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

6 July 2018

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPALS REPORT

During the school holidays, we will be moving into Stage 2 of our major works here at the school. Teachers and students will be relocating temporarily into other learning spaces. I would like to express my appreciation the willing and supportive approach both staff and students have in the disruptions to date.

At least for the first two or three weeks of Term 3 our Administration and Library will be in a state of flux. If all goes according to plan the Administration Offices, Library, Music, Drama and Canteen will all be operating from the newly refurbished administration block. I am anticipating a reasonably smooth transition but no doubt not without it’s challenges. I would like to wish all our students, staff a restful term break, and look forward to a less busy term three.

We have sadly had a number of our staff, students and parents who have lost loved ones in death recently. On behalf of all our school, I would like to express our deepest sympathies to the families. The pain I know is great but the memories are what make for consolation. Take care and look after each other.

I would also like to draw attention to the increasing challenges social networking brings to young people and have provided some information from the eSafety website, which is a great resource for parents, staff and students. Talking to colleagues, inappropriate use of social networking is becoming pandemic and if we are to support our children, we all need to be informed and proactive in educating the safe use of this media. I have included a government website for you information, which provides some exceptional suggestions in being social media ready and using social media. Is your child social media ready? Do they know the legal requirements, terms of use, when accepting usage of a social platform? Answers to those questions and more are available on the following website, which I strongly recommend all parents and children visit.

https://www.esafety.gov.au/

Identify the Dangers Avoid the Consequences – Social networking

Social networking is a large part of the social identity of young people. They are avid users of a range of social networking services including Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat, Instagram and Twitter. Many kids also network through playing online games like Club Penguin, Moshi Monsters and World of Warcraft. All of these services provide fun and engaging ways to:

  • stay connected and interact with friends and family
  • post information and updates about themselves and their activities
  • share photos and videos
  • chat and play games
  • comment on other people’s photos, posts and profiles.

It can be difficult to resist the ‘pester power’ of your kids when it comes to allowing them to engage on social media, especially when their friends may be allowed. There is a risk they may feel alienated, but ultimately you know your child best and whether they can handle the responsibilities and pressures of being on social media.

Safe social networking – How can I support my child to be safe on social networks?

Social networks can be a great experience for your kids and there are a number of ways that you can play a part in helping them enjoy their benefits.

These include:

Staying involved

Establish your own account on the sites they use and learn about the privacy settings. Don't be intimidated by new technologies – understanding how these sites work may help you feel more comfortable with your kids exploring these spaces.

Checking ‘terms of use’

Terms of use for each social media service covers the rules for using the site, the type of content that can be posted and any age requirements. Read these to your child to make sure they understand what is expected of them.

Being aware of age guidelines

It is useful to consider whether you are comfortable with the content and the potential for contact with others including teens and adults on each site. Consider whether your child is socially ready to manage contacts and look out for the age ratings set by app stores to help identify age suitable content.

Setting rules

Make sure your child knows what information they can share or post and encourage them to tell you before they join new networks and before they post any personal information, including their full name, address or school.

Establishing safe personal profiles

Ensure they don’t put too much personal information online. Help them create user names or IDs that do not communicate gender, age, name or location and are not sexually provocative.

Establishing privacy

Ensure your child’s account is set to the strongest privacy setting so only their circle of friends can view their information, tag them in a photograph or share posts. Many sites have privacy protection information and safety tips.

Encouraging thinking first

Encourage your kids to think before they put anything online, even among trusted friends and remind them that once shared, information and photos can be difficult or impossible to remove and may have a long-term impact on their digital reputation.

Promoting respectful communication

Advise your child to stay respectful and be nice online and to avoid responding to any negative messages and report any they receive to you or another trusted adult.

Checking review sites

https://www.esafety.gov.au/esafety-information/games-apps-and-social-networking

Staying in Education: Increased Minimum Education and Training Leaving Requirements from 2020

Tasmanian students are staying in education and training for longer, assisting them to achieve a qualification that significantly improves their life chances and choices. The progress made over the last four years is clear to see in this graph showing Tasmanian Education Retention and Attainment.

The changes made by the Education Act 2016 will help us to keep improving, with increased minimum education and training requirements to apply for students who are in Years 11 and 12 in 2020 (and students in earlier school years).

This change will apply to students who are currently in Years 9 and Year 10 in 2018 and support the growing community expectation that education does not end in Year 10 – in fact, Years 11 and 12 are two of the most important years of school. They might be a student’s last years at a school but they are the first steps into their future.

Times have changed and the vast majority of today's jobs require a Year 12 or higher qualification. Employers are looking for people who are able to show they are flexible, adaptable and willing to learn new things.

What young people need to complete their education is not a ‘one-size fits all’ solution. The new education and training leaving requirements recognise the need to have an option for everyone. High school students should talk to their teachers about their options and what will best suit their needs. This will help them make informed choices about what will work for them.

Your pathways: Where to from here is a great place to start looking at the many options available. Education and training participation pathways may include:

  • senior secondary study at a college or a school offering Years 11 and 12, or being home educated
  • undertaking vocational education and training (VET), including through a registered training organisation, a Trade Training Centre or an apprenticeship or traineeship, including an Australian School-based Apprenticeship.

In certain circumstances, a young person may be eligible for an exemption, including where they have secured full-time employment (35 hours a week).

It’s not always easy to stay in school – but anything can happen when you finish school.

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

PJs FOR PJ

PJs for PJ Our Secondary Student Leaders held a Pyjama day on Thursday 5 July to raise funds for the parent of one of our students and valued member of our school community - Photjana Escobar. Photjana is suffering from a terminal illness and the $400 so generously raised was very much appreciated.

KINDERGARTEN INQUIRY – Birds and Nests

The Kindergarten children found a bird nest in a tree in our yard. There were lots of questions…

“How did it get there?” “Who made it?” “Who does it belong to?”

So, an inquiry began. We used our Talking Tub to encourage thinking and wondering about birds and nests. It was amazing how much we already knew. We recorded our thinking in our Thinking Floor Book and used this as a springboard for further inquiry and learning during the term.

We have learnt a lot about birds, eggs, feathers and nests. If you look at our photos, you will see us investigating, inquiring, wondering, questioning, making, drawing, creating, designing, problem solving, cooperating, looking, observing, talking and thinking.

Kinder - Feather Sketches

Atticus Barratt

Beatrix Cornelius

Henry Mason

Ella Sweet

Cobia Boehm

Kyuss Barratt

Kinder Mandalas

In Kindergarten we have been exploring the concept of patterning in Maths. This included the circular pattern called mandalas. When making our own we started in the middle and worked our way out.

Cobia Boehm

Hamish Davenport

Kyuss Barratt

Lilly Harrop

Michaela Hays

Harrison Davie

NOTICE TO PARENTS OF KINDERGARTEN CHILDREN

As part of the school speech pathology service, all children in kindergarten will be screened for speech and language difficulties during Term 3. The screening takes approximately 15 minutes per child and will screen receptive language skills (ability to understand information and instructions), expressive language skills (use of words and sentences), and the child’s ability to say sounds in words.

Following the screening, parents will receive notification advising whether a full assessment of speech and language is recommended. If you do not want your child to be screened, please advise your child’s kindergarten teacher by Friday 27th of July.

PLAYGROUND UPGRADE

On Wednesday 13th June a new item of playground equipment was installed in our primary playground by Island Recreation. Our children were very excited. Here are a few comments about our new Cube.

Hello, I’m Helayna and I think the new play equipment is awesome because everyone can enjoy it. The cube is probably the second favourite section in the whole school. In total seventy kids in Grade three to Grade six love the cube.

Two people in Grade 3/4 class think that the Cube needs to be bigger and that there should be something else there. But a lot of people in primary love the cube to bits.

The Cube

Hello my name is Daniel and I think the new cube play equipment is great for everyone. I love the cube because it has a rock climbing frame. We went round the school and we asked Grade 3 to Grade 6 students if they like it. In total seventy kids think it is amazing but two people in Grade 3/4 did not like it. They think it is a waste of space and they think it needs to be bigger. The other reason I like it is it has a black swing in the middle that five people can fit on. When the Bicheno School comes they go on as well. I love the new cube.

Hello my name is Katie. I like the cube because it is amazing. Me, Dan and Helayna went around the classrooms and asked who liked the cube, seventy people like the cube, in Grade 3/4 two people hate it.

GRADE 1-2 BENNETT

STEM CHALLENGE

Grade 1/2 Bennett doing a STEM challenge of building the strongest tower out of marshmallows and spaghetti.

Grade 1-2 Bennett and Prep-1 Cooking

Grade 1-2 Bennett joined Prep-1 Wills to cook scones.

I’m sure the proof is in the eating.

BAY OF FIRES WINTER ARTS FESTIVAL

With deepest gratitude to all the volunteers, families and students who made this past weekend so special.

WINTER YOUTH ART PRIZE 2018

BAY OF FIRES WINTER ARTS FESTIVAL

K - 2

area

1st

St Marys District School

Claire Ward

A devil and his friends

2nd

Bicheno Primary School

Annie Hunter Marriott

The Zoomer

3rd

Bicheno Primary School

Niamh Woolley

Untitiled

Grades 3-6

1st

St Helens District School

Amber Matthews

The Kangaroo of the East

2nd

St Helens District School

Felix Chisholm

Healthy Oceans

3rd

St Helens District School

Daisy Holmes

Seahorse

Grades 7-8

12-14 year olds

1st

St Helens District School

Tara Bursic

Dasyrus Maculatus

2nd

Launceston

Lachie Snell

Fairy Wren

3rd

Launceston

Marley Pedersen

Fairy Wrens in the Bush

Grades 9+

15-18 year olds

1st

Launceston

Laura Cadart

Quoll

2nd

Launceston

Elois Sormon

Echidna

3rd

St Marys District School

Sebastian Dean

Born Wild

People’s Choice

1st

St Helens District School

Tara Bursic

Dasyrus Maculatus

2nd

Launceston

Elois Sormon

Echidna

3rd

St Helens District School

Marshall McLaughlin

Tasmanian Tiger Freedom

WINNERS OF THE YOUTH ART PRIZE AT ST MARYS DISTRICT SCHOOL 2018

1st Prize - Claire Ward 5-7 year old Kinder -2 $40.00 prize

Sebastian Dean - 3rd Prize Grades 9-11 $50.00

FINALISTS AT ST MARYS DISTRCT SCHOOL

Aiden Woods

Ella Gillies

Lilly Weyer

Lowen Li

Ayla Johnson

Maggie Egan

Zoe Johnson

Mia Gillies

Kayden Rigby

NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS STORYTIME

The primary school participated in National Simultaneous Storytime on May 23rd when Mr Campbell read to the whole school. Some students in Grade 5/6A ran activities with the early childhood classes. Here are some news reports from Grade 5/6A students:

Hickory, Dickory, Campbell!

By Amelia Mason

On Wednesday 23rd of May 2018 Mr Bruce Campbell read Hickory Dickory Dash by Tony Wilson in the primary music room/breakout space at St Marys.

N.S.S. (National Simultaneous Storytime) has been running since 2000, that’s 18 years! In 2017 they had 686,324 participants. It is Australia wide, it happens between 11.00-11.30am, in schools, libraries and child care centres, etc.

I think that Mr Campbell expressed the book really well. Everyone loved it.

“Mr Campbell was a very funny reader and the book was very interesting”. Jessica-Lee Squires.

