St Marys District School
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13 Gray Road
St Marys TAS 7215
Subscribe: https://stmarysdistricts.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe

st.marys.district.school@education.tas.gov.au
Phone: 03 6372 3900

8 June 2017

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPALS REPORT

Student wellbeing is critical to ensuring Tasmanian children and young people are successful learners and to enable Tasmania to lead the nation in education. The impact that health and wellbeing has on students’ ability to form positive relationships and engage with learning, has been recognised in the 2017-2018 State Budget and that’s why the Government is making significant investments in supporting students and their families. The Liberal government has pledged $4 million over four years to extend the School Health Nurse initiative to Government District Schools, with a focus on school-wide health promotion, prevention, and early detection. The School Nurses will start at the beginning of Term 4 working 2 days a week in our school. As Nurses may be hard to come by it is encouraged that we recommend those who may be interested to look on the DoE websites for positions.

The Education Act 2016 commences on 10 July 2017.

There will be an incremental rollout to take advantage of the opportunities provided under the Act to put in place policies and procedures to support learners now and into the future.

Many of the everyday school processes will continue with transitional arrangements seeing most policy and procedure changes apply from the start of the 2018 school year.

During Terms 3 and 4 2017:

To do:

  • Schools need to develop their own adult behavior policies as they will have new powers to address instances of unacceptable adult behavior – all school sectors
  • Government schools need to develop or update their own school behaviour management policy including provision of alternative education during suspension, non-government schools need to develop their own school behaviour management policy as part of the new school registration process – all school sectors
  • Schools need to develop or update their own school attendance policy – all school sectors
  • Government schools need to develop or update their school policy on the charging of fees and levies in consultation with their School Association – government schools
  • Government schools need to develop or update their school out-of-area enrolment procedure to apply for enrolments taken from the beginning of Term 1 2018 onwards – enrolments from outside a school’s intake area will continue when there is ability to take further enrolments at the school – government schools
  • School Associations to implement a new constitution with each Association’s constitution to be approved by the Minister by the end of 2017, Associations to apply for approval of restricted activities (such as employing persons and entering into contracts of more than $5000) – a model constitution will be provided – government schools
  • Government schools to apply a new policy with minor changes to the delivery of religious instruction – school and student participation remains voluntary – government schools
  • Government schools with an existing dress code need to update their school dress code applying a new policy – there continues to be no requirement for schools to have a dress code – government schools

To note:

  • Home educated students wanting to attend school part-time can choose to apply for a part-time enrolment for 2018 – all school sectors
  • Students with disability wanting to attend both a support school and another school can choose to apply for enrolment for 2018 – all school sectors

There are more things to do and these will be shared in detail at our next School Association meeting.

Kind Regards
Bruce Campbell | Principal
St Marys District School | Department of Education

A: 13 Gray Road, St Marys, Tasmania 7215 | T: 03 6372 3900 | F: 03 6372 2543|
‘With every challenge, comes opportunities - BC

School Calendar

Sync Calendar

School Calendar

Term 4 Commences

All day

LIL 10.30-11.30 Kinder

All day

Pre Kinder Group 1 9-10am

All day

Grade 3 Sleepover

16 Oct 2025 - 17 Oct 2025

TasBGas Construction Skill Set Student interviews - Ref Tanya time tbc

All day

Construction Skill-Set Interviews

All day

HoL PL - KG, WI

All day

Kinder Excursion- St Marys Town Hall Children's Week

All day

Pre Kinder Group 2 9-10am

All day

LIL 10.30-11.30 Kinder

All day

NC/LC Enrolment Interviews

All day

Grade 9 Camp - CYC Blue Lagoon

27 Oct 2025 - 29 Oct 2025

Immunisation Catchups - if required

All day

Grade 5 Camp Rostrevor

29 Oct 2025 - 30 Oct 2025

LIL 10.30-11.30 St Marys Hall

All day

Pre Kinder 9-10am

All day

Transition visit 4 BPS Y6 to SMDS - OPTIONS Day

All day

World Teachers' Day 2025

All day

Student Free Day - Professional Learning

All day

Recreation Day (Northern Tas only)

All day

HoL Pyegana Dairy Co

All day

'Knock Knock' Performance K-4 PAC

11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Kinder Excursion Serpentarium

All day

Pre Kinder 9-10am

All day

LIL 10.30-11.30 PAC

All day

Sporting Schools Surf Groms Gr 5/6

All day

Secondary Athletics Carnival

All day

PAC/Common Room closed for Student Exhibition Set Up

07 Nov 2025 - 14 Nov 2025

RYDA (Simmons Plains)

All day

National Theatre Company Water Literacy Performance 3-6 2.15pm

All day

National Theatre Company Water Literacy Performance K-2 1.30

All day

2025 Student Exhibition

All day

Year 11/12 EOY Lunch @TBC

All day

LIL 10.30-11.30 Kinder

All day

Inter-High Athletics @ St Leonards

All day

Pre Kinder 9-10am

All day

Recurring event

National Simultaneous Storytime at Fingal Campus

The team at Building Blocks joined both Fingal classes for a special National Simultaneous Storytime event. We read the story The Cow Tripped Over the Moon by Tony Wilson then enjoyed a variety of activities about the story, books in general and autumn weather. Here are some pictures of our work.

