29 Jun 2023

Dates to Remember

July

August

From the Principal

As we move closer towards the end of Term 2, I would like to thank you for your ongoing support as partners in your child or children’s learning. Mid-Year reports were sent home with students last Friday, it was pleasing to see so many students receiving very positive reports in all areas but particularly in relation to their work habits – effort, behaviour and attitude. These reports reflect the highly engaged learners that we see in our classes each day across our school.

This year for the first time, all schools across Tasmania provided evidence of learning as part of our reporting and communicating learning progress with families. This term we have included and English sample, with a Maths sample being sent home later in the year. We hope this has provided families with more specific detail about your child’s current level of achievement.

Learn more about the reports by watching this video.
Reporting to Families – 2023

3 Way Conferences

It has been wonderful to see so many families participating in our 3 Way conferences. Our 3 Way conferences provide further an opportunity to discuss your child’s mid-year report and identify goals for further improvement.

If you have been unable to attend this week, please make contact with class teachers to arrange an alternate time.

School Of Rock – Don College Musical

I was very fortunate to accompany our Year 3-6 classes last Wednesday to attend School of Rock at the Paranaple Arts Centre. I know the show was enjoyed by our students and staff and was a wonderful showcase of the talent we have right on our doorstep. I know Mrs Kelly was thrilled to see ex Hillcrest students in the cast! 5/6K were excited to see their contributions to the props on stage in part of the classroom scenes. Hudson, Gabi and Faith were our courage air guitar finalists who were invited on stage. Congratulations to Hudson who was the winner!

A very special thanks to Mrs Kelly for the coordination of this opportunity and the organisation for the excursion.

Communication with Families Survey

As mentioned in our previous newsletter, we had an excellent response from families to our survey.

We appreciate the time you took to complete this to provide valuable information in how we can best provide communication, news and information. Some of the key finding from the survey are summarised below:

• See Saw and Newsletters are currently the most used platform to find out about school news, activities and events.
• See Saw is the preferred format to use for communication with 32 responses, followed by paper copy letters with 12 responses.
• We heard that families with shared parenting arrangements don’t always receive the same information about things happening at school, we are looking at the ways we can improve this for both parents.
• See Saw, text messages and phone calls are the 3 most preferred ways to communicate with families.
• The most preferred types of information that were found were: Learning progress/feedback and activities and events happening at school.

Thank you!

As we are at the halfway through our school year, I would like to express our appreciation to our valued volunteers at Hillcrest who help our students and our whole school in a variety of ways. We value your contribution and time that you give to help provide experiences and activities for our students. These include:

• Helping in the canteen
• School Sport – coaching, scoring, umpiring
• Classroom help
• Helping in breakfast club
• Accompanying classes on an excursion
• Being a member on our School Association
• Assisting with fundraising activities

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer and already have, or can apply for a Working with Vulnerable People Card, please speak with a staff member or call the office, we are always keen to welcome more assistance in our school.

Staffing

Some of you may have noticed a new face at HPS – we were happy to welcome Mr Lynd last week after he was able to be released from his duties in his previous school. Mr Lynd has enjoyed getting to know the students and staff in our fantastic school and looks forward to meeting many families of our school community.

Mrs Sarah Wotherspoon is heading off on well deserved Long Service Leave for the first five weeks of Term 3, we are very fortunate to have Mrs Deb French teaching 3/4W during Sarah’s leave. Mrs French is very well known in our school and has been spending time with 3/4W and getting to know class routines for a very smooth and positive transition.

We conclude our term NEXT Friday 7 July, with an assembly being held at 9:15am. I welcome you to attend our assembly for P/1L and 5/6P class sharing and celebrating our student achievement awards in the areas of Science, Art and Hilly Kids and Friendly Kids.

I welcome you to make contact with me at any time, either visiting, phoning (64245211) or emailing me (hillcrest.primary@decyp.tas.gov.au)  if you would like to discuss anything related to your child/children. Families and school, working together helps to create positive and strong outcomes for our students.

In partnership,
Georgia

Hilly Kids Are Friendly Kids

Our current Hilly Kids focus topic is Consequences. Our first focus topic for term 3 will be Responsibility.

Responsibility

It is a big responsibility growing and learning. Those who take on the responsibility for their learning, having a positive attitude, showing leadership and ownership over their choices and actions, give themselves the best chance to succeed. There are many admired qualities in responsible people, especially having a positive mindset about who is in control. At times, our children feel that the adults around them are responsible for their ability to succeed; however, it is important that we empower our children to take charge of their opportunities and make every chance and everyday count. When we take responsibility for our actions, including being a leader, a learner and a having a positive attitude, we can find ways to succeed every day.

Our Hilly Kid for the ‘Doing Your Best’ topic was Lailah from Prep/1L. Congratulations, Lailah!

Well done to our other class representatives:

5-6 Peace – Movie Night

5/6P held a Movie night last Thursday, watching Blueback after reading the novel by Tim Winton. 

It was a great evening, outside of school hours with hamburgers, fries, milkshakes, and popcorn for all. 

Huge thanks to Mrs Perry for supporting this. Mr Peace and Mia, Miss Kenny and Mrs Archer for their cooking, cleaning, and supervision skills. 

It was a fabulous night for all!

Mrs Peace

Pre-Kinder 2023

Hillcrest Primary School will be continuing our Pre-Kinder classes in Term 3 on Monday afternoons from 1.30-2.45pm.

Pre-Kinder is a parent involved session open to children eligible for kindergarten in 2024. The pre-kinder program supports children to successfully transition from home into the education environment. We encourage parents to be involved with your child’s education, prior to starting school. Although attendance is not compulsory, sessions will support children to become familiar with the school environment, routines, and structure.

