26 February 2018

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Welcome back everyone, to our 2018 school year, one that has been operating since the beginning of January, with demolition work happening, site meetings, book sales to mention a few. Staff and students have quickly established their respective routines. Our secondary students were involved in some great team building activities and challenges, which will continue throughout the year.

Our Grade 10 Student Leaders have been busy planning for the year ahead and have some great ideas and activities planned. Our Grade 10 Student Leaders attended the GRIP Leadership conference on Friday 23rd February.

Our Grade 10 Student Leaders for 2018 are:

President - Elijah Harvey
Vice President - Lochie Aulich
Secretary - Georgia Buckingham
Treasurer - Matt Grayson

House Captains:

Blackwood - Danni Ingram
Duncan - Anne Stewart
Dalmain - Laura Sliskovic

I would like to take this opportunity to wish our Grade 10 Student Leaders a great year. It is my wish that they take the learning received from the GRIP conference greatly from the high quality GRIP Lead into the school year. I thank our Student Leaders for taking up this valuable and important leadership, as they are the student voice.

Leadership Conference

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Leadership Conference

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Voting for the Primary Student Leaders took place on Friday 23rd February. The successful students were:

Olivia Bonner – President
Jimmy Freiboth – Vice President
Jessica-Lee Squires – Treasurer
Jayden Clark – Secretary
Will Burt –Fingal Campus Representative
Addison Borradaile – St Marys Campus Representative.

Congratulations to you all.

Primary Student Leaders

We have a number of new staff and I would like to extend a warm welcome to Emily Garth- Prep/1 and Susan Bennett - Secondary Maths/Science. Welcome back this year to Rachel Hodge on a 3/4 class, Lisa Cromb at Fingal Campus and Ms Lynette Yodgee as our ‘Raising the Bar’ Literacy Coach. Overall a lot more stability in our teaching staff which has already led to a settled start to the year.

We have over 50 staff members and over 300 students, totalling approximately 370 people on site at times, which makes for a busy work place, especially when we have our parent and community helpers at school. In consideration of this, it is very important that if you wish to meet or speak to a staff member you make an appointment or wait on a reply to avoid disappointment.

The Education Act of 2016 continues to be rolled out and as such will influence the way we operate our schools. We will have a focus on non-attendance and an officer will assist parents and myself in keeping accurate attendance data, including offering support where needed. A new role in the Department of Education is that of an Education Registrar and the need to make sure we implement the new laws in an effective manner.

Some students in the secondary area are failing to wear their school uniform. The school has a uniform policy endorsed by our School Association. The wearing of school uniforms/dress code is also a part of the new Education Act. One of our three main values is be respectful; to consistently not wear, our school uniform shows a lack of respect to our school values. If a student consistently comes to school not wearing a uniform, it will need to be discussed with parents.

We are constantly updating the school’s Facebook page with redevelopment progress updates. The demolition phase of our redevelopment should be complete by the end of this week.

Redevelopment

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Redevelopment

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This year we commenced Grades 11/12 after a hiatus of over five years. A welcome to all our 11/12 students and their parent’s/guardian’s and I wish them a very successful academic year.

I have engaged the employment of a security guard for this week after the school was broken into last weekend: Thankfully, no property was taken or damaged. The school also received a number of threats to harm the property. Having security on site is purely a safety precaution and recommended by head office. I am confident that all will be well, but it is always better to err on the side of caution when it comes the safety and wellbeing of our school community.

We have an extremely exciting year ahead and there is a real positive feel in our school community.

NEW TEACHERS TO ST.MARYS DISTRICT SCHOOL

Emily Garth

My name is Emily Garth and I am the new Prep / Grade One teacher at St Marys District School this year. I graduated from UTas in 2015 and spent my first year teaching at St. Helens and last year at Scottsdale Primary. I grew up on the East Coast and am very pleased to be teaching in the area again. I live at Beaumaris with my husband, and our two dogs, Charlie and Clover. Some of my favourite things to do are reading books and spending time with family and friends. I’m looking forward to a great year at St Marys.

Susan Bennett

I am a maths/science teacher who has come from Queechy High School in Launceston. Previous to that I have taught at Devonport High, Reece High and Oatlands District School. I transferred to St Marys so that my husband, Andrew, and I could enjoy the more relaxed atmosphere of the East Coast following his retirement.

I grew up in Launceston and we always came to Bicheno or Coles Bay for our family holidays. We have owned a house in Bicheno for the past 15 years.

