18 February 2021

Newsletter Articles

Dates to Remember

2021

Term Dates for Students – 2021

From the Principal

Our Big Breakfast was very successful again this year and I enjoyed catching up with families again. Everyone had a great time and staff valued the opportunity to either meet or catch up with many of you. Thanks to staff who helped organise and set up for the event. Thanks also go to those community members who stayed behind to help clean tables and chairs after the event – your support is appreciated!

As we move into the ‘new normal’ regarding COVID-19, it is important that we continue to follow safe hygiene practices, including using hand sanitiser provided, physically distancing (1.5 metres from others) and signing in with our visitor register if on site for more than 15 minutes. Your continued support is appreciated to ensure the safety of our students, staff and community.

Many of you would have seen the building works occurring in our administration building. The project is very near completion and we are hoping to be moving in next week. It is going to be a great new resource for the community, and I look forward to getting back into my office – my current arrangements have already worn a little thin!

As part of the works, we also completed stage 2 of the nature play area for Early Childhood. If you have not seen it yet, come and check it out – students and staff love it!

As I move around the school, I am very impressed with the settled start to our school year. The enthusiasm for learning is evident around the school and I have enjoyed chatting with students, staff and families. If you ever have any questions or concerns regarding your child, please do not hesitate to contact the office to arrange a chat.

Jerome Pape - Principal

Hilly Kids Are Friendly Kids

Respecting the Environment

Our current Hilly Kids focus topic is Good Manners. Our next focus topic will be Respecting the Environment.

In some ways ‘Respecting our Environment’ is like our focus topic of ‘Respecting our School’. We are very lucky to live in such a wonderful suburb and, in fact, a wonderful country. There are so many great natural features just a short walk from our school – the beach, the parks and gardens, the wonderful old trees and birdlife and so many other unique and special places around us. We need to look after all these places and show them the respect they deserve, not just for their own sake, but because they are so important to so many people and will be for years to come.

Remember to always treat our environment with respect. This can be done in many ways – never leave rubbish around and be sensitive to the natural environment and animals. Remember, it is their home we are visiting. Try not to destroy or break plants or the many features of a natural environment. Stay away from areas that can be easily disturbed and, where possible, ride, run and walk on paths. Respecting and caring for our environment will mean it will be there for everyone to appreciate and enjoy for many years.

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.

Meet our 2021 Leaders

On Friday, during our Hilly Kids are Friendly Kids Assembly, our 2021 Student Leaders, including our Student Council members and our Sports Leaders, were presented with their badges and lanyards. During the assembly we discussed the value of ‘Being Responsible’. The excitement and enthusiasm from the group was high and it is clear they are very keen to lead by example and take actions to make 2021 a successful year at Hillcrest Primary School.

Jaime-Lea Duff - AST

Hands On Learning

This year we are excited to bring Hands on Learning (HoL) to Hillcrest Primary school, bigger and better than ever! We put in an expression of interest to The Save the Children Foundation, along with the Department of Education, at the end of last year to be part of the 2021 intake of Hands on Learning schools in Tasmania. Our application was successful (along with 2 other schools in the North-West: Natone and West Ulverstone Primary Schools). Mrs Lyn Aherne and Mrs Ann-Maree Mulcaster will run the program on Mondays at our school. During week 1 of this term, Lyn and Ann-Maree attended a training day in Sorell with other Tasmanian Schools and have ongoing support from the Department of Education, the Wellbeing Team and Save the Children.

Students participating in the HoL program for part of one day per week will share a meal and be working on projects around the school that will enhance their collaboration, problem solving and communication skills outside of their classroom.

On Monday students from Grades 3 -6 were shown a presentation about the HoL program and were then invited to put forward an expression of interest to be part of it. Teachers can also put forward a student referral. From this, 10 students will be selected for the first intake to the program and parental permission will be sought. As students exit the program, new intakes will then replace them.

If you would like to know more about this exciting new program, see the brochure below please contact Ann-Maree Mulcaster ann-maree.mulcaster@education.tas.gov.au or 6424 5211.

