Dear Families 

I’m excited to be able to share with you a short recording that captures the work and efforts of our staff and students in supporting increased student wellbeing. This illustration of practice is the result of our school demonstrating substantial and sustained positive change in both the School Climate and Student Belonging domains of the Student Wellbeing and Engagement Survey.  

The video is inspiring and demonstrates combined ownership; involvement of all stakeholders; positivity and consistency of message between our staff and the strength of student voice informing the work we do and the direction we take. The students involved are a credit to our school and the community and I would also like to acknowledge Meg Burbury, Michele Bennett, Ken Stonehouse, Emma McIntosh and Teresa Kirk for their participation and contribution. 

I hope you enjoy this snapshot of the great work staff and students are doing at St Marys District School and are as proud of our shared achievements as we are! 

Campbell Town Show 

Last week our Grade 3-6 students and a number of staff spent a wonderful day exploring at Campbell Town Show. Students report having a wonderful day, with the highlights for students including the animals, lunch on the haybales and seeing their own work and that of their friends on display.  For me, the highlight was hearing about the fantastic participation and respectful, caring behaviour of our students. I know Mrs Burbury and the other staff who attended came back feeling very proud of our students and how well they represented our school. 

 Reporting, Evidence of Learning and Parent/Teacher Interviews 

Teaching staff are currently reviewing student assessment and achievement data, moderating and preparing evidences of student learning to share with families. Please see the following table for information and dates for mid-year reporting and communicating learning progress. 

We value the partnership between school and home immensely and hope that all parents will be able to attend the planned meetings. Of course, these conversations do not have to wait until scheduled the scheduled times, and parents should feel free to contact teachers at any time. 

School-based Apprenticeships(ASbAs) 

An a school based apprenticeship is a paid, employment-based training arrangement, students in Years 10, 11 and 12  are able to combine work, training and education to gain a nationally recognised qualification, usually at Certificate II or III level – across almost every industry sector and training package. Thank you to the employers/businesses who are supporting students to undertake a school based apprenticeship with them. Our students learn so much from being in the workplace and being mentored by you. 

This year the following students are participating in school based apprenticeships. Well done to: 

Connor – Certificate III in Carpentry 

Jesse – Certificate II in Retail Services 

Reuben – Certificate II in Retail Services 

Kobie  – Certificate II in Retail Services 

Dom – Certificate II in Agriculture 

Vaping 

The safety and wellbeing of our students is our highest priority. As you may be aware, there has been a rise in the number of children and young people vaping in the broader community. 

Vaping is similar to smoking cigarettes, but without the use of tobacco. Instead, the electronic cigarettes (vapes) heat a liquid until it turns into an aerosol. This aerosol is then inhaled. 

The aerosol is not water vapour but is made up of different chemicals. Some of these chemicals can be harmful for the lungs, brain development and general health. Often, vapes contain nicotine, which makes them very addictive. 

In supporting the health and wellbeing of our learners, the Department for Education, Children and Young People has adopted a harm minimisation approach to responding to vaping among children and young people. In line with this, all government schools are designated smoke and vape free areas. Signage displaying this is placed around the school property. 

The Department is working closely with the Department of Health to ensure that staff, students and families are educated on the health impacts of vaping. The Department has developed a suite of resources centred on a dedicated webpage for vaping. https://www.decyp.tas.gov.au/about-us/projects/child-student-wellbeing/vaping/  This page also includes resources on how to support your child. I encourage you to take the time to talk to your children about vaping. To make it easier to start this conversation, I have included a  vaping fact sheet. 

If you are worried that your child might be impacted by vaping or is struggling with the topic, it is important to remember that support is available. Information is available on the fact sheet or the Department’s website. 

Thank you for your continuing support in ensuring the wellbeing of all our students. 

Carolyn Watson 

Principal 

On Wednesday 21 May it was National Simultaneous Storytime.

The NSS book for 2025 is 'The Truck Cat' Written by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Danny Snell.