I try to stay fit by walking, swimming, riding my bike and paddling my kayak. I enjoy the outdoors with gardening, fishing, camping and an occasional game of golf. Reading and craft work are also hobbies.

Spending time with my family (3 children and 3 grandchildren) is a priority although sadly none of them live locally.

I have very much appreciated the warm and friendly welcome I have received from both staff and students and look forward to working with the St Marys District School community in the coming years.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW KINDERS FOR 2018

Lilly Harrop

The Winter Olympics have come to St Marys!

Students in Grades 5 and 6 have been working to construct equipment. They worked in groups to plan and create ski jumps, snowboards and other event infrastructure.

Students were required to plan, build, test and reflect on their designs in groups. Have a look at their work here.

Planning Phase

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Planning Phase

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Creating Phase

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Creating Phase

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Survivor Camp Report

Survivor Camp Report
Volume 1.
Written by Nathan Dufty and Nathan Spurling

On Thursday the 8th February, 7/8 A, 7/8B and (most importantly) 7/8C hopped on the bus bound for camp. Camp was at Gumleaves (it’s near Swansea). First we drove the long, gruelling distance to Bicheno, where we picked up more students. Then the teachers gave us our first two challenges: to keep a Lifesaver round for thirty minutes (while it’s in our mouth) and to keep your hands on your head for a while.

When we got to camp, many people had failed. Some on purpose, some by accident, some by breathing in and nearly choking on their Lifesaver (Sofia). Not many people had their hands on their heads. Those that did needed to cut their arms off (nearly).

Survivor Camp Report
Volume 4.
Written by Elise and Sofia

On the second day of camp, Friday the 9th of February, we competed as tribes in the obstacle course. The first obstacle was a wooden log wall we had to climb over, then a cargo net wall to crawl over. Then we bound over large rotund looking logs, which tested our ability to cope with splinters. Then the monkey bars, more like the greasy colourful bars of doom. Log stairs were next up, they included gymnastic like balancing skills, taking the floor is lava to the next level. The swinging tyres were challenging seeing as they were about 65 years old. The rope swing was lethal, causing Elise to fall to her near death. The catwalk was a great chance for a certain student to cheat and jump off halfway *cough cough*. The over ‘n’ under ended in sore backs and scarred knees and hearts. The rope walk was a terrific opportunity to eliminate fellow competitors by shaking the worn out rope. Some students had to run twice because of lack of participation. In the end the underdogs Roast Potatoes won and there were high fives all around. Then some crazy students and teachers ran the course again with an extreme amount of cheating. Then we packed up camp, had some salad rolls for lunch, auctioned off the final confiscated contraband for RAK* dollars and headed home.

*RAK dollars are fake pieces of money we were awarded for doing kind things, RAK stands for Random Acts of Kindness.

Things other people had to say!

School camp! That was fun and a great way to start off the year...Also, the idea of "RAKs" was a great way to teach kids to be kind. - Leah

The Sour Lemons tribe I believe did the best job at teamwork - Tiarna

My tribe was called the "Saucy Seagulls" we didn’t win overall but the challenges were really fun. My personal favourite was the "magic carpet". - Darshini

Camp was fun. My favourite activity was the obstacle course, my tribe (Turbo Turtles) came 2nd! - Ava

Survivor Camp Report
Written by Zoe Johnson

When we reached the campsite we had our third challenge.

The teachers put us students through an “okay-ish” challenge by eating different types of HORRIBLE foods such as:

• 2 dry weetbix
• A lemon
• A disgusting onion that was not that good (if I do say so myself)
• A chilli
• And finally a full tin of sardines.

I know I know, disgusting!

After we finished the challenge we had to set up our tents.

We all finished pretty fast. Especially Sofia with her pop up tent.

Challenge four eventually came around with nine buckets full of water. We all had to guess what we had to do. Tae was close with his question of “do we have to see how long we can hold it for?”.

The challenge started. We had to see how long we can hold a bucket full of water over our heads. Aaron Mason won for his group the SS (Saucy Seagulls).

Lunchtime!

We had to walk a “15 K” hike (as Mr Spykers would say) to lunch. The teachers had a first class ride in the van up (except Miss Coates, she was ‘forced’ to walk with us WONDERFUL kids.

Day Two Camp Report
Maggie Egan and Matilda Harvey

On the second day we woke up early and started our first challenge, although Nathan S was still in his pyjamas. Our first challenge on Day 2 was to create the best pancakes Miss Lewis ever ate. Sour Lemons won.