Storytime
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Storytime
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Character studies at Fingal K/P/1

We have been learning about characters during our investigations. We have done craft, dressing up, role play, drawing and writing about different characters. We studied characters in fairy tales and other books and made up our own.

Here is Lily dressed up as a book character:

“I’m Fancy Nancy. She has a pet dog, a mum, a dad and a sister. She likes ballet.”

Here is Tayah as a princess:

“I’m Aurora. She’s a princess and she loves the jungle and all the bunnies, kangaroos and possums.”

We made characters in craft. Here is Ryan’s gingerbread man.

“He likes candy. He is small. He likes cinnamon. His family got eaten.”

We looked at different pocket contents and used our inferencing skills to work out who would have the different contents.

A little boy

A mother

A sportsperson

A business man

We then made up our own pocket contents for different fairy tale characters. Can you guess who has what?

By Aaron – a brain, a wand, a potion, a piece of bread, a hat, an eye, a bit of hair and a dragon’s egg.

By Aiden – a packet of tissues, a wand, glasses, notepad and pencil.

Answers: 1 – A Witch; 2 –A Fairy God Mother

FINGAL CAMPUS - SCHOOL FOOTY

On Wednesday 31st May Fingal Primary Campus students had a fun afternoon playing footy with mostly their mums and a few dads.

Some of the highlights included, Levi Woods running the length of the ground to kick a goal, gang tackling parents and some dubious free kicks to students because of parents being too “scary” and getting kicks under false pretences by asking their children to give them the ball.

The game was close all afternoon with the students winning on the last kick of the game when Lachie Woods kicked a goal on the siren.

The final scores were 8 goals 7points (55) to the students and 7 goals 8points (50) to the parents.

It was a great afternoon had by all and something everyone would enjoy doing again.

Scientists in Schools

Have you ever wondered what a scientist does all day?
Do you wonder what it is like to go university?
Do you ever wonder what it would be like to go to Antarctica?
Do you ever wonder what it is like to study science at University?
Do you ever wonder what it would be like to work with krill? Or Antarctic fur seals?
Or work for Tassal as a scientist?
Do you wonder what it would be like to get a PhD or a Masters Degree?
Do you ever wonder what it would be like at the CSIRO, the IMAS or the Australian Antarctic Division?

Well wonder no more, because now you can find out!!

Nicole Hellessey is a scientist partnered with St Marys District School as part of the Young Tassie Scientists Programme. The Young Tassie Scientists help engage and motivate students about science and science careers – and also provide teachers with the opportunity to strengthen their knowledge of current research. Nicole will answer all your questions about science (particularly Antarctica and its animals!).

Talk to your classroom teacher and get them to send your questions to our school Scientist, NIcole! We can even organise a skype call to her and she also hopes to come visit the school this year in Term 3 or Term 4.

Here is some information about Nicole (our school scientist!)

My name is Nicole Hellessey and I'm a PhD student at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) at the University of Tasmania. I am an Antarctic Marine Scientist but my research is on Antarctic krill and climate change; specifically how will krill fats and oils change into the future and how can we keep the krill fishery sustainable with climate change.

My research means I get to work with a lot of different institutes (IMAS, CSIRO, AAD, ACE-CRC) and even an industry partner (Aker BioMarine, based in Norway) which means I'm always on the move and I have to wear a few different hats.

I became an Antarctic Marine Scientist because I always loved the ocean. I grew up in Canberra and going to the beach was always a really big deal (it was 3 hours to the nearest beach!). I'd spend all day looking in rock pools and watching fish and seaweed and just loved being in and around the water. So after college I went to university to do a degree in Marine Science (at UTAS). During my degree I learnt a lot about the plants and animals of the sea but also about ocean currents, ocean/atmosphere interactions, aquaculture, climate (and climate change) and nutrient transport in the ocean. But my favourite class was on Antarctic ecology, and that was the beginning of the end for me. I fell in love with Antarctica and it's animals.

After finishing my degree I went back to Canberra for a year but wanted to get back to the ocean ASAP so came back to Tasmania to do a Masters degree (also at UTAS). My Masters was on Antarctic Fur seals and how they use the temperature of the water and bioluminescence in fish and squid to find their food. This led to me getting a job with Tassal as a Wildlife Management officer.

