14 February 2019

Newsletter Articles

Dates to Remember

Term Dates – 2019

From the Principal

It has been a settled start to the year and classes have quickly settled into new routines. There has been a positive feel in classrooms and they are buzzing with excitement and expectation. I always enjoy visiting classes and appreciate the conversations I have with students.

As in previous years, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to make an appointment. I have an open door policy and always welcome community members to come and speak with me. I look forward to working together with the community to make 2019 a fantastic year!

Devonport Australia Day Award Winners Announced

A big congratulations goes to Chaz and Kai Wilson, who raised over $9000 to support Camp Quality, in memory of Piper Hawley, who passed away last year. Chaz and Kai have been named joint Young Citizen of the Year for Devonport in the 2019 Australia Day awards. We are so proud of your achievement and I am sure everyone in our community joins me in saying well done boys, you deserve it!

Jerome Pape - Principal

Sun Safe Hat Policy

Please remember that our Sun-Safe Hat Policy is in place during term 1. Students must wear a school bucket hat anytime they are outside during recess and lunch. If they do not have a hat, they will be asked to sit in a designated area out of the sun.

LIFT – The Big Breakfast!

Hillcrest Primary School Staff would like to invite our families to come along with your children for breakfast on Wednesday, February 20th from 8 to 9 am in the school GP Hall. We will serve up a delicious and nutritious breakfast of pancakes, toast and fruit (even a coffee or tea).

This will be an opportunity to informally chat with your child/children’s teachers and meet some other parents as well.

If you would like to attend please return the slip that was in last week’s paper newsletter to the office by Monday, February 18th as this will assist with catering (we would hate to run out of pancakes!) If you cannot find the newsletter, please ring the office and let us know you are planning to attend.

Rosemarie Baker - LIFT Coordinator

Student Banking

Thank you to Fiona, who has volunteered once again to be one of our student banking coordinators. Student banking will start on February 20th. Please send your child’s banking in on Tuesday/Wednesday each week. This year the banking will be processed on Thursday mornings and the bankbooks returned on Thursdays. As the volunteers process the banking early on Thursdays, if your child’s bankbook is not at school by Wednesday, it may not get to the office in time to be processed on the Thursday.

If you are new to student banking and wish to open an account, please visit the school office for an information pack.

Hilly Kids Are Friendly Kids

Using manners – it is not hard to do!

When we use our manners, we are being polite and following expectations. If we are going to visit someone, we listen carefully, we speak nicely and we do as is expected. When we use manners, we speak with correct tone and volume and we are respectful of others. Common words that we may use include please, thank you, excuse me and sorry.

There are opportunities every day to say please and thank you. At home, in the classroom, at the canteen, visiting the office, in the yard, at a friend’s home – there are people who help us and all of them need to be treated courteously. One great way we can do this is by saying please and thank you. You will be surprised how much people value please and thank you. These simple words let people know you do appreciate what they do for you and also let them know you are a friendly kid.

Part of being a friendly kid is also realising that, from time to time, you might inconvenience others. You may not mean to, but sometimes this is unavoidable. When these occasions do arise we all need to know how to handle them courteously.

If we have to interrupt somebody working, or perhaps two people talking, we should begin by saying “excuse me”, and then quickly explain what is so important.

Of course, before we interrupt, think! Do we really have to deal with the matter immediately? Can it wait for a short time? Is it really important? If it is important, then “excuse me” is the way to go.

Occasionally, too, we make mistakes which inconvenience others. We might accidentally bump into someone, or not hold a door open for them, or interrupt them at the wrong time, or turn up late or all sorts of things. If these things do happen, quickly apologising by simply saying “sorry”, shows the other person that you really did not mean to inconvenience them. And, of course, try not to let it happen again. That’s really saying “sorry”.

Try them out this week. I look forward to seeing people using their manners every day. I know I will!

Parent Help/Coaching/Volunteering

Please remember that if you want to volunteer at the school in any way you will need a Working with Vulnerable People Card. This is a Tasmanian Government requirement under the Registration to Work with Vulnerable People Act 2013.

For more information or to apply please go to:

If you haven’t yet applied and would like some assistance with the online application, please see the office staff.

Student Absence

Families are reminded to notify the school office by 9:15am if your child is going to be away from school that day. You can ring 6424 5211 or send an SMS to 0428 937 348. If you do not notify the office you will be sent a text message requesting an explanation. Simply reply to that SMS.

Also, please remember that students who arrive at school after 8:55 must get a late pass from the office.

Student Validation Forms

Thank you to everyone who completed their validation forms on book collection days. These forms are necessary to ensure we have correct, up-to-date information and contact details. Last week the Special Data Collection Form for Parents was sent home with the eldest in the family. Please update, sign and return the form to the office as soon as possible.

Please remember to notify the school if any of your contacts or your emergency contact details change at any time during the school year. Also, please return any completed medical action plans to the school office as soon as possible.

Student Assistance Scheme 2019

2019 STAS application forms for new applicants are available in the school office. If you are on a low income and think you might be eligible please see the office staff soon.

If you received STAS in 2018, you do not need to re-apply as you will have been sent correspondence regarding STAS 2019 directly from the Department. If you are on STAS and have a new child starting school this year please make sure you notify the Financial Assistance Unit by ringing 1-800-827-055. Failure to supply requested information may result in your approval being denied or delayed, in which case you will have to pay the 2019 levies. Please refer to the table below to determine your eligibility. Your income needs to be at or below these thresholds.

Hillcrest Tuckerbox

If we want our children to enjoy school and perform well, we should ensure that they have plenty of fuel for physical and mental activity. Any teacher will tell you that a hungry child cannot concentrate!

