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

20 November 2019

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPALS REPORT

Fingal Campus 2020

Many thanks to the Fingal Campus parents who were able to come along to our Fingal Campus 2020 information session held earlier this week. Ros Smith and I really enjoyed the opportunity to share our plans and discuss strategies to ensure the educational programs offered at our Fingal campus next year are robust and tailored specifically for the needs of the students. The following information was shared:

  • There will be 1 class group at Fingal campus in 2020, catering for students from Prep to Grade 4.
  • The teaching team will consist of 2 teachers who will work together to plan the learning program.
  • The class will be taught by a class teacher and supported with additional teacher and teacher assistant hours.
  • Members of the leadership team and administration team will also support the students and staff at the Fingal campus at different times across the week.
  • Students will continue to receive specialist lessons delivered at Fingal.
  • For the 2020 school year Kindergarten and Grades 5 and 6 will be delivered from the St Marys campus.

We also discussed the factors that we are required to take into consideration when making decisions around class structures and staffing and the process we will use when considering class structures for the Fingal campus each year. This process includes but is not limited to:

  • Parents complete a ‘Campus Preference’ request form.
  • Leadership team consider all factors relating to class structures and develop models.
  • Consultation occurs with the School Association committee.
  • Fingal Campus parent information session held.

We look forward to working closely with our students, staff and families to ensure our Fingal students are well supported as we move to our exciting new structure for the 2020 school year. If you were unable to make our information session this week, or would like to talk further please contact Ros Smith or I by calling the school office on 63723900.

2020 Class Placements

As we work through the process of refining our team structures and class groups for the 2020 school year, I encourage any parents with particular concerns or requests relating to the placement of their own child to contact to the school. Teachers spend a great deal of time and thought placing children into new classes and they consider a range of factors when making these decisions. We also recognise and value information and feedback from parents that may assist us with this process.

East North East Swimming Carnival

Congratulations to the following students for being selected to represent St Marys District School at the ENE Swimming Carnival held last week. All students showed wonderful sportsmanship and represented our school with pride and courage.

Alice Mills, Amelia Mason, Ashton Gillies, Izack Miller, Nicholas Robbie, Riley Cooper, Cohen Connelly, Helayna McGiveron, Alex Syka, Ava Howorka, Henry Legge, Daniel Cook, Cooper Jackson, Kayden Rigby, Tysen Gamble, Lachlan Woods, Angus Lockwood-Roden, Henna Bunton, Mia Hibberd, Nikki Gamble, Malika Butwell-Blair, Ruby Hoskinson, Wally Freiboth, Oliver Robbie, Dominic Locket, Tyler Speers, Byron Woods, Bo Bryant, Connor French, Lily Bunton, Sophie Syka, Katie Jones, Mimi Burbury, Mieka Swanson, Brodie Faulkner, Ryan Gorham, Ping Li, Lochie Miller.

LSSSA Swimming

From their performance at the ENE Swimming Carnival, Izack Miller, Ashton Gillies, Helayna McGiveron and Ava Howorka have been selected to participate in the LSSSA Swimming Carnival being held on the 29th of November at Riverside. I would like to congratulate these students on their outstanding performance and selection at the LSSSA Carnival.

Arts on Tour

Students and staff embarked on their ‘Tour’ last week and from all accounts their performances were well received by all. I enjoyed experiencing the show on Wednesday evening along with student, parent and local community members. I’d like to congratulate Sofia Agostonelli, Monique Dufty, Larna Malley, Bridie Aulich, Tae Thomson, Nathan Spurling, Tahlia Randall, Fraser Russell, Amy Norris, Celeste Locket, Issy Horwood, Lani Haas, Mackenzie Woods, Erinn Spilsbury, Bailey Barnes, Louis Langoulant, Xavier Langoulant, Chloe Malley, Aaron Mason and Georgia Nisbet on their commitment, dedication and team work in producing such a wonderful performance.

A special mention to Robyn Hickey and Nic Wardlaw for their ongoing support of the Arts at our school and in particular ‘Arts on Tour’. Both Robyn and Nic go above and beyond to support this St Marys DS tradition and I thank them for their dedication and commitment.