I stayed at Tassal for 18 months and got to do lots of great things (like getting seabirds out of nets, tranquillising seals and walking on some of Tasmania's most remote coastlines for environmental condition reports). But I knew that I wanted to do more science, and if possible, get my bottom to Antarctica. So back to Uni I went again.

So here I am now 18 months into doing my PhD. I have been to Antarctica twice now (once on the RV Investigator with CSIRO and once on the MV Ushuaia for Homeward Bound, the largest all female expedition to Antarctica) and I'm hoping to go back again. *fingers crossed*

Want to find out more about Nicole, have a look at the following articles on her:

http://youngtassiescientists.com/?scientists=nicole-hellessey

http://www.imas.utas.edu.au/news/news-items/antarctic-homeward-bound-voyage-inspires-women-leaders-in-science

http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/tasweekend-antarctic-voyage-to-promote-women-in-scientific-and-political-spheres/news-story/17c7dce1d646880bfb6b337e5c58625f

Want to know more?

Contact Miss Hughes so that she can tell you all about it.

GRADE 7/8 GEOGRAPHY

In Geography, 7/8 students have been examining “liveability” with Miss Coates. We have been assessing which factors make towns good to live in. Students modified a liveability survey and administered it to students across Grades 6-10, in order to compare the liveability of the St. Marys, St. Helens and Bicheno areas. In Maths with Miss Hughes, we analysed the data, working out the mean, median and mode scores. We then converted the average scores to percentages, and created graphs to display our findings.

PREP - GRAY/MASON

Humanities and Social Sciences

Learning Intention:

  • To create maps and models with features that represent our local area.

In Prep, we have been investigating where we live and how maps show common features of an area. The class worked together to build a model of St Marys and beyond, using blocks for roads and important buildings and other items for parks and bushlands. They then used a matchbox car to “drive” home from school, building extra roads as needed. Our floor map went from Fingal to Cornwall and St Marys, out toward Elephant Pass, down the St Marys Pass to Scamander and out to Four Mile Creek. The students used direction and important buildings to guide their trip and helped each other make it home safely. This activity was very exciting and generated much discussion about the town and its important features. Rest assured, they knew how to locate Liz’s Icecream shop!

Prep
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Prep
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LEARNING IN FAMILIES TOGETHER

“Feed Me a Story” Cooking with Grade 2/3 French

This term, LIFT and Building Blocks are running cooking sessions with students and their parents. We are fortunate to have local chef, Bree Piscitelli, helping with the technical side of things.

LIFT Intentions:

  • For students, parents and teachers to engage in learning together.
  • For teachers and parents to get to know each other better.
  • For students to try new foods and hopefully add some new options to their lunchbox menu.
  • For students to develop their understanding of safety in the kitchen.
  • To enjoy themselves.

Grade 2/3 French and parents have been cooking up a storm for the past three Monday afternoons. While 8 students were cooking, the remainder of the class were learning about food groups and healthy choices; discussing long term, positive effects of healthy eating.

After cooking, everyone in Grade 2/3 French went to the Café to conduct taste tests and rate the foods with 1-5 stars. There were many favourites, including mini pizzas, rice paper rolls with dipping sauces, mini muffins, berry smoothies and oaty biscuits. All 12 recipes went home with students, so they can recreate them with their family.

Thank you to all the mums and dads who came in for cooking, students loved sharing their learning with you, and we could not have run this event without your involvement.

Our next cooking adventure will be with Grade 1/2 Bennett.

If you would like help, access to the internet, to obtain your Working with Vulnerable People Card for Parent Help, please contact the main office to arrange a time. This is a simple, confidential process and should take less than 15 minutes.

Lift
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Lift
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CAMPBELL TOWN SHOW

Children from St.Marys District School entered the Wool Board Student Art Competition at the Campbell Town Show which was held last weekend.

The theme this year was “Farming”.

Congratulation to these children who gained awards at the show.

Marley Paul – Second Prize
Chelsea Jackson - Second Prize
Miles Chandler - First Prize
Cohen Piscitelli Cole - First Prize
Henry Legge - Highly Commended
Max Gorham - Second Prize
Jayme King - First Prize
Rebecca Harrison - First Prize
Joe Johnson - Highly Commended

Campbell Town Show
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Campbell Town Show
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JAM IS RESUMING!!!

Yay everyone!! JAM is back on Tuesday June 13th. We have a big SURPRISE CONCERT with SQUIRT the Clown (no whiteface). We’re bringing him over from Melbourne to help celebrate the resumption of JAM, with lots of clowning around for everyone. Who remembers Squirt’s red bunny’s

Please support us by encouraging your child to bring a non-JAM friend. Everyone is welcome: Parents, Friends and Family. It’s time to bring back the smiles and laughter and SQUIRT is just the clown to do it.

Further information is on the image below. Looking forward to seeing you – Mel & the JAM team.

Choose how to add this event to your calendar: