15 August 2025

Assistant Principal
Paul Stevenson
Andrea Saville

Grade Leaders

Grade 7:   Skye Champion / Lenny Towns
Grade 8:   Allison Stone / Elle Fox
Grade 9:   Eve Hall / Sharon Parish
Grade 10: Catherine Yole / Stefan Lendvay
Grade 11/12: Greg Finnigan

Support Services

School Psychologist: Louise Marlin
Social Worker: Jodi Crerar
School Chaplain: Bec Cameron: Tuesday and Thursday, 8.30am-2.15pm
School Health Nurse: Julie Edrich: Monday

2025 REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE

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Looks like everything is on track with our redevelopment. Very exciting!

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

I want to start this fortnight’s newsletter by thanking everyone in our school community for the way they have continued to work together over the past couple of weeks. Staff illness has affected us here recently, but I have been so impressed by the way that our students have simply gone about their learning in a mature and settled way. This reflects the calm and orderly environment we have worked so hard to create here at Exeter High School, and I also wish to thank our teachers and teacher assistants for their continued dedication to ensuring students learn in these settled classrooms. It is a credit to everyone within our amazing school community that our school continues to operate in such a highly productive manner.

I would like to share with the school community some excellent news about how our students have performed in the 2025 NAPLAN testing. As we all know, there are four NAPLAN domains: Reading, Writing, Language Conventions (grammar, punctuation, and spelling), and Numeracy. Our Year 9 students have achieved some exceptional results in both Reading and Writing. In Reading, 82% of the Year 9 cohort achieved medium to high gains, 7% above the Tasmanian result, and 80% of the cohort achieved medium to high gains in Writing, 5% above the Tasmanian result. This is an amazing result and a credit to all of our teachers and students for their hard work.

We are very excited to announce that our redevelopment is coming to an end. I attended a meeting with the builders this week, and they have stated that the works in Block 5 will be completed ahead of schedule, and they will hand over occupancy in early September.

Attendance at school is something that I regularly mention, and it is one of the most significant factors in ensuring that students are successful both in the school setting and in the wider community. Students must be at school every single day they possibly can be. If a child develops poor habits in relation to attendance, their academic and social development is severely hampered. Students also need to be prepared for life outside of school, too, and in the workforce, attendance isn’t optional. Therefore, developing good habits in relation to attendance is vital for people to be successful in life. If you are finding it difficult to get your child to school, please contact their Grade Leaders to discuss strategies and supports that are available.

Benjamin Frerk
Principal

2025 WELLBEING AND ENGAGEMENT SURVEY

Did you know?

The DECYP Wellbeing and Engagement Survey helps schools and the education system learn more about how students are feeling and what support they need. The information we get from this survey helps us improve the way we do things at Exeter High School - and across all Tasmanian schools. Later this term, students will complete the survey at school. They’ll also take part in a lesson that explains the language and ideas in the questions to help them feel confident and prepared. Parents/carers will also be sent a link to complete their own version of the survey. These questions help us better understand how we can support your child and strengthen our school community. Keep an eye out on our Facebook page. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be posting a mini-series called Topic Spotlight, where we’ll unpack each area of the survey to give you more insight. Check out the image below to see some of the wellbeing topics students will be thinking and talking about.

Wellbeing Topic Spotlight: Feel Loved, Safe & Valued + Have Access to Material Basics.

Feeling safe, respected, and supported is key to student wellbeing. The survey asks questions like:

• Do you have someone you trust at school?
• Do people treat each other with respect?

It also looks at daily habits that help students learn, such as:

• Do you eat breakfast?
• Do you get a good night’s sleep?
• How do you stay active?

Your child’s answers help us make school a safe, caring place where they can do their best.

See the images below for more about these survey topics.

EXETER EXCELLENCE

These certificates are awarded to two students in each grade in recognition of their efforts in upholding the school values and helping to make our school an excellent learning environment.

Congratulations to this fortnight’s students:

Zara from 7B: Zara is a responsible, respectful and friendly student who is a valued member of 7B. As a learner, she is consistently applying herself to all tasks and acting on feedback to produce work that is reflective of her best efforts. Well done Zara and keep up the great work. Values demonstrated: Respect, Learning, Maturity and Acceptance.

Ethan from 7A: Ethan is punctual and prepared for all lessons and consistently demonstrates a conscientious approach towards his learning. He is a polite, respectful and well-organised student who is an asset to our grade. Well done, Ethan. Values demonstrated: Respect, Learning, Maturity and Acceptance.

