Newstead College eNews - May 2025

From our students

Starting at Newstead College has been an exciting experience. The transition from high school to college initially seemed daunting but has become a smooth and well-guided process. This is thanks to the incredible staff who support their students with their initial enrolments and their studies at Newstead College.

Both of our schedules have been full, keeping on top of all our classes. Highlights of some of the courses at the college would include kayaking in outdoor education as it was such a surreal experience that is not something that you do in everyday life. Another highlight would be the trip to Mona in Hobart; this is another unique experience that Newstead offers to students. These experiences are what makes college life exciting and memorable.

Staff at Newstead college are supportive and passionate people. The teaching staff at this school enjoy and care about what they teach. Smaller class sizes are what allow teachers to provide one on one conversations with students about their studies and provides students within depth feedback about their work. This interaction is what helps boost students' confidence and performance in class which motivates them.

The Careers Hub at Newstead is another major tool and privilege provided. The careers team are dedicated and work to understand each students' aspirations, providing them with advice about their future. They help students seek out opportunities and advertise experiences in the school newsletter, making them accessible to students. Another example that helps students seek out opportunities is a class called Pathways to Apprenticeships and Traineeships. This course helps students who are looking for work opportunities like full time/part time employment achieve their desired career. The course is still beneficial to those who are not seeking work, even those who are interested in a university pathway are encouraged and benefit from attending this class. The work placements provided allow students to gain experience and explore aspirations.

Some of the things we both enjoy about the college is how quickly teachers return class work with helpful and constructive feedback. College also allows students more freedom and is less confining overall.

Have a wonderful and successful Term 2!

Amir and Charlize, ex Kings Meadows High School

Newstead College Open Days 2025

Newstead College looks forward to welcoming Year 10 students at our 2025 Open Days. Students will have the opportunity to discover our courses and offerings, explore our campus, meet your future teachers and get a taste of college life. Plus, there will be a free barbecue at lunchtime. 

Public school students: Registration will take place at your high school. 
Non-government school students: Please phone 6332 3278 or email lana.davie@decyp.tas.gov.au to register to attend.

We can’t wait to meet you! 

Family Information Evenings

SIX: Teen Edition - Save the dates

Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.

Newstead College is excited to bring SIX: TEEN EDITION to the stage this July! This full-length adaptation of Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss’ international phenomenon SIX has been modified for performance by teen actors for family audiences. From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the mic to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st-century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over.

Public Performances

Wednesday 30 July, 7.00 pm
Thursday 31 July, 7.00 pm
Friday 1 August, 7.00 pm
Saturday 2 August, 2.00 pm

Location: Newstead College Auditorium

Tickets on sale soon! 

Sporting Stars

Congratulations to Kobe (Year 12) on making the Cricket Australia Men's ID squad, and realising his dream of playing for Australia. Kobe, ex Queechy High School, is 1 of 6 Tasmanian players to make the team. He recently attended an eight-day development camp in Darwin, playing matches, undergoing training and taking part in cultural activities. Amazing work, Kobe!

Newstead College also congratulates Year 11 students Holly, ex Kings Meadows High School, and Zorana, ex Port Dalrymple School, for their selection in the NTJFA Representative AFLW squad. Their dedication and hard work have paid off, earning them a spot among the best junior footballers in Northern Tasmania. We look forward to seeing their skills shine on the field. A special well done to Zorana, who gained selection in the final team.

Every School Day Matters

We love seeing students at school every day. Let’s work together to make every school day count in Term 2! We have exciting things in store that you don’t want to miss:

• Careers sessions
  
• Support Group Enrichment Program
• SIX: TEEN EDITION

Maths Super Series

The Maths Extended Super Series at Newstead College on 13 May was a resounding success! Students from Prospect High School, Brooks High School and Kings Meadows High School participated in a thrilling maths relay competition, showcasing their problem-solving skills in teams of 4-5. An informative session on Maths pathways for Years 11 and 12, including the UTAS High Achiever Program, provided valuable insights. The event concluded with a delightful morning tea, fostering camaraderie among participants. Kudos to all the students and schools for their enthusiastic participation – a huge congratulations to our winning teams from Prospect High School!

ADF Open Day

Newstead College students recently tried on Defence as a potential career at the Australian Defence Force Youngtown barracks. 

The group spoke to Defence personnel from the Army, Navy and Airforce to find out more about the wide range of jobs, including (but not limited to) trades, transport, logistics, engineering and combat. They got a sense of career options through interactive experiences such as augmented reality and flight simulators, weapon and vehicle displays, military equipment displays, and an interactive engineering display. 

Pathways to Apprenticeships and Traineeships Success

We are excited to share that Holly (Year 11), ex Kings Meadows High School, has gained an apprenticeship at Vos Construction through the Pathways to Apprenticeships and Traineeships course at Newstead College. Holly secured the opportunity after doing a week of work placement at Vos, where she enjoyed getting hands-on with concreting work. The Vos team were so impressed that they quickly contacted her with the offer of an apprenticeship. 

Holly says she has had fun and learned a lot in the Pathways to Apprenticeships and Traineeships course, which is a new subject at Newstead College this year. She aspires to work on big construction projects in the future and one day build her own house. 

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION & TRAINING

I am studying Certificate II in Salon Assistant at Newstead College. I really enjoy this course as most of it is hands-on learning. I have always wanted to be a hairdresser so this course is very helpful as it teaches skills that I will use in my career. My teacher Sharon has over 30 years of experience in the hairdressing industry. She is very knowledgeable and has many connections with salons all around Launceston.

