Dear Families,

I was able to share with students at Monday’s Values meeting this week that I have seen a lot of students displaying our value of growth lately. I have seen students improve in their reading, writing and maths. I have seen students show growth in their friendships. Students have been investigating how plants grow in P/1/2 and how mould grows in 4/5/6. Above all, our students have shown growth in the way they have been supporting each other to be the best version of themselves.

Last week our students participated in National Simultaneous Story Time. This is where many children in Australia read the same book at the same time. Our students in P/1/2 were invited to the library to hear the story being read by our Mayor, Mrs Cheryl Fuller. What another wonderful opportunity for our students to engage in fantastic community events.

These past two weeks have seen a lot of sickness in our school community. Many students, staff and families have been unwell. Please make sure we are keeping our school healthy by staying away and resting up if you or your child are feeling unwell.

Our staff have been continuing our work with the Berry Street Education Model and our connection with East Ulverstone Primary School. We have been looking at how we and our students feel when we feel stressed and relaxed and noticing what our body does when we are feeling these ways. Staff have then looked at different strategies they can teach our students to calm when they are feeling stressed. I encourage you to ask your child what strategies they have been doing in their classrooms.

I was very excited to see our school cross country go ahead this week after being postponed last week. Our students represented themselves with pride and showed all of our school values during this event.

Staff have been busy preparing reports to go home at the end of term. Reports will look different this year as there will be no comments. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend a parent engagement meeting with their child’s teacher to receive feedback about how they have been going at school. This is a new way of reporting that is happening across Tasmania and has come from feedback from parents over the past couple of years about how they want to hear about their child’s progress. Reports will have work habit ratings across each learning area as well as assessment ratings for English, Maths and Science for Years 1-6. Booking times will be sent out to families shortly.

Staffing updates:

I would like to congratulate Miss Kirstin Jones who has been appointed the successful applicant for our substantive School Business Manager. This means that Kirstin is permanent in our school – congratulations Kirstin.

Mr French is due to return to school on Thursday next week. Mr French has been on paternity leave. We would like to welcome Mr French’s baby boy, Oliver, to our community. Mrs Gardam and Mrs Brown have both done a wonderful job in his class while he has been away.

I would also like to congratulate Mr Gee and his fiance, Emmie, as they will be getting married this weekend. We wish them all the best for their big day.

Yours in Partnership,

Sarah

Vaping and young people 

The rising number of children and young people vaping is a growing issue of concern in our community.  

Electronic cigarettes (vapes) can be appealing to young people due to bright colours and flavours. But no vapes are safe as they are often full of harmful chemicals and nicotine.  For this reason, vapes can be addictive and harmful for lungs, brain development and general health.  

It is important to talk to your children about vaping. Try to be understanding, compassionate and non-judgemental as you support them to learn more about the dangers of vaping or in seeking support to quit. 

Information on what vaping is, the impacts and how to support your child is available on the new Department for Education, Children and Young People webpage on vaping, which can be accessed here: 

https://www.decyp.tas.gov.au/about-us/projects/child-student-wellbeing/vaping/  

Men Shed

We have made lots of cool and fun items at the  Men Shed. We have cooked food like quiche. We have made tool boxes, chopping boards and a clock. We love going to the Mens Shed and the men there help us with our projects. We have a great time there and learn lots of skills and get to use lots of tools we have never used.

Chaad, Michael and Cormac

Last week during PE lessons, our students had the opportunity to work with two players from the Northwest Thunder basketball team.

Sekou Sylla and Anok Magot lead students through various drills focussing on passing and dribbling, further developing their understanding of basketball skills.

I thank the Basketball Operations Manager, Elzaan Snetler, for making this opportunity possible and for the boys for facilitating fun and engaging sessions.

We look forward to working with the NW Thunder again.