dyslexia or other language-based difficulties.
Watch this space. We are very excited!
Georgia Park
Quality Teaching Coach – Literacy
STAFF NEWS
We recently shared a social media post from The Mercury Sport on our facebook page, congratulating Jesse Willmott who is one of our fantastic Teacher Assistants, on a personal sporting achievement.
Jesse has been involved in the New Town Cricket Club and was recently selected in the Tasmanian Tigers second XI squad against Queensland.
What a huge achievement - we are extremely lucky to have such amazing talent amongst our staffing team! Well done Jesse.