22 November 2018

Newsletter Articles

Dates to Remember

November

December

From the Principal

It is becoming a very busy time of year, with only 4 weeks to go! Students have had the chance to undertake a range of activities, with many classes going on excursions. It is great to see students having lots of opportunities, both within and outside of the classroom.

You may have noticed a blue board that has been installed behind our buddy bench. Lyn Aherne is currently working with some students to paint a mural in memory of our wonderful Hilly Kid, Piper Hawley. You will need to wait to see the final product! There will be photos in the newsletter, once it is completed.

Lyn Aherne and Gaye Kelly have also been busy getting ready for this year’s Christmas Float. The Devonport Christmas Parade is on the evening of 7th December. More information will be sent home to students who have been in the choirs this year. Make sure you come along and give the float a big cheer as it goes past!

Christmas Tree Panel

Once again this year students from our school have helped paint a panel for the community Christmas tree in the Rooke Street Mall. The panels will be presented to the Devonport community on Friday, December 7th during the Devonport Christmas Parade. Make sure you pop down and have a look at all the great panels from schools around the area and, at the same time, wave to our students on our Christmas Parade float!

End of Year Reporting

Recently parents were informed via the media that the Australian Education Union has directed its members not to include comments on Term 4 student reports.

As a school, in line with DoE reporting requirements, we provided a full report mid-year, with detailed information about student progress and areas for future focus. The summary report at the end of the year is designed to provide brief information about student end-of-year results.

However, this year, as all class teachers at Hillcrest Primary School are members of the AEU, the end of year report will not include a general comment. It will have ratings for English, Maths, Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) and Science.

Kindergarten students will receive a collation of their learning through work samples.

As in previous years, families are welcome to discuss their child’s progress or the end of year report with the class teacher. Please discuss this with your child’s teacher or contact the office, if you would like to arrange a meeting.

Industrial Action

Below you will find some information regarding the current industrial action. If you have any questions or require further information, please contact the office.

Public sector unions have called stop work action on 27th November 2018. As a result of the number of teaching staff participating in this action, there will not be enough teachers on duty at the school to ensure adequate supervision for students. The Minister has decided that the school will not open until 10.30am.

This will mean the following arrangements for the day:

• Students can be dropped off at school after 10.30am, with formal classes beginning at 11.00am
• Bus services will run to a normal timetable, with pick-up in the afternoon. Please contact MerseyLink on 6427 7626 if you require further information on bus schedules
• Supervision will be provided as normal from 10.30am, with classroom doors opening at 10.45am

If you have any questions, please contact the school office.

I sincerely regret the inconvenience to parents and the disruption to the learning program for students; however, student safety is my primary concern.

Jerome Pape - Principal

Hilly Kids Are Friendly Kids

Our HKFK focus for this week has been ‘Respecting Property’. Our focus topics for the next two weeks will be ‘Respecting the Opinions of Others’ and ‘Respecting Differences’.

Respecting the Opinions of Others

If people feel that you respect what they say, they will enjoy being with you and talking to you. They will feel safe around you because they know you respect their feelings and their opinions. They will share with you and form better friendships because they know you will not put them down or laugh at them.

All of us have the right to express ideas and opinions, and often our ideas are different to those of other people. We all see the world differently and often that is a great thing.

If you respect everyone’s right to offer an opinion, you will get along better with people and learn so much more. You may not agree with them, but you can respect them.

What you can try?

• If you don’t agree with what someone has said, try to think of something they have said that you do agree with
• Speak in a calm and courteous voice
• Say the part you agree with before saying what you disagree with (eg “I agree with Sam that we should play another game, but I don’t think it should be basketball”)
• If you can’t think of anything to agree with, at least let them know you have been listening by saying something like: “I realise Sam wants to play basketball but I don’t think it’s fair that…..”

What should you avoid?

• Don’t just focus on what you disagree with
• Don’t get angry or sarcastic
• Don’t start your sentence with “no” or No way”
• Don’t call people names or put them down
• Don’t just knock ideas. Come up with an alternative plan.

Respecting Differences

There are many things we have in common and share at Hillcrest Primary, but there are also many ways in which we differ. Some of us like football, while others prefer netball. Some like maths, others prefer reading books. Some people like to listen to CDs, others like to play on the computer. Some like the Western Bulldogs and some go for the Bombers. Some of us are tall, some of us are short. Some are strong and some are fast. In some way or another we are all different, and that makes us all the more interesting. It would be pretty boring if everyone went around doing exactly the same thing – we would all be like robots.

Even in the same family we are different to our brothers and sisters. Rather than worrying about these differences we need to accept and respect them and, also, to celebrate them. It is good that we are all different to each other and are all special and unique.

Our Hilly Kid of the Week for ‘Respecting the Opposite Gender’ was Molly from P-1D and for ‘Respecting Adults’ was Aisha from 5-6HB. Our Aussie of the Month for October was Taylah. Congratulations, Molly, Aisha and Taylah! Well done to our other class representatives.

Assembly Awards – November 9

P/1D

Cohen - Your attitude and enthusiasm towards your learning has improved so much and it is having such a positive impact on your progress! We are so proud of how excited you are to share your thoughts in all subject areas and the confidence you are showing. Keep it up!

Korbie - Your have-a-go attitude has seen you make great progress with your reading and writing. Mrs Niaura has been so surprised with your progress in TAG reading and this has helped you work more independently in class to have great success. We are so excited for the success you have ahead, Korbie!

P/1P

Ella-Rose - I am proud of your persistence when attempting to solve simple subtraction problems. It has been pleasing to see you achieve success when completing these tasks. Well done, and keep working hard!

Tazdeed - It has been pleasing to see you settle into Hillcrest Primary and demonstrate our Hilly Kids values. I am particularly impressed with your work ethic and the leadership you demonstrate in our classroom. Congratulations, Tazdeed.

