10 November 2023
From the Principal
We are rapidly approaching the middle of the busy Term 4. It has been lovely seeing our students enjoying a range of outdoor play activities during recess and lunch time in recent weeks, making the most of the warmer weather.
As a Sun Safe school, students are required to wear broad brimmed hats while outside during the school day. It is pleasing to mention that very few students require reminders to wear their hats. In addition to hats, each classroom space has sunscreen available for students to apply and staff members give regular reminders for students to apply sunscreen before break times. It your child has sensitivity to sunscreen and can only wear certain types, please feel free to send a preferred brand in their bag. I would also like to mention that many of our students are very active during their break times, becoming quite hot and sweaty, it might be time to hunt out some Summer school shorts/skirt or dress to wear from now on!
Minister of Education, Children and Youth Visit
On Wednesday, Minister for Education, Children and Youth, The Hon Roger Jaensch MP and his team of staff visited our school to see our fantastic Hands On Learning (HoL) team. The Minister was interested to see the importance of HoL and how student engagement, social and emotional outcomes are increased through the program. It was particularly exciting that we were able to show Minister Jaensch our completed greenhouse.
A special thank you to the HoL team – our students, and staff, Mr Lane, Mrs Mulcaster and Mr Peace for showcasing their wonderful work and for Zoey and Tahj for hosting our special visitors.
Minister for Education, Children and Youth, The Hon Roger Jaensch MP
Professional Learning Day
Last Friday our staff engaged in a highly productive day, working together to learn and focus on areas of our School Improvement Plan. This included looking at our school data sets – student learning results, surveys and information that helps us better understand the needs of our school community. We also had a session learning more about the role of staff in Safeguarding Children and Young People, in the future you will notice an increase of information and resources related to Safeguarding.
Adam Lane is our school nominated Safeguarding Lead as part of his role as AST.
2024 Class Placements
As mentioned in our last newsletter we will soon be forming draft class lists for our 2024 classes. Each student has had the opportunity to select friends that they wish to be placed with.
We are unable to accommodate all personal placement requests from parents and carers, as this will not support what is best for all students. Our amazing teachers know our children very well, including their learning, emotional and social needs. If you have specific requests regarding friendships and/or separations, please speak with class teachers or make an appointment at the office to speak with a leadership team member. If you do wish to make a specific request, please do this by Friday 17 November to assist with our end of year timelines.
Class placements will be released with end of year reports on Thursday 14 December, on this same day students will also have an opportunity to visit and meet with their 2024 class and teacher.
As always, if you have anything you wish to discuss in relation to your child’s wellbeing, I invite you to please feel free to speak to me in person, call the school office to speak over the phone or make an appointment to see me.
In partnership,
Georgia
Tell Someone
All children in Tasmania have a right to be known, safe, well and learning. We are highly committed to the safety of all students at our school.
Earlier this month, DECYP launched the Tell Someone initiative, to raise awareness in the community about child sexual abuse and grooming.
The Tell Someone website gives children and young people clear advice on what to do in situations where they feel worried, unsafe or unsure. It also gives adults advice and support on how to respond if they suspect or know a child is being groomed or sexually abused or is at risk of harm.
Please visit the website, read the information, and try to find a suitable time to talk with your children about this issue and the resources available. It’s important that you both understand the possible signs of sexual abuse or grooming behaviour, and how to stay safe online and offline.
If reading this information has caused you distress, please visit DECYP’s website for a list of support services.
Please contact the school if you have any questions about this information.
Dates to Remember
November
Thursday 9 | School Athletics Carnival |
Friday 10 | Readers Cup |
Monday 13 | Year 3/4 Sports Expo |
Thursday 16 | Choir Performance Kmart Wishing Tree 11am |
Thursday 16 | Silent Disco |
Friday 17 | Mid-Term Assembly 9:15am - 5-6R & 1-2 Sims Sharing |
Wednesday 22 | Children’s University Graduation – Paranaple Centre |
Friday 24 | All Schools Triathlon Primary North |
Monday 27-30 | Early Childhood Swimming – Prep – Year 2 |
December
Friday 1 | Devonport Show Day - Students Do Not Attend |
Wednesday 6 | Whole School Celebration Concert – 11am-12:30pm Don Centre |
Friday 8 | Grade 6 Orientation Day Reece High School |
Monday 11 | Kinder information Evening – 7:00pm |
Wednesday 13 | 3-4 Excursion - Hive |
Thursday 14 | Whole School Celebration Assembly - 9:15am |
Thursday 14 | Reports Go Home |
Monday 18 | Year 6 Big Day Out & Dinner |
Tuesday 19 | Year 6 Celebration Assembly – 1:15pm |
Thursday 21 | End of Year Picnic – Ulverstone Beach & Waterslide |
Thursday 21 | Last Day for Students |
Friday 22 | Last Day for Staff - - Students Do Not Attend - SCHOOL CLOSED |
School Calendar 2024
Hilly Kids Shine
Hayley in Basketball
Congratulations to Hayley who participated in the U14 State Championships for basketball in October, Hayley’s Devonport Warriors team played very well during the tournament resulting in being placed as Runners Up in the Shield Division. Congratulations Hayley!
