13 February 2020

Newsletter Articles

Dates to Remember

2020

Term Dates – 2020

From the Principal

It has been a wonderful start to the year and classes have quickly settled into new routines. I have enjoyed the opportunity to visit every class and appreciate the enormous effort made by staff to make their rooms so engaging. I have also enjoyed the opportunity to have some lovely conversations with students and families.

Last week our Hilly Kid focus was ‘Smile’ and it has been pleasing to see so many smiling faces around the school. For the next fortnight we will be working on using our manners to show our understanding of how to be courteous. I am looking forward to rewarding students with a ‘thumbs up card’ when I hear their beautiful manners.

Naomi Archer – Principal

Hilly Kids Are Friendly Kids

Respecting the Environment

Our next focus topic will be Respecting the Environment. It takes only a few minutes every day to make a positive impact on the environment at school, so what can we do to make a difference?

We live in such a wonderful neighbourhood and state with many great natural features just a short walk or drive from our school: beaches, parks, reserves and wonderful bush areas with birdlife. We need to look after and be responsible for all these great places and show them the respect they deserve, not just for their own sake but because they are important to so many people and will continue to be for many years to come.

Remember to always treat our environment with respect. This can be done in many ways:

• Never leave rubbish around
• Be sensitive to the environment and animals. It is their home we are visiting
• Don’t damage or destroy plants or any features of the natural environment
• Ride, walk or run on pathways

Respecting and caring for the environment will mean it will be there for everyone to appreciate and enjoy for many years.

Reduce, reuse, recycle is another way to show respect for the environment. There are so many actions that can make a difference!

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 News

Welcome to 2020! I hope you all had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday break with your families and have settled back into school-day routines.

Storytime

This year, Storytime in the Library will continue once a fortnight straight after school on even week Thursdays. The first reading will be on Thursday, 13th February in the library at 2:45pm when Mrs Archer will read The Rainbow Fish. See you there!

Home Readers

We have hundreds of books ready for borrowing, check with your child’s teacher when you can expect home readers to be brought home by your child/ren. Please let us know if home reading presents any challenges for you or your child/ren so that we can assist you. We’re here to work with you to help your child/ren read, read, read!

Free Big Breakfast

Next Wednesday, 19th February, we will have our annual free Big Breakfast in the GP Hall from 8-9am. This will be a great opportunity to chat with your child/children’s teachers in a relaxed manner and meet some other families while enjoying a delicious breakfast together. Please remember to return the breakfast attendance slip sent home this week to help us with catering.

Parent Help Requirement – Working With Vulnerable People Card

Families who do not have their Working With Vulnerable People registration – Please come to the library and use our facilities to do this and I will be there to support you should you need help. Remember: if you wish to attend a class excursion with your child/ren you are required to have one.

Rosemarie Baker - LIFT Coordinator

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 welcome pass from the office.

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 18th. Please send your child’s banking in on Tuesday each week. The banking will be processed after 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.

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.

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 2020

2020 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 2019, you do not need to re-apply as you will have been sent correspondence regarding STAS 2020 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 2020 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

5-6 Kelly

Our mission has been to learn to work together as the 2020 version of The Kelly Gang! We have had a really successful start. We are focussing on respectful relationships, routines and learning about each other.

Some of the things that we are looking forward to are:

• doing P.E.
• challenging ourselves in Mentals.
• learning our Tables
• playing instruments in Music.
• learning new Art skills
• Art, P.E. and Music.
• going to the Library.

Ticket to Play

If you feel you might be eligible for a voucher to help with the cost of sporting club registrations for children aged 5-17, please go to the link below:

Netball 2020

The Devon Netball Association Winter Roster will commence on Saturday, March 21st at the Spreyton Netball Centre. Primary netball is open to girls and boys turning 8 or older in 2020, with modified rules for those aged 10 and under. Junior players’ fee is a full year’s registration fee of $45 plus a roster fee of $55. Netta players’ fee is a full year’s registration fee of $55 (which includes a NetSetGo! Pack) plus a roster fee of $25.

If your child is interested in playing, please leave their name at the school office by Friday, February 25th.

Devonport Junior Soccer Association

Over the coming weeks we will be organising Hillcrest soccer teams to play in the Devonport Junior Soccer Association’s 2020 roster. This season DJSI is registering any player who turns 5 in the school year. As team nominations need in to DJSI 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 so that we can start to coordinate this job. If any parents are able to assist with coaching and have a current Working with Vulnerable People card, please contact David Carter or leave your details at the school office.

Devonport Basketball Winter Roster

The winter roster for Grade 1 & 2, Grade 3 & 4 and Grade 5 & 6 will remain as school based. Grade 1 & 2 games will be played on Wednesday nights commencing Wednesday, 11th March and Grade 3 & 4 and 5 & 6 games will be played on Friday nights commencing on Friday, 6th March.

It is a requirement of Basketball Tasmania that all players register online. To register online go to the link below:

The DBC requires all intending players to be registered online before Friday 21st February 2020. NO LATE REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED

Registration fees: $80 for children born in 2011, 2012 and 2013, $90 for children born in 2009 and 2010 and $100 for children born in 2007 and 2008.

If you wish to coach a team you will be required to hold a Working with Vulnerable People registration. This can be done by going online to the link below::

For children who qualify for TICKET TO PLAY, please contact the DBC office on 6424 2440 for assistance. If you require any assistance with online registrations or have any queries regarding rosters please contact Jan at the DBC Office on 64242440 between 10 – 2 weekdays.

Come and Try Hockey!

Competitions for Under 13’s (Age 10+), Under 15’s and Under 17’s. Season starts end of March approx. Training Thursday nights 6-7pm, starting 13th Feb 2020. Reach out to us on email: devonporthc@hotmail.com or follow our Facebook page for more info.

Website at the link below:

Devonport Football Club

The Devonport Football Club U/12s would like to invite all grade 5 & 6 boys to training who would like to play football this season. Training is on Monday and Wednesday afternoons at Byard Park from 4-5pm.

For further information please contact the U/12 coach Brent Mace on 0407 842 765.

Hurricanes Cricket Blast - 17th Feb

Fairy Godmothers Market - 1st March

Run Devonport – 15th March

Maths Club

Crescendo Choir

Relay for Life

Jewellery, Gem & Mineral Fair

Colour Run for Bravehearts – 16th Feb

Taekwondo