1 September 2022

Newsletter Articles

Dates to Remember

September

From the Principal

Jerome Pape is currently taking leave and is expected back in the next few weeks. In the meantime, I will assume the Acting Principal role. I have been working at Hillcrest the whole year in the role of Manager of Hillcrest Recovery and previous to this was the School Improvement Leader for Hillcrest Primary School and other schools on the North-West coast.

Grade 6 Challenge Day.

Our coordinator for grade 6 transition is Ann-Maree Mulcaster and she is responsible along with the feeder high schools for organising transition activities. Recently they were involved in the grade 5/6 sports day and yesterday the group enjoyed the grade 6 challenge day. All these activities are aimed at ensuring that they are ‘grade seven ready’ for 2023 and focussing predominantly on their social connections with students from other schools.

Evacuation and Lockdown Practice

Every school is required to conduct both lockdown and evacuation practice through-out the school year. This is a great opportunity to ensure that our practices are reviewed regularly, and adjustments made over this week and the coming weeks.

Swimming and Water Safety Program

Swimming and Water Safety concludes this week for grade 3, 4, 5 and some grade 6’s. Well done to all students and staff for the work they have put into this program and the learning that has occurred. Thank you to our parents who supported with such things as ensuring that children had their bathers and towel each day and making it an enjoyable experience.

School Association Committee Survey

Thank you to the parents who have filled out the School Association survey. We have now put some copies into the classrooms, so that parents can complete them. Place your completed copy in the envelope provided and return them to the class teacher or the office. All completed surveys will remain anonymous. A link has also been re attached to this newsletter if families would prefer to complete one online. We appreciate you taking the time to complete the survey as it is important to us to have your input on future events.

Respectful Schools Campaign

The best outcomes for children come when schools and parents work together respectfully. Disrespect in schools is crossing the line. Simple as that.

The Respectful Schools Campaign has been developed in partnership with staff in our schools and with parent feedback. It promotes respectful adult behaviour in and around our schools and school communities.

It is our hope that from this campaign we can ultimately create a culture of respectful behaviour at Hillcrest Primary School and all Tasmanian schools. Although rare at Hillcrest Primary School, there are some examples, but we continue to work hard to eliminate instances of aggressive and offensive behaviour from adults directed towards school staff, including on social media.

Key messages within this campaign:

• Everyone has the right to feel respected and safe at school, including school staff. It is not just a courtesy; it is the law.
• The best outcomes for children come when schools and parents work together respectfully.
• Respectful behaviour in our schools is everyone’s right and everyone’s responsibility.
• Adults’ behaviour in and around schools impacts the entire school community. The message we are promoting at Hillcrest Primary School is simple —

Do the right thing. Don’t cross the line.

School Development

I am really pleased to announce that the school will have some significant work done externally in the coming months. There has been a group of people working on the plans and I would like to thank Fiona Smith for being the school association representative on the committee. Fiona has brought some great ideas and expertise to the group. Some of this work is outlined in the school’s master plan which was done in partnership between the school and school association.

Once we have finalised some concept drawings (which should happen soon) we would love to share these with all members of the school community.

One area that is up for redevelopment is some landscaping at the front of the school  and some installation of irrigation. 

Jeff Triffitt – Acting Principal

School Association Committee Survey

At our recent School Association Committee meeting, we discussed ways of enhancing our communication and consultation. As an Association, we want to make sure we continue to understand the needs and views of the school community and reflect these in the work we are doing. We want to know if there are any gaps in the support we are providing at the school for current students and families. We also would like to know if our ways of communication are working for you and ask for any suggestions on how we could make it better.

To help us do this, the School Association Committee have created a short survey for families to complete which should only take 5 minutes.

Hilly Kids Are Friendly Kids

Our current Hilly Kids focus topic is Good Winners Good Losers. Our next focus topic for term 3 will be Negotiating.

Negotiating

If you want someone to do something for you or to give you permission to do something, the best way to get what you want is to negotiate. Negotiation involves trying to get what you want by first working out what the other person wants and trying to give it to them. This way is called a “win-win” way of negotiation because both people get something they want. It is different from a “win-lose” approach where someone gets what they want, and the other person doesn’t get anything.

Negotiating needs to be planned and each side must complete their side of the bargain. For example: you may want a ride to footy training so you negotiate with mum to give you a ride and in return you will put the rubbish out. If you do not keep your part of the bargain, you won’t be trusted the next time and the relationship suffers.

Remember: You are more likely to get what you want and keep friends if the other person gets something too

Do:

• Decide what you want
• Think about what the other person might want in return (eg they might want to be sure that something they lend you will be looked after)
• Pick a good time to ask
• Use a friendly voice
• If you can’t work out what they want in return, ask them directly
• If the other person won’t agree with what you want, accept that. You won’t always get what you want.
• Keep your side of the bargain.

Don’t:

• Don’t ask at an inconvenient time (e.g., when the other person is busy or talking to someone else)
• Don’t use a grizzly, whingeing voice
• Don’t threaten, sulk, insult or get angry if you don’t get what you want.

Our Hilly Kid for the ‘Use Your Voice’ topic was Felicity from 5/6P. Congratulations, Felicity!

Well done to our other class representatives:

Book Week Costumes 2022

A wonderful effort by students and staff for participating in the Book Week Parade. Thank you to families for spending the time getting costumes organised. Here are a few photos of some of the clever and imaginative costumes that were on show.

Soccer Tops

The 2022 soccer season has come to an end. This means soccer and goalie tops, and gloves must be returned to the school office. To collect your bond, all items must be returned in the same condition as you received them.

Launch into Learning

School Nurse – Sleep Tips

Sleep Tips for Children

Sleep is so important to a child’s wellbeing, learning, development, and overall performance. Helping your child to get enough quality sleep will ensure that their brain and body are ready for school each day. Did you know, The Raising Children’s Network recommends young children have between 11-13 hours of sleep per night and secondary school-aged children to have 8-10 hours of sleep per night. As every child is different, you may notice that your child needs more or less sleep than is recommended.

Here are some ideas to help promote good sleeping habits in your home.

• Create a bedtime routine to help children feel ready for sleep.
• Relax before bedtime with quiet activities like reading or drawing.
• Avoid screen time for at least 1 hour prior to bed.
• Keep regular sleep and wake times.
• Make sure your child feels safe at night.
• Check for noise and light in your child’s bedroom.

Eat well and exercise regularly, sleep likes a relaxed body and a calm nervous system.

For more information on sleeping habits, problems or concerns visit the Raising Children website - Raising Children Network or contact Bianca our School Health Nurse via the office or email bianca.snow@education.tas.gov.au

Tuckerbox Tips

Easy and interesting fruit & vegetable lunchbox hints:

• Go for a range – different colours & textures and shop by season for better taste and price
• Keep it simple – choose a whole piece of fruit or vegetable like a mandarin, apple, celery sticks, grapes, etc

• Get organised – pre-chop fruit and vegetables, store in a container in the fridge, ready to pack into lunches
• Make it easy – pack a fork for pre-chopped fruit and veg to avoid sticky fingers

Lyn Aherne – Canteen Supervisor

Move Well Eat Well

Swap Screens for active play after school

Children spend most of their school day sitting indoors. Help your children get active after school.

Swap Screens For

• Obstacle courses using cushions, blankets, and boxes
• Hallway bowling with a soft ball and plastic bottles
• Visiting a park or walking the dog
• Backyard cricket, basketball or frisbee
• Building a cubby, castle, or fort in the backyard
• A chalk drawing on the driveway or path

MWEW Team

Hillcrest Student Wellbeing Services