Thank you to the families who attended our Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews for Term 2. Riverside High School had interviews scheduled over two nights and our teachers greatly appreciated the opportunity to discuss students’ learning progress with parents. Please be aware there will be another opportunity in Term 3 for families to discuss their child’s progress with teachers. This will be after the Mid-year Report is sent home.

Please find below a QR Code for participation in a survey so we can collect feedback on our Parent/Teacher/Student interviews process.

When parents/guardians are exiting our school between 8:00-9:30am and 2:30-4:00pm on School Days, please note turning right is prohibited. Violation of this rule may jeopardize your safety and others and impacts on the traffic flow of our buses.

On Tuesday, 27^th May, a team of 45 Riverside High School students, guided by Mrs Elliott, Mr Beardwood and Mr Sanders, represented the school at the NHSSA Inter-High Cross Country Carnival held at Kings Meadows High School.

With heavy rain in the four days prior to the carnival, heavy and wet track conditions greeted the students. Mild weather on the day made it more comfortable for the students at our Riverside High tent base on the home straight. Five runners in each event allowed us to compete in Division 1. School points were awarded for the first three across the line, teams where striving to finish as high as possible in each event as all results influenced the junior/senior and overall shield results. There were many outstanding individual performances across all four grades.  Our Grade 7 boys and Grade 8 boys winning their grade pennants for combined points. The Grade 7 boys were particularly strong with Flynn P and Thomas L taking 1^st and 3^rd place respectively. It was inspiring to witness our students giving their absolute best when representing themselves, their teammates and Riverside High School. Our students’ efforts were aligned with our school values, in particular, the courage they showed to push through when hurting and being challenged by their competitors and the conditions.

With Riverside High School dominating the junior races and Queechy High School similarly dominating the senior races, the overall shield come down to the wire. Unfortunately, we were unable to reclaim the overall shield with Queechy High School finishing a meagre 7 points in front of us. Riverside High School were able to claim the junior shield that combined the results from Grade 7 and Grade 8 events.

Our students are commended for their effort, behaviour and comradery throughout the carnival and the school community should all be proud of how these students represented the school.

Listed below are the finals standings, team results and Riverside High School placings for the day.

NHSSA 2025 INTER HIGH CROSS COUNTRY – SHIELD RESULTS    

DIVISION 1 TEAMS RESULTS

RIVERSIDE HIGH SCHOOL PLACEGETTERS (All schools)

Year 7 Boys

Flynn P RHS - Gold

Thomas L RHS – Bronze 

Year 8 Girls                                                                                             

Layla B RHS – Silver                   

Year 9 Girls

Lily B-H RHS - Silver 

Year 9 Boys   

Seb B RHS - Silver 

Adam Sanders
HPE Coordinator

 

From Friday, 23^rd to Monday, 26^th May, a group of 31 students and 4 teachers set off on an exciting school trip to Melbourne. A journey packed with sport, culture, fun and unforgettable memories.

The Melbourne adventure began with a behind the scenes tour of the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Friday morning. Students explored the rich sporting history of the stadium and got a glimpse into the inner workings of one of Australia's most famous stadiums. That evening, the group experienced the magic of Dreamtime at the 'G, an annual AFL match celebrating Indigenous culture, where the atmosphere was electric as we watched the game under the lights at the MCG. This included The Long Walk, a concept created by Essendon legend Michael Long to bring indigenous and non-indigenous cultures together to promote reconciliation, along with a walk to the MCG and around the playing surface, to our seats.

Saturday morning started with a visit to The District Docklands, followed by an interactive and creative experience at ArtVo, an immersive 3D art gallery where students posed with optical illusions and mind-bending murals. In the afternoon, the group split into two: one half attended the AFL game at Marvel Stadium between Collingwood and North Melbourne, while the other group headed to Crown Casino for some light-hearted fun at Holey Moley Mini Golf and Kingpin Bowling.

Sunday was dedicated to shopping and the arts. We spent the morning exploring the bustling Queen Victoria Market and Melbourne Central, giving students the chance to pick up souvenirs and enjoy some retail therapy. The day was capped off with an incredible performance of Beetlejuice the Musical, which had everyone talking long after the final curtain call.

On our final day, we made one last stop at South Wharf DFO, where students grabbed some final bargains before heading to the airport and flying home.

This trip was a perfect mix of learning, culture and fun, offering students opportunities to bond, explore new environments and create lasting memories. A big thank you to the staff members who worked tirelessly to make the experience safe, smooth and enjoyable for all.

Phoebe, Gabi & Issy

On Tuesday, 3^rd June, four students looked at a day in the life of a hydro power station, with all the associated careers that go into generating power in Tasmania.

Careers explored included civil, mechanical and electrical engineering, fitter/machinist, environmental science, electricians and many more.  Students heard from individuals working in these areas, then had an opportunity to talk with them in more detail in a speed careering type session.

There was also a session on how to access these career pathways into the Hydro through graduate programs after university degrees or apprenticeship schemes.

Students completed a tour of an operational power station in the heart of Launceston, including all the big tools necessary to operate and maintain some very big toys.

Part of the day involved problem solving, challenges, such as how to supply a power station with water from a dam and protect the Tribbles and pickle berries. This is based on a real problem the Hydro has had to solve in the central highlands (disclaimer - no tribbles were harmed in this activity, but pickle berries are quite tasty).

Stephen Hindrum
Teacher

We are thrilled to share the outstanding results from this year’s Launceston Competitions, held on Tuesday, 27^th May and Thursday, 30^th May in the evening. Our students showcased incredible talent, creativity, and teamwork across all categories.

A huge thank you to Melissa de Jong, Samuel Rainbird and the teaching cohort for their flexibility with rehearsals and to our Admin Team for their invaluable support. These events would not be possible without your dedication!