After the pancake competition we finished off our rotations. Then it was time for the obstacle course.

Gum Leaves

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Gum Leaves

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STEM – HOBART CAMP

Written by Amy, Sofia, Tasharna and Miss Hughes

Last year, on the 18th of December, years 7, 8 and 9 went on a STEM based camp, which was a fun and interesting experience for all of us.

The bus ride to Hobart was rather uneventful, and was mainly full of children listening to music, sleeping and only some striking up a conversation with their neighbours.

After the long bus ride, we finally arrived at the Antarctic division (the same one where Miss Hughes used to work) where we talked to a scientist, Nicole, who gave us a brief talk about Antarctic history and the settlements there. We were assigned to groups, each having a look at the Krill Laboratory at different times. The wait was long, but we could pass the time by feeling the Husky fur and dressing up in oversized snow suits. The Krill aquarium is in a cold room, this was because they had to mimic the temperature of Antarctica otherwise they would die. It was fun to walk into the icy rooms and laugh at how some people decided to wear tee shirts and then freeze to death (figuratively). We also played out an Antarctic food web, exploring the ecology of the southern continent.

After, we went back on the road again, to our accommodation – which were huge houses that could sleep twenty people in each – to ditch our gear. Then we headed off to MONA – which stands for Museum of Old and New Art, for all those who didn’t know – groups were created and students walked around the huge building, some even jumping between groups. Outside, many students attempted to jump upon the trampoline, but only one succeeded, the mythical Darcey. Performing many tricks as we watched with awe and wonder.

Next stop was Amigos, the Mexican restaurant on the North Hobart. The food and drink was amazing, and as Sofia would say “top notch.” To end the day we travelled back to our accommodation and enjoyed the movies on TV and late night hot chocolates… and Tae, with his big cup of Milo.

The next day we woke up early to be separated into two groups, one seeing the CSIRO and the other having a tour of the Wiking Institute – which was studying Dementia and mental elasticity. The other group visited the CSIRO, which was fun. This group visited the Investigator ship which studies the marine environment and climate. It had even entered Antarctic waters. We also got to see the engineering component of the CSIRO. This department was in charge of creating equipment for scientific investigations, such as creating Argo floats that are deployed from the Investigator ship. This equipment measures the temperature of the currents and the chemistry of the water.

After the groups found each other at TMAG and rejoiced at their newfound knowledge. The Tasmania Museum and Art Gallery is a huge building full of stuffed animals and black-and-white photos. There is an Antarctic level, full of interesting information about the icy continent. Students found a table of ice, and had competitions of who could brave the cold longest. Chloe held her hand there for at least half an hour before Miss Hughes chased them away.

Later, we travelled to IMAS, the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Science. There we met Nicole (again!) and students did an exciting experiment where we put Hobart sea water underneath a microscope and tried to figure out what creatures we could spot. Some found bug larva, and others plankton.

After that packed day, students got dressed up and fancy, for the dinner at the extravagant Casino. For all the food lovers, it was pure heaven with an all you can eat buffet and an ice-cream machine and chocolate fountain!

For the second time, the group was separated. Students could either go bowling or ice skating. The first group went bowling, showing off their skills on the lanes. Talent ran deep in the group’s veins, where our bus driver Tyson seemed to rule the roost, until Lochie almost knocked the bowling king down . Almost. Students who found that bowling was not their strong point played arcade games.

The second group went ice skating, where finesse and grace was more important than how good you are at rolling a ball (*cough* Tyson *cough*). Some found that they weren’t the most graceful in the group and made close friends with the ice, falling over again, and again, you know who you are. Through the group’s failure was success. There was one whose skill was so great some cried out in joy. This person was… Mr Spykers. He could twirl. He could whirl. He could fall onto the ground. His skill was so great, he threatened the ISU figure skaters.

The groups re-grouped on the bus and laughed about their failures and triumphs of that day. We later went back home, played a quick game of Sardines (where the overall winner was the sly Nathan) and finally headed to bed and drifted to sleep.

The groups awoke to the sound of birds, and battering windows as the winds had blown strong that night. We packed our bags and headed onto the bus, to be separated for the final time. One group went to the Hobart Tip Shop (it is better than it sounds) and the other to the Botanical Gardens.