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

WHEN LESS IS MORE

In Grade 6 we are learning that good writers make careful selection of their words to make the most impact. We tried to write using only six, ten or twenty words to make the reader feel a strong emotion. Here are some of our efforts about Remembrance Day.

Aman

Left everything, came back to nothing.

Lucas

I build my life to fight in the war. I try to live to fight.

Alex

Trumpets blow, silence falls

Throughout places minds remember those who fought

People hope war ends and will never come again.

Lenny

remember the days before the war?

Bella

Today they live, tomorrow they die

Amelia

the young and old stop

A silent minute to mourn

Realise those who fought

COUNTRY CHALLENGER GRADES 3 - 6 CRICKET ‘IN - SCHOOL’ CRICKET TRIALS

On Thursday 17th October, Miss Bramich and Mr. King held a two hour cricket trials session for all Grade 3 – 6 students interested in following an East North East cricket pathway. What a delight to see so many eager faces arrive to try out. Congratulations to all these students in this picture for having the courage to attend a selection process for this sport.

Congratulations to the following students were chosen to attend the ENE Cricket trials the following week:

Fletcher Mason, Byron Woods, Wally Freiboth, Connor French, Tyler Speers, Jaxon Harrison, Lochie Woods, Tysen Gamble, Kayden Rigby, Ava Howorka, Daniel Cook, Angus Lockwood- Roden, Henry Legge, Amelia Mason, Ashton Gillies and Riley Cooper

Further congratulations are given to Daniel Cook, Connor French, Wally Freiboth and Ashton Gillies who were selected to represent our region in the East North East Country Challenge Cricket Team.

We look forward to hearing the results of your games when you compete at the Country Cricket Challenge on November 25th and 26th.

SWIMMING CARNIVAL CHAMPIONS

The ENE swimming carnival was held on Thursday at the St Marys pool. St Helens, Bicheno and St Marys competed in 25 and 50 metre events.

There were two heats for each event and then the final places were gained from the fastest three times.

Our team performed very well with some great results. We finished in second place behind St Helens.

Helayna McGiveron was our most successful individual with 6 firsts and 1 second place. She also set a new record in the 25m Butterfly.

Izack Miller, Henna Bunton, Sophie Syka and Lilly Bunton all gained 3 place ribbons.

Other place getters in finals were Mimi Burbury, Bo Bryant, Wally Freiboth, Mieka Swanson, Ashton Gillies and Daniel Cook.

PRIMARY SWIMMING CARNIVAL

The students taking part in the carnival were determined to have a good day. There was plenty of cheering for the red, blue and green. The 25 metre events went smoothly with some great efforts and some times that were close to records. The one record of the day went to Helayna McGiveron in the 25m Butterfly.

The final tally of house points put Blackwood 514, Dalmain 464 and Duncan 266.

Grade

Champion

Runner-up

Champion

Runner-up

3

Mimi Burbury

Sophie Syka/

Mieka Swanson

Ryan Gorham/

Ping Li

Brodie Faulkner

4

Henna Bunton

Nikki Gamble

Wally Freiboth

Bo Bryant

5

Helayna McGiveron

Alex Syka

Henry Legge

Daniel Cook

6

Amelia Mason

Alice Mills

Ashton Gillies

Izack Miller

Grade

Champion

Runner-up

Champion

Runner-up

3

Mimi Burbury

Sophie Syka/

Mieka Swanson

Ryan Gorham/

Ping Li

Brodie Faulkner

4

Henna Bunton

Nikki Gamble

Wally Freiboth

Bo Bryant

5

Helayna McGiveron

Alex Syka

Henry Legge

Daniel Cook

6

Amelia Mason

Alice Mills

Ashton Gillies

Izack Miller

WOOLIES EARN AND LEARN STICKER CAMPAIGN 2019

You will remember in an earlier newsletter, I gave some information about how many Woolies Earn and Learn vouchers our school community collected in order to redeem for educational resources. This year, items were chosen to support the learning of our Kindergarten students. Please enjoy these photos of the St. Marys children opening the boxes with Mrs. Hibberd. The students were so happy when a four – person listening post was unwrapped. This will allow four students to listen to a story or some music at the same time connected to four sets of headphones. It will allow other children in the class to continue working without hearing the story or the music. They are looking forward to taking turns with this item. They laughed at the body x-ray Health Education posters. They were very pleased to see the collection of brightly coloured transparent numbers to make learning to count fun. There were whoops of delight when the wooden maths counting and tens frame set was opened too. And lastly, a new collection of one hundred sticks of brightly coloured chalk!

Once again, thank you to all members of our school community who donated stickers.

Karen Bramich

STATEWIDE GRADE 3-5 SWIMMING AND WATER SAFETY PROGRAMME (SWSP)

What an amazing Swimming and Water Safety Program! The Tasmanian Department of Education provides a mandatory programme for Grades 3 – 5 students and at risk Grade 6 students in Tasmanian schools to participate in quality swimming and water safety instruction. Over three years our students participate in thirty lessons in which to become a competent swimmer and be water safe. The programme has a strong emphasis on water safety, including boat safety, the use of personal flotation devices, survival swimming, reach to rescue, entering aquatic environments safely, as well as efficient stroke development and building swimming stamina. These elements also build the foundation for participation in aquatic activities in adult life.

Our students should be congratulated for their outstanding efforts over the nine days between 21st – 31st October. With Miss Karen Bramich and Mrs. Carol Bennett as this year’s instructors, our students proceeded to work through Stage 1, 2 and 3 swimming and water safety skills – learning new skills and refining previous skills. Our students also participated in both Stage 1 and 2 Boat Safety theory and practical activities delivered by MAST Education Officer, Mr. Ian Ross. Please enjoy these snap shots of our students increasing their skills and knowledge about keeping safe around water.

ABOVE, BEYOND AND BENEATH

ArtStart 2019 Exhibition at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery.

Congratulations to the following students from St Marys School who were successful in being chosen to exhibit their work at the QVMAG. There were 200 entries and each school could only send fifteen pieces of work from our primary students. The exhibition runs until June 2020.

Alice Mills

Amelia Mason

David Turner

Lenny Barratt

Marcus Cottrell

Ruby Hoskinson

LIFT

At our last assembly, Shakayla from Grade 3/4 Bennett drew the winner of the Parachute Challenge, congratulations to Henry Mason!

Our Cooking Challenge has had limited entries, so has been combined with our Build a Marble Run/Maze Challenge. All photo entries can be submitted via text, class dojo or email to rebecca.mason@education.tas.gov.au.

Fingal EC1 class participated in a Herb Pot and Wax Wrap Workshop on Friday 15th November. It was lovely to have parents come along and engage with their children’s learning at school. Hopefully our herb pots will be brimming with fresh parsley, basil, dill and other delights in the coming weeks. The bees wax wraps were a huge success, and best of all they are fully compostable!

Prep Wills, Grade 1/2 Cromb and Grade 2/3 Gray have been learning to play unfamiliar LIFT games once a week at school. This has really encouraged students to take new games home to play with their families. Grade 2/3 Gray have enjoyed learning to play Checkers, Yahtzee and Doubles Bingo, while Prep and Grade 1/2 have been looking at Sleeping Queens, Uno and Headbandz. Playing games at home is an excellent way for children to practise a variety of mathematic skills, literacy skills, strategic skills and sportsmanship. Families are reminded to please return games once a week.

REMEMBRANCE DAY-Prep, Grade 1 and 2

On the 11th day of the 11th month we made our own individual poppies to remember the soldiers who fought in WW1 and to remember those men who fought in the war and those who sadly did not return. We read the book called ‘A Poppy is to Remember’ by Heather Patterson, and then we designed and created our own poppies. Here are some of them.

REMEMBRANCE DAY EC1 – Fingal Campus

On the 11th of November EC1 class students shared their thoughts about the Remembrance Day, as well as watched a presentation and read various informative texts to extend their knowledge on this topic. Students then were asked to create their own medals and identify the main elements. Each medal displays different perspectives and represents main features of the Remembrance Day.

DO YEARS 11/12 YOUR WAY

When you finish Years 11 and 12, anything can happen. If you are currently in Year 10, you will need to continue studying until you finish Year 12 (or meet a leaving requirement). Once you leave school, it can be tough out there. Most jobs today require you to complete Year 12 as a minimum and 91% of all new jobs will also require a VET or university qualification. That’s why there are now more ways than ever before to finish Years 11 and 12 your way.

