23 October 2019

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPALS REPORT

Dear Parents/Guardians

Welcome back to Term 4.

Term 4 is such an exciting term for a school, with lots of activities events and celebrations. This will certainly be the case for St Marys and we look forward to sharing all of these events and celebrations with everyone through our Newsletter and Social Media sites.

Learn to Swim

Grades 3 – 5 students are currently participating in the annual Learn to Swim program. All students participate in a 50 minute swimming lesson each day, with either Ms Karen Bramich or Mrs Carol Bennett. This year we have made some changes to our program to allow class teachers the opportunity to be on the pool deck and supporting students before, during and after lessons. The feedback from students and teachers has been really positive and I must say it is a highlight of my day to be able to visit the pool and watch the learning our students are undertaking.

PAT Testing

Students from Grades 2 – 10 are currently participating in PAT (Progressive Achievement Test) Testing for both Reading and Maths. These assessments provide important information for our teachers about individual student achievement and this informs the next steps for student learning. Teachers use this information to support their planning and teaching in term 4.

Department of Education Student Awards 2019

The Department of Education Student Awards recognise student achievement and the values of aspiration and growth.

Aspiration and Achievement – a culture of high expectations and high achievement

Growth – improving by always learning and finding better ways to do things.

Eligible students come from Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. This year two students from St Marys District School were recognised at a celebratory event held on Wednesday 23 October.

Alexandra Syka received the Aspiration and Achievement Award. This award is to recognise high achievement and was calculated using the NAPLAN literacy and numeracy data and Australian Curriculum assessments in English, Mathematics and Science over the past year.

Lowen Li received the Growth Award. Lowen received this award for demonstrating the most significant academic growth within St Marys District School. This award involves student growth over a 2 or 3 year interval between literacy and numeracy tests which are held in Prep and Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. This award also included the most recent year of growth in student learning as shown through the Australian Curriculum.

Congratulations to both Alexandra and Lowen on this wonderful achievement.

RYDA

On Wednesday our Grade 10 students attended the annual RYDA day at Symmons Plains. This is a Rotary sponsored and produced event and is a valuable experience for our students in gaining further insight into driving and the necessary safety considerations for them as they embark on their future driving careers. Students participated in a series of practical and powerful workshops that challenged the students to change the way they think about road safety and safe road use. Thank you to Miss Simmons for organising this and attending with our students.

GREAT DAY AT “GRAN FINAL”

It was great afternoon of “Gran Final’ football between parents and friends versus students at Fingal Primary School on Wednesday 25th September at the Fingal School oval.

A turnout of around 25 parents saw them get a team of about 15 to challenge students.

The students took an early lead by kicking 4 goals in the first quarter, to lead by around 3 goals at quarter time. The second quarter saw the parents running out of steam toward half time but only trailing by 2 goals.

The third quarter saw the parents trying to keep up with the students’ fast game and mass tackling. At one point Steven Rigby had five students tackling him. Robyn Miller had many opportunities to score goals but panicked under student pressure to kick three or four behinds.

In the closest final yet parents took a 1 point lead with four minutes to go, only to see the students score a goal immediately. Not to be outdone, parents scored another goal to snatch a 1 point lead with a minute to go. Students ran the ball up the other end but a late shot at goal saw students only score a point before the siren to see a drawn “Gran Final”. The final score being Parents 10.9 - 69 to Students 11.3 - 69. It was a great day had by all and a fitting end to such a great game.

LIFT

Welcome back to Term 4!

This term LIFT will continue to support families engaging in student learning at home through games borrowing from Kinder –Grade 2 and fortnightly newsletter challenges for Kinder – Grade 6. We hosted our Children’s Week event on the 22nd October at the Town Hall, which included lots of fun cooking and playing games. Fingal EC1 will also participate in a “Herb Pot and Wax Wrap” workshop during November.

Games borrowing Kinder –Grade 2

Students are asked to swap their games once a week. If any pieces are missing or broken, please add a note to the game so that I may restore it. An important aspect of the games borrowing is the recording of who played and who won (if there was a winner), please support your child to remember this task. Families are encouraged to modify the games rules, if needed, to suit their child’s ability and skill level, and I am happy to support you in this. I can be contacted via the main office: Mrs Bec Mason 63723900 or send a note to school with your child.

Newsletter Challenges Kinder –Grade 6

Fortnightly challenges are displayed in the newsletter, in classrooms and reminders given at assembly. Family photo entries for the challenges may be submitted via text, Dojo, or email to rebecca.mason@education.tas.gov.au. Late entries are always welcome, as names simply go into the next prize draw and newsletter photo gallery. We have been delighted to hear about the fun and learning from the first two challenges. If you have a funny story to share about your newsletter challenge, we would love to hear it. For example: One student who participated in the parachute eggsperiment had the egg crack on their head! Luckily the egg was safely wrapped up preventing egg-head, and no injury to the student. Thankfully the eggsperience lead to design modifications for a more successful attempt!