At the tip shop, the group let out their inner artist and took old objects and used them to paint artworks. Later we could also browse in the shop, buying old and new items. The shop began to frighten some as a creepy old doll continued to play music eerily though the warehouse.

At the Botanical Gardens students took a waltz through nature, observing flowers and trees. Truth be told, they didn’t do much, and took up hours by just walking around and looking at green, but beautiful things that nature has to offer.

We then went to have lunch (and shopping) at Eastlands shopping centre. Some were lucky enough to get some last minute Christmas shopping in, while others had the chance to buy themselves an early present.

Everyone hopped back on the bus for the final time, and drove home where the last day of school awaited us.

Stem

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Stem

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StemX Academy

By Amanda Hughes

I feel incredible fortunate to have attended the StemX Academy during the January holidays. With 400 people applying, I was lucky enough to be one of the 70 selected. It was a hands on, jam packed week in Canberra. I came away from the experience enthusiastic about the year, ready to implement a diversity of ideas and activities into the classroom.

StemX was broken down into 2 different tasks, at 2 different locations, Questacon and CSIRO. At Questacon, we spent our time in the Makerspace, which was hands on and creative. We went through the process of protostorming, with the aim being to create as many objects as possible out of a diversity of materials. The idea being quantity over quality, that the more you create, the greater your outcomes. This set you in a mindset of creating without fear. So when we moved onto a marble run type project, we jumped head first into the task without inhibition. We created game consoles using MakeyMakeys, with our objectives being groups working together to get through arcade games. We created money boxes, with the aim being to optimise the amount of money put into the box. There was also time to identify issues within our own school community and create solutions in small groups or individually. Our group sought to improve recycling of waste, creating interactive bins for recycling, upcycling, compost and chicken scraps.

At the CSIRO, we focussed on the issues that our students will potentially be tackling when they leave school. In small groups, we went through the process of creating questions based on a passage of text. Our team’s text covered many issues ranging from climate change to antibiotic and herbicide resistance. Developing one single question was problematic, but after an hour or two, we decided on pest management and the impact weeds have on crop production. The process we used highlighted the challenges our students experience and the modifications required to ensure student success. As a team, we worked together to create a solution to our problem; cleaning the soil before crops are planted through a process called soil solarisation. Our next challenge was to create resources that could be implemented in the classroom. On the final day, each group had a stall where they presented their questions, solutions and resources.

The trip also incorporated a diversity of science experiences, including the Graham Walker Show, Questacon, Mount Stromlo Observatory and for the secondary teachers, the Geocenter. These additional activities ignited our curiosity and gave us wonderful resources and lesson ideas. At the formal dinner, we were able to relax and socialize with other teachers and StemX collaborators, the discussions being varied and exciting.

I look forward to an exciting year at St Marys and hope that the students will be engaged in the STEM options that the school provides. It is all about students find projects that they want to engage in and creating innovative solutions. St Marys aims to create the problem solvers of the next generation.

StemX Academy

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StemX Academy

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Grade 5-6 Science in Week One

The challenge was to build the tallest tower, using spaghetti and marshmallows.

The winners in 1st place were Harley Jones, Izack Miller and Cohen Connelly with their very impressive towering structure.

Grade 5-6B Science

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Grade 5-6B Science

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MAKERSPACES

St Marys District School is endeavouring to establish MakerSpaces within the school. A MakerSpace allows students to problem solve, creating solutions, including prototypes. This requires supplies to ensure that students have access to successful learning within the classroom. We are asking that if you have any equipment you no longer require, that you donate it to the school. Please find a resource list below:

• Old smartphones that have been reset to their factory settings
• PVC pipe and plumbing fittings
• Blocks or Lego
• Heat shrink tubing for wiring
• Christmas lights
• Any tools (e.g. wire cutters and pliers)
• Portable storage
• Fabric

If you feel that you have equipment that you could donate that is not on the list, please contact the school. If you have any questions, contact Amanda Hughes or Heather Prebble on 6372 3900. You can also email Amanda at amanda.hughes@education.tas.gov.au.

Thank you for your support in this project.

Autism Tasmania

Information Sessions for Parents and Family Carers

Autism Tasmania is conducting a series of information sessions for parents and family members of children of all ages on the autism spectrum. These sessions provide an opportunity to learn about and discuss a variety of autism specific issues in a friendly and supportive environment.

All sessions are free to attend, however registration is required. Please register online via the events page on our website below or contact us on autism@autismtas.org.au, or 6231 2745

Calows Coaches – Timetable