We cannot wait for next year. I think that the younger students will be the most excited.

http://www.nss.org.au

Mr Campbell reads a story

By Katy Bond

Mr Bruce Campbell read “Hickory Dickory Dash” to St Marys School on 23rd of May.

Hickory Dickory Dash was the simultaneous Storytime book. Read by Schools, Libraries and Childcares across Australia.

The lil’ kiddies loved it. The big kids not so much. Everyone laughed at least once! Scott said (in a Scottish accent) “it was very fancy!” he was being stupid!

It was a good whole primary activity.

http://www.nss.org.au

Mr Campbell reads to primary

By Jessica-Lee Squires

On the 23rd of May 2018, at 11.30 we all sat around to listen to Mr Campbell read Hickory Dickory Dash by Tony Wilson, while all other Libraries and Schools across Australia did the same for National Simultaneous Storytime. We all met in the carpet break out space.

Mr Campbell read while all primary laughed as Mr Campbell used his funny voice to put on a show.

“It was boring” said Jazmyne Dawson.

“I think it was funny” said Mia Gillies.

“I think they should choose books that the older kids will like too” said Olivia Bonner.

AT THE END OF THE DAY I THINK WE CAN SAY WE ALL HAD A GREAT TIME.

EDUCATION PERFECT

David Escobar received a gold prize in the Humanities Championship through Education Perfect. Education Perfect is a program available to all secondary students. It is to support student’s learning in all areas of the curriculum (HASS, English, Mathematics, Science and even variety of languages).

Throughout the year, Education Perfect has competitions, such as the Humanities Championship. David Escobar was in the top 2% of 20,000 competitors around the world, with him answering 2,139 questions throughout the competition, he went into the draw to win a prize, successfully winning a $100 iTunes voucher.

Future competitions include the English Championships between Wednesday the 25th of July to Wednesday the 1st of August and the Science Championship between Monday the 13th of August and Monday the 20th of August. Students can log into Education Perfect to find further details on how to participate and the $10,000 in prizes that are available to them if they participate!

PREP-ONE WILLS

Outside Art

Grade Prep/1 made patterns with masking tape and coloured inside the shapes with different coloured chalk. After colouring we all took the masking tape off and look what we created! A work of Art!

PCYC - GRADES 5-6

On the 27th June, we came to school early so we could go to Launceston to PCYC. We all got our bags and headed to the bus.

We were on the bus, it was a long and tiring ride. We finally got to PCYC and we walked in and put our bags down. Then we got split into groups, we were the first for the rock climbing. We put our harnesses on and went through all the rules. Jayden was the first to demonstrate climbing the wall. He went all the way to the top and rang the bell. When he got down he said it was really scary. When it was my turn I was too scared and didn’t go to the top.

Next we went to the gymnastics and trampolines. We did warm ups, and then our group got split into three other groups. One group was doing the gymnastics obstacle course, the other was doing the other obstacle course while my group went to the trampoline. The trampoline was my favourite, especially the foam pit. After our groups turn was done we done all the other things.

When we finished everyone was tired.

When we got back to school everybody went home.

Everyone had fun.

by Jessica-Lee Squires

Here are some poems some other students wrote.

CAMPBELL TOWN SHOW

The Tasmanian Wool Centre sponsors the School Art Prize each year at the Campbell Town Show

The St Marys District School was lucky enough to win the prize this year.

The Tasmanian Wool Centre has donated a cheque of $100.00 to the school to go towards the purchase of library books for the school.

Here are the winners and commended art designs

Hamish Davenport – Kinder -
Second Prize

Beatrix Cornelius – Kinder
First Prize

Emily Barnes – Prep –
Second Prize

Fergus Burbury – Grade 1 –
Highly Commended

Claire Ward – Grade 1 –
First Prize

Lilly Weyer – Grade 3 –
First Prize

Mim Burbury – Grade 2 –
First Prize

Henry Legge – Grade 4 –
Highly Commended

Helayna McGiveron – Grade 4 –
Second Prize

Amelia Mason - Grade 5 –
Highly Commended

Katy Bond – Grade 5 –
First Prize

Amali Lowe – Grade 5 –
Highly Commended

Mia Gillies Grade 6 –
Highly Commended

Addison Borradaile – Grade 6 –
First Prize

COOKING IN GRADE 2/3

Grade 2/3 Gray/Stanford enjoyed a morning cooking with Ms Hodge. Students made Anzac biscuits. Students were engaged and reaped the end result with all batches cooked to perfection.

