16 August 2018

Newsletter Articles

Dates to Remember

August

September

From the Principal

All families prep - grade 6 should now have received an envelope with a unique code to complete an online survey regarding the school. I encourage all families to take the time to complete the survey as it provides the school with important information and data. Further information is included with this newsletter.

A reminder that our next School Association Committee meeting will be held at 7pm on the 23rd August in the staffroom. We will be working on the Education Act policies and procedures. If you are interested in finding out more about the functions of the School Association Committee, please contact the office.

As you may be aware, our school is a member of the Children’s University. Grade 3 students have been participating in this program for the last two terms. I have a few passports left, so if any child aged 7 or above is interested in participating, please contact Mr Pape. More information can be provided, on request.

Don’t forget to check out our school Facebook page. This is regularly updated with information and events, so make sure you keep in touch with what’s going on at school!

Jerome Pape - Principal

Hilly Kids Are Friendly Kids

Our HKFK focus for this week has been ‘Being Assertive’. Our focus topics for the next two weeks will be ‘Teamwork’ and ‘Including Others’.

Teamwork

Why learn this skill

Teamwork is very important at our school and used in many ways. Many of our students practice their teamwork skills through organised sport or by being a member of the school choirs or by being a part of a group in the classroom. Sport is a great way to develop a child’s understanding about the importance of working and playing together as a member of a team. Whether you win, draw or lose, the important part of being in a team is doing your best for the other players and coaches while trying to achieve team goals. It is a great feeling to know you’ve done your best in whatever you do!

Teamwork is all about working with others to produce a team result. It is about using your talents and interests with others to achieve something together so, encourage others in your group to do their best and to put the team interests ahead of their own interests. Recognise everyone’s contribution to the team and congratulate them. Don’t criticise team members, even when things go wrong and, definitely, don’t try to dominate a team.

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 to look around and 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 helpful and including others in your activities.

Our Hilly Kid of the Week for ‘Group Decision Making’ was William from 3-4BT and for ‘Negotiating’ was Scott from 2-3P. Our Aussie of the month for July was Yazzi from 3-4BT. Congratulations, William, Scott and Yazzi! Well done to our other class representatives.

School Photos – August 21st

Have your child’s school memories captured forever! Envelopes for school photos have been sent home.

School photos will be next Tuesday morning, August 21st. Please ensure that you have returned your photo envelopes to the school, EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT ORDERING PHOTOS. DO NOT LOSE the envelopes as each one has that child’s unique barcode on it which is needed on photo day! Any orders not returned before the photo sessions start may incur a $10 late fee. Remember that there are second parent envelopes, family discount forms and family photo envelopes in the school office if needed.

On Photo Day please ensure that your child is dressed in school uniform.

Please take time to read the relevant information on the MSP Photography payment envelopes and remember these helpful points:

Online ordering is now available:

• Visit the website below and click on ORDER ONLINE
• Place your order using the online system
• Record your Reference Number on your child’s envelope
• Students will still need to return their envelope even if you place your order online.

Family Discount

There is a family discount available if you have 3 or more children having photos done by MSP. Visit the website below for the form and more info or collect the form from the school office. The family discount cannot be claimed for online, group only or late orders.

Family Photos

Family photos cannot be ordered online. Please collect an envelope from the school office. All children in the family photo must attend this school.

Late fee

There is a $10 fee for all orders received after photo day. Photos will not be printed for any orders received without payment until payment is received. The school does not deal with any late orders. They must be directed to MSP Photography.

Kinder Children

Kinder children who do not normally attend school this day should come in the morning at 9am to have their photos taken. Please ask Miss Miller if you have any questions about this arrangement.

General Information

• Complete the information on all envelopes and return it to school ASAP with payment 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.
• Do not seal envelopes inside each other - you can pay for all of 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 correct money as no change will be given. The school office will NOT make change. Cash, cheque and money orders are accepted. 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 or not parents intend to purchase any 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.

REMEMBER: ALL ENVELOPES MUST BE RETURNED TO SCHOOL BEFORE PHOTO DAY, EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT ORDERING PHOTOS!

School Satisfaction Survey

Annual School Satisfaction Surveys for students, parents and staff are being conducted from August 13th – 24th, 2018 across Tasmanian government schools. The surveys provide an opportunity for students, parents and staff to give important feedback on what the school does well and where we can improve. Questions cover a range of topics about our school.

All responses are secure and anonymous.

Students (from Year 5 and above), parents and staff are invited to participate. Participating students are able to complete the survey during school time.

Parents should have received a letter on Monday inviting them to participate in the survey. We encourage you to complete the survey to give our school a clear direction for future programs and services for students.

Please contact the office if you wish to use a school computer to complete the survey.

NWPSSA

Whilst the NWPSSA sports day was cancelled, some Hillcrest students have now been selected to try out for the NWPSSA Devon teams. If picked, they will participate in a sports exchange with Burnie schools (Darwin).

All the best to the following students: Football – Saxon; Netball – Lily, Sarita, Kya, Aneeka; Soccer – Jonty, Jye, Chaz, Caiden and Bella; Hockey – Noah, Tobias and Ryan

David Carter – PE Teacher

Lift News

There are so many exciting things happening this term! Save these dates!