Each week there will be special activities available with the emphasis on encouraging children to complete tasks independently, with your guidance and support. These activities involve things like fine motor, sensory, creativity, numeracy, and literacy skills.

Pre-Kinder is a wonderful opportunity for you and your child to make new friends, to become familiar and comfortable with the kindergarten environment and to support your child in the activities and learning opportunities. Please encourage your child to try a variety of learning activities and remember it takes time for them to become comfortable and confident in a new environment.

Kindergarten enrolment forms and information packs will be available during the term, and we encourage early completion of enrolment forms to secure a kindergarten position.

We look forward to working with you and your child over the remainder of the year.  Please come and talk to us if you have any concerns/questions about your child starting school next year.

Jane Lewis
Kindergarten Teacher       

LiL

News From The Fundraising Team

Following consultation and consideration with School Association, we have made the difficult decision to postpone our school fair for 2023. We plan to have a fun and exciting fair in 2024.

We will continue to hold many fundraising events and activities, including a major raffle draw and other fundraising events throughout the year.

Please keep an eye out for upcoming activities.

School Photos

School photos are on Tuesday, 15 August. Order forms will be sent home with all students as soon as they arrive.

• Please ensure that you return your photo envelopes to the school, even if you are not ordering photos
• Each envelope has each child’s unique barcode on it, which is required for photo day. Please return these envelopes by Friday 11^th August, thank you

Kinder Children

Kinder children will have their photos taken in the first time slot so please ensure your child arrives on time for the start of the school day so that they don’t miss their class group photo.

Sibling Photos

Please collect an additional envelope from the school office (from Term 3) if you would like a sibling photo. These can be ordered with cash, card or paypal. All children in the sibling photo must attend our school.

Late Fee

MSP photography charges a late fee for orders received after photo day.  Please ensure you place your order before the 15 August to ensure you are not charged this fee.

 General Information

• Complete the information on all envelopes and return to school ASAP when you have paid online or with payment enclosed before photo day. Please return the envelopes even if you are not ordering photos. 
• Please ask at the office if you require a duplicate envelope for the second parent or a sibling photo envelope.
• Do not seal envelopes inside each other - you can pay for all your children in one envelope or by online ordering; however, each child needs to have their own separate envelope on photo day. If you wish to order photos, tick the required box on each child’s envelope, even if the payment is in another envelope.
• Please enclose the correct money as no change can be given from the school. Only cash is accepted in the envelopes – no cheques. Credit cards can only be used for online order payments.  Make sure you tear the order form at the perforation and then seal the envelope if enclosing money. 
• All children will have their photo taken on the day, whether parents intend to purchase any or not, so all students need to wear full school uniform, including a school jumper. Teachers will encourage students to comb their hair and ensure their clothing is neat.
• Students will still need to return their envelope even if you place your order online.

 REMEMBER:  All envelopes must be returned to school before photo day, even if you are not ordering photos

Tuckerbox Tips

Check your ingredients!

Need some help working out if a food product is a good choice?  Look at the ingredient list.  The ingredient list can tell you if a food is high in a nutrient, e.g., sugar or fat.  Ingredients are listed from most to least in quantity.  If you are trying to limit your intake of fat, sugar, or salt, look for the other names or descriptions of these ingredients as listed in the table below.

Lyn Aherne – Canteen Supervisor

Move Well Eat Well

Nature Play

So much to explore! Take up the ‘Winter Challenge’ with your family during the school holidays:

• Make a bird feeder & put it in a tree
• Go on a picnic with a thermos of soup
• Visit the beach & collect shells
• Make leaf boats & float them in a creek or puddle
• Go rock collecting
• Sketch a tree without leaves
• Search for birds’ nests
• Go for a walk in the rain

MWEW Team 

Basketball Roster 5/6 Boys

Is your child interested in giving basketball a go?

Our 5/6 boys team are on the lookout for some more player to add to their team The school roster is played each Friday night at the Devonport Basketball Stadium. If your son is interested, please contact the office!

Netball News

Ella has been playing netball this term for the GIANTS! And were recently awarded primary team of the week. Ella is representing Hillcrest Primary School along with teammates from Nixon Street.

Well done girls, keep up the great work!

Kanga Cup Tournament

We wish Lawi and Tahj all the best as they head off to Canberra this weekend to participate in the Kanga Cup Tournament against other teams from Australia and South Korea. The boys are representing DJSA.

Good luck from HPS! 

State Cross Country

Shakiyah and Kyiesha represented Hillcrest in the State Cross Country last Thursday and in a field of over 240 runners, accomplished some incredible results. Shakiyah was recognised for her sportsmanship when supporting a runner that needed help along the way.

Well done girls on a great effort and great results!

Thank You

Thank you to the Weeks’ family for the donation of books. These are greatly appreciated!

New Online Information For Families

Some exciting news! The Department for Education, Children and Young People has recently launched a new online information hub for families with school-aged children in Tasmania. Our new website has information to help you navigate your child's education, from birth all the way up to 18 years of age.

Visit our new webpage at Welcome to your child's Tasmanian education - The Department for Education, Children and Young People Tasmania

Some of the things you’ll find include

• tips on how to support your child’s learning at home
• information to help you keep your child safe and well
• a guide to explore courses for the career they want
• school holiday and term dates.

We hope this website will be a valuable tool for you as you help your child navigate their education journey. We would love to know what you think of our new information hub for families. You can tell us by completing a quick survey on the webpage.

Devon Vs Darwin

Call for Coaches & Helpers!

NWPSSA are looking for coaches and helpers, umpires to help with the DEVON v DARWIN afternoon, on Friday 26^th August in Burnie 12.45 – 3pm.

If you can help them out let me know or complete the form attached in the link

Tennis School Holiday Fun

Autism Fundraising