You don’t need to finish school the old-fashioned way. There are courses and training programs available to suit everyone. Just ask your teachers, Year 10 or My Education Coordinator – they will be able to tell you all about your options. There are so many more opportunities available to you if you complete Year 12.

Always remember if you’re not enjoying what you’re doing, you’re not stuck. You can always shift focus and find the best options to suit you. To find out more, talk to your teachers or head to anything.tas.gov.au.

JOKES FROM GRADES PREP, ONE AND TWO

Recently we were privileged to watch an amazing live show performed by St Mary’s District school senior students for their Arts on Tour Show. It was based on a lot of school jokes and riddles. We just loved it! This prompted us to write our own jokes. Hope you enjoy a good laugh!!!!!

What can you catch that you can’t throw? A cold! Jacob Worrell (Grade 2)

Will you remember me? Yes. Will you remember me next week? Yes. Will you remember me next month? Yes. Will you remember me next year? Yes? Knock, knock. Who’s there? Ha, ha you have already forgotten!!!!!! By Taz Bryant (Grade 2)

What goes up and doesn’t come down? Stairs! Amelia Taylor (Grade 2)

What do you call a vampire with no fangs? Fangless! By Emily Barnes (Grade1)

Why is it easy to play pranks on a vampire? Because they are all suckers! By Cohen Piscittelli-Cole (Grade 1)

What do you call a deer with no eyes? No idea! By Harrison Davies (Prep)

Why is a fish so smart? Because it swims in schools! Oliver Hibberd (Grade 1)

What is 1+1=? 2 No, that’s wrong. Its 11! Jett Worrall (Grade 1)

ARTS ON TOUR SETS 2019

A huge thank you to the following sixteen students from Grades 7, 8,9 & 10 who have helped with the painting and designing of the sets for the play “Once Upon a Day Dream”.

Mrs Jill Lewis

Julia Bibby, Tiana Smith, Achounta Butwell- Blair, Kyia Jamieson-Ham, Catherine Thomas, Tasharna Purcell, Jazmyne Dawson, Jessica Zarglis, Mia Gillies, Ella Triffitt, Tiana Cordwell, Zoe Johnson, Leah Barnett, Larna Malley, Bridie Aulich and Lily Haarmann.

Photos of students helping paint the sets.

CHANGES TO END OF YEAR ASSEMBLIES

Please carefully refer to the information below relating to the structure of end of year assemblies and award presentations this year.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind parents and community members (especially those who need to adjust working arrangements) of the changes to our end of year assemblies for 2019.

Please ensure that you are aware of the additional Merit Assembly, which will see the newly elected Student Representative Council host a Merit Assembly for all students from Kindergarten to Year 9. Parents are also warmly invited to attend the Merit Assembly and share in our celebrations which will include awarding Merit Certificates Kinder – Grade 9. The Kinder – Grade 9 Sporting and Attendance Certificates usually given out during the Presentation Assembly will also be awarded at the Merit Assembly. Mr Wardlaw and Miss Bramich and their music students are busy preparing musical items for this assembly as well as the usual, much anticipated items that will be performed during Presentation Day.

These changes have been made to ensure that we have time to acknowledge and celebrate all aspects of our Kindergarten to Year 12 school year while supporting all members of our school community to participate and share in our celebrations. We look forward to sharing the following events with you.

Friday 13th December 1.00pm - Presentation Assembly – Performing Arts Centre
Tuesday 17th December 5.30pm – Grade 10 Graduation Dinner – White Sands Estate
Wednesday 18th December – Grade 10 Picnic
Wednesday 18th December 11.00am – Kinder – Grade 9 Merit Assembly, Performing Arts Centre
Thursday 19th December 11.00am – Grade 10 Celebration Assembly – Performing Arts Centre

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

Hagley Farm Excursion – Grades 4-5 & 5-6

SECONDARY

Grade 7-8 Team Building and Celebration – Hollybank – Launceston
Grade 9-10 Team Building and Celebration – Hollybank - Launceston

WHOLE SCHOOL

Bushfire Response Plan

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

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