Volunteer Week

Last week we welcomed our Op Shop Volunteers to the school for a morning tea to thank them for the work they do in the Op Shop.   The Op Shop is the major fundraising program for the School Association and provides many additional opportunities and resources for our students, as well as small grants programs for the wider community whose donations make our op shop so successful.

After morning tea and hearing about what their efforts have acheived for our school, the volunteers visited the Home Economics building (where their morning tea was produced) and heard about our Hands On Learning Cafe program.   They also visited the secondary classrooms.  

Thank you to all of the volunteers that make our school the community that it is: whether you volunteer in the Op Shop, as parent help, at our carnivals, on the school association,  your contribution is valued and appreciated by us all. 

Please enjoy the two videos below:  A slideshow of what the funds volunteers & the op shop have provided, and a video produced by Bright Futures, featuring our award winning volunteers.  

The Primary Schools State Athletic Carnival was held in Launceston at the St Leonards Sports Centre on Friday 9th May.  Asha W had performed very well at our St Marys Athletic Carnival by winning the Grade 6 Girls Shot Putt field event. 

Asha went on to win this event at the ENE Athletic Carnival and the following ENE Combined Athletic Carnival, thus securing her place to compete at the State Carnival. 

We are very proud of the manner in which Asha competes and represents both our school and our East Coast region.  We would like to congratulate Asha on a wonderful athletic season in the shot putt event and we wish her every success in this event as she moves into high school athletics next year.  

Despite the frosty and cold conditions, many students and parents joined eager staff members in a walking to school experience to highlight National Walk Safely to School Day, on Friday 16 May. National Walk Safely to School Day is an annual event that aims to highlight safety around roads as well as the importance of regular physical activity.  

We congregated on the Main Street, bright and early with the frost still on the ground. Clear blue skies and sunshine made for a very picturesque walk. With conversation and discussion around safety, we moved together as a group along the road and towards the school drive. By the time we arrived at school, many of us couldn’t feel the tips of our fingers. Luckily there was warm milo, tea and coffee upon arrival. Hot savoury scones, toast and fresh fruit filled our bellies, and we were ready for the school day.  

Thank you to the parents that joined us for this event. It was a lovely way to start the day.  

Students in Years 8 to 10 Visual Arts have been busy finalising and submitting their entries for the Bay of Fires Art Competition. With their submissions complete, they have now begun an in-depth research assignment exploring influential artists. This project focuses on artistic techniques, significant art movements, and the personal stories behind each artist’s work. Students will use their findings to inspire the development of their own original artworks, drawing on the style and creative approaches of their chosen artist. 

I would not like to come up against some of our students in a trial. This week we looked at how laws are made and what happens when you break the law. We held two trials in our classroom, and I am glad to say, our two accused citizens were both innocent! This was such an engaging lesson for everyone. The students all asked if we could do this style of learning every lesson. In my defence, I indicated we could proceed with this style of learning, where relevant. 

Last week, Years 5/6 engaged in a school workshop, the spotlight was on STEM, and what a spotlight it was!

The students were very privileged to experience STEM Expo Tasmania in the school setting, supported by the University of South Australia.

Students were involved in a number of exciting and engaging activities which allowed for exploration and creativity, solving challenges and working as both individuals and in small groups. 

Specialised facilitators, Miss Kawajit and Miss Anita exposed students to the wonderful world of coding which enabled students to manipulate 2D and 3D shapes, making zoo animals, as well as exploring animal classifications and new species. 

This proved to be a fun, eye opening and interesting experience. I was so proud of the way students were engaged, very hands on and very creative.

This term, Grade 7 students have been learning foundational skills in hand building with clay. They designed and created their own clay tiles, experimenting with a range of textures and compositional techniques. The project encouraged creative exploration while developing technical confidence in working with ceramic materials.  Each tile reflects the student’s individual design choices and growing understanding of form, surface, and tactile qualities. 

K – 6 PRIMARY CROSS COUNTRY AND FUN RUN REPORT 

In outstanding running conditions, our K – 6 students assembled in the middle of the soccer grounds with their teachers, TA's and carnival officials ready for the annual Cross Country and Fun Run Day.  A wash of blue, red and green hats, clothing, face paint and costumes assured all participants, supervising staff members and spectators that our students were ready to collect as many house points as possible!  Congratulations to Bella Mc who took out the bonus points for the best Primary Fashions on the Field decked out in DUNCAN red from head to toe! 

A new and improved starting and finishing line! 

This year, there was a small ‘tweak’ to our starting procedure.  We had for many years begun all our races at the “starting tree”.  To support better vision of the starts and finishes for students, supervising DECYP adults, officials and spectators, only ONE line was used for the start and the finish of all races!  Our students still included the “starting tree” in their courses as it was only 20m or so from the new starting line. 

Our new starting location allowed for increased spectator viewing for our families and guests at the start and finish of all races.  It provided increased opportunities for photos to be taken of family members as they started the race, during the race and as they crossed the line when receiving their place tags.   

The new starting set-up supported the DECYP Safeguarding and duty-of-care protocols which requires separate and clearly defined spectator and student spaces during the event.  Thank you to all our spectators who attended our carnival to watch their children and take advantage of the improved spectator seating area with better viewing and photo opportunities.  

Our amazing Secondary Student carnival officials  

At the conclusion of the morning Secondary cross country races and after a short break, a group of twenty five secondary students made their way to several locations to complete a range of roles and responsibilities to support the Primary cross country races. Ten students moved to their checkpoints around the school grounds and onto the school farm and another fifteen students moved to the warm-up area, timekeeping, judging and recording stations. What an amazing team of Secondary students!!!  THANK YOU!  

Within our PE curriculum, our K – 6 students had been preparing for their courses since Week 8 of Term 1 and up until the day before the carnival.   All students had 3 – 4 familiarisation sessions around their courses.  And of course, another year of looking out for Fabio – our famous school ram – as our classes made their way around the school farm sections. 

Primary Support Runners, Dave and Craig – thank you all! 

THANK YOU to the number of older Primary students who offered to run with younger K – 2 siblings or friends around the K – 2 courses…and this was AFTER they had run their own race!  These amazing support runners demonstrated wonderful school spirit and connection, kindness to others and courage.  A big thank you to Dave and Craig for supporting our carnival with cutting, mowing and clearing tracks on the farm and with setting up markers and furniture for our courses, marshalling and recording areas.  

Grade Cross Country Champions 

Congratulations to the following students who, due to placing 1st and 2nd in their races, are our Grade 3 – 6 Cross Country Champions and Runners Up. 

House Points 

At the end of the final Primary race, all Secondary and Primary house points were added up.  We congratulate DALMAIN house for a very strong effort this year to take out the overall points for the Champion Cross Country House for 2025.  

East North East (ENE) Cross Country  

We wish all the best to our Grade 3 – 6 students who will participate at Winnaleah Tree Farm on Wednesday 21 May at the ENE Cross Country Carnival.  

Please enjoy the following photos from our Cross Country Carnival on Tuesday 13 May. 

SECONDARY CROSS CCOUNTRY REPORT

The day started with “fashions on the field” where our dressed-up students put their best foot forward to win the bonus 100 points on offer for their house teams.  It was fantastic to start the day with so much enthusiasm and colour, and for all of our students to come together as a whole group to celebrate their House team. Congratulations to our best dressed winner for the secondary: Max G for securing the 50 points for his house team in a Dalmain coloured T-REX inflatable suit!! 

The Grade 7 students kicked off the races and headed out on the school farm. Congratulations to Miller and Levi who won their respective events. First back in the Grade 8 events were Sienna and Jacob. The motivational music was pumping through the brand-new PA system and the Grade 9’s stepped up to the line. Congratulations Paige and Harley/Ping for their outstanding efforts to take out the win.