I approached Sharon and asked if I could do some work experience to get my foot in the door to gain an apprenticeship at the end of this year. She started contacting salons she thought would be suited to me. Convict Cutters was the one we chose for a four-day work placement.

On my first day I was nervous to meet everyone but also very excited to get to experience salon life. Over the week I swept hair, disinfected stations, made tea and coffee, did dishes, cleaned colour bowls, did laundry, cleaned the retail shelf, cleaned clippers, learnt how to check people in, greeted people, learnt how to set up a trolley for a range of services, assisted senior hairdressers and so much more.

Overall, I really enjoyed my time at Convict Cutters. It was a valuable learning experience. It showed me what I will be doing as a hairdressing apprentice and confirmed that this is definitely the career I want to do.

Sarah, Year 12, ex Scottsdale High School

Glenn Moorehouse Visit

On Thursday 8 May, the Contemporary Music and Songwriting class was treated to a visit from accomplished musician, composer and musical director Glenn Moorhouse. Glenn spoke about his nearly thirty-year career in the music industry, including starting out in Launceston, building an original music scene, transferring skills to the national stage, and evolving and diversifying as an artist to succeed. Now based in Sydney, Glenn works on a wide range of musical projects across Australia. His visit to Newstead College wrapped up with a speed song writing session with the class. It was a fascinating and entertaining experience for students, who came away with plenty of insights and inspiration for their own musical paths. Thank you, Glenn! 

Do it for Dolly Day

On 9 May, the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care classes participated in Do it for Dolly Day – a national anti-bullying campaign day to raise awareness of being kind and putting an end to bullying. The students made magnets and coasters, using the Do it for Dolly tagline and colour, blue.

Entrepreneurship University College Program

“It’s about learning to think differently.”
“We’re identifying real problems – and designing solutions.”
“You’re allowed to have responsibility for yourself.”

Entrepreneurship is now offered at Newstead College through the University Connections Program. Students are developing practical skills in critical thinking, problem solving and design in this self-directed course, which offers a taste of university-style learning. Charlotte, Jespah, James and Matilda say the tools they are learning are already helping them in other subjects – and will set them apart in the job market post-college.

Have a story? Send it in!

We are always eager to highlight students' successes. If you know a current Newstead College student or alumnus whose achievements should be celebrated on our communications platforms, please let us know via email: georgia.jordan@decyp.tas.gov.au

IDAHOBIT 20 May - Wear the Rainbow

IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against LGBTIQIA+ discrimination, is this weekend. Newstead College will be celebrating IDAHOBIT on Tuesday 20 May, with the college community encouraged to 'Wear the rainbow'. So start planning your get-up! There will also be an activity happening in and outside the Caff at lunchtime.

NC Netball Team's Trivia Night & Silent Auction

Support Group Enrichment Program

Enrolments for Term 2 Support Group Enrichment activities are due in TODAY 15 May. Newstead College students who have not yet submitted their preferences are asked to do so via this link: https://forms.office.com/r/HDKHFSNPz2 (If on mobile, tap the three dots and select ‘open form in external browser’.)

A list of offerings has been emailed to all students and is pinned up outside the Library.

Woodwork Term 1

Students who signed up for our Laser Craft Enrichment course last term were guided in designing and creating a small finger joint box. This involved laminating Tasmanian timber veneers to 3 mm medium-density fibreboard, then using digital software to produce a model and template to send to our school laser cutter. After glueing and assembling their boxes, students were able to spay varnish their products.

Here are Kou, Mone, Antonia and Brady with their creations. 

Jewellery Making Term 1

Crafty critters in our Jewellery Making Enrichment program have been busy making beads and charms, then putting their work together to create a variety of objects, such as key rings, bracelets, earrings and car mirror ornaments. The group have learned about the many decorative applications of polymer clay, and are really happy with their pieces. 

Driving for Jobs

Congratulations to 3 new Newstead College P platers: Haile, James and Xiah! 

Haile, ex Kings Meadows High School, comes from the Northern Midlands area. She has participated in the Driving for Jobs Program (DfJ) at Newstead College over the past 18 months, and gained valuable driving hours and experience.

James, ex Flinders Island District High School, joined the DfJ program on the first day of Year 11, has really benefited from driving lessons to build up his mandatory hours. James doesn’t return home to Flinders Island very often, and without DfJ would have found gaining his licence extremely challenging.

Xiah, ex Port Dalrymple School, accessed DfJ this year and was able to both increase his mandatory hours of driving and hone his skills behind the wheel.

All eligible NC students are encouraged to participate in this program. For more information, please see Leanne in the College Library on Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

Information for parents and carers

2025 TASC Reasonable Adjustments Process:
Level 3 and 4 Subjects

Tasmanian Assessment, Standards and Certification (TASC) reasonable adjustments are provided for students with diagnosed conditions, impairments or disabilities who require adjustments for their external exams for TASC accredited courses.

These adjustments may include extra time allowed to complete an exam, use of a word processor for severe handwriting difficulties, permission to take medication or food/drink into the exam room, a reader or a scribe, and advice to markers to ignore poor spelling, grammar, or handwriting.

Those wishing to apply for reasonable adjustments, please contact Brad Cottam, the TASC Liaison Officer for the College, on 6332 3280 or at bradley.cottam@decyp.tas.gov.au. Applications must be submitted to TASC by 4 July, however we must receive notifications from parents as soon as possible and before 26 May. This is because a medical or psychological diagnosis is required as supporting evidence, and we need time to work with yourself and our teachers on completing the application.

Further details can be found on the TASC website. 

Key Dates

Term 2: Monday 28 April to Friday 4 July

Term 3: Monday 21 July to Friday 26 September

Term 4: Monday 13 October to Thursday 11 December