1/2B

Addison - It is clear to see you have really been thinking about the learning you and your peers engage in. When reflecting after Investigation time you are able to articulate the learning skills that have been used and give good examples when explaining your learning to the class.

Ryan – Ryan, I can see you have been making a conscious effort to use the tools needed to self-regulate and be a self-manager in 1/2 B. Keep up the good work.

2/3P

Cooper - Cooper, the excitement you show for your maths and spelling work brings so much happiness to us all. You are giving yourself time, having a go and coming away with a huge smile. Well done on a fabulous start to this term!

Zane - What a wonderful start to term 4, Zane! You are working independently and having a go at everything. Your work with reading and writing is putting a smile on everyone's face, and it is super nice seeing you so proud of yourself. Keep up the great work, Zane!

3/4BT

Mahjada - for settling into our classroom routines and building your confidence by asking questions to clarify your understanding on classroom tasks.

William - for increasing your reading stamina and enjoyment of reading within the classroom, and continuing this at home.

4/5K

Kiara – for working hard and trying to do your best with most tasks. Recently you are showing that you are more willing to be a learner. Keep up the positive attitude and thanks for being part of The Kelly Gang in 2018.

Tyson – for working to the best of your ability with most tasks. You may not find all the tasks easy, but it is impressive that you persist to complete them. Keep up that great work ethic, Tyson, and thanks for being a part of The Kelly Gang in 2018.

5/6F

Lillian - You have shown great improvement in all your reading comprehension tasks and mini tests. You spend the time needed to read each question carefully and have developed better skills to find hidden meaning in texts. Fabulous, Lillian!

Toby – You have grown more confident with your oral reading. Your vocabulary has grown and you now attempt more words in texts given. You have shown improvement in all comprehension assessments and mini-tests too. Great work, Toby!

5/6HB

Ellie - Thanks for your amazingly generous contribution to the Cake Stall, cooking many yummy treats and helping to sell them as well. The author’s voice in your follow up diary writing was superb. Congratulations!

Noah - Thanks for your excellent contribution to the Cake Stall including cooking, selling and counting the money. We are also impressed with your willingness to improve your learning by regularly attending clinic groups. Congratulations!

Grade 1-2 Swimming Program

The Grade 1-2 Swimming Program, to be held at the Nixon St Primary School pool, starts next week. Please make sure you return your aquatic consent and major excursion/medical forms to the office as soon as possible as your child will not be able to attend if the forms are not back. Swimming caps will be handed out to students on the day they start.

David Carter – PE Teacher

Hillcrest Athletics Carnival

Our school’s Athletics Carnival will be held on Friday, December 7th – weather permitting. All parents and community members are welcome to attend to view the day’s running and novelty events. Students are asked to dress in their TEAMS (Together Everyone Achieves More Success) colours with suitable footwear: Bluegum – Blue, Wattle – Green, Banksia – Red. No singlet tops or crop tops, please. If you don’t know your child’s TEAMS colour, please ask their teacher.

David Carter – PE Teacher

Shave for a Cure

Remember to come along to the GP Hall right after school on December 3rd for the big shave!!! Chaz & Kai have been growing their hair all year, ready for the big shave, and would love to have your support in their efforts to raise money for Camp Quality! There’s still time to donate at the following link!

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, December 7th. The raffle will be drawn on Thursday, December 13th. There are extra books available from the school office. Please return books before requesting new ones.

Lyn Aherne - Fundraising

2019 Calendar

Have you ordered your calendar(s) yet? All families were sent home an order form for a 2019 calendar featuring your child’s artwork. They would make great Christmas gifts for family members! To order, please fill out the form and return it to the school office with the money ASAP. Calendars will not be printed until they are paid for.

Lyn Aherne - Fundraising

School Banking

The last school banking day for this year will be Monday, December 3rd. Please make sure that you redeem banking awards for 2018 by this date.

Lift News

Please remember ….

The library is open every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, both before and after school, for home reader borrowing. Don’t forget to borrow a game to play together, too!

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

1-2 Bellchambers

Last term we did a whole class inquiry into ways natural resources can be used to make dyes and paint.

This line of inquiry went on for several weeks. It started with some provocations during investigation time. Children explored ways to extract colour from materials such as bark, flowers, leaves and other natural resources found in our local environment.

We watched a YouTube clip about an Australian artist who uses plants to dye silk.

We shared our thoughts and findings and worked in groups to explore some different ways to extract the colour from dried leaves. Four teams were formed. Team 1 used a blender to make a paste out of the leaves. Team 2 scraped the leaves with knives, making a powder. Team 3 pounded the leaves with some water. Team 4 squeezed the leaves and water through a cloth and Mrs Bellchambers boiled the leaves.

Our research revealed that making a paste and boiling the leaves were the two ways that produced the strongest colour.

We wondered who would have been the first people to use nature as a source of paint in Australia. After some discussions we all agreed that it would have been the Aboriginals. We watched another YouTube clip about an Aboriginal man. He shared with us where to find and how to use ochre.

We formed small groups to design a poster and experimented with the natural paint made from the crushed ochre.

Tuckerbox Tips

Consider the following snack ideas for your child’s end of year/Christmas school party:

• Fruit kebabs using green and red fruits (kiwi, green apples, grapes, strawberries, watermelon)
• Vegie kebabs using green and red vegies (cherry tomatoes, snow peas, cucumber, radishes)
• Yoghurt cups topped with berries
• Mini pizza muffins (on English muffins) with green and red vegies and a sprinkle of cheese
• Dips, biscuits and sliced vegie platter – arrange these to make a snowman, Christmas tree or reindeer face!

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

Splash

City of Devonport Brass Band