At 12pm on this day, students engaged in a shared reading of the text as a class. As part of the celebrations 1/2A created their own 'Truck Cats' 

Last Thursday the SMDS secondary students were entertained by Dennis Clare, a renowned mime artist from “Mime-O-Rama”. The interactive show encouraged students to imaginatively engage with the idea that there is much more to communicating than just the language they speak. The mainly mute performance used a variety of objects and classic mime techniques to create unexpected and entertaining acts. A crowd favourite was Dennis’ use of masks and a giant, but incredibly mobile slinky, to create silent, yet sociable characters who interacted with and danced for the students.

Some highlights included a student balancing an apple on his head which was pierced by a bow and arrow, all through the art of mime. Bentley bravely joined Dennis for a spot of ad-lib juggling. Later, Malika and Isaac hopped on to the stage for an entertaining dance wearing big hands.

The performance was a wonderfully unique experience for the students that had them intrigued and laughing in equal measure.

KINGS MEADOWS HIGH SCHOOL 

The SMDS team of secondary students attended the Inter-High Cross-Country Carnival at Kings Meadows High School on Tuesday 27 May.  We arrived early to good conditions and walked the course and warmed up ready to run.  

We congratulate all students who attended this event on their bravery, responsibility and resilience and the fabulous way they represented our school.  We had thirteen students attend out of a team of thirty. Thank you to Mieka S and Ellie W who attended as reserves and managed a 3rd place in the Grade 9 girls team event. We also had some outstanding individual performances and age group team results. 

Outstanding achievements came from: 

Grade 8 Girls: Sienna M- 8th overall and 2nd in Division 2. 

Grade 10 Boys: Jaxon H- 12th overall and 2nd in Division 2 

Grade 9 Girls (Mieka and Ellie) 3rd Team in Division 2 

Grade 10 Boys (Wally, Jaxon and Dakoda) 2nd Team in Division 2 

Congratulations to Sienna M for her selection in the Northern High Schools Sports Association (NHSSA) team to represent at the All -Schools Cross-Country at Symmons Plains on Thursday 12 June.   

Please enjoy some photos from the day.  

Laura Swanson 

On Wednesday 21 May, twenty seven students from the primary grades travelled to the Winnaleah Tree Farm to compete in the 2025 East North East Cross Country event. After a cold start, the conditions turned out to be perfect for running and there was much excitement from the team. All St Marys District School representatives participated with enthusiasm and determination, with two students being selected to participate in the All Schools Cross Country event scheduled for later this month. Jade Jorgensen placed ninth in the Grade 4 girls race and Hamish Davenport placed sixth in the Grade 6 boys event. We wish both these students the very best as they represent our school at the All Schools event. Congratulations to all St Marys students, exemplifying great sportsmanship in supporting one another and students from other schools on the day.

Kindergarten health checks are offered to all Kinder students at St Marys District School and are undertaken for all who provide written consent.  The Kinder health checks sit within the Tasmanian Child and Youth Wellbeing Framework, which include these domains: Being loved and safe, Having material basics, Being healthy, Learning, Participating and Having a positive sense of culture and identity. 

These health checks include vision, hearing and oral health screening to ensure students are best able to access and participate in early learning.  They facilitate access and onward referral when necessary and with consent, to appropriate and accessible health care.  It also enables school health nurses to initiate and support activities to improve health literacy within families and the broader community.   

Get the facts about vaping at Quit Tasmania | Quit Smoking Advice & Support.  

If you have been thinking about your own or a young person you know who is vaping and want to explore it further, please use the link below to check out the microsite at Quit Tasmania, an anti-vaping campaign targeted towards Tasmanian youth. 

The tools are bite-sized, and designed to be fun and informative, allowing young people to learn quickly about their addiction and what can help them quit. The website also provides information on who can support them quit, such as Quitline counsellors, GPs, youth worker, etc. 

Quit Tasmania | Dont Let It In 

These notices have been sent home to parents in the last fortnight.  If you did not receive one and would like to receive a copy of the notice, please contact the school office on 63 723 900.

PRIMARY

• Peaceful Kids Group Program - Term 3 -  Selected Students