Kaylee from 8A: Kaylee consistently applies herself across all learning areas, she is polite with her interactions will all members of the school community. Kaylee is a positive member of her class and a role model to others. Values demonstrated: Respect, Learning, Maturity and Acceptance.

Harvey from 8C: Harvey has had a good start in Agricultural studies and music this term. He is applying himself to learning in core classes, showing maturity towards his learning. Values demonstrated: Respect, Learning, Maturity and Acceptance.

Jack from 9A: Jack is an organised student who approaches learning with a responsible attitude. He consistently completes tasks on time and to a high standard. His commitment to his learning and sport is commendable. Values demonstrated: Respect, Learning, Maturity and Acceptance.

Felicia from 9C: Felicia is being recognised for her willingness to have a go at tasks, even when they are challenging. She actively seeks help to gain a better understanding and demonstrates a clear commitment to progressing in her learning. Values demonstrated: Learning, Respect, Maturity and Acceptance.

Daniel from 10A: Daniel demonstrates all of our school values in a consistent manner. A special mention is to be made for the way he assisted a Year 9 student in Ag Studies, making that student feel supported and involved in the lesson. Values demonstrated: Learning, Respect, Maturity and Acceptance.

Euston from 10A: Euston demonstrated our school values of Acceptance, Maturity and Respect when welcoming a new family to our school. Euston made the family feel welcomed and comfortable. He demonstrated pride in our school and himself. Values demonstrated: Learning, Respect, Maturity and Acceptance.

YEAR 7 DRAMA

Year 7 Drama students are currently undertaking a creative performance task that has required them to develop and present their own original pieces.

The task incorporates key dramatic elements including scripted dialogue, tableaux, improvisation, and basic theatre technical components.

Students are demonstrating growing confidence and collaboration as they explore storytelling through multiple theatrical techniques.

YEAR 8 AG STUDIES

Our Year 8 Ag Studies students have been hands-on this term, getting our Merino sheep ready for the upcoming Merino Wether Challenge. Last week, they were busy checking all the sheep’s health, weighing them, assessing their condition, and helping them get used to wearing halters and walking comfortably around people. Alongside the practical skills, students have also been learning about the history of Merino sheep in Australia, and what makes their wool such high quality.

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YEAR 8 CAMP – EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

YEAR 9 YOUNG TASSIE SCIENTISTS

Last week our Year 9 students had the opportunity to meet and learn from the Young Tassie Scientists.

Students took part in hands-on workshops led by a chemist, ecologist, and medical scientist during Lesson 2, exploring real-world science in action.

It was a fantastic session that sparked curiosity, inspired questions, and brought science to life.

YEAR 10 CAMP

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Last wee, some of our Year 10 students headed to Port Arthur. The journey down included multiple stops, giving students an opportunity to see Richmond, Tasman Arch and Devils Garden. On Thursday, we experienced the day at Port Arthur historic site with students fully immersing themselves into the history of the site. That night we headed back to the site in search of ghosts; and despite some being more frightened than others, the night was enjoyed by all. On Friday, we took the long way to journey home heading into Salamanca and enjoying a walk along the wharf. It was a great few nights away.

NEWSTEAD COLLEGE FAMILY INFORMATION EVENING – Tuesday 2 September 2025, 7.00pm

Newstead College invites future students and their families to attend this Family Information Evening and learn more about everything that our college has to offer in Years 11 and 12.

2026 Course & Enrolment Information

• Date: Tuesday 2 September 2025, 7.00 pm
• Location: Newstead College Auditorium
• RSVP now to newstead.college.transitions@decyp.tas.gov.au

We look forward to connecting with you!

BOOK WEEK

TRIVIA NIGHT

CANTEEN PAYMENTS

2025 YEAR 7 AND 10 IMMUNISATION PROGRAM

Immunisation consent forms have gone digital this year. You should have received a text with a consent link attached https://westtamar.book.vitavo.com.au/school/ExeterHighSchool-K1CL5d

If you have any questions, please contact the West Tamar Council Immunisation Coordinator on 6323 9300. Immunisations will take place at Exeter High School on Friday 22 August.

CALENDAR

Term 3 – Monday 21 July – Friday 26 September

Please note: Calendar is updated every fortnight.

Term 4 – Monday 13 October – Thursday 18 December

Please note: Calendar is updated every fortnight.

COMMUNITY CORNER

2025 TERM 3 LITTLE CIRCUS BIG IMPACT

Checkout the circus classes running on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

SIDMOUTH HALL ART SHOW – FRIDAY 15 AUGUST to SUNDAY 17 AUGUST

SHARE YOUR WORLD - TASSIE KIDS NEED FOSTER CARERS

JOIN RIVERSIDE SCOUTS