Challenge #3

With an adult – help make/cook your favourite healthy snack/meal. We would love the recipe if you are able to share it with us! It can be as simple as fruit kebabs/veggie sticks and dip or as complex as you like.

Entries due: Friday Nov 1st (late entries are always accepted).

Parent Help

With Christmas approaching fast, now is a good time to apply for your Working With Vulnerable People card so that you are able to come into school for parent help. Confidential applications are made via the Justice Tasmania website (link below) and the cost is $19.44 for volunteers. Once you have applied online, you have four weeks to lodge your application at Service Tasmania including having your photo taken and payment. Registration can take up to six weeks from the lodgement date. If you would like assistance accessing/filling out the online forms, please contact Mrs Bec Mason via the main office: 63723900.

EC1 FINGAL

Hope you have enjoyed your holidays! EC1 students definitely did enjoy theirs. We shared the great memories and fun/sad stories with each other.

St Marys and St Helens School Sports/Elective Exchange

The St Marys High School students travelled to St Helens High School on Thursday 26th September and what an enjoyable day for the students!

Different sporting options were available, as were photography and art lessons, where the students from both schools joined in with the same activities. In art, the students were given tasks to photograph with an iPad and then created symbols with their partners initials using watercolour pencils. The students were mixed together and by the last session were laughing, sharing great ideas and choosing to mix with students from the opposite school. The drawing on the tables with whiteboard markers by students, was an excellent idea that engaged all students. Thank you to the staff and students who organised a great sharing day at St Helens.

FINGAL KINDER – GRADE 2 HEALTH EDUCATION: FIRST AID AND EMERGENCY WITH MISS BRAMICH

It is never too early to learn about basic first aid and emergency care! There are many examples of young children calling 000, culminating in saving the life of someone else, often a parent. Our students have been learning about what items can be used for 1st aid. They have investigated real 1st aid kits and identified the function and use of the many items in a 1st aid kit. They then made their own representation of a first aid kit in a 2 dimensional paper model.

Our students have also been learning about the “on the side” position if they were to come across someone who was unconscious. The key focus has been about “opening the airway”. This notion has also been developed through fun cooperative games using swimming noodles. Please enjoy the pictures of your children learning such important life skills.

END OF TERM PRIMARY ASSEMBLY – CELEBRATION OF LEARNING

At the end of term assembly, attendance was celebrated along with our St Marys District School values certificates. Enjoy these pictures which capture students sharing their learning on STEM challenges, skills gained in writing Informational texts and a timely reminder about being “Sun Smart” by wearing hats during recess and lunch time throughout Term 4.

CINDERELLA PERFORMANCE

All students across two campuses were captivated by a travelling troupe named Alpha Shows when they presented Cinderella on Friday 27th September. Eye catching costumes, talented performers, dazzling lights complete with smoke effects entertained and inspired all ages. Thank you Miss Hickey for organising such a wonderful experience for our students and teachers.

KINDERGARTEN PHYSICAL EDUCATION WITH MISS BRAMICH

Oh what a treat!! The Kindergarten children had a visit to the ‘big’ playground to practice lots of different skills and to have fun in an environment and on equipment that they don’t get to play on very often. The wobbly bridge is just the best. The wooden tunnel was a great place to hide in. The boat was steered by many fine captains. The slide was nearly worn out. Even a fence is fantastic for practicing balancing, gripping and stepping very carefully using different parts of their feet. Please enjoy these pictures of our Kindergarten children learning and having fun.

PRIMARY MUSIC WITH MISS BRAMICH

READING RHYTHM PATTERNS AND USING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS TO PLAY RHYTHM PATTERNS

Our primary students are engaging in many music activities designed to teach how to read music and apply this knowledge to playing a range of instruments. Please enjoy these pictures of our students in action.

GRADE 2-3-4- EXCURSION

On Friday, 18th October, Grades 2/3/4 went on an excursion to Launceston. When we left St Marys, the weather was fine, however, the closer we got to Launceston, the drearier the weather became. Fortunately, when we arrived at the new Northbank Park play area, the rain stopped and students were able to test out all of the fabulous equipment.

After a quick lunch, we hopped back on the bus and headed to the Inveresk Museum to enjoy the dinosaur exhibition and the other exhibitions there.

We then loaded back on the bus and headed home. We had a fabulous day and the children are to be congratulated on their fantastic behaviour.

SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

SECONDARY

WHOLE SCHOOL

COMMONWEALTH BANK

SCHOOL BANKING – EVERY TUESDAY
TERM 4 REWARDS NOW AVAILABLE

Terms 1-3 are available if children would like to order them.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS