27 February 2020

Newsletter Articles

Dates to Remember

2020

From the Principal

I am pleased to let you know that Mrs Susan Barnard will be Hillcrest Primary School’s new Acting Principal for the next two terms. Mrs Barnard will be joining us from Monday, March 2nd. We warmly welcome Susan to our community and look forward to the opportunity to work with her.

Naomi Archer – Principal

Dear School Community,

I firstly wish to say how excited I am to be here at Hillcrest Primary School. My short visit last week has enabled me to see the enormous potential as we move forward and to also to learn about all of the wonderful things that are happening at Hillcrest. I would also like to take this opportunity to tell you a little about me.

For the past two decades I have worked as an educator on the North West Coast of Tasmania in various schools and positions. I feel very privileged to be joining a dedicated teaching team and building on the learning that has gone before. I am really looking forward to being part of your school community and working together with you in partnership. I fully believe that every child must be provided with the opportunities to learn, to be safe and to be happy. I am passionate about inspiring all learners to succeed and ensuring they have the tools to do so.

Building connections with, and between, staff, students, families and the wider community is a passion of mine. These connections help us promote inclusion and belonging at our school. To further develop our positive school community I encourage our families to become involved in school activities, share their views and influence school decisions. I firmly believe that families are their child’s first educators and absolutely value your contributions.

As your Principal, it is important to me that everyone who steps through our doors including (staff, students and families) are excited to be here.

I have an open door policy so please come and find me and introduce yourself. If you are not able to pop in please do not hesitate to contact me via email: susan.barnard@education.tas.gov.au

Susan Barnard

Hilly Kids Are Friendly Kids

Respecting the Environment

Our current fortnightly focus topic is Respecting the Environment. Our focus topic for weeks 6 and 7 will be What is Bullying?

Our Hilly Kid for “Manners” was Mikayla from 1-2N. Congratulations, Mikayla and well done to our other class representatives.

Thumbs Up Recipients

The following students have been awarded a ‘Thumbs Up’ card in recognition of an outstanding display of our school values. We are extremely proud of our Hilly Kids and we hope that if your child brings a ‘Thumbs Up’ card home, you are able to take the time to celebrate this award with them.

Meet & Greet Big Breakfast

On Wednesday, February 19th we had our fifth annual ‘Meet and Greet Big Breakfast.’ Over 100 students, families and teachers enjoyed pancakes, toast, muffins and fruit salad. A big thank you to everyone who attended and to all the helpers. It was a great success!

Sports Leaders 2020

Congratulations to our Sports Leaders for 2020 who were presented with their lanyards and name tags and to our Student Councillors for 2020 who were presented with their name badges recently.

Student Wellbeing Survey

Attention: Parents and Carers of students in Years 4-6

The wellbeing of our students is important to us. To get an understanding of how students across Tasmania feel about their own wellbeing, students in Years 4-6 at Hillcrest Primary School will be taking part in a wellbeing survey.

The Student Wellbeing Survey is part of the Department of Education’s Child and Student Wellbeing Strategy.

The details for the survey are:

When: Tuesday 17th March
Who: Grades 4-6
What do I need to do: You and your child don’t need to do anything. The survey will be done in class time and will not require your child to prepare in any way.

A letter with more information has been sent home with all Year 4-6 students, including Frequently Asked Questions and a form to sign and return to the school if you do not want your child to participate in the survey.

If you would like further information, please contact Naomi Archer.

Thank you for supporting us to ensure that all our learners are safe, feel supported and are able to flourish, so they can engage in learning.

Hillcrest Tuckerbox

Packing a School Lunchbox

When children eat well, they behave better, are able to listen well and concentrate longer. Packing a healthy school lunchbox will help children to learn and play well and be happy at school.

Steps to Planning a Healthy Lunchbox

• Make time to prepare. Have fresh fruit and vegetables, milk and yoghurt, bread and crackers all bought in advance.
• Shop wisely and save money. Buy fresh fruit and vegetables in season to ensure good quality and value for money.
• Make your own snack packs, eg snack packs from fresh ingredients which you can buy in bulk.
• Look after the environment. Put sandwiches and other items in reusable containers. This uses less packaging and creates less rubbish.
• Choose a variety of foods from the 5 food groups.
• Include a bottle of water – no need for sweetened drinks such as juice, cordial or soft drink as these contain too much sugar, which is not good for teeth. Non-water drinkers usually start drinking water with the example of other children. Freeze a small quantity each night and top up with cold water in the morning for a cool summer drink.
• Keep food cool. In warm weather place a small ice pack in the lunchbox.
• Remember to involve your children in preparing and packing their own lunchbox.

Lyn Aherne – Canteen

Move Well Eat Well

Healthy Lunchbox – Get your kids involved!

In the kitchen:

• Select easy lunchbox recipes to cook up on weekends
• Share simple tasks such as cracking eggs, stirring and measuring ingredients
• Set healthy lunchbox rules that include choosing a food from each food group
• Encourage children to fill their drink bottles with water.

At the Shops

• Allow children to choose their own fruit and vegetables
• Avoid the junk food aisle and set limits on highly processed foods
• Ask children to help look for products with the most stars

In the Garden

• Set up a vegetable patch or pot with some easy to grow vegetables and fruit, eg cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries
• Let children plant and pick their own vegetables for snacks
• Set gardening tasks such as weeding and watering

MWEW Committee

Have you got your Ticket to Play?

Ticket to Play is a Tasmanian Government initiative designed to reduce the cost of participating in club sporting activities for Tasmanian children.

Tasmanian children aged 5 to 17 who are listed on a Centrelink Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card, or who are in Out of Home Care, are eligible for a voucher of up to $100 in value to be used towards the cost of club membership. Other items such as uniforms, equipment, footwear etc. are not eligible.

Ticket to Play vouchers can be used at approved activity providers who meet certain eligibility criteria. Search for approved activity providers at the link below:

If you are having trouble with the Ticket to Play process, please contact Communities, Sport and Recreation for further information by email at tickettoplay@communities.tas.gov.au or 1800 252 476.

Netball 2020 – It’s Not Too Late

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 28th.

Soccer 2020 – Sign up by Friday!

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 to be 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 by this Friday, February 28th.

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.

BreastScreen Tasmania

Don’t Miss the Bus!

23 March – 17 July in the Devonport Recreation Centre Carpark. This is a FREE service. To make an appointment call 13 20 50.

Take a Break Morning Teas

Are you an aunt, uncle, sibling or grandparent who has taken on the responsibility of raising children? This could be something that would interest you. Get together with people just like you for a chat and a cuppa.