Ann-Maree Mulcaster - Act AST/ Support Teacher

Parent Help, Coaching, etc.

Please remember if you want to help in classes, help with class excursions or be a coach of a sporting team, you will need to have a Registration for Working with Vulnerable People card. Adults who do not have this card will be unable to participate in class help.

You will need to apply online at the link below and then go to Service Tasmania to have your photo taken. If you need help applying for this card, please contact the school. You will be able to come to the library and use our facilities, with support from Mrs Mulcaster or Miss Duff.

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. Please reply to that SMS.

Also, please remember that students who arrive at school after 8:55 must get a welcome pass from the office before going up to class. If they don’t, we will not know they are here and will send you an SMS asking you to explain their absence. Thank you.

Admin Staff

Student Banking

Thank you to Fiona and Alice, who have volunteered once again to be our student banking coordinators. Student banking will start on February 23rd. Please send your child’s banking in on Tuesday each week. After the banking is processed, the bankbooks will be returned on Thursdays. As the volunteers will mostly 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 2021

2021 STAS application forms for new applicants are available in the school office. If you have a Health Care or a Concession Card and think you might be eligible, please see the office staff soon.

If you received STAS in 2020, you do not need to re-apply as you will have been sent correspondence regarding STAS 2021 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 2021 levies for that child.

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

2 Shephard

2S Minibeast Investigation!

In Year 2S we have had a great start to the year. One of the most exciting things happening in our classroom currently is our science inquiry unit, all about Minibeasts! We have been looking at what a mini beast is, what they look like and how they live.

So far, our investigations have taken us on an insect hunt around our school! We found lots of interesting critters and took some notes on what we observed. There is still lots to learn and we have some of our own questions that we will hopefully be able to answer during the next couple of weeks.

How many different things do caterpillars eat? – Axel & Taj
How do spiders climb up walls? – Jace & Blake
How do worms move without legs? – Max & Ryda

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. The key objective of Ticket to Play is to increase the number of young Tasmanians playing sport and supporting the Tasmanian Government’s objective of Tasmania being the healthiest population by 2025.

Who is eligible for a voucher?

Applicants must be:

• living in Tasmania;
• aged between 5 and 18 years old at the time of application; and
• be listed on a valid Centrelink Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card (either their own or their parent, guardian or carer’s) or be in Out of Home Care.

What can I use a voucher for?

The voucher can be used at approved activity providers who meet certain eligibility criteria, such as soccer, basketball and netball clubs.

The voucher is available for use toward the cost of membership fees. Other items such as uniforms, equipment, footwear etc. are not eligible.

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 Communities - Ticket to Play .

Ticket to Play voucher applications will close on Monday 31 May 2021 at 5 pm. Vouchers must be presented to an Approved Activity Provider by Monday 7 June 2021.

Contact us

If you need help with the Ticket to Play application, contact us on 1800 252 476 or at tickettoplay@communities.tas.gov.au

Netball 2021

The Devon Netball Association Winter Roster will commence on Saturday, March 13th at the Spreyton Netball Centre. Primary netball is open to girls and boys turning 8 or older in 2021, with modified rules for those aged 10 and under.

Primary roster fees (with NetSetGo Pack) are: one roster only - $80. Both winter & spring rosters - $120. If your child is interested in playing, please leave their name at the school office by Wednesday, February 24th.

Devonport Junior Soccer Association

Over the coming weeks we will be organising Hillcrest soccer teams to play in the Devonport Junior Soccer Association’s 2021 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 can assist with coaching and have a current Working with Vulnerable People card, please leave your details at the school office.

Devonport Basketball Winter Roster

The 2021 Devonport Basketball winter primary school roster commences on Friday 19th March for grades 3 – 6 and Wednesday 24th March for grades 1 and 2. Registration fees are $80 for children born in 2012, 2013 or 2014. $90 for children born in 2012 or 2011. $100 for children born in 2008 or 2009. $50 for children registered with another club. It is a requirement that all players register online.

For further information on upcoming rosters and to register please go to

Registrations close Tuesday, 2nd March 2021. No late registrations will be accepted.

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!

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