A healthy lunch and snacks are important. A healthy lunch box is one that provides a variety of foods from different food groups. The food groups are: bread & cereals, fruit, vegetables, meat & meat alternatives (eg eggs, baked beans, lentils) and dairy. It has been shown that eating patterns established by the age of 11 or 12 are likely to persist through to the late teens or longer.

• Don’t insist on varying sandwich fillings if your child wants the same one every day...it isn’t the end of the world! Add variety with other lunch food.
• Don’t include sandwich fillings or other foods which your child has never tried before. Such “surprises” are seldom popular. Introduce new foods after school, at home, instead.
• Pack small amounts of food in an appropriate number of separate containers so they look inviting. Too much of each or (surprisingly) too many options can be daunting to a small child.

Lyn Aherne – Canteen

Move Well Eat Well

Water is the best drink for children, especially in hot summer weather or if children are very active. Make sure your child has their own drink bottle so they can stay hydrated while at school.

Tap into Water Every Day:

• It’s cheap and easy to get
• Not drinking enough fluids causes dehydration with symptoms such as headaches and irritability
• Our bodies are made up of 50-60% water and we need to replace the water we lose every day from breathing, sweating, etc

Tips for encouraging your child to drink water:

• Get your child their own individual water bottle for school
• In warm weather, freeze your child’s water bottle to send to school
• Show your child that you enjoy drinking water, too
• At meal times serve everyone at the table with a glass of water
• At home, always keep a jug or bottle of cold water in the fridge and serve with ice
• Always take a water bottle with you when you go out

MWEW Committee

Toast for Kids Charity Gala

This year’s Toast for Kids Charity Gala, an event which raises funds for school Breakfast Clubs and the Books for Babies program, will be held on Saturday, March 30th at Providore Place starting at 6:30pm. Tickets are $67.50 or Table of Ten $650, which includes Bendigo Bank Welcome drinks, food, live music by The Tear Aways, a silent auction and a balloon raffle.

Tickets are available at the paranaple arts centre ticket box. Phone: 6420 2900. Why not get a group of friends together and have a great night out, knowing that you are supporting these two great causes?!

Help With Sporting Registrations

Ticket to Play is a Tasmanian Government initiative designed to reduce the cost of participating in club sporting activities for Tasmanian children. It provides vouchers up to $100 in value towards club membership for children aged 5-17 years and listed on a Centrelink Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card or in Out of Home Care. Learn more and apply for a voucher at this link:

Netball 2019

The Devon Netball Association Primary Winter Roster will commence on Saturday, March 16th at the Spreyton Netball Centre. Primary netball is open to girls and boys turning 8 or older in 2019, with modified rules for those aged 10 and under. Registration fees will apply. Winter Roster: Feb – July. Juniors - $60 and Netta - $70 (10 & under includes a NetSetGo pack)

If your child is interested in playing, please leave their name at the school office by Wednesday, February 27th.

Lyn Aherne - Coordinator

Soccer 2019

Junior Roster

Over the coming weeks we will be organising Hillcrest soccer teams to play in the Devonport Junior Soccer Association 2019 Roster. This season D.J.S.I. will register any player who turns 5 in the school year. As team nominations need to be into D.J.S.I. by early March it is important that we start to arrange our teams as soon as possible. Please leave your child’s name at the school office if they want to play soccer this year. If any parents are able to assist with coaching and have a current Registration for Working with Vulnerable People card, please contact David Carter or leave your details with the school office. It is a Tasmanian government requirement that ALL coaches have a current RWVP card. For more information or to apply, please see:

DJSI Committee Members

The organisation of soccer on Saturday mornings is done by a small group of dedicated individuals. Without their involvement this sporting opportunity would not be as successful and enjoyable for all involved as it is. The DJSI committee would like to invite parents who would like to become involved with helping out and volunteering their skills to our association. Please contact David Carter if you are interested in joining the DJSI committee or would like further information about the role you could undertake to maintain this great opportunity for our Hillcrest students.

David Carter – PE Teacher

East Devonport Football Club - Juniors

The NWFL Juniors season commences on 31st March 2019. The East Devonport Football Club returns to junior football in 2019 with the intention of providing particpation options for junior players, having fun in a welcoming family environment and learning about the great game of Australian Rules Football.

We are calling for any potential players in the boys teams of Under 12s, 14s and 16s who are thinking about playing to come and have a “come and try” training session with our club.

This offer also applies to any young female players in the Youth Girls team (ages 13 to 17) and Under 13 girls. The Under 13s will have a stand alone mini roster of about 6 weeks, with smaller ground sizes and less numbers on the field. This starts soon!

The Junior Boys are training Wednesday nights from 5.30 with the Youth Girls training Monday and Wednesday.

The NWFL Juniors season is a 14 round season with 7 home and 7 away games. Buses to Smithton and Wynyard will be provided.

Registrations costs cover insurance and team wear (on and off field).

A family eligible for the Tasmanian Government’s $100 “A Ticket to Play” voucher to offset sports regsitration costs can use this voucher at the East Devonport Football Club. A link to this program is:

Contact details for the Juniors can be found via the East Devonport Football Club Facebook page or by emailing edfcjuniors@gmail.com with any further questions.

Crescendo Choir

Do you like singing? Then join one of the most highly regarded, friendly and exciting young choral organisations- the renowned Tasmanian Department of Education’s children’s choir, CRESCENDO.

We are currently offering positions for new members and are seeking enthusiastic singers with a love of sharing music! Everyone is welcome to apply for the 2019 intake.

Please note: Junior choir rehearsal day has been changed to a THURSDAY in 2019.

JUNIOR CHOIR REHEARSAL TIMES: THURSDAY, 3.30 - 5.00pm in the Reece High School music suite, Building 7.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: Elizabeth at ree.crescendochoir@education.tas.gov.au or phone/text: 0407 244 602

Rubik’s Cube Competition