Lastly, to our Grade 10 students who were probably overjoyed that this was their last school cross country event EVER! Congratulations Isla and Jaxon, who both ran outstanding races. 

A huge shout out to those students who came and participated to the best of their ability in this year’s cross country event. The courage and commitment to participate helps to build resilience and self -confidence and gains valuable points for you house teams. 

Lastly, thank you to our wonderful staff and helpers. These events are only possible with the help of all staff. To Craig, who mowed the track through the farm, opened up all the gates and moved the stock. To Dave who worked to help set-up and pack-up after the event. And lastly to all our staff on checkpoints, walking the course, recording and supervising….we appreciate you, Thank you to all.  

Wishing our team the very best of luck for Tuesday May 27 at the Inter-High Cross Country event at Kings Meadows.  

Our students have been having SO much fun using their big muscles, their little muscles, big pieces of equipment and little pieces of equipment to learn about the many ways they can move their bodies.  They are learning about how their bodies move and why it feels good when they are active.  They are engaging in tasks on their own, with a buddy or in groups.  Our students are enjoying the feeling of moving in, out, backwards, forwards, up, over, through, behind, around, left, right, over and under.  This directional language is repeated often and guides our students to explore how to move safely around, big/small spaces, equipment and others.   

What can I say??  Let these pictures do the talking!  

Miss Bramich

Moving our Bodies!

Grade 3 – 6 students have been participating in practical ways to understand the components of fitness.  There are eleven key components of fitness; FIVE HEALTH components and SIX SKILL components.   

The HEALTH components are the key elements that anyone of any age needs to develop and maintain to function at their best.  They are: 

1. Body composition – this includes having strong muscles, strong bones, a healthy amount of body fat, smooth joints that bend and move to allow us to engage in different movements. 

1. Heart & lung health – this is called “cardiovascular’ fitness.  We all need healthy and efficient functioning heart and lungs.  Moving our bodies regularly will develop this.  Our Grade 5/6 students have been taking their pulse at rest, during activity and when recovering from exercise.  They are learning that the faster their pulse returns to their resting pulse rate the fitter they are. 

1. Flexibility – whether you are nine or ninety, bending, reaching and stretching are important ways to keep our bodies finely tuned.  

1. Muscular strength – this is how we pull and push objects to move objects around in different spaces.  We demonstrate strength by moving objects using our bones and muscles.   

1. Muscular endurance – this is using our muscles for an extended period of time. 

The SKILL components are specific skills that are important to have for certain jobs, playing different kinds of sport or enjoying a recreation pursuit. They are: 

1. Agility – changing directions quickly 

1. Power – using muscular strength very quickly 

1. Reaction time – responding to a signal 

1. Balance – still (static) or moving (dynamic) 

1. Coordination – being able to move different body parts or perform different actions at the same time 

1. Speed – how slowly or quickly a person or object moves from A to B 

Our Grade 5 / 6 students have incorporated elements of science and have made cardboard planes to engage in a “Fit Flight” heart/lung activity.  Just like golf, instead of counting hits, our students have counted how many successful throws of their cardboard plane around a course.  Some Grade 5 / 6 students have participated in a similar activity with a buddy using large fit balls.  They have used sponge balls, rulers and batons to perform reaction time tasks.  Team games incorporating many of the fitness components have also been enjoyed by our students. 

Our Grade 3 / 4 students have focussed on the “Health” fitness components.  They too have engaged in many learning opportunities to explore how their bodies can perform efficiently.  They are understanding the connection between a healthy body and a healthy mind.  They are realising that being active is a “feel good” experience.   Our students particularly enjoyed the obstacle course which required them to crawl, roll, jump, slither and balance.  They are learning that their bodies can become very strong if they use it to be active every day.   

 Please enjoy this selection of photos of our students engaging in fun, challenging and innovative ways to enjoy physical activity. 

Meet our Staff

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

• Campbell Town Show - Friday 30 May 2025  - All Primary Students
• Seesaw - Digital Portfolio - Grade Prep/One
• Kindergarten Development Check

....