Wednesday August 29: Book Week activity day where students’ Book Week inspired art and craft items will be on display after school. There will also be book readings of some of the short listed books. Or you might choose to read a book to your child/ren. See you there!

Thursday 30 August: An Introduction to Japanese. You are invited to find out a little about the Japanese language program we offer here at Hillcrest and to learn some words and phrases yourself! Come along and have-a-go from 2:00-2:45pm. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be there to help calm the nerves! A note will be sent home but please remember to RSVP by Tuesday 28 August to help with planning.

Wednesday 5 September: Let’s eat! Cooking this term will have a Japanese theme. You are invited to join us as we cook and eat a simple yet delicious Japanese meal …. eating with chopsticks of course! Don’t worry if you don’t know how to use them, demonstrations and help will be available! This session will run from 5:30 -7:30pm in the school hall. It will be important to book a space so once the note comes home remember to RSVP quickly.

TAG reading: Earlier this year a Tag reading session for parents/carers was offered. It proved really popular so we will offer it again on Wednesday, 5th September. More details to come.

Please remember…. The library is open every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday both before and after school for home reader borrowing.

Games

Why not also borrow a game from the huge selection available in the library? There’s something there for all ages.

Why play games:

Games help us:

• with our reading
• to expand our imagination
• with sharing and taking turns
• with our speaking
• to learn about the world
• to problem solve

And playing games is fun for the whole family!

For family members who do not have their Working With Vulnerable People card – Please come to the library and use our facilities to do this and I will be there to support you. Remember if you wish to attend class excursions with your child/ren, you are required to have one. The library is open to parents on a Wednesday morning from 8:30 until 9:30, or a time before or after school on a different day can be easily arranged.

Rosemarie Baker - LIFT Coordinator

Fathers’ Day Stall

Don’t forget! The Father’s Day stall will be held on Tuesday, August 28th for all classes K-6. Families are asked to buy or make a small gift to the value of $3 and send it to school by Monday, August 27th. Every child who donates to the stall will go into the draw to win a gift for dad.

Please do not wrap gifts – On the day of the stall please send your child to school with $3 to purchase a gift for Dad. If you do not want your child to participate, please tell him/her beforehand. Donations of second-hand wrapping paper are also needed. Offers of assistance to help run the stall on the Tuesday from 9-10:30am would be most welcome. Please leave your name at the school office.

Lyn Aherne – Fundraising

eSmart

Kinder: Daffodil Painting

One of the Kindergarten children brought in some daffodils from her garden. We investigated the different types and how they looked and then chose to either draw or paint them.

2-3Peace: Tree Day Reports

We were meant to hold Tree Day at school on Friday, but because of the weather we had to put it on hold; so we did it on Wednesday the 1st of August. Tree Day was fun because I like gardening. Sadly, there were only a couple of plants for each class to plant, so I only got to watch others follow Mr Woods’ instructions. I hope I can get my hands dirty next year.

Ava 2/3P

Last week we held Tree Day at school. Tree Day is a day where schools all over Australia plant trees. Tree Day is really good for animals as it gives a place for them to make their homes, such as birds. It is also good for helping make oxygen for us to breathe, all while making our school look great.

Layla 2/3P

On Tree Day we planted grasses behind the library. We worked in groups of 4 to follow Mr Wood’s instructions. I was one of the people to take the plant out of the pot and put it in the ground.

Issac 2/3P

My class planted grasses with Mr Woods to recognise Tree Day on the 1/8/2018. I was lucky enough to get to wear a Tree Day t-shirt. Planting grasses helps make our school look pretty.

Alice 2/3P

Hillcrest Tuckerbox

Special Menu

Healthy Bones Action Week is coming up. The canteen will be having a special set menu on Friday, August 24th. The menu options are below. The cost will be $5 and will include one item from each box below.

There will be no other lunches available on this day; however, recess and snack items will be available as usual. To indicate your interest, please fill in the slip that will be sent home with students and return it to the school office by Wednesday, August 22nd.

On Friday, August 24th fill in a lunch order bag, with money, as usual.

Lyn Aherne – Canteen Supervisor

Move Well Eat Well

Healthy Bones Action Week

Dairy products all start from milk, which is a major source of calcium for growing children. For young children the need for calcium is especially high as skeletal tissue is constantly growing as they develop.

Try these ideas to add dairy foods for strong bones to your child’s lunch:

• Wholemeal or multigrain crackers with cheese and vegemite
• Low fat yoghurt
• Low fat custard with fruit
• Instant puddings made with milk
• Creamed rice
• Cheese cubes and vegetable sticks

MWEW Team

Netball

The Devon Netball Association Primary Spring Roster will commence on Wednesday, September 12th. All games are played at the Spreyton Netball Centre. Primary netball is open to any girls or boys turning 8 or older in 2018.

Roster fees for the spring roster are:

• Juniors $40
• Netta 10 & under (first roster for 2018) $70 (includes a NetSetGo pack)
• Netta 10 & under (second roster for 2018) $30

Please leave your child’s name at the school office by Friday, August 25th if they wish to play in the spring roster.

Festival of Learning Expo - August 31st

Interactive Community Expo - Sept 12th