Issue 1 Tuesday 21st February School Photos Wednesday 22nd February Launceston Cup Day Student Free Day Friday 24th February School Photos catch up day Monday 13th March Long Weekend - Public Holiday Thursday 16th March Mid Term Full School Assembly Monday 27th March Grade 7 Immunisations Thursday 13th April Teacher s Moderation Student Free Day Friday 14th April Easter Break Commences followed by School Holidays 17th February 2017 I warmly welcome back all those returning to Brooks, and an especially warm welcome to all our new students and their families. We have had a fantastic start to the year with all students settled in their new classes. I would especially like to welcome all our new staff. These include Miss Julia Willis and Mrs Rose Tyson who have taken up Acting/AST roles for 2017. Miss Willis will be leading the grade 7 classes and Mrs Tyson the grade 9 classes. Other new teachers include Miss Lauren Hayes (grade 7 core), and Miss Emily Perkins, (grade 9). Mr Cameron Bailey is teaching Science and Mrs Natalie Moore is teaching English and Humanities. We also welcome Mr Gavin Eamens, our new EAL (English as an Additional Language) and Mrs Anna McKendrick our student support teacher. Miss Karen Dudley was unexpectedly offered a senior position based at Campbelltown District High school in the last week of the holidays. This is a contract position for 2017. We wish her well and welcome Mr Rhys Kenniwell who will be teaching Miss Dudley s classes. I have already been very impressed by the commitment, skills and positive attitude that these people have bought to our Brooks High School Community. Having worked in many schools across the north of the state over many years, I can honestly say that the staff at Brooks High are outstanding. Together we are committed to providing the very best programs for our students. If you have any concerns or questions please ring class teachers in the first instant. School leaders, including myself, are also happy to answer any queries. When we work together we can achieve the best outcomes for our students. Kind regards, Louise Fisher (Principal) Monday 1st May FIRST DAY - Term 2 Friday 7th July LAST DAY - Term 2 Monday 24th July FIRST DAY - Term 3 Friday 29th September LAST DAY - Term 3 Monday 16th October FIRST DAY - Term 4 Thursday 21st December LAST DAY - Term 4 Brooks High School Department of Education
Emily Perkins - Grade 9 Cameron Bailey - Science Brooks High School welcomes our new staff members for 2017 Marya Hegarty - Grade 10 Rhys Kennewell - Grade 9 Lauren Hayes - Grade 7
Natalie Moore - Grade 10 Charmaine Rose - Admin Julia Willis - Grade 7 (AST) Anna McKendrick - Support Gavin Eamens - EAL Rose Tyson - Grade 9 (AST)
Student Mobile Phone Policy In our last School Association meeting in 2016 we asked for community feedback on two new school policies. One of those was our new student mobile phone policy. Students are allowed to bring their phones to school and use them during break time. However first and foremost Brooks is a place of learning. Using phones for personal use during class time is an enormous distraction from work. For this reason students are not allowed to have mobile devices out in class unless they are asked to use their phones as part of their learning; for example to use the calculator or take a photo of their work. If students are in grade 7 or 8 and they are using their phones during class time it will be taken by the teacher and given back at the end of the lesson. Grade 9 and 10 students will have their phones confiscated for the rest of the day. If this is regularly repeated then parents will be called and we will ask for your support by keeping their child s phone at home. Students will not be able to answer SMS messages or take phone calls during class time. If parents have an urgent message for their child that can t wait until the next break time, please phone the office and we will get the message to your child. The School Association, representing our community, strongly supports this policy and I ask for your support so that all our students can focus on learning during class-time. Louise Fisher Grade 7 Immunisations The Launceston City Council s immunisation team will be providing vaccinations to year 7 students once again this year on Monday 27th March. Consent forms have been given to all our Grade 7 classes. All forms must be returned by Wednesday 22nd February even if your child is NOT having any vaccinations. School Photos School photos will be taken next Tuesday, 21st February, for all grades. Forms have been given out this week. In the event of a student being away on that day a catch up time is scheduled for Friday, 24th February. Family forms are available from the office. PLEASE RETURN MONEY AND FORMS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Back to school thoughts from the school nurse Starting a new school, changing classes, finding new friends and meeting new teachers can be overwhelming for young people as a new school year begins. Friendships are really important to teenagers for many reasons from having a support network to feeling a sense of belonging and acceptance. As a parent, taking time to help your child build and nurture strong friendships will alleviate some of the difficulties faced during this period. Check out https:// parents.au.reachout.com/skills-to-build/wellbeing/things-to-try-friendships to find out how you can help your teenager build positive friendships through this time.
VISIT TO BROOKS On Thursday the 16 th February, 4 players from the Hawthorn football club visited Brooks High school to work with 40 of our Grade 8 students. The focus of the session was for students to ask the players questions that focused on life as a footballer, resilience, goal setting and life after football. Each student had the opportunity to ask a question and of course, there was time at the end for photos and autographs! The session was very valuable for all those involved and the students who attended the session were great ambassadors for the school.
SMS Absentees The school s SMS Home to Parents program works well, with parents being contacted by SMS regarding unexplained absences. Attendance is recorded at the start of each of the four blocks during the day. The purpose of the SMS message is to keep parents informed of possible absences from school by students which are unauthorised. Simply reply to the SMS message on 0416 907 090 with your child s full name and the reason for their absence. Communication and Information Office Hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Absences - Phone office on 6324 7200 or SMS mobile phone number 0416 907 090 Photos and News - Facebook Brooks High School Page Brooks High School Sports Page School App - Information for students and families Including copies of School Newsletters (Free to Download) Who Should You Contact? Admin Team/School Business Manger Information on absentees, accounts, bus passes, uniform, levies, student assistance. Subject Teachers Information regarding progress Class Teacher General matters concerning student progress and needs, pastoral care, social skills and Grade Team Leader/Assistant Principal Information on matters relating to a student s wellbeing, progress, attendance, welfare,
Brooks High School Learning Teams 2017 LOUISE FISHER LOUISE ROSE ALISON JOHNSON CILLA KEENAN PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL GRADE 7 GRADE 8 7A. JULIA WILLIS YEAR 7 ADVANCED SENIOR TEACHER 7B. TRACEY BALL 7C. LAUREN HAYES 7D. LEIGH BONNEY 8A. ROHAN MURRAY YEAR 8 ADVANCED SENIOR TEACHER 8B. EMILY STEVENS 8C. MICHELLE CRESDEE 8D. JASON BLUNDELL GRADE 9 ROSE TYSON 9A. RHYS KENNIWELL 9B. LUKE BEASLEY 9C. EMILY PERKINS 9D. MATT BARWICK 9E. CORINNE MILTON 9F. STUART BUSH-HARRIS YEAR 9 ADVANCED SENIOR TEACHER GRADE 10 JAMES GUY 10A. NATALIE MOORE 10B. MARYA HEGARTY 10C. LIZ GIBSON 10D. ALI BIGNELL FIONA PHILLIPS CAMERON BAILEY LEL AUFDER-HEIDE WARWICK CAMPBELL DAVID CHELL CRAIG ERWIN COLEEN ELLIOTT BELINDA STEPHENS BEN MCKINNON ANNA MCKENDRICK YEAR 10 ADVANCED SENIOR TEACHER AST/SCIENCE SCIENCE ADT ADT ADT PHYSICAL EDUCATION PHYSICAL EDUCATION DANCE/DRAMA MUSIC SUPPORT BROOKS HIGH SCHOOL P.O. BOX 522, MOWBRAY HEIGHTS, TAS, 7248 (03) 6324 7200 WEB: https://education.tas.edu.au/brookshigh/