*Remember if your child/children have something special to share from outside school, please send us a photo and short description to hillcrest.primary@decyp.tas.gov.au and we will include their achievement in our newsletter.
Riley in Reading
Riley recently received a $50 book voucher for his participation in the Premier’s Reading Challenge. Congratulations Riley and have fun choosing your new books!
Hilly Kids Are Friendly Kids
Our current Hilly Kids focus topic is Sharing. Our next focus topic will be Doing Your Best.
Including Others
Including others in your games and activities makes everyone feel good. It means that you are generous and willing to share your time with others and care about their feelings. If you include others in your games, they are more likely to include you when you are looking for someone to play with or talk to.
If you are not already doing so, try looking around to see if there are others who might like to join in. Sometimes they might not even ask to join in, but just stand close by - try to include them. If you see someone standing off alone – try to include them. If there is a new student at school – try to include them. If someone is being teased – try to include them. There are always opportunities to include others, so try to be the person who sets a good example to your fellow students by being kind and thoughtful by including others in your activities.
Our Hilly Kid for the ‘Collaboration’ topic was Axel from 1-2Sh. Congratulations Axel.
Well done to our other class representatives:
Wk 1/2 | Collaboration |
P/1B | Blaze |
P-1L | Zyron |
1-2Sh | Axel Hilly Kid |
1-2Si | Sophia |
3-4P | Kilarni |
3-4W | Lilli |
5-6K | Patrick |
5-6P | Heath |
What’s Been Happening in 1-2 Shephard
In year 1/2 our current inquiry is all about light and sound. We recently have been investigating how different sounds can be made along with how we would describe sounds. We completed a musical artwork by listening to different types of sounds and drawing the lines/shapes we felt matched. We have then moved on to making different sounds such as percussion and wind instruments. We have had lots of fun recently creating Kazoos! Our inquiry isn’t over yet, so we will be continuing learning about and exploring sounds.
1-2 Shephard
2024 Calendar
Have you ordered your calendars yet? Order forms will be sent home soon for families to order a 2024 calendar featuring your child’s artwork. To order, please fill out the form and return it to the school office. Calendars will be printed once payment is received.
Fundraising Committee
Christmas Raffle
Remember to sell your raffle tickets and return the books with the money in a sealed envelope to the school office by Friday 8 December. The raffle will be drawn on Wednesday 13 December.
Please support the businesses who have donated to our raffle including The Cove, Tasmania, Prem’s Seafood Bar and Grill, Reading Cinemas, Bunnings, Wing’s Wildlife Park and Allure Hair and Beauty.
Fundraising Committee
Walkathon
What a brilliant effort on a beautiful day! Well done to everyone who participated in the Walkathon. Don’t forget to keep collecting your sponsorship money and get the forms back to the school office by Friday 10 November.
Tuckerbox News
Fresh fruit and vegetables are better than juice drinks. Too much juice can provide too many natural sugars, which can lead to a range of problems such as tooth decay, weight gain or a poor appetite for food. If you do offer your child fruit juice, use 100% juice and dilute it with water and limit it to one small glass a day. Soft drinks, cordial, sports drinks and fruit juice drinks are not needed as they are full of sugar and offer little else in terms of nutrition.
Fresh fruit and vegetables are better options to:
- Help with skill development, such as peeling and chewing
- Teach about different food textures, colours and tastes
- Add variety to the overall diet
- Provide an easy, healthy and filling snack
- Supply fibre
Lyn Aherne – Canteen Supervisor
Move Well Eat Well
Fun Family Activity Ideas:
- Instead of heading straight home, go by the park after school so kids aren’t tempted by the TV. Remember to take some healthy snacks & lots of water!
- Swimming is a great family activity. Head to the pool or, if you’re lucky, the beach. It’s also suitable for the whole family & a really important skill for the kids to have.
- Get the whole family washing the car. It’s a good way to burn off some energy!
- Get crafty! Make a kite together & then get outside to test fly it.
MWEW Team
Bus Fare Increase 2024
The full student fare will increase by 10 cents on 1 January 2024. If you use cash for a single trip ticket, the new fare will be $2.00. If you use a smartcard or purchase a 10-trip ticket, the new fare will be $1.60.
Smartcards like Greencard and Transportme can be topped up online. You can buy a 10-trip ticket for $16.00 from the bus driver. It costs the same on every trip – it doesn’t matter how far, where, or when you go. Bus routes that travel only in a rural area, to the local school, don’t charge a fare.
Some students can travel or transfer between buses for free. You may be eligible for a Student Bus Pass for Free Travel if you are:
- listed on a Health Care or Pensioner Card
- travel wholly within the rural area where there is only a fare charging service
- must use more than one bus between home and school and/or school and home
- are under a Care and Protection Order
- the student fare last increased in 2022. This fare increase is set by government policy.z
For more information talk to your bus driver, visit www.transport.tas.gov.au/student or call 6166 3343 (9am to 5pm weekdays)