ST MARYS DISTRICT SCHOOL GRADE 7-10 CROSS COUNTRY 2018

RESULTS

CHAMPION

RUNNER-UP CHAMPION

7 GIRLS

TAYLOR JONES

AVA LOCKWOOD-RODEN

7 BOYS

ELVIS RUSSELL

JACK HENDLEY

8 GIRLS

SOFIA AGOSTENELLI

KATE AULICH

8 BOYS

DARCEY SCOTT

LOUIS LANGOULANT

9 GIRLS

TAHLIA RANDALL

CHARLOTTE LOCKWOOD

9 BOYS

BRAYDEN SINGLINE

JAIDAN STROCHNETTER

10 GIRLS

BREANNA BROUGHAN

DAKOTA MCKIMMIE

10 BOYS

ANGUS HODGE

MASON BUCKNELL

HOUSE RESULTS

1st – Duncan
2nd – Dalmain
3rd – Blackwood

Congratulations to all our runners who showed determination and resilience in somewhat challenging conditions for our secondary cross country event– A typical winters day for St Marys!!

INTERHIGH CROSS CCOUNTRY

Kings Meadows High School 2018

ST MARYS - Second place in Division 2

On Tuesday 19th June 2018 a team of thirty five selected students travelled to Launceston- Kings Meadows High School to participate in the Inter-High X-Country carnival. The course was a little wet under foot but the sun was shining and the weather was ideal for cross country running. The day started with the Grade 7 races and moved through to Grade 10 events. Outstanding results came from:

Sofia Agonostelli - 2nd place Grade 8 girls
Darcey Scott - 1st place Division 2, 2nd place overall (silver medal) Grade 8 boys
Louis Langulant - 2nd place Grade 8 boys
Xavier Laungulant - 3rd place Grade 8 boys
Grade 8 Boys- 1st place in the team competition
Darcey, Louis, Xavier and Aaron.
Elijah Harvey - 2nd place Grade 10 boys
St Marys finished 2nd overall in division 2.
Deloraine won and St Helens finished 3rd.

Congratulations to all our school representatives. We had a fantastic day with many keen participants and some outstanding personal achievements.

Thanks to Miss Redden for organizing and conducting training sessions in preparation for the school and Inter-High Cross Country events. Improvements in both fitness and confidence levels were evident across the team.

ST MARYS DISTRICT SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONS 2018 - PRIMARY

GRADE

Champion

Runner-up

6

Jimmy Freiboth

Jack Cropp

Zoey Jones

Jessica-Lee Squires

5

David Turner

Lucas Guy

Amelia Mason

Britney Webb

4

Tysen Gamble

Henry Legge

Ava Howorka

Helayna McGiveron

3

Jaxon Harrison

Jimmy Freiboth

Henna Bunton

Mia Hibberd

DUNCAN – 454
DALMAIN – 469
BLACKWOOD - 485

ALL SCHOOLS CROSS COUNTRY

On 26th June 2018 some students from St Marys District School participated in the All School Cross Country at Symmons Plains.

There were approximately 300 runners in each event. Our children done a fantastic job.

Results

9 year old

Jaxon Harrison - 109th
Wally Freiboth - 229th

10 year old

Tysen Gamble - 231st
Henry Legge - 273rd
Mathew Englmayr - 241st

11 year old

David Turner - 141st

CERAMICS IN THE ART DEPARTMENT

Jacob Borradaile

Hamish Rowntree

Moochie Jarvis

Kate Aulich

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