Here are the results:

206 – Original Solo (Grades 7–10)

Highly Commended: Annalise L – A future star in the making!

210 – Contemporary Duo or Trio

1st: Chilli H & Lucas P

2nd: Ari L & Archer R

3rd: Alice G & Matilda W

213 – Contemporary Group (16 Years and Under)

1st: Ari L, Lucas P, Archer R, Gemma P, Tayah H

2nd: Tyler B, Ezra B, Milo S, Billy B, Thomas L

3rd: Max N, Ezra B, Milo S, Billy B, Thomas L

Next up: Battle of the Bands – Friday, 15th August!

Get ready for an electrifying night of music, energy and school spirit. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details!

Sam Rainbird
Music Teacher

This year, three classes of enthusiastic Legal Studies students have explored the Australian judicial system, developing a comprehensive understanding of how laws are made and enforced within our legal framework. We examined the historical evolution of the rule of law, tracing its roots and significance in shaping the Australian legal system as we know it today. In particular, the concepts of equal access to justice and the protection of the rights of the accused were explored. Students were actively engaged in assessments exploring the notion of equality and participated in group tasks to investigate cases of miscarriages of justice, fostering critical thinking, analytical, and presentation skills.

Looking ahead to the next term, students will collaborate in investigative groups to ‘solve’ unsolved cases and prepare comprehensive reports to progress their cases to trial. This supports the study of criminal court procedures, with a specific emphasis on the role of juries in the justice system. Engaging in thought-provoking discussions on the pros and cons of the jury system, students participated in a simulation game of impanelling a jury based on various complex case scenarios. This hands-on approach will enhance their understanding of the legal process, including evaluating evidence and considerations in sentencing.

The journey through Legal Studies this year promises to be an exciting and enlightening one, equipping our students with not just theoretical knowledge but also practical skills essential for navigating the complexities of the legal system. 

Ben Gadsby

Riverside High School recently showcased its engineering prowess and collaborative spirit at the national STEM Racing competition, held from the Friday, 30^th May to Sunday, 1^st June at St. Bede's College, Mentone, Victoria. Ten of our talented students, forming two teams – Team Zenith in the professional division (Nandali A, Nina H, Charlie S, Lucas P and William W) and Team Bluefin (Alice G, Louis H, Nina L, Millie V E and Yuxuan S) in the development class – along with Mr Jay Duggan, Mrs Annette McCarthy and our volunteer, Mrs Jo Howell, all represented Riverside with distinction.

The competition, involving over 24 teams from all over Australia and New Zealand, kicked off on Day 1 with the crucial scrutineering phase, where judges meticulously compared car designs against strict regulations. While Team Zenith unfortunately incurred some time penalties that would impact their overall racing times, both teams demonstrated resilience and a commitment to fair play.

Days 2 and 3 were a flurry of activity, with students racing their meticulously crafted vehicles and engaging in intensive Team Verbals and Engineering/CAD/CAM sessions with expert panellists. Our students had the invaluable opportunity to present their design processes, defend their engineering choices, and learn from industry leaders.

Team Bluefin, in particular, had an exceptional showing! They emerged victorious in the thrilling knockout racing portion of the development class, a testament to their speed and strategic driving. While both Bluefin and Zenith narrowly missed out on a top three overall finish in their respective divisions, Team Bluefin's achievements were truly outstanding.

The final session of Day 3 saw the presentation of awards. Team Bluefin proudly brought home a remarkable four of these, they were:

• Fastest Lap - Development Class: Demonstrating their vehicle's raw speed and their drivers' skill.
• Knockout Champions - Development Class: A thrilling victory in head-to-head racing.
• Best Manufactured Car - Development Class: Recognition of their precision engineering and craftsmanship.
• Most Outstanding Industry Collaboration - Development Class: Highlighting their effective engagement with industry partners and mentors.

Beyond these impressive awards, all ten students exemplified Riverside High's core values throughout the competition. Their Courage in facing challenges, Respect for competitors and judges, commitment to Growth through learning, Responsibility in their teamwork, and strong Connection as unified team members were evident to all.

We would also like to take the opportunity in this newsletter to thank all parents, teachers, mentors and local businesses who supported our students in competing in this national showcase of STEM. Without their support, I’m sure it would have been very difficult to achieve what our students did! Finally, congratulations to all the students involved for their dedication, hard work, and inspiring performance at the National STEM Racing competition! You've made Riverside High School incredibly proud!

Jay Duggan
Teacher

What should you do if your child needs to leave school early?

Students are required to sign out at the Student Admin Counter if they have to leave school early for any reason. Communication from parents/guardians can be via:

• Phoning the Administration Office which is open between 8:00am–4:00pm (6327 6333)
• Using the Schoolzine App.
• Sending an email to either the Home Group teacher or our school email address Riverside.High.Admin.Staff@decyp.tas.gov.au
• When leaving our school for an appointment, students must have a GREEN LEAVE FORM which has been signed by Admin Staff and an Assistant Principal. 
• The Leave Pass is preferably completed before school and must be left with a member of our Admin Team at the time of leaving. 
• The student must also sign out at the time of departure.  
• Students who sign out for appointments should sign back in at the Student Admin Counter on their return. 

Following this process ensures that students meet their parents for collection promptly without interrupting classes.  

If a student is feeling unwell or is injured, they need to get a signed pass from their teacher to go to the Admin office and ask for First Aid assistance. 

The First Aid officer will then determine if the student is well enough to stay at school or needs to go home.  The First Aid officer will then contact parents/carers if the student needs to go home. 

Could parents/carers please discourage their child from messaging or calling home during class time instead of going to First Aid.